[Red House] Raiders of life

Another five years have passed.

The government and the opposition changed, and the new emperor succeeded to the throne, and the reign name was changed to Yongning.The first year of Yongning coincided with the prosperity of the imperial examination every three years.On Suzaku Street, there were crowds of people, one and three riders paraded through the street, and everyone gathered to watch.

"Yo, the one at the front is really handsome."

"That's the champion of the new division, the cousin of Concubine Bao."

"Precious concubine can be favored by the emperor and she is pregnant with dragon species. She must be a beauty after all. I saw this champion of the new discipline today, and sure enough, she is in the same line. Hey, this champion of the new discipline is not very old, are you married yet?"

"You don't care if they are married or not, it's not your turn."

"I'm not asking!"

In Tianxiang Building, there were voices of discussion from time to time, and Lin Ning gradually smiled.Lin Ruhai joked, "Is the marriage of Tiao'er settled?"

Lin Ning shook his head, "Not yet, I planned to wait until after he was in high school."

Lin Ruhai smiled, "So, I'm already optimistic about it, and I just wait for him to settle down after high school."

Lin Ning didn't shy away from it, and said bluntly: "The eldest daughter of Song Shilang's family in the Ministry of Rites."

This is also what Lin Ning has been picking and choosing for a long time.Song Shilang was born in a poor family, and his foundation is not solid, but he is very talented.What's rare is that he is funny. Although he works in the Ministry of Rites, he doesn't have so many red tape and dogmatism.Now the Minister of Rites will retire in about two to three years.Song Shilang is very likely to be promoted.In particular, the daughters of the Song family had contacts with Daiyu Baochai and Baoqin, and even Daiyu Baochai praised her full of praise.

Lin Ruhai nodded after hearing this, "This is not a good relationship. Speaking of which, if Daiyu hadn't already been engaged to Prince He, I would like to have this relationship with you."

Lin Ning was slightly surprised, and then clicked his tongue twice, "Your family is too high."

This is a half-truth.The Lin family came from a scholarly family, and if they had two children in one round, they would be a good match, but in terms of their ancestors, the Xue family was a little bit worse.If Xue Biao was Lin Ning's own son, it would be okay.Unfortunately not.However, Lin Ruhai didn't value these things.It's just that now that the two children have a good home, Lin Ruhai just laughed at Lin Ning's joke.Then he sighed again, "If Nuo Ge'er can have the ability of Xie'er, I can retire with confidence."

"Brother Nuo doesn't have to be inferior to Tiao'er in learning, he is just young now. Tiao'er is several years older than him. Why are you in a hurry."

Lin Ruhai frowned slightly, "Why didn't I know he was still young. But it was because I thought he was still young that I was more worried."

Lin Ning was taken aback for a moment, but he understood.Lin Ruhai is already over 50, which is not considered very old in modern times, but in this era, he has entered his twilight years.Especially in the past few years, I have experienced many hardships and dangers in Yangzhou. Although all the dangers were saved in the end, some disasters were inevitably left behind.It will take seven or eight years at the earliest, not to mention ten years, for Lin Nuo high school to be able to settle down in the court.Lin Ruhai wasn't sure if he could live to that time.

Lin Ning sighed, "I made another batch of medicine a while ago, and I'll send you some tomorrow."

Lin Ruhai shook his head, "Although your medicine is good, you are also good for yourself. Even the best life-saving pills can't control life, old age, sickness and death."

"There's also Prince Hejun!"

Lin Ruhai paused, her expression didn't soften, but she seemed to be more anxious.

"He seems to be a good person now. Otherwise, I would not agree to marry Yu'er to him. However, I am afraid that people's hearts will change. At that time, without the support of her natal family, I am afraid that Yu'er will be in a difficult situation. How can I return?" Being able to take care of Nuo Geer. It is the same as the county king, but sometimes in the royal family, it is inevitable that there are many involuntary things."

Lin Ruhai sighed again, and turned serious, "What I just said is true. I really want to marry you. See how our brother Nuo matches your girl Baoqin?"

Lin Ning didn't think about this at all, "Baoqin girl is bigger than Nuogeer."

"It's nothing but a few months older. Besides, isn't the saying that a female junior should hold a golden brick?"

Lin Ning frowned, and Lin Ruhai said again: "You don't have to say what your ancestors are or are not. Whatever your ancestors are, it's all your ancestors' abilities, and it has nothing to do with future generations. Don't say that today's scorpion is striving for success by itself, and there is no need for others to be inferior. Then She is Baoqin girl, and she is also a rare lady of everyone, who knows the etiquette and justice. The children in your family were raised by you personally, I can trust you."

Lin Ning opened his mouth to speak, but Lin Ruhai raised his hand to stop him, "Listen to me first. I also thought that knowing the basics of two families is better than other families. Yu'er and Baoqin are still handkerchiefs, which is rare Brother Nuo used to play with Baoqin when he was a child. Although they don't play together now, the two families often come and go, and they are not strangers. They are better than ordinary people who have never met. Secondly, it is not suitable for families like you and me to make friends with powerful families anymore.

Our two families are old friends, it doesn't matter if we have a closer relationship, but if we want to choose another high-ranking and powerful person, it will be wrong.Otherwise, you will not choose Song Shilang for Tiao'er.With the Xue family's current status, you have a title, Pan'er and the Ninth Prince are partners, and there is also a noble concubine in the palace. If the selection is too low, it will attract people's eyes for no reason, and it may also make people suspicious.Therefore, this candidate cannot be bad.But it can't be too good.

Among the six departments, the Ministry of Rites is the weakest.Song Shilang's family background is weak, the clan is simple, and there is no complicated in-law relationship.In addition, Song Shilang has only one son, who is only five years old now and has not yet entered school. If he grows up, it will take more than ten years.The Song family did not have many talented people who could influence the court.It could not be better.

Pan'er's daughter-in-law, the Chen family, also made great achievements in the northwest after she was a second-rank general.But General Chen has passed away, and the Chen family only has this only daughter and no heirs.The lineage of the Chen family was broken.The children of Xue's family do not join the army, nor are they involved in military power.Marrying a girl from the Chen family doesn't help.In this way, it will not attract the eyes of the emperor, but on the contrary, it can be used to relieve the emperor's worries, ask the emperor to give him a marriage, and publicize the emperor's good name after taking care of the heroes.It was not easy for Brother Yan to choose such two marriages. "

In other words, it is Xue Ling's expression.Lin Ning raised his hand and poured a glass of wine, as a tacit consent.

Lin Ruhai smiled, "It's a pity that there are few such suitable families in the civil and military families of the Manchu Dynasty. I'm afraid you will not be so easy to handle the marriage of Baoqin girl. Don't say that you can find students from poor families. Don't say whether people like us can really find you." A humble student with no foundation. Is this poor family really reliable?"

Lin Ning turned to look at Lin Ruhai, "I understand what you mean. Don't be too impatient. You have the time and energy. You might as well go home and teach Nuo Geer. Nuo Geer is better than anything else."

Lin Ruhai lowered his eyelids, "How could I not know. It's just that Brother Nuo is sensible, but the more sensible I am, the more I feel sorry for him. I dare not speak of him now, for fear that he will push himself too hard. .In the past two months, I have been sent out seven or eight times. Other children don’t like reading and love to play, but he is good, letting him play seems to kill him.”

Lin Ning smiled softly, which was different from his temperament when he was Mrs. Lin.But thinking about it, in that life, there were three older brothers and one older sister, and he was the youngest, and the whole family spoiled him, so he didn't have to bear the important responsibilities of the family.He is the only one in the Lin family in this life, but Lin Ruhai is old enough to have a son, Lin Ruhai is not young anymore.

Thinking of this, Lin Ning had to sigh, "The same person does not have the same fate."He took the jug and poured another glass of wine for Lin Ruhai, and said, "If you only mention this marriage for the sake of the two children, that's all. It's not a good thing to say. If you really go someday, can I not take care of you? I can talk to you here, as long as Xue's family is still alive, I will definitely take care of Nuo Ge'er. Even if I am gone, there are still Pan'er and Tiao'er. Pan'er is not a talented child, but he is superior in empathy and righteousness. Then there is Tiao'er and Nuo Ge'er who are placed under the door of the dean of Yanshan Academy. Not to mention that we are friends, we are still from the same school. We will definitely not stand by and watch."

Lin Ning didn't agree to these words, but he didn't categorically refuse either.Lin Ruhai was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.Forget it, the two children on the left and right are still young, and they can wait another two years, and his current body can still hold on.See you later.

********

Zhaoyang Palace.

Xue Wang supported Xue Baochai to sit down, "Your Majesty, this stomach is already seven months old, you should be more careful, why do you keep running outside?"

"Mother, don't worry too much. I just went out for a walk. The imperial doctor also said that if you walk more, the delivery will be smoother."

Xue Wang frowned, "Didn't the minister say this, the queen's side... or the concubine Shu's side..."

Xue Baochai smiled, "The emperor is not young, but there is nothing in the palace so far. Now the emperor has ascended the throne again, which is incomparable to that of the past. If... the emperor will not allow this kind of thing to happen. Now I am in Zhaoyang Palace. , Inside and out, all the food and supplies belong to the emperor. Mother don't have to worry. Besides..."

Xue Baochai looked around and sent Ying'er out, then lowered his voice and said softly: "Father gave me a lot of medicine. Our medicines are always better than others. Besides, I still have some medicines from my father. That life-saving pill."

Xue Wangshi really forgot about it for a while, but now he breathed a sigh of relief and said straightly: "That's good, that's good! But there's only one pill, you still have to be careful."

Xue Baochai agreed, and said, "Mother, why didn't you bring Yuan'er here today?"

Yuan'er is the baby name of the eldest son of Xue Pan and Chen, who is less than one year old.

"Yuan'er is young, he caught a cold and became ill two days ago."

Hearing this, Xue Baochai panicked, "Is it important?"

"It's nothing serious. It's just that the child is young and refuses to take medicine. Your father is still used to him, what to say, a little bit of cold, no fever or cough, drink more water, and eat a light diet for two days. It doesn't take a long time." Drinking medicine at the slightest sign of trouble. What kind of drug sensitivity and what kind of drug resistance is said a lot. People can't understand."

Although she complained so much in her mouth, Xue Wang still valued her eldest grandson and joy in her heart because of her husband's pain.But thinking of Xue Pan, Xue Wang was a little dumbfounded.

"You don't know, because of this, your brother always said that your father was partial and unfair. Why was he punished when he was disobedient when he was a child, and Yuan'er was disobedient, but instead relied on him for everything. How old is he, and he has children. Still like this...you still eat your own child's jealousy!"

Xue Baochai also laughed, and asked again, "In two days, it will be Yuan'er's first birthday, right?"

"That's right! Your brother and sister-in-law are training Yuan'er to catch Zhou these two days. Your father stopped him, saying that he wanted to teach Yuan'er to take the books. .”

Scratching is a custom, but in order to ensure that the things the child catches are good, I always tease him with something he likes before.After practicing a few more times, the child will develop a conditioned reflex, and adults can get what they want when they catch the week.However, the Xue family did not want their descendants to rely on this to attract the attention of the elders to compete for favor.It is also impossible for Zhuo Zhou's table to have something like Jia's rouge.It doesn't matter.

Speaking of which, most of the things on the Zhou ceremony table in other people's houses are things with good meanings, so why did Du Jia's house put rouge on it?

Thinking of Jia's house, Xue Baochai couldn't help asking about things there, "Is mother still going to aunt's place recently?"

Two years ago, the three major families suddenly collapsed like a building.As the leader of the "traitor", the Wang family died in a mess.The emperor is benevolent and righteous, and he is lenient.Of the historians, only Shi Nai was punished.Shi Xiangyun and Shi Ding have never been harmed.Shi Xiangyun married Wei Ruolan.Jia's house was ransacked, Jia amnesty and Jia Zheng was exiled.Mother Jia couldn't bear the blow and went.For the rest, the Lin family and the Xue family redeemed them as in-laws and bought the mansion Zhuangzi to settle in.It's just that this day is very different from before.Mrs. Xue Wang thought of her relatives' affection and often went to see them.

It's okay if you don't mention this, but when you mention it, Xue Wang's complexion is not good-looking. He just talks about him, avoids this question, and talks about Yingchun, "I gave birth to a son last month. I went to see it. Then The child is quite handsome. Thanks to you and Lin, Baoqin took care of them."

Back then, Jia Amnesty promised Sun Shaozu 5000 taels of silver to welcome the Spring Festival.Mother Jia doesn't care about the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers.As an outsider, the Xue family has no control over it.It's just that a few of them are friendly with themselves, and have some friendship, but they can't do anything about it.Only later, Xue Baochai became a side concubine of the palace, and often asked people to send something to Yingchun.And with the Lin family and the Xue family looking after him, Sun Shaozu didn't dare to go too far.

Now that the Jia family is defeated, the Sun family is not a great family.If Yingchun strives for success on her own, with Daiyu, the princess of the county, and Baochai, the noble concubine, as her backers, she is not afraid that she will not be able to stand up.It's a pity that Yingchun is not a capable person.But it's still good now, Sun Shaozu doesn't like her, but he doesn't dare to do anything to her.Once you have a child, you can just watch over the child in the future.

Xue Baochai frowned and sighed for Yingchun, but she became more and more suspicious of Xue Wang, and she couldn't help asking: "What happened. What happened to mother and aunt?"

Xue Wang gritted her teeth, "I've been thinking about her for the past two years. She...she...the last time I went there, she actually told me to bring Tanchun into the palace. It sounds nice, Telling her to help you! It's just an excuse. I just want to use me so that they can reach the sky in one step!"

Xue Wang didn't want to say it at first, but now she started to speak, and she was angry again, and she kept talking, and she didn't even say "the minister's wife".Fortunately, there are no outsiders, and it is not too much.

"You're right. I should have seen her clearly. Back then we promised you to the emperor as a side concubine. She was not happy if we didn't give her the precious jade. She was very angry when talking to me for a long time. I just thought it was To refute her face, she is uncomfortable, but I don't take it to heart. Which of the direct sisters will turn their faces for such a small matter. Anyway, the friendship for so many years is there. "

Xue Baochai was taken aback, and hurriedly covered Xue Wang's mouth, "Mother, I can't say that again. Mother, don't forget, I am a noble concubine now, and I belong to the emperor. It has nothing to do with precious jade or real jade. "

Xue Wang's body shook, and he slapped himself several times, "Yes, yes, I said something wrong."

Xue Baochai relaxed, and seeing that Xue Wang was afraid, she couldn't help comforting him: "Fortunately, there are no outsiders. Besides, it's not that the emperor doesn't know about this matter, and it's not like he will do anything about this invisible matter. It's just that it's the royal family, let's pay attention." Some are good."

The Xue Wang family responded again and again, and then continued: "I never saw her take a fancy to Lan'er before, but now that Baoyu has become a monk, she snatched Lan'er and kept her by her side. Now she wants to send the concubine daughter Entering the palace. Seeing that it was not possible to enter the palace, he wanted to find the way of the old concubine of Nan'an Wang to become a concubine for Nan'an Wang."

Xue Baochai frowned and shook her head, "I'm afraid that's not what Third Sister herself meant."

Tanchun understands her identity. If the Jia family is still the same as before, she may still have a bit of unwillingness and yearning.But now the Jia family has long since fallen, and the family is no longer there.She is aware of her situation. Even if she enters the palace or the palace with such an identity, she is no more than a nameless concubine. She is afraid that she will be squeezed out, oppressed, and her life may not be better than that of a maid.

Xue Wangshi sighed, "It's really not her own idea. It's just that she can't make the decision. She is also obedient, and she took the opportunity to run out to find Lin girl when she got the letter. Lin girl is a good person. Come and Bao Qin had a discussion. Later, it was Pan'er who went there for a while, and appointed a scholar for her."

If Princess Nan'an just wanted to find a woman to serve her son, there were plenty of them.It is not necessary to choose Tanchun.In particular, the Jia family is still the family of criminal officials.It is fortunate that the Nan'an Palace can still be kept, but it is just an idle and wealthy family, without any real power.I will not go to ask for a criminal minister's daughter under such circumstances.The Xue family and the Lin family must be the ones who choose Tanchun to value.And as long as the Xue family and the Lin family express their attitudes, King Nan'an will naturally rest their minds.Not only the king of Nan'an, but also other people who have this kind of thought will also rest.

In this way, Xue Pan was also the matchmaker for the man, and now he is the elder brother of the imperial concubine, this face, everyone has to give it.What's more, if the Wang family offends the Xue family at this time, life will be even more difficult.

Xue Baochai nodded, called Ying'er to come in and handed over the birthday gift to Xue Wang who was ready for Yuan'er, and pointed to a set of hairstyles for her, "This is my makeup for the third sister. I I know, I'm afraid I'm impatient to go. Mother will give this to Baoqin later, and let Baoqin give it to her on my behalf."

Xue Wangshi nodded, "Hey, it means you three girls are still thinking about them."

"After playing together for so many years, there is always some sisterhood. What's more, I am a concubine now and I am pregnant with a child. Whether it is a boy or a girl, this child is the emperor's first child. How many pairs of eyes are staring at me? Me, staring at Xue's family. Everyone knows about our family's relationship with Jia's family, including me and their sisters. Others can ignore it, but if I ignore it, I will be called cold."

Xue Baochai's expression changed, and she pulled Xue Wangshi and said, "Mother, I should be happy now that you have seen Auntie's mind clearly. But in the eyes of outsiders, you are sisters after all. Although you don't want to see her more, you also Can't do too much. Although back then..."

Xue Baochai opened his mouth, but stopped in time, and did not say that the affairs of the three major families were planned by Lin Ning, including the fact that Xue Pan's imprisonment was also the result of the actions of the three families.She didn't know this until later.With Xue Wang's temperament and mentality, it's better not to know, so as not to cause complications.

Therefore, he changed his mouth in the middle of speaking, and only said: "Anyway, mother just remember what I said."

Xue Wang's love for her children is the most. Seeing Baochai say so, there is no reason why she should not.The mother and daughter talked for a while, until a young eunuch came to report that the emperor was coming.It is inconvenient for Wang Xue to stay longer, so he bid farewell and left the palace.

********

Xue Baoqin pushed Yuan'er around the garden with a small cart, and Daiyu chased after her, Yuan'er was amused and giggled.It's a pity that after a while, the two girls got tired and took a break to drink a cup of tea.Yuan'er seemed to be a little unfinished, and kept saying "ahhh", Baoqin could only tease him with a rattle, and sighed: "You little grinder!"

Daiyu took advantage of the gap and asked, "Did Fourth Sister look for you these days?"

Xue Baoqin frowned, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "She told me that she was going to become a monk. Tell me, why did you just learn what that stubborn stone did!"

Daiyu's face was slightly angry, "Does she have to be clean in this Taoist temple?"

Xue Baoqin shook her head, "It's also difficult for her. In the past, when the Ningguo Mansion was still there, they didn't take care of her. Anyway, although the old lady has a lot of bad things, she is still willing to take care of her. Now both Jia's mansions are in trouble. The old lady has gone, and her brother and sister-in-law just pretend that she is not there, and they will not take her in there. What do you want her to do?"

Daiyu lowered her head, "Although we have intentions, we can't control it too much. Even if we give her a house with money and let her move out, if there is another quarrel between the Jia family, she won't be able to keep it."

"Sister Lin, don't worry too much. I told my uncle about this. Now our Xue family has moved to the capital. Since last year, my uncle has set up a sacrifice field and built a family temple in Beijing. The uncle said that the fourth sister can live Over there at the family temple. He can’t say for sure about other temples and nunneries, but we can rest assured about our own. There is nothing dirty. Besides, it’s not about letting the fourth sister go to become a monk. She is young, and she said in a moment of anger If you want to become a monk, what will you regret later when you grow up?

Uncle said, there is a house behind our family temple, and let the fourth sister live in it. Ruhua is a loyal one, and has been following her, so he let her go too.Just go and smell the incense.To the outside world, he only said to pray for the elders in the family.After waiting for two or three years, she is getting older, if she wants, choose a simple family for her.If she doesn't want to, go with her. "

Daiyu nodded, this is the best way.They can help them within their ability, but they cannot make decisions for their lives.

When Lin Ning came back, he saw this scene from a distance at the second gate. Under the afterglow of the setting sun, Daiyu and Baoqin teased Yuaner with their pretty faces, and the children's laughter was like silver bells. Crisp, following the floating light of the setting sun into the ears, like a string of nice notes.

The Xue family has the title of the third generation, Xue Pan is self-reliant, has a wife and son, and Xue Baochai has become a noble concubine.

She thought, she had probably fulfilled Xue Ling's wish!