Chapter 550: The Imperial Concubine’s Promise (Part 3)

Yuan Chun stood on the royal boat and slowly sailed from the southeast of the garden to the northwest. However, he saw glass lanterns hanging all along the banks of the stream. At a glance, there were hundreds of them. Thousands of them illuminate the entire world in the garden, making it look like daylight.

He also took a general look at the various scenery in the garden, and sometimes asked Jia Baoyu behind him to test his talents. Some felt that the poems in various places were not to his liking, so he ordered the eunuchs to pass them on to Jia Zheng and Jia Lian. Make modifications.

For a while, the boat approached the inner shore, and then abandoned the boat and went to the carriage. After walking not far, we saw the graceful Lin Palace and the majestic Guidian Palace. The four words "Heavenly Treasure Realm" are written on the stone archway.

"It's too ostentatious, let's change it to a provincial villa."

Yuanchun sighed and walked into the palace. I saw the courtyard burned empty, incense dust covering the ground, fiery trees and silver flowers, golden windows and jade sills. There are countless curtains rolled with shrimp beards, fish and otters spread on blankets, the scent of musk brains floats on the tripod, and pheasant tail fans line the screen. Really:

"The Immortal Mansion of Yuhu in Kinmen, the home of the concubine of Lan Palace in Guidian!"

Since there was no plaque on the front, Yuan Chun asked, Xia Shouzhong, the eunuch who was accompanying him He knelt down and said, "This is the main hall. Foreign ministers dare not draw it up."

Yuanchun nodded and said nothing, so he entered the hall and took his seat to receive the ceremony. Along with bursts of vocal music, Jia Zheng and Jia Lian led the men of the clan to bow down on the moon steps, and in the early spring of the Yuan Dynasty, they asked their attendant Zhaorong to pass the order to exempt them. At that time, Jia Mu led the female family members of the He clan to come to pay their respects, and it was the same.

Finally, tea has been offered three times, the national ceremony has been completed, and the singing has stopped. Yuanchun couldn't bear it any longer. After changing his clothes in the side hall, he drove out of the garden in the Jia Mansion's special carriage and went to Rongqing Hall, Jia's mother's main room, to express family affection.

……

Outside, Jia Zheng, Jia Lian and others were busy.

　“How are things arranged outside?”

At this point, it’s time to make your own arrangements. Now that she was reunited with her family in the Rongqing Hall, the Zhaorong, Caibin, eunuchs and attendants who were accompanying her in the palace had time to take a breath and drink some tea.

The specific matters were arranged by Jia Lian, Jia, Jia Qiang, Jia Yun and others to entertain the guests in Dongkuayuan and Ningguo Mansion.

"Where is the main banquet inside?"

"At the main banquet, there is Miss Feng and Sister-in-law You making arrangements in the garden."

After some questioning, Jia Zheng saw that there was a degree of restraint inside and outside, so he stopped interfering. He first arranged for the deacons of the two houses, and the wives of the deacons of the two houses, to salute outside the Rongqing Hall, and then brought Jia Lian and others with him. The chief male of the clan went to Rongqing Hall to say hello.

Yuanchun met behind the curtain. Although there were many things he wanted to say to his father, he saw his father kneeling outside the curtain, behaving in a well-behaved manner and speaking in awe.Crown, finally realized that their identities were different, and it was difficult for the father and daughter to talk about their relationship, so they could only comfort them with gentle words and persuade them to take good care of themselves.

Jia Zheng was about to invite people to leave, when he suddenly heard Yuan Chun’s voice coming from behind the curtain: “Brother Lian, please stay.”

When Jia Zheng heard this, He nodded to Jia Lian and told him to stay and listen to inquiries, and he could take care of the outside affairs.

So after Jia Lian watched Jia Zheng and others leave, he stood slightly in front of the hall, bowed his head and stood quietly.

Jia Mu’s Rongqing Hall should be built according to the main hall number. The huge nanmu screen that separates the front hall and the inner hall can be moved.

In order to make the inner hall more spacious and convenient for Jia Mu and her family to move around, the screen was placed closer to the front. Today, the screen has indeed been moved almost all the way back, and the depth of the entire main hall has more than doubled. In order to welcome Yuanchun home, strict and exquisite decoration was made, making the entire main hall look spacious, luxurious and majestic.

Especially at this time, Yuan Chun, who is dressed in a yellow robe and looks extremely noble, is sitting in the middle. Behind the curtain, Jia Mu, Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue, Li Wan, Baochai, Daiyu, Yingchun , exploring spring and cherishing spring are arranged on both sides.

These women are either dressed in royal attire, showing their dignity, or they are dressed in rich robes, showing off their beautiful figures.

Looking from Jia Lian’s perspective, it’s really indescribable wealth, grace, and prosperity.

Yuan Chun slowly walked down from the high couch and came to Jia Lian. Seeing this, the little eunuchs on both sides quickly pulled up the bead curtains.

So, the two cousins ​​looked at each other three steps apart.

In the end, Jia Lian was the first to bend down and bow: "I have met my eldest sister!"

"Brother Lian, there is no need to be polite."

Yuan Chunxu He held up his hand and looked at Jia Lian generously, then turned around and smiled with Jia Mu and others: "When I was in the palace, I often heard your Majesty and the Queen praising Lian's talent and appearance. When I saw him today, I was really impressed. Fake. I just sigh that time is rushing. I still remember that when I entered the palace, he was only eleven or twelve years old. He was not as big as Baoyu now, and now he has grown into such a tall and handsome appearance."

Yuanchun's words made Jia Mu and others laugh, but also felt sad.

And Jia Lian shook his head in his heart, Yuanchun said this as if he really hadn't seen him in ten years. But he didn't expect that he had met Yuan Chun several times before in the palace. Although they didn't have a close relationship, they had spoken to him.

Of course he wouldn’t think that Yuanchun had lost his memory, so he was probably doing it on purpose. After thinking about her words for a moment, Jia Lian understood.

I’m afraid Yuanchun is like him and wants to deepen the relationship between the two siblings.Because of his friendship, he deliberately praised him in front of everyone. Secondly, he also expressed to Mrs. Wang and others about his dignity in front of the emperor and empress, and reminded them to treat themselves with caution.

"The eldest sister is over-reputed, and the younger brother is just a middle-aged person. At this point, I really don't dare to compare with the eldest sister."

After hearing Jia Lian's words, Yuan Chun also paused for a moment before realizing that Jia Lian was praising her.

While smiling, I couldn't help but sigh in my heart. Sure enough, he was a man who had done great things, and was not as cautious as other people in his family.

Even if others think of her talent and appearance, they dare not comment on her because of her status as a noble concubine.

And Jia Lian not only dared to praise her in turn, but also did not show any trace of it, and had no sense of arrogance and abruptness. It was obvious that he was not a rough person, but actually a person who spoke and behaved in a measured manner, which made Yuan Chun even more happy. .

With the support of such a young and promising man in the family, at least the Jia family can be protected for decades. And having this cousin as an official in the court can be regarded as something she can rely on, and then she can feel a little more relaxed when facing the overt and covert struggles of various forces in the harem...

Just look at Jia Lian's words. Yuanchun was amused, and Jia Mu was also happy to see the two of them on friendly terms, so she also told how happy Jia Lian was when she learned that the Tian family allowed the concubine to return home to visit relatives, and how much she supported the construction of the palace for her, as well as the progress in the construction of the palace. , tell Yuanchun something that is almost done personally.

Although these things had been told to Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang as early as when they visited the palace, Jia Mu once again reiterated this in front of the family, Yuanchun I can't help but feel very comforted in my heart.

She actually felt strange, wondering why Jia Lian respected her so much?

When she was a child, because her uncle Jia She was too ridiculous, she often made her grandfather, grandmother and others angry, which made her stay away from her uncle and his family.

In this way, it is natural that he does not pay much attention to Jia Lian, his cousin.

She didn’t have the energy to pay attention, because when she first learned about human affairs, she was told by her parents that they wanted to send her to the palace. From then on, all her study and life almost revolved around the pursuit of advancement. The palace is ready.

Only her younger brother Jia Baoyu can take away some of her energy.

Therefore, she was surprised and regretted that Jia Lian had become famous in recent years. She felt that she had neglected her cousin too much in the past.

Even as Jia Lian became more and more valued by Emperor Ning Kang, she had some doubts, thinking whether Jia Lian would be hostile to her cousin because of various issues at home. ?

After all, like Emperor Ning Kang, she was the one who showed off her talents when Jia LianLater, some people suspected that Jia Lian was mediocre when he was young. Was it to protect himself?

If this is the case, he will definitely compete with his father for the family business if he shows off his talent this time. And she has been promoted to the imperial concubine. In Jia Lian's eyes, is she the second wife's biggest supporter and the biggest obstacle that prevents him from taking back his family fortune?

If Jia Lian had this intention, he would be afraid that his family would fall apart and his relatives would turn against each other, which would be irreversible.

Thank you!

Not only was Jia Lian not hostile to her, but he showed his utmost support and concern for her cousin at the beginning of their contact.

Once or twice, she still had doubts. Now, over the past few years, Jia Lian has been consistent in everything from big things to small things, from the overall situation to the details. This naturally makes her Putting down all guard, I felt three points of guilt and nine points of admiration for Jia Lian.

Because Yuanchun asked himself, if she were Jia Lian, she might not be able to achieve Jia Lian's measure and structure.

This is the reason why she tried to explain to her mother and others that the Dafang family should not be neglected at home, and today, she went out of her way to get closer to Jia Lian in front of the family.

Therefore, after listening to Jia Mu’s words, Yuanchun glanced at Jia Lian with grateful eyes, and then said: "Just to welcome me, it will involve the family spending so much money and material resources, so that I feel very ashamed.

In my opinion, after this incident, the garden will no longer be as luxurious and extravagant as it is today."

Although Yuanchun did not build it I have never been to a palace, but I have decorated my own Fengzao Palace. I know how much money it costs to decorate and decorate a house with two palaces and one garden so luxuriously and beautifully! Not to mention anything else, the hundreds and thousands of glass lanterns in the garden alone cost a lot of money.

Faced with Yuanchun’s instructions, Jia Mu and others bowed their heads and accepted it.

After Jia Lian bowed, he said seriously: "My eldest sister entered the palace alone for the rise and fall of my Jia family. I have experienced ten years of loneliness and hardship. Although I don't know about it, I can still understand it." Enlightenment.

Nowadays, it is a rare blessing from heaven. The eldest sister can go home and see. How can the eldest sister be wronged at home?

As for the little family wealth, what about it? How important is the close friendship between our family members, and how important is it to win the eldest sister to show her smile?

Besides, although the stupid brother is not talented, he also thinks he knows some ways of raising a family.

Therefore, the eldest sister does not need to worry about the money at home. If Tian En is still allowed to return to the province next year, the eldest sister does not need to think about anything else, just pack her bags. By then, the younger brother and all the relatives at home will definitely be better off than they are today. High standards, welcome big sister home!"

Jia LianYuan Chun was stunned by these words. He looked at Jia Lian and his eyes filled with tears in a blink of an eye.

The rich daughter of the Duke of Guo’s palace, she started by praising charity when she entered the palace, then rose up step by step to become a maid next to the concubine, and finally ascended to the sky to become the imperial concubine, the noble concubine! It seems glorious and lucky, but who can understand the hardships, pain and hesitation involved? Grandmothers and mothers may be able to guess a thing or two, but they won’t tell. Because they were the ones who sent her to the palace.

Purpose? Very easy to understand.

The century-old palace has been deteriorating. In order to protect the lintel, it is a shortcut to enter the palace with a legitimate daughter to secure a future!

But this shortcut is not that easy to take. Among them, how much perseverance, persistence, and luck are needed? Countless young women have fallen down and disappeared on this road, or have become unknown and allowed their beauty to grow old?

Luckily, she succeeded.

But every time I recall the past, I still feel frightened and sad. She thought she was strong enough, but she didn't expect that her cousin's simple but sincere words would break her heart.

Even today, she is already a noble concubine, who knows that she is in a dilemma and is frightened between the Queen Mother and the Dowager? Who knew that while she was jealous of the queen and other concubines, she felt so sad that she did not receive much favor from the emperor?

In the deep palace where hierarchy is strict and there are calculations everywhere, there are too many such things.

She originally thought that she could only suffer these hardships silently, but she didn’t expect that outside the palace, in the home where she grew up, there was someone who could understand her feelings, and for this reason He would spare no effort just to welcome her home and let her smile again? Yuan Chun was not the only one moved by Jia Lian's words, Jia Mu, Aunt Xue and others also stared slightly.

Jia Mu glanced at Yuan Chun, who was so excited that she was about to cry, and then glanced at Jia Baoyu, who was still standing at the steps of Yuan Chun's couch, just staring blankly at the scene, feeling in her heart. A sigh inside.

Although she doesn’t want to admit it, Jia’s mother also understands that in terms of human sophistication and conduct, Baoyu is far inferior to Jia Lian.

They had all seen Jia Baoyu’s state next to Yuan Chun before. Even because of the brief contact, Jia Baoyu was no longer as dull as when he first got on the ship, but he only asked and answered. , how could he be like Jia Lian, who could make Yuanchun's heart surge with excitement and be moved by just a few words? If this continues, I am afraid that in Yuanchun's heart, he will value Jia Lian more than his own brother sooner or later.

Although Mrs. Wang also felt that Jia Lian was too cunning and deceived her daughter, as the head wife, she thought more than Jia's mother.

She noticed the meaning in Jia Lian's words, that is, Jia Lian believed that he had a way to make money, and he did not hesitate to use it to welcome the family visit in Yuanchun, and she felt happy.

It’s not that she’s becoming more stingy and calculating, but that in order to save her family, she spent the entire budget of tens of thousands of taels of silver she had left behind, and even slightly exceeded it.

Nowadays, the available silver among officials is only half of the 30,000 taels of silver "donated" by Jia Lian that day.

If you just live by it, this money will naturally be enough, because it is already autumn, and you can see that the income from various farms and real estate at home is about to be put into the treasury again.

But if it is true as Jia Lian said, the wedding will be held next year and it will still be done according to this specification, it will definitely not be enough.

If she had the opportunity but didn’t ask Yuanchun for a wedding, she, as a mother, really couldn’t do it. Therefore, Jia Lian's words can be regarded as giving her the full answer! Therefore, no matter how critical he was, he now looked at Jia Lian more and more favorably.

The elders have their own thoughts, but the sisters' feelings are much simpler and more touching.

Daiyu even wrinkled her little nose and thought to herself: Brother Lian, you still love to talk big! I don’t know how to ask Sister Feng first. If Sister Feng doesn’t comply, let’s see how he ends up in front of these people!

Daiyu naturally knew that Jia Lian and Sister Feng were two extremes, one was a lavish spender and the other was very conservative. Thinking about it, I can’t help but find it funny.

But smiling, she hesitated again. If Sister Feng really didn’t give money, she couldn’t let Brother Lian be laughed at, right?

Hmph, if he is willing to come and beg me when the time comes, I will help him.

Daiyu touched a string of fragrant beads on her wrist and felt inexplicably happy. Because she suddenly thought that in that case, she could just help Jia Lian.

Her dowry was a lot of money...