Rongqingtang
Yuanyang saw that the atmosphere was gloomy, mainly because Jia Heng didn't speak, which gave people the illusion that "I'm under a lot of pressure." A layer of worry appeared on his duck-egg face with a few small freckles, and he whispered softly: "Old lady , the food is ready, it’s time to eat.”
Jia Mu nodded, maybe she also felt that it was too difficult to force others. After all, he was the king of the country, a noble man from Tianhuang. People said that he had been a prince for decades. He had a deep foundation and it was indeed difficult to deal with. She said: "Okay, let's not do it now. I said, everyone is hungry, let’s eat first.”
Daiyu frowned, her bright eyes filled with water, looking at the young man with a cold face, her gloomy eyebrows filled with deep thoughts in the dusk.
Others only saw that he was powerful and dignified, but few thought that he also had many rivals outside.
Isn't it like this when my father patrols salt in the south?
Baochai sat on the embroidered pier next to Yuan Chun, looking at the young man as well, her moist and shiny almond-shaped eyes filled with worry. She was not worried at all, but she hadn't gone through the door, so it was hard to ask more questions.
Jia Heng put down the teacup, his face remained calm, and he said in a calm tone: "Anyone who commits unjust acts will be punished by his own death. I will treat you accordingly."
When Jia Mu heard this, her face changed, her lips moved, and she stopped talking.
And Tan Chun looked at the young man with bright eyes, remembering that Brother Heng said this to the eldest master?
Um?
Something seems wrong?
The bright and atmospheric girl, as an early fan of Jia Heng, remembers every word of Jia Heng's early years in her heart compared to the fans who joined later. Looking back now, she feels that every word is more relevant and meaningful.
Baochai read the words from "Zheng Bo Duan Yu Yan", the girl's apricot eyes moved slightly, and her thoughts were crystal clear, and she had all kinds of guesses for a while.
If there is a back-up plan...
After Jia Heng finished speaking, he didn't say anything else.
After everyone had finished their meals absentmindedly, everyone sat down to talk again.
Jia Mu sat on the Luohan bed, with Yuanyang, Hubo and other maids rubbing her shoulders, and sighed: "Brother Heng, since years and years ago, there are several relatives in our family who always seem to have bad luck. I According to the big girl, we have to wait for a few more days to have a peaceful marriage ceremony. Such things have happened in the house, which makes people feel panicked."
Hearing this, Jia Heng glanced at Yuan Chun, who was sitting quietly in the distance. This glance made Yuan Chun feel a little uncomfortable.
"Brother Heng, there are also bad lucks." Yuan Chun said softly, his cheeks slightly warm.
Zi Buyu has strange power and chaos, let alone a general like Hengdi who is leading troops abroad. I think he doesn't take these things seriously.
Jia Heng said: "What eldest sister said is feasible. The garden has started construction in the past two days. Maybe some gods and Buddhas will be shocked. Or we can hold a water and land ceremony together."
Since I wanted some comfort in my heart, I simply did it together.
"Well, that's what I was thinking about." Yuan Chun said softly with a beautiful face, lowering her beautiful eyes slightly. She felt a little sweet that her proposal was recognized.
"I wonder how you and Girl Feng discussed the matter of repairing the garden? I never asked about it, but I heard that the group house where the servants usually lived was demolished. You may have said so. Don't scare any gods. "Jia Mu said softly, but subconsciously she didn't want to be immersed in the grief just now, and then continued: "There are also rocks and trees in the East Road courtyard that need to be transplanted..."
As he said that, he felt vaguely that something was wrong.
Sister Feng's phoenix eyes under her willow eyebrows turned, and she sighed in her heart. Now she really doesn't have to argue with the eldest master, everyone has been exiled, and no one can stop her from transplanting no matter how she wants.
Jia Heng said: "Now that the terrain has been surveyed, the pavilions and pavilions are under construction. I'm thinking of letting them work in several shifts to build faster and complete it earlier."
Jia Mu nodded, not knowing what to feel in her heart.
On the one hand, the eldest son and his direct grandson were exiled to other provinces, and on the other hand, the family had abundant financial resources and carried out large-scale construction projects. Is the family prosperous or declining?
Mrs. Wang's expression changed slightly and she said softly: "Old lady, I don't know how much money was spent. I just have some spare silver in the palace. I'll just use it like this. I'll think about it again."
She didn't realize it before, but now it was all the money she spent on her second house.
Jia Zheng shook his head and sighed: "It's okay to build the garden slowly. Now that Rongguo has no successor, following the example of Brother Zhen of Dongfu, the imperial court will seize the prince's money and take away his imperial edict. I don’t know what to do next.”
Not only the Dongfu was talking about it, but the servants of the Xifu also had rumors. Jia Zheng also heard some rumors. Out of a responsible mentality, he had to remind his family.
Jia Mu angrily said, "I'm not dead yet."
This issue has obviously been considered in Jia Mu's mind. She doesn't believe that she is still alive. She lives here and will not leave. Who is bullying her, a widowed wife of a princess!
Jia Zheng's expression suddenly changed, he left the table and knelt down, saying, "Mother... my son doesn't dare."
"Okay, okay." Jia Mu held her forehead and signaled Lin Zhixiao to help Jia Zheng up.
Just a conversation between the two of them cast a heavy haze over Rongqingtang.
Especially Mrs. Wang's face turned pale, and her heart was filled with surprise and uncertainty.
He thought to himself, if the treasury is sealed, it would be better to spend the money quickly.
Mrs.
I really didn't expect this incident before, or I was still immersed in the news that Jia She and his son had "escaped death".
At this time, everyone couldn't help but look at the young man.
Jia Mu's eyes were burning and she asked, "Brother Heng, the court won't take that step, right?"
Jia Heng shook his head and said: "Once the title of a criminal officer is revoked, the imperial wife will also be removed from the title. Such a punishment of exile, even the female family members will be exiled together, or even filled into the Jiaofangsi. Now there is no such implication. The Holy Lord’s grace is already overwhelming.”
The unity of husband and wife is not an empty talk. The husband commits a crime and is dismissed from office, and the female family members are also exiled or sent to the Jiaofangsi.
For example, Miaoyu's father, Chang Jin, once weaved for Suzhou. After his home was ransacked and beheaded, Miaoyu's mother knew her fate and couldn't bear the humiliation, so she hung herself from a beam with three feet of white silk.
Miaoyu, on the other hand, was a monk in a temple and was not noticed by the government, so she narrowly escaped disaster.
As long as Mrs. Rongguo survives in the Jia family, the more discerning royal family will not put criminal female relatives into the Jiaofang Division.
The four major families in Dream of Red Mansions were copied after Jia Mu's death.
When Mrs. Xing heard this, her face was ashen, and her heart was extremely frightened.
The imperial decree is gone, what should she do?
Not only Mrs. Xing, but also Mrs. Wang was in a state of despair, with blurry eyes.
Suddenly she realized a question, if the second master was gone, would her royal wife be gone too?
Jia's mother comforted herself and said: "The palace is kind and generous. Even if the imperial edict is taken away, there will be no such step."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "What the old lady said is true, so the female family members are not involved in the case, so they have some dignity."
"Brother Heng, the Duke's Palace won't take it away, right?" Jia Mu hesitated and couldn't help but ask.
In other words, subconsciously looking for some answers to confirm.
Moreover, it was Jia Heng who came to confirm it personally, so just one step further...
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said slowly: "After all, the name is not justified. Now there is no one in Rongguo, and it is difficult to say who the Duke's palace will belong to in the future. It is easy to say when the old lady is here, but in the future... in any case, it is better to make plans in advance. stop."
The truth is unpalatable. There is not a single person in Rongguo who is a nobleman. "I ordered the building of Rongguo Mansion". Is it dazzling in the sacred city where dignitaries gather?
Such a century-old palace has a vast mansion and numerous treasures, and there are always people who covet it sharpening their knives.
At that time, he was no longer a loyal and obedient king.
When Jia Mu heard this, her old face kept changing. In fact, she had thought about it before. Once she was a hundred years old, she would be afraid of the great Rongguo Mansion...
Mrs. Wang's face was also as pale as paper, her hands and feet were cold, and she could hardly breathe.
Now that the eldest house is gone, the Rongguo Mansion will not fall on her second house in the future?
Jia Mu said anxiously: "Brother Heng, can't you ask for a favor from the palace?"
Jia Heng said: "The old lady has experienced a lot. Since she is a sensible person, why should she talk nonsense? We, Wu Xun, will retire with the country, and the Lord is almost our fate! Because of the Lord, our children and grandchildren do not have to study the imperial examination system. Art, but Lord, to be honest, it is the imperial court that supports it, and it is also the foundation of wealth. If future generations lose the titles earned by licking the blood of their ancestors, the rest of their wealth will be like rootless duckweeds. In this capital, so are the left and right. Fish on someone else’s chopping board!”
Jia Zheng sighed and advised: "Mother, now that we have lost our title, why don't we go back to Jinling and wait a few years before trying to revive the family business."
As soon as these words came out, in line with what Jia Heng said, it was as if the window paper had been broken in front of everyone, and the cruel reality was nakedly presented to everyone.
It's not that Jia She's big house is gone and the second house can inherit the family business, but... the good times are still to come!
Mrs. Wang's heart was slightly shaken, she felt five thunders hitting her head, and her body was swaying. The jade bracelet serving behind her hurriedly stretched out her hand to support her.
Yuanchun and Tanchun also looked at each other. Although they had felt the importance of Lord before, it was not very deep.
Xiangyun held his hat in one hand and listened to the conversation of several people, his face showing concentration.
Hmm, I don’t know.
Baochai's jade face was as crystal clear as snow, and she was as indifferent as ice. She was thinking about it when she suddenly felt something strange in her arm, but it was the maid Ying'er beside her who touched her shoulder invisibly.
His eyes were dazed for a moment, and he sighed quietly in his heart.
How do you not know what Ying'er means? That day, if I had listened to my mother's words...
Daiyu listened to the conversation of several people, pursed her pink lips, lowered her eyes slightly, and was also thinking about her own affairs.
Her Lin family has been filled with nobles for generations, and by her father's generation, they no longer held the title. However, they took the imperial examination and became officials, thus maintaining their family reputation.
Mother Jia looked anxious and asked, "Brother Heng, is there no other way?"
"Why not?" Jia Heng's voice was like gold and stone, and he said in a deep voice: "Let Baoyu, Cong Ge'er, and Huan Ge'er join the army, and earn a title in the future, and then ask for grace from the Holy One, and worship the ancestors of the Rongguo, and then you can keep the Duke of the country. Mansion, revitalize the family reputation.”
"Baoyu is still a child... Besides, he is not a soldier." When Jia Mu heard the mention of Baoyu, she felt anxious and said hurriedly.
"Brother Cong and Brother Huan..." Jia Mu turned around and started to speak. She gradually felt like there was a lump in her throat and swallowed back half of the words.
If Brother Cong and Brother Huan were given titles, wouldn't the family property of the Duke's mansion fall into their hands?
This is absolutely not okay!
Looking at Jia Mu's hesitant expression, Jia Heng said: "Old lady, please take your time to think about it. There is no rush in this matter. Old lady is in her prime."
But Mrs. Wang felt like a big stone was pressing on her heart, making her almost breathless.
"Stop talking about this, it sounds scary." Aunt Xue smiled at the side and changed the topic.
Jia Mu nodded hurriedly: "Let's not talk about this anymore. As the old saying goes, the boat will naturally go straight when it reaches the bridge."
Then he glared at Jia Zheng and said angrily: "You are so good, why do you insist on bringing up this topic!"
Jia Zheng opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end it turned into a long sigh.
Jia Heng stopped mentioning the matter and said instead: "Knowing that the old lady loves to listen to operas, I thought of discussing with Sister-in-law Feng to go south to Gusu to buy a Tongkun opera troupe and put it in the garden for the sake of the children." , the festival banquet is being prepared, and by the way, Sister Lin’s baby is not due next month, so if something like this happens again, there’s no need to hire a theater troupe.”
Jia She and Jia Lian were expelled from the Rongguo Mansion. It could be said that Jia Mu was at the critical moment when she lacked a sense of security. Because of this, she immediately asked him to come over for dinner, subconsciously wanting to see his attitude.
Daiyu's heart skipped a beat when she heard the young man mentioning herself. Liu Ye's bright eyes flashed under her slender eyebrows, and she felt a little confused for a moment.
So I bought the troupe, is it for the old lady to listen to the opera, or is it for...
Heading south to Suzhou? Gusu?
When Daiyu thought about this, she couldn't help but raise her bright starry eyes and took a peek at Jia Heng. She saw that the young man seemed to be sensing something. He was lowering his head to drink tea and cast his gaze on Jia Heng.
Well, cool? Or gentle?
Daiyu panicked, her eyebrows slightly lowered, and her slender hands gently stirred the red tassels of the sachet.
Baochai was holding a tea cup by herself, imitating the young nobleman's preening and enjoying herself. Her elegant, bright and greasy face, which was slightly baby fat, had a light complexion, and her apricot eyes turned to take a peek at Daiyu.
Suddenly, the tea soup in the tea cup rippled, and the ripples expanded several times.
At this time, Jia Mu also secretly breathed a sigh of relief unconsciously.
In other words, Jia Heng's gentle attitude as always or even better than before gave Jia's mother a subconscious sense of security.
Most likely, the two houses of Ning and Rong are connected with each other and are as close as ever... This is good.
Jia Heng persuaded: "Old lady, I said in the ancestral hall before that children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. Doesn't the old lady still have Lange'er? I don't know how to shine in the future."
Jia Mu sighed and looked at Li Wan who was serving beside her.
The young woman is currently wearing a blue chrysanthemum-patterned double-breasted coat and a moon-white underskirt. She has an elegant and jade-like face without makeup, and there is a lingering tranquility between her eyebrows and eyes.
"Brother Lan is a good man, just like Baoyu. He will study hard in the future and become an official in the imperial examination." Jia Mu sighed with emotion.
Baochai was sipping the fragrant tea, and the tea soup in the tea cup rippled again, and even a tea bead splashed out from the apparently small amount of tea soup, causing her increasingly plump and delicate body to tremble slightly. .
Li Wan called out softly: "Old Ancestor" and glanced at the young man from the corner of his eye. The loppa hidden in his sleeves was pinched by a pair of plain hands with manicured nails. The loppa orchids were clustered together.
The invitation to be the host earlier was not in vain. This time, first it was with the master, and now it is with the old lady.
After a few days, a banquet will be held and a host will be invited.
Jia Heng talked to Jia Mu for a while, then looked at Aunt Xue and Baochai, and said warmly: "There are some things that I need to discuss with Aunt Xue and Sister Xue."
Aunt Xue originally wanted to invite Jia Hengdong to do her job, but because of the result of Jia She's penalty, she was "jumped in line" by Jia's mother. Originally, she had to postpone it to a few days later. When she heard this, a smile appeared on her plump face. He thought and said: "Brother Heng, I went to Lixiangyuan to have a talk. Wen Long happened to be at home too."
Baochai also stood up at the same time and said goodbye to Jia Mu.
Seeing this scene, Daiyu's bright eyes flashed.
…
…
Prince Zhongshun's Mansion
It was the time of Xu Zheng, and the mansion with deep courtyard was brightly lit and the silk and bamboo trees were in chaos.
King Zhongshun was hugging his concubine, listening to a few actors in costumes singing an excerpt of Wu Song's drunken beating of Jiang Menshen.
At this moment, a thin figure hurried up to the attic, walked around the six glass maple leaf screens, stood on the red mandarin duck carpet that was a tribute from the Qianxiang Kingdom, bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty."
"What do you say?" King Zhongshun put down the wine cup, waved his hand, screened Concubine Ji away, and looked at Zhou Changshi.
Zhou Changshi's face was not very good-looking, "Your Majesty, a letter has been sent from the palace, and the result of Jia She's case has come out."
"So fast? Who is supervising the execution?" King Zhongshun asked with joy on his face.
Zhou Changshi shook his head and said: "They were not executed. Both father and son were exiled to Guizhou. They were not pardoned. I heard that the title was worth the punishment."
The joy on King Zhongshun's face first quickly receded like a tide, and then he said in surprise: "Rong Guo has lost his title."
Zhou Changshi said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, your Majesty still opens your eyes after all, which shows that the child's face is not small."
King Zhongshun's face suddenly became gloomy, and he was obviously a little dissatisfied. How could he not kill anyone despite all his efforts?
Sensing King Zhongshun's thoughts, Zhou Changshi comforted him and said, "Your Majesty, one noble has been eliminated from Rongning's Second Mansion. Although no one is dead, it's pretty much the same. Your Majesty, please be patient and don't be impatient."
"It's still a pity... But once you are exiled, you will lose your life if you can't save it, just like that Jia Zhen, hehe." King Zhongshun took a deep breath, his eyes flashed coldly, and he clearly had some thoughts.
Zhou Changshi said: "Your Majesty, this matter cannot be forced."
King Zhongshun nodded and muttered, then suddenly remembered something, put down the wine cup, raised his eyes suddenly, and said: "I remember, Rongguo Mansion was built by the Ministry of Revenue's edict of allocating money, right? When Jia Zhen lost her title, she was sealed The government gave it to the child later?"
Zhou Changshi immediately guessed what King Zhongshun was thinking, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Mrs. Rongguo is still here, I'm afraid it won't be possible to make it happen."
"Then the damn old lady can go back to Jinling. Since no one is serving as an official in the capital, why not go back to Jinling?" King Zhongshun sneered and said sideways: "Now the imperial court is in financial distress, and the Rongguo mansion has been filled with wealth. Government funds are used to alleviate national calamities, which is the right thing to do."
"Your Majesty, this action will ultimately harm your saintliness. If your Majesty secretly plots this matter, I'm afraid you will be tabooed by the Holy One." Zhou Changshi advised.
King Zhongshun frowned, the smile disappeared from his face, and his eyes deepened. He had to admit that what Zhou Changshi said was reasonable.
But he remembered the emperor's indifferent gaze in the court earlier. Although he had no likes or dislikes, there was a kind of coldness that never fell.
King Zhongshun thought for a while and said solemnly: "Then let's take advantage of Rongguo Mansion first."
Zhou Changshi said: "My lord, please don't be angry. When the war comes, you will find someone who will look good!"
King Zhongshun nodded, turned to look up at Qi Guan'er on the stage, and whispered: "Qi Guan'er has also made great contributions. Tomorrow he will send enamel glass and porcelain bottles as tribute from the West, as well as Siamese tribute. I selected a few Buddhist beads and jade Buddhas and rewarded him."
(End of chapter)
