serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 43 Banquet, Yuanchun concubine

April [-]th in the second year of Jianwu.

Outside the Chaoyang Gate, more than a dozen porridge sheds have been set up, and more than a dozen large pots are cooking porridge on the fire, and there are refugees waiting for the porridge to be distributed everywhere.

Since the Tartars withdrew their troops, people who had escaped by chance flocked to the capital. In less than three days, 4 or [-] people gathered outside the city.

The governor of Shuntian Prefecture stood on the city and said loudly: "Listen well, from today onwards, the imperial court will allow you to enter the city with special permission. But remember, you are not allowed to rob shops, steal property, or harass the people. Soldiers patrolling the streets are everywhere. Both, once caught, beheaded directly!"

All the victims shouted in unison: "Yes!"

Governor Shuntian: "Open the city gate!"

With a "click", the huge city gate slowly opened.

Refugees swarmed into the city, shouting.

The earth-shattering sound of firecrackers came from Ningrong Street.

Both sides of the street corner were full of common people who joined in the fun, and there were nearly a thousand people in the dark.

Under the guidance of Jia's servants, the common people stepped into the banquet in the shed and sat down.

Teams of young servants shuttled between the banquets carrying dishes, and Lai Sheng, the chief steward of the Ningguo Mansion, led several well-dressed young servants to entertain them personally.

Last year, Jia Hu was knighted just in time for Jia Zhen's Panax notoginseng, and Jia Hu himself was away, so there was no big deal.

The imperial court's reward has come down, Jia Hu not only promoted from the second-rank lieutenant general, but also more than doubled the number of soldiers and horses under his command. With a wave of Jia Mu's big hand, a running water mat was directly set up on Ningrong Street. No matter who it is, As long as you come, you can sit.

Lai Sheng's face was full of smiles, and he greeted the guests who came and went, but the sadness revealed in his eyes couldn't be stopped.

His mother, Nanny Lai, was an old man who served Jia's mother. She had a lot of face in front of Jia's mother. The status of Mai's descendants is still high, that is, Uncle Xiaorong always called his elder brother Grandpa Lai before Jinfeng County Ma Ye.

However, the wind direction in the mansion has changed in the past few days.

First, the old alcoholic Jiao Da used Lin San's hand to dispatch several of his confidantes to the manor outside the city, and then You Shi sent back the concubine Ji left behind by Jia Zhen, and the women and maids in the backyard also frequently Many of the layoffs were his wife's right-hand men, and this was obviously for his own family.

Although the Lai family is a slave, they are very rich. Not only do they have a mansion and a garden, they also have many servant girls serving them. Where did the money come from?
Either he was greedy for ink from the Jia family, or he got it through the name of the Jia family. No matter which one it is, it is a serious crime!

"What are you doing? What are you doing?" Amidst the noise, a group of disaster victims came shouting.

Lai Sheng was startled: "What's going on?"

A few boys ran over sweating, "Mr. Lai, Mr. Lai, the disaster victims outside the city have entered the city, and they all flock to our house to eat the running water mat. There is no way to stop them!"

Lai Sheng: "It's just nonsense!"

Lin San stepped out, "What's going on?"

The servant hurriedly explained, Lai Sheng: "Captain Lin, we can't let them go on like this, otherwise our family will lose all face."

There was a lot of voices on Ning Rong Street:

"Good man!"

"Good deeds will be rewarded with good deeds!"

"We don't ask for wine or meat, but a bowl of porridge!"

"."

Lai Da, Zhou Rui and Lin Zhixiao hurried out with the servant in charge.

Lai Sheng: "Drive them out"

Lai Da: "I can't rush!"

There are many people watching the excitement on the street.

Among the crowd, the servant of Zhongshun Palace smiled and got out.

Lai Da's eyes slowly narrowed into a slit.

Zhongshun Wangfu, study.

After hearing the boy's reply, King Zhongshun laughed haha, rolled his eyes, moved his hand, and whispered a few words in the boy's ear.

The boy widened his eyes.

Ning'an Hall.

Mother Jia, Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue and others came here early. The upper room was already covered with new scarlet felt, and there was a huge three-legged covered copper incense burner. A light cigarette smoked out.

Jia's mother was sitting at the top and was talking to Youshi's mother, and Youshi held tea and Jiamu with a tea tray.

Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang sat beside Aunt Xue talking and laughing, while Qin Keqing held tea with them.

There are twelve carved lacquer chairs facing each other at the bottom. Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, Daiyu, Baochai and others are sitting there, talking and laughing while waiting.

A servant girl came in and said with a smile: "Second Master Bao, Miss Shi is here!"

Before he could say a word, he heard the sound of footsteps outside, and then Baoyu pulled a tall, beautiful girl in.

Sister Yingchun got up to greet her, and talked and laughed a few words.

"Ancestor!"

Mother Jia hugged her into her arms: "I sent someone to pick you up a few days ago, why did you come here?"

After hearing this, Xiangyun knew that her aunt hadn't told him, and said with a smile, "I thought I'd go back after Brother Bao's birthday, so I came here today."

After hearing this, Jia's mother felt sad and sighed. Her natal family had three nephews. Xiangyun's father was the eldest son, who inherited the title and military position of Marquis Baoling's mansion. Unfortunately, he died in the battle at Shanhaiguan. Shi Nai inherited the title, and the third son Shi Ding was a bastard, but stepped on the bones of the founder of the country to ascend to the high position, and the historian has since left the circle of four princes and eight princes.

The Bowling Marquis Mansion lost its military position, and life is getting worse day by day, and life is very difficult.

Seeing the sadness in Jia Mu's eyes, Wang Xifeng hurried up and said with a smile: "I just told my sister-in-law that there are two more stunning people in the house, and it is more lively than before. Who knows that you, who love to be lively, also came, and this time it is even more lively. Already!"

After hearing this, Xiangyun hurriedly asked with a smile, "Which two are they? Good sister-in-law, please tell me."

Wang Xifeng said with a smile: "Look quickly! The old lady's granddaughter, the second wife's niece, looks like Zhou Zheng, but I can't compare to it."

Jia's mother continued, "Since you're here, stay here with peace of mind. Go see your two older sisters!"

Xiangyun had already seen Daiyu and Baochai who had stood up. He greeted Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang first, and then stepped forward to recognize each other.

While talking, Zhou Rui's family came in and reported, "Grandma, the banquet has been prepared in the flower hall. Just now, the four princes of Nan'an County, Dongping County, Xining County, and Beijing County, and Zhenguo Gongniu Mansion The other six families, the seven families including the historian of Baolinghou's mansion, the Feng family of Shenwu General and the family of Nanjiang Chief Bingwei sent people to send congratulatory gifts with name cards, and the second master Lian collected them in the accounting room. gone."

Without saying a word, Lin Zhixiao's family came in and said: "Old lady, Mr. Xiang sent family members to send a congratulatory gift with a name card. How should Second Master Lian ask the old lady to return the gift?"

When Jia Mu heard this, she couldn't help frowning, and pondered for a while, "Put it in the account room first, and reward people as usual, and go after dinner."

Lin Zhixiao's family: "Yes."

Mother Jia glanced at Mrs. Wang, and she didn't seem to have heard the Wang family come to send congratulatory gifts just now.

Qianqing Palace, go to the study.

Emperor Jianwu sat silently in front of the imperial case, lost in thought.

A booklet was spread out on the imperial case.

After a while of silence, Emperor Jianwu said, "When will Jia Hu enter Beijing?"

Dai Quan glanced at the chiming clock next to him, and replied, "You can go to Beijing at the beginning of the late hour."

Emperor Jianwu smiled, "Since he is so reluctant to marry the royal family, I will not follow his will. Do you think he will be furious?!"

Dai Quan moved slightly, but did not answer.

Just now, the Secretary of General Administration delivered a memorial from Jia Hu, asking the emperor to let Jia Yuanchun leave the palace and return home.

Emperor Jianwu stood up and said to Dai Quan: "The draft decree, Jia Yuanchun is a filial and talented concubine, and Jin conferred the title of Concubine De, and was granted the title of Minister of Fengzao Palace to assist the queen in handling the affairs of the harem." Said and strode out.

(End of this chapter)