The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

The past two days have been sunny and sunny, the sun is warm, the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant, it is a good day to go out for a walk.However, a certain person had to be ordered to stay at home, grass was growing in his boring bones.

One day, Xue's mother and daughter came here together, and when they saw Xue Pan sleeping under a big quilt, they couldn't help sighing, and said, "I was busy cleaning up the house two days ago, and you didn't say anything. You've been busy at home, you've been fine for the past two days, why are you still stuck at home and not moving around?"

Baochai walked forward with a smile, sat down on the edge of the bed, stretched out her hand to pull down the quilt that covered Xue Pan's head, and said, "My brother's habits can't be kept at home, be careful if you get sick from boredom."

"You think I don't want to go out!" Xue Pan rolled his eyes sullenly, then pouted his lips and said, "Is it very lively outside these two days?"

Mrs. Xue interjected: "That's right! Prince Nan'an and Prince Zhongchun returned to the court with a large army, and the court is busy rewarding the three armies—"

At the end, he suddenly understood and fell silent.

"Your Majesty told me not to go out these two days." Xue Pan scratched his head depressedly, "He was afraid that the king of Nan'an County would take advantage of the opportunity of the class teacher's return to court to provoke trouble, and he was also afraid that I couldn't help it, so he told me to go out for the next two days. Don't go out."

Mrs. Xue and Baochai looked at each other and remained silent.

After a while, Baochai still laughed and said, "Did the sage say when my brother will be able to go out?"

"When did he say that Daddy came, and when—" Xue Pan hadn't finished his sentence when he suddenly heard someone shouting outside.

Xue Pan was worried, so he couldn't help frowning, and asked loudly, "Who is outside, and what are you arguing about?"

Hearing a sound of footsteps, the big girl Hongxiu opened the curtain and said excitedly: "Master has gone to Beijing."

"What?" Xue Pan jumped off the bed like a fish, took Hong Xiu's hand and asked, "Where is my father?"

"The boy outside sent a message that he saw the master enter the city gate. He is walking to our house!" Hongxiu said neatly.

"That's great." Xue Pan clapped his hands sharply, quickly asked someone to undress and wash himself, and was about to walk out.

"Come back, what are you going to do?" Mrs. Xue said with a worried face: "Didn't the Holy Majesty tell you to stay at home?"

"Your Majesty also said that my father would let me go out when he came to Beijing. I am going to pick up my father now." Xue Pan jumped excitedly and ran out without touching the ground.

Mrs. Xue only had time to see Xue Panfeng's back rushing out in a hurry, and shouted helplessly: "Be careful, don't conflict with the prince who is returning to the court. Come back quickly after picking up the master..."

When Da Ma arrived at the street, he saw that everywhere was much busier than before.Red silk and colorful flower balls can be seen hanging high everywhere, and the crowd is rushing to tell each other with great joy, all with an unparalleled sense of pride.

Zhaocai on the side said, "It's a coincidence that the master is going to Beijing today. The king of Nan'an County also chose today's class teacher to return to the court, and he will be rewarded for his merits..."

Xue Pan glanced at him indifferently, looked around, shook his head and said, "But they didn't make much sense. If I were to deal with this matter, I'm afraid it would be a hundred times more lively."

Jin Bao immediately interjected: "Of course, what kind of person our uncle is, he is the most magnificent when he does things. Not to mention others, there are a few people who are not envious of the 'heaven and earth' in Jinling. Not to mention the rich and powerful local princes in Jinling, even the princes and princes in Beijing have to run around and enjoy themselves."

"It's called having money that can turn ghosts." Xue Pan chuckled and said, "In this world, you can be short of anything, but you must never be short of money."

"Sure enough, it's the tone of the Xue family in Jinling! If others say the same thing, it will be inferior, and only the uncle of the Xue family will say it." A clear laughter came from behind, and Xue Pan looked back, but he was dressed King Bei Jing in regular clothes was followed by two young servants in costumes, but anyone with a discerning eye could tell that the demeanor was definitely that of a high-ranking guard.

Xue Pan cupped his hands and said with a smile: "It turns out to be Master Shui, why is it that you have the leisure to go out in private today?"

Because of Shui Rong's attire, Xue Pan was smart enough not to point out the other party's identity.After all, there are only two guards without knives around Shui Rong, if he reveals the identity of that person rashly, how about being overheard by someone with a heart and causing trouble?It's just that he is not a stable person after all, so he still made a joke at the end.

A smile flashed in Shui Rong's eyes, and he also replied: "I thought you wouldn't come out today, but don't you come out now? It can be seen that there are no absolutes in the world, and it's a kind of fun to be self-willed occasionally."

"I'm different. I'm here to pick up our master. He's going to Beijing today." Xue Pan replied with a smile.

"Oh?" A strange look flashed in Shui Rong's eyes, and he said meaningfully: "Marquis Zhongxin is also going to Beijing today, that's a coincidence!"

"As the saying goes, there is no book without coincidence. If there is no word 'coincidence' at this time, how much fun would be lost!" Xue Pan replied disapprovingly, cupped his hands and smiled: "My master has entered the city gate. Time is running out, so I will not Gossip with Master Shui."

Shui Rong stretched out his hand and said, "Please."

"Farewell." Xue Pan arched his hands, got on his horse, and walked towards the south gate of the city calmly.

Shui Rong stood there for a while, then hooked the corners of his mouth playfully, and left with his hands behind his hands.

Xue Pan and others hurried to the gate of the city, but found that there was no sign of Xue Zhizhang and others.Fortunately, the guys in the car dealership are still selling fools under the city gate.Xue Pan rode up and walked up, and asked, "Where is the master?"

The guy was startled unexpectedly, he came back to his senses and saw that it was Xue Pan, he immediately nodded and bowed and said: "Master has already returned home."

"Ah?" Xue Pan's eyes widened, and he immediately asked, "Which way did you go?"

"Because the imperial court is going to reward the three armies and hold a prisoner presenting ceremony in the West Drum Tower today, several avenues have been banned. I'm afraid they walked back from the West Market!"

"Oh!" Xue Pan flicked his horsewhip angrily, turned his horse's head and walked towards the West Market.

Behind Zhaocai and Jinbao said repeatedly: "Master, slow down..."

In the end, no one was picked up. When Xue Pan returned to Zhongxinhou's mansion with a sullen face, he heard a burst of laughter inside.Xue Zhizhang and Mr. Zhuang were sitting in the hall, laughing and chatting with Mrs. Xue and Xue Baochai!Seeing Xue Pan walking in, he couldn't help getting up and putting his arms around Xue Pan and said, "My son, let dad see how tall he is!"

"Daddy, I went out to pick you up today, but I didn't pick you up." Xue Pan curled his lips and said with an aggrieved expression.

Xue Zhizhang rubbed Xue Pan's head, and said in a harmonious voice: "Today, all roads are under martial law, and we also made a few turns in small alleys before turning back. Fortunately, the boy who led the way is a local, and the way is familiar. Otherwise, how much time will be delayed!"

Mr. Zhuang also smiled calmly: "I heard that today's battle is to welcome the king of Nan'an County who is returning to the court..."

As he spoke, he looked at Xue Pan with a smile that was not a smile, and remained silent.

Xue Zhizhang also had a gloomy face, and said to Xue Pan: "I know you are not worried, and you have only been in the capital for a few days..."

"Father, why don't you say that the Nan'an County Palace is too arrogant and domineering. We have only been in the capital for a few days. Who do you know? Instead, let him be bullied." Xue Pan snorted dissatisfied.

"...You are always right." Xue Zhizhang was choked speechless, and was really reluctant to reprimand his only son, so he shook his head and sighed.

Mrs. Xue on the side said worriedly: "Master, this time... will Pan'er be in any trouble?"

Xue Baochai also interjected: "Yes, the reason why my brother confronted people from Nan'an Palace is in the final analysis to vent our anger for us girls..."

"It doesn't matter." Xue Zhizhang waved his hand, and said nonchalantly: "It's just a king with a different surname who was imprisoned in the capital, and he can't provoke any moths."

Mr. Zhuang chuckled, and took a sip of the tea cup gracefully, but smiled silently.

Xue Pan immediately stepped forward obsequiously, pulled Xue Zhizhang to sit down, slapped his arms and legs courteously and said: "I know that Daddy is the most powerful, what Nan'an County King... and Daddy are not on the same card .Daddy crushed him like an ant—”

"If you pinch an ant, you will dirty your fingers if you are not careful." Xue Zhizhang looked at Xue Pan and taught, "Besides, the king of Nan'an County is not an ant, but like a master who pretends to be a pig and eats a tiger. But his mother, concubine and younger sister It's all incomprehensible and implicated him... Generally speaking, it's not a difficult matter. It's just that this matter so far...It's only suitable for reconciliation, not for making troubles."

Xue Pan curled his lips indifferently and said, "I don't care, as long as he can swallow this breath."

Xue Zhizhang smiled knowingly, and said meaningfully: "The King of Nan'an County is a smart man..."

Xue Pan stared at Xue Zhizhang for a while, but found that he had nothing to say, so he scratched his head in a daze.

……

Because Xue Zhizhang came back the day before today, there was no need to treat guests with dinner.It's just that Lin Daiyu's side lived in Rongguo Mansion for a few days, and felt more and more impatient.Almost every day, Xueyan was sent over to urge him to ask if he had cleaned up, but when he heard that Xue Zhizhang was back, he couldn't wait any longer.In the name of paying respects to his godfather, he hurriedly ordered Rongguo Mansion to prepare a carriage, and he was about to come.On the other side, Xichun watched Lin Daiyu to death, seeing Lin Daiyu's movements, she clamored to follow her, and there were Yingchun and Tanchun who were unwilling to be alone to make fun of her.When Jia Mu came to report to her son, it happened that Jia Mu was also in a panic. In the next day, she had no other place to go except to go to Ning Mansion and Wang Mansion and other relatives and in-laws' homes.This day, I was so quiet that I wanted to move, but I also became interested in visiting.

At the moment, the greeting post is officially posted without mentioning it.After Aunt Xue asked Xue Zhizhang here, she also thought that the left and right were all relatives, not to mention that her family lived in Rongguo Mansion for so long, and at that time she also promised that this place would be tidied up and put on a table... Various reasons were entangled At the same time, they agreed without regard to etiquette.

So it was about noon, and I saw people standing all over the street in front of Rongning Second Mansion's gate. The male and female family members of the two mansions went to Xue's mansion in carriages and sedan chairs in order of seniority and concubine.I didn't mention the laughter and laughter along the way, but when I turned the corner and arrived at the Xue family's mansion... Don't tell anyone else, only Lin Daiyu, like a bird out of a cage, is more lively and lively than usual, pulling Sanchun and Baochai went to play in the garden, but left all the people behind.Looking at it, Jia Mu kept sighing: "I complained that she was always nagging to go back to Xue's house to have fun, but it really is much more lively in your place than in the mansion."

The family members of the room covered their mouths and smiled coquettishly when they heard the words, only to hear Mrs. Xue greeted with a smile: "Maybe there is a treasure girl in the family who can play wildly with her... They have been used to playing together since they were young, and I never care about it." Watching them. Her brother had a horse farm when he was in the south, and he used to ride a horse around the pasture from time to time! Don’t look at the current appearance, but it was crazy and wild back then!"

Mother Jia said with a grin from ear to ear: "That's good. We are all Wu Xun, and it's normal to be two more wild than those who recite poems and fight against each other. It's our girl... I usually It doesn’t matter that they must be women’s needlework, those who are willing to write can write, and those who are willing to draw can paint. It’s just that the rules in Beijing are too strict now, and there is no chance for Yang Bing to ride a horse. Otherwise, I don’t care if I like to ride a horse on."

Mrs. Xue smiled flatteringly and said: "The old lady is still open-minded. Back then, I had a lot of quarrels with our master about Baochai riding a horse. I'm afraid that others will not look like it, and the child will become more wild when he grows up... Fortunately, Baochai knows the seriousness, so I don't need to worry too much now."

"Children are the debts of their parents." Jia Mu shook her head and smiled, "When Ri Min girl was gone, I brought Yu'er here just to make her live a happier and more comfortable life, but this child is not very good in our house. Looking happy..."

In a word, everyone was a little cold.

Wang Xifeng immediately laughed at the opportunity and said: "We all saw the old lady's intentions for Lin Yatou. Let alone others, I am so envious. There is no reason for Lin Yatou to be unhappy. It's just that she values ​​filial piety now. , does the old lady make her laugh from ear to ear all day long?"

When Jia Mu heard this, she really had the same reasoning, and she stopped being depressed immediately, but said with a smile: "Look at me, old woman, why don't you talk about it if you have nothing to do!"

For a while, everyone also interjected immediately to divert this matter from the past.After chatting and laughing for a while, Mother Jia suddenly said: "It's not a problem to always be so crooked. But I asked my aunt to lead us around the garden. It was the first time I came to this Xue family mansion. I heard my father Said, this Xue family mansion is also well-known in Beijing as exquisite and unique, now it must be an eye-opener."

Mother Jia said so, how could Mrs. Xue have no reason to do so.So he led a group of female relatives to wander around in the back garden without mentioning it.

Xue Zhizhang and Mr. Zhuang naturally also received Jia's male as hosts.Jia Zhen and Jia She are masters who only like to play around and ignore world affairs. Although they are impatient with socializing, they have always acted properly on the surface.What's more, Xue Zhizhang is not an outsider, and he is deeply favored by the emperor, so he must have some compliments, come and go.Jia Zheng is even more of a self-proclaimed lofty and extraordinary master. When he sees the famous Mr. Zhuang, he can't help but come forward to greet him modestly.After that, Jia Lian and other juniors had to sit in the hall and listen respectfully. Only Baoyu was born with trembling legs when he saw scholars, and he was impatient with polite greetings.After greeting Xue Zhizhang and Mr. Zhuang, he took Xue Pan and ran away.

Xue Zhizhang had known about this phoenix egg's foolishness and innocence from other sources, but he didn't care about it.Shaking his head, he turned around and continued chatting with everyone.On the contrary, Jia Zheng couldn't hold back his face and apologized with a smile: "Your son is rude, let Brother Xue laugh at you."

"Hey! Cunzhou doesn't have to be like this. I think this Baoyu has a gentle personality, innocent and innocent, and is born with visions. He is a blessed person." Xue Zhizhang said with a smile.

That Jia Zhengchang sighed, and said: "It's just relying on the blessing of the ancestors to dawdle. Seeing that the stature is getting longer, the result is that I can't lift my hands, shoulders, can't bear hardships, and I don't like reading. Flirting with the inner curtain... Alas!"

Xue Zhizhang said with a smile: "This is also a kind of blessing. There is an old saying that the predecessors planted trees and the descendants enjoy the shade. Isn't the world's hard work for the sake of extending the descendants! Nowadays, how many people do not envy the glory of the Jia family? Don't worry about it too much. You see, my Pan'er has a temperament that doesn't like civil and martial arts... Our children, even if they don't work hard, they can still enjoy their lives in peace. In my opinion, it's not bad."

The housekeeper immediately interjected: "How can Baoyu compare with Pan'er. Pan'er's reputation for being good at economics is spread all over the country, not to mention anything else, it is absolutely no problem to set up a family. What's more, Xue's family is now receiving the grace of the Holy Spirit." , it will be no problem for Pan'er to claim a title in the future. My bastard..."

Having said that, he suddenly felt that the topic was wrong, so he stopped talking embarrassingly.A look of uneasiness flashed across Jia She's face, his lips twitched, and he didn't say anything in the end.

Seeing this, Jia Zhen shook her head secretly, but she said calmly: "This time, Xue Shibo was blessed by the Holy Lord as the servant of the Ministry of War. My nephew hereby congratulates me in advance. There are a few nephews in the Ministry of War who know each other well." Friend. If Master Shi doesn’t dislike it, please mention something.”

Jia Zhen is also a little embarrassed to face a man named Shibo who is about her own age.It's just that the seniority is here, and he can't be contemptuous.

Xue Zhizhang also immediately interjected: "Wherever it is, it's all God's grace. Since they belong to the same one, it's fate. Why don't you mention it. It's just that if you have free time, let's all come out and get together."

The two exchanged pleasantries and diverted the previous embarrassment.On the other hand, Jia Zheng repented and vowed, he adjusted his mentality in silence for a long time, and then interjected with a smile.For a while, everyone became enthusiastic again...

Let's say that Xue Pan and Jia Baoyu slipped out of the hall.Jia Baoyu took Xue Pan's hand and walked towards the backyard, saying: "Aren't the ancestors all in the backyard? It's only serious for us to go there to play."

"I can't go." Xue Pan grabbed Jia Baoyu and said, "There are all women's relatives over there. We didn't do well in the past."

"What's wrong?" Jia Baoyu turned his head and asked, "It's not someone else, it's just your sister and my sister."

"That's not good either. It will cause outsiders to meet and make irresponsible remarks, which will affect their reputation." Xue Pan shook his head and said.

When Jia Baoyu heard this, he sighed impatiently. "It's such pedantic remarks again, it's so boring."

"The world is like this, what can you do?" Xue Pan also felt helpless.Do you think he doesn't want to go in and play with beautiful women?

"Since we are all brothers and sisters, we should be more considerate of them. In the future, we will all be married. If things are chaotic now, it will be difficult to talk about marriage in the future." Xue Pan smiled and said to Jia Baoyu: "You I don't want them to be unhappy in the future!"

"Oh!" Jia Baoyu felt more and more boring.I had no choice but to say to Xue Pan: "Then go to your room, I have something nice to show you."

Xue Pan smiled and led Jia Baoyu to the study in the outer courtyard, let him sit on the chair, and ordered the servant girl to change the tea.Then he smiled and asked, "Is there anything good?"

Jia Baoyu took out two glass bottles from his sleeve, which were filled with pink or bright yellow liquid.Carefully handing it to Xue Pan, he said, "That's it, I just developed it, and I'll show you the first one."

"A new trick?" Xue Pan said, carefully took the two bottles, put one on the coffee table, and gently lifted the cap of the other to sniff it——

"It smells so good!" Xue Pan took a deep breath and closed his eyes intoxicated.Half a day later, he opened his mouth and said, "What kind of fragrance is this?"

It doesn't look like a pure floral fragrance, but rather like the finely proportioned perfume of later generations.

Sure enough, Jia Baoyu said as if offering a treasure: "It doesn't matter what kind of incense it is. Do you remember the last time you brought me some spices and flowers from outside the domain? I made it with them when I was free... Next I won’t use it as a vulgar scent. Just these two bottles... What do you think?”

"It's really good." Xue Pan nodded and praised: "Smelling this fragrance, I feel like I'm in the mountains full of flowers in spring. There are flowers and birds singing everywhere, the sun is shining, and I feel very good."

"I thought so too. It seems that you are indeed my bosom friend!" Jia Baoyu smiled with satisfaction.Pointing to the perfume on Xue Pan's hand, he said, "I call her Huakai Jinxiu."

He pointed to the bottle on the coffee table and said, "That one is beautiful and heavenly, and it is made according to the Lengxiang pills that Sister Bao gave to his wife. It's just less sweet and greasy, and two more graceful...Compared with this A bottle is even better, you smell it."

Xue Pan heard the words, and immediately put down the flowers in his hand to bloom beautifully.Picking up the national beauty and heavenly fragrance on the coffee table and smelling it, a cold and graceful smell came to the nostrils, and it also carried an indescribable nobleness and elegance.There is also a hint of charm faintly.Xue Pan's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help praising: "It smells so good! What is this charming smell?"

"You smell it too?" Jia Baoyu said with a smug smile, "That's a small amount of poppy seeds extracted. I only used a little bit, and I extracted it strictly according to the records in medical books. It will make the scent more charming. But it will not be harmful to the body. Even if it is used for a long time, it will not hurt."

Xue Pan put down the perfume in his hand, and said with admiration: "It really is Mr. Lianxiang, and the shot is really extraordinary."

"Master Lianxiang?" Jia Baoyu asked in surprise.

"Your name." Xue Pan casually explained: "Do you still remember how many fresh rouge creams and perfume prescriptions you prepared last time? I simply used them when dealing with Nan'an Palace. Because it is a People made it up, when it was publicized, it was only said that it was made by Mr. Lianxiang, it was just a gimmick."

"So that's how it is." Jia Baoyu suddenly realized, and then said playfully, "Young Master Lianxiang, Lianxiang...I like this name."

"I thought you would like it too." Xue Pan said, reaching out his hand and asked, "Where is Fang Zi?"

Jia Baoyu nodded to Xue Pan with a smile, took out two neatly stacked letterheads from his sleeve, and handed them to Xue Pan, instructing him, "This time the method of pollen purification is different from before. You can't let them use cages to purify the pollen." Instead of steaming it, use it directly..."

At that moment, Jia Baoyu told Xue Pan about the precautions one by one, and finally said: "Old rules, don't let my father and others know. Do you know that because of the rouge powder, I make rouge paste or perfume I've been carrying people behind my back since then. If I don't dare to let others see that I deserve to sell this thing, my master will beat me to death."

"You are also real and dull." Xue Pan shook his head indifferently and said, "If someone sees you, you can say that you got the prescription from the rouge gouache. We are the only ones who know the truth. What are you afraid of?"

"As a last resort, that's the case. But we should be more cautious on weekdays." Jia Baoyu said, sighing: "You don't know, these two days the master has seen me more and more unpleasant. I guess he doesn't know what he is holding back Qi'er, look for an opportunity to punish me. I was so scared that I didn't dare to leave my ancestor's side these two days."

In fact, Jia Baoyu's heart is like a mirror.It's just that Jia Zheng sees that the Lin family and the Zhen family are both promising, and he doesn't like him more and more.

Seeing this, Xue Pan was speechless.I had no choice but to reach out and pat Jia Baoyu on the shoulder as a comfort.

"Don't worry, no one knows about this except me." Xue Pan put the two prescriptions away carefully.Just when I was about to turn around to joke, I heard someone outside said: "The master asked the uncle and the second master Bao to go to the front hall for dinner."

Only then did the two realize that it was getting late.

Hastily "discarded the spoils and traces", and after tidying up, he left the study in a leisurely manner, and Shi Shiran walked towards the front hall.

When they arrived at the front hall, the tables and chairs had already been set up, and everyone sat around.After Xue Pan and Jia Baoyu came forward to greet the ceremony, they found their seats and sat down.So Xue Zhizhang ordered dinner.The servant girls had just served the dishes when the butler Yao Bin came in to report: "The King of Nan'an is here."