Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Ningrong Street, Rongguo Mansion.

In the early morning of New Year's Eve, Jia's mother and other people who had been granted titles all wore court robes according to their rank, sat in eight-person sedan chairs, entered the palace to pay their respects, performed rituals and attended a banquet. It was almost noon when they returned.

Jia Cong and Jia Zheng led the clan members and stood in a line in front of the ancestral hall.

The female members of the Jia family had entered the ancestral hall in advance and lined up at the back entrance. Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun and other sisters were all there, but Daiyu was not there.
Although she was favored by Lady Jia, she was of a different family and was not allowed to enter the ancestral hall during festivals.

In the morning, after delivering the New Year gift to Jia Cong, she felt a little disappointed because of Zou Miner's matter and said that she wanted to go back to her room to lie down and recuperate. In fact, she was also missing her relatives during the New Year and avoiding the ancestral sacrifices of her in-laws.

After Lady Jia's carriage returned home, the boys and girls were brought into the ancestral hall together.

On New Year's Eve, the person who presides over the ancestor worship in the Jia family has changed several times, from the original Jia Jingxian to Jia She. This year's person in charge of the worship was originally changed to Jia Cong, who inherited the hereditary title.

However, Jia Cong put filial piety and etiquette first and gave the position of chief priest to Jia Zheng.

This was not simply out of gratitude and respect for Jia Zheng, but rather because deep in Jia Cong's heart, after all the twists and turns he had experienced since childhood, he did not have a full sense of belonging to the Jia family.

This New Year's Eve ancestor worship ceremony was ultimately presided over by Jia Zheng, with Jia Cong as his assistant. Baoyu offered wine, Jia Huan presented silk, Jia Lan held incense, and the male members of the concubine's room spread out the prayer mat and guarded the burning pool.

The Qingyi music was played, and all the etiquette and regulations were followed. Everyone bowed one by one, burned silk and offered wine. When the ceremony was over, the music stopped. Until the end, the sun was setting on New Year's Eve.

After the ancestor worship was over, Grandmother Jia brought the descendants and wives of the Rongguo Mansion to the large flower hall behind Rongqing Hall for a family banquet.

As it was not yet completely dark and the food and wine had not yet been served on the tables, Wang Xifeng instructed the maids to set out fruits and tea, and also lit up all kinds of lanterns in the corridors and aisles around the flower hall, which were bright and dazzling.

While Grandmother Jia, Aunt Xue and others were talking, sisters Yingchun, Baochai, Tanchun, Xichun and others were playing go or dominoes on the side.

Since Jia Cong inherited the hereditary title of Rong State, he has been naturally separated from the status of the younger generations. It seems that it is inappropriate for him to chat and have fun with his sisters.

Jia Zheng took him to the porch outside the flower hall early in the morning to chat with Dai Ru and other grandfathers, as well as several uncles who were writers in the concubines' rooms. The topics were dull and boring, making Jia Cong a little drowsy.

An uncle who was a writer often corresponded with the concubine of Jinling, and they talked about the Zhen family of Jinling during their casual conversation.

It is said that Wang Zhangjiang, the new captain of Jinling Jinyiwei, is smart and capable, with fierce means, and seems to have a grudge against Jinling Zhen family.

As soon as he took office, he investigated the history of Zhen's shop involving the illegal manufacture of firearms...

Jia Cong was originally bored by their frivolous topics, but when he heard the news, his heart suddenly jumped.

Zhen Shiwen's involvement in the private manufacture of firearms is just like Jia She's involvement in the smuggling of firearms. As long as there is no investigation or prosecution, they can get away with it.

However, if someone gets the emperor's instructions and no longer cares about the hidden power of the Zhen family, and makes every effort to investigate the matter, Zhen Shiwen will definitely be found guilty.

Ge Zhicheng, a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, was not an incompetent person, but he was afraid of the existence of the old Concubine Zhen. He did not dare to investigate the Zhen family recklessly and had to use actual evidence to convict.

However, Ge Zhicheng did not have enough time and authority, and it was difficult for him to find evidence against Zhen Shiwen in a short period of time. In addition, Zhen Shiwen died mysteriously at a critical moment.

Due to various reasons, Ge Zhicheng was stuck in a stalemate, and then Du Hengxin was suddenly assassinated...

Behind everything, there seems to be an invisible giant hand controlling the rhythm and direction.

Under such unpredictable circumstances, Ge Zhi was completely defeated, dismissed from office, and his defeat was not surprising at all.

Now that old Concubine Zhen has passed away, the Zhen family has lost its greatest supporter, and old matters have been brought up again, filled with a smell of sinister motives.

Jia Cong suddenly thought of Zhen Fangqing, who was now in the imperial mausoleum outside the city, guarding the old Concubine Zhen for half a year, and he felt worried...

……

In the fourteenth year of Jiazhao, on New Year's Eve, at sunset.

Outside the northern suburbs of Shenjing City, is the Mausoleum of Emperor Hongxuan.

To the west of the imperial mausoleum, there are several villas for the royal family who guard the mausoleum to live in.

On New Year's Eve, even the royal family members who were keeping vigil returned to their homes to celebrate the coming of the New Year.

Only one villa was still brightly lit. Two carriages were parked at the gate of the villa, and many servants were carrying things in and out.

In the middle of the main room of the villa, there is an exquisite Thai blue hollow incense burner with auspicious clouds of fortune, wealth and longevity, flickering with a fiery red glow. The best silver frost charcoal mixed with frankincense in the incense burner exudes a fragrant and warm aroma.

Although Zhen Fangqing was raised in the palace, he had been in Nanjing for the past five years and had become accustomed to the mild weather in the south. He was a little uncomfortable with the severe cold in the capital again.

Although the room was filled with scorching heat, she still covered herself tightly from head to toe. Her pretty face was white and translucent, her eyes were as clear as water, and she was graceful and charming.

She wore a jacket with silver-blue embroidered flowers on the upper body, a sleeveless black fox fur coat on the outside, a dark fox fur Zhaojun hat on her head, and a hand warmer with flickering copper light in her left hand.

At this moment, she held the hand stove to keep warm with her left hand, and looked through the business account book sent by Jinling for the past two months with her right hand.

Maid Bei'er came in with a smile and said, "Miss San, Master Cong from Rongguo Mansion has sent two carts of New Year gifts, and the servants outside are now moving them.

There were fifty dan of the best rouge rice and green-stem rice, five pairs of bear paws, ten living creatures including roe deer, deer, and sheep, two hundred jin of fresh river and seafood, and three hundred jin of best silver frost charcoal.

And some other rare things...

These things will more than last a whole winter. Master Cong is very considerate of you, young lady. He is worried that you will have to spend the winter alone, so he has planned all these details for you.

Just after noon, Aunt Liu sent someone to deliver the New Year gift that the young lady had arranged to the Earl's Mansion."

Zhen Fangqing closed the account book in her hand and said with a smile: "Pick out some of the things Yuzhang sent, and ask the kitchen to cook some southern dishes. You and Auntie will stay up with me later."

As the two were talking, Liu Xianjia came in and said, "Young lady, our master has sent a letter from Jinling, and he sent it to us by a servant on horseback."

Zhen Fangqing was slightly surprised when she heard this. She had been staying in Shenjing to observe mourning for the old Concubine Zhen's death, and had handed over the family business to Liu Xian.

She knew that Liu Xian was a cautious and careful person who knew what to prioritize. Now it was New Year's Eve, and he would ask his servants to deliver a letter on express horse. It must be that something happened in Nanjing.

Zhen Fangqing took the letter, opened it, and quickly read it. Her eyebrows were slightly frowned and her face looked a little solemn.

Liu Xianjia asked, "Miss, what important matter did our master say in the letter?"

Zhen Fangqing said, "Uncle Xian said in the letter that Ge Zhicheng, the captain of Jinling Jinyiwei, was dismissed, and the successor Wang Zhangjiang re-investigated the old case involving firearms involving my third brother as soon as he arrived in Jinling."

Liu Xian's family was the manager of the second branch of the Zhen family. He knew more or less the details of Zhen Shiwen's affairs. Originally, with the death of the third master of the first branch, the suspicion against him was settled, but he did not expect it to be brought up again.

Liu Xianjia asked, "Miss San, will the Jinyiwei's investigation into the old case of the Third Master cause any trouble for the Zhen family?"

Zhen Fangqing said in a relaxed tone: "After the death of my third brother, I have taken charge of the family business and shops.

All violations of the rules and disloyalty have been dealt with and reported to the authorities, and there is no evidence. Even if the Jinyiwei re-investigates the matter, it will be difficult to find any flaws, so there is no need to worry too much.

I will write back to Uncle Xian. There is no need to rush for the moment. Today is New Year's Eve, so you should all go and stay up all night."

When Liu Xian's wife and the maid Bei'er walked out of the room, the relaxation on Zhen Fangqing's face slowly faded away.

She looked at the tablet of the old Concubine Zhen enshrined in the main room and murmured, "Old Ancestor, your body is still warm, but the Zhen family has lost its defense. This is a case of everyone pushing down when the wall falls. Someone will come to settle the score later..."

She took out an exquisite wooden box from a secret compartment on the shelf in the main room, took out two pieces of paper from it, and examined them carefully for a moment.

This was torn off from Zou Huaiyi's secret account that day.

She sighed slightly and her eyes accidentally caught sight of the calligraphy hanging on the wall. It was the Linjiangxian written by Jia Cong.

It is Zhen Fangqing's favorite thing and she carries it with her wherever she goes.

Every word on the calligraphy scroll is ancient, elegant and extraordinary, like a sword or a halberd, revealing a vigorous heroic spirit: The Yangtze River rolls eastward, and its waves wash away all heroes...

……

Rongguo Mansion, Grand Flower Hall.

Grandmother Jia set up more than ten tables in the big flower hall and the outer porch, and five tables in the flower hall, all of which were occupied by the women of Rongguo Mansion.

Next to each seat was a small table, on which was burned the imperial lily palace incense, and on which were placed teapots, tea bowls, washbasins, foreign towels, and a small bonsai covered with moss.

In addition to Lady Jia, Aunt Xue, Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, Mrs. You, Baoyu, Yingchun, Daiyu, Baochai, Tanchun, Xichun, Xing Xiuyun and others were present at the banquet.

Another category is the old maids in Lady Jia's room, Aunt Zhou and Aunt Zhao in Jia Zheng's room, the two concubines with official titles in Jia She's room, and Zhishao and Yinglian in Jia Cong's room.

The others who sat at the side tables were the housekeepers and maids who were now prominent in the mansion, such as Lin Zhixiao's wife, Yuanyang, Ping'er, Wu'er, Xiren and others.

In fact, Xiaohong, the maid who was just appointed by Jia Cong to manage Rong Xi Tang, could have sat at a side table to accompany them, but was stopped by Lin Zhixiao's wife.

Now it is better for my daughter to make a fortune quietly. As soon as she gets to the top, she comes out to show her face so that people will not think she is frivolous.

If I offend the Second Wife and cause trouble in the first month of the year, that would be bad.

……

Wang Xifeng cleared some space between the grand hall and the porch and invited two eloquent female performers and a few musicians playing yapai and small drums.

Telling some cheerful storytelling such as The Jade Hairpin, Spring in the Full House and A Happy Family made the New Year's Eve banquet at Rongguo Mansion more festive and lively.

Grandmother Jia was a person who loved to enjoy life. On such festive occasions, she would laugh and joke without restraint. Therefore, the ladies at the tables in the grand hall were not at all restrained when eating, drinking and talking.

But according to the rules, people have to stay up late on New Year's Eve, and no one dares to drink too much. Everyone controls their alcohol tolerance. The stewards, old women and maids who accompany the table only have a few sips or do not drink at all because of their responsibilities.

On the contrary, the five or six men sitting at the porch outside the flower hall were all well-behaved, not daring to behave in the slightest, because they were occupied by Lord Jia Cong, court official Jia Zheng, clan school master Jia Dairu and others.

As it was almost midnight, Tanchun became a little impatient and asked the maid to invite Jia Cong to the inner seat so that he could sit and talk with the sisters. Finally, Jia Cong was able to escape from the boring men's seat in the porch.

The happiest person at the banquet was probably Baoyu. In the past, his sisters would go in and out of the East Palace, but this year he laughed and joked with his sisters much less than in previous years, which was really annoying.

However, the East Palace is an earl's palace bestowed by the emperor, with strict rules and high thresholds, so even the old lady cannot interfere.

Baoyu could probably only watch and sigh. He no longer dared to throw the jade and make a scene because he knew Daiyu hated it the most. It was because of the jade throwing that the two of them became strangers.

As a result, Baoyu had to waste his jade-smashing trick in vain. Moreover, when the clan officials came to reprimand him that day, Liu Shuyou specifically reminded Jia Zheng of the taboo of holding the jade in his mouth.

From that time on, Jia Zheng asked Baoyu to keep the jade away and not show it off every day.

Although Jia's mother and Wang Fu-ren were reluctant to give up the strange and respectable appearance they had cultivated for more than ten years, they had to reluctantly acquiesce to Jia Zheng's decision when they thought that it would offend the person in the palace. Jia Cong looked at Jia Baoyu at the table without Baoyu, and always felt that it was indescribably absurd and funny.

……

But Baoyu was unaware of this. Today, he sat together with his sisters, drinking and chatting, which really made him very happy.

Moreover, sitting at the second table today were the East Palace's famous beautiful maids Zhishao, Wu'er, Yinglian, etc., whose faces he seldom saw.

They are really like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with its own merits. Baoyu admired them in his heart. He thought that his sisters were of the best quality, but he did not expect that the heaven and earth with such beautiful talents could give birth to such extraordinary daughters.

It’s a pity that all these people entered Jia Cong’s room. He, a pedantic and corrupt person, actually had such a blessing, while someone like me who is above the ordinary people...

Baoyu's mind was full of thoughts, filled with grief and indignation, or pity, but his eyes kept glancing towards the second seat, admiring the beauty of the girls who intoxicated him.

Suddenly, he felt something vaguely and turned his head to see Daiyu, who was sitting at the same table, glanced at him with her delicate eyebrows slightly frowned and her extremely charming eyes filled with a look of alienation and reproach.

Baoyu felt as if his heart was stabbed. Could it be that he had peeked at the maid in the East Palace and Sister Lin was unhappy about it? That would be terrible.

Baoyu immediately sat up straight, not daring to look at the other seat again. He just chatted and laughed with his sisters, not wanting to lose his composure in front of Sister Lin.

Jia Cong, who was sitting at the table, saw this scene of Daiyu and smiled slightly in his heart. When Daiyu saw him looking at her, she thought of the light blue Xue Tao paper she had seen in the morning.

The fireworks in the deep alley remind me of the fleeting life, and the spring water in the river complains about separation.

Daiyu thought that if her third brother hadn't provoked her, how could Miss Zou be so deeply in love with him? Although she couldn't seem to find the reason, she felt uncomfortable.

When she thought of this, she tilted her head in annoyance, trying not to look at Jia Cong.

……

When it was the end of the hour of Hai, the housekeeper and the maid at the second table each excused themselves to Lady Jia and took their leave.

On New Year's Eve, there are firecrackers and sparks everywhere, and lamps and candles in every room, so accidents are most likely to happen. Because of their duties, they naturally have to patrol everywhere or go back to their rooms to take care of things.

Daiyu felt a little sleepy when she saw that Zhishao and the others had left. She took advantage of a gap when everyone was busy having fun and talking, then got up and went to the side door of the flower hall.

When Jia Cong saw this, he also stood up and followed him out.

Although Baoyu was afraid that Daiyu would despise him and did not dare to peek at the maid sitting in the second seat, he was still very concerned about Daiyu.

Suddenly I saw her get up and leave alone, so I wanted to follow her to talk, so I got up and followed her out.

Daiyu left the big flower hall and walked a few steps along the wind and rain corridor. There were colorful lanterns hanging under the eaves on both sides, which were very gorgeous and beautiful.

But Daiyu felt a little bored when facing the brilliant lights. She thought about the New Year holidays, the years she had been away from home, her biological mother had died early, and her father was far away. She felt an indescribable sense of emptiness in her heart.

Suddenly, Jia Cong's voice came from behind: "Sister Lin, where are you going alone?"

Daiyu was in a depressed mood, and suddenly heard Jia Cong's voice. She was surprised and turned around and responded unconsciously: "Third brother!"

Under the bright lights, Jia Cong appeared in front of her with a smile and asked, "What are you doing out alone on New Year's Eve?"

Daiyu was inexplicably happy, but she said, "I am tired. I will go back and lie down."

At this time, Baoyu's voice came from behind: "Sister Lin is going there, please stand for a while."

When Daiyu heard the voice, her brows furrowed. In a hurry, Jia Cong suddenly hugged her slender waist and led her to the corner of the tour, where she stood in the shadow of the corridor column.

Daiyu felt that she was almost held in Jia Cong's arms. She felt panic-stricken, but reluctant to break free.

Baoyu almost walked past him, but the shadow of the pillars was a blind spot for light, and it was completely dark against the backdrop of the bright and colorful lanterns.

Baoyu had just vaguely seen Daiyu's shadow, but for some reason she suddenly disappeared. Confused, he continued to look for her.

When Baoyu walked away, Daiyu subconsciously struggled a bit and said angrily, "Third brother, what are you doing? Stop pulling and tugging."

In the darkness, Jia Cong chuckled and said, "Do you want Baoyu to look for you, Luo Tao?"

Daiyu said with a little pride, "I won't argue with you either."

Only then did she realize that Jia Cong was still holding her slender waist.

She was about to struggle free, but Jia Cong had already let go of him, which made her feel a little shy and regretful.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "It is just past midnight now, so the thing will probably be delivered. I will take my sister to see something interesting, and she will definitely like it."

As he spoke, he took Daiyu's hand and took a side road, heading straight for the East Palace, so as to avoid running into Baoyu on the way.

Little did they know that not long after they left, Zijuan, who had lost Daiyu in the flower hall, followed them out to look for her own girl.

……

Although it was close to midnight, because it was New Year's Eve, Wang Xifeng had people hang lanterns everywhere in the mansion to show the festive mood.

Therefore, even in the dark, the lights are bright everywhere and the roads are convenient to travel on.

Daiyu was pulled along by Jia Cong. The shadows of the trees and houses along the way kept passing over the two of them, accompanied by the sound of their light footsteps.

Daiyu felt Jia Cong holding her hand, so warm and strong, that it gave her a sense of security. The slight resentment in her heart was quickly melted away by the tenderness in her heart.

Originally, she was being pulled by Jia Cong to walk, but soon she began to actively follow Jia Cong's pace.

He asked, "Third brother, are you kidding me again? It's so dark here, what fun things can there be?"

Jia Cong laughed and said, "When have I ever lied to my sister? Just follow me. You will definitely like it when you see it later. I just want to see whether Yongjinzhai is really made."

The two of them passed Lixiangyuan, went through the small gate between the two mansions, and headed towards Dengxian Pavilion.

He walked all the way to the plum forest planted with Xuanmu Mountain plum flowers under Dengxian Pavilion, and then walked onto a stone bridge on the waterside pavilion beside the forest, and then Jia Cong stopped.

There are dispersing clouds in the sky, water gurgling under the bridge, and plum blossoms blooming on the waterside give off a cool and strange fragrance.

Daiyu smiled and said, "The night view tonight is very beautiful, but it is not rare. This is what Third Brother said was a fun thing, and he said he was not kidding me."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Wait a little longer."

……

The two stood on the stone bridge for only a moment before several people came over from a distance.

Daiyu recognized that the person walking in front was a housekeeper from the inner courtyard, but the woman following behind her was a stranger, and behind them were a few servants, each carrying a few boxes of things.

Jia Cong asked the unfamiliar woman, "Is this sister-in-law from Yongjinzhai?"

The woman smiled and said, "In reply to Master, the owner of Yongjinzhai is my boss. After receiving Master's letter, my boss rushed to make the things Master wanted in a few days, so there was no delay."

Jia Cong said happily: "That's great. Thank you for your hard work, Shopkeeper Hong."

The woman said quickly: "Master Bo has been very kind to our family. What you said really humiliates us. If Master Bo hadn't allowed my father to work in the firearms workshop,

Our family is not capable of anything, but we have come to this place where the emperor lives, and we have a life of plenty. It is difficult to repay your kindness. If the uncle asks us to do some small things, we must do them well. "

Jia Cong smiled and said, "You have worked so hard, sister-in-law. I think you must know how to manage it. Let us appreciate the ancestral craftsmanship of the Hong family."

The woman agreed immediately and assigned the maids to place one of the boxes of things in order by the water and carefully connect the various wires.

He said to Jia Cong: "Master, I am about to begin."

Jia Cong nodded to her, and the woman took out a fire starter and lit the fuse. After a few sharp whistles, gorgeous fireworks bloomed in the sky.

The woman shouted from under the bridge, "Master and Miss, look carefully, Zhengzhang is coming."

The box of things by the water continued to spew flames into the sky, and soon gorgeous fireworks filled the entire sky.

White like snow, red like fire, yellow like gold, green like emerald, colorful and beautiful.

Daiyu's pretty face was full of joy and delight: "Third brother, it's really beautiful, look there it looks like a full moon, there is a stone bridge, there are plum blossoms and green branches.

Third brother, these fireworks are so magical, they are truly the best in the world and have never been heard of before."

……

At this moment, the gorgeous patterns of stone bridges, bright moon, plum branches, etc. formed by fireworks in the sky quickly faded and went out.

Daiyu said with some regret: "Third brother, this is the first time I've seen such beautiful fireworks, why do they look so familiar?"

At this time, after the box of fireworks by the water launched the first round, they actually launched the second round, and the wonderful sight of the bright moon, stone bridge and red plum blossoms appeared in the sky again.

Daiyu could not help but jump for joy. Jia Cong took out the sachet he carried with him, held it in front of Daiyu, and said with a smile, "Sister, you said it looked familiar. Is it the same as the one here?"

As soon as Daiyu saw the sachet, her bright eyes were filled with joy and understanding, and her eyes suddenly became moist. Any trace of anger and disappointment had long disappeared.

The sachet was embroidered by Daiyu herself as a gift to Jia Cong before he went to Liaodong for border patrol. Jia Cong has been carrying it with him ever since. The sachet was embroidered with a picture of stone bridge, bright moon and red plum blossoms.

The wonderful pattern made up of fireworks in the sky was an exact replica of the pattern embroidered on the sachet. It was so lifelike, so ingenious and amazing.

Daiyu looked at the gorgeous picture in the sky that had not completely dissipated, her beautiful eyes full of admiration and obsession. She leaned in Jia Cong's arms unconsciously, allowing Jia Cong to gently hold her slender waist.

At this time, the box of fireworks by the river began to launch the third round. The sky was full of fireworks, and the scenery was as gorgeous as a poem.

The two people snuggling on the stone bridge, illuminated by the magnificent and dazzling firelight, seemed like they were not from this world.

Those fireworks that erupted one after another formed a wonderful picture for the last time.

In heaven on earth, red plum blossoms stand opposite each other on a stone bridge, and a bright moon is reflected in the water under the bridge.

In just a moment, an incomparable and wonderful phenomenon appeared.

This scene will surely be engraved forever, regardless of life and death, or the ups and downs of life and death. (End of this chapter)