Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 182: After My Flower Blooms, All Other Flowers Will Die
……

"Look, here comes Qin."

"The girl Chai is here too."

"Why is there still a hairpin girl?"

"Who of the two girls agreed to the call?"

As everyone was chatting and laughing, two sisters arrived.

Baoqin smiled and walked forward and said, "Everyone is here today. Sister Yun is here too. Who posted the invitation?"

Xiangyun leaned against the railing and said, "Yes, I am just waiting for you two sisters to come."

Baochai asked curiously, "What's the matter?"

Xiangyun smiled and said, "Of course it's about the garden."

Baoqin asked in confusion, "Isn't it Brother Rong who is preparing for the garden? What does it have to do with us?"

Lin Daiyu held Baoqin's hand and said with a smile, "Look at this girl, she only wants to live here. You have to help her, right?"

Baoqin said shyly: "I don't want to live here." Then she said seriously: "How can I help?"

Everyone laughed.

Xichun smiled and said, "The garden is so large, each scene should have an elegant name. Let's discuss the names."

Baochai fanned herself with the fan in her hand and said with a smile, "Our grandfather is famous throughout the world, and our elder brother Rong is also the first in the Shuntian Prefecture. People outside say that he is the most talented man in the capital. If we name him... wouldn't it be like showing off one's skills in front of an expert?"

Xichun shook her head and said, "Father is busy with official duties all day long, so he naturally has no time to take care of the garden. Rong'er has to take the imperial examination this year, so he has no time to do this either. I'll have to trouble you sisters." Then she smiled at Baochai and said, "I've heard that Baojie is well-read, so you can't hide your ignorance."

Baochai laughed and said, "She is not well-read, but just knows a few words. Sister Lin reads a lot."

Lin Daiyu waved her hands and said with a smile, "I don't know many words, I would never dare to do that."

Yingchun smiled and said, "If you two don't dare, who else would dare?"

Tanchun said, "Don't be so modest here. Let's set up a poetry club today while everyone is here, and practice poetry and couplets, so that we won't regret not having enough knowledge when we need it."

Xiangyun clapped excitedly.

"Yes, yes, yes."

"I have wanted to start a poetry club for a long time, but none of you took the initiative. I come and go at random, and I am afraid of spoiling the fun, so I dare not take the lead."

Lin Daiyu laughed and said, "Oh, is there anything Miss Yun doesn't dare to do?"

Xiangyun said, "Even Miss Lin doesn't dare to do that. Of course I, a wild girl from the countryside, wouldn't dare to do that."

Lin Daiyu: "You are a wild girl, and we are all country girls."

Xichun said: "The village girl is also very beautiful."

Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Xichun explained, "It was Ronger who said that he met a village girl last time. She was very beautiful."

Everyone: "..."

It turns out that Rong Ge'er likes country girls?!
"Ahem, let's get down to business." Tanchun coughed softly and said, "Since we're starting a society, we need a name. Rong'er's society is called the Green Society, and it's already well-known. What name should we give it?"

Xiangyun said, "Rong's is called Qingshe, why don't we call ours Hongshe to match it?"

Baochai laughed and said, "That's not right. Rong'er's Qingshe means Qingyun. We are just girls in the boudoir having fun. It's not appropriate to go too far."

Xiangyun: "What's that called?"

"Flower Club?"

Tanchun: "Vulgar! Too vulgar!"

Baoqin: "It's autumn now...Autumn Festival?"

Baochai: "Autumn has a bad meaning."

"How about...Chrysanthemum Society."

Lin Daiyu praised: "This is good."

Tanchun laughed and said, "Wait until August or September in autumn, when my flower blooms, all other flowers will die!"

"Are you... a little crazy?"

"It's okay, it's just a club name."

"Okay! That's it."

"Chrysanthemum Society."

Everyone agreed readily.

Xiangyun smiled and said, "Now that we have a name for the club, there is no need to say more. It is better to do it today than to wait for a day. Let's start the first club today and chant about chrysanthemums!"

After saying that, he counted.

There are three sisters: Yingchun, Tanchun and Xichun.

Baochai and Baoqin are sisters.

Plus Lin Daiyu and her.

Seven people in total.

Tanchun asked, "Who among the seven of us will be the president?"

Xiangyun smiled confidently and said, "Of course, we'll have to fight to see who gets the first place in chanting chrysanthemums and who will be the president. How about that?"

Lin Daiyu: “Sure.”

Tanchun: “I agree!”

Xichun said with a bitter face: "I don't really know how to do it."

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Now you know, right? You must study hard when the female teacher comes in a few days."

"Ugh!"

Xichun nodded weakly.

Yingchun frowned slightly and said, "I don't really know how to do it either."

Tanchun smiled and said, "It's not a real fight, so it doesn't matter if you lose, don't be afraid, second sister."

Lin Daiyu also advised: "Second sister, we haven't read much, we just read randomly to meet the occasion."

Yingchun really believed it and nodded, saying, "Okay then, but even if I win I won't be the president, you guys can do it."

Everyone laughed and said, "Second sister is modest."

Tanchun said again: "Should we invite a judge? Oh, Miss Xing hasn't been included yet, go and invite her."

Logically speaking, Xing Xiuyun, Baochai, and Baoqin have almost the same relationship with the people in the mansion, and Xing Xiuyun may be even closer.

Besides, Xing Xiuyan is a very respected person by everyone, much better than the first wife. Now the first wife is in charge of the household, and there is often chaos. Fortunately, Xing Xiuyan is there to mediate.

"Xing girl has been a bit busy lately."

"My sister-in-law is free, please let her be the judge."

"Where's Sister Feng?"

"Forget about her. She can't read."

"..."

"Ah!"

Sister Feng, who was doing the accounts at home, sneezed and thought to herself, "Who is thinking about me?"

It was probably that bastard Jia Lian who was scolding her!
When I make money, who will I rely on in the future?

The abacus continues.

Ok……

I made five thousand taels this month.

It’s a pity that most of them will go to that little scoundrel Jia Rong!
Why do my people work so hard outside? Fengjie was already thinking about how to make up a false account to fool Ping'er.

But thinking of Ping'er's cunning mind, he was afraid that it would be difficult to fool her, so in the end he could only curse in his heart: You evil little girl, I raised you up in vain!
As I was cursing in my heart, I suddenly heard my daughter in the next room crying loudly, and then the wet nurse picked her up and coaxed her to sleep while she fed.

Fengjie is in a good mood again.

It will be sent to Jia Rong in a few days.

You've raised my daughter for nothing, haha.

When you grow up, you will have to add to your dowry.

Not a loss!

……

It is said that after Jia She received the money, he worked very efficiently. Within a few days, the entire east wing and the servants' housing nearby were all vacated. Jia Zheng moved to a courtyard in the north corner like a stray dog.

Fortunately, Jia Zheng didn't care about these things. He just read books every day and waited for news from the palace. He had already given tens of thousands of taels of silver to a young eunuch. The young eunuch patted his chest and vowed that there would be good news this year!
Jia Zheng also told the news to his grandmother, who was very happy and praised her youngest son for his ability.

The mother and son are just waiting for Yuanchun to be appointed as a concubine and restore order!
We will not mention Lady Jia and others here, and say that after school, Jia Rong went to the two mansions gardens in his free time. He felt that the place was very nice, so he asked someone to look for an auspicious day, draw a map of the garden's terrain, and waited for the day to come to break ground.

The person hired was the famous garden architect Mr. Shan Ziye. All the gardens were planned and built by him, so I will not go into details.

If you have money, these are not a problem.

On the Double Ninth Festival, Jia Rong was at home writing an essay seriously, preparing for the next autumn imperial examination.

As he wrote, Jia Rong raised his head as if he had some feeling.

Sure enough, someone came and was looking at him.

"Sister Lin, why are you looking at me like that?"

“…Call me auntie!”

"Haha."

Jia Rong put his pen back into the sea of ​​​​pencils and said with a smile: "It's impossible. Almost everyone knows about our affairs. I really can't pretend anymore." "So you already knew it!"

Lin Daiyu gritted her teeth lightly.

This bad idiot is really pretending to be confused!

"good."

Jia Rong stood up and admitted generously: "The master told me that day."

Lin Daiyu gritted her teeth: "Then you still..."

Jia Rong explained with a smile: "I was afraid that you would lose your seniority and not be able to adapt."

Lin Daiyu chuckled as she let some of her hair stick to her body, "I don't think so. He's still thinking about flirting with other girls!"

Jia Rong felt guilty and smiled awkwardly.

"Nothing."

"What are you doing here today?"

When Lin Daiyu heard this, she wanted to pick up the book and hit Jia Rong on the head.

If it weren't for the engagement, no one would bother with you.
"fine!"

"I'm leaving!"

After saying that, he turned around and left.

"Hey, wait."

Jia Rong grabbed Daiyu's hand.

Lin Daiyu took a step back and shook off Jia Rong.

"What's that pulling and tugging like?"

"Like a married couple."

"Pooh!"

Lin Daiyu spat and tried to leave, but Jia Rong held her back and she couldn't break free.

"I heard that you set up a poetry club? How is it going and who is the leader?" Jia Rong asked with a smile.

Lin Daiyu lowered her head and said, "It's none of your business who it is. Just concentrate on reading your book."

"Don't write novels for now."

Daiyu came here today mainly to remind Jia Rong of this.

Jia Rong pushed Lin Daiyu down on a chair, and sat down beside her. He said, "I haven't written much since I got home."

Lin Daiyu asked, "You didn't write much? Does that mean you wrote it or not?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "I only wrote a little."

Daiyu stretched out her hand: "Give it to me and let me see it."

Jia Rong took out a booklet.

"My lady, please take a look."

"Pooh."

Lin Daiyu reached out and hit Jia Rong on the chest.

"Don't talk nonsense."

As he spoke, he took the booklet in his hand and stood up: "You study hard, I'm going back first."

"Are you leaving now?"

Jia Rong reluctantly grabbed Lin Daiyu's sleeve.

Lin Daiyu raised her hand and gently poked Jia Rong on the forehead, saying angrily, "Fool, I couldn't have come in the first place."

Jia Rong: "Then what are you doing..."

Lin Daiyu: "Come quietly."

"Check if you're studying well!"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Okay, okay!"

"You have to come more often in the future, otherwise I won't study well."

Lin Daiyu: "..."

"Think beautifully!"

"If you don't study hard, you will be punished by your master and beaten with a stick!"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "My master has been very busy lately and has no time to take care of me."

Lin Daiyu asked, "How do you know I have time to come and see you often?"

Jia Rong smiled: "What are you busy with? Is it because you are the head of the society that you have a lot of things to do every day?"

"So you know!"

Lin Daiyu raised her chin with some pride.

She won first place in the poem about chrysanthemum, beating sisters Baochai and Baoqin, and thus rightfully became the head of the society.

"Know, know."

"My wife is amazing!"

Jia Rong gave two compliments.

Lin Daiyu snorted, "Don't flatter me. I know you scholars don't care about these things. You only read the works of saints and sages."

Having said that, I still like it very much.

But she quickly reacted.

"Bah, who is your wife!"

"dying!"

After saying this, she covered her face with a handkerchief and ran outside shyly.

"Slower!"

"Novel, I didn't get it!"

Jia Rong chased after him and shouted.

It turned out that Daiyu was so excited that she threw the booklet in her hand on the table.

Lin Daiyu snatched the booklet, held it in her arms and continued to run, ignoring Jia Rong.

"Run slower, be careful not to fall!"

"Do you tube!"

Lin Daiyu stopped halfway, holding her chest and gasping for breath, her heart beating like a deer, and she didn't know whether it was because of embarrassment or because she was tired from running.

At this time, Baoqin happened to come over.

"Sister Lin, what's wrong?"

"nothing."

Lin Daiyu forced herself to remain calm, smoothed her temples, took Baoqin's hand and said, "I've got Rong'er's new novel. Let's read it together."

Xue Baoqin's eyes lit up: "Okay."

The two of them walked hand in hand towards Lin Daiyu's yard.

Soon, Baochai arrived at where the two were standing. She stared at a banana tree in front of her in a daze for a moment, sighed, then turned around and went towards Lixiang Courtyard.

……

Lixiangyuan.

After Xue Pan was exiled, Aunt Xue continued to live here shamelessly. Although Jia She drove out the second wife, he had no intention of driving out the old relative-in-law. Instead, he sent two maids and old women to serve her.

Aunt Xue naturally thanked him profusely and declined the offer.

"Bao girl, you've come at the right time. I was just about to go see your aunt. Do you want to come with me?" Aunt Xue asked Baochai who came in with a loving face.

Baochai thought for a moment and said, "I have been feeling a little unwell lately, so I won't go."

"My son." Aunt Xue knew that Baochai's feeling unwell was just an excuse, so she stepped forward and took Baochai's hand and said, "Last time, your aunt said she wanted to see you. Why don't you go this time?"

Baochai lowered her head and said, "If I go, there will be nothing to say, so it's better not to go."

Aunt Xue was speechless for a long while, then she took Baochai to the inner room and said carefully, "We are the only ones here, so tell me with confidence, can your aunt be glorious again?"

Baochai didn't think much about it and shook her head decisively: "It's unlikely."

What she was most grateful for now was that she did not abandon Xiao Xichun and run to the West Mansion during the days when Lady Wang was in her heyday, otherwise she might have been too ashamed to live in Ningguo Mansion now.

Aunt Xue: "Where is Yuanchun in the palace? What if..."

Baochai said, "Even if Sister Yuanchun really becomes a noble concubine, as long as Grandpa is here, Auntie will never leave the temple."

Lord Jia has all the power in the world, and even the emperor has to give him some face. How could a concubine possibly influence Lord Jia?
What's more, this imperial concubine is just a flower in the mirror and the moon in the water.

After hearing what Baochai said, Aunt Xue gradually gave up the idea of ​​going to see Mrs. Wang.

What if Jia Jing is displeased and wants to deal with them and their son? Wouldn't that be as easy as killing an ant?

Not to mention the mother and daughter, even her elder brother Wang Ziteng, the governor of nine provinces, such a powerful figure, was sent to the border to die if he was disrespectful in front of Jia Jing.

"I suddenly have a headache, so I won't go either." Aunt Xue said as she sat down on the bed, took Baochai's hand and said with a smile, "I got some fresh ingredients a while ago, and some of the servants at home brought some crabs. I'll host a few tables at home, and you go to the East Mansion to invite Miss Xichun, Miss Lin and the others."

……

(End of this chapter)