Concubine daughter of the Lin family in the Red Chamber

Aunt Shen lived in the second courtyard, Lin Wanru lived in the right side of the third courtyard, and Lin Daiyu lived in the left. They were all of the same size, with three main rooms and two wing rooms on the left and right. The middle wall was pushed down by Aunt Shen. , Two new walls were built, and a narrow and wide space was left in the middle to pass people, leading directly to the fourth courtyard, and a small door was opened on the wall. Daiyu and Wanru walked around each other, and they arrived after passing two doors. Very convenient.

Because it was spring, the flowers, plants and trees were all ready-made, and Chen Ruiwen was careful to arrange them properly. The back garden was full of flowers and lush vegetation. Daiyu also put a few large tanks in the yard, where lotus flowers and red carps were raised. Lin Wanru There are two Xifu Begonias planted in the yard, which are very beautiful.

Aunt Shen looked around and was very satisfied. After two days of work, she finally got everything in order. Aunt Shen ordered people to set off firecrackers at the door for half an hour to show that the new owner had moved in. She invited Shen Yuanniang and the other two of the Chen family. A grandma and girls came over for drinks.

It was the first time for Aunt Shen to hold a banquet in the name of the host, and she was very meticulous, even Wan Ru and Dai Yu were there to help.

After moving into my own home, I don't have to look at people's faces anymore, and Daiyu is the happiest person to live under the fence. Aunt Shen also wanted to teach her some housekeeping skills, so she asked her to learn from her.

Lin Wanru brought Lu Ni and Long Yan to watch the women move the tables and chairs. Aunt Shen ordered a whole set of huanghuali wood tables and chairs early on, only for the treats, and delivered them over a few days ago. Even the wooden teeth are brand new, neatly stacked in the back warehouse.

Holding a booklet in her hand, Long Yan moved out to a table, and she made a note. Lin Wanru stood by and watched, and Lu Ni told her what happened earlier: "Auntie has already drawn up the menu for the banquet. The chef from Fuxi Tower was invited to come to the house to cook, and five new large stoves were built in the back kitchen. When the time comes, the fire will be fired together, and it will be enough to serve twenty tables of banquets. .”

Lin Wanru said: "Auntie only said that it will be a lively event, who did you invite? Why did you set up twenty tables?"

Lu Ni laughed and said: "Twenty tables is not too much. Some people hold hundreds of tables for a wedding ceremony. Auntie said that people from Chen's house and Jia's house have to post posts, and they also have to communicate with the girl." The two princesses who are good should also invite them. There are only fifteen tables in the inner courtyard. As for the remaining five tables, they will be opened in the outer courtyard for the masters and young masters to drink and have fun. My aunt has already invited the eldest and young masters to help greet them. "

Lin Wanru nodded.Asking Longyan to look at it, he went back to the courtyard. Compared with Ning Xiangzhai, this courtyard looks very cramped, but because it is his own home, it is more warm.There are three rooms, the main room in the middle is reserved for guests, the east room is a banquet hall, the west side is a bedroom, and the left and right wing rooms are reserved for a study and a storeroom.

Just entered the yard.Lin Wanru heard the two newly bought maids, Xianglan and Xiangtao, sitting under the eaves chatting loudly, with their backs facing the courtyard gate.She didn't see Lin Wanru coming in, Lu Ni was about to step forward to scold her, but Lin Wanru stopped her.

Xianglan Zheng said: "...We naturally dare not compare with Sister Suoyu. They stay by the girl's side, let alone two taels of silver. 20 taels can be handed out. We are just new here. We haven't received it yet. What about the monthly money, why should we be made such a fool.”

Xiangtao echoed: "That's right, Sister Suoyu didn't say anything, no one allowed her to talk too much, even though she was serving by the girl's side, she's not a newcomer like us, so what about filial piety, bah, pretending to be a good person Show it to someone."

At this time, the window of the west wing was pushed open, and Chi Su's face flushed with anger, and he said loudly: "It's just a joke, why do you hold grudges so much? It's everyone's wish, you don't give money , who can force you?"

Xianglan retorted sharply: "You sound good, but you paid the money, but we didn't. Now we have it again, so don't lie to us."

Chisu saw Lin Wanru while he was speaking, dumbfounded, murmured not knowing what to say, Xianglan and Xiangtao also realized it, looked back and saw Lin Wanru's expressionless face, they both lowered their heads and dared not speak.

Lin Wanru walked into the courtyard and asked Chisu, "What's going on?"

Her tone was severe, Chi Su hurriedly ran out of the house, knelt down in front of Lin Wanru, with tears in her eyes: "Girl, please forgive me, I didn't mean to quarrel with them."

Lin Wanru looked at Xianglan and Xiangtao who were also trembling with fright, and said, "You all get up, what is Yin Zi involved in?"

Lu Ni hurriedly said: "Girl, I also know about this matter. We said in private that the girl treats us very well on weekdays. We are girls who want to chip in to buy something for the girl for the girl's gift. We dare not say how expensive it is. , always a wish, so Longyan, Suoyu and I took the lead, Zhuanxiang, Tongxia, Luyun, Zijuan and Xueyan all joined forces, a total of 20 taels of silver, handed over to Suoyu to let her go out to buy something, As a result, she bought two boxes of pine smoke ink, and when she came back, Longyan complained, saying why she bought two boxes of ink, and the eldest girl asked for the ink back when she found out, and gave us 20 taels of silver to ask us to buy it again. Yu then said, 20 taels are too short, and we can’t buy any good things, even a golden hairpin is not enough, so we said we need to raise some more money, Chisu and the others are new here, if we can’t think of anything, we have to ask, who is it? Zhi Xie Niang gave out one or two, Chi Su also gave out one or two, and the rest..."

Lu Ni didn't go on, but Lin Wanru also understood that it must be that Xianglan Xiangtao was not willing to give up the two taels of silver, but she was afraid that if she didn't pay it alone, it would not sound good to say it, so she complained so much.

The girls chipped in to buy things for her, and she couldn't say anything to blame, so she said, "Although Chisu and Xie Niang are newcomers, I rewarded two liang of silver each, and Xianglan Xiangtao was assigned by my aunt. I didn't see the errands, and I didn't give any rewards. I don't blame them for having no money in their hands. I'm naturally happy if you buy me something, but if my sisters are at odds because of this, this thing is not as good as don't want."

Chisu choked up and said, "It's all the servant's fault, I shouldn't have mentioned this."

Lin Wanru said: "Okay, don't cry, let's forget about it, I'll accept your love, don't buy things, it's not easy for you to get this little monthly money."

Lu Ni smiled and said: "We always have a heart, so don't worry about this matter, girl."

Lin Wanru went into the room and was changed by Lu Ni, she leaned on the pillow and sighed: "It's just Ji Ji, who would have caused so many troubles."

Lu Ni smiled and said: "After all, they just came here, they are not familiar with each other, some words are too thin to say, and it will be fine after a while."

Lin Wanru then asked about Xie Niang and Suoyu, Lu Ni said that it was with Lin Daiyu, and then whispered: "Miss, you don't know yet, Suoyu went out that day and met the master of the Shen family."

Lin Wanru was startled, and said, "What master? Why didn't she say anything?"

Lu Ni smiled and said: "It's the father of the grandma, the elder of the Shen family." Then she recounted the events of that day: "... Suoyu originally said that he was a kind old man, but who would have thought that he was the elder of the Shen family? She was so frightened that she secretly told us, and asked if she wanted to apologize, and Long Yan said it was nothing serious, Suoyu believed her, but she dared not tell you."

Lin Wanru laughed: "I said I haven't seen her these few days, so I did it on purpose."

Since the beginning of April, Chen Ruiwen has taken a few days off one after another, and went to Lianhua Hutong when he was free. This time, he will give some river fresh food, and next time, he will give some game. He will never empty his hands. This time, he brought two baskets of bright strawberries He Sangshen: "Master Zhuangzi sent it over. Mother asked me to bring it over for my aunt and two younger sisters to try."

Aunt Shen smiled and said: "I always bring a lot of things when I come back. Today I asked the master of Fuxilou to cook some big dishes. You can stay and taste them and see which one is the main dish."

Chen Ruiwen happily agreed, Lin Daiyu is about to get married, and she never sees outsiders, and then she will have time to be alone with Wanru again.

Fu Xi Lou is one of the most famous restaurants in the capital. The cook is naturally good. He made Buddha Jumping Over the Wall, Braised Shark Fin, Winter Melon and Sea Cucumber Soup and other complicated dishes. Chen Ruiwen tasted them one by one and said they were delicious, and said: " Shark fins are better, Auntie will order them, and I will ask someone to get more."

Aunt Shen smiled and said: "Where do you need to worry about, I have already prepared it, not only when it is needed for the ceremony, but also for Daiyu's wedding. If there is any shortage at that time, I will ask you for help."

But Lin Wanru said that Buddha Jumping over the Wall is delicious, Chen Ruiwen smiled and said nothing, Aunt Shen said: "Buddha Jumping over the Wall is too much work, I'm afraid we won't be able to handle twenty tables of banquets."

After eating, Aunt Shen went to rest as usual, and Chen Ruiwen followed Lin Wanru back to the yard. The sun in April was warm and warm, and the two of them sat side by side on the veranda, with two high saucers filled with strawberries and mulberries beside them. The yard was quiet, not a single girl was seen.

Chen Ruiwen looked at his girl next to him, feeling full of joy, and brought the fruit plate in front of her: "Fresh strawberries, my aunt said you like them very much." Lin Wanru squeezed one, a little uncomfortable: "Why do you come here every day? , Is everything alright at the barracks?"

Chen Ruiwen said indifferently: "I used to drink with Shi Guangzhu and the others when I was free. It's better to go to the military camp. Now coming here is naturally better than going to the military camp."

Lin Wanru said, "Didn't Auntie say you're not doing your job properly?"

Chen Ruiwen said: "Speaking of which, my grandfather is still at home, and every time he sees me, he will test my knowledge. I really have a big head, so it's better to come out and avoid it."

Lin Wanru couldn't help laughing: "Who told you not to study hard? You see, the cousins ​​of the Shen family are all Jinshi. If you are asked to take the exam, can you be a scholar?"

Chen Ruiwen listened to the teasing in Lin Wanru's tone, widened his eyes and scratched her creaking hole: "I even made up a choreography, I have to show you something amazing."

Lin Wanru was afraid of ticklish, so she hurriedly hid to the side, giggling, Chen Ruiwen saw that she was wearing a light green dress, just like a magnolia flower that was blooming in spring, and the joy in his heart burst out little by little.