Red Mansion Huacai

Chapter 2 Entering Jia’s Mansion to See All Living Beings
The so-called Nuan Pavilion is a small room separated by a wooden fence in the hall in front of Neiyi Gate.There is a fire pit inside and a smoker cage for warmth.

When Li Weijian sat down with Li Wan across the kang table, he had already recounted what happened in a few words.He said it in an understatement, but Li Wan was frightened when he heard it.

So he said: "Brother Jian is really in danger. Fortunately, the soldiers from the Canal Inspection Department arrived in time. This is not the case. The thieves are red-eyed. I'm afraid-"

Li Weijian waved his hand and said with a smile: "Sister, you are serious. What the thieves want is money, and they are not willing to risk their lives."

Li Wan scolded a few more words, and the maid Suyun whispered a few words in his ear. Li Wan frowned and thought about it: "You must tell the master, the wife, and the old lady, and then tell the girl Feng." , brothers and sisters gather together in one place, and without supervision, they must be on guard against causing trouble."

Su Yun then said: "Following grandma's instructions, I'll go and let you know."

Suyun left in a hurry, and Biyue waited for the tea again. For a while, only Li Weijian and Li Wan were left in the Nuan Pavilion.

Li Wan then said: "I didn't expect Brother Jian to be so tall all of a sudden. He looks so different from me. Are my... parents okay?"

"Everything is fine," Li Weijian said: "My uncle is getting old after all. He caught a cold a few years ago and it took him half a month to recover. My aunt is in very good health, and she is neatly arranged inside and out. Brother Chong and Brother Ming are both fine. It’s just that the uncle is holding back and won’t let me go.”

Li Wan breathed a sigh of relief.She always exchanges letters with her family every year. She never reports good news but not bad news, for fear that her family will worry.The same goes for oneself and others, and the same goes for parents at home.After hearing what Li Weijian said, she felt relieved.

"Just be safe," Li Wan paused and was about to say more, but was interrupted by Li Weijian waving his hand.

"Sister, please stop talking, why do the Jia family treat eldest sister so harshly?"

Li Wan looked bitter, but forced a smile and said: "Brother Jian said this..."

Li Weijian felt that something was wrong since he entered the Jia family. Although the disciples were polite, they never invited Li Weijian to rest in the side room, let alone informed the male owners of each room in the Jia family, and asked the eldest sister Li Wan to personally welcome him out of the Neiyi gate.The simplicity inside is beyond words!
When the eldest sister saw him and said a few words, a look of embarrassment appeared on her face. Or maybe Suyun had the idea and led her to the banquet in the hall to talk. Where is the place for talking here?
After all, the eldest sister Li Wan is the legitimate grandson and daughter-in-law of the Jia family. She also has a great-great-grandson. There are only two maids around her. Li Weijian secretly thought that his disciples were treating him so lightly, and he was afraid that Li Wan would have a harder time in the Jia family. .

Li Wan's hands on the kang table slowly clenched and then relaxed, and he said with a smile: "Where is the harsh treatment? It's a coincidence that Mrs. Xue's family came to visit, and they were busy up and down. It's not that they meant to be treated lightly. Brother Jian."

Biyue came from the hall carrying tea and walked around the fence. When Li Weijian caught a glimpse of Li Wan, his smile suddenly disappeared and he returned to his previous haggard look. He already knew in his heart that Li Wan's life in Jia Mansion would be extremely difficult.

Biyue put the tea on the table, and Li Weijian warmed her hands and asked, "How are you doing in the past two years, eldest sister? Why don't you see sister Jinping?"

Jia Zhu passed away due to illness two years ago. The Jinping mentioned by Li Weijian was the eldest maid in Li Wan's boudoir. She followed Li Wan to marry into the Jia family and became a dowry maid.

"Everything is fine. The widow is unemployed and is just taking care of Langeer. This year, I got the old lady's order and often led the three sisters-in-law to recite needlework. As for Jinping-" Sadness flashed across Li Wan's face and he sighed: "- —I caught wind and cold last year, so I passed away."

Died after a cold spell?Jinping was healthier than his eldest sister, and he was not a weak and cheap brother-in-law, Jia Zhu. How could he die like this?I'm afraid there's something hidden in it.

Thinking of the eldest sister's current situation, I don't know whether the harsh treatment of the eldest sister comes from Jia Mu or Mrs. Wang.

It's a pity that in his last life, he only hung around in state-owned enterprises. In this Dream of Red Mansions, he only watched the TV series in full, and only paid attention to Chai Dai. How can he remember what Li Wan went through?
Seeing that he was thoughtful, Li Wan said: "Don't talk about me. I got a letter from home in autumn. My mother praised Brother Jian for being so good. She said that Brother Jian must be a seed for reading and he will succeed in one try. 13 Even my father can't compare to the [-]-year-old scholar." Her eyes shone brightly, and she said hopefully: "When I look back, Brother Jian will definitely help me take good care of Brother Lang. I can still take care of Brother Lang now. I'm taking care of him, but I don't have enough education, so I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of him in less than two years."

Li Weijian took a sip of tea and said in surprise: "Lan Ge'er is studying so early? He's only four years old... Big sister, don't push too hard. I'm afraid it will be detrimental to Lang Ge'er in the long run."

Li Wan agreed, but looked troubled.

The conversation changed and Li Wan asked: "Yes, I just wanted to ask. Brother Jian's hometown has been moved back to Jinling a long time ago. Why do you have to come to the capital for this provincial examination?"

"What I want to take the exam is practical knowledge. Don't you read newspapers, sister?" Li Weijian said with a smile.

Li Wan was startled when he heard this, and said angrily: "It's in the backyard of this deep house, and the newspaper is so messy, how can I read it several times?"

"Grandma!" Su Yun called out, opened the curtain and walked quickly from the back door of the hall, saying happily: "Thank you, sir, madam, old lady. I want to see brother Jian first. The old lady is tired now. He said that he would like to meet the master when he sees it."

Li Wan breathed a sigh of relief, stood up and pulled Li Weijian and said, "Brother Jian, follow me to see the master first."

eccentric.Jia Zheng and Jia Mu responded very normally, but Mrs. Wang didn't say a word. Could it be that Mrs. Wang was the one who treated her eldest sister harshly?
Li Weijian followed Li Wan out of Denuang Pavilion, came out from the back door of the hall, passed by Rongxi Hall, and headed towards Mengpo Zhai.

Li Wan gave some instructions on the way, and Li Weijian only agreed.Not long after they arrived at Mengpo Zhai, a young boy had already reported it, leading Li Wan and Li Weijian into Mengpo Zhai.

Inside, Jia Zheng was talking to Qing Ke. When he heard the footsteps, he immediately stopped to look at the general coming.

Li Wan hurriedly bowed down and said, "My daughter-in-law has met the master."

Li Weijian then bowed his hands and said, "Student Li Weijian has met Duke Cun Zhou."

On this occasion, those who claim to be 'students' must have entered school, or at least passed the child examination.

Jia Zheng naturally knew it, looked at Li Weijian and asked, "Oh, have you entered school?"

Li Wan said: "Sir, Brother Jian passed the college examination last year."

A smile appeared on Jia Zheng's face, and he waved his hands and said: "Sit down quickly, you will be afraid of future generations." After Li Wan and Li Weijian thanked them and sat down, he asked again: "Does Weijian have a nickname?"

"The student's cousin is resurrected."

Jia Zheng looked at the Qingke and said, "This resurrection... is not as good as Keqin, Keqin Keqin."

Keqin?Hacken Li?

Li Weijian was startled and said quickly: "Cun Zhou Gong, the abbreviation student was given by my uncle. Because the student was a wanderer in his early years, he later changed his mind and concentrated on studying, so this abbreviation was revived."

"I see." Jia Zheng stopped mentioning the cousin, and instead asked about Li Shouzhong's current situation, which made Li Weijian secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

After chatting for a long time, Jia Zheng sighed: "Li Jijiu resigned and returned to his hometown. It is quite comfortable to treat his grandchildren with sweet treats, but it is a pity."

Qing Ke coughed quickly, and Jia Zheng stopped talking and said, "Fu Sheng's entry into Beijing this time is——"

"Oh, the student came to Beijing this time for Qiu Wei."

"Qiu Wei... Practical learning?" Seeing Li Weijian nod in agreement, Jia Zheng's expression suddenly became colder, and he said: "Exotic and skillful skills are just a small way after all. How can they compare with the words of a saint and the small words of great justice?"

Li Weijian then smiled and said: "What Zhou Gong said is true, and my uncle also taught his students the same way. However, the students' academic skills are mediocre, and Jinling is a place where cultural backgrounds gather. If you take ordinary scientific examinations, you will probably waste your whole life."

Hearing these words, Jia Zheng's expression softened a bit, and he nodded and said: "That's the way to go. In this case, it's better to stay in the mansion after rebirth, so that you can study in the future and take the exam in autumn."

Li Weijian agreed. Jia Zheng was no longer interested in talking, so he waved his hand and asked Li Wan to take Li Weijian to see the old lady.

After leaving Mengpo Zhai, Li Weijian was secretly amused.This second master, Jia Zheng, was obviously a foreign minister of the Ministry of Industry. He had a strong disdain for practical learning and could only act like a Taoist scholar. However, he himself had never passed the boy's examination in the capital. This official was still pityed by the Supreme Emperor, so he allowed him to be his shadow. official.It really makes me laugh to death!

Turning around the Hall of Rongxi and seeing no one around, Li Wan glanced at Li Weijian and said, "Master... Brother Jian, don't worry about it."

Li Weijian just smiled and replied: "Don't worry, big sister."

The words were divided into two parts. First, Jia Zheng sent a message to persuade Aunt Xue to stay, and then the old lady sent a message to place Aunt Xue and her family in Lixiang Courtyard. Aunt Xue, who was originally talking to Mrs. Wang in the inner courtyard, moved to Lixiang accompanied by Mrs. Wang. In the courtyard, the two sisters are talking inside.

After talking about the family's troubles, Mrs. Wang suddenly said: "Looking at my sister's letter last year, it seems that she deliberately left the treasure girl to be chosen? There are intrigues and intrigues in the palace, which is not a good future. The eldest girl has been in the palace for so many years, and now, She is just a female historian. This money was poured into the palace like water. The eldest father had just met Eunuch Dai and sent another 2000 taels. He only said that he would take care of the eldest girl. Hey, I don’t know when he became the boss. "

Aunt Xue held Mrs. Wang's hand, with the same frown on her face, and said: "Young lady, after all, she has survived to be a female historian, and she can always see the Holy One. You never know when she will fall into His Majesty's eyes, so just relax, sister."

In my family, Bao Yatou said she was waiting for selection, but she was just saying it nicely.I, this time I am looking for my sister to avoid trouble. "

Mrs. Wang said in surprise: "What do you mean, sister?"

Aunt Xue lowered her voice and said: "It's not like Pan'er's disaster! He beat someone to death for a girl. Although the Feng Yuan who died was a dandy, the Feng family in Jinling was extravagant and sheltered. There was no need to worry about old friends and relatives. They were released to the magistrate. , there are those who serve as imperial envoys.

It's not my fault that I begged my brother, I'm afraid Pan'er won't be able to escape this time.The case was settled in the twelfth lunar month, and my brother sent me a letter, reprimanding me, and asking me to leave Jinling as soon as possible.Hey, I have completely lost all my dignity in the past. I don’t know how to see my brother in the future. "

Mrs. Wang sighed and said: "Amitabha, sister, don't think about it anymore. It's lucky that Pan'er is fine now."

"It can be said to be true," Aunt Xue continued: "So Bao Ya's selection is just an excuse, just to make it sound nice. The Xue family is not as good as the Jia family and the Wang family, and has no legs. Even if Bao Ya is sent to the palace, it will not I'm just a palace maid, how can I get such talent and good deeds from a family like mine? Hey, let's give it a try."

The two sisters sighed for a long time, and suddenly a greeting came from outside, but it was Xue Baochai who was back.

It turned out that Xue Baochai had been talking to Baoyu, Sanchun and Daiyu for a long time. Although Baochai talked and smiled brightly, Tanchun saw that Baochai was a little tired, so he suggested that they break up and let Baochai go to Lixiangyuan to rest.

Baochai came in to greet her mother and Mrs. Wang, turned around and walked out of the yard, ordering the maids and servants to gather the boxes and cages.

Aunt Xue and Mrs. Wang didn't want the younger generation to know such private matters, so they turned to talk about the Wang family, but their voices were lowered a bit.

Baochai had just ordered his servants to move the last box and cage into the side room when he heard Xue Pan shouting from a distance: "Sister, guess who I was looking at just now?"

Xue Pan was about to come in with great strides. Baochai hurriedly stepped forward to stop him and told him, "Brother, keep your voice down. Mom is talking to my aunt right now."

Xue Panhun said nonchalantly: "Auntie is not an outsider, and she won't find fault with me." Without waiting for Baochai to say anything else, he hurriedly said: "Sister, my brother has just found the righteous man!"

"Righteous soldier? Where is he?"

"In the mansion, I watched that man follow Sister-in-law Zhu to the living room in the hall to talk."

Xue Pan had never met Li Wan, so it was naturally his fellow traveler Jia Lian who revealed his identity.

Xue Baochai's heart trembled slightly, and when he caught a glimpse and never saw each other again in the future, he unexpectedly found that man also came to Jia's house.

"Why are you so stunned, sister? Come with me and have a look, and thank that righteous man."

Xue Pan was reckless and wanted to leave after grabbing Baochai.Baochai stopped him quickly: "Brother, don't worry." She was considerate and said in a moment of thought: "Now that there is a new arrival in my family, it has caused chaos inside and outside, and since that... that righteous man has been found, Sister-in-law Zhu, I think she has something to do. Why don't you wait until later to find Sister-in-law Zhu and ask her about the identity and location of the martyr, and then my brother will pay his respects at the door."

Xue Pan thought it was reasonable, so he left Baochai and went inside to report to Aunt Xue, but let's not mention it.

Honor Hall.

Baoyu, Sanchun, Daiyu and Baochai parted ways. As Aunt Xue arrived today, the girls did not need to recite acupuncture, so they all went to the old lady's place to play mischief.

As soon as the younger ones arrived, Wang Xifeng, who got the news about Li Wan, followed them.

Baoyu came over and sat on the soft couch with Jia Mu. Sanchun spoke to each other and praised Baochai, saying that it only exists in heaven but not on earth. Baoyu also praised Baochai a few times.Daiyu was the only one who looked gloomy. Mother Jia looked at her, waving her hands and asking with concern: "Why is Yu'er silent? But she's not feeling comfortable?"

Daiyu got up and walked over. She was hugged by Jia Mu and sat on the other side of the soft cave. She said, "I may have seen too much wind today and my throat is a little itchy."

Where does her throat feel itchy?It's just that I feel uncomfortable.

Jia Mu was startled and said, "You can't be careless. Ask someone to make some ginger soup."

"Grandma, I'm fine now."

Jia Mu then said, "Is it really okay? You are a weak child, so you don't dare to be careless."

Daiyu felt a little concerned about Jia Mu's concern. When she caught a glimpse of Baoyu lying crooked in Jia Mu's arms, she gouged it out and looked at Baoyu inexplicably.

Wang Xifeng on the side told Ping'er to make ginger soup, turned around and said with a smile: "It snowed yesterday. As the old saying goes, the snow will not be cold until the snow melts. Sister Lin thought she was freezing just now. I asked Ping'er to have more Make some ginger soup, and Baoyu, Sister Lin and the other sisters will all drink some to warm themselves up."

Jia Mu praised: "Feng girl is very thoughtful."

At this time, the maid Yuanyang came in and reported: "Old lady, Grandma Zhu led people to meet the master, and he is coming this way right now."

Knowing that Li Wan had come with his cousin, Baoyu was thinking about Sister Bao whom he had just met, so how could he care about Lao Shizi Zhuowu?
Seeing his trance, Jia Mu thought he didn't know what was going on, so she smiled and said, "He is my sister-in-law's cousin, so he is not considered an outsider."

Tanchun, who was sitting below, said, "It's rare to say that it's very rare to see people coming to Sister-in-law Zhu's house."

Not two years after Li Wan and Jia Zhu got married, his father, Li Shouzhong, who was serving as a minister of the Imperial Academy, resigned and returned to his hometown. Naturally, the two families had less contact.Last time Jia Zhu passed away, Li Shouzhong sent his son Li Xinchong to express his condolences.

Before Wang Xifeng opened his mouth, others laughed and said, "Brother Jian, I have heard from Sister-in-law Zhu that he is really a strange person."

Baoyu became slightly interested: "Sister-in-law Feng, what's so strange about this?"

"Girl Feng, tell me quickly."

Wang Xifeng said: "Brother Jian was caught up in the epidemic in Beijing when he was just a few years old. He lost his parents at a young age."

When Jia Mu heard this, she was immediately frightened and said: "That epidemic is really scary to death."

There was a great epidemic in Beijing that year, and [-] out of [-] people died from the epidemic. Jia Mu's nephew Shi Nai and his wife both passed away, leaving only a grandniece, Shi Xiangyun, to be raised at Shi Nai's knees.

"It can be said that Brother Jian lost his parents, so he was taken home by Sister-in-law Zhu's father, Li Jijiu, and he followed Li Jijiu back to Jinling.

Brother Jian is not a worry-free person. Somehow a few years ago, he suddenly became obsessed with Taoism. He went to Maoshan to study for two years, but Li Jiu was so angry that he half died.

He turned around and lost interest again, so he ran back and closed the door and studied hard for a while. Last year, he passed the county and government examinations and was selected as a scholar again!
Hey, my ancestors said it was strange? "

Maybe he thought of Jia Jing in Dongfu. Jia's mother said angrily: "Amitabha, why bother to cultivate the Tao at such a young age? Fortunately, I found my way back, so it's not a delay."

The door curtain rang, and the maid Yuanyang came to greet her. She turned around and said, "Old lady, Grandma Zhu and Brother Jian are here."

"Bring it here quickly."

After Jia Mu finished speaking, she saw Li Wan and a young man turning around the screen. The young man was tall and straight, almost like Li Wan. His nose was high and his eyes were bright. His movements were restrained yet high-spirited.

Jia Mu smiled and nodded repeatedly, thinking, what a young man from Zhilan Yushu!

(End of this chapter)