Red Mansion Reader

Chapter 143 New Year's Eve
The first day of the new year is very lively.Chen Hengmao was about to get up at that time, and rushed to the lobby with his sleepy younger brother, and prepared sacrifices with his family.

When everything is ready, the family will be led by grandpa and grandma.The first worship is the gods of heaven and earth, and the second is the ancestor tablets.After these two tasks are finished, Chen Yushan and Zhou will sit at the head and accept the worship of the juniors.

These three things all require kowtowing.Not only do you have to kowtow, but you also have to say auspicious words vigorously during the last prayer.

If you wish the elders a long and healthy life, just pick the nice ones.The more he talked, the more smiles on Chen Caishan's face.The happier grandpa and grandma are, the more lucky money they will give.

After worshiping the elders, the four parents of the first room, the second room, and Xinda's mother also sat on the chairs to accept the children's thanks.After going through the same process once, children with countless pockets can worship each other according to the seniority among their peers.

There is no such trouble between the same generation, Chen Heng and Chen Qing stood in front of their younger siblings, and everyone bowed to each other, and it was considered a ceremony.There is no need to write more about the small gifts between brothers and sisters here, but the adults on the side are very happy to see that their family is getting more and more prosperous.

After the first major event of the day is done, everyone can sit down and rest while waiting for Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Gu to prepare breakfast.

Before the New Year's Eve dinner last night, Mrs. Gu picked out a plate of jerky, and made shredded pork noodles for her family with some vegetables.Needless to say about the taste, the lively atmosphere is already very comfortable just when the family gathers to eat together.

This is the first New Year for the old Chen family in Yangzhou.Everyone seemed a little at a loss when they paid New Year's greetings in the morning.At this time, Chen Yushan began to recall the good days of Shanxi Village.

Today in previous years is a good time to visit relatives and friends.The rice noodles of each family in the village are to be eaten from the first day to the seventh day, so there is no need to worry about having nowhere to go.

Grandma Zhou felt that such a day was the most comfortable, and it was enough for a man to go out to eat and open his mouth.The woman who heads the family has to think about what gift to give, did she give her something last year?
It is very troublesome to deal with these trivial matters, so Zhou cherishes today's leisure very much.She got together with her two daughters-in-law, granddaughter, and mother of Xinda, and they were discussing where to go shopping later.

The second uncle, Chen Huaijin, was over forty years old, and seemed to suddenly realize the pressure of time.From the very beginning, I have been pulling my younger brothers along, telling them to learn from their elder brother's assiduous spirit, and not to let the good time of studying go to waste.

Chen Huaijin looked back at his regrets in this life, and the first thing was that he didn't seize the opportunity to study.

Chen Heng was happy to watch the excitement from the sidelines, and gritted his teeth angrily at Chen Qingyue, who was nodding like a pounding garlic.When Si Shi sat at home, Chen Heng went out with his grandma. It wasn't that he wanted to go shopping with them.

As early as the day of the small temple fair, Chen Heng made an appointment with Xue Biao to go to the academy on the morning of the first day of the new year to pay New Year's greetings to all the masters.In the past, only Qian Dayou went with Xue Biao, but this time it is rare to meet Chen Heng and Jiang Yuanbai here, so naturally the two of them cannot be missed.

The four met at the agreed place, said "New Year Jiaping" to each other, and set off for the academy together.But they are not the only students who want to congratulate today.

Sishi is the time when everyone goes out to pay New Year's greetings, and the gate of the academy is also very lively.The refugees who temporarily lived here became acquainted with the students of the academy, so they couldn't help but congratulate each other on the way.

When he saw Pei Huaizhen, he was playing chess with Jin Shen, accompanied by Jia Yucun and others.At Pei Huaizhen's age, there is no need to talk about etiquette.The head of the mountain sat calmly on the chair, playing chess while asking the students who had worshiped him to get up quickly.

"Shan Zhang, where is our New Year's money." Putting down his gift, Chen Heng had the guts to see that the old man wanted to pretend to be deaf and dumb, so he directly broke the point.

Pei Huaizhen glanced at her students, smiled at Jia Yucun and the others: "Look at what I said, this kid must be the one who took the lead."

He turned his head again, pointed at his wife, and said to Chen Heng: "Everything I give you is in the hands of your mistress, go by yourself."

The four little ones couldn't help but brows with joy, and they all rushed to Xie's face together, "Master, Master."

Surrounded by these strong guys, Xie couldn't help but have a headache, and said: "Don't worry, don't worry, you have it, you all have it." While speaking, she took out four homework from the table behind her .

"Ah..." Chen Heng was also dumbfounded, he didn't expect the head of the mountain to do such a brazen thing.

"As the saying goes, there is a house of gold in the book." Pei Huaizhen stroked her beard proudly, and told Chen Heng and the others, "After the Chinese New Year, remember to hand it in. If you make a mistake, you will get ten hands."

"..." Chen Heng didn't know what to say anymore. Jiang Yuanbai and the others were worried that he would say something wrong again, so they hurriedly dragged him to thank the head of the mountain for his kindness.

The four walked out of the lecture hall, and when they heard the loud laughter coming from the room, they looked at each other with concern.

Coincidentally, a group of new classmates came in from the screen wall.When the students heard the laughter of the masters, they couldn't help being a little curious, so they asked Chen Heng and others about the process of New Year's greetings.

What a dark mind Chen Heng was, he deliberately revealed the lucky copper coins given by Grandpa Lu, and whispered to these people: "Remember to ask for the lucky money."

"Is the head of the mountain so generous?"

"That's not right. Otherwise, how can we be the head of the mountain?" Chen Heng didn't blush, and he just gave a thumbs up, and kept gesticulating towards the lecture hall behind him.Xue Biao and the other three, watching their friends make trouble, couldn't help nodding in cooperation, signaling them not to miss it.

After this matter is done, see that the other party believes it is true.Chen Heng quickly suppressed his laughter and ran out of the academy with his friends.

On the bustling street, the four dared to laugh.

After worshiping the head of the mountain, there is nothing else to worry about.

Chen Heng and Xue Biao are still too young to go to a friend's house to pay New Year's greetings.

The four agreed to have fun on the fifth day of the lunar new year, and went back to busy with family affairs.

After bidding farewell to his friends, Chen Heng hurried home, told his grandpa, who was housekeeper, and continued to walk outside with letters and gifts.

The two of them went out this time because they were going to the Lin Mansion to pay New Year's greetings to another master.

Pei Huaizhen had paid homage to her, so there was no reason not to visit Wang Xianming and Liu's.

The relationship between Chen Heng and Wang Xianming cannot be explained in a few words.It's just that due to the many things going on recently, and the master and mistress live in the Lin Mansion, it is somewhat inconvenient to walk around.

However, Chen Heng didn't have too many expectations for this trip. He always felt that the gate of the Lin Mansion might be more lively in the morning on the first day of the new year.

Sure enough, when he rushed to the gate of the Lin Mansion with Xinda, there was an exaggeratedly long queue outside.

It's the real long line, with servants sent by various families, scholars and children in Confucian uniforms.

The line was long and there were all kinds of people.

Most of them hold a red slip in their hands, which is Dayong's version of New Year's greeting cards.Most of them contain new words of congratulations, which is the most popular way of greeting the New Year nowadays.

When these people came, all they wanted was to put down their red slips at the concierge.

After all, they didn't expect to meet the magistrate by using the excuse of New Year's greetings.

This time I came here purely to get acquainted with the concierge so that I can inquire about the news in the future.

Besides, what if the magistrates can see their amazing talents through their carefully designed red list?
With the mentality of winning prizes, the guests put down their red slips at the concierge one after another.

Although the process is simple, everyone wants to have a few words with the concierge, hoping that the servants will remember their faces.

After coming and going, the six concierges in Lin's mansion were naturally very busy.

Chen Heng stood at the shop beside him, looked at it for a long time, then shook his head at Xinda.

"Come back in two days. There are indeed too many visitors today."

If the queue continues, I'm afraid there may not be a result at night.

"Okay." Xinda was also a little helpless.

The two were about to turn around and leave, but the concierges standing on the steps to greet the guests noticed Chen Heng's figure.Several people discussed for a while, and immediately separated a person, who ran and shouted in Chen Heng's direction.

"Master, master, wait for me."

The gazes of hundreds of people followed the figure of the servant until they saw Chen Heng who was stopped by the shout.

"Master, you are back, why don't you tell me. We were on the steps just now, and it took me a long time to recognize you."

Chen Heng didn't expect that he would be seen by the servant even standing in the distance and looking at him.

Sure enough, it was the concierge who listened to six directions and watched all directions to pick up the guests.

"I see that no matter how busy you are, you are too embarrassed to come up and disturb, so you just want to wait a few days before coming back." Chen Heng smiled and explained quickly.

"Master, look at what you said. You come here, it's like going back to your own home. The master told you early in the morning that if you come to pay New Year's greetings, don't let you run away. He and his wife are waiting for you at home."

The concierge said as he pulled Chen Heng's sleeve and walked towards the gate.

Along the way, the people waiting couldn't help but feel a little strange.

"Have you ever heard of the magistrate, do you have such a big child in your family?"

"No. The magistrate's own son, isn't he only eight years old! Maybe some kind of relative."

Everyone was very curious about Chen Heng's background.Chen Heng simply pretended that he hadn't heard. Under the guidance of the concierge, after entering Lin's mansion, he went straight to the other courtyard where Wang Xianming was.

The servant who led the way had just told him: There is a distinguished guest at home, and the master and wife are receiving him.

…………

…………

When I saw Wang Xianming, the master was painting with his wife.Different from ordinary Hongxiu Tianxiang, the person who draws is the mistress, and the master is the one who is in charge of grinding the ink.

When Chen Heng and Xinda opened the door and came in, they were both surprised and delighted.

"Heng'er, Xinda. Why are you two here?"

"Come to pay New Year's greetings to Master and Teacher." Chen Heng and Xin Da both smiled and put down the things they were carrying.One person pulls an elder and pushes them to the upper end to sit down.

Only then did the two elders understand the meaning of the children's coming, and couldn't help showing a little helpless smile, so they could only sit in their seats according to the ceremony, waiting for the two children to finish kowtowing.Hastily reached out to help each of them up.

"Okay, okay, Master knows that you have intentions."

"This is the New Year's money given to you by your wife." Liu took out a copper coin made of red string from somewhere, and handed it to the two students. Go find him quickly."

Why?Chen Heng blinked, it's not like he never lived with the teacher.How could Wang Xianming have the opportunity to touch the family's money? Except for teaching students, the master is always a spectator in other matters.

Wang Xianmin had no choice but to give a wry smile, he just quarreled with Mrs. Liu yesterday.Today, she has taken the initiative to serve Liu's paintings, why is this old lady still lingering in anger.Chen Heng, a good student, could see the expression on his master's face.He hurriedly went to the teacher's wife, took her hand and talked about his daily life in recent days.

It just so happens that the old lady likes to hear this, it's really not as convenient for her to live in the Lin Mansion as it is at home.Although Lin Fu treated her like a distinguished guest, she felt a little embarrassed to show up whenever some distinguished guests came to the house.

Especially recently, sometimes a son of the capital came, and sometimes a family member of a big family in the city.

Liu Shi is neither moving nor not moving.It can be said that staying in the Lin Mansion is very depressing, if it is not for the fact that the outside world is not stable, she would have wanted to bring her wife back to Shanxi Village a long time ago.

Although Chen Heng didn't know what happened between the master and his wife, he knew that an old lady of this age only needed to be coaxed.Don't reason with her. If she lives to be 60 years old, what else can't she see through?What is missing is the younger generation who talk and play tricks in front of them.

Unexpectedly, Chen Heng has a clever mouth, and he is the best at pleasing the old man.Just talking about her recent situation, Liu Shi has already listened with gusto, and even her mood can't help but get better.

These few people were chatting happily, but a plain butterfly flew in outside.

"Brother." Before Lin Daiyu came in, her voice came with the wind, "You are here, my aunt has nagged you several times at home."

"Master, you didn't tell me about this just now." Chen Heng pretended to be obedient in front of Mrs. Liu, "Since you miss me, why don't you just send someone to send me a message."

"Didn't Yu'er say that you are busy outside the city?" Liu shook her head noncommittally, "That's a serious matter, how can it be abandoned because of me, an old man."

So if there's something wrong with you, just post it on me?Wang Xianming secretly cried out in his heart, deeply feeling that he was taking the blame for his disciples.

Daiyu, Liu Shi, and Chen Heng, the three chatterers, got together, so naturally there was endless talk.Daiyu was also very happy with Chen Heng's visit. Speaking of which, the last time her brother came to the Lin residence was in October last year.

"Brother, you have to be careful." Lin Daiyu suddenly leaned into Chen Heng's ear, exhaling like blue.

"Ah?" Chen Heng blinked, wondering what he was careful about on New Year's Day.

"Daddy said that the next time he sees you, he will punish you severely. In the past few months, he hasn't even given him a letter." Lin Daiyu turned into a little spy and gave Chen Heng advice, "See you later When you see Dad, first congratulate him on his promotion. Then, tell Dad about the affairs outside the city. As long as he talks about business, he won’t be able to remember any troubles.”

Chen Heng nodded again and again, this is the benefit of having internal support.

"I'm really thankful for my sister."

"Then why don't you pour me a glass of water?" Daiyu retracted her body, folded her hands on her lap, and held up the posture of a young lady.

How could Chen Heng disobey her, he got up and took the kettle, and then poured hot tea into Yu'er's teacup.A servant's voice came from outside the door, "Master Chen, the master is waiting for you in the study."

Mrs. Liu, who was watching the two juniors fighting, raised her hand with a smile when she heard the words, and said to Chen Heng: "Go and come back quickly, don't delay lunch for a while."

"Okay." Chen Heng smiled and nodded.

But he followed the servants out of the door for a few steps, and couldn't help but stop on the side of the road, turned his head to look at his little tail, and couldn't help laughing: "Are you going too?"

"I..." Lin Daiyu rolled her eyes and said cleverly, "I have something to look for too."

Chen Heng laughed and didn't say much.Only sister Lin walked side by side towards the study.

When the two of them arrived at the study, they saw Lin Ruhai in normal clothes sitting on a wooden chair with a serious face.This Uncle Lin was also interesting. Seeing Chen Heng who stepped through the door first, he didn't express anything.

Seeing Sister Lin behind, she took the initiative to close the door of the study.It was also very funny and said: "Didn't I just call one?"

"Oh, Daddy!" Lin Daiyu stomped her feet, her face full of shyness.

"Uncle." Seeing that the timing was right, Chen Heng hurried up to salute, "Congratulations to Uncle on being promoted to the magistrate of Yangzhou."

This was Lin Ruhai's pride, and he felt happy for a while.But there was still no expression on his face, he just said: "You still remember my uncle."

"Daddy, drink tea first, drink tea first." Like a hardworking bee, Lin Daiyu approached Lin Ruhai with the teapot on the table.

She stood side by side with Chen Heng, and gave the latter a subtle look.Chen Hengxin understood, and after his sister poured tea, he immediately followed up and reported the affairs outside the city.

Sure enough, when talking about business, Lin Ruhai's face immediately changed.

These two people are quick-thinking people, and the pace of several conversations is extremely fast, and the topics are even more unconstrained.Sometimes it falls on the refugees, and sometimes it is the problem of resettlement in the city.

Lin Daiyu was happy to listen to it for a long time, and felt that the conversation between her father and her brother was very interesting.

　I just posted the two chapters in one. It’s cool to read today’s content together.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)