Linzhi

He Rong slapped him on the face, without the slightest intention of being affectionate with him: "When did you learn to hesitate to speak, what happened?"

But He Zhan clung to his shoulders and refused to get up, as if he could avoid everything he didn't want to face: "I just feel that the atmosphere at home has changed a bit, and it's no longer the same as when I left."

He Rong: "Then do you think you have changed?"

He Zhan was taken aback: "No."

He Rong smiled: "Is what you think now the same as when you were in Fangzhou?"

He Zhan fell silent suddenly.Indeed, at that time, he only needed three meals a day, enough food and clothing for his family, and no longer being punished by the emperor. He also began to think about making contributions and galloping on the battlefield.

A person's desires always change with the situation. If he himself is like this, he is naturally not qualified to say anything about others.

He Rong personally tidied up his messy collar that was just lying down and rolling around: "This is not something to be ashamed of seeing people. The sages say that aspirations are lofty, but in fact, no matter how noble the ambition is, it is essentially a desire."

He Zhan: "Although this is the case, this kind of desire should not hurt the family. Third brother, in fact, the eldest brother has been looking for me in private these two days."

He Rong raised his eyebrows.

He Zhan: "The eldest brother said that the second sister-in-law and the eldest sister-in-law had some unhappiness a few days ago, which caused the second brother to have some misunderstandings about him. The eldest brother wants me to persuade the second brother that the family and everything will be happy, and don't listen to the woman's one-sided words. , Broke the friendship between brothers."

He and He Xiu are the same mother and brother, so He Mu naturally wanted him to come forward to make peace.

He Zhan: "I went to look for the second brother, but the second brother told me that this is not the first time. Since the second sister-in-law started, the elder sister-in-law has always had a grudge against the tall second sister-in-law. The last time the two went out to a banquet together , I was not very happy when I came back. Later, the second sister-in-law went to apologize to the elder sister-in-law in person. I was very angry and refused to see my second sister-in-law since then, and my second brother said that my sister-in-law was instigating it, which caused my concubine to misunderstand my second sister-in-law."

He Rong: "Then what do you think?"

He Zhan said with a bitter face: "The public says the public is right, and the mother-in-law says that the mother-in-law is right. I don't know which one to listen to. I haven't dared to tell my elder brother! I didn't expect that when I was in Fangzhou, the whole family was fine. Why did the second brother become like this once he married a wife?"

He Rong laughed: "In an ordinary family, there are quarrels between the sisters-in-law, which cause the family to be restless. Isn't that the case in Zhang Ze's house? At that time, you said that his two elder brothers' sister-in-laws were at odds, and they were always looking for trouble. Why did you come here?" Is there an exception in our family?"

He Zhan sighed: "I thought that after suffering, the family members would cherish each other even more!"

He Rong: "People in the world are very much alike. Eldest brother and elder sister-in-law are a couple in distress. After the He family regained wealth, elder brother did not stop marrying another wife. This is admirable. It is impossible for a high-class woman to see big scenes from a young age. People's knowledge is limited, and their speech will be restricted; and the second sister-in-law, she is completely opposite. It is normal for the two to not be together. You were originally You shouldn't get involved in this matter."

He Zhan: "Second brother will definitely ask, I should give him an explanation."

He Rong: "Go to the princess and explain the matter. Please ask the princess to mediate. This kind of back house matter is left to women to solve by themselves. It's nothing if you are a man in it!"

He pushed He Zhan's head: "I don't know how to use my brain, do you think my father has taken care of this kind of thing?"

He Zhan turned from worry to joy: "Yes, why didn't I expect that there is a level like the princess. It is justified only when she comes forward. Third brother, you are really smart!"

He Rong gave him a contemptuous look.

He Zhan briefly mentioned what Zhang Ze told him about the princess and the Yuan family.

"Why can't father present the facts in front of His Majesty, and help Concubine Yuan to be the right concubine, and insist on making troubles, Concubine Yuan must be very uncomfortable now."

There is a difference between men and women, even if everyone had a good relationship before, it is impossible for He Zhan and the others to go to the backyard to visit Yuan Shi from time to time. When they came back that day, Yuan Shi didn't even come out to greet her. Later, He Zhan and He Rong went to see her. Mrs. Yuan was obviously much older than when she was in Fangzhou. She was sick and her bones were broken, her face was haggard, and she said in tears that she didn't have much time left, so she asked them to take care of He Xi more, which made the two of them feel heavy and soon resigned. Out.

He Rong said lightly: "Your Majesty has His Majesty's considerations, and father will naturally push the boat along. If you see Qilang, encourage him more. The situation is not an excuse for not working hard."

He Zhan nodded in response.

He thought of something again, he was a little curious, and asked with a shy smile: "Third brother, others say that you want to accept Gao as a side concubine, is it true?"

He Rong frowned: "Who are the others? Who said?"

He Zhan: "Just the people in Lu Wang's mansion, they said that you arranged Mrs. Gao next door to your yard, and often took her out. Isn't that different?"

He Rong was indifferent: "I also take you out from time to time, so I also want to take you as my concubine?"

From his tone of voice, He Zhan heard a hint of danger that the mountain and rain are about to come, and the building is full of wind, so he quickly jumped up and took three big steps: "I remembered, I have urgent matters over there, let's go first!"

Without waiting for He Rong to speak, he turned around and left, and almost bumped into Wen Jiang who was about to come in.

Wen Jiang was at a loss: "What's wrong with Wulang, no more food?"

He Rong: "Don't worry about him, let Mrs. Gao come to see me."

……

In the past, Gao never thought that he would be able to come to the capital or even live in the palace in his lifetime.

Since the beginning of following He Rong, she had already embraced the idea of ​​fighting to the death, and spent every day in Western Turkic as her last day. Later, Princess Zhending formed an alliance with He Rong, and the existence of the Gao family became less meaningful. She is very self-aware, and she doesn't want to be reduced to a vase-like existence, so she always does her best for He Rong and the others silently.

When Xue Tan was running around in the Turkic territory to survey and map, she also went with her. She is a careful woman and she is dexterous, and she also helped draw a lot of maps.

After everyone returned to the capital, Gao's contribution was not great enough for the emperor to receive her, so she didn't have the opportunity to be reincarnated. Later, when everyone rewarded her for her merits, she was the only one missing.

Therefore, Gao's heart is not without disappointment, but she knows that He Rong cannot be blamed, and it is not up to him to decide.Although I also went to the Western Turks as an envoy, except for being close to Princess Zhending at the beginning and letting her let go of her guard, I didn't have any earth-shattering contributions. Women in the world are always humble, and now they are in such a situation. Excellent.

But she lived in Lu Wang's mansion, so her name was not justified.

It's not that Mrs. Gao didn't notice other people's eyes and whispers, even Mrs. Pei, He Jia and others have treated her as He Rong's side concubine. Although they treat her differently, it makes her feel more pressured.

But people didn't say it clearly, and Gao couldn't take the initiative to bring it up, which seemed pretentious.

She went to bed early to rest, but tossed and turned on the couch unable to fall asleep, when she heard the maid outside asking softly, she simply got up.

"Miss Gao, Wen Jiang came over and said that Mr. Sanlang wants to see you. If you have already rested, we can talk about it tomorrow."

Gao Shi hurriedly said: "I didn't sleep, I'll get dressed now, you ask her to wait a bit."

When she got dressed and hurriedly followed Wen Jiang to see He Rong, the latter was sitting cross-legged at the table drinking soup.

Seeing her coming, He Rong didn't put down the bowl, but said: "Please wait a moment, I'll finish this soup, Wen Jiang, serve Gao Shi a bowl too."

Gao wanted to decline, but was a step too late. Wen Jiang had already left, so he could only silently swallow the words that he had not had time to say in the future.

"You have been in the capital for a while, what do you think about the future?" He Rong put down the bowl, and assumed the posture of having a long talk.

Gao's back couldn't help but straighten a little more, but there was a trace of hesitation on his face: "I... haven't made up my mind yet."

He Rong: "Nowadays women, the road they can walk is really too narrow, just like Princess Zhending, even the proud girl of heaven, when the country is ruined and the family dies, she can't help herself. You have stayed in the Zhang family before, and you are not like that. The naive and ignorant girl is going to the Western Regions with me again, if you have any plans, you might as well speak up, and if I can, I will lend a helping hand."

Gao's heart was full of conflicts, he thought about it, and suddenly kowtowed to He Rong: "I dare to speak to the Lord, I...I, I don't want to be a concubine with others, so I ask you to learn from me!"

He Rong was puzzled: "You have come out from the Zhang family and lived in Lu Wang's mansion, who can force you to be a concubine now?"

Gao's face showed confusion: "I was thinking too much..."

He Rong understood: "Did my father or the princess tell you something?"

Mrs. Gao hurriedly said: "Your Highnesses didn't say anything, yes, the servants in the mansion misunderstood the move of Mr. Lang to bring me back."

He Rong pondered: "These days, I also took you to meet Yang Jun and visit his shop, what do you think?"

His question turned a little fast, and Gao suspected that Mr. Lang wanted to match her with Yang Jun, but he still thought seriously and replied: "Yang Hengyu is very capable of Tao Zhugong."

He Rong: "Then if you are allowed to open such a shop, what do you want to do for a living?"

Gao couldn't help being taken aback.

He Rong then said: "You and I are on an envoy to the Western Regions. Before leaving, I promised you that after returning to Beijing, I will make you beautiful, but because you are a woman, there is no queen or queen in the harem, so that you I can’t even enter the palace, this is my missed appointment, I’m sorry for you.”

Gao Shi had never seen someone as noble as He Rong, who would apologize to a little girl, and was busy talking, but He Rong waved his hand and continued.

"Earlier, I wanted to obtain a conferment for you in front of His Majesty. There is a system in this dynasty. Below the first-rank Mrs. Guo, there are second-rank Mrs. Jun, third-rank Shuren, fourth-rank Gongren, etc. It was originally prepared for the family members of the lord minister. You She is neither the wife of an official nor the mother of an official. There is no such precedent in reasoning. Your majesty thinks that you have been favored by Long and refuses to give it to you if you have a first rank and a second rank. As a person of the third grade, from now on, you will also be a person with a royal title."

Gao was completely stunned, she stared at He Rong in a daze, she couldn't imagine how a person like him could "tangle" with the emperor again and again, so that the emperor finally changed his mind.

She had given up hope for the reward for a long time, and even felt that as a woman, it was impossible for the court to give her extra rewards. These days, Princess Pei, He Jia and others treat her well, and occasionally Taking her to the banquet, Gao Shi soon discovered that the attitude of the people at the banquet was either to ignore her from above, or treat her as He Rong's vassal, what's more, they wanted to learn about He Rong from her. trends and news.

Many people thought that if Gao was taken in by He Rong as a concubine, that would be the greatest reward for her.

Only He Rong didn't think so.

"The official rewards should come down in two days. Besides, there are some gold, silver and silk. Although it's a pity that I can't go up a step, it's a pity to be a county lady, but the future is long, and there may be no chance in the future. , This is the best imperial seal I can get for you so far. With this imperial seal, you can marry freely in the future, and you don’t have to force yourself to commit yourself to others. Even if you marry someone in the future, your husband’s family will not dare to take you lightly .”

A warm feeling slowly brewed from Gao's eye sockets, and tears blurred her vision, making it even more difficult for her to see the person in front of her clearly.

This journey has been a long way, and we have shared weal and woe. Most of the time, thanks to He San's unwavering presence in the face of danger, he resolved the crisis. When planning to assassinate Jia Luo, even Princess Zhending was hesitant, but He San was the only one who was unwavering and steady as a rock.

At that time, they were under house arrest by Jia Luo and could not go out at will. He Zhan rubbed his third brother's legs every night to activate the meridian. It was at that time that Gao knew that his leg disease was not what it seemed on the surface This is harmless, but he never showed it. If he doesn't pay attention, after a long time, he will forget that he is different from ordinary people.

She is also a woman, how could she be indifferent to such a gentleman?

For countless nights, Gao Shi had tossed and turned with insomnia because of her disturbed mood. She knew that her feelings for He Rong had quietly changed. In this life, it is impossible for He Rong to marry her as his wife, and she does not want to commit herself to be a concubine. She just wants to watch him from afar and accompany him silently in her heart. This is enough.

Liking someone but not asking for anything in return, Gao Shi doesn't think she is so noble, she hopes to hide this feeling deeply in her heart, without letting anyone know, including He Rong.

He Rong has already given her the best. He rescued her from the fire pit, and let her see the yellow sand in Saibei, the beauty of mountains and rivers, and the magnificence of Chang'an. Gao felt that what she got was enough. Let her look back from time to time for the rest of her life.

But she didn't expect that He Rong did much more for her than she imagined.

Gao fell on the ground, crying uncontrollably.

Not only for this deep-seated, invisible feeling, but also for He Rong's respect for himself.

He didn't need to bother so much, it was the utmost benevolence to send her a random sum of money to send her away, or as others said, Gao Shi should be grateful for accepting her as a concubine.

But he didn't do that, instead, he helped Gao win the imperial reward from the emperor, and helped her win the most precious and elusive thing for women in the world, freedom.

He Rong didn't know why she was crying so sadly, thought she was just sad about her life experience, and didn't interrupt her, letting her vent to her heart's content.

Gao choked with sobs: "Lang Jun's great favor, I will never be able to repay you in my life..."

He Rong: "I asked you to do things that day, but each took what he needed. Now that you have successfully completed it, I should naturally fulfill my promise. Although you have encountered hardships, you can still cheer up. Unlike ordinary women, I appreciate this kind of heart. It doesn't matter if I treat you better, it's just the fate of meeting you and me."

Gao's heart was filled with sorrow and joy, and he paused and said: "I was separated from my parents when I was young, and now I don't remember what they looked like, let alone where my home is. It is meaningless to waste time and effort to find them. , As for Ganzhou, I don't want to go back again, this life is like a floating duckweed, I don't know where to go, and I ask you to show me the way."

He Rong pondered: "Then you would like to go to Yang Jun to learn some skills, and open a shop to make a living in the future?"

Gao Shi: "I am willing to do things for my lord with my modest efforts. If my lord has your orders, I will definitely die."

He Rong laughed: "I don't need you to go through fire and water, and I don't need you to die, but there is indeed a shortage of manpower in Yang Jun's place, so how about you go and do things with him first, and how about finding a border town closer to Turkic to settle down in the future? ?”

Gao Shi was always smart, and he seemed to smell something unusual when he heard the words: "Mr. Lang is worried about the Turks...?"

He Rong: "Currently there is no Protectorate in the Western Regions in the Central Plains, and the imperial court's understanding of the Turks depends entirely on the news from the caravans, but these caravans are mixed with people, and the source of the news may not be reliable, especially the Eastern Turks, Fu Nian is very ambitious. , Xiao Yu is not dead-hearted, as long as the Central Plains is a little slack, they will attack in groups, so I need a person to stay in the border towns to form a caravan or escort team, to do business in the open, and to inquire about news for the court in the dark."

Gao did not hesitate: "I would like to go!"

He Rong stared at her: "I haven't reported this matter to His Majesty, and His Majesty may not agree, so although it is to inquire for the court, it is actually just inquiring for me alone. You don't have to rush to agree, go to Yang Jun's place and stay longer." In a few days, if you have other intentions, you can also tell me."

Gao was a little embarrassed: "Actually, I have been under the influence of Yang Jun these days, and I am also quite interested in the way of management, but I don't know how much I can do, and I am afraid that I will lose all my money and lose my face."

He Rong couldn't help laughing: "You don't have to worry about it, when the time comes, let Yang Hengyu give you the capital, you make a semicolon, and if you lose money, it will be his, and if you make it, it will be your own. You will definitely want to get married in the future." , so I can take the opportunity to save some dowry for myself."

Gao didn't read much. To pass the time when he was in the Western Turks, he borrowed the princess's book to read. When he saw that the predecessor was mentioned in it, he described it as "soft in appearance, strong in voice and beautiful in voice and appearance". At that time, Gao thought of After seeing He Rong, I felt that if He Rong laughed, he must be even more beautiful than the description in this book. Now that I am so close, seeing it with my own eyes, there is a feeling that I can't think of any words to describe it. forget me.

After a while, she realized her gaffe, and quickly lowered her head: "Yes."

"Changning," Gao heard He Rong call her boudoir name, "you have a friendship with us in times of trouble, and my hope for you is not just an obedient subordinate, but a friend like Yang Jun, so You don't have to belittle yourself. I also hope that if someone mentions you in the future, they will not call you by your surname, but will remember your name. One day, when the world mentions Gao Changning, they can have respect and fear in their hearts, but not Frivolous and profane jokes, this is what I expect of you. I believe that you also have such expectations for yourself in your heart. "

Gao Shi once again had the urge to cry, she blinked her eyes again and again, not wanting to give the other party a weak impression.

"I will live up to your expectations."

The next day, He Rong took Gao Changning to take advantage of the opportunity to greet his parents, told them about the emperor's reward, and said that Gao would work with Yang Jun in the future. He also has no intention of taking her as a concubine at all.

He Tai is really a little hard to understand: "Although Gao's family background is a bit low, since you have made meritorious service, you will keep her in the house. As parents, we will naturally not say anything. This is a good home for her. You What's the point of letting the good-looking daughter's family go to show their faces to Yang Jun?"

He Rong didn't want to say more: "This is also agreed by Mrs. Gao, so my father doesn't have to worry about it."

Pei Shi also said: "Your Highness, let the children decide on their own affairs, let them go."

She was only two or three years older than He Rong, but she had one child at a time. It sounded a little funny, but she had a different status, and Princess Pei was also dignified, so everyone didn't think it was wrong.

He Tai waved his hand: "That's all, I can't control you as a father, San Lang, if you have time, you can persuade Shi Lang to be more sensible."

He Rong: "What happened to Shiro?"

When this matter was mentioned, He Tai became angry: "He said he was going to become a monk and become a Taoist priest, and he didn't want to get married!"

He Rong: "..."

He Tai sighed: "I thought that all the hard work has come to an end now, and all of you have grown up, and you should have enjoyed the blessings, but who knows that each of you is more troublesome than the other, and your marriage..."

He Rong pursed his lips: "I told you from the beginning, I told you not to be so hasty in making an engagement for me."

He Tai was angry: "Are you blaming me? Didn't I think at the beginning that if, if something happened to you, I could leave you a successor! Who knows that Lin's daughter is so fateless, if it weren't for this, you would come back now , isn’t it just a newlywed? But I have asked your mother to look for you, and with your current status, there must be many soon..."

He Rong was really afraid of him, and he didn't care about the incompatibility of etiquette, so he interrupted directly: "Father, although this marriage contract has not been completed, Lin is after all the emperor's grandson who has passed the various procedures of Zongzheng Temple with His Majesty's permission. Concubine, she is still alive, so I will marry another, and it is not good to spread the word, so I plan to tell His Majesty to mourn for her for a year, and let's talk about my marriage in a year."

He Tai's eyes widened: "She hasn't even passed the door, so what's she doing for a year?"

However, Mrs. Pei saw that He Rong's mind was determined, so she said to He Tai: "Your Highness, since this marriage was bestowed by His Majesty, if San Lang has anything to say, let him go and talk to His Majesty. As long as His Majesty agrees, we have nothing to say." .”

He Rong cupped his hands: "Thank you, mother, for your understanding."

After a few more gossips, He Rong got up and left.

He Tai said to Pei's headache: "One or two, both make me worry!"

On He Rong's side, as soon as he returned to the house, before he had time to sit down and have a sip of tea, Shiro He Xi came.

"Third Brother!" He cried with a sad face, "Now you are the only one who can help me!"

He Rong: "..."

The author has something to say:

You can listen to this chapter with a song, "Deep Memory (Moonlight Variations)"~

A small theater that has nothing to do with the text (maybe it will appear in the text in the future):

many years later.

Gao Changning has long been famous all over the world. She handed over all her livelihood to the younger generation, retired to the countryside, and sat under the banyan tree every day, telling stories to a group of children next door.

On this day, she was talking about Zhuo Wenjun's night running for Sima Xiangru, and the girl next to her asked curiously: Is there really such a handsome and talented man as Sima Xiangru in the world?

Gao Changning smiled: Of course, he is much, much better than Sima Xiangru.

Girl: Many, many, how much?

Gao Changning said leisurely: The mountains are so high and the sea is so far away.

I can't shed tears in my life, and weep endlessly here.