Red Mansion Huacai

Chapter 165

On the fifth day of the lunar month, Jia Jing was born.

Jia Zhen first packed sixteen large boxes of fine food and rare fruits, and sent Jia Rong to lead his servants to Xuanzhen Temple outside the city.

After midnight, people gradually came. First, Jia Qiang came to help out, followed by Jia Lian and Li Weijian.

Jia Lian and Li Weijian looked at the seats everywhere. Jia Lian closed the folding fan and asked, "Is there anything you can do?"

The servant who led the way said: "Our master originally planned to invite the master to come home today, so he did not dare to prepare anything naughty. The day before yesterday, I heard that the master was not coming again, so he asked the servants to find a group of small actors and play ten in a row. Everyone is preparing on the stage in the garden."

Li Weijian asked again: "Why don't you see Brother Rong?"

The servant said: "My uncle has gone to Xuanzhen Temple to deliver food. He will be back around noon."

Jia Lian then smiled and said, "Brother Jian, the banquet will take place around noon. Why don't we go for a walk in the garden first?"

Li Weijian had Qingwen and Xiangling by his side this time. Hearing that the words were exactly what he wanted, he agreed with a smile. The two of them had just entered Huifang Garden, and there was an endless stream of people coming to the door.

First, Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang, Sister Feng, and Baoyu came together, followed by Jia She and Jia Zheng.

There was a lot of fuss and gossip in the front, and some gossip. Sister Feng had the best relationship with Qin Keqing, so she asked about Qin Keqing's symptoms. Seeing that You couldn't explain clearly, he simply went to Qin Keqing's room to ask.

Sister Feng and Qin Keqing are about the same age. In terms of seniority, they are two mothers, but in fact they are close friends. When the two met, they had endless things to say. Na Baoyu was thinking about a spring dream she had at the beginning of the year, and finally followed Sister Feng into Qin Keqing's room.

When he heard that Qin Keqing mentioned his fate many times, he burst into tears. This made Sister Feng blame her a lot.

It's okay if the patient can't think about it, why are you just following along to cause trouble? Because of this, Baoyu was driven out.

The female family members were reunited at the front, and You's mother, Mrs. You, was also there, so You introduced the two ladies to meet them. When asked about the old lady, Sister Feng was leading Baoyu around at this moment and said with a smile: "But the old lady said she would come yesterday because she was greedy after watching Brother Bao and the others eat peaches at night. I ate more than half of it. At the fifth watch, I got up twice in a row. I felt a little tired this morning. Because I was asked to go back to my uncle, I couldn’t come today. I asked him if he wanted something delicious. Even worse."

While chatting and laughing, Mrs. You asked Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang whether they should have snacks first and then go to the theater, or whether they should go straight to the garden to eat and watch. Mrs. Xing then finished her snacks first.

The acquaintances here talked endlessly, Mrs. You was smiling but couldn't get a word in. After some thought, I simply moved to the back room.

Inside, there is a pair of side-by-side lotuses, which are a little better in color than Youshi's. These two girls are none other than Second Sister You and Third Sister You.

You Lao Niang's three daughters were brought by You's husband's family. The second sister You and the third sister You later changed their surname to You. On that day, You married Jia Zhen for a second marriage, which almost wiped out You's wife's family fortune. Because during the holidays these years, You's mother always brought two girls to visit her to enjoy the autumn breeze.

Madam You raised her eyes and saw her two daughters eating snacks, so she came over and frowned, "Why are you still eating?"

Then Third Sister You said: "If we can't eat at home, why don't we eat more?"

Mrs. You lowered her voice and said, "All the men of the Jia family have gone to the garden now, and Li Caishen is also here. It's probably just a chance for you sisters to go for a walk in the garden."

Second Sister You and Third Sister You are now fourteen and twelve, and they are in their prime years. Because of the You family, Mrs. You planned to get closer to the Jia family. If he is lucky enough to get the chance, maybe Li Caishen will become his son-in-law, and he will have to worry about money from now on? (Note [-])

Madam You was rattling her abacus, Second Sister You was silent, but Third Sister You sneered: "I heard from the eldest sister that Li Caishen is only fourteen or fifteen years old, so he probably doesn't know anything about people. We sisters Come closer, just because I’m afraid he doesn’t know his interest.”

"Stop being so noisy, I won't care about you if you don't go!"

"Just go!" Sanjie You snorted softly, took the second sister's hand and walked out.

The two girls were like lotuses side by side. They walked along the path outside the room and entered Huifang Garden in a short while.

At this moment, opera singing had already begun on the stage behind Tianxiang Tower. Li Weijian and Jia Lian sat there for a while before feeling bored. This Kunqu Opera is so sweet and elegant that I really feel impatient to listen to it.

He took a sneak peek and saw Xiang Ling staring at the stage obsessively, while Qingwen's eyes wandered around, apparently a little impatient.

Because it was Li Weijian, he apologized, stood up and ordered Qingwen. He only said that he was going to change clothes, but in fact he led Qingwen to wander in the garden.

Perhaps she had broadened her horizons in Yuyuan, so Qingwen felt a little bored when she looked around. Said: "Fourth Master, it looks really inferior to Yuyuan."

Li Weijian smiled and said: "Can this be the same? The land price in the inner city is much more expensive than that in Xiangshan. This Fangyuan is about the same size as Yuyuan, so the cost of disposal is at least three to five Yuyuan."

Qingwen didn't care about this and just said: "Fourth Master, why didn't you just ask Xiang Ling to come with you?"

"I saw that she was fascinated by the show, so I simply didn't call her."

Qingwen raised her head and raised her little face to glance at Li Weijian, then she lowered her head and pursed her lips in amusement. I thought in my heart that the fourth master must want to go shopping with me, so he didn't call Xiang Ling.

After walking side by side for a while, Qingwen suddenly looked around and saw no one around her, so she quietly reached out her hand and first pulled Li Weijian's sleeve. Li Weijian glanced down and saw red clouds rising on Qingwen's bright and beautiful face, and his heart suddenly moved.

It is the age of cardamom, the age when love begins. Qingwen is a strong-willed person who doesn't want to be inferior to others. She probably fantasizes about holding hands with her like this, right?

So he stretched out his hand and held it with the shiny little hand. Qingwen pursed her lips and smiled, then pointed forward and said: "Fourth Master, there are many flowers over there, let's go over and have a look."

The two walked confidently, their hands always held together. Li Weijian felt secretly happy, as if he had regained a bit of the feeling of campus love.

Just when I arrived in front of the flowers, I suddenly saw two figures, one red and one green, coming down from the pavilion next to the mountain. When Qingwen saw someone coming, she quickly let go of her hands, while she squatted down and carefully played with some flowers.

Li Weijian only knew that the two were maids from Ningguo Mansion. He only glanced at them and then lowered his head to talk to Qingwen. After a while, the red and green people came closer. Li Weijian took a look and saw that her clothes did not look like the maids in the Ningguo Mansion. He felt a little puzzled and wondered whose female family this was?

What's even more weird is that when they saw the male guest, the two girls didn't dodge. Instead, they gathered together and whispered for a moment, and then walked straight towards this direction.

Li Weijian frowned secretly, feeling unhappy. At this time, the atmosphere in the North is such that any girl who is somewhat serious will stay away from such a situation. It's extremely rare to bump into someone like this, either out of necessity or... they're just of bad nature.

Li Weijian had no history with these two people, so he expected it to be the latter. Qingwen also caught a glimpse of it, and immediately frowned and whispered: "Whose family does this belong to? Why are you still here?"

While they were talking, the two women arrived in front of them and stopped as expected. The woman in green covered half of her face with a fan, and only glanced at Li Weijian. However, the woman in red chuckled and said, "This brother is unfamiliar to me. Whose brother are you from?"

Qingwen stood up angrily: "Who are you?"

The one in red smiled and said: "Mrs. Ning Guofu is our eldest sister, this is the second sister, and I am the third sister. Who is my brother?"

Qingwen looked unkind and said, "This is my Fourth Master Jian."

"Yeah!" Third sister You glanced at Li Weijian and hurriedly said a few words to the second sister, who suddenly turned red with embarrassment. The third sister then smiled and said, "It's Li Caishen who dares to love. People say that Li Caishen made a lot of money in just a few months. I don't know if it's true or not."

Li Weijian looked at the old well and said: "It's fake, it's just spreading rumors."

The third sister added: "I'm really grateful to you. My house had running water installed last month, and now I save a lot on water than usual."

Li Weijian said: "It will not violate my original intention to make things convenient for the people. You two, I have been out for a long time, so I have to go back to the table and say goodbye. Qingwen, let's go."

"Eh? Eh?" No matter how Sanjie You greeted her, Li Weijian ignored her and just led Qingwen away in a hurry.

The third sister said angrily: "It doesn't look like he's older than us, but he turns out to be so old-fashioned and boring."

The second sister looked at the retreating figure and whispered: "He has done great things, so he should act more calmly."

The third sister said teasingly: "Since sister likes this, then I won't argue. I don't like such old-fashioned people."

Second Sister You's eyes were gleaming. Although she had no words, she was extremely moved.

............................................................

The ground is covered with yellow flowers and white willow trees line the slopes. A small bridge leads to Ruoye Creek, and a winding path connects to the rooftop road. The clear stream among the rocks is turbulent, the fence leaves are fragrant; the red leaves are fluttering on the treetops, and the sparse forest is picturesque.

The west wind suddenly tightens, and the orioles sing for the first time; when the warm sun shines, the murmurs of crickets are added. Looking to the southeast, there are several pavilions built near the mountains; looking to the northwest, there are three pavilions facing the water. The sound of the reed fills the ears. There is a special feeling; Luo Qi passes through the forest, adding to the charm.

But he said that Sister Feng was looking at the scenery in the garden by herself, walking to admire it step by step.

Suddenly a person walked from behind the rockery and said to Sister Feng, "Sister-in-law, please greet me."

Sister Feng suddenly saw her, looked back and said, "Isn't this Uncle Rui?"

Jia Rui said: "Sister-in-law, you don't even recognize me? Who am I?"

Sister Feng said: "It's not that I don't recognize him. When I saw him suddenly, I didn't expect it was the uncle coming here."

Jia Rui said: "It's fitting that my sister-in-law and I are destined. I just stole out of the banquet and took a walk in this quiet place. Unexpectedly, I met my sister-in-law who also came from here. Isn't this destined?" As he said this, he raised his eyes. He could not help but look at Sister Feng.

Sister Feng is a smart person. Seeing his situation, how could she not figure it out?

Yinxiang Jia Rui said with a fake smile: "I can't blame your brother for always mentioning you and saying that you are very good. I met you today and after hearing these few words from you, I know that you are a smart and kind person. I am going to arrive now. Ladies, I'm not allowed to talk to you when I go there. Let's talk later when we're free."

Jia Rui said: "I want to go to my sister-in-law's house to pay my respects, but I'm afraid my sister-in-law is young and won't want to see people easily."

Sister Feng said with a fake smile: "We are all of the same family, how can we say we are young or not!"

After Jia Rui heard this, he no longer thought about this unexpected encounter today, and his expression became more and more ugly.

Sister Feng said: "Go and sit down at the table. Be careful and they will make you drink!"

After Jia Rui heard this, half of his body was numb. He walked slowly and looked back.

Sister Feng deliberately delayed her steps. When she saw that he was far away, she thought to herself: "This is 'knowing people, knowing faces but not knowing their hearts'. How can there be such a beast? If he is like this, when will he scream?" Only after he died in my hands did he know my methods!"

Sister Feng's face was pink and frosty. She had just turned around a hillside and happened to bump into Li Weijian who was leading Qingwen.

"Brother Jian?"

"Second sister-in-law?" Li Weijian stopped, with a smile on his face, and bowed his hands. Seeing Wang Xifeng's worried expression, he immediately asked, "What's wrong with my second sister-in-law?"

Wang Xifeng was just angry at the moment. Thinking of Li Weijian's heartfelt words earlier, she suddenly got a little closer. Seeing that his eyes were clear and not showing any trace of lust, he immediately scolded Jia Rui to death.

Because he said casually: "Stop talking, just go to the garden and bump into a beast!"

Li Weijian stopped laughing and asked, "But someone bumped into the second sister-in-law?"

Wang Xifeng immediately explained briefly what Jia Rui had done just now, which made Li Weijian frown.

The North is not as open as the South. At this time, the reputation of a married woman is more important than anything else. Jia Rui really doesn’t know how to live or die! This guy should be tricked to death by Wang Xifeng!

Apart from other things, if a few words leaked out today, Jia Rui might not have anyone to say anything, but Wang Xifeng was speechless. There is no such thing as women's rights at this time. If a man and a woman hook up and commit adultery, the woman must be in the wrong first, and then the man.

At this time, Jia Rui came to chat with Wang Xifeng. When word spread, outsiders first thought that flies would not bite the eggs, so how could Wang Xifeng argue?

If Mrs. Wang finds out, she will definitely take advantage of Wang Xifeng. If Mrs. Xing finds out, I'm afraid there will be uproar in the city.

Li Weijian will leave in a while. He has just made friends with Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian before leaving. How can he allow outsiders to destroy him now?

Because he suddenly felt the same hatred as the enemy, he said: "Second sister-in-law, don't be upset. I will find a chance to teach Jia Rui a lesson."

Wang Xifeng accepted him immediately when she saw him, and felt very at ease, so she said: "Brother Jian just needs to teach him a lesson. As long as he gives up his mind, don't talk nonsense."

Li Weijian said: "Second sister-in-law Renyi, if it were me, I would have to kill that Jia Rui."

Wang Xifeng said angrily: "After all, we can't cause a life-threatening lawsuit. No matter what, Jia Rui can be considered a descendant of the Jia family."

Li Weijian said: "Second sister-in-law, don't worry, I will make arrangements right away. Second sister-in-law will be able to relieve her anger by tomorrow at the latest."

Wang Xifeng breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "Then I can count on Brother Jian."

　According to calculations in the Red Mansion Yearbook, when Jia Lian secretly married Second Sister You, Second Sister You was 19. Looking back, she was 13 or 4 years old at this time, not much different from Baochai.

　　

　

(End of this chapter)