Ningguo Mansion
It was almost midnight, Jia Heng had just arrived at the inner hall, and before he could take a seat, accompanied by the fragrance of orchids and musk deer, he turned his eyes and saw Qingwen coming in with her waist twisted like a water snake, and said crisply: "Sir, the envoy of Qu Zhen is in the front hall. Been waiting for a long time.”
"I know." Jia Heng said, got up from his seat and headed to the front hall.
"Captain." Seeing Jia Heng come in, Qu Lang stood up from his chair, looked respectful, and bowed his hands.
Jia Heng looked indifferent and said, "Let's talk in the study outside."
In the outer study room, Jia Heng came to the mahogany desk and lifted up the teapot. Amidst the sound of "clatter", the blue and white auspicious cloud pattern tea cup began to steam up.
Jia Heng poured two cups of tea, handed one over, and asked, "Prince Zhongshun, what are the recent developments?"
Qu Lang was flattered and took the teacup, and tactfully advised: "There is no new news from Guan'er Qi. Mr. Luo from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and two adults from the Ministry of Works are secretly monitored by their trusted aides. ...The Governor might as well take a moment to slow down for a while?”
Jia Heng nodded and said: "It's right to take it slow. Wait until this case is over before dealing with that matter. The situation in Beijing is very tense now, and it's not appropriate to cause unnecessary problems."
Jia She's case attracted the attention of the capital. It was impossible for him to immediately expose the imperial mausoleum corruption case, otherwise, he would be suspected of having an unwarranted dispute with King Zhongshun.
Once the case against Jia She is over, he will use the help of others to uncover the shady story of corruption in the imperial mausoleum. Then he can sit back and watch the situation change, but there is still a possibility that he will be involved.
That is to say, the Jinyi Mansion may be in charge of the case when he is imprisoned. At that time, even if he wants to watch the fire from the other side, he will not be able to do so. of
"Where is Sun Shaozu?" Jia Heng suppressed some distant thoughts in his mind, put down the tea cup, stared at Qu Lang, and asked.
"People of humble rank are keeping an eye on me. What happened today will probably arouse their vigilance. I wonder what the Commander-in-Chief stands for?" Qu Lang asked.
Jia Heng thought for a while and said in a deep voice: "First, detain this person for smuggling and conspiracy. After a few days, I will come to interrogate him personally."
Sun Shaozu was hereditary to command the Datong Guard, and now he is waiting to be promoted to the Ministry of War. He is not a big shot. Now that he is implicated in Jia Lian's case, Beizhen Fusi can be detained and interrogated as usual.
In fact, the power of Jinyi Mansion was quite expanded in the early years of Chongping. Officials below the third rank who saw Jinyi Mansion's driving post could be invited to Jinyi Mansion for tea.
However, in the past few years, the emperor has been in power for a long time, and he has gradually paid more attention to the appearance of the emperor. All serious and important cases are mostly handed over to the three judicial departments for joint trial and judgment. Compared with the past, more attention is paid to procedural standards. Of course, if a large prison is established, it will It would be a different matter. At that time, the "Laws of the Han Dynasty" were just a piece of waste paper in front of the emperor who spoke of the Tianxian.
Qu Lang said: "I will be arrested after I return from my humble job."
Jia Heng nodded and warned: "There have been a lot of affairs in the capital recently. The ground surveillance in the capital should be more timely. Pay more attention and coordinate with the deputy commander of Zhongcheng Dong Qian to avoid causing any trouble."
Against the background of the Beijing-based investigation, party strife is becoming more and more intense. Some signs have emerged at today's court meeting. It is still unknown how far it will go in the future.
Qu Lang responded respectfully, and then said: "Captain, Zhao Qianhu's flying pigeon has sent a message, and the speaker has arrived in Jinling."
Zhao Yi from Nanzhen Fusi was escorting Xu Tingye, the superintendent of the Ordnance Supervision, and several craftsmen on their way south to Haojing to learn the art of artillery making. They were still on the way.
"Send the official document to all provinces and ask thousands of households along the way to pick it up." Jia Heng ordered.
Qu Lang said: "An official document has been sent."
Jia Heng thought for a while and said, "Let him get to Haojing and deliver the letter in time."
After explaining a few things, Qu Lang was sent away. After a short rest, he had to go to the Five Cities Military and Horse Division to handle government affairs.
After returning to the inner hall, he sat down, raised his eyes and saw Qingwen, and called out: "Qingwen, come here and rub my shoulders."
"Hey, Master." Qingwen responded sweetly, with a smile on her pretty and charming face.
With that said, he walked around, accompanied by a burst of fragrance, pinched Jia Heng's shoulders, and asked: "Master, are you very tired today?"
Jia Heng closed his eyes slightly, enjoying the massage with his small hands, and said warmly: "It's not that tiring. It's like this every day. I'm almost used to it."
Now I basically travel in three places. If I don't have to stay at the Military Aircraft Department or go to court, I will go to the Beijing Camp early in the morning to supervise the training of the 12th Regiment Camp, and in the afternoon I will go to Jinyi Mansion or Wucheng Military and Horse Division. Listen to reports from the two yamen on the security and intelligence work in the capital.
I have to take time to accompany the eldest princess of Jinyang at noon, and return to Ningguo Mansion in the evening.
"I heard that in Xifu, the eldest master and the second master Lian were both arrested?" Qingwen frowned and asked in a low voice.
Jia Heng whispered: "Two of them have violated national laws, and they are still being interrogated now."
"Not long ago, the father and son were in trouble." Qingwen curled her lips and said, "Yuanyang, there is also the matter of Mistress Lian. In this way, the family is much cleaner."
The girl had no respect for Jia She and Jia Lian.
Jia Heng gave a soft "hmm" and said, "Let's just talk about this in private. Please tell the maids and mothers below not to talk about it too much."
The nerves of the West Mansion have been very sensitive in recent times. It would not be good after all if we heard the words of gloating about misfortune everywhere in the East Mansion again.
"I usually don't go to Xifu. This is just to have a few words with the young master. That girl Xiangling is too dumb and doesn't talk to me much. Bi'er and the two sisters are practicing martial arts." Qingwen said in a tone of voice. Somewhat lonely.
Jia Heng chuckled lightly and asked, "I see that you, Cui Mo and Shi Shu haven't been playing together recently. You three often practice calligraphy together."
Because Tanchun often comes here, the two maids Cuimo and Shishu he brought with him play with Qingwen.
Qingwen is at the age where she loves to play, and several teenage girls gather together and often laugh and play around.
Three women in one drama, the girls in Rong Ning's second house have their own social circles, and the maids are no exception, they also have their own social circles.
As Jia Heng's eldest maid, Qingwen did not play much with Baozhu and Ruizhu for some unknown reason. Instead, she played with Tanchun's maids Cuimo, Shishu and Xichun's maids Caiping and Ruhua, etc. People get along well.
Of course, she is also the chief maid among the maids who usually respect Qingwen.
"We're practicing calligraphy together." Qingwen said softly.
Jia Heng said softly: "It's more lively over there in Xifu. Once the garden is built, it will be cheaper to get around."
The day before yesterday, Sister Feng said that the rocks and plants in Jia She's courtyard were not allowed to be transplanted. Now that I think about it, these problems no longer exist.
Since you can't solve the problem, you can solve the person who caused the problem.
While the master and servant were talking, they heard the jingling of the bead curtain, and Qin Keqing, Second Sister You, Third Sister You, and a group of maids and women came out of the inner room together.
"Husband." Qin Keqing was wearing a peach red skirt and asked with concern on her bright and charming face: "Just now, something happened to the master of Xifu?"
Jia Heng opened his eyes and asked, "Did you also listen?"
"The commotion was so loud, I heard that the palace sent angels out to deliver the message." Qin Keqing said softly.
The two former masters, Jia She and Jia Lian, were ordered to be arrested and interrogated. This spread almost like a hurricane throughout the Eastern and Western governments. It can be said that they will become a topic of endless discussion in the coming days.
This is why Jia Heng didn't choose to expose it himself. It would have been too ugly if he had done it himself.
Others don't care whether it is smuggling or violating national laws. They only have one feeling: the rise of the common branch will kill the direct branch.
As for Xue Pan, in the life-and-life lawsuit, in the end, Xue Pan did not lose his life. In fact, he took care of the Xue family.
Jia Heng briefly narrated the incident and said: "The national law cannot be tolerated, and no one can do anything about it. Everything depends on the fate of his father and son."
Third Sister You's face moved slightly as she listened, her beautiful eyes staring at the young man. She didn't know why, but she always felt that there was something unusual about Xifu.
Qin Keqing frowned and said, "Then the old lady said that again?"
Jia Heng shook his head and said: "What else can you say? It's just forcing someone to do something difficult."
"It seems that I want to ask the uncle to go to the palace to plead for mercy." You Sanjie Yanye said with a hint of displeasure on her face.
"Some love can be asked for, but there is no point in asking for some love." Jia Heng looked calm, picked up the tea cup on the side, took a sip, looked at Qin Keqing, and said warmly: "Sister-in-law Feng has not been in a good mood these days. If you come here, you can help enlighten me."
If Jia Lian is exiled, Sister Feng's situation will be quite embarrassing. In fact, Xifu cannot do without Sister Feng in all aspects.
Qin Keqing nodded and said, "I'll advise her."
Let’s talk about Baochai later. In the Tanchun House, several girls sighed for a while and then went their separate ways. At this time, they returned to Lixiangyuan with Ying’er.
On the corridor, Ying'er called softly: "Girl."
Baochai frowned slightly, glanced at Ying'er, and said angrily: "We'll talk about it when we get back."
No matter what you say, good or bad, it is not good to say it on the road, in case the walls have ears.
Ying'er said "hmm", stuck out her tongue, and followed Baochai back to Lixiangyuan.
At this moment, it was obvious that Aunt Xue had not returned from Rongqing Hall, so Baochai and Ying'er returned to the wing room where they lived.
Baochai took off his red cloak, sat on the bed, and took out a box from the cabinet. There was a blue robe in the box. He took it out and sat on the bed in front of the Kang table, planning to sew.
Since the spring clothes the girl prepared for Jia Heng, if Aunt Xue asked, it was for Xue Pan.
Ying'er sat on the kang table opposite, supporting her chin with one hand, and whispered: "Girl, I didn't expect that something like this happened in the house. The second master's work in the Ministry of Industry went wrong the day before yesterday, and now the eldest master... …I don’t know if I can keep my title.”
"Whether we can keep it or not has nothing to do with us." Baochai looked pale, lowered her head, twisted a thread from a green coil, and passed it through the embroidery needle hole. At this time, the sleeves of the skirt fell down on her arms, A section of frost-covered wrist appeared, a jasper bracelet, crystal clear and full of green.
Ying'er nodded and said: "Uncle Heng is prospering now, and he may become a prince in the future."
Baochai rolled her eyes at Ying'er, but luckily Ying'er didn't say any nonsense.
In other words, both the master and the servant have cautious temperaments. Even if they are talking privately, others will be confused at first glance by Monk Zhang Er.
Ying'er sighed: "It's just that the first lunar month will be out the day after tomorrow. I'm afraid I have to go to the Five Cities Military and Horse Division."
Xue Pan has been unable to move around for the past two days, but has been staying at home.
When Baochai heard this, he paused slightly and sighed softly.
While the master and servant were talking, Baochai's other maid, Wen Xing, wearing a double bun, suddenly came into the room and whispered: "Girl, my wife is back."
Baochai put her clothes aside, stood up quickly, walked out of the hall, and asked, "Mom, are the old ladies resting over there?"
"I'm tired now and have rested." Aunt Xue said softly, sat down and sighed: "This matter is causing trouble, and the whole family is worried."
It had only been half a year, and Aunt Xue had witnessed the whole process of the "decline" of Rongguo Mansion, and it was inevitable that she would sigh with emotion.
Aunt Xue, who was watching clearly, had begun to realize that there was no one in the Rongguo Mansion who was official and not doing anything.
Of course, the heritage of the Jia family is not limited to this. Not to mention that Jia Heng of the East Mansion is at the peak of his power, there are four major families that are connected with each other, and there are also two princes of the Shi family.
Baochai whispered: "Every family has sutras that are difficult to recite."
"Yes." Aunt Xue sighed again, then looked at her daughter, lowered her voice, and couldn't help but said: "My dear, just now I heard what the old lady meant, that she would transfer the title to Baoyu, I don't know why. statement."
If Baoyu can take over the title of third-class general, then the family fortune of the Duke's mansion will be incredible...
That's why it's hard to say anything in person. After returning home, everyone has their own plans.
Baochai's watery almond eyes flashed, and she said softly: "Brother Heng of Dongfu said it before, and my uncle also said it, and it was not very appropriate."
With the intelligence of a young girl, she naturally knew what her mother was planning. She was clearly thinking about a good match, and her thoughts came to life again.
"Having said that, I can't guarantee everything." Aunt Xue said in a low voice, but it was hard to go into details.
At this moment, Xue Pan's voice came through the curtain under the eaves of the corridor outside the hall, "Are mom and sister in the house?"
While talking, Xue Pan opened the curtain and entered the hall. His eyes, which were as big as copper bells, turned around and looked at his mother and sister. Finally, they landed on Aunt Xue's face and asked, "Mom, how did I hear that the eldest master still has a child?" Something happened to brother Lian?"
Aunt Xue frowned and said, "You are not in the house so you can take care of yourself. Which way did you listen to repay God?"
"Mom, don't hide it from me. It's hard for me not to know if there's such a big movement." Xue Pan sat nearby on the embroidered pier, with a big face and a playful expression, and said happily: "I was thinking about it. , If something happens to Brother Lian, it should happen this time."
Seeing her son's playful smile, Aunt Xue said angrily: "What are you doing here again?"
Xue Pan said: "I treated Brother Lian to drinks several times before. He talked about some business matters while drunk, and I was scared to listen to him."
Aunt Xue's face changed slightly and she said anxiously: "You didn't get involved, did you?"
"How dare I do those troubles." Xue Pan said quickly, rolled his eyes, and asked: "Now that the eldest master and the second brother are in, did Cousin Heng say anything?"
Aunt Xue shook her head and said: "What your cousin means is that he doesn't want to take care of it. He said that it is a case assigned by the palace and no one can get in the way."
Xue Pan whispered: "I heard that with such a hassle, it seems that the title will be lost."
"No, now the old lady is trying to find a way to keep her title. She is worried about something." Aunt Xue sighed, and then said: "Let's not talk about it for now. You will leave the day after tomorrow. I was thinking about it. I’ll invite Brother Heng over for a banquet tomorrow, so you brothers can have a good chat.”
Xue Pan's face plate instantly stepped down.
Aunt Xue said, looked at Baochai, and asked: "My dear, what did Brother Heng say the past few days? You have invited me several times, but there seems to be no confirmation."
It was just ordinary inquiries and complaints, but it didn't arouse any suspicion.
Baochai's heart skipped a beat, Liuye frowned, sighed softly, and said, "Brother Heng has been very busy these days. I went to Dongfu and didn't see many people in total. Just sit with my sister-in-law for a while, Mom, why don't you wait until it gets dark and I'll ask you during dinner. I'm thinking about how I can come over tomorrow."
"That's fine, I think I'm very busy. I'm leading a group of people, and it seems that I just came back from the Yamen." Aunt Xue nodded, but she remembered the scene she saw in the courtyard earlier.
Seeing this, Baochai secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
However, he didn't expect to see his mother holding his hand at this moment, hesitating to speak, with complicated eyes.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Baochai asked quickly, feeling slightly panicked.
Aunt Xue hesitated and said: "My dear, I came to him because of your brother's affairs. He...he's not bored, is he?"
Baochai shook his head gently and said softly: "Brother Heng, although his temper seems a bit colder, he is very kind to others."
Boredom didn't mean boredom, but... At this time, the girl's golden locks were slightly hot and she didn't dare to think too much.
However, Aunt Xue remembered the resolute attitude of the young man in the Hall of Rongxi before, and whispered: "You are so young, but you are hard-hearted. But if you weren't so decisive, you wouldn't be able to do such big things outside. , Mom, I’m also worried that you will be wronged, so it’s good that he didn’t lose face.”
Baochai said softly: "Mom, didn't we say before that we had to show some mercy to my brother's matter? Otherwise, if others expose it now, I'm afraid it won't be settled easily like today."
Xue Pan smiled and said: "Mom, that's what I was thinking about. Think about it. When cousin Heng heard that he went to the palace to tell the emperor, the emperor was using him. How could he not give him thin noodles? Also? , the Dali Temple that he took me to at the beginning can be ruthless, but look at it, the eldest master and the second brother Lian don’t care about it, this gap..."
At this moment, Xue Pan basically sent the message "I'm going to take a shower" to the goddess, and started to read and understand the last word "oh".
The word "oh" fully reflects her playfulness and kindness...
Aunt Xue looked puzzled and said: "But when it comes to treating our family... it doesn't make sense. When it comes to intimacy, we are actually a level further apart."
"Mom, I'm afraid you have forgotten. Before Brother Heng arrived in Dongfu, he was bullied a lot. I have found out all about this. No wonder he is being kind if he doesn't help or step on me now. Yes." Xue Pan shook his big head, as if he had taken on the role of himself.
It is clearly mentioned that Jia Heng had a disagreement with Jia She before he took charge of Dongfu.
Aunt Xue suddenly said: "There was a dispute the day before yesterday. So, Brother Heng knows what's going on."
He is truly selfless and selfless. Although he is respectable, he is difficult to get close to. Now that the grudges are clear, it will be easier to handle.
Baochai listened to her mother and brother talking about that person, pursed her pink lips and said nothing. Now was not the time to tell the truth.
Xue Pan chuckled and said: "Mom, let's wait until brother Xunheng talks properly tomorrow, and I'll go back and rest."
"Go." Aunt Xue nodded and said.
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