The Red Mansions

Chapter 514 Qin Keqing: Husband and that Xue family sister...

Rongguo Mansion, Meng Po Zhai

The night was low and the lights were bright, Jia Heng and Jia Zheng were sitting in a small couple separated by a side.

Jia Zheng picked up the chopsticks and lowered his head to eat the food.

Jia Heng put down the teacup, glanced at the crumpled paper, took it over and unfolded it, and asked curiously, "Is this the self-criticism written by Baoyu?"

When Jia Zheng heard the news, he looked at Jia Heng and said, "Ziyu, you can read it when he finishes writing. I have written two articles, so I'm still perfunctory and avoiding the important."

"Master, let me see what he wrote first." Jia Heng was noncommittal, reading by the light, and the densely packed small letters came into view.

The general idea is to say that I am selfless, cowardly and impolite, causing Jin Chuan to throw himself into the well, and then Baoyu's mental journey... Finally, it comes down to one sentence, wishing to be replaced by death.

Baoyu's literary talent is still good. Jia Heng looked at it and felt that it should be Baoyu's heartfelt words, but he had a feeling in his heart that even if time went back and it was done again, most of Baoyu who had written the review would still run away.

Baoyu has said too many similar things, but in the end they were all just talking, and none of them were fulfilled.

Jia Heng turned to pick up another piece of paper, and flipped through it. This one was a little more detailed, focusing on the story of the incident, without some psychological struggle.

After Jia Heng finished reading, he turned his head and glanced at Baoyu, who was fidgeting, and said: "Master, let Baoyu come over to eat some food. I'm probably starving right now."

Although Baoyu is holding a brush and writing with a brush at the moment, he actually pays more than half of his attention to the conversation between Jia Heng and Jia Zheng.

As soon as Jia Zheng reminded him, he also remembered that Baoyu hadn't eaten yet. Looking at Baoyu who was hungry and bitter, he reprimanded him, "Come here yet!"

Baoyu responded quickly and said, "Master Xie, Brother Xie Heng."

Jia Zheng said in a cold voice, "What are you looking like?"

Baoyu was startled and sat down quickly.

At this time, the boy brought a washbasin full of clean 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 teacup, sipped the tea, and didn't say much.

After finishing the meal in a rather dull manner, seeing Jia Zheng stop his chopsticks, Baoyu also put down his chopsticks, his head drooping, his face full of moonlight could not be illuminated by the candlelight, and it seemed to be covered with a shadow.

Jia Zheng said coldly to Baoyu, "I'll write the review after dinner. Do you hear me?"

"Yes." Baoyu murmured.

Jia Heng watched this scene quietly, looked at Jia Zheng and said, "Master, let's talk in the outer hall."

Knowing that Jia Zhengqing wanted to discuss the affairs of the court, he nodded, then got up and left the study with Jia Heng.

In the hall, the two sat down again as guest and host.

Jia Heng didn't make any detours, and went straight to the point: "Second Master, tomorrow's court meeting will definitely deal with the case of corruption in the imperial tomb. This case has been abolished by King Zhongshun. Right now, it's the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Household Affairs. I don't care about the rest. Just talking about the Ministry of Industry, after this case, the two hall officials and officials of the Tuntian Qingli Division will be severely punished, Zhao Yi, a cabinet scholar, will also be implicated, and half of the Ministry of Industry will be emptied."

When Jia Zheng heard the words, his expression was serious, and he asked, "What does Ziyu mean?"

"With the master's official voice, it's not difficult to be promoted to a higher rank after the event, and he can be appointed as a secretary." Jia Heng said, paused, and under Jia Zheng's expectant eyes, he continued: "However, if the master is at work If you are promoted to be a doctor in the department, you must study common affairs and undertake the errands of the department, which is not the master's specialty."

Jia Zheng, a member of the Ministry of Industry, Wailang, is an official of grace. He is basically a marginalized person in the Ministry of Industry, and he is also despised by some colleagues.

Jia Zheng's face was somewhat embarrassed, and he said, "Zi Yu, I also discussed general affairs with Cheng Rixing and others recently, and I have some understanding of general affairs."

"Those cleaners next to the master, if they joke around to relieve boredom, it may be okay, but if they advise the master and act as aides, I'm afraid it won't work." Jia Heng said.

Jia Zheng nodded and sighed.

How could he not know, it's just that talents are rare, he used to be Yuanwailang, and he couldn't attract some capable people with real talents and real learning.

Jia Heng said: "So, I think that the master may not have to seek transfer in the Ministry of Industry. At present, the Secretary of the General Administration, You Tongzheng, has been absent for half a year. If the master is transferred from the fifth-rank member Wailang to the Secretary of the General Administration, he can enter the fourth rank. It will be much more convenient to seek a foreign post in the future, at that time, you can start your experience from the local magistrate, and hire aides who are familiar with general affairs for reference."

Where Jia Zheng could go, because he was not born in Kejia, he was regarded as a turbid official. This first ruled out the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Imperial Academy, and he could only go to the Six Ministries, the Department of General Administration, and Dali Temple.

In the Six Departments, a court official like a servant can't get his turn.

As for Dali Temple's legal officials Duan Qiao, they are relatively professional, and Jia Zheng may not be competent. Besides, he has nothing to do with Dali Temple, so it is not easy to arrange.

Others, such as Taichang Temple and Guanglu Temple, are small yamen. It is better to stay in the Ministry of Industry as a doctor.

Once promoted to the fourth rank, he will be the magistrate or governor in the future, and then it will depend on Jia Zheng's good luck and ability.

"Secretary of the General Administration, You Tongzheng? This is the fourth grade, so it's not easy to be transferred?" Jia Zheng was slightly startled when he heard this, and he was not sure.

My heart was a little moved.

Jia Heng said: "Master has been in the Ministry of Industry for more than ten years. He has worked hard and made no serious mistakes. Moreover, because he did not want to join forces with Pan and Lu, he used the plan of the Beijing police to suppress and exclude the two officials. Report to the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and you will be recorded by the examination department, with this section, it will be a matter of course to be promoted to a doctor in the first division."

Jia Zheng recalled the previous events, and he felt a little confused after a sudden, "Zi Yu asked me to report to the Metropolitan Procuratorate earlier, it was because of this, it was just an earthquake..."

Jia Heng said: "It can only be said that with the help of the weather, even if there is no earthquake, they will not be able to do evil for a long time."

At the beginning, even if there was no earthquake, he could calmly make arrangements to make the case of corruption in the imperial tomb come to light.

Jia Zheng nodded and simply stopped mentioning the matter.

Jia Hengdao: "As for the Ministry of Officials, officials below the third rank can be promoted by the Ministry. Whether it is promoted to the doctor of the department or to the Secretary of General Administration, it is not a difficult task. It just depends on the master's will in the end. First go to the Department of General Administration to stay for a year or two, and then plan to release him?"

Even if it is to help Jia Zheng get promoted, it is not easy to force him to drink water. While respecting his willingness to choose, he is actually only given one choice.

If he was promoted to a higher rank and asked to be released, if this did not motivate him to choose, then Jia Zheng would be too useless.

Jia Zheng hesitated for a moment. On the one hand, he worked in the Ministry of Industry for more than ten years. He was familiar with all the personnel.

Jia Zheng pondered for a moment, then said: "I have been in the Ministry of Industry for many years, and now it is good to change to a yamen governor. The Secretary of General Administration...is a good yamen."

A fourth-rank official is one rank higher than a fifth-rank doctor, not to mention that he can be appointed as a foreigner in the future. It can be said that he has a bright future.

Jia Heng paused, nodded and said: "It is indeed the right way to promote the official position first, and then seek to relocate. The master can also be familiar with government affairs in the General Administration Department. Later, he will invite staff to know the affairs of the government. Overwhelmed."

Jia Zheng nodded, feeling somewhat pleased, and said: "What Ziyu said is true. I am still a half-knowledge in the field of common affairs, and I need to be more familiar with it."

Jia Heng said: "Then the master is waiting for news from me these few days."

Even if the matter is settled like this.

Jia Zheng suppressed the joy in his heart, turned to think about Baoyu, and said, "Ziyu, there is one more thing that needs your decision."

Seeing Jia Zheng's seriousness, Jia Heng was a little surprised, and said, "Master, please speak."

"It's Baoyu. He has a bad temper and doesn't like reading. After seeing this year, he is getting older. Otherwise, he wouldn't have teased with the maids in the house. I'm thinking about helping him as soon as possible in the next two years." Make an agreement on a marriage and wait two or three years before getting married, so as not to delay his lifelong event." Jia Zheng sighed.

Speaking of Baoyu, I feel that the joy of official career progress has also been diluted a little.

Jia Heng thought for a while, and said: "It's common for some famous families in Beijing to get married in advance, and there's nothing wrong with it. It's just that the master is someone who is in Baoyu's favor?"

"I haven't made any suggestion yet. I thought Ziyu, you have a wider circle of people. Can you help Baoyu pay attention to it? This is also a little selfishness of my father." Jia Zheng said, feeling a little ashamed, and sighed. .

Jia Heng heard the words, fell silent for a while, and agreed: "Master, let me and eldest sister take a look together."

What he said was a bit weird, and there was a sense of sight that my sister and I helped my brother-in-law to see.

Well, in fact, he can be regarded as Baoyu's brother-in-law.

But in the end, do you want to match Xia Jingui to Baoyu?Maybe this can change Baoyu's temperament?

Jia Zheng sighed: "I can rest assured that Ziyu can take care of it. I have been busy with outside affairs. In recent years, I have been lazy in housework and have failed to teach Baoyu and Huan'er. It is good that you can help him take care of him." of."

"Master's words are 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 a sigh of relief: "In fact, Baoyu's temperament is not bad, it's just a bit playful."

"I still know what he looks like." Jia Zheng waved his hand, obviously seeing through Baoyu, and then said with a sad face: "The matter of Yuanchun was delayed until now because I listened to the rumors, Ziyu. , Yuan Chun's marriage, you should pay more attention to it."

For a moment, Jia Heng felt that it was a little difficult to answer these words, and replied slowly: "I will pay attention to it."

Jia Zheng said a few more words of emotion.

Jia Heng glanced at the sky outside, and said: "Master, for today's affairs, you might as well come here first, there will be a court meeting tomorrow."

Hearing this, Jia Zheng couldn't do more to persuade him to stay, so he sent Jia Heng all the way out of the small hall.

Looking back, he said that Jia Heng left the hall, and then returned to Ningguo Mansion.

In the backyard, in the inner hall, surrounded by pearls and emeralds, warblers and swallows gather in groups, laughing and laughing non-stop.

At this moment, Mother Jia and the group were talking together before they left completely, and they were all surprised to see Jia Heng coming over.

Jia Mu smiled and asked, "Have you agreed with Baoyu and his father?"

Jia Heng sat down and said in a concentrated voice: "It's already agreed."

Mother Jia saw that Jia Heng didn't want to talk about it, so she couldn't continue to ask, but said with a smile: "You guys are doing things outside, discussing ideas together, we women in the back house don't understand these things, and we don't know what to do. It’s not good to say anything nonsense.”

Mrs. Wang, who was sitting beside her, changed her face, and her hand holding the prayer beads paused, faintly feeling that the words were beating herself.

However, at the moment, I don't know how many grades I can get if I help the master get promoted?Just ask later.

Jia Mu looked at the sky and said, "It's getting late now, and we're going back too. Your daughter-in-law has just been granted a first-rank order. Come to think of it, you and your daughter-in-law have a lot to say, so we won't bother you here." .”

As soon as these words came out, everyone laughed lightly.

Qin Keqing's jade face was as gorgeous as clouds and glowing like fire. She suppressed her shame and persuaded her to stay: "The old lady came here after a long time. You might as well sit for a while and talk for a while."

"No, I'm a little tired right now." Mother Jia said with a smile, and then she led the mandarin ducks and amber, and left Ningguo Mansion with Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue, Feng Wan, Chai Dai, Xiang Yun and others.

Second Sister You and Third Sister You looked at each other, and said goodbye to Jia Heng and Qin Keqing without staying any longer.

Immediately, the inner hall became empty again, only Jia Heng, Qin Keqing, Baozhu, Ruizhu and a few maidservants.

Jia Heng looked at the beautiful woman with a beautiful appearance. At this moment, she looked at herself with a smile on her beautiful and beautiful face, but she was a little shy because of her cheeks. She approached, took the beautiful woman's plain hand, smiled lightly, and asked : "Ke Qing, why are you still shy?"

Qin Keqing was held by Jia Heng, with her head lowered, she said softly, "It's just...it feels like a dream."

She felt that she didn't do anything, so she sealed a first-rank imperial order.

The smile on Jia Heng's face faded a bit, and after thinking about it, he guessed some emotions of his wife, probably because happiness came too easily, and there was some uneasiness and confusion in his heart, and maybe there were some other things.

Thinking of this, he took Qin Keqing's hand, walked towards the Kuayuan where he lived, and said in a gentle voice: "When I was in the wicker alley, I was not well-known. When you married me, do you know that I was in the house?" What are you thinking?"

"What are you thinking?" The jade man turned her vermilion lips and face, curling her willow-leaf eyebrows, a little surprise floated in her beautiful eyes.

Jia Heng looked at the surrounding night, lightly stroked his wife's shoulder, and said warmly: "Of course I was thinking, since you are willing to be poor and humble, I would like to share wealth and honor. No matter what happens in the future, I will treat you well."

This was a promise he made solemnly in his heart after marrying Qin Keqing, and he never told anyone about it, but he did it like this.

At the beginning, he had just come to this world, unaccompanied, estranged and unfamiliar with the specious world of Red Mansions, and an unspeakable loneliness haunted his heart.

Although he and Qin Keqing had an arranged marriage, there was no love at all at first, but because he had such a wife by his side, his sense of isolation from the world gradually dissipated, as if he had an anchor point, and the loneliness in his heart disappeared. .

Just like a wanderer wandering in a foreign land, having a family suddenly feels a sense of peace of mind.

Qin Keqing paused slightly, met those warm eyes, her heart trembled, for some reason, she faintly understood some of her husband's emotions, and said softly: "Husband, I..."

In fact, she is not that good. At the beginning, she still disliked her husband's bad reputation and didn't seek to make progress. Because of this, she was shaken by Baozhu's words, and even thought about regretting the marriage...

Maybe he didn't remember this matter for a long time, but every time in the dead of night, she felt a kind of sadness of asking herself, as if she felt that the husband and wife relationship between her and him was flawless, and she was not worthy to be by his side, enjoying all the benefits as honorable.

Perhaps it was because of the gods of guilt that her husband had someone outside... She actually found that her heart seemed to feel better.

Also, what is the relationship between your husband and the younger sister of the Xue family?
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.

Although Sister Xue hid it very well, she was still able to catch some unusual meanings. Those eyes were a little different from the admiration and attachment of the third sister and Sister Lin. It seemed to be a kind of... just like her, The eyes between men and women?
Seeing Qin Keqing who was dazed and thinking about something, Jia Heng smiled lightly, and said in relief: "Okay, stop thinking about it, I just got a first-grade imperial order, it's a happy thing, wait a few days to celebrate it , it’s late at night, we should also rest.”

Saying that, he took Qin Keqing's jade hand and walked towards the backyard.

Entering the inner room, after Qin Keqing finished removing her hair, she sat side by side with Jia Heng on the bed. At this time, maids Baozhu and Ruizhu each held a basin of hot water to help the couple wash their feet.

Qin Keqing leaned her head on Jia Heng's shoulder, and the soft and watery light reflected a beautiful and beautiful face in a gentle and gentle way, and said softly: "Husband, the empress has given you a lot of things today."

"I think it's because of what happened yesterday, the Holy Majesty gave you grace, and you got the empress's favor." Jia Heng said in a low voice, and gently pulled his wife's jade hand, the 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 jade man paused while talking about Sister Xue, intentionally or unintentionally.

Jia Heng looked as usual, and whispered: "Their young girls love this."

Qin Keqing gave a "huh", pursed her pink lips, and said, "Sister Xue said that she doesn't like these flowers and pinks usually, but she brought them here last time."

"Really? His temper is a bit strange." Jia Heng said softly.

Qin Keqing's water-like eyes flickered, and she said, "Husband, in two days, sister Xue's brother should be back, right?"

"It's these two days. I'll pick it up tomorrow afternoon." Jia Heng said softly.

Qin Keqing said softly: "Speaking of which, sister Xue is quite pitiful. She grew up with her aunt when she was a child, and she has such a lawless brother. With her character and appearance, her current marriage has not yet been settled. I don't know what my aunt is worried about."

Said, peeking at Jia Heng's face.

Well, she's actually not...jealous, she just wants to confirm whether it's what she thinks, or if it's just the unrequited love of Xue's sister's daughter's family.

After all, the husband is indeed rare in the world, and there are also some young girls who are in love with each other.

This is actually like later generations guessing that their husband is having an affair, and the wife who "seeks for perfection" also tries to make some jokes.

"Every family has scriptures that are difficult to recite." Jia Heng said with emotion.

Qin Keqing heard this, paused and said: "My husband, see if you can also help sister Xue manage a good family."

"The two relatives are separated by one floor. We are not close relatives or relatives, so it is not easy to control their affairs. They may say that we are too lenient." Jia Heng was silent for a while, and said softly.

Qin Keqing didn't know why, but a ridiculous sentence suddenly appeared in his heart.

Not relatives?
If you bring people over, maybe it's not a relative.

But this thought was more like a trivial thought, which was soon chased away by Qin Keqing.

"But now everyone in the house says that Sister Xue can be a man and can talk, so I think she's a good one." Qin Keqing's jade face showed a trace of complexity.

When the couple is together, apart from having children, they are nothing more than discussing the family's shortcomings.

"Husband, what kind of temperament do the girls in the West Mansion have?" Qin Keqing asked suddenly.

Jia Heng was stunned for a moment, and said softly: "I'm a man, and it's not good to talk about a little girl behind my back."

Some guesses arose in my mind, I am afraid that Keqing became suspicious, otherwise I would never have raised such a topic.

Qin Keqing smiled, and said softly: "Husband, let's talk in private. I see that the younger sisters are all good, with temperaments like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each with its own merits, especially the two younger sisters Xue Lin, who are even more special than others. different."

Jia Heng listened, his face paused, remembering what Yuan Chun once said, "After all, they are the two younger sisters Xue Lin, who are different from others", nodded and said: "The two of them are indeed outstanding."

Qin Keqing: "???"

Hmm, so quickly, did you show off your feet?

But looking at her husband's expressionless face, don't you feel like it?
After all, the two younger sisters are still young, and the husband usually seems to like plump and soft women, such as... But the second sister You and the third sister You have never met.

Jia Heng said softly: "The second younger sister is dull and elegant, the third younger sister is charming and charming, and the younger sister Yun is open-minded and open-minded. They are all beautiful girls."

Qin Keqing nodded and agreed: "I think so too, 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?

Jia Heng looked normal, thought for a while, and said in surprise: "It's very good, why did you think of saying this?"

"Well, I just think that Sister Xue is quite a nice person. Yinglian told me that if Sister Xue wasn't protecting her, she would have been bullied by Xue Pan. It is really rare that Sister Xue can do this." Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and she sighed softly.

Jia Heng said "oh", and didn't ask any more questions, let's stop with this kind of topic.

Seeing this, Qin Keqing couldn't say anything more, so she had to suppress some doubts in her heart.

After washing the feet, the curtain tied with golden hooks was slowly lowered, covering all the beautiful scenery inside.

It wasn't long before I heard voices of resentment, admiration, and weeping.

……

……

But Jia Zhengzhong went back to the study, sat behind the desk, picked up a book, read it absent-mindedly, and at the same time stared at Baoyu writing the review.

After a while, I suddenly heard the young servant report: "Master, old lady, lady is here."

Jia Zheng was stunned for a moment, and looked up, only to see Mother Jia and Mrs. Wang, surrounded by several maidservants, entering the study room, put down their books quickly, and called out: Mother. "

Baoyu also quickly and kindly called out: "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, and the light is not on, what can I do if I burn my eyes?"

Then, leaning on crutches, he came to Baoyu, held Baoyu in his arms, and shouted heartily.

Mrs. Wang also felt sorry for Baoyu, but she didn't dare to intercede for Baoyu like Jia's mother. Instead, she forced herself to smile and said, "Master, it's time, and you need to rest earlier. Don't make it worse." It’s the bones of the body.”

"Wait for Baoyu to finish writing the review." Jia Zheng said in a low voice, then looked at Jia's mother, and sighed: "Mother is getting old, and it's late at night, so I should go back to my room early to rest. How can I do it for this?" The beast has broken its bones?"

Mrs. Wang: "???"

Jia Mu said angrily, "You scolded my Baoyu again."

As he spoke, he called Sheyue, who came with him, and said, "Lead Baoyu down to rest."

Musk Moon responded with a low eyebrow, and then led Baoyu to go together.

Seeing that it was indeed late, Jia Zheng didn't say anything more.

Now that there were no outsiders, Mother Jia sat on a chair beside her and couldn't help asking, "What did Brother Heng tell you?"

Although she beating Mrs. Wang not to talk nonsense in front of Jia Heng, it doesn't mean that Jia's mother is not curious, especially after Jia Amnesty was exiled, Rongguo Mansion's momentum is not as good as before. Some can't sit still.

At this time, Mrs. Wang also raised her ears and listened intently, but she didn't dare to ask.

Jia Zheng sighed, "Mother, it's hard to say anything before you're done."

Thanks to the embarrassment of passing the decree earlier, Jia Zheng had already worked hard to nourish his anger, and felt that if he revealed it in advance, he might cause some troubles again.

The appointment and removal of personnel in the officialdom is like this, you need to be able to hold your fart.

Seeing this, Mrs. Wang paused and frowned.

Jia Mu nodded, and said tentatively, "You have been in the Ministry of Industry for these years, and you should move up. If you can be promoted to a higher level, you will be a fifth-rank doctor. You can be regarded as a top-notch doctor in the Ministry of Industry."

After all, she didn't come from Kejia, a third-rank official, she also felt impossible.

Jia Zheng said "Yes", and said, "If you can be promoted to the first doctor, it will be the emperor's grace."

Hearing this remark, Jia's mother became angry for a while, and secretly said, hide it for me too.

But after thinking about it, I feel that my youngest son seems to be like this... and has grown a little.

Mrs. Wang was somewhat disappointed when she heard this.

From a fifth-rank Yuanwailang to a regular fifth-rank, does he only go up one level?
Then, she is still a five-rank imperial order?

Thinking of the Yipin Gaoming from before, I couldn't help feeling restless.

(End of this chapter)