Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Baochai and Daiyu deliberately pulled Jia Cong behind and asked in a low voice.

"What are you going to do about Fourth Sister?"

They had known that Xichun had gone to the Rongcui Temple, but because they were busy with the visit and Jia Cong was angry, they pretended not to know until today.

"What's wrong?" Jia Cong asked curiously.

"Just now, my elder sister passed by the Rongcui Temple and saw the beautiful red plum blossoms, so she went in to burn incense. She happened to meet Sister Xichun wearing a black dress, and was surprised and asked around," said Daiyu.

Jia Cong asked: "And then?"

Baochai said, "I said that because the queen came to visit her parents recently, the fourth sister came to the nunnery to fast and worship Buddha for several days to pray for the eldest sister."

Daiyu said, "Thanks to Sister Bao's quick response, the Queen didn't argue, but was very happy. She encouraged Fourth Sister and gave her many gifts."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "It's okay, big sister won't take these little things to heart."

"I heard that Fourth Sister has been having a really hard time in the nunnery these days, doing all the rough work like fetching water and washing clothes. The nuns in the nunnery are too bold." Daiyu frowned.

Jia Cong shook his head and said, "That's what I mean. Since Xichun likes to boast of being aloof from the world, I will let her have a taste of the life of a monk.

When she has had enough and wants to be our daughter again, all her bad habits will naturally disappear."

Daiyu felt sorry and wanted to persuade her again, but Baochai stopped her with a look.

"What Cong'er said makes sense. Zen and Taoist books are the most effective in changing one's character. Fourth sister is ignorant of worldly affairs and has been indulging in them for a long time, which has caused her character to change drastically.

Now that Cong'er is using strong medicine to treat it, it may not be a bad thing." Baochai said.

Jia Cong sighed, "Sister Bao is right. Not to mention Xichun, a little maid who knows nothing about the world, even I was enlightened by what Miaoyu said about 'Dependent Origination and Emptiness'.

Now that I think about it, everything I have now will eventually be lost, and I feel uncomfortable, as if food has no taste at all.”

Baochai and Daiyu looked at each other and saw a hint of shock and worry in each other's eyes. If Jia Cong also had the idea of ​​becoming a monk, the sky would fall.

She immediately put Xichun's matter out of her mind and thought anxiously about how to calm Jia Cong's mind.

After a moment of silence, Daiyu smiled and said, "Brother Cong doesn't even read the sage's scriptures, but he actually believed what the Buddha said?"

Jia Cong said: "I can't say I believe it, but I just think the four words 'Dependent Origination and Emptiness of Nature' make a lot of sense."

Daiyu said: "'Dependent Origination and Emptiness' is like looking in the mirror, why should we cling to it?"

"What do you mean?" Jia Cong asked hurriedly. He had been troubled by this philosophical question these past two days and felt very uncomfortable.

“A mirror can reflect everything. For example, when a person is dressing in front of a mirror, there is a person in the mirror. This is the origin of karma. When the person leaves, the person in the mirror also leaves. This is called the extinction of karma.

As for the mirror itself, it is empty, which is called emptiness of nature. So when you reflect people, you get people; when you reflect flowers, you get flowers. It is nothing more than this, and everything in the mirror is false and illusory. "Daiyu said.

Jia Cong said: "This is just a mirage."

"That's right. So the Buddha said that all appearances are false. You have been clinging to falsehood these past two days, so naturally you are unhappy. This is clinging to 'emptiness', also known as ignorance.

But they do not know that although the appearance is false, the fate is true. If there is no one to do the makeup, where does the person in the mirror come from? Buddhism not only talks about emptiness of nature, but also about cause and effect. Yesterday's cause, today's result, today's cause, tomorrow's result.

For example, even though the person in the mirror is gone, it only means the end of this relationship, and it is the beginning of another one.

Our family is predestined in this life, and the cause and effect are intertwined. Who knows if we have already planted the seeds for our reunion in the next life?" Daiyu said with a smile.

Jia Cong clapped his hands and smiled, "Okay, it's a deal. You will be my wife in the next life."

Daiyu rolled her eyes at him and smiled, "I'm afraid you'll have someone better in your next life, so why would you still miss me?"

Jia Cong said hurriedly: "If there is anyone better than Pin'er, she must be in the Yaochi Palace, not in the human world."

Baochai smiled and said, "Well, the Buddhists say that a word is a cause and a thought is a result. Since you have this intention, it is fate."

"You are not allowed to run away either." Jia Cong held Baochai's hand and said with a smile, then shook his head: "I don't expect you to meet me in the next life."

"What does this mean?" Daiyu asked curiously.

"In my next life, I will at most be a mortal, but you will all go to the Sea of ​​Sin and Heaven of Love to become fairies. How can I have such a blessing?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I just hope that when you become immortals, don't forget to help me. Then I will write a storybook called "My Wife is an Immortal"."

Bao and Dai laughed and said in a low voice: "Nonsense, what a sea of ​​sin and love, just making up some words to deceive people."

Baochai chuckled and said, "The Avatamsaka Sutra says that all phenomena are false and deceptive, and they only last for a moment to deceive ordinary people.

Since Cong'er is the most talented person in the world, how can he be deceived by false obsessions and lose his true nature? "

Daiyu mocked, "He must have been bewitched by Miaoyu's beauty.

If it were Jingxu from Mantou Temple, she would have been chased away long ago. There was no way she would have listened seriously to what she said about dependent origination and emptiness of nature.

You can't even see through the flesh and blood, yet you're still trying to learn Zen."

Baochai rolled her eyes at Jia Cong and pursed her lips and said, "That's right. I'm afraid some people are unhappy because they are upset that Miss Miaoyu has spent her best years in a Buddhist temple."

Jia Cong was so amused by the two that he had forgotten about the empty or empty matter. He became angry and said, "How dare you two team up to tease your husband? I will send you away and teach you a lesson later.

Now, whether you want me to defeat two women with one spear or three heroes fighting Lu Bu, what should I be afraid of?"

"Pooh." Bao Dai felt relieved to see him return to his old ways and become "normal", and they both ignored him with red faces.

Everyone accompanied Princess Yuan as she strolled around the garden, and then went to the Grand View Tower for a feast.

Everyone sat down. Princess Yuan loved Yang Si Niang's simplicity and straightforwardness, so she took her hand and said with a smile, "I heard that there was a female hero who saved the emperor at the critical moment. Where is she now?"

Yang Si Niang hurriedly said, "My Lady, that is a friend of mine from the martial arts world. He has been practicing martial arts since he was young and has been wandering around for years. I don't know where he is and I can't find him for a while."

Princess Yuan nodded without arguing, and looked at Jia Cong and said jokingly: "My brother is a martial arts champion. If we talk about martial arts, how does he compare to Si Niang?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Si Niang blushed and lowered her head.

All the girls looked at him with interest.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Big sister, you don't know that Cong fought with Si Niang twice, and luckily he won both battles, and finally he did not disgrace his ancestors."

Yang Si Niang couldn't help but spit: "You cheated, I won't surrender."

All the girls laughed.

Ruyi glared at Jia Cong and said, "I can prove that Cong is a cheater and his victory is unfair."

Jia Cong said, "This is a clever move, how can it be considered cheating? Don't ruin my reputation in front of my elder sister."

Princess Yuan watched coldly and nodded secretly when she saw the girls getting along harmoniously. She felt relieved that Jia Cong's family was peaceful.

Yin smiled and said, "Don't blame him. He is a man who leads troops in battle, so he knows that the art of war is all about deception. If you want to defeat him, you have to use a surprise attack."

Jia Cong glanced at the girls as if to show off, and said with a smile: "Sitting here and there is no fun, so today we have specially invited four former masters of the capital to come and perform for you, big sister."

Baoyu was listening and his eyes lit up. The names of the four heads of the guild were naturally well-known to him, so he pricked up his ears, fearing that Princess Yuan would refuse.

Princess Yuan naturally knew that Jia Cong had already taken the four people into his pocket, so she smiled and said, "Then we will be able to open our eyes."

Jia Cong raised his hands and clapped his hands, and Lan Wei and the other three girls walked in gracefully, each step gracefully like a lotus.

"I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine and the Princess, and to the old lady, the ladies, the grandmothers, and the young ladies." Seeing the four women with clear voices and gentle bodies, and elegant and generous manners, without any worldly airs, and more dignified than many noble ladies and ladies from well-known families, Princess Yuan was delighted and raised her hand and said, "Stand up.

I have long heard that the four masters have superb skills and have reached the pinnacle. Today we are blessed."

Lan Wei said in fear: "Your Majesty, you have wronged me. I, your humble concubine, am ashamed to accept your kindness. My mere trifling skill is not worth mentioning."

Princess Yuan glanced at Ruyi and said with a smile, "You must be the Lan family. When you performed in front of the Princess's residence, it attracted thousands of people. I have longed to do the same."

Ruyi blushed and said coquettishly, "It's all because of that brat Cong, the queen is still talking."

Princess Yuan patted her hands and comforted her, "This is also his thoughtful gesture. Such a grand occasion is something that countless princesses and daughters in the capital would love but cannot get."

Ruyi covered her mouth and smiled, which was considered as "forgiving" Jia Cong.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Wei'er, who will take the lead?"

Lan Wei said, "I will play the zither, and Sister Shu will dance with the sword first."

Before Jia Cong could say anything, Baoyu had already clapped his hands and praised, "Very good."

The four girls smiled and bowed before leaving.

"What's good about it? Have you ever seen it?" Jia Cong sneered.

Baoyu was a little embarrassed, but since the beauty was invited by Jia Cong, he didn't bother with it.

Grandmother Jia couldn't bear to see this and said, "Baoyu, come to me, be careful not to hurt you."

"Oh." Baoyu went over obediently and was caressed by Grandmother Jia.

After a while, Lan Wei and Ren Shu changed their clothes and came up to perform, which naturally received a lot of applause.

Next, Su He led several courtesans up and performed a colorful dance with graceful figures and fluttering feathered clothes.

It is indeed like the light snow swirling around in the air, and the swimming dragon is startled by its charming look. The moth is so graceful that it can hardly bear to look at it, and its sleeves are raised and lowered in the wind as if it has feelings.

Everyone applauded and praised her. Baoyu was even more mesmerized and fascinated, as if he had lost his mind. He had never seen a dancer of such top level before.

Chaolu put on her costumes and sang two pieces, "Garden Visit" and "Awakening from a Dream". Her skills were naturally countless times better than those of the little actor at home, and she shocked everyone as soon as she opened her mouth.

"It turns out that all the beautiful flowers are left to the broken wells and dilapidated walls. What can we do about the beautiful scenery? Who can enjoy the joyful scene in the yard..."

"In spring, I look out of the painting hall, and the plum blossoms and willows are so fragrant. Do you know where Liu and Ruan met? Looking back, the east wind breaks my heart..."

Princess Yuan loved listening to operas. When she saw that Chaolu's hands, eyes and body movements were all beautiful and her voice was mellow and clear, like the singing of birds in an empty mountain, she was instantly impressed and listened attentively. She was speechless for a long time, as if she was still immersed in the mood of the opera.

The girls also shook their heads and sighed, they never expected that there would be such a stunning beauty in the world, not only was she beautiful, but she was also such a good actress.

Only Jia Cong looked confused and felt a headache. Seeing that everyone seemed to be under a spell and did not react, he looked at Chao Lu again, but saw her blinking her big eyes playfully and sending him a wink, meaning, "Master, do you know how powerful I am?"
Jia Cong smiled silently in response, turned his head and looked up and said, "Big sister, you are silent, is it unbearable to hear?"

Princess Yuan came back to her senses, shook her head and smiled, "On the contrary, this song should only exist in heaven. How many times can it be heard in the world?" As she spoke, she took off a jade bracelet inlaid with oriental pearls from her wrist and ordered Jia Cong to give it to Chaolu.

"Thank you for your reward, Your Majesty." Chaolu was surprised and delighted. She had never expected that she would catch the eye of the Majesty and win the first prize.

Jia Cong smiled and went over to put it on her hand, whispering, "I don't understand what you just sang. Next time, sing something I understand."

Chaolu pursed her lips and said, "Yes, I'll remember that."

Princess Yuan said again: "There is another good song. Sing another one."

"Yes." Chaolu bowed and sang a piece of "Wenji Returns to Han", and everyone was amazed.

After Chaolu left, Lan Wei came on stage. Because Chaolu had suddenly risen to prominence today and had been praised and favored by Concubine Yuan, she, as the leader of the four great troupes and the finale, felt a lot of pressure. She had originally planned to sing a wonderful poem by Jia Cong, but now it seemed that she could not do that.

First of all, the Empress obviously loves to listen to operas and may not care about poetry;

Secondly, singing an old song is a rare way to catch people's attention;
Thirdly, the morning dew had already whetted everyone's appetite. Even if he sang again, it was afraid that he would not be able to surpass "Garden Tour" and "Awakening from a Dream", which would be disappointing.

I simply gave up the program I had prepared and said, "My lady, I think singing the old lyrics is not very interesting.

All the ladies and girls present here today are well versed in writing, and the Duke is the most talented person in the world. Why don't you write some poems and ask the Queen to select the best one and sing it impromptu? Wouldn't that be fresh?"

As he said this, he looked at Jia Cong pitifully and said, "My dear, if you don't help me, I will lose all my face."

Princess Yuan smiled and said, "This is also interesting. What do you think, my dear sisters?"

All the girls agreed with a smile.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Okay, since we are all gathered here today, it's a good time to start a club. I think we should use the Lantern Festival as the theme? It's appropriate for the time, the occasion and the people." He had already made plans for today, and Lan Wei happened to ask for help, so he could help her out in an emergency.

Baoyu clapped his hands and smiled, "Very good."

The Princess Yuan ordered them to go down and compose a poem, with a limit of three incense sticks, and no restrictions on the rhyme or tune.

Everyone in the Grand View Garden Poetry Society stood up together and went to the outer hall. Writing materials were already laid out on the table. After some laughing and pushing, everyone sat down and started to think.

Jia Cong followed to watch the fun, and saw that Baoyu seemed to be full of inspiration, picking up his pen and writing. He went to take a look and read: "Xijiangyue·Lantern Festival, thousands of lights are in harmony, and the sound of music is ten miles long. The moonlight shines through the nine-story city. People are in the fairyland of Penglai...

Tsk tsk, Baoyu, your poem seems mediocre, think about it more."

All the girls laughed. With Jia Cong's "status in the poetry world", his casual comments on Baoyu were enough to make him feel ashamed.

Baoyu crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it into the basket, saying, "I just made a rough draft, why do you take it seriously? Let me think it over carefully."

"Okay, think about it." Jia Cong said with a smile, then turned to Xiangyun and took a look.

"The spring breeze blows through the jade trees, the night moon shines on the jade tower. The fragrant dust from the BMW stirs, the fine wine floats in the golden vase... Well, good sentences, is that all? Yun'er, has Jiang Lang run out of talent?" Jia Cong said with a smile.

Xiangyun blushed and spat, "You are the only one who can do this. Don't bother me. Sister Bao, Pin'er, look at him. He keeps making trouble, but you don't do anything about it."

Daiyu covered her mouth and laughed, "Yun'er, just scold him. If he doesn't say anything nice, make him drink three cups of wine."

"Good." Xiangyun clapped her hands and glared at Jia Cong: "If you make trouble again, I will punish you by drinking three cups."

"Okay, okay, you're awesome. I'm leaving."

Jia Cong slid over to sit beside Chu Chan again and praised her: "Don't wait for the east wind to rise before you return home, it will blow away the pear cloud dream. Sister Chan's words are very wonderful."

After hearing this, everyone nodded secretly and worked even harder.

Chu Chan glanced at everyone and laughed softly, "I'm not good at this, so don't praise me."

"Then which one is your specialty, sister?" Jia Cong asked with a wicked smile.

"Hate it, why don't you go? Be careful so that someone can hear you." Chu Chan spat.

Jia Cong chuckled, ran to Baoqin and took a look, nodded like an invigilator, and said, "Qin'er is really good at seven-character quatrains. This one is wonderful."

Baoqin looked up at him happily and asked, "Which sentence?"

"I came back late after the imperial guards lifted the ban, and I sat alone in the empty hall, half drunk."

Daiyu saw that he looked at everyone but not at her, and she felt a little angry. She said angrily, "You should be quieter. You are the one who can point out the situation. Why don't you do it?"

Jia Cong said with a smile: "Eldest sister didn't ask me to do it. Besides, if I did it, you probably wouldn't want to write Lantern Festival poems in your life." (End of this chapter)