Jialan: Crossing the Red Chamber

Do you want a red envelope? Baoyu laughed and said, "With you here, I have the heart but not the guts." "Hearing this, the people in the room burst into laughter.

Baoyu glanced at the gifts from everyone on the table, and changed his mind: "Why don't we take advantage of Lan'er's interest and ask the kitchen to prepare a few dishes. How about we drink and make gifts here?"

Several people looked at each other and said very well.Tanchun sent someone to Jia Mu to invite Li Wan.Jia Lan saw that they were really interested, so he ordered someone to invite Xue Baoqin and Xing Xiuyan together, and everyone applauded.

Everyone arrived, no more, no less, and there were two tables lined up. Li Wan became bigger and led a group of people to eat, drink and have fun, and compose poems according to orders.

After noon, Daiyu was weak and wanted to go back to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Aunt Xue sent someone to let Baochai and Baoqin go back. So he proposed to go back today, and if you don't enjoy yourself, we can get together again in the future, and everyone will disperse.

In the afternoon, Jia Lan went to Aunt Zhao's place, had a laugh with Jia Huan, and then went to Jia's mother's place, saying Le Aijiao, needless to say.

After the birthday banquet, it was already the twelfth lunar month, and the new year was approaching. Aunt Li's younger brother took Aunt Li, Li Wen, and Li Qi to live at home for a few days. Li Wan caught a cold, so Jia Lan asked Yi Yanqiu for leave. Years later, Yuanxiao will no longer go to the palace and practice at home.Knowing that the festival etiquette among everyone is very complicated, Yi Yanqiu agreed.However, since the Tongsheng Examination will be held shortly after the Lantern Festival, it is no problem to repeatedly emphasize the study.

Li Wan was ill, and Jia Lan took care of all the festive matters in Daoxiang Village, cleaning the house, placing the offering vessels, and all kinds of trivial matters.

It is said that this day is the 29th of the twelfth lunar month, both Ningrong and Rongfu have changed their door gods, couplets, and listing cards, and they have newly filled peach charms, giving them a completely new look.From the main gate, Yimen, hall, warm pavilion, inner hall, inner three gates, inner Yimen and inner plug gates to the central hall of Ningguo Mansion, the main entrance is opened all the way, with vermilion tall candles lit on both sides like two golden dragons .

The next day, those who were granted by Jia's mother all wore court clothes according to their grades. They first led the people into the palace to congratulate them, and then returned to the ancestral hall after the ceremony and banquet.

Headed by Jia Mu, inside the threshold of the main hall are the female relatives, outside the threshold are Jia Jingjia's name next to the collar of Jia's amnesty, the next one is from the jade, Jia Zhen is the head, and the next is the Caotou, Jia Rong is the head, and the family members are small The servants are all outside the gate of the ceremony; Zuo Zhao and right Mu, men east and women west; when Jia Mu burns incense and bows down, everyone kneels down together, and there are five halls, three huts, inner and outer verandahs, steps up and down, full of flowers. , without a gap.

After the ceremony, Mother Jia and others moved to You's upper room.After talking and laughing with Youshirong's wife, he went back to the main room of Jiamu in Rongfu.Several old ladies came to the mansion to pay respects. After having tea, Jia's mother returned to her seat, and Jia Jing, Jia Amnesty and others led all the children in to salute.Chairs are set up on the left and right sides, men and women return to the west, offering Tusu wine, acacia soup, auspicious fruits, wishful cakes, and a feast for acacia.After the banquet, Mother Jia got up and went into the inner room to change clothes, and everyone dispersed.

That night, incense offerings were made in front of the Stove King in various Buddhist halls, incense offerings of heaven and earth paper horses were set up in the garden of Mrs. Wang's main house, and there were also big bright corner lanterns on the main gate of the Grand View Garden, which illuminated high above the two sides, and there were street lights everywhere.The upper and lower people, all dressed up in colorful flowers, were noisy all night, talking and laughing, firecrackers were on fire, and there was an endless stream.

The Grand View Garden was naturally very lively, Li Wan's illness had recovered, Aunt Li and the three returned from his younger brother's place, and Jia Lan's mood had also recovered a lot. He spent the whole night making noise in this hall and laughing in that courtyard until four o'clock. go to sleep.

On the next day, Jia Mu and others went to the palace to congratulate her with heavy makeup, and came back with a banquet. They went to Ningfu to worship the ancestors before returning to Rongfu to receive the ceremony.After the ceremony, change clothes and rest.All the relatives and friends who come to celebrate the festival will not know it. They only talk to Aunt Xue and Aunt Li for convenience, or play Go and play cards with Baoyu Daiyu and others.But Mrs. Wang and Sister Feng are busy inviting people to have New Year's wine every day. The hall and upper courtyard over there are full of opera wine. There are endless streams of relatives and friends.

Jia Lan still worships with the crowd every day during the day, but at night he doesn't relax at all, reciting handwriting is no problem.

33 Exam, Eve

On the evening of the [-]th, Mother Jia ordered people to set up a few tables of wine in the big flower hall, set up a small show, hang all kinds of beautiful lights, and lead the family banquets of the sons, nephews, grandchildren, grandchildren, grandchildren, and grandchildren of the Rongning Second Mansion.Jia Jingsu doesn't like wine, and doesn't invite him.Jia Amnesty prepared a banquet at home, and after a brief ceremony with Jia's mother, he left.Jia Zheng was almost not at home when he went out.The banquet in Jiamu Flower Hall here is just such a person.

The two seats above are Aunt Li and Aunt Xue. Jia Mu set up a carved dragon screen on the east side with short feet and short legs. beside.Below that is Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang, and further down are Mrs. You, Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, and Mrs. Rong.To the west are Baochai, Li Wen, Li Qi and others.The seats on the corridor are Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, Jia Huan, Jia Lan and other male brothers.

Mother Jia once sent people to invite men and women in the clan, but there were some who were too old to be busy, or those who were sick and could not come, or those who were jealous of the rich and ashamed of the poor, and so on. It's just that Jia Jun's mother, Lou Shi, brought Jia Jun, and only four men, Jia Qin and Jia Yun, came to work under Wang Xifeng.

Although there are not all people, but in the small family banquet, it is still lively.After Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang and others watched the play, Jia Zhen and Jia Lian led all the children to drink and salute.

After a circle of ceremony, Jia Zhu couldn't sit still, he and his male disciples sat on the porch, far away from his mother, thinking it was out of his control, he went to play with Jia Lan Jia Huan.Seeing that his three children were going out to play, Jia Zhen and Jia Lian had to tell them to be careful of firecrackers, and sent a few servants to follow them.

When they arrived in the garden, Jia Lan said with a smile, "Why did Baba call us out?"

Jia Zhu let out a long breath and said, "There are a lot of people inside, surrounded by smoke and fog, which makes people feel uncomfortable."

Jia Huan said: "Others don't know you, we don't know, tell me quickly, what bad things are you going to do, monkey?"

Jia Jun scratched his head, scratched his cheeks, and rolled his eyes around, but he didn't look at Jialan Jiahuan.

Jia Lanqi said: "If you have anything to say, just say it, will we still eat you?"

Jia Zhu took a peek at Jia Lan Jia Zhu, and said falteringly: "I told you, don't be angry." Jia Lan Jia Huan hurriedly asked what was the matter.

Jia Zhu said: "A few days ago, my uncle came to Beijing to do business. I told my mother that I will go out with my uncle after February [-]. My mother also agreed."

Jialan Jiahuan was shocked, looked at each other for a while, and then said in a daze, "I'm afraid it will take a few months to come back. How could your mother agree?"

Jia Jun smiled and said: "There is nothing I can do if I don't agree. I'm not like Lan'er, just relying on my restless temperament, it's really a daydream to want to be born in Kejia."

Jia Lan has been away from school for a long time and is busy all day long, so she doesn't know anything about Jia Zhu's current situation.But Jia Huan knew a little bit.

Let's talk about Lou's brother, Jia Zhu's uncle, Lou Lian, whose business is getting bigger and bigger, but there is one thing that is not as satisfactory.People say that there are three types of unfilial piety, and having no descendants is the greatest. This Lou Lian is now a big unfilial son.It is not unfilial to marry five wives and concubines and get nothing.If it weren't for half of the immortals who calculated that he was destined to be childless, I'm afraid he would marry the sixth concubine again.

Lou Lianjing gave up his mind on the matter of his heirs after this half-immortal made a point.It's just that this big business can do well in the future.After looking around, Lou Lian chose his little nephew.

Although Jia Jun is not good at reading, but fortunately, he is generous in doing things and is not afraid or timid. Lou Lian likes it very much.He went to Beijing to persuade Lou Shi every month. Lou Shi really didn't want Jia Zhu to leave his knees, but after Lou Lilian talked like a lotus flower, he let go.

Jia Jun had occasionally mentioned a few words to Jia Huan years ago, but because the matter was still undecided, Jia Huan didn't care. Now when he heard the news, he couldn't help being shocked.

Jia Lan was even more at a loss. He grew up with Jia Huan and Jia Jun, and they played and played together when they were young. It seems that they have become a little unfamiliar recently. When they suddenly heard that they were going to say goodbye, they were inevitably at a loss.

Neither of them could react in time, but Jia Zhu patted them both on the shoulder and smiled, "What kind of expressions are you making? I can't study, so can't I do business?"

Jia Huan asked in a daze, "Have you confirmed it?"

Jia Lan tried hard to recall the plot in "Dream of Red Mansions", but couldn't remember anything about Jia Zhu.But after thinking about it again, it occurred to him that it might be a good thing not to mention it when the Jia family was in ruins.Thinking of this, Jia Lan asked: "But the arrangements are made, when are we going to leave?"

Jia Jun said: "Uncle originally said to leave on the fifth day of February, but I thought it was a bit early, so I delayed the departure until the 23rd. It just so happened that the children's test was over, so I can see that Lan'er is on the list."

Jia Lan said with a smile, "I don't know yet, but you are sure."

Jia Zhu made a grimace and said, "If someone like you can't pass the exam, then who else in the world can pass the exam?"

Jia Lan kicked him amusedly: "Nonsense."

Jia Huan stopped him with a smile: "Okay, you two don't want to fight anymore. There is still more than a month before Jun'er leaves, and Lan'er may have to study hard again after tomorrow, so why not put your mind down and have fun today Play."

Jia Lan nodded: "That's the truth."

Jia Jun raised his hand and shouted, "Let's set off firecrackers!" Jia Lan's eyes lit up and said, "Okay, that's what I mean too."

Jia Huan said: "That's a good idea. Where can I get firecrackers?" If they want to let them go, the boy will definitely not give them, because he is afraid that they will not be able to afford them if they have an accident.Ming Qing and the others looked at the three of them visibly nervously.

Seeing their appearance, Jia Lan nodded his chin and said, "Why don't we go out to play, I remember there were a lot of interesting things on the street last year." Jia Huan nodded and said, "It makes sense."

Jia Jun is too used to celebrating the Lantern Festival on the street, but seeing the two trapped in the courtyard for a long time, he had no choice but to say: "Okay, I will