The True Winner of the Red Chamber

Zhen Yingjia was a little hasty when he left the capital, so he stayed with Ji Chu, and every few days when they stopped at the station along the way for supplies, there would be news from the capital.

For example, the fourth prince was reprimanded by the emperor in the early court because of his poor handling of affairs. All civil and military officials heard it. Afterwards, the fourth prince complained of illness and missed two morning courts.

Another example... the township examination has released the rankings.

Zhen Yingjia is on the list, but it is a pity that he is ranked No.9.

In fact, this result is not bad. He smiled and looked at Zhiyin and Baoyu who came to congratulate him, and said with regret: "It would be better if it was a little earlier."

Zhiyin said: "This is already very good."

Even Baoyu, a child who has just been enlightened and has not yet entered school, knows a few words of congratulations.

Zhen Yingjia laughed and said, "So we have to hurry up."

"I've already ordered you to go down." Zhiyin said: "Send someone to rush back to Jinling to report the news. I think grandma will receive the news in two days."

Zhiyin laughed and said, "Earlier, when my father said that he would take the imperial examination, I thought... I didn't expect to pass the exam."

Zhen Yingjia smiled and said nothing. If he cheated like this, it would be a problem of IQ if he didn't pass the exam.

After sailing all the way, Zhen Yingjia rushed back to Jinling at the end of September.

Zhen's mother had already photographed the servant waiting on the pier. As soon as the boat docked, [-] firecrackers were set off, and she arranged for a sedan chair for him to come back.

Although it was a bit ostentatious, but he understood the old man's thoughts very well, so he sat with peace of mind and came back all the way.

Zhen's mansion opened the middle door, Zhen's mother brought Zhilan and Zhiqi to greet her at the door, and before Zhiyin knelt down, Zhen's mother hugged her in her arms.

"Well, my son, I'm finally back."

Seeing this scene, even Zhen Yingjia couldn't help but burst into tears, "Mom, don't be sad, this is standing at the door."

Mother Zhen smiled through her tears, took Zhiyin's hand and said, "Look at how excited I am. Your house has been tidied up, and the maids are also the ones you used to use before you left home. Go and wash up before you come back. I'm going Order your favorite dish."

Zhiyin wiped away her tears, bowed her head and hummed.

After washing up and eating the dust-cleaning feast, Zhen Yingjia sat in Zhen's mother's room holding tea, and the two began to discuss the matter of moving.

"Supposedly it would be better to move to the capital." Mother Zhen said, "I received your letter a few days ago and started to prepare, but I can't rush this matter of moving."

Zhen Yingjia nodded, and said: "I arranged for Ji Chu to clean up the mansion in the capital. It must be ready when we go back."

Mother Zhen sighed, "Your father wanted to move to the capital in the early years, but unfortunately, he never found any good reason."

Zhen Yingjia smiled and said, "It's the same when you move there."

Mother Zhen looked at her son and said with a smile: "I've been registering the family's land, manor and house these days, but the sale has to be considered in the long run."

"I didn't expect to finish it this time," Zhen Yingjia said, "Besides, if you rush to sell it, you won't get a good price."

"It's not because of this," Zhen's mother explained: "Our family's things are also ranked high in Jiangnan. It's just that you didn't care about this earlier, and Li Shi and I were watching at home, so you didn't care about it at that time. teach you."

"There are three things in the family property that cannot be touched." Mother Zhen looked at her son and said solemnly, "The house, the field, and the dowry of the mistress."

Neither the original owner nor Zhen Yingjia had such an impression in their minds, so they cheered up and heard Zhen's mother continue: "Once the house and field are sold, it means that the house is ruined. Once the mistress's dowry is moved, then This man is about to be scolded with his spine poked."

Zhen Yingjia nodded, he made up his mind, he can follow the general trend, and he can't afford it, so he said: "Then invite the steward to take care of the old house, and the Zhuangzi by the lake can also stay. Come down, there are still a few small courtyards..." Zhen Yingjia frowned, "It was originally reserved for rent collection, why don't it be donated to Lizheng, and the rent should be given to the private school?"

Mother Zhen nodded in relief, and said: "It should be so, even though we are about to move to the capital, and even the yellow book has been changed, it's just that this is my hometown after all, and you are an official again, so you always have to keep something. .”

"Just follow my mother." Zhen Yingjia said: "Zhiyin has improved a lot, let her come with you later, so that you don't have to work too hard."

Mother Zhen sighed, "Earlier when she left, she was just above my waist, but today I hugged her to my shoulders, so you can see that she is a big girl."

Speaking of this, Zhen's mother looked at Zhen Yingjia's face and said, "It's been almost two years since Mrs. Li died. As soon as the news of your winning came back, many people came to ask if you have any plans to continue. feel--"

Zhen Yingjia hurriedly interrupted him, and said: "It will take two years, she..." Zhen Yingjia pursed her lips, "I think it will take three years."

"Are you confused?" Zhen's mother said: "How old is Zhiyin, if you really want to keep her for three years, wouldn't she become the 'mother-bereaved eldest daughter'? There are also twists and turns. Besides, I have also inquired these days. The rules in Beijing are much more strict than those in Jiangnan, and there are many daughters of royal relatives, as well as daughters of high-ranking officials. How will Zhiyin marry in the future? "

"If I win the number one prize, why can't she get married?" Zhen Yingjia asked back: "If I become successful, even if her husband dies, I can still get married."

Zhen's mother patted him, "Where is anyone who curses his own girl like that!"

Zhen Yingjia lowered her voice and said: "My brother-in-law Li Yi won the first place in the township examination this time, and it is no problem that he will take the imperial examination in the future. My father-in-law and grandfather have taught students all over the government and the public. If you still want to contact them , it will take three years."

Mother Zhen sighed and said, "That's right, it's just..." She was still a little unwilling.

Zhen Yingjia persuaded according to her wish: "Besides, I have just won the Juren. When the real gold list is named, wouldn't it be even more prestigious to be able to marry a bride?"

Speaking of this, Zhen Yingjia inexplicably thought of Kang He, and subconsciously added, "Maybe I can marry a princess or something."

"That can't be done!" Zhen's mother hurriedly said, but the smile on her face had already revealed her thoughts, "Our family can't afford it. After seeing her all day, your old mother has to greet them. You can forgive me."

Zhen's mother couldn't stop laughing, Zhen Yingjia decided to add more fire, and said: "Look at Baoyu, Baoyu is only a little older, if you marry a bride at this time, what if..."

Zhen Yingjia hesitated to speak, but Zhen's mother already understood what he meant.

"It's time for Baoyu to teach her well. What if she has some bad intentions and leads Baoyu astray?" Zhen Yingjia was worried.

Zhen's mother just wanted to say that she can also help.

Zhen Yingjia said again: "Even my mother will help her to watch, but there are only those who can be thieves for a thousand days. How can there be those who can guard against thieves for a thousand days? Besides, there are three of them besides Baoyu. Isn't mother going to be exhausted?"

Mother Zhen listened in her heart.

"If the bride gave birth to a child within two years after entering the house, wouldn't they be more and more undisciplined by then?" Zhen Yingjia gave another example, "Even if you don't have a child, it didn't crawl out of your own stomach, and it's always unreasonable." Careful, just like the Rong Mansion."

"Bah, bah, bah!" Zhen's mother spit twice hastily, "Brother Lian, I've seen him before, he's a good kid. Sigh... then as you said, let's wait and see when we go to the capital."

Zhen Yingjia nodded, at least there is no need to mention this matter for three years.

The two chatted for a while, and Mother Zhen took out another stack of gift slips, and said, "This is the news that you won the exam that day. I asked the housekeeper to pick up the unimportant ones and return them first. I want you to write back yourself."

Zhen Yingjia took the gift list, put it aside and said, "I'll take a look at it tonight, and I'll come back in two days. Tomorrow, I'll take them to Qingsong Academy first."

Mother Zhen nodded, "It is true that we have to go to their place first. You are studying in the academy, and it is your father-in-law's house."

After saying a few more words, Zhen Yingjia went back to the room. He roughly scanned the gift list, put it aside, turned around and went to do other things, but lying on the bed at night, he suddenly felt that something was wrong.

He hurriedly stood up and looked at the gift list again, why is there no one from the Lin family!

When he left, Lin Ruhai said that he would come to see him off, and when Jia Min died, he even sent a gift. Moreover, according to Zhilan Zhiqi's letter, he also went to Lin's house after he left, so why did he lose contact within half a year? up?

Zhen Yingjia wanted to ask the two daughters who stayed at home, but at this time, both of them had already fallen asleep, so they could only suppress their eagerness for the time being and wait until tomorrow.

Early the next morning, Zhen Yingjia got up, took her son and daughter into the carriage and went to Qingsong Academy.

"Did you go to make trouble with your sister yesterday?" Zhen Yingjia saw the three daughters' appearance, and knew that they slept late.

Zhiyin smiled and said, "I haven't seen you for two years, so it's a little late."

Zhen Yingjia saw that they were still in good spirits, and said, "When we move to the capital, we won't be able to see our playmates here. These days I don't restrict you much, so go and see them more."

Zhilan and Zhiqi nodded, and Zhen Yingjia then asked: "How is the girl from the Lin family? I heard that her mother has gone a few days ago, remember to comfort her well."

Zhilan didn't speak, but when Zhiqi pouted, Zhen Yingjia knew something was up.

Zhiqi said: "Stop talking, I haven't been there for a long time." After speaking, she looked at Zhen Yingjia and said, "I even guessed with my sister if my father offended Uncle Lin. I invited sister Lin to play several times. She None of them would come."