Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 184 Emperor: I wish my father will ascend to heaven soon.

……

In a blink of an eye, it is already October.

As the saying goes, one autumn rain and another cold.

All the flowers have withered, the autumn wind has swept away the fallen leaves, and even the blooming chrysanthemums have lost their brightness due to the frost and cold, and are gradually dying in the cool wind.

Since ancient times, autumn has been sad and lonely.

I say that autumn wins the spring.

This year was a year of rapid progress for Jia Rong. Not only was his lifelong event arranged by his grandfather, but his career also made tremendous progress, laying a solid foundation for him to rule the country in the future.

Another letter from Xue Ke, saying he will return to Beijing soon.

Not only did he bring all kinds of overseas rarities, exotic flowers and plants, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, he also brought 100,000 gold. It was also said that two beauties from Persia wanted to follow him to see the elegance of the young prime minister of Great Xia.

When Jia Rong was reading the letter, Bao Qin happened to be beside him. She caught a glimpse of a few words and stamped her feet, saying angrily, "Brother, you are such a jerk! How could you bring them to the capital with you?"

Jia Rong took a sip of tea, looked at Baoqin and smiled, "Aren't they your good friends? I guess they are here to see you."

"Humph, I don't believe it." Baoqin pouted and said, "Brother Rong, you must not pay attention to those foreign women. They are very... unruly."

"rest assured."

Jia Rong put down the letter, stretched out his hand and pulled Baoqin's little hand, trying to take advantage of her. Baoqin quickly turned away, looked outside carefully, lowered her head and said, "Brother Rong, don't do this. There are people here now... You can't do this."

Outside were only Jia Rong's maids Qingwen and Xiangling, and Baoqin's maid Xiaoluo, who were having a great time playing together.

However, Jia Rong did not force it, but explained with a smile: "Don't be afraid, sister Qin, I just want to test whether your hands are cold. It's getting cold recently, remember to put on more clothes."

Baoqin knew that Jia Rong was making excuses, so she smiled happily and said, "Thank you, Brother Rong." Then she sat down next to Jia Rong, carefully picked up the ink stick, and said while grinding it, "Brother Rong, please write an article. I will grind the ink for you."

Jia Rong was flattered and said, "Miss Qianjin has ground the ink for me. I must write well, otherwise I will not be worthy of this ink."

Baoqin laughed, raised her hand and gently tapped Jia Rong on the shoulder: "Brother Rong just likes to talk nonsense, I am not a rich lady at all."

"Stop it, my handwriting is going to be messed up."

"Hehe, Brother Rong's handwriting is beautiful, can you teach me?"

As the saying goes, handwriting reflects the character of the writer, especially in various literary gatherings, good handwriting can add a lot of extra points. Jia Rong has been reading and writing every day since he was five years old, especially copying various famous calligraphy works without interruption. Although he has not achieved much in the past ten years, he can barely show off his achievements.

Jia Rong pointed and said, "There are a few pieces of Yan Lugong's calligraphy on the bookshelf over there. If you copy them for a year or so, you will be almost good at it."

"Yeah, let me take a look."

Baoqin put down the ink stick and went to look at the copybook.

At this time, there was a slight sound of the curtain, and Xue Baochai, wearing a plain white dress and a half-worn light yellow jacket, walked in from outside. She smiled at Baoqin and said, "I was wondering where I could find you. So you came to Rong'er's place. Aren't you afraid of disturbing Rong's study?"

Ever since she found out that Baoqin and Jia Rong were about to get engaged, Xue Baochai refused to let Jia Rong take advantage of her anymore. She treated Jia Rong as if nothing had ever happened before, and always acted like an aunt, even reminding him from time to time to study hard.

Sure enough, after talking about Baoqin, Baochai looked at Jia Rong again, and said in an elder's tone, "Rong'er, don't accompany her in making trouble. Studying is important. The autumn examination will be held next year, so you can't be careless."

Jia Rong put down his pen and smiled.

"Bao Mei is here."

"Ok?"

Baochai frowned slightly.

She felt that Jia Rong did not respect her very much.

Jia Rong asked again: "Sister Chai?"

Baochai shook her head and said, "What's the matter with Baomei and Chaimei? Don't mention the past anymore. I am your Aunt Bao now. Rong'er, study hard. Qin girl, come here."

Jia Rong: “…”

Baoqin lowered her head and walked forward, "Sister, I just came to get the copybook, I didn't disturb Brother Rong from studying."

"That's good."

Baochai took Baoqin's hand.

In fact, Baochai had arrived a while earlier. Seeing the two of them were very close to each other in the room and even fighting, she just hid under the window and watched. She was embarrassed to come in. It was not until Baoqin went to get the copybook that she pretended to have just arrived and went into the room as if nothing had happened.

After a while, the two of them sat in the outer room, talking quietly. Xiangling came up with a cup of tea and served them: "Miss Bao, have some tea. Miss Qin, have some tea."

Baochai smiled and said, "Thank you very much."

Xiangling said hurriedly, "Miss, you are too polite."

As they were talking, another person came in from outside.

It was Lin Daiyu.

"Ouch, I came at a bad time."

When Lin Daiyu entered the room and saw Baochai and Baoqin sisters were all there, she smiled and said something.

Baochai laughed and said, "What do you mean by that?"

Lin Daiyu pointed at Jia Rong inside and said with a smile: "Today Sister Bao is here to urge him to study. Tomorrow I will come again to urge him to study. This way he won't slack off."

Jia Rong: “…”

Am I so worrying?

The aunts who are worried broken-hearted.

"Giggle."

The three people outside laughed sweetly.

Baochai smiled and said, "Lin girl, please be careful with your address. What do you call me?"

Lin Daiyu had also said this before, but this time the positions of offense and defense had been reversed.

Lin Daiyu pretended to be puzzled and said with a smile: "What should I call you? If not Sister Bao, should I call you Chai?"

Lin Daiyu was of course deeply moved by Xue Baochai's voluntary withdrawal. Although she knew that this must be because of Xue Baoqin, it was enough to make her admire her.

Sister Bao can take it or leave it.

If it were her, it wouldn't work.

Once she truly makes up her mind, she can never change it, unless...

Die!

"Good girl Lin!"

Xue Baochai walked forward and pinched Lin Daiyu's pretty face.

At this time, Lin Daiyu had already regarded Xue Baochai as her real sister, so she naturally did not get angry. She pleaded pitifully, "Sister Bao, please forgive me this time. I am too young and ignorant."

Baochai let go of her hand, rubbed Daiyu's face, and said with a smile: "I feel sorry for Lin girl. Who would be willing to bully her? She is much more obedient than Qin girl."

Baoqin stuck out her tongue and said, "She is also very well behaved. Sister is biased."

Baochai pulled the two of them together and said with a smile, "Who is the most obedient one who calls me good aunt?"

Lin Daiyu immediately broke away from Baochai, covered her mouth and sneered, "Chai girl!"

Baoqin also broke away from Baochai and said with a smile, "Sister Chai."

Seeing that she could no longer control the two of them, Baochai hurriedly said, "Alright, alright, let's not make a scene here and disturb Rong'er's study. Let's go and play with Sister Xichun."

Baoqin clapped his hands: "Okay."

Lin Daiyu pulled Baoqin and said, "Let's go."

Baochai was behind: "You two, wait for me!"

Daiyu: "Okay, Chai girl."

Baoqin: "Okay, Sister Chai."

Baochai:"……"

Who is closer to whom?

……

Only since they all come from the same source, I can combine everything into one. From this point of view, the rhyme of the sage can be heard, and his teachings to others have never been beyond their reach!
After finishing a magnificent eight-part essay, Jia Rong gently put his pen into the sea of pens.

It was already quiet outside, the noises of the three sisters' laughter gradually faded away, but the lingering sound still lingered.

Jia Rong has gradually begun to admire himself. In such an environment, he can complete an article without distraction, which shows his concentration.

It has already become a big deal.

At this time, Xiangling brought in a cup of tea.

"Master, have some tea." Jia Rong took a sip of the teacup and said, "You seem to be too bored staying in the study room all day. Go out and play with your aunts. If you like reading books or writing poems, I don't have time to teach you, but Miss Lin... is more willing to be a teacher. You can go and ask her to be your disciple."

"real?!"

Xiangling's eyes gradually brightened.

She had heard about the poetry club a long time ago, but she could only sigh at her low status. She had been thinking about it for a long time but still did not dare to speak to Jia Rong.

I didn't expect Jia Rong to take the initiative to speak today.

"Thank you, Master!"

Xiangling knelt hurriedly and saluted.

Jia Rong extended his hand to help him and said with a smile, "What are you thanking me for? Go now."

"Then I'm leaving!"

Xiangling, who had originally walked a little stupidly and slowly, now walked with a breeze, and her steps under her skirt were very fast.

Jia Rong stretched and stood up.

Having finished two articles a day, it was time to relax and take a break. He planned to go see the garden and discuss garden design with Shan Ziye.

At this time, the construction of the garden had already started. The east wing of Rongguo Mansion and the two rows of servants' houses next to it were all demolished, and the walls were pushed down. The total area of three and a half miles was measured together with Huiyuan of Ningguo Mansion. Mr. Shan Ziye, who was in charge of the renovation, personally drew up the construction plan of the garden. Originally, it was intended to be presented to Jia Jing, but Jia Jing didn't care about it.

"Young Master, you've come at the right time. This is the garden construction plan I drew. All the scenery, palaces, rockery, rivers, pavilions and terraces are shown here. Please take a look." Mr. Shan Ziye respectfully took out a thick stack of picture albums.

Jia Rong was not in a hurry to open it, but put the album aside and asked with a smile: "Have you had dinner, old man?"

Shan Ziye smiled and said, "I ate some in front."

Jia Rong said solemnly, "Recently, you have been working hard for the garden, and I have not fulfilled my duty as a good host. Today, since I am free, I would like to invite you to have a glass of wine. I wonder if you will honor me?"

Shan Ziye bowed.

"The eldest master has invited me, so I'd better obey his orders."

"please."

The two of them did not stay anywhere else, but set up a table of dishes and two pots of Shaoxing wine in a small pavilion that was converted from the garden.

"Please, young master."

"Please, old sir."

The two of them drank two cups and for a while they did not talk about the garden, but instead chatted about all sorts of things.

Shan Ziye is indeed a master of gardening, with great ambitions in his mind. Not only has he visited most places in the two capitals and thirteen provinces of Daxia, he has also set foot in overseas places such as Luzon, South Vietnam, and the Western Regions.

Indeed, without certain knowledge, it is impossible to become a master of garden construction. Shan Ziye is simply a mobile human geography magazine.

"I have been on the road for most of my life, and I have some knowledge of the geography, customs and people of various places. A few years ago, I wrote a travelogue of mountains and rivers when I had nothing to do. If you are interested, it would be great if you can give me some advice." Perhaps seeing Jia Rong's curiosity about geographical figures, Shan Ziye generously shared all his life's learning.

Jia Rong was overjoyed and said repeatedly: "How dare I give you advice? People often say that 'reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles'. I should learn more from you, old gentleman."

"My Lord, you are too modest." Shan Ziye sighed helplessly, "I was also a scholar in the past, but unfortunately I failed to pass the imperial examination after studying for ten years. My parents passed away one after another, and I was so disheartened that I gave up my family business and traveled around the world. Now I am half buried in the ground, and I have accomplished nothing."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Old sir, please don't underestimate yourself. The way of gardening is also a way."

After hearing this, Shan Ziye seemed to understand something.

Stayed for a while.

Suddenly he said gratefully: "Today, I suddenly understood everything after listening to your words. Please accept my greetings."

"How dare you?"

Jia Rong quickly gave in.

The two sat down again.

Jia Rong looked at Shan Ziye, who was already a little drunk, and smiled, "I wonder what plans the old gentleman has for the future?"

Shan Ziye sighed slightly.

"But the world is my home."

Jia Rong said sincerely, "Why don't you stay in your house? I would like to hire you as my guest. What do you think?"

Shan Ziye's drunken eyes lit up slightly, and he stood up quickly: "Greetings, Master."

"You're welcome, sir."

"Let's have some wine."

Next, while the two of them were drinking, Shan Ziye explained to Jia Rong in detail the construction process of the garden, the location of the rockery, the angle of the pavilions, the length of the river, the height of the pavilions, etc. Jia Rong not only had a full understanding of the garden, but also admired Shan Ziye even more.

These things are not simple.

It involves arithmetic, calendar, and even yin and yang Taoism.

Shan Ziye can be considered a genius who has lived among the people.

……

The Jia family has been busy with construction recently, and the same is true for the imperial palace. Cartloads of wood, stone, bricks and tiles have been shipped in from all over the country, and the entire northeast corner of the palace is brightly lit day and night.

The construction of Dengxian Pavilion has cost more than three million.

However, less than half of it has been built.

It took exactly twice as long as expected.

Dai Quan, who was in charge of the construction, knelt on the ground in fear and kowtowed, saying, "This year, there were heavy rains in several places in the south of the Yangtze River, and the roads were blocked. Rocks and trees could not be transported down the mountain, so we had to use wood from the more distant mountains in Guangdong. The road consumption increased, and there was also..."

"enough!"

The emperor threw a teacup on the ground.

"I just want to know how long it will take to build the Ascension Pavilion, and how much silver it will cost!"

Dai Quan said tremblingly: "It will take another half a year, two or two million silver..."

"Two million!"

The emperor walked back and forth in the hall twice, gritted his teeth and said, "I'm not going to get you another two million, you figure it out yourself!"

"Anyway, next spring, I will move into the Ascension Pavilion! Otherwise, I will take your head!"

Dai Quan said with a sad face: "Slave, obey your order."

Not long after, Dai Quan left the hall.

Sighed slightly.

If I want to get money, I can only trouble Lord Jia!

No one else.

……

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

The new emperor sat on the dragon throne, drinking tea peacefully and listening to the report from the young eunuch.

"The Emperor summoned Taoist Master Bu Lingzi today. They talked for more than an hour, and then Taoist Master Bu Lingzi went to the back to make the elixir."

"hehe."

The new emperor smiled.

I don't know whether it was a sneer, a mockery or what.

"Bu Lingzi, you really have some skills."

half an hour.

The new emperor continued, "I heard that father is short of money to build the Ascension Pavilion again?"

"Your Majesty, it is..."

"Father is in trouble, and I, as your son, will help him solve his problems. I will take out 500,000 taels from my treasury and give them to him, so that he can move into the Ascension Pavilion as soon as possible!"

I!
He has been the little emperor for four years.

You should give up your seat!
I wish my father to ascend to heaven soon.

……

(End of this chapter)