New Dream of Red Mansions

Although Mother Jia didn't believe that Mrs. Su had a crush on Xiyan, she still treated her differently.She said to Sister Feng: "Your sister Yan likes to cook those meals. From now on, all the things for their small kitchen will be taken from my account, so as not to keep sending things from her village."

Sister Feng quickly responded with a smile, knowing that the old ancestor still agreed with her words.

Daiyu and Xiyan's small kitchen has always been run by Jiamu's tent, but Xiyan and Daiyu don't want people to gossip too much. The pork floss and the like used on weekdays are obtained from the big kitchen.When it comes to festivals, Zhuangzi will send some seasonal items to Xiyan and brother You, and Xiyan will distribute them, so the four of them don't occupy much of Jia's mansion in terms of the small kitchen. cheap.

Although there are some people who have opinions, the four of them understand in their hearts and don't take these gossips to heart.If you want to say what Daiyu's biggest improvement in the past six months is, she has learned to ignore rumors.Although it is inevitable to feel depressed sometimes, it is no longer as uncomfortable as before.

So when Xiyan heard about Jiamu's instructions, she couldn't help being surprised, and wondered how she remembered it.You must know that although Mother Jia loved Daiyu, she did not dare to be too kind to Daiyu, for fear of pushing her to the opposite of everyone, so she always turned a blind eye to some things.

Before Xiyan could think about it, Chunlan ran in and said, "Miss, Miss Lin, the old lady told you to go, she said Miss Shi is here."

Daiyu laughed and said, "She comes here whenever she comes, why is she calling us over?"

Chunlan said: "I heard that Miss Shi's uncle was released, and the whole family will follow. The old lady couldn't bear Miss Shi, so she took her here to be with the girls. Now everyone is at the old lady's place." .”

Daiyu asked, "Is Baoyu here?"

"Second Master Bao is not here, and I don't know what happened to Second Master Bao during this period of time. I thought that Master Bao would go crazy again when the master is gone, but he still goes to and from school on time these few days, and now he and the people in his yard The girls didn't make much trouble anymore, and they stopped clamoring to eat the rouge on other people's mouths. The old lady and the wife were so worried that they even called the imperial doctor to take the pulse, but they all said it was okay, and they just said that the second master Bao was thinking about it. It's too heavy, just relax your mind." At this point, Chunlan couldn't help laughing and bent over, "We said in private that there are times when Second Master Bao thinks too much."

Daiyu looks at Xiyan suspiciously, Baoyu seems to have become like this after sister Yan went to find him.

On the way, Xiyan told Daiyu softly what she had said to Baoyu, and sighed: "Baoyu is extremely intelligent, and he may not know all about the affairs of the mansion, but his character is too cowardly. No matter how talented you are, if you can't take the first step, you will be a mediocre person all your life. If the Jia family is rich and honored, he can still be a gentleman, but what if the Jia family loses? Who else can protect him at that time? He continues to huddle inside?"

Daiyu was silent for a moment, then Fang said: "It's fine now, no matter how unsuited he is to be an official, reading more books now will always be useful."

Xi Yan nodded.

Jia Mu's room was bustling with activity, Xiang Yun saw the two of them coming, and complained: "Sister Lin and Sister Yan are really too, I came here with great difficulty, you only talk together, and don't accompany me."

Xi Yan laughed and said, "You didn't leave this time, there's not enough to say, it's because of your impatience."

Xiangyun stuck out his tongue.

Jia's mother asked Xiangyun, "Are you still living with Yu'er this time, or sleeping with me?"

"No, I want to live with Sister Bao." As he spoke, he stepped forward and hugged Baochai's arm and shook it.

Baochai smiled and pinched her flushed face.

Jia Mu nodded and said: "That's fine, your sister Bao's room is spacious, just ask Cuihui to carry the luggage there later, if there is something missing in the house, just tell your sister Feng, and let her buy it for you.

Xiangyun agreed happily.He took everyone to play in the garden.

Xiang Yun still remembered the last time he wrote a poem, and said with a smile: "Now that I live in the garden, how about we open a poetry club again? Tomorrow, I will be punished as a host."

Li Wan said: "It's just so good, we just said that it will be held on the 26th of every month, and tomorrow will be the second day of junior high school. Later, I will tell Baoyu to ask him to ask for leave, and we will compose poems with us tomorrow."

Xiyan thought about her financial situation, and said: "It doesn't need to cost too much, just a few plates of fruit, a jug of wine, and a few tables in the garden."

Xiangyun wanted to make it more grand. After all, it was his first time as a host, so he ignored Xiyan's advice.

Seeing this, Daiyu bowed her head and pulled La Xiyan's sleeve, Xiyan had no choice but to remain silent.

Turning around, Daiyu said with a smile that was not a smile: "What's the use of persuading her? Anyway, Sister Bao is planning for her."

Xiyan sighed, she just didn't want Xiangyun to accept Baochai's love in a muddle, and it was all due to Baochai.

In her previous life, she did a lot of similar stupid things when she was working and studying, and after adapting to the society, she couldn't help thinking, if someone kindly reminded her from the side at that time, wouldn't she be okay? Will take so many detours, will not become the laughing stock of so many people in private?

Since Xiangyun is unwilling to listen to persuasion, Xiyan will no longer be a villain.

Daiyu watched with cold eyes, and she could not help but sigh in her heart when she saw her happily dragging Baochai back to Hengwuyuan to discuss.

How can their girl's family have so much money to do it too grandly?Two taels of silver per month is a big income in the eyes of outsiders, but they live in it, and they always have to give some rewards to the girl and mother-in-law, and buy some small things every month. Not much left.

Xiangyun was more worried than them. After all, the historian's life is not easy now. If her aunt knows that she spent the money on these things, she will probably blame her when she goes back.

What's more, do they usually eat anything in the mansion?Everyone runs a poetry club and writes poems in order to be elegant and happy, so why bother with those ostentations?

Daiyu shook her head, and went back to the hotel with Xiyan.

When Baoyu came back, he was greatly relieved to hear that the poetry club would be opened tomorrow, and his sluggish face finally brought some light.

Xiren secretly heaved a sigh of relief when he saw it.

If you want to say who is most worried about Baoyu's changes, it is probably Xiren.

Her whole life was almost entrusted to him. The old lady and the wife saw that Baoyu was making progress, although their expressions were a bit wrong, they only thought that he was woken up by the master last time, so they worked hard. Apart from worrying, they were more relieved .

Only she knew that Baoyu's sudden behavior had nothing to do with the master, but she didn't dare to tell him, and he didn't tell Baoyu when she asked him.During these days, she had to worry about it.Seeing that he is still happy to compose poems with the girls now, I feel relieved, Baoyu is still the original Baoyu.

Baoyu felt worse than Xiren.Day by day, he realized more deeply that he had killed Jin Chuan.Sister Yan said that Jin Chuan was forced to jump into the well because of his cowardice.And if he continues to be cowardly, the people around him will lose one by one in the future.

But he worked hard, he worked hard to study and go to school, but after these few months, he found that he didn't like this kind of life at all.

What he wants is an unfettered life. He can read and practice calligraphy, play chess with his second sister, practice calligraphy with his third sister, learn painting skills from his fourth sister, discuss poetry with his sister Lin, and listen to his laments from his sister Yan. I don't want to sit in the classroom and listen to those sour scholars talking about the Four Books and Five Classics.

He worked hard, but he found that he still couldn't do it.

Baoyu paralyzed her limbs on the bed, stared at the curtain above her head with her eyes open, and lost all thoughts for a while.

Xiangyun invited everyone to eat crabs the next day, and Mother Jia took Mrs. Wang, Sister Feng, Aunt Xue and others into the garden.

Xiyan seemed to know in advance that Xiangyun was going to invite everyone to eat crabs, so she dug out the two jars of chrysanthemum wine that she had buried under the flower tree.

Li Wan saw it and said with a smile: "It's really the first person in the garden who knows how to eat. With this chrysanthemum wine, she can at least eat two more."

Xiyan said angrily: "It's as if you don't want to eat it. I'll serve you if you don't eat it after the wine is hot." Then she said to Daiyu: "You should eat more later. The crabs at this time The most fat and beautiful, I have been greedy for a long time, but I let the people in Zhuangzi deliver it, they pushed back and forth, and now I have the blessing of sister Bao and girl Yun."

Baoyu shook his hand quickly and said, "Sister Lin can't eat more, just try something new, if you eat too much, you will feel uncomfortable tomorrow."

Xiyan said indifferently: "When it's cold, just turn around and make up for it. It's only like this once or twice a year."

Tanchun laughed and said: "It can be seen that this is a person who wants to eat or die."

"Where is it so powerful?" Baochai persuaded Xiyan: "But what Brother Bao said is also good, everything is good in moderation, and sister Yan should not go too far."

"My body is fine, not to mention, everything must be in moderation, even if you are greedy, what's the point of living? If you want me to eat whatever I want, as long as I don't get seriously ill, I can just reconcile it later. If This is also scruples, that is also taboo, what else can I eat that day?"

Mother Jia came over and heard it, and said with a straight face on purpose: "You should pay close attention to her. You can talk nonsense like this, but you are not allowed to go around like this. If you eat too much, call the imperial doctor tomorrow. I will ask him to prescribe two liang of Coptis chinensis for you. See Do you still dare to be greedy?"

Xiyan sticks out her tongue, not daring to speak anymore.

Everyone laughed, "Our ancestors still have a way."

Jia Muyin said with a smile: "She likes to eat, you just need to stop her from eating, I don't believe she still likes to eat Coptis chinensis?"

Baochai Xiangyun arranged tables and chairs in the Ouxiangxie. On the top table, Jiamu, Aunt Xue, Baochai, Daiyu, Xiyan, and Baoyu, on the east side, Xiangyun, Mrs. Wang, and Yingchun three sisters, on the west side At a table, Sister Feng and Li Wan.

It's just that neither of them dared to sit, they just set up empty seats, and they only served at the table of Jiamu and Mrs. Wang.

Xiyan poured herself a cup of hot chrysanthemum wine and took a sip, then picked a big crab and ate it.

After all, Daiyu was afraid of the cold, so she only picked crab legs to eat. When Xiyan saw her, she gave her her own crab legs, and specially picked her crab roe to eat.Daiyu pursed her lips and smiled when she saw it, and broke the crab apart for her.Others only ate one, but Xiyan ate two quickly.

Aunt Xue smiled and said to Jia Mu: "These two children are really close. If you don't know, you will think they are sisters."

Jia's mother laughed and said, "They grew up together, ate together, and lived together. Their relationship is inevitably much deeper than others. Even sisters are not so good. It's because Yan girl has a good temper, otherwise our family Yu'er is picky, so it's better not to quarrel. Like Baoyu, the two often fight, good and bad."

Aunt Xue smiled and said nothing.

Seeing that Xiyan wanted to eat, Daiyu hurriedly stopped her and said, "I've already eaten three, and I really won't be able to sleep at night if I eat any more."

Xiyan also felt that her stomach was a little full, so she planned to eat later while composing poems.

Mother Jia and others left after using it. Before leaving, she told Xiangyun, "Don't let your brother Bao and sister Lin eat too much." Xiangyun agreed, and Mother Jia saw Xiyan take another crab by mistake. , quickly pointed to her and said: "But you have to watch her closely, don't let her eat too much." He also asked: "You and your sister Bao don't eat too much." Then he left.

As soon as Mother Jia left, everyone let go of their hands and feet even more.

Baochai brought out the topic he had planned last night, and was about to ask someone to clean up the table, when Baoyu said, "You don't need to clean it up, just put it here, everyone may eat what they want, and those who don't want to eat just play."

Baochai heard it too.

Everyone came up to see the topic.

The questions in this group are all based on chrysanthemums. Daiyu has a quick brain and can outline three poems at once. Xiyan is not good at composing poems, so she ticked off one question. She sat at the table and ate crabs. After eating one, The verses also came out.

Tanchun pursed his lips and smiled when he saw it, "I'll ask sister Yan to compose poems in the future, I have to prepare special food."

After the poetry society, the garden became much quieter again. I wonder if Baoyu has regained the feeling he used to have in those few days. Now he goes to school and spends three days fishing and two days drying the net.

Baochai persuaded him several times after seeing him, but it didn't work. On the contrary, it made Baoyu hide from him more and more.Seeing this, Xiyan knew Baoyu's bad nature and ran out to make trouble again, but she just sighed in her heart and didn't try to persuade him again.

When Baoyu saw it, his heart was slightly relieved, but he felt empty in his heart.

Fortunately, Grandma Liu happened to enter the Grand View Garden within two days, and Baoyu let go of those thoughts after everyone had played around.

Daiyu pulled Xiyan back to the house, sent everyone out, and then opened the jewelry box, pulled off the upper layer, took out a bank note from inside, and handed it to Xiyan, "You help me change it into a small one." Bank notes."

Xiyan frowned, "Is sister Lin short of money?"

"I live in the mansion for food and clothing, and I don't go out, and I have a monthly payment. How can I be short of money? It's just that the cost of giving birth to a brother is getting higher and higher, and he has to go out to socialize. What's the use of only two taels of silver a month? I just wanted to change the silver to zero and give it to him."

Brother Sheng has made a few friends outside. After school, everyone often goes out to play, or stay outside at noon to have lunch with the children.When you go shopping, when you see your favorite toy or your favorite pen and ink, you will spend money to buy it.The original monthly case is not enough.

"This 1 taels is not a small amount. If my sister takes out the bank notes today, they will know tomorrow. It's not right," Xiyan said. Big, he may have to go to Gusu with Lin Yuan for the exam in the near future, so he is already familiar with how to convert the money outside into small change for himself.

She put away the bank note and said, "I'll ask someone to exchange 1000 taels of change for you later, and you still keep the rest. Although you have to give it to your baby brother, it's just not too much, so as not to be suspicious."

Daiyu laughed and said, "Brother Sheng doesn't go to school in the house, and Yuequan is chosen by Uncle Lin..."

Xiyan smiled and said: "There is no impenetrable wall in the world." Mrs. Wang and others didn't say anything, maybe they didn't suspect that Lin Ruhai had left money for Daiyu in private, but it's not easy to ask, but who knows if they have secretly checked?

Xiyan took the banknotes to work for the banker, they didn't go to the bank to exchange them, so the bankers had records of such large banknotes, and it was easy for the Jia family to inquire about them.

Xiyan's farm shop has shops in both the north and the south, and you only need to exchange them internally, and the internal turnover, as long as you leave the capital, you can exchange them again. No matter how smart Mrs. Wang and others are, they never thought that Daiyu could exchange them outside the city.

Brother Yu sat in the tavern with a tense expression on his face.

Riquan looked and looked worriedly, Brother Yu waved impatiently and said, "Go aside, don't hang around in front of me."

Riquan bent down and said, "Master, let's tell the girl about this. I don't know what the Elder Master means when you come here like this."

Brother You sneered and said, "What else could it mean? It's just that the aunt came to see my sister once and he became nervous. Does anyone know that he is the one who abolished the crown prince?"

"Oh, my lord, are you talking nonsense?" Riquan turned around twice anxiously, "It's just that if you don't tell the girl about this, who should you tell? I don't know who showed his whereabouts and called The elder suspects that the third master left property for the girl and the young master."

Brother Yu lowered his eyes, as long as he puts his heart into this matter and is willing to spend time, it can be found out.

My sister was locked in the gate of the big mansion, and he was still young. As long as it was outside, it was almost handed over to Guanshi Zhuang. As long as Wang Ziteng sent someone to keep an eye on Guanshi Zhuang, there was no guarantee that he would not know.

Thinking of this, Brother Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, my sister assigned all the outside affairs to the various managers, and only sent letters to the capital for major affairs that she couldn't handle.

Back then, my sister didn't let Guanshi Zhuang directly contact them face-to-face, just in case, and only used special means to command them. Presumably, Wang Ziteng hadn't found out yet, and now he suddenly came to him to hold him in secret.

Brother You felt that he had grown up, and he really didn't want to bother his sister with these things. These things were originally done by him as a man.It's just that he couldn't think of an idea for a while.

After thinking about it, Brother Yu hesitated and said, "Why don't we ask Cousin Xia?"

Riquan hesitated, "Is this okay? After all, it's my own business. It's not good to let Mr. Xia know."

"What's wrong? Cousin Xia knows about our private property. What's more, I didn't ask him to help solve it. I just asked him for an idea, but I didn't have an idea. I told him, maybe I found a way."