Chapter 349: It starts from emotion and ends with courtesy?
……

The early spring scenery in the south of the Yangtze River is beautiful, but Jia Rong has no time to appreciate it. After meeting Yingchun, Xichun, Lin Daiyu and Baoqin, he immediately sets off for Beijing.

In March, flowers are in full bloom.

The Ningguo Mansion Garden, which had been quiet for a winter, became lively again. Not only were the flowers in full bloom, but the golden hairpins were also not to be outdone. They were dressed up beautifully, each one more beautiful than the other.

In addition, the dancers that Jia Jing had recently taken in would wander around the yard from time to time, which was really dazzling and made it difficult to tell the difference between heaven and earth.

After a poetry meeting today, Lin Daiyu returned to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, fanning herself with a beauty fan. As soon as she entered the door, she saw Jia Rong already inside.

“Aren’t you answering in front of the master? Why are you here?” Lin Daiyu’s eyes unconsciously revealed a hint of smile.

It was inconvenient to meet on a large ship, so this was the first time the two had met privately in half a year, so they were naturally a little surprised.

Jia Rong smiled and said, “I will come out naturally after I finish my reply. I haven’t seen Aunt Lin for a long time, and I miss her very much.”

“Oh…” Lin Daiyu chuckled: “I don’t believe it. You are having so much fun in Nanyang that you don’t even want to think of me.”

“That’s superficial. Did I go there to have fun? I went there to do serious business.” Jia Rong said seriously while sitting on a chair.

“Oh? I heard that you went there to look for some big foreign horse. Are big foreign horses pretty? How do they compare to Baoqin and me?”

Although Lin Daiyu was still smiling, there was already a sour taste in her words.

Jia Rong sweated for a moment and said, “Who told you that? It’s pure nonsense. Don’t you think that I have been with my father-in-law over there? How could I have any contact with that coquettish foreign girl?”

Actually there was contact, but it was not in-depth, so… it doesn’t count.

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, “Look at you, I’m just asking casually, am I such a jealous and petty person?”

“Ah? Hehe…”

Jia Rong laughed strangely.

“Hate it! You don’t believe me!”

Lin Daiyu raised her hand and hit Jia Rong.

Jia Rong: “Yes, I believe it very much!”

No one is perfect, that’s why they look sour, that’s why they are cute.

“Humph, you’re not sincere!” Lin Daiyu pouted and said, “You’ll know how good I am when the time comes.”

Although she can be jealous sometimes, she can also be quite virtuous at times.

For example, the girl Baoqin.

For example…if there is one more, she will be unhappy!

“No need to wait, I know how good you are right now.” Jia Rong said seriously.

“I…where is good?”

“I won’t say anything else, just one thing.”

“Ah.”

“It’s getting more beautiful.”

“Any more?”

“Haha…it looks even better when it’s sour.”

“Bah, you’re the sour one!”

Lin Daiyu glared at Jia Rong and said.

Jia Rong said, “Don’t mention it. I’m really jealous.”

“Why are you jealous?” Lin Daiyu asked puzzledly.

Jia Rong took Lin Daiyu’s hand and whispered in her ear with a smile, “Grandpa is going to marry two beautiful wives at once. I was just there for a long time because Grandpa was arranging things for me. He wanted me to have a grand wedding for him. Everyone in Kyoto would know about it.”

“And I have to wait two years before I can marry you…I feel so sad.”

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips and said, “Who told you to observe mourning?”

Jia Rong: “But, now I want to…”

Lin Daiyu: “What do you want to do?”

Jia Rong: “Aren’t you very smart? Guess?”

Many embarrassing scenes from novels immediately emerged in Lin Daiyu’s mind. She tried to free his hands quickly, but it was impossible.

“Ah, bullying!”

“Haha, congratulations on guessing it!”

“Bad guy, um…”

Lin Daiyu struggled a few times at first, but when Jia Rong gently scratched her waist twice, her body immediately went limp.

With her eyes slightly narrowed, she allowed Jia Rong to flirt with her for a while, until she felt Jia Rong’s big hands becoming more and more dishonest, and he even kneaded her lightly through her clothes… Then Lin Daiyu woke up as if from a dream, pushed Jia Rong away with a red face, and lowered her head to straighten her clothes in front of her chest.

“you are bullying me.”

“How am I going to see them from now on…”

Jia Rong explained: “We are acting from emotion and ending with etiquette.”

Lin Daiyu glared at him and said, “I believe it if it is based on emotion, but what about if it is based on etiquette?”

“Hehe.” Jia Rong looked at his right hand that had made the mistake and said awkwardly, “I couldn’t stop it this time…”

“I’ll remember that next time!”

Jia Rong hastened to assure.

“Bah, who told you to go and cheat your sister Baoqin next time!” After rolling her eyes at Jia Rong again, Lin Daiyu became jealous again and warned with a sneer, “If you dare to bully sister Baoqin and Sister Bao finds out, you’ll be in trouble. Not everyone is as easy to bully as me.”

“Yes, very much so.” Jia Rong smiled honestly, “How dare I bully the two sisters? I can only bully an honest man like you.”

“Here, wipe it!”

Daiyu threw her handkerchief to Jia Rong.

“No need.” Jia Rong threw the handkerchief back, licked the rouge on his lips, and smiled, “It’s quite delicious.”

Lin Daiyu was very ashamed.
“I’m going to die!”

“Get out!”

“Leave now, leave now.”

As Jia Rong opened the door, a maid was caught off guard and almost fell into his arms.

It was Zijuan who looked embarrassed and nervous.

“I, I was just about to come in…”

“It’s all right.” Jia Rong supported Zijuan’s shoulder and said with a smile, “Go and serve your young lady.”

“Hey!”

Zijuan felt as if she had been pardoned, and quickly went inside, covering her face.

“What were you doing outside, so reckless?” Lin Daiyu asked with a stern face.

“Nothing.” Zijuan waved her hands and said, “I didn’t hear anything outside.”

Lin Daiyu: “…”

……

After leaving Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Jia Rong thought about it and decided to go to Rongguo Mansion.

He is not good at things like marriage and weddings, which is why he must bring Jia Lian back.

“Brother Rong, where are you going?”

The voice of my aunt Xichun came from behind.

Jia Rong turned around and smiled, “Hello, little aunt. I am going to the West Mansion to discuss the marriage of the master with Uncle Lian.”

Xichun smiled and said, “Look, Grandpa is getting married soon, Rong’er, you have to hurry up.”

Jia Rong: “I’m not in a hurry.”

Xichun: “I know, you have to wait two years.”

Jia Rong: “What else do you want to say?”

“Hehe…you go and do your work. I’m going to go play with Miss Lin.”

Jia Rong: “Go ahead… Oh, aunt!”

Xichun turned around: “What’s the matter?”

Jia Rong smiled seriously and said, “My little aunt has grown up. Have you heard of any talented young man…”

“Bah! Bad guy!”

“I ignore you!”

After saying that, he turned around and ran towards Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

……

Jia Lian’s courtyard.

Uncle and aunt met again after a long separation and seemed to be very affectionate. Jia Rong felt that he had come at a bad time.

“Rong’er, please come in quickly. You are so slow.” While Feng Ji was going to greet Jia Rong, she glared at Jia Lian in annoyance.

“Haha.”

Jia Lian smiled nonchalantly, fanning himself and said, “Rong’er, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. I was just sorting out the things I brought back from Southeast Asia. You know what? It doesn’t look like much on a normal day, but it’s actually quite a lot when you count it. It’s more than ten thousand taels.”

Sister Feng chuckled: “Don’t show off your wealth in front of Rong’er, she won’t appreciate it. What are you doing here today, Rong’er?”

Jia Rong smiled and said, “Please ask my uncle and aunt to come over and help with the master’s marriage. Please take care of it.”

Jia Lian patted his chest and assured, “Don’t worry, I will definitely take care of your marriage properly.”

“Feng’er, go ask for leave from the old lady first, and tell her that we won’t be paying respects to her for the next few days, and we’ll just help out in the East Palace.”

Sister Feng smiled and said, “Okay, I’ll go right away.” Just as she turned around and took two steps, Sister Feng suddenly turned back and smiled, “Brother Rong, what does Grandpa plan to do with the construction of Prince Ning’s Mansion? If you need my help, just let me know.”

Jia Rong smiled and said, “Grandpa said that the Ministry of Works will be responsible for the construction, but our family also needs to find a suitable person to watch over it to prevent them from cutting corners. I think Mr. Shanziye is more suitable.”

Sister Feng laughed: “If you trust me, I will personally supervise the money for you and ensure it is safe.”

Jia Rong said, “Second Aunt still needs to honor the old lady, how dare I use it casually? Ping’er in our family will take care of the money when the time comes.”

“Ping’er…”

Sister Feng nodded slightly, went out with a smile, and said sourly in her heart: I am really not as good as that hoof!
How much money does it cost to build a palace?
I’m afraid it’s more than several million taels!

How did Ping’er become so capable?

I have to go help…

Here.

Jia Lian prepared a table of light wine and snacks, and the uncle and nephew took a few bites.

Jia Lian said, “I can’t come back without anything to do. After the wedding of the master, can you ask the master if he can arrange a job for me in the court?”

“rest assured.”

Jia Rong took a sip of wine and said, “I heard that the master is planning to arrange for you to work in the Ministry of Revenue.”

“Ministry of Revenue?”

Jia Lian’s eyes lit up, and he said unconfidently, “Can I go there? I’m not from an imperial examination background.”

Jia Rong smiled and said, “If the Second Master can go to the Ministry of Works, why can’t you go to the Ministry of Revenue? With Grandfather’s recommendation, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to get in, but it will be difficult to get promoted later.”

“Good, good!” Jia Lian was overjoyed, clapping his hands and laughing, “It doesn’t matter whether I get promoted or not. From now on, I will be a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Revenue. It won’t be a problem for me to have a few wives and concubines to serve me, hehe.”

“What does aunt say?” Jia Rong asked with a smile.

“What can she say?” Jia Lian smiled and said, “If she obeys me, it’s fine. If she doesn’t obey, I’ll beat her up.”

Jia Rong smiled slightly.

Without her family, Fengjie couldn’t be strong even if she wanted to, even if she had money.

“By the way, I heard that the master was not feeling well. How is he now?”

“Hey!”

Jia Lian shook his head: “It seems a little bad, which is why I am in a hurry to marry two concubines. If something happens, I have to wait for three years!”

Jia Rong asked, “Is it really that serious?”

“Well, the imperial physician came to see her and said that she was not in good condition, and the eldest wife was also dying. It was likely that the two of them would die together.”

Jia Rong: “…”

Dutiful son!

“Madam, what happened to her?”

Jia Lian sighed and recounted the story of Lady Wang’s madness. “She has strangled five or six people to death, including Lady Lai, Lady Zhou Rui, Lady Wang Shanbao… Even the eldest wife was killed.”

Jia Rong: “…”

I really didn’t expect that Mrs. Wang would go to this point. Heaven and earth can testify that he didn’t do anything bad on purpose!

“Now? Where is Madam Wang?”

Jia Lian said, “The second master has divorced him and sent him back to Wang’s family. I only heard that the old lady is planning to remarry the second master.”

“I also want to get ahead of the eldest master and the eldest mistress…”

In the Rongxi Hall.

“Mother, I’m already old and don’t want to delay anyone any longer, so just make Aunt Zhao your wife.” Jia Zheng said seriously.

Grandmother Jia said with a stern face, “You are now a fifth-rank official. How can she, a concubine, be qualified to be your wife? Don’t worry. Wait until Jing’er’s matter is over. Ask him to help you find someone of higher status.”

“You are already old, and you are marrying a princess and a rich girl. You are so proud of yourself, you should help your brother.”

Jia Zheng hurriedly said, “No, no, no.”

He was very afraid that Jia Jing would scold him severely for this.

“Why are you afraid of him? He has remarried, what else can he say about you? Wait for me to say it!”

……

March 20th is an auspicious day.

It is suitable for marriage, sacrifice and other matters.

The entire Ningrong Street was decorated with lights and colors, and horse-drawn carriages of old friends, officials from various departments, and noble families who came to congratulate them lined the ten-mile-long street.

The various gifts received filled up the Ningguo Mansion’s storeroom, which was almost full. Some unimportant items had no choice but to be placed under the shed outside.

“All the items have been registered. You guys must take good care of them. If any one of them is missing, it will be very difficult!” Lai Er paced in front of the warehouse and gave orders.

Everyone hurriedly said, “Don’t worry, Steward Lai.”

Lai Er nodded and was about to speak when a servant suddenly ran in from outside and whispered in Lai Er’s ear, “Butler Lai, someone from your family came to tell you that your eldest brother seems to be in trouble and asked you to go back quickly.”

Lai Er’s heart skipped a beat.

His eldest brother was stabbed that night and fell into a coma with a fever after returning. Is he finally going to die today?

“Go back first and tell them I’ll be here soon.”

“Yes.”

The servant hurriedly agreed and went down.

Lai Er hurried inside to see Jia Lian, the manager, and explained the situation.

Jia Lian waved his hand and said, “Then you can go back first and leave the matter at hand to Lin Zhixiao.”

Lin Zhixiao was a person Jia Lian temporarily brought in to help. He was very serious and diligent in his work. After Lai Da of the West Mansion was laid to rest, he had become the chief steward of the Rongguo Mansion.

“Thank you, Master.”

Lai Er hurriedly bowed and thanked him.

Jia Lian smiled and said, “You’re welcome. Your eldest brother’s wife died, and now your eldest brother is also injured while serving the Jia family. Your family are all loyal servants. Remember to go to the storehouse to collect 100 taels of silver.”

“Yes Yes.”

Lai Er hurriedly nodded and bowed, went to the warehouse to get the money, and then hurried back to Lai’s house.

Lai Mansion is also on Ningrong Street. Compared with the hustle and bustle outside, it seems a bit desolate and miserable here.

“Wow, my son, my son, how can you bear to let me, an old man, send off my young son…” Nanny Lai cried heart-wrenchingly.

Lai Shangrong stood nearby, his eyes red and his fists clenched.

His father, his mother, they’re all dead!
Died because of the Jia family.

Revenge for killing my father…

“Brother, brother!”

Lai Erxiao ran in and looked at the person lying in the coffin: “Brother, he…”

Lai Ma cried, “Your elder brother is in such a state, and you still go to that mansion to celebrate. Are you still a human being?”

Lai Er hurriedly said, “Old lady, please calm down. Master Lian heard about it and gave our family 100 taels of silver…”

“What the hell!”

Lai Shangrong snatched the silver and threw it hard to the ground.

“I don’t want their filthy money!”

“I want revenge!”

Lai Er was startled.

“Shang Rong, are you crazy!?”

“Do you know what you are talking about?”

“Are you looking for death!”

Lai Shangrong felt like he was hit on the head by Lai Er’s scolding, and he immediately became dispirited.

“Wow, my father and mother are both dead, I… woo.”

Lai Er patted Lai Shangrong on the shoulder and said, “So you should speak more politely. Who knows, Grandpa might feel sorry for you and remember your father’s achievements, so he can arrange a good place for you?”

Lai Shangrong, who was originally crying, suddenly brightened up: “Can you arrange for me to go to Yangzhou? I want to take my grandmother to Yangzhou.”

Lai Er: “How would I know this? When I have a chance in the future, I will try my best to help you explain it.”

“That’s good!” Nanny said hurriedly, “Don’t rush to deal with the funeral. After all, it’s a big wedding day over there. Go ask now.”

From now on, how will Jia Jing remember how his boss died?
Lai Er: “…”

Lai Er dared not disobey his mother’s words, and he went back to Ningguo Mansion with gritted teeth.

Jia Jing was furious.

Originally, he did deserve some compensation for Lai Da’s death, after all, he died for Ningguo Mansion.

But you are taking advantage of my wedding day to threaten me, what do you mean? Do you think I am easy to bully?
“Since he doesn’t want to go to Datong, then let him go to Nanyang. My Jia family will not treat him badly when he is a county magistrate there.” Jia Jing waved his hand.

Lai Er: “…”

……

Regardless of how the Lai family is causing trouble, Jia Rong is also very busy now. He needs to greet the sons of princes and dukes of various families, drink with them, and enhance their relationships.

Now the Ningguo Mansion has almost put the words “plotting to usurp the throne” out in the open. They are not afraid of forming cliques for personal gain or ganging up on dissidents. What they need to do now is to unite to consolidate their power, and then kill the hostile forces in one fell swoop or drive them out of the capital.

The first thing to be eliminated is the power of the royal family, especially the eldest prince who is still jumping around in Shaanxi. If he is not eliminated, someone will hold out hope.

……

(End of this chapter)