The night was dark and rainy, a cool breeze was blowing, and the lanterns above the restaurant were swaying in the wind.
Jia Heng left Gantang Restaurant with a calm expression and complicated thoughts.
"Brother Heng." Zhen Xi held a lantern, glanced at the young man holding an umbrella, and called softly.
"Well, let's get in the car and let's go." Jia Heng said softly, holding Zhen Xi's little hand, and got into the carriage together. With the snort of the horse, the carriage turned and drove towards Ningguo under the entourage of Jinyi Mansion Guards.
Mansion.
Inside the carriage, the girl's fragrance, like orchid and musk deer, spread out slightly, mixed with the smell of rain coming from the bamboo curtain, making Jia Heng's mind clearer.
Jia Heng looked at the girl beside her who was pressing her pink lips tightly, put her arms around Shao's shoulders, and whispered: "Xi'er."
"Ah, what's wrong, Brother Heng?" Zhen Xi asked in a low voice with curiosity on her little face.
Jia Heng said: "Xi'er, what happened just now."
"Brother Heng, I didn't see anything." Zhen Xi whispered quickly, her heart pounding, and her soft and waxy voice began to tremble.
Immediately, she leaned her head tightly on Jia Heng's shoulder, feeling ashamed in her heart. Brother Heng and sister were so ridiculous just now. They were making out in front of... How could they do that?
Jia Heng held Zhen Xi's hand, pinched the girl's chin, looked at the girl who looked a little shy, and asked with a hint of teasing: "Xi'er will not tell anyone what he saw earlier."
It’s someone else’s.”
Zhen Xi's eyes that were as spiritual as streams flickered, and she said shyly: "Brother Heng, you and eldest sister... this is not good either."
It seemed that these words had exhausted all the strength of the girl's body, and she collapsed in Jia Heng's arms.
Jia Heng sighed and said: "I also know that it's not good. You have also seen that your sister has always been strong in temperament. She didn't even ask for my opinion just now... I don't have much choice. It was her at the beginning... That's all.
No more talking."
Zhen Qing is pregnant now, so it's hard to talk to her.
Zhen Xi blinked, remembering the scenes that Jia Heng had just brought back to her.
Sister did not ask Brother Heng for his opinion just now.
But it was Brother Heng who hugged the eldest sister first, right?
Jia Heng's eyes narrowed, thinking about the impact of Zhen Qing's pregnancy.
In fact, after this incident, the chance of the two people's affair being exposed has actually been reduced, because Zhen Qing is pregnant and it will be inconvenient to travel after returning to the capital. Except for a few months at a certain time, the addiction may be relatively high, so it is unlikely that she will come over.
Obsessed with him.
And in these few months, he was able to devote his mind to fighting against the captives and calmly resolve the crisis that might be caused by the birth of a child.
Looking at it this way, the feudal lord couldn't help but make the mistake of getting Princess Chu pregnant.
During this period, the only thing that needs to be done is to calm Zhen Qing's emotions and not let her do anything wrong.
As for the future, given Zhen Qing's temperament, will she use her child as a bargaining chip to manipulate him? To use her own dignity as a tool?
At that time, it was a game between the two of them, and at this point, he was not afraid of anyone.
After dispersing these messy thoughts, the autumn wind from the bamboo curtain blew on my face, and I felt an indescribable strangeness in my heart.
This is the first time in my past life that I am going to be a father. The feeling of being connected by blood just now was a bit strange but familiar.
Thinking about it this way, it wouldn't be a bad thing if Zhen Qing was really pregnant.
At least Zhen Qing has made up her mind, and the balance should be completely tilted towards him.
In addition to being able to provide her with the status of a princess, the King of Chu was basically a thing of the past.
However, since Zhen Qing is pregnant with a child, it means that as he expected, her strength has come to an end, so there should be some movement in Jinyang during this period, so we can ask later.
Jia Heng's expression was gloomy, and he regained his composure. He turned to look at Zhen Xi and said softly: "Sister, let the past things be rotten in your stomach. Don't say a word to anyone when you go back."
It's not that Zhen Qing is pregnant, Zhen Xi doesn't know about it at all, but Zhen Qing's desperate attempt on him.
Zhen Xi's palm-sized face, her jade cheeks were as hot as fire, blushing like a blush, her bright eyes were like mist, she quickly said: "Brother Heng, I can't do it, I didn't say anything about that before, um...
…”
He blinked his eyes, quickly covered his head, opened the door and greeted the thief.
Not long after, Jia Heng quickly left the girl's moist and soft lips and chuckled: "Sister Xi'er will keep her mouth shut in the future, right?"
"Yes." Zhen Xi lowered her head, her face was as bright as the clouds, and her soft voice was filled with a bit of shame and joy.
Jia Heng stretched out his hand to hold Zhen Xi in his arms and said warmly: "Sister Xi'er, we will be a family from now on. You can come to my room and serve me."
From now on, he also needs to be cautious for a while.
Zhen Qing has buried a big hole for him. He needs to remove some dangerous factors, and Zhen Xi is his best helper.
It's true that how comfortable the two concubines of the Zhen family were at that time, how troublesome they are now.
Under Zhen Xi's beautiful eyebrows, she looked at the young man with watery eyes and said in a trembling voice: "Brother Heng, you and... are not a long-term solution after all. If you are discovered, it will be a big disaster."
The girl is just simple-minded and a little shy, but she is not stupid. In fact, Wen Ning's temperament is the youthful version of Zhen Xue.
"I also thought about breaking off the relationship before. This is not your eldest sister..." Jia Heng said softly, his face paused, and he whispered: "There is no use in talking about it now."
If he has a child, the entanglement between him and Zhen Qing will become more and more difficult to break, and Zhen Qing can't be blamed entirely if he can't slap her in the face.
Zhen Xi's bright eyes flashed under her beautiful eyebrows, she pursed her lips, and sighed quietly in her heart, saying, "Brother Heng, you have to be careful about everything in the future."
She didn't know why. Normally, the etiquette she received in her boudoir would despise such things, but one was her sister and the other was the husband she would serve in the future.
Jia Heng's eyes were a little thoughtful, he gently piled the girl's snowman and said, "So, sister Xi'er just helped me look at the wind."
She is so conscious and skillful that it makes people feel distressed. In other words, the youngest Zhen Xi is actually very showy or sober.
I don't know why, but I suddenly thought of Xichun in Dongfu, or Xiangyun.
Just like in the original work, Xichun was very clear about many things. Xiangyun was laughing and joking, and when he was admonishing Baoyu, he looked the same and spoke like an adult.
It can only be said that life urges people to grow up and mature prematurely.
Zhen Xi's pretty face turned red with embarrassment. She thought for a moment and whispered: "Brother Heng and eldest sister are the pillars of the Zhen family in the future. They cannot be talked about and end up ruined because of such things, especially Brother Heng, and even more so.
He is the backbone of the imperial court, but now that he has captured Prince Donglu alive, his body is no longer his."
At that time, not only would the Zhen family be in trouble, but Brother Heng would also be affected.
Hearing this, Jia Heng pinched Zhen Xi's chin and said, "Sister Xi'er really hit the nail on the head."
Zhen Xi's words indeed hit the point. After he captured the Jurchen Prince alive, his political importance soared.
Because he is the first martial artist who can win a war against captives.
To put it bluntly, even if Emperor Chongping knew that he was arrogant to the King of Chu, he would hold his nose in recognition and would not say anything about it. Instead, he would send people to execute Zhen Qing and the child in his belly.
And this is the most severe warning to him.
As for the future, if Emperor Chongping seeks to settle accounts with his queen again, that will be later.
At that time, it was really not difficult to report that the princess had a serious illness, especially since the Zhen family had collapsed. If she really wanted the King of Chu to be the East Palace, Zhen Qing would sooner or later be forced to retire, or... go to her mother's residence.
son.
At least he would change places if he were Emperor Chongping.
The emperor will not know what role a powerful woman like Mopan has played beside King Chu over the years. If he really cares about King Chu, he can be a bad person and help King Chu clean up in advance, then he will be a qualified emperor.
The premise is that he doesn't cause trouble in the city.
But now, he had better restrain himself, and the Emperor should not notice it either.
This kind of thing between men and women can be hidden whether it is good or bad.
Zhen Xi saw Jia Heng's expression changing, his eyes as cold as lightning, and the evil aura on his body oppressing people's hearts. The girl was so scared that she held her breath unconsciously. Her soft voice was filled with tears, and she whispered softly: "Brother Heng, I just told you."
Brother Heng won't kill her to silence her, right?
Jia Heng looked at the girl, and felt a little funny in his heart. A girl with a temperament similar to Zhen Xue is undoubtedly a piece of jade, and said softly: "Sister Xi'er has a beautiful heart and a beautiful belly. You can talk to me more in the future.
explain."
It's just that Zhen Xi's temperament is a bit softer, and people can't help but want to manipulate her.
"Yeah? Hmm~" The girl was wondering what to say next, when she saw that warm and soft breath coming towards her face again, and the thrilling feeling hit her again.
But this time, Tan suddenly opened his mouth slightly and looked at the young man buried in front of him in surprise.
…
…
The carriage stopped in front of Ning Guo Mansion. Jia Heng supported Zhen Xi all the way to the inner hall of the backyard and sat down. Zhen Xi still had a faint blush on her face, and her delicate body was still a little trembling.
Jia Heng warned: "Sister Xi'er, you go back to your room first, and I'll go to the study to take a look."
Zhen Xi softly said "Hmm", glanced at the young man and said, "Brother Heng, go to bed early."
With that said, he turned and left the inner hall with red cheeks.
Jia Heng looked at the pitch-black night outside and took a deep breath. After Zhen Xi was gone, the darkness completely came in like a tide, coming from all directions.
It has to be said that Zhen Qing suddenly became pregnant, which immediately disrupted his peaceful and leisurely life, and even brewed a potential crisis.
In the final analysis, he has not yet reached the point where Huang Xie, Dorgon, and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty need to keep tabs on him.
He still cannot fully bear the consequences of what is known, because power comes from above.
Power, or power...
If he had the power over the world, let alone Zhen Qing, even if he was sent to the emperor... No, it wouldn't be a big deal even if Jinyang's affairs were exposed to the world.
But now the civil servants in the court still have the three parties of Qi, Chu and Zhejiang, and the vassals have Qi, Chu and Wei. Even if it is Wu Xun, there are also the king of Nan'an, the king of Beijing and others, he... is far from enough!
Apart from being a prisoner, his position is not irreplaceable, and the foundation of his power is still in the hands of the emperor.
A tree without roots, a water without a source!
Jia Heng was walking on the corridor eaves, and suddenly these eight words rang in his heart. He suddenly stopped, as if a bright light flashed in his heart, and the lights swaying in the wind shone on his face. Between bright and dark, and between turning around, he felt again and again.
Hidden in darkness.
In the study -
The rainy night was much darker than in the past. Jia Heng carried a lantern and headed towards the study with a heavy heart. When he looked up, he saw that the lights in the study were already on, and a familiar figure was projected on the window.
Jia Heng walked to the study room and immediately caught a glimpse of the girl in a green dress writing under the bookshelf by the window.
Chen Xiao heard the footsteps, raised his frosty face, and asked in a clear and golden voice, "You're back?"
Jia Heng nodded and said, "What are you looking at?"
Chen Xiao smelled the smell of alcohol on Jia Heng's body, frowned, and asked, "Are you going to drink?"
Jia Heng said: "It's not like you don't know that the King of Chu invited me. He offered me several glasses of wine, and I couldn't refuse."
When Chen Xiao heard this, he flew under the sword-shaped eyebrows on his temples. His bright eyes, as clear as a mirror, seemed to be beating and shaking the candlelight on the candlestick. He studied the young man's face and suddenly said: "Then what is King Chu looking for you for?"
"What else is there for, just to get closer to each other by going around and around." Jia Heng said with a dull expression, sat down, took Chen Xiao's hand, and while Chen Xiao frowned and looked at him, he whispered: "Already
Washed."
I always feel that Xiaoxiao’s control is quite broad.
After saying that, he sat down, picked up a stack of sealed books from the bookcase, and asked: "Is there any news from the guards of Jinyi Mansion in Beijing recently?"
Chen Xiao said: "There has just been a letter from the flying pigeon in Beijing. The palace means that if nothing happens, you should hurry up and go back. In addition, it also mentioned one thing."
Jia Heng was slightly surprised and asked, "What's going on?"
Chen Xiao's face was as smooth as frost and she said coldly: "The Zhen family will be investigated."
The detective from the Jinyi Mansion in Shenjing conveyed a very brief message, but the words were short and the matter was big. However, the fact that the Zhen family was investigated undoubtedly made Princess Xiao extremely happy.
The enchanting concubine of the Zhen family is a troublemaker for beauty. Now that the Zhen family has been raided, there will be no chance to pester Jia Heng again.
Jia Heng put down some of the books in his hands and said, "This day has finally come."
"The decree has been issued from the capital, and it is being delivered by express delivery at 600 yuan. This is the flying pigeon letter sent by Jinyi Mansion in advance." Chen Xiao's eyes were shining as he said, delivering the paper he received.
go.
Jia Heng stretched out his hand to take the paper, read it, and paused for a moment, then said: "If I had known that this would happen, I wouldn't have thought that it would be me leading the Jinyi Mansion to inspect it. This time, it's just the Internal Affairs Mansion."
The emperor assigned him a new job before he left. Could it be that he was worried that the Zhen family would have too much contact with him and that the Zhen family would not be able to move easily?
It's really possible... As for knocking, I can't say it.
Chen Xiao's eyes looked surprised under Liuye's slender eyebrows, and he said softly: "Then what are you going to do?"
"What else can we do? Wait for two more days, and the imperial edict will come. If it is time to investigate, then investigate and deal with it." Jia Heng's face was gloomy, and there seemed to be a cold glint in his eyes, and he said: "Seal the news first."
As for leaking information and transferring property, these are all acts of committing suicide.
In a sense, the downfall of the Zhen family is actually a good thing. Only by cutting off King Chu's money bag will King Chu and Zhen Qing gradually part ways.
Without the backing of the Zhen family, Zhen Qing's support to the King of Chu in seizing the heir will also be reduced. At that time, how much weight does Zhen Qing still have in the heart of the King of Chu?
Chen Xiao raised his eyes to look at the young man who was thinking about the court situation with dark eyes, and asked: "The Zhen family won't come over to beg you, right?"
Jia Heng said: "When the time comes, I won't be able to help you."
…
…
The next day, early in the morning, as the sky was just getting dark, the young man on the bed woke up and turned around. He felt that his whole body was sore, especially his head, which was a little dizzy.
After calming down, he suddenly felt something. He turned to look at Princess Chu Zhen Qing who was sleeping in the inner compartment, and asked: "Princess, where is Uncle Yongning?"
He remembered drinking too much last night, and then...
"Your Majesty drank too much and slept too much last night. Uncle Yong Ning went back last night." Zhen Qing turned around, took the clothes and put them on, looked at the familiar face of King Chu, and suppressed her heart.
Feeling deeply guilty, Liu frowned, pretending to be annoyed and said: "Your Majesty was a little too dissolute last night, if Uncle Yongning hadn't left earlier."
King Chu rubbed his temples, which still had a headache. Hearing this, he smelled the strange smell in the curtains, and his face became a little unnatural. He raised his eyes to look at Zhen Qing, who was as beautiful as a rose.
It seems that there was a charming scene last night, mainly because the charming scent around him floated between the nostrils of the King of Chu. I don’t know why he blessed the princess after being drunk last night.
Mainly because I drank too much.
Of course, the two were originally husband and wife, so there was nothing wrong with them sharing the same bed, but it was just that they had an affair after drinking, so it was a bit embarrassing.
King Chu was thinking this way, and asked with an angry expression: "Princess, did I lose my composure in front of Uncle Yongning yesterday?"
If he loses his composure in front of Yong Ningbo, it will damage the start of his hard work.
Zhen Qing thought to herself, you slept like crazy last night, but she still sighed quietly and said: "I pulled the prince a few times, but..."
"However, Your Majesty, don't worry. Uncle Yongning is not an outsider. He didn't say anything about Your Majesty. He went back in a carriage with his fourth sister yesterday."
When King Chu heard this, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, nodded and said, "We are a family, so it's nothing."
He was worried that the King of Chu was frivolous and not good enough to rule the world.
He was secretly annoyed at the "beautiful face...how strange it is?" thing that made him secretly annoyed at the beginning, but now he has finally regained their relationship with her.
While he was talking, he saw that the beauty had already stood up. With a smile like a flower, she said: "Your Majesty, get up first. Doesn't it mean that you have to visit Aunt Jinyang and Xianning tomorrow?"
Seeing this, King Chu stopped worrying about what happened last night. He stood up, put on his clothes and asked, "To visit Aunt Jinyang, you must prepare gifts."
Princess Chu Zhen Qing had a bright smile on her charming face and said, "It's ready for the prince."
With that said, Zhen Qing ordered the female officials to prepare hot water and asked King Chu to take a bath. Seeing this scene, she smelled the strong scent of the bastard on the bed and sighed.
She had spent a lot of time yesterday, and now she also needed to clean herself up.
After King Chu and Zhen Qing had finished packing, Zhen Qing also returned to the Zhen family manor in a carriage and went straight to the attic of the back house to look for Zhen Xue.
Zhen Xue is sitting under the window sill, sewing something. The beauty is wearing a light blue dress, with a simple hairpin on her head. Her slender hand picks up a needle and threads it through the robe in her hand. Judging from the length of the robe,
It looks like a man's cotton robe.
Winter is approaching and the weather is much colder. This beauty plans to sew some clothes for Shui Xin and... Jia Heng to wear.
At this moment, hearing the female officer's reporting voice, Zhen Xue raised her beautiful and elegant face, smiled lightly and said, "Sister, you are here."
Zhen Qing had a smile on her face and said softly: "Come and see my sister. Is she sewing clothes?"
In fact, she was a little unsure before, so she still had to ask her sister.
Zhen Xue seemed a little embarrassed and hid the robe she was sewing to the side. She smiled and said, "I'm bored in my free time. I embroidered two pieces of clothing. Sister, why are you here?"
"Come here and talk to sister." Zhen Qing smiled sweetly. As she spoke, the millstone was already sitting under the kang of the west window where Zhen Xue was. She picked up the robe and said with a smile: "My sister's needlework is getting better and better. This is for me."
Who did it? Could it be for my brother-in-law in Jingli?"
"Sister..." Zhen Xue said with a slightly shy face and an angry tone, "Sister clearly knows who she is doing it for, yet she still comes to ask."
This was deliberately teasing her.
Zhen Qing waved her hand to dismiss the female officer, and looked at Zhen Xue with a smile, her eyes filled with meaning.
Zhen Xue knew something was wrong and asked: "What's wrong with sister?"
Zhen Qing sat down nearby, stared at Zhen Xue with her beautiful eyes, and whispered in her ear: "Sister, lately..."
Hearing Zhen Qing's inquiry, Zhen Xue's face was startled and she said: "Sister? It seems...she hasn't been here for more than ten days."
Zhen Qing: "???"
Is my sister also pregnant? She originally asked casually, but it was earlier than her.
Zhen Xue was not as sensitive as Zhen Qing, so she said softly: "It doesn't matter, right? I said I was going to call a doctor to take a look."
"Sister, farewell." Zhen Qing frowned, looking around and seeing no one else, she whispered in Zhen Xue's ear: "I have five or six days, and I'm always on time. I'm afraid my sister is pregnant too."
Zhen Xue froze on the spot and said: "How is this pregnancy...possible?"
"How is it impossible?" Zhen Qing raised her eyebrows and gritted her teeth: "Since I came to Jiangnan, my sister and I have been obsessed with him so many times, and there has never been a time when it wasn't..."
"Didn't my sister say that he...he also has some health problems?" Zhen Xue frowned and said softly: "Otherwise, the Qin family in the Ningguo Mansion would not have any movement in his stomach until now."
Zhen Qing said: "That was last year. Maybe he was young and his bones hadn't grown yet?"
"It hasn't grown yet?" Zhen Xue's cheeks were red with embarrassment and she thought to herself, where is it that it hasn't grown?
"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. I'll let the doctor take a look at it in half a month." Zhen Qing said.
At that time, what happened today was a thing of the past, and now in the Jiangnan area, the clan's mansion's inquiries were not particularly severe. Besides, she had given birth to an heir for the prince, and there was solid evidence to check.
In fact, it is relatively easy for a vassal king to steal a dragon and turn around. It would not be possible for a weaker princess, but Zhen Qing is obviously a capable princess.
Only the emperor's concubines would keep a close eye on them, and every blessing would be recorded by the eunuch for reference.
"Sister, what should I do here?" Zhen Xue said in a low voice with a pale face.
"Sister, it's better to hurry up and return to Beijing. If it doesn't work, let Ziyu think of a way." Zhen Qingfeng's eyes flashed and she said.
"But the prince...it's not like my sister doesn't know." Zhen Xue was frightened by Zhen Qing's words and was a little frightened.
Zhen Qing nodded and said: "It is indeed a problem. Why don't you use medicine and let your brother-in-law and the personal maids around you pretend for the last time and fish in troubled waters."
Zhen Qing came up with an idea, and as she spoke, her beautiful eyes brightened, and she said softly: "At that time, the old concubine of the Prince's Palace in Beijing, who else said that you were jealous?"
Don't tell me, this beauty is really quite quick-witted.
Zhen Xue pursed her pink lips and said hesitantly: "Sister, I don't dare to do this."
Beauty is indeed a bit timid.
"Then wait a little longer and discuss it with Ziyu." Zhen Qing said softly.
Zhen Xue pecked at the rice and nodded: "Then when I pick up Xinxin another day, I will ask Ziyu, he will definitely have a solution."
If this kind of thing is not handled well, it will end up riding a wooden donkey and drowning in a pig cage.