The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

On the black lacquered wooden tray, there was a piece of wrought red python silk, on which a glass ball the size of a washbasin was placed upright.The color of the glass ball is transparent and uniform, and there is a small house embedded in it, and there are some green willows and red flowers everywhere.Sitting at the front of the house are four thumb-sized figures, with delicate features and pleasant smiles, and at first glance they look a little like the four members of the Xue family.There are tiny snow-white particles everywhere inside the ball, and it is not clear what material it is, but after Xue Pan picked up the glass ball and shook it slightly, the tiny white particles in the middle kept splashing, and it looked like a glass ball from a distance. It's generally snowing.

The glass ball as big as a washbasin is held up by a sandalwood enamel inlaid ivory carving chassis, and it stays there quietly, with the sunlight refracted, the transparent glass ball suddenly emits colorful light, like a dream, like a dream. Color blur.

"This thing is really beautiful." Baochai couldn't help saying out loud.

Daiyu saw it in her eyes, and there was also a flash of surprise and excitement.

Only Mrs. Xue looked at the scene inside the glass ball, frowned, and said with some uncertainty: "Why do I feel that this scene looks familiar?"

"Doesn't it look familiar? The front of this house is our Xue family's mansion, and the first four people are my parents, me and my sister." Xue Pan explained with a smile: "The scenery inside is spring, summer, autumn and winter. I don't need to elaborate. It means that I hope our family of four can be together for a long time, be harmonious, happy and healthy."

"What a good relationship, happy and healthy." A mellow voice came from outside, only to see Xue Zhizhang opened the curtain and came in from the outside.By the way, a cool breeze was brought in.Originally, he was inspired by Xue Pan's words, but when he saw the glass ball on the tray, his eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "What a delicate and precious thing!"

"I have met the master (daddy)." Everyone immediately got up and greeted Xue Zhizhang, and Lin Daiyu also bowed down and said: "Niece Daiyu has met Uncle Xue."

"Get up quickly." Xue Zhizhang gave Daiyu a little support, and said softly to Daiyu, "Is your father safe? I haven't seen your father for half a year, and I'm very worried. You waded all the way Come here, are you tired?"

Daiyu replied softly: "Father is quite healthy, and he often says that he hasn't seen uncle for a long time. It only took three to five days to come here by boat. Daiyu has also seen the feng shui and human relations on both sides of the strait, so she doesn't care about it." Feeling tired. Thank you uncle for your concern."

"Your father and I are inseparable, and you don't need to elaborate on your relationship with Baochai. When you get here, just treat it as your own home, eat and live according to your old habits, and don't be a guest. Naturally, you don't have to be too cautious." Xue Zhizhang instructed with a smile.

Lin Daiyu only felt that her heart was getting tighter, she nodded repeatedly and said: "I will, thank you uncle."

After a while, another girl from the gentle country directed several old women to come in carrying a box.

Xue Pan pointed to the box and said to Lin Daiyu: "I heard that my sister is coming from Yangzhou. I am an ordinary person and I don't know what my sister likes. These are the little things I usually collect outside, and some are ours. Made it in my own workshop. My sister, play with it to pass the time!"

As he spoke, he made people open the cage.

Daiyu took a closer look, and saw that the box was full of beautiful things, all of which were cute gadgets.There are small ornaments made of various bamboos that I have seen before, a wind stove made of clay piles, rattan baskets or small animals made of willow branches and long grass, and even a pile of oddly shaped ones wrapped in a piece of silk. Thin wood chips.There are still many things below, because of the light and occlusion, I can't see clearly.

Xue Pan reached out and took out the bag of wood chips from the cage, and spread it out.Then he took out a one-foot-sized bamboo basket from the cage, lifted the top cover, and carefully moved out a small wooden house from inside.

Then he smiled at Lin Daiyu again, pointed to the piece of wood on the other side and said to Lin Daiyu, "This is called building blocks. If you have nothing to do, you can build a house and play with it!"

Lin Daiyu covered her mouth with her hands in surprise, looked at the open cage, and then turned her head to look at the small wooden house, her eyes sparkling.

Due to time constraints, Xue Pan couldn't show Lin Daiyu all the things in the cage.Fortunately, Baochai has all these things, and he just waits for Baochai to play with Lin Daiyu when he has time.So Xue Pan ordered a kind of woman to pack up the box and carry it to the wing room prepared for Lin Daiyu in Wutong Garden.

As it got late, Mrs. Xue quickly ordered Baochai to bring Lin Daiyu back to Wutong Garden.After a simple grooming, Lin Daiyu changed into a lavender toothpick waistcoat embroidered with green bamboo patterns under the service of her maid Xueyan. Her lower body was covered with a moon-white floral pleated skirt. Daiyu's demeanor is more and more elegant, like a banished fairy.

Dressed up like this, the eyes of Baochai, who was waiting outside, brightened.I feel more and more that this sister is really a fairy concubine.

Quickly got up and walked to Daiyu, took Daiyu's hand and said, "What a beauty, it's so hard to see."

Daiyu blushed, tilted her head and said, "Sister is the real beauty!"

Xue Baochai covered her mouth and smiled coquettishly, "The two of us should stop praising each other like this. Otherwise, we won't be able to finish talking all night!

As he spoke, he took Lin Daiyu's jade hand and walked out, saying as he walked, "My parents and elder brother are waiting for us to eat! Let's go there quickly."

So, the two of them quickened their pace and walked through the Chaoshou verandah, through a corner door and through the hall, only to see another magnificent main house in front of them.After entering the main room door hand in hand, I saw the three Xue family members sitting in the main hall, and there was a crowd of maidservants standing on the ground.Seeing the two figures of Baochai, a smile flashed across Mrs. Xue's face, and she ordered softly, "Set the meal!"

So first there was a wave of maids holding trays to serve dishes, another wave of maids interspersed with dishes, chopsticks and chopsticks, and another wave of maids held clean water towels and waited for everyone to wash their hands and wipe their faces. Go down, leaving only three or two serving maids standing behind the masters.

Only then did Xue Zhizhang say: "Our family has a small population, so we don't have so many rules. Everything we do is done to our heart's content. For example, when we eat here, we all gather together, and the dishes are not that particular. , except for the daily set dishes, most of them are what the masters want to eat, and they tell the kitchen to cook. Of course, there are no rules at the dinner table, and the nieces should be free to do whatever they want."

Daiyu has to get up and should be.

"Hey!" Seeing this, Xue Zhizhang repeatedly waved his hands and told Daiyu to sit down.He opened his mouth again and said, "As I said just now, we don't pay much attention to the dining table. Of course, there is no such thing as talking without eating or sleeping. If I say something, you just sit back and reply. You don't have to be so serious."

Daiyu nodded again, and then sat down in a well-behaved manner.

So Xue Zhizhang ordered the dinner to be served, and the big furniture was picked up with chopsticks to eat and drink. Naturally, you and I chatted constantly during the period, and the atmosphere was very natural and intimate.The dishes on the table of the Xue family are also different from those of other families, because Xue Pan is very casual and happy with all kinds of meat, so the dishes on the table are quite polarized.One side is greasy and spicy food, and the other side is light and elegant green vegetables. Everyone eats their own food without interfering with each other.

After the meal, the maids serving outside silently removed the leftovers from the bowls and chopsticks, and Mrs. Xue looked at Xue Zhizhang sideways.He leaned over and asked, "What kind of tea does Master have today?"

Xue Zhizhang waved his hand and said, "Make me a cup of Longjing today!"

Mrs. Xue was not allowed to speak, only Xue Pan said abruptly: "Drinking oolong tea in autumn is good for health care."

Xue Zhizhang changed his words again and said: "Then serve oolong tea!"

Mrs. Xue turned around and asked Xiang Daiyu, "What kind of tea does niece Xian drink?"

Daiyu lowered her head and replied without thinking, "Daiyu obeys uncle's orders."

In fact, when she was at home, Lin Ruhai taught her to cherish blessings and nourish her body. After eating, she had to wait for the rice to be swallowed, and then drink tea after a while, so as not to hurt her spleen and stomach.It's just that when she first arrived at Xue's house, it was too late for Lin Daiyu to be cautious in her words and deeds, so how could she say such things, she just said what she wanted.

Mrs. Xue saw it, and there was a flash of love and pity. She was just about to speak to comfort Daiyu not to be so cautious, when Xue Pan said, "I want to drink pearl milk tea."

Mrs. Xue is crazy about her son, so she has to respond repeatedly.Baochai also said, "Then I'll drink pearl milk tea too!"

After speaking, she said to Lin Daiyu: "Your sister may not have drunk this stuff before, so you might as well try it. Although it doesn't need the mellow fragrance and elegance of green tea, it's also quite interesting."

"Then listen to my sister!" Lin Daiyu smiled slightly, feeling a little suspicious in her heart.

After a while, a servant girl brought tea on a small tea tray.Among them, two cups of oolong tea were delivered to Xue and his wife in azure teacups painted with orchid patterns.Another three cups of milky white liquid were contained in a soft container with a sealed lid, and a round tube was inserted in the middle.Next to the tray was a neatly stacked cotton handkerchief.Lin Daiyu looked up at the actions of Xue Pan's brother and sister, and found that both of them were holding face masks in their hands, and then took a sip of the pearl milk tea with both hands, and then showed a look of enjoyment on their faces.

The curiosity on Lin Daiyu's face became more and more serious, and she picked up the pearl milk tea as Xue Pan's brothers and sisters did, and took a sip gently.I just felt a burst of mellow and sticky breath spread out in my mouth, lingering on my lips and teeth.Daiyu took another breath unconsciously, but this time she felt something solid flow into her mouth along with the liquid, and she couldn't help being startled.

Xue Baochai kept paying attention to Lin Daiyu's expression and movements. Seeing her expression, she immediately smiled and said, "Have you eaten the pearl? Don't be afraid, just chew it. It's soft and firm. It's very fun." .”

Lin Daiyu nodded and began to chew like Baochai.But for a moment, it was interesting.

After having tea, everyone chatted for a while to digest food.Xue's family was worried about Daiyu's long journey, so they were probably tired.So he got up and scattered.Xue Baochai led Lin Daiyu back to Wutong Garden.

After some washing, he was ready for bed.It's just that Daiyu was born in Yangzhou and raised by her parents. Now it's the first time to go out. Although everyone in Xue's family cares about Lin Daiyu, it's still hard to hide Daiyu's longing for her father.Sitting there in a daze for a while.

I don't know how much time passed, only heard a knock on the door outside, and Xue Baochai's voice sounded outside: "Sister, have you fallen asleep?"

Since he didn't sleep, if he hadn't seen the still burning candlelight in Daiyu's room in the main room, how could Xue Baochai come here!

The little girl Xueyan opened the door for Baochai.I saw Baochai walking in wearing a Qingkan cloak.Lin Daiyu rushed forward and said, "It's so late, why is sister still up?"

"That's the right question for me to ask you." Baochai shook her head, looked at Lin Daiyu with concern, and said, "My sister must have been exhausted after a long journey, so why don't you rest?"

Lin Daiyu choked for a moment, but could not speak.

Xue Baochai is the most exquisite person, seeing Daiyu's expression, how can she not know what Daiyu is thinking.Immediately, she took Lin Daiyu's hands kindly, and while walking slowly to the bed, she said slowly: "My sister has grown up so much, this is the first time to leave home, I think my sister must be homesick."

Before the voice finished speaking, Lin Daiyu's expression turned sad, and strings of tears fell down her cheeks.While choking with sobs, he said: "When I arrived in Jinling, my uncle, aunt, sister and big brother Xue had nothing to say to me. If I still say that I am homesick, I don't know what is good or bad, but—"

"What did my sister say?" Xue Baochai raised his eyebrows, disapproving of Lin Daiyu's words, and immediately retorted: "My sister is a guest, so I naturally want to treat you warmly when I come to my house, otherwise why would you beg for help?" This, I beg that to take my sister over. It’s just that no matter how good our family treats you, can it be worth going to your own home? There is no reason in this world to forget your own home when you live comfortably in other people’s home. "

After a pause, he continued: "This truth is not only for my sister, but also for myself! Although our Xue family is not comparable to those famous families, I feel that there is no other family in this world that can compare with my father. Mom and brother are better. If you can be with them for a long time, you will be happy even if you eat bran and swallow vegetables. Although I have never met Uncle Lin, I can save others by myself. My brother is no different from me. It is no wonder that my sister is homesick. But if there is no such kind of true concern, this person's life will be meaningless. My heart is empty and firm, even if I am in the palace. Food, and how is it different from that in prison?"

Saying so, unexpectedly also evoked a cavity of melancholy, faint, but a little dazed.

When Lin Daiyu heard what Baochai said, she felt more and more that Baochai was her confidant, and she actually said everything in her heart.Seeing Baochai's look a bit sleepy again, he immediately remembered that Baochai was going to be drafted.He couldn't help but patted Baochai's hands and comforted him: "Sister's words are very true. But with my sister's appearance, I must ask my uncle to make arrangements for me not to enter the palace. It is also feasible. In fact, everyone said that the palace is good. In my opinion , but not necessarily.”

"Not entering the palace?" Xue Baochai thought for a while, then sighed and shook her head.If you don't enter the palace, what is it that you have worked so hard to plan for all these years?

"Sister?" Lin Daiyu asked, looking at Xue Baochai's silence, tilting her head.

Xue Baochai came to her senses, but she didn't want to continue this topic.Immediately patted Lin Daiyu's hand, and said softly: "My sister has traveled all the way, where have you passed, and how are the customs and customs different from Jinling, please tell my sister!"

So the two sat down one after another at the head of the bed, Baochai took off her cloak and put it on Daiyu.Muttering in his mouth: "My sister is weak, it's better to be more careful. Jinling doesn't need Yangzhou, and it's still very cold in autumn night."

Daiyu gathered her cloak and said gratefully, "Thank you, sister."

"Thank you for what?" Baochai shook her head, only feeling a bit of coolness.Simply and Daiyu both lifted their quilts and lay down, chatting slowly.It wasn't until Lin Daiyu's depression became less serious that the two of them closed their eyes and fell asleep together.

After a night of nothing to say, Daiyu woke up early the next day.At that time, it was not yet bright, Daiyu put on her coat and sat up.Seeing Baochai narrowing her eyes and looking at her, she said softly, "Sister, you don't have to get up so early. The time for our family to greet you in the morning is different from that of other families. We need to wait until five o'clock to say hello?"

Daiyu was surprised to hear it, and quickly turned around and asked, "Why is it so late?"

Baochai giggled twice, with an expression of indescribable pampering and indulgence, and said repeatedly: "Because my brother...he can't get up in the morning!"

As he spoke, he covered his mouth and laughed coquettishly.

Lin Daiyu was surprised for a moment.She thought it was another important reason, but she never thought it was such a reason.However, the pampering and valuing of Uncle Xue's family revealed in it is not bad at all.Thinking of the many gadgets that Xue Pan collected for herself yesterday, and carefully comparing Xue Pan's behavior, she actually had the feeling that being so pampered should be so.

Shaking her head to drive out the absurd emotions in her mind, Lin Daiyu saw that it was still early, so she simply took off her clothes and leaned on the bed again, stretched out her hand to push the staring Baochai, and said softly: "Sister Xue, if you are not sleepy, talk to me?"

Hearing this, Xue Baochai rubbed her face with her hands, opened her eyes helplessly and said, "What do you want to talk about?"

"You can talk about anything!" Lin Daiyu pointed at her head, pursed her lips, and said, "Tell me about Sister Xue herself! What do you like?"

"My parents have always called me Bao girl, and everyone I know also calls me that. Your sister called me Sister Xue out of the blue, but I feel unfamiliar." Xue Baochai glanced at Lin Daiyu lazily, and said, "If my sister doesn't If you don't like it, just call me Sister Bao!"

"Sister Bao!" Lin Daiyu changed her words obediently.I just feel that as soon as I say this name, I really get closer to Baochai.

"Good sister." Xue Baochai squinted her eyes and hooked the corners of her mouth, and said with a satisfied smile: "I used to see my sister's exquisite mind and quick wit, and I have long wanted to be close. It's just a pity that you and I are too far away to get together. Let's get along well together. Now that we have this fate...Since my younger sister calls me older sister, I will definitely treat her as my own younger sister. From now on, if anyone dares to bully my younger sister, I will not obey."

Baochai's words were just casual, she would not sell one or two of such favors someday.How do you know that you haven't seen Daiyu for a long time, and you can't help but open your eyes in surprise, but you can see Lin Daiyu looking at her excitedly, with tears in her eyes, and she looks very excited.

"Sister, what's wrong with you?" Baochai sat up in astonishment.

"Sister..." Lin Daiyu couldn't say a word before she choked up sobbing. "To tell the truth from my sister, my sister has been alone since she was a child. What I envy most is that other people have brothers and sisters. I saw my sister and brother Xue's close relationship yesterday, and I was very envious. But I didn't expect my sister to treat me as my own sister. I just feel..."

Xue Baochai let go of her hanging heart in an instant, but she also felt dumbfounded.Looking at the tearful Daiyu, she shook her head helplessly, stretched out her arms and put her in her arms, rubbed Daiyu's back like Madam Xue and comforted her: "My dear sister, this is a happy thing. Why is my sister still crying, if crying ruins my sister, wouldn't it be my fault?"

After a long while of persuasion, Daiyu gradually stopped crying.The eyes that looked at Xue Baochai became more and more close and trusting.When Baochai saw it, he was naturally proud of it.Just looking at Daiyu's pure and innocent appearance, I couldn't help sighing again.There are very few people who are so clear as crystal.Just for this purity, I have to show seventy percent of my true feelings.

Not to mention how Xue Baochai was going back and forth in his heart, the sophistication of Lin Daiyu's attitude gradually became a little more sincere and sincere. Just talking about the slightest whisper between the two of them for a while, they heard a maid outside raised her voice and said: "The eldest girl and the girl from the Lin family are up now? Our uncle ordered the servants to prepare for the girls and take them to a resort outside the city."