Chapter 42 Jia Zheng is in ecstasy
The main hall of Jia Mu's courtyard is full of people from all over the house! And Jia Cong enjoyed Baoyu's treatment for the first time, and was pulled by Jia Mu to sit next to him!
The hall was filled with beautiful women in gorgeous clothes. Even Jia She, who usually didn't like to show up, had arrived. However, Jia She had a complicated expression. This son who he usually didn't favor and even hated had actually become a scholar? And he was a scholar who won the third place in the imperial examination?
Baoyu rarely sat beside Wang, who was below Lady Jia. Wang looked calm, but the handkerchief in her hand was almost torn to pieces! Baoyu looked at the seat that should have belonged to him, feeling a little bored, disgusted, and confused.
He is just a low-ranking scholar, even if he is a top scholar, so what? Isn't he still a person who pursues fame and fortune? Why does he make everyone so happy? Even our ancestors are like this...
When he saw that all the sisters' eyes were on Jia Cong, the sense of closeness made him subconsciously grab Baoyu from around his neck. However, a voice came, which made him shiver uncontrollably, and he quickly let go of his hand.
"Mother, great news, where is Brother Cong!" Jia Zheng shouted and rushed in.
"You are an adult now, but you are still like a naughty boy!" Grandmother Jia couldn't help but laugh and scold her excited little son.
"Mother, Cong has won the first place again, the first place in the Little Three Prizes. You may not know that all the colleagues in the government office congratulated my son today. Even the superiors were full of praise for Cong, and they specially asked my son to leave the government office early to celebrate for him."
"Mother, tell me, isn't this a great joy?"
"Before, my son envied people as noble as Ru Hai the most. However, my son is dull and the children in my family are not very capable. But now we have Cong Ge'er in our house. Even Ru Hai in those days never won the honor of the Little Three Prizes..."
"Mother, in my opinion, we should have a grand celebration and invite all the old relatives. The four princes and eight dukes are all descendants of the same family, so this great event should be publicized to prevent people from saying that my Jia family has no successor!"
It can be seen that Jia Zheng is obviously very frustrated!
Although he is the head of the Duke's Mansion, he is only a minor official of the fifth rank. It's okay for him to deal with ordinary people, and some minor officials are also afraid of the power of the Duke's Mansion. But who among the truly powerful people would take Jia Zheng seriously?
Grandmother Jia herself was a person who loved lively occasions, and she was immediately moved by what Jia Zheng said.
However, before she could speak, Jia Cong stood up and bowed to the old lady, saying, "Old lady, the court is unstable now. If we, the four princes and eight dukes, gather together like this, it will inevitably attract the calculations and hostility of some people. Moreover, my grandson is only a scholar after all. If we hold a grand ceremony, won't people laugh at our family for being petty?"
"Today, in front of the old lady, father, and second uncle, please allow your grandson to be arrogant. Your grandson will definitely pass the imperial examination and get his name on the list of successful candidates! When the time comes, even if your grandson shamelessly begs you, you must let the old lady help your grandson show off his power for once!"
Jia Cong's words were humble yet full of confidence, and for a moment everyone in the hall's eyes lit up. It had been a long time since the two Jia mansions had produced such a person.
The old lady's face was also filled with joy. Before she knew it, her grandson had actually found his own way!
She had lived through five generations of the Jia family and had seen the family at its most glorious time. Her father-in-law was a duke, her husband was a duke, her father was a minister, and her brother was a marquis. It was no exaggeration to say that even the princess and the dowager would have dared to look down on her.
But with the death of his father and his elder brother, the Shi family, although still a family of two marquises, was no longer as powerful as before, and the family could no longer maintain its status. As for the Jia family, which was a family of two dukes, it was even worse, with two incompetent sons and grandchildren who were neither good at literature nor martial arts.
The governor of the Beijing camp, who was the ancestor of the Jia family, could only push Wang Ziteng to the position to support the family, and there was no one to inherit his connections in the army.
She had some means and vision, but could she teach her children and grandchildren to ride horses and read, or could she advise on the affairs of the court? She could only try her best to maintain this Duke's Mansion.
Nowadays, Jia Cong has emerged as a promising young man. He has become a disciple with his own talent and has already walked out of a golden road. It is hard to say whether this mansion will have to rely on this grandson a lot in the future.
This is why she acted so intimately today, even temporarily putting her beloved Baoyu aside.
Moreover, she also wanted to use this opportunity to warn Baoyu. If it could make Baoyu more motivated, that would be great!
"My dear grandson, I will do as you say! I, the old lady, will wait for the day when you pass the imperial examination, and I will invite our relatives to a banquet to show off your power! However, although it doesn't have to be a big banquet, it's okay to celebrate at home."
"My eldest daughter-in-law, Cong is from your family, so you will take care of this matter! All the needs will be drawn from the public treasury!"
Although the eldest son of the family gave up the power of housekeeper, it was their own fault, but they had been suppressed for many years. Now that the eldest son of the family has risen, it is indeed time to give him a little help. Besides, so many years have passed, as long as they don't show too much, it's fine.
"Besides, we are of the same lineage as the East Mansion, so you can also invite us!"
Mrs. Xing smiled happily and responded repeatedly, but Wang twisted the handkerchief in her hand even tighter...
Since it was a happy event in the East Courtyard, it would naturally be held in the East Courtyard. After everyone left, Mrs. Xing got busy!
First, he asked the servant to take the invitations and deliver them to each room. Then he personally made a list of items and handed them to Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng to purchase and prepare them. He also sent someone to supervise the preparation of dishes in the kitchen.
The servants and maids in the entire East Courtyard were all busy, but the protagonist Jia Cong was relaxed.
In the afternoon of the next day, Mrs. Xing sent a sedan chair to fetch the old lady. As a result, Sanchun, Daiyu, and Xiangyun were all there, so they came together.
Outside the main hall of the East Courtyard, Jia She, Jia Lian and Jia Cong came to greet the old lady respectfully. When they saw the old lady coming, they immediately bowed!
"Okay, get up quickly!" Jia's mother smiled and waved her hand. With the help of Jia She, she went straight into the flower hall. Jia Lian and Jia Cong were still waiting for guests outside the door.
In the hall, Mrs. Xing and Wang Xifeng were busy together. When they saw Lady Jia come in, they hurried to greet her.
"I know you two are busy today. I have my granddaughter here with me, so I don't need you!"
Wang Xifeng helped Lady Jia onto the high couch, "As expected, the legitimate granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law are closer to me than my granddaughter-in-law. I am really pitiful..."
"Hahaha, you little monkey, get away from me now, I can't stand you!"
Wang Xifeng smiled and stepped back, asked someone to bring snacks and tea, and then went back to her own business!
Not long after, Jia Huan also came, and Li Wan also arrived with Jia Lan.
