Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

On March 17th, the fifteenth year of Jiazhao, Daiyu Courtyard.

This was an unusual day for both the east and west mansions of the Jia family.

Because March 18th was the day when the imperial examination began in the 15th year of Jiazhao.

According to the etiquette of the Great Zhou Dynasty's Spring Examination, candidates who want to take the examination must be checked and inspected on the evening of the 17th before they can officially enter the Imperial Examination Hall and be locked up.

The candidates rested in the Imperial Examination Hall for one night, waiting for the examination to begin on the morning of the 18th.

Therefore, as a candidate from Yongzhou, Jia Cong will officially enter the Imperial Academy tonight to take the exam.

As soon as the sky was slightly bright that day, Daiyu got up early, asked Zijuan to help her wash and dress, and then took her to Jia Cong's courtyard.

When she entered Jia Cong's courtyard, she found that candles were on in the rooms on both sides and clear voices were heard. She guessed that the girls and maids in the courtyard had all gotten up early.

The flowers, plants and trees in the yard shine with a moist glow in the faint light of the early morning, adding joy and peace to people's hearts.

Because it was still dark, the glazed lanterns hanging under the eaves of the main house were still lit. The golden light shone on the corridor, and from time to time, pretty figures could be seen walking about.

Daiyu had just arrived at the main house door when she saw Jia Cong coming out. He was slightly startled when he saw Daiyu and said with a smile, "Sister, you came very early today."

Daiyu smiled and said, "Today is Third Brother's big day, so I have to come early to give you some popularity.

But Third Brother doesn’t need to get up early. Starting tonight, we will all sleep on the bed in the dormitory of the Imperial Examination Hall, but it is not as comfortable as the bed at home. We should really stay in bed and get more restful sleep this morning.”

Zhishao at the side smiled and said, "Miss, don't worry. The Third Master didn't read last night. He and Yinglian cleaned up the study and put all the books that have been read in the past six months on the shelves.

I went to bed more than an hour earlier than usual, and I slept soundly last night without saying a word."

Daiyu teased, "Brother San entered the examination room today and even put away his books. It is likely that after passing the imperial examination, he will be too lazy to read poetry and books and will only care about the carefree life in the world."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I appreciate your words, sister. I still need to read poetry and books to get rid of my vulgarity. However, I am afraid that my patience from studying the classics for a lifetime will be reduced a little..."

The two of them stood under the veranda, reflecting the bright light of the lanterns under the eaves, joking with each other, laughing and making witty remarks, and feeling indescribably close and harmonious.

Daiyu and Jia Cong chatted for a while, and then they went into the main room. Daiyu and Zhishao opened Jia Cong's examination box and carefully checked the things inside.

This examination box is an important item that Jia Cong is going to bring into the Imperial Examination Hall, and its workmanship is very exquisite.

The bottom floor has the largest space and is equipped with small holes for storing dry food brought into the examination room.

The middle layer was used to store stationery items such as pens, ink, paper, inkstone, and ruler; the upper layer was used to store several sets of replacement clothes and a soft silk pillow made by Xing Xiuyan.

In addition, the bedding and blankets used for overnight stays in the cells, as well as the fur cloaks used to keep warm while answering questions at night, were all packed and tied separately.

There were two bamboo tubes that had been dried and cleaned in the study, and Wu'er filled them with cool boiled water early in the morning.

Daiyu looked at everything carefully and made sure there was nothing she had missed. She then took a small wooden box from Zijuan.

When you open it, you will see a red clay teapot, two light but sturdy teacups, and a small jar of tea leaves.

Jia Cong took it and played with it in his hands. Daiyu smiled and said, "Although it is March now, the spring chill has not yet gone away. The examination halls are all open, and it can be very cold at night.

It’s okay for my third brother to drink cold boiled water from a bamboo tube in the morning, but he should be careful not to get a cold in his stomach at night, as it will affect his writing. That would be bad.

I know that there are small stoves in the rooms of the Imperial Examination Hall. Third brother can use this red clay teapot to boil hot water to drink, which can warm his stomach at night.

And this small jar of tea leaves is the tribute tea from Siam that Sister Feng gave me last time. It has a fresh and elegant taste and I like it very much. I'll bring some for my third brother. Drinking it can help him stay alert."

Jia Cong saw that Daiyu was usually a rich lady who seemed too lazy to take care of chores.

But she had been well-read since childhood, and actually had considerable talent. As long as she paid attention to everything, she would be extremely meticulous and would think of even such delicate matters.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Sister, you are so thoughtful and considerate. You have thought of everything for me. If you are in charge of the government in the future, ten men will definitely not be able to defeat you."

Daiyu took the wooden box from him and put it on the upper layer of the examination box. She and Zhishao locked the examination box. Zhishao and Yinglian carried the examination box into the study and placed it there.

Daiyu smiled and said, "Brother San, don't be so coaxing. I'll do some calculations for you about being in charge of the government. There are many people who can do this.

Miss Qu from Jinling, Miss Zhen from the Imperial Mausoleum, and the river of spring water complaining about separation, Third Brother, tell me honestly, is there anything else I don't know?"

Jia Cong felt a little embarrassed and said, "Sister, you are so smart and shrewd, what else can I hide from you?"

Daiyu sighed slightly and said, "In fact, I know in my heart that the family property of the two mansions is worth a fortune in the eyes of others, but it is nothing in the eyes of Third Brother.

You have traveled all over the country in the past few years, and it is actually a good thing that there are people who can help you with things outside.

I am lucky. I never leave the house. I live a peaceful and harmonious life. I have my third brother as my companion since I was a child. Compared to them, I don’t have to go through all the hardships and separations…”

After hearing this, Jia Cong couldn't help but hold Daiyu's hand. Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming from the courtyard gate, and saw a graceful figure in a skirt fluttering in the wind.

It was Yingchun who brought Tanchun, Shi Xiangyun and Xing Xiuyun, and they also came before dawn. As for Xichun, she was too young and was still sleeping in.

Daiyu glanced at Jia Cong, pursed her lips slightly, and withdrew her hand reluctantly.

Not long after Yingchun and others arrived, Baochai also came over from the West Mansion early in the morning. The main hall was full of people.

In fact, the maids around him had basically prepared everything for Jia Cong's entry into the Imperial Examination Hall tonight, so the sisters didn't have to worry too much about coming over.

However, Jia Cong was facing a big event today, and they couldn't help him in any way. They just came to chat with him and make him feel more at ease.

When it was bright in the yard, Jia Cong asked someone to notify the kitchen and serve breakfast. Everyone sat around and ate breakfast together in a lively manner.

……

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

As soon as the sky got bright, Baoyu came early, saying that he wanted to have breakfast with Grandmother Jia. Grandmother Jia was naturally happy to hear this and praised him for his thoughtfulness and filial piety.

In fact, Baoyu came to have breakfast with Lady Jia, but it was just an excuse.

Because according to the usual time, after Lady Jia's breakfast every day, the sisters from the East Palace would go to Rongqing Hall to pay their respects and chat with the old lady for a while.

It was at this time every day that Baoyu could spend some time with his sisters, and of course the most important thing was to see Sister Lin...

Although something unexpected happened that day, Baoyu probably knew in his heart that it was unlikely that he and Lin Daiyu would be able to have a love union.

This made Baoyu's heart break, but that was all he wanted. The rude and hot-blooded attitude of "my fate is in my own hands" was not his style.

What he is best at is feeling sad about the passing of time, feeling sorry for himself, and boasting about his romanticism.

These routines are suitable for him. He has mastered them to perfection and often moves himself to the point of being unable to extricate himself.

Today was just like every day. I came here on time in the morning so that I could chat with my sisters and see Sister Lin’s fairy face again.

Even if Lin Daiyu frowned and looked at him coldly, it was better than never seeing him. He could go back and let the sadness brew for a while, and spend another day under the sad wind and the moon. It was also a good thing for him...

But after Baoyu and Jia's grandmother had breakfast and waited for a while, they still found that Rongqing Hall was deserted and there was no sign of the sisters at home.

Baoyu was feeling depressed when Aunt Xue came over and greeted Lady Jia good morning. During their casual chat, they talked about why the hall was so deserted.

Aunt Xue naturally remembered that her daughter had gotten up early to wash and dress before dawn today. When Aunt Xue asked, she found out that today was the day Jia Cong would take the imperial examination.

No wonder her daughter got up early. Aunt Xue thought about the day when Jia Cong took the provincial examination, and her daughter also got up early in the morning, so she went to see Jia Cong off to the examination room.

When Jia Cong took the provincial examination, he became the first place winner. Everyone said that he had passed the imperial examination this time and would definitely become a Jinshi. Some even said that he could become the first place winner.

When Jia Cong still lived in Qingzhizhai in Xifu, he was just an unpopular bastard in Rongguo Mansion.

At that time, Aunt Xue even told her daughter that even if Jia Cong really became the top scholar in the future, he would only be a poor Hanlin.

When he reached a certain age, he had to move out of the mansion. As a concubine's son, he had no chance of getting any of the title and power of the Rongguo Mansion.

Not long after this, Aunt Xue was beaten in the mouth.

Because times had changed, not only did he not move out of the mansion, but he was also granted a title based on his own abilities, and even inherited the title of Rong, becoming the co-lord of the East and West Mansions of the Jia family.

This time Jia Cong passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, which meant he was a real talent in both civil and military affairs. Among the young men in the capital city, who could compare to him?

Whenever Aunt Xue thought about this, she couldn't help but admire her daughter's sharp vision. She had seen that Jia Cong would be so outstanding in the future even before he showed his potential.

Although she knew that her daughter's chances of marrying Jia Cong were slim, she would not stop her daughter from interacting with him now...

Aunt Xue was also surprised to find that Lady Jia was even slower than herself in realizing the situation.

This Cong'er is her grandson, and now he holds an important position, but the old lady doesn't even know about his important event today.

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "The old lady is a blessed person. Brother Cong must not want to alarm you, so he didn't tell you about this matter to avoid upsetting you.

Tonight is the day when he will take the imperial examination. The old lady is going to be very happy. When Cong comes out of the examination room, Rongguo Mansion will have another Jinshi. Today, the girls in the mansion must have gone to the East Mansion to show their brother a strong appearance. Bao Yatou also went there early in the morning.

As for our Jia, Wang, Shi, and Xue families, so many years have passed, and the only son who was able to enter the Spring Imperial Examination was Brother Cong.

This is such a rare and glorious thing, no wonder all the sisters take it to heart, after all, it is because the old lady manages the family well and raises such outstanding children and grandchildren. "

Aunt Xue was the best at saying such polite words. Besides, she was bullied by her own sister last time and almost had to move out of Rongguo Mansion. It was Jia Cong who gave her such respect and persuaded the Xue family to continue staying there.

Even if it was not about her daughter, Aunt Xue was very grateful to Jia Cong. Now that she talked about him, naturally all kinds of good things came out of her mind as if they were free of charge.

……

Baoyu, who was standing by, almost vomited to death after hearing what Aunt Xue said. His heart was filled with inexplicable grief and anger, and he almost couldn't help but howl to the sky.

Only then did he understand why all the sisters had disappeared all of a sudden today.

It turns out that today is the day to enter the Pass for that damn Spring Examination. Jia Cong is already a lord and an official, but he actually went to the trouble of taking the Spring Examination. He is truly a hopeless parasite.

He was just showing off these petty and despicable things to deceive and please his sisters at home.

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

Originally, all of these sisters were daughters of Yuling Fairy with beautiful appearances, but now they have been dragged into the mud by him. It is really lamentable and hateful.

Not to mention, even my Lin Daiyu was seduced away.

I'm afraid that he is still talking nonsense about official career and economy, which is really a waste of natural resources. Baoyu is more and more heartbroken...

Baoyu's mind was in a daze and he suddenly had an idea. He thought, should he also go to the East Palace to congratulate them, so as to step into the threshold over there and get closer to his sisters?

However, he quickly denied his absurd idea and realized that he was also obsessed.

I actually thought of congratulating someone on the imperial examination. I feel really disgusted by this. I almost tarnished my innocent self!

……

Grandmother Jia didn't notice the thoughts racing in Baoyu's mind.

He just asked in confusion: "Last time, Miss Feng told me about Cong's selection of a partner.

She said that the Spring Examination would start on March 18th, and that Cong'er's 15th birthday would have to be celebrated in the dormitory, so there would be no time to give him a birthday party. How come it has to start on the 17th?"

Yuanyang behind him smiled and said, "Madam, I heard about this from Wu'er. The Spring Examination is indeed held on the 18th, but candidates have to enter the Imperial Academy and lock themselves up the night before."

Baoyu felt sad again when he heard that the lovely sister Yuanyang was also so clear and enthusiastic about the imperial examination...

Only then did Grandmother Jia understand why the East Palace had been in such turmoil since the 17th.

Although she was the most respected person in the Jia family, she was not very enthusiastic about Jia Cong's success in the imperial examination.

Because, in her imagination, Jia Cong was no more than the age of a dancing elephant, and not only was he an official, but he also held two titles, which made him noble enough among his peers.

Whether he passed the imperial examination or not was just icing on the cake, and it didn't matter at all. According to the old lady, it was better for him to live a peaceful life and be content with what he had...

Besides, Jia Cong has become too prominent now, and now he is about to become a Jinshi, which will make him even more brilliant.

It also made Baoyu, whom she had loved and praised in the past, seem even smaller and weaker, which made Grandmother Jia somewhat embarrassed...

But even so, no matter which family it was, it was a great honor for their children to be able to take part in the Spring Examination.

Naturally, the Jia family, a wealthy and powerful family, cannot be ignored, not to mention that Jia Cong is now the head of the family.

As a grandmother, Lady Jia has to consider the reputation of the family to some extent.

……

She glanced at Baoyu, who was frowning beside her, and sighed slightly in her heart.

Ever since Baoyu was denounced by the clan officials, his reputation has been ruined. Jia Cong inherited the title of Rong, the second branch became a side branch, and Baoyu lost his status again.

Nowadays, it is extremely difficult to marry into a noble and official family, which really makes Lady Jia feel distressed.

A few days ago, his second daughter-in-law brought Guihua and the mother and daughter of the Xia family to visit him, but he didn't expect that after the guests left, his second daughter-in-law showed her intention to let Baoyu marry the girl from the Xia family.

Although Miss Xia was outstanding in appearance and had good manners, Lady Jia did admire her a little, but she would not dislike any pretty girl.

But marrying Baoyu, who was a good match for her, as her granddaughter-in-law was another matter, and Grandmother Jia was somewhat reluctant.

His wife is also crazy. The girls he chooses for Baoyu are always daughters of merchants. He never thinks about the family background of the Jia family.

It was like this with Bao girl before, and now that she has taken a fancy to the girl from the Xia family, it’s the same thing in a different form.

But when asked to find a daughter of a noble official for Baoyu, although she knew some noble ladies from various families, she really couldn't bring herself to ask.

She was just afraid that if people heard about her marriage to Baoyu, they would probably destroy her title of Duke on the spot. She was already old and couldn't afford to lose face.

At this moment, Grandmother Jia thought of her granddaughters. They did not come to pay their respects today. Just as Aunt Xue said, they must be busy with Cong'er's spring examination in the East Palace.

She suddenly thought that the person who must be most worried about such a big event for Cong Ge'er must be his sister, her second granddaughter Yingchun.

When Jia's mother thought of this, her heart seemed to be enlightened...

The second granddaughter Yingchun was a concubine's daughter and her original status was not prominent.

Even if she got married, she would not be the wife of a noble family, but at most could marry a minor official from an ordinary family.

However, since Jia Cong was granted the title of hereditary earl, he took his second granddaughter into the East Palace and made her the eldest daughter.
Not only did his dull second granddaughter grow up to be capable, but her status was also elevated.

When Jia Cong inherited the title of Rong, his second granddaughter followed his brother and her status changed dramatically.

During the Spring Festival this year, several noble ladies from wealthy and powerful families came to pay their respects and expressed their desire to make Yingchun their principal daughter-in-law.

Such a good thing would never have happened in previous years, and Grandmother Jia naturally knew the reason.

Yingchun is still Yingchun, a concubine's daughter is still a concubine's daughter, who made her have such an extraordinary brother...

Since this Congge can elevate the second granddaughter's status, why can't he elevate Baoyu's?

The two of them are cousins, and Congge has always respected Zhenger. This matter is more or less known to the outside world, and the connection between them is extraordinary...

……

Although Grandmother Jia was not very enthusiastic about Jia Cong's imperial examination, she knew that once her grandson became an imperial scholar, his future career as an official would be more firmly established than before.

Judging from Jia Cong's fortune and methods in recent years, I'm afraid his power will become even greater in the future, and his grandson will probably become even more popular by then.

Then what happened to Yingchun today cannot happen to Baoyu, and Grandmother Jia will not believe anything he says...

Grandmother Jia figured this out, and she looked at Baoyu with more satisfaction, and suddenly she became unusually enthusiastic about Jia Cong's spring imperial examination.

He smiled and said to Aunt Xue: "Aunt, please don't laugh at me. I am also old and confused. I can't even remember that Cong-ge had an important event today. This grandmother is too careless."

Aunt Xue smiled flatteringly and said, "The old lady is very old and blessed. She has so many good things in her heart that she can't even hold them all. It's not uncommon for her to forget one or two."

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Yuanyang, take the two clever little girls with you to the East Palace and ask Cong what he needs to do before he enters the palace, and you can help him with it.

I don't need you to serve me today. Just go and do your work. If Cong asks, just say it was my idea.

In the evening, you will see him off for me, and I hope he will pass the imperial examination and bring honor to the family."

After hearing what Lady Jia said, Yuanyang smiled sweetly and agreed quickly.

After hearing this, Aunt Xue also congratulated him in advance with a smile on her face. She was the one who was most capable of praising this playboy.

Grandmother Jia said to Yuanyang, "After we send Cong away, come back and help me pick out two sets of jewelry and head ornaments. Zhishao and Wu'er will move into his room.

Although I don’t have a phoenix crown and a bridal robe, as a grandmother I must give a gift to celebrate the occasion.”

Baoyu, who was standing by, felt bitter and stunned when he heard the old lady suddenly change her temper and even talked about the imperial examination.

Just when he was overwhelmed by the word "Spring Examination" and was about to flee, he suddenly heard that Zhishao and Wu'er were going to enter Jia Cong's room. This was the first time he heard of it.

Thinking about these two girls, who are the top figures in the two mansions, I would not have the blessing or fate to approach them and say a good word to them.

Who would have thought that these two outstanding girls would end up being the property of a parasite like Jia Cong, and be trapped in the mud from then on. It's really pitiful and lamentable.

Although this matter had nothing to do with him, Baoyu still felt sad, fearing that he would be sad again when he returned... (End of this chapter)