Chapter 352: Keqing's life experience is full of doubts
After Jia Heng left, Xichun's house fell into a brief silence. Only the lights were bright, and suddenly, there was a crackling sound.
The maid Cai'er took the scissors, penetrated them into the bright flames, and cut them in half.
Miaoyu was sitting on a chair nearby, her face was faint, her eyes were cold, and she seemed to have a look of hesitation.
In front of Xichun, Miaoyu didn't hide her emotions too much. In other words, because Miaoyu even dared to ridicule Baoyu and Daiyu, she was not a submissive person.
It was only when faced with Jia Mu, the old feudal prince, that she asked about Liu'an tea, that she gave in, offered her the lady's eyebrows, and flattered her with words.
Xichun slightly raised her bright eyes and looked at Miaoyu aside, with a different meaning in her eyes.
Xichun, who had just watched the fight between Jia Heng and Miaoyu with a cold eye, saw the verbal quarrel between the two, and in his clear and gentle voice, which was slightly milky, there was a hint of maturity beyond his years: "Miao
Master Jade, he has always been... sharp in temperament. He had many fights in the Rongqing Hall and never fell into a disadvantage."
Whether it was Jia Heng fighting with Jia Zhen or Jia She, going to Rongqing Hall several times, or controlling Baoyu's fear in Rongqing Hall, Xichun witnessed the whole process, but at that time he regarded him more as a stranger, but now his mood is different
Very different.
Miaoyu's bright eyes glowed coldly, and she said in an indifferent tone: "He is very gentle to you."
Hearing this, Xichun couldn't help but feel something strange in her heart, and said softly: "He has always regarded me as his sister."
Seeing Xichun's shy and disappointed look, Miaoyu secretly shook her head.
Xichun didn't say anything else, just picked up the drawing paper on the table and looked at the portrait painted on it.
Miaoyu also reached out and picked up the scroll on the desk, staring at it carefully.
Even if it's not the first time I've seen it, the mirrored image is so detailed that it still has a strong impact, but then I think about it being painted by that young man...
Next time we meet, we'll make a fuss.
Miaoyu thought so.
However, Jia Heng left the courtyard where Xichun lived and walked along the Chaoshou verandah, riding in the cold wind and moon, heading towards the courtyard with a calm expression.
Entering the courtyard, and Baozhu, Ruizhu nodded, walked around the screen, and saw Keqing sitting on the bed, with a focused expression, sewing something in her hands.
The beauty is wearing a bright red dress, with a graceful figure. She has now taken off her makeup. Her hair is slender with green silk hanging down around her waist, tied behind her shoulders with a green rope. She has a beautiful and charming face with an expression.
Indescribable tranquility.
Jia Heng came closer and asked with a smile: "What are you embroidering?"
"Husband." Qin Keqing raised her eyes and looked at Jia Heng in surprise, put down the sewing in her hands, but did not answer. She saw a calm smile on her face as charming as a flower, and said: "Husband, this is Cong Xichun
Where is my sister coming over?"
"Yeah." Jia Heng said with a smile, took the small clothes that Qin Keqing was sewing, and said thoughtfully, "These seem to be children's clothes."
"You want a child?" Jia Heng asked.
"No way?" Qin Keqing's cheeks as white as snow turned crimson, and she quickly denied it, but she was quickly defeated by the warm look that seemed to be a smile but not a smile. She pinched the hem of her coat and skirt and said, "I'm the first to do that.
Be prepared, there is no need to wait for a temporary famine."
Jia Heng smiled and couldn't help but take Qin Keqing's slender hand. He felt it was tender and soft to the touch, and reached out to wrap his arms around the slender shoulder.
After the two got married, they made every effort, but it only lasted a few months.
Although he is a little busier, he rarely stays out at night. It can be said that he comes back every night to be with Ke Qingnuai. It is difficult to say that his wife has a weak sense of presence.
Qin Keqing narrowed her beautiful eyes, raised her pretty face, and asked with a smile: "Husband, when will you go to your father's place tomorrow?"
Jia Heng caught the excitement and joy in the voice, his heart moved slightly, and he smiled and said, "Why don't you go early tomorrow morning?"
Qin Keqing said softly: "Wuzhuangtou of Heishan Village, why don't you come here tomorrow first with the sacrifices for the tribute festival, and your husband won't meet him at home?"
"No matter how big the deal is, just ask Jiao Da to greet him in the front yard. It won't be too late to find time to see him in the evening." Jia Heng took Qin Keqing's hand and played with the green catkins.
Qin Keqing said softly: "Husband, won't you go to the Yamen tomorrow?"
Jia Heng said: "I've already given the errands, so I don't need to do everything personally."
When Qin Keqing heard this, her delicate and picturesque eyebrows finally couldn't hide the joy.
Jia Heng smiled and said: "After we go to see my father-in-law tomorrow, when we come back, why don't we stop by Ci'en Temple and walk by the Qujiang Pool?"
Qin Keqing said softly: "I have to go to Ci'en Temple. I asked for a marriage sign before we got married..."
As he said this, he suddenly felt speechless and kept silent, his face flushed with embarrassment.
Jia Heng said with great interest: "You also asked for a marriage sign?"
Holding Qin Keqing's chin, she pursed her two peach blossom lips to capture the sweetness, and then, in the beauty's shy eyes, she asked with a smile: "What do you want?"
Qin Keqing lowered her eyebrows, buried her head in Jia Heng's arms, and said infatuatedly: "At that time, I went to Ci'en Temple to ask for a marriage sign. At that time, I was thinking that I must find a good husband with both civil and military skills in this life."
"Oh." Jia Heng smiled softly and asked deliberately: "Did you find it later?"
Qin Keqing: "..."
Qing Zhi was just amusing himself, so he couldn't help but scolded him and said: "My husband is asking questions knowing that he knows."
Jia Heng thought for a while and said with a smile: "Then I have to go and fulfill my wish."
Qin Keqing smiled gently.
The couple cuddled together for a moment, and Qin Keqing's lips twitched and asked: "Husband, I haven't seen my eldest sister in the past few days. Is she... okay now?"
Jia Heng said: "It's good. I've been at the eldest princess's house for a few days and helped me a lot."
Qin Keqing said "hmm", a layer of melancholy appeared in her beautiful eyes, and said: "The eldest princess is quite nice. I heard she is the younger sister of today?"
Jia Heng's expression remained unchanged and he said nonchalantly: "She is the emperor's sister. She lives as a widow in the mansion. Now she lives with a thirteen or fourteen-year-old daughter. She is titled Princess Qinghe."
Qin Keqing was thinking about keywords such as "the thirteen or fourteen-year-old Qinghe Princess" in her heart, her beautiful eyes were blank, and she secretly thought, "Could it be that the hair in your husband's clothes belongs to this little princess?"
Although Jia Heng took a bath every time after finishing with Chen Li and did not let incense stain his clothes, he neglected the key thing... his hair.
Qin Keqing saw hair that was not his own in his inner clothes, how could he not be suspicious?
I just couldn't think of a close connection with the eldest princess of Jinyang for a while.
The main reason is the age difference, so it's hard to think about that.
Jia Heng took Qin Keqing's hand and said, "Okay, it's getting late. Let's rest early."
At this time, Baozhu and Ruizhu brought hot water and helped them wash their feet.
At the end of the year, the golden hooks were put down, the curtains were lowered, and the couple took a rest.
…
…
The next day, Qin's house
In the flower hall, Qin Ye was talking to Qin Zhong.
Qin Zhong was dressed in warrior attire, with delicate features, red lips and white teeth, but his features were a little more determined than before.
Qin Ye looked at Qin Zhong, nodded secretly, his expression softened a little, and asked: "How long has the vacation been in school?"
Qin Zhong said in a clear voice: "From the first year to the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, homework has been assigned during the teaching and learning period."
Qin Yedao: "If you listen carefully to the teachings in school, don't delay reading the Four Books and Five Classics. Is there any explanation of the Four Books in the school recently?"
From a fundamental point of view, although I would like to see my weak-tempered son change his mind due to practicing martial arts, the more serious way to get started is to study for the imperial examination.
"When Mr. Jing and his brother-in-law come over, we need to have a good talk."
Qin Ye thought so.
Qin Zhong said softly: "The Four Books and Five Classics are all taught by lecturers hired by the Imperial College. Recently, the lecturers are teaching Mencius."
Qin Ye nodded, his eyes were earnest, and he warned: "Ya Sheng's writings contain subtle meanings. You should study them carefully and ponder them."
While the father and son were talking, a servant came in from the outside, stood under the eaves of the corridor, and said: "Master, my uncle and the young lady are here."
When Qin Ye heard this, his face was filled with joy. He stood up from his seat and said, "Where is he?"
"We have arrived at Yimen."
"Qing Jing, follow my father to welcome your sister and your brother-in-law."
"Hey." Qin Zhong also had a smile on his face, and followed Qin Ye who got up and left, and came out of the hall to greet him.
At the Yimen, Jia Heng and Qin Keqing were already standing in the courtyard, talking to Grandma Li, taking care of unloading several carts of New Year's goods, and were about to go to the inner courtyard.
Then I heard a soft call from the corridor, "Ziyu, Keqing."
Qin Ye's old face was filled with a smile, and he looked at the young couple coming from the opposite side, feeling greatly comforted.
"Dad." Qin Keqing saw Qin Ye and called out quickly.
Jia Heng also bowed his hands and called: "Master Yue Zhang."
At this time, Qin Zhong looked down and said, "Brother-in-law, sister."
Jia Heng nodded to Qin Zhong, and then greeted Qin Ye.
While talking, he entered the hall and sat down separately for the guests and the host.
Qin Keqing asked Qin Zhong about his studies and homework.
Qin Ye twisted his beard with his hand and said with a smile: "Why did Ziyu have time to come here today instead of doing official business at the Yamen?"
Jia Heng smiled and said: "Except for the Five Cities Military and Horse Department, there aren't many urgent matters at the end of the year. My lord, the Ministry of Works should be on annual leave these days."
Qin Yedao: "The Ministry of Industry is not as responsible for maintaining public security in the capital as the Wucheng Military and Horse Department. It will take a year off on the 20th of the twelfth lunar month, but the office is not locked. The doctor inside the yamen and the outside doctor take turns to be on duty."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "The affairs of the Ministry of Industry will be quieter, but the Five Cities Military and Horse Department will be even busier at the end of the year."
Qin Ye nodded and said, suddenly remembered something, looked at Jia Heng again, and whispered: "I have paid attention to the matter that Ziyu asked me about earlier, and it is indeed unusual."
The smile on Jia Heng's face gradually faded, and he asked: "What clues has your father-in-law discovered?"
The last time we inquired was about the details of King Zhongshun's supervision of the construction of the Emperor's mausoleum project at the Ministry of Works.
Qin Yedao: "Let's talk to each other in the study."
Jia Heng nodded, turned to look at Qin Keqing and said, "Keqing."
Qin Keqing smiled softly and said, "You and your father should go talk about business first."
Jia Heng and Qin Ye came to the study and sat down to talk.
Qin Yedao: "Since the last time Ziyu mentioned the materials used in Kangling, I had the opportunity the day before yesterday to go to the Tuntian Cleaning Department to inquire about the details of Kangling's material withdrawals. I found that the minister Pan Bingyi had signed verification documents many times. Within a few years, from
The Ministry of Household Affairs has applied for a total of 5.3 million taels of silver, but Kangling has only completed half of it. In terms of materials alone, the price details of various civil engineering and stone materials for the construction of palaces and palaces by the Department of Housing and Renovation are not correct.
Your Majesty."
The Maintenance and Repair Department is in charge of the construction and repair of palaces and offices, while the Tuntian Department is in charge of the repair of mausoleums to write off expenses. The two parties have different responsibilities, but they are both business departments, and the procurement of civil engineering and stone materials is basically the same.
Jia Heng frowned, his eyes moved slightly, and asked: "Master Yue Zhang, do you mean that there is something about Pan Bingyi, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, here?"
Qin Ye looked solemn and said in a deep voice: "I'm afraid that's not all. Kangling's supervision is overseen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in conjunction with the Tuntian Cleaning Department of the Ministry of Industry. The latter is restricted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is only responsible for trivial affairs. The money allocated by the Ministry of Household Affairs
, but it was sent directly to the Ministry of Industry. From top to bottom, there will not be only one Ministry of Internal Affairs that benefits from it."
Supervising the construction of imperial mausoleums is a major state matter, and the Ministry of Revenue has to allocate funds to the Ministry of Industry. However, because of the special nature of the supervision of the construction of imperial mausoleums, the emperor will order the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take the lead.
However, both parties actually have their own constraints, which is a bit like the relationship between construction and supervision.
In other words, if King Zhongshun had his hands full and enriched his own pockets, then the Ministry of Works, as the verification party and the bank transfer party, could not be unaware of it.
Jia Heng said: "Master Yuezhang, what you mean is that the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Household Affairs are involved here?"
Qin Ye nodded and said: "Hu, I don't know how many people in the Ministry of Industry and Engineering have benefited from this. If Ziyu wants to make a fuss about it, it's better to be cautious. I have been supervising the government offices over the years, and I have seen many colleagues.
, the subordinates make profits from it, and if it does not harm the overall situation, they should turn a blind eye or close one eye, because the trend dictates that they can only live with the light."
Qin Ye came from a poor family and was an official in the Ministry of Industry. Although he was not greedy, he had seen a lot of chaos.
Jia Heng said: "Don't worry, my father-in-law, I will be cautious..."
The criminal evidence he has collected so far is only that King Zhongshun committed fraud in construction and procurement, and there is very little evidence of embezzlement of work money and accomplices.
Once it is launched, it will shake down the officials in the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Works.
"This matter needs to be planned in advance. Otherwise, if King Zhongshun doesn't talk about it, he will get into trouble with the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Work..."
Jia Heng's thoughts were racing, but he couldn't help but think of the change of the General Constitution of the Metropolitan Procuratorate after the year, and he suddenly had a suspicion in his mind, "I can borrow Xu Lu's sharp knife."
Jia Heng stopped mentioning it to Qin Ye and asked about another matter instead, saying: "Master Yue-in-law, but you mentioned the matter of asking for a marriage sign at Ci'en Temple the day before yesterday. My son-in-law has something that has been lingering in his mind for a long time.
Please ask my father-in-law to clarify my doubts."
Qin Ye looked surprised and asked, "Zi Yu, please speak."
Jia Heng said: "Why did my mother sign the marriage contract with my father-in-law?"
He asked Aunt Cai about this matter privately, and even secretly investigated Qin Ye's career path, but found nothing unusual.
Qin Ye was silent for a moment and asked, "Are you talking about the marriage certificate? It's a long story."
Jia Heng acted like he was listening attentively and said, "I would like to hear the details."
A look of reminiscence appeared on Qin Ye's face, and he said, "You should know that I brought you from the Yangsheng Hall, right?"
Jia Heng nodded and said, "But you mentioned this to me."
Qin Yedao: "Keqing was weak and sick when he was young. Once he had an emergency and went to the doctor, but the doctor was helpless. At this time, he happened to meet your mother and your father. Your mother seemed to have a good understanding of Huang's way. She saw Keqing's illness and took a few pills to cure her.
Dear Sir, at that time I was extremely grateful and wanted to give you money as a thank you, but your mother refused to accept it and finally arranged this baby marriage with me. I agreed at that time. Later, I took good care of myself and finally got Zhong Er.
, it’s also because of your mother’s diagnosis and treatment and prescription of medicine.”
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, "My mother knows the art of Qi Huang?"
Qin Ye said in surprise: "You don't know?"
Jia Heng looked up and thought. From the memory search of his predecessor, it seemed that there was such a thing.
He had never seen a doctor since he was a child, and he had never been seriously ill. Even if he was ill, his predecessor's mother would help him get medicine.
I thought to myself, maybe I need to ask Aunt Cai.
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and asked again: "Do you have any relatives before you stay at the Yangsheng Hall?"
"I don't know either." Qin Ye shook his head and continued: "The Yangsheng Hall was originally full of abandoned babies, funded by wealthy businessmen in Beijing and the government."
As he said that, he looked at Jia Heng with raised eyebrows and said: "But that health care hall, during the Lantern Festival more than ten years ago, the workers in the hall drank too much wine, knocked over the candlesticks and drained the water, and a fire broke out.
"
Hearing the word "walk away", Jia Heng's face turned gloomy, and his mind was filled with doubts.
He vaguely felt that this place was very unusual.
I want to use the power of Jinyi Mansion to investigate, but I am worried about touching some taboos.