[Red House] Raiders of life

Wang Shi pulled Xue Wang Shi with a smile on his face, "It's good now, you and my sisters are all in Beijing, and we will come and go often in the future."

After all, they are sisters, how can Xue Wang not like it.Just thinking of Lin Daiyu, Wang frowned again, "How does my younger sister know the girl from the Lin family?"

"Where do I know each other? It's only the first time I've seen her today. It's just that my master is friendly with Master Lin. This time when he went to Beijing, Master Lin specially asked my master to bring a lot of things to Miss Lin. My master and I have a thousand words Wan asked, saying that she is the daughter of an acquaintance, since they are all in the capital now, naturally they need to take care of her."

Wang was stunned for a moment, then smiled again, "It's this gift. I see that Bao girl and her seem to be familiar."

"Two years ago, the master inspected the shops in the south of the Yangtze River and brought several children with him. At that time, he met a girl from the Lin family in Yangzhou. Baoqin is younger than the girl from the Lin family, and the two of them are very affectionate."

Mrs. Wang took a sip of her tea and glanced at Mrs. Xue, "Brother Tad and Girl Baoqin, do my brother-in-law value it so much?"

"They have been with us since they were young. You know, I got Pan'er and Baochai, and they are a little bit weaker. Since Tiao'er and Baoqin came, they can also have a companion. Pan'er Going to school with Tiao'er, he has grown a lot. Before the master went to Beijing, Mr. Tuolin invited him a famous teacher, and he planned to let him take an examination for a scholar next year before coming back."

Mrs. Wang sighed, took Xue Wang's hand and said, "I know you are kind-hearted. Seeing that they lost their father and their mother was sick all the year round and couldn't take care of these two children, she felt pity. But, you should also have some kindness in your heart." It's the number."

Seeing Xue Wang's frown, Wang said again: "I heard that my brother-in-law often brings Xue Biao with him and teaches him personally. Even in the family business, he never avoids him. Now he specially brings favors to invite famous teachers for him, and plans Future. Even your own son is nothing more than that. No matter how much you like this child, after all, he is just a nephew, and the family has already been separated. You still have Pan'er. If this continues, won't this title be the same..."

Mrs. Xue was stunned, "This... this is not possible. Pan'er was also taught by the master himself, and now he is teaching him how to manage business."

"Pan'er is his own, why is it the same?"

Xue Wang's stagnation, one is his own, one is not, how can it be the same.But Lin Ning treated both of them equally, and was more severe towards Xue Pan, often beating and scolding, but he was much more pleasant towards Xue Biao.Xue Wang's heart wavered for a moment.

Wang lowered her eyelids. Seeing her like this, it was appropriate to stop the topic, and turned to Baochai, "I wrote to you in the past, and I liked you very much when I saw you talking about Baochai. I only hate that you are separated by thousands of miles. I can't see it. I saw Baochai today. She is young, dignified and virtuous, and has a certain amount of advance and retreat. I like it even more."

There is no one who doesn't like to hear others praise their children, Xue Wang's heart was full of joy, "It's not right for you to praise like this."

Wang's eyes cast a glance, "It's not exaggeration, I'm telling the truth. I want to snatch Baochai more and more. What do you think of our Baoyu?"

This is not the first time the two have talked about this topic, and it has been mentioned in the letters before.But this time Mrs. Xue was a little hesitant, "Of course I like it. The two children are aunts and sisters. It would be great if they kissed each other. It's just that the old lady seems to like Ms. Lin even more when I look at it. Besides, I don't care about this matter." I haven't formally told the master yet. I mentioned it last time, and the master only said that Baochai is still young, so there is no need to rush the marriage."

Mrs. Wang was a little anxious, "Baochai will be [-] years old after the Chinese New Year. For a family like ours, who doesn't make up their minds to meet early, and then slowly prepare. Is it true that we really wait until we meet again? Brother-in-law How can an old man know this. He is afraid that Baochai will be hurt, and he can't bear it. It's just that the daughter's family will marry."

"As for the old lady, you don't have to worry. There is still the empress in the palace. The old lady can't go beyond her will. The last time I entered the palace, the empress asked about Baochai. I heard that my brother-in-law is going to Beijing. Tell me, when you come to Beijing, you want to see Baochai."

In this era, most people feel that it is an honor to be summoned by noble people.Even though the Xue Wang family is now Mrs. Hou Ye herself, she still feels that the noble concubine is superior.It can be said that the people outside the palace, no matter who you are, probably have a kind of envy and awe towards the few concubines who seem to be in a state of grace on the surface.

Xue Wang's brows were beaming with joy.Wang said again: "Besides, when the empress was still at home, Baoyu was the one who loved her the most. Now the empress only has such a direct brother with one mother and a compatriot. How can she not take care of her? If Baochai marries Baoyu, Niangniang will only be happier with Aiwujiwu. With Niangniang behind her, if my brother-in-law is coaxed away, the two little ones will not be afraid of what they have in mind."

This last sentence is really going back and forth in Xue Wang's heart.

Mrs. Wang didn't push her too hard. Seeing Mrs. Xue like this, she also took a step back, "You don't have to worry. I'm just talking to you, and I don't want to make a decision now. I know you love the child. It's not as good as this. Now it's convenient to travel in Beijing. I often bring Baochai over to play with some sisters in the mansion. Baoyu likes to get along with these sisters the most in the mansion. If the two children are willing, With this childhood sweetheart, life will be happier in the future, won't it?"

Sure enough, they are sisters of direct relatives, and the Wang family can really feel the pulse of Xue Wang's family.Although concubines in Xue's mansion are useless, but Xue Wang's family has no favours.Lin Ning has not been enamored with women these years. Although he has given his wife all the respect, in the past Xue Wang also comforted him, although he said that he would not come to his room, but he did not go to others.But in the end I felt a little uncomfortable.It was revealed in the letter with Wang Shi, and I wanted my daughter to find someone who was gentle and considerate.But Baoyu is most willing to bow down in front of her sisters and sisters.Wang Xue was naturally a little moved, but he knew that this was a big deal, so he didn't make up his own mind.

The two sisters talked again, and Wang turned the topic to Jia Yuanchun calmly, "You don't know how difficult it is for my family to manage. Nowadays, several families are building provincial villas. Comparing. It’s not good to let the empress be inferior to others. But after spending some money, the big house came to make a fuss and make irresponsible remarks. It’s not that I want to speak ill of my uncle, just look at our family. Everyone in the capital knows what kind of grand master is. Ever since she became a concubine, she has often borrowed her name outside. But the money to build a family-saving villa for her is so nervous. I also have troubles. .Now the various rockery and strange rocks in this garden have not been found yet, and the other end said to put a group of small opera actors in the garden. Money is needed everywhere, so I don’t know where to get it.”

Xue Wangshi sighed and comforted her a few words.Seeing that she didn't answer, Mrs. Wang could only say: "You guys just came from the south, do you have any familiar introductions for the troupe of the little opera? It's best for my young daughter's family."

"Our master doesn't allow these things. Not to mention that the family doesn't run this business, they don't even allow them to touch. The year before last, Pan'er was invited by some classmates to have a drink, during which they found a little actor to accompany him. I know, it’s a beating when I come back.”

Wang Shi choked, and said with a sneer: "This is my brother-in-law's strict education. That's all right, but I'm now... ah."

Wang Shi sighed again, Xue Wang Shi asked: "I don't know how bad my sister is here?"

Wang was overjoyed, "About 10 taels, but always 8 to [-] taels."

Xue Wang exclaimed, "So many?"

"Who says no! Isn't this catching up with several families to build villas together? Things are twice as expensive as usual."

"If it's not much, I can decide to borrow some from my sister. It's just that the amount is too large, and I can't make the decision. My sister also knows that the master is in charge of everything inside and outside the mansion, and I don't interfere. I also have my own external management. Internally, Director Baochai has become more and more capable in the past two years, and she has a nunnery to help her, so I am happy to be at leisure."

Wang frowned when she heard this, "My sister is so confused! Baochai is capable, and she is your own daughter, so it's fine to leave the inner courtyard to her. It's just that she is young, and you have to watch her from the sidelines. As for the outside Even if you don't care about the matter, you have to be clear in your heart. Otherwise, if someone else uses tricks to take it away in the future, wouldn't you know it? Now it seems that what I said earlier is not unreasonable, and sister, don't be too lenient Yes. Think about it, brother-in-law doesn’t shy away from Xue Biao, an outsider, and doesn’t let you know about these things? My sister should have a bottom in her heart.”

Xue Wang's heart skipped a beat, and he was hit hard.

********

Hui'an Marquis Mansion.

Xue Baoqin pulled Xue Baochai and complained, "Their family is too unruly. We girls play together, and we have to follow Baoyu wherever we go. A pair of eyes can't wait to stick to Sister Lin. Sister see it? Brother Nuo's face It’s all dark. But their family still speaks for Baoyu. I don’t know how Sister Lin has lived in Jia’s house for the past two years. In short, I don’t want to go to their family in the future.”

"If you don't want to go, then don't go." Xue Baochai paused, "It's just a pity for the three sisters in their family."

Xue Baoqin nodded, "Although I don't like their family, and I don't like Baoyu even more, I think the three sisters are very good. Eldest sister, why don't we hold a banquet at our own home in the future, and invite them to come."

Xue Baochai agreed, and Xue Baoqin happily said: "I can often call Sister Lin over." Then she blinked, "My brothers said that in the future, Brother Nuo can come to Xue's house in the name of learning, and Sister Lin, as the elder sister, can also Followed. Uncle and Uncle Lin have friendship, we can let Auntie stay with Sister Lin for a few days."

Xue Baochai poked Xue Baoqin's forehead, "I knew you were taking care of your elder sister Lin, but my serious elder sister stayed behind."

Xue Baoqin rolled on Xue Baochai's body and begged for mercy, "No way. My sister and I are together every day, and I haven't seen Sister Lin for a long time. What's the difference? Besides, sister Mingming thinks so herself, but now she's talking about me .”

The two sisters played and played for a while, because after all Xue Baoqin was still young and had played in Jia's mansion for a while today, so she got tired.Xue Baochai asked someone to carry her directly to the warm couch.Madam Wei said: "Young lady, let's take a rest too, and get up again at dinner time."

Xue Baochai shook her head, "I'll go to my mother's yard to have a look."

Since Wang Xue and Wang talked for a while, something went wrong, and her expression was unstable along the way. Although she tried her best to conceal it, she could hide it from others, so how could she hide it from Xue Baochai?Thinking of Wang's, Xue Baochai couldn't help frowning again.

Mammy Wei called Yinger over to get a thinner cloak for Xue Baochai, "Beijing is no match for Jinling. The weather at the end of September is cold at other times except for the warm sun at noon. The cloak is not thick, and it is just right for this weather."

Xue Baochai thanked her, tied up her collar, and left alone without asking the maids to follow.It was originally in his own home, and Xue Baochai's yard was very close to Xue Wang's, so Madam Wei didn't say anything.

As soon as he arrived at the gate of Xue Wang's family, Xue Baochai heard Xue Wang's talking with Xue Pan, as if they were asking for money.Xue Baochai only heard Xue Pan say: "Father now takes me to teach me how to manage the family's business. He once told me that if I have a business I want to do, I can go to the accountant to pay for anything that is less than 10 taels. There is no need to go through him. Even if the business loses, it doesn’t matter. Dad said that he is still supporting the family now, and he can afford it. He just pays me the tuition. I can get the money. But, mother, you want so much What is the money for? Even if you know that there is a need for business, you have to tell me what it is for, right? Otherwise, if Dad asks, what should I say?"

Xue Wangshi faltered, and he didn't know if he didn't speak clearly, or his voice was too low for Xue Baochai to hear.Xue Baochai's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but think of Jia's relatives' house. When she was whispering to Lin Daiyu today, she heard her mention that Jia's family had borrowed money from them, and Lin Nuo just pretended not to understand because of her young age. up.

Thinking of this, Xue Baochai lifted the curtain and went in, and said bluntly: "Mother, but did Auntie ask you for money?"

Xue Wang's face was exposed by her daughter, and she blushed for a while, "No. Your aunt didn't ask me for it, but we gossip that she doesn't have enough money, and they are all relatives. If you can help, you will naturally help."

Xue Baochai hated that iron could not be made into steel, so it's not clear why!

"Mother, what did my aunt tell you? Ever since you talked to her, you have been out of your mind."

Xue Wangshi hesitated, and Xue Baochai pressed him all the way, so he had no choice but to tell the whole story.

After hearing this, Xue Pan was stunned, "Mother, my aunt doesn't know what kind of people the second brother and the second sister are, don't you? It's dad, who is strict with me just because I'm not good enough. It's because I'm his son and he values ​​me so much. When you see your father facing others, why would he put so much thought into it? It's just a look that impatiently gave him."

Xue Wang was stunned, "But why did your father invite him to a banquet with a famous teacher, and also dragged Mr. Lin's relationship? He only needs to be admitted to Yanshan Academy, and he can worship under the dean's door, but you have to be admitted according to the rules. Ben. This..."

Xue Pan only felt a headache, "Mother, Dad just gave me this chance, am I that material?"

Xue Wang muttered, "How can you say that about yourself?"

Xue Pan chuckled, without any embarrassment, "Mother, these fathers have made it clear to me. The Xue family needs someone capable of official career. I can't do it, but the second brother has this ability. If the second brother is promising It's not harmful to the Xue family, and it's also helpful to me. Besides, although the second brother is not a real brother to me, after getting along these years, he is no different from a real brother. He became an official in the future, and I have a title. It's a good match for both."

Seeing that Mrs. Xue Wang seemed to have something to say, Xue Pan said again: "Mother, do you know why Dad entered the palace today?"

"One is to thank you, and the other is the emperor's decree. Dad has a plan for the Ministry of Industry, and the imperial prelude is necessary. Third..." Xue Pan paused, "Father is going with the booklet, the decree Please seal the crown prince for me."

Xue Wang's eyes were a little dazed, the title of the family had only come down for a few months, and Lin Ning was still strong, so it was rare for someone to be so eager to invite the crown prince.

Xue Pan frowned and said: "Mother, you don't care what people say, just look at what you can see. These years, why did Dad treat us badly, like the kind of person who will waste his life because of his youth? I think they The Jia family is really outrageous. At first, my father didn’t say anything, but I haven’t found out yet. Now I don’t think anyone would let the second room live in the main house of the Duke’s mansion, and drive the big house, which is serious and noble, to the garden behind. Besides, if the old man It's still there, there is no separation, so let the second room be the housekeeper. Although there is no separation now, but after all, he is a noble. It stands to reason that it doesn't matter whether there is a housekeeper or not, this right should also belong to others , even if they lose, they will also lose their own things.”

"According to my aunt, what they are doing now is what she said the second brother would do. Why doesn't she talk about herself! I think she did this kind of thing by herself, and everyone thinks it will be with her." Does she do this kind of thing too? Dad often said that some people are black-hearted, and everyone is black. Auntie seems to be such a person."

Xue Wangshi was ignorant before, and she didn't think about these things carefully. Now that Xue Pan has exposed it, the elders and youngsters of the Jia family really look like that. It's my own sister, Xue Wang's complexion is not very good-looking, "What are you talking about, that's your aunt!"

Xue Pan curled his lips, a little aggrieved, "I'm telling the truth." But it was just this one mumbling, after all, seeing Xue Wang's expression was not good, he didn't dare to be angry with her, but comforted her a few words.

"I'm looking at this time, I think it's time for Dad to come back from the palace. Brother, why don't you go and have a look." Xue Baochai rushed out to smooth things over, and drove Xue Pan out with a wink.This one comforted Xue Wangshi in a low voice, told Xue Wangshi one by one, and said to Baoyu, "Mother looks at him well, probably because he is good-looking and considerate to girls. It's a relative again, if there is an aunt as a mother-in-law, don't you think I don't have to be angry with the wicked mother-in-law?"

These words said that Mrs. Xue had lost her mind. Ms. Xue sighed again and again, she is better than a daughter, she deserves to be her little padded jacket, it is not like Xue Pan, it is crackling straight through, although what he said seems to be right after thinking about it carefully , but in the end it's my own sister, why don't I know how to take care of it, so I feel ashamed.

Baochai said again: "Mother, you might as well look at it this way. Marriage in your daughter's family is not for appearances. After giving up that face, what is left of Baoyu? If you can't write, you can't do martial arts. I heard that the family studies three days of fishing and two days of sunbathing. Net, as mentioned today about such a good opportunity as Yanshan Academy, although the entrance examination requires your own efforts, but if you enter, you will definitely be valued by Mr. Lin because of Uncle Lin's relationship. This is an opportunity that others can't ask for, but Baoyu seems to have killed him after hearing this, and has no ambition to improve his economic and official career. If you marry him in the future, how will you live?"

"Besides, he is good to the sisters, but he is also good to everyone. If the father is so considerate to any woman, will the mother feel comfortable?" Xue Baochai blushed, "These words should not come from a daughter like me. Said, but if I don't tell the truth, I'm afraid that my mother will be teased by my aunt again..."

Xue Wang was in a hurry, and hurriedly said: "Good boy, there are only our mother and wife here, and there are no outsiders. You just talk about it. Originally, this matter also depends on your will. Mother wants you well, and I can't let you be unwilling Willing to marry."

Xue Baochai's heart warmed up, and there was a little smile on her face, "I'm afraid that Baoyu also saw that Baoyu had something for Sister Lin, and treated Sister Lin better than others. But if he is really good for Sister Lin, Then he should work hard, and then go to ask Uncle Lin for marriage. Because he has such thoughts, he should be more careful. But I heard that he often breaks into sister Lin's house, and doesn't let the girl report first. There is still a promise Brother and the people around him often watched, and nothing happened. Even brothers and sisters are not like this, let alone the two are only cousins. If this happens over time, and the number of times increases, something will spread outside. , it doesn't matter if he is a man, but what about sister Lin? Has he thought about it!"

Xue Wang didn't expect such a thing to happen, "Isn't it possible?" Seeing that Xue Baochai didn't seem to be lying, and knowing that she wouldn't lie about such a thing, she said, "He's still young."

It's just that as soon as the words came out, even I frowned, no matter how young I was, I was ten years old.This kind of thing about men and women's great defense should have been understood long ago.Thinking of this, Xue Wang couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. After all, she still wanted Baochai and Baoyu to be a couple, and Wang was still her sister, and Baoyu was her nephew.

Seeing her like this, Xue Baochai made up her mind, fearing that the Wang family would say something again, she pressed her heart to tell Xue Wang's family one by one from the beginning to the end.At the end, Xue Wang sighed Lin Daiyu, "It's not a problem for them to live in Jia's house like this."

Xue Baochai smiled, "Then stepmother will often send people to pick up their siblings to stay here for a while. You and your father are friends with Uncle Lin. My brother and I will call Master Lin Uncle, and Sister Lin can also call you Auntie." Uncle Lin also said, please take care of them. Therefore, Niangda can use this to invite them in the name of the elders, and I am not afraid that the Jia family will not agree."

Mrs. Xue put her arms around Xue Baochai, "It's still my son who is thoughtful."

********

In the study, Lin Ning was talking to Xue Pan, please make him the son, the emperor agreed.There was not much joy on Xue Pan's face, but some worry.When Lin Ning asked, Xue Pan also told about Xue Wang's affairs one by one. In the end, he was afraid that Lin Ning would blame Xue Wang, so he felt a little worried. He wanted to say something nice for Xue Wang, but he didn't. When he said it, it was Lin Ning who comforted her first.

"Don't blame your mother. She is indeed a little soft-hearted, but she doesn't listen to everyone. There are only a few people who can listen to her. Most of them follow her all the year round, or her brothers and sisters. She It's because she kindly misses the friendship between her sisters in the past, but others may not necessarily miss her. But what she values ​​most is you and Baochai, even today's matter is for you."

Xue Pan felt a little ashamed for a moment, "That mother..."

"Don't worry, except for one from Fugui's family, I checked the people around her carefully. Those who couldn't use them all these years found other reasons, either sold them or transferred them away. There is nothing wrong with the ones left, and they will Persuade your mother. Besides, don’t you still have Baochai? Since Baochai stays with your mother to talk to her, you don’t have to wait until tomorrow, and your mother can accept her thoughts.”

Xue Pan grinned, "My sister is the best solution."

Putting this matter aside, Lin Ning said again: "As for the borrowing money that your aunt said..."

Speaking of this, Xue Pan was a little unhappy.Lin Ning understood that when he and Xue Biao were imprisoned, he had said about the relationship between the four major families and the secret competition. His imprisonment is inseparable from these three families.It's no wonder he's happy now.

Lin Ning originally planned to wait for Xue Pan to be released from prison and talk to Xue Pan in detail, but later he thought that now he has reconciled with the three major families on the surface, and they have never broken faces with each other. With Xue Pan's temperament, if they break up carefully Tell him that when he learns the truth, he may not be able to hide it on the surface.Therefore, it was suppressed for the time being, and it was fine to just let them go about their business as usual.

Thinking about it now, if it is said that the Xue family was defeated in the original book, it is okay to say that the Jia family has no money.But at this moment, Jia's debt to the household department has not yet been settled, and he has sent many shops here.Even if the Jia family can't control it for a while after taking over, they can still get a lot of money, which is not the case.This is probably to show that the family-speaking villa costs too much money, and I don't want to pay for my own, so I want to get it everywhere.Whatever you borrow, just take!

Lin Ning sneered in his heart, thinking of the conversation with the emperor today, the emperor wanted him to preside over the glass affairs of the Ministry of Industry, and let him continue to maintain the relationship with the four major families, which was to make him a traitor.

With this in mind, it's not good to give up at all.Lin Ning opened his mouth and said: "Our family was in the south of the Yangtze River before. Because of the convenience and convenience of purchasing, there are two concubines who bought rockery stones from our house. I remember that there is still a batch left, and the quantity is quite large. Because The business in Beijing is now stored in Beijing. Find a time in the next two days, and you can go there and send it to the Jia family."

"father!"

Xue Pan obviously didn't agree, Lin Ning interrupted with a wave of his hand, "Just do it. It's just to comfort your mother. Your mother is thinking of sisterhood, and she answered. If you don't express anything, it will make your mother look bad." .It’s just these things, although it would be expensive for every family in Beijing to buy them, but for us, it’s not much money. You go back and talk to your mother, it’s to make your mother happy.”

Xue Pan almost couldn't help rolling his eyes, and curled his lips: "Father, are you sure you are trying to make your mother happy, not me? What exactly do you want, Dad?"

Hey, can't you fool this bastard?

Lin Ning was stunned for a while, then lightly patted him on the head with a book, "Just go if you want to coax him, why are you talking so much?" At the end, he said, "Don't worry, Dad has his own measure. Don't grab him either." I won’t let go of this matter. Although I promised not to force you on fame, it’s because you already have the position of the eldest son. But I didn’t say that you don’t need to study in the future. It’s less than four months before the first month of next year’s exam. No, it looks good with you!"

It looks good with you!Xue Pan had a bitter face, and he knew that his father was indeed a close friend with Uncle Lin, and his tone was exactly the same.Why!

Also, I read your replies.Some of you are amazing!Especially the half-drunk children's shoes, I have already bowed deeply under your pomegranate skirt, and I only have to look up!Aww!Ask for handwriting!Can I ask? ? ?