Ningguo Mansion
At the beginning of the lanterns, the lanterns hanging under the eaves of the corridor swayed in the wind, creating circles of orange light and shadow, which made the empty steps in front of the court very bright.
In the hall, Sister Feng and the three sisters Youshi are playing mahjong, amidst the sound of "clatter", this is a daily routine in Ningguo Mansion.
It can be said that when Jia Heng was not in Ningguo Mansion, Sister Feng almost regarded Ningguo Mansion as her own home and could come and go at will.
Sanjie You's face, as beautiful as a spring flower, looked like peach blossom petals under the bright lights. She suddenly looked at the sky outside and asked, "What time is it?"
Sister Feng smiled and said, "Maybe you're not coming back? It's already getting dark."
Youshi said: "If you don't come back, it's okay to just stay at Qin's house for one night."
Sister Feng looked at Ms. You and said softly: "Sister-in-law You, the theater troupe from the south has recently arrived at the house. In two days, the second master will have a baby over there, and the old lady wants to celebrate. "
With Jia Heng being granted the title of first-class Wuhou, and Jia Zheng being promoted to the fourth rank, the Ning and Rong mansions are now flourishing with flowers and burning oil. Jia's mother originally liked liveliness and could celebrate everything.
Youshi played a mahjong tile and said with a smile: "The opera troupe has been installed in the house. I have seen them singing every day these days, but I don't know how they are doing."
Jia Qiang went south to buy some young actors and returned to Beijing not long ago. They are now placed in the courtyard of Qunfang, a servant of Ningguo Mansion.
Sister Feng said with a smile: "No matter if it's good or bad, let them sing. If they sing well, we won't hire anyone from outside in the future. It will be cheaper for anyone in our family to have a baby."
As he said that, he glanced at Third Sister You and said with a smile: "Third Sister has passed away, so you should celebrate after all."
Sister Feng already knows that Jia Heng will take the third sister as his concubine during this period. Although he will not do anything grand, there will be no less excitement.
Sanjie You smiled and said, "Look at what Sister-in-law Feng said, I have nothing to celebrate."
Second Sister You listened to the conversation of several people, pursed her pink lips, looked at her sister, pinched the mahjong in her hand, and felt envious in her heart.
At this moment, a maid's voice came from outside, saying happily: "Grandma You, Second Grandma Feng, Third Grandma You, madam and uncle are back."
When Sanjie You heard this title, she couldn't help but feel strange in her heart.
It was as if the three of them were shouting together.
Everyone followed the sound and saw Jia Heng and Qin Keqing walking into the hall surrounded by maids and nannies.
Third Sister You stood up to greet her, looked at the gorgeous beauty, and called in a friendly tone: "Sister Qin, you are back."
Qin Keqing smiled, nodded, and asked, "Have you had dinner?"
Sister Feng couldn't help but look at the young man in the python suit, with a bright smile on his gorgeous face, and asked: "It gets dark early in the winter, and we ate early. Have you two finished your meal?"
Qin Keqing chuckled lightly, glanced at Jia Heng with her beautiful eyes, and said softly: "I've eaten, but my husband hasn't eaten yet."
I don't know if he is tired or not. The princess of the Princess Mansion only cares about using it and doesn't care whether he eats or not. She is not afraid of exhausting him.
Jia Heng looked at the people who were playing mahjong, with their beautiful faces and colorful jewelry, and said, "I was saying we would have something to eat later, while you are playing mahjong."
Third Sister You has a beautiful face, and under her dark eyebrows, her beautiful eyes with curved eyelashes and light rose-red eyeshadow seem to be moisturizing. She said: "It gets dark early, and I have nothing to do, so I just sit down and play." Play."
Qin Keqing smiled and said: "Husband, why don't you go take a shower and change clothes first, and then have some food, while I and the sisters play cards."
Jia Heng: "..."
Let him take a shower and change clothes to wash away the scent of other women's makeup, right?
Sister Feng turned to look at the young man, with a beautiful smile on her face, and suddenly said: "Brother Heng, I heard the old lady mention it today, and she was sending people over to pay her respects. It's an old friendship for decades."
As he said that, he looked at Jia Heng, as if asking: "Is this okay?"
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and said: "As a minister of the same dynasty, the deceased is a big one, so someone should be sent to pay homage. I went to the palace today to see the Holy One. I also heard the Holy One mention it. I mourn for this and will not go to court for seven days."
Sister Feng nodded and said, "Brother Heng, when are you free? I've booked a table of wine and food at Taoranju and called my brother to have a meal together."
Jia Heng said: "I don't have much free time today. Let's wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow evening, I may have to go to the military aircraft office during the day."
I had promised Sister Feng to meet Wang Ren before, but I didn't really want to see Wang Ren, but Sister Feng was obviously looking forward to it.
I don’t know where Sister Feng’s expectation comes from? Maybe showing off?
Sister Feng smiled and said softly: "Then I'll be relieved."
After Jia Heng finished speaking, he didn't wait long, called Qingwen, and went to the side room to take a bath and change clothes. After washing off all the dust, he went to the study room, ready to read for a while.
Sure enough, the lights were on in the study room, and the adults and two children in the room were doing their own business, reading and playing chess.
It was Chen Xiao, Zhen Lan and Tan Chun.
It's just that Zhen Lan peeked at the girl sitting on the pearwood chair and wearing a flying fish costume from time to time. The narrow, clear eyes under the willow leaves' slender eyebrows flashed with bright light.
This Miss Xiao had been fighting with him when he was in Jiangnan, so she was undoubtedly his confidant.
Zhen Lan raised her eyebrows, put down the chess pieces in her hands, stood up, and greeted the general: "Brother Heng, you're back."
Jia Heng nodded, sat down, and asked, "What is Sister Lan'er doing?"
After that intimacy with the girl, she ignored Zhen Lan again, mainly because she wanted to show off her feelings.
Zhen Lan said: "I just had dinner. I had nothing to do for a while. I was playing chess with sister Tanchun. Brother Heng came back with sister Qin."
With that said, he picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Jia Heng.
Tan Chun stood up, his eyes sparkling under Yingli's eyebrows, and called, "Brother Heng."
Chen Xiao put down the book in his hand, stood up and came over. With an inexplicable look in his clear eyes, he said in a clear voice: "The Prince of Xining County has passed away."
Jia Heng said: "Let's go outside and talk."
Zhen Lan's face was slightly sluggish, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed, a hint of sadness filled her eyes, and she sighed in her heart.
Brother Heng doesn't believe her... and the third sister.
Thinking like this, I glanced at Tanchun and saw that under the girl's beautiful eyebrows, her bright eyes were filled with light, looking forward to Shenfei, seemingly unmoved.
Jia Heng and Chen Xiao left the study. They walked along the corridor to the wing where Chen Xiao lived, and sat in the hall talking.
Chen Xiao said: "After the death of the King of Xining County, there may be a disaster in Qinghai. Jin Xuan, the younger brother of the King of Xining County, has many descendants. He has established a strong foundation in Xining Mansion over the years and is quite coveted for the inheritance of the title of the King of Xining County."
"The lineage of Xining County Prince is in order. Where did Jin Xuan, the younger brother of Xining County Prince, come from?" Jia Heng frowned and asked.
Chen Xiao said: "The father of the Prince of Xining was a concubine back then, so he would inherit the prince's title. For example, the eldest son of the Prince of Xining has no adult male, so the second wife has no chance to inherit the title. The four princes are all hereditary, and they are the same as the country. They will not. As long as Jin Xiaoyu dies or asks to give up the title, the imperial court will most likely follow the trend and make Jin Xuan the king of Xining County. In short, Jin Xuan will command the hundreds of thousands of troops in Xining Prefecture. "
The Xining County Prince who passed away in this generation was the third generation Xining County Prince, while the second generation Xining County Prince inherited the title from a common branch.
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and then said thoughtfully: "If my uncle conspired to kill Jin Xiaoyu, wouldn't he be afraid of being held accountable by the court?"
Chen Xiao nodded and said: "It may not be a murder. If Jin Xiaoyu cannot suppress the Jin family, he will probably give in and compromise for the sake of the Jin family."
The father had a good relationship with the deceased Prince of Xining, but the relationship between King Zhao and Jin Xuan was also a life-and-death relationship. Jin Xuan's lineage was not cleansed at first, and it was also due to the improper position in the palace and not wanting to irritate the Prince of Xining who guarded the border.
Jia Heng looked thoughtful, feeling that the matter was quite complicated. There was indeed instability in Xining, but he couldn't spare any time to deal with the affairs of Xining Mansion.
Then he asked: "Over there in the south of the Yangtze River, where did Chen Yuan go?"
This person is a venomous snake, and he may bite someone at any time. Although the emperor has sent an old man in Jinyi who was effective in his early years to investigate, he is not optimistic about it.
"I don't know either. He has distrusted me since you went to rescue King Chu last time." Chen Xiao said in a low voice.
When Jia Heng heard this, he was silent for a moment, his eyes were a bit gloomy, and thoughts were swirling in his heart.
Some people wanted to ask Xiaoxiao what the White Lotus Sect was about, and who the White Lotus Virgin was, but after thinking about it, Xiaoxiao probably wouldn't tell him.
The identity of the White Lotus Virgin is really a mystery.
In other words, once the emperor's time as a Qiandi was involved, things became complicated and confusing.
Jia Heng said: "Liu Jixian has not returned from Nan Province. I will go to Datong after the Chinese New Year. Please help me pay attention to the news from Shanxi merchants."
Now the salt merchants have been crippled by him, and now there are still Shanxi merchants.
Chen Xiao whispered: "Shanxi merchants have had a close relationship with senior Jurchen officials over the years, and they also have contacts with Chen Yuan. You should be careful when you go to Datong next year."
When King Zhao was in Peiping, Shanxi merchants helped transport grain and grass. In other words, Shanxi merchants were originally the losers in the last heir apparent.
Seeing that the girl was hesitant to speak, Jia Heng asked, "What's wrong?"
Chen Xiao was silent for a moment and said: "Chen Yuan may have colluded with the Jurchens, so that when the north is in chaos, he is easy to draw chestnuts from the fire. You should also be on guard."
Jia Heng's eyes were dim, he stepped forward, took Chen Xiao's hand, and said, "Xiaoxiao, is this your plan?"
At this point, all the chaos in Dahan since the beginning of this spring suddenly became clear.
There was great chaos in the Central Plains. Bai Lian revolted and civil unrest spread across several provinces. Even if the civil unrest was suppressed, Chen Han's vitality would be severely damaged and he would lose control of the central government.
At that time, the Jurchens invaded, and the Chen and Han Dynasties were overwhelmed. At that time, the forces of the Zhou king in the capital camp began to rebel. Eventually, the kings of Xining County, King Qin, became the third assistant, and Chen Yuan may have invited the Supreme Emperor out of the palace again and established himself as emperor. Then clean up the mess.
Is this the major event that Chen Yuan and others wanted to plan in the past year?
Under Chen Xiao's eyebrows, his clear eyes dodge, and he whispered: "What's the big deal? Let me go."
Obviously she knew that this person had learned the whole story after a few prompts from her.
Jia Heng looked at the girl with beautiful and serene features and whispered, "Xiaoxiao."
As he spoke, the warm and soft breath came closer and touched the unrouged lips, and the cold and lotus-like breath came out in wisps.
Chen Xiao's bright eyebrows blinked, and when he was about to speak, his lips softened, he hummed softly, and finally closed his eyes.
After a while, Jia Heng looked at the girl with flushed cheeks, hugged her in his arms, and said, "Over there at Xining Mansion, do you want me to come to the palace to talk?"
The blush on Chen Xiao's cheeks faded slightly, and his voice was a bit colder, and he said: "No, if you tell me now, nothing can be changed in the palace. A disaster like Xiao Qiang is inevitable."
Only when chaos breaks out in the northwest will the man in the palace think of using him. Otherwise, it will be difficult for him to make contributions if everything is flat.
Jia Heng's expression paused, his eyes flickering, and he said: "I really can't spare my hands now, what about Jiubian?"
Chen Xiao said coldly: "Back then, King Zhao was in charge of Beiping and had a group of generals under his command. Although they were purged one after another, some of the old troops were still hidden and distributed throughout the nine sides. Chen Yuan has a list of these generals. This is his biggest confidence to succeed.”
The reason why Chen Yuan incited Bai Lian to revolt in the first place was to wait until the center of the Han Dynasty was overwhelmed by civil strife, so that he could raise troops at the critical moment.
"Don't look at me. I don't know who the people on this list are. This is his most important secret." Chen Xiao's eyes flashed and he said angrily.
She also has a group of her father's old subordinates scattered in the 12th Regiment Camp of the Beijing Camp. Although after so many years, they may not be willing to follow the uprising, but at a critical moment, when she explains his identity, she will not object to him taking that position. .
Many times, not opposing is a form of silent support.
The reason why Chen Yuan wanted to win over her was because of her father's old past.
Jia Heng's mind was going back and forth, he smiled and said, "I will stay in Beijing for a few more days, and then I will go to Jiangnan to preside over the division of borders and provinces. You don't have to follow me this time, so you don't have to worry about traveling back and forth."
Chen Xiao glanced at the young man and snorted coldly: "I'm too lazy to go there."
As for going south, apart from official duties, I'm afraid I'm going to meet the pregnant concubine of the Zhen family. Isn't it because she is getting in the way of the past?
Jia Heng said warmly: "Okay, don't be so depressed, I know you can't let me go."
Chen Xiao: "..."
Who can't bear to leave you? Talking to himself again.
He couldn't help but stretched out his hand to push Jia Heng's hand away, and said angrily: "Let go..."
Jia Heng kissed the girl's fragrant and tender cheek and said, "Xiaoxiao, after I leave Beijing, I will entrust you to take care of me here in Beijing."
Going to the Jiangnan branch to inspect the candidate for governor of Anhui will not actually take long. It just needs to be communicated with Li Shouzhong, and he will also talk to Li Wan after he goes to see Li Wan the day after tomorrow.
In the past few days, Feng and Wan lined up to entertain him, trying to avoid suspicion.
Regarding Sister Feng's brother Wang Ren, he hasn't thought of any business for him yet.
Jia Heng and Chen Xiao stayed together for a while, but did not stay much longer. They returned to the back house, not to the back house where Qin Keqing was, but to the wing where Third Sister You was.
Third Sister You was talking to Second Sister You. They were sitting side by side on the bed, with a steaming copper basin under their feet. The two sisters were washing their feet and talking in a low voice.
"Third sister, what date has been set?" Second sister You asked.
There was a hint of resentment on Sister You San's beautiful face, and she said: "The date is set, but it's not like I can't spare time these days. If I'm busy, it won't be easy for me."
As he spoke, he sighed quietly.
Ever since I entrusted him with my life that night, I haven't seen the uncle again in the past few days.
Second Sister You's soft and watery eyes were full of waves, and she joked: "Sister, all your wishes have come true now. It is the time when the spring breeze is triumphant. Why are you sighing?"
Although the third sister is a bit more aggressive, it is precisely this temperament that makes her win the first prize. It is so honorable to be a concubine for a man like Wuhou.
Third Sister You had a smile on her pretty face and said, "Second Sister, don't worry, I won't forget you."
Hearing this, Second Sister You's cheeks turned as red as clouds and said, "Don't tell me nonsense, it's a joke. How can anyone like me be so vulgar and pretty?"
Uncle Heng didn't seem to like her very much. He hadn't said a few words to her since she came to the house.
Third Sister You said: "My second sister has a dignified appearance. Why doesn't the uncle like her? Otherwise, why would he let the second sister live in the house?"
Second Sister You stared, looked at Third Sister You, and pursed her pink lips.
Third Sister You smiled and said: "It's just that there are too many beauties in pink hanging around in front of me, and he is busy with big things outside. How can he focus on us sisters?"
Second Sister You blushed and whispered: "I don't have that kind of intention. How can I be worthy of such a person with my background?"
"As my sister said, there is no way I am not worthy. When I get to bed, I will know that I am not worthy." Third Sister You whispered in the ear of the second sister.
Thinking of the close embrace that day, it felt like we were one with her.
Second Sister You couldn't stand the fierceness and fierceness of her younger sister. Her soft and graceful cheeks were as hot as fire and she said, "Sister... what are you talking about?"
Third Sister You looked at the blushing Second Sister You and said with a chuckle: "Second Sister, I can't handle Uncle Heng by myself. Please come and help me. When the time comes, we sisters can join forces and hold Uncle Heng tightly." Heart, don't let him be fascinated by those vixens outside."
Didn't she know her sister's thoughts? She had already fallen in love with the uncle, but she was reserved and didn't know where to start.
Second Sister You felt weak all over, spat lightly, and said angrily: "Stop talking nonsense, the maid and grandma in my house said that we two are the vixens."
The girl also listened to some gossip at the house.
Third Sister You took Second Sister You's hand, Yanye's face was filled with a smile, and she said: "Vixels also have to have a good color. Who told us sisters to be born with a good color? People also say that we are a pair of beauties." "
As he said that, he stretched out his hand to grab Sister You in front of her body and said, "Sister, as expected, she is older than me."
Second Sister You's cheeks turned red with embarrassment. She pushed away Third Sister You's playful hand and said, "Don't make trouble, I'm washing my feet."
"Girl, the uncle is here." Just as the two sisters were joking, a maid quickly walked in and whispered.
Jia Heng entered the wing, walked around a bamboo screen with a picture of the goddess scattering flowers, looked at the two sisters sitting on the bed washing their feet, and said, "Third sister, are you still asleep?"
Sister You, who was washing her feet, was blushing and her ears were hot. When she suddenly saw the young man, she lowered her head in shame.
"Crash..." Water splashed in the copper basin under his feet, and his feet seemed to have no way to hide.
Third Sister You took the cloth towel on the side, wiped the water stains on her feet first, put on the embroidered shoes, and said happily: "Why is uncle here?"
Jia Heng said: "Come here to see you, is the second sister here too?"
In fact, after becoming married to Sister You, I should come over and have a look, otherwise it would be a bit... heartless, but after all, I was too busy the past few days.
Second Sister You rubbed her feet as tender as lotus in two or two times, put her white as jade feet into her embroidered shoes, blushed with embarrassment on her soft and beautiful face, and said in a trembling voice: "Uncle Heng, talk to Third Sister. , I’ll go back to my room right now.”
With that said, he left the wing where Third Sister You was in a little hastily and headed towards the outside.
Third Sister You's eyes flashed, but she didn't pull Second Sister You, and said with a smile: "I sleep with my sister these days, and my uncle isn't here anyway, so I'm not used to having no one to hold me at night."
One day, she got her sister drunk and took off her clothes on the bed. She then deceived her uncle to get something good done.
After Second Sister You left, Jia Heng sat down next to Third Sister You, took Third Sister You's hand, and said softly: "I've been too busy these past two days."
Third Sister You turned her pretty face around and said with a smile, "I'm fine, but I should spend more time with my sister."
Jia Heng said softly: "She asked me to come over to you today on the carriage."
When Sanjie You heard this, the smile on her face froze, and she was moved in her heart. She said softly: "Uncle, Sister Qin has been here for so long, so she should have a child, but the uncle has been spending more time with Sister Qin than before. , continuing like this is not a long-term solution.”
Jia Heng took Sister You's hand and said, "As for the child, depending on what happens next month and month, I think it should be settled."
Third Sister You looked at the young man with soft and moist eyes, and said in a shy tone: "Then I will wait for you to rest."
As he said that, he helped Jia Heng untie the jade belt around his waist. Under the light of the lights, his pretty face looked as charming as a flower and radiant.
Jia Heng let Third Sister You untie her clothes and asked, "Have you told your mother at home?"
"Tell me, what Sister Qin means is that the engagement will be made the day after tomorrow, and we will choose a good and auspicious day, but it also depends on whether the uncle has time." Third Sister You unbuttoned Jia Heng's clothes, her jade cheeks blushing as she unbuttoned her clothes. , The shoulders are round and snow-white, and the coat is embroidered with large peonies. The snowy mountains are shadowy and graceful.
The silver character is Sheng, the heart is fragrant, and the flowing light can easily throw people away. The cherries are red and the bananas are green.
Jia Heng said warmly: "That's good."
He held the girl's smooth shoulder and brought it to her pink lips, shame overflowing from his palm.
While admiring the peonies, he raised his eyes for a moment and met the charming eyes full of autumn water, and said softly: "Third sister, have you missed me these days?"
In fact, we didn't have all the fun in Xianning, and Chan Yue was still a little scared, so she could only let Chan Yue watch one more time, but she would never learn to swim standing on the shore.
Third Sister You said "Hmm" as loudly as a mosquito, her crystal jade face was as hot as fire, and she was not as aggressive as before. In other words, no matter how aggressive a person is, they will become softer when facing the person they like.
The voice was soft and gentle: "Why don't you want to? It's just that I'm busy with state affairs, how can I indulge in the land of gentleness? When I'm busy, I just think of me in my heart."
The traces of resentment in my heart just now have already melted away in the sweet relationship.
Jia Heng stretched out his hand to gently caress the girl's cheek and said, "I'm really busy recently, but I'll come see you when I have time."
Sanjie You, with her pretty and charming cheeks blushing like a blush, responded softly, her heart filled with sweetness.
Jia Heng said softly "Yeah" without saying much.
There was a sense of shame in Sister You's eyebrows, and she felt her delicate body trembling, and she whispered: "Uncle, the lights, the lights haven't been put out yet."
Jia Heng's voice seemed a little unclear and he said: "It's okay if it's on. There's a light to illuminate, so you don't have to recognize the wrong person or go the wrong way."
Third Sister You: “…”
wrong person? Is this to prevent her from bringing in the second sister? Well, what do you mean by going the wrong way?
Jia Heng stretched out his hand and slowly lowered the curtain on the golden hook. After a while, the tassels fluttered slightly and the candle shadows shook red.
In the side room next to the wall, Second Sister You took off her clothes and lay on the bed with complicated thoughts, tossing and turning under the quilt. The ice silk sandalwood that was originally burning in the incense cage was not as peaceful as before.
Suddenly, his mind moved slightly, but a familiar voice came from the side room separated by a wall.
Second Sister You's cheeks gradually became as hot as fire, her face hesitated for a moment, she lifted the quilt, put on a piece of clothing, tiptoed to the wall and put her ear to the wall, held her breath, and listened attentively.
Sister, this is...
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the next door, which seemed to be intermittent and out of breath: "Uncle, I am really useless, how about I serve you with my second sister?"
Sister You put the handkerchief to her mouth, her heart in her throat, and listened quietly, but she didn't hear the man speak for a long time.
this? Is this considered a default?
(End of chapter)
