The Jade of the Red Chamber

What Shui Yang said really touched Zhenyu's heart, and Zhenyu thought exactly so, and was anxious to go back to Lin's mansion to discuss with her father.

Lin Ruhai knew his son's thoughts very well, and had thought about this matter several times. Now that the Zhou family had another imperial order, it was a matter of course, so when his son mentioned it, he readily agreed.

In the Zhou mansion, Uncle Zhou naturally liked it, and Zhou Hui felt grateful and excited in her heart. Since the moment her son boarded the ship to Yangzhou, she had given up the extravagant hope of her son being upright and calling her mother again. Unexpectedly, she could have today !The Lin family is actually willing to let Zhenyu recognize herself as a godmother!

Zhou Bing was happy, and he had made up his mind long ago that this matter must be done!The elder sister was lonely for half her life, was bullied by others, and couldn't show her face. This time she can feel proud and recognize her son. Such a happy event must be seen by everyone in the capital!Let those villains see it in their eyes and keep it in their hearts!A sneer appeared on the corner of Uncle Zhou's mouth. Now, if he doesn't beat those dogs in the water, how can he forgive his sister for suffering, how can he express his anger!

Zhou Bingyi was very happy for several days. He always liked to chat with people before and after going to court, which was different from his usual appearance.Quite a few courtiers and colleagues were wondering, the minister looks so good this week!Looking so happy doesn't seem like he's just happy because Mrs. Zhou got the imperial order?

Convincing everyone's "aunt-in-law's heart", Zhou Bingcai revealed his idea mysteriously, but it was his own sister who was going to adopt a son.

Many courtiers were somewhat disapproving. Although the Zhou family was ordered by the second rank, it is not uncommon for this capital to gather with dignitaries and dignitaries. Moreover, she is a widow. I heard that her husband's family who died is just a shameless person. Little squire, her status is not very prominent, if there is a difference, it is only that her imperial order is sealed in front of the officials today!

If he got a godson, he probably wouldn't have a good background, and the young master of a respectable family in the capital wouldn't try to curry favor with him. Presumably, some unworthy brats aimed at Mrs. Second Grade and Zhou Shilang Let go of the name.After all, according to the regulations of this dynasty, the son has the duty to serve the elderly after the god-in-law recognized by the government!

When the ministers asked again, Zhou Shilang shook his head but was unwilling to discuss further.Lin Ruhai squinted at him from the corner of his eye. What's there to be proud of? It would be even more amazing if he said it was his son!

Lin Ruhai squinted at his colleagues, um, does anyone have a girl they like?Zhenyu is going to be fifteen, if there is something good, let's settle it first!The eminent monk said that only a son with a weak crown can marry a wife. Didn't he say that you can't get married first?

Now things are going well for Lin Ruhai, although the matter of Daiyu has not been settled, the two families have a tacit understanding, the only thing missing is that the three fathers and sons of the Lin family will not let go; Fuyu doesn't need to worry about him, with his elder brother taking care of him, the youngest son is very motivated Be obedient, next year you can take the boy's exam!Therefore, Lin Hai's mind turned to the eldest son's marriage.

Sighing secretly, over the years, Ruhai has really owed the children: he promised Jia Min that he would raise the three children well, but after Jia Min passed away, he lost his mind and asked the children to worry about him instead; Afterwards, my heart finally eased up and came to Jiangnan and the situation was serious, so I had to send my three children to Rongguo Mansion, and suffered a lot of grievances; after returning to Beijing, the eldest son was able to take care of himself, and the daughter also helped the elder brother in charge of the family affairs. He was sensible and motivated at a young age, but the three children cared about his body and tried different ways to warm up and take care of him; what happened in the Rongguo Mansion was because the children worked together to get out of the quagmire!

Lin Ruhai was comforted and sad at the same time, he was a prince of five generations in the Lin family, and now he is a scholar of the seventh generation, his sons and daughters should be noble and pampered, not to mention gold and jade!But his own children's mother died young, and his father was too preoccupied with political affairs, not daring to be distracted, but his grandfather's family was still the same, not only did not get pampered, the children had to secretly guard against him Protect yourself!

Especially the eldest son, who has to deal with all kinds of calculations at a young age, and protect his younger siblings behind him. The boy who is only a teenager has to take care of the huge house inside and outside the house in an orderly manner, and raise his younger siblings with both ability and political integrity!Carrying the Lin Fu on his back, he gained fame!How could he not make his father proud and ashamed?

Lin Hai felt that since the eldest son was adopted many years ago, he hadn't worried about what would happen to this child in the early days. After having Fuyu as his son, he also secretly thought about what would happen if the two brothers had a dispute over the succession of the Lin family...Ke Zhen Yu's child's character has been seen in Lin Hai's eyes since he came to Lin Hai, and even other sons can't match it!During these quiet times, he often thought of what his wife said earlier, "Zhenyu is a lucky star, so it's because of him that Dai'er and Fuyu were recruited!" "Zhenyu is sincere, if you treat him well, you will return You are very, such a child, you can't even ask for it, our family is blessed to have such a child!" "If there are any sudden changes in the future, the master can just keep the ancestral foundation and leave it to Zhenyu! This child is young As long as he is mature, he will be able to stay with his younger siblings in peace."...

Thinking of his dead wife, Lin Ruhai lowered his eyelids to hide his desolation. It's not that he never thought about helping the Jia family as much as possible for his dead wife, but the Rongguo Mansion's actions over the years have made people's hearts feel cold, and they have made progress. It was only after calculating the Lin family that he was willing, Lin Ruhai had already treated the Jia family with the utmost benevolence!Zhenyu is also a generous person, she doesn't want to see Jia's family anymore and has never taken the initiative to harm her. The Rongguo Mansion has fallen so far, one by one, one by one, which one was not provoked by his family and schemed first?The strategy set by the family would not be possible without the "cooperation" of the Jia family.

After a while, various thoughts flashed through Lin Ruhai's mind, and she stood quietly aside.When the court time came, the courtiers filed in one after another, Zhou Bing saw that his unfocused eyes looked like his own nephew's ecstasy, and thought that the two father and son were alike, and he could be distracted at this time!If other people go in and he stands here by himself, then these people don't know how to guess in their hearts!He patted Lin Hai's arm angrily: "Master Lin?"

Lin Ruhai came back to his senses, hurriedly suppressed all his thoughts, straightened his clothes, nodded politely to Zhou Bing, and walked into the hall with regular steps, without revealing a single bit of strangeness, just like a handsome and elegant Shangshu lord!

Zhou Bing curled his lips, and let out a breath of "huh!" from his nose. Look at how he pretended. He said yesterday that he was going to recognize his nephew. He stole his father's limelight and forced the authentic painting of Yan Sheng Get away!The rogue at that time should really be seen by others!Zhou Shilang disregarded his appearance for a while, making his colleague walking beside him give him a quick glance in a strange way, and moved away without a trace.

A few days later, Zhou Bing personally wrote the post and asked his servants to send it to various houses in the capital.This time, it was even bigger than the banquet organized to find the Zhou family that day.Zhou Shilang is very obedient and will not be caught gossiping about cliques. He not only invites his good friends and colleagues, but also invites the loyal and obedient Wang faction who has always been at odds.It can be said that the famous family mentioned in the capital has posted posts all over the place.

Zhou Bing also very "regardless of previous suspicions" sent invitations to the Rongning Second Mansion. Although the Rongguo Mansion is no longer Lin Zhenyu's maternal ancestral home, it is also a family with deep roots in the capital city. Now it has to be loyal to the king. Favored, Zhou Bing naturally posted it.

Everyone was surprised to see that Lin Zhenyu, the eldest son of the Lin family, was written on the post, and their eyes widened.

Some people are naturally envious and wondering that the Zhou family can get such a godson. It is true that Zhou Bingneng's meritorious deeds originated from Lin Zhenyu of the Ministry of Industry. Inference, it makes sense for the Zhou family to recognize Lin Zhenyu as a cadre!I heard that the Lin family's eldest son is of good character, the widowed and childless Zhou family is lucky, so old people have something to rely on!

The other group of people think more, of course, most of these people have sons or girls of the right age at home, Lin Zhenyu recognizes Zhou as her godmother, and thinks that except when Zhou and Lin's family first became friends, there was a rumor that Zhou Shilang was interested. He promised his daughter to the Lin family, and even though the two families got close later, they showed no such intentions at all. Thinking about it this way, it seemed that the two families had no intention of doing so.Now many people's minds are active.Dalang Lin is a good candidate for son-in-law!

Lin Ruhai has won the mind of the sage, and Lin Zhenyu seems to be quite appreciated now. The eldest son of the Lin family is also a handsome and young man, but he has caught the eyes of many parents and mistresses!There is also the girl of the Zhou family. In the past, if it was said that being without a mother is not good, it would be too thin to marry her family members. Although Zhou Shilang is capable, he has no successors. Even with a decent upbringing, no one will be criticized for this, and the Zhou family has Lin Zhenyu, a nephew, and they are married to the Lin family, and the girl of the Zhou family will have a strong mother's family!Isn't it good in every way that such a daughter-in-law enters the door!

This day is a good day on the sixth day, and it is the day when the Zhou Mansion invites guests to a banquet.

Since Maoshi, the Zhou family has been waiting in strict battle.The mansion is decorated with lights and festoons, and the main entrance is wide open: rows of lanterns have been hung high, waiting to be lit at the moonrise, a red carpet is laid on the main road, and the lobby and back hall have been properly arranged as auditoriums.

When saluting in the lobby, because Zhou Hui is a woman, the auspicious clouds and brocade screens are used to separate the inside and the outside. Outside are the male guests entertained by Zhou Bing, and inside are the wives and wives of various families, and the ladies and girls go to the inner room for a while.

Jia Mu and Mrs. Xing were invited to the inner house of Rongguo Mansion.Although there was a rift between the Rong Mansion and the Lin family, the Zhou family entered the etiquette this time, and whether to go or not was voluntary.

Mother Jia can do it now, but she still can't speak clearly, but she can attend the banquet.Mrs. Xing is the first-rank general's wife, so she can take the seat.Only Mrs. Wang's status is embarrassing. In the past, she was a pleasant person of the fifth rank. Now that Jia Zheng is dismissed from office, she is naturally just a white body without orders, and most of the quarrels with the Lin family were caused by her, but she is also the mother of Jia Taigui. The housekeeper's wife is not easy to ignore.Therefore, the post to Rongguo Mansion only said that Mrs. Jia, Mrs. Xing and their families were invited to the banquet, and Mrs. Wang was not mentioned.

Mrs. Wang heard that the elder sister of Zhou Shilang of the Household Department was personally appointed by the emperor, and she was envious and jealous. Thinking of the past, she felt uncomfortable. Seeing that Jia Zheng is now working for the loyal prince, she also earnestly hopes that she can rely on Zhongshun Wang, this big tree, can regain his imperial title!She is a woman who has experienced in the inner house, so she naturally knows vaguely that although Concubine Jia Taigui is now a noble concubine, she has no children and is just an empty title. The imperial concubine is just an ordinary old nobleman in the cold walls of the deep palace. I'm afraid she's not as good as the eunuchs who serve by the Holy Majesty's side!

Mrs. Wang didn't want to miss this banquet where the noble ladies gathered in the capital. Although her status was indeed embarrassing, wasn't she granted permission by the old sage to visit the empress a few days ago?No matter how big the ostentation of the Zhou Mansion is, it won't be more difficult than entering the palace, right?

What's more, she is also the mother of the Empress Dowager, Zhou's mansion also underestimates people, and her name is not even on the post to the mansion!Zhou Mansion's big banquet is a good opportunity, she must dress up properly, and go there in a grand manner, and also teach that tongue-twisting villain to see that her Wang family is still the same as before!Furthermore, I heard that Prince Zhongshun's side concubine will also go, this is a good time to form a good relationship with the side concubine, not to mention that there may be any benefits!

Mrs. Xing is wearing formal attire. Although it is not as formal as when she is wearing a high-grade make-up, she is also well-dressed. This time she is going to take Sister Feng with her.Although it is the master who inherited the title, the old lady is the head of the Rongguo Mansion, and now their big house is divorced from the old lady, and the old lady looks like that. From now on, the daughter-in-law will not be able to get the old lady when she contacts with the wives and wives in the capital. The wife introduces and takes care of her. Although she is clumsy and tongue-in-cheek, she is not welcome, but there are also a few wives and wives who can talk, and her own daughter-in-law can still take care of her!

Jia Lian donated from the sixth-rank Tongzhi. Sister Feng is Anren, and she can be regarded as high-ranking and high-ranking. She dressed up according to the rules and served around Mrs. Xing.

When it was almost evening, Mrs. Xing and Sister Feng went to the Rongguo Mansion by car to go to the room, and invited the old lady to the Zhou Mansion for a banquet.

Mother Jia has been silent in the mansion for several months, but this time Zhou Mansion sent a post and she decided to go, but she was also helpless. I don't have much contact with each other these days. Jia Zheng and Jia Zhen are a bit sluggish in doing things for Prince Zhongshun these days. This time it is also the intention of Prince Zhongshun to ask Mrs. Shi to show her face. Anyway, it is an opportunity, isn't it?

Jia Mu changed her clothes under the service of Yuanyang, and ignored the arrival of her eldest daughter-in-law and Sister Feng.Mrs. Xing's first-class lady's dress was really eye-catching, and Jia's mother resented in her heart. This eldest daughter-in-law is indeed a dead eye, and she dares to be careless in front of her serious mother-in-law!I also hate Concubine Wan, if it wasn't for her black hands, maybe I would have recovered my imperial order by relying on the little prince's grandson!How could it be so obvious like now? !

Mrs. Wang wore a full set of precious ruby ​​hair, and a silk-cut gold and silver Ruyi dress, looking magnificent!The strange thing is that there is a freshly dressed Tanchun behind him.

Sister Feng lowered her brow and pleasing her eyes, and she was a bit thoughtful, if this big banquet was mostly attended by dignitaries and their families, what did the second wife think?It's already rude for her to go there with such an identity and eye-catching dress, and she brought Tanchun, a concubine, and she didn't mean to dislike the wives and girls of other people's mansions!

Lin Zhenyu has been bathing, changing clothes, living alone, and abstaining from lust since three days ago—to fast for three days, everything is extremely respectful and formal!

At sunset, horse-drawn carriages and sedan chairs flocked to the main gate of the Zhou Mansion, making it extremely lively.Zhou Bing greeted him with a smile on his face and his nephews and nephews standing in the outer hall, while the carriage and sedan chair of his family members went directly to the small door, and Zhou Hui and several nuns were waiting inside.From time to time, the housekeeper's announcement singing came from the gate.

Lin Ruhai was sipping tea in the study room, he is the guest of honor today, he just sits down before the banquet starts.Daiyu was talking with Yan Hui in the inner courtyard, and the two of them would come out to greet the girls and ladies who came from various families, this was the first time Yan Hui was doing this, so she was inevitably a little nervous.Xiao Fuyu entertained the guests with Zhou's uncle outside, her chest was straight, her slender height and her small face that had lost her fat were very "adult" in appearance.

The carriage from the inner house of Rongguo Mansion arrived late, and among the men's guests, Jia She accidentally came to join in the fun, holding Jinsun in his yard and refusing to let go; Jia Lian, however, had come early with a few acquaintances from the family; Jia Zhen also rode a horse When I came here, I thought that Youshi would not be able to appear on the stage, so I asked Jia Rong to send his daughter-in-law, Hushi, to follow the Rongfu carriage; Jia Zhengqing couldn't bear to lose face, but he never showed up.The nobles and relatives who came from the main entrance and the second gate were a little bit dumbfounded. What kind of nondescript battle is this?

When Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang and others were welcomed into the side hall, Zhou Hui had already gone to the back to make preparations. The ones who greeted and greeted the guests were the wife of the right servant of the household department and the wife of Dali Siqing. Lidu is quite prestigious, and has a good relationship with Zhou Mansion, so it is very suitable to invite guests to greet guests.

Moon rises, auspicious time.Lin Zhenyu, dressed in formal attire, was accompanied by King Jing from outside the gate, and entered the lobby from the red carpet according to the ceremony. First, the distinguished guest led the crowd to press their fingerprints on the contract specially invited from the Ministry of Rites.

Many of the guests were senior members of the imperial court, so they naturally knew who the person next to Lin Zhenyu was, and they were a little speechless, and some of them who had a good relationship with Zhou Bing directly stabbed him with their eyes. Not to mention the nephew, he even has friendship with Prince Jingze!

The female guest invited by the Zhou family this time is Mrs. Qiao, the wife of the Minister of the Household Department. Mrs. Qiao was born in the capital. The Qiao family has been cabinet ministers for several generations. It is very honorable to invite Ms. Qiao, but the thoughts of all the female guests are still It was rumored that King Jingze took most of his thoughts away.

The etiquette is not complicated. Mrs. Qiao will sing the congratulatory speech, then invite Zhou Hui to take the seat, and Lin Zhenyu will salute.

What Lin Zhenyu performed was the most solemn of the "nine worships" - Jishou!Lin Zhenyu knelt down on the ground, pressed her left hand to her right hand, and arched her hands on the ground, her head slowly fell to the ground. Lin Zhenyu lay on the ground for a while, with her hands in front of her knees and her head behind her hands.Goodbye, three times!Known as "Mother", she accepted Zhou Hui's gift.

With tears in her eyes, Zhou Hui helped her son up with her own hands, and Qiao sang loudly: "The gift is over."

Lin Zhenyu went to the outer hall to salute Zhou Bing again.

The female family members in the inner room are all ranked according to their rank and status. Mrs. Xing has to take care of Mrs. Xing, but Mrs. Wang is placed in the last seat. It is no wonder that the Zhou family is like this. Madam "make up for work", so the nanny in charge had to take an extra seat at the last table, and asked her to sit with some family members of the household officials and the female family members surnamed Zhou who came to visit relatives.

Jia's mother is in poor health and her eyes are dim.Zhou Hui described it in the upper class as compared to when he was in Jia's house, he was in heaven and earth, but he couldn't recognize him for a while.Mrs. Wang held her handkerchief, and secretly looked at the poorly dressed women around her with disgust, but her ears were straightened up to hear the news of the arrival of Lord Jingze, her hands were tightened tightly, and her eyes were fixed on the sitting chair. The Concubine Zhongshun, who was conspicuous in the inner hall, was thinking about something.

After watching the ceremony, Mrs. Zhou and the wife who came to help invited these family members into the inner hall.

Mrs. Wang hurried forward to help Jiamu, and looked at Zhou Shilang's sister who was talking to someone in front of her. Hmph, Lin Zhenyu is very good!If her Baoyu can make friends with Lord Jing... Mrs. Wang frowned, why is the silhouette of Mrs. Zhou in front looking familiar?

The girls from each family were also invited out by Yan Hui and Daiyu, and the excitement was extraordinary.

The banquet was just a formality, and few of them really came to "eat", and they didn't care much more than the gentlemen outside and the ladies in the inner courtyard.

Not long after, the table was removed and a small table was replaced with more delicate fruit refreshments.

The Zhou family set up a stage in the inner courtyard, and invited the most popular opera troupe in the capital, but several of the most popular pillars in the opera gardens in the capital were invited back to the mansion one after another by Prince Zhongshun. I don't pay much attention to this drama, but talking with familiar people is more in the hearts of these wives.

Mrs. Wang's eyes were full of fire when she saw Lin Daiyu. This little fox charmer didn't know what kind of tricks she had cast on Baoyu. She still couldn't forget "Sister Lin" at this moment, and even that cheap bastard named Zijuan protected Baoyu like a treasure!

Jia's mother was arranged on a small table to the left, and Mrs. Wang took a seat with her.Aroused the indistinct glances of the wives from the nearby families, those few gathered together, talking in their mouths, and ignored them.Mrs. Xing had already been with a few unremarkable but friendly wives, and tried her best to introduce Sister Feng to the wives.

Mrs. Wang was all dressed up, and she was not very eye-catching among these noble ladies, but just sitting there, compared with the ladies in formal attire, she was a bit eye-catching.Zhou Hui had noticed it a long time ago, but she understood what her brother was thinking, and she was amused for a while.

Sister Feng is used to being clever, and she coaxed the wives to praise her in no time.He raised his face inadvertently, but was stunned in shock. Although the Mrs. Zhou not far away was smiling and behaved like everyone's wife, she really looked like Aunt Zhou!Thinking of her secret guesses, Sister Feng turned pale.

Zhou Hui followed Mrs. Qiao to greet and talk to the wives at the small tables, and introduced Yan Hui to the wives at the right time.At Jia Mu's table, Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang were both stunned!

Mother Jia opened her eyes wide to see the man in front of her, but Mrs. Wang stared at him firmly.

With her eyes wide open, Mother Jia's blood surged up, and she couldn't speak, this person was Aunt Zhou!Jia's mother understood everything in an instant, and wondered that Lin Zhenyu wanted to recognize her as a godmother!Jia Mu's eyes were about to burst, she was gnashing her teeth with hatred, she lost all reason, she wanted to hold the bitch to tell the whole truth, to ruin the reputation of this bitch and Lin Zhenyu!It's just that the more anxious he became, the more he couldn't speak. The old man's face was full of blue veins, which looked terrible!

Mrs. Wang's head buzzed, Zhou Hui's smiling face dangled in front of her eyes, and she couldn't see anyone else, not even Jia Mu.What a lowly maidservant Aunt Zhou is!Mrs. Wang was shocked, angry, suspicious and angry!As if in a dream, Aunt Zhou who disappeared for no reason is now standing in front of her? !

Mrs. Wang didn't believe it at first, but immediately stood up in shock and anger, trembling her fingers, her mind went blank and she couldn't speak.The eyes are almost oozing blood, how could this lowly servant girl become Zhou Shilang's sister, the order of the second rank? !Tanchun stood at the back helplessly, but she didn't see anything, only felt something was wrong.

Zhou Hui stood there with a smile, facing Mrs. Wang, her eyes never evasive, her smile even seemed to look into Mrs. Wang's eyes—the lowly aunt and wife who had to bow their knees in the past, but now they have become the current second rank Order the servant minister's sister and the notorious Mrs. Baishen!What irony!

Gradually, some people discovered the unrest here, and the hall became silent for a while except for the babbling of opera and libretto.

Mrs. Xing's eyes are clumsy and she is not familiar with Aunt Zhou. If this kind of thing is not familiar, she would not think about it there, but she didn't recognize it. Sister Feng's eyes are not good. If there is something wrong here, she and his wife will not be in the same place. Son.Sister Feng has always been clever, and hurriedly panicked and hugged Mother Jia, and by the way, grabbed Mrs. Wang, winked at Tanchun, and said anxiously, "Old lady! Old lady?" Seeing this, Xing also hurriedly said, "Old lady, What's wrong with you?" Tanchun hurriedly supported Mrs. Wang.

Sister Feng looked at Zhou Hui with pleading eyes, and said anxiously: "Mrs. Zhou, my old lady has an old illness. Please ask my wife to send a car to take us back first." Please forgive me, Mrs. Zhou!" Mother Jia was even more excited when she heard this, and her fingers were pinched into the flesh of Sister Feng's arm!Sister Feng could only endure the pain.

Zhou Hui "worried" stepped forward: "Is the old lady in your house okay? Why don't you rest in the quiet room first, and I will send someone to invite the doctor right away?"

Sister Feng's smile was uglier than crying, and she forced a smile to decline Mrs. Zhou's kindness. Zhou's maid helped several people to invite Jiamu and Mrs. Wang out.

All the female relatives clearly heard that when they left the inner hall, a strange sound suddenly came out from Wang's throat, as if to say: "...you lowly maidservant!"Everyone laughed, this Rong Mansion is really disappointing, I really don't know what it means!

Zhou Hui's eyes were radiant, and the smile on her face was even bigger. It seems that the old lady hasn't told Wang about Zhenyu's life experience, and I'm afraid it will be even more exciting then!Turn around, and continue to greet everyone, today is a great day for me, how can I get upset because of this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?