But it was said that everyone flocked to Daiyu to Tonghua Temple. This Tonghua Courtyard was originally the upper room of the main courtyard and the residence of the head of the family, which was magnificent and magnificent, and Jia Min's meticulous ingenuity, the arrangement of birds and beasts, showing a different kind of beauty from the details. It's just that after Jia Min's death, Lin Ruhai was afraid of touching the scene, so he lived in a side courtyard every day. In Daiyu's eyes, he suddenly remembered that his father hugged him when he was a child and learned to speak under the plane tree, and his mother took himself and his little maids to pick flowers and play grass in the courtyard, and the green feathers made up a new image. Daiyu's eyes couldn't help but turn red again. When Mama Wu next to her saw it, she also nodded and was sad, and only persuaded Daiyu to sit down in the hall quickly, and she wanted to lead the male and female servants of the family to come over and kowtow.

When Dai Yu heard this, she hurriedly excused herself and said, "How can this be done." Not to mention that I'm still young. When I came to my house today, I saw my father, and I always had to pay a pillar of incense to my mother. ”

Mama Wu sighed: "Sure enough, it is still the filial piety of the eldest lady." That's right. Let them stay a little longer and not be in a hurry. So he invited the two aunts to sit on the embroidery pier in the house, and led Daiyu to the east wing to wash her hands and face.

Let's say that this east wing room was originally where Daiyu lived when she was at home in the past. But because she was sick when she was young, Lin Hai and Jia Min did not dare to take their eyes off, and they only taught them to sleep in the suite separated from the couple's two rooms at night; At this moment, when I came to my house and saw the old things, I naturally felt nostalgic again. Mama Wu didn't urge, she only watched Daiyu move, saw her take a closer look at the house, and then rectified the description, looked at herself again, and then signaled the two big girls Qinghe and Qingmiao who followed her to come forward and wait for Daiyu to freshen up. Fang Bi, the purple juan next to him had already opened the cage he brought, and chose plain clothes inside, first looked at it with Mama Wu, and then with Daiyu, and when both of them nodded, Fang and Xue Yan helped Daiyu change her clothes, and pulled her hair again, and ordered a hairpin in her bun. After they were done together, everyone hugged Daiyu to the small Buddha hall.

This small Buddha hall is in a small courtyard behind the Tonghua Temple. It is not big, but there is a main hall, surrounded by a strip of purple bamboo, and there is a shallow pond in the courtyard with a half-moon and a half-foot wide release canal leading to the river outside. In front of the Buddha hall is a yellow and white marble Maitreya, with a wide chest and cross-legged and a smile, which is the ancestral offering of the five generations of the Lin family. It turned out that when the ancestor emperor Long Qian, the ancestors of the Lin family conspired with him, repeatedly performed miraculous feats, and were deeply jealous and hated by the thief Cai Xiang; In a hurry, he ran into the earthen temple and hid under the Maitreya offering table for a night, until dawn when the ancestors arrived to get out of danger. Therefore, after the ancestor was on the throne, after the Lin family was knighted, he built a small Buddha hall in his own house and asked the statue of Maitreya to be worshipped. Daiyu was also brought here by Lin Ruhai to tell the deeds and merits of the ancestors when he was a child, and at this moment he thought that Lin Ruhai could be cured of his serious illness, and he could also see the blessing of the gods and Buddhas, so he looked solemn, prayed with incense, and worshiped sincerely.

After worshipping, Daiyu moved to the back, only to see another Buddha shrine, hanging a white painting of Guanyin standing statue on the wall of the shrine, the hand about the pure lotus, the eyes of mercy - it is Lin Ruhai's mother Mrs. Zhang's own hand paint; on the front table for plain incense, flower baskets, two celadon oil cups each a little light but not dim - is Lin Ruhai for the deceased mother, the first wife lit the lantern. At this point, Daiyu finally couldn't hold back her tears: just because she thought that in the Rongguo Mansion in the capital, although her grandmother doted on her in every way and pampered in all kinds of pets, there was still a filial piety sacrifice that could not be done as she wished. For the two surnames are different, he lives alone as a guest, and he is young, and he says that he sprinkles and sweeps for the year of the deceased mother, and worships at four o'clock, which is the usual almsgiving and offering lamps in front of the Buddha, and it is not something he can do as he pleases; for five or six years, he has never recited a complete volume of scriptures with his mother and done a real ritual. The more Daiyu thought about it, the more sad and self-blamed she became, and she only cried on the futon in front of the Buddha statue offering table. The people next to him also hid their tears when they saw it.

After a while, Mama Wu stepped forward and persuaded: "It's a good thing for the eldest lady to go home today." Thinking about the first wife, crying this time, just stop it when you do your best, otherwise the wife and the old lady will be sad and uneasy when they see it above. Now the girl just wants to come home, and everything will be fine when her relatives are reunited. ”

When Daiyu heard this, she slowly put away her tears. After cleaning up with everyone a little, Daiyu stepped forward again, poured incense to worship, offered tea fruits, and added sesame oil with her own hands. Then he asked, "Daddy's illness, where can I pray to God at home?" If so, wait a few days to repay the vow, and I should go in person. As he spoke, he looked outside again, saw Hidaka, and hurriedly asked, "What time is this? Has Daddy's lunch been passed on over there? If the teaching is delayed, isn't it my fault for being a daughter?" ”

Mama Wu smiled: "Girl, don't worry. It's still early. Glancing at the pocket watch hanging from the head cage in his sleeve, his face became more and more calm, and while helping Daiyu to walk back, he said: "And the master, I want to talk to the nephew and young master of the Jia family for a while." The girl just freshened up and changed her clothes, and it was not too late. ”

I returned to Kirikain Temple for a while. The waiting crowd was about to come up to salute again, so Daiyu asked Mama Wu to pass the word, only saying: "I know everyone's sincerity." Everyone is an old man serving in the family, and after my mother left, my father relied on you to keep the family safe. Although I am young, and I have been away for a few years, I also know that you are loyal and filial, and you abide by your duty. It's just that I'm here today, and I'm in a hurry, and I'm so courteous, but I don't feel solemn enough, and I don't live up to your respect. I only waited for two days for my father to be well, and then I will meet you calmly and thank you. When everyone saw it, they said, "That's it, but in the end, they all kowtowed outside the door before leaving." Here, Daiyu changed into a pale pink gauze skirt, combed her bun again, and used a rice grain bead crested hairpin to hold it. looked at the mirror and saw that there were no flaws, so he urged Mama Wu and the others to hurry to the small courtyard where Lin Ruhai was recuperating at the moment.

When I arrived at Boyue Hall, as Mama Wu said before, Lin Ruhai was leaving Jia Lian to speak, and Zhang Hui and Guan Mengke were accompanying him. Jia Lian went to Songfeng Garden, rested for a while, changed his clothes, and turned back to Lin Ruhai. At this time, Lin Ruhai also read the letters of Jia Yu, Jia Zheng and others, so he told Jia Lian about his illness, what twists and turns he had experienced, how to invite Guan Mengke, and how to use medicine after that. Jia Lian also knew Guan Mengke's medical name, and originally wanted to find an opportunity to make friends, but at this moment, Lin Ruhai was respected, and he was so busy saluting Guan Mengke that he thanked him, and said: "Mr. Daen, I have some gratitude here." ”

I didn't want Guan Mengke's temperament to be arrogant, so the big lama didn't say anything after receiving the salute, but said: "Empty mouth and white teeth, bring me the gift list first." Jia Lian was not wary and immediately choked. Fortunately, Zhang Hui smiled and said: "Before you see the full success, you will ask for the gift of your relatives, and your old man can really open his mouth." As everyone knows, this opening of the mouth, the thank you gift will be turned into a consultation fee, do you accept it or not?" Guan Mengke thought about the rules of his oath, so he didn't say more.

Jia Lian could be regarded as seeing Guan Mengke's temper, thinking that the medical officer of Tai Hospital had not been like this when he was invited to the Houmen Mansion. However, Guan Mengke compiled "Materia Medica", collected medical prescriptions to benefit the people, and the imperial court also refused to resign, and traveled freely, and sure enough, people who really have great skills and great talents have a strange temperament, which is not comparable to the ordinary so-called famous doctors. So he glanced at Zhang Huigao again, and thought in his heart that he must have an important connection that ordinary people don't know, and the doctor has the ability to save lives, but he must try to get closer and closer.

Thinking about it here, Zhang Huizao said a few more words, and Lin Ruhai followed his words and completely took the topic away with ease. Then he asked Jia Lian about the situation in the capital, Jia Mu Shi Taijun is healthy, Jia Amnesty, Jia Zheng, Jia Zhen and others are in charge of the camp, etc. Although Jia Lian only donated a Tongzhi title, he helped Jia Zheng with housework in his daily life, and he was also diligent in his external contacts, and he usually had a good time with Jia Zhen and others, so no matter whether he was outside the family, the government and the opposition in Gyeonggi, or the city, he knew a lot and all kinds of things. Lin Ruhaidong asked and mentioned a sentence in the west, but he was actually a pile of piles, and the answers were like streams, but he couldn't help but muttered in his heart how to ask so finely. But after thinking about it, Lin Ruhai is his own uncle after all, and he has a cousin who has lived in his house for many years, so it is the right reason for relatives to care and watch over him if he asks more, so he answered more and more carefully.

While he was talking, there was a report outside that Lin Daiyu was coming, and someone came to report that lunch was all ready, and asked where it was. Lin Ruhai ordered to be set up in Boyue Hall, he himself was a separate seat, Guan Mengke was a seat, Daiyu was a seat, and asked Zhang Hui to entertain Jia Lian on his behalf. Daiyu came over to serve Lin Ruhai with rice. Lin Ruhai let her serve the soup with vegetables, and her heart became more and more happy and loved, and persuaded again and again: "Good girl, don't just serve me, but also take care of you to eat some yourself." Poor from afar, let's try the food at home and still be appetizing. It's just that Daiyu insisted on serving him to finish lunch, and then took the decoction after the meal, so he ate it himself. Fortunately, Aunt Qian next to her eyes was tight and obedient, and she ordered someone to replace the new hot meal soup in time, and it was the weather in May, and it was very delicious to eat.

After a while, rinse your mouth. This Jia Lian, Zhang Hui and others also ate well. Everyone sat down again, drank tea, and talked for a while, and Guan Mengke urged Lin Ruhai to rest the day. Daiyu, Jia Lian, and Zhang Hui each got up to say goodbye. Lin Ruhai did not stay in vain, so he ordered everyone to rest. For a while, everyone in Boyue Hall dispersed, leaving only Wu Sheng, who was the old servant of the Lin family, and two small servants to serve in the hall. Lin Ruhai didn't speak, just leaned on the couch, closed his eyes and thought silently.

After a while, Wu Sheng saw that on the road outside the courtyard gate, the housekeeper's daughter-in-law was leading Daiyu's nurse Mama Wang over, so he stepped forward and whispered to Lin Ruhai, and said: "The eldest lady has arrived home, and if there is anything, it is all in front of me now." The master only remembers to take good care of himself, so that he can continue to worry about the eldest lady. ”

Lin Ruhai scolded: "Old man, why don't you say some good things in your mouth? That's the first wife's maiden family." Hearing the sound of footsteps, he opened his eyes and sat up, and saw Mama Wang kneeling down and kowtowing in front of him. Lin Ruhai said: "When I sent the eldest lady to my grandmother's house for a temporary stay, the customs and rules on both sides were different, and it was inconvenient for more people to follow. You are an old servant in the family, and your breastfeeding relatives are no better than others, and it is rare to be literate and hyphenated, and you can write and calculate, so I chose you to accompany the eldest lady to Beijing. In the past few years, the eldest lady has been over there, and you are the only one who has to do food and clothing. Yu'er also mentioned you many times in her letters on weekdays, saying that it was finally comfortable for you to take care of you. After a rough look today, it was all right. It can be seen that you are attentive to Yu'er, and you are indeed worthy of the love of the master and servant. ”

Mama Wang listened to it and kowtowed a few times, only saying that it was her duty, not to mention the kindness of the Lin family and the eldest lady to herself. Lin Ruhai nodded and ordered her to stand up and reply. Mama Wang hurriedly lowered her head and stood aside, and listened to Lin Ruhai ask from the year she went to Beijing, where Daiyu lived in Rongfu in the past few years, how many people she served, what pastimes she did in her daily life, and what relatives and friends she had to interact with. When asked how he went to school and studied in Rongfu, Mama Wang replied: "The men in that house are all studying in the family school, and the old scholar of a clan teaches the history of the scriptures. The ladies said that they also went to school, but in fact, they only learned some of the texts of "Women's Rules", "Women's Rings", and "The Biography of Liewomen", as well as a few selected articles in the "Four Books". Knowing that the eldest lady had already read through the Four Books when she was at home, he personally explained the Chinese chapter with the eldest lady, and taught the eldest lady to read the scriptures and ancient poems. What poetry collection books are there in the study, regardless of the old and new, the political master will let the eldest lady take a look first, and if you like it, you can leave it at will. The sons and masters in the Manchu Mansion have no one who can speak on this. ”

Lin Ruhai thought of the words in Daiyu and Jia Zheng's letters with himself in the past few years, so he smiled and nodded. He asked again: "Except for the eldest lady, does the old man still teach anyone else in his spare time?"

Mama Wang shook her head and said, "I haven't heard much about it." The old men in Nafu don't care much about the buddies' reading. On weekdays, Master Zheng only talks about poetry and papers in the study with a few Qing guests, and only asks Bao Erye's homework once or twice every ten years. It was Brother Lan who was left by Uncle Xianzhu, and Master Zheng often asked him to be hugged to the study. ”

Lin Ruhai lowered his head and thought about the calculation, and said, "This Lan Ge'er is ten years old, right?" Seeing that Mama Wang showed an embarrassed look, she smiled and said, "That's it, it's not for you to ask - this is not something you can know." It's just that in that house, it is said that among the young masters, who is the best reader?"

Mama Wang hurriedly replied: "Naturally, it is the second master of Bao." But people in the house have a legend that the old man checked the homework of the second master of Bao several times, and when he turned his head to the room, he hated the second wife, and when it came to learning, the sum of the ten second masters of Bao was not as good as the eldest lady of our family, and he was protected by the old lady and refused to work hard. ”

Lin Ruhai immediately laughed, his feet tossed a few times, and said, "This is a mess." How can the things in the old lady's room spread all over the house?" thought about it again, and said to Mama Wang: "Now that you are at home, you will still take care of the eldest lady's house." If there is anything you don't know, just ask Mama Wu, and if you are not sure, come back and forth to me directly. Besides, this time I came from the capital Nafu, regardless of men and women, and made a list of names, origins, what they did in Nafu, how much money they had every month, and whether they had gone out with them before. With the eldest lady, you are not allowed to leave one, and with Uncle Jia Jialian, you know that one is one. I wrote it and gave it to Mama Wu. That's all there is to it, and let's go. ”

When Mama Wang heard this, she responded with a "yes", kowtowed to Lin Ruhai and went out. Lin Ruhai instructed Wu Sheng again: "You and your family should be concerned about this matter." Okay, I don't need you to say more, I'll go to sleep. You watch the hour for me, and wake me up in two quarters of an hour. In addition, I also remember to ask someone to see if the young master has a lunch break, and if he does, please invite him over, I have something to say to him. ”

Here, Wu Sheng responded one by one, and Lin Ruhai didn't mention it. If you ask Lin Ruhai what to say about asking Zhang Hui, what will happen next, and see how it will be broken down next time.