There is a magnificent mansion in the middle of the two Tianshui Lanes in the east of Kaifeng City, covering an area of ​​more than 20 acres, with hundreds of houses and pavilions, and three magnificent halls distributed on the central axis. Ma Qing asked an alchemist to calculate that it is exactly the same as the center of the imperial city.

The axis is vertical.

The palace is arranged vertically from north to south, while the mansion is arranged horizontally from east to west.

The alchemist said that a house in this position would not conflict with the feng shui of the imperial city and would be beneficial to the owner, ensuring that the family's house would be peaceful and prosperous for a long time.

The previous owner of this house was Wang Zhang, the last prime minister in the Liu Chengyou era.

Wang Zhang got Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin supported him, and after Tongping Zhangshi became prime minister, he spent a high price to buy this mansion. He also asked the Ministry of Works to send craftsmen to redesign the decoration, which cost countless money. He had just moved in to prepare for the housewarming, and the bad news of the Guangzheng Palace Incident came

When the war came, hundreds of members of Wang Zhang's family were arrested and imprisoned, and soon they were all executed.

Before the red silk on the plaque on the Prime Minister's Mansion was taken off, the entire mansion was sealed off. Liu Chengyou planned to reward it to Liu Yun, the military governor of Xuzhou, and use it as the residence where Liu Yun would be granted the title of Duke.

Therefore, there were many defects in the building of this mansion that exceeded the regulations, and Ma Qing tried his best to find someone to renovate it, so as to retain the style and characteristics of the original mansion and not let the censor get caught.

Zhu Xiu rushed over in a hurry. When he rushed into the two red lacquer doors, he stopped and looked up at the golden plaque with iron paintings and silver hooks in big words: Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

Then I turned around and looked to the left and right. The gatehouse alone was a structure of three rooms and five bays, with cornices and brackets, and red lanterns hanging high. It was extremely grand. At first glance, it looked like a noble and distinguished family.

"With my rank, isn't it illegal to live in such a house?" Zhu Xiu murmured.

Ma Qing smiled and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Hou, I've consulted someone specifically. It's not a violation of the rules. There are a few suspected violations, but they were all modified by craftsmen, so they can't be seen easily!"

Zhu Xiu glanced at him: "Who are you asking?"

"Several doctors from the Ministry of Etiquette are well versed in etiquette. When they heard that they would look after the house for the Marquis, they all rushed to come!" Ma Qing was quite proud.

"Who wrote those words?" Zhu Xiu pointed at the plaque.

"Old Master Feng Dao! I originally refused to let him go and wanted to wait for the Marquis to come back and write it with his own hand. Although the old master's calligraphy is good, it can't be compared with that of the Marquis!

But when the old master heard that this mansion was bought by the Marquis, he had to write a plaque in his own hand and send it as a gift to congratulate the Marquis on his safe return to the north!"

Ma Qing complained, feeling a little depressed. Mrs. Feng was too concerned about his own affairs.

Zhu Xiu pouted: "Forget it, let's just hang on. I can barely read Feng Dao's two strokes."

Ma Qing hissed nervously: "Master Hou, please lower your voice, I'm afraid Madam Feng is in the house at this moment!~"

Zhu Xiu was also startled and looked around guiltily: "Feng Qingchan? What is she doing here?"

Ma Qing smiled bitterly and said, "Master Hou, you will know when you go back to the house and take a look."

Immediately, Zhu Xiu did not dare to delay and led Wu Yangyang's group of people into the mansion.

The house is huge and well laid out, with houses, pavilions, galleries, waterside pavilions and pavilions all in good order. However, there are fewer people and it looks a bit deserted.

Ma Qing led the way, but Zhu Xiu only remembered twists and turns, walked through the long corridor, and then around a small artificial lake. After passing through the middle hall, he walked for a long time before arriving at the back of the mansion.

Hu Guangyue, Bi Zhenhai, and Chen An stayed in the middle hall waiting.

To put it into perspective, Ma Qing was Zhu Xiu's subordinate, his slave, and the steward of the Hou Mansion. He was the earliest to follow Zhu Xiu, so he was completely a member of the Hou Mansion, and there was no taboo in entering or leaving the back house.

"Uncle is back!"

Zhu Liang and Zhu Fang ran over excitedly after hearing the servant's report.

The two dolls wore new clothes, and they have grown much taller and stronger. They are no longer as thin as when they first met, and their skin has become whiter.

With sufficient nutrition, the excellent genes of the old Zhu family began to appear. Zhu Liang had a tiger-like head and a strong body compared to his peers, just like his father Zhu Wu.

Zhu Fang is becoming more and more beautiful, and she already has the beginnings of a beautiful woman.

The two dolls wanted to hug Zhu Xiu's thighs, one on the left and the other on the right. Suddenly, they remembered that their grandmother and mother had told them not to lose their etiquette not long ago. They also thought of the etiquette taught by Sister Zhou Xian. They suddenly stopped on Zhu Xiu's side.

In front of me, he bowed in a similar manner:

"Greetings to uncle! My uncle has returned safely, which is a great blessing to our Zhu family!"

"Haha~" Zhu Xiu picked up Zhu Fang and touched Zhu Liang's head: "Who taught you this?"

Zhu Liang said seriously: "Grandma and mother said that when you come to Kaifeng, you can't embarrass your uncle! Our old Zhu family will be officials in the future, so we must have official etiquette and rules!"

Zhu Fang said in a soft voice: "Sister Zhou taught me."

Zhu Xiu nodded Xiao Nizi's nose and said with a smile: "Good teaching. Madam Zhou is a lady of our family, knowledgeable and courteous. You should learn from her."

The two dolls obediently agreed. Zhu Liang frowned and corrected his sister: "Mrs. Zhou will marry our uncle in the future, who is our aunt, so we can't call her sister!"

Zhu Fangdu said: "But they are not married yet!"

Zhu Liang said: "You can't call me sister even if you're not married. There's a seniority difference! You little slug has no manners!"

Zhu Fang said angrily: "Sister Zhou asked me to call her sister!"

"Don't scream! You have to call Mrs. Zhou!" Zhu Liang argued loudly.

Zhu Xiu was so noisy by them that he quickly stopped and said, "Since Madam Zhou has given permission, Da Ya can call her whatever she wants!

And you kid, don’t talk nonsense, auntie, you’re making people laugh!”

Zhu Fang put her short arms around Zhu Xiu's neck, giggled, and made a proud face at her brother.

Zhu Liang scratched his head and said, "Mother said it, it will happen sooner or later!"

Zhu Xiu glared at him and slapped him on the forehead gently.

This boy has thick black hair on his tile-shaped head, which has been tied into a boy bun, like a school boy.

"Have you been lazy in practicing martial arts recently? Where is your master now?" Zhu Xiu asked him.

Zhu Liang muttered: "Master has gone to the palace to serve as an official. He has not been here for half a month..."

Zhu Xiu was startled and asked in surprise: "Pan Mei joined the palace as an official? What's going on?"

Zhu Liang scratched his head and said with a grimace: "I don't understand either. Last month there was a guy named Zhao... What the hell is Zhao? His name is hard to pronounce..."

"Zhao Kuangyin?!" Zhu Xiu reminded him with a suspicious look on his face.

"Yes! My name is Zhao Kuangyin! He is a fair-faced man with big ears. He brought many gifts to visit grandma. When he met the master, the two of them talked behind closed doors for a long time, and then the master left the next day.

I didn’t say when I would come back..."

Zhu Liang had a sad face and was a little depressed. He was still waiting for Pan Mei to come back to teach him his martial arts.

Zhu Xiu was surprised that Pan Mei was called away by Zhao Kuangyin?

Zhao Daer actually poached someone while he was away?

Could it be that these two guys had a bad connection in their previous life, and they went around and got entangled again?

Ma Qing quickly whispered: "I have sent someone to inquire about this matter, but I haven't had time to report it to the Marquis. Zhao Kuangyin invited Pan Mei to serve in the front class of the palace. Now Pan Mei has served as the guard of the first class of the outer palace, guarding the palace.

The East China Gate of the city."

Zhu Xiu opened her mouth and didn't know what to say.

A small guard is just a low-level officer, without even a rank, but that is the guard of the imperial army in front of the palace, and it is not something that anyone can become if they want to.

Pan Mei had previously only had the title of military attaché, who had been promoted from the eighth rank to the Royal Academy. When she first entered the palace, she was able to serve as a guard in front of the imperial guards. There must be Zhao Kuangyin's full support behind her.

Now that the Dianqian Division is about to be established, the trend of the two factions of the Forbidden Army to stand side by side has become clear. Judging from Guo Wei's attitude, the Dianqian Army's status will be slightly higher than that of the Guard Division in the future.

The Department of Palace Front will also replace the Department of Guards and become the emperor's primary agency for controlling the imperial army.

Nowadays, military academies of all sizes are trying to get into the Imperial Army, and they are waiting for the Imperial Army to be officially established so that they can have real power.

Under such circumstances, Pan Mei's joining the various classes in front of the palace will be of great benefit to his personal future.

"That's all, let's discuss this matter in two days."
Chapter completed!