By Jia Xiuzhen

All sorts of strange tales in Beijing have been circulated for a few days, and some of them were caught and questioned to the death. After all, it was a lie, but it was nothing more than talking and bluffing people.After several times like this, the enthusiasm gradually faded away, and no one was willing to spread this news anymore. It was not like talking about something new, but rather like patting people on the face to deceive others.

It was Mrs. Wang Ziteng's birthday, and the Wang family held a grand banquet.Jia Mu was not feeling well these two days, so Mrs. Wang didn't go, so Aunt Xue took Sister Feng, Baochai, Tanchun and Baoyu, and even went to welcome the spring and cherish the spring.

Daiyu saw that all the sisters had gone, and there was no one to play with, and she was feeling bored, listening to Guiliu saying, "It's clean, girl, hurry up, let's go find grandma. There's no one else around right now." I happened to be talking to Grandma." Daiyu's little self-pity just dissipated, and she was about to go with her when Madam Xin came outside in a hurry, holding a greeting card in her hand, and handed it to Daiyu: "Miss, you have to pack up and go home. The house has accepted invitations, and it's Mr. Dai's wife and miss who are coming. This Mr. Dai was the same year as Mr. Daiyu." Daiyu nodded: "When I was in Yangzhou Father has mentioned about this lord. Nanny and Zijuan will follow me to my ancestor's place." Nanny Xin nodded, then turned and told Mo Ge'er Xueyan to pack up, while Guiliu went to Xun Ping'er to prepare the car.

Mother Jia heard that Lin Ruhai's family members in the same year were going to pay a visit to the Lin Manor, and she was puzzled. Daiyu was the only master in the Lin Manor now, if she really wanted to visit her, she could come here directly, so why did she make such a show?When I heard that it was Dai Shilang's family, I knew in my heart that they were all from the Qingliu school, and they were always far away from noble people like them.It is reasonable to do so.I was also afraid that Daiyu would not be able to handle it, but it happened that Sister Feng was not at the house that day, and wanted Li Wan to accompany her, but I was afraid that Li Wan was not in charge.Daiyu thought about Jia's mother's mind, and said: "Don't worry about the old ancestors. Now the house is full of old people who have lived for several lifetimes, and there are still a few people who are in charge. These are all managed, and there can be no mistakes." The mother remembered that Mo Ge'er was from the Mohist family in Mingzhou, and Lin Ruhai had already made arrangements to come to Lin Ruhai, she sighed secretly, and then gave a few instructions to let Zijuan take good care of her.

When I went to the second gate, I didn't see Jia's car and sedan chair. Just about to ask someone to ask, two Cuigai flower pear carts from Lin's mansion came one after another, and Daiyu was supported by a flowering willow in front of me.Mother Xin was about to ask her, when she said to Daiyu in a low voice: "There are no decent cars left in this mansion today, and we can't use the old lady's sedan chair, so I decided to take the car at home." They're here. These cars are idle on weekdays, so they should take a walk more." Madam Xin sighed helplessly, and Daiyu smiled and got into the next one.The two white horses in front of this car are as frosty and snowy in color as their manes are like the wind, and they look like steeds.There was already a girl sitting in the car, and when she saw Daiyu coming in, she hurriedly saluted.Daiyu waved her hand: "Okay, what's the point of such an idea?"

After sitting down, Fang asked: "When did this horse come? I haven't seen it before."

Yue Lan pointed at Gui Liu: "She brought it back. We don't know where it came from. Grandpa Lu, who was in charge of the chariots and horses, was overjoyed, and even called the stewards who were in charge of cattle and horses in Xizhuangzi back to have a look. How many times?" The old man almost didn't fight over this."

Daiyu wondered, "Why are there still fights?"

Yue Lan said: "Grandpa Lu is showing off for them to show off. But those stewards want to take this horse to the farm, saying that such a horse is too bad to be used to pull a cart. How could Grandpa Lu be willing?" They are more than 200 years old together, and they even made trouble with the boss." He also pointed to Guiliu, "Later, this girl said that she got it for the girl, and if she talked nonsense, she killed and ate meat, and that's why people were killed. I was intimidated. From then on, when Grandpa Lu saw her, it was as if he had met his own granddaughter."

Guiliu curled her lips: "I don't know much about it. If these wild horses can pull a cart for a girl, they have accumulated virtue, and they may benefit in their next reincarnation!"

Daiyu nodded at her: "I only go out a few times a year, and you are desperate to find such a steed, isn't it a waste? Those few horses were very good."

Gui Liu shook her head: "Those heads are too stupid, I don't bother to train them. These two are much smarter. If you don't believe me, just let the woman who drives the car go down. I don't need to make a sound. This car can also run smoothly. home."

Yue Lan hurriedly stopped her: "It's done, it's done, you want to show off, the house is not enough for you to worry about? On this street, girls sit inside, so you just calm down." Daiyu also patted her, that's all .

When we got home, Manager Rong told Daiyu about the arrangements for the next day. Daiyu listened and asked a few questions before they settled down.Here Daiyu was wrapped up by a group of maids and went to sit in Banxieli.When the wind is soft, adjust the ceiling, and hang light tulle around it, and when the wind dances, it will add spring.Yue Lan set up the tea tray and tea set, calmed down, and waited for a while before starting to boil water and wash the pot.As soon as I drank a drink, I saw a group of people lined up on the green grass, holding various things in their hands, walking together.Daiyu looked at the two big cases placed in the middle of the pavilion, and thought "here we come".

Sure enough, the first was the newly made incense. Daiyu tried three kinds of "Xue Ji", "Spring Water and Far Mountain", and "Dang Chuang Youmei".After praising them one by one, he waved his hand and said, "I can only try these few things today, if there are more, I won't be able to smell good or bad. Put them away first, and try again tomorrow."

There is also a new blend of toilet rouge, perfume powder, lip balm, and said with a smile: "I'm not at home, you don't know how to be lazy? This color is all kinds of colors, I took a box last time, Baoyu When I saw it, I asked me for a prescription, and said why he couldn't make such a color." Ran Xiang smiled and said to Mo Ge'er: "Next time, if there is another one like this, you can tell him, the first one The key is that you must never let the stinky man touch it. If this is broken, it will be difficult for any fairy flower." Mo Ge'er curled her lips: "I won't say it, I don't know what trouble it will cause Woolen cloth."

Daiyu took out another seven or eight pieces of clothes, and Daiyu shook her head: "Even if I don't care about the matter, I think you are wasting too much. I brought a few of them back last time without wearing them, and there are still mine in the mansion over there." There are rules. My sister-in-law's clothes for the four seasons are also governed by the rules, how can I stand up to you?"

Qing Xiao refused, "Girl, you think we are wasting money when we made these clothes. Our craftsmanship is not born in vain. How much suffering did we suffer back then? Now it is in vain to waste, so it is not a waste of money." gone?"

Daiyu thought for a while, and couldn't help laughing: "In this case, your craftsmanship is more important. Since that's the case, why don't you make me some old ladies' clothes, so that I can use them to show respect and filial piety."

But Mo Ge'er said: "Miss, forgot? The old lady never wears the clothes they respect from outside. We did it, it's just an empty favor."

Daiyu smiled and said, "Listen to what they said! The clothes made by the sister-in-law, do you think the old lady has left behind? It depends on the thing and the person. What we make here is sure to be fine."

Qing Xiao agreed to this in unison, and came up again to get the clothes for Daiyu to pick out what to wear tomorrow.But Daiyu said: "Tomorrow there will be no one else. The old lady said she asked Sister Feng to greet me. I thought, firstly, there are many things and busy at Sister Feng's place, and secondly, this time Mrs. Dai brought Dai's family. When the girl came, she had considered the situation of my family, so why should I be troublesome. In this way, but there are two or three of us, there is no need to make a scene. The clothes should not be too eye-catching, as long as they are solemn."

In the evening, when I talked to Madam Xin, Madam Xin also meant the same thing.Sure enough, on the second day, Mrs. Dai came with her girlfriends, and she was also dressed as a normal outing. Seeing Daiyu's character, how can there be people who don't like it.There was a small banquet in the flower hall, and they talked for half a day, and then they left at night, which was considered a good time for the guests and hosts.

Besides, for the grand banquet in Prince Teng's residence, the four families of Jia Wang Shi Xue came to contact and have relatives, and Shi Xiangyun's sisters of the same cousin naturally also came.When people meet, they have something to say.It's hard to see Baoyu at the banquet outside.During the banquet, I couldn't help talking about Baoyu's unknown situation outside. Xiangyun thought of Daiyu and said, "So we all came here today. Sister Lin is so lonely at home." Tanchun said: "Where can I be lonely? There are only four Guangda girls around me, and this is not counting the ones that the Lin Mansion didn't bring, and there are caring maids, and a group of people around." Xichun also said: "Lonely, quiet Not too bad." Yingchun secretly tugged at her sleeve under the table.Baochai smiled and said, "My sister-in-law is still here, and now Daoxiang Village is busy with flower and vegetable planting." While talking, the girls from the Shi family and the Niu family came to toast and talk, and then stopped talking.

When bidding farewell, Baoyu wanted to ask Xiangyun to go with him. Mrs. Shi Hou said with a smile, "I haven't brought anything with me. Why don't you come pick her up tomorrow." Sister Feng also persuaded her, that's all.

On the way, Baochai sat in the same car with Aunt Xue, and Sister Feng took Baoyu in another car to welcome the spring and cherish the spring.Aunt Xue brushed Baochai's hair, and said in a low voice: "If you want to stay in the south and have banquets on weekdays, how can you see someone with such status? This is one of the reasons why your aunt urged me to come to Beijing." Baochai nodded, and Aunt Xue said again: "A few wives asked about you just now, and some of them went to your aunt. Your aunt just pulled me aside to talk about it. Just praise you." Baochai laughed and said, "It's just that my aunt loves us." Aunt Xue said with a smile: "You are only half right, if you say that your aunt is not a person who is willing to praise people casually." Said When he talked about some old things, Baochai listened carefully.

When she arrived at the mansion, Aunt Xue said to Sister Feng, "I'm really tired today. Tell my wife for me that today's not over. See you tomorrow." A few went to Mrs. Wang.

Back in Lixiangyuan, Xue Pan came back from Wang's house and was summoned by a group of Jia's children. Aunt Xue asked a few questions, and was talking about the family affairs that day, when a woman came outside in a hurry.Tong Xi went out for a while, then came back and said, "Ma'am, it is said that Second Master Bao got burned in the face."

Both Aunt Xue and Baochai were startled, and hurriedly called the old woman in for questioning.Only then did I realize that it was Jia Huan who made a fool of himself by throwing a hot oil lamp over Baoyu's face, which scalded a stream of blisters, but fortunately he didn't hurt his eyes.

Aunt Xue couldn't help being angry and said: "I said it earlier, those two girls are not good people, and they don't stop on weekdays. Sure enough!" She was anxious again, "It's getting hot today, and it's not easy to get hurt if you get hurt. , but it was on the face again. Alas, I will tell the old lady to find out tomorrow, but I don’t know how to make a fuss.”

Baochai asked, "Where is Second Master Bao at the moment?"

The woman said, "I just went back to the garden."

Baochai persuaded Aunt Xue, "Mom, don't worry too much. I'm going back to the garden now. I think it's all right."

Aunt Xue made sense after thinking about it, so she said, "Then you can stop by to have a look when you go back to the garden." Then I asked Tonggui to fetch the best scald medicine, and asked someone to take money to reward the woman.

According to Baochai's words, after entering the garden, go to Yihong courtyard first.Seeing that half of Baoyu's face was smeared with medicine, he asked Xiren again, exhorting some taboos, and then asked, "Why didn't you see Sister Lin?" Xiren's eyes were still red after hearing this. He replied: "Miss Lin went home early this morning, and she may not come back tomorrow." Baochai nodded and said, "She is very clean by nature, so it would be nice not to see her." "Fortunately, my sister has gone to her house. How could she see these things?" Xiren said anxiously, "What time is it? Second Master just thinks about something useless!" Baochai laughed and said nothing.But Baoyu said, "They're all scalded, but what's the matter?" Baochai said, "I also brought some hot ointment, ready for use." After sitting for a while, I saw four or five people sending things. Come.

On the second day, I couldn't hide it from Jia Mu. Although I tried my best to cover up Jia Huan's affairs, I still lost a lot of anger.

Lin Daiyu didn't know anything about it, and it was getting late after entertaining the guests, so she simply stayed at home for another day.Unexpectedly, when he returned to Jia's mansion, he said that Baoyu had been scalded, so he hurried to Yihong courtyard to see him.After a day, the scorched blisters tightened up and turned into oily brown spots.Baoyu refused to let Daiyu take a closer look, and Daiyu said angrily, "What are you doing, and I still think you can't do it!" After hearing this, Baoyu ironed her heart, but she still said, "Be good, sister Look again, it's really ugly now." Mother Xin had someone fetch something earlier, and handed it to Xiren, saying, "This is cool jade ointment, made from seven-year-old raccoon dog oil and mixed with medicinal materials. It is the best treatment for scalds." Okay, it's a little cool to apply, relieves pain and itching, and doesn't leave any scars." Xi Renzi thankfully took it away and said, "I'm just anxious about this, but now the blisters are a little itchy when I put them away, I'm afraid he will stretch out his hand Scratch it away, and you can’t always stare at it.”

Daiyu and Baoyu were in a relationship, and a little girl came to report: "The old lady let Bao Erye go. Ma Daopo, Bao Erye's godmother, is here." Daiyu knew that something happened to Baoyu. If you want people to see the meaning of good luck and good luck, good luck and good fortune, you will also urge him to go quickly.

As soon as I left here, another woman came outside, but it was Mrs. Wang who came to look for Baoyu. It was said that Shuiyuean presided over it and let Baoyu go.Musk Moon hurriedly replied, saying that she had already gone to the old lady's place.At the same time, he ordered the girl to go to the upper room and tell Baoyu.

Seeing this, Daiyu was surprised, and smiled as she walked all the way back: "Why are there so many people in the nunnery, it seems like an appointment."

Mo Ge'er looked around, and said in a low voice: "Where does the girl know that these nuns and priests live by pointing to such aristocratic families in the mansion. If there is something troublesome, it is like a cat smelling fishy, ​​why? Not coming? One is that it is a good time to raise money, and the other is that it seems that the gods have knowledge, right?"

Daiyu had never thought of such a thing, she was surprised and said: "They still have their eyes and ears in this mansion? I just went home for two days and didn't know about it, but they do?"

Mo Ge'er smiled and said: "There is a saying in military strategists that 'the more you count, the less you don't leave, the more you don't count'. Naturally, you must know yourself and the enemy in order to make a lot of money. Every family has a manager who is in charge of connecting with these people Well, when there is a catastrophe in the affairs of the government, shouldn't it be the time for them to show their talents?"

Daiyu sighed, "There's a reason why good things don't go out and bad things travel thousands of miles."

Mo Ge'er smiled and said: "That's why I said 'if you want people to know, you have to do nothing', and there is also 'the teeth are closed inside and the teeth are leaking out'. How many people think they are confidential, but in fact no one knows ? If it falls into the hands of someone with a heart, it is the material for calculation. We ordinary people are fine, but if we go to the inner court of the officialdom, sometimes someone will buy it for a sentence or two of ten thousand taels of silver."

Daiyu stopped, looked at Mo Ge'er and said, "Last time when I saw you drawing pictures, I said you were talented. If you hear this again today, you know a lot."

Mo Ge'er smiled and said: "If not, why did the master send me a little girl? I am a pair of eyes that the master puts beside the girl."

After hearing this, Daiyu thought back and forth, and realized that everything was not as simple as it seemed.Because Lin Ruhai was mentioned, he missed him again, so he stopped chasing Mo Ge'er and asked questions, just bored.

Go back to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, sit down and think carefully.From the time when the old father sent Nanny Xin and Mo Ge'er to take care of him, to repairing the old house, and inviting Rong to take charge, and now Mrs. Dai and the girl came to visit, and during the dinner, it was mentioned that there will be an elegant gathering in Fengqi Academy. Come and invite.All these piles are all secretly arranged by the old father, and I just sit back and enjoy it.Before I knew it, it was no longer the situation of the orphan girl living in sojourn, but it was thanks to the blessing of my loving father.It's just that it's been a long time now, even though Guiliu repeatedly said that nothing happened, read the letter from Li Wan, and learned about the old father's plan, but he still hasn't heard from her.I don't know if my father is safe in the distant sky and the sea.Thinking of this, I gradually shed tears.

When Mo Ge'er saw her, she didn't know how to persuade her, so she couldn't help worrying, but when she saw Gui Liu watching Daiyu with a silly grin, she couldn't help feeling angry, and took her elbow hard to abduct her.But he turned around and reprimanded her in a low voice: "Why are you smirking!" Gui Liu shook her head and said with a smile: "Young girls look so pretty when they cry! Hehe." Everyone choked, but Daiyu was told by her Embarrassed, she just looked up at her with tears in her eyes, and spat: "You glib girl!" After saying that, she also laughed, and all her worries were swept away for a moment.