The bear child of the Red Chamber, Jia Cong

But it is said that Shi Xiangyun held a banquet in Jiyue Garden and invited the female relatives of Beijing to taste the seafood "cocoa tea" imported from abroad.Because she also brought a relative from the south, Miss Liu Yunxi, the cousin of Lian's second grandmother in Rongguo Mansion, many people thought that this was the one who mattered today.When the banquet was about to start, the maids filed in and served cocoa tea gracefully.This tea is fragrant, sweet and delicious, and all the female relatives who came here fell in love with it immediately, and they tasted it carefully and asked where it was sold.

Shi Xiangyun smiled and said: "It's good to eat if you have some, don't ask too much. If you have money, there is nowhere to buy it."

At the table, there was her aunt, Mrs. Baolinghou, who said angrily, "Young girl Yun, there are so many wives and grandmas here, don't make any detours."

Shi Xiangyun said: "Right now, Beijing Central Committee really hasn't sold anything. Let's talk about Beijing Central, even they in Lingnan haven't sold anything." He glanced at Liu Yunxi.Everyone looked at Liu Yunxi in unison; Liu Yunxi smiled generously.Shi Xiangyun went on to say, "Let's see if there are any goods coming to Beijing at the end of the year."

Mrs. Baolinghou hurriedly asked: "How did this tea come about?"

Shi Xiangyun said: "It's really interesting to say. This thing is native to Central and South America. It was brought to Java by Western ships a hundred years ago for planting. I didn't expect it to grow better than in the original place; until a few years ago, some maritime merchants brought some. Go to Qiongzhou in the south of Lingnan. There is a woman named Zhou Xiaolan in Qiongzhou, about the same age as me, with excellent martial arts skills. Occasionally, I tasted this tea, and immediately fell in love with it. Overseas, and most of the cocoa tea produced is sold to the West, if not sold, come to me.”

A lady below asked: "Why don't you sell it to me? Don't we give them money?"

Shi Xiangyun said: "Because Westerners also love this very much, the country of Java can't afford it. After all, they bought it first."

Another grandma said: "The tea is so good, why not give me some money?"

Shi Xiangyun said: "Could it be that Westerners are poor? The high price only treats the symptoms but not the root cause." But when he talked about Zhou Xiaolan's capture of Java and becoming the empress, he gasped. "It's just been fighting for a few years, and the cocoa trees have not been taken care of. It will take a lot of work to wait for the newly knotted cocoa beans to grow and then cook them into cocoa tea. Fortunately..." Shi Xiangyun smiled, "From now on The goods will be given priority to my sea merchants."

Mrs. Baolinghou said in surprise: "This woman has brought down the country of production for the sake of food?" Shi Xiangyun nodded with a smile.All the wives and grandmas looked at each other in amazement.

Shi Xiangyun went on to say: "This tea is not only sweet and fragrant, but also refreshes the mind. Only so much is produced every year, why bother to make it cheaper for Westerners?"

The princess of King Yan's mansion couldn't help but praise: "Although it's for eating snacks, it shows the style of our great country. Miss Zhou was so brave." After hearing this, everyone praised Miss Zhou as a heroine.The princess took another sip of cocoa tea and asked, "I've heard about Zhou Xiaolan's occupation of Java, but I never thought it was for this reason. So, when will Jingzhong be listed?"

Shi Xiangyun said: "This has just arrived, let everyone have a taste; I heard that the first batch of goods will be more, but it is not enough to sell, so Master Wang Ziteng ordered them all. Wait a minute, princess, it was sent by Lingnan." This item is indispensable in the annual ceremony. There will be a large number of goods on sale at the beginning of next year." The princess nodded slightly.

All the wives and grandma secretly took a deep breath.Even if it goes on the market early next year, since this item is rare, there may not be many in stock; there is no one here who does not want to buy it.The price of good tea is not low.Let's listen to Shi Xiangyun's intention, most of this seafood business will fall into the hands of Wang Ziteng.Can't help but take another sneak peek at Liu Yunxi - she is the daughter of Wang Ziteng's brother-in-law, and their family is no less close to the Wang family than the Rongguo Mansion.

Grandma Niu secretly watched the expressions of everyone.At first she was reluctant to inquire about this woman for her younger brother, but now she felt rejoicing: my younger brother has good eyesight!Fortunately, the other people only talked to Miss Liu casually just now; Grandma Niu came here because of her, and now she has become acquainted with her.Nai bowed his head and thought for a while: it's better to strike first.

After a while, when Liu Yunxi was surrounded by others, Niu Gu's grandmother quietly looked for Shi Xiangyun and said, "I have a close affinity with that girl Yunxi. I wonder if she can make a promise to her?"

Shi Xiangyun wondered: "Isn't your son still young?"

Grandma Niu said in a low voice, "My sister-in-law just passed away." Nai sighed, "Encountering such a thing is fate, isn't it a good life? Yunxi is watching the widow, and he is a good match."

Shi Xiangyun hesitated for a moment and said, "Didn't it mean that the body hasn't been found yet? What if Second Niu Niu is not dead and was rescued by the mountain people?"

Grandma Niu smiled wryly and said, "The place where her accident happened is extremely steep and high, even a mature man would not be able to survive, not to mention there were wolves that day."

Shi Xiangyun pursed his lips and said: "I can't decide this matter, I have to discuss it with our brother Cong. It turned out that he was entrusted by his uncle to bring Miss Liu to Beijing." Grandma Niu nodded knowingly.After a while, Shi Xiangyun said again, "Brother Cong is so talkative, I'm afraid I want to ask Second Master Niu something." Aunt Niu nodded with a smile.

Two days later, Niu Jicheng, the second master of Zhenguo Mansion, sent a film to Rongguo Mansion to meet Jia Cong.Jia Cong sat and waited for a long time in the Pear Fragrance Court, when he heard that the disciple came to report, he straightened his clothes and asked, "Is there anything else you want to know?"

Naturally, Mu Shi didn't die, he was sitting beside him wearing the clothes of a servant.It took a while before he said: "There is nothing more." Chen Ruijin stood up and pulled her away.

After reaching the back of the big screen, she was silent for a moment, then Mu sighed, "Then Miss Liu really looks better than me."

Jia Cong said outside: "That may not be the reason. Although you are married to her, you hide someone else in your heart, and subconsciously refuse to seduce him; Ms. Liu deliberately seduces him. Tell the truth later, you two ladies Don't mind—we usually say that women's hearts should be exchanged with their hearts when we gossip, but in fact, men's hearts must be exchanged with their sincerity."

Mrs. Mu smiled apologetically: "In this section, it's true that I can't help him."

Chen Ruijin said: "He wants a Second Mistress Niu; you have done well in what Mistress Niu should do, and there is nothing wrong with him."

Jia Cong said again: "I can't help but say something for Niu Jicheng. The education that men receive these days is like that. The Zhen Guo Mansion has been in decline for a while and it took nearly two years to get up. Academy. The requirements should not be too high, it is not so easy to stand out from the crowd under King Yan."

Chen Ruijin said: "Liu Yunxi is virtuous, well-behaved, beautiful and has a good family background. He intends to seduce him, but he doesn't need to exchange his sincerity." He is also the fastest-learning spy of his rival. "It's more suitable to be Niu's second grandmother than the princess. Seeking benevolence and getting benevolence, everyone is happy. Jia Cong, stop talking, people are coming soon."

Jia Cong muttered: "Our mansion is so big, he can't walk so fast even with his scud." But he really didn't speak.

Not long after, Niu Jicheng came and sat down with Jia Cong.Jia Cong said: "Brother Niu, I, Jia San, have a straight temper. Although Miss Liu has nothing to do with our family, after all, Uncle Wang entrusted me with the responsibility, and I have to be responsible. Brother Niu, you are young and talented, with a bright future, and a good family background. Nothing is bad. It’s just that Niu’s second grandma has only been dead for more than half a month. Isn’t it a little unsympathetic for you to start looking for a new family so soon? The second grandma Niu is pretty good."

Niu Jicheng's eyes were red, and he said: "People cannot be resurrected after death. This is the end of the matter, and I will keep her filial piety for a year."

Jia Cong said: "Brother Niu, your answer is not what you asked. I mean, you searched too quickly for the next house. Second Grandma Niu's bones are not cold yet."

Niu Jicheng didn't understand, so he said, "I just said, it's too soon to be a filial piety for the Mu family for one year?"

Jia Cong covered his face: "I was wrong! Chickens talk to ducks." Nai put down his hands, "Okay, don't blame me, I will do my best. This festival is over. I have envoys inquired about it for the past two days. My guess was wrong, Master Ling didn't favor your sister-in-law, but your daughter-in-law more. Brother Niu obviously doesn't plan to split the family anymore?"

Niu Jicheng said decisively: "Combined forces are strong, and divided forces are weak. It's so rare in our house, how can we separate?"

Jia Cong said: "It's just that you are much stronger than your brother at the moment, and your mother is partial to your daughter-in-law, isn't it not good. After all, your brother Niu Jizong is the heir to the Liguo Mansion."

Niu Jicheng smiled and said: "Mr. Jia, don't worry, he will never have the heart to compete with his elder brother for the title. Next year, the prince will send me to fight overseas. I can earn fame and come back."

Jia Cong frowned and said: "You have to observe filial piety for one year, and you will go to war next year. Is Miss Liu holding a rooster to pay homage?"

Niu Jicheng was stunned: "After the war, I'm afraid I will stay overseas for a long time, so I will naturally bring my family over there."

Jia Cong's eyes lit up: "You really brought the family there?" Niu Jicheng nodded.Jia Cong clapped his hands, "That's no problem! You live independently in this room, even if something happens in the inner courtyard of the Zhenguo Mansion, it won't affect Miss Liu." Niu Jicheng closed his eyes.

Later, the two of them talked about hello, me, everyone, and Jia Cong suddenly said: "That's right. Didn't you have a Niu Jiye in your house? Who is older?"

Niu Jicheng said: "Brother Ye is six years older than me."

"Will he go to attack North America together next year?"

Niu Jicheng said: "My lord has exactly this intention."

Jia Cong rubbed the back of his head: "Brother Wei is going too. You two are brothers, so you won't bully him in North America."

Niu Jicheng laughed loudly: "Don't worry, Mr. Jia! The three of us are all colleagues under the prince's command, and we must focus on big things."

Jia Cong was a little embarrassed, and laughed dryly: "I'm a literati, but I don't worry about eating salty radishes."

The two began to talk about North America.After discussing for half a day, Niu Jicheng left when he saw it was late, and Jia Cong personally sent him to the gate of the courtyard.

Turning around and going back inside, both Chen Ruijin and Mu's family came out from behind the screen.Jia Cong said: "I understand something. Why did Niu Jicheng put up with Niu Jizong's daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jiang?"

Chen Ruijin said: "Isn't it because his mother wants to calm things down?"

Jia Cong smiled and said: "You hide behind, you can't see the demeanor after all. Niu Jicheng and I talked so much, and he was not impatient. Only when he mentioned 'separation', he answered very quickly. Later I mentioned Niu Jiye. , he wrote 'I am the boss and he is the boy' all over his face, showing no respect for his elder brother."

Chen Ruijin said: "Outside, the brothers of the Niu family are really in charge of him."

Jia Cong said: "It is impossible for a person who can lead the army to have no opinions. Niu Jiye will listen to him. It is nothing more than the fact that the eldest house in the Zhenguo Mansion suppresses the third house. Separating the family must be good for Niu Jiye, but bad for Niu Jicheng."

Chen Ruijin asked: "What does this have to do with Jiang?"

Jia Cong said: "Where there are people, there must be rivers and lakes. There can be no struggles within the family. If Niu Jicheng cares about Jiang, should Niu Jiye care about him? Generosity and patience are necessary to maintain family harmony. Niu Jicheng is a beneficiary of the big family system. He is a victim again, but the benefits outweigh the harms. After all, the outside is much more important than the inner court—a small matter outside is more important than a major matter in the inner court. He unconsciously took the position of maintaining the big family system." He looked Glancing at Mrs. Mu, "I wonder if the princess can understand?"

Mu Shi said: "I can probably guess some."

Chen Ruijin said: "Jia Cong's words are not clear. The princess thinks, if Niu Jicheng settles the matter with Jiang, he must distinguish right from wrong. After all, Jiang is the eldest granddaughter-in-law of the Zhenguo Mansion. If you care about her, you are comparing the inferior and the superior. It’s just that I can’t bear it and don’t suffer. If Niu Jiye of the third room heard about it and argued with him about the outside affairs in the future, the gain would outweigh the loss. Outside, he was the one who took advantage. If it’s military merit... "Chen Ruijin took a deep look at her.

Mrs. Mu came to a sudden: "So that's the case! I never thought about this."

Jia Cong said: "Besides, although you have lost your son, Niu Erye is not afraid of not having a son. The one born by you is no different from the one born by concubine Ji."

Chen Ruijin hurriedly said: "It's different. The mother of the first son is good at raising children, what does the concubine know?"

The Mu family smiled wryly, "The concubine was originally raised by me."

Jia Cong clapped his hands and said, "It turns out that you are still in charge of being their family's tutor. I don't know if the monthly salary will not increase."

Mu Shi shook his head and sighed: "Forget it. I also understand, I don't think about it anymore."

Jia Cong clapped his hands again and said, "It's done! Now that we're done, we can move on to the next step."

Chen Ruijin said: "Going to the south?"

"Heli!"

Chen Ruijin and Mu Shi looked at each other, Chen Ruijin said: "Didn't you cheat yourself to death?"

Jia Cong said innocently: "Who said you cheated? Is there a corpse? Is there any evidence? How can a living person die? Can't he be rescued by the mountain people? Why is there such a good status as the princess of the palace?" don't want?"

The two women looked at each other again, and Mrs. Mu said: "He...he still has to keep his wife's filial piety for a year, how can we reconcile? My father and king value him very much. After he came out, he always showed off his vision."

Jia Cong snorted and said, "That's because you are too sensible to tell the family about your in-law's family. It's such an important matter that someone killed a fetus. How can you know it? What's more, Jiang's family even lost their title. If you don’t retaliate, who will she retaliate against? The two surnames are good in marriage, and Niu Jicheng’s concubine is not the grandson of Prince Dongping. The three princesses have wonderful parents, but there are fewer of them after all; ordinary parents love their daughters. I don’t like you I know, I have met your uncle Mu Xu, the old man these days, and I really love you."

Mu's eyes turned red: "Granduncle... really loves me. Let him be sad for nothing." Jia Cong and Chen Ruijin looked at each other: you can tell the old man.

They didn't expect that Mu Xu, who was usually as stable as Mount Tai and looked like a big hermit in the city, would take it seriously when he lost his temper.Three days later, Shi Li flew to Rongguo Mansion to report the news, grinning so much that he grinned: "Old Master Mu demolished the gate of Zhen Guo Mansion!"