Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 189
April 26, Ear Grain Festival.

Early in the morning, Lai Shangrong climbed out of bed with a sigh.

While Xing Xiuyan was tidying up for him, she said with a smile: "Master, there are important things to do. I can't go over to return the gift, so it doesn't matter!"

Originally, the Tienwang Mountain hunt lasted for one month, and the return date was scheduled for April 28. For some unknown reason, it was moved two days earlier.

It doesn't matter if he has two days to spare. The key is for officials of fifth rank and above. Chenshi has to pick him up at the city gate. He is afraid of delaying his time to go to the Grand View Garden. After all, the place where Daiyu performs funeral flowers is easy to find. It is about the northeast corner of the Grand View Garden. The funeral flower tomb, but the time is not easy to grasp.

Xing Xiuyan only thought that he promised to accompany him, but something delayed him, so he sighed.

He felt very comfortable in his heart, and uncharacteristically did not refuse, letting Lai Shangrong rub his body, and then reluctantly accompanied him to do morning exercises in the house, which finally relieved Lai Shangrong's depression.

However, when Xing Xiuyan was doing morning exercises with him, the three apprentices could no longer control him. Fortunately, there was not much difference between him and him.

Also planning to rush to pick up the driver was Xue Pan, but he was not picking up the driver. Instead, he was ordered by Aunt Xue to go find Feng Ziying.

In the courtyard at the northeast corner of Rongfu.

Xue Pan said to Aunt Xue in the hall: "Mom, don't worry, I will go to the city gate to guard the city gate. As soon as Brother Feng comes back, I will take him to dinner and make sure to get the letter for my sister."

Aunt Xue picked up her lapel and poured some air into it to dissipate the heat. She looked at her son and warned her: "You can't talk about this outside. It's better to invite him to the house. Cheng Rixing from the antique shop happened to be here." , yesterday I brought a lot of crispy fresh lotus root, watermelon, fresh sturgeon, and a Siamese pig that was scented with ling cypress and was a tribute from Siam. I will ask them to cook it in a while, and you will be with your uncle. Invite him to the study room!"

"But my son invites Brother Feng to dinner, it's boring for just the two of us!"

Aunt Xue pondered for a moment and said: "Don't your aunt have a few guests? Just call Baoyu together!"

Even if the marriage cannot be negotiated, I still have to let my sister know my determination, and bring Baoyu and a few guests with me, maybe they can also spread the word.

There is no need to avoid taboos when Xue Pan arranges marriage arrangements for his sister. After all, his father is not here and the eldest brother is like his father.

Moreover, Xue Pan also tried to talk to Feng Ziying before, but Feng Ziying did not refuse. This time it was just for confirmation.

Those guest officials are good at observing words and emotions. They are short-tongued when eating people and short-handed when taking people. If they treat guests at home, they will definitely follow suit.

Xue Pan agreed, went to the front yard, got on the carriage, and headed for the city gate.

At the first quarter of the morning, we finally arrived at the city gate.

But there were three levels of civil and military officials surrounding him, and three levels outside. There were also soldiers on guard on the outside. When he was in trouble, he happened to see a familiar figure in front of him.

"Brother Lai! Brother Lai!"

Lai Shangrong was reminiscing about the fun of this clear day. In the past, he went to the Yamen at Mao hour. Today, it is rare to have an extra hour to go to the office at Chen hour. In line with the principle of not wasting time...

I was idle at the moment, so I began to think wildly.

Suddenly, he heard someone calling him from behind. When he looked back, he saw a big head.

Although the marriage with Baochai was disturbed by Baoyu, it was none of the Xue family's business. Maybe with my own methods, I could still get a chance to recognize this uncle. Seeing that the emperor's chariot had not arrived, he borrowed it to guard the soldiers. of the periphery.

"This person is so crowded, what are you doing here?"

Xue Pan scratched his ears and cheeks, hesitating and said: "This... Brother Feng is also coming back! I wanted to come over and have a look, but there is no one here!"

"What? Are you looking for Brother Feng?"

Xue Pan quickly waved his hand and said: "No! No! No! I haven't seen him for a month. Come and have a look!"

Lai Shangrong sneered and said: "What? You have found another fan and want to go with Brother Feng... If you want to find him, you don't have to wait here. After they send the Holy Emperor back to the palace, they must return to the camp first. You might as well go to the camp." Wait for him at the camp gate!"

"Yes, yes!" Xue Pan waved and smiled: "Brother Lai is here, I will go to the camp first!"

After seeing off Xue Pan and waiting for another quarter of an hour, the Shengjia Brigade finally slowly entered the city. After watching the brigade go away, Lai Shangrong immediately found Hu Si in a nearby teahouse and rushed home without stopping.After changing into casual clothes, I glanced at the big clock in the house. It was exactly ten o'clock. I hurriedly hurriedly entered the back garden gate of the Grand View Garden and trotted towards the flower burial tomb in the east.

…………

There are three buildings behind Rongxi Hall.

"Auntie Xing of the Lai family is visiting the girls. She is in the second girl's Zhujin Tower and has spread word in the garden that a banquet will be held for them."

Wang Xifeng, who was dealing with internal affairs, squinted his eyes and thought for a moment when he heard the news that Xing Xiuyan had entered the garden.

On the one hand, he told Ping'er to stay on duty in the three buildings behind Rongxi Hall and arrange lunch while he sneaked into the garden.

Along the way, he kept scolding Lai Shangrong secretly as a "cruel thief", and he still hasn't thought of himself after taking in concubines.

All the way to Zhujin Tower, I saw Xing Xiuyan holding hands and said enthusiastically: "I said that the magpies on the tree kept screaming this morning. It turns out that my cousin is here. She came without informing her in advance, so I can make arrangements in advance. "

Then he looked around and said, "Looking back today, why doesn't Shang Rong accompany you?"

Xing Xiuyan smiled slightly and said: "Sister-in-law misunderstood, I was coming. Today, the emperor returns to the capital from a hunting trip, and officials above the fifth rank need to go to the city gate to pick him up. In the morning, he said that if there is no delay, he will come after picking up the emperor. .”

After Wang Xifeng heard this, she couldn't stand it any longer, so she deliberately joked: "I saw that my sister's complexion is so moist. I think she will be in harmony with Shang Rong, so she will be loved a lot, right?"

When she said this, Xing Xiuyan immediately blushed.

Yingchun looked lonely, and quietly retracted her hands into her sleeves, clenching them secretly.

Baochai immediately laughed and scolded: "Girl Feng is becoming more and more shameless. She actually said such nonsense in front of our boudoir daughters!"

Wang Xifeng laughed and said: "Okay! Then you can talk, and I won't be an eyesore here!"

After leaving Ziling Island, we went all the way north to the rockery under the Polygonum Flower Tree. We walked around the cave first and didn't see anyone, so we chose an open space, put a lotus pod on our hands and looked towards the back garden gate.

I stood there for two quarters of an hour, and finally I saw the familiar tall figure at the garden gate, entering the garden at a fast pace.

Cursing secretly, let's see where you are going to run away, you 'dog slave', and carefully observe the surrounding situation.

But he saw two maids wandering at the foot of the hillside, and he hurriedly waved to call them to his side.

Asked: "Which house are you a maid in?"

"I'm from Second Master Bao's house."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "My girl didn't follow me today. I just remembered something. I need to send someone out. I wonder if you can do it. Is your description complete?"

The maid smiled and said: "If grandma has anything to say, just tell me to tell it. If you don't tell me everything completely and miss grandma's business, grandma will punish you."

Wang Xifeng then ordered: "Go to the Baoxia outside Rongxi Hall and tell Sister Ping: There is a roll of silver placed under the Ru kiln plate rack on the table outside. It is 160 taels, which is the wages of the embroiderer. , wait for Zhang Cai’s family to come and ask for it, weigh it to him in person, and then take it to him. There is a small purse between the bedside and I brought it over. "

Seeing that the maid was sent away, Sister Feng returned to the high place, but could no longer find Lai Shangrong.

She stamped her foot and scolded her for being heartless. She had a strong temper and wanted to compete for priority in everything.

He used himself to save others. Li Wan was in charge of the Grand View Garden and was responsible for teaching his sisters. He also had various access controls, so he was afraid that it would not be less convenient for Lai Shangrong.

Thinking that Xing Xiuyan couldn't compete, how could he not compete with Li Wan?

With the idea that I would not get anything and would not benefit others, I turned around and went to Daoxiang Village.

(End of this chapter)