Xue Baochai, the belly of the Red Chamber

Xue Baochai looked at Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian, who came to greet them with a group of servants, looked up and down, and immediately suppressed the surprise in her eyes, and felt a little bit more surprised and seventy percent more defensive in her heart, but she was thinking A deep person, although secretly doubting in his heart, but did not show half of it on his face.

Although Aunt Xue and Wang Xifeng are aunts and nephews of direct relatives, when Aunt Xue married away, Wang Xifeng was still young and didn't remember much.And Aunt Xue has been married to Jinling for more than ten years, so if it's about affection, it's naturally not much.

But the blood relationship is there, and Wang Xifeng has a slick temperament, so he will not be inferior in terms of etiquette.Mixed sorrows and joys, crying and laughing, all performed just right.Xue Baochai, who was watching, couldn't help sighing secretly in her heart, her eldest cousin is actually a very articulate, flexible, shrewd and capable person.

"This must be Baochai, the cousin of the Xue family, right? She is really a beautiful person like a fairy." Wang Xifeng took Xue Baochai's hand, looked up and down carefully, and said with a smile.He turned his head and praised Aunt Xue, "Only my aunt can raise such an outstanding sister Xue."

"Brother Feng, you are so flattering. This child, Chai'er, is no match for you." Although Aunt Xue said so, she couldn't help showing a little bit of complacency on her face.

After saying this, Wang Xifeng took her first to the old lady Jia's residence, paid her a visit, and offered favors and property.I have seen all the furniture, and I have been treating the seats to meet the wind.After a lot of busy work, there was a time for Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue to catch up on the past alone.

After talking about homely things for a while, Mrs. Wang said in a seemingly casual manner: "Sister, I used to write letters with you earlier. You are no longer younger than when you were young, and Pan'er is still young. It’s also inconvenient to live here. We have a ready-made yard in our mansion, and I’m thinking of inviting you to live in it. It’s also cheap. What’s more, our sisters haven’t seen each other for many years. If we can be together now, wouldn’t it be a cheap thing for both of us.” As he spoke, he looked at Aunt Xue with his eyes.

Although this Aunt Xue was very moved by Mrs. Wang's proposal to live in the mansion, now when she heard Mrs. Wang mention it, she smiled and said: "Sister's love, I shouldn't refuse it. It's just that we go to Beijing with the whole family, not Living for a short time is a long-term settlement. Living in my sister's house is not a long-term solution. What's more, Brother Pan is now sixteen and has reached the age of marriage. It is more convenient to live in your own home." The tone paused After a while, "I have no choice but to decline my sister's kindness. I hope my sister will not blame me."

Although Aunt Xue's words were sincere and without any falsehood, her tone was much softer than usual.However, the smile on Mrs. Wang's face was still two points weaker than before.However, she was very thoughtful, and she didn't show much, she just said: "In the end, I didn't think carefully."

Although Aunt Xue's family life is simple and her thoughts are not as complicated as Mrs. Wang's, she is not an ignorant girl after all.He also knew that he was like this, and because of Mrs. Wang's kindness, he didn't bring up this topic again.Instead, they asked about Mrs. Wang's youngest son, Jia Baoyu. For a while, the two sisters were in a happy atmosphere, talking endlessly about homely things.

Here, Xue Pan first met his uncle Jia Zheng, and Jia Lian led him to meet Jia Amnesty, Jia Zhen and others.However, it was obviously different from what he had thought before, because the others were fine, and Jia Zheng tried to check his knowledge as soon as he came up.Although Xue Pan said he didn't like reading, he didn't have much talent in this area.In the past, when Xue Jian was around, he would force two points, but after Xue Jian passed away.Xue Baochai asked Xue Pan to put most of his thoughts on martial arts.As for reading, just let him pay more attention to it, so as not to be blind.

Therefore, regarding the Four Books and Five Classics in Jia Zheng's examination school.Naturally, his answers were mixed and scattered, which made Jia Zheng sigh in his heart, he really can't teach a child.

It's just that Xue Pan is not his son, so he can't discipline Xue Pan like he disciplined Jia Baoyu.However, I still learned a few lessons.Those polite words made Xue Pan frown and shouted in his heart that he couldn't bear it.Due to Jia Zheng's status as an elder, he couldn't refute it out loud, but he just hoped that Jia Zheng could finish speaking quickly.

Probably God heard his plea for help.Jia Zheng watched him say so much, Xue Pan still had an expression of indifference, and felt a little bit more unhappy in his heart.He just waved his hand and let Jia Lian take Xue Pan away.

Xue Pan was overjoyed at this, and after thanking him, he followed Jia Lian away.

As for Xue Baochai, a girl from Jia's family came to receive her.

There are not many girls in the Jia family's direct lineage.Adding up the concubine and concubine, there are only four people in front and back.Among them, Jia Yuanchun, the eldest girl, was selected into the palace as a female historian seven or eight years ago because of her talent, filial piety and virtue.The remaining three.The second girl, Yingchun, is a girl from the eldest family, and the third girl, Tanchun, is a girl from the second bedroom. Both of them are concubines.The fourth girl, Xichun, is the younger sister of Jia Zhen in Ningguo Mansion.

Although the three girls said that they were different from each other, Mother Jia didn't think much of it.Whether it is food, clothing, housing, transportation or other things, they are all regarded as ordinary.He has won a lot of praise from outsiders, especially some girls from concubine families, and they all wish to be reborn in Jia's family.

Xue Baochai just sneered at this.How to cherish the granddaughter? Since ancient times, there has been a difference between concubine and concubine.Mother Jia said that she cherishes her granddaughter as well.But in fact, this is biased!

The second girl and the third girl have the same identity, they are both concubines who were born on the same day.The fourth girl is a descendant of a descendant. In terms of status, even the eldest daughter may not be able to match her.But the fourth girl is Jia Mu's grandniece, not her own granddaughter. Naturally, they are separated by a layer, so they will take it to heart.What's more, for so many years, although the Ningguo Mansion is said to be the eldest son of the Jia family, in terms of power, it is not as powerful as the Rongguo Mansion.

Therefore, putting the fourth girl and the second girl and the third girl together, no one in Ningguo Mansion would dare to say otherwise.

But Xue Baochai just complained in his heart, anyway, it is a matter of other people's family, so what does it have to do with her.

Of course, besides these three girls, there was one other person.It is Lin Daiyu, the cousin of the Jia family.

This Lin Daiyu is the daughter of Jia Min, the youngest of the two sons and one daughter born to Jia's mother.In the early years, Jia Min went to Yangzhou with her husband for more than ten years. Two years ago, due to illness, Jia Min passed away, leaving only a weak girl.Mother Jia was heartbroken for her daughter's early departure and at the same time worried about the only bone and blood left behind by her daughter, so she sent someone away to pick up Lin Daiyu and stay with her to raise her.

"Sister Bao, can you tell us about the local conditions and customs in Jinling?" The third girl Tanchun said with a smile on her face.She is the concubine of the second room, and her attitude is more warm than that of the second girl and the dead girl.

Regardless of whether Xue Baochai was born in the past or present, she always looked down upon those born in the concubine. This attitude inevitably made her alienated a lot. She just smiled and said, "There is nothing worth mentioning. Not being in the capital city, everywhere is prosperous, it really opened my eyes a bit."

Jia Tanchun saw that no matter what she said, Xue Baochai always kept such a lukewarm attitude and kept a certain distance. She was always proud and arrogant, so at this time, he couldn't help feeling a little bit annoyed.She originally thought that Xue Baochai was the niece of the aunt, and she wanted to make friends with her wholeheartedly, but she was a person who didn't like oil and salt, and her attitude towards her was still lukewarm, not much different from the second and fourth girls. .Speaking of my wife's niece, she was nothing more than a merchant girl.His status is not as good as his own, so what is he being arrogant about here?After all, she was a little young, even though she was shrewd, she was dissatisfied with Xue Baochai in her heart, and when she looked at her, the corners of her eyebrows and eyes inevitably revealed two points.

Xue Baochai was not really a girl in her early teens, so she couldn't see Jia Tanchun's carelessness, so she sneered inwardly, pretending that she didn't know.Turning around, he talked about painting and calligraphy with the fourth girl.Back and forth, chatting is quite happy.

The second girl looked at the third girl whose face suddenly changed, and couldn't help sighing in a low voice.Lin Daiyu is a cousin girl. For the past two years, she has lived in Jia's mansion. Although Jia's mother loves her, but after all, she is living under someone else's fence, so her thoughts are unavoidable, and she dare not speak easily at this time.

Just when Jia Tanchun's attitude was almost overwhelmed, he suddenly heard a servant girl shout happily: "Baoyu is back."

When Xue Baochai was in Jinling, she often heard Aunt Xue talking about her cousin.This cousin is the youngest son born by my aunt when she was over [-] years old. Not only was she born with jade, but she is also very different in age from the previous son and daughter. She is not only the heart of the aunt, but also the eyes of the old lady.Not only is he handsome, but he is also smart and clever. He is really a man of great fortune.

Hearing Aunt Xue's praise of Jia Baoyu's praise of heaven and earth, Xue Baochai just snorted coldly and didn't take it to heart at all.

If he is really a man of great fortune, he is still alive at this time, and he is afraid that he will be dealt with by the royal family long ago.After all, like Jia Baoyu who was born with a title jade, such an auspicious vision has always been feared by the royal family.He can only be a wealthy idler in his life.

Great fortune, he may not be able to bear it.

What Xue Baochai didn't expect was that when he heard that Jia Baoyu was coming.Other people's reactions simply exceeded her expectations.They all rushed to stand up to greet her, which made Xue Baochai, who was always cheerful, unavoidably have a look of surprise on his face.

Since Danxin and Danqing talked about the Jia family's affairs, she felt that what happened in the Jia family had already subverted her cognition and three views, but just looking at the situation in front of her, she felt that she might still be underestimated Jia's situation.

Just because of Jia Baoyu's arrival, she was put aside as a guest.It seems that Jia Baoyu's status in the Jia family is more different than she imagined.

Although I have heard from Aunt Xue countless times, this cousin is born very well.But after meeting the real person Xue Baochai, he realized that Jia Baoyu was born really well.The face is like the moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the color is like the flowers of spring dawn, the temples are cut like knives, the eyebrows are like ink paintings, the nose is like hanging gallbladder, and the eyes are like autumn waves. He is wearing a two-color golden hundred and red clothes. It doesn't look fancy, but it suits others better. pretty.

Of course, although he was born well, Xue Baochai had never seen someone prettier than him.What caught Xue Baochai's attention even more was a piece of beautiful jade tied around his neck with a five-color silk ribbon.The size of a bird's egg, colorful and crystal clear, you can tell it's a good thing at a glance.

"Is this new sister sister Bao?" Jia Baoyu has always liked her daughter's family. A few days ago, she heard from Mrs. Wang that the aunt of Xue's family, who was married far away, would come back today to visit relatives. He was two years older, and seeing a strange older sister suddenly appearing in the room, he said with a smile.

Jia Tanchun hurriedly asked in surprise, "How did the second brother know?"

Jia Baoyu laughed and said, "Earlier, I heard from my mother that Sister Bao in my aunt's family is the most beautiful. Now that I see her, I recognize it immediately."

"After all, Baoyu's eyes are sharper, so you can tell at a glance." Jia Yingchun also pursed her lips and said something.

Although before coming here, Xue Baochai already knew about it.This cousin hates reading, and likes hanging out in the dark the most, but seeing the situation in front of her, she still feels that she can't adapt.

Xue Baochai looked at the delicate box in Xue Pan's hand, and asked again: "Brother, do you think this is a gift from Cousin Lian?"

Xue Pan was drunk by Jia Lian, his expression was a little sober, he patted his head, and said naively: "Yes. Cousin Lian really has a heart. He still thinks about my sister."

Looking at Xue Pan's stupid and cute expression, Xue Baochai only felt that he had a heavy responsibility.Although she saw Jia Lian for the first time today, she could tell with just one glance.This is not an easy man!Now he gave himself this thing through Xue Pan, and he said it nicely, a gift for his cousin.

Hehe, what a liar.What kind of cousins ​​are they.Still don't know what the idea is?

Although my heart was full of twists and turns and I had thought a lot, Xue Baochai didn't show the slightest bit on her face, and said to Xue Pan: "Brother, I will see you again tomorrow, cousin Lian, and thank you for me."

"I know that." Xue Pan said.

"Jinzhan, take good care of the uncle."

"Yes, girl."

After sending Xue Pan away, Xue Baochai opened the box, and saw a wishful peach hairpin lying quietly inside.Xue Baochai's slender brows frowned suddenly, it was not the hairpin that made her frown, in fact the hairpin was no different from the usual ones.Just below it, there is a letter raft with pink peach blossoms on it, and a few lines of small characters can be seen written on it.

Seeing this, Xue Baochai's eyes became more and more dignified.After reading what was written on the letter raft, his eyes had changed from solemn to cold.

It seems that she underestimated the Jia family.I thought his family was just an ordinary wealthy family, although it was more chaotic than other families, with no distinction between the elders and the younger ones.In the future, at most, it will be a defeat.But unexpectedly, there was a different person among them.

"Yun Shu, go over and tell Dan Xin to go to Rongguo Mansion quietly at night. Talk to Second Master Lian. Three days later, at three o'clock, Dexin Study." Xue Baochai pondered for a moment, and that was the case. The opening of the mouth ordered and said.

Yun Shu didn't dare to delay, so she agreed, and went down to do it without mentioning it.

Jia Lian, don't let me down.

Xue Baochai looked at Yun Shu's figure, and narrowed his almond eyes slightly, thinking so.

Three days later.

Dexin study.

This Dexin study is a property of the Xue family in Beijing, and it manages the four treasures of the study and books.Although it is not comparable to an old store like Baomozhai, but because the price is reasonable and it is a commoner way, it has a little reputation in Beijing.

Xue Baochai came out today in the name of inspecting the property.

The shopkeeper of Dexin Study, surnamed Zhang, is a man in his early thirties.Shopkeeper Zhang had already heard the news that Xue Baochai was coming to visit, so he hurriedly greeted him, bowed and said, "Miss is here. The inner room is already ready. I respectfully invite you to go in."

When this shopkeeper Zhang was young, he had received the favor of Xue Jian for saving his life, and he was the most loyal to the Xue family.Therefore, Xue Baochai chose here as the place where she and Jia Lian met.But even so, Xue Baochai didn't dare to let him know the real purpose of coming here.He just said, "I'm sorry to trouble Shopkeeper Zhang, who is busy. It's just that I didn't come here for inspection, but I just passed by by chance to pick up two geography travel notes to pass the time. You don't need to wait here, just go down and get busy. .”

Shopkeeper Zhang hurriedly said, "Yes, girl."

It didn't take long before I heard Xiao Er's crisp voice: "Second Master Lian, you are here." What followed was a string of flattering words.

As soon as Xue Baochai heard this, she winked at Yun Juan beside her.Yun Juan understood immediately, and Fushen left.

After a while, he saw a young master Pian Pianjia who was dressed in a royal blue brocade robe, with a black jade around his waist, walking over.When seeing Xue Baochai, the corners of his mouth curled up, he cupped his hands, and saluted, "Cousin Xue."

"Cousin Lian." Xue Baochai was also blessed at the moment.