Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 120 A gentleman hides his abilities and waits for the right time to act
……

The moon is hanging in the sky, and the autumn wind is cool.

The aunts had been playing all day and had just had some fruit wine, so they went back to their rooms to rest.

Jia Rong was not in a hurry to go back. After all, the manor was in the suburbs and not as safe as Ningguo Mansion.

"Young Master, you haven't rested yet?" When the captain of the guards, Li San, saw Jia Rong coming out, he hurried over to greet him.

Jia Rong said, "Come out and take a look."

Li San smiled and said, "Don't worry, young master. The manor has already arranged guards in all places. No one can get close to it."

"So, very good."

After checking around and finding nothing wrong, Jia Rong went back into the farm. From a distance he saw a petite figure in the pavilion. Confused, he walked over quickly.

It turned out that Jia Tanchun was still here admiring the moon alone.

"Why hasn't Third Aunt rested yet?" Jia Rong walked up to the pavilion and asked with a smile.

Tanchun said, "I saw you go out just now, and I thought something happened, so I came out to check."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Nothing else. I went out to give the guards a few words. After all, we are spending the night in the suburbs, so it's always better to be careful."

"Oh, that's how it is."

Jia Tanchun nodded, but hesitated to speak.

"Aunt, just tell me what you want to say."

Jia Rong sat on the wooden chair and wanted to have a cup of tea, but he found that the maids had cleaned up and the stone table was empty.

At this time, the secretary happened to come over and said with a smile: "Master Xiaorong, young lady, you are still here admiring the moon."

Tanchun ordered, "Go and pour some tea."

The secretary agreed and was about to go back, but Jia Rong stopped her and said with a smile, "Don't bother. I remember there are two watermelons outside. Take one and eat it to quench your thirst."

Shishu smiled and said, "I know where it is."

"It's dark, be careful."

"Know it."

The bright moonlight on August 15th was actually brighter than the lanterns. After a while, Shishu walked into the pavilion holding a watermelon.

Tanchun said, "It seems there is no knife."

"I have it."

As Jia Rong spoke, he took out a small knife from his pocket.

Tanchun covered her mouth in surprise.

"Brother Rong, you..."

Jia Rong smiled and explained, "A gentleman hides his abilities and waits for the right time to act."

Tanchun: “…”

Is this what '器' means?

With a few "swishes", the watermelon was cut.

Jia Rong wiped the knife and put it away.

"Auntie, eat first."

Tanchun took it and took a careful bite.

"It's very sweet. Rong'er, try it too."

"No hurry." Jia Rong said seriously, "Aunt, please tell me if you have anything to say."

Tanchun said, "It's nothing serious. Madam... can she come out?"

Jia Rong said calmly, "I can't get out."

She's still here! When Wang Ziteng dies, she'll be demoted to a concubine. As for whether to make Aunt Zhao his wife...

Of course it is Lady Jia, Jia Zheng who has the final say.

However, from Jia Rong's point of view, Aunt Zhao has a great chance of becoming the legal wife, as she has a son and a daughter, and is deeply loved by Jia Zheng.

The important thing is that even if he marries a second wife from outside, the childless woman will not be able to suppress Aunt Zhao.

As for Aunt Zhao's low status, it is not a problem. After she is promoted to the position of legal wife, her status will naturally be higher.

After all, Jia Yucun could still make Jiao Xing his wife. After Jia Zheng was dismissed from office, he was actually a commoner, and a good match for Aunt Zhao.

Of course Tanchun understood all this.

She went to see Jia Rong just to confirm whether Mrs. Wang could make a comeback, or whether the Wang family could make a comeback.

Now that Jia Rong had said that, she felt relieved.

"Brother Rong eats watermelon."

Tanchun was a little excited and handed the watermelon to Jia Rong personally.

Jia Rong took it and took a bite.

Not bad, really sweet!
"Sweet?"

"Very sweet!"

The two were eating happily when someone came to see them.

"Great! I found you!"

Lin Daiyu staggered into the pavilion, pursed her lips and chuckled, "You didn't eat enough just now, and now you're hiding here to eat?"

Tanchun stood up quickly, pulled Lin Daiyu aside and said with a smile: "Sister Lin, you came just in time. This watermelon is so sweet."

Lin Daiyu took a bite and nodded.

"It's really sweet."

"But, Tan girl, something is wrong with you!" "What's wrong?"

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "I see you look very happy and excited. Is there any reason for this? Tell us so that we can be happy together."

Tanchun: “…”

Of course it’s hard to say.

Am I happy that my stepmother is going to be demoted to a concubine?
Tanchun looked at Jia Rong subconsciously.

Lin Daiyu also looked over.

"It all depends on what I do?"

Then, Jia Rong suddenly realized.

"Oh, I see. The watermelon is not enough, right? Then cut another one."

At this time, Xiaoxiao, Qingwen and Zijuan all came over, and there was indeed not enough watermelon to share.

Lin Daiyu looked at the watermelon.

"But how did you cut it without a knife?"

Tanchun laughed and said, "Brother Rong has a talent."

Lin Daiyu was puzzled: "Vessels? What kind of vessels?"

Jia Rong had no choice but to take out the knife again.

Lin Daiyu covered her mouth in surprise.

"You still have..."

Jia Rong explained: "A gentleman hides his abilities and waits for the right time to act."

Lin Daiyu: "..."

You are amazing! .
Jia Rong smiled and said, "Eat quickly. After we finish eating, we will go back and rest. People will come soon and there will not be enough watermelon to eat."

……

……

A cold autumn rain.

Since August 15, there have been three consecutive rains. This is undoubtedly good news. The drought in the north, which has lasted for more than half a year, has been alleviated. At least the winter wheat planting has been settled.

but.

For many people, this winter has been a bit sad.

The grain prices in Shandong and Shaanxi provinces have begun to soar. In just one month after the beginning of autumn, the price of grain has risen from one tael of silver per stone to two taels of silver per stone, and there is a trend of further rise...

"What's going on? Food prices can't go up anymore!"

Several large grain merchants in Shandong found that two taels of silver for one stone had become the threshold, which could not be raised, and there was a trend of gradual decline.

This made them shocked and angry!
Two taels of silver for one stone. Although the people were sad, it was not enough to force them to sell their land.

People will not sell their land unless they are forced into a desperate situation!

"check!"

"Find out who is causing trouble!"

"Find out and kill them!"

"No matter who has the backing, if you dare to offend us in Shandong, you are really courting death!"

at the same time.

The price of grain in Shaanxi Province soared all the way, and soon reached three taels of silver per stone. If it continued to rise like this, it would be at least eight or even ten taels of silver per stone in winter.

This is a price that many people simply cannot accept.

Under no circumstances could the people have no choice but to sell their land, their children and daughters, and some even turned to banditry, robbing homes and embarking on a path of no return.

The entire Shaanxi Province was filled with refugees and the atmosphere was chaotic.

And the court was still peaceful and prosperous.

"Sir, this is the book from Shaanxi."

Ye Xiang opened it, took a quick look at it, and put it aside.

The refugees were causing trouble and we had to put down the riot.

This is expected.

After all, Shaanxi has been experiencing drought for more than half a year, and many places have no harvest. The people will naturally become chaotic when they have nothing to eat.

As for the imperial court's allocation of funds for disaster relief...

He had been Prime Minister for nearly twenty years, and he knew what was going on very well.

Even if he wanted to, he was powerless.

Because he needed to eat, hundreds of officials under him opened their mouths, crying for food.

If he doesn't feed them, he won't be able to continue his position as Prime Minister.

"Do you have a copy from Shandong?"

"not yet."

"Oh?"

Ye Xiang was a little surprised.

He was actually worried about Shandong. After all, the pirates there had been causing quite a lot of trouble. If they took advantage of the drought this time, they might become a bigger problem.

"Keep a close eye on the book in Shandong, and tell me immediately if there is any movement."

……

(End of this chapter)