Chapter 43: The Grand Chamber’s Banquet
"My aunt is here!"
The entire Xue family was out, including Aunt Xue, Xue Pan, and Baochai!
Xue Pan put his arm around Jia Cong's shoulders and laughed, "Brother Cong has become a scholar, you are really amazing. Master Xue will treat you to a drink some other day!"
Baochai, who was standing by, glared at her brother fiercely , then bowed, "Congratulations, Brother Cong, for winning the top three prizes!"
Jia Cong agreed and hurriedly sent the mother and daughter in. Xue Pan pulled Jia Huan and said something to him.
Not long after, Youshi and Keqing from the East Palace arrived first, followed by Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, father and son!
Jia Zheng, Wang Shi and Baoyu did not arrive until the banquet was about to begin.
Jia Zheng had a bit of anger on his face, and it was obvious that things were not peaceful before he came here. However, when he saw Jia Cong coming to greet him, Jia Zheng couldn't help but show joy on his face. He was happier about this nephew who made him proud than his own two sons.
Wang's face was as gloomy as water and she said nothing, while Baoyu followed closely behind Jia Zheng with his head lowered.
"Meet Second Uncle, Second Madam, and Meet Second Brother Bao!"
"Sister is here!" Aunt Xue came out to greet her, probably because she heard the noise outside the door, and said to the maid beside her, "No need for you, I will lead Sister in!"
With the arrival of the second house, all the masters of the East and West mansions had arrived.
The banquet for the men was held in the main hall, and for the women in the flower hall. A few tables were also set up in the side rooms, where some respectable maids and head servants from each room sat.
Xiao Que'er, Qingwen, and Xiangling are the most glorious today! Originally, Jia Cong, the master, was an invisible person in the mansion, but now he is soaring to the sky. As the big maids around Jia Cong, they are naturally also rising with the tide. A group of familiar little sisters gathered around and talked enviously, which made the little maids overjoyed.
The women's rooms were naturally taken care of by the two granddaughters-in-law, Li Wan and Wang Xifeng, while the men's rooms were taken care of by a few servants around Jia Lian.
Everyone was playing finger-guessing games and drinking, it was so lively!
The banquet was not declared over until the end of the night. Everyone was sent away, and several maids helped the drunk Jia Cong back to the courtyard.
Not to mention that they all rested after washing up, when Jia Cong got up the next day, Xiao Que'er was still sleeping soundly on the bed.
This little girl, at the instigation of some of her sisters, had a few drinks yesterday. Even though it was fruit wine, it still had some aftereffects.
Jia Cong fetched some water to wash himself, and then practiced boxing in the yard. After a while, Qingwen came out with sleepy eyes.
"Third Master, why don't you call me maid?"
Jia Cong smiled and said, "You guys were busy yesterday, so just get some more sleep. Is Xiangling still sleeping?"
This silly Xiangling is even sleepier than Xiao Que'er! Jia Cong has read about Xiangling's experience in books. She was the daughter of Zhen Shiyin, but was abducted by a kidnapper. Over the years, she was beaten and scolded almost every day. It was not until she entered the Xue family that the situation improved.
Perhaps because of this, she is extremely sleepy, a little dull, and has no sense of security.
Qingwen responded and tidied herself up first. She then told Zhuier and Zhuaner to get the food, and then prepared hot water and towels for Jia Cong to use later.
It was not until the 9th hour that everyone finally got up, and the master, servants, and others had their meal.
Jia Cong had a chair brought in and sat in the yard to enjoy the cool air. Xiao Que'er took out some melon seeds from her pocket and ate them while telling Zhuan'er and Zhui'er about the "scenery" and what she had seen yesterday.
"Little bird!"
Hearing Jia Cong's shout, Xiao Que'er turned around to reveal a big little face, and the "aura" of a big maid disappeared completely in an instant.
"Master!"
"What happened to Rong's daughter-in-law from the East Mansion?"
Xiao Que'er tilted her head and said, "Grandpa, it seemed like Grandma Rong was worried about something yesterday. She was absent-minded several times when the old ancestor spoke!"
Jia Cong nodded, frowned and thought. After a moment, his eyes suddenly widened. A comfortable life does make people forget danger. In the past year or so, he passed the imperial examination smoothly, gradually became prominent in the mansion, had tens of thousands of taels of silver, and had beautiful maids serving him in his room. He almost forgot that he was in the world of the Red Mansion.
This once flourishing Jia Mansion has become desolate in just eight or nine years!
Thousands of beauties cry together, and tens of thousands of beauties mourn together!
Yingchun was tortured to death, Tanchun married far away, Xichun became a nun...
Once this family broke up, these daughters suffered the most tragic thing in the world!
Moreover, even Jia Cong could not escape! Even though he was a concubine's son, he was still the main branch of the Rongguo Mansion. If his property was confiscated and his crimes were investigated, Jia Cong would definitely be on the list!
All these things and contradictions had already been gradually accumulating in the two mansions, waiting to explode. The death of Qin Keqing in the East Mansion and the death of Lin Ruhai were the beginning and foreshadowing of all these tribulations!
"The Xue family entered the mansion last year, so there is still a whole year left!"
According to the time calculation, Lin Ruhai and Qin Keqing will both die in September next year, and Yuanchun will be promoted to noble concubine at the end of next year. It can be said that next year will be a crucial year for the Jia family.
However, just one year was not enough for Jia Cong to become strong enough to change the situation in the Jia family.
If one wants to completely change the situation in the Jia Mansion, the filthy father and son in the East Mansion must not be allowed to stay, and all the servants in the mansion must be dealt with. To do this, one must have enough power and enough say in the mansion.
In the next few days, Jia Cong became much quieter. Knowing the outcome but being powerless to change it would be a painful thing for anyone.
He had no feelings for most people in the Jia family , but there were some things he could not let go of over the past year.
Several little girls in his courtyard, his second sister Yingchun, and even the somewhat pedantic Jia Zheng! In the two mansions, these people may have some reasons, but they are sincere to him. If he had to watch these people rush to their original ending, how could he accept it?
"Master, Miss Bao is here!"
It was getting dark and Jia Cong was in his study when he heard the sound of a little bird.
Jia Cong nodded and had Baochai brought in. After Qingwen served tea, she chatted in a low voice with Ying'er in the small hall.
"Here are the shares and accounts for last month!"
Baochai sat down across the desk and handed the box in her hand to Jia Cong.
Jia Cong took it and put it aside, "Thank you, Sister Bao!"
"I should be the one to thank Brother Cong!" Baochai smiled, covering her mouth. In the past two years, although the business of selling ice cubes was only available during the summer months, it made the two of them a fortune!
Baochai is different from other people. Perhaps because she was born in a merchant family, she is not ignorant of money. On the contrary, she thinks it is a good thing to have enough money.
