The Warm Jade of the Red Chamber

The news that Mrs. Wang went to the temple to chant scriptures and pray for Jia Mu reached the Xue family, and Aunt Xue was a little restless and couldn't help looking for Xue Baochai.

Xue Baochai was in the back garden, and when she heard Aunt Xue looking for her, she sighed almost inaudibly, and said to the maid beside her, named Que'er, "I'll go back first, I don't know what mother has, you can help me pick some Put the flowers back in the vase."

"Yes, girl." Que'er replied and stayed.

After Xue Baochai's figure disappeared, a young man suddenly turned out from among the bushes, about eighteen or nineteen years old, with handsome features and a dignified bearing.

"Third Master," Que'er called out in a low voice, "I will send you out."

The man turned and walked towards the back door, Que'er bowed and followed behind.In the back garden of Xue's house, it was very quiet, there was no one there.The man didn't hide his figure, walked out the side door of Xue's house unnoticed, and soon got into an ordinary carriage waiting in an unobtrusive place and left.The carriage slowly arrived at the entrance of a restaurant, and the man got out of the carriage and entered, but the carriage continued to kick away from the restaurant.

The man went straight up to the third floor, and in the innermost wing room, someone had prepared wine and food waiting for him.

When the man entered the door, he saw the current eldest prince—Minjing County Wang Zhuangwei pouring wine from a jug with one hand, and drinking from a wine glass with the other, looking very contented.

"Brother Wei Huang is very interested." The man saluted Zhuang Wei casually, then sat down, took another jug ​​on the wine table, poured himself a drink.

Zhuang Wei's eyes flickered, but he said with a smile: "It's not as good as my younger brother."

After finishing speaking, she winked at the man and showed a meaningful smile: "Isn't it interesting to have a tryst with a beauty?"

The man's expression was serious, and he said: "Brother Wei, be careful! Chai'er is not that kind of person..." After finishing speaking, he showed a look of annoyance, as if he was regretting why he had revealed the name of his sweetheart What?

The man's name is Zhuang Zhen, he is the third son of Prince Zhongmin Zhuangxi, he is born of a side concubine, he is neither a direct wife nor a eldest son, he receives little attention in Prince Zhongmin's residence, compared to his elder brother who is good at poetry and books, and the second brother who is good at management He, who is average in talent, looks mediocre on the contrary, and above female sex, he is quite romantic, and he is not seen by Prince Zhongmin. After marrying his regular wife, in just two years, he took in three concubines, five or six concubines. one.

Seeing Zhuang Zhen's annoyed expression, Zhuang Wei couldn't help laughing out loud, and said, "I never thought that our younger brother who 'lived among thousands of flowers, not a single leaf will touch his body' would have a day of confession. It seems that this national beauty Tianxiang's Peony Lady is really as beautiful as my concubine said. Since my younger brother likes it, it's better to act quickly, otherwise it will be bad if someone else gets there first."

Zhuang Zhen's face was a bit ugly, and he obviously didn't want to continue talking about this topic. After all, Zhuang Wei's tone really didn't sound like he was talking about a girl from a good family.

Zhuang Zhen then changed the subject and said: "I have heard all the news. Whether it is Prince Chengke's mansion or the Lin family, everything is normal now, and there is no panic at all. Even the little concubine is still very stable. The Lin family is managed like an iron bucket, and it is not easy to take advantage of loopholes. I think the news of Zhuang Yu and Lin Hai's accident must be fraudulent!"

Zhuang Wei shook his head and said, "That's not necessarily the case. Our Eleven Emperor Aunt is not a fuel-efficient lamp. The daughter-in-law she taught... Hehe, it's better not to infer with common sense. On the contrary, I think they It's a bluff, just to make people think that the news about Zhuang Yu's accident...is false."

Zhuang Zhen thought for a while, and felt that what Zhuang Wei said had some truth. After all, if the news of Zhuang Yu's accident was a trap, then Qiu Qingyu and Daiyu should show panic, so as to attract people's bait. It's as calm as it is now.But if it is asserted that they are bluffing based on this alone, it makes people feel that they lack confidence.

"It's a pity," Zhuang Zhen became more and more uncertain as he thought about it, "If it is possible to cause chaos in the Lin family, it would be best if the Lin family's wife died at this time, so I am not afraid that the truth of Zhuang Yu and Lin Hai will not be discovered."

If Jia Min died, he believed that Lin Hai and Zhuang Yu would try their best to rush back to Beijing, so he didn't have to bother to guess whether it was true or not that they were trapped.

Zhuang Wei also felt it was a pity, but to him, no matter whether the news about Zhuang Yu's accident was true or not, he could never be told to return to Beijing safely.Zhuang Yan gradually grew up, and Zhuang Wei could see that the Supreme Emperor and the Emperor valued and loved him, and he couldn't wait any longer.It would be better to cut off half of Zhuang Yan's most powerful backing while Zhuang Yan is still fledgling.Anyway, it was his good Uncle Three Emperors who played the leading role this time, and he was a ready-made scapegoat if something happened, so he couldn't be blamed.

Thinking about it, Zhuang Wei narrowed his eyes triumphantly, the feeling of the praying mantis catching the cicada and the oriole behind him is really good.

Zhuang Zhen looked at Zhuang Wei's complacent look, lowered his head and took a sip of his wine, his eyes showed a little sarcasm, but he didn't show his expression at all. Behind the oriole, there can still be a hunter.

But Xue Baochai was called back by Aunt Xue hurriedly before she had time to say a few more words to Zhuang Zhen, but she was a little dissatisfied, but she didn't want Aunt Xue to see the clue, so she was just as easy-going as usual An Fen asked, "My mother called me here in such a hurry, what's the matter?"

Aunt Xue nervously told about Mrs. Wang being sent to the temple, and asked Xue Baochai, "Your aunt has been sent to the temple, will you tell Mrs. Jia what happened to the Lin family with us that day?" Related?" Aunt Xue knows the filthiness between Mrs. Wang and Jia Min, after all Mrs. Wang often curses Jia Min in front of her, but Aunt Xue doesn't have the guts to confront the Lin family, but in the absence of outsiders , echoing Mrs. Wang a few words.The reason why the Lin family is brought up this time is that the news of Lin Hai and Zhuang Yu's accident is indeed the hottest topic in Beijing today, and secondly, just before Xue Baochai told her that he wanted to invite a Buddha statue consecrated by an eminent monk to come back to worship, so he said When it came to whether the Lin family had run into something evil, Aunt Xue remembered it in her heart.So when I was chatting with Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Xing, I said it out, but Mrs. Wang was moved and deliberately provoked Mrs. Xing to go to Lin's house to show her courtesy.

Xue Baochai raised her beautiful eyebrows lightly, and said with a smile: "What is mother talking about? We are just talking about inviting the Buddha statue back, so what does it matter if we tell my aunt and the others? I guess the reason why my aunt would Being sent to the temple, I am afraid that there was some conflict with the old lady in their house. Why should the mother take all the responsibility on herself? If the mother is really worried about the aunt, she will take time to visit the temple. If you want something, send it to your aunt. Thinking about it, Princess Minjing and Baoyu are here, so my aunt can't bear any crimes."

After listening to Xue Baochai's words, Aunt Xue felt that it made sense. This matter really had nothing to do with her. At most, she was used by Mrs. Wang during the battle between Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Xing, that is, the first house and the second room of Jia's house. Just go back, I can't blame myself at all.

Aunt Xue felt relieved, and said: "In this case, I will take the opportunity to invite the Buddha statue that day to visit your aunt. She is used to being pampered, so how can she bear the hardships in the temple? Feng girl is also the same, I don't even beg for my sister, when the time comes, my sister is wronged and the county princess blames me, how can she bear it?"

The corners of Xue Baochai's mouth curled up in a mocking arc. If he wanted to give all the benefits he deserved to win Jia Yuanchun's favor, it would be no wonder that Wang Xifeng would be willing. How many fools are there in this world who are willing to do things that harm themselves and benefit others?

When it came to asking for a Buddha statue, Aunt Xue regained her spirits and said: "The Buddha statue in Tianhua Temple is the most effective, and it is best to bless your brother and make a good marriage. A man who becomes a family will be responsible. At that time, Pan'er will still be in charge of the affairs of this shop, so that my daughter, you will not always be burdened by the family and cannot be a female red needle chisel. How can a daughter's family take care of the affairs of this money shop? If your future husband’s family finds out about this, it’s probably not good.”

Xue Baochai's face froze slightly, and then she said shyly: "Where did the mother go? What kind of husband's family is not her husband's family? It's really embarrassing!"

Aunt Xue laughed and said: "There are only us mother and daughter here. You will have to face this kind of thing sooner or later. What is there to be ashamed of? After your brother gets married and comes in, I will ask my sister-in-law to help you." It's a good thing to look for a good-looking gentleman who can make a good future, and I am a mother, and I am worthy of your dead father..."

Xue Baochai saw Aunt Xue became sad when she mentioned her father who died early, and quickly comforted her softly, but there was a trace of haze in her eyes, which lingered.

On the surface, Xue Pan is in charge of the Xue family's shop, but in fact, Xue Pan has long been spoiled by Aunt Xue. Taking care of the Xue family's shop business, as long as Xue Pan followed Xue Baochai's instructions, the Xue family's business would never be as prosperous as it is today.

Wang Ziteng originally planned to send Xue Pan to the army to practice. The war in the dynasty has been peaceful, and there have been no wars in recent years. There is no need to worry about Xue Pan being sent to the battlefield. Some experience can also straighten his lazy bones, but Aunt Xue is reluctant. , Weeping and crying, Wang Ziteng was forced to dispel the idea.Then he said that Xue Pan should go to school to study some books. He didn't expect him to be an official in the imperial examination. , but after all, he didn't learn anything famous from studying, but he spread some romantic reputation outside, saying that he got involved with those dubious boys in the school.If Xue Baochai was a lady raised in a deep boudoir, she would naturally not know these things, but Xue Pan has been useless in the past few years, Xue Baochai has hidden behind the scenes to manage business, and has ties to Zhuang Zhen, so she no longer has a blind eye to the outside world After knowing it, she was really angry and ashamed. She just felt that such a brother made her feel ashamed, and her usual reservedness in front of Zhuang Zhen seemed to have become a joke.

If so, it’s fine, but Xue Pan is not only not capable, but he also likes to cause trouble. He used to be afraid of Wang Ziteng, and he didn’t dare to make too much trouble. Xue Baochai can still order him to control him. , Xue Pan even started to play around with joy, gathering a group of dudes, spending time and drinking every day, really can be regarded as good at eating, drinking, whoring and gambling.Those dandies took Xue Pan as a fool and asked Xue Pan to pay the bill every time. Xue Pan relied on his wealth, and he always waved his hand and paid and withdraw money from the account room without counting.

Xue Baochai, a little girl, has painstakingly managed the Xue family's livelihood to the present point. It is not difficult, she has definitely exhausted her thinking. Xue Baochai can't bear Xue Pan's behavior at all.However, when she wanted to restrain Xue Pan as before, Xue Pan didn't know what stimulated her, and said that Xue Baochai was "a rooster serving the morning", which made Xue Baochai's eyes turn red with anger.Although later Xue Pan apologized quickly, saying that he was laughed at by his friends who were playing outside, saying that he is a manly man who can't control the financial power of the family. Too cowardly, Xue Pan felt that he had lost face, so he lost his temper when Xue Baochai refused to allow him to pay the money.

Xue Baochai naturally forgave Xue Pan, but she also knew that the estrangement between the two had already arisen, and it was not so easy to eliminate, especially the phrase "the rooster is in the morning", which pierced into her like a sharp knife. In her heart, she couldn't forget it.Doesn't she wish that she can be like an innocent girl, staying at home and working as a female prostitute, waiting to marry a good man and live a good life?But what about her family's situation, she was born in a merchant family, so she can't marry a wealthy family at all. If she relied on her uncle's relationship, she might be able to marry a low-ranking military general or a poor family scholar. It can also help her husband ascend to a high position, so she works so hard to run the family business.Until later, when she was offering incense in Tianhua Temple, she accidentally bumped into Zhuang Zhen, which opened up a bad relationship. The desire for power and status was like the best fertilizer, which catalyzed Xue Baochai's ambition. She was no longer satisfied with marrying a low-ranking Military generals, humble scholars, and then worked hard for decades.She turned her target to Zhuang Zhen, and Zhuang Zhen obviously had a heart for her. For her own future, Xue Baochai was willing to give it a go!

However, until now, she suddenly discovered that no matter how hard she tried, how she used all available resources to expand the Xue family's property, none of these belonged to her, but belonged to her as a matter of course. Brother who only needs to withdraw money to eat, drink and have fun.It was hard for Xue Baochai to feel reconciled.

Moreover, after she came into contact with Zhuang Zhen, she also quietly and successively embezzled large sums of money for Zhuang Zhen's affairs. After all the properties, it is not difficult to find these things as long as you check carefully with an experienced accountant.

Therefore, no matter what the reason is, it is impossible for Xue Baochai to entrust all of the Xue family to Xue Pan.What's more, with Xue Pan's ability, if the Xue family is really handed over to him, it won't be long before he loses it all. It's better to keep a part of it in her hands, so that it can be used in the future. role.