Huai'an Prefecture, Qingjiangpu
After Jia Heng held several internal meetings for flood control and commendation, he let the sergeants rest for two days before setting off.
On this day, the sun was shining brightly in Qingjiangpu and the sky was clear. After a continuous rainy season, the sky was like a green wash, and the air seemed to be filled with the fresh scent of vegetation.
A large number of people stood on the streets of Fucheng, lining up from the front of the Hedao Yamen to the north city of Huai'an Fucheng. The officers from the Huai'an Prefecture's Yamen and the Central Guards from the Beijing Camp were already on guard along the road to maintain order.
In fact, in the past few days, the Beijing-based officers and soldiers stationed in various prefectures and counties such as Huaiyang and Huaixu, and stationed at building river embankments, have also received warm farewells from local people one after another.
"Uncle Yongning is here, here he is!"
Not long after, the people gathered around shouted, and the crowd suddenly became commotion and looked up.
At this moment, under the eaves of the official office, Wu Xun, a young man wearing a python suit and a jade belt, walked out of the official office surrounded by a group of royal guards. Wen Xu looked at the people of Huai'an who were seeing each other off.
At this time, Guo Yong's battalion commander Cai Quan came from a distance, clasped his fists and said, "Commander, the army and baggage have been lined up in the north of the city and are ready to go at any time."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Let's move out in an orderly manner." Cai Quan responded with clasped fists.
At this moment, a bodyguard in gilded clothes came from afar, stepped forward quickly, and said loudly: "Sir, the cabinet minister Zhao, the governor of Liangjiang, Mr. Shen, the chief envoy of Jiangzuo, Mr. Xu, and the governor of water transportation, Mr. Du, have arrived. Bring your retinue to see you off at the gate of the North City."
When Jia Heng heard this, he smiled at Xu Kai, a scholar at the Hanlin Academy, and said, "Officials from the two rivers are seeing each other off. I thought they just pretended not to know."
Xu Kai also joked and said: "Uncle Yongning, this is a routine ritual in officialdom. Mr. Zhao Ge and the others still know these etiquettes."
The imperial minister had decided to stay as an official in the local area. After returning to Kaifeng with Jia Heng, he went to Runing Mansion to take up the post of magistrate.
Jia Heng nodded and said with a smile: "Let's go meet him."
In recent months in Huai'an Prefecture, as a super-grade martial artist, a close minister of the emperor, and an auxiliary minister of military aircraft, he led tens of thousands of troops from the Beijing camp to suppress several people, including the cabinet scholar Zhao Mo. These people felt it to a certain extent. To his strong style.
At this time, Liu Jixian, a member of the Jinyi Qianhu family, brought over a horse, stood upright, and said to him: "Captain, mount the horse." Jia Heng nodded, took the reins, quickly turned over on the horse, pulled the reins with one hand, and said with a smile "Generals, listen to the order and proceed to the north gate."
"Yes." All the generals responded in unison.
Just like that, the Jinyiwei raised the banner of the Chinese army, and together with the groups of flags and banners behind them, under the gaze of the people who were crowded with each other and with their heads up and down, Jia Heng, surrounded by a large number of Beijing camp generals and Jinyifu guards, stood up in a majestic manner. Go to the north gate of Huai'an Prefecture.
"Uncle Yong Ning."
The people around him began to cheer in unison and began to gather towards the gate of Huai'an Fucheng to see him off. Jia Heng waved his hands to the people on his horse, but did not take off his official hat.
At this moment, at the north gate of Huai'an Prefecture, cabinet scholar Zhao Mo, Liangjiang Governor Shen Fang, Jiangzuo Chief Envoy Xu Shikui, Cao Yun Governor Du Jitong, and Cao Yun Yamen's patrol censor and other relevant subordinate officials, as well as officials from the Huai'an Prefecture Magistrate's Yamen There were also some gentry who came to see him off.
No matter how much discord had occurred before, the Hedao Yamen's flood fight was now successfully concluded, and Jia Heng led his troops to leave Huai'an Mansion today. This was something that the entire Lianghuai official circles were happy to see.
Zhao Mo, the cabinet scholar, and Shen Fang, the governor of Liangjiang, were sitting in the pavilion. They were sipping tea with different expressions.
Shen Fang put down the teacup. Under his thin eyebrows, he cast his old and shrewd eyes on the old man opposite him and said, "Mr. Zhao Ge, the imperial decree ordered the Qi University Scholar to interrogate two members of the Household Department on the spot to investigate the case of reselling official grain. , what do you think, Mr. Ge?"
Zhao Mo looked gloomy and said absently: "I read the Di newspaper and this is what Jingli means."
Compared with this matter, he was most worried about another thing. Uncle Yongning returned to the capital with great achievements such as suppressing rebellion and fighting floods, and was welcomed by the emperor with generous gifts. He was afraid that he would be even more powerful and difficult to control in the capital.
Of course, Mr. Zhao Ge still had a vague reluctance in his heart.
In the places mentioned, compared to Yong Ningbo's contribution as governor of Nanhe, his performance in the Jianghuai area is somewhat mediocre...and pales in comparison.
Shen Fang didn't know Zhao Mo's worries about the future of the court. He looked deeply and said in a low voice: "Qi University Scholar has taken this mission, and the salt management will definitely become more and more unscrupulous. Mr. Zhao Ge, the lower official heard that he had already intended to take it back. The Nanjing Household Department’s right to write off the salt quota is ready to be taken back to the Shenjing Household Department or the Yangzhou Salt Institute.”
Previously, Lin Ruhai and Qi Kun, the biggest obstacle to rectifying the salt affairs was the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs. As the distribution and verification yamen of salt imports, the salt merchants in Yangzhou, and even the Liangjiang officials who intervened in the salt affairs, and the middle-ranking officials in Beijing were all from Nanjing. The Ministry of Revenue obtained salt quotations, which cut off the wealth of many officials.
Many middle-level officials in the Ministry of Household Affairs resold salt to salt merchants for personal gain, and at the same time accepted bribes from salt merchants to obtain it.
Zhao Mo pondered for a moment and said: "The silver collected from the salt tax is decreasing every year. The Nanjing Household Department is responsible for slacking off, so there is nothing wrong with taking it back to the Shenjing Household Department."
Shen Fang frowned and was silent for a moment.
Just as the two were talking, they suddenly heard a commotion at the north gate of Huai'an Fucheng, and then the neat sound of horse hoofbeats came one after another along the bluestone road towards everyone.
"Uncle Yongning is here, let's go and greet him." Zhao Mo said, got up and left the pavilion.
No matter what, it is a good thing that Uncle Yongning returns to Beijing and no longer interferes in local internal affairs. If there is any political dispute in the future, he will have to wait until he returns to the sacred city.
Not long after, at the city gate, a large number of people in brocade robes were seen guarding a handsome young man in python clothes with divine eyes.
Jia Heng arrived at the city gate, got off his horse, handed the horse's reins to the Jinyi palace guard on the side, and greeted several people with his hands, "Mr. Zhao Ge, Master Shen, Master Du."
Zhao Mo and others also returned the favor one after another. On the surface, it seemed that both parties were enjoying themselves and there were no usual disputes. The two parties exchanged pleasantries and came to the pavilion to sit down.
Zhao Mo looked at the young man in python suit opposite and said, "Uncle Yongning is returning to the capital on this trip. He will lead an army of thousands. We should restrain the soldiers so as not to disturb the people along the way."
Jia Heng nodded and said: "In the land of Jianghuai, after the flood, there are still victims who need comfort and relief. Mr. Zhao Ge is here to coordinate the transfer of civil affairs, and his responsibilities are not small."
When everyone heard this, they all smiled strangely, feeling that there was something hidden in the words of the two court officials.
Du Jitong smiled and smoothed things over and said: "Uncle Yong Ning worked hard this time and turned the tide. If it weren't for Uncle Yong Ning who took charge of the dangerous work in Qingjiangpu, the dike and weir built by the Nanhe Yamen would have been in ruins. I'm afraid that the land on the left of the river would have been ruined." , to make the country of Zeze, Yongningbo’s merits are immeasurable.”
Once Jia Heng leaves, the candidates for Hedao Yamen will be discussed in court soon, and that will be his chance.
Xu Shikui, the chief envoy of Jiangzuo, also smiled and said, "Yes, these people admire Yong Ningbo's virtues and spontaneously came to see him off."
Jia Heng looked calm and said: "Master Du and Master Xu are overly praised. This is not due to Jia's personal efforts, but to the sacrifice of the generals of the Beijing camp. This time, more than 200 of our soldiers from the Beijing camp died in the Wang's fight against the flood." People, there was a rebellion in the Central Plains. They were safe and sound when the bandits were raging in Heluo, but in Jianghuai where there was no sword war... I don’t know how to explain to the families of the two hundred brothers when I go back."
At the end of the sentence, his voice was quite deep.
The expressions of several court officials present also became solemn at the right time.
At this time, Cui Qing, the magistrate of Huai'an Prefecture, picked up the jug, poured two glasses of wine, delivered it, and said with a smile: "Uncle Yongning, gentlemen, this is Huai'an's local mung bean wine. It is for the sake of Uncle Yongning and his army."
Facing the gazes of several people, Jia Heng took the wine cup, stood up, and said loudly: "This glass of wine, I want to commemorate the fallen generals of Mo Jing camp. They were brave and loyal and their heroism will last forever!"
When everyone heard the words, their hearts moved slightly and their faces were moved.
In the eyes of an old fox like Shen Fang, this Yong Ningbo was worthy of his martial arts background. At this time, he still did not forget to mourn the generals who died in the king's affairs to boost morale.
Jia Heng raised his wine glass and sprinkled the wine on the ground in front of everyone's attention. The faces of the generals escorting him showed signs of reverence.
Cui Qing
He picked up the wine pot again, poured a glass, handed it over with both hands, and said, "Uncle Yongning, please."
Jia Heng took the wine cup, was silent for a moment, looked at the surrounding gentry, and said in a low voice: "This is the second cup."
"I would like to pay homage to the people of the Jianghuai River who died due to the flood. The flood is ruthless and the common people are in great hardship."
At this moment, the gentry and common people in Huai'an Prefecture who had been surrounding him all became quiet and solemn upon hearing this. Shen Fang narrowed his eyes and thought to himself, it's really... just fishing for fame and pretentiousness.
Jia Heng's face turned solemn and he poured the wine in the wine cup onto the ground.
At this time, Cui Qing, the prefect of Huai'an, delivered another cup, with a somewhat solemn expression on his face. Jia Heng said: "This is the third cup."
After saying that, he paused and glanced at the people of Huai'an Prefecture who were present, as well as Zhao Mo, Shen Fang, Du Jie, and a group of officials in blue and green robes standing around.
"With this cup, I would like to pay tribute to all the fellow villagers in Huai'an Prefecture, as well as all the colleagues in the Water Transport Department, the prefectures and county yamen under Huai'an Prefecture, and the river yamen who are working diligently in the fight against floods. Without you all working together in the same boat, and the government and the people working as one, we will never be able to do anything." There will never be a time when Jiangzuo is as safe as a rock and the people live and work in peace and contentment."
The officials from various yamen who were originally called to see off the troops in the capital camp were still a little confused. After hearing these words, their hearts were shaken, and they felt a warm current welling up in their hearts.
Considering Jia Heng's current power and strong temperament in the past, he was able to say these words of affirmation in public and toast them with a glass of wine. How could the officials present not feel so comforted?
Without saying another word, Jia Heng raised his neck and drank all the wine in the glass.
"Uncle Yongning is righteous!" "Uncle Yongning is generous!"
There were bursts of cheers and cheers from the people and officials, which pushed the farewell atmosphere to a climax.
Zhao Mo watched the scene quietly, with a somewhat deep look in his eyes. Is this Uncle Yong Ning the most sincere person, or is he just a loyal person?
In fact, even Jia Heng's strong style in Jianghuai and other places gave Zhao Mo the impression of being unscrupulous and unscrupulous. If it were not for the emergency flood, he would almost think that he was arrogant and domineering based on his military achievements in fighting the Central Plains.
But now, this kind of demeanor just shows the affinity of the superior, a side of Yong Ningbo that no one knows. Xu Kai looked at the young man in the python suit who was lifting his weight with ease, and thought to himself that Uncle Yong Ning was not harsh in temperament, but had to be like this due to state affairs.
After finishing the toast, Jia Heng turned to Zhao Mo and said, "Mr. Zhao Ge, it's getting late and the army is about to set off. We don't want to hang around too much. Mr. Zhao Ge and a few other adults are also busy with official duties. "
Zhao Mo nodded, with a calm expression. He suppressed the weirdness in his heart, stood up, raised his hands and said, "Be careful on the way to Yongning Bo."
At this time, Jia Heng looked at the people in Huai'an Fucheng and said loudly: "Fathers and fellow villagers, there is no need to send them off, just go back."
As he said that, he waved his hands to the people watching.
Then Jia Heng, accompanied by a large group of Beijing camp generals and Jinyifu guards, formed groups of flags and flags to converge with the large number of Beijing camp cavalry in the north.
The people in Huai'an City watched as Jia Heng and the troops from the Beijing camp disappeared on the lush official road, and it took a long time before they gradually dispersed.
And Jia Heng's three glasses of wine today gradually spread to the entire Jiangnan along with the scholars and people in Huai'an Prefecture.
(Looking down from a high altitude at the marching team of the Beijing Camp, which is winding like a long dragon and with the flags and flags flapping, the voice-over sounds at the same time): "In the 16th year of Chongping, at the end of midsummer, the great Han Dynasty Yong Ning Bo, the Minister of Military Aircraft, inspected the Jingying Camp and was the deputy governor. Envoy, Jinyi Governor... After Jia Heng completed the flood relief work in Nanhe, he led the 60,000 Beijing camp troops and Jinyi guards to leave Huai'an Prefecture and return to Henan.
The vigorous flood fighting in the 16th year of Chongping came to an end, and Jia Heng's reputation as a virtuous man, as well as the military discipline and appearance of the Beijing army, as well as his fighting power in the Central Plains, quickly spread throughout the north and south of the Han Dynasty.
The name of Yongning Bo Jiaheng has once again attracted domestic attention...
Because of the "celebrity anecdote" about Jia Heng's punishment of the Jinling Twelve Fang clan members in Huai'an Prefecture, the people are even more interested in talking about it.
From then on, everyone in the south of the Yangtze River did not know the powerful army of the imperial court and the Yongning of Wuxun Qiancheng.
And to some extent, because of the chaos in the Central Plains,
Chen Han, whose authority was damaged, rebuilt the central authority's prestige, and Emperor Chongping's prestige also improved to a certain extent.
However, Yongning Bojiaheng led the army through Kaifeng in early July. After accepting the labor force from the Henan officials in Kaifeng Prefecture, he did not stop at the Henan Governor's Yamen. Instead, he led the army to Luoyang without stopping and marched towards Shenjing.
...
...
It is already afternoon in the Rongguo Mansion in the sacred city of Jing. In the Rongqing Hall, sandalwood mixed with borneol ignites and curls of green smoke rise from the animal-patterned fumigation cage, making people feel relaxed and happy.
Jia Mu had just finished her lunch and was sitting crookedly on the Arhat bed. Behind her, Yuanyang, Hu Hu and other maids were squeezing their shoulders, looking somewhat lazy and contented.
On the embroidered pier on the left, Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue, who were wearing silk and satin dresses, were sitting. On the other side, two young ladies, Sister Feng and Li Wan, were sitting.
Chai Dai, Yuan Tan, Ying Chun, and Xiang Yun are all at the bottom, with hairpins in their skirts, coats around them, and pink hair on their temples. The pearls and jade complement each other beautifully.
Before Jia Heng led the Beijing army to Luoyang, the eldest princess of Jinyang had already led Princess Xianning, Li Chanyue, Yuan Chun and Tan Chun back to the capital by boat.
"How long will it take for Brother Heng to come back?" Mother Jia took the Lao Junmei from Yuanyang, took a sip, and asked Xiang Yuanchun with a smile.
Yuan Chun was dressed in a light yellow dress, her temperament was as elegant as a chrysanthemum, her round and round face under the bun was white and rosy, and her pink lips were slightly parted, her cherry teeth were slightly open, and she said: "In the Di newspaper It is said that Hengdi has led the army into Guanzhong, I think it will be in the next two days."
When Mother Jia heard this, a smile appeared on her kind face, and she said with a smile, "Brother Heng is back. It's been a few months, and my family has missed me a lot."
After hearing this, everyone started talking.
Sister Feng wears a bun with a bun, a jade hairpin pinned to her temples, a pink satin tube top under her fair white neck, and a pomegranate red satin flower-studded double-breasted jacket.
The pomegranate red color gives this young woman a bit of fiery romance, and the large area of snow-white skin and emeralds on the top of the tube top, due to the hot and dry weather in the midsummer, can be seen slightly sweating, with just a bit of powder and soft greasy, fragrant and sweaty. means.
At this moment, the red phoenix eyes under Liu Shao's eyebrows were charming and flowing, and she smiled and said, "Isn't that what you always said? My brothers and sisters are still talking about it these days."
When Jia Heng was not at home, Sister Feng often slept in the same room with Qin Keqing, and the two gradually fell in love with each other as close friends.
Jia Mu smiled and said, "Girl Feng, let the servants inquire outside the city. If there is any news of Brother Heng's return, come over and let him know in advance so that the house can welcome him."
Sister Feng smiled and said: "Old lady, you can rest assured. I sent a servant outside the city to inquire. I heard that this time the palace pays more attention to it than us. The servant asked the insider who was guarding the city gate. Supervisor, he said that the Tian family in the palace will welcome the army in triumph."
Daiyu sat quietly aside. The girl wore a white cross-collar tunic, a white pink and green embroidered bamboo leaf and plum blossom collar collar, and a silver-gray silk horse-faced skirt with floral patterns. Her face was as beautiful as the bright moon and the morning glow, and her eyes were full of affection. Under the smoky eyebrows, the starry eyes are bright, seeming to reflect a moving expression.
This girl who was once praised by Jia Heng himself as "a lonely forest in a fairyland outside the world" has gradually grown in stature as she gets older. Although her mannerisms and eyebrows still have the delicate air of grass and trees, she has gradually grown taller. For a young and mature girl.
Daiyu took the tea cup delivered by Zicuckoo and took a sip. Her bright eyes flashed and she thought, "I heard from the third sister that he went to Yangzhou and met his father, but he didn't know how he and his father were doing. What were we talking about?"
Jia Mu smiled and said, "When Brother Heng comes back, the house needs to have a good time to celebrate. By the way, there are also ancestors who worshiped him when he was promoted to Yongningbo. He has not told the ancestors yet. These are all I’m waiting for him, the clan leader, to take care of it himself.”
Sister Feng, a gorgeous young woman with a bright smile on her face, said in a sweet and clear voice: "Ancestor, don't worry, we have prepared these in advance, just waiting for Brother Heng to come back."
Jia Mu nodded, turned to look at Yuan Chun, and asked with a smile: "Sister, you, Tan Yatou, Yun Yatou and the others went to Luoyang. When you saw him, did he say anything? Did he show you around? ?
"
"I met Hengdi several times in Luoyang and Kaifeng. Hengdi asked about his family affairs and didn't say anything else. Later, Hengdi was busy building river embankments and fighting floods. Later, Hengdi Because he was on an errand for the Hedao Yamen, he went to Huai'an Mansion again, so we didn't go with him. In the meantime, he escorted the grain and met Hengdi again in Xuzhou. In short, we got together less and separated more." The beauty under Yuanchun's beautiful eyebrows. His eyes were filled with autumn waves, and he said with a sweet smile.
Although she and he were together less and more apart, the sweetness and infatuation when they reunited were more than when they were in the capital. It was almost the happiest time for her in these years.
Far away from the capital, it seemed that some worldly disturbances were gradually moving away from her and Hengdi.
There was a look of sadness on Xiangyun Pingguo's round face, and she continued: "Auntie, Brother Heng is too busy. Although he went to play a few times, he was busy with something soon, and he didn't go out much. My third sister and I have been to a lot of places."
Tan Chun smiled and said in a playful voice: "Brother Heng is busy with official business, so he can't travel like us. However, Sister Yun also went to some places of interest in Luoyang, and Brother Heng also accompanied us. Gone."
Aunt Xue smiled and said, "Girl Yun, your brother Heng has a lot of stakes. He is busy with national affairs, so it's not easy to play around."
Baochai listened to several people talking about Jia Heng, and felt a little yearning for visiting Luoyang. She squeezed the handkerchief in her hand, and her face was as white as a pear, and she felt absent-minded, and her thoughts were like a tide on the girl. Welling up in my heart.
The young and girl who are in love with each other, sweet and sweet, have not seen each other for such a long time, and you can almost imagine their lovesickness.
Li Wan also raised his elegant and gentle face, and a layer of ecstasy appeared between Liu Ye's slender eyebrows. After she comes back, she has to ask Brother Heng to be her host again.
With the beginning of spring, Jia Cong, who was taking exams with Baoyu, entered school, but Jia Lan asked the teacher in the ethnic studies to stop Jia Lan from taking the exam according to the progress of his studies. Li Wan became a little uneasy.
Seeing a few people discussing, the mandarin duck here brought a plate of oranges. A girl with a white oval face and a tall figure in a green skirt said with a bright smile: "Old lady, this is the pineapple that the palace rewarded the day before yesterday. It's a tribute from Haojing, and the old lady and some girls are trying it."
Jia Mu smiled and said, "You all should try it too. The queen in the palace rewarded it a few days ago. There are only a few of them."
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Old lady, this thing is very rare. I didn't even eat it a few times when I was in Jinling. It's something you can't afford to spend money on. It tastes sour and sweet."
Well, in terms of rarity, it is comparable to Peiling mustard. Everyone shared the pineapples and laughed happily. At this moment, Ningguo Mansion, the backyard, and the three inner halls
Qin Keqing sat under the west window, talking to Second Sister You and Third Sister You. The warm afternoon sunlight fell on the beauty through the bamboo leaf-carved window lattice, and her beautiful face was covered with a soft and holy radiance. , in the amber-green tea cup, the tea leaves unrolled, and the fragrance spread with the hot air.
Third Sister You is wearing a bright red dress. Because it is midsummer, the girl's hair is tied up into a high bun. Under her beautiful neck is a white tube top. The large area of snow-white skin is as smooth as crispy. There is a smile on her charming face. Ming Lishenghui asked: "Sister, uncle should be back in the next two days, right?"
"Well, Di Bao... Sister-in-law Feng said it's only been in the past two days." Qin Keqing's soft and beautiful eyes slightly raised under her green-feathered eyebrows, and she said thoughtfully.
"Miss, you came back very early?" Second Sister You suddenly said from the side.
Qin Keqing said softly: "They have to set off earlier, and my husband has to lead the army and take care of them, but it's only for a day or two."
Sanjie You smiled and said, "Sister Qin, I have been away for several months, and now I am back."
Qin Keqing said with emotion: "Yes, it's been so long in a blink of an eye." Since the two got married, they have never been separated for such a long time.
Second Sister You said softly: "Eldest Sister has been in Nanjing for quite some time, and I don't know what's going on."
Several months have passed since Jia Zhen fled, and You and Jia Rong carried the coffin to Jinling for burial.
Mentioning the You family, Third Sister You said softly: "
I just sent a letter last month and didn’t hear a reply. "
"Why don't you send someone to Jinling to ask when the eldest sister should return to the capital to live." Qin Keqing listened to the words of the You sisters, thought for a while, and said.
Second Sister You said softly: "I thought I should ask."
Now the two sisters are "enjoying happiness" in the Duke's mansion, but they are indifferent to the eldest sister, which is somewhat unjustifiable. Xichun Courtyard is a secluded house separated by a wall in the southeast. Under the green wall, there is a large bamboo forest. When the summer wind comes, the bamboo forest rustles and the branches and leaves form waves.
On the bluestone platform under the verandah, there are pots of flowers. A nun wearing a moon-white monk's robe and a black silk shawl is holding a teapot and watering the flowers.
The nun's sleeves were rolled up, revealing a section of lotus-rooted arms that defied the frost and snow. The large monk's robe could not hide the graceful curves. The mountains illuminated by the afternoon sun followed the nun's pace on the blue bricks under the window lattice. The steps are winding and ups and downs, rising and falling indefinitely.
Under the nun's furrowed eyebrows, her clear jade eyes were as calm as water, and her pink lips were slightly pursed.
On a wicker chair not far away, Xing Xiuyan was wearing a long coat with a lotus print and a crimson skirt. She was reading a book in her hand, and her eyes were full of tranquility.
After living in Jia's house for a long time, the girl's fingers, which were as white as onions, were painted with impatiens juice under someone's instigation, adding a bit more youthfulness, beauty and charm to the girl.
Not far away, in front of a square desk with hanging curtains blocking the lazy afternoon sunlight, Xichun grabbed a paintbrush and concentrated on painting on the white jade-like rice paper.
The courtyard is indescribably quiet, with only butterflies fluttering on the moss-covered walls and green walls and corridors hanging with wisterias. From time to time, there are clear and clear birdsong, which further accentuates the tranquility of the courtyard.
The three girls, ranging in age from eldest to youngest, were watering flowers, reading, and painting, each immersed in their own spiritual world and enjoying themselves, as if they were a picture scroll.
Entering the painting, he was serving tea to several people. Suddenly, from the corridor in the distance, a girl wearing a cyan waistcoat came walking quickly along the stone path. It was Caiping, another maid of Xichun.
"Have you heard? The uncle is coming back." Caiping took Zheng Hua's arm and whispered. The three people who were originally quiet, elegant and picturesque all emerged from the scroll.
The water column flowing down from the spout of the teapot was cut off.
Lifting a page of the book, fingers coated with impatiens juice lifted up, then turned down again. The lines drawn on the rice paper suddenly became scattered.
Then, pairs of clear and bright eyes looked at the two maids who were having a private discussion. "Ru Hua?"
Ru Hua led Caiping over and said with a smile: "Girl, Uncle Heng is coming back. He said it will be in the next two days. Mistress Lian of Xifu has sent a servant to find out the news."
As soon as these words came out, it was like a spring breeze of joy blowing into the entire room.
Seeing the surprise on Miaoyu's cold and frosty face, she put down the kettle in her hand, immediately calmed down her breathing, pretended to be nonchalant, and pursed her lips.
But it was Jia Heng's letter to this nun that she had read so many times in the dead of night. Unfortunately, Jia Heng seemed to be busy and forgot about it, and no more letters came through.
Xichun asked softly: "What did sister-in-law say?"
Ru Hua smiled and said: "Grandma is still waiting. She said she would let someone know when there is news, but it will only be in a day or two."
When everyone heard this, they felt happy in their hearts.
