The Red Mansions

Chapter 536 Jia Heng: What advice does the unknown concubine have?
It's time to hold the lanterns at the Princess Jinyang's Mansion.

The courtyard where Yuan Chun was located was shrouded in night, and two candles were already lit in the wing room.

In the inner room, in the steaming wooden bathtub, Yuan Chun slightly closed his eyes, held a towel, and was taking a bath. A red candle on the high table reflected the clouds on the screen.

This [-]-year-old girl, who was born on the first day of the first lunar month, has a plump body and white and greasy skin. According to Jia Heng's previous feelings, she is a little fat. When she hugs her, she seems to have fallen into a pile of cotton on an autumn afternoon. .

Yuan Chun's round and smooth face was as pink as clouds and as bright as hibiscus, and the hot water that lifted the petals fell on his neck.

"Miss is not strong right now, let me take care of you." At this time, Baoqin came over with a towel and helped Yuanchun take a bath.

"Yeah." Yuan Chun frowned, and responded softly.

Thinking of the scenes of messing around with Jia Heng earlier, I still feel the embarrassment and joy still lingering in my heart.

Under Baoqin's service, Yuanchun changed into a light yellow dress after taking a bath, because his legs were trembling at the moment, so he could only let Baoqin support him, came to the bed, lifted the quilt and sat in .

At this time, the inner compartment has been replaced with new sheets and quilts, and the agarwood and ice cream in the smoked cage ignited a few wisps of light smoke, dispelling the previous charm.

Baoqin turned around and poured a cup for Yuanchun with the teapot, and said softly: "Miss, drink some tea first, and relax yourself. The kitchen will prepare dinner later."

Yuan Chun gave a soft "hmm", drank tea, leaned against the pillow, and lay under the quilt. At this moment, his whole body was as soft as noodles.

Holding the piano and putting the teacup away, sitting in front of Yuan Chun, she said in a low voice: "Girl, you should be more careful in the future. Although they are all from His Royal Highness Jin Yang at the Princess Mansion, after all, there are too many people with mixed eyes. Broken, fortunately we are a private courtyard, it's better, no one will come here without my permission, but after leaving the courtyard, girl... I'm not worried, it's the uncle, I have to talk to the uncle about this, it's different from the girl Fortunately, messing around in front of people saves me from gossip, if a girl thinks long and far, she has to be more cautious about these things, and you can't let the old man's temper in everything, as the old saying goes, you can sail with care."

This is to remind Yuanchun to be careful in front of others, and not to cuddle with Jia Heng, or even make too intimate moves.

Hearing this, Yuan Chun raised her beautiful eyes that were full of water, nodded and said: "Well, I'll talk to him when I turn around, he usually pays attention."

After all, having lived in such an important place as the palace for several years, the sense of secrecy of the master and servant has been tempered.

However, Jia Heng had never been intimate with Yuan Chun in public before, and no one else doubted them about flirting with each other.

"Girl also pay attention to some eyes, don't show Xingzang, and this hair bun, you have to comb the girl's hair bun, and cover your eyebrows with gouache." Baoqin sighed, secretly said evil fate, and warned road.

Yuan Chun nodded, and said in a low voice, "Well, when we were in the palace, some nuns had very poisonous eyes, and you could tell at a glance."

In the palace, she heard the mother-in-law discussing that whoever is eating with the eunuch, as long as the body is broken, can be seen at a glance.

Baoqin thought for a while, blushed again, and said in a low voice: "There is one more thing, if the girl is like that... the monthly letter is too late, you must pay attention to it, and don't miss it..."

It would be a great thing to have a grandpa's child.

"He...he has arranged it all." Yuan Chunfang was ashamed, and said in a low voice, raised her eyes to look at Baoqin, took her maid's hand, and said in a soft and pretty voice: " Good sister, you are careful, you will help me keep an eye on it in the future, and be careful not to let others see the clues."

Baoqin said in a low voice: "Miss, don't worry, I'll help you watch."

Yuan Chun said softly: "My good sister, we have depended on each other for so many years after entering the palace, and now we come out together, you have served me so hard for so many years, I will not let down this fate, if you have the heart, I will let him take you in for two years You go to the room and I will give you a good result."

Hearing the words while hugging the piano, her heart trembled slightly, filled with surprise, she bit her lower lip with her white teeth, her cheeks were flushed, she lowered her head, but she didn't say much.

When Yuan Chun saw this situation, he knew that he had made up his mind a long time ago, and said with a light smile: "Then it's settled, and I will tell him next time that one day I am inconvenient, so you can help me bear some pain." .”

Even her maid can be with him openly, but she can't, of course letting Baoqin to Heng is a layer of identity protection, even if someone is suspicious, just let Baoqin come out to stand up.

Since this girl is a female historian in the palace, she still has some scheming.

Holding the qin, she gave a "hmm" and said again: "Girl, if the wife is still urging, I will still follow the girl's wishes and prepare the Buddhist scriptures first. After the girl returns to the mansion, she will look for the East mansion." The man who called Miaoyu talked about Buddhism together, and after a long time, the wife got used to the girl even though she was unhappy."

Yuan Chun said in a soft voice: "I was also of the same opinion. It's better for my mother to deal with it."

"Then there's nothing else to do." Holding the piano and talking, he suddenly frowned and said: "Girl, I think His Highness Jinyang knows about the girl and the uncle, the last time I talked about qin music with the girl, it seems to be..."

"Your Highness Jinyang may as well, even if she knows, it's nothing." Yuan Chun thought for a while and said in a low voice.

Anyway, she also knew about the "personal relationship" between the eldest princess and him, and such things were common in history, and happened frequently in the royal family.

……

……

Palace Garden, Hall of Martial Arts
The night was low and the lights were just coming on. The glass carved windows in the Xinuan Pavilion were shining brightly, reflecting a graceful figure.

Sitting on the grand master's chair behind a mahogany book case, Jia Heng looked down at the materials moved from the Wenyuan Pavilion's collection of books, which were the taxpayers in Henan, Shandong, Hebei and other places, as well as the disaster-stricken centers of the three provinces' vassal reports over the years. The situation is sparse.

In recent years, the cold weather and reduced grain production have become a problem that the entire Han Dynasty is facing.

The biggest feature of these three provinces is that they are located in the north, lack of rain and water, and have been repeatedly plagued by drought and locusts. Coupled with the exploitation of corrupt officials, the people are miserable, so they can only flee to other provinces, or become bandits.

"This historical period is said to be in the third Little Ice Age. It seems that we must look for high drought-resistant crops such as sweet potatoes and potatoes. Otherwise, it will not be a long-term solution to draw from the south to supplement the north."

Thinking about it, Jia Heng picked up the official military establishment of the Henan Metropolitan Army archived by the Ministry of War and looked it up. The Henan Metropolitan Army has ten guards and several thousand households, guarding Luoyang, Kaifeng and other big cities. The vacancy is more serious than that of the Beijing camp. In fact, it is not bad to have half of the registered soldiers.

"According to Henan Dusi's report, more than 1 people were dispatched to wipe out the bandits in Jigong Mountain. If there is a mistake, Henan's military strength will be empty, and the consequences will be disastrous." Jia Heng frowned as he read the military strength in Henan and other places, and his heart gradually cast a layer of haze.

Thinking back to the end of the Ming Dynasty in the previous life, the official army was retreating steadily against the peasant army, and the peasant army was invincible. Now he is only initially rectifying the Beijing camp, but the top-down corruption of the Han army system has not been resolved in any way.

Just as Jia Heng was thinking about the situation in Henan, the conversation between the eunuch on duty outside the hall and the woman could be heard faintly: "Your Highness, Lord Jia is still in the Hall of Martial Arts."

"I know, you guys should step back first."

Jia Heng's face paused slightly, and he looked at the voice.

As a result, Princess Xianning, who was slim and slender with a beautiful complexion, led several female officials around a screen with mountains and rivers, and appeared in front of her.

Illuminated by the lights, the girl in pale red palace clothes is slim and graceful, with only a sapphire hairpin pinned between her temple hair combed with clouds and moonlight, the bright eyes under her curved and beautiful eyebrows are full of stars and moon, her jade face is like iceberg snow lotus, clean air,
"Sir." Looking at each other, Princess Xianning smiled lightly, called out, and came stepping forward.

Jia Heng got up quickly and asked, "It's so late, Your Highness hasn't slept yet?"

"I couldn't fall asleep in the bedroom. After reading for a while and thinking about it, I came to see Mr. Xianning." Princess Xianning said in a clear voice, and asked with a smile: "Did you disturb Mr.?"

"No." Jia Heng said with a smile, glanced at the food box in Princess Xianning's hand, and asked, "This is your Highness?"

Princess Xianning's eyebrows were curved, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks. She seemed a little embarrassed. She put the food box on the wooden table and said with lowered eyebrows: "I made some white fungus and lotus seed porridge for my husband. I’m hungry, use some to warm my body.”

Jia Heng looked at Princess Xianning and said, "Thank you Your Highness, I didn't have much dinner tonight."

It was true that I hadn't eaten dinner when I had a fight with Yuan Chun before, so I am really hungry now.

During this period of time, as long as he stayed in the Wuying Hall, Princess Xianning would often come over to deliver food. He was flattered at the beginning, but now he is gradually getting used to the girl's feelings.

Princess Xianning said softly: "Sir, you can't always be busy with official duties, you have to take care of your body. Next time you should eat dinner on time."

Jia Heng nodded, but it's hard to explain the details, after all, the reason behind it...is chilling.

Princess Xianning scooped up the porridge bowl for Jia Heng, and when she put it away, she was attracted by the map with a pair of shining eyes, and asked curiously: "Sir, are you looking at the maps of Henan and Shandong?"

Jia Heng nodded and said: "Look at the situation in the two provinces. In recent years, these provinces have either reported disasters or riots every year. Many people have fled to the capital for food. Local internal affairs are unstable, which is the source of turmoil in the world. , If we can detect the failure of his government, we can also find a strategy for long-term stability and prevent troubles before they happen."

Princess Xianning nodded, and said with emotion: "I want to make the people live and work in peace and contentment, have a livelihood, and there will be no chaos among the people."

Jia Heng said: "Yes, the tyranny is fiercer than the tiger. Although the taxes in these provinces are exempted every year, the people still have no livelihood and the people suffer from hunger. This is the dereliction of duty of those in high positions."

Princess Xianning looked at the young man and said softly, "Mr. is so concerned about the country and the people, which is admirable."

As he spoke, he handed Jia Heng a bowl of porridge: "Sir, let's eat the porridge first, we'll talk about it later."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Jia Heng reached out to take the porridge bowl, picked up the spoon and ate it in small bites. The aroma of the food stimulated the taste buds, and he was really hungry.

Princess Xianning's eyes fell on the boy who was eating white fungus porridge with his head bowed, and the bright eyes shining under his beautiful eyebrows were dazed for a while, seeing that the food was delicious and sweet, and his heart was a little sweet.

"Mister, I really don't need dinner. I should have brought some snacks for Mr. Xianning." Princess Xianning said.

Jia Heng laughed and said: "It's because His Highness's craftsmanship is so good, this porridge is sweet and delicious, even if it is an imperial chef in the palace, it can't be as good as it."

Princess Xianning smiled lightly and said: "Mr. is too famous. There are more over there. I will serve him a bowl."

Saying that, the girl went to pick up Jia Heng's porridge bowl.

Jia Heng didn't refuse either, and handed over the porridge bowl, touching the skin on the back of the girl's hand with her fingertips, she was also a little moved, but she saw that Princess Xianning was also a bit shy.

"Sir, you said you were going to Beijing camp earlier, but when will you be going?" Princess Xianning filled a bowl, handed it to Jia Heng, smiled and said, "I've been looking forward to it for a long time."

"In the past few days, the Holy Majesty has been urging me to train soldiers. Tomorrow is His Royal Highness King Wei's housewarming. After the breakup, if Her Royal Highness is free, you can take a walk around the capital camp with me." Jia Heng said .

Princess Xianning was overjoyed when she heard the words, and asked, "Is the Beijing camp finished now?"

Jia Heng nodded and said: "It's been a few months, and it's almost the same, but there is still a lack of actual combat."

After finishing the porridge with white fungus and lotus seeds, I was about to take the handkerchief from the armhole, but it was all empty.

Well, he almost forgot that he had wiped Yuan Chun's mouth at the eldest princess's mansion earlier.

"Sir, here." Princess Xianning said softly, and handed over a handkerchief, made of silk and white silk, with a little lotus embroidered on it.

Jia Heng reached out to take the handkerchief, wiped his mouth, but it was not easy to return it, and said: "After I wash it for His Highness, I will give it to His Highness."

"No, sir, just keep it." Princess Xianning said hastily, and changed the topic and said: "Then I will see Brother Wei tomorrow, and I will go to the capital camp with you to meet my big man's soldiers."

Just as Jia Heng was about to say something, suddenly a female official came from the outside, with a slightly flustered expression, she said in a low voice: "Your Highness, Concubine Rong is here."

Princess Xianning was stunned, panic flashed across her beautiful face, and she said in a low voice, "Sir, concubine mother is here."

Jia Heng said: "Concubine Rong, presumably she is calling His Highness to go back."

Concubine Duan Rong came here at this time, most likely to see that her daughter is not being abducted by him, of course there are other reasons.

He had a close relationship with Princess Xianning in the palace, it is impossible for Concubine Duanrong not to know, this is not sitting still.

Not long after, I saw a graceful and quiet girl with a cloud piled in a green bun, surrounded by female officials and nuns, entered the palace. Her face was slightly similar to Princess Xianning's facial features, but she was slightly familiar and elegant. She was even taller and outstanding, and beside her was a little girl in a green skirt and airy bangs, who was Li Chanyue, the lord of Qinghe County.

"Mother Concubine." Princess Xianning stood up and bowed to the graceful and gorgeous beauty, her eyes drooping slightly, and her mind was disturbed.

"I have seen Concubine Rong." Jia Heng also got up from behind the mahogany case, and bowed to the beautiful woman.

The noble concubine Duan Rong had a calm expression on her crystal-clear jade face, and said softly: "You don't need to be polite, Dudu Dudu."

Among Jia Heng's many positions, he chose the governor of Jinyi, which is of course very particular. The governor of Jinyi is more like a servant of the Tian family, not a retainer.

The beauty stared coldly at the porridge bowl on the desk, and her heart "thumped" for a while. In the past few days, she had heard some rumors that Xianning often came over to ask for warmth when Jia Heng was on duty at the Wuying Hall, making beds and folding quilts. , like a maid and concubine, how decent is this?
Li Chanyue gave Jia Heng a white look first, and then quickly winked at Princess Xianning, as if saying that I didn't stop her either.

Li Chanyue often talked with Concubine Duanrong these days to relieve boredom, and then lived in the bedroom where Princess Xianning lived.

Jia Heng was silent for a while, and asked why he came here: "I don't know what the imperial concubine is here, what can I teach you?"

"Jia Dudu shared the worries of the state affairs and stayed in Yeting. She has always been messing around in Xianning and often disturbed her. I apologize to Jia Dudu on her behalf." Duan Rong's face was cold, her lips were slightly parted, and the words she said were full of politeness. A wave of alienation.

Jia Heng's complexion remained unchanged, and he said: "Your Majesty, you are being polite. Your Highness is sympathetic to the hard work of the humble minister, who forgot to sleep and eat, and gave the banquet on behalf of the sage. The minister is grateful and deeply impressed."

"Mother and concubine." Seeing such a serious monarch and ministers playing right, Princess Xianning had a look of worry on her brows, and she opened her mouth to say something, when she suddenly saw her phoenix eyes glaring at her with such stern eyes, her heart was shocked, He pursed his lips and remained silent.

"Xianning, it's getting so late at night, you and Chanyue should go back to the dormitory and have an early rest." Duanrong Guifei said calmly.

Jia Heng's eyes were fixed, and a strange feeling suddenly appeared in his heart.

I always feel that this imperial concubine looks a bit like a proud peacock at this moment.

In fact, the concubine Duan Rong, who is good at singing and dancing, is indeed arrogant.

Princess Xianning hesitated for a while, and finally said in a low voice: "Mother Concubine, the minister there will go back first."

While speaking, he glanced at Jia Heng worriedly. With his temperament, he shouldn't quarrel with his mother and concubine, right?
"It's late at night and the stone road is wet and slippery. Your Highness and the princess should walk slowly." Jia Heng looked at Princess Xianning and warned her.

After Princess Xianning and Princess Qinghe left, Concubine Duan Rong gave the female officer a wink, and immediately, the female officer retreated outside the room.

In the West Nuan Pavilion of the Hall of Martial Arts, there were only Concubine Duanrong and Jia Heng left in a blink of an eye.

Concubine Duan Rong sized up the boy in the python suit, and had to say that this boy is indeed a rare young handsome man in Beijing, let alone His Majesty's confidant, no wonder she would be tempted by Xianning, regardless of his reputation Lossy, come here frequently.

"If you have any orders from the imperial concubine, you may as well say it bluntly. I will continue to look at the map later." Jia Heng looked at the beauty opposite him calmly. , Qiong nose and sandalwood mouth, with a bit of narcissism in his cool temperament.

"Jia Ziyu, Xianning often comes to the Hall of Martial Ying, and there are rumors in the palace, do you know?" Concubine Duanrong didn't make any detours, or in the face of such important court officials, it would be better to go straight than to go straight.

Jia Heng's eyes fell on the beauty's beautiful face, and he said calmly: "Your Majesty, if a palace official violates the tongue, your Majesty should go to find the Empress, not a humble minister."

Concubine Duan Rong frowned, and said softly: "I have dealt with the palace, but Xianning often comes to look for you, and you obviously have a family, so you don't alienate her by yourself, instead... I don't know why?"

The young man in front of him is an important minister of His Majesty, so she can't blame him too much, but it will not be a problem if it goes on like this.

Jia Heng asked: "Your Majesty, are you saying that the minister has brought His Highness down?"

"It's not bad." The noble concubine Duan Rong's jade face was faint, she stared at the boy who was a year or two younger than her daughter, and said: "You can understand it as a mother's request. Xianning is over two years old. Eighth, because her eyes are higher than the top, she has never found a suitable family, considering Xianning's reputation, it is not good for her to have frequent contacts with you in this palace."

Jia Heng was silent for a while, then suddenly asked: "Before the imperial concubine came to look for the humble minister, did you tell the emperor or the empress?"

Concubine Duanrong's expression was uneasy, and she said in a sullen tone, "I'm looking for you, and I still want to tell His Majesty?"

She is a noble concubine and Xianning's concubine mother, who else needs to tell her?

Jia Heng's face was still calm, and he asked: "Your Majesty thinks that the Empress Dowager is not worried about His Highness's reputation because she is the lord of the six palaces? Or is it because His Majesty is not worried about her daughter's reputation?"

When Concubine Duanrong heard the words, she was slightly startled and fell silent for a while.

How could she not know what His Majesty and sister's plan was, but she really couldn't figure it out, could it be possible to force people to divorce their wives and marry another?

She could only pretend not to know, and came to look for Jia Ziyu.

Otherwise, if the two children really did something that insulted the reputation of the royal family, how should Xianning and her deal with each other in the palace?

Jia Heng said in a low voice: "Your Majesty's mood, I understand very well, but Your Highness came to visit me, can I still scold her? As for the others, Your Majesty is a smart person, since she can restrain His Highness, she just came to Xunchen and said, It's nothing more than wanting my minister to be a villain, but since I and Your Highness are friends, how can we face each other coldly and distance ourselves because of the flirtatious thing, this embarrassment is embarrassing for the minister."

"But if you go on like this...is it a long-term plan?" Concubine Duan Rong was ashamed and annoyed when her heart was punctured, she said anxiously, after thinking about it, she said in a low voice: "If you are willing to divorce the Qin family, This palace is not..."

Jia Heng didn't wait for Concubine Duan Rong to finish speaking, and said calmly: "I don't want to."

Concubine Duanrong: "..."

She was a little annoyed at the bottom of her heart, she knew that her daughter had a golden and jade character that was rare in the world, but she didn't want to...

I was a little surprised that the young man in front of me was so decisive, not everyone could cut off the chance to marry the Tian family without hesitation.

Jia Heng thought for a while, weighed his words, and said: "Your Majesty is looking for me like this. I don't think it will help anything. It will easily cause His Highness to rebel and hurt the relationship between mother and daughter. Your Highness has always had her own opinions."

In fact, he even felt that Concubine Duanrong was here to help, how many young men and women may not be persecuted, it is not very good, but with pressure, they become more frustrated and courageous.

Concubine Duanrong frowned, she felt reasonable for a while, she also knew Xianning's temperament.

(End of this chapter)