The Grand View Garden is not peaceful just after nightfall. The chirping of insects and the noise from the distance give this Jinli Fang Garden full of vitality.

Jia Lian was in a good mood after coming out of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. He walked along the narrow path to the main road, and when he was about to step onto the garden gate, a little girl suddenly ran in from the corner of the gate and bumped into him like a rabbit. in his arms.

After Jiao Didi let out an "ouch", the visitor looked up, his face suddenly turned pale, and he quickly backed away: "I'm sorry, Master, I, I didn't see..."
< br /> Jia Lian stood with his hands folded and looked quietly at the eleven or twelve-year-old girl in front of him, who was so frightened that he could not speak clearly. Jia Lian remembers her as one of the twelve girls studying opera in Lixiangyuan, named Fangguan.

Perhaps it was because Jia Lian didn't speak for a while that Xiaofang Guan was so nervous that he knelt down with a pop.

Jia Lian raised his eyebrows, and another slightly older girl walked in from the door. There was some doubt on her face, as if she didn't understand what was wrong with the little sister who was so anxious that she couldn't catch up. It wasn't until she saw Jia Lian three steps away that she finally understood, and then stood aside worriedly.

Jia Lian glanced at her, then walked up to Fangguan, stretched out his feet to touch her body, which was getting smaller and smaller when she was kneeling on the ground, and said, "Get up, why are you running so late at night? ?”

The little girl opened her big eyes and looked at Jia Lian stupidly for a moment. After making sure that Jia Lian was not angry, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and her bright little face became vivid. Suddenly, Don't know how to answer.

Jia Lian also guessed that it was probably because of his restless youth, not being born as a maid, and not receiving complete training and discipline, and it was caused by playing around, so he couldn't help but warn: "It will be okay if you meet me this time, but Girls in the garden often move around, and most of them are delicate. If you knock them out, wouldn't it be too late to regret them?"

I won’t dare to run around again next time.”

After saying this, he saw that Jia Lian had no intention of continuing to lecture, so he stood up smoothly.

　"Your name is Fangguan?"

　"My servant is Fangguan."

　"Where are you from?"
< br />"The old lady invited us into the house this afternoon. Later, she asked me and Ling Guan to sing songs for her to listen to. She also gave us food. Ling Guan and I were in the old lady's house. After playing a lot, I was about to go back and met the second master, hee~."

It had been almost two years since the twelve officials had been in the government, and they probably knew Jia Lian's temperament. Hearing that Jia Lian still remembered her name, she felt happy and easily returned to her lively nature. She raised her head and answered the question with a smile on her face like a flower.

Jia Lian shook his head, although he also felt that this girl was indeed attractive., but his eyes still involuntarily shifted to the girl next to him.

Although I have met the Twelve Officials a long time ago, they used to do it on the stage, most of the time with silver makeup. It was the first time to see these little girls at such a close distance, especially this one named Ling Guan. It was really difficult not to attract his attention.

Sensing Jia Lian’s inspection, the young official frowned slightly, and just as he was about to look away, he was surprised to find his chin being held by a pair of gentle and strong hands. Then he heard Jia Lian smile and say: “Well, it does look like that. ."

Jia Lian took a closer look at the young official and found that the girl was very beautiful. What was rare was that her facial features were somewhat similar to those of Dai Yu.

Jia Lian has also heard her singing voice, which is light and delicate, with the charm of an oriole. With such appearance and singing voice, she was favored by Yuanchun, Jia Mu and others. No wonder the original work dared to directly ignore Jia Baoyu and gave Jia Baoyu a cold look, making Jia Baoyu, who thought he was the center of the world, doubt his life.

But I don’t know if this girl dares to give him a look.

Holding Ling Guan’s sharp chin with his left hand, he waited for a moment with a smile, and found that his face was frightened at first, and then his face turned half red. He tried his best to look away and did not dare to look at him. Not daring to scold him, Jia Lian nodded with satisfaction, stopped and left, leaving behind only two stunned little girls and two caretakers with expressions on their faces.

When he got home, Sister Feng was waiting for him. As soon as he entered the room, she couldn't wait to ask him how Xue Pan's affairs were progressing.

Sister Feng knew that Jia Lian went out in a hurry in the afternoon, and she must have been running about Xue Pan.

Jia Lian answered a few words casually, but when he saw his beloved wife, who was dressed in rich clothes and extremely beautiful, he suddenly asked: "Have you taken a bath?"

How did Sister Feng expect that Jia Lian suddenly asked this? Although she rolled her eyes at Jia Lian, she still said "hmm" with a hint of shame.

Jia Lian smiled, stood up and picked up his fragrant body from the kang. He was immediately beaten shyly by Sister Feng.

"What are you doing? Dinner has been prepared a long time ago. I'm just waiting for you to come back. If you have any questions, let's eat first and then... we'll talk about it later."

"It won't be too late after dinner. It's not too late to eat. I neglected my wife at noon, and now I plan to make up for it with my husband."

"You...!"

Watching the second grandma dancing with her fingers and legs. After being carried into the back room by the second master, the pretty girls looked at each other, but they were not surprised and went down to prepare relevant things.

…

Xue’s courtyard, Xue Baochai’s boudoir.

When Aunt Xue walked in, Baochai was sitting in YingyingI combed my hair under the service of my son.

After taking a bath, Baochai, without any makeup, was already unparalleled in beauty. Her beauty was impeccable, which made the smile on Aunt Xue's face become even richer.

Taking the wooden comb from Ying'er, Aunt Xue ordered: "Go down and have a rest. I will sleep with you girls tonight, so you don't have to keep vigil in the room."
< br /> "Yes, madam."

Seeing her mother sending Ying'er away and looking at her mother gently combing her hair in the mirror, Baochai keenly realized that her mother tonight What she had to say to herself would definitely not be easy, which made her heartstrings twitch a little, and she called out "Mother" softly.

Aunt Xue smiled slightly and stroked her daughter's silky hair. Aunt Xue smiled and said: "In a blink of an eye, my girls have grown so big and they have reached the age of marriage."

“Mom~!”

“What’s there to be shy about? It’s the same for everyone when it comes to getting married. It’s just that my daughter is so good-looking, so she has to get married. You are the one who gets your wishful husband."

Hearing what her mother said, Baochai felt a little less shy in her heart. She already understood that what Aunt Xue was going to tell her tonight was probably her lifelong event, and it seemed that Aunt Xue had an idea.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t say anything about a wishful man. After all, the family originally needed her to enter the palace.

Once you enter the palace gate, it is as deep as the sea. From now on, your destiny is no longer up to you, and there is no talk of a good husband.

Aunt Xue couldn't help but sigh when she saw Baochai's expression in the mirror. My daughter is just too smart and it’s hard to hide anything from her.

After pulling her daughter’s hair into a bun, she pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed. Aunt Xue said earnestly: “Perhaps you have guessed that what I want to tell you tonight is about You entered the palace to stand for election."

"After your brother's incident, I have completely figured it out. It is a difficult road for a woman to enter the palace, not to mention that our family has long been out of control. Once upon a time, once you really enter the palace, it will be difficult for your family to give you any support."

Aunt Xue said, seeing that her daughter was silent and just listened with her head down, she continued Said: "In addition, your brother's troubles have affected your future. Under such circumstances, how can my mother bear to throw you into that shameful place again..."


Hearing her mother's final words, Baochai was suddenly moved. Once upon a time, she seemed to have complained that her parents arranged her life when she was still young.

Later, as she grew up, she understood more things, but she has gradually come to understand her parents and the responsibilities that come from her family, and she is willing to do her best to shoulder this responsibility.

But when she followed her mother to Beijing with anxiety and courage to move forward, she lost the election. Although she comforted her mother afterwards and said that she would not be able to choose again until three years later, invisible pressure had already formed in her heart.

She knew in her heart that her failure was not her fault, or even Aunt Xue's fault in management, but the family's decline. At this time, the Xue family was no match for the other families behind the daughters of famous officials who were running for election, so her defeat was not too surprising.

But the more this happened, the more she understood how important it would be for the Xue family, known as the four major families in the old capital, to have a "noble daughter" in the family.

From this, she could better understand how determined Aunt Xue was to make this decision. Aunt Xue had expressed her intention to cancel her arrangement of entering the palace several times before, but she could not completely make up her mind.

This time, my brother was drunk and hurt others, and even caused trouble in front of the emperor. As Aunt Xue said, it will definitely affect her. Even if she is selected as she wishes in a year, her future will be slim.

If her mother decided not to let her enter the palace to run for election because of this, she would naturally be grateful for her mother's loving heart.

Seeing her daughter’s tearful eyes, which was extremely pitiful, Aunt Xue held her hand tightly and said: "I have decided to choose someone who is good-looking and capable and can protect you. Your husband. In this way, even if your brother cannot survive this disaster, you will have someone to rely on in the future and will not be bullied."

　"Mother!"

Baochai wiped away her tears and said, "Mom, there is no need to be so sad. My brother will definitely be fine this time. Brother Lian is extremely talented and he will definitely have a way to protect his life."

Aunt Xue sighed: "I know you have been the most sensible person since you were a child, and I won't hide it from you. I made this decision not just for you.

What is your brother like? I think you know better than me, and I will not have higher expectations for him. I only hope that your life will be better in the future, and that you can help your brother and take care of the Xue family. Mom is satisfied."

Although Baochai was grateful for her mother's frankness, she had some concerns in her heart.

"My daughter should remember her love and affection for her. However, my mother also said just now that our family is not what it used to be. The matter of having an older brother has made a fuss. Although my daughter is not I belittle myself, but I also know that it is not easy for a mother to find a son-in-law for her daughter under such circumstances.

Although there are many princes and grandsons in Beijing, none of them have a good family background.Among the few men who are truly ambitious, how many are willing to be the son-in-law of our Xue family?

In my daughter’s opinion, for the present, it is better to let her enter a place of first-class power in the world. Even though it's a little more difficult, if her daughter is really talented, she will definitely be able to make a difference. "

Just like Aunt Xue at the beginning, Baochai also said her words seriously. Even Aunt Xue, who had a calculated intention, felt that what her daughter said was right for a moment.

Yes, who among the truly ambitious and well-off people in Beijing would marry the sister of a man whose family is in decline and who has committed a murder? If he only cares about his daughter’s appearance, he will probably be a drunkard. Of course, she is not worthy of her precious daughter.

Thinking of Aunt Xue, she couldn’t help but think of her sister, Mrs. Wang. She could tell that Mrs. Wang liked Baochai very much, and even wanted Baochai to be her. Daughter-in-law.

But at this moment, if she proposed the idea of ​​marrying her sister, I am afraid the result would be the same as when she proposed to let Yuanchun rescue her son. As a mother, she I know how much Mrs. Wang values ​​Jia Baoyu.

None of this is important.

She has chosen a destination for her daughter! According to her careful consideration, she feels that it must be It will be a good destination, and it may even be a happy choice for everyone.

Whether it is for the daughter or the Xue family.

Therefore, facing a strange situation Gu Yong’s daughter, Aunt Xue shook her head firmly: “I know you are a good child with good fortune, and I believe in your abilities.

But as a parent, you should think deeply about your children. The road to entering the palace is difficult. Needless to say, you yourself know how difficult it is. Just look at your cousin Yuanchun. With their family background, they have been unknown in the palace for so many years. Never have a chance to get ahead in your life!

I will never allow you to make the same mistake again. Don’t mention the matter of entering the palace from now on. "

Baochai wondered. Based on her understanding of Aunt Xue, Aunt Xue shouldn't have such an idea. Could it be...

She looked at Aunt Xue suspiciously: "Mother is so insistent, could it be that she already has... someone in mind? "

Aunt Xue looked slightly unnatural, but she also knew that enough preparation had been done, so she moved her hips and sat closer, held her daughter's hands in her arms, and said in a relaxed tone: "You What do you think of your second brother Lian? ”

……

Rongguo Mansion, Sister Feng’s Children’s Home.

Two little maids from the general office were in the yard, playing with Qiaoer Cuju made Qiaoer’s young and clear voice fill the whole yard.

ThisThis scene fell into the eyes of Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun and Xiangyun who came hand in hand, and their faces suddenly burst into aunty smiles that did not belong to their age.

Shi Xiangyun stepped into the atrium first. When Qiaoer, who was having fun, saw her, he immediately walked up to her with a pair of short legs and shouted: "Aunt Yun, Yun Auntie, come and play with me..."

"Haha, okay, but you have to let me hug you first!"

Shi Xiangyun quickly hugged Qiaoer. He stood up and gave her a peck on her tender cheek. Then seeing Sanchun gathered around her, she quickly turned sideways to prevent Qiao'er from being taken away. She smiled and asked the little cutie in her arms: "Qiao girl, isn't your father back? Why don't you let him play Cuju with you?" ?”

Shi Xiangyun didn’t ask, but he immediately pouted as soon as he mentioned Qiao Jie’er, and said: “Dad is bad, and mother is bad too. They don’t play with me, so you know. Whispering in the room."

"Whispering?"

Miharu and others looked at the main rooms, which were brightly lit but with closed doors. Yingchun Tanchun seemed to have some understanding, Xichun didn't know why, but Xiangyun didn't focus on it. She only talked to Qiaoer: "Yeah, then they are bad. But it doesn't matter, your father and mother If I don’t want to play with you, can Aunt Yun play with you?"

"Okay..."

Tanchun next to him noticed that his sisters and others seemed to be visiting at the wrong time. , naturally they would not come forward and knock on the door rashly, and they would all consciously circle around Qiaoer.

Among them, Tanchun was the first to pick up the bamboo Cuju ball, put it under his feet and kicked it, causing Qiaoer to struggle to get out of Shi Xiangyun's arms and run after her.

In the main house, the atmosphere is completely different from that in the courtyard.

After a long and suppressed groan, there was the sound of rustling clothes.

"You're still laughing! It's all your fault..."

Of course, the movements in the courtyard cannot be hidden from the people in the room. Therefore, Sister Feng, who felt ashamed, cursed angrily when she saw Jia Lian, who was still leaning on the couch and looking at her with a smile, after putting on her clothes.

Then he stood in front of the standing mirror. After feeling that there was nothing wrong with him, he left Jia Lian and hurried out. Seeing Xiang Ling guarding the door of the inner hall, she asked: "Where is Ping'er?"

Xiang Ling said honestly: "Sister Ping'er is preparing a banquet in the flower hall."

/> Sister Feng nodded. Before Jia Lian became successful, the couple basically ate on the small table on the Kang in the west room.

There is also a dining room in the Toji room, but it was not used before, but now it is deemed inadequate.

　It just so happens that her small garden is spacious enough, and the flower hall in the middle is perfect for banquets. Today, Jia Lian returned home. She was originally planning to give Jia Lian a break, but who knew that Jia Lian was so impatient that he dragged her to have fun as soon as he got home, and even got hit by his sisters-in-law!

"You go in and help your second master change."

With a casual command, Sister Feng stood at the front door and took a deep breath, then lifted the heavy curtain and faced the courtyard. The sisters-in-law laughed and said: "Hey, I heard the chirping outside, which gust of wind brought you here?"

Both of them felt that maybe they had overthought things before, and that Brother Lian and Sister-in-law Lian were probably just discussing business matters.