The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

Aside from comparing Lin Daiyu to an actress, the royal concubine's family visit ended up being unhappy.

Three quarters of the ugly time passed, and after the imperial concubine Luan drove back to the palace, Xue Pan first sent Lin Daiyu back to Lin's mansion, and then took several younger sisters back to Zhongxinhou's mansion.At that time, Xue Zhizhang and his wife had just returned from the banquet. When they saw Xue Pan and the others, they inevitably asked a few gossips about the imperial concubine visiting relatives.

But Xue Pan shook his head in disappointment and said: "Don't mention it, I thought it would be a big event for a noble concubine to visit relatives, who would have thought of such a terrible thing. It's strange that the world said that there is no one in Rongning and Ningfu who is clever, Seeing you today, it really is.”

Xue Zhizhang and his wife looked at each other and couldn't help asking: "What happened?"

Xue Pan paused, and then explained in detail the similarities between Ling Guan'er and Lin Daiyu.At the end, she shook her head with a long sigh and said: "I thought that Sister Feng was a person who knew everything and knew how to socialize. Now it seems that she is also a character who doesn't remember everything. That is to say, her family doesn't care. How big a mistake might be made in an outsider's body!"

Xue Zhizhang quietly listened to Xue Pan's rambling, and he inevitably felt a sense of disobedience.After looking at Mrs. Xue, Mrs. Xue Zhang said calmly: "It's such a terrible thing to happen to such a wonderful feast. Not only is it embarrassing for Miss Lin, but you are also worried. Yes, go back to your room, take a shower and rest!"

Xue Pan and the others immediately got up and bid farewell to his parents.Then I meandered back to the yards of each house to wash and sleep without mentioning it.

Let's talk about inside Ruirong Hall, after the juniors had left, Xue and his wife couldn't help frowning and said: "Rongguo Mansion's behavior today is a bit strange."

Mrs. Xue sighed softly, and said: "Girl Feng has been playing with these schemes since she was a child. It will work for a while, but the method will inevitably be a little shallow. If things happen in the future, there will be more chaos!"

Xue Zhizhang shook his head and sighed. "This has nothing to do with us. It's just that she is willing to plan and plan. It's her own business. It's embarrassing to come to Yu'er now. Pan'er is a scheming person, and he can't see it. It's normal. But Lin's mansion Father and son are used to these tricks, and when they hear this, I'm afraid their hearts will grow deeper."

Mrs. Xue stepped forward and personally served Xue Zhizhang to wash and undress, and said softly: "The palms and backs of the hands are full of meat. The two families are relatives, so we can hardly say anything. But from this point of view, Rongguo Mansion's behavior has really become arrogant. Afterwards If we act, we will inevitably have to go a little farther."

Xue Zhizhang nodded and replied: "The position of the men in the Rongning Second Mansion is too low, or they are not reused. There is little communication between the outside men. As for the affairs of the inner house, it is up to the wife to decide."

Madam Xue curled her lips in satisfaction, and replied softly: "Master, don't worry. Although I am blunt in material and mediocre in mind, it is more than enough to handle these private affairs in the house."

Xue Zhizhang responded, but did not speak.

So the two of them went to bed to rest and had nothing to say for the whole night.

Let's say that after Jia Yuanchun returned to the palace, he saw his driver the next day to thank him and reported his return to the province.I thought that like the concubines and nobles next to me, I would be rewarded with some inner money, colored satin, gold and silver, and that's all.Unexpectedly, Tu Zhen had already learned about the concubine's family visit from the sticky stick. In front of Lin Mozhi who came to report his post, he beat Jia Yuanchun to be vigilant, and finally said it in a non-salty way After two sentences, he kicked him out of the Qianqing Palace.

Jia Yuanchun was not favored in the first place, but now he was scolded by Tu Zhen for a long time.Shocked and terrified, ashamed and ashamed, after returning to the harem, sisters who knew or hated each other came to visit for "consolation". He couldn't help but fell down.

In the first lunar month, I was so sick that I couldn't get out of bed or get out of bed.Undoubtedly, the interest of many elder concubines who are superstitious and respectful of Buddha and advocating the relationship of cause and effect has been swept away, and they feel more and more that this virtuous concubine who is neither embarrassing nor embarrassing can be on the stage.Among them, Prince Zhongchun's biological mother, Concubine Min, and Xue Lin's family are the best friends. After learning about this incident, she also wanted to do something decent for her in-laws and friends, so she encouraged her in front of the empress dowager. said a few words.Within two days, Jia Yuanchun, whose condition had just improved, was sent by the empress dowager to the temple to practice for half a month, avoiding the good omen of the first month, and even euphemistically called it to pray for Dayong.

After learning about this incident, the Rongning Second Mansion of the previous dynasty was not ashamed, but proud.It's really a great honor.And because of the fact that the noble concubine's visiting relatives took over the car, the whole family was really exhausted.Uncle Zhen of the Ningguo Mansion simply ignored the household chores and set up a special table to watch the opera and lanterns, which made up for the formality and anxiety of the grand family feast.Now it's a lot of hustle and bustle.The sound of gongs and drums shouting can be heard from far outside the alley.People all over the street praised, "It's such a lively show, something no one else can have."

For a while, the Rongning Second Mansion was full of pride and pride, but did not mention it.

Besides, Jia Baoyu has always been fond of Fengyue opera, Yiyi Yaya, Wu Nong's soft words have sentimentality.Today's sang "Ding Lang recognizes his father", "Havoc in the Heavenly Palace" and other noisy dramas called "Buddha Walking Incense" did not reach his ears at all.But after sitting for a while, he could no longer bear it and backed out.

It was still windy and cold in the first month of the month.However, the sky was high and the clouds were light, and the wind was clear and elegant, so Jia Baoyu must have some interest in traveling.When he was about to find someone, he found that all the young servants in the yard were hiding in various places, eating tea and playing. When Jia Baoyu was wandering casually, he happened to meet the little maid who was hiding in the study. Mingyan.

Jia Baoyu stood outside the house and stopped the two of them, and after a few words of teasing, he didn't care much and let go.He only said that he and Mingyan would go out for a stroll.

Mingyan was thinking about the order of the big girl Xiren in Baoyu's room, and immediately laughed and said: "Sister Hua is being picked up by the family to have New Year tea today, why don't I take the second master to see the excitement?"

Jia Baoyu's heart moved, and he was about to agree.A thought flashed through my mind, and I quickly shook my head and said: "It's fine with her family. If the master finds out then, it will be a lot of rebellion. It's so boring in the first lunar month. You follow me to Zhongxin Hou's mansion Look at Big Brother Xue!"

After hearing this, Mingyan couldn't help feeling embarrassed and hesitant.

Seeing this, Jia Baoyu raised his eyebrows suspiciously and asked, "What's your expression? Could it be that you're going to make things difficult for you?"

Mingyan quickly shook her head and smiled, "How could that be? Wherever the second master wants to go, I'll just follow."

Jia Baoyu glared at Mingyan, and said softly, "It's not too bad, why don't you go to the chariot?"

So Mingyan responded with a bitter face, and hurriedly turned around and went out to prepare the horse.I only apologized quietly in my heart: "I'm sorry, Sister Hua. I told the second master that the second master will not go by himself..."

Let's say that Jia Baoyu's master and servant arrived at Zhongxinhou's mansion on horseback.At that time Xue Pan was still lying on the bed.

Jia Baoyu didn't take it seriously, so he waited in the side hall outside to have tea.By the way, chat with the girls and sisters in the house.He said a few words, but he didn't feel bored.

After a while, Xue Pan got up.Putting on his coat and shoes, he came out of the inner room yawning, saw Baoyu's figure, and asked nonchalantly, "Don't you have a table today? Why do you think I'm here to go shopping?" gone?"

Jia Baoyu replied with a smile: "They only listen to dramas about gods and ghosts. I was impatient, so I came out quietly."

While washing his hands, Xue Pan glanced at Jia Baoyu with a half-smile, and asked, "Didn't you go to your Xie Yuhua's house to raise her face and support her?"

When Jia Baoyu heard the words, he couldn't help becoming suspicious, and asked, "Xi Ren was taken home to have New Year tea today, how do you know?"

Xue Pan wiped his face casually, and said with a light smile, "Is there anything I don't know. I'm afraid there is no one else who doesn't know except you, a fool like you?"

Jia Baoyu became more and more confused when he heard it, and couldn't help asking repeatedly: "What did the big brother say?"

Xue Pan glanced at Jia Baoyu, but smiled silently.

Jia Baoyu asked twice but still didn't come out.Then he lifted his hand and stopped asking.She was only thinking about another matter, so she couldn't help asking with a smile on her face, "After visiting relatives... isn't Miss Lin angry?"

"That's a very unreasonable question. How do I know if she's angry or not? Even if you want to ask, you should go to the Lin Mansion around the corner. What's the point of coming to me without thinking?"

Jia Baoyu immediately sighed and said, "You mean I don't want to go to the Lin's mansion to ask in person, but now that our family has offended Miss Lin, I'm afraid my uncle and brother Lin will be even more angry when they see me!"

"You're just so promising." Xue Pan said to Jia Baoyu, "It stands to reason that I shouldn't talk too much about your family. It's just that you asked me a question, so I just said something casually." That's all. Your family really doesn't behave properly, if this continues, I don't dare to have any contact with the family. I don't want to make a bellyful of idle talk, but it will also damage our family's reputation. "

For so many years, this is the first time that Xue Pan has said the words of alienation openly.

Hearing this, Jia Baoyu couldn't help becoming anxious. He got up and begged for mercy, "Brother's words are like stabbing my heart with a knife. I know my family is not doing well. You don't need to be angry, or beat me up." Or scolding is all right, don't ignore me?"

Seeing that Jia Baoyu was sweating profusely, Xue Pan couldn't help sighing softly, and said, "I only said that I will stay away from your family in the future, and I didn't say that I will ignore you from now on. You are so anxious, why bother?" here?"

Jia Baoyu heard that there was an article in these words, so he asked: "What do you mean, big brother, I can't understand?"

Xue Pan laughed and said, "In other words, I will only ask you to drink for fun in the future, or you can come to our house to find me. I will definitely not climb the gate of your Rongguo Mansion again."

Jia Baoyu breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this.Half a day later, he sighed softly again: "I think it's because of the scene on the day of the family visit. Big brother is really angry, right?"

When Xue Pan heard this, he couldn't help but sneered and said, "If it's true that your family members are confused, then that's fine. But you shouldn't, you shouldn't, why did you use us as a raft as a stepping stone? They are all made of mud, which is easy to handle. But the clay Bodhisattva still has three points of incense, let alone you and me. Really..."

At the end of Xue Pan's speech, he was too lazy to reply.

Jia Baoyu was confused and had to ask a few more questions.Xue Pan ignored him, but Jia Baoyu finally stopped talking resentfully.

After chatting for a while, a servant in the front yard came to pass the word: "Master Zhen and the masters of the Zhen family from Jiangning Weaving Mansion have come to the house. The master told the master to undress quickly and get ready, and go to the front to talk with the guests."

Hearing this, Xue Pan immediately got up and said with a smile, "It's been a while since I've seen this piece of real precious jade. Tell my father that I'll go right away."

The boy bowed his head in response, turned around and went out without saying a word.

Let's say that Xue Pan changed into the decent clothes when he went out to meet foreigners, turned his head and smiled at Baoyu, and said, "I'm going to the front to meet guests. Do you go with me or the cat hides in the house?"

Jia Baoyu rubbed his nose and asked, "I just heard what the boy said, is it brother Baoyu from the Zhen family?"

Xue Pan nodded in agreement.

Jia Baoyu thought about it for a while, and said: "The Zhen family in the south of the Yangtze River has always had a deep friendship with our family. Even so, it is not an outsider, and it is the first time for the Zhen family's uncle to come to Beijing in so many years. I will go out with you too. See you there. If not, it will be heard in the master's ears afterwards, and I should say that I don't understand the rules."

Xue Pan nodded, so the two walked hand in hand, meandering to the front hall to meet the guests without mentioning it.

After a few years, I saw Zhen Yan, the head of the Zhen family, again, and he was still so personable and gentle.It seems that the strokes of the years have not done much to describe his face.Xue Pan understood that, for a family like them with wealth and dignity, regardless of gender, there will always be some way to ensure that his face is worthy of everyone.But once the building collapses and the family falls, the speed of aging is much faster than that of ordinary people.

As the so-called overnight beauty is not as simple as it seems.Behind the rumors that are talked about, there will always be one kind of tragic separation and reunion, which is not humane.

Zhen Yan, who was sitting on the chair, was also looking at Xue Pan calmly.After a few years of seeing each other, this little idiot who used to be known as the king of Jinling has also turned into a handsome young man with a long body like jade.The complexion inherited the elegance and delicacy of Xue Zhizhang and his wife, with picturesque eyebrows and eyes, as gorgeous as peaches and plums, and as rich as peonies.The stature is slightly round and plump, and she looks naive, and her lover is tight.There was a warm smile on his lips, which made people feel relieved when they saw it.The unbearable spirit relaxed.

Xue Pan led Jia Baoyu into the main hall, walked up to the crowd, saluted and said with a smile: "I have seen my father, I have seen Uncle Zhen's family."

Then he made fun of Zhen Baoyu who stood up from the side: "I've seen Master Juren. It's really a leap into a dragon's gate, and even my vulgar friend doesn't know it."

Zhen Baoyu had long been used to Xue Pan's sharp teeth, and he shook his head and laughed repeatedly: "This is so boring—what kind of relationship do you and I have, even if I have official business and I don't come to visit, and I don't come to visit during the New Years and holidays. I carefully selected the presents for you. As long as you care a little bit, you won’t say such things. Really, I should be so sad. "

As he spoke, he took two steps forward and rubbed Xue Pan's well-combed hair fiercely.

Xue Pan immediately dodges to avoid Zhen Baoyu's Lushan's claws.Going around behind Xue Zhizhang and laughing at Zhen Baoyu.

At this moment, Jia Baoyu also finished the ceremony with a solemn and solemn expression.

Facing this boy who looked exactly like his own son, Zhen Yan couldn't help being curious.Like the common people, he begged for the piece of precious jade he held in his mouth and looked at it for a while, then smiled and asked a few gossip about what books he had read and whose article he liked the most, and then he used the excuse that there was something wrong between adults. The discussion sent the three juniors away.

Regarding the matter that Zhen Yan wanted to discuss with Xue Zhizhang, Xue Pan had a faint understanding in his heart.As of this year, Tu Zhen has been on the throne for three years, and his position has become more and more stable. After secretly eating away at the middle and lower levels of the imperial court and most of the military's power, the young emperor is no longer satisfied with just being an emperor. The emperor's answering insect and human-shaped jade seal.

This year's Shangyuan Festival, Tu Zhen invited a group of important officials who held real power to the capital under the pretext of relieving the loneliness of the emperor.In addition to attracting many courtiers to discuss and praise the emperor's benevolence and filial piety, only Xue Pan and others noticed that these so-called humerus veterans who accompanied the emperor when he was young were all secretly loyal to Tuzhen of.

Tu Zhen gathered all these individuals to the capital in the name of the emperor, whether his purpose was really as upright as he said on the face, I am afraid that no one except Tu Zhen himself would know.

But now, Zhen Yan, who was a little confused, had to go to the house of his old friend and old ally after entering the palace to meet him.After all, the name of the Jiangning Weaving Mansion is resounding, but the Zhen family has lived in the south of the Yangtze River for a long time, and they don't know much about the current affairs in Beijing and China.In order not to make a wrong move in the following turmoil and lose all games, and to keep in touch with Xue Zhen's family, Zhen Yan brought Zhen Yong, the heir of the Zhen family, on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month. Come and visit.

When the two old foxes got together, what they wanted to discuss would definitely not be such a purely white topic as what to eat for dinner.Therefore, it is also reasonable to drive the juniors who don't understand the world out of the main hall to play.

As for the three pitiful teenagers who were driven out of the main hall, after thinking for a while, Xue Pan took everyone to have fun.

It is around noon now, and the luxuriously decorated Zhizuijinmi has not yet opened. At this moment, it is quietly crouching on the brightly decorated Zhangtai Street. There is no feasting and brilliance at night.

Zhen Baoyu stood at the door and looked at it carefully for a while, and couldn't help but ask: "Didn't this luxury and gold fan only open after the opening time at night? What are you bringing us here now?"

Xue Pan laughed disapprovingly and said, "The opening time is limited to those customers, so what does it have to do with us?"

As he said that, he led everyone into the luxurious hall, and went straight to his private room where he was luxurious without the guidance of his servants.

It was the first time for Jia Baoyu to come to this happy place known as the "Gold Selling Cave". Looking left and right, he looked at this building, which was very different from the current brothel and Chu Pavilion, and couldn't help but exclaim: "It really is a wonderful workmanship. Only the big brother can tinker with things."

Xue Pan glanced at Jia Baoyu, shook his head and said with a smile, "They're all my brothers, so don't put a high hat on me. Go in and have fun, it's serious."

As he said that, he arranged for a few playful girls to accompany the crowd to have fun.

The tutoring of the Zhen family and the Jia family has never been rigorous, not to mention that when the men socialize, it is inevitable that there will be occasions where they have to play tricks on the spot.Therefore, although the two Baoyus came here for the first time, they were extremely sophisticated in making jokes with the girls.It's also willful to play for a while.After a while, the servants brought over some pastries, fruit tea and Xue Pan's favorite food. Everyone listened to the music, watched the dance and ate the wine and vegetables. It was right to have a lunch.

After three rounds of banquets, everyone was probably full.

Xue Pan then ordered his servants to withdraw the banquet, and put some fruit tea cakes and some snacks on the table again. The two Baoyu who personally served them were free to play, and even went on stage to sing a song.I only felt that Zhen Baoyu and Zhen Baoyu were having a good time, so Xue Pan escaped with the excuse of going to the toilet to urinate.

He came here today to indulge in money and life, although part of the reason was to play with his brothers, but more because he wanted to meet Yun'er.Since the Chinese New Year till now, he has been entangled in trifles, and he will not have time to talk to this luxurious and rich chief executive in the future.In terms of emotion and reason, it is a bit inappropriate.What's more, he still has some personal matters that he wants to entrust to Yun'er...

Thinking of this, Xue Pan's steps became faster and faster.

When I found Yun'er, this coquettish girl was hiding upstairs in a luxurious and glamorous building, making fun of some new young dancers, and when she saw Xue Pan, she couldn't help raising her eyebrows and asked, "Yo , Uncle hasn’t been to our little place for a long time. Today, the honored one has stepped into our humble place, it’s really frightening—it’s full of splendor!”

Xue Pan waved his hand, and all the young ladies and dancers hurriedly backed away.After the concierge was firmly closed, Xue Pan smiled back at Yun'er and said, "I haven't seen you for a year, how is Miss Yun'er?"

"What's wrong with me. I have food, play, and the emperor's prostitutes. I live a very comfortable life. It's just that the uncle of the Xue family has a nose and eyes in Tianjin Wei. Nowadays, many wealthy and dignified sons are The uncle’s name and surname are on the lips, as if mentioning the uncle’s value immediately increases a lot. Thanks to the uncle, the business of the rich and wealthy this year is more than [-]% better than last year.” Yun’er said, winking Throwing it over, he casually grabbed the sleeves that were scattered around his waist, and stretched out his jade arms on the beauty's couch that was leaning sideways.The words were astonishing and said: "Although I don't know the meaning behind the things that the uncle sent before, but I can't control so much as a thing for people's entertainment. If I have wine today, I will be drunk today, and I will be sad tomorrow... you will replace me Put it on!"

Xue Pan hooked the corners of his mouth with a grin, walked up to Yun'er and whispered into her ear, "As long as you do what I entrusted to you properly, don't be afraid that someone will harm you in the future. Say it's me, even others will appreciate you"

Yun'er glared at Xue Pan, and said softly: "It's nice to say. I'm afraid it's just your private actions and calculations - it's thanks to you to think of aphrodisiacs for the old emperor who lacks energy. In the future, if I was really stabbed out, and someone randomly arranged a charge of murdering the emperor, I'm afraid you and I will lose our lives."

Hearing this, Xue Pan raised his eyebrows disapprovingly and said: "He has more than enough heart but not enough energy. He has lost the face and dignity of a man, so he will naturally find a way to make up some stories. It's not poison, so what harm can it do if you eat it?" What's more, even if there are disadvantages, what does it have to do with you and me? Could it be that he really dares to turn against Yingtian, and everyone in the capital knows that he is not good at that, so he has to take medicine to make up for it?"