The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

Last time, it was said that Prince Zhongyong, Prince Zhonglian, and Prince Zhongrui came here together.The men and women of the Jia family, as well as the guests and friends present were shocked and overjoyed when they heard the news.Hastily pulled up his clothes and put them out of the hall, and went straight to the gate of the outer mansion, then bowed and knelt down and said: "I have seen the three princes."

"The funeral of Jia's mansion, Leimeng county is here, how can the shady generation be restrained."

The Zhongyong Prince who was walking in the lead waved his hands casually, and said with a smile: "Duke Ning Guo has been loyal and good for generations, and he is a minister of the court. We are supposed to come, why did Jia Qing say that?"

As he said, he walked into the mourning hall with his hands behind his back, and ordered the Changfu official to hold a funeral.

Jia Zhen waited aside to return the gift, and immediately knelt down in fear and gratitude.

Prince Zhongyong's expression was a little indifferent, and he asked again immediately: "Why aren't Baoyu and the young master of the Xue family here?"

Everyone who listened was stunned, and immediately understood why the prince came here.

Jia Baoyu and Xue Pan, who fell behind the crowd, immediately passed through the thick crowd, stepped forward to salute and said: "Caomin (the humble minister) has seen the prince, and the prince is a thousand years old."

Prince Zhongyong immediately took a step forward, took the lead to lift up Jia Baoyu who was kneeling on the ground, and then smiled at Xue Pan, "Young Lord, you don't need to be so courteous. This visit was originally to commemorate the past, and I didn't want to mobilize the crowd. Master Hou, get up quickly."

Xue Pan looked at Prince Zhongyong's and Baoyu's intersecting hands meaningfully, and said "Oh" meaningfully.Such a bold and outstanding move made Prince Zhongyong blush a little, but his complexion was already dark, so he couldn't tell it for a while.

On the other hand, Jia Baoyu's snow-white face turned red in an instant, he looked at Xue Pan falteringly, and whispered hesitatingly: "Don't get me wrong, it's not what you think."

Xue Pan casually glanced at the crowd who were quietly watching, not wanting to cause any trouble, and then smiled slightly, and changed the subject: "I have always heard that Prince Zhongyong is bold and informal. I have been famous for a long time, and today I met him. Well-deserved reputation."

When Prince Zhongyong heard the words, he glanced at Xue Pan with some guilt, and said in his mouth, "Where, where."

Tu Teng and Tu Huang, who were watching the bustle, couldn't help laughing "puchi" when they saw this, and said: "I have always heard that big idiot Xue is eloquent, and people who often choke can't speak. I don't want to believe it. Now It seems that it really lives up to its reputation."

Xue Pan and Prince Zhongyong hadn't met each other for a few times, so the conversation was naturally a little rusty and polite.However, the two disciples and Tu Huang have been friends for a long time, so they rolled their eyes unceremoniously, and hummed to Tu Huang: "I also heard that Prince Zhongrui is a stingy temper, so I didn't take it seriously before. But now I have to make a good theory—let’s talk about it, you are a shareholder of “Luxurious Money”, but you often take people to other places to have fun. Ordinary people still know that fat and water don’t flow to outsiders’ fields. Why are you doing this? "

Tu Huang who asked was dumbfounded, shaking his head and not knowing how to respond.Keep saying "this, this..."

Seeing it in his eyes, Tu Ju shook his head dumbfounded.

Several people chatted in full swing.The members of Jia's family waited for a long while, before Si Siai came forward, bowed and smiled flatteringly: "The place where the coffin stopped was crowded and smoky, and the place where the crowd is crowded naturally smells of pickled sweat, it is unavoidable I bumped into a few nobles. Why don't the lords sit in the back room for a while and drink a cup of tea to relieve fatigue, okay?"

When everyone heard this, they all focused their attention on Prince Zhongyong.Prince Zhongyong pondered for a moment, then glanced at Jia Baoyu who was looking forward to it, then nodded and said: "If that's the case, then don't bother me."

Jia Zhen nodded her head overjoyed when she heard the words, and quickly responded: "The arrival of the honored guest makes the humble house luxuriant. How can it be called disturbing?"

As he spoke, he personally led the way ahead and led everyone to the side hall behind.He was extremely enthusiastic and ordered his servants to serve the best tea and fruit cakes. Jia Amnesty even stepped forward to take the tea and serve it to everyone. The hospitality was extremely warm.Seeing the slightly moved faces of the three princes, Jia Zhen bowed and smiled with satisfaction: "This is the Yuqian Longjing that was just paid tribute this year. It has been soaked twice with the best plum tip water. The three princes please Slow use."

A few years ago, Xue Pan opened a tea garden in Jinling together with Zhen's family and Tu Zhen, who was the fourth prince at the time, and Longjing tea has become one of the most popular teas nowadays.After Tuzhen ascended the throne and designated Longjing as a tribute tea, the value of West Lake Longjing doubled even more.Among them, Yuqian Longjing and Mingqian Longjing are the most.It is not an exaggeration to call it a tea of ​​a thousand gold.Especially due to the floods in the south this year, the harvest of Longjing before the rain was very small.Only the Qianqing Palace and the Xue family had some Dragon Wells offered for offering. The Zhen family's situation was a little special, but some were kept for future use.The rest didn't even exist in the residence of several princes.Under such circumstances, the Jia family can still entertain guests with such good tea, which is enough to show the background of the four princes and eight princes.

only……

In front of the royal family, entertaining guests with good tea that the royal family can't easily taste, such a behavior is too ostentatious.

At that moment, the faces of the three princes were all pale.It seems very polite, but Xue Pan, who often associates with the royal family, knows that the three of them are not in a good mood right now.

It's a pity that everyone in the Jia family didn't realize it at all, and they still enthusiastically introduced the cakes and fruits on the plate to the three princes--pumpkins from the vassal states of the Western Regions, dried meat from the barbarian tribes in the north, and dried meat from the Yunzhao Kingdom in the South Gate. The specialty dragon fruit...they are all the same, and they are all rare offerings.The three princes listened, their expressions remained unchanged.Especially Prince Zhonglian, who still had a charming smile and blinked his eyes, becoming more and more cordial.Seeing Xue Pan was a little frightened.

The three princes kept silent in unison, allowing everyone in the Jia family to show off for a while.However, everyone in Jia's family became more and more enthusiastic, exchanging pleasantries endlessly.At that moment, Prince Zhongyong frowned impatiently, and said, "I didn't want to mobilize the crowd when I came to pay homage to the heroic spirit of Lord Ning. What's more, the dead are big. If I waited abruptly for the dead, it shouldn't be."

Tu Huang immediately said, "Yes. The dead are the most important, and everyone will take care of them before returning to their spirits. Besides, there are many guests outside, so don't neglect them just because of Xiao Wang and others."

Jia Zhen heard that, although she was reluctant to have the great opportunity to get close to the princes.But as the son of Jia Jing and the lord of the Ningguo Mansion, he was supposed to stand in front of the spirit to greet and see him off, so it was not easy to appear too urgent.Immediately nodded embarrassingly, exchanged greetings with several princes, then turned and left.

Seeing Jia Zhen's groveling appearance, Xue Pan couldn't help shaking his head slightly.Even Baoyu, a dandy with a soft personality, looked at Prince Zhongyong with some embarrassment, and his expression was a little embarrassing.

As for the three noble princes, although there was no expression of disdain on their faces, Xue Pan couldn't help but look a little more lighthearted when he watched their words and deeds.

People value self-respect, if they can't even respect and love themselves, they will bow their knees when they meet the strong, and they will be arrogant when they meet the weak.Such a person, no matter where he goes, is a buffoon who appears on stage, and it is extremely difficult to gain the respect and love of others.

Ordinary people, people in the market are all like this, let alone the royal family who have always been snobbish and value everyone's strength?

The Jia family's behavior is really a loss.

Xue Pan sighed softly, and was about to speak, but there was another commotion outside. It turned out that Jia Mu, who was guarding the women's family in the back hall, heard the news and came to see him specially.

The two juniors Xue Pan and Jia Baoyu got up quickly, only to find that Jia's mother not only came here alone, but also brought the Sanchun sisters who lived in seclusion in the mansion.Seeing this, Xue Pan and the others frowned again.

The bearing and demeanor of Jia's mansion are really not as good as before.

Prince Zhongyong frowned impatiently, stood up, and didn't allow Mother Jia to talk too much, and said to himself: "It's getting late, I won't bother you anymore when I still have trivial matters to worry about."

As he spoke, he reached out and patted Jia Baoyu's shoulder, and strode out of the side hall.

From the beginning to the end, he never glanced at the female family members of the Jia family.

Tu Jue and Tu Huang looked at each other in dismay, got up and said goodbye with a smile, Shi Shi ran out of the side hall.

Naturally, she never cared about Yunying's unmarried female relatives.

But Jiamu, who was left by the side, turned red and white for a while, before she swallowed her anger and said: "The nobles of the Tian family are unpredictable. It is a great face to come here this time." , no matter how much more... I dare not ask extravagantly."

Hearing this, a flash of shame flashed across Sanchun's face, who lowered his head firmly.Among them, Yingchun's expression became more haggard and numb, while Tanchun's face showed a trace of disbelief.As for Yingchun, she curled her lips incredulously, obviously, she didn't take Jiamu's words to heart.Or...he didn't take Jia Mu's actions seriously.

Naturally, Mother Jia didn't care about the inner activities of the three girls.She sighed slightly, besides regretting that she lost a chance to hold the prince's thigh, she was also a little bit annoyed.Probably because... Among the bystanders, one of them was the unmistakable uncle of the prince.

Seeing this shape, Xue Pan rubbed his nose boredly, and said with a smile: "It's getting late, I'm going home too."

Mother Jia waved her hand in a disconcerted way, and said, "Go back and bring a greeting to my aunt. I just said I haven't seen you for a long time. It's strange that I miss her. If you still put my relative in your eyes, you will often come to the house to walk around. I'm old, and I can't move anymore. Otherwise, I would have to go to the mansion for a walk."

Xue Pan immediately laughed and said: "How can that be! The ancestor is an elder, and it is fitting that my mother should come to see him. It's just that during this period of time, I only heard from the family that the old ancestor is not in good health, and the most annoying thing is to be in front of him. I'm bothering you. That's why I didn't dare to come to the door."

When Jia Mu heard the words, she smiled and nodded, and said with satisfaction: "It's because of this, so it's no wonder. I was indeed in poor health in those few days, but I became more and more disturbed and didn't like to move. Baoyu and Feng girl, who were tired of being around, reprimanded you. It seems that the family members have broken their mouths and spread these small news, which scares your mother from going to the door. I also said that your Xue family is now so prosperous that you don’t like it. Our screwdriver is a small family. I don’t want to have any contact! I’m really getting old, and I’m getting more and more unreasonable.”

When Xue Pan heard this, he curled the corners of his mouth indifferently, but did not reply.

Seeing this, Jia's mother sighed indistinctly, "It's just that people are getting older, but they often think about the excitement and excitement around their knees. Go back and tell your mother that if you have time, you might as well come and see me. This is also true. It seems that every day is less and less."

Jia Baoyu frowned dissatisfied when he heard this.At that moment, Tired leaned into Jiamu's arms, put his arms around Jiamu's neck and said, "I don't like the old ancestor saying such depressing words. The old ancestor lived a long life and is full of energy!"

Seeing this, Jia's mother immediately patted Jia Baoyu's back, and said lovingly, "I'm just talking casually, but you take it seriously. Really... don't worry, I won't take your arrangement properly. The old ancestor will be fine. You monkey head, get down quickly, don't let your big brother Xue see the joke!"

He just complained, but the satisfied expression between his brows was clearly visible.Thinking about it, the close dependence on the grandchildren is still very useful.

Xue Pan saw this situation in his eyes and sighed calmly.No matter how prejudiced and disgusted Xue Pan is towards the Jia family, he cannot deny that the people in the Jia family also have true feelings.For example, there is no doubt that Jia's mother took care of Jia Baoyu, and Mrs. Wang took good care of Jia Baoyu.Both of them treated Baoyu well from the bottom of their hearts, and they were afraid that they would be wronged if they were slowed down.As a result, Baoyu was raised with a flirtatious temperament who didn't know the world and was weak and frivolous.

Even though Jia Zhen was chaotic and immoral towards Qin Keqing, she was very sad when she died and wished she could replace him with her own body, so she may not be ruthless.As for Jia Lian's affection for Second Sister You, and Xi Ren's affection for Baoyu, they are more accommodating and doting.It's just that their feelings are too deformed, and their environment is too confusing, and in the end they ruin others and themselves.It can be said to be——

The world of mortals has its own infatuated guests, and when the love goes deep, it turns thin.

A Dream of Red Mansions has lasted for sixty years, and I don't know Huangquan and Biluo.