Chapter 283 Long Time No See, Baoyu

Due to Madam's orders, the servants of the Chen family got up early today and cleaned every place in the house. This kind of thing actually happens every day, so there is no need to pay too much attention to it. Both Chen Heng and Daiyu have busy lives, but the Zicuckoo at home cannot tolerate mistakes.

The two young masters from the Jia family are here this time, so there must be some slight. The masters of the two families may not say anything, but the servants of the Jia family went back and were designated to make arrangements.

Zijuan is Daiyu's maid and the manager of the Chen family's backyard recognized by both Chen Heng and Daiyu. There is an inexplicable stubbornness in the smart Zijuan. While the master and his wife were having breakfast, they quickly slipped out and inspected everything in person.

In the hall, Chen Heng was still sitting with the two ladies. They had just eaten pumpkin porridge, a recipe that was in season with spring. As the county magistrate, Chen Heng usually doesn't have much to do in the morning. Lin Daiyu, who was in a hurry to go out, turned over her book box again.

The children in Yunjian Academy are young and have no foundation in literacy. In order to teach them to be successful, Daiyu had to put in a lot of effort, which is beyond the description of ordinary masters.

"My lord, where are the "Book of Rites" and "The Classic of Filial Piety" at home?"

"They are all kept in my study."

Seeing Daiyu's anxious question, Chen Heng, who had nothing to do, made a move to get up and walk to his study. He was originally accompanied by Xinda and Pan Youan. One of the two has taken charge of his own business, and Pan Youan was borrowed by Xiao Ping again. Instead, I asked the county magistrate to go there in person.

"Sir, please sit down and let me go." Qingwen, who was waiting by the side, answered very positively.

You girl, with all your behavior, how could anyone not know what you are thinking? Chen Heng sneered secretly and reported his position to the extremely enthusiastic maid. After Qingwen hurriedly ran away, he turned to the two ladies and smiled: "I see, she still wants to stay at home and watch the fun."

Daiyu smiled and shook her head, "That can't be done." She added, "She has to go to class with sister Yinglian today to teach some needlework to the children in the academy."

When Chen Heng heard this, he immediately became interested. She took the tea handed over by Yinglian and asked, "Children, have you already started learning this?"

"Yes." Yinglian's appearance is very gorgeous and charming. Her beauty is somewhat different from Daiyu's. With the same face facing the sky, Daiyu's body is covered with green mist and raindrops from the south of the Yangtze River. If you put it on Yinglian, it will become a pearl covered in dust.

Fortunately, Yinglian likes such a simple and elegant dress very much. It seems that doing so can remind her of the relaxed days in Yangzhou. The smiles on her face gradually increased, and her expression now looked much more natural than when she first got married.

"My sister said that children will eventually leave the academy to find a living. Only those with many skills can have a foothold outside." Yinglian smiled brightly, like a daisy that had just bloomed in early spring, "My husband, please don't admire me so much." Look at me, Qingwen’s craftsmanship is really better than mine.”

While the victim was away, Lin Daiyu suddenly turned around and whispered to Chen Heng: "But the children are still more willing to take Yinglian's class. Although Qingwen has a sharp eye and quick hands, she can't forgive others with her mouth. She is very broken and loves to teach. people."

Chen Heng immediately laughed and clapped his hands and said: "Talented people are always a bit arrogant. Mr. Lin Shanzhang has a lot of talents, so you should cherish your talents."

Being called this by her husband made Daiyu look a little shy. She pursed her lips and was about to point her finger at her husband. Chen Heng quickly interrupted: "Since we want to learn from female celebrities, we need to find a sewing shop for them to practice in the future?"

When Lin Daiyu heard this, she looked at Zhen Yinglian and smiled, then said, "I wrote to Sister Qin last month, asking her to come to us when she returns to Yangzhou."

Yes, if the Xue brothers and sisters are here. Just getting some money from them is enough to support another academy. Chen Heng was overjoyed and gave Daiyu a thumbs up on the spot. Congratulate each other for your wife's plan.

"Mischief." Daiyu gave him a straight mouthful and explained, "The Fucheng Shopping Street is about to be built, and Sister Qin will definitely not want to miss such a good thing. It is also suitable for the children in the academy to learn their skills and help in her shop. A mutually beneficial thing.”

"Yeah, yeah." Chen Heng nodded and responded perfunctorily. Daiyu rolled her eyes at him before taking the book from Qingwen who rushed back. It happened that Zicuckoo also came back from her inspection outside. After thinking for a while, she, the head mother, finally decided on the person who would stay behind.

"Ms. sir, I'll leave Sister Zijuan here to help you welcome your guests."

When Qingwen heard this, she lowered her head in frustration. This was Master Bao's visit. How could she miss the scene of him asking for help? She couldn't tell what she was feeling, and she didn't really want to see Baoyu suffer misfortune. But she also felt that Baoyu was in some embarrassing situations, which really made her very happy.

"good."

Daiyu has the final say in everything at home. This is a tacit understanding between husband and wife, and Chen Heng will not break it.

"We will come back early today. Remember to stay with your cousin for dinner." Seeing her husband nodding his head, Daiyu gave Zijuan some instructions. What he explained was nothing more than some of Baochai's tastes and preferences.

When she finally left the house, Daiyu said to Chen Heng: "Ms. sir, my cousin and the others came to visit us, and they must be asking for something big. You just have to decide what you want. I didn't stay home on purpose because I didn't want you to do it because of me." Suffered."

When Chen Heng heard this, he nodded immediately. How could he abandon public service for personal reasons and just wait for the Jia family to come over?

With so much procrastination, I almost missed going to school to teach. Daiyu exclaimed and hurriedly pulled the delighted Qingwen and Yinglian out. Seeing his two beloved wives driving away in a car, the empty-nest man Chen Heng put his hands behind his back and couldn't help but think in distress.

I was always busy in the past, but I finally have some free time today. Fortunately, his two beloved wives were busier than him.

Zicuckoo on the side saw the old man exhaling and sighing. Really unable to hold back his laughter, he quickly turned his back.

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Having too many talented people on hand is also a blessing in distress. Chen Heng walked around the county government office and found that Liu Xianglian was already outside patrolling the streets, and Pan Youan followed Xiao Ping out to do errands. Even Xinda, who usually stayed close to him, was now walking through the countryside with the scholars from the government school.

The empty-nest man had no choice but to read in the study and wait for guests. The morning light that shines into the room shifts away a little bit. It was about 4 o'clock before he got up and walked to the lobby. Counting the time, Jia Lian and Jia Baoyu will arrive soon.

He was looking forward to the upcoming distinguished guests. The two young masters of the Jia family are also busy communicating about the meeting. They took two carriages today. Baoyu was supposed to ride with Baochai, but Jia Lian couldn't worry about Baoyu. When he went out, he deliberately pulled him to his car.

From the beginning of the journey, Jia Lian kept giving Baoyu advice. Now that he was about to go to the Huating County Government Office, Jia Lian spoke even more diligently, fearing that his brother would miss important family events.

"When you get to the county government, don't be stupid. He is no longer what he used to be, and he is far from the shabby appearance he had in his early years. You can use your expression as you like."

Jia Baoyu was really tired of listening to it all the way. For today's gathering, he even gave up his favorite yellow robe and crown. Just like Jia Lian, they all deliberately looked for ordinary clothes. Isn't this so tolerant just because I'm afraid of offending the master's golden face?

I have already wronged myself so much, lying on the ground and doing nothing. Why is the second brother Lian still holding on to him?

"Since my brother is so worried, he stopped the car and asked me to walk back by myself."

You see, I just said a few words to you and you got angry again. Jia Lian also felt Jia Zheng's distress, so he had no choice but to close his mouth honestly. But he still sighed in his heart: If it weren't for the old lady's instructions to bring Baoyu out to experience and grow, he would not be willing to take this hard job.

After all, they were married, and the unhappy Baoyu noticed something strange about Jia Lian. He had no choice but to take the initiative and say: "Is our family really going to the point of begging him?"

Isn't that right, my precious young master? Jia Lian nodded and turned his face outward, still unwilling to take the initiative to speak.

"Is our family so short of money?" Baoyu said quite innocently, "You should have told me earlier, I would have been less particular on weekdays. I wouldn't have been in the difficult situation that I am today, having to come here to make myself unhappy."

"The clothes you wear on a daily basis can last ordinary people ten or twenty years if you put them outside." Jia Lian knew that what Baoyu said was willful. Don't look at Baoyu, who is a national thief and a ghost, but he really makes the other party the master of the house, but he knows nothing about the affairs of the family. I don’t even know how difficult it is to get food, rice, oil and salt.

A family needs to eat, and a family like ours needs to eat well and dress well. Jia Lian continued: "Don't you like to play in the Grand View Garden the most? Do you know how much money the family spent on repairing that yard?"

"Brother is really good at joking. You, dad and uncle take care of everything outside. How could I know about this account?"

Jia Lian sneered and made a three sign with his hand.

Jia Baoyu was stunned and hesitated: "Three hundred thousand taels?"

"It's three million taels." Jia Lian said with a sneer, "Three hundred thousand taels? It's just enough to buy some beams, posts and tiles for that yard."

"Ah..." Jia Baoyu looked ashamed and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Of course, this amount of money is more than just one Grand View Garden, and the expenses for picking up Yuanchun afterwards are also included in it. The number of teachers, personnel, and etiquette that should be prepared are simply a bottomless pit. Apart from this, the several opera troupes hired for Yuanchun were all recruited from Jiangnan. It is still kept in the house and occasionally taken out to entertain the old lady.

Otherwise, Yuanchun will get rid of these people as soon as he steps forward. Speaking of which, how can the Jia family keep their face?

"Then he can really help us? Is he willing to help us?"

Just don't make any trouble for me. Jia Lian groaned and said: "He may not be able to do it, but the ports and commercial streets in his hands are designated to be able to do it. You just have to figure it out, and wait until our family has finished this trip. Other families in the capital will also send people. Everyone. Come and beg him."

It was impossible not to come, so Li Zhi gave him a one-year deadline. Before the end of the year, the accounts of the Maritime Affairs Department were settled. Li Zhi wants to investigate ruthlessly, so that no one can live a good life.

"Second Master, the county government is coming soon."

Suddenly there was a report from a servant outside, and Jia Lian hurriedly pushed Baoyu with his hand. The two men straightened their expressions immediately, and they were both handsome young men. When you do this, it's like you've changed into a different person.

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At the open back door of the county government office, everyone in the Chen family had been waiting here for a long time. In addition to Chen Heng, Liu Xianglian, Xinda and Zijuan are all here. Apart from them, Pan Youan did not show up. After all, this person's background is different, so there is no need to go out of his way to antagonize guests.

Jia Lian and Bao Yu only came down from the horse stool and saw Chen Heng standing in the spring breeze with a smile on his face. He came up in a small step, cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Brother-in-law is here to greet you. My brother-in-law is here today to bother you. He is going to cause trouble for you."

This Jia Lian is a decent man. Chen Hengxiao wrote a reply: "Brother-in-law, it's hard work coming from afar, please come to the house to talk about it."

No matter what the relationship between his family and the Jia family is, Daiyu is standing in the middle. If the scene is really made ugly, how can Daiyu feel good?

Just as Baoyu came from behind to pick up Baochai, Jia Lian looked around and asked, "My dear brother-in-law, where is my cousin? The old lady specially asked me to bring gifts and some personal words to her."

Chen Heng bowed slightly to Baoyu and Baochai, and explained, "Please forgive me, she has classes in the academy today. Before leaving in the morning, she asked me to keep you until the evening and wait for her to come back for dinner."

Jia Lian said a few times in his heart that it was a pity. It seemed that Daiyu would not stand on the side of her family. But he said warmly: "I just arrived in Songjiang, and I heard that you built a school for my cousin. When I return to the capital, I must tell my aunt and uncle about this. My brother-in-law loves my sister so much, they must be very happy to hear it."

When mentioning Lin Ruhai and Jia Min, Chen Heng's face also showed a look of longing. Except for the New Year, there were some letters between the two families. It has been a long time since I saw my father-in-law and mother-in-law. Suppressing the slight sadness, Chen Heng smiled and welcomed the guests into the house, saying: "It's windy outside, let's go inside and talk."

Seeing Chen Heng reaching out his hand, Jia Lian immediately stepped forward, took the other's arm, and said affectionately: "Today, please trouble your brother-in-law to welcome you, I won't treat myself as a guest."

Just met, and even said two troubles. Jia Lian, Jia Lian, what do you want to ask for today? Chen Heng smiled secretly and walked side by side with Jia Lian. Behind them, there was naturally a group of people.

Baoyu and Baochai were guests, walking in front. Zijuan was assigned by Daiyu, walking slightly in front to lead the way. Ying'er was Baochai's maid, and now she met Zijuan again. Apart from looking at each other a few more times, she was very honest.

This is the good thing about a woman after she gets married. In terms of etiquette, as long as her husband is with her, there is no need to avoid too many outsiders. They walked and stopped in the courtyard of the county government, and Chen Heng took the opportunity to introduce some of the landscapes. Most of them were things that he and Daiyu got to play with when they were bored in their spare time.

Jia Lian was full of praise, and he saw servants standing on every corner and corridor waiting for orders. He even praised: "My sister knows how to recite poems and paint. When she just married you, I talked to the old lady. One of you is talented and the other is both learned and talented. When you get together, I'm afraid you will be more poetic and painterly, and won't care about ordinary days... From this point of view, my sister is also good at managing the family."

Praise yourself and be humble, since you are praising your own wife. Chen Heng agreed so happily and said directly: "It's all the good teachings of the old lady and mother-in-law. My family is in good order because of the management of my wife."

Jia Lian nodded with relief, as long as you two have a good relationship. Don't forget the well digger when you drink water, brother-in-law Chen, your mother-in-law's surname is Jia. Just this point, I hope you will never forget the favor.

Everyone laughed and chatted all the way and entered the hall. Chen Heng led Jia Lian to sit at the top, and Baoyu accompanied Baochai to sit at the bottom. When guests come to the door, gifts are inevitable. This is a visit between relatives, which can be accepted or not. But if he didn't accept it, Daiyu would have no place to put her face.

Chen Heng nodded to Zijuan, and a servant came to take the things away. Only a gift list was kept by Zijuan, waiting to be handed over to the lady for verification in the evening.

At first, everyone was chatting. Never mind how embarrassing it was in Lixiangyuan before because of Xue Pan's matter. Now everyone is a relative, Jia Lian also frequently shows goodwill, and the topic always revolves around the right place.

Chen Heng was also happy to chat with him about the north and south, and also took the opportunity to respond to some changes in Huating County. The two parties had not met in Zhen's house before, but Jia Lian still talked about this matter.

"After that day, I didn't dare to stay in Jinling for a moment. It's really scary..." Jia Lian shook his head and sighed, and then said intimately, "Brother-in-law, you don't know."

"What's wrong?" Chen Heng blinked, wanting to see what the other party would say next.

"I heard that the second son of the Zhen family saw blood for no reason. He was frightened and is now sick in the mansion." Jia Lian hoped that this experience would bring him closer to Chen Heng. After all... after all... we have been through hardships together.

"What is the disease?" Chen Heng was a little curious. Zhen Baoyu looked white and fat, and he didn't look weak.

"Fright disease. The doctor said that his soul was frightened and he was a little confused."

Jia Lian said it very straightforwardly, but it sounded strangely familiar to Chen Heng. Isn't this... He glanced at Baoyu who was drinking tea on the right subconsciously.

I remember that you love to get this disease the most.

Oh, why does this sound so familiar to me? Jia Lian secretly thought that he had said the wrong thing and was thinking about how to help Baoyu out. Baochai, who was sitting next to Baoyu, had already said, "It's a pity that Sister Lin is not here. I have been listening to my brother and brother-in-law talking, and I don't know what to say."

"You two can talk about the scenery along the way. I should take my husband out of the boat more often to walk around, so that I can catch up with you."

Baoyu, your wife is calling you. You should say something.

Chen Heng showed an inexplicable smile and said to him in a friendly manner: "Cousin, you have worked hard all the way, are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Jia Baoyu had no choice but to get up from his seat, bowed his head and saluted to the host's concern, and said: "Thank you for your concern, brother-in-law, and I hope you are well all the way."

"Have a seat~~" Chen Heng raised his voice slightly at the end, and quickly extended his hand to signal the other party to take a seat. He then said to Jia Lian, "When they got married, I had already left Beijing for a post. It's a pity that I didn't make it to their wedding banquet. These few days, I specially asked Yu'er to prepare a small gift to congratulate my cousin and sister-in-law."

"Hey, what's the matter with courtesy? We are all family." Jia Lian screamed and laughed, "If you really want to talk about this, when I went out, your cousin's wife asked me to bring you a gift. She is a woman with little knowledge, and she pestered me, saying that she would not let me go out without bringing the gift. When you receive the gift later, don't laugh at her for not preparing it well."

You see, the role of the ladies in socializing is very wonderful. Chen Heng smiled and nodded, and was also curious about what Wang Xifeng would send.

Ah, a busy day at work.