[Red Mansion] Adopted daughter and child

Lin Liu was taken aback by these words. If Mrs. Zhou said these words to Jia Min, or asked them in front of Jia Min, it is actually not a big deal, and it can also explain the concern of the elders for the younger ones. .

But the point is, she told Lin Liu herself.

And Lin Liu is still a girl who has not left the court.

She glanced at Mrs. Zhou in surprise, met the eagerness in her eyes, and probably understood that she wanted to be a matchmaker for herself, so she politely declined: "Thank you Mrs. Zhou for your kindness, but my mother is already looking for me. I heard that there is already a very suitable candidate.”

After hearing this, Mrs. Zhou suddenly lost interest.

She didn't pull Lin Liu to sit next to her, but went straight back to her seat.

Mrs. Zhou herself was expressionless, but her two daughters were embarrassed by her actions. The youngest girl was sitting on pins and needles, her eyes fell on Lin Liu from time to time, and she didn't know what to do; the eldest daughter knew something, so she just got up Walking in front of Lin Liu, he wanted to pull her to sit next to him.

Lin Liu quickly waved her hand: "No, no, I just came to say hello to Master Zhou and Mrs. Zhou. I didn't sleep well last night when I thought about leaving my family. Now it's time to go back and catch up on sleep."

The eldest daughter also knew that Lin Liu was embarrassed, so she smiled and walked her to the door.

Lin Liu simply said goodbye and left.

It's just that before she left, when she turned her head, she seemed to see Mrs. Zhou pouted, as if she was a little dissatisfied with what she just said.

Lin Liu: "..."

During the two months on the ship, she should avoid going out of the room, and avoid contact with Mrs. Zhou and make herself angry.

Guiling had a very happy conversation with Mr. Zhou, but when he came back and heard Lin Liu talk about what happened during the day, he couldn't help feeling a little bit concerned about Zhou's family. When he came into contact with Mr. Zhou, he was not as enthusiastic as before. .

If Mrs. Zhou offended him, Guiling could choose not to care about it generously, but she had offended his sister, so he couldn't let it go.

Mr. Zhou soon found out about this, and when he went back, he reprimanded Mrs. Zhou again.

It's a pity that Mrs. Zhou only slept well for two days, and soon she reverted to her old ways. Whenever she met the Lin siblings, she would inevitably say some inappropriate things.

After several times, even if Mrs. Zhou kindly invites her, the two siblings are unwilling to be guests.

The heartless appearance of Mrs. Zhou this week is really annoying.

The Zhou family also saw the attitude of the brothers and sisters of the Lin family, and they also knew the reason, so they didn't force the two of them, they just did their own thing, and lived in peace all the way.

When he was about to arrive in Gusu, in order to say goodbye, Mr. Zhou personally invited the brothers and sisters of the Lin family to a small banquet——

Everyone eats in the same room, but the men and women are separated by a screen.

When entering the room, Lin Liu hesitated for a moment, but before Gui Ling could ask any questions, she stepped into the room again.

Guiling only thought that he had misunderstood, so he didn't speak.

After the two parties greeted each other, they formally took their seats.

After Mr. Zhou, the master and elder, spoke, everyone picked up the chopsticks and began to eat.

Xu was warned by Mr. Zhou, and Mr. Zhou was also watching at the banquet. Mrs. Zhou behaved quite kindly during the whole banquet, and she didn't even say a word.

After the banquet, Lord Zhou invited Guiling to his study again.

Gui Ling thought Master Zhou just wanted to give him a few words before disembarking, so he simply followed Master Zhou and left the dining place.

It's just that he didn't expect that after the meeting, Mr. Zhou didn't mention his academic problems, but asked about his marriage in a roundabout way.

Because most of the family members treat him as a child, and Lin Liu regards him as a child who needs to be taken care of, so even though Guiling knows that he has reached the marriageable age, he has never thought of getting married.

Most of the time, he doesn't even think about his imminent adulthood.

Now being reminded by Mr. Zhou, Gui Ling finally realized that she was actually only one year younger than her sister, and it was time to get married.

However, these thoughts only swirled in his mind twice before they were suppressed by him. On the surface, he was still as calm as before, as if Mr. Zhou couldn't shake him even if he inquired about his marriage.

Lord Zhou appreciated Guiling even more.

It's a pity that Guiling quickly said: "My father said that a man should first establish a career and then a family. My father once said that if the younger generation fails to pass the Jinshi exam, he will not be engaged to the younger generation for a day. The Jinshi exam is far away, and the marriage of the younger generation I'm afraid we still have to wait."

By saying this, he was giving Mr. Zhou face.

Master Zhou also understood what Gui Ling meant, but he didn't insist.Just thinking of the two daughters in the family whose marriage was delayed by his wife's character, he couldn't help but sigh again.

If not, he is a big man with a high official position, so why worry about his daughter's marriage?

But he quickly cheered up, the age is not suitable, and he can always meet the right one.

Thinking about his friendship with Lin Ruhai, Mr. Zhou quickly put his children's marriage behind him, and began to seriously ask Gui Ling's questions about his studies. If he encountered something he didn't know, he was willing to answer it seriously.

The two of them came and went, but it really made Guiling suddenly enlightened on certain issues.Even when it comes to the knowledge that Guiling has already figured out, Mr. Zhou can provide him with another perspective, which benefits Guiling a lot.

Only a few days later, they arrived at the Gusu Wharf. The Lin family siblings also brought their maids to salute, bid farewell to the Zhou family and left.

After the two got off the boat, Mrs. Zhou grabbed her husband's hand and asked about Guiling's marriage: "You have always said before that the Lin family also wanted to look after the eldest son, but they just need to lobby slowly. Now that the Lin family siblings have all disembarked, my daughter Is your marriage settled?"

When she said this, the two daughters were on the sidelines.

Listening to Mrs. Zhou's words, although the two daughters were a little shy, they both strained their ears to hear their father's answer.

Master Zhou glanced at his two daughters, and sighed secretly: "As early as the first day, Guiling told me that the Lin family has a rule that he will not get married unless he passes the Jinshi examination."

Before Mr. Zhou finished speaking, Mrs. Zhou couldn't wait to interrupt: "He hasn't even passed the examination of scholar, and he has to wait until he passes the examination of Jinshi before he can get married? How long will he have to wait? Isn't my girl going to be an old lady? Husband, you won't agree to your daughter's marriage, will you?"

Master Zhou rubbed his throbbing forehead, he didn't have the nerve to say that he didn't like your precious girl at all.

Because if you really say that, his wife is afraid that the sky will be turned upside down.

He really didn't want to talk to this woman any more, so he said "the marriage is not done" and returned to his room impatiently.

Mrs. Zhou snorted and nodded with satisfaction: "That's about the same. He hasn't passed the exam yet, who wants to wait for him."

After speaking, she lifted her foot and went back to her room.

Mrs. Zhou didn't see it. Behind her, the young daughter of the Zhou family was looking at her older sister with a worried face.

Although the brothers and sisters of the Lin family mostly stayed in their own rooms for more than two months, they always had to eat, and when they were bored in the room, they would go out to relax.

Lin Liu was okay, he could sit still, but Guiling couldn't stay in the same room all day, so he could always come out four or five times a day.Occasionally encountering academic problems, it is inevitable to go out to ask Mr. Zhou for advice.

If you don't look up and look down, the Zhou family sisters will inevitably run into the two siblings.

Mu Ai was young, with the scent of books all over his body, and his facial features were quite superior, so he unintentionally stirred up a pool of spring water.

pity……

The eldest daughter kept her head down, and after a while she raised her head and pulled her younger sister's hand: "I'm fine, I'm used to it."

After speaking, he took his sister back to the house.

……

Brother Lin Liu didn't know what happened on the boat after they left.

The people from the Gusu old house got the news early, and the two of them joined the servants of the old house as soon as they got off the boat——

It's not that Lin Liu and sister have such good memories, they even recognize the servants they met a few years ago, but the one who came to pick him up today is Jia Min's former personal maid, Xinghua.The three of them had been together for several years, so naturally they would not forget each other's looks just because of a brief separation.

Xinghua is already dressed as a woman, she looks gentle and pleasant, completely opposite to her previous lively temperament.

Seeing Lin Liu and his brother, Xinghua immediately went up to greet her: "Miss, Uncle Song, you two have arrived. We have come to watch every day since we received the news, but we have not seen anyone. Today the sun has set, you two are here. If it's a step late, we'll all go home."

As he said that, he went to help the servants pack their luggage.

Lin Liu pulled him back: "Sister Xinghua, you don't have to be busy with the past, Jin Qiu and others have also experienced it, and they can be on their own, and nothing will happen if they are watching. You should take me and Guiling back first Well, if you encounter any scenery along the way, you can explain it to us."

Seeing Lin Liu being so close to her, Xinghua originally smiled, but after hearing Lin Liu's words, the smile on her face disappeared instantly.

Lin Liu was stunned for a moment, before opening her mouth carefully: "Did I say something wrong?"

She recalled it again, and found that she really just said that she wanted Xinghua to introduce the scenery along the way, and the wording was very common, and there was no offense at all.

Xinghua quickly shook her head: "Young lady is doing it for my own good, how can she say something wrong? It's just that I haven't been out of the old house very much, and I'm afraid I don't know as much about Gusu City as the young lady and Uncle Song , so I find it difficult.”

Lin Liu was stunned, and looked at Xinghua suspiciously: "I remember, sister Xinghua has been in Gusu for three years, right? Don't you come out during the holidays?"

Xinghua forced a smile: "Of course I came out, but during the festivals, the streets are decorated with lights and festoons, people come and go, how can I notice the surrounding scenery? Naturally, I'm not familiar with it."

Lin Liu always felt that these words were weird, but couldn't find any loopholes, so she could only acquiesce to Xinghua's statement.

She nodded: "It's okay, if Sister Xinghua doesn't understand, we can walk slowly all the way, and naturally we can see clearly."

As he said that, he turned his head and glanced at Guiling, and he obediently walked to his other side, letting out the side closer to Xinghua.

Lin Liu took Xinghua's hand and walked straight to the carriage.

There was only a carriage from the old house, which was originally for Guiling and Lin Liu, but now Lin Liu was going to pull Xinghua into the carriage, so to avoid suspicion, Guiling naturally couldn't get in the carriage.

Fortunately, the Lin family prepared an extra horse.

Lin Liu turned to look at Guiling: "Guiling, can you ride a horse by yourself?"

Guiling also learned how to ride a horse with Lin Ruhai these years, but Lin Liu didn't see him ride it with his own eyes, so naturally he didn't understand his skills.

If he couldn't ride a horse, he could only let Xinghua sit on the side of the carriage this time.

She can't wrong her younger brother because of Xinghua, can she?

Even if she was willing, it would not be good for Xinghua if the people in the old house knew about it.

Guiling nodded: "Sister, don't worry, my riding skills are not bad, not to mention riding a horse to ride the west wind, but at least it's no problem to walk around the street on a tall horse."

Lin Liu smiled and shook her head, then pulled Xing Hua into the carriage.

After the three of them left, the servants of the old house couldn't help asking Jin Qiu and the others: "Didn't Xinghua be sent to the old house because of something she committed? Why do you see the two masters treating her?" It's very close, it doesn't seem like a crime."

Jin Qiu was puzzled: "Sister Xinghua is loyal and everything is in order. When she was with Madam, no one was more embarrassing than her. Why do you think she was sent to the old house because of something she committed?" ?”

The man murmured: "If it wasn't for something wrong, why didn't Madam keep him by her side to serve her, instead she came to the old house?"

These people who stay in the old house will be like that for the rest of their lives, how can they compare with the prestige and future of following the master?

Even if it's just for rewarding the master for running errands, and being able to do things by the master's side, no one wants to live a life like a pool of stagnant water in the old house?

Jin Qiu shook his head: "Sister Xinghua was implicated. Madam was upset at the time, so she sent out all the maids around her. But now that a few years have passed, if Madam thinks of Xinghua, maybe she will transfer her back The capital may not be known either."

The man was startled, his face turned slightly pale.

Thinking of Xinghua's experience in the old house these years, this person was a little startled, if Xinghua sued the two masters...

He didn't bully Xinghua, but what if the two masters got angry?

Bi Chun immediately noticed that the servant's expression was wrong, and turned her head to wink at Jin Qiu and the other three. The three turned their heads to look at the other servants in the old house, and found that their expressions were also not right.

The four of them were shocked in silence, and secretly kept the servant's abnormality in their hearts, and decided to tell the eldest girl immediately after returning.

Lin Liu already sensed something was wrong from Xinghua's attitude.

After she pulled him into the carriage, she took advantage of Xinghua's inattention and suddenly said, "Sister Xinghua, how are you doing in the old house?"

"Is it good or not?"

These words were full of resentment, which really didn't match Xinghua's cheerful image before.

As soon as Lin Liu heard it, she couldn't help frowning.

Xinghua obviously also realized that her tone was wrong, and as soon as she spoke, she turned her head to look at Lin Liu in horror: "Miss, I, I am not..."

She wanted to explain, but she didn't know where to start.

After a while, she drooped her shoulders dejectedly.

Seeing Xinghua, who was originally radiant, suddenly slumped, Lin Liu was taken aback, followed by a delicate heartache: "Sister Xinghua, are you doing well here in the old house? Who bullied it?"

Thinking of what Xinghua revealed before, that she had been in Gusu for several years and hadn't seen much information about going out on the streets, she couldn't help frowning, "Did your husband abuse you?"

When mentioning abuse, Lin Liu subconsciously thought of Wang Yushi, and quickly reached out to grab Xinghua's hand and rolled up his sleeves.

No scars.

Lin Liu breathed a sigh of relief: "Scared me."

Xinghua was also frightened by Lin Liu's actions, until Lin Liu arranged her clothes, she still couldn't recover.

After a while, she said nonchalantly, "Miss, don't you think I'm offending you?"

As a servant, the most taboo thing besides doing things wrong is to bring the dissatisfaction in your life to the master, which affects the master's mood.

Xinghua had been doing very well before, but just now she let her guard down in front of Lin Liu.

Lin Liu didn't mean to blame Xinghua: "I just want to know what happened to you in the old house. I remember that when my mother was choosing candidates for you to marry, she asked you specifically, didn't you say that you are not the same as today? Your husband has some affection?"

Although it's not a free love, at least they have good feelings for each other, so they will say something that has some affection for others, right?

Xinghua vented in front of Lin Liu, and didn't mind saying anything more.

She explained: "It was only after I got married that I discovered that my husband's previous honesty, tenderness and consideration for me were all just to please me and let me marry him. Only after I got married did I find out that their whole family is Lazy man, I have to take care of the whole family by myself, and I have to take out the dowry to support the whole family, if I don’t give it, they won’t let me go out.”

As she said that, Xinghua smiled, "They were concerned about my wife, so they didn't dare to do anything to me, they just didn't allow me to go out. After I saw their true colors, I didn't talk to them again. If it weren't for the eldest girl and Uncle Song returning to the aunt Su, I'm afraid I'm locked up at home and won't be able to get out."

Although she had a smile on her face, her eyes were full of distress.

Although he didn't suffer, how could he live comfortably when he was locked up at home all day?

Lin Liu was furious: "They put you under house arrest?"

Xinghua thought for a while, and said: "That's not really true, is it? From time to time, I will be let out, but I can't leave the old house of the Lin family, and there is always someone by my side."

Isn't this house arrest?

Lin Liu didn't expect that Xinghua lived such a life in the old house.

She was a little angry: "Why don't you make peace?"

Xinghua didn't seem to expect Lin Liu to ask such a question, so she couldn't help but smiled wryly: "We servants, how can there be any talk of reconciliation? The master refers to marriage, who dares to really reconcile?"

Besides...

"I still have a child." Thinking of the child, Xinghua smiled a little more, "Even if it's for the child, I have to continue living with him, right?"

Lin Liu frowned, intending to persuade her, but when she met Xinghua's firm eyes, she really didn't know what to say, so that she could dispel the idea of ​​wronging herself for the sake of her child.

Even in modern times, there are still so many couples gritting their teeth in marriage for the sake of their children, let alone ancient times?

Xu Xinghua sensed Lin Liu's sad mood, and after rubbing her face, she showed a bright smile: "Young girl is a person who wants to do big things, so don't bother about us servants. My current It's not that life is hard to go on, you don't need to worry about me at all."

Lin Liu lowered his head and thought for a while, then suddenly said: "Otherwise, I'll write to my mother and ask her to transfer you to the capital to serve you?"

Xinghua froze for a moment, then shook her head: "Xiaobao can't do without his father."

Lin Liu had no choice but to respect Xinghua's choice.

But after returning to the old house, she still called Xinghua's husband in front of her and knocked a few words, and changed his job from a leisurely position to a busy one, and even changed the jobs of his family. again.

There is no way to get Xinghua out of the sea of ​​suffering, so I can only find ways to improve her life——

At least her husband's family is busy, and they don't have so much time to restrict Xinghua's actions, which can always make her relax.

Lin Liu felt a little regretful, she originally wanted Xinghua to help her.

Gui Ling didn't know about Lin Liu's regret. As soon as he arrived at the old house, he ordered the study room to be tidied up and began to study hard behind closed doors.

Lin Liu deliberately spent money to hire a chef from the most famous restaurant in Gusu. During the period of Guiling's imperial examination, he stayed at Lin's house to cook for Guiling, so that he could eat well and save him from eating too much. Risk of missing the exam by doing something wrong.

In the imperial examination field, the number of people admitted for each competition is limited. Many people are always willing to make some "investments" that are risky and rewarding in order to increase their chances of winning.

If you are calculated to succeed, it is not bad to miss an exam, but if you are framed to cheat, your life will be ruined.

Lin Liu felt that during the Longevity Exam, one cannot be too careful.

After she took care of Guiling's life, Chen Hu, who was far away in Jinling, happened to receive the news that Lin Liu had arrived in Gusu and was going to Jinling in two months——

The two-month backyard exam, and the rural exam will take two or three months after the exam. Lin Liu has enough time to deal with the matter of Li Yu, a grain merchant in Jinling.

Chen Hu was a little anxious at first, but now after receiving the news, he immediately corresponded with Li Yu's wife.

After confirming the time, Li Yu's wife also calmed down, so she decided to take advantage of these two months to please her husband.

She didn't ask for anything else, she just hoped that after two months, she could have sex with Li Yu——

Chen Hu had told her before that no matter how miraculous the means were, there was no way for her to become pregnant like the mothers of Fuxi and Nuwa.

Just in case, she naturally had to be prepared.

The old house of the Lin family was under the control of Lin Liu, but it was calm and there was no accident.

Because Lin Ruhai has a good relationship with the head of the local academy, he even found the guaranteed scholars and classmates needed for the exam in advance.Because of this, Guiling was able to study without distraction in the last period before the exam.

It was not until the day before the exam that Lin Liu went into the study and pulled Gui Ling out directly: "It was right for you to study hard before, but it is better to relax your mind the day before the start. You have studied solidly, so there is no need to cram for the time being, right? "

Guiling stretched with a smile, and after taking a deep breath, he really felt refreshed, and his mind was much clearer than when he was studying.

After discussing with the siblings, they felt that going too far today would also worry about accidents, so they decided to go directly to the local Panxiang Temple in Gusu to offer incense and pray to Buddha for peace of mind.

Jin Qiu and the others quickly prepared the carriage, and after they got on the carriage, they arrived at the gate of Panxiang Temple not long after.

Many years have passed since the last time I came to Panxiang Temple, but Panxiang Temple still sits solemnly outside Gusu City as before.

Lin Liu didn't think too much, and dragged Guiling into Panxiang Temple.

A little Qiuni stood in front of the door. Seeing the two servants surrounded by them, he immediately stepped forward to guide them.

The two went to the main hall to worship Buddha first, and then went to the side hall after worshiping.

After offering incense to all the Buddha statues in Panxiang Temple, the siblings walked out slowly, preparing to leave Panxiang Temple.

Little Qiuni stepped forward and bowed his hands: "Do the two benefactors need a lottery?"

Lin Liu himself didn't really want to ask for it, so he simply turned to look at Guiling.

Guiling shook his head: "It's up to people to plan things, but it's up to God to make things happen. It's just a matter of praying to gods and Buddhas for peace of mind. There's no need to know your future in advance through asking for lottery."

As soon as Xiao Qiuni heard this, he knew that the two of them had no devout belief in gods and Buddhas, so he stopped entanglement and quietly retreated.

Only then did Lin Liu and brother step out of the gate of Panxiang Temple hand in hand.

Just as she was about to go out, she suddenly heard a burst of silver bell-like laughter from the side. Lin Liu turned her head subconsciously, but only saw people coming and going in the house next to the temple, but no one was laughing.

Just about to turn his head, he heard the owner of the laughter read a poem, and then started laughing again.

Xu Shi's voice was pleasant and attracted many people to stop and listen.

Someone next to them smiled and explained to them: "This is the laughing girl of the Xing family who lives in Panxiang Temple. She is not very lively, but when she is studying poetry and books with the lay people in the temple, she encounters funny things. , I can't help it. We live next to each other and are used to it."

Lin Liu was stunned for a moment before realizing that the other party should be talking about Xing Xiuyan.

The layman in the temple who taught Xing Xiuyan to study must be Miaoyu, right?

If it was before, Lin Liu would still be curious, but after seeing the cruelty of imperial power, she didn't want to get involved in the matter of the real and fake princesses, so she didn't stay any longer, and directly dragged Guiling away from Panxiang Temple.

In the temple, Miaoyu, who was talking happily with Xing Xiuyan, suddenly felt a palpitation in her heart, as if she missed some important person or thing at that moment.

She learned some actuarial skills from her master, and knowing that this was unusual, she immediately took out the tools and began to help the spirit with a change of complexion.

Xing Xiuyan was taken aback, and kept silent, not daring to disturb her.

After the results came out, Miaoyu ignored Xing Xiuyan and ran out of the room to the master's room.

After telling the result to the master, the master immediately thought of the opportunity that he missed that year, and couldn't help sighing: "Perhaps you really have no destiny with that person, otherwise how could you have met twice, but failed both times?" Missed it?"

So completely give up, no more mention.

Lin Liu didn't know what happened in Panxiang Temple. After returning to Lin's house, Lin Liu asked someone to carry two reclining chairs and put them in the garden. The two siblings lay in the garden and read books.If you are tired, just tilt your head to sleep, and if you see something interesting, you can share it with your loved ones next to you.

Guiling just spent the last day before the exam leisurely, and when he woke up the next day, he was really full of energy, without a trace of fatigue.

Lin Liu sat in the carriage and watched Guiling undergo the examination with his own eyes. After entering the examination room, he turned around and went into a nearby restaurant and booked a private room to sit down and wait.

The college exam is different from the rural exam. The rural exam takes nine days, with one session every three days; the college exam only takes two exams, one session per day.

Neither the length of time nor the difficulty is a level of difficulty.

Anyway, Lin Liu was fine, so she just waited outside the examination room, and when Guiling came out, she would know immediately.

Gui Ling learned solidly, and the college examinations did not fail him at all.

In the morning, I went in before dawn, and before the sun set, Gui Ling came out of the examination room.

After receiving the person, Lin Liu asked, "How did you do in the exam?"

Guiling nodded: "It's okay, I answered everything."

This is what the title will do.

Lin Liu suddenly laughed: "I knew that the college exam would not be difficult for you. Go back today and get a good night's sleep. Don't slack off, and relax after the exam tomorrow."

Guiling nodded: "I know."

So after going back, Guiling had dinner and reviewed the Four Books again, then lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

For two days in a row, Gui Ling's condition was good, and all the exam questions were answered.

So when the results of the exam came out and it was found that Guiling came out on top, the two siblings were not surprised.

Ignoring the inquiries from the surrounding candidates, the two siblings went straight back to the old house after seeing the rankings.

While waiting for the results, Gui Ling had already relaxed for a few days, and now he was about to prepare for the subsequent provincial examination.

Gui Ling had to study hard, and it was time for Lin Liu to go to Jinling.

So after leaving Guiling Nuan Dong who was good at medicinal food and Jin Qiu who was good at medicine, Lin Liu took the other two maids into the carriage and headed straight for Jinling.

As soon as he arrived in Jinling, Chen Hu couldn't wait to introduce Li Yu's wife to Lin Liu: "Hi girl, I am Li Yu's wife Xu Jiu."

Lin Liu smiled, took the opportunity to hold Xu Jiu's hand, and transported the supernatural power into her body: "I heard from Chen Hu that you are willing to do things for us, but you just want a child? I just don't know, do you want a boy or a daughter? ?”

"Can you also specify the gender of the child?"

"Not 100% sure, but there is a certain chance."

Xu Jiu nodded suddenly: "Then ask for a daughter."