Xia Houshu became a popular person in the incense procession. Along the way, people were praising her heroic deeds of saving people regardless of personal safety. But the scholar who questioned her and made arrogant remarks was not so lucky. Even his companions were interested.
Keeping distance from him unintentionally.
Of course Xia Houshu didn't care about this. She just walked forward, wanting to get away from the crowd and the dispute as soon as possible. But those people were very curious about her and tried every means to get close to them and find out their identities.
Because Zhong Yuqing had warned him in advance, no matter how they tried to inquire and inquire, the entourage chose to remain silent and laugh it off.
The pilgrims could not hear any news. They saw that they were escorting themselves with a large number of maids and servants, and they kept their identities secret and acted extremely mysteriously, which made the news even more mysterious.
Some said that they were relatives of the emperor, and they were traveling incognito for safety reasons so that they could not identify themselves; some said that they were just family members of wealthy gentry with permanent property, and they did not leave their names because they did not want to cause trouble and cause trouble; even more outrageously, they said that they were
Only a certain mysterious Jianghu sect can do justice without asking for anything in return...
Rumors were passed around, and it was difficult to tell whether they were true or false, and they could not be affirmed or denied by the real owners. Many people assumed that they were charlatans, and gradually they did not dare to continue to ask questions, let alone get close.
These rumors naturally reached the ears of Zhong Yuqing and Xia Houshu.
Zhong Yuqing chose to ignore it, but Xia Houshu couldn't laugh or cry.
As the saying goes, if the trees are beautiful in the forest, the wind will destroy them. Fame and wealth are a double-edged sword. The entire Yue Kingdom has been clearly aware of this since the death of Xia Houhui, and has always kept it in mind and put it into practice.
.Over the years, the Nanqi monarch has ruled well and the government and the public have been peaceful. The Xiahou family's children have fewer opportunities to stand out. On the contrary, they can be safe and smooth, and cultivate their moral character.
Today, Xia Houshu disregarded personal safety and righteousness to save others. Many people have seen it, and countless men feel inferior. When this incident spreads, perhaps most people will think that the Duke of Yue is well-taught and sincere, and even women
They are chivalrous and courageous, and they do not let women down. But if they are taken advantage of by people with ulterior motives, they will be said to be using their reputation to gain people's support.
Xia Houshu didn't want to reveal her identity, not because she was aloof and indifferent, but because she was afraid of being shot first. Firstly, she didn't want to expose any evidence that would cause trouble for her family in the future, and secondly, she didn't want to cause trouble for herself.
As for why she caused trouble for herself, I'm afraid she has to start with why she appeared in the incense procession.
A month ago, when the spring cold was at its worst, Xia Houshu and his brother Xia Houyi went to Prince Gong's Mansion to visit their uncle Zhong Zan, who was suffering from a cold illness and had not been cured for a long time. They happened to meet several cousins from the Zhong family. It is rare for sisters to get together, so naturally it was
We need to stay together and talk about private things about our daughter's family.
During the chat, Xia Houshu learned that Zhong Zan and his wife were planning to marry their third daughter, Zhong Lufu.
Zhong Zan had many wives and concubines, and he had five daughters in total, all of whom were as beautiful as flowers and jade. Except for the eldest daughter Zhong Jinrong and the second daughter Zhong Hongyun, who were already married, among the remaining three daughters, the third daughter Zhong Lufu was about to turn sixteen.
Although the marriage has not yet been decided, the fourth daughter, Zhong Qingkui, is the daughter of Princess Gong’s Qin family and has just turned fourteen; the fifth daughter, Zhong Ziyu, is only nine years old.
Zhong Lufu was six months older than Xia Houshu. She dabbled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and was especially good at calligraphy and painting. However, because her biological mother Zhu was a concubine who had no independent opinions and was not favored, she developed a timid and fearful character.
He was cautious and submissive when getting along with his sisters, rarely showing off his talents, let alone being in the limelight, so he had no sense of presence in Prince Gong's palace.
According to the rules of Prince Gong's palace, marriage discussions will begin when a girl gets her haircut. After the marriage is decided, she will prepare a dowry, and she will get married in a year or two. However, Zhong Lufu is a concubine, and any family with some respect in the capital, especially
If he is a legitimate son, he will always choose Zhong Qingkui, the legitimate daughter of the Zhong family who is less than two years younger than her. But if it is said that Zhong Lufu should be betrothed to a concubine of a similar age, Aunt Zhu will be the first to disagree.
The wind was about to run to Princess Gong and cry, saying that Zhong Lufu was gentle, demure, well-behaved and sensible. It was unfortunate that she was not lucky enough to be reborn in Princess Gong's belly as a legitimate daughter, and she could never marry a bastard again.
The two married daughters of the Zhong family, although they were also concubines, married so well that their own mothers were looked down upon.
Zhong Jinrong, the eldest daughter of the Zhong family, married Feng Mincheng, the eldest son of the Yongchuan residence. They had a son and a daughter. Now they are learning housekeeping from her mother-in-law. In the future, Feng Mincheng will ask for the title of Crown Prince, and she will be the Crown Prince's wife. She will be appointed as the crown prince soon.
The second daughter Zhong Hongyun married Song Qifeng, the third son of the Song family of the Shaoqing of Dali Temple, and had a pair of twin sons. She did not have to work hard to manage the affairs of the house, and she and her husband were very loving, like a couple of gods. They were also favored by her husband's family, and their life was
Happy and contented.
Princess Gong is a good person, but her eldest son did not grow up safely. She gave birth to Zhong Qingkui when she was nearly thirty years old, which also hurt her body and caused the root cause of the disease. She deeply understood the difficulty of being a woman, so she never
He treated the concubines and concubine children in the house harshly. Considering that Aunt Zhu was usually submissive to him and obeyed his advice, and Zhong Lufu was also modest, courteous, well-behaved and sensible, this matter was settled.
Therefore, Zhong Lufu's marriage has been delayed until now.
This is strange to say. Zhong Lufu has been in love with Xia Houyi since she was a child. Every time she sees Xia Houyi, she wants to keep her eyes on him. Only when Xia Houyi comes to Prince Gong's Mansion does she become lively.
From time to time, she talks about calligraphy and painting, which she is best at. The younger generations of the two families see it in their eyes, remember it in their hearts, and occasionally tease her about it. The elders have naturally heard about it, but they have no idea of getting married.
Everyone pretended to understand and pretended to be confused, and no one mentioned this matter.
Zhong Lufu has been afraid of her aunt's mother's majesty since she was a child. She behaves respectfully, gently and filially on the surface, but in her heart she is not close to Princess Gong. She has hidden her worries for many years and has never dared to express her feelings to Princess Gong, nor can she ask her aunt to make decisions for her.
I was also worried that my biological mother was not careful and would be self-defeating and ruin her reputation, so I didn't dare to tell Aunt Zhu.
As the days passed, she got older and older, her marriage was undecided, and her heart was restless.
At the New Year's family banquet, Zhong Zan led Princess Gong, a dozen concubines and three unmarried daughters to gather together happily.
After three rounds of drinking, the juniors came to pay New Year greetings to their elders. Zhong Zan suddenly realized that his third daughter was already so old and it was time for her to propose marriage. At first, he felt a little guilty and felt a little sorry for his daughter, but then he thought about it.
After thinking about it, he felt that the affairs of the inner house should be handled by Princess Gong. He only needed to make a final review of the character and family background of his future son-in-law, so this matter could not be entirely blamed on him. For this reason, he publicly blamed Princess Gong for not doing her best.
Her duty as a legitimate mother delayed Zhong Lufu's marriage.
Princess Gong had nothing to say and was so angry that she was trembling. However, she could not get angry in front of everyone, so she could only endure it silently.
After the Lantern Festival, Princess Gong began to find a matchmaker to help find someone, and specifically told Aunt Zhu not to get involved anymore, otherwise she would let go and let Aunt Zhu explain to Zhong Zan herself.
Aunt Zhu knew that she was just a housewife and a concubine who could not go out to socialize. Her vision and connections were not as broad as those of Princess Gong. For the sake of her daughter's marriage, she naturally did not dare to get involved anymore and just secretly followed the matchmaker.
trends.
Although Zhong Lufu is a concubine, she is still the daughter of Prince Gong's palace and the biological daughter of Zhong Zan. She is also talented and beautiful, well-educated and well-educated. When choosing a husband, as long as she does not focus on the heirs of aristocratic families and powerful people, she wants to find a husband.
It's not too difficult to be the legitimate son of a family with a lower family status, decent character and appearance, and plenty of food and clothing.
The matchmaker heard back soon.
Zhong Lufu watched as the matchmaker recommended several candidates to Princess Gong one after another, but there was no one she had longed for. She felt so worried that she lost weight.
She originally thought that although Princess Gong did not treat her as affectionately as her own daughter, she was treated very favorably compared to other concubines in other houses in Beijing. Even if she was married blindly, she would not be able to find a good character and appearance for her.
She had a husband with a poor family background. At worst, she would have resigned herself to her fate, and she might be able to live a good life like her eldest and second sisters. But that day when she saw the Xia Houyi brothers and sisters, she looked at the handsome young man who had taken root in her heart for many years.
, she was surprised and happy, and decided to make a last ditch effort.
Due to the face of her daughter's family, Zhong Lufu could not express her feelings to Xia Houyi in person, so she quietly pulled Xia Houshu aside.
Xia Houshu thought that Zhong Lufu had some secrets to tell him, and was quite excited, so he said: "I just saw that my third cousin was very worried and looked at me from time to time, but I couldn't ask directly in front of all the sisters.
, since you pulled me out, tell me what good things happened."
Zhong Lufu's face turned red after hearing this, and she said, "I knew my sister was smart and smart. Unlike me, who is stupid and tongue-tied, and has no eyesight."
Xia Houshu frowned after hearing this. Among the several cousins, if Zhong Lufu considers herself to be the second best at observing words and emotions, no one dares to be the first. It’s just that she has always been a boring gourd, so she gives people a sense of clumsiness.
But Xia Houshu was not stupid and said immediately: "My sister, why are you talking about this? If you have anything to say, just say it directly. There is no need to be secretive and beat around the bush."
Zhong Lufu saw that Xia Houshu's face was not at ease, so she got to the point. She said: "My sister often walks around the house, so she naturally understands me. Although I have no merits, I have always been sincere in my treatment of others, and I am by no means the same as in person.
People who are trying to hide their behind-the-scenes. My sister just heard that my mother is choosing a husband for me, but I see that although those people have a clean family background and good character, none of them are what I want."
Xia Houshu understood immediately and asked, "Did the third cousin tell my aunt clearly?"
Zhong Lufu shook her head.
Xia Houshu then said, "My aunt has always been generous. If you go talk to her, she will definitely consider it for you."
Zhong Lufu lowered her head and said faintly: "I know that my mother has always treated us as her own daughters and loved us, and her food, clothing, housing and transportation are all meticulous, so the people she chooses are all excellent, but you also know that I am timid and usually don't care.
Dare to talk nonsense, let alone talk about such things."
"Then what does the third cousin mean by telling me this?" Xia Houshu looked confused.
"Sister." Zhong Lufu suddenly took her hand and held it tightly, "Everyone in the government knows what I am thinking, and you also know it. I know that brother Yi is the legitimate son and will inherit the Yue Kingdom in the future.
The Duke's family has a lot of property, but I am just a concubine, a humble woman, and not worthy of him. But even if I just marry him and become a concubine, I am willing."