The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Under the attentive guidance of the waiter, Xue and his son arrived at the upper room. The room is very tidy, and there are also some bottles of calligraphy and paintings that I don't know where to find. Although they are worthless goods, you can still see the shopkeeper's intentions.

There is a bed on the left and right, and Xue Biao is quite satisfied after looking at it. He grabbed the waiter who was about to close the door and leave, and told him the names of a few dishes, but the waiter had never heard of them.

Seeing this, Xue Biao was not embarrassed. He just took out two taels of silver from his bag and handed it to the young man. He said, Then pick up some light ones, get some fresh fruits, and prepare a pot of your local wine. .”

The waiter shook the money in his hand and said in a panic: Xiao Langguan, we don't need this much.

Xue Biao smiled and said nothing. He took a step back and closed the door himself. Only then did the waiter realize what he was doing. When the door was closed, he bowed his head and said, Thank you, Young Master. Thank you, Young Master. Don't worry, Young Master. I will take care of it.

Xue Biao probably heard it, but he heard too many similar words and it was difficult for him to react. He turned around and came to the tea table and sat next to Xue Ai. He was about to pick up the teapot and pour himself a cup to quench his thirst when he saw the worry on Xue Ai's face.

He couldn't help but get up, came behind Xue Ai, raised his hand and tapped the other person's shoulder, Dad, you are tired from the journey, are you feeling uncomfortable?

It's okay, dad is fine. Xue Ai patted her son's hand and said fiercely, Zha'er, have you ever thought that maybe one day you will end up in a similar situation to that waiter in the shop?

Xue Biao's hand couldn't help but stop. The Xue family was a wealthy family. He grew up in fine clothes and fine food. When he grew up, he was taken by Xue Ai to travel around. Even though he had seen many things in the world at a young age, Suddenly, I didn't understand what Xue Ai meant.

Tiao'er, you come and sit down first. Xue Ai did not explain, but suddenly asked about her son, Do you think Shopkeeper He deserves to die?

Xue Zhu lifted up his robe and sat in the same position. The young man said without hesitation: Of course he deserves to die. He is so disrespectful to human life that he should be killed according to the law. He borrowed the name of a pawn shop to lend money to his family and falsely reported money to his family, lining his own pockets and making his family suffer unjust injustice. Such an insect. , if we don’t kill him, what will the shopkeepers of other shops think when they see him.

If you ask me, we need to make an inventory of his family property, and send the fifteen hundred taels of his money to Wang Sheng and his family as an apology, in order to clear the grievances of our Xue family.

Xue Ai sneered noncommittally and said, But what if we came here to save his life?

The young man suddenly stood up from his position and said anxiously: Dad, this is not allowed. Since I was a child, you have taught me to deal with people, to put fairness first and the survival of the family as the most important thing. This matter will be settled as soon as possible. , how will our family manage other shops in the future?

What do you think...is this what your aunt means? Xue Ai narrowed his eyes and stared at Xue Biao.

This...this... Xue Biao was also dumbfounded. Thinking that his aunt was usually very friendly, he thought to himself that maybe she didn't understand the truth. It's better to tell the whole story and talk to my aunt carefully. Dad, as long as we have more If you persuade me a few times, my aunt will definitely listen.

Xue Ai looked at the young man's clear eyes and said nothing for a long time. It wasn't until the end that he sighed in disappointment and said, It's because dad makes you read too many books, which makes you look like this pedantic.

When Xue Biao heard this, he felt a little unhappy in his heart. He studied hard since he was a child and has a pure nature. For a moment, I couldn't figure out what I had done wrong, so I leaned over and bowed a little stubbornly: Daddy, please enlighten me.

A son is better than a father. Xue Ai used to be very proud of his merits. But now that he thinks about it, he can’t help but regret that he didn’t even have time to teach him about the sinister nature of people’s hearts. He said in a deep voice: “The head of the Xue family is who?

Of course it's uncle. The young man responded.

Then how long has it been since your uncle died?

Almost five years.

Then who is the patriarch of the Xue family now?

yes……

Just as Xue Zhu was about to open his mouth, a roar suddenly sounded in his head. He suddenly remembered something that he had not noticed on weekdays. Since the death of his uncle, the Xue family seemed to have no new patriarch.

Internally, my aunt decides everything. Externally, there is another matter about father contacting the imperial merchants. During festivals and festivals, when the family worships ancestors, dad takes brother Xue Pan's hand into the ancestral hall to offer incense.

Dad, what are you talking about? Xue Biao tilted his head strangely. If he still couldn't figure it out, it would be a waste of his father's teachings since childhood. I just don’t want to think the worst about people and things in the world. At this moment, being awakened by Xue Ai, he was like a frightened bird huddled under its wings, pretending not to know.

Stupid boy. Xue Ai couldn't help but cursed when she saw that her son was unwilling to expose the secrets in the family, and then said, Shopkeeper He is your aunt's confidant. If she doesn't show off to me, how can she show it? I am the mistress of the house. If I want to kill, she will save her. If I want to compensate, she will want to settle the matter. She is as stupid as you.

Maybe Auntie just wants to be wrong. I know that dad has no intention of being greedy for the patriarch. Xue Biao said seriously. After all, his dad loves to read and is an upright man. On weekdays, he is taught to live in harmony with his sister and brothers and sisters.

How did you know dad didn't have one? Xue Ai snorted. Anyway, when it came to this topic, he simply picked up the golden cudgel and wanted to wake up his son, the stone monkey.

Dad... Xue Biao's face turned pale. He knew that the brothers were fighting each other and the relatives were fighting. He was just a joke to outsiders, and his family was destined to never have peace in the future.

Xue Ai raised his hand and signaled his son to calm down, Okay, dad has seen that you have grown up to be such a virtuous person. He also knows that grabbing this family property will sooner or later be defeated by your pedantic temperament. Besides, a family is about to die. , what’s there to fight about? It’s too late for dad to take you away.”

Xue Biao felt a little relieved when he heard it. But when he heard it later, he felt a knot in his heart again and said in a panic, Why did daddy say that?

It is a sign of unrest for relatives to be suspicious of each other and to bully each other. The 'head of the family' only sees relatives from his mother's family. They guard the yard all day long, thinking that the world will be peaceful if the wind does not blow or the rain does not rain. He is bent on currying favor with the capital. The powerful people can't even understand the general trend of the court. If it's not a way to die, what else is it?

Seeing his son fall into silence, Xue Ai continued: Think about it for yourself, how our ancestors got rich.

My grandfather became a Ziwei family member and was deeply favored by the Supreme Emperor. He made a living by buying things for the palace.

Then where is the Supreme Emperor now?

Retiring to old age in... Ningshou Palace. After all, he was the emperor's official, and the little Xue Biao even knew this.

It has been ten years since His Majesty ascended the throne, and our Xue family has never been to the palace. Xue Ai narrowed his eyes and said in a faint tone.

But... His Majesty has a problem with us. Xue Biao shuddered, and suddenly felt a huge fear covering his body and mind.

Why can't they understand the truth that even you can understand? Xue Ai looked sarcastic, then shook her head and sighed, Is wealth really charming? Is wealth blinding the mind?

But the eldest sister of the Jia family, hasn't she already entered the palace? Dad, the last time we were outside the palace gate, the father-in-law in charge said that the eldest sister is very popular with His Majesty. Xue Biao said with hope. He has been very fond of it since he was a child. I admire Xue Ai and believe in his judgment. But when it concerns the family, one has to be suspicious.

This is the second chance given by His Majesty. Xue Ai smiled, but his tone was very bleak, The first time was when Your Majesty just ascended the throne, he asked his chosen Tanhua Lang to marry the eldest daughter of the Jia family. What's more, it was Your Majesty. The opportunity given to the Jia family. What does it have to do with our Xue family? His Majesty is afraid that he is too lazy to spend time considering us for the survival of our Xue family.

At the end of the conversation, Xue Ai didn't even know how ugly his face looked. Xue Biao saw it and was anxious in his heart.

Then why did dad never tell aunt about these things?

After talking about this, seeing that her son still didn't understand, Xue Ai became anxious and said: You idiot, come and tell me, is your aunt's surname Wang or Xue? If she really pretends to be the Xue family, she can take it. Are you going to use our money to pave the way for her brother?

Seeing Xue Ai scolding him, Xue Biao quickly stood aside and looked like he was listening.

Zha'er, the benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom, and trust that dad teaches you are the foundation of life. Without these roots, you can't even get out of your own house, and no one will look down on you. But if you only know how to regard them as your standards, then that's okay. It's beyond stupid. As a person, you must learn to assess the situation and be flexible. Don't stick to rigid principles. Do you know the principle of adapting measures to local conditions...

I...my...son understands. Xue Biao lowered his head unwillingly. He hoped that everything was just his father's guess, but he felt that his father's analysis was so profound that he had to believe it.

Now you know why your father has been traveling around the world with your family since you were a child. The first is that your aunt can't tolerate us and is worried that our family will seize power. Only when we are far away can she feel safe in running the family. The second is that Broaden your horizons and no longer be trapped in a family-to-household struggle.”

Xue Ai gave her sincere teachings, but she couldn't help comforting herself that she was not in a hurry. After all, her children were still young and she was still in her prime. At least she could protect her children from starting a family and starting a business in the future. It's just that he will get old one day. If he doesn't teach Xue Biao now, how will he protect Baoqin and take charge of this family when he gets old?

Then shopkeeper He...

Help, after all, your aunt is the mistress of our Xue family. Xue Ai raised her eyebrows in a rather mocking tone.

Xue Biao was silent when he heard this. What he heard today was really a headache for him. On one side is my aunt, whom I usually respect, and on the other side is Shopkeeper He who is doing bastard things. The two villains were fighting in his mind, one was shouting to fight and kill, and the other was trying to calm things down.

The two villains kept arguing until midnight, which made Xue Biao unable to sleep well tonight.