The Red Mansions

Chapter 432

Chapter 432

The Jade Rabbit falls in the west, and the Golden Crow rises in the east. Suddenly, the Shangyuan Festival is coming.

Because it is the Lantern Festival, whether it is the shops and restaurants on both sides of the streets of the capital, or the houses of Jia's mansion, curtains and lanterns are hung.

The fire department of the Wucheng Bingma Division, as well as the Bingma Commander of the five cities in the east, west, north, south, and middle, sent a large number of inspectors to push the water truck in the [-]th square of Shenjing City to patrol the fire prevention.

Outside the Rongguo Mansion, two carriages slowly stopped on the bluestone road and stopped in front of the door.

Fu Shi and his wife got out of the carriage, and turned to look at a young woman in a light red jacket and a stone blue skirt, surrounded by several women.

"Brother, you and sister-in-law are here, why bother calling me?" Fu Qiufang frowned and asked in a low voice.

Fu Shi said with a smile: "My Fu family and Jia family are family friends, we can be said to be close family members. Didn't you visit the old lady last time, and just went to say hello and greetings. Besides, your sister-in-law and I are here, and my sister is boring at home. It's important, why don't we talk to the daughters of the Rong Mansion together."

He saw that Mrs. Rong Guotai liked girls with good character and good looks the most. When he saw her last time, he heard from his mother that he also liked his sister's character.

On the contrary, it was his daughter-in-law, who was a little too shy to be on the stage, and she didn't want to take it with her, but she insisted on coming.

Moreover, there was a hint of sidelines in his heart.

"With Jia Ziyu's momentum, in the future, he will be named Duke Duke. Even if my sister is an ordinary wife, it will not be regarded as a disgrace to his character."

Today, Fu Qiufang is over twenty years old, similar to Yuan Chun's age.

Fu Shi's wife smiled and said: "My sister can't leave the door when she is at home. If you don't go through the second door, it is good to come and pay respects to Mrs. Rong Guotai's living Bodhisattva."

Fu Qiufang listened to her sister-in-law's words, but she couldn't say much, she raised her eyes and saw her elder brother handing over a name card, and they entered Rongguo Mansion together.

Perhaps it was because today was the Shangyuan Festival, Mother Jia's original anger also dissipated a lot, and she came to Tianxiang Building in Ningguo Mansion.

After all, this old lady is not a person who hides her heart.

At this moment, apart from Qin Keqing, Second Sister You, Third Sister You, and other women from the East Mansion in Tianxiang Tower, the king of the West Mansion, Mrs. Xing Er, Aunt Xue and Baochai's mother and daughter, Sichun, Chai and Dai gathered together. There are some maids and mothers-in-law, all beaming with joy, surrounded by pearls and emeralds.

Accompanied by Yuanyang and Fengwan, Jia Mu is laughing and talking, all she can see is beautiful clothes, and all she can hear is laughter. At this moment, there is only one song "Qingwen Song" ".

Sister Feng looked at Jia's mother and said with a smile: "The old ancestors have been resting in the house these few days. How can we mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandson-in-law, great-grandson-in-law, grandson, nephew, great-grandson, gray grandson, and grandson?" Didada’s grandson, granddaughter, granddaughter, aunt’s granddaughter, and aunt’s granddaughter are all worried.”

This was originally a joke on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the original book, and it was a joke that everyone thought was "cold and tasteless". Now it was said by Sister Feng, but it lost the ominous prophecy, reflecting the revival of the Jia family in the rising sun. The momentum immediately won the whole house, and everyone laughed.

Jia Mu laughed and said, "Feng Lazi's mouth shows that he is used to choreographing."

Qin Keqing also smiled and said, "Sister-in-law Feng's mouth, I know, but it's sharper than a knife."

When everyone heard this, they laughed again.

However, Baochai was sitting beside Daiyu, seeing this scene, there was a slight smile on his face, but there was a bit of deep meaning, and he stared at the graceful and gorgeous girl.

Perhaps this is a dialogue between the two ladies of the East and West.

Daiyu held a handkerchief, covered her mouth and smiled coquettishly, her eyes were bright and moist.

At this time, several people came from outside and said: "Old lady, Mr. Fu of the Fu family brought his sister over to visit the old lady. I didn't see anyone in the West Mansion. The nuns brought the young lady of the Fu family over."

Jia Mu said with a smile: "I was just about to add some excitement, and a foreigner came."

Sister Feng said with a smile, "Ping'er, go and meet me quickly."

At this moment, Qin Keqing also called her maid, Baozhu, and went outside to greet her together.

Ningguo Mansion, Outer Study Room

Jia Heng saw Fu Shi, listened to what he said, frowned, and asked, "Fu Tongpan wants to be released?"

Fu Shi stood up, bowed and said, "To tell you the truth, the Metropolitan Procuratorate is presiding over the Beijing Procuratorate recently. I want to seek a job transfer. I would like to ask you to help me. I am very grateful."

At this moment, Fu Shi looked respectful.

Jia Heng frowned, and said: "Fu Tongpan doesn't need to be polite, just sit down, now he is a sixth-rank bureaucrat, if he wants to guard one side at the same level, it may not be easy."

"The lower officials also know that this is difficult, so they are willing to demote the first rank to be the magistrate under Jingzhao's command." Fu Shi sat on the chair with half of his buttocks, and smiled.

Jia Zheng pondered and said, "If you are a county magistrate, don't you know if there are any vacancies in the counties under Jingzhao's jurisdiction?"

Fu Shi hurriedly said: "The student is interested in Weinan County under the rule of Jingzhao."

Jia Heng's expression was noncommittal, but his heart was a bit suspicious, and he said: "Fu Tong was transferred to the county, could it be that he was in Jingzhao Mansion and left some behind?"

Fu Shi's complexion changed slightly, and he said anxiously: "My lord misunderstood, if the subordinate officials can't be honest and honest, how could the governor of Xu Fu allow the subordinate officials to take charge of the prison affairs? It's just the people-friendly officials who guard the side, and only the subordinate officials wish in their lives Ear."

In fact, the magistrate of one side, known as Bailihou, is far more powerful than bureaucrats. In the original book of the Red Chamber, Lai Shangrong was the magistrate and went to the locality.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, and said: "Fu Tongpan, in fact, it would be better if he worked as a bureaucrat in Jingzhao Mansion. It is not impossible to transfer to the six departments in the future."

Fu Shi said: "The new Jing Zhaoyin has not yet been selected. When he takes office, the lower officials are also quite nervous."

Xu Lu, the former governor of Jingzhao Mansion, was promoted, and Jingzhao Yin became vacant all at once. Now that all parties are in contention, Emperor Chongping seems to be hesitant.

Jia Heng pondered and said: "It is actually not difficult to recommend Fu Tongpan as one of the parents. It's just that the local officials are not colleagues and subordinates, and the relationship is very important. Fu Tongpan had no experience in governing a county before."

Fu Shi cupped his hands and said, "I hope the uncle can remind me."

Jia Heng said: "As the saying goes, serving as an official will benefit one party. Even if Fu Tongpan selects and dispatches foreign teams, he needs to be a little more cautious in terms of locality compared to the capital."

Local officials take the exam every three years. If they are above the middle level twice in a row, they can be promoted to Tongzhi or Zhifu of a prefecture. From this point of view, Fu Shi still has ambitions.

Fu Shi looked eagerly, and said: "I don't dare to say that I am talented, but I can be called diligent. If you are in a position, you should not make a big mistake and embarrass the uncle."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said: "Fu Tongpan, let me think about it, don't worry about this matter."

Fu Shi is a person, as his name suggests, he tends to follow others, but in a political group, it is impossible for everyone to be a gentleman of morality. The key is how to use Fu Shi.

Seeing this, Fu Shi was overjoyed, and quickly said yes.

Jia Heng didn't care either, looked at Jia Zheng who was at the side, and asked, "Second Master, how are you doing these few days?"

Jia Zheng nodded and said, "It's much better."

After three days, Jia Zheng adjusted his mood, and now his complexion is much better.

Jia Heng said: "Tomorrow, the Yajian Temple in the central part of Beijing will open its office. If the second master is not feeling well, it is better to take a few days off."

Jia Zheng sighed and said, "That's not the case. There is nothing serious about your body."

Fu Shi was listening to the conversation between the two, a little curious, but he didn't dare to ask more questions.

Jia Zheng turned around and said, "Earlier, I heard Lian's brother and daughter-in-law say that the house is going to build a garden. I heard from Qing Ke, an old man called Shan Ziye, who is proficient in this way, and he can preside over the construction."

Jia Heng said: "I have heard a little about this person, so it's all right to design him."

Shan Ziye is the designer of the Grand View Garden in the original work.

Then the two finalized the matter.

Jia Heng turned to look at Fu Shi who was at the side, and asked, "Now that the Jingzhao plan is imminent, is there any movement in Jingzhao Mansion?"

During this period of time, he was busy with the military affairs of the Beijing camp. Although he paid attention to the movements of the Beijing inspection from the investigation of the Jinyi Mansion, he did not know how he felt about the officials of the sixth and seventh ranks.

Fu Shi said: "This started from the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the Six Departments were also reviewing the test results. The officials heard that Xu Zongxian began to check the imperial censor's impeachment memorials in the past three years in the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and judged the censor according to his merits. "

Jia Heng nodded and said: "Self-examination before investigating others, it is also in line with Xu Deqing's personality."

The supervisory censor is the seventh-rank official, so he just took advantage of the Beijing-challenge dispute to rectify the Metropolitan Procuratorate first, and strengthen the control of the Metropolitan Procuratorate by the way.

But Fu Shi said worriedly: "I'm afraid this time the mountains and rains are about to come, and the wind is high and the waves are dangerous."

He wanted to be transferred, but he also wanted to evade it. He knew that Mr. Xu's character was actually tied up in Jingzhao Mansion, but now he went to the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Just to hide.

Jia Heng said: "If you do things with one heart, you are diligent and relentless, but you are not afraid of wind and waves."

A few people were sitting, and it was almost noon, and everyone finished their lunch together. Fu Shiyin had been toasting Jia Heng wine, unable to drink, and was led by the servants of Ningfu to the guest room to rest.

Jia Heng and Jia Zheng walked towards Tianxiang Tower.

Here in Tianxiang Tower, Jia's mother, accompanied by the female relatives of the two houses, has just finished lunch and is talking to several Yingying Yanyans.

Mother Jia looked at Fu Qiufang, who had a quiet demeanor and gentle eyes, and said with a smile, "Miss Fu, I'll spend the Lantern Festival with you here today, so it's okay to leave tomorrow."

Fu Qiufang said softly: "I appreciate the virtue of the old lady, but it's not easy to bother me now."

Jia Mu smiled and said, "There's nothing to bother you. It's the Lantern Festival, and it's lively and lively with my sisters."

Fu Qiufang had no choice but to agree.

Everyone saw that although he was born in a small family, but he was generous and fluent in his answers, they were secretly amazed.

A woman came in and said, "Old lady, the uncle and the second master are here."

When Jia Mu heard this, she looked around at the crowd and said with a smile: "The two of them are not meeting guests outside, so they are free now."

After a while, Jia Heng and Jia Zheng came in and saluted Jia's mother.

Mother Jia looked at Jia Zheng, although the smile lines on her face were restrained a little, but her concern could not be concealed in her voice, and she asked, "Have you recovered these two days?"

Jia Zheng said: "It's much better now. I'm tired of my mother's concern. It's because my son is not filial."

Mother Jia looked at Jia Zheng's face still full of sadness, and sighed: "You and I are both people with gray temples. As the old saying goes, children and grandchildren have their own blessings, so don't worry about it too much. Brother Heng is also there." Here, Baoyu will be under his care from now on."

Jia Zheng bowed his head, repeatedly saying yes.

Mrs. Xing is sitting beside Mrs. Wang at the moment, watching the scene of a loving mother teaching her son, laughing in her heart.

She had also heard about Baoyu the day before yesterday. Thinking about these men from the Jia family, they are lustful and absurd. Thanks to her childless half her life, she is clean and will not cause jokes and comments.

Sister Feng saw that the atmosphere was a bit dull, she immediately looked at Jia Heng, and said with a smile: "Brother Heng, just now we can talk about repairing the garden with the master, how about a regulation?"

These words also aroused everyone's interest, distracted from the matter of Baoyu, and looked at it.

Jia Heng couldn't help but glanced at Yuan Chun, and said softly: "The second master said that there is an old man called Shan Ziye who is an expert in garden layout, so let him make some drawings first, and then calculate the materials used."

There was a bit of joy on Jia Mu's old face, and said: "I have been looking at these two gardens, plants, trees, mountains and rocks for 20 years, and I am a little tired."

In order to maintain the huge daily expenses of Rongning and Ningfu, the second government was struggling to survive, and Sister Feng was so worried that she was about to lose her trousers, so why build a garden?Now after repeated rectifications, the finances are sufficient, and there is no need to use Daiyu's family wealth as in the original book.

For a while, everyone happily talked about the garden.

After waiting for a while, Lin Zhixiao's family smiled and said: "Old lady, the theater troupe is here, what do you want to watch?"

Mother Jia took the red gilt play list, handed it to Qin Keqing who was at the side, and said with a smile, "Brother Heng and daughter-in-law, you can do whatever you want, just watch and see, what play do you want?"

At this time, Qin Keqing was holding the play list, and said with a smile: "I don't usually listen to plays very much, but if I want to be lively, why don't I order Journey to the West for a discount."

Jia Mu smiled and said, "On festive days, it should be more lively."

At this time, Baochai took a deep look at the young girl surrounded by the second and third sisters You, her moist almond eyes flashed thoughtfully.

At this moment, the opera troupe set up in front of Tianxiang Tower beat gongs and drums and sang operas.

Jia Zheng was not in the mood to listen to the opera, and after saying a few words, he got up and left. When Jia's mother saw that Jia Zheng was here, everyone felt uncomfortable and didn't say anything to persuade him to stay.

Jia Heng went downstairs to see Jia Zheng off, and the two walked slowly along the garden bridge.

Jia Zheng sighed, and said, "In the past few days, Zi Yu has been worrying a lot about the affairs of the big clan."

"Second master, one family doesn't talk about two families." Jia Heng said, and then asked: "Master is in the water department of the Ministry of Industry, and now the Beijing inspection is imminent, and the court officials are dismissed. I don't know what to do. Does Mr. Zheng have any foreign appointments?" thoughts?"

Just now I saw that Fu Shi was looking for a foreign post. Jia Zheng is now a member of the Water Division of the Ministry of Industry, Wailang. If he can be transferred outside, he can also be promoted to a magistrate.

Jia Zheng said: "I originally thought this way, but the old lady is now in the spring and autumn period, and it is not easy to be transferred outside for a while. Now that the Beijing inspection is coming, the Ministry of Industry is now in a panic."

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, and said: "Master, you can stay here for now. This time in Beijing, I think there will be some vacant seats."

Jinyi Mansion's investigation of the corruption case of building the imperial tomb has entered the deep water area. When clues are found, not only King Zhongshun, but also the Ministry of Household and Industry will usher in a turmoil. At that time, I don't know how many positions will be vacant.

Rather than giving it to others, it is better to plan something for your own family.

Jia Zheng also needs to give something in return. When Jia Amnesty falls in the future, it will appear...he is not targeting the Rongguo Mansion.

Jia Zheng paused when he heard this, and said, "What does Ziyu mean by that?"

Jia Heng said: "The master has been in the Ministry of Industry for quite a long time, and it's time to move up."

When Jia Zheng heard this, his heart was shocked, he looked at Jia Heng in surprise, and said, "What is Zi Yu's plan?"

Jia Heng said: "It is also necessary to be promoted to the first rank, but the master is not good at common affairs, and needs a capable aide to assist him, and the few gentlemen in the master's study can only talk with their hands, and are not good at common affairs. "

Not only Jia Zheng, but now he is the deputy envoy of the Jingying Jiedu, and he also needs to enlist some assistant clerks to help with the processing of documents.

When Jia Zheng heard that the young man mentioned the Qing guests in the study, he felt a little ashamed, and said in a low voice, "What Ziyu said is true."

Jia Heng didn't say much either.

After sending Jia Zheng to the Rongguo Mansion to rest, Jia Heng turned back and was about to go to the inner study when she saw Qingwen coming across and said, "Young lady is waiting in the study in the west wing."

Jia Heng was a little surprised for a moment, since Brother Heng came out yesterday, he thought that Yuan Chun would be too ashamed to see him for a few days.

Adjusted so quickly?

In the small hall of the study in the west wing, I happened to see Yuan Chun, who was wearing a red jacket and a light yellow skirt, sitting on the pear wooden chair from yesterday, as if he was drinking tea, because he was facing himself , I can't see what kind of look it is.

At this moment, when she raised her eyes, her snow-skinned and jade-faced face was full of surprise.

"Brother Heng." Yuan Chun got up and called softly.

Jia Heng nodded at Yuan Chun, and asked, "Is there something Elder Sister is looking for?"

Seeing his warm eyes, Yuan Chun breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Brother Heng, did you just send Dad back?"

Jia Heng nodded and said: "Second Master is a little tired, I sent him back."

Said, approached, sat down, looked at the girl with gentle eyes like water, picked up the teacup, and asked: "If you have something to do, big sister, you might as well speak up."

Yuan Chun glanced at Qingwen, and said in a low voice: "I just want to tell brother Heng that the appearance of my uncle's family has been included in the candidate list of talents in the Wei Palace. Brother Heng said earlier that our family is not good with these clans. There are in-laws, but I don't know where my uncle is, does it have any influence?"

Hearing this, Jia Heng paused the hand holding the teacup, stared at Yuan Chun, paused for a moment, and said seriously: "I know something about this, where did Big Sister hear about it?"

Yuan Chun met that clear gaze, pursed his cherry lips, felt a panic in his heart, lowered his brows and eyes slightly, as if he was a bit embarrassed to speak, and murmured: "Yes...it was my mother who mentioned it to me yesterday..."

Jia Heng put down the teacup, and thanked solemnly: "That's really a big thank you, big sister."

It was almost the first time that Yuan Chun was able to report the news he heard from Mrs. Wang to him, which showed that in Yuan Chun's heart, he was worth a lot... It might be a little strange to say so.

In short, Yuan Chun has already started to think about him everywhere, which seems a bit strange.

Yuan Chun's beautiful eyes were soft and flowing, and said: "Brother Heng, this matter will not hinder you in any way?"

As he said that, he took a peek at the young man's expression, and seeing the joy on his face, for some reason, there was an indescribable joy in his heart.

Jia Heng said: "It's nothing serious, the Wang family and the Jia family are still somewhat different."

Some plans, he is not good at talking to Yuan Chun.

Yesterday, Princess Jinyang made efforts from Princess Xianning to clear up some misunderstandings of Empress Song. Of course, it is hard to say how much it will play in the end.

Seeing that the young man was confident, Yuan Chun felt relieved, and instead of asking any more questions, he said with a gentle smile: "Where are the account books that brother Heng mentioned before, I don't like to listen to the show, why don't you take a look at it now?" Well, let’s talk about it, I’ll go to the eldest princess’s residence tomorrow.”

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Big sister, wait a moment."

As he said that, he got up and took the account book from the bookshelf beside him, and handed it to Yuan Chun: "Big sister, the eldest princess was still talking about you yesterday, and when she said to go, it would be better if she could go there earlier."

Yuan Chun took the account book and asked casually, "Did Brother Heng go to the eldest princess's residence these few days?"

Jia Heng's expression was a little unnatural, and he said, "Well, sometimes I go over and sit down and talk about business matters."

Yuan Chun let out an "oh", lowered her beautiful eyes, flipped through the account book, swallowed back some comforting words, and sighed inwardly.

Brother Heng endured the humiliation for the sake of the Jia family, with such a strong personality, he would never want others to know about him.

And Jia Heng returned to the book case, picked up the brush, and continued to write the manuscript.

The two did not disturb each other, but Yuan Chun occasionally glanced at the young man in front of the mahogany desk from the corner of his eye to confirm that he was still there, but his heart felt a sense of peace.

(End of this chapter)