Red Mansion Huacai

Chapter 8 The whole story of Biyue Daoming is precious and precious.
In the hall, Qingwen and Hongyu served fragrant tea, Li Weijian teased and asked some questions, and Jia Lan answered them one by one with a stern face.

Li Weijian thought in his heart that Jia Lan was only four or five years old and was as rigid as an old scholar. This showed that his eldest sister Li Wan was pushing her too much.

He complimented her against his will, and Li Wan smiled and asked his mother-in-law to carry Jia Lan down to play with him.

Li Weijian took a sip of the tea and said, "Why did eldest sister come so early?"

Li Wan said: "You have been selected as a scholar. Now that you have come to the capital, you have to make some friends. I have nothing to do with you. If you come earlier, you won't delay your business."

With that said, he waved to Biyue who was holding the brocade box: "Come."

Biyue stepped forward and placed the brocade box in front of Li Weijian.

"This is -" Li Weijian opened the box and saw the neatly arranged silver barley inside. After a rough scan, he found that there were at least 200 taels in total: "Big sister?"

Li Wan waved his hands and said with a smile: "We have to make friends and travel around, where is the money we are short of? You can keep these 200 taels first. If they are gone, come to me to spend them." Seeing Li Weijian frowning, she said again: " Brother Jian, don't worry, I'm not short of money now. Since my brother-in-law left, the government allocated some farms to me, and the old lady also set a monthly salary of 20 taels. After this year, excluding the expenses, I can always save four , 500 taels.”

Li Weijian frowned and nodded slowly.This kind of friendship weighs heavily on my heart, and I just want to repay it later.

When he saw his mother-in-law hugging Jia Lan and going to Nuange with Suyun, he ordered Hongyu to take care of her, leaving only Biyue and Qingwen to serve.Then he whispered: "Eldest sister, sister Jinping——"

Li Wan's expression changed and he remained silent.But Biyue couldn't help but said: "Fourth Master, you know the temperament of Grandma. Since she got married, she has indulged Uncle Zhu in everything. There is no one in this house. Which man is not greedy for sex?
When the eldest grandma got pregnant, Uncle Zhu took in several aunts one after another.Uncle Zhu’s body bones are already weak, and he is so tormented...if he catches the wind and cold in the winter months, he--"

Li Wan's eyes were red and he sighed again and again.

Biyue added: "As soon as Uncle Zhu left, my wife blamed the eldest grandma for allowing Uncle Zhu to fool around. The aunts and aunts in the house were also embarrassed. They were either sent to Zhuangzi or sold to outsiders. Sister Jinping After holding on for a year, my wife found a wrong place and kicked her out. She couldn't think of it anymore, so she threw herself into a well." (Note [-])

"Stop talking!" Li Wan said sternly in a low voice.

Biyue also had red circles in her eyes and said: "Before, we were far away, and grandma wouldn't let me talk. Now that Fourth Master is here, grandma won't let me talk, and Fourth Master can also find out."

Li Weijian's hands under the desk slowly clenched and then relaxed.No wonder the eldest sister is like a dead tree. She has been subjected to Mrs. Wang's cold violence and mental oppression for a long time. Li Wan is a soft and good-natured person, so he can only bear it silently. If there is Jia Lan to count on, I am afraid that Li Wan will collapse long ago. Got it!
The anger rises and then suppresses, don't worry, now that you are here, you just need to weave your wings, and you will be able to hold up a sky for Li Wan.

He said in a deep voice: "Eldest sister should have told you earlier. Now that I know about it, I will make some plans for eldest sister. Please be at ease, eldest sister."

Li Wan wiped his tears with a handkerchief and said with a smile: "I don't care about anything now. I only worry about Brother Lan. How can I use you to plan?"

Li Weijian smiled and said, "Sister, just wait."

After chatting for a while, his sadness subsided, Li Weijian asked about Li Wan's daily food.Li Wan responded casually, "It's all good," but Bi Yue beside him hesitated to speak.

Li Weijian's mind turned around and he knew it without asking.Now the head of the Jia family is Wang Xifeng. Although he will not deprive himself of food on the surface, there are many destructive ways behind the scenes. Li Wan will definitely be embarrassed by the kitchen.

He said: "That ignorant villain in the kitchen is used to flattering others and putting others down. Big sister, don't get angry with them. They are always greedy for money. If big sister wants to eat, it's better to send the maid to pay for the money."

"No!" Li Wan said: "If this leader is established, those women will get benefits, and I'm afraid they will become more and more manipulative!"

Li Weijian smiled and said: "It's up to you, what does it have to do with eldest sister? If eldest sister is short of money, I will make a mountain of gold in the future for eldest sister to spend."

Li Wan was worried in his heart and said angrily: "It's nonsense again. Since you have been selected as a scholar, you should always focus on your official career. Don't you hear that 'there is a house of gold in the book'? It's not easy to distract yourself from learning those economic methods." ”

Li Weijian nodded: "Eldest sister is right."

There is a house of gold in the book, and knowledge is money.His messy skills would have been completely useless in another year, but now it was just right, and it would be difficult not to make a fortune.

Li Weijian thought of the scene at yesterday's dinner and said, "Yesterday I happened to meet Brother Rong and Brother Rong's daughter-in-law from Dongfu. Sister, which family does Brother Rong's daughter-in-law come from?"

Li Wan's expression changed again, and he said solemnly: "Brother Jian, don't mess with Brother Rong's daughter-in-law."

"You said this, I just asked casually, why did it involve provoking?"

Li Wan glanced at Li Weijian suspiciously and saw that he did not seem to be obsessed with Qin Keqing's beauty. Li Wan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "The maiden name of Brother Rong's daughter-in-law is Qin, and her father is a maintenance man from the Ministry of Industry. I heard that Brother Rong's daughter-in-law is a maintenance man from the Ministry of Industry." Her father had adopted her from the health care hall since she was a child. The eldest master of Dongfu made the arrangements for the marriage when he was not a monk.

But... I'm afraid that Mr. Qin has a great background.The food and supplies in her room are more exquisite than those of the old lady.Brother Zhen and Brother Rong are completely obedient to the Qin family, and Kun Dao from Yuanling Palace often comes to visit..."

Li Weijian revealed that the Yuanling Palace was built under the order of Emperor Zhaowu. After its completion, every year on the [-]th day of the first lunar month, the [-]th day of the seventh lunar month, and the [-]th day of the [-]th lunar month, three generations of Dashun emperors would come here to set up a monastery to pray for disasters and blessings.

Kun Dao of the Royal Taoist Palace has close ties with the Dongfu. I am afraid that Qin Keqing's true origin is closely related to the clan.

After finishing the cup of tea, Li Wan stood up and said, "It's getting late, and I have to take care of my three sisters-in-law. If Brother Jian has anything to do, just send the maid to look for me."

"Okay, I'll see my eldest sister off." Li Weijian stood up and suddenly slapped his forehead: "Hey... I almost forgot."

Li Wan stopped and saw Li Weijian walking quickly into the study and took back a set of four treasures of the study.The inkstone is just ordinary, with playful birds and beasts carved on it, which seems to suit Lange's heart; the pen is a lake brush, and the ink is Hui ink engraved with the ten sceneries of the West Lake.

The so-called one tael of Hui ink and one tael of gold, this set of Hui ink alone is worth more than a hundred taels of silver.

Li Wan was knowledgeable. He only glanced at it and said angrily: "How can he, a child, need such a precious object?"

Li Weijian said with a smile: "Just for good luck, I wish Lange'er to win the title of Toad Palace."

Li Wan complained a few more times, finally accepted the Four Treasures of the Study, took Lan Geer to thank him, and then left.

Li Weijian sent her out of the gate. When he returned, he greeted Xiu Ying directly and said, "Go and tell your brother that I'm going out."

Xiu Ying responded and ran out, but Qingwen said: "Fourth Master, at least you should have breakfast before leaving."

"Ah?" Li Weijian was a little surprised and thought to himself, haven't you had breakfast?
After asking Qingwen, he found out that the meal that Ganqing ate when he got up early was breakfast, and now it's breakfast that's serious.This Jia family has two meals at three o'clock, divided into breakfast, breakfast, lunch, dinner and dinner. It pays attention to eating small meals and frequent meals.

Chen Zheng had just eaten, and had eaten a lot. Now that he was just starting out, how could he still have the appetite to eat again? (Note [-])

Li Weijian just said he wouldn't eat, returned to the study to get the greeting card, changed into a lake blue shirt, and then Shi Shiran went outside the Yimen.

Together with Wu Haiping, who was dissatisfied and dissatisfied, the steward's disciples eagerly welcomed the general: "Fourth Master Jian, the carriage is ready."

Li Weijian thought to himself, why is this sect so eager today?Maybe it was because he got some compliments from the old lady when he met Jia Mu?
Putting aside the doubts in his mind, he said: "I heard that the inner city is narrow and it may be inconvenient for carriages and horses. Are there any horses?"

"Yes, yes, yes." The doorman immediately greeted a young boy: "Hurry and bring two horses for Fourth Master Jian."

The boy agreed and soon brought two horses, one white and one black.The black one is just ordinary, while the white one is more than four feet tall at the shoulders and extremely handsome.The man smiled apologetically and said, "So that Fourth Master Jian will know that this lion jade horse was a gift from King Beijing when Mr. Zheng celebrated his fortieth birthday. I heard that it is a famous horse in Dawan, and it has a very docile temperament."

Li Weijian couldn't help but praise "good", took the lion jade and caressed the horse's head a few times, turned his head and raised his chin at Wu Haiping.

Wu Haiping blinked and suddenly cursed in his heart. He reluctantly found dozens of copper coins in his sleeve pocket and handed them to the man angrily.

The disciple laughed so hard that he lost his eyes, bowed and said, "Oh, that's what I said, thank you Fourth Master Jian for the reward!"

Li Weijian said: "I will serve you well in the future and I will never be short of you."

Menzi immediately promised: "Don't worry, Fourth Master Jian. You will be traveling in the future. If anything goes wrong, just look for fault with me."

"Haha, then I believe it."

Li Weijian led the lion jade out of Jia's mansion, couldn't wait to get on his horse, and galloped for a while, then slowed down after leaving Ningrong Street.

Wu Haiping rode up on a black horse and chased the general. He said with a nose instead of a nose and eyes instead of eyes: "Young Master Li is so generous. You give out rewards at every turn. But can you pay for the reward yourself next time?"

Li Weijian said leisurely: "Look at me, sir. Do I have room to put coins on my body?"

"If you don't want money, you can't keep asking me to pay, right?"

"We'll settle the accounts together later and just provide you with supplies. Besides, sir, have I ever treated you badly? It's twenty taels of silver per month, and that's not counting the wages the pawnshop gives you, so you can just have fun secretly."

"Tsk, two taels of silver sounds nice, but where's the money?" Wu Haiping said angrily: "I have been following you for half a year, but I haven't seen a penny of silver. But for the 3000 taels of silver, I advise you to make plans early. I If it were you, you wouldn’t be able to eat it long ago.”

"Why are you anxious?" Li Weijian said nonchalantly: "Master, I have a clever plan. Besides, the master is always the one who owes money."

"You owe me money and you've become an uncle?"

Li Weijian glanced at him: "No sir, can the pawnshop send you brothers and sisters to work for me?"

"You——" Wu Haiping was suddenly at a loss for words.Thinking about it carefully, it seems so.If someone wanted to murder Li Weijian right now, I'm afraid he would have to fight that person first.

Li Weijian, who was riding on horseback, sent Wu Haiping to ask for directions. He made some calculations in his mind and decided to go to the residence of Yan Xiyao, the Minister of Punishment, to deliver the greeting card first.

When visiting an official at this time, you must first send a greeting card, write down your birth name, wait for the official to send someone to inform you of the meeting time, and wait until the appointed day before visiting with gifts.

The capital of Dashun is divided into three levels: the imperial city, the inner city, and the outer city.Most of the people who live in the inner city are dignitaries. Ningrong Street, where Jia's mansion is located, is on the west side of the inner city, while Yan Xiyao's residence is on the east side of the inner city, Tie Shizi Hutong.

The two rode horses around the Imperial City, turned back north and passed the Dongsi Archway. After walking for a while, they arrived at Iron Lion Alley.

Li Weijian glanced at the alley, but saw carriages, horses, and sedans squeezing around each other. He was immediately glad that he had come on horseback, otherwise he would not have known how long he would have waited at the entrance of the alley.

When they arrived at the gate of Yan's Mansion, the two dismounted and found a hitching post to tie them up. Li Weijian led Wu Haiping in front of Guangliang's gate and watched an official in green robe negotiate with the gate.

"... I looked for a good calligraphy and painting, but I spent 800 taels on it from Wangji's calligraphy and painting shop near the Fire Temple in the outer city. I wonder when I will get Shao Si Kou to take the time to appreciate it?" (Note [-])

Namenzi said: "I will take a rest tomorrow. It is a good time for Zhang to come in the afternoon." (Note [-])

The official responded without hesitation and left with a smile.

Li Weijian stepped forward, took out Lin Ruhai's letter and his own greeting card and handed them over. There was a gold leaf hidden under the greeting card.

"Student Li Weijian was recommended by Lianghuailin Salt Division and came here to pay a visit to Shaosi Kou." (Note [-])

Menzi took the letter and greeting card, rolled them over briefly and saw the gold leaf sandwiched between them.He immediately smiled and said: "Master Li, please wait a moment. I will ask someone to go in and report."

"Excuse me."

Li Weijian and Wu Haiping waited for a while, and suddenly saw a person running out of the Yimen.This man was of medium height, wearing short clothes, with a pair of tortoiseshell glasses stuck on the bridge of his nose, and holding the greeting card in his hand.

Still some distance away from the gate, the man shouted from a distance: "Who is Li Weijian?"

Li Weijian was unsure of this person's identity, so he held up his hands and said, "He is a student."

The man rushed over excitedly, looked up and down suspiciously, and said, "You? Did you write the last twenty digits of pi randomly, or did you calculate it?"

"Of course it was calculated."

"Did you use the circle cutting technique?"

Li Weijian said three words calmly: "Calculus."

The man was shocked, and then he was ecstatic: "You still know calculus?"

"Understood."

"Hey!" Brother Glasses pulled Li Weijian and walked inside, but he only pulled him a little but didn't move.

The disciple hurriedly stepped forward and introduced him: "Master Li, this is the second son of Shao Sikou's family..."

Brother Glasses interrupted: "You don't need to make noise, I'm strict, brother Jian, come with me quickly, there happens to be a problem that has been bothering me for seven days, brother Jian, please save me first!"

(Note [-]: Li Wan only had two maids, Suyun and Biyue. After searching the whole book, he could not find a side house for Jia Zhu to marry. It’s just that he didn’t find any by himself, not even Li Wan’s dowry. This is seriously unreasonable. According to Jia's mother's temperament, I'm afraid Li Wan would crowd in around Jia Zhu before entering the house.

As a result, none of these people were present. Considering Mrs. Wang's indifference towards Li Wan, we can speculate on the cause of Jia Zhu's death.

Note [-]: One hour is divided into two hours, such as Chen hour, the first hour is Chenchu, and the next hour is Chenzheng.

Note [-]: Shaosikou is the honorific title of the Minister of Justice

Note [-]: Administration is the honorific title for the principal.
Note [-]: The Salt Division is the honorific title of the Salt Patrol Censor and the Transport Envoy)

(End of this chapter)