Ningguo Mansion, Tianxiang Tower
In the evening, the sound of percussion and drums and gongs came from the attic.
On the second floor, Mother Jia is sitting in the middle. On the left is Qin Keqing, and on the right are Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue, Feng Wan, Tan Xi, Chai Dai, Xiang Yun and others.
They are currently receiving the visiting Princess Zhen Xue of Beijing, Princess Zhen Qing of Chu, and Wu Shi and others.
Mother Jia looked at the people with a bit of surprise in her heart. She remembered that Keqing was congratulating her on being awarded the title of first-grade wife, but she clearly didn't send an invitation. Why did she come here with a congratulatory gift?
Especially Zhao Yi, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, whose wife came to plead for mercy a while ago, but was declined by Brother Heng. I don't know why she came to congratulate her now.
Qin Keqing also looked at the women in surprise, and his eyes fell on Zhen Xue and Zhen Qing, who were wearing green buns in the clouds and combing the clouds and moonlight. One of the Zhen sisters was a prince and princess, and the other was a county prince and princess. They had noble status. The clothes are bright, the skin is as beautiful as snow, and the appearance is beautiful.
One has a gentle and intellectual temperament, while the other is elegant and gorgeous, especially with similar facial features. Qin Keqing can't help but compare with the You sisters next to her.
Compared with the You sisters, who are pretty and charming in appearance, almost as beautiful as they are, but their movements are inevitably less dignified and dignified. However, the Zhen sisters are from a famous family, and even the slightly charming Zhen Qing is somewhat graceful and luxurious.
Aunt Xue also looked at the Zhen sisters, and when she saw the two sisters, she couldn't help but feel envious in her heart.
The Zhen family is really rich and respectable. There are two princesses from one family, both of whom are outstanding in appearance. This is the standard for the Tian family to select concubines.
In fact, her Baochai...
Aunt Xue turned to look at her daughter and saw that she was holding a tea cup and looking at the two sisters Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue.
In Rongqingtang, not only Aunt Xue and her daughter looked at the Zhen sisters, but Daiyu and Tanchun also looked at Zhen Xue and Zhen Qing.
When Zhen Xue came yesterday, she was still alone. She was alone after all. She didn't have such a feeling yet. Now that they are contrasting with each other, the feeling is very different.
Jia Mu smiled and asked, "Where is Mrs. Wu coming?"
Wu Shi smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Mr. Heng, for speaking out for justice. You helped me speak a fair word in court today."
When Jia Mu heard this, she was quite surprised. She looked at Qin Keqing aside and asked, "I don't know about this. What's going on?"
Qin Keqing smiled and said, "I haven't seen my husband mention it when he comes back."
Jia Mu smiled and said: "Brother Heng came back, but I didn't mention it at all. However, even if there is this incident, I think it is the Zhao family's behavior that is upright. According to justice, Brother Heng is not worthy of the punishment." I came here specifically to say thank you."
Everyone laughed.
King Beijing's daughter Shui Xin also opened her eyes wide at this time, put down the nine-ring chain in her hand, and looked at the smiling adults curiously.
Xiangyun was so surprised that he pinched the little girl's pink cheeks.
Princess Chu Zhen Qing took over the conversation with a smile and said: "Old lady, I remember coming to your mansion when I was a child. I don't want to think that after so many years, the old lady is still so cheerful."
The Zhen and Jia families were family friends. Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue often came to pay their respects to Jia's mother, and then they got married. After having children, they only came here once during the holidays.
Jia Mu nodded and said with a smile: "The princess has a distinguished and extraordinary status now, and she has a young prince, so it is difficult to move back and forth. By the way, Mrs. Zhen's health is better now, right?"
Princess Chu Zhen Qing smiled and said: "The letter came during the Chinese New Year. Everything is fine."
Jia Mu sighed: "She is older than me, and she is also a blessed person."
The Zhen family has two concubines, and Zhen Yingjia is also an official for the Jinling Provincial Government. It turns out that the Jia family is stronger than her in terms of family status.
But now...with Brother Heng, the two families are now on equal footing.
Everyone was talking and laughing, Wu Shi smiled and said: "Old lady, there is a celebration in the backyard, why don't you see Brother Heng?"
At this time, he quietly changed his name to "Brother Heng", just to get closer.
Jia Mu smiled and said, "He should be in the front yard now."
With that, he ordered Yuanyang: "Yuanyang, go to the front yard and see what Brother Heng is busy with?"
Yuanyang responded and went to the front hall.
Jia Heng is just now (this chapter is not finished yet!)
Chapter 522 Qin Keqing: Either she is jealous, or she is looking at the study in the west wing...
Having just sent Han Hui away, he returned to the inner hall of the backyard and was having a conversation with Qin Ye over a cup of tea.
At this moment, when he heard that Yuanyang came to report, his mind suddenly changed. He knew why Mr. Wu was here, and said: "I just said that I have something to do and go to the Yamen later, and I won't come back for dinner."
Yuanyang responded, then turned around.
"Ziyu, what is Zhao Shangshu's wife doing here?" Qin Ye asked in a low voice when he saw Jia Heng frowning in thought.
Jia Heng said: "My father-in-law, Wu's visit must be her own intention. She thanked me for speaking out in court today. It's not easy for me to meet her. Besides, there's nothing to see the female family members."
"That's the truth." Qin Ye nodded and asked, "Ziyu, I was thinking about something just now. Will it be known to the palace that you are looking for Sir Shi Tingtui who is also at the military aircraft office?"
"Actually, traces will be left no matter what. Now the two parties in Qi and Zhejiang are quarreling fiercely. Your father-in-law doesn't think that the emperor doesn't know about it, right?" Jia Heng put down the tea cup, looked at the sunset outside, and whispered.
The two parties in Qi and Zhejiang are almost in a clear position. It can even be said that this is the result of the emperor's overt and covert fueling of the situation.
Both parties appointed private individuals and formed a party. Would Emperor Chongping not know about it?
"What does Ziyu mean?" Qin Ye frowned, feeling a little confused.
Jia Heng said: "In the selection and appointment of officials, except for the regular selection hosted by the Ministry of Personnel Headquarters, whether it is recommended by the ministry or the court, the list will eventually be compiled to the Holy One, who will be used by the Holy One. However, Lord Yue-in-law does not need to worry, Yue-in-law has already I am over sixty years old, and I have worked diligently in the Ministry of Industry for many years and cannot be appointed. It is just because no one recommends me, and I am not in the eyes of the Holy One. Now that the Ministry of Works is facing a major case, my father-in-law’s character has been revealed. The Holy One will not intentionally use it because of me. .”
Qin Ye was still a little unsettled, so he couldn't help but retreat, and said in a low voice: "Why don't we just forget about it."
Unavoidably, he was worried about whether this incident would have an impact on his son-in-law at the Sacred Heart. At his age, he could not serve as an official for a few years. If he aroused suspicion in the palace, it would be more of a loss than a gain.
Jia Heng said: "My father-in-law is overly worried. He does not avoid relatives in internal promotions and does not avoid hatred in external promotions. If the Holy Emperor feels it is inappropriate, just don't appoint him. It doesn't matter. Anyway, there are as many as ten people on the list recommended by the imperial court."
When he sought an official position for Qin Ye, it showed that he cared about his wife and children, and when he sought an official position for Jia Zheng, it showed that he cared about the clan and could control it if he cared about it. This was the authority given to him. Even if Emperor Chongping vaguely guessed that there was his plan behind it, he would not have any taboos. , but I think he is easier to control.
Otherwise, what should he do if someone makes a wish for him as he is in charge of brocade clothes and in charge of the capital?
The key is that Qin Ye is old and capable. He can become an official by serving as a minister for three to five years, while the minister of the Ministry of Industry is more of a transactional bureaucrat.
As for Jia Zheng, due to his lack of practical ability, he worked as an idle official in the General Affairs Department, and there was no talk of forming a party for personal gain.
Only when they are placed in key departments can they be considered as forming a party for personal gain.
In terms of political integrity, both Kuang and Kuang have withstood the test of the Ministry of Works corruption case. It would be contrary to common sense not to promote or appoint them.
Seeing that Jia Heng was confident, Qin Ye put down his worries and said, "It's getting late today, so I'll go back first."
Jia Heng said hurriedly: "My father-in-law, are you staying to have dinner with us?"
"No, I'll go back and think about it." Qin Ye said.
Seeing this, Jia Heng could no longer persuade him to stay, and said, "The day after tomorrow, Keqing and I will go over to see my father-in-law."
After sending Qin Ye to the door, Jia Heng did not stay at the house anymore, but went to Jinyi Mansion. He also wanted to know who the Qi and Zhejiang parties were recommending.
In the backyard, in the Tianxiang Tower, Mother Jia heard that Yuanyang came to report that Jia Heng was busy with official duties, so she couldn't come over to meet him. She looked up at Wu and smiled and said, "Brother Heng, he is busy with official duties outside. Please forgive me, Mrs. Wu."
Wu said with emotion: "This makes it so valuable."
The fact that he didn't come out to see her meant that he didn't want to repay the favor, and it was entirely out of public interest.
After thinking for a while, he smiled and said: "I came here to have a look, so there is no reason to bother me any more. Since Brother Heng is busy, we can just take a look next time during the New Year and the holidays."
Princess Chu Zhen Qing’s eyes flashed.
The few of them sat and talked for a while, then said their goodbyes and walked out of the gate of Ningguo Mansion. Wu got into a carriage alone and drove to Zhao Mansion, while Zhen Xue and Zhen Qing rode in a carriage together.
"Sister, you (this chapter is not finished!)
Chapter 522 Qin Keqing: Either she is jealous, or she is looking at the study in the west wing...
Why doesn't Jia Ziyu see Mrs. Wu? "Zhen Qing frowned slightly and asked thoughtfully.
Zhen Xue raised her clear eyes, looked at her sister, and said softly: "Didn't I say that he has official duties, and besides, women have nothing to say.
"It's okay to deceive outsiders with words like this. I'm afraid I'm feeling guilty and feel guilty." Zhen Qing said in a low voice.
Zhen Xue opened the curtain of a carriage, looked out at the street scene, and said in a low voice: "Sister, I think this Jia Ziyu may have an open heart. The prince has invited him to come to the mansion for banquets several times before, but he declined them all. I have made it clear that I am a member of the Holy Emperor in the palace and do not want to make friends with other people in the court."
"I always feel it's unusual. Sister, just wait. I heard that there is a vacancy at the Ministry of Works this time. His father-in-law and Jia Zheng from the Rongguo Mansion are both at the Ministry of Works. How can he not make plans for himself?" Zhen Qing slept in the eyes of the Phoenix. A sharp light appeared and he spoke softly.
Zhen Xue twisted her eyebrows, confusion appeared on her face, and said: "Sister, what do you mean?"
"My sister doesn't pay attention to the court affairs and doesn't know anything. After the previous case, there are only two doctors left in the Ministry of Industry. His father-in-law Qin Ye, well, it's the little girl who you just met with a first-grade imperial title. Her father is now I'm a doctor at the Ministry of Industry, don't you want to take advantage of this big case to move up the ladder?" Zhen Qingqing laughed and said in a low voice.
"Sister, let's not talk about these things, why do you always stare at Jia Ziyu?" Zhen Xue frowned and looked at her eldest sister with bright eyes.
Zhen Qing: "..."
Why is she staring at Jia Ziyu?
Of course it's for the prince. If you don't find out the weakness of your character, how can you prescribe the right medicine?
Well, drugged?
Let her think about it...
Zhen Xue said softly: "Sister, the Jia family and my Zhen family are family friends, but this Jia Heng is a common branch, so maybe he is not very close. If my sister is plotted by her brother-in-law, she will come and walk around with the Qin family more often. Over time, our friendship will grow. It will happen naturally, don’t rush it.”
"I'm afraid I'm not good at it. Last time because of Yuanchun's incident, I saw Jia Heng's attitude." Zhen Qing shook her head and suddenly stared straight at Zhen Xue.
Zhen Xue felt uncomfortable being looked at and said angrily: "Sister, what are you looking at me for?"
Zhen Qing's voice was a little erratic, and she said: "The Wang family and the Jia family in Beijing County are family friends. Why don't my sister come to Ningguo Mansion more often? I look at Xinxin and like them very much."
Zhen Xue frowned and sighed.
But he said that Jia Heng went to Jinyi Mansion first and asked Qu Lang to keep an eye on the movements of the Qi and Zhejiang parties as well as the imperial court in Beijing. He did not return from Jinyi Mansion until evening.
As soon as I sat down in the hall, I heard Qingwen say: "Sir, Miss Xue has been waiting in the study in the west wing for a while."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "I'll be there right away."
Speaking of which, he hadn't been alone with Baochai for a few days.
The past few days have been a little busy, and secondly, she has been spending more time with her cousin.
In the study room of the west wing, it was already the early hours of the lunar month, and candles had already been lit on the high table. The candlelight, as bright as the clouds, filled the spacious room and reflected a beautiful shadow on the window.
Baochai was wearing a not old honey-colored jacket and a long beige skirt. She was sitting quietly, holding a book in her hand and looking down. Suddenly, her heart moved. She looked away and heard familiar footsteps. There was a sound, and then a tall figure was seen on the screen.
Jia Heng stepped forward, entered the inner compartment, and called out: "Sister Xue, are you here?"
Baochai's watery apricot eyes reflected the young man's face and asked: "Brother Heng, I just heard Qingwen say that you went to the Yamen?"
Jia Heng said: "I just went to Jinyi Mansion to have a look."
As expected, both parties in Qi and Zhejiang are active, but there are many members of both parties, and there is more than one person recommended by the court.
As he spoke, Jia Heng came forward and took Baochai's bare hand, and while Baochai was slightly shy, he gently brought it into his arms, smelled the fragrance of his hair, and said warmly: "Sister, I came here this time because of Wenlong's affairs." ?”
"Mom asked me to ask about my brother." Baochai said softly, now in Jia Heng's arms, her head slightly drooped, her snow-white skin and jade face flushed into a blush.
In fact, I also want to see him.
"I thought my aunt should be thinking about her too." Jia Heng held Baochai's hand, and the two of them sat side by side on the bed in the back room, and whispered: "I was about to tell you that I will go tomorrow."
(This chapter is not finished yet!)
Chapter 522 Qin Keqing: Either she is jealous, or she is looking at the study in the west wing...
Baochai said "hmm" and said softly: "Just now, the Wu family, Princess Chu, and Princess Beijing came to visit the old lady. Why didn't Brother Heng go?"
Yuan also started the topic casually.
Jia Heng held her soft little hand and whispered: "It's not easy to meet, just to avoid suspicion. What did she say when she came?"
"It's because of... Mr. Zhao's business." Baochai said softly, feeling a little ashamed because someone put his hand into the skirt of his clothes to appreciate the golden lock.
Jia Heng nodded, held the soft Xuezi in his hands, and whispered: "There's nothing to thank you for, I just spoke out for justice."
Baochai bit her lower lip with her teeth and said in a trembling voice: "Brother Heng, why didn't you respond before, but instead spoke for me in the morning?"
Jia Heng said sternly: "That's what the Holy One means."
Baochai was slightly frightened, resisting the attack in front of her, and said: "This... I heard Mrs. Wu say that the civil and military officials in the court did not help to speak."
"Zhao Shangshu is not involved in the case, and the Holy One does not want him to step down. I am the chief judge. This is what I can say." Jia Heng said in a low voice.
Hearing this, Baochai looked thoughtful.
Jia Heng explained: "Of course it is also because Zhao Shangshu upholds his integrity, so he is also dragged into the water, and it is useless for anyone to speak."
"So that's it." Baochai said softly.
"Nowadays, the government cannot be balanced without a person who does not belong to the group or party." Jia Heng said, feeling some of Baochai's absent-mindedness, his heart moved slightly, and asked: "Sister, why don't you think you belong?"
Baochai shook his head and said, "Brother Heng, it's nothing, I'm just thinking about things in the court."
Jia Heng thought for a while and whispered: "Is my sister because of the imperial decree?"
When the central matter was mentioned at once, Baochai's plump and white face suddenly changed, and she subconsciously denied it: "No."
Jia Heng: "..."
After a moment of silence, he said, "I have wronged Sister Xue."
Baochai raised her face and said softly: "Brother Heng, I have nothing to do. I am willing to wait for Brother Heng."
Jia Heng said: "I originally thought of marrying my sister as my head wife, but that's actually what I meant. Only a head wife has the possibility to ask for a royal title."
"I know." Baochai leaned her head in Jia Heng's arms and murmured.
He really planned to do so...
Jia Heng asked: "Then why is my sister still depressed?"
"It's Mom. Yesterday she mentioned my marriage again and asked Brother Heng to help her take care of it." Baochai sighed quietly, and her tone was a little strange as she spoke.
What is this all about?
Jia Heng: "..."
The man proposed to the woman, and then the woman said, should I go back and ask my husband?
"I asked my sister to tell my aunt at the beginning. I know that my sister didn't tell me because she was worried that there would be trouble if my aunt knew about you and me." Jia Heng said in a low voice.
Baochai was still worried because no matter how good he said it, he never saw her.
Seeing that Keqing had become a first-class imperial concubine, I guess I couldn't suppress the loss and sourness in my heart, but I just hid it deeply and didn't show any signs of it.
Just like in the original work, the one wearing the dragon robe is your sister.
Baochai sighed: "If it really doesn't work out, I can only tell my mother. But at that time, you and I..."
She didn't want to say it unless she had to, otherwise how would the sisters in the house view her? Hooking up with a married woman?
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said, "It's my fault for making my sister uneasy."
Holding Baochai in his arms, his chin rested on his smooth and jade-like forehead.
"Brother Heng, it's nothing." Baochai held the young man's hand and murmured.
Suddenly, when he saw the black shadow approaching, his lips were pursed, and bursts of familiar breath came closer.
Baochai's jade face was flushed, and she let out a soft "um", and her delicate body felt soft.
Jia Heng also didn't open the lock for a few days. Now he returned to his old place. Although the golden lock in his palm was one size smaller than the Jade Tiger, it was still soft and rich. Although the taste was slightly less sweet and fragrant, it had a unique smell. The tangy fragrance of Lengxiang Pills.
But when the two of them were getting tired of themselves, Qin Keqing was accompanying everyone in the Xifu (this chapter is not finished yet!)
Chapter 522 Qin Keqing: Either she is jealous, or she is looking at the study in the west wing...
After dinner, the female family members dismissed the troupe and saw off Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue, Feng Wan and other female family members in the Xifu. Ruizhu led a group of nuns to clean up Tianxiang Tower, and Baozhu and Second Sister You. , Sanjie You returned to the inner hall.
He sat down on the Arhat bed, looked at the night outside, and asked Baozhu beside him: "Is the uncle back?"
Baozhu said: "I heard from the front yard that I just came back. I am probably in the study in the west wing now. Miss Bao came to see the uncle about her brother's affairs."
Hearing Miss Bao coming over, Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes under Liu Ye's eyebrows condensed, and she murmured: "I originally wanted to ask about my father, but in this case, I'll ask again when I get back."
There were doubts before, but from the recent contact, Mrs. Xue's shrewd calculations should not allow her daughter to be a concubine for her husband.
That's the unrequited love of the Xue family girl, but thinking about her husband... there shouldn't be anything else, right?
Sanjie You looked at the stunned girl, smiled, and asked, "Sister Qin, why don't you try mahjong?"
Qin Keqing didn't know why, but when he heard the word "Mahjong", he felt a little irritable for no reason, and said softly: "I won't play anymore today, and I'm a little tired."
Third Sister You blinked her beautiful eyes and said meaningfully: "Sister, how about we go to the study room in the west wing to call the uncle and Miss Xue to come over and play together?"
Qin Keqing: "???"
"He and Sister Xue are talking about business, so don't disturb each other." Qin Keqing said softly, hid the handkerchief in her sleeve and held it, rejecting the proposal.
In fact, she had a vague intuition, but as long as she didn't see it with her own eyes, she chose to believe her husband.
Third Sister You glanced around, sat down next to Qin Keqing, and whispered softly: "Sister, there is an attic in the south corner of the West Wing Bookstore with a great view. If sister goes there, you might as well sit on the second floor of the attic through the ventilation window. Take a look at the west wing, you should be able to see some shadows or something."
She looked at her sister, who was probably suspicious of her uncle.
Hearing this, Qin Keqing's heart skipped a beat, her beautiful eyes looked at Third Sister You in shock, and she whispered: "You... are you peeking at me?"
"I went for a walk in the backyard the day before yesterday and discovered it accidentally. I haven't even looked at it yet." Sanjie You quickly denied it.
She has been doing nothing these days, thinking about what that person is busy with every day.
Qin Keqing frowned, and glanced at Third Sister You with her beautiful eyes, and said angrily: "How sneaky you are in your own home, if I let the uncle know, I won't spare you."
"Alas..." Third Sister You sighed quietly.
If he spared her, she would be better off.
Qin Keqing was a little moved as he spoke, but his face remained calm. He turned his eyes and asked Third Sister You, "Have you finished writing your script?"
Sanjie You smiled and said, "It's just the last one."
Qin Keqing nodded and said with a hint of annoyance: "Then I should go back and write earlier. Don't just play mahjong and touch dominoes every day."
"Sister taught me a lesson." Sanjie You saw a hint of smile on her beautiful face and whispered: "Sister, you should have rested earlier. I'll go back first."
After Third Sister You and Second Sister You left, Qin Keqing stayed in the hall for a while, picking up the tea cup and putting it down again, clearly feeling restless.
After thinking for a while, he told Baozhu beside him: "Go and prepare hot water for me. I will take a bath later."
After sending the second maid away, Qin Keqing pursed her lips, lingered in front of the screen, paused, left the inner hall, and headed towards the attic that Third Sister You mentioned.
She's not jealous, she just wants to see the study in the west wing...is it what she guessed?
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Chapter 522 Qin Keqing: Either she is jealous, or she is looking at the study in the west wing...
