The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Since there were not many guests, the evening family banquet was held in the side hall inside the second gate. The men and women of the Jia family sit in two separate places in the hall, separated only by screens. The sound of Chen Heng entering the table was naturally heard clearly by everyone in the back hall.

The only people who can sit here tonight are the wives and young ladies of each house. The concubines of the side houses have no chance to show up. Even these ladies who have seen the world, when they heard the attentive voices of Jia She and his son, they also looked at Jia Min and her daughter intentionally or unintentionally.

To this day, they have to lament that Jia Min has such a vicious look. Taking advantage of her husband's appointment as a local official, she easily found a suitable husband for Daiyu.

Some people are envious, some want to heat up the cold stove, and some are gritting their teeth in anger. Everyone has their own thoughts, but they can't hide it from the secret prying eyes of interested people.

There are several tables of vegetarian food outside the side hall, reserved for the choir masters. As Baoyu's godmother, Ma Daopo showed her proficiency in Buddhism to others in the Jia family. Naturally, she had to supervise the rituals and scriptures of the rituals as an assistant to the Jia family.

After eating a few scribbles of food outside, she couldn't wait to run to Jia Zheng's residence. After reaching the side door all the way, Ma Daopo walked in and said to the sighing hostess in the room: My good wife, how long has this been, do you still have the leisure to sit here?

What can I do if I don't sit down? I am a woman, and I want to kowtow to the old lady in front of the funeral and show my filial piety. They also said that my status means that I can't be on the stage. Aunt Zhao said with hatred, feeling sorry for her I started to feel sorry for myself due to the situation.

Ma Daopo has been visiting the homes of distinguished people all year round, and she knows best how to observe people's words and emotions, and how to observe the wealth and aura of a family. The Jia family's misfortune could not be hidden from others, and it was definitely not possible to hide it from her vicious eyes.

She is a poisonous dove that just moves around. If she can't do it here, she will naturally start to think about other places. Seeing Aunt Zhao's dissatisfied look, she became even more angry and said bluntly: Bodhisattva has pity on you, and it is precisely because of your filial piety that he gave you this opportunity.

Aunt Zhao couldn't help but show some curiosity when she saw what Ma Dao Po said. He hurriedly stretched out his hand to pull the other party to the couch. Through Ma Daopo's words, Aunt Zhao also heard some things outside.

You said that the son-in-law of the Lin family was just an ordinary farmer. I think he is really powerful now. Ma Daopo danced and said, When he just came back from the palace, guess what?

What's going on?! Aunt Zhao looked a little curious, and her thoughts couldn't help but be led away by Ma Daopo.

There are two servants in our house, holding lanterns in front of him to guide the way. Every corner or step, there are people waiting here holding lanterns, for fear of surprising the son-in-law of the Lin family.

Ma Daopo knows the virtues of the Jia family best. When did the other party look at Chen Heng so seriously? When he and Daiyu got married a few years ago, the Jia family sent few people to have a drink.

The more Aunt Zhao listened, the more frightened she became. She rolled her eyes and couldn't help but said: How could he be so majestic? Isn't that just like Uncle Wang's?

Wang Ziteng was already the most majestic person that Aunt Zhao thought of. When she thought of the pomp and ceremony of this person entering Jia's house, this was how he looked.

That's right. Ma Daopo nodded in response and continued to encourage, The situation is really changing. I think it is possible for the Lin family's son-in-law to become the prime minister in the future.

The two of them were talking privately, and they were catching up with their son Jia Huan coming back from dinner. As soon as Aunt Zhao saw her young son, she checked with Jia Huan about Ma Daopo's news. After hearing the end, she finally said anxiously: I told you to study hard in the past, but now can you see the scenery of a scholar?

Jia Huan was dissatisfied and angry, and said: He can get the top prize in the exam, and I can also get one. Just watch it, mother.

After hearing what she said, Aunt Zhao burst into laughter and hurriedly drove Jia Huan out to study. Then he said to Ma Daopo in front of him: I wonder if the opportunity you mentioned fell on Huan'er?

At a certain moment just now, Aunt Zhao couldn't help but think about letting Huan'er become Chen Heng's teacher.

Ma Daopo could see through the other party's thoughts at a glance, and immediately said: Don't waste your opportunity on greed. You are an aunt who is not related to him. He doesn't even give him the face of his second wife, how can he give it to him? you?

Aunt Zhao was discouraged when she heard this. Her temperament has always been blustery, coming and going like a gust of wind, most of all uncertain. He complained directly: Then why are you telling me this? I don't care that he is a prince of the imperial court or a high-ranking lord. Even if he becomes an old prince, he has nothing to do with me.

Ma Daopo immediately said, If your son is not good enough, don't you still have a daughter?

Aunt Zhao was stunned when she heard this, and murmured: You mean Tanchun? She hesitated for a moment, thinking that her daughter had never been close to her, and then worried, It's not impossible to marry Tanchun to him. It's just... …Will he want it?”

This man is really out of his mind. Ma Daopo secretly thought, Damn it. She hurriedly took Aunt Zhao's hand, interrupted her thoughts, and said anxiously: You really don't know that your daughter and the daughter of the Lin family are very close friends?

Aunt Zhao was confused after hearing this and shook her head blankly, You know, she has never been close to me. To be honest, she has paid her respects to her evil-minded aunt more times than I have.

If I want to expose a girl like you, I won’t even see her. Ma Daopo shook her head and sighed: That's why I said at that time that you were the lucky star of your children.

You can't marry and you can't marry, but you can't become a disciple. In total, you've been talking to me for a long time, just gossip? Aunt Zhao was a little annoyed. She had been staying at home for the past few days, and she was already feeling sulky. At this moment, after listening to useless things for a long time, I feel even worse.

You can let your daughter be a lobbyist and introduce me, an old woman, to the Chen family as an errand! Wouldn't it be a great opportunity for me to get a share of his family's wealth?

Ma Daopo thought in her mind. She knew that Aunt Zhao was a villain who liked to injure the enemy a thousand times and was willing to do even a thousand harm to herself. The best way is undoubtedly to tie the interests of the two together so that Aunt Zhao can come forward.

You know why she decided to drag Aunt Zhao into the game? She actually wanted to use the words of a third person to create an impression on Chen Heng that she could figure things out. There are some things and some people, if you don't let the other party come to you on their own initiative, you will never succeed.

She was thinking in her head, and the words that came out of her mouth had become.

Tell me, what have I been to you over the years... The last time Huan'er hurt Baoyu's face, I was the one who settled it for you. You say yes or no.

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As soon as Jia Tanchun saw off his aunt's family outside and said hello to Mrs. Wang, his aunt's mother-in-law, he was called into the house by Aunt Zhao's girl.

As soon as she entered the house and saw the crazy woman Ma Daopo and Aunt Zhao sitting together, she knew that the two of them were hiding something good. This is an intuition from children to their parents, and it is basically unmistakable.

Sure enough, Jia Tanchun sat down and listened for a long time. It was Ma Daopo who was chatting with Aunt Zhao and said that when she saw Chen Heng's face in front of her, she felt that he was going to be in trouble in the near future.

Since they are all relatives, Ma Daopo cannot bear to see her family suffer. I want Tanchun to find an opportunity to invite Daiyu into the house of the goddess to help Chen Heng exorcise evil spirits and reduce disasters.

Tanchun didn't dare to say anything about the things about gods and ghosts. But she knew the nature of this mother very well. How could she be someone who would do good things for no reason? Besides, how could someone who hangs out with my own mother all day long be so capable?

Jia Tanchun said bluntly: Thank you, mother-in-law, I will definitely tell Sister Lin about this matter. The host of Xiangshan Temple in the city is very knowledgeable in Buddhism, and I heard that she has some close friendship with my cousin-in-law. Let Sister Lin tell the host then, and my cousin-in-law will be able to escape the danger. Turn into good fortune.

Ma Daopo did not frighten Jia Tanchun at first sight. She laughed awkwardly and said: Three girls, I'm afraid you still don't believe me. As an old woman, there is no reason why I should let others take over the work I said. We monks all have our own rules. Who can Depending on the appearance, whoever is responsible will resolve the issue. Let each of us be content with our own affairs.

How could Jia Tanchun be frightened by her? A pair of divine eyes danced wildly, and he sneered: If you put it like that, why can pilgrims from Xiangshan Temple still go to Guanghua Temple to worship Buddha and ask for a child?

Ma Daopo didn't want to say anything, but it wasn't because she couldn't find something to say. But she knew in her heart that for people like Jia Tanchun who had doubts, the more they said, the more they would make mistakes.

Under Aunt Zhao's teasing, Jia Tanchun walked away directly. In the end, there was only Ma Daopo with a sad face, still thinking secretly about how to show herself as a saint so that she could get on the Chen family's boat of wealth.

The two of them didn't know how to discuss the matter before, but now Aunt Zhao is thinking about Ma Daopo wholeheartedly, Let me tell you, you can't go to this girl to decide. Her thoughts are always crooked. Listen to that bitch. , they all heard more than I did.”

Ma Daopo knew that the bitch that Aunt Zhao spoke of was Mrs. Wang. She shook her head and said without hope:

Then what do you think we should do?

Ma Daopo was also angry and anxious. Now the Jia family is about to lose power. Among the nobles of the capital in the past, it was hard to see who would be safe and sound. Mr. Chen's future is so promising. He is truly the best of the best and should not be missed as the next head of the family.

Come here, I have an idea. Aunt Zhao rolled her eyes and waved to Ma Daopo.

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Later in the evening, after Jia Zheng finished handling the matters outside, he came to his aunt to rest as usual. Until today, he and Mrs. Wang have no more feelings for each other. Otherwise, he would not promote a concubine with no background to be his side wife.

After working hard all day outside, Jia Zheng originally wanted to come here to find peace and have a good night's rest. Aunt Zhao happened to be making nonsense, and the outspoken Jia Zheng said angrily: Where did you hear the gossip? You are so damn tongue-tied, it is not pleasant at this time.

Aunt Zhao knew Jia Zheng's temper, and as usual she looked aggrieved and said in a tearful tone: No matter what the master is doing to me, I have good intentions. The goddess said that our family is going to be in trouble, and only people with Wen Quxing's destiny can save it.

Jia Zheng was a little confused, stared at Aunt Zhao, and asked aloud: Does this Ma Daopo say how to resolve this matter?

We have to marry a girl born in the Year of the Monkey. If we get married to him, we will definitely be able to turn bad luck into good fortune, and we will be able to prosper in the future.

A girl born in the year of the monkey? Isn’t there just Tanchun in the house? Jia Zheng thought of himself as a concubine, and looked at Aunt Zhao's eyebrows. He didn't know what the other party was planning. He immediately said angrily: You are really out of your mind. You dare to target this kind of people. You also Don't be afraid that my third sister will tear your mouth alive.

Aunt Zhao was also frightened when she heard Jia Min's name. As the saying goes, soft people are afraid of hard people, and hard people are afraid of horizontal ones. Jia Min, who has an arrogant temper, is someone whom Aunt Zhao never wants to have more contact with. How can I be willing to let Aunt Zhao give up her wishful thinking?

She knew what an honest man like Jia Zheng was most afraid of. It's nothing more than crying, making trouble, and hanging. Immediately follow the previous method and do it again.

However, Jia Zheng had the best face and allowed his concubine to marry his sister's son-in-law. Wouldn't the Jia family become a big joke to the capital in the future? ? ?

Jia Zheng didn't even want to say anything more. He stood up and left angrily.

Tonight, he was not going to rest here.

When he returned to the study room of Rongxi Hall, Jia Zheng felt that the matter was not safe again, so he hurriedly asked people to call Tanchun. When the father and daughter met, Tan Chun was still confused, but Jia Zheng had already scolded her with a red face, telling her to stop listening to Aunt Zhao.

Tanchun silently listened to the end of the words and figured out the cause and effect. Her mind immediately went cold. She had never expected that her mother would take advantage of her.

Is it just because my cousin-in-law is from a good family?

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Aunt Zhao is not at peace here, and Aunt Xue is not at peace either. She had been feeling low these past few days, seeing her daughter's belly getting bigger and bigger.

She was very worried and said: My child, what do you think is really going to happen to the Jia family...

Aunt Xue had just finished speaking when Baochai had already stopped her handiwork, raised her hand to cover her mother's mouth, and said in a deep voice: Mother, marry a chicken, follow a chicken, marry a dog, follow a dog. What's the use of talking about it now? Are you still looking forward to your daughter remarrying?

That can't be done, that can't be done. Aunt Xue waved her hand eagerly. If word spreads about her remarriage at this moment, will her daughter's reputation be lost? Whenever you go out to meet guests, you will be stabbed in the spine.

Now that the deal is done, let's just make peace with it. Baochai lowered his head and looked at his swollen belly, As long as he can be good to me and the child, even if the life is more miserable, I am willing to accompany him to suffer.

Aunt Xue also knew how difficult this matter was to deal with. What else could she say besides secretly lamenting that her family was having a bad time and that her cleverness was misled by her cleverness?

If he could have really predicted this result, he would have stayed in Jinling and managed his business with peace of mind, and his current situation would not be so passive.

After a while, Aunt Xue looked at Baochai and asked, Do you really like him?

Baochai was silent for a while, then laughed and said, Is this important?

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The next day, Chen Heng came to Jia Mansion from his natal family. When the party ended last night, Jia Min couldn't bear the direct glances from the Jia family to her son-in-law, so she led her son and son-in-law home together.

There are also dirty things hidden within the courtyard walls of wealthy families that shock everyone. The safety of one's own younger generation is used to test the virtue of one's mother's family. Jia Min would not be so unwise, let alone see a big mistake made.

Strangely enough, the Jia family, which was supposed to be a little quiet, became lively again today. There is an endless stream of guests who come to visit me.

Lin Ruhai was getting older after all, so Jia Lian and Jia Rong took the initiative to take over the mundane duties of entertaining guests for their elders, and accompanied Chen Heng to guard the second gate.

The mourning period has been held to this day and is coming to an end. Jia Lian and Jia Rong were also surprised to see so many new faces appearing out of nowhere.

Chen Heng unexpectedly found an acquaintance among them, Lu Yingxiong, who had been promoted to the commander of Jinyi Mansion. As soon as he approached the second door, he cupped his hands and said to Chen Heng: Master Chen has worked hard, and you need to take more care of yourself.

Now Chen Heng is the fifth-rank magistrate of the state, but Lu Yingxiong has been promoted to the fourth-rank official. Not to mention the jurisdiction over a special place like Jinyi Mansion.

Chen Hengzhen didn't expect him to come, so he said politely: Lord Laolu came here at some time.

It should be, it should be. My friendship with you, sir, is just a hole to climb out of. Lu Yingxiong said very modestly. In fact, it was because Xia Shouzhong came yesterday that he dared to come to visit today.

Seeing a newcomer coming from behind, Chen Heng didn't care to reminisce about the past and hurriedly extended his hand to Lu Yingxiong and said, Master Lu, please.

When there are more people, there will inevitably be more things to deal with.

The business of welcoming and sending people off was busy until nightfall, and there was no sign of stopping.

Chen Heng ignored Jia Lian and Jia Rong's attempts to stay, and got up directly to follow Jia Min and Daiyu home.

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This goes on and on until the day of Jia Mu's funeral is finally reached. The old man was about to be laid to rest, and half of the capital's nobles set up a tent by the roadside to set up a table, and finally saw the old lady off.

Jia Min and Daiyu were naturally crying and shouting, and everyone in the Jia family also let go of their little thoughts. Several young men carried the coffin and led the farewell procession towards the outside of the city.