After Chang Kuo left the Luo family, he went to Xingningfang.
Chang Kuo could not wait to enter the palace to see His Highness his daughter, but in his hometown there was a custom that after mourning, one had to return home first to unload the funeral before going to the homes of relatives and friends.
Moreover, the journey from Jiangdu was bumpy and bumpy, so it was necessary to take a shower and change clothes before entering the palace cleanly and decently.
His current status is different from that of before, and he must not lose his dignity as the daughter-in-law's adoptive father. Besides, that woman Li Rong might also be in the palace.
When the carriage approached Xingningfang, Chang Kuo couldn't help but look out of the carriage with a very emotional expression.
It has been four or five years since he left.
Everything has changed but not drastically. Most of it is still the same as in memory.
Chang Kuo sighed with Vice Admiral Jin who was riding beside the carriage: "That year, when I was ordered to go out to Beijing to attack Xu Zhengye, I left home through this alley..."
The alley is still this alley, but the owners of the capital have changed again and again, and the houses in Xingningfang have changed owners several times.
Vice General Jin nodded, sighing with emotion and feeling envious.
When he left, he was an old general, but when he returned, his daughter and her father... The general went to Beijing and became very successful.
And... the general not only has the identity of the concubine and her father - thinking of the jade pendant, Vice Admiral Jin added another sentence in his mind.
Then when he thought of the eldest princess who was also in the capital, Vice General Jin inevitably felt the heat of confronting the gossip, and even the rest of the general's emotion could not be heard clearly.
Amid Chang Kuo's sighs, the carriage quickly approached the Zhongyong Hou Mansion.
Before the carriage stopped, Chang Kuo heard the noise.
When he got out of the carriage with the tiger stick in hand, he saw a crowd of people swarming towards him.
"Congratulations to the Marquis on his return to Beijing!"
"I've been waiting here for a long time!"
"After several years of separation, does the Marquis still remember Xiaguan?"
"I heard that the Marquis was seriously injured while fighting against Japanese enemies. I wonder if he is in good health recently? Are you feeling unwell after the long journey?"
"I see that the Marquis is still as heroic and heroic as before!"
"..."
Chang Kuo had no idea how these people knew that he would arrive in Beijing today.
Listening to the respectful and concerned voices, and looking at the flattering and enthusiastic faces, Chang Kuo had only one voice in his heart - the ancestral grave has turned into a volcano, this is really explosive.
Chang Kuo was surrounded by people as he walked forward. They were so crowded that he felt as if his feet were not touching the ground.
Xi'er and Azhi walked out of the carriage with their baggage on their backs. They stretched their heads, but could only barely see the head of their own marquis. At first glance, the marquis was a tall man of more than seven feet, but it seemed as if someone had given him a life.
He was carried into his house.
The Zhongyong Marquis' Mansion was also looted and occupied by Bian's army. Like Ma Xiang's Mansion, Wu Chunbai had simply rearranged the place and assigned more than ten slaves. The rest were just waiting for Chang Kuo to return.
I will slowly add more after Beijing.
Chang Kuo didn't have much room for employing people alone. These ten or so servants were enough, but now fifty or sixty officials and dignitaries crowded in, and the palace became busy.
Xi'er, Azhi and others put down their baggage, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work. Vice General Jin and others followed suit, moved chairs and stools, turned out all the teacups and teacups, and fetched buckets of water before finally serving the tea.
.
Knowing that Chang Kuo had just returned to Beijing, no one would blame him. Moreover, he was not a guest, so he couldn't put on any airs. There were officials helping to make and pour tea, chatting and laughing, and the scene was actually harmonious and lively.
Chang Kuo spent about two-quarters of an hour chatting with everyone, and then excused himself. He had to go into the palace today, wash up and change clothes. If he delayed any longer, he would be late before dark.
As soon as these words came out, everyone was naturally very understanding and urged: "Entering the palace is an important matter, Lord Marquis, please go quickly!"
Someone accompanied Chang Kuo out of the front hall. He and Chang Kuo were sent off again and again, bowed again and again, and almost followed him to help him take a bath.
Chang Kuo, whose patience was about to run out, walked quickly on his crutches, leaving the person behind.
Looking at Chang Kuo's disappearing back, some people couldn't help but sigh: "Marquis Zhongyong is indeed getting stronger with age..."
Another person looked around, stroking his beard thoughtfully: "Even in this mansion, there is always a need for a mistress to take charge..."
Someone jokingly asked: "Why, do you have a wife to be married at home?"
When the others heard this, they couldn't help but feel excited.
Although Marquis Zhongyong is a little older, he still has a handsome appearance, and his heroic spirit is charming, isn't he?
What's more important is that once she gets married, she will become the adoptive mother of the princess. The princess' status as prince is only temporary, and she will stay there not long after...
Hiss, the respectable status that can be obtained by marrying like this is not to mention ordinary girls. Even they are jealous of it!
It is nothing new for high-ranking officials and dignitaries to marry young people, and many people take it into consideration carefully.
After Chang Kuo had packed everything up, he found that most people hadn't left yet.
Everyone gathered around again, looking at Chang Hou in front of them, and they were very generous with their amazing words of praise.
Don't tell me, Chang Hou has cleaned himself up, trimmed his beard neatly and dignifiedly, his official robes are clean, and his person is refreshed. He looks more majestic and extraordinary, as if he is seven or eight years younger.
Everyone was even more enthusiastic and insisted on sending Chang Kuo out.
Zhongyong Hou, who couldn't tell who was the host and who was the guest for a moment, was "carried" out again.
Chang Kuo stepped out of the threshold and looked up to see Vice General Jin and Lao Kang, who were about to accompany him into the palace, already waiting, but they did not see the carriage ready.
Chang Kuo walked down the stone steps and was about to ask, but he saw that Vice General Jin and Lao Kang had something strange in their expressions. The two stood there, Lao Kang looked at his nose and heart, and Vice General Jin lowered his hands and clasped them in front of him.
It seems honest and cramped, but in fact, I am secretly excited and looking forward to it.
At this time, a woman stepped forward and Chang Kuo took a look, but she saw gold.
Yao Jin saluted Chang Kuo and said bluntly: "My Royal Highness also wants to enter the palace, so I might as well take Chang Hou along with him."
Chang Kuo raised his thick eyebrows, turned his head and looked not far away, and saw an oil-walled incense cart parked with a hanging curtain.
Listening to the faint discussion behind him, Chang Kuo remained reserved until Yao Jin turned to greet him: "Master Marquis, please."
Chang Kuo then leaned on crutches, straightened his chest, and walked towards the oil-walled truck in front of everyone's surprised eyes.
Seeing the team of carriages and horses rolling out of Xingningfang, the crowd outside Zhongyonghou's mansion finally exploded.
They all saw it, it was Princess Xuan'an's carriage, and Chang Hou got on it like this!
Some older officials couldn't help but feel sad that Li Rong had actually extended his hand to Chang Hou. Chang Hou had not married for many years, kept his integrity, and was a good old man!
Having said that, it is true that Chang Hou is already the adoptive father of the princess, why should he bother to climb up to the high branches of the eldest princess again? Why do he have to think about it like this?
Not to mention Li Rong, who is clearly already the daughter-in-law's aunt, yet she wants to dominate Chang Hou, the daughter-in-law's adoptive father. She actually wants to occupy both identities? It's so greedy!
I couldn't hear all these discussions with my own ears, but I could roughly guess it. At this moment, he was sitting in the carriage and said seriously: "In full view of everyone, I have boarded your carriage. I am afraid that my innocence and reputation will be at risk."
!”
"Did I force you with a knife?" Li Rong glanced at him and said with a raised lip: "These old pedants are always making fuss, so getting on a carriage is nothing. When they know that Sui'an is my son, and he has
You have to be surprised.”
Chang Kuo pretended to be startled: "What? You want to announce it to everyone!"
Seeing that he was making fun of Qiao, Li Rong curled his lips in his heart, with an arrogant expression on his face, and said slowly: "It's not that I want to do this. In the final analysis, it is for the sake of Sui'an. Since he and I have known each other,
It’s better not to reveal your identity, right?”
Chang Kuo said "Oh" and seemed not to care: "Then wait until this traitor comes back and ask him if he is willing!"
Neither of them was willing to say this first, so the pressure was placed on Chang Sui'an, who had not yet returned to Beijing.
The driver who was accompanying the driver sat on the shaft of the carriage, listening to the voices in the carriage behind him ranging from faint to noisy.
But most of the noise was just from each other, and it was far from the level of overturning the table or jumping out of the car, so Yao Jin was already satisfied, and even felt a little peaceful.
The noise continued until the carriage stopped in front of the imperial city gate.
Outside the Forbidden Palace, there were people waiting here for a long time.
The leader is Zhai Xi, and there is also A Dian.
Seeing Chang Kuo, A Dian was ecstatic: "Uncle Chang!"
"Hey!" Chang Kuo responded with a smile. He quickly stopped and used his crutches to stabilize his lower body as much as possible. However, he was still hit by A Dian who was rushing towards him and took four or five steps back.
Chang Kuo was hugged tightly by A Dian: "You kid, I finally came to Beijing with great difficulty, and I almost asked you to push me back to Jiangdu again!"
A Dian then let go of Chang Kuo, a little embarrassed, but his smile was still innocent and pure: "Uncle Chang, it's all my fault for being too happy!"
As he spoke, he held Chang Kuo with one hand and introduced enthusiastically to Zhai Xi, who was saluting Li Rong and Chang Kuo: "Eunuch Zhai, this is Uncle Chang!"
Of course Zhai Xi could tell the difference, but he still smiled at A Dian, nodded lightly, and then bowed to Chang Kuo alone: "My name is Zhai Xi, and I am currently serving Her Royal Highness. Today I am under the orders of Your Highness.
, I am here to welcome Marquis Chang into the palace."
After saying that, he stepped aside and lowered his head to say, "The Marquis of Chang is tired of traveling and traveling, so I asked my servant to prepare a sedan for the Marquis."
Then he bowed respectfully to Li Rong: "I would also like to ask the eldest princess to get on the sedan chair and follow the slave to the East Palace."
There were two sedans, and originally only one was prepared for Chang Kuo. The other one was temporarily carried by Zhai Xi when the chamberlain at the outer palace gate came to inform the eldest princess that she and Chang Hou were entering the palace together.
After Chang Kuo and Li Rong got on the sedan, Zhai Xi straightened up and led a group of servants to the palace.
A Dian followed behind, talking to Deputy General Jin, Lao Kang, and Xi'er who were accompanying him.
However, it was the first time for Xi'er and the others to enter the palace. Even though they had accompanied them to the imperial city before, they could only wait outside the forbidden palace gate. It was unprecedented for them to step through this heavily forbidden palace gate. Therefore, everyone
They were all extremely nervous and solemn, looking intently and not daring to chat with A Dian at all.
Looking at everyone who was silent, A Dian seemed to have realized something. He moved closer to Xi'er and kept his voice as low as possible: "Xi'er, I haven't seen you for a long time! Can you combine orange and black?
Did you bring Li? I asked His Highness to send you a letter!"
Xi'er, who was nervous, even nodded very little, and spoke like a mosquito: "I brought them... It's just that we were following the Marquis in a hurry, and they were behind, waiting for someone else."
It will take two or three days to enter Beijing."
"That's great!" A Dian accidentally raised his voice again. He covered his mouth for a moment and continued to ask in a low voice: "Xi'er, did you bring the jujube paste cake?"
"I haven't...waited for my servant to do it for General A Dian tomorrow."
"Okay!" A Dian's voice switched back and forth between loud and soft: "Isn't it very big here? I still get lost... But don't be afraid, His Highness said, this will be our home from now on!
"
After being comforted like this by A Dian, Xi'er actually felt better, at least her legs were not so weak anymore.
It is difficult for people who enter the palace for the first time not to be shocked.
The value of imperial power is never an empty talk, but is reflected in all aspects, the most intuitive impact of which is the regulation of architecture.
The palace walls, palace roads, and palaces are full of supreme regulations, which are far beyond the reach of ordinary palaces. The color, materials, and height are all insurmountable. It stands majestic and huge, demonstrating the imperial power, overlooking and inspecting everyone.
The arrival of people makes people tremble with fear, walking on ice in deep depths, and making them feel insignificant.
Xi'er didn't dare to look up all the way. When the group arrived at the East Palace, they saw a group of officials exiting the main hall.
Most of those officials were in their forties, and they had a calm and majestic air. Xi'er was inevitably a little frightened, but when she thought of who was sitting in the hall, she felt confident in her heart... Although she still bowed her head respectfully, she didn't
He straightened his back consciously.
Before Xi'er entered the palace, Zhai Xi took her to the corridor and said to a group of dozens of palace ladies: "This is Aunt Xi'er. From now on, my aunt will be responsible for all the daily affairs of Her Royal Highness."
Xi'er's eyes widened in shock, aunt? Who? Her?
Xi'er almost pointed her finger at her face.
Should we leave such a big place to her? This is her first time back!
Seeing those palace maids with neat movements and pleasing manners saluting him and shouting "I've seen my aunt" in unison, Xi'er felt that she had never felt so guilty in her life, but she still had to work hard to put on an appearance, not daring to show her timidity.
After recognizing the person, Zhai Xi let the palace ladies disperse to do their work, leaving only two of them to follow Xi'er. The two palace ladies followed behind. Zhai Xi led Xi'er out of the corridor and asked her with a smile: "
Aunt, do you know why they respect aunt?"
Without waiting for Xi'er's reply, Zhai Xi continued on his own: "It's because my aunt has served Your Highness for many years and is someone whom Your Highness trusts and is close to."
"No one can take away this point." Zhai Xi said, "As for the other things, I can learn them as long as I slowly get used to them."
After hearing these words, Xi'er felt relieved, her tension was relieved, and her nose suddenly felt a little sore. After suppressing the inexplicable and proud tears, she turned to Zhai Xi and said, "Where can I slowly get used to it?
I learn things very quickly!”
Thinking of her Xi'er, from crying with the girl to "uprooting the weeping willow" with the girl, from the capital to Jiangdu, from the boudoir to the army... The reason why I can always stand firm in front of the girl is because of my real strength.
ability!
Xi'er regained her confidence and energy, and immediately turned back to the two palace ladies to take her to familiarize herself with the affairs.
In the hall, Li Suining was talking to Chang Kuo, who had tears in his eyes. Not long after, Wu Jue arrived after hearing the news, and Chang Kuo hurriedly wiped away his tears.
When it was time for everyone to go to the office, Qiao Yang also came over.
Li Suining stayed with everyone to have dinner together in the East Palace, and sent someone to pick up Meng Lin from the palace privately. Wei Shuyi also stayed for a meal.
Chang Kuo was extremely happy. He drank heavily and got drunk. He was first put into a sedan chair and then into a carriage.
Lao Kang and Vice General Jin rode behind the eldest princess's carriage, but as they walked, they saw that the carriage turned a corner and went directly to the eldest princess's mansion.
Vice Admiral Jin was stunned for a moment. Didn’t the eldest princess plan to send their prince back?
Wait, the eldest princess has kidnapped Mr. Hou!
Deputy General Jin was shocked and came to his senses, and asked Lao Kang: "Should we go after him?"
Lao Kang, who has always been conservative, didn't even notice, and said with a conservative expression: "...I can't afford to embarrass that person, so go back."
Vice Admiral Jin hesitated again and again, but finally nodded. When he came back to his senses, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful. If he followed more closely, why would he not be one step closer to the gossip?
But it doesn’t matter, he will personally pick up the Marquis tomorrow!
The brisk sound of horses' hooves and the sound of wheels, grinding against the moonlight of Gyeonggi Province, fade away in the late spring night.