The Red Mansions

Chapter 1703 Jia Heng: The next step is to prepare for auspicious signs and ascend the throne to become emperor...

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall——

At this moment, Jia's grandmother was sitting on a Luohan bed covered with a mattress. Yuanyang was helping her to take care of her hair. In the spring, Jia's grandmother had the habit of feeling sleepy and had just woken up.

Grandmother Jia said in a gentle voice: "Yuanyang, the maids in this mansion are so old and have not married yet. What should we do?"

Yuanyang's snow-white face was smiling warmly, and she said, "Why would the old lady bring up this matter when she is fine?"

Grandmother Jia said, "You think I, an old woman, know nothing. Yuanchun and Yingchun in the mansion are both with Heng'er. Tanchun and Xichun are also with Heng'er. None of the young ladies in the mansion have married. How do people outside think of our Jia family?"

Yuanyang paused for a moment and said, "Old Madam, this matter has been sealed up inside and outside, and it will not affect the affairs of the mansion."

Under Jia's gray brows, a trace of worry appeared in her kind and warm eyes. She said, "There is no wall that is impenetrable in this world."

Yuanyang was sitting on a chair below at the moment, and for a moment, it was not easy to respond.

Grandmother Jia sighed and whispered, "Okay, let's not talk about this for now. I was wondering why there are so many pregnant women in the backyard, but there is no sign of pregnancy in your belly."

Yuanyang helped Grandmother Jia to tidy up a strand of her lush hair and said, "Madam, how would I know this?"

Grandmother Jia chuckled and said, "You have to hurry up."

Yuanyang's face, which had a few freckles, blushed as red as clouds, and she said in a mosquito-like voice, "Old lady, this is not something that can be rushed by one person."

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "That's true."

Now not only the eldest girl, but also Rufeng and Lang'er's mother are pregnant.

At this moment, Yuanyang was helping Lady Jia comb her hair. After finishing, she supported Lady Jia and walked towards Rongqing Hall.

While they were talking, the two of them arrived at the main hall.

On the left is Aunt Xue, on the right are Madam Wang and Madam Xing, and not far away stand the maids and servants from the Jia family with their hands hanging down.

The current Jia family can be regarded as the top wealthy family in the Han Dynasty, because Jia Heng is the regent, but Grandmother Jia has an indescribable feeling in her heart.

Yuan Ying, Tan Xi and the four sisters, along with Feng Wan, all fell into Jia Heng's hands. What a hellish joke!
At this moment, a maid in the hall came up to her, unable to conceal her joy, and said, "Madam, Master Zheng is here."

On Jia's old face, a smile was kind and warm. She asked, "Zheng'er, are you back?"

In the first year of Qiande, Jia Zheng went to the local area to serve as the provincial education commissioner. Now he returned to the capital in February to report on his work and is still waiting for a vacancy in the capital. According to what Jia Heng had said to Jia's mother, Jia Zheng should be promoted to the position of assistant minister of the second rank.

Jia Zheng straightened his face and bowed to his mother, then asked, "Madam, have you heard any rumors in the capital recently?"

Grandmother Jia smiled kindly and asked, "There are so many rumors in the capital every day. What are the rumors now?"

Jia Zheng's face was filled with worry. He said, "There are rumors in the streets and alleys of the capital that Ziyu is not a member of the Jia family, but the head of the six officials of the Eastern Palace during the Longzhi Dynasty."

His Jia family finally had a unicorn and a phoenix, but it turned out that they were not of the Jia family bloodline, which was ruined by this incident.

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone in Rongqing Hall changed suddenly.

Aunt Xue was surprised when she heard this and asked, "How is this possible?"

No, Brother Heng is not a member of the Jia family? Then Brother Heng’s title… well, it originally had nothing to do with the Jia family?
Well, that's okay.

The sandalwood Buddhist bead that Mrs. Wang was twisting seemed to pause slightly at this moment. A hint of surprise appeared in her eyes under her gray brows.

If he is not from the Jia family, then the titles of the Ning and Rong mansions are not his? Jia Lian is a criminal and has been exiled to Guizhou. The only heir to the Rong mansion is their Baoyu.

When Jia's mother heard this, a trace of thought appeared on her wrinkled old face, and she whispered, "What does Heng'er mean?"

So, Heng Ge'er is not a member of the Jia family. Doesn't that mean that Yuanchun, Tanchun and Xichun can still be seen by the world?
Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Or maybe, this is also a case of losing something in one place but gaining something in another.

Jia Zheng said softly, "The Jinyifu in the capital is now searching for the rumor, but we don't know whether the rumor is true or not."

Grandmother Jia nodded and said gently, "When Heng'er comes back, you can ask him and you will know. But Heng'er is so outstanding, how could he not be from our Jia family?"

She felt that among the entire Jia family, young and old, no one was as outstanding as Heng'er.

When Jia Zheng heard this, a hint of emotion appeared on his face. He called out softly, "Old Madam."

Grandmother Jia waved her hands and said, "Forget it, forget it, let's not talk about this anymore."

If he was not a member of the Jia clan, it would be a good thing. The titles of the two mansions could then be inherited by members of the Jia clan.

Jia Zheng was silent for a moment, then said in a gentle voice, "What the old lady said is very true."

Grandmother Jia said, "Let's wait until Heng comes back."

Jia Zheng nodded and murmured "yes".

……

……

Godly City, Ningguo Mansion

Jia Heng first chatted with Empress Song, Princess Xianning, and Li Chanyue in Kunning Palace. Then, without lingering in Kunning Palace for long, he left the palace and returned to Ningguo Mansion.

Just as he sat down in the front hall, a servant came to report that Qu Lang, the commander-in-chief of the Jinyi Palace, came to report.

Jia Heng asked someone to invite Qu Lang over.

While Qu Lang was speaking, he quickly walked into the hall of the study, bowed to the young man in the python robe, and said in a loud voice: "I greet the King Wei."

While Jia Heng was speaking, he lifted Qu Lang up with both hands and said, "No need to be so polite."

Qu Lang said: "Your Majesty, your real surname has begun to circulate in the capital."

Jia Heng picked up the teacup on the small table beside him, took a sip of tea, and asked, "What do the scholars in the capital think about this?"

Qu Lang said: "It is said in the capital that the prince is the son of Su. I don't know whether this is true or not. Maybe it is a rumor or slander by someone with ulterior motives."

Jia Heng thought for a moment and said, "Then let the Jinyifu guards spread the news and say that the Jinyifu has indeed verified that the Prince of Wei is indeed the son of the Su family."

Now it is time to gradually reveal the truth about his life experience.

Qu Lang said: "I will tell someone to do it right away."

Then, Jia Heng put down the teacup in his hand and asked, "What is the King of Yan doing recently?"

Today, there is only one last undercurrent of opposition to him in the Han Dynasty, that is, Prince of Yan Chen Ze and some anti-Jia forces in the court who are respectful in appearance but not convinced in heart.

Qu Lang bowed and said, "Reporting to His Royal Highness Prince Wei, Prince Yan recently had someone set up a Yangliu Poetry Society. I heard that they are recruiting scholars from the capital to join the poetry society to study poetry and songs."

Jia Heng said coldly: "Under the guise of a poetry club, the Prince of Yan is actually trying to win over scholars. These tricks are like lice on a bald head. It's obvious!"

Qu Lang nodded and said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty is right."

Jia Heng stared at Qu Lang and whispered, "Have someone keep an eye on the King of Yan. At the same time, don't let him get stuck. If the King of Yan wants to contact the soldiers in the Beijing camp, it's not advisable to alert them for the time being."

Qu Lang's face became serious, and he said with a cupped hand, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "The Beijing camp has also ordered people to strictly control the fire guns and thunder bombs, and not to let any of the weapons leak out."

No matter how wise and resourceful he was, he was still a mortal and could not withstand the bombardment of these muskets and bullets.

When Qu Lang heard this, his face became serious and he bowed in response.

Under Jia Heng's sword-like eyebrows, his eyes were as clear as rainbows and looked far away. He said, "Next, let me think about it."

It can be said that if Prince of Yan Chen Ze does not rebel, he has no legitimate reason to purge the opposition forces again. If Prince of Yan Chen Ze can lure out the opposition forces again, the problem can be solved once and for all.

The next step is to prepare auspicious signs and ascend the throne to become emperor.

After another two or three years, he will be able to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, which will be more sacred and legitimate.

Luo'er is really getting older, and as a father, he doesn't want his child to hate him too much.

After Qu Lang left, Jia Heng looked stunned for a moment, and his face was filled with thought.

In the current Han Dynasty court, although he is the regent and only one step away from the throne, this step is like a natural chasm that cannot be crossed, because it is still not enough to follow the will of heaven and the people.

At this time, it was already the fourth year of Qiande, and people all over the world were already familiar with him, the regent, handling state affairs. However, this situation would only continue until Luo'er took power.

At this moment, a maid came from outside, entered the hall, and said in a loud voice: "My lord, Miss Yuanyang is here."

As he was speaking, Yuanyang came closer and said, "Your Highness, the old lady said she has something to ask you, please come over."

After hearing this, Jia Heng seemed to understand something. He stood up and followed Yuanyang to Rongguo Mansion.

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall——

At this moment, Grandmother Jia was sitting on a Luohan bed, chatting with Lady Xing and Lady Wang beside her. Not far away, Jia Zheng was holding a teacup and sipping it with his head down.

At this moment, Lin Zhixiao's wife came into the room from outside, bowed to Lady Jia, and reported softly: "Madam, the prince is here."

Upon hearing this, Jia's mother looked in the direction of the voice and gazed towards the screen.

After a while, the young man in the python robe was seen walking quickly from a distance, with a stern look between his handsome and tough brows.

"Greetings, old lady." As Jia Heng spoke, he quickly walked up to her and bowed to her.

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Brother Heng, you are here?"

No matter how high the official rank of the person in front of him was, his respect for her never diminished in the slightest.

At this moment, Jia Zheng stood up from the side and said to the young man in the python robe, "Zi Yu."

Jia Heng nodded and asked, "I wonder what the old lady wants to see you for?"

Grandmother Jia whispered, "Brother Heng, there are rumors outside that you are not a son of the Jia family, but a military commander of the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace during the Longzhi Dynasty. After hearing this, I was quite puzzled. Brother Heng, is there really another secret behind your life experience?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Madam, it is true. Now the scouts from the Jinyi Mansion are verifying the matter in Shenjing City."

Grandmother Jia's eyes were as bright as water. She was surprised for a moment and asked, "Brother Heng, are you...really not Jia's son?"

Jia Heng said softly, "The Jinyi Mansion is still investigating the truth."

Grandmother Jia said, "What if you are really not Jia's son?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Madam, what do you think?"

At this moment, both Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue cast their eyes on the young man in the python robe.

Grandmother Jia was silent for a moment, then said, "The Ning and Rong mansions are the foundation of the Jia family. Brother Heng, you are a prince now, ruling the country, so you don't need these anymore, right?"

Jia Heng raised his sword-like eyebrows, his eyes sparkling, and said, "That's true, but we need to look at the specific facts to verify. Besides, it was the will of the late emperor to co-heir the Ning and Rong mansions, and the imperial decree cannot be changed."

In fact, if he ascended the throne and became emperor, he would really not care about the Ning and Rong Duke's mansions, but it seemed unreasonable to let Baoyu take advantage of it.

Well, Baoyu is still his brother-in-law.

Jia Zheng, who was listening at the side, looked a little uncomfortable and whispered, "Madam, it was Emperor Shizong's will that Zi Yu took over both the Ning and Rong mansions. This involves a princess and a county lady. What will happen if they are arrested in the future?"

Jia Heng said: "However, these can be discussed later, old lady, don't worry."

Grandmother Jia nodded, but she didn't say anything else, and said, "Brother Heng, it's good that you know what's going on."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Don't worry, old lady."

Afterwards, Jia Heng chatted with Lady Jia for a while, and without saying anything else, turned around and left the hall.

He planned to go to the back house to find Daiyu and talk to her.

Daiyu's child is almost one year old, so he has to visit her more often. Otherwise, Daiyu will feel very angry.

Grand View Garden, Xiaoxiang Pavilion——

It is March, the spring is bright and beautiful. The warm wind with a hint of floral fragrance is rustling, blowing the bamboo forest in the courtyard, and the green waves can be seen, and the bamboo leaves are rustling.

At this moment, Daiyu was wearing a pink dress, with her hair in a beautiful bun. In her arms was a little girl, Jia Heng's child, Jia Ru.

Although Jia Ru is still young, the little guy's tender and lively eyes and eyebrows have inherited some of Daiyu's quiet and beautiful charm of the misty Jiangnan region.

At this moment, Daiyu reached out and gently hugged Jia Ru's delicate body, and heard the prosperous smile of the baby girl in her arms.

Under the two smoky eyebrows, the pair of bright eyes sparkling like water, whispered: "Ru'er, you are making trouble again, you want to drink milk again."

At this moment, Zijuan's snow-white face was full of smiles, and she jokingly said, "The little princess is adorable and wants to drink milk now."

Daiyu asked, "Isn't that what children do?"

Just then, Xiren whispered, "Miss Lin, the King of Wei is here."

After a while, Jia Heng, wearing a robe with an exquisitely woven ball of thread, came quickly from outside. He looked at Daiyu and said softly, "Sister Lin."

Under Daiyu's emerald eyebrows, her bright eyes sparkled and she whispered, "Brother Heng, you're here."

Jia Heng smiled warmly and said in a soft voice, "I just came to see you and Ru'er."

Daiyu's eyes, bright as rainbows, twinkled under her smoky eyebrows. She asked, "Why did you want to come to my side, Brother Heng?"

Jia Heng smiled, raised his eyes to look at Daiyu's beautiful and bright face, and said, "Sister Lin, what you said is very unorthodox."

Daiyu snorted softly, as if to reproach her, and whispered, "Isn't Brother Heng accompanying Sister Bao now?"

She had given birth to a daughter before, and Bao-jie gave birth to a boy, whom she could never compare to.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "I just came from the old lady's place. There have been a lot of things going on in the court recently."

Under Daiyu's emerald eyebrows, her beautiful, straight nose couldn't help but snort softly, and she said in a gentle voice: "Ru'er can call me mother now, Brother Heng."

Jia Heng looked at Daiyu intently and said, "That's true."

As Daiyu was speaking, she was sitting on a wooden couch beside her in a pink dress and a beautiful bun. Her beautiful eyes, under her smoky eyebrows, looked at Jia Heng and asked, "Brother Heng, what's the situation outside?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, his eyes sparkling like water under his sword-like eyebrows and beard, and he whispered, "Nothing happened."

As he spoke, he held a girl in his arms and asked, "Sister Lin, has Ru'er been making trouble these days?"

Daiyu said with a tone of anger and joy that comes from being a married woman: "How can I stop making a fuss? This child cries like he's been crying for something at night."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "Bring it here, let me see it."

As Jia Heng spoke, he stared at the delicate and fair face and couldn't help but kiss the milky face.

Suddenly, the little girl began to giggle.

Daiyu said, "Ru'er, it's been a long time since I last saw you."

Jia Heng chuckled and said, "This little girl is missing her father."

Daiyu hummed softly, her snow-white face flushed on both sides, her eyes clear as rainbows, and said, "Brother Heng, have you finished taking care of the things outside?"

Jia Heng whispered, "Nothing's wrong now."

As he spoke, he held the cute little girl in his arms, sat down on a soft couch covered with bamboo mats, and said, "Uncle Lin is still thinking about you and Ru'er."

Daiyu sat down on a soft couch, took the teacup handed to her by Zijuan, and said, "I was just saying that I would like to invite Dad to my house so that we can have a good gathering."

Jia Heng smiled and whispered, "It's time to get together and let Ru'er see her grandfather more often."

Daiyu's eyes sparkled under her emerald eyebrows. She said, "Brother Heng, I heard from Zijuan that the news is spreading everywhere."

Jia Heng said, "The old lady asked me about this matter in Rongqing Hall just now. Now the Jinyi Mansion is still investigating. I will talk about it after the matter is thoroughly investigated."

As he spoke, he looked at Daiyu and said, "That's good too."

While Jia Heng was speaking, he handed his daughter Jia Ru to Zijuan who was standing beside him and said, "Sister Lin, I have neglected you for some time."

Daiyu responded softly, with a hint of resentment in her tone, and said, "Brother Heng, what you said sounds like there are three palaces and six courtyards."

Jia Heng: "..."

Lin Duidui’s tongue is as sharp as a knife and his skills are still as good as before.

Seeing the young man in the python robe thinking in a daze, Daiyu couldn't help but chuckle. Under her eyebrows that seemed to be curled and relaxed, her sparkling eyes were as bright as rainbows. She said, "Brother Heng, what are you thinking about?"

At this moment, Jia Heng's calm and resolute face seemed to chuckle, his eyes were as bright as water, and he said in a gentle voice: "I'm not thinking about anything."

Daiyu smiled and joked, "Nowadays, it is not wrong to say that there are three palaces and six courtyards."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Okay, let's just say this at home."

Well, although no one can pose a threat to him now.

Daiyu chuckled and stopped dwelling on the topic. She said, "Brother Heng, when are we going to have another child?"

Jia Heng: "..."

Well, Daiyu is not very satisfied with having only one girl.

Jia Heng took Daiyu's slender hand, looked at her bright face, smiled and said, "We have to wait for Sister Lin to recuperate for at least one or two years."

Daiyu's body was still too weak after all.