The Second Master of the Red Chamber

In the Grand View Garden, a fiery red petite figure rushed into the Xiaoxiang Hall, leaned on the west window and looked in.

"Sister Lin, what are you looking at so fascinated by?"

"No, nothing..."

Seeing the people inside looking as panicked as if they were caught as thieves, a small doubt flashed through Shi Xiangyun's big eyes.

He walked around the room and was about to find out what was going on, but found that everything in the room was back to normal, with no clues to be traced.

"Sister Lin, today is Sister Bao's birthday. Why are you staying in the house if you don't come out to play with us?"

As Xiangyun finished speaking, the voices of Tanchun and others came from outside the hospital. It was obvious that a large force had arrived.

Daiyu saw Xiangyun walking around her desk, looking here and there. She was a little nervous, but she couldn't say anything. When she mentioned this little girl who was overflowing with curiosity, she must be even more suspicious, and she hated asking for the root cause.

So just ignore her, wait for Tanchun and others to enter the door, then warmly took their hands and said with a smile: "Today is Sister Bao's birth, forgive me for getting up late. By the way, where is Sister Bao?"

Xiangyun searched for a long time but couldn't find the letter Daiyu had read before, so he had no choice but to give up and turn back, "Sister Bao went home to see her aunt. She should be here with her soon. We won't wait for them and go to the house first. Let's take a look inside, I heard there's a big show going on in the house today, I don't know if there's anything new or exciting."

"It's rare that Sister Bao Bao celebrates her birthday. We have agreed that after the old lady leaves, we will gather together in Hengwu Garden to drink and compose poems. We must seize the opportunity to give Sister Bao a few glasses of wine.

It's a pity that sister Zhen is gone, and second brother Lian is not at home, so it's hard for us to invite her over. "

The Zhen family did not go back to the south to celebrate the New Year, but stayed in the capital. It seemed that something had to delay them.Therefore, during the New Year's Eve, Mrs. Zhen's family brought Zhen Yuhuan to visit, and Jia's mother forced her to be a guest for a few days on the grounds that the mother and daughter of the Zhen family were lonely in Beijing, and let them go back after spending the Lantern Festival together.

Tanchun's words made everyone feel a little regretful.After all, although there are many noble ladies in the capital, most of them are not educated like Wang Xifeng and are not in the same league as them.Either they are under strict control at home and have no chance to play together. Nowadays, it is rare to have a sister from the Zhen family who is not inferior to them in appearance and talent. Moreover, they are both elders of the Haitang Club, so naturally they are very close to her.

The sisters and others sat in Daiyu's room for a while, and when Daiyu cleaned up, they all went to Rongqing Hall.

As expected, Rongqing Hall had already started playing with it, and the stage in the backyard was also set up.When the sisters came over, twelve little actors were dressing up in the curtain, their bodies were blue and green, their faces were painted with colorful colors, and they were chattering.

Shi Xiangyun thought it was interesting, so he ran over to mix in a bunch.

Sanchun, Daiyu and others came to the Rongqing Hall to greet Jia Mu and others, and then sat down with them. Because they felt that listening to the gossip of the elders was boring, they soon dispersed to find their own fun.

……

Jinxiangyuan is not the best brothel in Xicheng, but it is loved by some aristocratic princes and dandies.

The reason is probably that its service tenet of catering to both refined and popular tastes and being adaptable and easy-going can easily touch the heartstrings of young men.To put it in layman's terms, Jinxiangyuan is not as fancy and appetizing as some of the famous buildings in Beijing, nor is it like an ordinary tiled house with hooks and lanterns, where you just have to take off your clothes and there is no other kind of show. .

At Fangshikou, under the plaque, a tall, pale man with a stooped back clapped his hands and looked forward.

Suddenly he saw five or six men and horses coming majestically from the East Street. He looked delighted and hurriedly greeted them.

"Brother Xue, here!"

Xue Pan reined in his horse and said with a smile on his face, "Brother Sun came so early, where are the others?"

"Young Master Wang and Brother Feng have already entered. I am here specially to wait for you, Brother Xue."

Xue Pan nodded, and was about to greet the man to enter the workshop, when he suddenly caught a glimpse of his left hand, which was still covered with gauze, which was still soaked in blood, and asked in surprise, "What happened to Brother Sun's hand?"

"No, it's okay, just a little injury..."

Xue Pan was not stingy, but he prided himself on being unparalleled in his righteousness. When he saw this, he immediately jumped off his horse and stepped forward to grab the man's hand and have a look.At first glance, I was shocked to find that the man's left hand was missing two fingers!

"Brother Sun, who did this...?" Xue Pan shouted angrily.

The man was Sun Shaozu, who was arrested and sent to the Soldiers and Horses Prison as soon as he entered Beijing last year.Xue Pan was the first noble person he was lucky enough to get to know after finally escaping from the inhumane prison of the Soldiers and Horses Division, and he was also the only person who sincerely helped him.

Looking back on the past year, he couldn't bear to use the word "unlucky" to describe himself!Anyway, some strange encounters that he could have imagined or unexpectedly all happened to him. It was with such a miserable life that he paid special attention to Xue Pan, a noble man who could give him warmth in the cold winter. .

As for his hands...

When people are at the lowest point in their lives, they always desire to make a comeback in one step.And after Sun Shaozu was desperate, the only chance he could think of to stand up was one.

bet!
There was nothing he could do. When he was tortured by those non-human beasts in the Soldiers and Horses Prison, he wanted to die several times.He didn't even expect to get out alive, but in the end he miraculously came out!Only later did he learn that it was his mother who had spent so much effort and exhausted the last bit of the Sun family's savings before she finally begged the Jia Mansion to allow him to escape.

After coming out, in order to take the opportunity to climb the big tree in Rongguo Mansion, he dragged his weak and sick body to visit Rongguo Mansion.I didn’t meet the head of the Jia family, but by chance I got to know Xue Pan, the head of the Xue family, one of the four major families in Jinling with the Jia family!
Because Xue Pan said that he was a disciple of Rong Guofu and had some unlucky experiences that ordinary people would never encounter, he fell in love with him and made him his best friend that day.

With the support of his good brother Xue Pan, Sun Shaozu, who finally had some capital, naturally wanted to become bigger and stronger and make a comeback.And looking at the capital, the only ones who can realize his wish are the underground gambling houses that regard gold and silver as dirt.

Unfortunately, his luck was as bad as ever.After going through the repetitive and addictive stages of winning, losing, and losing, he owed a huge gambling debt.

Yesterday, he accidentally escaped and was blocked by those vicious moneylenders. After he once again moved out to be a disciple of Rongguo Mansion and a close friend of Prince Xue, he still could not escape a severe beating and was taken away early by the other party. Two fingers that don't belong to him.

All ten of his fingers have long been lost.The reason why the other party didn't take them all away was just to enable him to continue raising money to repay the money.

If it weren't for the life-saving straw of Xue Pan, he would have thought of fleeing the capital long ago.

After performing with snot and tears, he finally reluctantly told Xue Pan what happened to him.

When he heard that he owed more than 3000 taels of silver in less than ten days, even the wealthy Xue Pan couldn't help but take a breath and asked tentatively: "Um, have you been tricked? ?" Sun Shaozu had a look of defeat on his face. Although he himself had realized this a long time ago, there was nothing he could do to make it clear that he would die if he didn't pay back the money.

Seeing that Xue Pan didn't seem to want to help him, he pretended to sigh helplessly: "That's all, I think it is my grandson who is destined to have this disaster. Since it is my own gambling debt, the worst I can do is risk my life to pay for it." That's them. I'm just worried that those desperadoes won't let my mother go...

Therefore, I only want to ask Brother Xue to help me take care of my mother in the future. After all, the only person I, Sun Shaozu, can trust in the capital is Brother Xue. "

Sun Shaozu bowed casually as he spoke, as if he had already given up on life and death, and did not want to harm others, but only wanted his mother's safety.

Xue Pan greatly admired Sun Shaozu's righteousness, and quickly helped him up and said nonchalantly: "Whatever Brother Sun said, it has reached this point! Isn't it just more than 3000 taels of silver? I will pay it back for you." .

Brother Sun, you don't have to be afraid of them. Those who run gambling shops are the most bullying and fearful. When I turn around and say hello to them, they will definitely not dare to trouble Big Brother Sun anymore. "

Sun Shaozu was overjoyed when he heard the words, and thought that he had never seen it before, this fool Xue is really a nobleman in his desperate situation!

Therefore, after thanking him repeatedly, he led Xue Pan into the most prosperous market in Xicheng like a dog-legger. There was no trace of the sensual, arrogant and domineering temperament he had when he was in Datong Mansion.

……

The Rongqing Hall of Rongguo Mansion is once again a bustling and lively scene today.

In front of Jia Mu's big flower hall, the drama is slowly unfolding.On the wide corridor in front, extending from Jia Mu's left and right, more than a dozen high tables were covered with delicacies and fine wines.There are many servants in front of the porch and under the house.

Women and young ladies dressed in luxurious clothes sat in rows, tasting wine and enjoying the opera, enjoying the splendor of the prosperous age.

Mother Jia is the happiest, she likes this kind of scene full of children and grandchildren, riches and splendor the most.As I tilted my head to chat with Aunt Xue for a few words, I saw Baochai sitting beside Aunt Xue with a dignified and quiet posture, which was incomparable to her four granddaughters, and I couldn't help but feel more and more satisfied.

"Baoyu, today is your sister Bao's birthday. Don't you know how to come up and pour wine for your sister Bao?"

Jia Baoyu was originally feeling that the opera was boring. When he heard this, he immediately came up to Baochai with a pot of wine and poured wine for Baochai. He said with a smile: "Sister Bao, today is a good day for you. You have a chance to win." Drink a few more glasses to live up to this wonderful occasion."

"Hehehe, Baoyu is a child who can talk, much better than other children. Baochai, I still haven't thanked you, Brother Bao."

In fact, Baochai didn't need Aunt Xue's instructions. She stood up as soon as Jia Baoyu came forward, thanked Jia Baoyu politely and politely, and after having a drink, she asked him not to be polite and go back. Sitting.

It's just that it's rare for Jia Baoyu to find an opportunity to get close to Baochai openly and honestly. If he is willing to let it go, he will naturally give full play to his "kid" advantage and find all kinds of gags.Because he was teased by Aunt Xue, he threw himself into Aunt Xue's arms for a while, acting like a twisted candy, causing Aunt Xue to touch his head and laugh endlessly.

Others only said that Jia Baoyu was childish and close to his aunt.Only Jia Baoyu himself knew that Aunt Xue's arms were sweeter and more fragrant than those of any woman he had ever been with. It was a rare occasion for him to enjoy this.

"Hehehe..."

Jia Mu looked at this scene with a smile and couldn't help but look back at Mrs. Wang, only to see that Mrs. Wang looked the same as her.The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked at each other, and there was a rare feeling of understanding, so both parties couldn't help but nodded, and everything was understood.

While they were enjoying themselves, Mother Jia suddenly remembered something. She looked at Sister Feng beside her and lowered her voice a little: "Girl Feng, I saw Zhen's wife and Xiao Qin before. Where have they gone?"

Sister Feng said with a smile: "The old lady doesn't know something. Today is not only Bao girl's birthday, but also your two great-grandchildren's birthdays. Guess who the old lady is?"

Mother Jia's eyes lit up, "Could it be those two little guys' birthdays today?"

"Haha, the old lady's guess is not bad at all. Today happens to be the birthday of Sister-in-law Zhen's son and daughter, who are still one-year-old. She has gone back a long time ago. I guess she is busy preparing first-year gifts for her nephews and nieces."

Jia's mother understood, and she also remembered that last year, on the day Baochai and Jiji, Youshi gave birth to a pair of dragon and phoenix twins.But Mother Jia couldn't help but frown immediately, wondering if You was too cautious, keeping silent even about important events such as her son's first birthday, doing it quietly, without even informing her, the ancestor.

Sister Feng saw what Jia Mu was thinking, and she said: "Speaking of which, Bao Yatou and Sister-in-law Zhen are also destined to have their birthdays on the same day. But Sister-in-law Zhen is too disgusting. Such a happy event is unexpectedly I don't want to publicize it. If I hadn't just heard her talking to Bao Yatou before, I wouldn't have known about it.

I originally thought that the old lady must know, but I didn't expect... Also, I think Sister-in-law Zhen was also afraid of the old lady being embarrassed.On the left is Bao Yatou, and on the right is the great-grandson, both born in the same day. If she also comes to invite the old lady, where should the old lady go and where should she not go?

After saying this, sister-in-law Zhen understands the truth.How can this junior go over the elders' order, no matter how precious her sons and daughters are, how can they go over their Aunt Xue, naturally they have to take the second place.If the old lady feels really sorry, she can wait until Bao Ya's birthday is over before she goes to see Heng'er and Wu'er. It just so happens that she can have an extra meal of wine, and the old lady has everything she needs. "

Although she knew that Sister Feng meant this, Jia Mu was still amused by her blunt words.She waved her hand and said with a smile: "You are right. As a nephew and niece, you really can't steal the spotlight from your aunt. Not to mention that she didn't come to invite me, even if she came to invite me, I have to celebrate Bao Yatou's birthday first. .

But what you said is also reasonable, Zhen's daughter-in-law is sensible, and we can't seriously ignore those two children.When we have heard enough of the drama, let's go to Dongfu to see those two little guys together. "

Jia Mu and Sister Feng's singing together settled the matter.Others immediately started talking.

Yingchun Daiyu and others were just whispering to each other, but Tanchun looked at Jia Mu and smiled: "Old lady, what Sister Feng just said is absolutely correct. Are Sister-in-law Zhen's two children destined to Sister Bao?
Not to mention the babies born in one day, what’s even more coincidental is that one of them is called “Heng’er” and the other is “Wu’er”, and the yard where Sister Bao lives happens to be Heng Wuyuan, and the ligatures are the same!Isn't this just a coincidence?
You must know that the word "Hengwu" for Hengwuyuan was chosen by the imperial concubine herself during the Mid-Autumn Festival last year. It is difficult for Sister-in-law Zhen to think of giving Hengerwuer these two names in the first place. "

Tanchun's words immediately ignited the conversation among everyone. Everyone was amazed, and Xiangyun was the most excited.Even Baochai herself pursed her lips and smiled. Even she thought it was too much of a coincidence, let alone anyone else.

At this moment of extreme excitement and joy, a woman from the Xue family stumbled over.

"Madam, madam, something bad has happened. Our uncle has been captured by officers and soldiers!"

"What!" He said this and the whole room was shocked.

Aunt Xue stood up suddenly. Seeing that her mother-in-law didn't look like she was lying, she swayed for a moment and felt like the sky was falling.Because Aunt Xue knew very well that with the relationship between the Xue family and the Jia family, who wouldn’t think twice before taking action against the Xue family?

Although the fair-skinned Baochai was also shocked, she supported Aunt Xue relatively calmly and kept asking what was going on.

The mother-in-law said: "They said they were fighting over an oiran named 'Yun'er', and they got into a fight and accidentally beat him to death!"

Aunt Xue's eyes blurred and she fainted. (end of this chapter)