Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 760 Lu Ju's Secret

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Cong and others lifted the red brocade curtain, and it was still snowing outside. The wind was cold and the snow was not getting heavier.

Yingchun helped Xichun put on her cloak and brocade gown before leading her out of the hall.

Xichun was still holding a small enamel and gold-painted plate filled with tangerines that Yingchun had peeled, and she was reluctant to let go.

Daiyu smiled and said, "Fourth sister, you really like eating Lu oranges."

Xichun said: "Lu oranges are refreshing and sweet, but peeling them is annoying."

Daiyu smiled and said, "In the future, I will peel the skin for you just like my second sister did. You just need to eat it."

Xichun's eyes lit up and she said happily, "It's so strange today. My sisters are all so nice."

Daiyu smiled and said, "Because you are clever and eloquent, we will all treat you well."

Xichun looked puzzled: "Am I very good at speaking? What's the use of being good at speaking? Being good at painting is what I am most proud of."

Daiyu chuckled and said, "Fourth sister is also the best at painting."

Xichun smiled and said, "Sister Lin is the best at painting. I will draw a snow scene later and make sure that Sister Lin looks as beautiful as Third Brother."

……

After they had walked a few steps, Yuanyang caught up with them carrying a small bamboo basket.

He smiled and said, "The old lady saw that the fourth girl liked to eat Lu oranges, so she asked me to send you a basket so that the third master and the girls can also try the fresh ones."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Sister Yuanyang, at this time of year, Luju is a rare commodity. Where did the old lady get so many?"

Yuanyang smiled and said, "You can't see Lu oranges on the market nowadays. These are grown in the palace's verandas. The Empress Dowager gave the old lady two baskets as a reward.

The old lady is old now and her teeth are not as good as before. The tangerines are cold in winter and she doesn’t enjoy them very much. They have been left in the house for two days.

It’s just right to give it to you to eat. The weather is cold now, so it won’t go bad even if it’s left out for a few more days.”

When Xichun saw the basket of tangerines, which were so golden and particularly tempting, she smiled with her big eyes turning into crescents and asked the maid beside her to quickly carry them.

Daiyu asked, "Third brother, the palace's verandas are so rare that they can grow spring and summer fruits?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "This kind of fruit house can also be called a greenhouse or a warm house. It is closed inside and burns firewood day and night, making it as warm as spring and summer.

It can make fruits and vegetables from spring and summer grow in the fall and winter. Such furnishings are only available in the imperial palace, and ordinary people cannot afford it. "

Xichun's face showed admiration, and she said, "Third brother, you know so much."

Jia Cong touched her hair and said with a smile: "This is recorded in the Book of Han. Fourth sister is so smart. If you read more books in the future, you will know more than me."

Just as Yuanyang was about to go back, she saw Amber coming out of the hall, followed by her maid Feicui, each carrying half a basket of oranges.

Amber said, "Sister Yuanyang, the old lady just said that there is a basket of Lu oranges left, and she wants to give half to Master Bao and the other half to Madam, so that everyone can have a taste.

The old lady said she was a little tired and asked the maid to help her to rest. She didn't need us to serve her.

He also said that the snow scenery in the East Palace is rare, and told us not to stay in the room and to go with him for a walk. After sending Lu Ju off, we will go together. "

Yuanyang's heart was moved when she heard this, and she couldn't help but look at Jia Cong. She didn't know whether it was because the wind outside was too cold, or because of the heat in the room, but her cheeks turned slightly red.

Said: "The old lady is very thoughtful. It would be best if we could see the snow scenery in the East Palace."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Second sister, everyone is here today. It's still early, why don't you all go over and find somewhere to hang out.

At noon, we will set up wine and food in the Dengxian Pavilion. Everyone can sit together, drink wine and enjoy the snow without being polite. That’s what is fun.”

Yingchun smiled and said, "Dengxian Pavilion is also a suitable place. After winter, the curtains, window drawers, tables, chairs, and cushions inside are all new.

In addition, smoking cages and charcoal fires are all available. The place is at a high place, which is a great place to enjoy the snow and the scenery. I will ask Musk Moon to take people to put it back when I go back.

I'll ask someone to invite Sister Baochai as well, and Sister Feng, Wu'er, and Ping'er as well. No one should be left out."

Xichun said, "There is a row of large windows facing south in Dengxian Pavilion, through which you can see most of Huifang Garden. You can see the scenery on both sides, so it's a perfect place to paint."

Yingchun was surprised: "I didn't pay attention to it before, how come you know it clearly?"

Xichun smiled and said, "I have sneaked up there to play several times and watched it very carefully."

Yingchun smiled and said, “I’ll have someone put a desk for you in front of the window and ask your maid to bring the brush, ink, paper and inkstone so that you can paint as you like.

Now the sisters are counting on your ability to draw us and your third brother in the picture."

……

Rongguo Mansion, Fengjie's Courtyard.

The ground in the yard was covered with thick white snow, and only the path leading to the main house was cleared of snow, revealing the bluestone pavement, which was also paved with anti-slip bamboo strips.

There was still crystal clear snow accumulating in the gaps on the four sides of the west window lattice, and some ice flowers condensed on the glass, which looked extremely cold and gorgeous from a distance.

Through the glass window, I saw Wang Xifeng, Wu'er and Ping'er sitting and talking on the Luohan couch next to the window.

On the couch stood a small rosewood table inlaid with shells, on top of which was a red clay and purple sand teapot filled with freshly brewed Siamese tribute tea, which gave off a light and timeless tea fragrance.

It snowed heavily today. After taking care of the important affairs at home in the morning, the rest was left to Lin Zhixiao's family. The three of them hid in the room to keep warm during the winter.

There was a plate of tangerines on the small table, which had just been brought in by the maid from Rongqing Hall. The three of them were peeling the tangerines and tasting them.

Wu Er peeled a tangerine and said, "Second Grandma, it's really rare to be able to eat such sweet tangerines in this season."

Wang Xifeng said with a smile: "I have been the housekeeper of the West Palace for many years, and I know the details of this matter. At this time of year, you can't buy Lu oranges even with gold.

This is a rare thing grown in the palace's fire pavilion. There is no other place like it in the entire Shenjing City. I'm afraid there is no other place like it in the world."

Ping Er asked curiously, "Grandma, what is a fire pavilion? I have never heard of it before."

Wang Xifeng said, "I didn't understand it before, but the old lady often went to the palace to pay homage and knew a lot of strange things. She told me during a casual chat one time.

The Fire Pavilion is a strange house in the palace. It is built in a sunny place all year round. It has fire walls on all sides and a fire dragon buried underneath. In the severe winter, a charcoal brazier is burned inside.

Even in the dead of winter, it is as warm inside as spring or summer. The roof there is not made of tiles and beams, but is covered with semi-transparent glazed tiles, which allows direct sunlight during the day.

The fire pavilion is like a spell cast by gods, and fruits and vegetables in spring and summer can grow inside in winter.

It is said that more than a decade ago, the royal family searched for poor vegetable farmers among the people, and asked them to enter the palace and the fire pavilion to grow Lu oranges. The method used was a secret royal secret.

……

Wu'er had been doing odd jobs in the kitchen with his mother since he was young. He was very familiar with vegetables and fruits. After hearing about the magic of the fire pavilion, he became very interested.

He asked, "Second Madam, the palace's fire pavilions and verandas can grow spring and summer items, why only Zhong Lu oranges? Wouldn't it be more beautiful if we planted some other vegetables as well?"

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "I asked the old lady about this question before. She said that the emperor loved to eat Lu oranges, so they were the only kind planted in the fire pavilion."

Ping'er chewed the tangerine and asked, "Who was the master who came up with this amazing idea of ​​the fire pavilion? He is really smart."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "You two maids, why do you both have the same idea as I did at the beginning? You are destined to be housekeepers.

At that time, I also asked the old lady, and she said that the emperor only liked to eat one kind of fruit, the Luju fruit, since he was young.

At that time, there was a prince who was extremely intelligent and well-read. He read the story of the fire pavilion in an ancient book and spent a lot of time thinking about it.

On the 48th birthday of the former emperor, he built a fire pavilion in the palace as a birthday gift to honor the former emperor.

This sounds like a drama, and it's really rare."

Wu Er smiled and said, “This prince is not only smart and knowledgeable, but also a filial son.

I am always by the Third Master's side, and I often hear that Prince Kangshun and Prince Zhongshun are both sons of the former emperor, but which one of them?"

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "At that time the old lady was just telling a story, so I just listened to it as a curiosity and didn't ask such detailed questions.

However, Prince Kangshun and Prince Zhongshun were both well-known figures, and the old lady was also familiar with them in daily life.

If the person who built the Fire Pavilion was one of these two princes, the old lady would have said it right away.

Besides, although Prince Zhongshun was a powerful figure, I have never heard of how knowledgeable he was. Judging from Prince Kangshun's current age, he was less than ten years old back then, so he must not be the same age as him.

The current emperor was still a prince in the palace at that time. You should know that building a fire pavilion is a filial act. If it was built by the emperor, the old lady would have said it long ago.

From what I can see, it's not one of these three nobles, it must be a royal figure we don't know about. Since you are so curious, I will ask the old lady when I have time."

……

Wu Er smiled and said, "It's just a casual chat. It's irrelevant anyway. Why would Second Madam specifically ask about it?

But the old lady is really very proud. She can get rewards for the tangerines grown in the palace for the emperor to eat." Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "You really hit the nail on the head. I have never heard of many high-ranking nobles in the capital being rewarded with tangerines by the palace.

I heard from the old lady that our grandfather was an important official of the retired emperor. He followed the retired emperor in his battles in the north and south, and was highly trusted by the retired emperor.

The old lady said that the old man also loved to eat Lu oranges when he was alive. That year, the old man was seriously ill, and the Lu oranges that had been planted in the palace's fire pavilion for many years were just bearing fruit at that time.

When the retired emperor knew that the old grandfather was seriously ill, he rewarded him with two baskets of Lu oranges as a token of sympathy between the monarch and his subjects.

However, just two days after Lu Ju was awarded, the old man suddenly fell seriously ill and passed away.

Although the old man is gone, the palace's reward to Lu Ju has never stopped for more than ten years.

It’s just that it was originally rewarded to the old man by the emperor, but now it was rewarded to the old lady by the empress dowager. The old lady also said that it was all the blessing left by the old man.

However, the amount of Lu oranges awarded by the palace every year is only two small baskets, but they are extremely precious.

Apart from some for the old lady herself, which was shared with the masters and mistresses of the two rooms, most of the rest went into Baoyu's stomach.

Even my sisters and I couldn't usually eat much of it. I'm afraid that before Brother Cong became successful, he probably never even touched it.

It's not as comfortable as it is now. The three of us are enjoying half a basket of Lu oranges. If you trace it back to the source, we all benefited from Brother Cong's help."

……

Wang Xifeng looked at the falling snow outside the window and sighed, "This winter is colder than last year, and I'm afraid it's even colder in Liaodong.

Regarding the New Year gifts I sent to Liaodong, Lin Zhixiao asked the postal officials, who said that the items would have to stay in Hongshuji for a few days before being forwarded to Liaodong.

I'm afraid it will take some time for the Second Master to receive it, and I don't know how he is doing now."

Ping Er advised, "Don't worry too much, Madam. Second Master is in Liaodong with Third Master's colleagues and comrades-in-arms to take care of him, so he won't suffer any harm.

The bearskin coat that grandma sent this time is made of the top-quality bear fur that the second young lady gave us. Even though Liaodong is a bitterly cold place, this coat alone won’t freeze the second master.”

A few people were chatting, when suddenly Yingchun's maid Xiu Ju came in and said, "Our lady asked me to tell her that we will have a feast at Dengxian Pavilion at noon.

Let me invite Second Madam, Sister Ping'er, and Sister Wu'er to come and sit down. Third Master and the girls are waiting for you to drink and enjoy the snow together."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Second sister is really good at managing life. When you go back, tell them that we will definitely come."

……

Rongguo Mansion, Baoyu Courtyard.

Baoyu came back with a face full of shame, feeling sad and ashamed, but he had no way to vent his feelings and was so angry that he looked stupid and dazed.

Even when Xiren tried to comfort him, he ignored her.

Just as he was feeling resentful, he saw Lady Jia's maid Feicui coming in with a bamboo basket in her hand.

Because Feicui was in the same rank as Mandarin Duck and Amber, and was also a top-ranking maidservant beside Lady Jia, Baoyu could not show any expression even if he was in a very bad mood.

Besides, anyone who could become Lady Jia's maid was an outstanding figure among the maids, and Feicui was no exception.

Although Baoyu was neglected in Rongqingtang, as long as he saw the beautiful maid, his mood would become better no matter how bad it was. It has always been like this.

He asked with a gentle expression, "Sister Feicui, these are the Lu oranges given by the palace this year. In previous years, the old lady sent a basket, but why is there only half a basket this year?"

Feicui said: "Today, the Second Master and the Third Master came to pay their respects. The old lady was very happy, and she also saw that the Fourth Miss liked to eat Lu oranges.

The Third Master and the girls are in the East Mansion, and their population is larger than ours, so we asked Sister Yuanyang to send a basket over.

Because Second Grandma is now recuperating after giving birth, half of the remaining money was given to her, so the amount sent to Second Grandpa was not as much as last year.

This thing is just for fun, a little bit is not a big deal."

Baoyu didn't care about these tangerines. In previous years, he shared them with the maids. When he saw Feicui put down the tangerines, he said goodbye and left.

He stared at Feicui's beautiful and dignified face and said with a smile: "Since Sister is here, please sit down and talk. Otherwise, I would be neglecting her."

Feicui smiled and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Second Master. But today, the old lady has let me, Sister Yuanyang, Sister Amber and I go to the East Palace to enjoy the snow.

Now they are waiting for me to go with them, so I can't delay any longer."

Feicui spoke carefully and politely, and left in a hurry after a few polite words. Baoyu's face immediately turned purple, and his heart felt like it was being cut by a knife and on fire...

……

Earl's Mansion, Merlin at the bottom of the south slope.

After a night of wind and snow, dozens of plum trees moved from Xuanmu Mountain are in full bloom this morning, reflecting the silver-clad environment of the entire garden. The red plum blossoms are as fiery and gorgeous.

This morning, Zhishao and Miaoyu got up early in the small courtyard on the south slope, looked out the window and saw the wonderful sight of the plum forest. After washing and having a meal, they went down the slope together to appreciate the plum blossoms.

Seeing the plum blossoms in full bloom in their hometown, both of them were a little lost in thought. They wandered in the plum forest for a long time, still reluctant to leave.

Zhishao wore a light blue fur round-necked gown with chrysanthemum branches, a light orange horse-faced skirt with chrysanthemum branches, and a bright red satin cape with gold patterns.

The cold wind blows, the cloak flutters, reflecting the white snow and the fiery red plum blossoms, which is dazzling, graceful and beautiful.

Because Miaoyu became a nun and practiced Buddhism, her clothes were much lighter in color than Zhishao's. She wore a light blue monk's robe underneath and a rosary of 108 meditation beads around her neck.

She was wearing a solid pine green cloak with a snow-white fur lining. She did not have a bun on her head, but her long hair was tied up in a bun and fastened with a wooden hairpin.

With a slender body and elegant and pretty face, she stood quietly in the biting cold wind, with her hair fluttering in the wind, as if she was about to fly away.

She held a two-palm-high earthenware vase in her hands. Her slender hands were not covered with gloves, so her fair and delicate skin was slightly red.

Even though Miaoyu had a cold personality and rarely smiled, when she entered the plum forest and saw the branches full of fiery red flowers, she couldn't help but think of the scenery of her hometown in Suzhou.

Her fairy-like beauty couldn't help but give rise to a charming smile, which seemed three times more attractive than the pretty plum blossoms on the branch.

Zhishao picked up a pair of flower scissors from under the plum tree, and the two of them searched in the plum grove, wanting to cut the prettiest plum branch to put in a vase for Miaoyu.

However, the plum branch that the two of them had their eyes on was a little high, and even if Zhishao stood on tiptoe, she could only barely reach it, so it was a little difficult to cut it intact.

Suddenly, someone laughed and said from behind: "Zhishao, be careful not to hurt your waist. Let me help you cut your hair."

……

Zhishao and Miaoyu looked back and saw Jia Cong and Daiyu walking into the plum grove, with Jia Cong holding the jumping Xichun in his hand.

In the morning, Jia Cong went to Daiyu's courtyard and talked about the plum blossoms transplanted from Xuanmu Mountain on the south slope. They were in full bloom this morning. He agreed that after returning from the West Mansion, he would go to the south slope to appreciate the plum blossoms.

When the two of them came out alone, Xichun followed them closely. When the three of them entered the plum forest to admire it for a while, they saw Zhishao reaching for plum branches with scissors.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I have long guessed that you and Miss Miaoyu would definitely come to appreciate the plum blossoms. You sisters and Miss Lin are all old friends from Suzhou.

It is a very nice thing for people to appreciate plum blossoms in their hometown together in a different place. It is a perfect opportunity to complement each other. "

Jia Cong asked again: "Zhishao, which plum branch do you like? I'll help you cut it off."

Miaoyu quickly pointed to the plum branch she liked. Jia Cong looked up and smiled, saying, "Although this plum branch is good, the one above is prettier.

You see, that one is not only more stretched, but also has most of its plum blossoms in bloom, with a small portion still in bud, so it can be placed in a vase for a longer time."

Miaoyu smiled and said, "Of course we know that the one on top is better, but it's just higher up, so it's out of reach."

Jia Cong walked to the bottom of a plum branch, stretched out his arm, and with a light twist of the scissors, he cut off the branch.

The branches of the plum tree are shaped like fans, with slanting trunks, and are dotted with red plum blossoms, forming clouds, with a faint fragrance that is refreshing.

Jia Cong took the flower scissors and casually cut off a few side branches, making the whole plum branch more handsome.

Daiyu laughed and said, "Third brother has learned so many different things that he even knows how to cut flower branches. Where did he learn this skill?"

Jia Cong laughed and said, "It's just a casual cut, not worth much."

As he spoke, he placed the plum branch in the correct position and inserted it into the vase in Miaoyu's hand. The plum branch looked even more dazzling against the backdrop of the vase.

Daiyu and Miaoyu's eyes lit up. Miaoyu held the vase and admired it. She smiled at Jia Cong and said, "Thank you very much."

Even though Jia Cong had seen Miaoyu often recently, he had seldom seen her smile. He had seen her smile once before and was quite amazed.

Now seeing her accidentally showing off her beauty again, it still makes people feel lost and relaxed. Perhaps all the beautiful things in the world will make people feel like this.

Daiyu looked at the plum blossoms in the vase and sighed, "What beautiful red plum blossoms! Third brother, please help me cut one and I will take it back to my room."

The four of them became more and more interested, and they shuttled back and forth in the plum forest at the foot of the slope, admiring the plum blossoms and smelling their fragrance while picking out plum branches with outstanding shapes.

Xichun did not follow Jia Cong closely. She was leaning against a plum tree, taking out a sketchbook from the cloth bag beside her, and then taking out the charcoal pencil made by Jia Cong.

From time to time he looked up, and from time to time he drew on his sketchbook, enjoying himself quite a lot.

(End of this chapter)