Ningguo Mansion
A bright moon hangs high in the sky, shining on the black tiles on the eaves. The glass in the eyes of the owl-kissed beasts on the winding roof seems to be shining. In the west window wing of the southeast corner of the back house of Ningguo Mansion, the candlelight is bright and bright. In the beautifully furnished and luxurious interior, a peony flower is in full bloom on a glass mica screen.
In the inner room, the husband and wife were sitting side by side on the bed, talking quietly.
The maid Baozhu brought a copper basin of hot water, bent down and whispered: "Grandma, uncle, it's time to wash your feet."
Jia Heng looked at the beauty beside him and said, "But Qing, let's wash our feet and go to bed early."
Qin Keqing responded and chuckled: "It's getting late."
Sanjie You knelt down and said with a smile: "Sister, let me wash your feet."
Qin Keqing said softly: "Third sister, just let the treasure come."
Third Sister You smiled and said, "I was supposed to serve my sister."
In a wealthy family, concubines do regard themselves as slaves to the head of the house. Of course, the head of the Jia family is more tolerant.
Qin Keqing couldn't resist Third Sister You's enthusiasm, so he could only let Third Sister You put on her shoes and socks.
After a while, Baozhu also entered the side room with a basin of hot water and waited on Jia Heng to wash it.
Baozhu and Ruizhu slowly lowered the hanging curtains and added ice silk and agarwood chips to the smoke cage.
Qin Keqing wiped off the water stains on her feet, and with the help of Jia Heng, she lay quietly in the inner compartment. Seeing the gentle smile between her eyes, the beauty asked: "Husband, Zhong'er is not even that old." Xiao, I'm thinking of setting a marriage for him, what do you think, husband?"
Jia Heng said: "Okay, which girl did you fall in love with?"
Not the girl in the garden? Do you want to stop me?
Not talking about Xing Xiuyan, just talking about Li Wen and Li Qi, they are actually at the age of many people.
Well, probably not.
Under Qin Keqing's beautiful eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were slightly gleaming, and she chuckled: "Dad told me that she is the niece of a distant nephew of Zhao Shangshu."
Jia Heng asked in surprise: "Which Minister Zhao?"
"That's Zhao Yi, the official of the Ministry of Industry." Qin Keqing said softly.
Jia Heng thought thoughtfully and said softly: "That is also a scholarly family. It's just that my father-in-law and Zhao Yi work together in the same government office. Will there be any gossip about such a marriage?"
In fact, Qin Zhong and Shuiyue'an's intelligence are related to each other, but Qin Zhong's fate has obviously changed somewhat compared to the original work.
A thoughtful look appeared on Qin Keqing's jade face, and she said: "She seems to be a distant niece. She is far away, so it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, my father is old and has not been an official in the Ministry of Industry for a few years."
Jia Heng smiled and said: "In that case, I will help Jing Qing write the marriage certificate some other day. The key is whether Jing Qing can like it. After all, it is better for you to live your own life or to like yourself."
"I've met that girl before, and Jing Qing also likes her." Qin Keqing said with a smile.
Looking at his wife's sweet smile, Jia Heng's eyes flashed, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of peace in his heart.
He gently stroked Qin Keqing's belly and said, "I'll listen to you child."
Qin Keqing said "hmm" and then looked at the young man leaning against his bulging belly. His plump and soft face smiled lightly, and a feeling of happiness and sweetness surged in his heart.
At this time, Third Sister You also put on her clothes, lifted the quilt and entered the bed.
This bed was originally spacious and comfortable, and now that the three of them were lying on it, it didn't seem crowded at all.
As the couple talked, Qin Keqing took Jia Heng's hand, her face as beautiful as a spring flower turned red inexplicably, and said softly: "Husband, it's night, let's have a rest."
In fact, she also missed her husband a little during this period, but after hearing the medical officer say that she was pregnant, she could not have sex, but she still missed her husband for some reason.
Jia Heng turned to the side and looked at Sister You, who appeared to be unbuttoning her clothes, revealing a light green dress, and said, "Let's rest together."
Because of the hot weather, the curtains were not lowered. The three of them got on the soft mattress and lowered the curtains from the golden hooks.
Jia Heng lay on the bed, hugging Qin Keqing and talking in a low voice.
Suddenly, his face paused, and he looked at the girl with the hairpin on her bun swaying slightly and her hair coiled down, and asked, "Where did you learn this, Third Sister?"
Third Sister You spoke vaguely, took a breath, and said, "Master, don't you always ask Qingwen to take care of you?"
Under Qin Keqing's half-smiling gaze, Jia Heng looked a little unnatural and said, "Qingwen is still young, so it's not easy to lose her body too early. Sometimes she can't help but be greedy."
Qin Keqing tilted her blushing face to the side and said softly: "She has been with her husband for two or three years. When will he come into the room?"
Jia Heng said softly: "Actually, I'm not in a hurry. The third sister's marriage, heh..."
It seems that when the marriage is mentioned, Third Sister You is a little emotionally unstable, and it is inevitable that the matter will be lost.
Third Sister You raised her beautiful face, her eyes filled with mist, and said, "I'm so busy lately, it doesn't matter if I wait a little longer."
As he spoke, the hairpin between the temples swayed again, the jade cheeks sometimes sunk and sometimes stretched, under the beautiful eyebrows, the curved eyelashes covered a cluster of shadows, and the cheek skin on both sides of the Qiong nose was already as red as rouge, as bright as spring flowers.
Jia Heng thought for a while and said softly: "I don't have much time recently, so third sister, there's no need to be too anxious. It's just a formality."
Third Sister You looked condescendingly at the young man's face. After a while, he led the boat into the harbor and said, "It's okay to hold the wedding when the uncle has free time."
Qin Keqing looked to the side of the young man, whose brows were frowning and relaxing, and whose temples were slightly sweating. He leaned into his ear and said, "Husband, from now on, when sister Xianning comes over, your husband will usually run away."
Jia Heng was surprised and asked: "Xianning, have you never met her before? She is usually very easy to get along with."
Xianning became a legal couple after the marriage, and he was probably very attached to her. Fortunately, Keqing was pregnant, otherwise he wouldn't have known how to think about it.
Qin Keqing's face showed a look of reminiscence. Listening to the strange voice in his ears, for some reason, he felt Fang's heart beating a little too hard, and her delicate body felt hot. He said, "When the empress in the palace gave me things, I saw her once or twice." , it seems much easier to talk to."
Jia Heng said: "It will be better if you get along more often. She has no airs."
Qin Keqing glanced at Third Sister You who was getting better and better, and said angrily: "How to get along? Are you like Third Sister?"
I don’t know why, but when I saw my husband with another woman... he felt a little weird. Maybe it was too hot today?
"I didn't say it, you said it yourself." Jia Heng's face paused slightly, he almost sat up in a deathly illness, and quickly denied it.
Qin Keqing snorted and said quietly: "When Sister Xianning and Sister Chanyue come over, I'm afraid that my husband will stay at the princess's house every day, and I don't know how happy he will be. Then he won't be able to go back home."
After all, she is a charming woman who is good at flirting with women. Now she has real feelings, and there is a bit of indescribable charm in her.
Jia Heng looked at Qin Keqing, who was clinging to her like a waterweed, gently touched her shoulder, and whispered: "Okay, I'm full of vinegar, but don't make the child sour."
Qin Keqing: "..."
Why is she jealous? Well, she was a little worried that that day, Huang Guizhou, the imperial daughter of the clan, relied on her status to only favor her husband.
Jia Heng said: "Okay."
After saying that, he patted Sister You San's curly hair, and the girl with flying hair opened her eyes. The sweat in her hair dispersed the makeup, and she looked surprised.
Up to now, it has actually been three months for Keqing.
"Husband, child." Qin Keqing's beautiful face changed slightly, her pink teeth bit her pink lips, and she said in a trembling voice, clearly feeling that the wanderer who had been wandering outside for half a year clicked the copper ring on the red door.
"Well, a snack is nothing," Jia Heng said softly, stroking his slightly bulging belly.
After all, there is Sister You beside him who can come to the rescue, mainly to comfort Keqing's lovesickness.
Qin Keqing said "hmm", her cheeks were as red as blood, she turned slightly sideways, gently caressed her bulging belly, and let Jia Heng do it.
The night is already dark, and it’s almost time to give birth to a child.
The bright moon in the sky has long been obscured by clouds. Looking from a high altitude, the green brick and black-tiled houses in the courtyard of Ningguo Mansion are dotted with sparks. It is the lanterns under the eaves that decorate the vast Ningguo Mansion.
The cool summer breeze blows back and forth, carrying the hot summer air, slowly walking through the flowers. The lotus in the pond is swaying, and crystal morning dew shakes off the lotus leaves, falling on the lake, creating ripples in circles, and it is fragrant. The fragrance emanates silently.
…
…
next day
Jia Heng stood up, changed into a python suit with an embroidered coat of arms, stood up and came to the bronze mirror, looking at the tall and handsome young man with sharp eyebrows, sharp eyes, rosy cheeks, and a handsome face. Feeling refreshed.
I will never feel the emotion of being hurt by wine and sex.
After calling the maid to wash up, she was ready to have breakfast.
"Uncle, Uncle Zhongqin, General Cai and General Dong are here." At this time, a maid entered the hall and reported.
Because during the Taizong period of the Chen Han dynasty, he had once awarded the title of Zhongyong Bo to the generals. Therefore, although Xie Zaiyi was extremely brave, he still changed the title to the word "Zhongqin" to encourage him not to slack off.
Jia Heng ordered: "Introduce people to the outer study. I will change my clothes and be there in a moment."
A few days have passed since I returned to Beijing, but I haven't seen Xie Zaiyi and Cai Quan yet.
Because apart from calling people from the Jia clan to worship and pray for their ancestors, he did not hold any banquets to celebrate his elevation to the title of Duke, nor did he send out invitations widely.
The former worships ancestors and comforts the family temple, and no one can find anything wrong with this, but the latter seems to be flamboyant by sending out invitations widely and inviting civil and military officials to celebrate.
These are all recipes for disaster.
The maid took Jia Heng's order and ran quickly towards the flower hall in the front yard.
In the hall, several young military attaches sat on nanmu chairs, drinking tea and waiting.
The great Han Zhongqin Bo Xie Zaiyi was now wearing military officer robes, and Shen Yi had a look of thought on his face.
In fact, since he was granted the title of Bo, Xie Zaiyi obviously felt that he was incompatible with the four kings and eight princes of the old martial arts system of the Han Dynasty.
In the previous celebration banquet, except for the generals and commanders in the Beijing camp who came to celebrate, there were no civil servants or veteran military officers. It was obvious that they were being squeezed out and treated coldly by the veteran military forces.
This is actually due to the lack of political foundation. Even in the political map of the Han Dynasty, it is classified as Jia Heng's party.
If there is no Duke of Wei, Xie is still paying tribute to Ma Bian at the gate of the city. What do you want to do?
Xie Zaiyi thought so.
Not far away, Cai Quan, who was sitting at attention, his face glowing red and his heart inexplicably excited.
It can be said that the past few days have been a happy one. Three years ago, he was an ordinary member of a hundred households in the capital camp. Now he has been promoted to the governor and magistrate of the first camp, and his title has been promoted to baron.
Dong Qian put down the tea cup in his hand and accidentally saw Xie Zaiyi, with a trace of envy in his eyes.
This time he accompanied the army on the northern expedition. Although he made some achievements, he was not awarded a title. He filled the vacancy of a general in the Central Guard Army.
Not long after the three of them were led to the study by the maid, they heard steady and powerful footsteps coming from under the corridor eaves. Xie Zaiyi raised his eyes and looked at the young man in the python suit with reverence. He cupped his fists and said, "See you later." Handsome during the holidays.”
Cai Quan and Dong Qian also approached and saluted the young man with clasped fists.
Jia Heng stepped forward to hold Xie Zaiyi's arm and said with a smile: "We are all brothers, no need to be polite."
Several people sat down again, and Xie Zaiyi said with concern in his eyes: "How did Marshal Ji deliver the letter to the palace yesterday?"
Cai Quan and Dong Qian also cast doubtful glances at the young man.
This Jingying Jiedu envoy did a good job. Why did he deliver messages to the palace before? Could it be that something happened again in the DPRK?
Jia Heng looked calm and said slowly: "Some people are secretly stirring up public opinion and want to slander me. I want to be in charge of the capital camp and have more energy to take care of me. I might as well concentrate on planning side affairs and submit my resignation to the palace. But for Rejected by the Holy Spirit.”
After hearing this, Xie Zaiyi suddenly saw anger rising on his face and said: "These civil servants, when the Eastern captives were wreaking havoc in northern Xinjiang, they were not seen going into battle to fight against the captives. Now that the world is just peaceful, they come out to cause trouble again. "
Mentioning this matter, Cai Quan said angrily: "When I went to the Ministry of War in the past few days, I saw some cunning officials who spoke in strange accents. It's really hateful!"
"It's not just civil servants, there are also some founding warriors who are jealous of our brothers' victory in conquering the captives." Jia Heng said.
Xie Zaiyi's eyes flashed coldly and he said: "Commander Jie means the Prince of Nan'an County?"
Jia Heng said softly: "We have won the battle and have more and more authority in military affairs. However, the Prince of Nan'an County and others see our brothers as a thorn in their side and a thorn in their flesh."
Xie Zaiyi frowned and asked: "Unknown Commander, what are your next plans?"
Jia Heng said coldly: "Don't pay attention to them for now. We brothers will continue step by step, pacify the captives and defend the barbarians. When the time is right, we will make further arguments."
Xie Zaiyi nodded and said: "Although the Donglu have gone through a great battle, their roots have not been damaged. They may come back after a year or two of rest. When there are more troops in the future, we will see who will be the pillar of the country!"
Cai Quan nodded and agreed: "Brother Xie is right. How corrupt have the founding martial arts been in recent years? Their corpses are indiscriminate, and they are jealous of the wise and capable. Who knows about the civil and military forces of the entire dynasty?"
Jia Heng pondered and said: "Recent intelligence from Jinyi Mansion shows that Donglu will cause trouble in the northwest. You have recently looked at some maps of the northwest's mountain and river geography. You may not know when they will be used."
Judging from some of the information Xiaoxiao has given him in the past two days, it is only a matter of time before the war in the northwest begins. If Nan'an County Prince and other founding warriors are defeated, the northwest will be pacified with thunderous force.
Xie Zaiyi said softly: "Jie Shuai, don't worry."
Jia Heng said: "Tomorrow, I will go to the capital camp to see a group of generals. Although we have won a great victory recently, we must not be arrogant and training must not be interrupted. I will go to the capital camp to supervise the army in the next few days."
The three of them nodded in agreement.
Jia Heng also told a few people to keep a low profile recently, took a look at the sky outside, and said: "I will go to the palace later to celebrate the Queen's birthday, so I won't keep you any longer."
In fact, in this canon, Madam Gaoming should go to the palace to celebrate, but he also has an identity, that is, Xianning's consort, and Keqing is pregnant, so he can only go there in person.
Xie Zaiyi, Cai Quan, Dong Qian and others heard this and said goodbye.
Palace Garden, Kunning Palace
It is the Dragon Boat Festival, and today is the birthday of the Queen of Song Dynasty. The six palaces and palaces in the harem have been decorated with lights and colors, hung with silk and draped in silk fabrics, creating a lively and noisy scene.
And some palace maidens in bright dresses walked back and forth between the palaces holding jade ruyi and various tea fruits and snacks.
The Empress of the Song Dynasty was dressed in rich clothes and had a beautiful appearance. The cloud bun decorated with a jade crown was majestic and gorgeous. There were no traces of time on her delicate face. Instead, after the accumulation of time, her eyebrows and eyes were plump and gorgeous. The charm flows silently.
The beauty who has given birth to two sons has a plump figure, and the full moon trembles under her fair white neck.
At this moment, Empress Song was receiving congratulations from some imperial concubines, while Concubine Duanrong and other concubines were sitting beside her to accompany her.
In addition, Mrs. Rong Guotai was also accompanied by Mrs. Wang, sitting aside with a smile, talking to several Mrs. Gaoming who were also elderly, with chicken skin and gray hair from time to time.
Princess Nan'an was not here, so she asked Princess Luo of Nan'an County to pay her respects.
"Your Majesty, Duke Wei is here." Xia Shouzhong approached, bowed and respectfully saluted Empress Song.
Now that Wei Guozheng is favored, the princess and the princess are favored, the Jia family is even more popular, and he has a niece. If he is promised the jade in the Jia Jia Rong Mansion, his status in the palace will be more stable. ?
In fact, it was time for Baoyu to make a marriage arrangement, and it was better for wealthy families to get engaged earlier in the morning.
When Queen Song heard that Jia Heng had arrived, she had snow-skinned skin and beautiful face, and a bright smile on her gorgeous face, she called out softly: "Xuan."
Several palace maids in the palace also raised the screen to cover the ladies and concubines who were sitting on the embroidered piers on both sides.
Not long after, Jia Heng, wearing a black and red python suit and a wingless crown with a mountain shape on his head, walked into the hall under the attention of everyone in the hall, stood upright, and bowed to the graceful beauty. , said: "I have seen the empress, the empress is a thousand years old, a thousand years old, a thousand years old."
As for the gift list, it had just been delivered to the internal prison waiting outside the palace.
Seeing the young man in python suit who was as tall and tall as a orchid orchid tree, Empress Song felt a trace of joy in her heart for no reason. She smiled sweetly and said with soft eyes, "Ziyu is free to stand down."
Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue were sitting on the chairs below, talking. At this moment, they all looked over, with joy in their clear eyes.
Queen Song's beautiful eyes were full of concern, and she asked softly: "Ziyu, why don't you see Mrs. Qin?"
Jia Heng didn't squint his eyes and said loudly: "Back to your Majesty, Zhuo Jing is pregnant with Liujia. Her body is getting heavier and heavier. She is raising her baby at home. I am unable to congratulate you. Please forgive me."
He had better keep to himself, since the emperor treated him well after all.
I'd better get rid of the feeling of "Empress Song is here and she won't let her go until she has two children".
But while his eyes were drooping, his eyes still staggered unavoidably on the ravine of the waxing moon.
Queen Song's beautiful face was slightly startled. Under her curved eyebrows, her eyes were as bright as water. She said softly: "Is there any excuse for this? It's not easy to walk around in this month."
Remembering that when she was pregnant with Ran'er, she didn't dare to slack off at all, lest the child...
Well, that's fine. Why is she suddenly thinking about giving birth to a baby?
The beauty quickly dismissed the thoughts in her heart, her beautiful eyes sparkling, and said: "Zi Yu, the palace has been preparing for the wedding these days, and I think the wedding day will also come to you. Do you have any objections?"
Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, I'm a humble minister who doesn't know etiquette and only listens to the palace's arrangements."
"A wedding ceremony is a little different from ordinary people's marriages. The etiquette process is a bit more complicated. You should familiarize yourself with it in advance." Empress Song said very understandingly.
Jia Heng cupped his hands below and responded in a low voice.
Empress Song smiled and said, "Okay, let Xia Shouzhong explain it to you later."
At this moment, Princess Wei Yan Yiliu, who entered the palace to celebrate the birthday of Queen Song, was sitting at the bottom. The princess looked slightly haggard, and the makeup on her face could not hide the fatigue in her eyebrows. She looked at the young man, her eyes sparkling. After a flash, he let out a faint sigh.
She secretly inquired and found out that it took more than a year for the Qin family to get pregnant. It was supposed to be similar to her. Why couldn't the prince wait?
During this period, the matter of taking in the concubine was still being discussed.
Concubine Duanrong took over the conversation and said softly: "Ziyu, please stop standing all the time. Someone, please give me a seat."
Empress Song Qiao smiled sweetly and said softly: "You even forgot about it."
She thought to herself that her sister still felt sorry for her son-in-law.
(End of chapter)
