The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Since the refugees moved into the city in batches, the atmosphere in the streets and alleys has been obviously more lively than in previous years.

When Chen Heng arrived at the entrance of the academy, outside the white walls extending to both sides, there were vendors pushing modified trucks. Most of them sell gadgets, ranging from daily necessities for adults to toys for children. It can be regarded as a mobile convenience store.

As long as you ask, even if they can't get the goods right away, they can find it for you the next day.

In addition to these vendors, the more popular ones are the snack vendors. Of course, you can also call them a food stall.

These professions have existed since ancient times, but the products sold and the cooking techniques may be different.

At the food stall, there are even more things for sale. What kind of soup noodles, sesame cakes, bean curd stalls, wontons, rice cakes and so on. There was even an old farmer who came over with two baskets of potatoes to sell.

This thing first appeared during the Perpetual Calendar of the Ming Dynasty, but no attention was paid to it at that time, and there was no record of large-scale cultivation in the Ming Dynasty.

It was not until the establishment of the Yong Dynasty that people from the north began to plant potatoes, and potatoes were slowly accepted by the world.

However, the fact that Yangzhou people like to eat it must be attributed to the Shanxi people.

As mentioned before, Jin people and Hui people are the two main forces of Yangzhou salt merchants. Among them, Jin people particularly like potatoes and often call them yam eggs.

Common people in any dynasty cannot avoid chasing and imitating the rich. Over time, even Yangzhou people with light and elegant tastes gradually accepted this humble food and modified and upgraded its cooking methods.

After all, it is the people in Yangzhou city, with so many people traveling from north to south, that create the city's special food taste.

Seeing these people firmly occupying both sides of the street, a constant stream of shouts came to my ears. Not only did Chen Heng not find it noisy, but the more he watched it, the more he liked it.

Especially when people coming out of the academy gather around the stall and look around. He couldn't help but stop, ready to see what these people would buy.

Chen Lang? Is it Chen Xiaolang?

Suddenly I heard someone calling me. He subconsciously turned his head and saw an old woman who had just stepped out of the door without even walking down the steps, waving and smiling at him.

Aunt Shui. Chen Heng immediately remembered the other person's name. She was so impressed because she was one of the few people who managed to escape to Yangzhou with her grandson on her own.

In addition, Aunt Shui was really quite old. After Chen Heng knew this, he gave their family a lot of care in private, and this was how they formed a bond.

The old woman quickly came to the scholar and asked with a smile: Are you worried? Why don't you come to see us?

I just dropped by to see if Aunt Shui still has the habit of living in the academy? Chen Heng also answered with a smile.

Everything is fine, everything is fine. The people inside are all friendly and approachable, the mountain chief's wife has no airs, and the girls in your academy are also very sensible.

Aunt Shui looks old, but in fact she is not even fifty. Just because her husband, son and daughter-in-law passed away early. She had to take care of the farm work and take care of her grandson alone, which made her grow old all her life. She looked even older than Mr. Xie.

Look, I'm right. Chen Heng smiled and spread his hands. When he persuaded Aunt Shui to come to the city, she was worried that her family would be squeezed out and was very hesitant.

You scholars are still capable. Aunt Shui nodded with a smile. With this piece of tile shelter, she doesn't have to worry about her little grandson this winter.

The two chatted for a few more words. Chen Heng asked about the current situation in the academy from the other party, then took the initiative to say goodbye and walked towards the academy.

After saying hello to Uncle Wang for a long time and walking around the screen wall, Chen Heng walked into the academy and saw the difference today.

In the originally spacious courtyard, there were many desks placed in the middle, with a bunch of children sitting in front of the desks. In front of them, Jia Yucun was holding a book and walking among the children, taking the lead in reading a sentence from time to time.

Jia Yucun noticed that his students had returned. Although he looked a little surprised, he still nodded to Chen Heng and waved his hand at him to signal him not to disturb the children in class.

Chen Heng nodded quickly with a smile, and took Xinda around to the nearby corridor.

Chen Qing told him that Daiyu and the others would stay in the lecture hall during the day so that the refugees could come and ask questions.

But from the school to the lecture hall, you have to take an 'L' shaped path. The turning point between the two is the dormitory where students usually live.

Chen Heng knew that there were already refugees living here temporarily, so he didn't take a second look and just walked faster towards the lecture hall.

He was walking in such a hurry that he didn't see a pair of eyes behind him, staring curiously at his back.

Approaching the door of the lecture hall, Chen Heng knocked on the ajar door with his hand, and then said: Excuse me, is the Lin family sister here?

There was a burst of chuckles outside the door, and I didn't know what was being muttered, and then another voice came.

Sister Lin is here. Who is the visitor?

Chen Heng was stunned. He probably didn't expect this to happen. He hesitated and said, I am her brother.

Which brother is it from?

Chen Heng finally figured out that it was Wei Qijun and Wei Shu who were taking the opportunity to cause mischief.

They had gathered at Sister Lin's house before and enjoyed the glasses brought by the foreigners. Chen Heng could easily recognize their voices.

He was about to answer when a hand suddenly stretched out from behind and patted his shoulder.

Chen Heng was startled. When he turned around, he saw a smiling face that he had seen several times.

Chen Heng, it's really you.

Miss Zhen stood pretty on the spot, breathing slightly calmly. She just took a few more glances at the back and confirmed that the person in front was Chen Heng.

She couldn't explain why, but after Miss Zhen recognized him, she subconsciously stepped forward to catch up with him. By the time she reacted, her hand had already been patted on the other person's shoulder.

When he saw the other party turning around, he felt a flash of surprise. Miss Zhen slightly concealed the disappointment in her heart and only smiled and said hello, showing her grace and grace.

It was at this time that Lin Daiyu saw that Chen Heng did not reply, thinking that the jokes of the two Wei sisters had offended her brother. He also hurriedly ran through the house and opened the ajar door with both hands.

Brother, don't be angry, Sister Wei... Lin Daiyu's voice became softer and softer as she spoke, and she subconsciously stopped.

She saw Chen Heng and Miss Zhen.

In this short moment, Chen Heng turned his head back and forth twice. He was also curious as to why the two of them were silent.

Here, Daiyu is her younger sister after all. Chen Heng didn't think too much about it and first saluted the outsider, Miss Zhen, and said, It's been a long time since I last saw you, Miss Zhen.

He thought for a moment, and introduced with a happy heart: This is my sister, Daiyu.

The two girls nodded to each other, as if they felt a little awkward and unfamiliar again. Sister Lin took the initiative and said, Hello, Miss Zhen, I didn't expect that your brother and I are actually acquaintances.

Yes. Miss Zhen responded softly. After thinking for a long time, she finally thought of the words to reply and explained: He saved my life.

As soon as he said this, not only Lin Daiyu, but also Wei's aunt and nephew and Bao Qin who came later to apologize, all looked at Chen Heng.

Suddenly receiving this look, Chen Heng felt uncomfortable all over, as if he was being pricked by needles. He quickly waved his hands and smiled bitterly, saying with a slight guilt, It's not that exaggerated, it's just a coincidence, a coincidence.

Oh. Lin Daiyu nodded, hiding her curiosity in her heart, and a brighter smile appeared on her face, Brother came to see my sister, what's the matter?

Chen Heng was stunned, wasn't it a letter you wrote to me? ? ?

Perhaps it was triggered by the sense of crisis in his heart. He saw that something was wrong with the atmosphere around him, and Chen Qing was winking at him frequently from a distance. When his words came to his lips, he said, I really have something important to come to you.

Since brother is here in such a hurry, there must be something important. Lin Daiyu stepped out of the door lightly, stood beside Chen Heng, and smiled at the latter, I wonder if brother has decided on a place to discuss the matter?

Uh, let's go to the back. Chen Heng apologized and bowed his hands towards Miss Zhen, Bao Qin and others, and took the initiative to lead Daiyu and Xueyan towards the Tiren Hall.

It's interesting to say that the two of them hung countless paper cranes under the peach tree. It was the first time they walked side by side here like today.

During this short journey, Lin Daiyu didn't take the initiative to speak. Chen Heng saw that she was in a bad mood, so he took the initiative and said, Sister, what's wrong with you?

I don't know either. Lin Daiyu felt a little warm in her heart when she heard her brother's concern. It's just that her thoughts are a little confused at the moment. She really doesn't want Chen Heng to see the clues, so she hides her mood in a panic, Maybe things are not going well recently.

Chen Heng thought that Daiyu was still because of Jia's affairs. He thought about it and comforted him: Auntie also cares about you. However, after all, auntie is not you, so it is normal not to understand your thoughts.

Then what does brother think my sister should do? Lin Daiyu said absentmindedly. She sometimes looked down at the gap in the bluestone slab, and sometimes turned her head to look at Chen Heng beside her and the peach tree in the distance.

The weather is really nice today, the sun is warm and cloudless. The blue sky is so big, it seems like it can hold all my worries.

Just do what you want. Chen Heng shrugged.

Maybe he had seen too much in his previous life, and he was very open-minded about this kind of thing. It would be a bit shocking to just teach my younger sister the tricks of later generations.

He thought for a while and said tactfully: As long as you don't do bad things, you might as well follow your own ideas first. There must be a road before the car reaches the mountain, not to mention my uncle is with me.

Hearing the next sentence, Lin Daiyu's mood was obviously much improved. She wore a bright-colored dress today. When she was in a good mood, the butterflies embroidered on the dress seemed to be about to fly.

But they didn't let me do anything. She complained very aggrievedly. She was too embarrassed to complain to her father about this matter, so she could only write to Chen Heng secretly.

Haha. Chen Heng chuckled and said, Then let's change our mind. Do you want to be a little record-keeper?

Recorder? Lin Daiyu blinked, a little curious about this word.

Yes, look, there are so many refugees in this academy. Where do they come from and what happened to them on the way. Chen Heng patiently explained to Lin Daiyu, The government and us always don't ask too many questions. He pointed at himself and then outside the city.

But it doesn't mean that their thoughts are not important. It's just that there is still a layer of separation between people, and no one has come to break it. I think it is best for you to do this.

What is the thing that brother is talking about? Lin Daiyu's curiosity was aroused and she asked with great interest.

This time, Chen Heng showed off his skills. He felt that it would be better for Sister Lin to find out the secret herself, so he smiled and shook his head.

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips and couldn't help but think about Chen Heng's question.

The road was not long. After walking for a while, the two of them had to turn back and continue walking on the original path.

Although the atmosphere fell into silence, neither Chen Heng nor Lin Daiyu felt embarrassed. One was thinking about something and the other was humming. The tune he hummed was a bit incomprehensible, and Lin Daiyu couldn't recognize it.

Brother seems to be in a good mood? Is it because of the recent hero saving the beauty?

He couldn't explain why, but Chen Heng guessed that Sister Lin would ask this question, and thought to himself: It's a good thing to come.

I simply took the opportunity to explain Miss Zhen's matter clearly.

When Lin Daiyu heard the last part, she was very angry and said: I didn't expect that there are such evil people in the world. I thought these things would only appear in story books!

After hearing this, Chen Heng couldn't help laughing. It’s not that I thought what Sister Lin said was interesting, I just suddenly realized that there are cognitive differences between people.

His sister is a bit more innocent.

But it's not a bad thing.

Isn't it a blessing to be able to grow up like this? Chen Heng's eyes fell on Lin Daiyu, who had seen injustice on the road. He suddenly let out a sigh and said, Sister, have you become shorter?

Listen, listen, is this human language? Lin Daiyu stamped her feet angrily, Brother, you have grown taller yourself. Yu'er has also grown taller, but...it just doesn't grow as fast as my brother.

Chen Heng frowned slightly and subconsciously compared their heights with his palms before suddenly realizing.

It really is.

Time flies so fast.

It is already the second day of December, and in more than twenty days, it will be the New Year. Sister Lin's eleventh birthday is not far away.

According to the original book, Sister Lin's parents had died at this time, and she could only commit herself to Jia's family until the day Hanxiang died.

Thinking of this, Chen Heng looked at the girl next to him again, with her youthful, beautiful and energetic face. Suddenly I realized that even if I were to be ignored by everyone in this life, I would become an ordinary scholar.

His own appearance quietly changed the fate of a girl in the dark.

Even if no one knew about it, he felt that his life was worth it.

Lin Daiyu saw Chen Heng's sudden cheerful and indifferent smile, and couldn't help but curiously asked: Brother, why are you smiling?

Chen Heng smiled and lowered his head, giving Lin Daiyu a subtle look, Buddha said, don't say it.

It's not 'unspeakable'. There is no other person in the world who has seen Red Mansions. Even if I tell it, no one will believe it.

Humph. Lin Daiyu snorted cutely, I also have something here that I didn't tell my brother.

Oh? What is it?

Chen Heng asked softly, and then followed Daiyu in unison: The Buddha said, don't say it.

Brother!!!

Hahahaha, I knew you would say that, sister.

The two laughed and joked for a while. When Chen Heng saw that it was almost time, he was ready to take his sister back to the lecture hall.

Brother, are you in a hurry? Lin Daiyu blinked.

That's right, there are still many things going on outside the city. Chen Heng said matter-of-factly.

Oh. Lin Daiyu was not unreasonable, but she still felt a little reluctant. She thought for a long time and only said, Brother, please don't be too tired. Your health is important. If anything goes wrong, please have someone come over and tell your sister. .”

Why am I telling you this, a kid? Chen Heng scratched his head, but still accepted his sister's kindness, Don't worry, I know what's going on.

Step by step, they walked to the lecture hall. Just as they were about to say goodbye, they heard an excited shout coming from the lecture hall.

Yinglian, your name is Yinglian!

The two chapters have been published together, so I won’t mess with the whole thing. Hahahahaha.