Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Grandmother Jia changed into a new outfit today, which added to her festive mood. She looked graceful, kind and cheerful.

There were five or six noble ladies sitting in the hall, dressed in silk and satin, with their hair full of pearls and jade, and their fragrance was fragrant.

Among the ladies who came, the one who came from Jia's mother's family was Li, Marquis of Zhongjing. There were also Zhang, Marquis of Jingyang, Xu, Marquis of Chengyang, Zou, Earl of Zhongcheng, and Liu, the eldest wife of Duke Zhiguo.

Also coming with them were four young ladies from various families, all of them in their prime, fourteen or fifteen years old. They were dressed elegantly, had graceful manners, and had the demeanor of ladies from noble families, which made Mrs. Wang stare at them intently.

Grandmother Jia also called Yingchun, Daiyu, Tanchun, Shi Xiangyun and other granddaughters to come and entertain the guests, making Rongqing Hall more bright and lively.

Marquis Zhongjing Li was also a shrewd person. When Jia Cong invited her to hold a birthday banquet, she thought it was just an ordinary courtesy between the two families.

The one attending the banquet today was her eldest son, and Li was also invited by Lady Jia to talk. In addition, since Shi Xiangyun was now being raised in the Jia family, she naturally took the opportunity to come and visit.

But as soon as he entered Rongqing Hall, he saw that in addition to several noble ladies, there were also several young girls in the boudoir, and he felt that something was wrong.

Li felt puzzled. Today was Cong'er's coming-of-age birthday party, but her aunt had invited a bunch of girls of the same age as him. What was going on?

But Li would not think that Grandmother Jia was taking advantage of Jia Cong's birthday to act as a matchmaker for him.

Others may not know the reason behind this, but the Shi family knows it very well.

Li knew that her aunt had already made up her mind to marry her niece's granddaughter Xiangyun to Jia Cong, so as to achieve an alliance between the Jia and Shi families.

At first, Jia Cong was arranged to marry by the palace, and the marriage was almost ruined. Unexpectedly, Jia Cong's father died suddenly, and the matter came back to normal.

Why did the eldest uncle of the family agree to let Xiangyun stay in the capital when he was appointed to a post in Jinling? Xiangyun wanted to go and keep the sisters of the Jia family company, and both the elders of the Jia and Shi families agreed unanimously, which was just making things convenient for her.

Therefore, Li was certain that today's grand ceremony was definitely not intended by her aunt to ruin her reputation.

Li looked at her niece Xiangyun again and saw that she was smiling with a pair of bright and mischievous eyes. She stared at the four young ladies back and forth with a funny and mischievous expression.

She knew her niece's character very well. Although the little girl had not yet fully understood and still seemed to understand something, she was not a fool.

If she knew that her aunt had set up such a big plan to matchmake Cong with a wife, she would still be happy about it...

Moreover, Li saw that the second wife of the Jia family was also in Rongqing Hall, accompanying her aunt to entertain visiting female relatives.

On the contrary, Congge'er's stepmother was like a decoration, with nothing to say. These two people brought her down.

Cong'er was entertaining guests for his birthday, and he needed her, a side-kick aunt, to make trouble?

Li was also a smart person. She found it funny when she saw Mrs. Wang's eyes always wandering around the young ladies, with an expression as if she was looking at her daughter-in-law.

These young ladies dressed up beautifully today and came to visit with their mothers. It is hard to say who they wanted to show off to, but at least it would not be the second wife of the Jia family.

Li suddenly felt full of curiosity and interest about today's events, and thought there should be a good show to watch...

……

After the group of noble ladies exchanged greetings, Grandmother Jia took a close look at the ladies from each family and praised them all with many nice words.

He also asked Yuanyang to take gold and jade rings, wrist scented beads and other items to distribute to the four noble ladies as gifts for meeting each other. The scene was quite joyful.

Grandmother Jia smiled and said to Yingchun, "You girls have your own private conversations to discuss. What's the point of accompanying us old people?

You should take these sisters who are old friends with you to stroll around the garden together. Don’t be negligent. When the banquet starts, I will ask the maid to invite them.”

Wait until Yingchun, Daiyu, Tanchun and others brought a few girls out of Rongqing Hall.

Grandmother Jia said a few more idle words, and then smiled at Chengyang Marquis Xu and said, "I think your third daughter is very good. Has she been promised to someone?"

The reason why Grandmother Jia asked this was that among the four ladies who came today, the third young lady of Chengyang Marquis's family was the most outstanding in appearance and character.

Including these noble families who brought their concubines to the residence, the relationship between the Chengyang Marquisate and the Rongguo Mansion was the closest.

The descendants of the Jia family had been related by marriage to the Chengyang Marquis's Mansion, but the old people at that time had passed away long ago, but the relationship between the two families still remained, and they were considered to be real relatives.

Marquis of Chengyang Xu was also a smart person. Seeing the look on Lady Jia's face when she asked the question, she was sure that her guess was correct and she felt even better.

He smiled and said, "My third daughter will only be fifteen after October this year. She is still young, so there is no need to worry.

I have raised several children, but she is my most precious one. Unless I find a good match, I can’t bear to raise her for a few more years.”

When Grandmother Jia heard this, she thought of her youngest daughter and said, "I know this very well. Younger daughters are always favored more.

You should not be reluctant. As the saying goes, marriage is destined by heaven. It is possible that it will come one day. That would be a great joy.”

After hearing what Grandmother Jia said, Chengyang Marquis Xu thought it was exactly what she wanted. As for Jia Cong's current mourning period, it didn't matter. In two years, her third daughter would only be sixteen...

Xu smiled and said, "Then I will accept your words, old lady. I also hope that this girl will have a good home.

My daughter also gives me a headache. She could have learned needlework, but she just likes literary things.

Our master hired a learned gentleman a few years ago, hoping that the boys in the family could read more books, and the third girl was just a follower to make up the numbers.

But I didn't expect that none of those boys were good at studying, but the third girl was very talented in this area and had read a lot of poems and articles.

Usually when relatives and sisters of the same generation came to our house, as long as they were literate, they would gather together to write couplets and rhymed poems, and they didn't act like girls at all.

There is one more thing that the old lady may not know. Your brother Cong is a very talented man. Our third girl admires his poems the most and can recite every one of them.

She also heard that Congge'er's calligraphy was excellent and that even the emperor admired it. She also heard that the Xiao family bookstore on Wenhan Street had several authentic works of Congge'er, so she took the trouble to buy them to enjoy.

But I spent all my own money, but the shop owner refused to sell it, and the girl was so angry that she cried to me, which was also funny..."

……

The wife of Marquis Chengyang was an excellent eloquent person, and she spoke passionately and fluently, quite eloquently.

After hearing this, Mrs. Wang's face gradually turned ugly. Her originally confident and hopeful heart seemed to be suddenly struck by lightning and shattered into pieces in an instant.

Grandmother Jia was an old woman in the inner house who had seen a lot of the world in her life. Naturally, she was more sophisticated than her daughter-in-law. However, after hearing the flattering words of Chengyang Hou Xu, a trace of embarrassment appeared on her face.

The old lady felt that the situation had gone completely astray. She was thinking about Baoyu, but Xu was praising Jia Cong in a roundabout way, almost saying that her daughter and Jia Cong were a perfect match.

Grandmother Jia's face turned stiff, and she forced a smile and said, "What are you talking about, Madam Hou? It's just a piece of calligraphy, how can I ask your third daughter to buy it?

I will go and ask Congge to write a copy for my relatives and sisters. It is not a big deal."

Chengyang Marquis Xu smiled and said, "That's great. Cong's talent is now well-known, and his calligraphy is very valuable.

If my girl gets his calligraphy, she will be very happy. I will send a message to ask my brother Xing to toast Lord Weiyuan a few more times."

After Xu said this, the other ladies seemed unwilling to be outdone and also said something about their daughters' love of literature, but they did not want to repeat others' words too much and also asked for calligraphy.

Marquis Zhongjing Li witnessed the strange scene in the hall. She saw a hint of embarrassment on her aunt's face and the second wife of the Jia family's face seemed to be as black as the bottom of a pot. She was already feeling a little pain in her stomach from holding it in.

I just felt that it was a good decision to come to the Jia family today. I actually saw such a funny thing. That little devil Xiangyun must have known the whole thing for a long time. No wonder she looked so mischievous just now.

……

The noble ladies chatted for a while longer, saying that Marquis Chengyang Xu was proud of her daughter's outstanding appearance, and thought that Old Lady Jia would definitely be attracted to her, but she didn't want to say it in front of everyone.

But she was not in a hurry. For such a big matter as marriage, it would take a long time at the beginning, so there was no need to be too anxious.

When the maid outside reminded them that the banquet was about to begin, Jia's grandmother led the other ladies to take their seats. Xu wanted to change her clothes, and Zhang, the Marquis of Jingyang, happened to go with her.

Not long after the two of them finished their business, the maid who had been sent by Xu to deliver the message suddenly came hurriedly over with a strange expression on her face.

The maid was slightly stunned when she saw that Zhang, Marquis of Jingyang, was also present.

Just now she went to the outer courtyard to pass on a message, and she happened to meet the master's servant, who hurriedly asked her to take the message back to the inner courtyard...

The maid knew that the matter was strange and did not dare to delay any longer. Although it was a bit unreasonable, she still leaned close to the lady and told her the news in detail.

When Chengyang Marquis Xu learned the truth, her expression changed slightly and she felt a little unhappy.

But she was a guest, so she kept a straight face and was glad that she didn't fall into the trap. She could just come back when the time came.

Jingyang Hou Zhang was puzzled and couldn't help asking, "What happened?"

Xu smiled and said, "Nothing will happen. Cong is good in every way, but he has been unlucky this year.

Originally, after the coming-of-age ceremony today, I could have started a family and established my own family. But unfortunately, my father passed away, so it will take at least two or three years before I can get married.

But Jia's second daughter Baoyu has no such scruples. I have watched Baoyu grow up. He is the same age as Congge'er and is also a first-class person. You know what, your second daughter is very outstanding. I think she and Baoyu are a perfect match..."

Marquis Zhang of Jingyang has been the wife of a marquis for half her life. She has seen all kinds of situations and is not a foolish person.

She thought of the maid who came over and whispered in her ear just now, and Xu's face changed, and then she said such strange things. After just a little thought, she could guess what was going on.

She couldn't help but complain in her heart. This matter has been going on for a long time. It turns out that Mrs. Jia is just playing the empty city trick...

Your family knows exactly what kind of sarcastic remarks the wife of Marquis Chengyang made, and my family of Marquis Jingyang is also not confused.

My second daughter is a precious virgin, why would she want to provoke a fellow like Baoyu? Could it be that the Marquis of Jingyang has had enough of the good life and wants to offend the saint in the palace...

……

A banquet for the women of the family was officially held in the large flower hall behind Rongqing Hall.

After the banquet was over for a while, Jia Cong was entertaining male guests of the same generation in the outer courtyard. Because today was the day for him to hold the birthday ceremony of the elephant dance, he received a message from his grandmother and returned to the inner courtyard to pay his respects to the female elders of each family.

Baoyu naturally followed him. He had just been sitting stiffly at the men's table. Few of his peers from the aristocratic families spoke to him, and he was too lazy to socialize with others. He felt really uncomfortable.

Now that I know I have to go back to the inner courtyard women's seats for social events, I feel really relieved.

When the two men entered the ladies' section of the Grand Hall, the female guests present saw that Jia Cong was handsome, intelligent, and like a graceful figure, and the wives of several noblemen were all smiling.

The four ladies in the boudoirs looked at Jia Cong with great interest, their pretty faces blushing, not daring to look at him any longer, yet reluctant to do so...

They had heard of Jia Cong's reputation a long time ago, but the daughter of a wealthy family never stepped foot into the house, so they had never had the chance to meet him. Today, they saw that he was indeed as outstanding as the legend said.

Baoyu followed Jia Cong into the large flower bed and discovered that there were four more young ladies from other families at the women's table, who were elegantly dressed and had pretty faces. He couldn't help feeling very happy.

He sighed in his heart that the place where his daughter was as gentle as water was where he should stay. That place was like the men's section outside, with a foul smell of masculine stench that was really suffocating.

What made him even happier was that as soon as he entered the large hall, the four girls from other families all looked at him at the same time...

This made Baoyu happy. After all, he was born with some handsomeness and did not disgrace the girls' eyes.

He couldn't help but feel a little proud and proud, and his back couldn't help but straighten a little...

Baoyu glanced at Jia Cong again. This man didn't even look at the four girls. He was really rude and impolite. He was only concerned with greeting the ladies of honor.

Baoyu sighed in his heart. Jia Cong was still Jia Cong. He always followed his official career and economic style. It was really a waste of a person like him...

……

At the women's table, Yingchun saw the noble ladies, and saw her brothers' elegance and demeanor, all with expressions of envy and admiration. She couldn't help but pursed her lips, with pride in her eyes.

When Daiyu saw Jia Cong enter the hall, she couldn't help but smile.

She saw Baoyu enter the big flower bed again, and he was staring at her seat with his eyes fixed on her, his behavior was frivolous, and his eyes were shining. She couldn't help but frown and turned slightly.

When Shi Xiangyun saw her third brother enter the flower hall, the four girls at the same table all blushed at the same time.

However, his third brother was very serious, looking straight ahead, and greeting his elders like an old scholar. It seemed that he didn't even glance at this side. But his second brother was staring at the girl intently.

This strange and funny situation made her so happy that she couldn't help but spit out the wine she had just drunk and quickly took a handkerchief to cover it up.

After Jia Cong paid his respects, he left neatly. Baoyu really wanted to stay, but since Jia Cong had left, it seemed inappropriate for him to stay alone.

He had no choice but to leave the flower hall in a listless mood, looking back frequently with a reluctant look.

……

When Chengyang Marquis Xu saw Jia Cong leaving the flower hall, she smiled and said, "Madam, I heard that the spring examination just ended this year, and Cong is the Duke of Yongzhou, so I think he will definitely pass the exam this time.

The old lady is about to be overjoyed again."

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Brother Cong has been studying hard since he was young. Whenever he takes an imperial examination, I have never seen him fail.

His ability in studying is highly valued by my husband Zheng, who treats his nephew no less kindly than his own son Baoyu.

Congge is also strange. He is more respectful to Zhenger than to his own father. Therefore, although Congge and Baoyu are cousins, they are closer than other children in the family. "

Jingyang Marquis Zhang smiled slightly and said casually, "I have heard a little about this outside. Although Cong is from the eldest branch, he grew up in the second branch, so it is possible that they are closer."

Although Zhang said this, she was just trying to please Lady Jia.

Just now, she and Xu had already discovered Lady Jia's empty city plan. Now, even if Lady Jia said there was a hole in the sky, she would not be able to fool them.

Whether the other ladies present here will fall into the trap or not is none of their business.

……

However, when Lady Jia said this, Yingchun, Daiyu, Tanchun and others at the neighboring table felt strange, wondering how could the old lady lie so openly.

Have they never felt that Jia Cong and Baoyu were so close?
The two of them had always treated each other with courtesy since they were young and had never had any disputes, but that was not intimacy, they just had no idea what they were talking to.

The sisters in my family don't know the real reason. I'm afraid that deep down in their hearts, these two people look down on each other...

After hearing what Lady Jia said, Lady Chengyang Xu felt that today's conversation was confusing and did not seem to make sense.

He smiled and said, “It is the old lady’s good upbringing that has given rise to such an outstanding descendant like Congge’er, who is not only able to lead troops on horseback, but also to pass the imperial examinations.

Some time ago, our master said that all of our relatives relied on our ancestors to fight in the battlefields and exchange their military achievements for titles and wealth.

But now the Holy Son of Heaven is wise and virtuous, and the four great kingdoms have been in power for a long time. In the north, the Jurchens have been pacified, and in the west, the remnants of the Mongols and Tubo have been suppressed. The families of military merit no longer have to ride horses to the battlefield all year round like the old generations did.

These young men in the family were originally prepared to inherit the family business. They have been practicing guns and sticks and martial arts since they were young, but now it seems that they have no place to use their skills.

That is why our master has hired famous scholars to teach the children in his family in recent years. He originally thought that if the children can study hard and do some literary deeds, they can also serve the country.

But we didn't expect that none of the children in the family were good at studying. Our master said that he couldn't rely on his son, so he hoped that his daughter would become famous and talented in the future, so as to add some cultural atmosphere to the family.

In the future, my descendants will be able to be both civil and military and serve the court."

When Marquis of Jingyang Zhang heard this, she immediately felt blessed and said, "Marquis of Chengyang is right. Now is a peaceful and prosperous time, who wants to fight and kill?

Only a brother like Cong who has achieved success in the imperial examinations can have a truly bright future.

Although the daughters of a family like ours are not that delicate, we cannot be careless about the most important event in a girl's life. If we can choose a talented and successful man as our husband, it will be a very reliable thing."

……

When Jingyang Marquis Zhang said this, the other noble ladies quickly echoed her. They brought the girl to the Jia family this time just hoping for this...

However, Xu, Marquis of Chengyang, and Zhang, Marquis of Jingyang, sang the same tune in order to express their true feelings, draw a clear line between themselves and others, and hurriedly clear themselves of the issue.

This is to avoid the spread of rumors that their two families are planning a marriage with Baoyu. If the news gets to the palace, their master will be looked down upon.

As for the other ladies, they are still in the dark, so I will just ignore their affairs.

After hearing what the two marquises' wives said, Mrs. Wang felt a lump in her chest. She couldn't go up or down, and she felt very upset.

Originally the old lady had taken great pains to set the stage in order to find a good marriage for Baoyu, and she carefully selected the ladies and girls from these families to be guests.

In the end, after a few words, all the good words were directed to the boy from the East Mansion. What happened to my Baoyu...

After hearing the strange words of the two marquises' wives, the old lady Jia felt a little confused, her mind was muddled, and she couldn't figure out something.

How come these military families who were born in battles and have the rough military bloodline in their roots now talk about imperial examinations and studying all the time? It's really weird!
Chengyang Marquis Xu smiled and said, "But the old lady's family is blessed by nature. Cong is a first-class talent in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and he and Baoyu are the closest brothers.

They always have to give advice to their brothers. Baoyu is a smart person who was born with a jade in his mouth. As long as he gets the help of Congge, he may be able to enter the school and achieve success in one or two years.

By then, the Jia family will be a family of two outstanding people, and the threshold of the mansion will be trampled down, and the old lady will be even more blessed..."

Grandmother Jia had a strange look on her face, but for the sake of saving her face, she could only smile and agree with a few words.

Otherwise, wouldn't his lies just now, saying that Jia Cong and Baoyu are the closest brothers, be exposed?

However, no matter how much Grandmother Jia favors Baoyu, she herself does not believe that Baoyu will be able to achieve academic success in the future.

At this time, the other noble ladies were still confused as to what was going on, and the topic was led by the two marquises to studying for the imperial examinations.

They all talked about the rumors they heard outside. They heard that the Imperial Examination Hall was busy copying and marking examination papers. There were more than 3,000 candidates taking the exam, but only a hundred or so Jinshi were selected... (End of this chapter)