Outside the courtyard gate.

Jia Baoyu watched Jiao Shunyuan go away, and his oval face suddenly fell.

Thinking that when he turned eighteen, he would follow Jiao Shun to the Yamen to play with things and lose his mind, he couldn't help but sigh.

Although he also likes those exquisite playthings, he has not thought about delving into the reasons behind them, or even the idea of ​​​​making a living through them. And when he thinks that these things are linked to the word "ambition", he feels that those exquisite playthings are boring.

Tasteless.

"Second Master."

Just as he was about to return to the courtyard, Ming Yan came around the corner, spat in the direction where Jiao Shun disappeared, and deliberately provoked him: "This guy was just a bastard under Li Gui, but now he has gained the upper hand and climbed up."

It’s all the fault of the Second Master! If it were me..."

"How come you?!"

Before he could finish speaking, Qingwen's voice came from the door: "No matter how bad your background is, Uncle Jiao, can he be worse than us?!"

While she was talking, she crossed the threshold and came out. She gave Mingyan a cold look, and then said to Baoyu, "Uncle Jiao was here earlier, but I didn't have time to tell you that the second girl has moved back..."

"Seriously?! I'm going to find her right now!"

When Baoyu heard this, he immediately put his worries aside, picked up the hem of his clothes and ran towards the old lady.

"What are you in a hurry for?"

Qingwen hurriedly grabbed him, pointed inside and said, "The girls have come here a long time ago, and many of them are in our room."

Baoyu hurriedly turned around and ran into the courtyard.

As soon as he left, Ming Yan's face suddenly darkened, she raised her head and stared at Qingwen on the steps, and said in a strange way: "What? Is it true that my sister has forgotten her origin after getting some trivial benefits from Jiao Shun?

My uncle..."

"Hmph~"

Qingwen tossed her sleeves and sneered: "Don't let the chief manager pressure me! The chief manager has already said that. Mr. Lai is bringing the blame on himself and no one else. He also told us to avoid Uncle Jiao. Don't provoke him.

——Based on what you just said, I won’t be afraid even if the lawsuit goes before the chief executive!”

With these few words, Ming Yan's arrogance was immediately discouraged.

Lai Dashi was a flexible and flexible person, with both the ability to laugh and talk and kill people, and the forbearance to do it in spite of others. Since Jiao Shun fell into the emperor's eyes and became Jia Zheng's guest for many years, he temporarily gave up his thoughts of revenge.

He only focused on his eldest son’s fame and career.

Because Mingyan had an old grudge with Jiao Shun, he was called to give him a special warning and ordered him not to cause trouble.

Although Mingyan was dissatisfied and angry, she did not dare to disobey her uncle's orders.

Just now I saw that Jia Baoyu seemed a little resentful towards Jiao Shun, so I couldn't help but think of sowing discord.

Now that he saw that Qingwen was not false at all, he backed down and said with a smile: "I was impulsive. Sister, please forgive me this time. Don't sue me in front of my uncle!"

"Hmph~"

Qingwen snorted coldly again, raised her neck like a white jade pole, and said: "I don't care about your petty thoughts, but I just need to be more careful in front of the second master in the future, and don't lead him astray!"

With that said, he rolled up his sleeves and walked away.

"HE~TUI!"

Seeing that she had gone far, Mingyan stepped up the steps and spat fiercely inside. She gritted her teeth and said, "You idiot! If I can't cure Jiao Shun, I can't cure you?!"

Let’s talk about Baoyu.

He hurried in and saw that the girls had already occupied various places in the hall, discussing what had just happened.

Baoyu couldn't help but laugh and said: "Okay, it turns out you were all listening to me just now!"

"Bah~"

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips and said, "I'm just hiding in the back room for a while. Who would be willing to listen to you being disciplined?"

Seeing Baoyu staring at her with a smile, she covered half of her body with a handkerchief: "Look what I'm doing, why don't you remember your sisters carefully? When you get to the Yamen, if you want to be naughty in one place, you can

It’s difficult.”

She was talking about her sisters, but in fact she was worried that Baoyu would not have time to accompany her in the future, and would really become all alone.

Baoyu naturally understood her thoughts, and immediately made a sad face, and said hesitantly: "There is no need to go every day, and even if I don't eat or sleep, I must not neglect my sister."

While they were talking, the two of them looked at each other, and for a moment they forgot about the presence of others.

"Brother Bao."

At this time, I heard Xue Baochai say: "Since you don't want to pursue an official career and an economic career, what Jiao Shun said is also a way to establish yourself. When you get to the Ministry of Industry, don't be distracted."

Tan Chun also echoed: "Although his approach is not a serious one, it does have some merits."

Although Yingchun did not speak, she nodded repeatedly.

Seeing that his sisters were trying to persuade him, Jia Baoyu became even more bitter, but this time it was in the name of letting him be his 'plaything', so it was not easy to use those words of 'scholars are just silverfish'.

Seeing his embarrassment, Lin Daiyu suddenly burst into laughter and covered her mouth: "You guys think so highly of Jiao Shun! According to me, he may not have any great insights, but he is just relying on the inheritance passed down from generation to generation, and he is used to figuring things out.

It’s just your wish.”

This so-called inheritance from ancestors is a mockery of Jiao Shun's origin as a slave.

Yingchun was not happy when she heard this, but she was used to being taciturn, and she didn't want to get into trouble with her sisters, so she secretly used her eyes to pinch Daiyu.

Xue Baochai didn't want to but directly took action, pinched the smooth face with two green onion-like fingers, and joked with a smile: "You girl with such a mouth, you really won't forgive me!"

Lin Daiyu took her sneak attack and looked a little worried. Just when she was about to say something sarcastic, Baoyu hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over and said: "Don't talk about these troubles, while we still have time, let's have a few more cups today. It will be nice."

Le Yile, this can be regarded as congratulations to my second sister on her move!"

The sisters then changed their words and said something about the romance between the family and the family.

At this time, Qingwen also arrived in front of the door, but she was not in a hurry to enter the house. Instead, she looked at the little maid who was tending the flowers and plants in the corridor with a cold face, and scolded: "If you didn't clean it up earlier, you won't clean it up later, who will show it to you now?"

Go do something serious as soon as possible and stop acting like a monster here!"

The little maid couldn't raise her head after being scolded by her. She muttered and wanted to say something, but Qingwen ignored her and went into the room through the curtain.

The little maid pursed her lips and stared at the swaying door curtain, and it took her a long time to look away.

…………

Let’s go back and talk about Jiao Shun.

When Shi Shiran returned home, he saw Xiang Ling, Yu Chuan'er, and Liu Wu'er, discussing things around a table with lanterns.

"Why did our family order so many?"

Jiao Shun let Yu Chuan'er take off his coat, then took the hand stove from Xiang Ling, sat down at the table and tasted the fragrant tea offered by Liu Wu'er, and said curiously: "When I came in just now, I saw that everywhere in the courtyard

It seems that seven or eight lamps have been hung up."

"Our family has ordered twelve."

Yuchuan'er worriedly said: "The second grandma gave some, the second wife gave some more, and the Xue family also gave some, but that's all we have accumulated - we discussed it for a long time, and even the toilets were returned.

I want a lot of the rest!"

"It doesn't matter."

Jiao Shun waved his hand and said: "If there is one in this courtyard, just pick two and take them home."

After saying that, he waved to Xiangling again, and when she came closer without knowing why, he took it into his arms and placed it on his lap: "When the Lantern Festival comes, I will take you to play on the street.

You don’t have to worry about getting into trouble in this hospital all the time.”

When Yu Chuan'er heard this, she couldn't help being happy and said "Okay" repeatedly.

Liu Wuer caught a glimpse of Jiao Shun's claws climbing towards Xiangling's lapel, but his face turned red and he quietly retreated with his head down.

However, Pian Xiangling was a little unhappy and felt dazed for a moment.

Jiao Shun was a little puzzled at first, but then she suddenly realized what she had experienced when she was a child.

Xiang Ling was originally from a wealthy family, but she was kidnapped when she went out to view lanterns during the Lantern Festival, so she was sold into slavery by the Xue family.

Now Jiao Shun said that he would take her to see the lanterns, which certainly touched her heart.

So he hugged her even tighter and said in her ear: "I will only tie a red rope around your waist. No one can steal it or take it away!"

"Master..."

When Xiang Ling was told what was on her mind, she raised her head emotionally for a moment, her eyes watery and anxious.

Naturally, Jiao Shun was not polite. He lowered his head and held his tongue, teasing her a lot.

Until Yu Chuan'er got so jealous that she fiddled with the palace lanterns and revolving lanterns, making a clattering sound, and the two reluctantly took away the "Sentong".

Jiao Shun let Xiang Ling get away, then looked at the various lanterns on the table and said: "We can't be short of etiquette - I will go to the Yamen on duty tomorrow and see if there is any suitable gift in return. If there is no suitable gift,

Objects, let’s wait until Fourteenth goes shopping outside.”

After a pause, he remembered something again, so he called Xiang Ling and whispered a few words, but told her to ask Yingchun, Si Qi, and Xiu Tang if they wanted anything, and buy them together when they go shopping during the Lantern Festival.

It's the twelfth day of the first lunar month.

Because Jiao Shun had to go to the government office to schedule his shift in the past two days, he went out of the house before dawn despite the fresh snowstorm.

Xiang Ling and Yu Chuan'er tidied up the east room, and then went to the main room to help Wu'er with some housework. Then they went to the east room and asked Granny Hu who was chatting with the old woman who was waiting for Jiao Da to take leave.

After getting Granny Hu's approval, she went back to the house and wrapped herself in a fur-collared cloak before leaving the house with a paper umbrella.

Yingchun moved back this time and still lived in the original courtyard.

In fact, this courtyard was originally shared by her and Daiyu - Tanchun and Xichun also lived in the same place - but the old lady Bao loved Daiyu and kept Sister Lin by her side to take care of her, so Yingchun was able to live alone.

Xiuju was instructing two little maids to clear the snow. When she saw Xiangling coming, she hurriedly greeted her with a smile and joked: "Sister, you look like a fairy descending to earth, but you don't know what you are doing in this worldly place like ours?"

"

Xiang Ling smiled brilliantly, followed her to the corridor, closed her paper umbrella, and then asked: "Isn't Sister Siqi here?"

"Follow our girl to the old lady's place."

As Xiuju said, she turned around and scolded the two little maids: "You have no eyesight, and you don't want to bring a cup of tea to Sister Xiangling. Also, bring a foot stove from the room."

After sending the two maids away, she smiled and said, "If my uncle has anything to explain, sister just tell me."

"Our master has nothing to explain."

Xiang Ling said seriously: "Let me ask what is missing here. When we go to the lantern festival during the Lantern Festival, I can help buy everything and send it over."

"That means my uncle is thinking about us."

Xiuju's eyes were full of gratitude, but she couldn't help complaining: "Yesterday I said it was a 'Spring Festival Wine', but except for Miss Bao who asked a few questions, who else would care about what our girl is short of?"

Then he hesitated and said: "But all of a sudden, I don't know what is missing. Let's do it this way. When the girl and Sister Siqi come back, I will ask them carefully, and then I will go home to reply to my uncle and say thank you."

"That makes sense."

Xiang Ling thought about it for a while, then nodded and said, "Our master said when he went out that the shift schedule in this first month is not as regular as the regular duty. He will be back around three o'clock in the afternoon. My sister can come over then."

The two of them had a sound plan and didn't want to mention it too much.

However, it was said that when Jiao Shun arrived at the Yamen, he originally wanted to go to the handyman's office, but the clerk who did not want to be in charge of ordering and ordering said that because the chief who was supposed to be in charge of the Department of Affairs took a temporary leave, the superiors arranged for Jiao Shun to be on duty.

The head of the General Affairs Department is equivalent to the office director of the Ministry of Works. He is the only one with a lower status and weight among the chiefs. Accordingly, he has to deal with more than ten times more trivial matters than others.

Hearing that he was asked to work as a substitute in the Department of General Affairs, Jiao Shun couldn't help but frown and said: "I have never had any experience in the Department of General Affairs, but I am just afraid that I will miss my official duties."

"My lord, you are worrying too much."

The little official at that point explained hurriedly: "There are old officials on duty in the hall, and they can't bother you in front of the adults. Even if there is something big, as long as the adults report it to the boss in time, it will definitely not be your fault."

After confirming again and again, Jiao Shun received the temporary issuance seal and followed the clerk to the Secretary's Office in Qianya.

Because this department is not only the general manager of internal affairs, it is also responsible for receiving foreign guests. Not only does it occupy an area not smaller than that of other departments, but it is also better decorated.

only……

The lobby in the middle is really a bit dirty.

Not only were the peels and melon seeds scattered all over the floor, but there was still a half-pulled red bellyband hanging from the beam. Several government officials were picking it up with poles, but they couldn't pull it down, whether it was stuck or something.

The officer in charge of the command stamped his feet anxiously and urged: "Don't waste your time, hurry up and move the ladder!"

But the officials said that the manager of the warehouse had not arrived yet, and now that the warehouse door could not be opened, where could they find a ladder?

Seeing this, the official at Dianmao frowned and coughed heavily. When everyone followed the call, he raised his voice and said: "Everyone, please stop being so busy. Come and see the superior officer on duty today - Jiao Suozheng from the handyman office."

Only then did everyone come forward in confusion. Those with professional titles and honors bowed their hands in greeting, while those in white simply knelt down and cheered.

Jiao Shun was not in a hurry to let them get up. He pointed to the bellyband hanging on the beam and asked, "What's going on?"

Everyone looked at me and I looked at you, but everyone spoke back.

"how?"

Jiao Shun's face darkened: "My substitute words are not effective?"

If it were taken for granted, these words might not be able to frighten the officials of the Department of Affairs, but Jiao Shun was forced to have no choice but to join forces with outsiders to fight back, leaving the Ordnance Department disgraced and disgraced.

of uproar.

Who dares not to take such a ruthless gangster seriously?

The young official in green robe who was in charge at the moment replied hurriedly: "To my lord, Mr. Chen was on duty yesterday. Because he was really depressed, he went to the theater troupe and a few..."

Halfway through, he looked back at his bellyband, showing a look of helplessness on his face.

No need to ask, it must be Chen Yongpeng from the Tuntian Cleaning Bureau!

This guy is a descendant of the Duke of Qi, and he is also a minister of Xingjin, but he is completely different from the low-key Jia Zheng, who has always been the most undisciplined and dissolute.

Jiao Shun frowned and asked, "Why don't you clean it up in time at night?"

"this……"

The green-robed official smiled bitterly: "Master Chen is dedicated to serving the public. He stayed here specifically last night and didn't leave until just now."

Jiao Shun didn't know what to say, so he rolled up his sleeves and said: "Clean up quickly, I will check the room in the back room first..."

"grown ups."

But the junior official reported again with a sad face: "The inside is even more messy, and the smell is not very good."

What on earth did that man named Chen do in the yamen?

Jiao Shun had no choice but to go to the east chamber first and find a temporary place at the eighth-grade clerk's table.

I just ordered someone to find the nearest newspaper to relieve my boredom. Suddenly, it became noisy outside, and I heard someone cursed drunkenly: "That jade pendant was handed down from my ancestors. It was a treasure that my great ancestor personally opened. If I can't find it,

Even if I sell you, I can't afford the compensation! Where is the person in charge? Who is in charge today?!"

Tsk~
Chapter completed!