Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 76: Climbing Aoyama in Beppu

April 5th, the tenth year of Jiazhao.

Today is the day Jia Cong goes to Qingshan Academy to register for study.

Yesterday, Wang Xifeng received instructions from Jia Zheng and his wife and had already prepared the carriage and horses. She also asked Ping'er to take the servants to Qingzhizhai early in the morning to help carry the travel boxes.

At one o'clock in the morning, Jia Cong went to Rongqing Hall, but still did not go in. He just kowtowed at the door to say goodbye.

No matter what, the old lady in Rongqing Hall is also his grandmother. Elderly people are respected, so it is not a loss to kowtow to her a few times.

However, when the maids and servants outside saw this, they all nodded secretly, saying in their hearts that this boy who could read was different and had a very broad mind.

Although the old lady exempted him from the filial etiquette, he still followed all the rules and regulations and there was nothing wrong with him.

When Lady Jia heard the news, she looked a little embarrassed.

The day before yesterday, he was so angry that he exempted Jia Cong from the filial piety etiquette and made the matter too serious. Now he is unable to let it go.

I wanted to show up, but I didn't have the nerve to do so.

After Jia Cong finished his ceremony, he left without even a moment's delay, not even giving Lady Jia time to hesitate.

Come out of Rongrongqing Hall and go to Rongxi Hall on the east side.

Today is a grand court meeting, and all officials above the fifth rank in the capital must attend the court to see the emperor. Jia Zheng is of the fifth rank, so although he cannot attend the court, the doctor who attends the court has important tasks to assign, so he went to the yamen early in the morning.

In Rongxi Hall, only Mrs. Wang was sitting on the vice-presidential seat, with Buddhist beads in her hands, elegant clothes, and a kind face.

"Madam, I will be enrolled in the academy today. I will not be able to greet you every day, so I came here to say goodbye to you."

Mrs. Wang smiled faintly and said, "Yesterday I asked your second sister-in-law to prepare a carriage and horses for you, and to buy the things you need for going out.

If you need anything, just tell her. You can’t be careless when you are away from home.”

Jia Cong replied, "I have got everything I need. I don't need anything anymore. Thank you for your concern, Madam. Jia Cong was born in a poor family and could hardly survive in the East Courtyard.

If it weren't for the kindness of the master and the mistress, how could he have lived a stable life in the West Mansion? Jia Cong always kept it in mind.

I must study hard in the academy, so that I can have a good result in the future and repay the kindness of the master and his wife. "

Seeing that he was sincere, Mrs. Wang's expression relaxed.

He smiled and said, "You are also a descendant of the Jia family. Since you have come to the West Mansion, it is only natural for the master and I to take care of you. You, it is unrighteous to keep saying these things.

Nowadays, when a person goes to study outside, although he also brings servants to serve him, it is not like being at home, where he has to take care of himself in everything. It is good to study hard,
But taking care of yourself is the most important thing. In the future, if you can support your brothers in studying and improve the family reputation, it will be the best reward for me and the master."

Jia Cong only responded respectfully: "Madam, Jia Cong will definitely keep your words in mind."

But he was still on guard.

Yesterday, several maids from Lady Jia's room came to say goodbye to Qingwen. After all, after this departure, they would not have much time to see each other in the next few years.

Not every maid was as smart as Yuanyang. A few little maids were chattering and someone let the cat out of the bag.

That day, the old lady exempted Master Cong from the filial etiquette. The reason was that the mistress said something to the old lady when she was angry, which provoked the old lady to do so.

Afterwards, Qingwen naturally told Jia Cong about it indignantly.

In fact, Jia Cong was not surprised that Mrs. Wang would behave like this.

This woman was not easy to get along with. In the original timeline, Qingwen, Jinchuan and other girls from the Red Mansion all died at her hands for no reason.

He couldn't help but be wary of such people. Fortunately, he would spend more time in the academy and less time in the mansion in the next few years, so he just had to be careful.

Mrs. Wang thought for a moment and said, "You still have to go to the East Courtyard to say goodbye to the eldest master and the eldest mistress. The master asked you to let your second sister-in-law and second brother take you with them."

After hearing this, Jia Cong felt grateful to Jia Zheng.

He knew that Jia Zheng was afraid that if he went to the East Courtyard to say goodbye, Jia She and his wife would embarrass him, and he didn't want anything to happen on his first day away from home to study.

Only then did he think of asking Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian and his wife to go together. If any problems arose, Wang Xifeng's ability would be able to provide support and resolve the problems.

After passing the wind and rain corridor behind Rong Xi Tang and a screen wall covered with mountain tigers, you will enter Wang Xifeng's courtyard.

Feng Jieer was already waiting there. If it was later, she might have gone to Rongqing Hall to pay her respects.

Jia Lian was also sitting nearby, but there was a look of impatience on his face.

He would not discriminate against or humiliate his half-brother Jia Cong, because they had hardly any contact since childhood and it was not worth it.

I just felt that he was just a child going out to study, and I had to accompany him to pay farewell to the master and pay my respects.

Aren't these people afraid of the old master when they look at him? It's common for the old man to beat him up when he's unhappy, so he usually hides away when there's nothing to do.

Besides, Jia Cong is a troublemaker and the master dislikes him the most. If you bring him there, you must not let him bring any trouble to yourself.

But Jia Zheng had specifically instructed Jia Lian yesterday, so he had no choice but to go.

Wang Xifeng was not afraid. She was a daughter-in-law and had her family and Mrs. Wang as her support. Jia She would never say a harsh word to her. It had always been like this.

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Brother Cong, the master really values ​​you. When you went to the East Courtyard to pay your respects, he asked me and your second brother to be your door gods. You really gave me a lot of face." Jia Cong quickly said, "I have been to the West Courtyard. It was my second sister-in-law who arranged the courtyard for me and took care of everything in my daily life. Jia Cong is very grateful."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Just remember your second sister-in-law's kindness. When you study hard and become the top scholar, don't forget to let your second brother get some of her cultural grace. You two are brothers after all."

Jia Cong also laughed and said, "Second sister-in-law, what you said is too polite. Second brother is a kind person. He has never scolded me since I was a child. Jia Cong respects him in his heart."

After hearing this, Jia Lian's impatience disappeared, and he said with some pride: "What is there to say? We are brothers, why should I scold you?"

Wang Xifeng thought to herself, this boy is no ordinary man. He says what he wants to say to whoever he meets, and he is never vague at all. His words are sincere, which makes people feel comfortable listening to them.

Her aunt was thinking of finding a helper for Baoyu in the future, but she also did not forget to trip him up behind his back. She did not even think about whether Baoyu's character could subdue a person like Jia Cong.

When they arrived at the east courtyard, the maids and servants in the courtyard were a little frightened when they saw Jia Cong coming.

They had witnessed with their own eyes how Jia Cong punished Wang Shanbao's wife some time ago. This gentleman was truly a ruthless man.

Another maid went to the main hall to report the news, and came back to say that the master and the mistress were not feeling well today and were both staying in the house, so they could not meet today.

The maid looked a little embarrassed. Probably because she saw Feng Lazi was here, she didn't dare to speak rudely and only said nice things.

Just now when she went to deliver the message, the eldest master and the eldest mistress scolded her with some nasty words.

Jia Cong sneered in his heart. What physical discomfort? It was probably that he was really feeling uncomfortable in his heart. If he didn't want to see her, then he could just avoid the trouble.

Jia Lian seemed to be relieved, probably because he was traumatized by the beating from Jia She.

Wang Xifeng didn't care at all. Although they were her parents-in-law, she looked down on their behavior. They were much worse than the master and his wife of the second wife. No wonder the old lady disliked them.

After finishing all these formalities, Jia Cong said goodbye to Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian and returned to Qingzhizhai.

All the carriages leaving the mansion have stopped at the northwest gate, close to Qingzhizhai, making it convenient for entering and exiting.

When they arrived at the entrance of Qingzhizhai, they saw Daiyu, Yingchun and Tanchun were already waiting there. Little Xichun was also there, holding the hand of a little boy of four or five years old.

Jia Cong had met this child several times. He was Jia Zhu's only son, Jia Lan.

Li Wan devoted herself to educating Jia Lan and making him a talented person, but since her late husband Jia Zhu, the Jia family has not produced a single scholar.

Li Wan was also born in a family of officials and scholars. She knew that as the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together." In addition to requiring her son to study hard in the clan school, she also encouraged her son to study hard in the clan school.

Usually, Jia Lan was only educated in his own yard and was not allowed to play with his uncles such as Baoyu and Jia Huan.

Now that the extremely talented Jia Cong appeared in the family, Li Wan finally saw the cultural and elegant spirit of the Jia family.

Therefore, he also wanted his son to get closer to his cousin Jia Cong, so that he could take him as a role model and receive some positive influence.

Baoyu also came, probably because Daiyu came, so he followed her. In fact, he was full of contempt for Jia Cong's going to Qingshan Academy to study.

But it doesn’t matter. At least I can meet Jia Cong’s two pretty maids.

When they saw Jia Cong coming back, Yingchun, who was always taciturn, was the first to come forward to greet him.

Yingchun was taken to the West Mansion to be raised since she was a child. She had a distant relationship with her biological father, and Jia She had always been indifferent to her. Although she had the company of her sisters, she was actually always lonely in her heart.

It was not until Jia Cong gradually showed up that she realized that she had such an outstanding brother. Jia Cong was also quite close to her, which added a lot of warmth to Yingchun's heart.

After Jia Cong moved to the West Mansion, they spent more time together than before, and their sisterly and brotherly love grew stronger. Now that Jia Cong has gone out to study, he may not be able to come back many times a year, and she feels very reluctant to let him go.

She gently straightened Jia Cong's collar and said, "Brother Cong, you are out here alone. You must take good care of yourself. Pass the imperial examination and come home as soon as possible so that I can be proud of you."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Don't worry, second sister. I will definitely live up to your expectations and go to school as soon as possible. When I grow up, I will establish myself and protect you."

Among all the sisters in the Man Mansion, Jia Cong and Yingchun are the closest in blood relationship, they are siblings from the same father, so there is talk of protecting Yingchun well, and maybe he will help Yingchun eliminate the hidden danger of the Zhongshan wolf in the future.

Seeing Tanchun's red eyes, Jia Cong smiled at her gently and said, "The academy will be closed during the New Year holidays. I will come back to see how your calligraphy is doing."

Tanchun smiled brightly: "Then I will wait for Third Brother Cong to come back and give me some advice."

When Daiyu saw Wu'er standing behind Jia Cong, holding a small Xiangfei bamboo bookcase in her hand, which was the one she had given to Jia Cong yesterday, her heart began to beat fast and her face turned red.

Jia Cong said: "Sister Lin, don't stay in your room reading all the time. Go out and walk more often and take care of your health."

Daiyu smiled and said, "Third Brother Cong, please take care of yourself too."

Seeing Baoyu stealing glances at Wu'er and Qingwen beside him from time to time, Jia Cong frowned slightly and didn't bother to pay attention to him.

Under the gaze of her sisters, she took Wu'er and Qingwen onto the carriage, and the wheels rolled as they finally left the Jia Mansion.

As the carriage passed Ningrong Street and passed the main gate of Rongguo Mansion, the imperially bestowed plaque with black background and gold characters gleamed brightly in the morning light. It read "Built by Imperial Order Rongguo Mansion"!
At 1:00 p.m., Jia Cong arrived at Qingshan Academy, completed the admission registration procedures, and then went to visit the academy's principal, Zhao Chongli.

At 2:00 p.m., we checked into the Luoxia Villa of Xuantian Palace, the Taoist temple in the capital of the Zhengyi Sect.

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The story of the first volume has ended, the foreshadowing is basically completed, and the plot of the second volume will rise. The outline of this book is complete, and there is sufficient time for writing and conception. Completion is the first priority. Please continue to collect, recommend and support it. Thank you.

(End of this chapter)