Tranquility

The Lin Mansion in Beijing is located in the southeast of the capital. Although the location is good, it does not occupy a large area. The layout is exquisite and graceful, and it has the style of Jiangnan gardens.

The whole garden is not built several times like ordinary houses, but around the Qingxin Lake in the center of the garden, there are pavilions, terraces, buildings, pavilions, halls, halls, pavilions, and corridors, and there are many in one place.On the south side of the lake is the Lin Family Ancestral Hall, and on the north side of the lake is the main hall, named Yanxi Hall, which is a mandarin duck hall.Further north of Yanxi Hall, there are four small gardens of plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum on the left and right.Every garden, every promenade and the pavilions and pavilions interspersed therein are all meticulously crafted, showing the heritage of the Lin family for a century.

It was a sunny day with a gentle breeze. Inside the pavilion in the middle of the lake, half-covered by gauze curtains, Tangning and Lin Qingyu were both dressed in white. They stood and sat. Their faces were similar, and their expressions were indifferent. There are still many differences in subtleties.

If Tang Ning is the lonely moon in the cold autumn night, then Lin Qingyu is the cold moon in nine cold winters; if Tang Ning is a lake with no waves, if a stone goes down without causing any ripples, then Lin Qingyu is frozen The water in the lake cannot be smashed or thrown into it no matter what.

Lin Qingyu was leisurely sitting next to a small, one-man-high bookshelf, flipping through books, while Tangning was struggling to practice calligraphy by the desk.

As a leader in the literary world, apart from his prominent family background, Lin Qingyu still has some real skills.Lin Qingyu can be said to be a contemporary writer. He is particularly good at writing Fu, but he is very low-key and doesn't show others with his writing easily, especially after the emperor wanted someone to write clean Ci because of his cultivation.In addition, how can writing articles not be accompanied by superb calligraphy? Lin Qingyu has his own calligraphy. The fonts are thin and straight but cool, and the characters are just like his own.

Tangning was holding the pen in her left hand, that's right, it was her left hand. There was a row of crooked words on the clear paper on the case. Tangning felt distressed as she wrote, it was a waste of money.

"This cheating, only one person bought the test questions." Lin Qingyu put down the teacup, still reading the book, "Continue to write."

Tang Ning's forehead was sweating. He had learned the lesson in the past few days. Lin Qingyu was [-] times more terrifying than Mr. Cheng.Mr. Cheng saw that he still had a smile on his face, and his homework requirements were not that strict (comparatively speaking); while Lin Qingyu never raised the corners of his mouth, staring at Tang Ning coldly, from articles to calligraphy and painting, His approval was worthless, and he even tried to train him.

"That person is Jin Yongfu." Lin Qingyu stopped talking after finishing speaking.

After Tangning heard it, she had a clue. Jin Yongfu was just the son of a businessman. Among so many proposals, why did the person who sold the test questions choose him? Why did he only sell one? Why did he sell it three days before the exam? Well, no matter how you think about it, it's all about yourself.But in the capital, the only person who had a grudge against him was Zhang Dehuai.

As for Gao Pu, if he wanted to frame him, he didn't need to be so troublesome. Besides, since Gao Pu knew that he was backed by a princess, lived in the Lin family, and had a relationship with Concubine Degui, he sent someone to send a shocking gift instead.

Tangning was thinking about how to deal with the Zhang family, when Lin Qingyu's light words beside her scared him into a cold sweat.

"When you pass this exam, I will take you back to Yangzhou and write you under my name."

"This is absolutely impossible!"

"Why not, I have no children in my life, and my sister's son is my son."

"My surname is Tang."

"There are so many sons in the Tang family, you are missing a lot."

"The Lin family will not agree."

"They don't dare to disagree." Lin Qingyu put down the book, turned his head and glanced at Tangning, "Why did you stop again, keep writing, I forgot what I taught you, you have to write with your heart, the mountains are falling in front of you without shaking your hands , just such a little family business makes you forget your shape?"

Tangning smiled wryly. If even the corridor windows of the house were engraved with famous inscriptions, then he really couldn't afford such a small fortune.

Just as he was about to evade, he saw Steward Lin quietly appearing in the pavilion, "Master, the imperial concubine De Guifei in the palace is calling you to enter the palace the day after tomorrow. This is the sign for entering the palace."

"Enter the palace?" Tangning accepted the sign with some doubts.

"Yes, on the first day of every month, relatives can be invited to meet in the harem. Concubine Degui would like to ask you to draw a portrait of her."

"In this case, you should learn a little about the palace rules, don't look at what you shouldn't read, talk less and ask less, and draw faster. Zhongcui Palace is located in a remote place, so it should be no problem." Lin Qingyu stood up and took out a piece of paper. Handing the jade pendant to Tangning, she said, "Put this on. If anything happens, someone will take care of you."

Lin Zhong lowered his head, as if he didn't see the jade pendant, and handed out another letter, "This is just arrived, a letter from the young master's father-in-law."

When Tangning saw the letter, she quickly put down everything in her hand and accepted the letter with some trepidation. He wrote the letter to his husband the day he was released from prison. The husband replied to the letter so quickly, wouldn't you scold him in the letter?

Unexpectedly, as soon as Tangning opened the envelope, a blackened golden lock fell out. Tangning took a look at the golden lock and saw that it was quite old and not light. It should be pure gold.Then, he took out the letter and read it carefully, then he frowned and handed the letter to Lin Qingyu.

Lin Qingyu sat down and waved his hands, saying, "What's the matter?"

"Uncle should know that I have a grudge against Zhang Dehuai. My husband has been investigating the Zhang family's affairs for the past two years. Uncle doesn't know that Zhang Dehuai's current wife is not his original spouse. His original spouse was brought back by Zhang's father from other places. An orphan girl, later Zhang Dehuai was admitted to Juren, and then remarried to his current wife, while his original wife threw herself into the river.

This golden lock was the engagement token between him and his original spouse back then. Mr. Zhang got it from the maid who served the original spouse in the Zhang family. The aunt defended her, but the servant girl dared not go outside after taking the things. Fortunately, she still had some conscience and did not pawn the golden lock, but she lost the marriage certificate. After all, it has been more than 20 years.

The original wife's aunt was Xu Yuan's mother. According to my husband's investigation, Xu Yuan was a distant relative of the Xu family in Jinling, and the original wife's mother was his mother's concubine sister who married a merchant named Ding. The old man of the Zhang family had a good relationship with the Ding family when they were doing business, and the two families settled their children and hired Xu Yuan's mother as a matchmaker. After getting engaged, the two happened to pass through Cangping County on a business trip, and Ding's father brought his family with him. They went together to meet their future son-in-law, but they met a bandit on the way, and everyone was killed. Only Mrs. Zhang escaped with the daughter of the Ding family.

What the husband means is that Xu Yuan's mother should have a marriage certificate. If we get the marriage certificate, we can sue Zhang Dehuai to stop his wife and remarry. "

"Xu Yuan, the character Yuan Meng, was Tanhua in the late emperor's time, Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Officials, the youngest elder in the cabinet, and the last in the rank. He has been under Gao Pu since he became an official. He is Gao Pu's right-hand man. His father died early. , whose mother died of illness a few years ago." Lin Qingyu seemed to recite it.

Xu Yuan was from Gao Pu's side, and so was Zhang Dehuai. Tangning had a headache and said, "Then Xu Yuan won't frame his comrades, right?"

"That's not necessarily true. Xu Yuan seems to be a gentleman, but I have never been able to see him through. At the beginning, Yu Shoufu loved his talent. When he was squeezed out by his colleagues, he helped him many times. Qi En impeached Yu Shoufu's nephew for occupying the fertile land and Yu Shoufu's lax management of the family.

It is precisely because of this that Gao Pu regards him as a confidant. However, it would be fine if he is really an ungrateful person, but in my opinion, he has rarely framed Zhongliang in these years. Avoid him, Gao Pu is not good at government affairs, and he is mostly relied on in government affairs, so he only concentrates on government affairs, and everyone praises him as a true gentleman.

This is also where I can't see through him. If he is really a gentleman, how can he gain Gao Pu's trust while not participating in Gao Pu's conspiracy?Even political opponents think Xu Yuan is a good man, and it is ridiculous to think that there is an white sheep among a pack of wolves.Such a person is either a true gentleman or a hypocrite. "

"Anyway, the first match is his cousin. If he is a real gentleman or wants to stand up for his cousin, I'd better try it."

"Aren't you afraid that he will inform Zhang Dehuai after he finds out?" Lin Qingyu raised his head slightly, and lifted his eyelids as deep as Tangning's. There was an evil feeling in his usually cold eyes.

Tangning's heart skipped a beat, and she turned her eyes away awkwardly, "Since he dared to prevent Yu Shoufu from stepping down, and refused to conspire with Gao Pu, it can be seen that he disdains secret affairs. I'll say it straight. Besides, even if it's risky, I'll give it a go."

Lin Qingyu nodded in satisfaction, "Lin Zhong, write a message to Xu Yuan now, saying that I will visit tomorrow."

The next day, Tangning took Lin Qingyu's post and entered the Xu residence.

"Didn't you say it was Mrs. Lin's visit?" Xu Yuan was about the same age as Lin Qingyu, and his face looked like an ordinary white-faced scholar, but the restrained look in his eyes and the temperament around him showed that he was a wise person , was quite different from Tangning's image of an old scalper.

Tang Ning was secretly vigilant, and under the oppression of her eyes, she said calmly, "Student Tang Ning, whose name is Zi'an, is from Cangping, Yizhou. The student is a small family member. Xu Ge is a high-ranking senior and busy with other affairs. The student is afraid that he will not see Ge. Old man, that's why I asked Mr. Lin to ask to see me."

Xu Yuan glanced at Tangning up and down, his eyes turned around his face similar to Lin Qingyu's, and he frowned and asked, "I don't know why Tang Ju came to visit?"

Tangning took out the golden lock, and told Xu Yuan about Zhang Dehuai's ex-wife.

Xu Yuan took the golden lock in his hand, looked it over and over again, and said: "I saw this thing when I was young, and I also saw the marriage letter, but my mother has passed away for several years, so I don't know if I can find the marriage letter. How about this, come back to me in three days, no matter if you find it or not, I will give you an explanation."

On the first day of March, the weather was fine and it was a good spring.

The normally gloomy imperial palace is full of joy at this time, even the winter jasmine flowers in the imperial garden are a little bit brighter. Today is the day when everyone in the harem sees their relatives. stop.

Tangning silently followed the servants. Due to palace regulations, he was wearing a purple open-sleeve jacket today. Purple is a very difficult color to control. Tangning had never worn purple before. This dress was prepared by Butler Lin. In fact, It proved that Butler Lin had a very unique vision. Putting on this dress, Tangning's usually indifferent and elegant demeanor suddenly became noble and elegant.

The palace servants in front stopped in their tracks. Tangning immediately took out the purse she had prepared and stuffed it in. The palace staff left satisfied.

After a while, a [-]-something-year-old nun wearing a green palace maid announced him in with raised eyebrows.

Tangning bowed her head and entered the door. The main hall of Zhongcui Palace was very spacious. Maybe it was because it was too wide and the sunlight could not come in.

Concubine De Gui sat upright in the hall, she was wearing an orange-red double-breasted regular dress, it was hard for her age to not only suppress such a fresh and tender color, but also make her look a lot more friendly.

Concubine Degui is not at all like Lin Qingyu's brother and sister, but she is also a beauty.If Tangning's mother was an extremely beautiful epiphyllum, then Concubine Degui was a rich peony.

Concubine De Gui looked at Tang Ning kindly, spoke softly and cared, and recalled the time when she got along with Tang Ning's mother, she began to wipe away her tears as she spoke.

Originally, Tangning entered the palace with the intention of completing the task. He didn't even bring any painting tools, and just wanted to use the paints in the palace to deal with the matter.But now listening to the mother described by Concubine Degui, even though Tangning's mother in her heart was her mother in her previous life, Tangning still had some feelings for her mother in this life.

Except for the time in prison, Lin Qingyu never mentioned Tangning's mother again. In Tangning's mind, Lin Wanyu was just a code name for her mother; this time, after listening to the concubine Degui, the image of her mother inadvertently came alive in Tangning's heart. My mother loves epiphyllum, sweets, flowers, and furry animals, but she once saved a little frog with an injured leg.

Tangning was fascinated by what she heard. He really wanted to continue listening, but he didn't want to. The more he got to know his mother, the more uncomfortable he became. After all, her mother's life was a tragedy.

No matter what, Tangning still had a good impression of Concubine Degui who was willing to talk to him about his mother. In his mind, Concubine Degui was no longer just a concubine in the harem, but had an additional layer of status as an aunt, making Tangning seem to agree with Lin Qingyu The noble concubine was accepted.

Time passed quickly, and after a while, the slender-browed nanny came in again and said, "Madam, it's almost time, the sun is shining outside, and the painting utensils are all ready, why don't we find a place with a good view in the imperial garden and start painting?" Well, just basking in the sun, warm and warm."

Concubine Degui stopped her tears and went back to the inner room to tidy up her makeup; while Tangning went to check the painting tools and prepare for coloring.

Relatives in Zhongcui Palace were tearful when they met, but in Yuqing Palace in the east, it was like an enemy meeting.

"Why don't you let me marry the First Prince!" Gao Jie, dressed in fiery red, asked her brother sharply.

"The eldest prince is not a good match. Once you enter the palace, you will be jealous and intrigue. You will not be able to live in peace every day. Even if you leave the palace as a king in the future, you will not be able to survive in the prince's inner courtyard with your temper. My brother only wants you to find someone who is right for you." A scholarly family, live a peaceful and stable life." Gao Run calmly coaxed his younger sister.

"I was the main concubine when I married, and I am not one of those concubines and side concubines. If anyone dares to harm me, let's see if my father doesn't kill him. The scholarly family is a noble family, but does it have a title or a shadow? Even if the father-in-law It is a first-rank letter, and my husband is at best a sixth-rank Hanlin. If I marry the eldest prince, I will be the queen of the world!" Gao Jie pouted and said unhappy.

"You, why can't you make sense? If you are so stupid, you dare to hang out in the prince's mansion. Don't wait until you become a queen and be torn apart by those women in the backyard." Ever since Gao Run entered the palace, his temperament was He became more and more irritable every day, and he became more and more impatient with his unruly and self-willed sister.

"My grandfather was the chief minister of the court. Who would dare to oppose the eldest granddaughter of the chief minister? You entered the palace and became a servant. You are not even as good as a concubine. There is a queen who suppresses you, and you have given birth to the eldest son of the emperor." You are naturally sad because the concubine Degui is staring at you.

You are a concubine, of course you have to intrigue, I am a noble wife, how can I put down my airs and fight for favor.

You won't be jealous that I can be a queen, so you are making trouble?It's just a man's favorite, and he can't bear a prince. Now that he is beautiful, he will have to live on me as a queen in the future. He can't protect himself, and he still wants to prevent me from marrying high? "

Gao Jie's words jumped out suddenly, and the contempt in her eyes could be seen at a glance.

Gao Run only felt that Gao Jie's words were piercing to the bone, and his sister's contemptuous and disgusting gaze made him lose all hope. He just wanted to hide in his shell, thinking of nothing and seeing nothing, and let the people outside how he spurned him. He just didn't know, but, God It was so cruel that even his closest relatives abandoned him, loathed him, and looked down on him, as if he was that shameless male favourite, even more despicable than a young lady.

After he was admitted to Juren, the words of his sister's admiration were still in his ears, but now they turned into knives, cutting his heart full of holes. They sold him, while enjoying the wealth and glory brought by his selling himself , but at the same time despise him for being shameless and shameless.

He regarded her as his younger sister, but she regarded him as a lowly male favorite. In fact, he didn't know that since he entered the palace, she had never called him brother.It's just that he kept his ears to the ground and didn't want to believe it.

Gao Run pointed at Gao Jie's nose, and laughed long and loudly, the laughter filled the empty hall, as if the hatred and pain overflowing from his chest spewed out with the laughter, endless.

"Haha, you actually look down on me. What the hell do you have to look down on me? It's true that I'm a man who is despised by thousands of people. How can you be so noble if you rely on a man who is in the top position? I actually treat you as a younger sister, I lied to myself, I was blind, I deserved to be scolded."

Gao Run rubbed his eyes hard with his sleeve, Gao Jie was dazed by his series of outbursts, and somehow his momentum weakened.

Gao Run squeezed out a smile, showing his eight tightly clenched teeth. He glared at Gao Jie sideways, as if he wanted to eat people: "Since you want to be a queen, I'll make you a queen. Today, I'll let you Remember, how you became a queen by relying on your brother who is a male favorite!"

"Ah! What are you doing! It hurts so much! Let go!" Gao Jie was really frightened, screaming and trying to break free from Gao Run's hand.

"Haha, don't you want to get married, don't you want to climb up to the eldest prince, my brother will help you!" Gao Run went crazy, grabbed Gao Jie's arm, and rushed out of the Jade Chime Palace all the way.