The Red Mansions

Chapter 355 Sister Feng: Envious and angry again

In the evening, the sun sets.

Before Jia Heng returned from the Wucheng Bingma Division, he had arranged some missions to hunt down assassins in the government office, which was regarded as a response to the assassination of King Zhongshun.

Fang entered the flower hall, and before he was seated, he saw Jiao Da coming in from the eaves of the outer corridor, and said, "Master Heng, Wu Jinxiao from Heishan Village has presented a gift for the year of contribution. Seeing that the master has not returned, go to the inn on Ningrong Street to wait." It's over, sir, do you want to call them?"

"Not busy yet." Jia Heng waved his hand and asked, "Did the list ever come?"

"Here it is." Jiao Da lowered his hand in response, took out a gift slip from his sleeve and handed it over.

Jia Heng took the gift list and read it with lowered eyes, only to see that it was written in red, "Wu Jinxiao, Zhuangtou under the door, invites grandparents Jin An, and young lady Jin An..."

When I scroll down again, I can see a dazzling array of things, but I can't seem to see any clues.

I just saw: "150 big deer, 150 roe deer, 800 roe deer, [-] Siamese pigs, [-] soup pigs, [-] dragon pigs, [-] wild boars... Takeaway rice and livestock are all discounted Twelve thousand and eight hundred taels. There are things for filial piety under the outer sect: eight pairs of live deer, twelve pairs of white rabbits, six pairs of black rabbits, six pairs of live golden pheasants, and four pairs of Western ducks."

Jia Heng frowned, turned to look up at Jiao Da, and asked, "Is there any gift list from previous years?"

Jiao Da, who was standing with his hands down, paused, and said, "Master, this needs to be found in the warehouse."

Ningguo Mansion, a duke's mansion like this, has records of gifts and items.

Jia Heng nodded slightly and said, "I've searched for it, let me take a look."

If the big difference is not bad, he doesn't want to study it carefully, if it is greatly reduced, then don't blame him for investigating to the end.

After a while, Jiao Da found gift slips from the storeroom, more than ten sheets were made into a pile.

Accompanied by the flipping sound of "swiping", Jia Heng read intently, comparing the tribute items over the years.

It can be clearly seen that this year is several times less than the earliest year.

Of course, the number of Zhuangzi in Ningguo Mansion has also decreased in recent years.

For example, during the peak period, there were 33 Zhuangzi in Ningguo Mansion.

Now Zhuangzi only has seventeen places, seven or eight more than when Wu Jinxiao paid tribute in the original book. When the harvest is good, he can get 5 to [-] taels of silver a year.

However, in the past three years, floods and droughts have continued, and the more farms have failed to harvest, the profit and silver have fallen precipitously. Seventeen farms a year only receive 2 taels of silver, which is obviously going downhill.

Compared with the remaining eight or nine Zhuangzi in the original book, Jia Zhen calculated 5000 taels of silver a year, which is much better.

At that time, Jia's mansion was riddled with holes by moth ants after Yuan concubine visited relatives and built the Grand View Garden.

"There are many problems, but it is impossible to reduce them so quickly. According to the original book, there are only eight or nine Zhuangzi left in Ningguo Mansion. I am afraid that many of them will be corrupted by Wu Jinxiao and the Zhuangke, so that they will decrease year by year. I won't call him an old beheader, and even some Zhuangzi who can't make ends meet were sold by the Ning Mansion, and there are many doubts inside." Jia Heng closed the account book, looked up and saw that the sky was getting dark, lights were turned on everywhere, and there was a lamp on the corridor. A lamp is really beautiful.

Jia Heng was distracted for a while, thinking about the financial revenue and expenditure of Ningguo Mansion.

The sources of income for the Ningrong Second Mansion are generally the land rent and ground rent of Zhuangzi, houses, etc., the salaries of the hostess and hostess, and the sympathy silver rewarded by the priests of the Ministry of Rites during New Years and festivals.

First of all, the land rent and land rent of Zhuangzi and houses are not too bad at present in Ningfu, there are still [-] places left, and Rongfu should be more than this number.

Because Mrs. Wang's companions are doing rent-collecting jobs, which constitute the main source of income for Rongguo Mansion.

It's just because Rongguo Mansion has a large population and extravagant life, so the expenses are huge and stretched.

The second is the shops. Ning Mansion, together with the five shops he bought, now has eight shops.

On the other hand, in Xifu, due to poor management, there are only two left, and they are basically half dead.

If it hadn't been for Jia Heng helping Rongfu to raid Lai's house back then, Rongfu would have been unable to sustain it.

The last is the salary, and there is also a salary in the imperial order. As for the reward, as the original book says, rewarding silver is to look decent.

"As far as the Ning Mansion is concerned, there is still a surplus, but it needs to be rectified." Jia Heng thought about it, looked at Jiao Da, and said in a deep voice: "Put the account book here today, and let Wu Jinxiao and his son take care of themselves in the inn." Wait, don't go back, I'll ask questions tomorrow, and I'll pick one of each of the animals above as a sacrifice, and then I'll pick some to send to Xifu, and these couples of live rabbits will also be tidied up, so that They were sent to several girls' homes in the West Mansion."

Wu Jinxiao presented more than a dozen pairs of white rabbits, which could be given to Tanchun, Daiyu, and Baochai to keep and enjoy. Tanchun, Daiyu, and Baochai would love this kind of fluffy little animal.

After all, Baochai once flounced on butterflies, so she must be interested in the big white rabbit.

Jiao hurriedly responded and ordered people to go.

But it is said that Tongfu Inn, in the upper room of Tianzihao——

Wu Jinxiao and his son were eating wine with a few farmers, the smell of wine was drunk, and the cups were intertwined.

"Boss Zhuang, this new patriarch is not easy to mess with." A farmer with a flushed face said in a low voice.

Another farmer twirled a peanut and stuffed it into his mouth. His eyes were full of fear under his forehead, and he said, "I've heard that too. This is a ruthless character."

Wu Jinxiao put down the wine bowl in his hand, and said with a smile: "The past few years have been getting worse and worse. Everyone is fighting famine. No matter how tough the boss is, he has to be reasonable. I have spent a lot of money on this contribution." A lot of energy, and I also made up for it myself, if the owner is not satisfied, it can't be justified."

Another farmer said: "Extremely, extremely. In the past few years, there have been ten droughts and nine disasters in the world. It would be good for us to help maintain the farmland and make money. Otherwise, let these masters and wives farm the land by themselves."

Everyone laughed when they heard this.

"Drink, drink, I still need to see this Uncle Heng tomorrow." Wu Jinxiao waved his hand to stop his laughter, but his heart was worried.

After he entered the city, he had inquired about this Uncle Heng, and he didn't rub the sand in his eyes at all.

How to deal with it tomorrow still needs to be carefully planned.

Over the years, he intentionally let it go by making false reports of disasters, making several farmlands unable to make ends meet, dragging down the money subsidized by the government of Ningguo.

But he didn't know that those big merchants had already discussed with him in secret. With this method alone, they let their relatives buy several farmlands on their behalf, and their own life became more and more prosperous.

"I hope nothing happens tomorrow."

Wu Jinxiao thought so.

On the other side, while Jia Heng was speaking, he walked towards the backyard, and just when he arrived under the eaves of the inner hall, he heard laughter.

In the wing room of the inner hall, Qin Keqing was sitting on an arhat bed, packing up her official dress, surrounded by Yingying and Yanyan.

As the Chinese New Year is approaching, women like Qin Keqing need to go to the palace to pay their respects to the empresses of the two palaces, so they listened to the advice of Sister Feng who came to visit, and planned to try out the imperial costumes in advance to see if there was anything inappropriate, so that they could be revised in advance.

The second sister You, the third sister You, and the two sisters were sitting on the embroidered pier beside them, seeing the colorful and radiant make-up, the quiet beauty and the gorgeous face, they all felt envious at the same time. color.

Sister Feng was also served by Ping'er and other maidservants, chatting and laughing with her, while Xiangyun, Tanchun and Baochai sat aside.

Daiyu didn't come here because her body was not very sharp these days.

As for Baochai, she didn't come here to visit, but was ordered by her mother to invite Jia Heng as a host.

Earlier, at King Wei's birthday banquet, Jia Heng asked Princess Xianning to beg for favors in front of Empress Song. In the end, Empress Song was very generous and ordered Xia Shouzhong, the eunuch of the Six Palaces, to lead someone to the Ministry of Rites to interrogate, saying that the Xue family should pay tribute. There is no disagreement, what is the proposition of the Ministry of Rites?Hastily change the purchasing emperor?

With this inquiry, the relevant officials of the Ministry of Households were startled and frightened, and immediately had no excuses, so it was difficult to cooperate with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to secretly stumbling the Xue family's imperial business, so they wrote a note to the Xue family, used the seal, and then After verifying and writing off last year's account books, after finishing these, the treasurer of the Xue family went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to make a theory, and the results went smoothly.

Aunt Xue was overjoyed when she heard about it, especially when she learned from Baochai that it was the Empress Empress who was the most respected mother in the palace who had spoken. Son.

Baochai was dressed in a light red and white dress, with a snow-white face like Lirui, faintly absent-minded.

This kind of fancy dress, ordinary people can wear Fengguan Xiapei when they get married, and barely have a good time.

Sister Feng laughed and said, "We women only ask for these clothes in our lifetime."

With a peaceful smile on Qin Keqing's face, she said: "Sister-in-law Feng, no matter how good the clothes are, they are only for keeping warm and avoiding the cold."

"Hey, look at what you said, it's both envious and angry." Sister Feng looked at Second Sister You, Third Sister You, Baochai, Tanchun, and Xiangyun and said with a smile.

Everyone laughed, especially Xiangyun's coquettish smile, which almost made a silver bell ring, but made Qin Keqing's cheeks slightly flushed, thinking that she was a little flamboyant and frivolous just now.

Xiang Yun smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, don't be envious of others. In a few years, Lian's second brother will also earn a job for sister-in-law outside."

When Tanchun heard the words, he took a look at Xiangyun, and secretly tugged on Xiangyun's sleeve.

The smile on Baochai's plump face faded slightly, and she glanced at Xiangyun with clear almond eyes.

After all, Xiangyun's mind is full of enthusiasm, he thinks of what to say, and because he doesn't know what Jia Lian and his wife are doing, he doesn't think there is anything wrong with these words. Seeing Tanchun winking, he said confusedly: "What is the third sister pulling my clothes for?"

Tanchun: "..."

Baochai's apricot eyes turned away, and she couldn't bear to look directly.

The smile on Sister Feng Guazi's face froze at a speed visible to the naked eye, Danfeng's eyes drooped, she looked at the clothes of the order, and the bitterness in her heart welled up, and she sighed: "I can't wear this, and I can't expect that homeless person to help me earn the order... I'm afraid, I won't be so lucky in my life."

As far as the acquaintances donated by Jia Lian are concerned, unless they hold real positions, it is as difficult as going to the sky to ask Sister Feng to be a royal wife.

For a while, the atmosphere in the field became awkward.

Third Sister You's bright eyes under her beautiful eyebrows flickered, looking at Sister Feng's sharp melon-seeded face, thoughtful.

Second Sister You frowned slightly, looking at Sister Feng with pity in her beautiful eyes.

The second master of Lian, who heard that he was discovered to have committed adultery with his father's concubine, was rewarded as a concubine, so he was probably becoming more unscrupulous.

Qin Keqing also felt somewhat emotional.

"I didn't expect that the relationship between Sister-in-law Feng and Lian's second brother has reached such a point that it can't even be mentioned?"

Fortunately, at this moment, Rui Zhu entered the hall, broke the slightly awkward atmosphere, and asked, "Ma'am, Aunt Cai said, when will this year's spring festival rewards be sent to the priests of the Ministry of Rites?"

Qin Keqing was a little puzzled and said, "Is this a reward from the palace? Sister-in-law Feng has been in charge for a long time, did you ever know where the money came from?"

Seeing that Qin Keqing was puzzled, Sister Feng seemed to have regained some confidence, with a smile on her face, she said: "My younger sister has just managed the family, and I don't know what the name of the money is. It's just that people like us are not in a hurry to wait for these few taels of silver to be used as silver for the spring festival, but they can be collected early so that they can be used to buy ancestor worship, and it can also bring blessings to the house. 1 taels of silver are offered to the ancestors, which is not as grand and dignified as this holy family, such as those hereditary poor officials, but they are counting on this silver for the New Year."

As he spoke, he laughed to himself.

In the Rongguo Mansion now, the bank is plentiful, even Sister Feng has a little more confidence in her words, and the depression of discord with Jia Lian and his wife is a little relieved.

Qin Keqing said with a smile: "I have learned a lot."

Sister Feng lowered her Danfeng eyes, and looked again at the brilliant emerald beaded crown and the gold-silk and jade-decorated dress, the envy in Danfeng's eyes was so strong that she couldn't dispel it, she said with a smile: "Sister, why don't you try it now?" Try on clothes."

Qin Keqing said with a little embarrassment: "It's not a year or a festival, so let's replace it with an imperial order."

Sister Feng smiled and said: "Sister, isn't it just for us to see where the tailoring is appropriate? If it is too big or too small, we can change it in advance, so as not to make a mistake and make a joke when we go to the empress of the second palace to greet the New Year. It is."

Third Sister You said softly, "Sister Qin, why don't you change it first, and take a look in advance."

Second Sister You and Baochai also persuaded.

If you are not a woman, you may not be able to appreciate this novelty of new clothes.

Qin Keqing was also moved by the words, and smiled and said: "Those sisters and sisters wait a moment, I will go to the inner room to change."

Saying that, he left the wing room, and went towards the inner wing room under the service of the maids Bao Zhu and Rui Zhu.

"Ma'am, Second Mistress Lian, Miss You, Miss Bao, the uncle is here and waiting in the living room." Qin Keqing had just left when a woman outside came in to report.

Jia Heng is already sitting quietly in the inner hall drinking tea, since several people are in the inner room, it is not easy for him to rush in rashly.

While talking, I heard a laugh, and said: "Brother Heng, are you back?"

Before Dan lips smiled, he heard it first. It was none other than Sister Feng.

Sister Feng, Ping'er, Second Sister You, Third Sister You, and Baochai, served by their maidservants, walked into the hall through curtains amidst ringing rings.

Jia Heng nodded at Baochai, glanced at Second Sister You and Third Sister You, then turned to Sister Feng and said, "Sister-in-law Feng, are you not in charge of the old age at the house?"

Because the Chinese New Year is still ten days away, the Rong Mansion also has a lot of things that Sister Feng needs to take care of.

Sister Feng smiled sweetly, looked Jia Heng up and down with bright Danfeng eyes, and said: "Brother Heng, is this a sneak in from your busy schedule, come to your house to have a look?"

As he spoke, he asked, "Brother Heng, I heard that Wu Zhuangtou from Zhuangtian is here?"

Jia Heng nodded and said: "I just handed over the gift list, and a few girls happened to be there too. Wuzhuangtou of Heishan Village sent a dozen pairs of rabbits, golden pheasants, and black ducks. Sister Xue, second sister, and third sister If you like it, you can pick a pair and go back to raise and watch them."

Xiangyun's face was filled with joy, and he said: "Brother Heng, where is Tutu? I want to raise a pair."

Where have you had the opportunity to raise these at home before?

Tanchun smiled and said, "Sister Yun, stop arguing for it. If someone else's is missing, yours will be indispensable."

Jia Heng was also infected by Xiangyun's smile, and said: "Just as long as you like it, one person will take back a pair later."

Third Sister You smiled brightly on her face, "I also like these cats and dogs, but I haven't raised rabbits before. I thought it would be interesting to raise a pony."

She wanted to learn how to ride a horse, but someone never taught her about it.

Jia Heng smiled and said: "The pony is also looking for a groom to feed it. It is not as easy to raise as this rabbit. You can put it on the porch in the yard and feed it yourself."

Then, looking at Baochai, he asked, "Where is Sister Xue?"

Baochai met the warm questioning gaze, her apricot eyes trembled, and said softly: "I also adopt a pair, and let Yinger look after them."

Sister Feng smiled and said: "I also like these rabbits and deer. The meat is delicious, especially the soup, which is very nourishing."

Tanchun and Xiangyun: "..."

Everyone then laughed again.

Qing knew that Sister Feng was joking, but no one took it seriously.

After laughing, Jia Heng turned around and asked a nanny, "Where's Madam?"

Without waiting for the nanny to speak, Sister Feng took over the conversation and said, "Your Majesty is going to try on the imperial clothes, Brother Heng, please be safe and don't be impatient."

Jia Heng was slightly startled when he heard the words, and listened to Sister Feng's explanation, nodded and said: "Sister-in-law Feng is considerate, you need to check in advance, if it doesn't fit, you can come and change it."

If the married woman wants to enter the palace to meet the empresses of the two palaces, she needs to pay attention to her dress and etiquette, otherwise she will make jokes in Beijing.

(End of this chapter)