The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Due to Madam's orders, the servants of the Chen family got up early today and cleaned every place in the house. This kind of thing actually happens every day, so there is no need to pay too much attention to it. Both Chen Heng and Daiyu have busy lives, but the Zicuckoo at home cannot tolerate mistakes.

The two young masters from the Jia family are here this time, so there must be some slight. The owners of the two families may not say anything, but the servants of the Jia family returned and were designated to make arrangements.

Zijuan is Daiyu's maid and the manager of the Chen family's backyard recognized by both Chen Heng and Daiyu. There is an inexplicable stubbornness in the smart Zijuan. While the master and his wife were having breakfast, they quickly slipped out and inspected everything in person.

In the hall, Chen Heng was still sitting with the two ladies. They had just eaten pumpkin porridge, a recipe that was in season with spring. As the county magistrate, Chen Heng usually doesn't have much to do in the morning. Lin Daiyu, who was in a hurry to go out, turned over her book box again.

The children in Yunjian Academy are young and have no foundation in literacy. In order to teach them to be successful, Daiyu had to put in a lot of effort, which is beyond the description of ordinary masters.

My lord, where are the Book of Rites and The Classic of Filial Piety at home?

They are all kept in my study.

Seeing Daiyu's anxious question, Chen Heng, who had nothing to do, made a move to get up and walk to his study. He was originally accompanied by Xinda and Pan Youan. One of the two has taken charge of his own business, and Pan Youan was borrowed by Xiao Ping again. Instead, I asked the county magistrate to go there in person.

Sir, please sit down and let me go. Qingwen, who was waiting by the side, answered very positively.

You girl, with all your behavior, who wouldn't know what's in your heart? Chen Heng sneered secretly and reported his position to the extremely enthusiastic maid. After Qingwen hurriedly ran away, he turned to the two ladies and smiled: I see, she still wants to stay at home and watch the fun.

Daiyu smiled and shook her head, That can't be done. She added, She has to go to class with sister Yinglian today to teach some needlework to the children in the academy.

When Chen Heng heard this, he immediately became interested. She took the tea handed over by Yinglian and asked, Children, have you already started learning this?

Yes. Yinglian's appearance is very gorgeous and charming. Her beauty is somewhat different from Daiyu's. With the same face facing the sky, Daiyu's body is covered with green mist and raindrops from the south of the Yangtze River. If you put it on Yinglian, she will become a pearl covered in dust.

Fortunately, Yinglian likes such a simple and elegant dress very much. It seems that doing so can remind her of the relaxed days in Yangzhou. The smiles on her face gradually increased, and her expression now looked much more natural than when she first got married.

My sister said that children will eventually leave the academy to find a living. Only those with many skills can have a foothold outside. Yinglian smiled brightly, like a daisy that had just bloomed in early spring, My husband, please don't admire me so much. Looking at me, Qingwen's craftsmanship is truly better than mine.

While the victim was away, Lin Daiyu suddenly turned around and whispered to Chen Heng: But the children are still more willing to take Yinglian's class. Although Qingwen has a sharp eye and quick hands, she can't forgive others with her mouth. She is very broken and loves to teach. people.

Chen Heng immediately laughed and clapped his hands and said: Talented people are always a little proud. Mr. Lin Shanzhang has a lot, so you should cherish your talents.

Being called this by her husband made Daiyu look a little shy. She pursed her lips and was about to point her finger at her husband. Chen Heng quickly interrupted: Since we want to learn from female celebrities, we need to find a sewing shop for them to practice in the future?

When Lin Daiyu heard this, she looked at Zhen Yinglian and smiled, then said, I wrote to Sister Qin last month, asking her to come to us when she returns to Yangzhou.

Yes, if the Xue brothers and sisters are here. Just getting some money from them is enough to support another academy. Chen Heng was overjoyed and gave Daiyu a thumbs up on the spot. Congratulate each other for your wife's plan.

Mischief. Daiyu gave him a straight mouthful and explained, The Fucheng Shopping Street is about to be built, and Sister Qin will definitely not want to miss such a good thing. It would be a good idea to wait for the children in the academy to learn their skills and help in her shop. A mutually beneficial thing.”

Yeah, yeah. Chen Heng nodded and responded perfunctorily. Daiyu rolled her eyes at him before taking the book from Qingwen who rushed back. It happened that Zicuckoo also came back from her inspection outside. After thinking for a while, she, the head mother, finally decided on the person who would stay behind.

Ms., I'll leave Sister Zijuan here to help you welcome your guests.

When Qingwen heard this, she lowered her head in frustration. This was Master Bao's visit. How could she miss the scene of him asking for help? She couldn't tell what she was feeling, and she didn't really want to see Baoyu suffer misfortune. But she also felt that Baoyu was in some embarrassing situations, which really made her very happy.

good.

Daiyu has the final say in everything at home. This is a tacit understanding between husband and wife, and Chen Heng will not break it.

We will come back early today. Remember to stay with your cousin for dinner. Seeing her husband nodding his head, Daiyu gave Zijuan some instructions. What he explained was nothing more than some of Baochai's tastes and preferences.

When she finally left the house, Daiyu said to Chen Heng: Ms. sir, my cousin and the others came to visit us, and they must be asking for something big. You just have to decide what you want. I didn't stay home on purpose because I didn't want you to do it because of me. Suffering.”

When Chen Heng heard this, he nodded immediately. How could he abandon public service for private reasons and just wait for the Jia family to come over?

With so much procrastination, I almost missed going to school to teach. Daiyu exclaimed and hurriedly pulled the delighted Qingwen and Yinglian out. Seeing his two beloved wives driving away in a car, the empty-nest man Chen Heng put his hands behind his back and couldn't help but think in distress.

I was always busy in the past, but I finally have some free time today. Fortunately, his two beloved wives were busier than him.

Zicuckoo on the side saw the old man exhaling and sighing. Really unable to hold back his laughter, he quickly turned his back.

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Having too many talented people on hand is also a blessing in distress. Chen Heng walked around the county government office and found that Liu Xianglian was already outside patrolling the streets, and Pan Youan followed Xiao Ping out to do errands. Even Xinda, who usually stayed close to him, was now walking through the countryside with the scholars from the government school.

The empty-nest man had no choice but to read in the study and wait for guests. The morning light that shines into the room shifts away a little bit. It was about 4 o'clock before he got up and walked to the lobby. Counting the time, Jia Lian and Jia Baoyu will be arriving soon.

He was looking forward to the upcoming distinguished guests. The two young masters of the Jia family are also busy communicating about the meeting. They took two carriages today. Baoyu was supposed to ride with Baochai, but Jia Lian couldn't worry about Baoyu. When he went out, he deliberately pulled him to his car.

From the beginning of the journey, Jia Lian kept giving Baoyu advice. Now that he was about to go to the Huating County Government Office, Jia Lian spoke even more diligently, fearing that his brother would miss important family events.

When you get to the county government, don't be stupid. He is no longer what he used to be, and he is far from the shabby appearance he had in his early years. You can use your expression as you like.

Jia Baoyu was really tired of listening to it all the way. For today's gathering, he even gave up his favorite yellow robe and crown. Just like Jia Lian, they all deliberately looked for ordinary clothes. This kind of forbearance is not just because he is afraid of offending the master's golden face.

I have already wronged myself so much, lying on the ground and doing nothing. Why is the second brother Lian still holding on to him?

Since my brother is so worried, he stopped the car and asked me to walk back by myself.

You see, I just said a few words to you and you got angry again. Jia Lian also felt Jia Zheng's distress, so he had no choice but to shut his mouth honestly. But he still sighed in his heart: If it weren't for the old lady's instructions to bring Baoyu out to experience and grow, he would not be willing to take this hard job.

After all, they were married, and the unhappy Baoyu noticed something strange about Jia Lian. He had no choice but to take the initiative and say, Is our family really going to the point of begging him?

Isn't that right, my precious young master? Jia Lian nodded and turned his face outward, still unwilling to take the initiative to speak.

Is our family so short of money? Baoyu said quite innocently, You should have told me earlier, I would have been less particular on weekdays. I wouldn't have been in the difficult situation that I am today, having to come here to make myself miserable.

The clothes you wear on a daily basis can last ordinary people ten or twenty years if you put them outside. Jia Lian knew that what Baoyu said was willful. Don't look at Baoyu, who is a national thief and a ghost, but he really makes the other party the master, but he knows nothing about the affairs of the family. I don’t even know how difficult it is to get food, rice, oil and salt.

A family needs to eat, and a family like ours needs to eat well and dress well. Jia Lian continued: Don't you like to play in the Grand View Garden the most? Do you know how much money the family spent on repairing that yard?

Brother is really good at joking. You, dad and uncle take care of everything outside. How could I know about this account?

Jia Lian sneered and made a three sign with his hand.

Jia Baoyu was stunned and hesitated: Three hundred thousand taels?

It's three million taels. Jia Lian said with a sneer, Three hundred thousand taels? It's just enough to buy some beams, posts and tiles for that yard.

Ah... Jia Baoyu looked ashamed and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Of course, this amount of money is more than just one Grand View Garden, and the expenses for picking up Yuanchun afterwards are also included in it. The number of teachers, personnel, and etiquette that should be prepared are simply a bottomless pit. Apart from this, the several opera troupes hired for Yuanchun were all recruited from Jiangnan. It is still kept in the house and occasionally taken out to entertain the old lady.

Otherwise, Yuanchun will get rid of these people as soon as he steps forward. Speaking of which, how can the Jia family keep their face?

Then he can really help us? Is he willing to help us?

Just don't cause any trouble for me. Jia Lian groaned and said: He may not be able to do it, but the ports and commercial streets in his hands are designated to be able to do it. You just have to figure it out, and wait until our family has finished this trip. Other families in the capital will also send people. Everyone. Come and beg him.

It was impossible not to come, so Li Zhi gave him a one-year deadline. Before the end of the year, the accounts of the Maritime Affairs Department were settled. Li Zhi wants to investigate hard, so that no one can live a good life.

Second Master, the county government is coming soon.

Suddenly there was a report from a servant outside, and Jia Lian hurriedly pushed Baoyu with his hand. The two men straightened their expressions immediately, and they were both handsome young men. When you do this, it's like you've changed into a different person.

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At the open back door of the county government office, everyone in the Chen family had been waiting here for a long time. In addition to Chen Heng, Liu Xianglian, Xinda and Zijuan are all here. Apart from them, Pan Youan did not show up. After all, this person's background is different, so there is no need to go out of his way to antagonize guests.

Jia Lian and Bao Yu only came down from the horse stool and saw Chen Heng standing in the spring breeze with a smile on his face. He hurriedly came up in small steps, cupped his hands and said with a smile: Brother-in-law is here to welcome you. My brother-in-law is here today to bother you. He is going to cause trouble for you.

This Jia Lian is a decent man. Chen Hengxiao wrote a reply: My brother-in-law has come a long way to work hard, please come to the house quickly to talk about it.

Regardless of the relationship between his family and the Jia family, there is Daiyu standing in the middle. If she really made the scene ugly, how could Daiyu feel better.

Just as Baoyu picked up Baochai from behind, Jia Lian looked around at the right time and asked: Good brother-in-law, where is my cousin? The old lady asked me to bring a gift specially, and I also have some personal words for her.

Chen Heng bowed slightly to Baoyu and Baochai, and also explained: Brother-in-law, forgive me, she has classes in the academy today. When I left the house in the morning, I asked me to keep my brother until the evening and have a meal together when she comes back.

Jia Lian felt a pity in his heart. It seemed that Daiyu would not side with her mother's family. But he said warmly: When I arrived in Songjiang, I heard that you built an academy for my cousin. When I return to the capital, I will definitely tell my aunt and uncle about this matter. My brother-in-law loves his sister so much, and they heard that He must be very happy.

When he mentioned Lin Ruhai and Jia Min, Chen Heng's face also showed a look of longing. Except during the Chinese New Year, the two families exchanged letters. It’s really been a long time since I saw my father-in-law and mother-in-law. Suppressing his slight sadness, Chen Heng welcomed the guest into the house with a smile and said, It's windy outside, let's go inside and talk quickly.

Seeing Chen Heng reaching forward, Jia Lian immediately stepped forward, took the other person's arm, and said affectionately: If you have to trouble your brother-in-law to take the wind today, I won't treat myself as a guest.

We just met and they said two troubles. Jia Lian, Jia Lian, what do you want to ask for when you come here today? Chen Heng smiled secretly and walked side by side with Jia Lian. Behind them, naturally followed a group of people.

Baoyu and Baochai were guests and walked in front. Zijuan was the person appointed by Daiyu and walked a little ahead to lead the way. Ying'er is Baochai's eldest maid, and now she meets Zijuan again. Apart from looking at each other a few more times, he is quite honest.

This is the best thing for a woman to do after she gets married. In terms of etiquette, as long as your husband is with you, there is no need to avoid too many foreign guests. They walked and walked in the courtyard of the county government office, and Chen Heng took the time to introduce some scenery. It was probably something that Daiyu and I got to play with when we were bored.

Jia Lian was full of praise and saw servants standing ready at every corner and veranda. He even boasted: My sister knows how to recite poems and paint. When she first got married to you, I told the old lady that one of you is talented in literature, and the other is both talented and knowledgeable. When you get together, I am afraid that you will become more poetic and artistic. They don’t care about ordinary life... From the looks of it, my sister is also very good at running the house.

You have to be more modest when you praise yourself, since you are praising your wife. Chen Heng was very happy when he agreed, and said directly: The old lady and mother-in-law taught me well. My family is all in order because of my wife's control.

Jia Lian nodded happily, as long as you two have a good relationship. Don’t forget the well digger when drinking water. Brother-in-law Chen, your mother-in-law’s surname is Jia. This is all, I hope you will never forget your feelings.

Everyone was talking and laughing all the way into the lobby. Chen Heng and Jia Lian sat at the top, while Baoyu and Baochai sat at the bottom. When guests come to your door, gifts are indispensable. This is a move between relatives, you can pick them up or not. But if she doesn't answer, Daiyu's face will be nowhere to be saved.

Chen Heng nodded to Zijuan, and a servant came over to take the things away. There was only one gift list, which Zijuan kept close to her body, waiting to be handed over to Madam for verification in the evening.

At first, everyone was chatting. Never mind how embarrassing it was in Lixiangyuan because of Xue Pan's incident. Now that everyone is in-laws, Jia Lian frequently expresses his goodwill, and the topic always revolves around the right place.

Chen Heng was also happy to chat with him about his experiences in the north and south, and also took the time to respond to some changes in Huating County. The two parties had not met before in Zhen's Mansion, but Jia Lian still brought up the matter.

After that day, I didn't dare to stay in Jinling for a moment. It was really scary... Jia Lian shook his head and sighed, then said affectionately, Brother-in-law, you don't know.

What's wrong? Chen Heng blinked, trying to see what the other person would say again.

I heard that the second son of the Zhen family saw a bloodbath for no reason. He was a little frightened and is falling ill in the mansion. Jia Lian hoped that this experience would bring him closer to Chen Heng. After all...after all...we can all suffer together.

What disease is it? Chen Heng was a little curious. Zhen Baoyu looked fat and white, and he didn't look like he was weak.

Shocked. The doctor said he was shaken to his core and a little confused.

Jia Lian said it very happily, but it made Chen Heng feel inexplicably familiar. Isn't this... He glanced out of the corner of his eye and subconsciously looked at Baoyu who was drinking tea on his right.

I remember that you, boy, loved this disease the most.

Oops, why do these words sound so familiar to me? Jia Lian secretly said that he said the wrong thing and was thinking about how to rescue Baoyu. Baochai, who was sitting next to Baoyu, had already said: It's a pity that Sister Lin is not here, so I have been listening to my brother and brother-in-law talking, and I don't know what to say.

You two know how to talk about the scenery along the way. I should take my husband off the boat and walk around more, so that I can catch up with you.

Baoyu, your wife is ordering you. You do speak.

Chen Heng showed an inexplicable smile and said to him in a friendly manner: My cousin has been working hard all the way, but are you feeling uncomfortable?

Jia Baoyu had no choice but to stand up from his seat, bowed his head and cupped his hands in response to the host's concern, Thank you for your concern, brother-in-law. Have a good trip.

Sit down~~ Chen Heng's last voice was slightly upward, and he quickly stretched out his hand to signal the other party to sit down. Then he said to Jia Lian, When they got married, I had already left Beijing to work abroad. It's a pity that I couldn't catch up with their wedding banquet. In the past few days, I specially asked Yu'er to prepare some small gifts to congratulate my cousin and my wife.

Hey, all those who are polite or rude are from my own family. Jia Lian screamed strangely and said with a smile, Really speaking, when I went out, your cousin-in-law asked me to bring you some kindness. She is the only one. The woman has little knowledge, and she kept pestering me and said she wouldn't let me go out without bringing anything with me. When you collect the things later, don't laugh at her for not being fully prepared.

You see, the role of each wife in socializing has many wonderful benefits. Chen Heng smiled and nodded, also curious about what Wang Xifeng would give.

Ahhhhh, a busy day at work.