Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 216: Deep meaning of love

Judefang, Rongqingtang.

Early in the morning, Grandmother Jia felt a little strange. In the past, at this time, Yingchun, Daiyu and other granddaughters would come to pay their respects and chat with her to entertain her.

No one knew what was wrong with everyone today. Daiyu and Tanchun were always whispering to each other, and Yingchun was also a little absent-minded. Everyone seemed to be worried about something, except Xichun, who was still young and didn't seem to be worried.
Daiyu and Tanchun are smart and thoughtful. They know that the old lady and the third brother are not close, so they seldom mention Jia Cong in front of Lady Jia. Yingchun is a man of few words and will not say much.

So Grandmother Jia knew that the boy had been busy preparing for the exam some time ago, but he had no idea that today was the day when the results of the provincial examination would be announced. Unless her Baoyu also took the exam, this would naturally be impossible.

The thing that the old lady was most concerned about today was the wedding of Rong'er from the East Mansion. Early in the morning, Fengjie and Jia Lian went to the East Mansion to help with the preparations, but it was not yet time, so it was too early to welcome the bride.

……

Today happened to be a day off for all departments, so Jia Zheng did not have to go to the government office. He just stayed in the Mengpo Zhai study to have a quiet conversation. Cheng Rixing, Zhan Guang, Shan Pinren and other guests were chatting with him enthusiastically.

The topics were nothing more than the classics of sages, poetry and elegant tastes, and finally the topic turned to the special provincial examination.

Ever since the Jia family produced a Jinshi more than thirty years ago, it seemed as if they had been cut off from the scholarly atmosphere.

Among the eight descendants of the family in Beijing, except Jia Zhu who died young, there was also Jia Zheng who was granted an official position early due to his will, but none of them had a scholar who could pass the imperial examination.

It is really hard to describe how the literary spirit of such a prosperous family has declined. This is also the reason why Jia Zheng is so upset about Baoyu's refusal to study.

In the past two years, Jia Cong and Yu Wenhua have emerged as a rising star. He was first selected as the first in the Yongzhou case, and was granted titles several times. He also shocked the south of the Yangtze River with his poetry and calligraphy, adding great glory to the Jia family of Rongguo.

The guests naturally knew that this was something Jia Zheng was very proud of.

Today is the day when the results of the special examination are announced. Everyone will make a fuss about it and try various ways to please Jia Zheng. They all say that Yuzhang will definitely pass the exam, and that the young phoenix is ​​more famous than the old one, and his future is limitless.

Jia Zheng estimated that since Cong'er had been the top scorer in the imperial examination and had a solid foundation in classics, his chances of passing were still very high. However, he was not sure about it after all, so he was naturally anxious and expectant.

At this time, the two servants who had followed Jia Cong to see the list finally rushed back to the mansion and ran towards Mengpo Zhai with excitement on their faces.

There were other people in the study at that time. The two of them ignored the rules and etiquette and rushed to tell the news that Jia Cong had won the first place in the provincial examination with joy on their faces.

They were not happy because Jia Cong won the top spot, but they knew that the master cared about this matter very much. Now that the third master won the top spot, the master would definitely reward him handsomely once the good news was reported.

When Jia Zheng heard the news, he was overjoyed. Not only did Jia Cong make the list, but he also won the first place in the provincial examination. This meant that he had passed the imperial examination twice. With the blessings of his ancestors, the Jia family was so glorious!

Upon hearing the good news, Cheng Rixing, Zhan Guang, Shan Pinren and others poured out all kinds of nice words and compliments, which made Jia Zheng so happy that he seemed to have forgotten where he was.

The two servants nearby were anxious. This lousy scholar who lived off others had fooled his master around so much that he even forgot about the wedding money.

One of them was clever and put Master Sanye Cong at the top of the list. Some scholars present were still dissatisfied, but the officials in the Imperial Examination Hall posted the article written by Master Sanye, and immediately no one said anything strange anymore.

It is also said that the officials of the Imperial Examination Hall said that the essays written by the Third Master were good, and they saluted the Third Master. There were so many scholars at the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall, a sea of ​​people, and they all saluted the Third Master...

Cheng Rixing, Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren had also passed the imperial examinations before, and they were stunned after hearing the situation. How could such a big thing happen?

Jia Zheng's eyes lit up even more. Cong'er's article could make so many people bow to him. Something extraordinary must have happened.

He hurriedly asked the two servants what the article was about. The two servants could not read, so how could they remember it? They stammered for a long time and could not say a word.

Jia Zheng was so angry that he cursed him as an idiot, and then asked, "Why did you come back without Cong'er?" The servant saw that Jia Zheng was angry, and quickly replied, "The Third Master's carriage went to the west city. He said he was going to do some business and would return to the mansion later."

Jia Zheng was a little anxious and said, "Why must he go and do it now? He should return home early. Maybe the messenger from the Ministry of Rites will come to announce the good news of his success in the imperial examination."

While asking the two servants to look for someone, he also gave orders to decorate the gate of the mansion with lights and wait for the messenger from the Ministry of Rites to arrive with the good news so that fireworks and firecrackers could be set off to express joy.

Such a wonderful thing must be shared with others, and it would be best if the entire city of Shenjing knew that the Jia family of Rongguo had produced a top winner in the provincial examination.

However, the two servants who brought the good news looked depressed, as they could not tell what article the Third Master had written. The Master even forgot to ask for the prize money.

They were also asked to go find the Third Master and bring him back home, but they only knew that the carriage went to West City, but they didn't know where exactly it was. West City is such a big place, where are they supposed to find him?

……

Xicheng, Xinchun Street, the small courtyard at the corner of the street.

"You want Baozhu to help you? What can a little girl do?"

"You said that among these children, Baozhu is the most spiritual, and the little girl is also good at fighting, she will definitely be able to help me."

Jia Cong did not hide his own affairs from Qu Hongxiu and told him the whole story.

Qu Hongxiu rolled her eyes at him and said, "I thought you went to Nanjing on an imperial mission, and you came back with such a mess. No wonder you haven't come back yet. It turns out you are so happy in your hometown that you don't want to leave."

Jia Cong could tell that she was somewhat dissatisfied, and was shocked, but he didn't know how to respond. He thought it would be best to keep silent to avoid making things worse.

Qu Hongxiu added: "In fact, the business of the incense shop is getting better and better, and the business in Jinling is also going to start. You are good at these things, so it will be easy for you to become a rich man.

In the future, if your family lets you leave the house, you can live a peaceful life without getting involved in any risks or disputes outside. This is a very good thing."

Having said this, Qu Hongxiu stared at him blankly with flickering eyes, but saw that Jia Cong did not respond. She felt a little disappointed, knowing that Jia Cong had just passed the imperial examination and would not be able to listen to her.

He sighed again and said, “If you want to take the imperial examination and become an official, it’s up to you, but officials care most about these respectable reputations.

If you get involved in these things, be careful not to ruin yourself. That person... that person is still your junior. "

Jia Cong could tell that she was a little angry, but she was genuinely concerned about him. He smiled and said, "It's not like I'll get into any trouble. Ningguo Mansion is full of filth. I just feel uneasy."

Qu Hongxiu snorted and said, "That girl is also pitiful. I will let Baozhu help you this time."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Xiu. Who said it wasn't true? I also feel that her situation is pitiful. We have known each other for a long time, so how can I just stand by and watch?"

Qu Hongxiu bent her slender waist, stood up and walked to the door. She seemed to be angry and turned around and said:

"I mean, it's pitiful that the girl met you. Don't get involved in such things again. I only have one pearl."

Jia Cong: “…….”

(End of this chapter)