The Concubine Wushuang of Red Mansion

Chapter 106 Orderly
When Jia Lian left the city on the first day, he was a little late.

When I arrived at Xuanzhen Temple, I finally met Jia Jing. After I finished talking, it was almost the second watch and I couldn't come back to the city, so I simply stayed at Xuanzhen Temple.

The night was a bit difficult. The little Taoist priest who happened to be serving Jia Jing was a handsome man. He blushed and softened when he was teased. He hugged the person in his arms. His whole body was already full of excitement, and he succeeded in a few strokes.

Jia Lian spent the night getting rid of the fire, but the little Taoist priest was left limping when he went out.

Jia Lian looked pitiful and gave him a piece of silver worth ten taels before leaving.

This trip was not in vain.

When I came back, I entered Ningrong Street and saw a huge group of people in front of me. They were all very wealthy and well-dressed people.

Jia Lian couldn't help but pull his horse back. After seeing those people entering Ning Rong Street, he went straight to Ning Guogong's mansion. He thought, is there any other family in Ning Rong's mansion that he doesn't know?

Jia Lian also followed, but some of the gatekeepers in front of Ningguo Gong's mansion did not change. They were just in case guests came and they didn't know who they were, so they would be rude.

Who knows, I don’t know any of these people.

A young eunuch accompanying him stood at the door and shouted loudly, "His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince, the Crown Prince of Xianning, the Crown Prince of Dong'an County, the Young Master of the Marquis of Huai'en, the grandson of the Prince of Xining County, and the Commander of Jingwei, Mr. Xia are here. !”

Jia Lian was so shocked that he fell off his horse when he heard these names.Seeing no one at the door, he was thinking about whether to go forward and help greet him. Inside the door, Jia Cong had already learned that an unfamiliar guest was coming, and he hurried out!
Seeing the person coming, Jia Cong felt really warm in his heart. He rushed forward and wanted to salute His Highness the Fourth Prince first, but the Fourth Prince grabbed him and said, "Take us first to burn incense in the royal palace!"

There were three coffins in the mourning hall, and the middle one belonged to Mrs. Zhong. After she received the third-grade imperial edict, she could be called "Madam".

After His Highness the Fifth Prince's personal eunuch offered incense on his behalf, the rest of the people also came up to offer incense and pay homage. Jia Cong knelt down and kowtowed one by one in filial piety.

After that, Jia Cong took everyone to Ning Xi Hall at the back to sit down. After serving tea, there was a silence for a while, but Mu Yongzuo spoke first, "Jia Cong, I see that you have become a lot more haggard recently. I apologize and accept the change! Your Majesty has not yet If you go far away, if you see it, you will definitely be heartbroken!"

The commotion in Duke Rong's Mansion naturally reminded everyone in Kyoto of the tragic scene eight years ago, as well as Jia Cong's kneeling at Duke Rong's Mansion. Although Duke Rong's Mansion has lost its good reputation, who wouldn't? In the past, the three members of the Zhong family felt sorry for each other, but why didn't they grieve for Jia Cong?

The heart is soft!

"Yes, Jia Cong, no one expected such a thing to happen. Don't be too sad. My aunt is in heaven. She probably wants to see you doing well. When you grow up, you can make contributions and make a career. !”

It was rare for Mu Yongzheng to speak such serious words. He and Jia Cong first became friends when visiting brothels. Later, Jia Cong was better than him in every aspect.

As a man, it is easy to feel admiration for someone who is stronger than him. After going back and forth, the two of them have the deepest friendship.

With tears in his eyes, Jia Cong forced a smile and said, "Brother Yongzheng is right, my mother...has sacrificed a lot for me. I know in my heart that I will never let her down in the future!"

His mother hoped that he would have poems and books in his belly, that he would be named on the gold medal list, and that he would be able to help his family and the country. Although she was born in such an era, Jia Cong felt that she had more outstanding insights and extraordinary abilities than the women of later generations. Wisdom, he only hated that the time spent with his mother was too short.

The old Jia Cong couldn't see this.

Xian Ning disguised herself as a man and had been silent since she arrived. At this time, she shed tears and said softly, "Junior brother, I don't have a mother either. From now on you will be just like me!"

Jia Cong looked at her deeply. The little girl was obviously very sad. Her eye circles were red, her pointed nose was also red, her lips were slightly pink, and she was wearing a plain silver embroidered arrow sleeves. , a handful of jet-black hair tied behind her head with a ribbon, bright and pretty, but also a little pitiful, making people feel pity.

"Yes, we will be the same from now on. Senior sister should protect me more from now on!"

Jia Cong deliberately looked pitiful. Xianning burst into laughter and shed more tears. She looked at Zhong's spiritual tablet and said, "Mrs. Zhong is really a great person, but I don't know what my mother was like." , Grandma said she is a very beautiful and gentle person, I think she must be!"

If not, why would her father never forget her? No matter what the emperor's uncle said, he would not remarry. It was impossible for a girl like her to inherit the title.

The more he talks about it, the more uncomfortable he feels.

Xia Jin cleared his throat and said, "Cong'er, we're here to see if you need any help. We've brought a dozen soldiers here for the division. They'll stay here to help you finish the funeral." !”

"Thank you, Master!" Jia Cong no longer needed to be polite to Xia Jin.

Unexpectedly, Mu Yongzuo also followed, "Jia Cong, I brought Cai Song, the steward of my palace. He is Song Hong's godson. Let him stay with you to help you for a few days!"

Next, Mu Yongzheng also said that he would send a group of servants from the palace to help. Zhao Enhua even recommended a cook, and Tietu helped hire a team dedicated to cooking.

Before leaving, Xian Ning walked up to Jia Cong and whispered, "Junior brother, I only have grandma in front of me. My grandma was left to me by my mother, and she is very capable..."

"Senior sister, don't worry about me. I see that you have lost a lot of weight. Although the things in this house are complicated and complicated, they are not difficult for me. My elder sister-in-law is still supporting me in the backyard. If it weren't for her, Senior Sister Even if you don’t say anything, I still want to speak. After all, I don’t know anything about the backyard!”

Xian Ning curved her lips and smiled, her two pear dimples sunken deeply, looking extremely delicate and cute.

Jia Cong's heart was soft. Although Xian Ning was older than him, he was not short. He was about the same age as Xian Ning. He gently brushed her shoulder and said, "Senior sister, there is no need to come over these days. After the funeral is over, I will Look for you."

It was a noisy place with many people talking. If he bumped into her, how could Jia Cong endure it?
After the group arrived, they sat there for about half an hour. Jia Cong was too busy, so he left together again.

Xia Jin originally wanted to stay and help, but Jia Cong was not willing. Then Mu Yongzuo said that the steward sign he brought was originally from the palace supervisor, and he was familiar with funeral rituals. With Cai Song here, nothing would happen. .

Xia Jin himself was too busy to do anything, so he had to give up.

It has to be said that with Cai Song in charge, Jia Cong really has less to worry about. At least, he doesn't have to worry about neglecting the nobles who come and go.

Although Jia Cong has been in a noble family since he was a child, he does not have much knowledge due to his status, and he still lacks a lot of etiquette.

After Mu Yongzuo returned to the palace, he went to see Emperor Taiqi, and Xiong Bichen happened to be beside him.

"How's it going over there at Ningguo Mansion?" Emperor Taiqi asked his son.

"I saw that everything was in order, and I didn't see anything wrong."

Emperor Tai Qi looked at Xiong Bichen and said with a smile, "This Jia Cong did not disappoint me. I don't know how he broke the situation."

Joys and funerals are great events for any clan. Firstly, they are grand and grand. Secondly, they require a lot of etiquette. If you are not careful, it is easy to violate taboos and offend others.

"I asked someone to ask. Jia Cong was the steward of the front yard. He was the old man who had been used by the Duke of the State. I don't know how he was hired. He was very loyal and hardworking. I heard that Jia Cong was the steward of the front yard. Cong has won over Jia Zhen's wife to make arrangements. She is the mistress of Ning Guogong's mansion, so she is very good at using people!"

Therefore, there is no confusion at all.

When Mu Yongzuo saw that the house was in order, his thoughts changed.

Xiong Bichen smiled and twirled his beard and nodded. It seemed that he had made the right decision in accepting this disciple. It is not enough for a person to be talented and virtuous. He must be able to use skills to accomplish great things.

It seems that the emperor is still very satisfied with Cong'er. Although he is now sandwiched between the Supreme Emperor and the emperor, the advantage is that he is still young. As he gets older, the situation will change day by day. If he can follow the trend, You may not be able to achieve a great career in the future.

Jia Cong's talents indeed satisfied the emperor very much.

"Er Chen thought, after all, we are classmates. Now Jia Cong is in trouble. Please help if you can. Er Chen saw that Xia Jin left his soldiers to Jia Cong to help, so he left Cai Song there. ”

Mu Yongzuo was a little tender after all, for fear that the emperor would find out his thoughts, and added, "There is also Yongzheng. He also said that he would send some servants from the prince's palace to help. Enhua recommended a few cooks, Tietu I also helped invite a group of monks."

In fact, Mu Yongzuo also knew that if they went there today and the whole house was in a mess, they might just watch the joke and leave. Who would have thought that Jia Cong actually made the scene stand up, which would make people look at him with admiration. It was because they wanted to win over each other, while Mu Yongzheng and others wanted to make friends.

These people are all in the core of the circle of nobles, and their pursuit of power is engraved in their bones. Jia Cong has the qualifications to enter their circle, and the ability to gain a foothold in this circle and show superior abilities than them. Why not make friends early?The emperor had come from all over the world, how could he not understand his son's thoughts? However, since Jia Cong was Mu Yongzuo's companion, no matter what, they would be in the same camp in the future, so the emperor did not take it to heart.

"I am deeply gratified that you have a profound friendship as classmates."

Xiong Bichen smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise, who doesn't have a few close friends in his life?"

Mu Yong Zuohai breathed a sigh of relief, and when he lowered his head, the corners of his lips couldn't help but curl up.

If we say that in the past, Jia Cong was just a concubine in the Duke of Rong's palace, and being his companion based on his talent alone would be too light a weight.

But now, he has inherited the title of Duke Ningguo. At a young age, he possesses a lot of eighth-grade Hanlin classics and a title, but he is still very capable.

Unless Mu Yongzuo has no ambition, he will not remain indifferent.

In front of Emperor Tai Qi and Xiong Bichen, this thought was as shallow as dust falling in the sun, floating in the air, making it difficult to see at a glance.

In the Rongqing Hall, although Jia She and Mrs. Xing had a dangerous night yesterday, they finally got through it. Jia Mu felt as if a stone had fallen in her heart and she felt much more relaxed.

She was talking to several of her daughters-in-law, "Some close relatives are coming to visit, so you can tell them clearly. Now the two houses are not as good as before. If there is anything going on, there are mutual responsibilities. Now everyone is on his own. Over there." If you offend someone, we can just help apologize, but you can't blame us."

Mrs. Wang responded, very embarrassed, "I still can't get used to it. Baoyu and his uncle's family even sent someone to ask. I don't know what the regulations are over there. I said, it's still the same as before. I don't know. Where do you know?" Don’t you know the previous rules?”

"It's not a serious day yet. If you make a slight mistake, it won't matter. These weddings and funerals are not as small as ordinary family affairs. If you make a mistake, you will offend your own family, and you can't control others. I really don’t know why Brother Cong is so bold, and how are he going to spend these days? It’s almost the New Year.”

"I heard that they are all being dealt with in a simple way. He is young and the outside world can't blame him. They are afraid that it will implicate us." Mrs. Wang told the truth.

"This is what I'm telling you. We can't let our relatives and friends blame us." Mother Jia was furious, wishing that Jia Cong would die immediately.

The maid holding the curtain outside said softly, "The second master is here! The second master Lian is back!"

In the room, several young wives were so frightened that they got up and ran away, leaving only Mrs. Wang and Xifeng.

Jia Zheng and Jia Lian came in, first greeted Jia's mother, and then the whole family saluted each other.

When Jia Lian came back, he first went to see Jia Zheng.

Jia Jing didn't care about family affairs, and he didn't bother to care about who Jia Cong would send first or not first. As expected by Jia Zheng, he had nothing to say.

However, when Jia Lian came back, he said that he met the fifth prince in the palace who came to pay homage to Zhong. He had to pay attention to it and hurriedly followed Jia Lian to listen to Jia Mu's opinion.

"His Royal Highness the Fifth Prince is actually here? Offering incense to an aunt?" Xifeng said quickly and without thinking, the words came out of her mouth.

Mrs. Wang glanced at her and said unhappily, "She is a destined person now!"

What makes Mrs. Wang most uncomfortable is that Zhong's imperial edict is higher than hers, and she can't even compare to a dead person.

This is all due to Jia Cong's attack on the jue. If the one who attacks the jue today is Baoyu, the emperor's grace will fall on her head.

Mother is more valuable than her son, this is an eternal truth.

Of course, Mrs. Wang was not speaking for Mrs. Zhong. She was warning Xifeng that the person who offered incense to Mrs. Zhong was His Highness the Fifth Prince. The matter involved the palace. Everything she said and did should be done properly, otherwise she would cause trouble. A disaster is coming.

Jia Mu was also very unhappy.

She didn't ask Baoyu Xijue to fight for her glory. She loved Baoyu wholeheartedly and wanted to give Baoyu the best in the world. Unexpectedly, he was snatched away by Jia Cong. Not to mention, what Jia Cong's mother and son did really shocked her. Hate to the core.

"In addition to the fifth prince and the princess of Zhongshun Palace, there are also the crown prince of Dong'an County, the prince of Huai'enhou Palace, and the grandson of Xining County Prince. His master Xia Jin is also here. Xia Jin left more than ten personal soldiers saying they are for him. He helped, and the fifth prince left a steward sign. I think the funeral there is fine, and the old lady and the master don’t have to worry about him."

"What am I worried about?" Jia Mu sneered, "I don't have to worry about him."

Mrs. Wang was very surprised, "Lian'er just said he was loyal and obedient to the princess of the palace? Why is the princess here too?"

Jia Lian no longer wanted to cover up for Jia Cong at this time, "I heard that Jia Cong and the princess of Zhongshun Prince's Mansion both worship Xia Jin as their disciples. The two are siblings and have always been... united."

Jia Lian did not dare to say the word "close".

Unlike others, Jia Zheng breathed a sigh of relief. In any case, he couldn't write two characters of "Jia" in one stroke. He was from the same ancestor of Ning Rong's second mansion, and Kuang Cong'er also came from Rongguo's mansion. If If the funeral is well done, no one will say anything. If it is a mess, how will the world comment?

What face will they, the elders of Rongguo Palace, have in the future?

They would never say that an eight-year-old child did not understand filial piety and had offended all the elders, so the elders did not interfere in the funeral. Instead, they thought that the Rongguo Duke's government had laid the grievances of the previous generation on the heads of the next generation. It is shameful to be unkind to Cong'er.

However, Jia Zheng did not dare to say these words. Mrs. Zhong severely injured the eldest brother and his wife. The old lady vented all her resentment on Cong'er and hated him deeply. No matter what she said, the old lady would not listen.

In the Bisha cupboard, Li Wan led Daiyu and Sanchun to sit quietly. Baoyu dipped his fingers in tea and wrote out of boredom. He kept writing the word "jade", and he didn't know what he was writing. Is it my jade character or Daiyu’s jade character?
Tanchun asked, "So, even Brother Zhen won't pay homage here?"

Daiyu felt that it was boring. The family was in such trouble, which completely went against the principle of "everything thrives in a harmonious family." She couldn't help but feel sad in her heart. She didn't know where her way out was?
The man who once knelt in the snow was getting farther and farther away from her.

She used to be very worried about him, but today she realized that he had so many people helping him, including two great masters, senior sisters, and classmates. These people may not be here to support him.

I am still worried about him, why bother?
He had struggled to find a way out, but where was her way?

Thinking about it, Daiyu felt her eyes were sour and about to shed tears again, so she hurriedly dipped them in her eyes with a handkerchief.

When Baoyu saw it, he quickly asked Tanchun to stop talking and coaxed Daiyu, "Sister Lin, please stop crying. You are hurting your own body for the sake of Brother Zhen."

Daiyu spat at him, "You are going to die, why should I feel sorry for him? Have you forgotten how he died?"

What Daiyu said was not how Jia Zhen died, but what kind of crime Jia Zhen got in.

Baoyu, who had no taboos, also blushed. He felt deeply that he had offended his sister and did not dare to speak anymore, but he still thought about going there to pay homage no matter what.

Brother Zhen had always treated him well, but in Baoyu's view, that was not something too extraordinary.

Outside, Mrs. Wang felt more and more unworthy of her precious jade. Why could a concubine like Jia Cong get married to the only princess of the Zhongshun Palace? Her precious jade was no better than Jia Cong's, so she didn't have this opportunity.

Outside, Xifeng was still asking, "When did you say the official day was?"

It is the day of the funeral. At that time, the funeral is considered appropriate.

Jia Lian said, "I also sent someone there to inquire about it, and they said that everything was kept simple. The day chosen by Qin Tianjian will only hold the funeral for seven days, and the funeral will be held tomorrow to deliver the obituary."

"What nonsense!" Jia Mu said angrily, "He just doesn't feel sorry for Zhen'er and his son, and his own mother is gone. This funeral is nothing compared to anything else. Can it be simplified?"

"The steward left by His Highness the Fifth Prince, Eunuch Cai, is in charge of funerals. The steward left by the late grandfather has taken the place of steward Lai. Sister-in-law Zhen is working inside. Even if we have something here, we can't talk about it."

What Jia Lian didn't say was that those who worked on the stoves, those who purchased goods, those who worked in the warehouse... When Lai Sheng was here in the past, all the useful people left behind were replaced.

(End of this chapter)