In the palace garden, in the Xihe Palace, Jia Heng, who had returned from a triumphant banquet, and a group of military generals from the Beijing camp were having a luncheon. Afterwards, they enjoyed singing and dancing. Emperor Chongping asked the generals about matters related to quelling chaos and fighting floods. , and it was not until evening that Emperor Chongping let Jia Heng and the generals go back.
After receiving the news, the two houses of Ning and Rong were anxiously waiting for Jia Heng's return.
Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.
Sitting on the Arhat bed, Jia Mu asked Sister Feng beside her, "It's almost dark, why hasn't Brother Heng come back yet?"
Sister Feng was about to speak when suddenly a nanny came in and said with a smile.
"I'm back, I'm back." Everyone in the Rongqing Hall looked at the nanny with excited eyes.
Jia Mu hurriedly asked: "Brother Heng is back? Where is he now?"
"It's the master, the master is back." The grandma took a breath and said. Jia Mu:
After a while, Jia Zheng, wearing a fourth-grade court dress and a black gauze on his head, entered the Rongqing Hall from the outside. His face was full of spring breeze. Perhaps because he had two drinks, the cheeks on both sides of his elegant face were flushed. He looked towards Jia Mu He bowed his hands and said, "Mother."
"Zheng'er, where is Brother Heng?" Jia Mu asked impatiently.
When everyone in the Rongqing Hall heard this, pairs of soft, bright, or quiet eyes turned towards Jia Zheng.
Jia Zheng smiled and said: "Mother, after the banquet in the palace, Ziyu was left to say a few words by the palace emperor. He should be back now. Mother, Ziyu has just been promoted to the rank of first-class earl."
Jia's mother was about to say something when she suddenly reacted and said in surprise: "First-class uncle? Brother Heng has been promoted to a noble title?" Aunt Xue, who was sitting on the embroidered pier below, had a look of shock on her face and her heart moved.
The Buddha beads that Mrs. Wang was turning in her hand paused slightly, and the indifferent look under her brow was full of disbelief. How long has it been since he was promoted to a first-class uncle?
Baochai was holding a tea cup, lowering her head to sip the tea as if nothing had happened. After hearing Jia Zheng's words, her face with skin as thick as snow suddenly changed, and her beautiful eyebrows frowned slightly, and she was surprised.
Sister Feng smiled and said, "Sir, Brother Heng's title has been promoted again? He was not a third-class uncle before, but now he is promoted to a first-class uncle?"
Jia Zheng explained: "This time we were fighting floods in Nanhe. The emperor rewarded his service and promoted Ziyu to the rank of nobility. Now Ziyu is a first-class uncle."
At the end of the sentence, his voice was clearly trembling with emotion. Only then did everyone suddenly realize, and then were enveloped in surprise.
Yuanchun was in a bright mood, and said in a round and graceful voice, "Brother Heng is busy fighting floods in Henan. He stayed there for nearly a month with food and lodging in the embankment. It has rained so heavily this year. It's hard for him in Henan." There was no trouble, so it’s supposed to be a big contribution.”
Tan Chunyingying's clear eyes were filled with joy, and she said, "What the eldest sister said is that Brother Heng was ordered to do something in danger this time." Mother Jia smiled and said, "It's a good thing to be promoted to a noble rank. This is really a double happiness. I'll say Wait until Brother Heng comes back before worshiping the ancestors, otherwise he will be promoted to a first-class uncle and have to worship the ancestors again.
The red phoenix eyes under Sister Feng's willow-leaf eyebrows rolled. She didn't know when her rouged lips opened, and she smiled and joked: "What the old lady said is, I guess all the ancestors are wondering, why is this sealed?" Third-class uncle, and then promoted to first-class uncle?"
This was an interesting thing to say. Everyone couldn't help laughing when they heard it, and the Rongqing Hall was filled with laughter for a while.
Especially Xiangyun's laughter.
Jia Mu patted Sister Feng's arm and scolded her with a smile: "You are a monkey, you don't even sound like it anymore. You are making fun of your ancestors."
"Old lady, our ancestors are all generous people. They won't argue with me, my granddaughter-in-law. Besides, we always have to look at Brother Heng's face." Sister Feng said with a smile.
Actually, it was because of Jia Heng's many happy events, but why did he say this a bit strangely?
Aunt Xue smiled and said jokingly: "After hearing this good news, our ancestors also forgave Girl Feng for her sin. She even wished that she could worship her ancestors more times. With Brother Heng's attitude, he will also be granted the title of marquis or duke in the future. It is inevitable to worship ancestors."
He was just saying auspicious words, but he couldn't help but think of what Xue Pan said. With such momentum, Brother Heng will be granted the title of duke, and even the king of the county.
able.
Does her Baochai need to make plans early?
Aunt Xue was thinking, and couldn't help but glance at her daughter.
However, Baochai's snow-white cheeks were slightly flushed, her eyebrows were lowered, and there seemed to be joy lingering on her brows.
this....
The smile on Aunt Xue's face faded slightly, and a flicker of suspicion flashed through her heart. Could it be that Bao Yatou is interested in Brother Heng...
Tanchun looked at Daiyu biting her pink lips with a thoughtful look on her face. She took Daiyu's bare hand and asked, "Sister Lin, what are you thinking about? Are you so lost in thought?"
Daiyu clutched her handkerchief, Chunshan's starry eyes flashed under her dark eyebrows, and she whispered, "I'm thinking, Brother Heng, it's really not easy for him."
*** A generous salary sounds enviable, but from being a white man to being in a high position now, I have to endure a lot of hardships, and he is only a few years older than her, but he has to bear all these.
Baochai looked at Tanchun and Daiyu who were talking, took over Daiyu's words and said: "Mount the horse to manage the army, dismount the horse to pacify the people. Whenever something goes wrong, you have to go to the rescue. Compared with ordinary civil servants, it is indeed not easy. No wonder Brother Heng has been given the title of nobility in the palace."
When others were talking about him, she always remained silent, which made people suspicious.
While everyone was talking, a nanny entered the Rongqing Hall from outside and said, "Old lady, sir, Uncle Heng has returned to Dongfu."
As soon as these words came out, Rongqing Hall suddenly became quiet, and then the atmosphere became a little noisy. Jia Mu smiled and said, "Girl Feng, let's go to Dongfu to have a look."
Ningguo Mansion
Jia Heng handed the horse's reins to the young boy and went straight to the back house. He walked along the corridor and headed towards the back house. He saw a girl with a green waistcoat with a waist and slender shoulders coming from the moon door. She was exactly Qingwen.
"Sir." Qingwen looked at the young man in python suit with surprise on her face. She walked a few steps quickly, her bright eyes gradually filled with mist. Immediately, the girl threw herself into Jia Heng's arms.
Jia Heng could only hold Qingwen's shoulders with both hands, feeling the lotus growing wantonly in his heart, and said with a smile: "Qingwen, long time no see, huh? Why are you still crying?"
Qingwen still looked that slim and petite, but she was much taller than before he left Beijing.
"Okay, where is Madam?" Jia Heng comforted her for a while, then gently stroked Qingwen's shoulder and said warmly.
At this time, Qingwen also knew that Jia Heng was in a hurry to go back to the back house to see Qin Keqing. She picked up a handkerchief and wiped her tears, and said softly: "Master, grandma is in the backyard."
Jia Heng nodded, took Qingwen's hand, and said with a smile: "How are you doing at home recently?" Qingwen said in a charming voice, "Everything is fine, but they are all thinking about the young master."
Jia Heng smiled softly and said, "Let's go to the backyard."
At this moment, the news of Jia Heng's return has spread to the entire Ningguo Mansion. Not long after the master and servant walked, they came to the courtyard of the back house and heard a voice in the corridor that sounded like a dream, "Husband."
Qin Keqing stood in the corridor. It was already dusk now, and the golden-red sunset light fell from the flower wall on the gorgeous beauty. The beautiful eyes under the beautiful eyebrows looked steadily at the young man.
The haunting Qing Jun face suddenly came into view very vividly, and his eyes could no longer accommodate anything else, as if there was only that young man in the world.
Jia Heng looked at Qin Keqing following the sound, looked at his wife, who had red lips and pink face, and was as bright as ever, smiled, and called out: "Keqing."
With that said, he walked a few steps quickly towards Qin Keqing. He came closer, holding a pair of slender jade hands that were soft to the touch and had delicate skin, and looked at the beauty who was as delicate as a flower.
"Husband, you are back." Qin Keqing said, unable to hold back any longer, she hugged Jia Heng tightly. When her beautiful eyes closed, tears rolled down her curved eyelashes, her voice almost whispering.
It's the wedding day, when the honey is mixed with oil, but the labor is separated for several months, and the thoughts in my heart are almost like a tide, drowning.
Jia Heng also took advantage of the situation and hugged Qin Keqing tightly, letting his wife tell the pain of lovesickness with tears in his arms, gently stroking her smooth hair, and whispered: "Okay, everyone is watching, let's go into the room and talk. .”
"Yes." Qin Keqing said softly, her face flushed, she raised her beautiful eyes and said, "I listen to your husband." Seeing this scene, Third Sister You and Second Sister You looked at each other, Yanye, Jingmei There was a slight smile on all the faces.
Welcoming Jia Heng into the inner hall, the couple held hands and talked about their farewells. Jia Heng sat down and asked, "Where is the fourth sister? Why haven't you seen her?"
"I've been informed. I'll be here soon." Qin Keqing looked at the young man, his eyes filled with watery eyes showing distress. He gently touched Jia Heng's face and said, "My husband has been working hard outside during this time. Watching Lost a lot of weight."
At the end of the sentence, her soft voice was choked with sobs.
Jia Heng picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and said, "It'll be fine if you come back and rest for a while. It's not a big deal, but you don't look too good."
Sanjie You said softly: "My uncle is outside, but you don't know that Sister Qin is at home. She can't eat well or sleep well every day, thinking about my uncle."
Jia Heng took Qin Keqing's bare hand and said softly, "I miss you."
During this period of time, in addition to being busy with official matters, he was also busy with private matters. Qin Keqing tolerated him.
At this moment, a nanny's voice came from outside, saying: "Uncle, eldest grandma, the fourth girl and the Xiuyan girl are here."
While he was talking, he saw Xichun, dressed in pink, entering the inner hall accompanied by a maid and a colorful screen.
"Brother Heng, sister-in-law." Xichun stood still and stared at the young man in the python suit, calling softly, with a look of intimacy in his eyes.
Xing Xiuyan also saluted Jia Heng and Qin Keqing Yingying.
Qin Keqing smiled and said, "Fourth sister, come sit here. Your brother just said why he didn't see you." Hearing this, Xichun said "hmm" and then sat close to her.
Jia Heng looked at Xichun with gentle eyes, looked at the cold and coquettish little Loli, and said with a smile: "The fourth sister has grown taller and has become a big girl."
As he spoke, he gently reached out and rubbed Xichun's bangs.
Under Xichun's beautiful eyebrows, her eyes slightly lowered, feeling the favor of the person opposite her. Her heart was filled with sweetness, but she was also a bit shy, and whispered: "Brother Heng, the reply I wrote earlier, you Received yet?"
Jia Heng was not surprised by Xichun's change of address. He smiled and said, "I got it. I was too busy and didn't have time to write a reply."
Xing Xiuyan quietly watched the close conversation between the brother and sister, feeling a little at ease in her heart.
Jia Heng did not ignore Xing Xiuyan. He said a few words to Xichun, looked at the girl with an elegant orchid temperament, smiled, and asked, "Cousin Xiuyan, I haven't seen you for a while."
Well, Xing Xiuyan is actually older than Jia Heng, but usually Xing Xiuyan calls Qin Keqing his sister-in-law.
Such a greeting undoubtedly made the shy Xing Xiuyan blush. He stared at Jia Heng and said, "I haven't seen you for a while. Is Brother Heng okay outside?"
Qin Keqing looked at Xing Xiuyan with a smile and gentle eyes.
She and Sister-in-law Feng secretly marveled at this niece of the Xing family when they talked in private. She was quiet and delicate, and had a bit of a ladylike demeanor. It was hard to imagine that she was born in a poor family, but because she loved Xiuyan's character, she had so many talents. Take care of it a bit.
Jia Heng said: "Everything is fine."
In fact, he wanted to ask Miaoyu how she was doing recently. Why didn't she come over? After thinking about it, it would be better to wait until I have time to meet Miaoyu.
While everyone was laughing and joking, a nanny entered the hall and said with a smile: "Uncle, grandma, the old lady from Xifu, madam, Second Grandma Lian, Grandma Zhu are here."
Qin Keqing said softly: "Husband, let's go and greet you."
While talking, Jia Mu, surrounded by Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue, Sister Feng, and Li Wan, came in from the outside. Yuanchun, Tanchun, Yingchun, Xiangyun, Baochai, and Daiyu entered the hall. In addition, And Jia Zheng.
"Brother Heng." As soon as Jia Mu entered the hall, with a smile on her kind-hearted old face, she called Jia Heng. Jia Heng came forward, bowed, and said in greeting, "Old lady."
His eyes swept over Yuanchun
, called out: "Sister."
"Brother Heng." Yuanchun said softly, with soft waves in his beautiful eyes.
Jia Heng said hello to Yingchun, Tanchun and Xiangyun again, and immediately looked at Baochai and called out to Daiyu. His eyes paused between Daiyu's eyebrows and nodded.
Under the young man's gaze, Daiyu's jade-white cheeks obviously had a light blush, and the handkerchief in her palm tightened.
But I remembered the letter that day, the smoke from the willows on the embankment, and the gloomy eyebrows in front of my eyes. What did it mean to write such a sentence to her?
At this time, Qin Keqing had already smiled and helped Jia Mu to sit down on the main seat. He invited her and said, "Baozhu, let the kitchen prepare dinner. We can all use it here later."
Jia Mu smiled and asked kindly: "Brother, you are finally back. It has been a few months since you left. You have successfully completed the errands assigned by the palace. Are you tired?"
Facing everyone's gaze, Jia Heng smiled and said, "It's okay, I'm not too tired."
Jia Mu smiled and nodded, and said: "It's better to rest for a while. I heard from Baoyu that you have been promoted to a noble title in the palace. I said you should pick a good day in the past few days and let you, the clan leader, take charge." With all the young and old men of the whole clan, we offer ancestor worship to comfort the ancestors of our Jia family and make them happy."
Jia Heng responded and said, "Then I will discuss with Mr. Zheng a good day to worship my ancestors in the next two days."
Seeing Jia Heng's immediate response, Mother Jia was even more happy and said with a smile: "On the road just now, Feng Yatou said that there is so much excitement in the house these days."
Jia Heng glanced at Sister Feng, who behaved like a young woman, and said, "Sister-in-law Feng will just arrange these."
"Don't we need to talk to Brother Heng, the head of the family?" Sister Feng smiled and said, "Since Brother Heng said this, I also have a backbone."
Everyone laughed when they heard this, and Sanjie You glanced at Sister Feng, who was smiling brightly, with an incomprehensible look.
The maid served fragrant tea, and everyone talked together.
Jia Mu asked, "Brother Heng, I heard from the third girl earlier that you met Yu'er's father in Yangzhou?"
As soon as he said this, he took a pair of bright starry eyes and peeked at Jia Heng's Daiyu from time to time. His expression paused, his pink lips lightly opened, and he said, "Brother Heng, how is your father in Yangzhou?"
Meeting Daiyu's gaze, Jia Heng smiled and said, "I went to Yangzhou for business some time ago and visited my uncle in the Yangzhou Salt Garden. My uncle's health is not bad, but his complexion is not that good. He still needs to be recuperated. , I mentioned the matter of coming to Beijing to my uncle, and I would be able to go to Beijing as soon as the Yangzhou Salt Service is over."
When Daiyu heard this, her Qiu Shui eyes under Chunshan's eyebrows showed joy, and she felt her heart exploded with joy. Can father come to Beijing?
Jia Heng looked at Daiyu, smiled and said: "My uncle is a little worried about Sister Lin. He said that we haven't seen each other for many years, and he doesn't know how tall Sister Lin has grown. I thought it would be good to be a Beijing official in Beijing. My sister and uncle We can also be reunited.”
Daiyu's clear eyes were like dew under her smoky eyebrows. She looked at the young man, sighed softly, and said softly, "It's my fault. I should have gone to see my father these years."
Aunt Xue smiled and said: "Silly boy, how can I blame you? It's thousands of miles away. How can you go to see your father at such a young age?"
Jia Mu also comforted her and said, "Yu'er, didn't your brother Heng say that you can come to Beijing as soon as your father's affairs in Yangzhou are settled?"
Seeing that the atmosphere was a little gloomy, Sister Feng warmed up the scene with a smile and said: "Old lady, my uncle came to Beijing at that time. I think he will be promoted to a few more grades due to his merits."
Aunt Xue also laughed and said, "Old lady, Lin Yatou's father has been in Yangzhou for so long. If he returns to Beijing, he will be of great use."
Jia Mu turned to Jia Heng and said with a smile: "Brother Heng, you know more about the affairs of the court, but you can say this?"
As soon as these words came out, Daiyu, Yuanchun, and Tanchun all looked at Jiaheng, waiting for his words.
Jia Heng said: "Uncle Lin has been patrolling salt for several years and has made great contributions to the country and the country. If he can be transferred back to the capital, he will definitely be put to important use in the palace, and he will be promoted, needless to say."
Jia Mu
He smiled and said, "He is from a decent family in Kejia, and his ancestors are princes. His future is very comparable to others."
Obviously, Jia Mu valued her son-in-law very much.
"Uncle Lin's literary talent and magnanimity are indeed extraordinary." Jia Heng nodded and couldn't help but look at Daiyu.
I don't know if it's an illusion, but Daiyu has grown much taller than before she left Beijing, and the aura of the Xiaoxiang concubine between her eyebrows seems to be getting richer.
But when Jia Heng stared intently, he saw those bright and shining star eyes like Xiaoxiang Chushui ducking away under Yan Yu's hazy eyebrows, seeming a little shy.
Well, Daiyu is... shy? Yes, she has grown into a big girl.
This thought flashed through Jia Heng's mind, and his eyes subconsciously moved to glance at the lamb.
Because Jia Heng had just mentioned Lin Ruhai, so when he glanced at Daiyu, it was more of a courtesy, so no one believed him.
Mother Jia looked at Qin Keqing, who was sitting elegantly at the side, and said with a smile: "Brother Heng, your wife is worried about you at home. If you come back this time, if you don't have any official business, you can spend more time with your wife."
Qin Keqing was quietly listening to the conversation between the others and Jia Heng, but her cheeks as white as snow turned red. She hurriedly said: "Old lady, my husband has a lot of errands to do now, and he is too busy to take time off." Body, I have nothing."
"I know you are virtuous, but since you two got married, my brother has either been training soldiers or calming down chaos. You two spend less time together and more time apart." Jia Mu said with a smile.
It's been almost a year since Qin's marriage, and there's been no movement in her stomach. It's not a good idea to continue like this. Sister Feng smiled and said, "Brother Heng should be able to take a good rest when he comes back this time, right?"
Jia Heng explained: "There are still many things to do in the army, but I will still take a break when it's time to take a bath."
After returning to Beijing, he was actively preparing for the war, arranging and planning for northern affairs. Everything should be done in advance, and failure in advance would be ruined. There are also salt affairs that need to be paid attention to at all times.
Jia Zheng twirled his beard under his chin with his hand and said with emotion: "Ziyu is now an assistant minister of the military. He has no time to spare to prepare for national events."
Everyone was talking, mainly asking about Jia Heng's experience in Henan and Huai'an Mansion. Unknowingly, night fell and it was time to turn on the lights.
Baozhu entered the hall and said, "Grandma, the food in the kitchen is ready." Qin Keqing smiled sweetly and said, "Old lady, let's have dinner first." Jia Mu nodded, and everyone started to eat together. dinner.
