Qingrong shook her head and said in agreement: "I never expected that these men, who are upright and upright all day long, would actually do such a thing."
As soon as these words were said, Mrs. Wei became interested, and she talked about the former courtier who married his daughter in the wilderness for money. The minister also drank wine and had sex with prostitutes, which ruined his reputation... which made Qingrong feel bad about these ministers.
With a new understanding, she couldn't help but think of her husband. In the past, Zhang He was tired of cliques, intrigues, and officialdom. He just couldn't hide from the world, just like a marginalized person.
Thinking of her husband, Qingrong still feels a little sorry. He has always treated her kindly and wholeheartedly. Although she is just practicing the Taoism of Lao and Zhuang and has no feelings for Taoism, her husband is not prejudiced because of this. Now she is married.
I haven't told him yet. But now I have to wait for my husband to finish his retreat before visiting.
As Mrs. Wei was talking, she saw that Qingrong was absent-minded, and she called out, "Sanniang?"
Qingrong came back to her senses and smiled. Mrs. Wei said, "What are you thinking about? You are so lost in thought."
Qingrong shook her head and said with a smile: "But I just felt sad when I heard Madam talk about these things."
Mrs. Wei, however, was not surprised. She said: "Don't be too strange. The people in the court are just ordinary people. How many of them can really be regarded as virtuous? I just don't want to cause trouble to His Highness and the Saint."
Things are hard to come by.”
Qingrong nodded, looking deeply convinced.
Mrs. Wei looked at the sky outside the window. She was very interested and said: "This March day is really beautiful and beautiful in spring. It is perfect for hosting a banquet."
Qingrong smiled and said, "Isn't it? I went to Lingbao Temple a few days ago, and the flowers in the temple were in full bloom. I heard from my sister-in-law at home that this is not the most prosperous time. In early March, the flowers in the temple bloomed.
During the Peony Festival, everything is really colorful, rich and gorgeous."
Mrs. Wei said: "Speaking of which, I have been there before. It was really spectacular, no worse than the one in the Royal Forbidden Garden."
Qingrong smiled softly, "Madam is naturally well-informed. Saying this makes me look forward to March next year."
Mrs. Wei covered her mouth and smiled, "Why wait until then? Speaking of which, there will be a banquet at my house recently, and my mother also wants to invite some female relatives to come and enjoy the spring scenery together. It just so happens that you have nothing to do recently, so why not come and join us?
Banquet?
The purpose of socializing with the female family members is to enjoy the spring, but in fact it has other meanings. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it is to form cliques and win people's hearts. "This..." Qingrong looked embarrassed, "It's just that Qingrong doesn't know those ladies.
, I’m afraid it may disturb your interest.”
Mrs. Wei suddenly remembered what her mother had told her, and she advised: "What's the matter? We've known each other since the beginning, and we've become familiar with each other after seeing each other a few times. Besides, you're now a married woman, so don't say anything else."
, even for that person in your family, you will inevitably have to socialize and socialize with others in the future, so you should get to know more officials and family members."
This is true. Wang also mentioned it to Qingrong. According to the regulations of the dynasty, the Ministry of Personnel must evaluate officials of sixth grade and below based on the four aspects of morality, prudence, public service and diligence every year. According to
Performance appraisal is used to arrange the transfer of officials every four years. For those with grades above five, the prime minister selects and promotes talents based on these four criteria. If you want to be promoted and make a fortune as an official in the government, you must naturally make some political achievements and surpass the staff.
However, if during his tenure, the official has a good reputation among his colleagues, is good at sociability, and is popular among his colleagues, he may be transferred and promoted even if his political performance is mediocre.
In fact, these men are not the only ones who go out. Colleagues often get together. The wives of colleagues also have to communicate with each other from time to time. If someone has a banquet or happy event, the wife has to come out to entertain it. Some things that cannot be made public are also handled by the wife.
His wife comes forward. It can be said that the communication between the wives sometimes has a great impact on the husband's name and reputation outside.
Mrs. Wei's words are indeed reasonable, but she has no intention of socializing for Xue Shao's career now...
Mrs. Wei added another sentence and said: "My mother will definitely be very happy for you to come." With these words, Qingrong immediately understood who this meant.
The words that the Queen said in the Zhengyi Palace today suddenly appeared in her mind. She felt that the Queen would not say those words for no reason. She was a little confused at first. Now Qingrong also understood. I was afraid that she was reminding her,
He wanted to interact with the official family members outside the palace...but what the meaning of this was, Qingrong still didn't know yet.
Qingrong didn't refuse anymore and agreed with a smile.
Mrs. Wei smiled with satisfaction. Although this was her mother's intention, it was rare for her to chat with Qingrong, so she selfishly hoped that she would accept it.
Qingrong asked: "I wonder which other ladies are going to the banquet?"
Mrs. Wei thought for a while and said, "I don't remember much. I only heard my mother talk about Mrs. Pei from Cui Ningqian's family, Zuo Cheng, the Minister of Rites, Mrs. Liu from Wei Shuqin's family, the Minister of Rites, and Yuan Yuan, from the family of Gao Bin, the Minister of Civil Affairs.
Madam... there should be a few female relatives in the mansion, you will know when you meet her."
Qingrong hurriedly wrote down these names and responded with a smile. The two chatted a few more words, and soon the carriage arrived at Xue's house. Mrs. Wei asked the coachman to take Qingrong to Xue's house first, and then returned to Guogong
Mansion.
When Qing Rong returned to Lide Hall, the morning had already passed, and it was almost time for dinner. Unexpectedly, Xue Shao had also returned from the official office.
Qingrong walked into the upper room, felt a little thirsty, and took a sip of buttermilk. She asked Xue Shao: "Why are you back so early today?"
"It's just that I was busy the past few days, so I came back late."
Seeing Qing Rong's worried look, Xue Shao asked, "Is everything okay when I enter the palace today?"
Qingrong lowered her eyes and was silent. She didn't know where to start. She didn't know whether it was good or bad. She didn't know. Qingrong said lightly, "I just went to visit the Queen as usual and visit the Concubine Xian and the four sisters."
She's just a mother." She looked at Xue Shao and asked thoughtfully, "I heard that Li Fuxing of the Ministry of War was demoted by a saint?"
Xue Shao looked up at her, a little surprised, "How do you know?"
Qingrong said: "I heard what Mrs. Wei mentioned when I left the palace today." She paused and saw Xue Shao looking at her with an unpredictable expression. Qingrong was also a little unsure about Xue Shao's attitude. She said, "She
He also said that the saint intends to promote you and replace you with Li Fuxing."
Xue Shao hummed, without any other expression, and was very calm, as if the news was expected by him.
Qingrong was confused and asked: "Did you know this already?"
Xue Shao explained, "No, but I am aware of Li Fuxing's affairs. But I really don't know that the saint is interested in me."
"It sounds like you are familiar with Li Fuxing?"
"He is the son of Duke Ying Li He's disciple. He has dealt with him before, so he is not familiar with him."
Qingrong nodded and responded to the Duke Li's family. She remembered that Xue Shao said that the Li family had a close relationship with King Yong... Qingrong probably knew something about it, so she didn't plan to ask anymore.
But Xue Shao took the initiative and said, "Is there anything else you want to know?"
Qingrong shook her head, as if she was afraid that Xue Shao would be overly concerned. She chuckled and said, "I'm just a housewife. I don't know anything about political affairs. I just asked a few casual questions."
Xue Shaocai didn't believe her words. She used to talk to him about the art of war, and she always spoke clearly. If he said that he didn't have any thoughts about the affairs of the imperial court and harem, he would be in vain as her husband. "If you ask me, I must know everything."
Words."
Qingrong looked at the person in front of her, smiled and said, "I know."
In fact, she felt a little sad in her heart. The saint regarded King Yong as a hidden danger, but he did not show any blatant expression and did not know which side to suppress. Instead, he balanced the forces between the two sides, which was very subtle. The Xue family also and
She has a good relationship with Prince Yong. Should she tell Xue Shao something? And...is he a person worth trusting?
There was really too much news today, and Qingrong didn't dare to say that she already knew it, but she was still keenly aware of the pressure and danger before a storm came. On the surface, it was just a small fight, harmless, but she didn't know
When will the world be turned upside down and that calm coat be torn apart... If this is the case, how will you and your family deal with it?
Maybe there was something on her mind, so Qing Rong couldn't fall asleep. She turned over several times, and Xue Shao naturally couldn't fall asleep either.
He opened his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Can't you sleep?"
Qingrong hummed, a little embarrassed to disturb Xue Shao's rest.
Xue Shao was a martial artist. Marching and fighting were very hard on weekdays. Now he practiced martial arts every day and rarely had insomnia when he was on duty. He thought about it and roughly pulled Qingrong into his arms, holding her in his arms.
He whispered in his ear: "Aren't you tired today?"
She found that Xue Shao liked to come up and hug her at every turn, sometimes resisting, sometimes hugging, and sometimes carrying her... Although she was startled, she got used to it. The tips of Qingrong's ears were itchy, and Xue Shao's words were true.
Ambiguous, she struggled a bit and said repeatedly: "Tired!"
Xue Shao chuckled, "But aren't you unable to sleep?"
"How can I sleep if you drag me to talk?" Qingrong raised her head from his chest and looked up at him, but she could only see his lower jaw.
"Then I won't say anything anymore and you can go to sleep."
Qingrong said: "Then let go of me first."
Xue Shao refused and said, "Ah Shun can't sleep. My mother-in-law coaxes her like this, so I'll coax you too. Go to sleep." After saying that, he patted Qingrong's back with his hand, slowly and slowly.
And there is rhythm.
Qingrong was funny and angry. The Ah Shi she was talking about was Su's infant daughter. How could she still be like a child and she had to be coaxed to sleep like this?
She wanted to say more, but Xue Shao blocked her words, "If you make any move again, please do something else with me."
Qingrong was still aware of current affairs and stopped talking to him. The two hugged each other speechlessly. Qingrong originally thought it was useless, but not long after, those big hands with thin calluses seemed to have magic power, and Qingrong was strangely attracted to her.
Her heart gradually calmed down, and she gradually began to feel sleepy.
Have a good night's sleep.
Qingrong didn't know when Xue Shao fell asleep. She only knew that when she woke up, he had already gotten up and went to the government office. She slept for a long time and was energetic. She thought about what was on her mind. Her sister-in-law helped Lu manage the house.
The affairs had been going on for many years, and she knew these officials and their families well, so she wanted to make some inquiries first. So, after breakfast, she chose two gifts and went to the Su family's courtyard.
Mrs. Su was taking care of Ashun in the room. When she heard Qingrong coming, she hurriedly asked her servants to bring her in. Mrs. Su smiled and asked Qingrong to sit down, "It's a rare day today. What kind of wind brought you here?"