The Red Mansions

Chapter 1387 Daiyu: Is this chapter provoking her?

Chapter 1387 Daiyu: Are you trying to point at her?

Shenjing, Rongguo Mansion

In the hall of the rear residence, there are golden hairpins, pearls, jades, and brocades that are brilliant and magnificent. At a glance, there are beautiful flowers and herbs, and fairy gardens.

Jia Heng nodded towards Qin Keqing and said, "Wait a minute, I'll go see Momo."

By the way, Miaoyu has been pregnant with her second child for six or seven months, and her belly should be very big by now.

In the past two years, this nun has given birth to one baby after another, almost without stopping, and has fully indulged in the life of a mother.

It should have cured his eccentric and cold temperament.

Qin Keqing chuckled and said, "She is taking care of the pregnancy, and Sister Feng is busy running around. Everything is going smoothly."

Actually, I want to ask whether the baby in Mrs. Zhu's belly from Daoxiang Village is my husband's.

As time passed, Qin Keqing gradually heard the rumor that Li Wan was pregnant. After asking Fengjie, she found out the truth.

Jia Heng said, "I'll go take a look later."

Go see Miaoyu first, and then go see Jinyang tomorrow.

On Jia Heng's side, he was chatting with Qin Keqing, Youshi, You Erjie and You Sanjie. The atmosphere was warm and lively.

Soon, Qingwen walked quickly into the hall. The maid with thin shoulders and slender waist, with delicate eyes and eyebrows, was as charming and bright as usual.

At this moment, she stared at the young man, her eyes filled with tears and she was filled with longing. She called out, "Sir, the hot water is ready. You can go take a bath."

She hasn't seen the young master for more than half a year.

Since that time, the young master has never looked for her again.

Jia Heng nodded, and with a warm look he glanced at Qin Keqing and the three girls of the You family, and said with a smile, "You two can chat here first. I'll go take a bath and change my clothes."

Qin Keqing looked at him intently under her willow-leaf brows and said in a daze, "My husband, go."

Later, her husband will come to find her. After all, she is the legal wife.

At this moment, Jia Heng and Qingwen were walking slowly along the corridor with red lintels and green railings. It was a warm March day, and the setting sun shone on the railings, reflecting their figures of varying heights on the wall.

The intoxicating spring breeze in the evening, carrying the fragrance of soil, flowers and plants, blows on their faces. The warm sunlight shines on them, making them feel relaxed and happy.

This was one of the few pleasant times that Jia Heng had experienced in the past few years.

Over the years, we have been fighting wars in the east and the west, in the south and the north, without a single moment of rest.

Jia Heng looked at the girl who was walking silently beside him, stretched out his hand to hold Qingwen's slender hand, smiled and said: "Qingwen, it's been a long time since we last met, why are you still upset?"

Qingwen curved her eyebrows, pursed her soft pink lips, and said, "Sir, I can't help you with the life and death you have experienced in the outside world these years."

Jia Heng smiled coldly under his sword-like brows, and said, "You are a weak woman, what else do you want to help with?"

"Like Princess Le'an." Qingwen raised her round, white, pointed chin. Her pretty face, which was a little coquettish, expressed arrogance and meanness to the extreme.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "You should do things according to your ability. You, a maid who was born in the backyard, can't do those things. Just help me wash my bath and rub my back, that's all."

The intention to help was fake, but the real intention was to stick by his side.

Qingwen snorted softly, and a proud look reappeared on her face. She said softly, "Yes, I am suitable to give you a bath."

Jia Heng smiled and said softly, "Let's go. We've been drinking and we reek of alcohol. We need to wash ourselves clean later."

There was also a charming aura on her body, which she had just forgotten, and she was also holding her eldest daughter Fu'er.

Fortunately, my daughter is still young...

The two entered the room. At this moment, there was a wooden bathtub, steam rising up. Musk and flower petals were mixed into it, and a faint fragrance dissipated silently.

With Qingwen's help, Jia Heng took off his dragon robe. The sunlight shone on the young man's bronze skin. His muscles were strong, like a sculpture with firm lines.

Then, accompanied by the sound of "gurgling" bath water, I entered the bathtub.

Qingwen came up behind Jia Heng with a towel, scrubbed his arms, and said, "Sir, did you just come out of the palace?"

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Yes, Xianning and the little princess are both in the palace. I haven't seen them for more than half a year."

Qingwen hummed softly, biting her pink lips with her pearly teeth, and said softly, "Then I won't... serve you, sir."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Oh, Qingwen now knows how to take care of my body."

The former juicer now knows how to be considerate of others.

Qingwen's pretty, fair face blushed as she said, "I've been reading medical books lately, and they say that's not good for health and it's not a long-term solution."

She also wants a child.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Oh, my Qingwen has improved. Now she knows how to maintain her health."

Qingwen snorted and said, "My lord, you forgot that I can read and study. I remember that it was you who taught me how to read."

When I finished bathing, it was already dusk. Lights were on in the corridors. The orange candlelight cast circles of light and shadows, and time was quiet.

At this time, Jia Heng changed into a stone-blue brocade robe and tied a jade-inlaid belt around his waist. Just as he left the wing room, he saw a maid walking quickly towards him. She approached him and said, "Master, Miss Yuanyang has been waiting for a while. She said that the old lady of the West Mansion has prepared a meal and asked Master Heng to go to the West Mansion to eat."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "I'll be there right away."

As he spoke, he took a few quick steps along a long corridor and came to the hall.

At this moment, Qin Keqing, Youshi, You Erjie and You Sanjie were sitting around a round table with various dishes on it, chatting with Yuanyang who was sitting on a pear wood chair not far away.

Yuanyang's oval face with freckles was full of smiles. Her shiny black braid was draped over her shoulder. She said in a charming and smiling voice, "Master, you are here. The old lady wants Master Heng to come over for dinner."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "I'll go over and take a look."

Grandmother Jia must have something to ask, otherwise, since he has not been conferred a title, it is not worth her asking.

Qin Keqing's charming eyes beneath her willow-shaped eyebrows showed a hint of reluctance as she said, "My husband, please go."

Wait a minute, do you want to call your second sister, third sister and Sister-in-law You to give your husband a surprise together?

However, Yinglian is not young anymore, so maybe she can let her husband take her in?

At this moment, Jia Heng and Yuanyang, holding a lantern, walked slowly towards Rongguo Mansion.

Jia Heng turned his eyes to look at Yuanyang and said softly, "Yuanyang, what did the old lady call me for?"

Yuanyang did not hide it and said, "It seems that the second master is in Sichuan and wants to be transferred to the capital."

Jia Heng had an idea in mind. He came closer, took the beautiful lady's slender hand, and said, "Yuanyang, how have you been at home these days?"

In the pitch-black night, two blushes appeared on Yuanyang's oval face, as if covering up her freckles, and she said, "I'm not like that. I serve the old lady every day."

Jia Heng said: "You are not young anymore, you can't always serve the old lady."

Yuanyang chuckled and said, "I'm used to it. If I were to be a concubine in your mansion, I would not be able to adapt to it."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "That's fine, but you have to rest when you have children in the future."

Everyone has the right to choose his own lifestyle, and it cannot be forced. If Yuanyang was not the one who was by Lady Jia's side, the Yuanyang who played the three-announcement Yapai order, would he still like her?

When Yuanyang heard what the "child" said, her freckled face suddenly turned red like a rosy cloud, and she said, "I have no say in the child's affairs."

Jia Heng smiled, gently took the beauty's hand, hugged her in his arms, and said, "Then I will work harder and try harder?"

Yuanyang was in the boy's arms at the moment. She raised her eyes, and the boy's gentle gaze was reflected in her eyes. Then she saw the boy coming closer, and his unrestrained and intimate breath hit her face, and then it was imprinted on her.

Yuanyang moaned and gently stroked the boy's back with both hands. Her eyelashes drooped slightly, and there was a hint of shyness in her watery eyes.

Jia Heng gently reached into her clothes and grabbed Yuanyang, feeling a familiar feeling of softness and plumpness. The girl was already twenty-two years old. Compared with the tall and thin girl she used to be, she had lost some flesh. After a few years, she had obviously become much fuller.

Yuanyang blushed and said softly, "Master, the old lady is still waiting in Rongqing Hall."

As the two were talking, they walked through a three-foot-wide corridor and arrived at the Rongguo Mansion, which was separated by a wall.

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall——

The room was brightly lit, and under the eaves were maids and servants serving with their hands hanging down. At first glance, their clothes were bright and beautiful, not inferior to those of ordinary girls from small families.

Jia Heng and Yuan Yang walked into the hall, passing through the grids separated by exquisite glass and mica screens, facing the smiles and gazes of everyone, and quickly came to Jia's mother and said, "Old lady."

With a kind smile on her old face, Jia's mother said softly, "Brother Heng, you're back."

The young man in front of me always returns with a great victory every time he goes on an expedition. Even the little duke could not compare to him.

Jia Heng smiled, looked at Grandmother Jia, and said, "Is the old lady always in good health?"

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "I am in very good health. Every day we are at home talking and laughing."

At this moment, Baochai and Daiyu looked at the young man in the dark blue gown. Compared with the dragon robe he wore in the past, he looked less majestic and solemn, and more gentle and elegant.

Undoubtedly, this combination of youthfulness and the gentle demeanor of a mature man is truly captivating.

Daiyu blinked her bright, sparkling eyes under her furrowed brows.

Perhaps for the girl who is more obsessed with looks, she has already had a physical liking for Jia Heng.

Jia Heng sat down, and the maid beside him served him some fragrant tea, then slowly left.

Grandmother Jia asked, "Brother Heng, what did the emperor say when you went to the palace to see him this time?"

Jia Heng said: "We didn't say anything, we just had a meal together and discussed the military situation."

Grandmother Jia nodded and said, "It was not easy for Heng'er to travel from Liaodong to Korea this time. It was very hard."

Jia Heng said: "I'm not too tired."

Grandmother Jia nodded, a kind smile appeared in her eyes, and asked, "Brother Heng has made such a great contribution this time, but the palace has not said how to reward you?"

A look of concern suddenly appeared on Aunt Xue's fair and soft face, and she looked at Jia Heng intently.

All the beauties in the hall turned their eyes to the young man.

Tanchun held the handkerchief in her hand, her eyes fixed in a daze beneath her beautiful eyebrows.

Brother Heng still doesn’t talk to her when he comes back this time?

The previous few times, after seeing Jia Heng coming back, Tanchun arranged a marriage for him and "checked in" at other places, but he never came to look for her.

Jia Heng said: "The emperor in the palace has shown me great favor. Even if I have made some minor military achievements, it is only my duty as a subject. There is no need to ask for rewards for everything."

He didn't know whether the maids and servants in the mansion had any spies for the emperor, but there was absolutely no mistake in what he said.

If you ask for credit and reward after making a little contribution, it will easily make those in higher positions dislike you.

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Zi Yu is right. After all, they are relatives of the royal family. How can they ask for rewards for everything?"

Jia Heng said: "But..."

Jia Heng paused for a moment, then continued, "Not long ago, the Queen issued an imperial decree to marry Song Yan, the daughter of the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to me. We may choose a good date to get married in the next few days."

When these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.

Daiyu raised the corners of her mouth slightly with her brows furrowed. She snorted and said, "I was wondering why there was no reward and it was a marriage granted?"

Baochai gently pulled Daiyu's slender hand at this moment. Under her emerald eyebrows, her watery almond eyes seemed to have a hint of shyness. She said angrily, "Sister."

This is in front of so many people, and you don't know how to save face for the man. You are young and beautiful now, which is good in every way. But when the day comes when you are old and ugly, and he gets tired of you, he will know and regret it.

When everyone heard this, they all looked strange and puzzled.

I thought to myself, Miss Lin is still the same Miss Lin, her mouth is as sharp as a knife.

Jia Heng paused for a moment, then said in a gentle voice, "That's not wrong. Sister Lin had also met Sister Yan'er before."

"I've met so many people, and it turns out that they all want to be granted marriages." Daiyu said in surprise.

Jia Heng: "..."

Lin Duidui, you are back online now, right?

However, if he were to go somewhere else, would he be the one to blame?

Baochai pulled Daiyu's delicate hand and said, "Sister Lin."

Daiyu said shyly, "Sister Bao, you usually like to indulge him."

Grandmother Jia chuckled and changed the subject, saying, "You two can go back and argue later."

Everyone laughed when they heard this, and Rongqing Hall was suddenly filled with a happy atmosphere.

"As I'm talking, I feel hungry. Yuanyang, Amber, help me up, and let's go eat. Don't worry about the young couple." Grandmother Jia said with a smile.

Yuanyang agreed with a smile, and then she and Amber helped Lady Jia to walk towards the side hall not far away.

Everyone got up from their embroidered cushions and prepared to eat.

Jia Heng glanced at Daiyu at this moment, gently pulled the delicate hand of the Immortal Crimson Pearl Grass, and said softly, "You were also granted marriage, right?"

Daiyu snorted and said, "How can it be the same? Sister Bao and I have been following you since we were young."

Jia Heng: "..."

Actually, it is not wrong to say so. Chai and Dai were raised by him. They are childhood sweethearts and have an extraordinary relationship.

However, these are obviously words spoken by Daiyu in a petty manner.

As Daiyu spoke, she couldn't help but glance at the handsome young man from the corner of her eye, and a hint of shame and anger appeared in her bright eyes.

He thought to himself that when he returned, he would never be able to ask her and Sister Bao to serve him together.

Last time, she really made a fool of herself in front of Sister Bao.

Jia Heng didn't say anything else. He sat down and started having dinner around a few mahogany lacquered round tables.

Everyone picked up their chopsticks and started eating.

At this moment, a series of silver bell-like laughter came from outside Rongqing Hall, "Grandfather, you are eating here, but you didn't send someone to call your grandson's wife."

The smile can be heard before her red lips open.

Everyone looked up and saw a beautiful woman in gorgeous clothes, with her hair combed into a bun and a smiling face, walking into the hall.

It was Fengjie, and not far behind her followed Ping'er, Feng'er, Caiming and other maids.

"Feng girl, Lan is here..." Jia's mother said with a smile, and quickly swallowed the words "Why didn't Lan'er's mother come?" that were about to come out of her mouth.

"Madam, I heard that Brother Heng is back." Sister Feng was in high spirits, smiling widely, and her phoenix eyes sparkled under her drooping brows.

This heartless person, is she finally back? I gave birth to two children and asked her to help take care of them.

This time when he comes back, he must give her a child.

Jia Heng put down his chopsticks and looked intently at Sister Feng. He caught the strangeness in Sister Feng's eyes for a moment, but then his expression returned to normal.

There are a lot of smart people in this room, and they might be able to find some clues from some eye contact.

Sister Feng sat down and said, "Madam, I've been exhausted during this period of time."

Grandmother Jia chuckled and did not ask any further questions. Instead, she said, "Brother Heng is back. I will have to trouble you to run around this time."

Sister Feng was surprised and asked softly, "Why do you say that?"

Grandmother Jia glanced at Daiyu, weighed her words, and said, "The palace has granted another marriage, and the girl from the Song family, who is also the niece of the Empress, is promised to Heng."

Her granddaughter has been jealous since she was a child. When she has time, she will teach her a lesson. It is common for a man to have three wives and four concubines.

Sister Feng smiled and said, "Brother Heng is really lucky to have another beautiful woman granted to him?"

Jia Heng looked a little speechless, and said, "Xianning originally intended to bring them together, and the marriage was already arranged, and now it has been given a formal status."

When Daiyu heard this, her bright eyes flickered under her frowning brows.

Was this a hint at her?

What you mean is that she is not as virtuous and generous as Princess Xianning, right?

Humph, I want her to serve with Sister Bao again, but it’s impossible.

At this moment, Xiangyun and Baoqin watched the fight quietly without saying anything else.

If it were the same as before, Xiangyun would rush into Jia Heng's arms the first moment he came back, but perhaps because of their previous relationship, the little fat girl became quiet and shy instead.

As for Baoqin, she just watched quietly.

Then, he moved back to the living room and sat down to drink tea.

Under Jia's gray eyebrows, her old eyes could not help but be solemn, and she asked, "Brother Heng, I have something I want to ask you."

Jia Heng put down the teacup, his face became serious, and he said, "Madam, if you have anything to say, please speak frankly."

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Even Baoyu's father has been an official in Bashu for one or two years. When he returned to Beijing to report on his work last time, I saw that he was old and his temples were gray. He was a little worried about being an official in a foreign place. Brother Heng, do you think there is a vacancy in that government office in Beijing? Should we transfer him over?"

Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said, "When serving as an official in a local government, one term lasts three years. Second Master is in Sichuan this time, and he still has one year left. When the Ministry of Personnel evaluates him next year, he will be promoted, whether he is transferred to the capital or transferred to a local government. However, he will still be a third-rank official in the capital, but he may become a provincial education commissioner in a local government. After a few more years, he will be promoted to a provincial governor, which means he will be a second-rank official."

When Grandmother Jia heard the "road to promotion" that Jia Heng had paved for her youngest son, she was overjoyed. She smiled and said, "If there is a vacancy in the capital, it would be better to transfer to the capital first, and you can't keep sending him out."

Jia Heng said, "Wait until this year is over. Several officials in the government offices in the capital should have retired. If there is a vacancy in the Ministry of Personnel, I will ask if they can be transferred to the capital."

In fact, regarding the appointment of such civil officials, he could only give a heads-up, but it might not be useful.

Because the Minister of Personnel Yao Yu, who was in charge of personnel affairs, was straightforward and pedantic, and there had been impeachments against him in the past, he probably would not give him face.

If things get out, it's possible that he'll be left with nothing.

It was more convenient when Han Huang was the chief minister of the cabinet.

Mrs. Wang was listening to what Jia Heng and Lady Jia said. She couldn't help but tighten the Buddhist beads in her hand, her eyes full of anticipation.

The master is now a third-rank official. When he arrives in the capital, can he be promoted to a minister?

So she is also the wife of a minister? A second-rank imperial wife?

But Mrs. Wang obviously didn't know that from the local to the central government, he was mostly a minister of the third rank.

Jia's mother obviously also thought of the second-rank minister, and asked with a smile: "Brother Heng, do you think Baoyu's father has the possibility of becoming a minister of any department in the future?"

Jia Heng consoled her, "Madam, it would be better for the Second Master to serve as a prosecutor in the local area to gain experience in civil affairs and criminal law. He may have a chance to be a minister in the future."

Jia Zheng's qualifications and abilities are there. No matter how he is trained, being a minister is actually the pinnacle, unless his daughter can be made a virtuous concubine as in the original novel.

In the future, he will serve as the noble Minister of Rites.

Hearing this, Jia's mother smiled and said, "Brother Heng is right. Last time, when Baoyu's father came back, I asked him, and he said he still wanted to be an official in the local area to benefit the local people. I also asked you to persuade him."

Jia Heng said: "The Second Master has great ambitions, and it is not easy for the old lady to stop him."

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "What ambition? I just hope that he and Baoyu can live in peace and not have to become high-ranking officials. It would be good enough if they can enjoy family time together."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "That's true."

Aunt Xue listened to the two people talking and couldn't help but glance at Mrs. Wang, who had an indifferent expression and a smile on her face that was harder to suppress than AK. She felt a little jealous.

Her daughter Bao was married to Hengge'er, but the Xue family didn't benefit from it at all. Her sister was annoyed with Hengge'er every day, but she still benefited a lot from it.

(End of this chapter)