I'm in the Red Mansion

Chapter 65: Pretty Qingwen

Hearing Jia Zheng's comments that his writing was not good, Jia Lan could not help but lower his little head, his eyes turned red, tears welled up in his eyes, and his mouth pursed as if he was about to cry at any time.

Jia Zheng couldn't help but smile and said, "You are still young. When you grow up, everything will be fine."

After commenting on Jia Lan, Jia Zheng then picked up Jia Cong's poems.

After just one glance, Jia Zheng couldn't help but let out a slight exclamation and couldn't take his eyes away.

Seeing this, Lin Daiyu and Tanchun couldn't help but look at each other and smile.

They have all seen Brother Cong's calligraphy. Wasn't this their reaction when they saw it for the first time?

It is not surprising that Jia Zheng would react like this.

However, others don't know.

Wang Xifeng smiled and asked, "Second Master, is it that Cong'er's writing is not good?"

Grandmother Jia followed with a smile and said, "It's just a pastime anyway. What's the point of it being good or not? Zheng'er, have you read it? I wonder who won first place this time?"

Wang Xifeng clapped her hands and laughed, "Is there any need to ask? Brother Bao is the winner, of course! Brother Bao, why don't you take your beauty home quickly?"

"Such a look and such a figure, wow, even I like her as much as I see her! How about I trade Ping'er with you?"

When Wang Xifeng said that, Jia Baoyu immediately became anxious. He twisted his arm around Wang Xifeng like a piece of candy and refused to let go.

Jia She snorted coldly and his face became increasingly gloomy.

At this time, everyone heard Jia Zheng slowly say: "Brother Cong's calligraphy is excellent, he has already formed his own style, and his poetry is also very good, he should be the best."

After Jia Zheng finished speaking, the scene fell silent and everyone in the room was shocked.

Jia Mu, Wang Xifeng, Jia She and others all had faces filled with astonishment.

Jia Baoyu was even more incredulous. How could it be possible? How could the poems written by Cong Lao San be better than his own?

On the other hand, although Lin Daiyu, Tanchun and other girls also had expressions of surprise on their faces, they were not too surprised.

They had seen Brother Cong's painting and calligraphy, and knew how hard he worked.

It is not too surprising that Brother Cong's poem won the first prize.

Of course, the most surprised person in the room was Jia Huan.

How can Cong Lao San be the first?
Master, you haven’t even read the poems I wrote!

Well, even if you look at it, Cong Lao San is still the first.

But you can’t just give the first place to Cong Lao San without even looking at mine, right?

You haven't even completed the process, right?

After being stunned for a while, Jia She was the first to come to his senses. He asked with a smile, "Really? I didn't know that this little beast had such a skill?"

"I want to see what his poems are like."

As he spoke, Jia She stood up and took Jia Cong's poem from Jia Zheng.

After only one glance, Jia She could not help but say, "Great handwriting! There are only a few people in the whole capital who can write like this."

Next, Jia She read out the poem written by Jia Cong.

"Just as I was admiring the beauty of the flaming trees in spring, I suddenly saw the bright light reflecting the setting moon.

The shark beads still carry water when they go out to sea, and the sleeves in the hall are full of coldness.

The candles don't block the shadows in the sky, but the dizzy air seems to be seen from the moon.

I would like to borrow the east wind for a moment, so that I can enjoy the rest of my joy tonight."

After Jia She finished reading, Lin Daiyu and Tanchun could not help but exclaim in amazement.

This poem by Brother Cong San is really very well written.

Although it is not as good as the prosperous Tang Dynasty, it is still a rare masterpiece in our dynasty.

I never thought that in addition to his paintings and calligraphy, Brother Cong San has also reached perfection in poetry.

And Jia Baoyu was completely dumbfounded.

He is a man of eccentric talents, so he naturally has the ability to appreciate things.

He had to admit that Cong Lao San's poems were indeed better than his. However, Jia Mu, Wang Xifeng and others could not tell the difference.

However, since Jia Zheng and Jia She both praised it, it must be that what he wrote was indeed better than Baoyu's.

After reading this poem, Jia She couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"This poem is very well written, it deserves to be the first! Haha, mother, I wonder if your prize should be given to Cong-ge'er?"

It was the first time for Jia She to be able to slap the Second Housewife in the face and make Lady Jia lose face.

How could he be unhappy inside?

As for Lady Jia, she felt as uncomfortable as if she had eaten a fly.

Qingwen is a good girl. She is first-class in both appearance and needlework.

Originally, this girl was specially kept by her for Baoyu.

Unexpectedly, Jia Cong intervened and let him win the championship of the poetry competition.

The words that are spoken, the water that is poured out.

But Grandmother Jia couldn't go back on her word.

Therefore, Grandmother Jia could only say calmly: "I have already said that whoever wins the first prize will be given this girl as a reward. Can I go back on my word?"

"Qingwen, pack up and go serve Cong-ge'er from now on."

"Yes, ancestor!"

Qingwen knelt down and kowtowed several times to Lady Jia, then stood up and went back to pack her luggage.

Jia Baoyu looked at Qingwen's departing back, his face full of reluctance.

He wanted to ask Lady Jia for Qingwen, but looking at Jia Zheng, who was sitting at the banquet with a gloomy face, he didn't dare to really ask.

After Jia Cong won the championship in the poetry competition, the atmosphere at the banquet suddenly became dull.

The smile on Lady Jia's face disappeared, and no one else dared to speak.

Even Wang Xifeng became cautious.

Only Jia She would leave early from the previous Lantern Festival banquets and return to his own courtyard to enjoy himself.

This time he did not leave, but stayed at the banquet, smiling and looking very proud.

But this made Grandmother Jia's face even uglier.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Grandmother Jia stood up, saying she was tired, and left.

After Grandmother Jia left, Jia Zheng also left with an excuse.

After Jia Zheng left, Jia She returned satisfied.

The Lantern Festival banquet suddenly became deserted, and the remaining people all dispersed.

When Jia Cong returned to his own courtyard, he found that Qingwen was already waiting on him in the house.

Seeing him coming, she quickly opened the curtain to let Jia Cong in.

After Jia Cong sat down, Qingwen knelt down and kowtowed to him, which marked her formal entry into the room.

Jia Cong couldn't help but say, "Qingwen, get up. There are not many people in my room, only you and Hongxiu."

"It saves you the trouble of intrigue. I don't have so many rules here. You just need to be careful not to offend too many people with your words."

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Qingwen said unconvincedly, "Third Master, I am just a little girl. How dare I offend anyone with my words? Third Master, your words were in vain."

It is indeed the sharp-tongued and pretty Qingwen.

Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh and said, "You still know that you are a little girl? You dare to talk back to me when I say something to you, let alone others?"

"I've heard that you're a sharp-tongued person, but I didn't believe it. Now I see it for myself."

Qingwen asked angrily, "Third Master, please tell me quickly, who is plotting against me? I will tear her mouth to pieces."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Okay, let Hongxiu lead you to clean up the house first, and it won't be too late to come back after it's done."

"Yes, Third Master."

(End of this chapter)