Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 496 Three girls gather in the small courtyard
Rongguo Mansion,
Lin Daiyu’s west courtyard,

outside the gate,
Li Wan and Wang Xifeng looked at each other and refused to give in to each other. Even Ping'er and Suyun behind them were blushing and did not dare to raise their heads. They were each thinking that the things involved could only be kept in their stomachs and must not be spread outside. One word.

Even Ping'er, who had been following Wang Xifeng, was wondering if grandma and Mr. Hou had had sex several times. Judging from what the eldest grandma said, it didn't seem to be false. Grandma also reacted abnormally and did not argue verbally. I'm afraid That's almost the same.

He was even more uneasy, so he didn't dare to say a word as he followed behind him. Only Wang Xifeng and Li Wan didn't care. They said they said it, but they may not believe it. Just believe it. Who dares to talk nonsense and pick off his body? Skin.

The guards in front of the courtyard gate did not stop them, and the two entered the courtyard one after another. At this time, Zhao'er also brought the boy and the food box to the courtyard gate, but was blocked by the guards and refused to let them in. Zhao'er saw the two Grandma just entered the yard and shouted,

"Grandma, the food has been delivered, but you are not allowed in."

The two of them turned around and saw Zhao'er being stopped by the soldiers behind the door with confused eyes. Li Wan understood that the Marquis was watching closely, so the door was guarded even more tightly.
"Girl Feng, let's go and get it. It seems that the Marquis has stipulated that foreign men are not allowed in, and I don't blame them."

"The Marquis has paid a visit to the Golden House, and he has considered everything carefully. No wonder it is like this. I didn't even ask when I came over, so let's just go over."

Wang Xifeng was still angry and her tone was a little harsh. Li Wan didn't care. He was used to Feng Yatou's angry attitude, but there was something strange in his heart. Such a person was also tasted by the Marquis. He didn't know where Feng Yatou was. Will he still be so strong?

In a moment, they reached the courtyard gate, brought the food box over, and asked Zhao'er and others to go back. Then the two of them returned to the courtyard and entered the attic.

As soon as they entered the house, the two of them were greatly surprised. Sure enough, it would be easier if they had money. Looking at the furnishings in the house, the old shabby furniture had long been gone. Today, the furnishings were extremely luxurious and refreshing. Even the carpets were of high quality. The wool and curtains are also made of Jiangnan brocade, not to mention the pendants, which are probably treasures. In the center, there is an incense burner, emitting bursts of incense, which is probably also a precious spice.

"Sister-in-law, look at this room. I haven't seen you in a few days, but it has a completely new look. I didn't even recognize it just now. The Marquis still has something in his heart."

Wang Xifeng didn't know what to say, she took one look at the room and said something sour.

Li Wan didn't know what to think, so he reached out and touched the armrest of the chair. It was indeed made of good material and felt great on his hands. He thought it was aged huanghuali wood, and those tea bowls were from the official kiln in the south of the Yangtze River. , it’s really rare, Miss Lin is considered to be from an official family, so she needs to be more particular. Looking at Wang Xifeng’s sour look, she smiled and said,
"Why, if you want it, just ask him for it. Can't you give it to me? I don't care about these. I just have a stool to sit on. It doesn't matter what I use. I don't care about these. Listen to the sound. [-] People are in the back room, go in."

After the person finished speaking, he walked in front. Wang Xifeng behind him turned red and muttered,

"You are noble!"

Without saying another word, he followed directly.

But after walking two steps, they both stopped at the same time and looked at each other.
"Sister-in-law, why did you stop suddenly?"

"Didn't I just stop when I saw Feng girl stop?"

The two people's eyes collided, and they didn't know what the mystery was. Even the maid Suyun and Ping'er behind them did not dare to take a breath. The two grandmothers behaved extremely strangely. Only Ping'er vaguely thought of that day and Ping'er. The second mistress went to the eldest grandma's room to listen to what was going on in the corner. She looks exactly the same now. Could it be that she
As if they had something in their hearts, Li Wan and Wang Xifeng listened attentively to the movements in the inner room. After listening for a while, they found that there were only voices and no lewd sounds. They felt relieved and looked at each other. Some blush,

"Sister-in-law is really considerate,"

"Girl Feng is not bad either. She thinks about Mr. Hou everywhere."

After complimenting each other inexplicably, the two of them walked into the back hall again.

As soon as someone enters the house,

Zhang Jinyu noticed something. She thought it was Zijuan or Xueyan who was outside the hall just now. When she turned around, she saw that it was her two who came together. Looking at Li Wan and Wang Xifeng, who have their own charms, their seductive figures, her heart felt hot. For a fleeting moment, it all looked like what he liked, but when he saw Lin Daiyu beside him, he wanted to cover it up, so he calmed down and asked,

"Why did you two come here together?"

"Ah! It's the eldest sister-in-law. The second sister-in-law is here. Come on, sit down and have a rest."

When Lin Daiyu saw that the two sisters-in-law were coming, she stood up and offered her seat. The two of them were not polite and walked to the table with the food box, then opened the food box, took out the hot dishes, and placed them on the table. It’s small, but it’s still full of plates.

After the dishes were placed, he pulled up two chairs and took Daiyu to sit down together. The two of them spoke one after another,

"Well, Sister Lin is fine."

"Oh, Girl Lin looks much better."

Daiyu was accompanied by one on the left and the other on the right. Zhang Jinyu's eyes were a little hot, so he could only pretend not to see it and immersed himself in eating.

Who knows,

When the three girls saw Mr. Hou's reaction, the three girls at the table suddenly fell silent and each picked up their chopsticks and ate something together.

Only Zhang Jinyu didn't care. He had been hungry all day, so he filled his stomach first and then wolfed down the food. During this period, the three of them seemed to be silent, each picking up food for the Marquis.

It was a quick way to eat, and I was full in a while. I poured a bowl of hot tea and rinsed my mouth. Zhang Jinyu realized that the three of them had not spoken. Knowing that they had eaten dinner, she asked,
"Why did you two come here together? But what's the matter?"

Lin Daiyu also looked at the two of them in confusion. On weekdays, they didn't come here to visit very often. It was a coincidence that they came here together today. Could it be because the Marquis had something to say.

When Wang Xifeng saw this, she couldn't be confused anymore. She put down her chopsticks and spoke first.

"Of course I have something to ask. Isn't it because the Marquis is outside and didn't explain clearly what he said? What's going on in the Beijing camp? Is Jia Lian still going to the battlefield? If I don't ask, how can I sleep tonight? , Lord Marquis also knows that I have nothing to do so far. What if Jia Lian has something bad to do, how can you let me live." After speaking, there was a whimpering sound,
Li Wan and Lin Daiyu were a little puzzled after hearing this. What was going on? Wasn't the Jingying camp always staying at the Anhu camp? Could it be that Jia Lian was sent out to lead the troops, but he didn't hear any news. Li Wan asked hurriedly ,

"Master Marquis, Jia Lian has led his troops out. If something really happens, it's better to talk about it. Girl Feng can still count on her."

Although Wang Xifeng is stronger, Li Wan feels the same way. After his wife went away, he felt like a living dead. If he hadn't left Lan'er with him, he would have gone long ago. If Feng Yatou's temperament really happened one day, I'm afraid He really left. Although he said it badly, how could Li Wan let Feng Yatou end up like this.

Seeing that the two of them were really anxious, Zhang Jinyu said helplessly,

"You two, listen to the wind and it will be rain. The Beijing camp is fine at the moment. We have to wait for the imperial court's report to get the news. As for Jia Lian, he is an infantry lieutenant in the Beijing camp, so he must be one with the interests of the Beijing camp. As soon as something happens, just be prepared. At most, it is to suppress bandits. After all, Wang Jieshuai will not be so unwise. It is good to know this matter in your heart, but it is okay to think about it. As far as I know, Jia Lian holds the capital. There are at least five thousand elite soldiers in the battalion. It is not easy to hurt him. Remember one sentence, don't take the lead. There is a difference between a general and a soldier. Sister Feng, you also know that this is also an opportunity."

Seeing that Zhang Jinyu didn't do anything perfunctory, the two of them were also a little surprised. Where else could the Beijing camp go? Wang Xifeng was particularly worried. If Jia Lian had any good intentions, he would be doomed. All plans would be in vain.

"Then Lord Marquis, if something really happens, can Jia Lian not go?"

Zhang Jinyu widened her eyes and looked at Wang Xifeng, who had always been shrewd. He said such stupid things. It was as if Jingying belonged to your family. Well, it seemed so. The Jiedushi was not Wang Ziteng. The previous Jiedushi was still a member of the Jia family. arrange.

But I didn’t want such a good opportunity. I was really blind, so I spoke,

"Whether it is possible or not depends on the wishes of Wang Ziteng and Wang Jieshuai, the commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp. As for the other things, you should be able to think of them."

"This is easy to handle. If it doesn't work, I'll go and beg my uncle."

As soon as Wang Xifeng heard what the Marquis said, she felt confident. When the time came, she would go to her uncle to cry out and not let Jia Lian go. Besides, the battlefield was dangerous, and swords and guns had no eyesight. If you were not careful, bah bah. .

Thinking of the bad things, Wang Xifeng was too scared to think about it anymore. Zhang Jinyu looked at Wang Xifeng with an anxious expression. Sometimes it was true that although she looked mean to Jia Lian, she was really kind to him.
"It's good that you know this in your heart and don't spread it outside. But you must also remember that you are not going to the border. The opportunity is rare. If you have made meritorious service, you will first retain the title of first-class general, and you are more likely to enter the ranks of generals. You must know that infantry lieutenants cannot be promoted to generals without military merit. This is a rule left by your old government, and it has not changed to this day."

This matter is not Zhang Jinyu's words. Whether it is the Beijing camp, the frontier army, or even the four princes and eight princes, all the rules may have changed, but this one point has never changed. Those who have not been on the battlefield and have made military achievements cannot be named generals. , this order is still in use today, even in Zhang Jinyu's Guanwai, it is even more stringent.

It's not like the Forbidden Army. As long as you get into the top three in the martial arts competition, you can become a general after a few years. Therefore, the generals of the Forbidden Army have never been looked down upon by other ministries. Because of this, those transferred to the Forbidden Army are even more isolated, so The Forbidden Army has always been a self-contained system, which is equivalent to self-produced and self-sold.

The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was intentional. As soon as he mentioned the benefits, titles, and generals, Wang Xifeng was immediately shaken. If this was not going to the border, if it was inside the pass, it was just a matter of suppressing bandits. There was indeed nothing dangerous. Besides, it was impossible for his uncle to do it. Jia Lian pushed into the fire pit. Thinking of this, he was a little hesitant. It seemed that what the Marquis said made sense. If he really made military achievements and was awarded the title of general, then he would really be as secure as a mountain in the house.

Li Wan took a quick look and naturally saw Wang Xifeng's thoughts. He wanted benefits but didn't want danger. How could such a good thing happen? Even Jia Zhu had always thought about winning the imperial examination before. Who would have thought that after becoming a scholar, he would come back? Unable to endure it, she passed away. However, they took care of their own affairs. They finally met the Marquis today, and the matter of Orchid's childbirth was pending. The deadline was about to expire. I was really in a hurry and hadn't gone through it yet. Where is the name of Tianfu Yilu?

"Master Marquis, you need to send me a letter of recommendation regarding Lan'er's enke. The scientific examination booth is coming soon, and Lan'er hasn't gone to Shuntian Prefecture to register her name yet."

"Well, don't worry. I remember this. It's coming today. It's on me. Here it is, take it."

Zhang Jinyu looked at Li Wan's fair face with a look of worry, and took out the letter of recommendation from Qin Ye directly from his arms, put it on the table, pushed it over, and said comfortingly,
"Don't be anxious. Enke has been postponed this year. There is plenty of time to register. If Lan'er memorizes what I said last time, it should be fine. I think Lan'er is outstanding in literature and will definitely pass the provincial examination. She will definitely pass the provincial examination in the future. Something was accomplished.”

If Wang Xifeng hadn't been here, Zhang Jinyu would have mentioned the test questions. Even so, the point couldn't be more obvious. Li Wan also knew that the Marquis had good intentions, so he quickly took the letter in his hand and looked at it carefully. It was from Mr. Qin. After confirming that the letter of recommendation was correct, I put it away with a rosy face. I don’t know whether it was excitement or shyness.

"Thank you, Mr. Marquis. Lan'er has been studying hard during this period and I almost remember it. I think it should be fine. I just haven't been to the examination room, so I don't know if Lan'er can endure it."

Only Lin Daiyu looked at it twice. It turned out that the two sisters-in-law were asking for help from their husband. However, the elder sister-in-law, Langeer, who was in the courtyard, was about to leave to take the exam. There was also the matter of the imperial examination and she had to ask the Marquis for a letter of recommendation. Well, doesn't the Duke's Mansion have this quota? I think Enke, a member of the family, was escorted all the way into the examination room, right?
"Sister-in-law, why don't you use a letter of recommendation from the Duke's Palace? If you think about it, you are not short of these few places. Why do you ask the Marquis for it?"

Lin Daiyu's unintentional words also made Wang Xifeng look over curiously. No wonder the eldest sister-in-law doesn't want anything else. What she wants emotionally is here. It's just what happened. Although these letters of recommendation are rare, for the Duke's Mansion, Say, there are many.

Li Wan was aggrieved at first, and his eyes turned red when Dai Yu asked him. He didn't know who to express his grievance to, and almost shed tears.

"Miss Lin, the recommendation letter from the Duke's Palace is something I, an orphan and a widowed mother, dare not think of. My wife doesn't agree, so what can I do? I can only ask the Marquis for help. Everything in the house is paving the way for Uncle Bao. I wanted to ask for a name card for Lan Er Enke, but my wife didn’t give it to me. I am the daughter-in-law who came in. There is no place for me to talk. If Lan Er is lucky enough to pass the provincial examination this time, I will die in peace. No. It’s in vain that I worked so hard for him.”

After he finished speaking, he really shed tears. Everyone at the table was speechless, especially Zhang Jinyu. When Li Wan asked him for this letter just now, he guessed that the second wife would be the one causing the obstruction, but when he thought of Jia Zheng still Being a decent person, he would not look at the second wife in such a disgraceful manner, but the result was unexpected.
Listening to Li Wan telling the truth, I really can't believe that the Rongguo Mansion actually ignored his grandson for Jia Baoyu alone, and even cut off the Enke path of other clan members. It is really ridiculous. The way back is cut off. I don’t know what the old lady and the two masters of the Jia family think. I admire it. In one word, absolutely.

This was the first time Wang Xifeng heard about this matter. How could this happen? His wife could do such a thing. But thinking about what happened to Jia Baoyu, it was not surprising. But in the future, when she has children, will she be able to get along with her elders? Like my sister-in-law, it’s not okay to be treated like this by the second wife. If that’s the case, I will fight with her even if I can’t do it. I will never let my child be wronged. Will I be as devoted as my sister-in-law? Lord.

Only Lin Daiyu took out a handkerchief and handed it over to wipe her eldest sister-in-law's tears. She couldn't believe that such a thing would happen in the palace of Nuo Da. However, her second aunt was also very kind that day. She couldn't tell that she was that kind of person. On the contrary, she was The eldest aunt had a jealous look in her eyes. She didn't know she was so determined to do something that seemed to be a good thing, and she didn't know if grandma knew about it. But the eldest sister-in-law was like this. She didn't think she would tell lies, so she could only comfort her with words.

"Sister-in-law, don't be sad. In any case, the Rongguo Mansion did something wrong in this matter. Enke is rare, and the opportunity must be seized. If we wait for the next time, we don't know when we will get it. Dad often says, no matter your age, As long as you are willing and healthy, you must take the provincial examination. Even if you fail, you have accumulated experience. If you wait for the next time, you can basically pass the provincial examination. If it is a few years later, you can take the next scientific examination. , three years will be wasted."

"As expected of Master Lin's only daughter, only you know why the imperial examination is so easy to pass. The conditions for Enke have been relaxed a bit. That's what I thought. I didn't think about how Lan'er did in the exam this time. So, I just want him to give it a try, but I still have to give it a try if I have the chance."

Li Wan now had a good impression of Lin Daiyu. She was worthy of being the daughter of Lin Tanhua. She was from a scholarly family. She was different from a lady from an official family. She knew the hardships faced by students all over the world. Enke was extremely rare. How could other people in the family see it? Those who understand are all mediocre people who do not want to make progress.

It was a good thing for the Duke's government to set up a clan school. As long as the clan members wanted to, they could enroll for free and even invited teachers to teach them. However, most of the clan children went there just for the scraps of money and spent the whole day without learning or skills. Several gentlemen left. From then on, after studying for a period of time, one would take a test, and all those who failed would leave. This made the atmosphere a little better.

Even so, without the guidance of a famous teacher, he would not be able to become famous in his studies. Fortunately, a Qian Juren came for the time being, and Lan'er's studies improved by leaps and bounds. However, at the critical moment, he left, which was really helpless.

However, Zhang Jinyu, who was sitting at the table, suddenly spoke and comforted,

"Don't worry, this time Enke and Lange will pass the provincial examination! I said so!"

(End of this chapter)