Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 214 Baochai: Rong brother, you are very bad.

……

The nine-day journey to the provincial examination was finally over. Even though Jia Rong had rested up and kept himself in good shape in preparation for the examination, he still looked a little listless at this moment. He did not stay for long and went straight home.

Since the results would not be announced until ten days later, most of the candidates stayed in a nearby inn. On the one hand, they did so to discuss the test questions, but there was another reason: several brothels in Kyoto would recently offer special treatment to the candidates. When the candidates entered, no matter their appearance, age, or whether they had money on them, they would be treated with great respect, and they could even buy on credit.

Once you pass the imperial examination, there is a high possibility that you can get it for free.

"Xie brother, where are you going?"

Everyone saw Xie Jiwen was about to leave and stopped him.

"go home."

Xie Jiwen said seriously.

Song Yu was puzzled and asked, "That's strange. Why don't you go to the building today? Could it be that you have become a gentleman after following Shunzhi for so long?"

Ye Mengshu waved his fan and laughed, "Hehe, you guys don't know this, I already have someone I love, and now I'm a serious person."

"Oh? The amorous young man has found someone he loves?"

"good……"

"It's so rare, what kind of person can capture Mr. Xie's heart?"

Everyone looked at the Night Dream Book curiously.

However, Ye Mengshu didn't know what Xie Jiwen was thinking, so he just responded with a smile: "Haha, I'm just guessing, don't think too much..."

……

Without mentioning what happened to people outside, let’s say that after Jia Rong returned home, he first met his grandfather Jia Jing and handed in all the provincial examination essays that he had copied from memory.

In fact, Jia Jing had been waiting at home for a long time, and even put aside the affairs of the cabinet for the time being.

At this moment, he could not wait to read it, and after a while, he smiled and nodded, praising it generously: "Not bad, such an article will also stand out in the imperial examination, and passing the examination... should not be a problem!"

Jia Jingdu said so, it seems that there is a 90% chance of passing, but Jia Rong still said modestly: "I still feel that there are many shortcomings. Regardless of whether I pass the provincial examination this time, my grandson will continue to study hard. Studying is like sailing against the current. If you don't move forward, you will fall behind. I will not slack off at all."

Jia Jing: “…”

Jia Rong has been studying harder and harder recently. Would his good grandson turn into a bookworm?
For a moment, Jia Jing became a little worried.

“You can’t just read.”

"Let's wait and see. If you pass the imperial examination this time, I will arrange your marriage right away."

"My grandson is still young..."

Jia Rong said embarrassedly.

Jia Jing quickly waved his hand to interrupt, "You are not young anymore, you are already eighteen, you must get married this year no matter what!"

When Jia Rong was fifteen, he always felt that Jia Rong was still young and there was no need to rush his marriage. But in the blink of an eye, Jia Rong was eighteen, and he suddenly became a little anxious.

Got to hurry!
"What if... I accidentally miss it?"

Jia Rong asked with a little nervousness.

Jia Jing said: "Even if it doesn't work out, we still have to get engaged first!"

"I have already discussed it with Lin Ruhai. He should be able to return to Beijing before the New Year, just in time to get things done."

Jia Rong suddenly remembered that he had been taking exams recently and had not paid much attention to the affairs of Nanyang, so he hurriedly asked, "How is the war situation over there, Uncle Lin?"

Jia Jing smiled slightly: "Of course it's a great victory."

After more than a year of tug-of-war, Lin Ruhai finally relied on the huge support force of Daxia to completely defeat the Dutch!

In fact, as the battle progressed, it became clear that the Dutch were running out of steam and were just struggling to survive. In the end, they were tricked by Lin Ruhai's "secret plan of attacking Chencang". Except for the commander who escaped, the rest of the people surrendered directly.

Crisp and neat.

The entire wealth of the Dutch East India Company was seized by Lin Ruhai.

From then on, there was no more Dutch influence in the entire Nanyang. At the same time, it severely frightened the Westerners who were originally ready to make a move, and they no longer dared to easily offend the power of the Great Xia.

Jia Rong heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this, clapped his hands and said with a smile: "That's really cause for celebration."

This matter concerns whether he can serve as a small cabinet minister in the future!
It's even more worth celebrating than him passing the imperial examination!

Jia Jing added, "Don't worry about these things for now. You've been studying hard recently and you have exams coming up. I see you're tired too. Go back and have a rest. Come to my study room tomorrow evening and participate in government affairs."

"Yes……"

Jia Rong agreed, and after leaving Jia Jing's study, he went back to the courtyard, took a bath with Qingwen's help, changed into clean and refreshing clothes, and had a good sleep. When he woke up, it was already the next morning.

I felt refreshed and comfortable all over, and the fatigue from the exams in the past few days was almost gone.

"Brother Rong!"

Jia Rong had just finished washing up when someone came to him impatiently.

It was Xichun who was holding Lin Daiyu's hand.

After the two entered the house, Xichun smiled and said, "Brother Rong is awake? Sister Lin wanted to come and see how you did on the exam, so she insisted on bringing me along."

Jia Rong looked at Lin Daiyu, smiled and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your concern, sister. I am fine."

Lin Daiyu broke away from Xichun's hand and said shyly, "It was you who wanted to see how my nephew did in the exam, so you had to run over and force me to come!"

"I gotta go!"

As he said this, he covered his face with a handkerchief and was about to leave.

Xichun hurriedly pulled her back and said with a smile, "Sister Lin, calm down. I accidentally said the wrong thing just now. I'm sorry."

"Rong'er, I wanted to come and see how you did in the exam, so I made sure to bring Sister Lin along. Can you come back and win the first place this time?" Xichun changed the subject and asked.

Jia Rong shook the fan in his hand and said solemnly, "I dare not even think about getting the top prize. I will be very happy if I can pass the exam by chance."

After saying that, he looked at Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu said to Jia Rong, "Why are you looking at me? I am neither an examiner nor the Buddha. Amitabha is of no use to me."

Xichun covered her mouth and smiled, "I guess Rong'er meant that the Buddha would bless him to pass the imperial examination so that he can go to Yangzhou to propose marriage."

Lin Daiyu stamped her feet in anger and scolded, "I won't talk to you aunt and nephew anymore!"

It’s so hard for me to have such a little aunt!

Lin Daiyu turned around, sighed in her heart and was about to go back, but unexpectedly Jia Rong blocked her way.

The two were very close.

"what you do?"

Lin Daiyu raised her eyes and looked at Jia Rong.

The closer I got, the more I realized that Rong Ge'er had lost a lot of weight recently.

For a moment, Daiyu felt a little distressed.

Jia Rong did not respond, but looked at Xichun behind him and said with a smile: "Aunt, didn't you study with the teacher today?"

Xichun stuck out her tongue: "Oh, I almost forgot, I'll go now."

Lin Daiyu: "..."

I haven’t seen you go to study so early on weekdays.

For a while, Xichun left.

Jia Rong made a gesture to invite her: "Aunt Lin, would you like to sit inside?"

"Humph."

Lin Daiyu raised her chin.

"No, Aunt, I have something else to do when I get back."

Then he continued walking outside.

How could Jia Rong let anyone go? He grabbed Lin Daiyu's sleeve and said, "Since you are here, have a cup of tea first. It won't be too late to deal with things later."

Lin Daiyu looked at Jia Rong and snorted, "How rude! Didn't you call me aunt? What do you mean by that?"

Jia Rong: "Don't you like being an aunt?"

Lin Daiyu: "Bah, I'm not..."

Jia Rong apologized, "Sister Lin, is that enough?"

Lin Daiyu rolled her eyes at Jia Rong and said, "Not yet."

Jia Rong asked bitterly, "How can this be done?"

Lin Daiyu said: "...think about it yourself."

Jia Rong thought for a moment and said, "How about I be punished by calling you Sister Lin a hundred times?"

"Sister Lin, sister Lin..."

"Okay." Lin Daiyu interrupted helplessly, "You've been yelling so much, even if you don't find it annoying, I am."

Then he lowered his head and whispered, "If you really want to... call me aunt, you can't call me like that outside, in case someone hears it."

Jia Rong was overjoyed and took Daiyu into the house.

"I understand, don't worry, sister."

"From now on I will just quietly call you aunt, okay?"

Lin Daiyu: “…” Hey!
What can I do?
Dad mentioned a few words to her in his last letter.

Rong Ge'er is going to her house to propose marriage soon.

Marry a chicken and follow the chicken...

We can only let him do what he wants.

……

Lixiangyuan.

When Baochai and her sisters knew that Jia Rong had returned from the exam, they did not go to look for him immediately, because they knew that Jia Rong would definitely need a good night's rest.

At noon the next day, the two of them came to Ningguo Mansion together.

At this time, the Ningguo Mansion Garden had basically taken shape, with rockery pavilions, flowing water, lush trees, and winding paths, just like a paradise in Kyoto.

Baoqin pulled Baochai and said with a smile, "Sister, are we going to live here from now on?"

Baochai looked at the garden and sighed imperceptibly: You lived here, but I...I didn't know where I went at that time.

As she grew older, she had already reached the age of marriage, but the road ahead was uncertain. Baochai became more and more hesitant and confused...

"elder sister?"

Seeing that Baochai was in a daze and didn't say anything, Baoqin asked again in confusion.

"Well... I'm fine. Maybe it's because of the cold wind last night. I feel a little dizzy now."

Baochai held her forehead and covered it up a little.

Baoqin said hurriedly: "Sister, go back and rest first. I'll go over and take a look and go home soon."

"it is good."

Baochai nodded, and did not rush back to rest for a moment. Instead, she strolled in the built courtyard, enjoying the beautiful autumn scenery while waiting.

……

It is said that Baoqin entered Jia Rong's yard and happened to meet Xiangling sitting on a chair outside, reading a book seriously in one hand.

"Ai"

Baoqin patted Xiangling's shoulder gently.

"what!"

Xiangling was startled and turned around to see that it was Baoqin.

"Miss Qin, you scared me."

"Haha." Baoqin smiled and said, "What are you looking at so fascinatedly? I've been here for half a day and you didn't even notice."

In addition to having Lin Daiyu as her teacher, Xiangling also often consults sisters Baochai and Baoqin for advice on poetry, so the relationship between them is very close.

"What can I read? Just some ancient poems. I'm reading the Book of Songs recently." Xiangling showed the book in her hand to Baoqin.

Baoqin smiled and said, "I won't disturb you from reading. Is Brother Rong home?"

Xiangling closed the book and said with a smile, "I knew you were not here to see me, but to see our master."

"No way."

Baoqin pulled Xiangling and said with a smile, "I just saw that you were concentrating on your studies and couldn't bear to disturb you."

Xiangling smiled and said, "Then I won't read now. How about we write poetry together?"

Baoqin: "...I don't have any inspiration at the moment, let's wait a few days."

"whee."

Xiangling just covered her mouth and laughed.

Baoqin said, "Sister, don't laugh. I'm serious."

Xiangling said, "I know." Then she pointed and said with a smile, "Master went to that room this morning. He must be practicing calligraphy."

"Thank you, sister."

Baoqin thanked Xiangling and walked inside. She first tiptoed under the window sill to look inside. Just then, Jia Rong was looking outside.

Baoqin lowered her head slightly shyly.

"Brother Rong, I..."

"Sister Baoqin, come in quickly."

Baoqin walked into the room from the side and said shyly, "I, I'm here to look for Sister Xiangling. What did Brother Rong want me to come in for?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Nothing, please come in and have some tea."

"Oh...what tea?"

Baoqin raised her head and looked at Jia Rong.

"This year's new cloud tea tastes good to me. You should try it too." Jia Rong poured a bowl for Bao Qin. Bao Qin hurriedly stopped him and said, "I don't want to trouble you, Brother Rong. I can do it myself."

"Well, it's nothing." Jia Rong waved his hand: "How about you try it first?"

Baoqin picked up the teacup, took a sip, and praised: "The fragrance is overflowing, and the fragrance lingers on the lips and teeth. It is indeed a good tea."

Jia Rong said, "Take two taels back later. I can't finish it myself."

Baoqin said hurriedly: "I have tea over there too..."

Jia Rong said, "You're welcome. Your sister Lin just took two taels of silver and told me not to forget to give you one when you come."

Baoqin's face turned slightly red.

"OK then."

"Thank you, Brother Rong, Sister Lin."

Jia Rong: "Why thank me? We are all family."

These words made Baoqin even more shy. Jia Rong was so moved that he reached out and pulled Baoqin into his arms.

"Qin'er."

"Brother Rong."

Baoqin supported her hands in front of Jia Rong, squinted her eyes and dared not look up.

Jia Rong did not flirt with the girl excessively. He just hugged her gently for a while and then let go, smiling and saying, "Qin'er has grown taller this year, and has become more beautiful."

Baoqin picked up a strand of black hair in front of her chest and said shyly: "Brother Rong has grown taller and more..."

"how?"

"Handsome."

After Baoqin finished speaking, she could no longer hold back her shyness, and she covered her face with her hands and ran out quickly.

Jia Rong smiled lightly.

He has indeed grown a lot taller and more handsome this year!
He is already a truly handsome young man!
"Run slower and don't fall."

"Tea leaves, I haven't picked up the tea leaves yet..."

……

Ningguo Mansion Garden.

Baochai felt a little tired after turning half a circle, so she returned to her original place and sat on a clean bluestone bench waiting for Baoqin to come back.

As soon as I sat down, I saw Baoqin walking towards me with her head lowered, with a few traces of blush on her face.

"Ai!"

"what!"

Baoqin, who was walking, was startled and looked to the side.

"Sister, you scared me to death."

Baoqin said, patting her chest.

Baochai waved her beauty fan in her hand and chuckled, "What bad things have you done again that make you feel guilty?"

"How could I?" Baoqin pulled Baochai and said coquettishly, "Sister, don't talk nonsense. We really have nothing to say this time."

"Haha, I don't believe it."

"Look at your face."

Baochai gently pinched Baoqin's pretty face and said with a smile, "You're almost as red as an apple."

Baochai recalled the last time she followed Baoqin and accidentally saw a scene. Rong'er looked serious, but in fact... he was also very bad.