The Qinghe County Lord of the Red Chamber

Let's say that it's March [-]rd.

On the Shangsi Festival in the fifth year of Xuanwu, the sun was bright and the light and shadow flowed.

Changing from the chilly spring at the end of February, the belated spring in the imperial garden seemed to bloom overnight. It was the willows that were golden and tender, and the pear blossoms that were white and snowy.

That day, Shang Chanchan got up early and came to the Empress Dowager Shang.

It happened that Bi Zhu was arranging a court crown with her own hands, so she couldn't help asking: "Is your empress actually wearing a court dress today?"

It's not a big feast for the country, how tiring it is to wear this big set of clothes.

Bizhu turned her head to say hello, and then said with a smile: "My girl, take a closer look, the crown is a peacock instead of a phoenix—this is Miss Lin's county magistrate's costume."

Only then did Shang Chanchan laugh and said: "I made a mistake at first glance, the pearls and golden clouds on the top dazzled my eyes, I can't tell what kind of bird it is."

The empress dowager of this dynasty wears pearls on the crown and tail, and there are two out of three hundred pearls, and two of the five elements.Thirteen golden clouds are engraved.

Anyway, it is resplendent and resplendent, and anyone who looks shiny will hurt their eyes.

So much so that Shang Chanchan didn't even have time to see whether the top was a phoenix or a peacock at first glance.

At this time, I heard that it belonged to Daiyu, so I hurried over to take a closer look. As expected, there were only three lines and two pendant beads, one hundred and eight in number, and seven golden clouds.

Shang Chanchan couldn't help laughing and said: "Sure enough, the imperial crown of the county head is different from that of my mother, Mrs. Hou."

Seeing her happy expression, Bi Zhu couldn't help but sighed, "Miss and Miss Lin are so close, the empress dowager is afraid that you will be jealous when you meet the county magistrate."

Shang Chanchan smiled: "Let's not talk about how I would be jealous of Sister Lin, just say that I might have an imperial order in the future."

"Once I wear this crown, it looks similar from a distance. Who would lie on my head and count how many pearls are missing compared to Sister Lin?"

The two chatted for a while, then they heard that the Empress Dowager Shang had finished her grooming and called Shang Chanchan inside.

"You've been tired these few days, so you'll follow me today and just go to meet the guests."

According to the time of Zhengbin, Shang Chanchan followed Mrs. Shang to Wufutang.

I saw the bright clouds in the hall, and the brilliance of Changhe.

Rao Shang Chanchan has been here for five years, and she has seen a lot of royal families, riches and dignitaries, and she feels that her eyes have been opened again today.

Daiyu was picked up by the mother early, and she just sat quietly in the inner room, not seeing anyone for a while.

Shang Chanchan was originally standing behind the empress dowager and was talking with her, when the palace servants reported the arrival of Mrs. Baoning Houfu.The queen mother smiled and said, "Aren't you going out to pick up your mother?"

Jiang's make-up is heavy according to the style, which is dignified and emphatic, only the gold and jade things are reduced on his body.When Shang Chanchan saw her mother, she rushed to greet her mother.

Ever since Jiang heard that the eldest son's marriage was settled, Jiang's heart has been smooth, and today his complexion is even better.

She first visited the queen mother and queen of the two palaces.

Empress ordered Xueliu to help her up, said with a smile: "Miss Shang has helped me a lot this time."

The Jiang family was naturally self-effacing, and the two boasted to each other for a while.

It was reported outside that Mrs. Cheng Engong and Mrs. Shizi had arrived, and they greeted each other again.

When Jiamu entered, her eyes were fixed.

She is used to seeing good things, and the Rongguo Mansion is also rich and beautiful where white jade is used as a horse.

However, today's Wufutang is another image of simplicity and nobility, which compares with the brilliance of gold and jade she saw in the past.

Jia Mu is not only the wife of the Duke, but also the oldest.At the same time, she was Daiyu's grandmother, so she sat at the head of all orders.

The concubines are headed by Yuan Chun, who is a noble concubine.

The grandparent and grandson happened to be facing each other, so they smiled at each other.

Shang Chanchan stood beside the Empress Dowager Shang and watched: The grand concubine of the court, the old lady of the Duke's Mansion with a double family, just look at today's situation, who would have thought that the Jia family would fall.

No wonder even their own tails are going up to the sky.

The Empress Dowager Shang turned her head slightly and said to Shang Chanchan: "Go inside and ask Princess Zhongyong to come out."

Princess Zhongyong is a praiser, and she should comb her hair for a haircut.At this time, she was accompanying Daiyu in the inner room.

Shang Chanchan led the order to enter.

Because she only met the Zhongyong Princess Zhang during the New Year's Day in the past, she didn't dare to be casual, so she prepared to give a big gift.

The concubine reached out to support her: "Miss Shang, you don't have to be polite."

The voice is soft and the expression is peaceful.

Shang Chanchan had also heard from her mother in the past that Princess Zhongyong was a kind and amiable person, and she was indeed so when she saw her today.

It is probably because Prince Zhongyong is obsessed with carpentry, and the concubine is gentle and silent, and has never restrained her daughter, which makes Princess Lirong's temperament different from that of women in this dynasty, and she is somewhat like a princess and princess of the Tang Dynasty.

At this time, Princess Zhongyong shook Daiyu's hand with a quiet smile: "Good boy, don't be nervous, just follow the rules for a while."

"Li Rong hadn't practiced before that day, and she almost made mistakes in several places, but she came down without any danger. What's more, you have practiced for these days, so you will be fine."

After being persuaded by such a gentle voice, Shang Chanchan felt calm, and it turned out that Daiyu was not as upright and tense as before.

Shang Chanchan also said: "That's right, Sister Lin, don't be nervous. Just treat the people below as Chinese cabbage."

After finishing speaking, I regretted it: those sitting outside were the most honorable women in this dynasty.

Concubine Zhongyong smiled, she just pretended she couldn't hear, and she never said aloud to teach Shang Chanchan about her inappropriate words, which shows how soft-tempered she is.

Jiji Li has its own old rules and regulations to follow, and everything is done according to the system, without spending more words.

It's better to turn your eyes to Rongguo Mansion.

The Jia family also held a small banquet for the Shangsi Festival.

It was Mrs. Wang who did it herself.

When Jia's mother entered the palace for Daiyu's Jiji ceremony, Mrs. Wang was very disapproving, thinking that the old lady was old and stubborn, and would not listen to persuasion.

If you want to join the sinking ship, don't drag the whole family down.

In order to compete with Jia's mother, Mrs. Wang specially held a banquet in the Grand View Garden, inviting daughters-in-law and girls from the two houses, as well as foreign guests who are currently living here, to come for a while.

As the birth mother of a noble concubine, the Wang family is now the first-class respectable person in the Rongguo Mansion, only slightly worse than Jiamu.

As soon as she hosts a banquet, everyone appreciates her face.

You Shi even specially brought the second sister You and the third sister here to show support.

Only Mrs. Xing said she couldn't stand because of the headache, and she left Xing Xiuyan to wait on her, and didn't ask her to go to the Wang family's banquet.

Wang Shanbao's family saw Mrs. Xing's face stretched so much that she persuaded: "Madam, don't be angry. When the second master Gao Sheng comes back, our eldest family will be brilliant."

Mrs. Xing didn't like Wang Xifeng as a daughter-in-law at first, but now that she's gone, she realizes the benefits: with Wang Xifeng here, in the back house, the eldest room can still fight with the second room, but without Wang Xifeng, the eldest room is nothing but paper.

Because she heard that Youshi of Ningguo Mansion had brought two girls to support her, Mrs. Xing even angrily said some teasing words like "there is a nest of black hens, and the birds fly to the prosperous places".

Besides, Mrs. Jia and Mrs. Xing were not present, so Mrs. Wang naturally took the first seat.

Everyone flocks to it.

With a smile on her face, Mrs. Wang said to Aunt Xue: "Let's leave the table for a while, let them play at the girls' house, and we will restrain them here."

She looks like Jia's mother in the past. If you don't know, you think she is already in charge of Rongguo Mansion.

Mrs. Wang carried Baochai everywhere again, and praised her for helping the housekeeper these days, and everything was inappropriate.But Tanchun, the housekeeper, never mentioned it at all.

Tanchun didn't dare to say anything, he could only lower his head and grab the food in front of him, and swallowed it together with his grievance.

I can't help thinking that the empress in the palace rewarded the fruits of the Shangsi Festival, and Baoyu Baochai is really the same first-class.

They have very few sisters.

Can't help but feel depressed in my heart, hating myself for being a concubine.

Mrs. Wang used to be honest in front of Jia's mother, and she was always reticent.Today, however, it is rare to raise eyebrows, with a complacent attitude.

At this time, she was about to raise a glass and bring a drink, when suddenly she saw Lai Da running in person in a panic, and knelt down when she saw Mrs. Wang: "Madam, the old lady sent someone back from the palace to ask you to order two important gifts quickly." Send it to the Lin Mansion."

Mrs. Wang's complexion suddenly sank: "Didn't the old lady bring Miss Lin and Ji Zhili into the palace?"

Why is it not over yet!Could it be that the entire Rongguo Mansion was given to her granddaughter?

Everyone Lai knew Mrs. Wang's temper well, so he didn't dare to show joy, so he could only kowtow and say: "That is a gift of Jiji, but Miss Lin has to be named the head of Mingjia County, so naturally she has to prepare another copy."

Mrs. Wang only felt a "buzz" in her head.

"What? County head? Who?"

Lai Da didn't dare to show his face, so he had to repeat it on his stomach, complaining in his heart: Why are you still deaf?Hurry up and get some presents.

If you are late and rude, you and the old lady, the two masters, will not fight directly, and you will take out your anger on our servant who sent the letter.

Mrs. Wang only felt a tightness in her chest, and after a while she forced herself to speak: "Even so, you don't need two heavy gifts. What does the old lady mean?"

Lai Da kowtowed again: "Go back to Madam, another generous gift is for my aunt."

After hearing Lai's next words, Mrs. Wang felt her blood surging and she almost vomited blood on the spot in embarrassment.

Now turn your gaze back to the palace.

After Daiyu passed the Jiji ceremony, Jinyou appeared at the right time holding the imperial decree to confer the county head.

When he was reading that big piece of praise, such as "the rhyme of calmness and honour, the ritual of gentle childbirth and grace", Bizhu presented the county lord's court dress and crown that had been prepared long ago.

After the imperial decree was finished, the Empress Dowager Shang ordered people to reward Daiyu together.

Not only Jia Mu, everyone present was dumbfounded on the spot.

It is a great grace for the daughter of an official to be named the county head.In today's hands, Lin's daughter is the first case.

After Jiamu realized it, she quickly ordered the mandarin ducks who had come to the palace to deliver the news to complete the congratulatory gift.

The rest of the concubines and Gao Ming naturally acted in the same way.

Concubine Xian sat at the bottom of the table and said jokingly: "Your Majesty should have let the concubine hear some news earlier, so that the concubine will not be disrespectful. Now that I am preparing a congratulatory gift, I am afraid that it will be so simple that I will wrong the county magistrate."

Everyone congratulated Daiyu again.

It's just that the orders of Shang and Xie are just feigned surprises.Shang Chanchan looked at her mother's fluent acting skills and expressed her amazement: she was really surprised and joyful, and restrained and steady in joy, as if it was the first time she heard the news.

In comparison, her future mother-in-law, Hu's acting skills are much worse.

And the Queen Mother Shang saw that Jin You still had an imperial decree in her hand, so she wondered: "The emperor still has an imperial decree?"

Jin You hurriedly bowed his waist and said with a smile: "This one is for Mr. Lin."

Then go to the outer room to announce the decree to Lin Ruhai.

All the concubines and concubines in the inner room were very interested in the order, so they paused to congratulate Daiyu, there was complete silence, listening to Jin You's slightly shrill voice outside.

Shang Chanchan naturally pricked up her little ears.

She automatically ignored those parallel essays that were full of rhetoric, such as "sincerity and long-standing reputation, diligence and dedication," and so on.

Just listen to the last sentence: "You are specially appointed Marquis of Pingyang, and you should be more encouraging, diligent and vigilant, and live up to my expectations."

Marquis of Pingyang?Shang Chanchan was also stunned on the spot.

The emperor wants to make Lin Gong the Marquis of Pingyang?

But Daiyu knew about her own family: the Lin family belonged to the five generations of princes, and the ancestors were first conferred as Marquis of Pingyang, so the emperor's decree used the word "recovery".

Daiyu was overwhelmed with pleasant surprises, and her joy for her father was greater than her own success.

Empress Dowager Shang smiled and said, "Sure enough, it's a good thing of double happiness."

After Jin You announced the decree, he came in to salute and said: "Please Lin Houye and the county master go to the imperial court to thank you."

The father and daughter followed Jin You to the imperial study.

Because Daiyu is the daughter of the boudoir, it is not suitable to face the saint, so she kowtows outside to thank the saint for his kindness, and then goes back to Wufu hall.

Lin Ruhai wanted to face the emperor himself, and when he entered, he saw Shang Duo was also in front of the emperor, and when he saw him, he first cupped his hands to express his congratulations.

The emperor cheered and said: "The Qing family has five generations of princes, up to and including the father. Now it is in your hands to restore the marquis. Lin Qing can comfort the ancestors with this."

Lin Ruhai hurriedly bowed and kowtowed to thank the Holy Grace.

The emperor waved his hand: "I heard that Lin Qing's family has been reprimanded and persecuted by the emperor recently, but they can tell right from wrong, and insist on refusing to speak out for the thief. This title of mine is just to reward loyal ministers like you."

Lin Ruhai understood in his heart: So far, the emperor has regarded him as one of his own.

It's rare for the emperor to rise up and rebel, confronting the Taishang emperor face to face.

At this time, I was in a very good mood, and I started to talk more: "Tomorrow, I will issue an imperial decree to grant marriage to your two houses."

Speaking of this, I couldn't help regretting: "The heirs of Lin Qing's family are weak, and there will be no successors for this Marquis in the future."

Lin Ruhai had long stopped feeling sad about this matter, and seeing that the emperor was in good spirits, he rarely joked, and replied: "Although I have no parents, the Marquis of Shang promised me that I would adopt the next son on my knees to my minister."

The emperor was stunned, and immediately looked at Shang Duo with shock in his eyes.

Bao Ninghou: ...Do you really want to trick me at this time?