Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 296
Above the restaurant, there are also many diners who come here to eat, and there is unavoidable hustle and bustle outside.

During this period, Mother Xue took a bite of the dish, and from the corner of her eye she looked suspiciously at the daughter-in-law and nephews and nieces of the second family.

Seeing the three members of the second brother's family eating there happily, they didn't listen to the conversation between themselves and the second brother, and didn't see any reaction.

I was thinking in my heart, maybe I was wrong, and Xue Baochai and Xue Pan beside me didn't know what my mother was looking for with my second uncle, so I didn't dare to intervene casually.

Xue Pan wanted to ask several times, but he hesitated to speak.

Just at this time,

On the street facing the street downstairs, the yelling of small merchants and peddlers on the street was also noisy, and not far from the city gate, many guardsmen were mobilized.

After those soldiers came down from the city wall, they brandished their whips to drive away the crowded people at the city gate without saying a word. It turned out that the head of the forbidden army camp saw that Hou Ye's convoy was approaching, and the people below had not dispersed yet.

Some were annoyed at the ineffectiveness of their subordinates. If General Zhonglang saw this, he would have to peel off his skin if he didn't die, so he went directly down the tower and started violently driving away with a large number of soldiers.

It must have been a bit harsher, and the people who were hit also wailed a few times, but the people around ran fast instead.

Not to mention, the crowd dispersed after a while, but the people dared not speak out, and cursed after leaving.

Xue Yi sat by the window and could see clearly. Thinking of entering the city today, there were several times more guards at the city gate, and many sergeants were well-equipped. After inquiring, he found out that even the imperial guards came out. What must have happened?

While Xue Yi was sitting there thinking wildly,
The cannibals eating in the restaurant also stretched their heads to look out to see what the imperial guards were doing.

After the city gate was cleared, Chief Qian of the Forbidden Army Battalion led his men to stand in line under the city gate. Zhang Jinyu's convoy then walked in slowly. The entire cavalry team, with their strong bodies wrapped in armor, was full of evil spirits. People, at first glance, are elite soldiers who have been battle-tested.

Seeing the imperial guards on both sides behind the city gate waiting neatly there, I also had a good impression.

Zhang Jinyu also followed in the middle of the team, and immediately nodded to Chief Qian of the Forbidden Army Battalion. The team continued to move forward, followed by Ouchi Eunuch Zhao's Royal City Division team, which looked even more dignified.

Xue Yi also looked enviously in his eyes, so he asked;

"Sister-in-law, what happened in the city? Why does it feel like it has changed a lot? I think people from the imperial army have also come out to guard the city gate, and who is the convoy below? It's so majestic."

Mother Xue didn't want to care about those things, but the second younger brother glanced at the street when he asked, and saw Luo Yunhou riding on the horse at a glance. His power is so powerful.

"Oh, it's the imperial envoy from the capital, and the person below is Luo Yunhou."

"Oh, it turned out to be him. He is really strong. He really deserves to be the number one army in the world. He is much stronger than the soldiers of the Jiangnan government army. By the way, sister-in-law, how did you know?"

After praising him, Xue Yi asked in surprise.

Mother Xue also paused, put down her chopsticks, took a sip of water from the tea bowl, and said solemnly;
"Second brother, sister-in-law has something to tell you."

"Sister-in-law, please tell me."

Xue Yi was also sitting upright, it seemed that something had happened.

"Second brother, you also know that since your eldest brother left, the business of the Xue family has been worsening day by day, and the shopkeeper under him has become more and more wanton. You also know that Pan'er is not suitable for business, and I am also a woman. People can't do many things"

Before Mother Xue finished speaking, Xue Yi interrupted,

"Sister-in-law, younger brother will take care of it often, so you don't have to worry."

"It's good for you to finish listening to sister-in-law."

"Sister-in-law, please tell me, brother, listen."

Seeing that Xue Yi was not interjecting, Mother Xue continued;

"As for me, I have a relationship with Luo Yunhou's mother. No, I met today by chance, and I can be regarded as a relative. My sister-in-law is going to take Xue's family to seek refuge in the Hou's mansion. Firstly, it is to find a way out for Pan'er, and secondly, it is for Bao. Chai find someone to rely on, you are also the direct line of the Xue family, my sister-in-law will tell you here, it may not be long before my sister-in-law will leave Jinling and go to Beijing."

Xue's mother didn't want to hide this matter. After all, if she really wanted to leave, she still needed to tell her second brother. It was a thought.

Before Xue Yi could react, the others were startled. Xue Baoqin said "Ah!" and dropped his chopsticks.

Xue Yi is also a bit unbelievable;

"Sister-in-law, when did this happen?"

"It's today, I have already talked with the old lady of the Hou Mansion. I didn't want to nag my second brother so early, but my sister-in-law wanted to take this opportunity to talk about it."

Mother Xue also made up her mind to leave Jinling, maybe a change of environment might be better.

Xue Yi was also at a loss for a while, it was too sudden, and he wanted to speak several times but he didn't say anything, but after seeing the pair of children, Xue Yi also weighed it secretly, gritted his teeth and said;
"Sister-in-law, can you tell Lord Hou that the second brother also wants to join Lord Hou and find a backer for the two children. You know, Xue Biao has been honest since he was a child, and Bao Qin is about to marry. Our merchants will be inferior. If Hou With my master behind my back, I might not be able to marry a good family, what do you think, sister-in-law."

Xue's mother saw that the second brother was willing to part with it, and she took a high look. This is true, she thought about it and said;

"Well, come here when you're done with your work. I'll write to the Hou Mansion to inquire about how to collect those properties. But you need to know, second brother, that these are road money, and they must be bought."

"Don't worry sister-in-law, brother understands."

Xue Yi also knew the rules, but with a backer, many things were guaranteed, and money was not lacking.

Xue Pan was also stunned. Seeing his uncle showing a flattering expression, he knew what kind of power he had. His sister had reached the sky in one step, so he didn't have any sympathy in his heart. It's a pity for that girl Xiangling, but he was guarding Just like that, it's gone, isn't that killing the blind man for nothing.

Brother and sister Xue Biao couldn't help but look at Xue Baochai with a little envy. Only a fairy-like person like Sister Bao can have such a fortune, and now she is getting richer and richer.

The discussions between the two households of Xue's family were over, and the feast was changed happily. Xue Yi ordered an extra jug of wine, and Xue Pan was also happy to be with Xue Pan. The uncle and nephew were rarely drunk.

Zhen Jia,

The middle door was also wide open, and Zhen Yingjia had already heard the news that the convoy of Lord Hou and Eunuch Zhao had arrived, so they waited at the middle door with the servant in charge and the guards.

The boss, Zhen Yuandao, was informed by the old lady that he wanted to accompany the guests at night.

Zhen Yuandao also sent the boy back, and brought the stewards around him back to the yard.

How could I know that when I arrived at my main hall, there was a familiar figure still here, isn't it,

"Hey, I said Su Jinkai, President Su, why haven't you left yet?"

Su Jinkai, who was sitting on a chair in the hall, saw Uncle Zhen walking in, got up and greeted him with a smile,

"Master Zhen, you are back, how dare you leave if you don't come to Su."

Zhen Yuandao was also vaguely displeased, but instead of hitting the smiling face, he returned to the main seat and sat down.

"Sit down, come and serve President Su tea."

Su Jinkai immediately saluted with both hands, thanked him and sat down.

"It's still the great master's benevolence and righteousness, the younger brother is ashamed to be ashamed."

After speaking, his eyes turned red, and he shed a few tears for a while, and wiped them with his sleeves. Zhen Yuandao also felt a little emotional when he saw it.

"Old Su, it's not that Zhen doesn't help you, it's that Zhen is really helpless,"

Seeing Zhen Yuandao's evasion, Su Jinkai was also flustered. He took out 20 taels of silver from his sleeve and put it on the table.
"My lord, if you show me a way out, my younger brother will definitely reciprocate with generous gifts."

Zhen Yuandao took a look at the banknotes on the table, feeling itchy, unconsciously touched the 20 taels of silver, and felt a groan in his heart.

"Tonight, the Zhen Manor is hosting a banquet for the Imperial Envoy, and the rest is up to you."

Zhen Yuandao just reminded him, then quickly put the silver bill in his arms, picked up the tea bowl and took a sip of tea, signaling to see off the guests.

Su Jinkai's heart was shocked when he saw it, the Zhen family had a great face, seeing that the grand master had already served tea to see off the guests, he didn't stay any longer, and stood up and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your advice, my lord."

After finishing speaking, he turned around and left the front hall, exited Zhen Mansion through the side door, and then sat not far from the gate, waiting for Lord Hou to come out here, and was going to stop the carriage to meet Lord Hou directly, to see if he could There is a silver lining.

Zhang Jinyu also walked unhurriedly, watching Jinling City in the evening along the way, and saw that the shops along the way were all hung with lanterns, and the stalls were spread out on the street, making it even more lively.

The common people also watched along the way, and more of them watched their own convoy.

Not long after, I arrived at Zhen's Mansion in Dongcheng. When I reached the gate, Zhang Jinyu dismounted first. Seeing Zhen Yingjia greeted in front of the gate,
"Zhen Yingjia met Lord Hou, Lord Hou, you are here."

Zhang Jinyu also bowed his hand in return,
"Master Zhen is also being polite."

Turning around and opening the curtain, and helping Mrs. Wang get out of the car, Zhen Yingjia bowed even more when she saw this,
"Meet Mrs. Wang,"

Mrs. Wang also nodded when she saw this,
"I'm sorry to trouble Mrs. Zhen."

"Madam Wang is too polite."

And Eunuch Zhao behind the car also walked over with his stomach straight,

"President Zhen, please stay safe."

Zhen Yingjia raised her head to see, she didn't know who this person was, so she made another big gift;
"I met Eunuch Zhao, thank you for taking care of the Zhen family."

"Easy to say, easy to say."

"Quick, please."

When Zhen Yingjia saw that everyone was present, she carefully accompanied her.

Then a group of people entered Zhen's mansion with the guards, Zhen Yingjia led the way, and kept introducing the gardens in the mansion.

Needless to say, Zhang Jinyu has opened his eyes. The gardens in the south of the Yangtze River are different from the roughness of the north. Just a small courtyard is carefully crafted, which can be regarded as a painting, let alone such a large courtyard, which is too beautiful to behold. .

After passing the big yard, we took a small path and walked back along an artificial lake.

The lake water is so clear that you can see the swimming fish, so I asked;
"Brother Zhao, look, this lake is really clean."

Hearing this, Zhao Si also stopped and stretched his head to look into the water, as expected,
"Hou Ye is right, the lake is too clean."

Zhen Yingjia heard it earlier and explained;
"Lord Hou, Eunuch Zhao, the water in this lake was drawn from Jinghu Lake with great effort, so it is so clear."

"Mirror Lake?"

Zhang Jinyu asked again.

"Yes, Lord Hou, Mirror Lake is not far from the northeast of Jinling Old Palace. The lake is crystal clear and the reflection is clear. Over time, it was named after Mirror Lake."

Zhang Jinyu thought for a while, so that's the case, then it's not far away, and I don't know if the old house is still there.

(End of this chapter)