Red Mansions Dressed Into the Forest

Counting from the time when the Supreme Emperor ascended the throne, there were many mountains in the army.Think about the clans and nobles in this world, most of them started their careers because of military exploits.

Which of these people has few relatives in the army?

The Supreme Emperor is not an "emperor on horseback", so facing this group of murderous and rebellious heroes, he pursued the strategy of pulling one group to fight the other, pulling a group of civil servants and clansmen and nobles who were close to him, Over the past ten years or so, suppressing those generals and military officers whose hearts are higher than the sky or who are clinging to the territory and stepping back step by step, has really been fruitful.

However, no matter how much the Supreme Emperor tried to avoid getting involved too much in gathering military power to suppress the clan and nobles, it would inevitably lead to the result of "emphasizing literature over military affairs".

Just look through the history books and look at Song Taizong's life.The Taishanghuang's move must have troubles, and now... it's just the tip of the iceberg.

Because the concubines of the Supreme Emperor, and even the few old concubines left by the Supreme Emperor's father, were all of noble birth, and several of their natal families were lost or simply destroyed by the Supreme Emperor.

The concubines come from famous families, and they are proud and arrogant. If they have the opportunity, they will definitely take revenge. Being able to swallow his anger is definitely not because he is afraid of imperial power, but because he can't beat him temporarily.

The Holy Majesty has long seen through these twists and turns, the initial anger has dissipated, and now the remaining thoughts are how to deal with it calmly: Father, this is why you have exhausted all your efforts, even in order to keep the throne and balance the relationship at that time. Can you give up the result?

Back then, the eldest son of Ai Ruo Zhen Bao could throw away, sacrifice his wife and concubines, and have other sons and grandchildren.

The Holy Majesty shook his head, and couldn't help laughing out loud, but the mockery on his face was beyond words.

There was an earth dragon in the room, and a charcoal basin was still lit by the window, but Concubine Xian felt a little cold. The smile on the Holy Majesty's face was by no means "sexy", nor was it a sense of relief that "the fox's tail was finally exposed".

The Supreme Emperor and the Holy Majesty don't seem to be so kind and filial anyway.

As a virtuous concubine who served the Holy Majesty early on, she naturally knew this well: one can imagine the Majesty's mood if she still doesn't let go of the government after so many years.The Holy Majesty wanted to take back the military power several times, and wanted to move King Suduan and King Zhongshun, if it wasn't for the Supreme Emperor...

Concubine Xian couldn't help but slander: In those aristocratic families, if the older generation doesn't want to leave, and is often restrained...how can you be so tender?

It must be known that the clans around King Suduan all occupy good seats, even to the point where the princes are envious.

At this time, the Holy Majesty suddenly asked: "Is it really the hand of those old people in the west?"

Concubine Xian came back to her senses and replied solemnly: "I've been staring at you for several days." She raised her hand lightly, pointing to the confidant in the corner who hung her head and said nothing, "I have personally seen those few brats with bad mouths interacting with the confidantes of the old concubines. The person who only took it several times used an excuse..." Concubine Xian smiled slightly, "Of course the filial piety is not enough."

It is naturally much more appropriate to take someone in the name of a virtuous concubine than the majesty.

Shang Sheng nodded and said with a smile, "You did a good job."

I'm afraid the father has already noticed what the old concubines are doing, but the father pretends to be ignorant, so he must be quite afraid of those old concubines.

The old concubines have lived in the palace for many years, and they may have a trump card in their hands. If they really desperately fight for everything, the father may not be able to protect him at the end of the day... So the father is happy to have a filial son to replace his father Share worries.

If he makes a move and someone shows up, will he still have the reputation of the emperor?If the king loses his virtue, he can make the clan and officials abolish the establishment!

At this time, Concubine Xian's confidant stepped forward and said a few words in Concubine Xian's ear.Concubine Xian nodded, then turned to the Holy Majesty and asked, "Those little eunuchs have already taken care of it, do you want the Majesty to take a look at it now?"

Concubine Xian would secretly get people into her place, just in response to her saying "take people", but she would not go overboard and steal the work of the Department of Punishment and torture the eunuchs in her own palace.

The reason why it is called "cooking" is because Concubine Xian's confidant came to "Soldiers from Heaven", and the two eunuchs were scared to pee at that time... If you don't clean up and change clothes, how can you face the king.

The Holy Majesty suddenly smiled, "Idle is idle, let's pass it on."

This is the problem he got into after hanging out with his second brother for a long time, and occasionally he would be so indecent.

Speaking of which, there are only a few types of court ladies and eunuchs who serve their master: those who are loyal to one master, those who can’t find a way out, double-faced spies who take both, and those who do it for money...

Concubine Xian's acquisition of these two happened to be the last one.Since the money is used to do things, there is no need to expect these two little eunuchs to have any integrity - in the eyes of the concubine Xian, these two are little eunuchs, but in fact they are both in the twenties, and they are a year or two older than the Ninth Prince .

These two young eunuchs revealed their whereabouts because of rumors about Lin Hai's prescription: how they were bribed because of their young age, ignorance of old secrets, and greed for money.

When the two were brought to the Holy Majesty, not to mention their hands and feet were so weak that they almost fell to the ground, and the cold sweat that was pouring from their foreheads formed a puddle of water in front of their respective eyes.

And since the two came in, the Holy Majesty's confidant chief executive twitched his eyelids, and when the two young eunuchs threw their bodies on the ground, the chief executive also knelt down with a bang and kowtowed, "Your servant is guilty."

It turned out that these two young eunuchs were the disciples of the confidant chief eunuch of the Holy Majesty.

The Holy Majesty laughed again: That's right.If it is not brought to him, it is not what the old dowager who has lived in the palace for a long time and has seen everything should do.

The Chief Chief Kneeling on the ground in this warm room felt cold when he saw His Majesty smiling.

The Holy Majesty has always been able to hold his breath, but once he is unwilling to bear it any longer, the method... is also the same: When the Holy Majesty was still the prince, he went to the Northwest Camp, and some people in the camp were obsequious, which almost caused the Holy Majesty to suffer a big loss. A few years later, this person not only committed suicide in prison in fear of crime, but his family could not gain a foothold in Beijing, and even his in-laws had no one to be an official.

Concubine Xian came over with a cup of tea, and said softly, "Let's not get mad at ourselves," she said with a helpless smile, "It's all involved anyway."

To put it bluntly, the old concubine's fight was just a trick of the rat. If she really followed the rumor and dug deep, the Holy Majesty heard how much she really thought, and when she was furious, she couldn't punish those palace people severely, otherwise his big The steward has to go down first.

The old concubine doesn't care if it's for self-protection or simply turning the Supreme Emperor against the Holy Father and his son... Anyway, most of their goals have been achieved.

In the end, the Holy Majesty asked Concubine Xian to leave the Imperial Concubine's Palace, and returned to Qianqing Palace after dinner... The Imperial Concubine also received comfort and reward from the Holy Majesty, Concubine De and Concubine Shu, who had been concerned about this little movement in the palace, also secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

The three concubines no longer competed for favor, but for their son's future, but for the son's future, everyone worked together to help the emperor and let the emperor let go.

Although Concubine De Shu didn't know that the whole family except the Holy One had been tricked in the palace back then, but she could guess that this time it was definitely not a trivial matter, and the Holy One seemed to be unable to bear it...

Of course, Lin Hai didn't know anything about the affairs in the palace, especially the Holy Majesty's determination to treat both symptoms and root causes today.

The cheap brother-in-law Wang Zhi was sent away, and the daughter Daiyu came back before dinner - she went to Rongfu as a guest.

As soon as Daiyu entered the door, she threw herself into Lin Hai's arms, "Father is the best." Seeing Wang Chan by her side, she did not forget to add, "Mother is also fine."

Lin Hai took a look: what happened?I don't look very happy.

Wang Chan immediately aimed at Zicuckoo.Zijuan shrinks her neck, and her eyes drift to Daiyu.

Both Lin Hai and Wang Chan understood: it is probably a trivial matter between the girls, if they are really wronged, Zijuan dare not hide it.

Although the Rong Mansion is in dire straits, it still needs face. Daiyu invites the little sisters once, and Mrs. Wang is bound to let Sister Feng decide to invite her back.

Baoyu's rarity and Daiyu's family are well known, so this time he took the She inkstone awarded by Yuanchun and gave it to Daiyu.

Daiyu happily played with it for a while, then ordered Zijuan to put it away, and smiled at Baoyu, "I think this is really nice, thank you, second cousin."

It is not so intimate for Daiyu to call Baoyu in public.

Baoyu was very satisfied with Daiyu's good face, and took out a set of Hu brushes that had been prepared a long time ago, "Look at this again."

Since Daiyu's biological father came back to Beijing and had a stepmother, from the cousins ​​and sisters-in-law to all the sisters in Rongfu, including Baoyu, few people gave Daiyu jewelry and clothing as gifts, but turned to calligraphy and painting. Add pen, ink, paper and inkstone, if you are too shy, at worst, you will give a delicate ornament or handkerchief embroidered by yourself.However, both Lin Hai and Wang Chan responded very well, and even Mrs. Wang couldn't find a reason.

Everyone in the Rong family saw the gift from the Lin family. Xiren saw Second Master Bao showing great hospitality, not because he felt sorry for those good things, but because he muttered about Second Master Bao's infatuation, how could he hide it from anyone? !

But no matter what Xiren thought in his mind, it was useless, because the things that the empress in the palace gave to Bao Erye and Miss Lin were all in pairs!So she didn't dare to say "Second Master has to take care of Miss Lin's reputation" no matter how much people tried to persuade her.

Different from the situation in the original book, Jia Zheng, the mother, regarded Daiyu as Baoyu's good match from the beginning to the end, while Mrs. Wang had a little thought for Baochai when choosing her daughter-in-law, and then fought a few times with her sister and niece. She had no choice but to acquiesce in Daiyu's scheming...

From Jia's mother and Jia Zheng's point of view, Baoyu would not be able to marry Daiyu if he had to get closer, and Xiangyun's ranking would be ahead of Baochai.

It's just that Jia's mother is not completely ignorant of self-knowledge, until the daughter of a third-rank official matches the son of a fifth-rank official... The son-in-law is afraid that he will not agree easily, so he has to force Baoyu to make progress before discussing the marriage.

As for Baochai...it is obvious that her ambition is not here: her mind is not on Baoyu, she wants to find a good family for herself.

Leaving aside, Baochai has been to her uncle's house and Lin's house, and has seen with her own eyes what a real high-ranking official family is. Like the Rong Mansion, which is only supported by noble concubines and rarely sees the imperial wife, it is not something she can put in A good choice in my eyes.

Xiangyun also has something on her mind at this time: her uncle wants her to be transferred to the southwest with her aunt... She doesn't really want to leave the capital.So Baoyu got along with Daiyu, even a little like no one else, Baochai and Xiangyun didn't pay attention.

Because last time Baochai took Xiangyun to make friends with the eldest daughter, Daiyu had nothing to do with them, but she was still a little uncomfortable in her heart...until today.

It is said that Daiyu is now a real "little public" temper. She doesn't want everyone to surround her all the time, but she feels that as a good sister, you go beyond me to get to know others. No matter whether you have other intentions, you have to give me back Can you explain?

However, she waited for a few days, and the letters from the two sisters seemed to be nothing like this. They met today...Seeing that Baoyu talked to her speculatively, the two of them didn't get close to her.

Daiyu was a little disappointed.Thinking about the little girl's family background and her age, she knows that "emotions and anger are invisible" is too far away from her...

So this small emotion not only caught Baoyu who was only paying attention to her, but also Tanchun and Xichun.

If you want Baoyu Tanchun Xichun to turn against Baochai over such a trivial matter... that's impossible, but it's really not a problem to have partiality or something.

Although Baochai "enlightened" Tanchun and let the talented third concubine girl start planning for her own future, but in terms of relatives and estrangements, in Tanchun's heart, if she said honesty, Baochai could not be with Daiyu. Compare.

In short, when Baoyu Tanchun and Xichun saw that Daiyu was unhappy, they had to ask why, and then they had to try to persuade her.

Daiyu, who had been coaxed almost by her cousins, went home, and when she saw her father, she wanted to mutter for a while longer.Every day, she would whisper a lot of nonsense to her father... Anyway, there is nothing serious, her father has been listening to her talk with a smile, and today she really needs her father to explain her doubts.

But before speaking, Daiyu glanced at her stepmother Wang Chan.

Wang Chan was also very generous. He was about to stand up while holding the handle of the seat. Seeing this, Daiyu hurriedly said, "Mother, don't leave, I... don't laugh at me for a while."

As soon as Wang Chan heard it, he sat down firmly: the stepdaughter showed her kindness, and she couldn't lose face no matter what she said.

It was her sisters who were distressed by Daiyu: Can she ignore her sisters' feelings for the sake of her husband-in-law who has not yet written off his horoscope?

As for Baochai and Xiangyun, especially Baochai's mind, it was Tanchun who analyzed it for her.Husband-in-law and so on, Daiyu blushes when she hears it... Well, in fact, Tanchun also said these words with a blushing face.

Daiyu talked almost everything with her father, complained a little about the little sisters, and then hesitated, "Is it necessary to plan their future so early?" After a pause, she asked, "Any high-ranking family should pay attention to being well-off, right? ?”

Although her stepmother reminded her that everyone has their own aspirations, it is still hard for Daiyu to imagine that Baochai, who has always been dignified and generous, would be willing to be a concubine...

Although her father also had a concubine's room, she was still too young at that time, and she didn't have a deep memory, but she saw the uncle's aunts at her grandmother's and uncle's house, and the aunts who shy in front of their wives... Baochai would like to be like this Man, Daiyu is unbelievable!

Although these words were hard to say, Daiyu still asked her father.

Lin Hai didn't have so many taboos at all, so there was nothing wrong with saying in front of his daughter-in-law, "The eldest daughter of the Xue family originally wanted to enter the palace to be elected, and the Xue family just wanted her to follow the path of your eldest cousin, concubine and concubine. "

Needless to say, Daiyu understood the following sentence, "But how can it be possible to enter the palace without support?"

The imperial concubine and elder sister Bao are both nieces of Mr. Wang next door. Mr. Wang has pushed one of them to the position of imperial concubine. The next one... must have enough energy to spare!

Lin Hai said in time again: "Think about it, someone told you since you were a child that you will enter the palace to be a concubine in the future, and the whole family will count on you. If you can give birth to a little nobleman, you will have a bright future...... Broken dreams, what do you think and do?"

Daiyu blurted out, "Then how can you be reconciled?!"

No wonder sister Bao wants to find her own way out!

Wang Chan added another knife at this moment, "Miss Xue is also pitiful. If her family hadn't had such 'high hopes' for her since she was a child, how could she have such thoughts?"

Speaking of Baoyu, why not?Because he was born with a vision, he was regarded by his grandmother and parents as the key to the prosperity of the family.

Lin Hai has always been very curious: If Jia Zhu hadn't died young, he must have been a famous young talent. From the perspective of this second-bedroom prince and Yuan Chun, who has entered the palace and gradually gained a foothold, Rong Mansion's family education is actually pretty good, but I don't know why When Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang came to Baoyu, it seemed that they couldn't teach their children suddenly.

After thinking about it, Lin Hai can only attribute it to "the psychic gem has too much deterrent effect on everyone".

Lin Hai shook his head, and suddenly felt that his daughter-in-law was not ruthless enough, "Girl, what did Miss Xue look like when the Xue family first came to Beijing? Was she quite calm and ambitious?"

Daiyu suddenly realized, "Could it be that Mr. Wang next door and even uncles and aunts agreed to something, but the eldest cousin changed her mind after she became a concubine?"

Lin Hai nodded and said, "Otherwise, why is Miss Xue full of confidence? Your sister Bao seems to be..." He pointed to his temple, "It doesn't work well here?"

Speaking of this, Daiyu was slightly depressed, "She's so smart, I'm not as good as she is."

At that time, her father was seriously ill in the south, and when the news came back, she was crying so hard that many servants in the Rong Mansion treated her with a subtle change. At that time, apart from her grandmother, it was Baoyu and Baochai who comforted her. She knew that Baoyu Both Baochai and Baochai are sincere and sincere.

Baochai even used her own experience to persuade her, and in the end the two cried bitterly together.

Daiyu will never forget the affection she had at that time. It was nothing at all to get acquainted with famous ladies through her, and what Baochai did could not be called crossing the river and tearing down the bridge, but she had already realized that she treated Baochai and Baochai... not equal.

This is the root cause of Daiyu's uneasiness.She understands the meaning of her parents. Everyone's background and growth are different, and it is common sense for Sister Bao to say and act like this. Daiyu can understand it intellectually, but it is not so easy to accept emotionally.

Seeing his daughter flopping on his arm with her head drooping, Lin Hai was speechless for a long time, but Lin Hai sighed in his heart: It's good that this girl understands the truth that hard work doesn't always get rewarded.

He rubbed his daughter's little head, and straightly twisted her bun, "When you understand it, you will grow up... halfway."

Daiyu's IQ is high enough, but her emotional intelligence was not very good at least when she was a child, especially when she was in Rongfu, she had a caring and generous Baochai by her side. Too bad, plus Mrs. Wang deliberately indulged in this...

Lin Hai felt that an old man who talked about people's rights and wrongs behind their backs, or women and children's rights and wrongs, was too cheap. Therefore, the natures of Baochai, Sister Feng, Mrs. Wang and even Jia Zheng had to be experienced by Daiyu herself and asked. , Lin Hai will give his answer.

Lin Hai can't order his daughter to say who is a villain, you are not allowed to get close to him... This will not benefit Daiyu's growth.

Daiyu pouted after hearing her father's words, "I'm not young anymore."

Lin Hai patted his daughter on the back, "But in Daddy's eyes, you will always be my precious little girl."

Daiyu hugged her father's arm, "It's not too bad." My heart is for Mingyue, if you don't cherish it, it's fine, anyway, it's good that my father loves me all the time.

Lin Hai, who was able to coax a wave of daughters, watched her leave, and then heard his wife whisper, "Master, the eldest daughter of the Xue family has neglected our eldest daughter these days, and she probably couldn't take care of it for a while."

Lin Hai suddenly became interested, "How to say?"

Baochai should not be a short-sighted person, although she didn't see where she was going, but suddenly she didn't pay attention to the little sister who was helping her, which didn't feel right.

Wang Chan said unhurriedly: "A few days ago, didn't I invite my sisters to come over as guests? The eldest daughter of the Xue family took the initiative to run to get acquainted with the second daughter of the Wang family of Xuanping County."

King Xuan Ping is also the kind who does well among the clans.But Lin Hai was really unfamiliar with this person, so he quietly listened to his wife's explanation.

Wang Chan continued: "The princess of Xuanping County has to call me a cousin according to her seniority... She gave birth to a girl 20 years after she married into the palace. Now the sons of King Xuanping are all born by two side concubines."

Speaking of this, Lin Hai understood, "Are the two side concubines not stopping for the throne?"

According to etiquette, the king of the county has only two side concubines.The concubine of the county has no son. For the sake of his son's future, the two side concubines naturally have the Eight Immortals cross the sea to show their magical powers.

Wang Chan said again: "Miss Xue is not well-born, but the imperial merchant's family has money, and they don't expect to be in the royal family. The two side concubines of King Xuanping seem to be a little tempted."

It turns out that if everything goes well, Baochai will be able to get a princess as a princess in the future... Don't even mention it, Lin Hai thinks this is reliable.

However, the two side concubines couldn't be proud of Wang Chan, but they decided not to let the Xue family choose their sons.I hope the Xue family will not make a foolish move just because the situation is good.

In fact, Baochai and Xue's family are too high-spirited, and non-high-ranking officials look down on them at all, which caused many obstacles before.Otherwise, it would not be difficult to pick a husband and son-in-law in a family of officials of the fifth rank or above. If you have extraordinary vision and directly pick a noble son from a poor family or a young talent, you can still earn a fortune in the future.

But the Xue family must feel that this is not safe, and Baochai is not willing to live a hard life with such a husband first.

It can be seen that the Xue family has clear goals and firm will from beginning to end.

Wang Chan also smiled and said: "Seeking benevolence and gaining benevolence is also a good thing. But if the eldest daughter of the Xue family is really a concubine for a man in the Xuanping Palace, she will not be able to come to our family. That's right," she remembered again One thing, "One of the side concubines of the Xuanping Palace seems to be cousins ​​with the eldest wife of the Shi family."

If Daiyu is still here, she must understand why Baochai and Xiangyun have gotten so close during this period of time.

Lin Hai nodded after listening, "The capital is really small."

He would not pay too much attention to Baochai, anyway, this girl successfully taught his daughter a lesson, and for their family, Baochai's "mission" was successfully completed.

But he said that the next day Wang Chan went to the palace to talk to Concubine Xian, and Lin Hai returned to the mansion early: he wanted to see how his daughter thought about it, and if she had figured it out... Daiyu was indeed generous, but her temperament was really not open-minded.

But as soon as he went home and changed his clothes, the housekeeper came to report: King Yizhong has arrived...

Lin Hai felt inexplicably that today's matter might not be simple, and King Yizhong didn't even greet him when he entered the door, and directly sent him a big news: Southwest is afraid of birth~people~change.

It should be known that the southwest is the territory of King Zhongshun, even if the old prince returns to Beijing to retire, his old relatives will still weave a big net in the southwest.

Lin Hai thought about it for a second, then smiled: King Suduan is in a dilemma... This is the solution that the Holy Majesty has been planning for a long time.If this trick is successful, it will be worthy of a "wonderful", but if it is self-defeating, the throne will not be stable.

Lin Hai cupped his hands at King Yizhong, "I would like to hear more about it."

King Yizhong smiled meaningfully, "My good brother finally couldn't hold it back anymore."