Daiyu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 11

The people of Jia's family are gone, and the new year is still to be celebrated. After the busy year is over, the new year will be the new year. The servants in the house have already prepared new clothes for Feng Hong.Because Daiyu made the preparations together this year, unlike in previous years, they just added monthly money and sealed a red envelope for everyone based on head and position. After the New Year's Eve dinner, everyone came up to give it to Lin Ruhai. The couple kowtowed to celebrate the New Year, and Jia Min sent it out in person.Although Jia Min felt that it was unnecessary, she couldn't overcome Daiyu's unreasonable reasoning, so she agreed.

In the early morning of New Year's Eve, Daiyu asked Nanny Sun to take Zhixuan to various houses and courtyards to distribute new clothes. Both men and women had two sets of inner and outer sets, one set of sandwiches and the other set of cotton. Every aunt in Shuxin Zhai Add two sets of new clothes and two gold-haired hairpins wrapped in plain silver, and the maids in the house each add a set of new clothes and one plain silver hairpin.It can be said that everything was covered, and everyone was overjoyed, even Aunt Bai rushed to the upper room to thank Jia Min after receiving the new clothes.

After Aunt Liu took it with a smile, she threw the new clothes on the ground angrily when Nanny Sun and her party walked away, and stomped on them vigorously.Her face was contorted, and the maid Ruyi who was close to her was so frightened that she hurriedly looked out the door, then closed the door and picked up the clothes on the floor, and said, "Auntie, grandma, please don't do this, what if someone with a heart finds out? "After speaking, she looked at Aunt Liu worriedly.After all, Aunt Liu has been in this mansion for decades, and it is not because of Jia Min or anyone else's kindness that she can live until now, but because she is really scheming, so she quickly suppressed her emotions and let Ruyi Freshen her up again, put on the new clothes just delivered, take a few deep breaths, and then take Ruyi to the room to thank Jia Min.

Daiyu has been here for several months. Although she suspected that Brother Yan's death had something to do with Aunt Zhuang in the backyard, she didn't believe that Aunt Zhuang, who had only been in the mansion for less than a year, could kill Brother Yan silently. Later, people stared at Shuxin Zhai and didn't see anything. Aunt Liu even thought that Brother Yan was praying for blessings and hadn't stepped out of Shuxin Zhai for several months, so this was the first time Daiyu saw Aunt Liu.

The face is like a silver plate, thick eyebrows and almond eyes, black cloud hair piled on the head, fixed with two gold-coated hairpins, only decorated with two rose silk flowers, purple embroidered cloud pattern new clothes and the two hairpins on the head are the same. It was just posted today, presumably because it took a little longer to wash and change clothes, so it came later than Aunt Bai.There was no expression on his face, it was very peaceful and indifferent.Either because of his peace of mind and well-maintained condition, or because of Jia Min's physical damage, in short, although he is said to be the same age as Jia Min, he looks younger than Jia Min.

Aunt Liu first saluted Jia Min when she entered the room. After Jia Min called out, she saluted Daiyu, who turned her back and accepted half the salute.Although Aunt Liu didn't show it on the face, she held Ruyi's hand tightly, and her long nails left a deep mark on Ruyi's palm.Ruyi didn't dare to shout out the pain, so she had to lower her head even harder.Daiyu and Jia Min didn't notice this, and after a few words, they asked her to go back with Aunt Bai, and she didn't need her to wait and close the curtain.

The Lin family had few children, and the aunts also ate in their own rooms, and Daiyu didn't like to be surrounded by people when eating, so this New Year's Eve dinner was very clean, no different from the other day, but Jia Min Feeling very warm, today Daiyu deliberately chose a red jacket embroidered with wishful patterns, and also chose a long jacket embroidered with deep red peonies for Jia Min. Even Lin Ruhai specifically asked Jia Min to wear it for him. Wearing a scarlet gown, the whole family looked particularly harmonious and happy.

After dinner, Daiyu took Lin Ruhai and Jia Min to the yard. Jia Min stood on Lin Ruhai's right hand side, and Daiyu herself stood on Lin Ruhai's left hand side.Then Daiyu gave Mu Mian a look, and Mu Mian quietly retreated out. After a while, the courtyard was full of people standing there.At the front are eight old mothers, led by Lin Ruhai's grandmother, then the stewards' daughters-in-law from various places in the house, and behind them are the big maids and the young maids.Seeing such a battle, Lin Ruhai didn't know what happened. Jia Min just smiled and didn't explain. Lin Ruhai raised her eyebrows and looked at Daiyu. Daiyu also covered her mouth with a smile. The top chair invited Lin Ruhai and his wife to sit down, but Lin Ruhai didn't object, knowing that this was the idea of ​​his precious daughter Daiyu, he was happy to make her happy.Soon the little maids in Jia Min's house led the mother-in-law to bring up boxes of sealed red envelopes.Seeing that Lin Ruhai and his wife had sat down and brought up the red envelopes, the nuns below, without waiting for instructions, stepped forward a few steps and said to Lin Ruhai and his wife in unison: "I wish the master and wife a happy new year and all the best!" It was as if they had rehearsed Well, Daiyu really asked these people to rehearse, the main thing is to be neat, and the words are simple but not difficult, and it takes less than a quarter of an hour.After speaking, he got up and didn't go back.Jia Min didn't know about this either, so he and Lin Ruhai exchanged a look in surprise, and then saw Mu Mian took a Wanfu Ruyi lacquer plate from the little maid's hand and said, "Thank you, Mrs. and Mrs." The red envelopes in the lacquer tray were handed over to the nuns one by one. The nuns are all good people. Although they didn't open it, they knew that this year's red envelopes were thicker than previous years, about ten taels of silver ingots.Then he was so happy that he opened his mouth and smiled and said: "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. for the reward." It was still so neat, and then stepped back to one side.Then the daughter-in-law in charge at the back stepped forward and said, "May the master and wife's wishes come true, safe and healthy!" It was also the same as before, and the reward was withdrawn to the side, and so on, it took a while to finish the distribution in the yard everyone.These people didn't go down, just stood on the side, Lin Ruhai and Jia Min didn't inquire, knowing that Daiyu had other arrangements, but Lin Ruhai and Jia Min never thought that the person who came in next was the steward of the outer courtyard!Lin Ruhai turned her head to look at Daiyu all of a sudden, but Daiyu looked at him with a smile, and he couldn't help it, because it's the New Year's Eve, is it going to be difficult for her daughter?It can be seen that Daiyu has put a lot of thought into it, so she doesn't say anything else.But Jia Min felt uncomfortable. As a housewife, how could she see so many outside men all at once, and what would happen to her reputation in the future?Then he stared at Daiyu with a bad face and scolded her.Then she got up and was about to retreat into the house, but at this time Daiyu turned to Jia Min and grabbed Jia Min's sleeve, making Jia Min unable to advance or retreat for a while.It's just that his face is getting uglier.

Here, the housekeeper took the servants into the inner courtyard. This was something that shouldn't and could not have happened, but now it happened. Not to mention the servants, even the old steward lowered his head and dared not look around. .But I still remember what the nanny said before, the steward led the steward to the front, and more than a dozen people knelt down on the ground, and sang loudly without looking up: "May the master be promoted every year, and the auspicious stars shine! I wish my wife good luck! Your body is in good health!" After speaking, he knelt there, and Lin Ruhai felt a little relieved when he saw this scene, and he said, "Everyone has worked hard! I wish you all a happy new year and everything goes well!" After Lin Ruhai finished speaking Then, a little servant girl came forward with a lacquer plate, each with a red envelope. "The housekeepers took it and touched it, and they knew that it was a bank note, and they felt even happier. When I thought that the big guy was about to withdraw or retreat to the side as before, Daiyu stepped forward two steps and stood beside the housekeepers. In front of her, she squatted lightly and saluted. Just when Lin Ruhai was surprised and Jia Min was very restless, Daiyu said, "Every housekeeper, grandpa and uncle in charge have worked hard. The master is in the outer courtyard. What's the matter?" You are all taking care of me. It is not convenient for my mother and I. I hope that in the future, you will do your best to help the master and take care of the things in the house.The Lin family will not treat meritorious persons badly! "The words were soft and hard, Jia Min was surprised, Lin Ruhai was full of satisfaction, and even smiled unconsciously on his face. After the butlers retreated to the side, the boys came forward again and said They said a few auspicious words. Lin Ruhai and his wife thought that this should be over, but Daiyu stood up again and said, "This is a Chinese New Year, I hope you should not delay everyone, but this is also a rare big event in our family. Reunion" Obviously Daiyu didn't count the aunts in the backyard as part of the mansion. "Let us celebrate the arrival of the new year together and hope that everything goes well in the coming year!" " After finishing speaking, she saw the maid who was standing on the side, took out a large bundle of fireworks and put them in the middle of the yard, then Daiyu walked up to Lin Ruhai and said: "Let's invite daddy to light the first one!" "Lin Ruhai is in a happy mood now, and he took it without refusing. After a while of crackling, everyone lit up firecrackers and lit up fireworks. It was so lively, and even Jia Min's face looked much better after this moment. .

After everyone dispersed, Daiyu led Jia Min with one hand and Lin Ruhai with the other, and entered the house, and began to watch the new year with the whole family.Daiyu knew that it would be impossible not to give Jia Min an explanation for what happened today, and besides, watching the old age in ancient times was not like the previous life where there were TVs and Spring Festival Gala to pass the time, so she asked Jin'er and others to go down and leave. Kapok thought they would all go out in a while, so Daiyu glanced at Kapok, then at Jia Min, and seeing Jia Min nodded to her, Daiyu stopped worrying about Kapok and said, "There is nothing wrong now, Yu'er, please tell my father and mother a story." The story is very simple, that is, after Jia Min's death in the original book, Lin Ruhai was not good at taking care of the back house, and was unable to take care of the young daughter, so he had to entrust the young daughter to others to take care of him. They are not human, and they are all useless people who are arranged around the young girl. The story of the young girl died tragically within a few years.Daiyu spoke vividly, and Jia Min was filled with resentment.After this story was finished, Dai Yu didn't wait for Lin Ruhai and Jia Min to think about it, so she went on to tell another story. This story is that Xue Pan lost his father's upbringing and learned badly. He couldn't teach his son, so the whole family took refuge with powerful relatives, but was cheated by relatives and outside stewards about the family property. Before the story was finished, Lin Ruhai's face changed drastically, and Jia Min was also sighing. .At this time Daiyu said: "They are all from my own family. Although we can't meet each other for a long time, mother should at least know who is doing what in the outer courtyard and what is in charge of things. Although father doesn't care about housework, he also needs to know that those people are capable." Yes, those people are stealing and cheating." After speaking, he knelt down towards Jia Min and Lin Ruhai: "Yu'er knows that Yu'er is not doing well today, which makes father and mother unhappy. I apologized to my mother, but after hearing those two stories, Yu'er was very scared. The book said: Born in danger, died in peace. I have to take precautions, besides, Yu'er is less than seven years old now, if I don't take advantage of the present to recognize all the family members, I won't have such a good chance in the future, if my father goes out, or if my mother has something to do, I will I just want to find someone, and I don’t know who to look for.” After listening to Daiyu’s story and explanation, Jia Min felt relieved, pulled Daiyu up with a smile, and reprimanded: “You’re the only one who cares too much!” But it is soft.Daiyu leaned next to Jia Min and continued to argue: "Where is Yu'er's reasoning? Besides, tonight, everyone will see that mother is sitting next to Daddy, and everyone knows that father and mother have a good relationship." , we are a family, in the future, who will tell the truth in front of the father without winking, and act in the wrong in front of the mother?" Hearing this, Lin Ruhai smiled: "Great love is all for your mother! It can be seen He didn't take my father seriously." When Daiyu heard this, she quickly acted cute, took Lin Ruhai's hand and said coquettishly: "Yu'er! Isn't Yu'er always thinking about her father? The family is right and wrong If the mother is in a good mood, her body will naturally get better. I don’t know how much worry I can save! Moreover, what Yu’er taught them is to wish for good health and wish things come true, so that father and mother are in good health. Next year, won't Yu'er have a younger brother?" Hearing this, Lin Ruhai and Jia Min's eyes lit up, and when they looked at each other, Jia Min's face began to turn red slightly.

Daiyu doesn't make fun of them either, after all, she is less than five years old now.So she changed the subject and said, "Yu'er really misses her father and mother." After speaking, she ran to the Nuan Pavilion to pick up a small package.In front of Jia Min and Lin Ruhai, he said: "Yu'er is talented and talented, and her craftsmanship is not good. Daddy and mother should not be disgusted with making fun of Yu'er." After speaking, he gave Jia Min a forehead embroidered with hibiscus and pearls, and another with a sea green background. The purse embroidered with golden chrysanthemums on the ink-colored border was given to Lin Ruhai.Then he said: "May father and mother be in harmony forever, be healthy and healthy! Mother is getting more and more beautiful, and father will be promoted every step of the way!" Jia Min and Lin Ruhai laughed loudly after hearing this, and said yes repeatedly.

These days, Daiyu was injured and took care of housework, and was busy with tonight's New Year's Eve dinner. She even made needlework for her husband and wife. famous.

Seeing that Lin Ruhai and Jia Min didn't give her a gift, Daiyu widened her eyes on purpose and said, "Did dad and mother forget to give Yu'er a gift in return?" It made Jia Min and his wife so cute.Only then did the previous atmosphere change, and Daiyu was given another gift to finish.

Sitting on the edge, Daiyu saw that it was still early, hesitated for a while and said, "Can Yuer tell my father and mother another story?" Hearing that Daiyu was going to tell a story again, both Lin Ruhai and his wife were impressed. Xin, nodded in agreement, so Daiyu recounted in the original book how Lai Da's family became a talent in the Rongguo Mansion, and how they lived better than the main family. Jia Min and Lin Ruhai were shocked when they heard it. Quickly asked: "Who told Yu'er this story?" Daiyu dared to tell it, of course she had already thought of an excuse, so she would not mess up her hands and said, "It was when I was in Hanshan Temple on the seventh day of the lunar new year. After offering incense with her mother, her mother went to the abbot's place, and Yu'er wandered around the temple with nothing to do, just in time to hear an old mother telling a story to a little girl. But I can’t remember what. Originally, I just listened to it, but I thought about it over and over again during the days when I was recuperating, and the more I thought about it, the more scared I felt, so I decided to tell my father and mother.” After hearing this, Jia Min had no doubts about him. , Lin Ruhai's heart was also turned upside down.Especially when Daiyu said that the girl died tragically because of her father's inhumanity, it was as if she was her own.Just now I heard that chickens that cost a penny outside are worth ten pennies in the mansion, and I feel terrified when I use the name of the mansion to commit crimes outside.Turning her head, she said to Jia Min: "Although Yu'er is telling stories, there are many such things in the world. In the new year, you should also take care of these people in our family, and see if there are people who steal and play tricks, especially criminals outside. Those who should be dismissed should be sent out, and those who should be sent to officials should be sent to officials! This kind of thing can't happen in our house, and it will ruin the reputation of our ancestors accumulated over a hundred years." After thinking about it, he said: "In the house, you should be careful. For investigation, I will let people investigate carefully outside." Jia Min's face was a little pale after hearing Daiyu's story, and he still hasn't recovered yet.I had to nod for a while.

Hearing Lin Ruhai's decision, Daiyu was so happy that she didn't show it, fearing that Jia Min wasn't caring enough, she lowered her head and looked "quietly" at Jia Min from time to time.Lin Ruhai and his wife noticed such an obvious action. Jia Min only said that this girl had something to say, and asked without teasing her, "What does Yu'er want to say? It's all from my family, so there's no need to do this." Listen After listening to Jia Min's words, Daiyu knew that she had achieved her goal, so she whispered as softly as possible: "Mother, do you remember Mother Zhou?" After she finished speaking, she carefully looked at Jia Min's face, and said again: " Although Nanny Zhou committed suicide and his family members ran away, but Yu'er wanted to say, can Nanny Zhou take care of brother Yan's matter alone? I don't know how many people in this mansion are involved in this matter I can't figure it out!" Hearing Daiyu's words, Jia Min's eyes were red, she knew that Nanny Zhou couldn't do this by herself, but Nanny Zhou had already gone, but she couldn't track it down , I was just helpless in my heart, but when Lin Ruhai heard this, his eyes immediately became sharp, and he stared at Daiyu and said, "What does Yu'er know? Why don't you say it!" Daiyu couldn't help shivering. He whispered: "Yu'er didn't hear anything, just heard those stories in the temple, and later felt that things must not be so simple, Zhou Nanny is Yan Ge'er's nanny, if Yan Ge'er is well In the future, she will definitely stand up for the family, and it is only good for Nanny Zhou to be by Brother Yan's side, so why did she do such a trick? Not to mention losing her benefits, she even killed herself!" Lin Ruhai and Jia Minju thought it was reasonable, but they didn't want Daiyu to be involved in this matter, so they nodded and said: "Yu'er don't need to think too much, this matter is for your mother and your father."

After talking for a while, Daiyu couldn't help but fell asleep leaning against Jia Min's arms, and Jia Min whispered to Lin Ruhai: "Yu'er's words are quite reasonable. After waking up after passing out, she became more and more intelligent." Lin Ruhai nodded after thinking about it, and seeing Jia Min's worried face couldn't help asking: "Perhaps the matter of Brother Yan has stimulated her too much. Yu'er's cleverness is the blessing of my husband and wife, what is my wife worried about?" Jia Min sighed and said: "Yu'er's body is not good when she comes out of an abortion, people often say 'wisdom hurts your body', how can I not worry about it." Lin Ruhai said softly After a few words of reassurance, the couple said something else and asked Daiyu to be sent to the Nuan Pavilion in the back room.After Lin Ruhai ate something, he left the government office and went to the ancestral house by himself. On the first day of the new year, Jia Min did not have to go to worship the ancestors, but he himself had to.

(End of this chapter)