The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 145
The big ship sails along the canal all the way south, raising the sails with the wind, and using the oars against the current, traveling at dawn and staying at night, mooring in the morning and evening. However, the speed of the boat seems to be unable to keep up with the footsteps of autumn, so the further south, the deeper the autumn color .Standing on the bow of the boat and looking around, I can only see the vastness of the river and the sky, the forests on both sides of the river are completely dyed, and the maple leaves are as red as drunk.

Jia Huan couldn't help but took out the easel for sketching, and put all the beautiful autumn scenery on both sides of the Taiwan Strait into the drawing paper.

Ping'er quietly stood behind and watched Jia Huan's painting, his gentle eyes were like the autumn water in the river, the skirt was blown by the wind, it was as beautiful as a painting.

Tiehu and Xingwei were basking in the sun on the deck at the stern, pointing at the architectural scenery on both sides of the strait. Both of them were teenagers, and it was their first time traveling far, so they had been very interested in the past few days. I just feel that everything I see is very fresh.

The little girl Yuanyuan has changed into a clean new dress, she looks even more pink and jade-built, at the moment she is humming a bamboo flute at the stern of the boat, although it is not very coherent, it can be heard that it is the song "Blue and White Porcelain".

"The blue sky is waiting for misty rain, and I am waiting for you, the smoke from cooking is rising, thousands of miles across the river..."

Xing Wei smiled and said: "Girl Yuanyuan, don't play this song, play a song you are familiar with."

The little girl squinted her bright eyes, and her fingering changed immediately, and a quiet piece of "The Wizard of Oz" sounded like crying, smooth and natural, obviously very proficient.

Both Tie Hu and Xing Wei closed their eyes with enjoyment. Music has no borders, and it also has no borders. Whether you are a bachelor or an illiterate peddler, you can enjoy the beauty of music.

After playing the song, Tiehu gave a thumbs up and praised: "Miss Yuanyuan played well."

Xing Wei also gave a thumbs up and praised: "Miss Yuanyuan plays wonderfully, she plays croakingly."

The little girl's eyes were bent into two small crescents by the praise, and Zhou Nanny, who was washing clothes with a wooden basin nearby, couldn't help smiling. Seeing her girl getting brighter every day, she was naturally very happy, and she became more and more fond of Jia Huan. Thank you, I took the initiative to undertake chores such as washing clothes, cleaning, and helping the kitchen along the way.

The little girl Xing Yuan's xiao was naturally taught by Jia Huan, and this little girl is smart and indeed very talented. Now she can play three pieces of music, and she is learning the piece "Blue and White Porcelain" recently, but she is not very proficient yet.

"Girl Yuanyuan, let's play another song." Xing Wei urged.

"Stop playing, I want to watch my little brother draw." Xing Yuan put away the bamboo flute and bounced to the bow.

At this time, a tall city outline appeared in front of the sight, and the boats on the river obviously increased, and the two sides of the river were crowded with people coming and going, which was very lively.

"Huh, could it be Yangzhou City over there?" Tie Hu and Xing Wei suddenly became excited. They had heard about the prosperity of Yangzhou City. To visit and see.

Jia Huan sketched out a city outline with a few brush strokes, which blended with the whole autumn landscape, which is magnificent and has a unique charm.

"Brother Huan's paintings are so beautiful." Xing Yuan flashed a pair of bright eyes, almost overflowing with admiration. In her little heart, Jia Huan seemed to know everything.

At this moment, Lin Zhixiao came over and said, "Master Huan, Yangzhou City is not far ahead, do you want to stop? Or just go around the city and go to the next stop, Guazhou Ferry?"

Jia Huan nodded: "Let's stop at Yangzhou Wharf for one night. I have one more thing to do. Ping'er, take ten taels of silver for tea and give it to Steward Lin. Everyone has worked hard during this time, and they all went ashore to rest and drink tea." Bar."

Lin Zhixiao quickly declined, but Jia Huan still stuffed the ten taels of silver into his hands, so the former had no choice but to thank him repeatedly: "The slave will thank the third master on everyone's behalf."

After finishing speaking, he turned around and informed the servants and boatmen that they were going to stop the boat and dock. When they heard that the third master paid for the treat, they were all very happy and full of energy, and they worked together to drive the big boat towards the pier.

Lin Ruhai is currently serving as the salt inspection censor in Yangzhou. Before leaving, he promised Lin Daiyu to send a letter from his father. do it.

Jia Huan stood up, stood against the wind with his hands on the boat railing, and looked at the famous Yangzhou city in front of him from a distance. He had been to Yangzhou in his previous life, but it was completely different from this ancient water town, and there was no similarity at all. Apart from being unfamiliar, it is still unfamiliar, but the charm of the Jianghuai water town is stronger. Unfortunately, it is late autumn now. If it is the season of warm spring and flowers blooming, you will definitely be able to see the scenery of green willows and willows on both sides of the river.

The water transportation in Yangzhou is very developed. The Bian River and the Surabaya River pass through the city. The rivers and ditches in the city are criss-crossed. The cruise ships and paintings come and go like weaving. .Wu Shan was a little worried.Think long and long, hate long and long, and hate will only stop when you return.The moonlight people lean on the building.

Soon, the big ship docked at the pier in the north of Yangzhou City. Jia Huan took down the drawing paper from the easel, handed it to Xing Yuan and said, "Yuanyuan, give this to you as a souvenir."

The little girl was quite happy at first, but she seemed to faintly sense that parting was imminent, and asked, "Little brother, are you coming to Jinling soon?"

Jia Huan nodded and said: "After Yangzhou, Jinling is just around the corner. You and Nanny Zhou are going to Suzhou. We have different routes. It's time to say goodbye. Later, I will ask Steward Lin to contact a passenger ship to take you to Suzhou. go."

Xing Yuan's face suddenly collapsed, he lowered his head sullenly, rubbing his eyes and crying.Although it was only half a month of getting along, Xiao Xing Yuan obviously had a strong dependence on Jia Huan.Children seem to be like this, whoever treats him well will rely on him, let alone a child who has just undergone great changes and lost his parents' home!

Jia Huan rubbed Xing Yuan's little head, and said comfortingly: "There is no banquet in the world that lasts forever, and it is necessary to say goodbye after sending you off for thousands of miles. But don't be sad, if my little brother passes by Suzhou in the future, I will visit you."

Little Xing Yuan stretched out his little finger of his right hand when he heard the words, Jia Huan was stunned for a moment before reacting, so he also stretched out his little finger of his right hand and pulled the hook with Little Xing Yuan, who smiled through his tears: "If you pull the hook, you can't go back on your word, Brother, you must remember to come and see Yuanyuan, otherwise it will be a puppy."

Jia Huan was amused and touched, nodded and said: "Once a gentleman speaks, it's hard to follow."

Little Xing Yuan took the painting that Jia Huan gave her and ran away bouncing away. Sure enough, the children's joys and sorrows come and go quickly.

Next, Jia Huan took Ping'er, Tie Hu and others ashore and entered the city, first found an inn to stay, bathed and freshened up, and then went to visit Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai is the censor of salt inspection in Yangzhou, affiliated to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and responsible for supervising the implementation of the local salt administration. As soon as he inquired, he found out where Lin Ruhai lived, and waited outside the door after posting a greeting card.

After about a cup of tea, a man in charge came out to greet him. He was about 30 years old, he was born with a good appearance, and he called himself Diao.

The Diao Guanshi looked Jia Huan up and down, probably because he saw Jia Huan coming to the door in filial piety, so he was a little unhappy and felt unlucky, so he didn't greet Jia Huan to enter the mansion, but made a bow and said: "Don't blame the third master Huan, sir. I went out to work today, and I don't know when I will be back, if Master Huan is not in a hurry, please come back tomorrow, or leave your address, and when the master returns home, I will inform Third Master Huan!"

Jia Huan frowned secretly when he heard the words: "That's unlucky, I only stay in Yangzhou for one night, and I will leave tomorrow, how about it, please trouble the manager..."

Just as Jia Huan was about to take out Lin Daiyu's family letter and asked the tricky steward to hand it over to Lin Ruhai, another man with the appearance of a steward came out from the gate.

When Diao Guanshi saw it, he immediately said with a smile, "Butler Xiao!"

This housekeeper Xiao was about 50 to [-] years old, with a long beard under his chin, and he looked more mature and calm. He looked at Jia Huan and asked, "Who is this young master?"

Guanshi Diao hurriedly said: "This is the Third Master Huan under the knee of the Rongguo Government Master in the capital."

Housekeeper Xiao was slightly taken aback, and hurriedly said: "It turns out that he is the son of the second uncle's family, please come inside." After speaking, he gave Guanshi Diao a conscious or unintentional look, obviously very dissatisfied with him for neglecting his relatives.

Diao Guan bowed his head in embarrassment and remained silent.

Jia Huan clasped her fists and said: "Jia Huan is filial and pregnant. Since my uncle is not here, I won't go in. Sister Lin entrusted me to send this letter from my family to my uncle. Please pass it on to my uncle, housekeeper Xiao."

After Jia Huan finished speaking, he handed Lin Daiyu's family letter to Housekeeper Xiao, then turned around and left.

Butler Xiao hurriedly said: "Brother Huan, wait a minute. Since you are here, there is no reason not to enter the door. When the master comes back, I'm afraid he will blame me for not greeting you well."

Jia Huan paused, thinking that if he left like this, he would look petty, so he turned around and said, "If that's the case, then I'll be bothering you."

Hence, Jia Huan followed Steward Xiao into the living room, drank a cup of tea, sat for a while before leaving.

As soon as Jia Huan left, Housekeeper Xiao called the tricky steward and scolded him severely, saying that he could not entertain guests and offended his relatives.

Coincidentally, in the evening, Lin Ruhai returned home, Housekeeper Xiao hurriedly told Lin Ruhai about Jia Huan's visit, and handed over Lin Daiyu's family letter.

Lin Ruhai heard the letter from his beloved daughter, and immediately opened the letter without taking off his official uniform. After reading it, he was silent for a while, and asked, "Where is that Brother Huan now?"

"I live in the Pearl Inn. I heard that this time the coffin of the life-saving mother was buried in her hometown. She will leave Yangzhou tomorrow." Housekeeper Xiao replied.

Lin Ruhai nodded and said: "Fortunately, otherwise I really missed it, you go there yourself and ask Brother Huan to meet you tomorrow."

Seeing that Lin Ruhai attached so much importance to it, Steward Xiao quickly agreed and withdrew, rushing to the Pearl Inn in person.

(End of this chapter)