The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

Xue Pan and the master and Mo Zhi'er studied in the study until midnight before they left.Jia Baoyu was still in high spirits when he was playing in the greenhouse.When Xue Pan bid farewell to Xue Zhizhang and returned to Wenrou Township, when Hongxiu talked about it, he couldn't help but shook his head, and turned back to the greenhouse.

The silver glow is sprinkled all over the place, the ground is covered with snow and frost, and the lights on the corridor are shining. The two of them walked carelessly.After hastily entering the flower room, seeing Jia Baoyu's dementia, Xue Pan sneered and said, "What an idiot, you don't even know what time it is, and we have to come and invite you to sleep?"

Only then did Jia Baoyu come back to his senses, scratched his head in embarrassment, and said shyly: "It's been a while since I saw this fresh flower. It blooms so well, and there are many uncommon varieties. Call me I forgot to sleep and eat."

Lin Mozhi shook his head and said, "Don't waste sleep and food. If the words have wisdom, I would cry to death hearing your words."

Jia Baoyu lowered his head and chuckled while holding the hibiscus flower in his hand.Cheating and said: "Give me a pot of home?"

"Here it is, here it is." Xue Pan said helplessly, "Just don't let it go, it's too embarrassing. Tomorrow, ask Mingyan to bring a few boys over and send you a few pots. , fill your shabby house full."

Jia Baoyu happily thanked him, and then went back to the guest room in Wenrou Township to sleep with everyone.

Silent all night.

Early the next morning, Xue Pan, Lin Mozhi, and Xue Zhizhang discussed again all morning. They discussed it all over and over again, and then called the manager on the ticket number to discuss for half a day. They felt that there was really no problem, so they discussed the content Copy it again and hand it over to the palace.Naturally, the names of Xue Pan and Lin Mozhi were mentioned at the inscription.Let's not mention what Tu Zhen thought after seeing him, Xue Pan finally got out of the rein, and he can have as much fun as he wants.

In another day, it is Laba.

On this day, everyone in the Xue family got up early, and it was rare that Xue Pan didn't stay in bed.The sky was still dark and dark, the wind was biting, and the coolness invaded people.Xue Pan's drowsy drowsiness was blown away by the cold northwest wind as soon as he went out.Shivering shiveringly, he quickly gathered the fox fur cloak on his body, and took the small hand stove handed over by Hongxiu, which was considered a little warmer.

Arriving at Ruirong Hall in the dark, sure enough Xue Zhizhang and his wife and Xue Baochai had already arrived.Seeing Xue Pan's figure, they didn't say much, and they moved directly to a courtyard on the west side.The four characters "Xue's Ancestral Hall" were written on the plaque on the door. Everyone went in and offered fruit tributes respectfully. After the big worship, it was dawn.

After worshiping the gods and ancestors early in the morning, Mrs. Xue asked the housekeeper to send women and stewards to deliver porridge to relatives and friends.I thought it was early enough for my family to get up, but not long after the gate opened, three or five porridges came up one after another.But it was sent from Rongning and Dongping County Prince's Palace and Beijing County Prince's Palace, and the other was General Shenwu's Palace... Ever since General Shenwu's wife rescued Xue's mother and daughter last time, Xue Pan and After Feng Ziying had a drink, the relationship between the two families became closer.

As for the Prince's Mansion of Dongping County, it may be understandable that it was sent earlier because of Zhen Baoyu, but this Prince's Mansion of Beijing County...

Mrs. Xue glanced suspiciously at Master Xue, and quickly ordered the housekeeper Yao Bin to deliver the Laba porridge from the Prince's Mansion in Beijing County first.

So in the whole morning, I saw an endless stream of women in Xue's house who came to deliver porridge, as well as servants who were sending porridge to various places in the capital like casting a net.Between courtesies and exchanges, the prosperity, splendor and extensive contacts of the Zhongxinhou Mansion caught the eyes of others again.At [-]:[-] pm, Tu Zhen sent Dai Quan to Xue's mansion to deliver Laba porridge, which caused a sensation in the whole city like cold water pouring into a hot oil pan.There is no need to talk about how much envy and jealousy there are.

Before the Xue family had time to thank the emperor for their kindness, they welcomed Dai Quan and a group of eunuchs to the main hall, and news came from outside that Prince Zhongchun also sent someone to bring porridge.All of a sudden everyone looked at each other, except Mrs. Xue's surprised face and Xue Baochai's shy face, both Xue Zhizhang and Xue Pan were a little confused.Even Xue Pan was amazed at Prince Zhongchun's bold move.

Xue Pan in this room was just thinking about it, and the servants outside came to report that it was Prince Zhongyong, Prince Zhonglian, Prince Zhongrui...all brought Laba porridge.Everyone turned the corner and realized that it was Tu Zhen's face, they hurriedly stepped forward to thank the greetings and make up for the porridge. All the return gifts for porridge will be delivered before noon.

After a busy morning without a drop of water, Xue Pan was so hungry that he was almost dizzy.With the help of the little girl, he went to the table and drank five or six bowls of porridge, which scared Mrs. Xue so much that she didn't dare to give him a drink, so she gave up resentfully.He muttered in his mouth, "I still don't feel full!"

Xue Zhizhang put down the bowls and chopsticks, and persuaded softly: "You can't eat if you are not full, so as not to make your stomach feel more uncomfortable. You should walk around anyway, and ask the kitchen to cook your favorite food in the evening."

It was only then that Xue Pan reluctantly left his job.Xue Baochai scratched his cheeks with his fingers and teased, "Brother really..."

Before he could finish a sentence, Yao Bin hurriedly said outside: "Report to Master, Master Lin from Yangzhou has gone to Beijing."

Everyone was overjoyed, Xue Zhizhang even stood up and asked, "Where is Master Lin?"

"I've already got off the boat and boarded the sedan chair. I'm afraid we're at the gate of the city now." Yao Bin bowed and said with a smile, "Master Lin has just come out of the palace and is heading out of the city to greet him. Our family has always been close to the Lin family in Yangzhou, so my little brother I'm here to report." Mrs. Xue turned to Xue Zhizhang and said, "Look, master, the eldest girl in Lin's mansion is still living in Rongguo mansion, and Ziyu doesn't have a wife and room, and there is no one in the mansion who can make a living. When Mr. Lin comes home, don’t forget that the bedding is cold, the tea is not complete, and the colors are not cheap.” Xue Zhizhang pondered for a moment, then nodded and said: “Madam is right. Lin’s family is different from ours. She is the adoptive mother of the two children of the Lin family... Why don't you send someone to the Rongguo Mansion to bring Daiyu back to the Lin family, and tell her to Zhang Luo!"

After a pause, he continued: "According to the usual practice, after entering Beijing, officials from other provinces have to go to the Ministry of Households first, and wait for the summoning of the Holy One. Brother Lin is a second-rank official, and he is in charge of the salt administration. This aspect is even more urgent. Some. When you go to pick up Daiyu, tell her to prepare all kinds of hot soup and official uniforms, and you can directly hand over the sign to see Brother Lin after he has bathed and changed."

Mrs. Xue nodded in agreement, and quickly got up and told Yao Bin's family to go to Rongguo Mansion to pick up the person without mentioning it.

After arriving at the Rongguo Mansion, she naturally met the old lady first. After some gossip, the old lady was very happy, but she couldn't help but think of Jia Min who died young, and her expression was sad.She lost the interest in talking, and waved her hand to let people go. Madam Xue took Lin Daiyu, who was tidy, to the Lin family's house in Beijing.

Lin Daiyu has been studying stewardship with Xue Baochai for two or three months, and this time is a good time to show off her talents. Under Mrs. Xue's suggestion, she gave orders from top to bottom. .Lin Ruhai lamented that her daughter had really grown up, and at the same time was busy bathing and changing clothes, went to the household office to check, and hurriedly handed over a sign asking for an audience.

The new year is approaching, and the imperial court is about to close the pen and take a vacation.Therefore, these two days have been extremely busy with official duties, and all departments have to settle accounts and prepare expenses.There was also the matter of banking and banking that Xue Pan had tampered with, and Tu Zhen didn't close his eyes for almost three days.

After receiving Lin Ruhai's audience sign, he put it aside without even thinking about it.It was Dai Quan who mentioned Xue Pan in a sideways manner, and then Tu Zhen remembered what he had promised that day.Because of the face of his confidant Lin Mozhi, he inquired about the arrangement of Qiankun Palace for the next few days, and it was arranged on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, and took half a day to meet Lin Ruhai and the others.

This room Lin Ruhai listened to the reply from above, and retreated respectfully.When he returned to Lin's house again, he found that the Xue family's father and son had already arrived.Xue Zhizhang stood in the main hall, clasped his hands and said with a smile: "I haven't seen you for a few years, brother Lin is still handsome!"

"Brother Xue." Lin Ruhai also cupped his hands, and said gratefully: "Thank you Brother Xue and Mrs. Sister-in-law for caring for my little girl during this time."

"Hey, Daiyu is also my goddaughter!" Xue Zhizhang waved his arms and said disapprovingly.He stretched out his hand to greet Xue Pan, "Greetings to Uncle Lin."

Xue Pan came forward with a smile, bowed and said, "I have seen Uncle Lin."

Lin Ruhai's eyes lit up, and he boasted, "Good looks."

After a pause, he said again: "This is Pan'er, it has grown so big in a blink of an eye."

"It's very solid." Xue Zhizhang pretended to have a headache and shook his head, and said, "I can't compare to Zi Yu, who is well-behaved and sensible, knowing the etiquette and making progress."

"Everyone has their own destiny. What's more, now that Pan'er is valued by the Holy One, do you still worry that there will be no road to Qingyun in the future?" Lin Ruhai said, looked Xue Pan up and down, and asked, "How old is Pan'er this year?" ?”

Xue Pan replied with a smile: "It will be fifteen in the new year."

"It's two years younger than Ziyu." Lin Ruhai shook his head and sighed: "But now the name of the Little God of Wealth has spread all over the country, Brother Xue, don't be dissatisfied!"

Xue Zhizhang laughed loudly when he heard this.He stroked his beard and said, "Brother Lin, let's go back and change clothes first! Our family will only add to the chaos if we come uninvited."

"Why do you and I talk so indifferently? You recognized Ziyu as your son. In other words, Pan'er in your family is also my son. We are a family, how can we use the etiquette of outsiders to make a living?" each other?"

"With your words, I will be at ease." Xue Zhizhang laughed loudly, "I have already booked a good table at Fuyuan Restaurant to welcome Brother Lin, and Mr. Zhuang will also be there at that time."

Lin Ruhai's eyes brightened, "But Mr. Zhuang You You Zhuang?"

Xue Zhizhang nodded and said, "Exactly."

Lin Ruhai nodded excitedly, and went back to the room to change clothes without mentioning it.

After everyone arrived at the private room of Fuyuan Pavilion, they found that Mr. Zhuang had already arrived.After the private meeting was over, Xue Pan went up to him with a flattering smile and said, "It's been a while since I saw Master, it's so ridiculous."

Mr. Zhuang sneered and said, "You don't get up every day until you are exposed to the sun, and you don't want to go home until you lock yourself up at night. Naturally, you won't see me as a master. It's just that you don't see me, don't you still go outside under my banner?" There seems to be no inconvenience in bullying others. I think you will live more comfortably and happily without a strict teacher to teach you how to read and write. "

Xue Pan laughed and said, "How can you feel comfortable? Without Master's escort, Pan'er would have been bullied!"

"Students who dare to bully me, they must not be comfortable now." Mr. Zhuang said something casually, nodded Xue Pan's head tacitly, but smiled and said nothing.

All the dishes were served in no time.As the host, Xue Zhizhang got up and said: "Today is to clean up the dust for Brother Lin, everyone drinks this cup together."

So everyone toasted and celebrated.

……

After drinking for three rounds, Xue Zhizhang put down his chopsticks and asked with concern: "Is there nothing wrong with Yangzhou?"

Lin Ruhai sighed softly, and said, "I used to think that Prince Zhongyi, the old thousand-sui, had a lot of people in Jiangnan, but there are some clues in recent days... Prince Zhonglian has more people in Jiangnan!"

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, they still had lingering fears about the clique of Prince Zhonglian who ruled half the dynasty back then.

Lin Ruhai paused, and said, "Not only that, but in the past two months, I have also discovered that Prince Zhongshun is in disguise in the south of the Yangtze River, looking for someone..."

Hearing Prince Zhongshun's name, Lin Mozhi's arm holding the wine glass froze suddenly.Except for Xue Pan who glanced suspiciously, no one paid attention.

"Regardless of the southeast and northwest winds blowing in the south of the Yangtze River this time... After going to Beijing this time, Brother Lin has finally escaped from the quagmire!" Xue Zhizhang said happily.The emperor abdicated and the new emperor ascended the throne. In the past two years, the water in the officialdom in the south of the Yangtze River has not been generally muddy.If not, he would not have abandoned Jinling's geomantic treasure and moved his family to Beijing.While this bone is still strong, I can fight for a few more years, just wait for the wind and rain to pass, and then go back to Jinling for the elderly!

In a word, Lin Ruhai sighed unceasingly, he had already embraced the heart of death to stay in the south of the Yangtze River, so he sent Daiyu to the capital regardless of etiquette.It's just that he didn't expect that by chance, he would be able to get out of that quagmire...

Thinking of this, the look on Lin Mozhi's face became softer.

Lin Mozhi smiled lightly, and said, "I heard what the Holy Majesty meant, and I'm going to ask the master to go back to Beijing for a review. After handing over from top to bottom, he can stay in Beijing. The master has worked half his life for the country, and now he should enjoy life in peace."

After all, in Tu Zhen's eyes, even though Lin Ruhai came here with sincerity, he is the emperor's man after all, so he doesn't feel at ease when using it.Taking advantage of this opportunity to move Lin Ruhai out of the south of the Yangtze River, because of Lin Mozhi, he only said that he was sympathetic to the old father and couldn't bear to work too hard for him, so he died in a foreign land in the end.When the emperor heard this begging for human relations, he would only think that he was kind-hearted, but he would not think too much about it.The second is to take this opportunity to push his confidant to that position, and with the help of secret forces, it will not be difficult to control all of Jiangnan in a few years.To seize power in such a calm manner is what Tu Zhen ultimately wants.

So under Lin Mozhi's calm guidance, the content of the speech became a discussion of the atmosphere and affiliation of the Jiangnan officialdom.Xue Zhizhang had seen the Holy Majesty a few times, so he naturally had a three-point understanding of the Holy Majesty's thoughts.He just looked at Lin Mozhi who got all the information about Lin Ruhai out while chatting and laughing carelessly, and then looked at his own son who only cared about eating and drinking with a ignorant face, and sighed softly.When I looked back, I saw Mr. Zhuang's penetrating smile and smiled at each other.

Is it still...

A feast can only be enjoyed after eating the second share.Everyone split up and went home to sleep without mentioning it.

It is only said that on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Tu Zhen met Lin Ruhai who came to Beijing to report his duties.Thinking about what he promised Xue Pan earlier, he announced all the members of the Lin family, the Xue family and Zhen Baoyu who lived in the Dongping Palace into the palace.The male and female relatives visited the Holy Majesty and the Empress respectively, and then divided into two groups to visit the Emperor and Empress Dowager in Qiankun Palace and Shoukang Palace.

The emperor hadn't seen Xue Pan who was talking and acting like that for a few days, so he missed him a little.After everyone saluted, they took the lead in joking: "Pan'er hasn't come to me for a while, but you think I'm old and don't like to talk to me?"

"The emperor asked the question again knowingly." Xue Pan said with a look of disgust: "Obviously knowing that Xue Panba will not let go easily after getting into your big backer, and now he is still making fun of me. I don't believe in the wisdom of the emperor. Do you know that I was arrested by the Holy One to do coolie work."

The Emperor Long Yan is very happy with flattering words.After laughing again and again, she said: "Zhen'er will pick you to do things when you know you are capable. You should be grateful for being the one who complains so much. Don't you know how many people outside have sharpened their heads and squeezed their heads? They all want to work for the emperor but have no way out."

Xue Pan wrinkled his face and said, "But I'm really tired, I haven't slept for a long time."

"It's not that Ziyu and your father are handling all the specific matters. Where can I tire you? In my opinion, you are just too tired. Look at the whole world, how many people like you spend all day Sleeping in the sun until you get up? Not to mention when the court ministers will go to court, even if you are an heir, you have to wake up in the morning. Your complaints are really unreasonable."

After listening to the emperor's words, all the people saw that the emperor who knows the world's affairs without leaving home seemed to be casually teasing Xue Pan, and all of them lowered their eyebrows and closed their eyes in silence.Tu Zhen, who was standing beside the emperor, smiled lightly and said, "Is there someone who can make decisions for me now? Let's see how you arrange it in the future."

Xue Pan hummed twice, puffed out his mouth and stopped talking.

The emperor reached out and patted Xue Pan on the head, and asked, "I heard that you are very interested in the [-] barbarian prisoners of war in Honglu Temple?"

"Yeah!" Xue Pan nodded, "The Yi people have some interesting things, I just want to ask, do they make anything?"

"Then can you understand what they are saying?"

Xue Pan felt that the emperor's smile was like a wolf with a big tail wagging its tail and plotting evil.

Sure enough, the emperor said with a smile: "My sixth son is also very proficient in matters outside the feudal domain, why don't I let Xiao Liu accompany you there?"

Xue Pan subconsciously glanced at Tu Zhen.Tu Zhen still had a gentle and elegant smile, without any hint of thought.

Xue Pan pursed his lips and did not speak.

"Why?" The emperor raised his eyebrows, and said with a half-smile: "Not happy?"

Xue Pan deliberately rolled his eyes and muttered, "Who knows if he will bully me."

The emperor couldn't help laughing out loud, "Those who can bully you... I'm afraid I'm going to compare it with the Nan'an County Palace first! Besides, I value you."

Xue Pan sniffed pitifully.

The emperor waved his hand and said, "That's it."

After finishing speaking, he ignored Xue Pan and turned to talk to others instead.

When I met Xue Zhizhang, I was naturally nostalgic for my youth.Facing Zhen Baoyu, he couldn't help but sigh.When it comes to Lin Ruhai, it's a match between the monarch and his ministers, and when it comes to Lin Mozhi, it's even more emotional...

For a while, the aura of the home court spread all over the place, and it even more set off the respectful and respectful Tu Zhen...without the aura of an emperor.

When no one was paying attention, Xue Pan sneaked up behind Tu Zhen, quietly held Tu Zhen's icy fingertips shrunk in his wide robe, and gave a consoling smile when Tu Zhen turned his head .

Tu Zhen turned her head and fixedly looked at Xue Pan who was blinking.After a while, there was a slight curve on the lips.

In the evening, everyone naturally left after having dinner in Qiankun Palace.

Due to restraint, Xue Pan did not eat enough.Following the crowd out of the palace gate together, they found that Dai Quan was waiting for them at the gate, followed by a little eunuch carrying a food box.Seeing Xue Pan's figure, he greeted him kindly with a smile.

"Your Majesty ordered that these pastries be given to Young Master Xue." Dai Quan said, and brought out two plates of exquisite pastries from the food box. "The Holy Majesty said that the young master must not have had enough to eat at night, and let the young master eat these pastries in the carriage."

Xue Pan sniffed, and a strong fragrance made his stomach growl.Picking up the pastries on the plate and putting them into his mouth, he felt that the soft and sweet scent exudes a strong fruity aroma, all of which are his favorite flavors. He couldn't help but bend his eyes, and said with a smile, "Holy Lord Long En."

With that said, he casually stuffed a bank note to Dai Quan.Only then did he happily return to the carriage with the food box in his hand.

Two plates of pastries may seem like a lot, but the imperial style has always been exquisite.To put it simply, it is too small and too few, and there are only a dozen pastries with the size of chess pieces on a plate.Three or five men will be wiped out if you bite me.Still hungry, Xue Pan drank two more bowls of Laba porridge after returning home to recover.After all, the cakes that Tu Zhen gave were just a wish, and those who are really full have to eat with open arms.

Xue Zhizhang stared at Xue Pan and walked around the yard after dinner before letting him go back to sleep.Nothing to say all night.

The next day, the sky was still not clear, and the heavy snow was flying and the weather was getting colder.Even wearing a fox fur cloak feels cold and windy.The small hand stove that has just been poured is cold in just a cup of tea, and it is not worth it at all.

Xue Pan is naturally afraid of the cold, and he didn't feel it when he was in the south.I couldn't bear it before it was deep winter in the capital. Thinking of all kinds of warm appliances sold on the market in my previous life, my eyes lit up, and I called all the female embroidery craftsmen together.

"A hat made of wool twisted into wool and woven into this shape..." Xue Pan said, pointing to the woolen hat on the rice paper and saying, "The inside is filled with cashmere..."

All the female embroidery craftsmen nodded.

Xue Pan put down the pattern, picked up another piece of rice paper, and said, "This thing is called a glove...the one with five fingers is called a glove, and the one without fingers is called a cotton hand. The method is the same as that of a hat..."

The crowd nodded again.

After some narration, Xue Pan drank a cup of milk tea with dry mouth and asked, "You guys are doing it now, when will it be done?"

"This thing is not very difficult, it's just that it takes a lot of work to knit the wool..." The old craftsman in the head pondered for a moment, then said, "Including knitting, it will take about three days!"

Xue Pan nodded, and was about to speak when he heard the little girl outside shouting in a panic: "It's not good, it's not good—"