The Red Mansions

Chapter 246

Ningguo Mansion

The night was dark and the backyard was brightly lit. In the inner hall, Qin Keqing, You Shi, Sister Feng, and Second Sister You were wiping dominoes. The maid, Cai Die, served tea and fruit snacks with her hands down.

Sister Feng smiled and said, "It's already this time, Brother Heng hasn't come back yet?"

Qin Keqing chuckled and said, "I'm guessing she's still in the yamen at the moment, but she hasn't been very busy in the past few months."

Youshi's haggard face had long since disappeared. Under the cloudy temples, his cheeks were rosy and radiant, and he was holding a domino in his hand. I'm getting more and more free, why didn't the old lady wait on me?"

Sister Feng sighed and said, "Baoyu just went to school today. When he came back, my ancestors felt distressed like something, and they didn't want to be playful."

In the past few months, because Jia Lian left early and returned late, Sister Feng was depressed, so she came to visit Qin Keqing frequently.

Youshi was playing with a domino in his hand, staring at it, and said softly: "It has been about ten days since the school was completed, why did Baoyu go only today?"

Sister Feng laughed and said, "What kind of temperament is Brother Bao? Sister-in-law You doesn't know yet? Since the old monk hits the bell, it's a day to be able to play around."

When everyone heard this, they all laughed.

Second Sister You looked at the fairy concubine who was brilliantly embroidered beside her, and she smiled a little on her snow-white face.

Secretly thought, this Second Mistress Lian is really a neat person.

In the original time and space, the two who served a husband together and had a secret hatred, are at the same table wiping dominoes at the same moment, and there is no trace of hatred.

While Sister Feng was speaking, she looked at Qin Keqing who was at the side, and asked softly, "Has your brother also entered the school?"

The smile on Qin Keqing's jade face faded slightly, and she said: "As soon as the school opened, it passed by. My husband said that he went to the martial arts hall to practice martial arts. I saw that people are stronger."

Sister Feng laughed and said, "You're willing, didn't Brother Huan go too? Aunt Zhao missed her son and kept sending people to urge her. The former one caused quite a fuss in the old lady's room."

Second Sister You said softly: "This is a good thing, what's the trouble?"

Sister Feng looked at Second Sister You, who had picturesque eyebrows and eyes, and said with a light smile: "My good sister, not everyone thinks of the best of others, she hasn't seen her son for a while, and she has nowhere to go, so maybe she still thinks Brother Heng is the key ring What about my brother?"

Second Sister You nodded her head, her bright eyes drooped, and she said softly, "Sister said so."

Sister Feng glanced at Second Sister You, who had soft eyebrows and eyes, and said with a smile to You Shi, "Sister You, I haven't seen Third Sister much these two days."

You Shi said softly: "She, some time ago, I was looking for some scripts to read, what scripts are I going to write these two days."

Qin Keqing smiled, she heard her husband tell her about this matter.

When the few people were talking, they heard the outside woman enter the inner hall and said with a smile: "Ma'am, the uncle is back."

The faces of the few people who were playing cards were stunned, and they all showed different degrees of joy.

While talking, Qingwen was the first to hold the lantern, followed by a slender young man with a handsome face.

As soon as they entered the inner hall, Yingying and Yanyan looked at each other in unison, calling out to each other.

Jia Heng's complexion was as usual, he nodded at them, looked at Qin Keqing, met those charming eyes, couldn't help feeling a little guilty in his heart, and asked first: "It's so late, haven't you slept yet?"

In fact, it wasn't too late, it was just at the beginning of Hai, which was about ten o'clock in the evening in later generations.

But if he doesn't ask, he will be asked, why did he come back so late?
Qin Keqing stepped forward with a smile, and said, "After dinner, Sister Feng came over to have a seat, and Sister You came over to wipe the dominoes for a while. Husband just came back from... Yamen?"

Smelling the smell of alcohol and a scent on Jia Heng's body, his heart moved slightly, his face remained calm, and he smiled lightly: "My husband is drinking."

Jia Heng gave a "hmm" and said, "Accompany a friend for a drink or two, you guys go on playing, I'll go take a shower first."

Said, called Qingwen, and went to the inner room.

There was a smile in Qin Keqing's eyes, and her jade face was thoughtful.

Smart women often find it easy for their husbands to cheat.

But no matter how smart a man is, it takes a long time to discover his wife's secret. There are some sufferers. The whole world knows that his wife is unfaithful, but he is the last to know.

Because women are born actors, the more beautiful they are, the better their acting skills will be.

So... Men have to protect themselves.

Sister Feng smiled and said: "Since brother Heng is back, I won't stay any longer, Ping'er, let's go back first, Second Master probably should go back now."

When it comes to the end, there is a bit of pantothenic acid in my heart.

Lian Er might be lying on that wild woman's bed right now.

I used to feel a little disgusted that Lian Er was unclean, but for more than a month...

Qin Keqing smiled and said, "Baozhu will send off Sister-in-law Feng on my behalf."

"Yes, ma'am." Baozhu replied, and then sent Sister Feng away.

Youshi said softly: "Sister Qing, my second sister and I have also gone back."

Qin Keqing nodded and said nothing more, watched Youshi and Second Sister You leave, and sighed faintly.

She was hesitating whether to make a side note later.

"The husband's temperament should not provoke any dubious women, and he doesn't flirt with women on weekdays. Otherwise, the two younger sisters of Sister You in Fuli have lived here for more than a month, and they haven't seen anything. That's what makes people feel uneasy." Qin Keqing thought about it.

She was afraid of meeting a woman from a famous family...

"It's been two months, and there is no movement in my stomach." Thinking of this, Qin Keqing couldn't help feeling frustrated.

In the wing-

Behind the screen, Qingwen was wearing a pomegranate skirt, and the girl raised her slender hands from the barrel, looked back at Jia Heng, her cheeks were bright red, and she tremblingly said: "My lord, the water is no longer hot."

Jia Heng nodded, and entered the bathtub with spices, which was obviously much larger than before.

At this time, Qingwen also had a pink and pretty face, and she took off her clothes without saying a word, stepped on the log with her tender white feet, hugged her chest with one hand, and entered the bathtub with the towel in the other.

Even though I don't know how many times I have washed like this, I feel a little shy.

"Did you drink alcohol today?" Qingwen looked at the young man with closed eyes and rested his mind. When he got behind the young man, she kneaded the young man's shoulders as usual, her crisp voice trembling slightly.

Jia Heng was pinched by a pair of small hands on his shoulders, especially the softness from his back. He also felt quite comfortable, closed his eyes slightly, and said softly, "Drink a few cups."

Qingwen said in a pretty voice: "It is said in medical books that drinking for a long time can damage the spirit and life, so you should drink less."

Jia Heng smiled, turned around, stretched out her hand to pull Qingwen over, and said with a clattering sound, "It's amazing, Qingwen is reading medical books now?"

Well, after all, there is no comparison, the difference between cloud and mud is too much to grasp.

Qingwen's delicate body trembled, her nostrils snorted, she lowered her eyes that melted away the mist, and said shyly: "Young master... don't underestimate people, I have recently...knowledge a lot of words, and I picked up a few new words too." book of."

Jia Heng nodded, and said softly: "Well, it has improved compared to before."

After bathing for less than half an hour, until the water temperature gradually cooled, Qingwen's cheeks were hot and soft like silkworms, the two changed their clothes, came out of the tub, and went back to rest without mentioning it.

……

……

The next day, Chu Palace
In the study room, a young man in his early twenties, with a jade-like face and an embroidered python robe, stood in front of a desk, staring at the map on the mahogany desk. deployment of troops on the ground.

At this moment, a servant came in and reported, "Your Highness, Duan Dian's army is here."

Unlike the former Ming Dynasty who raised vassal princes like pigs, Chen Han asked the adult prince to open the mansion to take care of things, so he properly prepared staff for him, on the basis of eliminating Liu Cao.

The palace set up a long history, who assumed the responsibility of managing the palace, and then the prince set up his own subordinates, the master book, and the record room to join the army, assist in civil and military affairs, and commanded 330 soldiers with sixth-rank military attachés to serve as the ceremonial guards of the vassal.

The purpose of excluding Liucao from joining the army is to prevent the prince from purchasing a small central organization, but also to exercise the prince's ability to manage and coordinate government affairs, so he recruits civil servants according to the errands he receives.

The King of Chu raised his head, his sharp eyes were slightly dark, and he said in a deep voice, "Let him in."

Not long after, a young man in the robes of a sixth-rank military officer and a black hat came in with a knife in his hand, and clasped his fists and said, "I have seen His Royal Highness the King of Chu."

The King of Chu stared at the young man and asked, "What do you say?"

Duan Dianjun said: "Your Highness, Jia Yunhui visited Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess yesterday and lingered in the Princess Mansion for more than an hour."

King Chu frowned and asked, "Do you know what you said?"

Duan Dianjun said: "The people under my command didn't break into the princess mansion, so I don't know the details, but this morning, my subordinates discovered that Liu Tong, the shopkeeper of Hanmozhai, went to Ningguo mansion together with Miss Lianxue, the eldest princess' personal maid. .”

The King of Chu pondered for a moment, then murmured: "Han Mozhai? Could it be the story of the Three Kingdoms?
After thinking for a while, he waved his hands and said, "Continue to be watched, and then go and call Mr. Pei and Mr. Feng."

Both Mr. Pei and Mr. Feng are the think tanks of the King of Chu, one serves as the chief historian in the mansion, and the other serves as the chief bookkeeper.

Duan Dianjun frowned and said: "His Royal Highness, recently my subordinates have also been stared at."

The King of Chu's complexion changed slightly, and he said anxiously: "What's going on? Didn't I tell you not to follow too closely?"

That Jia Yunhui is not a good stubble, it has only been a long time, and he has already been trusted by his father, as far as he knows, he has stayed in the palace many times.

"It's people from Nanzhen Fusi, it should be the time in Dongcheng. They found some clues." Duan Dianjun whispered.

Pan Jian, the second head of the Sanhe Gang, not only has a group of secret agents, but also has a list of officials who have been bribed by the Sanhe Gang.

Undoubtedly, the Sanhe Gang, which runs Dongcheng gambling houses and brothels, has a close relationship with some court officials.

That is to say, Jia Heng wiped out the Three Rivers Gang with a thunderbolt at the beginning, otherwise, if there is a long delay, it would be a big trouble for these people to connect under the needles of the Three Rivers Gang.

Because, this batch of lists not only includes civil servants, but also generals of the Beijing camp. Although it is not enough to control life like the "Hundred Officials", it is of great use for the King of Chu to use this opportunity to cultivate power.

The King of Chu said in a deep voice: "First collect the scattered hands, and don't move around any more recently."

He is not his brother Wang who is like a fat pig, and there is no emperor behind him to back him up and give him courage.

Duan Dianjun cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

When Duan Dianjun left, the King of Chu lost his focus for a moment, and the slender figure of his imperial aunt seemed to appear in front of his eyes. With one stroke, write two words: "Jia Heng."

The King of Chu looked gloomy, picked up the red pen on the side, and made a cross over the word Jia Heng, but when he finally wrote the pen, he ticked it, "This one is now trusted by the emperor, and he is also raising the soldiers and horses of the five cities." For such a key position as the secretary, you have to find a way to win over."

Not long after, Shi Liaoxian, the head of the Chu Palace, and Feng Ci, the chief secretary, Liao Xian was in his early forties, short and thin, with sharp eyes, serious and unsmiling.

Feng Ci was in his early thirties, tall and tall, with a handsome face, a beautiful beard under his chin, and a refined temperament. Both of them were born in Juren.

The two entered the study room, and Qi Qi bowed to the king of Chu and said, "I have seen the prince."

"Two gentlemen, please sit down quickly." When the king of Chu saw the two of them, he left his seat with a smile to greet them, and waited for the servant to offer tea.

Liao Xian looked at the King of Chu and asked, "Does the lord have something to ask?"

Feng Ci also set his sights on King Chu.

The King of Chu smiled and said, "I have some doubts about Jia Yunhui."

Liao Xian pondered, and said, "Lord of Ningguo?"

The King of Chu asked: "That's right. This son can be called the rising star in Shenjing, who has the most famous name and the most prestigious family members in the past three months. Do you two gentlemen think this son can be won over?"

Hearing this, Liao Xian shook his head lightly, and said, "This is the person of the Holy One, how do you win him over?"

The King of Chu was stunned when he heard the words, and said slowly: "But Mr. Liao, who is not the emperor's father?"

Liao Xiandao: "My lord, this man has been paying attention to this man, and he has also asked brother Xihe for advice. Jia Heng is a sage, and his honor and disgrace all come from his superiors. After observing his actions, he has a strong heart and would rather bend than bend. He is favored by the Holy One, if the prince can't win over such a person rashly, he is afraid that he will be self-defeating and plot against him."

Hearing this, the King of Chu looked at Feng Ci with a silent expression.

Feng Cidao: "Brother Shiqing's words are reasonable. The prince is not easy to win over, but he can secretly push the flames. When dealing with the man from Yongyefang, Jia Heng will cut off his fortune. He will definitely be jealous of the Duke of Qi."

When King Qi was mentioned, the King of Chu also had a strange smile on his face. This should be the most gratifying thing for him after the opening of the mansion. The Zhen family is also an old relative, so they have some relatives, if that's the case, let's forget it for now, it's just that this person... will wait for me to hinder?"

Liao Xian frowned and said: "Not yet, but it's hard to say in the future. Your Highness, the Holy Spirit is in its prime, so don't act too hastily. If you can't bear it, you will mess up and make big plans."

However, he saw that the King of Chu was "impetuous" after he was deposed recently because of King Qi, and he spoke out to persuade him.

The King of Chu took a deep breath, and couldn't hide the worry in his tone: "Next year... the third brother will also start the government and watch the government. He is the son of the eldest son."

Feng Ci said solemnly: "Your Majesty, you don't have to worry, there is no difference between the son and the concubine in His Majesty's heart."

The King of Chu said: "But the civil and military officials may not think so, and there are sisters from the Song family in the palace."

"Your Highness, whether you can enter the Lord's East Palace or not depends on the Sacred Heart. The Holy Dragon is not in good health these days, so the prince can walk around the palace more." Feng Ci said softly.

The King of Chu nodded and said: "This matter, when the side concubine went to the palace to greet her aunt, she said that the father occasionally felt cold and was worried about the past, so he went frequently. Isn't it a bit...too deliberate?"

One of the main concubines and two side concubines of the King of Chu, one of the side concubines, took the daughter of the nephew of Wu Tianyou, the Shaoqing of Guanglu Temple, and Wu Tianyou's younger sister was a nobleman in the palace.

Feng Ci looked at the King of Chu helplessly. This master is good at everything, but he can't bend his body. His father is sick, so he should visit him more often to show his filial piety. Who cares if he does it deliberately or not?

Liao Xian pondered for a while, his sharp eyes flashed, and said: "Your Highness's words are not unreasonable, they are too deliberate, and they are inferior. You can take the princess and the son to visit together. The emperor is not in good health. It is the dragon. Lying on the couch, when you are deeply in love, you must be very happy to see your highness and the little prince."

The King of Chu's eyes lit up, and he said, "Liao Changshi's proposal is feasible."

Feng Ci also took a deep look at Liao Xian.

(End of this chapter)