The Red Mansions

Chapter 991 Empress Song: Well done, why did she suddenly want to have a baby?
Ningguo Mansion

A bright moon hangs high in the sky, shining on the black tiles on the eaves, and the glass in the eyes of the little beasts with owls on the winding roof seems to be shining. In the west window room in the southeast corner of the back house of Ningguo Mansion, the candles are brightly lit. In the exquisitely furnished and luxurious interior, on a glass mica screen, a peony flower is in full bloom.

In the inner room, the husband and wife were sitting side by side on the bed, talking in a low voice.

The maid Baozhu brought a copper basin of hot water, bowed and said in a low voice, "Grandma, uncle, wash your feet."

Jia Heng looked at the beauty at the side and said, "Ke Qing, let's wash our feet and go to bed early."

Qin Keqing responded, and said with a light smile, "It's getting late."

Third Sister You squatted down and said with a smile, "Sister, let me help you wash your feet."

Qin Keqing said softly: "Third sister, let Baozhu come."

Third Sister You smiled and said, "I was supposed to serve my sister."

In a wealthy family, the concubine's room is indeed a slave to the mistress of the family. Of course, the headed wife in Jia's mansion is more lenient.

Qin Keqing couldn't hold back Third Sister You's enthusiasm, so she could only let Third Sister You wear shoes and socks.

After a while, Baozhu also came into the wing room with a basin of hot water, waiting for Jia Heng to wash.

Baozhu and Ruizhu slowly lowered the hanging curtains, and added ice cream and agarwood crumbs to the smoked cage.

Qin Keqing wiped off the water stains on her feet, and with Jia Heng's help, she lay quietly in the inner room. Seeing the gentle smile on her brows and eyes, the beauty asked, "Husband, Zhong'er is not that old?" Little, I'm thinking of making a marriage for him, what does your husband think?"

Jia Heng said: "Okay, which girl did you fall in love with?"

Don't be the girl in the garden?Do you want to block it?
Leaving aside Xing Xiuyan, just talking about Li Wen and Li Qi, they are actually about the same age as Xu Ren.

Well, probably not.

Under Qin Keqing's beautiful eyebrows, her beautiful eyes shone slightly, and said with a light smile, "Daddy told me that she is the niece of a distant nephew of Zhao Shangshu."

Jia Heng asked in surprise, "Which Zhao Shangshu?"

"It's Zhao Yi, an official from the Ministry of Industry." Qin Keqing said softly.

Jia Heng was thoughtful, and said softly: "That is also a scholarly family, but Yue Zhang and Zhao Yi work together in the same office, so if they are married, will there be gossip?"

In fact, there is a certain relationship between Qin Zhong and Shuiyuean's intelligence, but Qin Zhong's fate has obviously changed compared with the original book.

Qin Keqing had a thoughtful expression on her face, and said: "It seems to be a distant niece, she is far away, so it shouldn't get in the way. Besides, my father is also old, and he has not been an official in the Ministry of Industry for a few years."

Jia Heng smiled and said: "Since that's the case, I'll help Jingqing write the marriage letter another day. The key is whether Jingqing herself likes it or not. After all, it's up to her to live her own life, and it's better if she likes it."

"I've seen that girl before, Jingqing also likes it." Qin Keqing said with a smile.

Looking at his wife's sweet smile, Jia Heng's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help feeling a sense of peace in his heart.

Gently stroked Qin Keqing's lower abdomen, and said, "I'll listen to the child."

Qin Keqing gave a "hmm", and then looked at the young man leaning against his protruding belly, with a slight smile on his plump and soft face, happiness and sweetness surged in his heart.

At this time, Third Sister You also went to change her clothes, lifted the quilt and entered the bed.

This bed was originally made spacious and comfortable, and now the three of them were lying on it, and it didn't look crowded at all.

The husband and wife were talking, Qin Keqing took Jia Heng's hand, her cheeks blushed inexplicably, and said softly: "Husband, it's night, let's rest."

In fact, she also missed her husband a little during this time, but she heard the medical officer say that she is pregnant and cannot have intercourse, but somehow she misses her a little.

Jia Heng turned her eyes to Third Sister You, who seemed to be unbuttoning her collar, revealing her water-green dress, and said, "Let's rest together."

Because of the hot weather, the curtains were not lowered, the three of them got on the soft mattress and the curtains were lowered from the golden hooks.

Jia Heng was lying on the bed, holding Qin Keqing in his arms, talking in a low voice.

Suddenly, his expression paused, and he looked at the girl whose hair was coiled and the pearl hairpin on the cloud bun was shaking slightly, and asked, "Where did Third Sister learn all this?"

Third Sister You spoke vaguely, took a breath, and said, "Didn't the uncle always let Qingwen take care of you?"

Under the gaze of Qin Keqing who seemed to be smiling but not smiling, Jia Heng also looked a little unnatural, and said, "Qingwen is still young, so it's not good for her to break her body too early. Sometimes she will inevitably be hungry."

Qin Keqing tilted her blushing face at the side, and said softly: "She has been with your husband for two or three years, when will your husband come into the house?"

Jia Heng said softly: "Actually, there is no rush, the third sister's marriage, hiss..."

It seemed that when marriage was mentioned, Third Sister You was a little emotionally unstable, and it was inevitable that she lost the importance.

Third Sister You raised her beautiful and jade face, her eyes were full of mist, and said: "If the uncle is busy recently, there is nothing wrong with waiting for a while."

As she spoke, the pearl hairpins between her temple hairs swayed again, her jade cheeks sunken and stretched from time to time, under the beautiful eyebrows, the curved eyelashes covered a cluster of shadows, and the cheeks on both sides of her nose were already as red as rouge, as bright as rouge. spring flowers.

Jia Heng thought for a while, then said softly: "I don't have much time recently, so don't worry about the third sister, it's just a formality."

Third Sister You condescendingly looked at the young man's face, and after a short while, slender and tender, she led the boat into the port, and said, "It's okay to hold a wedding when the uncle is free."

Qin Keqing looked at the young man who frowned and relaxed, and his temples were slightly sweaty, and leaned into his ear, and said, "Husband, after sister Xianning passes through the door, husband usually runs away from both sides."

Jia Heng was surprised, and asked, "Xianning, you haven't seen her before? She's usually easy to get along with."

Xianning became a legal husband and wife after getting through the door, and she probably also clings to her. Fortunately, Keqing is pregnant, otherwise she doesn't know how to think wildly.

A look of reminiscence appeared on Qin Keqing's face. Hearing the weird voice in his ear, for some reason, he also felt that Fang's heart was beating a little fiercely, and his delicate body felt hot, and said: "When the lady in the palace rewarded things, I saw it once or twice. , it seems that it is much easier to talk."

Jia Heng said: "It would be nice if you get along more often, she has no airs."

Qin Keqing glanced at Third Sister You, who was getting better and better, and said angrily, "How do you get along? Do you want to be like Third Sister?"

I don't know why, seeing my husband and other women... I feel a little weird, maybe it's too hot today?
"I didn't say it, you said it yourself." Jia Heng paused, almost sat up in shock from dying, and quickly denied it.

Qin Keqing snorted and said softly: "When Sister Xianning and Sister Chanyue pass through the door, I'm afraid that my husband will stay in the Princess Mansion every day, and I don't know how happy I am. At that time, I will not return home."

After all, she is romantic and graceful, and she is good at flirting with love. Now that she has moved her true feelings, there is a touch of unspeakable charm invisibly.

Jia Heng looked at Qin Keqing who was entangled like a water plant, gently stroked his shoulder, and said in a low voice: "Okay, I'm full with vinegar, don't make my child sour."

Qin Keqing: "..."

Why is she jealous?Well, she was a little worried that day Huang Guihua, the imperial daughter of the clan relied on her status to favor her husband alone.

Jia Heng said: "Okay."

As he said that, he patted Third Sister You's crispy body, and opened the eyes of the girl with flying hair, the sweat from the hair on her temples washed away the makeup, showing a surprised look.

Up to now, Keqing has actually passed three months.

"Husband, child." Qin Keqing's jaded face changed slightly, she bit her pink lips with cherry white teeth, and said in a trembling voice, clearly feeling that the wanderer who had been wandering outside for half a year knocked the copper ring on the rich door.

"Well, there's nothing wrong with small snacks." Jia Heng gently caressed her slightly raised belly, whispering.

After all, there is Third Sister You who can save the situation, mainly to comfort Keqing's pain of lovesickness.

Qin Keqing said "Mmm", her cheeks were as red as blood, she leaned slightly sideways, gently stroking her swollen belly, and let Jia Heng do whatever she wanted.

The night is dark, and it's almost midnight.

The bright and bright moon on the sky has long been covered by clouds. If you look at it from a high altitude, you can see the houses of green bricks and black tiles in the courtyard of Ningguo Mansion, which are dotted with sparks. It is the lanterns under the eaves dotted with the vast Ningguo Mansion.

In summer, the cool wind blows back and forth, carrying the scorching heat, and slowly walks through the flowers. The lotus in the pond is swaying non-stop, and the crystal morning dew falls on the lotus leaves, falling on the lake, and ripples are born in circles. The fragrance came out silently.

……

……

next day
Jia Heng got up, changed into a boa jacket with embroidered badge patterns, stood in front of the bronze mirror, and looked at the tall, handsome young man with sharp eyebrows, sharp eyes, rosy cheeks, and a face full of smiles. Feel refreshed.

I will never give birth to the feeling that I was hurt by wine and sex.

After calling the servant girl to wash up, she is ready to have breakfast.

"Master, Uncle Zhongqin, General Cai and General Dong are here." At this moment, a servant girl entered the hall and reported.

Because Chen Hanyi was a general named Zhongyong Bo during Taizong's reign, so even though Xie Zaiyi was very brave, he changed the title to "Zhongqin" to encourage him not to slack off.

Jia Heng ordered: "Lead people to the study outside, I will change my clothes and go there in a while."

A few days have passed since returning to Beijing, but they haven't seen Xie Zaiyi, Cai Quan and the others yet.

Because apart from summoning the members of the Jia clan to worship and pray to their ancestors, he did not hold any banquets to celebrate the dukedom of the Sheng Kingdom, nor did he distribute invitations widely.

The former offered sacrifices to the ancestors and consoled the family temple. No one could tell what was wrong with it, but the latter spread invitations and invited civil and military congratulations, which seemed ostentatious.

These are all ways to bring disaster.

The maid took Jia Heng's order and ran quickly towards the flower hall in the front yard.

In the hall, several young military officers sat on nanmu chairs, drinking tea and waiting.

The big man Zhongqin Bo Xie Zaiyi was wearing a military officer's robe at the moment, and there was a thoughtful look on Shen Yi's face.

In fact, ever since he was named uncle, Xie Zaiyi obviously felt that he was out of tune with the four kings and eight princes of the old martial arts system of the Han Dynasty.

In the celebration banquet held earlier, except for the generals and schools in the Beijing camp who came to congratulate, there were no courtiers and veteran martial arts officials, and they clearly felt the exclusion and cold reception of a veteran martial arts force.

This is actually due to the lack of political foundation. Even in the political map of the Han Dynasty Hall, it is divided into Jia Heng's party.

If there is no Duke of Wei, Xie is still serving as a horse at the gate of the city, what do you want to do?

Xie Zaiyi thought so.

Not far away, Cai Quan, who was sitting upright, had a flushed face, and his heart was inexplicably excited.

The past few days can be described as a horseshoe disease in the spring breeze. Three years ago, he was an ordinary household in the Beijing camp, but now he has been promoted to the governor of the first battalion, and his title has also been promoted to a baron.

Dong Qian put down the teacup in his hand, occasionally seeing Xie Zaiyi, a trace of envy welled up in his eyes.

Although he made some contributions in the northern expedition with the army, he was not conferred a title, and filled the vacancy of a general in the Central Guard Army.

Not long after the three of them were led to the study by the servant girl, they heard the sound of steady and powerful footsteps coming from under the veranda. Handsome for the holidays."

Cai Quan and Dong Qian also approached, cupping their fists to salute the young man.

Jia Heng approached and supported Xie Zaiyi's arm, and said with a smile: "They are all my brothers, so there is no need to be polite."

Several people sat down again, Xie Zaiyi's eyes were full of concern and said: "How did Commander Jie deliver his resignation to the palace yesterday?"

Both Cai Quan and Dong Qian also cast doubtful glances at the young man.

This Jingying Jiedu envoy did a good job, why did he send his resignation to the palace earlier?Could it be that something happened in the court?
Jia Heng's face was calm, and he said slowly: "Someone is secretly agitating public opinion and trying to slander me. I want to be in charge of the Beijing camp. I have more energy and care. Why don't I wholeheartedly plan side affairs, so I handed in my resignation to the palace. Holy Majesty refused."

After hearing this, Xie Zaiyi saw anger welling up on his face, and said: "These civil servants, when the Eastern captives were fighting fiercely in the northern border, did not see them go to battle with the captives, now that the world is peaceful, they come out to make trouble again. "

When mentioning this matter, Cai Quan said angrily: "When I went to the Ministry of War these days, I saw some treacherous and slippery civil servants who spoke in a strange way. It's really hateful!"

"It's not just civil servants, there are also some founding warriors who are jealous of my brother's great victory in conquering captives." Jia Heng said.

Xie Zaiyi's eyes flickered coldly, and he said, "Jie Shuai is referring to the Prince of Nan'an County?"

Jia Heng said softly: "We have won the victory, and the authority over military affairs has gradually increased, while the Nan'an County King and others naturally regard our brothers as thorns in their eyes and thorns in their flesh."

Xie Zaiyi frowned, and asked, "What's the next plan for Unknown Jieshuai?"

Jia Heng said in a cold voice: "Don't worry about them for now, I'll wait for the brothers to follow the steps, suppress the captives and resist the barbarians, and wait until the time is right, and then make any calculations."

Xie Zaiyi nodded, and said: "Even though the Eastern Captives have gone through a great battle, they haven't hurt their roots. After a year or two of recuperation, they may make a comeback. In the future, when they will be more useful, we will see who is the pillar of the country!"

Cai Quan nodded, and agreed: "Brother Xie's words are correct. To what extent have the founding warriors of the country been corrupted over the years? They eat vegetarian food in their corpses, and they are jealous of the virtuous and capable. Who doesn't know about civil and military affairs in the Manchu Dynasty?"

Jia Heng pondered and said: "Recently, information from the Jinyi Mansion shows that Donglu will cause trouble in the northwest. You recently looked for some geographical maps of the mountains and rivers in the northwest. You may use them sometime."

Judging from the information Xiaoxiao gave him in the past two days, it is only a matter of time before the start of the war in the northwest. If the king of Nan'an and other founding military heroes lose the battle, the northwest will be pacified with thunder.

Xie Zaiyi said softly, "Don't worry, Shuai Jie."

Jia Heng said: "Tomorrow, I will go to the Beijing camp to meet a group of generals. Although I have won a big victory recently, I must not be arrogant and the training must not be interrupted. I will go to the Beijing camp to supervise the army in the next few days."

The three of them nodded in agreement.

Jia Heng told the others to keep a low profile recently, glanced at the sky outside, and said: "I will go to the palace to celebrate the queen's birthday later, so I won't keep you any longer."

In fact, this kind of canon should be to order the wife to go to the palace to celebrate, but he still has an identity, that is Xianning's consort, and Keqing is pregnant, so he can only go there in person.

Xie Zaiyi, Cai Quan, Dong Qian and others bowed their hands and said goodbye.

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace
It's the Dragon Boat Festival, and today is the birthday of Empress Song. The six palaces and other palaces in the harem have all been decorated with lanterns and festoons, hung with silk and wrapped in silk, creating a lively and noisy scene.

And some palace women in bright dresses are holding jade ruyis and various tea and fruit snacks in their hands, walking back and forth between the palaces.

Empress Song was dressed in a splendid dress, her appearance was beautiful, and the cloud bun decorated with a dripping emerald jade crown was majestic and gorgeous, and her greasy face showed no traces of time, but after years of accumulation, her eyebrows and eyes were mature and gorgeous. The charming charm overflowed silently.

The beauty who had given birth to two sons had a plump body, with a full moon trembling under her white and delicate neck.

At this moment, Empress Song was accepting congratulations from some imperial wives, while Concubine Duanrong and other concubines sat aside to accompany her.

In addition, Mrs. Rong Guotai was also accompanied by Mrs. Wang, sitting on the side with a smile, talking to a few Mrs. Gaoming who were also aged and had chicken skin and white hair from time to time.

Concubine Nan'an was not here, she excused her illness and only sent Princess Luo Shi of Nan'an County to visit her.

"Your Majesty, Duke Wei is here." Xia Shouzhong approached and bowed respectfully to Empress Song and said.

Now that Wei Guozheng is favored, the princess and the princess are favored, the Jia family is even more popular, and he has a niece, if he promises to Jia Jiarong's mansion that Baoyu who was born with jade, his position in the palace will be more stable ?
In fact, it was time for Baoyu to make an appointment, and it was early in the morning for a wealthy family to make an engagement.

When Empress Song heard Jia Heng's arrival, her snowy complexion, Hua Yan's radiant face was full of smiles, and she called out softly: "Xuan."

And several maids in the palace also lifted the screens to cover the imperial wives and concubines sitting on the embroidered pier on both sides.

Not long after, Jia Heng was wearing a black and red python suit and a wingless crown with a mountain character on his head. Under the attention of everyone in the hall, he stepped into the hall, stood still, and bowed to the graceful beauty. , Said: "I have seen the empress, the empress is a thousand years old."

As for the gift list, it has just been delivered to the inner eunuch waiting outside the palace.

Seeing the tall and straight boy in the python suit, Empress Song felt a tinge of joy in the deepest part of her heart for no reason, she smiled sweetly, with soft eyes, and said: "Zi Yu is free from courtesy."

Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue were sitting on the lower chairs talking, and at this moment, they all looked at each other, with joy in their clear eyes.

Empress Song's beautiful eyes were full of concern, and she asked softly, "Zi Yu, why haven't you seen Mrs. Qin?"

Jia Heng didn't look sideways, and said loudly: "Go back to your mother, Zhuo Jing is pregnant with Liujia, and her body is getting heavier. She is raising her baby at home. I can't pay my respects to my mother. Please forgive me."

He'd better keep his own place, the emperor treated him well after all.

The smell of "Queen Song is here, she won't let her go if she doesn't give birth to two" should be put away.

But while his eyes were drooping, his eyes still unavoidably staggered a bit on the valley of the full moon.

Empress Song Yurong was slightly stunned, under the curved willow eyebrows, her eyes were as bright as water, and she said softly: "There is no excuse for this, it is not easy to walk around carelessly this month."

I remember when she was pregnant with Ran'er, she didn't dare to slack off in the slightest, lest the child...

Well, all right, what is she thinking about having a baby all of a sudden?
The beauty quickly dispelled the thoughts in her heart, her beautiful eyes shone brightly, and she said: "Zi Yu, the palace has already prepared a wedding these few days, and the daily single eye of the wedding has come to you, do you have any objections?"

Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, my minister is stupid and straightforward, I don't know etiquette, I just listen to the palace's arrangement."

"The wedding ceremony is a little different from that of ordinary people. The etiquette process is more complicated. You should be familiar with it in advance." Queen Song said quite empathetically.

Jia Heng cupped his hands below, answering in a low voice.

Empress Song smiled and said, "Okay, let Xia Shouzhong explain to you later."

At this moment, Princess Yan Yiliu of Wei, who entered the palace to celebrate the birthday of Empress Song, was sitting at the bottom. The princess looked a little haggard, and the makeup on her face could not conceal the tiredness between Gu's eyebrows and eyes. Looking at the boy, her eyes sparkled She blinked, and sighed faintly.

She had secretly inquired that the Qin family had been in the family for more than a year before becoming pregnant, and it is said that she is similar to her, so why can't the prince wait?

During this period of time, he was still discussing the matter of accepting the side concubine.

Concubine Duan Rong took over the conversation, and said softly: "Zi Yu, don't stand still, come and give me a seat."

Empress Song smiled sweetly, and said softly: "You forget about it."

Heart said, it's still my sister who loves her son-in-law.

(End of this chapter)