Love of Friends in the Red Chamber

But it is said that the person Baoyu bumped into at the gate of Zongxue turned out to be Jiang Yuhan.Ever since Jiang Yuhan married Xiren, she claimed to be a family man, and she wanted to respect herself more and more, so she seldom appeared on stage. Relying on some assets and contacts in her hands, she formed a theater troupe and became the troupe leader, but she never went out to the theater Singing, entertaining among princes and grandchildren, only singing in halls of powerful families.

Today he originally came to Zongxue to look for the sixth prince of the current emperor, because the sixth prince had just come of age, and the emperor gave him a mansion, which had just been repaired, and wanted to treat guests with wine and celebrate, so Jiang Yuhan thought Finalize this big deal with the sixth prince.Unexpectedly, he came early, the little eunuch in Zongxue told him that the sixth prince hadn't come yet, and said he didn't know if he would come or when he would come, Jiang Yuhan rushed to nothing, but it was not in vain.Because I met the grandson of Prince Qing in it, he is the most playful dude, so I immediately asked him to play a play, to celebrate Prince Qing's [-]th birthday, to sing the full set of "The Peony Pavilion", and to perform in person Pretend to be Liu Mengmei and sing "Scary Dream", learn to play in striped clothes, and please my grandfather.

Prince Qing is a bold man, especially good at listening to dramas, and he is generous and generous with rewards. Jiang Yuhan accidentally accepted such a big order. He was so happy that he came out excitedly, but he accidentally met Baoyu, and he couldn't believe his eyes—— ——Baoyu's appearance has changed a lot. Her formerly round face has lost her chin, her eyes are dull, and she has not shaved her face since she got up early. Her beard is slightly exposed, and she is very carefree.

When Baoyu saw Jiang Yuhan, he was happy and sad at the same time. The two held hands and said a few words before talking about the warmth and coldness.Baoyu couldn't help it, and he couldn't help but follow Jiang Yuhan when he hadn't had any soup early in the morning.

Jiang Yuhan led Baoyu through the streets and alleys, and soon came to a shop facing the street in a secluded alley. He saw the front door with four doors open, and he saw exquisiteness, but no luxury. When the waiter saw Jiang Yuhan coming in, he came to say hello with a smile on his face: " Hey, Lord Jiang, I will be gone for a while, please sit upstairs, I have reserved the most elegant seat for you." Jiang Yuhan thanked Baoyu with a modest smile, asked Baoyu to go first, and let him go upstairs.

That building is really elegant and quiet, and it is not facing the street. Under the north window is a green peach tree in the backyard, which is blooming beautifully. Baoyu sat down, and the waiter poured tea. After taking a sip, Baoyu let out a sigh of relief. It was Longjing from Mingqian, and he hadn't touched his lips for a long time.From this alone, it can be seen that this shop has a strong background.Jiang Yuhan seemed to see Baoyu's thoughts, and said with a smile: "This place is at the root of the imperial city. It is the place where officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and some decent eunuchs in the palace often come and go. When those people are short of money, they will inevitably steal from time to time. Take some useful things and exchange them for some pockets..." Baoyu understood: "Those people are also hard-working people."

Jiang Yuhan couldn't help being taken aback when he heard this, and then smiled—although Baoyu has fallen so far, he still has a compassionate heart. Although his appearance has changed, his heart is still the handsome young man when he first met him.When the waiter came to order food, Jiang Yuhan asked, "Is your Boss Bai here today?" The waiter hurriedly said, "Boss Bai is serving in the back kitchen." Jiang Yuhan smiled and said, "It's so good, I have a good meal today." It’s gone.” Then he explained to Baoyu: “Their signboard here is all carried by the boss’s unique skills, ‘Bai Kui Roasted Lamb’ is called a articulate and fragrant, superb...” Baoyu couldn’t help laughing when he heard that it was roasted lamb , asked: "Is there any secret that is not passed on?"

The waiter smiled and said: "The roasted mutton in the small shop is delicious, it all depends on the high-quality ingredients, the skill is in place, and the men's support, the small shop dare not slack off. There is no secret recipe, the recipe is written on the wall in the lobby , anyone can learn, but no one has learned the essence. The mutton is all three-year-old sheep selected by Boss Bai himself, and only the tenderest meat from the front legs is prepared. Cooking, cooking, stewing, and frying, you can’t steal work in one process, and it will be liked by young and old.” Baoyu smiled and said: “I have to try it.” So he ordered roast mutton, double crispy, bean noodles Cake and a few side dishes, and the mutton was cooked for a while, and the color was red and bright. The mutton was fresh but not smelly, charred on the outside and tender on the inside, crispy and delicious.The most delicious thing is a cluster of fresh peppers on the dish. When it is served, the oil is hot for a while, and the fragrance is overflowing, which is really delicious.What a "fragrant" word!

Jiang Yuhan said with a smile: "Food can't be without wine." Then he ordered the top-grade Nurhong in the shop. Baoyu hadn't had a good wine for a long time, so he started to drink happily.Jiang Yuhan questioned Baoyu's current situation in detail, and felt overwhelmed. Hearing that Baoyu went to Zongxue to seek a teaching position, Jiang Yuhan clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Why ask others to go, there is a man who promises everything in front of me." It turned out that Jiang Yuhan's original owner was Prince Zhongshun. Although he had been released by mercy, he was always in love. Whenever there were weddings and funerals in the palace, he would contribute money and efforts, so Prince Zhongshun liked him very much.Moreover, as the younger brother of the emperor, Prince Zhongshun was deeply valued and trusted, and was appointed as the Chief Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Zongxue was within his jurisdiction.So Jiang Yuhan made a promise to Baoyu and went to speak in front of Lord Zhongshun.

Although Baoyu didn't care about foreign affairs, he also knew that Jia's mansion and Zhongshun Wang's mansion were never compatible. Hearing this, he felt a little unhappy in his heart, but he couldn't express it.Jiang Yuhan is the best at being low-key, serving attentively, pouring wine and persuading food, Baoyu is very happy, and doesn't feel drunk.Jiang Yuhan called a car to take Baoyu home, and went to ask Prince Zhongshun to entrust this matter. After a few days, he really brought a letter of appointment.

Hearing that Baoyu had found a job, Baochai didn't know whether it was joy or sorrow, but she only pretended to be happy, and arranged some clothes for Baoyu, and told him to be kind to others and not to be angry with those clan children. Baoyu agreed one by one, and then Under the gaze of his wife and concubine Yin Yin, he left the house and went to Zongxue as an errand.

When he arrived at Zongxue, he met the Tai Tu, who was easy-going, remembered his grandfather's friendship, and took good care of him. Immediately, he arranged a studio, and Baoyu went to Zongxue every day to teach homework for three hours. After having lunch there, I walked home in a car. Every ten days, I could take a day off and take a bath. Every month, I could go to receive five taels of silver and five taels of money, as well as the prescribed rice charcoal.Although the amount was not much, fortunately they had a fixed income, and Jia Zheng was not ruthless, and subsidized them from time to time, and Mrs. Wang was even more frugal and wanted to save money to support their children and grandchildren. Baoyu and Baochai lived an ordinary life. In my little days, time flies like an arrow, and the sun and the moon fly like a shuttle.

However, as time went by, some unsatisfactory feelings gradually appeared.Although Baoyu is a teacher, he is not an imperially appointed master of high grade. Freehand brushwork, especially loves to paint jagged rocks, strange birds, fine bamboos, orchids. As for the fine-painted beauties, flowers, birds, and grass and insects that those dandies love, he only says he can't, so some troublesome people will hate him He is lonely and arrogant, and he doesn't know how to flatter and flatter. He often sues him for black complaints at the Zongxue Taifu.

However, misfortune fell from heaven that day. It turned out that Sun Shaozu had really worked hard since he was transferred to Xijiang, and soon won a few small games.Sun Shaozu also made a lot of cronies in the clan school, especially the clan's children.That day he just came to look for a former friend, the brother-in-law of the Minister of War, who was born as a marquis in his family. When the two came out of the inner courtyard, they met Baoyu who was walking inside.

When Sun Shaozu saw Baoyu, he couldn't help being angry. When he was young, he married the in-laws of Jia's family. In fact, his intention was to cling to the influence of the concubine and Wang Ziteng on the line of Mrs. Wang. Who knew Mrs. Wang ignored him at all, so he He deeply hated the second family of Jia's family, and when he saw Baoyu, he aroused his old hatred, and sneered, "Isn't this the second master of Bao? How did you become a teacher? Does it mean that without the imperial concubine, there will be no one to back up?" Is he a man?" His friend is not a kind person either. Hearing this, he laughed and said, "Oh, Brother Sun, don't you know? His family can't count on women now, and it's fine if they don't have soft food. I can't live up to it, I'm counting on the opera singer to have dinner..." Then he added details about what he had heard about Jiang Yuhan and Prince Zhongshun's mansion, and Sun Shaozu laughed when he heard it, Baoyu turned pale with anger, and didn't go in. He didn't ask the Taifu to resign, just threw the picture post in his hand on the ground, and then walked away.

That night, Jia Amnesty came to the door. It turned out that the villain Sun Shaozu first complained, then went to his father-in-law's house, and explained Baoyu's actions with embellishments. , but it was all good intentions, who knew that Brother Bao didn't pay attention to my son-in-law at all, so he threw the picture album on the ground in front of his face, causing all the children in the sect school to come out to look at it, and my son-in-law felt very ashamed..." That Jia Amnesty came to Xingshi to inquire about the crime, and blamed Baoyu for dealing with Meng Lang. Baochai and others didn't know why Baoyu suddenly resigned from the job, and only then did they understand.

When Jia Zheng heard that Baoyu had offended Sun Shaozu, who was gaining power in the court, he was afraid and anxious, so he called Baoyu to scold him head and face.Baoyu didn't reply, and when he went back that night, he ordered his family to clean up, moved out of the small courtyard, and went to a place called Huangye Village, twenty miles outside the city, where he rented a small piece of land, built a few cottages, and settled down. .

The more Jia Zheng got angry, he let him fend for himself. Baoyu was not good at making a living, and became poorer, and only made a living by selling paintings and pawns.