Enter the red building

The April sun shines on the bluestone slab, covering it with a pale golden halo, like a carpet.

Peonies and peonies on both sides, as well as phalaenopsis and hyacinths are in full bloom. Purple, red, yellow, and pink are inlaid in the green leaves, which is so lovely.The pale red petals of Phalaenopsis unfold like a fluttering butterfly, and the purple hyacinth looks like many grapes are strung together from a distance.

The wind blows, and the fragrance of flowers overflows, seeming to be intoxicating.

A small wooden and stone arch bridge is erected on the artificial lake, and the guardrails on both sides of the bridge are carved with different patterns, which can be sketched with a few simple strokes, resembling in spirit but not in shape.Looking down from the bridge, the lake is relatively clear, and you can see golden and red koi swimming in the water.

Xue Qiu walked into the main hall, two large wooden chairs were placed on top, in the middle was a mahogany long table, with a gilded incense burner on it, and four chairs on both sides, and the food was already set on the Liuzimuyun Eight Immortals table, and there were a few girls on each side. Huan is by his side.

When Mrs. Xue saw Xue Qiu coming in, she frowned and asked with a smile, "Qiu Er, how are you doing?"

As soon as Xue Qiu was about to answer, Xue Baoqin said first: "If my brother has suffered any grievances, you can tell your mother, don't keep silent, and suffer alone." Xue Baoqin was wearing an emerald green spring shirt with a dark green shirt underneath. The pink turned-up pleated skirt, with two braids hanging beside the ears, looks very cute dangling.

"Yes, if I have been wronged in any way, I will definitely ask my sister for help, and my sister should not shirk!" Xue Qiu walked to Xue Baoqin and sat down, expressing his grievance.

This made everyone laugh, and for a while, the long-lost laughter of the Xue family appeared.

"Forget it, let's eat first, and we'll talk after we finish." Mrs. Xue said with a smile.

What is said at the dinner table is don't speak when you eat, don't make a sound. Although the Xue family is just a merchant, the long-standing rules have been formed long ago, which is quite like a big family.But it doesn't matter if you talk and laugh at ordinary family dinners.

After eating, rinse your mouth and wash your hands, and the maids serve a cup of tea.Xue Qiu and the three chatted over tea.Xue Qiu talked about shopkeeper Li.Mrs. Xue was quite furious after hearing this, "It's too much, the master just left, and they dare to act like this."

Xue Qiu persuaded: "Mother, don't be too angry, such things happen in every household." Xue Baoqin also persuaded: "Yes, mother, it's not worth it. But speaking of it, brother is really good today."

Mrs. Xue also nodded when she heard it, "Qiu'er, you handled it very well. I can rest assured that I can leave these things to you."

Xue Baoqin looked at Xue Qiu and asked, "Brother, are you ready to start a business?"

Xue Qiu thought for a while, "Mother, I want to take the imperial examination and pursue an official career."

Mrs. Xue asked in surprise: "Why do you want to take the imperial examination? Didn't you not want to study before?" Xue Baoqin also wanted to know what Xue Qiu was thinking.

Xue Qiu sighed, and said softly: "Scholars, farmers, businessmen, and merchants are at the end. Although the Xue family is called one of the four major families, our Xue family has been separated. It is not an imperial merchant, and can only be counted as an ordinary merchant. .Don’t say anything else, let’s just say—” Looking at Xue Baoqin, “What the Mei family did this time is probably to regret the marriage.”

"Don't talk nonsense!" Mrs. Xue reprimanded severely, "Where do you dare to say such nonsense in front of your sister?"

Xue Baoqin was startled, clutching the handkerchief tightly in her hand, forced a smile and said, "Brother, don't say such things!"

Xue Qiu raised his head and said in a deep voice: "Sister, don't be afraid. My brother will definitely protect you. If the Mei family dares to regret the marriage, I will definitely seek justice for you. Wait until my brother reaches the first rank, or we will retire Mei. home, find another one."

Xue Baoqin smiled, "Okay, then I will wait for my brother to reach the first rank!"

Xue Qiu nodded heavily, "Sister, don't worry!"

Mrs. Xue felt very relieved when she heard Xue Qiu's words, "Qi'er has really grown up. Hey, this matter is really too much for the Mei family. How much grievance."

Xue Qiu said with a smile: "Mother, don't worry, if I'm here for a day, my sister will never be wronged."

"Qiu'er, I will look for your uncle tomorrow and ask him to find a good teacher for you." Mrs. Xue told Xue Qiu again, "Don't be too playful in the future."

Mrs. Xue's brother, Chen Yuanqiao, is a county magistrate in Anping County, Jinling Province.

Xue Qiu smiled and just nodded.Didn't say anything, only after seeing the result, the mother and sister would believe it.

After Xue Qiu returned to the room, Xue Baoqin asked softly: "Mother, is the Mei family really?"

Mrs. Xue patted Xue Baoqin's hand, and sighed: "Your father probably didn't expect it to be like this! I just don't know if Qiu'er is really determined to take the imperial examination."

Xue Baoqin asked: "Brother, will you pass the exam?"

Mrs. Xue shook her head and said with a smile: "It doesn't matter whether he passes the exam or not, it's great if he has that kind of heart. If it's really a first-class official like what Qiu'er said, then it's really a blessing from the ancestors. A businessman 'Words, I don't know how much they have been underestimated!" He said with emotion.

Xue Baoqin sighed: "I only hope that my brother can really go to high school! I just don't know if my brother can persist in studying hard in this cold window? My brother also went to school before, and my father once said that my brother has no talent for reading."

Mrs. Xue pointed to Xue Baoqin's forehead, "You, your brother is not for you!"

Xue Baoqin smiled cheerfully, "I know!"

Nanny Li next to him interjected: "Isn't the uncle also doing it for his wife? Doesn't the wife also want to enjoy the blessings of the uncle in the future?"

"That's right, if my elder brother is really a first-rank official, my mother will also be granted the imperial order." Xue Baoqin said with a smile.

Xue Qiu didn't know what his mother and younger sister were talking about. All he wanted in his heart was to make his younger sister get married in a good manner and his mother to grow old safely. As for the official rank, he didn't have much thought.Mei Hanzhi, the patriarch of the Mei family, was only a fourth-rank official serving a bachelor.

But the fact is not like this. Unknowingly, you will be involuntary, and you can only go forward, go forward.There is no such thing as smooth sailing. Some just need to protect yourself and take steps one step at a time. Don't fall into the traps around you, and don't lose your nature and yourself to the prosperity and wealth around you.If you are not careful, you may be smashed to pieces!

Xue Qiu looked up at the scenery in the sky, smiled, then turned to Zhuqing and asked, "Zhuqing, do you think I will go to high school?"

"Ah? I don't know about this." Zhu Qing replied in a panic.

"Ziyu, what do you think?"

Ziyu shook her head and replied, "Master should know in his heart."

Xue Qiu smiled and walked forward.

Zhuqing looked at the uncle's back, and suddenly felt that the uncle was exuding a kind of light, she also smiled, and felt that the uncle was different, really different.But good thing!

Xue Qiu thought of the past days, and now of the present, and said to himself with a smile: "Actually, I don't know either!"

But not knowing doesn't mean it's impossible.Xue Qiu said something silently in his heart.

I am really looking forward to being a high official!