Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

When the people outside the West Street Gate saw the imperial concubine's procession approaching from afar, they all became excited and waited with bated breath.

Jia Cong rode over and rode side by side with the golden-topped, golden-embroidered phoenix sedan chair that Princess Yuan was riding in. He smiled toward the window and asked, "Big sister, how are you?"

Princess Yuan gently lifted the curtain and said with a smile: "Well, I haven't congratulated my dear brother on his promotion to the Grand Protector yet. You are truly better than me."

Jia Cong smiled slightly, bowed his hands to the sky, and said: "It is all thanks to your majesty's grace. How dare Cong compare himself with our ancestors?"

Princess Yuan nodded and said, "My brother is neither arrogant nor impatient, and I am relieved."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Don't worry, big sister. My sisters at home are waiting anxiously and miss you very much."

Princess Yuan sighed and said, "I think about them every day."

Soon, the carriage arrived at the gate of Rongguo Mansion. Ruyi came out to greet Princess Yuan. Jia Mu, Baochai, Daiyu, Wang Fu-ren and others knelt by the roadside to greet them.

Several young eunuchs hurried over and helped them up.

After watching Princess Yuan and others enter the gate, Jia Cong raised his hand and waved.

Wang Fei, the commander of the Southern Division, who had been waiting nearby, came over.

"My lord, please give me your instructions."

"Nowadays, Chief Steward Dai is increasingly cut off from news. The eunuch in charge who accompanied the Empress this time is Chief Steward An's man. You should go and have a good chat with him later.

See if there are any unusual movements in the harem, especially if there are any blind people, and spend as much money as you want to withdraw." Jia Cong whispered.

Wang Fei hurriedly said, "Don't worry, sir. I will do it right away."

Jia Cong walked confidently into the mansion gate. All the gentlemen stood respectfully in the yard waiting for him. No one dared to leave before he went in.

Even Jia She had to hold his nose and bear it, not daring to lose his father's temper on such a grand occasion.

"Who is watching outside?" Jia Cong asked.

Jia Lian said hurriedly, "It was Lin Zhixiao and a group of housekeepers who were watching, accompanying the eunuchs to drink and watch the show."

"In the garden?"

"It was Lin Zhixiao's family and a group of housekeepers who took care of the affairs of the Empress Yuan when she passed through various places. There was also another group of people who were specifically responsible for looking after the lanterns, candles and firecrackers in various places.

I checked several times yesterday and this morning, and everything has been arranged properly." Jia Lian said with an apologetic smile.

Jia Cong nodded. Although Jia Lian did not have any great talents, he was good at managing household affairs, welcoming guests, and dealing with people.

"Then let's go in." Jia Cong waved his hand and led everyone into the garden.

"Is there anything new in elder sister's visit this time compared to the last time?" Jia Cong asked casually.

Jia Lian smiled and said, "Yes. Last time the garden was just completed and it was night, so I invited the queen to take a boat trip.

The weather is just right today and there is plenty of time, so please invite Your Majesty to take a tour along the broad roads in the garden. Everywhere you go, your former sisters will be there to accompany you and reminisce about the past, so as to avoid everyone getting crowded together and being unable to move freely.

Finally, we passed through Qinfang Sluice Bridge to Gu Ensiyi Hall. "

"Well, very good, very good."

"This was Brother Bao's idea." Jia Lian said with a smile.

Jia Baoyu smiled complacently and puffed out his chest.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Baoyu is thoughtful and good at understanding girls' thoughts. Today, he finally has a chance to use his skills."

Everyone laughed.

Baoyu said shyly, "Brother Cong, you are making fun of me again."

"I'm not joking. The master is not here today, and it's a day for the family to reunite. There's no need to be restrained." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"Yes." Baoyu agreed with a smile.

Since Ruyi, Lady Jia, Mrs. Wang and others were already there to receive the guests in the garden, Jia Cong was too lazy to join in the fun, so he took everyone to Rong Xi Hall to wait.

After a long time, the steward came to report that the imperial concubine had come out from the Rongcui Temple after worshipping Buddha and would soon go to the main hall. Only then did Jia Cong lead the disciples from each family quickly into the garden.

When Princess Yuan arrived at the Gu'en Siyi Hall and changed her clothes, the ceremonial eunuch knelt and asked her to take the seat to receive the ceremony, and music started playing on both sides of the hall.

Suddenly, a man from the platform said in a loud voice: "Your humble servant Jia Cong and all the children of the family respectfully wish the Virtuous Consort a long life and good health."

"Free." Zhaorong came out from the palace to deliver the order.

Another eunuch led Ruyi, Rongguo Taijun and the female relatives from the east steps to the moon platform to line up. Zhaorong said again: "No need." Then they withdrew.

At this point, there was nothing else for the other male members of the family to do, so Jia Cong waved his hand to send them away and went to wait for the old lady.

After three servings of tea, Concubine Jia took her seat and the music stopped. She retreated to the side hall to change her clothes before preparing to leave the garden in her carriage.

When they arrived at Rongqing Hall, except for a few personal female officials, all the eunuchs, concubines and palace maids were waiting outside, so the meeting in the private room was much more casual.

Princess Yuan's eyes were filled with tears. She held Lady Jia and Lady Wang's arms, wanting to say something but stopping herself, sobbing uncontrollably.

The old lady and Mrs. Wang also burst into tears and kept comforting her.

The women who were standing around were all crying silently when they saw this scene.

After a long while, Princess Yuan forced herself to suppress her grief, looked at her sisters, and said with a smile, "Today the family is reunited, we should be happy, why are you all crying? Sit down and talk." Then she took Ruyi to the upper room and sat down.

Everyone sat down in turn.

Princess Yuan smiled and said, "I can still vividly remember the visit last year. I never expected that His Majesty would show us great grace again, allowing us to enjoy the family reunion again. I am so happy."

Everyone laughed and said yes.

"This is also your Majesty's reward for your dedicated service to the Queen."

Princess Yuan said, "Among all the concubines in the palace, am I the only one who serves with all my heart?
The Empress told me long ago that the reason why His Majesty bestowed His Grace was probably because of Ruyi and because Congge had made some minor contributions."

Ruyi smiled and said, "Your Highness, you can just say it behind Cong'er's back, but don't praise him in front of him, otherwise he will be so proud of himself again."

All the girls covered their mouths and chuckled. Baochai and Daiyu looked at each other and smiled, feeling proud.

Princess Yuan smiled and said, "Brother Cong, you are truly a talented person in our family." Then she looked down and said, "Baochai and Daiyu, why are there no Feng and Qiaojie?"

All the girls were a little embarrassed because now that Feng Jieer and Jia Lian had divorced, they were no longer considered members of the Jia family according to the law and had no right to appear here.

But she had an unclear relationship with Jia Cong and lived openly in the East Palace. Yuan Fei subconsciously still regarded her as the daughter-in-law of the family, so she asked this question.

After all, Grandmother Jia was old and wise, so she smiled and said, "Your Highness, Feng girl just said that she would go down to take care of Qiaojie and come back later. Since Your Highness asked, I will send someone to call her immediately."

Princess Yuan smiled and said, "Please ask the old lady to call her over quickly. Feng girl is generous and quick in her words and deeds. I have always loved her. Bring her Qiaojie here for me to see.

All the other sisters in the garden are invited to come and meet me.”

Grandmother Jia smiled and said yes.

After a while, Sister Feng and two wet nurses arrived.

"Greetings to the Empress." "No need for formalities." Princess Yuan smiled and said, "Quickly bring Qiaojie here for me to see."

"Yes." Wang Xifeng smiled and took the child and handed it to Concubine Yuan.

Princess Yuan's eyes were full of kindness. She smiled and took a sachet, which made Qiaojie dance with joy and giggle.

Sister Feng smiled and said, "This child is just like me. He is not afraid of strangers by nature and is lively and loves to laugh."

Princess Yuan carefully looked at Qiaojie for a long while, then looked at Fengjie, and said with a smile: "She has your personality, but her eyes and eyebrows are like her father, and she has quite a bit of heroism. Could she be a heroine in the future?"

The girls felt a little embarrassed and wanted to laugh when they heard this, so they quickly echoed the words.

Only Ruyi was simple-minded. He sneered, but then realized something was wrong. He quickly stopped smiling and sat up straight.

Sister Feng's face turned red, and she didn't know what to say. She just lowered her head and said nothing, cursing Jia Cong seventeen or eighteen times in her heart.

Princess Yuan reacted and realized that what she said was not right. The matter involved family secrets, so she couldn't say anything more for fear of revealing her true intentions. She was speechless for a moment and just pretended to tease Qiaojie, trying to think of a way to turn the situation around.

Baochai smiled and said, "There are many heroic women in our family now, so there is no need to wait for Qiaojie to grow up. For example, the Wanyan sisters are skilled in archery and horse riding, and are heroic and brave. They are really not inferior to Hua Mulan and Hong Funu.

There was also Yang Si Niang, the defense officer of the Black Wind Village in Hebei, who happened to be a guest at home. On that day, there was a rebellion. If Yang Si Niang had not arrived in time to defeat the rebels, we would all be in danger. "

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and said hurriedly, "Second Madam is right. Our daughter is both talented in literature and martial arts. She is a great story in the capital."

Princess Yuan looked at Baochai with admiration and said with a smile, "I have heard for a long time that all the girls in Cong's family are beautiful and talented. Now that they are being taught by Ruyi, Baochai and Daiyu, they are becoming even better.

I have long admired your reputation in the palace, so it is a good opportunity to invite you all here."

Ruyi said: "Your Highness is right. All the girls in our family are good, except Cong. He always makes me angry. You have to take care of him."

Princess Yuan clapped her hands and said, "Is this true? Cong is becoming more and more ignorant. He doesn't know how to appreciate the blessings he has.

If Ruyi wasn't well-educated, magnanimous, and generous, how could an ordinary princess allow her husband to be so presumptuous and keep so many girls at home. I will scold him severely later."

Everyone was watching the fun and didn't mind the incident. They all smiled and spoke for Ruyi, criticizing Jia Cong.

Ruyi covered her mouth with a smile and waved her hand, saying, "Please invite the girls in."

"Yes." Yuanyang heard this outside and hurried to call Chu Chan, Qingwen and others.

"Greetings to the Empress Yuan, Her Royal Highness the Princess, the old lady, and all the ladies and young ladies." The ladies who had been waiting outside came in one after another and saluted respectfully.

"No need to be polite." Yuanchun looked at the beauties, some fat and some thin, some spring orchid and some autumn chrysanthemum, sitting down and felt both angry and amused.

Congge is really a bastard. Having Ruyi, Baodai and others is not enough for him, so he has collected so many beauties, some of whom are even more beautiful than the emperor's harem.

Feng Jieer was introducing the characters to Princess Yuan with a smile. When it came to Yang Si Niang's turn, she was slightly choked up as she didn't know much about Yang Si Niang.

"Your Highness, I am Yang Siniang, the defense officer of the Black Wind Village in Cangzhou Prefecture. I am here to pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine." Yang Siniang's face flushed slightly and she saluted with her fists clasped.

Everyone couldn't help laughing when they saw her wearing women's clothes and saluting, which was quite inappropriate.

Princess Yuan smiled and said, "I heard from Brother Cong a long time ago that if you hadn't stepped forward that day, my sisters would have been in real danger.

You guys, some are well-versed in classics, some are skilled in needlework, some are gentle and meticulous, some are calm and capable, and some have extraordinary skills. You are all the best of the time. I have known this for a long time. I am very happy to see you for the first time today. "

Four palace maids hurriedly presented the gifts that had been prepared long ago.

Chu Chan, Qing Wen and the others were very happy, not for the reward, but because of the attitude of Concubine Yuan in valuing them, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."

"In the future you must serve the princess and the two wives well. You must not take advantage of your favor and become arrogant, disrupting the rules of the family." Princess Yuan said.

"Yes, we will follow the Queen's orders." Chu Chan and others learned their lesson and stood behind Baochai and Daiyu.

They chatted and laughed for a while, exchanging greetings.

Suddenly, the eunuch outside the door reported: "Your Majesty, Duke Dingguo comes to pay his respects."

Everyone stopped and heard Jia Cong kowtow outside the curtain and said, "Your Highness, I, Jia Cong, respectfully wish the Imperial Concubine good health. Well, are you satisfied with the layout of the garden today?

I heard that it was Baoyu who came up with the ideas, drew the figures and ordered people to place them everywhere. If there is anything that is not satisfactory, it has nothing to do with me, and I can summon him to reprimand him.

But I have spent a lot of money, please don't let Baoyu waste it."

He was too lazy to memorize his lines, nor did he know how to say anything fancy like greetings, blessings, or thanks. He just went through the motions.

After hearing what he said, the girls almost burst out laughing, and they covered their mouths and tried very hard to hold back their laughter.

Grandmother Jia glared at Jia Cong through the curtain, "This evil creature is here to slander my Baoyu again."

Princess Yuan loved her little brother the most, so she smiled and said, "No need to be polite. Everywhere in the garden is good. Thank you for your expense."

Jia Cong stood up and said with a smile: "Since you are here to welcome my elder sister, I will do whatever it takes to get her."

Princess Yuan sneered and said, "Look, he actually complained to me about being poor.

Since we are close relatives, who allows you to be extravagant? As long as the family is reunited, I will be happy even if you treat me to a bowl of porridge and two glasses of light wine. You and Baoyu come in and talk."

"Yes." Jia Cong walked in with Baoyu and said with a smile, "Last time, my elder sister came to visit her parents, Cong was in Liaodong. Today, my long-cherished wish has finally come true."

Princess Yuan asked curiously, "What is your long-cherished wish?"

"It's my long-cherished wish to see the imperial concubine's visit to her parents with my own eyes." Jia Cong said with a smile.

Everyone didn't know the deeper meaning of this and they all covered their mouths and laughed.

"My fellow eunuchs and ladies, you must be tired after serving for so long. Please go down and have a rest and have some tea. We sisters can have a private chat." Jia Cong said to the eunuchs and female officials around Concubine Yuan.

"Yes." Before coming, the eunuchs and female officials received instructions from Changchun Palace and left without waiting for Concubine Yuan to give the order.

Princess Yuan looked at everyone and smiled, "There is someone to carry on our family's legacy."

Everyone laughed and said yes.

Before Jia Cong could be happy, he heard Princess Yuan change the subject and said, "Brother Cong, although you are a high-ranking official now, if you want to show off, just do it to outsiders, but you are not allowed to bully the girls at home, and you are not allowed to act recklessly and make Ruyi angry.

Don't you think about it? If it weren't for Ruyi, would the Queen treat you differently? Without the Queen's loving care, would you and I be where we are today? If you treat Ruyi badly, not only will I not tolerate you, but even your ancestors will not tolerate you."

"Ah?" Jia Cong was stunned. He didn't expect that Princess Yuan would scold him so directly. Seeing Baoyu gloating and laughing beside him, he felt so angry that his teeth were itching.

He could only bow helplessly and said, "Big sister taught me that Cong dared not."

As he spoke, he glanced at Ruyi and saw that she was smiling so hard that her eyes narrowed into a slit, with a look of success on her face. He smiled again and said, "Cong has always been devoted to Yan'er until his death. Please understand, elder sister."

When Ruyi heard him teasing her in public, her face turned red, she spat and turned her head away.

Baochai and Daiyu both blushed and cursed Jia Cong in their hearts for being vulgar.

Princess Yuan glared at him unhappily. What a bastard! He didn't even consider the occasion and was talking nonsense in front of so many people.

Since I ignored him, I changed the subject and said with a smile: "It's stuffy in the house, let's go for a walk in the garden."

Li Wan and You Shi hurriedly said, "The banquet is ready, please come and have a look, Imperial Concubine."

Princess Yuan stood up and ordered Baoyu to lead the way, and then they walked to the garden together. (End of this chapter)