The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

For a while, Baochai laughed and said, "I don't understand how you said that. Sister Lin and I finally got together. My brother didn't talk about funny things to make us happy, but said something sad. The words of leaving make us angry. If we really get together less and leave more, it’s fine, but under the current situation, even if Jiji leaves the pavilion, brother can’t go to see me in that mansion? Or is it that I’m not welcome to come back for a short stay in the future? For the time being Let's stop this sad talk, and tell some funny stories quickly to be serious."

Before finishing a sentence, Lin Daiyu scratched her cheeks with slender, white and tender fingers like water onions, while tilting her head and teasingly said: "Sister Bao who is not ashamed. Let me ask you, which house is that house, my niece?" How about staying?"

Xue Baochai just said words of comfort, and forgot about these things for a while.Now hearing Lin Daiyu clearly pointing it out, her face flushed with shame, she walked back covering her pretty face with a pair of catkins, and spat in her mouth: "You are really a little hoof, and your words are becoming more and more tricky. Even your treasure I don't let my sister's loopholes go away."

While everyone was laughing, they suddenly heard a sentence from outside, "What are you talking about?"

Following the sound of the curtain, Baoqin opened the half-worn red soft curtain and walked in.As soon as he opened his mouth, he said: "I'm doing needlework in the west wing room, and I heard the excitement on your side. I thought that Miss Lin came here for the first time, but I didn't know her very well, so it's hard to come here. It can be seen that your side is really lively, I can't bear it. I couldn't help being lonely, so I had to come here uninvited."

Lin Daiyu turned her head and saw Xue Baoqin walking towards her, she couldn't help but her eyes lit up, she exclaimed: "Where is this sister from, she has such a character, people who see her really love her."

Saying that, she stretched out her hand to take Xue Baoqin's hand in her arms, turned her head and smiled at Xue Baochai, "You actually compare Sister Bao and me."

As she said this, Xue Pan looked at her secretly.Because of being relaxed at home, Baoqin only wore a peach red jacket today, and a goose yellow cotton satin skirt on her lower body, her hair was only pulled up in an ordinary bun, and she ran away without makeup come over.Although she is still young, she often travels with her uncle in the past years. She can stop five or six times in the three mountains and five mountains, and her knowledge can be called extensive.The unique delicacy and grandeur between the eyebrows are very brilliant, standing together with the non-human Daiyu and the generous, graceful and demure Baochai, they are plums, orchids, bamboos and chrysanthemums, each with their own strengths, and they become more and more outstanding.

Now that she is only in her teens, she is already so attractive. After two years, when she grows up in stature, she might not be so dazzling!

Baochai on the side also put his arms around Baoqin's shoulder and said with a smile: "Oh, I didn't care too much about it before other people said that. Now that even sister Lin said that, I have to take a closer look. How beautiful is Zhong Ling Yuxiu. I don't believe it, how am I not as good as you?"

Lin Daiyu chuckled, and said, "Oh, I see how open-minded Sister Bao is on weekdays, and I thought that Sister Bao was really like this. After listening to Sister Bao's words today, I know it. It turns out that I just haven't met her Someone who made my sister jealous!"

Xue Baoqin looked at Xue Baochai from the left, then at Lin Daiyu, thought for a while, then rolled her eyes, suddenly threw the two of them away, and ran to Xue Pan to complain: "I don't agree. Big brother, look, these two There are two sisters, one is magnificent, the other is beautiful, and they are all like gods. Now you still make fun of me as a fluffy girl. I really don't have the appearance of being a sister."

Xue Pan patted Xue Baoqin's head with a smile, and said with a straight face: "Don't worry, brother will vent your anger on you."

As he spoke, he pointed at Chai and Dai with a solemn face and reprimanded: "You jealous women, when you see my sister who is like a fairy, you will talk around and gossip.

Before he could finish a sentence, he couldn't help laughing out loud.

Baochai and Daiyu also came up with smiles and bowed together, saying: "It's not us who are jealous of wives, my sister is a character like a fairy, don't care about mere mortals like us."

An angry Baoqin stomped her feet again and again.

While laughing, I saw Tong Xi who was beside Mrs. Xue come in through the curtain and said: "The old ladies and ladies of Rongguo Mansion are here. Madam asked the slaves to call some girls over!"

Everyone looked at each other, Baochai couldn't help laughing and said, "What kind of wind is blowing today, why is it so lively?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head and said, "It's just a southeast wind on the left, and it's just a northwest wind. There's a reunion wind blowing on the left and right. It's better for us to go over quickly."

Xue Baoqin said quickly: "You wait until I change clothes before going over."

So everyone waited for a cup of tea, and after Baoqin finished dressing, they all walked towards Ruirongtang.

After entering the main hall, it is natural to greet the elders first.Then the sisters met and talked together.In addition to the Sanchun girl from Jia's mansion, even the eldest girl from Baoling Hou Shi's family came over.

When he came up, he grabbed Baochai and Lin Daiyu's sleeves and shouted: "Since meeting the two sisters on the Lantern Festival, Xiangyun has admired them, and has always wanted to get together with them and get close to them." Fan. These are some stitches I have made recently, if the two sisters don’t dislike them, please accept them.”

As he said, he took out two embroidered handkerchiefs and some odd purses from his bosom, and fanned them.

When Baochai and Daiyu heard this, they looked at each other in surprise.He hurriedly stepped forward and said: "If my sister likes it, just come and talk to us. Why be so polite. Although these things look small, they really take the most effort and energy to make."

"It is precisely because of the hard work and energy that I have shown my sincerity. If not, I have failed to live up to my respect for the two sisters." Shi Xiangyun said with a smile, and stuffed the needles into the arms of Baochai and Daiyu respectively.

Xue Baochai smiled helplessly, so she had to tell Yinger to keep it carefully.Daiyu even chose a purse embroidered with the night scene of the lotus pond and hung it directly.He also said: "I love this one the most, it looks fresh and elegant."

Seeing the respectful behavior of the two, Shi Xiangyun frowned happily.He stepped forward to hold the arms of the two of them and said with a smile: "Haha, take away my things, then when I find my two sisters to play in the future, you are not allowed to push me out."

Lin Daiyu laughed and said, "What my sister said, even if you don't take needles with us, if you come to play with us, we will ignore you. If you talk like this, I dare not accept your things."

As he spoke, he made a gesture to untie the purse that was just hanging from his waist and return it to Shi Xiangyun.

Shi Xiangyun was shocked, and quickly covered Lin Daiyu's hand and said, "No, no, there is no reason to return the things that have been collected—"

Before he finished a sentence, seeing the playful look in Lin Daiyu's eyes, he immediately understood.Bowing again and again: "My good sister, I've said something wrong, but let me go around this time!"

When everyone in the hall watched the play, they couldn't help but twitched their lips.

Jia Mu, who was at the top, shook her head and smiled, "Okay, you monkeys, you don't have to stop when you come out. Why don't you sit down and talk for a while."

Mrs. Xue also said quickly: "Sit down and talk quickly."

He also greeted Xue Baoqin and introduced them to everyone: "This is the girl from my uncle's brother's family named Baoqin. Baoqin, please greet the old lady and all the wives and sisters."

So Baoqin came forward as she said, and met them one by one.Then Jia Mu grabbed her hands and praised: "This girl is so beautiful. She actually compares the girls of our two families."

When Baoqin heard this, she thanked her generously and said, "Thank you for your praise, my ancestor."

When everyone heard it, they were shocked again.But it turns out that Confucianism and etiquette nowadays pay attention to the implicit way of the mean.Ordinary people, when they are praised, they all humbly refuse, how can they simply admit it like this.Baoqin's words naturally showed her difference from others.

Unexpectedly, it was so straightforward, and it even betrayed Jia Mu's temper.The old man loves to be lively, and he naturally loves girls and boys who are innocent, straightforward, and articulate.The glory and favor of Wang Xifeng in the past can be seen.Seeing this Xue Baoqin now, I feel more like my eyes, so I forced Mrs. Wang to say: "Such a good girl, if I don't get her, I feel panicked. You quickly recognized that being a daughter is serious."

Mrs. Wang immediately laughed and said, "It would be my blessing to recognize such a beautiful goddaughter."

So everyone laughed and made Xue Baoqin recognize her godmother.Xue Baoqin looked back at Mrs. Xue.Madam Xue said with a smile: "If you are told to recognize it, you will recognize it. There will be another dowry in the future."

Xue Baoqin had no choice but to go forward with a smile and recognize her godmother.It's just a joke after all, neither setting up an incense table, nor mentioning the gathering of the two elders to entertain guests, it is more than a star and a half less serious than Madam Xue's recognition of Lin Daiyu.Thinking about it, I also felt that Baoqin's family background was too low, and for a while everyone thought it was just a joke.

After three rounds of tea, Jia's mother said, "It's only a month or so away from the draft, but Baochai is ready?"

Mrs. Xue still smiled gently: "What can I do? According to the rules of the palace, all beautiful women must follow the rules when they enter the palace. Pan'er has already discussed the rest with Eunuch Dai, the Minister of Internal Affairs, and he will take care of it." Zhouquan. All I can do is choose a few more clothes and jewelry, and give a few more banknotes."

Mrs. Xue said it calmly, but it was these words that aroused the envy of everyone.People in the palace are complicated, and they are used to exalting the high and stepping down the low, so many beautiful girls who have just arrived have to suffer secretly and swallow their breath.Those who are unlucky have been struggling for many years without being able to get ahead.Not to mention anything else, just talk about Yuan Chun, the eldest daughter of the Rongguo Mansion, who has been in the palace for almost ten years, and the family spent a lot of money just on looking after her, but now there is no news of her at all.But Xue Baochai, the daughter of a merchant in the first class, just because Xue's family voted for the emperor's eye, before the draft, she went around in front of the emperor, the emperor, and the queen mother more than once.Not to mention the future, let's get acquainted first.

Such a situation really makes people jealous!

Thinking of this, Mrs. Wang spoke impatiently. "Her aunt—"

But she was interrupted by Jiamu with a smile.

"Things in the palace are complicated and confusing. Although we were worried in the previous dynasty, we didn't dare to interfere too much. It would be great if Baochai could get a suggestion from Eunuch Dai."

Mrs. Xue immediately interjected, "Who says it's not!"

Jia Mu nodded, and said: "It is inevitable that Eunuch Dai will take care of you. It is best to have a companion who is familiar with the affairs of the palace. Only in this way can we watch and help each other, and we won't feel lonely just because people's hearts are not ancient. , there is no one to talk to."

Xue's mother and daughter's heart moved when they heard this.Before he could open his mouth, he heard Xue Pan on the side say carelessly: "I've considered this too. So I discussed with the Holy Majesty that after Baochai enters the palace, he can go to Princess Wenyang's place more and talk about it together. of."

Everyone in the Jia family was even more envious when they heard it.

What do you think, this Princess Wenyang is not an ordinary person, she is the only daughter of the Empress Dowager Tong, and also the most beloved jewel in the palm of the Emperor.And talented, erudite and versatile.To put it inappropriately, the weight of this princess in the emperor's heart is almost equal to that of ten princes.If she hadn't been born as a daughter, with her status and honor, it would not be impossible for her to be crowned the Great Treasure.

Now Xue Pan's light words made Xue Baochai get in touch with the princess.If Yuanchun had such help back then...

Thinking of this, even Jia's mother became a little anxious.He quickly laughed and said, "I mean, Yuan Chun has been in the palace for so many years, so he is naturally familiar with the affairs of the palace. Besides, we are all relatives by marriage, so we are not outsiders. If there is any difficulty for Baochai to enter the palace, You can also go to Yuan Chun to discuss it. Everyone will help each other, and the future life will be easier."

After saying this, everyone in the Xue family naturally understood what the Jia family meant.

Although Jia Mu's consideration is thorough, all of this has to be based on the fact that Baochai will be selected as a concubine after entering the palace.Now that the emperor has revealed his words, it is impossible for Baochai to stay in the palace.So those who can help Yuanchun are limited.

In this case, Mrs. Xue is happy to be an empty favor.Immediately she smiled and said: "Don't worry about this, the old lady. After Baochai enters the palace, those who can help the eldest girl will naturally not refuse. It's just that Baochai goes in and out of the palace after all, and the strength is weak. I'm afraid it's more than enough. !"

Mrs. Wang immediately smiled and said, "It doesn't matter what, as long as you have the heart, it's good. Naturally, in the future, we have to take a step and take a step. But I think it's easier for two people to support each other than to work hard alone."

Lin Daiyu watched this with cold eyes, and felt very tired in her heart.Taking advantage of the time when everyone was talking and no one was paying attention, he quietly poked Xue Pan's back with his hand.Xue Pan understood, and said, "The elders are chatting here, but we as juniors can't get in the way, and we're too restrained, which makes it even more boring. Why don't we go to the Xiaohua Hall to talk together!"

After finishing speaking, Lin Daiyu immediately got up and stood up with lowered eyebrows and narrowed eyes.

Baochai and Baoqin beside Madam Xue also stood up.All the girls in Jia's family were already impatient to hear, but they couldn't speak easily. When they heard Lin Daiyu say this, they all looked at Jiamu and the others with burning eyes.

Seeing this situation, Madam Xue immediately smiled and said: "If not, just let their juniors go to the little flower hall to play around."

Mother Jia looked up at Lin Daiyu, who was respectful but distant, and sighed inwardly.Knowing that the turmoil in the Rongguo Mansion broke the girl's heart a while ago.So much so that after Lin Ruhai went to Beijing, Lin Daiyu never returned.Except for special New Year's Eve must come, no longer willing to visit.Even when the New Year's Day comes, they are not as close as before.After the Lantern Festival, I even shrugged off the many trivial matters at home, and went to the next one.

If it was okay to say when Min girl was still there, after all, the elders of Rongguo Mansion.Even if you insist on taking it, there is nothing wrong with it.But the year Min'er passed away, the Rongguo Mansion didn't even do the most basic filial piety.It's no wonder that the Lin family has alienated them now.

Thinking of this, Mother Jia felt a little regretful.She is an old and mature person, so she naturally knows all kinds of things that happened in the past two years.She never thought that Lin Ruhai would have the chance to return to Beijing alive.Therefore, although she dotes on Daiyu, she really feels that Daiyu will be a helpless orphan in the future, and she will have to be taken care of by the Rongguo Mansion for everything.So she didn't pay too much attention to the rumors going around in the mansion.

But who would have thought that Lin Ruhai was not only ordered to return to the capital, but even promoted from a first-rank official under the mediation of many parties.The No. [-] scholar who was adopted by the Lin family also became an upstart around the new emperor.Moreover, after Lin Ruhai returned to Beijing, after the New Year's visits, the fading relationship between the parties was gradually drawn back.

After all, the Lin family is a scholarly family, and the Imperial Academy is noble.The people who come and go with each other are all the top Qingliu among the Confucian scholars, and occasionally senior officials who have established a firm foothold in Beijing.Over the past year, their power has gradually grown, and they have taken care of each other with the prosperous Xue family, and they are even more prominent than when they were in Yangzhou.

Only then did Mother Jia feel remorse from the bottom of her heart, and even Mrs. Wang, who obviously rejected Lin Daiyu, was moved to change her mind.She naturally knew the purpose of Jia's mother taking Lin Daiyu to Beijing, and she didn't care because she thought that the Lin family was dying.Now seeing the revival of the Lin family... If Baoyu can get the help of such an old father-in-law, it will be a piece of cake for him to become an official in the court in the future and make his way to the top.

Moreover, the Lin family and the Xue family are leaning on each other, and they are all the ones who can speak in front of the Holy Majesty.If we get on well with them, wouldn't Yuanchun also benefit.Thinking of this, although Mrs. Wang still didn't want to see Lin Daiyu in her heart, her attitude on the face was quite different.

Immediately got up and walked to Lin Daiyu, put his arms around Lin Daiyu's shoulders and smiled kindly: "This is the first time I see Miss Lin after the Lantern Festival. Although we haven't seen each other for a few days, her complexion is getting better. The old lady said a few times Please, you don't come to Rongguo Mansion to walk around. Wouldn't it hurt the old lady's heart."

When Lin Daiyu heard this, she glanced at Mrs. Wang with a smile that was not a smile, and said softly, "How can Second Aunt say this? I am arrogant, clean-sighted, mean and petty, and even the most dignified elder in your family A girl is not as good as you, wouldn't you be humiliating yourself if you went to the mansion?"

The voice was so thin that no one could hear it clearly except Mrs. Wang and Jinse behind Lin Daiyu.

Mrs. Wang didn't expect Lin Daiyu to let her down in front of everyone, so she couldn't help being stunned.Lin Daiyu sneered, avoided Mrs. Wang's arm, walked up to Mother Jia and said, "Daiyu also misses her ancestor very much. As a junior, it is Daiyu's fault that she can't serve the bedside. Please punish her."

Without waiting for everyone to speak, Jinse beside Daiyu suddenly said: "Forgive me, my ancestors, our girl didn't do it on purpose, it's just after the New Year's Day, and the trivial matters are complicated, and the girl just took over the housework and couldn't get away for a while. Today, I managed to spare half a day to see Miss Bao. This is the order of our master and uncle. It is said that Miss Bao will enter the palace for a draft in no time. If we don't take advantage of the present time to have more private gatherings, I'm afraid we will never be able to meet in such a convenient way in the future."

In a word, it is not only the resolution for Daiyu not to go to Rongguo Mansion, but also Daiyu's explanation for going to Xue's mansion today.The words are sharp and thoughtful, and for a while, it is really hard to blame.In order not to directly annoy the two families with inappropriate words.

Everyone looked at Jinse in surprise.Wang Xifeng, who was serving the old lady and the second wife on the ground, immediately smiled and said: "Look how thoughtful this is, maybe our old lady and wife are really annoyed. It's just seeing Lin sister guarding alone in the capital, I'm afraid she doesn't have a playmate to talk to on weekdays."

He went forward and grabbed Jinse and said intimately: "Isn't this the big girl next to Yu'er, Jinse? I haven't seen you for more than a year, and she looks more and more neat. She really has become a big girl."

Mother Jia stared at Jinse in silence for a long time. She remembered that this big girl was the most taciturn when she was in Rongguo Mansion, but she didn't expect her to be sharp now.Then he turned his head and looked at Daiyu for a while, then he smiled and said: "I am the one who is most considerate of your girls. In the past, I always invited her to Rongguo Mansion, but it was just because I felt sorry for her that she lost her mother suddenly and was lonely in the capital. It’s nothing to rely on. I want to come to the mansion to gather with a few maids, talk, and have the elders and old women of my uncle’s family take care of me, so I will be more considerate. All this is also for the good of you girls.”

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips and smiled at Jiamu, but did not answer.

If it was really for her own good, how could she have the heart to let others bully her, an orphan girl who suddenly lost her mother and went all the way to Beijing to seek refuge.In the past, it was fine if she was uneducated, but after her brother hired the teaching nuns in the palace to educate her, she realized how much the Rongguo Mansion's response was too much.She is the daughter of a dignified second-rank official, and the expenses in Rongguo Mansion match Sanchun.But among the three springs, Yingchun and Tanchun are all concubines, let's not talk about that for now.If it hadn't been for Yuanyang accidentally slipping away when Xueyan and Yuanyang were chatting later, she would not have known that the reason why she hadn't made any arrangements when she arrived at Rongguo Mansion was because the original plan of the old ancestor was to let her and Jia Baoyu live outside the house. live.

Lin Daiyu couldn't help but rejoice that fortunately, she went to Beijing with Xue's family.If not... the name, festival and reputation will be gone.

Thinking of this, although Lin Daiyu didn't complain, her expression became more and more indifferent.Seeing this, Xue Baochai went to Daiyu's side to smooth things over and said, "Of course the ancestor loves Sister Lin the most, and it's no different than Baoyu. We all see this for real, and we are very envious! Although Sister Lin is the granddaughter of the ancestor, but outsiders don't know it, and they think it is the granddaughter of the ancestor. If not, why would you take care of her so much?"

Lin Daiyu also said casually: "I know the heart of my ancestors."

Mrs. Xue said with a smile: "Who says it's not? It should be the case. Since they all feel uncomfortable with us old-fashioned wives, let them talk freely!"

Mother Jia sighed in her heart, knowing that the grudge in Lin Daiyu's heart could not be resolved with a few words.Immediately glared at Mrs. Wang without a trace, and said with a smile: "Of course they don't like to listen to us talking upright. Forget it, let them play by themselves. Just don't go far away, the wind outside It's cold, just play beside me!"

Everyone got up together and followed Baochai to the side hall without saying a word.