Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 81 Eighty Paintings

……

Early in the morning, eunuchs from the palace came to Ningguo Mansion.

He is Dai Zhong, the godson of the former Prime Minister Dai Quan.

At this time, Jia Jing was still in the government office. Jia Rong personally welcomed him in, served him tea and said with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Dai."

Dai Zhong waved his hands and smiled, "It's not hard, it's not hard. The eldest son traveled thousands of miles to deliver the tax silver to the capital, which was the biggest hardship. Compared with the eldest son, what we have done is nothing."

As he spoke, Dai Zhong waved outside.

A young eunuch walked in respectfully carrying a plate.

Dai Zhong smiled and said, "My dear young master, please take a look. These are the writing brushes, inkstones, paper and inkstones given by the Emperor Retired, as well as the imperial palace fans and jade pendants. The Emperor Retired also said that you should study hard, inherit the family business, bring honor to the family and serve the country in the future."

Jia Rong bowed from a distance.

"I will not let down the Emperor's kindness and will study hard from now on, hoping to serve the country as soon as possible and share the worries of the Emperor."

Speaking of the Emperor,
What a loving old saint who cherishes the past.

He has always been kind to the Jia family, especially to Jia Jing, the only person in the family who graduated from a formal imperial examination, and has taken good care of him.

Even Lin Ruhai was the third place chosen by the retired emperor.

The emperor would spare no effort to promote and employ any talented person from a family of meritorious service.

It is a pity that except for the Jia and Lin families, the other meritorious families did not have any scholars worth cultivating, and could only decline from generation to generation, with only a superficial appearance.

Most of the titles of nobility became honorary positions such as baron, viscount, baron, and general, and there were very few real vacancies in the court.

The kindness of a gentleman will be cut off after five generations!

The nobles have fallen into a state of depravity.

In the era when the scholar-officials were in power, the retired emperor wanted to promote some elderly people, but there were too many constraints... Unless he was a formal scholar like Jia Jing and Lin Ruhai, even if he was the supreme retired emperor, he would be powerless.

"Haha."

Dai Zhong laughed in a high-pitched voice, "The eldest son is well-known in Kyoto. I'm sure he will win the next provincial examination easily."

"Where."

Jia Rong hurriedly said modestly: "My knowledge is still very shallow. On the way here, I heard that everyone was talking about Li Chun, the most talented scholar in the world. He is the one who is truly learned."

Dai Zhong frowned and said, "We have also heard about him in the palace. We heard that he is the only grandson of the former Minister of Rites, Lord Li, and his eight-part essay writing is even better than his master."

Jia Rong was also surprised to hear that Li Chun's name had spread into the palace.

This Li Chun is really amazing!
At such a young age, he has surpassed his teacher!
His grandfather was the top scholar!

I wonder how relieved Li Minzhi must be!

"Let's not talk about this anymore." Jia Rong smiled and said, "Since Eunuch Dai is here, it would be inappropriate not to have a drink."

Dai Zhong naturally agreed happily.

After having a meal and drinking in Ningguo Mansion, he slowly led his people away.

……

"Brother Rong!"

Just after sending Eunuch Wei away, my aunt Xichun appeared and came forward with a smile and asked, "What fun things did you bring from Jiangnan this time?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Of course there is."

Although this trip to the south of the Yangtze River was very urgent, I did not forget my aunts. It was just because I just came back yesterday and there were too many things to do and I couldn't share them all at once.

"where?"

"In the study."

"Go and have a look."

Xichun walked in front with a smile on her face, and Jia Rong followed behind his aunt, and the two of them entered the study room in the backyard together.

Xiaoxiao was playing with needlework at the door. When she saw the two of them coming, she hurriedly bowed to Xichun.

"Big girl."

"Ok!"

Xichun nodded and said with a smile: "Xiaoxiao looks taller."

Xiao Xiao immediately looked bitter.

For some reason, he has grown too fast recently and is even a little taller than Jia Rong.

She was very distressed about this.

Because petite and delicate figures are considered beautiful for women, being tall and fat are considered "taboos".

"What the young lady said makes people feel sad." Xiao Xiao said aggrievedly.

Jia Rong could only smile and comfort her, "Don't be sad, little aunt is praising you, you are tall and look good in clothes." Xichun nodded and smiled, "Yes, that's what I wanted to say just now."

Xiao Xiao bit her red lips and said with a smile: "Thank you, young lady, and thank you for the compliment, old man."

"Cuckoo..."

Xichun walked into the house with a smile on her face.

Jia Rong followed behind and asked, "Where is the reward from the emperor just now placed?
Xiao Xiao said: "It's in the box on the top shelf."

"Ah."

Jia Rong nodded and said, "Let's put it aside for now. It's not good to move those things around."

Then Jia Rong asked again: "Where are the etiquettes for the aunts?"

Xiao Xiao had already taken out a small box and placed it on the desk in the middle. She smiled and said, "It's all in here."

Jia Rong opened the box and said to Xichun, "The most famous gold shop in Jiangnan is Ruiyun. They have all the latest pearl hairpins and jewellery with flowery designs. You can choose first, little aunt, and the rest can be sent to other aunts."

Xichun picked one up and looked at it.

It is small and exquisite, and I can’t put it down.

Put it down again.

"Not urgent."

"I'll go call Sister Lin over, and Sister Lin will choose one first."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "You and Aunt Lin get along well."

Xichun raised her head and smiled, "That's right, we are the best of sisters!"

"Has Aunt Lin been living with us recently?" Jia Rong asked.

"Ah."

Xichun nodded: "There are too many people over there, and there are all kinds of scumbags. Sister Lin is fed up with it, so naturally she doesn't like to go there. The old lady only goes there to stay for a day occasionally when she wants to."

Jia Rong nodded silently.

Indeed!
Lin Daiyu was very smart and naturally understood who were the people over there.

"There are three hundred and sixty days in a year, and the wind, the frost, and the sword are pressing hard."

Of course, there is another important reason why Lin Daiyu has been living here recently.

Lin Ruhai’s letter!
When they last spoke, Jia Jing saw that Lin Daiyu looked uncomfortable, so he naturally became concerned. After asking Xichun about it, he found out that it was about the dirty things going on in the West Mansion.

He and Lin Ruhai served in the same court, supported each other, and were originally relatives. How could he bear to see Lin Ruhai's daughter being wronged here? So he mentioned a few words in his letter to Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai immediately wrote a letter to Lin Daiyu: You can stay in the East Mansion without any worries and learn to read and write with the elder girl...

"Sister Lin!"

Xichun "jumped" into Lin Daiyu's room.

Lin Daiyu now has her own courtyard in the East Mansion, and all her food, clothing, and other necessities are provided for her...

Naturally, the East Palace doesn’t need to worry about it.

From Lin Ruhai!
Lin Daiyu put down her pen, stood up and said with a smile: "Sister Xichun is here, please sit down."

Xichun smiled and said, "No, Rong'er brought some etiquette from Jiangnan. Let's go and choose one first."

"Oh?"

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips and smiled: "Do I have it too?"

Xichun nodded: "Brother Rong said, Sister Lin should take one first."

Lin Daiyu was stunned: "Why should I take it first?"

Xichun: "He is filial."

Lin Daiyu: "..."

……

Here.

Although Xiao Xiao had always been careful and conscientious in doing things, this time it involved "the imperial gift", and Jia Rong was still a little worried. He personally stepped on a stool to take a closer look, and placed everything neatly before coming.

But he accidentally brought down the top side of the "Three Character Classic" and dropped it on the ground.

Jia Rong had already put this enlightenment book aside and didn't pay much attention to it. He picked it up and planned to put it back in its original place.

A colorful painting floated down from the book.

……

(End of this chapter)