The Red Mansions

Chapter 364 Xue Pan: Cousin Heng, Has Vision

Chapter 364 Xue Pan: Cousin Heng, Has Vision

Rikain

The lanterns under the eaves moved with the wind, and Jia Heng and Xue Pan entered the wing.

Seeing Jia Heng, Aunt Xue smiled and said, "Brother Heng, you are here today."

Baochai got up gracefully, looked at the young man, and called softly, "Brother Heng."

Jia Heng nodded at Baochai, then looked at Aunt Xue, and said, "Auntie, I was too busy a few days ago, and I still have time to spare today, so I just came here and made Auntie wait for a long time."

Aunt Xue said with a smile: "I know you are a busy person, come and sit here."

As he spoke, he greeted Jia Heng to sit down.

Xue Pan also sat down with a smile and said, "Cousin Heng, today I want to toast you."

If according to his intention, he invited people to the Huancai Pavilion in the middle of the capital, what's the point of drinking and talking at home?

But this kind of proposition must never be said in front of his mother and sister.

Jia Heng nodded, and asked Aunt Xue: "I talked with Wen Long just now, and Wen Long seems to be recovering?"

Mentioning the injury on Xue Pan's body, Aunt Xue sighed and said, "It's scarred. This time, he has gained a lot of wisdom, and he won't do that thing of wielding knives and guns in the future."

Jia Heng said: "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings, so don't worry too much, auntie."

Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Brother Heng's words are reasonable, let him help take care of the family's business in the future. Speaking of which, if Brother Heng hadn't talked to the empress in the palace earlier, he wanted to take care of it." It’s impossible to do business.”

Jia Heng said: "It was also a coincidence. I went to mention Wei Wangqing's son that day. The main reason is that there is not much difference in the imperial things purchased by my aunt's family."

Aunt Xue said with a smile: "But this is really not easy, not everyone can talk to the empress in the palace."

Bitterness surged in his heart, thinking that the little selection from the Ministry of Rituals was originally used by the Empress Empress to marry the Wei Wang who was about to open the mansion, but because he was born in a businessman, it was still in vain.

Thinking of this, his mind moved, and he secretly thought, can he rely on Brother Heng's relationship to act as a middleman in front of those princes who opened the mansion?

That's right, I heard that the eldest girl Yuanchun was at the residence of the eldest princess of Jinyang, praising talented people.

Just when Aunt Xue was thinking about it, Xue Pan smiled and said, "Mom, don't talk about it, Brother Heng hasn't eaten since he came back."

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "I almost forgot."

As he spoke, he ordered the servant girls and servants to prepare a golden basin and wash their hands.

Then, they came to a table with dishes on the side, and everyone sat around.

Jia Heng said: "So rich?"

Aunt Xue said with a smile: "This is made by Defulou, I don't know if it suits your taste, Brother Heng."

Jia Heng said: "I'm not too picky about my taste, that's good, and everyday meals are available."

Everyone greeted and laughed.

Xue Pan laughed and said, "Cousin Heng, I would like to offer you a toast."

Aunt Xue acted annoyed and said, "Why are you panicking? Drinking on an empty stomach is bad for your health after your eldest brother eats the food."

Baochai sat next to Jia Heng, picked up a porcelain jug, poured a cup into Jia Heng's wine cup, and said softly: "Brother Heng, this wine is warm and won't chill the internal organs, but it shouldn't be drunk either. It's too fierce."

Jia Heng said: "My sister has a heart."

In the original book, Baochai once persuaded Baoyu, thanks to your usual miscellaneous learning, why did you drink cold wine and condense it in it, wouldn't it be warming him with the five internal organs.

Then Baoyu agreed with a smile, but was ridiculed by Daiyu's yin and yang.

Xue Pan laughed and said, "Cousin Heng, I would like to toast you."

As he spoke, he held the wine cup in both hands and drank it all in one gulp, quite boldly.

Aunt Xue frowned slightly, and said angrily, "Don't drink so hard, your body will be healed."

Xue Pan smiled and said, "Mom, I'm fine, how much wine is this?"

Baochai said softly, "Brother, eat some food."

Xue Pan picked up a chopstick and said with a smile, "I used to eat too much outside, so it's fine."

Jia Heng picked up the wine cup, took a sip, and politely advised: "Wen Long has just recovered from his injury, it's better to drink less."

Xue Pan said with a "sincere" smile, "I listen to my cousin."

Aunt Xue looked at this scene and joked, "Bao girl, look, in front of your brother, Brother Heng's words are more effective than mine."

Jia Heng paused, glanced at Aunt Xue who was smiling and joking, and said to herself, are you Lin Daiyu Benxue?

But this is what Aunt Xue is saying intentionally. If the brothers are close, it really doesn't mean much.

Everyone was eating and talking and laughing, while Baochai poured wine from a wine cup.

Xue Pan was telling jokes from time to time, and the atmosphere seemed to be noisy.

"It's been a while since I've been in the capital, and I've seen quite a few princes and grandsons, not as young and promising as cousin Heng." Xue Pan stopped his wine cup, looked at the young man in a python suit, and said with a smile.

Baochai also looked to the side at the handsome young man, Xu Shi had also drank a glass of wine just now, Li Rui's skin was flushed, and her bright eyes were sparkling with stars.

Jia Heng said: "Wen Long praised it absurdly. In the city of Shenjing, a crouching tiger hides a dragon. Capable people are like crucian carp crossing a river."

Aunt Xue said with a smile: "Pan'er, you can learn more from your brother in the future."

Xue Pan smiled, and said: "If I can learn the skills of cousin Heng, I can walk sideways in this Shenjing city, but with cousin Heng to take care of me, I can also walk sideways in Beijing."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, and said: "The ones walking sideways are crabs."

Xue Pan: "..."

Facing Aunt Xue and Baochai's surprised or contemplative gazes, Jia Heng put down the wine cup and said, "There are many high-ranking officials and dignitaries in Shenjing City. If you can't abide by the law and keep yourself safe, you will also provoke people you shouldn't provoke and burn yourself in flames."

This in itself is also a warning that should not be said to be unpredictable, because now Xue Pan has recovered and can stand up again.

If Xue Pan used his banner to do something outrageous, he would not care.

This attitude needs to be expressed tactfully.

Aunt Xue's complexion changed slightly, she reprimanded Xue Pan and said: "Brother Heng is absolutely right, this capital city is the most benign place, you have to be honest and don't cause trouble for Brother Heng, can you write it down?"

In the end, it was almost a word of warning, but in fact, there was still a little scheming hidden in it, to cause trouble for your big brother Heng, if you really want to cause trouble, brother Heng will stand by and do nothing?

Xue Pan nodded his head, and said in a low voice, "Remember it."

Baochai's apricot eyes streamed, and he said softly: "The day before yesterday, in front of the old lady, Brother Heng also said that King Zhongshun was imprisoned for violating the regulations formulated by the Wucheng Bingmasi. .”

Baochai's words naturally eased the suddenly serious atmosphere on the wine table.

Although she knew that the reason why Jia Heng detained the son of King Zhongshun was because of the feud between the two families.

Jia Heng said: "The prince breaks the law and commits the same crime as the common people. The law and order in Beijing is determined by the five city soldiers and horses according to the law. The son of the loyal and obedient king is no exception."

Baochai said softly: "Mom, brother Heng is in this position now, it's not good for selfishness, he won't meet his relatives, and he has to deal with it more severely to convince the public."

Jia Heng glanced at Baochai, but saw almond eyes and peach cheeks, Qiong nose and sandalwood mouth, plump and elegant face with a virtuous temperament, said: "My sister is very knowledgeable."

Baochai felt a little ashamed for a moment, lowered her eyes and whispered, "I've played with an ax in front of Brother Heng."

Jia Heng looked at Aunt Xue, and said with a smile: "Although Sister Bao is from a daughter's family, she is very knowledgeable and talented as a senior official."

Aunt Xue also showed a smile at this time, and said: "Bao girl, she usually thinks differently than girls of the same age, not to mention other things, she doesn't apply much rouge and gouache, and she doesn't wear much pearls on her hair. "

Hearing this, Jia Heng subconsciously glanced at Baochai, and at the first glance, she saw plump and moist pink lips, huh?It seems to be coated with a layer of light red rouge.

It was also thanks to his recent being with Princess Jinyang that he tasted more and more rouge and gradually developed some eyesight.

As for the hairpin between the temples, there is a jasper pearl hairpin pinned impressively.

"Sister Xue is elegant and beautiful, and she is as light as a chrysanthemum. Even if she doesn't wear makeup, she can't hide her beauty." Jia Heng said softly.

Because of the clear eyesight and the bonus of status, Aunt Xue didn't think it was unusual in her eyes. It was just a compliment from the "elders", and the smile on her face grew wider.

Baochai, on the other hand, was keenly aware of Jia Heng's glance from the corner of her eye, and felt a little ashamed for a moment, not because of that seemingly warm but actually scorching gaze, but because she was still dressed up today.

Xue Pan's cheeks were flushed drunk because he had been drinking one glass of wine after another. Hearing what Jia Heng said, he stretched out his thumb and said with a smile, "Cousin Heng, you have eyes."

Jia Heng and Baochai: "..."

Aunt Xue: "???"

But everyone thought that Xue Pan had had too much wine, and he was always a fool, so he didn't take this rambling nonsense to heart.

"My sister was obedient and sensible since she was a child." However, Xue Pan opened up the chatterbox and said angrily: "The last small election, the people from the household department said that they were merchants and refused..."

Baochai looked ashamed and annoyed, and said anxiously, "Brother, what are you talking about?"

Aunt Xue sighed and said, "Baby girl, hey..."

As he spoke, he went to take a peek at the young man opposite him.

Secretly thought, if the young man in front of me intervenes, it shouldn't be difficult for her family treasure girl to enter Wei Wang's mansion to praise talented people, right?

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, and said: "Whether it's in the palace or the palace, although the wealth is extremely high, it may not be a good place to go."

There are some things he wants to say more, so he can only stop.

Aunt Xue was disappointed when she heard this.

Baochai answered, "What Brother Heng said is true."

After all, it's about my own marriage, so it's not good to extend it any further, so stop it quickly.

Several people talked, quickly changed the topic, and continued to eat and drink.

Speaking of some anecdotes in Beijing, Aunt Xue's smile became more and more prosperous when she saw the young man opposite her talking and laughing happily with her own Pan'er.

She did this as a host, not only to thank her, but also because she wanted to let her family Pan'er be taken care of by brother Heng. Now, seeing the atmosphere is happy and happy, as for Pang De, the future will be long, and we will talk about it later.

Jia Heng and the three members of Xue's family were eating and drinking together. When the night was dark and it was getting close to Xu, Jia Heng said goodbye.

Xue Pan drank a lot of wine, his cheeks were flushed, and he looked drunk, "Cousin Heng, it's late at night, why don't you rest in the courtyard and go back tomorrow?"

As soon as this remark came out, everyone was startled, but they didn't take it seriously.

Jia Heng said: "Auntie, it's getting late, let's go rest first."

Aunt Xue warned: "Brother Heng, be careful on the road, Nanny Zhang, you carry the lantern to see it off."

However, before Nanny Zhang could speak, Baochai said, "Mom, Brother Heng just had a drink, I'm going to see Brother Heng off."

Baochai had only had a glass of wine just now, and stopped drinking afterwards, but her cheeks were still flushed, like a brilliant red glow.

Jia Heng nodded, looked at Baochai, and said softly, "I'm sorry, my sister."

Aunt Xue didn't think too much, she nodded with a smile and said, "My dear girl, let's go."

Then, he ordered the servant girl to serve Xue Pan, who was already so drunk that he kept talking nonsense.

And here, Jia Heng, led by Baochai, left the wing room, and the two walked along the corridor, passing through the lanterns and candles.

"Brother Heng, did you eat well today?" Baochai's voice was soft and soft, like willows in February, stirring the rippling water.

Jia Heng turned to look at Baochai, and said, "It's pretty good, the dishes are rich, and the saltiness is moderate."

Baochai didn't know if she was a little shy, or because she drank some wine, her cheeks were as red as rouge, her almond eyes were as bright as water, and she said softly, "Elder brother and I, as well as our family, have been worrying a lot since we came to Beijing."

Jia Heng said: "Sister, you don't need to be so polite."

Baochai's pink lips moved for a while, but she didn't know what to say for a while.

Just because no amount of thanks can express the complicated emotions in her heart.

Looking at the girl Yanmei's face, Jia Heng was silent for a moment, and said, "It's not easy for my sister to lose her father when she was young, and to grow up with her aunt and Wen Long."

Baochai's apricot eyes condensed with dew, he hesitated to say: "Brother Heng, I..."

There was some bitterness in my heart, some words, even if I wanted to say them to the person in front of me, I didn't know where they came from.

Jia Heng waved his hand, signaling Baochai not to say any more: "Sister, you don't need to say anything, I understand everything."

As he said that, he stopped mentioning the matter and asked instead: "Sister, do you still have the pair of rabbits?"

When mentioning the rabbit, Baochai suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart for the time being, and said, "I'm raising it now."

Jia Heng said casually: "Then take good care of it. If you take good care of it, you can have a litter of little rabbits next year."

Baochai's cheeks turned red, and she said dully, "I hope."

Jia Heng smiled self-consciously and said, "Okay, sister, let's go."

As he said, holding the lantern, he was about to go first.

Baochai said "Yes", pursed her pink lips, as if mustering courage, and said softly: "Brother Heng, I embroidered a few sachets, and I plan to give them to Shao'er, third younger sister and their sisters, and to Brother Heng as well." Embroidered one, if hung on the waist, fragrant jade belt, like orchid like musk deer, it is also quite elegant."

In fact, she had this intention before, relatives, pay attention to the coming and going, never ask for the reason, always want to give something, but it seems that they don't lack anything, it is better to embroider an object as a gift. gratitude.

Jia Heng heard the words, smiled, and said: "Really? Sister Xue's craftsmanship is pretty good, I think. Where is the sachet, let me see."

Baochai saw the young man smiling warmly, and felt a little relieved. She took out a sachet from the armband, and said, "Brother Heng, do you agree?"

Jia Heng stretched out his hand to take the sachet, but his fingertips couldn't help touching those slender fingers, holding the sachet to look at it, and asked in surprise: "There is a word Heng on the front?"

Baochai's crystal-clear jade face paused for a moment, and she said, "It's considered that something has its own meaning. The one given to sister Lin is embroidered with the word Dai, and the one given to the third sister is a word Tan."

Jia Heng was curious, raised her eyes and asked, "Is Baoyu's name a treasure?"

Baochai:"……"

She pursed her cherry lips, but she didn't respond. She had been tired of doing three stitches for a few days, and the other people's ones were gone.

Jia Heng picked up the sachet, looked up at Baochai, and said in admiration: "The stitches are fine and the materials are exquisite. Sister Xue's craftsmanship is good. I like this sachet very much."

The sachet still has some special meaning in this era, but according to Baochai, Daiyu and Tanchun are both given away, so that is not what it means, but between sisters.

"As long as Brother Heng likes it." Baochai said softly.

Jia Heng nodded and said: "It's getting late, my sister will be sent here. It's windy at night, so be careful not to catch a cold."

Baochai's apricot eyes were as bright as water, and she said softly, "Brother Heng, go back and rest earlier."

Jia Heng didn't say anything else, picked up the lantern, and headed towards Ning Mansion.

Baochai watched the orange light disappear around the corner, Fang Youyou sighed.

Ying'er came up behind her and said in a low voice, "Girl, go back."

"Let's go." Baochai withdrew her gazing gaze, her lost face returned to her indifferent attitude.

(End of this chapter)