The Red Mansion

Chapter 102 Lin Daiyu: Stinky Man

Jia Zheng thought that at this point, Jiang Nian would end the topic of the Ministry of Works and the government warehouse.

However, Jiang Nian immediately continued, "Second Master, what you said is absolutely right. I should study harder and strive to make progress. The affairs of the government warehouses are related to the national economy and people's livelihood, and I am deeply concerned about them. It is a rare opportunity to meet you today, Second Master, and I would like to continue to ask for your advice. I hope you will be generous in your guidance."

Jia Zheng: "..."

Without waiting for Jia Zheng's response, Jiang Nian continued, "How are the moisture-proof and ventilated systems of the Tongzhou grain transport warehouses designed? How much grain is consumed annually? What percentage is lost?"

This question is more professional.

Although Jia Zheng was increasingly surprised by Jiang Nian's concern for the government warehouse, he still patiently explained it in detail...

Jia Lian gradually became irritated.

He had little interest in the government warehouse issue. As Jia Zheng and Jiang Nian's explanations grew increasingly technical, his impatience grew. Furthermore, it had been agreed that Jia Zheng would briefly meet Jiang Nian before leading her to Rongqing Hall to meet Lady Jia. The Rongguo Mansion's entire household was gathered there, waiting.

Due to etiquette, Jia Lian could not interrupt Jia Zheng and Jiang Nian, so he had to restrain himself.

……

……

Jia Mu's Courtyard.

At this time, Rongqing Hall was extremely lively.

All the concubines of Rongguo Mansion gathered together, including Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, Yingchun, Tanchun and Xichun.

Jia Baoyu was there too.

Even Lin Daiyu came.

Lin Daiyu didn't want to see Jiang Nian at first, but Sanchun and Jia Baoyu both insisted on coming. They wanted to see what Jiang Nian looked like and were also curious about what gifts Jiang Nian would give them, so Lin Daiyu was forced to come.

Lin Daiyu's eyebrows seemed half-furrowed, her eyes half-amused, a lock of hair plastered to her jade-colored cheek by a thin layer of sweat. She wore a light, rain-soaked, narrow-sleeved jacket, the collar sparsely embroidered with a few bamboo branches, and the sleeves edged with ivory-patterned silk. She wore a light green gauze skirt with folds, and a jade bamboo pendant dangled from a loose handkerchief at her waist. In her hand, she held a round gauze fan painted with lotus flowers in gilt gold, its handle stained with Xiangfei bamboo, resembling tear marks.

She had been waiting in Rongqing Hall for nearly half an hour. She didn't want to see Jiang Nian in the first place, and she was already impatient. Her brows were slightly furrowed, and she secretly complained to Jiang Nian in her heart: "What a stinky man! I don't even care to look at him, let alone his gifts. But he made me wait here for so long!"

At this moment, a housekeeper's wife hurried into the hall and reported to Lady Jia, "Madam, the boy is still in the second master's outer study. He has been there for three quarters of an hour and has not come out yet."

Grandmother Jia was surprised and thought to herself, "How could Zheng'er have chatted with that boy for so long? Given Zheng'er's personality, even a moment of conversation is rare. Moreover, it was agreed in advance that Zheng'er would only meet briefly before bringing that boy here."

After a slight hesitation, Grandmother Jia did not ask anyone to urge her, thinking that since Jia Zheng and Jiang Nian were talking so well, it would be inconvenient to interrupt them, so she continued to wait.

Everyone in the hall was either talking in low voices, or sitting quietly waiting, or as impatient as Lin Daiyu...

……

……

Jia Zheng's outer study.

Jiang Nian sat upright in the guest seat. He had already asked Jia Zheng all he needed to know about the Ministry of Works and the government warehouses, but he continued to pepper him with questions. "How many years has Second Master been Director of the Ministry of Works and Civil Service? When was he promoted to Deputy Director?"

Jia Zheng heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this question. Jiang Nian had just asked him about the official warehouse, and his questions had become increasingly specialized and in-depth, some of which had even made it difficult for him to answer. He was afraid that Jiang Nian would continue to ask more in-depth questions, and if he couldn't answer, he would lose face in front of Jiang Nian, his future son-in-law.

When Jiang Nian asked about his official career, Jia Zheng did not think it was rude. Instead, he answered cheerfully, "I have been the head official for seven years and was promoted to Deputy Minister three years ago." Jiang Nian thought to himself, "This Second Master is really not very capable as an official!"

Jia Zheng had loved reading since childhood and had originally aspired to enter the imperial court through the imperial examinations. However, upon his father Jia Daishan's deathbed, Emperor Jingning, mindful of their relationship as emperor and minister, not only allowed Jia Daishan's eldest son, Jia She, to inherit the title, but also summoned Jia Zheng and appointed him Director of the Ministry of Works' Construction and Cleaning Office.

In Daqing, people like Jia Zheng, who came from a prominent family and were granted official positions by the emperor's grace, could usually be promoted within three to five years, which was faster than those who passed the imperial examinations.

It took Jia Zheng seven years to be promoted from a chief clerk to a deputy minister, which shows that he was not a capable official.

Jiang Nian looked at Jia Zheng and thought to himself, "Perhaps I can help you get promoted to doctor as soon as possible!"

His concern for the government warehouse was not without purpose; he had a strategy in mind...

This strategy might help him gain further recognition from Emperor Taishun, or even the retired Emperor Jingning, paving the way for him to officially enter the imperial court next year. Furthermore, it might also help Jia Zheng's career advancement, killing two birds with one stone...

Seeing that Jiang Nian finally had no problem asking Jia Zheng for advice, Jia Lian coughed lightly and said to Jia Zheng respectfully, "Second Master, the old lady has been waiting for a long time. I'd rather not keep her waiting. Could I take Guard Jiang to you?"

Jia Zheng then remembered that his mother was waiting for him, so he nodded in agreement and said to Jiang Nian gently, "The old lady at home wants to see you. You can go with Lian'er."

Jiang Nian bowed to Jia Zheng and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Second Master. I've been bothering you for so long today. I'll ask for your advice another day."

After saying this, Jiang Nian followed Jia Lian out of the outer study and headed towards the inner residence of Rongguo Mansion.

The two of them reached Jia's mother's courtyard and entered the hanging flower gate. On either side were winding corridors, and in the middle was a hall, where a large marble screen with a rosewood frame stood. Beyond the screen, there were three small halls, and behind them was the large courtyard where the principal room, Rongqing Hall, was located.

On the platform in front of Rongqing Hall, several little maids dressed in red and green were sitting or standing. When they saw Jia Lian leading Jiang Nian in, they all rushed to open the curtains and talked with smiles.

Jiang Nian followed Jia Lian into the hall and saw that it was decorated with luxurious furnishings and filled with fragrance.

Grandmother Jia is over sixty years old and has silver hair.

Mrs. Xing, who sits stiffly and stupidly, and has a stubborn nature.

Mrs. Wang pretends to be dignified with sandalwood around her wrist.

Aunt Zhao, who is ignorant and has an angry look in her eyes.

Aunt Zhou is low-key, quiet and plain-looking.

Wang Xifeng, who is gorgeously embroidered and versatile.

Jia Baoyu, a little boy with a face that is neither big nor round but very white.

And a group of maids, wives and old women.

However, Li Wan, Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun and Lin Daiyu were not to be seen, because these golden hairpins had all retreated behind the green gauze cabinet and were now secretly peeping at the situation in the hall.

For a moment, everyone's eyes were focused on Jiang Nian, who was wearing the crown and uniform of a third-class guard. Most people thought that Jiang Nian was heroic and even majestic, but some people thought that he was not handsome enough and could not compare with Jia Lian and Jia Baoyu in this respect.

Jiang Nian first glanced at the crowd. Behind the green gauze cabinet, he could vaguely see some figures dressed in red and green, wearing precious hairpins and pearls. He could also vaguely hear whispers and giggles. He thought the girls from Rongguo Mansion were inside.

Jiang Nian then bowed to Lady Jia and said, "Junior Jiang Nian, I pay my respects to the old lady."

He is calm and his voice is steady.

(End of this chapter)