Dressed as Su Peisheng

Kangxi 44 years

At the end of August, in front of the fourth master's mansion, Zhang Bao helped Nian Xialing out of the carriage.

A few soft sedan chairs passed by the long street, and the soapy blue curtains stirred up waves, disturbing the horses to stamp their steps uneasily.

Nian Xialing walked up the steps, stopped and looked back, "Isn't Babeile's residence particularly lively these days?"

"Yes," Zhang Bao bowed, and led Nian Xialing into the mansion, "The sedan chairs and carriages kept coming and going, and at night, there were errands from various mansions wandering around."

Nian Xialing sighed softly when he heard the words, shook his head, and followed Zhang Bao into the gate of the mansion.

In the study, the fourth elder brother set up a chess game on the soft couch, and when he saw Nian Xialing entered the courtyard gate, he got up to welcome him out.

"The old minister pays his respects to Lord Baylor," Nian Xialing leaned over and was supported by the fourth elder brother.

"You don't need to be polite when you're old," the fourth elder brother bent his lips, "I just set up a mess, and I'm waiting for the old man to explain it to me."

The two entered the study and sat down separately.Zhang Bao served hot tea, then bent down and retreated.

The fourth elder brother asked Heizi to give Nian Xiaoling, picked up the tea bowl and scraped off the tea powder, "Have you heard about the palace?"

Nian Xialing stroked his beard and dropped his head, "There are rumors and gossips everywhere in Beijing, and the old minister has heard a thing or two from them, but it's not surprising."

"How do you say that?" The fourth elder brother picked up Baizi and raised his eyebrows.

Nian Yaling bent the corners of his lips, and his eyes fell on the chessboard, "Since the crown prince has grown up, the position in the East Palace has become more and more unstable, and it will be a matter of time before something changes. The courtiers have a plan in mind, so they will stand in line among the princes. However, the Sacred Heart is unpredictable, and the emperor most taboos clan members and powerful ministers forming cliques in private. This time, it is Zhijun King who is eager to win and bears the brunt of it."

The fourth elder brother frowned slightly, and dropped his son, "Then, judging by his age, can the second elder brother retain the crown prince this time?"

Nian Xialing raised his eyebrows, answered a move, looked up at the fourth elder brother and asked, "Master Yibeile, if the prince is abolished now, who among the princes can take his place?"

The fourth elder brother was stunned for a moment, and the chess piece in his hand did not put down for a long time.

Nian Xialing picked up the tea bowl, took a sip, and said in a deep voice, "The prince was taught by the Holy One, not to mention the dignity of the Hesheli family and the power of Suo'etu, but only in terms of the prince's own ability, it is a good idea to be a successful man." The king is more than enough. If the throne is handed over to him, the courtiers and the common people will not doubt it."

The fourth elder brother sighed softly and nodded, "What the elder brother said is true. When he was young, the second elder brother was the best among brothers. When he became an adult, the elder brother went to war with Prince Yu several times, and only then did he occupy a small part in martial arts and martial arts. layer."

"That's it," Nian Xialing put down the tea bowl, and twirled half of his beard again. "The courtiers are all obsessed with the prince's crimes, waiting for the emperor to easily store, but they don't think about the cause and effect. At the beginning, the emperor wanted to stabilize the people's hearts and continue The Qing Dynasty was orthodox, and the prince was established shortly after he ascended the throne. Now more than [-] years have passed, the existence of the prince is like a magic needle in the sea. Once deposed, the court will be in turmoil and the people will be uneasy. The ambitious Rong, Di and barbarians will take the opportunity to make waves. The most important thing is that the emperor has no candidate to replace him, and there is no one among the princes who can take charge of the overall situation. If the Tianling suddenly collapses, the world of the Qing Dynasty will be afraid. We're going to change our name."

"The old man is right," the fourth elder brother took a breath, and dropped a chess piece, his brows were full of melancholy, "In the past few years, Huang Ama has often brought Yinxiang by his side, and the meaning of cultivation and promotion is very obvious. If For Yu Yinxiang, it may be a godsend opportunity to be easy to save."

Nian Xialing picked up the dead piece on the chessboard and shook his head lightly, "Maybe it's promotion, maybe it's a test, or maybe it's use. People's hearts never have only one loop, and this is especially true for the current emperor. Now, the prince is detained, Zhijun The king also missed the opportunity. The emperor suddenly ordered Lord Belle and the eighth elder brother to assist in government affairs.

The fourth elder brother nodded, put the chess pieces in his hand into the chess box, and bowed his hands to Nian Xialing, "Thank you for your reminder, Yinzhen still lost this game of chess."

Nian Xialing smiled, bowed his head slightly, and said, "This is an end game, winning or losing has already been determined. It is not easy for Lord Baylor to be able to calmly revitalize himself at this time. The old minister only hopes that Lord Baylor can maintain this state of mind in the future. His eyes were covered by miasma and mist. After all, it’s up to man to plan and God to make things happen, and sometimes one wins and the other wins in a single thought.”

"Master," Zhang Bao stepped into the door softly, interrupting the conversation between the two, "It's almost noon, do you want to order the kitchen to prepare meals?"

"Okay, let the kitchen prepare a few more dishes." The fourth elder brother raised the corners of his mouth, turned his head and said to Nian Yaling, "Let's stay and have dinner with Yinzhen, I have some government affairs to ask the old man consult."

Seeing it at a young age, he didn't refuse, bowed his head and cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Lord Baylor, that old minister would be more respectful than obedient."

Hearing this, Zhang Bao was about to lean back, but was called out by the fourth elder brother, "You send someone to the Xipei courtyard, and invite Fang Fujin to have lunch with the master and the old man."

"No, no," Nian Xia Ling hurriedly stood up, bowed to the fourth elder brother and said, "Mu Yun is already a married woman, the old minister is a relative, and her mother is not here. It is inconvenient to meet at this moment. Please forgive me, Lord Belle."

The fourth elder brother bent his lips, helped Nian Yaling up and said, "Why should you be so cautious when you are old? Speaking of which, we are also a family, so we don't care about these red tapes. After Mu Yun entered the mansion, he helped Fujin take care of the backyard. It's hard work. I originally wanted to call the two elders into the mansion to have a talk, but when it was over, Mu Yun suffered from homesickness."

"Master Belle's kindness, I am very grateful to this old minister," Nian Xialing lowered his head and said, "It's just that today is really against the rules. Mu Yun has the status of a side Fujin, so he should be more polite and courteous in the mansion. Lord Belle has This favor will wait for another day, the old minister asked his nephew to hand over the post, and then pay a formal visit."

"The old man is thoughtful and thoughtful," the fourth elder brother helped Nian Xialing to sit down, "Since this is the case, Yinzhen is not too difficult for others. Now that the two old men are in the capital, they can hand in a post to enter the mansion at any time. To entertain the clan's wife. What's more, Fujin is not in good health, so she has to work hard in the backyard."

"It should be like this, why bother?" Nian Xialing nodded slightly, "Mu Yun has been bold and mischievous since she was a child, and her mother let her go, and she developed an arrogant and arrogant temperament. Please forgive me, Lord Belle."

The fourth elder brother bent his mouth, picked up the tea bowl and took a sip, "Mu Yun is very knowledgeable, and has a sensible and straightforward temper. Don't worry about old age. Now, Liang Gong is working in Sichuan. He has not been long but has made great achievements. Both children With such virtues, old age should be able to spend the old age in peace."

"Master Baylor is absurd," Nian Xialing sighed softly, lowered his head and stroked his beard, "As far as parents are concerned, their children are grown up and alone, and they would rather be ordinary."

West Hospital

Nian stood in front of the window, looking at the gate of the courtyard.

Ling Xi rolled up the curtain lightly, and stood behind Nian, "Master, don't wait, I definitely can't come here with Master's temperament."

"I know," Nian sighed softly, stroking the window lattice with one hand, "Didn't Caixi go to the front yard? I just want to know what my father did when he came, and did he mention me."

"The master has always loved Miss the most, how could he not mention you," Ling Xi smiled, and held Nian's arm, "Let's go inside and wait, the weather has turned cold, so don't catch the wind."

Nian looked out of the window a few more times, nodded, and reluctantly followed Ling Xi into the inner room.

On the other side, Caixi hurried back, entered the room and saluted Nian, "Master, not long after I arrived, the master's attendant stuffed me with a letter."

Nian was taken aback for a moment, and quickly reached out to take it, "Why did father send the letter like this? Could it be that something happened to my brother?"

"Master, don't worry." Ling Xi helped Nianshi open the envelope, "Master must have something to say, and it's inconvenient to pass through Master Baylor."

Nian pursed his lips, unfolded the letter paper and began to read it carefully. After a while, he sighed softly, "Mingxiang is seriously ill. The Nalan family has been blocking the news. I don't know what attitude my brother has. My father made me feel sick. There is a number, don't keep in touch with brother, so as not to arouse Baylor's embarrassment."

Ling Xixiu frowned slightly, squeezed the handkerchief and said, "If Ming Xiang passes away, can the young master still rely on the Nalan family? This may be a good thing, without Ming Xiang's influence, the young master might be able to get along with you." Master and Miss are of one heart and one mind."

"You don't understand brother." Nian glanced at Ling Xi. "Brother is arrogant by nature. He is determined to make a big career, but he doesn't want to be easily controlled by others. Whether it's Mingxiang or Lord Belle, in his heart, he is climbing the high position." Even if Ming Xiang passes away, as long as the Nalan family is still useful, my brother will not cut off ties with them quickly. At that time, for Lord Baylor, it will really hurt the face of being the master."

"Then, what shall we do?" Cai Xi looked at Ling Xi with a sad face.

Ling Xi pursed her lips, looked at Nian, "Master..."

Nian took a deep breath, pinched the handkerchief and licked the corners of his lips, "Write to Mama Wang, let her prepare to do it. The new sister-in-law has been in poor health, and she can't recover from the pain of losing her father for a while." It's also normal."

Nian Xialing bid farewell and left, it was almost evening, Zhang Bao accompanied the fourth elder brother to the west courtyard, "My lord is still very loyal to the master this year."

The fourth elder brother put his hands behind his back and nodded, "However, the old man is getting old after all, and there is too little to help the master. The master can't bear to let him get involved in the battle between the courts again. But that year Gengyao, the fox The same temperament is difficult to control."

"Didn't Master Zhang Tingyu say that Mingxiang is seriously ill?" Zhang Bao suppressed his voice, "As soon as Mingxiang dies, won't Nian Gengyao still lean on his master?"

"Nalan Mingzhu is dead, and there is Nalan Kuixu." The fourth prince lowered his head and straightened his cuffs. "This year, Gengyao's heart is higher than the sky. He will rely on whoever can help him. Originally, Grandpa I'm not in a hurry to win him over at this time. It's just that Nalan Kuixu is behind Lao Ba. The matter of Liangxiang Zhuangzi and Honghui's death, I will never forget."

Baye Mansion

Early in the morning, Nalan Kuixu's carriage stopped in front of Baye Mansion.Yinhu personally stood at the door, welcoming Nalan Kuixu into the mansion.

"My minister would like to congratulate Babeile," Nalan Kuixu saluted Yinhu as soon as he got out of the car.

Yinhu hurriedly got up and led Nalan Kuixu all the way to the gate of the mansion, "Brother is too polite. These days, Yinhu has been thinking about the situation in the mansion. If it wasn't too conspicuous, Yinhu would have gone to visit .”

"Lord Robert is thinking about it," Nalan Kuixu sighed softly, and waved away the following attendants.

Yinhu also sent away the serving servants, and welcomed Nalan Kuixu into the living room, "How is Mingxiang's body? Can you still see me?"

Nalan Kuixu shook his head, and sat down on the wooden chair, "Ama is also sick from overwork, how many doctors have changed to see, but there is no improvement. Now, I can only hang my life with ginseng, and I am suffering day by day. "

"It's hard work to be present," Yinhu lowered his head and sighed, and then said as if thinking of something, "Now, Huang Ama has ordered me to temporarily act as the head of the House of Internal Affairs. If my brother needs any rare medicinal materials, you may as well just tell me, Yinhu She can still help a little bit.”

"Thank you, Lord Baylor." Nalan Kui cupped his hands, "Now is the right time for Lord Baylor to show his ambitions. Don't be caught because of the ministers. In the battle outside the pass, the crown prince and the king of Zhijun were hit hard. Elder Brother Thirteen is disabled again, it's time for Lord Belle to show his face."

Yinhu pursed her lips, frowned slightly and said inwardly, "Huang Ama ordered the fourth elder brother to assist me in government affairs, but she also entrusted Ling Pu and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to me. I always feel uneasy I don't know whether Ling Pu's case should be taken lightly or seriously."

"Lord Baylor, don't think too much," Nalan Kuixu picked up the tea bowl and scraped off the tea powder, "Except for the crown prince and Zhijun king among the princes, only you, Lord Baylor, have the support of powerful officials behind you. At present, many people in the prince's family are shaken , It is a good time for us to win people's hearts. The case of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is very involved, and Ling Pu and others are not allowed to stay, but others who are implicated can use their discretion."

Yinhu thought for a while, then suppressed his voice and said, "Brother, what do you mean, take responsibility for the head and let him be lenient?"

"Exactly," Nalan Kuixu put down the tea bowl, and bent the corners of his mouth, "Babeile's virtuous reputation has long been known to the outside world, and now he is even more valued by the emperor, and he handles things leniently and strictly. At that time, not to mention Si Baylor, even the crown prince and Zhijun Wang will come back, and they will not be the opponent of Baylor."

Jehol Palace

In the side hall of Cheng'an Hall, Grand Duke Su was holding a wooden box and laughing silly, while Xiao Yingzi stood by the door with a disgusted expression on his face.

"If Lord Belle knows that you asked Brother Thirteen for silver, and asked for an extra 1000 taels, he will definitely be angry."

Su Wei raised his head and glanced at Xiaoyingzi, "It's 1000 taels more, it's my thirteenth brother's reward, and what I took is the master's money, how can I spend it carelessly. There is news from Shengjing, Xie Qing The batch of leather he sold earned 200 taels, he kept 400 taels for himself, and left the rest to Murcha. Murcha has already set up an idea at Dasang Ula to collect leather materials. I must have earned more than this group. My first pot of gold is finally coming, wow haha..."

Xiaoyingzi pursed her mouth, rubbed the goosebumps all over her body, and retreated outside the door.

"Eunuch Su," Ku Kui lifted the curtain and entered, interrupting Su Wei's devilish laughter, "There is news from the front that the emperor is about to drive back to Beijing."

"So soon," Su Wei blinked, "Then let's pack up, go back to Shengjing first, and then—"

"The emperor made a special decree." Ku Kui interrupted Su Wei again, "I ordered the thirteenth elder brother to recuperate in the palace, and he doesn't have to go back to Beijing with his retinue."