The Concubine Wushuang of Red Mansion

Chapter 86 really hands-on
For several days, after returning from the palace, Jia Cong first went to Xia Jin's small courtyard to open a small stove to practice martial arts, and then came back to make incense in the house.

Jia Cong also learned this craft from his grandfather in his previous life. Although his grandfather was an old man living in the 21st century, he was a literati who lived in the Song Dynasty. He talked about classics and Taoism, played music, chess, calligraphy, painting, wine and tea. Everything is perfect.

Originally, his grandfather wanted to pass on all these skills to him, but Jia Cong had no intention of learning these. He was interested in Douyin and games.

If he hadn't been frightened by his grandfather's majesty and learned a lot when he was a child, he would really be at his wits' end now.

Therefore, it is true to say that when the book is used, it will be less regretful.

After making the incense, Jia Cong asked Qingwen to bring the incense burner and lit a piece. As the curl of incense rose from the burner, a strange fragrance filled the room, making people feel peaceful and solemn. .

"Ah, is this what Third Master has made in the past few days?" Qingwen took a deep breath, "It smells really good, even better than the lily incense received from the palace."

Every year, the palace rewards the Jia family with some palace-made lily incense. The old lady only gives some to her two daughters-in-law, Li Wan and Xifeng, and no one else can get it.

Of course, Baoyu and Daiyu are exceptions. Daiyu doesn't like incense, and Baoyu can't always afford the royal lily incense in his house.

During festivals, if there is a big banquet, the old lady will bring out the palace-made lily incense, which is not only a sign of respect for the royal family, but also a kind of dignity.

The fragrance is naturally good-smelling, elegant yet rich, with agarwood as the king. When combined with other fragrances, it has the effects of immunizing against filth, fragrant and dampening, and resolving turbidity and relieving depression.

After Jia Cong succeeded in making it this time, he made a lot of it and asked Qingwen to take some to Aunt Zhong, "Tell Aunt Zhong that I made this. You don't have to use it sparingly. You can have as much as you want."

The incense he made has a quiet and elegant fragrance alone, and it also has the effect of calming the mind and replenishing qi. But if it is combined with the candied fruit, it has a psychedelic effect.

However, this requires testing on people.

Qingwen hurriedly took it, and when she came back, she said to Jia Cong, "My aunt said that since such good things are made at home, they are not precious, so she asked Sister Huaping to pack some and send them to Aunt Zhao over there. Yes, it’s said that Aunt Zhao got some rose brine from my wife a few days ago, and she said she didn’t have anything to repay the gift.”

This played right into Jia Cong's wish, and he didn't expect to give out the incense so quickly. "Tell my aunt that there are more. If anyone in the house wants it, don't be stingy and refuse to give it to me."

In the upper room of Duke Ning's mansion, the candlelight was bright, illuminating all the furnishings in a jewel-like and magnificent way.

As soon as Mrs. You saw off Grandma Huang, Jia Zhen came in and asked, "Is there anything he wants to say when he comes today?"

Youshi pointed to a brocade box in front of her, "I didn't say anything. I just said that I got a kind of fragrance. It was very good. I gave it to me like a treasure. After talking for a long time, I left."

Grandma Huang came here because of Jin Rong's matter. Jia Cong beat Jin Rong, and the injury healed after a few days of recovery. Children would not kill each other if they fight each other.

But Jia Zhen and Jia Cong fought hard for this matter, resulting in such a big incident. I heard that the old lady in Xifu had a problem with them, and Grandma Huang took some of the incense she got from outside. Come here and give it to Youshi to show your loyalty.

Pian Youshi was lukewarm to her, so Grandma Huang left the incense here and said good things for a long time. When she heard that Jia Zhen was back, she went to Fang's house.

"What smells so good? Is it worthy of him sending it to me?"

"It's said to be very valuable, but there's no one to sell it now. It's just a chance that I got it. It's so colorful that I don't think I've ever seen it before!" Youshi twitched the corners of her lips, "What's going on with Ronger's marriage?" An explanation? Seeing that the Chinese New Year is coming, is it determined or uncertain? "

Jia Zhen has been very impressive these past two days with the help of honey. Although her mental and physical strength has been severely damaged, fortunately she is still in her 30s, and she is in a much better mood. "This matter is also We have to invite the master, where can we settle the matter in just one or two words?"

Jia Rong said that his wife was a girl from the Qin family of the Ministry of Industry's maintenance man. The marriage was settled when she was a child. Youshi had also met the girl once. She was very beautiful, but her status was a little lower. She came from the Yangshengtang. Brought here.

If Jia Rong was her biological child, she would definitely not want such a daughter-in-law. However, Youshi herself did not have a son or daughter, and with Xu Xian's identity, she could not say anything about such matters.

The one who can make things right is Amitabha.

Jia Zhen said a few words and stood up to leave. You told Yindie, "Put this incense away!"

Yindie hurriedly came over to clean it up, but unexpectedly, the brocade box fell to the ground for some reason, and the spices as big as a thumb came out, and a strange fragrance came out.

"Slave should die, slave should die!"

Jia Zhen's footsteps stopped. He took a deep breath and felt a sense of relaxation in his body, a feeling of bliss. He hurriedly knelt down, picked up a piece, put it to his nose and smelled it. He felt refreshed again. , my physical strength was restored, and the feeling of fatigue was gone.

"Put it away!" Jia Zhen ordered.

"Yes, yes!" Yindie lay on the ground, picked up the incense one by one, and put it in the box. Jia Zhen stood up and went out.

After entering the study, Jia Zhen handed the incense to the maid and said, "Change the incense."

Yu Lu poked his head at the door. Jia Zhen smiled angrily and said, "What are you doing sneakily?"

Yu Lu came in quickly and circled around Jia Zhen, "I can't imagine what good things I got today!"

This is what Jia Zhen likes about Yu Lu. She can always get some good things to make him happy. She asked, "Bitch, if you don't bring out any good things, who has the time to guess riddles for you?"

Yu Lu took out a fan from his sleeve and held it to Jia Zhen with both hands.

Jia Zhen didn't answer and sneered, "A fan, even if it's made of gold, is worthy of you. How come your eyes are so shallow?"

"You'll know when you open it and take a look!"

Jia Zhen had no choice but to take the black-bone fan, pull it open, and see a bunch of peonies on the front. After just one glance, she found it boring, but when she turned it over, her eyes widened.

Seeing this, Yu Lu couldn't help but feel proud. He pointed to the fan and said, "Master, there are twelve in total. I managed to get this one with great difficulty. It cost 20 taels of silver!"

With Jia Zhen's level, it was natural that it would be difficult for him to see how well he was a painter. Jia Zhen had no intention of looking at coloring, characters, blank space, etc. He just looked at the interest in the painting and was filled with joy.

"Good stuff, let alone 20 taels, I can afford 200 taels. You said there are a total of twelve fans, why didn't you buy them all?"

"The Hua Gong Hall just came out today. It was a coincidence that the slave arrived. He arrived so late that he couldn't even buy it for 200 taels. Then the boss insisted on selling twelve pieces together. Since twelve pieces tell a story, then only If they could find a buyer, all the slaves would not do anything, so they would buy it together and then divide it among themselves."

Yu Lu came closer to Jia Zhen and whispered, "Master, I heard that this is a circle game, where you win or lose."

Jia Zhen heard her heart pounding and asked, "Which families bought the fans? Leave a message to those families later and we will hold a fan appreciation party."

"It's just those families on the left. I know it all, so I'll do it now!"

Birds of a feather flock together.

Those families happen to have a close relationship with Ningguo Gongfu, and the children of these families often come here and are familiar with each other. This matter is not difficult to handle.

Come to think of it, the person who got the fan was the same as the old man. He only got one fan. Who is not curious about what is painted on the other fans?
The boss of the Hua Gong Hall also said that the twelve fans painted a story and a game.

In the winter night, the earth dragon burned hot, and the heat wave steamed up, making the incense in the incense burner more and more blurry, and floated softly into the huge bed.[-]. After a tiring night, Jia Zhen is still full of energy, but the two concubines can no longer get out of bed and lie on the bed complaining.

"Hahaha! That's all you can do, huh?"

For Jia Zhen, this is probably the most beautiful compliment in the world. Is it much less pleasant than being named on the Golden List or being praised in the Golden Palace?
He strolled to Youshi's room, and the two had breakfast together. Youshi looked at the dark circles under Jia Zhen's eyes, as if they were painted with luozidai, and hesitated to speak.

Jia Zhen didn't bother to talk to her anymore. After 25, women were no longer interesting to him.

"Tell Grandma Huang where you got the incense from last time. We'll spend money to buy some. We'll use this at home from now on."

"You took it that day. I thought you might like the fragrance, so I asked. I said I went to Feng Yatou's place and she was using it, so I asked, and Feng Yatou packed some for her. . I said, she won’t take it from us anytime soon. It was given to me by Feng Yatou. They are all using it over there. If I don’t ask for it, they will send some over.”

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Yindie came in and said, "Madam, Lian Er. Grandma over there has someone send incense."

"Who sent it? Please come in and talk!"

It was Wang's daughter-in-law who came, holding a box in her hand, "Grandma said she didn't send it before because she was afraid it wouldn't be good and she was afraid grandma wouldn't be used to it. Now our grandma is using it just fine, and her energy is better than usual." , just send more to grandma. Don’t feel bad about your own things, just use them loosely. When they are used up, you can take them over there, or we can send them over again."

Jia Zhen asked curiously, "Why is it from home? Where did you get it over there?"

Youshi didn't know that Wang's daughter-in-law had received Xifeng's instructions and said with a smile, "I'm afraid Uncle Zhen won't like it, but our grandma said that if Uncle Zhen doesn't use it, don't waste such a good fragrance. , it’s okay to return it to our grandma for use.”

Jia Zhen smiled angrily and said, "You old man, you haven't said where you came from?"

"It was made by Third Master Cong. Second, grandma said this, and said that Uncle Zhen and Third Master Cong can't get along, but don't get along with Xiang. I know that Uncle Zhen doesn't like Third Master Cong, but I won't send this incense." No, it seems that we used good things, but we didn’t give them to Uncle Zhen and Grandma."

"It's true that Feng Yatou has such a mouth that even ten men who can talk can't speak to her." Youshi smiled and looked at Jia Zhen's face carefully.

Jia Zhen put down the tea cup and said with a smile, "Go back and tell your grandma, I don't care who made it, I just accept her favor. I like this fragrance very much. If it's not cheap to sell it outside, let's let it go." She must not miss this good opportunity to make money."

Wang's wife didn't understand what she said, so she came back and taught it to Xifeng. Xifeng smiled and let out a sigh of relief. Ping'er became worried and asked, "Grandma, how do you say this?"

"Who knows what he's up to? He wants me to get the recipe from Brother Cong. I'm afraid Brother Cong won't have the chance to make this incense in the future and he wants to use it. Who can he go to?"

Ping'er was taken aback, "Grandma, what should we do? Didn't the old lady say that she would help Third Master Cong to intercede with Uncle Zhen?"

"The old lady may not be coaxing the master. I'm afraid Brother Zhen also got the message. Listen to this, I can't wait any longer. I originally said they were waiting for the Emperor's Holy Birthday. Who knows what they are doing? ghost?"

"Then Master Cong is going to suffer, isn't he?" Ping'er said, tears welling up in his eyes.

Xifeng looked at it and sneered, "Are you soft-hearted again? I didn't see you say a word to him. What good thing did he give you? You are so worried about him. Be careful, the second master doesn't like it!"

Ping'er couldn't help but spat, "What are you talking about, Second Grandma? He's a child. Even if I'm worried about him, what's the trouble? Grandma, don't make trouble for Second Master in front of me, don't call me Say something good!”

After saying that, Ping'er swung the curtain and went out. Xifeng was so angry that she followed him and opened the curtain herself, "Ping'er is crazy. This hoof is serious about subduing me. Be careful and your skin is tight!"

It happened that Jia Lian came in for something and bumped into him. He was so amused that he said, "I didn't know Ping'er was so powerful. I've defeated him since then."

Yu Lu's errands were always done well. After the post went down, the date for the banquet at Duke Ningguo's mansion was also decided. On the eighth day of December, several close friends were invited to have Laba porridge.

After Laba, it is the New Year, and the palace is also on holiday.

Jia Cong came out of the palace and went to Xia Jin's place first. As usual, after practicing martial arts, he lingered here for a while. He waited until it was getting dark and Lao Hetou urged him twice before he got up.

"Is it today?" Xia Jin also felt something strange and asked.

"It should be today!" Jia Cong thought for a while and said, "But it's not today. I also want to settle the matter today."

"Everything has been arranged? Is there any use for Master?"

Jia Cong thought for a while and said, "Master, if he comes forward, it will make people suspicious. If master is advantageous, help the disciple and tell the people over there. Unless my life is really at stake, try not to take action."

When Xia Jin heard this, he could not rest assured, "Seeing that at the end of the new year, so many refugees have entered Kyoto, the emperor specially ordered the Jingwei to strengthen inspections and guard the imperial city. Today I will lead the army to follow How can you ignore the situation behind you? If something goes wrong, it will be too late to regret it as a teacher. "

Jia Cong fell to his knees, his eyes filled with tears, "Thank you, Master!"

After the carriage turned out of the cross street and entered the back street, it was already dark. The north wind was howling outside, and the snow was falling like goose feathers. It was not yet curfew time, and the streets were already deserted.

Every household is cooking Laba porridge, and occasionally you can find a hint of fragrance in the air.

This is the road that Jia Cong walks every day. In Lao Hetou's opinion, it couldn't be safer than a familiar road.

"Brother, it's better to go earlier in the future, but it's too late today. Although we are walking on this road every day and the snow has stopped, it is still unsafe after all."

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage stopped with a clang, as if it was stuck.

Jia Cong was almost thrown out. He knew that the other party was taking action. He was not in a hurry, but there was some panic on his face. He asked, "What's going on?"

"Some idiot put a piece of wood in the middle of the road. Master, please sit inside for a while while I and Gui'er move it away."

He Gui and Lao He got out of the car together. Before they could move, they saw a group of refugees surrounding them on the streets on both sides under the snowy light.

He Gui and Lao He were frightened into retreating, but He Gui was still shouting, "What are you doing?"

"Nobles, please give me some food!"

These refugees were worse than beggars. Their faces were black and black, their hair was as messy as weeds, and they were wrapped in torn cotton jackets with the cotton wool exposed. They were shivering in the cold wind, like emotionless zombies, just approaching them.

"Run!" Jia Cong shouted and ran forward first. He saw the leading man at a glance and knew that these people were coming towards him.

Sure enough, as soon as he spoke, the big man saw him and shouted, "He is the master, he is rich, that's him!"

Before He Gui and Lao Hetou could react, Jia Cong had already thrown away the wild duck feather cloak given by the old lady. The cloak rushed towards them and hit the big man in the face. The big man was He stopped for a moment and opened the distance between him and Jia Cong.

"Quick, quick, block his way!" the big man shouted, throwing down the cloak, running very fast with his long legs, chasing Jia Cong.

In the past two months, Jia Cong has spent more time practicing martial arts than reading books. When he passes by here every day, he doesn't know how many times he has read the route. He is as familiar as if he is in his own bedroom. While the refugees are still there, When he didn't come, he rushed to the back door of Ning Guo Mansion.

"Open the door, open the door quickly!" Jia Cong slapped the door panel.

(End of this chapter)