Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall
At this time, Xue Jun led Xue Biao to greet Jia Heng. With a prosperous smile on his elegant face, he said, "Zi Yu, I haven't seen you for ten months. How are you doing?"
After arriving in the capital, I heard that the young man in front of me had been awarded a first-class title for his meritorious service. He was also the Minister of Military and Aircraft, and his future was limitless.
Jia Heng's eyes were gentle and he said with a smile: "Uncle, I haven't seen you for a long time."
Now the Xue family is helping him run a business in the south of the Yangtze River, and then transport goods to Nanyang countries to earn profits from maritime trade. Xue's father is the host and can be said to be his helper.
It's just that Father Xue's health has not been very good these years. Because he traveled on the sea, traveled to foreign countries, and slept in the open air, the root of the disease fell on him, and Mrs. Xue's family suffered from phlegm, so Father Xue inevitably wanted to arrange a marriage for Bao Qin earlier. .
At this time, Xue Biao also hurriedly approached, with a slightly embarrassed look on his face, and called softly: "I've seen you, brother."
Jia Heng chuckled, took Xue Biao's hand, and said softly: "Brother, you don't have to be so polite."
Baochai, who was sitting next to Aunt Xue, took Baoqin's little hand, held it with two soft and greasy little hands, and said, "Sister, are you cold?"
Bao Qin said: "Sister, I'm not cold."
Why does my sister say the same thing as Brother Heng?
The two sisters chatted about everyday things.
However, Baochai's eyes were wandering, and from time to time he would cast his gaze on the young man in a python suit and a black crown, and he could not suppress the feeling of pride deep in his heart.
Baoqin also peeked at the young man with a pair of moist apricot eyes. She was so embarrassed that she pursed her pink lips.
Why did Brother Heng kiss her like that just now?
And how will she tell her second sister about this in the future?
Jia Heng sat down, picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and said, "Old lady."
Jia Mu asked, "It's almost the New Year. Brother Heng, should Baoyu forgive him for once?"
Even though the psychic Baoyu was broken into half pieces, Jia's mother did not love Baoyu less because of this. Relationships always have a sunk cost.
Jia Heng asked: "Old lady, Baoyu is still kneeling in the ancestral hall?"
Jia Mu sighed: "No, I have a grudge against him. It turned out that two children were playing around. They were kneeling in the ancestral hall. The punishment was too severe. Baoyu Niang is now accompanying her in the ancestral hall. Yes, the snow is starting to melt today, and it’s extremely cold.”
Xue Jun, who was sitting on the pear-backed chair below, listened to what Jia Mu said, picked up the tea cup and sipped the tea quietly, without any surprise in his heart.
Among the four major families of King Jia Shi and Xue, Baoyu was famous for his naughtiness from childhood to adulthood. Leng Zixing, who was not just a lecturer in Rongguo Mansion, regarded being born with a jade in his mouth as an anecdote.
Jia Heng thought for a while and said: "There is still some time before the New Year. Baoyu will kneel for two more days and copy the Four Books and Five Classics. A small punishment but a big punishment will be enough."
He said why Mrs. Wang was not holding the prayer beads now. It turned out that she had gone to the ancestral hall. After all, the weather was cold and mosquitoes and flies did not breed.
Then let Baoyu kneel in the ancestral hall for two more days.
Mother Jia was surprised and said, "You have to kneel for two more days?"
Jia Heng said: "It's also because of the Chinese New Year, the affairs in the house are complicated, so be careful not to cause any trouble, just let Baoyu kneel down, or just wait a few days."
Seeing Jia Heng's insistence, Jia Mu's lips twitched, and finally turned into a sigh, and then said: "It's such a big deal for you to become a marquis, I asked Feng Yatou to invite a theater troupe. There is a lot of excitement at home these days. ,what do you think?"
"The old lady and Sister-in-law Feng will make the decision on this matter." Jia Heng said casually and said softly: "Actually, there is something I need to talk to the old lady."
Jia Mu asked in surprise: "What's the matter?"
Under Sister Feng's willow-leaf slender eyebrows, the sharp and charming Danfeng turned her eyes and looked at the young man, with curiosity on her face.
Jia Heng said: "Last year, the historian asked me to transfer the son of Marquis Shi to the Military and Horse Department of the Five Cities in the capital. There happened to be a vacancy recently. I asked the old lady to inform the historian in the past two days."
This is actually to sell Jia Mu a face, so that Jia Mu can be decent in the historian family.
When Jia Mu heard this, she couldn't help but feel happy, but on her face she said reproachfully: "I told him several times not to bother Brother Heng, but I don't want you to still remember it in your heart."
Jia Heng said: "It's just a matter of chance. Shi Shibo did a good job in Henan, and the Five Cities Military and Horse Division also happened to be short of people.
Jia Mu said: "Yes, we have sent officials from other provinces. It has been almost half a year. I wonder if they will return to Beijing this year?"
He secretly thought that if Baoyu could study well, he would be able to find an official position for him in the future with the help of Brother Heng. Now he could kneel down in the ancestral hall and suffer a little, and he would be able to speak easily in the future.
After Jia Heng finished speaking, he turned to look at Xue Yun and said, "Shibo, I will go to the study in my house later. I still have a few things to talk to Shibo."
Xue Jun smiled and said, "I'll be there later."
Bao Qin, who was holding hands and talking to Baochai, frowned and her heart skipped a beat.
Brother Heng, will he talk to his father about her marriage later? Will you tell your father that you want to marry her? Ah, what is she thinking? If she wants to marry, she should marry her cousin.
The girl thought about it, her cheeks warmed slightly, and she quickly looked away.
Baochai looked at the two people talking, and seemed to be aware of it. He looked at Baoqin who lowered his eyes and said nothing, and asked: "What is my sister thinking? But she is not feeling well?"
Baoqin no longer looked as charming as before, and said softly and gently: "Second sister, don't think about anything."
The warm smile on Baochai's white face continued to flourish. She felt Baoqin's slightly sweaty palms, and a trace of doubt appeared in her almond-shaped eyes.
Could it be that Sister Baoqin is because of the marriage proposed by her second uncle?
Jia Heng talked to Jia Mu for a while and was about to get up and say goodbye.
Sister Feng asked with a smile: "Brother Heng, various furniture and furnishings have been placed in the garden. When will Brother Heng go and take a look?"
Since Jia Heng returned to the capital, he was first busy with court meetings, and then busy with presenting prisoners at the Ancestral Temple. He barely touched the ground and had no time to play in the garden.
Jia Heng said softly: "I'll have a look in the afternoon. I don't have any official business today."
With that said, he stood up and said goodbye to Jia Mu, and went to Ningguo Mansion with Xue Jun first.
The two of them walked along the long corridor. Xue Yun looked at the upright young man beside him and said softly: "Zi Yu."
Jia Heng asked casually: "Shibo, how is the sea trade business over there in Jiangnan?"
It has been a few months since the sea ban was lifted, and I also took a boat trip to Jinling, and only recently did I gradually get the money back.
Xue Yun said: "The silk from Jinling is very popular in Nanyang. Some of the spices I brought are in demand in Jiangnan and the capital. Many dignitaries are buying them. Ziyu, I brought the account books this time."
As he spoke, he took out an account book from his sleeve and handed it over.
Jia Heng took the account book but did not open it and said: "Not only the goods from Nanyang, but also the porcelain, silk and tea of our Han Dynasty are shipped to Nanyang countries. The customs collects customs duties from them every year, which can also increase the tax revenue for the country."
If the country's fiscal and tax sources are too single, mainly agricultural taxes, then the burden on farmers will be particularly heavy.
Xue Jun nodded and said softly: "Some time ago, the imperial court mentioned the peace negotiation and mutual market?"
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "The Jurchens are different from Nanyang. Now the two countries are hostile. My big man's trafficking of goods to the Jurchens is undoubtedly an act of supporting the enemy."
Xue Yun said: "I heard from some friends that Shanxi merchants were doing these illegal activities in private, but they were not caught by the imperial court. I thought the imperial court secretly acquiesced in this matter."
"That's smuggling. The previous pardon was punished and exiled because of this. This is a national policy of the imperial court. Although it is limited in manpower and Shanxi merchants have not been able to follow the national laws, the sky net is still sparse and not leaking." Jia Heng said in a deep voice.
Xue Yun is a businessman after all, so he naturally pays attention to profitable businesses, which is not surprising.
Xue Jun nodded.
While the two were talking, they came to the outer study of Ningguo Mansion and entered the small hall. The guests and hosts took their seats. Qingwen held a teapot and poured tea for them.
Xue Yun put on a facelift and calmed down her expression, and said: "Actually, I have one more thing to do when I come to Shenjing, and I want to entrust it to Zi Yu."
Jia Heng asked curiously: "Uncle, please tell me."
"That's Baoqin. She's not young. After the New Year, she's almost at the age of hairpins. I want to help her settle a marriage as soon as possible. However, the situation in Shenjing has been turbulent in recent years. I want to consult Xia Ziyu. Opinions." Xue Yun asked.
In fact, this is not surprising, because compared to the Jia family's decline in the original work, Xue's father naturally will not listen to the Jia family's opinions.
But what is the situation now? Jia Heng was the Minister of War, the Minister of Military Aircraft, and the Privy Councilor of the dynasty. He was also a first-class Marquis of Wu and the Commander-in-Chief of Jinyi. He was powerful and held a high position.
Generally speaking, if there is an official in a family, this person's opinion will be asked on many matters in the family, not to mention that the Xue family is to some extent a vassal of the Jia family.
Jia Heng put down the tea cup, suppressed the sweet feeling of intimacy with Bao Qin just now, and said softly: "What kind of family does uncle want to find for sister Bao Qin?"
Xue Jun smiled and said: "That girl Baoqin is a little more out of the ordinary. I'm thinking of finding a scholar for her. It turns out that I had some friendship with Mei Yong, the Imperial Hanlin in Beijing, in his early years. He has a child who hasn't yet decided to get married, but he still has a child. Somewhat unsettled.”
Jia Heng muttered: "The Hanlin Academy is a pure civil servant, which is said to be good. However, in recent years, many civil servants in Beijing have been involved in party struggles, and it is unpredictable. Baoqin is still younger now. Uncle, it is better to wait for another two years to have a good time." Choose a good son-in-law.”
When Xue Yun heard this, he couldn't help being shocked and asked, "I wonder what kind of thing it is?"
Could it be that the Mei family cannot survive in the long run?
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said: "Now in the imperial court, the position of the East Palace is undecided. I don't know how much trouble Hanlin Qingliu will cause. I heard that Mei Hanlin is also a person who likes to talk about things. It's hard to say what will happen in the future."
In fact, his words were not false, because the poem written by Bao Qin revealed her future destiny: "Not by the plum blossoms, but by the willows."
With just this sentence, Xue Yun was startled and muttered: "Zi Yu, this..."
Jia Heng said: "Actually, uncle, there is no need to worry. Sister Baoqin is still young. It's not too late to wait for another year or two."
If he hadn't been unable to control himself on the carriage just now, he wouldn't be in such a dilemma.
However, he also likes Bao Qin's cute and soft temperament, but it's not because of Baochai. Maybe he doesn't have much immunity to this kind of fat one?
"Don't I know this truth?" Xue Yun sighed and said with emotion: "It's just that I have been running around all these years, and I don't know if my body can last until that day."
Jia Heng said: "Uncle, please invite more famous doctors for diagnosis and treatment, and take good care of yourself. Now the Xue family really cannot do without uncle."
Hearing this, Xue Yun's face showed a trace of sadness and said: "Destiny has given me a destiny, and I don't know what to do."
Jia Heng comforted him and said, "Uncle, just relax. I'll find some good doctors these days and everything will be fine."
While they were talking in the study, Tanchun entered the small hall of the study. Under Jia Heng's surprised eyes, he said softly: "Brother Heng, the captain of Jinyi Mansion sent someone to send a message to brother Heng."
Seeing this, Xue Jun said quickly: "Ziyu, don't worry about me, go and get down to business first."
Jia Heng said: "Uncle, wait a moment, I'll be back soon."
After saying that, he left the study and came to the Moon Gate. His eyes first glanced at Zhen Lan who was following him under the eaves of the corridor. He nodded to her, then his eyes fell on Tan Chun's face again and asked: "What's wrong with Third Sister?" Already?"
Tan Chun said softly: "Brother Heng, the captain from Jinyi Mansion came over and said that Mr. Yang Ge sent a letter to the General Affairs Department, and everyone in Beijing is discussing this matter."
The girl was often by Jia Heng's side, and she had a keen eye on the changes in the court situation.
When Jia Heng heard this, he was stunned for a moment and said, "What did I think it was? It turned out to be this."
At this time, Zhen Lanming's eyes were shining, and she carefully looked at the young man's expression, and asked: "Brother Heng seems to have expected something?"
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Okay, it's not a big deal. You go back to the back house first. We will go to the garden to play later."
Lixiangyuan
After Jia Heng left, Xue Baochai led Bao Qin to Lixiangyuan. The two sisters whispered, but Bao Qin was obviously absent-minded.
It’s no wonder that the girl is distracted, she has grown so old just now, and now in front of Baochai, she feels shy and a little guilty.
However, he forced himself to calm down.
"Why did you come back with your brother Heng?" Baochai asked softly.
Baoqin said softly: "Sister, when I went to see Nona, I met my brother-in-law who had just come from the weapons inspection."
"Ordnance Supervisor? Heng Da...huh?" Baochai said softly, her plump and fair face turned as red as rouge, her moist almond eyes looked at Bao Qin, and she said angrily: "You...what are you talking about? ?”
What brother-in-law? This Baoqin's mouth is unobstructed.
Bao Qin chuckled and said delicately: "Sister, Brother Heng told me that you are a couple. Besides, on the ship, my sister cooked for her and knitted clothes for her. "
She was embarrassed to say that when they were on the ship, Brother Heng often went to the cabin where his sister lived. The two would kiss each other. That day Ying'er seemed to have gone to relieve herself, and she saw it by chance that day.
Oops, why is she thinking about this again?
When Baochai heard this, two blushes appeared on her snowy jade face, and she said in an angry tone: "Sister, just call me in private. Don't call me randomly when others are in front of me."
Baoqin said softly: "Sister, don't worry, I won't yell randomly."
In fact, if it were Zhen Lan who was scheming, she would just pretend that she didn't know. In the future, she could even say that she didn't know about her sister and Jia Heng, and that she didn't mean to steal the man.
But Baoqin is stupid and has no scheming intentions.
Baoqin turned her pretty face, and suddenly her voice became a little deeper, and she said, "Sister, daddy wants to marry me."
Baochai said: "My sister is not young anymore. It's normal to make promises to others. I didn't tell you about it last time, so why are you mentioning this again?"
Baoqin said quietly: "After I have someone else, I will definitely not be able to travel around like I did in the past few years. I will be restrained by the rules of three obediences and four virtues, and I will no longer be able to do so freely."
Baochai looked at her sister for a moment and said, "Sister, would you like your sister...brother Heng to help you talk to your second uncle?"
"Dad, listen to Brother Heng. Besides, Brother Heng must have a solution." Bao Qin said charmingly.
Baochai was speechless for a moment, and looked at the girl with determined eyebrows. For some reason, a strange feeling appeared in her heart, but she didn't know where it came from, and she no longer believed it.
Baoqin's distant eyes drifted out of the window and murmured: "The house is so lively now, it doesn't matter if we wait another two years."
Seeing this, Baochai reached out and pinched Baoqin's pink cheeks, and said in a doting tone: "How old are you? You know how to play every day."
Baoqin became in a bright mood again, and said with a chuckle: "Second sister, let's go to Dongfu, it's more lively there."
Baochai gave a soft "hmm", guessing that Baoqin wanted to ask about the outcome of the conversation later, so he was not in a hurry and took Baoqin's hand towards Dongfu.
Jia Heng chatted with Xue Yun for a while, said goodbye to Xue Yun, and also headed towards the inner hall of the back house.
In the hall, the earth dragon is burning, the heat is rising, and the warmth of the room is melting. A bamboo, wood, and mica screen with the pattern of a lady stands.
Youshi, Second Sister You, and Third Sister You are sitting on the embroidered pier beside Qin Keqing. Both Youshi are wearing gorgeous clothes and exquisite makeup. They look like a pair of red and white peonies. They are beautiful and fragrant, competing for beauty.
You's dress, on the other hand, is more elegant, and her gentle and gentle face shows a calm and calm attitude.
Sanjie You followed Jia Heng's advice and did not comb her hair into a bun. Although she looked beautiful, her girlish look diluted some of the gaudiness.
At this moment, Sister Feng and Ping'er were leading Nona to see Qin Keqing. A group of orioles were talking in the hall, and their laughter could be heard in the distance from time to time.
Qin Keqing looked at the girl with blue eyes, amazed in her heart, and said: "This..."
Sister Feng smiled, her melon-seed face was unreasonably gorgeous, and her voice was as charming as ever: "But Qing, her eyes were born like this."
Qin Keqing's jade face was like a hibiscus with a look of surprise, and she said with emotion: "The world is so big, and there are all kinds of wonders."
Zhen Yinglian (Xiang Ling) on the side also stared at the girl, with a novel look in her childish and delicate eyebrows.
Nona was drinking tea at the side, feeling a little strange in her heart. She didn't want to live like this in Ningguo Mansion, always being watched.
At this time, Daiyu and Zhen Xi were talking in low voices. They spoke softly and didn't know what they were talking about.
After leaving Rongguo Mansion, because Baochai was far away, Tanchun often went to the study with Zhen Lan to help Jia Heng with the pen and ink. For a while, Zhen Xi and Daiyu were the only two people who were most interested in talking.
As for Xiangyun, he went to the ancestral hall to visit Baoyu.
Although he was annoyed by Baoyu's previous trouble, Xiangyun was kind-hearted after all. He knew that Baoyu had gone to kneel in the ancestral hall, but no one was talking to relieve his boredom, so he still wanted to go and visit.
At this moment, the aunt outside said: "Grandma, uncle is here."
Everyone who was talking fell silent and looked out, only to see a young man coming from outside the corridor, it was Jia Heng.
"They're all here." Jia Heng looked at the crowd of warblers and said softly.
Qin Keqing asked: "Husband, didn't you go to the Yamen today?"
Jia Heng said: "There is nothing to do in the afternoon. Just now, Sister-in-law Feng said that we should go for a walk in the garden and have a look together. We will sign a plaque and we can move in in the next two days."
Qin Keqing smiled and said, "I was telling my sisters this just now."
Sanjie You looked at the young man at this moment, her gleaming eyes falling on that Qingjun face, and a feeling of resentment arose in her heart.
Yesterday, Uncle Heng didn't come back at night, and I don't know where he went.
Jia Heng said: "It's getting late now, let's go take a look together."
After two days, the snow has actually melted a lot. Compared with the thick snow, the garden scenery is completely invisible. Today, the garden is half-melted and covered with white snow, but it has a graceful appearance as if it is half-covered by a pipa.
Sister Feng smiled and said: "Brother Heng, and several other girls, come with me."
Jia Heng said softly: "Ke Qing, don't forget to call your fourth sister."
Qin Keqing smiled and said: "Don't worry, husband, I have already called you."
Jia Heng said softly: "Let them all wear cloaks. Don't freeze and dress warmly."
Nowadays, there is still a bit of the charm of the white snow and red plum blossoms in the glazed world.
The garden was originally built on a piece of wasteland in Ningguo Mansion, which led the Qinfang River to the garden. The garden opened a gate in Huifang Garden of Ningguo Mansion, leading to the garden.
Everyone first went to Huifang Garden, and before arriving at Tianxiang Pavilion, the plum blossom trees next to the river were already in bloom. As far as the eye could see, the pavilion seemed to be hidden in the snow ridge.
On the Fengyao Bridge, Sister Feng had already ordered the snow to be swept away. Except for the crenellations on both sides of the covered bridge, which were lightly covered with snowflakes, the bridge surface was spotless.
Accompanied by the nanny and the maid, everyone walked along the Bee Bridge and saw the opened vermilion paint door.
Sister Feng smiled and said: "Brother Heng, this is a gate specially reserved in Huifang Garden. In addition, there are two convenience doors for easy passage."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "It's still winter right now. Is it too cold to live in there? If it doesn't work, it wouldn't be too late to move in next spring."
In the original work, the Lantern Festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. In February, when the grass grows and the orioles fly, and the spring flowers bloom, Yuanchun issues an edict to prevent the garden from being abandoned and allows a group of girls to live in it.
Of course, this does not mean that we must live in the spring. A group of girls also lived in the garden in the winter, writing poems in Luxue'an and eating venison.
Sister Feng said with a smile: "The servants have arranged it well. They have laid the floor early and put in brand new bedding. It is warm inside."
The northwest is quite cold in winter, and some people in northern Shaanxi even dig cave dwellings with hot kangs, well, the big Northeastern kangs.
Jia Heng said warmly: "Look inside."
This is my first time to go to the Grand View Garden in my past life, and I don’t know how beautiful and elegant it is as described in the original text.
(End of chapter)
