Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Tao Jian hurriedly ate and left. Afterwards, two carts of books entered the Lixiang Courtyard. Daiyu was surprised and delighted, and smiled as she asked Xiaohong to take the list of books and pack them up.

The books were first carried into the study by the maids and piled on the floor, which was covered with several large taro cloth bags. The freshly printed books had a unique scent of ink, and the appearance of the rigorous cutting and binding was majestic and awe-inspiring.

Aunt Meng came over and touched the top cover of the book with "Historical Records of Sima Qian of the Han Dynasty" printed on it with envy. She raised her eyes and smiled at Daiyu: "It seems that the History Museum has not been idle in the past two years. This is actually a general history, from "Historical Records" to the history of previous dynasties. This is a complete set."

Lin Daiyu smiled slightly, but then lowered her eyes and echoed, "Your Majesty, the candlelight illuminates thousands of miles. My father loved reading history books, and this historical record was his favorite.

"When I was young, I read a few chapters. The writing was indeed sharp and the atmosphere was grand. But I was young at that time, and my father said I couldn't understand it and didn't let me read it."

"Records of the Grand Historian comes second... this is a complete set of history books." Aunt Meng sighed and patted the pile of books.

Lin Daiyu's gaze also followed.

Aunt Meng didn't notice that underneath the set of history books, there was another set of "Zizhi Tongjian".

Reading history can make you wise, and knowing the past can help you learn from the present.

Throughout the dynasties, only the aristocratic families who wanted to train their daughters to become ladies of the royal family or officials would let them read history and the Comprehensive Mirror for Religion.

The emperor sent these books, perhaps to fulfill what Tao Xingjian called "a dream of reading", but perhaps the emperor had another expectation for his own knowledge?

Which nobleman is it?

Lin Daiyu pondered quietly for a long time before asking, "Aunt, do you know which big mansion in the capital is short of a mistress?"

Ah, this! ?

Aunt Meng was stunned for a while before she reacted. She couldn't help but laugh, "I didn't understand it at once! Last month, Supervisor Tao told me that he had asked His Majesty to choose a family for the girl, and he specifically told me not to tell the girl for the time being. How did the girl guess it?"

"Aunt, if you read these books just for fun, I'm afraid I can only read them for three to five years. But if you read them as homework, a year or so is just right."

Daiyu sighed, not angry but annoyed, "Isn't this just trying to get me involved in things that a woman shouldn't get involved in?"

Suddenly, Qingwen appeared from the back window and said, "Our old lady married into the family of the chief winemaker and married the eldest grandmother because of what the chief winemaker Li used to say: A woman without talent can be virtuous."

"Go!" Daiyu glared at her.

Qingwen made a face and ran away, then went to climb up the tree to pick pears with Chunxian and Liu Jia.

Aunt Meng walked to the back window, looked at the lively little girl outside, smiled, turned to look at Daiyu, and comforted her: "Tao Jian loves you so much, he must take advantage of the emperor's deep favor to find a good family for you.

"Given his love for you, why would he let you go to a mansion that is too complicated? Especially one that requires female relatives to get involved in court affairs? Don't worry, he won't do that. This book is just for your entertainment.

"Didn't I tell you? You can do whatever you want with these books."

"It would be even better as a dowry." Xueyan stood on the ground helping Xiaohong with a smile, and turned back to tease.

Xiaohong wiped her sweat off her forehead, and without raising her head, she warned Xueyan in a low voice: "Let's not talk about this today."

Xueyan choked, thinking that Lin Ruhai's grand funeral had just ended today, so she quickly shut her mouth and lowered her head, pretending to look through the book in her hand.

Aunt Meng gave Xiaohong an approving look and looked at Daiyu at the same time: "After three months, the young lady should be free from mourning. I think you should plan for your future as soon as possible."

Daiyu said "I'm tired" and fell on the bed facing inward.

Although this is indeed a serious topic, she doesn't want to mention it today.

Let her pretend to be blind for one night.

It took until light to put away all the books, which were hastily piled on the bookshelf.

Xiaohong and Xueyan were so tired that their backs and waists ached, so they ate a bite and went back to their room.

But less than a quarter of an hour later, when Aunt Meng was performing her daily routine of feeling Lin Daiyu's pulse, Xiaohong walked in with a strange look on her face, holding a boxwood box in her hands.

"What's wrong?" Lin Daiyu noticed a trace of panic she had never seen before on the little red face.

Xiaohong came over, put the box on the table and opened it. There were two booklets stacked together, one of which was slightly crooked.

"I put this box at the very back of my suitcase. I always take it out and write in it without telling anyone. I took it out just now when Chunxian went to the kitchen to get some water to take a bath.

"But I always put the two books back together, and I made sure they were neatly stacked before putting them back. Today, when I took them out, the two books were not evenly stacked."

Lin Daiyu's heart was slightly moved, but she smiled gently and said, "This booklet above is my private account, right?"

"Yes! The one below belongs to my aunt." Xiaohong's eyes were a little red.

Aunt Meng's eyes gleamed, she looked at Daiyu's expression, then smiled and said, "It's okay, it's not a big deal."

"How is this not a big deal?" Xiao Hong blurted out, but immediately bit her lip, lowered her head and choked, "The young lady and aunt trusted me, so they let me manage the accounts. But I didn't put the account book away properly, and someone secretly peeked at it! It's all because of my incompetence!"

As she spoke, Xiaohong felt ashamed and angry, and she lowered her head and wiped away her tears.

"It's really not a big deal." Daiyu smiled, leaned over and took Xiaohong's hand, comforting her, "How much property do I have? Too many people are coveting it. Since they are trying every means to see it, and I live here, there is no reason why they can't see it.

"We are all out today, even if the door is locked, and the boxes and cabinets are locked. But in half a day, even if there are ten thousand locks, they will be opened. No matter how well you hide, it will be useless."

Xiao Hong stopped crying and whispered, "My lady, I feel better now."

"Originally, we have been thinking about how to leave. This incident may serve as a prelude." Daiyu curled her lips and looked at Aunt Meng:

"After this incident, they may not come to me directly. They may even tell Aunt about it. Aunt, don't be indignant at that time. Just be perfunctory. Come back and we will discuss it carefully first."

Aunt Meng took a deep breath and nodded vigorously: "Okay!"

"Go back and don't show any flaws. After a while, use the excuse that you have a backache and go home. Tell your parents to be prepared. They may suffer some injustice."

Daiyu gave detailed instructions, calmly and calmly.

Xiaohong agreed, suppressed her nervousness, and walked away quickly with the box in her hands.

Aunt Meng looked at Lin Daiyu with her head held high and her chest puffed out, sighed in her heart, and asked softly, "Miss, are we ready to leave?"

"Yes. Auntie, write a letter right now and ask Supervisor Tao to find me a house. I'll pay for it and give it to me in his name. When Xiaohong returns soon, it's a good opportunity to ask her to deliver the letter."

Daiyu paused, her eyes cold, "Although this matter is urgent, it is not difficult to arrange. I am not afraid, aunt, it is okay."