The night is deep, the wind and rain are blowing, the courtyard where Daiyu lives.
Daiyu is wearing a pink stand-up collared jacket, a pink and orange plum blossom embroidered double-breasted jacket, and a cinnabar embroidered horse skirt. She is sitting on the bed, holding the peace charm around her neck in her hand.
At this moment, the peace jade talisman has been threaded with a red rope and tied around Xiu's neck.
This is a jade symbol of peace carved from a piece of Hetian jade. It has a delicate and warm texture. When illuminated by lights, the light is clear and shining. The lamb pattern painted on it has exquisite lines and is lifelike. The peace jade talisman also has a small cluster of red tassels, as bright as the clouds.
This is what Jia Heng found in the palace who were good at swordsmanship. He copied it in advance and it can be said that he put a lot of thought into it.
The more Daiyu looked at it, the more she liked it, and couldn't put it down. At some point, a light blush appeared on her pretty face, and she was thinking, "As the ancients said, when Huai Jin holds Yu, a gentleman is like Heng..."
Thinking of the word "Ruheng", she would wear this peace talisman from now on, as if someone were by her side to protect her peace.
Just in your heart, something seems wrong?
"Girl, I'm not asleep yet." Zijuan came forward and spoke softly, but there was a hint of a narrow smile in her eyes. Her girl had been admiring the peace charm for a long time since she came back.
Daiyu said softly: "Get ready to sleep now."
While talking, he was about to stuff the peace charm into his inner clothes. Under the light red clothes embroidered with a hibiscus, the sharp corners of the lotus could be vaguely seen.
"Girl, I won't be able to sleep well at night. It's not good if it's scratched. It's better to take it off and put it on again tomorrow." Zijuan said softly when she saw Daiyu looking at her and holding it in her arms.
"Yeah." Daiyu whispered, but she thought it was quite reasonable, so she took off the jade charm of peace and handed it to Zijuan.
Zijuan turned around and took out a piece of red silk handkerchief, folded the jade talisman and put it away. She turned around and said softly: "Uncle Heng is so busy and still thinking about the girl's child. I heard just now that he is still outside. Make moves with people.”
"Brother Heng has encountered many dangers today." Daiyu said softly, her crystal star eyes seemed to reflect the candlelight on the table, and she felt worried in her heart.
She just thought about how dangerous it would be to ride a horse, lift a sword, and fight with someone.
But he was going through life and death outside, but he was always so worried at home.
Zijuan sighed softly, saying exactly what Daiyu was thinking, and said: "Uncle Heng is taking care of things at home, inside and outside. I don't want the family to be quiet from time to time. Not long ago, because of the uncle's affairs, Son, there is also the matter of the second master, and now there are quarrels one after another because of the eldest girl's matter, which means that Uncle Heng has a good temper and tolerates others making trouble."
Compared with Daiyu, Tanchun, Yingchun, and Xiangyun, who were more or less concerned about talking about their elders behind their backs, Zijuan, as a maid, had less taboos in her conversations.
Daiyu was silent for a moment and whispered: "Brother Heng is indeed not easy for him. Many things are actually managed secretly. There are also things about eldest sister. I can't tell but I have it all in mind."
Although it is difficult to talk about elders behind their backs, people still have a strong balance in their hearts.
"I'm afraid that in another two or three years, girl, there may be a storm." Zijuan suddenly said.
Daiyu's pretty face couldn't help but blush, and her starry eyes said slightly: "What kind of trouble can I cause, and what are you talking about?"
So good, what are you trying to do with her?
However, Zijuan did worry a lot about Daiyu. Otherwise, in the interruption of the original work, Daiyu would not have been lying on the bed when she fell ill and said in tears: "Although we are master and servant, I treat you as a sister." , you have worried about me for so many years in vain."
Zijuan smiled and said: "I'm just saying it casually. Even if the old lady has other ideas, I won't let the girl while I'm still in the south... Besides, isn't there Uncle Heng?"
Daiyu first thought of Jia Mu, frowned and pursed her lips.
She also vaguely knew some of her grandmother's thoughts.
But, what do you mean...and Uncle Heng?
It's not like he has to worry about her affairs.
"What are you talking about, how can Brother Heng take care of my affairs?" Daiyu said angrily.
The more Sister Zijuan talks, the more unlikeable she becomes.
Zijuan said: "Who can say clearly what will happen in the future?"
"You..." Daiyu was embarrassed and annoyed by what she said. She turned her pretty face away angrily and clutched her handkerchief, as if she was really annoyed.
"Okay, girl, I won't talk anymore." Zi Juan chuckled and said, "By the way, the uncle said last time that when the weather gets warmer, he will take the girl out for a walk."
Daiyu retracted her confused thoughts and said with a sense of disappointment: "He and his sister-in-law go out for a walk together. It's not good for me to follow him."
Zijuan smiled and said nothing.
At this moment, I suddenly heard Xue Yan outside saying: "Second Master Bao, why are you here?"
At this moment, under the eaves of the corridor, Baoyu was wearing red arrow sleeves, wearing a green hat on his forehead, his face was like a full moon, and his eyes were like bright stars. Accompanied by She Yue, he asked: "Is Sister Lin sleeping?"
Daiyu was startled when she heard Baoyu's voice in the room. She raised her starry eyes and looked at Zijuan.
"It sounds like the second master's voice." Zijuan frowned and whispered: "Girl..."
Daiyu hesitated for a moment, pursed her lips, and whispered: "It's so late, so just say I'm asleep and let Brother Bao go back."
Zijuan said "hmm", then opened the curtain and went out of the wing, looked at the Baoyu under the eaves, and asked in a low voice: "Second Master, who are you coming over here?"
Baoyu looked into the room and said, "Sister Zijuan, I'm here to see Sister Lin."
After saying that, she started walking towards the inner room. However, Zijuan had inadvertently moved her steps and blocked Baoyu's path.
"Second Master, the girl is asleep. She was a light sleeper, and she finally fell asleep now. If there is something wrong with the Second Master, you might as well talk about it tomorrow." Zi Juan lowered her voice and persuaded softly.
Baoyu's full-moon face paused for a moment, feeling something strange in her heart at first, but thinking that Daiyu had already fallen asleep, it was really not good to wake up like this. She rubbed her hands and said angrily: "Isn't this Sister Lin's son? I am preparing some birth gifts and plan to send them to Sister Lin."
A baby gift from a sister in the house was originally given during the day, but Baoyu clearly had other ideas and planned to send Daiyu a baby gift in private. Of course, Baoyu also came with injuries this time, maybe it was a "bitter ploy." Maybe even more sincere.
"What kind of gift?" Zijuan frowned and asked in surprise.
Baoyu quickly took the brocade box from She Yue and begged: "Good sister, I asked Mingyan to buy a pair of bracelets from Xinglong Street. I usually see that Sister Lin doesn't have these in her hands, so I thought of giving them to Sister Lin. Wear it, help me bring it to Sister Lin."
With that said, She Yue took the brocade box in her hand, which naturally contained a pair of jade bracelets.
When Zijuan saw this, she felt something was wrong in her heart, and she declined subconsciously: "Second Master, this is too expensive. Besides, we girls don't wear this on weekdays. It's so heavy that it's inconvenient for reading and writing."
Baoyu: "???"
What is meant is that after wearing it, it is heavy and inconvenient for reading and writing.
Baoyu thought for a while, suppressed the sudden irritation in his heart, and chuckled: "Sister Lin has given birth to children in the past, and I have also prepared gifts. There is nothing wrong with it. Sister Zijuan, please accept it for sister Lin. "
After saying that, he stepped forward to pull Zijuan's arm. However, the movement clearly affected the injury on her buttocks. His brows furrowed and he suddenly let out a light hiss.
Seeing Baoyu like this, Zijuan was afraid of getting into an argument, so she quickly took the brocade box and said, "Second Master Baoyu, I will accept it for the girl first."
Baoyu then beamed with joy and thanked her profusely: "Thank you for your hard work, dear sister. I will come to see Sister Lin tomorrow."
After that, without saying much, he and She Yue, who was beside him, carried lanterns and limped back to their residence.
Zijuan shook her head gently, holding the brocade box in her hand, she had to turn around and pick up the curtain to see Daiyu.
Daiyu was sitting on the bed at the moment. Although the voices of the two people talking outside were soft, in such a quiet night, every word rang in Daiyu's ears.
"Brother Bao is gone?" Daiyu looked at Zijuan who entered the room and asked with her starry eyes.
"Let's go, I have to give the birth gift to the girl." Zijuan said, and reluctantly handed the brocade box in her hand to Daiyu.
Daiyu didn't answer it, her thoughts were complicated, and she sighed: "Just put it away."
After all, they are cousins who grew up together. When they give gifts on birthdays, they have to accept them, which hurts the relationship.
Zijuan put away the bracelet and said, "Girl, it's getting late, it's time to rest."
"Yes." Daiyu responded. Under Zijuan's service, she came to the dressing table and took off the hairpin jewelry on her head. A face as bright as the bright moon appeared in the bronze mirror.
The girl in her prime years already has some charming beauty that is "unparalleled in her generation and possesses rare beauty".
However, as luck would have it, just when Daiyu was removing her hairpin and letting her hair down, she suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from outside.
It turned out that Jia Heng didn't stay long. He only said a few words to Yuan Chun, then got up and left Yuan Chun's room... In the final analysis, he was still worried about others being suspicious.
In this case, the East Mansion is better, but the people in the West Mansion are mischievous and the servants are talkative.
Then he headed towards the East Mansion and passed by Jia Mu's courtyard. He thought that he should come over to see Daiyu, or just stand at the door of the courtyard for a while. He didn't want to see the lights in the wing still on, but happened to meet Xue Yan carrying a cup. A basin of hot water and called Uncle Heng.
At this moment, it is almost midnight, the wind and rain are like darkness, the night is like ink, the candlelight in the window of the withered flower pavilion comes through clearly, and everything is silent.
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Come and take a look. It's so late. Sister Lin must have gone to bed. I'll go back first."
He actually didn't have time to come over during the day, just for a while.
In the past few days, I have to interrogate relevant officials from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and I have no time to come and see Daiyu.
With that said, he picked up the lantern and prepared to leave.
However, at this moment, a petite and exquisite girl emerged from the curtain in the side room, leaning on the threshold, her bright autumn eyes under her smokey eyebrows glistening like water, and called out: "Brother Heng."
Jia Heng turned around, looked at Daiyu, smiled softly, and asked: "It's so late, sister, why aren't you asleep yet?" "
"I can't sleep for a while, isn't it the same for Brother Heng?" Daiyu's voice was delicate and charming, with a bit of sweetness and grace like an oriole coming out of the valley.
Zijuan also came out, saw Jia Heng, smiled and said: "Uncle Heng, come in and have a cup of tea."
Jia Heng nodded, entered the wing room with Daiyu, and took their seats respectively.
Zijuan held the teapot and poured cheese tea for Jia Heng. The steam was steaming, and a sweet fragrance floated to her nose.
"Brother Heng has gone to the palace?" Daiyu asked with concern, her eyes shining.
Jia Heng said: "Well, I just came back, and then I just went to sit with my eldest sister for a while and have a conversation. You saw her at Tianxiang Tower in the evening. I thought she was not feeling well, so I went Advise her."
There is nothing to hide about where you are going, and the more you tell others about everything, the more magnanimous you become.
Daiyu nodded, expressing her understanding, and said: "Eldest sister, I was thinking of going to see her tomorrow."
Zijuan handed over the cheese tea and took advantage of the situation and answered: "What happened today is the earthquake and the marriage proposal. The uncle has to check the eucalyptus outside and have a cup of tea to relieve himself. It’s about relieving fatigue.”
Jia Heng smiled, glanced at Zi Juan, and praised: "Zi Juan is someone who knows both cold and hot."
Zijuan's cheeks turned slightly red at these words, and she said, "I'm joking, we girls are the ones who are cautious. We usually say that I'm careless."
Jia Heng turned to look at Daiyu, nodded and said, "I feel relieved to have you taking care of your girl."
Daiyu's heart trembled, why should he be relieved? Why should he be relieved?
In fact, these words were ordinary words of concern, but in this situation, they seemed to have another meaning.
"Brother Heng is running around like this, so you should take more care of yourself." Daiyu pursed her lips and said softly.
"Actually, it's okay. It's just that these days are particularly busy." Jia Heng said softly and asked, "After a while, the weather is better and I understand this situation. How about we go out for a walk?"
Speaking of which, he really hasn't had a good time in this huge Shenjing City.
Daiyu pursed her lips and listened to "we", her heart was filled with ripples, but she whispered softly: "Brother Heng and sister-in-law can just go."
Why would she bother to go and disturb the couple? Thinking of this, a sour feeling filled her heart.
Jia Heng said: "I've been to my parents' house with your sister-in-law in the past two days to find my father-in-law. I'll take the opportunity to go shopping. As for taking my sister with me, I also thought that you, sister Yun, and the third sister have not been out much. The spring is warm and the flowers are blooming. It’s a good time to have a picnic, fly a kite, etc. A friend of mine has a private garden in Xishan. Let’s go there and enjoy the garden. What do you think, sister?”
The eldest princess of Jinyang has a villa in Xishan.
It's not okay to take Keqing with you, as it would be too suicidal, but it would be fine if you take a few younger cousins from the clan to go outing, sightseeing, or stay for a day or two.
Ordinarily, he should also build a villa for summer escape or a separate residence. This was originally the custom of the noble officials in Shenjing City.
For the time being, there is no suitable garden. I will ask someone to buy a manor in the next few days.
Daiyu's heart moved, and she seemed to be attracted by Jia Heng's description of "outing, picnic, and kite flying". But why are there Sister Yun and Third Sister while talking?
Well, what on earth is she thinking about?
As if to cover up the panic in his mind, he nodded quickly and said softly: "It's best not to delay Brother Heng's business."
Jia Heng said: "Why the delay? As the ancients said, read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles. Not only should my sister go out and walk around more, I should also go out and walk around more to broaden my horizons."
Although he has traveled to many places, he is still the same Xue Baoqin who has traveled to many countries and has extensive knowledge.
Zijuan smiled and said softly: "Our girl came to Shenjing when she was five or six years old. Six or seven years have passed in a blink of an eye, and she has never been to other places. If she can go for an outing in Xishan, it will be very good for her. rare."
Hearing this, Jia Heng looked at Daiyu and felt a little sentimental in his heart.
Daiyu was born in such a small garden, and everything she could see was Baoyu's Mid-Autumn Full Moon. How could she not be so moved by Baoyu of the same age that she would die in tears?
It's like Robinson Crusoe on a desert island sees Friday. Well, this analogy is not appropriate, but the general idea is nothing more than that.
Daiyu nodded and said: "In the past, in the yard, grandma was always worried about not being able to withstand the wind, so she didn't go out much."
Jia Heng said: "Actually, it's better to move around more. It's better for the body and bones. Last time we went hiking in Qingxu Temple and we climbed the mountain, my sister seemed to be a little short of energy. She should be better now."
Daiyu's starry eyes condensed, she lowered her eyes slightly, looked at the handkerchief in her hand, and sighed softly.
Seeing that Daiyu was in a low mood, Jia Heng smiled and said, "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Sister, have you received any letters from uncle recently?"
Daiyu shook her head and said, "The last letter from father was last month."
Jia Heng said: "I think I am on the way. My sister has given birth and my uncle will never forget it. Not long ago, a minister from Beijing was sent south. During this period, there may be more news in Yangzhou. I Maybe more of them will come and bother my sister."
Daiyu was slightly surprised when she heard this, and looked at the young man opposite her with emotion.
Jia Heng said with relief: "Now that I have a cabinet minister, my uncle's side is not in so much danger. Nanbian'er's Jinyi Detective will also secretly protect my uncle and won't let anything happen to my uncle."
Daiyu nodded, her starry eyes sparkling, and she said gratefully, "Brother Laoheng is here."
I just heard what Brother Heng said. It seems that he will come to see her frequently in the past few days?
Jia Heng said, turned to look at the sky, and said warmly: "It's getting dark now, so I won't disturb my sister's rest. I'm going back now. There's no need to send her off. It's quite cold outside."
It was almost midnight.
However, Daiyu finally escorted Jia Heng to the door, stood under the eaves of the corridor, and said softly: "Brother Heng, walk slowly."
Baoyu, however, followed She Yue out of Daiyu's courtyard with a lantern, sat on a chair covered with soft mattresses, ate the cheese tea brought by Qianxue, and looked up at the dark night outside the door. Why, I feel a little restless. I am sure it is not the discomfort from the injury on my butt, but the inexplicable irritability in my heart.
Feeling something in her heart, she couldn't help but get up, walked outside the door, looked at the strings of red lanterns on the corridor, and said: "She Yue, I want to go out for a walk to get some fresh air."
Yuan also lay in bed for nearly a month, very quiet and thinking about movement.
"Hey, Second Master, it's so late, where else are you going?" She Yue was making the bed, her plump and voluptuous figure was twisting slightly, and she turned around and said.
She learned some new styles from the picture book today, and planned to give them to her second master to try them out, so as to soothe some of the pain.
Baoyu frowned and whispered: "I want to see Sister Lin."
She Yue was stunned for a moment and said hurriedly: "Second Master, it's so late, and Miss Lin has gone to bed long ago."
"I'll just stand under the eaves and take a look." Baoyu said stubbornly.
She Yue stretched out her hand to unfold the quilt and persuaded her: "Why did the second master think that it was all the same? At this time, he disturbed Miss Lin, but he became angry and awkward again."
As he spoke, he turned around and saw that Baoyu had left the wing at some point. He was shocked and said to Qiu Wen who came in from the inner room, "Why didn't you stop me?"
Qiu Wen said with an aggrieved face, "I didn't even pay much attention, and the second master just left."
"Follow me quickly and take a look to make sure nothing happens. The second master is still injured." She Yue said urgently.
However, Baoyu was already alone at this time, holding a lantern and walking quickly towards Daiyu's courtyard.
Although Bao and Dai no longer live in Jia Mu's courtyard, the two courtyards are not far apart. They are only separated by a flower wall. At this time, Baoyu walked along the hand corridor, bypassed the flower wall, and just reached the moon gate.
Baoyu looked stunned, and clearly heard the whispers coming from under the eaves of the corridor.
Looking around, he saw two people talking under the eaves of the corridor. He was stunned on the spot as if struck by thunder.
Sister Lin... isn't she already asleep?
Looking carefully, I suddenly saw that figure that was extremely familiar, and I was even more shocked. Is that Brother Heng?
Why did he come to see Sister Lin?
At this moment, the two of them seemed to say a brief goodbye, and the young man looked like he was about to turn around.
For some reason, Baoyu panicked subconsciously and hurriedly hid the lantern behind the wall. He also hid towards a banana tree at the Moon Gate, lest he be seen.
"Crash..."
The water drops on the banana tree suddenly fell to Baoyu's shoulders, soaking his clothes, and the banana leaves covered his head, making him look lush and green.
Rice Ball Exploration
After watching the young man leave the house from another verandah and Daiyu also enter the wing, Baoyu walked out from under the banana tree. The circle of candlelight from the orange lantern reflected a face full of shock and inexplicable surprise.
no!
Something must have happened, so Brother Heng woke up Sister Lin. Maybe it was because of Uncle Lin's matter?
It seems that a fragment was found in the memory fragments just now. Sister Lin took off the hairpin on her head, and her hair was disheveled, as if she had just stood up.
Thinking of this, Baoyu let out a long sigh of relief, and gradually felt a sense of complaint in his heart.
It's the middle of the night. Brother Heng has something that he can't talk about tomorrow. Why do you insist on disturbing Sister Lin's rest?
At this moment, She Yue and Qiu Wen came from the corridor. Seeing Baoyu under the banana tree, they whispered: "Second Master, why are you here? You have gone back."
Baoyu nodded nervously and turned back three times with She Yue dragging her back.
