The night is deep, the wind and rain are blowing, the courtyard where Daiyu lives.
Daiyu was wearing a pink jacket with a stand-up collar and a side-breasted collar, a pink-orange embroidered plum blossom double-breasted jacket, and a cinnabar embroidered horse-faced skirt. She was sitting upright on the bed, holding the peace talisman 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 peace jade charm 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 shadowed on it has exquisite lines, lifelike and peace.
The jade talisman also has a small cluster of red tassels, which are 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 charm from now on, as if someone was by her side to protect her peace.
Just in your heart, something seems wrong?
"Girl, I'm not asleep yet." Zicuckoo came closer and said 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."
As he spoke, he stuffed 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, it makes you restless when you sleep at night. It's not good if you get it. It's better to take it off and put it on again tomorrow." Seeing Daiyu holding it in her arms, Zijuan said softly.
"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 corner of 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 a move with someone."
"Brother Heng has been in a lot of 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 it happened that while he was going through life and death outside, he was always so worried at home.
Zijuan sighed softly and said exactly what Daiyu was thinking, saying: "Uncle Heng is taking care of the family affairs 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, Zicuckoo, 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 gossip about elders behind their backs, people still have a strong balance in their hearts.
"I'm afraid, girl, there may be a storm in another two or three years." Zicuckoo suddenly said.
Daiyu's pretty face couldn't help but blush, her starry eyes were slightly angry and said: "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, at the end of the original work, Daiyu would not be 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 been worried about me for so many years."
Zicuckoo smiled and said, "I'm just saying it casually. Even if the old lady has other ideas, I won't let the girl if 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 does it mean...and Uncle Heng?
It's not like he has to worry about her affairs.
"You are so foolish to say, how can Brother Heng take care of my affairs?" Daiyu said angrily.
The more Sister Zicuckoo talks about it, the more she looks less and less like it.
Zijuan said: "Who can say clearly what will happen in the future?"
"You..." Daiyu was embarrassed and annoyed by what she said. She turned away her pretty face angrily and clutched her handkerchief, as if she was really annoyed.
"Okay, girl, I won't talk anymore." Zicuckoo chuckled and said, "By the way, last time the uncle said that when the weather gets warmer, he would take the girl out for a walk."
Daiyu retracted her confused thoughts and said sadly: "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 head, 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 listened to Baoyu's voice in the room, and was startled. She raised her starry eyes and looked at Zicuckoo.
"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."
Zicuckoo said "Hmm", then opened the curtain and left 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, he started walking towards the inner room. However, Zicuckoo had inadvertently moved his steps, blocking Baoyu's path.
"Second Master, the girl is asleep. She was a light sleeper, and she finally fell asleep now. If you have anything to do with Second Master, you might as well talk about it tomorrow." Zicuckoo lowered her voice and softly advised.
Baoyu's full-moon face paused, feeling strange in his heart at first, but thinking that Daiyu had already fallen asleep, it was really not good to wake up like this. He rubbed his 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 ceremony?" 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.
Seeing this, Zicuckoo felt something was wrong in her heart, and subconsciously declined: "Second Master, this is too expensive. Besides, we girls don't wear this on weekdays. It's heavy, and it's not convenient for reading and writing."
Baoyu: "???"
What does it mean that after wearing it, it feels 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 Zicuckoo's arm. However, the movement clearly affected the injury on his buttocks. He frowned and suddenly let out a soft hiss.
Seeing Baoyu like this, Zicuckoo 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 was overjoyed and thanked her profusely: "Thank you for your help, dear sister. I will come to see Sister Lin tomorrow."
After saying that, without saying much, he and She Yue, who was beside him, carried lanterns and limped back to their residence.
Zijuan shook her head slightly, holding the brocade box in her hand, she had no choice but 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 they spoke 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, and with Zijuan's service, she came to the dressing table and took off the hairpin jewelry on her head. A face as bright as the spring moon appeared in the bronze mirror.
The girl in her prime years already has some charming beauty that is "unparalleled in appearance and rare in 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 rude.
Then he headed towards Dongfu, passing by Jia Mu's courtyard, thinking 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 he happened to meet Xue Yan carrying a cup.
A basin of hot water and called out to 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 carved windows is shining brightly, 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 had to interrogate relevant officials involved in the case, including the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and I had 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 came out from the curtain in the side room, leaning on the threshold, her bright autumn eyes under her smoky eyebrows glistening like water, calling: "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 sweet, with a hint of sweetness and gentleness like an oriole coming out of the valley.
Zicuckoo 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 sat down separately for the guests and the host.
Zicuckoo held the teapot and poured cheese tea for Jia Heng. The steam was steaming, and a sweet fragrance floated close 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."
Zicuckoo 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 investigate the case outside. Let's drink a cup of tea to relieve fatigue.
That’s it.”
Jia Heng smiled, glanced at Zicuckoo, and praised: "Zicuckoo is someone who knows both cold and heat."
Zijuan's cheeks turned slightly red at these words, and she said, "Young man is joking, we girls are the ones who are cautious. We usually say that I am 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 did he feel relieved? Why did he feel 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, "How about we go out for a walk after a while, when the weather is better and we understand this case?"
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 two of them? Thinking of this, a sour feeling arose in 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'm also thinking about you and Sister Yun. The third sister and I haven't been out much.
The spring is warm and the flowers are blooming. It’s a good time for a picnic, flying kites and so on. 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 young cousins from the clan for an outing, sightseeing, or staying 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 noble officials in Shenjing City.
It's just that 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 would be better if I don't 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 nostalgic 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 the same.
Daiyu nodded and said: "In the past, grandma was always worried about not being able to withstand the wind in the yard, 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 have low 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 your 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 people will come over 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 for you."
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 late now, so I won't disturb my sister's rest. I'm going back now. There's no need to send my sister off. It's quite cold outside."
It was almost midnight at this time.
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 felt a little restless. I was sure it wasn't the discomfort from my butt injury, 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 are you going, Second Master?" She Yue was making the bed, becoming more and more plump, and her enchanting 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 grandfather to try them out, so as to relieve some 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 advised her: "Why did the second master think that it was all the same? At this time, he made a noise with 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 to it, and the second master just left."
"Come over 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, separated only 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, I saw two people talking under the eaves of the corridor. Suddenly, I felt as if I had been struck by thunder, and I was stunned on the spot.
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 said a simple 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 immediately fell to Baoyu's shoulders, soaking his clothes and covering his head with banana leaves, making him look lush and green.
After watching the young man leave the house from another verandah and Daiyu entering 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 had removed her hairpin 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 does he 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? Have you gone back?"
Baoyu nodded nervously, and was dragged back by She Yue with three steps.
