Chapter 17 People's Thoughts
Below Lady Jia, there were Lady Xing and Lady Wang attending on her left and right, below which stood Jia Zhu's wife Li Wan solemnly, while Wang Xifeng was entertaining her family in colorful clothes, making the old ancestor laugh.
Behind the screen at the side, Sanchun and Daiyu were whispering in the company of the head maid!
After entering the house, she greeted Grandmother Jia first! Grandmother Jia responded, then waved to Baoyu and said, "My Baoyu, come and sit down. Are you tired today?"
After Jia Baoyu stepped forward and paid his respects, he sat down next to Grandmother Jia, even leaning his head in the old lady's arms, whispering something about his grievances.
Jia Cong's eyelids twitched violently when he saw this. If it was a child of three or five years old, this scene would naturally be joyful. But Baoyu was already twelve or thirteen years old, and he just felt that it was not right to laugh or cry.
Jia Zheng looked at Jia Cong, who was standing elegantly and solemnly, and then looked at his son. He couldn't help but grit his teeth and sigh. If the old lady hadn't been there, he would have at least let out a sigh of relief.
Behind the screen, the women's eyes were all on Jia Cong!
Yingchun's eyes were gentle, Tanchun was surprised, Xichun was curious, and Daiyu's eyes were fluctuating! At this moment, although Jia Cong's clothes were not as gorgeous as Baoyu's, he had a slender figure and a resolute face.
"There is a saying that a man of culture is naturally elegant. I thought it was just bragging before, but now I know it is true after meeting Brother Cong today!" It was Daiyu who blurted out the words involuntarily.
Tanchun raised her eyes and looked Daiyu up and down. The strange look made Daiyu immediately pick up a handkerchief and hit her.
Tanchun hid behind Yingchun and laughed, "Uncle Lin was the third place winner in the imperial examination. With Third Brother Cong's hard work, he will probably win the first place in the imperial examination in the future. But I don't know if the first place winner can marry the third place winner's daughter!"
As soon as these words came out, Daiyu's face turned red with shame. She immediately clenched her handkerchief and said unwillingly, "I thought the third girl was a good person before, but today you are teasing me. I will not let you off!"
The sisters quarreled until everyone in the hall stood up.
All the people in the mansion gathered together and went straight to the main hall after leaving the warm place!
After arriving, everyone still stood in order. Jia's mother led Lady Xing, Lady Wang, Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, Qin Keqing and other female masters to serve and arrange the dishes, and placed them on the altar in front of the portraits of the two lords Ning and Rong.
Afterwards, all the people in the mansion, both men and women, paid their respects to the two Dukes Ning and Rong in batches.
Finally, all the trouble was over, and everyone set out to return to Rongguo Mansion!
When they arrived at Rong Xi Tang, the old lady sat on the high couch, and the master of Rongguo Mansion began to pay her respects to her again!
Jia Cong did not deliberately stand out, but just followed the crowd and followed Jia Lian, Jia Huan and others. After the ceremony, the female family members held a big banquet in the inner hall . Baoyu squeezed in when Jia Zheng was not paying attention. Jia Cong and other male family members had a banquet in the outer hall.
Compared to the lively atmosphere inside the house, the outer hall seemed a little deserted. At the table were Jia She and Jia Zheng, followed by Jia Lian, Jia Cong, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan.
When Jia Zheng saw that Baoyu was not there, he became angry again. Fortunately, Jia Lian spoke up to persuade him to stop!
After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere became a little more lively! Jia Lian asked Jia Cong, who was standing beside him, "I heard that my third brother has been studying hard recently? How is he doing?"
Jia Cong replied, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Lian. I am not as smart as Brother Lian and Brother Bao, so I can only study by myself! At least with the guidance of the Second Master, I have learned a little."
At this point, Jia Cong stood up and saluted, "I just happen to ask my father and the second master for an invitation. After the New Year's Day, there will be a boy's test. I want to take the test. I hope my father and the second master can agree!"
Jia She couldn't help but be stunned. If it weren't for the New Year gathering, he would almost forget that he had such a son. Even if he occasionally thought of him, he only remembered that he was dull and didn't care about his own heart.
He took a sip of wine and then said, "What else can you do? You want to take the imperial examination? Baoyu has not even taken the boy's examination, and you still want to embarrass yourself?"
Jia Zheng on the side stopped him, "Brother, what you said is wrong. Cong is very diligent in his studies, and now he is well versed in the Four Books and Five Classics. Not to mention the small boy's test, in my opinion, even the provincial examination will be a piece of cake."
Jia She frowned and said casually, "If that's the case, then go ahead and try it. It's better to lose face than to say that you are my son, Jia She."
Jia She's attitude made Jia Cong very angry. Even if he was a concubine's son, he was still your own. Why did you look down on him like that? If it weren't for the fact that filial piety was the way of the world, once he was known as an unfilial person, he would be unable to move forward. Otherwise, Jia Cong really wanted to slap Jia She in the face.
"Don't worry, Cong'er. After the New Year, I'll let Lian'er register your name. As for the rest of the guarantors, Second Uncle will take care of them all for you. You just need to concentrate on your studies!"
Holding back his anger, Jia Cong bowed and said, "Father's advice, I will remember it in my heart. I would also like to thank my second uncle for his hard work for me!"
The banquet was tasteless and soon the table was dispersed, but the atmosphere among the female guests was still lively.
Jia Cong left Rong Xi Tang and went straight back to his own courtyard! He saw the bright lanterns in the courtyard. Although it was far less magnificent than Rong Xi Tang, it felt more cozy.
I pushed the door open and just as I reached the door, I saw the little girl coming out to greet me .
"Third Master is back?" Xiao Que'er yawned, obviously feeling a little tired.
Jia Cong stroked the little girl's head and asked, "Have you eaten yet?"
Xiao Que'er narrowed her eyes when she heard this, "After the Third Master left, Sister Lianhua'er from the Second Miss's room and Sister Wenxing from Miss Bao's room came."
"Sister Wenxing brought a lot of food, and the mansion also sent some food. I also took out the food in our room and shared it with the two sisters. After eating, the two sisters chatted in our room until they went back just now."
Jia Cong felt warm in his heart when he heard this! Yingchun and Baochai were obviously thoughtful. They knew that Xiao Que was bored alone in the room because he was busy today. It was not suitable for him to hang out in other people's rooms on this day, so they sent someone to accompany him.
"Sister Wen Xing brought stewed pork elbow with ham, roasted pheasant with chestnuts, and so on. Oh, and there's also goose-foot crow letter!"
This was probably the first time for the little girl to eat such a delicious food, so she swallowed her saliva while speaking!
"I left some for you, Master San. Do you want to eat some?"
Jia Cong sat down, pinched Xiao Que'er's face and said, "It just so happens that eating in the main hall is not pleasant, so Xiao Que'er will accompany Third Master to eat a little."
Xiao Que'er happily took out several dishes, fruits, etc. Although her stomach was already full, she still couldn't help but eat a few more bites before stopping. Afterwards, she concentrated on serving Jia Cong food and drinks.
The master and servant ate and chatted like this, and finally Xiao Que got tired and fell asleep. However, Jia Cong listened to the crackling sound of firecrackers outside all night long!
