Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Xia Shouzhong hurriedly said:

"Your Majesty, the Dowager Lady Rong is seventy-nine years old this year, and will be eighty years old next year."

Xia Shouzhong had a premonition that another favor was about to be bestowed upon him!

Emperor Jingsheng nodded and pondered for a moment:

"It is rare for a person to live to seventy, and seventy-nine is also a long life. For the sake of the country, Zijie forbade the Jia family to hold a grand birthday banquet, but I cannot treat his elders poorly."

"Have the Empress draft a reward, including that golden nanmu wood screen inlaid with jade and depicting pine and crane symbolizing longevity, and also have the Empress personally write a square painting of 'Fortune, Longevity, Health and Peace,' and send them together to the Jia family as a birthday gift from the Empress and me to the old lady."

"Furthermore, instruct the Empress to add a note: 'The Dowager Lady of Rongguo, Lady Shi of the Jia family, is virtuous and prudent, gentle and respectful. Despite holding a position of great authority in the household, she diligently upholds the principles of domestic life, making her a worthy role model for the wives of nobles and officials!'"

This is to support Jia Jing and use Grandmother Jia to slap the face of the Princess of Nan'an and others!

Xia Shouzhong's expression hardened, and he quickly bowed and said, "This servant obeys the decree."

The question of who is being addressed by the phrase "carefully guard the fundamentals of the inner quarters" is self-evident.

Emperor Jingsheng didn't say much. He picked up a memorial from Jiangnan and scanned the text with his eyes. His cold and hard face became even more serious.

There's constant infighting and power struggles in Jiangnan; it seems like we have no choice but to resort to force!

Emperor Jingsheng pondered for a moment, then put the memorial aside and picked up the paper he had just written.

Through the candlelight in the hall, the light fell on the paper, clearly revealing that the poem written in vermilion ink was the very one Jia Jing had spoken of:

"Where is the victory of the Northern Expedition now? Every court official is utterly corrupt. Today, I wield the Emperor's sword, and only by slaying all the decay can I find peace!"

With just a few minor changes, the entire poem became even more menacing!

……

Rongguo Mansion

In the afternoon, the women, who did not drink like the male guests, finished eating first and then came to the courtyard. At this time, a stage had already been set up in the courtyard outside Rongqing Hall.

According to today's birthday banquet schedule, the female relatives will mainly accompany Grandmother Jia to watch operas in the afternoon, or arrange activities such as playing dominoes and strolling in the garden.

Male guests can enjoy tea and conversation in the outer study, admire the antiques and calligraphy collected by the Jia family, or listen to music.

Young ladies might be interested in strolling around the mansion or even forming a poetry club, if someone suggests it.

Having just finished their meal, the first thing to do was naturally to drink and listen to opera.

The stage faced north, directly opposite the corridor where Grandmother Jia and others were seated.

A large red curtain was hung on the stage, with colorful tassels hanging on both sides. Several newly moved begonias were placed in front of the stage, and they were in full bloom.

A row of rosewood tables and chairs were arranged under the corridor. In the middle, a large table was where Grandmother Jia sat with several ladies of high status and guests. Five or six small tables were scattered around the sides for the young ladies.

The table was already laden with seasonal fresh fruits and delicate pastries, and maids were bustling about, refilling tea and water.

With Yuanyang's help, Grandmother Jia took her seat, then pulled Zhen Shi and Li Shi to sit on either side of her, and smilingly invited everyone to take their seats in turn.

Lady Wang, Lady Xing, Aunt Xue, Lady You, Qin Keqing, Yuan Chun, and others sat on the other side of Grandmother Jia.

Xiangyun, being the most straightforward, saw that Baochai and Daiyu were still standing and hadn't sat down yet, so she hopped over in two steps, grabbed one of them with each hand, and said with a crisp laugh:

"Sister Bao, Sister Lin, you two sit at my table! The three of us can sit together and have a good chat."

Without saying a word, he pushed the two of them toward a small table to the side.

It has to be said that Xiangyun probably got along best with Baochai and Daiyu in the Jia family!

Baochai and Daiyu exchanged a glance, and for some reason neither objected. They smiled slightly and followed her to their seats.

Nian Shilan and Tan Chun sat at the next table, while You Erjie and You Sanjie sat at the very end of the table. Yingchun, Xichun, Xing Xiuyan, and others also found their own seats.

After everyone was seated, the maids brought over the opera folding book. Li Wan took it, respectfully handed it to Grandmother Jia, and said with a smile:

"Madam, this opera troupe is newly purchased from Jiangnan. I've heard they sing exceptionally well. Please select one of their performances."

Grandmother Jia took the folded opera pamphlet, flipped through it, and instead of making a decision, smiled and handed it to Zhen Shi:

"The Princess Consort will make the first suggestion."

Since Jia Jing had mentioned the embezzlement, Lady Zhen had been somewhat distracted. Upon hearing this, she snapped out of her reverie and quickly declined, saying:

"It's the old lady's birthday celebration, how can I order first? The old lady should go first."

Grandmother Jia then offered the gift to Li, but Li repeatedly declined.

Grandmother Jia then stopped refusing, squinted at the folded pages of the play, and smiled:

"Then let's start with a performance of 'Magu Presents Longevity,' which is lively, auspicious, and appropriate for the occasion."

The so-called "Magu Presents Longevity" is a play centered on the auspicious scene of presenting longevity, which combines Peking Opera singing and physical performance. The selected sections often include symbolic props such as colorful silks and longevity peaches. The performance effect is gorgeous and festive, and it is a must-order play for the birthday banquets of wealthy families.

Li Wan hurriedly relayed the message, and as soon as the gongs and drums sounded on the stage, the string and wind instruments played in unison. Several exquisitely dressed young actresses filed out, their water sleeves fluttering, singing melodious and graceful songs.

After the performance, everyone praised it highly.

Xiangyun clapped her hands and laughed:

"This opera troupe is really good! It's even better than the one we used to have."

Xi Chun, standing to the side, said proudly:

"Of course! These were specially purchased from Yangzhou, and they've all been specially trained, especially Fangguan, who is the best singer!"

The twelve young actresses naturally became the twelve officials. Xichun was young and had some contact with some of them.

Grandmother Jia nodded in approval a few times, then picked up the folding book and handed it to Zhen Shi:

"Your Highness, you can't refuse anymore. Today's guests are very important, so you have to request something."

Unable to refuse, Lady Zhen smiled and requested a performance of "A Bed Full of Official Tablets".

This play tells the story of Guo Ziyi's sixtieth birthday, when his seven sons and eight sons-in-law all come to offer their congratulations. The bed is covered with official tablets, and the play is extremely luxurious and lively. It is a very auspicious and festive play.

Amidst the sound of gongs and drums, the singing began again on stage. As Zhen Shi watched the performance, she whispered to Grandmother Jia:

"The play is well-written, depicting a house full of children and grandchildren, and wealth filling the home. The old lady is truly blessed with such good fortune."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia couldn't stop smiling.

After watching several lively plays, Grandmother Jia was in high spirits and had a maid bring the play covers to the young ladies' tables, saying with a smile:

"You young ladies should also pick something, instead of always listening to what this old woman likes."

Xiangyun then pushed Baochai and said:

"Sister Bao is the best at choosing roles, you come, you come!"

Baochai did not refuse. She took the play folding book, flipped through it briefly, and then selected "Lu Zhishen's Drunken Brawl at Mount Wutai".

Upon hearing this, Xiangyun pouted and tugged at Baochai's sleeve, refusing to let it go:

"Why is it another lively play? Sister Bao, we've seen several like this today. Dear sister, how about we choose something more refined?"

Although Xiangyun was naturally active, she was getting a little bored watching all the fighting and jumping around in the plays!

Baochai understood her meaning perfectly. Smiling, she patted her hand and explained calmly:

"Don't underestimate this lively play. This one uses a set of Northern opera 'Dian Jiang Chun,' with a rhythmic and melodious tune, which is extremely rare in opera."

"When that set of songs was sung, it was both generous and poignant, demonstrating more skill than those elegant operas."

He then recited the lyrics of one of the songs, "Parasitic Grass," from "shedding tears of heroes" to "letting my straw sandals and broken bowl drift with fate." After reciting it, he explained in detail the subtleties of the melody.

Xiangyun listened intently, savoring the words, nodding repeatedly, and finally clapping her hands in praise:

"Indeed wonderful! No wonder even Third Brother said that Sister Bao is well-read, knowledgeable, and different from others. After hearing this today, I'm truly convinced!"

Daiyu sat quietly to the side, peeling a longan in her hand, listening to the two talking with a half-smile.

Hearing Xiangyun's praise, she put the longan kernel in her mouth, slowly pursed her lips, raised her eyebrows slightly, glanced at Xiangyun with a half-smile, and said in a coquettish voice:

"You haven't even sung 'The Mountain Gate' yet, and you're already 'Making a Scene'! Of all the things your third brother said, you remember this one perfectly!"

Is she the only one who has read a lot? Is she the only one with broad experience? Is she the only one who is different?

snort!

Xiangyun was taken aback at first, then reacted, moved closer to Daiyu, her eyes flickered, and whispered:

"Sister Lin is so sharp-tongued; I'm afraid only someone like Third Brother can handle her in the future!"

Xiangyun often ate and slept with Daiyu, so she understood her feelings to some extent!

Daiyu blushed and playfully tried to pinch her mouth!

Baochai sat upright to the side, her expression unchanged, pretending not to hear.

Just as the performance was taking place on the stage, an old woman suddenly walked up to Tan Chun with a flustered expression and whispered something to her.

Upon hearing this, Tan Chun's expression changed, and she immediately stood up and walked outside!