The Red Mansions

Chapter 1134. Did she just... help the evildoer?
In the courtyard where Miaoyu is located, the bright moon hangs high in the sky, casting thousands of silver rays, projecting a lonely figure on the door.

Miaoyu was dressed in a green dress, and her flawless white face had a vague look of despair, her bright eyes were shining, and she was staring into the distance.

Xing Xiuyan said softly: "Brother Heng must have other things to do today. Sister Miaoyu, it's getting late, let's go to bed early."

"He promised me yesterday that he would come here today." Miaoyu shook her head, her soft voice filled with determination.

Xing Xiuyan thought for a while and said, "Maybe something is holding me back."

"There is no other reason other than other women." Miaoyu paused slightly, caressing her bulging belly, and said quietly.

Xing Xiuyan: "..."

Looking at the beauty, there was something strange in her crystal jade face, but it was hard to persuade her.

At this moment, Su Su's voice came from outside, with a sense of excitement and surprise: "Uncle Heng, you are here."

"Susu." Jia Heng said softly, and then walked into the hall. Facing a pair of cold and surprised eyes, he smiled and said: "It's so late, and you haven't slept yet?"

Xing Xiuyan lowered her head, as if she didn't dare to meet the young man's eyes, and said, "Sister Miaoyu is waiting for Brother Heng. It's okay. I'll leave first."

While speaking, he didn't say much, then stood up and left.

Jia Heng watched Xing Xiuyan leave, looked at Miaoyu, came closer, and called: "Okay, go to bed."

Under Miaoyu Liuye's slender eyebrows, her eyes were as bright as water. She looked at the young man intently and asked, "You're back?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "I can't accompany you tomorrow. I have to go to the eldest princess's mansion."

A few days ago, Yuan Chun was sent to the Princess Chang's Mansion, but now he has been flying pigeons for several days in a row. Although Yuan Chun has a gentle temperament, it is inevitable that he will not be resentful.

Miaoyu turned her pretty face and said lightly, "You don't have to stay with me every day anyway."

Jia Heng: "..."

He pulled the beauty over and said comfortingly: "Something really happened this time. It's not that I won't accompany you and my mother-in-law."

When Miaoyu heard this, she got angry and said, "Who wants you to accompany me every day? Why don't you go and do your own thing?"

She knew that he was usually so busy, and it was very rare for him to be able to stay with her for two days in a row now.

Jia Heng said warmly: "Okay, wash your feet, let's go to bed early."

With Jia Heng's arm in hand, Miaoyu came to the inner compartment, looked at the handsome young man, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Although you are at a time when your energy and blood are strong, you must not know how to exercise restraint."

Jia Heng said: "Well, Master Tai is a master of health care, but Master Tai cannot forget to take care of his own body."

Miaoyu chuckled lightly and said, "Of course I know my physical condition."

Jia Heng pinched the beauty's cheek gently and said, "Then you don't know how to cherish yourself?"

"It's not good to eat too much. If the baby grows too fat in the mother's body, it will be difficult to give birth." Miaoyu's eyebrows were curved, her bright eyes flashed with wisdom, and she said softly.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "You make sense."

As he spoke, he stretched out a hand, caressed Miaoyu's slightly bulging belly, and said softly: "I hope the child can be born safely and smoothly."

Miaoyu nestled her head in Jia Heng's arms, her eyes flashing with autumn, and whispered: "In the future, I don't want this child to be an official or a general. It would be nice if he could become a wealthy and idle person." ."

Jia Heng said: "But in the secular world, people are often judged by their imperial examination career or fame and wealth. What you think is not what he wants."

When Miaoyu Liuye raised her eyebrows, her eyes couldn't help but become misty, and she whispered, "That's what you said."

Jia Heng smiled and said warmly: "Don't you usually call me husband?"

When Miaoyu heard this, she gave Jia Heng an angry look and called softly: "Husband."

Jia Heng gently pinched the girl's pretty face, smiled softly, and whispered: "Okay, it's late at night, let's go to bed."

Miaoyu leaned her head on the boy's arms, while the bright moon was in the sky, thousands of cold moonlight silently fell on the ground, passed through the screen window, and fell quietly on the table in the room, unable to bear to wake up the pair of lovers. Lovers who sleep in each other's arms.

……

……

next day
The golden rooster croaks, the sky is already bright, the late autumn dew falls on the blue bricks and black tiles, and the cool autumn wind blows the sycamore leaves, making a rustling sound.

A fiery red sun quickly jumped out of the horizon in the east, and golden morning rays illuminated the entire pavilions and pavilions of Ningguo Mansion.

Jia Heng's expression paused slightly, and he turned to look at the sweet sleeping beauty next to him, and was about to get up gently.

Miaoyu seemed to be aware of it. With a "嘤四", she slowly stood up and looked at the young man. Her heart couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. She said softly: "What time is it now?"

Since becoming pregnant, Miaoyu has also begun to feel sleepy.

Jia Heng smiled and said softly: "It's two o'clock in the morning, get up."

After saying that, he stood up and put on his clothes.

Miaoyu also put on her clothes rustlingly, putting on a loose-cut coat and skirt. Her black hair was tied up with a wooden hairpin, revealing her delicate and bright facial features.

Jia Heng looked at Miaoyu and wondered if she was pregnant with Liujia. Her delicate body was much plumper. He felt that Miaoyu's aura was softer. It was a mixture of the arrogance and coolness of a young literary girl, as well as the aura of a general. The soft and graceful charm of motherhood makes people's hearts move slightly.

Then, Susu served dinner, with all kinds of dishes put together, a dazzling array of colors, flavors and aromas.

Jia Heng said softly: "I am going to the eldest princess's mansion today, so I won't be here to accompany you."

"Go." Miaoyu responded softly, as if she was used to the young man's nickname for her.

She was already very content to be able to accompany her every day these days.

Jia Heng held the catkin as white as jade, stared into the girl's eyes, and said: "Take good care of the baby. As soon as things get settled here, we will go to Suzhou."

Miaoyu paused slightly and responded softly, her heart filled with sweetness.

Jia Heng and Miaoyu had dinner, then changed into a python suit, came to the eaves of the corridor, stared at Chen Xiao, who was wearing a flying fish suit, and asked warmly: "Have you eaten yet?"

Chen Xiao said "hmm" and said, "I'll go to Yuan Mansion later to have a look."

Jia Heng nodded, without saying much, and went to Yuan Tu's mansion with Chen Xiao, surrounded by the royal guards.

The Jiangnan New Deal has actually been implemented halfway in Jiangsu. If we don't want to cause trouble, we still have to compromise with these old bureaucrats.

Jinling Mansion, Yuan House
It was mid-morning, and the sunlight tore through the morning mist and shone on the jade steps of the courtyard, reflecting streaks of light.

In the hall, Yuan Tu was already chatting with King Chu over a small table across a small table.

"Sir, Duke Wei is here." At this time, a servant entered the hall and said to the old man in foreign clothes.

Yuan Tu was talking to the King of Chu at the moment. Hearing this, his face became solemn and he stared at the King of Chu.

King Chu said: "Teacher, there is no need to panic. Jia Ziyu and I are good friends. We have already said before that we should discuss it."

Yuan Tu waved his hand and said: "I'm not scared, just follow me to greet Duke Wei."

This Duke of Wei, who had won consecutive battles in the north, was more powerful than before he left Jiangnan.

While talking, King Chu and Yuan Tu came to the Yimen. They looked up and saw the young man coming from the gate, surrounded by a group of royal guards wearing flying fish uniforms and embroidered spring knives. They held their hands. He said with a salute: "The Duke of Wei is here. I haven't come far enough to welcome you, but I still hope that Duke Wei will pay attention."

Jia Heng said: "Mr. Yuan's words are serious."

The King of Chu smiled and said: "Ziyu, just now I mentioned your Northwest War to the teacher. The teacher said that you turned the tide before it fell and helped the building before it collapsed."

Yuan Tu complimented him and said: "The defeat in the northwest shocked the world. If Duke Wei had not sent troops to the northwest, the situation would have been critical and there was almost no chance of recovery."

No matter what the character of the young man in front of him is, his talent is indeed that of a famous general in the world and a great general.

Jia Heng's face paused slightly, and he said warmly: "Mr. Yuan is overly complimentary."

King Chen Qin of Chu pondered for a moment and said: "This is not the place to talk. Let's talk in the hall first."

Jia Heng said, and entered the hall together with King Chu. The guests and hosts took their seats, and servants entered the room to serve tea.

Jia Heng put down the tea cup, looked at Yuan Tu aggressively, and said, "Mr. Yuan, can you tell me about the situation of the fields in Suzhou Prefecture."

Yuan Tu said in a deep voice: "Those houses and fields were sealed by the emperor himself. They have been recorded in the Ministry of Household Affairs. Duke Wei can send someone to check."

Then, the Nanjing Minister of Rites told intermittently about the tax-free status of his land in Suzhou.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said loudly: "Mr. Yuan, times have changed, and it is no longer yesterday. Besides, the Yuan family has been greatly favored by the emperor, and it should be more concerned about the overall situation. Not to mention the Yuan family, even all the relatives of the emperor have retired. In order to revitalize the great Han Dynasty, I have been working hard and sleeping hard to retire the land. Mr. Yuan is also a minister, how can he not know the worries of the emperor?"

This is a grand place to suppress people with the court's righteousness. You tell me the facts, and I will tell you the laws. You tell me the laws, and I will tell you the righteousness.

Every era has its grand narrative. Now it is time to revive the Han Dynasty and recreate the Han and Tang Dynasties. Everyone must give way to this.

Yuan Tu's expression changed, and he looked a little ugly.

The King of Chu softened his tone and said coldly: "Zi Yu, the teacher also wants to share the worries of my father. However, the Yuan family has many people in Suzhou. If they all are returned to the emperor, they may be in trouble for their livelihood."

Jia Heng said: "This matter may not be an exaggeration, right? Mr. Yuan purchased thousands of hectares of land in Suzhou. Now he is just the emperor. He has not investigated the forced purchase of grain fields in recent years. How will it affect his livelihood?"

Yuan Tu was speechless for a moment.

Jia Heng said: "Mr. Yuan, the four new policies of the imperial court are to increase the tax sources for the imperial court. If everyone buys land and houses and refuses to pay taxes, in the long run, the imperial court's tax sources will be reduced. Mr. Yuan, are you going to let the imperial court deal with it?" Are ordinary people raising taxes?" In fact, the success of the Ming and Qing dynasty's whipping method and allotment of land was because they only paid more taxes and did not cause any pain to the gentry, nor did they involve the redistribution of land.

As long as the core ruling class is determined, this matter can be implemented.

Just asking the gentry to share a little more cake is nothing more than complaining.

The King of Chu also took the opportunity to persuade: "Teacher, Ziyu's land in Ningguo Mansion has also been measured by the Liangjiang officials. Nowadays, maritime trade is booming. There are still many wealthy merchants in Fujian, Zhejiang and other places. They have asked their tribesmen to buy ships and go to sea. Trafficking in goods.”

"It's not that pirates are raging now, and sea trade is also very risky." Yuan Tu said.

"The imperial court plans to completely wipe out the pirates. This matter can be said to be Ziyu's top priority when he goes south this time." King Chu smiled and introduced.

Seeing that Yuan Tu seemed to accept the matter, Jia Heng said: "Mr. Yuan, I might as well say frankly that the emperor in the palace attaches great importance to the implementation of the New Deal, especially the war, because it is related to the continuation of the Han Dynasty. For long-term peace and stability, no matter who you are, if you resist the general trend of the New Deal, you will definitely turn into powder!"

Before Yuan Tu, who looked solemn, could speak, Jia Heng said: "Mr. Yuan, please tell those officials and gentry who still have doubts about the new policies of the imperial court. Now in front of the great cause of ZTE in the Han Dynasty, we need to work together. If there is another Changzhou It happened, but this time we won’t be able to get away as easily as before.”

Although many people were punished in the Changzhou case, it was still within the scope of discussing the matter. In the end, only one official from the six ministries was arrested, Yan Mao, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry in Nanjing. It did not set off a big prison in Jiangnan officialdom. This was also related to the ongoing war in the northwest at that time. , It is related to not wanting to cause greater turmoil in Jiangnan.

Then the Prince of Nan'an County was defeated in the northwest, the court's prestige was damaged, stability was paramount, and the prison was not mentioned.

When Yuan Tu heard this, he saw a hint of gray under his eyebrows, his old eyes flashed, and he felt awe-inspiring in his heart.

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Jiangnan officials like to do their own thing."

……

……

It was nearly noon after returning from Yuan Mansion. Jia Heng and Chen Xiao rode their horses back to Ningguo Mansion, then came to the study room in the backyard and sat down.

Chen Xiao pondered for a while and said suddenly: "Judging from Yuan Tu's performance today, Jiangnan officials are frightened."

Jia Heng said coldly: "These people are born weak. The imperial court has just won a military victory, and now it is time to sharpen the sword. Anyone who dares to raise his head will be beheaded first."

Chen Xiao nodded and asked, "Then what will you do next?"

"It's better to listen to what he says, watch what he does, and go to Suzhou Prefecture in two days to have an on-the-spot visit to the New Deal situation in Suzhou Prefecture and County." Jia Heng said.

While the two were talking, the sound of jingling rings was suddenly heard from outside, and then someone asked, "Is Brother Heng in the study?"

Jia Heng whispered: "In the house."

After a while, bursts of fragrant fragrance floated into the study room, and a slim and beautiful girl was seen, holding a girl with gloomy eyebrows and aura like a stream coming over.

Zhen Lan's voice was gentle and brisk, and she asked with a chuckle: "Brother Heng, you are back."

Jia Heng looked up and saw two sisters from Lan Xi coming hand in hand, one in a red dress, one in a blue dress, one lively and charming, the other gentle and silent.

Chen Xiaoxiu frowned, glanced at the two of them indifferently, and said, "I'll go back and rest first."

This sister Lanxi of the Zhen family is the smaller enchanting concubine of the Zhen family. Especially Zhen Lan, she will probably not be an economical person in the future.

Jia Heng then greeted Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi, and asked in a warm voice: "Sister Lan, are you looking for me?"

Zhen Lan glanced at Chen Xiao, who was wearing a flying fish suit and an embroidered spring knife at his waist. She knew it was Xiao Qianhu who was always around Jia Heng. She was not surprised and said in a deep voice: "Eldest sister sent the maid here. I told Brother Heng to take some time off and take my sister and me there with him."

Jia Heng whispered: "I have something to say to you two."

With that said, he came closer and took Zhen Lan's slender hand, and said with a chuckle: "I heard that you and your third sister have predicted a lot of the progress of the northwest war recently?"

Zhen Lan's eyes were filled with joy. Sure enough, Brother Heng valued this. She was not serving others with sex like Chai Dai.

He said softly: "Brother Heng, my third sister and I just have nothing to do and talk casually. Some of them are in the middle of a meeting, and some of them are just casual."

Jia Heng's eyes showed approval and he said warmly: "Sister Lan can make reasonable guesses based only on the information published by the Di newspaper. Her knowledge and ability are far beyond ordinary people."

If this trend continues, Zhen Lan may really become a strong woman in the Grand View Garden. Fortunately, both Xianning and Tanchun are not weaker than Zhen Lan in political wisdom, nor are they completely without checks and balances.

With that said, he took Zhen Lan's bare hand, hugged her from behind, and said warmly: "Sister Lan has really made great progress compared to before."

Zhen Lan's jade cheeks were already flushed with embarrassment. She lowered her head and said in a soft voice, "Brother Heng, thank you."

Jia Heng then looked at Zhen Xi, who was secretly watching the two of them, and said warmly, "Sister Xi'er is here too."

Zhen Xi lowered her head to her chest. She had a shy temperament. At this moment, her palm-sized cheeks were flushed, and she said softly: "I followed Sister Lan to the second sister's place a few days ago. The second sister's child was born. .”

She knew that her second sister's child was Brother Heng's. She went to see it that day. The baby was cute and smart. If she could give birth...

Oops, what was she thinking in front of Brother Heng?

Jia Heng said: "Well, let's go take a look in two days."

It's been three or five days since he returned to Jinling. He hasn't visited Xue'er yet, and he doesn't know how the child is doing.

While they were talking, they came to the wing of the study.

Zhen Lan sat next to Jia Heng, with bright eyes like Zhen Qing's charming eyes under her willow eyebrows, she said softly: "Brother Heng, are there going to be wars at sea recently?"

Jia Heng said: "It will take some time, we are still making preparations."

Zhen Lan said warmly: "Brother Heng, can you take me there with you? I want to follow you and have a look."

Jia Heng took the girl's bare hand and whispered: "Marching and fighting are no joke. You should stay at home."

Zhen Lan wanted to say something else, but she saw that the young man was approaching with a warm and soft breath. The girl's heart skipped a beat, and she was immediately filled with shame and joy, and she quickly closed her shining eyes.

Seeing the two people being so intimate, Zhen Xi's palm-sized face blushed with shame, but she was unavoidably a little uneasy in her heart.

Brother Heng seems to like his sister more and more.

After a while, Jia Heng's expression paused slightly, he reached out and took Zhen Xi's bare hand, and called softly: "Xi'er, come here too."

In fact, it is more about cultivating feelings for the two sisters Lan Xi. As time goes by, love and family affection may gradually develop.

Zhen Xi's eyebrows were curved, her eyes were lowered, and an unspeakable shame surged deep in her heart. She sat down next to Jia Heng with some shy eyes.

Although she had already had skin-to-skin intimacy, and even served Jia Heng together with Zhen Lan, her shyness seemed to run deep into her bones. Now facing Jia Heng, she was still a little shy.

The afternoon sun shines warmly through the carved windows and onto the bed surrounded by curtains.

Jia Heng looked at Zhen Lan who was slumped in her arms, suppressed the sweetness in her mouth, and whispered: "Sister Lan."

Zhen Lan's beautiful eyebrows were curved, and the bright light in her bright eyes kept flickering. A sense of fear suddenly arose in her heart, and she said in a trembling voice: "Brother Heng, after we get married..."

Jia Heng said: "Sooner or later, something like this will happen."

Zhen Xi buried her head tightly in the quilt, eavesdropped on the noise, and thought to herself, is Brother Heng going to bully her sister? Did she just... help her do evil?
The girl was thinking wildly, and felt that the breath that made her blush seemed to linger between her lips and teeth.

Zhen Lan's jade face was blushing, and her bright eyes were fixedly looking at the young man, as if she wanted to carve the young man's face into her heart inch by inch. Her voice started to tremble without knowing when, and she said: "Brother Heng, from now on...be nicer to me. "

Jia Heng looked at the face that resembled Zhen Qing's cold eyebrows. He was in a daze for a moment, then he leaned close to the girl's ear and said, "Don't worry, Sister Lan."

The girl is also quite interesting. She does not use imperative sentences that represent commands or requests, but affirmative sentences.

Zhen Lan seemed to realize something, and her heart could not help but pound. Suddenly, there was constant worry lingering between her eyebrows. She frowned, grabbed the fingers on Jia Heng's back and exerted force, and she couldn't help but let out a soft snort from her nose.

She...she will be Brother Heng's person from now on.

She will definitely help Brother Heng ascend to the supreme position. In the future, she will be crowned with a phoenix and a beautiful lady, and will be the mother of all the people.

Jia Heng came closer and called softly: "Sister Lan."

Zhen Lan wanted to say something else, but was annihilated by the young man's gentle aura, which made people feel frightened.

……

……

I don't know how long it took, but Jia Heng tightly hugged Zhen Lan, who had bright eyebrows and a delicate spirit, and said warmly: "Sister Lan, have a good rest today. Let's go to Prince Chu's Mansion tomorrow."

I don’t know why, but I always think of Napoleon’s words: The first soldier to rush to the city always has blood on his head.

Originally, I wanted to ask Zhen Lan to wait, but now that I think about it, maybe this is also part of the strategy. After all, Zhang Ailing's words still make sense.

Zhen Lan responded softly, her bright eyes that opened slightly were full of attachment. Brother Heng should ask her to be a concubine in the future, right?

Jia Heng pulled Zhen Xi's bare hand and said, "Sister Xi'er, are you asleep?"

Zhen Xifang's heart was trembling, and she whispered: "Brother Heng, I..."

"Forget it, sister Xi'er, she's still young, wait two years." Jia Heng smiled, reached out and pinched the girl's pink face and said.

Zhen Xi: "..."

She didn't mean that.

Jia Heng looked at the girl with soft eyebrows and whispered, "I'll take good care of you, Sister Lan, later."

Zhen Xi responded softly, glanced at Zhen Lan, whose cheeks were flushed, and quickly did not dare to look further.

(End of this chapter)