Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Ningrong Street, a small courtyard with a single entrance.

There are two tall and slender locust trees planted at the gate of the courtyard. When the spring breeze blows in March, the dry branches are covered with new green leaves, which are lush and pleasing to the eyes.

A carriage stopped at the gate of the courtyard. Jia Cong helped Zhishao get out of the carriage and gently knocked on the door cymbals.

This is the residence of Jia Cong's wet nurse, Zhao Ma.

At that time, Jia Cong was in a humble situation in the East Courtyard. He was despised and abused by his biological father and stepmother. The only people around him who truly cared for him were his maid Zhishao and his wet nurse Zhao Ma.

Jia Cong's servant Guo Zhigui was the only son of Madam Zhao. Because he had the ability to drive a horse and a carriage since he was a child, he became Jia Cong's servant at the age of twelve.

At that time, Jia Cong developed an improved Rumi gun and went in and out of the five military camps to participate in musket test firing drills. Since Guo Zhigui followed him in a car, he was able to witness the military spirit.

Jia Cong saw that his brother was smart and bold, and had a keen interest in the military, so he couldn't bear to see him driving a car and being a slave for the rest of his life.

So he begged Jia Zheng to release Guo Zhigui from slavery, and went through the channels of Shi Nai, Marquis of Zhongjing, to recruit Guo Zhigui into the Firearms Battalion of the Fifth Army Camp.

Later, due to the rotation of the Fifth Army's Firearms Battalion, Guo Zhigui was recruited with the army and joined the Liaodong Army's Firearms Team of 1,000 People.

Because Jia Cong followed the Grand Marshal Gu Yankui to inspect the nine borders, and because of his other strategic and firearms talents, Liang Chengzong, Marquis of Pingyuan, retained him as the Liaodong Army's firearms staff.

Afterwards, Jia Cong relied on his outstanding talent in firearms to achieve two great victories in Liaodong, namely Yafu Pass and Qingyuanji, thus eliminating the hidden danger of the Jurchens in one fell swoop.

Guo Zhigui made several contributions under his command and was promoted to the commander of the Liaodong Firearms Army. Although Jia Cong returned to Shenjing, Guo Zhigui stayed in Liaodong to serve in the army.

After Jia Cong was granted the title and established his own palace, he specially invited only two people from the West Palace to move into the East Palace. One was Wu'er's mother, Sister Liu, and the other was his wet nurse, Nanny Zhao.

However, because her son Guo Zhigui had been freed from slavery and it was inconvenient for him to enter and leave the inner courtyard of the East Palace on a daily basis, Zhao Ma did not move into the East Palace and continued to live in her original residence outside the Jia Mansion.

Jia Cong was grateful for the kindness of his wet nurse in the past, so he found a small courtyard on Ningrong Street near the East Palace to settle Guo Zhigui and his mother, and doubled Zhao Ma's monthly salary to provide for their support.

Because Guo Zhigui was far away in Liaodong serving in the army, he usually asked Zhishao and Wu'er to pay more attention to and take care of Zhao Ma.

This time he received a letter from Guo Zhigui from Liaodong, and heard from Zhishao that Zhao Mama slipped and broke her arm while drawing water from the well, so he brought Zhishao and the maid Juan'er to visit her.

……

The door cymbals only sounded twice, and then a middle-aged woman came out to open the door. Her arm was bandaged and there were faint traces of blood.

When she saw Jia Cong and Zhi Shao, her face was immediately filled with joy.

He said with a smile, "Why are you here, Brother Cong? I know you will take the imperial examination soon. Instead of wasting time here, you might as well study at home. If you pass the imperial examination, I can save face for once."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I heard that mom broke her arm while fetching water, so I came to see if she was seriously injured."

Aunt Zhao smiled and said, "Although I am a little old, I am not even forty yet, and I am in good health. This injury is nothing.

Yesterday, Zhishao heard that I was injured, so she asked the kitchen to send me vegetables and meat every day. They are taking good care of me, so Congge, don’t worry.”

Jia Cong and Zhi Shao entered the yard and saw a persimmon tree in the middle of the yard with lush branches and leaves. It was transplanted from Zhao Ma's original residence.

The yard was unusually neat and clean, without the crowding and clutter of an ordinary Heike courtyard, and it felt very comfortable to be in it.

It seems that even though Aunt Zhao injured her arm, she still did not forget to sweep and tidy up the yard...

Jia Cong took out Guo Zhigui's letter again and read it to the wet nurse.

Nanny Zhao took her son's letter with a delighted look on her face and read it over and over again, but Jia Cong knew that she was illiterate.

He said, “Last time I came back from Liaodong, I should have brought Shiki back with me so that he could live a peaceful life with me in Shenjing.

But I still left him in Liaodong. Mom won't blame me, right?"

Zhao Ma smiled and said, "What are you talking about, Cong? I know my own son well. Before he left, he told me that he was born in a humble family and didn't have the ability to study like you.

What he has is the ability to endure hardships and some strength. Only by joining the army and making achievements can he create a bright future and live like a human being.

It was not in vain that Cong had cultivated him since he was young, saved him from slavery, and found a nobleman to give him a promising future. "

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Mom only has this one biological son, are you really willing to let him go?"

Zhao Ma Ma smiled and said, "A son is no longer under the control of his mother. He has grown up and has his own thoughts. As a mother, I can still tie him to my waist.

Let him go out and explore the world. When he has his own future, I will have done my best as his mother.

Besides, Zhigui is Cong's foster brother. If he becomes successful in the future, he will also be a strong support for Cong."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Mom, you are absolutely right."

He knew from childhood that although Nanny Zhao had a somewhat fierce temper, she was a smart and capable woman. The fact that she could say these words today showed that she was also a woman of insight.

Nanny Zhao glanced at Jia Cong with a warm look and said, "Don't think that Zhigui has suffered a lot in the bitter cold of Liaodong.

No matter what Zhigui said, he still has me as his mother. Although Cong was born in a wealthy family, he has been an orphan since childhood and has been neglected and mistreated. He has suffered much more than Zhigui.

If your mother knew that your brother was given an official title today, she would be happy even in her grave."

……

When Jia Cong heard this, he was slightly moved. His mother Du Jinniang had a strange identity. For so many years, she had been like a taboo in the Jia family.

Even though she was posthumously conferred the fifth rank and her spirit tablet has been moved to the Jia family ancestral hall, her family members rarely mention her.

One of them is that the old lady has been holding a grudge against her biological mother for many years, so others dare not mention it easily. Another reason is that few people in the family have seen her biological mother, so their impression of her is too cold.

Fifteen years ago, around the time when I was born, Lady Xing, Wang Xifeng, Li Wan and others had not yet married into the Jia family. Yuanchun, Jia Lian and others were still young, and Baoyu and his sisters had not yet been born.

The only people who may have seen their biological mothers are Lady Jia, Jia Zheng, and Mrs. Wang.

But he heard that Lady Jia despised his biological mother's background and resented her for bringing shame to the Jia family. Since his biological mother entered the Jia Mansion, Lady Jia was angry and did not come to visit him even when he was born.

This matter was no secret in the Jia family, and many old servants would occasionally talk about it.

She and Baoyu are the same age. She was born in March and Baoyu was born in April. I guess when her biological mother entered the Jia Mansion, Mrs. Wang was also pregnant.

Considering Lady Wang’s status as the legitimate daughter of a wealthy family, she is so narrow-minded and shrewd.

The old lady despised her biological mother so much. Lady Wang was both her daughter-in-law and pregnant, so she was even more eager to visit her biological mother, a concubine of lowly status.

Among these people, even though Jia Zheng was so close to him, he had never mentioned his biological mother in his conversations since childhood. It was not out of taboo, but simply because he had no impression of her.

Because, both Lady Jia and Mrs. Wang had never seen their biological mother, Du Jinniang, out of disgust or taboo. Jia Zheng was a male, so even if there was avoidance of suspicion between men and women, it made no sense for him to have seen his biological mother.

Since he was a child, Jia Cong has always heard people say that he was born to look like his mother, but when he thinks about it carefully, he rarely hears of any servant in the mansion who is familiar with or has seen his biological mother, Du Jinniang.

Perhaps some old servants in the family had seen or were familiar with their biological mother, but out of concern for Lady Jia, no one wanted to mention it?

……

Jia Cong asked, "Mom has been my wet nurse since I was a child. I think she must have seen my mother. What does she look like?"

After hearing this, Aunt Zhao was slightly stunned and said, "In fact, I have never met your mother. When Butler Lai bought me into the Jia Mansion, you were just born not long ago.

After I entered the mansion, I heard that your mother died of hemorrhage a day earlier, so I had no blessing to meet her.

I have seen your mother's personal maid, and I remember her name was Lan'er.

She told me that your mother was a very beautiful woman, but later something happened to the maid Lan'er. She slipped while walking in the garden, hit her head on a Taihu stone and died.

Later, you grew up day by day. Although you were born thin, you could see that you had a good appearance. You were very handsome and outstanding, and you didn't look like the master at all.

So the people in the mansion know that you were born to be like your mother."

Aunt Zhao smiled and said, "If it weren't for this, how could you be so happy now? It's all thanks to your mother.

You are a capable son. You relied on your own ability to get your mother posthumously conferred an imperial title. Although your mother had a bad fate, giving birth to a son like you made her life worth it. "

After listening to what Nanny Zhao said, Jia Cong felt a little cold in his heart. He had long known that few people in Rongguo Mansion had seen his biological mother, Du Jinniang.

Now even the wet nurse who brought me up since I was a child has never seen my biological mother, so how can I talk about my mother Xiao...

Seeing Jia Cong's confused expression, Nanny Zhao said gently, "Madam has passed away for such a long time, Cong'er, don't be too sad. Protecting your future is more important than anything else.

In the future, the continuation of the bloodline and the long-lasting offspring will be a way to repay my wife for her kindness in giving birth to me."

Jia Cong thought about the matter, but was still confused.

He chatted with Madam Zhao for a while, then said goodbye to her with Zhishao, and left the maid Juan'er to take care of Madam Zhao, waiting for Madam Zhao's arm injury to heal before returning home.

……

Jia Cong and Zhi Shao boarded the carriage, Jiang Liu whipped his whip loudly, and the carriage rumbled and drove along the bustling streets of Shenjing. He lifted the curtain and looked at the bustling crowds on the streets, and the inexplicable haze in his heart gradually dissipated.

When the carriage passed Wenhan Street, the bookstores on both sides of the street were much quieter than usual.

As time entered March and the Spring Examination was approaching, most candidates stayed at home to study, and only a few came out to browse bookstores.

Jia Cong passed by the Xiao family bookstore on Wenhan Street. The owner of the bookstore, Xiao Jindong, was an old friend of Jia Cong when they were still young.

An old man was busy running back and forth in the bookstore. Many people who looked like scholars were coming in and out of the bookstore. The business seemed to be much better than other booksellers.

Jia Cong calmed down a little. What Nanny Zhao said was right. His biological mother had passed away for many years. There was not much point in pursuing some things for the time being.

My most urgent task now is to concentrate my mind and get through the Spring Examination safely. This is the most important thing.

……

Wenhan Street, Xiao’s Bookstore.

The sun is shining outside, the air is mild, and the spring breeze is blowing on my face, making me feel very comfortable.

Wu Liang and Zhou Yan came out of the restaurant across the street, both a little tipsy. They passed by Xiao's bookstore and saw many people dressed as students coming in and out, so they walked in and browsed the books on the shelves.

Wu Liang smiled and said, "Last time Yichun hosted a party, and Brother Baokun attended the invitation of his relatives, but I was the only one who attended. At that time, I told Yichun that Brother Baokun would be like him and would be promoted soon.

As expected, I was right. Now I am the only one left in Hongxiang Inn."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Xiwen, please don't blame me for being disloyal. It's really my relative who will take the Yongzhou examination this year, and he is determined to do so.

He insisted on inviting me to study at his house so that he could ask for my advice from time to time. I really couldn't refuse his kindness.

This time, thanks to Xiwen's convenience, I was able to pay a visit to the noble family, which will be of great benefit to me in the spring examination. In fact, I still owe Xiwen a big favor."

Wu Liang said with a smile: "Brother Baokun, please don't be polite. It is the duty of scholars to support each other on the road to success."

We are candidates going to take the imperial examinations. Whenever we meet relatives in a foreign land, we will treat them warmly. This is also common sense. You can eat and sleep more comfortably in your relatives' homes than in an inn, which is more convenient for studying and taking the exams."

Today Zhou Yan was going to move to a relative's house to study, so Wu Liang hosted a party for him. They both had a long drink, and although they were a little tipsy, they were in higher spirits than usual.

Zhou Yan said confidently: "I am staying in the clan villa today. Before the Spring Examination is over, I will stay at home to study and will not go out again. I just hope that I can pass the Spring Examination in one go, which will comfort me for the rest of my life!"

Wu Liang also laughed and said, "You brothers are in the same batch. After the three rounds of the Spring Examination, we will call Yichun and have a good drink. Isn't it fun?"

As Wu Liang was talking, he was casually flipping through the books on the shelf. Suddenly, he saw a book titled "Liu Jichuan's Writings". His eyes lit up and he picked it up and read it with great interest.

Zhou Yan asked, "What good books did Xiwen find?"

Wu Liang smiled and said, "This is the collection of Liu Ying's writings. His books are relatively obscure and very few bookstores sell them. I looked for them in a few stores earlier but couldn't find any."

Zhou Yan advised: "Now that the imperial examination is approaching, I advise Xiwen to study the topic proposed by Mr. Huang more. This is the most important thing. Why waste time on such an obscure article?"

Wu Liang smiled and said, "I have already come up with four different solutions to Mr. Huang's proposed topic. I have revised and pondered each article for more than ten times, and I have already figured it out in my mind.

On that day, I went to pay a visit to Lord Xu Liangxiong at his residence. He had highly praised Liu Ying's "Retreat from Thoughts" and felt that it contained profound meaning.

I have always been curious about this, but I couldn’t find any of Liu Jichuan’s selected works in any bookstore in the capital, so I never had the chance to read this “Retreat from Reflection”. Today, I got it without any effort.”

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "It's a pity that the chief examiners and deputy examiners of the Spring Examinations were mostly selected from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel.

As the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, it is not surprising that Lord Xu failed to be selected as the chief examiner, otherwise he would really have taken you in as his confidant."

……

At this time, someone nearby said, "This young man has a good eye. Liu Jichuan's writings have always been uncommon and are rarely printed and put on the shelves in bookstores. Among them, the "Retreat from Reflection" is indeed a rare and good article.

The sentence in the text: "One's heart can be integrated with the heart of heaven and earth, and the heart of heaven and earth can be integrated with the hearts of the world" is even more profound.

Wu Liang and Zhou Yan were surprised to see that the person who spoke was the old man who was cleaning the shelves in the store.

The old man was about fifty or sixty years old, with wrinkled cheeks and a weather-beaten face. Although he was wearing coarse clothes, he was clean and his eyes were clear and bright.

The two were surprised to see that this old man, who looked like a shop servant, could speak eloquently and was so familiar with Liu Jichuan's writings.

Even such well-educated candidates as them knew very little about the obscure Liu Jichuan's collection of essays. It was amazing that this mere old servant was so knowledgeable.

Wu Liang exclaimed: "No wonder the Xiao family's bookstore has much better business than other stores. The old man who cleans the shelves in the store is so knowledgeable. I admire him!

I don’t know what to call the old man?”

The old man laughed and said, "Young Master, please forgive me. My last name is Qin. I am not a man of great learning. I have just worked as a handyman in a bookstore for half my life. Practice makes perfect.

There is only this one copy of Liu Jichuan's writings left in the store. If you like it, I can give it to you at a discount."

Wu Liang smiled and said, "I have been looking for this book. Thank you for helping me find it."

The old man looked at Wu Liang holding Liu Jichuan's documents, and left with his companions with a happy look on his face.

He thought of the conversation they had just had, and his eyes flickered with thought.

Then he opened the cabinet under the shelf, took out several brand new volumes of Liu Jichuan's works, and put them back on the shelf.

……

Rongguo Mansion, Fengjie's Courtyard.

In the letter sent by Guo Zhigui, it was mentioned that Jia Lian was doing hard labor in the Liaodong Army. Thanks to the care of Jia Cong, his comrades in the Liaodong Army, everything was going smoothly for the time being and he was just trying to get by.

Jia Cong took Zhishao to visit Zhao Mama, and Wuer brought Jia Lian's message to Wang Xifeng.
Wang Xifeng felt sad after hearing this, but fortunately, although Jia Lian was far away in Liaodong, he was safe and reliable and did not have to suffer any hardship, which was a blessing.

When Wu'er went out to do something, only Wang Xifeng and Ping'er were left in the room.

Wang Xifeng sighed, "It is fortunate that our Second Master has a brother like Third Brother. Even though he has come to such a cold place as Liaodong, he does not have to suffer any loss. He has managed to win in defeat.

Last year, the eldest and second uncles had a big accident. It was hard to find someone like my third brother to calm the family down. I had hoped to have more peace in the future.

But that day, Madam Dongluyuan held a birthday banquet, and I was a little nervous. I was afraid that something bad would happen in the future..."

Ping Er was shocked when she heard this and asked, "What bad things have you found out, Madam?"

Wang Xifeng said, "Madam is now so close to Madam Xia, and everyone in the family has seen it. I used to think that these two people just got along well.

At the banquet that day, I heard that a relative of the Xia family was working in the palace, and seemed to have some background, and was very familiar with the eldest sister's situation in the palace.

And there was the smug look on my wife's face at the time. I know my own aunt's character best, and she couldn't hide this from me.

If my guess is correct, Madam will definitely use the Xia family’s connections in the palace to arrange for the selection of the imperial concubine for the eldest sister!”

Ping Erh said, "Regarding the eldest lady's matter, didn't the Third Master say that the Jia family is now stable and it is not appropriate to do this matter anymore, otherwise it will be risky for the family.

Why is Madam doing things in private? Isn't this going to harm the family?"

Wang Xifeng sneered, "Madam has moved to the East Courtyard now. She has been restless every day. How can she give up? If she had been so thoughtful, she wouldn't have come to this point today.

Although I am not wrong in this matter, the lady is acting in secret and no one can find any evidence against her and stop her.

The third brother is a man after all. He has never seen how vicious women can be, and he probably doesn't know how to deal with them.

You have to think about it, if Madam really succeeds in this matter and my eldest sister really has a bright future, we in the first house will have a lot of troubles.

To put it another way, this matter may not be accomplished, but the affairs of the palace cannot be tampered with casually. If it fails and causes trouble, even the West Mansion will be implicated."

Ping'er asked worriedly, "Should we tell the Third Master about this? Does Grandma have any good ideas?"

Wang Xifeng said: "Madam didn't say anything about this matter herself, and Madam Xia didn't let anyone know, so it can't be exposed at all. It's not very useful to tell Third Brother.

In fact, the second wife has become a concubine now. Normally, if they get into trouble, it will not be related to the main residence of Rongguo.

But the old lady is biased and has disrupted the clan rules. Now she has left Baoyu in the West Mansion. If something really happens to the lady in the future, it will be difficult to clear up the dispute between the two families. "

Ping Er said, "The old lady has doted on Master Bao all his life. I don't think she will let Master Bao move out easily. This is the only thing the old lady has left."

Wang Xifeng sneered, "That may not be the case. Baoyu is already fifteen years old now, and he is not like the third brother who needs to observe mourning for three years.

As long as Baoyu gets married and has a wife, even if the old lady dotes on him, he may stay for a while, but there is no reason for him to stay in the West Mansion for a long time.

Have you ever heard of a boy who can stay in his cousin's house for his whole life and never go out even after getting married?

As long as things get to this point, the involvement of Rongguo Mansion and the Second House will be clear, and if something goes wrong in the future, it won't be our fault." (End of this chapter)