The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Qingwen hummed a little tune as she climbed up to the Rongcui Temple. When she entered the mountain gate and heard the sound of a musical instrument, she knew she had found the right place.

Following the sound of the piano, I walked to the nunnery and saw a little girl wearing a nun's hat walking out.

The other person seemed startled when he saw her, but still came forward to greet her.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Of course I'm here to look for my second master. Is he in there?"

"exist……"

Qingwen naturally knew Zhineng'er, and she also knew about what happened in the Rongcui Temple. Therefore, she did not have a good face towards Zhineng'er. She nodded slightly and went in to look for someone.

Unexpectedly, the other party actually stood in front of her. She was immediately displeased: "What are you doing?"

Zhineng was a little hesitant and nervous, and said, "Sister Qingwen, why don't you wait here, or if you have anything to say, you can tell me and I'll go in and report it for you..."

Qingwen was furious: "Who do you think you are? How dare you make me wait here? Get out of my way. You are delaying the Madam and the Old Lady's business. You will suffer the consequences."

As she spoke, Qingwen casually pushed Zhineng's tender and weak body aside.

Being scolded by Qingwen, Zhineng was a little angry, but she was concerned about the other party's identity and the mention of "old lady" and did not dare to get angry. She could only whisper: "Second Master is busy, it is really inconvenient for you to go in."

If Zhineng had said this before she lost her temper, Qingwen might have asked more questions.

But now that Zhineng'er has offended her, she doesn't have the patience to be nice to him.

"I'm just listening to your daughter playing music. What's so inconvenient about that?"

After saying this, he walked into the nunnery.

There was no one in the meditation rooms on both sides of the outer hall where the big Buddha was sitting. Qingwen did not hesitate and walked deeper into the corridor following the source of the sound.

As the sound of the piano became clearer, the furnishings in the Zen house became more refined and elegant.

"Those who know say this is a nunnery, but I don't know which young lady's boudoir this is."

Qingwen muttered in her heart and quickly came to the source of the sound.

This is a relatively spacious and more luxuriously decorated inner hall.

As soon as she reached the door, she saw Gu Qingyi sitting under the screen playing the piano.

Although she was surprised to see Gu Qingyi here, she didn't think anything of it. Just as she was about to step forward to greet him, she suddenly saw a tall figure behind the silk screen, sitting on the couch with one foot, looking very domineering.

Although the light inside was dimmer, she recognized it as her second master at a glance.

She was wondering why Jia Lian listened to the piano behind a screen, when she noticed that there seemed to be a graceful figure behind the screen, lying on Jia Lian's legs like a cat.

After all, Qingwen was the one who often served Jia Lian in this way, so she understood why Zhineng'er had stopped her from coming in just now.

After hesitating for a moment, she walked in and nodded to Gu Qingyi who was staring at her in a daze. Then she pretended to know nothing and reported in a calm voice: "Second Master, the old lady, the madam, and the second mistress are all in Rongqing Hall. I want you to go there as soon as possible."

Jia Lian, who was enjoying the piano and the beauty, was wondering why the music suddenly stopped when he heard this clear but sharp voice.

Before he could react, he noticed that the "cat" in front of him was a little frightened, so he immediately grabbed her head and comforted her, "She can't see you from this position, and she won't know who you are. If you move, she will see you instead."

Miaoyu was so confused that she couldn't get up. She just stared at him blankly after hearing what he said.

Seeing that he had calmed down the lady, Jia Lian raised his head, looked through the screen at the beautiful figure at the door, and said calmly: "Okay, I understand, you can go back first."

"Oh……"

Qingwen curled her lips, but was obedient and was about to leave.

Jia Lian's voice was heard again: "Go home first and prepare a bucket of bath water. I need to take a bath later."

"Oh...Okay! I'll go first, and you should come back soon, too. If you wait too long, the old lady will get angry..."

Although she complained in her heart about the reason why Jia Lian took a bath, Qingwen still gave him a conscientious instruction, then turned around and ran out quickly.

When Qingwen's footsteps could no longer be heard, Miaoyu stood up without a moment's delay and stared at Jia Lian with blushing cheeks.

Jia Lian smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"

Miaoyu became even more angry. She could not help but raise her fist and hit Jia Lian a few times, saying angrily, "It's all your fault, you big pervert... She must have found out!"

Miaoyu is not stupid. She was coaxed by Jia Lian in a hurry just now, and now she has come to her senses.

Even if Qingwen couldn't see clearly who was squatting here, as long as Qingwen was not a complete fool, she should have guessed that it was her.

This is her territory...

She felt too embarrassed to face people.

Seeing that the beautiful lady was angry, Jia Lian quickly hugged her in his arms and coaxed her, "Well, she's just a little girl, so let's just let her be. Look at you, your face is so red...Hasn't Zhineng often seen it before?"

"How can it be the same? Zhineng'er is mine, and she..." Miaoyu lay in Jia Lian's arms, still refusing to give in.

"What's the difference? She's mine too, right? Don't worry, she won't spread rumors."

Miaoyu was about to say something else, but when she leaned her head on Jia Lian's shoulder, she saw Gu Qingyi walking in with a smile on her face.

She was too embarrassed to say anything and could not help but twist Jia Lian's waist hard.

What a hateful person! He actually treated my and my sister Qingyi's looks and piano skills so badly!
Seeing how cooperative Qing Yi's sister was just now, I'm afraid she has already gotten used to it...

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and the little hand on Jia Lian's waist would touch him from time to time.

Jia Lian couldn't stand it anymore, so he pushed her away from his arms and called Gu Qingyi over.

Looking at two stunning beauties in their prime, of equal stature, standing side by side in front of him.

One is shy and smiling, the other is shy and annoyed.

No matter whose smile or frown it is, it is so beautiful, breathtakingly beautiful, and stunningly beautiful.

They are all beautiful ladies who are cold and elegant, but at this moment they are wearing only a thin gauze dress, which is soaked with sweet sweat. Even in the coldness, they appear more charming and amorous.

Jia Lian couldn't help but stare in amazement.

He was already in a dilemma because of Miaoyu, and immediately wanted to indulge himself some more.

After all, he understood the principle of slow progress. Today, he was very satisfied to be able to bring these two cold beauties with similar temperaments and rare looks together for training.

The atmosphere has passed and I have important tasks to do. If I continue to dwell on it, it would not only be rude but would also make me easily looked down upon by the beauty.

So he retracted his gaze, opened his arms, and ordered in a very pretentious manner: "Change clothes with me."

The two beauties were originally ashamed to be stared at by Jia Lian, but they could see full approval and appreciation in Jia Lian's expression, which undoubtedly made them secretly happy, so they tried to maintain their posture.

When Miaoyu heard Jia Lian's instructions, she rolled her eyes. Gu Qingyi smiled slightly, then took Jia Lian's robe and put it on him with gentle movements.

Seeing this, Miaoyu came over and worked with Gu Qingyi to straighten Jia Lian's belts one by one.

After getting dressed, Jia Lian took the two beauties in his arms, kissed each of them on the cheek, and then said with a smile, "It's rare that you two have similar interests. You should get together more often.

Just like today, hehe, I am very satisfied."

After saying this, Jia Lian ignored the two beauties' angry and embarrassed looks, and walked out of the boudoir that the beauties had carefully decorated with a big laugh.

After returning home, he took a quick bath with Qingwen's help, changed his clothes, and went to Rongqing Hall.

Only Lady Jia, Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng were seen in the inner hall.

As soon as Jia Lian had bowed to the two of them, Sister Feng asked with a smile, "Why did you take so long to come? Didn't Qingwen tell you that the old lady and the second lady had been waiting for you?"

Jia Lian also saw that Jia's mother looked unhappy, and he knew that Feng Jie was trying to help him out, so he replied, "I went to the Ministry of Works to find a few old men who are good at building houses. I walked a lot and was sweating, so I took some time to go back and take a bath and change clothes."

Feng Jieer nodded, looking as if she understood.

Sure enough, after hearing this, Jia's expression eased, but she still frowned and asked, "You also went to the Ministry of Works. Are you really determined to move out?"

Jia Lian brought a large group of people to Lai's house to survey the terrain yesterday. It would be hard for Jia Mu and others not to know about it.

I didn't expect that he had just looked at the address yesterday and went to the Ministry of Works to hire someone today. This efficiency really deserves to be a man of action. Jia Lian spread his hands and looked at Sister Feng. The meaning was also very clear: You, mother, didn't you explain the reason clearly to the old lady?

Feng Jieer responded with an aggrieved expression.

Grandmother Jia watched the performance of the two and snorted in annoyance, saying, "You don't have to talk nonsense with me. I called you here today just for this matter.

Sit down first."

Jia Lian thanked him and sat on a stool nearby.

Grandmother Jia got straight to the point: "Because of your decision to move out, your aunt and I went to the palace to see the queen.

After the queen understood the family situation, she gave a solution. Your aunt and I both think it is feasible. We just talked to your wife about it and she agrees. Now we just need your opinion."

Although Jia Lian guessed why Grandmother Jia asked him to come, he thought it was just a way to persuade her with reason and emotion as before.

Therefore, he mentioned his plan to go to the Ministry of Industry as soon as they met, which was to express his clear attitude.

He didn't expect that the other party actually found a solution?
Glancing at Sister Feng, he said in a deep voice, "I wonder what solution Big Sister has given?"

Grandmother Jia glanced at Madam Wang, who then took over the conversation and said, "It is like this, what the Madam means is that the garden at home is so large and well maintained, but now she can't use it, and it would be a pity to leave it alone.

Why not give it to you as a new home for you and Feng Yatou?

This way, the garden will not be wasted, and you will have a large enough place to use when you become a duke. Most importantly, our family can continue to live together, and you don't have to spend so much money to build a new house.

What do you think? "

Mrs. Wang and the other two all looked at Jia Lian seriously.

Jia Lian was a little surprised.

To be honest, before he came up with the idea of ​​building a new house, Jia Lian had considered the Grand View Garden.

However, due to many factors, he gave up this idea. He did not expect that Yuanchun would bring it up.

After a brief thought, Jia Lian shook his head and said, "I'm afraid it's inappropriate."

Facing the three people who were listening attentively, Jia Lian explained: "After all, it is my elder sister's palace. How can Feng and I occupy it? This is against etiquette."

This reason had been anticipated by Lady Jia and others, and it was up to Lady Wang, the imperial concubine's biological mother, to explain it.

"Although the garden was originally built to welcome the queen back home, but in the final analysis, this garden was prepared by our family for the queen, not a gift from heaven.

Since it was not given by the Heavenly Family, there is nothing wrong with the Empress wanting to transfer it to you now.

Moreover, the queen also said that the palace has no intention to restart the return of the emperor to the emperor's home, so the queen has no need for this garden. Since the queen has no need for it, it is reasonable to give it to you.

You don't have to feel bad. Her Majesty also said that if the palace really allows the empress to return home one day in the future, the mansion will choose another location to build a separate courtyard for her to visit her parents. "

Mrs. Wang spoke very sincerely.

Seeing that Jia Lian remained silent for a moment, she took the initiative to ask: "As for whether it is presumptuous for you to live in the main hall... the queen also said that if it were before, she would definitely not make such a suggestion.

But now everyone knows that you are the descendant of the retired emperor and the true grandson of the emperor.

With your status as the grandson of the emperor, it is absolutely no problem for you to move in, and I don’t think anyone will bring this up as an excuse.”

Jia Lian shook his head. He didn't really care whether it was an overstepping of authority or not.

After all, it was just a villa built by the family for the empress and concubines to visit their parents. The only area of ​​the entire Grand View Garden that exceeded the standards of a minister was the one and a half acres of the main hall.

If it really doesn't work, the worst that can happen is that we can just change the name of "Gu Ensi Yi Hall" later.

What really made him feel inappropriate was that the Grand View Garden itself was located at the back of the Ning and Rong mansions, and the main hall, the Gu Ensiyi Hall, was even to the north of the Grand View Garden, which meant that it was almost close to the Ning and Rong back streets.

If he moved into the Gu Ensiyi Hall, wouldn't he be separated from his subordinates in the east wing by a long distance?
Not to mention anything else, the daily "commuting" time alone is much longer.

If you don't live in the Gu En Si Yi Hall, which is the main building, choose a pavilion closer to the south, such as Yi Hong Yuan...

It would be better not to move. It would be better to have my own small courtyard now!
The point is, none of these address the most important issue.

The reason why he wanted to build a new house was that he felt that the yard where he lived now and the front yard of the east wing were both too small and not connected, which restricted his development of power.

The Grand View Garden is big enough, but unless he drives out Sanchun, Jia Baoyu and everyone else, renovates the Grand View Garden, and then moves all his forces into it...

This is obviously not very good either.

Not to mention that he was reluctant to drive Sanchun and others away, the fact is that when the Grand View Garden was first built, it was considered as a "back garden". The layout and architecture inside it were not suitable as a home residence.

Jia Lian had no choice but to express his concerns in front of Jia Mu and others.

I thought it would embarrass Lady Jia and the others, but who would have thought that after hearing it, Lady Jia and the other two all looked relieved.

Grandmother Jia even perked up a little, and she said, "The issues you mentioned were discussed with us by the Empress when we were in the palace.

Before you came just now, we also discussed it with Miss Feng.

This is what we mean..."

As Jia's mother spoke, she told Sister Feng to move a stool to the middle.

Then, Grandmother Jia took out a map from behind the high couch, walked down with it, put it on the stool and unfolded it.

Jia Lian walked over curiously and found that it was a map of the Ning and Rong mansions.

From the map, you can see the Ning and Rong mansions today, as well as all the buildings and terrain including the Grand View Garden.

Grandmother Jia pointed to the area of ​​the East Courtyard on the map, then walked straight back, finally stopping at the last wall, and said solemnly:
"What we mean is to tear down this wall, or to open a door here, and then extend the walls on both sides, and eventually..."

Grandmother Jia's hand continued to move backwards and finally landed on the main gate of the Grand View Garden.

"Eventually, the Grand View Garden and the East Courtyard will be completely connected. Then, you only need to remove the black oil gate of the East Courtyard and replace it with a gate like the main gate, and you can get a complete house."

Although what Grandmother Jia said was very simple, Jia Lian was shocked.

Because he really understood.

The entire map of the two prefectures can be divided into three parts if the Grand View Garden is counted separately.

Rongguo Mansion, Grand View Garden and Ningguo Mansion.

In terms of the size of their land, Ningguo Mansion is larger than Grand View Garden, and Grand View Garden is larger than Rongguo Mansion.

The reason for this is that the Grand View Garden occupies almost the entire latter half of the Rongguo Mansion and most of the Huifang Garden of the former Ningguo Mansion.

If we use a more intuitive statistical method.

Originally, the Ning and Rong mansions were of similar size, and their layouts could be divided vertically into three equal parts: left, middle, and right.

Take the Rongguo Mansion for example. It is roughly divided into the left road (west road) including the Rongqing Hall, the middle road (main courtyard) where the Rongxi Hall is located, and the right road (east road) where the east wing is located.

These three roads run from north to south and are roughly the same size.

The layout of Rongguo Mansion is like this, and the Ningguo Mansion built at the same time is basically the same, and can be divided into three routes.

In other words, if the Ning and Rong mansions are divided vertically, they can be divided into six parts in total.

The Grand View Garden, located behind the Ningguo and Rong mansions, spans five of the six parts. Only the easternmost road of the Ningguo Mansion belongs entirely to the Ningguo Mansion.

Since the Grand View Garden spans five parts, its main entrance is located on the third part, which is the former east road of Rongguo Mansion.

Therefore, the main gate of the Grand View Garden faces the east wing from north to south.

According to Jia's grandmother, if the east wing was extended backwards, it would just cover the main entrance of the Grand View Garden.

In this way, if the East Courtyard and the Grand View Garden are regarded as a whole, it will be like an "inverted convex" shape, deeply inserted into the Ning and Rong mansions from behind!

The key point is, according to Jia's grandmother's intention, if the Grand View Garden and the extended East Courtyard were combined into one and regarded as his mansion, then he could regard the entire extended East Courtyard as the "front yard" and the entire Grand View Garden as his "back yard".

In this case, it can indeed be considered a fully functional house, and it is big enough!

It is much bigger than Ningguo Mansion. (End of this chapter)