Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 311 Fate will not repeat itself

When Jia Jing heard what Jia Cong said, his hand trembled suddenly and he actually pulled out a lock of his beard, causing him to grimace in pain.

Jia Jing could never have imagined that after Lady Jia told him about the huge benefits of inheriting Ningguo, Jia Cong actually refused without saying a word.

Everyone in the hall looked surprised and a little puzzled that Jia Cong was unwilling to do such a good thing.

Even an outsider like Aunt Xue felt that this was a godsend for Jia Cong.

Ever since she met Jia Cong in Jinling, she found him impeccable in both appearance and ability, and to be honest she liked him. But Jia Cong was a concubine's son and could not get involved in the power and wealth of the Rongguo Mansion.

But if this kid becomes the legitimate son of Ningguo Mansion, then the situation will be completely different. If he gets the title of Ningguo, no one in the Jia family can compare with him.

Since his daughter likes him so much, he could even promise him the marriage. But this Congge'er actually doesn't want to be adopted. Isn't this stupid?

But Aunt Xue was a relative after all, so she had no right to speak at this time. She was just anxious in her heart.

Jia Jing calmed down, still holding on to hope, so he immediately thought of another possibility and asked, "Brother Cong, you just went to the palace to see the emperor. Has the emperor conferred you a title?"

The reason Jia Cong refused to inherit Ningguo so quickly, the only reason Jia Jing could think of was that Jia Cong had just been conferred a title when he met the emperor, so he refused to adopt Ningguo.

When Jia Jing asked this question, everyone in Rongqing Hall looked at Jia Cong, and many of them had burning eyes.

That is a title. The reason why the Jia family has been prosperous and wealthy for generations is, in the final analysis, the noble title. Now that Jia Cong is so young, it seems that he will be conferred a title in the near future. How can people not be jealous?

"Today, it is not just Cong who is here to see His Majesty. There are also other generals who have made contributions in the Liaodong Campaign. The Emperor summoned them just to encourage them. After the ceremony of presenting captives is completed in the palace in three days, they will be rewarded according to their merits."

Jia Jing heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this, and said to Jia's mother, "Madam, the reward will be given in three days, there is still time."

Grandmother Jia frowned. If this kid was really granted a title in three days, then the Rong Kingdom would have two titles. What a great honor it would be. Grandmother Jia was excited just thinking about it.

However, I had already submitted a written document to the clan office a few days ago, so there is no way to go back on my word now.

Grandmother Jia felt sorry for the dignity that was within her reach, and she was a little distracted. She seemed to have forgotten what Jia Cong had just said in rejection, and said gloomily:
"That's perfect. I had someone check the date and tomorrow is an auspicious day. Brother Cong, you can go to the ancestral temple tomorrow to worship your ancestors and pass on your inheritance. That will be the end of the matter."

……

Jia Cong frowned slightly and said, "Old Madam, I just said that this is absolutely not allowed!"

Grandmother Jia looked up at Jia Cong and saw that his face was calm, his lips slightly pursed, and he looked unwilling.

His face darkened slightly, and he said, "Brother Cong, I have just told you the benefits of adoption. It is a great thing for you. Don't be confused."

"Old lady, if Cong had let me inherit the Ningguo lineage before he went to Liaodong, it would not be a big deal. But if I inherit the Ningguo lineage now, it would bring disaster to the Jia family!"

When Grandmother Jia heard the word "cause of trouble", she was shocked. This was mainly because the Ningguo Mansion had its title confiscated last year, which left a huge psychological trauma on the old lady.

But he didn't believe it in his heart, and asked angrily: "Why are you saying such depressing words for no reason? It's common for a big family to transfer the heir, how can it cause trouble?"

Jia Cong said loudly: "Old lady, after Ningguo was stripped of his title, it was conferred for three years. Only when the sons of Ningguo made military achievements could they regain their title. But a year has passed, and no one from Ningguo has joined the army. How lazy they are!"

When Jia Jing and Jia Xiao heard this, their faces turned red. Those playboys in Ningguo were so scared that their legs went weak when they heard about joining the army. What else could they do?

"This time, Cong made great military achievements in Liaodong, but Ningguo did not think of inspiring his sons to do good deeds, but just let Cong inherit Ningguo. This is suspected of taking away the national merit by trickery, which is a crime of deceiving the emperor.

The current emperor is a wise monarch with a clear vision. How can such a thing as the solicitation of evil spirits be hidden from the public eye?

As long as the family takes this step, impeachments from the Censorate will surely come in droves, the Rongguo Jia family will surely become the target of public criticism, and disaster will come sooner or later!
Madam, Brother Zhen violated the law and acted recklessly, which led to Ningguo's property being confiscated and his title being stripped. Cong must not repeat the same mistake!"

……

After hearing these words, everyone in the hall gasped. Jia Mu and others were only thinking about restoring the title of Ningguo and strengthening the power of the Jia family. They had no idea of ​​Jia Cong's twists and turns.

At this time, Grandmother Jia was also frightened by these words. Letting Jia Cong inherit Ningguo would actually constitute the crime of deceiving the emperor, which she would never dare to do.

At this time, Jia Zheng said, "Madam, we were wrong about this matter. Cong'er's words make a lot of sense. Now that Ningguo has been eliminated, Rongguo must not be in trouble again!"

Jia Jing suddenly said, "Brother Cong, what you said is just speculation. Maybe His Majesty will not mind you inheriting the title because of the merits of Ningguo's ancestors. How can we know if we don't give it a try?"

At this moment, everyone present in Rongqing Hall was not a fool, and they all looked at Jia Jing with surprise.

I never thought that a scholar who passed the imperial examinations twice and practiced Taoism for so many years would say such selfish and cruel words.

Jia Cong asked curiously, "Master Jing, do you want Cong, a son of Rong, to gamble his life and future to fight for the title of your Ningguo lineage?"

Grandmother Jia said angrily, "Jing'er, do you know what you are saying? You can even use the death penalty and confiscation of property to test it. I think you are crazy about regaining your title." She glanced at Jia Cong who was standing aside. She thought something was very good, but this kid made it so deadly after saying it. After all, this kid was a powerful one.

It seemed as if she was really getting senile and confused. Grandmother Jia felt indescribably uncomfortable and a little embarrassed...

He said angrily, "Let's just leave it at that. Zheng'er, go to the clan office and get the document back yourself, and say that Cong'er will no longer inherit the clan lineage, so as to avoid any gossip."

After hearing this, Jia Jing's face changed drastically, and he pleaded with Grandmother Jia: "Madam, you can't do this. This is the only hope for Ningguo to regain his title..."

Grandmother Jia ignored him and let Yuanyang support her and leave.

Jia Cong looked at Jia Jing and Jia Xiao with some disgust. The ancestors of Ningguo fought hard for their achievements, but they didn't expect their descendants to be so despicable. From then on, there was no more title of Ningguo in the world.

He didn't want to stay in Rongqing Hall for a moment, so he bowed to Jia Zheng and left in a hurry.

……

Jia Cong walked out of the hanging flower gate and around the corridor. Suddenly, a fragrant breeze blew in front of him, and a graceful figure came out from the side.

"Third brother, you're back!"

Jia Cong looked carefully and found that it was Tanchun. She was wearing a long coat with a cross collar embroidered with rose-red flowers and a snow-white pleated skirt. After not seeing her for half a year, she was still as charming and pretty as ever.

Tanchun looked at him, her bright eyes sparkling and her face full of a bright and cheerful smile, like the bright and dazzling light in an early summer afternoon, very moving.

"Everyone knows that Third Brother is coming back today, and my sisters are all in my room. I went to Rongqing Hall to see what's going on, and you happened to be here."

"I asked the secretary to go there once, but why did he stay in Rongqing Hall for so long? Did he talk about something?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "It's about me inheriting the Ning Kingdom. I told the old lady and the master that this is a big risk, and the old lady also denied it."

Tanchun said with joy, "Fortunately it didn't work out. I was worried for days after hearing about it. Everything is fine in Rongguo Mansion, why would she want to inherit another family line?"

She turned her head and looked at Jia Cong carefully, her eyebrows slightly frowned: "Third brother, you have become thinner and darker. You must have suffered a lot outside the Great Wall."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Of course, things outside are not as good as at home. These are nothing, but my spirits are much better than before."

Tanchun saw that his eyes were bright and clear, his smile was gentle and warm, and although his cheeks were a little thin, he showed a firmness and calmness that he had never had before.

She felt so good having him walking by her side like this. The afternoon sun was so warm that it seemed to make her heart slightly warm.

When I entered Tanchun's room, I heard the chirping of girls and the sweet voices of others, which was a pleasant surprise. After not seeing her for half a year, she seemed even more intimate than before.

As soon as Shi Xiangyun came up, she started chattering with Jia Cong about the rare scenery she saw at Xiande Gate in the morning, and she kept expressing her admiration.

She also whispered in his ear, who was the girl wearing a veil and riding a horse beside him in the morning?
Jia Cong looked at Shi Xiangyun in surprise, and then blurted out, "That's my bodyguard." Shi Xiangyun's eyes were full of mischief, and she looked like a fool would never believe you.

Daiyu tilted her head, looked at him carefully, and said with some rebuke, "So when we were looking at the map that day, Third Brother said he would be back in March. I guess you were just kidding me."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Things in the border town are ever-changing, so it's hard to be sure. I'm back now. I haven't seen you for half a year. Sister Lin has grown a lot taller and looks much better."

Daiyu blushed slightly: "I have followed the method that Third Brother taught me for a day, and it really is useful."

Jia Cong saw Yingchun looking at him with a smile, but there seemed to be a hint of worry in her expression, as if she was worried about something, and he felt a little strange.

"Brother Cong, you've been gone for half a year and you've become darker and thinner. You must take good care of yourself at home when you come back this time."

Jia Cong asked, "I see that Second Sister looks a little unwell, is she feeling unwell?"

Shi Xiangyun, who was standing by, said quickly, "Second sister is worried now. She just got engaged and is about to become a bride!"

Jia Cong was stunned when he heard this, his face darkened slightly, and he had a bad feeling in his heart. Only he knew that Yingchun's engagement was not a good thing.

He quickly asked, "Whose relative did you book?"

Tanchun said, "It's the Sun family, the hereditary commander of Datong, whose name is Sun Shaozu. My second sister wants to stay in the boudoir for a few more years and doesn't want to get engaged so early, but the eldest master insisted on this marriage."

After hearing this, Jia Cong's face turned gloomy. It turned out to be him again!
Seeing his expression turn ugly, Yingchun trusted Jia Cong very much, and her heart was beating wildly. She asked, "Brother Cong, is there something wrong?"

Jia Cong said in a deep voice: "Second sister, this man is a tiger and a wolf. If you meet him, you will definitely not have a good ending. As a brother, I will never let you marry him!"

Daiyu, Tanchun and others rarely heard Jia Cong speak like this, and their faces changed immediately.

(End of this chapter)