It was noon, and Mother Jia had just ordered the mandarin ducks to set out the food. Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue were all around, Chai Dai, Yuan Tan, Ying Chun, and Xiang Yun were all sitting in rows to accompany each other, wearing beaded skirts and coats, and clouds piled with green buns.
It seems like flowers are in full bloom, with peach red and willow green.
As Jia Heng left the Jia Mansion, two flying pigeon letters were sent in succession, resulting in two rewards from the palace. In the past few days, the palace was also immersed in the joy of Jia Heng's smooth sailing in Henan and other places.
But a few days passed by, and there were no more flying pigeons delivering messages to Jia Heng, and both the Rong and Ning houses couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Jia Mu felt a little uncomfortable and asked, "Why haven't you seen Feng Yatou and Lan Geer's mother these days?"
Mrs. Wang said: "There hasn't been much news about Brother Heng in the past few days. Brother Heng's daughter-in-law was very worried, so Feng Yatou went over to talk to her and stay for a few days. Brother Lan's mother also came over."
Thinking of her eldest daughter-in-law, she often went to Dongfu recently to chat with Brother Heng's daughter-in-law.
Alas, she also did it for Langeer, so it wasn't easy either.
Mentioning Qin Keqing, Jia's mother nodded and said: "A few days have passed in a blink of an eye. Since then, I have been rewarded with jewelry in the palace, and Brother Heng has not sent any more letters home. Brother Heng's daughter-in-law may be worried about following
Something like that."
Yuanchun said softly: "Old ancestor, didn't a letter from home come the day before yesterday?"
But if you are worried, why shouldn't she be worried? She has been tossing and turning over the past few nights, worried.
Jia Mu nodded and chuckled, "It's a letter from the Feng Family. I would have almost forgotten it if you didn't tell me."
Baochai was sitting next to Aunt Xue, listening to the conversation between Yuan Chun and Jia Mu, and was in a daze as she looked at the white begonia stamens.
She also received the family letter the day before yesterday, or in other words, he wrote it to her and Sister Qin, well, it was written to Sister Qin and her.
In fact, there was nothing written on it, it just said some ordinary words of greetings and well-being.
I don’t know what happened to him and the Xianning princess after they went to Henan.
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Old lady, Brother Heng is leading the troops outside. He won a battle the day before yesterday, so you can rest assured."
Jia Mu nodded and said, "I'm relieved, Brother Heng has never been worried about."
After saying that, he turned to look at Tanchun and asked: "Girl Tan, you know that your brother Heng has more things to do. Please tell me what your brother Heng is saying now."
As soon as these words came out, everyone in Rongqing Hall looked at Tanchun.
When Baochai heard this, he also looked at the pink-coated girl with beautiful features and a pair of apricot eyes.
Perhaps there is a feeling in my heart like Empress Song, this sister-in-law is not simple.
Tanchun was a little embarrassed by everyone's gaze. Two groups of beautiful blushes quietly appeared on her naturally handsome face, and she said delicately:
"The siege of a city may be different from a field battle, and it might be delayed for ten and a half months. However, as the Minister of Military and Aircraft, Brother Heng always plans before taking action, so he shouldn't delay the war for so long."
Yuan Chun nodded and said in a soft voice: "What the third sister said is true. The military book says that victory is more valuable than victory, but long is less expensive. Half a month ago, Brother Heng was preparing for the chaos in Henan."
The beauty, who is in her twenties, has become more and more plump. She is wearing a light yellow palace dress, well-tailored, and her temperament is as elegant as a chrysanthemum, gentle and pleasant, and her pink face is becoming more and more beautiful and gorgeous, just like when it was in full bloom.
The peony stamens are delicate, bright and moving.
However, she still wears her hair in a girl's bun, with bangs covering her forehead, and has the eyebrows of a girl who has not yet left the palace. However, she can't suppress the familiar charm in the corners of her eyebrows, and her speech and behavior are even more graceful.
Fortunately, Baoqin was covered up with makeup, and Jiaheng was not at home for several days and did not water the water. Even Mrs. Wang did not believe that her daughter was no longer perfect.
Xiangyun said softly: "Brother Heng said he had to finish the battle and is currently playing with that Xianning sister."
Baochai's face turned pale, and he clenched his handkerchief, with a hint of worry hidden in his eyebrows. Of course she didn't believe that he would leave the military affairs behind and follow that man.
The noble daughter of the clan is in front of flowers and under the moonlight.
However, she recalled every detail of that person's relationship with her, and how those methods that made her blush and tremble were used on other girls.
Daiyu's starry eyes sparkled and she said softly: "Sister Yun is still worried about not going with Brother Heng."
"Sister Yun has been thinking about this for the past few days." Tan Chun said with a chuckle, taking Xiang Yun's arm.
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Several brothers of the Shi family are also feudal lords, and Yun Yatou is also what people often call a tiger girl in the general family."
As soon as he said this, everyone laughed.
Seeing a few people talking and laughing and the atmosphere noisy, Jia Mu also smiled, but said with a warning: "Girl Yun, fighting is not a joke. You are still young and don't know how powerful it is. Kowtow like this
If you meet me, you won't be able to marry in the future."
Speaking of which, their historian family can be regarded as a family of martial arts.
Xiangyun responded, saying it was hard to say anything more. The Xianning princess also went to fight, and nothing happened.
While a few people were discussing, suddenly, a stewardess came from outside with a happy face and said: "Old lady, the master is back from the next court."
As soon as these words came out, everyone in Rongqing Hall looked outside, with doubts on their faces.
He secretly thought, "My master doesn't come back very often at noon. He always goes out to have a drink with his colleagues. Why are you coming to court today?"
Jia Mu thought for a moment, then chuckled and said, "It's already noon, it's time to come over."
Mrs. Wang wiped away the faint smile on her face and said softly: "Old lady, sit down and I will greet you."
However, before Mrs. Wang got up to greet her, she saw Jia Zheng walking around a glazed screen, striding from the outside, standing tall, wearing a black gauze hat on his head, and the fourth-grade crimson official robe on his body, which had not yet been changed.
Mrs. Wang's eyes lingered on Yun Yanbuzi on the official robe for a while, and she felt a sense of joy in her heart. At the same time, she secretly sighed.
In the past few days, she asked the master in a roundabout way about asking for the title of fourth-grade wife. But the master said that she would have to wait a few months to report to the Ministry of Rites and then wait for the imperial conferment. This was really true.
People who are waiting are very anxious.
Under the gaze of everyone, Jia Zheng bowed respectfully to Jia Mu: "Mother."
Looking at Jia Zheng, who was wearing a scarlet official robe, Jia's mother nodded and said with a smile: "Zheng'er, you are back from the next court."
Seeing the joy on Jia Zheng's face, he was surprised and couldn't help but ask: "Zheng'er, why do you look so happy today?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone in the Rongqing Hall looked at Jia Zheng, and saw that his face was red and his brows were filled with joy, and everyone was surprised.
Because Jia Zheng has always been solemn and majestic in front of his juniors, it is quite rare to be so happy as he is today.
"Mother, I just went to court. According to the palace saint, Ziyu led the Beijing camp to a great victory in Henan. Today Fei Ge sent a message to report that Ziyu successively recovered Kaifeng Prefecture and Runing Prefecture, and the army annihilated the bandits and bandits.
They numbered them and captured Kou Xiao, the bandit leader involved in the rebellion. The situation in Henan was stabilized, and Ziyu successfully quelled the rebellion." Jia Zheng said with an excited face, his heart was agitated, and his voice was slightly trembling.
As soon as these words came out, Rongqing Hall suddenly fell into a brief silence, and then it was like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake, causing an uproar, and like a joyous spring breeze blowing into the hall, making people intoxicated.
Jia Heng led his troops to recover Kaifeng Mansion and Runing Mansion? Was this a great victory?
"Okay, okay." Mother Jia was stunned for a moment, and then she said a few good words. Her old voice was full of excitement and surprise, and she said, "I just said, Brother Heng has been out for a long time without any news. He must be at war."
, I didn’t want to blink, but good news came.”
Aunt Xue smiled broadly and agreed, "It's true what the old lady said. I've seen that the good news hasn't stopped since Brother Heng led the army on the expedition."
At this moment, Sister Feng is not here, and Aunt Xue, as a guest, naturally takes over the warm-up banner of the lively atmosphere.
Everyone else also looked happy.
Baochai's plump and jade face was delighted to see her, but because she was worried about being noticed by others, she could only lower her head slightly to avoid any abnormality, but
My heart was filled with joy.
Yuanchun Fenglan's pale face was also filled with joy, and her beautiful eyes were in a trance, seeming to reflect the outline of the young man's face.
Brother Heng was indeed a natural-born general. Not long after he led his troops to Henan, he quickly put down the rebellion.
Mrs. Wang looked calm, pinched the Buddhist beads in her hand, and saw the joy of everyone in the hall.
Jia Zheng sat down on the pearwood wooden chair next to the small table, twirled his beard with his hand, and said with a smile: "Mother, the chaos has been decided. Ziyu leads the army this time. The most important thing is to win quickly. Now the civil and military capital of the whole dynasty
I find it strange, and the Holy Master in the palace is even more delighted."
There is no need to go into details about some of the "controversies" at the court meeting in this festive atmosphere.
"Okay, okay." Jia Mu said two more good words with a smile on her face.
Suddenly, I wanted to ask if there was any reward in the palace, but then I felt that it was a bit inappropriate to ask this at this time.
However, I think this time Heng Ge's title will have to be moved up. Originally he was a first-class male, and then he was a viscount or an earl?
After all, Jia Mu was a little unsettled. She turned to look at Tanchun, who was also beaming, and asked, "Third girl, tell me, how did your brother Heng win the battle?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at Tanchun.
Tan Chun was startled for a moment when Mother Jia "answered questions by name". Her childish and beautiful face showed a look of joy and she chuckled and said:
"Old Ancestor, Brother Heng's victory is simple and clean right now. There is no need to worry about procrastinating for a long time and causing other accidents. It is like putting out a fire. The sooner it is put out, the better. In addition, the food was recovered earlier.
Now, half of the follow-up work of appeasing and dealing with the aftermath has become half."
"The third sister is truly worthy of being the daughter of Brother Heng. No wonder Brother Heng looked up at her and said he would take the third sister to Henan." Xiangyun said jokingly with a chuckle.
Of course, Xiangyun, who often went to the Xifu Stables to ride a pony, would have other plans for the future.
Jia Zheng's face paused, and he couldn't help but glance at his daughter. She was already so experienced at such a young age. It was a pity that she was a man, but he could also help Brother Heng to make contributions and shine on his family.
.
Everyone looked at Tanchun with smiles, and a thought came to their mind.
Mrs. Wang frowned, glanced at Tanchun, and sighed in her heart. The third girl she had raised so well was now becoming more and more picky.
Aunt Xue smiled and said, "I don't know how the palace will reward Brother Heng when he comes back this time. He has made such great contributions, so he should be promoted to a noble title."
Aunt Xue casually said something that Jia Mu was embarrassed to ask, and as soon as she said it, it was like breaking a peep show and reminding everyone.
Everyone in the Rongqing Hall was distracted by the word "title" and fell into endless reverie.
Mrs. Wang's expression froze, the beads in her palms had stopped turning, and her knuckles were slightly white from holding the beads.
Now that you are a first-class baron, what is the next step?
Baochai was listening next, and was thinking about Tanchun's words. When he heard what his mother said, his heart was shaken, and he clenched the handkerchief tightly in his palm again.
This time the credit is much greater than before. I wonder if he is just a viscount, or maybe a superior uncle or marquis?
Thinking of this, my heart skipped a beat.
Daiyu sat quietly, her starry eyes under her smoky eyebrows shining brightly, just like the waves of Xiaoxiang water.
A pair of slender jade hands touched the front and pinched the jade talisman. It was the sheep talisman that Jia Heng had given Daiyu as a birthday gift when she had given birth last time.
That day, that night, the boy in the python suit had just raided Prince Zhongshun's palace and returned home despite the storm. The bloody aura was still on his body. He released the hilt of the sword with his long white palm and took out the jade birth talisman from his arms as a gift to the girl.
That scene left an indelible mark on the young girl.
It's like "the clouds and clouds on Mount Emei are like the fireworks when I was seventeen."
When I was young, I was
Don’t meet someone who is too amazing.
Jia Mu turned to look at Jia Zheng, with some doubts on her face.
Jia Zheng muttered: "I haven't mentioned my merits yet. There are still some remaining bandits in Henan that need to be wiped out. However, the Holy One has given Heng Geer the title of Minister of War and Governor of Henan's military affairs to facilitate the aftermath. Even if he is promoted, he will have to wait for Henan.
The matter is initially settled."
Jia Mu breathed a sigh of relief and murmured: "I should wait until I come back, I don't know what title I can get.
Jia Zheng stopped the conversation and said, "Mother, it all depends on the palace. Thunder, rain, and dew are all gifts from God. Don't overthink it."
"That's the truth, then let's not talk about it." Jia Mu nodded and said quickly.
Everyone had no choice but to suppress their wild thoughts about "promoting the title", but it was difficult to talk about it now. It would be inevitable to talk about small talk in private after all. If you don't say it to your face, you would say it behind your back, and if you don't say it in meetings, you would say it to others.
Jia Mu smiled and said: "Brother Heng won a great victory and regained Kaifeng Mansion and Runing Mansion. This is really a happy event. I have to talk to Brother Heng's daughter-in-law later about how to celebrate.
That’s it.”
As he spoke, he turned to look at Yuanyang and said with a smile, "Stop setting out the food. We'll go there right now."
Jia Mu always likes to be lively. How could she sit in Rongguo Mansion for such a festive event? She also wanted to join in the fun at Ningguo Mansion.
Seeing this, Jia Zheng stood up and said softly: "Mom, I'll go first. I just made an appointment with some colleagues to talk, so I won't go over."
A group of housewives gathered together to talk. It turned out that Jia Zheng, a big man, had a hard time getting there.
"Let's go." When Jia Mu saw this, she was very happy and said with a smile. She secretly said that Ning and Rong's two houses are now prosperous in both civil and military affairs.
And just when Jia Mu led all the gold hairpins to Ningguo Mansion——
In Ningguo Mansion, the inner hall of the back house is also surrounded by pearls and greenery, and filled with incense and powder.
Qin Keqing was sitting in the middle, sitting around a square table with Sister Feng, Second Sister You, and Third Sister You, playing mahjong. In addition, there was a young woman in a blue plum jacket skirt and no powder, also sitting next to Sister Feng, with a face on her face.
It is rare to see a full smile, it is Li Wan.
Li Wan has also let go of his reserve these days, and often comes over to chat with Qin Keqing, and sometimes sits down with him to play a game or two.
Although this young woman, who has been widowed for many years, has no rouge or gouache on her elegant face, she wears crystal clear orchid earrings on her ears.
Not long ago, the Empress of the Song Dynasty gave her jewelry, and Qin Keqing asked the young girl's daughter-in-law to pick it up. Li Wan fell in love with it at first sight. These were blue crystal jade earrings polished into orchids.
For this reason, I was worried that others would pick them up in advance. Fortunately, young girls all chose jewelry in red and yellow colors with unique shapes.
There are no earrings in the earrings. The earrings are eye-catching. The sparkling orchid in the empty valley is just like a spark in the withered ashes. Only those who observe carefully can see it in the deep dark night.
To put it bluntly, this is also due to the relaxed atmosphere of Ningguo Mansion. In Rongguo Mansion, one must dress modestly from beginning to end in order to fit the image of a "young widowed" widow.
Qin Keqing was wearing a red dress today, with her temples held up high, pierced by a golden step. Her appearance was graceful, and her hands were as slender as green onions. She threw the mahjong in her hand over and said softly: "Two pieces."
Sister Feng said softly: "touch."
Then he took the tiles and placed them in the mahjong blocks. His red rouged eyes glanced at Qin Keqing, who was a little distracted, and the corners of his mouth curved and he said, "I'm still thinking about Brother Heng."
At this moment, if a scene were changed, with a gramophone playing a vinyl record, a red, blue and yellow glass window letting in the sunshine, a woman wearing furs and cheongsam holding a slender cigarette, it would be like a warlord's wife's mahjong game.
"Sister, I haven't thought about anything these days." Sanjie You played a card and said softly.
"It wasn't just yesterday that I gave you a letter from home," Sister Feng asked.
"After reading the letter from home, I feel even more unsettled." Qin Keqing sighed softly. After getting along with Sister Feng and Third Sister You for a long time, some of the girl's shyness faded away.
Li Wan turned to look at Qin Keqing and said softly: "Brothers and sisters, don't worry too much.
Brother Heng has led troops a few times in the past, and he came back not long after."
"It's different this time." Qin Keqing paused and said softly, "That's it, let's not mention this matter."
Ruizhu and several maids carried tea cups and served tea to several people.
At this moment, Bao Zhu smiled and said: "Grandma, it's already noon, it's time to have lunch."
Qin Keqing responded softly and said: "Sister-in-law Feng, come here first, and we can play again later."
Sister Feng, a gorgeous young woman, had a bright smile on her face and said softly: "I happen to be hungry right now, so let them set out the food and share some together."
Sanjie You gently stretched her body, showing off her exquisite and graceful curves, and said in a charming voice: "I'm not lucky today, I let Sister Qin win, and I lost all the monthly records this month."
In fact, when everyone saw that Qin Keqing was thinking about Jia Heng, they all deliberately made Qin Keqing happy. Third Sister You kept helping Qin Keqing light the cannon.
Sister Feng smiled and joked: "When your uncle comes back, ask him to give you a monthly increase. If two taels a month is not enough, I will give you another two taels."
While Sister Feng was speaking, her eyes lingered in front of the third sister's clothes, and she secretly thought, these coquettish hooves are not tied up inside, and they are so dazzling.
Brother Heng is so handsome, I don't know how he will play with this third sister in bed in the future.
Well, what is she thinking about all this? Is this what she should be thinking about about Brother Heng’s sexual intercourse?
"Sister-in-law Feng, I don't dare." Sanjie You chuckled, then looked at Qin Keqing, and said softly: "Besides, my sister has the final say on family matters such as raising the monthly bill."
He looked like Qin Keqing was following his lead.
Qin Keqing said softly: "The population in our house is smaller. Originally, the monthly quota of two liang for each room was a little less. We are about to reset it."
She was a first-grade imperial concubine, and she was originally supported by the court's salary, but according to the rules, she also had a monthly amount of silver in the mansion, which was twenty taels of silver.
In Rongning and Ningfu, food, clothing, housing and transportation were all provided by the public, so there was no need to spend any extra money.
The monthly allowance is also pocket money. Elderly ladies such as Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang all receive 20 taels per month, young sisters and brothers receive 2 taels per month, aunts also receive 2 taels per month, and maids receive one tael or half a tael.
No wait.
Li Wan's monthly routine was more. It used to be twelve taels in January. Not long ago, in order to take care of Li Wan, who also had Jia Lan at his knees, Jia's mother also saw that the family had plenty of money, so she gave Li Wan another twenty taels.
"If you change the monthly routine here, I will have to change it a lot too." Sister Feng smiled and said softly.
The family's finances have become a little more abundant, and they have invested in projects such as gardening. She is not short of money, but she needs to draw up a detailed charter.
"There's no need to make any big changes. Just for my aunt, the monthly schedule will be adjusted upwards." Qin Keqing said with a smile.
Listening to "Auntie"'s words, Sanjie You's cheeks turned red with embarrassment, her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly said, "Sister, please don't, this makes me embarrassed to stay here."
She hadn't visited a house in a day, and she felt weak even after living here for a day.
"Don't be in a hurry now, let's talk about it when the uncle comes back." Qin Keqing said with a soft smile, reassuringly.
Now the external situation is getting more and more serious. Not long ago, there was a new princess from Xianning. The third sister came in earlier and could share the pressure with her.
At this moment, I heard the voice of grandma from outside, saying: "Grandma, the old lady from Xifu, my wife and several girls are here."
While they were talking, they saw Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue, Yuan Tan, Yingchun, Xiangyun, Chai Dai and their maids coming over.
Qin Keqing was surprised and quickly stood up to greet her, asking: "Old lady, why are you here?"
Second Sister You, Third Sister You, Sister Feng, and Li Wan got up one after another, looked at Jia Mu who was being supported by Mrs. Wang Xing, and came over to greet her.
Yuanchun, Yingchun, Tanchun, Chaidai, and Xiangyun also came to greet Qin Keqing and called their brothers, sisters, and sisters-in-law.
Jia Mu smiled and looked at the plump beauty in a red dress, and said with a smile: "Brother Heng, daughter-in-law,
Just now Baoyu and I came back from the court meeting, and Heng brother won a victory in Henan, saying that he recovered Kaifeng Fucheng and Runing Fucheng."
As soon as he said this, Qin Keqing's face was slightly startled, and then his bright and charming face suddenly burst into joy. He said in surprise: "Old lady, my husband, did he win in Henan?"
"We won. Kaifeng Fucheng and Runing Fucheng are both back in the hands of the imperial court. Baoyu and I were talking about this just now. By now, it should have spread all over the capital." Jia Mu said with a chuckle.
.
She couldn't help but look at the graceful and gorgeous beauty opposite, and thought to herself, Brother Heng's daughter-in-law's color is getting better and better, and she feels strange when she looks at it. Could such a color be cultivated by a small family?
That is to say, marry Brother Heng. Otherwise, marrying such a good-looking person to a small family will be a disaster and the foundation of ruining the family.
As the saying goes, people become better with old age. Jia Mu has lived for several decades. Not only what she has heard, but what she has seen with her own eyes, such things are not uncommon.
Sister Feng was also startled for a moment, with a smile on Guazi's face, and asked: "Old ancestor, this is such a happy event. I'm afraid the contribution Brother Heng has made is not insignificant compared to the previous times?"
Unlike other people who had to be reminded by Aunt Xue before other people could react, Sister Feng, who had lived with Qin Keqing in Ningguo Mansion for a while, immediately thought of being promoted to a noble title for meritorious service.
Thinking of this, he glanced at Qin Keqing from the corner of his eye, feeling confused and confused.
Jia Mu smiled and said, "Isn't that true? However, we still have to wait until Brother Heng's class teacher comes back."
Second Sister You and Third Sister You were equally happy and excited.
Especially Third Sister You, her eyes flashed under her beautiful eyebrows, and she secretly thought that after winning the battle, I am afraid that he will return to the court soon. At that time
Baochai's dewy apricot eyes condensed, and she looked at Qin Keqing. Their eyes communicated quickly, and they understood each other tacitly.
Qin Keqing greeted Jia Mu and everyone to sit down, and then ordered Baozhu to prepare lunch, and everyone sat down one after another.
"Old lady, did the second master tell you when your husband will come back?" Qin Keqing asked quickly.
Jia Mu smiled and said, "I heard from Mr. Baoyu that Brother Heng still has some troubles to deal with, so I'm not in a hurry to teach him right now."
Qin Keqing nodded, the joy on his face fading a little.
Jia Mu smiled and said, "Brother Heng, daughter-in-law, don't worry too much. It won't take long for him to come back."
Qin Keqing nodded, but there was still a hint of worry in his heart.
