Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 112 The Grand Ancestral Shrine Ceremony: The Jia Family Attracts Attention from Inside and Outside the Capital!
On the fifteenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of the Yongping reign (the full moon day), at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM).

As dawn broke, the capital city was quiet. Ningrong Street was already decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers. Members of the eight branches of the clan, along with servants from the two mansions, gathered on the street, setting up tables, chairs, and benches from the gate tower to the end of the street.

Both mansions changed their door gods, couplets, and plaques, and repainted the peach wood charms, giving them a brand-new look. From the main gate, ceremonial gate, main hall, warm pavilion, inner hall, inner three gates, inner ceremonial gate and inner side gate of Ningguo Mansion, all the way to Ning'an Hall, the main gate was wide open, and on both sides of the steps, there were tall vermilion lights, like two golden dragons.

Although the Rongguo Mansion next door was not as grand as the Ning Mansion, its main gate was still wide open, and the maids and servants could only enter and exit through the passageway and side gates.

"Master!!!"

In the backyard of Ningguo Mansion, four personal maids, Jingzhe, Mangzhong, Bailu, and Xiaoxue, were already waiting by his side, along with dozens of other maids carrying trays with a variety of clothing and accessories.

"Ah."

Jia Yan had already washed and dressed, wearing only a silk undergarment, and stood there with her arms outstretched.

Jingzhe and Mangzhong personally took the python robe from the tray and put it on her. Bailu tied up her black hair and put it on with a small purple-gold crown, with a white jade hairpin in the middle. Xiaoxue carefully checked the smaller ornaments to make sure nothing was missed.

Time passed by, and soon it was 5:45 AM. Lin Daiyu held Xiao Xichun's hand and looked longingly at the inner courtyard.

“Tap tap.”

A tall, imposing figure strode out in the candlelight. He was eight feet tall, with his hair tied up in a purple-gold crown, wearing a crimson satin robe with a round neck, wide sleeves, and a jade belt around his waist. He wore octagonal boots, giving him an air of awe-inspiring nobility.

"Wow!!!"

Little Xichun exclaimed aloud, a look of surprise appearing on her innocent face.

Lin Daiyu looked at the handsome young man before her. His face was as sharp as if carved by a knife, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. He had a tiger-like body and a monkey-like arm, a burly belly and a wolf-like waist. Every gesture and movement of his body exuded the air of a king or nobleman. He was high above everyone else and looked down on everyone else. A strange shadow was planted on the strings of the young girl's heart, and her heart was stirred.

"younger sister."

Jia Yan patted Xi Chun's head affectionately and said, "Second sister and third sister must be awake by now."

"Wait here with Lin Daiyu for a while. I will come to find you later."

"Brother, you go ahead."

Little Xichun nodded sensibly and took Lin Daiyu's hand.

"Thank you for your trouble, Sister Lin."

He glanced at Lin Daiyu and said gently.

"Brother Yan, please go ahead with your work. I will take care of Fourth Sister."

Lin Daiyu knew that the protagonist of the day was the young man in front of her. The women of the Jia family could not participate in the ancestral hall ceremony, so they had to do other things, such as arranging the three-day long street banquet. They, as guests of the Jia family, also had to go along to welcome the ladies of dukes and marquises and young ladies who came and went.

"Ah."

Jia Yan walked out of his courtyard with an air of grandeur.

"My lord!"

The twelve guards all changed into the uniforms of the Light Cavalry Captains. They were first and foremost Jia Yan's retainers, and only secondly generals of the Great Qian Dynasty. Naturally, they could not remain uninvolved in this grand ancestral rites. Dong Yong personally led over a black Wuzhumuqin horse.

"out!!!"

Jia Yan took the reins, leaped onto the horse's back like a hawk, and waved his hand.

"Ta-ta-ta! Ta-ta-ta!"

The dull thud of hooves echoed through the early morning, startling everyone in the Ningguo Mansion. Twelve personal guards formed a wedge formation, protecting Jia Yan as they galloped away.

"Second Master is out!"

Along the way, the servants and maids of the Ning family stood against the walls, their faces solemn.

The ancestor of the Jia family was Ji Gongming, the youngest son of Tang Shuyu, the younger brother of King Cheng of Zhou in the Western Zhou Dynasty. He was granted a fiefdom and became the Earl of Jia, ruling the Jia state for 342 years until it was destroyed by Duke Wu of Jin. The descendants of the Jia family then dispersed to various places, passing down the family name through generations and honoring Jia Gongming as the founding ancestor of the Jia surname.

The Jia family of Jinling originated from the Zhi'an Hall, a name derived from Jia Yi, a literary figure of the Western Han Dynasty. They settled in Jinling during the Southern Song Dynasty and have been there for 599 years. When the Daqian Dynasty was founded, Jinling was first established as the capital, and later the capital was moved to Shenjing. It was then that the two Dukes Ning and Rong established a separate ancestral hall in the capital, which was jointly worshipped by the eight branches of the family in the capital.

All eight branches of the Jia family in the capital city are descendants of Jia Yan and Jia Yuan. Their descendants are related to Jia Yan within five degrees of kinship. Since the establishment of the Jia family ancestral hall in the capital, two grand ceremonies have been held. The first was for the completion of the ancestral hall, and the second was for Jia Daishan to take over the Rongguo Mansion. This is the third one.

Because the Ningguo Mansion was the head of the clan, the ancestral hall was built to the west of the Ningguo Mansion. The Ningguo Mansion was the head of the clan and was responsible for taking care of the Jia family ancestral hall. Jia Zhen and his son Jia Rong started making preparations early. Jia Zhen changed into the uniform of a third-rank general, while Jia Rong had no official rank and was just wearing a bright red brocade robe.

Jia She and Jia Zheng led Jia Lian, Jia Cong, Jia Baoyu, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan to the Ning Mansion. The elders and descendants of the eight branches of the family in the capital had already gathered at the ancestral hall. The hall was crowded with people, and everyone held their breath, not daring to utter a single word.

"I'm coming!"

From afar, Jia Lian and Jia Rong heard the sound of horses' hooves. Looking over, they saw Jia Yan galloping out of Ningguo Mansion, surrounded by twelve guards, and arriving at the ancestral hall in the west. The ground trembled, and the twelve guards all pulled on the reins.

The overwhelming aura of the military formation turned Jia Lian and Jia Rong pale, their bodies trembling. They stood frozen at the door, unsure whether to go forward to greet them. The servants and young men of the Jia family who were attending them were even more trembling.

"Clap!"

Jia Yan dismounted and looked at the building in front of him. Five gates stood in a circle of black lacquered fence, with an exquisite plaque hanging above them that read: "Jia Clan Ancestral Hall" in four large characters, with the inscription "Written by Duke Yansheng Kong Jizong" on the side.

On either side of the main gate is a long couplet that reads: "With blood and brains spilled on the ground, the people rely on the grace of protection; with merits reaching the heavens, generations will look up to the prosperity of the sacrifices made."

'hehe! ’

Upon seeing the three small characters "Duke Yansheng," Jia Yan sneered inwardly. The Kong family, which had been practicing submission for generations, would one day bring shame upon these sages' descendants.

"Second Brother/Second Uncle!"

Jia Lian and Jia Rong snapped out of their daze and quickly stepped forward to greet them.

"Everyone's here?"

He glanced at them and spoke with an air of authority without anger.

"Yes."

Jia Lian and Jia Rong didn't dare to say a word more, they just nodded respectfully.

"Lead the way."

Jia Yan said calmly.

"Tap tap!"

The two men, one on the left and one on the right, walked obediently into the ancestral hall, like guiding boys.

Jia Yan followed behind, with twelve personal guards behind him. His official robes, bearing the hereditary title of a third-rank light cavalry captain, alone drew attention.

Upon entering the gate, one is greeted by a white stone-paved path, with rows of lush pine and cypress trees growing along the way. The trees are exceptionally robust, and their branches have been carefully pruned, suggesting that the servants of the Ningguo Mansion take meticulous care of them on a daily basis.

From afar, on the platform, one could see rows of ancient bronze tripods and ritual vessels, their green hues gleaming. Half-person-high red candles and incense sticks with dragon motifs were already prepared, held aloft by servants with solemn and dignified expressions. Reaching the porch, Jia Yan stopped and looked up. Above hung a golden plaque with nine dragons, inscribed "Starlight Assists the Emperor," written by the Great Qian Emperor himself. On either side were couplets: "His achievements shine as brightly as the sun and moon; his merits extend endlessly to his children and grandchildren." These too were written by the Great Qian Emperor.

Five main halls stand before you, with a plaque inscribed with dragon motifs hanging high above the entrance, bearing the words "Remembering the Ancestors and Keeping in Mind." Beside it is a long couplet: "May future generations inherit blessings and good fortune; may the common people remember Rong and Ning." All of this was written by the Emperor himself, demonstrating that the Jia family had received imperial favor for generations!

There are quite a few people.

Gazing at the hall filled with the glow of incense and candles, the embroidered curtains and brocade screens, and the bustling crowd, Jia Yan pondered to himself.

“Tap tap.”

Jia Lian and Jia Rong tactfully returned to their respective positions. The Jia family members stood in order of seniority, with Jia Yan presiding over the ceremony, Jia She assisting, Jia Zhen offering libations, Jia Lian and Jia Cong offering silk, Jia Lan holding incense, and Jia Yun and Jia Qiang spreading out the prayer mat and guarding the incense burner.

Everyone's eyes were drawn to the figure walking in from outside the hall. He walked with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, a heroic young man. The younger generation of the clansmen were filled with respect, while the older members of the clansmen were moved to tears. After decades, the Jia family finally had someone who could stand up for themselves.

Although Jia Yan's face showed his youthful vigor, no member of the Jia family dared to underestimate him. At the age of sixteen, he was the Marquis of Daqian, a first-rank general of the cavalry. Even princes and dukes had to show him respect.

The Jia family members all knew that today's grand ceremony was not only to comfort their ancestors, but also to announce to the entire clan that from now on, there would be one more branch in the capital, establishing a new main lineage besides the Ning and Rong families, which would be the Marquis Wu's Mansion.

"Uncle She, Uncle Zheng, elder brother."

Dressed in a jade belt and python robe, Jia Yan entered the ancestral hall, which symbolized the bloodline and authority of the Jia family. Gazing at the ancestral tablets in front of the hall, his heart was heavy.

"Play the music! Fire the cannons!"

Jia She raised his right hand high, and his powerful voice resounded throughout the surroundings.

"Play the music! Fire the cannons!"

The clansmen on both sides echoed in unison, and the sound gradually spread outwards. The servants who had been waiting for a long time lit the firecrackers. The crackling sound spread from Ningrong Street throughout the capital city, attracting the attention of high-ranking officials, nobles, and wealthy merchants.

Immediately afterwards, the music of the Qingyi musicians filled the Jia family ancestral hall, awakening the memories deep within the Jia family members. From the wealth and honor gained by the two Dukes of Ning and Rong through bloody battles, to the death of Jia Daihua, the second-generation head of the Ningguo Mansion, on the battlefield, and Jia Daishan, the second-generation head of the Rongguo Mansion, succeeding to the title of Duke of Rongguo, all the way to the present day, the Jia family has produced another remarkable figure. The clan members were filled with excitement and fervor.

"In the seventh year of Yongping, the year of Bingwu, on the fifteenth day of the fifth month, the Jia family of Shenjing offered sacrifices at the ancestral temple, saying: 'Our ancestors, the two dukes Ning and Rong, served as the vanguard of the king, surveying and pacifying the north and south. They followed the will of Heaven and the wishes of the people. Their achievements surpassed those of the state, and the world respected and admired them.'"

"Yan, the great-grandson of Ningguo, emulated his ancestors with courage, bravery, and perseverance, driving out the Tartars and stabilizing the northern frontier. By imperial decree, he is hereby granted the title of Marquis, with the title of Wu. He is hereby proclaimed to all ancestral temples to pay homage to his ancestors and offer sacrifices!"

At this moment, Jia Dairu, the eldest of the eight branches of the family, personally read the sacrificial text aloud. The faces of the clansmen tightened, and the entire ancestral hall was filled with a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

"Yan-ge'er, come forward."

After Jia Dairu finished reading the eulogy, Jia She gently called out to Jia Yan.

Jia Yan immediately stood in front of the ancestral tablet, with a prayer mat in front of him and sacrificial offerings of cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, and so on behind him.

"bye!"

"It is Jia Dairu, who is in charge of the ceremony, who shouted loudly."

"Clap!"

With a heavy heart, Jia Yan bowed deeply.

"Goodbye!"

"Three bows!"

After bowing three times in succession, Jia Yan lifted the hem of his robe with both hands and knelt on the prayer mat in the center.

"One kowtow!"

"Two kowtows!"

"."

He kowtowed nine times before Jia Yan was able to stand up.

"Uncle Yan!"

Jia Lan, holding the incense, walked to Jia Yan's side.

"Ah."

Jia Yan took the three incense sticks from his hand, lit them, and solemnly placed them in front of the hall.

Jia Lian and Jia Cong stepped forward and slowly threw the silk scrolls they were holding into the incineration pool. Only after watching the blazing flames completely engulf the scrolls did they return to their positions.

At this moment, Jia Zhen stepped forward. Jia Jun handed him a wine cup, and Jia Guang, holding a jar of Gujing Gongjiu, opened the seal and slowly poured the wine into the cup in Jia Zhen's hand. The wine was as clear as crystal and as fragrant as orchids.

"offer!!!"

As Jia She's voice rang out, the wine cup in Jia Zhen's hand fell to the ground.

Then, Jia Ying poured him a full jar of Shaoxing rice wine.

"Ya Xian!"

Jia She shouted, and Jia Zhen stepped forward to offer wine.

Finally, Jia Chen stepped forward with a bottle of Shanxi Fenjiu liquor and filled it to the brim.

"Final Offering!"

The last cup of wine in Jia Zhen's hand sank into the ground, marking the end of the three-course toast.

The grand sacrificial ceremony finally came to a close, and the music and rituals fell silent.

"Yan-ge'er".

Jia She, Jia Zheng, and others surrounded Jia Yan, escorting him to the main hall of the ancestral hall. In front of the hall, brocade curtains were hung high, colorful screens were set up, and incense and candles shone brightly. In the center of the hall hung the portraits of the two ancestors of Ning and Rong, both wearing python robes and jade belts. On both sides were several scrolls of portraits of other ancestors.

Jia Lian, Jia Rong, and others lined up one by one from the inner ceremonial gate to the main hall corridor. Outside the threshold were Jia Huan, Jia Lan, Jia Cong, and others, while inside the threshold were a group of elder clansmen. The twelve personal guards and collateral relatives were all outside the ceremonial gate.

Each dish was served and passed to the ceremonial gate, where Jia Lian, Jia Rong, and others received it and passed it down to Jia Huan and others on the steps. Those whose names contained the radical for "literature" were led by Jia She, followed by those with the radical for "jade" by Jia Zhen, and then those with the radical for "grass" by Jia Rong. The five main halls, three side halls, inner and outer corridors, and the two red steps above and below the steps were filled with flowers and brocade, leaving no space empty. There was no sound except for the clanging and tinkling of golden bells and jade pendants.

Representatives of the eight branches of the Jia family in the capital held a lunch banquet in the ancestral hall, exchanging toasts and enjoying themselves immensely. The focus of everyone's attention was on Jia Yan, the young military commander who had become the new pride of the Jia family.

On Ningrong Street outside the ancestral hall, the ceremonial guards and musical instruments of the Duke of Ningguo were set up on the east side, and the ceremonial guards and musical instruments of the Duke of Rongguo were set up on the west side. Passersby all turned back and did not pass through. Three hundred tables were set up in the middle of the street. Four kinds of snacks were served first, followed by eight hot dishes, eight cold dishes, and one soup. The food was dazzling and the aroma wafted far and wide on the wind.

At Ningguo Mansion, the guests were all nobles and officials, arriving in an endless stream. At Rongguo Mansion, they were all dukes' wives and young ladies. The servants and young men who were just counting the gifts were so busy that their hands and feet were trembling and they couldn't keep up with the flow.

The founding four kings, eight dukes, and twelve marquises, the Yuan dynasty's lineage, and the current Yongping lineage—which of them wouldn't come? The name of Marquis Wu, Jia Yan, signifies not only military achievements but also power; who wouldn't want to befriend the new elite of the dynasty?

In an instant, all eyes in the capital city were focused on the Ning and Rong mansions.

(End of this chapter)