The eldest brother of the Lin family in the Red Chamber

Kong Jingxian is not normal these days, she is more reticent than before, and she no longer makes a fuss about taking concubines for Lin Mo.Even Daiyu could see her abnormality, Lin Mo certainly didn't feel it, but he's been too busy recently, all the things were all over his head. The minister wanted to come to worship, the Ministry of Rites urged for a long time for money, even the Taichang Temple wanted to intervene, and the Supreme Emperor was going to worship the heaven again, so he scolded Rong Jia who came to him to ask for money without hesitation.

Rong Jia was also quite aggrieved: "Who doesn't know that the treasury is not sufficient? What can I do! This is not my job, but they say I am your cousin. I am not the only one in Taichang Temple .”

"I'm not the only one in the household department." Lin Mo pushed aside a pile of account books like a broken can, "One is the prince, the other is the minister, it really doesn't let me breathe. The Yuanwailang below are all Dead people, want me to do these things."

Rong Jia turned his head and looked around, and after making sure that there was no one else, he whispered: "Cousin, the emperor summoned several adults in the imperial study room, but he has not called you four or five times in a row. Even our Taichang Temple heard the wind, Many people said that my cousin acted too treacherously, he has already lost his Sacred Heart."

Lin Mo laughed: "So you're ordering me around?"

Rong Jia stopped talking, but there was worry on his face.

Lin Mo sat behind the table and looked at his cousin. He had a long stretch a while ago, so he looked thin and long. He was no longer the "little fat man" that Lin Mo ridiculed. His eyes were quite beautiful. At this time, there was a worried expression, and he seemed not even as naive as he was when he first came to the capital.Even in a place like Taichang Temple that lacks fighting, the officialdom is enough to make Rong Jia restrained and mature.In a few years, this child will grow into a real man, standing upright, but now he is worrying about himself.

"Your father will come to Beijing to report on his work in a few days, right?"

The topic changed too quickly, and Rong Jia didn't react for a while: "Huh? Well, that's right."

"He once asked me to write for you, but in terms of closeness and seniority, he is always more suitable. Jiaer is also at this age." Lin Mo felt a sense of pride in having a son in my family, and he finally understood Why does even a person like Shui Rong want so much from his heir? Rong Jia can be regarded as something he has looked down upon since he was a child. This feeling is the same as seeing Daiyu reconciling the books in front of him coquettishly.

The younger siblings have grown up and will leave sooner or later, with such caring and considerate eyes on other people.He continued to stay in Jingyuan Hou's mansion, using his criticized tactics in the gradually deserted mansion.

Perhaps, having a child would really be a lot better?He thought so, but inadvertently remembered his wife's deserted appearance, and couldn't help laughing: "It's still early."

Rong Jia then became more confused: "What are you talking about?"

"I didn't say anything. Go out from here and turn left to the houses of several Yuanwailangs. Just tell them. The matter of the Supreme Emperor's sacrifice to heaven was explained by Lord Shangshu. It shouldn't be a problem. Drive Uncle Ming'er into Beijing , some of you are busy, starting from today, those things that you shouldn't do in Taichang Temple will come to your head, you can push as much as you can. They don't dare to say anything about you." Lin Mo flicked his sleeves, " Your place is no different than mine, it’s okay to do things more casually, anyway, there are uncles, and other people’s children who don’t know what kind of money are gnawing on the street, so you can relax.”

Rong Jia smiled, and went out to look for the household member Wailang without mentioning it.

Lin Mo opened the account book on his case again, took out the ink pen and drew a few lines, but heard someone from outside, and someone from Hou Ye's house was sent.Feeling strange, he called in, only to find that it was a young man named Wang'er next to Jia Lian.

"Uncle Lin, please calm down. The young one really dare not pretend to be a member of the Hou family. It's just that our second master has an urgent matter that needs to be discussed with Uncle Lin. The young one can't do anything but offend. Please don't punish Mr. Lin." Wang'er came in and kowtowed respectfully.

Lin Mo laughed: "Where is your second master? It's been a long time since I've been invited to drink."

Lin Shilang, who was too busy to touch the ground, asked for leave and left early, which can be regarded as a piece of news from the Ministry of Finance.Lin Mo came out of Cao Shangshu's room, but just happened to meet Shui Fu Shui Rong and Shui Fu Shui Rong approaching him, so he had to bow and salute.

"You don't need to be polite, Marquis Jingyuan." Shui Fu also knew what he was busy with recently, "Go quickly."

Lin Mo smiled, and said to Shui Rong: "Thank you for the clogs and coir raincoat that day, it was a great help. I know that the prince will never wear things that others have touched, so I asked someone to copy that set to make a new one." Set it up and send it to the prince's mansion tomorrow."

When Shui Rong followed Shui Fu, he always had a soft and submissive appearance. Hearing Lin Mo's words at this time, he didn't need to say: "It's just a set of rain gear. It's worth talking about by Jingyuan Hou Tete."

Lin Mo thanked him solemnly again, and then he left and followed Wang'er to see Jia Lian who was waiting three streets away.

But that day after Lin Mo left, Jia's mother tossed and turned and couldn't sleep at night. She only felt that the box of patterned silver in the secret room was like a hot potato, and she couldn't breathe.She was the one who blocked this matter for the Zhen family without telling the juniors. The Zhen family was grateful, and had never asked anyone to pay it back. She was quite proud of it, but Lin Mo's words made her feel that she had caused trouble.

This Zhen's family, it's not good to get any money, but to get Yuzao!

After thinking about it, we have been friends for decades, and since the Ministry of Household Affairs has found out about this, we have to give Zhen Yingjia a break.Lin Mo said it was her grandson. When the Zhen family died that day, Mrs. Zhen begged her to come here so that Lin Mo could go to the Third Highness's place to breathe. Now what Lin Mo really said, if she didn't tell at all The Zhen family is really not loyal enough.What's more, if she didn't tell the Zhen family, what would she do with the boxes in the secret room?

Thinking of this, I felt like I was going to tell Mrs. Zhen. If Lin Mo asked, she wouldn't believe it. Pointing to Daiyu's face, what would Lin Mo say to her!

Although I have made up my mind, it is not easy to start to say it.After all, she is a woman who has lived in the inner house for a long time, and the distance from Beijing to Jinling is not too short, so she has to find a suitable person. The eldest is too confused to bear the heavy responsibility, and the second is too serious and incomprehensible. Only Jia Lian can do this.

She was not in a hurry, first she called Sister Feng over to play cards, and when she got excited, she asked Jia Lian to come over with her elder sister and brother to tease her great-grandson, and asked Jia Lian's family to accompany her for dinner, and then she pretended not to ask Jia Lian to stay for a while. Stay, tell him the matter alone, and ask Jia Lian to send a letter written by himself to Jinling along with several boxes of jewelry and silver, in the name of celebrating the birthday of the third wife of the Zhen family.

Jia Lian couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat when he thought of what Lin Mo said to him a few days ago!

Cousin Lin is not an alarmist. He said that the family raid and extermination of the family would definitely be true. Besides, since having a son, Jia Lian felt more and more timid. His son is smart and agile, no matter what, he must be ordered to leave the title to his son.Thinking about it this way, he quietly asked Wang'er to go to Lin Mo: "This is a big deal, if you dare to leak a little bit of information—"

"Second master, don't worry, if there is even a little bit of wind, it won't dirty the second master's hands, I will cut off my tongue myself." A few days ago, Wang'er talked too much and was beaten by Sister Feng for a while. Ask for advice for the second time.Although Second Grandma has a son and everything is fulfilled at the moment, and her temper seems to have eased up a bit, but she is not yet merciful.

Jia Lian almost fidgeted and waited for a long time before Lin Mo arrived.

It wasn't too cold yet, he had already put on leather clothes, and when he stepped into the warm room with the wind, he brought a faint smell of medicine, he coughed softly, and the servant behind him hurried up to ask Said: "Master, do you want some hot wine?"

"Boil a pot. The shopkeeper of this shop has a private collection of sweet-scented osmanthus wine. It's not too hot. You go and ask for a pot." Lin Mo smiled, and his voice was quite gentle, as he called Jia Lian to sit down, "Second brother, sit down. This place is not far from the household department, and I used to hold tooth sacrifices here, so I ordered a few small dishes on my own initiative, and they will be delivered later, so please don’t be disgusted by the second brother.”

Shen Bao changed two wolf-skin cushions for his seat, and stuffed a hand stove before he told Lin Mo to sit down: "Don't blame the second master Lian, our uncle is most afraid of the cold, and he doesn't like to smell the stove. Charcoal smell."

Lin Mo's temper can be regarded as an easy-to-serve master, but he is still picky about food and clothing, and he is afraid of heat and cold. Even the fine silver charcoal in the imperial study room feels choking. Half a month ago He almost coughed so much in the imperial study that the emperor thought he was dying soon.

Rao, who doesn't care about things like Kong Jingxian, cooks for her husband by cooking a bowl of hot soup to make up for it.

Although it is not normal for a big man to drink similar tonics with his frail and sickly sister, Jingxian also mentioned that the medicine is three-point poisonous, he is still young, there is no need to take such medicines, but Lin Mo is not a person who shy away from medical treatment , regardless of other people's stares, he took tonic as a meal three times a day, and said bluntly: "I'm afraid of death."

Greed for life and fear of death is not something to be ashamed of, as if you die, you will have nothing.

Jia Lian didn't bother to care what dishes Lin Mo ordered and what wine to boil, he almost trembling sent people out, telling him intermittently what the old lady asked him to do, his voice trembling so hard that he couldn't hear clearly .

However, Lin Mo began to hold up the ivory chopsticks that Shen Bao had brought in just now, and served him dishes, as if Jia Lian hadn't said anything: "Second cousin, don't be so panic. Just like the old lady said, one The pen can't write two characters Lin, as long as my sister still calls her grandmother, I dare not let this matter turn upside down."

Jia Lian breathed a sigh of relief quietly.

"But this matter is not under my control now, not even under the control of the Third Highness, the cold-faced Seventh Lord, from the Ministry of Criminal Justice, and now he is holding it." Lin Mo poured himself a cup of hot wine with a smile, took a sip, and felt The heating entered the stomach, and then he exhaled, "The old lady is too bold, I really dare not take this matter, I reminded her once, it is time to get out, why do you want to get more and more serious?" It got deeper and deeper, and I was so tired that the second cousin also intervened, if you want me to say, the second cousin should not get into this muddy water, Qi Ye is not such a talkative person."

Jia Lian's heart raised her throat: "That's not what I said! To tell you the truth, Cousin Lin, I was quite courageous before, but now that I have a son, I just want to live my own life, so I don't dare to think about it anymore. Yes, but the old lady mentioned this to me, and she was in a hurry, I really don't know what to do!"

"How dare the old man make such a fuss?"

Jia Lian said angrily: "Isn't it because of my second uncle Tong Baoyu that I point to the Zhen family and several princes to earn Baoyu's future!"

"The future is earned by yourself. Those who should be promising will be successful no matter what. If they are incompetent, even if the previous ones paved the way for him, he will not be able to walk steadily." Lin Mo said coolly, "The old lady has worked hard, but she can't do anything. It’s just embarrassing others.”

Shen Bao knocked on the door outside: "Master, the dishes are here."

"Bring it in." Lin Mo said in a deep voice, "If it's cold today, I have a bit of a strong taste. Second cousin can order some delicious dishes by himself. I'll treat you to one today."

Jia Lian had no intention of eating, so he ate some stalked rice with some spicy dishes ordered by Lin Mo, almost choking himself, but Lin Mo ate a few pieces of mutton leg in a leisurely manner, and drank another After half a bowl of duck soup, he said slowly: "Second Cousin, don't let others pull you in. If you want me to say, this kind of thing is not flattering."

"Why don't I know, but this?" Jia Lian wondered, "I am not afraid of my cousin's jokes about our family affairs. My father can't do anything about it. If the old lady says a word, everyone in the house has to listen. She She said she wanted to help the Zhen family, but she didn't think about our family's ability, but since she said so, what can we do? Who dares to stop her? First your sister-in-law said that the whole family's grandchildren and great-grandchildren can't compare with Baoyu's One finger, for what? It’s not that the old lady spoils him! You say, I have to dare to go against the old lady’s wishes!”

Lin Mo babbled quietly for him, not annoyed: "Second cousin, don't be too nervous, you have an errand now, and your little nephew was just born, there's no reason to tell you to run around, I'll go talk to uncle Let me just say, now that he has a grandson, he can't still tell his son to run around. It's really impossible—isn't there still Mrs. Wang? You ask your sister-in-law to send someone back to tell Mrs. Wang, since the old lady told you to hide this matter from the second uncle , I will never tell Mrs. Wang, if Mrs. Wang asks you for something, she can't stop her."

Jia Lian suddenly became enlightened. He was worried that this matter would be manipulated by Lin Mo and would be detrimental to the Rong Mansion, so he hesitated before asking for advice. However, Lin Mo was only giving him some advice, and he didn't mention threats at all. He felt slightly relieved, and said gratefully, "Cousin Lin still has an idea."

"It's nothing." Lin Mo sat, unhurriedly touching the copper hand stove wrapped in purple flannel in his hand, his lowered eyelashes seemed to have no emotion, "cousin is just in a hurry, but the old lady There, procrastination is not an option, if there is a chance, it is better to say a few words."

Jia Lian felt the same way.

"I don't dare to intervene in this matter. After all, I work in the household department. If I make a wrong step, I will never be able to recover. I am not afraid of my cousin's jokes. At least I have been named Jingyuanhou, the servant of the household department. But this kind of thing really dare not Hands on, the old and the young in the family don’t mention it, the younger sister is still young, and there are hundreds of servants, if there is anything wrong with me, who cares about them!" His tone was light, but Jia Lian agreed: "That's not the case , the elders in our family are not as courageous as the old lady, although I have revealed a concubine, but—"

Lin Mo nodded: "I think it's better to persuade grandma, after all—" He didn't continue, but Jia Lian knew what he meant: After all, if there is anything wrong with Rongguo Mansion, he may not be able to get rid of it. Get involved.

"Old lady, you must not send this letter. I might as well give you a way, Song Guogong's family, isn't it because the old man is partial, and the two young masters have separated the family! It's just that this hurts the old man's heart too much. , the second cousin and the second uncle are both extremely filial people, I'm afraid I will offend you if I say this."

Jia Lian smiled awkwardly, but her heart became active.

Lin Mo invited him to drink again, then got up, and the two said goodbye.

When he came out, he met Liu Xiangru.

Liu Jia Dalang's complexion was pale, and the sickness in the corners of his eyebrows and eyes could not be concealed, but he was not dressed as well as Lin Moduo. I don't know if the thin layer of jacket could withstand the wind. At this time, his eyes were red and his hands were shaking. It was so bad that Lin Mo jumped and shouted, "Shen Bao!"

Shen Bao was still behind, so he handed over his hand stove and wanted to take off his cloak, but Liu Xiangru stopped him: "No need, I'm not very cold."

Because of the marriage between the Rong family and him, Lin Mo also paid close attention to Liu Xiangru. There were not many Jinshi scholars in Rongjia's class, and Liu Xiangru was one of them. Many people said that even the seventh master wanted to recruit him, but he He didn't go to the Ministry of Punishments, but stayed in the Hanlin Academy as his bachelor's attendant.I heard that their aunt sent a matchmaker to visit Rong's house. It must not be long before Lin Mo can call him cousin-in-law.

"This is the Second Master Lian of Rongguo Mansion?" Without saying much to Lin Mo, Liu Xiangru approached Jia Lian, "I've been looking for you for a long time, because of my unworthy brother and your cousin Xue's family."