As night fell, the cold wind of the twelfth lunar month made a rustling sound like a whimper on the tree trunks outside the window. The wind shadows swayed and everything was silent.
In the tub, the steam was steaming, and the sound of running water kept making.
The girl with a beautiful figure and smooth skin is only wearing a white middle coat, and her hair has been tied up with a ribbon behind her shoulders to prevent it from getting wet.
The maid on the side was waiting on the book and said with a chuckle: "Girl, if the water is cold, please tell me and add more hot water."
Tanchun nodded and said softly: "Well, Shishu, you can go out first. I can wash it alone."
"Girl, the towels and clothes are all put up on the rack." The waiter Shuqing knew that his girl's body had gradually opened up in the past two years, and she became shy and no longer allowed her to take baths with her. He responded and slowly withdrew. Got out.
Seeing the servant leave, Tanchun untied his clothes. The bright candlelight reflected on the smooth jade-like snow back, forming a slightly dim shadow on the spine. His glazed jade feet stepped over the wooden ladder and stepped into the water.
Separated by several screens, Xiangyun not far away also got into the bathtub under the service of the maid Cui Lu. While taking a bath, he hummed a tune and said loudly: "Third sister, you Are you washing it?"
Tan Chun frowned and said with a smile, "What's wrong, Sister Yun."
As he spoke, he gently scrubbed with a towel, and a pair of small hands stirred water drops from his neck. The water droplets flowed over the collarbone, swirled, and under the action of gravity, bumped on the low hill and landed on it. on the water.
Just as she lowered her eyes, under the girl's heroic and slender eyebrows, her big bright eyes showed a look of loss.
Xiangyun's joyful laughter came: "Third sister, after we learn how to ride a horse, we can go hunting next spring."
Tanchun put away the complicated emotions in his heart, chuckled and said, "It's pretty good."
In the backyard, in another wing room, Jia Heng was also taking a bath. He closed his eyes slightly and let the girl behind him scrub his back with a towel.
Qingwen suddenly asked in surprise: "Sir, why are there red marks on your back?"
Jia Heng was closing his eyes to rest. When he heard this, his expression changed slightly and he said vaguely: "I have been practicing weapons in the camp these days. Maybe I bumped into him."
Now I have to ask Chen Li, the eldest princess of Jinyang. If she has to keep her nails so long, then let’s just leave them. She likes to scratch people when she gets emotional.
Qingwen didn't doubt that he was there, she stretched out her hand to touch it and said distressedly: "Young master, you should be more careful."
Jia Heng said "hmm" and did not continue. Instead, he changed the subject and asked, "Qingwen, it's almost the Chinese New Year. Your relatives haven't come to see you?"
Qingwen sighed, picked up a towel and helped Jia Heng wash it, tilted her head slightly and said, "I have been sold around since I was a child, and I don't have many relatives."
Jia Heng asked: "It seems that you were sent to the old lady by Grandma Lai, right?"
"It's Aunt Lai." Qingwen hesitated for a moment and said softly: "I only have one uncle and brother named Wu Gui. Aunt Lai helped arrange a marriage. Later, Aunt Lai was punished by the young master. They I also lost my job in Xifu."
Hearing this, Jia Heng turned around and reached out to caress Qingwen's cheek. The skin on her oval face was delicate, and her eyebrows were gradually showing a charming color in the corners of her eyes. She smiled and asked, "Then he didn't ask you to beg for mercy?"
Qingwen said delicately: "The day before yesterday, my cousin and sister-in-law came over and asked me to find a job. They said that it's the New Year and the family can't open the pot. Let me help you say a few words and find a job in the house."
Jia Heng said: "Then what do you think?"
Qingwen pursed her lips and said, "I don't want to... cause trouble with the young master."
In fact, she didn't want the person in front of her to look down upon her. Although she was his little wife, she was not like Aunt Zhao in the West Mansion.
Jia Heng smiled softly and said, "What trouble is this? You can't live your life behind closed doors. You also need relatives and friends."
Qingwen snorted, raised her charming eyes, looked at the young man opposite, waited for his words, and said, "The young master agreed."
Jia Heng muttered: "If a person is honest and reliable, it doesn't matter if you take care of him or her."
According to the original records of the Red Mansion, Wu Gui once begged Qingwen and turned to Sister Feng to serve the comprador miscellaneous servants in the garden.
After Qingwen was kicked out of the Grand View Garden, Wu Gui did not take good care of Qingwen. Baoyu even went to visit Qingwen. Qingwen was lying under a tattered quilt, and there was no one to drink water when she was thirsty.
But even so, it is impossible for Qingwen to have no relatives. From her heart, she must be longing for family affection, even if this affection is actually mixed with too much utilitarianism.
When you are poor in the busy city, no one cares about you; when you are rich in the mountains, you have distant relatives.
Qingwen nodded, just looking at the thoughtful young man, she couldn't help but lick her lips.
Jia Heng smiled, pursed her lips, and parted her lips.
"Just help me take a shower. We have to have dinner later."
"Yes." Qingwen panted slightly, took the towel and helped Jia Heng clean her body, pretending not to care and asked: "The young master, Third Miss and Miss Yun are riding horses."
Jia Heng said: "It's not bad, but the venue is a bit small, I can't get up quickly, and it's not very enjoyable.
Qingwen bit her lower lip with her teeth and hesitated to speak: "Master, I..."
"You also want to learn?" Jia Heng seemed to be aware of it and asked.
Qingwen said "hmm" and then hurriedly explained: "I saw it before and thought it was quite interesting."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Well, I'll teach you another day."
Qingwen said in surprise: "Master, is it true?"
"Why are you lying to me?" Jia Heng said with a smile: "But I don't have much free time these days, so I'll teach them two first."
Qingwen smiled, with a hint of excitement in her charming voice: "Let's wait until the young master is free, I'm not in a hurry."
The master and servant didn't say anything else, just took a shower and changed clothes.
Jia Heng put on his home brocade robe and came to the inner hall with Qingwen.
At this moment, Qin Keqing was sitting in the hall with Second Sister You, Third Sister You, and Xiang Ling. Several housekeepers were holding account books and telling Qin Keqing something.
Because the You family has gone south and the Chinese New Year is approaching, all the trivial affairs in the Ning Mansion now need to be handled by Qin Keqing, the mistress of the Ning Mansion.
Qin Keqing was wearing a red dress and a gorgeous bun. She said to the housekeeper: "The account details of the new clothes purchased by the mother-in-law and the maids in the backyard have been summarized to me recently, and they have also been given to a few girls. The jewelry we make must come from a few skilled craftsmen in the city."
"Yes, ma'am." The housekeeper replied.
At that time, seeing Jia Heng and Qingwen coming, Qin Keqing stood up with a smile on her face and said, "Husband, you are here, where are the third sister and sister Yun."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "I guess I'm still taking a shower right now."
After saying that, he sat down and nodded to Second Sister You and Third Sister You sitting aside, his eyes falling on Xiangling's face.
After spending some time in Ning Mansion, Xiang Ling's face was rosy, and her dull eyes were much brighter than before. She was no longer as timid as a frightened deer before. Now she was watched by Jia Heng, slightly Lower your head.
Qin Keqing asked: "How are the two sisters learning to ride horses?"
Jia Heng smiled and said, "It's okay. Sister Yun and Third Sister are both very savvy."
Qin Keqing said "Oh" and her eyes flashed. She wanted to say something, but she felt that it was not suitable at this moment. She then thought of something and said in a low voice: "Today, I will report to the front yard. The people from Heishan Village Zhuangtou, I am coming to the city tomorrow, and I heard that I will bring the local products donated by the farm, as well as some live animals. If my husband is free tomorrow, can I see you?"
Hearing this, Jia Heng put down the tea cup in his hand and asked, "Did you say when you will come? Although I don't have much official business tomorrow, I still have other things to be busy with."
Wu Jinxiao of Heishan Village, according to the original record of the Red Mansion, should also be a cunning person who deceived his master's family. It can be seen from the homophony of his name.
However, we need to see it before talking about it.
Qin Keqing said uncertainly: "It should be around midnight."
Jia Heng thought for a while and said, "Okay, I'll make time to meet them tomorrow."
Then he said, "The Chinese New Year is coming soon. You can pick a date and let's go see my father-in-law together. By the way, Mr. Jing should have a holiday at the end of the year, right?"
The last time he visited Qin Ye because of King Zhongshun's affairs, he asked the Ministry of Industry about the inside story of the construction of the imperial mausoleum over the years.
King Zhongshun was obviously not hopelessly stupid. At least the list of accounts reimbursed to the Ministry of Industry did not show many problems on the surface, but Qin Ye did not know the specific details.
Qin Keqing smiled and said: "Jing Qing is on annual leave at school the day after tomorrow. He learned a lot of skills in the martial arts hall. When he came back from school the day before yesterday, he said that if it is convenient for him, he can let him take a test."
Jia Heng smiled and said: "I heard from the instructors in the martial arts hall that although Jingqing is elegant, he has a dedicated personality and is very talented in martial arts. If he studies hard in the future, he may not become a famous general like King Lanling."
Second Sister You and Third Sister You were listening to the young couple talking. After hearing this, Third Sister You said with a smile in her beautiful eyes: "Prince Lanling must have been a figure during the reign of Gao Qi. I heard that he has a soft appearance and a strong heart. Gentle and honest.”
Qin Keqing smiled and joked: "Third sister has been reading these historical anecdotes a lot recently, and she is about to become a female gentleman."
Third Sister You chuckled and said, "In order to write a book, I have to read a lot of books."
After saying that, he looked at Jia Heng and asked, "Uncle, has my novel ever been published?"
Jia Heng nodded and said: "The shopkeeper of Hanmozhai has engraving and printing, and the sample book has been sent in the past two days. I will ask tomorrow."
When Sanjie You heard this, her beautiful and beautiful face was filled with joy.
While several people were talking, they saw Xiangyun and Tanchun coming in through the curtain from the outside, surrounded by the maids.
Xiangyun changed into a long red coat with a gold bamboo leaf pattern and a white pleated skirt with dark flowers. She had a sweet smile on her face.
Tanchun, on the other hand, is wearing a pink-based long coat with a cross-collar embroidered with red morning glory branches and a white pleated skirt. She has a slender figure and a charming temperament.
Perhaps it was because they had just taken a bath, their cheeks were as rosy as clouds, and their skin was as smooth as gel, which could be broken by blowing a blow.
"Brother Heng, sister-in-law." Tan Chun and Xiang Yun called as they approached.
Qin Keqing greeted with a smile: "Sister Yun, sister Tanchun."
Xiangyun and Tanchun took the opportunity to sit next to Qin Keqing, and they talked.
Mainly Qin Keqing asked about learning to ride a horse.
Xiangyun said happily, Tanchun added on the side.
Jia Heng looked at the people who were smiling and talking. He suddenly thought of Xichun and asked, "The fourth sister didn't come over?"
Qin Keqing said softly: "Sister Xichun is still in the yard. In the past few days, she has been talking to Master Miaoyu and they are quite agreeable. She doesn't come over to have meals together very often."
Jia Heng's expression paused and he said, "I'll go take a look after dinner."
I couldn't help but sigh, it's true that birds of a feather flock together, and people are divided into groups. Miaoyu still plays with Xichun, and Xichun seems to have had some changes in his mentality because of Jia Zhen's death.
And while Jia Heng and Qin Keqing were having dinner, in the courtyard where Xichun was, the lights were dim and it was quiet and far away.
Xichun wore a princess-colored furry cotton-padded jacket with a side-breasted collar and a stand-up collar, and a lotus-colored fine pleated cotton skirt. She had air bangs combed in front of her forehead. She was holding a chess piece in her hand. The little loli had a cold and beautiful face. There was a look of hard thinking on his face, and his raised little hand was holding the chess pieces and moving them around on the chessboard.
At this moment, he entered the painting and said, "Girl, it's time for dinner."
Miaoyu raised her beautiful and clear face, and her voice was like a clear spring of broken jade, clear and cold: "Fourth Miss, you might as well eat first."
Xichun sighed softly and placed the chess pieces in the chess box aside.
Seeing the frustration on Xichun's little face, Miaoyu's voice softened a lot and comforted her: "At Miss Fourth's age, chess skills are quite rare."
While Xichun was cleaning her hands under the service of the maid, she said, "I'm not very good at this, but Sister Yingchun is a master at it."
Miaoyu's crystal clear face showed disapproval, and said calmly: "It's just more than technique, it's far beyond Tao."
He had obviously played chess with Yingchun, and he didn't like the second young lady who was dull and lacked intelligence.
In fact, let alone Yingchun, Miaoyu did not think highly of the character of Daiyu and Baochai. Instead, he treated Baoyu in a different light because of his elegant conversation and unusualness.
Feng Wan and his ilk regarded her as a common man and a foolish woman, so Li Wan said he didn't like Miao Yu as a person.
As for Jia Heng... because we haven't had much contact with each other, our impressions haven't been formed yet, so we are almost strangers to him.
Xichun was also familiar with Miaoyu's aloof temperament. Especially after this contact, she knew that she was arrogant and talented.
When the meal was ready, the two of them sat across from each other. Because of Miaoyu's presence, the meal was naturally vegetarian and there was no meat or fish in it.
Xichun picked up the bamboo chopsticks and suddenly raised a cold little face and asked: "Zu Hua, is Brother Heng back from the Yamen now?"
Jia Heng basically left early and came back late these days. When he came back, he was usually at Xushi, and he didn't even have dinner with Qin Keqing.
Ru Hua chuckled and said, "The uncle came back very early today and taught Miss Third and Miss Yun how to ride horses."
Xichun paused with the chopsticks in her hand and said "oh".
Miaoyu used Suzhai on the opposite side and frowned while listening to the conversation between the master and the servant.
At this moment, the maid Cai'er came from outside. She came into the house with a happy face and said, "Girl, the uncle is here."
Xichun put down her chopsticks, raised her cold, jade-like pink face, and asked with a hint of surprise in her voice, "Where's the person?"
At this moment, Jia Heng had entered the wing room under the guidance of another maid, Caiping.
"Sister Xichun." Jia Heng looked at the petite little Loli with a frosty face and called out.
Speaking of which, this was also the first time he came to look for Xichun after the news of Jia Zhen's sudden death in Nan.
Mainly because before, I didn’t know what to say to Xichun.
In terms of blood relationship, Jia Zhen is Xichun's brother. Jia Zhen was exiled to Lingnan because of a dispute with him. No matter how much he comforted her, he always showed a false sense of schadenfreude.
Just wait a few days and come back to have a look.
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