Chapter 924
Jia Qiang Finds a Living
Chapter 924 Jia Qiang Finds a Living
Beijing,
The dusk was like a veil, gently covering the Rongguo Mansion and the sky between the Ningguo Mansion.
now,
The lights were bright between the Ning and Rong mansions. The hustle and bustle of the day gradually subsided, and was replaced by a different kind of liveliness.
More than twenty tables of food were set up on the open space in the southwest corner. Many workers who had just finished work, after a day's hard work, sat together and enjoyed the meat dishes on the table. This was ordered by the Second Mistress of the Rongguo Mansion herself, and they were guaranteed to eat their fill.
In the yard where the workers were working, there were temporary sheds with flickering lights. Many people were working and chatting. They were all from the same clan or nearby workers. They knew each other well and swallowed their saliva, waiting for the people in front to finish eating before they could take their turn.
Around the table in the middle of the yard, some rolled up their sleeves, some sat astride a chair, their faces tired but somewhat satisfied, eating noodle soup. The table still had the usual three dishes: a big bowl of stewed meat, a big bowl of mixed vegetables, and a whole bowl of noodle soup, emitting an enticing aroma. The guys sat together, talking to each other, talking about a lot of interesting family stories.
But there was something strange. At a table at the far east, several people were eating in silence. Suddenly, Jia Qing picked up his chopsticks, picked up a large piece of stewed meat, put it into the bowl of someone next to him, and asked;
"Brother Qiang, you just came back and you are weak. Come, eat more meat. We can think about the rest tomorrow. We brothers are not ungrateful people. I just don't know whether you are living in Ningguo Mansion or in the small courtyard in the alley these days."
After this question, several people at the table, such as Jia Fang, Jia Qin and others, also put down their bowls and chopsticks and kept silent. Although they didn't know how much Jia Qiang had suffered in prison, they could imagine it. After all, Jia Qiang in front of them was not only frail, but also pale. Today, he couldn't even move a piece of wood. It was obvious that his life these days was very hard.
Jia Qiang did not despise it. He pushed the bowl forward and took the piece of fat and lean meat. He picked up the chopsticks and put a few mouthfuls into his mouth without hesitation. After swallowing it, he felt a warm current rising from his stomach, which satisfied his craving.
As for what Jia Qing said just now, he had thought about going to the Ningguo Mansion to ask Madam You for a place to live, but because he had just been released from the government prison, he was unlucky. If he offended the madam and the master, this last support would be gone.
"Qing'er is right. I just got out and haven't settled down yet. How can I go to the mansion to ask for help? It just so happens that there is work here, enough to earn some food and drink. The three houses in the alley are the property of the Ningguo Mansion. Brother Qiang lives there."
The person who spoke was Jia Qin. They all knew about the division of Ningguo Mansion, but no one dared to bring it up. Although Madam You was easy to talk to, the eldest lady of the West Mansion was the head of the East Mansion. Without knowing the eldest lady's temper, how could they dare to "speak up for justice?"
So they took this opportunity to discuss this matter together, but before they could finish their words, Jia Fang stopped them and rebuked them:
"What you said makes sense, but Qiang Ge'er is the great-great-grandson of the Ningguo Mansion. Even if the family is divided, Qiang Ge'er will have a share. Now that the mansion is making a big move, if you don't fight for it now, then you may not be able to fight for it in the future. That's right and that's not right."
Although Jia Fang is young, he understands some things. Just like what they say in the opera troupe, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. When the family is divided and left, what you have in your hands is real. Later, who can recognize it? So, when the family is divided, take as much as you can.
As soon as this word comes out,
Everyone at the table was silent, and they all agreed in their hearts that what he said made sense. Jia Qiang picked up the bowl again and took a big sip of the noodle soup. After he felt warmer, he tried to ask,
"I appreciate your kindness, brothers. But now that the Ningguo Mansion is divided, how can I fight for it? Besides, the West Mansion's eldest lady is in charge of the Ningguo Mansion. Madam You has been staying in the East Garden, resting and taking care of her pregnancy. How dare I bother her? I am really in a dilemma!"
He sighed, his face full of sorrow. The cloth clothes on his body were covered with dust, clinging to the cloth clothes. He was so tired. If it was the guy over there, he would be fine wearing simple clothes, but now it was worn by Qiang Ge'er, he felt so sad.
Jia Qing and the others were reluctant to speak. They had grown up together and were almost like brothers. Unfortunately, they were all concubines' sons and had a miserable life. They had no choice but to put another piece of meat in Qiang'er's bowl. Thinking of how good Jia Qiang had been to everyone in the past, they could not just stand by and watch.
"Brother Qiang, don't be sad. If the Ningguo Mansion doesn't ask, how can the Rongguo Mansion not ask? Now is the important time for the queen to return home to visit her relatives. It's better to ask yourself than to ask others. Since the Rongguo Mansion can be the head of the family, then go and ask the Second Mistress. I'll tell you something."
Jia Qing hesitated. He knew some things but couldn't say them. He hesitated for a long time and didn't speak. Seeing Jia Qin and others anxious, he couldn't help but complain.
"Hey, Qing'er, why are you still hesitating? No matter how much trouble there is, we are all from the same family, and we have played together since we were young. We share the joys and sorrows together, and we also have the strength to help each other."
"Yes, Brother Qing, you are older and know more. Brother Qiang has helped us a lot in the past."
Jia Fang also followed up with a sentence. Although he couldn't think of any good solution, he was not an ungrateful person. With just a few words, he made Jia Chen, Jia Qiong, Jia Lin and others who were sitting around him excited and restless. Well said!
Jia Qing saw that they were all brothers, so he had to speak up and said;
"Well, now that we have come to this, as the elder brother, I have to speak the truth. Brother Qiang, do you know why Jia Rong was able to move out overnight and never leave the house after the division of the family?"
"How can I know this?"
Jia Qiang had just been released from the prison in Shuntian Prefecture a few days ago. He first found a place to live, took out the silver and money hidden in his room, packed up his things, and rested for two days.
Later, I thought of a way to find a job here to make a living and fill my stomach, and think about the rest later.
He had not seen Jia Rong yet, although he knew that he lived in a courtyard at the south end. However, he was alone and in such a bad state, and had no good excuse, so how could he visit him? He might not even be able to enter the gate and was driven out.
"Humph, not only you don't know, but many people don't know the inside story. This matter was done very secretly, but there is no wall that is impenetrable."
Looking around, everyone was eating enthusiastically, and no one was paying attention to this place. Jia Qing lowered his head and whispered in a low voice;
"The night Jia Rong left, it was my turn to be on night watch. I happened to find the corner gate of the Ningguo Mansion's backyard and saw three carriages parked there. I stopped and hid in the corner. Unexpectedly, not long after, a group of women came out from the back door, including the three concubines of the Ning Mansion and the court ladies. After getting on the carriages, they went around to the east and avoided Ningrong Street. Where do you think they went?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone at the table was shocked. During the period of mourning, how could they act like this? Jia Qiang's eyes flashed, and his body immediately became energetic. He remembered the three concubines, who were born with elegant and graceful temperament.
Before she entered the mansion, she was the most popular prostitute in the brothel. Master Zhen spent a lot of money on her. He personally ran errands for Master Zhen, but he didn't know that Jia Rong was so bold. The three concubines always have a status. Even if they have no other children, keeping them in the mansion is still in line with human ethics.
Now Jia Rong actually dared to take the three concubines back and spread the news, and even made up rumors about it. This is extremely unfilial. Thinking that the person in charge of Ningguo Mansion now is the eldest lady of the West Mansion, he began to think about it.
"Brother Qing, this is impossible. How dare they leave if the heads of the two mansions don't speak? If the master family finds out, even if Rong Ge'er pleads for mercy, they will still be punished according to the family rules."
"yes,"
Jia Qin and the others simply didn't believe that such a mess would never happen in the Duke's Mansion.
"Then if the master agrees, it is not impossible to invite the three concubines to live out the rest of their lives and make room for the new master."
When the leisurely words came, Jia Qiang had already finished a bowl of noodle soup. He swept away his tired look and saluted the people at the table with his fists clasped.
"I have kept in mind all your righteous words. The affairs of the master's family must not be spread outside, especially at a special time like this. How dare we talk nonsense when the things inside have not been confirmed? We are all members of the Jia family. We should keep the important and trivial matters in mind. Today happens to be a banquet. Let's eat and drink well and wait for the second wife to come before making any plans."
"Listen to Brother Qiang, don't spread it around."
"Brother Qiang is right. If Second Madam finds out, we will all be punished by the family law."
Everyone at the table also knows what is important and what is not. There are certain limits on what can be said and what cannot be said.
Jia Qiang knew what was going on at this time. He could use this as an excuse to talk to the Second Mistress in detail and find a way out. However, he couldn't let this scandal get out. Otherwise, everything would be over and it wouldn't be good for them. So he reminded them not to let it get out. Seeing that everyone agreed, he felt relieved. He picked up the bowl and shouted to the waiter,
"Come here and fill our bowls. There's not enough to eat."
There was a fire burning not far away, and a servant replied:
"I'm coming, I'm coming right now, the Second Mistress has said that I'll make sure you're well fed today."
With a shout, he brought people and served food to the table. Seeing the table full of dishes, several people, perhaps hungry, picked up their bowls and started eating, not caring about the heat. They quickly divided the two jars of meat.
The people at the tables next to them were also swallowing their food in big gulps. Looking at the swallowing stall, someone sighed and said;
"The work we did today was not easy, and my hands are tired and sore, but Second Madam is kind-hearted. I didn't expect that she would add more food to the buffet tonight. We didn't eat enough last time, so we must eat a few more bowls today."
A young man wiped the sweat from his forehead, picked up the soup bowl, slurped a big mouthful of the broth, and was still chewing the piece of meat in his mouth. "Yes, Second Grandma is kind-hearted. She has been thinking about us these years. We are not limited in food and drink. Life is so good,"
It's not exaggerating. Life is getting better and better. The people of the clan are becoming more and more visible. Now that the master's family has become a royal family, how can they not be happy about these things? Who knows, in the future, they can rely on these identities to make a living. Everyone nodded,
I seem to feel something,
Wang Xifeng, Ping'er, and Lai Wang had already arrived in the courtyard. Seeing the brightly lit area and the busy people at the banquet, a smile flashed across her face.
"The speed is quite fast. The whole courtyard has been dismantled almost completely. It is really worthy of the craftsmanship of the craftsmen. I don't know where the Marquis' Mansion found it. I heard that the craftsmen in the Ministry of Industry have not moved."
"Grandma, keep your voice down. It's better for you to keep some things to yourself. I heard that the Marquis will lead his troops south today. All the soldiers in the city have left the city. I believe he is not afraid of those thieves from some sect and will definitely protect the Second Master."
Ping Er supported Grandma with one hand and comforted her. Many people in the mansion, including Grandma's deceased father, were counting on Master Lian.
"You are so careless that you can even say such a thing. Your second master is fine. They are just some bandits and a group of low-class people. How could they break into the city? Okay, don't say anything else. Let's go over and take a look."
"Yes, grandma."
Ping Er responded very reluctantly, still feeling a little aggrieved. It was because of her grandmother's worry that she said these words. Now she began to blame herself again, stamped her feet and followed, still shouting indignantly,
"Laiwang, hurry up and catch up."
After saying that, he turned around and left. Lai Wang was stunned and touched his nose. It seemed that he had something to do with him. He looked at the servants behind him and got angry.
"What are you looking at? Follow me."
With a shout, several servants bent their bodies, not daring to raise their heads, and followed behind the manager, not daring to leave for a moment.
in the yard,
Whenever the servants, helpers, and the housemaids saw the Second Madam coming in, they all stood there and greeted her politely.
"Hello, Second Grandma,"
"I'm here to greet Second Madam,"
The sounds coming one after another also comforted Wang Xifeng. She nodded in response and continued walking forward.
This sound,
Jia Qiang and the others knew that they had not seen anything, so they all stood up obediently, waiting for the Second Madam to come over and preparing to greet her.
There was a change in Jia Qiang's eyes. He gritted his teeth, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and even left the table. When the Second Mistress came closer, he bowed and greeted her with a fist.
"Jia Qiang sends his regards to the Second Madam. May Madam be well."
The voice was shouted. This voice made Wang Xifeng a little surprised. She looked over suddenly. Although the person looked familiar, his attire was not even as good as that of a servant in the mansion. This was Jia Qiang. Why was he here? She was a little confused. He must have been released by the Shuntian government.
Look at the appearance!
I’m afraid it’s difficult to handle.
I guess he didn't go to Ningguo Mansion to ask for help.
"Oh, it's Brother Qiang, why are you here? Let's eat first!"
I wanted to calm him down first, but I didn't know Jia Qiang would do something even more extreme. He just knelt on the ground, kowtowed, and shouted:
"Second Madam, please give me a chance to live, considering that Master Jing has passed away."
Jia Qin, Jia Fang and others were at a loss as to what to do with Jia Qiang's actions, but Jia Qing was quick to kneel on the ground and shouted,
"Grandma, Qiang'er doesn't even have a place to live now. He has to work hard to get food and drink. Please find a bright future for him."
Jia Qing's wailing instantly awakened Jia Qin and the others, who all knelt on the ground and kowtowed. This movement quickly attracted the attention of the people in the courtyard.
Wang Xifeng glared with an unpleasant look on her face, looking at the people kneeling on the ground, and they were still those gentlemen.
"It's interesting. People from the East Palace don't go to the East Palace to ask for help. Why do they come to me, grandma, and kowtow to me for help?"
Jia Qiang, kneeling on the ground, was still grateful to Jia Qing and the others. He could only repay them in the future.
"To answer grandma, although I grew up in Ningguo Mansion, grandma is still in charge of the affairs of the two mansions. Madam You is recuperating in Dongyuan, and I came out of Shuntian Mansion prison with bad luck. I dare not offend her. I can only take this opportunity to ask grandma for help."
Jia Qiang was sincere and genuine, and really didn't think about anything else. He was loyal and righteous. How could he repay Madam You's kindness?
"Hmph, that sounds nice. Grandma, I think you just like to bully the weak and fear the strong. Madam You doesn't care about the affairs of the East Palace, but the eldest grandmother of the West Palace is in charge. You can't be unaware of that."
Wang Xifeng sneered, somewhat displeased. What offensive words were nothing more than excuses. Besides, Madam You was not pregnant, but the eldest lady was.
"Grandma is right. Jia Qiang was reckless. Let's go find Grandma right away."
He slowly stood up, brushed the dust off his legs, and was about to walk to the West Garden. Everyone around him was silent. Just as he passed behind the Second Mistress, Wang Xifeng coldly called him back.
"I didn't expect Brother Qiang to be so irritable after coming out of Shuntian Prefecture. He left without asking any questions. How can that make sense?"
How could Wang Xifeng push the person to her elder sister-in-law? What if some bad luck was really brought out from the prison and offended her elder sister-in-law? What would she do if something happened to the precious gold nugget?
"Second Madam, didn't you just say you were going to look for First Madam? Only Madam You is in Ningguo Mansion now. The three concubines in the backyard are all there, but they have all left. There is no one to make the decision."
Jia Qiang was not in a hurry. He spoke in a cryptic way and mentioned the people in the backyard, which seemed to have a deep meaning. Wang Xifeng paused, looked at him straight in the eye, and smiled.
"Well, what's the saying? People who have experienced a lot of things tend to be more concerned. It's true. Since you asked me this question, I have to explain first. The Ningguo Mansion has been divided up. Your share is with Jia Rong. Although it's not much, it can be exchanged for silver. I'll send him a letter and I'll convert it into silver when I come back. Oh, it's about three thousand taels of silver. You still have something to ask."
When I heard that it was three thousand taels of silver, it seemed like a lot, but in fact it was not much at all. In the capital, the most expensive thing was a house. A small house would cost at least twenty thousand taels of silver. How could I buy it with three thousand taels of silver?
Jia Qiang bowed, not daring to lose his manners, and replied:
"Grandma, you mean well. Jia Qiang will remember it. Since you have spoken, Jia Qiang will listen. I wonder if you can arrange another job for me?"
Seeing that Jia Qiang did not cry or make a fuss and agreed immediately, Wang Xifeng felt a little embarrassed. If he had made a fuss just now, she could have scolded him and given him the three thousand taels of silver. But now, she could not do that.
"There are also jobs. Ningguo Mansion is going to open a new school and they are in need of someone to clean the school. You can go there and you will be paid according to the salary of the manager. As for the place you live in now, although it is not as good as the mansion, it is also a private house. I have made the decision to grant it to you and will give you the deed later. If you don't want to, Ningguo Mansion is too small and inconvenient to live in, then you can squeeze into Rongguo Mansion."
"Thank you for your concern, grandma. Jia Qiang is grateful. As long as I have a place to stay, how can it be inconvenient? Rong'er doesn't seem to welcome me to his house. I'm afraid I'll get into trouble if I go there."
Jia Qiang stood there, head lowered, not daring to move. His words were clear and concise, which made many people look at him with admiration. Wang Xifeng waved her hand, saying it was not a big deal. She was about to speak, but then she kept silent!
(End of this chapter)