The maid of the red house

After hearing Baoqin's words, Daiyu didn't know how to comfort her.Baoqin was divorced by Mei Hanlin's family, and she was also a woman. Daiyu naturally felt that her life was miserable, so she was annoyed when she came to visit Jia's mother. Serving soup and medicine instead of traveling thousands of miles to join others for marriage and never returning for three years.

Aunt Xue is Mrs. Wang's sister, and the whole family has lived here for a long time, Baoqin's house has nothing to do with the mansion after all.

Although it is true that the Xue family did something inappropriate, but the Mei family is ungrateful and their actions are too extreme.

Daiyu recalled that Baoqin had said that she had traveled all over the country with her father since she was a child, and she couldn't help sighing. She felt sorry for Baoqin's experience, and she also understood the truth that Qi Dafei was not a couple. You must be angry when you come to Mei's house, so you asked softly: "You are a knowledgeable person, but the Mei family didn't leave room for it. The matter has come to this, what are your plans?"

Baoqin wiped her tears and said, "What other plans do you have? My brother just delivered the news and said that he will return to his hometown in a few days."

Daiyu was startled, then nodded and said, "That's fine, if you go back to the south, there won't be so many gossips, it's better than being in the capital."

Baoqin looked at the tear stains on the handkerchief and said, "Brother also means the same thing."

Daiyu was about to say something more when Yuanyang suddenly came in and said, "Madam just asked Second Master Bao to go over, aunt and grandma to see the old lady."

Daiyufang gets up, leaves Baoqin behind, and goes to Jiamu's upper room.

Jia Mu leaned on the couch, heard Daiyu coming, opened her brows, and said with a smile: "My Yu'er is here, why didn't you come in early?"

Yuanyang personally opened the curtain to invite Daiyu to enter, and replied: "Just now I saw Second Master Bao and the old lady discussing important matters, so Aunt Lin came in two steps late, and went to see Miss Qin first."

Speaking of Baoqin, Jia's mother sighed: "The Qin girl is also pitiful, but the Mei family is really ruthless."

Daiyu can't talk about this anymore. After all, she lives in Jiamu's Courtyard like Baoqin, but she got married early. Asked: "Why are you missing? The second sister is out of the house, and there are fewer and fewer people here at my grandmother's place. The third sister, fourth sister, and sister Yun should come and spend more time with my grandmother."

Jia Mu said with a smile, "it's a good day. Let them all play hard in the garden. You can go there too. You can enjoy flowers and write poems."

After hearing this, Daiyu raised her head to look at Jia Mu's sideburns. She felt that her gray hair was much more gray than in previous years, but she lost her luster and her spirit was not as strong as before. I'm here to talk to my grandmother, won't my sisters come over for a while? We'll see each other then."

When Jia Mu heard this, she was very happy, and hurriedly ordered Yuanyang to make tea and bring up fresh fruits, and said, "Go and call the girls."

After the mandarin ducks had packed up, they went out and sent the little girl to the garden to deliver a message, and then came back in to serve.

Daiyu talked with Jia Mu for a long time, and when she heard Jia Mu ask what she was doing at home, she smiled and replied: "There are always things, either going to this house for a banquet, or going to that house to enjoy flowers." Poems are written by sisters who were very stubborn in the past, even though they are out of the court, they still often gather together, or there are weddings and funerals for family friends, and they go there with our wife, and they only have three or five days of leisure in a month."

Before saying a word, Xiangyun laughed and said: "Sister Lin is so busy?" As he said, he came hand in hand with Tanchun and others.

Daiyu smiled and said: "Which one didn't come here like this? I feel at ease. I feel that I have benefited a lot from talking about poetry and books and chess and drawing with everyone every day. It is better than reading and pondering alone at home." times."

Tanchun was surprised and said, "Sister Lin usually tells people that this is not okay?"

Daiyu laughed and said, "Don't talk about these things, what are you talking about? You don't have any reason to tell the housekeepers about their accounts. They just talk about piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and occasionally needlework. We are all ordinary people. If you can work hard on it, otherwise when people mention some calligraphy or painting, but you can't pick up the words, wouldn't it be embarrassing?"

Tanchun listened and said, "It's different from what Sister Bao said before. Sister Bao always said that reading is the first time, and needleworkers are the masters. Yi Zhenjing, it turned out that Sister Lin was out socializing, but she was talking about those piano, chess, calligraphy, painting and poems. Hops, I finally understand today."

Daiyu pursed her lips into a smile, and said: "To socialize with people, you have to understand everything. After thinking about it for a while, it will make people laugh."

She felt very comfortable socializing with those sisters. Even when she went out with Mrs. Zhou, she always talked about a beautiful daughter, a tidy garden, and a handsome brother.Originally, she thought that after getting married, everyone was no longer a daughter of a boudoir, and she could only talk about how to manage the house, govern the people, how to control the subordinates, how to control the power, etc., but who knows it is not, they never talk about the trivial matters at home, if anyone mentions these things, Instead, everyone avoided her.

Not to mention, in February this year, when we were admiring flowers in Prince Zhongshun’s mansion, everyone played drums and passed flowers to compose poems and guess riddles. There was a bride of a third-rank official’s family who didn’t teach the girls piano, chess, calligraphy and painting very much, so she only read a few biographies of women. Xian Yuanji could read a few words, but she couldn't answer a word about piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. Dang even was so ashamed that she couldn't do anything, and she didn't come to the gatherings after the incident.

Apart from going to Wang Ziteng's house, Tanchun was invited by Daiyu to host several banquets. He didn't know how other houses were. Hearing Daiyu's words, he knew that piano, chess, calligraphy and painting were also very important. On the contrary.

Xiangyun smiled and said, "Sister Lin, what masterpieces have you made recently? Show us."

Daiyu smiled when she heard the words, she didn't say that Zhou Hong collected all the poems he wrote in his free time recently and kept them in their room, named after the funeral poems he made when he was in the Rongguo Mansion in the old year and was impressed by falling flowers. She was very happy and proud, but she didn't want to tell others, she just said: "There is no masterpiece, but you, what good poems and words can you tell me?"

Xiangyun shook his head and said, "I don't have any thoughts on writing poems these days, but my sister is very at ease."

Daiyu saw that Xiangyun was still bright and cheerful, and unconsciously remembered what the Mei family said when they retired, fearing that it would affect her, and wanted to remind her, but it was difficult to say it in front of many people, until Jiamu was exhausted, and everyone went to the garden Strolling around, Dai Yufang took her to the end and said in a low voice, "I heard that Uncle Shijia and Aunt Shijia have already returned to Beijing, why don't they come to pick you up?"

Shi Xiangyun was stunned, then smiled and said: "Yes, uncle and aunt returned to Beijing in February, and they haven't sent anyone to pick me up yet. However, I don't care about these, anyway, I feel more comfortable here than at home."

Daiyu patted her and said: "You are an idiot, don't you miss home? If Aunt Shijia doesn't come to pick you up, you can't ask to go home by yourself? Although this place is good, it is not your home after all. Your home is in Shihou House. You are only a few months younger than me, and you are already 16 years old this year. Do you still hang out with your second brother when you were a child? Now the second aunt asks your second brother to move out, maybe it’s not because of the wedding. Your dowry is ready? Hijab Is Xia Pei embroidered? There is no movement at all, and you still want to be at ease."

Hearing this, Shi Xiangyun remembered that he had been engaged long ago, and that the dowry and wedding dress were not ready at all. He thought that the historians were no longer comparable, and the family all focused on frugality. I am afraid that the dowry given to him would not even be as good as welcoming the spring. in silence.

Seeing this, Daiyu sighed, and said: "You don't have to worry about your dowry, your clan and the mansion are the ones to make the decisions anyway. You should think about yourself, and your younger sister, because it's important to go back to Shihou's mansion earlier. After all, you are the eldest daughter of the historian family, the eldest daughter of Lord Marquis. Since ancient times, the elders and younger ones have been orderly. If you don’t have a place to settle, the second and third daughters below will not be able to leave the court.”

Based on this alone, Shi Houye and his wife can't let Xiangyun continue to delay. After all, Shi Houye inherited the title left by Shi Xiangyun's father, and Xiangyun still has his grandfather's family. It is the face of Hefu.Wei Ruolan's basic character and appearance are all top-notch, it can be seen that historians also put their minds on Xiangyun's marriage, but Xiangyun didn't care about blessings.

She remembered Xue Yan once said that Xiangyun complained to Baochai that he was very tired from working in the Shijia. Baochai told Xiren, and Xiren inevitably leaked the news. We all know that the Xue family is rich, but Xiangyun is shy, so they all gossip about the Shi family's aunt, saying that she treats Xiangyun harshly.Daiyu suddenly understood, thinking that Aunt Shijia knew about these actions, so she let Jiamu pick up Xiangyun when she was released, and stayed there for a few years, and didn't pick her up after she came to Beijing.

Although Xiangyun is doing it on his own now, how can the sisters stand on the sidelines and ignore the relationship between the sisters for several years.

Xiang Yun said angrily, "If they don't come to pick me up, why should I make fun of myself?"

Daiyu scolded lightly: "Silly girl, how can you be angry with your elders? Your surname is Shi, and you are a girl from the Shi family. Is it impossible to get married here? I am looking forward to having my natal family to rely on, but it is a pity that the natal family You have already given out five clothes, and there is no intention of intimacy. You are a smart person, I have made it so clear, you still don’t understand?"

Xiangyun stared at her blankly, puzzled.

Daiyu sighed slightly, seeing that everyone had gone away, only Zicuckoo, Tinglan and Cuiwei were by her side, so she said in a low voice, "Don't you know the reason why sister Qin was withdrawn from the Mei family?"

Hearing this, Xiang Yun hurriedly replied in a low voice: "No news from the outside is allowed to spread inside. Although I heard that sister Qin was divorced by the Mei family, I don't know why. Sister Qin is an excellent person, so the Mei family What kind of heart do you have to withdraw from this marriage? The wife said, it seems to be their fault."

When Daiyu heard this, she suddenly understood that Mrs. Jia Muwang, Mrs. Xue's family and others knew about this matter, and the Lai family knew about it, but the young ladies inside didn't know it. Flowers and willows are not destroyed, how can they resist wind and rain?But she couldn't tell Baoqin's right and wrong, so she said vaguely: "I only heard that sister Qin lives here, men and women don't care about sitting and lying down, and sister Qin lives in the grandmother's room, let alone you live here." What about in the garden?"

Xiangyun was taken aback immediately, and said, "There is such a thing? Good sister, what should I do?"

Ever since Baochai moved out of Hengwuyuan, Xiangyun was a little disheartened, and suddenly faced with this matter, he felt a little helpless.Although Xiangyun has never shown off her marriage, in fact she is very satisfied with it in her heart, and she is a little bit complacent. After all, Wei Ruolan is really a top-notch talent. Except for Daiyu who was given a marriage by a sage, Ying Tanxi and others have no own creation.

Seeing her reaction, Daiyu knew that Xiangyun was not as sweet and innocent as she appeared on the surface. important."

Xiangyun was silent all the way after listening.

When he reached the gate of Daoxiang Village, Xiangyun suddenly asked in a soft voice: "Thinking that when the mother ordered the sisters to live in the Grand View Garden, if the sister didn't go, it was because she expected today?"

Daiyu stared blankly, speechless.

Xiang Yun let out a long sigh, and said: "It's just that we have lived comfortably in the garden for the past few years. We are all bright and beautiful, but it is the people outside who look at us sisters with such eyes."

Before Daiyu could speak, Li Wan turned around to look ahead, and said with a smile, "What are you talking about? Come in quickly."

Daiyu and Xiangyun covered the topic and followed in.

Xiangyun was upset, so he went back to his room early to rest. The other sisters had no personal relationship with Daiyu, so they sat with her for a while and then went back. Daiyu was left alone, chatting with Li Wan.

Li Wan served the tea and said with a smile, "What did you say to Sister Shi, and you came back looking depressed."

Daiyu pursed her lips and smiled. In the Rongguo Mansion these years, if you talk about the two sisters-in-law Li Wan and Feng, she has gradually become more compatible with Li Wan. Melon and fruit dim sum is a new thing, and knowing that Li Wan has a tight-lipped tone, he whispered his reminder to Shi Xiangyun in a low voice.

Li Wan sighed: "My sister is really kind. She treats you like that, and you still think about her." Ever since Baoyu moved out of the Grand View Garden, Li Wan was the first to applaud her. She is a widowed sister-in-law, so she naturally taboos about these things, but Yuan Chun's edict is the first, and she is not easy to disobey. She is also looking forward to Xiangyun's move away at this moment, because Jia Lan is now an adult, and they meet day and night, and it will not be spread after all. good.Hearing that Daiyu persuaded Xiangyun to go home, Li Wan was very happy.

Daiyu smiled lightly, and said: "They are them, and I am for my heart. They say that there are gods standing three feet above my head. I will not do things that are unworthy of my conscience. It's fine if I don't know. Now that I know, I will do what I can. Now, let me remind her anyway, I have helped her a little anyway, and I have not lost anything."

Hearing this, Li Wan suddenly felt ashamed of himself.

Daiyu didn't know what was going on in her heart, so she picked up the tea bowl and took a sip, but Li Wan suddenly asked, "So when the second girl came out of the cabinet, you secretly gave her 200 taels of gold?"

Daiyu was startled and said, "Where did you hear that, sister-in-law?" She told Zijuan to secretly give Yingchun without telling others, and gave thousands of instructions to Yingchun's master and servant. Gave her gold and knew the amount.

Li Wan said with a smile: "Although you want to keep it a secret, the dowry belongings of the second girl and the make-up of relatives and friends must be registered in the book when the second girl leaves the pavilion. Didn't you ask me to take care of it? Suddenly there was an extra box of gold, how could you hide it from others? The second girl didn't hide it from me, saying that you gave it to me, and I have already told you not to tell anyone else."

Daiyu frowned, and sighed softly: "Grandmother is not easy, usually my grandmother is too biased, although they never said anything, I understand in my heart, how can I ask my second sister to go out with only 3000 taels of cash , if something happened afterwards, wouldn't it be that my grandmother gave me ten thousand but only gave her three thousand? It's okay for a while, but after a long time, there will always be some resentment. Besides, the second sister retired and decided , her life is suffering, so it is right to help her and do my best."

Li Wan was startled, a little absent-minded, and said: "So you know all about it."

Xichun is fine, after all, it is far away, Yingchun and Tanchun are Daiyu's cousins, but their relationship with Daiyu is not as close as Baoqin and Daiyu, Yingchun is a wooden person, Tanchun is close to Baochai and far away Looking at Daiyu, Xiangyun spoke repeatedly with a gun and a stick. No one knew how Li Wan couldn't see that it was because Jia's mother favored Daiyu second only to Baoyu and above them.

Daiyu smiled slightly, bowed her head and drank tea without saying a word.

People in the world always think that others should weigh the pros and cons when dealing with affairs. Although she stated clearly in front of Li Wan that she was Jia's mother, it was actually just an excuse to prevent them from speculating on other things.

My own dowry is generous, and I have been in the Zhou family for a year, and I have hardly moved it, except that Xueyan gave her some things when she married, and a few gifts from my sisters on her birthday, or two from my parents-in-law, uncle and sister-in-law, and the rest for entertainment. The gifts for socializing are all prepared by the family at home. In October last year, the income was 6000 taels of silver, and there were countless rice noodles and charcoal. Later, they were folded into silver and sent to her.

Therefore, the 200 taels of gold are nothing to her, but to Yu Yingchun, it can add a lot of confidence to her husband's family.

Li Wan said: "If you say who is the most considerate of the old lady, I'm afraid you are the only one. The old lady has not loved you for so many years. The old lady loved Baoyu like that, but Baoyu has never thought about the old lady. Only you are afraid." They blame the old lady. Thinking about it, when you plan to leave the court for the third and fourth girls, you also give 200 taels privately, and the other 200 taels are for Yun girl?"

Speaking of this, Li Wan sighed deeply. Daiyu spent so much money in the mansion, and what Jiamu did for Daiyu as a dowry was only a drop in the bucket. Mother Jia is eccentric.

Daiyu said: "Grandmother is getting old. My grandma gave me the money anyway. It's nothing if I gave it to them. Why call them out of the cabinet and think that grandma favors me and doesn't love them? Don't worry, the 1000 taels I won't keep any of them, I will give 800 taels to four of them, and the remaining 200 taels will be left to Lang Geer to marry a wife in a few days, it can be considered that my aunt has done her best."

Li Wan waved his hand quickly and said, "My good sister, don't be ashamed of me, just give it to them, why give it to Lan'er? Besides, if others don't know, don't you know me? I have my own, even if the house Without money, it's enough for me to marry a wife for Lan'er."

Daiyu smiled and said nothing, neither said yes nor refused.

A few days after returning home, Daiyu heard that Shi Xiangyun had moved back to Shihou's mansion, so she let go of her worries and said to Zijuan, "I don't know what happened to the snow geese. They used to come here often when they were not out of the pavilion, but they can't now." .”

Zijuan said with a smile: "When you get married, you are a member of the Zhao family. How can there be any reason to go back to your natal family?"

Daiyu was concerned about the snow geese, thought for a while, and said: "Our family has got a lot of new flowers. I look at them very well. It just means that I invite my sisters to enjoy the flowers. You choose two pots of white peonies and send them to her. Go, these two pots will bloom earlier this year, and then prepare four kinds of fresh fruits and four kinds of snacks. Although she is clean there, she is not as comfortable as us, and the food and clothing are extremely fine."

Zijuan agreed, and she sent Mrs. Song to Xueyan by car.

When the things were delivered to Xueyan's house, Zhao Yuan was teaching students in the front yard. Xueyan was picking flowers and pruning bamboo with bamboo scissors. Hearing that Daiyu sent someone, she quickly put down the scissors and asked Xiaolan to come in and ask her first. Hello Daiyu.

Mrs. Song said with a smile: "Grandma is very good, but she just misses the girl."

Xiaolan smiled and said, "Now we also call it grandma."

After hearing this, Mrs. Song quickly patted herself lightly, and said with a smile: "No, the girl is also the housekeeper's grandma now." As she spoke, she handed over the gift list and things.

After seeing it, Xueyan smiled and said: "Coincidentally, we went to the mountain yesterday to dig a few orchids, which are very elegant. We were going to send them to your grandma. Since you are here, take them back." Looking at the two pots of orchids that have been pruned next to her, she said to Xiaolan, "Move it to Mother Song's car in a while." He also asked Cui Liu to seal the rewards for Mrs. Song and the driver, and left tea before letting them go back. .

After Song's mother left, Xueyan washed her hands, went into the room and opened four filigree brocade boxes, two of each, with pink and white official kiln dishes.

Xueyan asked Cui Liu to bring another eight plates, divided the fresh fruits and snacks in half and put them on, and added some snacks and fruits that are always in the house, and saved eight full plates, put them on four carved lacquer trays, said: : "Send it to the front room, wait for those children after class, let them taste it, it's also a good idea."

Xiaolan and Cui Liu agreed in unison, called the mother-in-law over, and each of them brought a tray to send.

At that time, the students had just finished class and were talking in the room. Zhao Yun sat on top, and Zhao Hui and a few others came to ask for homework. Seeing the girl and woman bringing melons and fruit snacks, Zhao Yun said: "I will ask after class, go first Eat something to pad your stomach."

All the students responded in unison, whether they were sitting or lying on their stomachs, they all stood up. A few students came forward to take the trays and thanked them. After two hours, I was hungry, and I tried to hold back until after school for lunch, but since the snow geese came in, I often brought some melon and fruit snacks to eat with them at two o'clock, which not only relieved my hunger, but also filled my stomach , You don’t have to go on class hungry.

When Zhao Yun heard Xueyan mention it, Fang found that most of the students were hungry, so he left a quarter of an hour to ask them to eat something. After all, their family is not short of money, and with these things, their family can eat for a month. Three or four.

Zhao Yun had handed over all the family savings to Xueyan, and there was 350 taels left after the marriage fee, but he received a lot of gift money, including seven or eight taels of silver, dozens of hanging money.

Xueyan was very satisfied with this, Zhao Yun handed over the power of housekeeping to her, and gave her all the savings, which shows the trust.

Seeing Xiaolan and Cui Liu come back with the empty dishes, they said, "Bring those two pots of white peonies in."

Xiaolan smiled and said, "Grandma wants to paint, can't she?"

Xueyan shook her head and said: "Although I know some Danqing, I am not as good as calligraphy, so I won't make a fool of myself in front of you. I thought about embroidering peonies and making a small screen, wouldn't it look good?"

Xiaolan was surprised: "Grandma usually doesn't like sewing, what's wrong today?"

Xueyan chuckled and said: "Although I don't like to do it, it's not impossible to do it. Go and move in."

Xiaolan smiled and agreed, and she and Cui Liu brought two pots of peony inside.

Xueyan got up and opened the cage next to the bed, took out a piece of organdy, cut it and stretched it on the embroidery stand, then took out a roll of silk thread, selected it according to the color, and sat under the window to thread the needle. It shows the elegance of white petals and green leaves.

Xueyan's work was slow. On the way, Zhao Yun was asked to make a peony poem and embroider it in the picture. Only one or two percent of it was done, and it was already mid-March, when the grass was growing and the warbler was flying. Zhao Yun suddenly came in to tell She said that Emperor Changqian issued a decree to appoint Zhou Yuan as Minister of the Household Department. Although he lost the title of Zhengyi University Bachelor, his real power is stronger than before, and they have to go to congratulate him.

Xueyan hurriedly prepared four-color gifts, re-decorated, and went with Zhao Yun.

They are different from Zhou's family, Zhao Yun was invited to the front hall as soon as they entered the door, Xueyan came to Daiyu's room, there was an endless stream of congratulatory people coming and going from Zhou's family in the past two days, Daiyu followed Mrs. Zhou to receive guests Li, very busy, saw Xueyan, smiled and said: "You are here at this moment, come with me to the front."

Xueyan thought to herself that her identity was far inferior to the officials and family members who came and went today, and she was afraid of being looked down upon by everyone, so how could she be willing to go, and said with a smile: "I am from a famous brand, the girl told me to go, don't embarrass me."

But Daiyu said: "The visitor is a guest, what's the matter with you? You are also the wife of Master Juren."

Daiyu didn't like Xueyan belittling herself, so she forced her to the front hall.

Today, most of the people who are present today don't recognize Xueyan, but most of them follow the people Daiyu knew very well. , Can’t you forget about us when you leave the house? Fortunately, the sage rewarded you with something, we sent someone to put on your makeup, and we haven’t seen you for a few months, so I’ll punish you, a wife, with a few glasses of wine.”

Xueyan greeted people generously, and replied with a smile: "The Shizi Concubine's house is honorable, how dare I, a little girl, come to the door."

After hearing this, Yan Ran said: "This is unreasonable. Could it be that all the people who come to our house have orders? There are many white people, but they have a basic family background. Your son-in-law is a decent young man who was established in Shanhaiguan. You have a lot of merit, and there are no job vacancies just because you want to be free, and these alone are several times better than the world, and you are arrogantly underestimating yourself."

When everyone heard this, they also laughed and said yes, they looked down on Jiao Xing, who was born as a second-bedroom Fuzheng girl, but not Xue Yan, who was concerned about the honor of a husband and wife at that time, as long as they were married by a bright matchmaker, and their character was clean, they didn't care Born, two of those who came to the Zhou family to congratulate were born as servant girls of the royal family, and there are many female family members who are strong in the family, but their husbands are white. I am afraid that they are not as famous as Xueyan's husband, and Xueyan is from Nanhua. My sister is Yu Liansheng's daughter-in-law, and no one wants to belittle her.

Seeing this, Xueyan breathed a sigh of relief, turned her eyes, and was startled when she met Xiangyun's surprised gaze.

Xiangyun returned to Shihou's mansion at that time. Although Mrs. Shihou didn't like her words and deeds in Rongguo mansion, Xiangyun's status could not be neglected by them from the beginning to the end, so as not to ruin her reputation. Recently, she was detained at home as a needleworker. He only told her that the dowry must be embroidered first, but Xiangyun was very obedient this time after being reminded by Daiyu.

Mrs. Shihou was surprised when she saw her, and then felt a little comforted. Today, she came to Zhou's house to congratulate her, so she brought her with her sisters.

Sitting next to Mrs. Shihou, Xiangyun didn't recognize any of the girls present. The sisters Daiyu hosted that day were all married, and only Zhang Hui was ill recently. The child couldn't say anything, seeing that Xueyan was born as a girl, but she was good at dancing with long sleeves, and she never caused the slightest slight of neglect from others, so she felt very envious.

Xueyan smiled wryly, except for Zhao Yanran and a few people she knew very well who didn't care about her identity, how could the others really not care that she was born as a girl, but they are all people with status and status, so they don't show it on the surface That's all.

Knowing her identity, Xueyan was very cautious in her words, and refused to leave any excuses.

As a result, people who looked down on Xueyan a little bit in their hearts looked at her with admiration.

It's so easy to meet everyone, please come to the table outside, the play has already staged, Madam Zhou is in the main hall with the older female relatives, Daiyu is with the young relatives in the side hall, the main hall is talking about the marriage of children, and the side hall is Talk about elegant things such as piano, chess, calligraphy and painting.

In the side hall, headed by Zhao Yanran, most of them are proficient in all kinds of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and when they mention it, someone will talk about who is good and who is not good when it comes to Tang poetry, and when it comes to Song poetry, they say what is bold and unrestrained and what is graceful.

Although Xueyan was born as a girl, she has read poetry and books well, and she can catch up with others when they talk about it, but she sits below, but she refuses to speak easily, so as not to steal the limelight from everyone, and only when she has to speak, she will speak. These two sentences are both exquisite, those who know her are not surprised, but those who have never seen her are deeply surprised.

As soon as two young women came back to Zhou's house, because they were not good at this, they smiled and sat beside them without speaking. They were deeply frustrated and asked in a low voice: "That Grandma Zhao, who was a concubine in the past, was born as a girl. ? How do you know this?”

After hearing this, some acquaintances quietly replied: "This is the origin of the family's learning. When socializing, who doesn't know that Lin Shu of the Zhou family is extremely elegant, and she is familiar with allusions from ancient times to the present. , can make beautiful and beautiful chapters casually, and her close girl, who can learn to read and write, is now married to a Juren, and she is also a person of status."

The person who was puzzled before sighed: "I usually talk about the housekeeper's ability to settle accounts at home, but I never thought it was not the case."

When the acquaintance heard this, he also smiled wryly, she didn't know how to sit here.After she came out a few times, she realized that the more noble the family members are, the more they pay attention to elegance, bearing, and self-cultivation. They don’t want to play the piano with cattle. If you can't talk, you can't make friends with them.

Although Daiyu was entertaining Zhao Yanran and the others, she did not forget about these people, and she came over to greet them many times, ordering people to pour wine and serve food.

Xueyan was very happy to see that Daiyu had everything covered.

Daiyu went to the main hall again to check whether she was in a good mood, and then asked Mrs. Zhou if she had any other orders. Mrs. Zhou smiled and said: "Everything is fine, just stay with the concubine Shizi and the guests from each family. , what's the matter, there are servants."

Daiyu listened and said yes with a smile.

Mrs. Wang smiled and said: "My aunt is free, she often goes back to see the old lady, the old lady misses you every day."

Daiyu said: "Auntie, don't worry, I also miss my grandmother. I just visited the other day, and I will pay my respects to my grandmother when I am done with my work. Today, Sister Shi came with Aunt Shi's family. Why didn't Auntie come?" Bring the third and fourth sisters here?"

Mrs. Wang was slightly taken aback when she heard Tanchun and Xichun, and then smiled and said, "One of them is shy, and the other is too young, so I asked them to do some sewing at home, and they never came out. It's hard for you to remember them." .”

Daiyu laughed and said, "Second elder sister has already left the pavilion, and third and fourth younger sisters are also grown up. It's time to come out and meet the talented person."

But Mrs. Wang said: "Your second elder brother is not married yet, you two girls just wait."

Daiyu was startled, and suddenly remembered that Mother Jia had never wanted Baochai to come in. Hearing Mrs. Wang's words, she was speechless for a moment.

Coincidentally, Princess Yongchang heard it, and asked with a smile: "I remember that your brother who was born with Baoyu in his mouth is one year older than Brother Hong's daughter-in-law. Is he seventeen this year? Why haven't you married yet? Have you settled? Let's There are not many children of such a family who are delayed at this age, Brother Hong's daughter-in-law has been out of the cabinet for a year."

Mrs. Wang hurriedly said: "I have decided on him in my heart, and our mother also agreed, but I haven't passed the clear road yet."

Princess Yongchang unconsciously asked: "Whose family is settled?"

Everyone is also very curious, they know the vision of Baoyu when he was born, but so what?Now he is 17 years old, he doesn't like to study, he only likes to hang out in the inner room, and he doesn't see any good luck. Being a concubine in the palace, but the concubine could not be the master of the previous dynasty. Brother Xu was a high-ranking official with a generous salary, so no one else would promise his daughter to Baoyu except for a few impoverished Xinrong families.

Mrs. Wang thought about it for a while, knowing that Jia's mother could no longer be the master of Baoyu, and Yuanchun had always agreed with Jinyu's marriage. Just because Baoyu had a monk who said that he should not marry early, so he has not made a decision, but now that he is older, he is planning to discuss marriage in the near future."

After hearing this, everyone suddenly remembered that Rongguo Mansion seemed to have a good relationship, and it turned out that it should be here.

Princess Yongchang recalled Mrs. Wang's niece Xueshi Baochai who she had met on Jiamu's birthday. Everyone knows that she doesn't seem to be good enough for her, and said with a smile: "I have seen your niece, and she was born very well, since the Xiande concubine thinks it is good, it must be a good match."

The rest of the people, who remembered the identity of Xue's family or met Baochai, said yes no matter what they thought.

Xiangyun heard what Mrs. Wang said, and was also happy for Baochai. Among these sisters, Baochai was indeed the most kind, but she moved away early because of the inspection of the Grand View Garden, which was really hateful.

At the end of the song, when I returned home at night and replied to Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang said: "I think my aunt is reasonable, and the elders and children are in order. Baoyu is not married now. I'm afraid the three girls and the four girls will have to delay." So when Princess Yongchang asked, I said what my empress meant."

Jia Mu leaned on the pillow and stared at her without saying a word, which made Mrs. Wang feel a little uncomfortable.

After a long time, Jia Mufang said coldly: "You only have one treasure girl in your heart. Is there only one treasure girl in the world who can match Baoyu?" Did you tell outsiders?"

Mrs. Wang bowed her head and said: "The good marriage of gold and jade that monks and Taoists said is a gift from heaven. In the past, the old lady believed in what the monk said that Baoyu could not marry early, so why doesn't she believe it today? What's more, Bao girl knows the bottom line, has a stable temperament, and knows how to persuade her." Baoyu has studied and progressed, although he is slightly older by two years, but he is better than others in taking care of Baoyu properly when he is two years older."

Just as Jia Mu was about to speak, she heard someone announce that Sister Feng had given birth.

Jia Mu was startled and said, "Why did you give birth at this time?"

Mrs. Wang's complexion changed, and she hurriedly asked, "Is it a man or a woman?"

It was Ping'er who came to announce the good news. He lifted the curtain and came in with a beaming face. He bowed and said, "Congratulations to the old lady, congratulations to the old lady, the old lady has a big grandson who weighs six pounds and nine taels. Because grandma said it was late , I was afraid to disturb the old lady, so I was called to congratulate the old lady and the wife after the birth, although it was a bit early, but it went smoothly, and I came down in half an hour."