Shuyu Palace
At dusk, the lanterns were coming up. Between the beams and beams of the corridor, teams of palace maids in bright clothes held up the support poles, put down the octagonal palace lanterns, lit the lanterns, and hung them again on the corners of the eaves. The blue and white lanterns, as bright as water, suddenly appeared. There are circles of orange light, and the majestic and majestic Shuyu Palace, with its winding and undulating roofs, is soaked in the inky night sky, creating shadowy shadows.
I don't know when, a crescent moon hung in the eastern sky, the clouds rolled and relaxed, and two or three sparse stars in the north looked at each other in the distance.
In the palace, on the embroidered couch, Jia Heng brought a cup of tea, suppressed the sweetness in his mouth, and raised his eyes to look at Princess Xianning, whose beautiful jade cheeks were as red as blood. The girl's eyelashes were tightly closed at this moment, and she closed her eyes, her delicate body Trembling slightly, as if lingering in some kind of aftertaste.
Jia Heng reached out and handed over a cup of tea and said warmly: "Xianning, have a sip of tea."
The black silk fishing net on the side has long been wrinkled and bunched together. The girl's smooth and jade-like legs are bent, and the white insteps are pressed against the quilt, while her ten toes are curled together, showing embarrassment and shyness.
Hearing this, Princess Xianning opened her bright eyes, stretched out her hands to gently hold up her skirt, covering her large skin like snow, and took the tea cup. Her pair of bright and clear eyes were already as charming as silk, like smoke and mist.
At this moment, I felt my cheeks were a little sore. When I raised my head, my charming face was rosy red spreading from my cheeks to my brows, and my pink lips were lightly pursed, glowing with a crystal luster.
Jia Heng gently grabbed Yuzu and said softly: "Xianning, it's getting late. I have to go back." Playing with Xianning in the palace, he was always a little worried. Just now, he was worried that Concubine Duanrong would suddenly rush in. , and then scolded with a straight face, "What are you doing?"
After waiting, just now, I felt a sense of spying outside the window. Needless to say, it was the little princess peeking again.
Only Li Chanyue was very familiar with the environment of the dormitory where Xianning lived. She sneaked around and peeked at the Western view. It was impossible for the little princess not to peek.
Just as Jia Heng thought, Princess Qinghe changed into a blue dress after bathing in the study room of the inner palace, and her hair was tied behind her waist with a red rope.
The girl's beautiful cheeks were as hot as fire, and she was already ashamed. She was holding a book, absent-mindedly, holding her fragrant cheek in one hand, and looking out the window at the golden-red sunset that stained the sky.
Sure enough, everyone who has had skin-to-skin contact with Mr. Xiao Jia will not be able to escape that experience in the end. They will have to let Mr. Xiao Jia use his words. Well... Mr. Xiao Jia seemed to have kissed her before. They are all using their words.
On the other side, Princess Xianning looked at Jia Heng reluctantly and said, "Sir, please have dinner before leaving."
The matter between her and her husband has already been approved by the emperor, and the mother-in-law has also gained a reputation because of her concurrent mother-in-law, so she doesn't object much. If she just allows her husband to eat in the palace, there is nothing wrong with it. Jia Heng thought for a moment, glanced at the sky, and said, "That's fine."
"Sir, I'll go change my clothes first, and you go talk to cousin Chanyue." Princess Xianning said softly.
Jia Heng nodded, left the hall, and turned around to go to the study room in the inner hall.
In the study room, a lantern was lit on the high table, which reflected the delicate and petite figure of Princess Qinghe, who was leaning on the Taishi chair behind the mahogany bookcase.
"Chanyue." Jia Heng opened the curtain and entered the study, walked around a floor-to-ceiling screen, called softly, and asked, "Are you in there?"
Li Chanyue was startled when she heard the call. She quickly stood up and looked at the young man in python suit who walked in proudly. There was a trace of panic in the girl's bright eyes. Because of the light, the blush on her cheeks was bright and moving.
Jia Heng came close enough and asked, "Where is Chanyue reading?"
After saying that, he sat down on the chair in front of Li Chanyue, picked up the script on the desk, and asked, "Three Kingdoms script?"
"Looking through it in my spare time, how many times have I read this book? When will Mr. Jia write the third volume?" Li Chanyue pretended to be calm and asked with her starry eyes.
Jia Heng said softly, "It may take a while. I've been too busy recently and can't spare the time." After that, he sat down in front of Li Chanyue and called out, "Chanyue, I have something to tell you."
"Mr. Jia is here reading a book, I'm going to see my cousin..."
"..." The little princess suddenly felt panicked. She said in a hurry and was about to get up. However, she was surprised and said shyly: "What... what are you doing?" However, Jia Heng grabbed him. Her arms were held in the commander's arms and tightly around her waist. The girl was immediately embarrassed and anxious, her heart was like a deer. There was annoyance on her beautiful face, and she wanted to break free, but her heart skipped a beat. There is a murderous intention hidden under the crispness.
"Chanyue, stop moving. If you don't move, it won't move." Jia Heng's face was calm, and he hugged Chanyue and frowned. The summer skirt was indeed a bit thin.
Li Chanyue: "???"
Although I was feeling ashamed, I really didn't dare to move at the moment. I just bit my lip tightly with my teeth and felt angry and anxious.
Jia Heng asked, "Didn't you see your cousin just now?"
"You...you, what did I do just now?" Li Chanyue's face was startled at first, then her cheeks turned crimson, and she looked around and said, "Mr. Xiao Jia, you're talking about dancing, right?"
Just now, she seemed to have been discovered again.
This man was obviously so focused, why did he find her again?
Jia Heng ignored the girl's careless eyes, his eyes were a bit aggressive, and the girl's fragrance after bathing floated between his nose, and asked: "Chanyue seems to like looking at me very much?"
"Who likes to look at you..." The little princess heard the words and said anxiously, her beautiful face changed slightly, and she felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles.
If it weren't for chance, she wouldn't have even looked at it.
"Mr. Xiao Jia, please let me go." However, after a while, Li Chanyue's eyes were panicked and she bit her pink lips.
Jia Heng looked at the girl with soft and almost sad eyes, feeling a little strange in her heart, and said softly: "Chanyue, you haven't answered me yet."
Li Chanyue was really embarrassed at this time and muttered: "Let me go and I will answer you, huh..."
But he saw a shadow approaching, warm breath coming over him, and then a soft feeling on his lips, and then an indescribable breath lingering between his nose.
Ah, this is my cousin... How could Mr. Xiao Jia do this?
At this moment, the candlelight reflected the shadow of a boy and girl on the window. I don't know when the crescent moon had climbed to the top of the sycamore tree, and the cold moonlight was like mist and veil.
After a while, Jia Heng hugged the girl, whose delicate body was limp and her cheeks were flushed, and asked, "Chanyue, did you look good just now?"
When Li Chanyue heard this, she felt ashamed, looked at him angrily, and said angrily: "Mr. Xiao Jia, you, you are going too far."
Do you think she is easy to bully? Don't even rinse your mouth...
Jia Heng frowned slightly and feigned anger: "Then you're peeking in the dark, isn't that too much? You don't even know the principle of seeing no evil? Besides, I'm still your cousin-in-law, so you should take the initiative to avoid it, do you understand?"
"Since you dare to act so ridiculously like no one else is around, don't be afraid of people seeing you." Li Chanyue arched her eyebrows, huffed angrily, and counterattacked, her voice soft and gentle.
Jia Heng grabbed Li Chanyue's hands and asked, "Chanyue doesn't say anything every time she peeks, but...does she want to sacrifice her life for him?"
He had never seen Li Chanyue get angry before. This was the first time, but he felt a little moved. Li Chanyue was suddenly told that she was in a dream, her cheeks were slightly hot, and she said with shame and anger: "That's nonsense." Jia Heng said softly, "Is that nonsense? You are a blind man eating glutinous rice balls, and you know it well."
Li Chanyue: "...."
What's this guy talking about?
Pursing her pink lips, she calmed down and said quietly: "Mr. Jia, who do you think I am?" Jia Heng said: "I think Chan Yue is my future wife, otherwise, what do you think I am? Will everyone hold it?"
The girl was hugged, listening to the confident words of her wife. For some reason, the resentment that had just been brewing disappeared, but she still said with a little embarrassment: "You have hugged many people, otherwise you would not be so skilled."
When Jia Heng heard this, he looked at her thoughtfully and thought to himself, he is really quiet and elegant, with a clever mind.
"Chanyue, believe it or not, if you didn't marry me, you would just sit in my arms and I wouldn't even look at it, let alone..." Jia Heng said softly .
Li Chanyue felt as if she had been struck by lightning, as if she had been electrocuted. She almost cried, and said, "Mr. Xiao Jia, please don't... don't move."
Jia Heng said: "Chanyue, do you believe it now?"
Li Chanyue's chicken pecked at the rice and said hurriedly: "Believe it, I believe it, I believe it."
Although Mr. Xiao Jia... it seems that not everyone has met him. Even his cousin went through all kinds of things before she got together with Mr. Xiao Jia.
only······
The little princess paused slightly, biting her pink lips with her white teeth, her eyes were lost in thought, and she murmured: "Actually, what does it matter if I believe it or not? Anyway, in Mr. Jia's heart, no one can compare with me. I am really good." No, I can’t say that Mr. Jia is still laughing at me in his heart. He is so confused and shameless. He originally wanted to stop you and bring you and your cousin together, but in the end he was too busy and got himself involved."
Mr. Xiao Jia didn't like her very much. I think it was just because he and his cousin were going to be married to him in the future. This was due to the situation... She knew it.
Listening to the girl's implicit confession of her feelings, Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said softly: "Chanyue is just Chanyue, she is unique, there is no need to compare with others."
As he spoke, he picked up the girl's slender hand and probed his heart. In the girl's complex and astonished expression, he said: "You touch it, you've been pretending to be here, pounding. I didn't notice it at first, but it's right there." Just now, I don’t know why, but I suddenly felt heavy.”
When Li Chanyue heard this, her delicate body trembled, her pretty face as clear as snow fixedly looked at the young man, her nose suddenly felt sore, and her eyes sparkled, just now... did she pity her, or did she really like her?
Just as he was about to speak, he saw the shadow approaching again. Immediately, the familiar dizzy feeling came over his body and mind again.
This little Mr. Jia is really, if he doesn't agree with you, he will... huh? No, where did Mr. Jia put his hand? "Don't..." Li Chanyue hesitated and grabbed Jia Heng's hand.
"I just want to see if Chan Yue is pretending to be me." Jia Heng whispered. Li Chanyue: "..."
She must be faking it, but shouldn't it be in her heart?
After a while, Jia Heng finished building the snowman and stared at Li Chanyue, whose delicate body was soft to mud and her bright eyes were shining. He whispered: "Chanyue, stop thinking so much. Let's go to dinner. Your cousin should be waiting in a hurry." Now, after dinner, I will tell you a story."
Li Chanyue was completely confused. She responded with a muffled "hmm" and stretched out her hands to gather her clothes. She didn't know what it was like in her heart. It was sweet and mixed with a hint of confusion.
…
…
The Jade Rabbit sets in the west and the Golden Crow rises in the east. The next day, the fifteenth year of Chongping, is the last day at the end of June. In the morning, in Ningguo Mansion, in the Jia Family Ancestral Hall—
Jia Heng led the clansmen from Rongning and Ning Prefectures to the Jia Ancestral Hall to worship their ancestors. Not only Jia Heng, but also the children of the Jia clan who were generals in the army attended the ancestor worship.
For example, Jia Yun, Jia Fang, Jia Ling, Jia Chang and other Jia clan members. Jia Fang and Jia Chang wear the robes of sixth-rank military attachés, and most of the others are seventh-rank Baihu officials. Everyone is full of energy and has many faces. Seeing pride and joy.
This scene attracted the attention of some maids, maids, and servants of the Jia clan.
Before Jia Heng became the patriarch, every time he worshiped his ancestors, he had never seen such a scene where all he could see were the military attachés of the imperial court.
In fact, today, it is not only Jia Heng who is honored for being awarded the title of First-class Yong Ning Bo, but also the concubine branch of Ning Rong and Ning Rong in the eighth house of Shenjing. After they have official status, they comfort their ancestors.
Many Jia clan members have benefited from Jia Heng taking charge of the capital camp. They are convinced by the people's support for Jia Heng, the clan leader.
Everyone entered the ancestral hall composed of five main rooms. Jia Dairu, who was born as a child, the highest generation, the oldest, and had gray hair, read aloud the inscription. The current person at the helm is another high-ranking official from the Ning and Rong mansions, saluting the ancestors of the Jia family.
Jia's mother also led Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang and the female family members of Jia's family to worship on the other side.
After the ancestor worship was completed, it was already noon, and Jia Heng held a banquet in several cross-courtyards of Ningguo Mansion to entertain the clan members of Ning and Rong Mansion.
Jia Zheng looked at the disciples and felt quite happy. He said to Jia Heng beside him in an encouraging tone: "Zi Yu, our Jia clan is prosperous and prosperous."
Jia Heng glanced at the young members of the Jia clan who were toasting to their elders, and said softly: "There are many young people in the clan who have recently become talented, both in civil and military fields."
For example, Jia Zhen and Jia She were more worried about the weakness of the common people, so they deliberately suppressed them. Otherwise, with their connections in the Rong and Ning houses, wouldn't they be able to support the children of the same clan?
As a result, Lai Shangrong, Jia Yucun and others were able to serve as officials.
If it is said to be to avoid disaster, is this the way to avoid disaster? It is clear that he would rather be with his friends and domestic slaves than his fellow clansmen.
And this kind of consideration, there is a saying, it still makes some sense, because it has been confirmed by him to a certain extent. From the perspective of Jia She and Jia Zhen, after the rise of Shuzhi, the two houses of Rongning and Ning were almost controlled by him. However, Jia Rong, Jia Lian, Jia Cong, and even Baoyu of the Jia clan were completely suppressed.
Unexpectedly, Jia Heng's words about both civil and military matters obviously caught Jia Zheng's mind. Jia Zheng sighed and said: "Zi Yu, there are many people practicing martial arts and joining the army here in Ning Guo Mansion. There is only one in Xi Mansion now." Cong'er, Baoyu didn't go to school either."
Jia Heng said: "Baoyu is still young, so there is no rush. Besides, Brother Zhu did not enter school until he was fourteen years old. Brother Cong is also older than Baoyu."
Jia Zheng nodded and said, "Ziyu, you also teach Baoyu in your spare time. "Don't Baoyu go to school on weekdays?" Jia Heng asked.
After several times of discipline, Baoyu no longer wants to go to school and can only stay in school.
"I've gone, but no one knows how much Baoyu has learned." Jia Zheng looked at Baoyu, who was sitting beside Jia Huan, looking unhappy.
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said, "Then I will go back and ask the teachers in the school to see where Baoyu's homework is."
If you really want to teach Baoyu carefully, you may not be able to teach him well. Who hasn't been playful in junior high school? But through the influence of the environment, some people can eventually get on the right track.
Jia Zheng ordered the boys beside him, and soon, Jia Cong, Jia Huan, Jia Lan, Bao Yu and other men from the Xifu came over to toast Jia Heng.
"I've met Brother Heng."
Today is a great day for Jia Heng to be awarded the title of first-class uncle, and these young people want to come over to toast and celebrate.
Jia Heng's eyes became gentler, and he smiled and said, "You all, please get up."
As everyone thanked him, Jia Heng looked at Jia Cong. He was about thirteen or fourteen years old, thin, with simple clothes and calm eyes. Then he looked at Jia Lan beside him, and saw Jia Lan's little child. His body is upright, like a small adult.
Jia Huan, on the other hand, pretended to be sullen, but he was timid and his eyes were rolling around. From time to time he raised his eyes and glanced at Jia Heng secretly, which seemed to be a bit sly.
Baoyu drooped his head, like an eggplant beaten by frost.
The appearance of the two sons made Jia Zheng frown and open his lips, wanting to scold him, but because Jia Heng was here, it was not easy to teach him in class.
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and then ordered the boy beside him: "Go and get the gift I prepared." After a while, several boys prepared trays and brought them over.
"Brother Cong, this set of pen, ink, paper and inkstone as well as a set of "Four Books Annotations" and "Shi Wen Shuo Yuan" are given to you to study. Take a breath and become famous in reading in the future, adding glory to the faces of your ancestors." Jia Heng took the box on the tray, handed it to Jia Cong, and said encouragingly.
Jia Cong's face moved slightly, and with a straight look, he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Brother Heng."
Jia Heng looked at him with approval and said: "Here is a piece of jade pendant. I asked the craftsman to make it to celebrate your entry into school. My Jia family is the jade generation. The so-called gentleman is like jade, gentle and gentle." Ze, a gentleman is like water, profit is not pure, your father and brother ended up in that situation precisely because they did not have self-restraint and self-cultivation, you must take this as a warning."
"Thank you, Brother Heng." Jia Cong said with a solemn expression and cupped his hands.
Jia Heng looked at it and nodded. If Jia Cong could read out his name, he would also be able to gain some momentum for Jia Jiazhuang. Jia Heng said, take
He passed another wooden box and looked at Jia Lan, who was wearing a colorful robe.
Jia Lan is only six years old, thanks to Li Wan's ability to teach him well, and he looks as meticulous as a young adult.
In fact, it is a bit sad. There is no happiness at all in such a childhood.
Jia Heng said: "Brother Lan, this set of pens, ink, paper and inkstones is for you. I'll let the boy carry it to your room later."
"Thank you, Uncle Heng." Jia Lan said crisply, with reverence and... admiration in his eyes.
"Study hard. If anything happens to you two in the future, you can come to me directly. When I am free, I will also check your homework." Jia Heng smiled and patted the two of them lightly on the shoulders. He said encouragingly.
When Jia Cong heard this, his heart was agitated. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Brother Heng, for your kindness." Jia Lan also bowed politely like a young adult.
Seeing this scene, all the Jia clan disciples around them had envy on their faces. Now with Jia Heng's power and status, he can say something that comes to me directly, which carries a lot of weight.
Jia Heng warned Jia Cong and Jia Lan, then turned to Baoyu and called out: "Baoyu." "Brother Heng." Baoyu's heart skipped a beat, and he forced himself to say it with cupped hands.
Jia Heng said: "You have to work hard to make progress. However, although you did not pass the exam last time, don't be discouraged. You are still young and there will be many opportunities in the future."
For Baoyu, even if it is not for the sake of his fellow clan members, he must also be for the sake of Yuanchun.
He gave Baoyu a few words of advice, then looked at Jia Huan, took out a bow, and said, "Put this bow away, practice your martial arts, and join the army with me in the future. Like your brothers, you will find a career in the army." A part-time official."
Jia Huan reached out to take the bow and said, "Thank you, Brother Heng."
At this moment, Xue Pan came back from the Five Cities Army and Horses Division on the last day of the month. He was bragging about horse dancing and spears with the Jia people at a wine table. At this time, he shook his big head, held up the wine cup, and smiled. Said: "Cousin Heng, I toast you."
Jia Zheng frowned and said, "Wenlong, you just came back. Drink less. How drunk are you?"
"Uncle, I finally came out. I would like to offer a toast to Cousin Heng. Cousin Heng is now a first-class uncle. I am very happy." Xue Pan may have eaten too much wine, so he spoke without much scruples at the moment, with a smile on his face. .
Jia Heng raised the wine cup and said, "Wenlong, I'll have a drink with you and go back to rest early so that my aunt won't worry."
Xue Pan quickly raised his wine cup and offered a toast to Jia Heng. On the other side, Tianxiang Building, second floor—
In the pavilion, there are splendid pearls, hairpin skirts and coats, clusters of flowers, and beautiful eyes.
Jia Mu and Qin Keqing sat in the middle around a table. Below them sat Feng Wan, Mrs. Xing Wang, Aunt Xue, Chai Dai, Sichun, Yun Xiu, Er You and other Jin Chai and their maids.
Sister Feng smiled, and she didn't know if it was because of the rewards in the past two days. Young Hua Xin's eyebrows were full of charm, her face was bright and moving, and she said: "Old ancestor, there are so many talents in the clan now. I looked at Yun on the corridor. They have become successful and look like they are all seventh-grade military attachés."
Jia Yun is now an official of a hundred households in the capital camp. Compared with the original work, she still needs to follow Jia Lian's path to find a job planting trees in the garden, which is undoubtedly a way to stand out.
Jia Mu smiled and said, "Brother Heng can take care of the whole family by himself."
This is how the power of one person affects a whole clan. Not only did Jia Zheng rise to the fourth rank, but even the children of the clan also joined the army and had a future.
But Jia Mu smiled, her old eyes were slightly absent-minded, and she was also thinking about Baoyu. She didn't pass the entrance examination, but let Cong'er take the lead.
Baoyu has never suffered much since he was a child, and he can't join the army. If it doesn't work out, just wait until Baoyu is older and let Brother Heng think of ways to donate him a job.
Mrs. Wang held the prayer beads tightly in her hand, her face expressionless, as if the excitement around her had nothing to do with her. Yuan Chun, who was sitting below, looked absent-minded with his plump and white face, clearly thinking of his younger brother Baoyu.
Just then, a nun came up and said with a smile: "Old lady, madam, Grandma Heng, and Uncle Heng are down below giving things to Mr. Bao and the others."
As soon as these words came out, everyone in Tianxiang Tower looked at the nanny curiously and expectantly.
Without him, firstly, it was a bit strange for Jia Heng to admire the things, and secondly, the gifts given by Jia Heng when he paid homage to his ancestors and celebrated his title may have different meanings.
The nanny smiled and said: "I gave Brother Cong a jade pendant and some pens, ink, paper and inkstones, books and so on. I also gave Brother Lan a set of pens, paper and inkstones, and Brother Huan a bow. I said it was for Brother Huan. Please practice your archery well so that you can join the army in the future."
Hearing this, Mother Jia smiled and said, "It's right for Brother Cong to go to school. Brother Lan is young and Brother Huan has a bit of a temper. What did he give Baoyu?"
Grandma smiled and said, "I gave you a few words of encouragement, but nothing else." Jia Mu: "..."
No, I didn’t give you anything. Why are you laughing? And what were you doing with Baoyu just now? Mrs. Wang pinched the beads, her expression changed, she felt like she had eaten a fly.
Intentionally? They all gave me things, but not precious jade?
