You're Crossing the Red Mansions

You Xiaoxiao made the decision to accept Jia Cong, but just follow Jia Zhen's words.On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, Lin Daiyu posted a message to the East Mansion, inviting sister-in-law Zhen and the fourth younger sister to have a drink at the Lin Mansion the day after tomorrow. Ask about trivia.

Qiaomei is now Daiyu's number one confidant, and the Lin family's mother-in-law treats her naturally and respectfully.Entering the flower hall, listening to the invitation from Qiaomei, they all stood quietly beside them with their hands tied.You Xiaoxiao took the gold-plated flower post from Yindie, looked at it and said: "We will go back to you girls." Then he said: "It's hard work for you to come here, go after dinner." After hearing this, Yindie hurriedly gave the red envelopes as a reward, and asked someone to take the women of the Lin family down to have a drink, and Qiao Mei stayed behind.A table of fruit and vegetables was tidied up in the small kitchen, and two jugs of Yuquan wine were scalded.You Xiaoxiao smiled first and said: "Look at Qiaomei, she is as handsome as the girl." Yindie and Huanyan heard this, and they both poured a glass of wine to toast: "Miss, hurry up and eat a full glass. "Qiao Mei blushed, smiled and refused: "Good sisters, please forgive me!" You Xiaoxiao said with a smile: "What are you afraid of? Stay in our house to sleep when you get drunk. Are you afraid that there will be no place for you?" Everyone was talking and laughing, and they put away the two jugs of wine after they had eaten enough.The small kitchen sent chicken noodles again.The little girls hurried over to collect the remnants of the dishes, and brought some fresh tea and hot handkerchiefs, waited for everyone to clean their hands and rinse their mouths, and then poured tangerine tea to talk.

"Although our master has only just come to Beijing, I can see that the house is in good order. The old people who have stayed behind all these years have really done their duty. It's just that there is no housekeeper now, and all the affairs of the family members are arranged by the girl herself. Fortunately, the master has just returned. There are not many people who know about it, and the people who come and go are regular customers, so they come here in a hurry. If one or two important events come out, I'm afraid the girl will be overwhelmed." Qiaomei followed Daiyu, and followed the Lin family to call Lin Ruhai For my lord.After hearing this, You Xiaoxiao said with a smile without saying anything else: "You reminded me that your whole family is still in our Zhuangzi. If you want, I will ask someone to send your family to the Lin Mansion. Or it will be the same if it is released." After hearing this, Qiaomei stood up quickly and said: "Our family has been in our mansion for generations, and relatives from all schools are in this mansion. My parents are also used to living in Zhuangzi. Follow along Grandma, I’m not telling the truth, if there are brothers in the family, I would ask grandma to let her out, but I don’t have any brothers, and it would be hard for my parents to go out and set up their own houses, so I should rely on grandma.” You Xiaoxiao understood, He nodded and said: "Don't worry, our family has always treated people generously. If you stand firm in that mansion, then ask someone to tell me, and I will send your parents there."

Qiaomei hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed, and Huanyan went over to help her.You Xiaoxiao smiled again and said: "Your girl sent you here, not just to deliver posts." Qiaomei smiled slightly: "Sure enough, I can't hide anything from grandma. Now there is only Miss Lin in the inner courtyard of the mansion, and the master is also in Beijing. I didn't bring my mother who has been there for many years..." She said, her voice lowered a little, "Master has already told the girl that this time he returns to Beijing to marry a new wife." You Xiaoxiao speculated a bit, knowing that Lin Ruhai is In order to prevent Jia's family from coming to marry him, and also for Daiyu's future, he figured out a way.Jiang is old and hot, presumably Lin Ruhai has seen through the Jia family's personality over the years, so he changed his mind to continue marrying.So she nodded and said: "What do you girls mean?" Qiaomei said: "Master's marriage is a big event, and the girl is naturally happy, but she is afraid that Zhang Luo will not come, so she wants to ask grandma to help." You Xiaoxiao hurriedly said: "This is such a big event, you guys What did the master say?" Qiaomei said with a smile: "The master loves the girl like a treasure, and he will say anything, and besides, the Lin family has no other relatives in the capital, so it is not easy for the master to go to the West Mansion to call the ladies over."

You Xiaoxiao couldn't help laughing and said: "I was confused, your girl's mother-in-law is a daughter from the Western Mansion, so it's just right to find us." Then she frowned and said: "Do you know that your master married Which family's daughter is it?" Lin Ruhai is nearly half a century old, if he is going to marry again, according to his family background, no matter where he chooses, he must choose a girl from his boudoir.Thinking about it, Mother Jia is too aggressive. For ordinary people at this age, at most they can find a few concubines by their side.Poor Lin Ruhai is so innocent, because of Daiyu's upbringing, he has to marry another regular wife to come in, a beauty with white hair, it's not nice after all.

Qiaomei smiled and said, "Does grandma know the Fu family?" You Xiaoxiao was confused, there are only so many well-known people in the capital, so how can there be any Fu family?Yindie also thought about it for a long time, and finally said: "Could it be that Fu Tongpan? The one who often follows the second master in the West Mansion?" Qiaomei nodded and said: "Sister Yindie has a good memory! It is Fu Tongpan's family , there is a young lady in his family named Qiufang..." After finishing her sentence, You Xiaoxiao hurriedly said: "So it's their family." Fu Qiufang was mentioned in the original book, and her elder brother was originally a Qing guest raised by Jia Zheng. Xianggong, whose family background is mediocre, later relied on the Rong Mansion to donate a future, and his mind became big.There is a younger sister in the family who is very beautiful and talented. She originally wanted to enter the palace, but because she couldn't get through, she wanted to find a wealthy family to be a relative. The girl married to Caomen Hirado, so the life of the poor girl who was as beautiful as a flower was delayed.

"Then how old is Miss Fu?" You Xiaoxiao did the math, and she might be in her twenties. At this time, she is not an old girl?Qiaomei sighed and said: "Miss Fu is 28 this year." It was embarrassing to say it, Qiaomei said: "Now that grandma remembers, she also knows that the Fu family is mean. It's really pitiful to waste it every day if you can't get married." You Xiaoxiao shook her head, and asked again: "But it's strange, how could your master be involved with the Fu family?" Qiao Mei couldn't help pursing her lips and smiling : "Didn't the second master of the West Mansion mention it? The Fu family begged the second master and said that he wanted to give the girl to our master as a concubine, and the second master proposed it. Unexpectedly, our master heard it. After three days, he replied that he would formally marry this Fu." The girl came in. Even if the second master is unhappy, there is nothing he can do. The Fu family knows the news and goes to our house every day to say hello. Grandma doesn't know, it's really lively!"

You Xiaoxiao couldn't help laughing when she saw her nervousness.Then Jia Zhengding heard some rumors and rushed to flatter Lin Ruhai, and fell asleep just in time to meet the pillow delivery man. Now the Fu family only wants to pay for the old girl in the family, and they don't care about face. Give the girl to be a concubine!I don't know how the Fu family's daughter will have the face to talk about marriage in the future.Jia Zheng originally wanted to give his brother-in-law a beautiful concubine to comfort him for many years of loneliness, but he didn't expect to be able to remove his sister's position.And Lin Ruhai set up the Fu family, presumably because of Daiyu's plan.First of all, with Fu Qiufang, a stepmother from a humble background, naturally she dared not treat Daiyu harshly; secondly, no matter what, Daiyu has a mother in name, and the Jia family can no longer discuss the matter of Daiyu's upbringing; In the end, I am afraid that Lin Ruhai's promotion this time is no small matter, and marrying a rich family will arouse the emperor's suspicion. Now that he has found such a woman, everyone is not happy.My aunt has a good plan and kills three birds with one stone.You Xiaoxiao smiled and said: "My aunt is very measured in her work. It is because she can choose Miss Fu. It is her advantage. You should tell your girls that the master is always her biological father, and he loves her the most in his heart." Qiaomei chuckled and said: "Young lady is so smart, we still need us to persuade you." You Xiaoxiao just smiled, and said to Yindie: "We have something to do these few days, we can hide in the West Mansion, I'm afraid the old lady will be angry What?" The crowd chatted and laughed, and dispersed at the end of the night.

On the twentieth day of the first lunar month, Jia Zhen followed Jia Jing to preside over the admission examination at the academy.There was a lot of traffic outside the gate of the mansion, which attracted a sea of ​​people from outside the academy.You Xiaoxiao and Xichun went to the Lin Mansion as agreed, and seeing the tidy flowers and trees and the orderly servants, they couldn't help but praise them twice.When they arrived at the second gate, Daiyu led people in with a smile on their faces, and Qiaomei brought tea with her own hands.You Xiaoxiao sat down and said with a smile: "I haven't seen you for a few days, I am impressed, my sister has a full mistress attitude." After speaking, she said to Xichun: "Look at your sister Lin, you have only been in this house for a few days. Get in order, you are not young, you should follow me to learn some things about being a director of the family." Xichun smiled while drinking tea: "My dear sister-in-law, I don't have enough time to read and draw every day. Where can I be free? Busy about this?" You Xiaoxiao pointed at her and said with a smile: "What a lady who doesn't eat fireworks in the world, go ask Sister Lin, doesn't she also read and compose poems every day? The housekeeper looks trivial, and most of them I mean, you have a brother and a sister-in-law at home, and when you go out to your mother-in-law’s house in the future, you’ll still sit and eat?” Daiyu was about to speak, but You Xiaoxiao winked and said to Xichun, “Nothing else, the dowry left by my mother-in-law From now on, you will learn to take care of the Grange and the dowry shop by yourself, and you don’t have to return to me for the affairs of Fengyuan, and you should take care of it yourself.” Xichun pouted, but she also knew what You Xiaoxiao said was reasonable, so she just bowed her head have tea.

Daiyu smiled first and said: "My sister-in-law is too demanding on the fourth sister, she is still young..." You Xiaoxiao said: "Where is she so young, she will be ready in a few years!" Xichun's face flushed, You Xiaoxiao smiled With a smile, he asked Xu Xu about Lin Ruhai's marriage.Because on the way here, You Xiaoxiao made it clear to Xichun, and she just blinked her eyes and listened carefully.Daiyu originally lost her father and was dependent on others, so she was naturally sensitive and suspicious, but now she is a daughter in her own family, where orders are forbidden, so she can't help but become much more open-minded.Although her stepmother is about to be welcomed, Lin Ruhai has already analyzed the pros and cons with her. The shadows brought by Jia's mother have disappeared, but she is more enthusiastic about remarrying than her father. "Because it's a remarriage, my father has to invite a few relatives and friends to come and sit down. I begged my sister-in-law to help me when I was young." Lin Daiyu laughed again: "The housework is really cumbersome, so I just go home For a few days, I was disturbed to the point where my brain hurts, and thinking about my sister-in-law dealing with her up and down in the mansion, I am extremely impressed." You Xiaoxiao laughed and said, "Girl, don't be too modest, you need to have studied for this secular business knowledge. Only when someone else does it, can I see it more clearly." Hearing this, Daiyu couldn't help sighing: "Sister-in-law is really a sensible person." It's really not a long-term solution for Mrs. Wang and Sister Feng, but I never mention it.

You Xiaoxiao talked with Daiyu for a long time, and heard that Fu Qiufang was about to be carried to the entrance on the fifth day of February. She couldn't help being surprised and said: "So soon..." Daiyu nodded and said, "Father means that the sooner the better." You Xiaoxiao Xiaoxiao's heart moved, Lin Ruhai's promotion plan had not yet come down, and she probably took advantage of this time to finish the matter, so as not to make publicity.Daiyu said again: "Father also said that when mother comes in, let me take care of the housework." You Shi was taken aback for a while, after thinking about it, he said softly: "Miss, just focus on this point, my aunt is out of my heart I love you, so..." Daiyu nodded hurriedly and said: "Sister-in-law, I understand even if I don't say anything, what other people say and do, it has nothing to do with me." You Xiaoxiao couldn't help laughing: "The girl has always been a smart person, I was thinking too much." But Daiyu said: "My sister-in-law is sincere, and I understand it in my heart." You Xiaoxiao smiled without saying a word.

Because the Dajian Academy officially opened on the second day of February, there will be a lot of odds and ends, and You Xiaoxiao will be busy with the affairs of her own mansion, so she and Daiyu declined the suggestion to live in Lin's mansion. The two houses are not far away, and it is convenient to walk back and forth a few times.Daiyu is ashamed and has worked hard.Qiaomei asked someone to bring out a box of satin and gold and silver jewelry, You Xiaoxiao was about to decline, Daiyu smiled and said: "This is a new pattern in the south, the capital is a fresh one, my sister-in-law keeps it for others to use." Let's go." With that said, You Xiaoxiao couldn't refuse.Xichun was an idler, so Daiyu didn't let her go back, she just said to stay at home and watch the fun.You Xiaoxiao nodded and said, "It's just right, you teach her too." Xichun was alone when she went back, so she naturally wanted to be with Daiyu.Before leaving, You Xiaoxiao taught Daiyu again: "Mothers who are in charge also start by serving tea and water. These days, you can also see who can use it and who can't. You are the master, so you might as well be bolder in doing things." "Lin Ruhai didn't bring many people to Beijing, probably because he was afraid that the servants would bully the young master. Although most of the people who brought him to serve today are low-class women and servants, according to Lin Ruhai's vision, it is naturally possible to create There are a lot of talents, as long as Daiyu digs carefully, she can recruit more right-hand men, and in the future, managing the housework will be a lot of effort.

It is said that You Xiaoxiao hovered around the Lin Mansion for a day, and when she came back to Ningguo Mansion, Huan Yan greeted her early, followed Yin Die to help her out of the car, and said with a smile: "Grandma is finally back. The master, wife, and daughter of the West Mansion are all here." Because grandma and the fourth girl are not at home, the uncle had no choice but to send Miss You Er to come and accompany her." You Xiaoxiao listened, and said with a smile: "Your uncle is very thoughtful." Then she walked into the flower hall Go, Second Sister You and Yingchun stood up together when they heard the girl report that Grandma was back.You Xiaoxiao came in and first confessed to Mrs. Xing, and then asked Yingchun and the second sister to sit down quickly.

"We came today uninvited, so we can't blame you." Mrs. Xing's face was full of joy, and You Xiaoxiao said with a smile: "Ms. Lin posted a post asking me to go there with her..." After finishing speaking, she looked at her again Yingchun said: "I planned to invite you and the third girl again." Yingchun smiled softly: "Sister-in-law doesn't need to describe for sister Lin, she has already mentioned it to me." You Xiaoxiao said humorously: "Yes, you sisters Love is deep, but I am busy." So they all sat down, Second Sister You hurriedly gave up her seat, You Xiaoxiao asked with a smile: "How is your house cleaned?" Second Sister You couldn't help but blush, and said Said: "It's all done." Her wedding day is coming soon, although she married her daughter from You's house, the dowry was paid from Ningguo's mansion. Second Sister You meant to support the facade.Second Sister You only embroidered the wedding gown at home, and the phoenix crown jewelry before boarding the sedan chair would be delivered by Yindie.

After hearing this, Mrs. Xing laughed and said: "Brother Zhen, daughter-in-law, it's a good thing to tell us first. After seeing you two girls, I had to temporarily pull out a pair of gold bracelets to add makeup to her. After all, it's a bit rough. "You Xiaoxiao laughed and said: "Where you dare to disturb your wife is their petty business, but if the second wife doesn't mention it, it's even harder for us to talk about it." The second sister You was listening, her eyes couldn't help but dim.When Mrs. Xing saw her, she said to her second sister: "Your mother-in-law is different from the second wife. I can take care of my sister-in-law, so I can live in peace from now on." This is also true, Aunt Xue and Baochai The two are more popular with Mrs. Xing than Mrs. Wang and Tanchun.

You Xiaoxiao smiled, then asked what had alarmed the elder and his wife.Mrs. Xing smiled all over her face: "It's not your brother! Today I heard that you have an exam in your academy, but I insisted on asking the master to come and try it. We said earlier that we would not take the exam. We have already agreed with your brother and sister-in-law. Just come here. Brother Cong insisted on coming, but we couldn’t help it, so we sent someone to bring it. I wrote an article in two hours, and after noon, our mansion released the list, and Brother Cong ranked eighth. The servant came back to report, the master only said that Master Jing looked at his nephew and gave more praise, I was dubious in my heart, it was Brother Zhen who called someone to congratulate, saying that the transcript papers were all sealed with the surname, Brother Cong’s article Well done, Master Jing and Daru Xiao praised it. After hearing this, the master hurriedly brought us over, begging Master Jing to take a good look at it." You Xiaoxiao saw Mrs. Xing beaming, knowing that she was very happy, so she also said "Brother Cong is so promising!" He also asked Yindie to get two boxes of pine smoke and ink, ten lake brushes, and four pairs of golden scorpions for pen ingots, and handed them to Yingchun, saying: "You give it to you The brother took it along, and said that my sister-in-law hopes that he will be admitted to the imperial examination early." Mrs. Xing was even more delighted when she heard this.Because Yingchun and Second Sister You are both girls waiting to be married, with gentle dispositions, they have gotten to know each other well in the past half a day, so You Xiaoxiao asked the girls to talk in the inner room.

Seeing that the girls were not there, Mrs. Xing first asked: "You went to the Lin family, did you know about my aunt's marriage?" You Xiaoxiao guessed her voice, guessing that it had spread all over the West Mansion, so she nodded slightly.Mrs. Xing couldn't help laughing and said: "It is rumored that my uncle is going to be promoted to Shangshu this time. As soon as the old lady got the news, she asked the second wife and the second master to quickly choose another girl from the clan..." You Xiaoxiao said hurriedly : "This is not a wrong generation." Nowadays, young girls in the clan follow Jia Min and call them aunts. When the time comes, it will really happen. No matter how many people they meet in the Spring Festival.Mrs. Xing sneered and said: "Of course I searched for it in the side branches. There are always a few senior girls. After thousands of choices, I finally chose one. She said that she has the same character as when our aunt was here. It's a pity that my aunt She only said that it was inappropriate and refused. The old lady was worried, and the second master was instigated for some reason, and wanted to give a clean girl to the aunt as a concubine. Unexpectedly, the aunt really fell in love with her That girl told the second master that she would continue the strings. The old lady was so angry that she cried for her aunt and niece, but this is all the Lin family's business, so who can control it." You Xiaoxiao just realized the twists and turns. , and said that he was going to the Lin Mansion to help Zhang Luo get married.Mrs. Xing said with a smile: "Don't worry, I just know, and I won't tell others."But You Xiaoxiao didn't care. Mother Jia wanted to come to the Ningguo Mansion to act as an ancestor, and it depended on Jia Jing's recognition.

Because the two talked about the mother's decree for all the sisters to live in the family's villa, Mrs. Xing said: "What a rare thing. Because of the garden, the silver flowers are like flowing water, so the mother rewarded us. What? Can 100 taels of gold be used as food or drink?" She frowned and said, "Speak to you quietly, our master wants to separate." You Xiaoxiao raised her eyebrows and said in a low voice: "Mr. Madame won’t allow it.” Mrs. Xing became more and more annoyed as she thought about it: “The second room has to send tens of thousands of taels of silver to the palace every year, all from the public account, which is too bullying. The garden also uses such a Let’s just go back, now the people living in their second room are all people living in their second room. Ying’er wants to stay with me at home and doesn’t want to go in, but we don’t want to disobey the imperial edict, so we just send her to live in the second room. That’s not all The idea of ​​the second room is only to let us make up for the garden together, why did Baoyu go in, and didn’t you ask Brother Cong to go there together?” You Xiaoxiao smiled and said, “The garden is neatly repaired, after all, I haven’t seen it yet. Let’s go.” Mrs. Xing said, “What’s so difficult about it? You can just go for a stroll some other day. Except for Miss San and Ying’er, even Miss Xue and Miss Smith have yards. Because the empress loves Baoyu, she insists on living together. Go in, the old lady thought about it, and asked Grandma Zhu to go in and supervise." After that, she smiled coldly: "Baoyu's age is not too young, Ying'er and Sanyatou are fine, serious sister Sister, Miss Xue and Miss Smith are hanging around together...the old lady has become confused when she gets older." You Xiaoxiao understood, and just smiled: "Brother Cong is a sensible one, Madam can just relax." Xing Xing The madam sighed and said, "Oh, although our brother Cong doesn't please his grandmother, he is still promising. I just hope that the family can be separated as soon as possible."