The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

The day when Xue Pan arrived in Beijing was the 28th of the twelfth lunar month.After disembarking from the boat, the steward who had been waiting on the shore early sent a chariot, horse and sedan chair to serve him.The steward Yao Bin personally served Xue Pan to get into the big blue sedan chair, and then took the small hand stove with plum blossom cakes from the servants beside him and handed it to Xue Pan. in.

There was thin snow in the sky, Xue Pan looked out through the screen window, only to see that there were lights and festoons everywhere on both sides of the street, every house was hung with red and green, and he could hear the endless sound of firecrackers , looking at the merchants walking shoulder to shoulder, it's really full of New Year's flavor.

When he left, it was still warm and cold in the early spring, and when he came back, it was already winter and snowy, and the pine plums were proud.These days are like gravel at the fingertips, so fast that people can't help but sigh in vain when they are free.

Xue Pan sighed for a while, and the luggage carts and horses had already passed through most of Shenjing and onto Zhuque Avenue.But after turning a corner, the plaque of Zhongxinhou's Mansion and the Zhumen are now in front of him.Xue Pan looked at the gate of his house and pursed his lips in a good mood.

When he arrived at the gate of the mansion, he stopped the sedan chair, and before he could stand still, he rushed towards the gate in a hurry.Just after passing the second gate, I saw Xue Zhizhang and his wife, Baochai and Baoqin standing there together, looking forward to it.

Xue Pan shouted loudly, "Father, Mother, Baochai, Baoqin, I'm back."

Before he could finish a sentence, the crowd immediately responded and surrounded Xue Pan who was wearing a fox fur cloak.Greetings from you to me.

Because of his clumsy clothes, Xue Pan was busy answering the crowd, but he was so busy for a while.Seeing that it was funny, everyone hurriedly let people into the main hall.

Tongxi Tonggui and the other big girls hurriedly served the crowd, took off their heavy cloaks and sat down, served a cup of tea, then quietly retreated to the side.Standing quietly, never hindering the masters from talking.

Xue Pan walked all the way, although he also had good food and drink, but he was never as comfortable and comfortable outside as at home.He picked up the milk tea on the coffee table and drank it, then stuck out his tongue to lick the milk stains on his lips, and then said with a smile: "I haven't seen my father, mother and two younger sisters for nearly a year, and I want to die. gone."

Xue Zhizhang stroked his beard and said with a smile: "It is worthwhile to work for the Holy One even if it is a little bit of hard work. Your performance in Tianjin Wei is in the eyes of my father, and you really don't lose the face of my Xue family. Nowadays, no one knows about civil and military affairs in the Manchu Dynasty. My son is talented in military training? I am really proud of my father to be able to defeat the Tiger Shark Battalion known as the 'Iron Master' with the recruits who have been trained for half a year."

Xue Zhizhang, a father, is not stingy about boasting about his son's achievements.This is also the difference between him and those "strict fathers" nowadays.The Xue family couple's pampering and pampering of their son is well known throughout the capital.If so, Xue Pan blushed uncomfortably when he heard Xue Zhizhang's boastful words.Quickly opened his mouth and explained: "This is all thanks to the cannons, and I didn't do anything."

"It doesn't matter whose credit it is, but my son did it. This alone is better than others." Xue Zhizhang said, seeing that the teacup in front of Xue Pan was empty, he quickly ordered Tong Xi to say: "Hurry up." Go pour another cup of boiling tea."

I also chatted with Xue Pan about a lot of small things about the Tianjin Wei Artillery Battalion.Although Xue Zhizhang knew about these things in Xue Pan's home letter every five days, he still asked them all in person, and then he nodded in satisfaction, and left his son to Mrs. Xue for questioning.

Mrs. Xue was listening to the Xue family father and son talking, but her eyes were firmly fixed on Xue Pan.I just feel like I haven't seen him for a year. This son is taller, thinner, and even a little darker.Can't help crying secretly.He stepped forward and hugged Xue Pan and cried, "My son, I have suffered so much for you."

Xue Pan also felt sad when Madam Xue held her in her arms.Rubbing in Mrs. Xue's arms quickly, he said: "The Holy Majesty allowed me to have a small stove in the barracks, and specially made a comfortable tent for me to use as a tent, and told me not to practice with other soldiers. Actually I didn't suffer much. It's just that going out is not as comfortable as at home, and there are some inconveniences that can't be solved by money."

Mrs. Xue felt even more distressed when she heard Xue Pan say this.

Xue Pan turned his head and said to Xue Baochai, who was standing next to him and kept looking at him, "For the past year, all I wore on my feet and carried on my body were shoes, socks and sachets made by my mother and sister. When I miss you, I will take them out to look at them." See, it's much better at night."

Xue Baochai couldn't help but blushed when she heard the words, and called out softly, "Brother..."

Mrs. Xue also put her arms around Xue Pan and screamed heartily.

Xue Pan was buried in Mrs. Xue's arms, persuading each sentence, and teasing everyone with lingering voices.He was born with a articulate tongue and a habit of making people happy.A few words coaxed Mrs. Xue to cry and laugh at the same time, and felt that there was no such irony in her heart anymore.Even if it is to die for him immediately, he is willing.

Xue Zhizhang sat aside and watched with cold eyes, shaking his head amusedly.I just think it's fine that the son is young, if he is of the right age in the future, he might be a fried dough stick in the red silk tent again.I don't know how many young women are complaining about her!

Niang'er cried bitterly for a while, and then gradually quieted down.Xue Pan wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and said with a teasing smile: "Okay, I cried and complained and complained. Maybe I should eat, I'm almost starving to death."

Mrs. Xue spat on Xue Pan angrily and amusingly, and hurriedly arranged for the servants to set up the tables and chairs.The food was prepared as early as the time when Xue Pan came to Beijing after inquiring about it, and now it was all ready and warmed in the pot.Mrs. Xue went to the kitchen in person to order all the servants to leave the dishes, and even cooked the best dish of goose palm and duck letter herself.

Although Xue Pan ate delicacies outside, they were not as sweet and delicious as the meals prepared by his mother himself.He ate a meal without hesitation, and added three bowls of rice one after another.He couldn't help but praise his mother's good craftsmanship.Mrs. Xue was so happy that she couldn't help but laugh from ear to ear.

Thirty days after the meal, Xue Pan felt full.Then I rinsed my mouth and hands under the service of the girl, took a clean brocade handkerchief and wiped the corners of my mouth, and asked, "Why didn't I see Xue Biao today, his brother, I finally came back from outside." , He didn’t even say to come and see me.”

Xue Baoqin on the side immediately said with a smile: "Brother, don't be annoyed. If you want to be angry, you should be angry. The rules of Taibai Academy are too annoying. Since the beginning of time, my brother has been asking for leave like Mr. Naihe and Mr. Naihe just disagrees. If brother dares to come back privately, he will be kicked out of the academy. Brother has no choice. But he wrote a letter asking me to apologize to big brother."

As he spoke, he took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Xue Pan.

Xue Pan was just talking and joking, so naturally he didn't really take it to heart.After taking a close look at the letter, he said with a smile: "Whose husband is so strict to me, but it turned out to be him."

After a pause, he said again: "Since it's him, I'm fine. But your brother is really lucky. Many people like this gentleman can't get a word out of their brains. Why did you fall in love with him?"

When Xue Baoqin heard this, he couldn't help but wondered: "Big brother knows who this gentleman is? I only heard that he is mysterious, and he is so frivolous!"

Xue Pan hooked the corners of his mouth indifferently, and said to Xue Zhizhang who was looking at him curiously: "I don't know what kind of luck this kid Xue Biao has had, but he was accepted as a disciple by Mr. Gu Yu."

Xue Zhizhang was moved for a while, and quickly said: "But that old Mr. Gu who is the emperor's teacher of the Three Dynasties?"

Xue Pan nodded, and said, "Maybe he got lucky. This Mr. Gu is proud of himself, and he is extremely picky. I don't know which muscle is wrong to fall in love with Xue Biao."

After speaking, he said to Xue Baoqin: "Tell your brother to study hard under the teacher's door. He doesn't have to worry about family affairs, and we are. Just figure out his own affairs."

Xue Baoqin nodded with a smile.

Xue Pan continued: "When I was in Tianjin Wei, I spent most of my time in the barracks training soldiers. When I was bored, I picked up a lot of beautiful shells and starfish on the beach. I collected them and prepared to come back and fight with you guys. After a while, I will ask a few strong women to carry it to your room."

"Tianjin Wei's place is very poor, and it can't compare to the richness and wealth of the capital. There is nothing exquisite and eye-catching. I personally bought some local products to eat. Although they are not good things, I just try something new."

As he spoke, he gestured to Baochai and the others: "Tianjin's marijuana flowers are delicious. They are so long, so thick, and crunchy. The more you chew, the more fragrant they become. There are also jujubes and pears. I can make them into cans and take them." Come to eat for you..."

Everyone joked until late at night, and then one by one returned to the yard to rest without mentioning it.

The next day was the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, and the door gods, couplets, and listings were all changed in the house, and peach charms were newly painted, with all kinds of colors and a new look.

Xue Panshou stayed at home and watched his mother and younger sister gather all the servants to prepare for the New Year, and he felt indescribably happy in his heart.Lai lay crooked on the heated Kang for several hours, when he heard a burst of noise outside.

Xue Pan raised his eyebrows curiously, and walked out with his shoes off. He didn't put on his coat, but only wore a homely white butterfly sleeve with red arrow sleeves, and he opened the curtain and walked out.Standing on the steps, I saw a group of maids walking in, welcoming a man of thirty or so white-faced and beardless.

Xue Pan was taken aback, and when he looked closely, it turned out that Dai Quan, the head of the Daming Palace who had always been friends with him, came.

Xue Pan quickly walked down the steps to meet him and said, "What wind brought you, the chief executive, here?"

Dai Quan looked up with a smile on his face, and Xue Pan was standing in front of him in thin clothes, with shoes on his feet, and his upper body clothes were crooked, and he was only wearing a pair of lake green trousers casually underneath. The trouser legs are loose, which is described as lazy.Tilting his head and smiling at him.It was also a jump.Quickly said in a sharp voice: "Oh, my uncle, why did you come out like a wild horse like this? It's freezing outside, be careful and get a headache from the wind."

As he spoke, he quickly took off his big fur cloak and put it on Xue Pan.But he shivered under the cold wind.

Seeing this, Xue Pan didn't even exchange greetings with him, but just talked about it.Hastily led people into the room, and ordered Hongxiu to pour the rolling tea, and then said with a smile: "I was leaning on the kang, when I heard a noise outside, I came out curiously to have a look. You haven't said anything yet Just come here? You are usually very high-minded, and you never enter the door of my house."

Dai Quan said with a smile: "Look at what you said, people who are not familiar with it think I am so frivolous. I am afraid that people like me will not be welcomed if they come in the door!"

Xue Pan immediately said solemnly: "It's really not very popular, why don't you go now. It can save my family a bowl of good tea."

Dai Quan glared at him, and scolded with a smile: "Get out. Be careful, I'll live in your house, and your family is poor."

Xue Pan covered his mouth with distressed expression and said, "I won't talk anymore, don't stay at my house."

The stingy appearance has learned a lot, and he is becoming more and more like a greedy local rich man.Dai Quan just shook his head, not knowing what to say.He made fun of Xue Pan more and more sharply, but was returned by Xue Pan with sharp teeth.With you coming and going, the strangeness that you haven't seen for more than a year has completely disappeared.

After a while, the servant girl served hot tea, and after Dai Quan drank a cup carefully, he took a breath and smiled, "I haven't seen you for a year. No wonder I was in a panic, so I came to see you while Muxiu is here today. "

Xue Pan hooked the corner of his mouth, refilled Dai Quan's tea himself, and asked again: "I haven't asked yet, how have you been this year?"

Dai Quan sighed, and said softly: "We slaves, I will be fine when the master is well. I will be decent when the master is decent. When can I have myself?"

Xue Pan saw this.He asked again: "What about the Holy One, how has this year been?"

Dai Quan asked back: "Although you are training in Tianjin Guard, you should be more informed about the news in Beijing than I am. Why are you asking me instead?"

Xue Pan pursed his lips, frowned and said, "Is it really like this..."

After a pause for a long time, he didn't ask the second half of the sentence.

Dai Quan shook his head and sighed again.His eyes scanned the girls in the room, but he didn't answer.

Xue Pan waved his hand, and the girls immediately filed out.

Only then did Dai Quan sigh, and said: "You have had a rough year, and the Holy One has not had a smooth year. Whenever you have any difficulties, you will naturally ask the Holy One for help, but the Holy One has some bitterness in his heart." I can only swallow it by myself. Although I wait and cry every day to share the worries of the king, what can I do in this situation? Ordinary people still emphasize that the king is the guide for the ministers, and the father is the guide for the son. Family, it’s getting harder to say—it can only be said that every family has difficult scriptures, but the affairs of the Tian family are not something that I and others can judge.”

These are really heartfelt words.Dai Quan has always been cautious, even if he lingered in his heart for a long time, if it wasn't for Xue Pan, he would not have said it easily.

Xue Pan had also heard about the old and new courtiers and even the contest between the Emperor and the Holy Majesty, and when he saw Dai Quan's appearance, he fell silent for a moment, feeling a little embarrassed.

Half a day later, Dai Quan cheered up and said, "Your Majesty hasn't seen a lot of smiles this year, and even rarely entered the harem. He spends every day reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study Room, deeply worried. If this is the case, there are still many guilty The old-fashioned choreographer is too old to do anything, and it is difficult to resist the big tripod. Most of the women in the harem are descendants of the Eighth Prince, and they only know how to invite favors on weekdays. The Holy One is guarding against them before it is too late. ?Under renunciation day and night, nowadays people are much thinner. Only after hearing about your news can they show their face for a moment. When you meet the Holy One tomorrow, you must say more funny things, which can be regarded as sharing the Lord’s worries.”

Xue Pan nodded and said, "I can save it."

After a pause, he looked at Dai Quan and teased, "You talk a lot today?"

Dai Quan sneered, and said: "People in the palace are unpredictable, and walls have ears. I am the same as the Holy One. Even if I have something to say, I can only hold it back. If you don't want to hear it, then I have nothing to say." gone."

Xue Pan stared at Dai Quan for a while, only to see that Dai Quan looked away guilty for a while, and then said with a smile: "Don't worry, I know your loyalty. If I have a chance, I will definitely be in front of the Holy Majesty." Good words."

After a pause, he continued: "Actually, you don't have to be like this. According to the kindness you have served the Holy One since you were a child, a loving person like the Holy Majesty will not forget it. As long as you are loyal to the Holy Majesty, you will be able to lose your love in the future." Prosperity and wealth are not enough."

Dai Quan shook his head and said: "In ancient times, it is easy to add flowers to the icing on the cake, but it is difficult to send charcoal in the snow. Only when the Holy One is in the most difficult and difficult times, the servants stand by. Although they may not be able to share the difficulties of the Holy One, it is good to just have this thought. But it is too much to keep silent. If I am too passive, if someone with discernment can say a few words for me, wouldn't it be a lot easier."

Dai Quan glanced at Xue Pan, and said with a smile: "So that the young master can know that during the year when the young master went to Tianjin Wei, the slaves have often spoken for the young master!"

Xue Pan laughed and said, "It's good to talk, but you are a shameless person who is the master of the Marquis and the servant of the Marquis. Who is your Marquis, and whose slave are you? I can only make fun of you as a brother." You. If you are so born, then there is no need to talk about it. "

Dai Quan immediately turned around and said, "I knew you were not that kind of person. If not, I wouldn't dare to say so many things to you."

Xue Pan shook his head, stared at him with a half-smile, but said nothing.

Dai Quan hesitated for a while, leaned forward, and whispered in Xue Pan's ear: "Someone told me that the relatives in your family... should be kept far away. However, other than the New Year's Eve and homely rituals, don't involve too much!"

Xue Pan's heart moved, and he asked in a low voice, "Why, what did 'someone' hear?"

Dai Quan naturally knew how respectable Xue Pan was in front of Tu Zhen.Naturally, she was happy to sell him a favor.Immediately lowered his voice mysteriously, and said: "There are many secrets in the palace, and it is inconvenient for me to say too much to bring you trouble. As long as you know, although their family has a virtuous concubine, she looks honorable. But the concubine of their family is not authentic, and even faintly offended the emperor... I am afraid that in the future..."

Xue Pan was startled when he heard this.He looked up at Dai Quan and didn't speak.

Seeing this, Dai Quan immediately said in a low voice: "I don't know exactly what's going on, but I have a little friendship with Eunuch Li Deyu of Qiankun Palace. Eunuch Li has also remembered the friendship he gave wine and medicine over the years. Specially asked me to come and ask the young master."

Xue Pan rolled his eyes and said with a soft smile: "I gave you those medicinal wines, even if they are affectionate, it is your friendship with him. Why did it come back to me?"

Dai Quan twitched the corner of his mouth at Xue Pan, but smiled silently.

Xue Pan was stunned.I think Li Deyu is also considering the situation of the emperor's sun, and he is ready to choose a good bird.But because it was not easy to make a big move in front of the emperor, he thought of repaying him.And with his dignity in front of Tu Zhen, since he has received Li Deyu's favor, he must return one or two.Naturally, he left a way out for the future.

Xue Pan thought about this and chuckled lightly.The Holy Majesty didn't want to see four kings and eight princes relying on the old to sell the old, and eating vegetarian food in the corpse.Already had the heart to tidy up.Now it happened again that Hachiko joined forces to oppose the new policy of the court and China, and even used the name of the emperor to severely sweep the face of the emperor.One after another, the two sides are even more difficult to reconcile.

At this juncture, anyone with a little brain knows to cherish life and stay away from Hachiko, and the Xue family is no exception.Li Deyu persuaded Xue Pan with such an excuse that a discerning person can understand at a glance, it can only be regarded as an expression of goodwill.It would be too simple to rely on this point to make him Xue Pan willing to help in times of crisis in the future.

On the other side of the coffee table, Dai Quan looked at Xue Pan who was calm and dismissive, and licked the corners of his mouth in satisfaction.In terms of emotion and logic, he was the first to form an alliance with Xue Pan.Although Li Deyu has a high position and authority, he is just an empty show that is rare for a long time. He thinks that he can buy people's hearts with just one or two casual news persuasion, but he really underestimates people.

Clearing his throat immediately, he began to persuade: "Although this matter is not a secret, but the young master has just returned to Beijing, so it is inevitable that there are some things that are not meticulous and thoughtful. Eunuch Li's suggestion is a good one. What's more, those medicinal wines Although I sent it to Qiankun Palace, it is still from the Xue family's shop. I just borrowed flowers to present to Buddha. Eunuch Li is smart and capable, so he naturally knows whose love he should take the most."

Saying that, he raised the teacup on the case table and respected Xue Pan from a distance: "Speaking of which, I haven't thanked the big brother for those medicinal wines that I bought for me. I'm treating you with tea instead of wine. I'm grateful."

Xue Pan didn't raise his glass, instead, he reached out and picked two peanuts from the small dish containing salted peanuts and threw them into his mouth. While chewing, he softly teased Dai Quan, "What kind of drama are you singing again?" , to be so polite and outspoken? We are all our own people, and you can take my love with a little effort, so why do you need to thank me so solemnly?"

Yes, people who are really acquainted will not express their thanks for some trivial things.Only those people who are not far or near, get serious because of a little thing.As for whether he wanted to thank him or something else, only God knows.

Thinking of this, Xue Pan and Dai Quan both hooked the corners of their mouths and smiled at each other.