The return of Fengxi of the Red Chamber

When lunch was approaching, Jia She and others took Lin Ruhai and Lin Dong back to Rongqing Hall.

Jia Shishi brought up the topic again: "Ruhai, when we were chatting just now, we talked about Brother Dong's studies. What's your order? If the yamen gets busy, I'm afraid you won't have time to see Brother Gu. Bar?"

Lin Ruhai pondered for a moment, before slowly saying: "The old lady is right to be worried, and I am trying to find a way. There are many academies around Beijing, so it is not difficult to find a trustworthy one."

After Jia Lian heard this, he hurriedly said, "Uncle, why do you still have to look outside? Our family has a ready-made good gentleman! Then Mr. Bai was recommended by you, and now he is only enlightening and teaching Lang Geer and Mao Geer." Excellent. Now that cousin Dong is here, wouldn't it be great for them to attend class together?"

When Lin Ruhai heard this, joy welled up on his cheeks: "I had completely forgotten that Brother Bai was still in the capital! It's extremely, Brother Bai was ahead of me in the past, but now that I'm up and down in the official world, I spend my days in business. He should It’s a hundred times stronger than me.”

"Since that's the case, I'll send Brother Dong to my house and let him study with Brother Lang and Brother Mao. I just don't know what the two little brothers have learned, will it delay the progress?"

Jia Lian replied with a smile when he heard the words: "Why, Lang Geer is a few years older, and now he is studying "University". Mao Geer was only enlightened last year, and now he has just finished studying "Three Hundred Thousands" Forget it, Brother Dong’s progress is faster. I vaguely remember that when I went to Yangzhou last year, Brother Dong was already studying "Mencius?"

Lin Ruhai stroked his beard and said with a smile: "That's okay, but now they are only seven or eight years old, and it's time for them to be familiar with the scriptures. These four books and five classics are even more recited and new. Learn more There is no harm. Moreover, different teachers teach different things, and Mr. Bai's explanation is higher than mine, so Dong Geer can only learn from Lang Geer."

Li Wan was overjoyed when she heard the words. She had heard Wang Xifeng say that this elder brother of Mrs. Lin's family was the best at reading, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that she was a child prodigy.Now that he has such a partner, Lang Geer has someone to chase after when he starts reading, so he will be proud and playful.

In this way, everyone is happy.

Lin Ruhai said again: "Why don't you see Brother Bai today? If he is here, I can still discuss with him and decide on the study plan of my buddies."

Jia Lian replied with a smile: "Coincidentally, Dean Gu at the Hanchen Academy in the suburbs hit it off with Mr. Bai. The two agreed that Mr. Bai would go to Hanchen Academy to teach for three days in the middle of each month. It's Lang Geer and Mao Geer's holiday."

When Lin Ruhai heard the words, he just said, "Then after we pack up, we will bring Brother Dong to visit Brother Bai in person, to preach and receive karma to solve doubts, and the gift of respecting the teacher should not be discarded."

Jia Lan and Jia Mao were both very happy to hear that the little cousin they met today was going to attend class with them.The two of them are the youngest in the Rongguo Mansion. Although the East Mansion also has a brother, after all, the relationship is far away, and they are separated by the gate of the mansion, and they are too young, so they don't usually play together. .

Seeing this, Jia Shishi smiled and said: "That's right, Lian's daughter-in-law, remember to ask someone to tidy up the yard and come out, it's next to Lang Geer and Mao Geer, and it's also convenient for them to talk and study every day."

Wang Xifeng smiled and got up to answer, then looked at Jia Min and said, "I also ordered someone to clean up the courtyard where my aunt used to live at home. Auntie will go to see later if she likes it or not. If there is something wrong, let's change it." .”

After hearing Wang Xifeng's words, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but praised: "Second sister-in-law's yard is well-kept, and everything is in order. Mother usually only said that second sister-in-law is bright and capable, but today I have seen it."

Mrs. Xing, Li Wan and others couldn't help laughing when they heard this.

Jia Shishi even hugged Daiyu, stroked her again and said, "Did you believe her words? It was the yard built by your second sister, third sister, and fourth sister. Your second sister-in-law is busy recently, and she only takes I gave you the key to the storehouse and gave it to you sisters, and I don’t care about the rest, this time I’m asking your mother for credit.”

Lin Daiyu was stunned for a moment, and then said sternly: "That's not to say that the second sister-in-law has no credit. For ordinary people, who would give the keys to the warehouse to a few girls? This just shows that the second sister-in-law, the old lady, and aunts used to educate their cousins. That's good, so I can rest assured that they can take care of it."

"Besides, the second sister and the others are really good. I have just seen it, and it is ten times better than what I arranged myself."

Hearing this, Wang Xifeng laughed hahaha: "I said that there are sensible people in this world, but I just met them. Ouch, the more I look at Sister Lin, the more I like her. Is there something wrong with this? No It’s just that the old lady taught me well, and I got it for nothing, who let me have such an old lady and girls? You guys, one counts as one, and it’s useless to envy me for nothing.”

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the room burst out laughing. Jia Shishi smiled and nodded at Wang Xifeng, then laughed and scolded: "That's all in the past, but today your aunt and uncle's family are here, and you still act like this, what a shame." It's a joke."

Jia Min also laughed so hard that her stomach ached, she suppressed her smile and said, "I just love such a lively daughter-in-law and girl's house. Usually, when we are at home, there are only four of us. My master and brother Dong can both say no to each other." Just two words. Sister Yu and I have been bored all day long, so today is a day of fun."

Wang Xifeng hit the iron while the iron was hot, and climbed up the pole: "Since that's the case, Auntie might as well stay at home for a few days. First, I have a lot of kisses with the old lady. After all, I haven't seen you for many years, and I always have a lot to say. Second, Well, it also tells us to talk more with Sister Lin, it’s difficult for my aunt to raise her, such a beautiful and intelligent person, I can’t love her very much.”

Jia Min thought for a while after hearing the words, and then said: "I also think about it in my heart, but I just returned to Beijing, and there are still a lot of things to do at home. Besides, we have been there for more than ten years, and there are relatives and old friends of my master. Once I went to visit, it is really not easy to be free."

Jia Shishi also missed her daughter, but after hearing Jia Min's words, she felt that it was reasonable, so she sighed and said, "Forget it, forget it, we are all the matriarchs of the family, so there is no time for this. It's just that it's good for you to go back, take Miss Yu Stay with Brother Dong for a few days, and talk with my wife for a few days."

"Wait until your house is done, or when you are going to have a banquet, and then send someone to pick you up. The left and right are not far away, and the carriage can go back and forth in half an hour."

Jia Min and Lin Ruhai had no choice but to comply with Jia Shishi's words, leaving Daiyu and siblings alone.

After eating, they chatted for a long time, seeing the sun setting, Lin Ruhai and Jia Min got up and left home.

As for Lin Daiyu and Lin Dong, they stayed at Jia's house for a while.

Daiyu lived in the Danxia Courtyard, and Brother Dong was alone. Jia Shishi was worried, so he arranged to live in the same courtyard with Brother Mao, so that it would be convenient for Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng to look after her.

Lin Daiyu has enjoyed herself in Jia's house for the past few days. Firstly, Jia Shishi and other elders took good care of her, and secondly, Yingchun and other three sisters accompanied her to study for fun. But in her opinion, the most wonderful thing about Jia's family is Bai Mr. and Mrs. Husband and wife.

Because Jia Lan and Jia Mao are young, their daily homework is actually only one and a half hours, and the rest of the time is either reading or practicing calligraphy.Therefore, Mr. Bai's task is very easy. After Jia Lian met, he discussed with him, and asked him to teach some girls in his family when he was free.

Mr. Bai is already in his fifties, a bit older than Jia She, and Yingchun is younger than the three, and there are many maids guarding him, so there is no danger for men and women.

Because the Jia family cared very much for Mr. Bai and his wife, they not only promised to use inexhaustible medicinal materials such as bird's nest, ganoderma lucidum and ginseng, but also specially invited the imperial physician in the palace to see him. Mrs. Bai's condition improved a lot.Therefore, after the two husband and wife discussed it, they agreed to this matter. Every afternoon, they would give lectures to the three Yingchun sisters for an hour.

On the third day after Lin Daiyu entered Jia's house, Mr. Bai and his wife came back. Their classes continued, and Lin Daiyu went to attend together for a few days.

In her opinion, the two couples are really a wonderful couple.

Mr. Bai and his wife have traveled hand in hand to the north and south of the Yangtze River since they were young, and later even went out to sea on a sea boat, and saw many wonderful sights and anecdotes.To Jia Lan, Jia Mao and the others, it's hard to say too much, for fear of diverting their minds from studying, but the girls Yingchun are different.

A few of them don't need the imperial examination to be an official. On the contrary, they live in the back house of the boudoir all year round, and what they should learn most is vision.Mr. Bai and his wife taught several people about the customs and customs of all parts of the Dagan Kingdom.

Those famous mountains, great rivers, and historical relics were narrated by the two of them, like scrolls of picture albums, which made people dazzled and fascinated.

When Lin Daiyu listened to it for the first time, she stopped listening.

When she was in Yangzhou City, although Jia Min and Lin Ruhai didn't restrict her from reading and studying, after all, what she learned on paper was superficial, and there was no such wonderful experience as the person involved.

At the end of a class, Lin Daiyu bowed her head and remained silent for a long time, followed Sanchun out of the study in a daze.

Seeing her like this, Xichun couldn't help tugging at her sleeve: "Sister Lin? Sister Lin? You're back to your senses!"

Lin Daiyu woke up suddenly, blushing and said: "I was rude."

Tanchun smiled when he heard the words, and replied: "What's the matter? When we came to class for the first time, we were really surprised. We only felt that we were a frog at the bottom of a well, and all we saw was a square inch of sky. After listening to Mr. Bai Only through the class with Mrs. Bai can I know the vast world outside, it’s not something we can know by just relying on a few books while we’re in the inner house.”

After finishing speaking, Tanchun sighed: "When will our boudoir girls be like Mr. Bai and Mrs. Bai, and also be able to swim freely between heaven and earth?"

After hearing this, the four of them fell silent, and each went back to their room without mentioning it.

In the evening, everyone had dinner at Jia Shi's place, although they still had smiles on their faces, they always felt a little depressed.Jia Shishi was puzzled and thought that there was a conflict between the several people, so he had to ask questions on the spot, so he had to leave the meeting early and asked the personal maids of the several people to ask.

"What's the matter with the girls today? They're all unhappy, maybe they're bickering?"

Starting with Pinellia, Xueyan is a guest, and there are other servants and painters. The four maids shook their heads in unison: "The girls get along very well, and now they are talking together in Danxia Courtyard."

Jia Shishi heard the words and said sharply: "Don't deceive me, something must have happened today, otherwise the sisters wouldn't be like this. You are following the girls closely, you don't even know why the girls are worried, stay What's the use of it!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the four of them knelt on the ground together, begging for mercy urgently.

After a while, Xueyan hesitated and said: "Xu Shi went to attend class today. Mr. Bai talked about the scenery outside the Northwest Great Wall, but the girls were yearning for it but couldn't go, so they were a little unhappy."

After hearing this, Jia Shishi looked at the other three servant girls and saw their suddenly enlightened expressions, so she believed it and asked a few of them to go back to serve without mentioning it.

After a while, she sighed: "It's really a child's family, and this kind of thing is worth getting angry."

It's just the wish of his granddaughter and granddaughter, Jia Shishi can't imagine it. In today's world, there is no time when boudoir girls can run amok.Not to mention the secular etiquette, but the bumps of the carriage, the bones of their bodies couldn't bear it.

It’s just that it’s not good at a distance, but you can think about it nearby. After thinking for a while, Jia Shishi called Amber over: “Go and talk to your second grandma, it’s boring to be at home all day, let her make arrangements, and go to meditation in a few days.” Burn incense in the temple to relax your mind."

Wang Xifeng was chatting with Jia Lian in the room, and Brother Mao teased Sister Qiao to watch her learn to walk.

Suddenly I heard a report from a maid outside: "Sister Amber from the old lady's room is here."

Wang Xifeng raised his eyes, sat up straight and said, "Please come in."

When Hupo entered the room, because Jia Lian was there, she didn't dare to look around, so she just bent down and said, "Second master, second grandma, the old lady just said that she was so bored in the mansion all day, thinking about going to the Chan Ding Temple to relax. Relax and burn the incense sticks, and ask Second Grandma to watch and arrange a time to go."

After hearing this, Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "It's my fault. The old lady has been in the mansion for more than half a year, so she is very bored. Chan Ding Temple is a good place. There are not many people and it is quiet, and the road is easy to walk. The bumps are just right for relaxing."

"Since that's the case, it just so happens that the mansion is not busy these few days. You go back to the old lady. Tomorrow I sent someone to pass the message to the monastery, and we will go there early in the morning. It just so happens that the second master will take a rest the next day, and you can also give me a bath." Let's press down, let's all go to relax for a day."

When Amber heard this, she couldn't help laughing, which meant that these maids could go and play for a day.

God is sorry, she has grown up so big, she has not been out of the house more than ten times.

After seeing off Amber, Jia Lian lazily said: "Why do you suddenly have the idea of ​​going to worship Buddha? The old lady has not been going out for a few years, and the Zen Ding Temple is still [-] or [-] miles away from the capital. , it won’t take an hour or two to go back and forth in a carriage?”

Wang Xifeng said with a smile: "It's just that the old man loves his granddaughter and granddaughter. I heard that today, because of Mr. Bai's lecture, the younger sisters are a little unhappy. The old lady feels distressed when she sees her, and she wants to let them go out for a day to relax. Have fun too."

"Mr. Bai's lectures? How can they make them unhappy? Every time I chat with Mr., I feel suddenly enlightened. I wish I could listen to it for three days."

Seeing Jia Lian's curious face, Wang Xifeng explained angrily: "It is precisely because Mr. Lectures are so good that they arouse their thoughts, thinking that they can also go for a swim, so that they can live up to their good years. But It's not that you can't get out, you can only live in this one-third of an acre of land, how can you not feel lost and sad."

After hearing this, Jia Lian thought for a while, then looked at Brother Mao and asked, "Brother Mao, do you want to travel and see the great rivers and mountains of the motherland?"

Brother Mao'er's eyes lit up after a while, and he said in surprise: "Son, can my son go out and travel?"

After asking, he looked at his three-headed body, and lowered his head in frustration: "My son is only five years old now, how can he travel around?"

Jia Lian said nonchalantly: "So what? The railway from Beijing to the Summer Resort will be in operation next month. At that time, I will definitely go on a parade today to avoid the summer heat. Our family will definitely be able to travel with us. You can go there. The railway is smooth and not bumpy, and it is easy to eat, sleep and walk on it, and it will not be tiring."

When Jia Lian said this, he revealed the news beamingly: "And now the order has been issued, and the cement road from the capital to Jiangnan and Saibei will also start construction. It's just that it is approaching rainy days and it is not easy to construct. After the autumn harvest, So they recruited the common people and idle soldiers to start work."

As soon as this remark came out, both Wang Xifeng and Jia Mao were overjoyed. They knew about the cement road.

Now the roads from the capital to the imperial mausoleum, Huangzhuang and other places have been built into concrete roads, which are really smooth and smooth.Whether walking, or riding in an ox cart or a horse-drawn cart, it is very stable, and it is especially smooth to drive a car.

Thinking of this, Wang Xifeng suddenly said: "The car, can I learn how to drive it?"

Jia Lian was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Of course it is possible, but I'm afraid it won't work in our house, the road is not flat enough, and it's too narrow."

Wang Xifeng said excitedly when he heard the words: "Of course I won't be in the mansion. You go outside to find a hidden Zhuangzi, and I will learn there. Otherwise, if it gets out, I'm afraid I will be a scene in Beijing in the future. Anyone who sees it will have to be right." I'm judgmental."

It was rare for Jia Lian to see her in high spirits, so she agreed immediately: "Our hot spring village on the west mountain, I also built a concrete road while I was helping to build the road today, and we will go there to practice when the time comes. But now I am afraid It’s not possible, firstly, there are many things in the mansion, and secondly, the railway is about to run, I can’t get out, so I can only wait until autumn.”

"I'm not in a hurry, just keep things in your heart and don't just forget about me." Wang Xifeng waved her hand indifferently, and then said, "I'm going to the Chan Ding Temple, you go with us, Bring Lang Geer and Mao Geer with you, I will invite Mr. Bai and Mrs. Bai tomorrow, and we will go together."

Jia Lian nodded in response, and then said: "As I said, there is no need to make such a big show, or you will be the one who will be tired. Next time, don't be so big and take care of everything."

Wang Xifeng gave him a blank look, and then explained: "I just gave up my mind and asked the maids and stewards to prepare things. It may have gained a lot of benefits. One is that the old lady and a few younger sisters are happy, and the other is that Mr. Bai He and Mrs. Bai also have to think about our friendship, and if I can go to eat, drink and have fun for a day, why would I be tired."

"What I do now is not as good as one-tenth of what I used to do. Besides, which one is the head of the family and didn't come here like this? When Brother Mao grows up and marries a wife and comes in, I don't have to worry about it. I will leave everything to them The younger generation will go. I am busy now, how can I have a day of leisure."

Jia Lian listened to her rambling, paused and said: "Then divide the things out, second sister, third younger sister, fourth younger sister, sister-in-law Zhu over there, who can't do things? Take care of the ledger and warehouse, and don’t worry about the others, you can’t turn left and right.”

Wang Xifeng wanted to let go, but she was also worried. Now that she heard Jia Lian's words, she bowed her head and thought about it for a long time.

After a while, I said: "Now that the second sister is getting married soon, it is time to take care of the inner house. When I come back from the Zen Ding Temple, I will hand over the big kitchen and the carriage house to her. These two places are the most important. You have to practice well."

"In addition, there are Huayuanzi and the rotating duty of each place, which will be handed over to the third younger sister. She has always been successful, and she must be able to take care of it well. There are also things like sister-in-law and Xichun girl, embroidery room, school, flower room, etc. , so I asked the two of them to help, and there should be no trouble."

Jia Lian laughed when she heard the words: "You can arrange it yourself. When they are all involved, you can add a few more things. First, you have a good reputation for being considerate to your sisters-in-law and younger siblings. Second, how many times can you be free? Three things will save you to keep posting money and stuff in the public office."

On the contrary, Wang Xifeng didn't take it seriously: "Am I doing it for fame, or do I need some money? It's just a matter of heart and flesh. They are all poor people. I can help as much as I can. It's worth talking about it. "

Jia Lian then praised a few words, the couple said a few more words, and sent the nanny to take sister Qiao and brother Mao back to rest without mentioning it.

On the third day, the whole family of Rongguo Mansion was mobilized, from the old lady Jia Shishi to Langeer Maogeer. Except for the still young Qiaojieer, a master took two maids and two nuns, and Many young servants followed, sitting straight in more than a dozen carts.

When they arrived at the gate of the city, Jia Min, Lin Ruhai, and Grandma Liu's family were all waiting in their carriages.After everyone gathered, Lin Ruhai, Jia Lian, Wang Chenglin and other men led the way and left the city smoothly.

It was the end of May, and the vegetation was green along the way, and the voices of people were noisy.

On the official road outside the city, there was an endless stream of people passing by. From time to time, there was the sound of everyone laughing and talking, and occasionally there were a few hawkers. It was very lively and fun to listen to.

Sanchun and Daiyu are people who don't go out of the house often, and they are very novel. They want to lift the curtain to see what's going on several times, but they are stopped by the nuns who follow, and the four of them are eager to scratch their hearts.