The Hairpin of the Red Chamber

Jia Zheng didn't stay in the front yard for a while, Madam Wang ordered someone to send a list of New Year's gifts, and he asked Jia Lan to read the book by himself, took the list and read it carefully, thought about changing a few things, and sent Lin Hai's things Check it out, and ask someone to select a few good calligraphy and paintings from the library to collect, write a post personally, ask someone to go to Lin's mansion to give a gift, and invite Lin Hai to come and talk about it.

Unexpectedly, the messenger didn't leave for a long time, but he came back with something to report: "Master Lin said he was sick and recuperating at home, and he neither agreed to come to the mansion nor accept his things."

Jia Zheng was taken aback, thinking that there seemed to be no major affairs in the court recently, and what Lin Hai said was clearly an expression of dissatisfaction.In the past, he and Lin Hai admired each other, and they were close friends. If Lin Hai had any dissatisfaction, it must have come from Baoyu.

Jia Zheng frowned, called the boy and asked, "Is there any news from Suzhou recently?"

The young man in the mansion is the most eye-catching, and when he saw the master asking, he smiled and said: "I haven't heard anything from the second master, but the second master Lian in the mansion seems to have made a lot of money, and I gave a lot of money to you earlier." When things come home, the old man praises them."

Jia Zheng said: "Go and ask around to see if there has been any news from Suzhou, or Baoyu has provoked some other affairs to make the master angry."

The young servant took the order and went out in a hurry. Once he left the door, he didn't go outside. Instead, he went all the way through the second door until he reached Rongxi Hall, where Mrs. Wang was asking people to seal the money. When someone came, he hurriedly called in, and the young man told Jia Zheng's meaning. When Mrs. Wang heard it, her eyelids jumped a few times, and she said indiscriminately: "I see, don't panic, just go back to the master and say It's nothing." Asked someone to reward him with a handful of copper coins, and asked Caixia to take him down to eat fruit, and when the man left, he immediately sent the servant girl away, and only asked Zhou Rui's family to come in and say, "What about the concubine?"

Zhou Rui's family said in a low voice: "It is said that someone was sent to pick up my sister, but he has not returned by this time, and the person sent out has not heard from him. I don't know what happened."

Mrs. Wang frowned and said: "There is no news at this time, so it must be controlled by the other side."

Zhou Rui's family said: "No matter how much Miss Bao has an idea, she won't even dare to disobey the important thing of keeping filial piety? Besides, hasn't the wife already made an idea? With this idea, things will surely happen."

Mrs. Wang shook her head and said, "If Bao girl is alone, of course I wouldn't dare. If Baoyu and Daiyu are helping her, it will be hard to say."

Zhou Rui's family said: "Forgive me for my short-sightedness, I don't understand the key points here-our second master is fine, second grandma is afraid that Miss Bao will leave, why would she help her?"

Mrs. Wang said: "The two of them are not in an ordinary relationship, but this matter is uncertain."

Zhou Rui's family laughed and said: "No matter how great the relationship is, is it greater than the family relationship between husband and wife? Like Miss Bao..." Remembering that Baochai is Mrs. Wang's niece after all, he stopped and said, "Whoever is a daughter-in-law, there is nothing wrong with it." Sour and jealous, Second Mistress has a temperament that can't tolerate sand in her eyes, and the concubine wants to bring Miss Bao back, I'm afraid Second Mistress will be the happiest, how can she help her?"

Mrs. Wang sneered and said: "She is just like her mother, she is born eccentric, who knows what they are thinking!" Speaking of Jia Min, she suddenly lost her words, only raised her hand to caress her forehead, and pinched her temples hard. Squeezed, said: "You still ask your aunt to come over, I have something to discuss with her."

Zhou Rui's family responded, and stood and waited for a while, Mrs. Wang rubbed her forehead, and suddenly said: "Do you think Bao girl really likes Yu'er?"

Zhou Rui's family apologized and said with a smile: "I am not sure about the matter between the children, but Miss Laibao is also at the age to marry, and I have never seen any other man, and my brother is still like that. It's not surprising that such a handsome, gentle and considerate man as our second master has been in love for a long time - I'm not boasting, our second master's talent and appearance are all first-class, let alone Miss Bao, let her be a golden girl , Miss Bei, how can you not be unhappy when you see our master!"

Mrs. Wang said: "I'm not surprised that she likes Baoyu. I also thought about asking her to marry Baoyu before, but I think she is the most measured, and she usually follows the etiquette in everything she does. Why did she suddenly do such a thing?" ? I always feel something strange."

Zhou Rui's family didn't take it seriously in their hearts, but they didn't say anything on the face, they just waited quietly for Mrs. Wang. Mrs. Wang sat by herself for a while, then raised her head and said: "Do you still remember that time when you heard Bao girl and Lin girl talking?" ?”

Zhou Rui's family was stunned, and said: "Miss Bao and Second Mistress are always inseparable. I have heard them talk more than once. Which time did Madam say?"

Mrs. Wang said slowly: "It was the time when you heard her and Lin Yatou talking about themselves."

Zhou Rui's family thought about it for a while, and then smiled: "I really can't remember."

Mrs. Wang didn't look into it carefully, but asked about other things: "My name is the lady-in-law, did she find it?"

Zhou Rui's family said: "It is said that three or four good ones have been selected, but I just have to wait for my wife to review them."

Mrs. Wang nodded and said: "Since it's done, let her bring the person here earlier."

Zhou Rui's family responded, and stood for a while, seeing Mrs. Wang had nothing else to say, before leaving the door.

In the past, she didn't feel hard working as an errand, but now she gradually finds it tiring. After going out, she doesn't busy herself with the things Mrs. Wang ordered, but walks home by herself to rest for a while. He beat his back and served her as if he were an old lady.

Zhou Rui's family squinted on the kang for a long time. Seeing that the sun was going to the west and the food was about to be delivered inside, they got up lazily. Just as they were about to go out, they saw Lai's people coming over, shouting and embracing, and brought them along. He hired several maids and wives.

This Lai everyone met with Zhou Rui's family, and the two of them met. Zhou Rui's family felt a little uncomfortable because Lai Da's son Lai Shangrong became an official, and the power of the family was far greater than his own. Dafen went to the big house, and she belonged to the same family, so he only said a few false words to her, pretending that his wife wanted to call, and he was about to go in, but who knew that the person who depended on everyone grabbed her and said with a smile: "Mrs. There are many people serving in front of me, there is no shortage of sister Zhou, we two old sisters haven't seen each other for a long time, it's better to have a chat together."

The members of Zhou Rui's family didn't know that he was worthy of everyone's favor, so he laughed and said, "I always take care of my wife's meals. I'm afraid that my wife will call me when she thinks about it, and I'm not here. It seems." While speaking, while peeking at Lai everyone, Lai everyone didn't care about her accusations against Sanghuai, and still smiled and said: "Since that's the case, then I will visit you another day." And said: "My son Mr. Ren brought some earthen ceremonies, if sister Zhou doesn't dislike them, she can keep them for now, and if she feels good, just ask me for more." While speaking, the maids and women had already placed several bamboo baskets, Zhou Rui's family Seeing that the things were very simple, he didn't refuse, and asked someone to take them into the house. While thinking about what Lai everyone's intention was, he quickly stepped into the second door, but saw that the maid inside had already brought out the food box. When he opened it, the food inside was still intact, so he winked at the servant girl, and the two walked aside, Zhou Rui's family asked in a low voice, "Madam didn't eat?"

The little girl carrying the rice nodded and said, "I heard from Sister Caiyun that my wife sat in the Buddhist hall all afternoon and didn't recite scriptures."

Zhou Rui's family didn't say a word, dismissed the little girl, went in and stood there for a while, only to feel back pain, then found a reason to slip out, went home all the way, opened the things Lai everyone gave to have a look, those few The left side of the bamboo basket is just some bamboo and wooden gadgets, which are about to be divided up, but the weight is not right. When I look carefully, I can see that there is a mezzanine under the basket. When I open it, it is neat and tidy. There are twenty twenty-two spindles.