In the palace garden, in the Xihe Palace, Emperor Chongping held a grand banquet for Jia Heng, who had returned triumphantly, and a group of military generals from the Beijing camp. After lunch, they enjoyed singing and dancing. Emperor Chongping asked the generals about how to quell the chaos and fight the flood.
It was not until evening that Emperor Chongping let Jia Heng and the generals go back.
After receiving the news, the Ning and Rong mansions were anxiously waiting for Jia Heng's return.
Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.
Sitting on the Arhat bed, Jia Mu asked Sister Feng beside her, "It's almost dark, why hasn't Brother Heng come back yet?"
Sister Feng was about to speak when suddenly a nanny came in and said with a smile.
"I'm back, I'm back." Everyone in the Rongqing Hall looked at the nanny with excited eyes.
Jia Mu hurriedly asked: "Brother Heng is back? Where is he now?"
"It's the master, the master is back." The grandma said after taking a breath. Jia Mu:
After a while, Jia Zheng, wearing a fourth-grade court dress and a black gauze on his head, entered the Rongqing Hall from the outside. His face was full of spring breeze. Perhaps because he had two drinks, the cheeks on his elegant face were flushed. He looked towards Jia Mu.
He bowed his hands and said, "Mother."
"Zheng'er, where is Brother Heng?" Jia Mu asked impatiently.
Hearing this, everyone in the Rongqing Hall turned towards Jia Zheng with their soft, bright, or quiet eyes.
Jia Zheng smiled and said: "Mother, after the banquet in the palace, Ziyu was left by the palace emperor to say a few words. He should be back now. Mother, Ziyu has just been promoted to the rank of first-class earl."
Jia Mu was about to say something when she suddenly reacted and said in surprise: "First-class uncle? Brother Heng has been promoted to a noble title?" Aunt Xue, who was sitting on the embroidered pier below, had a look of shock on her face and her heart moved.
Mrs. Wang paused slightly as she turned the beads in her hand, and the indifferent look under her brow was full of disbelief. How long had it been since he was promoted to the rank of first-class uncle?
Baochai was holding the tea cup, lowering her head to sip the tea as if nothing had happened. When she heard Jia Zheng's words, her face, which was as skin-like as snow, suddenly changed, and her beautiful eyebrows frowned slightly, and she was surprised.
Sister Feng smiled and said, "Sir, Brother Heng's title has been promoted again? He was not a third-class uncle before, but now he is promoted to a first-class uncle?"
Jia Zheng explained: "This time we were fighting floods in Nanhe. The emperor rewarded him for his service and promoted Ziyu to the rank of nobility. Now Ziyu is a first-class uncle."
At the end of the sentence, the voice was clearly trembling due to the excitement of emotion. Everyone suddenly realized it, and then they were enveloped in surprise.
Yuanchun was in a bright mood, and Zhu Yuan Yulan's voice was somewhat tactful as she said: "Brother Heng is busy fighting floods in Henan. He has food and lodging in the embankment for nearly a month. It has rained so heavily this year.
There hasn't been any trouble at all, so it's supposed to be a big contribution."
Tan Chunyingying's clear eyes were filled with joy, and she said: "What the eldest sister said is that Brother Heng received the order in critical situation this time." Mother Jia smiled and said: "It's a good thing to be promoted to a noble rank. This is really a double happiness, so I said
Wait for Brother Heng to come back before worshiping your ancestors, otherwise you will be promoted to a first-class uncle and you will have to worship your ancestors again.
The red phoenix eyes under Sister Feng's willow-leaf slender eyebrows rolled, and her rouged lips opened at some point. She smiled and joked: "What the old lady said is, I guess all the ancestors are wondering, why is this sealed?"
Third-class uncle, and then promoted to first-class uncle?"
This was an interesting thing to say. Everyone couldn't help laughing when they heard it, and the Rongqing Hall was filled with laughter for a while.
Especially Xiangyun's laughter.
Jia Mu patted Sister Feng on the arm, laughed and scolded: "You are a monkey, you don't even sound like it anymore, you are making fun of your ancestors."
"Old lady, our ancestors are all generous people and will not argue with me, my granddaughter-in-law. Besides, we always have to look at Brother Heng's face." Sister Feng said with a smile.
In fact, it was because of Jia Heng's many happy events, but why did his words seem a bit weird?
Aunt Xue smiled and said jokingly: "After hearing this good news, our ancestors also forgave Feng Yatou for her sin. She wished that she could worship her ancestors more times. Brother Heng's attitude will be the same in the future.
It is inevitable to worship ancestors."
He was just saying auspicious words, but he couldn't help but think of what Xue Pan said. With this momentum, it is not impossible for Brother Heng to be made a prince or even a county king in the future.
Does her Baochai need to make early plans?
Aunt Xue was thinking in her mind and couldn't help but glance at her daughter.
but
Seeing Baochai's snow-white cheeks with a slight blush floating on them, her eyebrows were lowered, and there seemed to be a hint of joy lingering on the tips of her brows.
this.
The smile on Aunt Xue's face faded slightly, and a flicker of suspicion flashed through her heart. Could it be that Bao Yatou was interested in Brother Heng?
Tanchun looked at Daiyu biting her pink lips with a thoughtful look on her face. She pulled Daiyu's bare hand and asked, "Sister Lin, what are you thinking about? Are you so lost in thought?"
Daiyu clutched her handkerchief, Chunshan's starry eyes flashed under her dark eyebrows, and she whispered: "I'm thinking, Brother Heng, it's really not easy for him."
*** A generous salary sounds enviable, but from being a white man to being in a high position now, I have to endure a lot of hardships, and he is only a few years older than her, but he has to bear all these.
Baochai looked at Tanchun and Daiyu who were talking, took over Daiyu's words and said: "Get on the horse to manage the army, dismount the horse to pacify the people. Whenever something goes wrong, you have to go to the rescue. Compared with ordinary civil servants, it is indeed not easy.
No wonder Brother Heng has been given the title of nobility in the palace."
When others are talking about him, she always remains silent, which makes people suspicious.
While everyone was talking, they saw a nanny entering Rongqing Hall from the outside and said, "Old lady, sir, Uncle Heng has returned to Dongfu."
As soon as these words came out, Rongqing Hall suddenly became quiet, and then the atmosphere became a little noisy. Jia Mu smiled and said: "Girl Feng, let's go to Dongfu to have a look."
Ningguo Mansion
Jia Heng handed the horse's reins to the young boy and went straight to the back house. He walked along the corridor and headed towards the back house. He saw a girl with a green waistcoat, a snake waist and shaved shoulders coming from the moon gate. She was exactly
Qingwen.
"Sir." Qingwen looked at the young man in python suit with a surprised look on her face. She walked a few steps quickly, her bright eyes gradually filled with mist. Immediately, the girl threw herself into Jia Heng's arms.
Jia Heng had no choice but to hold Qingwen's shoulders with both hands, feeling the lotus growing wantonly in his heart, and said with a smile: "Qingwen, long time no see, huh? Why are you still crying?"
Qingwen still looks that slim and petite, but she is much taller than before she left Beijing.
"Okay, where is Madam?" Jia Heng comforted her for a while, then gently stroked Qingwen's shoulder and said warmly.
Qingwen also knew at this time that Jia Heng was in a hurry to go back to the back house to see Qin Keqing. She picked up a handkerchief and wiped her tears, and said softly: "Master, grandma is in the backyard."
Jia Heng nodded, took Qingwen's hand, and said with a smile: "How are you doing at home recently?" Qingwen said in a charming voice: "Everything is fine, but they are all thinking about the young master."
Jia Heng smiled softly and said, "Let's go to the backyard."
At this moment, the news of Jia Heng's return has spread to the entire Ningguo Mansion. Not long after they left, the master and servant came to the courtyard of the back house and heard a voice in the corridor that sounded like a dream, "Husband."
Qin Keqing stood in the corridor. It was already dusk now, and the golden-red sunset light fell from the flower wall on the gorgeous beauty. The beautiful eyes under the beautiful eyebrows looked steadily at the young man.
The haunting Qing Jun face suddenly came into view so vividly that his eyes could no longer accommodate anything else, as if there was only that young man in the world.
Jia Heng looked at Qin Keqing following the sound, looked at his wife, who had red lips and pink face, and was as bright as ever, smiled, and called out: "Keqing."
After saying that, he walked a few steps quickly towards Qin Keqing. He came closer, held a pair of slender jade hands that were soft to the touch and had delicate skin, and looked at the beauty who was as delicate as a flower.
"Husband, you are back." Qin Keqing said, unable to hold back any longer, she hugged Jia Heng tightly. When her beautiful eyes closed, tears rolled down her curved eyelashes, her voice almost murmuring.
It was the wedding day, when the honey was mixed with oil, but the labor was divided for several months, and the thoughts in my heart were almost flooded like a tide.
Jia Heng also took advantage of the situation and hugged Qin Keqing tightly, letting his wife tell the pain of lovesickness with tears in his arms, gently stroking her smooth hair, and whispered: "Okay, everyone is watching, let's go into the room and talk.
.”
"Hmm." Qin Keqing said softly, her face flushed, she raised her beautiful eyes and said, "I listen to your husband." Seeing this scene, Third Sister You and Second Sister You looked at each other, Yanye, Jingmei.
There was a slight smile on all the faces.
Welcoming Jia Heng into the inner hall, the couple held hands and talked about their farewells. Jia Heng sat down and
Asked: "Where is the fourth sister? Why haven't you seen her?"
"I've been informed, and I'll be here soon." Qin Keqing looked at the young man, his eyes filled with pain, and gently touched Jia Heng's face and said, "My husband has been working hard outside during this time. Looking at
Lost a lot of weight."
At the end of the sentence, her soft voice was choked with sobs.
Jia Heng picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and said, "It'll be fine if you come back and rest for a while. It's not a big deal, but you don't look that good either."
Sanjie You said softly: "My uncle is outside, but I don't know that Sister Qin is at home. She can't eat well or sleep well every day. She is thinking about my uncle."
Jia Heng took Qin Keqing's bare hand and said softly: "I miss you."
During this period of time, in addition to being busy with official matters, he was also busy with private matters. Qin Keqing tolerated him.
At this moment, a nanny's voice came from outside, saying: "Uncle, eldest grandma, the fourth girl and the girl Xiuyan are here."
While he was talking, he saw Xichun, dressed in a pink dress, entering the inner hall accompanied by a maid and a colorful screen.
"Brother Heng, sister-in-law." Xichun stood still and stared at the young man in the python suit, calling softly, with a look of intimacy in his eyes.
Xing Xiuyan also saluted Jia Heng and Qin Keqing Yingying.
Qin Keqing smiled and said, "Fourth sister, come and sit here. Your brother just said why he didn't see you." Hearing this, Xichun said "hmm" and then sat close to her.
Jia Heng looked at Xichun with gentle eyes, looked at the cold and coquettish little loli, and said with a smile: "The fourth sister has grown taller and has grown into a big girl."
As he spoke, he gently reached out and rubbed Xichun's bangs.
Under Xichun's beautiful eyebrows, her eyes slightly lowered, feeling the favor of the person opposite her, her heart filled with sweetness, but also a bit shy, she whispered: "Brother Heng, the reply I wrote earlier, you
Received yet?"
Jia Heng was not surprised by Xichun's change of address, and smiled: "I got it, but I was too busy and didn't have time to write a reply."
Xing Xiuyan quietly watched the close conversation between the brother and sister, feeling a little at ease in her heart.
Jia Heng did not ignore Xing Xiuyan. He said a few words to Xichun, looked at the girl with an elegant temperament, smiled, and asked, "Cousin Xiuyan, I haven't seen you for a while."
Well, actually Xing Xiuyan is older than Jia Heng, but usually Xing Xiuyan calls Qin Keqing his sister-in-law.
Such a greeting undoubtedly made the somewhat shy Xing Xiuyan blush. He stared at Jia Heng and said, "I haven't seen you for a while. Is Brother Heng okay outside?"
Qin Keqing looked at Xing Xiuyan with a smile and gentle eyes.
She and Sister-in-law Feng secretly marveled at this niece of the Xing family when they talked in private. She was quiet and delicate, and had a bit of the graceful demeanor of a lady. It was hard to imagine that she was born in a poor family, but because she loved Xiuyan's character, she had so many talents.
It took some care.
Jia Heng said: "Everything is fine."
In fact, he wanted to ask how Miaoyu was doing recently, why didn't he come over? After thinking about it, it would be better to go see Miaoyu when he has time.
While everyone was joking, a nanny entered the hall and said with a smile: "Uncle, grandma, the old lady from Xifu, madam, Second Grandma Lian, Grandma Zhu are here."
Qin Keqing said softly: "Husband, let's go and greet you."
While talking, Jia Mu had already come in from the outside, surrounded by Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue, Sister Feng, and Li Wan. Yuanchun, Tanchun, Yingchun, Xiangyun, Baochai, and Daiyu entered the hall. In addition,
And Jia Zheng.
"Brother Heng." As soon as Jia Mu entered the hall, with a smile on her kind-hearted old face, she called Jia Heng. Jia Heng came forward, bowed, and said in greeting, "Old lady."
He glanced at Yuanchun and called out: "Sister."
"Brother Heng." Yuanchun said softly, with soft waves in his beautiful eyes.
Jia Heng greeted Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xiangyun again. He immediately looked at Baochai and called out to Daiyu. His eyes paused between Daiyu's eyebrows and nodded.
Under the young man's gaze, Daiyu's jade-white cheeks obviously had a slight blush, and the handkerchief in her palm tightened.
But I remember that letter
Willows piled up in smoke on the embankment, and gloomy eyebrows loomed before my eyes. What did it mean to write such a sentence for her?
At this time, Qin Keqing had already smiled and helped Jia Mu to sit down on the main seat. He invited her and said, "Baozhu, let the kitchen prepare dinner. We can all use it here later."
Jia Mu smiled and asked kindly: "Brother, you are finally back. It has been a few months since you left. You have successfully completed the errands assigned by the palace. Are you tired?"
Facing everyone's gaze, Jia Heng smiled and said, "It's okay, I'm not too tired."
Jia Mu smiled and nodded, and said: "It's better to have a good rest for a while. I heard from Baoyu that you have been promoted to a noble title in the palace. I said that in the past few days, you can choose a good day and let you, the clan leader, take charge."
I gather all the young and old men of the whole clan to worship their ancestors and comfort the ancestors of our Jia family, and also make them happy."
Jia Heng responded and said: "Then I will discuss with Mr. Zheng in the past two days about a good day to worship the ancestors."
Seeing Jia Heng's immediate response, Mother Jia was even more happy and said with a smile: "On the road just now, Feng Yatou said that there is so much excitement in the house these days."
Jia Heng glanced at Sister Feng, who behaved like a young woman, and said, "Sister-in-law Feng will arrange these."
"Don't we need to talk to Brother Heng, the head of the family?" Sister Feng smiled and said, "Since Brother Heng said this, I also have a backbone."
Everyone laughed when they heard this, and Sanjie You glanced at Sister Feng, who was smiling brightly, with an incomprehensible look.
The maid served fragrant tea and everyone talked together.
Jia Mu asked: "Brother Heng, I heard from the third girl earlier that you met Yu'er's father in Yangzhou?"
As soon as he said this, he took a pair of bright starry eyes and peeked at Jia Heng's Daiyu from time to time. His expression paused, his pink lips lightly opened, and he said: "Brother Heng, how is your father in Yangzhou?"
Meeting Dai Yu's gaze, Jia Heng smiled and said: "I went to Yangzhou for business some time ago, so I went to Yangzhou Salt Garden to visit my uncle. My uncle's health is not bad, but his complexion is not very good, and he still needs to be recuperated."
, I mentioned the matter of coming to Beijing to my uncle at the beginning, and I would be able to go to Beijing as soon as the Yangzhou Salt Service is over."
When Daiyu heard this, her Qiu Shui eyes under Chunshan's dark eyebrows showed joy, and she felt that her heart was exploded with joy. Can father come to Beijing?
Jia Heng looked at Daiyu, smiled and said: "My uncle is a little worried about Sister Lin. He said that we haven't seen each other for many years, and he doesn't know how tall Sister Lin has grown. I thought it would be good to be a Beijing official in Beijing. My sister and uncle
We can also be reunited.”
Daiyu's clear eyes were like dew under her smoky eyebrows. She looked at the young man, sighed softly, and said softly: "It's my fault. I should have gone to see my father these years."
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Silly boy, how can I blame you? How can you go see your father at such a young age when we are so far away?"
Jia Mu also comforted her and said, "Yu'er, didn't your brother Heng say that you can come to Beijing as soon as your father's affairs in Yangzhou are settled?"
Seeing that the atmosphere was a little gloomy, Sister Feng warmed up the scene with a smile and said: "Old lady, my uncle came to Beijing at that time. I think he will be promoted to a few more grades due to his merits."
Aunt Xue also echoed and smiled: "Old lady, Lin Yatou and her father have been staying in Yangzhou for so long. If he returns to Beijing, he will be of great use."
Jia Mu turned to Jia Heng and said with a smile: "Brother Heng, you know more about the affairs of the court, but you can say this?"
As soon as these words came out, Daiyu, Yuanchun, and Tanchun all looked at Jia Heng, waiting for his words.
Jia Heng said: "Uncle Lin has been patrolling salt for several years and has made great contributions to the country and the country. If he can be transferred back to the capital, he will definitely be put into important use in the palace, and he will be promoted, needless to say."
Jia Mu smiled and said: "He is from a serious family in Kejia, and his ancestors are princes. His future is very comparable to others."
Obviously, Jia Mu valued her son-in-law very much.
"Uncle Lin's literary talent and magnanimity are indeed extraordinary." Jia Heng nodded and couldn't help but look at Daiyu.
I don't know if it's an illusion, but Daiyu has grown much longer than before she left Beijing, and the aura of the Xiaoxiang concubine between her eyebrows seems to be getting richer.
But when Jia Heng stared intently, he saw those bright and shining eyes, like those of Xiaoxiang Chushui, ducking away under the hazy eyebrows of Yan Yu, as if he was a little shy.
Well, Daiyu is... shy? Yes, she has grown up
A girl.
This thought flashed through Jia Heng's mind, and his eyes subconsciously moved to glance at the lamb.
Because Jia Heng had just mentioned Lin Ruhai, so he glanced at Daiyu at this moment, which was more like a courtesy, so no one believed him.
Mother Jia looked at Qin Keqing, who was sitting elegantly at the side, and said with a smile: "Brother Heng, your wife has been thinking about you a lot at home. If you come back this time, if you don't have any official business, you can spend more time with your wife."
Qin Keqing was quietly listening to the conversation between several people and Jia Heng, but her cheeks as white as snow turned red, and she hurriedly said: "Old lady, my husband has a lot of errands to do now, and he is too busy to take time off."
Body, I have nothing."
"I know you are virtuous, but since you two got married, my brother has either been training soldiers or fighting chaos. You two spend less time together and more time apart." Jia Mu said with a smile.
It has been almost a year since Qin's marriage, and there is no movement in his stomach. It is not an option to continue like this. Sister Feng said with a smile: "Brother Heng will be able to rest for a while when he comes back this time, right?"
Jia Heng explained: "There are still a lot of things to do in the army, but I still take a break when it's time to take a bath."
After returning to Beijing, he was actively preparing for the war, arranging and planning for northern affairs. He planned everything in advance and failed in advance. There was also the matter of salt affairs that needed to be paid attention to at all times.
Jia Zheng twirled his beard under his chin with his hand and said with emotion: "Ziyu is now an assistant minister of the military. He has no time to spare to prepare for national events."
Everyone was talking, mainly asking about Jia Heng's experience in Henan and Huai'an Prefecture. Unconsciously, night fell and it was time to light the lanterns.
Baozhu entered the hall and said, "Grandma, the food in the kitchen is ready." Qin Keqing smiled sweetly and said, "Old lady, let's have dinner first." Jia Mu nodded, and everyone started to eat together.
