Several carriages were parked at the main entrance, and the lanterns hanging under the eaves made a muttering sound in the wind. This sound fell on the ears of the Rong Mansion and the female family members of the Xue family who returned from Prince Teng's Mansion. It was desolate and sad, as if it had not passed away.
Yuanchun led Baoyu out of the carriage. Seeing his brother who was as pale as paper and looking like he was unconscious, he sighed: "If I knew, I shouldn't have let you go before."
He secretly thought, after returning home, don’t have nightmares anymore.
I couldn't help but think of asking the nuns from the Monastery to come over and chant sutras for salvation.
Baoyu looked gloomy and sighed: "Uncle's house, alas..."
He was obviously frightened by the tragic scene of "all the loyal people" in the palace just now at his maternal uncle's house.
Yuanchun was dressed in a plain white skirt without any powder, which gave the girl a bit of faded elegance. It not only comforted her, but also taught her: "Wealth and glory are blessings. A peaceful family is not a blessing. A real man."
When you stand between heaven and earth, let alone being rich or powerful, you should at least be able to protect your family and your children from being bullied."
Baoyu looked confused and asked: "What about uncle? Why..."
Yuanchun: "???"
What should she say? Could it be that her uncle is not a man?
Suppress the chaotic thoughts in your heart.
Reflected by the candlelight, the girl's face showed sadness.
How could she not be mentally shocked by what happened today?
Let me ask, what if the rebels attacked her Rong Mansion?
Although Hengdi sent someone to protect him, how would Rong Ning's Second Mansion deal with it without Hengdi?
I can no longer play around with my sisters at home, I have to help Hengdi, and I can’t let him deal with everything alone.
Since Yuanchun had this thought, he planned to find Jia Heng.
In another carriage, Aunt Xue and Baochai were also helped by the maid, and got out of the carriage with the help of the mother-in-law. Baochai's face remained calm, while Aunt Xue's face was gloomy and silent.
The senses are different from the third person's narration and seeing it with one's own eyes. The white flags were raised and the cries were loud. Under the influence of that sad atmosphere, it is difficult not to be affected by the emotion.
"If Pan'er hadn't been so lucky, I'm afraid my family would have..." Aunt Xue thought about this, and she couldn't help but feel happy in her heart. She took Baochai's hand and said in a trembling voice:
"Baby girl, this military operation is too dangerous."
Baochai nodded.
How could she not know that otherwise, after coming to the Divine Capital City for so long, one glance at Ningrong's Second Mansion revealed that there was only one capable person.
Aunt Xue sighed and said: "Your brother should do business well. By the way, you can go to Dongfu later to ask about the imperial merchants."
Baochai:"……"
After thinking for a while, he said: "Mom, we can't push people too hard."
Aunt Xue smiled bitterly and said, "It's not that I don't understand this, but the shop doesn't wait for anyone."
Baochai sighed inwardly and said, "Then I'll go take a look."
In the last carriage, Sister Feng and Ping'er got out of the carriage, being served by a group of women and maids from Zhou Rui's family.
Sister Feng is actually feeling better. After all, she has seen the miserable state of the Wang family yesterday. After a night, her mood has calmed down a lot, but she can't help but feel sad.
While everyone was talking, the maid and mother-in-law helped him into the mansion.
As for the men of the Jia family, they are still in the Wang family helping with funeral arrangements, so let these female relatives come back first.
When they arrived at Rongqing Hall, Jia Mu was waiting in the hall. She had just slept for a while in the afternoon. She was not sleepy at all. She asked Yuanyang beside her: "What time is it, Feng Yatou and the others should be back?"
Yuanyang said: "Looking at the sky, it should be almost the same."
Jia Mu sighed and said: "The last time there was such chaos was more than ten years ago. Since then, our family has never sent anyone to the army. We just don't want to take this risk anymore, but it's a risk."
, I thought about it and just avoided it, but it happened to me."
Li Wan listened on the sidelines and thought to himself, I'm afraid it's not that he doesn't want to take the risk, but that his descendants don't want to join the army to fight for wealth.
Yuanyang said: "The old lady is right. Now there are elders in the army who support the family. It's not like before."
With a look of relief on her face, Jia's mother said, "Yes, Brother Heng is a capable man. Of all the grandchildren, apart from Baoyu, he is the one who wins my heart the most. The two of them will be both martial and literary in the future, by the way."
, and Lan'er."
As he spoke, he looked at Li Wan with a kind smile on his face and said, "Brother Lan, you can still keep up with your recent studies and homework."
There is a smile on Li Wan's beautiful face. This widowed young woman wears a jasper hairpin on her head and hangs the necklace. She does not apply makeup on her face, but because of her good foundation, she has an elegant and sad widow's charm.
Overflowing, with a bulging chest, he met Jia Mu's gaze and said softly: "Lan'er can usually keep up."
Her brother Lang could barely keep up, but she could hardly keep up.
The lecturer hired from the Imperial Academy was as knowledgeable as a teacher from a private school, and she could hardly handle the homework assigned to her.
Recalling that his son came back and asked questions about some scriptures that left him tongue-tied, Li Wan also had a look of worry on his face.
"We have to think of a way to ask the preacher to open a small stove for Lan'er." Li Wan thought about it and calculated whether he had saved enough money to ask Uncle Heng to be his host.
I recall that just a few months ago, the young man who borrowed books from Lan'er is now the white jade pillar holding up the sky and the purple golden beam bridging the sea of the Jia clan.
After thinking deeply, Li Wan felt a little dazed.
But Jia Mu sighed: "We can't let Lan'er be too tired. As Brother Heng said, work and rest should be combined."
Li Wan nodded and said, "That's what the old lady said."
This is also a lesson for her husband.
While they were talking, the mother-in-law suddenly came into the hall to report that Mr. Bao, Mrs. Lian, Sister Feng, Aunt Xue and Miss Bao were here.
Not long after, several people entered the Rongqing Hall. There were no smile lines on their faces, and their expressions looked sad.
Baoyu was the first to throw himself into Jia Mu's arms and called out: "Old ancestor."
Jia Mu held Baoyu's head and screamed heartily.
Sister Feng, Yuan Chun, Aunt Xue and Baochai took their seats one after another.
Baochai watched the scene of "deep love between ancestors and grandchildren" quietly, but he remembered what his mother had said before about the "good relationship between gold and jade". She couldn't help but frowned, with a dazed look on her face. Yuanyang offered the tea in person and called out.
.
Baochai waved his hand and said softly: "Thank you, sister Yuanyang, I don't... I'm really thirsty."
mandarin duck:"???"
Fortunately, Baochai took the tea cup and took a sip.
Yuanyang secretly thought, maybe he was tired after a long day and felt sleepy.
Jia's mother, on her side, gave Baoyu a few words of comfort, turned around and asked several people what they had seen in the Wang's house, and she was also filled with sadness.
"Baoyu, please don't go there tomorrow. He is so young and has never experienced such a thing. He will be frightened again." Jia Mu said distressedly.
Yuanchun nodded and agreed.
Jia's mother ordered the kitchen to prepare food, but several people looked gloomy and obviously had no appetite.
Ningguo Mansion
Jia Heng returned to his mansion in the evening and walked into the hall. He saw the hall full of pearls and greenery, the sound of joy and laughter.
Qin Keqing was talking to Xiangyun, Tanchun, and Daiyu was also covering her mouth and smiling.
Seeing Jia Heng coming back, Qin Keqing smiled and said, "Husband, are you back from the Yamen?"
Jia Heng responded, looking at the smile with a lotus-like face and willow-like eyebrows, he felt guilty for a moment, and turned to look at Xiangyun who was holding a handkerchief, laughing to himself, and the flower branches were trembling.
Daiyu suppressed her smile at this time and cast a piece of autumn water at the young man. However, she saw that the young man's eyes fluctuated and he couldn't help but turn his head slightly.
Xichun also tilted her pretty little face, looked at Jia Heng, and asked with a smile: "Brother Heng, are you back from the Beijing camp?"
Jia Heng smiled and said: "I first went to Jinyi Mansion and asked about Uncle Lin's affairs in Nan Province, and then went to Jingying... The Wucheng Army and Horses Division didn't hand over any urgent matters today, right?"
Tan Chun shook his head slightly and said softly: "Mr. Fan ordered me to send the details of the prisoners arrested in the past few months and the taxes and money collected in the east and west cities for my brother to read. If it is feasible, I will just use the seal."
Jia Heng smiled and said, "I'll take a look at it tonight."
Several people listened to the conversation between the brother and sister, smiling and not interrupting.
Qin Keqing ordered the maid to go to the kitchen to prepare meals.
Daiyu pursed her lips and asked: "Brother Heng, where is my father?"
Jia Heng said: "It's nothing."
Tan Chun chuckled and said, "Sister Lin and Brother Heng are now in charge of the Jinyi Guards. It is easier to protect Uncle Lin than before."
Daiyu said nothing else.
Tanchun asked again: "Brother Heng took over the rectification of the affairs of the Beijing camp, is it going well?"
Jia Heng's expression turned strange and he said: "It's steady and getting better. It should come to an end before spring starts."
Tanchun said: "That's good."
Xiangyun curled his lips at this moment, took the braid hanging down the front and twisted it around his fingers, saying: "Third sister and brother Heng, they are talking about big things outside now, and we can't even talk about it.
"
Qin Keqing smiled and said: "Those brothers and sisters are more interested in military and political affairs than other matters."
There is still a bit of resentment in my heart. Knowing that you brother and sister are so close, you don't have to stay silent all the time and ignore others.
Jia Heng smiled to himself and said, "I listen to you, we won't talk about official business here."
Then he said: "Third sister said last time that she wanted to learn to ride a horse. I plan to buy some ponies tomorrow."
Qin Keqing: "???"
Tan Chun's eyebrows curved into crescent moons, and he said in surprise: "Brother Heng, is it true?"
She had actually wanted to learn to ride a horse since early in the morning, but had no chance.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "We will prepare the horses and harness tomorrow. To the north of Huifang Garden, there is a large piece of grassland that has been leveled. In our free time, we can teach our third sister how to ride a horse."
As the home of a duke, Rongning's Second Mansion has a relatively large garden, with rockery lakes and lush trees. The two were eventually combined into one to form the Grand View Garden, which covers an even larger area and can even be used to explore the lake by boat.
Daiyu covered half of her face with a pink handkerchief, tilted her head and looked at Tanchun, and joked: "This time we are really going to have a Mulan in the house."
Tan Chun Tao blushed and said softly: "Hua Mulan, I heard that all the princesses and princesses have learned riding skills. Not to mention they are very proficient, but traveling on horseback is much cheaper."
The customs of the Chen and Han Dynasties were slightly more open than those of the previous Ming Dynasty, and many of the noble ladies of the martial arts class went on horseback rides.
Jia Heng smiled, looked at Daiyu, and said, "If Sister Lin likes it, you can follow suit."
The bright smile on Daiyu's pretty face froze, and her starry eyes blinked. For some reason, she felt a little eager to try, but also a little afraid, so she had to hang her head and remain silent.
Jia Heng secretly thought that he just said it casually.
Daiyu, this fragile body, should not be shaken to pieces by Ma...
Xiangyun Pingguo's face was as red as the clouds. He held his hands and smiled and said, "Brother Heng, I want to learn to ride a horse. Can you teach me?"
Jia Heng glanced at Xiang Yun, who looked like a mantis-shaped crane with a charming smile, and chuckled: "Sister Yun is physically strong. She can not only learn to ride a horse, but also to learn swords and guns. If in that play, she is also Mu Guiying, Fan
Pear Blossom Characters.”
Xiangyun smiled sweetly and said: "Fan Lihua uses a gun. If I want to practice weapons, I have to practice swordsmanship. It is best to use the Qinglong Yanyue Sword. Brother Heng, I like to warm wine and kill Hua Xiong's Guan Yu the most."
As he said that, he raised the handkerchief in his hand, held his head high, held up the bear that was beginning to take shape, stroked his smooth chin with his hand, and said with gesture: "Pour down the wine, Guan will come as soon as you go..."
When everyone saw his cuteness and charming manner, they couldn't help but fall in love with him.
Even Xichun, who was listening to the conversation on the side, had a cold face, as if frost and snow had melted away, and his smile was bright.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "It may be difficult for Sister Yun to become Guan Yu. If you practice martial arts diligently, you can consider becoming General Pan Feng."
Xiangyun said with a bitter face: "Is it Pan Feng who was chopped off his horse by Hua Xiong Sanhe?"
Everyone laughed when they saw this.
Everyone has read Jia Heng's Three Kingdoms dialects, so they know what they are talking about.
While a few people were talking and laughing, suddenly the woman from outside came in and announced that Baochai had come from Xifu in Yuanchun.
Not long after, Yuanchun and Baochai, accompanied by the maids holding the piano and Ying'er, entered the hall. Listening to the laughter and laughter, several people who had been affected by sadness for a day felt even slightly uncomfortable.
The faint smile on Jia Heng's face disappeared, and he called out warmly: "Sister, Sister Xue, are you back from the palace? How is it over there?"
In Yuanchun, Baochai responded, stepped forward to greet Keqing and Jiaheng, greeted Tanchun, Xiangyun and other sisters, and sat down one after another.
"Brother Heng," Yuanchun looked at the shameless young man across from him and sighed, "My uncle, I can't bear to see that several of my cousins died in their early years."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said: "There is nothing more miserable in life than when a white-haired person gives a black-haired person a gift."
Everyone sighed with emotion.
At this time, the maid came in and said: "Madam, the food in the kitchen is ready, can you serve it now?"
Qin Keqing said softly: "Husband, sisters, please eat first."
Everyone responded in unison, then washed their hands and began to have dinner.
After dinner, we drank tea and talked.
Jia Heng knew that Yuanchun came here because of something. He looked at Wen Ning, a quiet and beautiful girl, and said warmly: "Sister, how about following me to the study for a chat first?"
Yuanchun nodded quickly in agreement.
The two of them were about to get up when they saw Baochai's apricot eyes seemed to be a little tangled, twisting the handkerchief in his hand, and kept looking at him.
Jia Heng's mind was spinning, and he guessed some of the reasons, and said: "Sister Xue, you can come over too. I have something to talk to Sister Xue."
Baochai was called, her delicate body trembled slightly, and when she looked into those penetrating eyes, for some reason, an unspeakable feeling came over her heart.
This will be the same in later generations.
If someone observes your words, understands your emotional tangles, and urgently needs you, you will feel like you are going from an emotional low to a peak.
Baochai felt a little embarrassed because she had to trouble others again and again, and it was difficult to speak.
Jia Heng nodded and said warmly: "Sister Xue, come here."
Baochai said "hmm".
In the small hall separated by screens in the inner study, the lights were as bright as daylight, and several people were seated one after another.
Jia Heng asked Qingwen to pour a cup of tea for Yuan Chun and Baochai, then looked at the two girls with plump figures and dignified temperament, and said: "Eldest sister, sister Xue."
Yuan Chun hesitated for a moment and said softly: "I heard Brother Heng say earlier that he seemed to be doing business in Dongcheng with the Princess Jinyang's Mansion. Now I am at home and have nothing else to do. I am very quiet and thinking..."
Jia Heng said: "If eldest sister wants to help, I would be happy to do so, but..."
"But what?" A look of curiosity appeared on Yuanchun's plump jade face.
Jia Heng said: "I didn't really care much about those businesses, but suddenly they were divided into two sides..."
Before, he had almost completely handed over the operation to the Princess Jinyang's Mansion and Fan Yi, but Fan Yi now helps him manage the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Department, and almost all of it has been handed over to the people from the Princess Jinyang's Mansion.
Facing Yuan Chun's expectant gaze, Jia Heng mused: "If you want to help take care of the people's livelihood in Dongcheng, eldest sister might as well serve as a philanthropist at the Princess Mansion, and it will be cheaper to deal with things. Of course, this is different from that in the Princess Mansion.
In the palace, the inside and outside are isolated, and you are not allowed to return home. Your Highness Jinyang is approachable and will not treat you like a maid after having such a glorious country and military honors as your sister."
The main palace of the eldest princess of Jinyang has two senior stewards, two elderly women, and the guards of the princess palace are commanded by Xia Houying.
The other young female officers with slightly higher status, Yulu, Shuangxue and others, are in charge of the affairs. The official titles are called talented people, praised for good deeds, and each enjoys a salary.
Among them, Lianxue is the personal maid of Princess Jinyang.
Baochai listened at the side, her heart moved slightly, and her watery apricot eyes were thoughtful.
Brother Heng seems to be able to influence the personnel appointments in Princess Jinyang's mansion?
Also, the holy family is grand, and presumably the relationship with the royal family is also very good.
Jia Heng looked at Yuan Chun, his eyes a little warmer.
In fact, the reason why he sent Yuanchun to Jinyang was more of a kind of protection.
Otherwise, Mrs. Wang might pull some tricks and marry Yuanchun off randomly, or marry him as a concubine to a certain vassal king who wanted to win over him, and the latter would just lay the groundwork for him.
Besides, since he brought Yuanchun out of the palace, he naturally had to worry about Yuanchun's marriage.
Help people to the end and send Buddha to the West.
But unfortunately, there is currently no one who has caught his eye in Shenjing City, so we can only look for him slowly.
As for Yuanchun's stay at Princess Jinyang's Mansion, will he find out about his affair with the eldest princess of Jinyang?
Firstly, there was nothing shady between him and Jinyang. Secondly, Yuanchun could be a female official in the palace. If she had no discernment, she would not be named a virtuous concubine.
Yuan Chun's jade face appeared thoughtful, and for a moment, her soft and flowing eyes showed a bit of lightness, and said: "Then it's up to Brother Yiheng."
The eldest princess of Jinyang, when she was in the queen's palace, she often heard the queen and the concubine talking about her. She had a sharp temper, and she didn't know if she was as easy to deal with as Hengdi said.
Jia Heng said: "In two days, eldest sister will go to the eldest princess's house with me."
After settling the matter of Yuanchun, Jia Heng turned to look at Baochai beside him.
Well, speaking of Yuanchun and Baochai, they both belong to the same type, with soft and graceful face lines, plump and pink cheeks, and elegant manners.
Also, Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue are actually sisters, and their daughters naturally have a lot in common in body shape and appearance.