[Red Mansions] The Road to Empress Dowager

Daiyu in Lin's residence has also rushed to make a Jiji dress.Mrs. Sun had also invited Mrs. Kong, the wife of Li Xun, a cabinet scholar, with both children, as the guest of honor.Since the five generations of the Lin family were single-handed, and there were no elders of female relatives from other clans, Shi Zhang, the adoptive mother who was also from a well-known family, was invited to preside over the Jiji ceremony, but Shi Zhang had presided over the Jiji ceremony for the concubine Chen.

This is also decent.

During the Flower Festival on the twelfth day of the second lunar month, the Lin family held a grand feast to celebrate that the eldest daughter is also an only daughter who has grown up and can be married.

Early in the morning, the close guests arrived at the Lin Mansion, Mrs. Xing and Li brought Su Fuer, and Mrs. Shi Zhang brought Shi Hui, all dressed up in full makeup.Shi Zhang didn't bring Shi Wan'er here, and she was punishing her to think about her mistakes behind closed doors, and she didn't worry about what troubles she would cause when she came.

There were also the wives of officials and family members of the central government and the wives of the Xungui family.

The lobby of the main courtyard was suddenly crowded with people, and those low-status officials and wives could only be entertained on the seats in the flower hall, or even in the courtyard.Fortunately, these two days have been warmer, unlike the previous two days of cold spring.

When the Jia's family came, what they saw was the bustling scene, and there was an endless stream of people at the door, which was very different from the Jia's family.Although Jia Lian was still appreciated by the emperor, the Rongguo Mansion had been out of touch with the court for many years, and they only had contact with the four major families, at most the Nan'an concubine's family, but had little contact with the mainstream of the court.

Baoyu was anxious to see Sister Lin, but she had to be led to the courtyard where the male guests were first entertained.Today, there are many female guests, but there are far fewer male guests. After all, it is a ceremony for women.The male guests came first in another courtyard, and when it was time for the official wedding ceremony, they could only come over and watch the ceremony from afar.

Baoyu called to see Sister Lin, but the nanny who greeted the female guests refused to let her go, and said politely, "Mr. Jia, go to the lobby."

Mother Jia was upset, and said, "I am Yu'er's grandmother, and Baoyu is Yu'er's cousin. Why not go in? Baoyu has always been close to her sister, so Mammy is too unreasonable."

The nanny who greeted the female guests was Nanny Xu who was born in the palace. In order to protect Daiyu, she respected the rules the most. She blessed her body slightly and said: "If it's just a meeting between relatives, it shouldn't be embarrassing, but today the female guests There are so many distinguished guests, how will the Lin Mansion explain when they offended other female family members? Please forgive me, Mrs. Madam!"

Mrs. Wang was also very unhappy seeing this.In the past, she was always afraid that Lin Daiyu, a vicious and sick child, would get entangled with her Baoyu, but now she realizes the reality and has a plan to let Baoyu marry Lin Daiyu.Jia Zheng is only a fifth-rank official, how long can the old lady guard the second room?As soon as the family was divided into the second room, they completely quit the circle of nobles. Wang Ziteng was emptied, and after returning from the New Year, he was completely left alone.

The reason why the emperor didn't let him die suddenly like in the original book was because he was not afraid of him and felt that he was indeed capable, but he was not sure whether Wang Ziteng could be used by him.

Mrs. Wang now feels that the second bedroom's dependence in the future is very uncertain.If Baoyu were to marry Daiyu, he would not only be the son-in-law of a high-ranking official, but also the brother-in-law of a sage, who would dare to underestimate her?But no matter how noble Lin Daiyu's status is now, it's not her mother-in-law who has the final say when she enters the mansion. She just needs to give Baoyu a few more concubines. She can't let her completely win over Baoyu's heart.

Wang Xifeng followed Mrs. Xing, and she didn't say a word as she usually talked a lot.She definitely does not support Baoyu marrying Daiyu, not to mention that the Wang family favored her aunt even when they had the power, otherwise how could she please her aunt so much in the past?Her current backer, Wang Xifeng, is Imperial Concubine Chen. If Baoyu marries Daiyu, Imperial Concubine Chen will definitely support her righteous sister.

Concubine Chen is so favored, if Baoyu marries Daiyu and has her support, it is not impossible for the heir of the Rong Mansion to change positions.Therefore, she is not in the mood to smooth things over for Jia's mother, let alone Mrs. Xing.

At this time, there were many contacts between officials and family members, and no matter how dissatisfied Jiamu and Mrs. Wang were, they couldn't hold back their face to quarrel in public, so Baoyu also went to the courtyard where the male guests were first entertained.

Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang supported Jia's mother, and Qin Keqing and Xichun followed with Youshi, and then Sister Feng and Yingchun walked together, followed by Aunt Xue, Baochai, and Tanchun, followed by the attendants little girl.

At this time, the difference in ranking when going out to walk deeply hurt the heart of Tanchun who was high-spirited.She is different from her sisters, not because she thinks she is better than them, not because Yingchun and Xichun among the three can only stand behind her.

Xichun is not the fourth daughter of Rongguo Mansion, but the eldest daughter of Ningguo Mansion. Her father is Jinshi and former first-class general Jia Jing.Even if Yingchun is a concubine, she is more honorable than her, not to mention that she is now a registered daughter, her cousin is the imperial concubine Chen, her father is the first-class general Jia She, her elder brother is the sixth-rank chief in charge of Jia Lian, and she is only a fifth-rank An official's concubine is not some honorable girl from the Rongguo Mansion.

But she also realized that the Xue family, who used to be the most popular in Jia's mansion, was not a fart when they came out to socialize with officials and officials. Now Wang Ziteng is not a powerful minister, and everyone will not look down on the orphans and widows of the Xue family because of the high status of the Wang family.But on Baochai's face, she was neither humble nor overbearing.

"Third Sister! Sister Bao!" Suddenly a voice called out from behind, the voice was very familiar.

But Mrs. Baolinghou brought Shi Xiangyun and Shi Xiangxue, and Mrs. Zhongjinghou brought her concubine Shi Wenxiu.

Although Shi Xiangyun called Tanchun, the two wives came and went to greet Jia Mu and Mrs. Xing, and walked in front of Tanchun after exchanging greetings.

On the contrary, Shi Xiangyun likes to be with his sisters, and has been rewarded and supported by Xiuyan, so he is very close to Sister Feng and her cousin Yingchun who have also received the benefits of the imperial concubine.Shi Xiangyun always thought that she was able to get the grace of Imperial Concubine Chen because of Daiyu and Yingchun.

Today, Shi Xiangyun is wearing the Nanzhu necklace and golden phoenix hairpin awarded by Concubine Chen. The round Nanzhu sets off the bright moon and shines on her, and the jacket and skirt on her body are also made of materials awarded by the palace.

Shi Xiangyun has never met Concubine Chen, and Concubine Chen has only been to Jia's residence twice, and Mrs. Baolinghou has never attended Concubine Chen's wedding ceremony.

Daiyu didn't lose her father or pester Baoyu, and Shi Xiangyun didn't make fun of her. At this time, Shi Xiangyun was only vaguely jealous that Lin Daiyu had a father and was favored.She has a good impression of the noble concubine, because the noble concubine is really a good person. Except for the rewards from the year before, even some things that were given to the Hou's mansion in the palace during the Lantern Festival were carefully distributed to her, so that the aunt can't leave everything behind. .

At this time, Shi Xiangyun was still ashamed, and felt that he should not be jealous of Daiyu's pampering and Baoyu's attention. It turned out that Daiyu cared about her so much.

Sister Feng, however, had a pair of eyes of wealth, staring at her necklace, and asked: "Is this a gift from your mother?"

Shi Xiangyun said: "Yes, my mother rewarded me at the end of the year, and it was sent by someone from my cousin. Sister Lin is really lucky to have such a kind-hearted and caring righteous sister. If I have such a sister, I will be happy." I don’t feel wronged even if I don’t have parents.”

Shi Xiangyun knew that the second uncle's family took all of her parents' things, her father's meritorious service on the battlefield was not degraded, her father's family property, and her mother's dowry.But she is very tight on money, but she has been secretly warned by her nanny since she was a child, that these thoughts must not be shown in front of her aunt.But she is a young girl after all, and she can't pretend to be thorough, how can she really get close to her?

She didn't like to stay at home since she was a child, so she hoped that Mother Jia would pick her up to live in the house and relax.But Mother Jia has many grandchildren and is getting old, so she doesn't attract much attention.A niece of a noble concubine and aunt's natal family who had never met before, did not forget her at this time, which made Xiangyun, whose parents both died, very grateful.Xiangyun was also a generous person with a few chivalrous hearts, and he was grateful for the help of Xue Baochai's chrysanthemum banquet. At this time, what is the identity of the noble concubine, and he is considerate of her, Xiangyun thinks she is very good.

Sister Feng also said: "Second sister is also very lucky. Doesn't the empress still miss you? Such a good thing is worth several thousand taels of silver."

Yingchun said with a smile: "Sister-in-law, why bother to be jealous of a string of beads, my lady, you have a big fire fox, and no one else has it, so I will only reward you."

Sister Feng is a bit proud, and Yingchun is not so dull now, she is a bit funny.Sister Feng said with a smile: "Your Majesty rewarded me, so I don't have your cousin, right? I should find a good husband for my younger sister. How can an ordinary man be qualified to be your cousin's husband?"

Yingchun's mouth couldn't keep up with Sister Feng's, and she was immediately blocked from speaking.Shi Xiangyun's daughter, who was not out of her boudoir, couldn't answer the conversation, so she had to run away, thinking of talking to Tanchun.

Tanchun was a few steps behind, and her heart was sore when she heard it. Although she had also received an award, but only at the end of the year, and the things were far inferior to Yingchun.Even if it was a small gift during the Lantern Festival, what she got was still far inferior to Yingchun. Looking at Shi Xiangyun now, it was even worse than her.

Tanchun thinks that when Concubine Chen returned to Rongfu for the first time, she didn't know the heights of heaven and earth, which made her unhappy. Even when she entered the palace for draft, she didn't think much of her, unlike Yingchun and Xichun who looked up to her.

She didn't get well anywhere, now that Mu Ran looks back, I'm afraid Jia Huan can still be counted on.Although she looked down on him at the beginning, but now he has a reputation for raising people, even Mrs. Wang can't get angry with him.Jia Huan holds the book of pleas from Qin Zhong, his servant, and he can use Jia Zheng to make Baoyu suffer so that Mrs. Wang dare not trample on him.

Since they are relatives of Daiyu's mother's family, and also have the status of Mrs. Xing's concubine and aunt, the Jia family's entry into the main hall also attracted attention.

As soon as the female family members of the Jia family entered, they saw a large number of distinguished guests, and they couldn't recognize them all. At the scene, Mrs. Lin Sun accompanied him.

Of course, Mrs. Xing and Li with a big belly and her adoptive daughter Su Fuer were sitting at the dinner table of the noble family, and the nuns carefully waited on her, and several family members were chatting and laughing with her.

Mother Jia and the others went over to exchange greetings. Mother Jia was Daiyu's grandmother and the wife of the Duke of Chaopin, so not only was the Sun family polite, but the female family members of the clan were also respectful.

Mrs. Xing is the order of the first-class general's family, she is the concubine's aunt and she is intimate with Mrs. Xing and Li, so of course everyone is polite.Only Mrs. Wang's five-rank peace order, let these high-sighted and very busy wives of honorable officials and family members directly ignore them.

It made her a real embarrassment.

Mrs. Xing Li asked Su Fu'er to accompany Yingchun to talk, saying that she was served by nuns, Su Fu'er laughed and said, "I'm afraid that sister Daiyu will soon finish dressing, and as a praiser, I should go there."

After seeing the ceremony, Yingchun, Xiangyun, Xichun, Tanchun, Baochai and Su Fuer followed her to Daiyu's house.

Lin Sun, Shi Zhang, and Mrs. Li Dashi's wife Kong are all here. In addition, there are "Hemin County Lord" Shi Hui, and Li Tong, the daughter of Li Dashi's mansion.

The girls were naturally happy when they met, Li Tong's family was noble, the Lin family had five books from generation to generation, five generations of princes, Lin Ruhai was an imperial examination Tanhualang and became an official, so Lin Daiyu was still eye-catching.The ancestor of the Shi family was originally the grand tutor, so Shi Hui could also catch her eyes. Besides, she was a little tempted to marry Shi Rui, and she was lucky enough to meet him secretly, so she was very kind to Shi Zhang and Shi Hui. .

But the sisters of the Jia family only have the perfect politeness on the surface. In fact, only Yingchun can catch her eyes. Shi Xiangyun has no father and no mother, and Xichun is like having no father and no mother. a merchant.In fact, the communication between officials and family members pays more attention to circles than modern communication.

Lin Daiyu did not expect that there would be a prosperous scene today, and she was no longer the little girl who lost her mother and went north to live alone under the fence.

The nanny reminded that the auspicious time had come, and Lin Ruhai had already arrived at the main hall.Mrs. Shi Zhang was the elders who presided over the front hall first and was surrounded by others. In this dynasty, the welcome process was simplified for convenience. The guests were allowed to sit first, and they would be tired if they waited outside.

The well-dressed Shi Zhang appeared first as the host. When he arrived in front of the hall, he announced that he was in place, and the head of the family and his wife were invited.

So Lin Ruhai and Mrs. Sun entered from outside the door and went straight to the front of the hall.At this time, the outsider is standing in the hall to watch the ceremony, and only when Daiyu completes the ceremony, he will come to worship with the company of his elders, which is more particular than that of Xing Xiuyan.This is also the reason why the men and women of the noble families in this dynasty are so serious.

Lin Ruhai delivered a speech: "Thank you all distinguished guests for coming to the humble house, the little girl and the wedding ceremony will officially begin! Wait a moment, let the little girl come in and meet all the guests and friends!"

Lin Ruhai finished his speech, only to see a woman in a beautiful dress curl up into the arena, wash her hands, and take her seat on the west steps. It is Su Fuer, one of the righteous sisters of Miss Lin's family who is today's praiser.At this time, the eyes of many female relatives were fixed on her, and many of them were shocked by her appearance.The praiser symbolically combs the hair of the Jizhe who is kneeling on the mat, and then puts the comb on the south side of the mat.

Then a pretty girl of fourteen or fifteen years old came out holding a tray. She had a smile like a flower, her almond eyes were full of brilliance, and she was Miss Lin's adopted sister and Lord Min County Shihui, who is today's Yousi.

Then there was a guest of honor, Master Li's wife Kong, who was born in Yanshenggong's mansion. Although she was not a direct descendant, she was also a direct descendant. She is currently the sister of Yanshenggong's clan.Zhengbin Kong's age, of course, is not so eye-catching, but the dignified demeanor of everyone can't help but sigh, she is indeed a woman from the Kong family.

Zhengbin washed his hands at the east steps, wiped them dry, and bowed to his master, and invited him to return to his seat.

Daiyu turned to the east, and Si Shihui offered Luopa and hairpin. The guest of honor walked up to the Jizhe and chanted loudly: "On the auspicious day of the month, I will start to add yuan clothes. Abandon your young ambitions, and follow your success." De. Shoukao Weiqi, Jieer Jingfu."

Then Zhengbin Kong knelt down and combed Daiyu's hair...

A series of etiquette and etiquette have been passed down from ancient times, showing the demeanor of a family handed down from the Guiqing family, which is naturally different from the way girls from the Rongguo family celebrate their 15th birthday.

Since Sanchun and Daiyu are cousins, the last time she saw Concubine Chen's ceremony, she already felt grand and envious. At this time, Daiyu's family background is more noble, so it is even more lively.Yingchun and Xichun didn't think much of it, but Tanchun suffered even more. He used to look down on Daiyu who was "not from our family", but the truth slapped her hard.

After the complicated ceremonies were completed, when thanking the guests, Li Dequan, the chief supervisor of the Taiji Palace, came to read out the decree of the imperial concubine and empress, congratulated Daiyu on the gift, and rewarded pearls and hairpins.

Two strings of oriental pearls, two jade pendants, two pairs of gold heads and masks, a box of precious stones, one piece of ice silkworm brocade, one piece of moonlight light smoke, four pieces of cloud brocade, four pieces of snow satin, four pieces of soft smoke, and a guqin , a pair of jade chess pieces, two sets of orphan books, soap for 12 yuan, six boxes of rouge, and a box of palace fans, sachets, and dolls.

These rewards are all selected from the top tributes that are not available outside. It is not something that can be constant with money, it can be described as extremely rich.These days, those who have daughters in the palace send a lot of money, but the things given are actually worthless.But Concubine Chen's being favored is an exception, she has a lot of things in her private treasury, and the saint is always close to her for everything.

It was Li Dequan, the father of the Xichang factory, who came to declare the decree. This is not something that anyone can do.Fortunately, there are fewer generals present, otherwise everyone's scalp would be tight.

When Mrs. Jia heard the reward, she felt complicated. Although Jia Mu hated Concubine Chen, she became more determined to match Daiyu with Baoyu.But Mrs. Wang hated it, she invested so much money into the palace, and there was no sound at all, it must be because Concubine Chen robbed Jia Yuanchun of his good life.

Daiyu felt that the eldest sister really doted on her everywhere. In fact, in recent years, the eldest sister was the closest person to her.Daddy loves him very much, but he is an older man, so it is impossible to tell him about his daughter's family's worries, and the elder sister is a very clever person, sometimes she can understand without telling her.After she entered the palace, she also thought about her in everything, since she got to know her, she seldom felt the loneliness of losing her mother, she was filled with gratitude, today was Jiji, and tears of joy welled up in her eyes.

Although Lin Ruhai didn't want to become a nepotism from Qingliu, but Daiyu's title of "Heyu County Lord" prevented him from being a complete Qingliu.The emperor himself doesn't mind, he can only be this kind of nepotism.

Thank you in the eyes of everyone envious or watching the show.He personally greeted Li Dequan for a drink, Li Dequan said with a smile: "The miscellaneous family has to rush back to the palace to report to the empress, but it's too late to drink, Mr. Lin, please rest."

Lin Ruhai hurriedly stuffed a purse secretly to Li Dequan, and said: "Father-in-law can come here in person today, and the humble house is luxuriant. This is my daughter's blessing. But I can't miss my father-in-law's business, and I will trouble my father-in-law to tell me to talk to my daughter. Madam's respect."

Li Dequan knew right away that it was a bank note. The eunuchs of this dynasty were not allowed to own land unless they were the saints, so they loved money very much. Although Li Dequan was loyal to Tu Yuanyi, he also loved money.Li Dequan left with the little Huangmen, and the Lin family still entertained their own guests, not to mention.