The Red Mansions

Chapter 873 Qin Keqing: Third sister, she used to serve...

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace
The lights were brightly lit, and there were crowds of people, while the eunuchs and court ladies under the pillars stood with their hands down.

Push the cup to change the cup, drink three rounds.

After a family dinner full of excitement, Jia Heng looked up at Emperor Chongping, whose cheeks were blushing and stupefied, and said, "My lord, too much wine can hurt your body, so it's better to drink less."

In fact, the alcohol content at this time was generally low, but Emperor Chongping didn't seem to drink much at ordinary times. After drinking, his cheeks were flushed, and his thin, sunken cheeks were somewhat shocking.

Empress Song looked at Emperor Chongping with her soft and watery eyes under her eyebrows, and she also persuaded him, "Your Majesty, you can't just drink alcohol all the time."

Emperor Chongping was drunk at the moment, with a hint of drunkenness lingering between his resolute brows and eyes, but his words were also a little vague, he waved his hand and said, "Zitong, I'm fine, I haven't drank like this for a long time."

Emperor Chongping had always been self-disciplined in his life, and he hardly ever drank alcohol.

Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at the Son of Heaven. At this moment, his face was as usual, but his eyes were as warm as jade, and his voice was earnest, and he said: "Your Majesty, you still need to take care of your dragon body."

Emperor Chongping smiled and said: "I usually don't like to drink, but today I am happy, and there will be no court meeting tomorrow."

Said, took a sip lightly.

Jia Heng paused, turned to look at Empress Song, but heard the beautiful woman's soft and soft voice, and said: "Zi Yu, please persuade Your Majesty."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said softly to the gentle eyes, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty has been too tired all these years."

When Empress Song heard this, her delicate body trembled as if she had been struck by lightning, and even Emperor Chongping, who was in a drunken state, couldn't help but soften his heart.

Yes, these years he was too tired, he had nothing to eat and nothing to drink, but the big man was like a boat full of holes, leaking everywhere, but he didn't know how to fix it, he just felt like a mess , Innumerable threads, until the appearance of Ziyu, his son-in-law.

Jia Heng said softly: "Your Majesty's dragon body is still being recuperated, it's enough to be exhausted, and there is no need to drink too much to hurt your body."

Emperor Chongping sighed, and said: "What Ziyu said is very true. Today is only this one time, and this is not an example."

Originally, there was a trace of complicated emotions hidden, but now with Jia Heng's words, it became more and more intense.

"Your Majesty." Empress Song saw tears in her beautiful eyes. Under the light, it looked like tears in diamonds. This beautiful woman's face, which was as beautiful as peaches and plums, was a little more mournful and soft.

Jia Heng looked at the beautiful woman with such beautiful features and eyes, her heart was pounding a little bit, she suppressed the intoxication that was rising from her body, and thought, Empress Song must have been a peerless beauty when she was young. The color is heavenly.

After a while, the Son of Heaven drank a few more glasses of wine, and became a little drunk. His eyelids drooped slightly, and he closed his eyes, as if he was immersed in some emotion.

Empress Song said softly: "Your Majesty, my concubines are supporting Your Majesty to rest."

Emperor Chongping did not refuse this time, obviously a little drunk.

At this time, Dai Quan came over to support him, but the emperor's steps were faltering, and his body became extremely heavy at this moment.

Jia Heng stood up, stared at Dai Quan, and said softly, "Eunuch Dai, let me come."

When he came to the Son of Heaven, he held Emperor Chongping's arm lightly, and on the other side was Empress Song. At this moment, a fragrance like orchid and musk mixed with the smell of wine came to his nostrils, especially the softness of inadvertent touch. Jia Heng's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly smoothed the ripples in his heart, resisting with great willpower.

Or say, wine is a matchmaker for sex?
"Xianning, come and help me." Jia Heng said softly.

Xianning came over, he needed to restrain himself.

The father-in-law was drunk, and the mother-in-law accompanied him... The son-in-law abstained from sexual intercourse for dozens of days because his wife was pregnant.

At this time, Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue had already stood in front of them, and they had come over like little daughters-in-law. Under the two curving eyebrows, their crystal clear eyes were shining brightly, and their jade face was flushed after drinking, and they said softly: "The queen mother ,Let me do it."

As he spoke, he put up the other arm of Emperor Chongping.

After Empress Song stepped aside, her beautiful face was as bright as rouge, and she said softly, "Zi Yu, help Your Majesty to rest in Nuan Pavilion."

Jia Heng responded softly, and couldn't help but glanced at the beauty leading the way in front of her. The hair was in a high bun, the skin on the back of her neck was white and greasy, and her eyes were floating down to the ground.

Even though the palace was dimly lit, he couldn't see the change in his eyes, so he quickly withdrew his eyes, not daring to take another look, and supported Emperor Chongping towards the palace surrounded by curtains.

At this moment, Princess Xianning was also leading the way. After a short while, several people came to Xinuang Pavilion and tipped the emperor on a kang couch. The palace servants and inner eunuchs from all directions began to carry pillows, clothes and bedding.

Because of drinking a glass of wine, Empress Song's jade face was as red as rouge, as bright as a peach, with a soft and waxy voice, she tucked the quilt up for the emperor, and said softly, "Zi Yu, it's good to be here."

Otherwise, really bring outsiders to her bedroom?
Jia Heng said softly: "Your Majesty, you can cook some green plum soup to soothe Your Majesty from the hangover, so as not to wake up tomorrow with a dizzy head after a hangover."

When Empress Song heard the words, she nodded her head and said softly: "Come here, go to the imperial dining room and follow this order, and immediately cook a pot of green plum soup."

"Yes, ma'am." A female officer responded softly, and immediately left as ordered.

Under the willow eyebrows of Empress Song, her beautiful eyes were rippling slightly, and she looked at the young man with watery eyes, pursed her pink lips and said, "Zi Yu, Your Majesty, these years have indeed been difficult."

Jia Hengdao: "The Holy Majesty spends so much time and effort on the national affairs. I just supported him, but I feel thin and weak. Your Majesty should also advise Your Majesty to take care of the dragon's body. In matters of state affairs, the Holy Majesty's bravery and decisiveness should be used. Given time, the weather will surely change and the country will flourish, so there is no need to rush for a moment."

Well, he guessed that the emperor was not completely drunk and passed out, and should have a hazy consciousness. Zhuge was only cautious in his life.

Of course, the most deadly saying at this time is "the Holy One has no worries, the state government and military affairs have their own ministers and others to prepare for it." The seeds of woe.

A son-in-law is always a son-in-law. It can be said that the one sleeping in front of him is not the emperor, but a tiger, squinting his eyes and snoozing, alertly listening to the wind and grass at any time.

Empress Song nodded, and said: "Ziyu, you and Xianning are now...you son-in-law should try to persuade you. I can't persuade Your Majesty at ordinary times. It's okay during this time. Your Majesty listened to it last time." With your persuasion, the body will take care of itself for a while."

Jia Heng cupped his hands and agreed.

Princess Xianning on the side said: "Queen Mother, don't worry, I will persuade Father Emperor."

Empress Song nodded.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, you and Your Majesty had a rest earlier, and I will take my leave first."

"It's getting late." Empress Song said softly, "Xianning, you and Chanyue are sending Ziyu off. He drank again in such heavy snow."

If it weren't for the strict rules of the palace, in fact, stay...

Well, it's not quite right after all.

"Yes, Queen Mother." Princess Xianning said softly, then called Li Chanyue who was waiting outside, and the two of them picked up an umbrella and a lantern, and sent Jia Heng out of the palace gate.

After Jia Heng left for a while, the middle-aged emperor, who was soundly asleep on the kang couch in the warm pavilion, suddenly snorted, and seemed to open a line of drunken eyes, but only squinted them, and then closed them immediately.

Obviously just now was not really drunk to the point of unconsciousness.

Empress Song said softly, "Your Majesty, you are awake."

"Zitong, I'm a little thirsty." Emperor Chongping said slowly, his eyes slightly closed, as if he hadn't recovered from the alcohol.

At this time, Empress Song took a bowl of sour plum juice from the hand of the maid, and said softly: "I have sour plum juice here, Your Majesty, please taste it."

Emperor Chongping gave a "hmm", served sour plum soup under the service of Empress Song, and asked, "Ziyu is gone?"

Empress Song said with a smile: "You just left, Your Majesty has to take care of the dragon's body. Zi Yu said before leaving that it is important for Your Majesty to take care of the dragon's body, and there is no need to rush state affairs."

Emperor Chongping gave a "hmm" and drank a bowl of sour plum soup. After a while, he really felt that the groggy feeling on his head dissipated and his whole body became warmer. He handed the bowl to Queen Song and asked, "Who is this sour plum soup?" Is it sweet and delicious?"

Empress Song smiled, and said softly: "It's still the cooks in the imperial dining room. If your majesty likes to drink, the concubine will cook tomorrow for your majesty."

Emperor Chongping closed his eyes slightly, and responded softly, as if he didn't speak anymore.

On the other side, Jia Heng left the Kunning Palace with an octagonal glazed palace lantern (element awareness) given by the Kunning Palace, and walked towards the palace gate along the tall and majestic palace wall in the dark night.

At this moment, it was already the time of Xu, the sky was gray, and the heavy snow like goose feathers had fallen a foot thick. The vermilion-painted palace walls and the red lanterns under the eaves swayed with the wind, shining circles of red halos. There is a little joy.

Princess Xianning held an umbrella to keep out the wind and snow, and said, "Sir, Father has not been as happy as he is now for many years."

Jia Heng sighed: "Your Majesty has been diligent in administration all these years, and he has been exhausted for state affairs."

"Yeah, father has been so busy with state affairs ever since I remember when I was a child." Princess Xianning said with emotion, she gently took Rajaheng's hand with her delicate hand, and said angrily: "By the way, Mr. Shout out to Father?"

Jia Heng looked at the girl and said with a smile: "It's not easy to yell nonsense, I will change my words when I formally marry Zhi'er in the future."

Princess Xianning sighed lightly and said, "I don't know how long we have to wait."

Li Chanyue said weakly: "Cousin, now there is no peace talks with Jurchen, I'm afraid it won't be long."

Princess Xianning said softly: "But the soldiers are fierce and dangerous, and you don't know how much risk you are taking."

She thought about sharing the burden with him earlier, but the husband felt that she was not as useful as cousin Xiao.

Princess Xianning said: "Sir, Chanyue and I will send you to the princess' mansion. It's so late, so don't disturb the whole mansion."

Jia Heng: "..."

Ke Qing, who was playing mahjong in Ningguo Mansion, heard Xianning's abacus.

Jia Heng thought for a while, then said in a gentle voice, "I'm full of alcohol today, and I've been tired for another day, Xianning, let's go another day."

At this time, Ke Qing probably had just finished playing mahjong and was waiting for him to explain the offering of prisoners at the Taimiao during the day.

Princess Xianning pursed her lips when she heard the words, and said softly, "Then sir, be careful. If you go to the Yamen of Jinyi Mansion tomorrow, send someone to call me."

"Well, then I'll go back first, and you guys will go back too." Jia Heng nodded and said softly.

Then a guard at the gate of the palace took the reins in his hand, turned over and got a maroon horse, and then the Jinyi mansion guard who had been waiting for a long time in the distance followed quickly with a knife.

Princess Xianning watched Jia Heng leave until she couldn't see the young man's back, then reluctantly withdrew her gaze, looked at Li Chanyue, who was also looking like a watchman, and said sadly: "Chanyue, let's go back."

"En." Li Chanyue nodded lightly, her bright eyes twinkled, and followed Princess Xianning towards the palace.

Ningguo Mansion

Just as Jia Heng thought, at this moment in the mansion, the lights are bright, and the mahjong is playing non-stop. Daiyu, Lanxi and other Yingying and Yanyan who live in the East Mansion are sitting together and talking together.

Winter nights are always long, and since dinner, a crowd of Yingying and Yanyan have been playing in the hall, because Daiyu just moved here, and a few girls from the West Mansion also came to talk with her, but when it got late, For example, Baochai, Xiangyun, Baoqin and Yingchun all returned to Xifu.

Right now, at the position by the east window, Daiyu is playing chess with Zhen Lan with a chess piece, and she is a little tired at the moment, but she just wants to wait for Jia Heng to come back.

At this moment, Qin Keqing was sitting on the Arhat bed, surrounded by Sister Feng and Youshi, the second and third sisters were sitting together, Ping'er, Caidie and other maids were serving on the side.

Although Qin Keqing was touching mahjong in his hand, he still looked out of the courtyard from time to time.

Sister Feng smiled, started a conversation, and jokingly said: "Sisters and sisters, I heard from the servants outside that Brother Heng brought those Jurchen Tartars to sacrifice prisoners, and then escorted Luanjia to the palace."

Youshi played a piece of "Dongfeng", and the bright eyes under the willow eyebrows showed a little emotion, and said softly: "It's been many years since the Taimiao sacrificed prisoners. Speaking of which, when I was young, I always listened to the grown-ups. said."

"Nonsense." Third Sister You said with a light smile, "I'm missing the east wind of big sister."

Youshi smiled and said angrily: "Sister, you know you are bullying me, and you have beaten me several times today."

Third Sister You smiled and said, "I'm not bullying Eldest Sister."

At worst, let the eldest sister take advantage of her east wind in the future.

Qin Keqing took advantage of the time when the cards were being shuffled, and said softly: "No one will stay in the palace at night, and the palace gate will be locked. It seems that the sky is about right, so it's time to come back."

Third Sister You threw a card, with a slight smile on Yanye's bright face, she said softly: "Sister, you won't be coming back today, will you?"

Sister Qin is not feeling well today, so she has already agreed to let her...

Don't let there be some new moth.

Qin Keqing raised her eyebrows and said softly, "Where else can I go if I don't come back? The palace doesn't allow you to stay overnight."

As she spoke, some resentment welled up in the depths of Beauty's heart.

Sister Feng's eyes turned around, and she joked with a smile: "But Qing, the palace doesn't allow you to stay overnight, so why don't you abduct it into some little vixen's house?"

Third Sister You has always been hot-tempered, so she snorted softly and said coquettishly, "Our family is not short of vixen."

As he spoke, he glanced at the face of the second sister beside him, and immediately fell on Youshi's absent-minded Wen Ning's eyebrows, and then on Sister Feng's red phoenix eyes, with a vague sneer on the corner of his mouth, even Finally, he glanced at the face of Daiyu who was seated next to him.

Sister Feng: "???"

This Third Sister You is really getting hotter and hotter, even she dares to tease her?

Daiyu: "..."

Second Sister You's cheeks were slightly hot, and her cheeks, which were as soft and delicate as peach pistils, blushed slightly.

And just when everyone had different thoughts, the nanny under the eaves called out and said in a warm voice: "Grandma, the uncle is back."

The few people who were playing mahjong were all happy, and followed the sound.

While speaking, a young man with an octagonal glazed palace lantern in his hand, wearing a black and red python suit, and a black screen on his body, a thin layer of snowflakes fell on both sides of his shoulders at this moment.

Everyone got up and looked at the boy.

Jia Heng entered the hall, looked at the few people who were playing mahjong, and said softly: "It's so late, you still haven't fallen asleep?"

Qin Keqing got up, greeted the general, helped Jia Heng untie the cloak, and said softly: "I am playing mahjong with a few sisters, my husband, why did you come back so late?"

Jia Heng said softly: "The palace left food and talked about political affairs, and then it dragged on until now."

Saying that, he sat down on the chair next to the small table, picked up a cup of tea on the coffee table, took a sip, and sobered up a little.

Sister Feng said: "Brother Heng, I heard that this Taimiao Prisoner Offering is not very lively, but in the end it sounded creepy. Many people in the city went to see the military building of the capital."

Jia Heng smiled and asked, "Sister-in-law Feng didn't go?"

I don't know if it's because of drinking wine, seeing Sister Feng's smiling and rippling charm at this moment, that's all, maybe it's because of her stamina in Kunning Palace...

Zhen Lan looked at the young man, and said softly, "Brother Heng, are there no peace talks with Nuzhen anymore?"

Well, that day when Brother Heng kissed her, she was also his woman, so when he asked about it, he was confident.

Jia Heng looked at the girl with bright eyebrows, nodded and said: "The peace talks with Jurchen are no longer mentioned. After this incident, the court has actively prepared for war."

Zhen Lan said softly: "Brother Heng won the court meeting today."

Jia Heng took a sip of tea and said, "The general trend is not to be violated."

Right now, Daiyu is sitting with Zhenxi holding a handkerchief across a square of chessboard. Daiyu's brows are furrowed, her starry eyes twinkling.

Even though he knew that this was just normal, he still felt a little uncontrollable loss in his heart. With so many people, it was not convenient for Brother Heng to talk to her.

Zhenxi was keenly aware of Daiyu's thoughts, pulled the girl Su's hand, and said softly, "Sister Lin."

Daiyu looked at Zhenxi and nodded.

Jia Heng took a peek at Daiyu, saw the girl and Zhenxi's small movements, and said: "Sister Lin, it's so late, let's rest earlier."

Facing those warm and jade-like eyes, Daiyu said: "Well, I came here to play and talk, and I didn't realize it was so late. The winter night is long, and I can't fall asleep for a while."

Jia Heng nodded, and said: "The younger sister will play first, and I, who smell of alcohol, also went to take a bath."

Said, put down the teacup and got up.

Qin Keqing nodded, and said softly, "Third sister, go and serve."

Jia Heng: "???"

His eyes flickered, and in a flash of his mind, he knew that this was what Keqing was declaring in front of all the girls, and couldn't bear to touch Keqing's face.

In fact, even Daiyu knew about Qingwen serving her in the bath, but Daiyu herself didn't care about it. Most of Daiyu's eyes were on Keqing.

In other words, for a good-looking woman like Third Sister You, in Daiyu's eyes, she just regarded her as a beautiful aunt who served Israel.

When Third Sister You heard the words, her cheeks were slightly ashamed, she stood up gracefully, and responded, while Qing Wenxiu, who had just put down the teapot and was going to take a bath with Jia Heng, frowned, her small mouth resisted not to be pursed , but felt a little aggrieved.

But after all, this was the order of Qin Keqing, the wife in charge. Qingwen knew the seriousness, but she felt sad.

Daiyu's bright starry eyes were fixed, but she didn't say anything.

Although she didn't care much about Third Sister You, but in front of her after all, she felt a little bored in her heart.

Zhenxi lowered her eyebrows, gently took Daiyu's hand, and said in a low voice: "Sister Lin, it's getting late, let's go back earlier and rest."

Daiyu responded softly, and bid farewell to Qin Keqing.

At this moment, Jia Heng was already heading towards the wing room in the backyard. At this time, the corridors and wing rooms along the road were brightly lit, shining like daylight.

Jia Heng and Third Sister You walked slowly along the corridor, the cold wind blew on their bodies, the drunkenness receded, and they couldn't help shivering.

Seeing this, Third Sister You said softly, "Master, is it cold today?"

Jia Heng said: "Fortunately, I've been tossing around today, but I don't think it's so cold."

At the beginning, after all, she was overshadowed by Jia Heng, but Third Sister You was not that shy, she said coquettishly, "I'm supporting the uncle."

Jia Heng didn't refuse either, as he approached the wing, he asked casually: "Sister San, what are you doing in the mansion these days?"

Third Sister You smiled and said: "I didn't do anything, I just accompanied Sister Qin to take care of the affairs of the house. It's not the Chinese New Year soon, and the garden is in order. The garden is really beautiful and beautiful. Chic."

Jia Heng smiled and said: "When the time comes, you will live in the mansion, so you can visit it from time to time."

Third Sister You smiled, and said, "That's good."

Sure enough, she wasn't allowed to live in that garden, and of course she didn't want to, she lived in Aunt Ning's yard, and it was cheaper to travel.

The girls in the garden want to be like her, and there are still others waiting.

(End of this chapter)