Chapter 5 5

Qin had lunch in Zhou's room.After dinner, it was still dark, and everyone sat under the window and chatted.Mrs. Zhou was lying peacefully on a wicker chair.She doesn't talk much, but she listens to the younger generation with good intentions.Qixia held a silver hookah and stood beside her to fill her with cigarettes. The three sisters Qin, Shuying, and Juemin are all here.Some sat on bamboo chairs, while others sat on low stools.Next to it is a tea table with a teapot and some teacups on it.Huang Ma brought a pot of boiling water to fill the teapot.As soon as she walked away, Juexin arrived with Haichen by his arm.Shuzhen stood up and gave Juexin the bamboo chair she was sitting on, and walked to Qin by herself. Qin moved her body slightly, and Shuzhen sat next to Qin.

"Hai'er, come to my mother-in-law." Seeing Haichen, Zhou's fat face showed joy, she sat up, stretched out her hand and called out, she turned her head and said to Qixia who was holding a cigarette: "Don't pretend, you go and serve it." A stool for Miss Fourth to sit on." Qixia agreed, and went into the room with a cigarette bag in her hand. Haichen was going to Qin's place, but now he heard Mrs. Zhou calling him, so he went to Mrs. Zhou's side.He stood on Zhou Shi's knee, Zhou Shi stroked his head, took his hand and asked a few words. "The third brother just got a letter," Juexin said to Qin in a low voice as soon as he sat down.

The expressions on everyone's faces changed a little.Shuhua couldn't help being the first to say, "Where is it? Show me quickly!" "It's at the third dad's place," Juexin replied. "Why is it at the third father's place? You showed the third brother's letter to the third father?" Juemin asked in surprise.There was a little dissatisfaction in the voice. "I show every letter to my third dad. He ordered me to do so," Juexin replied helplessly. "I don't think there is any reason to show third dad. Third brother's letter is not for him, but for you and us," Juemin said seriously.

"But the third dad is the head of the family, so we have to listen to what he says," Juexin said with a bit of melancholy. Qin looked at Shuying, who blushed slightly and buried her head in the corner of her clothes.Qin glanced at Juemin, and before he could speak, she interjected and asked Juexin, "How is the third cousin in Shanghai? What did he say in his letter? Why doesn't he write to me?" Didn't Yue have a letter for you? I saw it!" Shuhua said to Qin.At this time Qixia brought out a low stool, placed it beside Qin, and beckoned Shuzhen to sit down. Juexin went on to say: "He said he would write you a letter in two days. He is very good. His letters are not long. But..." He pondered for a while and whispered to Juemin: "He sent an article about Here is an article about the thoughts of the big family, and asked me to read it for you to publish. I didn’t show this to my third dad. I know my third dad will complain about me after reading it. My third brother wrote a few strong words in his last letter , the third dad was not happy after reading it. He complained that I should not let the third brother go, he said that the third brother will definitely turn bad in the future, and I am also responsible." "This is called self-inflicted. Why did you show him the letter? "Juemin didn't understand Juxin's mood, but he also complained.

Juexin ignored him, as if he hadn't heard Juemin's words.He secretly took a look at Zhou, saw that she was only teasing Hai Chen, and didn't pay attention to what they were saying, so he said softly: "But what I worry about is not that the third brother will turn bad, but that he will become a revolutionary party in the future. So I kind of..." He broke off abruptly and stopped talking. The word "revolutionary party" was completely unfamiliar to Shuhua and Shuzhen, and they didn't know what it meant.Shuying knew a little bit, from the Western novels she had read recently.But she couldn't quite understand it yet.The only ones who really understand are Juemin and Qin, but Qin is also frightened by these three words.

"Not necessarily," Qin slightly frowned and whispered suspiciously.But she asked Juexin seriously, "Where is that article? Show me." "You can take it back and read it, and I will give it to you later," Juexin replied in a low voice. "I'll get it, let me put it in the drawer?" Juemin was eager to read the article, so he stood up and said to Juexin. "Well, just watch it in my room, don't let others see it," Juexin instructed carefully. "I know," Juemin replied, and took two sips of cold tea from a teacup on the coffee table, then put down the cup and went into the aisle whistling.

Juexin turned his head and stared blankly at his back. "Brother," Shuying called suddenly pleadingly. "The next time you write to third brother, please ask him to inquire about the situation of the Shanghai Academy." "Who did you inquire for?" Juexin turned around and asked in surprise. Shuying didn't answer right away, she didn't seem to have expected Juexin to ask such a question.But Qin interjected as if talking to herself, "Maybe she asked for her own sake." "Second sister, you yourself...?" Juexin asked in surprise, looking at Shuying's excited face.

Shuying slightly raised her head and glanced at Juexin, her face gradually changed, and finally she replied indifferently: "I'm just talking casually. What's the use of asking for it myself? Sister Qin knows." Looking at Shuying with sympathy, she was a little puzzled at first, but later she understood Shuying's mood.She didn't say anything, but went to pour half a cup of tea and drank it by herself, then poured another cup, walked to Shuying, handed the teacup to Shuying, and said, "Second cousin, you can have a cup of tea." Ying didn't pick up the teacup first, but raised her head to watch the piano.Qin smiled slightly at Shuying, her eyes were very soft.Shuying looked at Qin silently, and the melancholy on her face gradually faded.She quickly reached out to take the teacup, and at the same time said: "Sister Qin, I'm sorry for you." "What tricks are you playing? You are so sneaky!" Seeing this situation, Shuhua didn't know what was going on, Feeling a little puzzled in my heart, I couldn't help asking loudly.

"This is strange again. You are the only one with a narrow mind. I'm just pouring a cup of tea for my second cousin. What's the matter?" Qin replied looking at Shuhua with a smile. "If you want tea, I'll pour you a cup too." She walked towards the tea table. "Ah, I don't dare to be that," Shuhua said loudly, pretending to be terrified. "I'm not lucky enough to have such a rich girl in command. I'm overwhelmed. Let me do it myself." She stood up as she spoke, and walked to the tea table, scrambling to get the teapot in her hand.

"Third daughter, why are you arguing with your cousin Qin for the teapot? She is still a guest, so you should let her order," Zhou said jokingly.She also encouraged Hai Chen to go to Qin's side, and she said to him: "Quick, quick, go to Qin's wife and persuade them not to fight." Haichen really went to Qin's side, holding the piano The front of his skirt called her. Qin was a little embarrassed when she heard Zhou's words, so she struck up a conversation and said, "I poured tea for my third cousin with good intentions, so why am I arguing with her for the tea pot? My aunt got it wrong..." Before she finished speaking, Qin saw Haichen leave Come here, just squat down and pick him up and talk to him.

Shuhua couldn't help but laugh when she heard her stepmother's words.At this moment, she had just taken a sip of tea, and when she heard Qin's words and saw Hai Chen approaching, she couldn't help but chuckle, and sprayed a mouthful of tea all over her clothes.She hastily put down the teacup, coughed, and took out her handkerchief to wipe the water. "Amitabha," Shuying whispered behind her back. "Which one is reciting the Buddha's name?" Shuhua deliberately turned to look at Shuzhen and asked. "Second sister," Shuzhen, who hadn't spoken for a long time, replied with a smile. "This is called immediate retribution," Qin suddenly turned her head and said this, then stood up, took Hai Chen's hand back to the seat, and let Hai Chen stand in front of her lap. "The retribution is yet to come!" Shuhua sneered. "Enough is enough," Shuying said. "Good deeds are rewarded with good deeds, and good deeds are yet to come! The Buddha even takes care of other people's lifelong affairs," Shuhua retaliated, and she was the first to laugh. Everyone laughed, only Shuying and Qin did not laugh.Qin pretended that she had never heard of it, and only focused on teasing Haichen.Shuying blushed a little, and wanted to pretend not to care, so she looked around.She suddenly noticed that Jueying was standing in the courtyard, pursing her lips against the eaves, "House", and shouting "House".Two cousins, Juequn and Jueshi, and his cousin Shufen were beside him, staring intently at something on the eaves.She felt even more uncomfortable, so she called out: "Fourth brother!" Jueying responded and raised her head to look at her.He still stood still and refused to move. "Fourth brother, what are you doing?" Shuying asked angrily. Jueying smiled, then pursed her lips and yelled "House" and "House". "He's calling pigeons. Second sister, it's useless for you to worry about him, he's not afraid of you," Juexin frowned when he saw Jueying ignore Shuying, and gently comforted Shuying. Suddenly there was a sound of flapping wings, and a white pigeon with black flowers on its back flew down from the eaves.It jumped up and down on the stone slabs in the courtyard.Jueying, Juequn and Jueshi immediately ran to catch it.Shu Fen stamped her feet and yelled one after another: "Quick! Quick!" The pigeons jumped and ran away.At this time, the sky was already dark, and the pigeon probably couldn't see the surrounding scenery clearly. It jumped a few times among the flower pots on both sides of the stone aisle, and was finally caught by Jueying. "I got it, I got it!" Jue Qun and Jue Shi shouted happily. "Fourth brother," Shuying couldn't help calling again solemnly. Jueying happily ran up the stone steps.Jue Qun, Jue Shi and Shu Fen followed behind him.Shufen kept yelling: "Fourth brother, show me." Jueying ignored her.He hurriedly called "Auntie" to Mrs. Zhou, and then called Qin.Then he showed Shuying the pigeon in his hand, and said triumphantly: "This horseshoe flower is a male, and it has red trachoma. I don't know where it came from. I finally caught it." Jueying held the pigeon with one hand, and the beautiful creature became docile in his hand without even struggling.Shuying turned her head in disgust, and said, "I don't want to look at it." But Shuzhen and Shuhua looked at the novelty little creature with great interest.Haichen also ran over to ask Jueying to show him the pigeon. "Fourth brother, let it go. Why do you have to catch it and lock it up when it is flying well?" Shuying said to Jueying unhappy. "That's not right. Such a good pigeon, who would be willing to let go!" Jueying replied stubbornly.He said to Juequn again: "Fifth brother, go and get me a pair of scissors, I want to cut off its wings." Juequn agreed, and ran into the aisle to the back. Bring back a pair of scissors. Jueying held the pigeon with her left hand, picked up the scissors with her right hand, and asked Juequn to open a wing, and then cut off the feathers, almost half of the wing.Then he went to cut another one. "What a crime!" Shuying closed her eyes and said disgustedly. After cutting the two wings, Jueying handed the scissors back to Juequn, then let go and threw the pigeon to the ground.The pigeon fluttered twice on the ground.Haichen hurriedly ran to catch it, and unexpectedly caught it.He was very happy, so he shouted, but the pigeon broke free again.The pigeon jumped down the stone steps.It wants to fly, but it can't fly.It just flutters and jumps.Jue Shi ran to catch it first, and then both Jue Ying and Jue Qun jumped down the stone steps to chase it.Jueying caught it in her hand at once. "Fourth dad! Fourth dad!" Haichen shouted happily when he saw Jueying catch the pigeon on the steps.He asked Jueying to bring the pigeons for him to play with.Jueying ignored him, but happily ran with the pigeon and jumped out of the turning door to go outside.Juequn and Jueshi also ran out.Shufen also ran outside. "Haier, come here, don't make trouble with your fourth father," Qin said, and pulled Hai Chen over, picked him up and sat on her lap. "It's very convenient for him to cut all the feathers and then go away," Shuhua complained.Shuying frowned, sighed, stood up apologetically, and said to herself, "I'll call Cuihuan to clean it." "Why call Cuihuan? Just call Qixia to clean it," Juexin said. interface said.Qixia was standing at the side door of the main room, leaning on the door frame to listen to their conversation, when she heard Juexin's words, she hurried into the upper room, took a dustpan and a broom, and swept the feathers off the ground. . "I really can't change my fourth temper," Mrs. Zhou shook her head and chatted to Shuying. "Second girl, your two siblings have very different temperaments. You work so hard, but he likes to play like that. Your father doesn't care about him, just let him go." He's never changed his bad temper," Shuying replied.Before she could finish her sentence, Juemin came out from the aisle, and he asked, "Which one are you talking about?" "Fourth brother," Juexin answered without hesitation.He glanced at Juemin and said in a low voice, "Have you seen it?" Juemin nodded, then went to Shuying and said, "Second sister, you are talking about fourth brother again. Why do you bother yourself? You get angry every time you talk about your fourth brother, so why bother?" "I think he might get better if he gets older," Qin comforted Shuying in Juemin's tone. "I know that too," Shuying replied in a low voice. "However, I often think that if I had a better younger brother, my situation might be better than it is now... and my seventh brother, although he is only four years old, is already naughty." She wanted to continue, but suddenly felt Uncomfortable, she seemed to see the depression slowly rising from the bottom of her heart, she was afraid that she would not be able to control it later, so she closed her mouth, buried her head and stopped talking. The night has come.Everyone couldn't see the expression on Shuying's face, but they heard her voice, but the only people who knew what was in that voice were Juemin and Qin.Juexin could only hear a little bit of loneliness and melancholy in his voice, which aroused his sympathy.He felt a slight pain in his heart.He is suppressing his sorrow.He couldn't think of words to comfort Shuying. Qin's heart was moved by sympathy. Although Haichen pestered her and asked her to tell a story, her heart was on Shuying.Not only did she sympathize with Shuying, but her own pain was also touched by Shuying's words.She couldn't help saying with emotion: "But I don't even have a younger brother like this. From this point of view, it's better for you." She said these words in a comforting tone. "Sister Qin, why are you sighing? Isn't the fourth brother your younger brother? We have many brothers, as long as you don't dislike them, they can all be regarded as your younger brother," Shuhua said jokingly.Qin understands what Shuhua means and doesn't make any distinctions.She pretended not to care and began to tell stories to Haichen. "Third sister, people are talking serious! You always like to joke!" Juemin couldn't hear her, so he said to Shuhua. "I didn't talk to you, don't want you to interrupt!" Shuhua pouted her mouth in anger, and said so.But with a smile on his face. Juemin didn't answer, just smiled at Shuhua, and went to listen to Qin's story.Shuhua also stopped talking.Qin slowly told a foreign fairy tale, a story about Sleeping Beauty, with a very clear voice. Not only Haichen's attention was completely attracted by her narration, but even Shuzhen was also listening attentively.This kind of story was completely novel in Hechen's mind, so he interrupted her with various questions from time to time while she was narrating. Zhou Shi and Juexin didn't listen to Qin's story, they were talking on the sidelines.They were talking about the Zhou family moving back to the provincial capital.The house has been rented, and the Zhou family is very satisfied after seeing it. Now they are asking someone to clean it there, and the Zhou family can move in when the time comes.They talked about various things about the Zhou family, and then they talked about Juexin's two cousins. "Miss Hui's marriage was arranged since she was a child. The husband's family is her father's colleague, or a matchmaker made by her boss. It was settled in a muddle at the time. It was only later that I found out that the young master is not very good-natured and has a bad temper. Both my grandmother and my aunt were unwilling, and wanted to call off the marriage. But my uncle refused to lose face. The man's family urged me several times, but my grandmother delayed it. I don't know why, but now I have to go to the provincial capital to do it. Happy event." Although Zhou was only speaking in a straightforward manner, there was a bit of dissatisfaction in his voice.Hui is the eldest, and the second is Yun, the daughter of Juexin's second aunt. "Cousin Hui is not very old, I remember she is only twenty years old this year," Juexin said in a flat voice, suppressing the emotional agitation in his heart. "Twenty years old is not too young. According to the man's family, Miss Hui should have married when she was sixteen years old. That young master seems to be only two years older than her," Zhou replied; she also sympathized with that She is a young girl, but her sympathy is short-lived. After she said these words, she would soon forget them, so she would not think that her words would deal a blow to Juexin.This is not only because Juexin cares about the girl, but mainly because Juexin has seen the tragedy he has played in his life in this matter.Knowing that another young man was forced to walk the same path he walked, it was as if he was being forced to relive that tragic tragedy.There was a sharp pain in his heart, like a sudden storm.He tried his best to endure, and after a while the pain disappeared again. Qin was still telling stories, and several young people were listening quietly, only Haichen still made some strange questions from time to time.Shuying was also listening to Qin telling stories, but then she noticed Zhou's conversation with Juexin, and finally concentrated on listening to them.But she was still listening secretly.She does not take part in their discussions.Their words made her think of other things, and she was pained too.She wanted to think about those things, but she couldn't.At this time, she couldn't bear it anymore, so she stood up and walked over gently, leaning against the bamboo chair Juexin was sitting on, and suddenly mustered up the courage to ask in a trembling voice: "Auntie, since Grandma Zhou is with you My aunt is not willing, so why didn't you call off the engagement? It won't hurt Cousin Hui for the rest of her life?" Juexin turned to look at her in surprise when she heard this question.The moon entered the black clouds, and the sky was very dark.But through the electric light from the main room and the upper room, he could see her pair of hyacinth eyes, which were watery, as if she was about to cry. Zhou raised her head and glanced at Shuying, but she didn't notice anything.She sighed slightly, and then replied: "Things in the world are arranged in this way. There are many unsatisfactory things. Everything depends on fate, and no one can blame anyone. It is inevitable to be a woman anyway. Most women Cousin Hui is not the only one who has experienced this kind of experience? Didn’t you see what happened to your cousin Mei? What can we do? I just hope that I will never be a woman again in the next life.” Zhou used such words to hide her own Slight sorrow sent away.She didn't expect what kind of impact her words would have on Shuying's heart.She couldn't even think of why Shuying asked her such words. Shuying came to ask her for help.However, this answer was like a fist hitting her on the forehead, her eyes darkened, and a hope was shattered.And it seems that more than one hope has been dashed. "I just hope that I will never be a woman again in the next life." These words rang repeatedly in her ears.It was terrible, a single word could have destroyed all her hopes.She hadn't heard such words before.This is so unfair.Why are women inferior to men?Why is life inevitable for being a woman?Should someone else arrange everything for her?Why does destiny specifically abuse women?She couldn't believe it, she couldn't believe fate.But what can she do?Isn't the fact clearly in front of you?However, she was not reconciled.She also wanted to find something to question Zhou.But her mind grew dull.She was momentarily speechless. "I don't agree with what Mom said. It can't be called fate." Although Juemin was listening to Qin's story, he also listened to a few words of the Zhou family's conversation intermittently.He heard Zhou's answer to Shuying.He knew that this sentence was a big blow to Shuying, so he turned to look at Shuying, and met Shuying's help-seeking, desperate eyes.There were tears in Shuying's eyes.His heart was touched by love and compassion.He couldn't help but started to contradict his stepmother with a smile.His main purpose is to comfort Shuying. "It's not a bad thing to be a woman. Men and women are the same. But the annoying thing is that most women suffer when they are young, and then force others to suffer, as if it's revenge. So there is nothing to do about it..." Zhou was not angry, she just smiled.After Juemin’s words came to an end, she slowed down and said calmly: “You are really stupefied with reading new books. Of course, I can’t talk to you about new principles. But women always talk about three obediences and four virtues. Everyone is like this. Say, if you do this, if you are unconventional alone, they will send you off. When you get older, you should understand a little bit more and know more about people and the world. It’s not revenge.” Juemin shook his head, feeling very dissatisfied. But there was still a smile on his face.He still wanted to refute his stepmother's words, but he was afraid of really arguing, so he couldn't control himself for a while, and said something that offended her.He stopped talking.Juexin looked at Juemin's face.But his eyes seemed to see nothing.No, he saw visions of the past.Each shadow drags a set of iron chains.A note was tied to each iron chain, which read: "Three obediences and four virtues." A woman's face, two women's faces swayed in front of his eyes.He hissed in pain. Qin's story wasn't finished yet, but she took advantage of Hai Chen's questioning to listen to the conversation of the Zhous.At this time, she suddenly turned her head and refuted Zhou in a loud and coquettish manner: "Auntie's words are also wrong. If no one is new, how can there be progress in the world?" "Miss Qin, I don't understand your new terms, I said But you, I'm an old fashioned person," Zhou didn't intend to argue with those who were younger than her, and she lacked the enthusiasm of young people, and she didn't enthusiastically support her own ideas, so she used a joke to change the topic. Branched out. "Old Antique? Mom, why are you Old Antique?" Shuhua burst out laughing when she heard her stepmother's words, and said loudly, making everyone laugh. "Old Antique? Which one is Old Antique," a crisp voice suddenly sounded, and it was Shuzhen's mother, Shen Shi.She carried a carved silver hookah and wore a short jacket with a wide brim.Juexin quickly stood up, called "Aunt Wu", and gave her the seat. "Mom said Mom is an old antique," Shuhua replied with a smile. "Fifth Aunt, do you believe it?" "Ah, where is your mother an antique? The old antique is obviously in Grandpa's room. You touch it, but it is worth a lot. In fact, let it stand there and ignore it. It's useless at all," Shen said solemnly as she sat down, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "I know what you're talking about!" Shuhua smiled triumphantly. "You said Chen—" "Third Sister," Juexin cast a reproachful look at Shuhua, and stopped her from speaking, and she closed her mouth. "That's right," Shen said indifferently and only complacently. "Miss San, you are so smart. It would be great if our Zhen'er was half as smart as you." She looked around and looked for Shuzhen when she said this.Shuzhen didn't dare to answer, and timidly leaned against Qin's side. "Fifth aunt's words are unfair, and fourth cousin is also very smart," Qin said righteously when she saw Shuzhen's shrinking look and felt pitiful. "Miss Qin, you don't know, our Zhen'er is fourteen years old this year, but he can't even play mahjong. Do you think she is stupid?" Shen said confidently.She blew on the paper twister and took several puffs of cigarettes.The firelight flickered on her face.The sound of water in the cigarette pipe rang regularly. Everyone was silent.Obviously, everyone didn't agree with her words, but it was inconvenient to refute her.Juemin was very dissatisfied, so he whistled softly alone.When Qin heard Shen's words, she felt sick for a while.But she tried to hold back.On the contrary, she loved Shuzhen even more.She secretly grabbed Shuzhen's trembling hand and held it tightly. "Mistress Qin, put another one, put another one," Haichen begged while pinching Qin's other hand. "I'll put it next time, one is enough for today," Qin let go of Shuzhen's hand, stretched out both hands to hug Haichen's shoulders, and said to him gently with her head down. "Not enough, not enough," Haichen shook his head and insisted. "Hai'er, don't quarrel with Miss Qin anymore. Miss Qin is too tired after talking a lot, let her rest for a while," Juexin stopped beside her. "Yes," Haichen replied.Afterwards, he held Qin's hand again and said, "Miss Qin, are you tired? Okay, take a break, and when you come back next time, you can put on another one for me, which will be longer." "Okay. You are so obedient, so be good , "Qin cupped Hai Chen's face when she was happy, and kissed him on the right cheek.Haichen was very happy when he received the compliment, so he said triumphantly: "Daddy says I'm good, and mother-in-law says I'm good too. I'm obedient, and I don't like to cry." Shuhua was the first to laugh, and she went on to say: "Hai'er, come to me. I'll make you a beautiful Dragon Gate Formation." Haichen turned his head, flattened his mouth and replied, "I don't want to listen to your Dragon Gate Formation. You can only play "Evil Dragon". "Xiong's Wife", I've listened to eighty times. It's still beautifully played by the piano lady. Everyone laughed.Juemin quickly praised with a smile: "Well said, well said." "Okay, you remember, next time you ask me to set up a dragon gate, I will tear your little mouth off," Shuhua scolded with a smile. At this time, Yuan Cheng from the eldest room came from outside and said to Mrs. Zhou: "Madam, my aunt sent someone to pick up Miss Qin." His slender body stood up straight. "Understood. Is it Zhang Sheng? Tell him to wait in the concierge for a while," Mrs. Zhou ordered without asking Qin what she meant. "Yes," Yuan Cheng replied respectfully with both hands hanging down. "Auntie, I'd better leave now," Qin said quickly, and she stood up. "Sister Qin," Shuzhen immediately grabbed Qin's arm and called softly with great attachment.Her hands trembled slightly, and her voice trembled slightly, as if Jean would take something precious from her with her. "Miss Qin, do you really want to go back? You live in our house, we play together, it's so fun. You set up a dragon gate for me every day, okay? Bring my aunt too," Haichen played the piano innocently. sleeve whispered. "Hai'er, what you said is really good. I will come back in two days after I go back. I have a lot of story books at home. I will bring a few next time. I will definitely set up a few more Longmen formations for you," Qin stroked Haier's short hair. hair, said affectionately. "It doesn't matter if you didn't bring the book, you don't want to go home by yourself, just ask Yuan Cheng to get it." Haichen still spoke innocently, making Qin couldn't help smiling. "That's all right, but I have school tomorrow morning," Jane replied. Haichen pondered for a moment, then said solemnly: "Going to school is a very good thing. Daddy said that good people should go to school. I want to be a good person when I grow up. Daddy taught me how to read every day. Daddy said, I'm good. My mother is also happy because I know how to read and obey well. My father said that my mother is in the sky. She can see me every day, but I cannot see her. I think the sky must be very interesting. My mother must be very happy. She must miss me too. I think I will see her one day. I have a lot to tell her." He pointed, with a serious expression on his face, as if he was narrating an important event.He was not at all pathetic, but his words brought back painful memories in many.Juexin smiled with satisfaction at first, but then wept secretly. "Your mother must like you very much, too," Qin barely managed to say, picked up Haichen, hugged him tightly, and remained silent for a while. Juexin stretched out his hand to wipe his eyes, and suddenly noticed that the middle-aged servant was still standing respectfully by the side, so he ordered: "Yuan Cheng, you go. Tell Zhang Sheng to wait a little longer in the porter's room. It's still early Very much." "Yes, young master," Yuan Cheng replied respectfully, then turned and left.After walking more than ten steps, he was called back by Mrs. Shen. "Yuan Cheng, there is the sound of huqin outside, it must be blind opera singers passing by the gate, hurry up and call them in!" Shen ordered. "Yes," Yuan Cheng replied respectfully, and strode outside. "Mistress Qin, don't leave, you want to sing an opera," Haichen said happily to Qin. Only then did everyone notice the faint sounds of huqin, sandalwood boards, and bells coming in from outside.Those musical instruments wept desolately, and their melodious crying wafted feebly in the air, which made this spring night also have a sad mood.Gradually the hearts of the people were drawn to these voices, as if they were taking them to a place, to their lost memories.Everyone listened blankly to these voices, each immersed in his own memories.Only Haichen is happy; Shuhua is excited; Shenshi is calm.But the sound outside suddenly stopped. "Miss Qin, you don't have to go, I invite you to listen to the blind man's opera, I won money playing cards today," Shen said happily. "Okay, thank you Fifth Aunt, I'll wait until I hear a couple of episodes before leaving," Qin said with a smile.As soon as she finished speaking, Jueying, Juequn, Jueshi, and Shufen ran in from outside.Jueying ran up the stone steps and asked Shuying and Shuhua, "Which one called the blind man to sing?" "Aunt Wu won money playing cards today," Shuhua replied casually.She then asked Jueying: "Aren't you reading night books today?" "Today, my husband has something to do, so I'm after school," Jueying replied proudly. "Fourth Dad, Fifth Granny invited Niangqin to listen to the opera," Hai Chen said beside him. Shuying saw nine-year-old Shufen running outside with her three older brothers, so she said to her, "Sixth sister, you still don't go back to the house? If you run around with fourth brother and the others, fourth aunt will scold you. ""It doesn't matter, mom won't scold me," Shufen replied with a smirk, she raised her head, a smug smile appeared on her little face.She walked up to Shuying's side, shook Shuying's arm and said, "Second sister, you have a really bad heart. You listened to the blind man singing and told me to go back to the house alone!" Shuying frowned and was about to answer.Mrs. He came out of the aisle wiggling her two silver carp feet, and called, "Young Master Sun, go to sleep." She walked up to Qin to hold Haichen's hand. Haichen glanced at Qin with nostalgia, twisted his body, flattened his mouth, and replied, "I don't want to sleep. I want to listen to an opera." "It's late now. If you don't sleep, you won't be able to get up tomorrow morning. Let's go." , go to sleep with me," Mrs. He insisted, but her voice was still gentle. "Mistress Qin, call her to sleep after a while. I don't want to sleep, I want to play with you," Hai Chen didn't answer Mrs. He's words, but raised his head and whispered to Qin. Qin looked at him in surprise and love, and was about to speak, but Juexin said first: "Hai'er, you go to sleep with Mrs. He obediently. You don't understand the drama. You have been pestering Madam Qin for a long time, Let her rest for a while. You are my darling, you have to listen to Daddy." Qin said quickly: "It doesn't matter, I like him very much. Let him play for a while." Her hand was still stroking the sea The shoulders and hair of the minister. "Daddy, I'm obedient, so I'll go to bed," Haichen took a look at Juexin and replied meekly. "Aren't you going to play for a while?" Qin asked pityingly. Hai Chen shook his head, and replied in a clear voice: "I'm not playing, I'm going to sleep." "You're so good, our Young Master Sun is really sensible," Mrs. He praised from the side.She said to him again: "Let's go. Please greet Niang Qin. "Ms. Qin," Hai Chen called out. He really squatted down to greet her, then stood up, and said to Qin, "You come two days later, bring two more storybooks. You call me earlier, and I will accompany you more." Let's play for a while." The courtyard suddenly became lively.The three blind men walked in through the turning door by lighting the road with bamboo poles.Behind them was a group of people, mostly nurses and maids from the mansion.Nurse Yang of the fourth bedroom is holding Shufang, Sister Ding is holding Juexian, and Nanny Yuan of the third bedroom is holding Jueren. "Go and pay respects to mother-in-law and fifth mother-in-law," Mrs. He instructed, holding Haichen's hand. Haichen followed Mrs. He to greet Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Chen, and greeted his father, then followed Mrs. He to the aisle.Two or three times he turned his head to look at the group surrounding the blind man. The blind men stood in the courtyard and waited for the master's order.They were talking in low voices. "Fifth Madam, the blind man is calling. Please tell Fifth Madam where to sing," Yuan Cheng walked up the stone steps and asked Shen respectfully with his hands down. "Sister-in-law, where would you like to sing?" Shen asked Zhou politely. "Under the old man's window, okay?" Zhou said. "Okay, you ask them to sing under the old man's window," Shen turned around and told Yuan Chengdao. "Yes," Yuan Cheng replied, and walked down the stone steps, leading the blind men to the window on the other side of the main room.There used to be a square table and two chairs there, but Shen's girl Chunlan went back to the room and brought a bench, and three blind men sat around the square table.The nannies and maids each brought a few benches and put them under the steps, and several people sat on a bench squeezed together.The courtyard seemed more lively.The four children Jueying, Juequn, Jueshi, and Shufen walked back and forth in the main room with laughter and yelling. The blind man sat down, took out the playbook and asked the master to order a play.Chunlan walked across the main room and handed the playbook to Shen. “给大太太看罢，请她先点。”沈氏一挥手，要春兰把戏折子交给周氏看。 “五弟妹，你点好了，我不会点，”周氏推辞道。 春兰把戏折子拿在手里望着沈氏微笑。沈氏便说：“那么，你拿给琴小姐点罢。”“我更不会点，还是五舅母点好，”琴连忙说。 “琴姑娘，你就点一折罢，”沈氏怂恿道。 琴没有办法，只得拿起折子翻了一下，她不知道应该点什么戏才好，便把折子递还给春兰，低声说：“我实在不会点，你还是拿给你们太太点罢。”她的话还没有说完，淑英忽然走过来，在她的耳边小声说：“琴姐，你就点《宝玉哭灵》。”琴惊讶地掉头看了淑英一眼，然后把戏名对春兰说了。春兰又穿过堂屋到那边窗下去告诉了瞎子。 于是胡琴声响起来，接着是檀板和碰铃的声音。先前一刻在那边人声嘈杂，一下子就静了下来。众人注意地倾听着，等待着。 贾宝玉到潇湘泪如雨洒，秋风冷苍苔湿满径黄花…… 一个男人的声音合着拍子悲哀地响起来。这声音是十分柔软的，它慢慢地穿过堂屋飘到左上房窗下，又慢慢地飘进每一个人的耳里，到了每个人的心坎，变成了绝望的哀泣。 那个中年的瞎子继续唱着，调子很简单，但是他似乎把感情放进了声音里面，愈唱下去，声音愈凄楚。好像那个中年人把他的痛苦也借着戏词发泄了出来。他的声音抖着，无可奈何地抖着，把整个空气也搅乱了。在这边没有一个人说话。众人都渐渐地沉落在过去的回忆里面，而且愈落愈深了。在戏里贾宝玉不断地哭诉着：兄爱你品行高温柔秀雅，兄爱你貌端庄美玉无瑕…… 他愈哭愈伤心，于是——贾宝玉只哭得肠断声哑，并不见林妹妹半句回答…… 觉新咳了一声嗽，站起来，沿着厢房走去。淑英从怀里摸出一方手帕去擦眼睛。这个动作被琴看见了。琴默默地望着淑英，心里也有些难过。她不想再听下去，但是声音却不肯放松，它反而更加响亮了。 觉新沿着厢房前面的石阶慢慢地踱着。他埋着头走，不知不觉地到了拐门口。忽然从外面飘进来一个黑影，把他吓了一跳。他听见一个熟习的声音在唤他“大哥”。他定了神看，原来是陈剑云。 陈剑云是高家的远房亲戚，觉新的平辈，所以习惯地跟着觉民们称觉新做大哥。他不过二十几岁，父母早死了，住在伯父家里，在中学毕业以后，因为无力升学，就做一点小事，挣一点薪水糊口。 “剑云，你好久没有来了，”觉新惊喜地说。“近来你的身体怎样？还好罢？”“还好，谢谢大哥问。不过近来兴致不大好。又怕你们忙，所以不敢到你们府上来打搅。”剑云谦虚地答道，他的黄瘦的脸上露出笑容，接着他又问道：“琴小姐在这儿吗？”“在这儿。五婶请我们听戏，你到上面去坐坐罢，她们都在那儿，”觉新温和地说，便邀剑云到左上房窗下去坐。 剑云迟疑了一下，连忙说：“我就在这儿站站也好。你到上面去坐罢，不要管我。”他不等觉新答话，忽然低声问道：“这折戏是哪个点的？”他皱了皱眉头，仿佛想起了什么不如意的事情。 “琴妹点的，”觉新顺口答道，他并不去思索剑云为什么要问这句话。 剑云听见琴的名字就不作声了。他痴痴地望着周氏的窗下。月亮从云堆里露出来，天井里比先前亮一点。他看见了坐在那里的几个人的轮廓。他知道那个斜着身子坐在竹椅上面的女郎就是琴。琴的面貌和身材长留在他的脑子里面。他决不会看见她而不认识。琴的面貌在他的眼里不住地扩大起来。他的心跳得厉害。他的脸也发烧了。他为一种感情苦恼着，不知道应该怎样做才好。他有些后悔不该到这个地方来了。 觉新不明白剑云的心理，但是他知道剑云的性情古怪，而且境遇不好。他有点怜悯剑云，就带了关切的声音说：“我们到上面去坐罢，你吃杯茶也好。”“嗯，”剑云含糊地答道，他的耳边还荡漾着那个唱紫鹃的瞎子的假装的女音。过后他忽然猛省地掉头去看觉新，一面说：“好。这折戏就要完了，等唱完了再去，免得打岔她们。”“那也好，”觉新说了这三个字，就不再作声了。 “大哥，我托你一件事情，”剑云沉吟了半晌，忽然吞吞吐吐地对觉新说。 觉新惊讶地掉过头来看剑云，朦胧的月光使他隐约地看见了剑云脸上的表情。这张黄瘦脸依旧是憔悴的，不过似乎比从前好一点。眼神倒很好，但是从两只眼睛里射出来求助的痛苦的光。他知道剑云一定遇到了什么不如意的事情。 “什么事？”觉新同情地问道，他希望不会有重大的事故。 “我的饭碗敲破了，”剑云短短地答道，声音里充满了苦恼。 “啊，”觉新知道剑云以前在王家做家庭教师，因为生肺病辞职，后来身体养好一点，就到一家报馆做事，还不到三个月，现在又失业了。觉新也替剑云着急，便安慰道：“这不要紧，另外想法子就是了。”“所以我来请你给我留意一下。有什么管理员、家庭教师、报馆里的事情，不论钱多少，我都愿意干，只要有碗饭吃就行了，”剑云听见觉新的话便鼓起勇气接下去说。 “好，你放心，我一定给你想个办法，”觉新听见这番话，很感动，便不假思索，很有把握似地一口答应下来。 “那真该千恩万谢了，”剑云感激地看了觉新一眼，低声答道。 戏突然完结了。众人的心马上松弛了许多。接着来的不是宁静，却是一阵喧闹。觉新趁这时候把剑云拉到左上房窗下，跟众人见了礼。觉新把椅子让给剑云坐，他死活不肯。绮霞从屋里端了一个春凳出来，他才坐下了。 瞎子又传话过来请点戏。沈氏这次让剑云点，剑云不肯。后来还是沈氏自己点了一折《瞎子算命》。这是一折开玩笑的戏，公馆里有不少的人听过它。所以戏名说出来的时候，从觉英起，许多人都快活地笑了。 这折戏里唱词不多，大半是对话，而且是带了一点性的谐谑味的。但是奶妈、女佣们却时时满意地在那边哄然大笑了。杨奶妈、喜儿和陈姨太用的钱嫂三个人的笑声特别响，特别尖。拐门口也站了几个人：仆人苏福、袁成、文德和觉新的轿夫老王等都进来听《瞎子算命》。 外面，在街上，锣声突然响起来，是二更时分了。金属的声音压倒了那个瞎子装出的小家妇女的娇语。琴讨厌这折戏，正苦于没法躲过，就以锣声为借口对周氏们说出了要走的话。 周氏还没有答话，淑英姊妹听见琴说要回去，心里有些难受，便极力挽留她，纵使能够多留住琴一刻，她们也高兴。她们怕的是琴去了以后她们就会落回到单调寂寞的生活里去。然而她们三姊妹这时的感觉也并不是完全相同的：淑英在琴的身上找到一个了解她而又能安慰她、鼓舞她的人，琴一走，虽然是极短期间的分别，也会使她感到空虚，感到惆怅的；淑华因为琴的来得到快乐，她觉得大家在一起游玩闲谈，很有趣味而又热闹，琴走了以后她又得过较冷清、寂寞的日子，所以她觉得留恋；至于淑贞，这个懦弱的女孩没有得到父母的宠爱，而琴很关心她，爱护她，琴是她的唯一的支持和庇荫，跟琴分别自然会使她充满恐惧的思想。 琴因为要预备第二天的功课，坚持着要早些回家去，便对她们说了一些解释的话。淑华还缠住她不肯放她走，觉民知道琴的心思，却出来给琴解围，他说：“三妹，你就让她早点回走罢，横竖她下个星期还要来。现在打过二更了。她回家去还要预备功课。”“三妹，听见没有？二哥说话多么有道理！”淑英在旁带了醋意地对淑华说。 “不行，二哥说话也不算数，”淑华昂起头得意洋洋地答道。 在对面，《瞎子算命》也唱完了，沈氏的注意力松弛了许多，她才来听淑华姊妹讲话。周氏躺在藤椅上面不作声，她似乎睡着了。其实她却在听她们讲话。剑云坐在阴暗的角落里，怀着颤抖的心听进了琴说的每一个字。He is very excited.虽然没有人注意他，而且不会有人看见他的脸，但是他的脸烧得厉害，连耳根也通红了。他一面还断续地在想一些梦一般的事情。 “三妹，不要争了，就让琴姐早些回去罢。横竖她今晚上要回去的。本来天下没有不散的筵席，”觉新忽然彻悟似地对淑华说，他也感到一种无可奈何的寂寞心情。 淑华不再作声了。绮霞还站在旁边等候周氏吩咐。周氏便说：“绮霞，你还不去喊张升给琴小姐提轿子？”绮霞答应一声，连忙走了。这时瞎子又传话过来请点戏，沈氏要周氏点，周氏随便点了一折《唐明皇九华宫惊梦》。 琴听见戏名略略皱一下眉头，便站起来向众人告辞，说是要到大厅去上轿。周氏却阻止她，要她等着轿子提进来，在里面天井里上轿。琴后来答应了。觉民从怀里取出一卷稿纸趁众人阴暗中不注意的时候偷偷地递给琴。琴明白这是先前说过的她的三表弟觉慧从上海寄来的文章，便接过来揣在怀里。 中门开了，两个轿夫提了一乘轿子进来，张升打一个灯笼跟在后面。轿子放在天井里石板过道上，张升打起轿帘等着琴上轿。淑英三姊妹陪着琴走下石阶。琴走进轿子，张升挂起下轿帘，又把上轿帘也放了下来。轿夫们抬起轿子，但是琴还揭起上轿帘伸出头来看她们。 胡琴声吵闹似地响了起来。一个须生的响亮的嗓子唱着《惊梦》的第一句：贤妃子比从前玉容稍减。 “完了，这一天又过去了，”淑英望着轿子出了中门，不觉叹一口气，低声自语道。