The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 212

In the afternoon, Jia Baoyu took a nap and then left Yihongyuan out of boredom, strolling towards the Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

It is said that in the three years since Jia Huan left Beijing, a major event happened in the Jia family, that is, Jia Yuanchun chose Fengzao Palace and named him a virtuous concubine.

As the saying goes, when one person attains enlightenment, chickens and dogs ascend to heaven, the Jia family has also prospered because of this, sweeping away the decline in recent years. Not only was Jia Zheng promoted from the Ministry of Industry to the Ministry of Industry, but Jia Zhen, who was sent to the sea, also received amnesty a year later. Although his title was not restored, he was allowed to continue living in Ningguo Mansion. In addition, Wang Ren and his son, who had also been stripped of their titles and exiled, were also pardoned and returned to their homes in the capital.

After Jia Yuanchun was registered as a virtuous concubine, the Jia family was ordered to build a villa for relatives, which took almost two years. In the first month of last year, Jia Yuanchun went home to visit relatives and visit the garden, and named the villa for relatives "Grand View Garden".

After the wedding, Jia Yuanchun felt that it was a waste to leave such a beautiful garden empty, so he ordered Chaidai and Sanchun to move into the garden. He also remembered that Jia Baoyu liked to be close to his sisters. If the sisters They all moved into the garden, fearing that he would be depressed, so he was also ordered to live in the garden and study.

Jia Baoyu was naturally overjoyed and immediately found Lin Daiyu and asked her where she wanted to live.Lin Daiyu liked bamboo, so she chose Xiaoxiang Pavilion with a quiet environment, so Jia Baoyu quickly chose Yihongyuan. Yihongyuan was close to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, so it was convenient to go to Sister Lin's place.Xue Baochai chose the low-key and restrained Hengwu Garden. He stayed in Zilingzhou to welcome the spring, to Qiu Shuangzhai to explore the spring, and to live in the Lotus Champs to celebrate the spring.

Ever since he moved into the garden, Jia Baoyu has lived a life as happy as a fairy. Well, at least he thinks so. Every day he mixes in the pile of makeup and powder, either mixing makeup and powder with the maids, or He ran to Chaidai's residence and his younger sister, the elder sister, screamed. When it snowed, he sneaked to Longcui'an to find Miaoyu and beg for plum blossoms. As for the elder sister Yuanchun's order for him to study in the garden, he left it to Java. Yes, I went to school for three days and spent two days fishing and drying nets.

However, since the first month of this year, Lin Daiyu went south to Yangzhou to visit her seriously ill father, and stayed there for several months. Jia Baoyu seemed to have lost his soul. The paradise-like happy garden did not seem to be very happy anymore. He could only count the days on his fingers. , calculating when Sister Lin will come back.

Let's say that Jia Baoyu went all the way to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and saw that the courtyard was full of concubine Xiang, with thick bamboos and phoenix tails, and the sound of dragons singing softly. The afternoon sunlight leaked down, making the ground mottled. He also saw the Xiang curtain hanging on the door of the house, silent, and even more deserted. , so his mood became even more dull. He went into the room and chatted for a few words with Zijuan, Daiyu's personal maid, and then left gloomily.

"I don't know what Sister Bao is doing now, so why not go and hang out with her." Jia Baoyu thought to himself, and walked in the direction of Hengwuyuan. When he walked near Xinfang Pavilion, he suddenly heard the sound of a warbler. After saying that, he quietly took a closer look and found that it was Baochai, Sanchun and the others who were fishing. He suddenly became happy again, secretly picked up a stone and threw it into the water.

There was a splash, water splashed in all directions, and all the fish in the pond ran away. Baochai and the other girls were also startled.Jia Baoyu jumped out with a smile and said: "You don't call me when you are fishing. Let me drive all the fish away. No one can catch it."

Jia Xichun was close to the water, and his face was splashed a few times. As he wiped his face, he said angrily: "I thought it was some narrow-minded ghost. It turned out to be the second brother. He made everyone wet, so he told his wife to go and see." Will she beat you?"

Jia Tanchun said: "No need to bother, Fourth Sister, just hit him twice with the fishing rod and he will be honest."

Jia Baoyu smiled and said, "Sisters, please forgive me. I don't dare to do it anymore. How about I catch a big fish later to make up for my guilt?"

"It would be great if we really caught it." Jia Tanchun smiled and put the fishing rod into Jia Baoyu's hand, then turned around to watch Xue Baochai and Jia Yingchun play chess. In fact, everyone was just fishing for fun and didn't care whether they could catch it or not. Fish, but since Jia Baoyu boasted about Haikou, he naturally wanted to show off his ability, so he took the fishing rod and sat on the stool with a golden sword to catch fish.

Jia Baoyu's luck seemed to be good. Just after fishing for a while, a fish bit the hook. However, as soon as the buoy moved twice, he hurriedly swung the rod. As a result, he used too much force and the fishing rod hit the pavilion above. When it broke, he also fell off the stool and fell flat on his back, which made all the girls burst into laughter.

Xue Baochai couldn't help laughing, and teased: "Did Brother Bao catch a big fish?"

Jia Xichun scratched his face and said shyly: "It's true that I caught a big asshole and paid for the fishing rod."

Jia Xichun and Jia Huan are about the same age. Three years later, the little Lolita has become more like a girl. She has a slim figure, like a tasseled corn, and a pretty face.

Xue Baochai has not changed much, but her face is like a silver plate, her eyes are like apricots, her lips are red without dots, and her eyebrows are green without paint. However, she is a few years older. She is 16 years old this year and her figure is even better. A little plump, the muscles and bones are moist, the skin is like frost and snow, the temperament is gentle and demure, dignified and beautiful.

Jia Baoyu stood up awkwardly and patted the dust off his body. However, this boy was thick-skinned after all. He recovered after a while and went to the stone platform to watch Baochai and Yingchun playing chess. Baochai's face was picturesque. , the pink neck is as long and graceful as a swan, and the body is still exuding a cool fragrance. I can't help but feel warm in my heart. I came closer and smelled it and said, "Sister Bao has been ill recently?"

Xue Baochai moved to the side imperceptibly and nodded slightly.

Jia Baoyu said with a smile: "Sister Bao smells like cold-flavored pills, so I guess she must have had that symptom again. It just so happens that I haven't been feeling well recently. Sister Bao, please give me one to try!"

Jia Tanchun frowned and said: "Second brother is fooling around again. How can he mix the medicines? Besides, Sister Bao's cold-flavored pills are cumbersome to make. If you are not lucky, you may not be able to get them in ten years. If you take one, you will lose one." , what if I give you something to eat, but you get sick and you don’t have to eat it?”

Jia Baoyu said with a sneer: "Third sister is right, I was reckless."

Xue Baochai's apricot eyes turned, he glanced at Jia Baoyu, and said to smooth things over: "I still have a lot of pills. I didn't mind giving one to Brother Bao to taste. It's just that Lengxiang Pills are cold in nature. I'm afraid you won't be able to bear it, Brother Bao." , if there is a problem with eating, wouldn’t it be my fault? Even if the old lady and my wife asked, it would be hard to explain.”

Jia Tanchun said hurriedly: "No, Sister Bao, just ignore him and stop."

Xue Baochai smiled and said, "Brother Bao, aren't you going to school today?"

Jia Baoyu didn't like going to school the most. Hearing this, he suddenly lost interest and said lazily: "My throat feels a little uncomfortable today, so I took the day off from my master."

Xue Baochai originally wanted to take the opportunity to persuade Jia Baoyu to study and make progress, but when he saw that the other party seemed impatient, he stopped. He was an outsider after all, so why bother asking for trouble? So he lowered his head and continued to play chess.

Just when the atmosphere was awkward, a burst of laughter like silver bells suddenly came: "Second (love) brother, you don't call me when you are fishing here."

Everyone looked up and saw Shi Xiangyun and the maid Cui Lu walking towards Qinfang Pavilion led by Xi Ren.

Everyone couldn't help but feel happy, and stood up one after another to welcome him out of the pavilion.

Shi Xiangyun has a charming appearance, is cheerful, generous, outspoken, and willing to help others. Fortunately, she can fight against injustices. She is also quick-thinking and shows off her heart, so everyone likes her. Even the maids in Jia's mansion are happy to get close to her. "How early and late did Sister Yun come?" When Jia Baoyu saw Shi Xiangyun, his interest suddenly became high again.

Shi Xiangyun said with a smile: "I've been here for an hour. I sat in the old lady's room for a while and talked to the old lady for a while. After the old lady took a nap, I thought about going to the garden to have fun with you. I'll go first. I went to the second brother's place, but he was not there, so Xiren took me to look here, saying that the second brother might have gone to sister Bao's place, but by chance, I met him here, hehe, did you catch a fish?"

Jia Tanchun said narrowly: "I can't catch it anymore. The fish is so big that even the fishing rod broke."

When Jia Xichun talked about how Jia Baoyu broke the fishing rod, all the girls couldn't help laughing, and Jia Baoyu also laughed awkwardly.

Xiren was always a loyal maid. After she and Jia Bao secretly tasted the forbidden fruit a few years ago, she even regarded herself as Jia Baoyu's housekeeper. She defended him in everything. Seeing Baoyu's embarrassment, he changed the subject and said: " I heard that Second Master Lian's ship is approaching Tongzhou and will enter Beijing tomorrow."

"Really?" Jia Baoyu almost jumped up with joy, her excitement was beyond words. Jia Lian was back, and naturally Sister Lin came back with her.

Thinking of this, Jia Baoyu couldn't wait to spread her wings and fly to Tongzhou to meet Sister Lin who thought about her day and night.

The attacker glanced at Jia Baoyu, whose eyes were shining with excitement. How could he not understand the reason? He poured cold water on her and said, "I heard that Miss Lin did not come back with the ship."

Jia Baoyu was stunned for a moment and then lost his voice: "Why?"

The attacker shook his head and said, "My servant doesn't know very well. You can ask yourself when Second Master Lian returns home tomorrow."

Jia Baoyu suddenly felt like a deflated rubber ball, his whole body was deflated. He walked out of Qinfang Pavilion listlessly and walked away, ignoring Shi Xiangyun's call to him.

Shi Xiangyun stuck out his tongue and said, "What's wrong with the second brother? If Sister Lin doesn't come back, he will just lose his soul and ignore everyone."

There was a hint of undetectable worry in Xiren's eyes, and he glanced at Xue Baochai, who was smiling silently, and explained: "Baoyu and Miss Lin have been playing together since they were young. They have similar interests and naturally have a closer relationship. They haven't seen each other in the past six months." , and I heard that Miss Lin did not return to Beijing with Second Master Lian, so she was naturally in a low mood. It will be fine after a while, girls, don’t worry about him."

Jia Tanchun frowned and said, "Xiren, just follow him, lest brother Debao get mad and do some ridiculous things."

The attacker hurriedly apologized and chased Jia Baoyu, while the girls continued to be stubborn for a while and then dispersed.Since the Xiaoxiang Pavilion happened to be vacant, Shi Xiangyun went to live in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and Zicuckoo naturally welcomed her very much.

It is said that after Xue Baochai left Qinfang Pavilion, he took his maid Ying'er to Hengwu Garden, stopping and walking along the way, as if he was thinking about something.

It was early summer, and the garden was full of life, with green willows and poplars, lush garden trees, roses and pomegranates in full bloom, attracting bees and butterflies.

Xue Baochai stood in front of a fiery red pomegranate tree, watching the flying bees and butterflies in ecstasy, and suddenly sighed softly: "Three years have passed, time flies so fast!"

The maid behind her, Ying'er, also had a dazed look on her face, and said smoothly: "No, it's been three years, and it's time for Third Master Huan to take off his filial piety. It just so happens that the emperor is going to add Enke, I wonder if he will end up."

Xue Baochai glanced at Ying'er and walked around the pomegranate tree. Three years ago, Jia Huan helped Ling go to Nanjing and had lost contact with Jia's family since the beginning. As time went by, Jia Huan stayed in Jia's family. The traces are getting fainter and fainter, the masters are indifferent, and the servants are gradually ignoring the existence of this bastard. If ten or eight years pass, no one will remember this person.

However, Xue Baochai knew that she could not forget it. Even if he married at an early age, she would always remember that afternoon many years ago, that young boy who smiled in the sun and quietly watched her fluttering butterflies.

It's been three years. How are brothers Huan doing?

In the past three years, the Jia family has first declined and then flourished. Yuanchun was made a concubine. The Jia family is decorated with flowers and brocade, and the scenery is infinite. However, the Huan brothers are alone in the deserted village and fields, studying hard in the cold window in the wind and rain, which is really sad. .

"My hard work pays off. I hope Brother Huan will be rewarded after all his hard work, and he will be crowned the winner in one fell swoop and have a bright future!" Xue Baochai sighed secretly.

In the past three years, although Jia Huan and Jia's family have severed contact, they still often exchange letters with Jia Tanchun. One time, Jia Tanchun was crying alone and was caught by Xue Baochai. Only then did he get some information from Jia Tanchun. From the news about Jia Huan, we learned that he settled in a cottage near a village on the outskirts of Jinling, studying hard while living in cold weather.

However, now that his uncle Wang Ziteng has assumed the position of Minister of War, his power has continued to increase, and the relationship between Brother Huan and the Wang family is very tense. Since his aunt, Mrs. Wang, has "exiled" him to Nanjing, she naturally does not want him to have any problems. If they are just starting out, will Brother Huan's road to the imperial examination go smoothly?
Thinking of this, Xue Baochai couldn't help but shook his head. He also thought of Jia Baoyu's behavior when he heard that Lin Daiyu had not returned to Beijing, and he felt even more upset.

Xue Baochai came to Beijing a few years ago with the purpose of participating in a female talent show. However, due to the Tatar invasion, Emperor Qian Sheng canceled the talent show, so she stayed in Jia Mansion for three years. She is 16 years old this year, and is about to get married. .

Although Mrs. Wang didn't say it explicitly, she seemed to have the intention of marrying her. Especially during the Spring Festival this year, Concubine Yuan gave all the sisters a gift. Only hers was exactly the same as Jia Baoyu's, which seemed to imply something.

If Xue Baochai and Jia Baoyu can marry, Aunt Xue will naturally be happy to see it happen. After all, Baochai participated in the draft to help his family. Now that the draft has failed, the Jia family is undoubtedly a good choice. Let's get married together. It couldn't be better, and after Jia Yuanchun was established as the imperial concubine, the power of the Jia family has increased to a higher level, which will be a great help to the Xue family.

In addition, the gold lock Xue Baochai wore on her neck needed jade to match it, and Jia Baoyu happened to have jade. It was a perfect match destined by God, and Aunt Xue had no objection.

Xue Baochai actually didn't have any thoughts about Jia Baoyu, but she was the kind of traditional feudal woman who was a good wife and mother. She was content and ready at all times. If her mother asked her to marry Jia Baoyu, she would not resist, but she always had some regrets in her heart.

(End of this chapter)