"Second miss, our wife invites you to play cards," Qian'er said with a smile when she entered the room. Gao Shuying was sitting on an ebony armchair in front of the window, holding a book in her hand and reading it intently, raised her head in surprise, glanced blankly at Qianer, smiled slightly, as if she didn't understand what Qianer said . "Second Miss, our wife invites you to play cards! Uncle and Mrs. Wang are here," Qian'er saw Shuying concentrating on reading, couldn't help laughing, and then raised her voice to repeat.She walked up to Shuying and stood by the desk, waiting for Shuying's answer.

Shuying slightly frowned her slender eyebrows, and declined, "Why did you ask me to do it? Why didn't you ask the third wife?" The third wife, Mrs. Zhang, was Shuying's mother. "I went to ask for it, and the third wife asked you to call for her," Qian'er replied. After hearing this, Shuying looked embarrassed.She put down her book, stood up, stretched her waist, and just about to leave, she immediately sat down again, frowned and said, "I don't want to go, just say I'm not feeling well today." "Our wife asks you to go, "Qian'er knew what she was thinking, but deliberately joked with her, and refused to leave. Instead, she chased after her and looked at her with a smile.

Shuying also smiled, and said in a begging tone: "Qian'er, you can go. The young master is coming back soon, so you can invite him. I really don't want to play cards." Qian'er smiled knowingly, Obediently agreed, and walked outside.Before she could leave the door, she turned around to look at Shuying again, and said, "Second Miss, if you work hard like this, you will definitely be the No.Seeing Qian'er's back coming out of the room, she sighed in relief.She didn't have to think in a daze for a moment, then picked up the book responsibly, intending to continue reading where she left off.But she felt that her mind could not concentrate on the book.The four-size characters printed on the thirty-two pages became blurred in front of her eyes, and jumped to every other line from time to time.The long-awaited life in Europe full of sunshine and laughter gradually faded away.Instead of that, what came to her mind were her past days and her present circumstances.She is a person with a strong memory.She can remember many things, especially in the past year.Indeed, many major changes have taken place in this mansion in the past year, and each change has carved an indelible mark on her heart, opened up a new horizon for her, and made her know things that she had never imagined before. things.The biggest of these changes were the death of her grandfather, her sister-in-law, and her cousin Juehui's departure, especially the latter incident, which greatly stimulated her.She knew from another cousin why that cousin ran away.It had never occurred to her before that a young man would run away from home as a place of horror.But now it seems that the cousin took something from the house, everything in the house is different from before.She herself seemed to have changed.A year ago, others criticized her for being outspoken and talking and laughing, but now she can sit quietly in her room for hours with a book, and sometimes she hangs out in the garden alone with a contemplative look. Walk, or just lean on the railing on the round arch bridge to watch the lake below.It is difficult to describe her mood at this time.It was as if a longing was scratching her heart, and at the same time, it seemed as if something had flown away from her heart, flying away with the past days, and there was a gap in her heart, from which there was always a dull pain , sometimes even for no reason.Although the slight pain in her heart sometimes came suddenly, but after a while she would understand the reason.Another thing immediately occurred to her, and she timidly put it aside afterwards, and though it concerned her so much and troubled her, she dared not dwell on it; Even thinking about it won't do any good.It's about her marriage.She knew only one thing, and guessed another.Her grandfather promised her to the second son of Chen Ke's family in Japan.Geng posts have been exchanged.This marriage was initiated by her grandfather and handled by her father Keming himself.The set date had already been chosen, but it was delayed because of the sudden death of my grandfather.Recently, she heard that she would make a decision within the year.She knew very little about the Chen family.But she heard that the Chen family's reputation was very bad, and that the second young master of the Chen family didn't study well, loved gambling, and became an actor.The girl Cuihuan heard this from outside, because her father Keming's law firm was located in the same mansion as Chen Ke's law firm, and her father's servants and bearers knew something about the Chen family.Her cousin Juemin and her cousin Shuhua often criticized the Chen family in their conversations, intentionally or unintentionally arousing her dissatisfaction with the marriage.In fact, she herself is not willing to marry at such a young age to be someone else's daughter-in-law, let alone marry into such a family.Yet she felt that there was nothing she could do but obey her father's orders, and she herself had no business in that matter.She has no courage and is embarrassed.She just lives helplessly.That's the main thing that makes her quiet.Melancholy took advantage of the situation to grow in her heart.Although at the age of seventeen, she already felt that her future was bleak.

All this is unknown to her parents.Apart from the conversations with the brothers and sisters in the next room, the only things that gave her great comfort during these times were some translations of Western novels and a few new magazines, all of which were borrowed from her eldest cousin, Juexin. .She still doesn't fully understand the articles in the magazines, but there are many places that touch her heart and arouse her enthusiasm; as for Western novels, they are even more charming.In those books she saw another strange life, where there were girls her age, but their behavior was so brave, so natural, and the most enviable thing was that they could control their own destiny, that they could be free. To live freely, to love freely, was completely different from her.So she loves reading those novels very much, and often holds a volume of books and reads until late at night, melting her whole self in the books.No one interfered with her in this matter, but occasionally someone used words such as "nerd" and "female champion" to make fun of her.It doesn't have to be malicious.Although she was not happy with those words, she didn't feel hurt either.Recently, however, things have been different.Some new things began to bother her, and it often took her some time to deal with them, such as playing cards with the elders in the family.She wasn't interested in that sort of thing, but the aunts sent for her, and her mother sent her, how could she refuse?What she was forced to do was not only this, but also other things.She lived in such an environment, and how suspenseful her future life will be.She thought for a while, but still couldn't solve the problem.She felt that there was only a gloomy color in front of her eyes, without a little hope.She was a little irritable.She put down the book and walked out of the room listlessly.

weather is good.There are only a few white clouds in the vast blue sky.The sun hangs nostalgicly on the walls and eaves.There are two tall osmanthus trees standing in the courtyard, and there is a rectangular flower bed in the middle, on which three peonies are budding.On the right, under a Zhulan tree, there are two children leaning over the goldfish bowl to handle goldfish, and a girl is watching beside them.Her brother Jueying is fifteen years old and has a good appearance, but he doesn't like reading. He spends his days raising pigeons, goldfish, and catching crickets with his cousins ​​Juequn and Jueshi.The other child is Juequn from Sifangli, who is ten years old this year.Seeing them, she unconsciously frowned slightly, and said nothing.Juequn raised his head inadvertently, saw her at a glance, ran up the stone steps quickly, and stood there looking at her and smiling when he got up the stone steps.Jueying immediately stood up in surprise.He turned around and saw that it was his older sister, so he smiled quietly and called "Second Sister".He also held a small net for catching fish and insects in his hand.

"Fourth brother, stop messing around, dad will scold you when he comes back and sees you not studying!" She warned Jueying gently. "No," Jueying replied confidently, still turning her head and bending over to touch the goldfish. The girl is Shufen of the fourth room, who is also nine years old this year.She turned around and greeted her cousin with a smile: "Second sister, come and see, goldfish are so beautiful!" Shuying agreed vaguely, shook her head slightly, and walked out from a corner door next to her.At this moment, Jue Qun's brother Jue Shi, an eight-year-old child with a snub nose, jumped and ran in from the outside and almost bumped into her.She turned to one side in horror.Jue Shi called out "Second Sister" with a smile, and ran down to the courtyard before she could say anything.Shuying frowned in annoyance, and walked out of the corner door silently.There is also a small patio over there, with a wisteria trellis in the middle, and across the patio is the kitchen, where two or three maids are coming out.She walked along the wooden wall to the window of her cousin Shuhua.She heard someone talking in the room, the voice was not high.It seemed to be the voice of her cousin Qin.She just stopped hesitantly, when she heard Shuhua calling from the room: "Second sister, come quickly. Sister Qin just came." Shuying raised her head in surprise, and saw Qin's slender eyebrows and big eyes The oval face was stuck to the glass in the middle of the paper window, and Jean was smiling at her.She unconsciously called out happily: "Sister Qin!" Then she said complainingly: "You haven't been here for several days." "The third cousin complained to me just now. You said it again !” Qin replied with a smile. "You don't know, I miss you every day. Mom has not been in good health for the past two days. I am busy preparing homework in school. Now I finally found time to come to you. You still have the heart to complain about me!" Shuying was about to When she answered, Shuhua put her face on the other side of the glass and interrupted, "Come in, what's the point of you two talking through the window?" "Qinkou said, "You are waiting for us at the gate of the garden." "Okay," Shuying replied, nodded slightly, and then hurried outside.She walked to the door of the aisle on the right, stopped for a while, and saw Qin and Shuhua turning into the aisle and walking towards this side.She went up to Jean, said a couple of words, and came back with them, and turned the corner into the garden.

They entered the moon cave gate, turned around the big rockery, passed through a cave, and arrived at Meilin.All the red plums are planted here, with only bright green leaves on the branches.They walked out of the Merlin along a path to the shore of the lake.They walked onto the winding stone bridge.By this time the sun was almost setting.The sky turned a bright pale cyan, with a few flakes of red on it.These, reflected in the satiny waters of the lake, added a glorious ornament to the reflections of bridges and pavilions. They stopped in front of the railing, silently watching the scenery on both sides.In this short time all the troubles of the outside world seemed to go away.Their hearts are free at this moment.

"Sister Qin, aren't you going back tonight?" Shuying suddenly turned her head and asked Qin. "I think it's better to go back," Qin replied after a moment of pondering. "Tomorrow is Sunday, and you don't have class, so why go back. I see that Second Sister has something to talk to you," Shuhua interjected. "You haven't come for a few days, and you will go back after just sitting there for a while. You are so cruel," Shuying scolded Qin. Qin smiled gently, put her left hand on Shuying's shoulder and said softly: "You are complaining about me again. It seems that you are so pitiful. Well, I will not go back according to your words. . . See if you still have What can I say?" "According to her words?" Shuhua interjected unconvincedly from the side.Then she happily pulled Shuying's arm and said with a smile: "Second sister, don't believe her words. She is willing to sell a fake favor, but in fact she is for the sake of second brother..." "Bah," Qin didn't wait After finishing speaking, Shuhua blushed and spat, and then scolded with a smile: "You really can't grow ivory in your mouth! What does this have to do with my second cousin? I will tear your mouth and see what happens in your future." Do you still chew your tongue!" As he spoke, he twisted Shuhua's mouth.Shuhua immediately moved her body away.Qin was almost in vain, and wanted to run to grab Shuhua's braid, but was held back by Shuying.Shuying hugged Qin, laughing so weakly that she almost put her whole body on Qin.

"Forgive her this time, you see you almost hit the railing." Qin suppressed her laugh and wanted to break free to chase after Shuhua, but when she heard Shuying's words, she burst out laughing and hurried away from her. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his mouth. Shuhua bent over and clapped her hands beside her and smiled, and when she had had enough, she walked up to Qin, begging and begging on purpose: "Good sister, dear sister, please forgive me this time. I won't do it again next time." Don't dare to talk too much." As she spoke, she pinched her braids and peeked at Qin, with an expression on her face that made people laugh.

Qin put the handkerchief back into her pocket, raised her hand and tapped Shuhua's head lightly twice, then took her arm and said: "Who knows as much as you! ... the words are sweeter than sugar. Which Still have the heart to punish you?..." "Sister Qin! Sister Qin!..." Someone came over from Meilin's side and uttered such a cry, interrupting Qin's words, causing the three of them to stop laughing in surprise. Look that way.It turned out that Shuzhen, the fourth sister of the fifth room, walked over with difficulty moving her little feet in blue satin embroidered shoes.Next to her was Qixia, the maid in Shuhua's room, holding a basket in her hand, which contained teapots, teacups, melon seeds, peanuts and the like.When they saw the fourteen-year-old girl walking, they felt a little uncomfortable, and they all looked at her with pity.Qin walked over to meet Shuzhen.Although Shuzhen's thin face was covered with powder, it couldn't hide her haggard look.Her slightly upturned upper lip seems to be complaining to people all the time.When she came to Qin's side, she held Qin's arm and leaned against Qin, refusing to leave.Together they walked into the pavilion in the middle of the lake.Several people opened all the windows by hand, and the originally dark room suddenly lit up, and a bright lake shone under the window, but the sky was already approaching dusk.Qixia took out the contents of the basket one by one and placed them on the marble square table.It is a dish of pine nuts, a dish of melon seeds, a dish of peanuts, and a dish of rice cracker candies.She poured another four cups of tea, then raised her head and said to Shuhua: "Miss San, the tea is ready." "Okay, you can go back, lest the wife tell you that you can't find it," Shuhua ordered indifferently.

"En," Qixia replied, and stood in the pavilion for a moment, before going outside.She had already gone out, but Shuhua suddenly remembered something and called her back, and said to her: "Qixia, wait for the second young master to come back later, you want him to come to the garden. You tell him Miss Qin is here, we If it’s not here, it’s at the water pavilion.” “I know,” Qixia quickly agreed, then turned and left. Qin looked at Qixia's short and exquisite body moving on the curved stone bridge, and casually praised: "This girl is really smart." "She can also read a few words. Mom likes her," Shuhua continued. . "But she is not as good as Mingfeng," Shuying said this sentence unintentionally, she wanted to swallow it but it was too late.Mingfeng was also a maid in Shuhua's house, because she didn't want to go to Feng's house to be Feng Leshan's concubine, she committed suicide by throwing herself into this lake a year ago.She got along very well with these ladies, Qin and Shuying especially liked her. "Mingfeng, why are you still mentioning her?..." Qin suddenly changed her face, glanced at Shuying, and couldn't continue after saying a word.She frowned slightly, and lowered her head to look at the water. Her face was reflected on the water, but it was a little blurry. "Mom is often sad because of Mingfeng's affairs. She is very regretful. She often tells us to treat servants more generously. Qixia only sends food here, so her luck is better than Mingfeng's, but she is here. I didn't suffer much. Poor Mingfeng, she lived a hard life here, and I didn't treat her well..." Shuhua said sadly, and then her eyes turned red, she stopped talking, and left alone Window, walked to the square table, grabbed a handful of melon seeds, squeezed them in his hands, and slowly put them to his mouth to nibble. "Although Mingfeng is a girl, she is better than us. I can't tell that she is a fierce woman." Shuying sighed softly, and then said the above words with a tone of admiration as if to vent something.The gap in her heart began to ache again.She seemed to see the "past" flying past her eyes with dazzling brilliance, leaving only darkness in front of her. "Second sister," Qin heard her sigh, raised her head and turned to look at her, stretched out her hand to wrap her neck, and called softly.She responded with a vague "hmm".Qin continued to ask with concern: "Why are you sighing? What's on your mind?" "Nothing," Shuying was stunned for a while, and then she shook her head and answered in a low voice. "I'm just thinking about the future. I think it's good to die like Mingfeng." The more she thought about it, the more sad she became, and couldn't help but burst into two or three tears. Qin thought of many things because of Shuying's words, and also had some feelings.She hesitated for a moment, not knowing what to say.Shuzhen leaned against Qin fearfully, and looked at Qin and Shuying alternately with her thin eyes wide open, as if she was afraid that someone would snatch these two older sisters away from her.She didn't know much about their psychology, but the sentimental atmosphere frightened her. The pavilion was very quiet, only the sound of Shuhua cracking melon seeds. The waves on Qin's heart gradually calmed down.She forced a smile and pulled Shuying's body and said to Shuying with a smile: "Why do you say such frustrating words? You are only seventeen years old this year!" Just joking, why is it all gloomy all this time? Fourth sister, don’t follow them. Come over to eat, and grab some pine nuts for Sister Qin.” Shuzhen turned her head and pouted and said: “ You can catch it. There are not many steps to go." "You are so lazy!" Shuhua laughed, and she grabbed a handful of pine nuts and stood up, her sorrow had dissipated. "I'll come by myself. Second sister, let's go there," Qin said hastily.She took Shuying's arm and walked to the square table.Shuzhen also walked over. Qin was the first to sit down, and took two pieces of rice flower candy and placed them in front of Shuzhen.Shuzhen smiled at her, and sat down with Shuying and Shuhua, and the four of them sat in a square. Qin ate a few pine nuts, drank two sips of tea, and said bitterly: "If I don't come, you complain about me, saying that I have forgotten you. I am here, everyone gathers together, and I am full of desire to have fun For a while. Who knows that you all put on a straight face and ignored me, each sighing. After a while, you will blame me again when I leave. It’s not easy to be a human being. I simply won’t come here in the future.” “Sister Qin, is it true? ?” Shuzhen looked at Qin in surprise and asked hastily. "Fourth girl is such an idiot. Sister Qin is lying to us. Do you think she can leave second brother alone!" Shuhua hurriedly replied. Qin blushed and spat at Shuhua, and was about to speak, but was stopped by Shuzhen.Shuzhen suddenly listened to the sound outside with a frightened expression, and said, "Listen, what is that sound?" It was a sharp whistle, as if sent from the plum forest, and gradually approached. "Second brother is here," Shuying said quietly. "Yes, it's him." Shuhua made a grimace, and said to herself, "Fortunately, we didn't scold him. When we really talked about Cao Cao, Cao Cao will be there." Just as she finished speaking, she saw her second brother Juemin and her elder brother Juexin came out of the plum grove and walked onto the stone bridge.Juemin held a flute in his hand, while Juexin held a hole flute. "Brother," Shuzhen immediately stood up and called out happily.Qin also got up and walked outside, standing at the gate of the pavilion waiting for them.They came over to say hello to her. Seeing Shuying, Juexin said in surprise: "Why, are you here? I heard that you are not feeling well, are you okay?" Everyone looked at Shuying in surprise when they heard this unexpected remark. "That's me lying," Shuying said with a chuckle. "You know I don't like playing mahjong. If I don't lie, I'll drag them around to play cards. That's not interesting! Has Qian'er invited you?" "So that's the thing, you That's smart," Juexin laughed, and his haggard face stretched out because of this smile. "I just came back to deliver things to my fourth aunt, and I saw Mrs. Wang's mother. They were already fighting. Aunt and fifth aunt were fighting there, so I escaped. ...... While Sister Qin is here, tonight There is a moon again, it is rare for us to have such a party. Let's have a good time. Let me be the host tonight." "I think it's better to split the orchids, it's more interesting," Shuhua rushed to say with joy. "Okay, I agree with Pilan," Qin said, which was rare to see Juexin in such an interest, and she was also happy in her heart. "At most one dollar. The fourth sister is small, so I don't count her." "Great, I'm the first to agree!" Juemin clapped his hands beside him and shouted. "Alright, I have a pen and paper," Juexin saw that everyone advocated this, so he had no objection, so he took out a tube of fountain pens and a notebook from his pocket, tore off a page from the notebook, and While sweeping his eyes over everyone's faces, he asked, "Which one will draw?" "I'll do it," Shuhua agreed, and then reached out to pick up the pen and paper, and shouted, "Turn around, don't peek. .” She immersed herself in drawing on the paper for a while, and when she finished drawing, she covered the lower half with her hand and asked everyone to pick it.It turned out that Juexin chose "free food". "No, big brother took advantage again. Let's do it again!" Shuhua refused to admit it, and laughed. "There's no such thing, and it's not me cheating this time," Juexin retorted with a smile. "Third Sister, let's just let him go this time. It's getting late, so we should have prepared earlier," Shuying interceded. "Second sister, you always like to be a good person." Shuhua complained.She came up with a new idea: "Then let the eldest brother go out and ask someone to do it, and he will advance the money first." "Okay, there is nothing wrong with it. I will go. Is it afraid of you to advance the money?" You refuse to pay back the debt!" Juexin readily agreed. "I'll ask Mrs. He to cook, and I'll eat in the water pavilion later." After finishing speaking, he walked out of the pavilion enthusiastically without waiting for others to express their opinions. "Ever since sister-in-law died, elder brother has never been so happy as today," Shuying said to Qin in a low voice, pointing at Juexin's back. "So we should have a good time with him for a day," Juemin added, adding to the fun. "And gatherings like this, I'm afraid it will be difficult to have them again in the future," Shuying said, her voice still very low, but with a tinge of desolation. Qin glanced at her in surprise, and said to her in a reproachful tone and soft voice: "Why do you always say spoiling things today? We are all in the same city, and it is not difficult to have a party." Shuying also felt that it should not be Having said that, he bowed his head and remained silent.She asked Qin to talk to Juemin, but she herself took the flute that Juexin had brought earlier, went to the window, leaned against the railing and played the tune of "Sorrowful Autumn" on the water surface as the night began to open.The surface of the water was so calm that not even a ripple could be seen, and the shadow of the bridge and pavilion was already blurred.The sound of the flute, like a choked cry, swept across the surface of the water, and slowly followed the water to turn and flow to the distance.As the night grew darker, the pavilion became darker.A little moonlight appeared faintly on the water. "Third sister, light up the lamp," Shuzhen begged Shuhua fearfully.Shuhua was listening to Qin's speech, so she pushed Juemin's arm and said, "Second brother, go and order." Juemin didn't refuse, so he went to a table on the right corner and took two bright corners. The lamp, took off the cover, took out the match from the drawer, struck it, went to light the candle on the lampstand, and lit both lamps.He took one in each hand and placed them on the square marble table.The candlelight flickered in the room.He suddenly noticed that Shuying was still leaning on the railing alone playing the flute, so he picked up the flute, walked behind her, patted her on the shoulder lightly, and said, "Second sister, don't you like playing the flute?" While playing the flute, Shuying turned her head and raised her eyes to look at him.He handed the flute to her and said, "The sound of the flute is too desolate, you should play the flute." Shuying put down one hand and held the flute horizontally, but did not pick up the flute, just shook her head slightly, and said in a low voice "I like playing flute now." "You have become more," Juemin said with emotion after looking at Shuying's clear phoenix eyes for a long time by the candlelight of the bright corner lamp. Shuying smiled faintly, lowered her eyes, and replied nonchalantly, "I don't think so." "It's easy to see, you have indeed increased in the past half a year," Juemin said full of friendship and concern. . Shuying hesitated for a moment before replying in a low voice: "Maybe yes, but it's okay." Before Juemin could speak, Qin spoke behind his back, "You can't say it's okay." Qin immediately walked to Shuying's side, He grabbed her hand and held it tightly, looked at her with sympathy, and said encouragingly: "Second sister, you are a smart person, don't worry about your future, you are different from your big cousin." "Brother has lost a lot of weight this year," Shuying said sadly to herself instead of answering Qin. "That's a natural thing. But you are different from him," Juemin's voice reassured her firmly. Shuying glanced at Juemin gratefully, then turned her face to look at Qin.She nodded slightly, and said softly one after another: "I know, I know." Then she smiled and raised her voice and said, "Don't talk about these things. Second brother, you give the flute to Sister Qin to play. I will play the flute. You and the third and fourth younger sisters come to sing." "Okay, then we will sing "Su Wu Shepherds the Sheep"," Shuhua rushed to say. Qin took the flute from Juemin's hand, and played it horizontally, and Shuying also played the flute along with her.The weeping and low-pitched whistle of the flute was covered by the melodious sound of the flute.The sound of the flute fluttered in the air, flying everywhere in the house, and then with brisk steps, hurriedly jumped over the railing, flew across the water, and escaped far away.The singing rose louder.Sister Shuhua's crisp voice and Juemin's high-pitched voice fluttered in the air together, chasing the sound of the flute, not relaxing at all, so they also followed the sound of the flute and ran away into the distance. The night is very soft.The moon was covered by dark gray clouds, and the surroundings suddenly became dark.The shadow of the bridge pavilion swayed slightly on the water with candlelight.The fragrance of flowers and plants floated slowly from the other side of the slope, oozing into one's lungs one by one. "Su Wu Shepherd" is over.Everyone stopped for a while, and then sang another song "Watching the Moon", and then sang another song "Le Jiao". "Lejiao" hadn't finished singing when I saw Juexin walking from the bridge clapping her hands, and Qixia walked ahead with a wind and rain lantern. "You guys are comfortable," Juexin shouted when he walked to the door of the pavilion, then strode in and stood beside the crowd.Qixia put the wind and rain lamp on a stool, then went to the table and picked up the basket she brought earlier, then went to collect the teapots, cups and plates on the marble table, and put them in the basket one by one. Everyone got excited about playing and singing, and Shuhua and Shuzhen still wanted to sing.Juexin urged everyone to leave one after another, while closing the window with his hands.Juemin also blew out the candles in the bright corner lamp, and put the lamp back on the table.Everyone started to leave. Shuying held the hole flute in her hand.Qin holds a flute.Qixia was carrying the basket, and Shuhua grabbed a handful of melon seeds in the basket and nibbled slowly.Juemin walked ahead with the wind and rain lantern.Juexin was last.They got out of the crooked stone bridge and walked along a small path next to Merlin.At first they were by the lake, then they turned around a rockery, entered a railing, and then walked across a small bridge made of tree trunks over a stream, passed another peony flower garden next to another rockery, and turned into a low-lying area near the lake. forest.There are peach trees and willow trees planted at intervals, and a section in the middle is full of mulberry trees.The peach blossoms are already in bloom, and the white and red colors are hidden among the green trees, which are distinct even at night. By this time the moon had emerged from the clouds.There is a path in the woods.The trees here are sparsely planted, and the faint moonlight shines through the gaps, partly covered by the branches and leaves, leaving only some big white spots.The wind and rain lights illuminated a section of the way for them, and they moved forward slowly.They go one by one.Those behind cannot see the path illuminated by the lights.Sometimes, Juemin walked too fast, and Shuzhen would hold Qin's hand tightly and cry timidly.Juexin comforted Shuzhen with a few words.Juemin also slowed down a bit.When they were almost out of the woods, they saw the lights coming out of the water pavilion and shaking on the lake. "Look how fast I can do things!" Juexin boasted. "It's an ugly act," Shuhua said, laughing. "Sister-in-law He cooks the dishes?" Qin asked with a smile. "Naturally, including hello," Juexin replied shortly.At this time, they had already walked to the front of the water pavilion.The moonlight painted a layer of silver on the light gray tiles, like a painting, casting the shadow of a clump of Guanyin bamboo tips on it. The door of the water pavilion was wide open, and bright lights spilled from the inside.A few magnolias in front of the door are in full bloom, and the trees are full of dazzling large white flowers.Wisps of sweet fragrance came straight to everyone's faces. "I haven't come here for several days, and the magnolia flowers are blooming so well," Qin praised intoxicatedly looking at the surrounding scenery. "This is really not a garden, how do you know that spring is like this," Shuying answered casually.She wanted to make fun of Qin, but she felt that she had made a mistake when she said it, so she blushed and kept silent.Fortunately, everyone did not pay attention to her words. Huang Ma and Mrs. He, who were preparing food and drinks inside, heard the voices outside and hurried out to greet them.Juemin handed the wind and rain lamp to Huang Ma. Everyone rushed in while they were happy for a while, and when they went inside to see, everything was arranged.The large kerosene hanging lamp in the middle was burning brightly, and a small round table was placed under the hanging lamp, which accommodated six seats, and everyone sat down first. There were six plates and four bowls of dishes on the table: cold dishes were marinated liver with sausage, lettuce mixed with golden hooks, etc.;Everyone moved their chopsticks.Huang Ma boiled two small jugs of wine, put them in front of Juemin, and said with a smile on her face: "Everyone, don't drink too much, no one will take you back when you are drunk." She gave Juemin a very concerned look. Juemin smiled and said: "I know. You are more strict with me than your wife. Go and serve your wife for dinner. Don't worry, I won't drink too much." I am here to serve you, and Aunt He is going out to take care of Master Hai," Huang Ma said with a smile.She suddenly caught a glimpse of Mrs. He coming over with two steaming bowls of stewed tofu, she took a bowl and put it on the table, then walked away to put the rice cooker on the kerosene stove. "Sister-in-law He, there is nothing else to do here, you can go back. You can turn on the wind and rain lamp and call someone from the bottom to deliver it later," Juexin told Mrs. He to hold the tofu with chopsticks without losing her head. "Yes, young master. I don't want to use wind and rain lanterns, I have oiled paper twisters," Mrs. He replied, and left in a hurry. Everyone was eating while talking and laughing.Huang Ma and Qixia waited on them, and Qixia poured wine for everyone.Didn't drink much.Juexin suddenly became interested after drinking two cups, so he proposed a drinking order.So bright seven beats, dark seven beats, flying flowers, urgent passwords, etc. were performed one after another. Everyone laughed and laughed for two hours. Everyone except Shuzhen was blushing, but they hadn't enjoyed themselves yet.But Mrs. Zhang, another maid of the big house, suddenly came in from the outside with a paper lantern, and shouted as soon as she entered the room: "Young Master, go if Madam calls you, if you have something to say." Juexin reluctantly agreed. , pushed aside the chair and stood up. Seeing Shuzhen talking to Qin, Aunt Zhang made a big fuss and interrupted: "Miss Si, your Xi'er is looking for you. Mrs. Fifth just finished playing cards, and Master Fifth came back, and she and Mrs. Fifth quarreled fiercely. Mrs. Fifth wants you to go." Shuzhen was talking happily, when she heard Mrs. Zhang's words, she immediately changed her face, flattened her mouth, and replied angrily, "I'm not going!" Mrs. Zhang stared at the woman with wide eyes in astonishment. she. "Fourth Sister, Fifth Aunt told you to go, you'd better go. Let's go together." Juexin was a little drunk before, but now he is much more sober.He advised Shuzhen to go back to her room to meet her mother.He knew that if she didn't go, her mother, Shen Shi, would definitely not let her go. Shuzhen blushed, and hesitated for a moment.She just stood up and sat down again, and finally couldn't help complaining and said: "Mom calls me, nothing good will happen. Every time my father and mother quarreled, and my mother was wronged, she used me to vent her anger. I’m fine, I’m not at fault at all, and I’m going to be scolded for no reason.” Shuzhen showed a pitiful face, looking at the cousins ​​and cousins ​​begging for help, her eyes were red and her mouth was twitching , almost cried out. "Then let's not go back. You played well here, why bother to suffer that injustice," Juemin said righteously. “好，四妹，你就听二表哥的话索性不回去，等五舅母气平了时再说。她要是知道了怪你，我就去给你讲情，”琴坐在淑英和淑贞的中间，爱怜地侧过头去看淑贞，温柔地鼓舞道。接着她又对觉新说：“大表哥，你一个人去罢。我把四妹留在这儿。”她看见张嫂还站在那里不走，就吩咐道：“张嫂，你出去千万不要对人说四小姐在这儿啊。”张嫂连忙答应了几声“是”，就站在一边望着觉新的带了点酒意的脸。觉新还留恋地立在桌子前把两只手压在圆桌上面，忽然发觉张嫂在旁边等他，就下了决心说：“我走了。”黄妈给他绞了一张脸帕来，让他揩了脸。于是他跟着张嫂走了出去，张嫂打灯笼在前面给他照路。 众人默默地望着觉新的背影，直到灯笼的一团红光消失在松树丛中时，淑华才带了严肃的表情说：“妈喊大哥去，一定有什么要紧事情。”“不见得，说不定就讲五爸五婶吵架的事，”觉民淡淡地说了一句。 这时黄妈给众人都绞了脸帕，绮霞端上新泡的春茶来，在每人面前放了一杯。淑华看见桌上碗碟里还剩了一点菜，就对黄妈说：“黄妈，你们把菜热一热吃饭罢。”她端起杯子喝一口茶，便捧着杯子站起来，走到床前面把茶杯放在几上。她觉得脸还在发烧，人有些倦，就在床上躺下去。 觉民也离开座位，走到琴的背后，帮忙她低声安慰淑贞。淑贞埋下头默默地玩弄着一双象牙筷。黄妈和绮霞两人添了饭坐下来拌着残汤剩肴匆匆地吃着。 淑英突然感到房里冷静，她默默地踱了两三步，就从几上拿起洞箫，一个人走到屋角，推开临湖的窗看月下的湖景。过了半晌她把箫放在嘴上正要吹，又觉得头被风一吹有点发晕，便拿下箫来，打算放回几上去。“怎么这样清风雅静？我以为你们一定嘻嘻哈哈的闹得不得开交了。”这个熟习的声音使屋里的众人都惊讶地往门口看。出乎他们意料之外，大太太周氏（觉新、觉民、淑华三人的继母）拖着两只久缠后放的小脚颤巍巍地走了进来，淑英房里的丫头翠环提了一个灯笼跟在后面。众人看见周氏，全站起来带笑地招呼她。 “你们劈兰，为什么不请我？却躲在这儿吃？”周氏笑容满面地问道。 “我们没有什么好菜，就是请大舅母，大舅母也未见得肯赏脸。所以我们不敢请，”琴含笑答道。 “妈，你不是在四婶房里吃过饭吗？”淑华说。 “我说着玩的，”周氏笑道。她忽然注意觉新不在这里便诧异地问：“怎么你大哥不在这儿？”“张嫂来喊他，说妈喊他去说话。难道妈在路上没有碰见他？”淑华同样诧异地说。 周氏怔了一下，然后猛省道：“啊，那一定是错过了。我本来要先到这儿来，翠环这丫头一口咬定你们在湖心亭，所以我先到了那儿，再从那儿到这儿来。这样就把你大哥错过了。你们看冤枉不冤枉？”她的话像珠子一般从口里接连地滚出来，好像不会有停止的时候似的。但是它们却突然停止了。她喘了几口气，看见众人还站着，便说：“你们坐呀！”又见黄妈和绮霞站在桌子面前低下头望着饭碗，就对她们说：“你们坐下吃罢。”她们应了一声，却不坐下去，就拿起饭碗，依旧立着埋下头匆匆地几口把饭吃完了。绮霞先放下碗走开去倒茶。周氏扶着翠环的肩头，走到……H床前，在那上面翘起二郎腿坐了。她刚刚坐下，看见翠环还站在她旁边，便和蔼地对她说：“翠环，难为你，你回去罢，说不定你们太太要使唤你了。绮霞在这儿服侍我。……你出去告诉大少爷喊他再到这儿来。我等他。”她这样遣走了那个身材苗条的婢女。 “妈，你刚刚差张嫂来喊大哥去，怎么你自己又亲自跑来了？有什么要紧事情？”淑华望着她的继母担心地问道。 周氏喝了两口茶，休息一下，笑答道：“张嫂刚刚走了。我忽然想起到花园里头来看看你们耍得怎样，恰好碰见了翠环，我就喊她陪我来。我有一个好消息：刚才接到你大舅的信，他们因为外州县不清静，军人常常闹事，要回省来。下个月内就要动身，要请你大哥给他们租房子。”“蕙表姐、芸表姐她们都来吗？那我们又热闹起来了，”淑华快乐地大声说。 “那自然，她们两姊妹去了将近四年，一定出落得更好看了。蕙姑娘早许给东门的郑家了，这次上省来正好给她办喜事，”周氏接口说。 “我记得蕙表姐只比二哥大一两个月，芸表姐和二姐同年，”淑华说。 “是呀！琴姑娘，不是你婆婆的丧事，你早就该出阁了。不晓得哪家少爷有这个福气？”周氏把她的胖脸上那一对细眼睛挤在一起望着琴微笑。她打定主意把琴接过来做媳妇，这件事情已经提过了，而且得到了琴的母亲的口头允诺。不过觉民目前还戴着祖父的孝，琴又在四个月前死了祖母（那个长住在尼姑庵里修道的老太婆），一时还不能办理订婚的手续。然而这件婚事决不会在中途发生变故。所以周氏现在很放心地跟琴开玩笑。众人马上笑了起来。 琴和觉民不觉偷偷地对望了一眼。两个人都红了脸，掉开头看别处。琴撒娇般地笑着不依周氏，一面说：“大舅母不该拿我开玩笑，我又没有得罪过大舅母。”周氏也笑起来了。她连忙分辩道：“啊哟，琴姑娘，你真多心，我哪儿是拿你开玩笑？说实话，我真不愿意你出阁。我们家里几位姑娘跟你要好得胜过亲姊妹一样。你倘若嫁到别家去。她们一定要痛哭几场。”琴听见这番话红了脸不作声。 “那么，妈，你就早点拿定主意索性把琴姐接到我们家来罢。”淑华看见母亲有兴致，就趁势把她盘算了许多日子想说的话说了出来。 “呸，”琴忍不住红着脸啐了淑华一口，但是眼角眉尖却露出喜色。觉民有点激动，睁着一双眼睛带了祈求的眼光望着他的继母，等着从那张小嘴里滚出来的像珠子一般的话。 周氏把这一切都看在眼里，她心满意足地微笑了。她得意地说：“是呀，我已经跟姑妈说定了。只是不晓得琴姑娘愿意不愿意。”琴红着脸低下头去。她正在为难之际，忽然看见淑贞房里的年轻女佣喜儿跑得气咻咻地从外面进来。喜儿看见周氏在房里，就站住恭敬地招呼一声，然后向淑贞说：“四小姐，太太喊你立刻就去。”淑贞看见喜儿进来就变了脸色，又听见她的话，心里更不快活，脸上现出无可奈何的神气，噘着嘴说道：“我不去。”“太太一定要你去。我到处都找不到你，回太太，太太动了气，拍桌子打掌在骂人，春兰挨了打，连我也挨了一顿好骂。四小姐，你还是去罢，你不去，太太又会喊春兰来喊的，”喜儿红着脸喘着气，半央求半着急地说。 “我不去！我不去！”淑贞挣扎似地摇摆着头接连说，于是赌气般地闭了嘴不作声了。 “四小姐……”喜儿又催促地唤了一声。淑贞不理睬她。喜儿还要说话，却被周氏打岔了：“喜儿，你就回去对你们太太说我留四小姐在这儿耍。”“你看四小姐这样害怕回去，你何苦再逼她，你就扯个谎，让她在这儿多耍一会儿罢，”琴也帮忙淑贞说话。淑英和淑华也都表示要喜儿独自回去。 喜儿更加着急起来，就放肆地说：“大太太，琴小姐，我们太太的脾气你们都是知道的。她生气的时候毫不讲道理。我倒不怕。不过四小姐还是早点回去好，回去晏了，惹得我们太太发火，会挨一顿好打的！”琴看见淑贞又急又怕，像是要哭出声来又极力忍住的样子，便走去站在淑贞的背后，按了按她的肩膀，又紧紧捏住她的手。淑贞畏缩地偎着琴，不作声，时时仰起脸去看琴和周氏，好像把她们当作她唯一的救星一样。 喜儿的话说完了，周氏略略红了脸有些不好意思，便沉吟着，不再开口。琴有点气恼，但仔细一想，觉得喜儿说的也是实话，不便把她驳回，正在心里盘算有什么巧妙的办法使淑贞渡过这个难关。淑英、淑华都是愤愤不平，却也无法可想。只有觉民动了气说：“四妹，你就不回去，看五婶把你怎样！”他还想说下去，却被周氏警告似地瞅了他一眼，便把未说的话咽住了。 淑贞一分钟一分钟地拖延了一些时候，拼命抓住那一个微弱的希望，后来听完了喜儿的话，把过去的事情想了一想，知道再耽搁也没有用处，又把众人看一下，于是绝望地站起来，呜咽地说了一句“我去！”不顾众人就往门口一冲，跑出去了。 喜儿茫然地站着，不知道应该怎样做。“四妹！”淑英第一个唤道，琴、觉民、淑华三个人立刻齐声叫起来。淑贞并不回头，也不答应，就往假山草坪那个方向跑，只看见她的影子在月光照着的地上摇晃。 “喜儿，你还不快点跟去！”周氏用责备的口气催促喜儿。 这句话提醒了喜儿，她答应一声，就转身大步往外面走了。 “四姑娘人倒还可爱，”周氏忽然自言自语地说了这一句，接着叹了一口气。 “只是性情太懦弱，将来长大了也会吃亏的，”觉民严肃地接口说。 周氏沉默着，不表示意见，别人也不作声。只有淑英心里猛跳了一下，她觉得觉民的话好像是故意说来警告她的，她愈想愈觉得这种想法不错。