On the fifth day after Jia Yu left Jingshi, Ning Guofu released the news that Jia Zhen fell into the water and died after drinking.

Except for Jia Yu's side, everyone else in Rongguo's Mansion was stunned when they heard the news. Jia Mu thought she had heard it wrong. You must know that in September last year, Jia Jing just celebrated his seventieth birthday, in contrast, Jia Zhen was not yet forty years old and was in good health. Jia Mu didn't understand why Jia Jing, who was thin and weak, was fine, but Jia Zhen fell? You must know that now that Qingming is out, the water is not so cold, and Jia Zhen is in the prime of life, even if she falls into the water, she will not die of typhoid fever. Moreover, how could there be so many minions in Ning Guofu's house that Jia Zhen could delay the rescue after falling into the water?

That's simply not possible. This reason is ridiculous.

Jia Rong stood in front of Jia's mother, paying attention to the expressions of the people in the room, including Jia's mother and the Xue family's mother and daughter, while explaining to Jia's mother.

Even Jia Rong knew that the truth of the real matter was even more unbearable than the explanation given by his grandfather, but the reason that was made public was really embarrassing.

Drinking with a concubine, falling into a pond or something, it's really enough.

But Jia Rong can't tell the truth. If you tell the truth, my father has taken a fancy to his daughter-in-law, and he has been immortal for many years, and he actually did something to his daughter-in-law on the fasting bath before the Qingming sacrifice. If this kind of word spreads, let alone the outside, even the entire clan will not be able to tolerate them Ning Guofu.

It was because he knew Jia Zhen's temperament that Jia Jing gave up this son. There is a first time and a second time for this kind of thing. Jia Zhen's temperament is fixed, but it is impossible for others to calculate him only once. So, in order to keep their Ning Guofu. In order to keep their Ning Guofu from being overwhelmed by the folds of the Imperial Historical Observatory, in order to keep their Ning Guofu from being robbed of their titles, and in order to keep their status as the clan branch of Ning Guofu, Jia Jing had only a choice, to abandon Jia Zhen, who would only bring disaster to Ning Guofu, and to keep Qin Keqing, who was a relatively small threat to Ning Guofu.

You know, once this news leaks. That's definitely a big scandal. The imperial court will not allow such an immoral thing to happen, and the Jia family will not allow such a thing to happen.

In fact, Jia Rong has been suspicious of this matter for several days. His grandfather didn't tell him explicitly. But he also guessed a little bit himself. His father Jia Zhen's temperament, in fact, everyone on Ning Rong Street knows it, and the beauty of his daughter-in-law is as long as he has participated in the sacrifice in Ning Guofu. They all have numbers in their hearts. He used his own daughter-in-law to calculate his father. Or use his father's temperament to calculate their Ning Guofu, in the opinion of Jia Rong, who has been instructed by Jia Jing, there are not a few people who want to do this.

For example, after my grandfather came back, they also cleared a lot of people out of Ningguofu, so there were fewer girls around his daughter-in-law, and only two big girls were left. Of course, it is not that the cause of the incident is the grandfather. Grandfather also did this for their Ning Guofu, after all, those minions were big-hearted and greedy for money. has taken away a lot of Ning Guofu's property. In Jia Rong's opinion, Jia Jing learned from Jia Yu to investigate these minions, which was an extremely correct choice. The reason why Jia Zhen violated her daughter-in-law was just that someone took advantage of this.

Regarding this point, Jia Rong also has a direction in her heart. First, of course, the minions who were betrayed. Naturally, those who are still in the slave registry have been sold, but like Lai Shangrong, the grandson of Mama Lai in the Rongguo Mansion, there are also several minions in the Ning Guofu who are hung on the ground, and these minions see their relatives being sold, where do they not hate in their hearts? If one or two are naturally not a climate, if they are united, with their understanding of Ning Guofu, it will naturally be troublesome.

Second, it was naturally done by the people of the Jia family, for the sake of the family property of the Jia family. You must know that Jia Zhen's extravagance and playing cocks and dogs with those gentlemen have long caused dissatisfaction among the clansmen, and it was only because of Jia Zhen's title and because of those minions in Ningguo Mansion that they had extra money, so they could only please Jia Zhen. Now, those minions are gone, they have no extra money, and they have found an opportunity, where is not the attack?

Of course, Jia Rong herself knows that in the future, the ability of those clansmen on the street, if they want to sit firmly in the position of the patriarch, it is simply impossible, and most of the clansmen know it in their hearts. Only a small number of people will feel that they have the confidence and ability to sit in this position.

And this candidate, Jia Rong thinks that the biggest possibility is Jia Zheng. Jia Rong knows very well what Jia Zheng is, his eyes are hollow, his ambitions are big, and his talents are sparse, so to describe him, it is to promote him. In Jia Rong's opinion, maybe Jia Zheng thinks so in his heart: if Jia Zhen has a scandal, they Ning Guofu will naturally not be able to sit in the position of patriarch, and if Ning Guofu steps down, it will naturally be his turn to sit in the position of patriarch with an official position in the Jia family.

In Jia Rong's opinion, with Jia Zheng's brain and face, it is not surprising that he would think so. At the beginning, Mrs. Jia Zhengwang and his wife lived in the Rongxi Hall arranged according to the rank of the national prince for more than ten years. Moreover, even if Mrs. Wang falls, there is a more powerful Jia Mu who has a higher status and is more difficult to deal with.

Of course, it is not ruled out that the Xue family has helped behind the scenes.

The past happened to Jia Rong, Jia Yu is also Jia's mother's own son, but Jia's mother is biased, and she actually took action against Jia Yu's family by Jia Zheng's side, and forcibly cut off three lives, and one became a living dead. Jia Rong felt that Jia's mother, who could even attack her own grandchildren, was not surprised to attack Ning Guofu for the sake of her son.

Therefore, Jia Rong suspected that she was in love with Jia's mother.

There is a saying called suspicious neighbors stealing axes, since Jia Rong has already reached a conclusion in her heart, now that she looks at Jia Mu, the more she looks at it, the more wrong it becomes. Now he doesn't dare to believe anyone, the only thing he can believe is Jia Yu and his children and granddaughters.

Jia Rong said: "Old lady, there is no way for the great-grandson. The father was gone, and the old man sent the black-haired man to the black-haired man, and he fell ill under sadness. My mother fainted when she heard the bad news. My daughter-in-law was originally a delicate woman, after every sacrifice. He always had to lie in the house for two days, and when such a big thing happened, he struggled to hold on for a few days. I can't get up now. I had no choice, so I wanted to borrow two from the old lady. ”

Mother Jia pointed to the juniors around her, Jia Baoyu, Shi Xiangyun, Tanchun, Li Kun and the mother and daughter of the Xue family, and said, "Look at it, who else can our family get now!" ”

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Old lady, forgive Rong'er for being brave, in fact, I came today." I wanted to borrow the second uncle and second aunt from the old lady. ”

Jia Mu hurriedly shook her head: "No." Your second uncle Lian has a yamen to be busy with. As for your second aunt, he's also young. ”

In Jia Mu's opinion, Jia Lian's most important thing now. is to work hard in the military department, strive to give a good impression to the above, and if he is promoted in the future, he can also take care of Jia Zheng and Jia Baoyu.

I heard Jia Mu say this. The shadow in Jia Rong's heart became more and more.

He said, "Old lady." There is no way for the great-grandson. My grandfather was sick, my aunt and I had to take care of him every day, and my mother needed to be taken care of. I can't spread it out on the outside or inside it. Thinking that his father was good friends with Second Uncle Lian before his death, and Second Uncle Lian was a well-known capable person, so he wanted to ask the old lady for a favor and asked Second Uncle Lian for help. ”

Jia Mu said: "Lian'er is in the ministry." Why don't I let the second child help you? ”

Where did Jia Rong dare to ask Jia Zheng to help!

He took a half step forward and said, "Old lady, when our lord mentioned this matter to me. As I said, although Second Uncle Lian does not have the talent of Brother Zhu in reading. In this general affairs, it is extremely transparent, that is, the second master and the eldest brother Zhu combined, but they are only comparable to the second uncle Lian. Because our lord ordered it so, our great-grandson only came to beg the old lady today. In addition, our family now needs someone to help take care of not only the outside, but also the inside. The second aunt and the second uncle are brother and sister, and if there is anything, the two brothers and sisters can discuss it. Even if the second aunt is young, with the help of two younger sisters, she can cope with it. ”

When Jia Mu heard that it was Jia Jing's order, she didn't say much, so she had to say: "At this time, your second uncle Lian is still in the yamen, where is it so easy to come back?" It's your second aunt, but he's at home. I'll call him now, and ask him yourself. Let's talk about it first, I can't guarantee that your second aunt will be willing to help. ”

Jia Jiu, who got the news, took Jia Qian and Jia Qing to Rongqing Hall, first greeted Jia's mother, and then met Aunt Xue and Jia Baoyu, Shi Xiangyun, Xue Baochai, Tanchun and others, and then sat down, and then listened to Jia Rong explain the situation.

Jia Jiu had already expected this, and he also discussed countermeasures with Jia Qian and Jia Qing. It's just that in front of Jia Mu, he still has to pretend.

Jia Jiu first turned his gaze to Qiu Dianzan, and Qiu Dianzan immediately bowed out and said: "Junjun, this matter is indeed inconvenient for a daughter like Junjun to take action. ”

Jia Jiu said: "Rong'er, you also heard it. ”

Jia Rong hurriedly said: "Second aunt, it's not that my nephew is troublesome, but that the family is really not like it, and I ask my aunt to take pity on my nephew and ...... those people in the clan, he can't believe it anymore."

These words had already reached her mouth, but she was still swallowed hard by Jia Rong.

Jia Rong herself also knows that Ning Guofu's family business is not small, so those stewards and servants in Ning Guofu are also extremely arrogant in front of the serious masters of the Jia family on the back street, and it is common for Jia Yi and Jia Ling to lead horses for them and call them grandfathers. After Jia Jing came back, he also learned from Jia Yu to copy the homes of many slaves and send them to the officials.

It stands to reason that for the atmosphere of the Jia family, this will definitely be beneficial to the entire Jia family, but for those Jia family masters on the back street who do not produce and only know how to get some errands and money by sneaking around, without these minions, they will naturally have less income. Therefore, these people said on their faces that Jia Jing should have done this a long time ago, but behind their backs, they did not curse Jia Jing and Ning Guofu.

Jia Jing may not know these things, but Jia Rong and Jia Qiang know them clearly. It's just that they were afraid that Jia Jing would be angry, so they didn't dare to say anything.

Although Jia Rong is Jia Zhen's only son, Jia Zhen never knows scruples, nor does she know how to make a face for herself, she only knows the idea of beating her daughter-in-law, and she only knows how to practice herself.

Therefore, Jia Rong still has some admiration for Jia Jing, but for Jia Zhen, it is only a number of courtesies.

Now that Jia Zhen is dead, he really feels that there is a big mountain on his head. It's just that because of Jia Zhen's actions, he really doesn't have much prestige in the Jia family. can't suppress those clan elders. Otherwise, it would not have been to go to the Marquis Mansion of Rongguo to ask for help.

Jia Rong didn't know how to lobby Jia Jiu, so she had to look at each other with a blank eye.

Jia Jiu turned his head and discussed with Qiu Dianzan again. still said: "Although it is natural for neighbors to help each other, it is always bad for one of my daughters' family to interfere in the affairs of the neighbors." That's it, you've begged me like this, and I don't want to care about anything. After all, Uncle Jing was my enlightenment teacher with Cong'er, Qian'er, and Qing'er, and the teacher was sick. We should have helped in the past. Meddling in other people's household affairs is not always the right way. In this case, I will lend you Aunt Dianzan and Aunt Dianbao. These two are female officials from the fifth grade, and they have done their best to help you take care of the things inside. “

Jia Rong thought that Jia Jiu would refuse it, but she didn't expect such a gain, so she nodded hurriedly.

Jia Jiu originally wanted to warn Jia Rong. Let Jia Rong buy more sacrificial fields. But now in front of Jia's mother, there are Shi Xiangyun and Aunt Xue Xue Baochai, he is not good at talking, so he has to agree with the other party that the next day will definitely pass.

When Jia Rong retreated, Jia Mu nodded to Jia Jiu: "This is what everyone is doing." Then he said to the four aunts: "The second girl has bothered you." ”

Qiu Dianzan and the others hurriedly stood up and said that they didn't dare.

Mother Jia pointed at Jia Jiu and said to Aunt Xue: "Now, the outside is becoming more and more particular about these. I didn't expect this granddaughter to get ahead either. His temperament turned out to be too soft. But when it comes to things, it is too strong, and both are extremes. It's hard for a woman. If you want to live well, you should be like Bao Yatou, peaceful and upright, otherwise, like Yun Yatou, it is good to be able to afford to put it down. In this regard, my granddaughter is not as good as his eldest sister, nor can she compare to Bao Ya Yun Ya. Moreover, he is too affectionate, you see today, Rong'er just begged, and he nodded. He is already a disciple of the Daomen, and he still remembers the master of Dongfu. ”

Aunt Xue heard Mother Jia praising Xue Baochai, and her heart was even more happy.

He knows that this year is the election of palace concubines, which also means that there will be a group of newcomers in the palace, and naturally palace maids are also needed. Therefore, before each general election, the palace must first release a group of people, and then enter a group of people.

The last time she chose someone for Princess Changle, Xue Baochai's name was indeed registered by the above, and in the end, it was indeed as Jia Jiu said, it was clear that Princess Changle chose to read it, but in fact, the emperor was choosing someone. Therefore, Xue Baochai finally fell off the list, and Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were mentally prepared, and they would not be too sad.

But this time I entered the harem, and Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were not enthusiastic, it was fake. What makes them even happier is that in this palace selection, Xue Baochai's name is still on the top. The people in the inner mansion put the losers who accompanied the princess and praised the princess last time, except for the father and brother who were high in the official rank and were already on the general election list, the rest of the people were included in the small election list, and with this light, Xue Baochai also had the qualifications to participate in the small election.

Hearing Mother Jia praise Xue Baochai, Xue Baochai lowered her head slightly, but the more Aunt Xue listened, the happier she became. If Jia Jiu can enter the re-election of the general election, doesn't it mean that his daughter, who is much better than him, is also very hopeful of staying in the palace?

Aunt Xue said with a smile: "Old lady, Jun Jun has always been a person who values love and righteousness, and if others treat him well, he will repay him ten." Such people are liked everywhere they go. Old lady, maybe you're going to congratulate you this year. ”

When Mother Jia heard this, she became more and more happy: "If I really answer my aunt's words, then I will definitely be the east and thank my aunt and wife well." ”

For Jia Yuanchun, who she had spent a lot of effort to train, Jia Mu had already given up. spent so many favors to send him to the palace, and spent so many connections and silver to help him, but this granddaughter didn't move at all, obviously it was a fee. It's Jia Jiu, who is only thirteen years old, has already been loved by the palace, and he enters the palace every once in a while, and he can see the emperor every month, such a decent, as long as the emperor is not brain-pumping, Jia Jiu will not be defeated.

Therefore, Aunt Xue's words have come to Jia's mother's heart.

Jia Baoyu didn't like to hear this the most, so when he twisted his body and poked Shi Xiangyun, who was sitting on the other side of Jia's mother, from behind Jia's mother, and said in a low voice: "Sister Yun, what did you say last time?" Didn't you say Hexiang? How's it going? ”

Shi Xiangyun also leaned over, and whispered to Jia Baoyu behind Jia Mu: "What else, of course it is a failure." I tried it a few times, but it didn't taste as fragrant and rich as it was written in the book, but it was a bit stinky. ”

Jia Baoyu is only one year younger than Jia Jiu. Shi Xiangyun is also eleven years old this year, and they are holding Jia's mother from left to right, talking behind Jia's mother. Naturally, it attracted the attention of Jia's mother.

"You two little things, what are you talking about?"

Jia Baoyu immediately replied: "Old lady, Sister Yun just told me that he failed to make incense for the first time." ”

When Jia Mu heard this, she immediately laughed.

He hugged Jia Baoyu and Shi Xiangyun left and right, and said, "You guys, do you think Hexiang is so easy?" The baking of that material alone is very particular. Without careful guidance and repeated attempts, which one can succeed the first time? ”

Said so. Jia Mu's heart remembered one thing. When Jia Yuanchun was at home, Jia's mother specially invited a teacher for him to teach him various skills, but Jia Jiu was his granddaughter. Jia Mu really didn't teach him.

Jia Mu's heart moved. said: "Second girl, have you started to learn Hexiang?" ”

Jia Jiu immediately stood up and said, "Old lady, have you forgotten?" Dao Kui is the master of incense. With such a famous teacher here, of course my granddaughter is not welcome. ”

Jia Mu nodded, but she was not very satisfied. He knows that whether it is a Taoist family or a family. He is particular about a lot of things. Not to mention anything else, the incense used by the people in the Taoist Gate is the same as that of their qin. They are very particular about a clear character, just like the family pays attention to the orthography. If you don't meet these two words, even if you don't classify it as a demon, this evaluation will not be high.

However, the emperor is also a man, what does he want to be pure and upright, some are Taoists, some are officials to accompany him to fiddle with this, where do you need the palace concubines to show him the purity and righteousness of the piano and incense? When the emperor went to the harem, he came to relax, and he preferred to listen to the sound of glamour and the fragrance of ecstasy.

In this aspect, Jia Yuanchun has a good grasp of this, but Jia Jiu has not learned at all.

Jia Mu thought about it, but still said: "Yun girl didn't mention it, I forgot about it." Which of the ladies in the palace is not a master in this way? Second girl, how many incense recipes do you have? ”

Jia Jiu replied: "Daokui gave me two, and the last time I communicated with my sisters, my sister-in-law also gave me two. ”

Jia Mu asked which three they were, and Jia Jiu hurriedly said.

Jia Mu said: "There are just a few, but there are too few." I also have a few recipes here, so I'll send them to you later. ”

Jia Baoyu immediately felt Shi Xiangyun's unhappiness, and even made a fuss: "Old lady, old lady, I want it, I want it too." ”

Jia Mu smiled: "You are a gentleman, what are you fiddling with?" I burned my hands carefully. ”

Jia Baoyu said: "But the second sister also said that Kui is also a master in this way." Old lady, I want to learn too, let me learn. As he spoke, he kept shaking Jia Mu's arm.

Jia Baoyu was raised by Jia's mother, how could Jia's mother not know his thoughts? It's just that these days, Shi Xiangyun is getting closer and closer to Xue Baochai, and Jia's mother sees it. These things turned out to be the treasures at the bottom of the box pressed by Jia's mother, and they were given to Jia Yuanchun and Jia Jiu, the two granddaughters, so that they could enter the palace to fight for the family's wealth, so that Jia's mother was willing to take it out. If she gave it to outsiders for nothing, where would Jia Mu be willing?

Jia Mu had no choice but to fool Jia Baoyu and said: "That's it, that's it, since you want to learn, then you should start with the simplest one." Don't you like lilies and sorbets the most? These two raw materials came from the palace. When I get back, I'll have someone deliver it to you. First of all, don't cry when your hands are hot, and if you cry, don't touch this. ”

Jia Baoyu assured in a loud voice. turned his head and made a look at Shi Xiangyun, in exchange for a grateful smile from Shi Xiangyun.

Shi Xiangyun also knew that the recipe was more expensive than the ready-made things, but he forgot that Jia's mother liked extravagance, and many of the recipes sent were sandalwood, agarwood, Canaan incense, dragon incense, musk, borneol and other precious materials. In the original book, Jia Yun bribed Wang Xifeng, but it was just two kinds of musk and borneol, each of which was only four taels, and it cost ten taels of silver. You can see the cost here.

In Shi Xiangyun's case, of course, it can't be afforded. Besides, Jia's mother's expenses are independent, Jia's mother has 30,000 taels of silver per year, and this spice shortage is to be spent from these 30,000 taels of silver. With Shi Xiangyun's identity, where did he dare to open this mouth? I have to pry Jia Baoyu to mess with Jia's mother.

It was Xue Baochai who got two prescriptions from Shi Xiangyun, like a treasure. turned around and sent Jia Baoyu a thick birthday gift, which made Jia's mother look at him more. (To be continued......)