serious man in the red chamber

Chapter 216
Heavy snow is falling down one after another.

The two eunuchs on duty withdrew from the side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and closed the door behind them.

In the heavy snow, Dai Quan came wearing a cloak.

The two eunuchs on duty quickly knelt down: "Old ancestor."

Dai Quan: "Get up, Duke Ning is inside?"

The two eunuchs on duty climbed up: "Yes, I just finished my meal and are waiting for His Majesty to summon me."

Dai Quan nodded and took off his cloak.

A young eunuch took the cloak, and another young eunuch quickly pushed the door open.

A gust of snow wind hit, Dai Quan shivered and hurried in.

The door of the jingshe was open, and Dai Quan walked over lightly, and at a glance, he saw Jia Hu sitting on a chair with his eyes closed and meditating.

Dai Quan walked up to Jia Hu lightly, and asked softly, "Mr. Ning?"

Jia Hu opened his eyes: "What's the matter? The emperor called me?" As he spoke, he was about to get up.

"please sit down!"

Dai Quan shook his hand and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is still in the study room talking to the Chief Assistant, let the miscellaneous family come over to serve the Duke." He said, picking up the tea bowl on the wooden table beside him, "Drink some tea."

Jia Hu didn't answer: "Why, you set me up?"

A wry smile came to the corner of his mouth, and Dai Quan said: "Not to mention that you have made great contributions to our Great Zhou, and you also take special care of the miscellaneous family on weekdays. I should serve you a bowl of tea."

Jia Hu didn't pick up the tea bowl, but clasped his hands together and said, "Out of this imperial city, you can do anything. But here, you must obey the rules."

Dai Quan understood, glanced at Jia Hu, put down the tea bowl, "It's good to obey the rules." He said with a long sigh, "It's not like some people who act recklessly and have ulterior motives."

Jia Hu: "What's wrong?"

Dai Quan sighed: "It's not because of Xia Shouzhong's matter." As he spoke, he told about Xia Shouzhong's left leg being broken by the emperor's order.

Jia Hu was taken aback: "What's going on?"

Dai Quan frowned: "You don't know?"

Jia Hu shook his head.

After a moment of silence, Dai Quan explained the matter in general, and then said: "Since Xia Shouzhong's leg was broken, there have been rumors outside the palace that they did this only to tarnish the emperor's reputation."

Paused, "The miscellaneous family really don't understand why they do this. Do they have to force the emperor to leave a bad name?!"

Jia Hu shook his head vigorously, asking the question knowingly.

Dai Quan: "What's wrong?"

Jia Hu took out his pocket watch from his pocket, glanced at it, and asked, "When will Your Majesty be done?"

Dai Quan said with a smile: "My lord is homesick."

Jia Hu said angrily, "...what do you know?"

Dai Quan: "Hey, do you really think I don't understand?! I still understand what this man is thinking."

Jia Hu was quite surprised: "What are you thinking?"

Dai Quan chuckled and didn't answer.

Jia Hu suddenly asked: "Are you also on duty during the Chinese New Year?"

Dai Quan was taken aback: "Yes, what's the matter?"

Jia Hu looked at Dai Quan and smiled: "I'm the host, please go to the Jiaofang Division for a drink."

Dai Quan was blindsided for a moment, his eyes were straight.

Jia Hu looked at him and pointed outside.

Seeing the situation, Dai Quan immediately understood, and smiled at Jia Hu: "Thanks to you, the miscellaneous family will also go to open their eyes and gain insights."

"What knowledge do you have?" Emperor Jianwu walked in.

"Your Majesty." Jia Hu quickly stood up.

Dai Quan was also taken aback, and rushed to meet him, helped Emperor Jianwu to sit down on the couch in the south: "If you go back to the emperor, Duke Ning is joking with this old slave."

Emperor Jianwu looked at Jia Hu and said, "You have worked hard."

Jia Hu hurriedly bowed and replied: "This is the duty of the minister."

Emperor Jianwu waved his hand: "Sit down, sit down. The Anhui battle was fought very well and solved the country's difficulties. When I received the military report of the victory, I was very happy to eat an extra bowl of rice. If you don't believe me, you can ask Dai Quan."

After hearing this, Dai Quan smiled and said, "Your Majesty even rewarded Zajia with a bowl of food."

Emperor Jianwu shook his hand: "Okay, let's not talk about this." He said to Jia Hu: "By the way, the imperial court has reached an agreement with the Manchus, and the prisoners of the Yellow Banner and the Han Army Camp will be handed over to them by the end of February next year.

In addition, accurate news came from Liaodong and North Korea that the Tartar emperor had the idea of ​​changing his heir.Shoufu and the others speculated that if the Tartar prince did not go to North Korea before the Spring Festival, the conflicts within the Manchu Qing would completely erupt, and even a palace change would occur, and war would break out between Liaodong and North Korea. "

Jia Hu: "It may also be their trick."

Emperor Jianwu nodded: "You are right. However, it is rainy in Liaodong in spring and summer, and bows and arrows, firearms, cavalry, and siege operations will all be greatly affected. During this period, we can show goodwill to the Manchus, sign a treaty, and even reopen the horse market trade to give them a safe external environment. It would be best if there was a war between Liaodong and North Korea, and it would not have much impact."

Speaking of this, I raised my voice, "I plan to use troops against Liaodong before the fall of next year, and take Shengjing before the temperature cools down at the end of October."

There was a "buzz" in Jia Hu's head, and he took over the capital of the Manchus in more than two months. What joke are you talking about? !

Emperor Jianwu glanced at Jia Hu, and then said, "This is Li Chengyang's promise to me."

Jia Hu understood, and Li Chengyang used this promise to help the Liaodong Army get the Yanshan Fortress.

Emperor Jianwu: "What do you think?"

Jia Hu shook his head.

Emperor Jianwu sighed softly: "Actually, I also know that such a short time is a bit hasty. But I also have difficulties, and I have no choice but to send it out. If you don't go out, how will they do it, and how will I correct the current situation."

After hearing this, Jia Hu was a little stunned.

Emperor Jianwu smiled: "This is what our monarchs and ministers have in their stomachs. Don't say it now, and I will make proper arrangements when the time comes."

Jia Hu quickly stood up: "Yes."

Emperor Jianwu nodded: "By the way, the old man is sick and needs to go to Jinling to recuperate. Xuzhou Prefecture and Haizhou are the most urgent places at present. 10,000+ soldiers from the Beijing camp are fighting against the rebels. Do you think Shi Ding and Ma Shang can do it? Do you have any good ideas?"

Jia Hu was in a bit of a dilemma, Shi Ding and Ma Shang were considered the emperor's confidantes, recommending Shi Guangzhu is to take credit, and recommending others, in case something happens, I can't tell.

Seeing Jia Hu's troubled look, Emperor Jianwu smiled generously, "It doesn't matter, when you find a good solution, you can tell me anytime."

Jia Hu replied: "Follow the order."

Emperor Jianwu smiled happily: "Okay, you go to Fengzao Palace to meet Yuan Concubine, meet your nephew, and also go to Daming Palace to meet Old Dowager Concubine. Then hurry back to the manor to reunite with your family."

As soon as these words came out, not only Jia Hu, but even Dai Quan were startled and stood there.

Emperor Jianwu stood up and said, "It just so happens that I'm going to Fengzao Palace, let's go together." After speaking, he went straight out.

Jia Hu and Dai Quan looked at each other and hurriedly followed.

The heavy snow never stops, and the wind picks up again.

From the central gate of Ningguo Mansion to the main hall of Ning'an Hall, the main gate was wide open, and the snow in front of the gate was full of people.

The news of Jia Hu's return to the capital had already spread throughout the Ningguo Mansion. Jia Rong stood in front of the crowd, Jiao Da stood beside him, and behind him were Lai Sheng, Lin Zhixiao and other stewards, as well as the servants of the whole mansion.

The cold wind slammed snowflakes on everyone's faces, but they all stood awe-inspiring, silent.

The sound of hoofbeats came from a distance, and everyone's eyes were wide open. In the snow and fog, a group of cavalry was marching slowly against the wind and snow.

Walking to the gate of the mansion, the horse team stopped, and then opened a passage, and a white war horse slowly came over with Jia Hu on its back.

Jia Rong quickly greeted her, "My nephew, please greet my uncle!"

Jiao Da and the others knelt down immediately: "Welcome Patriarch home!"

Jia Hu got off his horse and asked Jia Rong, "Is your home safe?"

Jia Rong replied loudly: "Return to uncle's words, and the family will be safe."

Jia Hu nodded, stepped forward and helped Jiao Da up, and said to everyone, "Get up."

"Thank you Patriarch!" Lai Sheng, Lin Zhixiao and the others kowtowed, and then got up unevenly.

Jia Hu's eyes swept over Lai Sheng, Lin Zhixiao and others, and then said: "It's cold, I won't talk nonsense, and each person will be rewarded with two months' money." After speaking, he ignored the crowd, walked through the passage among the crowd, and walked quickly inside.

Everyone was startled for a moment, and then they let out a burst of heartfelt cheers!
Jia Rong came back to her senses and quickly shouted: "Firecrackers, set off firecrackers!"

After hearing this, everyone came to their senses. Lin Zhixiao and others hurriedly lit the firecrackers. The earth-shattering sound of firecrackers instantly spread throughout Ningrong Second Mansion. Everyone understood that Jia Hu had returned home.

Rongguofu

Xue's Courtyard
Xue Baochai came back a long time ago, and now she is sitting in front of the desk and flipping through a collection of poems.

Obviously, she was a little disturbed, her eyes were on the poetry collection, but her eyes were not on the poetry collection.

Suddenly, a burst of earth-shattering firecrackers came in from the window.

Xue Baochai stood up abruptly, a trace of panic flashed across her face, and then, she collected herself, walked to the window, and looked at the snowflakes that were falling one after another outside the window.

An hour ago, the news of Jia Hu's return to Beijing spread throughout Ningrong and Rongfu. Originally, she planned to welcome Jia Hu back home at Ningguo Mansion, but Xing Xiuyan came back, so she had to come back with her.

At this time, there was a sound of opening the door, and then the servant girl Ying'er came in and said with a smile: "Miss, the uncle has gone to the East Mansion."

Baochai didn't look back, but asked, "What are you going to do in Dongfu?"

Ying'er: "Of course I'm going to have a drink. The girl doesn't know that Master Xiao Rong of the East Mansion sent someone to invite him earlier, saying that he would set up wine to clean up the dust for the second master. I also heard that besides the uncle Xiao Rong and our uncle, the only one who participated in the banquet was the second master Yun who accompanied the second master back from the south. This is a family, and the girl's future affairs will come naturally."

Baochai came back to her senses and stopped her immediately: "What nonsense are you talking about? What kind of family?"

"Girl! Girl!"

Xiangling happily ran in, "The old lady sent someone to invite grandma and girl over. By the way, the East Mansion sent a gift just now, and this time the girl's is a separate one."

Hearing this, Baochai's eyes lit up: "Where's the thing?"

Xiangling: "It's in grandma's house."

Baochai: "Let's go." Turning around, he walked out of the house.

Ning'an Hall Backyard

Only Lin Daiyu was left in the room, sitting in front of the desk, holding a letter in her hand, and looking at it carelessly.

Jia Hu came out from the inside. He was wearing a double-breasted thick cotton gown. He had obviously just taken a shower and his hair was loose.

Hu Po came out with a large fox fur coat in her arms, put it on Jia Hu, opened the door, and called a few maidservants to carry the barrel out.

Jia Hu sat down by the desk, and seeing Lin Daiyu sitting there lost in thought, he smiled and said, "What are you thinking? At least get me a bowl of tea."

Lin Daiyu came back to her senses, gave him a blank look, walked over to pick up the small copper pot silently, walked to the desk in silence, and poured a bowl of tea for Jia Hu.

Jia Hu glanced outside the door, patted his thigh, rolled his eyes in return, took a sip from the tea bowl, and smiled at Lin Daiyu, "My dear sister, comb my hair for me." As he spoke, he brought the stationery and mirror case.

Lin Daiyu had no choice but to come over, hold his head and comb the grate one by one.

Jia Hu faced the mirror, Lin Daiyu was behind Jia Hu, and the two looked at each other in the territory.

Jia Hu smiled into the mirror and said, "I discussed with my uncle, let's go to Suzhou for a while in March and April next year, and I will accompany you to take a stroll around the city. How about it, are you happy?"

Lin Daiyu nodded slightly. She did not wear a crown at home, combed her hair, and simply tied her hair in a bun, tied with a red ribbon.

Jia Hu stood up, turned around and supported her shoulders, put his mouth close to her ear, and said in a low voice, "Let me tell you one more thing, my uncle has already given me your marriage certificate, and tomorrow I will go to Xuanzhen Temple and ask the master to fill in my name."

Suddenly remembered, "Look at me, patronizing and happy, forget what uncle told you, uncle told you not to miss him, take good care of yourself, let me see how heavy you are." After finishing speaking, he picked her up and walked into the room.

Lin Daiyu woke up a little at this time, and stretched out a hand in panic to twist Jia Hu's ear, "Don't make trouble, let me down quickly! The old lady will definitely send someone to find you soon."

Jia Hu was startled for a moment, then smiled: "What are you thinking? I have a gift for you."

Lin Daiyu blushed immediately, and hurriedly covered Jia Hu's mouth with the other hand: "You are bad! I won't listen."

Jia Hu laughed: "Really don't listen anymore?"

Lin Daiyu didn't say anything more.

Jia Hu carried Lin Daiyu into the inner room, put her on the kang, turned around and took out a box containing the imperial decree from the cabinet, and handed her over.

Lin Daiyu seemed to feel something, took the box with both hands, put it on the small kang table, slowly opened the box, took out the imperial decree to display, it was indeed the imperial decree for marriage.

Jia Hu hugged her into his arms and whispered in her ear: "This imperial decree is left with you, and you don't need to show it to others, as long as the two of us know it."

Lin Daiyu didn't answer, but buried her head in Jia Hu's thick embrace.

Suddenly, Hu Po's voice came from outside: "Second Master, the old lady has sent two people to look for it."

Lin Daiyu stood up: "Okay, let's go." Saying that, she put the imperial decree into the box and sealed it.

"Ah."

Jia Hu nodded, stretched out his hands to straighten her hair, and smoothed out the wrinkles on her clothes, "Let's go."

Lin Daiyu suddenly remembered something and said, "I sent out the gifts you brought from the south."

Jia Hu smiled and said, "I've said it all, you are the one who decides the family affairs, don't ask me."

Lin Daiyu rolled her eyes a few times and said, "Then I will remember."

(End of this chapter)