Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 146
The Spring Festival is nothing more than a welcome and send-off, but it also has a lot to offer.

But he said that Jia Zheng was arranged by the emperor, and he hurried slowly until the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, and finally returned to the capital.

Ancient times were no better than modern times. Transportation was inconvenient. Traveling by water was less bumpy, but land transportation was very tiring, especially when horse-drawn carriages were speeding through uneven pipes, and wooden tires had no shock-absorbing effect.

Jia Zheng was already in his early forties. After more than half a month of turbulence, he returned to the capital with half his life gone. His waist was especially damaged and he could hardly stand up straight.

Although his waist was damaged, this year, without Aunt Zhao's training, his old kidney was able to recuperate.

So it seems dejected, but in fact it is full of ambition.

The wine becomes more fragrant as it ages, and it becomes more enjoyable after several setbacks, and the longer it is brewed, the more interesting it becomes.

So when he returned home, he went straight to live in Mrs. Wang's courtyard. He planned to take care of his old waist and put the gold bracelet into his room.

The reason why he didn't raise him with Aunt Zhao was because he knew in his heart that this woman had always had many tricks up her sleeves, and she might not need to do anything on her own. However, the old wife, Mrs. Wang, was different. A shy (attractive) form.

It's just that there is only one day before Yuanchun's wedding ceremony, and he can't rest even if he wants to.

Although he is lying in bed, he rarely gives instructions to arrange various affairs.

"Sir! Now that Shang Rong's holy family is in full swing, do you want to call the Lai family to pick him up?"

The tree wants to be quiet but the wind is not stopping. Although Lai Shangrong has made up his mind not to participate in the family visit, Mrs. Wang wants to take the opportunity to win over.

Seeing that Jia Zheng came back with half his life, she had already attributed the reason to her son's wild words. It is a great honor to visit his relatives and pick him up, and if he thinks about it, he can ease the depression in Lai Shangrong's heart.

"Nonsense! If the Lai family were still servants in the house, they would naturally be able to enjoy such honors, but his whole family has been renounced. To the empress, they are all foreigners. How can they be qualified to look up to him!"

Mrs. Wang said to herself that the emperor also privately asked Yuanchun Lai Shangrong about his past affairs, how could it be so serious, but she could only keep these words in her heart and did not dare to tell them.

"Master, don't get so angry that you are so angry. It's all up to you!"

She was overjoyed that her husband could live in her own yard when he returned home, but of course she didn't want to create any complications.

So in the deliberate neglect of both parties, the Lantern Festival finally came on the 15th of the first lunar month.

At the fifth watch, the drums sounded, and the entire Ningrong Mansion was ready.

Since Jia Mu and other people with titles and titles, they all dress according to their taste and make up.

Everywhere in the garden is also busy, with dragons dancing on tents, colorful phoenixes flying on curtains, and gold and silver shining brightly.

Incense was burned and pistils were planted, and there were crowds of people, but it was quiet and no one was making any noise.

At the beginning of the morning, Jia Mu and others were waiting outside the gate of Rong Mansion in order of eldest and youngest. The streets and alleys had already been blocked by curtains.

By the time it was noon, everyone was hungry, especially Jia Zheng, whose waist had been severely damaged. After standing for most of the day, he was already hunched over and sweating profusely.

Suddenly, a eunuch came on a horse, and Jia's mother rushed into the mansion, and it was still early to find out.

With Sister Feng's help, Jia Zheng finally went back for a while and finally had a moment of respite.

Since we are visiting relatives at night, we must light lamps and candles everywhere.

Without further ado, in the evening, a dozen or so eunuchs came running panting. They all knew they were coming and stopped in their respective directions.

Jia She led his nephews and nephews from the He clan outside the West Street gate, and Jia's mother led the female family members of the He clan to greet him outside the gate.

There are pairs of dragon flags and phoenix feathers, pheasant feathers and kui heads, and a gold-pinned stove burning royal incense; then a crank-handled seven-phoenix golden umbrella comes over, which is the crown, robe and shoes.There are also eunuchs on duty holding incense beads, embroidered handkerchiefs, basins, whisks, etc.

There are hundreds of people in all kinds of places, coming in mighty force.

Coupled with the people waiting outside from the Rongguo Mansion, half of the street was tightly blocked.

When Yuanchun's Feng Zhu entered the main entrance, Jia Mu and others were helped up one after another and followed Feng Zhu inside. Needless to say.

Jia Amnesty, Jia Zheng and others received accompanying eunuchs and guards at the beginning.

The leading eunuchs of the Sixth Palace, Xia Shouzhong, and the captain of the Yulin Guard, Qiu Duo, told Jia Zheng how to set up defenses, and said to Jia Zheng, "I heard that Mr. Lai has a close relationship with your family, why haven't I met him? Could it be that there are rumors? Wrong?" Jia Zheng was at a loss for words and hurriedly explained: "How could it be! It's just that the empress has a high status, and the people who pick her up are all close relatives, and outsiders dare not invite her without permission."

"Haha! Even if it's inconvenient to pick you up, can't you still chat with us?"

"I'll send someone to invite you right away!"

"That's all! If we invite you again now, Master Lai will blame us for disturbing you!"

Not to mention Jia She, Jia Zheng and others outside, they were surprised by the attitude of these two close ministers of the emperor towards Lai Shangrong.

But Yuanchun inside said that he finally arrived at the main hall of the Grand View Garden.

First, Jia Mu led the female relatives to come forward to pay homage. Soon after, Jia Zheng led the men in and knelt down through the curtain.

Looking at Yuanchun, who was always in love, Jia Zheng had no choice but to use the principles of the emperor and his ministers, and said some strange words that it was the duty to coax the emperor.

Just as he was about to exit the palace, he heard Yuan Chun suddenly say: "Who is Lai Shangrong? The emperor has mentioned it many times, but I am speechless!"

Everyone was stunned, and Jia Zheng hurriedly replied: "It's not convenient for me to pick you up!"

Mrs. Wang hurriedly added: "All the pavilions, terraces and pavilions in the garden are all inscribed by Shang Rong!"

Yuanchun nodded blankly, said no more, and met Jia Mu's female relatives one by one.

When Li Wan and Sister Feng arrived, they held each other by the hand and said, "The two sisters-in-law look very good!"

Li Wan suddenly became a little distracted, and Sister Feng rushed to explain: "Brother Lan has accepted Brother Lai as his teacher. He is very successful in his studies and can meet the empress. Naturally, we are in high spirits during happy events."

I also saw that Daiyu and Baochai were different from the other sisters. They were as beautiful as soft jade, so I couldn't help but talk a few more words.

After all the female relatives saw him, they called Baoyu in, took him into his arms and touched his head, and staged a drama of deep brother-sister affection.

Then Sister Feng and Youshi reported that the banquet was ready, and Yuanchun got up and moved away.

Dinner is over!The juniors were ordered to compose poems and inscriptions to show off their talents and learning.

At that time, Baoyu had not yet finished his composition. He had just composed two poems, "Xiaoxiang Pavilion" and "Hengwuyuan", and was composing one "Yihongyuan". Baochai caught a glimpse of it and took the opportunity to ask him to revise it.

Daiyu watched with cold eyes and saw that Baochai was called the "one-character master" because he helped Baoyu change a poem, and she felt increasingly bored.

Not to mention how Yuanchun commented on everyone's poems, Lai Da found Lai Shangrong.

"Son! Did you already know that you would have a wedding reception at night?"

Of course, Lai Shangrong couldn't say that he had opened his eyes, so he had to pretend to be mysterious and said: "There are some things that my son can't say, so you just know!"

He was like a blind cat meeting a dead mouse, and he accidentally revealed the reason for visiting the bride at night.

However, Zhou Guiren's father, Minister of War, Zhou Qiong, who also applied for a royal visit, saw the emperor's attitude towards the royal visit.

To be able to become the Minister of the Ministry of War is through years of hard work in the officialdom, and it is not difficult to guess the intentions of one's superiors.

As soon as the news of visiting relatives last year spread, he saw the emperor's hint.

It's just that the Ministry of War has always been under the control of the Supreme Emperor, and the attitude of the Supreme Emperor has to be considered, so he pretends to be confused.

But during the floods last June, Xu Wen, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, took the initiative to visit the south bank of the Yongding River and gave him a warning.

Although the Supreme Emperor intended to suppress the Emperor, the Emperor had great righteousness after all.

Moreover, the Emperor is old, and the Emperor will take power sooner or later, but if he wants to turn the wheel, he must have a suitable opportunity.

Since Xu Wen could express his goodwill to the emperor through the Yongding River, could he show his attitude by canceling the visit to the relatives?

The Qingguo Duke's Mansion is also the natal family of Concubine Wu, and the same scene is also happening.

(End of this chapter)