Corrupt official in the Red Chamber

Chapter 35
Today's winter sun is extraordinarily dazzling, and the clouds in the sky become extraordinarily bright. The sun penetrates the clouds and reflects colorful rays of light, like a piece of golden powder scattered.

In such fine weather, Mrs. Wang left her small house with a few maidservants, and went straight to the nearby Rongguo Mansion.

After entering the mansion through a small side door, led by an old nun, they arrived at the Rongqing Hall where Jia's mother lived.

After coming here, a little servant girl went in to report, and soon word came out from inside that Mrs. Wang should go in.

Mrs. Wang, who was standing outside the Rongqing Hall, looked a little embarrassed.

In terms of seniority in the clan, she and Jia Mu are the same, but Jia Mu still has the title of the Duke's Wife. She is a imperial concubine, and her status is much nobler than hers.

But then again, her grandson is now a third-rank official, and Jia Zheng, the head of the Rongguo Mansion, is only a fifth-rank official and cannot be on the stage at all.

If he went to other people's house, even the princess of the county would have to send someone to greet him in advance.

However, in the Rongguo Mansion, she still had to report before she could see Jia Mu, which made Mrs. Wang unhappy as she felt that her identity had changed.

However, Mrs. Wang was old and had a short temper, so this anger was quickly suppressed.

Then Mrs. Wang entered the main room under the guidance of a handsome maid.

She looked up.

All you can see are priceless antiques, blue and white porcelain of different styles, and various silks and satins in bright colors.There are also exquisite copper decorations and brocade hangings hung on the walls.

Although Mrs. Wang has seen this kind of luxury several times, she feels her heart beating fast every time she sees it. She hopes that one day she can also live in such a main hall.

Just as Mrs. Wang's eyes shone with envy, a voice came from the main hall.

"Old sister, come sit next to me."

Mrs. Wang followed the voice and looked up, only to see a luxuriously dressed silver-haired old lady sitting on the imperial concubine bed in the center.

Beside the old lady, there was a middle-aged and luxurious woman who stood up and bowed to Mrs. Wang.

The old lady in the middle is the actual person in control of the Rongguo Mansion - Mother Jia, and Aunt Xue is standing beside Mrs. Wang and bowing to Mrs. Wang.

Mrs. Wang replied with a smile: "I haven't seen the old lady for a long time, I didn't expect that your body is still so strong."

After saying this, he waved his hand lightly to ask Aunt Xue to excuse him, and then walked to Jiamu's imperial concubine's bed, at which time a maid had already sent Xiudun over.

"Have Brother Rui been safe these past two days?" Jia Mu asked gently.

If it was when Jia Rui had no hairline, it would have been normal for the old lady to ask such a question before, but now that Jia Rui is an important minister of the third-rank state, the old lady's question is a bit frivolous.

Mrs. Wang felt a little unhappy, but she hid it very well, and said with a smile: "My hairy monkey is on duty in the palace every day. He is so busy jumping up and down that he has no time to wander around."

When she said this, Mrs. Wang cast a vague glance at Mother Jia.

That means, you just look down on my grandson, but now he is also the favorite of the Supreme Emperor, the words just now are over.

Jia's mother seemed to realize now that Jia Rui's status was different. She patted her leg with a smile, "Haha, I didn't expect that naughty little doll before to be an official now."

If ordinary people looked at the smiles on these people's faces and thought they had a harmonious atmosphere, who would have known that they had already exchanged hands secretly.

At this time, a pretty and gentle maid brought fragrant tea to Mrs. Wang, and then she smiled and said to Jiamu who was sitting in the middle: "Old lady, Baoyu is about to leave school, do you want Baoyu to stay with us today?" For lunch."

Her words just resolved the embarrassment of several people. Mother Jia immediately acted as if nothing had happened and said to the little maid: "Come to my place to eat, of course. Tell the other side of the study that Baoyu is tired and won't go there in the afternoon." ."

Then Jia Mu said to the two people sitting next to her: "My grandson is good at everything, but he is a little timid because of his father. He always asks him to focus on studying. How can a family like ours be so good?" Do you need to take the scientific examination and compete with those children from poor families for this path?"

Mrs. Wang sat beside her and nodded lightly, agreeing with what Jia Mu said.

If it weren't for his old man Jia Dairu who insisted on forcing his grandson to take the imperial examination, now his great-grandson is in his arms, so there is no need to work hard now.

Jia Mu then asked Mrs. Wang, "Is there something wrong with my sister's visit this time? Is it because the family is short of money?"

"The old lady's family can live on."

After hearing this, Jia Mu nodded slightly, knowing in her heart that Jia Rui had been promoted and should have made some money, and was not as poor as before.

Then Mrs. Wang accompanied Jia Mu to talk about the troubles at home, and the atmosphere gradually became better.

Then Mrs. Wang looked at Aunt Xue next to her vaguely, "What is Miss Baochai doing these days?"

Aunt Xue, who had been accompanying the two elderly people Xiaoshun, was suddenly asked. She was stunned for a moment, and then said: "She is a quiet person, but she is studying in the boudoir, or embroidering some things for her own fun." thing."

"Miss Baochai, has she made a decision?" Mrs. Wang asked abruptly.

When Jia Mu, who was sitting in the middle, heard these words, her eyes flashed and she immediately understood Mrs. Wang's intention.

Then, a smile appeared on the corner of Jia Mu's mouth.

During this time, rumors of a good marriage spread in the house, which made Jia Mu a little unhappy.

In Jia's mother's heart, Baoyu's good match has always been her granddaughter Lin Daiyu.

Originally, Mother Jia was still thinking of some way to suppress this statement, and by the way, to give Xue Baochai some memory.

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Wang came to ask Xue Baochai before she had implemented it.

This is really a great thing. As long as Xue Baochai is determined to marry someone, then her Baoyu and Daiyu can be together.

So Jia's mother said jokingly, "Baochai hasn't found a family yet. Could it be that you have a good family?"

Aunt Xue blinked her eyes when she heard this.

In her heart, although Jia Baoyu from Rongguo Mansion is the best match for Baochai, if there are other candidates, she can listen to them.

Mrs. Wang glanced at Aunt Xue and saw that she did not object, so she felt confident.

After all, no matter how smart Jia Baoyu is, in terms of his current status, he is far behind her own grandson. She doesn't believe that such conditions are inferior to Jia Baoyu's.

"It's not an outsider, it's just my ineffective evil. Up to now, although there are some benefits, it has not been settled yet."

After saying this, Mrs. Wang picked up the teacup and took a sip, then looked at Aunt Xue who was sitting opposite.

When Aunt Xue heard that it was Jia Rui, her eyes shone with excitement.

Jia Rui's current status is not ordinary, he is the third rank of the court, and he is already qualified to go to the early court.

Although Jia Baoyu is smart, if he wants to pass the imperial examination and climb to the top of the mountain in the future, it will be impossible without 20 years of hard work.

Calculated in this way, Jia Rui is much stronger than Jia Baoyu.

What's more important is that their family has declined a lot now than before, and the old relationship in the past has almost been lost, and now it is just barely supporting a shell.

The main reason for this is that the four major families have declined than before, and only his brother Wang Ziteng is still in a high position, so he has not completely sunk.

However, although Wang Ziteng has a high status, he can't cover the sky with one hand. Without the help of other families from the four major families, Wang Ziteng can't stretch his hands that long.

Because of this, the Xue family is not as smooth as before.

(End of this chapter)