Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 4 Envy!

……

"Hehe, go and take a look."

Xichun pulled Jia Rong forward.

"Slow down, slow down."

"Hehe, eh, what is that for?"

Before reaching the lanterns, Xichun was attracted by some street performers.

"Dear brothers and sisters in Kyoto, young and old men, my father and I are here today to perform on this precious stage, just to earn money for our trip back home. We hope that those of you who have money can support us with money, and those who don't can support us with your presence..."

"This girl is so pretty!"

"Oh, the little girl can also hold a sword."

"Haha, little girl, why are you going back to your hometown? Just go back with me, haha..."

The onlookers were laughing and few of them gave money, but all kinds of dirty words came out of their mouths. Xichun even stood on tiptoe and wanted to look inside, but was forcibly pulled out by Jia Rong.

"There's nothing to see here. Let's go over there and buy some lanterns."

While pulling Xichun out, Jia Rong casually dropped two copper coins.

When she saw the lanterns, Xichun immediately forgot what happened before and jumped forward, pulling Jia Rong forward.

“I want this lotus lantern!”

"how much is it?"

As soon as the seller saw Jia Rong and Xichun were dressed, he knew that they were rich young men and women who were out shopping during the Lantern Festival. He said, "Young girl, you have good eyes. This rich lotus glass lamp is a top-notch lantern, symbolizing everlasting wealth... one tael of silver per lamp."

"One or two?"

Xichun had been with Jia Rong since she was young. Although she was not very good at studying, she was quite good at math. After calculating carefully in her mind, she waved her hand and said with a smile, "Then give me seven, seven taels of silver."

"Brother Rong, give me the money."

Jia Rong: “…”

The seller was immediately overjoyed.

"Thank you, Miss. Thank you, Miss. Thank you, Mr...."

"Hey, what is that?"

After buying the lanterns, Xichun took Jia Rong to the next place, which was a display of various ceramic and wooden dolls, including boys, girls, and various lifelike small animals.

Without Jia Rong's explanation, the old man at the stall introduced: "Girl, these ceramic and wooden figurines are all from the official kilns, and they are all good..."

"This, this, this, and this...wrap them all up for me!"

"How much is the total?"

"Miss, these will cost two taels and five cents of silver in total."

"Brother Rong, give me money!"

Jia Rong: “…”

"Hey, what's that?"

"Go over and take a look!"

Halfway through the second watch, Jia Rong finally took Xichun on the carriage for home. The carriage was already full of stuff they had bought, and the two of them barely sat by the door.

"Oh, I'm so tired!"

Xichun said, tapping her legs with both hands.

Jia Rong was even more tired, and said speechlessly: "I have told you to go back ten times. If the carriage was not full, you could have strolled for another hour."

Xichun pursed her lips and chuckled, "It's so hard to come out once, how can I not buy more? Besides, these are not all mine. Some are for Sister Lin, some for Sister Yun, and some for Second Sister and Third Sister. After all this, there isn't much left."

……

The next morning.

Yingchun, Tanchun, Lin Daiyu, and Xiangyun, who was taken in by Grandmother Jia to play, were all chatting at the residence of the eldest sister-in-law Li Wan.

"Did you know that Xichun went out to the lantern festival again last night?" Xiangyun said in a sour tone.

Of course everyone knew it.

Because early this morning they all received various gifts from Xichun, including glass lanterns, ceramic dolls, bamboo dragonflies, paper windmills, and hair flowers...

It was the same last year. They could only stay at home and feel the grand occasion of the Lantern Festival from the books and poems of the ancients. Only Xichun could go out for a walk every year!
How is it possible not to be envious and jealous?

Li Wan smiled and said, "Don't be jealous, Yun'er. It's because you don't have a nephew. It's good enough to have a gift."

Xiangyun chuckled and said, "Don't say that. This year is fine, but I don't know. Next year, even if I have to sacrifice my reputation as an aunt, I will pester Rong to take me to see it. Then we'll see how you will ridicule me!"

"Okay." Tanchun clapped her hands and said with a smile, "We've been waiting for you to bring us lanterns. We can't ask the fourth girl to spend money every year."

"There are no lanterns, but I can compose two poems on the spot. Please read them carefully." Xiangyun walked and recited: "The east wind blows thousands of flowers into bloom at night, and blows down stars like rain. The road is filled with the fragrance of BMWs and carved carriages... What kind of scene is that?"

Lin Daiyu covered her mouth with a handkerchief and said with a smile, "Don't dream yet. The Lantern Festival next year is still a long way off. Whether Rong'er is willing to take you with you by then is still unknown."

Xiangyun smiled and said, "You don't have to worry about that. I just happened to have nothing to do during the New Year, so I made two purses, one for Sister Xichun and one for Brother Rong, as a return gift."

Everyone laughed and said, "Look, this girl has no shame just to go out and have some fun."

Xiangyun didn't care at all and chuckled, "Why, as an aunt, what's wrong with showing off your purse to your nephew? Why didn't you blush when you received the gifts this morning? Don't you have any gifts in return?"

Yingchun felt a little embarrassed and said, "Then I will also embroider a purse for Sister Xichun and Brother Rong."

Tanchun smiled and said, "Then it's all the same, all of them will be given purses."

Li Wan smiled and said, "You can give yours. I won't give any to the younger generation. I will give double to sister Xichun."

Lin Daiyu was just about to speak when she heard the sound of curtains being drawn and Jia Baoyu, dressed in a bright red robe and with four or five long braids on his head, jumped in from outside.

"What are you talking about? You're so happy?"

Everyone fell silent.

Who does Jia Baoyu hate the most?

Of course, it must be Rong Ge'er from Dongfu.

It’s not because of anything else, but because Jia Baoyu hates studying the most, so when he sees someone who is studious and motivated, he gives him a nickname: parasite.

In his mouth, Jia Rong is just a parasite.

"What's wrong? Why don't you talk? Sister Lin, what are you talking about?" Jia Baoyu leaned over to Lin Daiyu and asked.

(End of this chapter)