Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 382 Lure the snake out of its hole

"Why is this?" Jia Cong asked curiously. Isn't it natural for officials to live in official residences?

"Brother, think about it, the back house was once the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Lin, the virtuous couple, and the daughter. It is the branch's responsibility for me to live in it. If I, a big old man, move in, wouldn't it be disrespectful to Mrs. Lin and Miss Lin?

It's too disrespectful. Mr. Lin has been very kind to me, so I can't do this. "Xu Qing said seriously.

Jia Cong nodded when he heard this, looked at Xu Qing and said with a smile: "Brother, I was born in the second rank of Jinshi, and my moral articles are naturally exquisite. How can I be a rough man? That's all.

I actually saw two words from my brother, and I admire them deeply. "

"Oh? What are you talking about?"

"Knowledge of worldly affairs is knowledge, and understanding of human feelings is writing." Jia Cong sighed. The truth is very simple and everyone understands it, but it is so difficult to achieve it.

Xu Qing burst into laughter, cupped his hands and said, "It's a waste of time to reward me. Brother, I was born in a poor family with no one above me. If I want to gain a foothold in the officialdom, I have to be as courteous as possible."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "It's not strange to be polite to many people."

Xu Qing smiled and nodded.

"I see that your belly is bigger than last year. It's best to drink less and eat less meat to live longer."

"Thank you for your love, dear brother. I will take good care of you." Xu Qing said with a smile.
-

In the tenth year of Xifeng, July 15th is the Ghost Festival.

As good news came from various places, the whole city of Jinling was jubilant, and people in Shilin called for the lifting of the strict curfew and the restoration of the former prosperity.

Under pressure, Gu Tao repeatedly weighed and considered the overall situation, and decided to cancel the curfew of the previous days on the Hungry Ghost Festival. He still ordered the general military office and the garrison office to guard and guard against any changes.

However, Jia Cong did not come back, and Gu Tao still had some concerns. The governor, chief envoy and other people were not released and remained in the mansion to "counselor military affairs."

In a small courtyard of the Governor's Mansion, Governor Chen Zhongjian, Chief Envoy Weng Yunzhi, and Inspector Tan Yao were having secret discussions.

"Brother Shiru, I heard that the banditry has been calmed down, why doesn't Gu Tao let me out?" Weng Yun said.

Chen Zhongjian smiled and said: "Too much is too much. Since Mr. Taiwan Maker allows me to stay for a while, we can live in peace of mind. It may not be a bad thing."

Tan Yao's eyes lit up and he said, "Master Futai, does he have any clever ideas?"

"I don't have any great ideas, but I have some guesses." Chen Zhongjian said in a low voice.

"Please make it clear, sir." Weng Yunzhi said hurriedly.

Chen Zhongjian laughed and said: "I am afraid that Ji Sun's worries will not be in Zhuan Yu, but within Xiao Qiang!"

Weng Yunzhi and Tan Yao understood each other, smiled at each other, and nodded slowly.

"If misfortune comes from Xiao Qiang, we happen to be detained here by Zhitai, hiding from the light of day, and just escape the blame. We can also take advantage of the situation to impeach and take down Gu Tao! In this way, the new law will be perfect."

Chen Zhongjian laughed and said: "This is a blessing in disguise. How could I know it was a blessing?"

"Best regards, my lord."
-

It is a custom in the south of the Yangtze River to set off river lanterns on the night of the Ghost Festival, and the river lanterns on the Qinhuai River in Jinling are even more famous in the south of the Yangtze River.

In the evening, Baochai, Daiyu, Feng Jieer, Qingwen, Chuchan and others had just had dinner and were talking and laughing at home.

Suddenly, I heard that the wives of the Wang family, Xue family and other stewards came to ask for an audience.

Sister Feng and Baochai went out to spend their time.

When she came back, Sister Feng smiled and said, "I asked what happened. It turns out that my natal sister sent someone to invite me to put out river lanterns."

Baochai also said: "Baoqin girl also sent someone to invite me to put lanterns on the Qinhuai River."

Chu Chan smiled and said: "The river lanterns on the Qinhuai River during the Ghost Festival are the best in the south of the Yangtze River.

Regardless of officials, gentry, scholars, ordinary people in the city, three religions and nine streams, they must "make ghost connections" on this day. They set off sky lanterns, river lanterns, and flame mouths. All kinds of lights compete with each other to light up the Qinhuai River into a river of lights. "

Qingwen had never seen such a scene before, and said with admiration: "Miss Chan, from what you said, I can imagine that it must be very spectacular and brilliant."

Chu Chan nodded with a smile. She had lived in Jinling for a long time and put up lanterns every year, so there was nothing unclear about her.

Daiyu has been to Shenjing since she was a child. She has only heard of the beautiful scenery of the Qinhuai River but has never seen it. She was somewhat yearning for it when she heard this, and said: "If you can go and see it once, your trip to Jinling is not in vain."

Sister Feng said with a smile: "I also went to see it when I was a child, but I haven't been there for many years. I wonder if there have been any changes now. How about we go to see it today? We can also let Lin Yatou and Qingwen see the world."

Qingwen has always been bold and clapped her hands.

Baochai shook his head slightly and said, "Brother Cong told us before he left that we are not allowed to go out. We also have running water at home, so we can just put lights at home."

Sister Feng said: "What's the fun in that? It's rare to go back to Jinling. It's just in time for the solar term. If you don't put out the lanterns, you won't be disappointed.

Besides, Brother Cong didn't let us go out because he was worried about banditry. Now that banditry has subsided everywhere and the curfew is gone, what else are we afraid of? If you are worried, wouldn't it be enough to bring your own soldiers with you? "

Chu Chan was noncommittal. She put out the lanterns every year and wasn't very interested in it.

Qingwen strongly agreed. Like Sister Feng, she loved the excitement the most.

Daiyu wanted to go, but she thought there were many people by the river and she was a little worried.

"But..." Baochai was very hesitant. He was very conflicted because of Jia Cong's instructions and Baoqin's invitation. In addition, he also wanted to go.

Sister Feng smiled and said: "What are you afraid of? In Beijing, I am not the one who serves the old ladies and madams when they go out?

I'm familiar with Jinling City, so I just need to bring more people. I'll come back as soon as the lights are on, and I'll make sure everything is fine.

If you guys are worried that Brother Cong will be angry, blame it on me, and I will take full responsibility for it. "

Daiyu thought of the romantic scenery of the Qinhuai River with countless river lanterns flowing along the water and sky lanterns scattered like stars, and finally nodded slowly.

When Qingwen saw Daiyu nodding, she jumped up with joy, clapped her hands and said with a smile, "I'll have someone make a big river lantern and a sky lantern."

Sister Feng smiled and said: "No need, all kinds of lanterns are sold by the river. Let's just buy a few now."

Baochai smiled bitterly and said, "Since you all want to go, let's go early and come back early."

"Hey, Brother Cong's soldiers are not vegetarians. Are there thousands of people by the river, are we the only ones who have been missed? Baby girl, you are too worried." Sister Feng said with a smile.

Baochai laughed angrily and spat: "I thought about you all, but I made a mistake. If Brother Cong comes back and asks, you can explain it yourself."

Sister Feng said confidently: "I'm telling you that I am his sister-in-law, and Brother Cong can't do anything to me."

Baochai knew about her relationship with Jia Cong and secretly spat, she still had the nerve to be a sister-in-law.

Seeing that it was getting late, everyone ordered the mother-in-law to prepare the car.

Baochai and Daiyu rode in a red sandalwood and ivory carved car, while Feng Jieer, Chu Chan and Qingwen rode in a huanghuali canopy car with dragons and phoenixes in auspicious patterns.

The accompanying girl and mother-in-law took three other large green cloth carts. As soon as he arrived at the corner gate, he was stopped by the guards guarding the gate.

"Grandma and girls, where are you going?"

Sister Feng lifted the car curtain and said, "Go to the Qinhuai River to put out lanterns. You can just follow."

The soldier frowned and said, "To reply to grandma, the third master has an order. If there is no letter written by him personally, please don't go out, grandma and girls."

"You bastard! You're taking care of me." Sister Feng scolded with raised eyebrows.

"I don't dare." The soldiers knew that she was Jia Cong's sister-in-law, so they didn't dare to offend her, but they didn't dare to disobey the military order and let them out.

Seeing this, Sister Feng frowned and said, "I'll ask your stewards to come."

"Yes." A soldier hurriedly went to invite the two generals who were left behind.

"My name is Du Fugui, my name is Cai Sen, ladies and gentlemen." The two bosses walked to the car and bowed.

Sister Feng opened the curtain and said with a sneer: "Today is the Ghost Festival, and a few girls and I are going to put out lanterns. If you are worried, just follow. Could it be that Brother Cong wants you to see the prisoner?"

Or are you saying that you won’t be able to protect me and Zhou Quan after you leave this door? "

The two generals looked at each other, how could they say anything better than Sister Feng, but they didn't dare to disobey Jia Cong's military order, so they just kept silent.

"Since you have nothing to say, just get out of the way and don't waste time." Sister Feng said proudly.

The two of them remained motionless.

"Bastard!" Sister Feng was furious. Brother Cong's men were all like him, stones in the pit!

Yin raised his voice and said, "Bao girl, what I say doesn't work. Just say something and they will listen to you."

Baochai blushed. She had already boarded Sister Feng's pirate ship, but she couldn't get down halfway, so she raised the curtain and said, "Two generals, if you are worried, you can come with us.

How about leaving early and coming back early? If your third master asks, just say it was me who said it. "

"This... girl is exaggerating."

The two masters knew that Baochai's status was extraordinary and that even the third master respected her very much. How could the future mistress dare to offend her, so they could only nod and said: "Then I will wait for the escort girls and grandmothers to go."

As he said this, he summoned several teams to discuss manpower arrangements.

Du Fugui said: "Now that the girls and grandmothers are out, there is nothing left to guard in the house, so 150 people are sent to accompany them to ensure that there is no danger."

Cai Sen said: "Lao Du, one of you and I will stay in the house, and the other will follow you out."

Everyone nodded.

Du Fugui said: "Then I'll stay behind and you take the people out. Be careful."

Cai Sen nodded and said: "I understand. I will inform the Jin Yiwei immediately and ask Qiao Qianhu to send someone to protect you along the way."

"Yes!"
-

Cai Sen led five teams of soldiers, neatly dressed as if they were facing a formidable enemy, and protected Baochai and others towards the outer city.

According to Sister Feng's instructions, exit from the Zhengyang Gate in the southeast corner of the inner city. It is said to be the busiest here.

As soon as he left Zhengyang Gate, Cai Sen regretted it. In front of him, people from all over Jinling seemed to have gathered on both sides of the Qinhuai River.

People were squeezing one after another, vying to come forward to put out lights. From time to time, someone was pushed into the river with a splash, and was pulled up by ropes thrown by people on the shore.

Seeing the lady putting on the lanterns on the painted boat and covering her mouth with a sweet smile, the river became even more colorful.

Many wealthy families set up boats in the river. Some set off flames, some carried Buddhas to recite the Buddha's name, and some burned tinfoil ingots.

There are the most boats with river lanterns, and they are all decorated with red and green paper lanterns at the stern, which is called "Dugu".

The night is getting darker, and countless figures are noisy and moving in the colorful lights.

Seeing the chaotic scene and the huge crowds, Cai Sen hurriedly drove the car to the grass to one side, away from the crowd, and protected them.

At this time, Qiao Yin had personally rushed over with hundreds of captains. When he saw Jia Cong's soldiers, he hurriedly said hello and ordered people to disperse around to protect them.

Sister Feng and Baochai didn't see anyone from the Wang family or Xue family coming to greet them. They felt slightly puzzled and hurriedly asked the soldiers.

Cai Sen was shocked. Since the Wang and Xue families were invited, they would not fail to arrange for people to greet them. Moreover, there were more than a hundred people here wearing iron armor. They were so conspicuous. How could they not be seen?

He hurriedly invited Qiao Yin to come over and talk about the matter.

Qiao Yin was also shocked, and without caring about anything else, he shouted: "Jing Shen sets off fireworks! Gather the brothers and escort the car back!"

"Yes!"

A special communication firework made by Jinyiwei shot into the sky and exploded in the shape of a shield.

The Jin Yiwei all around quickly came over.

Cai Sen led his own soldiers to protect the chariot and headed towards the inner city.

Sister Feng asked anxiously: "Why are you leaving right after you arrived?"

Cai Sen ignored her and scanned the surroundings with his eyes like lightning, while Qiao Yin ordered people to clear the way to escort her.

Both men knew that if something happened to the people in the car, they would be screwed.

Daiyu Bingxue was smart and said: "Sister Bao, do you know the housekeeper's wife who is here to invite you today?"

Baochai nodded: "I know him. He is indeed a servant of the second uncle's family."

"Now that we are here, no one from the Xue family or the Wang family is here to greet us. I'm afraid..." Daiyu's face turned pale.

Baochai looked solemn and nodded slowly, there must be some fraud!

I couldn't help feeling ashamed and anxious in my heart, wondering how to explain to Cong'er if there was something wrong with everyone.

Daiyu held her hand and comforted her: "It's okay. There are so many soldiers and guards in brocade. Even if there are a few little ones, what can we do?"

Before he finished speaking, he heard screams outside.

(End of this chapter)