This residence was indeed very neat and tidy.
It was not as spacious as the Rongguo Mansion, but it was small and complete, which made Baoqin very happy.
The scenery of the garden here was also very good. There were lakes, rockery, pavilions, terraces, and pavilions. It was beautiful and elegant, making people forget vulgarity.
In addition to the main courtyard and side courtyards, there were three other places in the garden that people could live in. They were called Ningxiang Yuan, Hancui Zhai, and Xiangxuehai.
There were many exotic flowers and herbs planted in Ningxiang Yuan. When spring came, the fragrance would be invigorating.
Hancui Zhai was somewhat like Xiaoxiang Hall. There was a large bamboo forest, which was refreshing and pleasant.
Xiangxuehai was located in the plum forest. When the plum blossoms in winter, it must be like being in a sea of fragrant snow.
The three places had different sceneries, and it was difficult to tell which was better.
Baochai and Baoqin walked around the garden excitedly for most of the day. In the end, Baochai said, "Sister, do you want to live outside the garden or live inside?"
Baoqin looked at the green bamboo forest of Hancui Zhai and felt the cool breeze. She said, "I want to live in the garden. What do you think?"
Baochai said, "I have the same idea as you. I also want to live in the garden. The scenery is pleasant, and looking at it will make one's mood better."
Baoqin nodded and said, "It's just right. We can live in the garden together and keep each other company.
— — Which place do you like? "
Baochai guessed that it would be better to wait for Baoqin to choose, so she said, "Where do you want to live?"
Baoqin said with a smile, "I think Xiangxuehai is very good. I can fall asleep with the fragrance of plum blossoms in winter and have the fragrance in my dreams."
Baochai also smiled and said, "In that case, I will live in Ningxiang Yuan, which is the closest to Xiangxuehai.
I used to live in Heng Wu Garden. The fragrance of the flowers and herbs in Ningxiang Yuan is somewhat similar to Heng Wu Garden. "
Thus, the two sisters moved into the garden. Baoqin lived in Xiangxuehai, and Baochai lived in Ningxiang Yuan.
They accompanied each other day and night, embroidering together in the pavilion, reading the account books together in the room, or reciting poems together. It was very peaceful and happy.
On the other side, Xue Wu, as the owner, naturally lived in the main courtyard.
In addition to the main courtyard, the largest courtyard belonged to Aunt Xue.
Xue Pan lived in the courtyard next to Aunt Xue's so that Aunt Xue could take care of him.
Since Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai had made up their minds to discipline Xue Pan, it had been quite effective.
Now, although he still hadn't made any progress, he rarely bullied others by abusing his power.
Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were very when they saw Baochai.
After settling down, Xue Baoqin sent an invitation to Daiyu to stay for a while.
Daiyu gladly accepted the invitation. She lived in Hancui Zhai, which was similar to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. It was very peaceful.
After more than ten days, Mother Jia sent someone to pick her up. She left reluctantly.
Before leaving, she looked at Xue Baoqin and said, "You have your own home now, but I'm still living under someone else's roof.
Thinking of this, I can't help but feel sad … "
Xue Baoqin said very sincerely, "You can treat this place as your own home. I'll keep Hancui Zhai for you. When you want to come out, just send someone to tell me. I'll send you an invitation."
Daiyu heard this. Tears flashed in her limpid eyes. She smiled and said, "It's my fortune to know you."
Xue Baoqin also smiled and said, "It's also my fortune to know you."
The two of them looked at each other and smiled. The distance between them was shortened again.
Now that they had settled down, it was time to make plans for the future.
Baoqin was naturally preparing to enter the palace to fight for wealth and glory. Baochai was waiting to see Baoqin's fortune in the future before deciding what to do.
Xue Wu, on the other hand, had his own plans.
One day, he came to Xiangxuehai and said to Baoqin, "Sister, I've made the decision to give up business."
Baoqin personally made Xue Wu a cup of sweet osmanthus tea. She put the cup of frozen banana leaves on the small black table beside Xue Wu and said softly, "Brother, you must have thought about it for a long time before making the decision, right?"
At that time, the two of them were in a warm room. The window was wide open. The fragrance of the plants was constantly blowing in with the wind, making people feel relaxed and happy.
Xue Wu picked up the cup and drank a mouthful of tea before saying, "I've indeed thought about it for a long time. I've only made the decision recently.
If father knew in the underworld, he would probably scold me for being unfilial … "As he said this, he smiled bitterly.
Baoqin thought for a moment and said, "Brother has never been good at business. Then, it's also possible to change the direction of your struggle.
Moreover, the title of imperial merchant is in the hands of the first branch.
No matter how hard we work, it's impossible to get the title of imperial merchant.
Since that's the case, giving up is also a wise choice.
If father knew in the underworld, he would probably understand. "
Baoqin's words clearly comforted Xue Wu greatly. His tightly knitted brows relaxed and he said, "Sister, I'm preparing to go back next year and participate in the provincial examination. I'll fight for a future for our Xue family."
Xue Wu had passed the county-level examination. Now he only needed to directly participate in the provincial examination.
At that time, there was no rule that the descendants of merchants were not allowed to participate in the imperial examination. Therefore, Xue Wu had this idea.
Baoqin nodded and said, "Brother has always liked to read and is quite talented. It's a pity that father didn't allow you to embark on an official career. He wanted you to take the title of imperial merchant from the first branch.
Even the county-level examination was something that brother secretly took behind father's back.
Forgive me for being blunt, but father's way of thinking has already entered the devil's barrier.
Now that he's no longer here, it's better for brother to do as you wish. "
After the two of them reached an agreement, Xue Shao sold all the remaining shops he had and started to read books behind closed doors.
Fortunately, the Xue family still had a lot of land in Jinling. It was enough for their daily expenses.
Seeing this, Aunt Xue and the others didn't dare to disturb Xue Wu. They only hoped that he could really pass the imperial examination and become an imperial merchant. Then the Xue family would have someone to rely on.
They didn't have any hopes of becoming the top scholar or the third scholar, but they could still hope for becoming a grand scholar.
Time gradually entered autumn and the weather was getting colder. The yellow and red leaves floated down.
One day, Baoqin was looking at the account book in the room. Suddenly, Xiao Luo lifted the curtain and entered the room. She said, "Miss, Miss Lin's Xue Yan is here. She wants to see you."
Baoqin put down the account book and said, "Tell her to come in."
Not long after, Xue Yan entered the room. She bowed to Baoqin and said, "Miss Baoqin, nice to meet you."
Baoqin looked up at Xue Yan. Although she looked like a child, her eyes were clear and her expression was peaceful. She had a better impression of her than Zi Juan. She smiled and asked very kindly, "Your Miss must have something to tell you. That's why she sent you here, right?"
Xue Yan smiled and said, "Miss Baoqin, you guessed right. You don't visit a temple without a cause."
Baoqin motioned for her to sit down and ask, "What's the matter?
Just say it. "
Xue Yan said, "Miss Baoqin, I'm sure you don't know that a few days ago, Second Madam's house arrest was lifted.
As soon as she came out, she showed off her power and chased many people out.
Among them was Second Master Baoqin's Older Sister Qing Wen. "
Baoqin had a vague impression of this matter. She vaguely remembered that Qing Wen died of illness a few days later.
Jia Baoyu said that he specially went to see her, but he didn't even give her one tael of silver. He didn't even invite a doctor for her.
Qing Wen left the marriage with nothing. She didn't have any extra money. She didn't even have money to see a doctor.
Was this what it meant to have tender feelings for the fairer sex?
Jia Baoyu was really unreasonable.
In the end, when Qing Wen died of illness, he even composed a poem called Furong's Daughter to mourn for her. When she was alive, he didn't help her, but when she was dead, he used her life to satisfy his romantic feelings. It was really disgusting.
Baoqin pondered for a while, then looked at Xue Yan and asked, "Did Qing Wen have a good relationship with your Miss?"
Xue Yan nodded and said, "Yes, Older Sister Qing Wen's needlework was very good. She used to help our Miss with a lot of embroidery.
Now that she's in trouble, our Miss wants to reach out and help her.
Unfortunately, she can't do what she wants, so she can only ask Miss Baoqin for help. "
Baoqin thought for a while and said, "This isn't a big deal. I was just thinking. I only have Xiao Luo by my side, so I don't have enough people.
Bring Qing Wen here. She'll be a good helper for me. "
Xue Yan was overjoyed when she heard this, "If Miss Baoqin is willing to help, Older Sister Qing Wen can be saved.
I'll thank you on her behalf … "As she said this, she stood up and bowed deeply to Baoqin solemnly.
The simple and crude room was filled with the smell of sick people.
If it was in the past, Qing Wen, who always loved cleanliness, would definitely not be able to stand it.
But now, she was dying, so she couldn't care less.
Thinking back to her life for more than ten years, there really weren't many things that she cherished.
Only Baoyu, Baoyu … But when she thought of his inaction when she was driven away, Qing Wen's heart felt like a knife was stirring, and the pain was unbearable.
Did she love the wrong person?
Why was this world so unfair?
It was Xiren who had connections with Baoyu, but she was the one who was driven away and had her reputation ruined.
If God had eyes, why did he let an innocent person like her fall to this point?
Thinking of this, she lay on the dirty bed with a pale face, and tears flowed down her face uncontrollably.
Despair and resentment filled her heart …
His head felt dizzy, and his vision turned black.
Was she going to die soon?
In a daze, she saw her mother, who had passed away early, reaching out to her, "Da Ya, come to mother …"
Yes, in the past, her name wasn't Qing Wen, which was too poetic.
She had a simple name, Da Ya.
He had almost forgotten about it. His initial wish was to live a good life.
But now, such a simple wish couldn't be realized.