Chapter 230 Ancestor Worship
The news of the death of a beggar and two yamen runners in Nancheng eventually spread.
Not to mention how frightened Mr. Liu was, even after Shen Ning asked someone about the general situation, he sat there without moving for a long time.
Prince Jin is dead?
Not dying of starvation and freezing, but having his throat cut by a knife?
And those two bailiffs...
Does this mean that Mr. Dong was about to find out, but was interrupted by someone who was one step ahead of him? Shen Ning sighed softly, "Qingzhu, please ask Jiao Da to come over."
The old man is very experienced and should know many secrets that outsiders don't know. When she was trying to break the impasse and had Jia Zhen assassinated, he pushed it forward so perfectly... He must know the secret agents of certain forces.
Shen Ning didn't intend to ask about the remnants of the previous dynasty, but as for the north or the Japanese pirates...
If she could, she would like to move.
Jiao Da came very quickly, "Madam~"
"sit!"
After the maid served tea, Shen Ning waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave, and then said, "Do you know what happened in Nancheng?"
"yes!"
Jiao Da's expression was very solemn, "I didn't expect that the King of Jin would die so tragically."
He was very happy that his revenge was achieved, but who killed the King of Jin? This time, he was very sure that it was not their master.
The master left on the second day after the mutiny after making sure that everything was fine at home.
"But judging from the two dead yamen runners, Lord Dong knew that they belonged to the Prince of Jin. Now... I'm afraid he will suffer some consequences."
No matter how useless the Prince of Jin is, he is still a prince.
If he did that, the emperor would probably feel uncomfortable.
Jiao Da was very worried about Mr. Dong.
"Master Dong, don't tell me beforehand."
The emperor didn't bother to find fault with Lord Dong at the moment. He probably wanted Lord Dong to solve the case more than anyone else.
Shen Ning said, "Jiao Da, I just want to ask, who else do you think was behind the mutiny besides Mr. Liu?"
This? Jiao Da paused and asked, "Who do you think is the author of this, Madam?"
"The Japanese infiltration shouldn't be that deep, but since they have taken action against our family, we must have been taken advantage of."
Shen Ning could only analyze: "The ones who have the power to help Mr. Liu capture all the princes are either the prince's old subordinates, or the forces from the previous dynasty or the north have intervened."
She looked at Jiao Da, "The prince's old subordinates... Do you think our family still counts as one?"
“…”
Jiao Da shook his head slowly.
Among the prince's old subordinates, the most powerful one is the master.
So the master was put aside by the emperor.
Even though the emperor had regretted the matter of the crown prince, he did not dare to use the master again to prevent any accidents.
The lady had already taken advantage of various circumstances and led the Jia family to join the emperor.
Therefore, in the minds of those people, the Jia family cannot be trusted at all.
The master also knew this, and after making sure that the Jia family was safe, he left quickly.
"Before leaving, the master once said that the Qing emperor in the north was quite capable and had employed many Han officials."
Jiao Dadao: "Those people have no other abilities, but they are familiar with us."
The Han officials should be credited with the primary credit for enabling us to break in.
"They may not be very capable in dealing with the Rakshasas, but they should be able to take advantage of various conflicts and relationships with us."
At this point, the old man sighed, "The Jia family is already considered a minister of the emperor. Those people almost all know my face. After the mutiny, I went out to look around, and all the secret agents I knew about have been transferred."
Therefore, he didn't know who was behind Mr. Liu.
"Then forget it."
Since Jiao Da couldn't find anyone, Shen Ning had no choice.
"Since those people know you, you will..."
"I'm old now, those people won't do anything to me."
Jiao Da suspected that she was going to say that she should bring more people with her when she goes out next time.
He has lived a free and easy life all his life, but he doesn't want to be afraid for his life at the end of his life.
"Madam, you are concerned about this matter mainly because you are worried that something will happen to the Emperor, right?"
"Um!"
Shen Ning nodded, "The emperor has just recovered the Hetao area, and he has also taken great care of our Jia family. Naturally, I hope he will live long and peacefully."
"The Emperor was able to sit firmly on the throne despite being besieged by the Emperor Emeritus and so many princes. He must be capable."
Jiao Da thought she was worrying too much. "Besides, he has three sons. If something happens to Prince Jin or Guilty Manor, the emperor will be alert."
Having said this, he paused for a moment before continuing, "Before the master left, he said that our family should not get too deeply involved in royal affairs."
The lessons from the past are there.
In the past, the relationship between the old master, the Duke of the West Mansion and the retired emperor was so good!
The prince was wise, and the relationship between the master and the prince was good, so their Jia family could have been stable.
But what is the result?
"…Did he say that?"
Shen Ning sighed in her heart, "Then why didn't you tell me?"
"The master said... when Rong'er grows up and enters the court, he will talk to you and him."
Their master looks down on me.
The master cannot enter the court, and only the wife is involved, so it’s actually nothing.
However, when Rong'er grows up, a new struggle for imperial power will begin.
Shen Ning vaguely understood his unfinished words. After seeing Jiao Da off, she couldn't help but go up to Tianxiang Tower again.
At this time, the wind and snow were getting stronger and people were hurrying.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the last grand court meeting ended. The emperor had only put down his pen for an hour when rumors about the strategy to deal with the Japanese began to spread in the capital.
At the same time, Shen Ning's "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" signed by Jin Yong, the first part "The Iron-Blooded Heart" and the second part "Ashes of Time" were also quietly put on the shelves in You's bookstore.
It didn't even make a splash.
When readers see that it is a novel, they naturally ignore it.
However, as the owner of the bookstore, Youshi received two copies from the shopkeeper.
Since his sister Jia Yue was a little girl, Jia Zhen learned how to attend school. Whenever he saw his wife reading a book, he would take it and read to her.
However, as he read on, he couldn't help but get deeply immersed in it.
"This Jin Daxia is really good at writing!"
The more Jia Zhen read, the more addicted he became. The couple even ate only a few mouthfuls of food in a hurry, stayed up half the night, and continued reading the next day.
"No, this isn't finished yet!"
The couple was stunned.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong have become the people they are thinking about.
Regardless of the fact that it was late and the bookstore was already closed, he specially summoned the shopkeeper over.
"You didn't send all the books, what else?"
Jia Zhen was too obsessed.
I had the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms in my dream last night.
He was eager to know the follow-up.
But how could the shopkeeper know? He also stayed up late to watch, and the dark circles under his eyes were even bigger than Jia Zhen's.
"Uncle, it's not that I don't want to send it, but I don't have it anymore."
The shopkeeper was very happy that the old man was also urging for the book. "My wife had someone send this book over. She said she would release the first two volumes first, and the second volume will be released depending on the market."
"I...I'll go ask my mother?"
Although it is already very late, but this novel..., anyone who has read it must absolutely read it in its entirety.
"Now?"
You Shi hurriedly pulled him back, "Mother must have gone to bed by now," she was more concerned, "and tomorrow we have to offer sacrifices to our ancestors, so mother won't be well again. If we go over now, it would be bad if we disturb her sleep."
Ancestor worship itself is quite tiring.
This year, there is an additional tablet for father-in-law.
No matter how good the book is, it is not as important as my mother-in-law’s health and mood.
Jia Zhen: “…”
He turned around pitifully several times, and he and the shopkeeper sighed to each other, feeling helpless.
I just slept this night...
Jia Zhen’s dreams were all about the world of The Legend of the Condor Heroes.
On New Year's Eve, early in the morning, Eunuch Liu from the palace came in person on behalf of the emperor to express his condolences. He gave away gold, silver, royal wine and other things, and received a big red envelope before turning to the next family.
This was the first time since the emperor ascended the throne that he had control over power and money. Although he rewarded the nobles and old ministers according to the rules of the retired emperor over the years, he was still very busy.
However, because of the emperor's reward, the Jia family was even more glorious when they offered sacrifices to their ancestors.
The main priest this year is Jia Zhen.
Because of his high status, Jia Zheng was also brought back early.
However, he used to stand in the front and was the second most dazzling figure after Jia Jing.
Even during the years when Jia Jing was not doing so well, although he could not get the position of chief priest, he was still the most important person in the Jia family.
Now, he was still standing in front, but he was dressed in cloth, and his appearance was different.
Jia Zheng stood there and for the first time understood the former Jia Jing.
Everyone can see him, but everyone wants to avoid him.
He put on a smiling face, but others were just perfunctory.
This year Jia Zhen offered wine, Jia She brought Rong Ge and Jia Lian to offer silk, Jia Zhu and Baoyu held incense, Jia Yun, Jia Chang, and Jia Ling spread out prayer mats and guarded the burning pool.
After the first sacrifice was completed, everyone left and carried out the second sacrifice to their ancestors. However, this time the sacrifice was moved to the main hall, and the main priest was replaced by Lady Jia.
In the center of the main hall hung the portraits of the two ancestors Ning and Rong, both of whom were wearing jade robes and python waists. The portrait of Jia Jing was placed next to Jia Daihua.
Whole pigs and sheep were brought up, and Jia's mother and Shen Ning served the dishes, rice, soup, and wine.
Then the kowtow...
Shen Ning kowtowed so much that he felt dizzy.
When the half-time was over, she was helped up by Li Wan.
The main thing was that Li Wan didn't expect that the old lady sent someone to pick up her father-in-law, but left her mother-in-law behind.
She had no one to help her.
It just so happened that Youshi was pregnant, and it was not her turn to take care of the old lady, so she simply came to take care of her aunt.
Shen Ning's body was indeed much weaker after being sick. After the whole process, she just wanted to go back and lie down.
However, as the mistress of Ningguo Mansion, it was even more difficult for her to leave when even Lady Jia, who was older than her and lived next door, was receiving relatives.
Fortunately, everyone was considerate of her because of Jia Jing, and of course, also because of her own reputation. Even the old aunts in the clan were full of kindness when they met her.
When time was extremely difficult for her, she did not notice the look in her eldest son's eyes from time to time.
Jia Zhu also thought that elder brother Zhen was just worried about his aunt's health, so he quietly told several important elders and peers. As a rare occurrence, no one played finger-guessing games or said drinking games, and the New Year's Eve dinner ended early.
Jia Zheng hadn't eaten so much meat for a long time, and although he ate very moderately, he filled his stomach.
However, others were well fed and had their own carriages to pick them up, but he...
"Mother~"
Most of the others had already left, so Jia Zheng had no choice but to leave as well.
When he kowtowed to Lady Jia to say goodbye, tears welled up in his red eyes. "Your son cannot serve you. Here, I wish you happiness as vast as the East Sea and a life as long as the Southern Mountains!"
Wang couldn't come.
She eats bland meals at home.
Jia Zheng, however, was eating the meat.
The meat was so delicious! He didn't know why he didn't like it before.
"My son is unfilial, son... goodbye!"
“Go…, go!”
Seeing Er'er who had lost a lot of weight, Jia's mother felt sad, "Zhu'er, Baoyu, take Huan'er with you and send him off."
"yes!"
Jia Zhu had been waiting for a long time.
Since his mother couldn't come, he and Baoyu had to go and see her.
In the carriage, Jia Zhu touched his father's coat and made sure it was still thick, which made him feel relieved.
Jia Zheng looked at his three sons, all dressed in rich clothes, with mixed feelings, and sat there without saying a word.
He didn't say anything, so Baoyu and Jia Huan certainly didn't dare to say anything.
"Father, these days, you..."
“Very good!”
Jia Zheng's voice was a little choked up.
Even his son couldn't save him.
"Your couplet..."
“Not sold out.”
Jia Zheng sighed in his heart, "I gave away all the unsold items to the people on the farm."
Jia Zhu: “…”
Baoyu: “…”
As they were older, they understood what their father meant.
But Jia Huan didn't know.
He carefully peeked at his father.
If his aunt had not told him to do so for several days, he would not have dared to approach his father, who was almost a stranger to him.
"It's fine to give it as a gift."
Jia Zhu sighed in his heart.
Since my parents are not working, life will probably become more and more difficult.
"When spring comes, the fields at home..."
"Well, several elders have made it clear that they will teach us."
Jia Zheng knew that his son now had a heavy workload.
The clan members looked down on him, firstly because he was incompetent and secondly because his son had not yet become an official.
"Zhu'er, don't worry about us. Just study hard."
The more officials are dismissed from office in the court, the more opportunities there are for candidates to take the imperial examinations in spring.
Jia Zheng had great hopes for his eldest son. "Has your father-in-law told you about the affairs of the court?"
"yes!"
Jia Zhu nodded, "My father-in-law said I have great potential."
That's good.
Jia Zheng's body relaxed a little, "When you see your mother later, if she cries..., don't worry too much."
"…My son knows."
My father looks better than before.
Jia Zhu was relieved, "Father, you and mother take care of your health, so that your sons... your sons can rest assured."
“…”
Jia Zheng patted his eldest son on the shoulder silently.
"Father, do you remember those Imperial College examination papers that I showed you?"
After thinking for a while, Jia Zhu said, "See if you can recite it and go to each guild hall and push it?"
Although doing so is embarrassing for scholars.
However, face is nothing compared to life.
Jia Zhu felt that his father and mother had to survive first.
Otherwise, it would not be enough to live on just the money my father earned from writing letters.
Especially since they both still owe money.
"You can also go to the bookstore to copy books."
Baoyu looked at his father, then at his elder brother, and said, "Cousin Min said he wanted to practice calligraphy, so he took on the job of copying books in the bookstore. While copying the books, he practiced his calligraphy and made some money at the same time."
His eyes were full of sincerity, "Rong Ge'er is also copying books and practicing calligraphy."
Last day, asking for monthly tickets
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
