The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 715: The object of love

After more than a month, Emperor Ning Kang returned to the capital.

After returning to the palace, he did not have time to rest. Instead, he took a bath and rested himself, then went to Chonghua Palace to pay his respects to the emperor.

The retired emperor seemed to have forgotten the rudeness of Emperor Ning Kang that day. He listened silently to Emperor Ning Kang's arrangements for the past month, and then praised him with a few words of approval.

"Since your mother's funeral has been arranged, you can rest for a few days. I don't have anything to take care of here, so you don't have to come and pay your respects every day if it's not necessary.

If you really want to show your filial piety, just kowtow outside the palace. I know everything."

"Yes, I know."

"Okay, let's go back."

The emperor calmly ordered them to leave.

Emperor Ning Kang also turned around and was about to leave. He walked two steps and turned back to ask for instructions: "Oh, by the way, father. Now it is the turn of spring and summer. According to the rules set by our ancestors, all royal children should go out of the city to participate in hunting, so as to prevent them from being too greedy for pleasure and completely forgetting to master the bow and horse.

I have already ordered the Crown Prince to prepare everything, and a large-scale hunting trip will be held in the Iron Net this year.

In addition to the royal family, we will invite some princes and ministers to participate with their children. It will be a rare event."

The emperor nodded and said, "Well, you decide on these matters."

"I just wonder if Father will still participate in the hunt this year?"

Although the retired emperor did not gain the throne on horseback, he had been in power for many years and was proud of his achievements being comparable to those of his ancestors. Therefore, even after he abdicated in old age, he would often go hunting even in autumn and winter in order to demonstrate his martial arts skills.

As for the hunting held at the turn of spring and summer according to the ancestral rules, he would not miss it unless he was really unwell. He knew that if he did not participate, the emperor and others would probably just treat it as an ancestral rule and deal with it.

But he was old after all, and no matter how reluctant he was to admit it, he knew that it was difficult for him to control the bow and horse. He had experienced this firsthand in the past few years.

Therefore, when faced with the emperor's questions, he seemed a little hesitant.

Emperor Ning Kang said: "If your father is not in good health, I don't recommend that you go. After all, the journey is quite long, and I am afraid that your father will not be able to bear the tossing and turning.

This year, why not let me take charge and lead the clan members to complete this hunt?"

The emperor didn't really want to go at first, but when he heard Emperor Ning Kang's suggestion, he felt a little dissatisfied for some reason, and snorted, "Although I am no longer the man I used to be, I can still walk a few dozen miles.

It just so happens that I feel bored in the palace these days, so why not go out for a walk with you guys?"

"My son, I obey."

……

Grandmother Jia and other female members of the Jia family returned to Ningrong Street and first went to Ningguo Mansion.

Greeted by Youshi and others, Grandmother Jia arrived at Jia Jing's mourning hall. When she saw Jia Jing's lonely coffin, she couldn't help but be filled with thoughts.

Thinking that most of the people of my generation have passed away, even the younger generation are leaving the world one after another.

So they were overwhelmed with sorrow, and both Youshi and her mother-in-law cried uncontrollably.

Led by Lady Jia, Lady Wang, Lady Xing and others were also sad, making all those who had endured a month outside and finally returned to the mansion, thinking that they would be able to relax, feel gloomy in their hearts.

But Wang Xifeng is definitely not included in this.

When Feng Jieer got in the carriage and entered the capital, her whole mood was very high.

Seeing that Lady Jia and others were about to cry to death, she persuaded Madam Xing and Madam Wang to send Lady Jia back to rest, while she looked around to see if there was any place in the Ningguo Mansion where she could be of use.

When he realized that everything was in order, he thought to himself that he had underestimated Youshi in the past, and so he returned home.

Soon, the Rongguo Mansion, which had been in a mess due to the return of a large number of people, became orderly again under her management.

Because the emperor was returning to the capital, the prince led the civil and military officials who remained in the capital to welcome him, and Jia Lian was among them.

Although these were all procedures, they took quite a bit of time, so Jia Lian was unable to personally welcome Lady Jia and the others back home, but instead asked the housekeeper to take charge of the settlement matters.

By the time he found time to return home, it was almost evening.

Rongqing Hall.

Because of the return of Lady Jia, the place became bustling again.

At the request of the maid, Jia Lian came to the inner room of Rongqing Hall and saw Jia's mother, who looked exhausted.

She leaned on a crutch and walked out of the bedroom unsteadily with the help of Yuanyang.

Jia Lian rolled up his robe, knelt down and kowtowed: "My grandson is unfilial. Before leaving Beijing, my second uncle repeatedly told me to serve the old ancestor well.

However, due to official duties, my grandson was unable to personally escort my ancestor to the imperial mausoleum, which caused my ancestor to suffer physically and mentally. This is entirely my fault. "

Already exhausted from the long journey, and having just cried bitterly because of Jia Jing, Lady Jia's condition was not very good. Mrs. Wang and others had just asked a doctor to see her.

But seeing Jia Lian greet her so solemnly and politely, a look of comfort appeared on her face.

"Get up. You said it was for official business. This is a serious matter, so I can't blame you.

Although I am old, I can still understand this truth clearly. "

"Thank you for your understanding, ancestor."

Grandmother Jia looked at Jia Lian, who stood up and became more and more tall and majestic, and nodded involuntarily.

"I've heard that you took good care of the house during the time when your wife, Feng Yatou and I were not at home.

In this regard, you are doing better than your second uncle."

When Grandmother Jia said this, she was a little dazed. She was recalling that in the past, when she met Wang Fu-ren, Jia Lian and other juniors, she usually called Jia Zheng "your master" and called Jia She "big master".

There are few exceptions.

Since when, in Jia Lian's mouth, Jia Zheng has become just "Second Uncle".

Now, even she has changed her tune.

I felt a little uncomfortable. I don't know if this grandson did it unintentionally or intentionally. Maybe he did it on purpose, he has always been scheming.

Grandmother Jia has no intention of competing with Jia Lian over such trivial matters, and is still very satisfied with Jia Lian today.

Apart from anything else, at least half of the family's prosperous situation in the past two years is due to him.

As for why it was half, it was because she and Mrs. Wang believed that it was crucial and indispensable that Yuanchun, whom they had carefully raised, was made a princess and a noble concubine, making the Jia family a royal family.

Therefore, Yuanchun and the others also account for half. Even in the eyes of a few people like Mrs. Wang, it is more than half.

Smilingly, she asked Jia Lian a few questions about the family situation in the past month. Suddenly, Jia's mother pulled Yuanyang, who was gently massaging her shoulders, to her side, patted her little hand, and said to Jia Lian with a smile:

"You just said that you felt bad for not escorting me to the imperial mausoleum, but that was totally unnecessary.

I have this girl to take care of me, and she is more useful than a bunch of your sons and grandsons!

Over the past month, if Yuanyang had not gotten up early and gone to bed late, taking care of me wholeheartedly, I'm afraid my old bones might not have made it through.

So, if you really feel bad about it, please thank her on my behalf, reward her, and let her serve me more attentively in the future. This will be considered as your filial piety."

Yuanyang was originally secretly looking at Jia Lian, but was suddenly pulled to the front by Lady Jia. She was startled, thinking that she was caught slacking off at work and looking at handsome guys.

After hearing what Lady Jia said, she quickly shook her head and said that it was her job and she couldn't bear it.

Because of Jia's grandmother's words, Jia Lian also focused his attention entirely on Yuanyang.

After not seeing her for more than a month, this girl seems to be getting better and better.

Regardless of Yuanyang's refusal, he put his palms together, stretched his arms forward, and bowed to Yuanyang completely, saying with a smile: "Thank you very much, Miss Yuanyang. Miss Yuanyang's consideration in front of our ancestors is indeed more than our countless descendants. Miss Yuanyang should accept my courtesy."

Yuanyang was unable to move forward or backward, so she could only turn her head away with a red face. She took a half step back and hid beside Lady Jia.

Seeing this, Jia's mother became even happier and said, "Why are you just talking nonsense? You are now a marquis and rich, so how can you not show some sincerity?"

Jia Lian shook his head and smiled, then took out a piece of jade from his waist.

He himself doesn't like wearing these fancy things, but he knows that these things can often come in handy in interpersonal relationships.

Therefore, he often deliberately wears some of them on his body. He doesn't ask for them to be expensive, as long as he wears them for a period of time, and when he gives them to others, he can say that it is something he has "worn for many years" and "loves very much".

When the gifts on my body are almost all gone, I will ask Qingwen to make some more laces and string together a new batch.

"Yuanyang, why don't you take it? As a marquis, the gift he sends will not be too bad." Grandmother Jia urged.

Yuanyang then came over, bowed, and took the jade pendant from Jia Lian.

Then she held her hand tightly. Although she had received some favors when Jia Lian distributed gifts to the various rooms in the mansion before.

But that obviously had a different meaning from this. This was the first time she received a gift from Jia Lian in person, and it was something she wore on her body.

To her, it can be said to be as precious as a token of love.

Jia Lian naturally saw the seriousness in Yuanyang's eyes, and his heart was touched.

He naturally understood that Jia's mother's action was not only on a whim, but more importantly, she was afraid that Jia Lian would forget about Yuanyang after a long time, so she wanted to appropriately strengthen Yuanyang's position in his heart.

Yuanyang is Jia Mu's absolute confidant. As long as Jia Lian likes her, it will be beneficial to Jia Mu.

As for Jia Lian, he really likes this girl who has her own ideas, acts low-key and does things prudently.

The key point is that she is really good-looking, with a slim waist and narrow shoulders, and a small oval face similar to Tanchun's, which is not very common.

In this case, Jia Lian naturally didn't care about Grandmother Jia using Yuanyang to tie him up.

After coming out of Lady Jia's room, Jia Lian did not go anywhere else, but went straight home.

In the past, let alone returning home from a long journey, even if Lady Wang and Lady Xing came back from a casual outing, Jia Lian would go up to greet and pay his respects.

Nowadays, if you have the time and mood, you can certainly do these superficial efforts.

If you don't want to go, then don't go. I don't think these two will come to find fault with him for such a small matter. Unless they don't want to live well.

……

Let alone Rongqingtang.

As soon as Jia Lian returned home, he found that the courtyard, which had been quiet for more than a month, was in chaos again.

"Xiaohong, find two people to move these things to the backyard. Also, remember to invite a few gardeners to come in tomorrow to trim these flowers and trees.

We were away for a month, and you, the Second Master, didn't care about these things at all!"

"Who told someone to let it out? What if it hurts Qiao'er? Why don't you lock it up?"

Sister Feng, dressed in a colorful red robe and with a bright and beautiful appearance, was standing in the corridor with her hands on her hips, giving orders.

As soon as he saw Jia Lian, he immediately walked down, and the dignified look on his face turned into a bright smile.

"The Marquis is back...he has gone to see the old lady."

"Ah."

"I haven't seen you for more than a month, but you look as energetic as ever. It seems that you haven't been tired in this month."

Jia Lian let Sister Feng hold his arm, and he walked with his head down and joked.

"Well, it's just a funeral, and I don't have to do any work, so why should I be tired? But I'm sitting in the depressing imperial mausoleum all day, either eating or kneeling, and I'm almost bored to death."

After not seeing each other for a long time, Sister Feng became obviously more clingy and generous, and she held on to Jia Lian's arm and refused to let go.

However, when she was going up the corridor, she did not forget to turn back and remind the maids and old women not to forget what she had instructed them to do.

The couple came to the main room together. Jia Lian sat on the kang. After a short while, Feng Jieer naturally sat on Jia Lian's lap and said with a smile:

"I just came back and heard that Second Master has been taking care of everything at home and outside for more than a month. This makes me look so incompetent because I was so busy before and ended up with nothing."

Jia Lian laughed secretly in his heart.

Just now he heard someone complaining that he couldn't even take care of the flowers and trees at home...

He lifted up Feng Jieer's pointed and delicate chin, and lifted up her whole face. He looked at her and said jokingly, "What's the big deal? It's all because Madam taught her well."

"spit!"

Feng Jieer turned her head away embarrassedly, with an obvious blush on her face, which made her originally generous and beautiful face look a little alluring and charming.

Jia Lian's heart was moved, and his eyes and hands became more dishonest.

If Jia Lian just gave her an offensive look and touched her face and lips, Feng Jieer could still tolerate it.

But she would not tolerate any behavior that was too extreme.

Pulling down Jia Lian's big hand that was climbing up her chest, Feng Jieer glared and said, "What are you doing? The maid is watching us, and you are begging for mercy like this..."

Having said that, Sister Feng stood up and walked away.

Jia Lian glanced at the maids who had tactfully retreated to the hallway, leaned back on the soft kang with his hands, and said with a leisurely smile, "Yes, I begged for it. Then I want to see if Second Madam can still be so tough tonight."

Sister Feng looked back at Jia Lian and was speechless.

Jia Lian was just trying to take advantage of this opportunity to control Feng Jieer. He didn't believe that this stinky woman who hadn't seen him for more than a month could pretend for long.

Who would have thought that Sister Feng would straighten her clothes and go directly to the inner room, as if she was going to change clothes.

Jia Lian was surprised, got off the kang and followed her in. Seeing Feng Jieer holding a set of clothes and trying them out in front of the glass mirror, Jia Lian was surprised: "Why, have you really decided to become a nun?"

"go……"

Even though she had been corrupted by Jia Lian for many years, Feng Jieer still couldn't stand Jia Lian's "dirty words" many times.

She couldn't understand how Jia Lian, a marquis, could say such nonsense without batting an eyelid.

"The old lady is going to set up the dinner, I have to go over and take a look.

Besides…”

Feng Jieer stopped and gave Jia Lian a very humane look.

You are such a boring person. Once you start to dress up, you can't stop. If you delay the welcoming banquet because of this, won't she be laughed at by the whole family for three days?

Humph. Originally, I bathed and fumigated as soon as I got home in the afternoon. It was you who came back too late!

So, Feng Jieer ignored Jia Lian's harassment, changed her clothes with great willpower, and left with Ping'er in a proud manner.

If it were a long time ago, she would still be worried about giving advantage to outsiders, and would probably have come up with some tricks to get rid of Qingwen and other little vixens.

But after spending so much time with Jia Lian, she has developed a higher level of trust in him.

Although this man is a little bit lustful, he still knows how to care for others and understands the situation.

I haven't seen him for more than a month. Maybe he wouldn't go to the little girls to relieve his sexual desire before touching me...