The Hairpin of the Red Chamber

Because of the large number of people at the birthday banquet, the wives and grandmas at home were all upstairs, and the girls who had not left the pavilion had another seat. Baochai and Daiyu sat in quietly. Tanchun came over sideways and said, "All the old ladies and wives sent People say that there are too many people, don’t go out and someone bumps into you and asks you again, I say you have gone to comb your hair.”

Daiyu said: "Why are you so smart? We just went to comb our hair."

Tanchun sneered and said, "You two just sneak out, what are you trying to coax me into? Don't worry, we won't talk about it."

Daiyu just looked at her and smiled, then asked her what play she ordered now, Tanchun said: "Now it's singing 'Shuangguan Gao', I don't know if they ordered anything else."

Daiyu knew that it was the wives at the top who wanted to play, so she didn't say much, she ate melon seeds and chatted with her sisters. Baochai was also peeling melon seeds, and after peeling a handful, she stuffed them into Daiyu's hands and said, "I don't love you. Eat this, you can eat it." Seeing Daiyu squinting at herself with a smile that was not a smile, she said, "I just remembered that melon seeds are warm in nature and nourish yang. If you must eat these odds and ends, just eat melon seeds. "

Daiyu grabbed it with a smile and ate it. Baoyu also ran in after a while, and Tanchun said, "what is the second brother doing so fast?"

Baoyu said with a smile: "Sister Feng ordered "Resurrection" and "Tanci". I heard that they are excellent plays that you don't usually see."

After hearing this, everyone turned their heads to look at the stage together. Sure enough, there has been a change, and Du Liniang's dream of meeting her lover is being performed. When she wakes up, she feels lost. Fascinated by the sight, he held the melon seeds by his mouth with one hand, used them and never used them, Baochai patted her, and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, what's there to see, Zuo is just a talented man, and when he meets a beautiful woman, two People don't ask their parents, and they don't need a matchmaker, just make a covenant in secret, no matter how much the parents have been benevolent in raising children, no matter how great the etiquette of the famous education is, they are not as good as a poor boy who just met!"

Daiyu was startled by her, and said embarrassingly, "Sister Bao said yes." Tanchun and the others also came back to their senses, and continued to gossip, but they all glanced at the stage from time to time, and talked when they encountered emotion. The voice stopped suddenly, and it was quiet for a while, and when the aria became flat, Fang chatted a few words in a casual manner.

Baochai looked on coldly, helpless, but luckily the mandarin ducks came down from upstairs and said: "The old lady asked what the girls are doing? There is good crispy cheese on it, which is different from the ones used at home. Girls, please go up and taste it.

When everyone heard it, they went upstairs together with the mandarin ducks. Sure enough, they saw Jia Mu asking someone to set out another table with some snacks and fruits. It’s okay to set up one more table, so I’ll call you here.”

Order the girls to sit on the other side, and call Baoyu and Daiyu to speak in front of them.Mrs. Wang had asked someone to bring warm wine, Baoyu took a sip from her hand, and sat next to her again. Jiamu took Daiyu and asked if it was fun today, and what would you like to eat, and Daiyu answered them one by one.

Baochai took a sip of tea, and after the performance of "Resurrection" on stage, it was not "Tanci", but "Full Bed".Mother Jia patted Daiyu's hand and said, "My old man loves to watch these lively dramas when he is old. You young people should give way to me for a while, and I will let you order after I have a look. "

Sister Feng said with a smile: "I didn't look carefully just now, so I ordered two at random. Who knew it was such an elegant tune, and I didn't have much literary talent, so I couldn't hear it well. I just ordered them all, and I was embarrassed to change them. I’m so regretful. Thanks to my ancestors who ordered it well, otherwise after watching a literary play and watching another literary play, I’m going to kill me!”

As soon as she said it, Jia's mother laughed and said to her: "You don't watch many dramas at a young age. You can order whatever you want, and you don't know what to watch. I have lived for many years. Opera titles, but as long as the sign comes up, I can tell what story it is by looking at the name! Most of the two-character words say gifted scholars and beautiful women, which are very boring, and those who are rich and expensive are too boring. Vulgar, I've read it for so many years, but the story of Guo Ziyi's seven sons and eight sons-in-law is better, lively, beautiful, and it's not out of the ordinary to talk about wealth."

Sister Feng repeatedly said yes. Daiyu was in Jiamu's arms, turned her head to look at Baochai, and smiled softly, and Baochai smiled at her.

There, Mother Jia let go of Daiyu and went to hug Baoyu again. Daiyu sat back next to Baochai. , Laughing while eating.

Mother Jia watched a play and said she was tired, so Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang also said they wanted to go.Sister Feng got up and looked downstairs, and said, "Where are all the men?"

The mothers-in-law replied: "It is said that I went to Ningxixuan to eat wine with Shifan."

Youshi sent someone to tell Jia Zhen, and asked to prepare tea and carts again. Jia's mother went out of the garden to the upper room and had tea. He also led all his sons and nephews to send them off. Baochai, Daiyu and Tanchun asked the women to block people outside. Jia Rui's heart was only on Sister Feng, and he didn't pay attention. The rest of the people also bowed their heads. Didn't pay attention here.

That day everyone had a good time, and when they went back, they dispersed, but Baochai walked slowly to her room with Daiyu, and Daiyu whispered as she walked, "Sister Bao, do you think that man met Sister Feng? "

Baochai said: "If we meet or not, we don't do our business, but we have to be careful when we go out by ourselves in the future, especially you. When you are chanting in the garden, remember to bring your maid and mother-in-law, and don't walk around alone."

Daiyu said: "Then if I whisper to you, do you still want women to be by your side? What should I do if they listen to what my sister told me?"

Baochai said: "I have something on my mind that I can't tell others, but you are making trouble again!"

Daiyu laughed and said, "I don't have anything on my mind now, maybe I won't have it in the future..." Seeing that Baochai was trying to tickle her, she was the most ticklish, so she hurriedly changed the subject and said, "I know, I know, I will take it with me when I go out in the future." People... Sister Bao, how do you think Sister Feng will deal with it?"

Seeing her curious eyes, Baochai pinched her cheeks and said, "I don't think Sister Feng is a forgiving person. Most of the unlucky ones are that person, but he is not unlucky. We in the inner house don't know, and don't need to know. "

Daiyu said: "Actually, I am a little envious of Sister Feng. When she encounters such a thing, there are many people available, and there are ways to deal with it. When we encounter it, we can only quietly avoid it, alas."

Baochai said: "There will be a day when you become the head of the house..." Before she could finish her sentence, she felt a sudden grief in her heart—after all, Daiyu never married her sweetheart until she died.

Daiyu thought she was too embarrassed to go on, and felt ashamed herself, so she changed the subject again, saying that the parrot is smart and has already read a poem or two.Baochai also followed her and said that after sending her into the house, he would slowly go back to the Pear Fragrance Court.

Since she had agreed with Aunt Xue to start a business, she really started to make arrangements. Daiyu also happily came to see the goods with her, and Baochai didn't dare to tire her out. After finishing the arrangement, she told her family to go to the south, and Daiyu specially sent a letter home to ask her father how she was doing, and inquired about Xue Pan's recent situation tactfully.

It has been nearly a year since he came back this time, and the report still said that it was the housekeeper of Lin's house who bought and sold goods under the guidance of the housekeeper. He brought back many fashionable materials and foreign goods, and wrote letters from Xue Pan and Lin Hai's family.

Xue Panzhi's letter was written better and better, not a single typo was mentioned, the handwriting was neat, and the words were simple and appropriate. This time even Aunt Xue said: "I'm afraid I asked someone to write it for me? Your brother said categorically There is no such sentence."

Baochai concealed his belief and asked Daiyu in private, and Daiyu said: "My father's letter to me only said that Brother Xue is diligent in his studies and works hard every day. Next year, he wants to ask him to go to the exam for a boy student. After a few years, maybe you can become a scholar."

One sentence almost caused Baochai to choke on a sip of tea. Daiyu hurriedly followed her back, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and said with a smile, "Sister Bao has such a time too!"

It took Baochai a while to recover, and said, "Uncle Lin is not joking with my elder brother? Let him be a scholar?"

When she said this, Daiyu was not happy: "Your Xue family ancestor was Ziwei Sheren, who was also a scholar, and you can't finish reading your grandfather and father's collection! With such an ancestral style, How can your elder brother, who is a compatriot, be worse than you? Why can't he take the exam?"

Seeing that she was really annoyed, Baochai hurriedly said: "Sister Lin, you don't know my brother...he..." Halfway through speaking, she suddenly stopped again. Most of her despair at her brother came from her previous impressions, but now It is already a new life, and many things are different from before. Although my brother is still stupid, he seems to know more about livelihood and business than in his previous life, and he also knows how to make progress. Besides, he is taught by a famous person like Lin Hai. What's the difference in being a scholar? able?She naturally understands Lin Hai's deep meaning. Xue Pan is a scholar, so his status is naturally different from that of a businessman. Scholars, farmers, businessmen, etc. have always been the same. Because of my peers.Since ancient times, reading is the most important thing, and it is the family of the Jia family with hairpin tassels. In the current situation, the children have to rely on the imperial examinations. Pinxu titles are even more popular outside, and it is also because of his connection with Qingliu.

Baochai thought about it again and again, and said to Daiyu seriously: "I am thinking about it. My brother's affairs are all handled by my younger sister and Uncle Lin. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is a kindness to my family's rebuilding. Regardless of my brother If I pass the exam or not, I would like to thank my sister for her kindness."

Daiyu laughed and said, "Why are you acting like this again all of a sudden? My family members are withered, and my father's career is lonely. It's a good thing to have a son and nephew to take care of him. It's easy, so don't be so serious."

When Baochai saw that she had mentioned such an important matter in one sentence, she was even more grateful, and if she just said it again, it would be regarded as a real reward, so she kept it in her heart and didn't mention it.