In the afternoon, in the courtyard where Mrs. Wang lives, in the wing room, a few wisps of sandalwood curl up from the copper crane cage. Standing there, a sense of tranquility, openness and remoteness suddenly comes to mind.
On the bed, Mrs. Wang was half leaning on the pillow, wearing only a plain-colored middle coat, her face was somewhat pale, and she had some dark circles under her eyes.
Sitting on the embroidered pier not far away is a nun in her late twenties, wearing a white monk's robe, with bright eyes and white teeth, and a graceful figure.
The nun was knocking on the wooden fish, but her beauty was not diminished even though she did not apply any makeup. Her face was white and rosy, her face was pretty and fragrant, her eyebrows were curved like a knife, her bright eyes were slightly drooped, and she was murmuring something in the sandalwood mouth under her small nose.
Perhaps because he has been reading Buddhist scriptures for a long time, the bookish look between his eyebrows is not only solemn and beautiful, but also has a touch of holy Zen, but the coldness and arrogance in his eyes have nothing to do with compassion.
After Miaoyu finished reciting the Buddhist scriptures, she put down her slender eyes and looked up at the noble lady opposite. She pronounced the Buddha's name, and a voice as cold as frost sounded, saying: "Madam, the rebirth mantra has been recited ninety-nine and eighty-one times, and the evil souls of the Wang family have now been saved."
It is the ultimate happiness, no longer suffering from reincarnation. Madam, please show me your condolences."
After hearing this, Mrs. Wang came back from her daze, sighed softly, her face became much gentler, and she said softly: "Thank you Master Miaoyu for your hard work."
Miaoyu gently announced the Buddha's name, neither humble nor arrogant, and said: "Madam, monks are compassionate and help others and ourselves. We dare not mention the word hard work."
Mrs. Wang looked at the nun opposite and saw that she had a quiet temperament and cold words, and she felt somewhat close to her.
Although slightly inferior to his teacher, Xu was young and had a more direct understanding of Buddhist scriptures and Zen language. He then said: "Master Miaoyu has profound Buddhist teachings. Can you stay in the nunnery in the backyard of the mansion for a few days to prepare for frequent invitations?"
beneficial?"
Therefore, the Grand View Garden had not yet been established, and there was no trace of the Cuicui nunnery, so it was not easy to get close to it. However, Mrs. Wang came to worship the Buddha and originally set up a nunnery in Rongfu.
When Miaoyu heard this, her bright eyes moved slightly, and she looked at Mrs. Wang opposite with a little doubt.
Mrs. Wang explained: "In the past two days, I have not been able to sleep well at night and have always had nightmares. With Master Miaoyu here, I feel that my heart is completely exhausted. Can Master Miaoyu stay in the nunnery for a while longer and use it?"
They are all provided by my house, I wonder what Master’s wishes are?”
Miaoyu was silent for a moment, and was about to politely refuse. Suddenly, a flash of light flashed in her heart, and the eight words her master said with a smile seemed to appear in front of her eyes:
"Living quietly in Beijing, waiting for opportunities."
Miaoyu frowned her willow-leaf slender eyebrows, raised her clear eyes, looked at Mrs. Wang opposite, and said, "I am staying in your mansion temporarily. Is your mansion convenient for personnel matters?"
Mrs. Wang nodded and said: "It is convenient. The nunnery in the backyard is rarely visited by people. It is quiet and unique, and few people go there. Master Miaoyu goes inside to study Buddhism."
Miaoyu thought about it for a while, but her cold face remained the same, and she said: "Since the lady is so kind to invite you, then the poor nun should be respectful and obey."
Hearing this, Mrs. Wang smiled and nodded, saying, "With Master Miaoyu here, I can sleep well at night."
What Mrs. Wang said about having nightmares in the past few days was not a lie. Because she saw the Wang family hall and the courtyard full of coffins, Mrs. Wang had several nightmares after she came back. In the dream, she saw Wang Ziteng’s wife Zhao, covered in blood.
Talk to her.
Only then did Mrs. Wang invite Miaoyu to save her.
Miaoyu was born into an official family and was very talented. Although she became a nun, she had profound attainments in Buddhism. When she talked with a "half-full bottle of water" like Mrs. Wang, a phony Buddha, the latter was naturally astonished.
When Mrs. Wang saw that Miaoyu had agreed to stay temporarily, she ordered Jin Chuan beside her and said, "Go and tidy up the nunnery in the backyard."
Jin Chuan said yes, then quickly walked out of the side room and led the women to the backyard.
As soon as he arrived at the Chaoshou Arcade, he met Baoyu. Baoyu looked gloomy, and his face in the Mid-Autumn Moon was full of sorrow. He murmured, "Sister Lin, Third Sister, and Sister Yun, they are all going."
To Dongfu..."
"Isn't this the second master? The second master didn't go to school today?" Jin Chuan asked with a smile.
Baoyu met Jinchuan across from him, and his face, as white as a magnolia flower, came into view. The sorrow in his heart suddenly dissipated a lot, and he asked with a smile: "Where are you going, Sister Jinchuan, with all these people?"
"
Jin Chuan paused, with a smile on his pretty face, and explained: "Master Miaoyu from Ximen Muni Yuan came over to give lectures to my wife. My wife said that she had tidied up the nunnery in the backyard and let Master Miaoyu live there for a few days. I will take him with me."
I'm sending someone to tidy up the yard."
Then he asked again: "Where did Mr. Bao come from?"
Baoyu's smiling face suddenly fell down and he said: "Coming from the ancestor's courtyard, the ancestors did not allow me to go to the funeral of my uncle's family. Several sisters went to Dongfu. They were really bored."
The smile on Jin Chuan's face faded and he said, "The second master doesn't have a treasure-hunting girl to talk to the eldest girl."
Baoyu said: "The eldest sister went to her uncle's house with Sister-in-law Feng, and Sister Bao also went with her aunt."
At the end of the sentence, Baoyu's expression was clear and undisguised.
Jin Chuan smiled and said: "Second Master, please go to your wife's room to say hello first. I have to go to the backyard to do some work. When everything is fine later, I can talk to Second Master to relieve my boredom."
Baoyu said "Alas" and watched Jin Chuan leave.
It wasn't until there was no one in sight at the Moon Gate that Baoyu entered Mrs. Wang's courtyard and opened the cotton curtain. Among the maids and the mother-in-law calling her Master Bao, Baoyu saluted Mrs. Wang who was sitting on the bed and greeted her.
: "Is mother okay?"
Mrs. Wang smiled and said: "Much better, Baoyu, come here quickly."
As he spoke, he smiled at Miaoyu and introduced: "Master Miaoyu, this is my useless son, Baoyu."
Miaoyu turned around and saw a young man with a handsome face and bright star-like eyes opposite him. He wore a purple gold crown inlaid with jewels on his hair, his eyebrows were tied with two dragons grabbing gold to wipe his forehead, and he was wearing a pair of red arrow sleeves. His eyes couldn't help but
The psychic treasure jade under his neck stayed for a while, his heart moved slightly, and he said: "The poor nun has met Second Master Bao."
Baoyu didn't care at first, but when he heard the sweet voice as cold as ice spring, his body trembled, and he raised his eyes to look at the nun opposite him. His original casual expression suddenly changed, and then his eyes lit up and he stared closely.
Looking at the pretty nun across from him, he felt happy and asked with a smile: "Does Master Miaoyu practice with his hair on?"
Miaoyu nodded slightly.
Baoyu thought for a moment and said with a smile: "If the troubles are not eliminated and the six roots are not pure, how can we cultivate with hair?"
Miaoyu shook her head and said, "What difference does it make if the mind has attained Bodhi, whether it is with or without hair?"
When Baoyu heard the words, he was stunned for a moment and looked at Miaoyu with a bit of surprise in his eyes. The smile on his face became wider and he said: "Master Miaoyu is indeed very advanced in cultivation."
Mrs. Wang on the side smiled and said: "Baoyu, Master Miaoyu's Dharma is exquisite and unparalleled."
Miaoyu clasped her hands together, pronounced a Buddha's name, and said, "Madam, you are so complimentary."
While several people were talking, a woman came in from the outside, entered the side room, and said: "Madam, the eldest lady, Mistress Lian, my concubine and Miss Bao are back."
Baoyu looked surprised and said, "Eldest sister and sister Bao are back?"
Mrs. Wang's expression paused and she said, "Where is he now?"
The mother-in-law said: "The eldest lady said she went to Dongfu. My concubine, Miss Bao, and Second Grandma Lian went to Rongqing Hall at the moment."
Baoyu frowned but remained silent.
Mrs. Wang's expression froze, her eyes were slightly cold, and she felt a little unhappy.
As her eldest daughter, after returning from the palace, she did not stay well at home. Instead, she ran to Dongfu every three days. I heard that she played the piano and sang with Grandma Heng of Dongfu, and she was as good as her biological sisters.
"After the Chinese New Year, let's finalize the marriage for her first."
Mrs. Wang thought with gloomy eyes.
While Miaoyu listened to the mother-in-law's report, she caught the surprise on Mrs. Wang's expression, as well as Baoyu's frown and silence, her eyes twinkling thoughtfully.
At this moment, in the backyard hall of Ningguo Mansion, a group of orioles and swallows were chatting and laughing. Suddenly, they saw Yuan Chun and the eldest maid holding the harp, and led by the maid Baozhu into the hall.
Qin Keqing stood up to greet her and said softly: "Eldest sister is back?"
While talking, he came closer and took Yuan Chun's hand.
Previously, the two discussed piano music in Ning's house, and the sisterly friendship gradually grew stronger.
Yuanchun looked at the sisters who were calling "big sister" and nodded.
Yuan Chun entered the hall, called out softly, and said: "Brother Heng."
Jia Heng looked at the girl in a plain dress across from him, nodded, and said, "Sister, are you coming back from your uncle's house?"
Yuan Chun sighed and said, "It will take seven days for the mourning at my uncle's house. Today I saw some condolences. Sister-in-law Lian said she won't go there tomorrow."
Compared with Wang Ziteng's previous bustling house, except for some old relatives, few important people came to visit the royal residence today, so the funeral was much less complicated.
Jia Heng looked at the girl who looked tired and said, "Sister, you have worked hard these past two days."
Yuan Chun shook his head slightly, as if he didn't want to talk about the matter in depth. He glanced at a few people and asked, "What did Brother Heng and the sisters say?"
Xiangyun said: "Brother Heng bought some colts and said he would teach us how to ride horses."
When Yuan Chun heard this, he looked surprised and said, "Brother Heng wants to teach them how to ride a horse?
Jia Heng said: "Three younger sisters and Xiangyun both said they wanted to learn to ride horses. I went to the horse market today and bought a few ponies. We are originally a family of martial arts. How can the daughter of a duke not be good at riding?"
Yuan Chun thought of the tragic scenes he had seen in the past two days and said with deep emotion: "Brother Heng's words are right. We, the Wuxun family, are staying in the back house without being exposed to the wind and rain outside, but we should also learn some bow and archery skills. I think
Even though I have self-defense skills, I won’t be able to protect myself until the disaster comes.”
Jia Heng's heart moved, and he raised his eyes to look at the girl with soft eyebrows opposite him, and thought to himself, in later generations, "ghosts have their roots", and there was the plot of Yuanchun going to the battlefield. I don't know what happened?
With this thought in mind, he asked tentatively: "Eldest sister can ride a horse, right?"
Yuanchun shook his head slightly and said, "I wanted to learn it in the past, but I never had the chance."
Tanchun took over the conversation and said softly: "Sister, when you have free time, you can learn with us."
Jia Heng said softly: "But the previous foal is not suitable. We need to change it to a bigger horse."
Yuanchun: "..."
So this means she is too fat?
Jia Heng seemed to have read the girl's thoughts. He looked at Xiangyun aside and said in a clear voice: "That little pony is too short. When you grow taller, you can change to a bigger horse to ride on. I saw a big horse today."
A sweaty horse is several feet tall. If you ride a horse like this, you can travel a thousand miles a day and eight hundred miles a night."
Tanchun said: "The bloody horse is a very powerful horse, but it is also known as the Pegasus."
A faint smile appeared on Xiangyun Pingguo's face and he said: "I want to ride, Brother Heng. Why didn't Brother Heng buy it?"
Jia Heng's face froze for a moment, then he smiled and said: "You can't come across a bloody horse. Today's one was bought by someone, so I have to wait until next time to see if I can come across it."
Qin Keqing's hand holding the tea cup trembled slightly, she suppressed the throbbing in her heart, and said with a smile: "Sister Yun, learn from the pony first. After you have mastered the riding skills, you can then learn from the fast horse."
When Yuanchun heard the words, his beautiful eyes moved slightly, but he felt the light atmosphere of the room, and the original sad mood was dispersed a lot.
In other words, Yuanchun came here because he wanted to find someone to talk to and relieve the depression caused by the Wang family.
Qin Keqing asked: "Husband, it's getting late. Is it time to serve dinner?"
Jia Heng raised his head and took a look at the sky through the window. Seeing that night had fallen and shrouded everything, he nodded and said, "Pass the food around."
After dinner, Qin Keqing greeted Daiyu, Tanchun, Xiangyun and others to play and laugh in the hall.
Jia Heng called Yuan Chun to the study to discuss matters. The two of them sat on a small table across from each other. Qingwen poured tea for them and slowly withdrew.
Jia Heng looked at the beautiful girl opposite and said, "Sister, the Princess of Jinyang's mansion has agreed. Sister can take up the post at the Princess's mansion at any time."
When Yuan Chun heard this, his bright eyes moved slightly and he said softly: "Let Brother Heng worry about it."
Jia Heng said: "You and I, brother and sister, don't need to be so polite. Besides, my eldest sister has paid so much for the clan over the years."
Yuanchun sighed softly, his eyes were a little lost in thought, and said: "The clan also went through turmoil back then and was in a difficult time, so I should do what I should do."
Jia Heng said: "After all these years, I have wronged my eldest sister."
Yuan Chun's jade face paused slightly, picked up the tea cup, looked at the young man opposite and hesitated to speak: "Brother Heng..."
Jia Heng's heart moved slightly, and he smiled and said, "Sister, if you have something to say, you might as well say it directly."
Yuanchun put down the tea cup and said: "Brother Heng, I was sent to the palace when I was ten years old. When I came back, I didn't expect that Baoyu would develop such a naughty character. In addition, my grandmother doted on her grandson, and my mother also died because of her brother's death.
, did not urge Baoyu to study much, so today Baoyu cannot write or do martial arts. I have always been very grateful to Hengdi for helping to teach Baoyu."
The smile on Jia Heng's face faded slightly and he said, "Why did eldest sister suddenly talk about this?"
Yuan Chun's beautiful eyes flashed with complicated light, and she said softly: "Actually, I have wanted to say these words to Brother Heng for a long time, but firstly, I am presumptuous, and secondly, as a daughter, I am also in a dilemma, but after thinking about it,
, I still think it’s better to talk to Hengdi. My mother may have some misunderstandings about Hengdi because Baoyu is studying in school. I have also been trying to persuade her recently. She has offended Hengdi in the past, and I hope Hengdi will forgive me.
.”
At the end of the story, the girl's plump and graceful face looked a little sad, or perhaps ashamed.
In the past few days, or after returning from the palace, she mentioned the young man in front of her to her mother, and she could clearly feel that her mother was very resentful towards the young man in her words.
Especially in recent days, perhaps because of the misfortune that befell my uncle's family, my mother even said a lot of resentful words in private. Although she tried her best to persuade and resolve, she had little effect.
If things go on like this, there may be some twists and turns.
Jia Heng was silent for a while, then chuckled and said: "Don't worry, eldest sister, even for the sake of eldest sister, I will not sit idle with my wife."
Yuanchun: "..."
I don't know why, but I always feel like this is a weird thing to say.
For her sake?
Staring at the young man across from him, Yuanchun's eyelashes trembled as he faced the warm gaze, which seemed to reflect a bunch of flickering candlelight, scorching his heart, and he quickly moved away.
"As for Baoyu, since he wants to be a wealthy and idle man like a wandering cloud and wild crane, Rongguo Mansion can still accommodate him. Of course, if the eldest sister can urge him to study hard and make progress from now on, it will also be a great thing." Jia Heng said.
Ru Xuanshui, with calm eyes, stared at the young man opposite and said, "Does the eldest sister still think that I can't tolerate Baoyu?"
Yuan Chun felt a little strange when he saw the other boy's aggressive gaze. He shook his head quickly and said with a bit of urgency in his voice: "Brother Heng has a broad mind. I have never thought about Brother Heng in this way. Brother Heng... you have misunderstood me.
."
Jia Heng looked at the girl opposite who was anxious to explain, and said with a smile: "Since the eldest sister can be honest with me, she will not think so. In fact, even if there are some complaints about Baoyu from my wife, the eldest sister will also
Don't always help me explain, but there will be a new grudge between mother and daughter."
When Yuan Chun heard this, his delicate body trembled, and he looked at the young man opposite who was lifting his weight with complicated eyes, and said softly: "Brother Heng..."
Suddenly his hand shook and he knocked over the tea cup. Half the cup of hot tea fell on the back of Yuanchun's hand. It was so hot that Yuanchun winced his hand, frowned and let out a pained groan.
"Sister..." Jia Heng's face changed slightly, he called out, and said hurriedly: "Is it hot? Let me see."
As he spoke, he took out a handkerchief, took the girl's hand, and wiped the tea soup.
"Brother Heng, I'm fine..." Yuan Chun said softly. Because there was still a little burning pain, his eyebrows were furrowed, but he still subconsciously said it was fine.
Jia Heng frowned and said, "It's all red. Why is it okay? Fortunately, there are no blisters. Why are you so careless?"
I saw a small red mark on the back of my hand, which was as white as frost, and on my wrist.
The girl's fingers are slender and her nails are not painted with cinnamon, so she looks plain and elegant. Perhaps it is because she is serving tea and water to the nobles in the palace, so she cannot dress too colorfully.
Feeling that his palm was being held, Yuanchun's eyebrows trembled slightly, his delicate body was almost straightened, there was a slight tremor in his delicate voice, but there was a gentle and gentle smile on his face, and he spoke very naturally
: "It's okay, Brother Heng... In the past, when I served the empress in the palace, I didn't get burned. When I get back, I can just apply a cold towel on it and it'll be fine."
As he said that, he calmly withdrew his hand, but his fingers rubbed the remaining gentle touch, which made Yuanchun's heart ripple. His beautiful eyes were slightly absent-minded for a moment, and then returned to normal.
Jia Heng's face was calm, but he didn't notice anything strange. He was so caring for a moment, not to mention...it wasn't that their fingers were intertwined, he was just looking at the girl with soft eyebrows, who was gently rubbing her delicate hands, and said warmly: "Sister, these are all
I suffered a lot in the palace during those years."
Yuan Chun sighed softly, looked at the young man opposite him with a pair of soft and gentle eyes, and said: "Brother Heng, it has not been easy these years. To be able to be here today, I really don't know how many risks I have taken and how much hardship I have endured.
"Brother Qi Heng, I was born with fine clothes and good food, and I have been serving noble people for several years, but I have never endured hardships."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment.
Yuan Chun looked at the young man with a clear face, smiled and said: "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Brother Heng, I am a little tired today. If there is nothing else to do, I will go back and rest first."
Jia Heng turned around and said, "Sister, don't be too busy leaving now. It's not too late to apply a towel on your hands before leaving."
With that said, he called Qingwen and ordered to get some water and towels.
Not long after, Qingwen came in from outside. She was a little anxious when she heard that it was being burned. She brought a basin of water over and said, "Girl, rinse it with water."
Yuanchun thought for a moment and nodded, no longer modest.