The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Things in the world are so coincidental sometimes.

There are several docks in the capital, but there is only one place where official ships can dock. Although there are not many ships here, the capacity of the pier is also limited. Seeing the official ship with the wooden sign of 'Rongguo Mansion' appear, other ships can slow down and let it go first.

Jia Lian stood on the bow of the boat, admiring this scene. When he got to the capital, the reputation of Yangzhou magistrate was not as good as that of Rongguofu.

Only then did the other ships make way for the Jia family's ships, and the Xue family ships that followed them also overtook them.

The officials on other ships did not dare to say anything when they saw these two official ships running amok.

Just silently watching the other party dock, there was already a noise from the Jia family's motorcade coming to pick up the bride on the pier, which was quite spectacular.

After moving the ship to the shore, Jia Lian checked the safety of the ship's planks at the bow, then turned and walked to his aunt's room and told his elders that they could get off the ship.

Mrs. Jia responded in the house and took her daughter's hand, surrounded by a group of maids, maids and servants. The mother and daughter, dressed in costumes, walked out of the houseboat one after another.

Today, Mrs. Jia is wearing a bright red dress, a six-legged gold hairpin, a peacock crown, and a few other steps. Daiyu, who is wearing a white-collar and purple dress, is also dressed in a similar way, with only a few touches on the jewelry, but the form is the same.

A group of people walked to the bow of the ship and went down to the dock. They saw that the official ship next door was also disembarking passengers. Jia Lian saw her aunt's eyes looking at the Xue family and hurriedly said: Aunt, do you think this is a coincidence? You are really right. Their family is also from the capital.

Yes. Mrs. Jia snorted softly, holding her daughter's hand. You're tired from the journey, so get in the car first. When you have time, you can send a message to your relatives.

Good guy, really good guy. Does my aunt have any grudge against the Xue family in the past? Jia Lian was secretly surprised, but he had to escort his aunt and cousin to the car first.

The carriage sent by the Jia family was very spacious. Jia Lian settled in the elders and took another look around. He counted the number of carriages in his mind and felt something was wrong. On the way to Xue's house to say hello, Jia Lian caught the steward and asked.

Why are there so many cars?

Second Master, you don't know. Our house is celebrating double happiness today, and relatives of the Xue family in Jinling are also coming to our house as guests.

Hearing what the steward said, Jia Lian made a sound of surprise and couldn't help but stop walking.

When he came to his senses, his eyes wandered back and forth between his aunt's house and Xue's house.

But no matter what, he still had to say hello. The people in the eldest family of the Xue family are relatives of the Jia family.

When Jia Lian reached the bow of the Xue family's boat, the Xue family's servants were also carrying luggage and sending it to the Jia family's carriage. He had just stood still for a while when the eldest son of the Xue family came out to greet the guests.

Seeing that there were still foreign guests in the Xue family, Jia Lian was secretly glad. Fortunately, the Lin family and Xue family were not allowed to meet just now. It would be too embarrassing to bump into this kid on the road.

They chatted for a while and waited for the servants to put their luggage properly.

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The carriage arranged by the Jia family was very spacious inside. Lin Daiyu just got in the carriage, sat on the side, raised her hand and knocked on her neck.

Seeing that her movements were funny, Jia laughed and said, Why, you feel tired after only wearing it for a while?

Daiyu usually didn't like to deal with these things. It was the first time she wore them for such a long time, and her neck was inevitably a little sore. When he saw his mother making fun of him, he couldn't help but cry out: Mom, do you have to dress up like this when you see your grandma?

Silly daughter, it’s not just your grandmother you want to see. Mrs. Jia shook her head, not wanting her daughter to hear the secrets of her elders, so she turned the topic to the Jia family.

The rules of the Jia family are very different from those of the Lin family. Jia's family is well-connected, but she, this precious child, has been pampered by her and Lin Ruhai since she was a child. The Lin family has never liked such red tape.

Therefore, Jia had to warn her again. Lin Daiyu felt a headache when she heard it, and said: Mom, grandma has taught me these days, don't worry.

She blinked, thinking about changing the topic to give herself some time off. He said: Mom, is that cousin of mine really born with jade in his eyes?

When Jia heard this, she was startled. She had told her daughter about this matter before, so she wouldn't blame Daiyu for mentioning it suddenly.

She was in a daze because after being promoted from Lin Ruhai, she suddenly realized that the current situation in the capital was like a fire caught in the ice, which was very worrying.

Don't ask any more questions about this matter. Your cousin has been very naughty since he was a child. He also hates studying and likes to hang out in the dark. Mrs. Jia shook her head. Although she has not been back to her parents' home in these years, she has never been with her family. I have never heard of his letters. I know more or less all kinds of news. (Note 1)

Looking back at the rumor of being born with a jade in her mouth, she didn't know what to say. I just felt it was too flamboyant and too pushy.

Lin Daiyu also noticed that Jia was in a bad mood, so she stuck out her tongue. I simply took out the travel notes I wrote on the boat and compared the scenery along the way with the view of the capital outside the screen window.

The prosperity of the capital's markets and the abundance of people make it very different from the scenery along the road. Lin Daiyu wanted to record it, but she was wearing jewelry given by her mother on her head and hands, so it was difficult for her to use the pen, so she had to read and enjoy her previous travel notes.

Seeing that her daughter was having fun on her own, Jia let her go and only asked, I'm such an idiot. I wrote it in such detail. I don't know who to show it to.

Of course I showed it to my brother. Lin Daiyu rolled her eyes and said without thinking.

Jia curled her lips in disbelief, pretending that she didn't hear it.

The mother and daughter sat in the car for a while, and then finally waited until the car body shook.

Daiyu immediately said happily: Mom, we are going to see grandma.

Yeah. Jia Shi nodded.

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Jia Lian outside was having a headache with several stewards as he walked.

. It was also their bad luck that the two relatives came together today. This was supposed to be a great thing, but it also tested the Jia family's ability to receive guests.

The road to the pier was quite wide, and they quickly discussed whose family would be in front and whose family would be behind them after entering the city.

The eldest lady is a member of our family, so it is natural to let the guests go first. I believe she will also understand our difficulties.

As you said, our eldest lady is now married to the Lin family. Today we are going back to our natal family, so we can be considered half-foreigners.

Those are considered guests, so the Lin family should be the first to go.

Would it be disrespectful to the Xue family? a steward asked. At present, all the stewards in the mansion are named Wang. It just so happens that this wife of the Xue family is also from the Wang family. The Xue family's official status is a bit low, but they are also distinguished guests. If you don't look at the monk's face, you have to look at the Buddha's face.

Ah this...

In the end, Jia Lian was annoyed and simply waved his hand and said: Whatever is in front or behind, our family is just in front.

As soon as this is said, there is a conclusion. Since it is our family, the Jia family will naturally take priority.

Several stewards hurriedly notified them, asking the Lin family's carriage to speed up a little and go ahead of the Xue family.

In this way, when walking to the door of Rongguo Mansion, the open middle door also foreshadowed Wang Xifeng's thoughts. Whether it's the Lin family or the Xue family, since they are together, let's receive them first as distinguished guests.

Otherwise, if one family goes to the side door and the other family goes to the front door, wouldn't it look like they are close and distant? Wang Xifeng was very thoughtful. Not only did she consider this, but she was also worried about making her aunt unhappy. Even the old lady was persuaded by her clever words and stood directly in the second door.

The old lady came forward in person. Naturally, the people in the second bedroom of the big house couldn't sit in the house and wait. They had no choice but to stand outside with the old lady. Let's not talk about their thoughts. They only looked at the scene in front of them and realized how majestic this married young lady was when she was in the house.

After a while, I saw several soft sedan chairs being carried in from a distance. From the two sedans at the front, a mother and daughter who looked very similar came down. The two of them walked side by side toward the crowd, only halfway through. Mrs. Jia had already broken away from the support of Wang Xifeng and Mrs. Wang and hurried towards the visitor.

Min'er, my Min'er, my mother's biological child. She cried as she walked away. Yuanyang's eyes were the sharpest. As early as the moment the old lady took a step forward, she had already followed and supported the old lady.

Everyone in Jia's family who was originally worried finally put down their worries and followed the old lady to attract the 'distinguished guests'.

Mom! Jia Min looked at the white-haired old lady in front of her, tears streaming down her face, and she said emotionally, My child is here to see you.

My son, why do you want to come back? It's been eight years since you left. Old Mrs. Jia couldn't care less about the scene and just hugged Jia Min in her arms, crying even louder.

In her entire life, Jia Min is the only daughter she has. In addition, Jia Min's temper when he was a child was very much like his own. Therefore, she loves Jia Min to the core.

Seeing the old lady crying so sadly, everyone was worried that she would get sick from crying. Together with Jia Min, everyone tried their best to make the old lady happy.

Mrs. Jia just let go of her daughter and looked at Daiyu with red eyes beside her. She couldn't help but said happily: Is this my sweetheart?

Yu'er, come, call grandma. Jia Min nodded towards Daiyu and told her daughter to come up and salute.

Grandma. Although Lin Daiyu and Mrs. Jia met for the first time, they were very moved by the relationship between mother and grandmother after seeing the scene just now.

The strange feeling in her heart was eliminated by Jia Min who couldn't help wiping her tears. The so-called blood relatives probably have this kind of relationship.

Hey. Mrs. Jia responded with a smile, and freed up one hand to hold Daiyu.

She looked at her daughter on the left, and then at her granddaughter on the right, and couldn't help but smile to everyone in the Jia family: See, these are both my children.

Wang Xifeng responded with a smile: Ancestor, not only my aunt and cousin, but we juniors are also your children.

Everyone was immediately amused by Wang Xifeng's words. Even Mrs. Jia couldn't help but said to Daiyu: You don't recognize her. She is a well-known rogue here. She is known as a 'hottie' in southern province. Just call her. Feng La Zi’ is it.”

Although the old man introduced it to his grandchildren, Jia Min was also there. After listening to this, she secretly remembered Wang Xifeng in her mind.

Wang Xifeng also didn't expect that the old lady would introduce herself here. But after the old lady spoke, she hurriedly stepped forward to say hello to Jia Min: Aunt, just call me Xifeng.

I know you. I have always heard that Lian'er married a virtuous wife. I didn't expect such a beautiful girl. Coincidentally, after Mrs. Jia said this, Jia Min looked at Wang Xifeng with a look in her eyes. A bit appreciative and gentle.

The two of them were already saying Feng'er and Auntie one after another.

While the family was chatting in the courtyard, another group of sedans came in. This was naturally Wang Xifeng's idea. Although the two families arrived at the same time, the sedan chairs in the mansion could be separated. Anyway, Jia's Mansion is big enough, even if you go around a little bit, people on the roadside won't be able to see it.

At this time, the old lady led Jia Min and others to greet the Xue family. This means that the Jia family will take care of the housework first and then welcome the distinguished guests. Both emotionally and rationally, everything is appropriate.

Needless to say, the excitement here was so lively that the two families gathered together and walked to the old lady's house. At this point, Wang Xifeng's ability was revealed again.

Just waiting for Mrs. Jia to pull Jia Min and Daiyu to sit in her seat, the empty seats she arranged were just big enough for the Xue family to sit. She was the only one who didn't have a seat, but she was busy busy like a butterfly, so that no one could see anything strange.

Old Mrs. Jia saw her grandson's daughter-in-law's intelligence in her eyes and didn't know what she said into Jia Min's ear, which only made the latter chuckle. Shouted: Feng'er. Wang Xifeng turned around and saw Jia Min waving to her.

She stepped forward quickly and said happily: Aunt, what are your orders?

Jia Min took the gift box from the nanny on the side and handed it to Wang Xifeng. When aunt saw it, she thought it was suitable for you. She brought it to you from Yangzhou. Don't say you don't like it.

Wang Xifeng let out a clear and melodious laugh, opened the box by herself, and saw a rare jadeite bracelet of perfect quality. She immediately took it out and put it on her hand, and joked with her sisters: Did you see it? It seems like Auntie still cares less about me.

You're such a hottie. Mrs. Jia was amused again and couldn't help but point her finger at her, coaxing Daiyu beside her, Don't try to imitate her, turn around and let people see you, and treat her like your mother. Here you go.”

After praising three people, Daiyu was overjoyed. She was now the beloved daughter of the magistrate. Even though she had just arrived in a strange place, she was thinking about Lin Ruhai's advice.

When you go to Kyoto, you don’t have to worry too much. Treat it as a trip out for fun. If you are not happy, I will send you a letter to take you home.

She is naturally more courageous in speaking. There was no hint of coyness at all, and he said calmly and generously: If the ancestors are to judge, is Sister-in-law Feng more like my mother, or Yu'er more like my mother?

Hahahaha. Mrs. Jia laughed happily and squeezed Daiyu's hand, You look like me, my dear, it's you who looks like me.

Daiyu blinked and looked at Wang Xifeng with a smile, Then I would rather be like Sister-in-law Feng. Let's not talk about other things. Just hearing my sister-in-law laugh makes me very happy. I feel that Chang'e in the sky is just like this.

Who does Daiyu usually deal with, Lin Ruhai, who is evil-hearted, and Chen Heng, who is thick-faced and evil-hearted. Both of them are eloquent people. Sister Lin often interacts with them, and her already excellent verbal skills are even more powerful.

When Wang Xifeng heard this, her already relaxed eyebrows took on a bright spring look. She walked quickly to Lin Daiyu and said with a smile: You said that my sister-in-law is Chang'e in the Moon Palace, but you want my sister-in-law to accompany you, the moon goddess?

I'm afraid the Moon God won't do it. My sister has a handkerchief, and she is related to the Xue family sister. To be honest, she is more suitable for the reputation of the Moon God.

As soon as Daiyu said this, everyone naturally turned to the guests on the side.

Today is really difficult, two relatives came at the same time. Even though they were members of the Jia family, it was a bit difficult to entertain them, for fear of neglecting one of them. Wang Xifeng felt even more grateful when she saw Sister Lin taking the initiative to talk to her. She felt that this sister was reasonable.

Wang Xifeng approached Xue Baochai and asked on behalf of the curious old lady: Sister Xue, is there really such a moon god hidden in your family?

Baochai was naturally stunningly beautiful, and her temperament was very similar to Baoqin. At this moment, she stood up slowly and said with a smile: My cousin and I haven't seen each other for many years. But when we were young, all the elders who had seen her were all right. It’s highly praised.”

Can anyone be more beautiful than you? Old Mrs. Jia asked as expected. The old lady was purely curious, but she didn't expect the difficulty of questioning another girl in front of one girl.

Fortunately, what the old lady said was a coincidence. Using the word change made the situation less awkward.

Baochai was not as coy as ordinary women, and admitted directly and generously: I am not as good as me.

After all, the appearance of the cousin of the Xue family cannot be seen at the moment. It's just Baochai's behavior, nothing else. It makes people see her inner wisdom of giving in to the virtuous.

Everyone secretly thought, what a beautiful girl from the Xue family.

Wang Xifeng had a really hard day today, and it was she who came out to take over the conversation for everyone, No wonder I often hear people say that there have been two moon gods since ancient times. Only now do I understand that they are really the two sisters.

Everyone was amused by Wang Xifeng again, and even Jia Min felt strange. How did this kid Lian'er find such a virtuous wife? But when she looked at the face on the left, which was neither salty nor bland, she felt annoyed again.

It is really difficult for a good junior daughter-in-law to have the surname of Wang.

While everyone was talking, suddenly a young man came in from outside.

This man is really good-looking, even Jia Lian is not as good as him. In addition, he wears a purple gold crown on his head and holds two dragons on his forehead, making the whole person look even more noble.

Ancestor, it's really lively today.

Just as the handsome young man finished speaking, Jia Min already frowned. It's not that what he said was wrong, it was that the other party's outfit was wrong.

The purple gold crown is the crown style that His Majesty often wears in his spare time in the palace. Even an unfavored prince must consider the etiquette when two dragons are trying to grab the pearl.

Mom, are you old and confused? Jia Min widened her eyes and looked straight at Mrs. Jia, then at Mrs. Wang, who was in meditation, and finally at Jia Baoyu, who was approaching.

I haven't come to meet your aunt yet. When Mrs. Jia saw her precious grandson, she hurriedly waved to him, and then repeatedly motioned to Jia Min and Aunt Xue, asking her grandson to salute the two elders.

Note 1: In the original text, this is what Jia Min said to Daiyu. I'm not making this up.

It was really hard to write, thinking about the personality context of each character. What a headache.