Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

62 Chapter 2.39
Volume Two

2.39 Even the palace magistrate is mine
Finally, the meal lasted for more than an hour, but no one got drunk. Comparatively speaking, Zhou Yang drank the most. After the meal, they naturally went back to their homes. The good news is that his performance was quite good, at least. The Eighth Princes all recognized his abilities and promised to play together when they had time. On the contrary, Jia Zhen mentioned "showing his archery skills" at the beginning, and no one mentioned it again since then.

In fact, it's right to think about it. These people don't need any martial arts at all. They just need to wait for the position. Regardless of their merits, they can take the opportunity to get involved in any war. This is definitely unfair, but it is common in feudal society. For example, Chen Ruiwen, who is known as the "Firearms Master", has actually never been to the Ordnance Supervision of the Ministry of Industry even once in his life.

"Brother Zhou, please wait a moment." He sent off the Eighth Prince first, and then sent off the others in order of status. Just when Zhou Yang was about to leave, he was unexpectedly stopped by Jia Lian, "Brother Zhou needs help with something. It just so happens that I also have good news here, I think Brother Zhou will be interested."

"It's just Brother Lian's order!" Zhou Yang also didn't expect that he would be a "disciple of Rongguo Mansion" in one meal. He didn't dare to explain, so he could only make mistakes, "I just don't know what the good news is."

"Haha, even though this news is not small, among the people just now, it was only related to Brother Zhou." Jia Zhen took over the conversation with a smile, "Don't worry, we just want to sit down and drink tea together to sober up. If Otherwise, if my father sees me like this, I might be beaten and I won’t be able to run away.”

"Brother Fu, come here too." Jia Lian waved his hand to a man who was bowing down and with a flattering expression, gesturing for him to follow him. "As for the good news just mentioned, it happens to be that the Emperor's [-]th anniversary will happen next year. Hi, according to the custom, the Heavenly Family will reward you, and if nothing unexpected happens, Enke will be given, regardless of whether you are civil or military."

"Seriously?" Zhou Yang asked in surprise.

"Hahaha, I just said it would be useful to Brother Zhou." Jia Zhen said with a smile, "Let's not talk about anything else. At least you don't have to wait until the next year to have a chance. According to the practice of martial arts, you are bound to win the Jie Yuan Examination. At least he is also a martial arts scholar."

"Thank you two big brothers!" Zhou Yang bowed sincerely, "This news makes me understand that I must practice harder, but I don't know what exactly the second brother Lian wanted to tell me just now?"

"Did you hear it at the banquet just now? Brother Lian has been engaged, and the wedding is scheduled for the 22nd of this month." Jia Lian turned red and did not speak. Jia Zhen said with a smile, "At that time, eight groomsmen will be needed to pick up the bride at Wang's house. , I saw that Brother Zhou was very handsome, so I recommended him to Brother Lian, but I just didn’t know.”

"Dare you disobey your orders?" Zhou Yang smiled and cupped his fists in salute, but he was not without doubts. After all, the higher the status of the "best man", the more respect he would have for the groom and even the host's family. "Of course there is nothing to say about trivial matters, but... There were so many big brothers here just now, why didn’t Brother Lian ask?”

"Brother Zhen, I have to go back beforehand. Please make some arrangements." Jia Lian suddenly stood up and turned around and left without even saying hello.

"Since Brother Zhou is not an outsider, there is no need to worry about 'family scandals should not be made public'." Jia Zhen looked at Jia Lian's leaving back and said with a wry smile, "Brothers from the other six families look down on the Wang family. When Brother Lian invited them, they all declined He said he couldn't leave because of something, Brother Fu next to him is a disciple of Uncle Zheng in Xifu, and he will be with Brother Zhou when the time comes."

"This—" Zhou Yang was taken aback for a moment, knowing that he asked too much, but naturally it was impossible to take back what he said, so he smiled wryly and cupped his fists to apologize, "I'm really sorry for talking too much, little brother!"

"That's all." Jia Zhen waved her hands helplessly, "The Wang family's sister also grew up together, and we have seen each other a lot. It's a pity that she came from a family background. The Wang family has indeed suffered a serious decline. Otherwise, the marriage would not have been in vain until now - by the way, You might as well get to know this Brother Fu."

Zhou Yang glanced at Jia Zhen without leaving any trace. He would never have thought that his father Jia Jing's position would soon be given up and inherited by Wang Ziteng, the head of the Wang family who he now despises. So when the original novel officially opened, the entire Jia Jing family was The government actually has to rely on the Wang family to support its face. I wonder how he will feel when the time comes?
Moreover, the performance of the other six heirs actually shows the decline of Rongguo Mansion. Jia Lian is the next generation successor of Rongguo Mansion anyway. No one cares about marrying his wife and inviting the best man. This in itself explains a lot of problems. Jia Lian is the next generation successor of Rongguo Mansion. Shekong holds the title of "First Class General" but does not have any real power. Outsiders may take a high look at him, but in the eyes of a real big family, what does this mean?
"Student Fu Shi, I have met Xie Yuangong!" I saw him bowing very respectfully, "The student was a scholar in Wanping County the year before last, so I dare not compare with Xie Yuangong, what a joke!"

"Jie Yuangong is my brother, so why are you so polite?" Zhou Yang was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect that the man in front of him also appeared in the original work of "Red Mansions". It seemed that he hadn't been successful yet, so he simply cupped his fists and saluted. , "If anything happens in the future, I hope Brother Fu can give me some advice."

"Students don't dare!" Fu Shi quickly responded.

"By the way, on the eighteenth day of this month, the ancestors of Xifu invite relatives to have a banquet. Brother Zhou, don't forget to come with us." Just before leaving, Jia Zhen suddenly greeted, "You are from Rongguo Mansion. A disciple, you must not be absent at this time." "Thank you, Brother Zhen, for reminding me!" Zhou Yang was speechless. When did he become a disciple of Rongguo Mansion?He didn't dare to refuse, otherwise Li Wan would not be able to explain why he used Jia Zheng's name to do things, and it would be even more troublesome if it was exposed.

After saying goodbye and leaving, he did not go back outside the city, but went straight to the Li family's old house. This was also arranged from the beginning. When he left the tavern and entered the city for the banquet, he also asked Li Hu to drive Qingwen in the carriage. As for Li Xiong, he stayed outside the city and took care of the ten future soldiers, training and getting familiar with them.

"Master, are you back?" As soon as I entered the door, I heard the happy greeting of the maid Qingwen, "Do you want me to prepare the sobering soup?"

"No need." He handed the sweat horse to Uncle Sun, the concierge, for arrangement. He stepped into the second door and closed the courtyard door behind him. He hugged Su Yun, who was also full of surprise, lowered his head and kissed her fiercely. , it took a while before he was willing to let go, "I think it would be better to find another way to sober up."

"Huh!" Qingwen rolled her eyes dissatisfied, and turned back to her room without reminding her about the wine soup.

"How did the young master know that the slave is here?" Su Yun asked happily.

"Fool, you came here in a carriage, but you forgot who sent it? There are two carriages in the front yard, but they are both parked there!" Zhou Yang smiled and hugged his sister and went straight to the main room, "Help first Your master, please calm down."

"Oh, Master, I don't want it!" Su Yun angrily raised her fist and hit her with a hammer, "The smell of alcohol is killing me. Every time I see this slave, Master can't think of anything else. He has known this all day long. These shameful things It’s a dead person’s thing, and besides, I haven’t congratulated the young master on his high school martial arts exam!”

"And this courtyard, shopkeeper Yang arranged for people to repair it. It is completely different from the original one, but the young master didn't even take a look." Qingwen came in with a tea tray with a dissatisfied look on her face. "There was a sound, and even tea splashed out, "Just hum!"

"Uh hahaha!" After drinking tea to cover up his embarrassment, Zhou Yang turned around and took a look. It was obvious that this repair was really done. Not only the ceiling was replaced, but also the floor tiles and furniture were replaced. It became new, and the interior walls were plastered with white plaster again, so that there is still a smell in the room.

"I came here twice to check on you. Shopkeeper Yang found really good manpower." Seeing Zhou Yang deflated, Su Yun showed a teasing smile, but did not forget to add, "Only the beams and rafters are left on the roof. All the reed mats for the paving were replaced, the damaged tiles on the roof were replaced, and all the walls and exterior walls were repaired.

The bluestone pavement was replaced in the yard, the original flower ponds and green plants were also repaired and supplemented, and the wells, kitchen stoves, kangs, stoves and other things that were not easy to use before have also been replaced and repaired. It totally feels like a new home.

The slave girl has already reported the situation here to my grandma. She asked me to thank the young master for his kindness. In fact, she had wanted to repair it for a long time. Unfortunately, when she asked steward Sun, the account he opened was too big, and grandma could not make up her mind; she also asked If I ask how much it will cost and how much money she needs, she will ask her slave to send it over. She will never do it."

"Okay, even the palace judge belongs to me, so what's a little money?" Zhou Yang smiled, hugged her and kissed her gently, then took the girl's slender waist and went to the courtyard to check. It is indeed what Xiu Yun said just now, the whole thing is The old house has been renovated. "The only problem is that she hasn't been here for a while, right? Can she find time in the near future?"

"Master!" Su Yun punched someone angrily, "It's two days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the house is so busy. How can our grandma come out? But after the festival, grandma is going to use an excuse to go back to her old house. Dealing with foreign affairs can make you repair for a day."

"That's good, I'll just live here these days." Zhou Yang smiled and nodded, understanding Li Wan's arrangement. After all, the Jia's family also knew about her dowry, so it's normal to come out and check it out every few days, " It just so happens that in a few days, I will also attend the banquet at your house, so now you can take your grandma's place first!"

"Master—"

(End of this chapter)