Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 256 Concubine Yuan’s marriage 1

This time, the King of Liao did not take any advantage, but was severely punished. Jia Cong fought back fiercely and counted twenty crimes against him. The court was shocked, and all the officials looked sideways, and they all re-evaluated Jia Cong in their hearts. This boy. Therefore, Emperor Xifeng also asked King Liao to go up and defend himself.

Yang Xiong was also involved. Although he was concerned about the stability of Liaodong and did not impeach the King of Liao, he tried his best to cheer for Jia Cong.

Inside and outside the court, there was a vicious war of words for several months over who was loyal and who was traitorous between the King of Liao and Jia Cong, and the pros and cons of the new law. Until the New Year, no one could come up with a clear answer. In the end, all the officials were tired of complaining and had no choice but to complain. But the spraying, plus I have a few days off for the Chinese New Year, finally calmed down a bit.

Emperor Xifeng issued an edict, ordering the King of Liao and Jia Cong to study behind closed doors for a month, reflect on their mistakes, and then settle the issue by making fifty mistakes each.

Anyone with a discerning eye knows in their heart that Jia Cong is truly in the heart of the emperor. At a young age, he can be as powerful as King Sai, and given time, he will not soar into the sky? ——

This day is the Lantern Festival in the eighth year of Xifeng.

The Daming Palace is brightly lit, with silk and bamboo orchestras, orioles singing and swallows dancing. The most noble family in the world is gathering for a banquet, chatting and laughing, watching lanterns and guessing lantern riddles.

Emperor Xifeng was in a rare moment of relief after handling the heated debate between the King of Liao and Jia Cong a while ago. He was in a high mood today. He raised his glasses many times and had the rare opportunity to "enjoy with the people" and talked about lantern riddles. .

"Ruyi has always been clever. I'll tell you a lantern riddle and I'll keep it safe so you can't guess it." Emperor Xifeng said with a smile.

Princess Ruyi smiled and said: "Father, please tell me, I can't guess that there is a queen mother, the most talented woman in the world, and many mothers, concubines, and brothers. I can definitely guess."

Empress Chen gave Ruyi an angry look and said: "No matter how big or small, you are the most talented woman in the world. When you talk about it, you should carefully talk about official affairs. You are unobtrusive, frivolous and impetuous."

Emperor Xifeng shook his head and said with a smile: "Zi Tong must not be too modest. I think what Ruyi said is very reasonable."

"Your Majesty, you are also making fun of my concubines. None of the sisters here are ladies of the world and have the best literary talent. How dare I claim to be the best." Empress Chen said shyly.

All the concubines hurriedly said: "My mother-in-law is well respected in the world. She is highly educated and talented. She deserves to be the most talented woman in the world. I, my concubines, will look up to you and make me stronger."

Queen Chen shook her head and said with a smile: "My dear sisters, I'm so proud of you."

Emperor Xifeng smiled and said: "Okay. I will set up a lottery. If anyone guesses, I will give the most talented woman in the world a painting, and I will write an inscription for it. What does Zitong think?"

Empress Chen Yingying rolled her eyes at Emperor Xifeng and said, "Everything is at your Majesty's command."

Naturally, everyone applauded in unison.

"Listen, the mystery is: Lantern Festival moonlight shines in front of the window. Type a word." Emperor Xifeng said.

Everyone pondered for a moment and asked questions one after another.

All the princes were thinking hard and wanted to win the jackpot, but Sun Chi ignored them and just drank and ate meat. He never liked guessing riddles and knew that he didn't have the ingenuity to do so, so he was too lazy to use his brain.

Ruyi frowned and scratched her ears and cheeks. She also didn't like reading. She couldn't guess where she was. She only looked towards the concubine.

The concubines wanted to win the emperor's favor more than the princes, so they all racked their brains and searched their guts, but they couldn't guess it for a moment.

Empress Chen thought about it for a moment and already had the answer, but she smiled and said: "Your Majesty, this word riddle is really difficult, even I can't figure it out."

Emperor Xifeng smiled proudly, "I came up with this after thinking about it for a long time this morning. It's appropriate to the situation. How can I let you guys guess so easily?"

Yuanchun thought for a long time, and suddenly his heart moved, it was this word.

Empress Chen knew what he was doing when she looked at the stranger, so she smiled and said, "Sister Yuan Fei has some experience, why don't you tell her for everyone's reference."

Yuan Chun felt a little happy, and stood up and said, "I guessed the word '一', but I don't know if it's true or not."

Everyone exclaimed, why is this word too simple?

Emperor Xifeng put his palms on his hands and smiled and said: "Concubine Yuan is really smart and smart. She guessed in a moment that it was the word 'one'."

Empress Chen smiled and said: "I, my concubine, are not as talented as Yuan Fei's sister. Please, Your Majesty, please clear up our doubts."

Emperor Xifeng said: "The moonlight shines in front of the window during the Lantern Festival. The word 'Yuanxiao' shines on the word 'moonlight', and then the word '宀' shines on the 'window'. Isn't there only the word '一' left?"

Everyone was suddenly enlightened and praised it one after another.

Empress Chen praised: "The ancients said that the great way is simplicity. If you can use the simplest words to come up with such a difficult riddle, the emperor has achieved the great way."

Emperor Xifeng waved his hand and smiled: "It's just a matter of chance. It's not a great way."

Empress Chen said with a smile: "It's rare that my sister Yuan Fei and the emperor have thought together. By the way, my sister is going home today to visit her relatives. It's getting late, so just get up now."

Yuanchun was busy saluting and asking for orders.

Emperor Xifeng said with a smile: "Go and bring a good son for Mrs. Rongguo for me. By the way, my ex-boyfriend Jia Cong has done a good job in Liaodong. He will give orders later."

Yuanchun was flattered and hurriedly bowed down to thank him.
-

At this time, Ningrong Street had already been under martial law, and those who had nobility, such as Jia Mu, were all dressed according to the standards. Everywhere in the garden, dragons danced on the tents, colorful phoenixes flew on the curtains; gold and silver shone brightly, and jewels competed for glory; the incense of lilies was burned in the cauldrons, and the pistils of evergreen were planted in the bottles; no one coughed in silence.

Jia She was waiting outside the gate of West Street, and Jia Mu was waiting outside the gate of Rong Mansion. The streets and alleys are all tightly fenced.

It was quiet for half the day. Suddenly, I saw a pair of eunuchs in red riding horses slowly approaching. They got off their horses at the West Street Gate, drove the horses out of the enclosure, and then stopped with their hands down, facing the west. Half a day is another pair, and the same is true. After a short time, about ten couples came, and then they heard the faint sound of music. There are pairs of dragon flags and phoenix feathers, pheasant feathers and kui heads, and there are gold-pinned stoves burning royal incense. Then a crank-handled seven-phoenix golden umbrella came over, which was the crown, robe and shoes. There are also eunuchs on duty holding incense beads, embroidered handkerchiefs, basins, whisks, etc.

After passing one by one, eight eunuchs came slowly behind, carrying a golden embroidered phoenix with a golden top. Jia Mu and others quickly knelt down by the roadside.

Several eunuchs rushed over early in the morning and helped Jia Mu, Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang.

The banyu was carried through the gate, entered the rite gate and headed east. When he arrived at the gate of a courtyard, a eunuch holding a whisk knelt down to ask the banyu to change his clothes. Then the eunuchs and others dispersed, and only Zhaorong, Caibin, and others led Yuanchun's descendants.

I saw all kinds of colorful lanterns in the courtyard, all tied up with gauze and silk, very delicate. There is a plaque on it with the four words "Ti Ren Mude" written on it.

In the spring of Yuan Dynasty, he entered the house, finished changing his clothes, came out, and Shangyu entered the garden. I saw incense smoke lingering in the garden, colorful flowers, lights everywhere, and music and music all the time. It is impossible to describe the peaceful atmosphere, wealth and romance.

Suddenly I saw the eunuch Zhifu kneeling down to invite him to board the boat. Concubine Jia then went down to visit the garden by boat. I saw the clear stream area, as powerful as a swimming dragon; on both sides of the stone railings, there were crystal glass wind lanterns of various colors, lit like silver and snow waves, the lights competed for light up and down, it was really a world of glass and jewelry.

After being seated in the main hall of the garden and receiving the ceremony, Yuanchun took a carriage to Jia Mu's main room. When he wanted to perform family rituals, Jia Mu and others knelt down and stopped.

Concubine Jia's eyes were filled with tears, and Fang came forward to see each other. With one hand supporting Jia Mu and the other supporting Mrs. Wang, the three of them had many things to say in their hearts, but they couldn't say them out, so they just sobbed and sobbed.

Mrs. Xing, Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, the three sisters Ying, Tan and Xi were all surrounding, weeping and speechless.

For half a day, Concubine Jia managed to hold back her sorrow and smile, and comforted Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang, saying: "Since I was sent to a place where no one can see people that day, it is so easy for me to go home today. Instead of talking and laughing, I started to cry." I went to the meeting, but I don’t know how long it will be before I come back!” After saying this, he couldn’t help but choked up again, and everyone was busy comforting him.

Concubine Jia asked again: "Why are Aunt Xue, Baochai and Daiyu missing?" Mrs. Wang said, "The family members have no jobs and dare not enter without permission." Concubine Jia heard this and hurriedly asked for help. Suddenly, Aunt Xue and others came in and wanted to perform the national ceremony, but she was not allowed to do so.

For a while, Jia Zheng said hello.

Yuanchun and his mother and daughter talked deeply about their parting scenes and their personal affairs at home. Jian Bao and Lin also noticed that they were different from the other sisters. They were like beautiful flowers and soft jade. Yuan Chun asked, "Why doesn't Bao Yu come in to see her?"

Jia Mu said: "No instructions, outsiders dare not enter without permission."

Concubine Yuan's fate is coming. The little eunuch went out to bring Baoyu in, and after performing the state ceremony first, Concubine Yuan ordered him to come closer, put her hands in her arms, and then stroked his head and neck and said with a smile: "It's much longer than before..." Before he could finish the sentence, tears fell like rain. . Everyone was busy trying to persuade him.

Concubine Yuan stopped crying and said a few words to Baoyu. Then she remembered that Jia Cong and Jia Huan were very close and asked, "Where is Brother Huan?"

The little eunuch hurriedly went to the door to call for someone.

Jia Huan looked proud, raised his chin towards Jia Rong, Jia Lan and others who were not qualified to meet him, and followed the eunuch in to pay homage.

Yuan Chun shouted, looked him up and down, and said with a smile: "Brother Huan, I haven't seen you for many years. You have grown up. I heard that you are getting better now."

Jia Huan even visited His Royal Highness the Prince and Princess Ruyi, and was not afraid to see his eldest sister, even though she was a noble concubine.

He bowed with a smile and said: "Sister Meng is concerned about me, and Brother Cong taught me. I practice literature and martial arts every day, and strengthen my body. In the future, I should follow the example of Brother Cong, gallop on the battlefield, and serve the court, so that I can live up to the teachings of Sister Cong and Brother Cong." .”

Mrs. Wang glanced at Jia Huan lightly from the side, then lowered her eyes, sneering in her heart, she dared to dish out such dirty seeds on the high platform.

Yuanchun nodded and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, I'm relieved that you have such ambitions." Then he turned around and said: "It shows that the old ladies and ladies are well-educated."

Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang and others are busy and humble.

Daiyu and Baochai whispered below: "Brother Qian'er Cong specially sent someone to deliver a message, saying that today is a happy day. Although he is at the border and cannot come in person, he will still send people to send gifts. Why is this happening? The son hasn’t arrived yet?”

Baochai whispered: "It's such a long way, I think we were delayed on the way, so it doesn't matter if we arrive earlier or later."

At this time, Mrs. You, Sister Feng and others came up and said: "The banquet is ready, please come and have a good time, the noble concubine."

Concubine Yuan and others got up, ordered Baoyu and Jia Huan to guide them, and then walked with everyone to the garden. They started with "There is a phoenix coming to the instrument", "Red fragrant green jade", "Apricot curtain is in sight", and "Hengzhi Qingfen". Waiting for a while, you can climb the tower, step into the pavilion, wade through the water and edge the mountains, and wander around looking at all kinds of things.

I was deeply relieved to learn that all the plaques in the garden were inscribed by Baoyu. My family already has a thousand-mile horse. Although Baoyu is not as talented as Brother Cong, it is quite an improvement.

When they arrived at the main hall in the garden, Concubine Yuan ordered her to serve them with pens and inkstones. She personally consulted the Hunan governor and selected the favorite places to give names, couplets and poems to them.

Then he smiled at the sisters and said, "I am not very talented, and I am not good at chanting. My sisters know this very well. I am just chatting tonight to pay off my responsibilities, and I will live up to my expectations."

My younger sisters and my older brothers also each wrote a plaque and a poem. They were recited temporarily according to their talents. Don’t be limited by my small talents.

I'm glad that Baoyu actually knows how to chant the title, which is an unexpected thought for me. Among them, "Xiaoxiang Pavilion" and "Hengwu Garden" are my favorites, followed by "Yihongyuan" and "Huange Villa". These four places must have their own special chapters and verses to praise their ingenuity.

Although the couplets mentioned above are good, now I will add a five-character rhyme poem to each of them, so that I can pass the test and live up to my painstaking efforts in teaching them since childhood. "

Everyone was busy taking orders to come up with ideas.

Suddenly I saw an eunuch hurriedly came in and knelt down: "Your Majesty, the imperial edict has arrived."

(End of this chapter)