Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 280 Banquet
……

Xie Jiwen was going to comfort his concubine, and Jia Rong originally wanted to go home directly. The aunts definitely wanted to meet their nephew who had won the third place in the imperial examination, but Ye Mengshu insisted on asking him to discuss important matters, so the two of them had to go to a small tea stall on the side of the road and ordered two pots of wine to drink.

"Shunzhi, do I still have hope of staying in Beijing?" Ye Mengshu didn't waste any words. After taking a sip of wine, he asked Jia Rong straight to the point.

"Of course."

Jia Rong thought about it and gave Ye Mengshu an idea: "You can work as a trainee clerk in the Ministry of Revenue, and then slowly move up after three years."

Promotion is definitely slower than that of a second-class Jinshi, but it also depends on opportunities.

Ye Mengshu hesitated and said, "Why the Ministry of Revenue? Didn't you say that the court's finances were tight and the Ministry of Revenue was empty? And there are rumors that Minister Liu Yan is ready to resign. If I go there, wouldn't that be jumping into a fire pit?"

Jia Rong took a sip of wine and smiled, "That's why you have a chance. There's no hope anywhere else. Besides, the vacancy of the Ministry of Revenue doesn't mean it's hard to be an official there. At most, it's just a little more tiring."

"I may be transferred to the Ministry of Revenue in a few years. You can get familiar with the job there first so that you can help me later."

No matter when, the one who manages the money is the boss, so Jia Rong decided to work in the Ministry of Revenue and take charge of financial power.

As for the Hanlin Academy, it would be fine to go there for an internship to gild his reputation, but it would not be in Jia Rong's interest to just hang around there.

Ye Mengshu was delighted to hear that Jia Rong was also going to go over, "Okay, okay, in that case I'll listen to you and go to the Ministry of Revenue to lead the way for you. I'll trouble you with the official selection. Do you want me to give you an ancient painting as a bribe? I just got it at the night market a few days ago, and I suspect it's an authentic work of Tang Yan."

Jia Rong's eyes lit up: "Beauty painting?"

Ye Mengshu shook his head: "No, it's a landscape painting."

Jia Rong: "...then you keep it for yourself and pass it down to your family. I won't take it away from others."

The two talked for a while, didn't drink much, and went their separate ways.

……

When I got home, the entire Ningguo Mansion was decorated with lights and was even more lively than during the Chinese New Year.

A banquet was going on in the main hall, and it was very lively. Almost all the men, women, young and old of the Jia family had come. A dozen large round tables outside were occupied. There was a row of screens in the middle, and the wives and grandmothers and unmarried girls were all there. Maids were running back and forth between the tables, creating an atmosphere of wealth and luxury.

"Uncle is back."

"Greetings to the master."

When the maids at the door saw Jia Rong coming back, they hurried forward to greet him.

Jia Rong nodded with a smile and stepped into the hall.

The younger generation, including Jia Qiang, Jia Qin, Jia Zao, Jia Lan and others, all stood up and called out "Brother Rong".

Elders such as Jia Rui, Jia Huan, Jia Cong, Jia Qiong and others did not dare to neglect them and stood up to show their respect.

Jia Baoyu also came. He had not planned to come originally, but after being beaten with a stick by Jia Zheng, he finally came reluctantly. Although he still looked at Jia Rong's talented and elegant appearance with disdain on his face, he also felt a little envious in his heart.

However, it is absolutely impossible for him to study hard and become famous in the imperial examination.

I would rather be beaten than be a parasite.

This is the Great Jewel Principle.

Even if everyone leaves me!

It's just right for Chi Tiaotiao to come and go without any worries.

The old elder Jia Dairu sat in the seat of honor, his eyes filled with envy and jealousy. I have studied the books of sages for thirty or forty years, but in the end, I am not as good as a teenager. God is so blind!
Although he thought so in his heart, Jia Dairu did not dare to show it on his face. Instead, he raised the wine bowl and said with a smile: "Congratulations to Rong Ge'er for passing the imperial examination. You have brought honor to our Jia family. We elders should offer Rong Ge a glass of wine."

"That's right!" Jia She said, "Brother Rong is indeed the son of the Jia family. He has won the third place in the imperial examination. We, the elders, are very proud of him."

Jia Zheng: "Yes..."

Jia Rong said modestly: "I dare not, I dare not."

Jia Jing finally said with a smile: "He is a junior, you don't have to be like this, Rong'er, drink less, don't forget to pay your respects to the teacher tomorrow, there will be a Qionglin Banquet the day after tomorrow."

"Don't worry, Master."

Just after saying a few words, another guest came outside. It turned out to be Prince Beijing and his princess coming to congratulate. Jia Jing frowned slightly, then asked someone to invite them in.
No one dared to be negligent and hurried forward to greet him.

Prince Beijing returned the greetings modestly. Prince Beijing was also a handsome man, suave, gentle and elegant, and looked no less handsome than Jia Rong.

"Lord Jia, I hope you won't mind my inadvertent visit." Prince Beijing came up and said with a smile.

Jia Jing also smiled and nodded, saying, "We are all old friends, so why should we be so polite? Rong'er, please entertain the prince well and don't neglect him."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Don't worry, Master. Please come in, Prince."

Prince Beijing: "Brother Shunzhi, please."

There was another table above, and two people sat down.

Prince Beijing said with a smile: "It has been less than half a year since we last saw each other, and Brother Shunzhi has won the first place in the first place, the second place in the second place, and now the third place. It is really admirable! It brings honor to us nobles."

"It was just luck. Your Highness, please have some wine." Jia Rong raised his glass and took a sip.

Prince Beijing also took a sip of wine and said with a smile: "When can we brothers get together alone? The eldest prince also mentioned it last time, inviting us brothers to go hunting together at Tiewang Mountain outside the city. It's only because you have been studying that the prince dare not come to disturb you. In the future, when you have free time, you should get closer to each other."

"Okay, okay." Jia Rong agreed with a smile, thinking to himself: Damn you, you are entangled with the White Lotus Sect, and I don't know what conspiracy you are up to. Only a fool would want to get close to you.

The two exchanged a few more words, and Prince Beijing suddenly laughed and asked, "Where's Baoyu? Why don't I see him?"

Jia Rong looked at him and said, "Maybe he went back. Does the prince know my uncle Bao?"

Prince Beijing took a sip of wine and said with a smile: "We are in love with each other and it's a pity that we met too late. Recently, Baoyu often comes to my house to drink and watch plays. There is also the world-famous actor Qi Guan, who is also a fellow traveler."

Jia Rong nodded: "I see."

Yes.

You guys are good at playing.

inside.

With the arrival of Princess Beijing, everyone seemed very restrained. Since Grandmother Jia was feeling unwell, she did not come over. The young sisters were drinking together. Even Madam Xing was not there. The only older ones were Li Wan and Feng Ji.

But the two of them were not of sufficient status to accompany the princess.

Fortunately, Princess Beijing was very approachable and gentle. She chatted and laughed with her sisters, and they were in a happy mood.

It was not until the evening that the guests dispersed. The aunts finally saw their nephew, who had won the third place in the imperial examination, and they all pulled him into the garden.

Xichun said with a smile: "Brother Rong, stand still quickly so that we can see what the third place winner looks like, hehe."

Tanchun looked at Jia Rong, nodded and smiled, "As expected, they are both talented and elegant. The third place winner and the third place winner are a perfect match."

Lin Daiyu had come here originally, and when she heard Tanchun teasing her again, her face suddenly turned red and she turned her head away.

Yingchun smiled and said, "Sister Lin is shy."

Xichun smiled and said, "Okay, don't say any more. If you say more, Sister Lin will leave in shame. Rong'er, let's have a drink together tonight."

"Easy to say."

Jia Rong stepped forward and stopped Lin Daiyu who was about to leave: "Miss Lin, where are you going?"

"Haha."

Everyone covered their mouths and laughed.

Lin Daiyu was very embarrassed. She raised her foot and stepped hard on Jia Rong, saying softly, "Get out of the way."

Jia Rong felt that Lin Daiyu's footsteps were very light, as if she was not exerting any strength, and smiled, "We are all family, it would be meaningless if you left."

"Yes."

Xichun came forward and took Lin Daiyu's hand, saying with a smile: "Sister Lin, please stay and have a drink with us."

……

(End of this chapter)