next day
The sky had just broken, and the morning light was slightly dewed. Golden morning rays shone over the square courtyard, seeming to dispel the biting cold wind and bring a touch of warmth to Jia's house. However, the maids and maids in each room were still shrinking. He tightened his neck and brought his hands to his mouth to breathe in the hot air.
Qichiyuan
In the side room, Jia Heng got up from the bed, held his dizzy forehead, quickly put on his clothes and shoes, went to the table, picked up a white porcelain teapot and prepared to pour himself a cup of tea.
As the sound of "crash" sounded, the tea soup came out from the spout of the pot, and the tea foam enveloped the fresh and tender tea leaves, which also made Jia Heng's thoughts drift away.
Li Wan is actually different from Zhen Xue and Zhen Qing. Xue'er is as gentle as water and can use it with moderation.
But the lady-in-law, who is like a dead tree and ashes, seems to be brewing a spark. Why is she helpless in the middle? That's because she can feel like an active volcano that has been dead for a long time, containing magma that burns everything.
It's just the first acquaintance, not that far yet.
If this continues, you will be dignified on the outside but dignified on the inside...
I can only lament once again that feudal ethics harm people.
Jia Heng suppressed some of the messy thoughts in his heart, his eyes were focused, and he felt something in his heart. He suddenly raised his eyes to look at the pretty girl behind the bead curtain, and asked: "Sister Lan, when did you come here?"
As he spoke, he picked up the tea cup and took a sip, his expression as usual.
Zhen Lanming's eyes flashed, and she looked at the young man with a surprised expression, and asked curiously: "Why is Brother Heng here? When did you come back last night?"
Jia Heng put down the tea cup and said softly: "I don't remember either. I just saw you sleeping soundly last night, so I didn't wake you up."
Zhen Lan said "Oh", and Fangxin subconsciously felt suspicious. She blinked her narrow eyes, but she couldn't see any clues. She said softly: "Then I will prepare hot water for Brother Heng to wash up."
Jia Heng didn't say much. He picked up the tea cup on the table and took a sip. His face was as dark as water, and he was still thinking about Li Wan.
Li Wan is actually easy to deal with. This is actually relatively common among high-ranking families, but it is not on the table.
It seems that I will have to treat Jialan well in the future.
After a while, Zhen Lan came back with a basin of hot water in her hand and said softly: "Brother Heng, the hot water is ready. Let's wash your face first."
Jia Heng nodded, took the copper basin and said, "Where is Qingwen?"
Qingwen had always taken care of his daily life, but now she was obviously missing.
Zhen Lan said softly: "Brother Heng is usually not in Qichi Courtyard, and Qingwen has not come to the courtyard. However, Brother Heng has been staying in Qichi Courtyard these two days, so Xu should come over these two days."
At this moment, the curtain was lifted, and a distinctive voice came, saying: "Master, are you calling me?"
I saw the girl twisting her waist into the hall, glanced at Zhen Lan, and said: "Miss Lan, I don't dare to keep you busy with these menial tasks."
Jia Heng looked at the tall girl who pouted her cherry lips, and said with a smile: "Qingwen, let the kitchen prepare breakfast. I will have some food later and go to the capital camp."
Zhen Lan whispered: "Brother Heng, I have already informed you about breakfast."
Qingwen glanced at Zhen Lan at this time, snorted softly, then came to the teapot and said: "Sir, this tea is not hot anymore."
She just doesn't want to see the Zhen sisters these days. The two sisters live in Qichi Courtyard. Why does she stay here? She is just a maid serving them?
Jia Heng picked up the handkerchief and wiped his hands, and said softly: "Is there any? It seems that it was a little warm when I drank it just now. I didn't notice it. I just changed the pot."
"Sister, it's so early." At this moment, Zhen Xi, who was covering her mouth with a soft hand and yawning, opened the bead curtain and entered the hall. When she saw Jia Heng, she said, "Brother Heng?"
Jia Heng said softly: "You came back last night, please put on more clothes in the morning so you don't catch a cold."
Zhen Xi said softly: "Brother Heng, it's quite warm in this room. Nothing is wrong."
Jia Heng asked: "Have you finished the letter I asked you to write yesterday?"
"It's done. Bring it to Brother Heng." Zhen Xi said quickly, then turned over and went to the desk, took the envelope and handed it over.
Jia Heng said: "Put it on the table first and take it with me when I leave."
Afterwards, after breakfast with Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi, they went to the front yard without lingering much. While instructing Qingwen to prepare hot water for bathing and changing clothes, he left the Grand View Garden and headed to the study.
Arriving at the study in the backyard of Ningguo Mansion, Chen Xiao walked over lightly and said, "Just now, Li Shu from Jinyi Mansion sent someone over early in the morning, saying that Qu Lang came back from Shandong this morning."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "I'll go to Jinyi Mansion later."
Chen Xiao looked at Jia Heng and said softly: "In the past two days, the Jiangnan branch has been discussed in Beijing. There has been a lot of discussion recently."
Jia Heng said: "How did you say that?"
Chen Xiao said: "The capital is debating the candidates for the governors of Anhui and Jiangsu provinces. It is safe to say that the governor of Jiangsu can be replaced by the governor of Jiangnan, but it is still open to question whether the new governor of Anhui will be replaced by Xu Shikui, the chief envoy of Jiangzuo."
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "The selection of Xinjiang ministers has to be discussed by the imperial court and the Ministry of Cabinet. Random guesses are completely misleading."
Chen Xiao's clear eyes flashed under her beautiful eyebrows, looking at Jia Heng uncomfortably, and said, "Are you planning to recommend Li Shouzhong?"
Jia Heng: "..."
He didn't seem to remember telling Xiaoxiao. Where did he get this news?
Yes, he hasn't bathed or changed clothes since last night, Xiaoxiao, so this is a dog nose.
Chen Xiao took a deep look at Jia Heng and did not reveal anything about the banquet in Daoxiang Village last night. Instead, he said with a cold face: "You should go south early and deal with business. Although I haven't been home for a few days recently, you have been a little too indulgent."
During the time at home, one disaster would happen every two or three days. At this rate, the trouble would be all over for the eldest girl and the young daughter-in-law in the garden.
Jia Heng looked a little unnatural and said softly: "I will leave in the next two days. There is nothing to do in the capital. I don't plan to stay at home."
Apart from Tanchun passing a message to Aunt Zhao, wanting to invite him to dinner and talking about Jia Huan, there seemed to be nothing else going on at home.
This trip to Jiangnan is not only to preside over the affairs of the provinces, but also to inspect the navy again. We must prepare for the war in the spring next year.
This battle is about his life and death, honor and disgrace, so he needs to prepare early.
"This is the distribution of the eight Shanxi merchants' businesses in the capital and various prefectures and counties in Shanxi. If you take a look, you may have some idea." Chen Xiao admonished, and as he spoke, he took a bag from the cowhide bag he carried with him. Zhang map.
After hearing this, Jia Heng took the album, calmed down, and looked at the map records above.
The eight merchant families of Shanxi mainly include Qiao, Chang, Cao, Hou, Qu, Kang, Fan and Kong.
That is, the Qiao family in Qixian County, the Chang family in Yuci, the Cao family in Taigu, the Hou family in Jiexiu, the Qu family in Qixian County, the Kang family in Linfen, the Fan family in Jiexiu and the Kong family in Taigu.
Among them, the Linfen Kang family is known as the richest man in Shanxi. It is said that the family's assets amount to tens of millions of taels. Their main business is selling salt, selling grain and opening pawn shops. The eight Shanxi merchants have many shops in Shanxi, Datong and even Shenjing.
Jia Heng flipped through the album, looked at the beautiful girl, and praised, "This album is much clearer than the text. Xiaoxiao is thoughtful."
Chen Xiaoni glanced at Jia Heng and said coldly: "Go to Jiangnan earlier and come back earlier. It's best not to wait until after the new year for Datong. Make a decision as soon as possible to avoid being in a hurry in the future."
Indulging in women every day, do you still have time to take care of business?
Facing those sharp clear eyes, Jia Heng nodded and said, "I think so too."
It's really not possible without Xiaoxiao to take care of him, but Qing and the others don't dare to take care of him.
At this moment, a maid said from under the eaves of the outer corridor: "Master, the angel from the palace is here."
Jia Heng and Chen Xiao looked at each other and said, "I'm going to take a look."
There was some speculation in his mind, maybe the imperial edict sending him to Jiangnan had already been sent.
At this moment, in the flower hall covered with Persian carpets in the front yard, Xiang Daiquan of the Daming Palace was sitting on a pearwood chair and drinking tea, escorted by several internal guards in rich robes.
"Eunuch Dai." Jia Heng entered the hall and saluted Quan Eunuch, who was wearing a red python robe.
Dai Quan stood up, bowed, and said with a bright smile on his fair face: "Jiahou, Your Majesty has a purpose."
Jia Heng quickly paid homage with great ceremony and said, "I accept the order."
Dai Quan unfolded the yellow silk with a brush, and then recited in a high-pitched voice: "The emperor is destined to be carried by heaven, and the rule is... Jiangnan is a vast area, with complex personnel and complicated government affairs. There are many yamen and the power of affairs is unclear. , I intend to reorganize the territory, establish the provincial vassal system as Anhui and Jiangsu provinces, and select good ministers as governors of Anhui to oversee the towns. Therefore, I send Yongning Marquis as an imperial envoy to go to the south of the Yangtze River to specialize in dividing provinces and opening up frontiers. , deposed the magistrates of the two provinces, prefectures and counties, and admired this."
The meaning of the imperial edict is very simple, which is to send Jia Heng as an imperial envoy to Jinling to preside over the Jiangnan branch.
But this actually involves not only the demarcation of territory, but also the screening, differentiation and retention of Jiangnan officials. Otherwise, if it is simply divided into two provinces, it will still be difficult to check and balance the tendency of southern scholars to unite.
Jia Heng said: "I obey the order, long live long live long live long live."
Dai Quan delivered the imperial edict and said: "Jiahou, your majesty said that for the new naval divisions such as the Jiangnan and Jiangbei camps, Yongninghou can hold the emperor's sword and supervise military affairs. This is the responsibility of the military aircraft, so there is no need to issue a special imperial edict. "
This of course means trust and reliance.
Jia Heng put on a facelift and said respectfully, "I will remember the Holy Father's instructions."
Dai Quan smiled and said: "Then we won't stay too long and will return to the palace to resume my duties."
"Eunuch Dai, go slowly." Jia Heng said, sending Dai Quan off.
…
…
Grand View Garden, Daoxiang Village
On the embroidered couch surrounded by curtains, the serene beauty's curved eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she heard a "嘤咛" sound, as if she suddenly woke up, her beautiful eyes opened quickly, and there was lingering between her originally soft eyebrows. The confused look gradually disappeared and turned into shame.
She...she had a dream yesterday.
However, the feeling of an endless river last night lingered in my mind, truly reminding the young woman Hua Xin that it was not a dream at all.
Just when I was about to stand up with one arm, I suddenly felt that my whole body was as soft as a ball of mud, and suddenly I couldn't use any strength at all. My two fair and slender legs were trembling slightly, and the blush on my face was gradually fading. , heavy and red like haze, beautiful for no reason.
This...this is really unseemly.
The young woman Hua Xin felt ashamed, secretly spat, calmed down her strength, lifted up the quilt, and quietly got up. When the blushing aura around her hit her, she couldn't control herself anymore and quickly put on her dress. .
But with just such a twist, the peach blossoms on both sides of the crystal jade face turned red and bright.
At this time, Suyun and Biyue heard the movement in the wing and came in from the outside softly. The two maids' jade cheeks were slightly red, they lowered their heads and whispered: "Grandma, wash up."
Li Wan's face was serene and her beautiful eyes were as bright as water. She pursed her pink lips and said, "Suyun, what time is it?"
But as soon as the young woman Hua Xin opened her mouth, she was startled again by her somewhat soft and greasy voice.
Suyun didn't take it seriously and said softly: "Go back to grandma, it's the end of the year."
Biyue came forward to support Li Wan and said, "Grandma, get up. I'll help grandma wash up."
Li Wan said "hmm" and did not dare to say any more. He put on his embroidered shoes and adjusted his clothes. At this moment, the spring charm on his cheeks with disheveled temples had not faded, and the clouds of rosy clouds had dispersed. His face, which was clearly not smeared with any rouge, seemed to be blurred. Wakagushi Nai looks like she has been washed, white and rosy, and breathtakingly beautiful.
The two maids were both maids when they were in the boudoir. They can be said to be Li Wan's confidants. And even if Jia Heng's identity is not mentioned, the two maids know better than anyone the difficulties Li Wan has suffered in these years.
Therefore, neither of them made any mistakes. One came forward with hot water and the other tidied it up gently. Only when they saw the mess on the sheets did they blush with embarrassment.
This...grandma has wet the bed.
Li Wan was still a little shy at first, but as time passed, he gradually tried to treat it as normal. He washed his face, brushed his teeth with a wicker branch, and then said: "Prepare some hot water, I... I will wait." Take a bath."
There is no energy inside or outside at the moment.
Biyue said softly: "The hot water is ready. Grandma will just take a bath later."
Li Wan said "Yeah", sighed quietly in his heart, and suddenly asked in surprise: "Why don't you see Aunt Cao?"
Su Yun said: "Auntie went to the old lady's place to pay her respects early in the morning."
When Li Wan heard this, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then was startled and said, "Have you paid your respects to the old lady?"
Isn't this just an accusation against her?
Suyun lowered her voice and said: "Grandma, don't worry. The old lady likes to talk to aunt. Miss Wen and Miss Qi went to Lixiangyuan early in the morning."
Li Wan nodded, then felt ashamed and said angrily: "Am I worried?"
She was now afraid that her aunt would turn around and make fun of her.
In fact, Mr. Cao is also a good person. In other words, even if it was just a joke, he shouldn't come here at this time. At least, he had to wait until Li Wan and Jia Heng were in love. It would be unsightly to scare the snake just once now.
Li Wan didn't say much to the two maids. Instead, he came to the dressing table, looked at the peach-like beauty in the bronze mirror, and gently touched the breathtaking beauty flowing out of the corners of his eyes. He felt both joy and worry. .
Ah, this is too gorgeous... no one can tell the difference.
"Grandma, the hot water is ready." Su Yun called softly, pulling Li Wan out of his chaotic thoughts.
Li Wan responded softly, then looked towards the back room, looked at Suyun and Biyue, and whispered: "You put your clothes here, I will do it myself."
Suyun and Biyue responded without saying much, and then left the wing.
In the past, two maids would wait on Li Wan to take a bath.
Li Wan took off his skirt and lowered his shoulders as he lowered his eyes to look at Yingyue. His heart skipped a beat, clearly remembering the hazy dream he had last night again.
Then, when you touch it, which is round and crisp, you can seem to feel a faint red mark on the back, and the sound of the bamboo branches breaking is vaguely in your ears.
I don't know if he was thinking deeply, but in a daze, he couldn't help but pat him lightly. Immediately, Li Wan reacted, and his bare hands almost felt like being electrocuted, and his jade cheeks were as hot as fire.
She was really stunned, how could she be so shameless?
Li Wan secretly spat at himself, and without stopping, he quickly entered the warm water with a "swish" sound. The steaming heat in the barrel covered a face that was more delicate than a flower, and his beautiful eyebrows were slightly drooped. , gently washing the body with water, while his eyes were dim and his thoughts were complicated.
He looked very reluctant last night, but...
I really didn't dare to think too much. I suppressed the turbulent thoughts in my heart. Suddenly I remembered something. Her jade face changed slightly. It was as dark as a pearl last night. I'm afraid it was a big scandal.
Probably not, but since Qing has been without a child for so long, she won't be either.
In fact, Jia Heng was too busy to forget about it last night, and finally it was transformed internally into his heart and externally into his actions.
Li Wan didn't dare to think too much, stretched out his slender hands, and gently rubbed the water on his beautiful neck. Under the reflection of the water, the smooth and delicate skin seemed to be a little sparkling, and the water beads washed away the makeup and powder, which seemed to be gone. Things are washed away, but the imprint in my heart is like a steel seal of thought.
In the future, whether Lang Geer takes the imperial examination, becomes an official, or does something else, his uncle Heng will probably treat him well. In this way, her hard work will not be in vain.
Yes, she did all this for Lang Ge'er. If it weren't for Lang Ge'er, she wouldn't have entertained Zi Yu last night, wouldn't have gotten drunk, and wouldn't have used alcohol to seduce him.
The young woman Huaxin kept telling herself in her heart.
In other words, after waking up, the constraints from secular ethics are almost like invisible shackles that are tightly entangled and cannot be taken off.
Li Wan sighed softly, his eyes dazed.
It turned out to be the last time.
…
…
On the other side, Jia Heng accepted Dai Quan's imperial edict, returned to the study, and met Chen Xiao's searching eyes.
Jia Heng put down the imperial edict and sighed: "Since the imperial edict has been issued, let's set out tomorrow."
Chen Xiao nodded and warned: "Then you go back and look for the demon concubine in Jinling. It's best to be cautious and don't let anyone see the clues."
The demon concubine of the Zhen family has a big belly. If she keeps close contact with her, some people may suspect that she has stained the blood of the Tian family. This crime is not a joke.
Jia Heng was silent for a moment and then said: "Xinxin is still in the south. There was no reason why I went there. Besides, I will pay attention."
This was still in the first three months, a dangerous day, and he would not take it lightly or seriously.
Chen Xiao said warmly: "I'll keep an eye on this side of the capital for you. You can go without worries."
"Then I'll leave this to you." Jia Heng nodded and said, "I'll go to Jinyi Mansion to meet Qu Lang later."
At this time, Qingwen called for hot water to be ready. Jia Heng returned to the wing to take a brief bath, then changed into a new python suit, and then returned to the inner hall of the backyard, planning to talk to Qin Keqing about going south.
(End of chapter)
