Jia Yao of the Red Chamber

Chapter 59

Once Mo Lanzhang was granted the title of King of Qin, his status in the palace would naturally become more honorable.Countless people came to congratulate her for a while.No matter what thoughts are in the palace, the big and small concubines will naturally send congratulatory gifts on the face.For a while, Jia Yao could be said to be soft-hearted when receiving gifts.

She has lived in this world for so many years, and she also recognizes things. She knows which of these gifts are excellent and which are just gifts. In the future, if something happens to someone's family, they will return it with the same character.Jia Yao saw that Nanny Tian had arranged the gift list, and asked Taoxi to put it away.

People in the palace are like a bright mirror in their hearts. Taboo things such as medicinal materials and ingredients are rarely given away. I am afraid that if something goes wrong, it will not be clear how many mouths there are.Concubine Rong, the eldest prince and concubine all sent some rare ornaments, although Jia Yao knew that they must have felt very uncomfortable when they sent them, but the things were rare anyway.I also thanked them one by one, regardless of the faces of these people who are almost unable to stand up.

It's not that Jia Yao wants to show off in front of others, this is also an established etiquette.She really doesn't want to get involved in the right and wrong for nothing, and attract people's envy. It's just that she doesn't do a good job of superficial skills, which really makes people feel wrong.Jia Yao thought in her heart that among the congratulatory people, the ones who were really happy for Mo Lanyan and her were probably the old queen mother in the palace and the fifth prince who was a compatriot with Mo Lanyan's mother. There is nothing wrong with it, just to make sure there is no mistake.

On the other hand, Yuan Chun's husband's family seemed particularly affectionate for some reason?During the days when she lived in Yuan Chun's husband's house, that Mrs. Mo treated her very affectionately, but that time it was because Yuan Chun was pregnant, and the wife should have a good eye for her daughter-in-law's natal sister.It's just that at this moment, the situation is not clear, these clans wish they could stay far away from the princes, this lady not only gave a lot of gifts, but also seemed to be able to talk to the old queen.

Could it be that Yuanchun wants to stand on their side in this relationship?Or...Jia Yao is not stupid, so she can naturally think that Xu Mofu and Mo Lanchang have friendship in the first place.It's just that I don't understand why it is necessary for such a marginal family with the surname Mo to climb up with Mo Lanyan?Mo Lanyan must have nothing to hope for in the affairs of the imperial court. Could it be that... Jia Yao was shocked, and quickly put aside this thought. Anyway, outsiders don't know what the attitude of these clans is towards them, so Jia Yao then Pretend not to have noticed such a thing.I looked again at the gift list for the New Year's Day.

The New Year's Eve is not far away, and now Mo Lanyan is the first prince to be crowned, no matter what, there will be more exchanges of human feelings.Jia Yao is still in the palace now, and she has a lot to consider.She is considered a bride, and she has never managed the New Year's Eve by herself, and she is very busy these days.Simply because Jia Yao was willing to speak, the former son finally couldn't hold on anymore and went to ask the old lady for advice.The old lady really loved them more, and she didn't dislike Jia Yao's ignorance.Instead, give some pointers.He also sent Nanny Wu to help out from time to time, so that Jia Yao could sort out all the affairs.

During these days, if the emperor seems to be indifferent to the eldest prince, even the eldest prince and concubine will find it difficult to do well in the palace.Seeing this situation, and the fact that Mo Lanyan was injured, Jia Yao felt a sense in her heart.Originally, because I didn't have much contact with the eldest prince, I didn't have much feeling for the eldest prince. Seeing that Mo Lanyan was sleeping at night to avoid the wound, he didn't dare to turn over, and he couldn't say anything to the outside world. I asked an imperial doctor to take a good look. The emperor's elder brother, who was the eldest son, complained.

But the old lady knew nothing about Mo Lanyan's injury.Although she prefers Mo Lanyan and Mo Lanzhen, the eldest prince is also her serious grandson, unlike the fourth prince who has a mother and concubine who makes her uncomfortable, she is still kind to the eldest prince.Seeing the emperor neglecting the eldest prince at this moment, the old queen mother who was indifferent to the eldest prince felt distressed.He often asks the eldest princess to be by his side.

Naturally, Jia Yao wouldn't avoid going to the old lady just because she didn't want to see her sister-in-law.There was no shortage of times when it was time to pay filial piety, and he and the eldest prince and concubine were also amiable and did not cause trouble.Instead, the old lady gave her a high look. Originally, the old lady thought that Jia Yao raised her at home, so she might have a petty temper. Now she is soft-hearted and doesn't like to add insult to injury, but she treats Rongguo Mansion well. The tutor was a little more approving.

The eldest concubine also had a good manner, now that Jia Yao's rank is higher than that of the eldest concubine, the original parity ceremony between the two has become that the eldest concubine wants to salute Jia Yao.Jia Yao asked herself that if this matter happened to her, she would definitely not be able to be like the eldest princess.She smiled kindly and softly, and spoke softly, with the appearance of a harmonious and kind sister-in-law.But even if she didn't like the temperament hidden in the smile, Jia Yao still admired it.

Compared with Concubine Rong, she doesn't have much weight, but she still wants to fight with her son, wanting to make money in everything, and get some benefits. Jia Yao thinks that a dignified concubine who is gentle and amiable is more called The man feels at ease.I really don't understand why the emperor chose such a woman as his pet?The color is better, but just looking at Mo Lanzhen's appearance, one can know that Ula's successor must also have a good appearance.Besides, Concubine Rong has no family background, nor does she have a likable personality, so what caught people's eyes?

Jia Yao complained about the emperor's eyes here, and the emperor who was sitting alone in the study over there was also thinking about the same person.

Sitting on the dragon chair, the emperor lightly fiddled twice with the small cup containing the golden bird's nest that Concubine Rong had just sent, and closed the lid again.

The emperor seemed to be talking to himself, and said to himself, "Concubine Rong wants to preside over the new year's festival? What a great favor!"

There was silence in the room for a while, and the emperor sneered, "I still think that she has learned to be good this winter by being honest!" After saying that, he stopped looking at the small celadon cup containing the sweetheart's heart, waved his hand, and said, "Take it down!" Eat it for the people below! Replaced me with a frozen top oolong."

Wu Zhiyuan couldn't bear it.During the New Year's Eve, masters and slaves are a big deal.The emperor stayed up late for the past two consecutive days, and he knew it by looking at the blue circle under his eyes.Unfortunately, apart from the queen mother, there is no one in the palace who really cares about the emperor.Outsiders saw that the Concubine Rong, who was the most favored in the harem, came here just now, and gave a cup of tonic.It looked like the emperor was merciless, rewarding his servants casually.However, Concubine Rong only cared about the emperor, and she was only thinking about the honor of presiding over the annual ceremony.

It's almost midnight today, and the emperor ordered another refreshing tea like oolong, and he didn't know how long it would last!Sometimes Wu Zhiyuan thought, he had served this emperor for most of his life, but he really couldn't understand what this emperor was for.As the emperor, this is really a good emperor.The corruption and miscellaneous subjects accumulated in the previous dynasty are now becoming more and more clear.It is the place in the south of the Yangtze River where the royal family dare not take action easily, and now it is slowly and tentatively intervening to solve it.Just talking about human feelings?

Thinking of Yuan Hou, who was on the verge of recovery, suddenly became ill for no apparent reason.Thinking of the four princes, mother and concubine who have no kinship being favored alone, the strength of the [-]th prince has increased in vain, but the kinship has not been promoted.Thinking of letting the emperor know about the forces in the shadow of the third prince, the emperor was not furious as if he knew that the eldest prince was taking power, but rather praised it.

Wu Zhiyuan fell silent.He lowered his head and silently followed the emperor's instructions for refreshing strong tea. Wu Zhiyuan silently glanced at the hourglass on the emperor's desk showing the time, then took a step back, hiding in the shadow of the palace lantern.

When it comes to the New Year's Eve, in a palace without a queen, the old queen is still holding the big gift.Concubine Rong has been looking forward to the glory that only queens can have for many years, but although the emperor has shown that he is the only one favored by Jiaofang and has a great tolerance for Concubine Rong's actions, those serious honor rights are not there. of.Concubine Rong also secretly doubted whether the favor from the emperor was real, but she quickly dismissed the idea as soon as it came up.The emperor's favor is the only thing for their mother and son to fight for everything. She can't doubt this, and she doesn't dare to doubt it subconsciously.

According to the rules of the ancestors, the pen will be sealed after the [-]th emperor.According to the regulations, the relatives and nobles of the royal family also began to put aside state affairs on this day.

In the early morning of 31, both Mo Lanyan and Jia Yao got up early.It is not allowed to eat meat on this morning, because these royal people who have been on the jade butterfly have to pay respects to their ancestors on this day.

The two had a simple breakfast, and they didn't have much appetite for each other. Thinking about today's mess, they couldn't help feeling bored.During this New Year's Eve, ordinary people's homes should be a time for family reunion and joy.In this royal family, it has become extremely complicated.Yesterday, Jia Yao finally took care of the relationship between people and relationships, and in the afternoon cleaned and arranged the Jingyang Hall according to the unified requirements of the palace.Ask Taoxi to prepare red envelopes of different sizes for the servants last time.It was to be rewarded by the people in the palace when they kowtowed to them when they came back from outside tonight.

The congratulatory gift for the elders will be presented at the family dinner tonight.They are all ordinary but precious items, and Mo Lanzhang has told them not to put too much thought into them, the emperor and queen dowager don't pay much attention to them.

After a few words of intimacy with Mo Lanyan, after talking some words.The two of them were almost packed, so they went out separately.Mo Lanzhang is going to go to the Taimiao with his father, brother and clan relatives surnamed Mo to offer incense to the ancestors.And Jia Yao was going to pay respects to the Empress Dowager with the eldest concubine and the only Concubine Rong in the palace, and then the Empress Dowager would lead them to offer incense to their ancestors in a place different from the emperor and the others.Accompany the queen mother to meet the wife.

All major matters in the families of these high-ranking wives have to be handed over to the royal family.The queen mother's attitude largely depends on the previous court's attitude, so these wives put all their energy into every "annual meeting", carefully observe and deal with it.Through the queen mother's attitude towards her own family and her attitude towards other families, she carefully considered the instructions she gave and the meaning revealed in her words.Go back to the government and tell the people in power.To decide the trend of his own house, the plan for the next year.

Grandmother Jia and Mrs. Xie, the grandmother of the first concubine, are both first-rank imperial servants, and they are also in the ranks of worshipers.In the past years, when Jia Yao was still in Jia's mansion, Jia's mother and Jia She and Jia Zheng would also come to the palace to hold an "annual meeting" every year on the 20th.It's just that every time a few people reply, they don't seem to be in a good mood.Jia Yao can also understand that Rongguo Mansion and Ningguo Mansion had a period of ten or twenty years between the death of the old Rong Guogong and Baoyu's entry into the court, and the status in the court was greatly reduced.Mother Jia is capable, maintaining the relationship among noble ladies. Jia pardons Jia Zheng and the men of Ningguo Mansion. Although they also have symbolic official positions in the court, they can't support the glory left by their predecessors.

It is conceivable that although the old lady still has old feelings for Jiamu, Jiamu will not feel comfortable standing among a group of married women of the same rank.If the family has no direction to move forward, it is heading for decline.All families understand this.But her own children couldn't afford to support her family, and Mother Jia had nothing to do with her family business. Originally, she had high hopes for Jia Hu and Jia Zhu, but the eldest sons of the two families went away one after another.No matter how distressed Jia's mother was, the Jia family that the old Rongguo bus was in her hands was declining, and she couldn't bear to force Jia Lian and Baoyu to make progress.

But now the situation is different again, Baoyu has entered the emperor's favor, and the emperor needs the power of their four major families to join in the blessing of the third prince, and with the little granddaughter Jia Yao marrying into the royal family, the Jia family has re-entered the eyes of the aristocratic family.Although Jia Lian didn't benefit much in the court, he was able to support the family, which is a good thing. Baoyu, a new force, was supported by his father-in-law and uncle, and had a sister-in-law who was the prince's concubine, and a younger brother who was said to be well-educated. The is also good.And began to participate in the imperial examination.Jia Lian, the eldest son of the second room of Rongguo Mansion, still has a child who is No. 1 of the fourth generation of the Jia family.There is not much information revealed yet, but there is an uncle and uncle who is gradually gaining a place in the court with the uncle who is the governor of the capital.

When Jia Mu paid homage to the Queen Mother, she could straighten her waist.The Empress Dowager originally thought of the years of friendship, so she gave the old Madam of Rongguo Mansion some face.Now that Jia's family is promising, the empress dowager's promotion is more and more justified.At this moment, Zizi and Jiamu have said several words.

When these wives paid homage to the queen mother, Jia Yao and the eldest concubine also followed.The grade of the first princess is not enough to be kowtowed by the people below, so she avoided it.Jia Yao could afford it, but there was her own grandma below, how could Jia Yao stand on top and ask her elders to kowtow to her.Therefore, he also avoided it with the eldest princess.The queen mother is considerate, and she didn't say anything about it.

Finally, all these fixed procedures were completed one by one.It was already past noon, and the most noble women in the harem were too tired to have lunch.One more thing, it's time for the royal family's family banquet in the evening.

The queen mother sent all the women in her palace back to her palace.They are all women, and they know each other. For the dinner tonight, they will spend at least an hour dressing up.

When Jia Yao returned to Jingyang Palace, it was as if she had quit.After standing for a whole day, after giving countless salutes and being returned countless salutes, at this moment, she just wanted to lie on the big bed she shared with Mo Lanyan and roll around a few times, and then fell into a deep sleep.

Of course she was just thinking about it.

The truth is that Jia Yao dropped a series of orders as soon as she returned.Soon, the servants prepared a few simple meat and vegetable snacks and brought hot water. Her maid carefully and quickly took off her shoes and put on flat house shoes for her.The people below checked again the clothes she had prepared for the family dinner.Nanny Song took another look at the congratulatory gift that she and Mo Lanyan were going to present.

Although she wasn't hungry, Jia Yao forced herself to eat a few meaty snacks for the night when she didn't know how late to come back.After washing with hot water, Jia Yao sat on a relatively comfortable soft couch and began the long dressing process.

Different from the simple and elegant dress of worshiping ancestors in the morning, Jia Yao's dress at night is dignified and luxurious.The handy flower eggplant tied Jia Yao into a six-slit bun with a high pad in the middle.Her bangs were pulled up, revealing her smooth forehead.

In the middle, Mo Lanyan came back, and it happened that Jia Yao's side hair was all loose at that time, only the middle hair was raised up.It looked rather funny.It amused the rather tired Mo Lanyan.Jia Yao was tying up her hair and couldn't move, she just took her eyes and viciously gouged out his eyes.

After fixing the hair, Taoxi took a set of coral-inlaid oriental beads on the head that the old lady presented as a reward, and put the hair accessories on Jia Yao completely.The tassel pendant of red coral hangs along with Jia Yao's black hair on her temples, making her more beautiful than the gorgeous red coral.The plain white Dongzhu exudes a soft light, dotted on Jia Yao's forehead, which is more elegant and soft.

Mo Lanzhang was on the other side asking his servants to change another hair crown for him, but his eyes were always on Jia Yao.

Jia Yao, who was only wearing her inner garment, stood up gently, and put on her a light yellow robe and a pink plum blossom twig jacket with paper patterns and apricot branches.Tie it with a beige satin belt.A noble and elegant beauty stood in front of the mirror Tingting. The clothes on her body were warm and did not look bloated. They were the cotton-padded clothes she got just a while ago, which was suitable for wearing in big occasions in winter.

Looking at herself in the mirror with satisfaction, Jia Yao let herself be hugged by Mo Lanyan who came up from behind.She relaxed her body and leaned against him gently, "I'm exhausted, I just want to have a good sleep!" She acted like a baby to him.

Mo Lanchang was also dressed, her hair was tied up high, and she was wearing a black dark-pattern robe. She looked very handsome, and when she heard the words, she patted the food comfortingly, "I'm tired of being a husband! It's been a while." In the evening, there will be fewer things tomorrow."

Jia Yao nodded.Although she knew that Mo Lanyan had dinner with the emperor at noon, but considering that he was going to drink later, Jia Yao still persuaded Mo Lanyan to use some snacks as a cushion.

It was almost time, Mo Lanchang and Jia Yao made a chariot together to go to Taiyuan Hall.

Those clan members were the first to go, and the eldest prince and concubine, the fourth and fifth princes also arrived.The emperor, concubine Rong and the old queen have not yet arrived.So the top few seats are still vacant.

Although the emperor was a little indifferent to him because of what the eldest prince did a few years ago, the Mo Lanyan brothers haven't broken their faces yet.Even though Mo Lanyan was the first to become the king, their superficial harmony was already on the verge of crumbling, but at this kind of "family banquet", no one would do anything stupid.The princes, except Mo Lanzhen, who was the youngest, had already toasted each other, and their words were very polite.And the eldest concubine sat with Jia Yao, and talked to her in a soft voice.

Less than two minutes later, a eunuch sang loudly outside, "The emperor is here, the empress dowager is here, and the concubine is here."

Everyone in the seat got up and bowed in the open space of the seat, "see Your Majesty, long live your majesty, long live your majesty. See empress dowager, empress dowager, thousand years old, thousand years old."

Concubine Rong is naturally not qualified to be treated like the Queen Mother and the Emperor.If it was the empress who came with them, they would naturally be eligible to be worshiped by people of all ranks.But Concubine Rong?She couldn't even bear the kowtow of several princes.

But Concubine Rong soon didn't care about this little "seeing" problem, because the emperor took her hand and told her to sit on his right hand.The left hand side of the emperor is naturally the position of the empress dowager.That position used to belong to the Empress Xie of the Yuan Dynasty and the successor Wula's family. Now that Concubine Rong is sitting there, those clan relatives have seen it, and each has their own thoughts in their hearts.

That's it, Mo Lanyan sneered in his heart, as if he doted on Concubine Rong, how much embarrassment he had given to his mother, and Concubine Rong, who had shallow eyes, always showed off.However, every time the emperor gave Rong Concubine it was only an illusory hope. When it really came to the power of the palace and the power of Concubine Rong's mother's family, his affectionate father and emperor tightly covered it again.

He didn't understand, what was his father doing?

After presenting New Year's gifts to the emperor and queen mother together with Jia Yao, Mo Lanyan simply gave up thinking about it.No matter how ruthless his father was to his sons, he was going to die in the end, so he had to choose an heir.He just does his own thing, who can understand the emperor's thoughts?

Thinking of the evidence of his father's death of the Yuan Empress that the empress had saved in her hands before the empress's departure, Mo Lanyan's eyes became more and more obscure.

The emperor above looked at his sons offering congratulatory gifts one by one, smiling kindly and happily.Like a good father who is gratified for his son to grow up and be sensible.

"Good! Good! Good! You are all filial," the emperor nodded and smiled, "Wu Zhiyuan, bring the red envelope. The princes should be rewarded."

Wu Zhiyuan brought the same thick red envelopes that he had prepared earlier, and handed them to several princes.Mo Lanyan thanked them again.

The dinner party was just a step-by-step process, and the food and drink were not good, but they sat there and suffered, while still holding their hands, and chatting with others politely.

Jia Yao was better than Mo Lanyan, because Jia Yao didn't need to toast and be toasted, but just talked to the eldest princess and the clan's wives to pass the time.

After finally surviving the dinner party, all the people present symbolically ate the already half-cold dumplings given by the emperor. The emperor said a few more words on the scene, and fireworks were lit outside, and the party ended like this.

Jia Yao helped the half-drunk Mo Lan into the car.Mo Lanyan looked a little uncomfortable, leaning on the back of the carriage, Jia Yao was a little worried about his wound, and put her hand lightly on Mo Lanyan's waist, "What do you think?"

Mo Lanyan leaned her head on her shoulder, sniffing the desolate and delicate fragrance from her body, and felt that the throbbing temples felt better. "It's not a problem, it's just that I drank a lot and got a little over the top. Let's just say it's over, and I'll go to pay New Year's greetings to my father and grandmother tomorrow morning, and we will be able to live in peace."

Jia Yao nodded, feeling the smell of alcohol sprayed on her neck by Mo Lanyan, her body softened after a day of exhaustion, and her heart softened, "The clock has struck, it's already a new year What!" She originally thought that it was the first time she came to the world not to celebrate the new year in Jia's mansion, but to be alone in this palace, and she had to face many affairs, and she might feel wronged.But not at all, she seems to have fully accepted that she has become a wife in her heart, and more and more times her heart is tied to him, even if she is so tired today, she doesn't feel very wronged.She is willing.She willingly accepted everything that marrying him brought. "This is the first year we've spent together since I married you. Happy New Year." She lowered her head lightly, and pressed her side face to Mo Lanyan's cold, high bundled hair.

"Yes. This is the first year. However, we will spend each year together..." Mo Lanyan murmured, unable to hold back her drunkenness any longer and closed her eyes.The corners of her mouth curled up gently...

I have gone since my mother's death. Over the years, this year's festival has finally become a little warmer again.Yao'er... We spend every year together, if you don't answer, you agree.Promise me, but don't break your word...