Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 9 Passing the exam, the aftermath

"Brother Lian has passed the exam!" Jia She rarely had the opportunity to speak loudly in the Hall of Honor and Jubilee. He was so high-spirited at this moment that those who didn't know thought he had won the Jinshi.

"Oh, you are serious!" Mother Jia's expression immediately changed, and the inexplicable worry on her face disappeared in an instant. What followed was joy, and he subconsciously remembered what Li Wan just said.

Just like Jia Shesao, when he saw Mrs. Wang and Li Wan were there, he immediately raised his chin another inch and couldn't help but said loudly: "Can this be fake?" These words were spoken with a knife, mainly Jia Baoyu's. Being born with a jade in one's mouth really tests one's common sense.

"Could it be that the message was wrong?" Mrs. Wang wanted to make sure unwillingly, while Li Wan rolled his eyes secretly as he listened. This mother-in-law's mind is really special. Didn't she just say this to stir up trouble?
  As expected, Jia She had a look of displeasure upon hearing this. Ever since Jia Zhu was selected as a scholar, Mrs. Wang had lost sight of Jia She, as if the second concubine was the heir to the dukedom of Rongguo, and as if the property of Rongguo Mansion would be in the future. It was inherited by the second roommate.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Jia Mu decisively changed the subject: "Let the messenger come in and talk!"

Xiao An, who didn't get the reward from Jia She, is waiting outside now. I was still secretly cursing in my heart that the master is really stingy.

The maid came out to deliver the message, and Xiao An came in quickly. He kowtowed as he entered, and Jia Mu asked him to get up and talk.

"As far as my ancestors are concerned, Second Master is indeed on the list. I see it for real. Second Master asked me to go ahead and report the news."

"Okay, reward him." Mother Jia felt relieved immediately, and the maid next to her took a handful of money and gave it to Xiao An.

After receiving the reward, Xiao An resigned with satisfaction.

Jia She looked at the maid Chunxiang who was serving tea to Jia Mu. He suddenly had a thought and flattered Jia Mu: "That little beast is quite up to par with his mother's careful teachings." . My son wants to ask Brother Lian for a reward."

After hearing this, Jia Mu was overjoyed and said, "Well done. Brother Lian deserves to be rewarded for his success."

"Brother Lian only has one personal maid, Guixiang, by his side. I'm afraid she won't be able to serve him. Grandpa, why don't we reward him with Chunxiang as well." Jia She asked for a favor. Mother Jia frowned slightly when she heard that. Chunxiang's heart trembled, and her face The smile is a little less.

Jia She is almost forty, and Chunxiang went to Jia Lian's place. Can Jia She, a pervert, let her go? On the east side of the courtyard, there are seven or eight concubines in the same house, and Jia She is alone. After Chunxiang passed, she had better luck. After a year of pampering, it was bad luck. In three or two months, Jia She could bring someone new in. . The best outcome for Chunxiang is to take care of her aunt when she is favored.

Naturally, Jia Mu knew what Jia She meant. What did Jia Lian want? You are fooling the devil.

"In this matter, I'll ask Brother Lian what he wants later. He doesn't like anything he doesn't reward. By the way, why hasn't Brother Lian come back? It's been a while." Mother Jia changed the subject. The eldest son It's really unsatisfactory, and all my thoughts are on my crotch.

When Jia She heard this, his expression changed and he became angry. Yesterday, in anger, he asked the person in charge not to let Jia Lian use the car. If that little beast complained, wouldn't he be the first to eat? Well, let’s get Chunxiang first before talking about anything else.

Jia She's thoughts had just finished, and he was ready to continue pestering Jia's mother for the maid Chunxiang. He didn't care at all that the little girl's expression was stiff and she was almost in tears.

Seeing Mother Jia's worried expression, Mrs. Wang changed the subject: "Yesterday, I received a letter from the second brother of Jinling. Brother Lian agreed to marry. Now that the eldest brother is an official in Beijing, the second brother wanted to send Xifeng to the capital to be married. First complete the three media and six certificates, and then determine the auspicious time."

When Jia She heard this, his attention was immediately attracted. He would definitely not be happy if he had to pay for the marriage. Now that Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang had arranged the matter, he was naturally happy to see it happen.

Jia Mu immediately expanded on this topic and said that Prince Teng was the military envoy in Beijing and had the trust of the current emperor. This foundation of trust was brought about by the concentration of military attaché resources left by the Jia family on Wang Ziteng. Wang Ziteng himself also followed the current emperor and rose to prominence.

The two women had a heated discussion about Jia Lian's marriage, who to find as a matchmaker, and which Taoist priest to find for good luck.

The guys discussed for half an hour before stopping. Jia She watched Chunxiang drooling from the side, and couldn't help but said again: "Mother, Chunxiang..." After hearing this, Jia's mother looked at him speechlessly. As long as the maid has a promising future, he will keep an eye on her.

When Jia Mu was thinking about how to block him back, there was a commotion at the door, and a woman came in happily: "Old ancestor, brother Lian is here." When Jia Mu heard this, she stood up and took three steps forward. Just then Jia Lian When he came in, he saw Jia Mu standing and quickly knelt down and kowtowed: "My grandson is paying my respects to my grandma."

Seeing how Jia Lian looked at him, Jia's mother supported him with both hands: "Get up, get up quickly."

Seeing this, Mrs. Wang quietly winked at Ms. Zhou beside her, and Ms. Zhou quietly walked away.

Jia Lian stood up, and Jia's mother couldn't wait to say: "I have asked about it. Qingyun Academy is famous for its difficulty. It is said that after three years of Qingyun, a scholar started. Now Brother Lian has entered Qingyun Academy and brought glory to the Jia family. , I want to reward you well. Just tell me, I will grant you whatever you want."

Jia Lian didn't expect Jia Mu to be so solemn. Isn't this a bit too grand? So he smiled and said: "It doesn't matter if you are rewarded or not. It's just an admission to an academy. It's not too late to ask for a reward from my grandmother if you pass the exam in a serious examination. I'm anxious to get benefits now. If I fail the exam in the future, the news will spread." I’m afraid I’ll be laughed at by others.”

After hearing this, Mother Jia's face continued to smile, and she forced herself to be serious: "Let's see who dares to talk nonsense." This was said to Jia Lian, and her eyes were indeed directed at Mrs. Wang and Li Wan. This old lady has a lot of experience in fighting in the backyard, and she will suppress the arrogance of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wang, whenever she gets the chance.

At this time, there was a burst of angry crying, Mrs. Zhou came in, and next to her, Grandma Li came in holding Baoyu.

"Hey, ancestor, our little ancestor Baoyu is awake. He cries and makes a fuss when he doesn't see you. No one can coax him, so I'll bring it to him quickly." Mrs. Zhou explained for a while, but she really didn't say anything. , when Jia Baoyu was placed next to Jia Mu, he immediately stopped crying, stared at the old lady with big eyes and shouted: "Good luck to you, ancestor!" Jia Mu liked it and quickly picked her up, screaming like a baby. Jia Mu's attention was all focused on Baoyu. Seeing this, Jia She got up angrily and walked away without even saying hello.

Jia Lian looked at the scene of Tianlun between his ancestors and grandson with a smile, and said in his heart that Jia Baoyu was really destined to be rich and noble, but the Jia family failed to live up to the expectations, and in the end they ended up in a white and clean place. The family fortune has declined, and Baoyu has become a monk. To put it bluntly, this kind of person is the most unfilial person in ancient and modern times who enjoys the benefits brought by the family but cannot contribute to the family.

Jia Mu had been observing Jia Lian secretly and found that there was no trace of displeasure or interest on his face. I secretly thought that Brother Lian had a generous personality and was gentle towards his servants. Xiaoti's superior was never on errands, unlike his father who would make a fuss over the slightest dissatisfaction. The siege in the east cross courtyard became a joke for a while, and it made him heartbroken when he thought about it.

As everyone knows, Jia Lian is in the mood of watching a show at the moment, always treating himself as a spectator. If it weren't for the fact that Jia's skin can't be taken off and it's still very useful, Jia Lian would have found a chance to stand on his own. It would be a shame to be kicked out of the family these days. The saying that one cannot enter ancestral graves had extraordinary value in the minds of the ancients.

"Daughter-in-law, granddaughter-in-law." Mother Jia looked at the two generations of daughters-in-law talking. Mrs. Wang and Li Wan quickly stood up and bowed their heads slightly to listen to the instruction.

"From today on, Brother Lian's monthly schedule will be the same as Brother Zhu's. Brother Lian doesn't want rewards. That's his filial piety. As elders, we can't ignore this matter. Besides, there are fewer people around Brother Lian. , I won’t take care of you, I’ll take care of you, I’ll make sure everything is done.”

Mrs. Jia showed off her aura as the master of the family's backyard. Mrs. Wang, Li Wan, and Mr. Zhou all fell silent. Aunt Zhao, who had just come in, also stopped at the door and stood respectfully with her hands lowered, listening to the instructions. This is often the case in this era. In the novel, Jia's mother is eating while her three daughters-in-law, Mrs. Wang, Wang Xifeng, and Li Wan, are waiting on her.

It took many years for a daughter-in-law to become a mother-in-law. Women in this era all did this after getting married.

"It's a gift from the elders, but I dare not refuse it. My grandson has thanked his grandmother, and Lian has thanked his second aunt and sister-in-law." Jia Lian couldn't accept it with peace of mind. He had to express it verbally. He was not polite about anything and appointed someone to take care of.

If a modern person lives in ancient times, just one gift can drive you crazy.

Some modern people can't even bear online violence, while ancient people were verbally violent in person.

Jia Mu continued to show her kind side, holding Jia Lian's hand, looking at it carefully, and asked Chunxiang to take a jade pendant and give it to Jia Lian, saying: "They say that a gentleman is like jade. This jade was given to your grandfather by the emperor. Take it."

Jia Mu's thoughts are very interesting. Even though Mrs. Wang is now in charge of the family, but one day, Jia Mu will be gone. Legally speaking, the heads of the Rongguo Mansion will be Jia She and Jia Lian. How will we treat the second room then? If you have a mean temperament like Jia She's, you may have a bad relationship with your second wife. Jia Lian's presence is very important to ease the relationship.

Being a mother is not easy. Even Cixi would sigh: Poor parents in the world!

Jia Lian still accepted it, and after thanking her again and again, Jia Mu asked again: "Do you have a crush on the maid next to me?"

After hearing this, Jia Lian quickly clasped her hands and said, "Grandma, there's really no need. I have a personal maid and two little maids over there, which are enough." In one sentence, the eyes of the maids around Jia's mother were dim. Jia Lian was extremely handsome. In any era, it is very easy to rely on your face to make a soft meal. The maids are all between thirteen and sixteen years old, how can anyone not be pretty?
  Jia's mother subconsciously looked at Mrs. Wang and thought of another thing. There were rumors in Rongxi Hall that Jia Lian didn't like young maids, but he was very interested in those women. This is the fault of the former Jia Lian. The current Jia Lian said that I am still young and do not consider this issue. When I grow up, I will want it all.

After careful consideration, Jia Lian usually had a straight look in his eyes when he came here. The so-called teasing with Jia She's concubines was just based on rumors and had no actual evidence.

"It's up to me to do this. There are too few maids around. If word spreads, people will look down on the grandson of Duke Rong." Jia's mother was very determined, so Jia Lian had no choice but to agree. I was secretly thinking, what have you done? Now I'm interested.

After saying goodbye and leaving, Jia Lian returned to his own yard in Dongkuoyuan. Guixiang came up with two little maids to express his congratulations. The joy on his face could not be concealed. He was as happy as if he had passed the exam and said: "Congratulations, Second Master, I asked Well, people outside say that Qingyun Academy is definitely difficult to get into. Among a hundred people, there can be one Jinshi and seven or eight candidates."

Jia Lian also found out that Qingyun Academy is divided into three levels: A, B, and C. Level A is at least a scholar, with the smallest number, only about thirty. If you fail to win the imperial examination in three years, you should get out. There are hundreds of people in Class B. If you are not selected as a scholar in three years, please leave. Class C has the largest number of students, with 200 people. Fifty people are eliminated every semester, and the rest will leave on their own if they fail the examination in three years.

The characteristics of this academy are very obvious. Top students are easily eliminated because of the high success rate, which in turn helps the enrollment.

Those who don’t have real talent and learning should not suffer in Qingyun Academy.

As far as Jia Lian is concerned, if he hadn't memorized all the books, he would have gotten perfect marks in arithmetic. His eight-part essay test alone would have definitely failed.

In the Rongxi Hall, when Jia's mother was in high spirits, Mrs. Wang was in a complicated mood. Earlier, when Jia Lian failed to live up to expectations and was not studying, Mrs. Wang was in a stable mood. Suddenly she changed her gender and was admitted to Qingyun Academy, which has the highest admission rate. This fully proves that Jia Lian is talented in reading. It just depends on whether he wants to read. Once he wants to read, he will make huge progress in just over a month of preparation.

In contrast, after Jia Zhu enters school at the age of fourteen, if he fails to pass the provincial examination next year but Jia Lian can pass, then all the advantages of the second house will be lost. Jia Zhu, who has always been an elder brother and a role model, will feel so embarrassed. .

Mrs. Wang's inner drama is very rich, and Li Wan's inner drama is even richer. It's not that scholars don't know how difficult it is to take the exam at Qingyun Academy. At that time, Jia Zhu didn't even dare to take the exam. Instead, she chose to go to the Imperial College, where she was cared for by her father-in-law while studying there.

Looking at Jia Lian again, he only concentrated on studying for more than a month, and he dared to take the Qingyun Academy exam. He didn't mention the stereotyped essays. How did he pass the calculation? The most difficult thing in Qingyun Academy has never been the Eight-part Pattern Analysis, but the calculation of sutras.

Jia Zhu brought the test questions back last night, and Li Wan also read them. At that time, he felt that the sutra calculation questions were a bit too difficult. Jia Lian also said that it was very difficult, especially the last question. He couldn't even understand the question. . I will ask Jia Lian later to calculate the score.

Before lunch, Chunxiang from Jia Mu's side came and brought two maids, both about ten years old. They are called Xi'er and Shui'er respectively. Jia Lian inquired and thanked Chunxiang. This character did not appear in the Dream of Red Mansions. It seems that he left before the timeline, either married or disappeared. Those named maids in the Red Mansion are estimated to be five or six years old now.

Just wait!
  (End of this chapter)