In the intersection of Xinjie, the Earl's Mansion.

The old man's mourning hall was set up in the front yard of the Earl's Mansion. It was supposed to be stopped for 49 days, but because the weather was getting hotter, it would be stopped for 30 to 21 days. In the mourning shed, there were nanmu coffins that were raised by one person. In front of the coffin were various fruit and fruit offerings. Yongqing led several cousins ​​to kneel down and guard the spirits to return the ceremony. On both sides, there were 7049 monks and Taoists doing rituals. The sound of wooden fish and chanting in the yard were mixed together.

Cao Yong and Ma Jun arranged for the chief to offer sacrifices, and then the two of them burned incense in front of the spirit.

Yongqing looked a little haggard and his eyes were covered with bloodshot. When he saw two friends coming, he stood up to greet him.

Cao Yong and Ma Jun inevitably gave a few more words of comfort. The old man died at seventy years old, which was a joyful funeral, so he had to take care of himself.

Yongqing nodded and responded, but his expression could not hide the pain. Cao Yong thought of himself three years ago, the pain of bereavement could not be relieved by comfort, so he would not say more.

When Ma Jun saw that the person who was following Wan Jiha just now was Yongsheng. Thinking of Yongqing's future situation, even if his parents were concerned about his daughter-in-law's affection, it was inevitable that he would be biased.

The three friends were speechless. The brothers of Wan Jiha and Luo Cha respectfully welcomed the two young men in. The twenty-six and seven years old in front of them had a phoenix eyes, slightly thin lips, and a smile; the twenty-something behind them was a fist higher than the one in front of them, and their appearance was somewhat similar to the one in front of them. The difference was that the corners of their eyes were slightly downward, their facial features were more prominent, and their every move was filled with a kind of murderous aura.

Wan Jiha attacked the Count, which was already a superb grade; Luo Cha was the second-rank minister, and the answer was about to come out if the two could treat each other like this.

When Ma Jun saw the visitor, he lowered his head and said to Cao Yong: "It's the Ninth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince who have arrived!"

The ninth prince Yinzhen (tang), born in the 22nd year of Kangxi, is 26 years old this year. His biological mother, Concubine Yi, Guo Luoluo, was just named Beizi last month. Concubine Yi, one of the four court concubines in Kangxi's harem, has two princes. The eldest son is Prince Heng of the fifth prince Yinqi, and the second son is the ninth prince Yinzhen.

The Ninth Prince Yinzhen was a well-known "Eighth Master Party" in history. It was the right-hand man of the Eighth Prince Yinsi (si). Therefore, he was disgusted by Yongzheng and ended up miserably after Yongzheng came to power.

The 14th Prince Yinzhen (zhen), born in the 27th year of Kangxi, is 21 years old this year. His biological mother, Concubine De, is also the beizi who was named last month. As the same brother of the fourth prince Yinzhen, he is a "Eighth Master Party".

Seeing the two people in the "Nine Dragons Fight for the Throne", Cao Yong was very moved. Even if he was fighting for the throne, he would have to have some technical content.

Four princes gathered under the "Eighth Master Party", but they didn't even have a talkative counselor, and they didn't even understand the principle that the tree attracted the wind.

Kangxi deposed the crown prince last year and said that all officials would recommend the crown prince. As a result, these people rushed to the fire and tinkered with half of the court officials to jointly recommend the eighth prince who was famous. This was simply a provocation to the imperial power. How could Kangxi allow it? The evaluation of "My mother's family is humble, how can she be the crown prince" shattered the prince's dream of being a yellow woman.

Last month, Kangxi re-established the crown prince and also conferred the adult princes is also enfeoffed. In addition to the eldest and thirteenth princes who were sick due to the deposed prince last year, the third prince Yinzhi was appointed Prince Cheng, the fourth prince Yinzhen was appointed Prince Yong, the fifth prince Yinqi was appointed Prince Heng, the seventh prince Yinyou, the tenth prince Yinzhen was appointed Prince Prince, the ninth prince Yinzhen, the twelfth prince Yinlu, and the fourteenth prince Yinzhen was appointed Prince. There is no share of the eighth prince who is well-known.

Cao Yong made up his mind to avoid these ruined matters of the royal family. Even if the ninth prince Yinzhen had poached two imperial chefs, Yu Tian and ruined Lin Xiazhai's business, he had nothing to resent.

With Cao Yin and Zhuang Chang, two old foxes, how could someone make a fool of themselves? If the Ninth Prince was not a cover and the Cao family was in danger, there would be no Kangxi's later words to maintain them. Some people might have been trying to deal with those tea gardens. It would be fine if they knew something in their hearts. When Cao Yong thought of Gu Na, who was working in the Ninth Prince's Mansion, he was a little annoyed.

The two princes came to the ceremony, in addition to the in-laws between the 14th Prince and the Earl's Mansion, it also reflects the importance of the "Eighth Master Party" to the Wanyan family.

Cao Yong and Ma Jun had retreated aside, but the two princes still looked here after the incense. Their brothers had been traveling south in their early years, but Cao Yong was still a child of a few years at that time. The fourteenth prince looked arrogant and cold, but the ninth prince smiled slightly and walked towards the two: "Isn't this a new Jinshi Ma Jun? Why? When I see you, I don't treat you. I want you to come here in person!" While saying that, he looked at Cao Yong beside Ma Jun.

Ma Jun looked a little embarrassed and bowed his head, "The villain has seen Master Ninth and Master Fourteenth!"

Ma Jun has a good relationship with Yongqing. He has been to the 14th Prince's Mansion and has met the 9th Prince.

Cao Yong stood behind Ma Jun, unable to avoid it, and could not just lean over as a gift like Ma Jun. He had to follow the bannerman's courtesy, shook his sleeves and hit a thousand: "Slave Cao Yong has met Master Ninth, Master Fourteenth, and the two Masters are auspicious!"

The Ninth Prince smiled: "You are Cao Yong, it's too difficult to meet you."

The 14th Prince's face looked ugly: "Cao Yong, I asked you, did you deliberately cut off Guishan's legs!"

That's all. Their relative's cousin didn't say anything, why was it your turn to follow? Cao Yong was unworthy, but he was frightened on his face and looked at the Fourteenth Prince in confusion: "Fourth Master, what do you say?"

Seeing Cao Yong frowning slightly and his face full of fear, the Ninth Prince and the Fourteenth Prince did not speak, Yongqing couldn't stand it, so he stepped forward and said, "Two masters, Cao Yong is still young and is not doing well. Don't blame him, but please invite him to have tea in the hall!" After that, he said to Cao Yong again, "You have not yet recovered and you still need to take good care of yourself. I won't keep you for more today!"

Even if Yongqing didn't say it, Cao Yong was too lazy to stay. He had no intention of clinging to the dragon and phoenix, and he was not interested in being a slave in front of these princes. Due to his status, he still had to be respectful in appearance. Cao Yong first said goodbye to the two princes, then said goodbye to Wanjiha and Luocha, and finally the two brothers Yongqing and Yongsheng.

After leaving the Earl's Mansion, Cao Yong and Ma Jun both breathed a sigh of relief. Yongqing sent the two out, but when he saw them feeling relieved, he was a little amused. He could talk to the two princes, so many people could not ask for it, but the two people in front of him were like cats and mice.

When he left on a horse, Cao Yong asked Ma Jun: "Have you offended the Ninth Prince? Otherwise, why did he look so good?"

Ma Jun shook his head and said, "I am a little Jinshi, how dare I offend the prince? I am so kind and powerful. If I can hide, I will just hide!"

"Where are you following this? Have you ever been in love with the Ninth Prince?" Cao Yong was a little surprised.

Ma Jun smiled bitterly: "It's such a great kindness!"

It turned out that before the exam started, Ma Jun had followed Yongqing to the 14th Prince's Mansion. Just as the Ninth Prince was treating a guest in Taoranju, he was dragged to join in the fun. He didn't want to go and see that many candidates from the background of aristocratic families were present. Among the guests invited by the Ninth Prince, there was the main examination of the exam for the exam. According to taboos, candidates and examiners could not meet before the exam. However, since it was the prince's treat and they met "unintentionally", everyone naturally didn't care.

Although the rules in the exam are strict and there is nothing to cheat, those who pass the Jinshi like Ma Jun have to accept the favor of the Ninth Prince.

When Cao Yong heard this, he was clear in his heart that these princes were drunk and did not drink wine, but they were the idea of ​​fighting against scholars, but in fact they were focusing on the power of the family behind them. Just so wanton, would he really treat Emperor Kangxi as an old man who was deaf and dazzling?

After leaving Xinjiekou, Cao Yong and Ma Jun waved goodbye. According to the rules of selecting officials in the History Department, new Jinshi like Ma Jun had to wait for the first half of the year before they could make a reality.

*

West of the city, Cao Mansion.

When Cao Yong came back on a horse, he saw a canopy red-wheeled carriage parked at the gate.

Hearing the sound of horse hooves, the person inside lifted the curtain and showed a white little face: "Cao Yong, you are back, I've been waiting for you for a while!"

The person who came was Baoya Gege from the Prince's Mansion of Pingjun. He was plain and faced with the sky, wearing a light blue flag dress, and had no jewelry on his head and hands.

Because of Cao Yong's beating, Baoya once pulled the children of the Inlaid Red Flag to avenge Cao Yong. Although the group fight did not take place under the intervention of Prince Ping, Cao Yong still felt a little grateful and was not as disliked as before.

"Have the princess been to the Earl's Mansion?" Cao Yong asked.

"Yeah!" Baoya nodded: "I went to say annoyance to Sister Yongjia. When I came out, I saw you coming in through the front door and came over to wait for you to return home. I received all the gadgets you gave me. I am here to thank you today!"

It turned out that Cao Yong came back from Changping and brought several pairs of hares and mountain hedgehogs. Seeing the girls liked Amethyst, Cao Yong thought of his sister's side. It seemed that pregnant women were not suitable for raising these small animals. Because he thought that Baoya came forward to show his last time to show his grievances, he chose the right little rabbit and sent it to him, which was a thank-you gift.

"When I come, go in, why are you waiting at the door? Go in, I will accompany the princess to give me two games!" Cao Yong saw the little girl's eyes looking at him with bright eyes. When he thought of Cao Yi in Jiangning, he felt soft and said with a smile.

"Well, that's great! Sister Yongjia is mourning at home, and now there is no one to play chess with me!" Baoya got off the car excitedly, without any kindness as a lady. The two mothers who followed him hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade him: "Prince should pay attention to his demeanor, this is not in line with etiquette!"

Baoya glared at her eyes: "Stop talking, let me say another word, I will ask my sister-in-law to punish you two months of silver."

The two women wanted to persuade him again, but they felt sorry for Yinzi and covered their mouths with a ridiculous expression.

Cao Yong knew what the two mothers were worried about. The Cao family currently has no female relatives in Beijing. It is indeed unethical to be a guest like Baoya. Cao Yong just saw the little girl alone and couldn't bear it for a while. He wanted to play chess with her, but he did not want to have a quarrel. So he led Baoya to the living room and arranged many maids and mothers to serve inside and outside the house, avoiding suspicion.

When Baoya saw the chessboard, she had changed her expression and was actually serious that she had never been.

Cao Yong only understood the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, but of course he was not her opponent. He was killed and defeated in less than two quarters of an hour.

Baoya failed to enjoy the fun and begged for another game. Cao Yong was unwilling to lose too badly, so he made careful moves, but he could not change the defeat in the end.
Chapter completed!