Jia Lian of the Red Chamber

"Take good care of the emperor!"

"Slaves respectfully obey Yi's orders!"

"This palace is not allowed to reveal a word or half a word today, otherwise, you will stop talking from now on!"

"The slaves obey the orders!"

The Empress Dowager did not sit in the phoenix chariot when she left the Qianqing Palace, but walked back slowly.Suddenly, she looked back at her eldest aunt Suju: "Do you remember what we heard about the ancestors of the Gu family when we were young?"

Su Ju was a little confused: "I don't know which case the Empress Dowager is referring to?"

The Gu family's reputation in the south of the Yangtze River was at its peak at that time. They donated soup and medicine in spring and summer, and donated porridge and clothes in winter and twelfth lunar months. No one said that the Gu family was wrong.

The Empress Dowager said: "I remember when I stayed in the boudoir and went out with my grandmother as a guest. Once, the two of us were mischievous, watching the lotus blooming brightly in the back garden of someone's house, and sneaked into the back garden of someone's house to pick the lotus. Then suddenly Two men came, and we both hid in fright, what did we hear that time, do you remember?"

The queen mother said: "At that time, the man told the head of the Gu family that they forced his sister to death, but stole his family's ancestral medical books. He cursed that her sister was wearing a wedding dress when she died. Wrap around the Gu family until the Gu family loses all children and grandchildren."

Su Ju narrowed her eyes and thought about it, then nodded: "But there is such a thing, Empress Dowager, do you really believe it?"

"Ghosts and Bodhisattvas, I never dare to blaspheme!"

Suju suddenly felt sorry for Concubine Shu's four children.Then he said: "Old Master Gu looked at the benevolent eyebrows and kind eyes, as if..."

The empress dowager sighed: "But to look after Pei, one must be talented and good-looking. Who would have known him to be so insane? And Concubine Shu's nephew, with red lips and white teeth, is extremely handsome. Not only forced to death the girl, but also beat the father to death, is this what people do?"

When the Empress Dowager said this, she suddenly saw Jia Rong, the guard at the side, and she immediately thought of Jia Lian, and said, "Huh, people don't judge by appearances. It seems that seeing is believing for this person. Rumors can't be trusted!"

Suju didn't know why the empress dowager made such an exclamation, but she secretly calculated in her heart, should the rumors be trusted?

Do you believe that the ancestors of the Gu family killed people and took away their medical books, or do you not believe it?

Fortunately, Suju has never been close to any harem, but because Concubine Shu's children are all grandchildren of the empress dowager, that's all.

After returning to the palace, the queen mother here told Jia Rong: "You don't need to serve here, you go back quickly, and pass on the decree of the palace, ordering Jia Lian to send a letter to Lin Ruhai, Yandao, Yangzhou, and let him make an open and secret visit to find out the original wife of the Gu family. Does your natal family have any descendants, if so, escort them to Beijing immediately!"

Jia Rong was busy here saying goodbye and leaving the palace, and came to Rongguo Mansion to convey the Queen Mother's order.

Jia Lian frowned: "Do you know why the empress dowager is looking for the family of the Gu family, the original wife?"

Jia Rong nodded: "This nephew is not very clear, but he knows a lot."

He recounted the conversation between the empress dowager and Suju.

"My nephew didn't hear clearly. I don't know whether the empress dowager believes it or not?"

Jia Lian laughed and said, "If the Empress Dowager doesn't believe it, she can just ignore it. Why bother talking so much?"

Jia Rong laughed and said, "That's true!"

Jia Lian then asked, "What's the matter with Concubine Shu's mother and son? Didn't the Empress Dowager go to see the Seventh Prince?"

Jia Rong shook her head: "Not at all. The empress dowager was still very anxious when the palace servants came to report. She ordered the maids to inquire several times, but she heard that Concubine Shu was crying in the Seventh Prince's room, so she didn't go to visit. Soon the Tai Hospital came Report, Your Majesty's old illness has relapsed, the Empress Dowager went to the Qianqing Palace to interrogate Eunuch Defu, and after knowing what happened in the court, she didn't mention the Seventh Prince after she returned, but she ordered her nephew to go home to pass the decree."

Jia Lian clapped her hands and laughed when she heard the words: "Concubine Shu's mother and son are finished."

Jia Rong sighed: "It's not the Queen Mother who decides in the palace. If the Queen Mother doesn't like Concubine Shu, Her Majesty can't keep her liking her. Just look, is there any concubine in the palace who gave birth to four children in one go?"

Jia Lian snorted coldly: "Flowers have no hundred-day success, I bet you that after the new year, His Majesty will follow the advice of the ministers and re-draft."

Jia Rong stared: "No way, Your Majesty is in his forties, the eldest prince is married, the second prince, the third prince and the fourth prince are all 17 years old, and the queen mother is looking after them. It is estimated that they will get married next year, and the remaining six princes Sixteen, seven princes and fifteen, they are all going to get married one after another."

Jia Lian was amused: "Your aunt is younger than you!"

Xichun is only ten years old this year, she is Jia Jing's sequel.It's a pity that he was under three years old, his mother died of illness, and Jia Jing also escaped into Buddhism.

Thinking of Xichun, Jia Rong was speechless.There are old husbands and young wives in small families, let alone the emperor?

Jia Rong laughed and said, "It's my Zuo surname, the world belongs to him, so he can do whatever he wants."

Jia Lian patted Jia Rong: "Go and see your aunt, I have something to do here, let's have a drink together later."

Jia Rong grinned and ran away.

Jia Lian was busy writing a letter to Lin Ruhai here, and then sent it to the post house, explaining that it was a secret order from the Queen Mother, and then sent it to Jiangnan in an expedited five hundred miles.

Jia Lian was in a very good mood today, swaying to the backyard, and finally sang a little song.

At home, Sister Feng heard Jia Lian singing Qiuhu Opera Wife again, so she asked Jia Rong: "You monkey, tell me quickly, what kind of happy event did your second uncle meet today, so happy, Qiuhu Opera Wife also came out?"

Jia Rong giggled when she heard the words: "It's probably because the Gu family was unlucky, and the eldest prince won the praise of the empress dowager."

Ping'er snorted: "Nonsense again, whether it's the Gu family or the eldest prince, what does it have to do with our master?"

Sister Feng pursed her lips and said happily: "Forget it, let's prepare dinner quickly."

When the food was served, the husband and wife sat opposite each other, and Jia Rong sat sideways after pleading guilty.Sister Qiao and elder brother could not serve the table yet, and Jia Lian took chopsticks to sweep up several vegetable dishes like a wind when the meal was ready.

Jia Rong was a little restrained, so Sister Feng took the opportunity to pick vegetables for Jia Rong.

The green vegetables on the table were fragrant and fresh, and Jia Rong almost bit her tongue: "Second Aunt's food is really delicious. After my nephew gets married, can I eat with my aunt?"

Sister Feng whipped Jia Rong upside down with her chopsticks: "You can't stop your mouth when you eat. Eat quickly. If you talk again, your second uncle will eat it up." Jia Rong didn't dare to answer. Be nice: "I met Uncle Feng today, and he asked me when Uncle would treat me, and asked me to bring him one, but I didn't dare to agree."

Sister Feng winked at Jia Rong, implying that he would just bring it.

But Jia Lian said: "Hmph, there is no sign of the entrusted matter to him. I just want to spend all day long, so don't take him with me."

It's not that Jia Lian is reluctant to eat, but he is afraid that he will seduce Yingchun too much.

Sister Feng didn't take it seriously, and secretly winked at Jia Rong, telling him not to listen to Jia Lian.

Jia Lian glanced at Jia Rong after finishing his work, Jia Rong quickly put away the bowls and chopsticks.

Jia Lian told Jia Rong: "You must pay attention to the Queen Mother's intentions. If the Queen Mother hears about Gu Pei, you can just boldly call him a lunatic, because this is what the Gu family said by themselves in order to get rid of the crime. You said it, Shu The imperial concubine knows that she can't do anything to you. But remember, once the empress dowager talks about the seventh prince or concubine Shu, don't talk about it. Regarding the matter of the seventh prince and concubine Shu, the empress dowager can say whatever she wants, and you don't want to say a word. Zhan, otherwise, Concubine Shu can't do anything to the Empress Dowager, but she can punish you, a little guard, remember?"

Jia Rong's expression froze: "Remember."

"The same is true for the princes. They are all the grandsons of the empress dowager. They are close relatives. Don't interrupt. The same is true for Miss Zhen. You have to remind her that it is not easy to get the empress dowager's favor, and don't let unnecessary people destroy it." gone."

Jia Rong nodded: "Nephew made it down." Then she said: "Nephew still wants to ask my second uncle to tell my father that I want Yinglian to live with my second aunt after marriage."

Jia Lian laughed angrily when she heard the words: "Don't worry, I will tell you for you, but don't be so careful, your father and Qin Keqing have known each other for a long time, not because it is convenient for the daughter-in-law, but because they like it, He is about to marry into the family as a daughter-in-law. Miss Zhen's background is frightening, and he doesn't dare to be wrong."

Jia Rong blushed immediately: "Nephew doesn't mean that."

Jia Lian smiled: "I understand, I don't blame you, it's because he is old and disrespectful."

Jia Rong felt that this topic was too embarrassing, hurriedly said goodbye, and ran away like a three-legged cat.

Jia Lian hadn't practiced well recently because of a lot of scheming, and today he was in a relaxed mood, and he happened to be practicing Qigong.After a night of meditation, I just woke up in the morning, and I practiced all night.

The first thing Jia Lian does every morning is to gather energy at his fingertips to watch the progress of his kung fu. Now the light spot between his fingers has almost doubled in size from the light of rice grains to red beans.

Jia Lian couldn't figure it out. In the past few days, he had spent almost all of his Yuanli in order to treat Mi Shi, and he was so tired that he almost fainted. He didn't want to think that after he came back from practicing these days, his Yuanli would have increased by one-third.

Jia Lian was overjoyed immediately. Could it be that the practice of qigong is not to accumulate more, but to release it properly, and then get back to the next level?

Jia Lian breathed a sigh of relief. In the future, as long as he has time and spirit stones to practice, he will not be afraid of wasting his energy.

These days, Jia Lian is even quietly sending Yuanli to Brother Qiaoer and Sister Qiao to test whether they can practice.It's a pity that sister Qiao can practice, but brother Qiu can't.

Jia Lian was extremely depressed.Even if Sister Qiao can practice, Jia Lian will not teach her to practice, and the secrets of Jia's mansion cannot be passed on to the outside world.Jia Lian can only hope for the child in Sister Feng's belly.

However, Jia Lian's only consolation right now is that even if Sister Feng gives birth to a son, the brothers will be less likely to turn against each other because of the title.The only difference is that whoever inherits the title of Rongguo Mansion will only have one generation left.

Jia Lian sighed, saying that in the future, he would have to let his elder brother inherit the title of captain of Qingche, and let his youngest son inherit the title of Rongfu. After all, it is not a problem to be able to practice magic skills and make achievements.

Jia Lian was thinking in a mess when he suddenly heard a report from Long'er outside: "Second Lord, someone is coming from the palace."

Jia Lian frowned: "Who is it?"

Long'er said: "It's the little father-in-law Qin Quan who came to the mansion last time to announce the decree. Steward Lin is accompanying him in the Rongxi Hall. He seems very anxious."

Jia Lian was busy getting dressed, and after getting acquainted with him briefly, he went to Rongxi Hall, and it was indeed Qin Quan.Jia Lian was very surprised: "I heard that His Majesty is ill and was about to hand over a sign to visit. I don't want the little father-in-law to come. How can Your Majesty be safe?"

Qin Quan almost cried when he saw Jia Lian, he held Jia Lian and murmured, "You are here, hurry up, Your Majesty is anxious to see you."

Jia Lian stretched out his hand in surprise: "Did something happen in the palace?"

Qin Quan stood on tiptoe and hooked Jia Lian's ear and said, "Ping Anzhou!"

Jia Lian's heart trembled, if Ping'an Continent was safe, Emperor Qianyuan would definitely publicize it with great fanfare, but now it is so mysterious, something must have happened in Ping'an Continent.

Without further ado, Jia Lian pulled out his mount and beat the horse, and left: "Eunuch, go slowly, I'll go first."

It was early morning at this moment, and the weather was very cold, so there were not many pedestrians on the street, which happened to be convenient for Jia Lian. He rushed here, and within a moment, she had already arrived at Donghuamen.

Jia Lian was a first-class guard, and the guards at the palace gate respectfully let him go. Jia Lian made it all the way to the Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Qianyuan was lying on the couch at the moment, apparently with serious back injuries.

Jia Lian came in to pay respects, and Emperor Qianyuan waved his hand: "There is no need to be polite, Zhang Aiqing, please tell me about the situation."

Uncle Zhang said: "Since Prince Xijun went to Ping'an Prefecture, he usually sends court reports every three days. Now seven days have passed, and the court report from Ping'an Province still hasn't come."

Jia Lian asked, "Will it be delayed on the road due to heavy snow?"

Uncle Zhang said: "Three days ago, because I didn't receive the court report, I had already sent people to Wangjiang to let me take over the three post stations. I had already left Shuntian Mansion, and there was still no trace of the court report. The court report from Ping Anzhou has not come, and even the court report from Haijiang is late, this situation is very abnormal."

Jia Lian couldn't believe it, the riot in Ping'an Island in his previous life would happen again?However, this time, Prince Xi went to Ping'an Continent for reinforcements ahead of time, and Prince Teng had already received the promise of Emperor Qianyuan to mobilize troops and horses to help Ping'an Continent nearby. Could it be that such a precaution was still being drilled by the loyal Duke of Confucianism?

Jia Lian quickly looked at Emperor Qianyuan: "Your Majesty, what do you think is going on in Ping Anzhou?"

Emperor Qianyuan said: "I'm afraid that Prince Teng and King Xi will be in trouble once they fall into their hands."

Jia Lian pondered for a while and said, "I thought that it should not be so fast. Perhaps, Prince Xi and the others may have been deceived by illusions."

Emperor Qianyuan's eyes lit up when he heard the words: "You mean, nothing happened to them, it's just that someone cut off our contact, so that we can't see each other from beginning to end?"

Jia Lian nodded: "In terms of leading troops, King Xijun has practiced in Xishan since he was a child, but King Zhongyi and King Zhongshun have no personal experience in leading troops. However, the commander of Ping'anzhou is probably unreliable. Because the post station has many letters. In charge, he is the only one who can fool King Xi, but King Ying'ai of Xi County will soon find out the problem, I am afraid that they will be in trouble if they are besieged and cut off their food and grass."

Emperor Qianyuan was annoyed when he heard the words, and cursed angrily: "These wolf-hearted things, who eat the imperial food of the imperial court, dare to help the rebels against the imperial court."

Jia Lian said: "It was he who trapped King Xijun. I thought, they would not dare to kill. After all, their army is in the capital. Especially Yang Jiuzhi, he is a dutiful son. His parents, wife and children are all in the capital. , and his elder brother is also imprisoned in the clan mansion, as long as they are alive, there is no fear that he will be unfavorable to King Xi every year."

Emperor Qianyuan hated: "In this way, I still want to feed them with good tea and good food?"

Jia Lian didn't wrinkle his brows, he thought carefully and said, "Does Your Majesty want someone to go to rescue Prince Xi and the others?"

Emperor Qianyuan smiled: "Exactly."

Jia Lian said: "No matter where the drainage is going, I suggest that the troops be divided into two groups. One is light and the other is dark. On the bright side, the emperor can send the Wu family or the Yang family to lead the army to Ping'anzhou. Of course, this team is just It's just to paralyze the rebels, but the people you really want to send should secretly lead the troops to Ping'an Island, find out the situation first, and it's best to get in touch with King Xijun, so that you can know yourself and the enemy, and make the best response Policy."

Emperor Qianyuan smiled: "If I send you to rescue Ping Anzhou, would you dare to go?"

Jia Lian hurriedly knelt down when he heard the words: "The humble minister accepts the order! However, the humble minister has conditions."

Emperor Qianyuan smiled and said: "I knew it, you said, I would agree to everything."

Jia Lian said: "I want the twenty ladder players I personally trained last time, plus the twenty fishermen in Honghu Village, and I want them to have a shotgun, a sleeve arrow, and a □□, as long as His Majesty agrees to these conditions, I will keep King Xi back in full custody."

Emperor Qianyuan waved his hand: "It's not enough to bring back the king of Xijun. I will meet your request and give you half a battalion of shotguns and half a battalion of cavalry. I want you to bring back the three heads of the king of Zhongyi County, Zhongshun Wang Yang Jiuzhi." , as long as you bring it back, I will restore your position as Marquis of Rongguo Mansion. Your grandfather was a duke, and your father should have been a Marquis. Now I promise that Rongguo Mansion will succeed you as the third Marquis." Jia Lian hurriedly kowtowed : "My humble minister thanked the Lord for his grace, and will definitely do his best to benefit the country and reimburse the court and His Majesty."

Emperor Qianyuan laughed and said, "Jia Lian listened to the title, and I will give you the title of the third-rank captain of the Fengsheng Army. You will lead a battalion of soldiers and horses and go to Ping'an Island to help."

Jia Lian was overjoyed when he heard the words, and bowed to the ground to thank him: "My humble minister, I thank the Lord for your kindness."

Emperor Qianyuan said: "Stay flat, I will give you seven days off to organize the team. Is it difficult to leave on time on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month?"

Jia Lian said: "It doesn't take seven days, three days is enough!"

Emperor Qianyuan nodded.

Jia Lian said again: "However, I have a request. I have to choose the soldiers from the Shotgun Battalion and the Xiaoqi Battalion."

Emperor Qianyuan smiled and said, "Zuza!"

It was the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, and the aroma of Laba porridge was everywhere in Kyoto.

When Jia Lian returned to Xuancao Tang, Sister Feng was taking Ping'er to order Laba porridge for relatives.

Jia Lian accompanied his wife and son to finish the Laba porridge before telling Sister Feng that he was going out on business again.

Sister Feng was used to seeing Jia Lian coming and going in a hurry, so she was still a little depressed: "It's already the twelfth lunar month, so I'm afraid you won't be able to go home in time for the New Year?"

Jia Lian nodded: "Third Uncle Xi County King has lost contact with the court. Your Majesty sent me to reinforce them. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding. Me and I will be back soon."

Sister Feng felt a little sour when she heard the words. Whether it was for the third uncle or the court, he couldn't stop Jia Lian.I could only follow the old rules and pack a few large sheepskin water bags of spiritual wine for Jia Lian, hoping that these spiritual wines, which can both disinfect and heal wounds quickly, could help Jia Lian and her third uncle at that moment.

Sister Feng's sobbing made Jia Lian very sad. He put his arms around Sister Feng, who was already very bloated, kissed Sister Feng's beautiful hair on the top of the door, and gently patted and coaxed, "Don't worry, I will be well, and third uncle will also be well. Bring it back. Your Majesty agreed, as long as I bring my third uncle and King Xi back, the title of Rongguo Mansion will be returned to us. Our brother will soon be the son of the Hou Mansion, and you will soon become the Marquis. I am happy. Not happy?"

Sister Feng flattened her mouth: "I only want the second master to be good, we don't lack the title, so why do you work hard to earn the title, you can't eat or wear, our family doesn't have to worry about food and clothing!"

Jia Lian said with a smile: "I promised to give you nine trees of golden flowers, but the man said he would spit and nail, how could he break his promise?"

Sister Feng twisted her bulky body delicately when she heard the words: "I don't like Jinhua Jiushu, my third aunt always said that it hurts my neck!"

Jia Lian laughed out loud when she heard the words, and stretched out her hand to put on Sister Fafeng's face in embarrassment: "You still say you don't like it, why are you secretly wearing your third aunt's jewelry?"

Sister Feng blushed immediately: "I'm just curious!"

Jia Lian coaxed Sister Feng to joke for a long time, and finally calmed down, and touched her forehead with Sister Feng: "You know, King Zhongyi and King Zhongshun have fled to Ping'an Prefecture, they are likely to kill the third uncle Xi County, and then raise the flag to rebel , once they succeed, what do you think will happen to us?"

Sister Feng was stunned: "Rebellion? The King of Zhongyi County is a poor commander, how can he rebel?"

Jia Lian shook his head: "No, the command office of Ping'an Prefecture is actually the confidant of King Zhongyi County. If I hadn't discovered it early, and told them to prepare for a few years, it would definitely lead to a catastrophe."

Thinking of King Zhongshun's animal nature, Sister Feng immediately said angrily: "These beast-like creatures can't be allowed to succeed, otherwise, we and the whole family will really have no way out."

Jia Lian nodded, "That's exactly what I said."

"That's all for us. We have eaten what we should eat and drank what we should drink, but what about Sister Qiao and Brother Yu?"