Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 197 Such a Humble Room

Chapter 197 Such a Humble Room
……

The end of the year is approaching and many people are very busy, but for the young masters of noble families, being busy does not exist. At most, they have more gatherings with familiar friends, drink more, and gain weight.

Jia Rong received several letters a day, and he declined most of them.

For example, when the old lady of Jingtianhou Mansion celebrated her birthday, someone sent him a message, but he rejected it.

The Baolinghou Mansion invited old relatives to a gathering and asked Xiangyun to invite her, but he refused because he really had something to do that day and couldn't leave.

Niu Jizong had a son in his old age and held a high-profile banquet for guests including four kings and eight dukes. Jia Rong originally wanted to go, but it happened to be the same day as the originally scheduled Qingshe Literary Gathering, so he had to decline.

There is also a poetry reading organized by His Royal Highness the Second Prince.

This is really hard to refuse, I have to give him some face.

Early that morning, just after Jia Rong had breakfast, Jia Lian came to him in a hurry and said with a smile: "Rong'er, I heard that you received an invitation from His Royal Highness the Second Prince?"

Jia Rong: "Yes, why?"

Jia Lian smiled proudly: "I got it too, let's go together." Then he whispered: "To be honest, I wouldn't dare to go if you didn't go. Don't forget to help me when the time comes. You know I can't write any poems."

Jia Rong laughed and said, "I am not very good at writing poetry either, so we can just do it casually."

Generally speaking, poetry gatherings are one level lower than literary gatherings. Most of the people attending these gatherings are young people from wealthy families who have no shortage of food and clothing, who gather together to compose poetry and essays about the romantic world. There is no tense atmosphere like those involved in literary competitions, but in the end they will be ranked one, two, and three.

Jia Lian obviously didn't believe it, and patted Jia Rong on the shoulder and said, "Don't try to deceive me. If you don't know how to do it, who will? Let's go. The carriage has been prepared outside."

"hehe."

Jia Rong smiled without commenting.

He didn't intend to show off by hanging out with a bunch of dudes.

Very boring.

The two got on a carriage outside. The driver was Lin Zhixiao's son Lin Yuan, who looked as honest as Lin Zhixiao.

Jia Rong wanted to ask about Xiaohong. He was short of people now, especially capable people.

But it was difficult to speak up at the moment, so I had to give up.

Soon, they arrived at the gate of the Second Prince's residence.

Submitted the invitation.

This was Jia Lian's first time here. After seeing the grandeur of the Prince's Mansion, he immediately exclaimed, "As expected of a prince, this place is much more prosperous and magnificent than ours."

Jia Rong whispered, "Are you envious? Remember to be reborn as a prince in your next life."

Jia Lian was startled and lowered his voice to say: "Don't talk nonsense, I can't bear this kind of blessing, it will shorten my life. Haven't you seen that princes and grandchildren like to die young? I think that's the reason. It is said that this prince has three sons who died, and they couldn't bear the blessing!"

Jia Rong: “…”

As he was speaking, a group of people came out of the palace. The leader was handsome and polite in his finery. He stepped forward and bowed, "Are you the brother of the Jia family? I am An Qianzhi, nice to meet you, brother Jia."

Before coming, Jia Rong had learned a little about several important figures in the Prince's Palace. An Qianzhi was of course among them. He was a cousin of the Second Prince's mother's family and was in charge of many things in the Palace, almost like the Palace's chief steward.

Jia Lian hurried forward to return the greeting: "Brother An, you are too polite."

Jia Rong also bowed and said, "Greetings, Brother An."

An Qianzhi smiled broadly as he greeted the two men, "My two brothers, your presence is a great honor to my humble abode. Please come in."

Jia Lian shouted: "I dare not, I dare not."

As they were talking, they entered the palace.

"Isn't that Chief An, the palace's chief steward? Whose family is so important that he has to go out in person to greet us?" A man in front of the door said with a look of surprise and doubt on his face.

Another person laughed and said, "You don't know? Those two are not simple. One of them is the eldest son of Rongguo Mansion, and the other one is even more complicated!"

Someone else asked, "Let me guess, could it be Jia Shunzhi, the most talented scholar in Kyoto from Ningguo Mansion?"

"Yes! I met him at the Qing Society's literary gathering in the restaurant a few days ago. My nephew is a member of the Qing Society."

"Ouch, that's disrespectful!"

"Your nephew is amazing!"

"Haha, it's okay."

……

Prince's Palace, East Garden.

Wrapped in silver.

The snow on the road had not been cleared, leaving clear rows of footprints.

In the distance, bamboo pavilions are connected to each other, the roofs are covered with white snow, and long icicles hang on the eaves. Further away, a few wild dogs are chasing and fighting with pheasants, and sparrows are jumping around in the trees looking for food. The little cat jumps onto a branch and moves forward quietly, as if it wants to catch a sparrow to taste it, but it accidentally steps on the snow on the branch.

Floating down...

There are no rare birds and animals, no exotic flowers and plants, no strange rocks, but only native chickens and wild dogs, willow trees and sycamore trees, large blue stones, and withered dogtail grass on the ground that can be seen everywhere in the fields.

Everything is full of authentic rural feel.

Everyone sighed.

"Ah, coming here immediately aroused my desire to return to farming."

"Your Majesty's design is truly brilliant!"

"There aren't even any servants here. It looks like a rural village."

"Your Highness wants to experience the suffering of the people. We should also experience it to our heart's content today, so as not to disappoint Your Highness."

After entering the garden, everyone started talking at once.

Jia Lian exclaimed in admiration: "I didn't expect that a prince of your stature would still have such a character. I am really not as good as him."

Jia nodded.

In Kyoto, where every inch of land is valuable, to build such a garden requires true...talent!
"Haha."

At this time, a person came out with a smile.

He wore a dragon robe and a jade belt, had a large square face, a big nose, wide lips, ears that could catch the wind, a thick beard, and a black mole at the corner of his mouth that made him look even more heroic.

"I am very grateful to all my brothers for visiting my humble home. Please come in and have a chat."

Everyone bowed and saluted again and again.

"I've met the prince."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty is too kind."

"Everyone please."

"Your Majesty, please."

Entered the house.

What caught my eye were old wooden chairs and tables, and an ordinary charcoal stove. The charcoal used was all cheap smoke charcoal. Fortunately, there were smoke holes on the wall, otherwise it would have choked people to death.

"Cough cough."

Some people couldn't stand the smoke and started coughing.

The second prince was accustomed to it and smiled slightly: "Don't blame me, brothers. I don't usually live here. It's just that today I have invited such elegant people like you to come. I dare not defile it with those vulgar things. I think only this humble room can live up to your elegance."

"Your Majesty is very elegant."

"It's wonderful. There's no music to disturb the ears, and no paperwork to tire the body. It's really a wonderful place."

"The saying that there are great scholars among the people who talk and laugh, and there are no unlearned people among the people, is nothing more than this."

Instead of being dissatisfied, the crowd was in high spirits.

Today I also want to be an elegant person like the one in “Praise of the Humble Dwelling”!

There is only one problem.

There are no ordinary people coming and going, which means there are no servants to boil water, and everything has to be done by oneself.

Young master, who knows how to boil water?

Everyone looked at each other, wondering how the great scholar in "Praise of the Humble House" could roll up his sleeves to boil water and make tea, only to see His Royal Highness the Second Prince smile slightly and clap his hands gently.

A row of maids in gorgeous dresses walked in, carrying trays with exquisite teapots and teacups on them.

"Haha, here's the new Yunwu Mountain tea this year, brothers, please try it." The second prince said with a laugh.

"Ha ha!"

"Ok, Ok."

"Wonderful!"

"Your Majesty is in a very elegant mood!"

The second prince nodded and said with a smile, "Come here, tell the servant to bring the pen, ink, paper and inkstone."

"Yes."

Finally, a maid carrying a tea tray bowed and went out to pass on the message.

Soon, a group of pretty girls wearing servant girls' clothes and with their hair tied in buns came in one after another and stood in front of the table to serve everyone.

Everyone was overjoyed.

This taste, I love it!

Jia Lian couldn't help but smile, and whispered to Jia Rong: "The prince is the prince, he really knows how to have fun, especially in this humble room with these little girls and book boys, hehe, it's really interesting."

Jia Rong nodded.

"good."

Most people really can't play this.

At this time, the second prince suddenly came over, pointed around, and said with a smile: "Brother Shunzhi, how is my arrangement?" Jia Rong bowed and said: "Excellent, it is really wonderful. Your Majesty's elegance is admirable."

Jia Lian also bowed repeatedly beside him: "Your Highness is really elegant, very elegant, I admire you."

"well."

The second prince smiled and nodded to Jia Lian, then took Jia Rong's hand and said, "This is nothing. I am willing to spend more effort to invite Brother Shunzhi. If Brother Shunzhi is satisfied, remember to come often in the future."

Jia Rong pulled his hand away calmly and said politely, "Of course, of course."

"Haha."

The second prince laughed loudly at first, then whispered quietly: "Stay after the poetry party is over. There will be fun things to do in the evening. I will invite Brother Shunzhi to a private meeting."

Jia Rong: "This is inappropriate..."

The Second Prince: "It's settled then."

After he finished speaking, without waiting for Jia Rong to say anything, he went to entertain others with a laugh.

The Second Prince was not only so enthusiastic towards Jia Rong, he also walked up to almost everyone and whispered a few words to show his friendliness.

It is not yet known whether they will all stay to participate in separate projects.

Here, the two found an old table and sat down. Jia Lian took a sip of tea and said to Jia Rong sourly: "It seems that the second prince thinks highly of you."

Just now, the Second Prince was obviously having some trouble dealing with him.

Of course, there's nothing strange about this.

Jia Rong's grandfather was a high-ranking and powerful minister, and he even had a certain say in the succession to the throne. It was natural for the Second Prince to attach importance to Jia Rong.

If his grandfather were still alive, he might also be a guest of honor in the prince's palace!

As Jia Lian was thinking this, he heard Jia Rong say calmly, "Don't leave after the poetry party is over. Follow me all the time. Tell him that he is worried about a junior like me, and that's what Grandpa specifically asked you to do."

Jia Lian was puzzled and asked, "Why?"

The second prince clearly only left you.

What am I staying for?
What if the second prince is unhappy?

Jia Rong said, "Don't ask. If I tell you to stay, then you should stay."

Jia Lian: "..."

Talk to me like this, you are the elder and I am the elder?
Forget it, let him go this time.

At this time, the second prince walked around almost everywhere, said a few words to everyone, walked to the front and said with a smile: "Everyone, how about we write a poem on the theme of 'Wind and Snow' today?"

"Wind and snow, wind, flowers, snow and moon!"

"good!"

"Feng Hua Xue Yue, I heard that Wen Renyuan from Tongzhou is good at this, I wonder if he will win the first prize today?"

"It's hard to say. Don't you know that Jia Shunzhi, the most talented scholar in Kyoto, is also here?"

"Jia is naturally the best in eight-part essays, but it's hard to say if he is good at poetry."

"That's right. Those who are good at eight-legged essays may not be good at poetry. Some of them have earned it."

"Don't forget about Qiao Jiahui, who was ranked seventh in the Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination! His poems are also excellent!"

Everyone was talking about it.

Jia Lian smiled and said, "They are talking about you. What do you think? Are you sure you can get the first prize?"

Jia Rong shook his head and smiled, "No, they are right, I am not good at poetry."

Jia Lian thought for a moment and said, "That's right. You spend all day studying eight-part essays, so how can you have time to write useless poems? If that's the case, then forget it."

Let's see.

Even a semi-dandy like Jia Lian knew that poetry was useless compared with the eight-legged essays and writings of sages.

The two of them then drank tea and chatted, neither of them intending to start writing. Someone nearby had already finished writing, and they all brought their works up to the Second Prince for him to taste.

The cheers continued.

Jia Lian suddenly said, "Why don't you write a poem for me? Even if it doesn't win first place, it won't be too bad, right? Let me stand out a little bit."

Since he had nothing to do, Jia Rong nodded and said, "Okay."

Jia Lian was overjoyed.

"Quick, think quickly."

Jia Rong said: "Don't think about it, it's here now."

Jia Lian quickly began to grind the ink, picked up the brush and said, "Tell me."

Jia Rong hesitated for a moment.

"A flower in a vase."

Jia Lian: "..."

It feels a bit ordinary.

Although he is not very good at writing poetry.

Then Jia Rong said:

"There's a moon in the sky."

"The flowers fall and the moon returns to the sky."

"The wind blew snow all over the ground."

Yes! Yes, it's great!

There is romance, flowers, snow and moon.

Jia Lian was immediately filled with admiration.

Jia Rong is worthy of being the most talented man in Kyoto. Even though he is not good at poetry, he can still come up with beautiful sentences.

Even if this song doesn’t win first place, it’s almost the same!

Just when Jia Lian was full of confidence and was about to hand it in, someone suddenly came up to him.

"My name is Wen Renyuan, nice to meet you, Master Jia."

Jia Rong bowed and said, "Greetings, Master Wenren."

Wen Renyuan laughed and said, "Master Jia doesn't seem to have any intention of writing poetry? Is he not good at poetry?"

Jia Rong: “Not bad.”

Wen Renyuan was stunned.

Obviously, he didn't expect Jia Rong to be so clean and efficient.

At this time, another person came over and chuckled, "Mr. Jia, don't be so modest. You are the most talented person in Kyoto. It would be unreasonable if you don't show me your talent. Even if you are not good at poetry, it would be good if you can just compose a poem to broaden our horizons."

"Or... you can use this topic to write an eight-part essay. I think I can give you some pointers."

Please give me some advice.

Do you want to become famous by stepping on me?

Jia Rong smiled.

"Who is your Excellency?"

The man was displeased when he saw that Jia Rong didn't know his name. He sneered and said, "I am just an untalented person. I ranked seventh in the Shuntian Prefecture's provincial examination. I am Qiao Jiahui!"

He is actually a juren!

Jia Rong bowed and said with a smile, "So it's Mr. Qiao. My apologies."

Qiao Jiahui was very satisfied to see that Jia Rong was indeed afraid of his status as a juren.

After all, he was the seventh ranked juren in Shuntian Prefecture and had considerable strength. If it weren't for his bad luck, he would have passed the imperial examination and become an official to help the emperor. How could he be here playing with these "juniors"?

Qiao Jiahui continued to chuckle and said, "How is it? I can still give you some pointers."

"No need." Jia Rong waved his hand. "Today, the prince asked us to talk about love and romance, which is not suitable for writing eight-part essays. Brother Qiao wants to give me some advice on my writing. I welcome you to come to the Qingshe Poetry Festival next year to comment on it."

"hehe."

Qiao Jiahui smiled contemptuously: "In that case, Master Jia, please write a poem and I can..."

"Please give me some pointers first."

Jia Lian suddenly stood up and interrupted Qiao Jiahui rudely.

Qiao Jiahui frowned.

"You? You are?"

Jia Lian said: "Rongguo Mansion, Jia Lian."

Qiao Jiahui waved her hand.

"Never heard of you."

He has always looked down upon the dandies in the mansions of nobles and marquises. As scholars, we are never afraid of the powerful and wealthy!

"Bring it here, let me see it."

Qiao Jiahui looked like he was going to give Jia Lian some advice; he didn't believe Jia Lian could write anything good.