Dressed as Su Peisheng

Kangxi 48 years

July 22, Changchun Garden

The night was as cold as water, and when Liang Jiugong stepped into the threshold of the Hall of Nine Classics and Three Things, he could barely see the blurry figure standing in front of the dragon chair with a little moonlight reflected outside the door.

"Long Live Lord, it's still early." Liang Jiugong walked slowly behind Lord Kangxi, bowed his head and dropped his shoulders, without saying a word, just like in countless nights, he accompanied the young emperor at midnight, when there was no one around, Passing through the gloomy palace gates without any purpose.

Lord Kangxi was wearing a robe, with his hands behind his back, standing two steps away from the dragon chair, with his head slightly raised, "Zhen, I dreamed of many people tonight, some I admire, and some I hate. It's a pity, Those people are gone now."

"Long live God is blessed by heaven," Liang Jiugong lowered his head, his tone was calm, "As the road goes higher and higher, there will naturally be fewer and fewer people."

Grandpa Kangxi turned his head, a look of loneliness flashed in his eyes, "It's getting hot now, on the other side of Xianfu Palace, you should pay more attention."

"Long live Lord, don't worry," Liang Jiugong lifted the whisk on the handle, with no trace of surprise on his face.

The two people in the hall were still talking, and another group of patrolling guards walked past with lanterns.

"In the past few days, Lord Longkodo has changed many patrols in Changchun Garden. The Lord Long Live's side should be much cleaner." Liang Jiugong followed Lord Kangxi and walked to the gate of the main hall step by step. If you want to fully recuperate, I'm afraid it will take some more time."

Lord Kangxi stood on the steps outside the Hall of Nine Classics and Three Things. Looking from a distance, the number of patrolling guards tripled, like fire dragons wagging their heads and tails, as if they were about to burn the entire Changchun Garden.

"Let them evacuate everyone."

"Long Live Lord?" This time, Liang Jiugong finally showed a trace of surprise on his face.

Lord Kangxi turned around and walked towards the side hall. Liang Jiugong followed two steps and then stopped suddenly, but he still heard a sentence that he didn't know whether he should have heard, "Zhen, I'm not old yet..."

July 25, Prince Yong's Mansion

Shiyue's small courtyard was as quiet as usual. When Cheng Bin was brought in by the eunuch, Xu'er was watering the flowers in the courtyard.

"Physician Cheng came today by coincidence." Xu'er put down the wooden spoon in her hand and led Cheng Bin into the house, "Our young master has not been able to sleep well for the past few days, and I woke up this morning with a bad throat. Fortunately, you came Otherwise, the young master will not let us invite a doctor."

Cheng Bin took a few steps up the steps, and finally stopped in front of the house, lowered his head and waited for Xu'er to report.

"Doctor Cheng is here." When Cheng Bin was brought into the inner hall by Xu'er, Shiyue was putting away the silk thread on the embroidery frame, stood up and smiled apologetically at Cheng Bin, "Xu'er must have told you about me again. I really shouldn't have to bother Imperial Physician Cheng for some minor ailments."

"What did the young master say?" Cheng Bin put down the medicine box and took out the pulse pillow, "It is the duty of the minister to diagnose the diseases of the young masters. Take care of yourself."

"That's right," Xu'er took the silk thread in Shiyue's hand, her lips pursed slightly, "I coughed for most of the night last night, and I still refuse to see a doctor today. Doctor Cheng said that you should take good care of yourself, but you still don't want to feel at ease Take a break—”

"Okay, why are you nagging so much!" Shiyue gave Xu'er a reproachful look, and said with a smile, "Go and pour a cup of tea for Doctor Cheng, and stop suing me here."

Xu'er stuck out her tongue at Shiyue, picked up the teapot and went to make tea.

Cheng Bin didn't speak all the time, he took Shiyue's pulse quietly, but frowned slightly, "My little master has been thinking too much these days, my lungs are not smooth, and my heart is damaged. Falling to the root of the disease."

Shiyue lowered her head a little ashamedly, and the corners of her mouth slightly pursed, "It's because I didn't live up to it, and all the painstaking efforts of Imperial Physician Cheng were in vain."

"Young Lord, I have broken my heart." Cheng Bin put away the pulse pillow and took out the needle pack from the medicine box. "The acupuncture hurts a bit. Please bear with it, my little sovereign. After the lungs are cleared, I will take medicine." , the effect will be better.”

"Excuse me, Doctor Cheng," Shiyue lowered her eyes slightly, and the silver needle landed on several places on her arm, causing a slight tingling pain.

Cheng Bin stood up and bent in front of Shiyue. His warm breath and the coldness of the silver needle fell behind his ears, and Shiyue couldn't help trembling slightly.

Cheng Bin backed away quickly, seeming a little embarrassed, arched his hands and bowed to Shiyue.

Seeing Cheng Bin's slightly red cheeks and stiff movements, Shiyue wanted to laugh inexplicably, but she had a needle on her body, so she didn't dare to dodge at will, so she could only face the bewildered Doctor Cheng and let out a muffled laugh.

Hearing Shiyue's laughter, Cheng Bin was taken aback for a moment, and then laughed too.Qingjun's face was a little embarrassed and shy, but he also showed a bit of simplicity.

When Xu'er walked into the room with the teapot in her hand, she was really baffled by the smiles on her face from the two of them. She stayed at the door for a while, seeing that the young master was not laughing at her, so she dawdled forward and said, "What would the young master want for lunch? It's hot today, how about some cold noodles from the kitchen?"

"Cold noodles are delicious when paired with Wang Zhihe's fermented bean curd." Shi Yuejing smiled just now, and seemed to be much more energetic, "Go scoop a few pieces from the jar, and bring some back to Imperial Physician Cheng later. "

"Tofu curd," Xu'er scratched her head worriedly, "we've eaten up all the food in our yard, and no one has given it away recently. Why don't I go to the big kitchen and ask, maybe they still have some .”

Shiyue was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly remembered something, and her expression became gloomy again, "Forget it, there probably won't be any in the big kitchen. Let's eat something simple for lunch today."

"Yes," Xu'er saw Shiyue's disappointment, and felt a little lonely herself, so she shrugged and backed out.

Cheng Bin watched Xu'er leave, then looked back at Shiyue's expression, and secretly took it to heart.

night, farm

The farmhouse at night is much quieter than the prince's mansion, except for the crickets in the fields, there are only a few occasional dogs barking.

On this peaceful and quiet night, Su Wei moved a small horse and sat alone in the middle of the yard, holding his cheeks to look at the moon.

"There is a bright moon on the sea, and the sky is at this moment. The lover complains about the night, but lovesickness begins at night..." The door of the wing room creaked, and a sour person walked out.

Su Wei rubbed the goosebumps on his arm, squinted his eyes and glanced at Zhang Qilin, and said in a low voice, "I didn't expect you to be quite educated, so you just say a few sour words when you have nothing to do. Is it possible that you are still thinking about being a champion?" ?”

"Hey, it's impossible to be the number one scholar in this life." Zhang Qilin also took a ponytail and sat next to Su Wei, "However, following the prince and Eunuch Su's grand plans, it is still quite hopeful to return to the hometown with glory and prosperity." .”

"Tch, you'd better think about how to live longer." Su Wei picked up a wooden stick and scratched it on the ground in a bored manner. , If you want to return to your hometown after a good job, we little grasshoppers, it’s better to be more pragmatic.”

"Hey, how can they compare with you, Mr. Su. In the heart of the prince, he has never regarded you as a slave." Zhang Qilin pretended to bump into Su Wei, and raised his eyebrows, "I have been listless for the past two days. I lost my energy to speak, tell the truth to my brother, do you miss the prince?"

Su Wei turned his head and glared at Zhang Qilin, pushed the wooden stick in half, picked up the ponytail angrily, and was about to go back to the house to sleep.

"Hey," Zhang Qilin chuckled, took an annoyingly long breath, and sang with a playful voice, "I don't see you in a day, it's like three autumns——"

July 28, Wenfeng Pavilion, Beijing

Early in the morning, Su Wei's carriage stopped by the gate of Wenfeng Pavilion. Xiaoyingzi was dressed up in gold and silver, with a big black braid and gold silk wrapped around it.

"Master, let's hurry up." As soon as we got out of the carriage, Xiao Yingzi turned around impatiently, "Today is the day for the prince and Fujin to go to the Old Summer Palace, and we will welcome the holy driver on the first day of next month. Although everything that should be prepared is ready It’s gone, but the masters have gone, and I, the manager, must be here.”

"Oh, you can leave as soon as you show your face, you won't waste time," Su Wei inspected Xiaoyingzi inside and out, "Today, Rui Shengxiang is one of the best old dealers in Gyeonggi. If Jinxiu takes this business, next year will be enough. You have to listen to Master and keep the place alive. Yang Tai from Tianhe Company will also come today. Break the chain on the spot, and be careful that I will twist your head off and use it as a chamber pot!"

"Master," Xiaoyingzi rubbed his chilly neck and muttered with some lingering fear, "Why have you become more and more irritable recently? I heard from my former master that when this person gets old, his temper tends to get out of control , just like when a woman is pregnant—”

"Shut up!" Su Dacaidong squinted his eyes, and slapped Xiaoyingzi's buttocks hard, "Adjust your clothes and come in with me!"

"Yes," Xiaoyingzi pursed her lips, tugged at the jacket on her body, and followed Su Wei into Wenfeng Pavilion.

"Hey, isn't this Su Dacaidong? I didn't expect to see you today."

Su Wei closed his eyes and let his breath sink into his stomach. Maybe he really had reached menopause, why did he suddenly want to hit someone so much?

"Shopkeeper Yang, long time no see." Su Wei smiled like a flower, with his hands behind his back leisurely, "What? Has the warehouse of Tianhe Company been repaired? Have you found the person who set the fire on purpose?"

"Don't worry about Su Caidong," Yang Tai pursed his lips, suppressing his anger.He suffered a great loss from Su Peisheng in Shuntian Mansion, returned to Tianhe Company, and was reprimanded by Brother Jiu again, losing all face.Ji Shengtang also specially competed with Tianhe Company for business.It's not easy to hear that Su Peisheng was kicked out of the palace by Prince Yong, why is he now appearing in the capital openly and aboveboard?

"It's just that Yang is curious. Is it still Su Caidong who has the final say on the few shops in the capital?"

Su Wei looked strange, and looked at Yang Tai as if he was looking at an idiot, "You call me rich, of course I have the final say. Our lord knows people well and assigns rewards and punishments clearly. With some real skills, shopkeeper Yang is afraid that he will have to deal with me in the future on this business matter."

"Hmph," Yang Tai snorted coldly, turned his head to look at the person inside the Wenfeng Pavilion with a smile, "Did you hear the treasurer Fu? The wealthy owner of Jinxiu this month is now a guilty body. Rui Shengxiang's The master is well-known in the capital, so don't offend the dignitaries and dignitaries in the capital because of being dragged into the hands of some people."

"Thank you, shopkeeper Yang, for reminding me," the person inside the door came out, but it was a short and fat old man. I went south to do some shopping and didn’t return for a while, so I had no choice but to meet the two nobles for Rui Shengxiang, and please don’t be offended by Su Caidong.”

"Shopkeeper Fu is polite," Su Wei glanced at Yang Tai, and returned the gift to Shopkeeper Fu with a smile, "Su is now just an ordinary slave who works for his master. He is no more expensive than Shopkeeper Yang, and he can't be called a noble person. We Yue Jinxiu New Not long after it was opened, it was a great fortune to have Rui Shengxiang mention it, so don’t dare to think too much of yourself.”

"Hey, these words came from Mr. Su, but it's rare to see you once in a thousand years." Yang Tai lowered his head and rubbed his hands, with a trace of sarcasm flashing across his face, "Don't look at Su Caidong's beautiful words now, shopkeeper Fu, wait and see!" When you turn around and put on that yellow oriole patch, you have to bow your head and salute. If you want silver, you have to give money, and if you want clothes, you have to give clothes!"

Su Wei let out a laugh, took two steps forward, and leaned into Yang Tai's ear and said, "Shopkeeper Yang, is he holding a grudge? Yes, the last time you and I came out of Shuntian Mansion, I asked you to tell me in public. You bowed and saluted. But to put it bluntly, you were the one who slandered Ji Shengtang first. So the big shit bowl was buckled, and your shopkeeper Yang just bent over. Isn’t it cheap enough? Why are you still beating him up today?”

"Su Peisheng," Yang Tai's face turned cold, and his eyes seemed to be poisoned when he looked at Su Wei, "Do you think you are the Grand Duke Su who is highly valued by Prince Yong? Now in the capital, who would betray you?" Face? We are talking about business today, not just lip service. The shopkeeper Fu has already finalized the price with me just now, it is a pity, I am afraid that you will make a futile trip today."

"The price has just been finalized, and the contract has not been signed, right?" Su Wei lowered his voice, but Yang Tai's expression changed.

"Oh, I thought you were a smart person." Su Wei sighed with feigned disappointment, "Doing business in the capital is different from other places. How much is a rich man's face worth? People see, It's the person behind you! Eunuch Li, please."

"Ahem," Yang Tai paused, and saw another person walking out from the side of the carriage, with gold silk braids, a fine brocade gown, and a blood-soaked suet ancient jade around his waist. It's not big, but it looks a little familiar.

"This is Li Ying, Eunuch Li," Su Wei ignored Yang Tai's eyes, turned and introduced to Fu Jin directly, "He is the Chief Manager of the Old Summer Palace in Prince Yong's Mansion, although the business in Beijing still needs to be done by Su, But all the big and small things have passed the eyes of Eunuch Li. Today, I specially introduced the shopkeeper Fu to Eunuch Li to show our sincerity. Eunuch Li has to go back to the Old Summer Palace in a while. After all, on the first day of next month, Lord Long Live is going to have a banquet in the Old Summer Palace in person, and Eunuch Li is also busy with his affairs."

Fu Jin was taken aback for a moment, then immediately reacted, and hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "It turns out to be Eunuch Li, sorry for your disrespect."

"It's easy to say, easy to say," Xiaoyingzi returned the gift decently, and then puffed out his chest at Yang Tai, "Our family is relatively busy these days, so we should leave the business matters to Mr. Su. If you have any conditions, shopkeeper Fu can talk to Su." Father-in-law mentioned, our lord still values ​​the business between Beijing and China."

Fu Jin pursed her lips, and secretly glanced at Yang Tai.Rui Shengxiang also has connections in the palace, so he may not be afraid of these princes and grandchildren.

However, Su Peisheng seems to have a better reputation in the business world of the capital, even though he has a special status, compared to Yang Tai's face-to-face and behind-the-scenes.

As long as he doesn't engage in any low-level tricks, Su Peisheng seldom uses his status to overwhelm others. He always asks for prices and buys and sells according to the rules of the business field. All established shops in Beijing are willing to cooperate with him.

If nothing happens to Su Peisheng this time, Rui Shengxiang's boss will still agree to Yue Jinxiu.

"Master Fu, with whom to do this business, it depends on whose conditions are the most satisfactory to the owner." Su Wei walked to Fu Jin with a smile, "Our Jisheng Tang has always followed the rules, and Yue Jinxiu dare not trust her We agree on this condition sincerely. If you are satisfied, we hit it off immediately. If you are not satisfied, we will not complain to each other. What do you think?"

"Treasurer Fu!" Yang Tai frowned, his eyes were like knives, and he slashed across the two of them, "We have finalized the price, and the one named Su just brought a chief eunuch. If you need it, we Tianhe Company There are also some."

Fu Jin frowned, he was hesitant at first, but now he was full of displeasure, "Shopkeeper Yang, don't underestimate us Rui Shengxiang, our old boss made clothes for the Empress Dowager."

Yang Tai was at a loss for words for a while, only to see Fu Jin turned around, waved his hands at Su Peisheng and said, "Please, Mr. Su."

This business discussion made Su Wei very happy, he left Yang Tai in anger, and placed a big order for Yue Jinxiu. Seeing that the large sum of money was about to fly into his purse, Eunuch Su laughed and his eyes burst into tears.

Walking out of Wenfeng Pavilion, Su Wei and Fu Jin said goodbye again and again, and each got into the carriage.

"Eunuch Li took his fast horse and left early in the morning." Ku Kui put down the curtain for Su Wei. "Before he left, he said that the outfit you gave me was all paid for."

"That's a hundred-year-old mutton fat ancient jade!" Su Wei opened the curtain abruptly, revealing half of his head, "Which door did he leave from, let's chase after him!"

"It's probably almost here now, we won't be able to catch up," Ku Kui said helplessly, and pushed Grand Duke Su back into the carriage, and was about to go on his way when he suddenly heard a gong.

"Boom, boom, boom—" "Thirteen beeps, Mr. Su, thirteen beeps in total!" Ku Kui's eyes widened suddenly.

The car door was pushed open, but before Kukui could react, the people in the car had already rushed towards the crowd.

"It's Prince Yong's guard of honor!" Someone in the crowd shouted.

"The prince is here, and the civil and military officials, military and civilians, big and small, retreat!"

The gong bearers came all the way leading the guard of honor.

The place where Wenfeng Pavilion is located is very close to the market. There is a large population here, and everyone crowded to both sides of the street, scrambling to stand on tiptoe to see the golden and shining melon, the spacious and exquisite soft sedan chair with silver roof, yellow cover and red curtain.

"That's Prince Yong in front, and that's Prince Yong in the back."

Su Wei was squeezed into the crowd and heard the people around him talking.

"I heard that the emperor is going to visit Prince Yong's Old Summer Palace. Today, Prince Yong is going to the Old Summer Palace to welcome him."

"Let me tell you, I haven't seen such a big battle on weekdays. This is to show off to others."

Su Wei rolled his eyes, squeezed his way to the front of the crowd, stood on tiptoe, and looked into Si Age's sedan chair.

It's a pity that the car curtain is tightly blocked, and nothing can be seen.

"The prince is here, and the civil and military officials, military and civilians, big and small, retreat!"

The guard of honor came in front of the crowd. I don't know if it was because the escorting team was too grand, or because Prince Yong's prestige among the people was growing, and the people who watched the excitement began to kneel down one after another.

"My lord, thousand years old—"

"My lord, Wanan—"

The shouts of the people were uneven, but the momentum was huge, and more and more people knelt down.

Su Wei stood in the crowd, staring blankly at the frame of the fourth elder brother. He wanted to step forward, but felt that he was ridiculous. In a panic, he was dragged down by someone, and his knee hit the ground with a "boom" .

The fourth elder brother closed his eyes slightly, and sat in the soft sedan chair, but for some reason, his heart suddenly trembled.

"Fu Nai!"

"My lord," Fu Nai walked to the soft sedan chair of the fourth elder brother.

"Let the gong bearer shout, don't make the people kneel indiscriminately," the fourth elder brother sighed softly, "I'm not at ease here."

"Yes," Fu Nai took the order and hurried away.

In Fujin's soft sedan, elder brother Hongyun was lying in front of the window of the sedan, watching the crowds of kneeling people outside through a little gap.

Fujin stroked Hongyun's hair lovingly, and said in a soft but steady voice, "Hongyun, take a good look, this is your Ama, this is our prince of the Qing Dynasty. You have to work hard and be like you in the future Like Ama, be a good prince respected by the people, no, maybe—"

Fujin didn't continue talking, Hongyun looked up at his mother-in-law for a while, then turned to look out the window.

The shout of the gong bearer didn't have much effect, and the people still fell to their knees and shouted for a thousand years.

Fortunately, the fourth elder brother's guard of honor gradually accelerated, and the people didn't have to kneel for long, and the street was empty.

"Eunuch Su!"

Ku Kui walked through the gradually dispersed crowd, and finally found Su Wei who was still kneeling on the ground.

"Eunuch Su, what's wrong with you?" Seeing Su Wei's face turning pale, Ku Kui broke out in a cold sweat.

"My leg." Su Wei supported his knee, but his face was still dazed. For some reason, it was his knee that fell, but his chest hurt.

In the evening, when Su Wei returned to the farm, it was already dark.

Ku Kui carried Su Wei to the hospital during the day, but fortunately he didn't hurt any bones, but there was a big bruise on his knee.

As soon as the carriage stopped in front of the farm, Zhang Qilin and Zhang Bao came up to meet him.

"Why did you come back at this time? Didn't you discuss business early in the morning? How is Xiaoyingzi doing today? That Rui Shengxiang—"

Zhang Qilin was like a bamboo tube pouring beans, asking questions endlessly until the door opened, and Ku Kui carefully got off the carriage with Su Wei.

"What's the matter?" Zhang Qilin was the first to turn pale with shock, "Didn't the business talk lead to a fight with someone? Who is so courageous, he is going to die!"

Su Wei pushed away the screaming Zhang Qilin, and without asking for help, he limped into the courtyard gate by himself.

"What's going on?" Zhang Bao turned around and asked Ku Kui.

Ku Kui sighed, pondered his words, and said in a low voice, "The business talks went well, but when I was about to come back, I happened to meet the guard of honor of the prince. Eunuch Su ran to see it, but was pushed down by the crowd, but it didn't seem to be the case. I can see the prince. Originally, when he came out of the mansion this time, Eunuch Su felt uncomfortable, but today it happened again, I'm afraid—"

"Cough," Zhang Qilin coughed softly, interrupting Ku Kui's worries.

Ku Kui raised his head, only to realize that Zhang Qilin and Zhang Bao didn't seem too worried.

"you--"

"Turn around and look," Zhang Bao pointed to the courtyard.Ku Kui turned his head, only to see that the main room, which was supposed to be dark, had already lit up a candle.

Su Wei endured the pain in his knees, and while he disliked his hypocrisy, he couldn't help but feel sad. When he opened the door, he didn't pay attention to the changes in the room.

"Why did you come back at this time?"

There was a person reclining on the wooden couch by the window, with a book in his hand, and a leisurely voice.

The person who entered the room was stunned suddenly, and the candlelight on the Kang table instantly dazzled his eyes.