You're Crossing the Red Mansions

The next day was a refreshing breeze, and it was the first time that Xichun was hosting guests at home. At night, she was so excited that she couldn't sleep, she got up before dawn to wash up, hurriedly packed some things, and took the lead with her paintings. The maple courtyard is full of tension.Seeing that the master was so excited, all the maids also followed suit.Because after discussing for half a day yesterday, and thinking that Yingchun and Daiyu would arrive early today, they would inevitably take a nap, so they ordered the guest room to be tidied up.Xichun went to see it in person, and then ordered: "The girls and I are playing in the garden in the morning. You look at the sun. If it is good, you should spread out these beddings to dry them. The second girl likes jasmine flowers, so go and see them." Put the silver silk hydrangea bought for me by the uncle, put it in the room after smoking it. Miss Lin is from the south, she likes sweet-scented osmanthus. In addition to the pot of sweet-scented osmanthus on the table, you can go to the flower room for two. The big ones are placed in our yard, and this is the season to appreciate the osmanthus." Everyone hurriedly responded.Guo'er outside brought over the set menu again, and said with a smile: "It's all according to the girl's order, because the grandma brought some game over yesterday, so I temporarily added a few items, the girl can see if it's okay? "Because Guo'er was specially called by You Xiaoxiao and Fengyuan, Xichun has always been very polite to her, and said with a smile: "I have seen it yesterday, everything made by sister Guoer is delicious. Since I want to congratulate the two For the girl's happy event, we must have wine, just add a few more dishes." After hearing this, Guo'er laughed and said, "Your servant understands." Looking back, Xichun saw that Hua'er was busy, and said, "Today you bring The people in the small kitchen have to work harder, and the master, uncle, and grandma have to send boxes over there, and when the guests are gone in the afternoon, we will also open a table in the evening in our yard, and everyone will try their best to eat a few drinks." The crowd listening Then he smiled happily: "Thank you, miss."

Before he knew it, the sky was getting brighter and the morning sun was rising, Xichun thought about it, and the time was just right, so he went to greet his father.In the Ningguo Mansion, the morning and evening are always in a state of laxity.She was also fishing for three days and drying the net for two days. Earlier, Jia Zhen and You Xiaoxiao had set her up in Dingxing, waiting for Jia Jing to come back to the house, and saw that none of the sons, daughters-in-law and women in the house got up early according to the rules, but I am not that pedantic person myself, so I ordered to go down and said: "You all have to go to your own business. If you can see each other in a day, you will see it, and if you don't see it, it will be fine." If it was early, she would go to the yard of my father, and You Xiaoxiao, as a daughter-in-law, wanted to avoid suspicion, so she was happy to lie in the house and sleep for a while.Xichun is a child and a daughter's family, and Jia Jing is even less demanding.Only Jia Rong wants to study, and she goes to bed late and gets up early all day long, working very hard.Jia Jing, an old man, wakes up very early every day, so he stares at the students in the academy and reads the morning class, then goes back to his room to rest for a while, eats breakfast and lectures on two lessons, and in the afternoon he either plays chess, fishes or stares at the students. Watching the children write big characters, I was busy every day, and the day passed.I suddenly saw my daughter coming over today, it was rare to see her getting up so early, afraid that the child would run around on an empty stomach, so she asked to stay and have breakfast together.

Xichun was also very distant from Jia Jing in the past.When I was in Xifu, I saw Jia Zheng's rigidity and no children in his eyes. Every day when he saw Baoyu, he would beat or scold him, and he seemed to have nothing to Tanchun Jiahuan.And Jia Amnesty over there is even more ignorant, leaving Yingchun behind.Comparing the two, Xichun thought that all fathers in the world have this virtue.Later, when I returned to the East Mansion, You Xiaoxiao held hands to persuade: "Sister, you are the jewel in the palm of the master, our family's daughter, don't be like those petty people. If you think about it carefully, if it wasn't for you, the master would never give up again." Come back to our mansion? How many times did your elder brother go to Guanli, and the master kicked him out every time, if he hadn't heard that my sister was wronged in that mansion and no one made decisions, the master would not come back now." Xichun listened Yes, keep your head down.Seeing that she was moved, You Xiaoxiao hit the iron while it was still hot: "Daughters are all parents' padded jackets, and the master is an elder. No matter how much you have in mind, you can't just go to the girl's yard. You should be a daughter. Be diligent, and usually have nothing to talk to the master to relieve boredom. Besides, since the wife left, the master is a man's family, and it is rare to be considerate in everything. The sister-in-law is a daughter-in-law, so don't worry about it. You are the master's own daughter, so you should see it Look at the carelessness of girls and boys, if there are any, then you should take out the master's money and talk to them well, this is the place of filial piety." After hearing this, Xichun was convinced, and acted according to You Xiaoxiao's words, usually He often went to his father's place, and when there was something delicious in the small kitchen, he spread tea and snacks, and supervised the maids to do this and that. Jing and others praised her several times, saying that her daughter is so filial, and the relationship between father and daughter has deepened.

When Xichun saw that her father wanted to save a meal, she hurriedly said, "I got up early and had some snacks, so I'm not hungry now." Jia Jing knew that she didn't like vegetarian food and was used to it, so he didn't force her anymore, and just asked her to fill half a bowl of thick soup. Thick millet porridge, and a plate of eight-treasure pickles, Xichun ate slowly with him.After a while, when Jia Jing finished eating, he saw that the servants had put away the table, and asked, "Why is it so early today?" Xichun laughed and said, "I invited my second sister and sister Lin to visit the garden, I'm afraid it will be late." Jia Jing She nodded, because when she mentioned Yingchun, she remembered that Jia Zhen had just told him about Yingchun's engagement a few days ago.In all fairness, the Wang family's family background is not considered prominent, and thinking about the matter of Yuan Chun's concubine, if not for this, I am afraid that the Wang family would not come to propose marriage. Since the establishment of the Second Mansion, the previous generations were nothing but my own generation, the marriages of the children and grandchildren were not satisfactory.Brother Zhen's daughter-in-law is a remarriage, so that's all right; Jia Zhu over there has found a pedantic old father-in-law who has a mean reputation in the Imperial College; The one who can't read a word, even though she is from the Wang family, is just Wang Ziteng's niece.With Jia Baoyu's marriage in front of him, I was in a daze listening to Brother Zhen saying that the Shi family still wanted to marry a girl from the Lin family. I'm afraid Lin Ruhai would not agree. How will future generations raise their heads.On my own side, I was also negligent. After being away from home for several years, my son unexpectedly married his grandson to the Qin family from a small family. After all, Jia Rong is the eldest grandson of Chengfu.Looking at Xichun in front of her, she seems to be still young, but it will be time in a few years, the girl's family is most afraid of delays, and discusses with her son that she should make plans early.Xichun saw that her father had nothing to say for a while, and she was thinking about her sisters, so she was in a hurry to leave. Jia Jing knew her child's playful nature, thinking that when she married and became someone else's daughter-in-law, how could she be so carefree? If you tell me something, you are called to retreat.

Xichun went back to Hefeng Courtyard, just in time Yindie brought some little girls from Xinlan Courtyard to deliver boxes here. Seeing her, they went into the house together, and quickly opened them one by one to show her: "Miss , this box is the egg cake that the grandma told the small kitchen to make early in the morning, or some Western recipe, and it is said that it is best eaten with hot milk." Xichun looked at it, and the delicate cake was used in front of it. The small mahogany suitcase is full of chicken cakes, neatly arranged, all of them are crispy, soft, steaming, very attractive.Seeing that she was satisfied, Yindie smiled and pointed to the second big holding box and said: "These tangerines were just delivered from outside, and they were said to be newly transported from the south to be used as tribute to the palace. The buyers searched for them for several days. I found two baskets of this size, and the grandma tasted very good, so she sent them to the master and the girl, but I told you not to eat too much, for fear of getting angry." Xichun nodded, and then looked at the first The third box contains sweet and salty snacks such as coconut crisps and ox tongue cakes, the fourth box contains dried bacon and vegetables, and glutinous rice with osmanthus candied lotus root. , Yindie smiled and said: "We pickled this by ourselves in our small kitchen. The grandma said that it is not guaranteed. The girls are happy to eat wine today, so let them prepare it." Xichun hurriedly laughed: "Sister Yindie went to tell my sister-in-law Thank you for your trouble." Then, he asked Guo'er to send back the freshly fried pheasant in a box in his small kitchen.Yindie took it, and said with a smile: "Grandma has another word for the servant to tell the girl that in the morning, she will discuss with a few housekeepers about the winter, and she can't come to accompany her. At noon, she just eats with the girls directly. It was the food that was brought in first, so don't send it back." Xichun covered her mouth and smiled after hearing this: "Sister-in-law likes to say such petty words, okay, sister Yindie went back and told sister-in-law, we must wait with her!"

Just as he was talking and laughing, he only heard the report from outside: "Miss, the second, third, and Miss Lin from the Xifu are here." Xichun couldn't help being taken aback when she heard this, Hua'er hurriedly asked: "Why is the third lady here?" Li was a little impatient.Seeing her uprightness, Xichun couldn't help laughing and said: "Everyone who comes is a guest, so I can't be kicked out!" After hearing this, everyone knew that it was a bit unpleasant, so Xichun went outside to receive her.When I arrived at the Chuhuamen, I saw a row of red sedan chairs lined up in a row. Siqi took Yingchun, Qiaomei helped Daiyu, and Shishu supported Tanchun. Reflecting the autumn blue sky, they all followed the painting. Beauty in general.Because Yingchun was engaged, she felt a little embarrassed when she saw her sister. Xichun took her hand and said with a smile: "Today's banquet is just for the second sister..." Tanchun is the best at talking, so he quickly laughed: "Second sister's happy event, we sisters should celebrate it well." Daiyu smiled and said nothing.Xichun first asked what he had for breakfast, and when he heard that he had had breakfast, he said that it was still early in the morning, and that it would be cold in the garden, so he might as well go to his room to have tea and rest for a while.Everyone naturally agreed.

Received and sat down in Hefeng Courtyard, only Tanchun had never been here before, seeing such exquisiteness and magnificence, I couldn't help but secretly startled.Seeing her looking around, Xichun said, "Third Sister, it's your first time back, do you want to go shopping?" Tanchun glanced at her, Fang smiled and said, "Exactly, my sister's place is so beautifully arranged, I just happen to I want to take a look." Xichun ordered Hua'er to take the three girls to sit in each room, and then said: "I'm afraid my sisters will take a nap here, so I prepared the guest room early, so I'll see if it's inappropriate. , so I can tell them to change it." Tan Chun didn't know what it was like to see her so graceful, following her like a different person in the West Mansion.

Waiting for Tanchun to leave, and there was no one else in the room for a while, Yingchun lowered her voice and said, "I didn't expect the third sister to come together, so we should be more cautious." Because she said this to prevent Daiyu, Xichun knew it in her heart , just nodded, and then complained a little: "So I prepared some gifts for my sister to add makeup, but she can't give it to you when she comes. Let my sister-in-law send it to you some other day." Daiyu was listening They spoke their own words, she was already smart, and she had lived in the mansion for many years, so she knew Tanchun was a good person, so she apologized and said: "Yesterday I took the post and told the old lady that it happened that the third sister came to say hello. , the old lady said to come over for a stroll together." Hearing that she felt a little remorseful, Yingchun hurriedly continued: "I don't blame the old lady for being too caring. The fourth girl only called me back, and it's not good to leave her alone. " Xichun was not convinced, and puffed up her cheeks: "She doesn't see us in her eyes, and I don't know who she is doing for the gods!" Thinking back to the time when she was in Xifu, Tanchun was always the one who wanted her sisters to be stronger. , she never waited to see.When Daiyu heard her speak frankly, she just pursed her lips and smiled.Yingchun smiled and smoothed things over and said: "The fourth girl has such a temper. Sister Lin will know her benefits after being with her for a long time." After hearing this, Xichun smiled shyly: "Oh, second sister also knows that she wants Married, do you know that we won't be able to get along with our sisters?" Yingchun blushed immediately, and was about to run up to pinch her, Xichun hurriedly hid, Daiyu saw their sisters so affectionate, envious and sad for a moment.

Because Tanchun came here together, they rested for a while and went into the garden without saying anything.Huifang Garden is full of autumn and the scenery is magnificent. The sisters just set up a table by the lake to eat snacks and enjoy the flowers. Let’s talk about this embroidery shop and that makeup box.Daiyu's temperament is able to hold back her words, Yingchun is silent, Xichun is lively, but because she doesn't like Tanchun, the conversation is not very interesting, and the atmosphere of the sisters is few and far between.Tanchun was a little aware of it, thinking that he had never been treated so coldly, and wished he could leave, but he was afraid that it would be difficult to explain to the old lady when he went back, so he had to find something to say. Yu and the others are not close, and it is useless to hold Buddha's feet temporarily now.Just when I was bored, I saw Yindie coming with a smile: "Grandma heard that the third girl is coming, so I asked the girl if she is free here, and begged the third girl to come over and have a word." Tanchun was tired early, Hearing sister-in-law Zhen's call, she hurriedly stood up.Xichun also hypocritically said: "We are having a good time, sister-in-law asked third sister to go over and do what?" Seeing her like this, Yindie held back her smile and said, "How dare a servant girl ask Grandma..." Yingchun was beside her softly He smiled and said: "In this case, there must be something wrong with sister-in-law Zhen, so the third sister should go quickly."

Waiting for Tanchun to go away, Xichun said with some frustration: "I finally called you to play for a day, I didn't expect it to be so unpleasant." Yingchun listened and blinked: "I told the eldest lady yesterday Yes, the fourth younger sister left me to play for a few days in the post." Xichun was taken aback, and couldn't help being pleasantly surprised: "Really? The eldest lady agrees?" Yingchun nodded with a smile.Xichun was overjoyed: "I originally wanted to take my sister over to live here, but I'm afraid the eldest lady will not be happy to hear it..." It would be fine if she stayed with Jiamu, since Yingchun has returned to the big house and is the aunt again. The relationship between the concubine's daughter, coming out and living so frequently, I'm afraid it will cause gossip.And the eldest wife was able to agree without hesitation, it is obvious that their mother and daughter are close, and the life of the second sister is getting better.

Daiyu watched from the sidelines only with envy, thinking that they all had their biological parents to depend on, and only she depended on others, she dared not make decisions, did not dare to say one more word, did not dare to take one more step, because she was afraid He made a mistake, and the more he thought about it, the more sad he felt, forced a smile and said: "You two only bully me like this..." Seeing that she seemed to be crying, Yingchun hurriedly said: "Sister Lin, you are bored later, if you go It is inconvenient for the fourth younger sister to come here, so she went to my place..." Daiyu warmed her heart after hearing this, and thought that when she was in the mansion, she had nothing to do with Yingchun and Xichun, but now it is the two of them who are sincere. treat yourself.Thinking back to when Baochai didn't come, Tanchun often asked himself to do some needlework to talk to, and later, he only went to Lixiangyuan.At that time, I was also obsessed with ghosts, and I only hung out with Baoyu, and no one else paid attention to it. Who would have thought that Zijuan, who has always been the most trusted by my side, would do such unbearable bastards... The more Daiyu thought about it, the more sad and painful she became Regretted again, couldn't help crying.Yingchun knew that she always loved to cry, and also knew that Mrs. Wang didn't want to see her. Everyone in the house only looked at the old lady's face, so she understood her grievance, so she just passed the handkerchief to her and kept silent. .Xichun is a person who can't see tears and water, so she said in a strange way: "Sister Lin, since you are so unwilling to live with the old lady, why not write a letter to Uncle Lin and ask him to buy you a house in the capital?" How about staying here?"