Jinling, Ningguo Mansion
Because it was the Chinese New Year, the house was decorated with lights inside and outside, and the plaque made of sycamore wood was painted brand new. The servants and grandmothers in the courtyard also changed into brand new clothes, and their faces were beaming with joy.
The servants were in a hurry, coming and going, holding various New Year's goods in their hands.
In the backyard room——
The cold wind whistled in the courtyard, and the house was as warm as spring. There were people in the house with fragrant makeup, green flowers, and gold wings shining on their heads.
Chai Dai, Feng Wan, San Chun, Yun Qin, Lan Xi, Wen Qi, and Jin Chai were sitting on a pear tree chair in the hall, surrounded by orioles and swallows, and blooming branches.
Sister Feng's laughter, like silver bells, could be heard outside the courtyard almost through a thick curtain. The beauty was dressed in a light gold-trimmed grape-purple floral pattern velvet, a furry double-breasted jacket, and a dark purple horse face. Skirt, that gorgeous and gratuitous oval face, as bright as the clouds.
If it were anyone else, she really wouldn't be able to handle this purple-red suit and dress properly like a village girl. But Sister Feng is as pretty as a peony flower, but she is not weighed down by the bright color of the clothes. She has a plump figure and soft white skin under her beautiful neck. one slice.
"It's time for Brother Heng to come back for the Chinese New Year. Isn't the war over?" Sister Feng said with a smile. She looked at Tanchun and Zhen Lan and asked with a smile: "The third sister and the younger sister Lan are the little Zhuges of our family. Do you two know?"
Tanchun said: "The Queen was assassinated not long ago, and the newspaper recently reported the death of the Song family's father-in-law. Brother Heng has to wait for the Song family's funeral to come back."
Zhen Lan said: "The funeral should be over in the past few days. Brother Heng had to come back before the year. I heard that there are still some flaws in the new policy in Anhui. Moreover, the Jiangnan Navy returned to Weiport and made great contributions. , to discuss the merits and rewards of all the generals, Brother Heng has to come back no matter what."
If Jia Heng were here, he would probably be impressed by Zhen Lan's ability to predict events. Almost based on the news published in the Di newspaper, he could perfectly predict what would happen after Jia Heng returned to Jinling.
On the other side, when Li Wan heard Zhen Lan mentioning the incident in Anhui, his gentle face lifted up, and his soft and beautiful eyes were slightly absent-minded.
There seems to be something wrong with her father. Even if she doesn't ask for help, Ziyu should be able to help her when he comes back...
Um? Is there a typo here? Readers do not need to correct errors.
Sister Feng's eyebrows were curved, and her beautiful eyes under her eyebrows were filled with smiles. She said in a low voice, "That's right. Brother Heng is now in charge of military affairs with one hand and political affairs with the other. He has a lot to worry about."
This is her man, who is busy with national affairs outside.
Xiangyun's plump apple round face was flushed. It might be sweet and delicious if he took a bite. He said, "Brother Heng is going to ask Sister Bao for a marriage from the palace this time, right?"
As soon as these words came out, all the Jin Chai present raised their eyes to look at Bao Chai, with a bit of envy in their eyes.
Baochai's plump, white face turned red with embarrassment, and there was a hint of anger in her tone as she whispered, "What are you talking nonsense about, Sister Yun?"
Sister Yun made fun of her again, saying that the issue of her status was almost becoming a worry for her, and she had already said it before, but there was another twist in the middle.
Ying'er stood aside, her face filled with joy and her heart filled with joy.
Finally, the girl's hardships have finally come to an end, and it's her turn to get married.
Bao Qin was wearing a pink jacket and skirt. The brightly colored skirt and jacket, which set off the porcelain doll carved with pink and jade, smiled and helped, and said softly: "Sister Yun waits for the New Year, and asks Brother Heng to find a girl for Sister Yun." You are a good husband."
As the golden hairpins in the garden grow older, marriage is gradually put on the agenda.
Xiangyun's face was like a porcelain doll, and her face suddenly turned red with embarrassment. She said in a charming voice: "Sister Qin is still talking about me. Sister Qin is older than me. If you want to marry me, you should hold on tight first." Sister Qin is the one."
She is not looking for a good husband.
"Girl, the latest Dibao." Nowadays, the wealthy people in Ningguo Mansion, led by Zhen Lan and Tanchun, have the habit of subscribing to Dibao, mainly to get news about Jia Heng.
Tan Chun took the newspaper from the servant's hand, lowered his eyes and read it away. His handsome eyebrows furrowed, with surprise in his eyes, and he whispered: "How, how could this happen?"
Zhen Lan looked closer, twisted her eyebrows, and said in surprise: "Brother Heng granted me a marriage..."
As he spoke, he paused and said nothing.
It was clearly more than ten days ago that the edict drafted by Emperor Chongming and asked by the cabinet had been spread to all provinces, causing an uproar in Shenjing and the north and south.
The first is Shenjing City. Shenjing, which was originally full of bullets, suddenly stopped as if it was being strangled by the neck.
Zhen Lan was holding the newspaper in her hand. On the newspaper, the imperial edict to marry Chen Xiao, the princess of Le'an, to Jia Heng, the Duke of Wei, was clearly printed on it.
As soon as the word "marriage" came out, all the Jin Chai in the hall were slightly surprised, and they couldn't help but look at Bao Chai.
Because Yaruo, the daughter of a Mongolian prince, had a precedent of being granted a marriage, the Jinchai present did not tease Baochai too much.
What if... wouldn't this be even more embarrassing?
Daiyu's smoky brows were furrowed as if they were curly willow silk. She turned to look at Zhen Lan and Tan Chun, her starry eyes bright and thoughtful.
After all, the girl has a delicate mind, and she could faintly see something unusual in the expressions of Tan Chun and Zhen Lan.
Sister Feng smiled and said: "What is written on it, and who is the marriage given to?"
Tanchun said: "Princess Le'an."
Sister Feng and Li Wan: "..."
"Princess Le'an? Daughter of the clan?" Daiyu said softly, thoughtfully.
As soon as these words came out, the expressions on the faces of all the golden hairpins in the hall were somewhat incomprehensible.
Where did Princess Le'an appear again? Or the daughter of the clan?
Tan Chun said softly: "It's Sister Xiao. She often goes on expeditions with Brother Heng."
Zhen Lan said softly: "It seems to be the daughter of King Zhou of Longzhi Dynasty."
Baochai's face turned pale, and there was no blood on his plump jade face. The handkerchief in his hand was a little tighter.
Sister Xue, after this naval battle, I will grant you a marriage...
The gentle words are still ringing in my ears, why? Could it be that they were all sweet words between the curtains... to coax her?
The girl's heart sank to the bottom of her heart, but she suppressed her sadness, her moist apricot eyes still sparkling with tears.
At this moment, Bao Qin noticed that her cousin looked sad, stretched out her soft little hand to hold Baochai's bare hand, and said softly: "Sister, it's okay."
When Brother Heng comes back, she insists on asking him. She clearly promised him well at the beginning, but what is going on now?
Tan Chun took the look of disappointment on Baochai's face into his eyes and said softly: "This sister Xiao should have followed Brother Heng in his expeditions to the north and south. She may have been destined for the rest of her life. There is also the beauty of a simple adult in the palace."
Sister Feng stared at Baochai with her beautiful eyes, and sympathy appeared on her gorgeous jade face, and said: "Maybe it's for this reason. The palace is first to grant marriage to the daughter of the Tian family, and there are some."
That enemy made Sister Xue lose everything again. What's going on?
There was also a hint of regret on Li Wan's face, and he said softly: "It's hard for others to guess what the palace is thinking."
Xiangyun came to the newspaper and said, "It seems to say that according to Duke Wei's previous request..."
Feng Wan: "..."
Tanchun glared at Xiangyun, who covered his lips with his hand.
Zhen Lan looked at Xiangyun, laughing secretly in her heart.
Baochai smiled to himself, with no trace of blood on his plump, white and greasy face like pear petals, and said softly: "I'm fine. That Princess Le'an accompanied Brother Heng from birth to death, so she should have been there first Granted marriage."
At the end of the sentence, the girl could no longer hold back the sadness in her heart, and her voice was choked with tears.
After all, she is the daughter of a merchant, and she was disliked when she was first elected. Now she is naturally attached to those daughters of nobles and clans, and she is not worthy of it.
It can be said that Baochai has completely broken his defense at this moment.
When Daiyu saw this, a hint of sympathy appeared in her bright starry eyes under Liuye's slender eyebrows. She gently took Baochai's plain hand and said, "Sister Bao, wait for Brother Heng..."
Baochai's jade face was pale and bloodless, her white teeth bit her pink lips, and she said softly: "Zi'er, I'm not feeling well today, so I'm sorry to be with you."
When Baoqin and Ying'er saw this, they also supported Baochai and walked towards the inner compartment.
Just when all Jin Chai's faces were moved by this scene.
Suddenly, a nun from outside ran to the door and said, "Uncle is back."
After several days of traveling, Jia Heng and Li Chanyue finally returned to Jinling Ningguo Mansion on the day before New Year's Eve.
Baochai, who had walked to the curtain, trembled slightly, and the tears in her moist apricot eyes could no longer be held back and burst out from her eyes.
An unspeakable grievance welled up in my heart.
Bao Qin frowned, her plump face bulging with anger, and she said softly: "Sister Bao, go back to your room, we won't wait for that unlucky person."
Daiyu said in a clear voice: "Sister Bao, go back and rest first. If he doesn't explain clearly, we can't let him pass."
Even though that person is the daughter of the clan, there must be someone who comes first, first served.
After all, she had been hugged by Jia Heng before. At this moment, Daiyu could not help but feel a little compassion in her heart.
Even though Princess Le'an accompanied Brother Heng from birth to death, Sister Kebao also accompanied him from a young age, as she had originally promised.
Baochai, who was still hesitant at first, trembled, but now Baoqin pulled her arm towards the back room.
Sister Feng watched this scene from a distance and sighed softly.
Zhen Lan watched this scene quietly, her eyebrows furrowed, and a hint of curiosity appeared in her bright eyes.
Those who serve others with sex will lose their love when their sex wears off.
Where did this go?
Wait and see in ten years!
Chai Dai, Yun Qin, there will always be a day when he gets tired of playing with them. These women who only have beauty but lack of inner qualities will gradually be left out by him, and she, Zhen Lan, is his inseparable wife.
Zhen Xi on the side raised her beautiful eyebrows, and there was a hint of worry in her bright eyes as bright as a stream.
Brother Heng, what happened to him?
In fact, this is a misunderstanding, because the memorial that Jia Heng requested previously was mentioned in front of Emperor Chongping when Jia Heng asked for a marriage to Ya Ruo after the Northwest War.
In the eyes of others, Baochai, a girl whom she had "met since childhood", was constantly being put aside. Especially in the ears of Baochai, the person involved, she was Jia Heng... Huabing.
While everyone was having different thoughts, Jia Heng and Li Chanyue also came to Ningguo Mansion and entered the hall. They were surprised to see the somewhat silent hall.
Sister Feng's oval-shaped face was smiling brightly, and the longing in her beautiful eyes almost overflowed. Her legs under her skirt couldn't help but close together a little, she walked closer and said with a smile: "Brother Heng is back, and the princess is here too. .”
Jia Heng nodded and said, "I'm back. How are Sister-in-law Feng and the sisters at home?"
"Everything is fine." Sister Feng smiled.
As Jia Heng spoke, he took off his cloak and handed it to Qingwen who was coming up to him. He turned to look at Daiyu and Xiangyun and said with a smile, "Everyone is here."
And Li Chanyue also said "Sister-in-law Feng" to Sister Feng, and her eyes that were full of stars and moons glanced at the golden hairpins present.
At this moment, Xiangyun did not rush into Jia Heng's arms as usual, and said softly: "Brother Heng, everyone just said that the palace newspaper has given you a marriage."
Jia Heng accompanied Li Chanyue all the way. He really didn't know that Emperor Chongping had issued an edict and asked, "Marriage? Sister Xue?"
But he had just finished writing the memorial and it hadn't been delivered to Beijing yet. How could he start talking about the marriage?
By the way, Baochai seemed to have been mentioned to Emperor Chongping a little before. Maybe Emperor Chongping was so considerate?
All the golden hairpins in the hall looked at each other.
And Sister Feng had a look of surprise on her face, and said in a charming voice: "Brother Heng doesn't know yet?"
It seems that there is another hidden reason behind this matter?
Tan Chun explained: "Brother Heng, Princess Le'an followed Brother Heng on his expeditions to the north and south, and the palace granted a marriage to Sister Xiao this time."
Jia Heng looked stunned for a moment, frowned and said, "Isn't it Sister Xue this time?"
Why Xiaoxiao? Yes, Emperor Chongping knew that Xiaoxiao and he were in love before, so he got the chance this time, so he granted her a marriage?
Didn’t Baochai miss it again?
Zhu Jinchai: "..."
If you don't do this anymore, you're just rubbing salt into people's wounds, right?
Daiyu's starry eyes twinkled under her smoky eyebrows, her beautiful and petite face looked a little lost, and she said faintly: "As the saying goes, I only hear the new ones laughing, but not the old ones crying."
Jia Heng: "..."
Jia Hengxing came closer, took Daiyu's bare hand, and said warmly: "Sister Lin, I really don't know. This time I proposed to Sister Xue. I wrote this memorial in Hangzhou and I still have it with me. , I plan to deliver it here today, and for some unknown reason, the palace granted me the marriage."
Of course, Xiaoxiao worked so hard with him, even if he was given a marriage, it would be nothing.
However, after all, I was caught off guard.
Seeing that her men were about to be criticized, Li Chanyue said softly: "Sister Lin, Mr. Jia really doesn't know that if he proposes to Sister Xiaoxiao, cousin Xianning and I will not know about it. We haven't mentioned this before." .”
At this moment, Daiyu Yuyan was slightly surprised, but she also pursed her pink lips, her starry eyes showed surprise, and said: "Brother Heng, what on earth is going on?"
She said that Brother Heng should not have promised Sister Bao...
Jia Heng said softly: "The memorial has already stated the proposal, not only for Sister Xue, but also for Sister Lin. Let's see if we can propose together this time. Even if we can't get married together, we can tell it in advance next time."
All I can say is that this matter is indeed a trick of fate.
Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to fail to fulfill his promise to Baochai.
In fact, after this incident, when there is a concubine, no one else will murmur.
After all, Baochai has also experienced so many twists and turns.
Danfeng, who was under Sister Feng's eyebrows, blinked and said with a chuckle: "It seems that there is a real misunderstanding. Princess Le'an was granted a marriage by the palace. She must have seen the daughter of the clan in front of Brother Heng. This is not a marriage. It's so unseemly, so why don't Sister Xue wait any longer? Last time I looked at Princess Le'an, she seemed to be almost 20 years old."
Li Wan's gentle and graceful face showed a hint of realization, and he looked at the young man with bright eyes, thinking secretly in his heart.
Even though he... was fooling around a bit, he would never agree to Bao Yatou and then turn around and ignore her.
It seems that this matter is indeed Bao Yatou's bad luck.
Li Chanyue said softly: "It seems that the palace felt that Sister Xiaoxiao and Mr. Xiao Jia were in love, so they agreed to marry Sister Xiaoxiao first."
This is nothing, right? Isn’t it the same whether marriage is granted first and marriage is granted later? Besides, Sister Xiaoxiao is running around with Mr. Jia.
At this moment, Xichun, Zhen Xi, and Wenqi were all looking at the young man, with different expressions on their faces.
Jia Heng asked: "Where is Sister Xue?"
Tan Chunying's charming face had a slightly complicated look on her face, and she said softly: "Brother Heng, Sister Bao and Sister Qin have returned to the house."
Zhen Lan raised her eyes to look at the young man, her clear eyes flashed under Liu Ye's slender eyebrows, and she felt a little emotional in her heart.
Is this the time to propose to Chai Dai?
Humph, one day I will get tired of it.
Jia Heng nodded and said, "I'll go over and take a look."
Baochai was indeed wronged this time. I remember he got a minor illness last time. Of course, he didn't make such a specific promise last time, but since he had told Baochai before, he would definitely honor it.
The main reason is that Baochai's face has been somewhat damaged after passing by him several times. If it weren't for the fact that many young girls didn't care about it, she would have become a laughing stock in the eyes of some women.
this……
Jia Heng no longer thought about anything else, left the hall and went to the courtyard where Baochai lived to look for Baochai.
At this moment, in the courtyard, the wing room where Baochai was located was warm and fragrant.
Baochai was lying on the bed in the inner room, unable to bear it any longer, holding a handkerchief and choking and sobbing. Under Cuiyu's beautiful eyebrows, her moist apricot eyes were dotted with tears.
She originally said she didn't want status, so why did she become obsessed with status? She had followed him for the past two years, not for status.
Baoqin sat aside, gently caressing Baochai's back, and said softly: "Sister, okay, don't cry."
I have never seen my cousin so sad since I was a child. Brother Heng did too much.
How many times has this happened? My sister's expectations were met with disappointment every time.
Ying'er looked at this scene with a look of sadness on her face.
"The uncle is here."
At this moment, Baochai's other maid, Wen Xing, came over from not far away and said to the Xue sisters in the room.
When Baochai heard this, she felt as if she had been struck by thunder, her delicate body stiffened, her trembling shoulders gradually stopped, she stopped crying, and wiped her tears.
No matter what, she couldn't let him see her tears.
Jia Heng walked around a bamboo and hibiscus screen, entered the inner room, looked at the girl on the bed, and asked, "Sister Xue."
When Baoqin got up, the little fat girl raised her head and looked at the young man, saying softly: "Brother Heng."
The porcelain doll that looked a little fierce just now didn't dare to say anything, but didn't smile.
Jia Heng said softly: "Sister Qin, let me have a few words with your sister alone."
Baoqin was startled for a moment, glanced at Baochai, and came out of the room.
After Baoqin left, Jia Heng came to the bed and sat down. He pulled the girl with tears on her face and said softly: "I said that I just learned about the marriage in the palace. Do you believe Sister Xue?"
Under Baochai's Cuiyu beautiful eyebrows, her moist apricot eyes flashed, and she whispered: "Brother Heng."
Jia Heng took the girl's hand, put the memorial in her hand, and said warmly: "This time the palace granted the marriage. Otherwise, I have written the memorial and was about to deliver it. Who would have known that this happened? .”
When Baochai heard this, he was dumbfounded and lowered his eyes to look at the memorial in his hand.
The memorial was certainly not a fraud, so what on earth was going on?
Jia Heng sighed and said: "Let's start with the Northwest War. At that time, when I proposed to Ya Ruo, I mentioned the princess of Le'an. Then I told the Holy One that I would be unsealed and granted a marriage decree. It was considered I wanted to repay my merits by making my wife a wife, but I didn’t expect that when I came back this time, the assassination of the empress would be delayed for a while. The memorial was not handed over, and the imperial edict for the marriage had already been issued."
When Baochai heard this, her lips trembled and she was speechless.
Jia Heng said: "But I'd better revise it, send it over, explain the matter, and then ask for a royal title for you."
"Farewell." When Baochai heard this, her snowy jade face changed slightly, and she quickly persuaded him: "Brother Heng, the palace just granted me a marriage, and Brother Heng mentioned it again. I'm not sure what the palace will think."
Jia Heng looked at the girl and said softly: "It still has to be delivered, but this time it is close, otherwise I won't know who the marriage will be to next time, and Sister Xue will have to wait in vain again."
Baochai:"……"
Jia Heng put the memorial aside, looked at the beauty with pear blossoms and rain, and said softly: "Why is sister Xue crying?"
Baochai's cheeks were hot, and she was obviously embarrassed for a moment. She said in a trembling voice: "Brother Heng, I..."
Because of the issue of status, turmoil happened one after another. It seemed that she was the only one with more things to do. She really didn't know how to deal with herself?
Jia Heng looked at Baochai, gently wiped the tears hanging on her plump and greasy face, and said warmly: "Don't worry, Sister Xue, Sister Xue has been with me for several years without any recognition, and I won't wrong you." .”
"Brother Heng." Baochai felt a sore nose when he heard this, tears rolled down his apricot eyes, and he buried his head in Jia Heng's arms.
Jia Heng put his arm around Baochai's shoulders and said softly: "Sister Xue, we were the first to know each other. How could I forget about Sister Xue?"
(End of chapter)
