Ningguo Mansion
It is in the afternoon when one can hear the sounds of drums, gongs and opera singing coming from the direction of Huifang Garden.
The Tianxiang Tower with red eaves and green roofs stands tall and majestic, with its cornices and hooks extending towards the blue sky. Under the carved beams and painted pillars, several maids in various colored coats and skirts line up to serve on the railings.
Accompanied by Qin Keqing, Second Sister You, Third Sister You and other female family members of the Dongfu, Jia Mu was listening to the play behind a curtain on the second floor. Feng Wan, Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue were also sitting nearby to accompany her.
Sichun, Chai Dai and other young sisters were also talking to each other. It was really Chai Chai wearing a skirt and a coat, with clouds piled in green buns and a plump and thin ring, just like a hundred flowers in full bloom, competing for beauty and splendor.
Tan Chun took Xichun's little hand and said softly: "Fourth sister, I haven't seen you for a few days, why are you willing to come over?"
When Daiyu heard this, her Qiu Shui bright eyes turned and stared at Xichun.
Wearing a pink dress, Xichun looked increasingly petite, with a pretty face and childish teeth. Her eyes under the willow-leaf eyebrows were clear and bright. She said softly: "I feel bored in the house, come out and take a look around."
Fortunately, Tanchun just asked casually and did not pursue her. Immediately, a trace of imperceptible sadness appeared on Yingli's face, and she said softly: "Fourth sister doesn't like to listen to operas, and brother Laiheng doesn't like to listen to operas either.
Yes, I haven’t seen you in the past two days, I don’t know what I was busy with.”
The day before yesterday, she drank too much and was obsessed with things... For the next two days, she didn't know how to face Brother Heng.
Now that she has gradually adjusted her mind, she is just like this.
Baochai, who was sitting next to her, was wearing a lotus-colored coat and a long honey-colored skirt. She had a plump figure and elegant manners. Hearing this, she looked at Tanchun with a pair of moist apricot eyes and chuckled, "Third sister."
This female student doesn’t even know why Brother Heng didn’t come, and we don’t even know.”
After that man took her hand that night, he didn't say anything to her for a few days, and it was as if he had not heard from her.
Tanchun heard the words and turned to look at Baochai with a slightly surprised look on his face. These slightly narrow words should not have been spoken by Sister Bao in front of him, but by Sister Lin beside him.
However, he didn't hesitate and said softly: "Brother Heng may be busy with official duties of the Yamen these days, and I haven't seen him these days."
Dai Yuyan frowned slightly and said in a soft voice: "Brother Heng likes to be quiet, maybe he thinks it's too noisy."
Tan Chun listened to the conversation between Chai and Dai, and the strange feeling in his heart became stronger.
It's probably a case of Chai and Dai each taking the other's script?
However, even in the original work, Baochai did not say anything to encourage narrow-mindedness, and Daiyu was also considerate.
At this time, Jia's mother listened to the discussion of Tanchun and other sisters, turned to Qin Keqing and asked with a smile: "Why haven't you seen Brother Heng in the past two days?"
Qin Keqing smiled gently and said softly: "My husband, he has been going to and from the Yamen these days to deal with military affairs and official duties. He went outside the city early in the morning. It is already this time. He should be back, right?"
After saying that, he looked at Baozhu who was serving him with his hands lowered, and ordered: "Baozhu, go see if the uncle is back."
Baozhu said "Hey" and quickly went down to Tianxiang Tower to look for Jia Heng.
Jia Heng was drinking tea in the flower hall and saw Qingwen's brother Wu Gui and his sister-in-law Duo.
This Wu Gui was timid and afraid of getting into trouble. He used to be a cook in the Rong Mansion, cooking for the servants. He had many wives and girls and was popular among the servants of the Rong Mansion. Later, he even got involved with Jia Lian.
A strand of hair even caused a disturbance, causing Sister Feng to slap Ping'er.
The name is also worthy of its name, Wu Guizhi is also a turtle.
Wu Gui was a little timid. He bowed respectfully to Jia Heng, bent down and knelt down, and said with a smile on his face: "Uncle, I had to thank Uncle Meng for taking care of me before giving the little one a bite to eat."
There were many girls on the side with coquettish physiques and fancy dresses. They boldly looked at the boy in the python suit, casting flirtatious glances and flirting, but there was no response at all.
But she didn't expect this coquettish look to have already fallen into Qingwen's eyes. Her eyebrows were raised, her pretty face was filled with anger, and her heart was filled with anger.
She thought to herself that she was really soft-hearted and allowed such a messy fox to see the young master.
Jia Heng also noticed the behavior of the girls, and felt a little annoyed. He put down the teacup, looked at Wu Gui calmly, and asked: "When you work in the kitchen of Xifu, you should be honest and eat less and play less."
Money, don't cause any trouble, if you do it again, no one can save you."
It’s not easy to mention other things. You can’t say that you wear a different hat.
Wu Gui smiled and nodded in agreement, not daring to neglect.
Qingwen was a little impatient on the side, urging people to drive away, and said: "Brother, I have already met the uncle. It's time to get busy."
At this moment, Baozhu came in from under the eaves of the corridor, with a joyful look on his face, and said with a smile: "Uncle is back? The old lady and grandma have called you over to listen to the play."
Jia Hengyuan didn't want to talk to Wu Gui and his wife anymore. Hearing this, he just waved his hand to send the couple away. He turned to look at Baozhu and said softly: "You go back and answer, I'll be there right away."
After saying that, he looked at Qingwen who seemed a little angry, and said with a smile: "Qingwen, come with me to Tianxiang Tower to sit for a while."
Qingwen said "Hmm", twisted her waist and followed Jia Heng closely, saying: "My cousin and sister-in-law..."
Jia Heng said: "Okay, the same rice can support hundreds of people, these are not worth mentioning."
Qingwen Guazi's face showed joy again, and as she listened to the young man's words, her heart could not help but feel sweet.
Tianxiang Tower
Amid the greetings from the mother-in-law and maids, Jia Heng and Qingwen climbed up the wooden ladder, walked around a bamboo base and a screen embroidered with peonies on silk, and entered the hall.
Jia Mu and Feng Wan, who were originally joking, gradually stopped talking and laughing, and raised their eyes to look at the master and servant, or to be precise, the young man wearing a tuanzhang python suit and a mountain hat.
Baochai was joking with Yuan Chun. At this time, the smile on Li Rui's snow-white face froze. Her apricot eyes under Liu Ye's thin eyebrows stared at the young man with a complex look deep in her eyes.
Tan Chun also secretly glanced at the young man, then shifted his gaze a little, clearly not daring to look at the young man's face. It was just a coincidence that it landed on his ear. His heart trembled, and he quickly moved his eyes away and took a sip of his cherry blossoms.
lip.
Jia Heng walked closer, saluted Jia Mu, and nodded gently to Yuanchun. His eyes passed over Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, Chaidai and other beauties in turn. Amidst the greetings of Yuanyang, Jia Heng stood under Jia Mu.
He sat on the embroidered pier at the head.
Mother Jia looked at the boy in the python suit with her old eyes, smiled, and asked: "Brother Heng, I haven't seen you during the past few days during the Chinese New Year. What are you busy with?"
This banquet was originally held for Jia Heng, but Jia Heng had not shown up for several days. Jia's mother should have asked about it to show her concern.
Jia Heng looked indifferent and said: "The yamen's official affairs have accumulated a lot over the years, and now their desks are almost full. Most of them cannot be decided by the people below, so I have to make the decision myself, so I haven't done anything in the past two days."
Come to Tianxiang Tower, the old lady and the sisters are just celebrating lively, don't worry about me."
After hearing this, everyone nodded.
There is nothing wrong with what he said, but when he looked at the young man again, the thought inevitably came to his mind, no wonder Guan'er did such a big job.
Li Wan stared at the young man, and there was a hint of thoughtfulness on his elegant face. Maybe Lan Geer could be like his Uncle Heng in the future.
"Look, the officials here are so busy that they don't even have time to celebrate the New Year." Jia Mu turned to look at Sister Feng aside and complained.
Sister Feng said with a smile: "Brother Heng is in great use now, and the burden on his body is already heavy. Our ancestors, it was the same in the past when the Duke of Guo was here, right?"
Jia's mother sighed: "The young master was like this back then. He was so busy every day that his feet never touched the ground."
When Sister Feng and Li Wan heard this, they both spoke with emotion.
Mrs. Wang was listening closely, her fair face slightly covered with frosty color. She took a deep breath, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.
Aunt Xue originally had a fun-loving nature, but because Xue Pan was sent in by someone, she didn't agree at this moment. She just smiled softly from the side and didn't say much. There was an idea deep in her heart.
Yuanchun was talking quietly to Daiyu beside him, but most of his attention was focused on the young man with a calm expression.
Baochai held a tea cup in his hand, lowered his head and took a sip. He just raised his eyes to glance at the young man, his almond-shaped eyes filled with thought.
Qin Keqing raised her gorgeous and unprovoked jade face and asked, "My husband sent Mr. Li off early this morning. Is Mr. Li going to the north?"
At this time, Jia Mu took the tea cup from Yuanyang and quietly watched the couple talking.
Jia Heng said softly: "We have set off and will arrive at Beiping Mansion soon."
Yuan Chun's round and round voice sounded like big beads and small beads falling on a jade plate: "Brother Heng, in this case, two bachelors have been removed from the cabinet."
After all, she was once a palace maid in Kunning Palace, so her knowledge is much higher than that of ordinary boudoir ladies.
Jia Heng nodded and said: "It won't be long before a new cabinet minister joins the cabinet."
There was a look of thought on Yuanchun's plump face, and he said: "From years ago to now, the government has been like a revolving door, which is dazzling."
Everyone present was secretly amazed as they listened to the conversation between Yuan Chun and Jia Heng.
Jia Mu smiled and said, "Look, in our family, only the eldest and third maids can talk to Brother Heng about outside affairs."
When Yuan Chun heard this, his cheeks were slightly warm, and his heart was filled with shame. He looked at Jia Mu and said softly: "Old ancestors were joking. I was worried that Brother Heng and...now that University Scholar Li is gone..."
At this moment, everyone in the hall was watching, and it was difficult to continue talking about what was to come.
Jia Heng looked at Yuan Chun with gentle eyes, smiled and said: "Eldest sister's worry is not unreasonable, but I have already taken care of it. If eldest sister is interested, I will discuss it in private."
Compared with Tanchun, who is younger and has less experience and lacks experience, Yuanchun has been in the harem for more than ten years, and his knowledge of the court situation is enough to discuss with him.
To be continued...