[Red House Chai Dai] Salted Pork Knuckle, Crab Rice Wine

But Baochai knew nothing about the origins of Xiaohong's family.

At this time, Lin Zhixiao and the others had yet to hand over their affairs, but Xiaohong had already gone to Yihong Courtyard to pack her clothes, and immediately followed Yinger back to Baochai's place.

Several maidservants in Yihong Courtyard, such as Sheyue, Qingwen, Qiuwen, etc., used to be wary of Xiaohong because she was smart and pretty, but they only had one precious jade in their eyes, and they were wary of her. She climbed up and robbed them of their jobs. Now that Xiaohong accepted Baochai's invitation and moved away from Yihong Courtyard, which was envied by all the maids, all of them looked delicate and puzzled, but they were kind to Xiaohong. many.

Taking advantage of Yinger drinking tea outside, Qingwen couldn't help but said to Xiaohong who was packing her clothes in the room: "Have you thought about it? We all know the second master Bao, and he is the most kind and soft One master. On weekdays, our house has the fewest errands, and the cost of food and clothing is much better than other houses. Besides, the second master Bao said early in the morning that the people in his house, when they reach their age, all have to report Madam, let them out. The maidservants who have served the men have a more noble status, so it is different. At that time, it is not decent to be the wife of the outsiders?"

Xiaohong was flattered, and she quickly responded perfunctorily, but she was just a little maid, and since Baoyu rewarded her, she just said what she said, and so on, but she was very surprised.It should be known that in terms of beauty, Qingwen is the leading maidservant in Yihong Courtyard, and even an attacker can't overwhelm her. She is clever, dexterous in female red, and pampered by Baoyu. Scolding little maids is a common thing, even Xiao Hong was beaten and scolded by her.She never expected that Qingwen would say such heartfelt words to her at this time.

But Xiaohong couldn't tell her what was in her heart.It was Han who talked about the affairs in the palace, and the parrot dared not speak in front of him. The same is true for the current people in the Rongguo Mansion. If they are not cautious in their words and deeds, they may be overheard by others, and they will be regarded as the future when they are liquidated. handle.In fact, Xiaohong looked at Qingwen coldly and felt that she was too sharp, so she might as well hide a needle in her face, and secretly sweated for her, but she had no friendship with her, and she was not easy to talk to her, and she was worried that she would think too highly of herself He wholeheartedly believed that she would be Jia Baoyu's aunt in the future, and regarded his kindness as a donkey's liver and lungs.

When Xiaohong came to Baochai's place and met Aunt Xue and the others, she was officially working here.Baochai asked Yinger to take Xiaohong to the next place to have a look.When Xiaohong retired, Aunt Xue complained to Baochai: "Our family lives with your second aunt, and we are afraid of being suspected by others. You are lucky, the old lady sent Qianxue here a while ago, and we The kindness is hard to refuse, that's all. Later, Qianxue wanted to marry someone from our family, and the whole family's deed of sale was brought over. How many maids can't afford to call someone outside, and you have money anyway, and you are the famous Miss Xue in the capital, why can't you even bear this money, and instead ask your brother Bao to ask for a maid? Such pettiness, if passed on If you go out, won’t you be laughed at? If people in Jia’s mansion have any complaints, it’s not a big deal for you to show embarrassment, and it’s not even good-looking for our family. If your second aunt suffers any trouble because of this, I want you to look good!”

When Baochai heard Aunt Xue say such unreasonable words, she couldn't help being both angry and funny.

The whole family of the Xue family lived with relatives, originally for Aunt Xue to meet Mrs. Wang and sisters, and because they were afraid that outsiders would bully the orphans and widows.At that time, for fear of being looked down upon by others and causing Mrs. Wang, it was Baochai who looked back and thought over and over again that even a servant was afraid of offending. Aunt Xue, Xue Pan and others didn't care.Now that Baochai has gone through so many things, she seems to take everything lightly, unexpectedly, Aunt Xue paid attention instead.

But this is also a good thing.It is better to be cautious in words and deeds than to be arrogant.Baochai had too many trifles, and he had no time to worry about it. If Aunt Xue was so worried, she would not suffer a loss.

Baochai was thinking like this, but she was not annoyed in her heart, she just smiled and said: "What can there be, it's just a maidservant. And Brother Bao deliberately made it happen, and when he hesitates to shirk, it's even more ugly. If it's for a family People look forward and backward, but lose our family's dignity. Mother, don't worry, when brother Bao gets married in the future, besides our family members, I will definitely give another big gift. I'm sure the old lady will be happy when she sees her, and brother Bao will be happy too. What's the matter? It's too bad."

Aunt Xue was even more annoyed when she saw her indifferent face, and her heart was even colder towards this daughter.Because hearing Baochai talk about Jia Baoyu's marriage was even more painful for her, she unconsciously put down the teacup in her hand and said: "Your brother Baoyu is younger than you, and he is a man. They are already talking about marriage." But what about you? You go in and out every day, how can you have the slightest duty as a daughter's family?" But she didn't mention the fact that the Han family came to propose marriage before, and she was kicked out indiscriminately.

Baochai smiled, not wanting to argue with her.While the mother and daughter were chatting in the room, they suddenly heard someone from outside reporting that the third master and his family had arrived and were now outside.Baochai knew that it was Xue Biao who came to Beijing with his mother and sister Xue Baoqin who were suffering from phlegm.Aunt Xue was pleasantly surprised when she heard that, she hurriedly asked people to come in, and then sent people to look for Xue Pan to come back to treat the guests.

Baochai also got up to meet Xue Biao and Baoqin.The brothers and sisters greeted each other, and when they asked about it, Xue Biao said that his mother was seriously ill, and he could only endure the days at his home in Jinling. Because Baochai said in his letter that there was a female gentleman with excellent medical skills, he took his mother into the hospital with a just in case mentality. Beijing cures illnesses.

Aunt Xue hurriedly asked where his mother was now.Xue Biao replied that because his mother was impatient, he was accompanied by several caring old family members in the boundary of Tongzhou. He brought his younger sister first to settle everything properly.

Aunt Xue didn't know these things at all, so she couldn't help looking back at Baochai.But Baochai smiled and said, "Don't worry, everything has been settled." But it turned out that Baochai had ordered someone to tidy up a house of Xue's family in the capital, and planned to invite Xue Biao and his family to live in order to avoid the Xue family's death. Relatives are all crowded in Jia's mansion, making it difficult for outsiders to see.

Aunt Xue was both shocked and angry.It never occurred to her that she, the mistress of the house, would be ignored everywhere by Baochai, and now she doesn't even know about tidying up the house.At the moment, Baochai is even more cold-hearted.In fact, she was worrying too much.The land deeds of the house purchased by Xue's family in the past few years are kept in her hands, and the personnel dispatching on weekdays also listens to her wishes.The house that Baochai prepared for Xue Biao and Xue Baoqin was bought by her not long ago for her own use. It is quite close to Xiangling's residence, because Baochai was worried that Aunt Xue was greedy for convenience, and she still kept Baoqin and Xue Biao's family as she did in her previous life. They were also crowded in the Rongguo Mansion, so Aunt Xue was not disturbed, and quietly ordered someone to clean the house.

Xue Biao hurriedly got up and thanked his cousin.For a while, everyone began to talk about Xue Biao's mother's condition, and talked about delaying medical treatment.When Baochai took Baoqin to the back room, Xue Biao quietly said to Aunt Xue: "My nephew has something on his mind when he comes this time. My aunt should also know that when my father was there a few years ago, he betrothed Qin'er." It was given to Mei Hanlin’s son. Afterwards, the two families had contacts with each other. But for some reason, starting this year, the festival rituals gradually disappeared, and my nephew was anxious, always afraid that something might happen to the marriage. It’s good that the eldest aunt contributes to it.”

After hearing this, Aunt Xue sighed: "Qin'er, this child, has a hard life. But his father left early, and you are young, so no one can make decisions with her. If you think about it, you know the situation of your brother. Not in good shape, not to mention giving Qin'er a head start, just being able to not go out and cause trouble for a day is a blessing I cultivated in my previous life. I am a widow in old age, after all, I am healthier than your mother Well, what else can you do?"

After thinking for a while, he said: "Pian Baochai doesn't know anything, so he insists on you two living outside. That's all for you, it's not right for men to come in and out. But if Qin'er lives with me, hurry up and bring her to see her." The old lady in Jia's mansion, the old lady must like it. At that time, Mrs. Shi came forward, and there is nothing that can't be said."

Xue Biao couldn't help being moved when he heard this.He relied on and worshiped Baochai, and asked Baochai privately when he was alone.Baochai thought for a while, and finally decided to tell him the truth: "I'm afraid this is inappropriate. Although the Jia family is now a relative of the emperor, it is not good to oppress others indiscriminately, and force their way for a relative's marriage. What's more If Qin'er is to marry into the Mei family, the other party must be willing. Otherwise, even if she marries because of the power of the Jia family, if the Mei family doesn't want to, it will definitely suppress a lot of anger. When the time comes, will Qin'er No disadvantages? After all, Jia’s family is only relatives, not her mother’s family. At that time, there is absolutely no way to get ahead because of the poor life of the relative’s girl. Married people, it’s good to have two surnames. Enemy, who can go as happy as he wants?"

Xue Biao nodded again and again.Baochai thought for a while and said: "Qin'er is still young, so I'm not in a hurry. For now, it's better to find out what the Mei family has to say."

When Xue Biao heard this, he had no choice but to nod in agreement.