Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Jia Cong glanced at him and said with a smile: "Don't worry, old lady. With your words, Cong guarantees that Baoyu will be rich and well-fed for the rest of his life.

But whether he can succeed or not depends on his own ability. It is easy for Cong to promote him to be an official, but it is difficult to do so without bringing shame to his ancestors. Besides, Baoyu may not like being an official. "

Baoyu said hurriedly: "Brother Cong is right. Old Madam, I just want to serve you at home and don't want to go out and be an official."

All the girls shook their heads secretly. Baoyu is the same age as Jia Cong and has reached the age of 20 this year, but he still doesn't know anything about sex. What will he do in the future?
Grandmother Jia held his hand lovingly and said, "I know you are filial, but you will have to start a family and a career in the future. I can't take care of you forever. Do you understand?"

Baoyu smiled awkwardly in front of many sisters and sisters-in-law, and said: "In the future, my grandson will work hard and establish a career."

Jia Cong said with a smile: "Baoyu is proficient in poetry. He will be more than qualified to be a talented and romantic scholar in the future when he goes to Jiangnan. He will definitely win the favor of the great people in Qinhuai River and be considered to have made a name for himself."

Everyone covered their mouths and laughed, and Baoyu felt a little proud.

Grandmother Jia was unhappy and glared at him, saying, "Nonsense! My Baoyu would never do such despicable things.

What kind of romantic talent is this? To put it bluntly, he is just a peasant who writes articles and sells calligraphy to make money. He spends all day dealing with girls in brothels. What good is that? "

Jia Cong shook his head and said, "As the saying goes, there are 360 ​​professions and every profession has its own top scholar. If Baoyu can become the top scholar among the talented scholars, it will be a great honor for our ancestors, right?"

After saying this, she glanced at Lan Wei and the others and said, "The old lady is from a noble family and grew up in high places. She doesn't know that there are many extraordinary women in the dust. I'm afraid Baoyu is not worthy of her."

When Yuanyang quietly reminded Jia's mother, she remembered that there were many famous prostitutes among Jia Cong's concubines. She regretted her words and said with a smile, "There are only a few rare women among ten thousand, and you have taken them all into your pocket. I am afraid that Baoyu will be deceived by others."

All the girls laughed and said yes, secretly thinking that the old lady was not stupid.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Don't worry, old lady. As long as Baoyu is obedient, Cong will take care of him and won't let him be deceived."

Grandmother Jia smiled and nodded. That was enough. She changed the subject and said, "It has been nearly three years since the master went to Fujian, right?"

Jia Cong nodded slightly and said, "Cong will summon you back to the capital. You are not interested in officialdom, so you can retire when you come back. You can stay at home and read and write, teach Baoyu, serve the old lady, and enjoy the happiness of family life."

"The master is already old, and he must have someone who understands him. What about remarrying?" Grandmother Jia asked slowly.

Jia Cong said, "Let's make Madam Zhao the legitimate wife. She is from the family, knows everything about the family, has served the master for many years, has a son and a daughter, and has an imperial decree. She is suitable."

All the girls looked at Tanchun. If Aunt Zhao was made the legal wife, she would be promoted from a concubine's daughter to a legitimate daughter, and it would be easier for her to marry in the future.

Grandmother Jia frowned slightly: "I'm afraid she is not treating people properly."

This is a euphemism. To put it bluntly, Aunt Zhao is uneducated and it is embarrassing for her to speak in front of other ladies.

Jia Cong was also a little troubled by this. It was too late to ask her to study now, but for the sake of Jia Huan and Tanchun, he still insisted: "Mrs. Zhao is not good at speaking, so let her entertain guests less in the future. If there is anything, I will let Sister Feng and Sister Chan help."

Grandmother Jia could only nod and say, "That's fine. Thanks for the trouble, Feng and Chan."

Feng Jieer and Chu Chan laughed and said, "Old Madam, you are really embarrassing me. It's just a small matter. It's not worth it. If I can come here often to pay my respects to the old lady and get some blessings and longevity, it's better than anything else."

"Okay." Grandmother Jia smiled and glanced at the two of them, feeling a little regretful. How could such a good girl fall into the hands of that bastard Cong? Her ancestors were so blind.

Jia Cong, Baochai and Daiyu smiled at each other. If Baoyu had one good point, it was probably only one, that is, he did not inherit Mrs. Wang's vicious heart, otherwise he would have died.

Grandmother Jia said, "Oh, right, the other day the lady from Dingyuan's mansion came to see me. She also sent valuable gifts to both mansions for her brother's matter. Look..."

Jia Cong sighed secretly and asked, "What does Madam Tai mean?"

"What else can she think of? Now that Ying Ge'er is gone and she has no son, it's natural for her to think about the inheritance of the title for her brother."

Jia Cong asked, "Who does the Feng family want to inherit the title?"

"His second son, Brother Jie, is said to be an honest and well-behaved child." said Grandmother Jia.

Baoyu also said: "I also know Feng Zijie, he is two or three years younger than Ziying, but he is not a frivolous person."

Jia Cong thought for a moment and said, "I remember that Ziying and his brothers have never served in the army and have no military merits. If they are given a title now, they will only be a first-class general. What's the point?"

Grandmother Jia sighed, "The court is in turmoil, and the family has suffered a disaster. It's good enough to keep the title of nobility. How can I be picky?

I heard that Feng Tang treated you well in the past, so if you pay more attention to him, it will be a way to preserve our friendship."

Jia Cong said: "For the sake of Uncle Feng and Ziying, Cong should do his best for the future of the Feng family, but he cannot help rashly.

First, if you can keep the title, then naturally you can keep it. Second, how can the imperial court grant titles so easily? It is not that the Feng family can choose whoever can receive the title. We still need to examine and select a suitable candidate. "

Grandmother Jia nodded and said, "What do you mean?"

Jia Cong raised his hand and said, "Lingsu, tell Yang Ling to recruit several of Ziying's brothers to go to Gaoli for garrison training to see their capabilities. Whoever has the ability will receive the title."

"Yes."

Grandmother Jia said, "That's good."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "You should just be at ease and happy. With Cong here, our family will not fall apart."

Grandmother Jia smiled and agreed: "Then I'm relieved."

Everyone laughed and said, "Next year is the old lady's 80th birthday, let's have a good time."

"well."

Jia Cong chatted with Jia's mother for a while, then stood up and toasted at each table. When he came to Li Wan's table, he suddenly heard her say with a smile: "Brother Cong, I have something to trouble you. I wonder if the prince is free?"

Jia Cong's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at her, thinking of how she had almost "succeeded" him that day, and laughed dryly, "What do you want, sister-in-law?"

Li Wan smiled and said, "Let's drink first, and we'll talk after dinner."

"Okay." Jia Cong didn't dare to say more and hurried to Yingchun's table.

Yu Shi, who sat at the same table with Li Wan, glanced at her and muttered to herself, "She must be tempted by love with you, and she must be tempted to flirt with you." Has Wan Jie finally lost control of herself?

Bah, why should I say "also", it's all because of that dirty seed.

After the meal, Sister Feng and the others waited for Lady Jia to go back for a nap, while everyone else played and amused themselves in the garden.

Li Wan invited Jia Cong to visit Daoxiang Village for a while, and Jia Cong couldn't refuse, so he had to go.

"Sister-in-law, what's the matter?" Jia Cong asked straight to the point after sitting down.

Li Wan dismissed the servants and said, "Third brother, my father...he..."

Jia Cong understood a little bit, and asked, "Has my uncle's injury recovered?"

Li Wan said, "My injury is almost healed, but I was fired from my position. I am upset and asked me to ask for a favor from you."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I thought it was nothing. It's not a big deal. It's just that my uncle's position was dismissed by the late emperor. Now the successor emperor is still young. If Cong recommends him, I'm afraid people will criticize me for deceiving the emperor.

Wait a year or two, and then I can find a vacancy. What position does my father-in-law want?" Li Wan smiled and said, "I feel relieved to hear your words. My father dares not be picky. It's good enough for him to have an official position. Do you think you will treat him unfairly?

The last time I went back, I heard him say that he had been a noble official all his life and was ignorant of worldly affairs, which led to this disaster, so he wanted to gain some experience in worldly affairs.

Jia Cong secretly laughed at the ignorant man of worldly affairs. Wasn't this a subtle and appropriate way of saying it?
The so-called noble officials refer to the Hanlin poets, censors, academic officials and other officials who have been dealing with knowledge, laws and regulations, and students for a long time. They only write and talk, and do not care about specific government affairs.

On the other hand, secular officials are in charge of specific administrative affairs, or in simple terms, officials with real power, such as officials in provinces, prefectures, counties, and ministries and government offices.

These officials naturally have a lot of benefits. We have only heard of Hanlin who can't afford to eat meat, but never heard of county magistrates who can't afford to eat meat.

Apparently Li Shouzhong had been sitting on the bench for too long and wanted to go to a prosperous place to experience the thrill of being an official.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law. Cong has remembered this. How about letting my uncle go to Jiangnan to be a governor in two years?" Jia Cong said with a smile.

Li Wan smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Third Brother."

"You're welcome." Jia Cong stood up and said, "Then I'll leave first."

Li Wan hurriedly called him back, her face slightly red, and whispered, "I was confused last time, don't take it to heart."

Seeing her shy and timid look, Jia Cong cried out in his heart, "You are clearly reminding me," and hurriedly said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law, how could Cong be suspicious."

Li Wan glanced at him, feeling somewhat sad, and said with tears in her eyes, "I know that Third Brother despises my appearance, but I only ask that you do not regard me as a fickle person."

"Why do you say that, sister-in-law?"

Li Wan turned her back and just sobbed in silence.

Jia Cong sighed, patted her shoulders and said, "Sister-in-law, you have worked hard to raise Lang'er over the years. I have nothing but respect for you and never look down on you."

"Brother Cong... your sister-in-law feels so sad!" Li Wan suddenly turned around and threw herself into Jia Cong's arms, sobbing.

Jia Cong was careless and did not dodge.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the green gauze window lattices of Daoxiang Village, and scattered golden light like broken stars on the clothes and dresses on the ground. It slowly climbed up half of the curtain, and two people could be vaguely seen lying side by side in the green gauze tent, sleeping soundly. The faint smell of wine, fragrance and other odors wafted through the tent.

Suddenly, Jia Cong seemed to sense something. He opened his eyes abruptly, reached out to lift the curtain and took a look. Seeing that it was already late, he cried out "Ouch!" and said, "I overslept," and was about to get up.

Li Wan also woke up and sat up with the quilt. Her snow-white and delicate skin made Jia Cong secretly praise her, saying that she was worthy of being a young lady of a wealthy family and took good care of herself.

She blushed and spat, "Now you're in a hurry. I don't know who was asking for more just now."

Jia Cong lifted her chin and said with a smile, "It's the same for both of us. Why are you blaming me, sister-in-law?"

"Bah, so obscene." Li Wan said angrily.

Jia Cong now understood why Jia Zhu died early. Li Wan was born with a charming body and an aphrodisiac body, which was comparable to Qin Keqing's. How could an ordinary man resist her? Moreover, Jia Zhu had been frail since childhood, not even as good as an ordinary person.

Yin pulled off her thin blanket and said with a smile, "What's obscene? I'm just imitating the ancient sages. Wow, my sister-in-law is so big."

"Which ancient sage?" Li Wan hurriedly pressed his hand and spat.

"Chen Ping."

"Pooh."

Jia Cong chuckled, got out of bed, and said, "It's getting late. I'll go home first to avoid criticism."

Li Wan hurried down to help him dress, rolled her eyes at him, and said, "You are the regent now, who are you afraid of?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I am not afraid, but I am afraid of bringing trouble to my sister-in-law's reputation."

Li Wan said with a smile, "Why aren't you afraid of jeopardizing the reputation of Feng Yatou and Sister-in-law You?"

Jia Cong was stunned and said, "This...sister-in-law is right."

He took her into his arms, squeezed her plump buttocks hard, and said with a smile: "Sister-in-law, are you willing to marry me? Anyway, looking around the world now, no one can control me."

Li Wan blushed and spat, "You are shameless. I am your sister-in-law. How can I marry you?"

"A widow can naturally remarry. Who dares to say anything? Not only you, but also Keqing and Sister-in-law You, I will marry them all to avoid future troubles." Jia Cong sneered.

Li Wan said, "You bastard, you have a good plan. If I obey you, will the old lady and the master obey you? If it gets out, our family's reputation will be very good."

Jia Cong smiled and shook his head, saying, "The old lady doesn't care about these things. The master doesn't even need to mention them."

Li Wan spat, "How are you going to explain this to the princess, Baochai, and Daiyu?"

Jia Cong laughed dryly and said, "I have my own way of dealing with this. We can discuss this later."

Li Wan cursed inwardly, "You little bastard, you have the desire but not the courage to do it."

Su Yun came in with a basin of hot water, interrupting their conversation. Jia Cong asked casually, "Is anyone looking for me?"

"Yes, several groups have arrived just now, all sent by the ladies from the East Mansion." Suyun said honestly.

Jia Cong asked hurriedly: "What did you say?"

Suyun said, "I said the master was not here, he had already left."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "As expected, a strong general has no weak soldiers under his command. The girl has been well trained by my sister-in-law and knows how to cover for me."

Li Wan tied the jade belt for him with a red face and said, "You still haven't left my place."

Jia Cong laughed and slipped out of Daoxiang Village. He thought that he could not go back directly as it would be easy to be exposed. He also thought that Hengwu Garden was not far from here and Baoqin had just returned, so he went through the stone cave, bypassed the mountain path, and went to Hengwu Garden.

After meeting Baoqin and her mother Zhang, Jia Cong expressed his anger to them, and sent someone to invite Ye Tianshi to treat Zhang so that they could stay there with peace of mind.

Zhang was extremely grateful and said that her sister-in-law had strongly invited her to stay, so she stayed in the garden with Baoqin for a few days and then moved out to live at Xue's house.

Jia Cong tried to persuade her to stay but failed, so he had to give up and went home when it got late.

As soon as he left the garden, he was stopped by people sent by Lady Jia, who said that the old lady wanted to see him.

Jia Cong secretly thought that this was exactly what he wanted. As it gave him another place to go, he could explain things when he got back. He hurriedly followed the visitor to Rongqing Hall.

Only Lady Jia was in the hall, and Yuanyang was serving her. When she saw him coming, she hurriedly served him tea.

Jia Cong smiled and nodded at her, saying, "The old lady has summoned you. What do you want?"

Grandmother Jia said, "I heard that you were in the garden all afternoon. I thought you were free, so I asked you to tell me something. It's also your business."

"What is the old lady talking about?" Jia Cong asked in surprise, why did the old lady suddenly care about me? (End of this chapter)