Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Earl's Mansion, south slope of Dengxian Pavilion.

The sunset glowed brightly, and the clouds were brilliant. After leaving the government office, Jia Cong went for a walk in the garden and took a look at the sweet potato seedlings that he had planted a few days ago.

When they were about to reach the place, they saw Zhishao and Xiuyan holding water ladles, swaying their slender waists, and countless crystal water droplets, reflecting the brilliant rays of light, were sprinkled on the green seedlings in the field.

The two of them were chatting and laughing from time to time, looking very interested. Miaoyu was standing by the field watching, and when she noticed him coming, she turned her head to look over here.

Zhishao saw Jia Cong coming over and said with a smile, "Third Master left the court early today."

Jia Cong took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her forehead. Seeing the two of them being so intimate, Miaoyu blushed slightly and subconsciously turned her body to the side.

Xing Xiuyan smiled when she saw it, but didn't take it seriously. When Zhishao was practicing in Panxiang Temple, they were very close and often slept on the same bed.

Now Zhishao is Jia Cong's roommate, and Xing Xiuyan often goes to Jia Cong's courtyard to walk around and talk, which is already commonplace.

Besides, she was only a young girl, and although she and Jia Cong had a formal relationship, the desire between men and women was just beginning to sprout, but it was too early, vague, and not deep or passionate.

Moreover, she is open-minded and indifferent by nature. For a family like Jia Cong, it is normal for her to have wives and concubines in the future.

He smiled and said, "Cousin, these sweet potatoes have only been planted for a short time and they have already sprouted. They are growing so happily.

My cousin asked us to water the plants at sunset every day. Is there any reason for this? "

Jia Cong smiled and said, "The winter in the capital is very cold, but the sun is strong and the climate is dry. Watering after sunset can prevent the water from evaporating too quickly and keep the soil moist.

If we were in the southern Fujian and Zhejiang regions where the climate is mild and humid, there would be no need to be so particular.

Although I have never grown sweet potatoes, I have grown flowers and trees, and the habits and common sense of all plants and trees are similar. "

Xing Xiuyan looked confused, blinked her eyes, and asked, "Cousin, what does evaporation mean?"

Jia Cong smiled silently. For people today, this word was indeed too trendy. No wonder Xing Xiuyun was confused.

He smiled and said, "Evaporation means that the sun is too strong during the day, which dries up the moisture in the ground. The sweet potato seedlings can't absorb moisture, so it's naturally difficult for them to sprout."

Xing Xiuyan smiled and said, "My cousin is amazing. He has read so many books."

Jia Cong smiled slightly and naturally did not explain further. This was not what he read in the book.

Zhishao accompanies Jia Cong every day and is used to hearing him say strange things. But when she hears him explain to Xing Xiuyun, she doesn't care.

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Miaoyu was confused. It was normal for Yuzhang to be ignorant of grains since he came from a wealthy family and lived a life of luxury and prosperity.

He was able to pass the imperial examination, was famous for his outstanding talent, and was well versed in the profound meaning of books and classics. It was natural for him to be so familiar with even farming matters.

He is only of this age, but he is so knowledgeable and well-informed. He is truly capable of doing what others cannot. Even with his meager land, he can still think about the food and clothing of the people of the world.

It has always been a common sense in the world that the wealthy and powerful families are becoming less and less prosperous with each generation, and that they give birth to many extravagant and dissolute young men.

After arriving in Shenjing, because of my junior sister Jinghui, I paid more attention to Jia Cong's family background and affairs.

Because the Rongguo Jia family was quite famous in the capital, the maids around them would often hear rumors about the Jia family when they went out to shop and do chores.

It is said that although Yu Zhang's father inherited the title of Rong, he only held the title without any real job, and his reputation was somewhat notorious...

Yuzhang's uncle had a good reputation, but he was mediocre in officialdom and had never made any achievements.

Miaoyu was also born into a wealthy family, so she naturally knew the situation of the Jia family. They had only a luxurious appearance but were gradually declining. Fortunately, there was a person like Yuzhang.

The last time I went to Rongqing Hall with my master to visit the lady, Jia's Baoyu behaved in a dissolute manner, spoke frivolously, looked stupid and foolish, and didn't know what he was talking about.

It is said that Baoyu was born with a jade in his mouth. There are many rumors outside that, apart from Yuzhang, he is already considered an outstanding son of the Jia family. But there is a huge difference between these two people.

……

No matter how you look at it, Yu Zhang stands out from the ordinary men in the Jia family, as if they were born from different roots or were of the same blood.

The reason why she had such strange thoughts was because others turned a blind eye to it.

This was because Master Xiushan had used the innate divine numbers to predict Jia Cong's fortune and had worked out that he and Jia She were incompatible and that they were not destined to be father and son.

It is inferred that he is not of Rongguo's main family bloodline, his origins are questionable, and he may be involved in the private affairs of the Jia family.

Master Xiushan also warned Miaoyu that Jia Cong's fate was strange and dangerous, and his bloodline was unknown. Once the news leaked, it would definitely lead to a disaster.

Whether it was out of concern for the safety of his junior sister or other unspeakable emotions.

From then on, the mystery surrounding Jia Cong almost became Miaoyu's inner demon.

Every time she thought of this, she would feel deeply worried. She had to look at his horoscope countless times and chant mantras and pray for blessings to calm her mind.

She turned to look at Jia Cong and saw him chatting with Xing Xiuyan, making the little girl quite amused.

The shadows of the setting sun cast a golden and red glow on him, making him look exceptionally bright and dazzling, yet somewhat confusing.

……

At this time, Yingchun's maid Xiu Ju passed by with a food box in her hand. When she saw Jia Cong, she hurriedly bowed.

Jia Cong asked, "How have you been these past two days, Second Sister? I left the government office too late last night and didn't go over to see her."

Xiu Ju said, "Everyone is fine, the dishes in the kitchen a few days ago were a bit strong, so they asked me to go to the kitchen to get some vegetarian dishes. I want to eat something lighter."

Jia Cong didn't care. Ever since Miaoyu and her disciples were staying at the East Palace, the kitchen there had been cooking vegetarian dishes every day.

Zhishao is most familiar with the tastes of her master and senior sisters, and often goes to the kitchen to give instructions, and the vegetarian dishes they make are very delicious.

Sometimes, out of curiosity, the sisters would order a few vegetarian dishes to freshen up the taste. This was a common occurrence.

Jia Cong only told Xiu Ju that he was going to see Yingchun after dinner. They chatted for a while by the field and were about to go back.

But Xiu Ju came running over again and said, "Third Master, I'll go back and tell the girl that I met you. She said she hadn't seen you for two days, so please come to the courtyard for dinner.

She asked the kitchen to prepare a few more fresh vegetarian dishes, and has invited Miss Lin and the third Miss, and asked me to invite Sister Zhishao, Miss Miaoyu, and Miss Xing to come along."

Miaoyu said, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss. My master is alone in the courtyard, so I won't bother him."

Zhishao and Xiuyan were not surprised to hear this. Miaoyu was aloof and cold person, so they did not find it strange that she responded with such words.

Since entering the East Palace, the sisters often went to the South Slope Courtyard. Miaoyu treated them with courtesy, talked, drank tea, and played chess, and they got along well with each other.

But in her spare time, she would stay in the small courtyard on the south slope, reciting scriptures and doing her homework alone, and would never take the initiative to visit Yingchun, Daiyu and others in their courtyards. It was just her personality.

As Miaoyu was about to leave, Jia Cong said with a smile, "Master Miaoyu, it's rare for all the sisters to be together. We are all vegetarians, which does not violate the Buddhist precepts. Why don't we go together? It will be easier to talk.

After hearing this, Miaoyu looked at him and hesitated slightly.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I'll ask the maid to go over and serve the nun and chat with her. Don't worry."

When Miaoyu nodded this time, Zhishao and Xing Xiuyun were a little surprised. They all knew that she was always cold and aloof, and did her own thing, but she actually listened to Jia Cong's words.

……

Earl's Mansion, Yingchun Courtyard.

Yingchun's residence was a courtyard built by the water, not far from Jia Cong's courtyard.

There are three two-story embroidered buildings in the courtyard, with red beams and painted buildings, white walls and black tiles, which are very unique and exquisite.

The water system of Huifang Garden flows around the courtyard, with winding clear streams, a graceful stone bridge, green reed flowers on the bank, and clear waves rippling in the river.

There are also corridors and pavilions built near Linshui, where the sisters often play chess and chat. Yingchun has the table set up in the pavilion.

Although it is early winter now, warm curtains are hung all around the pavilions, and purple copper incense burners with double stars of fortune and longevity are placed, burning red peat mixed with styrax.

Although it was sunset and cold outside, the pavilion was warm and fragrant.

Through the large window with diamond-shaped borders facing the water, one can see the rippling of the river nearby and the silhouettes of the Chinese houses and pavilions in Huifang Garden in the distance, which are quite magnificent and beautiful.

When Jia Cong and others arrived at the table, they saw Yingchun, Daiyu, Tanchun, Xiangyun and Xichun had already taken their seats and were waiting.

When Yingchun saw Miaoyu also coming with Jia Cong, she felt a little surprised and even more happy.

……

Since Miaoyu came to stay in the mansion, Yingchun knew that she was cold and aloof, but because she was Zhishao's senior sister and they had a brotherly relationship, she treated Miaoyu with courtesy.

Because Miaoyu is also good at chess, Yingchun has similar interests to her, and the two often play chess against each other. As time goes by, they become more familiar with each other and closer. Only then does Yingchun realize that Miaoyu has a kind heart despite her coldness.

Once, Yingchun happened to enter Miaoyu's meditation room and saw that under the shrine of Guanyin Bodhisattva, there were prayer plaques with her brother's eight characters.

Yingchun asked curiously, and Miaoyu said that her junior sister was treated well by Jia Cong, who sent her and her master to the capital thousands of miles away, and also invited famous doctors to diagnose her master. The favor was profound.

That is why people enshrine Jia Cong's eight-character nameplate in front of the Buddha, chant mantras and pray for blessings to repay his kindness.

Yingchun was very happy to hear this, and felt that Miaoyu was a person with a cold appearance but a warm heart.

She loved her brother more than her life, and as long as someone treated her brother sincerely, she would love him as well. From then on, she became closer to Miaoyu.

Just now she heard Xiu Ju say that Miaoyu was with Jia Cong and others, and Yingchun asked her brother to come for dinner, and out of courtesy, she naturally invited Miaoyu to come as well.

But she knew that Miaoyu was aloof in nature and behaved in a solitary manner, and she never visited her, so she would most likely decline the offer politely.

But she didn't expect that she would be willing to come along, which made Yingchun a pleasant surprise. ...

Yingchun smiled and said, "Miss Miaoyu, today the sisters are having a small gathering. Although I dare not serve heavy wine, I have served newly brewed fruit wine. If it violates the Buddhist precepts, I will replace it with fragrant tea."

Miaoyu said, "Miss, you are thoughtful. Although I observe the precepts, I practice with my hair untied. Women in the inner house do not avoid the customs and etiquette. You can do as you please. I will just give you tea instead of wine."

Yingchun was delighted to hear this. She asked Jia Cong to sit on her left and allowed her sisters to sit wherever they wanted. Xichun just squeezed in and sat next to Jia Cong.

After everyone was seated, several maids came with four or five food boxes, and soon filled the table with hot and cold vegetarian dishes, candied fruits and dried dishes, and seasonal fruits.

Xiangyun smiled and said, "All the sisters are here today, except for Sister Bao. It's still early, so why not invite them all in?"

Yingchun agreed with this and asked Xiuju to go to the West Mansion to invite them. After a while, Baochai came with Jinchuan. There was a round rosewood table with a marble surface, and it was full of people.

……

As the meal started, the sisters were all laughing and talking, and the atmosphere was harmonious and beautiful.

Zhishao was worried that her senior sister liked quietness and was not used to the hustle and bustle of the place, so she often put food on her plate, and Jia Cong also tried to talk to her.

The two men saw that Miaoyu's expression was calm. Although she didn't say much, she seemed to be quite interested in listening to the sisters talking.

Xiangyun smiled and said, "My second sister is hosting a banquet today. The vegetarian food is elegant and the fruit wine is mellow. Although it is also very good, it still lacks some interest.

In previous years, during the New Year's Eve banquet at the Shi family's home, my peers played the game of picking flowers and names with sticks, which was quite interesting. However, I had few sisters in my family, so I could not enjoy the game to my heart's content.

So many sisters are here today, it's a good time to play with this thing, what do you think?"

Daiyu and the others all agreed. Tanchun smiled and said, "I have a set of ivory flower name cards in my room. They have been lying around and never been used. It's just right for fortune-telling in this situation."

After a while, the secretary brought a carved Xiangfei bamboo rocking bucket, a handful of ivory inlaid with colored flower name signs, and a silver-gilt dice box.

Xiangyun left her seat, took the flower sticks and shook the bucket, saying with a smile, "I was the first to propose this, I want to take advantage of it and shake the first flower stick, is that okay?"

Yingchun, Daiyu and the others knew that Xiangyun was active and playful, and there would be a lot of fun as long as she was around. Since it was for fun and to relieve boredom, they naturally agreed.

Xiangyun was shaking the bucket of sticks, but her bright eyes were looking around the table. When she saw Miaoyu, her heart was moved slightly.

I think Miaoyu is at the table today, and since she is a nun practicing Buddhism, it would not be appropriate to play too much music.

Otherwise, please invite Lingguan, who is beside the third brother, and ask her to sing a song from the West Chamber. The beautiful scenery and the bright moon at night, the sisters are on the same journey, which is the real elegance...

……

Xiangyun was daydreaming in her mind, but she kept shaking the lottery bucket in her hand, hoping to get a good lottery ticket and grab the first prize of the day.

The Xiangfei bamboo skewer bucket couldn't withstand her shaking, and finally a skewer was thrown out and fell on the table, attracting everyone's attention.

Xiangyun grabbed the flower sign and just took a look at it. Her smile gradually spread and her eyebrows and eyes curved, making her look even more pretty and lovely.

He laughed: "I'm lucky today, I got a very good lottery ticket. It seems that I will have to be lucky in the future. I'll be very lucky in the future."

Seeing that she was so proud and kept it a secret, everyone laughed and urged her to read the lot quickly. Xing Xiuyan, who was standing by, took the lot from her.

There is a crabapple flower engraved on the signature, with the words "Morning flowers are like brocade" inscribed below, and two lines of poetry engraved on the back: The fragrant stamens have not yet bloomed in the snow, but purple air is coming from the east.

Annotation below: Whoever gets this lot should drink one cup.

Xing Xiuyan read out the poem with a smile, and everyone thought it was a good fortune. The words were bright and clear, without any gloomy air.

Considering that Xiangyun lost both her parents when she was young, it was actually an extremely unfortunate fate.

But she has a straightforward and open-minded temperament, which is extremely rare, and makes people admire her and feel close to her. The poem on the fortune stick is very consistent with her personality.

Tanchun said jokingly, "It's a good sentence indeed, and the mood is smooth. A silly girl must have good fortune."

Xiangyun said shamelessly: "A silly girl is a silly girl. As long as I am blessed, it doesn't matter if I am a little silly."

……

Everyone laughed when they heard this. Xiangyun felt happy. She raised her cup and drank it all, then shook the dice box.

Then he counted from left to right according to the number of points he had opened the box, and finally it fell on Yingchun.

Yingchun took the bucket and shook it, saying with a smile, "I really don't know what will come out of it."

In a moment, a stick jumped out of the bucket, on which was engraved a spring orchid with the words "Fragrant orchid" inscribed below.

Two lines of poetry are engraved on the back: I wish the Blue Emperor could be my companion forever, and not let withering and flourishing comfort this life.

Annotation below: Whoever gets this lot should drink a cup with the previous player.

Miaoyu said, "These two lines of poetry have a magnificent opening. The Green Emperor governs the East and governs the withering and flourishing of spring. It sounds like there are twists and turns, but it will eventually lead to good results. It is also a good fortune."

Shi Xiangyun smiled and said, "Second sister is no longer the same as before. She is now the eldest daughter of the Earl's Mansion. Many noble families wanted to propose marriage to her a few years ago. I have heard the old lady talk about it several times.

My second sister doesn't like to talk to me. The name Qingdi is intimidating. Could it be that her luck has not come yet and she will marry a prince in the future?"

Yingchun blushed and said, "You are such a quick-talking girl. What nonsense are you talking about? Aren't you afraid that others will laugh at you? It's just a flower lottery game."

Because the person who won the lottery had to drink with the previous owner, Jia Cong hurriedly filled Yingchun's glass. The two siblings raised their glasses and drank together, which was quite interesting.

Others just thought it was fun and didn't care much, but Miaoyu's heart skipped a beat when she saw this scene...

……

When Yingchun shook the dice and numbered Miaoyu, everyone was shocked because Miaoyu was a spiritual practitioner and it seemed inappropriate for her to divine the names of worldly flowers.

Miaoyu smiled and said, "Miss, you are very lucky, but Miaoyu is a cultivator, so it is not convenient for me to take credit for the flowers. It would be better to let Junior Sister do the divination for me."

Everyone thought it made sense. Zhishao took the bucket of lots with a smile and shook out a lot after a while. Everyone was surprised when they saw the engravings on the lot.

Shi Xiangyun even shouted: "Could it be that this flower name sign has divine power? It has become so effective today."

The flower name card that Zhishao won had a blooming peony engraved on it, which matched her name exactly. No wonder Xiangyun and other sisters were surprised.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "What a coincidence! This flower name card is indeed quite famous."

He took the stick from Zhishao's hand and saw the words "Li Rui Chao Xia" written under the engraving.

Two lines of poetry are engraved on the back: Peonies bloom in the light morning mist, and lotus blooms in the autumn water.

Annotation below: Whoever gets this lot should drink a cup with the previous player.

Jia Cong recited it aloud with a smile. The first half of the poem was just right for Zhishao and contained a meaning of praise. He liked it very much after reading it.

But when the sisters heard the second half of the sentence, which included the word "li chen", they couldn't help but look at Miaoyu.

Originally the dice number pointed to Miaoyu, but in order to avoid suspicion from the Buddhist sect, Miaoyu gave the flower fortune to Zhishao. The fortune and the poem on the fortune were cleverly matched, which made people think about it.

Miaoyu silently recited the line 'Autumn water leaves the dust and lotus blooms'. Although the line is elegant, it also has a erotic feel. Her heart is filled with meditation and her pretty face blushes slightly.

She wanted to look up, but finally controlled herself and just picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Everyone knew that Miaoyu had a cold personality and was a nun practicing Buddhism, so she didn't like to talk or joke too much. Xiangyun, who was a carefree person, also knew the seriousness of the matter and didn't say anything extra.

……

Zhishao also drank a cup with Miaoyu, but she drank fruit wine while Miaoyu drank tea. She then shook the dice box and counted to Tanchun according to the points.

When Tanchun saw several sisters draw their fortunes, she found that there seemed to be some hidden meanings among them, which was quite interesting. She couldn't help feeling a little excited, wondering what fortune she would get.

She muttered a few words to herself, gently shook the fortune stick box, and after a rustling sound, a fortune stick was quickly thrown out.

The signboard had a beautiful apricot blossom carved on it, with the words "Fairy Product from the Jade Pool" inscribed below.

There are two lines of poetry on the back: The twin flowers bloom at odd angles to listen to the night rain, and their fragrant souls want to enter the fairyland.

Note below: Those who get this lot do not need to drink alcohol.

Tanchun recited the poem softly, and everyone felt it was obscure and difficult to understand. Everyone was confused, and the word "fragrant soul" made people feel uneasy.
Daiyu thought that the verses on the flower name cards were all excerpts from ancient poems by previous generations, and it was difficult for a single verse to express any meaning.

Only when you go back and flip through the book, read the entire ancient poem, connect it all together, and ponder it from side to side, can you understand its deep meaning.

Shi Xiangyun is lively and good at creating a good atmosphere. She is like the happy pill among the sisters.

Even though she didn't understand the meaning of the poem, she still smiled and said, "Since it is to enter the Yaotai, it must be a fairy product. What a good omen. It's as lucky as me."

Tanchun ignored Xiangyun's jokes. Although other people might be confused by these two lines of poetry, she felt as if every word pierced her heart and caused her a dull pain.

She shook the dice box thoughtfully again, opened it and saw that it was twelve.

Before she could start counting, Xiangyun rushed to start counting people, anxious to know who would draw the lot next.

In Tanchun's ears rang the sound of Xiangyun counting like pearls, her voice was lively, crisp and pleasant.

In her mind, the famous poem about flowers kept circling: Twins of flowers bloomed in the night rain, their fragrant souls wanted to find their way to the fairyland.

Aren't I and my third brother a pair? But he has only treated me as his cousin all his life and would never be as ridiculous as me.

Tanchun was in a trance and looked at Jia Cong involuntarily, but she heard Xiangyun cheering: "Finally it's your turn..." (End of this chapter)