Jia Heng and Zhen Yingjia stopped talking and went to the front hall of Zhen's house to sit down. As for Daiyu, accompanied by maids such as Zicuckoo, Yuanyang, Xiren, Xueyan, Qingwen, etc., they went to the backyard to see Mrs. Zhen.
Jun.
And being accompanied by all the maids did not ruin the dignity of the family of five generations of princes, who came from the Qing Dynasty and the Han Dynasty.
In the flower hall, Zhen Yingjia looked at the young man in brocade robes, and said apologetically: "Ziyu, I heard about the Ministry of War. I heard that the weapons and armor were not complete, so I paid attention to the Jiangnan camp first, but it was delayed.
Things about Jiangbei Camp."
Zhen Qing sat quietly aside, looking at the young man with her narrow phoenix eyes, her face moved slightly, and her heart moved slightly.
Jia Heng said with an expressionless face: "The camp in the south of the Yangtze River is close to the water and the towers are the first to get the moon, so we are taking advantage of the situation to make arrangements. The camp in the north of the Yangtze River is slow at first, but there is no rush."
The day before yesterday, he had sent a message to Feige, a hundred households in Jinyi Prefecture in Henan, to urgently transport a batch of ordnance and armor to Yangzhou. Most of the ships were already on the way at this moment.
Zhen Yingjia looked at the young man who showed no emotion or anger on his face, and felt a little uncertain about his thoughts. He muttered: "Yesterday, I heard that Marquis Annan went to the Governor's Office of Liangjiang. The soldiers and horses of the Jiangnan camp were being reorganized. There were 60,000 people.
With the power of the Ministry of War's weapons workshop, it is indeed difficult to supply armored equipment in a short period of time. Why don't I go find Shen Jiefu and see if I can get a batch of ordnance from Jiangnan."
Annan Hou Yezhen went to Liangjiang Governor's Yamen yesterday to find Shen Fang and put pressure on him, mainly to ensure the follow-up personnel arrangements of the old ministry.
As a condition, Annan Hou gave up the personnel rights of the two guards and placed them at the disposal of Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang, to facilitate the reorganization of the army and to see which way the wind was blowing.
Jia Heng said: "That's not necessary. I have already transferred them from other places to avoid the Liangjiang Governor's Yamen saying that I hindered the Jiangnan camp's army reorganization plan."
Zhen Yingjia pondered for a moment and said: "Since Ziyu went south to organize his army, he received the Holy Emperor's decree? If he has the decree of the palace, even Shen Jiefu has to give in."
This question actually seems to be overstepping the mark. Is there any decree that concerns the military commander? Is that what you should ask?
But Zhen Yingjia's closeness to a certain extent can be regarded as helping him come up with ideas.
Zhen Qing put down the tea cup and peeked at the young man who was calm and composed.
Jia Heng said without comment: "The decree will have to wait a little longer."
As for whether to wait for Shenjing's decree or to wait for him to come up with a prepared decree, it's hard for Zhen Yingjia to say.
Zhen Yingjia nodded and didn't hesitate to ask more questions. Instead, he asked: "By the way, Ziyu, have you caught Prince Donglu who sneaked into Yangzhou to cause trouble a few days ago?"
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, his eyes became gloomy, and he said coldly: "Let him escape."
In fact, if the soldiers and horses in the Jiangbei camp were not too chaotic and nearly ten thousand people pulled out a net to arrest him, how could a Donglu eunuch with limited mobility be allowed to escape Yangzhou?
Zhen Yingjia pondered and said: "Zi Yu doesn't need to worry about it. I heard that King Nalu was not seriously injured, but maybe he was too seriously injured. He might die on the road."
Speaking of this, I was a little surprised. It was quite shocking that the King of Lu personally led his men to assassinate him. However, the young man in front of him led his bodyguards and repelled him with his sword. He also seriously injured the King of Lu.
Jia Heng said: "I hope so."
Zhen Qing looked at the two "Weng and son-in-law" who were talking with a bright smile. Her unreasonably gorgeous face was white and rosy, bright and moving, and said softly: "Father, Brother Heng, go see the old lady.
"
Zhen Yingjia said: "Ziyu, let's go and see the old lady. The old lady has been unable to eat or sleep for the past two days because of her fourth brother's affairs."
Jia Heng nodded, and followed Zhen Yingjia and Zhen Qing through the corridor and the wall to Fuxuan Hall. Along the way, Zhen Yingjia casually introduced some garden arrangements to Jia Heng.
Jia Heng listened with a smile on the side, but when Zhen Yingjia wasn't paying attention, he occasionally looked at Zhen Qing, and then he saw the beauty's eyes were drawn, and her eyebrows were conveying.
Jia Heng was also a little speechless. Ever since she knelt down to serve him that day, Zhen Qing had become even more sultry and charming, charming all living beings.
In other words, this is Zhen Qing's way of "maintaining favor".
At this moment, Fuxuan Hall
In addition to Mrs. Zhen, Zhen Yingjia's wife Gan, Zhen Xue, the other ladies, and grandma were all sitting around. Zhen Xi and Zhen Lan were also beside them, but they looked curiously at the person sitting on the embroidered pier with themselves.
A girl of similar age.
Daiyu has passed the cardamom age and has gradually bloomed, showing an unparalleled appearance, especially the two curved eyebrows that look like a cage without a cage, which is more in line with the elegant aesthetics of the Jiangnan water town.
And Zhen Shao's daughter-in-law, Li, introduced several young girls and wives of the Zhen family to Daiyu with Daiyu smiling.
When Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi were introduced.
The red damask on Zhen Lan's hair looked like red hibiscus. Guazi had a sweet and innocent smile on her face and said softly: "I'm a few years older than Sister Lin, so please call me Sister Lin."
"Sister Lan." Daiyu looked at Zhen Lan and called softly.
When they arrived at Zhenxi, the two talked about their age again.
"Sister Lin is exactly one day older than me." Zhen Xi looked at the gentle girl with eyes like autumn waves. Perhaps it was Daiyu's quiet temperament that made Zhen Xi feel more close to her, like the sound of an oriole leaving the valley, because of the surprise
She spoke with a bit of coquettishness and softness.
A group of beautiful women looked at three young, beautiful and beautiful girls with smiles.
But when Zhen Baoyu was introduced, she saw that Zhen Baoyu had already looked straight in her eyes, and her face, which looked like a full moon, showed a look of confusion.
"This is Baoyu." Mrs. Zhen said with a chuckle.
Zhen Baoyu stared at Daiyu, and suddenly said: "Third sister, I think I have seen this sister before?"
Daiyu: "???"
No, why do these words sound so familiar?
The starry eyes under the smoky eyebrows shone slightly, flashing with suspicion, reflecting the face that looked like Brother Bao, and an absurd feeling welled up in the deepest part of Daiyu's heart.
Is this perhaps a frivolous remark made by a deceitful person?
This... I have to ask Brother Heng when I get back.
Watching the two of them talking, Mrs. Zhen smiled and said: "I am a troublemaker with a childish temper. Don't be the same as him."
Because after Zhen Yingjia and Gan gave birth to Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue, the two sisters did not have a son for a long time. They had to wait until they were in their early thirties to get Zhen Baoyu. Naturally, Zhen Yingjia and his wife cherished her very much. At the same time, Mrs. Zhen also loved this little grandson.
Daiyu turned her pretty face as white as snow, and a hint of amusement suddenly appeared deep in her heart. She glanced narrowly at Zhen Baoyu with her bright starry eyes, and said delicately: "Speaking of which, I wonder if this brother of the Zhen family has jade in his body."
No?"
As soon as he said this, the faces of the mandarin ducks and Xiren who were standing beside him showed strange expressions, especially Xiren, who had a particularly strange look on his face.
What does Miss Lin mean by this?
Mrs. Zhen didn't take it seriously and said with a smile: "Yu'er, are you talking about the jade in your mouth when it fell into the grass? That is something only those who are very lucky have. It must be a rarity. How can everyone have it?
?”
Daiyu was listening to the two talking at this moment, and her heart felt even weirder. In other words, when she first came to the capital, Baoyu smashed the psychic treasure jade in anger, which left a shadow in Daiyu's young mind that lasted throughout her childhood. At this moment
Like floating clouds that cover the sun, they disperse with the wind, without joy or sorrow.
Back then, it was just a kid's joke.
And this was just a small episode in the conversation during the dinner. Li introduced several other young grandmothers to Daiyu. Daiyu met them one by one and treated them as a courtesy.
Mrs. Zhen looked at the girl with crooked eyebrows with concern, and said softly: "Yu'er, when your mother was here, you came to Jinling to visit me. I didn't expect you to have grown into a big girl after so many years."
There was a hint of sadness on Daiyu's face.
Mrs. Zhen chuckled lightly and said: "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. This time when we come to Jinling, we will walk around here more and let your sister Qing lead you around. There are many places of interest in Jinling.
, it’s time to take a good walk around.”
Daiyu nodded and said softly: "It's not good to bother the princess all the time."
She saw that Princess Chu was discussing the military affairs in the south of the Yangtze River with Brother Heng when she arrived at the Ningguo Mansion, so she didn't want to disturb her.
Mrs. Zhen said with a smile: "No matter what trouble you are, you are just treated as one of your own family members here. When your mother came here as a child, I also treated her as my own daughter."
Daiyu could only respond in a low voice.
While everyone was talking, suddenly, a nun came in from outside and said: "Old lady, the eldest master and uncle Heng are here."
While talking, accompanied by a burst of chaotic footsteps, Jia Heng, Zhen Yingjia, and Zhen Qing entered Fuxuan Hall together.
With the help of the maid, Mrs. Zhen stood up and her eyes first fell on the young man. A kind smile appeared on her old face and she asked: "Brother Heng, are you here?"
Jia Heng bowed to Mrs. Zhen, then looked at Daiyu and nodded. However, he encountered a pair of bold searching eyes. Those willow-leaf slender eyebrows, narrow and clear eyes, and rose-like lips, almost
Jia Heng almost thought it was Zhen Qing.
Well, it's not a millstone.
He sat down immediately.
Compared with the last time when the female family members were still hiding behind the screen, this time they were obviously treating her as a family member and didn't avoid it much. Of course, it was also due to Jia Heng's current identity and the fact that she was already married, which gave people the impression that
That's the elders.
Mrs. Zhen personally introduced all the female relatives in the house and Zhen Baoyu to Jia Heng to show her closeness.
Jia Heng nodded to the female relatives, abiding by the etiquette and not looking too much.
"This is Lan Lan." Mrs. Zhen said with a chuckle.
"Brother Heng." Zhen Lan called with a slight smile, looking at the young man opposite him with her piercing eyes that were just beginning to show their charm.
He looks to be no more than a year or two older than her.
Then came Zhen Xi, a bright-eyed girl with airy bangs and soft eyes.
When Zhen Xi met those clear and calm eyes, she felt a little shy. She lowered her eyelashes slightly and called softly: "Brother Heng."
Jia Heng nodded and didn't say much.
Mrs. Zhen was the first to speak, apologizing and saying, "Brother Heng, what happened earlier was because Baoyu and his fourth uncle were too reckless, which caused you a lot of trouble. I cannot apologize to you."
Facing everyone's gaze, Jia Heng looked at Mr. Zhen and said: "Old Mrs., the previous incident did cause some twists and turns, but it doesn't make much sense to talk about it now."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhen's face changed slightly, and she sighed and said: "To be honest, it's all Baoyu's fault that his fourth uncle is good at making decisions. I have already scolded him. Brother Heng, although he is quite old,
But there may not be children who are sensible, so don’t be as knowledgeable as him.”
Jia Heng was silent for a moment, but did not answer the question again.
This kind of backstabbing behavior can be said to be "two-faced" at worst, or to be polite at best. It can be said that the political conduct of a two-faced person is extremely despicable. He came to Zhen's house today to think about Mopan... Well, Zhen Jia
Some old friendships between the two families.
When Mrs. Zhen saw this, she knew that the young man had already had a bad feeling towards his four sons. The feeling could not be eliminated in a day, so he quickly said: "Brother Heng, the Jiangnan Camp is making arrangements, and I don't know what the regulations are.
?”
Jia Heng said: "Now the governor's office of Liangjiang has taken over the army reorganization. I am currently busy with affairs in Jiangbei and can't get away. I will ask about the situation of the Jiangnan camp in a while."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhen didn't want to say any more, just to offend her. She thought about it, changed the topic with a smile and said, "Ziyu, the Mid-Autumn Festival will be here in a few days. Do you have any plans?"
Jia Heng said: "It is the first time for the clansmen who are accompanying us here in Jinling to come to Jinling. We need to worship Ning Rong and get together with the clansmen here."
Because the coffins of Ning Rong and Ning Rong were buried in the ancestral land of Jinling, and there were even sacrificial fields for worship. Not to mention that he was busy with Yangzhou before, but this time he stayed for a long time, so he had to pay homage anyway.
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhen said with emotion: "It's time to pay homage to Ning Rong and Ning Rong. When I was a child, I grew up listening to the story of the two princes who helped protect the Han Dynasty. Now Ning Rong and Ning Rong are really the successors."
Someone is here."
She thought to herself that since this family has moved out to worship ancestors, it would be difficult for her to be invited to the Zhen family.
At this time, Zhen Qing thought for a while and said softly: "Brother Heng, see if you are free tonight. Third uncle will organize some kind of poetry party. Brother Heng can join in the fun. Although military and national affairs are important, you can't just be busy with official duties, right?
"
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said softly: "Let's see if there's anything else that day. If I'm not busy, I'll come over and have a look."
Zhen Qing glanced at the young man, and now that Jia Heng replied that he was in front of a female family member in the house, he gained more face, and a sweetness surged deep in his heart.
Mrs. Zhen was bright-eyed. When she saw this, she quickly smiled and said, "It just so happens that Lin Yatou, Xinxin is coming over to have some fun."
Mr. Gan smiled and said, "That's the truth. Ancestor worship is canonical. It's best to do it in advance. It doesn't matter if you take the time to come and have a look."
Mrs. Zhen also smiled and said, "That's fine."
While chatting with Mrs. Zhen, it was almost noon before I knew it.
Zhen Baoyu's third uncle Zhen Xuan also came back. Seeing Jia Heng, a warm smile appeared on his face and said: "Ziyu, I have read your Three Kingdoms dialect book many times. How did you write it?"
Such a wonderful plan."
Jia Heng looked at Zhen Xuan. He didn't know whether he really liked the book of Three Kingdoms or if he was taking the opportunity to compliment himself. He could only say: "The fourth master is overly praised. This game is not worthy of being praised by the Fang family."
"I think I picked it up easily. I am worthy of being the youngest martial artist in the Han Dynasty. His literary skills and military skills are beyond ordinary people." Zhen Xuan smiled and invited him: "I will have to drink two more drinks later. There are many places.
, I was quite confused when I read it.”
Mrs. Zhen also chuckled and said, "You guys should have a good time together."
Jia Heng nodded, and then followed Zhen Yingjia to the front hall. After lunch with Zhen Yingjia and Zhen Xuan, they sat at Zhen's house for a while and left Shui Xin at Zhen's house.
After that, he didn't stay any longer and returned to Jinling Ningguo Mansion.
As for being at Zhen's house, the tired birds returning to the woods at dusk and the clear clouds sitting on the mountains are exciting, but because they have just been here a few times and everyone is watching his every move, it is really too risky. To be honest, Jia Heng is still worried about being cheated by Zhen.
Clear... the fairy dances.
…
…
After Jia Heng visited the Zhen family, the situation in Jinling gradually stabilized again, and the Governor's Office of Liangjiang began a "vigorous" army reorganization. Time passed by in a hurry, and unknowingly it was the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Jia Heng summoned Jia You from the Ningguo Mansion, and led the Jia family members to the ancestral mausoleum of Ningrong Ergong to worship in person. After a while, he took a large number of clan members to have lunch in Ningguo Mansion.
Returning to the back house, I met Chen Xiao.
"Xiaoxiao, what's the matter?" Jia Heng asked in surprise.
Chen Xiao handed over the paper in his hand and said, "There is new progress in the interrogation of Yangzhou's transportation warehouse shortage."
With that said, I will narrate what happened.
Jia Heng's face darkened and he asked, "The Cheng family actually recruited someone."
Chen Xiao said: "The Jinyi Mansion has seized an outer room belonging to Cheng Peili's son. In order to save his flesh and blood, Cheng Peili's son revealed the case of a shortage of salt transportation warehouse. Now Liu Jixian is sending people to investigate."
Jia Heng's face was as calm as an abyss, and he said: "Today, I went over to discuss with Qi Kun overnight, sort out the confession, and arrest Liu Shengzao tomorrow to uncover the case of the shortage of transportation warehouses."
Chen Xiao nodded, and immediately, in his clear eyes, there was something slightly strange in his eyes: "Wang Shouqi also sent an invitation to the Oiran Competition, asking you to participate and judge."
When the Mid-Autumn Festival comes, not only Jinling, but also Yangzhou also holds various poetry activities. The Oiran Competition is a thing created by Yangzhou salt merchants. Although it is not as elegant as poetry, it is more popular among dozens of brothels in Yangzhou.
The talent show was measured according to the flower baskets, and some gentry and celebrities were invited to watch and taste.
As the minister of military aircraft and the highest local military officer in Yangzhou, Jia Heng was naturally invited, and Liu Shengzao was also invited.
In fact, because this year, two of the eight major salt merchants have been wiped out, and two more are still in the Jinyi Mansion Hundred Households, so the Yangzhou Salt Merchant plans to invite Jia Heng to test his tone.
It's been many days. Is this the case? Or is it something else? Can you please give me an accurate answer?
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said in a deep voice: "Then go and have a look tomorrow. This should be Wang Shouqi's last test. As time goes on, these people have begun to become suspicious."
In this case, he didn't go to the Jinling Zhen family's poetry meeting if he couldn't catch up. He was amazing at copying poems and pretending to be cool in front of big shots. He was not very interested in it, because... he was a big shot!
Chen Xiao thought for a while and said softly: "Liu Shengzao will attend the event tomorrow. How about winning the Oiran Competition? It would be a good way to scare the monkeys and make the Yangzhou salt merchants divide faster."
Jia Heng turned to look at the girl with beautiful features, his eyes were full of admiration, and he smiled and said: "Xiaoxiao, this is a good idea."
Yangzhou, Huanhua Tower
It was evening, the lights were on, and the lanterns were swaying in the wind.
On the second floor, waves of piano music drifted with the wind and rain, and waves of cool breeze blew into the room, making the air in the wing where the fragrance of makeup and powder escape was somewhat fresh.
Gu Ruoqing was sitting in front of the window, playing the piano.
Madam Liniang smiled and said: "My aunt, just think of it as a favor for me. Master Liu gave me a lot of money just to see you."
Gu Ruoqing frowned slightly and said softly: "Mom, Mr. Liu, I really don't want to see him anymore."
In the past few days, I have been harassed by Liu Shengzao a lot.
"Then there's no need to go back to Jinling. Why do you want to participate in this oiran competition? Our Huanhua Tower will launch you and Nanling this year. If you want to leave, what will I do?" Old Madam Liniang said in a low voice.
"Mom, Nanling's dance music is one of the best in Yangzhou. Let her," Gu Ruoqing said, looking at Nanling not far away.
Nan Ling quickly shook her head and said, "Sister Gu, I can't do this. I have never experienced this. It will be bad if the building messes it up."
Liniang advised: "My Miss Gu, my aunt, just endure these two days and participate in this show. Haven't you already participated in the previous ones? Nanling said that her body bond is also with her."
I am the person appointed by Uncle Yong Ning. If she doesn't say anything, how can I dare to let her show up again?"
Although Jia Heng did not accept Nan Ling, because he told Huanhualou not to be embarrassed, Liniang got the wrong idea, or could not control Jia Heng's thoughts.
Of course, having been redeemed by the salt merchant, Liniang didn't have much to say, so she could only let Nan Ling and Gu Ruoqing wander around the building, playing the piano and playing music, and not accepting guests.
Gu Ruoqing frowned and called: "Mom..."
Seeing that Gu Ruoqing was still hesitant, Liniang persuaded her hard: "Miss Gu also promised Madam at the beginning. When she returned to Jinling like this, Madam thought I was treating the girl lightly. I have no place to put my old face, right?"
Mentioning his wife, the boss of Huanhualou, Gu Ruoqing Yurong was obviously hesitant. She sighed softly and said, "In that case, let's wait until the Mid-Autumn Festival before returning to Jinling."
Her original intention was to find her junior sister and ask her master about her past years, but it seemed that she was unable to do so at the moment.
Hearing this, Liniang suddenly smiled and said, "Don't worry, Miss Ruoqing, I will never let Mr. Liu harass the girl again, and I have my wife to support me."
And just when Madam Liniang was persuading Gu Ruoqing, the nanny said: "Madam is here."