In the evening, the night falls low and covers the entire land. Lanterns are hung on both sides of the street, and the orange halo shines on the white snow, which can be seen in yellow or white.
Jia Heng, Chen Xiao and Gu Ruoqing returned to Ningguo Mansion because today was the New Year's Eve and it was the period of national mourning. The Five Cities Military and Horse Department banned the setting off of fireworks and firecrackers, but the streets were silent all the way.
From the main gate to the second gate and then to the inner three gates of the Jia Mansion, torches are like dragons, with sparkling light and shadow, shining brightly on people.
Qin Keqing sat on a chair covered with soft mattresses, surrounded by Youshi, Second Sister You, Third Sister You and others. In addition, Xiangling was also sitting not far away, with her face as white as jade.
My son, I see that he is well-behaved and docile.
The maid Baozhu entered the flower hall and said: "Grandma, the prince is back."
When Qin Keqing heard this, her graceful and beautiful face suddenly smiled brightly, and she said to Youshi beside her: "I was just wondering when the prince will come back."
The maid said: "Grandma."
While speaking, Jia Heng stepped into the side room, stared at Qin Keqing, called out, and said: "Keqing."
Qin Keqing smiled and said, "Husband, the kitchen has made a large table of dishes, and I'm just waiting for my husband to come back and use them together."
Jia Heng responded softly, and then slowly sat down. Third Sister You, who was not far away, approached and said, "Your Majesty."
Jia Heng said: "Today is the New Year's Eve. Since we are in the period of national mourning, it is not easy to have many drinks and entertainment. We will just have a family reunion dinner later."
Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes were as bright as water under her willow eyebrows, and she said, "Husband, may I have Sister Lin and Sister Xue, as well as the two sisters Lan Xi and Sister Yaruo, summoned here?"
After all, they are the concubines of the palace, so they should get together together.
Jia Heng said warmly under his sword-shaped eyebrows: "Go."
Well, there is always a kind of Christmas collection to thank fans for the sense of sight.
Jia Heng sat down and washed his hands in a copper basin filled with clear cold water. He took a white towel from the maid on the side and wiped his hands.
At this moment, the sound of the bead curtain "clattering" could be heard, and Daiyu came from outside. Under the girl's smoky eyebrows, which were like clouds of smoke, there was a hint of brightness in her starry eyes, and she said:
"It's quite lively here today."
Baochai's face, as white as snow, was also covered with smiles, and under the bright eyebrows of Cuiyu, her moist and gleaming eyes were full of moving light.
Qin Keqing smiled and greeted, "You two sisters, sit over here."
While Daiyu and Baochai were talking, they sat down on the embroidered pier beside Qin Keqing, and everyone talked in low voices.
Jia Heng picked up a pair of bamboo chopsticks, faced the dishes on the plate, and began to eat the food slowly.
Under Daiyu's smoky eyebrows, her starry eyes shone brightly, and she said, "Brother Heng, aren't you going to worship your ancestors today, the New Year's Eve?"
Jia Heng put down his chopsticks, took the handkerchief, wiped his mouth, and said, "Tomorrow morning, the Jia family will gather in the ancestral hall to worship their ancestors."
Third Sister You smiled and said: "Your Majesty has been granted the title of County Prince again this year. For such a big happy event, it's time to pay homage to the ancestors and comfort them."
Jia Heng said: "Yes, when you wait until the second day of the Lunar New Year to visit relatives, you will also leave all the relatives who should leave."
Sanjie You hummed, with a hint of brightness in her eyes.
During this time, Mrs. You almost burst into laughter. Both of her daughters became the royal wives of the county king, and she was also considered a relative of the county king.
While everyone was talking, the sound of jingling rings was heard outside, and immediately, bursts of refreshing fragrance floated into the hall through the cotton curtains.
Zhen Lan, Zhen Xi and Ya Ruo came quickly from outside with smiles on their faces and whispered: "Brother Heng."
And Yaruo walked forward quickly, looked at the young man in python suit with a charming and innocent face, and said warmly: "Brother Heng."
Jia Heng greeted Ya Ruo and said with the same smile: "Ya Ruo, here you go."
Ya Ruo came over quickly, took Jia Heng's arm and said, "Brother Heng, dad sent me a letter the day before yesterday."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Oh, what should I say?"
The Mongolian king, also known as Chahar Khan, is currently in the Yushu area of Tibet with heavy troops.
Ya Ruo, with her pink and chubby apple-shaped face, said: "Dad said that the Heshuote people have been a little unstable recently and wants the imperial court to send troops to pacify them."
Jia Heng said: "It won't work this year. It won't be too late to wait until next spring to see what happens in the court."
Today's Han Dynasty, the new king has succeeded to the throne and wants to establish prestige among the government and the public. In addition to Xiao Guicao following Emperor Chongping's new policy, raising troops to expand borders is also a good choice.
While they were talking, Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi came to sit down beside Qin Keqing. Their postures were dignified and beautiful, like two lotus flowers side by side, competing for beauty and complementing each other.
Zhen Lan looked at Jia Heng and Ya Ruo talking with a smile, and secretly thought that now the eldest brother Heng has supported the new king to succeed him, but it won't be long before he will be jealous.
Although she is already the concubine of the county prince, she is still far from being the queen of her mother.
Qin Keqing said: "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's eat first."
Jia Heng didn't say much else and ate meals with his wives and concubines. The family spent the last New Year's Eve of the Chongping era in a warm atmosphere.
…
…
Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall
There is a fire burning in the side room, which is warm and cozy, and there are many women wearing hairpin skirts and coats.
Jia Mu sat on one side of the Arhat bed covered with a plush wool blanket, with a kind face. Sitting on the embroidered pier at the bottom were Sister Feng, Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang, and Aunt Xue.
Mother Jia sighed, her tone inexplicably sad, and said, "This year, life has been a little more deserted."
Sister Feng said: "The Chinese New Year coincides with a national mourning, but it's not like this."
Jia Mu thought for a while and asked, "Baoyu, I should be back in the spring next year."
Mrs. Wang was sitting beside the old monk who was in meditation. She was like a Bodhisattva sitting on a futon, twirling a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, and then said: "The master sent a letter the day before yesterday. The letter said that he has arrived in Hanzhong, and he should be here on the third day of the lunar month.
We can get to Beijing."
Jia Mu smiled and said: "Okay, okay, I haven't seen him for more than two years. It's really not an option for him to be an official outside."
Aunt Xue asked: "When you come back this time, are you going to be sent abroad, or are you going to be an official in Beijing?"
With a kind smile on her old face, Jia Mu said, "Didn't Brother Heng mean to let me, Baoyu, dig up the place first?"
Mrs. Wang's fair face showed a look of loss, and she said: "I have been wandering in the officialdom and not returning home all year round. It is not a good idea."
A gentle smile appeared on Jia Mu's kind face, and she said: "It would be a good thing if I could be transferred to the capital. It's time to take care of Baoyu's marriage. At this time, people of all ages can
Not too small."
Mrs. Wang said: "I'm worried too."
"Ask Brother Heng to keep an eye on him." Mother Jia said in a low voice with a broad smile on her kind face.
She originally fell in love with Baoqin, but he beat him to it. Later, she thought Xiangyun was good, but unexpectedly, Xiangyun was also taken away.
It's true that everyone with a bit of beauty in the house falls into the hands of Brother Heng.
Mrs. Wang said: "You have to choose a good one no matter what."
That uncle Heng had played with her daughter-in-law, and he absolutely couldn't let it go to waste. He had to worry about Baoyu's marriage.
Jia Mu asked: "The eldest daughter has been in the eldest princess's house for many years. When will we let her come back?"
Mrs. Wang's brows were furrowed, her fair and bright face showed a hint of surprise, and she said: "I was just talking. I sent someone over last time and said I would stay at the eldest princess's residence for a while."
Jia Mu said: "Maybe she is also afraid that you will press her about her marriage again."
Mrs. Wang sighed and said, "At this age, how else can I ask questions?"
It can be said that Mrs. Wang has accepted her fate, so this is the knot she feels towards Jia Heng.
An ugly look appeared on Mrs. Wang's face, and she said, "It seems like yesterday when the King of Chu sent someone to propose to me."
Mentioning this matter, Mrs. Wang's heart felt like blood dripping from her heart.
If she had agreed to the marriage, then the eldest daughter of her family would now be the emperor's concubine, she would be the emperor's mother-in-law, and Baoyu would be the uncle of the state.
The man who killed a thousand swordsmen in Dongfu has really committed a crime.
Shengsheng had lost her position as a concubine to the eldest girl in her family. Where could he go to pay for it with a concubine?
When Mrs. Wang thought about this, her heart became more and more angry. It could be said that the anger in her heart could not stop rising.
Jia Mu sighed and said, "After all, maybe I don't have that fate."
Speaking of this matter, Jia Mu also felt quite regretful.
After all, this old lady still loves Jia Zheng. If Yuanchun becomes the palace concubine, Baoyu will become the uncle, and the east and west palaces will be evenly matched again.
Grand View Garden, Qichiyuan
The lights in the wing were brightly lit, and the tall candles shone brightly, reflecting on the screen, making two slender and graceful figures looming.
In the inner compartment, Zhen Lan sat on a soft couch next to the glass window, and her beautiful and bright face had a somewhat cold look.
Zhen Xi is playing chess with Ya Ruo across a chess field.
The two of them played chess very well.
Ya Ruo has become obsessed with playing chess recently, and Zhen Xi has a gentle temperament and is very cooperative together.
At this moment, the maid's voice came from outside the corridor eaves, saying: "The prince is here."
While Jia Heng was talking, he entered the side room and asked, "Sister Lan'er, sister Xi'er, are you still awake now?"
Zhen Lan put down the book in her hand and stood up. Under her curvy eyebrows, her eyes were full of surprise and she said: "Brother Heng, you are here."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Sister Lan, I'm going to rest here with you guys."
Yaruo was charming and innocent, her bright face was full of surprises. She stopped playing chess now, got up, and said happily: "Brother Heng."
As he spoke, he hugged Jia Heng's waist like a koala.
Jia Heng gently hugged Yaruo's plump and delicate body, feeling a little helpless and said: "Okay, I treat you like a child every day, begging for a hug all day long."
Yaruo said confidently: "The child is asking for a kiss."
While speaking, he raised his cute apple face and looked at Jia Heng, his eyes full of expectation.
Jia Heng gently put his arms around Yaruo's shoulders, and while speaking, he put his hands on the girl's soft lips, plundering the girl's sweet and youthful breath.
Zhen Lan's willow eyebrows were as beautiful as daisy. She nuzzled her lips towards Zhen Xi and whispered, "A child who can cry really has milk to eat."
Zhen Xi pursed her glossy pink lips and glanced at the two people hugging each other. She raised her beautiful eyebrows with a hint of envy in her eyes.
Jia Heng and Ya Ruo ended their intimacy without saying anything else. Instead, they stared at Zhen Xi and said, "Xi'er, you are playing chess."
Zhen Xi responded with a timid look and said: "I have nothing to do in my free time. Let's play two games with Ya Ruo."
It's like being a widow every day, but that's not it.
Jia Heng sat down, took the fragrant tea delivered by Zhen Lan, took a sip of tea, and said: "Sister Lan'er, tomorrow, the first day of the first lunar month, you and Sister Xi'er will go to the palace wearing the imperial makeup.
Please say hello to your eldest sister."
Zhen Lan sat down, with a sweet and bright smile on her face, and said: "I will go to the palace tomorrow to pay my respects to the eldest sister. By the way, I haven't seen the second sister for a while."
When Jia Heng heard Zhen Lan mention Zhen Xue, he put down a Yuan blue and white porcelain tea cup and said, "I haven't seen her for a while."
Xue'er and her children didn't know what was going on now, and they were a little worried.
Zhen Lan asked with concern: "Brother Heng, how have you been doing since the new king took over?"
Zhen Lan lowered her voice and said: "Brother Heng, there is no airtight wall in the world. I am afraid that the affairs of the eldest sister and the second sister cannot be hidden for too long. Brother Heng needs to take precautions early."
Jia Heng said: "Nothing, I can do it."
As he said that, he hugged Zhen Lan's plump and delicate body, warmed his hands in the hand warmer, and asked: "What good idea does Sister Lan have next?"
Zhen Lan's beautiful and bright face was covered with two rouge blushes, and she came up with an idea and said: "Now, Brother Heng can only wait and see what happens, or wait for the movement in the palace. No movement now is worse than silence."
The throne of King Chu was endorsed by Emperor Chongping. In other words, it was impossible for Jia Heng to take any action while Emperor Chongping's body was still cold.
Jia Heng said: "Yes, now it's better to be still than to move."
Zhen Lan asked: "Brother Heng, have you gone to see eldest sister?"
Jia Heng said: "It's not very convenient these days. Let's wait for a while."
He also needs to discuss it more with Zhen Qing.
It's just that Zhen Qing has become the queen, and people around her are watching, so it's hard to see her again.
As the two of them talked, Jia Heng came to the bed and sat down, gently took Zhen Lan's delicate hand and sat in his arms.
Zhen Lan said: "Brother Heng, the longer we delay, the worse it will be for Brother Heng."
Jia Heng said: "Yes, if you keep cutting off, you will suffer chaos."
At this moment, Ya Ruo blinked her eyes. Under her thick eyebrows, her shining eyes were full of curiosity. She glanced at Zhen Xi beside her and seemed to be asking, what was Brother Heng and Sister Lan talking about?
What?
Zhen Xi shook her head and said she didn't know.
A few people were talking, and the maid brought a copper basin of steaming hot water and handed it over to wash their feet.
Jia Heng washed his feet, looked at Zhen Lan and said, "Sister Lan, let's go to bed early."
While the two were talking, Jia Heng hugged Zhen Lan's shoulders and sat down on the soft couch covered with mattresses. He raised his eyes and looked above the curtains of the bed, his brows frowning and relaxing, and he was lost in thought, thinking about what was going to happen next.
North Korea Bureau.
Zhen Lan, Zhen Xi, and Ya Ruo came close to each other. Their two beautiful and bright faces were as bright as fire. The three of them each performed their duties.
After a while, Zhen Lan was like a majestic Bodhisattva, sitting upright on a futon, her beautiful neck slightly raised, the golden hairpin between her temples swaying, reflecting her bright face, which was filled with rose-red aura.
The rosy clouds dispersed.
On the high table, the candlestick wax burned out, the lights went out with a "pop", and then, the New Year's Eve night passed quietly.
…
…
The next day, as a cock crow resounded throughout the sky, dawn broke, and the Han Dynasty officially entered the first year of Jianxing.
New Year's Eve, new year and new atmosphere. Early in the morning, soldiers sent by the Five Cities Military and Horse Division were sweeping the snow on the streets. There were traces of melted snow on the bluestone streets. Snow water flowed across them, making the bluestones wet.
, reflecting the figures of people coming and going early.
All the civil and military officials went to the palace to pay homage to Emperor Daxing. At the same time, Mrs. Gaoming all entered the palace in full makeup to pay homage to Zhen Qing, who had just been enthroned as the queen.
Although it is a national mourning, the formal procedures that should be followed after succeeding to the throne are still the same.
Jia Heng, also accompanied by the guards of Jinyi Mansion, entered the palace garden along the Anshun Gate and greeted the new monarch.
At this moment, in the square palace garden, groups of officials entered the main hall and saluted the coffin parked in the hall.
The King of Chu came to Hanyuan Hall early in the morning to cry for Emperor Chongping.
Jia Heng entered the palace and worshiped in front of Emperor Chongping's spirit.
At this moment, an eunuch approached and said, "Prince Wei, Your Majesty has summoned you in the inner study."
Jia Heng stood up and said, "My father-in-law, lead the way."
After a while, Jia Heng followed the eunuch to the inner study, saluted the emperor behind the lacquered wooden case, and said: "I have seen the Holy One, long live the Holy One."
The King of Chu was dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, wearing a warm and filial piety. He was sitting behind a lacquered wooden table and was reviewing memorials. Since he ascended the throne, this emperor's face has become much more majestic and solemn.
In other words, his demeanor is becoming more and more like that of Emperor Chongping.
While speaking, the King of Chu raised his eyes and saw Jia Heng. A smile suddenly appeared on his face, and he said in a warm voice: "Zi Yu is dead."
But when King Chu raised his eyes and looked at the tall and tall young man in python suit, he could not help but think about Aunt Jinyang's affair with him, and a feeling of resentment inevitably welled up in his heart.
However, when he saw the high-spirited young man in the python suit saluting him now, he couldn't help but feel an indescribable joy in his heart.
"Come, take a seat." King Chu said loudly.
The King of Chu said softly. Sang Yao, who was serving him, moved an embroidery pier and placed it in the palace. He looked at the young man in python suit.
Jia Heng cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Under his sharp eyebrows, the King of Chu looked at the young man in python suit not far away and said: "At the beginning of the new year, the great man has a lot of things to do, what advice does Ziyu have?"
The King of Chu had just succeeded to the throne. It could be said that he had a hammer in his hand. Everything looked like a nail and he had to hammer it.
Under Jia Heng's eyebrows, his eyes were deep, and he said: "Your Majesty, as discussed with the cabinet ministers before, now that the New Deal is booming in the world, it should be deepened and promoted to prefectures and counties. When sea trade booms, customs duties, taxes, and money will support the people of the world.
, prepare to build a navy and protect maritime trade.”
The King of Chu nodded and said: "Yes, I am determined to have the cabinet issue an imperial edict to abolish some of the soldiers from the nine sides in a few days. How do you think Ziyu should proceed?"
Jia Heng's face paused slightly and he said: "Send a few military planes to inspect the border towns first. Based on the border defense and troop deployment conditions, we will draw up appropriate troop levels and discuss them later."