Xiaoxiang Water Cloud in the Red Chamber

In recent years, Daiyu lived more and more reclusively. Every morning, she burned incense and wrote the "Diamond Sutra" for her father under the window. During the day, she sewed clothes for her father in the house.Lin Feng was also sent to buy groceries such as local instruments and special products in the capital.It was not until the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month that everything was ready, and a ship was hurriedly sent to Yangzhou to send these items full of Daiyu's thoughts.

One day, Daiyu was teasing Cuiyu under the window, and Xueyan reported that Yiyuehou and other shopkeepers of the Lin family in the capital had sent people to ask Daiyu to check the accounts.Daiyu smiled slightly and said, "I've never even taken care of my family as a child, so I don't have the ability to take care of these things. I haven't checked these properties, and my father didn't ask me to take care of them. I really don't dare to do it for me. Xue Sister Yan, send a message and push it for me."

Xueyan agreed and went out.Unexpectedly, Kung Fu hurried in again after a while, smiled and said to Daiyu: "Those people just said, this is exactly what the master meant. The master said that the girl will be nine years old after the New Year, and she is a little adult, so let the girl Learn to see, there is no need to really express any opinions, if you don't understand, you can send someone to consult the shopkeeper Lin Feng, he is not only the shopkeeper of Yiyuelou, but also the general manager of all the businesses of our Lin family in the capital, although You are a subordinate, and you are also close friends with the master, you are welcome, girl."

While feeding Cuiyu, Daiyu pouted and complained: "Daddy must be afraid that I will be lazy, alas, I would rather read more books, those books make my eyes tired." After saying that, she let out a long sigh.

Hong Yan smiled and said: "Master Lin is far-sighted. Don't be lazy, girl. The daughter's parents will always be the director of the family when they grow up. It is not enough to learn it at home when I was a child. Now I can learn it first and save myself from being blinded in front of my eyes. Besides. The girl is not young anymore. The daughters of the big families in the capital are all taught by the wife to manage the house at this age. The knowledge of checking accounts is the greatest. If the girl learns well, she will not worry about housekeeping. It is far better than that. Just look at Lian's second grandma in Jia's mansion, she doesn't know a lot of Chinese characters, but because she knows how to calculate and has a good mouth, she manages Nuo Da's mansion clearly."

Daiyu sighed softly, and said with a bitter face: "Why don't I know, but it really hurts to look at those numbers." As she said that, she hurriedly asked Xueyan to pick up the account books.

When Xueyan came in, she was surprised, because Xueyan only had five or six thin account books in her hand, she couldn't help being happy, and wondered: "I heard that our family has a lot of property in the capital, why are there so few books?" .”

Xueyan smiled and said: "This is what they finally calculated. They said it was for the girl to learn. How can the girl see every link, even if she has three heads and six arms, she should be exhausted."

With these things, Daiyu is not lonely anymore. She checks the accounts in the study every day and learns the essence of them. Although her father said that it doesn’t matter if she doesn’t express her opinions, she is talented, and she writes down her experiences and ideas when she has them. Lin Feng asked for advice, and gradually realized a little fun from it.That Lin Feng beamed with joy, and said that Daiyu was a genius, and it would be great if the man went out to do business.

When the Jia family sent someone to pick up Daiyu when they were young, Daiyu politely resigned. The ancestors ruled that being filial should not take part in these festive events. Although Jia's mother regretted it, there was nothing she could do.The Sanchun sisters and Baoyu miss Daiyu, but Mrs. Wang wishes that Daiyu would leave Jia's house far away and never come again.

It is New Year's Eve in a blink of an eye, and there are fiery trees and silver flowers outside, laughter and laughter, and the night illuminated by fireworks and lights is filled with the bustling and gorgeous noise and impetuosity.Daiyu's home is clean and clean, as if it is the only pure land among the three thousand worlds of mortals, lonely and small but the most pure and peaceful.

Daiyu had already sent her servants to have a family reunion, so only Hongyan, Xueyan, and Chunxian were left.Because the cook was also at home, Xueyan Chunxian acted as the cook temporarily and cooked a table of exquisite and elegant Jiangnan vegetarian food. Several people sat around eating and talking and laughing.

It's just that although Daiyu forced herself to laugh, there was still traces of loneliness and sadness in the corners of her brows and eyes.The girls all knew that she was missing her father who was far away in Yangzhou, so they picked up some anecdotes to make her happy.Daiyu felt that her heart was not at all confused, but it was empty, seeing the sisters struggling to make her laugh, she couldn't bear to be disappointed, so she smiled along with her.

Several people chatted by the candlelight after eating, when they heard a faint knock on the door amidst the sound of firecrackers.Chun Xian said with a smile: "There are still people coming at this time, the prince must have sent someone to give the girl a gift." He got up and went out with a smile.

Both Xueyan and Hongyan laughed and guessed wildly, Daiyu watched quietly with a smile, her heart was also slightly excited, she had been guessing about this gift for more than twenty days.

After a while, I saw Chunxian and a girl walking in with a long bag, smiling.That girl has lively and pretty eyebrows, although she is not very colorful, she is very capable and shrewd.She came in and saluted quickly: "Xia He has met Miss Lin, the prince ordered me to bring Miss Lin a New Year gift."

Daiyu hurriedly smiled and said, "Sister Xia He, please, I'm tired, I'm running for a while. I don't know what Brother Rong sent."

Xia He smiled, and stepped back a few steps to ask Chun Xian to help unfold the things in her hands. Daiyu stood up involuntarily, watching the things slowly spread in front of her without blinking, feeling a refreshing sweet spring flow in her heart Gradually well up, and then slowly flow throughout the body.

In front of me is a picture scroll nearly three meters long. The picture is divided into three parts, which are connected in series by a shining river. The first part is the outskirts of Yangzhou city. Some houses and peach blossoms are looming in the morning mist, and there are faint figures among the rice paddies. A breath of life.Walking along the river, gradually entering the city, the streets are full of people, all kinds of shapes, and a house with gray tiles and white walls, green willows like smoke, bridges and flying rainbows, but it is not Daiyu’s hometown in Gusu.The third part and the second part are separated by an exquisite arch bridge. There is also a house between the scattered houses and the ancient willows. It is Daiyu's home in Yangzhou. Two people are playing the piano and flute in it. The little girl sitting next to Zhi Yi listened carefully, and could vaguely recognize the images of Lin Ruhai, Jia Min and Daiyu.The layout of the picture is very ingenious, so it is patchwork and not messy.The tone of the picture is light and elegant, and it looks plain and far away. The cold mountains, thin water, clear clouds and shallow poles actually reveal infinite warmth.The brushwork is elegant but with strong bones.

For a moment, Daiyu seemed to see the misty, rainy and empty ink painting Jiangnan slowly coming from the broken void beyond thousands of mountains and rivers, and saw herself chatting and laughing happily with her parents among the shadows of trees and flowers.Her thoughts were like a sea, her heart was full of knots, she was silent for a long time, before she calmed down, she gently raised her head to reveal a bright smile, brighter than the bright fireworks outside the window, it was really as bright as the morning sun, as bright as a bright moon.

Xue Yan and others beside him also excitedly praised.Hong Yan smiled and said: "It seems that this handwriting was drawn by Prince Ding, this posture is almost as good as "Along the River During the Qingming Festival"."

Xia He laughed and said: "That's not true, the lord has been painting since he learned that Miss Lin was coming to the capital, but after half a year of painting, he finally finished it in time for the Chinese New Year. The lord said that no matter where the girl is, she always It will be accompanied by the scenery of my hometown, telling the girl not to be sad anymore, and saying that although painting cakes can't satisfy your hunger, it can relieve your miss at least."

Daiyu's heart thumped, and the smile on her face was like the warm spring breeze: "Thank Brother Rong for me. I really like his gift. This is the best gift I have ever received. Sister, go back and talk to Rong." Brother said, just say that I will never be sad again, please rest assured." She misses her hometown, and what she yearns for is the deep family affection and the warm feeling of satisfaction. Her helpless heart was comforted, so how could she let those who cared about her down again, no matter how much she complained about herself, even her father who was thousands of miles away would blame herself.

Every day in the capital, there are lion and dragon dances and temple fairs, and the officials and officials are constantly playing and drinking. After the Shangyuan, the year is finally over.Shui Rong came a few times in the middle, but each time he was in a hurry, even so, Daiyu was very moved, and her little heart was filled with happiness.

Daiyu treasured the ink painting of the south of the Yangtze River, and took it out to look at it carefully when bored, which can relieve the boredom in her heart.Hongyan and Xueyan Chunxian laughed behind their backs and said that the prince of Beijing had exhausted his heart for Daiyu, and everything was in line with Daiyu's thoughts.

Daiyu had nothing to do these days, thinking of seeing that the purse on Shui Rong's body was getting old that day, she wanted to embroider one for him.Every time I see Shui Rong bothering me, I can only do my best.Because I found the fabric, I embroidered it carefully under the window.Outside the window, the plum blossoms are blooming, and the time is quiet, and Daiyu's heart becomes more and more peaceful.

While busy, when the curtain rang, Xueyan walked in and said uncomfortably: "Miss, Aunt Xue and Miss Bao are here."

Daiyu put down her needle and thread in amazement, just after the New Year's Eve, the Jia family hadn't sent anyone yet, so why did the Xue family come to her door.What do they mean by saying that there is nothing to go to the Three Treasures Palace?

Hongyan smiled and said, "Why did you forget, the Ministry of Household Affairs has already started reporting the roster of girls to be drafted. This year, some of the girls are directly compiled in the booklets read by palace maids and talented servants, and the other part is Compiled in the brochure for concubine selection. Given the family background of the Xue family merchants, it must be very difficult for Miss Bao to be compiled in the brochure for concubine selection. Although the Jia family has some power, but their family already has a permanent member, and they definitely don’t want Miss Bao to be selected as a contender. Yuan Changzai's honor and favor, so they must not do their best. On the contrary, the girl knows Princess Beijing, and it is easier to talk, so they must have moved their minds to us."

Daiyu came to a sudden: "I've forgotten about it." She sighed lightly, she really didn't know what sister Bao was thinking, why bother to go into that whirlpool.How many beauties are slowly withering in the cage formed by layers of palaces, how many beautiful lives wither prematurely in the invisible gunpowder, but there are still so many people who give up their free years and want to win those thousand points One of the honors.I am just alone in the capital, how can a girl in a boudoir who has no power or influence show her face to take care of these things.She got up and said to Xueyan: "Go ask Aunt Xue and Sister Bao to do it in the living room." Chunxian helped her change her clothes and helped her to the living room.Hong Yan worried and followed beside her.

Daiyu came to the living room, and saw Aunt Xue and Baochai sitting in the living room drinking tea in brightly dressed clothes, Aunt Xue had a hint of sadness on her brows, while Baochai's smooth and soft face was still calm and gentle, her gestures were radiant. With a dignified manner.Daiyu came in and hurriedly saluted and smiled: "Daiyu is impolite, Aunt Lao and Sister Bao have been waiting for a long time, how are Auntie and Sister Bao recently?"

Aunt Xue and Baochai hurriedly got up with a smile and said, "Where is it?"

The two sides were polite again, and Daiyu also asked Jia Mu to wait.

Aunt Xue took Daiyu's hand and said with a smile: "I haven't seen Miss Lin for a long time, she has grown a lot taller, and she is even more beautiful than before. This whole body looks like a fairy descending to earth."

Daiyu smiled and said indifferently: "Auntie praised me absurdly. Sister Bao dared to be called a beauty in front of you. Look at Sister Bao's elegant and luxurious dress today. She is really like the flower king peony among the flowers. It blows away the coldness of our family. gone."

Baochai is wearing a red-bottomed peony branch embroidered half-arm round-neck gown with fur, a white pro-collar, a pink round-neck gown with wind-hair, and a purple horse-face skirt, elegant yet charming.She came here to ask for help, so she dressed grandly, but she forgot that Daiyu was still in the filial piety, such a gorgeous look is extremely impolite.Perhaps subconsciously, she still had a little thought of competing with Daiyu, so she couldn't help thinking carefully.I just saw Daiyu wearing a moon white orchid collar jacket and a white pleated skirt with long silk sash on the skirt. It looks simple but ethereal, like a dust-free fairy. There was no gain or loss, and my heart was slightly sour. I couldn't help but rejoice that it was fortunate that Daiyu was not old enough, otherwise she would be a formidable opponent.Thinking of it again, my heart became more and more bitter and unspeakable.She was thinking like this, but she didn't catch the irony in Daiyu's words.

Baochai only took Daiyu's praise, smiled and said: "Sister Lin is hurting me. How can my sister compare with my sister? Sister Lin is from a scholarly family for several generations, and her family background is noble. I dare not compare her elegant temperament." of."

When the host and guest were seated, Daiyu said, "Auntie and Sister Bao come to sit down when you have time."

Aunt Xue said with a smile: "I wanted to come here a long time ago, but the family is very busy during the Chinese New Year. You also know that your brother is a horse without a leader. He can't do anything well. It's because of Bao girl's help, so he didn't come." I spared time to see the girl. The poor girl is here alone, and I feel distressed when I think about it. It just so happened that I got two old ginseng and a palace-made cloud brocade the other day. I thought it was just right for the girl, so I thought Send it to you. Your sister is the most considerate, and you get along well, and she always says that she misses you, so she took this opportunity to come, and you little sisters can also talk about it, and you can make the girl happy. "Speaking, she ordered the little girl to bring up the old ginseng and a palace-like pink cloud brocade with flower patterns.

Daiyu sneered in her heart, Aunt Xue opened her mouth and kept her mouth shut. Your brother, your sister, and sister Bao are all that matters. What kind of brother is Xue Pan? Is such a person worthy?They came with smiles all over their faces, and they didn't want to go too far, so they said lightly: "Auntie and Sister Bao are bothering. Daiyu is alone and has no brothers and sisters. It's rare that my aunt came all the way to care about me. Auntie loves me so much I shouldn't have resigned, but now I only take the medicine prescribed by the doctor, but the prescription is very troublesome, and I am not allowed to take other supplements and the like. And now that I am in Xiaozhong, these brocades can't be used for the time being, Auntie Wouldn’t it be a waste to give these to me?”

Aunt Xue looked a little embarrassed, and said with a smile: "Miss Lin thinks it is too simple. If I don't need to reward the girl casually, it's fine. This relative is our little idea, and the girl doesn't have to refuse. .”

Daiyu didn't answer, picked up the lid of the teacup and gently fiddled with the mouth of the cup, unwilling to play Tai Chi with Aunt Xue again, paused and said directly: "I don't know that Auntie and Sister Bao came here except to feel sorry for Daiyu who is alone in the capital. , but there are other things?"