Xiaoxiang Water Cloud in the Red Chamber

Chapter 17

Xichun let Daiyu into her room. Daiyu saw that her room was completely different from Tanchun's. The lotus root color looked warm, but it didn't match Xichun's cool temperament. There were some paintbrushes and Paint, covered with a piece of rice paper.

Entering the painting, he was busy pouring tea for the two of them.

Xichun smiled and said, "My good sister, take a quick look and see how it goes, you are not allowed to hide your secrets."

Daiyu took a sip of the tea and said with a smile: "I heard that the fourth younger sister is a master, you can teach me."

Xichun pulled her over and said: "I have only studied for less than two years, if I am a master, then everyone in this world is a master."

Daiyu looked and saw that the painting on the paper was a plum blossom in the snow, the branches were strong, but the flowers were very sparse, floating under the tree here and there. She sighed sadly and said with a smile: "The charm is there, it's just you This little girl prefers to paint this cold and lonely artistic conception, but it is also very elegant, so it can be seen that the fourth sister is the most pure and elegant."

Xichun smiled: "The painting environment is the state of mind, I can't change it. You just say what."

Daiyu said with a smile: "I haven't studied it seriously, so I can't tell. I just think the brushwork is a bit immature, but the artistic conception and charm are the first priority in painting, so it should be considered top-quality."

"What top grade?" A gentle voice laughed.Daiyu Xichun looked up and saw Baochai and her maid Yinger walking in slowly.Xichun had no choice but to give up her seat and asked, "Why is Sister Bao here?"

Baochai smiled lightly and said, "It's not that girl Yun, I couldn't bear the noise and came out. Since I didn't see you and sister Lin, I thought you two must have come to hide, so I came here."

She walked to the desk, looked at the painting on the table and said with a smile: "After all, you two are elegant. This sketch is quite interesting. It's just that the interludes are a bit random, and because the painting pays attention to the coexistence of virtual and real, dense and dense, the fourth sister This painting is too sparse and light, only sparse but not dense, and the layout is random and loses its layers. The ancients said that "painting flowers is all about gaining power. The branches are in power, even though they are lingering. The direction and the back are different, but each is smooth, which is not contrary to common sense. Although Ye Deshi is dense and intertwined, it is not messy.' That is to say. Moreover, the pen and paper are also particular. The fourth sister only uses the pen for writing. The effect of drawing on ordinary rice paper is also not good. If you draw branches, you can use a No. [-] bucket pen such as hard hair badger and rat tail, and when you draw flowers, you can use a big white cloud and a hair brush. Well, it would be better if it was a bald pen It's a pity that the fourth sister is so casual about this painting. Besides, it's not good for us girls to write such a bleak artistic conception, especially not beneficial to the cultivation of temperament."

Daiyu's eyes fluttered, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly, "It's Sister Bao who is so knowledgeable."

Xichun smiled coldly, and said in a non-enthusiastic tone: "I just wrote it casually. I don't pay attention to these things. It's just a thing. After all, I write about my mood. If I pay attention to everything, when everything is arranged, the little bit of painting will follow the wind. And when it’s gone, what’s the point of leaving a shape.”

Baochai smiled slightly, as if a plain peony was gently blown by the breeze, so soft that there was no trace: "I'm just saying it casually, but this painting should have a poem to match it."

Xichun smiled and said: "That should be the case, but unfortunately I'm not good at it." She turned to Daiyu and said with a smile, "Good sister, why don't you write a poem for me on it."

Daiyu saw Xichun's big eyes shining brightly, with a look of anticipation on her face, she smiled lightly and said, "If I destroy the painting, you are not allowed to cry." She walked up gracefully, dipped a pen full in ink, thought for a moment and raised her wrist and wrote: : "The twigs are thin on the branches, and the thick and light snow is light. Self-love dances before the wind, so why bother with the lonely sound." Wang Xizhi, the master of cursive calligraphy, is chic and elegant, just like "the breeze comes out of the sleeves, and the bright moon enters the bosom".

Baochai said with a smile: "Sister Lin's poem really expresses the charm of this painting. The cursive strokes are so elegant and flowing, I really can't tell it was written by my daughter. Unexpectedly, Sister Lin also has the demeanor of a high-ranking scholar under the forest."

Xichun was so happy that she hugged Daiyu's arm and smiled brightly. She raised her eyebrows and said, "Sister Lin is naturally a 'real celebrity'. She can't compare to those fake high-minded people who don't agree with each other and have no real feelings at all. Good sister, this You are not allowed to snatch the painting."

Daiyu saw her rare little daughter's delicate posture, like a lovely sunflower, gently caressing her forehead and smiling, "It was originally yours, how dare I snatch it."

Baochai laughed at herself and said, "That's all, I'm really that commonplace in front of you two. Xi girl hurriedly framed the painting and hid it, otherwise Brother Bao will definitely snatch it away when he sees it."

Xichun snorted coldly: "He dares to snatch it, you go around him, I don't care."

Baochai sighed inwardly, Xichun's temperament was too straightforward, and she never considered which of the members of the family would be easy to get along with.If things go on like this, I'm afraid that even the old lady's favor will be lost in the end, it's really hard to understand.She smiled to herself, that's all, she is a girl from the Ning Mansion, she is one level away from her, how can she control so much.She took a deep breath and put aside the unhappiness in her heart.

"The old lady passed on the meal." The girl's arrival broke the awkward silence in the room at just the right time.Baochai said with a smile, "Forget it, I won't go there. Just now, my mother told me that I have something to do, so I'll go home first." With that, Yingying smiled and took Ying'er out.

Looking at Baochai's back and holding Daiyu's arm, Xichun said coldly, "There are things to do and time to grind your teeth here."

Daiyu touched her pink cheeks, and said with a smile: "You little girl, I really don't know how Sister Bao offended you. Although she is a bit more tactful, it's just because of her personality."

Xichun pursed her lips and said, "I just can't get used to it. Girls should look like girls. No one is full of scheming. Look where I found such a load of words just now. I don't get annoyed when she picks on my painting problems, she shows off. Being erudite has nothing to do with me, but who am I to use her to teach me what kind of artistic conception I should draw?

Daiyu couldn't help laughing: "You are getting more and more crazy, you still can't see that she said it casually."

Xichun murmured: "The more she speaks casually, the more it shows her nature. I don't like that frivolous look."

Daiyu shook her head, it's true that people are wrong everywhere.Baochai is dignified and dignified, although she occasionally likes to show off, she always finds a way to hide her frivolity, so Xichun can see that she is frivolous.She really doesn't like Baochai very much, not because of the so-called frivolity, but because she is gentle and considerate to everyone equally, but you can't feel her sincerity. It is a kind of indifference that is not easily noticed by others.But everyone has their own rules of survival, so Daiyu doesn't force her, just stay away if she doesn't like it.

After dinner, everyone chatted and chatted, and Jiamu went to take a nap. Daiyu didn't feel sleepy, so she embroidered a purse under the window of the West Room.Chunxian poured a cup of tea and said, "Girl, take a rest, you won't be idle after eating, be careful and get a headache later."

Daiyu stopped her sewing, took the tea and said with a smile: "It's boring to be idle, and doing this is to relieve boredom. Who would take this as a serious business?"

Xueyan was drawing flowers, and smiled: "Then it's better to go out for a walk. The girl's body should also walk more."

Daiyu sighed: "We are guests, it's better not to go to other places, you have seen me too, the things here are too complicated, how can we be as casual as at home."

Chunxian curled her lips and said: "Really, this place is more chaotic than the palace, like black-eyed chickens. Let's go home early. The prince also said that he will pick you up in the next two days, and you won't go back. You can't come here." catch."

Daiyu smiled lightly and said, "It's time to go back after staying for two more days, I just don't want to part with my second sister, third sister and fourth sister. Sigh, my neck is sore just now, let's walk around in the yard for a while."

Chunxian helped Daiyu out, leaving only Xueyan in the room.

Standing on the porch, Daiyu looked at the jasper-like brilliance of the green plantains as if coated with wax, which was very pleasing to the eye.It's interesting to see a long-necked crane sleeping under the plantain.Just as he was in a trance, he heard the sound of hee-hee footsteps, and saw a gorgeously dressed old woman leading a few women over, followed by a little girl about ten years old.Daiyu couldn't help being surprised when she saw the girl.That girl was dressed as a servant girl, with a water-red coat, a green satin waistcoat, a white satin pleated skirt, and red embroidered shoes. There are two alike.If it weren't for this attire, Daiyu would only think of her as a Xiaojiabiyu.

Seeing Daiyu standing in the corridor, the leading nun hurriedly led everyone to salute: "Miss Lin is here."

Daiyu saw that she was an old nanny for many years, and knew the customs of Jia's mansion, these old nanny were more respectable than the young mistress and daughter-in-law, so she hurriedly smiled and said, "Hello, nanny."

The mother said with a smile: "The old servant has something to do, so he won't bother Miss Lin anymore."

Daiyu nodded, and saw that the nanny led everyone to the old lady's room, but the old lady didn't wake up from her lunch break, so the eldest girl Yuanyang took people to the next room to wait.Daiyu was suspicious: "I don't know what happened to the old lady."

Zijuan had just returned from washing clothes by the pool, and saw the figure of the nanny and wondered: "It's actually Nanny Lai, she is like an old prince in her own house now, why has she come here again?"

Daiyu smiled: "Sister Zijuan is back, let alone those things, after working for a long time, don't hurry to rest."

Zijuan smiled softly: "It's all what a servant girl should do, there is nothing to be tired about."

Daiyu smiled and said: "What kind of servant is not a servant, I only regard you as my sister."

Zijuan looked at Daiyu's jade-like face, her eyes sparkled with water, and said with a smile: "Young lady is like a fairy, if I can follow the young lady, it will be my blessing."

In the afternoon, Daiyu and Xichun were playing Jiulianhuan in Yingchun's room. Under the window, Yingchun and Tanchun were sitting facing each other playing chess.Xiangyun pulled Baochai and murmured, not knowing what he was talking about.

Daiyu wondered why Baoyu had disappeared, but it was rare to see him among the sisters.Just as she was thinking, she heard hurried footsteps outside. Baoyu opened the curtain and came in without waiting for the girl to lift the curtain. The attacker behind said eagerly: "Second Master, be careful."

Baoyu broke in and ran straight to Daiyu and said excitedly, "Sister Lin, we have another beauty here, come with me and have a look." He said and pulled Daiyu's hand.Daiyu flinched, dodging his hand and sneered, "Second brother, please be respectful, don't just gossip. Besides, whoever comes from your family will have nothing to do with me. I'm not from your Jia family. , where did 'we' come from?"

Baoyu's face turned pale and he said anxiously: "Why is my sister born, we are the same flesh and blood, how can we be so divided?"

Daiyu's face straightened, and her voice became colder: "Your surname is Jia and my surname is Lin. I don't know why we are a family. There are still taboos about siblings, but the second elder brother doesn't pay attention to anything. Our Lin family doesn't have such rules."

"Why is Sister Lin so angry? What's wrong with loving my brother? He came here happily and suffered from my sister's noise. As soon as he came in, he rushed to my sister, obviously because he valued her, and my sister should also respect herself." Xiang Xiang Yun said displeasedly from the side, and there was a bit of a sense of injustice in his expression.

Daiyu's face sank, hearing Xiangyun's trace of Baoyu's great kindness to her, she should be grateful to flatter her, what's the reason, her expression became annoyed, and she smiled slightly: "Sister Yun still doesn't care. It doesn't matter if it's small, but I can't lose my sense of proportion, or if it spreads, it will be thought that my Lin family has no tutor."

Xiangyun's face turned pale, she was only less than one year younger than Daiyu, Daiyu's words were somewhat ironic, but she couldn't refute, after all, there has been a requirement since ancient times that men and women should be seated differently at the age of seven.So he snorted and ignored Daiyu out of anger.Originally, she looked at Daiyu with love, envy and jealousy, but now she has a grudge in her heart.

Daiyu was also annoyed by Xiangyun's inappropriate words, so she turned her face away and continued to explain Jiulianhuan.

Seeing that Baoyu was at a loss, Baochai came over with a steady step and said with a smile, "Brother Bao just said that there is another beauty here?"

Baoyu hurriedly said: "Nurse Lai sent a little girl to the old lady this afternoon. Even though she is only ten years old, she is a beauty. She is graceful and delicate, with picturesque features. All the girls in our family can't compare to her combined. And she talks Refreshing, and the most rare thing is that the needlework is unmatched by the embroiderer who has been embroidering for more than ten years. Nanny Lai said that she bought it two days ago, and it looks good, so I respect the old lady."

Daiyu suddenly realized that she must have seen that girl in the corridor at noon, and it would be a pity to be a servant.

"Brother Ai, what's her name?" Xiangyun asked curiously.

Baoyu smiled: "Her name is nice too. Her surname is Yu, and her name is Qingwen. The old lady said her name was nice, so she didn't change it for her. Speaking of which, I saw it with Li Gui and Lai Shangrong on the street last month. She, at that time, regretted that such a good girl should be in our house, and the filth and filth outside spoiled her, and she didn't want it to be fulfilled today."

Daiyu was surprised, is there such a coincidence in this world?She doesn't believe it.He also thought it was funny, this Baoyu was too naive, why except their house, other places are filthy, I don't know who instilled this idea in him.

Xiang Yun was surprised, usually the maids bought at home had to be named by the master, but the old lady didn't change her name, obviously this girl was very popular with the old lady.Seeing Baoyu's expression of exclamation and excitement, but also a little bored, he asked, "Since it's so good, why didn't Brother Ai ask for it?"

Baoyu's face darkened, and Xiren smiled and said, "Look at what Miss Yun said, she was supposed to be filial to the old lady, so how could the old lady have the nerve to give it to the second master right away. And now she has a bad temper and disposition." I don't know, if it's a mischievous one, wouldn't it cause trouble for the second master."

Xiangyun nodded and remained silent.Daiyu saw that Xiren's face was a little uncomfortable, and she was obviously not happy that Baoyu valued Qingwen.

Xichun said coldly: "I don't know what the second brother is interested in, but it's just a new girl in the family, but we have to work the masters to see it."

Baoyu was at a loss for words, and Baochai laughed and said, "Brother Bao is a sincere person. If there is anything good, I would like to share with my sisters. This time, I must first think of letting us go and have a look."

Baoyu's face was full of joy, and there was a little warmth between her eyebrows and eyes, which made her more beautiful: "Sister Bao said it to my heart."

Baochai pursed her cherry lips lightly and smiled slightly.