Chapter 24 twenty four

It was around four o'clock in the afternoon when Juexin arrived at Zhou's house from the company.Loh and her husband have already arrived here.They played cards in the left wing.They played "five pumping hearts", and it was Zhou's turn to "dream".The rest are Mrs. Zhou, Young Master Zheng's Aunt, Hui and Hui's aunt Xu.Hui's mother, Mrs. Chen, was watching the cards.Master Mei is also here to accompany the guests.Only Yun avoided her brother-in-law according to the rules, and was locked in the room alone and could not come out to meet guests.Juexin bowed to everyone one by one.Mrs. Xu wanted Juexin to sit down and play cards, but Juexin refused. While he was refusing, Hui suddenly left the table and begged Juexin, "Big cousin, I'll let you play. I'm going to see my second sister. I'm not in a good mood today, and I feel a little dizzy after sitting for a long time." Juexin looked at Hui with concern: Hui's face had a tired look, and her eyes were not as bright as before.He also heard her dry cough.His heart suddenly beat violently.He wanted to say a few words, but when he saw her husband sitting beside him silently, showing no sign of concern, not even looking at her, he swallowed the words.He thought there was such a husband in the world.But he politely complied with Loh's wishes and sat down on the stool that Loh had sat on.While drawing cards, he secretly listened to Loh's footsteps.

Although Juexin was playing cards, he was thinking about other things.He often dealt the wrong cards, which made Zhou Shi, who was watching the cards next to him, regretfully say, "How do you play this one? Which one should you play. I think your playing style today is a bit wrong." Juexin didn't make a sound, Still playing "absent-mindedly".His card style was originally bad, and it became worse in this way.Zheng Guoguang (Hui's husband), who was sitting next to him, complained from time to time because he couldn't get Juexin's cards.Juexin felt that it was not interesting, so he barely finished the five rounds.He calculated that he lost only eight yuan and a few dimes, so he stood up and thought about not playing.

But Hui hadn't come back yet, and the crowd refused to let him rest, forcing him to sit down and fight again. Juexin played two cards, and Hui came.She stood beside Juexin, watching him deal the cards.Juexin knew that Hui was beside her.Handle the cards a little more carefully.This time, Juexin was in the village, and Guoguang sat across from him.He did a "triple turn" and waited for "West Wind" to draw, but Juexin withdrew a card from "West Wind" and refused to play.Later, the Zhou family reconciled.Juexin downed his cards.Guoguang was very upset when he saw the solitary "West Wind". He snorted and said to himself angrily, "It really doesn't make sense. Why not play a solitary West Wind? I haven't seen this kind of play." " Mrs. Zhou stared at Guoguang in astonishment.Juexin frowned slightly, and his face began to turn red.But he still pretended that he hadn't heard it while shuffling the cards and talking to Mrs. Zhou.

When Hui heard her husband's words, she immediately changed her face.She bowed her head for a moment.She held her head up again with a smile on her face.It was a forced smile.She said to Juexin with a smile: "Big cousin, I'll play two cards for you." Juexin didn't expect her to say such a thing.But he understood her at once.He quickly stood up and told Hui to say, "Okay, I'm not feeling lucky, so please hit me." Hui sat down.Juexin stood beside her.She often turned around to seek Juexin's opinion when dealing the cards.Juexin always nodded and said "yes", and occasionally expressed different opinions.

They played three cards thus.Guoguang complained more and more.Juexin always felt that Guoguang's eyes were hovering over Tonghui's face.Once he raised his head to look at Guoguang, and met the eyes of that man.He felt a jealous fire burning in his face.He couldn't bear it, so he left Hui with an excuse and walked out of the left wing. The room was a bit stuffy, but the air outside was refreshing.There is a wide stone road in the middle of the patio, and two sycamore trees grow on the land on both sides, which somewhat shade the side rooms from the sun.The sound of cicadas came down from the trees, and the little creatures called intermittently.Standing on the steps, Juexin felt very empty in his heart.The sound of playing cards in the room and the cicadas on the tree were sent to his ears noisily, adding to his boredom.He stood for a moment.Guoguang suddenly let out a strange cry in the room, as if someone had won a big card.Then there was a slight cough from Loh.Juexin could no longer hear those voices.He then walked to the left upper room, he wanted to find someone to talk to.He thought of Yun, he was going to see her.

Mrs. Yang stood at the door of the upper left room.She was about to come out, when she saw Juexin, she called out, "Eldest Young Master." "Is Second Miss in there?" Juexin asked casually. "It's inside. I'll report to the young master," Aunt Yang said flatteringly. "Okay, sorry for you," Juexin thanked. Aunt Yang took two steps and then stopped. She remembered something and came back to report to Juexin in a low voice: "Young Master, let me tell you, Missy has congratulations." This is good news.However, the faces of those who spoke and obeyed were not happy.

Juexin seemed to hear something unpleasant, frowned and lowered his face, and asked in a low voice: "Then the young master should treat the eldest lady better?" "Better? They are so mean, how can they do kind things." Aunt Yang flattened her mouth and cursed contemptuously. "They just need to stop torturing the eldest lady. But those two old things have a lot of tricks, one kind of rule today, another rule tomorrow.Uncle and young master only know how to play temper and put on airs.There were guests at home yesterday, and the eldest lady was not feeling well, so she didn't go to the kitchen to cook.Later, the old lady in-laws gossiped, and the aunt and young master lost their temper at night, broke a teacup, and made the young lady cry a lot, "" Have you ever told the old ladies about these things?You'd better not tell them, lest they feel sad," Juexin asked worriedly without thinking deeply.

"I've already told my wife," Aunt Yang said angrily. "I also know that the wives and the others have nothing to do. But if I keep these things from the wives and the others, in case the eldest lady has troubles in the future, how can I feel sorry for the wives and the others?" Aunt Yang said later, her eyes were red, and she didn't wait. Juexin opened his mouth and went to Yun's room. "There are three advantages and two disadvantages," these words struck Juexin's forehead like a hammer.Juexin stood in the room in a daze, and after a long while, he said in a refuting manner: "No. At least in the future when the young master is born, the eldest lady will be able to live a good life." It's very empty.He looked around in shock, only to realize that he was talking to this empty room, and Mrs. Yang was no longer here.

When Yun heard that Juexin came to see her, she was very happy, and before Juexin could go in, she came out to greet her.Juexin followed Yun into her room.Yun asked him to sit down, handed him a round fan, and asked, "Big cousin, aren't you playing cards? Did you lose, did you win?" Hit," Juexin replied politely holding a round fan. "It's a pity that I can't go out, otherwise I will win money if I play for you. Didn't I win once that day?" Yun said with a smile, her eyes looked at Juexin innocently, and there was a clear smile on her face. For dimples.

"Cousin Yun, it's boring for you to be locked in the house by yourself. It would be nice if your brother-in-law didn't come," Juexin said casually. "It's disgusting. It used to be fine. Now when my sister comes, he always has to follow her. When she comes, she refuses to leave. If she stays for one more day, he will send someone to pick her up very early. Big cousin, look at this What else can you think about such a person?" Yun suppressed her smile, pursed her lips, and said angrily. Juexin thought for a while, and then said: "It's best to invite cousin Hui to our house to play. You go too. We don't invite the cousin-in-law, let's see how he comes?" Yun immediately answered with a smile: "This method is very good. Good." But then she frowned again and said in disappointment, "He won't let my sister go." "Then there is no other way," Juexin said disappointedly.

"Actually, my sister is too cowardly. My sister was not sold to the Zheng family. It is common for her to leave the house to see relatives. You have to listen to him." Yun said angrily. "Cousin Yun, have you paid attention? Your sister is very haggard recently, and she often coughs dryly, as if she is sick," Juexin suddenly asked in a low voice with a serious expression. "Big cousin, are you saying that my sister has lung disease?" Yun asked in horror. "Maybe not. But she should be happy on weekdays. State of mind is very important," Juexin replied worriedly. "How can my sister be happy in their family? As long as I don't get mad at them, it's God's blessing. I know how my sister is feeling." "But we have to find a way. If there is no lung disease now, it will not be guaranteed in the future." No. She should have a good life. Cousin Yun, it would be good for you to persuade her more." "Oh, what good is it to just persuade people with empty words? If I were in the situation like my sister, it would be very difficult for me to force her." For laughter. Besides, my sister is naturally sentimental." Hui's voice suddenly sounded at the door of the room.She walked in and asked, "What are you talking about me?" "We didn't talk about you," Juexin quickly denied.He asked again: "Cousin Hui, you haven't played cards anymore?" "I can't hear his babbling, I'll leave it to my mother to play," Hui buried her head and hesitated for a while before replying in a low voice. "Sister, I think you're a little tired too, it's good to rest for a while," Yun knew that Hui was troubled, so she comforted her affectionately. "I was talking about you with my eldest cousin. My eldest cousin called me to advise you to have a good life..." Hui smiled bitterly, looked at Juexin affectionately, and said gratefully: "Thank you, eldest cousin, for your concern. Afterwards, she lowered her head and said, "Big cousin, please don't mind what he said just now. He is that kind of person, so naturally big cousin won't be as knowledgeable as him." Juexin smiled slightly, but it couldn't hide his painful expression.He said, "Cousin Hui, why are you being polite to me? Do you think I would be angry about such a small thing?" "I know it too, but I hate even hearing that kind of talk," said Hui suddenly sobbing. . "Sister, don't be like this. You are so sad now, how will you live in the future?" Yun persuaded lovingly.She stood up and walked to Hui's side, took out a handkerchief and wiped Hui's tears. "Second sister, how dare I think about the future? There are many things I dare not say in front of my mother-in-law and mother, for fear that they will make them sad if they hear it," Hui said in a sad voice, holding back her tears. "When I came back two or three times, I always tried to look happy in front of them. But he just wanted to say that kind of thing, and make that kind of annoying look, so that people can't bear it. I hope he just offended his eldest cousin. Fortunately, the big cousin doesn't care about it. If it were someone like him, he would be angry." "Cousin Hui, why mention this kind of thing?" Juexin forced a calm voice to interrupt. "I have a serious matter to discuss with you. Second sister, third sister, and sister Qin, they want me to be their representative. Please come to our house someday to play. Since you left the cabinet, you have only been to our house once. , I still went with your aunt and young master. They didn’t have a chance to talk to you much, and they missed you very much.” Hui’s eyes suddenly lit up.She asked softly: "How are the second cousins? Thank you for remembering me. They are all well. Thinking of them, I feel like I am dreaming. I will definitely go. But..." She frowned and stopped After a while, he went on to say: "But it depends on when he is happy to let me go. Otherwise, I'm really afraid if he loses his temper." "Second sister, sister Qin, they are all good," Jue Xin said just now, and Yun Just spoke. "You are the one invited, not my brother-in-law. What are you doing waiting for him to be happy?" Yun interjected angrily: She had already sat down on a spring bench beside Hui. "Oh, Second Sister, you don't know that he is the kind of weird person that is rare in the world." Hui sighed and complained. "But he's better than my two parents-in-law. They have more tricks.There is one kind of rule in the east, and another kind of rule in the west. It seems that there are mountains of knives everywhere, making it difficult for me to move an inch.They don't hire a good cook at home, and they always ask me to cook when guests come.My mother-in-law used to do it.She said that after picking up a daughter-in-law, it should be done by the daughter-in-law, and now she should enjoy the blessings..." She shook her head and said with a choked voice: "I said not to say it, and now I say this again.There is no end to the words.Just forget about me, a miserable person.I really—" At this moment, Mrs. Yang came into the room suddenly. She didn't hear what Hui said clearly, and she didn't notice the expression on Hui's face. She lifted the curtain and said loudly in a hurry: "Miss, young master shouted You go right away. "When Hui heard this, she stopped in the middle. She didn't stand up, but silently wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "Sister-in-law Yang, what's the matter?" Yun raised her head and asked quietly. "What's the matter? He was upset after losing the money, and deliberately tormented people. If the eldest lady didn't go, he might lose his temper in front of many people. The eldest lady doesn't know which life's injustice it took to encounter such a monster " Mrs. Yang cursed through gritted teeth.Suddenly she noticed that Hui was wiping away her tears, she hurried to Hui's side, and asked in surprise, "Miss, what are you sad about?" "I'm not sad," said Hui, shaking her head as she removed her handkerchief. Aunt Yang didn't believe it and looked at Hui in surprise.But Yun said from the side: "Sister-in-law Yang, you can go with the eldest lady well." She pouted her lips at Yang's sister-in-law, and leaned down to whisper in Hui's ear, "Sister, come back after you go, we are here Waiting for you." Hui sighed, stood up, and followed Aunt Yang silently. Yun and Juexin watched with grief as Hui's back disappeared outside the threshold.There were only the two of them in the room.They stared at the door curtain idly, and after a while, Yun suddenly said regretfully, "I only regret that I am not a man." Yun only said this simple sentence.But Juexin already understood what she meant.But he thinks more.He thought Yun was mocking him.He thought: Am I not a man?What else can I do but watch her suffer with my hands tied? He began to hate himself and feel ashamed of himself.He no longer dared to look Yun in the eye, for fear of meeting reproachful eyes.In fact, Yun didn't have the slightest intention to blame him or ridicule him. After a while, Juexin strikes up a conversation as if shirking responsibility, "Does Uncle know about Cousin Hui?" "I know," Yun replied with a nod. "It's really annoying to say that my aunt has quarreled with my uncle twice because of my sister's affairs. The uncle always protects her brother-in-law, saying that when my sister marries the Zheng family as a daughter-in-law, of course she must follow the rules of the Zheng family. Naturally, a daughter-in-law must obey Weng My aunt's words, obeying my aunt's and young master's words, and being wronged is justified. The aunt complained that the uncle has no father-daughter relationship, which is true. My sister didn't see the uncle several times when she came back. On the contrary, the brother-in-law came to see him a few times The uncle asked my brother-in-law to write an essay. The brother-in-law sent the composition. The uncle was very proud of it and praised him full of praise. He said that the brother-in-law is a genius. The uncle and his wife are very close. They are doing something about the Confucian Church recently things..." "Fathers are all the same," Juexin said angrily.He didn't want to say this, but he said it unintentionally. It turned out that he was still thinking about Shuying.It was as if the two fathers had been cast from the same mold in their treatment of their daughters.After Juexin said this, he suddenly thought that Yun might not understand what he meant, so he added: "I think uncle will understand one day." "But it's too late," Yun said with a little horror say. On this day Zhou Botao rushed home to have lunch.Loh greeted her father affectionately.He was rather indifferent to her.He had a lot of conversations with Guoguang.Guoguang respectfully nodded his big and square head and answered.Guoguang always spoke according to Bo Tao's tone, saying "Dad" when he opened his mouth, and "Dad" when he closed his mouth, and the word "yes" was even more endless, which made Bo Tao very satisfied.Twice at the banquet, he praised his son-in-law while glaring at his wooden chicken-like son.He majestically said to Young Master Mei: "Did you hear that? It would be great if you could learn half of your brother-in-law." Young Master Mei was so frightened that he just bowed his head and answered yes. Hui sat next to Mrs. Zhou.Aunt Yang waved a fan to them from behind.Sitting on the other side was Guoguang.A newly bought maid, Cuifeng, stands behind him and Bo Tao, playing fans.Hui lowered her head and moved her chopsticks slowly. She didn't pick up the vegetables, but Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Chen brought them to her.She barely ate half a bowl of rice and put down the bowl.The old ladies of Zhou advised her to eat more with concern.But Bo Tao didn't seem to see Hui, he just talked to Guoguang.He was very eloquent, and after the banquet, he invited Guoguang and Juexin to his study opposite.He constantly praised Guoguang's literary talent to Juexin.From the drawer of his desk, he took out Guoguang's article on red grid paper, and handed it to Juexin to read.Juexin took the article, and saw that the title was: "On the Discipline of the Common People and the Punishment of the Doctor", and he frowned unconsciously.Guoguang wrote three or four thousand words eloquently under this topic.Juexin read it "absent-mindedly", and when he finished, he quickly praised it.In fact, he didn't know what was said in the article. After lunch, Guoguang originally planned to sit for a while and then go home. Later, when he heard that others praised his article, he was very happy, so he sat for a while before leaving.When he walked out of the study, he begged Bo Tao to give him a new composition topic. Juexin compares with Guoguang and his wife and leaves.He saw them get into the sedan chair.Still standing in the hall for a while.He thought he was in a dream.Everything is emptiness.He suddenly remembered one thing: Bo Tao said a total of five sentences to Hui today.This number is not wrong, he wrote it down after careful observation.He smiled miserably. He fell back from his dream to reality again.