[Red House] But for the sake of the king

On the fifth day of March, the team headed by Lin Ruhai set off; on the eighth day of March, the first-round draft began.

It is said that the draft is held every three years, but it is not a rigid rule. Naturally, it can be increased or decreased according to the emperor's wishes.Every spring, after the emperor made a decision, he ordered the Ministry of Rites. If there is a draft this year, the Ministry of Rites must first mobilize qualified girls from the Ministry of Households, and then notify each family. This is actually the first time to delete the selection.Those with insufficient family background and ages will naturally not receive notification from the Ministry of Rites.Some officials who have been sent to the outside world bring their family members to take office. In order to leave enough time for the outstanding girls from other provinces to go to Beijing, the official draft is held in August and September every year.

But this time, the empress dowager was anxious to help the emperor fill the harem, and she didn't care about these rules, she just said that she didn't want to go to war, and the two princesses were anxious to find a companion to read, so they only chose the capital and neighboring areas such as Zhili and Hebei. show girl.However, the empress dowager was not trying to be quick, but she never wanted to have too many Jiangnan beauties in the emperor's harem.There are so many beauties in the south of the Yangtze River, and so many beauties are detrimental to the country. Even if she wants to pick a few good ones to catch her son's heart, the empress dowager will not take the risk of attracting wolves into her house.

Jun Qi was not in the mood to take care of these things, the descendants of the Su family had already entered the capital, and he was going to deal with the mess.But this person is now a monk and a woman, so she can't be taken captive, and she can't just go to her door to scare the snake, it's really embarrassing for him.In the end, it was King Zhongshun's idea. The mother of Chen Yan, the servant of the Ministry of Rites, would like to worship the Buddha. She once invited an old nun to her home to give lectures, but unfortunately passed away a few years ago.Now Miaoyu's master is also an excellent nun, and also proficient in congenital alchemy, why not let the Chen family come forward and invite her, it will be convenient.

When Jun Qi heard that it was very reasonable, he didn't talk to Jun You about the actor, and immediately told Chen Yan to let him do it quickly.It's just that Jun You seemed to be itchy, and he was unhappy if he insisted on finding him, and said, "I heard that the Xue family has found many ways to let their girl be on the list. With the princess and princess accompanying me, I don't know what the emperor's brother is going to do."

Jun Qi sneered and said, "After Ziwei gave up, I don't care about these two titles, so it doesn't matter if they use them. They have a good plan, and they want their daughter to earn fame if their son can't count on it. Depending on my status, I dare not let her serve her if she wants to do this job of serving others."

Jun You smiled and said, "Brother Huang, why should you be so strict? Although the young master of the Xue family is really outrageous, this girl is a virtuous person. I heard that she lived in Jia's mansion, and the whole family praised her unceasingly. My brother I also heard that the second wife of the Rongguo Mansion is very fond of this niece because of the allusion of a happy marriage. Besides, don’t you let them release the water secretly because of the character of Miss Xue?”

Jun Qi said, "What kind of virtuous person? Is it good for a girl's family's reputation to spread? Besides, if you talk about a good marriage, it's just because you're afraid of losing the support of the big tree of the Jia family. It's just a child's trick. Since you heard The second wife has a crush on her, why haven't I heard that the old lady has a crush on her? I think you are too idle, you are either chasing an actor all day long, or asking about gossip and strange things in the mansion gate, a little serious Don't do it. Ru Hai is not in Beijing now, and I don't have many reliable people around me, so you should take care of it, and start going to the cabinet every day tomorrow."

Jun You hurriedly pleaded, "My dear brother, you can't take this joke. I'm stupid, how can I compare with Mr. Lin, and it's better not to make trouble for my brother. Mr. Lin is a talented general, so he is naturally an assistant to the emperor. The elder brother governs the country and the world; the younger brother can only eat, drink and have fun, and can only inquire about some anecdotes to amuse the emperor's boredom."

Jun Qi pretended to be stunned, "Oh, I forgot about this, how can you compare with Ru Hai, if something goes wrong, I have to take care of you. All right, go and play your own game, as long as Be careful, don't let people catch your pigtails and embarrass the royal family."

Jun You was angry, he just humbled himself, and the emperor's brother was too rude, but at least he didn't have to touch his mouth, and he escaped a catastrophe, so he hurriedly thanked him and knelt down, for fear that Jun Qi would regret it.

In the Pear Fragrance Courtyard of Rongguo Mansion, Aunt Xue hugged Baochai for a moment of joy, "I thought there was no other way, who would want to be blessed by the ancestors, the name of the imperial merchant is gone, but Ziwei Sheren is the grace of your grandfather , I can’t be fake anymore. My son, with your character and appearance, you will definitely stand out. It’s a pity that our family’s status is not enough, otherwise, even the draft girls must be better than them.”

Baochai blushed and said shyly, "What did Mom say? It's just because of the merits of the ancestors that there is such a place. The first round of selection is whether there is any disease or not. It doesn't matter what you look like, as long as you have four limbs." Everything is complete, everything can be lived. I am afraid that in a few days of talent competition, my daughter will be embarrassed."

Aunt Xue smiled unabated, and said, "Hey, why are you so humble in front of Mom? Needless to say, your talent and learning, after reading these books, people say that you can't do it anymore. Besides moral character, there are so many people I watched with cold eyes, who can pick out the slightest mistake. Believe it, you will never be wrong, and you will definitely be able to follow the princess. I heard that the two princesses are very favored. If you can follow, maybe someday you will enter In the eyes of the emperor."

Baochai thought exactly the same in her heart, but her mother might as well have told her that she was a girl with a thin skin, blushing and insisting, "I won't tell mom anymore, my daughter will go in to do some work." Thinking about it, I only hope that everything will go well this time, and God bless her to reach the sky in one step.

Aunt Xue smiled and shouted from behind, "You should also practice the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. Although they are all good, it's been a long time since I've played them, so it's good to get acquainted with them." The future wealth of the Xue family depends on this treasure The daughter is on her body, so nothing can go wrong.Thinking of this, Aunt Xue found a stack of bank notes from a small drawer behind her, counted them carefully, and put them back.Going on this way, I don't know how many people will be managed and how much money will be spent. She has to prepare early.Thinking of her good sister for a while, Aunt Xue smiled strangely and ordered people to prepare, she was going to visit the second wife.Sister Feng is still in confinement, and she will be able to go out and take care of the house again in half a month, and then the second wife will only be able to return to her small courtyard.Although Sister Feng didn't give her a good face last time, Aunt Xue, who still wanted to live in Ningguo Mansion, would not feel uncomfortable rushing to find her, and Mrs. Wang, a real sister, could understand her mind best.

Speaking of Yuan Chun's marriage, after several considerations, Mrs. Wang finally reluctantly agreed to the Xie family and let Yuan Chun be the second-class hereditary son of Dingcheng Hou's grandson and Beijing camp guerrilla Xie Jing's house fill.Because it was a remarriage, the Xie family didn't want to make a big fuss, they just said that after leaving the country, a simple drink would be enough.Although Mrs. Wang felt sorry for her daughter, it was not a good marriage after all, so she had to agree.Now Yuan Chun hides in his room all day embroidering the dowry, more reticent than before.

On this day Mrs. Wang was lamenting for her daughter again, when she suddenly heard the report from the little girl outside, saying that the concubine had come, and she was busy ordering someone to come in.Although she was ashamed to be involved in Xue Pan's incident, but after all, she was her own sister, and she had helped her a lot in the past, so how could she hold grudges.

Aunt Xue smiled when she came in, "It's not a coincidence for me to come, it's just when my sister is busy."

Mrs. Wang didn't understand, so when she saw two housekeepers coming in behind her, she understood, dismissed the two of them with a few words, and then pulled Aunt Xue to talk, "You haven't come here for a few days, and I don't have anyone to talk to here. People who are looking forward to your coming."

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "There are some things at home, so I haven't come over these two days. Yuan Chun, why don't you see her. Now that she is at home, sister is still afraid of being lonely."

Mrs. Wang's face suddenly turned a little ugly, "It's because of her that I am so worried. Although Xie's family is good, but after all, it is a house-filler. Hey, I really pity my Yuanchun. No one can find such a character. In vain entering the palace was delayed."

Aunt Xue thought to herself, you are upset about this matter, if I tell you about Baochai's selection of talented people at this time, it will inevitably appear that I deliberately run on you and make you even more unhappy.The relationship between the two sisters for most of their lives did not have to fall out because of this matter, and the matter of Baochai has not yet been settled, so it is better to wait for the result to come out, and it is also confident to say it.Yin said, "Who says it's not, but after marrying, she was the wife of the family. Like the one in the East Mansion, although she was born in a bad family, she is living a happy life now. With the support of the manor in Yuanchun, my uncle will not dare to bully her." , sister, don't worry."

Mrs. Wang sighed, "The one in the East Mansion, hey, it's just superficially beautiful, and there are so many bad things on the inside, then the father and son are not good friends, and the old family in the same mansion is not a fuel-efficient lamp. Just one anxious Big enough to give her a headache. However, Yuan Chun's appearance and conduct are not worse than hers, and his family status is much higher than hers, so he should have a better life than her. It's just that Xie's family doesn't want to make a big deal of it. I can only prepare a heavy dowry for her, and I can't be looked down upon by those servants as soon as I enter the door."

Aunt Xue said, "My sister is very worried. The dowry is the most important thing for the new daughter-in-law to gain prestige. Your family is so rich and honored, so it is naturally different from the ones prepared by other families. I have nothing to offer here. I just remember that there is still a pair of Dongzhu with a good face, so I just add makeup to Yuanchun."

Mrs. Wang hurriedly said, "My sister should keep such a precious thing for Bao girl. I've already prepared a lot of heads, and that's enough."

Aunt Xue didn't take it seriously, "Sister said this is being polite to me. We two sisters, I treat Yuan Chun as my own girl. Adding makeup is not expensive, so I have to refuse like this. Bao girl, I naturally I have prepared other things for her, and it is not bad for this set of appearances, so you just let me, an aunt, do my best."

Mrs. Wang knew that the Xue family was rich in the millions, so she probably didn't care about these two tricks, so she said, "Since my sister said so, I won't refuse any more, and let Yuan Chun kowtow to you tomorrow. Girl Bao is also fourteen this year. My younger sister should also look good, don't be like me, who used to be picky and picky, and didn't like any of them, but now it's better..."

Aunt Xue thought to herself, my daughter is naturally better than your daughter, even if she can't get into the eyes of the emperor, she won't be able to fill in the house for others, but of course she can't say this, so she said, "Sister also knows that Pan'er is so ridiculous. , the family is all dependent on Baochai, so I can feel more at ease. Besides, the fortune teller said last time that she should not marry early, and I also want to stay for a few more years, anyway, it is not bad at this moment."

Mrs. Wang only remembered that the Xue family's status is very embarrassing now, and Baochai doesn't have to go to the palace, so what she said is really inappropriate.Seeing what Aunt Xue said now, she naturally stopped mentioning it.

Aunt Xue didn't say a word she wanted to say, and went back to Lixiangyuan unhappy, waiting for the second round three days later.Baochai's selection was not as complicated as that of Xiunu, so the final result came out soon after the second round of selection, but Aunt Xue never thought of it, and she regretted it.