Daiyu of the Red Chamber raised a cat

The princess is not well, so she didn't invite Daiyu and her two to go in, but ordered the girl next to her to serve tea in the small hall.I heard that Daiyu also brought a girl here, and ordered someone to reward her as a gift, a pair of peony-shaped hairpins made of soybean-sized foreign beads, a pair of bracelets, and two pieces of fine Sichuan brocade.

The things that the princess sells are naturally extraordinary.

Such a gift is considered very generous, even more generous than what Li Xu gave.

Li Xu is the kind of person who acts according to the will, and treats the person he likes with all his heart and soul, such as Daiyu, naturally she will use all the good things for her, and she is not in the mood to deal with the person she doesn't care about. .Therefore, he directly handed over Zheng Lihua's gift to his subordinates, and what the subordinates brought was naturally what they got.

As for the princess, although she doesn't value Zheng Lihua too much.But she has always spent a lot of money in front of outsiders, and she rewards people with pearls and bracelets to show her wealth.Therefore, Daiyu didn't find it strange that the concubine's gift was heavier.

Zheng Lihua felt a little uneasy, she quietly stretched out her hand to pull Daiyu's sleeve, Daiyu gave her a look that she didn't need to think about, she nodded, ordered the maid who was close to her to accept the gift, and got up to thank her.

The two didn't sit for a long time. After saying goodbye, they took each other to the plum garden to enjoy the plum blossoms on snow.The red, pink or white plum blossoms are reflected in the scattered jades all over the ground, the fragrance is dense, and the fallen petals are colorful, which makes people intoxicated.The two were admiring the snow and the plum blossoms, talking and laughing, until Mammy Li came to ask where the rice was placed, they still couldn't get enough of it.

After ordering that the meal be served in the small hall of Cuiyuxuan, Daiyu took Zheng Lihua to pick plum blossom branches.

By the time they folded the plum blossom branches, the meal had already been set.

Nanny Li personally found two sweet white porcelain vases with thin mouths, trimmed the plum blossom branches neatly, and inserted them one by one.She is very good at inserting vases, and the plum blossom branches of deep and shallow are well arranged, either budding or standing proudly on the branches, which is very beautiful.

Before Daiyu could speak, Zheng Lihua had already spoken.

"The flowers Mammy put in are so pretty, I don't have such skillful hands."

"It's not a difficult task. If you put your heart into it, the girl will get it right." Then she put the vase on the multi-treasure shelf, turned around and said with a smile, "Girls, let's eat, it's not good if it's cold, you'll have a stomachache after eating. "

It was the first time for Zheng Lihua to dine at the palace, and she didn't know the rules and etiquette, so she didn't dare to move the chopsticks casually, but just watched Daiyu quietly to see how Daiyu would act.The food is very rich, but it is not the big fish and meat of ordinary wealthy people.Many of them can’t tell what kind of ingredients are used, whether they are meat or vegetables, but the color matching is very beautiful and coordinated, and the utensils are also very particular. They are all blue and white, white porcelain, jade, etc., which complement the food. People's index fingers moved, not to mention a strong aroma.

Nanny Li took two wives and four maids to serve inside the house, the rest were Lin Daiyu and Zheng Lihua's maids, and there were many maids outside.Although there were many people, everyone held their breath and concentrated on it, and didn't even hear a cough.

Nanny Li served the dishes herself, Daiyu ate in small mouthfuls, while Zheng Lihua was more unrestrained, although she did not lose her ladylike etiquette, she still moved her chopsticks very quickly.She couldn't speak at the dinner table, and she kept holding back until the meal was finished, and the servants waited on the outside, only when he and Daiyu were sitting on the kang in the inner room and talking, did they drag Daiyu to ask questions, should they leave? Do not eat.

For example, there is a dish that is soft and melts in the mouth, what is it made of?

Lin Daiyu told her that it was made of potatoes, but she didn't believe it, saying that she had eaten the potatoes before, and why there was a meaty smell coming out of the potatoes.Daiyu had no choice but to explain that for that dish, tender fresh potatoes were boiled in fish soup, and then the dregs were removed, leaving only the soup, and then boiled until thick, with some milk and egg whites added, and stewed. After it is cooked, it is the one to eat.

Hearing that Zheng Lihua was filled with emotion, Daiyu told her that the prince's mansion, the duke's and the marquis's family, because of the regulation of titles, other mansions are more luxurious, and the food is also particular about it. For the vegetarian dishes, I need more than a dozen chickens, ducks and fish to go with it.

Hearing that Cuiyuxuan was cleaned up by someone specially ordered by the prince to live in for Daiyu, Zheng Lihua was moved again.

After a short rest after lunch, Lin Daiyu took Zheng Lihua for a stroll around the palace. Nanny Li personally guided her and visited almost all the beautiful scenery of the palace.Zheng Lihua also saw the magnificence of the palace, and she was in a very good mood. She said that she had learned a lot during this trip, and she didn't make the trip in vain, but she was honored by the prince and concubine, and she felt very sorry.Daiyu joked that she didn't go shopping enough, and she would bring her here next time, but Zheng Lihua waved her hand and said no, with such a big world, she was terrified once she saw it, and she, the daughter of a small official, dared not ask for more.

Daiyu never imagined that she could advance and retreat in such a way, and secretly thought that she underestimated her on weekdays.

Coming out of the garden, passing the plum garden, I vaguely saw a young master with a squirrel cape carved in stone and blue silk standing beside a bunch of red plums, only a back view, but no face.But judging from his age, he should be the eldest son. If Zheng Lihua was not present, it would be fine for Daiyu to meet him. After all, there are brothers and sisters in name, but it happens that there is Zheng Lihua here, so it is not easy to go to see him at this moment.So Daiyu gave Nanny Li a wink, and wanted to go around quietly, and Nanny Li understood, so she led Daiyu and Zheng Lihua to turn east and walk through a small path to get out of the plum garden.

Unexpectedly, he had just walked four or five steps, when he heard a clear and hearty voice: "But sister Daiyu is here?"

It would be deliberate to go again at this moment, so Daiyu had no choice but to stop, and gathered up the fox fur cloak, wrapping herself up even tighter.She stepped forward with a smile, and Li Yu also walked over with a smile. When they were about three or four steps away, they both stopped at the same time.Daiyu bowed her knees and saluted, Li Yu hurriedly returned the salute without falling.Although Zheng Lihua had never seen Li Yu, she already guessed his identity, followed suit, and then quietly hid behind Daiyu.

Although Daiyu and Li Yu are brothers and sisters, they have never seen each other a few times, and they only exchanged a few words when they met by chance, and they have nothing to say, and it is expected to be the same this time.Therefore, seeing that Li Yu didn't notice Zheng Lihua, she didn't mention it.

Sure enough, Li Yu still exchanged pleasantries, and after the greetings, he told Daiyu not to be restrained in the palace, to treat it as her own home, and let others ask for anything she lacks.

Daiyu naturally answered one by one.

Then came the expected farewell.

What Daiyu didn't know was that Li Yu stared at their leaving backs, stared blankly for a long time, then sighed, and took out a small piece of paper from the purse that she wore next to her body, which was exactly after Daiyu sent her away. The one who hadn't heard from him was unexpectedly picked up by Li Yu.

After rubbing the small portrait for a while, Li Yu still put it away carefully, and stood in the plum garden with his hands behind his back.

Daiyu didn't know about these things, after returning home, when her body was warm and her hands and feet were no longer cold, she took off her thick clothes and sat on the kang with Zheng Lihua to play chess.Daiyu wanted to break some plum branches and take them home to put in vases, and asked who would take the job, Xueyan cheered and volunteered, and a little girl of Zheng Lihua was also eager to try, so Daiyu ordered Xueyan to take the two little girls and Zheng Lihua Together with that girl.

Zicuckoo came in holding a box of assorted eight treasures, which contained all kinds of dried, melon seeds, almonds, etc., which she said were sent by Madam Li.Zheng Lihua liked to eat this little snack, so Daiyu ordered the servant girl to bring another small kang table and put it beside Zheng Lihua.

Zheng Lihua was not happy anymore, she said: "What do you mean by leaving me here alone? It's like I can eat as much as I can. It's boring if I'm idle. Why don't I put it in the middle, so it's convenient for my sister to eat."

The little maid placed the Kang table between Daiyu and Zheng Lihua, Zheng Lihua took almonds and ate them slowly one by one, Zijuan leaned over and sat on the edge of the Kang, carefully pushed aside the pine nuts, rubbed the kernels gently Take out the thin skin on the outside, take out the handkerchief and lay it out, peel off one grain and put it on the handkerchief, until the handkerchief has accumulated twenty or thirty pine nuts that have blown the thin skin, and then hand it to Daiyu.

Daiyu took it and held it in the palm of her hand, saying: "It's hard for you to have a heart, so much is enough, there is no need to peel it off."

Seeing this, Zheng Lihua also ordered her little maid to peel the pine and melon seeds.

Zheng Lihua seemed to be in love with the feeling of putting a lot of pine nuts or melon seeds into her mouth and chewing them, saying that it was so delicious that the few maids she brought couldn't peel them enough for her to enjoy.It was Daiyu who reminded her that no matter how delicious something is, don't eat too much, otherwise it will accumulate in the stomach and it will be useless, not to mention melon seeds and pine nuts are dead things, eating too much will easily get angry, so Zheng Lihua gave up.

On the way back from the palace, Daiyu encountered a small miracle.

At that time, she had parted ways with Zheng Lihua and was walking to a busy street.From time to time, the cries of peddlers could be heard in her ears, and Daiyu looked out through the screen window. There were loads of goods everywhere, a dazzling array of goods, and there was a lot of people coming and going.Just when he was enjoying it, suddenly the curtain of the car was lifted messily and roughly by a chubby hand, and then the face of a child with delicate features, red lips and white teeth came into view.The child was full of anxiety, and shouted at Daiyu: "There is a kidnapper! Sister, save me! Save me!"

The child was a boy, who was carried on his back, looked to be no more than four or five years old, wearing red shoulder sleeves, and a pearl brocade cap on his head.Ordinary officials rarely have such things, and even if they do, they are reluctant to use them for children who are only four or five years old. Because children at this age grow the fastest, clothes are cut and eliminated quickly, which is too wasteful .

From this, Daiyu judged that the child was of extraordinary origin, at least a child of a noble family.

But the man who carried him was dressed in coarse linen, which was a bit worn out.As long as the aristocratic families in Beijing pay more attention to decency, even the servants are all made of silk and satin, they will never be so simple.

This flesh-faced man is definitely not the little boy's domestic servant, so the little boy was... abducted?

Thinking, the man had gone far away, and the little boy on his back was still looking at the direction of the sedan chair, with an anxious and helpless expression on his face, Daiyu hurriedly said: "Come on! Stop the person carrying the child in front!"

Ever since she was taken into captivity in Yangzhou, Lin Ruhai stepped up to protect her daughter's safety. Every time Daiyu went out, she had to have many nurses to protect her along the way.At this moment, after hearing Daiyu's order, three or four nurses rushed forward to catch the kidnapper.

Hearing the little boy's call for help, the kidnapper was already worried, but he thought that most people in the world had nothing to do with him, and others might not care about such trivial matters, but he unconsciously quickened his pace, and the sweat on his forehead Big drops drop.When Daiyu ordered someone to stop him, she knew that her luck was unlucky, and she didn't care too much when she encountered a hard nail, so she hurriedly dropped the child and ran away.But he didn't think he still didn't escape, at first he refused to admit that he was a kidnapper, he only said that the one on his back was his little son, who was carried out to play.Later, when he had no other choice, he admitted that he had the courage to kidnap him because he saw that the little boy was alone, and he was wearing a purse, gold lock, bracelet, jade ornaments and other things on his body.

Daiyu immediately ordered someone to turn the kidnapper to the government.

Daiyu ordered people to call the child into the sedan chair, and asked the young man carefully how old he was, so that he knew his name and which family he belonged to.

The little boy was articulate, answered fluently, and bowed his hands to thank Daiyu for saving her.He originally went out with his elder brother to meet friends, and his elder brother was drinking tea and composing poems with his classmates in a teahouse. He thought it was boring, so he took two young men out for a stroll, and happened to come across a stall performing a variety of operas, which was crowded with people people.He and the boy also squeezed over to watch, not wanting too many people. When it was over, everyone dispersed and was picked up by a kidnapper and carried away. The kidnapper covered his mouth and could not call for help.

The kidnapper hugged him, and walked to a street that he was completely unfamiliar with.At the beginning, he was hugged in his arms, his mouth was covered all the time, and he couldn't call for help. He thought he was tired from holding him, but the kidnapper saw that he was more honest, so he carried it on his back instead.The young master knew that he had run into a villain, and he tried to call for help, but the people on the street were either indifferent, or they were fooled by the kidnapper who told him that his young master was playing with his temper and being awkward.Although he is young, he is very intelligent. When he was three or four years old, his father told him "Sun Tzu's Art of War" as a story. He also had some strategies, and knew that he should not ask for help blindly, otherwise it would only cause more trouble.

The young master pretended to be obedient and observed everyone along the way.When I met the chariots and horses of the Lin family, I saw that they were mighty and mighty. The chariots and horses were naked, and there were many servants. They must be rich and powerful people; .Such a family would definitely not let a child be abducted without doing nothing, so he made up his mind to ask for help.

Hearing Daiyu's question, he said: "Sister, my surname is Ji, and my name is Xuan Sheng. I am five years old this year. I am the youngest son of Uncle Xiangyang. I went out with my brother to meet friends. Because I was playful, I ran out by myself, and I was in the chaos with you." The boy who followed got separated and was caught by this kidnapper."

Xiangyang Bo Daiyu had heard of him, his surname was Ji and his name was Bo, he was a veteran soldier with outstanding military exploits.Different from ordinary generals, Uncle Xiangyang is a Confucian general. Except when he is on the battlefield, he usually dresses as a Confucian scholar. It is said that he is very proficient in the art of war.

It turned out to be Uncle Xiangyang's son, no wonder he has such a bearing at such a young age.

Daiyu ordered someone to send Ji Xuansheng home.

This was just a small episode, Daiyu didn't take it to heart, unexpectedly the next day Uncle Xiangyang's wife, Mrs. Zhao, came to the door with a lot of gifts and young son Ji Xuansheng came to thank him with great fanfare.Although Mrs. Zhao is past forty years, she is in good condition. She looks about [-] years old, she is very kind and kind. She pulls Daiyu and says many grateful words, which makes Daiyu feel embarrassed.

Ji Xuansheng is a big kid, his mouth looks like it has been smeared with honey, and he got acquainted with Daiyu's maids not long after, and his elder sister and elder sister can't stop screaming.

Ji Xuansheng is a descendant of Uncle Xiangyang, and he also has a compatriot's eldest brother, who is the one who takes him out.Mrs. Zhao is forty years old this year, and Uncle Xiangyang is three years older than her. At the age of [-], Uncle Xiangyang dotes on his youngest son, and this boy is very smart since he was a child, so he can't help but value him more.

Mrs. Zhao is so happy that her youngest son is caring and sweet-mouthed. Yesterday, when she heard that she lost it while watching a hundred operas, she was so anxious that all her family members were burned. She beat the servant who followed her so that she couldn't move. Even the eldest son was punished and put in the Buddhist hall. Kneeling.Mrs. Zhao hurriedly sent people to search everywhere, but there was no news at all. After wiping away tears for a long time, she ordered people to report to the officials, and at the same time drew a portrait of her youngest son, and posted it everywhere. Thousands, I hope that those people who want to reward money or those who know the news can tell them in time.

But I don't want to be in a hurry when people report that someone sent the young master back.

Mrs. Zhao wept with joy, hugged her youngest son and wiped away the tears for a long time, only then did she remember to order someone to give the reward, but the person who sent it had already disappeared without a trace.After asking her son, she found out that it was Lin Shaofu's daughter who saved him. Miss Lin saved him not for money, and the Lin family did not lack the ten thousand silver.

Mrs. Zhao was moved, so she prepared to come to the door to thank her personally, and this led to today's event.

Since then, Daiyu has been in contact with the Xiangyang uncle's mansion.

A few days later, news came from the Procuratorate, saying that the kidnapper was found to be a habitual offender, not only kidnapping, but also daring to do other things. Hundreds of children were kidnapped by him, and I don't know how many families were separated.Now he has more than 30 children from the age of three or four to eleven or twelve years old.Now these children can be rescued, and those who still remember where their homes are will be ordered to return to their homes; those who cannot remember their family origins will be registered in the register and sent to the Yangshengtang to settle down temporarily.As for the kidnapper, he was sentenced to thirty sticks and exiled for three thousand miles.

Daiyu said with emotion in front of Zhou Hang that the sentence was too light, such a man with no conscience would have killed many families, wives and children, and not killing them would not be enough to soothe the hearts of those children who were abducted for no reason.

On the second day, there was another news, saying that the original sentence was due, the kidnapper was sentenced to death, and the holy decree was issued, saying that the act of abducting and trafficking other people's children is really abhorrent, and in the future, anyone who encounters Those who abducted and trafficked children were all sentenced in this way, and those who had shelter were driven out, and they were guilty of the same crime as the kidnappers.

All of a sudden, the people clapped their hands and applauded, saying, Long live the Holy Spirit, it should have been like this long ago.

As the New Year's Eve is getting closer, fresh New Year's goods are being delivered in Zhuangzi, and account books are constantly being delivered from various shops.Daiyu was very busy dealing with these matters and preparing the New Year's ceremony for each family.She also took time to go to Jia's mansion and met with her grandmother and two uncles and aunts.Lunch is served in the long room, and there are Jia She, Xingshi, Yingchun, and Xichun at the table.Tanchun Xing sent someone to call, but she said she was not well and did not come, but Jia Baoyu wanted to come, but Wang did not allow him to come, so she sat alone in Jiamu's room and sulked.

Daiyu also felt that her grandmother was different from before. Although she loved Jia Baoyu more than herself, at least she still loved the younger generation. Now Daiyu could not see any love in her eyes, only cold scheming and Perfunctory.

Daiyu was sad for a moment, but soon, she thought about it, some things, what is yours is yours, and what is not yours is something you can't ask for.Losing is not terrible, it means that it does not belong to you, so there is nothing to regret.Now she has the care of her father, adoptive father, and Zhou Hang, as well as Yingchun, Xichun, Zheng Lihua and other good girlfriends and sisters, and her father's body is getting stronger and stronger.She is no longer an out-of-town girl who is under the fence of the Jia family and is pointed out behind her back, but the master of the Lin family who is in charge of Zhongkui. Life is bright, so is it not another kind of possession?

Regarding the betrothal to Yingchun, after Jia Amnesty came back, Mrs. Wang couldn't bring it up again, and neither did Mrs. Jia.Although Jia Amnesty did not mention the previous unhappiness, he also made it clear that he would carefully consider the future Yingchun marriage.

After this incident, Yingchun has changed a lot. The most obvious manifestation is that her body is straighter and her speech is more confident. Those little girls did not dare to be perfunctory when serving them, and they were a lot more careful.Daiyu nodded secretly, thinking, Cousin Yingchun is willing to change from herself, and with the care of her uncle, the servants in the house will never dare to underestimate her again.

Yingchun also found time to make a pair of shoes for Jia She, Jia She was very proud of wearing them, everyone praised the second girl for her skillful workmanship and filial piety, Jia She was even more happy.He didn't wear those shoes again after wearing them once. Instead, he ordered someone to clean them and put them in a box.Xing also took it as a joke and told Lin Daiyu about it, saying that the master was actually reluctant to wear it.

The two were chatting again, and Xing said that it is good for girls to go out and have a look often. Although they can't look forward to showing their faces, it is also good to go to banquets occasionally, or go to temples, nunneries and other places to worship gods and burn incense.Now that the end of the year is approaching, each family is busy with business, so naturally there is no banquet, even temples are the busiest time of the year, so naturally there is no time to go there, and we will wait until the new year is over.

When Daiyu was talking to Mrs. Xing, Yingchun was quietly sitting aside and embroidering something. Daiyu looked closer, Yingchun was still a little embarrassed, and hurriedly hid a pattern she was embroidering in her sleeve.Daiyu stretched out her hand to get it, and said with a smile: "Sister embroidered something so mysterious that no one can see it, take it out and let us open our eyes, it must be a very good thing!"

Yingchun clenched her cuffs even tighter, trying to prevent Daiyu from reaching her.

"What a good thing, but I embroidered it indiscriminately. The embroidery is poor, so I'm embarrassed to show it to others." She said.

Daiyu said: "I know my sister's embroidery work very well. If you are poor at embroidery work, mine will be a dog." Then she took one of her purses, "Sister, look at me, it's me. I embroidered it by myself, but the plum blossoms are out of shape, and I still wear them every day? What’s the big deal, as long as the embroidery is good, who will embroider it by themselves, and leave it to the embroiderer? It’s just a special one. , What other people embroider is not as interesting as what I embroider. I don’t feel ashamed, sister, why should I be ashamed?”

Yingchun thought for a while, then pursed her lips and said with a smile: "What my sister said is true, but I'm pedantic." Then she took out the pattern she had hidden before, held it in her palm, and spread her palm, "Sister, please look!"

"It turns out that my sister embroidered bamboo!" Daiyu touched it with her hand. Although the green bamboo has not yet formed, it is already tall and straight, and the high and low villages are full of beauty. Not enough."

Yingchun smiled shyly: "Sister is too self-effacing."

-

Since the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, the Spring Festival has officially entered. In addition to the basic New Year's goods, the Lin family also purchased a lot of fireworks and firecrackers. On the 25th day, the emperor began to write blessing characters and Spring Festival couplets, which were posted outside the palaces and given to ministers.The writing is made of fine silk, coated with cinnabar, and painted with golden cloud dragons. It is very exquisitely made, and naturally it takes a lot of effort.In addition to the relatives of the emperor and meritorious officials, those who can get the bestowal are more important officials of the court who are above the third rank.Generally, there is only the word "Fu" and no couplets, and only very favored ministers can get couplets.

Lin Ruhai got a pair of couplets, and posted them on the main entrance of Lin Mansion when he came back.

Qin Tianjian chose the 26th as an auspicious day to hold the emperor's treasure sealing ceremony.It is about to seal up the emperor's seal and jade seal.The ceremony was still very solemn, and there were many people involved, including cabinet bachelors, six ministers and others.At the most auspicious time, the emperor went to the Jiaotai Hall to burn incense and salute. After the ceremony, all the treasures were put into boxes for collection.After the emperor seals the treasure, all government offices are also sealed as usual, and they are no longer open, officially entering the New Year's Eve.

Daiyu was also happy that Lin Ruhai didn't have to go to the palace every day to be on duty.I went to greet Lin Ruhai every day, and the father and daughter cooked tea, played chess and read books, and they were happy.After Zhou Hang was free, he ran out of the palace from time to time, and had more chances to meet Daiyu.

One day, Daiyu was looking at the account books in her room, when suddenly a brown kitten came in, so scared that Daiyu almost screamed, she looked down and realized that it was Zhou Hang, and quickly swallowed the surprise on her lips, Looking around, seeing no one in the room, he bent down to pick up the kitten, and reprimanded in a low voice: "Why do you come here so ostentatiously in broad daylight? Don't be afraid of being seen!"

In one year, Zhou Hang's cat body shape has grown a lot, and now it is not very appropriate to call it a kitten, because Zhou Hang has grown into a very mighty and majestic big fat cat.

That's right, the big fat cat!

Very fat, very fat...

It's funny how she twists and turns when she walks, but it's surprisingly cute.There is one thing that Daiyu has always been puzzled about, just as she hasn't figured out how a person's soul can suddenly appear on a cat, she really can't figure out why Zhou Hang's body was well-proportioned when he was a human, neither fat nor thin , but turned into a cat body but became a chubby ball.But she just likes the fleshy feel, but she won't say it to let someone know.

"Fishball!" Daiyu called out, and the same fat big black cat twisted and walked over.Daiyu suddenly felt that she had come to the truth. The reason why Zhou Hang's cat body was so fat was because he could eat too much.

"Yuwan, go and guard the door, don't let anyone in..." Daiyu whispered.

Zhou Hang jumped onto Lin Daiyu's bed, rolled over, and stared at Daiyu.Daiyu's face became hot when he saw him, and she turned her head away. Zhou Hang jumped off the bed, walked up to Daiyu and faced her, tilted his head and said, "Your wounds are completely healed!" The injury naturally refers to the hidden injury Daiyu suffered when her epiphany was broken by the fish ball last time.

"It's all gone, and my skills have all recovered." Daiyu said.

Zhou Hang asked again: "Do you want to enter space?"

Daiyu said: "The New Year's Eve is approaching, and there are many people involved. If you can't stay here for a while, I'm afraid someone will look for it. It's troublesome, so you'd better not go in."

Zhou Hang thought for a while and said, "That's fine."

While the two were talking, a woman came to collect the cards and buy lanterns, lamp oil and other things for the New Year.Zhou Hang hurriedly got into bed, Daiyu found out the pair of cards from the box, went outside, and Zijuan came in with a thick booklet.Daiyu gave the pair of cards to the woman, and asked Zijuan what she took. Zijuan said that it was rent and tribute from three farms outside the city. Livestock, wild animals, etc.

Daiyu looked at them one by one, and there was no big difference from previous years. Her own family could not use them up, and it would be a waste to keep them for nothing. It is better to help the poor.So, he ordered the excess to be given to the homeless beggars on the street during the Chinese New Year, or the poor who couldn't eat three meals a day.

As soon as the processing was finished, a little maid sent by Lin Ruhai came to pass the message that a distinguished guest was coming, and asked her to change into clothes to meet the guest.Daiyu asked who the distinguished guest was, and the little girl replied that she didn't know the exact identity, but that she was a master.Daiyu originally wanted to go by herself, but Zhou Hang insisted on following.However, a brown cat suddenly appeared next to Daiyu, which aroused suspicion. There was no other way, and finally he had to put Zhou Hang into the space.

Daiyu thought about it all the way, but she didn't know who this distinguished guest was.

My father would never let me meet a strange man at will. This person is either related to me, or has a deep relationship with the Lin family, or has a high position and authority.However, ordinary fathers would not be afraid of this, so they can only be members of the royal family.If Zhou Hang was not by her side, she might guess that it was Zhou Hang who came, but now that Zhou Hang is by her side, it is naturally impossible for him to come.

Could it be foster father?

Not right either.He came and went frequently, and most of the maids in the mansion knew him.

Thinking about it, I have already walked to the main hall.Hearty laughter faintly came from inside, it sounded very familiar, Daiyu frowned and thought for a moment, then smiled, as if her heart was clear.She straightened her clothes and told the maids not to enter, but to wait in the side room.

Daiyu opened the thick cotton curtain of the orangutan felt and walked in.

Li Zhao was sitting at the top, drinking tea with a small white-ground blue and white tureen, and Lin Ruhai was sitting at the bottom on an armchair.Daiyu made a grand ceremony, and Li Zhao said with a smile, "This is not in the palace ban, so there is no need to be more polite."

Noticing a hand stove in Daiyu's hand, she couldn't help but curl her lips slightly, and asked, "Prince Jing gave it to you?"

Daiyu said: "It was given by the adoptive father, and your Majesty also recognizes it?"

Li Zhao laughed and said, "Of course I recognize it. His hand stove was rewarded by me, together with the silver ice charcoal from the fish ball. He loves you so much that he even gave you the silver ice charcoal."

Daiyu said with a smile: "It is the blessing of the courtiers that the righteous father loves the courtiers."

Li Zhaodao: "Since you are King Jing's adoptive father, you can also be considered my niece in terms of seniority. You don't have to be so restrained, and you don't have to call yourself a courtier's daughter. It seems alien. You can just call yourself by your name."

Although this is grace, it is not in compliance with the rules. Daiyu subconsciously looked at Lin Ruhai, who nodded slightly, and she blessed her body, and said softly: "It is His Majesty's grace, and I dare not disobey it." Just finished speaking , seeing Li Zhao frowned, knowing that he had made a mistake, he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty's atonement is due to Daiyu's negligence."

Li Zhaodao: "This is outside the palace, there are not so many rules, just call him Uncle."

Daiyu called her uncle as she said.

Li Zhao took off a piece of blood jade that he was wearing with him, and said, "This is for you to play with."

Daiyu took it respectfully, without mentioning thank you.

After Li Zhao left, Daiyu learned from her father that the reason why the Holy Majesty came to the Lin residence in disguise was because he suspected that Zhou Hang had left the palace privately.He thought that Zhou Hang came to the Lin Mansion when he left the palace, so he came to the Lin Mansion.

He guessed right, Zhou Hang came to the Lin Mansion, but no one knew except her.

Zhou Hang also complained that the emperor was too strict with him and had little time for leisure and entertainment.

On New Year's Eve, Lin Daiyu and her father Lin Ruhai worshiped their ancestors and sat around the fire to watch the night.A family banquet was held in the palace, and members of the clan, from the emperor, the emperor, the empress dowager, down to the prince, prince, princess, princess, etc., also watched the year in the warm hall.

Zhou Hanggui is the prince, ranking only under the emperor, the emperor, and the empress dowager.

The hall was filled with wine and wine, and it was very lively. Zhou Hang sat on his seat bored, sipping tea.Suddenly there was a "chi" smile in his ear, Zhou Hang turned his head to look, and the second prince was looking at him with his chin raised and disdainful.Zhou Hang was not the kind to be bullied, he glanced at the second prince and despised him from the corner of his eye.

The second prince blew his beard and stared angrily, and said coldly: "Women only drink tea, that's what a good man should do!"

As he spoke, he raised his neck, drank a large bowl of wine, and looked at Zhou Hang provocatively.

Zhou Hang gave him the look that you are an idiot, naive, if I have the same knowledge as you, wouldn't I be as naive as you?Therefore, he naturally ignored the second prince, and started chatting and laughing with Li Xu. The angry second prince vomited blood.

Several concubines gathered together to tell jokes to please the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was also in a good mood seeing the scene of children and grandchildren gathering together happily.Li Xu stepped forward to congratulate him, said many auspicious words, and received many rewards from the Supreme Emperor and the Empress Dowager.While chatting and laughing calmly, Zhou Hang quietly picked out the villain, went out to send a message to Daiyu with magic power while others were not paying attention, and told Daiyu interesting things that happened in the hall.

Daiyu was watching the night with Lin Ruhai, and it was not easy to pass on a message to Zhou Hang, so she quietly figured out that the villain was sent out, not to pass on a message, but to reassure Zhou Hang.After finally making it to five o'clock, I went out to watch the firecrackers set off, received gifts from the girls, rewarded everyone, and got a bulging purse from Lin Ruhai as lucky money, then hurriedly washed and slept.

Zhou Hang also got a lot of lucky money, which was given by the emperor, the emperor, the empress dowager, concubines, uncles and other elders.He gathered all the lucky money together, packed it in a huge purse, and planned to give it all to Daiyu as lucky money.

After the first day of the new year, all the prefectures visited and invited them to drink New Year's wine, and they continued until the tenth day of the new year.

Then there is the Lantern Festival. For the girls who have been trapped in boudoir for a long time, the Lantern Festival is a festival that is more lively than the New Year.On the fifteenth day, the streets were decorated with lanterns and festoons, with fiery trees and silver flowers, guessing lantern riddles, watching lanterns, and it was very lively.Everyone, including girls, can come out to enjoy the lanterns without being criticized.Even if they don't go out to enjoy the lanterns, girls generally like beautiful things, and the colorful lanterns are the girls' favorite.

The Lin family also bought a lot of lanterns, some were rewarded by the emperor, and Prince Jing sent them over.

Daiyu also personally took the girls to make many Xinqiao lanterns, and wrote all kinds of riddles on the lanterns. Everyone in the house can come and guess, and whoever guesses correctly can tell the lanterns and take them away.It attracted many people to guess for a while, not because of the lantern, but just for fun, to win a lottery.The boys outside heard that the fun of guessing lantern riddles and winning lanterns was very lively, and they were very envious, saying that it would be great if they could also play.

This word was passed on from mothers-in-law to little girls, and finally Daiyu knew about it, so she said: "What's so difficult about this? Let the comprador buy more lanterns, and put lantern riddles on them, and hang them up." Just let the servants guess it outside the second door. Since it is a festival that everyone enjoys, it should be considerate to everyone."

Zhou Hang asked Daiyu if she wanted to go out to enjoy the lanterns on the Lantern Festival, and Daiyu shook her head.Although it was not considered a violation of etiquette for a woman to go out to admire the lanterns that day, she will be 12 years old after the new year, and she is no longer a child, so it is better not to show her face in public.

Zhou Hang said: "It's so lively, why don't you go?"

Lin Daiyu said: "The excitement is the excitement. It's inconvenient to have so many people crowded together. Besides, the more lively the occasion, the more desolate it will be when the music ends. I'd better not join in the excitement."

Zhou Hang's eyelashes drooped down, casting a small shadow.

Daiyu said: "You like to be lively, you can go there!"

"If you don't go, what's the point if I go alone?" He suddenly raised his eyebrows and said, "Yes!"

Daiyu looked into the beaming eyes, wondering what he thought of again, and asked, "What happened?"