Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 531 The Immortal Master of Ningguo Mansion Appears

On the intersection street,

A convoy of vehicles moved forward slowly, and the sounds of hawking and shouting could be heard one after another on the street.

Especially the snacks sold by small merchants are fragrant. Although they may not be delicious, the taste is absolutely authentic.

inside the car,

Zhang Jinyu paid no attention to what was going on outside the window, only munching on the pastries with some crumbs in the corners of her mouth.

Wu Emperor Zhou Shihong had black lines all over his face. Seeing how delicious Luo Yunhou was eating there, he didn't know whether it was because the cakes in his hands were really delicious or because of his eating appearance. He felt a little unnatural in his stomach and seemed to be a little hungry. , and didn’t say not to let him go down to buy. He asked casually where he was, and also meant to urge him.

Outside the carriage,

Liu Qianhu, who was following closely, replied,

"Going back to Yuanwai, we are almost at Ningrong Street. Just cross the street in front, and then the next place is where Dongcheng City Square is. Turn north and you will be there in a short while."

"So fast, I, let me see."

The queen had obviously never been here before. She was just watching Luo Yunhou eat and didn't pay attention to what was going on outside.

I looked out the window curiously and saw that there were many shops here and people were coming and going. There were also many wine shops and teahouses on the street. Many people were sitting around drinking tea and chatting. It was mostly comfortable.

"It's quite lively here. It seems that the people in the capital are living a good life. They are well-dressed and don't look anxious. Although they are not rich, they should have enough food and clothing."

"Auntie is right. The people in the capital have indeed been living well since my nephew came to the capital. This is all due to the imperial court and His Majesty. Otherwise, how would the people have the energy to sit there drinking tea and chatting. In other words, If the people in the capital don't have enough to eat, wouldn't other places beg for food?

Ahem, Auntie, we are here. Look at the wide road ahead, which is Ningrong Street, where Rongguo Mansion and Ningguo Mansion are located. This gate is very impressive. "

Zhang Jinyu suddenly coughed and said something too much.

He could only lift the car curtain and point forward, changing the topic, but his tone was a bit sour. Emperor Wu also leaned slightly and looked out. Ningrong Street, a long time ago, I remember when he was still a prince in the palace. I passed by once, and it’s still the same after so many years, but the gate should have been repaired, making it look even more majestic.

"They say their mansion is grand. Isn't your Marquis Mansion grand? You can't see your own. You just want to stare at others. Walk slowly. I haven't looked at it for a long time. I remember that when I came here, Ningrong Street didn't do anything. Those who buy and sell now have stalls, which is a good thing.”

Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong had a slight affection for Ningrong's second mansion, and his nobles also had a human touch. In the past, the two mansions were so domineering that they occupied the entire street.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The people outside the car responded, and then the car slowed down. Zhang Jinyu put the last pastry into his mouth, clapped his hands, then put the empty box away and put it in his arms again. He stretched out a hand and put it away. The car curtain was pulled outward so that the empress and your majesty could see more clearly.

"Your Majesty, things are better than before. However, these stalls are set up by members of the Jia family's side house to earn a lot of money to support their families. Outsiders will not set up stalls here. As for human kindness, I believe that the righteousness in my heart will last forever. Only when you follow the right path will you have all kinds of conditions in the world."

"It's well said. Supporting justice and pursuing a prosperous road will have God's blessing. If the strong bullies the weak and commits evil, there will inevitably be unfavorable retribution. I have always wanted to govern the country with benevolence, but evil cannot be eradicated, so what can I do?"

"Your Majesty is kind and righteous!"

Zhang Jinyu knew that it was difficult to be an emperor, and it was even harder when there was a Supreme Emperor pressing down on him!

The length of this street is not very far. The whole street has been cleaned and tidy. There are several alleys across the street between the two mansions. After walking a few steps, you will first reach the Rongguo mansion in the west, where there are two magnificent stone lions. Standing in front of the mansion with arrogant teeth and claws, eight uniformly dressed servants stood outside the door, and there were more than a dozen sweepers sweeping along the street. From time to time there were stewards shouting there. It was obvious that the mansion was in full swing. The mansion was prosperous.

Seeing this, Empress Jiang looked towards the gate of Rongguo Mansion. There was also a plaque written by the Supreme Emperor, carved beams and painted pillars, and a vermilion-red main entrance. What a Rongguo Mansion.

"Sure enough, it is the Duke's Mansion. Although the old Duke of the Jia family is no longer here, he seems to be quite energetic. I think it is all due to Mrs. Shi's good discipline. She is worthy of her determination back then. Today's Shi family is also without her. sad."

Zhang Jinyu didn't understand what was going on, and what happened to the historians? They never heard about it, but Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong obviously knew what the queen said. Mrs. Shi was so decisive back then, and she was also a little emotional,

"Yes, who would have thought that Mr. Shi's vision is still so sophisticated. Now the two sons in the house are clinging to each other. I heard that the grandson is also blessed with great fortune. It is worth raising him in the house to enjoy the happiness of family. , I’m a little envious.”

Only Zhang Jinyu felt contempt in his heart. The old lady was shrewd, but she was too shrewd. Of the two sons, except Jia Zheng, who was a bit pedantic, the elder Jia She was really deviant, not to mention Jia Zhen of Ningguo Mansion. I don’t know how successful I am in cultivating Taoism. Is it possible that, like Jia Jing, he can cultivate a Taoist temple and become a "taoist temple hidden husband" alone?

"By the way, I heard that your kid doesn't often go to Rongguo Mansion. What do you think?"

Queen Jiang was a little surprised when she saw Luo Yunhou being so quiet all of a sudden, and asked aloud, after all, the few times she looked for someone, they were all in Rongguo Mansion. She ran so frequently, so she thought she was thinking about someone.

"Back to my aunt, my nephew came from the countryside. The first time he came to visit, he was overwhelmed by the grandeur of Rongguo Mansion. It is worthy of being Dawu's Duke's Mansion. The courtyard and houses are well-built and well-deserved. As for these days, my little nephew My nephew all came to see Yu'er, but she was there alone, so my nephew was worried and went a few more times."

"Yu'er? A woman from the Jia family?"

Queen Jiang muttered in her mouth, it was a woman's name. Could it be that Marquis Luo Yun fell in love with a woman from the Duke's Mansion? Why didn't she know it?

Emperor Wu saw that Zhang Jinyu had no control over what he said, so he answered the words smoothly, his tone was a little heavy,

"She can be regarded as half of the Jia family. This girl Lin Daiyu is the only daughter of Lin Ruhai, the salt censor in the south of the Yangtze River. Her wife is Jia Min, the youngest daughter of the old lady. She is now fostered in Rongguo Mansion. It is a pity that Lin Aiqing and his wife were raped. It’s a human being’s fault, and I’m so saddened by the loss of my loyal minister.”

A look of grief flashed across his face, and I still can't bear to let go of these things even now.

Empress Jiang naturally knew who Lin Ruhai was. Yanzheng was the main source of His Majesty's money. Who would dare to kill him with poison? But seeing his appearance, she must have finished the matter. She stretched out her hand to hold Emperor Wu's hand.

"Your Majesty, my condolences. Since Girl Lin is still here, I must take good care of her and find a good family to live in peace. Hey, why did you go to see her?"

"Well, back to my wife, Yu'er is naturally promised to be my wife. Your Majesty approved it. My father-in-law and mother-in-law were married to me when they were still alive."

Zhang Jinyu saw the queen's confused reaction and quickly explained. Unexpectedly, the queen looked over strangely.

"You are good at taking advantage, and all the good things have been done to you,"

"Thank you for your compliment,"

Zhang Jinyu didn't dare to talk about her aunt anymore and flattered her.

At this moment, I passed by the alley entrance,

Not far ahead, in front of the Ningguo Mansion, the doors suddenly opened, and a large group of people came out of the door, wearing Taoist uniforms. Then a steward shouted,

"Hurry, hurry up, what are you talking about? If you miss the important event of the immortal master, you will be rewarded." Just as he said,

A large group of boys came out again, carrying a wooden board with some dark things on it. I don't know what they were. There were others following behind holding bronze mirrors, Bagua diagrams, and Tai Chi diagram flags, circling the door. It went around in a circle, as if the method was the same, and then started to go around in a circle again, mysteriously.

Seeing that everyone was confused, there was a lot of noise here. After a while, the people coming and going stopped to watch.

Coincidentally, a passing motorcade happened to be driving here. When Emperor Wu saw it, his eyes narrowed and he yelled,

"parking,"

"Yes."

The carriage immediately stopped opposite the gate of Ningguo Mansion, not far from the entrance of the alley. Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong and Queen Jiang opened the curtain and looked through the carriage window. It was a mess and they didn't know what they were doing.

Only Zhang Jinyu had a happy face. Good guy, where did you invite a dancing master? Jia Zhen is really good at playing. What a coincidence, His Majesty and the Empress saw him, tsk tsk!

outside,

Ning Bian and the other guards were close to the front and back of the carriage, fearing that something might happen, and they had three layers of walls inside and outside.

In front of the door of Ningguo Mansion, the people who came out jumped in a big circle, took out a lot of paper money from behind the door, drew a circle on the ground, put the paper money into the circle, and burned it.

Queen Jiang looked confused and asked,

"Marquis Luo Yun, look what's going on. Could it be that someone in Ningguo Mansion has passed away and he still wants to do this?"

"Go back to your Majesty, I haven't heard that anyone has gone to Ningguo Mansion. I haven't heard about it. Besides, the paper money they burned might be for the old Duke, but the day is wrong."

Zhang Jinyu looked at it for a long time and was a little confused. It was burning paper in broad daylight and for whom it was burned. It looked decent. Could it be that someone was really dead?

Emperor Wu squinted his eyes and watched carefully, but didn't find anything strange. He turned back to Dai Quan and asked,

"What's going on? What's going on in Ningguo Mansion!"

Dai Quan also stretched his head and looked outside. Dai Quan was confused after seeing this, as if he was burning paper for the dead, but the Ningguo Mansion did not send a letter to the clan government.

"Back to Your Majesty, the old slave didn't understand it either, but the Zongren Mansion didn't receive the information from Ning Guo Mansion. It must be something else. A few days ago, Ning Guo Mansion heard that Jia Zhen was obsessed with Taoism. The family is cultivating their moral character, it may have something to do with it, but I don’t know why paper money is burned to practice Taoism.”

"Hmph, the upper beam is really crooked and the lower beam is crooked. Jia Jing became a monk and practiced Taoism. This son has begun to take up his mantle again. The dignified Ningguo Mansion has become a mess. What can be achieved by cultivating Taoism? It can also lead to immortality. Great martial arts nobles My face has been completely lost,"

Emperor Wu's face was gloomy. Alchemists have always brought disaster to the country and the people. The emperor was obsessed with practicing Taoism and alchemy, and even neglected the government. In both the government and the public, ambitious people took the opportunity to disrupt the government and even cause chaos in the world. Now that he saw this happening again, how could he not be alert.

Zhang Jinyu took the opportunity to apply eye drops.

"What your Majesty said is absolutely true. The so-called alchemy and Taoism are all scammers who have learned a little bit and then defrauded the world. They mainly deceived the dignitaries. As the saying goes, if you don't open for a year, you will have to wait for three years to find one. After getting a large amount of money, run away immediately. As for what kind of Taoism to practice and whether you can live forever, I have never seen it from ancient times to the present. There is no record in history books or single books. Even Emperor Qin and Han Wu were deceived by alchemists in the end."

"You would say, but didn't you know that you were in Rongguo Mansion?"

Instead, Emperor Wu asked Zhang Jinyu why he knew it and didn't tell him earlier. Zhang Jinyu looked sad and a little aggrieved.

"Your Majesty, you have wronged me. When I went to Rongguo Mansion, I only went to the west courtyard once and left when I saw someone. How could I know about the affairs of Ningguo Mansion? Even if I knew about it, Your Majesty, because of the conflict between me and Ningguo Mansion, I would not interfere with him. If the courtier knows about it, he will definitely criticize me, so I should know it or not."

Listening to Marquis Luo Yun's quibbles, Emperor Wu did not say anything and continued to look outside. He saw that the group had burned the paper money, then unfolded and erected a gossip flag.

Then he unfolded another Tai Chi diagram and hung it on the wall facing the direction of the sun. Then he placed the bed board where the sun shines and placed it under the Tai Chi diagram. Then he moved a bronze mirror from nowhere and placed it on the east side. , and then kept fiddling with it, as if he wanted to use the reflection of the bronze mirror to shine on those dark things.

After waiting for a while, I adjusted it.

Just when everyone is confused,

The side door of Ningguo Mansion was opened, and only young men wearing Taoist uniforms were seen clearing the way on both sides. Then the immortal master, wearing Bagua robes, a Tai Chi hat on his head, long hair and eyebrows, and Taoist bones of immortality, walked out of the main door with Buddha dust in his hand. When he came out, Jia Zhen followed respectfully like a servant.

Master Fengxian saw the door and nodded with satisfaction.

"Jia Jiaji, there is plenty of sunshine at noon today. It is just right to put the medicinal materials gathered for alchemy outside the main entrance of Ningguo Mansion. With the strong Yang Qi, we can absorb enough Yang Qi and the luck of the house, and then put them into the alchemy furnace. By refining the elixir, you can make the elixir and feet even better."

"Then I'll trouble the immortal master to cast the spell. I also ask the Great Heavenly Lord to bless me and refine a few more immortal elixirs so that I can enter the Taoist gate."

At this time, Jia Zhen was still thinking about making a few more elixirs, but Jia Rong, who was accompanying her, looked around with some worry. The events here had attracted many people to watch, and she remembered what the second grandma said, explaining this. Nothing should be done ostentatiously.

But in this situation, I am afraid that rumors are unavoidable, and I am afraid that things will change as they spread. People are anxious and restless.

But today, the immortal master and his father don’t know why. The elixir has been boiled for nineteen days. To add a batch of medicinal materials, it is necessary to absorb Yang Qi and luck to increase the aura of the elixir. It must be outside the main entrance of the Duke’s Mansion. Cast the spell at noon, when Yang Qi is at its strongest.

but,

I didn’t see any anger at all, it was nowhere to be found.

Jia Rong stared at the ground in front of the main entrance of the house with wide eyes. There was only some dust, not even a leaf, let alone any Yang energy. He looked up at the sky. It was cloudless and the sun was high in the sky. The person taking the photo couldn't open his eyes, it looked a bit like early summer.

The person who was doing this felt warm all over and felt a little sleepy. He saw a large number of young men walking out and forming a circle. Then the immortal master took the Buddha dust and began to kneel down in front of the door. Then, behind him, the young men wearing Taoist uniforms , everyone gathered around and knelt down to worship, muttering something to each other.

His attitude was pious, and then he repeated the previous actions and started burning paper money again.

"Marquis Luo Yun, tell me, what are you doing? Has Ning Guofu lost his mind?"

(End of this chapter)