The Red Mansions

Chapter 986 Holding a Candle and Stepping on the Moon, Visiting Miaoyu at Night

In the study room, it was already time to light the lamps, and the candles on the candlesticks danced with clusters of golden-red flames, dispelling the darkness shrouded in the sky.

The girl with a slender figure and a fine figure is sitting behind the desk, looking for a map of Qinghai and Mongolia and flipping through it.

Jia Heng returned to the study and looked at the girl who was writing at the desk, her gaze was somewhat gentle.

Seeing the uneasy expression on the young man's face, Chen Xiao raised his eyebrows and asked, "What did the Mu family say?"

Jia Heng sat down, picked up the teacup in Chen Xiao's hand, and said, "According to Mu Sheng, the eldest son of the royal family of Dongping County, the King of Nan'an recently got together with those civil servants and wanted to slander Yu I."

Chen Ling thought for a while, then frowned and said, "Isn't this a long time ago, and the memorial just now has also been delivered."

"The toad lies on its feet, it doesn't bite but it's disgusting." Jia Heng drank the tea cup and said softly.

Chen Xiao's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked, "You want to deal with Nan'an County King?"

Jia Heng said: "His daughter is married to the King of Wei, and she has been married for a year or two, but she still hasn't come out. I heard from Xianning that the King of Wei seems to have the intention of accepting a side concubine. The status of the father-in-law of the Nan'an County King is probably unstable. As for others Yes, if you want to retaliate, the timing is not very suitable."

Chen Xiao picked up the teapot, poured another cup of tea for the young man, and asked, "Maybe the daughter of the king of Nan'an has some kind of hidden disease."

Jia Heng said: "Send the playbook up, let's wait for the good show."

Before the rumors spread, his resignation was handed over to Emperor Chongping's desk, and those slanderous words were like a clown jumping on the beam.

Chen Xiao nodded, and said: "The King of Beijing in the southern province recently proposed to use the navy of Fuzhou and Hangzhou to clear up the pirates and escort the sea trade roads, so as to levy tax money. The imperial court is also discussing these days. With regard to this incident, Guangzhou Customs collected 200 million taels of customs duties in less than a year last year, and there are many voices of praise from the ruling and opposition parties for this matter."

When Jia Heng was not in Shenjing, especially when he was still in the north to organize border affairs after the big victory, it was naturally impossible for the political life of the big man to stop.

The first is the customs that Jia Heng advocated to open at the beginning. After so long, it has also blossomed and borne fruit this year. Obviously, Chen Han has also tasted the sweetness, and successively added customs in Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, and even Jinling to promote sea trade.

However, new problems also emerged, that is, tax evasion by maritime merchants and pirates plundering commercial routes across the ocean, endangering navigation safety.

Jia Heng thought for a while and said, "I'm going to Jiangnan, and I'll go and have a look."

Although Bei Jing Wang Shui Rong's orientation is abnormal, he still thinks he can do something.

Chen Xiao rolled her eyes at the young man and hummed softly.

Secretly thought, I'm afraid I'm going to see the demon concubine of the Zhen family and Aunt Jinyang.

Chen Xiao regained his composure, and said in a clear voice: "It's time for a big wedding in a few days, please stay calm in the mansion, don't spread any bad rumors, now the whole capital's eyes are on you, you have All the romantic rumors spread all at once."

Jia Heng gently pulled the girl's plain hand, and said with a light smile, "Don't worry, I will pay attention."

Apart from Feng Wan, there was actually nothing else to pay attention to, and nothing else was a scandal.

Chen Xiao frowned, and said softly: "There is a lot of land in the south of the Yangtze River. It is said that the methods are cruel. I think there may be troubles recently."

Jia Heng said: "Gao Zhongping has a shallow foundation in the south of the Yangtze River. If he hastily postponed the Sichuan practice to the south of the Yangtze River, there will indeed be some troubles. Feige sent a letter to the Jinyi Mansion in the south of the Yangtze River, asking them to pay attention, and always pay attention to whether it will arouse the people's attention. Change."

The gentry can do this kind of thing, and put pressure on the court by coercing the people to make trouble.

Chen Xiaoqing said in a clear voice: "Jiangnan has already sent people to watch over it."

Jia Heng smiled and said: "It's getting late, it's time for dinner, let's have something together."

In the past two days since I came back, I have been frequently circling among the golden hairpins.

Well, he will go to see Miaoyu later, fortunately, he has been abstinent for a long time when he was leading the army in the north.

Grand View Garden, Eicui Nunnery

The moon and stars are scarce, and the summer wind is blowing. In the garden on the east side, a tree of thin plums rustles in the cool wind. The shadows of the branches are sparse, and it falls on the vines on the green eaves and white walls.

Miaoyu sat on a rattan chair, and on the small table next to her hand, a teapot spouted with gurgling steam.

A young girl in her twenties, with picturesque eyebrows, raised her eyes to look at the bright moon in the sky, gently caressing a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, her face as bright as spring without makeup, and the softness under her thin eyebrows The eyes seem to hide infinite thoughts.

Xing Xiuyan, who was sitting across from the small table, suddenly said: "I heard that Master Heng has a clairvoyance, and sister Yun used it to play with it that day. I took a look at it, and it was still close to my eyes when I looked through the mirror. If it is used for stargazing at night , but it couldn’t be better.”

Miaoyu turned her pretty face, her bright eyes twinkled, and she said softly, "I'll have one to see the scenery someday."

It has been two days since he came back, and he hasn't come to see her yet.

Xing Xiuyan said softly: "Brother Heng must have been busy a few days ago after he came back. I heard that tomorrow the mansion will worship the ancestors and celebrate the title of knight. You may not have time to come."

Master Miaoyu has almost become a husband-wife stone in the past few months.

Miaoyu's crystal clear face was filled with melancholy, she said quietly: "The residence will be lively for a while."

When he came back that day, she saw him too, but his eyes met for a while, nothing else.

Xing Xiuyan looked at the girl who was sighing faintly, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.

My aunt also said to let her promise to Brother Heng, but no one around Brother Heng has time to accompany her, so what did she do in the past?

Speaking of which, there is not much fun to speak of.

At this moment, Susu's joyful voice came from outside, saying: "Miss, Master Heng is here."

Jia Heng held a paper lantern, and the light and shadow crossed, gradually coming along a stone path paved with gravel.

Holding a candle and stepping on the moon, visit Miaoyu at night.

It was the night that was as cool as water and the stars as bright as a rainbow. Jia Heng stepped into the Changcui Nunnery, stood in the courtyard, and looked at Miaoyu who was sitting under the eaves, bored.

A lantern hung on the eaves of the corridor, orange candlelight poured down, and the candlelight hit the plump, white face, the face without makeup, the clean and beautiful facial features, the petite face was like a flawless white wall.

At this moment, under the beautiful eyebrows, those eyes with rolling eyes are projected, and the joy and sorrow are intertwined in the wonderful eyes.

Jia Heng's eyes were drawn to that Miaoyu for a while, then turned to look at Xing Xiuyan, and asked, "Xiuyan is there?"

Xing Xiuyan got up, and seemed a little embarrassed and said: "Brother Heng, I'm looking for Master Miaoyu to come over to play, you and Master Miaoyu chat first, I'll go back first, it's getting late."

Jia Heng nodded and said with a smile: "Cousin Xiuyan, I haven't seen you for a few months, let's talk together."

In fact, he quite likes Xing Xiuyan's temperament, but he obviously feels that this cousin Xiuyan is not that eager for him.

In other words, Xing Xiuyan's temperament is a bit calm and peaceful.

Xing Xiuyan hesitated for a while when he heard the words, but he couldn't bear to say goodbye and leave.

Jia Heng followed Miaoyu into the wing room, at this moment an oil lamp was lit up, reflecting the beauty's slashed face, at first glance, it seemed to be much clearer.

"Master Heng, long time no see." Miao Yu called out, her voice trembling slightly, and under the light and curved willow-leaf eyebrows, her clear eyes seemed to contain thousands of words.

"Yes, I haven't seen you for a long time." Jia Heng smiled and said: "This time I went to the north to fight against the enemy. I haven't listened to my master's Zen teaching for three to five months. I'm really not used to it. I finally have time today. Have a cup of tea here."

Seeing the two people staring at each other with affection in their eyes, Xing Xiuyan's heart skipped a beat and said softly: "Brother Heng, why don't I go back first."

It felt like if they stayed any longer, the two of them would embrace each other and kiss each other.

Miaoyu: "..."

Jia Heng smiled lightly, turned to look at Xing Xiuyan, nodded and said: "Cousin Xiuyan may go back first, I am a little confused and ask Mrs. Miaoyu for advice."

Xing Xiuyan was a little afraid to meet that warm and burning gaze, her beautiful and graceful cheeks were stained with a faint crimson cloud, she turned to look at Miaoyu, and said, "Master Miaoyu, I'm going back first."

With that said, he got up and left the wing room.

At this time, Jia Heng turned his scorching eyes to the girl in the moon-white monk robe again, and called out in a low voice: "Miaoyu."

Not much to say, she got close to her body, hugged Miaoyu all at once, moved to those two pink lips, and imprinted them heavily.

Just as Miao Yu was about to speak, she felt a warm breath rushing toward her face, her delicate body trembled slightly, and suddenly it was like a flood that had opened its gates. She clasped Jia Heng's shoulders tightly with both hands, and responded frantically.

After a long time, under the slender eyebrows of Miaoyu's willow leaves, Miaoyu looked at the young man with bright eyes, and her face was full of obsession.

Jia Heng caressed Miaoyu's cheek lightly, and said in a gentle voice: "Master, it has decreased in recent months."

Miaoyu also looked at the young man, and said softly: "You are on the battlefield in the north, are you not injured?"

"There is no hair injury, why don't you wait for the teacher to check?" Jia Heng took Miaoyu's bare hand, said with a light smile, and walked towards the bed in the inner room.

Miaoyu blushed and said, "The soldiers outside are fierce and dangerous, you should be more careful outside."

Jia Heng said: "After I went to the war, did the wife worry about it every day? You seem to have lost weight from hunger."

Miaoyu's clear and jade-like cheeks were blushing like clouds, she pushed the young man's hand away, and said angrily: "You are also the Duke of the state now, don't always mess around."

Jia Heng looked at the pair of eyes under the willow-leaf eyebrows, and said softly: "In the boudoir of the couple, if you don't move your hands and feet, why do you move?"

He took Miaoyu's hand, lay on the bed, and said, "Master, if I don't see you in a day, it's like three autumns."

Miaoyu said angrily: "You are a disciple, you are always good at talking sweetly, and you don't know how many girls you have deceived."

Saying that, he also followed Jia Heng's example, lying down, leaning on the pillow, looking at the jade cheek like a lotus in water with a peaceful state.

After all, he has been immersed in Buddhism for many years, and he has already cultivated some skills in nourishing Qi. Now leaning beside Jia Heng, he still has the solemnity of several eminent monks and great virtues.

Until Jia Heng lightly piled up the snowman, Miaoyu blushed in embarrassment, and lightly grabbed Jia Heng's hand, but it didn't work, so she simply let Jia Heng go.

Jia Heng said: "Miaoyu, when the middle of this month is over, shall we go to the south of the Yangtze River? Go to Gusu again, and then move the grave of the second elder to his hometown."

Miaoyu heard the words, under her eyebrows, she looked surprised and said: "You are so busy, do you have any free time?"

He still remembered the promise he had made to her.

Thinking of this, my heart is so sweet.

Jia Heng pinched Miaoyu's chin lightly, couldn't help but kissed that cheek, the tender face with icy skin and jade skin was delicate and delicate, and said: "I just happened to go to the south of the Yangtze River to inspect the navy, and I took part of the voyage to Denglai, Shandong. Tianjin Wei, besides, I have time to accompany my family, Miaoyu, at any time."

Under Miaoyu's curved and slender eyebrows, her bright eyes were mixed with shame and joy, and her heart was sweet. She looked at the young man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and she couldn't restrain her love, and said, "You, who belongs to your family now, eh~"

Wen Qingnv does not mean that she does not like to listen to love words.

Obviously, before Miaoyu could finish her words, she saw the young man approaching, a hot and intimate breath came to her nostrils, Miaoyu quickly bent her eyelashes and trembled, her cheeks were as beautiful as Xia and glowed like fire.

After a while, Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at the girl, and said with a chuckle, "Miaoyu, it's getting late, let's wash our feet and rest."

After a long time, I also miss Baihu Mantou.

Miaoyu made up her mind, said "Yes", and instructed Susu: "Go and prepare hot water."

Su Su responded and then went outside to call for the mother. After a while, she brought two copper basins of warm water.

Jia Heng smiled lightly and said, "Wash your feet and sleep soundly."

Saying that, she bowed and took off her shoes and socks for Miaoyu.

Miao Yuyu's face changed slightly, and she said softly: "Don't... how can I let you serve me?"

Jia Heng said: "Old couple, what's the matter?"

Saying that, I went to Miaoyu's shoes and socks. A girl in her teens, her slender jade feet are white and plump, and her toenails do not see Kodan and Impatiens flower juice. They fall in the palm, and they feel delicate to the touch, which obviously makes Miaoyu Embarrassed, Yufang turned her head aside.

Immediately, Miaoyu suddenly felt that there was a difference in the sole of her feet, she couldn't help laughing, and said: "You...don't make trouble."

Jia Heng smiled, and didn't continue scratching, said: "Master, don't be sullen all day long, just smile more."

Miaoyu's bright eyes flickered, and a surge of emotion surged in her heart.

As Jia Heng said, he put Miaoyu's feet into the copper basin, then went to wash his own shoes and socks, and also began to wash his feet.

Stretching her hand around the shaved shoulders of the nun beside her, Miaoyu leaned her head on the boy's shoulder, feeling a sense of peace in her heart, and said in a low voice, "Shouldn't there be wars in the future?"

"How come?" Jia Heng said with a chuckle, "It's just that there may be a national war like before, and it's all a local war."

Miaoyu pursed her pink lips, her eyes were full of pity, and she said, "You have been fighting all over the past few years, are you tired?"

Jia Heng held the girl's hand, looked into those clear eyes, and said with a smile: "I'm a little tired, but the title has been rising steadily in the past few years, so it's worth it. Besides, I can protect you now."

Miao Yu said softly: "The officialdom is ups and downs, dangerous and unpredictable, you should be careful in everything."

Jia Heng smiled lightly and said, "I will."

The two wiped their feet and slept on the bed.

Jia Heng removed the clothes on his body, looked at Miaoyu, and said softly: "Okay, it's getting late, it's time to rest."

Miaoyu's cheeks were as red as clouds, and her voice was like a mosquito, "Don't play tricks."

However, seeing the young man smiled, he had already embraced his body and rushed towards him, and said in a low voice: "Don't play tricks, let's experience Master's Dharma."

Miao Yuxiu frowned slightly, and said angrily, "Don't make fun of everything."

I secretly said a Buddha's name in my heart, praying.

After a while, the two hugged each other.

"At the beginning, I said that this is a good omen for you, didn't you, you won the battle in the north, I have to take a good look at it." Jia Heng said softly while pulling his teeth.

Miao Yu snorted, and said in embarrassment, "You, don't talk nonsense."

After a while, he lowered his eyes to the young man crouching on his knees, his clear cheeks were as red as blood, and he didn't know what to say for a while.

In Changcui Nunnery, a round of bright moon above the sky shines on the earth, the moonlight is like yarn like mist, covering the eaves of the houses. In the summer of Chongping 16th, the heat gradually rose, and fireflies swayed in the tops of sycamore trees and grass indefinite.

Jia Heng raised his eyes and looked at the lush hair hanging down, sticking to the temples with sweat, the face without any rouge was bright and charming, leaning close to the shiny and pink cheeks, whispered: "Miaoyu, I miss you."

Miao Yuyu's face was as red as Danxia, ​​her delicate body trembled, and she gave a soft "hmm", her bright eyes seemed to be unopened, her eyes turned charming, she looked at the young man bewilderedly, and immediately frowned , and then stretched out, leaning the scorpion's head against the brocade quilt on the side.

……

……

Nan'an County Palace

In the hall, the night is dark, and the sound of singing, dancing and orchestral in the pavilions is noisy and noisy, over the jagged mountains and rocks, the pavilions and pavilions locked by phoenix trees.

On the second floor of the attic, Yan Ye, king of Nan'an County, stood on the pavilion, turned to look at Liu Fang, and asked, "Everyone has been sent to arrange it."

Liu Fang smiled and said: "Your Majesty, just wait, after these two days, the public opinion in Beijing will be completely agitated, saying that the Duke of Wei is a young hero, and he is also a foreign relative, holding heavy Chinese and foreign troops in his hands, perhaps like Yang Sui The story, the threat to the artifact, when the time comes, the Holy Majesty will definitely be suspicious after hearing about it."

When Yan Ye heard the words, his eyes flickered, and he said: "With this theory, with the temperament of the palace, there must be some action. Then you can wait and see the changes in the next few days."

Liu Fang lowered her voice, and said: "Your Majesty, the courtiers have long been dissatisfied with the children. This time, Mr. Yan has secretly found a lot of officials of science and Taoism, and is ready to take advantage of the opportunity. When the time comes, the momentum will be huge, and it will happen to overwhelm everyone." Suppress the child's arrogance."

The so-called Lord Yan is Han Huang's brother-in-law Yan Hong, who is now a sacrificial wine for the Guozijian.

It can be said that during the time when Jia Heng went to the north to conquer the captives, the situation of the Han Dynasty also quietly changed dramatically.

It is mainly manifested in the rapid expansion of the power of the Zhejiang Party. Although the governor of Liangjiang was replaced by Gao Zhongping, the talent pool of the Zhejiang Party was already unrivaled in the world. After a large number of vacancies appeared, it has already occupied half of the court.

Yan Ye said with emotion: "Since Yang Guochang retired, the Zhejiang Party has gradually become more and more powerful. In the previous Chunwei admissions, the first class was full of Jiangnan scholars, and the second class was nearly two-thirds. There were all Zhejiang people inside and outside the court."

Chen Han's Spring Trial was originally scheduled for February, but because of the Northern War, it was postponed all the way to March [-]th. Not long ago, it was the time when Jia Heng was patrolling the border affairs in the north, and the dust settled one after another. Release the list.

Although the proportion of scholars from the north and the south was balanced as far as possible after the ratio adjustment, the scholars from the south of the Yangtze River were still at the top of the list, so the southern scholars had more advantages in the selection of Shuji scholars and even Hanlin scholars.

Emperor Chongping was naturally quite critical of this, but it was impossible to use this as an excuse to get angry, and he just held back.

In fact, Gao Zhongping's drastic action in the south was secretly promoted by Emperor Chongping, and he acquiesced in it.

Because of the continuous natural disasters in the north, many official officials lived in the south of the Yangtze River.

Therefore, mergers and acquisitions of gentry in the south of the Yangtze River have become common in recent years, the rich are criss-crossed, and the poor have no place to stand.

It was only after Jia Heng returned to Beijing that he reminded Emperor Chongping not to act too hastily, which made Emperor Chongping hesitate again.

Shi Guangzhu turned to mention another matter, and said: "My lord, my nephew Silai, the position of admiral in Shandong still needs the approval of Duke Wei. If he refuses, my nephew thinks it will be difficult."

Yan Ye pondered: "He is going to marry Princess Xianning during this period of time, so he may not have time to go to Shandong. You are also working in the Military Aircraft Department. Now the Military Aircraft Department is mainly to rectify military affairs in Hebei, Shandong, and Shanxi, and to reorganize the navy. In the Commander's Mansion of the Five Armies, he is considered familiar with naval affairs, no matter how powerful the child is, there is only one person in the end, and he can't do everything by himself."

This is the general strategy of Jia Heng's national policy, which is to take advantage of the great victory over the captives to sort out the provincial armies in Shandong and Hebei, and rebuild the navy at the same time.

Shi Guangzhu frowned and said: "What the prince said is true, this military aircraft is not his own."

"In a few days, Mr. Li Ge will go to Beijing to report on his duties. I don't know whether to stay in Beijing or continue to leave the town of Beiping." Yan Ye paused slightly, his eyes darkened.

The Zhejiang people in the current court situation are indeed a little stronger.

"Does the lord know Gao Zhongping, Governor of Liangjiang?" Shi Guangzhu suddenly asked.

Yan Ye said: "Isn't this person being impeached very badly recently?"

Shi Guangzhu said: "What is Gao Zhongping doing in the south of the Yangtze River to clear up the acres of land, collect taxes according to the amount of land, and implement a whipping method to collect the color and silver. Now both the officials and the people in Jiangnan are full of complaints."

Yan Ye's eyes flashed coldly, and he said: "Gao Zhongping was also the right-hand man of the emperor back then. Later, the chieftains in Sichuan continued to rebel, and the emperor appointed him to suppress Sichuan and rule Shu. More than ten years later, he used it in Weifu, Sichuan for himself. This time I went to the south of the Yangtze River to follow the method of Bashu, but the situation in the south of the Yangtze River is complicated, and it is a place with heavy taxes, so it is not enough to do it recklessly."

Shi Guangzhu thought hard on his face, and said: "This Gao Zhongping doesn't look like a ignorant person, so what is he going to do?"

Yan Ye said: "In recent years, the imperial court has not been well-off. Taxes in the south of the Yangtze River have been decreasing year by year. The gentry and rich families have accumulated private land, but the taxes cannot be collected. Whenever the treasury is empty, it is nothing more than increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. Gao Zhongping went to this time Jiangnan went for open source.”

Shi Guangzhu said: "In the past half a month, impeachment reports in Beijing and China are as sparse as snowflakes."

Yan Ye snorted coldly, and said, "Don't worry about it, Gao Zhongping will naturally back down when the whole body opposes it."

In fact, not only the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River, they also owned a lot of fields around Jinling.

(End of this chapter)