Empress Song sat in front of the dressing mirror, sitting quietly. Behind her were two palace maids removing the complicated headdresses between her temples. A charming and gorgeous face was reflected in the clear mirror.
Time has been gentle to her, without leaving too many traces on her brows and corners of her eyes. Her beauty and charming charm flow silently.
Empress Song sighed quietly, but she couldn't help but think of the pending appointment of the crown prince, and there was a hint of worry in her phoenix eyes.
"Mother, the hot water is ready." At this time, the voice of the female official Rui'er sounded from the side.
Empress Song responded, turned around and entered the palace. Under the service of the palace maids, she removed the phoenix-patterned palace clothes one by one. Suddenly, the snowy shoulders were round and smooth, and the back was frosted and snowy, suddenly appearing in the air, slender.
Her legs are straight and round, and her feet are as white as jade. The nails of her toes are painted rose red with impatiens juice. Because she steps on bamboo mats and exerts a little force, a small hole appears in the depression of the toe joint.
Nest, enter the bathtub in the hazy heat.
Empress Song turned her head and faced the female official beside her, her round voice filled with sadness: "Rui'er, do you think I am getting old?"
Rui'er wiped the beauty's neck and snowy back with a towel, and said with a chuckle: "What are you talking about? Your Majesty is as beautiful as a peach and a plum, she is in her prime."
Empress Song sighed quietly, turned around, her eyes were blank, and she said nothing more.
After a simple bath, he changed into a lining, put on wooden clogs, came to the bed, couldn't help but lift up the silk quilt, and lay down in the cool quilt.
From the inside to the outside, the maid lowered a total of three golden hooks, lowered the curtains, and extinguished the candles one by one.
Empress Song, who was on the bed, couldn't sleep for a while, so she turned to think about the few words she heard from Emperor Chongping in the study just now.
Speculating on the connection.
Secretly, could it be that the King of Chu tried to win over Jia Heng, but Jia Heng rejected him?
That's right, Jia Heng is now in charge of the Five Cities Military and Horse Division, Jinyi Mansion, and Jingying. No wonder the King of Chu couldn't sit still and was ready to make a move.
If this is the case, it makes sense why His Majesty was so angry and praised Jia Ziyu for his general knowledge.
"How on earth did the King of Chu win over him? He used Xianning to do some subtle tricks. Speaking of which, Xianning begged me last time to send Xia Shouzhong to help solve the Xue family's troubles."
Empress Song thought about the joints and decided on a plan. She frowned and thought flashed through her beautiful eyes.
Her son, the King of Wei, opened the palace and watched the government. As he had been in contact with the army in the five cities for a long time, he and Jia Ziyu must have been as close as brothers.
Thinking of this, I felt a little relieved.
After a while, I stopped thinking about it.
Just for a while, I still couldn't sleep.
She sighed softly. She was over thirty-five or sixty years old. For some reason, her heart had been scratching her heart in the past two years, but His Majesty was busy with state affairs and had no intention of having a harem.
The palace maids can also eat the right food, or the palace concubines and personal female officials do some fake things.
But she is a queen who honors the world, is a graceful and noble queen, and sets an example for the world, so she must not do such an unsavory thing.
He sighed softly, and a look of struggle flashed in his beautiful eyes.
After all, just like countless times before, he climbed up with one hand and moved down with the other, and began to close his phoenix eyes slightly. The image of Emperor Chongping when he was young emerged in his mind. However, in the past two months, the outline of the emperor when he was young has gradually become clearer.
Blurred.
I don’t know how long it took, but I heard a deep sigh in the long winter night.
Empress Song took the handkerchief, wiped her wet slender hands, folded the handkerchief, and hid it in the bed.
"It's so late and I can't take a shower."
Empress Song thought so, turned over, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
…
…
The next day, it was already the New Year, and every household began to invite the Kitchen God and put up lanterns and colors. Ningguo Mansion became increasingly busy, with people coming in and out, dusting people, and putting up window grilles.
In the backyard room, it was already early in the morning, and Jia Heng and Qin Keqing had not long gotten up and started having breakfast.
Because there was a light snowfall last night, the maid outside the house was holding a broom and a shovel and began to clear the snow.
"Husband, my sister-in-law Feng said yesterday that she invited a theater troupe to come and listen to the opera at Tianxiang Tower in the afternoon. What do you think, husband?" Qin Keqing looked at Jia Heng with a sweet smile.
Jia Heng drank a bowl of porridge and said softly: "It will be as per your arrangement. You will listen to the play in the backyard, and I will entertain the men of the clan in the front yard."
Qin Keqing said "hmm" and said with emotion: "Second sister, as soon as third sister comes home, our house is much deserted now."
Early in the morning, Second Sister You and Third Sister You returned home in a carriage to reunite with Mrs. You.
Jia Heng put down the porridge bowl and chuckled: "They are going home to celebrate the New Year. Are you not satisfied with me accompanying you these days?"
With that said, he took Qin Keqing's delicate hand.
Qin Keqing couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed by these words, her bright eyes flashed, and she said angrily: "Husband, there are others here."
Jia Heng smiled and ordered the maid to remove the plates and bowls.
While the couple was sleeping in bed, the mother-in-law from outside came to report that Xiangyun, Daiyu, and Tanchun had come from the West Mansion and had arrived at the inner hall.
Jia Heng said softly: "We are talking about being deserted here, so I came here to chat with you and relieve our boredom."
Since today is the Lunar New Year, the East and West mansions will hold a grand celebration banquet at Tianxiang Tower at noon. Tanchun and other sisters had nothing to do in Rongqing Hall, so they came over to chat and laugh.
Jia Heng and Qin Keqing left the wing and went to the inner hall.
I saw a group of Yingying Yanyan sitting in the hall, getting up and greeting Qin Keqing and Jia Heng.
Qin Keqing greeted them one by one.
At this time, Baozhu held the train of her skirt, crossed the threshold, walked into the inner hall, and said with a smile: "Grandma, Xiangling came to say hello to grandma."
"Let her come over." Qin Keqing's beautiful face was filled with a smile.
Not long after, Xiang Ling walked into the hall through the curtain, knelt down and kowtowed, saying: "Sister, please give my regards to the uncle."
Qin Keqing's eyes showed compassion and she said softly: "Get up quickly, the ground is cold."
With that said, he stepped forward and took Xiang Ling's arm, and sat down on the embroidered pier beside him.
The little girl was wearing a red double-breasted coat and a pomegranate skirt. She had a pretty little face with a bright red face, but her figure was a little cramped. She looked up at Jia Heng with timid eyes.
Jia Heng looked at Qin Keqing and joked with a smile: "Girl, I'd better kiss you more. Call you first and then me. It's only right to call me sister and then brother-in-law."
Everyone couldn't help laughing when they heard this.
Xiangyun smiled and said: "Brother Heng, how about I call you brother-in-law?"
Jia Heng smiled and said, "Then you have to ask your sister-in-law if she would like to have another sister."
Qin Keqing smiled softly and said, "I would rather have Sister Duoyun as my sister."
"Sister-in-law, forget it, I think it's better to be closer to Brother Heng." Xiangyun chuckled and waved his hand.
Qin Keqing smiled, looked at Jia Heng, and joked: "It seems that Sister Yun is getting closer to you."
Everyone laughed again.
After joking for a while, Qin Keqing turned her eyes and asked Jia Heng: "My husband said that last time I checked Xiangling's life experience, do you have any clues now?"
When everyone heard this, the smiles on their faces gradually faded away, and they all looked at Jia Heng.
Like Tanchun and Daiyu, both knew that Xiangling was bought by the Xue family from Guaizi before going to Beijing. It had a miserable fate and a bumpy life experience.
Jia Heng said seriously: "I was just going to tell you that the results of the investigation have been obtained."
In fact, what could be the result? Apart from asking people to find Zhen Shiyin, he knew everything about Xiang Ling's abduction, and he just took the opportunity to tell the truth.
When Qin Keqing heard this, he asked anxiously: "What do you mean?"
She really regarded this little girl who looked somewhat similar to her and even had the same life experience as her sister.
At this time, Xiang Ling also raised her eyes to look at the young man, a trace of hope flashed deep in her eyes.
Obviously, the little girl is not as stupid as she appears.
Jia Heng said: "Sister Xiangling was originally from Jinling. Her real name was Zhen Yinglian. When she was three or four years old, on the day of the Lantern Festival, she was taken out of the house by a servant to watch the sparkling lanterns of the community, and was taken away by a kidnapper..."
The story of Xiangling's abduction was briefly told, until the Calabash Monk disrupted the Calabash case.
This public case was full of twists and turns, and after finishing the conversation, Tanchun, Xiangyun, and Daiyu were all silent for a long time, with sad expressions on their faces.
Looking at the young-looking girl, Qin Keqing saw more and more pity in her eyes, and sighed: "Sister Xiangling's life experience is too bitter."
Jia Heng nodded.
I remember that in the original novel "The Red Mansion", a scabby monk said that he should give up on me. In terms of appearance, although Xiangling was beautiful and gorgeous, he had a rather bitter look.
Qin Keqing raised her beautiful eyebrows and said angrily: "My husband, and that Jia Yucun, since they have been favored by the Zhen family, why don't they save sister Xiangling? They are really wolf-hearted people."
Perhaps because of his love for Wu Ji Wu and Lian Ji Xiang Ling's background, he also had a bad impression of Jia Yucun, who stood by and watched.
Daiyu suddenly said: "Sister-in-law, this Jia Yucun... sounds familiar to me."
Qin Keqing said in surprise: "Does Sister Lin recognize this person?"
Jia Heng answered: "This person should be the teacher in Sister Lin's house. He taught Sister Lin how to read and write. Later, he got through the second master's network and was recommended to Jinling as the governor."
A look of doubt appeared on Daiyu's beautiful face, and she asked: "I just heard what Brother Heng said, the teacher seems to have solved a confusing case?"
After all, Jia Yucun had taught Daiyu for several years and even escorted Daiyu all the way to the capital. Daiyu's overall impression of Jia Yucun was pretty good.
Jia Heng said coldly: "This person is more than just a confused case. This person was favored by the Zhen family before he could show his talents. He waited until he saw his old friend's daughter in trouble, but had no intention of saving him. Such an ungrateful person.
, Reading the book of sages is in vain!”
When Daiyu heard this, her eyes were dim and she was silent for a moment.
She certainly believed what Brother Heng said, so she could only say that she really knew people and faces but not their hearts.
Jia Heng said again: "It's funny to say that this man wrote a letter to the second master last time, saying that he wanted to join the Jia family. He is just following the influence, thinking that he can advance into the world, but he doesn't know that my Jia family is in his heart.
, How does it compare to Zhen Shiyin who gave him silver when he was in poverty?"
The political character of Jia Yucun is extremely despicable. In the original work, when the Jia family was in great power, he would cling to him, and when the Jia family was weak, he would immediately add insult to injury. It can be said that he is a poisonous political snake.
"According to what my husband just said, sister Xiangling's parents are still alive in the world?" Seeing the heavy atmosphere in the hall, Qin Keqing changed the subject and asked softly.
Jia Heng's tone softened a bit and he said: "Sister Xiangling's mother lives in her natal home."
Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes were filled with joy, and she asked: "Husband, can you find Sister Xiangling's mother and reunite Sister Xiangling with her mother and daughter?"
Xiangling also raised her head at this moment, stared at the young man closely, and couldn't help but said weakly: "Uncle Heng, where is my mother...?"
The emotions of being close relatives of flesh and blood, and being connected by blood, also made the girl feel a little crazy.
Jia Heng turned to look at the girl with a rouge mark on her eyebrows, her eyes were warm, and she chuckled: "If you call me brother-in-law, I will tell you."
"Ah..." Xiang Ling seemed to be startled, she lowered her head and held a corner of the handkerchief with a timid look on her face.
Jia Heng: "..."
Why do you make him look like a weird uncle?
Qin Keqing slapped Jia Heng's leg angrily, pulled Xiang Ling over, and said angrily: "Husband, don't play tricks on Xiang Ling, she is cowardly."
Jia Heng said: "I didn't make fun of her, but this girl opened and shut her mouth to talk to Mr. Heng, which made her a little bit lively."
At this moment, a soft, soft voice sounded in the hall, "Brother-in-law."
Jia Heng looked at Xiang Ling, nodded and said, "It is a joyful thing to find your relatives, so don't look depressed. Besides, you should be happy during the Chinese New Year."
Although Xiangling has a beautiful color, there is a gloomy look between her eyebrows and her eyes are frowning.
Xiangling said softly, "Hmm", and couldn't help but lower her head. A warm current surged through her heart.
Qin Keqing suddenly understood Jia Heng's intention, took Xiang Ling's little hand and said, "Let your brother-in-law help you find your mother."
Jia Heng said: "Sister Xiangling's mother, the Feng family, is now in Daruzhou and lives with her father Feng Su. I will send someone south to take her to the capital later and reunite her with sister Xiangling."
Qin Keqing looked happy and said: "Thank God, it will be good to find relatives and reunite."
Xiangling's eyes were also slightly red at this moment, and she was obviously looking forward to the mother she had never seen before.
Tanchun, Daiyu, and Xiangyun couldn't help but be touched by the scene of their flesh and blood coming together, and their noses felt sour.
It's a coincidence that early in the morning, a carriage stopped outside Rongguo Mansion, and a man got out of the carriage. He was wearing a Shu brocade round-neck cotton robe, a scholar's square scarf on his head, and a jade belt around his waist. He had a grand face and sword-shaped eyebrows.
Starry eyes, straight nose and cheeks, he is Jia Yucun.
He is quite tall in stature, and after eight or nine years of ups and downs in officialdom, his aura has become even more condensed.
He walked forward, looked at the stern plaque of the Imperial Palace of Rongguo, composed himself, and handed over a greeting card: "Jia Hua, my disciple, pays my respects to the second master of your mansion."
The servant came forward and took the invitation, looked at Jia Yucun, and said, "Your Excellency, please wait a moment. The younger one will go in and report back to the second master."
Jia Yucun twirled his beard under his chin with his hand, smiled, and motioned to the servant to go first, with a kind attitude.
After waiting for a while, I looked at the plaque of Rongfu, with some thoughts in my eyes.
"Last time I wrote to try to connect with Jia's family, but I didn't know what blocked it. I wanted to visit the Wang's house, but the Wang's house has been abandoned by the emperor. Now I just hope to support Rong's house and say a few kind words to Dongfu.
, let’s see if we can introduce him to the popular General Yunhui, so that he can be connected with the Jia clan.”
Because it was reported recently that there was a vacancy in the general constitution of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the imperial court discussed in front of the imperial court that Xu Lu, the Yin of Jingzhao Prefecture, should serve as the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the emperor approved it by decree.
As soon as Xu Lu left, Jing Zhaoyin naturally had a vacancy, and Jia Yucun, who was the governor of Jinling, was inevitably tempted and planned to go through the Jia family to look for opportunities to see if he could be transferred to Jingzhong.
At this moment, in Mengpo Zhai
Jia Zheng was reciting poems with a group of Qing guests. Because the New Year was approaching, he was in a good mood. He twirled his beard and nodded frequently.
At this moment, the boy from outside came in and reported, "Second Master, Yucun from Nan Province came to visit me.
Jia Zheng was stunned for a moment, and then with surprise and a bit of reproach for the servant's impoliteness: "Where is he? Why don't you welcome him into the front hall?"
Even though Jia Heng once revealed his disapproval of Jia Yucun, Jia Zheng's attitude towards Jia Yucun, who was born in the second list of Jinshi, remained enthusiastic.
While talking, he ordered the boy to go to Yingyu Village and headed to the front hall.
In the hall, Jia Zheng and Jia Yucun were seated as guest and host respectively, drinking tea and talking.
Jia Zheng looked at the tall and majestic Jia Yucun, with a smile on his elegant face: "Brother Yucun, I've been gone for a long time."
"It's been a year, and the demeanor of the government is even better than before." Seeing that Jia Zheng's attitude has not changed, Jia Yucun felt reassured and complimented him.
The two of them chatted and talked about how they got to know each other after parting ways.
Jia Yucun suddenly opened his mouth and said: "The last time the student wrote to Zheng Gong, he mentioned the matter of Lian Zong. Zheng Gong replied and said that he would read it again. The student was confused for a while, but he didn't know what your government's intentions were."
He was a little confused. With his background as a Jinshi, he took the initiative to get closer to the Jia family of the Wuxun family to increase his reputation, but he could still be rejected?
When Jia Zheng heard this, he was silent for a moment and said with a smile: "At that time, something happened in the clan, Ziyu had just taken over the affairs of the Dongfu clan, and there were many official and private affairs, so the affairs of the clan were put on hold."
"So that's the reason." After hearing this explanation, Jia Yucun twirled his beard and said suddenly.
He said there was no way the Jia people could turn their backs on a "disciple" like him.
But speaking of it, Jia Yunhui was only a third-class general at the time, with a shallow foundation, which was far different from the power he has today.
He now holds important positions such as the Military and Horse Department of the Five Cities, the Beijing Camp, and the Jinyi Mansion. According to friends of the same year, even the impeachment of the imperial censor cannot shake him in the slightest, and he already has the posture of a trusted minister of the Holy Emperor.
If he can be recommended to the emperor, he...
I thought about it deeply, and my heart couldn't help but feel warm.
Jia Zheng twirled his beard with his hand and said with a smile: "Now that Ziyu is in the mansion, it coincides with the end of the year to worship ancestors. Yucun can have a good chat with Ziyu. He always respects scholars."
Jia Yucun said happily: "The students are eagerly waiting for it."