The fifteenth day of the second month.
The emperor emeritus brought the four princes, Jia Zhen, and Jia Yao to the Imperial Plantation for a vacation. The concubines went with them.
Only Grand Concubine Zhen and the emperor emeritus went with them.
As for the Prince Zhongshun that Grand Concubine Zhen mentioned,
The emperor emeritus didn't bring him along at all.
Just as Grand Concubine Zhen was crying about how she missed her son,
The emperor emeritus only said a few words faintly.
If you miss your son,
Then don't go with him. You're getting on in years.
It's also good to stay in the harem.
Grand Concubine Zhen weighed the pros and cons in her heart. She and the empress were the only ones going with the emperor emeritus this time. If the relationship between the empress and the emperor emeritus improved, then the emperor emeritus would be more on the emperor's side. She wouldn't do such a stupid thing.
Thus, it could only be said that accompanying the emperor emeritus was the most important thing.
She didn't miss Prince Zhongshun anymore.
Tu Chen was happy to see Grand Concubine Zhen go as well. This woman was too much of a troublemaker.
Even though the empress had been in charge of the harem for many years,
She still couldn't completely remove this woman's informants.
It was also good that she went this time. At least the harem would be much more peaceful.
In the third month, the mourning period in Rongguo Province was finally over. Originally, after the mourning period, it was time to invite family and friends to gather at home and wash away the dust. However, Jia Xie was still in Jinling, so Mother Jia only invited the Eastern Prefecture. She said that she invited the entire Eastern Prefecture. Only Xia Lu went. Jia Liushi was pregnant and her pregnancy wasn't stable. She could only rest in bed. Jia Jing was a man and had to attend morning court. He really didn't have the time. He could only come back early in the evening and pay his respects to Mother Jia.
Mother Jia knew that Jia Zhen and the others had been taken to the imperial residence by the emperor emeritus. Before they left, Jia Zhen had specially brought the children to say goodbye to Mother Jia. "Did Zheng 'er reply? When will he return from the imperial residence?"
"Master said that he's not sure yet. Didn't our family's children and imperial grandsons plant vegetables before? This time, the Retired Emperor specially brought them to the Imperial Courtyard to plant vegetables. I reckon that they won't come back until the vegetables grow. No matter what, it will take at least two or three months." Xia Lu calculated the time. The vegetables here didn't have any fertilizer to grow quickly. It would take at least two or three months for a batch of vegetables to grow and be edible.
"Then they'll probably come back after summer. You and Zheng 'er are also demons. You uprooted the garden in the residence and changed it to vegetables. You even let the children do it. Let's not talk about our children. Let's talk about the princes. They are royalty, but you're willing to torture them like this. Farming is so hard." Mother Jia's heart ached for the children. However, since the princes were also farming, she couldn't say anything. However, when Jia Lian and the others presented the vegetables that they had painstakingly grown to Mother Jia, Mother Jia's tears flowed out. She immediately ordered the kitchen to prepare the vegetables and then ate them all. She didn't leave a single bite for the servants. These were all personally planted by her obedient grandsons as a show of filial piety. She wouldn't share them with the servants.
They had never suffered since they were young. It was okay for them to suffer a little now. It was much better than them not being able to distinguish between the five grains. They would be the pillars of the imperial court in the future. If they didn't understand the suffering of the people, how could they help the emperor make the country better?
"I'm just a housewife. I can only guard this small piece of land. Old Madam doesn't know about national affairs. Old Madam only cares about her grandsons." Mother Jia rolled her eyes at Xia Lu.
Xia Lu shrugged and changed the topic. "Uncle She should be back soon."
"He already sent a letter home. After the mourning period ends, he will come back after visiting some family friends in Jinling. He should be back by the end of May at the latest," Mother Jia said.
"That's good. When the head of Rongguo Province comes back, it won't be lonely anymore." Xia Lu glanced at Mother Jia and found that her eyes were filled with anticipation. After all, they had been separated for so many years. It was normal for her to miss her husband. "When Uncle She comes back, his return will come back.
During the mourning period, the capital has changed greatly. When the time comes, Jing 'er and Zheng' er will have to take care of him. Otherwise, he will really be blind. "Mother Jia sighed. When the old master was still alive, their Rongguo Province was stronger than Ningguo Province. However, after the old master passed away, Rongguo Province had been mourning for three years. Ningguo Province had surpassed Rongguo Province. First, the prince was raised in Ningguo Province, and now, Zheng 'er was an official.
"Of course …" Just as Xia Lu was talking to Mother Jia, the butler of Rongguo Province came over and said that the Second Master's family had come to pay their respects to the Old Madam.
Mother Jia's expression was indifferent as she said, "Let them in."
Seeing Mother Jia's expression, Xia Lu shut his mouth and watched the situation develop.
"Madam." Jia Zheng and the Jia Wang Clan brought Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun over. When Jia Zheng saw Mother Jia, he knelt down and said, "Greetings to Madam. Your son has been mourning for the past two years. It is your son's fault for not paying his respects to Madam. Your son is unfilial, so he specially came to pay his respects to Madam with his wife."
When the Jia Wang Clan, Jia Zhu, and Yuan Chun saw Jia Zheng kneel down, they hurriedly knelt down as well.
"What's wrong with mourning for the old master? Zhi 'er, Yuan Chun, come over and take a look at the Old Madam." Mother Jia felt uncomfortable when she saw Jia Zheng's appearance. She' er could bring the old master's coffin to Jinling, but what about her second son? He didn't do anything to help the old master's coffin. As expected, it was still wrong to mourn for the old master. How ironic.
When Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun heard Mother Jia's greeting, they looked at their own mother. The Jia Wang Clan nodded slightly. Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun then stood up and walked towards Mother Jia.
"Grandmother's good grandchild has lost weight." Mother Jia touched Jia Zhu's face and then touched Yuan Chun's face. "You must not have eaten well during mourning. Now that the mourning period is over, you must nourish your body well. Don't exhaust your body. Your body is not well. When the imperial physician diagnosed you, your body was already weak. Grandmother will use your uncle's invitation to invite the imperial physician over to take a look at your body." Mother Jia looked at Jia Zhu worriedly. Her small face had become smaller, so she didn't want to leave behind any lasting effects.
"Thank you, Mother." The Jia Wang Clan knelt beside Jia Zheng and hurriedly said. Now, she no longer had any hope for Jia Zheng. She placed all her hopes on her children.
"Get up and sit down. Zhi 'er and Yuan Chun are my granddaughters after all. My heart aches for them." Mother Jia looked at Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun and said.
Jia Zheng and the Jia Wang Clan stood up. At this time, the servant was very perceptive and moved chairs over for Jia Zheng and the Jia Wang Clan to sit down.
After the two sat down, Xia Lu nodded at the Jia Wang Clan as a greeting. She hadn't seen the Jia Wang Clan for a long time. Now that she suddenly saw her, she felt that she had aged even more. She had the dull personality that was recorded in the books.
"Mother, you cared for Yuan Chun before and wanted to let Yuan Chun reunite with our family. Now that the mourning period is over, Yuan Chun can still be raised by you," Jia Zheng said.
When the Jia Wang Clan heard Jia Zheng's words, her hands that were hidden in her sleeves clenched into fists. She looked at Jia Zheng. It was obvious that Jia Zheng hadn't discussed this matter with her. If she was only placed with her mother-in-law, for the sake of Yuan Chun in the future, she would be willing to do so no matter how reluctant she was. After all, her mother-in-law was the wife of the Duke Rongguo, a first-rank wife, while she was only the wife of a fifth-rank Minister Counsellor of the Ministry of Works. In the future, it would be better for her mother-in-law to find a husband for Yuan Chun. However, her husband and mother-in-law didn't intend to find a good husband for Yuan Chun from the beginning. Instead, they wanted to send her to the palace.
The Jia family's mother thought for a while and looked at the expectant Yuan Chun. She said, "You can leave her with me, but you can't interfere with Yuan Chun's marriage in the future." She looked at Yuan Chun. Her color was indeed good, she was dignified and dignified, and her birthday was also one of the best. However, before her husband left, he had repeatedly reminded her that the daughters of the Jia family couldn't enter the palace.
"Okay, I'll follow your arrangements," Jia Zheng was ecstatic.
"Zhi 'er is already in his teens. It's time to start looking for a wife for him. You have to keep Zhi' er in mind," the Jia family's mother said.
"Mother, don't worry. Zhi 'er's intention is to first pass the imperial examinations before thinking about this matter. When Zhi' er passes the imperial examinations, the range of choices will be wider," the Jia Wang Clan's mother hurriedly said. She was afraid that after she finished speaking, her son's marriage would also be snatched away by her mother-in-law.
"Okay, you have more things to worry about." The Jia family's mother looked at the nervous faces of the Jia Wang Clan and only felt bored. They spoke as if she really wanted to take on this job. Since she had so much free time, she might as well help her Lian 'er. When Lian' er reached the age where he wanted to see a wife, she would definitely pick a good one for him. She would strive to have two in three years.
"Yes." The Jia Wang Clan's mother finally let out a sigh of relief. Previously, her sister-in-law had the intention of betrothing her niece to Zhi 'er. She still wanted to go and ask if it was still valid.
Jia Zheng didn't care about this. He didn't know how many years it would take for Jia Zhu to pass the imperial examinations. However, it was different for Yuan Chun. In a few years, Yuan Chun would be able to enter the palace. When Yuan Chun was favored, he would be the emperor's father-in-law. Thinking about the Zhen family that had risen up with the help of Grand Concubine Zhen, as long as Yuan Chun was favored and gave birth to an imperial heir, he would still be able to step on Jia Xie.
Afterwards, the Jia family's mother sent for an imperial physician to take the pulse of Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun. Yuan Chun was fine, but Jia Zhu's body wasn't optimistic. His body was weak and he had worked so hard. He had used up too much energy. If he continued like this, he might not live past the age of twenty.
"What?" The Jia Wang Clan's mother almost fainted when she heard the imperial physician's words. She suddenly looked towards Jia Zheng and happened to see the guilty look on Jia Zheng's face.
Although the Jia family's mother was old, she wasn't so old that her eyesight wasn't bad. She immediately noticed the sharp glances between the Jia Wang Clan and Jia Zhen. "What's going on, Second Brother's wife? Tell me." The Jia family's mother was furious. The imperial physician had already diagnosed Zhi 'er. Based on how worried she was about Zhi' er, she definitely wouldn't allow Zhi 'er's health to deteriorate any further.
"My Zhi 'er." The Jia Wang Clan's tears fell. She looked at Jia Zheng and said, "I've already said that Zhi' er's health isn't good. He can't study day and night like this. Other than assigning homework to Zhi 'er, what else do you know how to do?" The Jia Wang Clan glared at Jia Zhen. Her Zhi 'er was so obedient that he would definitely complete the homework assigned to him. He would definitely wait until she left before quietly getting up to finish his homework. "I'm doing this for his own good.
An unpolished jade won't amount to anything. Moreover, he's a muddle-headed person. His health isn't good, yet he doesn't know how to rest. How would I know that his health is so bad? "Jia Zheng rubbed his nose. At this moment, he felt extremely guilty. He also knew that the homework he assigned was a little too heavy. However, if Zhi 'er didn't work hard now, how would he be able to pass the exams in the future? He was doing this for his own good.
"You …" The Jia Wang Clan was so angry that she felt dizzy. She looked at Jia Zheng and felt that this man was so strange.
Jia Zhu lowered her head. Big tears flowed from her eyes.
"Both of you, get out of here. You're already so old, yet you can't even raise a child well. Zhi 'er and Yuan Chun are both with me. Get out of here. If I let you raise them any longer, my Zhi' er will die." The Jia Clan's mother was so angry that her whole body was trembling. She didn't need to think to know what these two idiots had done.
Zhi 'er had been sensible since he was young. The homework assigned to him by his second son was heavy. Naturally, his second daughter-in-law would quarrel with his second son. In order to prevent the couple from quarreling, Zhi' er, who was a sensible child, could only wait until his mother left to quietly finish his homework. Wasn't he working his heart out? The Jia Clan's mother held Jia Zhu in her arms and glared at Jia Zheng and the Jia Wang Clan. How could there be such a muddle-headed pair of parents in this world? Her Zhi 'er had suffered so much by their side.
"Madam." Jia Zheng called out to the Jia Clan's mother.
"Don't call me Madam. You didn't pass the imperial examinations, so you're desperately forcing your child. You're right. And you, Jia Wang Clan, don't you boast that you dote on your son? Zhi 'er, look at you. You didn't even notice something as important as homework. How careless are you as a mother? After so long, the candles in Zhi' er's room have been used up very quickly. You should also know. You're so muddle-headed. Do you think you won't have to worry anymore if you leave the child in the care of the maids? "The Jia Clan's mother was really angry this time.
Jia Zheng and the Jia Wang Clan had nothing to say. They could only lower their heads.
"Alright, good child. Don't cry. I'm here. I'll make the decision for you." The Jia Clan's mother reached out and wiped away the tears on Jia Zhu's face. Her heart ached for Jia Zhu.
Xia Lu looked at the couple who lowered their heads and shook his head. They were indeed a pair of muddle-headed people. These two people were really a perfect match. Looking at Jia Zhu's young and tender appearance, he knew that he wouldn't live past 20 years old. Life had only just begun.
Just like that, Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun settled down in Rongguo Province. As for their parents, the Jia Clan's mother didn't even ask them to stay for dinner. She directly chased them away. When the couple left, their faces were extremely ugly.
After dinner, the Jia Clan's mother led the servants to arrange the accommodations for Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun. Jia Feng pulled Xia Lu along and said, "This mansion is so lively. Lian 'er is living in your mansion. We don't have any children in our mansion. Now that two have come, when Master comes back, he will be surprised."
Xia Lu looked at Jia Fengshi and understood that Jia Fengshi was offended. She was the mistress of Rongguo Mansion. Jia Fengshi's mother did not discuss with her this time and directly let them stay. From this, it could be seen that Jia Fengshi was not smart. If it was her, she would not show any unhappy emotions since things had already happened. It was just two more mouths to feed. For Rongguo Mansion, it was not like they could not afford to feed them. In this case, it was not a big deal to pretend to be happy to make the old lady happy.
People like Jia Feng were the kind of people who had already done things, but still had to say a few words. In the end, everyone was unhappy, and in the end, they didn't appreciate your kindness. However, it was also because she wasn't smart that Lian 'er could live comfortably in the East Mansion. If she was smarter, she would take the initiative to get close to Lian' er when he was still young and lead him astray. Then it would be really hard to guard against.
"It should be a surprise. It's just two mouths. It's not impossible to feed them. If the old lady is happy, she may take two good things from her private storage. At that time, Uncle She, Aunt She, don't forget your niece-in-law. Everyone who sees it will have a share." Xia Lu smiled.
Jia Feng really wanted to say that her mother-in-law was not so generous. She had been married to Jia Xie for so long. Except for the wedding day when she served tea and received gifts from her mother-in-law on her birthday every year, she hadn't received any gifts at any other time.
Jia Feng definitely wronged Jia Feng's mother. It was true that Jia Feng's mother was quite generous. Even if she didn't like the Jia Chang Clan in the past, she would usually give a lot of good things to the Jia Chang Clan, not to mention the Jia Wang Clan. As for why she didn't give any gifts to Jia Feng, it was because Jia Feng didn't quite understand Jia Feng's mother's tricks. Jia Feng's mother liked to listen to flattery. If you flattered her to the bottom of her heart, she was absolutely generous. The problem was that Jia Feng wasn't straightforward and didn't know how to flatter.
After Xia Lu went back, he thought about it and went to the storeroom. He took out a pair of high-quality ginseng and asked Ziyuan to go to Rongguo Province and send it to Jia Zhu's mother. She said that it was for Jia Zhu to nourish her body.
Ziyuan took the ginseng and went to Jia Feng's mother's house in Xi Province.
"Did your madam leave something here? Why did she send you here again? "Jia Feng's mother joked. Looking at the plate in Ziyuan's hand, Jia Feng's mother understood that Xia Lu sent her to deliver something.
"Ancestor, you must be joking. Madam didn't leave anything behind. She sent me here to deliver something. After Madam went back, she hurriedly went to the storeroom and chose a ginseng to give to Brother Zhu to nourish his body," Ziyuan said with a smile.
"Your madam is so considerate. Yuan Yang, accept the gift." Jia Feng's mother nodded approvingly. Zheng's wife in Xi Province was always thinking of Zhi 'er. She went to the storeroom and found a ginseng to nourish Zhi' er's body. As for Jia Feng, as his aunt, she didn't have any reaction at all. Sure enough, she was a nouveau riche after all. Compared with the Chang Clan in the past, she was a far cry. It was no wonder that the eldest son still couldn't forget the Chang Clan. "By the way, Yuan Yang, didn't I have a golden phoenix hairpin in the past? Find it and send it to Zheng's wife. That hairpin is most suitable for Zheng's wife. "
"Yes, I'll go right away." Yuan Yang accepted the ginseng and took it inside. She then went to Jia Feng's mother's dressing box and found the hairpin.
"Ancestor, is this the one?" Yuan Yang took out the hairpin and showed it to Jia Feng's mother.
"Yes, this is the one. Let her bring it to their madam. Just say that this old woman is very grateful to her. After all, how many children have I raised and given birth to? I'm very soft-hearted towards children," Jia Feng's mother said.
"Ancestor, you're right. Our madam loves children the most." Zi Yuan smiled. "Then I'll take my leave first. Ancestor, you must be busy here. I still have to go back and take care of madam," Zi Yuan said.
"Go." Jia Feng's mother nodded. After Zi Yuan left, she said to Yuan Yang, who was standing at the side, "Look, she's the wife of the head of the Jia family after all. She's so reliable. Look at our family's madam. She's so petty."
"No matter what, Madam Dong's father was a soldier who fought alongside Ning Guogong. He's experienced and knowledgeable under Ning Guogong. His daughter will naturally be extraordinary. Our madam is still young and inexperienced. Ancestor, when you have time, teach her. Once she learns, she'll naturally grow up. Ancestor, you can rest assured," Yuan Yang said.
"You're right. She should be taught well. Let's wait until Eldest Brother comes back. Otherwise, she won't be sensible. When Eldest Brother comes back, she'll complain to him. I'm not afraid of her complaining, but I'm afraid that she'll affect Lian 'er," Jia Feng's mother said.
"Ancestor, you're wise." Yuan Yang flattered her.
"You only know how to flatter. You're getting old. You can't serve me for the rest of your life. Go down and pick someone to take over your position. Now that you're out of mourning, your marriage should be on the agenda. I remember," Jia Feng's mother said.
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