Qing Wu Red House

At this time, Lin Daiyu didn't know that her elder brother had passed the child's test and was about to visit her in Shangjing.She is waiting with Baoyu, Yingchun and others to welcome Mrs. Wang's sister Aunt Xue's family to Jia's house.It is said that Aunt Xue has a daughter who is also a fairy-like figure, and she will come to Beijing to participate in the draft at the beginning of next year.

Lin Daiyu looked at the smiling grandmother. She knew her grandmother's thoughts, and knew that when she was old, she liked to get together or not. Now that another girl came, I am afraid that her grandmother was willing from the bottom of her heart.A few days ago, when my grandmother heard that she was learning how to manage the house, she was still sighing: "Our Yu'er has grown up to this age. I have some handwriting left by your mother when she helped me manage the house. You can read it." .”

Daiyu originally thought that the handwriting in her grandmother's mouth was just some booklets, but she didn't expect it to be some miscellaneous notebooks of her mother, and she was so excited that she shed tears again.Looking at those yellowed notebooks being well preserved by my grandmother, I also know that my grandmother must have missed my mother very much these years.It's a pity that after my mother married and went to Yangzhou, she never came back once.

"Come on, come on, you've already entered the second gate!" The little girl raised the curtain from the outside and announced happily. Baoyu couldn't sit still at first, and pulled Daiyu out of the door together.Nanny Song glanced at it, but didn't show any special expression.

Daiyu and Baoyu grew up together, and their friendship was unusual. After coming to Jia's mansion for more than half a year, Nanny Song naturally saw the difference in Jia's mansion's upbringing, but she was a stranger's servant. A lot of talking, so I turned a blind eye.Of course, she wasn't prepared to talk about this matter with Daiyu. The girl is still young and she doesn't have any perverted thoughts. Maybe she will remind her, which will be even more serious.On this matter, she still wrote to ask the master and uncle for their opinions.Although the rule is that men and women have different seats at the age of seven, the rules in Daqi have become much looser, and it is not uncommon for close relatives and friends to eat together.It's just that Jia's mansion is exaggerating. It's a disgrace to let Baoyu, a boy of eleven or twelve years old, still live in the inner courtyard.

Nanny Song was thinking wildly, when she heard a commotion, she looked up and saw that the mother and daughter of the Xue family had arrived, and Aunt Xue, a woman who was nearly 40, was born more beautiful than Miss Xue.Aunt Xue's clothes are also normal, but this Miss Xue is wearing too plain, a light yellow dress, embroidered with a begonia, the clothes are also unique.Looking at this Miss Xue again, her skin is better than snow, and her body is plump. She is already a big girl waiting to be married.Nanny Song glanced at the second lady of the Jia family who was standing aside, who was about the same age, but was actually compared to this girl.

Several girls greeted each other, Daiyu couldn't help pursing her mouth slightly when she saw that Baoyu's eyes wouldn't turn away when she saw her beautiful sister. hands to show affection.Daiyu broke free and went forward to meet Baochai, who smiled innocently behind her.Nanny Song sees all of this, but she also knows that Mother Jia also sees all of this. The two children can get so close, probably because of the acquiescence of Mrs. Jia.

This Aunt Xue took Xue Baochai to live in Jia's guest house, and lived in the Lixiangyuan adjacent to the back street in Jia's mansion. It's also considerate.This Aunt Xue is also a smart person. In front of Jia Mu, she handed Wang Xifeng a bank note, saying that all expenses of the Xue family will be paid by themselves, and this is the way to get along with each other for a long time.

Seeing this, Daiyu couldn't help being slightly taken aback, she couldn't figure out what she was thinking.

But Xue Baochai lived in Jia's mansion, and came with his mother every day to say hello to Jia's mother, and read books and embroidered with several little sisters.She behaves generously, treats people kindly, and often rewards some silver and white things generously. I don't know when there are some rumors circulating in Jia's mansion, saying that she is also a relative who has come to seek refuge, but Daiyu is much more stingy, bitter and bitter. It's mean, no wonder the medicines are constantly available all year round, it really is a blessing.

Zijuan, Xueyan and the others had heard such gossip a long time ago, except they were sullen and angry, but they dared not talk about it with their own girls.Even Nanny Song kept her mouth shut, but quietly increased Daiyu's class time to prevent such words from flowing into Daiyu's ears and making Daiyu's heart hurt for nothing.But some people rushed over in a hurry.

After the afternoon nap that day, Mu Qing Lin Zongzong brought several boxes and spread them on the table, his face was slightly restrained, and he said seriously: "The girl has learned the stitches of aligning, laying, and connecting needles, but today, Mu Qing is going to teach the girl the essence." Daiyu looked at Mu Qing's serious look, and fell down on the bed laughing.Zijuan stepped forward to pinch Mu Qing's cheek: "Look, look, our Mu Qing is really a lady wife. The girl is about to sit down, you can't be disrespectful to the teacher!" Xueyan also booed, Daiyu still had a smile all over her face, hurriedly straightened up, and said with a coquettish smile, "Master, please teach me!"

Mu Qing's face was flushed by the fuss of several people, and she didn't know how to answer, so she lowered her head and opened the box in her hand. Once the box was opened, everyone stopped joking and gathered around.Zijuan was surprised: "It's really an eye-opener. There are such tiny needles under the sky that you can't hold them!" Xueyan couldn't help stretching out her hand to gesture, and the expression on her face was also shocked.Seeing the appearance of these people, Nanny Song moved forward, and saw that the boxes on the table were full of needles, the big one was two inches long, and the small one was only the belly of a finger. Size, will be able to pinch.Moreover, this needle, whether it is large or small, is very thin, two or three points thinner than usual embroidery needles.

Seeing that everyone was attracted by the needle, Mu Qing regained some expression on his face. When he spoke again, although it was not as formal as before, his words were still full of reverence for the ancestors: "This set of needles is The only thing that my brother and I brought out from home is the essence of our embroidery. Our embroidery is very particular about threading, and the embroidery threads on weekdays are unusable. They need to be split into two or three thin threads before embroidery. Moreover, our family's embroidery also has very high requirements for color, so it's inconvenient now, and when the girl returns home, Zijuan, Xueyan and I will have to dye it by hand, so that we can embroider a good work."

Daiyu looked at Mu Qing in surprise, she knew that Mu Qing's embroidery was different from the ones she was familiar with, that is, it was a bit more delicate than Su embroidery, but she didn't want to be so delicate.Nanny Song looked left and right at Mu Qing, and said after a while, "Mu Qing's real surname is Gu?"

Mu Qing took out these items today and didn't think about hiding them any longer, so she nodded slightly.

When Daiyu heard this, her eyes lit up suddenly, and she said with great surprise: "I finally know, no wonder I always thought that your girl's embroidery is too delicate, could it be that you are the descendant of the Gu family?"

Mu Qing was a little embarrassed by Daiyu's look, but nodded again.

Zijuan and Xueyan looked at each other curiously, and said with a smile: "Girl, tell me quickly, don't play charades. Both Zijuan and I are so curious." Daiyu smiled and said to Zijuan Xueyan: "Hurry up! Let's pay homage to Mu Qing, Mu Qing is the successor of Gu Embroidery, a magic needle that has been lost for hundreds of years, it's hard for her to teach you so selflessly." Although Zijuan and Xueyan didn't know the name of Gu Embroidery, they heard that Daiyu said so. Said, and they all bowed down.Mu Qing didn't dare to accept the gift from these two big girls, so she hurriedly helped her up.

Dai Yufang stood up with a smile: "I should also worship, such a unique skill passed down from family to family has been ruined by a vulgar person like me." After saying that, she bowed profusely, and the panicked Mu Qing quickly knelt down: "Girl kill me!" me."

Daiyu helped her up, and smiled: "It's hard for you to treat me like this. I will stop joking and study hard in the future."

Zijuan and Xueyan were puzzled for a while, and then asked again and again unwillingly, and Daiyu finally talked about the origin of Gu Xiu.It turned out that this Gu embroidery was a treasure that was hard to find in the previous dynasty, and it was a royal item of the former royal family.Later, when Da Qi won the world, the Taizu didn't like Gu Embroidery because it was too extravagant and time-consuming, and because Gu Embroidery's successors were afraid that the new king would take revenge on them, they gradually concealed their craftsmanship. Although some of Gu Embroidery's stitches The method was still passed down among the people, and played a major role in the subsequent Su embroidery and Shu embroidery, but the real Gu embroidery has been completely lost.Who would have thought that after a hundred years, there would be such an authentic Gu Embroidery successor as Mu Qing.

After Zijuan and Xueyan heard about it, they couldn't help admiring and envious of Mu Qing, and they started learning needlework more seriously.A few people were studying how to split such a thin Xiuhuaqian into 64 pieces, when they heard the voice of a little girl outside: "Second Master Bao is here."

Baoyu usually does not come to look for Daiyu at Chenshi, he doesn't like to listen to Nanny Song nagging about how to organize things, saying that his sister Lin has become secular for no reason.Daiyu didn't think it was disobedient, and Nanny Song didn't take it seriously, but just taught her how to teach.In fact, Nanny Song secretly thought that she was only teaching some common things, and hadn't touched on the intrigues in the inner courtyard. She didn't know how Baoyu would feel when she really taught them.

Baoyu would like to come over at this time of day to watch the maids fiddling with needlework and tracing red.Today is no exception, Baoyu walked in hurriedly, Daiyu looked up, and saw Baoyu in a crimson brocade robe, wearing a gold crown, walking in quickly with a small cage in his hand, and said with a smile: "It's something urgent. I came here wearing the clothes I went out."

"Look, sister, isn't it cute?" Baoyu raised the cage in his hand, and saw a squirrel with red hair in the cage. The hair was shiny, but there was no trace of foreign matter.After all, Daiyu is only a 10-year-old child. After seeing it, she even smiled: "It's so beautiful, where did you find it?"

"Accompanying my wife to visit the Duke's Mansion today, and begging for it with their old lady. My sister likes it? If you like it, you can keep it here. This squirrel only has red hair in summer, and it has red hair in autumn and winter. It's time to change it to black, and if my sister doesn't like it, I'll take it back." Baoyu smiled.

"Since the old lady gave it to you, I don't want it." Daiyu smiled and sat back on the chair, continuing to embroider the small handkerchief in her hand.Baoyu leaned over: "Is this my sister's work? The embroidery is really good. Good sister, please embroider some purses for me."

"I don't have that much time to spare!" Daiyu glanced at her and said, "Hurry up and change these clothes, you won't feel tired if you just sit around at home."

"I'm not tired, I'll talk to my sister for a while." Baoyu still teased the little squirrel with the pine nut, and had no intention of leaving at all. Whatever book you want, lend me a look."

"I have never read a book." Daiyu did not lie, she has been reading her mother's diary today, and put down all other books.Suddenly remembered something and just about to answer the call, I heard: "Miss Bao is here."

Daiyu stood up quickly, and bowed to Baochai who had just entered the door.If this Daiyu is also a girl who is very clear about her relatives, she can just glance at Baoyu when she comes in, but she has to follow the full set of etiquette when Baochai comes.

"It's a big sun, why is Sister Bao here? The sun outside is so vicious, Sister Bao, come in quickly." After finishing speaking, he looked at Zijuan: "Make tea quickly." Baochai walked in generously: "Brother Bao is here too. Hey, this squirrel is so cute, did Brother Bao give it to Sister Lin?"

"Where did you give it to me? It's just for my eye addiction." Daiyu answered, "I'm weak, so how can I raise such a delicate thing."

"What my sister said is true!" Baochai took Daiyu's hand, and sat side by side on the imperial concubine's couch: "My sister always coughs, this squirrel has a lot of hair, my sister should be careful. If you accidentally inhale it, it will be dangerous." Hearing that, Baoyu hurriedly changed Zijuan to come in, and told her to send the squirrel back to her room: "Thankfully, sister Bao reminded me, otherwise I would have hurt sister Lin." Lin Daiyu pursed her lips and smiled, never answer.

Baochai looked at Baoyu and said with a smile, "Why are you still wearing such a big dress at home? Change it quickly. After hiding your sweat for a while, you will have a headache and brain fever. My aunt and the old lady will feel distressed again." I got up and went back to my room to change clothes.Daiyu didn't speak, but turned her beautiful eyes and glanced at Baoyu. Baoyu smiled awkwardly, opened the curtain and left.In the past few days, Mother Jia felt that the children were too crowded in her courtyard, so she moved the Yingchun sisters to live in Xiaobaoxia in Mrs. Wang's backyard, leaving only Daiyu and Baoyu to accompany her.So Baoyu is the distance from this house to that house, and he never even goes out of the yard.

Seeing Baoyu running away, Daiyu looked at Baochai and said, "Why did sister come here?" Daiyu didn't like Baochai very much, but she didn't hate her either.It’s just that there are some meanings of different ways and not conspiring with each other, but think about it, but if a person knows that he is always being compared with others, and every time he loses, he may not like that person. get up.

"I came today at the behest of my mother, to see my sister Lin's illness, but she is getting better. My mother said that there are some good blood swallows at home, and it's a waste of good things to eat for me. Why don't you bring them to my sister?" Replenish your body. Younger sister, remember to eat it every day.” Xue Baochai seems to have always adhered to three principles in dealing with people: kind face, listen more and talk less, and be generous. No wonder he was able to win so many people in Jia’s house in a short period praise.

"Where can I use such a good thing? It's better for Aunt Xue to keep it for him. Apart from the ones I bring at home, my grandmother also sends them every day." Daiyu declined politely, although she knew the things Xue Baochai brought over. , I will definitely not bring it back, but if you are polite, always say no.

Baochai knew what Daiyu was thinking, so she changed the topic with a smile, and the two chatted about embroidery. After a while, Baoyu changed into her homely clothes and came over with a list in her hand: "This is the draft list that brother Zhen and I asked for. Is my sister going to participate in the minor election?"

Baochai nodded with a smile: "My late father was once an official. Although he has passed away, the Ministry of Internal Affairs still gave our family Xiaoxuan a belt badge. My father also meant this when he was alive, so I went to see it." Baochai is the daughter of a merchant. Although the Xue family used to have the name Ziwei Sheren, it has been in decline for many years.Therefore, as Baochai, she cannot directly participate in the general election, but can only participate in the small election to fill the palace with maids.But for a young lady like Baochai, it was impossible for the Xue family to really let her choose a palace maid, so she went to work as a servant in Princess Changping's study.

"Is there any clue about my sister's selection of a servant? I heard that it is not an easy job to be a servant. The gentlemen are always beaten and scolded. It's better to find some connections to avoid the election." Baoyu said of herself. Knowing that Baochai's draft path is different from that of her elder sister Yuanchun, she asked tentatively.

Daiyu was a little confused about the difference between this attendant reading and her mother's accompanying reading, but she also echoed Baoyu's words.Xue Baochai smiled: "It's not so easy to get a way out of the Tian family's affairs. Besides, there is no one so easy to choose. It's just a random try." Obviously he didn't want to talk about this matter.

"Look, we're all confused. Doesn't Sister Lin have a nanny who came out of the palace? She knows what's going on in the palace!" Baoyu suddenly thought.Daiyu didn't want Nanny Song to give advice to Baochai, it had nothing to do with whether she was stingy or not, she just felt that this was the Xue family's decision and they couldn't express their opinions casually.

But at this time, Baoyu yelled like this, so she had to invite Nanny Song to come in. After hearing this, Nanny Song smiled faintly: "Miss Bao, don't worry, if it's really the princess's servant, it's just grinding and cutting paper for the princess." , there will be no more."

Baochai thanked Nanny Song, and the three talked nonsense for a while before Baoyu and Baochai took their leave and went back together.Daiyu sat in the room in a daze, and Nanny Song came in with the medicine: "Miss, it's time to take the medicine." Daiyu took the medicine bowl and drank it slowly, then said thoughtfully, "According to Nanny Song, Why did Sister Bao come here today?"

"The old slave never saw it, how about the girl?"

Daiyu smiled sarcastically, put down the medicine bowl, took Nanny Song's hand, let her sit beside her, and pouted slightly: "It's just because of the rumors in the mansion recently, I'm afraid I have a lump in my heart, so That’s why you’re running to me more.”

"Girl!" Nanny Song felt pain in her heart, and stretched out her hand to hold Daiyu's tiny palm.

"Don't worry, mammy, I know that you and Zijuan are hiding it from me because they are afraid that I will be angry and sad. In fact, mammy can rest assured that Daiyu is only staying here for a while, and she will return to her father in the future , Daiyu won't take these words to heart." Daiyu said lightly.Nanny Song smiled: "Miss, you are right to think so. The ancestors of our Lin family have inherited the princes for four generations, and the master's generation is the Tanhua Lang handpicked by the late emperor. The family background is no worse than this Rongguo Mansion, let alone The Xue family who was born as a merchant."

"Mommy, do you know what happened to sister Bao's choice of attendant? Is it the same as mother's choice?" Daiyu suddenly thought of these things.Nanny Song shook her head: "To put it bluntly, this servant is the maid who serves in the study. Mrs. Lin entered the palace to study together as the eldest princess's classmate. The first emperor loved the eldest princess very much. He was afraid that the eldest princess would be too boring to study alone, so he went to the palace to study together. Among the daughters of the aristocratic family, Lao Nu and Mrs. Lin were chosen as companions to study together. The Xue family's status as a merchant for generations, it is said that even if you choose to be a servant, you are not qualified enough, I am afraid that you have spent a lot of money to open up the relationship."

"Why?" Daiyu was a little puzzled: "Since it's the job of serving people, will Sister Bao get used to it when she is a young lady from a family?"

"Stupid girl." Nanny Song smiled: "What is the identity of the Tian family today? Even the slaves released by the Tian family, ordinary families dare not underestimate them. Take the old slave as an example, he didn't do anything. , just took the double share of the Jia family for nothing. This Miss Xue, after a few years as the princess's companion, is bound to increase in value after she is released. After all, the servant still has a position in name. Whether you continue to marry as a merchant's wife or marry into an official's house, you have confidence."

"That's it!" Daiyu sighed, Zijuan lifted the curtain and came in: "Girl, the old lady is going to pass on a meal, let's go over."

Daiyu glanced at the medicine she had just taken, and shook her head slightly: "Go and tell grandma yourself that I'm not feeling well and I won't eat anymore." Zijuan sighed slightly, this is a trick Daiyu often uses Zijuan also knows that Daiyu is not used to the food in this mansion.But Jia's house has never had the habit of starting fires by itself, that is, the old lady, first lady and second wife are all supplied by the big kitchen.