The night was low and the lights were bright. Jia Heng and Jia Zheng were sitting in a small couple across the street.
Jia Zheng picked up the chopsticks and lowered his head to use the food.
Jia Heng put down the teacup, glanced at the crumpled paper, took it over and unfolded it, and asked curiously: "Is this a self-examination written by Baoyu?"
When Jia Zheng heard the commotion, he looked at Jia Heng and said, "Zi Yu, wait until he finishes writing. You can't wait until he finishes writing. He has written two articles, but he is still half-hearted, avoiding the important and taking the easy."
"Sir, let me first take a look at what he wrote." Jia Heng was noncommittal and read by the light. Densely packed small regular script came into view.
The general idea is that he was talkative, cowardly and ungrateful, which caused the golden necklace to fall into a well, and then it was Baoyu's mental journey... and finally settled on the sentence, "I wish I could die."
Baoyu's literary talent was still acceptable. Jia Heng looked at it and felt that it should be Baoyu's innermost thoughts, but there was a feeling in his heart that even if time went back and it happened again, Baoyu would probably run away after writing his self-criticism.
Baoyu said too many similar words, but in the end they were just words and none of them were fulfilled.
Jia Heng then picked up another piece of paper and flipped through it. This one was a little more detailed, focusing on what happened and less of the psychological struggle.
After Jia Heng finished reading, he turned his head and glanced at Baoyu, who was already restless, and said: "Master, let Baoyu come over and have some food. He is probably starving now."
Although Baoyu was holding a brush and writing at the moment, he was actually paying more than half of his attention to the conversation between Jia Heng and Jia Zheng. When he heard the words, he felt excited, as if listening to fairy music.
As soon as Jia Zheng was reminded, he also remembered that Baoyu had not eaten yet. He looked at Baoyu, who was already hungry and had a bitter look on his face, and scolded: "Don't come here yet!"
Baoyu responded quickly and said: "Thank you, Master, and thank you, Brother Heng."
Jia Zheng said coldly: "What a cower!"
Baoyu was startled and sat down quickly.
At this time, the boy brought a basin full of water and asked Baoyu to wash his hands. Then he picked up the chopsticks, held the bowl full of rice, and started eating.
Jia Heng picked up the tea cup and sipped the tea without saying much.
After the meal was finished in a dull manner, Jia Zheng stopped using his chopsticks and Baoyu also put down his head, his head hanging down. His face, full of moonlight, could not be illuminated by candlelight, and seemed to be cast in a dark shadow.
Jia Zheng said coldly to Baoyu: "I'll write my self-criticism after dinner. Do you hear me?"
"Yes." Baoyu responded slowly.
Jia Heng watched this scene quietly, looked at Jia Zheng and said, "Master, let's talk in the outer hall."
Jia Zheng knew that they were going to discuss matters in the court, so he nodded, then stood up and left the study with Jia Heng.
In the hall, the two of them sat down again as guest and host.
Jia Heng did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Second Master, tomorrow's meeting will definitely discuss the case of corruption in the imperial mausoleum. King Zhongshun has been deposed in this case. The Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Household Affairs are currently involved. Let's ignore the others.
Let’s just talk about the Ministry of Works. After this case, the two ministers and officials in the field cleaning department will be severely punished. Zhao Yi, the cabinet scholar, will also be implicated, and half of the Ministry of Works will be wiped out.”
When Jia Zheng heard this, he looked solemn and asked, "What does Ziyu mean?"
"With the master's official reputation, it is not difficult to be promoted to one level later and be appointed as a doctor." Jia Heng said, paused, and said in Jia Zheng's expectant eyes: "However, if the master is at work,
If you are promoted to the position of doctor in this department, you will definitely have to study general affairs and take over the errands of the department. This is not what I am good at."
Jia Zheng, a member of the Ministry of Works, was a favored official. He was basically a marginalized person in the Ministry of Works, and presumably he was despised by some of his colleagues.
Jia Zheng looked a little embarrassed and said: "Ziyu, I have recently discussed general affairs with Cheng Rixing and others, and I have some understanding of general affairs."
"It might be okay for the Qing guests next to me to laugh and entertain myself, but I'm afraid it's not okay to make suggestions for me and serve as his staff," Jia Heng said.
Jia Zheng nodded and sighed.
How could he not know that talents are rare, and even though he was a foreign minister, he could not attract some truly talented people.
Jia Heng said: "So, I think you may not have to seek a transfer in the Ministry of Works. At present, the General Affairs Department has been vacant for half a year. If you transfer it from the fifth-rank Yuanwailang to the General Affairs Department, you can get the fourth position.
It will be much easier for you to seek foreign posts in the future. At that time, you can start with the local magistrate to gain experience and hire a staff member who is responsible for general affairs."
Where Jia Zheng could go, because he was not from Kejia, he was considered a Zhuoliu official, which first excluded the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Hanlin Academy. He could only work in the Liubu, General Affairs Department, Dali Temple and other affairs yamen.
In the Sixth Department, officials like the Vice Minister have no chance of taking a turn.
As for the Dali Temple official Duan Jian, he is quite professional and Jia Zheng may not be qualified for the job. Moreover, he has no connections in Dali Temple and is difficult to arrange.
Others, such as Taichang Temple and Guanglu Temple, are all small yamen. It is better to stay in the Ministry of Industry and become a doctor. After all, it is better to go to the General Affairs Department, which is the retreat department of the Jiuqing Ministry of yamen.
Once promoted to the fourth rank, he will be promoted to magistrate or prefect in the future. After that, it will depend on Jia Zheng's fortune and ability.
"The Secretary of General Affairs is on the right side of the General Administration? This is the fourth rank. It is not easy to transfer, right?" Jia Zheng was slightly frightened when he heard this and was not sure.
There was something moving in my heart.
Jia Heng said: "I have been working in the Ministry of Industry for more than ten years. I have worked conscientiously and never made any serious mistakes. Moreover, because I was unwilling to join forces with Pan and Lu, I used the Beijing Police's plan to suppress and exclude them. This happened precisely because of the plan of the two officials."
The application is submitted to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the records of the merit examination department are recorded. With this section, it will be a matter of course for him to be promoted to the rank of doctor."
Jia Zheng thought of what happened before, and felt a little confused at the same time. He said: "Zi Yu asked me to report to the Metropolitan Procuratorate earlier. It was for this reason. It was just an earthquake..."
Jia Heng said: "It can only be said that with the help of heaven and earth, even if there is no earth movement, it will be difficult for them to do bad things for a long time."
At the beginning, even if there was no earthquake, he could calmly make arrangements and make the corruption case of the imperial mausoleum known to the world.
Jia Zheng nodded and simply stopped mentioning the matter.
Jia Heng said: "As for the civil service, officials below the third rank can be promoted to the department. Whether it is to be promoted to the doctor in the department or to the General Affairs Department, it is not a difficult task. It just depends on the master's intention in the end, whether to transfer the doctor to the department or transfer the doctor to the department.
First go to the General Administration Department and stay for a year or two, and then plan to go abroad?"
Even if he helped Jia Zheng get promoted, he would not force him to drink water. While respecting his choice, he only gave him one choice.
If promotion to an official position and job placement do not motivate him to make a choice, then Jia Zheng is too useless.
Jia Zheng hesitated for a moment. On one hand, he was working in the Ministry of Industry for more than ten years. He was still familiar with all the personnel and was a doctor. On the other hand, he was... a fourth-grade official.
Jia Zheng pondered for a moment and said: "I have been in the Ministry of Industry for many years. Now it would be better to change to another yamen governor. The General Affairs Department... is a good yamen."
A fourth-grade official is still one rank higher than a fifth-grade doctor, not to mention that he can serve outside in the future, so he has a bright future.
Jia Heng's face paused, and he nodded and said: "It is indeed the right way to raise your official rank first, and then seek to transfer the place. I can also be well-versed in government affairs in the General Affairs Department. It is not enough to hire staff to know the affairs of the government in the future.
The left is weak and the right is weak.”
Jia Zheng nodded, feeling a little pleased, and said: "What Zi Yu said is true. I am still a half-knowledgeable person in the field of general affairs. I need to be more familiar with it."
Jia Heng said: "Then the master has been waiting for news from me these days."
Even if the matter is settled like this.
Jia Zheng suppressed the joy in his heart, then thought about Baoyu, and said: "Ziyu, there is one more thing that I really need you to decide on."
Seeing that Jia Zheng was so solemn about his affairs, Jia Heng was a little surprised and said: "Sir, please speak."
"It's Baoyu. He has a naughty temperament and doesn't like to study. After seeing this year, he is getting older. Otherwise, he would not have teased the maid in the house. I am thinking about helping him as soon as possible in the past two years.
If he decides on a marriage and waits for two or three years before getting married, he will avoid delaying his life-long event." Jia Zheng sighed.
Speaking of Baoyu, I feel that the joy of career progress has been diluted a bit.
Jia Heng thought for a while and said: "It is common for some famous families in Beijing to get engaged in advance. There is nothing wrong with it. But can I be the one that Baoyu likes?"
"I haven't made any decision yet. I think Ziyu, because you have a wider circle of people, can you help Baoyu pay attention to it? This is also a little selfish of me as a father." Jia Zheng said, feeling a little ashamed, and sighed.
.
Hearing this, Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said, "Master, I'll take a look with my eldest sister."
What he said was a little weird, and it felt like his sister and I were helping my brother-in-law look at each other.
Well, actually speaking, he can be regarded as Baoyu's brother-in-law.
But in the end, should we bring Xia Jingui to Baoyu? Maybe we can change Baoyu's temperament?
Jia Zheng sighed: "I'm relieved that Ziyu can take care of it. I've been busy with outside affairs. In recent years, I've been lazy at home and have failed to educate Baoyu and Huan'er. It's good that you can help take care of him."
of."
"The master is serious. Since Baoyu and Brother Huan are the children of the clan, I should teach them well." Jia Heng thought for a while and said with relief: "Actually, Baoyu's temperament is not bad, he is just a little playful."
"I still know what he looks like." Jia Zheng waved his hand, obviously having seen through Baoyu, and then said with a sad face: "The matter of Yuanchun was delayed until now because I listened to the gossip. Ziyu
, you should also pay more attention to Yuanchun's marriage."
For a moment, Jia Heng felt that it was a bit difficult to accept these words, and he replied calmly: "I will pay attention to it."
Jia Zheng sighed a few more words.
Jia Heng took a look at the sky outside and said, "Master, for today's business, you might as well come here first. There will be a court meeting tomorrow."
When Jia Zheng heard this, he couldn't make any more efforts to persuade him to stay, so he escorted Jia Heng out of the small hall.
Looking back, Jia Heng left the hall and returned to Ningguo Mansion.
In the backyard and in the inner hall, surrounded by pearls and greenery, warblers and swallows gather together, with endless laughter and laughter.
At this moment, Jia Mu and the others had not completely left, and were talking together. When they saw Jia Heng coming, they were all surprised.
Jia Mu smiled and asked, "Have you made an agreement with me, Baoyu?"
Jia Heng sat down and said in a solemn voice: "It's been agreed."
Seeing that Jia Heng didn't want to talk in depth, Jia's mother didn't want to continue asking. Instead, she smiled and said: "You men are working outside and discussing and making decisions together. We women in the back house don't understand this, so we can't."
It’s not good to say random things.”
Mrs. Wang, who was sitting next to her, had a change of expression. She held her hand holding the prayer beads for a moment, and she vaguely felt that these words were a slap in the face to herself.
However, right now, I am helping the master to be promoted, but I don’t know how many ranks he will be promoted to? I will ask later.
Jia's mother looked at the sky and said, "It's getting late now. We've also gone back. Your wife has just been awarded a royal title. I think you and your wife have a lot to talk about, so we won't bother you here."
.”
As soon as this was said, everyone chuckled.
Qin Keqing's jade face was as gorgeous as clouds and as bright as fire. She suppressed the shame in her heart and said, "It's hard for the old lady to come here. You might as well sit for a while and talk for a while."
"No, I'm a little tired now." Jia Mu said with a smile, and then led Yuanyang, Hu Hue, Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue, Feng Wan, Chai Dai, Xiang Yun and others to leave Ningguo Mansion.
Second Sister You and Third Sister You looked at each other and said goodbye to Jia Heng and Qin Keqing without staying any longer.
Suddenly, the inner hall became empty again, with only Jia Heng, Qin Keqing, Baozhu, Ruizhu and a few other maids.
Jia Heng looked at the beautiful beauty. At this moment, a beautiful face looked at him with a slight smile, but her cheeks were so beautiful that she was a little shy. He came closer, took the beauty's bare hand, smiled softly, and asked
: "But Qing, why are you still so shy?"
Qin Keqing was held by Jia Heng, her head lowered, and she said softly: "It's just...it just feels like a dream."
She felt that she had not done anything and yet she was granted a first-grade title.
The smile on Jia Heng's face faded a bit, and after thinking for a while, he guessed that some of his wife's emotions were probably because happiness came too easily, and she felt some instinctive uneasiness, confusion, and maybe some other things in her heart.
Thinking of this, he took Qin Keqing's hand and walked toward the courtyard where he lived. He said warmly: "Back then in Liutiao Alley, I was unmarried. When you married me, did you know that I
What are you thinking about?"
"What are you thinking about?" The beauty turned her face with red lips and pink lips, and under her curved willow-leaf eyebrows, there was a hint of surprise in her beautiful eyes.
Jia Heng looked at the night surrounding him, gently touched his wife's shoulder, and said warmly: "Of course I am thinking that since you are willing to be poor and lowly, I am willing to be rich and powerful together. No matter what happens in the future, I will treat you well."
This was the promise he solemnly made in his heart after marrying Qin Keqing. He never told anyone else, but he did it anyway.
At the beginning, he had just come to this world and had no friends. The alienation and unfamiliarity with the specious world of Red Mansions, as well as an indescribable loneliness, haunted his heart.
Although he and Qin Keqing had an arranged marriage, there was no love at first, but with such a wife by his side, his sense of alienation from the world gradually dissipated, as if he had an anchor, and the loneliness in his heart disappeared.
.
Just like a wanderer in a foreign land, having a family suddenly feels a sense of peace of mind.
Qin Keqing's beautiful face paused slightly, and when she met those warm eyes, her heart trembled. For some reason, she vaguely understood some of her husband's emotions, and said softly: "Husband, I..."
In fact, she is not that good. At first, she disliked her husband's bad reputation and his lack of ambition. For this reason, she was shaken by Baozhu's words, and even thought about regretting the marriage...
Perhaps he had long forgotten this matter, but every time in the dead of night, she felt sad to ask herself, as if she felt that the relationship between her and him was flawless, and that she was not worthy of being by his side and enjoying all the things he had to enjoy.
Such honor.
Perhaps it was because of her guilt that her husband had someone outside... She actually found that she felt a little better.
Also, what kind of relationship does your husband have with the Xue family sister?
After all, the two of them stayed in the study for a long time, and recently, she occasionally saw Sister Xue peeking at her husband.
Even though Sister Xue hid it very well, she could still catch a slightly unusual meaning. The look in her eyes was a little different from the admiration and attachment of the third sister and Sister Lin. It seemed to be... the same as hers.
The look between men and women?
Looking at Qin Keqing who was lost in thought and didn't know what he was thinking, Jia Heng chuckled and said with relief: "Okay, don't think about it. I just got the first rank. This is a happy thing. I will celebrate it in the next few days."
, it’s late at night now, it’s time for us to take a rest.”
With that said, he took Qin Keqing's jade hand and walked towards the backyard.
After entering the inner room, Qin Keqing finished unloading his hair and sat on the bed with Jia Heng. At this time, the maids Baozhu and Ruizhu each carried a basin of hot water to help the couple wash their feet.
Qin Keqing rested her head on Jia Heng's shoulder, and the soft light of the water illuminated the beautiful face of the country, making it gentle and soft, and said softly: "Husband, the queen has rewarded me with many things today."
"I think it's because of what happened yesterday, the Holy Spirit sent me grace, and you won the Queen's favor." Jia Heng whispered, gently taking his wife's jade hand, her ten fingers were slender, soft and white.
Qin Keqing smiled and said, "I asked Sister Xue...and Sister Lin, and Sister Yun to pick out some jewelry."
The beauty said to Sister Xue, and seemed to pause intentionally or unintentionally.
Jia Heng's face remained as usual and he whispered: "These young girls love this."
Qin Keqing said "hmm", pursed her pink lips, and said: "Sister Xue said that she doesn't usually like these flowers and pinks, and the palace flowers were sent here last time."
"Really? His temperament is a bit strange." Jia Heng said softly.
Qin Keqing's beautiful watery eyes flashed and said: "Husband, in two days, sister Xue's brother will be back, right?"
"It's these two days. I'll take him back tomorrow afternoon." Jia Heng said softly.
Qin Keqing said softly: "Speaking of which, Sister Xue is quite pitiful. She grew up with her aunt and had such a lawless brother. With her personality and appearance, her current marriage has not yet been decided.
I don’t know how worried my aunt is."
As he spoke, he peeked at Jia Heng's face.
Well, she wasn't actually...jealous, she just wanted to confirm whether it was what she thought, or whether it was just unrequited love at the Xue family's sister's daughter's house.
After all, he is indeed a rare husband in the world, and there are also some young girls who are in love with him.
This is actually like later generations who speculated that their husbands were having an affair, and the wife who was "submissive and seeking perfection" also tried to test it with some jokes.
"Every family has scriptures that are difficult to recite." Jia Heng said with emotion.
After hearing this, Qin Keqing paused and said, "Husband, let me see if you can also help Sister Xue run a good family."
"The two relatives are separated by one floor. We are not related to each other, so it is not easy for us to control their affairs. People may say that our control is too lenient." Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said softly.
Qin Keqing didn't know why, but a ridiculous sentence suddenly appeared in his heart.
Not relatives or friends?
If you bring someone over, maybe it won't be a close relationship.
But this thought was more like a trivial thought, and was quickly expelled by Qin Keqing.
"But now everyone in the house says that Sister Xue can be a good person and speak well. I think she is also good." Qin Keqing showed a trace of complexity on her beautiful face.
When a couple is together, apart from having children, they are just talking about the parents' nefariousness.
"What do you think, husband, of the temperaments of the girls in Xifu?" Qin Keqing suddenly asked.
Jia Heng was startled for a moment and said softly: "I'm a man, and it's not good for me to talk about a girl behind my back."
Some speculations arose in my mind. I was afraid that Ke Qing might have become suspicious, otherwise she would never have said such a thing.
Qin Keqing smiled and said softly: "Husband, let's talk in private. I see that the sisters are all good, with temperaments like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums. Each has its own merits, especially the two sisters Xue Lin, who are even more outstanding.
different."
Jia Heng's face paused as he listened, remembering what Yuan Chun once said, "After all, it's the two sisters Xue Lin who are different from others." He nodded and said, "They are indeed outstanding."
Qin Keqing: "???"
Well, the truth was revealed so quickly?
But when you look at your husband’s face, which shows no trace of any abnormality, you still feel like he doesn’t look like him?
After all, the two sisters are still young, and their husband usually seems to like plump, mellow women, such as... But there is Second Sister You and Third Sister You, they have never met them.
Jia Heng said warmly: "The second sister is dull and showy, the third sister is heroic and majestic, and sister Yun is open-minded and cheerful. They are all beautiful girls."
Qin Keqing nodded and agreed: "I feel the same way, but I'm not as sharp as my husband."
Jia Heng: "..."
What does it mean to hit the nail on the head? Are you connoting it?
Jia Heng's expression remained normal. He thought about it and said in surprise: "It's so good. Why did you remember to talk about this?"
"Well, I just think Sister Xue is a very nice person. Yinglian told me that if Sister Xue hadn't protected her at the beginning, she would have been bullied by Xue Pan. It's really rare for Sister Xue to be able to do this."
Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly and she sighed softly.
Jia Heng said "Oh" and stopped asking. This kind of topic should be left to the point.
Seeing this, Qin Keqing couldn't say anything more, so he had to suppress some suspicions in his heart.
After washing the feet, the curtains tied with golden hooks were slowly lowered, covering up the beautiful scenery inside.
But not long after, I heard bursts of resentment, admiration, and weeping voices.
…
…
But it was said that Jia Zhengzhong returned to the study, sat behind the desk, picked up a book, and read absentmindedly, while also staring at Baoyu writing a letter of apology.
Not long after, I suddenly heard the boy reporting: "Master, old lady, madam is here."
Jia Zheng was stunned for a moment, then looked up and saw Mrs. Jia and Mrs. Wang, surrounded by several maids, entering the study, quickly put down the book, and called out: Mother."
Baoyu also quickly called out affectionately: "Old Ancestor."
Jia Mu glanced at Baoyu who was writing at the desk, and said angrily: "It's so late, why do you let Baoyu write, the light is not on, what should I do if my eyes are hurt?"
With that said, he came to Baoyu with a cane, held Baoyu in his arms, and shouted heartily.
Mrs. Wang also felt sorry for Baoyu, but she didn't dare to plead for Baoyu like Mother Jia. Instead, she forced herself to smile and said: "Master, it's too late. You need to rest early. Don't bear it.
Only the bones of the body are gone."
"Wait until Baoyu finishes writing the review." Jia Zheng whispered, then looked at Jia's mother and sighed: "My mother is old. It's late at night. She should go back to her room early to rest. How can she do this?
The beast has suffered a lot of damage to his body and bones?"
Mrs. Wang: “???”
Jia Mu said angrily: "You scolded my Baoyu again."
With that, he called She Yue who was following him and said, "Take Baoyu down to have a rest."
She Yue lowered her eyebrows and responded, then led Baoyu along.
Seeing that it was indeed very late, Jia Zheng said nothing.
There were no outsiders at this moment. Jia Mu sat on a chair nearby and couldn't help but ask: "What did Brother Heng tell you?"
Although she had previously beaten Mrs. Wang in front of Jia Heng not to talk nonsense, it did not mean that Jia's mother was not curious. Especially after Jia She was exiled, the momentum of the Rongguo Mansion was not as good as before. Now that the younger son is about to be promoted, he is also
Some can't sit still.
At this time, Mrs. Wang also raised her ears and listened attentively, but she did not dare to ask.
Jia Zheng sighed: "Mom, it's hard to say anything until it's done."
Thanks to the humiliation of the previous edict, Jia Zheng had already had some time to cultivate his energy, and felt that if he revealed it in advance, he would cause some trouble again.
That's how it is with personnel appointments and removals in officialdom, you have to be able to hold your tongue.
When Mrs. Wang saw this, her expression paused and her eyebrows furrowed.
Jia Mu nodded and said tentatively: "After all these years in the Ministry of Works, it's time for you to move up. If you can be promoted to a higher level, you will be a fifth-grade doctor. You will be able to make it in the Ministry of Works."
After all, she didn't come from Kejia, and she didn't think it was possible for her to be a third-grade official.
Jia Zheng said "hmm" and said, "If you can be promoted to a doctor, it will be a great favor from the emperor."
Hearing this, Jia Mu felt angry and secretly thought, hide it for me.
But then I thought about it, and I felt that my youngest son seemed to have... made some progress.
When Mrs. Wang heard this, she felt somewhat disappointed.
From a fifth-grade Yuanwailang to a full fifth-grade, does that mean you get promoted one level?
Then, she is still a fifth-grade imperial concubine?
Thinking of the first-grade imperial concubine from before, I couldn't help but feel irritated.
