It just so happened that this year he met Enke, and the new Shu Chang was dismissed in advance. Jia Lan got a first-class hall yuan and was appointed as an editor. Mei Hanlin and his wife, as the auspicious date was approaching, had to contact Baoqin in advance for all the red tape. As a result, Baochai caused a lot of trouble. It was the warm season of spring, and Baochai had already moved to Yihong Courtyard with Brother Hui and the maids. Zhu Yuan lived in a courtyard with more than twenty rooms, which was just right for Jia Lan's new house.
Jia Zheng originally didn't want to be extravagant, but because Jia Lan was marrying into the Jade Hall, his family and friends all wanted to be extra lively for him. Half a month before the wedding, there was an endless stream of gifts.
There were also many people in the same year who drew pictures for him and wrote poems for him, which became a good story. On the day of the wedding, Marquis Zhongjing and the Earl of Lin An each sent over a small play. Rongxi Hall and Jiayin Hall both set up temporary stages to split the male and female guests. The male guests, from the prince, the son-in-law to the noble officials, were all received in the Jiayin Hall of the garden. In the living room of the Rongxi Hall, there were many imperial consorts and family members. Li Wan, Baochai, Ping 'er and the others had never had a day of peace since they had arranged the bridal chamber until they had returned home.
The newcomer Mei Shi's appearance and temperament were comparable to Bao Qin's. Although the Mei family was a Confucian sect, because they loved their daughter, they also tried their best to prepare a generous dowry. He had pearls, jade, and brocade, and also lost Biyun, Sheyun, Liyun, and Liyun, four beautiful maidservants. Lady Wang and Li Wan were very satisfied.
Baochai was tired for many days and finally got some rest. That day, when he woke up early at Happy Red Courtyard, it had just rained lightly. He felt that the green shade was clear and the courtyard was quiet. After washing up, she led Brother Hui to smile and then went to pay her respects to Lady Wang. Madam Wang was checking out the boxes of clothes and said with a smile,"In the past, when the old lady talked about soft cigarettes, she was so noble. I picked up two horses from the empty box today. The color of this red is even prettier. If you move to the garden, the window gauze will probably be old. This horse will help you paste the window. "It's a pity to use this to block the window," said Baochai. I don't care about these things. It was also good to make summer clothes for the servant girls. Where could they buy them outside?”"I seem to remember that one of you sisters used this to block the window, but I don't remember who it was."”"That's Sister Lin's Xiaoxiang Restaurant," Baochai said.”"Who's living in Xiaoxiang Restaurant now?" asked Madam Wang.”"Ever since Sister Lin passed away, there hasn't been a single wish," said Baochai.”"I heard that ghosts often cry there," said Madam Wang. Children have clear eyes and are afraid of being scared. Tell the breasts not to bring them there to play.”
"That's all made up by the old women," said Baochai."We're the closest, so we didn't hear anything." I don't think Sister Lin will be haunted. It really is Sister Lin. We sisters are also very good. What is there to be afraid of?”Madam Wang asked again,"Has the account for Brother Lan's wedding been settled?"”"I've been counting for the past two days," said Baochai."It hasn't been settled yet."”
After a while, Jia Rong came over to reply, and Baochai retreated to the meeting hall. Li Wan and Ping 'er had already arrived there, and the family and daughters-in-law were busy. Please accept the silver taels for the big kitchen banquet, please accept the accounts for the bridal sedan chair shop, please accept the wages for the bridal shed. Li Wan and the others checked the accounts and compared them with the old ones. If they were right, they would be given a license. There were also those who opened the wrong thread and immediately threw it back so that he could calculate it again and come back to collect it.
Then, Cheng Shun's wife came to collect the silver for the summer carriage and sedan. The post said that the old rule was to pay 80 taels. Now, please pay 45 taels. Baochai asked him about the past years, but Cheng Shun's wife could not explain clearly. She ordered Cheng Shun to come. When Cheng Shun arrived, Baochai asked,""There are old ones around the carriage and palanquin. Could it be that they are all broken?”"This is the old rule. It has to be changed every season."”"Then what's the use of the old fence?" asked Baochai.”"It's always been the slaves 'benefit." This servant wants to rectify it, so he deducted thirty-five taels to offset the price of the old fence and treated it as a new one.”
"What do you mean by 'benefit'?" asked Baochai. This was not a sentence. Even if you reduce it, I'm afraid there are still some 'benefits' for you! "I've always been particular about verification." The last time I estimated the value of Xiuyi Gate, others estimated it at four or five hundred taels, but this servant only estimated it at two hundred and forty taels. This time, it was also for verification purposes, so it was not false. Not only that, this servant has been in the residence for so many years. Even if a feather duster loses a strand of hair, the servant boys are not allowed to throw it away.”"You're being a little too 'scrupulous,'" said Baochai. In the future, when the money stopped, it would be replaced when it went bad. Use the ones that aren't broken. Do you understand?" " The window of the sedan chair is neither big nor small," Cheng Shun said." It can fit the sedan chair."”"You probably don't know anything about literature and science," said Baochai."Did you write this post?"”"I studied for a few years, but I don't know how to write."”"We won't be able to afford it in the future," said Baochai."We'll change it when the fence is broken." Do you understand?" "Yes," Cheng Shun replied.
He slowly retreated.
Baochai smiled at Li Wan and Ping 'er.""He's famous and capable. I think he's muddled enough.”"I heard that his temper isn't small!" Ping 'er said. The manservants under him started cursing their ancestors. He was even more jealous of her because she could read. He would only deal with the higher-ups.”At that moment, Mrs. Liu brought food over and everyone ate. Just as they were talking, Third Aunt came back.
Tanchun came in and saw Li Wan and the others. She smiled and said,"You guys are really busy.”"Exactly," said Baochai. Just now, she had been venting with Cheng Shun for a long time.”"Third Younger Sister is free these two days?"”"I can't rest at home, so I want to come back and stay for two days to rest."”Everyone chatted with Tanchun for a while. Baochai went with him to Autumn Delight and told him about the recent plans.
Tanchun also admired his thoughtfulness and added many more ideas until it was dark.
She was also very tired that day. Just as she fell asleep at night, she saw Daiyu wearing a silver and red embroidered phoenix jacket and a pleated palace skirt. She stood in front of the bed with a smile and said,"Sister Bao, I came to see you." Baochai forgot that Daiyu was dead and asked,""Sister Lin, I haven't seen you for a few days. Have you recovered?”"Thank you for thinking about it," said Daiyu."I'm fine now." Sister, I haven't congratulated you for giving birth to a brother.”"It's not easy to see them," said Baochai, embarrassed.”Daiyu smiled." I'm not joking. Let me ask you something. We sisters are good. Look, I came all the way here for you. Do you miss me or not?”"Why wouldn't I?" said Baochai."Yesterday at Madam's place, she even mentioned Younger Sister!”
Daiyu looked at him with a frown and a smile. He said,"There's another person. Do you miss him?”"Who is it?" Baochai asked hurriedly. Daiyu hesitated for a long time, unable to say anything. Baochai asked him again and again before saying,"In any case, what Sister thinks of is your Treasure Shop! "He's going his own way," said Baochai."Why should I miss him?”"You're still talking to me like this. If you don't miss him, why did you cry for so many days?" If you really miss him, I can ask you to meet him.”"Didn't he become a monk on the Great Desolation Mountain?" Baochai asked. Do you have any way to let us meet?”"It might not be there," said Daiyu with a smile.”"Not there," said Baochai."Could it be with Younger Sister?"”"This place is far and near," said Daiyu.”"Where exactly is it?" Baochai asked.”"There's such a place anyway," said Daiyu."I can't tell you now."”"So you must be together," Baochai said with a smile.”Daiyu smiled shyly and didn't say anything.
"You're all together," said Baochai,"leaving me here to suffer. I'll go with you!" "Elder Sister, you have your own matters to attend to. After you're done with your matters, won't we still be together?" Why are you so anxious?" Baochai wanted to say something, but Daiyu said,"Sister, it's getting late. I still want to see Zijuan." I'll leave you the Dream Seeking Incense here. If you miss us, light the incense and I'll come and pick you up. Don't give it to others." Baochai even tugged at his clothes and shouted,"Pin 'er, don't go!" Then she disappeared in a flash! It was as if he had woken up. The tent was half open and the silver lamp was shining low. It was still like a dream.
Ying 'er had heard Baochai call out to her in her sleep and thought she was calling him. "Miss, are you calling me?"”"My name is Miss Lin!" Baochai couldn't help laughing.”Ying 'er smiled." It's the middle of the night. Why are you calling Miss Lin? Didn't you see a ghost?"”"Miss Lin came just now and we talked for a long time," said Baochai. He said that Second Master is also with him!" Ying 'er said," Second Master has left home and Miss Lin has become a ghost. How can they be together? Dreams were created by the heart. This was what the girl thought about during the day and only had this dream at night.”"The dream just now was very clear." He even gave me a kind of incense. He said that if he wanted them, he would come and pick me up once he lit the incense.”"Miss, where is the fragrance?" Ying 'er asked.”Baochai searched the pillow and found three incense sticks.
The incense stick was only an inch long. When he smelled it, it had a refreshing fragrance. He showed it to Ying 'er and said,"Isn't that so? Keep it well for me. Don't crush it.”Ying 'er quickly opened the cabinet, put away the incense, and went to sleep.
Early the next morning, Baochai came down from Lady Wang's place and remembered that in her dream, Daiyu said she was going to see Zijuan. Did Zijuan have a dream? So he went to Longcui Nunnery to find Xichun and Xiangyun and asked them. The maids returned to Xichun and hurriedly entered. At this moment, Xichun was playing the game of Double Flying Swallow in the Go Manual. How to play here, how to play there, how to play here, how to play here, and how long it was. She only put it down when she saw Baochai enter the room. "Second Sister-in-law is busy at this time, so you have time to play?"”"I've been busy all day," Baochai said with a smile."It's good to have some peace and quiet here."”
Xiangyun was consoling Zijuan. Zijuan's eyes were swollen from crying. When she saw Baochai, she said,"Second Grandmother, did you dream of Miss Lin?”"That's why I came to ask you," said Baochai. Last night, I dreamed of Miss Lin and talked for a long time. Before he left, he said that he wanted to see you. What did he say to you?”"I dreamed of him at night," Zi Juan said."He was dressed like a bride and said he came from Miss Bao's place." I was confused. I thought he had returned from the south and asked him who else was in his family. He said that this was not the north of South Africa, but it could be far or near. There were many acquaintances there. Second Master Bao, Second Miss, Yuanyang, Xiangling, and Qingwen were all there, and even Sheyue had rushed over. I said I'm used to following you, so why don't I follow you? He said,"You're young. Why go there?" I saw that he was about to leave, so I cried and chased after him. I couldn't catch up with him. I tripped and woke up.”
"Big Sister Bao, is your dream the same as his?" Xiangyun asked.”"Everything fits, except for those people," said Baochai.”Xiang Yun said,"It's reasonable for Second Elder Sister to be together with Yuanyang and the others." Second Brother is a monk. Why did he go to look for her?”Xichun said,"What's so strange about that? As long as you're determined to find it, how can you not go?" To put it bluntly, it was just the word 'karma.'”After saying another word, Baochai went to the meeting hall. After he was done, he talked about this dream with Li Wan and Ping 'er. They both sighed and said to Ping' er,""Why aren't the old lady and our grandmother there?”Li Wan said,"Once the King of Hell calls, everyone will go their own way. How can we all be together?" I think the old lady must have gone to the west since she's been eating vegetarian food and praying to Buddha.”
That night, Baochai coaxed Brother Hui for a while and patted him to sleep while looking at her breasts. He sat alone with the lamp lit and remembered that the two dreams were the same, and the fragrance lingered as evidence. Of course, it was not caused by fantasy. Baoyu wholeheartedly wanted to find Sister Lin, and as expected, he found her. This was also everyone's fate. However, since they were sisters, they shouldn't be so biased. Pin 'er came to see me, shouldn't he come back to see me? She thought of herself, taking care of her aunt, taking care of the orphans, and taking care of the trivial household chores. She was worried and angry all day because of Baoyu. Why did he leave his family alone and not even bring a good word to them? He only cared about them. It's as if I should suffer alone! Thinking of this, she felt a burst of sadness. Her eyes were filled with tears, and she could no longer restrain herself from crying. After thinking about it, she cried for the entire night. It was even more painful than when Baoyu was beaten up and Xue Pan's harsh words. The next day, he felt dizzy and his heart ached. He had been sick for several days and did not go to the meeting hall. Lady Wang came to see him twice, wanting to ask Imperial Physician Wang to treat him, but Baochai refused, saying,"Madam, don't worry. I'm not seriously ill. I'll be fine in a day or two. "Madam Wang can only let him be. It was Baochai who remembered Daiyu's words when she was ill, saying that they would go together after the matter was over. And see milk holding Hui brother, thought brother is so big, can't leave people. Since he had promised to keep his chastity and take care of his orphans, he had to grit his teeth and do this responsibility. Therefore, he tried his best to resolve it and recuperate peacefully. The illness gradually recovered.
One day, Xiangyun came to see Baochai. She knew that he was worried and was trying to comfort him. Coincidentally, Li Wan and Tanchun also came and asked about Baochai's illness. Everyone gossiped. "Little Sister Bao, I have something to discuss with you." Yesterday, Lan 'er said that the Yamen would send people to Ryukyu and Annam to collect poems. He was one of them. Master received a letter from Liaodong Jiedushi, saying that there was a lack of talent there and wanted to hire Lan 'er to help him plan. These two paths, I don't know which one is better, come and consider with me. I can't think of a way either. You've always been decisive.”"What did you say, Master?" Baochai asked.”"Master didn't have a definite idea," Li Wan said. It was said that it was a rare opportunity to go overseas to collect poems. It was not too late to wait for one or two years before returning to the shogunate to train.”
"In my opinion, collecting poems is just a matter of face. It's better to be in the shogunate." That Hanlin yamen didn't care about official business, and had wasted half of his life. Even if he endured until the minister and assistant minister, he would only draw black drafts. It would be better to let him go out and gain experience so that he would have greater achievements in the future.”
Li Wan said,"I've heard that it's very cold in that place. Sometimes, people's ears and noses get frozen off." Lan 'er hasn't gone far before. How can I be at ease?”"Even if we were to collect poems from overseas, it would still be dangerous," said Baochai."It would be better for us to leave the pass." If you're still worried, you can send Grandma Xiaolan to follow you. What else do you have to worry about?”"That's my idea too," Tanchun said. Eldest Sister-in-law is just wavering, so she came to look for you.”"If you've decided, when will you leave?" asked Baochai.”"It's only delayed for eight to ten days," Li Wan said.”Xiang Yun said,"You have a good son, but you're worried about him. He's not as clean as I am."”"I'm worried here, and you're making such sarcastic remarks!" Tanchun said.”"If you ask me, shouldn't a young man who's already passed his exams be aiming for a career?"”"Sister Shi, you're so happy," Baochai said with a smile.”"Eldest Sister-in-law, you promised us to be your host, so we never had to rush you." When Lan brat leaves, you'll have some free time, and we can start the Poetry Society again.”
That day, Li Wan and others talked until late at night. Baochai also felt better talking to them. The next day, he reluctantly left and went to the meeting hall to settle various matters. Pinger mentioned that the day after tomorrow was Li Wan's birthday and asked Baochai if she would send a gift. "Usually, we don't care about these things at home," said Baochai. Even if they gave gifts, they would only give one or two small items. It was fine if it was just a poem and a painting. It wasn't suitable now. What should he give her?”"I heard that Fourth Young Lady's gift was a Buddha painting."”"How can we compare to him?" Tanchun asked. I think Eldest Sister-in-law has suffered for many years. Now that our son has chosen the Imperial Academy, it's time to make things lively for him. Let's ask Madam to take the lead. Everyone will gather together and make Eldest Sister-in-law happy for a day. What do you think?" "In the past, on Sister Feng's birthday, the Old Lady would ask everyone to join in the fun." Eldest Sister-in-law raised such a good son to support Eldest Brother's family. Wasn't this what she deserved?”
Just as she was speaking, Caiyun came over and said,"Taitai invites Grandmother and the girls to the upper room. The concubine and Eldest Taitai are all there."”Baochai and the others stood up and agreed. "Probably because of that." Tanchun whispered.”The three of them went to Lady Wang with Caiyun.
Aunt Xue and Lady Xing were sitting opposite each other on the kang, and Lady Wang was sitting on a small couch next to the kang. Li Wan, Xiangyun, and Xichun were chatting with them.
When Lady Wang saw Baochai and Tanchun enter, she said,"I called you here for nothing else. It's your sister-in-law's birthday in the future. It wasn't easy for him to raise his son to become famous. I was going to do it for him last year because I had too many things to do. Today, Eldest Mistress and Young Mistress mentioned this matter. You guys think of a way to make the day lively.”"I was discussing it with Second Sister-in-law just now." In the past, the old lady had taken the lead in gathering money to celebrate Sister Feng's birthday. Let's follow that method, okay?”Madam Wang said,"It's good, but there are too few people now. I'm afraid we can't make it together." If it's not enough, I'll take it out.”
Li Wan said,"We should be filial to Madam. Why do we need Madam to fork out money to celebrate my birthday?" If you really want to ruin my fortune, I can't do that.”
"Let's see how much we have," said Baochai.”"I'll give you twenty taels," Aunt Xue said.”"I also have twenty taels."”"We don't dare to compare ourselves with the ladies," said Baochai and Pinger."Sixteen taels each.”Tanchun said,"Sister Shi and I should have paid more, and we don't dare to compare ourselves to the ladies. We should have paid sixteen taels each." Where's Fourth Sister?"
Madam Wang said,"The fourth girl is so pitiful. I'll pay for her."”"We already have one hundred and twenty taels," Baochai said."There's also a portion for Madam herself, and two portions for Big Sister-in-law Zhen and Brother Rong's daughter-in-law over there. It's enough for the show." Those servant girls and the steward's wives were all exempted.”"That's right," Tanchun said. Would they still be willing to fork out money from their families if they were sent to take charge? It's nothing more than borrowing your account to fish for it. If they did something wrong, they would have an excuse to never send them again. Anyway, we are here to pool money for fun. What does it matter if we gather more and use more?”Lady Wang said to Baochai,"It's a deal. I'll leave it to you. Don't let Big Sister-in-law worry."”
Baochai agreed. After another reply, everyone dispersed.
Baochai pulled Tanchun to Li Wan's place to discuss the matter. "I don't need to pass on any performances," Li Wan said."I don't even need to do those acrobatics. Only two tables were prepared for everyone to gather. If he couldn't use it up, he could still return it to them.”"If there isn't a bit of liveliness, how are we supposed to answer to Madam's orders?" said Baochai. It wouldn't cost much to pass on a small drama, so it was better not to be extravagant.”Tanchun said,"If this silver is enough, we'll give up Sister Shi's share. He'll be embarrassed too." If it's really not enough, I'll take it out for him. Just don't let Madam know.”"How could I not know that?" Baochai asked. Don't worry about it, I'll deal with it.”Baochai went back and began to make preparations. I wonder how lively it was that day?
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