The Lin family has a female named Qingyun [Red Mansion]

Before the end of the new year, Jia Lian and his wife had packed up their things, prepared their carriages and horses, and were ready to go to Shunning Mansion to take up their posts.Before leaving, I came here to say goodbye to Lin Ruhai.

When Lin Qingyun saw Wang Xifeng, she was still dressed in a radiant and charming manner, and she also gave several things as gifts, including an ancient painting, which Daiyu fell in love with immediately.Although Qingyun liked Wang Xifeng's sharpness and ability, both she and Daiyu were still girls who hadn't left the court, so there were many things to say, so they could only pick up some common things, and she hoped that Wang Xifeng would give birth to a son smoothly after this trip.For the big family in this era, life without a son is too difficult, not to mention Wang Xifeng is a strong one, and will never tolerate a bastard.

Thinking of the Zhuang family's family style, he couldn't help but glance at Daiyu. It would be a blessing if Daiyu could marry into the Zhuang family.

After seeing off Jia Lian and his wife, Daiyu sat there wondering: "Well, why did the palace think of holding a lantern banquet? It's a pity that my sister hasn't shown her filial piety yet, so it's meaningless for me to go blame it alone."

It happened to be the queen's imperial edict announced this morning that a lantern banquet will be held in the palace on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and all daughters of official families above the fourth rank can enter the palace to participate, regardless of their concubines.Whenever there is a move in the palace, there is constant speculation outside the palace. Many people guess that the move in the palace is for the princes and clans to see each other. The first one is the pure prince who has not yet discussed marriage.

Daiyu naturally knew it too, so she couldn't help but find it boring.

Qingyun said with a narrow smile: "You just go to see the lanterns, even if I don't have filial piety, I can't go, but you can keep company with the girls from the Zhuang family." In theory, she is still the daughter of a scholar, how can she enter the palace.Suddenly remembering that there were several girls in Jia's family, he said: "The decree says that the daughters of official families above the fourth grade, will the girls of Jia's family go?"

If you look at the family status, it's the Duke's mansion. If you talk about the father's official position, the second wife Jia Zheng is only a fifth rank, and the family is full of concubine daughters.

Daiyu was slightly taken aback: "I will go. At the beginning, the eldest cousin entered the palace in the name of the daughter of the Duke's mansion."

Qingyun has no interest in going into the palace to watch lanterns, no matter how exquisite and luxurious the lanterns in the palace are, they are not as lively as the market outside.Besides, on the [-]th day of the first lunar month, her library still has to organize reading activities, and there are only two or three days left, so she has to quickly write out the plan and hand it over to Ye Song, and also has to go to church.She and Father Anderson were also friends. Years ago, she specially met a Western businessman through the priest's relationship. She entrusted the other party's merchant ship with several sets of oil paints and some practical medicines, and of course books were indispensable.

Seeing her writing and drawing from time to time, Daiyu leaned over to take a look, and said in amazement: "My sister is really willing to part with it. Although those Western knick-knacks and Western paintings are not expensive, they are extremely rare, and my sister actually took them out as trophies. It must be the first one in Beijing, the business in my sister's library must be lively."

"It's just that they all came here on a merchant ship. It seems to be a new idea." Lin Qingyun is very satisfied with the development of the library. The money from books is limited, and most of it is spent on the use of private rooms and the cost of pastries, which can afford private rooms. People are not short of money, so her library is quite profitable.

In fact, if she wanted to make money, shipping things to Europe was the most profitable, but she didn't have a boat or capital, and she was afraid that it would cause trouble for Lin Ruhai in the future, so she stopped thinking early.As a woman, there are too many constraints. After all, she is not Xue Baochai of the imperial merchants. What's more, Xue Baochai envies her for being able to get an official background.

Xue Baochai was not as relaxed as she was at this time, returning from Rongxitang to Lixiangyuan, dismissing Yinger, and finally couldn't help shedding tears.At this moment, Aunt Xue came in. Seeing her appearance, for some reason, she couldn't help feeling sad along with her.

"My son's life is miserable, and I blame your useless elder brother. If he hadn't been doing mischief in Beijing, how could my son have been screened out. If he can enter the palace, with my son's appearance..."

"Mom, don't talk about it." Xue Baochai's temperament was calm after all, and he quickly calmed down, wiped away tears and said: "There is no need to mention this matter in the future, otherwise it will be even more meaningless to spread it."

Aunt Xue sighed twice and had to give up. She remembered the cares she had made before, so she said to her: "Now that the palace is not good enough, and you are getting older, you should also consider the important things in your life. Before, your aunt valued you and loved your dignity. Be calm, your aunt is a shrewd person, she only has one son, Baoyu, and the old lady loves her very much, I am afraid that in the future Rongguo Mansion..."

"Mom! What are you talking to me about?" Xue Baochai blushed, turned her head slightly and asked unintentionally: "When I went there earlier, I saw the girls were very hot, as if they were saying something from the palace. Could it be that the empress has something? What word came out?"

"I was just about to tell you. Someone from the palace delivered a decree that all the daughters of official families above the fourth rank, regardless of the concubines, can enter the palace on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to participate in the Lantern Banquet. It is said that this is to select people for the princes and clans Well, the old lady over there is letting people open the box to find clothes and jewelry, and asks the nanny to teach the rules of entering the palace for a few girls. It’s not difficult to be a concubine, after all, it’s the Duke’s mansion.” Aunt Xue stroked Baochai’s face and tried to say, “If you miss this rare opportunity, I’m afraid it will never happen again. You go with me."

No matter how excited Xue Baochai was, she shook her head in the end, endured the bitterness in her eyes, and forced a smile: "Mom, you are talking nonsense. What kind of person am I? Besides, someone must review such a big event as entering the palace, so I followed her." You can't enter the palace gate, and it's just a joke."

Aunt Xue didn't know, she just felt sorry for her daughter.

Aunt Xue found out the golden lock from the cage on the side, looked at the two words embedded on it, "never leave, never give up, and live forever", and then put it on Baochai's neck herself: "good boy, from now on you will keep this Wear the golden lock properly, and the monk's words will not be wrong."

Touching the golden lock, Baochai nodded silently, remembering the Hengduan dream of entering the palace.

In the blink of an eye, it was the Shangyuan Festival, and the evening wind was extremely cold, but the lights in all parts of the capital were brightly lit, and it was very lively.Lin Ruhai led Daiyu to a banquet in the palace, Mammy Zhou Zijuan followed, and Lin Qingyun took another car and took people to Shangwenlou.Ye Song got the news early and asked his daughter-in-law to wait at the back door. Seeing her coming, Ye Song's daughter-in-law hurriedly welcomed her into the house that had been tidied up earlier.

"Miss, drink tea." A woman with a beautiful and gentle face brought tea.This person was specially found by Lin Qingyun. He used to cook tea in teahouses, but later his master offended someone, and she had nowhere to go. If it wasn't for Lin Qingyun, Sun Mei might have entered those unclean places long ago.When Sun Mei signed the death contract at the beginning, Lin Qingyun was afraid that the other party would make trouble. Fortunately, after observing for a while, Sun Mei was very honest and never stepped out of the small courtyard as instructed.

Lin Qingjun took two sips of hot tea soup and asked, "How is the front?"

Ye Song's daughter-in-law replied with a smile all over her face: "After all, it's the eldest girl's idea. The strings of lanterns were hung out as soon as it was dark. The lantern riddles on them were all asked by the regular customers of the store. And follow the big The girl ordered that a large table be set up in the middle of the store, and heads of various colors were placed on it one by one, so that everyone who passed by would be attracted. Half an hour ago, the lantern riddle guessing had just started, and the front of the store was bustling with activity. There are only three people, which is not enough at all, luckily we recruited two quick boys, and we can barely handle it."

"Where's Yajian?" Lin Qingyun asked again.

"The private room is already full. According to what the eldest lady said, there are indeed many female relatives. According to the eldest lady's order, I will go and tell it in person. If any female family member who guesses the lantern riddle hanging on the second floor can guess it, she will send it to me." It's a small portrait of a Western oil painting."

"Well, watch carefully, don't make any mistakes, I'll go out for a while and come back." Seeing that everything was in order, Lin Qingyun was relieved, and planned to take this rare opportunity to go out to see the lanterns.

As for painting small portraits of female relatives, she has another purpose.

Now the library is on the right track, but there are always regrets. Most of the people who come to the library are men. Although Daiyu wants to come to visit, she is afraid of bumping into people.Besides, her boss hides it every time she comes, which is really inconvenient.She intends to build another place next to it, similar to a private club, specially designed for female relatives.It's all girls who drink tea or write poems, make friends in a few groups, and have like-minded people, isn't it very comfortable?

Considering the ancient rules, this matter must be full of controversy and very difficult, and the most important thing is to ensure safety.So she has been planning in her heart, never resorting to it, and even Daiyu doesn't know about it.

She felt that she had to have a certain reputation first, and there was no rush for anything.

After putting on the veiled hat, followed by two servant girls and two guards, they left the back door of the small courtyard.Walking out of the small alley, you will face the noisy and bright street. All kinds of lanterns are hung in front of all the shops. There is an endless stream of pedestrians, men and women, and children are playing and chasing.The New Year's Eve in ancient times was very lively, and women were not so strictly controlled on this day, and many talented men and beauties married and became married during the festive season, which was also passed down as a good story.

Lin Qingyun said that he only officially became a filial piety in February, so he shouldn't come out to join in the fun, but he just went to the library and couldn't resist the bewitching excitement outside, so he planned to turn around and go back.

Passing by a small stall, I saw that the lanterns made by the stall owner were really exquisite, so I bought one for the occasion and carried it in my hand.The palm-sized pink lotus lantern has a poem written on it: Dongfeng puts flowers and thousands of trees at night, and blows them down, and the stars are like rain.BMW carving cars are fragrant all over the road, the sound of phoenix flute is moving, the pot lights are turning, and fish and dragons dance all night.Moth snow willow golden strands, laughter filled with dark fragrance.I looked for him thousands of times in the crowd, and suddenly I looked back, but the man was there, in a dimly lit place.

Lin Qingjun really likes this poem, and it fits the occasion. While playing with it, he walks to the river. There are dragon dancers and jugglers on both sides of the river bank, and it is even more interesting to light up the river lanterns.

As soon as I got on the stone bridge, I met Father Anderson head-on, followed by two young disciples, holding a printed selection from the Bible in their hands.It seems that priests are using this lively festival to promote Christianity to pedestrians, but the effect should not be very good, but for priests, the important thing is to preach the doctrine, not the result.

"Father Anderson." Lin Qingjun stepped forward.

"Oh, Miss Lin." Anderson said a few words to the two disciples behind him, and the two went elsewhere.The priest talked with Lin Qingyun for a few words, and suddenly mentioned: "Mr. Lawrence came to me two days ago, saying that he wanted to ask Ms. Lin to translate some books. Now Europe is very interested in the East, and a bookseller came to him. Lawrence The husband also prepared a gift for Miss Lin, does Miss Lin have time to pick it up now?"

"Okay." Lin Qingyun had heard Anderson mention the matter of translating books earlier, but he didn't take it to heart. Lawrence is indeed a businessman. He probably came to her after returning to China to inquire about the market and thought it would be profitable.Although she had contacts with Lawrence, she did not reveal her identity, and even Father Anderson didn't know much about her background.

Many lanterns were hung outside the church tonight, and many people inside the church came to see the novelty. Father Anderson took a gorgeously decorated jewelry box for her.Lin Qingyun took it over and opened it, but inside was an exquisitely shaped butterfly brooch, studded with fine diamonds, and a thin silver chain underneath, which could be worn as a necklace by stringing the brooch on.There is also a pair of ruby ​​rings. Although the gemstones are not large, the texture is very uniform, and there are a circle of small diamonds dotted around it. It is already precious as a gift.

A businessman can't afford it early, let alone Lawrence, I'm afraid the other party guessed her family background and thought it would be beneficial to have a good relationship.This is the normal state of businessmen. Only by being protected by the local dignitaries can they do business better. Besides, Lawrence is a shrewd person, but his character is not too flawed. , I will return a similar gift in a few days.

"Here is the book list." Father Anderson handed over a piece of paper, on which there were ten books listed, all of which were popular stories that had spread widely.

Lin Qingyun put away the book list, and saw the lights on in the library in another yard, so he decided to choose a book to read.Seeing that there were many people in the church, he led the two girls in without the priest.

The library was quiet, and there seemed to be no one there. She asked the girls to stay outside because she meant to guard the door.After entering, go straight to the last row of bookshelves. There are several music books there. The other names are not familiar, but Bach still knows it.When I really found the Bach music collection and looked through it, I realized that I didn't understand music theory, and I didn't have an instrument to play.

Although her health is not good in modern times, she still misses that kind of free life.

Putting the book back on the shelf, she was about to leave, but out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of someone sitting in the corner, which shocked her suddenly.But then she felt that the man looked familiar, Prince Pure?She didn't see the other person's appearance that time when they met, but they were very similar in figure, and there were limited people who could meet here.I saw him sitting quietly in a corner, with his back against the wall, his pale face half-hidden under the light, his eyes tightly closed, his body motionless, he didn't seem to be asleep, but rather... …

It is rumored that Prince Chun is very weak, so there must be no accident, right?

Lin Qingjun didn't see the attendant, and there was no guard guarding the door when she came in. It was troublesome, she didn't dare to approach at all, and planned to find the priest quickly.

"Help me..." Before she could turn around in time, a plea for help as low as a mosquito floated into her ears, successfully stopping her in her tracks.Looking back, the other party moved his eyes but still couldn't open them, but heard her footsteps.Probably his will to survive is very strong. She has experienced this kind of experience. Even if fate tried to drag her into the darkness, she was always unwilling to break free. It was really painful.

Lin Qingyun gritted his teeth and ran away quickly.

Tu Yan listened to the footsteps and left, a hint of self-deprecation flitted across the corner of his mouth, and in his heart... he was a little disappointed.Feeling that the body temperature was losing little by little, and even his heartbeat seemed to stop, he gave up struggling again.The imperial doctor said that he could live for five years at most, but it was just an optimistic guess. Everyone knew that he would die at any time, otherwise, what would the queen mother do in such a hurry to choose a concubine for him.This is a church, and it is not bad to die in a church. After death, go to see what the paradise of Westerners looks like.

At this time, someone approached, but he really didn't feel it until the warm water was poured into his mouth.

Tu Yan instinctively stretched out his hand and grabbed something, trying to open his eyes but couldn't. He could only vaguely see a woman's figure.

It turned out that she didn't leave, she was really brave.

Seeing that he drank water and fell asleep completely, Lin Qingyun finally breathed a sigh of relief.Feeling soft just now, he took a golden lotus seed and ground it into powder, sprinkled some in the water and fed it to Tu Yan.There have been examples of the Lin family father and daughter before, and she knows that this amount is not enough to completely heal his body, but it can save his life.Seeing that he was pulling the pouch around his waist, he wanted to get it back, but he was holding it very tightly, and he heard the girl urging him outside, so he had no choice but to leave.

Father Anderson then rushed over, promising to keep Lin Qingjun a secret and not to reveal the fact that she had been here.As for why Tu Yan was here alone, the priest didn't know either.