Chapter 660

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Baoyu knelt at the entrance of the Rongqing Hall, watching the female guests who came to visit, all looking at him with astonished eyes.

Among them, several young ladies who followed their elders had outstanding looks and demeanor. The way they looked at him was full of fear and disgust, as if he were a monster.

In fact, it was not strange at all that people had this attitude. Clearly, there were guests visiting, but he was kneeling blankly in front of people, being looked down upon and despised. It was also within common sense.

Making a fool of himself in front of these beauties made Baoyu suffer even more, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into and never see the world again, so as not to be tarnished and devastated any further.

But intimidated by his father's power, he did not dare to act crazy and foolish at will to escape punishment.

If he really did that, his father, Jia Zheng, did not have a bright and clear heart and had never understood his own innocence and excellence, let alone dote on and accommodate him with a face full of pity like Jia Mu and Lady Wang.

Most likely, as soon as he made a scene, he would have the servants press him down, take off his pants, and apply family law. At that time, his own excellence and unconventionality would be trampled to pieces in an instant. Wouldn't that be sad?

Therefore, Baoyu could only be full of grief and indignation, enduring humiliation, and obediently kneeling at the entrance of the Rongqing Hall.

To escape the shame in his heart, he lowered his head, not looking at the guests coming and going, and a sense of narcissism and intoxication rose in his heart. He knelt with extraordinary excellence and unconventionality, extraordinarily transcendent of the world……

Jia Mu and Lady Wang saw Baoyu kneeling at the entrance of the hall, and their hearts were hanging uncomfortably, feeling heart-wrenching pain.

But even if they doted on Baoyu again, they did not dare to speak up and let him get up at this moment, because Jia Zheng's words, "Three feet above the head, there are gods," were really too scary.

Last time, Baoyu only said a few idle words in the inner courtyard, and the next day he provoked the Imperial Clan Court to come to the door, and he was beaten by Jia Zheng so that he couldn't get out of bed for two months.

If such a thing happened again, Jia Mu and Lady Wang really didn't dare to imagine that Baoyu's reputation would become even more notorious, and a physical punishment would be even more unavoidable.

They were very worried whether what Baoyu had just said had been stabbed to the outside by that thousand-knife-cutting person in the prefecture like last time……

Rather than making things difficult to clean up, it would be better to let him kneel like this now……

Under the eyes of everyone, even if words spread, it could be said that Baoyu was wrong, but the family had already punished and disciplined him, and the Imperial Clan Court would not have much of an excuse to come to the door, and things might be fooled through.

This was also the reason why Jia Mu and Lady Wang, even if their faces were damaged, still followed Jia Zheng's meaning and let Baoyu kneel at the entrance of the hall.

By the time the guests came to congratulate one after another, Jia Mu and Lady Wang were still feeling ashamed, worried that the guests would ask about Baoyu kneeling, and they didn't know how to speak.

But those noble female guests who entered the Rongqing Hall seemed to have discussed it beforehand, and not one of them asked about the reason for Baoyu kneeling at the hall.

It was as if these women's eyes had gone wrong, and they didn't see this living Jia Baoyu at all when they entered the hall, which made Jia Mu and Lady Wang feel very strange.

However, since people didn't ask about this shameful thing, Jia Mu and Lady Wang didn't have the reason to take the initiative to say it……

……

In fact, these noble female guests who came to congratulate naturally would not all become blind, but they just didn't mention Baoyu's matter, out of some kind of unspoken calculation.

These female guests who could follow the male guests to congratulate were all important women of noble families, either the mistress of the house or the eldest wife. None of these women were not shrewd people.

They interacted with the Jia family daily and naturally knew the roots of the Rongguo Prefecture.

If it were the Jia family before Jia Cong inherited the title, Baoyu would be the phoenix of the Rongguo Prefecture, the grandson most loved by Lady Rongguo, and there was also the auspicious omen of being born with jade in his mouth, truly gathering thousands of pets in one body.

At that time, these noblewomen would also like to praise and flatter Baoyu in front of Jia Mu, making Jia Mu happy, and the old relatives of the aristocratic families would be more harmonious. It was just a matter of human feelings.

But now the Jia family had changed, the eldest branch's Jia Cong was full of glory, talented and excellent, holding two titles, inheriting the Rongguo family business, and Baoyu had been reduced to a side branch, long ago losing his original weight.

Plus, last time Baoyu said in the inner courtyard that the Retired Emperor was a fool, and he was demoted by the Imperial Clan Court, and his reputation had long been stinking in the street.

It is said that this Baoyu was born with many strange things. Not to mention that when his mother gave birth to him, she also gave birth to a piece of jade, just say that he himself could not even read the Four Books, but often described his own feelings as high, looking down on the scholars of the world.

In short, outsiders now all know that the Jia family's generation of the "Yu" character is really full of strange children, but Baoyu is the kind that is strange to the point of being completely off track……

A side-branch child of the Jia family with a notorious reputation, who is also a coward in reading, is destined to be mud that cannot be supported on the wall, an old turtle that cannot turn over.

Now these old relatives and noblewomen no longer have the elegant interest to take meat-numbing as interesting, and they are still flattering Baoyu in front of Jia Mu.

Besides, last time the Imperial Clan Court came to the door, who in official circles didn't know? In fact, the move of the Imperial Clan Court was instructed by the palace. Whoever's father was scolded would not let it go……

These noblewomen were all shrewd people. Now no one would say anything good about Baoyu to please Jia Mu, otherwise it would be challenging the current Emperor, and next time the Imperial Clan Court would not go to your house to stroll.

Therefore, today these noblewomen came to congratulate, and seeing Baoyu kneeling at the entrance of the Rongqing Hall, they knew that Baoyu must have caused trouble again, otherwise it was not a holiday, and he should not perform such great etiquette.

And where was it not good to kneel, just kneeling at the entrance of the Rongqing Hall, it was clearly kneeling for outsiders to see.

As for what trouble he caused, making the Jia family so scared, not hesitating to punish the former phoenix young master like this.

Baoyu didn't have the ability to kill or set fire, he must have been mouth-cheap and violated taboos again.

It's just that last time he scolded the Retired Emperor and the Empress Dowager as fools, this time did he scold that noble person again? Prince or Princess? It wouldn't be the current one in the palace……

These noblewomen with active and clever minds, as long as they thought a little deeper, felt that it was really unlucky.

They followed the men in their families to the Jia family today to congratulate Jia Cong on passing the imperial examination and becoming a Hanlin, and they wanted to support and show favor to this young Count.

Besides, the original Rongguo Prefecture was the family property of the second branch, but now it has become the family property of the eldest branch because of an imperial decree from the Emperor. Can the eldest and second branches of the Jia family get along?

If they talked too much and asked around, and accidentally brought out what trouble Baoyu had caused again, ruining the joy of the Jia family today, this would not be coming to congratulate the Count of Lord Weiyuan, but making people embarrassed and tearing down the stage.

Therefore, these noblewomen just glanced at Baoyu twice when they saw this scene, and then unanimously pretended to be blind, turned a blind eye, and entered the Rongqing Hall with a graceful demeanor.

As for whether they would be too cold to Baoyu, they didn't care at all. The aristocratic families have a direct inheritance, and the side branches are not picked up by dogs. The words are rough but the truth is not rough. Now this world is like this.

For these noblewomen, one is an incompetent and absurd side-branch child, and the other is a direct-line noble Hanlin Academician. How to choose is really too righteous……

……

Jia Mu also felt sorry for Baoyu suffering, but she was old after all and was a person of high and happy temperament.

After those noblewomen entered the hall, in order to whitewash the peace, they didn't stop talking about Jia Cong, praising him as someone who is in the sky and not on the ground, and saying that this was all because Jia Mu managed the family well and taught him well, so the Jia family could have today's glory.

Although Jia Mu herself felt that these words about teaching well were ghost words, it was glorious to hear them, and she would believe them to be true after hearing them too much. Being happy in her heart, she even slightly forgot about Baoyu's matter.

But Lady Wang was mother and son connected after all. No matter how many good words those noblewomen had, they were all praising Jia Cong, and her Baoyu couldn't be related to it at all, which was really too harsh to hear.

While worrying about her son Baoyu, feeling sorry for him because of a casual word, he had to suffer such humiliation, and while listening to those noblewomen with big mouths, enthusiastically praising how great Jia Cong was.

Under the pulling of her heart, Lady Wang was simply depressed to the point of suffocation, only feeling a breath stuck in her chest, unable to go up or down, and the whole person was like being fried in oil, wishing she could hit the south wall to vent.

At this time, Lady Xu of the Marquis of Cheng Yang smiled and entered the Rongqing Hall, followed by her unmarried third young lady.

This Miss Liu had been to the Jia Prefecture several times and had received Jia Cong's calligraphy, and had returned a gift to Jia Cong because of this.

She was originally outstanding in character, beautiful in appearance, and graceful in posture. Today, following her mother to congratulate, she was even more exquisitely dressed, elegantly and beautifully dressed, looking radiant.

Baoyu was originally kneeling there, lowering his head and not wanting to see people, but after all, he had shown his talent when he was catching the week, and he was naturally sensitive to girls' affairs.

That Miss Liu saw him kneeling on the ground, and felt strange in her heart, and seeing Baoyu's burning eyes, she felt a little scared and subconsciously took two steps back.

She felt aggrieved by Baoyu's look, thinking that this is the inner courtyard of the Count of Lord Weiyuan, why is the second branch's Jia Baoyu here, and still kneeling in such a strange way.

She originally thought that the Jia Grandmother lived in the Rongqing Hall, and Jia Cong must come in and out frequently. If she met him, she would be willing to see how this Hanlin gentleman looked at her……

It's a pity that the person she wanted to meet didn't meet, but she met someone who was not in tune and had nothing to do with her, and she was somewhat disappointed in her heart.

Lady Xu of the Marquis of Cheng Yang was worthy of being a leader in the back courtyard, and she made the same decision as other noblewomen in a moment. She pulled her daughter who was a little stunned, and flashed into the Rongqing Hall, her movements were extremely light……

Lady Xu just entered the hall, and smiled at Jia Mu: "Jia Mu, please forgive me. Today is the joy of the Count of Lord Weiyuan passing the examination and the glory of the Hanlin. I should have come to congratulate early.

I didn't expect that after going out, I was delayed by things. To say this delayed thing, it still has something to do with the Count of Lord Weiyuan."

Jia Mu wondered: "Today Cong'er entered the palace for the grand ceremony, how could he delay the Marquis Lady's itinerary?"

Lady Xu of the Marquis of Cheng Yang smiled: "Jia Mu doesn't know yet. Today, after the grand ceremony in the palace, the Emperor bestowed the imperial street parade on the top three scholars to show glory. It happened that our carriage just left the prefecture, and I wanted to come to congratulate Jia Mu early, but I didn't expect that when the carriage passed near Hanzheng Street, several streets were crowded with people, and it couldn't move at all.

Later, I asked someone to inquire, and I knew that the Count of Lord Weiyuan was parading through the imperial street, passing through Hanzheng Street, and it was a big scene. People from the whole Divine Capital came to see his glory.

Xiu'er, how did the things you asked the servants to inquire about say?"

That third young lady smiled: "They said that the Count of Lord Weiyuan paraded through the imperial street, passed through Hanzheng Street, his demeanor was excellent, unique for a time, and surpassed his peers.

The common people threw colorful silk for him, and sang Jia's lyrics for him. The scene was noisy and shocked the whole city. Many people followed him all the way to the Ministry of Rites and didn't want to leave.

It's a pity that there were too many people on the street, and our carriage couldn't move, but I didn't see the grand occasion with my own eyes, but I didn't have the eye blessing."

……

Jia Mu and others were all surprised when they heard the words of the Marquis of Cheng Yang mother and daughter.

Lady Wang was even more depressed in her heart. That kid in the East Prefecture was god-like and god-like, and actually did some vain things. Others thought it was rare, and they all flattered and flattered him, which was really ridiculous.

Because the Marquis of Zhongjing, Lady Li, came to the Jia Prefecture early in the morning, she didn't know about these things about the imperial street parade.

She smiled: "I went out early, but I didn't see this glorious scene. Throwing colorful silk, singing Jia's lyrics, the whole city is watching. I haven't heard of such strange things in the opera."

!

Cong'er is really amazing. No matter what he does, no matter where he is, he can win glory for the aunt."

Jia Mu was a little floating by Li's praise, and echoed with a smile: "Cong'er has been this root since he was a child. No matter what he does, he can stand out.

Although he dare not say that he has achieved success now, he is slightly stronger than ordinary people. I hope that from now on, he will stay at home for more time.

After the mourning period, he will marry early, open branches and scatter leaves, and I will be satisfied."

Jia Mu's scene words were quite grand, and the noblewomen echoed one after another, and the atmosphere in the hall became more and more joyous and harmonious.

Lady Wang listened to all kinds of words on the side, only feeling a wave of tinnitus and dizziness, thinking of her son Baoyu kneeling at the hall, and Jia Cong who was incomparably glorious in everyone's eyes, her heart was like a knife, and she was ashamed and wanted to die.

Baoyu was originally kneeling there, lowering his head and not wanting to see people, but after all, he had shown his talent when he was catching the week, and he was naturally sensitive to girls' affairs.

In his heart, he sighed that girls are like water, and he couldn't help but be a little addicted, and for a while he forgot that he was kneeling for punishment……

Just when he was a little self-satisfied, he suddenly heard Miss Liu's charming and moving voice.

She was talking about Jia Cong's imperial street parade, praising his excellent demeanor, unique for a time, and surpassing his peers.

She also said that the people of the whole city threw colorful silk for him, and sang Jia's lyrics for him, shocking the whole city, and women and children all knew it.

Baoyu had always worked hard on girls, and clearly heard Miss Liu's happy tone, her voice trembling slightly, and she seemed to admire Jia Cong very much……

Baoyu's face was pale, and shame and annoyance rose in his heart, and he felt heartbroken, sighing at the dirty world, why do all the good girls admire the things of the career and the salary?

What's so good about Jia Cong, worthy of this elegant and outstanding girl, talking about him so affectionately, it's simply unknown!

The world is deceived by hypocritical people like Jia Cong, and no one recognizes my innocent feelings. It is really God's trick.

Baoyu seemed to be stirred up by Miss Liu's voice, and his mind was confused, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"It's really vulgar and unbearable, vulgar and unbearable. One day I will find a clean place, so that I can leave the dirt of this world……"

At this time, the noblewomen in the hall were chatting about the topics of scholars and Hanlin, talking very warmly and happily, and no one noticed Baoyu's nonsense.

Only Miss Liu was a junior and didn't want to talk much. She was a little bored, and just happened to hear Baoyu's words, and felt goosebumps all over, so she hurried away from the hall.

……

Count's Prefecture, Jia Cong's courtyard.

Since Jia Cong inherited the Rongguo title, the guests of the East and West Prefectures have shown a clear distinction.

The guests who came to the West Prefecture to visit were mostly noble relatives who had been friends with the Rongguo Prefecture for generations.

The guests who came to the East Prefecture to visit were mostly Jia Cong's classmates, teachers, official colleagues, teachers of the examination, and friends in the market.

Today Jia Cong entered the palace for the ceremony, and he was not in the prefecture, but the noble relatives who came to visit the West Prefecture still came a lot.

They came to congratulate Jia Cong, tracing the source to the friendship with the Rongguo family for generations. Now that Jia Mu is still alive in the West Prefecture, out of seniority and etiquette, even if Jia Cong is not there, they will come to visit early.

But the guests of the East Prefecture were mostly people Jia Cong had made friends with after he entered the world. Their reasons for coming to congratulate were much simpler, entirely out of Jia Cong's personal friendship.

Therefore, today Jia Cong entered the palace, and there were not many guests in the East Prefecture. Many people would wait for Jia Cong to return to the prefecture before coming to congratulate and talk.

In the morning, the outer courtyard of the East Prefecture was busy for a while, and after a few rounds of banquets, it stopped temporarily.

Yingchun carefully explained all the affairs of the outer courtyard to the stewardess, let them handle it with the steward of the outer courtyard, and she took Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun and other sisters back to Jia Cong's courtyard.

In the morning, Jiang Liu sent someone back to the prefecture to pass a message that Jia Cong left the palace more than an hour ago, and after the imperial street parade, he would return to the prefecture.

Yingchun and others finished their work and went to his courtyard to sit and talk, while waiting for Jia Cong to return to the prefecture.

In the hall, Shi Xiangyun was talking endlessly, telling what she had heard in the Rongqing Hall, and her crisp and pleasant voice echoed in the courtyard.

"I really didn't expect that Brother Cong could be so dazzling when parading through the imperial street. This kind of rare thing, if I had known, I would have gone out to see it."

"You didn't see it. The third young lady of the Marquis of Cheng Yang, when talking about Brother Cong being thrown colorful silk, and the people singing Jia's lyrics for him, her expression was very strange, her little face was red, and her eyes were shining, hee hee."

Daiyu teased: "Look at what you said, you should keep it for yourself. It seems that when you mention Brother Cong, your eyes are not shining."

Xiangyun was embarrassed by her, and the two of them circled the table and laughed.

Yingchun didn't have much impression of the Marquis of Cheng Yang's young lady, and asked: "The third young lady of the Marquis of Cheng Yang, I don't remember much, it seems she has been to the prefecture several times?"

Seeing Tan Chun smiled: "Anyway, people who have nothing to do with Brother Cong, Second Sister forgets as soon as she turns her head, and doesn't want to spend time remembering.

This third young lady received a piece of calligraphy from Brother Cong, and gave Brother Cong a return gift, and even we got the light."

Yingchun smiled: "Since you said that, I remembered it. This girl seems to be a little rare for Brother Cong."

At this time, footsteps sounded at the courtyard entrance, and Jia Cong's laughter came: "Second Sister, which girl is rare for me, why don't I know?"

Daiyu heard Jia Cong's voice, stopped playing with Xiangyun, tied a flower knot on the silk handkerchief in her hand, and playfully threw it at Jia Cong.

Smiled: "The Bangyan gentleman is very romantic today. Parading through the Hanzheng Street on horseback, how many handkerchiefs did you receive from the beauties? Tell me quickly, let me listen to the rarity."

Jia Cong smiled: "At that time, there were too many handkerchiefs in the sky, how could I catch them all."

He shook the silk handkerchief of Daiyu in his hand, and smiled: "But I caught the sister's handkerchief."

Daiyu pursed her lips and smiled slightly, didn't speak, and didn't step forward to take back the handkerchief.

Yingchun smiled: "This year's spring examination, there are many rumors outside, it sounds very dangerous, I have been worried.

Fortunately, Brother Cong is smooth in everything, without any obstacles, named Bangyan, granted Hanlin, years of hard study, can be considered to have achieved positive results."

Jia Cong smiled slightly. He had indeed achieved success in the imperial examination, but how many people were involved in the strange storm……

Eleven contributors of this year, ten were abolished, never to be officials, and one died in prison.

Dozens of spring examination officials were involved, either demoted or imprisoned and convicted.

A high-ranking official of the third rank, because of leaking questions and dereliction of duty, was demoted to the eighth rank and retired.

What made Jia Cong feel most sighing was Lin Zhaohe, who was ranked third in the metropolitan examination, came from a place where the imperial examination was prosperous in the south, a dignified prefectural Jieyuan, and originally even had the qualifications of the top three.

But because of being involved in the cheating case, he was reduced to the crowd and stayed in the end of the second rank.

This morning, at the grand ceremony in the palace, Jia Cong did not see Lin Zhaohe. I don't know if his injury was not healed, he could not go, or for other reasons……

(End of chapter)