The Concubine Wushuang of Red Mansion

Chapter 256: Falling in love, earning friends and entering the academy
Jia Mu couldn't help but hesitate. Daiyu said, "Madam is very concerned. We have also thought of this. The Marquis has gone to Liaodong and is close to the eldest master. The Marquis has long sent people to discuss these matters with the eldest son." The master said it."

Jia Mu heard the implication. Jia Cong just sent someone to talk to the elder. It didn't matter whether the elder agreed or not.

"I heard that you plan to give the second girl a dowry of 5 taels of silver?" Jia Mu said.

Daiyu smiled and said, "This is what I said before. Today, the Marquis wrote another letter, saying that he could not come back to marry me, which would have wronged my eldest sister. I added another ten thousand silver, which will make a total of 6 taels."

Although the Jiang family is good, their financial resources are a little thin. When the Marquis selected the candidate, he only considered the character and did not care about money and wealth. He expected that all these could be earned. The Jiang family's aunt was brave and courageous in the army. , the second sister should be indispensable in the future. "

Aunt Xue's eyes grew hot when she heard this, and she asked, "I wonder what official position Mr. Jiang's family holds now?"

"He was originally a scholar who excelled in literacy, elegance and observance of etiquette. Now he has been promoted to Qianhu in the army. He is a fifth-grade military attache. He works in the Shenji Battalion and specializes in the development of guns and ammunition. It is an important position."

The official position he holds is not important. Jia Lian even donated a prefecture to serve as a magistrate. Outside, he can be called "Official Master", but it is incomparable with those who have been given actual duties by the Eight Classics.

Aunt Xue didn't know the meaning of the noble in the civilized and the humble in the military. Besides, the Jia family was originally from a noble family and followed the martial arts system. As soon as she heard that she was the fifth grade, she felt it was very impressive.

"That's great. He is a scholar, a military attaché of the fifth rank, and a versatile man in both civil and military affairs. Brother Cong has a really good eye for selecting people." Aunt Xue complimented her, and she wished that Daiyu and his wife could help him with the next sentence. Baochai also had a hard time choosing one.

Xichun said from the side, "That's right, Brother Cong is a person who works as an official. He looks at countless people in the court on weekdays. He can tell whether they are traitors or loyal at a glance. Of course, he can judge people accurately. Second Sister After marrying into the Jiang family, she used to be the head grandmother, and with so much dowry around her, I don’t know how free and wealthy she is.”

Xifeng and others all burst out laughing. Even Li Wan couldn't help but smile at this childish talk.

"Oh, our fourth girl is also tempted? I will ask your second brother Cong to help you pick a son-in-law someday. I wonder if you want to marry a new scholar, or a general who returns to the court after victory?" Xifeng quipped.

Xichun's cheeks turned red and her eyes were dazed for a moment. At this moment, she really thought about her future. When she came to her senses, she tilted her head and said with embarrassment, "Second sister-in-law Lian is really annoying, she's just making fun of me! "

However, Xifeng became interested and came over to hold Xichun's shoulders, "Fourth sister, tell me quickly. I'm curious. I remembered that when you were a child, you said that you would have your hair twisted and become a sister-in-law in the future."

"I was just joking at that time. I'm going to be a sister-in-law. What will happen to my cat?"

"You don't even want to have such a big ambition for the sake of the cat? It seems to me that you are not afraid that the cat will not be taken care of, but that you want to get married, right?"

Seeing that Xichun was extremely embarrassed, Daiyu felt distressed and said, "Her second brother Cong doesn't believe in Buddhism. How could she have such thoughts? If so, she must be disobedient. The girl's family There are so many things to do in this life. I was still saying that if the fourth sister really wanted to learn painting, she would specially ask Mr. Xiong for help and introduce an elder from the south of the Yangtze River to accept the fourth sister as his student, so that she could learn something famous. Come."

Xichun breathed a sigh of relief, feeling sweet in her heart.

When Baoyu heard this, he said, "Doesn't it mean that the fourth sister will be sent to the south of the Yangtze River to study painting, and go so far away alone?"

Daiyu said, "Why is this wrong? We have lived in Jiangnan for many years and have made some close friends. If the fourth sister comes over, there will be no problem. But this matter is just the beginning. , we’ll talk about it in the future.”

Yu Baochai found it incredible. He not only felt that Daiyu's decision was quite deviant, but also felt that it was a bit desirable. At the same time, because of the yearning, he felt that it was deviant. He thought that Ruo Daiyu had won over these sisters because of this. , nothing more than a clever method.

They had talked about the wedding in the spring, but in fact, when Daiyu came over, she just informed Jia Mu and took Xichun away. Baochai was reluctant to leave, and she and Xifeng saw Daiyu off. Seeing this, Daiyu was polite. He said softly, "Sister Bao, when you have some free time, why don't you come and sit at my place."

Xifeng, however, had the intention of ridiculing Baochai and said with a smile, "If you have the intention, you should invite the two of us to go now. When are we not free?"

"You are free, but not everyone is free. You just can't get rid of this domineering attitude." Daiyu opened her mouth and was unforgiving. She and Xifeng became sisters-in-law, so there was no need to show mercy to her.

Xifeng also felt that Daiyu didn't hide her adultery and was willing to flatter her. Daiyu occasionally stabbed her lightly, but she was still very happy and said, "Yes, I am always free..."

"Stop talking. Since Sister Lin invited me, I'll just go. My head hurts when I listen to you arguing!" Baochai propped up his head and looked dizzy, "Anyway, I don't want to go there today." fine."

Xifeng smiled meaningfully, twisted her waist and went back. Baochai and Daiyu took a car together and went to Dongfu.

In the Ningxi Hall, Huaping and Zicuckoo were making a list of the palace's rewards. There were quite a lot of rewards. They hadn't finished moving them for a while. Daiyu passed by and saw a jade Ruyi, crystal clear, opposite the painting screen. He said, "Take this jade Ruyi out alone. In the future, the second sister's dowry will be carried with this inside. It is both beautiful and rich!"

Baochai looked on with cold eyes, seeing that these rewards were all made in-house, exquisite and gorgeous, and could not be obtained easily. The most rare thing was this holy grace. She sat down behind Ningxi Hall, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Thinking about myself, if she were to get married, her family would be able to raise a dowry of fifty or sixty thousand taels for her, but they would not have these things. Glory, when neighbors, relatives and friends saw it, they didn’t dare to look down upon it.

Baochai is the person in the original work who can write "Good wind often takes advantage of her to send me to the blue sky". She has always had lofty ambitions. People with this kind of mentality have strong vanity and always expect others to treat her. Take a high look.

In her own words, she was also naughty when she was a child.When I was seven or eight years old, I had enough personal troubles. My sisters and brothers were all in the same place, and they were afraid of reading serious books. Later, when I entered the Rongguo Mansion, why did I become a person who only did needlework and weaving?
There is really profound meaning in it.

Today, seeing Daiyu in Xifu, talking to the second wife every word, even the old lady had to give her some face, how could Baochai feel calm and calm?This was a girl who was younger than her. She already had the aura of a lady, and had the prestige of someone who could live in eight seats. How could she not be envious of her?
Originally, he planned to chat here for a while, but seeing that Daiyu was a little sleepy and Baochai himself was a little worried, he said goodbye and returned to Lixiangyuan from the back garden without thinking.

Ying'er followed her, and the master and servant entered the house. Ying'er looked around and said to Baochai, "Miss, I just heard that the palace gave another reward to Dongfu because of The Marquis won another victory in Liaodong. This time, he won a big victory. The Emperor was happy and rewarded them all in one breath. Do you think the Emperor will promote the title of Marquis again?"

Ying'er said to herself, "If he is promoted to a higher rank, he might be the Duke of the country. Is it possible that there will be another Duke of the country?"

The Marquis Mansion is already daunting enough. If I go to the Duke again, it will be really... Baochai felt a surge in his chest just thinking about it.

"The girl needs to make a decision early. I heard that the reason why the Marquis took the third girl to Liaodong this time was because the palace sent a princess to go with him..."

"How could this happen?" Baochai couldn't explain how she felt. If so, where would that leave Daiyu?She was really looking forward to it. She wanted to know whether Jia Cong would marry the princess or protect Daiyu?

Does Sister Lin know about this?
Not long after, Aunt Xue came back. Baochai knew that Aunt Xue had gone there. Mrs. Wang invited her to discuss Yuanchun with her. Baochai personally took the tea from the maid's hand, handed it to her mother, and asked, "Mom, what do you think about eldest sister?"

"It was your uncle's family who helped tell the Sun family about your eldest sister. Your aunt didn't agree. He already hates the Sun family deeply. Also, Brother Cong refused the marriage. How could he agree? But your uncle's family said , if this is the case, the Zhao family cannot agree. Firstly, the son of the Zhao family is already unbearable, and besides, it has something to do with the palace. Your aunt said that you should ask Brother Cong about this marriage, but your aunt refused. Let me see. I will definitely promise the Sun family."

Seeing Baochai deep in thought and silent, Aunt Xue felt very anxious and distressed when she thought about her daughter's lifelong events. Her eyes wet, "My son, they are all settled for good or bad, but you don't know where to go right now." A good thing to go?"

Baochai is now in a position where she is neither high nor low, but she is not young yet. She has long passed her hair age. A girl of this age is about to have a child. She doesn't even have anyone to discuss marriage with. How can she do that? Not urgent?
It just happened that they were staying with other people. They wanted to be a high-ranking family, but they had no connections. Even ordinary people would look down on them. If they were talking about someone with an inconspicuous family background, the Xue family would look down on them. After all, their ancestors were from Ziweishe, and they were rich and from Baochai. The quality is good, and Xue Pan wants to rely on him in the future, which is something that no general will be able to do.

Baochai felt a little sour in her heart. It was really hard to accept such words. How could she say that she was not in a hurry?I had to lower my head and say nothing.

Aunt Xue shed a few tears and talked to Baochai about Baoyu again, "I've thought about it too. I can't write two characters "Jia" in one stroke. Baoyu and Brother Cong are still brothers. In the future, you If I become a sister-in-law with Sister Lin and spend more time with her, besides, we are already familiar with Brother Cong, so if we ask for him, how can he not respond?"

For some reason, Baochai thought about marrying Jia Cong in the future and meeting Jia Cong. The sight of the two meeting in the study or in the back garden inevitably made her face heat up and her chest beat like a drum.

"Why do you have to go through such a big circle? In my opinion, it's better for my sister to just promise it to Brother Cong..."

Xue Pan didn't like to go out much since he recovered from his injury. He stayed at home. At this time, he heard his mother and sister discussing marriage and showed up with bad ideas. As he said this, he looked at his sister and saw that she didn't say anything. , even though he lowered his head, a blush appeared on his cheeks.

"What are you talking nonsense about? How can your sister be a concubine for others?" Aunt Xue scolded, and in her heart she complained about Daiyu. She was young and useless, but she still occupied such a position. If it weren't for her Taking advantage of the opportunity, he promised his own treasure hairpin to Brother Cong. Wouldn't everyone be happy today?
"What's the matter? I heard that the princess must be a concubine for Brother Cong. Otherwise, the palace will let the princess go to Liaodong with Brother Cong this time? Isn't it just that the princess is given to Brother Cong for free? Tsk tsk, so is Brother Cong. A capable person."

Baochai said, "How do you know that she is going to be a concubine? I have never seen a princess who is a concubine."

"Then I don't know. Anyway, the Lin family won't let their daughter become a concubine. I heard that Mr. Lin is a Tanhualang and a third-rank official. He came to Beijing from the south and his daughter is a Cong brother. If Brother Cong is asked to stop his wife and remarry his first wife, how can Brother Cong agree with his temper?"

"Why don't you say no? Although Miss Lin is good, is she better than another princess?" Aunt Xue felt more and more that Jia Cong was capable, and she felt even more pity for her daughter. If Jia Cong could stop his wife and remarry, she would be one of the 1 people who would be willing to marry him. The daughter married Jia Cong.

"I can't say that. What I said is what I heard from others. Their knowledge is much better than mine."

Baochai said calmly, "Being able to interact with you shows that my knowledge is not much better than yours."

Xue Pan sneered and said, "Good sister, you don't have to make trouble with me. I already knew what you were thinking. You are so preoccupied that you can't listen to me saying such things. You don't even think about it. Brother Cong had an affair with me earlier." That princess is from the same sect. If you marry that princess with peace of mind, you will not marry his current wife. If you let him stop his wife and marry again for you, that is absolutely impossible!"

Before he finished speaking, Baochai was stunned. He pulled Aunt Xue and cried, "Mom, listen, what did my brother say! What on earth am I thinking?"

When Xue Pan saw his sister crying, he knew that he had taken a risk. He had just thought about it in private based on his sister's reaction, but he was so quick that he actually said it out loud.

Baochai was full of grievance and anger, wondering what to do, and fearing that his mother would be upset, so he had to say goodbye to his mother in tears, and went back to his room and cried all night.

Ever since he heard about Qin Keqing's affairs, Baoyu had been thinking about it all night. That night, he didn't ask anyone to serve him, and he tossed and turned in bed alone. Early the next morning, Baoyu called Mingyan and asked him to go and find out. The young lady of Qin Ye's family, a repairman.

Mingyan came back soon after leaving. Baoyu was still waiting in the outer study, pretending to read. When I heard that he came back, he threw away his books and called Mingyan in to ask.

"As soon as I inquired about it, I found out. I heard that in addition to the young lady in the Qin family, there was also a young master named Qin Zhong, who was as old as the second master. It was said that the master of the family died in the past year and there was no time to hire a master. I have no choice but to review old lessons at home for the time being, and I am looking for an academy to study in. Our family has not opened an academy, so why not try to find ways to let the uncle Qin go to the academy. The second master also happens to be familiar with the uncle of the Qin family in the academy. Isn’t it a waste of time?”

Baoyu didn't want to hear anyone talk about going to the academy. He had already heard that if he didn't go to the academy, he would not be allowed to worship his ancestors in the future. For him, it was not a big deal if he didn't go to the academy.

"I asked you to find out what the girl from the Qin family looks like. Why are you asking about Qin Zhong or Han Zhong? What's the use of knowing this dirty thing?"

Mingyan knew Baoyu's temperament, and was not afraid when Baoyu was angry. She said with a playful smile, "I don't know, second master, but what a handsome man the uncle of the Qin family was. He is prettier than most girls' families in the world, and his behavior is gentle. He is In this case, how could his sister be sent away?
I have found out that the Miss Qin family is a person who is ashamed of Xizi and Wang Qiang. She is a young lady from a boudoir family. How can I meet her so easily?If I can see them all, it is obvious that they are not rare anymore. How can I make the second master rare? "

Sure enough, Baoyu felt ashamed and said, "I was confused. I thought that the immortal sister of Yaochi Buer and Zifu Wushuang is not just for ordinary people to see. It seems that the rumors are all true. It's a pity that I am As a man, I am not allowed to be born as a girl, and even if I want to interact with such magnificent immortals, I cannot, it is a pity, it is hateful!"

Mingyan said, "Second Master, please don't be upset. Why don't you excuse yourself to go to the academy? I will also think of a way to ask the Qin family to come to the Second Master. Since Dongfu has some connections with the Qin family over there, I think the Master should be If we can help, then the second master and the eldest son of the Qin family will meet in the academy. Since they are familiar with each other and keep going back and forth, there will always be a chance to meet the girl of the Qin family in the future. "

But Baoyu didn't want to go to the academy, so he waved his hand and said, "No, no! The academy is such a secular place, and I won't go there even if I die."

Mingyan smiled and said, "Second Master has never met Uncle Qin. If he had, he would be willing to let him wear a scarlet robe and sit in the government office, let alone go to the academy."

Hearing this, Baoyu became more and more interested in Mingyan and said, "Since you said it, how can you let me see him?"

"What's the problem? Second Master, just wait!"

Qin Zhong was just as Ming Yan had found out. After his master passed away, he had nowhere to study. Qin Ye was worried about his daughter's affairs. After talking about the engagement with Jia Zheng at the beginning of the year, half a year later, he could not even see Jia Cong. Difficult, where is the opportunity to talk about it.

Furthermore, Qin Ye also had some thoughts and hesitated, so he wasted his time unknowingly.

Qin Zhong went out to meet friends, and by chance he also heard about the Jia Academy. The mountain chief was famous for being strict and silent, and he often invited famous scholars from the south of the Yangtze River to give lectures. Censor Lin Hai also went to the academy many times to give lectures, and his writing style was as prosperous as that of Jiangnan Academy.

The most rare thing is that the academy's training is not expensive. If there are rewards for outstanding academic performance, Qin Zhong will inevitably be moved.

After dinner that day, Qin Ye made tea in the small courtyard and drank alone under the moon.

Qin Zhong boldly stepped forward and expressed the idea of ​​going to the Jia Family Academy to study. Qin Ye had always heard about the Jia Family Academy, but it was difficult to enter the academy, so he hesitated. Qin Zhong said, "My father and the second master of the Jia Family are close friends." He is a colleague, why not ask the second master to talk about it, if he can enter the academy, his son's studies will not be wasted, and he can be taught by a famous teacher, and if he can carry it with him, the material will definitely improve!"

Qin Ye couldn't help but nodded after hearing this.

There are many people in the world who are unwilling to bow their heads and ask for help for their own affairs, but for the sake of their children, they are willing to lose face and disregard their dignity.

(End of this chapter)