Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 496 Righteousness
In the afternoon, everything was settled and everyone got up and went to Dongfu to worship their ancestors.

The brothers of each house in the Jia Mansion were divided into Zhaomu and Zhao Mu. Since Ning Guo was removed from the imperial family this year, Jia She was the main worshiper, Jia Zheng accompanied the sacrifice, Jia Cong presented the title, Jia Lian and Baoyu presented silk, Jia Huan held incense, and Jia Lan and Jia Fang displayed the worship mat. , guarding Fenchi.

Tsing Yi music was played, three knights were presented, worship was completed, silk was burned and libations were made, the ceremony was completed, music was stopped, and the guests exited.

Everyone gathered around Jia Mu and came to the Shenshi Hall. In the middle of the hall hung the portraits of the old Duke Rong and the previous Duke Rong. They were both draped in python waist jade. There were several reels of ancestors' shadows on both sides, except for Ning Guogong's. portrait.

The children of the Jia family stood in sequence from the Neiyi Gate according to the seniority of Cao, Yu and Wen, and passed the vegetables, rice, soup, wine and tea offered to their ancestors into the main hall in order, and from each female family member to Jia Mu's hands, and placed them on the offering table.

As soon as Jia Mu held the incense and bowed down, everyone knelt down together.

There are five halls, three pavilions, inner and outer corridors, and two balconies on the upper and lower steps. There are so many flowers that there is no open space.

Nothing was heard, only the tinkling of clanging bells, the slight swaying of golden bells and jade pendants, and the rustling of kneeling boots and shoes.

As soon as the ceremony was over, Jia She, Jia Zheng and others hurriedly left and went to Rong Mansion to wait to salute Jia's mother.

Jia Cong breathed a sigh of relief, it was finally over. After Sister Feng, Chu Chan, Qingwen and others led Jia Mu and others into the inner hall to talk, they hurriedly slipped out.

"My nephew, I would like to send my greetings to my uncle. Congratulations to my third uncle on his success as a young man. He has been granted a title of thousands of miles and is as good as a champion."

A young man next to him came over and bowed to Jia Cong. It was Jia Fang who had just passed the exam.

"Brother Fang, third uncle, I have also been given a knighthood, do you know?" Jia Huan came out of nowhere and said in an old-fashioned manner.

Jia Fang hurriedly said: "Greetings to Third Uncle Huan, and congratulations to Third Uncle General Men Huzi for his immediate success, becoming famous in one battle, and honoring his ancestors."

Jia Huan waved his hands carelessly and said, "I won't say any nice words. Just remember to send me the congratulatory gift."

Jia Cong almost laughed out loud.

Jia Fang smiled dryly and said, "Yes, I don't need my uncle's instructions. My nephew should be filial to me." His family was poor, so there were no gifts. Fortunately, Jia Cong was promoted last time and the two palaces gave him a lot, so he could still meet it.

"Well, you have such filial piety, which shows that reading the sages' books is not in vain." Jia Huan followed Jia Zheng's example and nodded with his hands behind his hands.

Jia Fang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She bowed and said, "My third uncle is so complimentary. My nephew is so ashamed."

Jia Cong glared at Jia Huan and said, "Let's go aside. Brother Fang, how is your family? How is your mother?"

Jia Fang hurriedly said: "Thank you for your love, uncle. Because of uncle's care, my nephew's family is completely different from before. My mother asked a famous doctor to see her, and she is much better."

"Well, that's good. Spring is coming soon, and you have to prepare hard for the exam.

Although I haven't read any scriptures, I know that you scholars who take the imperial examination are just like me and other generals who go into battle to kill the enemy. understand? "Jia Cong said.

"Yes, my nephew Xie Sanshu gave me some advice, so I won't dare to neglect it a little bit." Jia Fang said hurriedly.

Jia Cong nodded and turned his head slightly. Next to him, Wangcai hurriedly ran up: "Master, please give me your orders."

"On this New Year's Eve, let's give some money to the unprofitable men in the clan. Let's give a hundred taels to each family," Jia Cong said.

"Yes, I will do it now, slave."

Jia Fang thanked her with tears in her eyes: "Uncle is kind and virtuous, and he is actually the reborn parent of us Hanwei people."

Jia Cong helped him up and said: "What's it worth? What I gave you is just a mouthful of food, but how to settle down and establish a career is the important thing.

I have heard a saying from a sage, a gentleman seeks his way but not for food; he worries about his way but not his poverty.

Although it is a wise saying, a gentleman has to eat and wear clothes. I am only worried that I have solved the problem of eating for the people, but they do not think about the Tao. After all, intelligent people like you are in the minority. "

Jia Fang sighed: "Uncle has acquired the essence of a saint and can be called a gentleman.

The sage said that a gentleman is compared to righteousness and a villain is related to profit. They both have a hundred taels of silver. The nephew only sees profit, but the uncle's original intention is righteousness. My nephew is ashamed and has read the books of sages in vain. "

Jia Cong smiled. This kid is very good at talking, so people need to study. The more they read, the higher their level of flattery will be.

"Well, let's go. Go to Wangcai's place to get a new year's gift from Liaodong." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"Yes, nephew, please leave." Jia Fang bowed and left.

Looking at the gap, a person next to him slipped over and said, "Greetings to Mr. Marquis."

Jia Cong took a closer look and saw that it was Jia Jia from the fourth room, who was now in charge of the business of the Fairy Wine House under Sister Feng.

"Well, Brother Jia, what's the matter?"

"First of all, I'm here to pay my respects to Lord Marquis, and secondly I have something to report." Jia Jia said respectfully.

Next to him, Jia Huan saw that he was in his twenties and still called himself "little brother" in front of Jia Cong, so he couldn't help covering his mouth and snickering.

"explain."

"Hui Hou, it's like this. Now that the eldest brother, Ning Guo, has lost his moral character and has been removed from the clan, the old masters and gentlemen of all the houses in the capital think that it is only right to agree on a new clan leader as soon as possible."

Jia Jia looked around and whispered: "Many old masters and masters told me that this clan leader must be the Marquis."

Jia Cong nodded slightly. Although the position of clan leader has no real power, it is a righteous title. It is best to hold it in his own hands.

Yin said: "Since you have great trust in me, I will do my duty. If you contact each clan tonight, it means that a clan meeting will be held tomorrow to elect a new clan leader."

"Yes, little brother, go right away."

The news seemed to have wings and spread throughout the eight rooms of the Jia family in the capital before night. After Jia She and Jia Mu saluted, he hurriedly called Jia Lian to the East Road Courtyard for face-to-face instructions.

"I heard that a clan meeting will be held tomorrow to elect a new clan leader. Do you know?" Jia She said.

"Returning to the master, I will hear Jia Qiang talk about this matter and say that it was the third brother's intention." Jia Lian said.

Jia She had a sinister look on his face and said coldly: "That little beast is just a bastard, and he is trying to get his hands on the power of the clan. He is really treasonous!"

Jia Lian did not dare to speak out, so he responded.

Jia She pondered for a moment and said: "You should contact the elders and masters of each clan immediately and convey my message. The first clan has lost his moral character and should no longer discipline the clan members. The position of clan leader should be inherited by the second clan."

Jia Lian hurriedly nodded and agreed to leave, thinking secretly in his mind that if the position of patriarch is transferred from the eldest brother to the second brother, it should be inherited by the eldest son of the second brother. This is what the eldest master has planned, and he is not willing to take half of the benefits, so why should he compete with the third brother? .

Although I am still alive and there is no reason for my son to be the patriarch to take care of me, it is not absolute. Before Dongfu, Mr. Jing was still alive, so it was not brother Zhen who inherited the position of patriarch.

What's more, who wouldn't follow the third brother's current power?

Although he disapproved of Jia She in his heart, Jia Lian did not dare to disobey his orders and honestly sent people from door to door to inform him.

Now that Jia Cong was in a high position, he was too lazy to chat with the lords and brothers. He only let Jia Zheng and Baoyu and others accompany him, and asked Jia Fang to announce the distribution of annual items, while he slipped into the back hall to hide in peace. .

Sister Feng and others sent Jia Mu away, and everyone followed the rules and went to Rong Mansion for a reunion dinner.

Jia Cong never liked such noisy and mixed-up situations. He dealt with it casually and then left. No one dared to come up to persuade him to drink and stay.

The inner hall of Dongfu has been prepared for a long time. Sister Feng, Chu Chan, Qingwen and others are sitting around the table, waiting for Jia Cong to come back and have a real reunion dinner as a family.

After a while, Jia Cong came back. Everyone smiled and asked him to sit down, and ordered the dishes to be served.

Jia Cong watched the delicacies being served at the lowest price, and suddenly said: "Sister Ping'er, let Lao Tu cook some of his specialty dishes and send them to Ruyi, Sister Bao, and Xi'er. Today is New Year's Eve, so I can express my gratitude. "

Ping'er smiled and said: "Grandma has already arranged to send them. They are all the dishes that Miss Bao and Miss Lin like to eat. The princess doesn't know her preference, so she only sent a few light dishes."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Sister Feng is as careful as her hair, and Cong admires her."

Sister Feng rolled her eyes at him and said, "Why don't I just wait for three ladies to put on my shoes?"

Everyone covered their mouths and laughed.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "You are my sister-in-law, and my elder sister-in-law is like my mother. It's good if you don't teach them a lesson. Who dares to bully you?"

"Bah." Sister Feng blushed and spat.

Chu Chan smiled and said, "Not to mention the three ladies, Master Miaoyu also sent two boxes of vegetarian food."

Jia Cong raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "By the way, what did Miaoyu say after reading your reply?"

Chu Chan pursed her lips and smiled, signaling to Jin Chuaner.

Jin Chuan'er couldn't help laughing and said: "Yesterday I sent the post to Cuicui Temple and handed it to Miss Miaoyu myself. After reading it, she said that the Marquis is a smart person and needs to understand it on his own. Her Dharma is shallow and cannot be enlightened. ”

"It's over?" Jia Cong was stunned.

Jin Chuan'er nodded.

Jia Cong looked at Chu Chan again.

Chu Chan smiled and said, "What else? Master Miao is willing to say these few words to you, which is already a favor. You are still not satisfied. You can't eat hot tofu in a hurry."

Jia Cong laughed loudly and said, "Miaoyu and I are like floating clouds. How can I care about her if I have you?"

Everyone smiled and rolled their eyes at him, obviously not believing it.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "The food is cold, use your chopsticks. Sister Ping'er is also sitting and we will eat together."

Ping'er said with a smile: "You're trying to offend me. How can I, a girl, sit down? I'll eat after you and the grandmothers have finished."

Jia Cong waved his hand and said: "Sister, I had a meal with you back then. Cong will remember it in his heart and will eat with me in the future."

Everyone smiled and persuaded Ping'er to sit down. Jin Chuan'er and others hurriedly moved a chair and placed it under Sister Feng's head.

Qingwen knew this very well, so she stood up with a smile and forced Ping'er to sit down.

Chu Chan saw that Sister Feng's expression was a little unnatural, so she knew it must be related to her, so she didn't ask in detail.

Sister Wanyan, however, had no motive and hurriedly asked for the reason.

Jia Cong glanced at Sister Feng with a smile and said: "Back then, I was a concubine whom my uncle didn't care for and my grandma didn't love. I was living under the roof of others. I was inevitably despised by some housekeepers and grandmothers. I wasn't given enough meat or rice. How could I have the strength?" Practicing martial arts?
Fortunately, Sister Ping'er is a kind-hearted person and secretly gave me some advice. Otherwise, why would I be here today? "

Ping'er saw that Sister Feng was already a little embarrassed and angry, so he quickly interrupted: "Why are you talking about these trivial things? It's been a long time since I forgot about it.

At that time, who knew that I was gifted with extraordinary talents and had an amazing appetite. He was given food according to the proportion of the young master in the house. "

Wan Yanchuo said dissatisfiedly: "That housekeeper is really hateful. If I touch her, I will shoot her with an arrow." After saying this, he raised his fist in a feigned ferocity.

Jia Cong laughed when he heard this, and Chu Chan, Qingwen, Qian Xue and others couldn't help laughing.

(End of this chapter)