Daiyu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 28 Jia Lian Returns to Beijing ([-])

Early the next morning, when Jia Lian came to the room to bid farewell to Jia Min and the others, four or five carriages had already been prepared outside the door, and they were loaded with things that Jia Lian wanted to bring back to Beijing, which was much more than when he came. Seeing that Jia Min was crying like a tearful person, and unable to speak, she asked Nanny Sun to take the big backpack prepared yesterday and hand it over to Jia Lian, and said to Jia Lian, "I'm here for my uncle and aunt. Brother don’t say anything about the gift you just gave, kiss your aunt more on weekdays, even if it’s not your own, she will take care of you a little bit.” After finishing speaking, let Nanny Sun hand it over to Jia Lian.

He said again: "In addition to the gifts for the mansion in the former carriage, there are also those brought to the grandmother for the mother, that is, the eldest uncle, the second uncle, the eldest aunt, the second aunt, and all the brothers and sisters in the mansion also have their own gifts sealed in boxes and stickers. For those who have signed, there are two other boxes of my brother's usual things. I am afraid that it will be difficult to find them in Beijing, so I have prepared more. For embarrassing things, just write a letter to tell your father, and your father will find a solution with you."

He paused for a while, and then said: "There are some things that my sister shouldn't have said. I believe my father has said it too, but my sister is worried that I will say it again. My brother is going back to the imperial court this time. Please be careful, as the saying goes. You are like a tiger, although walking in front of the imperial court is beneficial to your future official career, but be careful in everything, especially don't offend anyone or be framed by them!" Daiyu searched vigorously for the few palace dramas in her mind, and said : "Listen more, think more, don't do too much, and don't talk too much. My sister doesn't know anything, but I'm just worried about my brother, and don't say much else. My brother must be careful."

Not to mention Jia Lian at this time, even Jia Lian's nanny Zhao Mama was so moved that she couldn't help wiping away tears.When Jia Lian saw that Daiyu had finished speaking, she didn't think she was wordy. She nodded solemnly before kneeling down to Jia Min, kowtowed three times, and then turned and left with the big backpack in her hands. The backpack was heavy, but Jia Lian Carried in the hand, the heart is soft, warm, but also sour.

When they arrived at the outer courtyard, Lin Ruhai had already been waiting in the main hall. Jia Lian carefully noticed that Lin Ruhai's eye circles were reddish, and there were thick bruises under his eyes. It was obvious that he hadn't slept well all night.Today everyone is wearing new clothes from Daiyu.Even herself, Daiyu also sent someone early to tell her to put on Tete, and Daiyu said that it looked like a family.

Looking at Lin Ruhai in the new clothes, Jia Lian felt even more sour, but he didn't dare to say anything more, especially since Eunuch Li was sitting aside waiting, Jia Lian hurriedly handed his backpack to Zhao'er, went into the hall, and knelt down for Lin Ruhai Next, he didn't say anything, just three real bangs, and Li Gonggong's teeth loosened, and Lin Ruhai couldn't sit still, so he pulled Jia Lian up and said, "What is this for?!" No It's hard to see that Lin Ruhai is a little angry. Jia Lian knows that Lin Ruhai loves him, but he doesn't care about it at this time.

Don't know when we will see you again today, Jia Lian lost his restraint for a rare time, hugged Lin Ruhai's leg and started crying.Lin Ruhai's eyes were reddish and crystal clear, and he only looked up at the sky and not at Jia Lian. Although he was only a nephew, when he first came to his place, he was not a dandy, but he knew nothing. Teach him well?Now it is about to leave, how can I be willing in my heart?But after all, Lin Ruhai is a man who is very self-reliant, not like Jia Min.I only heard Lin Ruhai say in a hoarse voice: "Do your job well. Don't fail the expectations of the Holy Majesty." Then he said in a low voice: "Take care of yourself, don't forget yesterday's teaching." These words only hugged Lin Ruhai's thigh Jia Lian heard it clearly, but even Eunuch Li next to him couldn't hear it clearly.

Seeing that Eunuch Li kowtowed his head and explained what he had said, he got up to leave, and the group of guards escorted the group of belongings to the pier.Because there were a lot of things, Eunuch Li did not ride a horse on his way back to Beijing this time, but went north by boat.Although it is going upstream, but fortunately, the southeast wind has blown recently, and we can rely on the wind force at that time.Just as Jia Lian set off with Eunuch Li, Lin Ruhai immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Jia Amnesty in the capital.

Jia Amnesty was very surprised to receive letters from Yangzhou one after another. Thinking that this was not the case last year, he felt even more disturbed, thinking that something had happened, so he quickly opened Lin Ruhai's letter and read it carefully. It turned out that what was said in the letter was Jia Lian's random letter. When Eunuch Li returned to Beijing, counting the days, it would be the end of April and the beginning of May, and there was an indescribable feeling in his heart for a moment.But without delay, he hurriedly sent Zhao Tiandong to the pier to wait.

As expected, in the afternoon of the second day of May, Eunuch Li and his party arrived at Tongzhou Wharf.Seeing Zhao Tiandong from a distance, he sent someone to the yamen of the Ministry of Rites to inform Jia Amnesty, but Jia Lian had no time to go back with him, so he was taken into the palace by Eunuch Li.Zhao Tiandong had no choice but to pick up his old lady and lead Zhao'er and Xing'er back to return.

When Zhao Tiandong returned to the General's Mansion with his luggage, Jia Amnesty had already returned. When he learned that Jia Lian had followed Eunuch Li into the palace, Jia Amnesty felt nervous for a while.He hurriedly called Zhao'er and Xing'er, who had been away with Jia Lian for more than two years, and after careful questioning, he found out that Lin Ruhai had recommended Jia Lian as an errand, so Jia She was very excited.He said to Mrs. Xing again and again: "Hurry up, get someone to announce the good news to the old lady!"Although Xing didn't take it seriously, she never dared to refute Jia She. Moreover, after Jia Lian wrote a letter and came back, Jia She dismissed the maid and auntie in the yard within a few days.I thought I couldn't manage it for a few days, but I didn't think that two months in a row had passed. Jia She not only worked as an errand in the yamen every day, but he didn't buy a new one. He also softened Jia Lian in his heart, so he quickly sent Wang Baoshan away. The family went to Jia Mu's room to announce the good news.

Mother Jia was surprised to learn that Jia Lian had returned to Beijing, but no one had mentioned this to her.I called Wang Baoshan to inquire carefully, and found out that Jia Lian was picked up in Yangzhou City by Eunuch Li, who is next to the Holy Father, and has not yet returned to the palace to meet the Holy Spirit.I was really taken aback.Busy people called Jia She, and Jia She knew that Jia Mu had misunderstood when she heard what Jia Mu said, but she didn't explain, just said: "Thanks to my sister-in-law's care, I gave Lian'er a certain imperial errand, and the specific son is also I don't know, I have to wait for Lian'er to come back and ask." After speaking, the look on his face couldn't be concealed.Although Jia's mother was dissatisfied with Jia Lian before, she didn't care about it at this time. Hearing what Jia She said, she laughed and said, "Lian'er is a lucky person. When I asked him to go to his aunt, I told him that there would be trouble." His benefits. Do you believe it now?" Mother Jia's face was also full of complacency.

Mrs. Wang on the side saw that her face was pale, green and white, so lively, she secretly hated: This old woman said she loved Baoyu so much, why didn't she let Baoyu go?Even if Baoyu couldn't go there when he was young, he might as well ask his elder brother Zhu'er to go. If Zhu'er went, maybe it would be a good fortune.It is impossible to say that he will not end up with an early death.The more Mrs. Wang thought about it, the angrier she became, and her face became colder and uglier.Mother Jia naturally saw Mrs. Wang's face and didn't point it out.I just sneered in my heart and said: Look, my daughter is capable, and my son-in-law is also a good one.In the future, it is not up to the old lady to ask my son-in-law to support Baoyu?Baoyu's future depends on his uncle's help and support.Thinking of this, Mother Jia couldn't help but feel more complacent.Smiling, she said to Mrs. Wang: "Lian'er is tired today, so I have a meal with my family as a cleaning. You go and set up the table and see what Lian'er likes." Regardless of what Mrs. Wang thinks, Jia Amnesty's face was full of joy, but he said in his mouth: It's just a child's family, so it's over there. "Mother Jia ignored it.

When Jia Lian returned from the palace at the time of You, he was stunned for a while when he reached the gate. The familiar plaque of "Chizao Rongguo Mansion" was gone, and now it was replaced with a black-bottomed gilt plaque of "First General's Mansion". Can't react.Seeing this, Qing'er hurriedly took two steps closer and explained the turmoil of that day in detail.Jia Lian just nodded and went in without saying anything after thinking about it.As soon as he entered the gate, Shan Daliang walked over, bowed his waist and smiled at Jia Lian, "Second Master Lian is now a promising future, and the old lady has been waiting in the room for a long time. Come over quickly." Jia Lian didn't say anything after hearing this. What still nodded and continued to walk in.Halfway through the journey, he asked, "Where is Zhao'er and Xing'er now?" Qing'er had been waiting for Jia Lian to come out at the gate of the palace early in the morning. , Qinger ran away.

So he was not in a hurry to go to Jia's mother's room anymore, Shan Daliang saw Jia Lian stop and asked puzzledly: "The old lady is waiting, why didn't Second Master Lian go first and then come to look for the two boys?" Jia Lian didn't want to respond. After thinking about it, he replied: "I brought some gifts to the old lady from Yangzhou, it's always better to bring them over." Shan Daliang also laughed and said: "Since the second master Lian is waiting here, I will report to the old lady first. Let me go." Jia Lian was unhappy, but nodded in agreement.

When Jia Lian came to Jia's mother's room, Jia Amnesty, Jia Zheng, and Sanchun were all waiting in the room.Not to mention how proud Jia Amnesty was, how gloomy Mrs. Wang was, Yingchun's face was dull, Tanchun frowned deeply, Xichun was cold and lonely.Even Jia's mother looked pensive.Jia Lian couldn't care less about it. After saluting and saying hello one by one, he greeted Sanchun again.Fangcai said: "When I came back from Yangzhou, my aunt asked my grandson to bring a gift for the old lady, and my grandson also prepared a gift for the old lady. It's not as good as my aunt's, but it's also my grandson's kindness." After entering the room, everyone said again: "I also brought gifts for my parents, uncles, aunts and sisters, and I took them back after a while, lest I send them one by one." Then people carried the boxes in.

What Jia Min gave to Jia Mu was a statue of Avalokitesvara painted with gold lacquer and consecrated by eminent monks in Tianning Temple.Agarwood Buddha Beads, Agarwood Bracelets.And some clothes of various colors.For Jia Amnesty, a set of agate glazed cups, a pair of ladies' fans painted by Zhang Xuan, and for Mrs. Xing a pair of red bead vases with various kinds of clothing and spices.For Jia Zheng is a pair of landscapes painted by Mi Fu, and for Mrs. Wang is a pair of peony bottles with snail stick paste, some clothing materials and some spices.Sanchun and Li Zhijie have a gold collar, a pair of gold bracelets, Baoyu and Jialan Duan inkstone, a set of lake brushes, and four sets of new books.

After delivering Jia Min's, Jia Lian asked someone to carry in another box and said, "Cousin Lin asked me to bring it to the old lady, madam and sisters." After speaking, he took it out again. A double-breasted long gown, and a purple-red embroidered Wanzi Ruyi inlaid with east beads and wiped the forehead.The East Pearl alone is the size of a thumb.The one for the eldest wife is a royal blue leather silk gown with a mercury mirror.Mrs. Wang is given a dark green leather silk gown and a bunch of bodhi seed bracelets.In the three springs, there are a pair of pearl flowers and a pair of palace flowers, but Li Zhi is given four pieces of palace silk and four pieces of palace satin, all of which are plain.Baoyu, Jia Lan, Jia Huan, and Jia Conggu are all jade horses.

Mrs. Wang saw that her precious son was the same as Jia Huan and Jia Cong, she was very displeased, even Jia Mu couldn't help frowning, but she didn't want to say anything, after all, it was her own granddaughter, and she didn't see him Guo Baoyu doesn't know the benefits of Baoyu, besides, it's rare for a child to be so considerate.Then he glanced at Mrs. Wang, smiled and said to Jia Lian, "I will enter the palace as soon as I come back. What is the arrangement of the Holy Majesty? What is the job in front of the emperor?" Jia Lian understood as soon as he turned his mind, so he replied respectfully: "Return Old lady, the Holy Majesty ordered me to work with the fourth and seventh princes, and not in front of the imperial court." After finishing speaking, Jia Lian saw that although Jia Mu's face was not cold, she was not as enthusiastic as she was just now, so she continued: "But the Holy Majesty guesses today. I'm so happy, I rewarded me with a captain of clouds." When these words came out, not to mention Mrs. Wang Jiamu, even Jia Amnesty was taken aback.

Jia Amnesty said quickly, "What did you just say?" Jia Lian repeated, "I reckon the Holy Majesty is happy today, and rewarded me with a captain of clouds." Now, except for Jia Zheng and his wife, everyone in the room was jubilant.Even Jia's mother even said: "Okay, okay, earn another title for the family! Although it is a bit low, Lian'er is still young, and there will be opportunities in the future." Like Maitreya.Fu said to Mrs. Wang again: "Tomorrow, if you can clean up the two tables, invite a troupe to sing for a day, and send a post to old friends who have made good friends, so that everyone can have fun together. Lian'er has gone out for a walk. You need to get to know more people." Mrs. Wang's complexion became even more ugly, she had to be too revealing, so she lowered her head.At this time, even Jia Zheng's face was ugly, and he couldn't tell what it was like in his heart, but he would be stricter to Baoyu in the future.Baoyu couldn't relax for a day. Seeing Jia Zheng was worse than seeing a cat.This is a later story, so I won't mention it for the time being.

After everyone dispersed, Jia Lian followed Jia She back to the east yard and asked Zhao'er to bring the things specially for his family. Jia Lian opened them one by one and said, "These things are not prepared by my son, and my son doesn't have that much money. I just borrowed from Cousin Lin." Jia She heard Jia Lian talk about Cousin Lin again, and couldn't help asking: "How old is that girl from the Lin family?" I froze there.It was Mrs. Xing who reacted quickly enough and quickly replied: "Didn't you say you were seven years old at the beginning of the year? It can be seen that the master is in a hurry." One sentence in a hurry gave Jia She a good ladder, and he stopped chasing after it. hold on.

I saw two bolts of leather silk, two bolts of cloud brocade, two bolts of smoked yarn and two bolts of fragrant cloud yarn in the box.A pair of sandalwood bracelets, a string of south pearls, a red peony rouge box, a pair of silver silk snails and a pair of beige screens, and a pair of four glazed table screens.

Jia Lian saw that Xing's eyes were shining. Although he looked down on him, he remembered what Daiyu told him before he left, and said, "These are all for filial piety to the mother. The son has been away for two years. The father is thanks to the mother for taking care of him. I hope the mother will not take care of him." Dislike." This is the second time Jia Lian called mother today, and although she is not as friendly as mother, she is much sweeter than his wife, so she hurriedly smiled and said, "I don't hate you, I'm happy if you think of me." Jia Lian She didn't say anything when she saw this, but said: "Since Lian'er is filial to you, you should act like a mother. Go down and clean up, and I will have a word with Lian'er." Mrs. Xing listened to what Jia She said. It seemed that he had no objection to Jia Lian getting close to him, and he was very happy. He hurriedly put away his things and was about to go into the back room, but he heard Jia Lian say: "Mother, put it away, and do it yourself. Don't tell the old lady about it." , my son only brought these." The meaning of these words is obvious, there is no one else but herself, Mrs. Xing was in a hurry, she smiled and nodded without delay: "Don't worry, Lian'er, mother will save it. "After speaking, he turned and went in.

After thinking about it, Jia Amnesty took Jia Lian to the study.Now that Jia Amnesty is working in the Ministry of Rites, the study room is often used to entertain colleagues and subordinates. It is not like in the past when everything was stuffed inside and everyone was hidden inside. Jia Lian felt quite refreshed when he came in.Jia Amnesty also specially found two sets of calligraphy and paintings to hang in the hall, and collected many decorations and playthings from Duobaoge, and put some books and paperweights of the Four Treasures of the Study on them to save face.

Jia Lian was amused in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face, he just asked, "I don't know what the father called his son?" Jia Amnesty didn't go around in circles with him, and asked directly, "Tell me, why did you return to Beijing suddenly? "It turned out that Jia Amnesty had been worried all along, but today the emperor appointed Jia Lian Yunqi Lieutenant. He couldn't tell why, so he called to ask.Jia Lian did not hide anything, but how Daiyu proposed a new bookkeeping method, how Lin Ruhai applied it in the Yanzheng Yamen, how the Holy One sent Eunuch Li to reward Daiyu when he knew about it, how he asked Lin Ruhai important people, and how Lin Ruhai pushed the boat along the way. He recommended himself, and explained in detail how he taught himself before leaving.How could Jia Amnesty not be moved after hearing this?Not to mention the presents sent today, on the surface they all look the same, but Jia She is well aware that the ones from the first wife are more expensive than those from the second wife.Not to mention the box at the back.It is only said that if Lin Ruhai gave such a rare opportunity to anyone, that person would definitely be grateful and grateful, and would definitely reciprocate.Now that Jia Lian is still young, he can't help Lin Ruhai in officialdom.How could Jia Amnesty not know?I also thought that besides Lin Ruhai and his wife, who would have thought that the general in this first-class general's mansion was not Jia Zheng?Who came here not looking for Jia Zheng?But now that he has an errand and his son is promising, Jia She is still very happy.

Thinking of this, Jia She remembered that Jia Lian was exhausted from boats and cars, and went directly to the palace when he came back. After coming out of the palace, he was busy with work until now, so he said, "Go wash and rest. If there is nothing wrong tomorrow, we are going to pay attention. Talk." Then he waved Jia Lian to leave, Jia Lian hesitated for a while and said: "My son does not dare to delay the errand, the fourth prince said that he should report to the household department tomorrow." Jia She was surprised when he heard this, then nodded and said: "In this case, you can go with me tomorrow, the Ministry of Households is very close to the Ministry of Rites." Then he waved Jia Lian to leave.

(End of this chapter)