The Founding of the Red Chamber

Human fate is so unpredictable.

In fact, Lin Jing didn't like Chen Qibao at all, and Chen Qibao probably didn't like him that much either.

However, when there is no choice, you have to choose the one that is most beneficial to the family.

Fortunately, his elder brother has done good deeds these years, as long as Chen Qibao has a little humanity, he can definitely treat his elder brother well.His elder brother is the patriarch of the family, so what happens to the family in the future depends on his elder brother.

Lin Jing chose Chen Qibao because he didn't have the most suitable candidate.

Lin Yi is different, Lin Yi has long felt that Chen Qibao is affectionate and righteous, and has a good character.As for his younger brother, Lin Jing's temperament is not very good. It's no secret in the imperial capital. Even Lin Yi has always protected his shortcomings.

All in all, Lin Yi believed that Chen Qibao was an excellent candidate for heir.

In particular, the lineage of the former Xiangyang King was already down and out, and had little involvement with the court.

Speaking of which, the Empress Dowager Kong was able to shift her gaze from the candidate selected by the ministers of the court to Chen Qibao, perhaps without consideration in this regard.The Empress Dowager Kong herself didn't like the heir who had too many shadows behind her.

Empress Dowager Kong first asked her confidant servant to inquire about Chen Qibao's recent situation, this servant was quite useful, not only did she inquire about Chen Qibao's current situation clearly, but she also inquired clearly about the ins and outs of Chen Qibao's coming to the imperial capital to take the blame for his father.The servant said, "At that time, the Lin family helped the old concubine's matter. The lady Lin was still there. Later, when Mr. Chen came to the imperial capital, he asked to come to the Lin family. He lived in the Lin family for a while, and then went to jail for the former king of Xiangyang. I have gone. These years, the former Xiangyang Prince's family has really fallen into despair, and no one came to see him. It is the old concubine and the Lin family who send people to send things over from time to time. This Mr. Chen is imprisoned for his father. The grown-ups didn't make things difficult for him either. He is a clan and has several rooms in the clan's mansion. Later, the adults who asked the clan's mansion bought melon and vegetable seeds and planted them in the courtyard to study. Mr. Chen would often There are endless melons and vegetables to give away. When the Lin family and the old concubine sent people to give away things, Mr. Chen also gave back melons and vegetables, and there are no others."

The Empress Dowager Kong said, "These days, has anyone been to the clan mansion?"

"That's not true. In the past, they would give away things during festivals, but this year, due to the epidemic, the imperial capital was under martial law, and the two families didn't send any gifts." The servant replied respectfully.

The Empress Dowager Kong was a meticulous person, she even asked Lin Jing about Chen Qibao, Lin Jing said, "He. Why did you think of asking him?"

Lin Jing had a reputation of being a bit of a cunning in the imperial capital. Furthermore, it was no secret that Lin Jing had extraordinary means in the imperial capital.However, Lin Jing may be due to his young age, no matter how capable he is, he is different from those elders who always speak and act with an expression.Lin Jing has always been happy and angry. When the Queen Mother saw Lin Jing's appearance, she said, "What's wrong?"

"This man, that's all."

Empress Dowager Kong smiled, "If there is anything difficult to say, it will be fine."

"There's nothing bad to say." Lin Jing said, "Originally my family had no contact with him, but what happened to Concubine Xie that year was really infuriating, and sister Shen came to the imperial capital to find my eldest brother. I can't stand still. Later, Emperor De dealt with the Xianxiangyang King. He came, and came to my house as soon as he came. I used to live well at home, but when he came, my elder brother always picked on me, saying that I am here It's not as good as Chen Qibao, it's not as good as Chen Qibao there. Ma'am, tell me, even though I'm not first-class, I won't make others shameful! I don't like people like him!"

The Empress Dowager Kong smiled and said, "You are thinking too much. Lin Shangshu is your elder brother, so he will naturally demand more from his family."

Lin Jingdao, "My brother is extremely soft-hearted. Actually, Chen Qibao's imprisonment is also voluntary. I don't know if it's because of regret or something. He will send people to give him things during the Chinese New Year."

There are many things, even if they are suspicious, but you say them openly, which clears up the suspicion.

After the Empress Dowager Kong wanted to listen to several parties, she went to the clan's mansion to see Chen Qibao in person. Chen Qibao was fifteen or sixteen years old when he was imprisoned, and now six years have passed, and he is also a weak crown year.He was tall and tall, not to mention handsome, but also had delicate features. He was dressed in simple muslin clothes and was tidying up the yard.Seeing a noble lady standing at the gate of the courtyard, Chen Qibao was a little at a loss, quickly put down the belongings in his hands, and patted the dust on his body. In fact, Chen Qibao loves cleanliness, and his body is not dirty. He took off the smock outside , revealing the green cloth clothes.In the past, he bowed his hands, "Ma'am, you are polite." Although he did not know the identity of the Empress Dowager Kong, but just looking at Zongzheng's flattering appearance, Chen Qibao also knew that this woman's identity must be extraordinary.

Zongzheng's voice was trembling with excitement, and he said, "Young Master Chen, hurry up and invite the nobleman in."

I don't know if it was the same scene when Huo Guang welcomed Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty back. The Empress Dowager Kong entered the house, and Zongzheng served tea courteously.The Empress Dowager Kong didn't come to have tea. She saw that the house was quite simple, but it was neatly tidied up. Now the flowers and trees are all withered, and there are two pots of holly growing on the table, the green is growing very well.

In many cases, it is the edge of the eye.

Empress Dowager Kong sent Zong Zheng down, and said a few words to Chen Qibao, Chen Qibao's answers were all in line with Empress Dowager Kong's wishes.The Empress Dowager Kong said, "In the past few years you have been in the clan's mansion, everyone can see your filial piety. You are in your prime, and you are a filial son, serving the country rightly. What are your plans after you go out?"

Hearing that this person could let him go out with just one word, Chen Qibao became more and more suspicious of the Queen Mother Kong's identity.Chen Qibao said, "If I can go out, I still have to send someone back to Xiangyang to send a letter to my father, telling my father about my situation. Besides, the clan now has an exam every year, and if I pass the exam well, I can be sent to the imperial court. In the past few years, I have also been studying frequently, although I don't think much about it, I want to take part in the imperial examination."

Queen Mother Kong asked, "Aren't you going back to Xiangyang?"

Chen Qibao sighed, "To tell you the truth, if I go back to Xiangyang now, even if I can raise money for the journey, when I get to Xiangyang, I have to find a way to make a living."

The Queen Mother continued to ask, "Don't you miss your parents?"

Chen Qibao's complexion remained unchanged, his heart trembled slightly, he suddenly thought of a breakfast a month ago, in the food box containing the breakfast, there was a small note, and there were only two words on it, "Cruise".Chen Qibao is not a person without scheming, he has studied these two words over and over for a long time, Chen Qibao is only in his twenties, he has never done anything spectacular in his life, the only thing is to go to jail for his father.But what does the word "mistake" mean? Chen Qibao thought about it from his own perspective and his family's. After thinking about it for a long time, he still hasn't come to a conclusion.Seeing this noble lady mentioned his parents, Chen Qibao immediately became vigilant, carefully choosing his words, and said truthfully, "My mother passed away when I was young, my father, hey, with my father, I still need to earn a living first , bring some money back home, so that my father can use it for his retirement.”

Everyone despises what the former King of Xiangyang did.The Empress Dowager Kong asked, "Why did you go to prison for your father in the first place? If you don't have a chance to be released, wouldn't you spend your whole life in this family's mansion?"

Chen Qibao said frankly, "When something happened in the mansion back then, no one in the family came to the Imperial Capital to run for my father. I also knew that my father had some disadvantages. However, my father counted his sons, how could none of them come to the Imperial Capital? I came here. I know that my father did something wrong, and I feel sorry for the old concubine, but it is contemptuous not to let people mention the Xiangyang Palace. I will come here and go to jail for my father. When outsiders mention it, they have to say that even though my father did something wrong, The children in the family are still filial. In this way, the brothers in the family will be better off when they look for a living."

As far as Empress Dowager Kong is concerned, she is quite satisfied with Chen Qibao, the only thing that is not very satisfied is that she is worried that Chen Qibao will be partial to the people who came from Xiangyang Palace in the future.However, if it wasn't for Chen Qibao's filial piety, how could he have gotten into the eyes of the Empress Dowager Kong.

A filial son, since you take the word "filial piety" from him, you can't dislike the word "filial piety" from him.

Empress Dowager Kong has seen it herself, and is quite satisfied with Chen Qibao.

However, the matter of heir to the emperor is no small matter, and the Empress Dowager Kong asked her father Kong Guogong to meet Chen Qibao.Chen Qibao is not incompetent.The Lin family paved the way for him carefully, obviously they didn't dare to give advice at all, but this person was born with this kind of understanding, and he managed to get Kong Guogong out of his hands.

After seeing it, Kong Guogong also agreed.

The Empress Dowager Kong said, "It's just the same thing. To be the heir, you have to be at the knee of Emperor De, but I don't know if he is willing or not?"

"Would you like it?" This is simply the luck that Chen Qibao cultivated in some lifetime.

Empress Dowager Kong said, "I hope that he will be willing, but I also hope that he will not."

"What's your mother saying?"

"I've met Chen Qibao in person. He has a good character. What's rare is that the Xiangyang Palace has already won the title, and there is no such messy relationship. This is what I like about him." The Empress Dowager Kong paused, He said, "It's just that he can go to jail for his father, which shows that he is a filial son. If he agrees to the matter of heir to the emperor, then his previous filial piety was true filial piety or false filial piety?"

At this time, Kong Guogong felt enlightened, and sighed, "Mother, don't talk about Chen Qibao, he is the son of King Langya and the grandson of King Chu. Who would say that he is not filial? This is the throne of the emperor, and mortals are mortals if they are tempted in front of the throne. , who can really become a god? If he doesn't want to, then he can only be said to be a fool and not worthy of the throne."

Empress Dowager Kong sighed, "Father's words are also reasonable."

The Empress Dowager Kong entrusted this matter to Kong Guogong, naturally because she wanted Chen Qibao to inherit the favor of the Kong family.

Being an heir, nothing goes wrong.

Chen Qibao was taken into the palace by the Empress Dowager Kong within a few days, and then, the Empress Dowager Kong summoned the assistant government and the cabinet to discuss the matter of heir to the monarch!

No matter how the cabinet discusses it, or how it is discussed in the court, as a member of the Palace of Mercy, the Empress Dowager Kong has great authority over the matter of succession to the emperor.The Empress Dowager Kong said, "The imperial court governs the world with filial piety, even if it employs people in the imperial court, it is also a person who seeks loyal ministers and filial sons. Filial piety is the foundation of the world. The filial piety of Qibao, not to mention the Ai family, I think you have all heard of it." .”

The Empress Dowager Kong had her eye on Chen Qibao. Although the ministers felt that you, the empress dowager, had made us unprepared for the trouble, the betting chips that had been placed on the son of King Langya and the grandson of King Chu were all gone!But after thinking about it, the new monarch was born in the dilapidated former Xiangyang Prince's Mansion, with no connections at all, so the ministers naturally have other considerations!

Thus, the half-year-long battle for succession ended prematurely because of Chen Qibao's birth.