After Jia Mu left, Jia She, Jia Zheng and others also returned to their own courtyards.
Some people who wanted to go home to reunite and celebrate the New Year as a family also got up and left.
The rest are some people of the younger generation, headed by Jia Lian, who continue to eat, drink and have fun here, preparing to stay up all night.
Seeing this, Jia Cong also wanted to go back to Ningguo Mansion to celebrate the New Year by himself. He called Youshi, Qin Keqing, Xichun, Yuanyang, Ping'er and Hongyu to prepare to leave.
Before leaving the flower hall, he was stopped by Jia Lian.
"Brother Cong, why are you in such a hurry to go back? It's still early. There are a lot of people today. It would be nice for everyone to have fun together."
Jia Huan said with a smile: "Third brother, you are usually busy and my brothers don't dare to disturb you. Today is the Chinese New Year and everyone is having fun together. You can't run away early."
Jia Lan also ran over and said, "Uncle Cong, my nephew will give you a toast later. You can't leave now."
Jia Cong looked at the sky, it was just getting dark now, it was really early, so let's stay a little longer.
He smiled and said: "Okay, I will go crazy with you today, but it can't be too late. We have to go to the palace to congratulate you tomorrow morning. There will be plenty of time to drink together after the new year."
He turned to Yuanyang and the others and said, "I'll stay a little longer. Why don't you go back first? Li Biao is at the door. Let him take you back."
Yuanyang said: "We'd better wait for you together. If you fail to count and forget the time, we can remind you. We can't let everyone in the family wait for you."
Jia Cong said: "Okay, then you guys find a table and eat some cushions first. I'll take care of it for a while and then we'll go back. I've invited a guest back over there, so we can't go back too late."
Hongyu said: "Sir, I'm going to talk to my parents. If I don't come back, call me when you leave and I'll go back with you."
Jia Cong said: "Hongyu, today is the New Year. If you want, you can stay and celebrate the New Year with your parents. You can go back tomorrow. I just drink these days and there is not much to do."
Hongyu smiled and said: "My parents are very busy. They will probably stay up all night tonight, but they don't have much time to accompany me. I'll talk to them and go back. It's still lively over there, and the two families are so close together. Just like a family, just lift your legs and come here.”
Not to mention, Hongyu has been raised by him for several years, and he is more outstanding than before, and he is more experienced in speaking and acting.
Jia Cong smiled and said, "Just have your own ideas. Go ahead and talk to them."
Hongyu responded, turned and left.
Most of the rest were men, it was too noisy.
Yuanyang, Ping'er, Xichun, Youshi, Qin Keqing and others did not sit down again, but went to Jia Mu's yard to talk to Jia Mu.
Jia Cong came to Jia Lian's table and sat down. This table was basically occupied by their peers.
In addition to Jia Lian and Jia Huan, Jia Baoyu also stayed, as well as several closer cousins.
Jia Lan, Jia Yun, Jia Qiang, Jia Jun, etc., people of their generation also made a separate table, and there were seven or eight tables left, all from Ningrong Street.
They are all brothers, no strangers to everyone. Seeing that Jia Cong doesn't put on airs, everyone lets go.
Still, most people are cautious.
Jia Cong's identity is placed there. He is both Ning Guogong and the clan leader. Once he sits here, no one dares to be too presumptuous.
After a few glasses of wine, Jia Lan came over to propose a toast.
"Uncle Cong, my nephew would like to propose a toast to you. You are my nephew's idol. Think about it, six years ago, we were still studying together. Now Uncle Cong is already a dignified Ning Guogong, which is far beyond my nephew's reach."
This little guy Jialan may have had no father since he was a child.
When I was young, I didn't like to talk much, so I only interacted with a few familiar people such as Jia Cong, Jia Lan, and Jia Jun.
After he became successful, he never forgot about this former friend. He also received a share of the gifts sent back every year.
Since he rectified his family studies, Jialan's progress has obviously been much greater. In addition, living in the school, he has less time to go home, and he has gradually become more lively.
This little guy is a good student, and he works hard and knows how to make progress. He is a good prospect.
I can help him find a good teacher and teach him well.
Also prepare some successor forces for the Jia family.
In fact, you don’t have to do this yourself. As long as you mention it to Jia Zhenglu, Jia Zheng will pay attention to it immediately.
Jia Cong took a sip from the wine glass and said with a smile: "Brother Lang, don't belittle yourself. You are still young. Study hard and you will definitely go to high school in the future."
Jia Lan smiled and said: "Then I will accept Uncle Cong's good words."
Jia Yun, Jia Qiang and others also came to toast, and the scene became lively for a while.
······
Hongyu found her mother.
At this time, all the female students had left the table, but they were not too busy.
When Lin Zhixiao's family saw their daughter coming, they pulled her and asked, "Hongyu, why are you here? Hasn't the Duke left yet?"
Hongyu smiled and said: "I was about to leave, but I was held back by Master Lian and the others. I guess I won't be able to leave for a while. I'll come over and talk to mother."
Lin Zhixiao's family looked around and said, "There's nothing big going on here. Let's go. Let's go home and talk. I don't know when your father will come home."
Hongyu said: "My father probably won't be able to leave for a while. When I came over, there were still many people over there."
The two of them talked and returned home. Lin Zhixiao lived in the servants' yard in the front yard of Rong Mansion, but as a butler, he had his own separate yard.
Although it cannot be compared with the Lai family in the past, the family is also quite wealthy.
However, Lin Zhixiao and his wife are relatively low-key, and their home decoration is not extravagant, just ordinary.
My mother and I were sitting on the edge of the Kang, eating melon seeds and chatting about home affairs.
"Hongyu, did your father-in-law confiscate your house?"
Hongyu's face turned red and she said sheepishly: "Mom, not yet. In order to practice martial arts these years, the Duke of Guo has been keeping himself clean and not close to women. Some time ago, under the urging of the eldest grandma, he finally reconciled with sister Heping'er. house."
Lin Zhixiao's family said: "The Duke of your country is indeed an amazing person. He has achieved his current status because of his own hard work. Not only the Jia family can't compare with him, but most men in the world can't compare with him.
Hongyu, what do you think? You are getting older now and it is time to consider your life-long affairs. Do you want to stay with him and be her concubine? Or should you let your mother find a good marriage for you and be the hostess yourself?
You also grew up in this house. You also know the status of the aunts in the house. Your father and I don't want you to be a concubine. After all, the status of a concubine is too low. "
Hongyu thought for a while and said: "Mom, with our status, what else can we do to find an ordinary person to marry? Although we can be a hostess, we still have to bow our heads when meeting someone. It may not necessarily be a comfortable life.
Jia Yun on the front street used to look good, and she would run up to the Duke of Guo from time to time, kneel down and want to be his godfather, hoping to gain glory and wealth. The Duke of Guo refused because he was young and they were uncles and nephews. Yes, I just arranged an errand for him.
Mom has also seen my treatment in the mansion. It is no worse than the girls in the mansion here. To be honest, it is better than them. Our Duke is different from others. Even if I become his concubine, We can still manage things in the house. "
When Lin Zhixiao's family heard what their daughter said, they understood what their daughter meant.
To be honest, being able to be Jia Cong's concubine is already considered a high achievement. It is also his daughter's blessing that Jia Cong likes his daughter, and he and his wife will also benefit from it.
It's just that the status of the concubine in this mansion is too low. I am just a daughter. I don't want my daughter to be wronged in the future.
"Hongyu, have you really thought about it? As long as I can see you happy, your father and I will be satisfied. Mr. Ning Guo is indeed very kind to you. Even your mother is envious of you. However, if he marries Now that I have become my wife, can I still treat you like this?"
Hongyu said: "Mom, my daughter has already made up her mind. My daughter can easily get the wealth that others have tried so hard to obtain, so why bother to seek far away from the near? Even if Miss Lin comes over and takes charge of the back house, I, Sister Heping'er, will still be in charge. But it is under the jurisdiction of Miss Lin.
Our father-in-law has said that Miss Lin only controls the overall situation. Sister Ping'er is still responsible for managing the affairs in the house. If there is any important matter, just ask Miss Lin for advice. Just like in the past, the second wife was in charge of the house here, and the second grandma helped the housekeeper. Same. "
Lin Zhixiao's family nodded, this idea is good, Miss Lin doesn't need to worry too much.
She is still very confident about her daughter's abilities. She has taught her reading and arithmetic since she was a child, and she is also good at scheming. When she sees that her daughter has made up her mind, she no longer tries to persuade her.
For a daughter to achieve such a status, many people could not even ask for it.
Jia Cong is indeed very kind to the people around him. He has also seen his daughter's jewelry. Every piece is exquisite. The Dongzhu bracelet and Dongzhu necklace are even rarer. Even the eldest lady here , the second wife doesn’t have one.
There are mink coats, fox fur coats, and even one in various colors, several more than the girls in the house here.
If he is willing to give such a good thing to Hongyu, then Hongyu must have a certain status in his heart.
My daughter can live a dignified and happy life. As a mother, what else can I be dissatisfied with?
However, my daughter is still young, and there are some things that I, as a mother, need to pay more attention to.
"Hongyu, since you have decided, mother will not say anything. Following Ning Guogong is indeed a good destination. However, you must hurry up. If it doesn't work, take the initiative and make this matter a reality. Otherwise, Wait until there is an opening."
Hongyu knew that her mother was doing it for her own good. There were too many women around Jia Cong, so she really couldn't afford to wait. It seemed that she had to take the initiative.
"Mom, don't worry, my daughter knows what to do. This time when he went to Jiangnan, several people around him, Yuanyang, Xiren and others, have been housed. They also brought back a beautiful woman from Jiangnan.
After all, the Duke of Guo is a man. Now that he has eaten meat, how can he bear it? I will wait and see what happens after the New Year. "
When Lin Zhixiao's family saw what their daughter said, they felt relieved, and the two of them chatted about family matters again.
······
Jia Cong saw that he was almost done drinking, so he got up and left.
Jia Lian knew that his brother was going back to Ningguo Mansion for a banquet, so he didn't force him to stay and let him go.
Jia Cong called Youshi, Qin Keqing, Xichun, Ping'er, Yuanyang, and Hongyu, and they returned to Ningguo Mansion together.
Zhang Fu, Zhang Dakui, Wang Cai, Tie Zhu and others are already waiting in the mansion.
Although many people in Ningguo Mansion have been cleared, there are one hundred soldiers of Jia Cong living in the mansion, which is more than those in Rong Mansion.
Youshi and Ping'er went to the back house and started to arrange a dinner.
Jia Cong stayed in the front yard, accepting the salutes of his men and servants.
The banquet here has been prepared a long time ago, and we are waiting for Jia Cong to come back to start the banquet.
Jia Cong picked up the wine glass, glanced at everyone, and said loudly: "Everyone has worked hard over the years. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone. Today is New Year's Eve. Let's celebrate the New Year together. Come on, let me toast you all and wish you a happy New Year." , all the best, done.”
After Jia Cong finished speaking, he raised his glass in a distant salute, raised his head and drank it all.
"I wish my lord a prosperous military fortune and good promotion. Cheers."
Everyone also raised their glasses together and sent their blessings.
Jia Cong drank three drinks with everyone, drank a few drinks alone with Zhang Fu, Zhang Dakui, Li Biao and others, went to the soldiers to toast and expressed condolences, and then returned to the rear. House.
The banquet here has been arranged, and it is all arranged in Jia Cong's room.
Everyone bowed to Jia Cong first and then began to take their seats.
Jia Cong is sitting on the main seat. On his left are Youshi, Xichun, Qin Keqing, and from below are Miaoyu, Han Nianci, Dayu'er, Ruyan, Su Morer, and Xiaoman.
On the right side are Ping'er and Yuanyang, and in order from the bottom are Qingwen, Xiren, Xiangling, Crescent Moon, Yanhong, Ruby, Chunlan, Summer Bamboo, Qiuju, and Dongmei.
Jia Cong took a look around, and more than twenty people gathered together. These people were basically outstanding and were Jia Cong's indispensable right-hand man.
Jia Cong was also in a good mood when he saw all the beauties, plump and thin, with beautiful national beauty.
Jia Cong picked up the wine glass and smiled and said: "I took over the Ningguo Mansion when I was eleven years old. After a hasty year, I went to Liaodong and stayed in Liaodong for three years. Now that I am back, I can be considered successful.
Most of the people here have fought with me until now. Some have accompanied me on the battlefield and shared life and death together, while others have stayed at home to help me take care of my family and business, so that I have no worries.
All the achievements and status I have today are also due to your contribution. You are all my heroes. This year is the first year that I have truly lived in a down-to-earth manner. Let us raise a glass together and celebrate the New Year! cheers! "
Jia Cong's words moved everyone present.
Qingwen, Han Nianci, Chun Xia Qiudong and others followed Jia Cong every day, and they had long known what he was like, and were delighted when they heard this.
Ping'er, Yuanyang, Yanhong and others all looked excited and had tears in their eyes.
These words affirmed their efforts and Jia Cong had not forgotten them. While they were moved in their hearts, they also completely returned to Jia Cong.
Even the following people, Dayu'er, Ruyan and Miaoyu, looked at Jia Cong with admiration after hearing his words.
Everyone raised their glasses together and said in unison: "It is our honor to be able to follow the Duke of Guo. We are willing to follow the Duke of Guo all our lives, through fire and water, no matter what."
Jia Cong drank a glass of wine with everyone, and couldn't help but feel excited in his heart. Why is this a bit like a blood alliance?
