Ningguo Mansion
It was the winter moon season, and the new wind was raging across the earth. Towards evening, the sky became a little gloomy, and the dark clouds hung low, as if a heavy snow was brewing.
The Guanzhong area has had one heavy snowfall and one light snowfall in the past few months, which has initially alleviated the drought in the Guanzhong area. However, the seedlings still need abundant rain to nourish them before they can have a good harvest next year. Therefore, this heavy snowfall is still quite popular in Beijing. Chinese officials are looking forward to it.
In front of the Military and Horse Department of Liwu City, Jia Heng ordered the commanders of the four cities to pay attention to the relief in the capital to prevent starvation. Then, accompanied by several young servants, he returned to Ningguo Mansion.
Along the way, there were few passers-by, but the restaurants along the street were overcrowded and noisy.
As we approached Ningrong Street, snowflakes were already falling from the sky.
Jia Heng got out of the car in front of the mansion. The concierge Yu Lu came forward with a few boys, stepped forward to take the reins, and said with a smile: "Uncle, you are back."
Jia Heng took a look at Yu Lu. He was the original steward of Ning Guo Mansion. Later, although the servants of Ning Mansion had to clean up, there were still some old people left. For example, Yu Lu in the original work was one. According to the homophony, Ji is "Yulu", which means the metaphor is not very good.
Jia Heng said: "Put the horse in the stable and feed it with fodder."
Yu Lu smiled and bent down in response, and said: "Uncle Chi from the back street and others came over to discuss buying new year's goods. The black steward of Heishan Village also sent someone over first, saying that this year's annual tribute is on the way. "
Jia Heng nodded, thinking of Wu Jinxiao, who was also a famous figure in the original novel Red Mansions. The Wu brothers on the farm were almost the same as Wu Xindeng and Shan Daliang before.
It is worth mentioning that Jia Chi, Jia Dun, and Jia Xiao are the elders of the common branch, and they belong to the same generation as Jia Zheng and Jia She. They are now helping Aunt Cai's husband. In charge of trivial matters such as the purchase of rice, grains and fruits in Ning Mansion.
When Jia Zhen was there, she didn't take much care of the clan. These clan members showed up once and twice when they held funerals in Ning Mansion. Now that Jia Heng sees that the three families are honest and reliable, he divides them into some errands.
As for the affairs of the inner house, Aunt Cai's daughters-in-law, Zhang and You, are in charge of the affairs. The young servants in the front yard are led by Jiao Datong. As for Aunt Cai's son, he was just an honest farmer before. Great help.
The accounting room is jointly managed by Aunt Cai and an old accounting clerk.
It can almost be said that the deacon affairs of the Ningguo Mansion include the original servants of the Ning Mansion, the common people of the Jia clan, and the Cai family brought by Jia Heng. They are almost a tripartite, with clear distinctions and restraining each other.
Compared with Rong Mansion, which has a large population, overstaffed affairs, and huge expenses, Ning Mansion has fewer servants. After several months of rectification, the mother-in-law and maids all know that the young master in the mansion is not easy to fool, and they are much more comfortable.
When Jia Heng came to the flower hall, he saw Aunt Cai's husband Li He, Jia Chi, Jia Xiao and Jia Dun drinking tea and talking.
When the four of them saw Jia Heng coming in, they all stood up and exchanged greetings.
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Please sit down, it's very cold today."
Several people took their seats one after another.
Jia Heng said: "The Chinese New Year will not be long. The clan will worship their ancestors. All the new year's goods have been purchased and prepared in advance in the treasury to avoid famine."
Because the Jia family has a large business and a large population, they need to buy everything in advance.
Not to mention anything else, you should give the maids and servants two pairs of clothes during the Chinese New Year, right?
And this all needs to be purchased in advance.
For example, the pens, inks, paper and inkstones in his study room can be used for daily expenses in Qing, Xichun and You's courtyard. These are also necessary for the house to purchase.
As for the monthly payments for the masters and maids of the East and West Houses, they are actually just pocket money.
Jia Chi said: "Not long ago, I replaced the winter clothes of the servants and maids in the house, and sent clothes and charcoal to the clan for the winter. I also reserved part of the grain, rice, fruits, chicken, duck, fish and meat for the end of the year. I made a list of the remaining items. , please also ask the clan leader to take a look."
As he said that, he handed over a purchase list.
Jia Heng's face paused slightly, he took the list, read it, looked at Jia Chi, and said: "It's quite detailed, but there are still some lonely, old, young and weak people in the clan, so every household should also be given some rice, flour, fish and meat." Vegetables, help celebrate the New Year, and add a few more to the list.”
Jia Chi nodded and responded: "Yes."
He handed the list items to Jia Chi again.
Jia Dun asked again: "Chief, are the specifications of the various utensils and animals required for the year-end sacrifice different from previous years?"
Jia Heng said: "Just buy it according to previous years."
Jia Dun nodded and said nothing more.
Jia Xiao said: "It's winter over at the Clan School. The Confucian Duke has sent his grandson Jia Rui over, saying that the Mongolian School will buy a new batch of quilts for the children in the school to keep out the cold."
Jia Heng thought for a while and said: "How much silver is needed? Pay it to the accountant, and you can personally lead the people to buy it."
Jia Xiao nodded in agreement.
Just as he was saying something, a young man from outside came into the flower hall and said loudly: "Sir, the concubine of Xifu Lixiangyuan just sent her maid over to say that the young master is back from the Beijing camp today, and the concubine has prepared a banquet in Lixiangyuan. , I want to invite you to the banquet."
Jia Heng thought for a while and said, "Wait a minute."
During this time, he was training a group of new recruits in the Beijing camp, and Aunt Xue invited him twice, but because he left early and came back late, he couldn't make the trip.
Now that I have some free time, I look for opportunities to invite.
The name was because he was checking the accounts the day before yesterday.
As for Xue Pan, it was said that he was becoming more and more powerful in the capital camp. The day before yesterday, he led a few soldiers and waited on the street outside Lixiangyuan, which immediately aroused the discussion among the servants of Xifu.
Jia Heng exchanged a few words with a few people in the hall, and then walked towards Lixiangyuan.
In Lixiangyuan
Snowflakes like catkins float over the pear trees planted in the courtyard, falling on the stamens and branches. Suddenly, like the arrival of spring, the pistils shine white.
Because the earth dragon was burning in the house, the steam was beating on the carved window lattice, and the inside was covered with a layer of frost. Looking from the outside, the candlelight inside the house was dim and soft, adding a bit of tranquility.
The lights came closer and gradually became clearer, reflecting several figures on the yellow curtains. Next to a round table, Xue Pan, dressed in the uniform of a Han Jing camp soldier, sat carelessly on a chair with a smile on his face, chatting with Aunt Xue and Baochai and others talked.
"Mom, your son is very busy right now. He has to go to Yaowu Camp tomorrow to participate in the army formation." Xue Pan shook his big head and said with a smile.
Aunt Xue said: "You wake up early and work hard every day, and you are so busy that you never hold an official position."
In the past half month, Xue Pan was constrained by Wang Ziteng and did not dare to go. While he was not hanging out with random people, he was often away from home, which made Aunt Xue worry for a while.
Xue Pan then took a candied fruit and stuffed it into his mouth. While eating, he smiled and said: "Uncle said that after the New Year, I will ensure that a hundred households of mine will make it first. This is a serious matter. Taste the court officials."
When Aunt Xue heard this, her face suddenly became happy and she said, "Oh, now I am a seventh-rank official. I really honor the Xue family's ancestors."
The ancestor of the Xue family, Ziweishe, was only a fifth-grade talent, and this seventh-grade official... was like a dream. It was really the right time to come to Shenjing.
A smile appeared on Xue Pan's big face, and he said: "After all, I still need cousin Xie Heng to show me the way. Otherwise, I really don't know that there is such a way. Mom, I'll do it later." Thank you for that."
In the past few days in Jingying, I have been shouted at from one person to another. Even when I secretly went to play in Cuihong Tower, I was called "junye,junye".
He, Xue Pan, is still here today?
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Brother Heng, you sent the accountant from Jinyi Mansion not long ago to help the shop in Jingzhong with the accounting. At the beginning, I said I would entertain your cousin well, but who would have thought that Brother Heng is a busy man? I sent people to invite him twice, saying that I was training in the camp and couldn't get away. During the day, I went out early and came back late, and I couldn't see anyone at all. This was the third time just now, so I hope I can come over."
"What kind of military training does he have..." When Xue Pan said this, he rolled his eyes, lowered his voice, and whispered: "Mom, let me tell you something, don't tell anyone else."
"You kid, why are you so mysterious?" Aunt Xue frowned and said.
Even Baochai, who was sitting quietly sipping tea at the side, half-cupped the tea cup and turned to look at his brother.
Xue Pan whispered: "This is what my uncle said. My uncle said that he is good at leading troops to fight, but he doesn't know how to train soldiers at all. Now he is recruiting refugees from outside the capital for training. The censor in the capital is now trying to take his What’s wrong?”
When Aunt Xue heard this, her expression changed and she said, "What do you mean?"
Censor of Beijing, is this... Brother Heng trying to do something bad?
Baochai frowned, and gently put down the tea cup in her hand on the small table beside her, with a trace of doubt in her moist apricot eyes.
Xue Pan actually sighed, with a bit of a wry smile on his big face, and said: "From what the camp said, cousin Heng may not know much about military training. Now Li Qian and several generals have said I don’t know what tricks are being used to lock people up, and I don’t understand them either, but that’s what they say.”
When Aunt Xue heard this, she felt shocked and doubtful, and said: "Then the censor just now...didn't you say that he is quite favored by the palace?"
Xue Pan shook his big head like a rattle and said, "I don't know, maybe something went wrong? But my uncle has been a rare sight in the palace these days. I heard he went to the palace several times."
At the mention of this matter, Aunt Xue couldn't hide the smile on her face and said, "Yes, the day before yesterday, your aunt came to see the old lady and gave her some rare items given by the palace. She also said that your uncle was kept for dinner. Twice.”
Envy appeared on Xue Pan's face and he murmured: "I wonder when my son will be able to eat the royal meals cooked in the palace?"
"My son, how old are you? Learn from your uncle, and one day you will get there." Aunt Xue smiled and said with a doting look.
Baochai listened, a trace of thought appeared in his eyebrows, and worry quietly welled up in his heart.
Could something really go wrong outside?
But I haven't seen anyone in nearly half a month. I've been visiting there these past few days and I heard they leave early and come back late.
Just when the three members of the Xue family were having different thoughts, the mother-in-law from outside came in and said with a smile: "Madam, Uncle Heng is here."
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Quickly go and invite me."
With that said, he stood up, looked at Xue Pan, and said, "Why are you still sitting here? Go and greet your cousin."
Xue Pan responded, got up and walked outside.
Just as he stepped out of the screen, he saw Jia Heng coming in through the curtain from the outside. Entering the hall, he called out to the three of them one by one: "Aunt, Sister Xue, Wen Long."
Baochai called out softly, "Brother Heng" and said nothing more.
Aunt Xue had a smile on her face and said, "Brother Heng, you are finally here. Sit down quickly."
Xue Pan also stepped forward, with a flattering smile on his face, and said: "Cousin Heng, I will have a good drink later."
Jia Heng nodded, sat down, exchanged a few words, looked at Xue Pan aside, and asked, "Did Wen Long just come back from the camp?"
Xue Pan smiled and said: "Yes, but I have to go tomorrow."
Jia Heng smiled and said nothing else.
At this time, Xiangling held a cup of fragrant tea and whispered: "Uncle, use tea."
Jia Heng raised his eyes and glanced at Xiang Ling. The girl was wearing a light blue cotton jacket and an indigo cotton skirt. Perhaps she had said goodbye to her past life of being homeless and having no food and clothing, and had revealed her slim and graceful figure. , Jia Heng said softly: "Thank you."
According to his family Keqing, Xiangling came to the house with Baochai, and the two of them often talked together. Keqing also gave Xiangling a lot of clothes and food.
Aunt Xue ordered Tongxi to ask the kitchen to prepare food, and asked: "Brother Heng, it's almost the Chinese New Year, is the camp still busy?"
The tea cup in Jia Heng's hand was hovering in mid-air, and he said: "There are more affairs at the end of the year, but the military is actually doing okay. The Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division is responsible for the security of Beijing, arresting thieves, and suppressing the streets. At the end of the year, there are more things. , and when I return home, there are clan affairs. A few days ago, my aunt came to invite me, and I really couldn’t get away from it.”
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "I know that you are a capable person."
Xue Pan said: "Mom, cousin Heng has a lot of errands."
Jia Heng lowered his head and took a sip of tea. Suddenly, when he raised his eyes, he saw a pair of shining eyes, looking at him. His heart moved and he said, "Sister Xue, how are you doing recently?"
Baochai suddenly heard the inquiry and said with a smile: "Brother Heng, it's okay. I am having fun with the sisters. I haven't seen Brother Heng recently."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Go out early and come back late. Sister, the Japanese Medicine Hospital said yesterday that it was looking for people to buy the medicine in your prescription."
Baochai frowned and said in surprise: "Yao Yinzi?"
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Have you forgotten, Sister Xue? I took away the medicinal ingredients in Lengxiang Pills last time and asked the imperial doctor from the Imperial Hospital to study the secrets and finally figured out how to prepare them."
Baochai thought of the past and suddenly realized that such a thing had happened. Then she looked at the young man opposite, her heart warmed, her bright eyes sparkled, and she asked, "Yes, I wonder what the hospital said?"
Listening to the conversation between the two, Aunt Xue also looked concerned. She was also very worried about the hidden heat disease that her daughter was born with.
Xue Pan's big bell-like eyes widened, and his gaze wandered between the two of them. Listening to their warm words and laughter, a bright light suddenly flashed in his heart.
Could it be...
Jia Heng explained: "The Taiyuan Hospital said that it's just a side item, but medicinal herbs are rare things. After these days of intensive research, we finally figured out the ingredients used in the formula. Now we are publishing a list of medicinal herbs for various places to search for the main medicine. I think that with the natural treasures of Kyushu, I should be able to collect them. If I prepare all the medicines and medicines at that time, there should be no serious problem. It's just my sister. Dr. Li in the Taiyuan Hospital wants to observe the pulse with his own eyes to see if he can find a permanent cure... I don't know about my sister. Is it still convenient?”
When Baochai heard this, hope arose in her heart, and she said softly: "It would be good to see if the root cause of the disease can be removed."
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "The imperial doctors in this hospital are different. The family has hired many famous doctors for your sister, but they can't even see the prescription. I also thought that this medicine will eventually be finished." How should I feel like this after eating one day? Now, it would be better if the root cause of the disease could be eliminated."
She has a son and a daughter. The son has a future ahead of him. If the daughter's hidden illness can be cured, even the marriage in the future will be less troublesome.
Yesterday, I mentioned to my sister about her girl's marriage. It would be feasible to match her with Baoyu, and it would be a good sign for a good match. However, although my sister didn't say it clearly, she seemed to have some doubts about her girl's physical condition.
Jia Heng said: "Let's take a look first."
Aunt Xue nodded, but hope could not help but surge in her heart.
"Madam, the banquet is ready." At this time, a woman came over and said with a low eyebrow.
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Okay, Brother Heng, let's have a banquet first."
With that said, he led Xue Pan and Baochai to sit down in the hall.
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