The Red Mansions

Chapter 879 Jia Heng: Not by the plum, but by the willow...

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall

At this time, Xue Jun led Xue Biao to greet Jia Heng, with a flourishing smile on his refined face, he said, "Zi Yu, I haven't seen you in ten months, how have you been?"

After arriving in the capital, he heard that the young man in front of him was already a first-class marquis due to meritorious service, and he was also a minister of military aircraft, with an unlimited future.

Jia Heng's eyes were gentle, and he said with a smile: "Uncle, I haven't seen you for a long time."

Now the Xue family helps him run a business in Jiangnan, and then transports the goods to Nanyang Fanguo to earn profits from sea trade, and Xue's father is the host, so to speak, is also his helper.

It's just that Father Xue's health has not been very good these years, because sailing on the sea, traveling in foreign countries, eating and sleeping in the open, the root of the disease has fallen on his body, and Mrs. Xue's family suffers from phlegm disease, so Father Xue inevitably wants to make an early marriage for Bao Qin .

At this time, Xue Biao also hurriedly approached, with a slightly embarrassed expression, and softly called: "I have seen you, brother."

Jia Heng smiled lightly, took Xue Biao's hand, and said softly: "My brother, don't be so polite."

And Baochai, who was seated next to Aunt Xue, was the little hand that had pulled Baoqin close to him, holding it with two soft and greasy little hands, and said: "Sister, is it cold?"

Baoqin said: "Sister, I'm not cold."

Why did my sister say the same thing as Brother Heng?

The two sisters chatted about homework.

Baochai, however, cast her eyes on the young man in the python suit and black crown from time to time, and couldn't restrain the sense of pride deep in her heart.

And Bao Qin also peeked at the young man with a pair of moist almond eyes, she was so ashamed that she pursed her pink lips.

Why did Brother Heng kiss her like that just now?

And how will she tell the second sister about this in the future?

Jia Heng sat down, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "Old lady."

Jia Mu asked, "It's almost Chinese New Year, brother Heng, should Baoyu forgive him for once?"

Even though the psychic treasure jade was smashed into half pieces, for Jia Mu, it did not reduce her love for Baoyu. There is always a sunk cost in love.

Jia Heng asked: "Old lady, Baoyu is still kneeling in the ancestral hall?"

Jia Mu sighed: "That's not true, his father has a grudge against him. It was two children playing around. This is kneeling in the ancestral hall. The punishment is too heavy. Bao Yuniang is now accompanying him in the ancestral hall. Now, the snow has started to melt today, and it is also extremely cold."

Xue Jun, who was sitting on the pear wood chair below, listened to what Jia Mu said, picked up the teacup, and sipped the tea quietly, without any surprise in his heart.

Among the four families of King Xue of Jia Shi, Baoyu has a reputation for being stubborn from childhood to adulthood. It is not just that Leng Zixing, who lectures on the Rongguo Mansion, regards being born with a jade as an anecdote.

Jia Heng thought for a while, and said: "There is still some time before the Chinese New Year. Baoyu will kneel for two more days and copy the Four Books and Five Classics. Small punishments and big warnings are enough."

He said why Mrs. Wang is not holding the Buddhist beads today, so she went to the ancestral hall, too, after all, the weather is cold and there are no mosquitoes and flies.

Then let Baoyu kneel in the ancestral hall for two more days.

Jia's mother was surprised and said, "Need to kneel for two more days?"

Jia Heng said: "It's also because of the Chinese New Year, the affairs of the mansion are complicated, so be careful not to make any troubles, let Baoyu kneel down, just wait a few more days."

Seeing Jia Heng's insistence, Mother Jia's lips twitched, and finally turned into a sigh, and then said: "You are such a big deal, I asked Feng girl to hire an opera troupe, and there is a lot of fun at home these days. ,what do you think?"

"The old lady and Sister-in-law Feng are the ones who decide this matter." Jia Heng said casually, and said softly: "Actually, there is something that I need to talk to the old lady about."

Jia Mu asked in surprise, "What's the matter?"

Under the slender eyebrows of Sister Feng's willow leaves, the fierce and charming Danfeng rolled her eyes and looked at the young man with curiosity on her face.

Jia Heng said: "Last year, the historian asked Shihou's son to go to the five cities of the capital to serve as soldiers and horses. There happened to be a shortage recently. I would like to ask the old lady to tell the Shifu these two days."

This is actually to sell Jia Mu's face, so that Jia Mu can be respected in the historian's family.

When Jia's mother heard this, she couldn't help being overjoyed, but she blamed her on the face: "I told him a few times before, don't bother Brother Heng, I don't want you to remember it in my heart."

Jia Heng said: "It's also a casual thing. Shi Shibo does a good job in Henan, and the Wucheng Army and Horse Division just happens to be short of people.

Jia Mu said: "Yes, it's been almost half a year since we sent officials from other provinces. I don't know if they will return to Beijing this year?"

He thought to himself, if Baoyu can study hard, he will be able to use Brother Heng's strength to find him a part-time job in the future. Now he is kneeling in the ancestral hall and eating a little bit of hardship, so that he can talk in the future.

After Jia Heng finished speaking, he turned to face-lifting, looked at Xue Yun, and said, "Uncle Shi, go to the study at the mansion later, I still have a few things to say to Uncle Shi."

Xue Jun smiled and said, "I'll go there later."

Baoqin, who was holding hands and talking to Baochai, frowned, her heart skipped a beat.

Brother Heng will talk to Dad about her marriage later?Will you tell your father that you want to marry her?Ah, what is she thinking, if she wants to marry, she should marry her cousin.

The girl thought about it, her cheeks became slightly hot, and she quickly looked away.

Baochai was looking at the two people who were talking, and seemed to be aware of it. She looked at Baoqin who was silent, and asked, "What are you thinking, sister? But you are not feeling well?"

Baoqin didn't see her beauty as before, and said softly, "Second Sister, don't think about anything."

The warm smile on Baochai's white and greasy face continued unabated. Feeling the slightly sweaty Baoqin in her palm, doubts appeared in her apricot eyes.

Could it be that Sister Baoqin is because of the marriage proposed by her second uncle?
Jia Heng talked with Jia's mother for a while, and was about to get up and leave.

Sister Feng asked with a smile: "Brother Heng, all kinds of furniture and furnishings in the garden have been placed inside, when will Brother Heng go and have a look?"

Since Jia Heng returned to the capital, he was busy at the court meeting first, and then at the imperial temple offering prisoners, so he hardly touched the ground, and had no time to play in the garden.

Jia Heng said softly: "I'll go and have a look in the afternoon, but I don't have any business today."

Saying that, he got up to say goodbye to Jiamu, and went to Ningguo Mansion with Xue Yun first.

The two walked along the long corridor, Xue Jun looked at the tall and tall young man beside him, and said softly, "Zi Yu."

Jia Heng asked casually: "Shibo, how is the sea trade business in the south of the Yangtze River?"

It has been a few months since the sea ban was lifted at the beginning, and there was also a ship in Jinling, and the payment for the goods has only been gradually returned recently.

Xue Yun said: "Silk from Jinling is very popular in Nanyang. Some spices I brought are in high demand in Jiangnan and the capital. Many dignitaries are buying them. Ziyu, I brought the account books this time."

As he spoke, he took out an account book from the armhole and handed it over.

Jia Heng took the account book, but did not open it, and said: "Not only the goods from Nanyang, but also the porcelain, silk, and tea from my great man are also shipped to Nanyang Fanguo. The customs collect tariff lijin every year, which can also increase tax revenue for the country."

If the country's fiscal and taxation sources are too single, mainly agricultural tax, then the burden on farmers will be particularly heavy.

Xue Yun nodded, and said softly: "Some time ago, the imperial court was talking about negotiating a mutual market?"

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, then said: "Jurchen is different from Nanyang. Now the two countries are hostile. I, a big man, trafficked goods to Jurchen, which is undoubtedly an act of capitalizing on the enemy."

Xue Yun said: "I heard from some friends that Shanxi merchants were doing these illegal activities in private, but I didn't see the imperial court cracking down on smuggling. I thought the imperial court secretly acquiesced in this matter."

"That's smuggling. That's why Mr. Amnesty was exiled. It's a national policy of the imperial court. Although it's limited to manpower, Shanxi merchants haven't been able to enforce the laws of the country, but the sky net is full of laxity." Jia Heng said in a deep voice.

After all, Xue Yun is a businessman, so it's not surprising that she would naturally pay attention to profitable businesses.

Xue Yun nodded.

While the two were talking, they came to the outer study of Ningguo Mansion, entered the small hall, and divided the guests and hosts into seats. Qingwen carried the teapot and poured tea for the two of them.

Xue Yun changed her face after plastic surgery, and said, "Actually, I have something else to do when I come to Shenjing, and I want to entrust it to Ziyu."

Jia Heng asked curiously, "Uncle, please tell me."

"It's Baoqin. She is not young, and she is approaching the age of Ji after the new year. I want to help her arrange a marriage as soon as possible. However, the situation in Shenjing has been turbulent these years, and I want to consult Xia Ziyu. Opinion." Xue Yun asked.

In fact, this is not surprising, because compared to the Jia family's popularity in the original book, Xue's father will naturally not listen to the Jia family's opinions.

But what is the situation today?Jia Heng is Minister of the Ministry of War, Minister of Military Aircraft, Privy Councilor of the court, and a first-class Marquis of Marquis, Governor of Jinyi. He can be described as powerful and powerful.

Generally speaking, if there is an official in a family, he will be consulted on many matters in the family, not to mention that the Xue family is a vassal of the Jia family to some extent.

Jia Heng put down the teacup, suppressed the sweetness of intimacy with Bao Qin just now, and said softly: "What kind of family does Uncle want to find for Sister Bao Qin?"

Xue Jun smiled and said: "That girl Baoqin is a bit more evasive, I was thinking of finding a scholar for her, because I had some friendship with Meiyong, the Hanlin in Beijing, and he has a child who hasn't made an appointment yet, but still Some are not settled."

Jia Heng pondered and said: "The Hanlin Academy is a civil servant of the Qing Dynasty, which is not bad, but these years, many of the Chinese officials in Beijing have been involved in party disputes. Misfortune and fortune are unpredictable. Baoqin is still a little younger now. Uncle, why don't you wait for another two years and take care of yourself?" Choose a good son-in-law."

Xue Yun couldn't help being startled when he heard the words, and asked, "I don't know what kind of thing it is?"

Could it be that the Mei family can't last forever?
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said: "Nowadays, the position of the Eastern Palace has not been determined in the court, and the Hanlin Qingliu will cause many disturbances. I heard that Mei Hanlin also likes to talk about things, and the future is hard to say."

In fact, what he said was not false, because the poem written by Bao Qin spoiled her future fate: "Not by the plum, but by the willow."

With just this one sentence, Xue Jun was startled, and said in a deep voice, "Zi Yu, this..."

Jia Heng said: "Actually, uncle, there is no need to worry. Sister Baoqin is still young, and it will not be too late to wait another year or two."

If it wasn't for the fact that he couldn't help himself on the carriage just now, he wouldn't be in such a dilemma.

However, he also likes Baoqin's cute and soft temperament, and it's not because of Baochai, maybe he doesn't have much immunity to this kind of fat one?

"Don't I know this truth?" Xue Jun sighed, and said with emotion: "It's just that I have been traveling around all these years, and I don't know if my body can last until that day."

Jia Heng said: "Uncle, it is better to invite some famous doctors for diagnosis and treatment, and to take good care of it. Now the Xue family really cannot do without uncle."

Hearing this, Xue Jun's face showed a hint of sadness, and said: "The fate is numbered, and I don't know what to do."

Jia Heng reassured: "Uncle, just relax, look for more good doctors these few days, nothing will happen."

While talking in the study, Tanchun entered the small hall of the study, and under Jia Heng's surprised gaze, said softly: "Brother Heng, the captain of Jinyi Mansion sent someone to deliver a message to Brother Heng."

Seeing this, Xue Jun quickly said: "Ziyu don't worry about me, go and get busy with business first."

Jia Heng said: "Uncle, wait a moment, I will come as soon as I go."

As he spoke, he left the study room and before he came to the moon gate, he glanced at Zhen Lan who was following under the eaves of the corridor, nodded to her, then his eyes fell on Tan Chun's face again, and asked, "What's wrong with the third sister?" gone?"

Tan Chun said softly: "Brother Heng, the school lieutenant from the Jinyi Mansion came over and said that the elder Yang Ge delivered his resignation to the Secretary of General Administration, and everyone in Beijing is discussing this matter."

The girl is often by Jia Heng's side, and she can be said to have a clear understanding of the changes in the court situation.

Jia Heng was stunned for a moment when he heard the words, and said, "What am I supposed to be, so this is the matter."

At this moment, Zhen Lanming's eyes flickered, she looked at the boy's expression seriously, and asked, "Brother Heng seems to have expected something?"

Jia Heng nodded and said: "Okay, it's not a big deal, you guys go back to the back house first, let's go play in the garden later."

Rikain

After Jia Heng left, Xue Baochai led Baoqin to Lixiangyuan. The two sisters were whispering, but Baoqin was obviously absent-minded.

It's no wonder that the girl's mentality is out of control, just that time when she grew up so big, and now she is in front of Baochai again, apart from being shy in her heart, it is inevitable that she feels a little guilty.

However, he forcibly calmed down.

"Why did you come back with your big brother Heng?" Baochai asked softly.

Bao Qin said softly: "Sister, when I went to see Nuo Na, I met my brother-in-law who had just come from the military department."

"Military supervisor? You are a big...huh?" Baochai said softly, her plump and fair face turned red like rouge, her moist almond eyes looked at Baoqin, and said angrily, "You...what are you talking about?" ?”

What brother-in-law?The mouth of this Baoqin is unobstructed.

Bao Qin smiled softly, and said delicately: "Sister, Big Brother Heng told me that you are a couple, besides, on the boat, my sister cooks for her and weaves clothes for her. "

She was ashamed to say that when he was on the boat, Brother Heng often went to the cabin where his sister lived, and the two of them were tired of kissing together, Yinger seemed to be going to pee that day, and she saw it by chance that day.

Oh, why is she thinking about this again?

When Baochai heard this, two blushes appeared on her snowy and jade face, and she said angrily, "Sister, you can just call me in private, and don't call me indiscriminately when you are in front of others."

Bao Qin said softly: "Sister, don't worry, I won't shout."

In fact, if it was the scheming Zhen Lan, she would just pretend that she didn't know about it. In the future, she could still say that she didn't know about her sister and Jia Heng, and that she didn't mean to steal men.

But Baoqin is stupid and sweet, and has no scheming.

Baoqin turned her beautiful face, and suddenly said in a low voice, "Sister, Daddy wants to make a promise to me."

Baochai said: "my sister is not young anymore, so she is normal. Didn't I tell you last time, why did you bring up such a thing again?"

Baoqin said quietly: "When I have a family, I will not be able to play around like I did a few years ago. They are restrained by the rules of three obediences and four virtues, and they are no longer so free."

Baochai looked at her younger sister, and after a while, said, "My younger sister wants your sister...Brother Heng to help you talk to your second uncle?"

"Father, he listened to what Big Brother Heng said, besides, Big Brother Heng must have a solution." Bao Qin said coquettishly.

Baochai was speechless for a while, looking at the girl with determined eyebrows and eyes, for some reason, there was a faint feeling of strangeness in his heart, but he didn't know where it came from, and he no longer believed it.

Baoqin's distant gaze drifted out of the window, and she murmured: "It's so lively in the mansion now, it's okay to wait another two years to settle down."

Seeing this, Baochai stretched out her hand to pinch Baoqin's greasy face, and said in a doting tone, "You are so old, you know how to play every day."

Baoqin brightened up again, and said with a light smile, "Second Sister, let's go to Dongfu, it's more lively there."

Baochai gave a soft "hmm", guessing that Baoqin wanted to ask about the result of the conversation later, she was not in a hurry, she took Baoqin's hand and headed towards Dongfu.

Jia Heng chatted with Xue Jun for a while, bid farewell to Xue Jun, and also headed towards the inner hall of the back house.

In the hall, the earth dragon is burning, and the hot air is rising, which melts the warmth of the room. A screen with the pattern of bamboo, wood and mica ladies stands.

You Shi, You Second Sister, and You Third Sister are sitting on the embroidered pier beside Qin Keqing. You Shi's twin sisters are all wearing gorgeous dresses, with exquisite and gorgeous makeup, like a pair of red and white peonies.

But Youshi's dress is more elegant, with a gentle and soft face showing a peaceful and self-preserving attitude.

Third Sister You obeyed Jia Heng's words, and did not comb her hair up in a bun. Although she looked gorgeous, the girlishness diluted some of the gaudy.

At this moment, Sister Feng and Ping'er were leading Nuona to meet Qin Keqing. A group of Yingying and Yanyan were talking in the hall, and laughter spread from time to time.

Qin Keqing looked at the girl with blue eyes, was amazed in her heart, and said, "This..."

Sister Feng smiled, her melon-seeded face was gorgeous for no reason, and her voice was as charming as usual: "But Qing, she was born with such eyes."

Qin Keqing showed surprise on the jade face like a hibiscus flower, and said with emotion: "The world is really big, and there are no surprises."

Zhen Yinglian (Xiang Ling) on ​​the side also stared at the girl, with novelty in her childish and weak eyebrows.

Nuona was drinking tea at the side, feeling a little strange in her heart, she didn't want to live in Ningguo Mansion just like that, always being surrounded by people.

At this time, Daiyu and Zhenxi were talking in a low voice, they spoke softly, and they didn't know what to say.

After leaving the Rongguo Mansion, because Baochai was far away, Tanchun and Zhenlan often went to the study to help Jia Heng serve the pen and ink, and Zhenxi and Daiyu were the only two left for a while to chat with each other.

As for Xiangyun, he went to visit Baoyu in the ancestral hall.

Although he was annoyed that Baoyu had made such a fuss earlier, Xiangyun was kind-hearted after all, knowing that Baoyu went to kneel in the ancestral hall, and there was no one to talk to relieve his boredom, so he still wanted to go and visit.

At this moment, the nurse outside said, "Grandma, the uncle is here."

All the people who were talking became quiet, and looked around, and saw a young man coming from the eaves of the corridor, it was Jia Heng.

"It's all here." Jia Heng looked at the crowd of Yingying and Yanyan, and said softly.

Qin Keqing asked: "Husband, did you go to the Yamen today?"

Jia Heng said: "Nothing to do in the afternoon, Sister-in-Law Feng just said to go for a walk in the garden, let's go and have a look together, write a plaque, we can move in within two days."

Qin Keqing smiled and said, "Just now I was talking about this with my sisters."

Third Sister You looked at the young man at this moment, her lustrous eyes fell on that clear and handsome face, and a deep resentment arose in her heart.

Yesterday, Uncle Heng didn't come back at night, and he didn't know where he went.

Jia Heng said: "It's getting late now, let's go and have a look together."

After two days, the snow has actually melted a lot. Compared with the thick snow cover, there is no view of the garden at all. Today's garden is half-melted with snow, but it has a graceful state of holding a pipa half-hidden.

Sister Feng smiled and said, "Brother Heng, and a few other girls, follow me."

Jia Heng said softly: "Ke Qing, don't forget to call Fourth Sister."

Qin Keqing smiled and said, "Husband, don't worry, I have already called you just now."

Jia Heng said softly: "Let them all wear cloaks, don't get cold, and dress warmer."

Nowadays, there is still a little charm of white snow and red plums in the world of glass.

The garden was originally built on a piece of wasteland in Ningguo Mansion, and the water from Qinfang River was drawn to the garden, and a gate was opened in Huifang Garden in Ningguo Mansion, leading to the garden.

Everyone first went to Huifang Garden, and before they came to Tianxiang Tower, the plum trees next to the river were already in full bloom. Looking up, the pavilions seemed to be hidden in the snowy mountains.

On the Fengyao Bridge, the snow had already been cleared by Sister Feng, except for the slight snowflakes on the crenels on both sides of the covered bridge, the bridge surface was spotless.

Accompanied by the nanny and maidservants, everyone walked along the bee bridge, and saw the opened vermilion lacquered door.

Sister Feng smiled and said, "Brother Heng, this is a special gate reserved in Huifang Garden, and there are two other convenient gates for easy access."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "It's still winter, is it cold to live in? If it's really not possible, it won't be too late to move in next spring."

In the original book, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month welcomes Yuanchun to celebrate the Lantern Festival. When the grass grows in February and the warblers fly and the flowers bloom, Yuanchun issued an edict to prevent the garden from being abandoned and let a group of girls live in it.

Of course, it doesn't mean that they must live in spring. A group of girls also live in the garden in winter, and Lu Xue'an couples poems and eats venison.

Sister Feng laughed and said: "The servants have arranged it well. The ground dragon was laid early, and the bedding was replaced with brand new bedding. It is warm inside."

The northwestern land is quite cold in winter, and some people in northern Shaanxi even dug cave dwellings with heated kangs, um, the kind of big northeast kangs.

Jia Heng said softly, "Look inside."

This is the first time I went to the Grand View Garden in the past and present life, and I don’t know how beautiful and elegant it is as described in the original text.

(End of this chapter)