The Founding of the Red Chamber

Suspicious of Lin Jing to avoid anger, went to Jinling Xiaosan to sell medicinal herbs

Emperor Zhaode went to Empress Dowager Lin's Charity Palace when he came down from court, Chu Miaoyan still had tears on his face, when he saw Emperor Zhaode coming in, he quickly got up to pay respects.

Emperor Zhaode greeted Empress Dowager Lin first, and Chu Miao said and acted with great courtesy.Emperor Zhaode said, "Miaoyan doesn't need to be polite, just sit down." Everyone was about the same age, Chu Miaoyan followed Dowager Xie when she was young, and Dowager Xie lived in the imperial capital for a long time. Gong, had been playmates with Emperor Zhaode when he was young, and they had known each other for a long time.

Although Emperor Zhaode listened to Xie Guogong's words, he still wanted to ask Chu Miaoyan. Chu Miaoyan took out Concubine Xie's handwritten letter from his bosom and presented it. Said, "The king of Xiangyang is so courageous!"

Chu Miaoyan reported, "My lord was respectful to my mother at the beginning, but after all, my lord has biological parents alive. Later, my lord took his biological parents into the palace to take care of them, and the servants are also watching people order dishes, so I often go there to curry favor The prince's biological mother knew that the minister's daughter had a dowry, so she forced the minister's daughter to be a matchmaker and asked the minister's daughter to marry a relative of her natal family."

Chu Miaoyan was born in the general family and has a generous temperament. When it comes to marriage, she is not shy and blushes, but a deep disgust flashes between her brows, and said, "My servant has long vowed not to marry for life, even Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager know about it." Let's not say that the prince's biological mother is just coveting the dowry of the courtier's daughter, and the courtier's daughter should not marry. However, the prince's respect for his mother is less than one day. A few days ago, because of the empress dowager, the mother ordered the courtier's daughter to go to the warehouse Looking for a few things that I love, I plan to give them to the prince and send them to the imperial capital to celebrate the birthday of the empress dowager. It’s a good thing that the servants don’t go, but when I went to the warehouse, I found that several boxes were missing from my mother’s dowry. My mother ordered me not to say anything , Secretly interrogated the guard's mother-in-law and found out that it was the prince's biological mother who ordered someone to move out."

Chu Miaoyan said with three points of anger on her face, "Your Majesty, the prince inherits the kindness of his mother, and Fang inherits the prince. The prince will take over his biological parents to take care of the palace. Mother said that it is human nature and never said anything. But now In the royal palace, it was even rumored that my mother was convicted of a crime committed by the former king. She was originally a sinful person, but because of the mercy of the prince, she was able to support her. Furthermore, after my mother and I quietly examined the mother-in-law in the warehouse, After a few days, the old woman died suddenly. If I don't come to the emperor again, I beg Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to help me, I'm afraid that my mother's life may be in danger in the palace." As she said, Chu Miaoyan's eyes turned red, but she Without shedding a single tear, she just lowered her head and said, "I came out of the palace and changed into men's clothes. I rushed to the imperial capital day and night, and met the guards of the palace near the imperial capital. If I hadn't hired an escort in advance to deliver the letter to Brother Lin's mansion, Big Brother Lin sent someone to save me in time, lest the courtiers will lose sight of Your Majesty and Empress."

Hearing Chu Miaoyan mention Lin Yi several times, Emperor Zhaode's eyes flickered slightly, and he looked at Queen Mother Lin.Empress Dowager Lin took a look at Emperor Zhaode, Emperor Zhaode shrank his shoulders quietly, and sighed, "Don't worry Miaoyan, after you are a hero, the concubine is virtuous and virtuous, and I know it very well. The concubine is in charge."

Chu Miaoyan stood up and saluted, respectfully, "I thank Your Majesty for your kindness." She also said, "I have been thinking about my mother's safety in my heart all these days since I came out."

Emperor Zhaode said, "What's so difficult about it, I will send the imperial concubine to the imperial capital."

Chu Miaoyan thanked her again, and said in a deep voice, "At my mother's age, I am really worried about my mother's health. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, allows my daughter to return to Xiangyang with the imperial envoy, so that I can serve my mother in person."

Everyone has their own destiny, Chu Miao said that the heroic spirit is more than soft and not enough, Emperor Zhaode has no affection for her, but he thinks of the friendship when he was young, and said, "You have come all the way to the imperial capital, and you haven't had a good rest yet, how can you bear it?" Travel farther."

Chu Miaoyan said in a warm voice, "I thank Your Majesty for your care, my daughter has practiced martial arts since she was a child, and she is not an ordinary weak lady."

Empress Dowager Lin said, "Since that's the case, let Miao Yan follow along. Not only that, she can't rest assured."

Emperor Zhaode nodded, and then discussed with Empress Dowager Lin, "Then let Miaoyan stay here temporarily with Empress Dowager Lin today."

Empress Dowager Lin smiled, "I haven't seen the girl for a long time, so I just want us to talk to each other."

After talking about Chu Miaoyan, Emperor Zhaode missed Mrs. Zhen again, Empress Dowager Lin seemed to see what Emperor Zhaode was thinking, and nodded slightly.Emperor Zhaode saluted before going to the side hall to visit Mrs. Zhen.

Because of the death of the little princess and the serious illness of the second prince, Emperor Zhaode took his anger out on Empress Xie, and then moved the Zhen family out of the Leng Palace. To put it bluntly, he put the Zhen family in the Charity Palace temporarily, and did not restore the Zhen family's status.

Now that Mrs. Zhen has walked from Lenggong, she seems to understand a little bit.In the side hall of the Mercy Palace, Empress Dowager Lin did not order the palace people to treat Zhen Shi harshly, but she had never seen her either.The Zhen family was several times more respectful than in previous years, and took advantage of the opportunity of losing her daughter to win over Emperor Zhaode more attentively than before.

At the beginning, Queen Mother Lin asked the imperial doctor to check her pulse before Zhen Shi was thrown into the cold palace. She thought that Queen Mother Lin was going to cut her back, but unexpectedly, Queen Mother Lin didn't do anything to her. With better care, Fang has lived peacefully until now.But, her daughter... Every time she thinks of her daughter who died young, Zhen stroking her stomach, a trace of hatred flashed in her eyes.

Hearing the notification from the palace people, Zhen hurriedly stood up to welcome Emperor Zhaode.

Chu Miaoyan entered the palace.

Now the matter of Xiangyang Prince's Mansion has been reported by Xie Guogong in the court, and everyone knows it.

After seeing Chu Miaoyan, Lin Jing put the matter behind him, but suddenly became curious, and asked Lin Yi, "Big brother, what is the relationship between our family and Miss Chu's family?"

Lin Yi said lightly, "In the past, my father had a good relationship with General Chu. The two families were family friends, but Miss Chu's parents died early, and there were no close relatives in the family. Because the Chu family and Xie's family were relatives of uncles, and Concubine Xie had no children under her knees, she Adopted Miss Chu."

Lin Jing was even more confused, and asked, "Then why didn't Miss Chu look for Xie's family? Isn't Concubine Xie Xie Guogong's own sister? Why did she find her elder brother instead?" Lin Jing wouldn't believe it if there was nothing in it. .

It's rare for Lin Yi to take a rest, and Lin Jing also doesn't go to school, and hangs around Lin Yi talking.Impatiently, Lin Yi said, "How did Ah Jing teach you to study?"

Lin Yi leaned sideways on the couch to read a book, Lin Jing took off his boots and stood by the side, and instead of answering, he poked Lin Yi's face with Bai Shengsheng's little finger.Lin Yi grabbed Lin Jing's weird hand, and Lin Jing's belt with the other hand, and lifted Lin Jing up, and sat Lin Jing on his body, "How about your homework?"

Lin Jing sat on Lin Yi's waist and said, "I still need my big brother to worry about my homework, and I'm not that idiot A Teng."

"Your mouth." Lin Yi snorted, twisted Lin Jing's mouth lightly, and said, "Everyone has their own advantages, isn't it possible that everyone is an idiot except you?"

"Big brother, do you think I'm smart or not? I'm smart?" He has been with his big brother for so long, and he always scolds him when they meet, and never praises him. Lin Jing's little heart is full of dissatisfaction.

"That depends on who you compare with." Lin Yi said, "Let's just say Ah Jing..."

Lin Jing suggested, "Big brother, can't you call me another name? Everyday 'Ajing, Ajing', I thought you were calling me."

Lin Yi smiled, "Then I'll call you Xiaosi from now on."

"How ugly." Lin Jing was unhappy, he always wanted face.Only when everyone praises him for wearing a fresh shirt and showing off, can he be satisfied.What's more, it's the name that's being called, Xiaosi, Xiaosi, it's so ugly.Lin Jing pouted his mouth angrily.

Lin Yi smiled secretly, and said, "When my mother was pregnant with you, she thought of a nickname for you."

"what is it call?"

"Mother said you were the youngest child in the family and called you Zhen'er." Lin Yi said, "As precious as a pearl."

"It's like a girl's name." He aggressively climbed down from Lin Yi's body, leaned over to lay a pillow with Lin Yi, and his small body was right in front of Lin Yi's chest.Lin Jing even pulled Lin Yi's arm around her body, and said, "Brother, you should put your arms around me. My aunt used to hug me like this to coax me to sleep. I think, if my mother was here, I would definitely I like me very much."

Lin Yi patted his little butt, "You are obedient, and I like you too."

"I'm not obedient." Lin Jing said with Lu Dongbin's expression on his face, "I'm just worrying about my big brother."

Lin Yi said, "You are still young, Ansheng schoolwork, I am happy to take care of my body. I want to worry, but in the future there will be time to worry, and I am afraid that you will definitely hide away at that time."

"Who said that?" Lin Jing's eyes are the most beautiful, and the long eyelashes are curled up, half covering the brightest brilliance in the eyes.Lin Jing seemed to have wiped his mouth with honey, and said, "When I grow up, I will help big brother share his worries."

Lin Jing has always been a very assertive person. He suddenly said, "Brother, I am your own younger brother. If there is anything, you can just tell me. Even if it is not good to say something to your sister-in-law, tell me, my mouth Yan, I won't be partial to my sister-in-law. I didn't tell my sister-in-law anything about the matter between you and Ms. Chu." As he spoke, he looked at Lin Yi with a look of asking for credit.

Lin Yi's face changed, and he stared and scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about? If you speak out loud, I'll really beat you up!"

Lin Jing blinked his big phoenix eyes, and said in a low voice, "I know what nonsense it is, big brother, you and Miss Chu have already slept under the same bed." Just as I said it, Lin Jing got a slap in the buttocks. He quickly rubbed his buttocks.Lin Yi's face was ice-cold, staring at Lin Jing and asking, "Where are you listening to gossip!"

"A lot of people have said that." Lin Jing was serious.

Lin Yi shouted angrily, "Shut up!"

Except for the last time when he was going to tear down the gate, it was the first time he saw Lin Yi so furious. Lin Jing felt a little regretful in his heart. It seemed that what he had said was a bit too much. The eldest brother was as angry as a cow, so out of breath.

Lin Yi stared at Lin Jing's cute little face and asked, "Jing'er, who did you listen to?"

Lin Jing groaned a few times, and said, "So it's true?" He just felt that Lin Yi and Miss Chu were suspicious, so he lied to Lin Yi casually, but Lin Yi reacted so strongly.Lin Jing can almost believe that there must be something between Lin Yi and that Chu girl.

Lin Jing and Dafeng rolled her eyes at Lin Yi, but complained about Lin Yi, saying, "Brother, you still have the face to be angry. My sister-in-law treats you so well, and treats me as well. Look, the clothes on my body It was my sister-in-law who made it for me. You can’t be sorry to my sister-in-law, at least wait until my sister-in-law gives birth to the eldest son, then you can talk about marrying the younger wife.”

Hearing Lin Jing muttering endlessly, Lin Yi scolded angrily, "Shut up!" He raised his voice to call Qingyun in, and immediately ordered Qingyun to investigate the source of the rumors.

Lin Jing is an exceptionally smart character, he saw that his elder brother's black face was different from the usual jokes, and he knew that he had made a big mistake.He didn't dare to say anything at the moment, instead he went to Shu Jingyun's place to find an excuse, thinking that if the big brother got angry, he would turn to Mr. Shu and say something nice for him.

Lin Jing was not paying attention for a while, so he had to hide at Mr. Shu's place for a while.

Situ San held Situ Si's hand, standing on the street of the Jinling Palace and looked at the high blue walls of the palace, the wide and solemn bluestone streets, relying on the hunter's excellent eyes, Situ San clearly saw the two people in front of the palace. A mighty stone lion, and two or three brightly dressed male servants outside.The Wangfu is the residence of the King of Jinling and has its own rules and regulations. Even the street in front of the Wangfu also belongs to the Wangfu. Ordinary vehicles and horses are not allowed to pass by.

Situ San and his younger brother just stood there for a while, and someone from the palace had already waved their hands impatiently at them several times. Situ San sighed slightly, held Situ Si's hand and turned to leave.

Situ Si held half a sesame seed cake in his hand, took a bite and asked, "Brother, is eldest sister in the palace?"

"Hmm." Situ San hummed a syllable from his nostrils, and he didn't know what he was thinking on his stern face.

Situ Si was still naive, and asked, "Brother, can we take Eldest Sister home?"

"Impossible." Situ San was carrying a bamboo basket half a person's height on his back. He didn't know what was in it, and his brother's two rough linen clothes were covered with balls. .”

Situ Sidao said, "Brother, sesame seed cakes are really delicious."

Situ Sandao said, "This is the only one that tastes good. Mother and Uncle Qing haven't eaten it either."

Situ Si listened to his elder brother very much, it was the first time he followed his elder brother to Jinling City to sell medicinal materials, and it was also the first time he ate the sesame seed cakes in Jinling City.It was the first time in Situ Siping's life that he ate such a delicacy, but unfortunately his elder brother was only willing to buy four.Situ Sizhi's family is not rich, there is only one, and he is very satisfied.It’s just that every time I think of eating, there will be nothing to eat, so I lick it first very frugally, and then tear it off little by little, and eat in small bites.

Situ San couldn't help frowning, and scolded him, "It's disgusting! What are you licking! Just eat it! If you don't eat it, forget it!"

"I'll eat slowly." Situ Si looked at his elder brother and laughed, then stuck out his tongue and licked two mouthfuls of sesame seed cakes.

Situ San frowned, raised his foot and gave Situ Si a slap in the butt, scolding him, "You don't understand human language, do you?"

As a younger brother, there is always some fear of the elder brother.Like Lin Jing, seeing that Lin Yi was really angry, he knew to take refuge with Shu Jingyun; like Brother Situ, Situ Si kicked his brother on the ass, and without any further delay, he stuffed sesame seed cakes into his stomach in two or three mouthfuls.

Situ San snorted coldly before giving up.

Chinese people have valued boys over girls since ancient times, and it is not unreasonable.

Just like Situ San, as Situ San grew up, he became a master at farming, hunting and catching fish.Moreover, don't look at Situ's wild boy who doesn't know a single character, he is born with a bit of scheming.First, he learned three tricks and two moves from the old hunter Yanbo. Situ San often sent two eggs and three catties of flour to Yanbo's house.

You must know that the hunter's understanding of the mountains and forests is far better than that of ordinary people.Yan Bo is not only good at hunting, he even knows some medicinal materials in the forest.Situ San was somewhat spiritual at first, and he followed Uncle Yan to identify some medicinal herbs, and he picked some, dried them, and brought them to the medicine shop in the town to sell some copper coins, which can also subsidize the family.

Ever since Situ San learned that his sister had been sold into the Jinling Palace, he held back his energy and wanted to visit Jinling.He is a very thoughtful person. Situ Village is a hundred miles away from Jinling. Situ San not only brought Situ Si, but also some herbs that he picked in the past.He heard from a scholar in the village that the things in Jinling City were so expensive that people could not speak. Like Xiucai, he had to sell a few acres of paddy fields at home to finance the expenses of Jinling City.Situ San was thinking, Jinling City is rich in food and drink, so it is impossible to say that this herb can be sold at a high price in Jinling City.

Situ has three levels of friendship, and when he came to Jinling City, he first inquired about the location of the Jinling Palace.There is no need to mention the shock in Situ San's heart when he stood in front of Wangfu Street and only took a look.

For example, in Baishui Town where Situ Village is located, even the county magistrate's mansion is not even one ten thousandth as grand as the Wang's mansion.

Situ San had no choice but to walk away silently with his younger brother.Only now did he understand what Mrs. Cui meant. This place was indeed not for him.

Leaving Wangfu Street, Situ San found the largest medicine store in Jinling City - Cui's Medicine Store.

Cui's Medicine Store has five doors, luxurious and spacious, and there is only one stop outside the store. Situ San glanced at the straw sandals and shirtless blouse under his feet. It was his usual square face. At this moment, he couldn't help feeling A little inferiority complex.On the other hand, Situ Sitian was still angry, and said loudly, "Brother, is this a medicine shop? It's so impressive!"

There are several chariots and horses parked outside the medicine store, and there are well-dressed waiters outside to greet the guests.

Situ San took a few glances, then dragged his younger brother to stand across the street from Cui's Medicine Store.

Situ Si was puzzled and asked, "Brother, aren't we selling medicine?"

Situ San didn't say much, just said, "Wait a minute." Even though Situ San had never been to Jinling, and only watched the ostentation of Cui's Medicine Store, he knew that this place might not be worthy of the three melons and dates in his back basket. Herbs.

Situ San and his younger brother stood on the side of the street for an hour, then pulled the bored Situ Si and walked towards a young man leading a donkey.Situ San saluted first, the young man took the donkey by the hand, and with a three-pointed smile on his brows, he asked, "Little brother, what's the matter?"

Situ Sandao said, "I have some herbs I picked myself. I don't know if the shopkeeper's medicine shop can accept herbs?"

The young man did not despise brother Situ's rough clothes, and said, "I am just a small drugstore, if you don't mind, come with me."

Situ Sanben was a caring person, he knew the young man's surname was Xue during the conversation with him, and he used to make a living by pounding medicinal materials, and the small medicine shop at home was not very eye-catching in Jinling City.However, Xue Chongde was an enthusiastic person, knowing that the brothers Situ had come from afar, and it was getting late and obviously they couldn't make it back, so he arranged for them to make do with one night in the servant's room, and they would not be too late to leave in the early morning of the next day.

At night, Mrs. Xue was quite puzzled, and said, "Why did you leave two poor men at home? This is enough to eat my whole pot of black bean pancakes." These days, ordinary people eat rice and white noodles for the holiday up.For example, the Xue family, a small pharmacy is not affluent, after all, it is better than ordinary people, and they also bought two or three maids and women to work at home.The main family eats white food, and the servants only have a meal of white rice and noodles during the New Year and festivals. During weekdays, they usually wrap their stomachs with black beans.

It is rare for Xue Chongde to stay with the Situ brothers for a night, so naturally it is impossible to entertain them with fish.Moreover, Situ San is extremely grateful for having a servant's room and a full meal.

Xue Chongde glanced at his wife, and said in a low voice, "What do you know, their herbal medicines are of good quality, and the harvest is cheaper than other places. It's just to give them a rough meal and make them recognize the door. I ordered Xiaosan Wouldn't it be more profitable for us to collect more herbs when we return home?"

Mrs. Xue hurriedly said, "Since that's the case, then you shouldn't take people's rough food to entertain them. You should have told me earlier that I would order the girl to buy some wine and vegetables earlier."

Xue Chongde smiled slightly and said, "It's really a woman." He stepped into the bed and said, "Although I can lower his drug price, it's just that he sells our medicine and he begs for our livelihood. The price I give him is considered It's fair. If you entertain big fish and meat, scholars say, "Nothing is courteous, it's either rape or robbery." Xiaosan can come to Jinling City from a village hundreds of miles away. Yes. I’m too kind to him, I’m afraid he’ll become suspicious. Why don’t you just keep it cold for now. Besides, I’ve been buying and selling medicinal herbs for many years, and I don’t need him at all.”

Mrs. Xue went to bed after him, and said with a smile, "It's still the master who thinks well."

Xue Chongde smiled, took his wife's hand and pressed him on the bed, after a few whispers and groans, the night was getting darker.

The night was getting dark, but Situ Si was so excited that he couldn't sleep.

Of course, the insomniac Situ Si was not idle either, the two brothers were farting in a competition.

In the evening they ate a meal of black bean pancakes. Black beans are coarse grains, which is not a big deal. Anyway, according to the conditions of Situ's family, they all grew up eating coarse grains.The key point is that eating too much black beans has the same benefit, and it is easy to gas and fart.

People in the city cook carefully, even black bean pancakes, Situ Si thinks they are better than those at home, so he ate a round belly.Then, at night...

On hot days and nights, Situ Si lowered his trousers, lay on the bed covered with bamboo mats and said, "Brother, shopkeeper Xue is really a good man."

Situ San responded casually, seeing the ostentation of Cui's medicine store, he knew that they would definitely look down on those herbs in his basket.Situ San stood on the side of the street opposite Cui's Medicine Store for an hour, watching the small drug dealers entering and leaving Cui's Medicine Store, Xue Chongde was the worst dressed.Looking at Xue Chongde's handsome appearance, Situ Sancai tried to sell his medicinal materials.

Looking at it now, Xue Chongde is indeed good, and he is willing to take their brothers in for a night.

Although Situ San knew that the medicinal herbs that Xue Chongde gave him were cheaper than the market price in Jinling, but it was much higher than when Situ San used to sell the medicinal herbs to small drug dealers in the town.Situ San wondered if he should gather more herbs at home and sell them to Xue Chongde in Jinling City.