Lin Ruhai sent a letter from Yangzhou, saying that she was seriously ill and wrote a letter to pick up her only daughter, Lin Daiyu, back to see her.
At that time, the good man knew that he could not rely solely on Long En to make people rich and powerful, so he wholeheartedly hoped that the descendants of the Jia family would take the imperial examination and enter official careers. He was particularly fond of the children of aristocratic families who studied and became officials. Seeing that Lin Ruhai, the only son of the Lin family in Gusu, was knowledgeable and had outstanding character, he decided to
The most favored youngest daughter Jia Min was promised marriage.
Although Lord Daishan had four daughters, all of them were short-lived. The same was true for Jia Min, who died at the age of thirty-three, leaving only an only daughter, Lin Daiyu.
When Jia's mother heard that her son-in-law was seriously ill in Yangzhou, she suddenly became worried and did not dare to delay, so she had to hurriedly take care of Daiyu and get up.
Just now, Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang discussed sending Daiyu to Yangzhou. Mrs. Wang strongly recommended Jia Lian, saying that Jia Lian was the only one who could go on this trip. None of the others could be as reliable and efficient as Jia Lian. After much thought, Jia Mu also felt that Jia Lian was the most suitable person.
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At this time, Mrs. Wang called Wang Xifeng, and after shielding everyone around her, she said:
"The old lady here and I have already made an agreement to ask Lian Er to take three months off and send Miss Lin back to Yangzhou to visit her seriously ill father.
What the old lady meant was to send it there and bring it back later. But I have other plans here.
I called you here because I asked you to think of more ways to make Lian Er listen to you.
You go back and tell him that if Mr. Lin is safe, he will keep Miss Lin with his father as a filial piety; if Mr. Lin is not good, you must ask Mr. Lin to arrange a marriage for Miss Lin locally, get married as soon as possible, and save yourself from worries.
."
Wang Xifeng naturally understood that this meant "sending Lin Daiyu back to God".
Mrs. Wang's move "switches the tiger away from the mountain" and "kills two birds with one stone".
The first time I came was to send Lin Daiyu back, so I didn’t have to come back when I got home. It was to make way for Baochai so as not to be an eyesore.
Secondly, it is also necessary to temporarily transfer Jia Lian away to prevent him from talking about Xue Pan around the old lady and affecting Baoyu Baochai's marriage.
Wang Xifeng did not dare to disobey Mrs. Wang and quickly agreed:
"Don't worry, madam, I'll go back and watch him ask for leave.
On Lian Er's errand, there is nothing important that cannot be separated. What could be more important than sending Sister Lin back?
As long as the emperor grants a leave, nothing will happen."
Mrs. Wang immediately said:
"Your Majesty, you don't have to worry about it.
I will go to the palace on the second day of the lunar month next month and tell the empress in person that as long as Lian Er hurries to submit the discount earlier, it will definitely come down.
Now we have all become royal relatives, and both the Jia family and the Wang family have face.
Do you still remember that Jia Yucun, Miss Lin’s teacher, was awarded Yingtian Prefecture Yin on the recommendation of his master?
This man is a shrewd man, and he immediately attached himself to your uncle. This time, your uncle promoted him and recommended him to come to Beijing to fill the vacancy. As a great Sima, he is already a sure shot."
Wang Xifeng saw that Mrs. Wang had made up her mind, so she had to agree quickly:
"My wife is absolutely right.
In the past, the Jia family recommended him to be the prefect, and now the Wang family has recommended him to be the Grand Sima. Who has changed, and he also understands which tree should be backed up to enjoy the shade."
When he came out of Mrs. Wang's room, he met Xiren head-on. Wang Xifeng did not dare to neglect, smiled and asked Xiren how Baoyu was doing.
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Jia Lian deliberately wanted to avoid the construction of the Provincial Courtyard, so he went out to Nancheng Shiduzi's house to get a fan on the pretext of being ordered by Jia She.
There is a saying in Beijing: The east is rich and the west is noble, the north is poor and the south is humble.
That is to say, the eastern part of the capital is close to the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and most of the warehouses are located in the East City. Goods traveling from the south to the north will be gathered here. Due to the convenience of freight, merchants, shops, gold shops, and banks will also gather in the East City.
, forming a residential area for wealthy businessmen.
In the West City, it is divided into northwest and southwest parts. In the north of the West City, there are many royal palaces and official residences, while in the south of the West City, there are official residences of various governments, ministries, departments and courtyards. There are high-ranking officials and nobles everywhere, but they are not expensive.
It’s all difficult.
Beicheng is mostly populated by ordinary people, and the houses are low and dilapidated. The people living here will also look for opportunities to move out once they have some money.
Nancheng is a mixed place. In addition to the common people who make a living as coolies, there are also teahouses, theaters, and brothels mixed with each other. It can be said that there are three religions and nine streams, five elements and eight works, all kinds of juggling, and all kinds of food. It is very lively and chaotic.
Very.
Grape Lane is a poor alley in the south of Nancheng. The alley is narrow and twisted, and every corner is filled with dirty garbage.
The Zhaoye Snow Lion, as white as snow, stopped at the entrance of the alley, snorting and refusing to go in.
"Do you also have mysophobia?"
Jia Lian laughed at Baima and frowned himself.
That stone idiot has a collection of twenty rare and ancient fans. He must be an elegant person. Why does he live in such a wretched place?
In the summer here, fanning is definitely not for enjoying the cool air. I guess it’s more like using a big cattail leaf fan to blow away flies and drive away mosquitoes.
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At this time, there was a sound at the door, and a lame old man carrying a straw basket came out of the first house at the entrance of the alley. When he saw a handsome man like Jia Lian, who was riding a snow-white dragon horse with a golden saddle and jade bridle, he couldn't help but look at him.<
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Jia Lian dismounted and handed over:
"Excuse me, my father-in-law, is this Grape Lane?"
The old man said nothing, only nodded numbly.
Jia Lian asked again:
"Excuse me, is there a Mr. Shi who lives here?"
The old man was stunned and waved his big dirty hand:
"There is no Mr. Shi here."
Jia Lian was also stunned for a moment, then understood and changed his words and asked:
"Does the stone idiot live here?"
The old man nodded:
"Oh, stone idiot, go inside, the fifth door on the left."
After saying that, he turned around and left.
Jia Lian pulled the horse and walked toward the alley, looking at his feet.
Counting to the fifth broken door, Jia Lian didn't feel that this door was any better than the previous four.
The dark door panel was riddled with holes by wind and rain, and the rotten lower part was nailed with brown broken boards. It felt like it could be broken with two feet. The door frame was carved in the early years.
Although the handwriting on the couplet has been blurred and half of it is rotten, the remaining parts can still vaguely distinguish the vigorous and powerful handwriting.
Jia Lian didn't dare to exert any force, so he patted the door gently and asked tentatively, "Is anyone there?" No one answered inside.
Jia Lian patted the door harder, raised his voice and shouted again, and then heard someone coming out to open the door.
The person who opened the door was about the same age as Jia Lian, with fine features but a slender face and decadent eyes. He was wearing a cloth robe with a few patches.
Jia Lian couldn't help but think silently: Kong Yiji is the only person who wears a long gown while standing drinking...
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Just as Jia Lian was about to speak, the white horse beside him suddenly started to chirp, kicking the ground with its front hooves, shaking its head, trying to break free of the reins from Jia Lian's hands.
Jia Lian knew that the white horse was quite spiritual, so he simply let go of the reins.
The white horse ran straight into the courtyard and neighed toward one of the wing rooms.
(Baima: 咴儿~~咴儿~~ I help the master to collect, recommend, and support!)