[Red Mansions] The Road to Empress Dowager

Wang Ziteng asked about the backgrounds of the leaders.

Lin Ruhai didn't hide anything when he arrived. When Wang Ziteng heard it, he obviously meant Duan Zhi and Chen Yi.A refined scholar with outstanding abilities can be called a Confucian general. One was born in the Chen family in the south of the Yangtze River. Although the nearby branch is in business, there are officials in the Chen family.

It's just that the empress wants to marry her confidant maid, the competition is too fierce, Wang Ziteng is not sure.Moreover, he intends to let the second son born to Queen Xiluan be surnamed Wang and inherit the Wang family business. Most men would be reluctant to part with their sons.

Wang Ziteng felt bitter, Wang Xiluan's conditions were really not good, she was old, and the daughter of the Wang family didn't study much.Now his aesthetics are different after all, he doesn't really think that a woman's lack of talent is a virtue, the queen empress likes talented women the most, those talented women who are related to Jia's family are married well, and they live well in their husband's house.Wang Ziteng didn't have confidence in his daughter, even if the maidservant of the empress herself was talented.The generals from Sichuan naturally wanted to marry their concubines as personal servants.

Wang Ziteng asked Lin Ruhai to help investigate the situation again, but Lin Ruhai refused, so he had to agree.

Today Lin Ruhai returned to the mansion after going to the Yamen, but it was still early, but it was Daiyu who brought her grandson and granddaughter to the mansion to say hello.Sun's son is named Le'er, who is playing with Xiao Pan'er and Xiao Xiaoxiao.Seeing such a scene, Lin Ruhai felt in his heart that meeting the present in his life was the turning point. Without the emperor's help and knowledge, the Lin family would be extinct now, and his daughter would not have the good marriage and glory she has now.

After Daiyu greeted Lin Ruhai with her children with a smile, Sun said with a smile, "Yu'er hasn't returned to her mother's house for a long time. I decided to keep her here for a night. Your father, daughter, grandchildren and grandchildren can also have a meal together."

Lin Ruhai was very happy, and said with a smile: "After I went back to Sichuan, I really haven't seen Yu'er come back in the past year. Pan'er and Xiaoxiao have grown up so much."

Xiao Pan'er stepped forward and opened her small arms: "Grandpa, give me a hug!"

Lin Ruhai was not partial, and hugged both granddaughter and grandson, and said, "Grandpa's baby, I miss Grandpa to death, what gift do you want this time?"

Daiyu laughed and said, "Father, don't let them go, or you will become the devil king in the future."

Lin Ruhai laughed. In the past, Daiyu was brought up like a noble scholar, but now that she is over fifty, has a son, and her daughter is married and has a child, her mentality is naturally different.

Xiao Pan'er said, "Pan'er wants to paint."

Lin Ruhai said: "Okay, grandpa will give Pan'er the best ink and paint."

Xiao Xiaoxiao said softly, "Xiaoxiao wants a horse..."

Lin Ruhai couldn't laugh or cry: "Xiaoxiao is too young." How can a child who is only three years old raise a horse? No matter what, he must wait until he is seven years old.

Xiao Xiaoxiao's novel: "Grandpa is the same as grandfather."

Lin Ruhai had no choice but to say: "Okay, Grandpa will find it for Xiaoxiao, but it may take two more years to find the best one."

Lin Le'er was not happy anymore, she grabbed Lin Ruhai's robe and said, "Daddy, Le'er wants it too."

Daiyu went to pick up her younger brother and coaxed him: "Leer will also find Daddy together, it will be indispensable."

Lin Leer said: "Is Brother Yu Nu there?"

Yu Nu is half a year older than Lin Le'er, Lin Le'er has a gentle temperament, while Yu Nu is more gangster-like, but he is very good at putting on the "big brother" style.Therefore, Lin Le'er also looked up to the "big brother" in her heart. If she had something that the "big brother" didn't have, the child would feel a sense of pride in her heart, especially Yu Nu wanted to have it a long time ago.

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Yu Nu must read good books to be successful."

The most troublesome thing for the female teachers in the primary school of Cheng'en Gong Mansion was Yu Nu.

Although Yu Nu is smart and clever, he is a "student" among the little radish heads taught by Dai Yu, while Le'er and Tan Shitou, who are half a year younger, have inherited their father's Jinshi genes and are all elementary school bullies.

Tie Zhu, Da Zhu, etc. are one year younger, and their comprehension is slightly weaker now, but they are quite good.

But the female teachers are all sisters of Yu Nu, and they can't give up on the "scumbags". Although Yu Nu is mischievous, she dare not resist the female teachers in person.

……

After dinner at the Lin family, the nanny took the children down to rest first, while Daiyu accompanied Lin Ruhai and Mrs. Sun to talk in the flower hall.

Lin Ruhai said: "I'm afraid that Xiangyu will lead the army in Huguang for a long time. Is Yu'er also going to Huguang?" In Sichuan, in addition to returning to Beijing to report on work, most of them are in Huguang.

Daiyu said: "The children are still young, so I don't feel at ease leaving them alone to go to school in Beijing. It will take a few years, and he will always come back several times a year."

Suddenly seeing the color of willows on Moshang, I regret asking my husband and son-in-law to seek a title.But if the husband and son-in-law have such abilities, how can there be the splendor of the wife and children, which are different from ordinary people?

Regardless of civil servants or military generals, at Xiao Jingyun's age, if he wanted to achieve something, he would definitely let it go.Even if Cousin Lian is an official of the Ministry of Punishment, or is he on patrol throughout the year, how much time does he spend with Sister Feng?Not to mention that the Holy Majesty and the Empress had both been separated for four years.Thinking about it this way, the father-in-law and mother-in-law are the most comfortable ones, they are really a godly couple.

Daiyu talked about the empress' plan and her recent help, Lin Ruhai only knew that the emperor would disband the harem, and most likely he would arrange for them to marry his subordinates.

But I didn't expect that the empress really deserves her style, and she actually wants to hold such a "charity hero meeting", a "blind date meeting" in disguise.

Lin Ruhai asked a few more questions out of curiosity, and heard that there was still a need to sell tickets. Like the Jockey Club that was established back then, the proceeds from the tickets were used for charity funds.I heard from Daiyu that the donation will be used for the reconstruction of the slums in Nancheng, Kyoto.

It turned out that the queen was still in court, and when she passed through Nancheng, she was very dissatisfied with the slums in that area. In Sichuan, she was used to using infrastructure to promote the economy.

I also intend to bring a construction team from Sichuan to Kyoto to work and make money while seeing if there is a chance to marry a house wife.

Lin Ruhai has seen a lot in Sichuan, and as the secretary of the household department, he has his own vision for the old and new systems, so I can also mention Daiyu here, and Daiyu has benefited a lot.

Lin Ruhai said: "I'm afraid that the empress will really entrust you with the renovation of the slums."

Lin Daiyu was surprised: "No way? How can I do this?"

Lin Ruhai said: "Aren't your sisters behind the charity of the Jockey Club?"

Lin Ruhai cupped his fists towards the north again, and said: "The empress has a deep chest, you should not be underestimated. Your father raised you as a man since childhood, and your empress doesn't care about men and women when she works in Sichuan. She can do more than men. Sichuan The law is strict, but it doesn't matter if men and women have great problems. However, the empress has allowed the people to live in peace and recuperate in two or three years, and she is indeed a good ruler of the world."

A strange brilliance flashed in Daiyu's beautiful eyes, she was always competitive, when Xing Xiuyan taught her arithmetic, she was unwilling to be the last one.Xing Xiuyan is good at painting, although Daiyu's painting is slightly inferior, but it is not general.At this time, the Empress Empress has already broken out of her cocoon and turned into a butterfly, but her righteous sister is too late, the opportunity is in her hands, if the Empress wants to use her, this is also a stage for her to show her skills.

Daiyu made up her mind that she wanted to do a better job at the "Charity Heroes Meeting" and then participate in the slum reconstruction project.Poor Yangchun Baixue's poetic and romantic Lin Daiyu was led astray.

"what?"

Lin Ruhai asked whether Duan Zhi, Chen Yi and others participated in the "Charity Heroes Meeting", Lin Daiyu's mind wandered, and Lin Ruhai asked again.

Daiyu said, "That's natural."

Daiyu was married, and Lin Ruhai stayed in Sichuan for a long time, so he was not so pedantic, and talked about Wang Xiluan's marriage.Although Daiyu is not familiar with Wang Xiluan, she is familiar with Wang Xifeng, so she has met her several times.Wang Xiluan's appearance is not bad, she looks like a young Wang Xifeng.

Daiyu said: "Does Sister Wang also want to sign up? What is she good at? It's fine if I arrange a project that she is good at for my own benefit. I think the empress will not be responsible."

Lin Ruhai asked: "Do you have to... attend this meeting? Can't your empress be the master for one of them?"

Daiyu said with a smile: "Your Majesty always treats everyone equally. If you only make decisions for this, then next time there will be another one who only makes decisions. In the end, this 'Charity Heroes Meeting' will not be able to be held."

Lin Ruhai also thinks it is reasonable, but it is really hard for Wang Ziteng to think that the older leftover daughter of Wang Ziteng's family will go to the "blind date meeting" to find a lover!Back then he was displeased that the Xiao family shamelessly tried to marry Daiyu, but now that he thinks about it, Mo Yue is better than himself.

……

Daiyu was kind-hearted, and she still invited Xiangyun over to talk about the meeting. Xiangyun is lively and intelligent, not as thin-skinned as Yingchun.After Xiangyun figured it out, when he went to visit Jia's mother in Jia's mansion, he went to the East Courtyard to see Tanchun. Xiangyun told Tanchun this opportunity with a big tongue but with a smile on his face.

After hearing this, Tanchun trembled, and said with tears in his eyes, "Sister Lin said, let me go? But...would it be embarrassing?"

Xiang Yun persuaded: "No one will say this in the open, and no matter how harsh others say, life is your own. Besides, this 'charity conference' is organized by the empress just like the 'jockey club' Yes, with the royal family as guarantor, if you can really get a good relationship here, others can only envy you."

Tanchun lowered his head again and said, "I don't want to please the empress."

Xiang Yun disagreed, saying: "Third sister, you are superstitious, and the empress is the most kind-hearted. Who is not young and ignorant? It is the empress who really doesn't like you. Sister Lin said a few words, how much do I care about you?" I can also say the last sentence, if you sincerely apologize, the empress will probably expose it. This time is really an opportunity to fight for my own life. To tell you the truth, my husband is only now a sixth-rank captain Officials from Sichuan even have three or four ranks, and this empress is the master, the girl who married from Kyoto will be decent in the future in the husband's family. Third sister, please change your clothes earlier I don't like clothes that get in the way."

Tanchun burst into tears suddenly, not knowing whether it was joy or sorrow, but at such a time of despair, there was finally a glimmer of hope.

Tanchun has always fought for his life, so he would not let it go at this time, and thanked Xiangyun with tears in his eyes. Now he is no longer the age of Jinchai, he has experienced so many things, and he is no longer hypocritical.

Xiang Yun smiled and said, "At that time, you Xie Lin, sister, go, I'm just a mouthpiece."

Tanchun said, "You all have hearts."

The second daughter talked for a while, Xiangyun also has two children now, and it was inevitable that she would be worried when she came out alone, so she didn't stay much, so she left.

After Tanchun, he told Aunt Zhao about the matter, and decided to face everything by himself and seize the opportunity to change his destiny.Tanchun also knows that Jia Zheng and Mrs. Wang have hindered her, but Daiyu, Xiangyun, and the second elder sister will not deny her. If the management is good, there may not be a day when she will be ordered.

Aunt Zhao was naturally overjoyed, and helped her bathe and change clothes, and put on her daughter's dress again.

This rose with thorns, after all, has experienced the wind and rain, revealing her extraordinarily delicate beauty.

In the evening when Jia Huan returned to the mansion, he was also very surprised to see Tanchun finally came out of the room. Aunt Zhao didn't hide the reason from him.

Jia Huan couldn't help feeling complicated after hearing this.

Jia Huan only found out when the queen was still in power that the famous "Sichuan Metropolitan Governor Yanxiu" in the past two years was the queen Xing Xiuyan.

When Xing Xiuyan was in trouble, he was not happy, although he may be able to show some of his leading intellectual talents as a traverser, he is unique, and no one can see through him.

At the beginning, Hua Zhenzhu was gleeful, and said: "What is Xin Xiuyan, after being favored, her luck is too much, and her life can't stand this blessing. So people value themselves, I am a maidservant." , she is just a poor girl, and she may live a long life with Xue Biao after her duty. You said... Will she wear it back after she dies?"

Jia Huan's thinking is a little different from Hua Zhenzhu's. Hearing what Hua Zhenzhu said back then, she was too lazy to pay attention to her, and Hua Zhenzhu went crazy for a while.

Later, Jia Huan took Caixia as a housemate, and Caixia was always attached to her carefully, and she was more gentle and explained her words.

Knowing this, Hua Zhenzhu was very angry and ridiculed, but it was of no use.Over the years, Hua Zhenzhu put away her jealousy and concentrated on managing the business and saving money.

At this time, Hua Zhenzhu also knew about the fact that the queen was still in court, but she was not like before, she didn't say anything, she just stared blankly for a while, and then continued to work.She doesn't have the same luck as Xing Xiuyan, and she doesn't have that kind of risk. The road is at her feet. In order not to be squeezed out and become a slave and peasant girl, she needs Jia Huan.And to keep the current interests, Jia Huan needs her.This is the helplessness of women at the bottom. The world is cruel, and men and women are never fair.Looking at it from another perspective, Jia Huan has survived the cold window to study hard to get her current status, but she has not experienced it.She has never met her nobleman.

At this time, Jia Huan thought: Xin Xiuyan is going to do something big again, is it necessary to have a "blind date to win"?He also thought about whether he could not marry a satisfactory daughter-in-law, whether he was high or low, and whether he could start a family.Not having a regular wife is also his shortcoming now. Aunt Zhao, Hua Zhenzhu, and Caixia can't help him make contacts at all, and he rarely contacts even during the New Year's Eve.And Li Wan accompanied Jia Lan to Jinling to study and take the examination of Tongsheng scholar. She didn't want the reputation of Mrs. Jia Zhengwang to affect Jia Lan; In the big house, Jia Lian and his wife were also past, and they didn't care about the affairs of the East Court.In the entire East Courtyard, there was no woman worthy of the stage. Sometimes he could only ask Wang Xifeng to give others some gifts, and they only wanted to show respect to him.If this continues, it will be detrimental to his career.

To say that the emperor really loves Xing Xiuyan, he wants to arrange for her concubine to marry after disbanding the harem.But thinking that the concubine is the best among all the beautiful women in the country, Jia Huan knew that he could not marry other famous women, but the concubine who was released from the palace might not be unable to marry.And among them there are always those who are not favored, because I heard that Xing Xiuyan was favored alone as soon as she entered the palace, I am afraid that there are quite a few concubines who are not favored.

Jia Huan is an ordinary person, so of course he wants a pure and clean wife.

Although Aunt Zhao didn't think about concubines, she also knew that she didn't have the ability to find a good marriage for her son, so she encouraged her son to sign up.

Aunt Zhao said: "My son is the youngest Jinshi in Dazhou. He is very talented. When he gets there, he will definitely be able to dominate all directions, and he will definitely find a good relationship."

But Jia Huan couldn't immediately agree, and said: "How about this matter, I still have to wait for the news first. My sister can prepare first, but I am not in a hurry. If my sister needs anything in the near future, tell me, I still hope that my sister can marry A wishful gentleman."

Tanchun's originally pale face showed a blush, and said: "My aunt is fine, I don't lack anything."

Jia Huan said: "Since you are out of your house, go to the mansion tomorrow and say hello to your aunt, sister-in-law Lian and sister-in-law Bao."

Jia Baoyu and Wang Xiyan still live in the Rong Mansion, because Baoyu is Jia's mother's heart, and Wang Xifeng has to give Wang Xiyan face, and Wang Ziteng is also the backer of her natal family. Cousins ​​marry cousins, and the relationship between sisters-in-law Take care of it.As a concubine, Wang Xiyan was bullied by Wang Xiluan since she was a child, so she has a good temper.

Tanchun responded, "Okay, I'll go and see Lian's sister-in-law." No one calls Wang Xifeng "second sister-in-law" now, because Jia Lian is the son of a first-class general, the eldest son of the eldest son, and the grandson of the eldest son. Even if Yingchun is also the eldest lady, and Xichun is the eldest lady of the Dongfu, no one will rank with Jia Yuanchun and Jia Tanchun.

Tanchun blamed Jia Yuanchun, Jiamu, and Baoyu for what happened back then, so Jiamu was ill, and she was reciting scriptures in the house these days when she returned home, and never visited her.

What did Jia's mother do for the second wife? Jia Baoyu was stubborn and evasive, but his nature was not bad, and he had friendship with all the sisters.Ever since Daoist Lingxu extinguished the police illusion and secretly destroyed the psychic gem, Jia Baoyu has really grown up facing his parents being imprisoned, his first sister being dug up and whipped to death, and his concubine sister practicing.Owing to these evil causes, I am afraid that there will be more calamities.

Early the next morning, after Tanchun got up, Shishu would take care of her dressing. Shishu was an old lady, and she wanted to marry her master, so she could also be a dowry maid. This was the best way out for a slave like her.

After breakfast, he ordered a sedan chair to be carried to the Rong Mansion. Jia Tanchun suppressed the resentment in his heart, and went to Rongqing Hall according to the etiquette.

I just arrived at Rongqingtang to invite Mrs. An Xing, Wang Xifeng, and Wang Xiluan to accompany Jiamu. Jiamu is on the couch and likes to be lively when she is not asleep.When everyone heard that Tanchun was coming, they couldn't help being curious.

The mandarin ducks opened the curtain, and saw a young woman in a pink jacket and skirt coming in, feeling a bit like Lin Daiyu's frail clothes.But seeing her sharp cheeks, handsome eyes and eyebrows, skillfully applying thin powder, she is a rare and beautiful woman.

"Tanchun greets the old lady and auntie! I have met Lian's sister-in-law and Bao's second sister-in-law."

Mother Jia opened her eyes and looked at Tanchun for a while, but she was actually very presbyopic.

Jia Mu said, "I heard that you came back to your residence last month. Why don't you come and see me?"

Tanchun said: "Tanchun is used to living in Muni's courtyard, but when he returned home, he fell ill."

Jia Mu asked, "Is it better?"

Tanchun said: "Thank you, old lady, Tanchun is much better."

Jia Mu said again: "Your aunt is a fool. She didn't think of picking you up until now."

Tanchun said: "Auntie can still think of taking me back to the mansion. After all, she is her own mother and daughter, and she knows that she really loves me. It's just that I didn't dare to go back to the mansion back then. I am a junior, and I have no right to shirk what I committed. Fortunately, Empress Majesty is merciful."

Jia Yuanchun misled her and made her misjudge the situation. Naturally, there is her own grievance, but Jia's mother is the guide/fire/leader, and Jia Zhengwang's wife is probably the fuel.Everyone paid the price, but Jia Mu was not directly dealt with because of her old name and her relationship with Daiyu.

Mother Jia was physically and mentally tortured because of what happened to her beloved youngest son, but I'm sorry, Tanchun couldn't see it.

She Tanchun wanted to be like before, and persuaded herself to forgive others after intensive reading of the Buddhist scriptures, but she was unsuccessful.Those outsiders who would persuade her to forget and forgive did not understand what she had experienced as a flowery girl.

Maybe when she actually moves on to a new life, she'll do it, but not now.

After hearing her words, Mother Jia started to breathe heavily, coughed several times, and said, "You are capable, but can you live without living in the mansion? You have no right to shirk, so you have the right to tell me these things here. ?"

Tanchun said: "Tanchun has studied Buddhism deeply in these years. There is a cause and there is an effect. My fault has also paid the price and paid off the cause and effect. I don't know the cause and effect of others. The master and wife are always in the punishment department. I can't be forgiven. As a child, I don't dare to forget what I should do."

Wang Xifeng's eyes flashed, and she thought to herself: This sister Tanchun is really fierce, even the old lady dares to be so angry, she has practiced in the monastery for four years, and her nature is still there.If the old lady is not in good health recently, even if the wife has such a strong waist, she would secretly hate the old lady in the past, but now she still gives way.

Jia's mother coughed again, but she knew that her body could not stand the rage, and now that Baoyu had to participate in the Qiu Wei and Chun Wei, it would be a waste of time to observe filial piety.

Jiamu sighed and said, "I'm tired, you can choose to retire."

……

Tanchun waited in the courtyard for a while, and Mrs. Xing, Wang Xifeng, and Wang Xiluan also came out.

Mrs. Jia didn't like Madam Xing and Wang Xifeng's heart, but she was just a filial piety, and they didn't dislike her much when Tanchun ranted against her.

Mrs. Xing has an attitude of watching jokes more or less in her heart. She remembers clearly what happened back then, which almost affected her relationship with the empress and Duke Cheng'en's mansion.

Mrs. Xing said with a smile: "Tan girl hasn't left yet!"

Tanchun said: "I haven't been in the mansion for many years, and many things have happened. In recent days, Sister Lin and Sister Yun have come to see me. I also want to have a conversation with Sister Feng."

Mrs. Xing smiled and said to Wang Xifeng: "Brother Feng, you are very sweet, everyone loves to make out with you."

Wang Xifeng said with a smile: "I haven't seen my sister for many years, and I miss her too much. Why don't you go sit in my courtyard?"

Mrs. Xing said with a smile: "Why don't you go to Rongxi Hall for a sit down, it's near here, it's convenient for the old lady to wake up and give some orders."

Wang Xiyan smiled and said: "That's right, there are a lot of good things over there with the wife. If you make a cup of that tribute tea and give it to my shabby household to taste, it would be the best."

She is Baoyu's daughter-in-law, and although Wang Ziteng is her backer, Wang Ziteng has also explained that Cheng'en Gong's mansion is a family that the Wang family wants to make friends with now, and she has to be respectful to Mrs. Xing like her cousin.

Mrs. Xing often went to Cheng'en Gong's mansion. Cheng'en's mansion naturally has a lot of good things in recent years. Several princes and princesses live there all year round. The emperor has been alone in the palace these few years. Of course, there are good things to leave for his children.But where do little people need tea?Mrs. Xing and Li occasionally gave some to some adopted daughters, and Mrs. Xing would get some too. She couldn't help but show off, as long as Mrs. Xing didn't do anything excessive, the Cheng'en government would never tear things apart.

Mrs. Xing said with a smile: "We are really sisters with Brother Feng, a monkey spirit!"

With that said, the hostesses headed east to Rongxi Hall surrounded by the maids.