Enemies in the Red Chamber

"I would rather be a beggar mother than an official father" Daiyu knew this sentence, but perhaps because her relatives in the two lifetimes were very good, she didn't have much emotion when she heard it.Until I met Cheng Hui and Cheng Quan, a pair of siblings.

That day, it was Daiyu and Miaoyu who went to burn incense in the temple where Master Linghui used to be, and met them on the way back.Daiyu and Miaoyu were talking in the car, when they heard a child's voice crying outside, "Grandma and girl, please give me something to eat." After a while, Miaoyu's maid opened the curtain and came in and said it was the two of them. A little beggar is begging for food.Daiyu and Miaoyu opened the curtain next to them and looked out. They saw a seven or eight-year-old girl crying with her head up, her face was covered by her messy hair, and the exposed part was full of scars.Followed by a smaller boy, dressed in dirty clothes, with messier hair, lowered his head and tugged at the corner of the girl's clothes.

Miaoyu couldn't bear to see it, so she ordered her mother-in-law to take them to the back car to eat something, and then take them back.The people here are all from Miaoyu's family, so Daiyu naturally wouldn't say much, but she was a little puzzled why she didn't go to the city for begging, but came here to block the way.

After returning home, let someone take them to wash and clean, and then bring them over after changing their clothes.When Daiyu saw the scald on the girl's face, although she couldn't bear it, she didn't feel surprised, but she frowned when she saw the boy's thin but handsome face. How could such a boy beg safely?He was seen abducted and sold early.Seeing that Miaoyu had pulled the girl and began to cry, she asked, "How did your face get hurt? How do you take your younger brother with you on weekdays?"

The girl seemed frightened by Daiyu, knelt down and replied: "I heard people say that good-looking people will be stolen by kidnappers. I was afraid, so I burned my face with burning firewood. My brother is going to be an official in the future." Yes, it can’t be ironed, first use mud to smear a layer of pimples, and then smear it with black ash, and you can’t see it if you cover it with hair.” The articulate and organized are very clear.

Miaoyu pulled her up, "Poor child, look at this face." The girl's face is really miserable, it has been washed and it is still black in patches, and it is scary to look at the bumps.

Daiyu asked her: "What are you doing that's really hot? Just wipe it off with mud like my brother?" But she said: "If someone doesn't believe it, what should I do if I have to wash it clean? There must be one that is true." Just do it."

Daiyu couldn't tell what it was like to this little girl, but she always felt that she was a bit out of harmony, and felt that the girl's attitude towards herself was slightly different from that of Miaoyu.He smiled and said to Miaoyu: "Don't underestimate this girl, she is quite thoughtful."

Miaoyu cast a compassionate heart on the two siblings, stroked the little girl's hair and asked, "How old are you? Where is your family? Why did you come to Suzhou?"

The little girl's eyes turned red instantly, and she pursed her lips and said, "My name is Cheng Hui, and I am ten years old this year. My younger brother is Cheng Quan, and he is six years old this year. My family is in southern Guangdong Province, and I led my younger brother to escape for my life." Listen When she said she was ten years old, Daiyu and both of them were taken aback, because she was really thin, she didn't look like a ten-year-old girl at all.

Then he took two steps back, knelt down and begged Miaoyu: "Madam, I know you are related to the Lin family in Gusu, please help our siblings, we are going to Beijing to find Mrs. Lin."

Miaoyu was taken aback, she looked at Daiyu without any sign, and then asked: "Speak slowly, why do you involve Mrs. Lin? Didn't you meet me when you were hungry and begging for food on the road?" ? Why does it sound like you came here specifically to find me?"

Cheng Hui shrank his shoulders uncomfortably, bit his lower lip subconsciously, raised his eyes and took a sneak peek at Miaoyu before summoning up his courage and said, "I am..., I just found out about you and the Lin family in the city. Dear relatives, I was waiting for you on the road when I saw you going out, if you are merciful, you will definitely bring our siblings back to the mansion, and then I will ask you for help."

Miaoyu felt a little unhappy. Although her actions were correct, such calculations always made people feel uncomfortable. "What do you need to find Mrs. Lin? I haven't heard that the Lin family has a relative named Cheng in Guangdong Province."

Cheng Hui said anxiously: "I overheard my grandmother when I was at home. It must be true. The grandmother told the wives in Guangdong Province that she had four sisters from her natal family, and she also had a younger sister who married into the Lin family in Gusu. She is from an aristocratic family, and her brother-in-law is also very powerful in managing the country's salt. Her natal family is also very powerful, a big official in the capital, and countless big merchants have invested in their family. The dividend alone is more than other people's family fortune. Surely not Wrong, I inquired, there is only one family in Gusu who is surnamed Lin and still manages Yan, and they all say that his wife is related to their family, please help me."

Miaoyu looked at Daiyu inquiringly, and Daiyu shook her head at her, motioning her not to reveal her identity and let her continue to ask.Miaoyu then asked: "The more you talk about it, the more confused I become. Let me ask, and you say, okay? You said that your grandmother said that there is a younger sister who is Mrs. Lin, so let me ask you, do you know what your grandmother's last name is?" ?”

Cheng Hui said: "Yes, I've heard people say that my grandmother's surname is Jia, and their family is also a big official in Beijing."

Miaoyu asked again: "Since your home is in Guangdong Province, why did you come to Suzhou again?"

Cheng Hui replied: "It was my father and grandmother who killed my brother. I overheard and rescued him." Then Daiyu and Miaoyu heard a story that could be called inhumane.Cheng Hui and Cheng Quan are the legitimate daughters and direct sons of the Cheng family. Two years ago, their grandfather's family was wiped out by bandits, and then their mother also died of illness, leaving them behind.Three months after my mother died, my father married a girl from a big local family as his successor. After his stepmother became pregnant, Cheng Quan fell ill from time to time.By chance, Cheng Hui overheard that her mother was murdered by a partnership between her grandmother and her father. The purpose was to make a girl from a big family whom her father had just met as a stepmother.After the step-room came in, he wanted to give birth to an eldest son. In order to take advantage of the power of that family, his father agreed, and now he wanted to kill his younger brother.On the night of the Lantern Festival, Cheng Hui set fire to the storeroom at home and took advantage of the chaos to drag his younger brother out of the house. Later, he remembered what his grandmother had said about his younger sister and his mother's family, and remembered that when his mother was alive, he said that his younger brother would be allowed to take the imperial examination and become an official. in Suzhou.

Miaoyu and Daiyu looked at each other for a while, and then asked again: "How do you know that Mrs. Lin will help you? After all, she and your grandmother are real sisters. If you say that you are close, you should be close to your grandmother. Besides, Suzhou is far away from Guangdong Province, and the road is difficult and dangerous, why don't you go to your relatives nearby for help?"

Cheng Hui said: "No, my mother said that people's manners and upbringing are the best, and they will definitely not do anything unconscionable." These words were so forceful, and the two of them never expected that the reason would be this.Daiyu was a little ashamed, and almost couldn't help telling her that not all scholars in the world are good people.Every time there are more dogs slaughtered in righteousness, most of them are scholars with ungrateful hearts. There are too many unconscionable things done by people in the world.

"There is no one in my grandfather's family. Everyone in Guangdong Province is afraid of the stepmother's natal family. I heard that even high-ranking officials have to ask her natal family's permission first if they want to become an official. I dare not stay there. Besides, my brother wants As for being an official, there is no one to help you in Guangdong Province." Cheng Hui said again.

Miaoyu asked again: "Okay, even if that's the case, what do you want Mrs. Lin to do for you?"

Cheng Hui said: "I want Mrs. Lin to help my brother continue to read and write, find a school for him to find a master, and become a high-ranking official when he grows up. I can work for Mrs. Lin. I can embroider, cook, fetch water and wash clothes." Yes, but I don’t want to sell myself. I’ve heard that my brother’s future will be hindered if he sells himself. There are many bad people out there, and I can’t trust others, so I only dare to look for Mrs. Lin.”

In fact, Cheng Hui also inquired about the reputation and conduct of the Lin family.Because the single heirs of the Lin family have been weak for several generations, they have done a lot of good things in Suzhou to build bridges and pave roads to care for the poor and the weak, and they have always been well received in Suzhou.After finding out that Miaoyu, who was protected by the Lin family, had a good reputation and even became a monk in her early years, Cheng Hui decided to ask for help.Otherwise, Cheng Hui would just keep begging and think of another way later, and he wouldn't dare to ask his vicious grandmother's sister for help.

Miaoyu asked Daiyu again, and Daiyu said that she had nothing to ask, so Miaoyu said to Cheng Hui: "Okay, I understand. Mrs. Lin is in Beijing now. I will write to Mrs. Lin later to make arrangements. You are here first." I will stay here. Since you know that my family is related to the Lin family, you can rest assured. You and your brother are also tired. It’s not easy to travel all the way. Go and have a rest.” Rest in the guest room.

The siblings left, Miao Yu said: "I don't know if what Cheng Hui said is true, if it is true, it would be too much."

Daiyu said: "It doesn't look like a lie. I'll ask someone to go to Guangdong Province to investigate." Then she sighed: "I know that such an aunt married to Guangdong Province. My mother has four sisters, It was the second aunt who married to Guangdong Province. When I heard that the second aunt was at home, what should I say... Anyway, life is not very good. Heh, you have lived in the Grand View Garden, so I am not afraid to tell you, you know the old lady The second aunt later married to an ordinary small official family in Guangdong Province, and the dowry was so-so. I heard that something happened in the family, and even the small official was not allowed to be a small official. At that time, the Rongguo Mansion was still very powerful. , I didn’t care. I thought that my second aunt was the kind of person who would be easy to bully and would not resist, but I didn’t expect..."

Miaoyu said: "Some people are like this. They don't live well. Others, especially the people around them, have to be worse than themselves, otherwise they will feel uncomfortable." Then she asked Daiyu: "What should I do now?" Do you want to send a letter to Jingli? And the Jia family?"

Daiyu said: "Mother has to write a letter to tell her. After all, she is looking for mother by name. As for the Jia family, I have never heard the old lady and the two aunts take the initiative to talk about the second aunt. It would be better if the two families broke contact." It's been a year, so don't write. They are in Jinling now, and it's not easy, so let's not cause trouble. If you really want to tell, let mother tell."

Miaoyu said: "Alright, then let them live with me first, it's not convenient for you to live now." Daiyu also nodded in agreement.

Then when it was time to leave, Miaoyu remembered and asked, "Do you want to tell Cheng Hui and your brother about your identity, or will we talk about it later?"

Daiyu stopped again, "If you don't tell me, I'll forget it, so I'll see you now. I don't think that girl has a big heart, so there's no need to have a grudge in the future."

So they called Cheng Hui and her brother again, and Miaoyu pointed to Daiyu and said, "I was just thinking about writing a letter to Jingli, but I forgot to tell you that this is the real Buddha. Why don't you call aunt, she She is Mrs. Lin's biological daughter."

Because Cheng Hui was too surprised, his expression finally didn't tense, and he was stunned for a long time with his mouth open.

Daiyu smiled and said: "Don't blame me, I always have to hear whether it's true or not before I can tell." Then she took a bracelet from her hand and put it on Cheng Hui, and gave Cheng Quan a purse, "Little thing Son, play with it first, and I will give you a formal meeting gift when I see you next time."

He said again: "I'm traveling with your uncle this time, and I don't live in Suzhou all the time. I'm afraid that your children will not be well taken care of when they come to my place. It's the same at your aunt's house. You can live in peace of mind. Tomorrow I will let someone Come and pick you up to play."

Cheng Hui had already reacted at this time, and Daiyu then felt that her attitude towards her had changed, and she couldn't tell exactly, but it was a very subtle feeling.For example, smile, I was very sincere to Miaoyu before, but more perfunctory to Daiyu, now I feel more sincere to Daiyu than to Miaoyu.There is also the tone of speaking, which is a bit too affectionate now.

"Aunt Lin, don't worry, I will be obedient."

"Don't be restrained, as if you are at your own home. Your Gu Aunt is not an outsider here. Take care of my brother and don't think about it. Now that you have found someone, put everything else down and have fun."

"Yes. I must not think too much about it."

"Okay, I'll go back first and bring you to see your uncle tomorrow."

After some courtesies like this, Daiyu finally left.

Going back to discuss with Yang Shili how to arrange him, Yang Shili pondered for a moment and said: "I'll see it tomorrow. Listen to you, that younger brother is nothing. It's really hard to dismiss the elder sister. You still have to see it and know who it is." Taste is easy to arrange. Stories of Shengmi fighting Michou, farmers and snakes have never been uncommon, let’s read it.”

The author has something to say: I tried to look at the long-tongued man from Daiyu's perspective, but it really didn't work, and what I wrote was full of loopholes. ^_^. Wait for me to hone my writing skills, and then go to the challenge.