The Red Mansions

Chapter 885 Baochai: It's as if I've done something wrong

In the Lixiangyuan, Mrs. Wang was talking about Baochai's marriage with Aunt Xue——

Grand View Garden, Hengwu Garden

The white snow in the courtyard has already completely melted, and several plum trees under the pavilions with red walls and black tiles are shivering in the cold wind, and their tiny and delicate pink petals are swaying with the wind, looking extremely static.

In the wing room, on a kang couch next to the window casement, Baochai is holding Baoqin's soft little hand to talk. The two sisters are muscular and plump, but one is wearing a honey-colored jacket and the other is wearing a red jacket. The skirt is dignified and elegant, and the other is charming and naive.

Baochai smiled lightly, and said softly, "Baoqin, what did your elder brother Heng tell you?"

Baoqin was playing with a strand of black hair in her hand, with a look of shame on her brows and eyes, she said: "Brother Heng didn't tell me, Daddy said it's okay to wait another two years."

She promised Brother Heng that she would never tell her sister what happened before.

Baochai just thought it was a shy girl, but she didn't doubt it, but said with a smile: "When I was in Jinling, I lived with my sister, and later my sister went out with my second uncle, I don't want to live together again after so many years. "

Bao Qinfang's heart skipped a beat, her jade cheeks were slightly hot, and her heart felt a little weak.

If she followed Big Brother Heng, she would live with Second Sister in the future.

Bright and bright eyes flashed, and he quickly changed the subject, lowered his voice and said: "Sister, brother-in-law has been in the Beijing camp for the past few days, why didn't he come to look for sister?"

As he said that, he added: "I didn't look for Sister Lin either."

Brother Heng is really too, how can he be so busy that he is not willing to go home outside?
Baochai's moist almond eyes flickered under Cuiyu's beautiful eyebrows, and said: "He is busy with the Beijing camp, and he has no time to come here. Didn't the mansion newspaper say that he will prepare the army and prepare prisoners. "

With the best-selling of Jia Heng's third volume of the Three Kingdoms and Yang Guochang's return to his hometown, the public opinion on the peace talks between Beijing and China has also begun to turn.

Baoqin said softly: "Brother-in-law is really busy. I haven't seen you for a long time in Jinling. When I returned to Beijing, I was too busy to see anyone."

Baochai said with emotion: "This year or two is a critical time. If we want to fight the north, we can only let go of many things."

As Baochai was talking, she suddenly asked, "Didn't my sister still read the Three Kingdoms storybook these days?"

I don't know if it's her delusion, her cousin has been a little weird recently, she blushes in front of her every now and then, and her eyes are also slightly dodging.

It's like... as if you've done something wrong.

A slight smile appeared on Baoqin's plump cheeks, and she said softly: "I just flipped through it casually, brother-in-law's script is really well written, I heard that it sold a lot of money at the beginning."

Baochai said: "This story was originally written by him when he was in Liutiao Hutong. It was more difficult at that time."

Of course she has read the book he wrote, that means she read it a little later, otherwise...

At this time, the two cousins ​​were talking, and Ying'er said, "Miss Lin is here."

When Baochai heard the words, her face was stunned, she stood up, stared at the girl who walked in from the outside, and called out: "Hair."

Today is the first time Daiyu visits the house since the group of golden hairpins moved in yesterday.

Daiyu said: "Come and have a look at sister, why didn't sister Baoqin go to the front yard to play with Mrs. Heng?"

Xiangyun pestered Nuona to inquire about going out of Beijing these days, while Tanchun and Zhenlan went to the front yard, and Zhenxi followed Xichun to Changcui nunnery, and Daiyu was left for a while. Because of Xi Miaoyu's temperament, she didn't go to Miaoxiu to meet Xixi.

After thinking about it, I came to Xun Baochai to talk, after all, the two of them were in the same boat.

Baoqin smiled and said, "The scenery in this garden is easy to visit. I don't like playing mahjong very much."

In fact, Baoqin may not be as young as Daiyu, but now her sisters and sisters are all screaming.

Baochai ordered Ying'er to pour tea, and said softly, "How does Mao'er have time now?"

"My Xiaoxiang Pavilion is very leisurely. I don't usually see people coming, so I come here to talk to my sister." Daiyu's starry eyes were as bright as a rainbow, and there seemed to be a little resentment in her words.

In the past few days, she seemed to have experienced the feeling of coldness and loneliness a little bit. When he was away, she was bored alone in the room, and there was no one to talk to.

It is a kind of loneliness of suddenly seeing willows on the Moshang, regretting teaching husband and son-in-law to look for a title, sitting alone and frowning, not knowing whom to hate.

Baochai pulled Daiyu's slender catkins, but she could understand Daiyu's state of mind, and said softly: "My sister just moved in, you can walk around, familiar with the familiar path, by the way, this is not Laba, you should drink A bowl of Laba porridge is the best, and it should be a celebration of housewarming."

Daiyu responded in a low voice, sat down on the kang table, and said, "Sister Bao, he...he hasn't come back yet?"

Hearing this, Baochai's smile faltered on her pear-like white and flawless face, and she said softly: "Recently, the mansion newspaper said, beware of the anger of the Jurchens and the invasion of the South, Brother Heng should be in the capital camp to rectify the army right now. "

Daiyu sighed faintly, a faint look appeared in her starry eyes.

If you asked in a certain quasi in a later life, what kind of experience would it be to fall in love with a G-rank boss?
And then...you seem to have come to a wasteland where no knowledge exists.

"Sister, don't be too clingy to him, he is busy with state affairs." Baochai said softly with a smile on her face.

When Daiyu heard this, her cheeks turned red, who is stuck?
He lowered his head and said softly, "It's just that I can't stay home for a few days."

It wasn't the lamb bleating to be fed, but the deathly silence, which made Daiyu, who valued companionship, more and more lonely.

Baochai said: "A year ago there must have been free time. If we talk about gathering less and leaving more, sister Qin is the one. We used to get along day and night when we were in Jinling."

Daiyu said "hmm", raised her pretty face, and asked, "By the way, why did Brother Heng resign from his job as the Military Commander of the Five Cities?"

Baochai said with a smile: "Because I am concentrating on military affairs, there may be other reasons. When Big Brother Heng returns, my sister will ask him again. Recently, I heard that the chief minister of the cabinet has been changed."

Daiyu asked in surprise, "What's going on here?"

She really doesn't know this.

Baochai said: "My sister didn't pay attention? A few days ago, there was a lot of fighting in the court."

Dai Yuyu's cheeks were slightly ashamed, her starry eyes filled with curiosity, and she said, "Sister, tell me about it."

Baochai asked, "Brother Heng usually doesn't tell his sister?"

"He...he never told me." Daiyu frowned, with a hint of embarrassment in her tone.

Every time I look for her, I get tired of being intimate with her, and the words are romantic...

Listening to what Chai and Dai said, Baoqin felt red in the face and restless. She got up and said in a low voice, "Sister, I'll go back first when you two talk."

"Well, let's go." Baochai nodded and said softly.

The two sisters who serve one husband together talk about their own words, and the younger sister is not very suitable to listen to them.

As soon as Baoqin left, Daiyu sighed quietly, and said: "Brother Heng is in the Beijing camp for the past few days, and stays at work all night. I don't know why he is so busy."

Baochai chuckled and said, "Sister, go to the next post, if you can't say it, come here."

Not to be outdone, Daiyu said coquettishly, "Sister Bao is too."

If she did that, wouldn't she become a troublesome beauty?
Ying'er offered a teacup of fragrant tea and said with a smile on her face, "Girl, I heard from the nurse in the front yard that the uncle is back."

On the other side, Jia Heng, Zhen Lan, and Tan Chun entered the hall from the study, met Qin Keqing and Youshi's staring eyes, and said softly: "Keqing."

Qin Keqing said: "Husband, it's noon, it's time for lunch."

Jia Heng nodded, sat down, and explained: "I have been busy with the affairs of the Beijing camp for a while, but I have been a little free these few days."

Qin Keqing asked: "Husband, Sister Xue and Lin both moved into the garden yesterday, when will Husband go over and have a look?"

With so many people at home waiting, he can still stay outside. It seems that there is really an urgent and important military situation.

Jia Heng said: "Well, after lunch, let's go and have a look in the afternoon."

Sister Feng smiled and said: "Brother Heng finished his work? It's almost Chinese New Year, there are many things in the mansion that Brother Heng needs to deal with."

Jia Heng washed his hands under the servant girl's service, and said, "I'm almost busy."

"Brother Heng, there is something I want to bother Brother Heng." Sister Feng's Danfeng eyes under Liu Shao's eyebrows rolled, and she hesitated to speak.

Jia Heng took the hand towel from Third Sister You, wiped her hands, and asked, "What's the matter?"

"It's not my elder brother. He wants to do some business in Beijing, but it's not official yet." Sister Feng said softly.

In fact, the life of the Wang family these years is like Wang Xiaoer's New Year's Eve. Every year is not as good as every year. Especially after Wang Ziteng was dismissed from the Beijing Camp Jiedu Envoy and went to the Beiping Camp, the Wang family was affected even more.
And Wang Ren is Sister Feng's elder brother. He does some business in Jinling and Shenjing, and travels back and forth, making little money.

Jia Heng picked up the chopsticks, looked at Sister Feng, and asked, "What business does he want?"

Sister Feng looked a little unnatural, and said: "My elder brother wants to open a gambling shop in Dongcheng, but he needs to buy a brand in Wucheng Bingmasi, and if he doesn't have a brand, he will not be allowed to open a gambling shop."

Jia Heng frowned, and said, "Opening a gambling shop? This is all a business to deceive people, can't you do other businesses?"

The big man can't help but gamble. When he was in Wucheng Bingmasi, he once wiped out the Sanhe gang and severely cracked down on gambling houses, mainly the rogues who killed the people.

But it didn't take long for the dark field to prosper, and the bans continued.

In other words, even the mothers and maids in Jia's mansion played dice in private, and ate and drank money for money. In this era of poor entertainment, many people regarded gambling as a pastime.

Therefore, Jia Heng and Fan Yi discussed the countermeasures, and decided to release them in due course, and issued regulations, mainly restricting the restrictions on prostitution and prostitution.

Afterwards, the tax paid by the gambling house can be regarded as generating income for Wucheng soldiers and horses to a certain extent.

It's not that Jia Heng has never thought about the lottery, but he feels that the time has not come, or that the specifications of the Wucheng Army and Horse Division are not enough, at least the Ministry of Household Affairs or the Ministry of Internal Affairs should handle the matter.

In fact, the reason why King Wei was eager to take over the Wucheng Bingmasi was because he valued the income that the Wucheng Bingmasi brought.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, and said: "Opening a gambling shop is a side business, and it is easy to breed disputes. Let him think about a decent business."

It wasn't that he was obsessed with morality and cleanliness, but that if Wang Ren was allowed to open a gambling shop, he would probably bully men and women and run amok, and he might even act in his name.

Wang Ren, in the original book, is the cruel uncle who can sell Qiaojie. Of course, there is no Qiaojie now, but it can be seen that this person has a despicable character and has to be guarded against.

"That's what I mean too, but since they can do this kind of business, there's nothing wrong with us doing this kind of business, right?" Sister Feng's beautiful smile faltered for a while, and she said softly.

She didn't know what was wrong, she knew that with his temperament, she probably still disagreed, but she couldn't help but want to see how he would do it.

Thinking of how much she had done in front of her elder brother, Sister Feng suddenly felt ashamed and her cheeks burned like fire.

When Sister Feng was complaining about herself, Jia Heng said: "Now the Wucheng Bingma Division has been handed over to His Royal Highness Wei Wang, Sister Feng, let him do something else, whether it is a pawnshop or a restaurant, Better than these wicked jobs."

Youshi Wen Ning saw concern on his jade face, and said gently and softly: "Girl Feng, what Ziyu said is that these are activities that are harmful to nature and cause troubles."

Being rejected by Jia Heng, Sister Feng pursed her pink lips, feeling a little unspeakable grievance in her heart, pinching the white handkerchief in her hand, and said: "Then let me talk to him and let him think about a better job. .”

She didn't know why, but she always felt sore in her heart, but this kind of anger was born in her heart, but she felt that there was no reason for it.

She was not his someone.

what is sheIt's just a widow, and when others said a few words of concern in pity, she wanted to go blind, thinking how much face she had in front of him.

Seeing that Sister Feng didn't look like she used to be, Qin Keqing turned her beautiful lotus jade face, looked at Jia Heng, and said softly, "Would you like to meet Wang Ren with Sister-in-law Feng? It would save me a few words about him." He still has the idea of ​​acting in the name of his husband."

Hearing this, Jia Heng nodded, stared at Sister Feng who cast a pair of dejected red phoenix eyes, and said, "Sister-in-law Feng will introduce you in the past two days, and I'll see if I can think of a good business for him."

Once seeing Wang Ren, it means to help Wang Ren think of a profitable business, but before that, he needs to work hard.

In fact, as he was made a first-class marquis, such invitations from relatives could not be avoided.

When Sister Feng heard this, her heart turned to joy, and she said with a smile, "The day after tomorrow, I will invite my elder brother out to have a meal together."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Sister-in-law Feng arranged it."

Third Sister You glanced at Sister Feng, feeling a surge of emotion in her heart.

Without a man behind a woman, no matter how fierce her temper is, if something happens to her, there is nothing she can do.

Qin Keqing looked at the boy in the python suit, and said softly, "Husband, it's almost Chinese New Year, and Jing Qing is also on vacation from school. When will Husband go back to her natal home with me?"

In fact, Jia Heng should accompany his wife to see the old father-in-law for ten days after returning to Beijing, especially after he was granted first-class Marquis Wu, but he was really busy before, so it is understandable.

Jia Heng said softly: "Then tomorrow will be fine. I also have some matters to discuss with my father-in-law."

It is still a matter of military supervision and making firecrackers. The Ministry of Industry organized a group of military craftsmen to study iron smelting. In addition, there is a large amount of coal from Henan to be transported to the Beijing camp for heating for the soldiers and civilians. available fuel.

Of course, such as smokeless charcoal, animal charcoal carved with birds and insects is also called Ruijin Beast for dignitaries and dignitaries to keep warm.

Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes under Xiuli's brows seemed to give Jia Heng an angry look, and said, "Every time my husband goes back, I have to talk to my father about business."

Jia Heng smiled, gently took Li Ren's plain hand, and asked: "It's inevitable in the temple, by the way, when will Jing Qing enroll?"

Qin Keqing's jaded face was stained with embarrassment, she moved lightly, and said softly: "He just started studying literature this year, and he plans to take the second county and government exam next year, so let's try it first."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Then let him study hard, and I'll ask him about his homework later."

Sister Feng laughed and said, "Speaking of going to school, Mrs. Zhu asked me to send a message to Brother Heng, saying that Brother Lan should be ready next year, right?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Brother Lang can try it next year. I'll discuss it with Mrs. Zhu later. Is their school closed?"

I am not idle in Beijing camp, and I also have various things at home.

"It's a holiday, after the Lantern Festival." Sister Feng looked at the boy in the python suit with bright eyes, and said with a light smile.

Then, everyone sat around and started having lunch.

After finishing the meal, while drinking tea and talking, Jia Heng listened to the nanny tell: "Master, Xiao Qianhu from the south of the Yangtze River wants to see you."

Jia Heng looked at Qin Keqing and said, "You guys play first, I'll go and have a look."

At the beginning, the emperor mentioned that the old man in Jinyi who was located in Fusi, Jiangnan Town was appointed to investigate the case, so he sent someone to send a letter to Feige in Jinling, and now Xiaoxiao finally came.

Ningguo Mansion, Outer Study Room

Wearing brocade clothes and flying fish clothes, the slender girl sat on a chair not far from the desk, holding a cup of tea in her hand and took a sip. .

Accompanied by the familiar sound of footsteps coming from under the eaves outside the screen, Jia Heng looked up at the young girl with a dusty and tired face, and called: "Xiaoxiao."

Chen Xiao put down the teacup, raised her clear eyes, looked at the young man opposite, and said, "Why did you suddenly send me a letter to Fei Ge to come over? The letter from Fei Ge was vague."

Jia Heng approached and explained: "The palace sent an old man in brocade clothes to investigate the case. I'm worried that he might find something."

Chen Xiaoyu paused for a moment, her eyes flickered, and she asked, "You said that the previous commander was Shang Yong?"

Jia Heng nodded and said: "The Son of Heaven has entrusted him with the matter of King Zhao's remnants. By the way, how about the case in Nan Province? Is there any trace of Zhao Wang's remnants?"

Chen Xiao shook her head, her eyes were scrutinized and cold, and she said, "What else can I do? Everything is the same, and the three of you are starting to show pregnancy."

Jia Heng: "..."

After a while, Chen Xiaoqing's cold and jade face showed a serious look, and said in a low voice: "Chen Yuan has left Jinling."

"Going back to Shenjing?" Jia Heng frowned and asked.

Chen Xiao's eyes were dim and inexplicable, and she said, "I probably didn't come to Shenjing, but went to other places."

"Let's not worry about it for now." Jia Heng said, pulling the girl's slightly cold jade hand, and said in a warm voice: "Is this journey tiring?"

A faint and imperceptible blush appeared on Chen Xiaoyu's face, and she said coldly: "If you don't touch me, I won't be tired."

Jia Heng automatically ignored this sentence, pulled the girl up, hugged her in her arms, and said, "I'm really not used to not having you by my side during this period of time."

Chen Xiao was originally trying to break free from Jia Heng's shackles, but when she heard this, her delicate body softened all of a sudden, she just snorted coldly, and said mockingly: "The house is full of charms, and there are all kinds of charms, what else do you want?" accustomed."

Jia Heng found a chair, pulled Chen Xiao to sit in his arms, held the girl's shoulders, and said, "But there is only one Xiaoxiao."

"Sweet words." Chen Xiao sneered, and didn't struggle anymore, bursts of sweetness surged deep in her heart.

(End of this chapter)