Li Wan smiled sweetly, showing the charm of a woman in her twenties.
"This will trouble Brother Rong."
"Brother Lan's entrance into school is also a happy event for the family, not a trouble." Today, Li Wan is much more colorful than before. Jia Rong secretly avoided his eyes and returned with a chuckle.
But in his mind, he inexplicably remembered the glimpse he took from the road behind Li Wan's room one night, a glimpse so stunning that it made his heart beat faster. The scene of that night was still deeply imprinted in his mind. When he saw Li Wan going upstairs, twirling his handkerchief, Jia Rong threw the scene in his mind into the sky.
Not long after, Jia She and Jia Zheng, together with Lin Ruhai, brought Jia Lian, Jia Cong, Xue Pan and others over.
Jia She asked: "Brother Jing hasn't come here today?"
Jia Rong replied: "Your Majesty is happy. After the big ceremony that day, he went back to the clean room and no one was seen."
Several people listened and said nothing more. Jia Rong led him upstairs and into another room, separated by a curtain from the female family members next door. More people came one after another from behind, including several elders and brothers from each room.
Jia Qian and Jia Qin, who had been frequently visiting Ning Guo Mansion recently, were naturally the first to come over. As soon as they arrived, they went upstairs to play with the old men of Xi Mansion.
It was almost noon, and the ladies from several houses in Shenjing, four miles away, came over to join in the fun. Princess Beijing, Mrs. Wang Ziteng, and Mrs. Zhongjing Hou Shiding each brought their female relatives over to make the Jia family have a lively New Year.
When the banquet started in the afternoon, guests from the Niu family, Feng family, and Chen family came hand in hand, sent auspicious words, and joined the banquet.
Compared with the bustle in Tianxiang Tower of Ningguo Mansion, the Wu family father and son who were under house arrest were sighing. It's so pitiful that no matter how they find someone to plead with them, no one will care about them now.
It's just that Ningguo Mansion is also suffering unspeakably, and Tianxiang Tower is busy. However, Jia Rong saw someone outside asking for a message from Mrs. You. When she went to inquire, she found out that Mrs. You had brought Sister You and Third Sister here to beat the autumn wind.
Youshi's status in the mansion is awkward now. Although she is Jia Zhen's house filler, she is not the daughter of a wealthy family. There is no more power, even Jia Zhen, the only backer, is gone. Now the people from the You family came over. They gave me too much money, but they were worried that Rong's daughter-in-law would have suggestions. But they gave me less money, and they were afraid that I would be unkind.
She said helplessly: "I'll go over and see you. Ronger will stay here to entertain the gentlemen and ladies at home."
Jia Rong replied: "Madam, please stay in the building. The female relatives of each family are there, as well as noble people like Princess Beijing. Although there are old ladies and they can be regarded as half masters, it is inappropriate for our Ningguo Mansion to have no one present. . Madam You, let your daughter-in-law and the others entertain you. There is also the second aunt in the yard, so nothing can go wrong."
He doesn't have any bad feelings towards the You family, but they are really not close to each other. Even the You family is not closely related to Mrs. You, let alone the Ningguo Mansion. When such relatives come to visit, Ningguo Mansion will naturally not let them go home empty-handed, but it is just a regular reception.
Like Wang Xifeng, spending twenty taels of silver as a favor can be regarded as a happy and prosperous thing.
Youshi was stunned for a moment, then realized that Rong'er was also thinking about her, and a ray of warmth could not help but flow through her heart. I looked at Ronger's handsome face again. Although it was a little darker than in previous years, she looked more manly.
He said softly: "Rong'er has to worry about even the smallest things."
"It's not hard work, but when Rong'er is away from the house, my wife has to worry about taking care of my daughter-in-law and taking care of the house. It's my wife's trouble."
Youshi felt happy after hearing this, so she asked the messenger to go back and ask Grandma Rong to find the guests of the You family. After finishing his instructions, he went back upstairs to entertain the distinguished guests and their female relatives.
Jia Rong also followed upstairs.
The banquet is over.
Jia Rong first took Mrs. Wang Ziteng and others to see Wang Xifeng and Qin Keqing. When I came back, Tianxiang Tower was already very lively. The girls played cards, joked, and watched the show.
Jia She, who was in the next room, returned to Rongguo Mansion first, while Jia Zheng and Lin Ruhai were listening to Qu'er and playing chess in Tianxiang Tower. Other elders and brothers were also restless. Jia Lian, Xue Pan, Jia Juan, Jia Qin and others organized to go to Ningxixuan to have fun.
Jia Rong, who was living idle, was also pulled over, watched for a while, and then was pulled to gamble a few times.
When night fell, Jia Rong had already given away a lot of money, which made Jia Lian and Xue Pan laugh.
"Brother Rong is not very good."
Brother Rong just kept smiling bitterly, and occasionally said: "I'm not very good at playing. I'm not as experienced as Uncle Lian and Uncle Pan."
Jia Lian laughed twice when he heard this and said, "If we play a few more times, we will become familiar with each other."
Jia Rong really has no interest in this, that is, because today is the Chinese New Year and he wants to play with the guests. He doesn't care how much he wins or loses. He smiled and said: "Second uncle, please stop joking. If I play a few more games, I won't lose all my money. Look at the weather, it's time for dinner. I'll be here later."
As soon as these words came out, those who won money were proud of themselves, while those who lost money sighed.
After the party was over, everyone went back to Tianxiang Tower for dinner. On the way, Jia Lian suddenly stopped Brother Rong. When everyone in front had gone away, Jia Lian said, "Sister Feng is pregnant, what are your plans for the future?"
The northern wind in winter is cold outside, and the reflection on the river reflects the brightness of the lights. Jia Rong stood by the bridge on the river bank, looking at Jia Lian's twisted figure in the ripples of the water.
Another gust of cold wind blew, and there were layers of sounds coming from the trees nearby.
He never expected that Uncle Lian would suddenly come to talk about this matter. He took a long breath and asked, "How did my second uncle calculate it?"
In fact, Jia Lian didn't have too many calculations. He smiled bitterly and said, "Let Sister Feng live in Rongguo Mansion. If she gives birth to a child in the future, she will also let her live in Rongguo Mansion."
Jia Rong was startled, looked at Uncle Lian again, paused, and added: "Brother Rong, what do you think?"
"What does second uncle mean?"
Brother Rong was very confused, what did Jia Lian want to do?
Jia Lian sighed. I thought that I would just have to suffer for a few more months and leave my best friend to live in another hospital for a while. After Wang Xifeng gave birth and gave birth, she went to Ningguo Mansion and then took her best friend into Rongguo Mansion. In this way, we have a sweetheart and a child. Without Wang Xifeng in the courtyard again, we can be as happy as we want.
Second Master Lian said: "This can be regarded as saving my face and not damaging Sister Feng's reputation."
Is that really all there is to it? Brother Rong narrowed his eyes slightly, thoughts swirling in his mind rapidly.
He then heard Jia Lian continue: "What's the matter with her? Besides, the child in her belly is also named Jia. If Brother Rong doesn't want to, it would be better to wait until Sister Feng's child is born and then let them go back to Ningguo Mansion. That's okay." It is assumed that the child of Rongguo Mansion was raised in Ningguo Mansion."
this
Jia Rong instantly understood what Jia Lian meant. Does Jia Lian want to cover up this matter, and at the same time, he wants the child in Wang Xifeng's belly to call Jia Lian "Master"?
Damn it!
That's obviously my Uncle Rong's child.
Jia Rong didn't know what to say for a moment. After all, it was Jia Rong who couldn't help Jia Lian, but when he saw the expression on Jia Lian's face, as if he was begging for help, Brother Rong sighed deeply. He said: "Unless I don't want to, my second uncle's actions have indeed covered up my bastard behavior. I should be grateful. It's just that I have to discuss it with Sister Feng."
Jia Lian nodded. In fact, he was also afraid that after being married to Wang Xifeng for so many years, he only had one eldest sister. He often went out to eat secretly, but no one was killed. He couldn't help but wonder if he was destined to have no children.
So now that I saw Wang Xifeng was pregnant, I felt angry and happy at the same time. As long as he and Sister Feng are not reconciled, the child in Sister Feng's belly belongs to his Jia Lian in the Rongguo Mansion. If a boy is born, he will also have a wife. Although he is not his own biological child, he can still explain to his ancestors.
It's better than being childless all your life.
Jia Rong and Jia Lian each went to Tianxiang Tower with their own thoughts. Their heavy footsteps gradually became lighter as they got closer and closer to Tianxiang Tower.
Before entering the building, Jia Lian couldn't help but comfort Brother Rong: "Don't think too much, if Sister Feng doesn't want to. You can also let her live in Ningguo Mansion in the name of raising a baby first, and then give birth to the baby after she has given birth." Send it back to Rongguo Mansion to be raised."
Jia Rong glanced secretly and remained silent. It finally dawned on her heart that Jia Lian had said that her final goal was to get the child in Wang Xifeng's belly.
He even wondered whether Jia Lian had been too lively in Yangzhou in the past two years, causing Mr. Lian to lose his fertility.
She didn't answer him directly and went upstairs. The dinner party at Ningguo Mansion was still very lively.
At night, there were no other guests in Tianxiang Tower. Princess Beijing, Mrs. Wang Ziteng, Mrs. Shi Jia, etc. had all left early. Guests from the Niu family, Feng family, and Chen family also left.
Now only the two mansions, Lin Ruhai and his daughter, and Aunt Xue's family are left. Without the foreign guests, the Lin family and the Xue family were not seen outside, so the banquet at night became even more noisy.
As the master of Ningguo Mansion, Jia Rong is now the most powerful man in the family, so naturally he has to drink a lot of wine. In addition, he is of a lower generation and it is the New Year in the first lunar month, so he simply lets the fun go.
As the lanterns in the mansion are turned on, fireworks also bloom in the night sky. Under the swish of fireworks, Jia Rong was drunk into a daze.
There were two women in the next room looking at him eagerly. Although they were worried, they couldn't go over to persuade him.
Baoyu, who was mixed in the room of the female family members, looked at the expressions of the two women, and the look on his face gradually dimmed. Looking at the colorful colors of the night sky, he felt that there was no trace of the New Year. Suddenly I missed Zhang Hongchen in the small courtyard in Nancheng, and I thought in my heart, what is Brother Hongchen doing now? Are you thinking about yourself while watching the brilliant fireworks?
The male owner of Ningguo Mansion was drunk.
When the fireworks dissipate and the night gets darker. Everyone in Xifu got into the sedan and left one by one under the lanterns of Ningguo Mansion.
As the current head of the Rongguo Mansion, Li Wan was summoned by You to stay and help. It's time to see off the master, wife, brothers and sisters of Xifu.
Youshi and Li Wan couldn't help but frown when they looked at the drunk Jia Rong in the room.
The second day.
On the third day of the first lunar month, Jia Rong woke up and recalled the dream he had last night.
But he didn't think too much about it and went to Prince Zhongshun's Mansion early with the gift in hand.
"Why are you here so early in the morning?" The palace guard couldn't help but feel happy when he saw Brother Rong coming over.
Jia Rong asked: "Why are you guys guarding here? Brother Yu and the others haven't come back?"
One of the guards replied: "Master Jade Guard is still in Jiangnan. Although the other Master Guards followed Master Thirteen back to the capital, they were sent back home by Master Du Thirteen to celebrate the New Year."
I see.
Jia Rong scratched his head and then remembered that guards and bodyguards were different. He cheerfully gave a few coins to the guards guarding the door, and then asked, "Master Thirteen, can you get up?"
A guard replied: "I have sent someone to inform you that the prince will go to the front hall to wait for a while to rest. The prince just returned to Kyoto a few days ago, and he has to stay in the palace until late at night before returning. Yesterday was the New Year's Eve again. , the prince and his wife were having a banquet in the palace, and they did not come out of the palace until they were busy."
It's midnight, isn't it midnight?
Jia Rong asked the prince again when he returned to his residence yesterday and when he took a rest.
The guards were unwilling to say anything, and said with a smile: "Master, please don't embarrass me. I don't dare to reveal the prince's secrets."
Seeing that they were unwilling to say anything, Jia Rong stopped asking. He walked straight towards the front hall, passed the Yimen and met a small eunuch.
The two looked at each other and smiled, as if they were seeing relatives.
"Hey, those servants didn't explain clearly. They thought who came to the palace so early. It turns out to be our Lord Rong. Come on, come on, Lord Rong, go sit in the hall for a while. We will go to the backyard to report. "
Jia Rong asked with a smile: "What? Could it be that the Thirteenth Master hasn't gotten up yet?"
The little eunuch said: "I shouldn't have said those words in the first month of the year, but the Thirteenth Master has never regarded the Lord as an outsider. We can only complain in front of the Lord. Alas, the Thirteenth Lord has always been in poor health. It is even more uncomfortable in this cold weather. Yesterday, there was a big banquet in the palace. The prince could not leave the banquet early, so he suffered from such pain all night. When he came back from the palace, he invited some imperial doctors to take a look and worked hard for an hour or two. Let the prince sleep."
That's it.
Jia Rong said nervously: "Is the prince okay?"
"There are no big problems, they are all old problems. Your Majesty also knows that Thirteenth Master has worked hard these years, and the roots of the diseases left by the past are still there today." The young eunuch replied.
Jia Rong sighed. When he went to Lema Lake Palace to complain that day, he found that King Zhongshun's legs and feet were not very agile. It seems that the problem has recurred there again. He said: "Since the prince is not feeling well, it is not appropriate to quarrel with the prince because I am coming over."
The young eunuch asked: "What do you mean, Sir?"
Jia Rong put down the gift in his hand and said, "When the weather is fine and the prince is feeling better, I will come and visit you at noon."
The young eunuch thought about it for a moment and thought it was feasible. He said: "Then when the prince wakes up, I will send these things over for him."
"Excuse me."
Jia Rong cupped his hands. I couldn't help but sigh in my heart, King Zhongshun's health was getting worse and worse. He even suspected that if this continued, King Zhongshun wouldn't be able to hold on for a few more years.
Sad!
Jia Rong's feelings towards King Zhongshun are complicated. Firstly, he admires King Zhongshun for his conscientiousness. Secondly, he admires the royal family for being considerate of the people. Thirdly, Ningguo Mansion is now under the protection of King Zhongshun.
He knew very well that without the protection of King Zhongshun, Ningguo Mansion would not have reached this point.
Jia Rong really couldn't imagine what the relationship between Ningguo Mansion and the royal family would be like if King Zhongshun suddenly disappeared one day.
After leaving the front hall, he was about to exit the ceremony door.
Jia Rong was suddenly stopped by someone and saw an old eunuch hurriedly coming from behind.
