Jia Heng let go of Zhen Qing and let Zhen Qing adjust her clothes. He then took Zhen Xue's hand and asked with concern: "Why do you feel uncomfortable?"
Zhen Xue pursed her lips and said softly: "Maybe I just arrived in Yangzhou and I am a little acclimatized."
Jia Heng looked at the beauty's face, frowned, and said warmly: "Can I invite a doctor?"
Zhen Xue seemed to be a little flustered by the warm gaze, and changed the topic: "Zi Yu, you were just talking about the deficit of the Weaving Bureau. It was caused by the Supreme Emperor after his southern tour. This is something everyone knows.
Son, it’s none of our family’s business, right?”
Obviously, compared to Zhen Qing who seemed indifferent on the surface, Zhen Xue was quite concerned about what Jia Heng just said.
Jia Heng said: "Although the Zhen family is doing errands for the palace, how many of the Zhen family have done greedy things in the name of the palace in recent years? The Zhen family in Jiangnan has thousands of mansions in Jinling, and their daily life
Is it possible to make all this money with your father's salary alone? In fact, there is no need for me to check. Even if an ordinary censor writes an impeachment memorial, Tianyan will be furious, and the Zhen family will be in disaster. "
Compared with the salt affairs reform, which involves salt administration, the division of powers and responsibilities, and the sweeping of salt merchants, it is necessary to slightly block the mouth of the world.
The three major weaving bureaus in the south of the Yangtze River are the property of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Zhen family is like the slaves of the Chen-Han royal family. As long as Emperor Chongping issues an imperial edict asking the Zhen family to make up for the deficit over the years, the Zhen family will only be at the mercy of others, and they will not even be able to fight.
stand up.
Zhen Xue was speechless for a moment, looking at the young man opposite her with her beautiful watery eyes, her eyes soft and tender, and whispered: "Zi Yu, can you give us an idea for our family?"
Compared with Zhen Qing, who was half-believing and taking chances, Zhen Xue, who listened to "The Biography of Jia Heng", regarded some of Jia Heng's methods as if they were gods and followed them as a guide.
"Is Xue'er begging me?" Jia Heng looked at Wen Ningyan's beautiful face and asked with a chuckle.
Zhen Xue: "???"
Wen Ning's face was as beautiful as the clouds. She lowered her eyes slightly and said softly: "Ziyu, don't... don't make trouble."
Beauty is usually not talkative and has a submissive nature, especially in front of Jia Heng, who has the final say.
Zhen Qing looked at the young man with her sister coldly, and sneered in her heart. He was really considerate and completely different from the other two.
"Actually, I have no choice." Jia Heng held Zhen Xue in his arms, gently piled a snowman, and whispered: "The Zhen family still finds a way to make up for the shortfall. Even if the other wealth is gone, it won't be a big deal.
The key is your sister, if you have to drag the Zhen family into the matter of seizing the legitimate heir, it will be a disaster for the family."
Zhen Xueqing lowered her head, her jade face was reddish, and glanced at Zhen Qing, whose face was as clear as frost. Her beady voice trembled, and she sighed softly: "I didn't care about this at all. I have persuaded my sister several times.
, but she didn’t listen very much, as if she was in a daze.”
Jia Heng looked at Zhen Xue, who was extremely shy and had nowhere to put her hands, and whispered: "Xue'er has always been gentle and lovely, and she is honest. I know that."
After a while, Jia Heng raised his eyes and looked at Zhen Xue, whose jade cheeks were as red as blood. She closed her eyes slightly and was ashamed to see others. She whispered: "Xue'er, it depends on how the Zhen family goes, and it has nothing to do with you.
What's the connection? As the saying goes, a married daughter throws water. Just be your Princess Beijing and don't let your sister hurt you again. What else can she do besides hurt you?"
Zhen Qing glared angrily and scolded: "Asshole, shut up!"
He had just stirred up the relationship between her and the prince, and now he was trying to stir up the relationship between her and her sister, and it was so blatant.
Zhen Xue's delicate brows frowned slightly, she looked out the window with soft eyes, sighed, and said: "The Zhen family has raised me so well, I can't bear to watch that scene."
"Then just close your eyes and stop looking."
Zhen Xue: "???"
However, he saw a shadow approaching, his lips softened, and a sullen breath came over him.
Zhen Qing looked at the two people who were talking to each other, frowned, and felt upset. She walked not far away and looked at the wind between the two of them, thinking about how to deal with it.
Even if there is a deficit, it is not caused by the Zhen family's intention. Everything is done by the person in Chonghua Palace for pleasure. Even if their family sells various properties to make up for the hole, how much can it make up for?
Perhaps, since there was too much money recovered from the salt profit, the imperial court would not be too eager to disturb the Weaving Bureau.
What if dad can help this bastard organize the salt affairs? Will the resentment in my father's heart be alleviated a lot? If the bastard can intercede for mercy, this hurdle will be over.
Zhen Qing originally had a smart mind. Since she couldn't defeat her, she would join. Why not marry the Jia family again?
Of course, the daughter of the Zhen family cannot be a concubine. There is a treasure in the second room of the Rongguo Mansion. Maybe you can talk about it. No matter what, it is a marriage.
Here, Jia Heng and Zhen Xue were entangled for a while, not doing anything else but talking. Zhen Xue was still a little shy and responded indifferently.
"Xinxin is cute, smart, gentle and quiet, more like you." Jia Heng looked at Zhen Xue and praised her.
Well, one compliment and two compliments.
Mentioning her daughter, Zhen Xue's eyebrows beamed with joy, her slender face was filled with a smile, and she said happily: "Xinxin has been naughty since she was a child, but she has gotten better in the past two years."
"You, the mother-in-law, taught me well." Jia Heng said with a smile.
Zhen Xue's eyebrows were lowered, her eyes avoided the "loving" gaze, and she said a little embarrassedly: "Ziyu, you...you are overly praised."
Jia Heng smiled, grabbed the beauty's slender catkins, and asked: "Xue'er, is Princess Beijing still mean to Xinxin?"
The slight smile on Zhen Xue's face froze for a moment, and she lowered her head. Beauty Xue's face was pale, and she sighed softly and said, "Xinxin is a little afraid of her grandmother."
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and whispered: "After you go back, you can tell Concubine Beijing to ask Brother Beijing to accept the concubine. By then, Concubine Beijing will know who made the mistake and will not
I won’t bear my grudge against you anymore.”
Jia Heng said, his eyes a little dark, but he felt that when she mentioned King Beijing, the beauty's delicate body trembled, and the bare hands she held were also a little trembling and cold. It seemed that for Zhen Xue, she was still more important to her husband.
There is some guilt.
Looking at him, he closed his eyes slightly and pursed his pink lips tightly. Jia Heng's expression paused and he didn't care. It was just a test.
The highest state of the tauren is not to occupy the body, but to pry away the heart.
But from the current point of view, both Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue are actually traditional women, and they still have a sense of guilt.
It's just that Zhen Qing broke the jar, didn't care on the surface, and hid it deeper, while Zhen Xue hid it shallower, um, something seemed wrong?
"Well, it's none of your business. After you get married, you will be worthy of the Shui family. If your sister hadn't plotted against you, you wouldn't have..." Jia Heng took Zhen Xue's hand and held Zhen Xue in his arms,
He whispered: "It was me who forced you later. It had nothing to do with you. You were just the victim."
Zhen Xue's face was pale, her eyes were dazed, and she said in a faint tone: "Ziyu, I, I am a bad woman."
If it was all the fault of his sister and him, but the joy of being like a god when they were obsessed with each other again and again almost made her... Can she really keep deceiving herself?
Jia Heng stretched out his hand and pinched Hua Xin's pink and smooth face, and said comfortingly: "Stop thinking about it, you are not a bad woman, you are just an ordinary woman."
Regarding the matter of cultivating water dragons, it is better to be shameless and shameless. For those with a delicate mind and a strong sense of morality, it is easy to get confused and end up committing suicide.
Zhen Xue raised her eyes to meet that warm gaze, her depressed mood gradually subsided, and she said "hmm" obediently.
Jia Heng hugged Zhen Xue's snow shoulders, smelled the fragrance of orchids in the beauty's ears, and whispered softly: "Good Xue'er, how about we discuss it with you?"
"Don't yell..." Zhen Xue's jade face was flushed, her bright eyes were as full as water, and she whispered: "Whatever happens, you just say it."
What a good Xueer, how can you call her so affectionately?
Jia Heng looked seriously at the beauty's Wen Ning eyebrows and said: "Xue'er, Xinxin is so cute, why don't you help me give birth to one?"
Zhen Xue: "..."
I just felt my heart beating wildly, and I don't know whether it was sweetness or embarrassment. All of them came to my heart. Her fair-skinned face turned red with shame, and it was so bright and beautiful. She said angrily: "You... what are you talking nonsense about?"
.”
But for some unknown reason, scenes of him hugging his pregnant belly and whispering in his ears emerged in the lake of his heart. Soon, he realized that it was the young man who was coaxing himself to be happy, tracing the lines of his stern face with his soft eyes.
My heart is inexplicably complicated.
Maybe as he said that day, if she is not married... huh?
When the young woman Hua Xin thought about this, she felt her heart beating wildly and quickly dismissed those terrible and bold thoughts.
Her body has already been sorry for the prince, and her heart can no longer be sorry for him.
Zhen Qing looked at the two people who were holding hands and talking together. Her eyes flashed coldly, and her heart felt irritable. Soon, a sneer curled up at the corner of her mouth.
If you were able to give birth, then Mrs. Qin wouldn't have no movement in her stomach right now.
I act like an animal every time, but in the end I don't even see a child. It's really ridiculous.
However, it also allowed her not to be anxious and uneasy, and she could enjoy herself... Well, either for this reason or because it would be a big trouble if she had a child.
With that said, he let go of Zhen Xue's hand, and asked Zhen Qing some details about the two envoys before and after the Yanyun Division, and then let the two of them leave the pavilion and head towards the flower hall of the back house.
Jia Heng planned to take a bath to wash away the dust and prepare to go to Huanhua Tower to attend Wang Shouqi's banquet in the evening.
Just as he was heading towards the wing room where he lived, he saw Chen Xiao in a blue dress at the moon door. She stood tall, paused, and asked, "Where are you going?"
Under Chen Xiao's dark eyebrows, she looked at the young man opposite. She had just heard that Jia Heng was talking to Princess Chu and Princess Beijing. She was curious about what the two parties were talking about, so she used the magic of lightening her body and took it from the eaves.
He looked at the tiles and was almost shocked when he saw the pair of concubines entangled in love.
This bastard actually has an affair with Princess Chu and Princess Beijing, and it seems that the two of them have been friends for a while.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jia Heng looked at Chen Xiao, who looked strange, and asked with a frown.
Just now, he had a vague feeling that someone was spying on him, but he didn't expect it to be Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao suppressed the weirdness in his heart, a slight blush appeared on his clear and frosty cheeks, and said coldly: "It's nothing, you asked me to keep an eye on the news about the Jurchens, and now I have some clues."
Hearing this, Jia Heng changed his face, pulled Chen Xiao's sleeves, and whispered: "Let's go to the house and talk."
Being pulled by Jia Heng, Chen Xiao felt uncomfortable all over. It seemed that the young man's hands were contaminated with a lot of fragrant scent. He slowly stepped back a few steps, looked away from the young man opposite, and said softly: "Those people want to
If I want to assassinate you, I'm afraid it won't be long before you pay more attention in Yangzhou."
Jia Heng frowned deeply, thought for a while, and asked: "If it's recently...then if I go to Huanhua Tower later, will I be assassinated by these people?"
Chen Xiao's clear eyes showed deep thoughts, and after a moment, he whispered: "Places like Huanhua Tower are crowded with people from all walks of life. If those people want to assassinate you, they will definitely not let go of this opportunity, and they will blame others."
Yangzhou salt merchants can be said to have accomplished many things with one stone."
Hearing this, Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at the flickering lights on the candlestick, nodded and said, "What you said makes sense, I'll arrange it later."
With that said, he asked the nanny outside to call Liu Jixian and plan to make some arrangements.
Chen Xiao looked at the young man who had left and returned, and said, "Are you planning to lure the snake out of its hole?"
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Since they are assassinating, I will give them this opportunity. I will bring less guards later. This is also an opportunity for me."
If he was assassinated while attending a banquet with a salt merchant and had an excuse to attack, then the method of investigating the salt merchant could be slightly more radical.
After making up his mind, Jia Heng's face turned pale again, he looked at Chen Xiao and warned: "I will go to Huanhua Building later, you can take good care of Sister Lin at home and protect her."
Chen Xiaoxiu frowned, with a hint of worry in her eyes, and said: "There are Jinyi Palace guards outside the Yanyuan. They don't need anyone to take care of them. I'll go with you. You may not be able to deal with the tricks of these gangsters. They may not be able to poison."
, if it’s a hidden weapon like the Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle, you won’t be able to resist it.”
Hearing this, Jia Heng turned to look at Chen Xiao, looked at it for a moment, smiled and said, "Thank you so much, Xiaoxiao."
As he said that, he reached out and couldn't help pinching the cold jade cheek, but then he remembered something and patted the girl on the shoulder instead.
Chen Xiao snorted coldly, but did not knock off Jia Heng's hand.
At this time, Qingwen came from outside. As soon as she entered the wing, she glanced at Chen Xiao with an unkind look and said, "Sir, the hot water is ready. It's time to take a bath."
Jia Heng nodded and said softly: "Qingwen, go give Chef Xiao a set of clothes that I usually wear and ask her to change into them. I'll have something to do later."
Then he looked at Chen Xiao who was silent and said softly: "This will be more convenient."
Qingwen was surprised, glanced at Chen Xiao, and hurriedly responded.
…
…
In the evening, Huanhua Tower is brightly lit, and the sound of silk and bamboo orchestral music spreads far away in the night.
This brothel, built in the 10th year of Chongping, is five stories high. It is located on the bank of the Xiao Qinhuai River, with a front building and a back garden. It occupies a vast area and is well-proportioned with pavilions and pavilions.
At this moment, a string of red lanterns were hung on the high wooden flagpole and the eaves of the corridor. Maybe it was summer, and some brothel girls in colorful clothes and light gauze skirts were leaning on the railing to attract customers. Their red sleeves were stretched out, and they were wearing green shirts and straight skirts.
, a scholar wearing a blue scholar's square scarf, accompanied by a few friends, went to the brothel to have fun.
In the pavilion next to the lake, Wang Shouqi had been waiting for a long time. He was accompanied by seven other salt merchants, including Jiang Tong, Huang Rishan, Huang Cheng, Cheng Peili, Ma Xianjun, Bao Zuhui, Xiao Hongsheng and others.
At this moment, I heard that the boy was running all the way and came over to report that Jia Heng was outside the building. Several salt merchants left the side room and went to greet him.
"Uncle Yong Ning, you are finally here." Wang Shouqi greeted the green-shirted young man with only five or six retinues with an eager smile.
A string of red lanterns on the flagpoles on both sides swayed in the wind, casting down circles of ambiguous light. Eight wealthy merchants from Yangzhou greeted each other, attracting the attention of many women on the railings.
Everyone exchanged pleasantries, entered the box, and took their seats one after another.
Jia Heng was dressed in a brocade robe with a round collar of Su Jin. He stood tall and raised his eyes to look at several salt merchants. His eyes lingered on Wang Shouqi's face and asked: "Mr. Wang, I wonder what the solemn invitation does to me?"
With an eager smile on his face, Wang Shouqi said: "I heard that Uncle Yongning was rectifying the military equipment of the Jiangbei camp, and there was a shortage of food, wages, and ordnance. After hearing this, we intentionally donated part of the money to support Uncle Yongning in rectifying the military equipment of the camp."
When Jia Heng heard this, he looked surprised, smiled and asked, "Where did this news come from, Mr. Wang?"
He just discussed the issue of food, pay, ordnance with the generals in the Jiangbei Camp this morning, and said that he would go to the Jinling Household Department and the War Department to ask for it. He didn't expect Wang Shouqi to receive it in the evening.
Of course, I had no intention of hiding it in the first place.
Wang Shouqi smiled and explained: "Uncle Yongning, don't get me wrong. How could we not pay attention when court ministers like Uncle Yongning came to Yangzhou? As for Jiangbei Camp, doing business in Yangzhou also hopes that the ground will be peaceful and peaceful. I won't say anything about it before.
, now that Uncle Yongning is in charge of Jiangbei Camp, we local folks must contribute no matter what."
Several people on the side agreed.
Jia Heng said: "It's hard for me to talk about the salt merchant's charity donation. It's better to go to the Yanyuan Yamen and explain it to the court."
"Uncle Yongning, if you go back and forth like this, you will waste a lot of time, and it will be easily intercepted at all levels. How about not bothering the two masters at all, and let Uncle Yongning take it directly?" At this time, one of the Yangzhou salt merchants
Huang Rishan smiled and said.
Bao Zuhui smiled and said: "Yes, Uncle Yongning is now the commander-in-chief of Jiangbei Camp. Whether it is training or placement in the military academy, money is indispensable. These funds are some of our admiration. Please don't refuse, Uncle Yongning."
As several people were talking, they saw a boy carrying a brocade box.
Jia Heng glanced at the salt merchants with eager expressions on their faces, smiled, and asked pretending to be confused: "Is this?"
"Silver notes, 300,000 taels of silver notes, are used as military supplies and wages. Uncle Yongning, please don't refuse." Wang Shouqi said with a smile.
It was said that it was to support the food and salary of the Jiangbei camp, but in fact it was more like bribing Jia Heng with stolen silver. The money was left to Jia Heng's disposal, while the salt merchant bought a Ping'an with 300,000 taels.
Seeing this, Jia Heng did not rush to accept it for a moment. He seemed to be hesitant and said thoughtfully: "Now that the imperial court is reorganizing its military equipment, the Jiangbei camp is in urgent need of food, salary and military equipment. With these three hundred thousand taels of silver, Mr. Wang has really solved the urgent need."
With that said, he winked at Liu Jixian and asked him to accept it.
Sugar-coated cannonballs, eat the sugar-coating, turn back and hit the cannonballs back.
When everyone saw this, most of them were overjoyed and secretly thought that if they accepted the money like this, they would at least be able to talk.
Did they want to do this before? This person is much easier to deal with than Qi Kun, and Mr. Qi Ge is really out of touch.
Ma Xianjun and Cheng Peili looked at each other, but they could see some doubts and solemnity in each other's eyes.
Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Wang Shouqi, smiled and said: "Master Wang and all the righteous businessmen understand the righteousness so well, it is really admirable."
Wang Shouqi smiled and said: "You're welcome, Uncle Yongning. If the ground in Yangzhou is not smooth and peaceful, we will not be able to do business well. This is what we should do."
As he said that, he pointed to the high platform covered with curtains not far away and said with a smile: "Huanhua Tower is the most famous building in Yangzhou. In the past few years, I purchased some girls from Wu and Yue. The girls of Wu are getting more and more beautiful, singing and dancing, and Uncle Yongning is a young man.
You can take a look at my Yangzhou Fengyue."
As he said that, he clapped his hands and slowly opened the curtains on the balcony where the curtains were originally placed. Accompanied by the sound of silk and bamboo orchestral music, groups of women in bright clothes and skirts with hairpins danced on the balcony, round and white.
, pearls and jade.
At this moment, in the backyard of Huanhua Building, there is a courtyard with cornices and hooked corners. There are high beams and pillars and heavy curtains. Only the lights are faintly visible. In the inner courtyard, a graceful figure is projected on the screen.
Gu Ruoqing, the new oiran of Huanhua House, was sitting at the dressing table in front of the window, looking into the mirror to dress up.
This woman is twenty-nine years old, with a slim figure, a standard melon-seed face, a high nose bridge, a slightly red mouth, and dark eyes with longing eyes under her curved willow-leaf eyebrows. Her face is as charming as a peach and plum, but she is quiet.
, there seems to be a heroic spirit in his eyebrows, eyes and facial features.
She was originally a famous prostitute in Jinling City. Because she was a good friend of the owner of Huanhua Tower, she came to Huanhua Tower to live temporarily. As soon as she entered Yangzhou, she was chased by Liu Shengzao, the envoy of the two Huaidu capitals.
"Sister Gu." At this moment, a girl in a red dress, petite and exquisite, with a smooth forehead and a flower pattern on her forehead, came closer and said softly.
"Nan Ling, mom didn't tell you to go and accompany Uncle Yong Ning, why haven't you gone yet?" Gu Ruoqing gently removed the gold hairpin jewelry from her hair and raised her eyes to look at the innocent girl with a smile on her face.
Compared to Gu Ruoqing, who was slightly taller, the girl named Nan Ling was a bit petite. At that time, the custom of Jiangnan scholars worshiped the white and thin Yangzhou thin horses, and mostly focused on pigeons that were not full enough to be held in one hand.
There was helplessness on Nan Ling's pretty face. The girl who had just grown her hair said softly: "I'll go over in a while and ask me to sing a song for Uncle Yong Ning. If you don't like it, forget it. I'm not sure yet."
You've got your eye on me."
As a thin horse raised since childhood, he is proficient in various musical instruments and ways to please men. He was originally a gift from some merchants in Yangzhou to high-ranking officials.
At this moment, the maid from outside came in and said: "Miss, Mr. Liu has sent someone over to ask the lady to go to the Slender West Lake to paint the boat."
"It's already this time." Gu Ruoqing's beautiful eyebrows were condensed, and her voice was like broken jade and water, and she said: "Tell the person who came, it's too late, I'm sleeping, and I won't go."