Dream of the Red Chamber: Rong Dai

The white snow oppresses the branches, wrapped in agar jade, and the quiet atmosphere of the faint snowflakes makes people feel sober in the cold.

The palace with green tiles and red walls is full of festivities, red silk is hung all over, and the faint branches are a step ahead of spring. This year is the [-]th birthday of the Empress Dowager. Because filial piety is the most important thing for the true sage, the people are also celebrating the Empress Dowager with lanterns and festoons everywhere. birthday.

The banquet in the palace was held grandly, and the things needed flowed into the palace like flowing water, and even all the hairpins, rings, pearls and crowns made went to the Palace of Compassion in pairs, just for the Empress Dowager to choose.

All the high-ranking people in the capital will bring the ladies of the mansion to the palace for the banquet, adding a touch of vitality and excitement to the Queen Mother's birthday. The Sanchun sisters also entered the palace with Mrs. Wang Jiamu.

In the Ningshou Palace, the birds are singing, the pearls and emeralds are swaying, and the imperial incense is burning in the white jade cauldron. On the other hand, the princes and nobles are in front of the main hall, separated by a partition, so they are not afraid of these singing and swallows spreading.

Because there is no empress in the Holy Palace today, only the emperor Shui Chen sits at the top with the empress dowager, and the rest of the concubines only sit at the bottom according to their ranks. Concubine Li just entered the palace the earliest and gave birth to the eldest prince, so she sat down. Being in the seat of the noble concubine, it also provoked some people's eyes and ears, and there were constant words of compliments.

Daiyu sat quietly next to Concubine Beijing, covering her red lips with an embroidered handkerchief and coughing lightly from time to time. She looked at the imperial concubines in the palace with a faint scrutiny. However, their every move also involves the future and lifeline of their former husband-in-law and son, so naturally they must be careful to flatter and cater.

Daiyu's unwavering eyes fell on Jia Mu who was sitting at the head of the commandment, and the two eyes met. Jia Mu nodded lovingly and smiled, Daiyu smiled faintly, and the Sanchun sisters who were sitting behind Mrs. Wang nodded. Nod your head and forget it.

Mrs. Wang wrung the handkerchief in her hand and looked at Daiyu, who was sitting next to Concubine Beijing and laughing with Princess Dingping, she felt her hands clenched tightly, her eyes bursting with anger. What is it that makes Lin Daiyu so attractive? Loved by thousands of people, after all, she is just a wild girl without father and mother.

How did she sit on an equal footing with the Princess Dingping?Glancing at the emaciated Concubine Yuan among the concubines from a distance, she hated her more and more. Concubine Yuan glanced over with her seemingly invisible eyes, feeling somewhat desolate.

Thinking that since she was demoted to Yuan concubine, there were no flatterers in the palace on weekdays, but she was replaced by ridicule and sarcasm, and she was confined for three months. Amnesty to the world, and even she also left the Fengzao Palace, and the imperial order that restricted her feet was lifted.

When seeing Mother Jia again, Concubine Yuan seemed to have lost all her thoughts, but her longing for family affection became stronger and stronger. Looking at Mrs. Wang's concerned eyes, she felt a slight heat in her eyes, and hurriedly looked away. Don't dare to make people find excuses.

Daiyu was still recuperating due to illness, so she did not disclose her identity as the princess, so that she could take advantage of today's birthday and Daiyu's great glory, so that Daiyu could be attached to her, so that those in the court It can be seen clearly by Gaoming and others that Daiyu is not someone they can bully.

Daiyu's embroidered handkerchief lightly covered a slight cough in her mouth, and Shui Wanyu hurriedly handed the warm water on the table to Daiyu, stroked her shoulder, and said, "Sister, be careful too, although the hall is warm today, You should also wear thicker clothes, otherwise if there is something wrong later, wouldn’t you suffer in vain?”

The Concubine Beijing at the side also smiled and closed Daiyu's cloak, and said: "What Wanyu said is that you should take good care of yourself. If you make a slight mistake, our mother and I Why don't you let that kid blame you to death?" His smiling eyes were full of love, and he looked at Daiyu with pity, and turned to look at Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang, but his eyes were cold and stern, with a bit of Killing intent.

Princess Zhongshun, who was sitting next to Concubine Beijing, had seen Daiyu before, and saw that Daiyu was becoming more and more cowardly, so she unconsciously said with concern: "Miss Lin looked a little weak at first, but now Why are you getting weaker and weaker? But are you sick?"

Concubine Beijing glanced coldly at those like Jiamu and Mrs. Wang who were sitting firmly and joking with everyone, smiled coldly, with a three-pointed indifference between her brows, and said: "It's just being caught by some who may Nothing has disturbed the rest, and now my bones are better, and there is no serious problem."

Princess Zhongshun nodded, looked at Daiyu with a smile in her eyes, and said: "I think this child is good, if it is good, the one in your family is also happy, I am afraid that I will be able to follow in a short time Your heart."

The queen mother's meaning has become more and more clear now. She blocked those things that she wanted to marry for Prince Beijing, and entrusted Daiyu to the care of Princess Beijing. What can't be understood in such a mind?Unknowingly looking at the concubine Yuan, she sneered coldly, only people like them can't see through it.

In fact, it's no wonder, but he was born as a general, so he was negligent in the upbringing of his children and grandchildren. How could he compare to the Lin family's six generations of scholarly families?In vain to be called a family of scholars, but in fact they are nothing more than silver-like wax guns, relying on the upstarts of their ancestors.

Concubine Bei Jing nodded with a smile and didn't say much. Before the queen mother has no clear meaning, it is better to discuss as little as possible. Even if you are friendly with Princess Zhongshun, you should stop talking like this.

Princess Zhongshun also understood the meaning here, so she just smiled, picked up the wine glass and brought it over.

After drinking for three rounds, everyone congratulated the Empress Dowager on her [-]th birthday, and the Empress Dowager also responded with a smile. Seeing that the girls present here came with their orders, could it be that they are all dressed up in beautiful clothes, bright and beautiful, making this winter day red plums and white snow It's like looking at each other.

In a blink of an eye, I saw Daiyu sitting next to Concubine Beijing, and I couldn't help but feel that there were three parts of sigh and seven parts of pity in her eyes, even though the heavy winter clothes in winter still couldn't hide her graceful figure, it seemed that she was getting more and more beautiful. She lost a lot of weight, the Jerusalem artichoke must have poisoned her the day before yesterday.

After pondering for a while, she whispered a few words to Nanny De, who was beside her, and Nanny De nodded, and went down the steps to Concubine Beijing.

At this time, Mrs. Li Hou, who was surrounded by Concubine Beijing, raised her carefully carved eyebrows, looked up and down critically at Daiyu, turned to look at Concubine Beijing and said: "Is this girl Miss Lin that Xuemei and Xueqing said about?"

Grand Concubine Bei Jing saw her sitting beside her, feeling a little unhappy in her heart, but she smiled back on Concubine Li's face and said, "Why? The two Miss Li often mention us Yu'er's?"

When Mrs. Li Hou heard what Concubine Bei Jing said, she felt a little embarrassing on her face, and said with a smile: "It's not because Miss Lin is a rare girl in the world, so she just paid attention to it, but her body is a bit too weak. , not like a blessed person."

"Blessings come from the heart, and if you want to be good, you must be surrounded by blessings. Besides, your body, hair and skin are dependent on your parents. It is only the first time for Mrs. Li to see Daiyu. Why do you come up with such false words?" Daiyu sat quietly On the side, coldly interrupted what Mrs. Li was about to say again.

The sharp words made Mrs. Li feel angry immediately, but she couldn't say anything on the face of Princess Beijing and these princesses and nobles, so she just smiled and said: "You really are a eloquent girl, no wonder people love you so much. "

The sweet words, thinking that he could stay by the side of Concubine Beijing and Prince Beijing, just use such flattering words and words, and he looks down on Daiyu more and more in his heart.

Concubine Bei Jing saw it clearly, she was already furious in her heart, so she said coldly: "If Mrs. Li is fine, she should go back to her seat. Although today is the Empress Dowager's birthday, it is definitely not right for us to do whatever we want." Missing the proper etiquette, Concubine Li is watching from the high position."

After hearing this, Mrs. Li Hou hurriedly apologized and answered Dowager Bei Jing's words, and went back to her seat in Li Hou's mansion.

That Li Xuemei was staring at Daiyu's delicate face with anger, and felt more and more hatred in her heart. How could she sit beside Princess Beijing?And who is the concubine of Bei Jing, who can get the attention of so many people, and unconsciously pinched her palm vigorously, leaving a bright red finger mark.

"The empress dowager asked the servants to invite the concubine and Princess Yundai to sit down in front." When Daiyu came back to her senses, she saw Nanny De had already walked beside her. Hearing these words, there was some hesitation on her face. , those imperial concubines and the like, when they saw Mother De came down in person, they had already stopped making noise and commotion, and only stared at Daiyu and Princess Beijing with swishing eyes.

Daiyu felt a little uncomfortable being looked at by everyone, so naturally she couldn't avoid Jiamu's flickering eyes and Mrs. Wang's gloomy eyes, and unconsciously hid behind Princess Beijing.

Concubine Beijing didn't care, she stood up holding Daiyu's hand, looked at the entire Ningshou Palace's female relatives, her gentle tone was enough for people to hear clearly, and said with a smile: "Thank you, concubine and Princess Yundai Empress Grace."

Princess Yundai?The four words caused an uproar in the entire Ningshou Palace, and they naturally heard the rumor that the Queen Mother had conferred the title of a princess with a foreign surname. After Ding Guogong, she specially decreed to confer the title of Princess Yundai, because she hadn't seen the canonization ceremony for a long time. , it should only be the gossip in the capital, but I don't want to really have Princess Yundai.

There was even a huge storm coming, Duke Ding was listed as a prince, but it turned out to be Lin Ruhai, the fourth generation of Marquis, who was born in the imperial examination and was a former inspector of Yan Yushi. In this way, wouldn't Lin Daiyu's status be extremely noble? pole?Originally in the position of the princess than the princess, now with the imperial title of the queen mother, wouldn't it be more and more ascended to the sky, above everyone else?

Rao Jiamu, who had already gotten some rumors, was also dumbfounded at this time, Duke Ding, why did she never hear Daiyu mention it?Duke Dingguo was originally the mansion of the Founding Duke located above the mansions of the Eight Great Kingdoms, and his status was far more noble than that of the Jia family. Thinking of this, he felt his hands tighten.

I also feel regretful in my heart, if I knew this, I should have made an engagement between Baoyu and Daiyu. If this is the case, isn't the greater wealth of the Jia family already in my hands?

Looking up at Daiyu and Concubine Beijing, who were already sitting on the empress dowager's seat, her eyes darkened a little, it doesn't matter, although Daiyu is the honor of the princess, the empress dowager has no clear intention to marry her.

That being the case, as long as we strive for one day, we can move out the old relationship between Baoyu and Daiyu, and then let Daiyu return to Jia's mansion. According to Daiyu's soft heart and Baoyu's old relationship, this matter Things are still not working?Thinking of this, Jia's mother gradually settled down, and unconsciously looked at Mrs. Wang and nodded slightly.

Mrs. Wang was still stunned by the identities of Daiyu and Lin Ruhai at this time, seeing Jia's mother nodding, she quickly calmed down, even though she was very reluctant in her heart, she should be prepared for the sake of Jia's family.

Everyone below looked at Daiyu speculatively, with a three-pointed intention of probing, she is really a beautiful woman, no wonder she can be cherished so much, Princess Yundai, after Ding Guogong, these two identities are enough to make her How many princes and nobles flock to it.

What's more, the empress dowager is so fond of her. I think it might have other meanings. She looked at Dowager Beijing with a bit of understanding in her eyes, which made Mother Jia feel more and more restless. She glanced at Daiyu's eyes unconsciously. The pupils grew more and more.

Daiyu sighed and looked at the different expressions of the people below, she sighed more and more, quietly raised her eyes to look at the smiling face of the Empress Dowager, she also smiled back, her pretty face was very bright and colorful, like a plump red plum .

In mid-winter, plum blossoms are in full bloom, and the fragrance of plum blossoms is everywhere. Because the queen mother is a little too drunk, she asks everyone to go to the side hall to rest for a while, change clothes and freshen up, and even bring a sober drink.

Concubine Beijing thumped her sore back, looked at Daiyu and said with a smile: "This is an old bone, and I can't stand it after sitting for a long time, Yu'er Wanyu and you two can rest easy Take a rest, look at this posture and there will be trouble for a long time."

Daiyu also felt a little tired after hearing this, so she leaned on the concubine's couch, nodded lightly, looked at Concubine Beijing, and said, "I'm a little tired after sitting for a long time, aunt should also take a rest, Don't get tired."

Concubine Bei Jing felt very warm when she heard this, and looked at Daiyu with affection in her eyes, and said: "My good boy, you should rest, if you really can't bear it, then you will report to the Empress Dowager. I'm relieved to go back to the mansion and let Qingmei serve you and Wanyu."

Daiyu shook her head, her brows tightened when she thought about the banquet to come, but Wanyu pouted and said, "Mother and concubine is so partial, I'm going to be jealous for being so kind to Sister Lin."

Concubine Bei Jing stared at Shui Wanyu and said, "Where is your sister Lin who is so caring? If you were by my side, I would have sent you out early. With you, sister Lin, would you like me?" It's all the same."

Shui Wanyu looked at Concubine Beijing dissatisfied, and holding Daiyu's arm, said: "Sister Lin is my sister, what is the reason for concubine mother? That's all, with a sister, who wants an old woman like you to chatter?" nagging?"

"You actually said that I am an old woman? You dead girl, I am also your mother and concubine, and you are also the honor of the princess, but you slapped your mouth for nothing. If that is the case, talk to your brother, and leave as soon as possible I'll let it go."

Shui Wanyu pouted, and there was a bit of a smile in her eyes. It was just a joke, so naturally she stopped talking to Princess Beijing, and only looked at Daiyu and said, "Sister Lin, the banquet was just used up." Some things, how about we go out for a walk? If you are nestled like this, Brother Wang said that it is not good for your body, so why not just walk away."

After thinking for a while, he pondered for a moment, and said: "I remember that the plum blossoms in the Empress Dowager's Palace are in full bloom, so prosperous, let's put on our cloaks and go outside for a walk."

Daiyu's pretty face was blushing, she cast a reproachful glance at Shui Wanyu, and said with a smile, "Auntie is resting here, sister Wanyu and I will go for a walk over there and come back."

Concubine Bei Jing nodded and said with a smile: "Go, the banquet at the Empress Dowager's place may not start until half an hour later, it's fine for you to go out for a walk, as long as you don't go too far."

Daiyu got up and put on her cloak and snow cap, and lightly walked out of the side hall holding Wanyu's hand, and turned to go outside. No one would come here, so Concubine Beijing also felt relieved to let Shui Wanyu and Daiyu walk back and forth here.

Walking out of the side hall, I saw the princes, girls, and princesses outside the hall talking and laughing together. I had never left the boudoir on weekdays, but I had a chance today, so I followed the quieter path, along the way. Admire the plum blossoms, green pines and green bamboos that grow randomly around.

"The three friends of Suihan stand facing the wind, and the bamboo is the spirit of the spirit, the bones, the pine and the plum. The three friends of the Suihan show their heroic posture here, and they are not afraid of the wind and snow. It is really a good place to go."

Daiyu has always liked these things the most, especially bamboo. Seeing that although it is winter, the pine and bamboo are still green and tall, she unconsciously expressed her appreciation.

A gust of wind blew, making Daiyu cough a few times, Shui Wanyu took Daiyu's arm and murmured, "The wind is very cold, sister is lucky to be here reading the Three Friends of Suihan." Unconsciously Worry climbed up her face, since Daiyu got seriously ill that time, now her body is getting weaker and weaker, and her little heart is also somewhat resentful of those shameless black-hearted people.

"Sister Lin." Xichun's pleasantly surprised voice came. When Daiyu turned around to look, she saw that Sanchun sisters were also walking in this remote place carelessly. here?"

"I said that my sister doesn't like excitement, and I admire the Suihan three friends very much, so I walked here, and I really saw my sister."

"What if you see it, so what if you don't see it? Who are you, why are you so eager for Sister Lin, and what kind of heart do you have?" Shui Wanyu looked at Xichun defensively, although her delicate face had She is close to Daiyu, but she just doesn't feel at ease, who knows who they belong to?

Xichun looked at Shui Wanyu with a cold face and said, "I think you are the princess of Dingping, right? Sister Lin is my sister, and also your sister, so why don't you come to accompany her? Am I not allowed to come over?"

Shui Wanyu glared at Xichun, then looked at the same skirt and jacket decorations of the three of them, then said with a cold smile, "Who am I talking about? It turns out that they are the three girls from the Jia family. It's really rare."

Hearing the unfriendliness in Shui Wanyu's words, Yingchun and Tanchun smiled wryly at each other, who can be blamed for this?Unconsciously, they became more and more speechless.

Seeing that they didn't say anything, Shui Wanyu lost the motivation to say harsh words, so she pouted dissatisfiedly, and finally said: "Aren't you all very talented? Why don't you say it?"

"Let you take possession of it for no reason, and you still take care of Sister Lin like this, what do you want us to say? What's wrong with you? Or is it bad for us?"

Seeing Xichun's small face, Shui Wanyu stared at her unconsciously, and finally couldn't help laughing after a long while.

"Two girls, three girls, four girls, what are you doing here?" Mother Jia's voice came from behind, Daiyu's cold face became more and more indifferent, Shui Wanyu also suppressed the smile on her face, staring unconsciously He glanced at the Sanchun sisters.

Daiyu raised her eyes and saw Jia Mu and her party follow Yuan Concubine to this secluded corner, and looked at Sanchun with some doubts, but saw the indifference and anger of Sanchun sisters, so she calmed down The suspicion in my heart, I think the Sanchun sisters are not all aware of it.

Looking at Daiyu's pale face, Jia Mu nodded in satisfaction. Sure enough, the Sanchun sisters and Daiyu still have some affection. If they hadn't followed Xichun secretly, they might not have had the chance to get close to Daiyu. , Thinking so, I feel very grateful for God's blessing.

Even though Yingchun Tanchun was annoyed, he still couldn't say anything, he could only pull the cold and angry Xichun forward to salute, "I've seen the concubine Yuan."

Holding the embroidered handkerchief, Concubine Yuan coughed lightly, looked at Daiyu and Shui Wanyu beside her, and said with a soft smile: "Forget it, we are all sisters too, where did you get such courtesy?" Then she looked at the world The quiet and elegant beauty, said: "Sister Lin's aesthetics is indeed higher than everyone else, she is worthy of being my aunt's daughter."

Shui Wanyu stood there quietly holding Daiyu's arm, looked at Yuan Concubine and said, "The Empress Dowager Yuan is not in the palace and is accompanied by her family to talk, but what is she doing in the Queen Mother's private garden? Could it be that the Empress Dowager Yuan is here?" I have been in the palace for many years, don't you know that this is the private forbidden area of ​​the Empress Dowager?"

Concubine Yuan's face turned pale when she heard these words, and now she carefully looked at it, it really is a world owned by the Empress Dowager herself, no wonder the road is so clean, no one dares to come here.

"I came here by accident, aren't sister Lin and Princess Dingping also here?" Concubine Yuan managed to regain her composure and spoke slowly.

Wan Yu frowned, and said: "Concubine Yuan's words are too late, my sister is Princess Yundai appointed by the Empress Dowager, concubine Yuan should also be polite, why is Sister Lin calling her?"

Mrs. Wang, who was standing behind Concubine Yuan, saw her daughter talking to Daiyu and the baby girl in a low voice, and she couldn't help feeling angry, and said, "Madam Lin is the younger sister of Concubine Yuan. Isn't this wrong? Even if the princess has not announced it to the world, don't he even have the most basic etiquette to salute to the empress?"