Three or two days passed.
This morning, it was still dark.
Jia Zheng got up from Aunt Zhao's gentle home and looked back at Aunt Zhao who was like a kitten. I couldn't help but raise the corners of my mouth, recalling the comfort of last night. He reached into the bed to warm himself up again, which made the charming Aunt Zhao on the bed giggle.
"Master, are you going to get up so early?"
Jia Zheng smiled and said: "I have to go to the other courtyard early in the morning to have a look. Work will continue today."
Aunt Zhao pulled Jia Zheng's arm and squeezed it tightly. His eyebrows were like a fox, extremely charming and charming, and he murmured: "Master is really cruel, are you really willing to leave before dawn?"
"This..." Jia Zheng felt the warmth in his hands, and couldn't help but move his fingers a few times. He said seriously, "Official matters in the government are important."
Aunt Zhao gave a charming smile and said, "There are more important things."
When Jia Zheng heard this, his fingers froze. After a while, there was fun in the room again.
After a short cup of tea, the laughter in the room gradually disappeared.
Aunt Zhao leaned softly in Jia Zheng's arms and said some considerate words, which made Jia Zheng even more happy. He said: "What are you busy with? Huan'er is so young. It won't be too late for him to study for another year or two. I have already taken my fancy to two maids, one for Baoyu and one for Huan'er. But they are still young and afraid. They missed the book, so they waited another year or two.”
Aunt Zhao said: "Baoyu has been there for two years, and the master still doesn't know?"
Jia Zheng hurriedly asked who gave it to him.
Although the affair between Baoyu and Xiren was rumored in the house, Aunt Zhao didn't know whether it was true or false. I also thought that it must not be true, otherwise how could Baoyu be led astray.
Aunt Zhao hurriedly replied: "I heard it from someone, but I forgot who it was."
Jia Zheng said calmly: "They are talking nonsense again. Don't hang out with them all the time."
Aunt Zhao gave a sweet hum.
After Jia Zheng rested for a while, he changed his clothes and washed himself under the service of several maids, and went to the study early. Mr. Zheng is living a comfortable life these days. The troublesome Baoyu is still in bed recuperating from illness. There is nothing that worries him at all.
Now that the construction of the Provincial Courtyard continues, Jia Zheng met Zhan Guang and Cheng Riching in the study, and called Jia Lian, Lin Zhixiao, and Wu Xindeng over. A large group of people went to the other courtyard behind.
Jia Zheng calculated that it would take another three to four months before the other courtyard could be completed. When the empress comes back then, Rongguo Mansion will be so majestic. He ordered: "The materials used in other courtyards must be strict. Our courtyard cannot embarrass the queen."
Jia Lian smiled and said, "That's natural. Lian'er already has the ledger in her hand and mind. Zhou Guiren's mother's family only took over the driving on the Lantern Festival, and our family built a separate courtyard soon."
"Everything has to be the best, the most advanced. Our Duke's Palace has let the Zhou family take the lead in provincial marriage, and other houses cannot let the Zhou family compete." Jia Zheng paused, and then said: "Then Wu Guifei’s family started construction at the same time as us, we not only have to be better than the Zhou and Wu families in terms of style, but also have to be better than the Wu family in terms of completion time.”
Jia Lian responded one by one.
After everyone walked half a circle in the courtyard, Jia Zheng led a group of Qing guests back to the study to have fun. Zhan Guang and Cheng Rixing were left in the other courtyard. Together with Lin Zhixiao and Wu Xindeng, they were in charge of all matters in the other courtyard.
When other Qing guests saw these two people, they were all extremely envious. The projects in the courtyard can cost tens of thousands of taels just to pick a few places. The two Qing guests, Zhan Guang and Cheng Riching, don't know how much benefit they will get from this matter.
All the Confucian scholars are thinking that they must serve the political master well in the future. They do not expect to be able to use the glory of the Jia family to become an official in the court, but as long as they can take care of one or two projects, they can make a lot of progress.
One person said to Jia Zheng, "I happened to learn a new strategy last night. I had long wanted to have a talk with Mr. Zheng."
Another person added: "What a coincidence, what a coincidence. I worked hard to get half a volume of chess records left by the former Ming Dynasty player Zhao Jiucheng from a friend, and I also thought that Mr. Tongzheng would study it carefully."
Jia Zheng was overjoyed when he heard this. Said: "Quick, let's go back to the study."
"Second Uncle Zheng."
On the way back to the study, I haven't gone in yet. Jia Zheng heard someone's urgent voice coming from far away, "Second Uncle Zheng, Rui'er has something to ask you."
Jia Zheng looked back and saw that the person running over in a hurry was Jia Rui, the grandson of Jia Dairu, the leader of the Yi Xue Hall.
He asked: "Isn't today the opening day? Why is Brother Rui here at this time?"
Jia Rui stopped in front of him, still breathing heavily. He often met the five-fingered girl alone at night. He was already very weak and exhausted from the rush all the way from the free school. Reluctantly, he asked Jia Zheng to greet him and said intermittently: "It was the Grand Master who called Rui'er over to ask for Mr. Yi Xue from my second uncle."
Jia Zheng was confused. "Isn't there a teacher in the school? Mr. Li's family, and Uncle Confucius. How come they come to me to ask for a teacher?"
Jia Rui hurriedly took out the sign given by Jia Rong and handed it to Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng saw it and found out that it was the brand made by the clan.
Then I heard Jia Rui say: "Brother Rong has discussed with Taiye and Mr. Li. From now on, the free school will select a few top students to listen to Mr. Li after school. In the free school, there are daily lectures on scriptures and essays. We need to find new ones." Come here, sir."
Jia Zheng replied: "Just look for me, how can you come to me?"
Jia Rui said: "My grandpa thinks so too, but Brother Rong said that it will take time to find a teacher. If the new teacher in the library has not arrived yet, we can only ask the prime minister from the second uncle's house to give lectures at the free school."
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was stunned. A group of elders around Jia Zheng looked curiously at the Qing guests and saw the twisted expressions on their faces, which were extremely wonderful and beautiful.
Some people even couldn't help but gloat and laugh out loud.
The faces of the Qingke ministers turned dark.
They are just disciples of Rongguo Mansion, how can they be lecturers? The retainer is a high-end escort, and the reward he gets is much higher than that of the gentleman who raises children. Moreover, playing chess is an elegant pleasure, while speaking and lecturing on scriptures is the most boring. It would be more uncomfortable for them to give lectures than to kill them.
For a moment, the Qing guests did not dare to speak, for fear that Master Zheng would select them to be sent to the charity school.
Jia Zheng also felt very sad and glanced at the guests from the corner of his eye. Zhan Guang and Cheng Rixing were in charge of other courtyards, and several others also had errands in other courtyards. Now there are only three or four idle people left in the mansion. If we send a few people to the volunteer school, how will we live in the future? There is no one to play chess with me anymore.
Mr. Zheng was depressed. It was too hard for him to be the head of the huge Rongguo Mansion. well……
He said: "Mr. Li has other arrangements, you can also ask Uncle Confucianism to give the lecture. In the past, when the Yi Xue did not invite teachers from outside, it was your grandpa who was in charge. Please hold on for a while, Uncle Confucian. I will find you when I get back these days." come over."
Jia Rui remembered Jia Rong's words in his heart. Neither the teacher nor the teacher could be fooled. If he did well, both the clan and the Ningguo Mansion would reward him. If he didn't, Brother Rong would cause trouble for him.
Uncle Rui said anxiously: "Uncle Zheng, it's all explained by Brother Rong. Brother Rong even sent the clan brand, and he also left a message saying that Brother Lan and Brother Jun in the clan have talents. Yes. Second Master Bao is even more of a top scholar. Although he went astray for a while, as long as he has more discipline from the righteous school and the government, he will be able to make a difference in the future."
Jia Zheng didn't care about other things, but when he heard Baoyu's words, he couldn't help but feel excited. I also heard that Jia Lan and Jia Jun were also talented, and they were no longer easy to fool. Baoyu is his son, and Jialan is the son of his son Jiazhu.
If Rongguofu can produce another Jia Zhu...
Jia Zheng looked at the Qing guests again and felt heartbroken. It seems that we must seize the time to find new teachers of righteousness, and let those teachers discipline Baoyu and Jialan. Mr. Zheng stroked his beard gently, nodded secretly, and thought that he could use this time to recruit a few more Mr. Qingke to come to the house.
Playing music, chess, calligraphy and painting, romantic music, and enjoying elegant music.
Thinking of this, Jia Zheng had no choice but to grit his teeth and let Jia Rui take the only three remaining husbands to the charity school. When leaving, he also said: "Excuse me, gentlemen, I will take over for now. When everyone returns, I will prepare a big gift for everyone to thank you."
Although the Qingke ministers were unwilling, they had no choice but to have children. When the master's family is in trouble, they must either help or leave. Now everyone can see that Rongguo Mansion is on the way to its peak. How can these elegant disciples who have attached themselves to Rongguo Mansion leave at this time.
It's not in their interests.
Jia Zheng returned to the study alone, looking at the ancient books in the study, the chessboard on the desk, and the "Mountains and Flowing Waters" on the wall...
He just felt extremely lonely and boring.
Jia Zheng sighed: "It's so tiring to be in charge."
Find a chess book, sit down at the desk, and play against yourself according to the chess book.
"The first day when all the ministers were away... I felt like I was tricked by Brother Rong. It was such a boring day."
"The second day after the Lord's absence...Brother Rong hurt me. It's another boring day."
"On the third day of my absence... I was hurt by Brother Rong. When will this day end..."
I have enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded by stars and the moon, but how can I endure this loneliness? Jia Zheng really missed those days when Qing Ke and his father-in-law kept company. Those were the best days.
"Oh, being the boss is so boring."
"..."
This day is the twenty-first day of the first lunar month.
"Why didn't Feng'er go to the west to have fun?" Jia Rong asked curiously.
Wang Xifeng was lying down and taking a rest. She rolled her eyes at him and looked like she didn't want to talk. Ping'er next to him smiled and said: "Uncle is joking again. Grandma is so worried that she can't go to the west."
Jia Rong clicked her tongue in surprise and said: "It only took a few days, but I was still asked to do this and that that night. Why don't I even want to get out of bed today?"
Xiangling blushed immediately afterwards. In just a few days, she went from an ignorant little girl to a novice who had watched several teachings. Although I haven't practiced it yet, I understand a lot of things.
Xiangling quietly touched her lower lip, thinking to herself that she had put it into practice.
Ping'er said with a smile: "Grandma is not feeling well today, and you still come to provoke her. When the person comes out of the belly after spring, I will feel guilty."
Ping'er's little hoof became more and more bold.
Wang Xifeng secretly snorted, and she couldn't help but blush after hearing such words, and said: "You are not yet an aunt, and now you are subduing me. Your uncle Rong has not suffered yet, so don't try to escape your sin."
Ping'er snorted: "I am on grandma's side, and you still pick on me."
Wang Xifeng was about to speak when she suddenly heard someone outside. After hearing the sound of the curtain being opened, it turned out that it was Youshi leading Yindie and others.
Jia Rong got off Sister Feng's bed, stood up, and sat down on a chair beside her.
You came in and glanced at Brother Rong curiously. Sister Feng, who was on the bed with her, said, "Your room was much more lively than my courtyard in the morning."
Brother Rong stood up again to make room for Youshi and asked, "How come my wife is here so early in the morning?"
Youshi's eyes glanced between Jia Rong and Wang Xifeng, and he breathed out gently from his nose. She approached Sister Feng, sat down by her bed, and said, "I heard from people in the mansion that our female overlord is not feeling well, so she came over in a hurry to visit. Can the imperial doctor take a look at her?"
Jia Rong replied: "The engraving from the prince's palace has just come, just let my aunt have a rest. It's no big deal."
Youshi looked at Jia Rong again, nodded slightly, and said to Sister Feng with deep meaning: "You too will be surrendered one day. Come to our Ningguo Mansion and just have a good rest. The West Mansion has its own people in charge, so why do you want it?" Worry day and night.”
Wang Xifeng saw the strange look on Youshi's face and guessed that the sister-in-law had suspected the relationship between her and Brother Rong, and even knew about it. But she wasn't worried at all. Sister Feng had moved into Ningguo Mansion, so she wasn't afraid of others finding out. Besides, she and Brother Rong were playing around in the courtyard these nights. How could the maids in Ningguo Mansion not notice anything strange?
There is always news that reaches Youshi.
Wang Xifeng replied calmly: "There are many things in the house, how can you say you don't care and then really don't care about anything. I wish you were so lucky. If I don't want to take care of things, I still have a good daughter-in-law. A good daughter-in-law should be by my side. There are two more obedient aunts who can’t do anything for you."
Youshi took a deep look at Sister Feng and said with a smile: "There's nothing we can do about it. There are so many people who want to come to Ningguo Mansion to take care of things, so naturally I won't be tired. I also know that you are a warm-hearted person, and maybe our Ningguo Mansion will be occupied again in the future. You take care of it."
Wang Xifeng looked at Youshi's proud expression and curled her lips. Look at this man's happy face when he finally got the upper hand in the argument. Sister Feng said calmly: "Rong's daughter-in-law wants me to take care of it, so I will naturally take care of it."
"Uh..." Seeing Wang Xifeng's calm expression, You began to suspect that her guess was wrong. He looked sideways at Jia Rong, then at Wang Xifeng, and decided not to test him. He said, "Today is Sister Xue's birthday. You look like you can't get over it, but let Ping'er come with me?"
"Please lead Ping'er over." Wang Xifeng said casually.
"That's right, I'll take Ping'er away." Youshi smiled, then looked at Jia Rong in the room, and continued: "It's not appropriate for your wife to go there and have fun, so she called Ruizhu and Baozhu to follow me. Rong'er will ask your wife to come over later and accompany your aunt. There are too few maids in this courtyard, so I want your wife to send a few more maids to take care of her."
Jia Rong agreed.
At this time, an independent courtyard to the east of Rongguo Mansion was already extremely lively.
Daiyu, Tanchun and others arrived early. Xiangyun, who usually stayed with Baoyu in his room, was also brought over by Tanchun to have fun because Baoyu recovered from his injury.
When You arrived with Ping'er, Ruizhu, Baozhu and other Ningguofu delegation, Mrs. Wang and Li Wan were already there.
Li Wan smiled: "You are here."
