Chapter 285 Bad News

When Jia Lian first heard Chen Heng say that he wanted to know more about the Zhen family, he was a little happy. After all, they were relatives. If Chen Heng could change his mind because of the guests at the Zhen Mansion’s birthday banquet and have the idea of ​​turning hostility into friendship, it would be a good thing for everyone.

"What did your cousin tell you?" Jia Lian asked first, preparing to make additional additions to Daiyu's story.

Chen Heng asked Qingwen to take the wine pot, and took the initiative to pour a glass for Jia Lian, and said frankly: "Yu'er did talk about the relationship between the old Duke and the Zhen family, and she didn't know much about other things."

Jia Lian drank a glass of wine and felt a little warmth spreading in his chest. The side of him who likes to teach others was aroused little by little under the influence of the wine.

"That's the relationship between our family and the Zhen family." Jia Lian's face flushed slightly, and he said in a very kind way, "I want to think about how to tell you about the Zhen family. Do you still remember the late Prince Yi Zhong?"

"How could I not remember it?" Chen Heng said with a smile, and glanced at Liu Xianglian subtly. The latter understood and stood up to pour wine for Jia Lian. Chen Heng continued, "The one who did bad things ten years ago. The people in the capital are still talking about the mountains of gold and silver that the old prince moved out of the palace when he confiscated his property."

There is also a well-known mystery about Prince Yi Zhong in the original book. When Qin Keqing was buried, the coffin used was the coffin that Xue Pan bought for Prince Yi Zhong, which would not break for thousands of years. Because Prince Yi Zhong died in a house confiscation, the whole family was guilty. Even the coffin prepared in advance became a decoration. In the end, it was taken away by Jia Zhen and used to bury Qin Keqing.

As for the origin of Prince Yi Zhong, Chen Heng only knew that he was a member of the royal family, the cousin of the retired emperor, and the uncle of the current emperor. However, from the title of Yi Zhong, we can also see his relationship with the retired emperor, just like the relationship between Prince Zhongshun and Li Zhi.

The title of Zhong is never given randomly.

Jia Lian drank another glass of wine before continuing: "Although Prince Yi Zhong and the retired emperor are not from the same family, they have a very good relationship. When the retired emperor traveled to the south of the Yangtze River, the first place he stayed was the Zhen family recommended by Prince Yi Zhong."

"Do you remember the old Concubine Zhen who passed away a few years ago?" Seeing Chen Heng nod, Jia Lian continued, "It was also Prince Yi Zhong who acted as a matchmaker and privately introduced him to the retired emperor when he was in the Zhen Mansion, which made it a good thing."

Chen Heng finally showed a look of surprise. He didn't expect there was such a secret. He couldn't help but say, "Then Prince Yi Zhong is really good to the Zhen family."

"Brother-in-law, you don't know. Prince Yi Zhong's fiefdom is in Jinling City. And the ancestors of the Zhen family originally followed Prince Yi Zhong for generations. It was in the hands of the descendants of the Zhen family that they gradually became prosperous and powerful. Prince Yi Zhong showed mercy and allowed the Zhen family to escape and return to their hometown to set up their own family."

"There is such a thing..." Chen Heng murmured. The route of this fortune is similar to that of the Xue family. He couldn't help but ask, "Then..."

Jia Lian knew what his brother-in-law was going to ask, and replied directly, "Our family is different from the Zhen family. Their family relies on the power above and the trade route. They also help the royal family to manage the affairs of Jiangnan. Our family took the military route back then, otherwise why would our family have two dukes. When people mention the Zhen family, they only say the Jinling Zhen family?"

In this way, the relationship between the Zhen family and the Xue family is even closer. It is no wonder that three of the four major families in Jinling were in the capital. Only the Xue family, the leading imperial merchant, was left, rooted in Jinling. It turned out that the Zhen family followed Prince Yi Zhong, and the Xue family followed the emperor.

Chen Heng nodded, and motioned Liu Xianglian to come up and toast. The latter immediately stood up and said, "Second Master Jia, I'll toast you another glass."

"Good for you, Liu Xianglian, I didn't realize that you are such a big drinker." Jia Lian's face was red, and he was persuaded to drink five or six more glasses while he was talking just now. When he saw Liu Xianglian holding up the wine glass, he was also frightened. If he continued to drink like this, he might have to go out sideways today.

"Second Master, it's rare for you to come to our house as a guest today. My husband and I are very happy. Second Master, just have a drink. I'll drink this glass of wine first as a respect."

Liu Xianglian raised his head and finished it in one gulp, showing the bottom of the glass to Jia Lian. Now, he had to finish it. People who are lustful must like wine. Jia Lian was also a heavy drinker, so he immediately rolled up his sleeves and drank a full cup.

As soon as the people sat down, Chen Heng deliberately asked: "I see that the eldest and second masters of the Zhen family have a very good relationship. Are they brothers?"

Jia Lian wanted to laugh when he heard it. He raised his hand and pointed at Chen Heng, and said with a mouth full of alcohol: "You are also an official in Jiangnan. If they were brothers, the Zhen family would not have so many troubles."

"Oh?" Chen Heng laughed and said ashamedly, "No one usually tells me this, and the county government is full of official business..."

"The eldest and second masters of their family are just from the first and second houses." Jia Lian shook his head and sighed, "The elders of these two houses had bad luck and died early. Only the widowed mother and the orphan were left, and they were raised by the old lady.

Now, although the Zhen family is managed by their eldest master, I have always heard that the old lady prefers the second master of the Zhen family. Even the Zhen family's favor book has been secretly handed over to Zhen Baoyu."

This thing, don't think it sounds light. Many little-known human relationships are recorded in a small book. It is far from being comparable to the lively guests at a banquet. If wealth is compared to golden eggs, then the book of human relationships is the hen that lays golden eggs. Whoever holds it holds wealth.

Although Chen Heng didn't know much about Zhen Xi and Zhen Baoyu. But just judging from the reputation in Jinling, Zhen Xi's reputation is much better than Zhen Baoyu. Such a comparison is not Xiao Qiang's fault. Why does this old lady of the Zhen family care about Zhen Baoyu?

Jia Lian seemed to have guessed what Chen Heng was thinking, and directly said: "If you can't stand him, he will please the old lady."

After saying this, he was half drunk. Knowing that he said something wrong, Jia Lian quickly pulled Liu Xianglian to continue the joke. Chen Heng subconsciously glanced at Jia Baoyu, who was still confused. He said very little from the beginning to the end. Most of the time, I lower my head and think.

From the end of this banquet, there is nothing new. Chen Heng, who had some room to spare, was still able to help Jia Lian into the car soberly. It would be helpful for him to speak up today, so that he could understand a little more about the Zhen family's affairs.

After sending the Jia family away, Chen Heng returned to Daiyu's house. Zijuan was busy making the bed for the couple. Daiyu sat down and drank tea as soon as her husband came back. I couldn't help but stepped forward and asked, "What's wrong with my husband? But what my cousin is asking for is a bit troublesome?"

Only then did Chen Heng become alert. His reaction made his wife a little worried. He immediately smiled and said, "It's okay, don't worry. I was just thinking about something that didn't happen."

Daiyu felt a little weird, and asked with a little teasing: "Since it didn't happen, why do you want it to happen?"

Because that was a good thing my old father-in-law did, Chen Heng raised his eyebrows noncommittally. He suddenly remembered that in the original book, Jia Yucun took Lin Ruhai's letter and defected to Jia's house, and the person he was looking for seemed to be Jia Zheng.

Logically speaking, Jia She accepted the title, and it should be someone who was in charge of the affairs of Rongguo Mansion. But from this point of view, I am afraid that the real foundation of Rongguo Mansion is still in Jia Zheng's hands.

He decided to reconstruct his understanding of Jia Zheng in his heart. But taking into account his own experience of dealing with the other party, Chen Heng could think of no bigger fault with Jia Zheng except that he was a bit pedantic and a bit confused.

Regardless, Jia Zheng's affairs are still far away from him after all. Chen Heng laughed and then took Daiyu, who was suppressing laughter, to rest on the bed.

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The next day, Jia Lian finally sobered up. While he was still unconscious, Xue Pan suddenly pushed the door open and entered. Although this person's temperament has improved somewhat, he still looks impatient when things happen.

After several sounds, Jia Lian was woken up from the bed. Xue Pan brought the tea himself and said to Jia Lian: "Good brother, how can you still sleep? Tell me, how was your talk with him yesterday?"

Jia Lian was so noisy that he had a headache. He lifted up his robe before sitting down. He was already complaining: "Why don't you ask Baoyu."

"Why didn't you ask? Of course I didn't ask for the result before I came to you." Xue Pan was also anxious and didn't seem to hide it for his brother-in-law. "He went out with a face all morning and didn't know where to find him." Whose bad luck."

Can he still go out to look for trouble? With his temperament, it would be nice if others didn't bully him. Jia Lian laughed, took the tea and moistened his dry throat, and then said: "Brother-in-law Chen has agreed to our activities in Songjiang."

When Xue Pan heard this for the first time, his heart suddenly dropped. After all, his surname is Xue, as long as Chen Heng can nod his head. He was full of ideas to make money in Songjiang City. Whether this business is profitable or not is another matter.

Jia Lian grew up in fine clothes and fine food, and his family tradition did not encourage businessmen. He just said: "But he has set a path for us. As long as we are in Songjiang, we are not allowed to do anything else, let alone make money in Songjiang."

If ordinary people said this, Xue Pan would definitely reply, "Fuck grandma's legs" and dare to control the Xue family's affairs. But it was Chen Heng who said this, so he had to ask patiently: "Then what did he decide?"

"Spices from Nanyang." Jia Lian said a few words with joy in his eyes.

Xue Pan was a discerning man. He immediately slapped his thigh and said happily: "This is good, this is a really profitable business. Even if the Maritime Department adds a few more layers of taxes and we transport it to the capital, we can make several times the money." "

"It's just that he wants us to set up a few shops in Songjiang and recruit more local people to do some processing. I don't understand. Anyway, he won't allow us to move out of Songjiang City within five years." Jia Lian hesitated and continued talking about Chen. constant conditions.

"Why is this?!" Xue Pan scratched his head, this Chen...Brother-in-law Chen's control was too lenient. I was doing business openly, and I even burned incense in front of his giant Buddha, so why did I still reject their business like this?

"You ask me, who am I asking." Jia Lian rolled his eyes. He really drank too much last night. He drank three cups of tea in a row and still felt thirsty. "But I see what he means. If we don't agree, I'm afraid it will be difficult." Establish a foothold in Songjiang.”

"Then...just listen to him." Xue Pan thought for a while and said honestly. Although he didn't know that Chen Heng suddenly became easy to talk to, it would be a pity not to seize the opportunity in front of him.

"I think so too." Jia Lian nodded. It would be best for Xue Pan to figure it out. After all, making a living has to be done by the other party himself. You can't expect a young man from the Duke's mansion to do unseemly work.

"Then I'll ask my sister how much money she still has. If we want to do it, let's do it big time." Xue Pan impromptuly ran out.

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Jia Baoyu has been waiting here for a long time, and his location is at the entrance of an alley. Although the morning light was dazzling today, the shadows cast by the houses beside him still hid his figure.

In front of him is a bustling city full of cars and horses. When the porters are walking through the streets, they have to be careful to avoid the passing rickshaws. Occasionally, a few children carrying book bags ran past Jia Baoyu. It suddenly awakened the young master's memory of going to school in his early years.

As his thoughts surged, his hands hidden in his sleeves clenched slightly. Jia Baoyu looked at the sky and couldn't help but secretly laugh at his foolishness. Just wait. If you still can't wait, I'm afraid she won't come today. You can go back to the inn to rest for a while.

Just when I thought about it, a carriage came slowly from the end of the street corner. Baoyu's attention was immediately attracted. His intuition has always been very accurate, and he always feels that the person in the car is exactly the person he is waiting for.

Seeing the carriage stop at the entrance of the academy, two people got out one after another. Because of the distance, Jia Baoyu couldn't make out clearly, but she didn't look like Sister Lin. After finally waiting for the third person to get off the car, his disappointed eyes suddenly became overjoyed.

"Chief of the mountain."

"Shan Chang'an."

I saw several little girls greeting each other in a decent manner when they passed by me. Daiyu also felt some comfort in her heart, and nodded to the students: "I have completed all my homework last night."

"Captain Huishan, I've done it all. Do you want to show it to you now?" A girl held up her book bag as if offering a treasure, with an expression on her face as if she was waiting to show off.

"Go to class first. When you see Master Hu, remember to walk slowly and don't bump into the old man." Daiyu waved her hand and urged a few young men to get in quickly.

"Yes." The children liked this gentle-spoken mountain leader very much, and felt that no matter what the problem was, Sister Lin could not be troubled. They admired and loved her in their hearts.

Looking at each other and smiling at Yinglian beside her, Daiyu was about to follow the children and enter the academy together. Suddenly a voice called "Sister Lin" came from behind.

She just turned her head and saw Baoyu's face full of hope. Daiyu frowned immediately, wanting to ignore this person but fearing that she would violate the etiquette. He had no choice but to nod to Yinglian and motion for her to go in first. He stood at the door, waiting for Baoyu to come over.

"Sister, be careful. If anything happens, call us." Yinglian looked at Baoyu's appearance and always felt that the person who came was evil.

"Don't worry, sister, I know it well." Daiyu responded calmly.

After the two separated like this, Baoyu stood in front of Daiyu and Zijuan, rubbed his hands with some anxiety, and said: "Sister, don't get me wrong, I heard that there is a girls' school in Songjiang City. Out of curiosity, I decided to Come and have a look.”

Even Zicuckoo thought this was false. She thought to herself: If she had known this would happen, she would have asked sister Qingwen to come for her when she went out today.

Daiyu replied calmly and generously: "Since my cousin wants to visit, you might as well come in and take a look." After that, she said to the old man who was watching the door, "If foreigners come, the door does not need to be closed. "

The old man nodded in agreement. He just thought it was the mountain chief's family who came to find out about the situation of Yunjian Academy. The people coming to the left and right are all noble people, and it doesn't matter if they take a look.

Baoyu, who was extremely happy inside, could still pretend to be calm on his face. He just followed Daiyu into the academy, and the neighbors came to inquire about Baoyu's origins.

At first glance, this guy with thin skin and tender flesh is not a wild kid from the streets. Baoyu thought he was hiding in the dark and no one noticed him, but in fact, he looked like he was wearing ordinary clothes. For the people who are exposed to the sun and rain every day, it is just like taking off their pants to fart, which is unnecessary.

The old man guarding the gate saw that these people were talking about good things, and he knew that these people had their own plans. Yunjian Academy is not only criticized among officials. Many people in the city are still looking at it with a cautious attitude, and they are eager to have some fun.

"He is the cousin of the Mountain Chief. He heard about the name of our academy and wanted to come over and have a look." The old man pointed at the door, "Look, the Mountain Chief didn't even let me close the door."

"Harm, I said that person is good-looking and must be a family member of the county magistrate. How could he be some ruffian..." someone said very disappointed.

The old man snorted in his heart, if he closed the door, there might be some rumors in the future.

Baoyu didn't know how much trouble his willful behavior would bring to the struggling academy. Still following Daiyu happily, they just walked around the screen wall when they heard the sound of the old master and his students reading.

"Good, really good." Baoyu praised repeatedly, "Compared with the title of official wife, the status of mountain chief is really more suitable for you." In order to restore his old image, Xu deliberately ended his words with a dry Added, "He really does understand you."

Daiyu's brows were furrowed until she heard the last sentence, then she relaxed slightly and said happily: "My husband does understand me."

"Knowing that you are living a good life makes me happier than being an official or reading any book." Baoyu said sincerely. But only God knows how much pain he felt when he said this.

Daiyu was afraid of disturbing the children while they were studying, so she only took Baoyu around in the courtyard. She also hoped that the other party would understand that he, a man, should not stay here longer.

Unexpectedly, Baoyu couldn't understand her hint and talked excitedly about the changes in the Jia family along the way. Some said that the old lady was renegotiating Yingchun's marriage, some said that his father had found another job in the Ministry of Industry, etc.

Seeing that he was so interested in chatting, Daiyu had no choice but to say: "My cousin came to see me today just to talk about this?"

The intention of chasing away guests is so obvious. Baoyu felt very uncomfortable when he heard this. He really couldn't explain why he came today. I just want to see you once, even if it's just from a distance. Seeing the real person, he couldn't help but come up and say hello.

"Yes, I just stopped by to see you." Baoyu coughed and responded dryly.

"Cousin is still waiting for you. Cousin should go back early." Daiyu wanted to see off guests again, and she had to rush to teach students.

"Okay." Baoyu nodded blankly. The conscience of heaven and earth, he comes today. I really just want to eliminate the misunderstanding of myself in Sister Lin's mind. Baoyu has always been timid, and there are only so many things he can think of and dare to do.

He felt that his purpose was so simple, why would Sister Lin be so resistant to others? For a moment, the corner of his mouth turned bitter and he said, "Sometimes I think, what if..."

"Cousin." Daiyu suddenly interrupted in a cold voice. She didn't need to guess, she knew what Baoyu would say next. "There are no ifs, and there are no eventualities. No matter how many times we do it again, the result will be the same."

There is nothing greater than grief. The hope that Baoyu had waited for countless times turned into dust and smoke and drifted away in the blink of an eye. He had thought that he was too late. I also thought about Daiyu's marriage and could only listen to her parents.

But she never dared to think that it was Daiyu who wanted to marry herself, but it was Sister Lin who didn't have him in her heart at all.

"Okay." Baoyu nodded blankly and took another careful look at Sister Lin. Her brows have lost the soft color they had when they first met. More like a sapling exuding vitality, it has begun to develop its unique tenacity against wind and rain.

The sister Lin in my memory has grown up.

Why am I alone, still parked in the yard and unable to get out?

Daiyu really didn't care what Baoyu was thinking. If the other party continued to stay, it would be really bad for the academy's reputation if word spread. With a cold face all the way, Baoyu was sent out of the door. She didn't even say a few words, and was about to tell the concierge that the class would be held behind closed doors.

A carriage hurriedly drove up the street, and the person who came was none other than one of the family servants. Seeing him holding the reins, he stopped the carriage and said to Daiyu: "Madam, there is something going on at home. I ask the two ladies to go home quickly."

It was fine when I went out, so why did something happen? Daiyu panicked for no reason. Unless it was a big deal, Chen Heng would rarely disturb her at this time. Not to mention, he still asked himself and Yinglian to go back at the same time.

Not caring about anything else, Daiyu immediately dropped Baoyu and asked Zijuan to invite Yinglian out and get on the carriage back home together.

Fortunately, the county government office was not far from the academy, and the two ladies had already returned home in the time it took to make a cup of tea. As soon as he hurriedly walked into the hall, he saw Chen Heng standing there with a sad face. In front of my husband was a stranger in plain clothes.

Seeing that his wife finally came back, Chen Heng forced himself to calm down and introduced to them: "This is Master Pei's grandson."

Daiyu stood beside Chen Heng and held his hand tightly. He looked towards the young man again and saw that the other man's cuffs and collar were decorated with mourning etiquette. Daiyu's face turned pale immediately, and then she asked in a trembling voice: "What happened... happened...?"

"My grandfather died of illness last winter. In February this year, my grandmother also traveled to the west with my grandfather."

After hearing this short sentence, Daiyu's head and eyes became dizzy, and she was almost unable to stand. Fortunately, Chen Heng discovered it in time and quickly reached out to hold him.

"How could this be so, how could this be so..." As she spoke, Daiyu's tears couldn't stop falling.

I may have to go to the hospital tomorrow. My back hurts so much. It hurts so much today. I get cramps when I move...