Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

"See you, Queen Mother. I wish you all the best of luck and happiness." Jia Cong was also familiar with the house. He walked in, bowed his head to Queen Chen and bowed.

There was no one else in the Nuan Pavilion of Changchun Palace except the queen, two female officials, and palace servants, and he approached them without any scruples.

Queen Chen rolled her eyes at him and said with a slightly mocking smile: "Hey, Marquis Huan, get up quickly.

Your voice as "Daughter and Mother" is more affectionate than that of the serious princes in this palace, which makes people feel warm. "

Jia Cong said shamelessly, "Maybe it's because Cong respects and loves his mother more than the princes and highnesses."

Queen Chen snorted and laughed: "You are so glib and talkative, you don't look like a general."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Cong is a general on the battlefield, but he is just a child in front of his mother. I hope my mother will love my child more."

Empress Chen couldn't resist his shamelessness and spat: "I still don't love you? I've even promised you the apple of my eye, so what else can I do?"
I called you here today because I am worried about your Jia family's affairs. "

Jia Cong hurriedly bowed and said: "Cong deserves to die, I'm tired of mother's trouble. What's the matter?"

"That's what happened when you went to Fengzao Palace just now."

Jia Cong said in astonishment: "Mother also knows?"

Empress Chen smiled and said: "I don't know what is happening under my nose, so wouldn't I become deaf and blind?"

"The queen is aware of every detail and can see thousands of miles away, so she worships her."

"Okay, don't put a high hat on me. Just now I heard someone report that Concubine Yuan was seduced by others and intended to arrange a marriage between your brother and Nanjing Hou's legitimate daughter, and she also issued an edict.

I originally wanted to send someone to intercept him, but seeing that Dai Quan had the same intention, I waited and watched what happened.

I heard that you are also the head of the Jia family now. There is a turbulent undercurrent in the capital, and someone might take advantage of you while talking and laughing. As the head of the clan, you have to be more careful. "Queen Chen reminded.

Jia Cong said hurriedly: "Cong strictly follows the teachings of his mother, and he should strictly control his clan members and cultivate his moral integrity and run his family well.

Just now, I also discussed this matter with my eldest sister. She has figured out that she is being taken advantage of and will think twice before doing anything in the future. She also asked her mother to always give her advice. "

Queen Chen nodded and said: "That's it. Concubine Yuan doesn't even want to think about who your family is and who Marquis Nanjing is.

It is not a wise move to only care about the interests of the children, make random marriages, and trap the family in disloyalty and injustice. "

"Yes, that's what my mother taught me. My eldest sister already understands the principle of not losing the big for the small, and I will not do it again if I keep it." Jia Cong said.

Empress Chen said "Yes" and said, "One more thing. Now that the Emperor has granted you the title of Marquis, and also promoted Tu Fei to the title of Duke, what do you think?"

Jia Cong and Pang Chao had already discussed this matter several times, because he said: "It seems that Wuhou's lineage is good at military power, and the tail is too big to lose. This time, it is an example that the Beijing army cannot be mobilized to quell the chaos.

Therefore, His Majesty made an exception and promoted Yu Cong. As for Tu Fei, Duke of Jin, Cong did not dare to assume the holy will. "

Empress Chen glanced at him and muttered: "Slickster, Mr. Pang in your family is so powerful that he can't see through this?"

Jia Cong felt a shiver in his heart. The Queen seemed to know him very well, which was a hint to him not to be too smart.

Yin smiled and said: "Mr. Pang has some guesses. Cong doesn't dare to say nonsense." After speaking, he glanced around.

Queen Chen smiled slightly: "What do you have to worry about here in this palace? They are all my confidants. Since you are careful, just ask them to leave." After speaking, he waved his hand.

The female officials, maids and others bowed and left.

When Jia Cong saw no outsiders, he told Pang Chao's speculation about "promoting Ming and deposing secretly, dividing Wu Hou", but omitted the idea that Emperor Xifeng was plotting against him.

Queen Chen nodded and said, "Mr. Pang is right. What do you think?"

Jia Cong said hurriedly: "Cong's thoughts are shallow and I hope my mother will give me some advice."

Empress Chen said: "If your Majesty wants to consolidate military power, he must rely on the lineage of your founding father.

Tu Fei and his party will not sit back and wait for death. You should also make plans in advance to be careful of changes in the capital and being caught off guard. "

Jia Cong was secretly frightened and asked tentatively: "What does the Queen Mother mean...that Tu Fei will jump over the wall in a hurry?"

Empress Chen said calmly: "It is better to be prepared but not to use it than to be unprepared for the disaster."

Jia Cong nodded and said, "What the Queen Mother said is absolutely true. Cong understands."

"You have always been smart and clever, but I am afraid that you are young and energetic, and sometimes you will inevitably get carried away. Don't forget that Guan Yunchang, the first hero, also sometimes defeated Maicheng." Queen Chen said.

Jia Cong cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Queen Mother. Cong will not dare to ignore important national affairs. There is another matter that I must report to Queen Mother for the final say." "What's the matter?"

"The day before yesterday, Cong went to Brother Chi's house to meet with his two elder brothers and discussed the matter of establishing a heir apparent with the second brother," Jia Cong said.

"Oh?" Queen Chen raised her eyebrows and her eyes narrowed.

“The second brother doesn’t seem too enthusiastic about this matter and has no desire to compete.

Cong thinks that now the legitimate son is not the eldest son, and the eldest son is not the legitimate son, which is a variable.

What's more, the emperor himself is neither an elder nor a direct descendant, and his position as crown prince is still uncertain, so there is no guarantee that other princes will not be ambitious.

As the ancients said, a gentleman can be deceived. The second brother is a humble gentleman and has no defense against the princes, for fear of being plotted against. "Jia Cong said.

Empress Chen nodded slowly and said: "I am very pleased that you can take this into account. Your Majesty is in the prime of the Spring and Autumn Period, so this matter is not urgent for the time being, so we can take care of it slowly.

The most urgent task now is to assist His Majesty in weakening Marquis Wu and taking control of the military. As for other matters, I have my own opinions. "

"The queen mother is the best among daughters. She has far-reaching wisdom and thoughtfulness. Cong just obeys orders and acts."

Empress Chen smiled slightly: "Speaking of this, it's all thanks to Brother Cong that you, a clever little devil, made a secret move in the south of the Yangtze River.

Although she seemed to have spared the Fei family in Huai'an, Concubine Shun was in a state of panic all day long. She looked at the emperor without knowing anything, and made several sophistry attempts, which only made her more self-defeating and made the emperor even more disgusted.

Having such a mother-in-law is harmful to the eldest prince. "

Jia Cong smiled and said: "The Queen Mother is as kind to Cong as a mountain. She will not treat her with a different surname. Cong dares not to do the work of dogs and horses."

Empress Chen smiled and said: "I know that you are a sensible child, and you will benefit from it in the future. With your merits and loyalty, it will not be difficult for you to be stronger than your ancestors in the future, and you will be better than your master."

"Thank you for your mother's kindness, but it's hard to repay you for your grief."

Jia Cong was secretly speechless. The cake was a bit too big. Lord Qiang was better than his ancestors, which meant he had to surpass the late Duke and the old Duke. How could he surpass him? Obviously the only option is to be crowned king.

The queen actually agreed to marry a prince with a different surname, which can be said to be a huge investment.

Taizu's iron law, four kings, eight princes and thirty-two princes, can only be less but not more.

Now that there are four royal palaces in the southeast, northwest and north, if he wants to go up, he must obviously take down at least one of them, and remove one of the princes. This is definitely a big event.

"Go and take care of yourself." Queen Chen waved her hand.

"My child, please leave."
-
Jia Cong first returned to Rong Mansion to report to Jia Mu about Concubine Ming Yuan, then returned home and had a hasty lunch.

The ladies were serving him with dishes and tea.

"Sister Chan, please post a message for me and invite the nobles who are familiar with each family to come over for a banquet tonight." Jia Cong suddenly said.

Chu Chan asked: "For what reason are you invited?"

Jia Cong pondered for a moment and said, "Well, Qingwen, Qianxue, and Wen'er have all held wine parties. This time, let's just say it's to congratulate you and Shan'er on entering the house."

The girls covered their mouths and smiled, looking at the two of them.

Chu Chan nodded with a blush on her face, and felt happy in her heart. There was obviously a big difference between the aunt who brought the wine to the house in an upright manner and the aunt who entered the room silently, which also showed Jia Cong's respect for them.

Wan Yanshan didn't care about this. She smiled and said, "Then I will be the bride of a Han man tonight?"

All the girls laughed.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "That's natural, and she is the most beautiful bride. Sister Feng and Sister Ping'er can help you take care of it."

Sister Feng said with a smile: "Don't worry, just leave it to me. I will make the two brides wear phoenix crowns and beauties better than Xi Shi."

Even though Chu Chan was mature, she couldn't help but feel a little shy, so she pulled Wanyanshan, who didn't know what shyness was, and ran away.

After serving Jia Cong after eating and rinsing his mouth, Qingwen leaned into his ear and whispered: "Sir, what you asked me to make the day before yesterday has been made. Do you want to see it?"

"Really? Bring it to me quickly." Jia Cong said happily.

"Look inside and see how you can take that thing out." Qingwen blushed and said coyly.

"Okay, you all come and take a look." Jia Cong smiled and invited everyone to go into the inner room together. (End of chapter)