Yuanyang saw that the atmosphere was gloomy, mainly because Jia Heng didn't speak, giving people the illusion that "I'm very stressed." A layer of worry appeared on his duck-egg face with a few small freckles, and he whispered: "Old lady
, the food is ready, it’s time to eat.”
Jia Mu nodded, maybe she also felt that it was too difficult to force someone. After all, he was a vassal king of the country, a noble man from Tianhuang. People said that he had been a prince for decades. He had a deep foundation and it was indeed difficult to deal with. She said: "Okay, let's not do it now.
I told you, everyone is hungry, let’s eat first.”
Daiyu frowned, and her bright eyes were as bright as water. She looked at the young man with a cold face, and her gloomy eyebrows were filled with deep thoughts in the dusk.
Others only saw that he was powerful and prestigious, but few thought that he also had many rivals outside.
Isn't it like this when my father patrols salt in the south?
Baochai sat on the embroidered pier next to Yuan Chun, looking at the young man as well, her moist and shiny almond-shaped eyes filled with worry. She was not worried at all, but she had not come through the door, so it was not easy to ask more questions.
Jia Heng put down the tea cup, his face remained calm, and he said in a calm tone: "Anyone who commits injustice will be punished by death. I will treat you as such."
When Jia Mu heard this, her face changed, her lips moved, and she stopped talking.
And Tanchun looked at the young man with bright eyes, remembering that Brother Heng said this to the eldest master?
Um?
Something seems wrong somewhere?
The bright and atmospheric girl, as an early fan of Jia Heng, compared to the fans who joined later, she remembers every word of Jia Heng's early years in her heart. Looking back now, she feels that every word is more appropriate and meaningful.
Baochai read the words "Zheng Bo Duan Yu Yan", the girl's apricot eyes moved slightly, and her mind was crystal clear, and she had all kinds of guesses for a while.
If there is a back-up plan...
After Jia Heng finished speaking, he didn't say anything else.
After everyone had finished their meals absentmindedly, everyone sat down to talk again.
Jia's mother sat on the Arhat bed, with Yuanyang, Hubo and other maids rubbing their shoulders, and sighed: "Brother Heng, since years and years ago, there are several relatives in our family who always seem to have bad luck. I
According to the big girl, we have to wait for a few more days to have a peaceful marriage ceremony. Such things have happened in the house, which makes people panic. "
Hearing this, Jia Heng glanced at Yuan Chun, who was sitting quietly in the distance. This glance made Yuan Chun feel a little uncomfortable.
"Brother Heng, there are also bad lucks." Yuanchun said softly with his cheeks slightly warm.
Zi Buyu's strange power and chaos, let alone Hengdi, a general who leads troops abroad, think about these things and don't take it seriously.
Jia Heng said: "What eldest sister said is feasible. The garden has started construction in the past two days. Maybe some gods and Buddhas will be surprised. Or we can hold a water and land ceremony together."
Since I wanted some comfort in my heart, I simply did it together.
"Well, that's what I was thinking about." Yuan Chun said softly with a beautiful face, slightly lowering her beautiful eyes. She felt a little sweet that her proposal was recognized.
"I wonder how you and Girl Feng discussed the matter of repairing the garden? I never asked about it, but I heard that the group house where the servants usually live was demolished. You may have said so. Don't scare any gods.
"Jia Mu said softly, but subconsciously she didn't want to be immersed in the grief just now, and then continued: "There are still rocks and trees in the East Road courtyard that need to be transplanted..."
As he said this, he felt vaguely that something was wrong.
Sister Feng's phoenix eyes under her willow eyebrows turned, and she sighed in her heart. Now she really doesn't have to argue with the eldest master, everyone has been exiled, and no one can stop her from transplanting no matter how she wants.
Jia Heng said: "Now that the terrain has been surveyed and the pavilions and pavilions are under construction, I'm thinking of having them work in several shifts so that they can be built faster and completed sooner."
Jia Mu nodded, not knowing what to feel in her heart.
On the one hand, the eldest son and his direct grandson were exiled to other provinces, and on the other hand, the family had abundant financial resources and carried out large-scale construction projects. Is the family prosperous or declining?
Mrs. Wang's expression changed slightly and she said softly: "Old lady, I don't know how much money was spent. I only have some spare silver in the palace. I'll just use it like this. I'll think about it again."
I didn't realize it before, but now it was all the money spent on her second house.
Jia Zheng shook his head and sighed: "It's okay to build the garden slowly. Now that Rongguo has no successor, following the example of Brother Zhen of Dongfu, the imperial court will seize the government's money and take away his imperial edict.
I don’t know what to do next.”
Not only the Dongfu was talking about it, but the people in the West Mansion also had rumors. Jia Zheng also heard some rumors. Out of a responsible mentality, he had to remind his family.
Jia Mu angrily said, "I'm not dead yet."
This issue has obviously been considered in Jia Mu's mind. She doesn't believe that she is still alive. She lives here and will not leave. Who is bullying her, a widowed wife of a duke!
Jia Zheng's expression suddenly changed. He left the table and knelt down, saying, "Mother... my son doesn't dare."
"Okay, okay." Jia Mu held her forehead and signaled Lin Zhixiao to help Jia Zheng up.
Just a conversation between the two of them cast a heavy haze over Rongqingtang.
Especially Mrs. Wang's face turned pale, and her heart was full of shock and uncertainty.
He secretly thought, if the treasury is sealed, it would be better to spend the money quickly.
Mrs.
I really didn't expect this incident before, or I was still immersed in the news that Jia She and his son "escaped death".
At this time, everyone couldn't help but look at the young man.
Jia Mu's eyes were burning and she asked: "Brother Heng, the court won't take that step, right?"
Jia Heng shook his head and said: "Once the title of a criminal officer is revoked, the imperial wife will also be removed from the title. Such a punishment of exile, even the female family members will be exiled together, or even filled into the Jiaofangsi. Now there is no such implication.
The Holy Lord’s grace is so great.”
The unity of husband and wife is not an empty talk. If the husband commits a crime and is removed from office, the female family members must also be exiled or sent to the Jiaofangsi.
For example, Miaoyu's father, Chang Jin, once weaved for Suzhou. After his home was ransacked and beheaded, Miaoyu's mother knew her fate and couldn't bear the humiliation, so she hung herself from a beam with three feet of white silk.
Miaoyu, on the other hand, was a monk in a temple and was not noticed by the government, so she narrowly escaped disaster.
As long as Madam Rongguo survives, the Jia family will not send criminal female relatives into the Jiaofang Division.
The four major families in Dream of Red Mansions were copied after the death of Jia Mu.
When Mrs. Xing heard this, her face turned pale, and her heart was extremely frightened.
The imperial decree is gone, what should she do?
Not only Mrs. Xing, but also Mrs. Wang was also in a state of despair, her eyes were unclear and uncertain.
Suddenly she realized a question, if the second master is gone, will her royal wife be gone too?
However, Jia Mu comforted herself and said: "The palace is kind and generous, even if the imperial edict was taken away, it would not go that far."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "What the old lady said is true, so the female family members are not implicated in the case, so they have some dignity."
"Brother Heng, the Duke's Palace won't take it away, right?" Jia Mu hesitated and couldn't help but ask.
In other words, I subconsciously look for some answers I want to hear to confirm.
Moreover, it was Jia Heng who came to confirm it personally, so just one step further...
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said slowly: "After all, the name is not justified. Now no one in the Rongguo can claim the title. It is difficult to say who the Duke's palace will belong to in the future. It is easy to say when the old lady is here, but in the future... Anyway, it is better to make plans in advance.
stop."
The truth is unpalatable. There is not a single person in Rongguo who has ascended to the throne. "I ordered the building of Rongguo Mansion". In the sacred city where powerful people gather, will it be eye-catching or not?
Such a century-old palace has a vast mansion and numerous treasures, and there are always people who covet it sharpening their knives.
At that time, he was no longer a loyal and obedient king.
When Jia Mu heard this, her old face kept changing. In fact, she had thought about it before. Once she was a hundred years old, she would be afraid of the great Rongguo Mansion...
Mrs. Wang's face was also as pale as paper, her hands and feet were cold, and she could hardly breathe.
With the eldest house gone, the Rongguo Mansion will not fall on her second house in the future?
Jia Mu said anxiously: "Brother Heng, can't you ask for a favor from the palace?"
Jia Heng said: "The old lady has experienced a lot. Since she is a sensible person, why should she talk nonsense? We, Wu Xun, will retire with the country, and the Lord is almost our fate! Because of the Lord, our children and grandchildren do not have to study the imperial examination system.
Art, but Lord, to be honest, it is the imperial court that supports it, and it is also the foundation of wealth. If the descendants of later generations lose the titles they earned by licking the blood from their ancestors' swords, the rest of their wealth will be like rootless duckweeds. In this capital, so are the left and right.
Fish on someone else’s chopping board!”
Jia Zheng sighed and advised: "Mother, now that we have lost our title, why don't we go back to Jinling and wait a few years before trying to revive the family business."
As soon as these words came out, in conjunction with what Jia Heng said, it was as if the window paper had been pierced in front of everyone, and the cruel reality was nakedly presented to everyone.
It's not that Jia She's big house is gone and the second house can inherit the family business, but... the good times are still to come!
Mrs. Wang's heart was slightly shaken, and she felt five thunders hitting her head, and her body swayed. The jade bracelet serving behind her hurriedly stretched out her hand to support her.
Yuanchun and Tanchun also looked at each other. Although they had felt the importance of the Lord before, it was not very deep.
Xiangyun held his hat in one hand and listened to the conversation of several people, his face showing concentration.
Hmm, I don’t know how serious it is.
Baochai's jade face was as crystal clear as snow, and she was as indifferent as ice. She was thinking about it when she suddenly felt something strange in her arm, but it was the maid Ying'er beside her who touched her shoulder invisibly.
His eyes were dazed for a moment, and he sighed quietly in his heart.
How could I not know what Ying'er meant? If I had listened to my mother's words that day...
Daiyu listened to the conversation of several people, pursed her pink lips, lowered her eyes slightly, and was also thinking about her own affairs.
Her Lin family has been filled with princes for generations, and in her father's generation, she no longer held the title, but she took the imperial examination and became an official, thus maintaining her family reputation.
Mother Jia looked anxious and asked, "Brother Heng, is there no other way?"
"Why not?" Jia Heng's voice was like gold and stone, and he said in a deep voice: "Let Baoyu, Cong Geer, and Huan Geer join the army, earn a title in the future, and then ask for grace from the Holy One, and worship the ancestors of the Rongguo, and then you can keep the Duke of the country.
Mansion, revitalize the family reputation."
"Baoyu is still a child... Besides, he is not a soldier." When Jia Mu heard the mention of Baoyu, she felt anxious and said hurriedly.
"Brother Cong and Brother Huan..." Jia Mu turned around and said, and gradually felt like there was a lump in her throat, so she swallowed back half of the words.
If Brother Cong and Brother Huan were given titles, wouldn't the family property of the Duke's family fall into their hands?
This is absolutely not okay!
Looking at Jia Mu's hesitant expression, Jia Heng said: "Old lady, please take your time to think about it. There is no rush in this matter. Old lady is in her prime."
But Mrs. Wang felt like a big stone was weighing on her heart, making her almost breathless.
"Stop talking about this, it sounds scary." Aunt Xue smiled at the side and changed the topic.
Jia Mu nodded hurriedly: "Let's not talk about this anymore. As the old saying goes, the boat will naturally go straight when it reaches the bridge."
Then he glared at Jia Zheng and said angrily: "You are so good, why do you insist on bringing up this topic!"
Jia Zheng opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end it turned into a long sigh.
Jia Heng stopped mentioning the matter and said instead: "Knowing that the old lady loves to listen to operas, I thought of discussing with Sister-in-law Feng to go south to Suzhou to buy a Tongkun opera troupe, and put it in the garden for the sake of the children."
, the festival banquet is being prepared, and by the way, Sister Lin is not giving birth to a baby next month. If something like this happens again, there will be no need to hire a theater troupe."
Jia She and Jia Lian were expelled from the Rongguo Mansion. It can be said that Jia Mu was at the critical moment when she lacked a sense of security. Because of this, she immediately asked him to come over for dinner, subconsciously wanting to see his attitude.
Daiyu's heart skipped a beat when she heard the young man mentioning herself. Liu Ye's bright eyes flashed under her slender eyebrows, and she felt a little confused for a moment.
So I bought the troupe, is it for the old lady to listen to the opera, or is it for...
Heading south to Suzhou? Gusu?
When Daiyu thought about this, she couldn't help but raise her bright starry eyes and took a peek at Jia Heng. She saw that the young man seemed to be sensing something. He was lowering his head to drink tea and cast his gaze on Jia Heng.
Hmm, cool? Or warm?
Daiyu panicked, her eyebrows slightly lowered, and her slender hands gently stirred the red tassels of the sachet.
Baochai was holding a tea cup by herself, imitating the young nobleman's preening and enjoying herself. She had an elegant, bright and white face with a hint of baby fat, a light complexion, and turned her apricot eyes to take a peek at Daiyu.
Suddenly, the tea soup in the tea cup rippled, and the ripples expanded several times.
At this moment, Jia Mu also breathed a sigh of relief unconsciously.
In other words, Jia Heng's gentle attitude as always or even better than before gave Jia's mother a subconscious sense of security.
Most likely, the two houses of Ning and Rong are connected with each other and are as close as before... This is good.
Jia Heng advised: "Old lady, I said before in the ancestral hall that children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. Doesn't the old lady still have Lange'er? I don't know how glorious my family will be in the future."
Jia Mu sighed and looked at Li Wan who was serving beside her.
The young woman is currently wearing a blue chrysanthemum-patterned double-breasted coat and a moon-white underskirt. She has an elegant face without makeup, and there is a lingering tranquility between her eyebrows and eyes.
"Lang Ge'er is a good man. Like Baoyu, he will study hard and become an official in the imperial examination." Jia Mu sighed with emotion.
Baochai was sipping the fragrant tea, and the tea soup in the tea cup rippled again, and even a tea bead splashed out from the apparently small tea soup, which became more and more colorful, and her delicate body trembled slightly.
.
Li Wan called out softly: "Old Ancestor" and glanced at the young man from the corner of his eye. He saw that the Lopa hidden in his sleeves was pinched by a pair of plain hands with manicured nails, and the Lopa orchids were clustered together.
The invitation to be the host earlier was not in vain. This time, first it was with the master, and now it is with the old lady.
After a few days, a banquet will be held, and then a host will be invited.
Jia Heng talked to Jia Mu for a while, then looked at Aunt Xue and Baochai, and said warmly: "There are some things that I need to discuss with Aunt Xue and Sister Xue."
Aunt Xue originally wanted to ask Jia Hengdong to do it, but because of the result of Jia She's penalty, she was "jumped in the queue" by Jia's mother. Originally, she had to postpone it to a few days later. When she heard this, a smile spread on her plump face.
He thought and said: "Brother Heng, I went to Lixiangyuan to have a talk. Wen Long happened to be at home too."
Baochai also stood up at the same time and said goodbye to Jia Mu.
Seeing this scene, Daiyu's bright eyes flashed.
…
…
Prince Zhongshun's Mansion
It was the time of Xu Zheng, and the mansion with its deep courtyard was brightly lit and the silk and bamboo trees were in chaos.
King Zhongshun was hugging his concubine, listening to a few actors in costumes singing an excerpt of the play in which Wu Song drunkenly beats Jiang Menshen.
At this moment, a thin figure hurried up to the attic, walked around six glass maple leaf screens, stood on the red mandarin duck carpet that was a tribute from the Qianxiang Kingdom, bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty."
"What do you say?" King Zhongshun put down the wine cup, waved his hand, pushed Concubine Ji away, and stared at Zhou Changshi.
Zhou Changshi's face was not very good-looking, "Your Majesty, a letter has been sent from the palace, and the result of Jia She's case has come out."
"So fast? Who will supervise the execution?" King Zhongshun asked with joy on his face.
Zhou Changshi shook his head and said: "They were not executed. Both father and son were exiled to Guizhou. They were not pardoned. I heard that the title was worth the punishment."
The joy on King Zhongshun's face first quickly receded like a tide, and then he said in surprise: "Rong Guo has lost his title."
Zhou Changshi said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, your Majesty will still open your eyes after all, which shows that I have a lot of face."
King Zhongshun's face suddenly became gloomy, and he was obviously a little dissatisfied. How could he not kill anyone despite all his efforts?
Sensing King Zhongshun's thoughts, Zhou Changshi comforted him and said, "Your Majesty, one noble has been eliminated from Rongning's second mansion. Although there are no dead people, it's pretty much the same. Your Majesty, please be patient and don't be impatient."
"It's still a pity... But once you are exiled, you will lose your life if you can't protect it, just like Jia Zhen, hehe." King Zhongshun took a deep breath, his eyes flashed coldly, and he clearly had some thoughts.
Zhou Changshi said: "Your Majesty, this matter cannot be forced."
King Zhongshun nodded and muttered, then suddenly remembered something, put down the wine cup, raised his eyes suddenly, and said: "I remember, the Rongguo Mansion was built by the Ministry of Revenue allocating money, right? When Jia Zhen lost her title, she was sealed.
The government gave it to the child later?"
Zhou Changshi immediately guessed what King Zhongshun was thinking, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, Mrs. Rongguo is still here, I'm afraid it won't be possible to make it happen."
"Then the damn old woman can go back to Jinling. Since no one is serving as an official in the capital, why not go back to Jinling?" King Zhongshun sneered and said inwardly: "Now that the imperial court is in financial distress, the Rongguo mansion has been filled with wealth.
Government funds are used to alleviate national calamities, which is the right thing to do."
"Your Majesty, this action will ultimately harm your saintliness. If your Majesty secretly plots this matter, I'm afraid you will be tabooed by the Holy One." Zhou Changshi advised.
King Zhongshun frowned, the smile disappeared from his face, and his eyes deepened. He had to admit that what Zhou Changshi said was reasonable.
But he remembered the emperor's indifferent gaze in the court. Although he had no likes or dislikes, there was a kind of coldness that never fell.
King Zhongshun thought for a while and said solemnly: "Then let's take advantage of Rongguo Mansion first."
Zhou Changshi said: "My lord, please don't be angry. When the war comes, you will find someone who will look good to you!"
King Zhongshun nodded, turned to look up at Qi Guan'er on the stage, and whispered: "Qi Guan'er has also made great contributions. Tomorrow he will send enamel glass and porcelain bottles as tribute from the West, as well as Siamese tribute.
I selected a few Buddhist beads and jade Buddhas and rewarded him."