Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 108 Visiting the Zhen Family
  The next day, Jia Cong took Lin Ruhai's autographed letter, two personal soldiers, and the gifts carefully prepared by Xu Qing and others, packed a fast boat, and headed up the Yangtze River to Jinling.

Two days later, we arrived at Jinling.

Seeing this majestic ancient capital of the Six Dynasties standing in the sunset, as if it were rimmed with gold, Jia Cong could not help but sing softly: The old things of the Six Dynasties flow with the flowing water, but the cold smoke fades and the grass turns green.

No wonder the ancients wrote nostalgic poems. Looking at this thousand-year-old ancient city that has gone through vicissitudes of life, who wouldn’t feel a little emotional? Unfortunately, I only remember these two sentences.

The boat kept going, taking advantage of the sluice gate being open, turning into the Jiajiang Inland River and getting into the city.

Jia Cong hired two carts on the pier and ordered Zhang Yuanba and Zhang Yuanba to carry the gifts. They went directly to Zhen's house regardless of the time. They were old friends anyway and didn't care about these false gifts.

In a short while, the cart arrived at Tiren Street by the Cuiyu Lake. This street is almost entirely owned by the Zhen family. The Zhen family alone occupies most of the street. The remaining half and the opposite street are almost all the branches, stewards, and people of the Zhen family. Residence or property for servants.

This place is close to the Qinhuai River and not far from the Confucius Temple. It is bustling with tourists, scholars, and merchants.

When Jia Cong saw that in front of the five animal-headed gates of Zhen's mansion, there were about 10 or 20 young men in rich costumes sitting or standing, he asked Yan Shuangying to hand over Lin Ruhai and his name cards, and rewarded them with money.

The steward of the Zhen Mansion took it over and took a look. He didn't dare to neglect it and hurriedly stepped forward to say hello.

"I didn't know that Third Master Cong was coming, but I missed my welcome from afar. I apologize for my sins and please come with me, Third Master."

The steward personally led Jia Cong in from the west corner gate and said with a smile: "It's unfortunate that the third master is here. I'm discussing with several adults from Beijing today about the autumn period of Jinling Province. I haven't come back yet. Let’s go see the old lady.”

"It's just right, Cong is just wanting to meet the old lady." Jia Cong smiled slightly and handed him the gift list.

The steward took it with a smile, passed the second door, and called the two wives who were stewards of the inner house. He handed Jia Cong and the gift list to them, and went to settle Zhang Yuanba and his two children.

Jia Cong took a rough look and found that the area of ​​Zhen's Mansion was probably much larger than that of Rongguo Mansion. Although the architectural style was not as majestic as that of the North, it was exquisite and meticulous. The pavilions, pavilions, halls and gardens were elegant and meandering. They were unique and ingenious, and were inspired by the gardens of Jiangnan water towns. .

The two housekeepers' wives led Jia Cong into the residence of the old lady of the Zhen family. Along the way, many maids saw a strange young man who was upright, handsome, and free-spirited, with a sword hanging on his waist. They knew that he must be the son of an old relative. , couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle, joking with each other and stealing glances at Jia Cong.

Jia Cong was not afraid at all. Now he had already adapted to this kind of life. He nodded gracefully to the beautiful girls around him and smiled sweetly.

Entering the Liqian Hall, they had already received news that the old lady and several other ladies were there. Jia Cong hurriedly bowed and said, "Jia Cong would like to send my regards to the old lady and several other ladies."

Old Mrs. Zhen, the nanny of the Supreme Emperor, is now eighty years old, but she is well-kept, with white hair like silver, and a rich and kind manner. She looks like someone in her sixties. She smiled and said: "Get up, brother. Thank you so much for coming so far. How is your old lady doing?"

Jia Cong said with a smile: "Mrs. Lao is thinking about me. We old ladies are now joking and having fun with girls and buddies all day long. We eat well, sleep soundly, and our bodies are as strong as the old lady. Before leaving the capital, the old lady also specially Tell me that I must come to see the old lady and pay her regards."

Old Mrs. Zhen smiled and said: "It's rare that your old lady still misses me. I haven't seen you for decades in the blink of an eye. Now my energy is not as good as before. I don't dare to compare with your old lady. But now I also see Tian'er and The brothers and sisters at home are joking, just like the old lady in your family."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "The old lady is too modest. From Cong's point of view, the old lady is full of energy and speaks so loudly and clearly. I think she is only half a hundred years old. Is Cong right?"

Everyone laughed.

The ladies all looked at each other. Brother Cong was worthy of being from a wealthy family, he was good at talking and not stingy.

"You brother, you are telling lies with your eyes open. I was only half a hundred thirty years ago, but I am still half a hundred now?" Mrs. Zhen scolded with a smile.

Jia Cong was shocked and said: "Old lady, please don't lie to me if you want to see me honest. If you don't believe me, ask some of the ladies. Did Cong's eyes make a mistake?" The ladies all laughed and said, "Brother, I saw it right. The old lady didn’t lie to you, it’s just that the old lady is getting younger day by day, which caused my brother to misunderstand her.”

Mrs. Zhen smiled and shook her head, laughing and cursing repeatedly.

Jia Cong said: "The old lady is going to pass on this skill of keeping one's appearance and staying young to me no matter what. If Cong takes it back to honor the old lady at home, it will be a good fortune."

Mrs. Zhen was very happy when she saw that Jia Cong looked handsome and could talk. Although he was a little darker, he was majestic and handsome, and did not have the rosy air of ordinary young men. She smiled and said: "Brother Cong is not an outsider. Please invite the sisters at home to come out and meet me and get close to me.”

Just hearing the jingle of the ring, five people came out of the back hall, four women and one man.

Jia Cong saw that the boy was almost exactly the same as Jia Baoyu. He had the same red arrow sleeves, the same braid, and the same thick-soled boots. He was handsome, full of makeup, and had a hint of surliness in his eyes. It was obvious that he must be Zhen Baoyu. No doubt.

The other four women are also beautiful in appearance, each with their own characteristics. The most beautiful one is in her cardamom years, with a slender figure. She wears a purple gold silk dotted emerald inlay with flying phoenix mother-of-pearl on her head. She wears an azure plate with gold and colorful embroidery, a pipa lapel and a Shu brocade waistcoat with a peach lining. Wearing a red brocade jacquard shirt and skirt, pink velvet embroidered hairpin shoes, a slender head and eyebrows, eyes like autumn water, a straight nose, peach cheeks and red lips, she is delicate and elegant with a trace of heroic spirit that cannot be concealed. In terms of appearance and temperament, she is not in Dai. Under the jade and precious hairpin.

Jia Cong had worked hard in advance and instantly filtered out the others and knew that this girl was the third daughter of the Zhen family, Zhen Yuan, the most favored eldest wife besides Baoyu.

The remaining three ladies: the eldest lady Zhen Xiu, the second lady Zhen Chuo, and the fourth lady Zhen Xian. The names of their generation start with the character "Si".

The eldest sister-in-law of the Zhen family helped introduce her names and told her her age.

Jia Cong smiled quickly and said, "Cong has met Brother Bao and all my sisters."

His eyes swept over the faces of the four young ladies, and only paused for a moment on Zhen Yuan's face, showing some surprise and admiration. I believe someone as smart as her would be able to feel it.

Sure enough, Zhen Yuan's face turned slightly red, and she lowered her eyelids, avoiding eye contact with Jia Cong.

Jia Cong secretly cheered in his heart, little girl, Mr. Cong is both civil and military, but he still can't win over you. He has forgotten the tragedy of being rejected many times in his previous life.

Zhen Baoyu had a weird temper, so she just returned the gift lightly and sat down next to the old lady, too lazy to talk to Jia Cong. No matter how well Jia Cong hid it, he could smell his utilitarian smell from a long distance away.

The old lady smiled and said: "You sisters met for the first time today. It's time for us to have a good time and laugh, not to get angry. By the way, has Brother Cong had dinner?"

Jia Cong said with a smile: "As soon as we got off the boat, we went straight to the old lady's place. Not to mention dinner, Cong even ate only three-thirds full at noon. He was just waiting to have a good meal at the old lady's place as a gift."

Hearing what he said was interesting, everyone laughed, and several girls also covered their mouths and chuckled. Brother Cong was so tired, and he was not at all like ordinary young men who were serious and well-behaved.

"Hurry up and pass the food. Don't let brother Cong go hungry. Mrs. Shi will definitely blame me for being stingy if she finds out." Mrs. Zhen said with a smile.

Zhen Baoyu curled her lips in disdain, looking slick and rogue.

Jia Cong secretly glanced at Zhen Yuan and saw her looking over at him. Their eyes met and Zhen Yuan looked away quickly, but the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her uneasy heart.

Rich and distinguished families often follow the rule of saying nothing when eating or sleeping. Mrs. Zhen asked him to sit down on the first chair on the left. Jia Cong could not refuse and had to sit down. He already understood the rules and was not rude. , the meal was finished honestly, no one said a word, and although there were many women and girls serving beside him, they didn't even cough.

(End of this chapter)