Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 233 Rejection of Marriage
……

"Has there been any funeral in the Jia family recently?"

"Sir, no."

"Okay, got it. Just keep watching."

"Yes……"

The butler withdrew respectfully.

Ye Xiang frowned.

Logically speaking, after so many days, Jia Zhen should have died... Could it be that those two old doctors had secretly left something behind?
"Hey!"

If I had known this, I would have kept him.

Now I'm afraid only God knows the answer to this question.

Just as Ye Xiang was sighing, a person came running to the door in a panic.

It was his second wife, Li.

She is also Ye Lian’s mother.

"master."

Li came in and bowed quickly.

Ye Xiang was suspicious: "Why are you so flustered?"

Li is about thirty years old this year. She comes from a prominent family and is dignified and elegant. She rarely disregards etiquette like this.

Li quickly walked to Ye Xiang and whispered, "Lian'er is gone!"

"what!"

Ye Xiang suddenly stood up from his chair, his eyes full of surprise and disbelief!
Her precious daughter has been well-behaved, obedient and filial since she was a child... How could she run away without permission!

"She left a letter, please read it, sir." Li said after a pause.

Ye Xiang was speechless. He looked at Li unhappily and said, "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I thought she eloped with someone."

Li panted and said, "I was in such a hurry just now that I forgot... Master, please take a look at what is written on it."

"Didn't you see it?"

Ye Xiang asked as he opened the letter.

Li shook her head and said seriously, "I just saw it and took it to take a photo of you, Master, so I didn't open it to read it."

"…What did my daughter say in the letter?"

Li stood on tiptoe and looked forward, seeming to be very concerned.

Ye Xiang took a look and nodded, "It's nothing, I just went to the Imperial College."

Seeing that the master was not angry, Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest and said, "Fortunately, fortunately, her uncle is in the Imperial College and can keep an eye on her."

Ye Xiang took a look and smiled, "Don't act like that. I know this must be your idea."

Li knew she couldn't hide it from her master, so she smiled and said, "Master, you know everything? I did this for my daughter. You don't want to see her stay in her boudoir all day, feeling unhappy. Besides, it was your idea to ask her to study at the Imperial College in the first place. I was against it at first."

"Humph! How would I know her..." Ye Xiang said angrily, then suddenly stopped and waved his hand, saying, "Forget it, let her go crazy for now."

Anyway, Jia Rong has already passed the imperial examination, so he probably won't return to the Imperial College.

In addition, the emperor has recently been looking for a princess for the third prince. To put it bluntly, he is taking the opportunity to win over important officials in the court.

It would be a good idea for Ye Lian to go out and hide.

As the chief civil official and a role model for scholars all over the world, he absolutely cannot be tainted by the reputation of being a royal relative.

Otherwise, how would scholars around the world view him?

The daughter of the prime minister married into the royal family and clung to the imperial power!
Your reputation will definitely be ruined.

This is something Ye Xiang would never allow.

……

At the same time, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the Daming Palace.

Emperor Anping looked at his favorite youngest son with a satisfied smile on his face, and he liked him more and more no matter how he looked at him.

The obsession with the younger son is not only shared by Lady Jia. Many parents in the world have this obsession, and Emperor Anping, as an emperor, is no exception.

"My son, I would like to send my regards to my father."

"Xuan Er, come here quickly."

Emperor Anping stroked the Third Prince's head and said with a smile, "You have grown so tall in the blink of an eye. It's time for you to get married."

The third prince smiled shyly: "I am still young..."

"Not young anymore." Emperor Anping said with a smile, "I was already married when I was your age."

"Don't worry, I will find you a good girl who is well-educated, well-mannered, talented, and beautiful, and has a distinguished family background."

This time the Third Prince said nothing. Although as a prince he had already known the beautiful maid around him for a long time, the young man was of course full of fantasies about his wife.

Especially, this is related to the future fight with his two brothers...

"Someone is coming."

"Please ask Prime Minister Ye to come and discuss this matter."

Emperor Anping gave the order in a calm voice.

The third prince, who had already walked to the door, was overjoyed.

She is actually the daughter of the prime minister!
In this case, isn't Ye Xiang tied to him?

For a moment, the third prince was both excited and nervous.

But on the surface he still looked like a good kid, not even pausing for a moment, as if he didn't care at all.

This made Emperor Anping, who had been observing him in the room, nod silently in his heart.

The third son, it turns out, doesn’t have so many thoughts that he shouldn’t have.

What a good son!
……

Prime Minister Ye, who was in his study thinking about how to deal with Ningguo Mansion, suddenly received a message from the young eunuch.

The emperor wants to see him.

Ye Xiang didn't take it too seriously for a moment, thinking that he was the one who was looking for him to discuss the unusual movements of the Tartars in the northwest.

After all, this time the Tartars behaved contrary to their usual behavior. After occupying the three towns of Yulin, they showed no intention of retreating, but instead sent more troops.

Ye Xiang was also worried about this.

Do you want to occupy our Great Xia territory?
"emperor."

After entering the Yangxin Palace, Prime Minister Ye first bowed respectfully. When he was about to discuss the matter of the Northwest Tartars with the Emperor, Emperor Anping spoke first and said with a smile, "Lord Ye, what do you think of the Third Brother?"

"The third one?"

Ye Xiang didn't understand for a moment.

Emperor Anping explained: "He is my third son. He is already sixteen years old this year without me noticing."

"Forehead……"

Ye Xiang immediately understood what Emperor Anping meant.

This is to...

"The wintersweets in the imperial garden are in bloom. I went to see them a few days ago. They are indeed very beautiful. Concubine Wu also said that she liked them very much and said that she would hold a plum blossom banquet in the palace. Please accept this invitation, Lord Ye." Emperor Anping took out an invitation and said with a smile.

Ye Xiang took it respectfully, and then said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the Northwest Tartars are constantly sending troops to the three towns of Yulin, we must pay attention to it!"

Emperor Anping said: "With Yan Junrui, who was recommended by Prime Minister Ye, leading the Beijing Camp to provide support, and the troops led by Wang Ziteng, is there any chance of an accident?"

Prime Minister Ye said seriously: "Even if there is a perfect plan, we still cannot be careless. I still have to go back and discuss it carefully with the Ministry of War. As for the Plum Blossom Banquet, there may not be..."

"I won't waste your time, Lord Ye." Emperor Anping interrupted Prime Minister Ye and said, "Please ask Madam Ye and Miss to go to the harem to deal with it. Just give me some face. How about that?"

Ye Xiang: “…”

"Sir, obey the order."

At one point, Ye Xiang left the hall.

Emperor Anping's face gradually became gloomy.

He could sense that Ye Xiang was very opposed to this marriage.

This is really unreasonable!

He wanted to marry Yuanchun, but Lord Jia objected.

He wanted his third son to marry Lin Ruhai's daughter, but was rejected in person.

Now he was planning to let his third son marry Ye Xiang’s daughter, but he was also rejected!

Why is this happening?
Emperor Anping really didn't understand.

Is there anything more glorious than marrying into the royal family? Why do you all avoid her like the plague?
In the end, Emperor Anping could only conclude that these ministers were only obedient on the surface and respected him as emperor, but in fact did not take him seriously at all.

Even... look down on him!
Sooner or later, I will let you all know how powerful I am!

Emperor Anping swore in his heart.

……

Concubine Wu held a plum blossom banquet in the imperial garden of the palace, and many noble families received invitations.

Naturally, the Jia family also received two copies.

However, Jia Jing ignored this matter. Only Jia's mother was so happy that she smiled happily. She dressed up early and took her granddaughter Jia Tanchun to the palace to attend the banquet.

There were many people coming, both civil officials and military officials, most of whom brought their most outstanding daughters or granddaughters, or the most outstanding girls in their families.

Not all families can resist the temptation of becoming royal relatives.

Everyone was ready to show off their skills at the banquet and win the appreciation of Concubine Wu. Concubine Wu had been paying attention to the visitors, and when she saw the old lady from the Jia Mansion leading a girl in, her eyes lit up slightly.

"Check the identity of the woman next to the old lady of Rongguo Mansion."

"Yes……"

A young eunuch went down and came back after a while, saying, "Your Highness, this is Jia Tanchun, the concubine's daughter of Jia Zheng, the second son of Rongguo Mansion."

"Oh."

Concubine Wu nodded and said with a smile, "Could it be the sister of the female historian Jia Yuanchun?"

The young eunuch checked very carefully and bowed hurriedly and said, "To answer your Majesty's question, it is exactly right."

"That's all."

Concubine Wu waved her hand and no longer paid attention to Jia Tanchun.

The Rongguo Mansion has little effect.

And my status is too low, I am not worthy of him.

Not long after, someone outside came with another message: "Madam Li of Prime Minister Ye and her niece respectfully wish the Imperial Concubine good health."

Just as Concubine Wu showed a hint of joy, she suddenly stopped.

Just a niece?

Not long after, Li brought in an ordinary-looking girl to greet them, and she was neither humble nor arrogant.

"I have met the imperial concubine."

"I have met the imperial concubine."

"No need to be so polite." Concubine Wu waved her hand and smiled, "I remember your daughter is also sixteen years old this year, why didn't you bring her along to play?"

Li smiled and said, "She is too naughty to attend such a scene, so she stayed at home."

"Oh, is it so."

Concubine Wu's expression gradually became grim.

Li didn't care too much.

Naturally, she had to give some face and flatter the queen.

Imperial Concubine, haha.

It’s already a great honor for her to be able to come!
……

After the Plum Blossom Banquet, Grandmother Jia did not leave the palace immediately, but took this opportunity...

Give it another try!
"Your Highness, the Empress Dowager, the old lady of the Rongguo Mansion requests to see you and is already waiting at the Ci'an Palace." A little palace maid bowed outside the curtain and said politely.

"understood."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly and asked with a smile, "Has anything unusual happened in Rongguo Mansion recently?"

It is said that Jia's mother was arranged by the palace maid to wait in a side hall for half a day, but it was getting dark and she still didn't see the Empress Dowager.

Another half hour passed and the palace was already lit.

Grandmother Jia felt a little chill in her heart.

She overestimated her own reputation. Perhaps in the heart of the Queen Mother, she was nothing.

Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia tactfully planned to say goodbye and leave.

At this moment, a palace maid came in and said with a smile, "The Empress Dowager invites Old Madam Jia to come in and talk."

Grandmother Jia was very happy.

The Empress Dowager still remembers her!

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager. May Her Majesty live a thousand years." Lady Jia bowed politely from below.

The Queen Mother waved her hand and said with a smile, "Stand up."

"Someone, give Madam Jia a seat."

Immediately, a young eunuch brought up the embroidered cushion.

Grandmother Jia didn't dare to sit down at all, and kept bowing and refusing the seat.

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Madam Jia, there is no need to be so polite. We are all women, and there are no outsiders."

Grandmother Jia was delighted to hear this and sat down slightly next to the edge of the embroidered cushion.

The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Old Madam, you came to see me so late, is there something important?"

Grandmother Jia hurriedly smiled and said, "It's just about the children's affairs. I shouldn't have disturbed the Empress Dowager, but I'm really worried about her..."

"Oh?"

The Queen Mother seemed a little puzzled and asked with a smile, "Which children are you talking about?"

Jia Mu: "..."

Don’t you know yet?
Grandmother Jia said with a stiff face: "She is the eldest maid in the mansion. Yuanchun is almost twenty years old this year..."

The Queen Mother smiled and nodded: "I understand, you want to take the eldest girl out of the palace, right?"

Grandmother Jia: "Ah? This?"

The Queen Mother: "I approve."

"But your eldest girl is a lady-in-waiting in the Queen's palace after all, so she still has to go through the necessary procedures."

Jia Mu: "..."

……

It is said that after Lin Ruhai stayed in Kyoto for two days, he officially set off, preparing to take Lin Daiyu back to his hometown in Suzhou to complete a series of engagement procedures.

Fortunately, this winter has been relatively warm, and the Grand Canal has not yet frozen. The father and daughter took a boat all the way south and arrived in Suzhou in early December.

At that time, Jia Lian and others had already set out from Kyoto, carrying their betrothal gifts with them, and were heading south with music and fanfare.

Jia Rong did not follow.

One reason is that Mr. Zhen’s condition is really hard to predict and he may pass away at any time. Jia Rong, as a filial son, cannot leave too far away at this time.

The second reason is that the imperial examination is imminent, and Jia Rong needs to prepare for it without distraction. If Master Zhen can hold on until he enters the examination room, he cannot let the master down.

You must perform your best and let the master pass away peacefully.

"This is an invitation from His Royal Highness the Second Prince to a literary gathering at Zuiyun Tower tomorrow evening. Please come." Qingwen handed an invitation to Jia Rong.

Jia Rong casually put it aside and said, "Arrange someone to go to the Second Prince's residence and tell him that he thanks His Highness for his kindness, but that the master is not feeling well and is not suitable to go out."

"it is good."

Qingwen agreed and went out to give instructions.

Xiangling said beside him, "Master, you won't go to the Second Prince's literary gathering, how about the Jiangnan Society's literary gathering some other day?"

Jia Rong shook his head: "I'm not going anywhere. When Xie Jiwen copies the articles from the Jiangnan Literary Society, I'll just take a look at them."

It’s a pity that Qingshe is without him and Xu Lian. Xie Jiwen might not be able to stand alone and it would be hard for him to compete with the group of scholars in Jiangnan Literary Society.

I miss the time when Xu Lian was around.

"Brother Rong, hehe."

"Guess who I am!"

A pair of small hands covered Jia Rong's eyes from behind.

"Aunt, stop making trouble."

Jia Rong said speechlessly.

Xichun quietly stuck out her tongue, withdrew her hand and said, "Not funny, how did you guess it so quickly?"

Jia Rong said, "Because no one else plays like you do."

"whee."

Xichun smiled slightly and said, "Isn't that how you and Baoqin played? I saw it last time."

Jia Rong: “…”

"Really? Why don't I remember it?"

He didn't even know that he was seen by his aunt.

It seems I have to be more careful in the future.

"Have!"

Xichun said with certainty.

“You guys still…”

"Cough cough."

Jia Rong coughed.

Because he saw Baoqin and Baochai sisters coming at the door.

Xichun looked outside, then looked at Jia Rong with a smile and whispered, "Sister Bao is following you too. I'll help you lead her away."

"Hey, no need..."

As soon as Jia Rong finished speaking, Xichun had already gone out. She took Baochai's hand and said something to him, and then the two of them walked out of the courtyard gate.

Only Baoqin entered the room.

She wore an orange skirt with a white water-patterned double-breasted jacket on the outside, a moon-white silk sash tied around her waist, and a high ponytail that hung down to her waist. The hairpins on the bun swayed, showing off her girlish grace.

……

(End of this chapter)