serious man in the red chamber

121 Calm
There is a lot of snow in Beijing this year!In the middle of the night, it began to snow heavily.

In the early morning, it was snowing again, and the Jiamu courtyard was quiet except for a few snow-sweeping maids sweeping the snow on the passages.

A sound of footsteps interrupted the silence in the courtyard.

The women looked up and saw Baochai coming from the courtyard gate, wearing a gorilla felt cloak and a Guanyin pocket, holding Yinger's hand, and Xiangling followed behind holding an oilcloth umbrella high.

All the women laughed and said, "Miss Bao is here."

"Ah."

Baochai smiled and asked, "Anyone here?"

All the women replied: "The girls greeted the old lady, and all went to Miss Lin's yard, please come in quickly, girl."

Knowing that they were going to discuss the poetry club, Baochai went to Jia Mu's house.

There are four copper incense burners in the four corners of Jiamu's house, and the charcoal fire is extremely hot.

At this time Mrs. Xing, You Shi, Li Wan, and Qin Keqing were all here, and when they saw Baochai coming in, they all laughed and said, "This is another one."

Baochai smiled and greeted Jiamu, and saluted Mrs. Xing.

Mother Jia beckoned Baochai to sit beside her, took her hand and said with a smile, "Why didn't you go with me?"

Baochai laughed and said, "Uncle just came back, and the house is in a mess. It's enough for my brother to go with my mother, and I won't go to cause trouble."

Jia's mother smiled and said, "That's what I mean too. It just so happens that girl Feng is about to take care of her health, so I asked Tan girl to stay at home to help sister-in-law Zhu with some trivial matters. Baoyu can go with your aunt."

Baochai smiled. Uncle Wang Ziteng went to Beijing at dusk yesterday, and went directly to the palace to meet the emperor, but he couldn't see the emperor because the emperor was hosting a banquet in Fengzao Palace to entertain Jia Hu.

However, he managed to get the job of commanding the yamen of the infantry, and Xue Pan accompanied Aunt Xue to the palace early in the morning.

Mrs. Xing was listening to these words, with a smile on the corner of her mouth. The fight between Wang Ziteng and Shi Nai for the job of commanding the infantry in the yamen was aroused in the backyard of the Jia family. Mother's natal nephew, everyone is waiting to see.

Don't look at Jia Mu not seeing Shi Nai, she usually has a nonchalant attitude, in fact, she cares more than anyone else in her heart. This is not only a power struggle between the Wang family and the Shi family, but also the face of Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law dispute.

Shi Nai's loss means that Mother Jia lost face, and Mrs. Wang's life will be difficult in the future!
Jia Mu laughed again and said, "The new year is approaching. In the first month, we should do some lantern riddles for everyone to guess." She said to Li Wan, "Leave this to you."

Li Wan hurriedly replied: "But I forgot. When we get up for the poetry club, let them each write three or two, so that they can be stubborn in the first month."

After hearing this, Youshi quickly waved his hands and said with a smile: "Young girl Feng and I don't know these elegant things, you can play, we won't join in the fun."

Baochai said with a smile: "As far as I am concerned, lantern riddles should be enjoyed by both refined and popular people. Regardless of the form, they can also be made into simple and common things. Let's have fun together."

"That's what I meant too."

Mother Jia patted Baochai's hand and said to Youshi, "You are busy all year round, let them think about it, and you just have fun."

While talking, Wang Xifeng helped Ping'er and walked in, and said with a smile: "Old Ancestor, I have come to announce the good news to you."

Mother Jia was taken aback: "Oh, what happy event?" She looked at Ping'er who was on the side.

Ping'er blushed immediately.

Wang Xifeng smiled and said to everyone: "Look, the old ancestor wants to embrace his great-grandson. The sister-in-law is not going to call Lan Geer here." Everyone who said that laughed.

Jia Mu laughed and said, "Our Lan'er is going to be the No. [-] scholar in the future. You can't disturb his studies. Tell me, where does the joy come from?"

Wang Xifeng sat down beside Jia's mother and said with a smile, "Congratulations to the old ancestor. My cousin's family has reported a letter saying that the second brother of the Xifu, Shangben, has recommended my cousin as the right servant of the Ministry of War. My cousin has already entered the palace to thank me."

When everyone heard the words, they all got up to congratulate Jiamu.

Jia's mother stood there in a daze, unable to discern the surprise!
Wang Xifeng saw that Jia's mother was in a daze, and hurriedly greeted with a smile: "Let's ask our ancestors to slow down and calculate how much reward we should pay."

Mother Jia came back to her senses and said to Wang Xifeng, "If you want to recruit me, I will tear your mouth apart."

"I just said, the ancestor only has the second brother in his heart."

Wang Xifeng stood up, walked up to Mrs You and said, "Just now I met Lin Zhixiao's family on the road, she asked me to tell you, the girls have all the items for the Poetry Club ready."

Jia Mu got up and said with a smile, "I'll pay for the food and drink of the Poetry Club today." Then she said to Yuanyang, "Go ask the girls to come and eat. After eating, take a rest, and I'll go over to have fun too."

There was a lot of snow.

Outside the Yimen of Ningguo Mansion.

A steward led Jia Rui who was covered in snowflakes in a hurry.

In the distance, Lai Sheng was already waiting outside the side door.

Jia Rui quickened his pace, approached Lai Sheng and bowed his hands: "Boss Lai."

"Oh, my dear uncle, you are killing me."

Lai Sheng supported Jia Rui, "Please come in with me."

Jia Rui nodded, stopped just after entering the side door, pulled Lai Sheng aside, and asked in a low voice: "Boss Lai, what does the patriarch want from me?"

Lai Sheng smiled wryly: "It's not that you don't know the rules of the house. If the second master doesn't tell me, I wouldn't dare to ask more. But the second master is in a good mood now, so go in."

Jia Rui thought for a while, took out a bank note from his sleeve, and said in a low voice, "Thank you, Mr. Lai." Then he stuffed the bank note into Lai Sheng's hand.

Lai Sheng was also polite, and stuffed the banknote into his sleeve, "Second Master is waiting for you. Please come with me." Then he walked towards Ning'an Hall.

Jia Rui took a deep breath and quickly chased after him.

At this time, there were also two large pots of charcoal fire burning in Jia Hu's study outside, which was as warm as spring.

Jia Hu was sitting in front of the desk, writing something with a pen.

Jiao Da stood quietly by the desk without saying a word.

After finishing writing, Jia Hu picked up the piece of paper and looked at it, Jiao Da said: "I have already greeted Cheng Shiyao, these people will enter the Chamber of Commerce and the fleet as servants of the Jia family. You will be in charge of the spies in the future."

Jiao Da nodded.

Jia Hu went on to say: "Zhen Fu must pay attention, this kid must have something to do when he goes to Beijing. Find out who he is connected with."

Jiao Da thought for a while and replied: "This kid is very shrewd. When we were in Dongshi, our people were almost thrown off by him several times. Fortunately, we ambushed people in several main road sections in advance.

In addition, there are three waves of people following Zhen Fu, and it is certain that one wave is from the Beijing Palace.In the remaining two waves, there must be spies from Longshou Palace. As for the last wave, it is not sure if it is the person who brought the punishment. "

Jia Hu smiled: "It seems that this kid did it on purpose."

Jiao Da's expression changed, he gritted his teeth: "You little bastard!"

Jia Hu handed over the warrant: "Take my warrant and go to the barracks, and let Xie Qiong lead three hundred cavalry to cooperate with you."

Jiao Da: "Yes." After receiving the warrant, he turned and walked out.

Early in the morning, news came from Tongzhou that the people of the White Lotus Sect escorted the craftsmen out of the city in the snow, and these craftsmen would not serve in the barracks directly.

Picking up the cowhide envelope on the desk, he took out a stack of confessions from it, and slowly opened it up.

Jiao Da used the long history of the Beijing Palace to trap the Longshou Palace spy who was monitoring the Beijing Palace, and got a lot of useful information from him, the most important of which was to get some secrets between the Dragonshou Palace spies from him. contact password.

"Commander, Chief Lai brought Jia Rui here." The voice of a soldier came from outside the door.

Jia Hu put the confession in a cowhide envelope, and then said: "Let Jia Rui in."

After a while, a corner of the thick cotton curtain lifted, and Jia Rui got in, walked up to Jia Hu and bowed deeply: "Greetings to the patriarch."

Jia Hu: "How is your grandfather?"

Jia Rui: "Thank you for the patriarch's concern. Before coming here, my grandfather specifically asked me to say hello to the patriarch on his behalf."

Jia Hu nodded: "Yesterday, some fresh fruits were sent from the south, you tell Lai Sheng, just say what I say, pick some good ones and give them to Grandfather to try."

Jia Rui felt relieved when he heard the words, and cupped his hands, "Thank you, Patriarch."

Jia Hu glanced at him and asked, "I called you here to ask you something. I heard that Jia Yucun introduced Zhen Fu, the eldest son of the Zhen family, to you. Is there such a thing?"

Only then did Jia Rui heave a sigh of relief, and quickly replied: "Patriarch, there is indeed such a thing. That day I bought [-] little opera singers from Gusu to sing opera costumes. When the fleet returned to Beijing, it stopped at Jinling. I went to Saying goodbye to Jia Yucun, it happened that the eldest son of the Zhen family just came back from another place, so we had a meal together and listened to a play."

Jia Hu then asked: "The twelve little opera singers were selected by you yourself?"

Jia Rui: "Jia Yucun contributed a lot to it, and saved a lot of trouble by using the name of the Jinling government office. In addition, Jia Yucun also helped to buy musical instruments and hire teachers. I personally did the buying of girls, especially These twelve little actors."

Jia Hu thought for a while: "Zhen Fu has gone to Beijing, if he comes to you."

Jia Rui quickly said: "Don't worry, the patriarch, if he comes to me, I will definitely report to the patriarch."

Jia Hu nodded in satisfaction: "Okay, you can go back first. If you need anything, go directly to Lai Sheng."

"Yes." Jia Rui bowed and retreated.

Jia Hu's eyes narrowed, and she instinctively told herself that Jia Qiang definitely had something to hide from her.

Thinking of this, he shouted to the outside: "Go, let Lin Zhixiao come over."

(End of this chapter)