You're Crossing the Red Mansions

On the second day, Baochai changed into a bright pink and purple shirt and went to her mother's room early. As soon as she entered the door, she saw a red coral bonsai in a three-tiered peach pot on the table.I saw the coral in the peach bowl was bright red in color and shining brightly, and there were nine gilt bats embedded in the side of the bowl, which was a good sign of good fortune and longevity.This thing was personally purchased from Nanhai when Master Xue was there. There are three plants in total, one plant entered the Shang Dynasty, and the other plant honored the Ministry of Internal Affairs.This is the last one left. It was meant to be kept at home for display, but Aunt Xue wanted to show off her wealth and to add luster to Baochai, so she dug it out and gave it to Mrs. Wang. I know this sister is not easy to fool.

Seeing the high price, Baochai couldn't help but hesitated: "Is this gift too heavy?" Aunt Xue stared at the old woman and told her to pack the boxes carefully, and said, "Your uncle helped your brother to break up the kidnapping case. There is also an important matter for the empress, if it is not for the precious things, we will not be able to take care of it." Baochai heard that it made sense, so he stopped talking.After eating for a while, the mother and daughter took the mother-in-law to carry the box and went to Mrs. Wang.

Jin Chuan'er, the eldest girl waiting outside, saw their mother and daughter coming, first smiled and greeted them, and then raised her voice a little: "My concubine and Miss Bao are here." Aunt Xue knew that something was going on in the house, Chai looked at each other and slowed down their pace together.They waited for Caiyun, the big girl inside, to come out to open the curtain, and then went in together.It turned out that Baoyu was sitting beside Mrs. Wang, her face flushed. When she saw Aunt Xue coming in, she was polite and stood up to say hello.After Baochai greeted Madam Wang and exchanged greetings with Baoyu, she sat beside Aunt Xue and lowered her head.

Because I received Jia Lian's letter yesterday evening, saying that after hearing the good news from the eldest girl, I traveled day and night, and I estimated that I would be able to bring Daiyu back to the capital in two days.When Jia's mother heard this, she was overjoyed, and called Sister Feng to come, and told Miss Lin to clean the house well, and said that there was a big happy event in the house, and every place should be filled with happiness.When Daiyu first came, she moved the house in a hurry, and all the furnishings were old and make do with it. Now, while cleaning up, she ordered Sister Feng to go to the storeroom to get soft cigarettes to re-paste the windows, and open the window. I took out the old box and took out a Nanzhu curtain that had been preserved for many years. There were some exquisite decorations outside, and I took them out to redecorate Daiyu's room.Mrs. Wang saw that Jia's mother took Lin Daiyu as her sweetheart with such great fanfare, and she was very afraid that the old lady would do something out of the ordinary again and forcefully match Bao Dai with her. Every day grows bigger and bigger, even though they are cousins, they have to pay attention to the protection of men and women. Besides, the two children are crowded with the old lady, and the weather is getting hotter. It makes the old lady panic, it is better to let Baoyu Just move out.Mother Jia didn't know what she was thinking, so she dismissed it in one sentence: "The two children are only a little older, and they grew up together. With my wife around, there is nothing to guard against." After hearing this, Mrs. Wang took a hard nail and dared not say anything more.

Coming out of the old lady's room, Mrs. Wang swallowed her anger and went back to her room. After thinking about it for a long time, she had to call for Baoyu.During the waiting time, I had a lot of words brewing, and I wanted to teach him a harsh lesson, but when I saw this handsome and handsome son entered the door, my heart softened.She thought that she was nearly fifty years old, and there was only this son left by her side, and she was usually raised by her mother-in-law. It was not easy to see her, so when she opened her mouth again, her tone became a little more kind: "Baoyu, you are feeling better." When Baoyu saw her mother, she first saluted properly, and then went up to hug her mother like a monkey who had taken off the rope, and when she heard the question, she smiled and said, "It's already done, don't worry, madam." Mrs. Wang then nodded, and said again: "I called you here today to tell you that Miss Lin will be back with your second brother Lian the day after tomorrow..."

As soon as the words were finished, Baoyu opened her eyes wide, and shouted with joy, "Ah! Sister Lin is coming back soon!" Mrs. Wang saw that he was so happy, and her face fell down immediately.But Baoyu didn't know his eyes, jumped up from the old lady, clapped his hands and laughed and said, "It's just right, I happen to have a string of wagtail incense beads from King Beijing. It's fragrant and elegant, and I gave it to my sister, but Okay!" Mrs. Wang felt sad for a while while listening, thinking that this son was raised for nothing, and when she was only a few years old, she was full of plans for Lin Daiyu, and she didn't know what it would be like if she really got married in the future!My own mother gave birth to him and raised him, so I don't want to be filial if I have good things!The more I thought about it, the angrier I became, so I shouted: "Nonsense! I just want to tell you about this matter. You are not young, and you should have some ideas in your heart. Even though you grew up with Miss Lin, you are not brothers and sisters. In the future If you want to go far, you have to go far, don't mess around day and night!" Baoyu was stunned when he heard this, and now he has no other thoughts about Lin Daiyu, he just simply likes it.After Mrs. Wang said this, somehow she remembered the time when she was hanging out with Xiren, thinking that if it was Tong Lin's younger sister, she blushed with embarrassment.

Seeing his blushing, Mrs. Wang thought that he was talking about the main idea, and she couldn't press him too hard, so she said again: "That's enough, it's good to know." Just when she was about to say something else, she heard a report from outside. Aunt Xue waited for her arrival, she quickly took the call and asked her sister and niece to come in.Aunt Xue smiled and asked the women to bring in the coral bonsai. Mrs. Wang looked at it. Although she had seen many treasures, she couldn't help admiring her in her heart, but her face was calm and unwavering: "My sister will spend the money." Xue My aunt hurriedly said: "My sister's words are too much. We are so happy to hear such a happy event as Miss Yuanda. Congratulations to my sister." Mrs. Wang showed a faint smile on her face, and the two sisters talked Gossip.Baoyu was impatient to listen, so she ran and sat down beside Baochai: "My dear sister, why haven't you been with us these few days?" I feel a little uncomfortable." Baoyu hurriedly said: "Then sister is safe? The heat is hot, and I often ask the girls to make some herbal tea to eat, which is good. It's just that you girls are delicate, so don't be too cold, and don't have too many lotus leaves. Let it go, but it’s all right to eat some mung beans.” Hearing his thoughtfulness, Baochai couldn’t help laughing and said, “Understood.” Baoyu saw her smile like a spring breeze blowing on her face, and today she was wearing a color of clothes that was not common in the past. I can't help but look a little dazed.Over there, Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue saw each other, exchanged glances, and talked more enthusiastically.

But that day Jia Zheng came home from court and went to talk to Jia's mother: "The son has got the order today. The emperor has just approved the visitation of the concubines in the palaces. The imperial decree says that all the homes of Chongyu other courtyards can stay in the guarding place. Inviting the inner court Luanyu to enter his private residence, the common people can completely show their kinship and family relationships. My son thinks, should our family also build a family-friendly courtyard to welcome your mother?" Mother Jia heard it for the first time, because of Yuanchun. He was raised by his side since he was a child, and he missed him very much after not seeing him for many years. It is a good thing that His Majesty is sympathetic to the people, besides, in these few lifetimes, it is rare to have such dignity.But after all, she is old and has a lot of experience, and it is not a matter of one day to build a family home, not to mention other things, money is a problem.Now the life in the mansion is getting worse every year, the expenses are increasing sharply, but the profit is less, it is already difficult, and the provincial house is to be built for the purpose of welcoming the empress, and it can't be done like an errand, it is not easy to deal with .The old lady felt worried first, and then thought that the second son had always been aloof from the world, so it was not good to pour cold water on him when he was excited.So he pondered and said, "I'm getting old, you are the ones to decide these things." Jia Zheng is an old-fashioned person, and he didn't turn his mind a few times when he got what his mother said, knowing that he didn't object, so he happily walked into the room, thinking Discuss with Mrs. Wang how to make it.

As soon as I arrived at the gate of the courtyard, I saw Aunt Zhao coming crying, and said, "Master, you have to make the decision for me. This month, the monthly bill of the little girl in my house has been deducted two taels of money..." Jia Zheng looked upright, But she loved this concubine very much in her heart, and after hearing her complaint, she said: "You go and tell your wife, there is nothing to cry about." After hearing this, Aunt Zhao cried even more sadly: "My lord, my wife only said that you are a little girl. The rules of the maids have been changed, which is not a good thing, it has been changed a few days ago..." Jia Zheng hated these mundane affairs the most, felt that his ears were dirty, and finally became impatient: "Since it has been changed, it must be changed. Others can pass you, but you can't!" Aunt Zhao saw that he was angry, and she knew what was going on, so she quickly put away her tears. Jia Zheng saw that she looked so pitiful with tears hanging on her face, so she couldn't help softening her tone: "You first Go back." Aunt Zhao has been with him for a long time, she couldn't understand the meaning of his words, she leaned over and whispered: "Then I'll go back and clean up, and wait for the master to come at night." Jia Zheng didn't nod or shake his head, Aunt Zhao just smiled, twisted her waist and walked away triumphantly.

Jia Zheng was embarrassed to look at the concubine's back, so he went directly into the main room. Mrs. Wang had already received the letter, so she hurriedly stood up to meet him, and Caiyun brought tea.The husband and wife sat and talked face to face.While drinking tea, Jia Zheng talked about the affairs of the provincial court.After hearing this, Mrs. Wang knew that it was a good thing to show her face, and she was very happy.First Amitabha said, and then he smiled and said: "After all, it is the emperor's sage. Over the years, I have always thought of Yuan girl in my heart..." After saying that, he wiped away his tears.Jia Zheng waited for her to cry for a while, and then said: "I will listen to what the old lady said, we let us decide..." After hearing this, Mrs. Wang asked in surprise, "What does the old lady mean?" No, he hurriedly said: "What's the matter, isn't it a good thing for the old lady to let us decide?" Jia Zheng was really surprised. Mrs. Wang used to complain that her mother-in-law took too much control, but now that she doesn't intervene, she is not happy.

Mrs. Wang has been fighting with the old lady for these years, and she knows her plan very well, so she sighed: "The old lady has made it clear that she doesn't want to pay us!" "Our mansion earns so much money every year, why can't we come up with this idea?" Madam Wang couldn't help but angrily said, "How much income can I get! The property in the mansion hasn't come out all these years since I married in." This increase is due to relying on those Zhuangzis to make a living. That good sister of yours left with a huge sum of money when she got married, but she emptied out a little half of her family! Now the population of the mansion is increasing. Over there, the old master is buying the one on the left and the one on the right, and those aunts have to offer gold jewelry and silver collars every day! Let’s talk about our place, you buy antique calligraphy and paintings every day, and boy Huan visits the girl for a few days It's not piled up with snow! Could it be that it's all money..." Jia Zheng heard that he couldn't refute her at first, but then he saw that the calculation was settled on him, so he said with a sullen face: "You are the director of the house, so you don't want to think about it. Live frugally, but blame us!" Mrs. Wang didn't listen to what she said, and said, "I want to be frugal! I gave the girls two slings of money and was blocked at the gate of the courtyard to complain. Do I still dare?" After hearing this, Jia Zheng knew that what he and Aunt Zhao had just said had been known to her, and he was ashamed and annoyed, so he stood up with his sleeves thrown up: "You don't have to tell me these things that are so trivial. If you can get the money, you can do it, and if you can’t get it, you can’t do it! Since the old lady refuses to pay, you are not allowed to ask her to go!" After all, there is no need for a girl to open the curtain, and you can go out by yourself. The door went to Aunt Zhao's room.

Mrs. Wang saw that he left regardless, her face turned pale with anger, she drank two cups of tea before suppressing her anger.Of course she has to do such a dignified matter as building a relative's house. With this yard, others will have to weigh the weight of the second room in the future!In terms of money, in fact, her private house has enough money, 20 taels, and 8 taels will be transferred from the government's public account, and the full 30 taels will not be repaired!But it's not so cheap to take out all your brains.Although the old lady saved her money for Baoyu, it is not good for Yuan girl not to pay a single penny, at least 3 to 5 taels.Besides, it is the honor of the Jia family to be promoted to the imperial concubine in Yuanchun, and the elder in the room and the East Mansion must also be informed. At that time, the whole family will give 1 taels, and the girl Feng has also made some money after following her these years. , 8 taels is a small amount, and then ask the Xue family for [-] taels... In this way, it is enough.