Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Jinling, at the foot of Mount Qixia.

Two carriages followed closely behind, running on the green mountain road.

Ever since Guo Lin sent a memorial to the capital, reporting the whole story of the Water Conservancy Bureau's major case, Jia Cong has been waiting for the palace's decree to be issued before returning to the capital to report.

He didn't have much time left in Jinling. Perhaps it was for this reason that he was always treated with overflowing tenderness in the Yuminfang mansion.

Today, taking advantage of the fine weather, he accompanied Qin Keqing and Qu Hongxiu to the Da Ci'en Temple to fulfill their vows, and Baozhu and Ruizhu also went with them.

Originally, he had promised Keqing to fulfill his vow at the Da Ci'en Temple, and the itinerary was also arranged by Keqing, but Keqing insisted on bringing Qu Hongxiu along.

Jia Cong vaguely felt that there was a strange tacit understanding between the two of them. Perhaps Keqing had already noticed that there was something different between him and Qu Hongxiu.

Women's intuition in this regard can never be overestimated.

However, the two women who should have been in opposition actually got along very closely and harmoniously. Perhaps when facing Jia Cong at the same time, they also showed a little jealousy, but it did not affect the overall situation.

When Keqing divorced and returned home, she was forced by her father and had no other choice but to flee to Jinling.

She and Qu Hongxiu worked together to run Xinchunhao, staying together day and night and relying on each other, even longer than she had been with Jia Cong.

This kind of friendship and support for each other, and getting used to each other's existence, may be the main reason why they can tolerate each other.

In the era when scholars and officials prevailed, women were always more tolerant towards men...

Smelling the refreshing fragrance on both sides, some are as bright as roses, some are extremely beautiful, and every frown and smile is a beautiful sight on earth.
While in the car, every time he wanted to get close to her, he would secretly hug her waist and hold her hand.

Just when he was about to succeed, his arm was always pinched lightly.
There seemed to be a strange tacit understanding, and they all stood together to stop the attack. He couldn't even tell whose hand was executing him.

This process of persistence and resistance became a continuous sweet game and confrontation that took place secretly along the way and in the carriage, and Jia Cong was always at a disadvantage.

Only when the carriage rested and someone occasionally got off was Jia Cong able to turn the tables. The other person was left unable to resist his intimacy and let him do whatever he wanted with a blushing face.

The horses' hooves were brisk, the breeze was gentle, and apart from those heart-beating clips, there were more soft laughter and funny conversations.

Jia Cong hoped that he could slack off a little more and that this sweet and weird journey would not end, so that he could temporarily stay away from the endless calculations and conspiracies.

……

Perhaps it was because of this trip to Jinling that Jia Cong saw too many evil spirits.

This time he went south on imperial orders, and after some hard work, he believed that the remnants of the Water Supervision Bureau case had been completely eradicated.

He also believed that Du Hengxin was the real mastermind of this case.

However, many obscure clues he discovered all suggested to him one thing: the reason why Du Hengxin became the mastermind of the Water Supervision Bureau's major case was that there was a force behind it that was driving and evolving the situation.

By the time Du Hengxin was arrested, the Nanzhili Guard system had already been corrupted by the Jinling Guard, Suzhou Guard, Water Supervision Office and other government offices.

If he had not been involved in the major case of the Water Monitoring Bureau by chance two years ago, this shocking case would never have been exposed, and Du Hengxin, Zou Huaiyi and other important criminals would have remained at large, wreaking havoc in the south of the Yangtze River.

Then, a few years later, the five guards and one bureau under the Jinling Military Command would definitely be completely destroyed by this important case.

The tens of thousands of guards guarding the six states and one prefecture in the south of the Yangtze River will become corrupt.

A huge black hole of defense will appear in half of the southern part of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

At that time, if there were someone like Du Hengchang who colluded with the hidden forces in Jiangnan where the Wei army was corrupt, he might be able to seize half of Jiangnan in a short time.

In the past, Emperor Taizu of Zhou was based in Nanjing, looked north to the foreign tribes, and competed for supremacy in the Central Plains. It is not impossible for such a struggle between heroes to happen again.

He believed that his guess was not groundless and was definitely not aimless.

If his speculation is true, then the Water Supervision Bureau case that spread to Nanjing is just the tip of the iceberg of a far-reaching conspiracy.

Fifteen years ago, why was it that Du Hengxin, a captain of the imperial guards with a bad reputation, was supported by everyone to take the position?

Du Hengxin was obsessed with fame and was unscrupulous in his pursuit of success, but he was also rejected and ignored by Emperor Jiazhao. His twisted nature and burning desires were the perfect breeding ground for such terrible disasters.

Every time he was promoted, there seemed to be a hidden force driving him in secret.

Du Hengxin had just been promoted to the position of Captain of the Water Conservancy Bureau when he won a great victory over the Japanese pirates.

Just when he had secured his position as the assistant commander of the Military Commandery, the chief officer, the Commander-in-Chief, died suddenly.

The only rival for the post of Jinling Commander-in-Chief was Chen Yi, Duke of Qi, one of the four kings and eight dukes, who was feared by Emperor Jiazhao.

Many seemingly unrelated but coincidental factors led to Du Hengxin's eventual success and the reaping the benefits.

It's not surprising to have one coincidence in this world, but if there are so many coincidences, then there is probably something strange.

Therefore, Jia Cong was very suspicious of Zhen Fangqing's father, Zhen Yingquan, the Jinling businessman who supported Du Hengxin to ascend to power. However, this man had died in a shipwreck five years ago...

Seeing Jia Cong frowning and sitting there in a daze, not knowing what he was thinking about, Qu Hongxiu quietly placed her smooth and slender hand in his, allowing Jia Cong to hold it subconsciously.

……

At this time, the carriage stopped, and Jia Cong and others got off. A magnificent temple appeared before them. It was built against the mountain, with high-rise buildings and overlapping eaves, and it looked exquisite and solemn.

The last time Jia Cong left Jinling, he had only finished copying the thirteen Buddhist scriptures approved by the Ministry of Rites. In fact, only most of the main halls of the Da Ci'en Temple had been completed, and the entire temple was not finished.

This was also the first time that Jia Cong saw the fully completed Da Ci'en Temple.

This place also has special meaning to him. He was ordered to copy scriptures for the Da Ci'en Temple and thus gained a great opportunity.

It was also in this place that he met Qin Keqing, and at the completion and consecration ceremony of the main hall, he found Zhishao who had come back to life from the dead.

On the way, Keqing told him that the Guanyin Bodhisattva in the Guanyin Hall of Da Ci'en Temple was the most efficacious, and that the girls in Jinling City loved to come here to make wishes.

Moreover, the standing statue of Guanyin in the Guanyin Hall is said to be modeled after the appearance of the emperor's biological mother, Empress Dowager Xianxiao.

This reminded Jia Cong of Emperor Jia Zhao's biological mother, who was just an unknown palace maid when she was alive.

Emperor Jiazhao's origin and lineage were quite mediocre among the royal children.

No matter what Zou Min'er told him about the story of the Jinling Du family, he mentioned the fifteen years when the throne of God was changed.

Or in Zou Huaiyi's secret account, there are records of the rebellion of the King of Wu, the ascension of the King of Qi to the throne, and the abdication of the Supreme Emperor.

They all have similar descriptions of the current emperor. Before he ascended the throne, Emperor Jiazhao was just an ordinary prince who was not valued by the emperor emeritus. Perhaps this had something to do with his bloodline.

However, the King of Wu, who was also mentioned, looked completely different.

The biological mother of the King of Wu was Concubine Zhao, the favorite of the retired emperor, and it was said that she was of very noble birth.

The King of Wu was a handsome man, talented in both civil and military affairs, and brilliant. Among the royal children, no one could match him.

Not only was he the most valued by the retired emperor, he was also respected by all the officials in the court, who all regarded the King of Wu as the successor to the throne.

But the final result was completely the opposite.

The glorious King of Wu failed and died; the unknown King of Qi ascended the throne by chance.

Why were these things specially recorded in Zou Huaiyi's secret account? What was recorded on the last two pages of the secret account that were torn off?
For Jia Cong, the Jinling Water Supervision Bureau case has been concluded, but as he comes into contact with more and more information, the doubts left in his heart seem to increase day by day.

After returning to the capital this time, perhaps I can find some opportunities to learn about old events from elders like Liu Jing'an or Jia Zheng.

……

The Holy Capital, Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

When Lady Jia and others heard that Jia Zheng had good news to tell, they all looked at each other in bewilderment. Life in the Rongguo Mansion had always been stable, with very few disturbances in daily life.

As usual, Li Gongcai took Yingchun, Daiyu and other sisters to the back hall to talk.

Only Lady Jia, Lady Wang, Aunt Xue and others were left in Rongqing Hall.

After a while, Jia Zheng, wearing official uniform, walked into Rongqing Hall with a smile on his face and a lively look.

In the Rongguo Mansion, Jia She was lustful and absurd, and Mrs. Xing was greedy and money-loving, so Grandmother Jia felt that her eldest son and his wife were not up to standard and was always displeased with them.

In Grandmother Jia's heart, her favorite is still her second son, Jia Zheng, who is upright and well-behaved.

When Duke Rong, Jia Daishan, left a will, it was stated that the eldest son would inherit the title and the second son would inherit the palace. This was an unconventional move and it would not have been easy to accomplish without the strong support of Grandmother Jia.

When it came to the Yu generation in Rong State, Jia Lian was the eldest son of the family. Although he was also loved by Grandmother Jia, he was not as favored as Baoyu, the second son.

Among the girls in the mansion, the granddaughters that Jia Mu values ​​the most are still Yuanchun and Tanchun from the second house. Yingchun, the concubine's daughter from the first house, seems dispensable and has a very low sense of presence.

However, in recent years, Jia Cong appeared in the eldest branch of the family. He has become so outstanding and dazzling that he has taken away all the glory from the other children of the Jia family with the surname Yu. Even Yingchun has become dazzling as well.

Although this change was a bit regrettable for Lady Jia, it was not a bad thing after all. After all, they were her grandchildren, and more decent things were better than nothing.

But to Mrs. Wang, it was an increasingly humiliating heartache, as she had to watch the eldest wife's illegitimate son prospering while her own Baoyu remained a failure.

So, when she heard her master say that he wanted to announce the good news, she stopped rosary beads in her hand, and had a bad feeling in her heart. Among the children of the Jia family, who else but that boy could bring about any good news? ...

When Jia's mother saw Jia Zheng coming in, she asked with a smile, "You stay in the government office every day, how come you heard about happy events? Tell us about it so that we can have some fun."

Jia Zheng smiled and said, "When my son was leaving the government office today, a well-informed colleague came to tell him that the Imperial Envoy Guo Lin had sent a memorial from Nanjing.

The memorial said that Cong Ge'er solved a major case of the Jiangnan Guard Army in Nanjing, and led the troops to Gusu and along the river waterways, repeatedly coming up with ingenious plans and arresting important criminals.

The main culprits, Jinling Commander Du Hengxin, Suzhou Guard Commander Luo Xiong, and fugitive Zhou Zhengyang were all arrested. More than 150 accomplices, including officials and civilians in Jinling, were also imprisoned.

The emperor highly praised Cong'er's contribution in Nanjing, and has issued an imperial edict to send him to the capital urgently, asking him to return to the capital to report. "

When Mrs. Wang heard Jia Zheng's slightly excited words, her expression fell involuntarily. Her prediction was indeed correct. That boy was very scheming. Every time he went on a long journey, he would definitely try to bring back some merit.

Why should he be so happy when his master is talking about him? This kid is not his son, so there is no need for him to be so happy...

Upon hearing this, Lady Jia's heart could not help but skip a beat. She did not think this was worth being happy about. She had just heard clearly that the boy had handled another major case and arrested more than 150 people.

So many people in Jinling suffered, it would not be like last time when some old relatives in Jinling, such as the Shi family, also fell into trouble.

Given the boy's evil nature, I'm not afraid of what might happen. Wouldn't that lead to more gossip?

Grandmother Jia frowned and asked, "Didn't they say that he was ordered to go to Nanjing to handle the daily affairs of the Ministry of Works? How come he is like last time there, solving a case and arresting someone, making such a big fuss?"

Jia Zheng smiled and said, "My son was also a little puzzled at first, but then a colleague of the governor explained that the last time Jinling Guard Commander Zhou Zhengyang committed a crime, the court was going to issue an order to bring him to justice.

However, an official in the Shenjing colluded with foreign officials and leaked court secrets, allowing Zhou Zhengyang to escape early. Although the emperor ordered the Court of Inquiry to punish him severely, he took it as a warning.

He asked Congge'er to go to Nanjing to set up a branch of the Firearms Bureau, but it was just an explicit order. In reality, he was asked to receive a secret order and be responsible for investigating major cases involving the Nanjing Guards. It can be seen that Congge'er was highly valued by the emperor.

This time he has made great contributions, and he will definitely be rewarded after returning to the capital. It will bring more glory to the Jia family of Rongguo, which is a great thing."

Grandmother Jia asked hurriedly, "He has arrested so many people in Jinling this time. There are many of our relatives from noble families in Jinling. Have any of their children been harmed by this?"

Jia Zheng was slightly startled when he heard this, and said, "I don't know much about this matter, nor have I heard my colleagues talk about it.

If the relatives and children of Jinling also committed a crime and were sent to prison this time, it must be because they behaved improperly and violated the law of the country, and they deserved it.

Although the old lady is kind and compassionate, you don't have to take such things to heart. There are laws and regulations to punish them."

……

When Grandmother Jia heard her son's words, she felt aggrieved and uncomfortable. Although this old son was doted on by her, he was too naive and pedantic, and it was impossible to have a good conversation with him.

I just hope that kid from Dongfu won't cause any more trouble for me when he comes back from Jinling this time.

But I'm afraid it's not easy. That kid is always cold and unpredictable in his actions. One day he might care about the reputation of his relatives and elders...

Originally, Jia Zheng was talking about good news, but after a few words from Jia's mother, the atmosphere in Rongqing Hall became a little depressing.

Naturally, Mrs. Wang would not support Jia Cong, so it was Aunt Xue who spoke up to ease the atmosphere.

He smiled and said, "Madam, this is really good news. I have not been in your house for long, but my ears are almost callused. I have never seen a boy as capable as Brother Cong.

Whenever he goes out, he must earn respect for the old lady. My Xue family is not destined to produce such a son. Now, the one I envy the most is you, old lady, for raising such an amazing grandson.

At this rate, if Congge makes a few more trips, I'm afraid he'll be given a title of nobility or duke."

Although Grandmother Jia was worried that Jia Cong would stir up trouble in Jinling like last time and cause trouble for his mother's family, she still couldn't believe it.

Now, after hearing Aunt Xue's flattering words, he couldn't help but feel relieved. That kid was doing things to please the emperor, which was definitely a good thing for the Jia family.

He smiled faintly and said, "Mrs. Xue is too kind. At his age, he already has such a grand ceremony. It's a bit too much. People should be content.

Besides, it is a peaceful time now, and no matter how much trouble he makes, he will not be destined to be a marquis or a duke.

But he has hardly spent a peaceful day at home throughout the whole year. He has been busy outside and doing all kinds of things involving swords and guns. If he causes any trouble, he will be the one to take care of it.

I hope that his family can live in peace and everyone can be clean and relaxed. "

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "Any capable young man who is young cannot stay at home and must travel around.

Not to mention Cong Ge'er who is so outstanding, just look at the stupid and evil boy in my family who is away from home all day long.

As long as the boys in the family grow up, get married and settle down, their minds will settle down.

Cong will certainly do the same, and he will live peacefully in the mansion and be filial to you, old lady."

……

Aunt Xue only said some pleasant and polite words, but when Lady Jia heard the words about engagement and settling down, her heart was moved.

She suddenly remembered that some days ago, the old Concubine Zhen in the palace sent her Yunwu Baocha as a gift to show her closeness.

There is also Baoling Hou Li who comes to remind the old Concubine Zhen that is planning to arrange a marriage between Jia Cong and the third Miss Zhen.

Naturally, Grandmother Jia did not want Jia Cong to marry a daughter from his mother's family. She had always wanted Jia Cong to increase the power of her mother's family and marry her niece's granddaughter Shi Xiangyun.

Aunt Xue's unintentional words just now suddenly aroused Lady Jia's thoughts.

She thought that Jia Cong would be returning to Beijing soon, and had made great contributions in Jinling. If he returned, the old Concubine Zhen's plan would succeed, and the palace would grant him a marriage in the name of rewarding his merits.

Then all of Lady Jia's plans came to nothing. How could she let her own grandson be given to someone else?

Grandmother Jia thought that if Jia Cong's marriage was arranged in advance, the palace's arranged marriage would be defeated.

Grandmother Jia thought for a moment and said to Jia Zheng, "When I brought Cong'er to the West Mansion to raise him, I placed him under the care of the second wife. As his uncle, you should also worry more about him.

Now that he has a title, he is considered to have made a name for himself among the children of the Jia family.

After the New Year, Cong will be fifteen years old, and he is old enough to dance like an elephant, so it is time for him to be betrothed to a matchmaker."

Jia Zheng smiled and said, "What the old lady said makes sense. Although Cong is young, he has already achieved success and fame. It is indeed time for him to get married and start a family.

The old lady has a lot of experience, and she may have a match for me."

Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue on the side were both surprised, as they had just been talking about Jia Cong's stay in Jinling.

Why did the old lady suddenly bring up Jia Cong's marriage? She spoke so quickly that it really caught people off guard.

Moreover, the tone of voice of the mother and son sounded as if they were eager to arrange a marriage for Jia Cong.

Mrs. Wang felt uncomfortable. My Baoyu is the same age as that boy. He will be fifteen next year. I am not worried about Baoyu yet, but I am focusing on that boy first. Is he worthy of it?
When Aunt Xue heard Lady Jia talking about Jia Cong's marriage, she couldn't help but be moved, but when she heard Jia Zheng mention a lady from a famous family, her heart sank.

With Cong's status, he must marry a lady from a prominent family to be a good match for her.

But the Xue family not only has no noble title, but they don’t even have a proper official position. Their Baochai is far from being a noble lady from a famous family.

If this girl knew that the old lady had started to look for a relative for Congge, she would be so sad. After all, it is not her destiny and fate.

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "I will keep an eye on this matter. When there is some progress in a few days, we will discuss it. The Jia family hasn't had a wedding for a long time."

After hearing this, Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue looked at each other in surprise.

She said there would be some clues in a few days. It turns out the old lady already has a candidate in mind, but she doesn't know whose daughter she is?
……

Behind the screen of the main seat in Rongqing Hall, a petite emerald figure flashed and ran to the back hall.

Jia Zheng entered Rongqing Hall. Li Gongcai was a widow, and her sisters were all unmarried, so they all avoided the place according to the usual practice of the Jia family.

But now the sisters have learned to be smart. Whenever the second master says there is a happy event, it must be related to Jia Cong. Besides, apart from him, which other man in the Jia family can bring about a happy event?

Sisters including Yingchun, Daiyu, Baochai, Tanchun and others were all looking forward to it. Tanchun originally wanted to eavesdrop in person, but the little maid Xichun volunteered.

Since Jia Cong moved to the Earl's Mansion, Xichun has been staying in Yingchun's courtyard most of the time, and has spent more time in the Earl's Mansion than Daiyu and Tanchun.

No one in the East Palace would restrain her, and the wet nurse and old woman around Xichun were not allowed to come to the East Palace every day. Yingchun was gentle in nature and was willing to do anything for her.

Therefore, although Xichun was a bit eccentric, she enjoyed staying in the East Palace and did not want to leave. Jia Cong would often talk and joke with her when he returned home.

The little girl is now very close to Jia Cong, and she is happy to be the informant of Jia Cong's happy events.

Tanchun ran back with Xichun and pulled her aside to ask, "Fourth sister, did you hear what happy event the master mentioned?"

Xichun blinked her eyes and said, "The second master said that the third brother solved a big case in Nanjing and made great contributions. The emperor asked him to return to Beijing to report. He will be able to return home soon!"

Yingchun, Daiyu and the others were all delighted when they heard this, but Baochai asked again, "Sister Xichun, apart from these, is there anything else you want to talk about?"

Xichun's face suddenly turned red, and she said, "The ancestor also said that when the third brother reaches the age, he will discuss with the second master and arrange a marriage for him."

When Yingchun and Tanchun heard this, they were surprised. Why were they suddenly talking about marriage?

Baochai's face turned pale when she heard the news. She couldn't help but glance at Daiyu, but she saw that she frowned slightly, remained silent, and the silk handkerchief in her hand was twisted into a ball. (End of this chapter)