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

Baochai hurriedly nodded in agreement, and said: "They were afraid of disturbing my mother's rest, so they didn't dare to disturb her, but they talked in my room for a while before leaving."

Aunt Xue said wearily: "That's all. I'm not in the mood to see them. Your sister Lin has always been petty and likes to make jokes. You don't have to take what she says to heart."

Baochai was surprised when she heard this, and said, "Where did mother say that? Even though Sister Lin is a bit petty, she is just a child who is naughty. What's more, how has she ever laughed at me?"

Aunt Xue sighed and said: "I have always said that you are too big-hearted. Why are you not shrewd in this matter? When others mean you, you may only take it as a joke! You are underestimated by others. .”

Baochai explained with a smile: "Mother, don't worry, my daughter will naturally know what is mean and what is naughty. But sister Lin has always treated me very well. Let's just say this time, she is afraid that I will be bored at home. You specially came to explain me."

Aunt Xue was skeptical, lost her mind for a while, and said, "If that's the case, it's okay. It's just that I've been ill for so long, why didn't Baoyu come to see me? Don't you offend him."

Baochai said: "He is the phoenix egg in this mansion. He is spoiled by the old lady and spoiled by the second aunt. It's too late for me to compliment him. How dare he offend him? Besides, he also sent someone to say hello. Mother forgot ? Said that there are too many things to do in the school, and the body is not very well, so I will visit you in a few days."

Aunt Xue was silent for a while, and said: "It's not as good as him coming by himself. It's not for other reasons, I'm afraid he underestimated you because of this."

Baochai said: "What is there to underestimate or not? My mother is too worried." He thought to himself that although Xue Pan was utterly absurd, could there be no fault in Jia Baoyu's daily behavior?Fifty steps laugh at a hundred steps.What's more, even if he underestimates it, it's not worth anything.

Aunt Xue sighed and said: "You don't understand. Some people choose their in-laws, they must find out the character of the girl's brothers and sisters. Now that your brother looks like this, I'm afraid your second aunt is facing you, there is nothing wrong with it." , I'm afraid it won't look good at the old lady's place."

Baochai's face was a little unnatural, and she said angrily to her mother, "Why did mother mention this so well? Who is going to marry their family again?"

Seeing Baochai's expression, Aunt Xue hurriedly said: "Even if you enter the palace to be selected, the royal family will consider this. Most of your entry into the palace depends on the strength of your uncle's family. Now that this matter comes out, I'm afraid they will hesitate." , is also unknown."

Baochai saw that Aunt Xue's words were all for her own sake, not to mention some far-reaching plans. Knowing that her mother was sincerely looking out for her own good, Baochai was moved and said, "This is a small matter. I'm lucky if I get it, but I lose it." My fate. How could I force it. It’s just that I said something that my mother would not like. Logically, my brother should be disciplined too! He is domineering outside all day long, and messes with some jerk men. This It's a small matter, but if you develop this temperament, you will offend the most important person in the future, what's the big deal?"

But with a loving mother's heart, even if her son is wrong in every way, she can't help others say a word.When Aunt Xue saw that Baochai said that Xue Pan was not, of course she knew that what she said was reasonable, but she couldn't help but feel unhappy, and said, "Don't worry about it. Your brother is messing around in small things, but you can always tell the big things clearly. I I always tell him not to offend his relatives. Now you say that I should discipline your brother well. I understand what you mean. It’s your kindness, but I also have troubles. I’m afraid that the discipline is too strict, so tighten up He, he, like your brother Xianzhu, died at a young age, wouldn't it make me helpless for life?" As he said, he shed tears.

Baochai hurriedly sent silk to Aunt Xue to wipe away her tears.Aunt Xue took it over, and said while wiping away her tears: "Look at your brother Bao, isn't there a bit of delicate naughtiness? How did your second aunt take care of your eldest brother Xianzhu in the past, so why can't you see it now? One piece The old lady is protecting her, and on the other hand, she is also afraid of being under strict control, if something goes wrong, who will she rely on in the future?"

The "Big Brother Xianzhu" that Aunt Xue called is Mrs. Wang's eldest son, Jia Zhu. When it arrives, it dies.Baochai only thought that Jia Zhu had been weak since she was a child. Seeing her mother's insincerity and insincerity, there seemed to be other reasons, so she asked curiously: "Didn't Brother Zhu go away from an illness? This has something to do with being too strict." what relationship?"

Seeing that there was no one around, Aunt Xue said to Baochai, "You were young at first, so I couldn't tell you the reason. Now that you are sensible and understand the seriousness, I will tell you quietly. Brother Zhu It died on my aunt's bed, if it wasn't for this, why would the mansion force your sister-in-law to send out all the people in the house?"

It was the first time Baochai had heard such a secret. She was a little surprised at first, and then said in doubt: "Even so, brother Zhu is too weak and has no luck in his life. Besides, if the control is stricter, I'm afraid it won't be too late. That's it."

Aunt Xue shook her head and said, "Where do you dare to be more strict? When your big brother Zhu left, the wound on his body hadn't healed yet! It's also thanks to your second aunt that she managed to be so cruel!"

Hearing what Aunt Xue said, Baochai already understood the general context in his heart.It is estimated that Mrs. Wang used a stick to beat Jia Zhu because of some trivial matter, after discussing with Uncle Zheng.Afterwards, the club sores were not healed, and Jia Zhu was too forgetful about things in the room, and accidentally developed a poison. The heat and poison attacked the heart, coupled with weakness, and died overnight.

It's just these things, although Baochai generally understands, as an unmarried daughter, it's hard to say much, so she can only hang her head and listen to Aunt Xue continue to say: "Because of these reasons, even your second uncle is hated by the old lady. Yes, your second aunt has been eating vegetarian food and praying to Buddha since then. In that year, Aunt Zhao gave birth to you Brother Huan, and the old lady made the decision to accept Aunt Zhou."

Baochai was silent, and suddenly remembered that Jia Zhu's wife, Li Wan, had never used makeup since then, and there was no trouble in the ancient well, so she sighed: "In this way, sister-in-law Zhu is also a hard-working person."

Aunt Xue said disdainfully: "It's just what she did. She couldn't win the hearts of the men, so she was rushing to grind tofu with the concubines. I can't blame the old lady for not wanting to see her."

Baochai has been in Rongguo Mansion for many days, and usually looks on with cold eyes. He only knows that Jia Lian's wife, Sister Feng, is loved by Jia's mother and has great power. When Jia's mother didn't like her temperament, she couldn't think of another reason.Therefore, he blushed and said hesitantly, "What is the meaning of grinding tofu, I don't know."

Aunt Xue quickly said: "It's good not to know. I heard that your sister-in-law Zhu is also from Shili's family. Before she came out of the court, she formed a Jinlan sister with a young girl. When she was out of the court, there was a lot of trouble. The Li family Keep the matter so secret that your second aunt's family didn't even know about it before. Otherwise, how could you let her in? You are a good boy, you must not learn from her."

Baochai quickly agreed, and gossiped for a while, trying her best to forgive Aunt Xue, seeing that she was getting weaker and weaker, so she left the room.As soon as she opened the curtain and walked out the door, she saw Qianxue rushing up to meet Baochai, and said to Baochai, "Master has sent some account books to the house again, I'm afraid the girl will not go to bed early again!"

When Baochai heard about it, she hurried back to her room to look at the account.Ying'er was serving at the side, and couldn't help complaining, "The uncle is becoming more and more a shopkeeper, so many bills have been sent over in one go. The family affairs are only pushed to those old housekeepers. He is always happy and merry." !"

Baochai glanced at Ying'er and said with a smile, "You girl, you know what it means to be romantic before all your teeth grow?"

Only then did Ying'er realize that she had slipped her lips, and blushed, she argued, "Anyway, I just can't stand it! He's an old man who should be in charge of the family and share the worries of his wife and girls, but he just keeps messing around and makes such a fuss. When something comes up, I'm mad at my wife. Those people outside are pointing fingers, I'm too embarrassed to go out these days."

Baochai said: "It's not like what you said. It's just a few unscrupulous villains spreading rumors at random. Look at the Ningguo Mansion in the east, isn't there also rumors flying all over the sky? Who really believes them if they understand the truth? If so?"

Ying'er lowered her voice and said to Baochai: "I don't believe that the girl doesn't know the pros and cons of this. The name of a person, the shadow of a tree. The things in the Ningguo Mansion in the east have their noses and eyes, and they can't be fabricated out of thin air. .We have to keep our family affairs secret from outsiders."

After hearing this, Baochai had no choice but to keep quiet.In fact, the matter of Xue Pan making friends with his brother, since it is your own wish, it is not a big mistake. Anyway, most of the dudes at that time came in this way, it all depends on whether they are capable or not.It's just that he shouldn't, absolutely shouldn't, he shouldn't have had fun at home, prostituted himself in the daytime, got angry and made his mother sick, it would be too bad to hear the rumors spread.

Seeing Baochai's silence, Ying'er said again: "The uncle is a man. Even if he is making such a fool, outsiders will only laugh at him behind his back. I'm afraid it's okay. I'm afraid I will hurt the girl. You must know the reputation of the girl's family." The most important thing is, which family is looking forward to being relatives like the uncle? Girl, you are a person like gold and jade, don't be dragged down by him!"

When Baochai heard the words, she suddenly spoke harshly, and scolded: "This is what you should say as a maid? You even arranged for a master!"

Seeing that Baochai was angry, Ying'er knelt down quickly, but she did not show any weakness: "I am sincerely planning for the girl. A girl with such character and talent, if she is a man, she will definitely do a great job outside. Glory to the ancestors is unnecessary. Said. The girl is a daughter, so she has to rely on her parents and brothers when she is at home, and her husband and son after marrying her in-laws. If the husband and son are not good, they have to look back to their parents and brothers for support. Now that the uncle looks like this, what will the girl do in the future? Is that right? Earlier, my wife and the concubine in this house conspired and said that the second master Bao would be used as a match for the girl, but the girl was still reluctant after hearing it. But this made me worry even more!" After talking about it, she even cried aloud. .

Seeing Yinger's appearance, Baochai's heart softened a long time ago. She sighed, pulled her up, and said, "I know you are doing it for my own good, but you absolutely must not say these words to the outside world. Otherwise, people will overhear you. It must be said that I will not discipline the servants. Mother will not be happy if she finds out."

Ying'er wiped away her tears and listened slowly. Baochai paused and said again, "I don't know what you said. Just now I also advised my mother to control my brother more. But since you know that your daughter is at home Relying on parents and brothers, and relying on husband and son after marriage, haven’t you heard of the three obediences and four virtues? As the saying goes, obedience to the son after death, now that the father has passed away and the elder brother is in charge of the house, even the mother, it’s not easy to control too much.”

Ying'er bit her lip and said, "Could it be that you know that something bad is going to happen, but you let it go?"

Baochai sighed again: "Now I don't talk too much. Since my brother is like this, I can't help but remind me from the side and remonstrate him from time to time. I hope he won't make any trouble again. Besides, I have to find a way It would be better to sort out all the people who were sent by the second aunt. It seems that something happened at home this time, and it spread out so quickly. It’s out of the question.”

Seeing Baochai's solemn expression, Ying'er dared not say anything. Hearing from Qianxue that the person who delivered the account book was still outside, she followed Baochai's order and went out to return the account book she had seen before, and said to the old housekeeper: "We The girl said that His Royal Highness's marriage is very important, and she would rather stop other things first, everyone has worked hard for a month, and after finishing this matter, the uncle will naturally invite everyone to drink, I'm afraid there will be other rewards. The account of the pawn shop is very clear, the shopkeeper has worked hard. The account of the pawnshop is too thick, the girl said that it is better to write it down one by one, and it is easy to track down, and it will avoid any taboos. If it is still like this, there is no need to send it to see Yes. The accounts of the gold shop are wrong. The girl said that she knew the people working hard, so she just turned a blind eye to some small mistakes, but who was fooling by sending this fake account? Also, since the silk and satin The treasurer of the Zhuang fled with the money, and the remaining accounts must be sorted out some day, and the list of suing the officials must be clearly written. And I have to ask the uncle whether it is better to sue the officials or not. It’s fine to keep it private, he has to think about it.”