Red House Farm Stay

At today's birthday banquet, there are many more people here than at Mrs. Du's house last time.Including Mrs. Du, she smiled when she saw Jia Zhuo, and Du Yue ran over to say hello to her.

Miss Jin Jiu was also there, but she just glanced at Jia Zhuo indifferently. Last time at Du's house, she was Jia Lan's cousin and got some preferential treatment. Why is she also getting preferential treatment at Zhou's house today.She felt a little dissatisfied, and became more and more indifferent towards Jia Zhuo.

In the eyes of the careful Mrs. Du, she sighed again.Only Mrs. Jin, who had lived in Xining for a long time, had long been accustomed to the superiority of the Jin family, so she didn't notice these details at all.

"Have you found out about the troupe? What's going on?" Mrs. Zhou opened her mouth and pointed at Mrs. Du.

Madam Du smiled wryly, at this juncture, who would dare to mention this matter.Only Mrs. Zhou is not afraid of anything and dares to ask anything.

Thinking over the words, Mrs. Du said helplessly: "A group of reckless people think they are heroes, but who knows if they came here to disturb people's hearts. Dali Temple is investigating to see if they are related to the anti-king."

"Didn't you say it was a troupe who escaped from the two mansions? How could it be related to the anti-king? I heard that one escaped?" Mrs. Zhou was surprised and was very concerned about this matter.

"There is a young man, I heard that he is the mastermind, and Dali Temple will arrest him." That's all Madam Du knew, more of it was just her own speculation, so it doesn't matter if she doesn't listen.

Jia Zhuo sneered in his heart, the common people desperately wanted to go to Datianting, but they were framed by the court as spies against the king.

But there is no place for her to speak here, so she can only lower her head and say nothing.

She looked down, just in time to see Mrs. Zhou's hands clenched tightly, and the veins burst out one by one on the old skin.

Mrs. Zhou didn't speak, and the scene suddenly became quiet.Mrs. Zhou's daughter-in-law quickly picked up the topic, "I heard that girl from Jun's family delivered a letter and said she was happy."

Those who knew responded, "Isn't it? It's really not easy. I've been married for a few years."

"Mrs. Jun recites scriptures every day in the hope that her daughter will become a man in one fell swoop."

"I heard that there is a concubine who gave birth to several concubines in a row. This Suqing Palace is too unruly." Some insiders know more.

"The land of barbarians, after living for a long time, has no rules like those barbarians. No matter how many side concubines give birth, they are still born from concubines, so what's so rare." A lady snorted slightly, as if she was a relative of the Jun family.

Jia Zhuo remembered that Jun Xiaoyao, who liked to wear a red dress, earned her first pot of gold back then.She still remembered the way Jun Xiaoyao looked at Prince Suqing's son, she probably liked him very much.

When the two got married back then, they also admired many ladies from aristocratic families. I don't know if she regrets the choice back then.

"Old madam, the old lady asked someone to bring in the birthday gift, please appreciate it." A clever maid came in, Fuli said.

"Then what are you waiting for, hurry up." The old lady loosened her fists slowly and smiled again.

Mr. Zhou dedicated his whole life to teaching and educating people, and he was unwilling to serve in the imperial court. However, he had no choice but to hang a vain title of Taifu on him, and he did not go to the court to be a council member.It's just that he is not in the court, but his students are everywhere in the court, and his influence is extraordinary.

He knows that he has a special status, no matter whether it is a festival or a birthday, no matter if it is a student or a friend, he does not accept expensive gifts.He only loved flowers and plants in his life, and the gift givers tried their best to match them up. Slowly, Mr. Zhou's birthday became the best place to appreciate flowers and plants.

Seeing this, Mrs. Zhou said that there was no reason to let them appreciate it only in the front yard, so every time the flowers and plants sent were tasted in the front yard, they would be sent to the inner yard, often with sentences commented by the previous people for the inner yard Ladies and gentlemen, have fun.

When Jia Zhuo heard this, he also regained his energy. The flowers and plants were only sent in the order they were sent, and they didn't mention who sent them, so that everyone could speak freely.

The first pot is a Phalaenopsis, with dark purple flowers hanging in clusters on the flowers and leaves, blooming in full bloom.

"It's blooming well, it's lively and lively, it's suitable for the occasion." The old lady praised, and the old woman lowered it. Such ordinary flowers and plants are just for people to take a look at, and they won't stay for too long.

The old woman in the back hugged a pot of rice-colored roses and crabapples, and the old lady praised, "This flower is so beautiful, is it a rose or a crabapple?"

"Old madam, it's a crabapple, but the flowers bloom like roses." Some people chimed in and responded to the old madam's words.

Jia Zhuo watched one pot after another until his eyes were blurred.There are expensive varieties, and there are not expensive but well-raised ones. The old lady never cares whether the varieties are expensive or not, as long as they look good, she will praise them.

Jia Zhuo was taken aback when the pot was brought up, it turned out to be a pot of tulips.The mother-in-law who was explaining said: "When Prince Suqing of Andu Prefecture was chasing the enemy, he found it in a deep valley. He specially bred it and sent it to Jinling as a gift."

Sure enough, it was a variety that didn't exist before. Many people who didn't know each other were relieved to hear the origin. It wasn't because they were ignorant.

"King Suqing sent it to ask the old man to name it." The old lady followed up again.

Mr. Zhou used to be the prince's teacher, and one of them is now the emperor. King Suqing was naturally one of the princes at that time, and also Mr. Zhou's student.

"What's the name?" The old lady asked with interest.

"The old man said, let everyone choose a name and choose the best one." As soon as the woman said, many people turned their attention to their daughter. This kind of good thing of showing face should not be missed.

The flowers and plants served in turn did not appear as stunning as tulips.Until the appearance of a pot of Strelitzia orchids, people's interest was aroused again.

"This is a tribute from a small vassal state to the emperor. The emperor's gift has just been delivered." When the mother-in-law talked about the gift, there was no slightest disturbance, and people nodded secretly. All the servants of the Zhou family were like this. The temperament is indeed unusual.

"When this object was presented by the country, it was said that the princess of that country named it Wangxiang." As he spoke, he couldn't help but glanced at Jia Zhuo.

Looking at the hometown, looking at the hometown, Jia Zhuo and Ping'er who was sitting in the distance looked at each other, and they both saw shock and surprise in each other's eyes.

Even Mrs. Zhou had some recollection, "But the girl Jia Jiayuan married?"

"Exactly." The mother-in-law smiled and put the flowers in the middle for everyone to taste and appreciate.

Jia Zhuo's hand was held by the old lady, and then she heard her say slowly: "As long as you get through the news, go to Honglu Temple and ask, don't worry, don't panic."

"What the old lady said is that I lost my temper." Jia Zhuo took a deep breath and stabilized his mind.And cast a steady look at Ping'er, seeing this, Ping'er slowly calmed down.

"Apart from the things bestowed by the emperor, I think the best one this year is the new variety given by King Suqing." A lady still misses the pot of tulips after seeing it now.

"Don't worry, don't worry, there are still more." The flowers like flowing water were carried in and carried out by the women.

All of them are high-quality goods at the right flowering period, bright red rice is divided into purple, yellow, blue and green, and Jia Zhuo understands what Pinger said this morning, today is a gluttonous feast for flower lovers.

Finally, the flowers brought up by the mother-in-law have attracted people's comments. You know, at this time, unless it is a new variety that has never been seen before, there is nothing that can attract people's attention.

"Hey, isn't this a hard-to-find Doro plant that sold very well last year?" No matter how hard it is to find last year's Doro, Mr. Zhou will not be missing.It is still kept in the greenhouse of Zhou's family. Mr. Zhou loves it very much. He often puts out bonsai by himself and puts it in the study, which shows how beloved he is.

"Sure enough, it's not right, there's a new variety. Alas, my master must be itching right now, wishing he could fly out and spend money right now." A madam said coquettishly, which aroused the sympathy of many people. .

Jia Zhuo knew that it must have been sent by Suyunfang, but when he took a closer look, he couldn't help frowning.This pot is not filled with peaches and plums made by myself at all, but Baner used his best folding technique, layer by layer with different scene transitions.

The mother-in-law read the name on the wooden sign, "Guotai Minan."

This Doro bonsai is named Guotai Min'an. For the current Dai Viet, I don't know whether it is a blessing or a mockery.Of course most people think it is the former, only Jia Zhuo understands that this is Baner venting his dissatisfaction in his own way, ridiculing, accusing and shouting.

The bottom layer is a rose brocade that is as red as blood. This is not a flourishing rose, but a blood-stained rose.

The second floor has tides and ships, and is covered with tears of lovers, but there is no miniature child on it.The people have nothing but tears, including their lives.

Further up, Jia Zhuo didn't dare to look any further, she closed her eyes slightly.In my ears, I could hear everyone's praise for the blooming flowers on the top floor.Jia Zhuo bit his lower lip tightly, afraid that he couldn't help it for a while, and told the truth. Underneath the flowers and scenery, there are many bones.

"This pot of Doro is second only to the precious flower seeds sent by King Suqing. Tell the old man, we will choose these three pots." King Suqing and Doro are the old lady's favorites. The best three pots selected.

The old woman went out for a while, then came in again to pass on a message: "The old man said that the previous opinion is similar."

The Zhou family took pens and ink, please write the name on it if you are willing to name it, and bet it in the tube.Don't write your own name on it, just use your serial number instead.

The pen and ink were sent to Jia Zhuo, and she wrote the three characters "Tulip" with a pen, thinking that this is not considered a name, you are Tulip in the first place.

"We don't wait for their results. Those gentlemen in front have something to argue about. There are some who are old enough to blow their beards and stare. Ignore them. Call a few younger ones and take them to play. Don't worry about it." They all sit in front of me, it’s rare to come out, what’s the point of being with me, an old lady.”

Everyone laughed. The Zhou family had three granddaughters who were yet to be married, and they stood up with a smile on their faces.

These wives looked at the three little girls and wanted to go home, but they could only think in their hearts, the Zhou family has rules in marriage.Even if the wealthy family wants to marry a girl from the Zhou family to give them money, they can't marry, let alone marry in.

Because Mr. Zhou betrothed the younger generation in the family, and married his daughter, he only found an innocent scholar, and he had to test his knowledge himself. When he married a daughter-in-law, he only married the daughter of a commoner gentry, and did not marry an official family.

The three girls from the Zhou family took these young ladies to visit the garden, "There is a flower garden in the inner courtyard, my grandfather named it Guanfang Garden, you can enjoy it."

"It's all so beautiful, so of course we have to go see it." Du Yue also came, talking quickly as usual.

Jia Zhuo took Qing'er's hand and slowly followed behind, listening to the three girls explaining anecdotes along the way.This stone, a tree, a flower, all have allusions.

When Mr. Zhou was young, he traveled all over the world, collecting a stone and bringing it back wherever he went.So, on the road to their left, a small pool called Juling Pond was covered with stones picked up by Mr. Zhou himself from various places in Dayue.

Jia Zhuo felt that the eloquence of the three girls was cultivated in this way. Every time a guest came, they took them to the garden and said these words again, even if they stuttered, they could straighten their tongues.

"Look, this is Guanfang Garden."

There is a moon gate in front, and there is a screen wall inside. When you turn around the screen wall, your eyes suddenly open up. There are two rows of trees shaded by green trees, guarding a gravel road.Walking up the stone road, there are many varieties of flowers planted inside.

"This garden is sloped according to the terrain, and the Guanfang Pavilion is built at the highest point. Wouldn't it be nice for us to drink tea and enjoy the flowers on it. If you have fast legs and don't like to sit, you can go with friends and explore slowly." After the Zhou family girl said so, everyone went to Guanfang Pavilion first.

There are already servants waiting in the pavilion, and the tea, snacks and fruits are arranged, just waiting for them to take their seats.

Jia Zhuo consciously led Qing'er to sit at the end. The others were more used to this kind of occasion, and slowly sat out according to priority, status, and status.

Jin Jiu was a foreigner, and she was also of high status, so no one would compete with her, so she sat next to the three girls.Du Yue sat a little further out. You must know that although General Du has a high status in the court, military officers are not as good as civil servants, and civil servants are not as good as those with titles in their families.

Du Yue saw that Jin Jiu didn't move over, and wanted to sit with her, so he simply looked around, got up and said, "Sister Qiao, Qing'er, let's go to the garden, I can't bear to sit for a long time."

"We are about to get up, so you are one of us." Jia Zhuo laughed, and the three walked down.

The gravel road is winding and twisting, and you can shuttle among the flowers without stepping on the flowers and plants. It is really a good way to watch them at close range.

"Look, look, look, this pot of King Phalaenopsis is offered as a treasure elsewhere, and it is only in Zhou's house. It is not taken seriously and planted in the garden as ordinary flowers and trees." Du Yue pointed out the precious flowers and trees to them from time to time. Look, there are so many treasures.

"It's lucky to have you, otherwise we wouldn't recognize these." Jia Zhuo thanked her.

"I don't like to sit with them and taste this and that. By the way, I always said that I will pay you for it when we meet again..."

"What's that?" Jia Zhuo asked puzzled.

"My elder brother said that he and Jiang Jing met you in Orchid Garden. Jiang Jing was a man who couldn't control his mouth since he was a child. If it wasn't for having a good father, he would have been beaten [-] times. Don't you I have the same knowledge as him, my brother has already taught him a lesson."

"What am I supposed to be? It's worth keeping in mind. I don't hold grudges." She refuted Jiang Jing on the spot. There is no grudge to remember. Besides, it is a trivial matter.

"That's good, what about Qing'er, you're not scared by him." Du Yue looked at Qing'er friendly.

Qing'er didn't expect that she would talk to her, so she nodded quickly, "I'm fine, I'm bold."

Jia Zhuo smiled lightly, Li Wan really chose the right daughter-in-law, a person like Du Yue is exactly the good wife Jia Lan needs most.

"Do you think that the people in the troupe are very pitiful?" Du Yue's words made Jia Zhuo raise his head unconsciously, not understanding how she found out.

"You and Mrs. Zhou have the same thoughts, I can see that."

It turned out to be like this, she must have noticed that her expression was wrong at that time.Before Jia Zhuo could figure out what to say, Du Yue laughed at himself, "You must think that we dignitaries are all cannibalistic monsters who don't understand the suffering of the people, don't you?"

"You don't think so?" Jia Zhuo looked directly at her, wanting to hear what she would say.

"Yes or no, it's up to the person being evaluated, isn't it?" Du Yue continued with a wry smile, "Everyone only wants to see what they want to see. But the government soldiers have long been corrupted, and no one knows how many prefectures are loyal to the imperial court, and how many will stab their knives behind their backs."

Seeing that Jia Zhuo listened seriously, Du Yue continued: "Now Jinling City only has so many troops, so if you send troops rashly, if these prefectures rebel, they will be attacked by the enemy. The two governments can still count on Jinling to send troops, and if Jinling City is in danger, No one came to save them. The people of the two prefectures are pitiful, but what about the people of Jinling City, can they be put in danger?"

"My father has already dispatched troops to wipe out the anti-king forces in the state capitals first, gain military power, eliminate these dangers, and then send troops to the south to eliminate the rebels. All of this will take time, and it will not be resolved with just a few words of righteous indignation. Yes. At this time, there is such a disturbance in our house, if it is publicized and the people's hearts are unstable, do you know how serious the consequences will be?"

Jia Zhuo closed it, then opened it again, "From your standpoint, these are all correct."

But my position is different from yours. If I can choose, I will immediately send imperial envoys to the state capitals along the route to issue safety notices, so that the people can sue the officials by the people. Those who verify the facts will be dismissed on the spot and the officials will be reappointed.

Then inspect the disaster-stricken state capitals on the spot, and the taxes that should be exempted are also exempted. Officials who dare to violate the law or implement the tax reduction or exemption of the imperial court in disguise will chop off a few heads to sacrifice the flag.

After a few sets of heavy blows, first reassure the hearts of the people. As long as the people are united with the court, no matter how difficult the situation is and how rampant the rebels are, as long as the people are your solid backing, it is only a matter of time before they are resolved.

Du Yue's surprised mouth was so open that an egg could be stuffed in, so she just covered her mouth with her hand, and said anxiously: "You don't want to die, you dare to say such a rebellious thing."

"A big rebellion, I never thought about overthrowing the court of Dayue, why is it called a big rebellion." Jia Zhuo looked at her, "Your father is a general, you should know what is a soldier with a barracks made of iron. The same is true for Dayue, there is no such aristocratic family." , and that aristocratic family, without this official, there is still that official, there is no skin, and there is no hair."

It's a pity that the imperial court is already rotten. Once such an action is taken, the interests of many aristocratic families and the rise and fall of many big families will be involved in the dismissal of the officials who questioned the crime.Everyone only looks at the harvest of the one-third of an acre of land in front of them, regardless of the torrential flood outside.

The aristocratic families stretched their arms and kicked their legs, making the emperor unable to move. How many court officials had been bribed by them to become lackeys.Even if you still maintain your original aspiration, it is impossible for one person to change it in this chaotic world.

Just like Du Yue, did she make up her righteous words on purpose?Jia Zhuo believed it, but it wasn't.She was just deceived by this set of hypocritical words, and she really thought that this was the best.

"You don't understand. Things are not as simple as you think. Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. Don't act rashly. Such radicals will only shake the foundation of the country." Du Yue shook his head in disapproval. It's a dumbass.He was still a stunned young man who didn't understand the current situation. If he was a man, he would have been beaten to the ground by now and died.

Jia Zhuo thought, covering his eyes and ears, he could really live in his imagination.At this point, do you think you have time to give them a picture?

But no matter how much Jia Zhuo thinks about, what's the point.

"Oh, I know, some things are not so easy to understand. I think if you stay longer, you may think differently." Du Yue looked at Jia Zhuo with sympathy, like a person who thinks he is Having mastered the truth of the whole world, and seeing the other party's paranoia and entanglement in a trivial matter, there is a sense of superiority.

Jia Zhuo didn't know whether he should cry or laugh, so he could only wait in silence.Even General Du's daughter felt that everything was fine. Unexpectedly, those civil servants from aristocratic families probably thought they were living in a peaceful and prosperous age.

At this time, in Mr. Zhou's study, the servants carefully placed Guotai Min'an's bonsai on the table for the old man to enjoy.

"This is your fault. Such a good thing, why can't it enter the top three. But if it's not good, you move it to your own study, and you don't have the same treatment as the imperial gift." The old man's long-time friend tweeted Entered the door and asked.

"Go, go, ask knowingly. I have asked someone to invite this little guy who brought this pot of Guotai Min'an over, do you want to see it?" Mr. Zhou walked to the side of the bonsai with his hands behind his back, admiring it carefully.

"I, forget it, I will scare the little guy." The man laughed loudly. Although he was about the same age as Mr. Zhou, he had a loud voice and a straight back. If it wasn't for his silver hair, he wouldn't be a old man.