By Jia Xiuzhen

The Lin family's mansion was repaired, and since Lin Ruhai was not in Beijing, the warm house and hot stove feast was naturally abandoned, but the wealthy Huaiyang salt merchant who was very well informed actually gave it to Lin's mansion with this "housewarming joy" that came out of nothing. In return, this is all gossip.

Daiyu naturally wanted to go back and have a look, but Jiamu was a hundred worries.Still borrowing Madam Xin's idea, Daiyu asked Jia Mudao to have a banquet at Lin's mansion. She didn't dare to bother the old lady, so she just invited her sisters to go and relax.Xiangyun and Baoyuding love to be lively. After hearing this proposal, they naturally moved their minds. Together with Daiyu, the three of them twisted and entangled with Jia's mother. Sister Feng and Li Wan also helped talk, and then pried it open. At the mouth of Jia Mu, she finally agreed.

Daiyu originally wanted to live at home one day in advance, so that she could do her best as a landlord the next day.However, Jia Mu was worried that the Lin Mansion would be completed soon, and Dai Yuyuan had never lived there for a day, so she went away suddenly, and she was afraid that it would not be beautiful if she could not sleep peacefully at night.Helpless, Daiyu had no choice but to take the car early on the day of the banquet, at least she arrived a little earlier than the guests, so she could be regarded as the host.In this way, Mother Jia still let Li Wan go with her first, so she can rest assured.

Sister Feng teased with a smile: "The old ancestor might as well go back with Sister Lin to have a look in person, so as not to worry about us bullying her later."

Jia Mu nodded and said: "You are right, so you can stay at home for me, so you can save yourself from going there and leave my eyes. I don't know what kind of tricks you will use to disturb the wind and rain. "

Sister Feng hurriedly smiled and pulled Jia Mu and said, "Oh, my ancestor finally got this Qiaozonger. Sister Lin is the guest of the family, and I can enjoy the fun with peace of mind. Why does the ancestor only remember Sister Lin? You forgot to love us." Mrs. Wang was twirling the beads beside her, smiling peacefully.

When everyone was ready, all the preaching vehicles outside were ready, but something went wrong with Baoyu.

These two days he was resting in school, Qin Ye was not well, so Qin Zhong stayed at home for a few days.Baoyu also sent people to ask twice, and sent some important medicinal materials that could be used.It was Qin Ye's recovery that day, and Qin Zhong was also thinking of Baoyu, so he went to the West Mansion to look for Baoyu under the pretense of being in the East Mansion.

Baoyu was in a dilemma immediately, and was about to plead with Jia's mother to let Qin Zhong follow, but was stopped by Mrs. Wang, who said: "The Qin family has not come for so many days, and the old father is sick in bed. Now It's also your kindness to come to see you first when you have time. You don't talk about having a good talk with him, but you just focus on going out for fun, if he knows, won't you be sad?"

Baoyu waited to say more, and Baochai also persuaded him: "Brother Bao, sister Lin invited us to disperse this time, which means that her sisters are close to each other. And now there is no man in charge in the Lin family, so you take Qin Xianggong with you." He has gone, but he is a stranger, how can they entertain them? If a housekeeper is to entertain guests, firstly, it is not in compliance with the rules, and secondly, you must not like it; then it is difficult to invite the second elder brother Lian to help entertain you guys. 'Guest'? Isn't it funny? One more thing, although this time is not a serious celebration of warming up the new house, it also has this meaning after all. We have to prepare some small gifts to be considered impolite. How could Mr. Qin prepare this when he came? ? You have prepared for him, although it is your friendship, but let him worry about it for nothing, I am afraid that Qin Xianggong is not happy with his disposition."

Baochai's words are on point, and Baoyu can't help feeling distressed.On one side is the banquet at Sister Lin's house, and on the other side is Qin Zhong's thoughts, but it is difficult to have both.Mrs. Wang was afraid that there were no men in Lin's house, so it was fine for Baoyu to hang out in the inner circle at home, but it was not easy to make a statement outside.He had long thought about how to find a way to stop Baoyu. Qin Zhong came just as he wanted, so naturally he would not let Baoyu go away easily.

After several words, Baoyu was still hesitating, Xiangyun rushed in and said anxiously: "Second sister and fourth sister have all arrived in the front hall, and I will wait for you. What are you still talking about?"

Baochai then told about Qin Zhong's coming to find Baoyu. Xiangyun frowned and said, "Second brother, it's true. If you have something to say, why didn't you tell us sooner? It will waste our time!"

After saying that, he took Baochai and went out.Baoyu reached out to stop him but was pulled away. After thinking about it, he stomped his feet and went out to find Qin Zhong.

On the other side, Li Wan accompanied Daiyu in the car prepared by the Lin family and set off first. As soon as he got into the car, Li Wan felt something different. Only then did I realize that the car was not very bumpy, nor did it shake too much. There was a horizontal couch inside, and it was very spacious for two people to sit together. Ink brocade is much more comfortable.

The two settled down on the couch, and a small table popped up in front of them, the height is also very suitable.Li Wan's attendants were all in the car at the back, but Daiyu brought Mo Ge'er up, but there was another little girl in this car, who looked very familiar with the contents of the car, saluted Li Wan and Daiyu, and reported her name At this moment, Zheng Zheng took a small wind stove, filled it with charcoal, scooped water, and boiled tea directly.

Li Wan glanced at Daiyu, Daiyu blinked and said with a smile: "Nurse Xin said that she should have served by my side, but it's just that I can't bring so many people with me when I'm in the mansion, and they're all staying at home now."

Li Wan thought to himself that it was no wonder he was so diligent and enthusiastic at this moment, and it was rare to be able to do his best in front of this master he had never met.While talking, the water boiled, and the girl took care of the heat to wash the teapot and washed the tea in one go, and the second time she poured out the teacup and brought it to the two of them.

Seeing that the tea color was yellowish with green, and it was fragrant, Li Wan took a sip and nodded with a smile, "Good craftsmanship." The girl knelt on the cushion, bowed her head when she heard this, and spoke calmly and gracefully.Daiyu also took a sip and giggled at Li Wan.

Lin's Mansion was only three or four blocks away from Ningrong Street, not too far away, and the car had already entered Lin's Mansion when the tea was broken and lonely.Li Wan looked at the tea with his eyes, and looked very sorry, which made Daiyu smile.

The curtain of the car was lifted, and Nanny Xin stood up outside and stretched out her hand to help Daiyu down, Suyun followed closely to pick up Li Wan.After getting out of the car and standing still, Li Wan saw that he had arrived in the inner courtyard, so he couldn't help but praise the Lin family for their thoroughness.

While speaking, he saw that the head of Rong brought a group of servants and wives, more than a dozen people came forward to greet him, a daughter-in-law who looked very agile was leading the way, and a group of people followed Daiyu and Li Wan to the garden of the mansion. go.

Manager Rong said as he walked: "Young lady said she was inviting some girls from that mansion this time. She thought it would not be suitable for the Dahua Hall or the theater building. Firstly, there are few people in the open space, and secondly, it is not interesting. Since the girl is the host , It was simply placed in the girl's Tsinghua Garden, and no big theater troupe was invited, just a few small things or something to make the girls smile."

Daiyu nodded after hearing this, and said, "Nurse Xin has already told me about the arrangement of Rong's affairs before, and it sounds very good. The sisters are all friends and companions on a daily basis, and it's not about serious banquets. It’s just a visit to the house, just for a joke.”

Director Rong bowed his head to agree, and gave a rough outline of the travel arrangements, pointing to a group of people following behind: "The girl has never lived at home, and it is newly repaired. When I want to walk around, I just point to them to lead the way. that is."

Seeing that she was referring to a row of eight half-grown girls wearing pink bijia recently, Li Wan saw that the one who had just made tea was also in there, so he knew that this was Daiyu's side waiter.Mo Ge'er looked at her long vest with azure blue embroidered with orchid and flowing water patterns, and pursed her lips triumphantly.

Because it had been arranged earlier, the car stopped at the nearest gate, and while they were talking, they walked along a shallow stream banked by bluestones to a moon cave gate.The stream passes through the courtyard wall on the east side, and a few green bamboos cover the courtyard wall behind the stone railing on the other side, and only the green pines on the hill behind can be seen from a distance.The three words "Tsinghuayuan" on the top are very clear and solemn, Daiyu recognized that it was Lin Ruhai's handwriting, and she smiled in her heart.She knew that the original inscriptions in this garden were all written by the ancestors of the Lin family, but this Tsinghua Garden is newly built, and it is also the place where the biggest changes have been made this time.Thinking of his father's love and care, the group of proper servants in front of him is even more proof, even though he has never lived in it, he feels very much at home.

Everyone passed through the door, and suddenly they saw a small lake not far away, and fields of lotus leaves were lit nearby, and a few lotus flowers with dew were about to bloom.The Qingxi River at the foot made a bend and merged into the lake.Just at the bend is a small white marble arch bridge. Now the foothold is slightly lower, and it can be seen that there is another pavilion on the opposite side of the arch bridge.

Master Rong asked Daiyu with a smile, "Madam, can you still walk? If you don't take that bridge, there is another way to pass behind the Lingbi Stone in the west. But it's about the same distance, and it's just less laborious than that bridge."

Daiyu saw that the arched bridge was very small, so she smiled and said, "I've only stepped on a few steps, and I'm so weak." In the end, she passed the bridge with the hand of Mother Xin.

On the other side of the bridge is a gentle slope. Houses and courtyards are built on the slope, and a two-story building is surrounded in the center. The front and rear red lacquer carved windows are inlaid with large pieces of glass.

When Li Wan saw it, he couldn't help but think of the mahogany box that he had sent to Zhang's mansion from Ji Liang years ago. He glanced at Daiyu and said in his heart, "This little fairy doesn't know that she has boarded a pirate ship! Amitabha, what do you say?" But they absolutely can’t say it out loud.” Everyone stepped forward and went up the wide and carved white stone steps. First, there was a resting platform, and then there was a half-pavilion with beauties on three sides. Now there are several low tables in the pavilions on both sides. There are fragrant tea fruits on it, presumably for the maids and women who came with them.Pass through the veranda and resting platform, and turn a few turns before arriving at the hallway of the main courtyard.

Looking inside from the hallway is Daiyu’s embroidered building. There are three rooms on the upper and lower floors. There is a terrace on each side, which is built of stone until it is level with the outer corridor on the second floor. In the genus of magnolia, another wisteria climbed to the east attic platform of Xiulou, where clusters of jade-white flowers were blooming, and when the wind passed by, it was fragrant all over the field.

Manager Rong smiled and said to Daiyu: "My lord, keep it tight first. The bigger trees in this yard are at the back, and the ones in front of you are all newly planted, slender and thin, and they lost their dignity, but they missed this ancient vine. It should be more than a hundred years old. The drawings were changed seven or eight times during the repair of this courtyard, and it was finally explained."

Daiyu laughed when she heard this, but she didn't go inside, she pointed to the other side of the hallway and said, "Why is there a pavilion there? It's just that it looks weird."

Master Rong led the way forward, leaned slightly and said, "That's right, it's called 'Banxie', and that's where the girls' seats are placed today, girls, let's see if it suits you." There are verandas on both sides, so the sun is not too bright and the sky is not too hot, and the people did not walk through the verandas, but only passed through the courtyard.

Up to that point, the Banxie is about the size of two or three rooms. The outside seems to be lower than ordinary houses, but it feels extraordinarily wide when entering inside. There are only four pillars around, and the roof is not Ordinary tiles.At this time, the half of the roof facing the lake seemed to be lifted away, and it was fun to face the cool wind.Daiyu looked at it for a long time, and couldn't help laughing: "The strange way is called Banxie, and there are only half of them."

Rong Zhang said with a smile: "Miss, I don't know, the roof is made of soft bark laminated one layer at a time, and it is equipped with mechanical brackets, which can be opened and closed according to the direction of the sun. It does not block the wind but also shades the sun."

Daiyu was very curious when she heard this, and when she turned her head, she saw that there were screens standing on the two sides of the pavilion, which were about the size of a table. She went around and took a closer look, and she was indeed equipped with a mechanism, and several extremely thick crank handles were standing there. There are three or five women who look very strong.

Looking outside, this is a very gentle slope from the hallway to the waterside pavilion. There are a few pagoda trees standing up, and a few bushes of flowers and trees are lit. The road paved with white stones is unexpectedly wide, and the rest is green velvet grass. , Just like a pavement of soft brocade, it grows all the way to the water's edge, and its momentum remains undiminished. It looks like a green and fluffy blanket supported by clear water under your feet.This is also a situation I have never seen before, so I couldn't help laughing: "It's such an interesting place, it must be good to drink tea and study here in Qingxia and early autumn."

Mother Xin was afraid that Daiyu would be tired, so she asked someone to move the chair and put it on the fence near the water. Daiyu sat down, and Rong Rong brought someone up to pay respects to the Lord.After that, the eight girls in pink followed behind Mo Ge'er and Xueyan and stood beside Daiyu with wild goose wings, waiting to listen to her orders.The manager Rong took the list of fruits, dishes and water from that day's banquet and looked at it with Daiyu. Nurse Xin occasionally spoke to discuss, and Li Wan listened to it and praised "the family is romantic".

After a while, when the guest was announced to be coming, Li Wan got up with a smile and said, "I'll go to greet you on behalf of my younger sister." Before Daiyu could ask about some trivial matters, she thanked Li Wan and asked Nanny Xin Go with a few maids in charge.When Yingchun's car entered the second gate, the lady-in-law followed, and then changed to a light car in the inner courtyard, and stopped at the place where Li Wan and Daiyu got off.

Seeing that it was Li Wan who came to meet her, Sister Feng said with a smile, "It can be counted as seeing that you are also busy with your work." Everyone got out of the car, and Li Wan led them inside.Along the way, there are flowers and willows, passing pavilions and pavilions, because Daiyu Tsinghua Garden is on Linfu West Road, and the sun has not yet turned its face at this time, so it is cool all the way.The Lin Mansion was first built in the former dynasty, and has been expanded several times. Its shape is different from that of today's nouveau riche mansions in Beijing. The pavilions, terraces and pavilions are everywhere, but simple and dignified.