Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Hearing these sad words, even Jia Cong, who had a heart of stone, was somewhat moved, and was mostly amazed.

I knew that the Western Regions were rich in beauties, but I didn't expect that they would be so breathtaking when I actually saw them.

As soon as one sees her, one wants to indulge in her eyes as clear as a blue lake. Seeing her is as if one sees the grasslands, blue sky and snow-capped peaks of the Western Regions, and a sense of wild and free beauty comes to the face.

Unlike the wild nature of the Wanyan sisters, who are more like mountain elves, Fatini is like a wild horse from the prairie. Although she is lying quietly on the ground, her slender but not soft waist and tight and high buttocks make people think of the magnificence of galloping across the desert.

Beauty trap! Jia Cong swallowed his saliva. This was indeed a bargaining chip that was hard to refuse.

With some difficulty, he turned his eyes away from Fatini, glanced at Qiu Zhixin, and said, "Governor, you underestimate Cong. If I really wanted the beauty from the Western Regions, I would have bought her with all I had. Do you think Cong is a peasant who has never seen the world?"

After saying that, he turned his head and looked down at the ground, sighing, "Girl, get up. I admire you for traveling thousands of miles to fight for the fate of your people. If possible, I am willing to serve you, but... alas, you and I both have things we can't help."

Fatini stood up and said, "Young Duke, Lord Qiu said that you are the greatest hero of the Celestial Empire. We Kyrgyz people have always respected heroes the most.

I am willing to serve you loyally for the rest of my life, and I hope that your glory will spread to the Western Regions, so that the bandits and rebels in the Western Regions will be terrified and the tribes in the Western Regions will praise your name forever.

And what you can gain is far more than just me, but the love of countless warriors in the Western Regions and the hearts of the girls on the grasslands."

Qiu Zhixin added: "Her father is the leader of the Kyrgyz tribe. Apart from them, all the tribes have the same hatred for the enemy and are looking forward to the king's expedition to the west day and night."

Jia Cong looked at the exotic beauty with lips like diamonds and teeth like woven shells in front of him, and had to admit that at this moment, he was indeed moved out of personal heroism and natural male pride. However, when he saw Pang Chao calmly shaking his head, he had to reject Fatini's exhausted plea.

"The court has already made a decision on the matter of the Western Regions. I am sorry to disappoint you, Miss Fatini. I'm sorry, the person in front of you is not a hero." Jia Cong sighed.

Upon hearing this, Fatini's body trembled slightly, her heart sank to the bottom of the sea, cold to the bones, tears slowly gathered in her eye sockets, and she looked at Qiu Zhixin in a daze.

Qiu Zhixin frowned slightly. Jia Cong was adamant and he didn't have many good solutions. Just as he was about to try to persuade him with advantage, he suddenly saw a pretty girl hurriedly coming in from behind and whispered something in Jia Cong's ear.

"What?!" Jia Cong's face changed, he was shocked and angry, he raised his hand and slammed the table.

Clang! The tea bowl jumped up and fell to the ground, breaking into pieces.

Qiu Zhixin watched coldly from the sidelines, and when he saw something unexpected happen, he quickly signaled with his eyes, asking Fatini to sit down first.

Jia Cong stood up with a frosty face and said, "Mr. Pang, please chat with the governor for a while. I will be back soon. Please forgive me for my impoliteness."

Qiu Zhixin hurriedly bowed and said, "Young Master, please go and take care of something first, don't worry about me."

Jia Cong nodded and strode out.

Qiu Zhixin and Pang Chao looked at each other, neither of them knowing what had happened. Both of them were extremely cunning people, so they pretended to chat casually, while they were both thinking secretly in their hearts.

After chatting for a while, Qiu Zhixin came out on the pretext of going to the toilet, and a little girl led him to the toilet.

Seeing that no one was around, Qiu Zhixin suddenly smiled and said, "Miss, the Duke was in a hurry just now, where did he go?"

The girl was a little nervous as it was her first time speaking to a high-ranking official from the imperial court. She stammered, "I heard he went to the West Palace."

"Oh? Is there anything going on at Rongguo Mansion today?"

"Nothing, they said the Concubine Dowager Nan'an came to visit."

Qiu Zhixin's eyes rolled slightly. The Nan'an Palace was deeply involved in the affairs of the Western Regions. The Queen Mother's visit at this time must be related to the Western Regions, so she smiled and said, "I heard that the Nan'an Palace and the Zun Mansion are old friends. Why is the Duke angry?"

The girl quickly closed her mouth and shook her head, saying, "I don't know."

Qiu Zhixin smiled slightly, took out a banknote from the stack of banknotes that Jia Cong had just given him, put it in the girl's hand, and said with a smile: "You can say whatever you want. Your master and I are good friends. I am just concerned about you and will not tell anyone."

The girl blushed and could not refuse. Seeing the three big red words "Two Hundred Liang" on the banknote, and seeing that there was no one around, she whispered, "I just heard that it was because... please don't say it was me who said it."

Qiu Zhixin suddenly realized, his mind raced, and he said with a smile: "Don't worry, young lady, I am not a talkative person."
-
Today, Rongqing Hall is filled with laughter and joy, and is brightly decorated with brocade and pearls.

There was no other reason. The old Dowager Princess Nan'an had come, and Lady Jia, Madam Xing, Madam Wang, Aunt Zhao (now the servants called her Madam Zhao) and others were all dressed in their best clothes to accompany her, and Youshi and Li Wan were standing by to serve her.

Grandmother Jia was originally very worried about the capture of her nephew Shi Nai, but when she saw the Concubine Nan'an coming, she was relieved. Thinking that even the Prince of Nan'an was captured, it seemed that Shi Nai's capture was not unacceptable.

Therefore, the two old women who shared the same suffering suddenly had many common topics. They forced themselves to laugh and then couldn't help feeling sad.

Everyone was busy trying to comfort her: "Don't worry, old concubine. The court is already negotiating peace, and the prince will be back in a few days."

"As the ancients said, victory and defeat are common in the military, and temporary gains and losses do not diminish your wisdom."

"The Emperor still loves the prince. When he heard that he was in danger, he went against all odds to rescue him. This shows that the palace is still prosperous."

"Don't worry, old concubine. I will ask Cong to do his best in front of the emperor. Our two families have been friends for a hundred years, so there is no need to say more."

The concubine had important business to attend to, so she quickly calmed down and said with a smile, "Thank you, old lady and all the ladies for your kindness. Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings. Let them be. I don't care. Hey, why don't I see the girls from your mansion today?"

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "They are all playing in the garden. Someone, invite the third girl, Yun girl, and Qin girl to come and pay their respects to the imperial concubine."

"Yes." Yuanyang quickly agreed and left.

Soon, the three women came together to pay their respects to the Concubine Dowager.

Grandmother Jia introduced them with a smile: "This is our third daughter, Tanchun. This is Yun from the Shi family. Her master is also accompanying the prince on the Western Expedition this time... This is Qin from the Xue family in Jinling."

The concubine looked at them one by one and said with a smile: "Your mansion is a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. I have been to most of the mansions of the rich and powerful in Beijing, but I have never seen such a lovely girl. Wow, she is well-educated, intelligent and charming. Great.

I came in a hurry today and didn't prepare any good gifts, so I'll keep this little toy as a reward for others."

The maid behind her hurriedly brought out a tray with several brocade boxes on it, which were obviously valuable items.

The three girls blushed and tried to decline, but Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Since it is a reward from the imperial concubine, you should accept it."

"Thank you, old concubine, for your reward." The three girls bowed hurriedly.

"Oh, good, this is the demeanor of a lady from a noble family." The concubine smiled and raised her hand to support her. Her eyes turned to Tanchun's face, which made her blush and lower her head in shame.

"What are you looking at, Dowager Concubine? What's wrong with the third girl?" Grandmother Jia said with a smile.

The concubine laughed and said, "When I saw the third girl looking around with a lively and neither humble nor arrogant look, I was reminded of myself when I was young. We are 70% similar. If you don't believe me, please take a look." As she said this, she pulled Tanchun in front of her, looked at Lady Jia, and asked her to compare.

Jia's mother couldn't imagine what the concubine looked like decades ago, so she smiled and said, "Well, when you think about it carefully, there are indeed some similarities. This is also the blessing of our third daughter."

Everyone laughed and said yes.

Aunt Zhao was the most proud and couldn't stop smiling. Everyone knew that Tanchun came out of my mother's intestines and was prettier than Yingchun and Xichun, taking after her mother.

"Today I met the third girl and we hit it off right away, which is a great comfort to me. I'll give this toy to you."

The concubine took Tanchun's hand and loved her more and more. She smiled and took off a seven-treasure jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on her hand.

Tanchun knew that this item was extremely valuable, so she blushed and shook her head to refuse.

Grandmother Jia also dissuaded her, saying, "What is the Concubine doing? It's too expensive. How can a child afford it? It will ruin her fortune."

The concubine laughed and said, "What do you mean I can't afford it? I love her in my heart and I am willing to give it to her. It's not something I stole or robbed, so how can it reduce my blessings?

Although this bracelet was given by the Queen Mother, I fell in love with the third girl as soon as I saw her. What is the value of a stubborn girl?
Don't refuse, this bracelet will look better on your hand." Then he forced Tanchun to put it on.

Her wrists are fair and smooth, the jade is as emerald as water, and the colorful gems inlaid on the jade are sparkling, which really complements each other.

Seeing that she couldn't stop him, Jia's mother had to give up and said with a smile, "Why don't you thank the concubine, Third Girl?"

Tanchun was also happy. She looked at the concubine carefully and bowed to express her gratitude.

The concubine helped her up, stroked her temples, and sighed, "I have wanted a daughter all my life, but fate does not grant my wishes. If I had a daughter like this, I would be willing to die." As she spoke, she choked up.

Tanchun was panicked and didn't know what to do.

Everyone tried to comfort her, wondering if the concubine was thinking of adopting a daughter.

Madam Wang hurriedly said, "Silly girl, it's rare that the old concubine values ​​you, but you still don't acknowledge her as your mother? Where's your usual smartness?"

She is Tanchun's biological mother, so no one knew what to say after she spoke like this. Although it seemed a bit hasty, it was not a bad thing.

Tanchun was flattered and kowtowed, saying, "Tanchun greets mother. May mother be blessed with good health."

"All right." The concubine smiled brightly, lifted up Tanchun with both hands, and said "All right" repeatedly, "Today, in front of the old lady and all the ladies, I will acknowledge this daughter. From now on, I will treat her as my own daughter and love her like my own daughter."

Tanchun's heart was filled with great happiness. She had no time to think and could only express gratitude.

When Aunt Zhao saw this, her smile faded. With a woman's natural intuition and years of experience in domestic fighting, she was keenly aware that something was wrong. This old concubine was too enthusiastic and flattering.

Who in the whole family deserves her to please him like this, giving him gifts, taking his daughter in, and flattering him in every way? Why? If it is for the old lady, who is buried in the earth up to her neck, what is the point of trying to please her?

If it was for Cong'er, why bother to adopt Tanchun as a daughter? Wouldn't it be closer to adopt Yingchun?

The concubine smiled and asked about Tanchun's birthday, and then asked about Xu and Xu, and gradually talked about the important issue of marriage.

Xiangyun and Baoqin were both making teasing eyes at Tanchun, which made her so embarrassed that she spat inwardly and turned her head away coyly.

"It's really a match made in heaven. I have a perfect marriage right now, and only a girl of Tan's character and family background is worthy of her." The concubine clapped her hands.

Mrs. Wang said, "Oh? I wonder which family it is."

The Queen Mother smiled and said, "Isn't this the Western Regions negotiating peace? The other day the Emperor issued an order, ordering me to choose a daughter to marry the King of the Western Regions. I'm having a headache, not knowing who to choose so that I can maintain the dignity of the Celestial Empire and still be gracious to the vassal states.

Look, I happened to marry Tanya, don’t you think this is a match made in heaven?”

"This..." When Grandmother Jia heard this, she was shocked and hesitated without answering.

Mrs. Wang smiled and nodded.

Mrs. Xing was indifferent to the matter and just smiled without saying anything.

Yushi, Li Wan and others were shocked when they heard this. The Concubine Dowager actually wanted Tanchun to marry?
Xiangyun and Baoqin were also shocked. If Tan's daughter were to go and marry... they couldn't imagine how miserable she would be. They were extremely anxious for a moment, but there was nothing they could do. They had no right to interrupt in the court.

When Aunt Zhao saw that Tanchun looked dazed, speechless and tearful, as dead as a dead tree, she felt anxious and sad. She thought to herself, what a damn old whore! How could she push such a good thing onto such a young girl like Tanchun? Could it be that the Nan'an mansion would be extinct without any descendants?

However, she also knew that she was able to have a seat because of her status as the Lady of Imperial Order. If she spoke without thinking, she would get into trouble. She rolled her eyes and turned her head slightly. The maid Xiaoque standing behind her hurriedly came forward and bowed to listen to her orders.

Aunt Zhao whispered a few words, Xiao Que nodded to show that she understood, and quietly slipped out from the back.

At this time, Jia's mother had recovered from her initial shock and shook her head, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Concubine Dowager, but my daughter is not talented and virtuous enough to take on such an important task. I am afraid that it would be a disgrace to the imperial court. It is not appropriate."

The concubine laughed and said, "You are too modest, old lady. If a girl of Tan's appearance and character cannot bear the responsibility, then which daughter can bear the responsibility? Would I, as a mother, harm her?"

Becoming a princess and a mother of a country is not only a good thing for her, but also a rare opportunity for you to serve the court. Besides, this is not my personal intention. The emperor's decree is here, please review it, old lady."

As he spoke he waved his hand gently, and an old woman came forward hurriedly holding a roll of yellow silk.

Grandmother Jia was shocked. She didn't expect that she even carried the imperial edict with her. She hurriedly led everyone to kneel and receive the order.

After reading the decree carefully, Jia's mother looked at Xing and Wang, and saw that they all had the intention of approving. After hesitating for a while, she could not refuse, so she nodded helplessly and said, "Just do as the imperial concubine said, and let the maid thank you."

Tanchun was overwhelmed with sorrow. There is no greater sorrow than a dead heart. She seemed to have lost her soul and said nothing. She was about to kneel down slowly.

"Wait!" Suddenly a loud shout was heard, and a man lifted the door curtain and strode in.

"Brother Cong!" Aunt Zhao, Xiangyun, Baoqin and others could not help but exclaim in surprise.

"Third brother!" Tanchun seemed to have seen the light in the dark night of despair. She cried out in pain and threw herself into Jia Cong's arms, sobbing.

"Third brother will make the decision for you."

Jia Cong patted her shoulder, gently pushed her away, and handed her to Aunt Zhao to hold. He then turned to look at the old Concubine Nan'an with a cold look in his eyes, which made her feel cold. (End of this chapter)