The Red Mansion

Chapter 111: Wedding (Part 2)

Daqing Shenjing has the custom of offering sacrifices to the kitchen god on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, and there is a distinction between "officials on the third day and common people on the fourth day", that is, officials worship the kitchen god on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, and common people worship the kitchen god on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The Jiang family is naturally a family of officials. There is a third-class guard of the fifth rank and a fifth-rank Dragon Guard in the family.

So, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the Jiang family set up an incense table in the kitchen to worship the Kitchen God. On the table were sugar melons, candied fruits, fruits, and freshly steamed kitchen sugar, which were filled with sweet fragrance. They prayed to the Kitchen God to "speak good things to the gods in heaven and keep the world safe."

After the Kitchen God worship, people start cleaning the house, which is called "sweeping the house", which means getting rid of the old and welcoming the new.

Even Jiang Nian and Xue Baochai participated in the cleaning.

In the main room, Xiangling was holding a feather duster and standing on tiptoe to brush away the dust from the spider webs high up. Unfortunately, she was too small to reach the beam, and she stamped her feet in anxiety.

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "I'll help you."

As he spoke, he took the duster and flicked it lightly, sending the accumulated dust flying down. Xiangling covered her face and laughed, "Master, you're still tall!"

Seeing that dust was hidden in the cracks of the carved window lattices, Feng took a fine cloth dipped in water and wiped it clean bit by bit.

Meng smiled and said, "You are more careful."

Feng also smiled: "Since we want to get rid of the old, we must do it thoroughly."

In the west wing, Ying'er was packing Xue Baochai's underwear into a carved wooden box when she suddenly cried out in surprise. From under a bellyband in the box, she took out two pieces of flowery paper and said to Xue Baochai, "Miss, why are there these things stuck in the box?"

Xue Baochai was immediately embarrassed and angry. She rushed forward and snatched the two pieces of flowery paper, glaring at Ying'er: "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask!"

Ying'er said "Oh".

For a moment, the Jiang family was bustling with activity, sweeping the courtyard and filled with laughter. The sounds of whisks dusting, moving things and wiping, mixed with the chatter of the crowd, made the place as lively as a temple fair.

Only a small incident happened in the west wing that made Xue Baochai embarrassed and angry.

……

……

After the Little New Year, it is the end of the year.

"New Year's Eve" is actually not a good word. It originally refers to the difficulties faced by poor families. Those who owe rent and debts must pay them off at this time, and celebrating the New Year is as difficult as passing a checkpoint.

Jiang Nian naturally didn't have to pay back his debts, but he did have to spend money because he had to buy New Year's goods before the end of the year.

The capital city of Shenjing is very lively at the end of the year, with various temple fairs and shops selling all kinds of New Year goods.

The Jiang family lives in the eastern suburbs, and fortunately there is also a bustling city in the eastern suburbs.

On this day, the downtown area of ​​the eastern suburbs was bustling with people, and the shouts of hawkers were endless, selling all kinds of New Year goods, including rice, flour, grains, meat, fish, dried goods and fruits, mushrooms and seafood, wine and seasonings, Spring Festival couplets and door gods, New Year pictures and lanterns, incense, candles and paper horses, cloth and clothing, daily miscellaneous items, stationery and toys, children's products, and so on.

On this day, He Yun and his wife took He Zhong and Feng Shi out to buy New Year's goods. Ying'er, upon learning of their departure, begged to come along. She rarely went out all year, and she wanted to witness the excitement of the New Year.

Xiangling was about to go too, but Jiang Nian stopped her. Xiangling was very beautiful and her appearance would attract attention, so appearing in a busy city would easily cause trouble. Although Jiang Nian was not afraid of such trouble, he still tried to avoid it if possible.

At this time, Ying'er was walking with Feng in the downtown area. They saw shops and stalls lined up on both sides, with goods piled up like mountains. Ying'er was dazzled by the sight. She pulled Feng's sleeve and said with a smile, "Auntie Feng, it's really lively here!"

As he was speaking, he suddenly heard a clear shouting voice:

"Selling candied lychees, one will make the New Year sweeter! Only three bottles left, don't buy them before they're gone!"

Ying'er hurriedly pulled Feng aside and said, "Auntie, wait a minute! My daughter loves fresh lychees, but where can we find them in this season? Why not buy some candied ones? She'll definitely be delighted to see them!"

Feng smiled and said, "In that case, let's buy it back."

The two followed the sound and walked into a shop. They saw that the shop specialized in selling various candied fruits. In addition to candied lychees, there were also candied red dates, candied bayberries, candied peach strips, frosted kumquats, candied apricots, and so on. There were all kinds of them, filling the shop with fragrance.

The candied lychees were packed in three ceramic jars.

Ying'er was just telling the shopkeeper to pack everything up when she saw Ruizhu stepping in with her skirt lifted up. Ying'er's face changed immediately.

Enemy road is narrow!

Ruizhu was just shopping for New Year's goods with Peng Jizhong's wife when she heard the shop's call and came to buy candied lychees. Her daughter Qin Keqing also loved lychees.

Ruizhu rolled her eyes at Ying'er and said to the shopkeeper, "I want to buy candied lychees."

Ying'er laughed and gathered the three bottles of candied lychees into her arms, a look of pride in her eyes and eyebrows: "It's a pity that you came a step too late. These last three bottles are all mine!"

Ruizhu frowned and asked, "Did you pay?"

Ying'er said, "Although I haven't paid yet, I got here before you!"

Ruizhu snorted, "Since you haven't paid, these three bottles aren't yours yet! Since you came here first, I'll let you go. You buy two bottles and I'll buy one."

Feng knew that the two maids were not on good terms, so she hurriedly advised Ying'er, "Since the Qin family wants it, there's no harm in sharing a bottle."

Ying'er sneered at Ruizhu, "If it were someone else, it would be fine, but now that she's asking for it, I won't give it to her!"

Peng Jizhong's wife pulled Ruizhu aside and said, "Good girl, let's find another family..."

Ruizhu shook her hand off, pointed at Ying'er and cursed, "You wicked little bitch!"

Ying'er's face turned pale with anger: "Who is this truly evil little bitch, helping the girl at home to seduce my master?"

Ruizhu's face flushed red: "You're courting death!"

As he said that, he pounced on Ying'er, and the two of them instantly twisted into a ball. You pulled my arm, I hugged your waist, you grabbed my clothes, and I pulled your hair...

"Stop fighting, stop fighting..."

Feng and Peng Jizhong's wife pulled the two men apart while shouting.

At this moment, the shopkeeper suddenly rubbed his hands and said with a smile, "Calm down, ladies. Actually... we still have candied lychees in the warehouse at the back. You can buy ten or twenty bottles, and we have them all."

In an instant, the shop was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Ying'er's hair was loose and Ruizhu's hairpin was crooked, and both of them were dumbfounded.

It’s better to stay at home and stay safe. The world outside is full of tricks!

……

……

It's New Year's Eve.

Early that morning, the Jiang family replaced the door gods, spring couplets, and New Year pictures in their new three-story house, and hung two big red lanterns outside the gate.

There is an important thing today, which is to worship our ancestors.

Although Jiang Nianming had no father and his mother had passed away, he still set up an altar at home. Although there was no tablet, he did have incense, candles, wine and food, and performed the three kowtows and nine bows ceremony.

Jiang Nian's mind briefly drifted to the Jia Mansion, and he thought to himself, "The original novel describes the Jia Mansion's New Year's Eve ancestor worship as very grand. However, in this world of the Red Mansion, the Ningguo Mansion is gone, and the Jia Clan Ancestral Hall originally located in the Ningguo Mansion has also been moved. The grand ceremony of the Jia Mansion's ancestor worship today will surely be much less than in previous years." In the evening, the New Year's Eve dinner was set out in the main hall.

On the Eight Immortals table, there was a gilded hot pot with steam rising, Dongpo pork was as red and bright as amber, the four-happiness meatballs were round and plump, the steamed sea bass had its tail fin raised, and there were also various auspicious dishes.

In addition to Jiang Nian and Xue Baochai, He Yun and Meng Shi also attended the banquet.

At midnight, when the old year turns to the new year, Jiang Nian takes Xue Baochai, Xiangling and Ying'er to the outside of the house to watch the firecrackers.

Dong Liang and his son Dong Feng lit firecrackers. The sound of the firecrackers was as deafening as thunder, and the broken red paper scraps flew like butterflies.

The sound of firecrackers from the neighbors could be heard one after another.

Jiang Nian, Xue Baochai, Xiangling, and Ying'er stood under the eaves of the door, their faces reflected like rosy clouds by the two big red lanterns.

Xiangling covered her ears in surprise and joy, while Ying'er jumped and pulled Baochai's sleeve.

Jiang Nian looked at Xue Baochai's calm demeanor and thought to himself, "Maidens like Xiangling and Ying'er are so excited, yet Baochai remains calm. If it were all the dazzling fireworks of her past life, would Baochai be excited?"

At this time, Xue Baochai looked at Jiang Nian. When the two looked at each other, Xue Baochai smiled and said, "Happy New Year."

Jiang Nian nodded: "Happy New Year!"

After the firecrackers are set off, the next thing to do is to "stay up all night to welcome the New Year". In many families, the whole family will stay up all night.

Jiang Nian did not do so. He just ordered the eternal lamp to be lit and the servants to take turns to keep watch.

On the morning of the first day of the first lunar month, when the door of the Jiang family's house was opened, firecrackers were set off again. This was the "opening cannon", symbolizing the welcome of the new year.

The smoke from the opening cannon had not yet dissipated, and the fifteen members of the Jiang family had gathered in the main hall.

It includes Jiang Nian, Xue Baochai, Xiangling, Ying'er, He Yun, Meng, He Zhong, Meng Xiong, Feng, Qi'er, Qin'er and Dong Liang, a family of four.

Jiang Nian sat in the middle, with two tea trays beside him, one piled with gold ingots and the other with silver ingots, which were very dazzling.

Gold ingots come in various styles, including plum blossom, crabapple, "Pen Ingot Ruyi", and "Eight Treasures Couplet Spring".

The silver ingots are as white as fresh snow, and all of them have auspicious patterns of "good luck" and "abundance year after year".

These gold and silver ingots are worth several hundred taels of silver in total.

Although Jiang Nian was mean, he was not ungrateful or stingy. He distributed New Year's money to his servants today, both to reward them according to their merits and to win their hearts. As for how much each person should receive, he kept a record in his mind.

Jiang Nian looked around at everyone and said with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work throughout the year."

He immediately looked at He Yun and Meng Shi, and said with a smile, "Although you two are like elders in my heart, I want you to pay me New Year's greetings today. The important thing is that I can use the New Year's money as an excuse to reward you for your loyalty and hard work throughout the year."

He Yun and Meng smiled at each other and stepped forward to salute: "Happy New Year, sir. May the new year be a healthy and peaceful one."

Jiang Nian helped him up, first giving a handful of gold ingots to He Yun, then another handful to Meng Shi. The two handfuls of gold ingots together were worth nearly two hundred taels of silver.

Others came forward one after another to wish each other a happy new year and receive New Year's money, but the amount they received was much less than that from He Yun and his wife.

When it was Xiangling's turn, Jiang Nian deliberately grabbed a few gold ingots and added a handful of silver. Xiangling hurriedly held them up with her handkerchief, her eyes dancing with joy. Feng Shi, watching from the side, couldn't help but smile, thinking to herself, "Master, you've given me so much. It shows you truly love me. I'm sure I'll become your concubine someday..."

In the end, only Xue Baochai and Ying'er did not receive the New Year's money.

Jiang Nian looked at Xue Baochai. Before he could say anything, Xue Baochai smiled and said, "Today is a good day. Master, you are giving away money. I am also shameless enough to ask for a good fortune from you."

As she spoke, Xue Baochai slowly walked up to Jiang Nian and bowed gracefully.

Jiang Nian was satisfied with Xue Baochai's attitude and gave her a handful of gold ingots.

Ying'er had been so anxious that she had been tugging at her skirt. When she saw Xue Baochai had received her New Year's money, she quickly knelt down and said, "Ying'er also kowtows to you, Master, and wishes you a happy New Year!"

Everyone laughed when they saw her anxious look.

……

……

From the first to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, temples in the capital held temple fairs, and people flocked to pray, watch acrobatics, listen to operas, and buy various snacks...

The Lantern Festival, on the 15th day of the first lunar month, is another bustling occasion. Every household hangs colorful lanterns and eats Yuanxiao (Chinese rice dumplings). Lantern festivals are held in places like the Lantern Market in the capital, featuring lantern riddles, dragon dances, and other activities.

After the Lantern Festival, it means that Jiang Nian and Yuanchun’s wedding is really approaching.

The two are scheduled to get married on February 12, which is obviously an auspicious day carefully chosen.

It's worth noting that the Jiangnan region generally celebrates February 12th as the Flower Festival, the birthday of all flowers. Young women cut colorful silk or red paper and tie them to blossoming branches, a practice known as "appreciating the red," symbolizing the protection of flourishing flowers and trees. Activities like outings, butterfly catching, and kite flying are popular.

In some areas of the north, including the capital of Shenjing, due to the influence of Taoism, the Flower Festival was merged with the Taoist "Birthday of Laojun" and scheduled for February 15th, forming the "February 15th Flower Festival".

There are also very few areas that celebrate the Flower Festival on the second day of the second month, such as Luoyang.

……

……

As the second half of the first lunar month was approaching, Lady Jia called Mrs. Wang into the warm room of Rongqing Hall.

There were only Lady Jia, Lady Wang, Yuanyang, and a little maid in the warm room. The little maid was very pretty, with a slender waist, thin shoulders, and eyebrows that were somewhat like Lin Daiyu.

Grandmother Jia slowly twirled her agarwood prayer beads and said to Lady Wang, "Yuanchun's wedding is imminent, and the dowry should be decided soon. What are your thoughts?"

Mrs. Wang said, "Let the old lady make the decision on this matter."

Grandmother Jia said, "I've been thinking that we should also make the dowry respectable, especially the maids. When Lin's mother got married, we had four maids accompanying her, and even when Feng'er came, we had four. This time, Yuanchun is getting married, and it's the Empress Dowager's arrangement, so naturally we should have four maids as well."

Madam Wang nodded and said, "Old Madam, you are very considerate. However, there is only Baoqin with Yuanchun now, and the three are missing."

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "I wonder if you would be willing to give your two maids, Jinchuan and Yuchuan, to Yuanchun? Before Yuanchun entered the palace, Jinchuan was her maid. Due to palace rules, you were only allowed to bring one maid with you, so you only brought Baoqin, and Jinchuan came with you. Yuchuan is Jinchuan's sister, so if the elder sister goes with you, the younger sister will go with you."

Mrs. Wang laughed and said, "Thank you for your trouble, old lady. How could I not be willing to accept your offer? But even if you count the gold and jade bracelets, there is still one missing."

Jia Mu said, "There is still one missing. I will fill it."

As she spoke, she pointed to the little maidservant with a slender waist and narrow shoulders behind her and said to Mrs. Wang, "She was bought from Madam Lai's family. She often came in with Madam Lai. I saw that she was smart and pretty, so I liked her very much. Madam Lai gave her to me as a gift. I originally planned to give her to Baoyu to serve, but Baoyu has many maids around him and doesn't need her. Instead, I gave her to Yuanchun as a dowry. Although she is young, she is a good needleworker."

Mrs. Wang carefully examined the little maid and said hurriedly, "The old lady has chosen a good one. Baoyu certainly has no shortage of maids!"

She thought to herself, "This maid is really pretty. How can I let her stay with Baoyu? I'm afraid she'll be a demon and lead Baoyu astray!"

The little maidservant was lost in thought, twisting her belt with her fingertips, and sighed inwardly, "If only I could follow Master Bao, what a relief!"

If Jiang Nian heard this conversation between Lady Jia and Mrs. Wang, he would definitely be happy.

Oh, Qingwen, who ranks first among the “Twelve Beauties in the Second Volume”, is here!
And there are also gold and jade bracelets in the "Another Supplement"!
(End of this chapter)