swear not to be concubine

Chapter 90

Since the beginning of winter, the capital has been cloudy and rainy for dozens of days, and the chill is penetrating to the bone.Braziers have long been set up in various rooms in the official office of the Ministry of Rites.

In a few days, it will be the Emperor's Longevity Day.Since this year is the [-]th birthday, it is even more extraordinary, so all the intersecting states or subordinate vassal states specially sent envoys to the capital to celebrate the birthday with gifts.

The Ministry of Rites used to be in charge of the relations between vassals and diplomatic relations, but this time the emperor specifically named Xu Zhongxuan to be in charge of these matters, so he didn't dare to be careless at all, and was busy all day long. Out, carefully and meticulously handle all kinds of big and small things.

For nearly a month, he took care of everything in a comprehensive and close manner.The emperor was overjoyed, and after the Wanshou Festival passed, he immediately made a decree to move Xu Zhongxuan from the left servant of the Ministry of Rites to the left servant of the Ministry of officials.

Although the Zuo Shilang, who is also the same as the Six Departments, has the same rank, it is just a flat relocation, but the Ministry of Officials is the head of the Six Departments, the leader of the hundred officials, not to mention the evaluation and promotion of officials, and officials below the fourth rank. The power of appointment and removal can be imagined in his hands.

While everyone was envious of Xu Zhongxuan, they also knew in their hearts that the emperor might just want to support Xu Zhongxuan.In the future, the youngest official Zuo Shilang since the founding of the People's Republic of China will surely have a bright future.

There was an endless stream of congratulators.

Xu Zhongxuan didn't see the slightest pretense, and received the congratulators one by one, with a gentle smile on his face and humble words in his mouth, he would neither get too close to anyone nor alienate him deliberately In short, regardless of the size of the official position, all are treated equally.

Then there are those families who are waiting for the female relatives in the boudoir, and their words reveal the meaning of marriage.Xu Zhongxuan smiled without saying a word, and then declined one by one.

Everyone is confused.

Who knew that Xu Zhongxuan was not married yet.He is not young anymore, and with such good conditions, the people who come to the door to say goodbye may have already broken through the threshold, but there is no one he can fancy?If it was said that he had high demands on his main wife, it would be fine to pick and choose slowly, but obviously some people with lower official positions than him said that they wanted to send their female relatives to be concubines with him, but he also declined. What exactly does this mean?

So while at the wine table, everyone was having fun with each other, and when the drink was a little high, a colleague from the Ministry of Rituals covered his face with wine and asked such a question with a teasing smile.

After all, he had worked with these colleagues in the Ministry of Rites for such a long time, so before leaving the Ministry of Rites to take up his post in the Ministry of Officials, Xu Zhongxuan was the host and invited his colleagues from the Ministry of Rites to drink in the Xiuya Building in the capital.

In the cold winter, the windows in the private room were not only closed, but there was also a prosperous brazier in the corner.Another young man built a stove behind the screen, boiling hot water in the pot, and put the wine bottle for hot wine in it.The smell of wine is steaming upwards, and even those who don't drink alcohol will probably be a little bit drunk by the strong aroma of wine.

Xu Zhongxuan thought he was a little drunk too, his white jade-like handsome face was covered with a thin layer of blush, looking in the warm orange candlelight, it was even more impressive.

Listening to his colleague's question, he didn't answer, but a faint smile appeared on his face, and then he stretched out his left hand, lowered his eyes slightly as if he was overwhelmed with alcohol, and stretched out his hand to pinch the center of his brow.

The sleeves of the stone blue shirt slipped down, revealing the Canaan bracelet on his wrist that he had been wearing all year round.

The colleague sitting next to him saw sharply that besides this string of Canaan bracelets on his left wrist, he also wore a long-lived thread woven with five-color silk threads.

It can be seen that the weaving of this long-lived thread is very delicate, it should be weaved by women.It's just that this long-lived lace may have been worn for some time, so the edges are a little damaged.

But even so, he was reluctant to take off the long-lived thread, which showed the important position of the woman in his heart.

So the colleague turned his head and smiled and said to the other colleagues: "No wonder Xu Shilang declined the marriage proposals of those people. It turns out that he already has a beloved woman in his heart."

At the same time, he motioned everyone to look at Xu Zhongxuan's left wrist.

When everyone saw the long-lived thread, they all knew it clearly, and then another colleague asked with interest: "I wonder which famous lady is the woman Xu Shilang likes? Tell me and let me know." Know."

Xu Zhongxuan still didn't answer.There was still that faint smile on his face, and the two fingers of his left hand were pinching his eyebrows leisurely.But he didn't deny it either.

Everyone thought that he was a little shy, so they all laughed, and the atmosphere became more and more lively.And because everyone felt that Xu Zhongxuan actually had a woman they liked, they were surprised and raised their glasses to congratulate him.

Xu Zhongxuan never refused anyone who came, still with a slight smile on his face, he drank the wine glass by glass.

Qi Sang just watched from the sidelines, trembling with fear.

This night, the young master didn't eat anything, only drank water.He had an old problem of stomach cold, although the wine was warm, how could he resist drinking it like water?
It's just that the dishes on this table are already cold after all this time.The young master had drank so much wine, if he continued to eat these cold dishes, how could his stomach be able to bear it?
So he took a look at the gap, stepped forward two steps quietly, and asked in a low voice: "My lord, what do you want to eat? This subordinate will order the kitchen to make it for you."

Xu Zhongxuan was overwhelmed with alcohol, and the blush on his face was a little darker than before.

Hearing Qi Sang's voice, he looked over with trembling eyes.

"Sagoflower Cake." He said in a low voice, "I want to eat Sophora Cake."

When Qi Sang heard this, he felt sore in his heart.

Last time when I was in Zuiyue Tower, when Young Master had dinner with Mr. Zhou, Mr. Du and Mr. Shen, he thought the Sophora japonica cake there was very delicious, so he had to go to the government office the next day to deliver it overnight. Go back to Miss Jane.And it was at that time that the relationship between the young master and Miss Jian really started.

But these days, even if the young master didn't say a word, based on the tacit understanding he has been with the young master for so many years, he can still guess that there must be some serious problem between the young master and Miss Jane.I'm afraid that there will already be an abyss that cannot be crossed between the two of them.

But the son actually wants to eat Sophora japonica cake now, which means that he is still thinking about Miss Jian in his heart.

In other words, although the young master has not been back to Tongzhou in the past month, he still thinks about Miss Jane in his heart.

Because he could clearly see that the young master had lost a lot of weight recently.Except for the necessary official business that requires socializing with people, when he comes back from work, he always sits in his study and does not go out, and he rarely speaks.Even if he and Qi Hui brought the food in, the young master just moved his chopsticks a few times and stopped eating.

As soon as Qi Sang thought of this, the sourness in his heart became more and more intense.

Yin said to Xu Zhongxuan again in a low voice: "Master, it's winter now, where can there be locust flower cakes? Otherwise, I will let the kitchen steam a plate of white sugar cakes for you? Or chestnut cakes? This is the season to eat chestnuts It smells delicious when it's on."

Xu Zhongxuan shook his head with a dull expression: "Since there is no Sophora japonica cake, then forget it."

Qi Sang thought quickly in his mind, and then said: "My lord, wait a moment, my subordinates go to the kitchen and ask."

What he thought was, since roses can be pickled to make rose sauce and used as desserts in winter, why can’t Sophora japonica?Even if he searched all over the capital, he couldn't believe that he couldn't find a bottle of Sophora japonica sauce.

Fortunately, there is such a bottle of Sophora japonica sauce in the kitchen of Xiuya Building.So Qi Sang hurriedly ordered the chef to make a plate of Sophora japonica cake, and then he personally held it and sent it all the way to Xu Zhongxuan.

"Young Master, the Sophora Cake is here. Try it."

Xu Zhongxuan lowered his head and looked at the fine porcelain plate with blue and white backrest on the table above him.

There are several pieces of steaming hot Sophora japonica cakes that are as white as the first snow.

Under Qi Sang's earnest gaze, he took the chopsticks, took a piece and put it into his mouth.

The locust flower cake is still sweet and fragrant, and there is a layer of rose sauce in the middle, which is cool and sweet.

It's just that it's still far from the taste of Sophora japonica cake that night.

Xu Zhongxuan only ate half of the Sophora japonica cake, then put down his chopsticks, and didn't eat any more.

Qi Sang said anxiously at the side: "But this locust flower cake is not to your liking? This subordinate will go down and tell the kitchen to make a new plate and send it over."

But Xu Zhongxuan stretched out his hand to stop him, with a very sad expression on his face.

"Forget it," he said in a low voice, "I don't really want to eat this locust flower cake now."

No matter how many times the cook redoes it, he still can't make the taste of that night sophora flower cake.

Qi Sang guessed some of Xu Zhongxuan's meaning in his heart, but there was only a secret sigh.

Fortunately, the banquet lasted for a while and then broke up.

Everyone stood up and bid farewell to Xu Zhongxuan one after another.Xu Zhongxuan stood at the door, respectfully sending all his colleagues away one by one.After a while, the wine was gone, and he was left alone.

I don't know when it started to rain again outside the door, pattering and misty.The night wind blows, and the blue smoke rolls over the gray tiles and gray walls.

Qi Sang hugged a black velvet crane cloak and put it on Xu Zhongxuan, then opened the oil-paper umbrella in his hand to cover his head, and said in a low voice: "My lord, please get in the carriage."

There was already a carriage waiting in front of the restaurant.Qi Hui, who was wearing a bamboo hat and coir raincoat, had already picked up the horse stool, and stood aside with his hands down, waiting for Xu Zhongxuan to get into the car.

Xu Zhongxuan didn't go up, but turned around and took the oiled paper umbrella in Qi Sang's hand: "I'll walk for a while, sober up."

Qi Sang wanted to dissuade him, but Xu Zhongxuan turned around and walked into the rain holding an umbrella.

In the misty rain, caries walk alone, and the back looks so thin and lonely.

On such a cold winter night, when the wind blows with rain, the chill is to the bone, so what is there to do?In the carriage, there was a prosperous brazier and hot tea early in the morning. Why can't the young master go outside to suffer such a crime instead of being comfortable in the carriage?
Qi Hui was very puzzled, and asked Qi Sang in a low voice.

Qi Sang sighed, but said softly: "Young Master is suffering."

Qi Hui became more and more puzzled for a moment.

The son is only 25 years old, but he is already the left servant of the official department. How many people envy him behind his back?Those who came to congratulate these few days have almost leveled the threshold, many of them are noble families, prominent ministers and high-ranking officials, so why is the young master suffering in his heart.

He asked this question again, but Qi Sang didn't know how to answer it.In fact, he didn't know what happened between the young master and Jian Yan.

So he glared at Qi Hui, and said in a low voice: "You ask me, who should I ask? If you have the time to ask questions, you might as well drive the carriage and catch up with the young master. If you delay, the young master will soon be real." Going home by yourself."

Only then did Qi Hui get into the car in a hurry, and Qi Sang also sat on the other side of the car, and drove the car to chase Xu Zhongxuan.

But Xu Zhongxuan didn't get in the car after all, but walked slowly in the rain holding an umbrella.

Qi Sang and Qi Hui had no choice but to drive slowly behind him.

Fortunately, Xiuya Building is not too far from Xu Zhongxuan's residence, but it's enough time for a meal.

There are two bright corner lamps hanging on the left and right under the dripping eaves at the gate of the courtyard. Even though the wind and rain are blowing together, they are still dutifully lit.

By the light of this candle, two people could be seen standing under the rain eaves in front of the courtyard.

Qi Sang jumped off the shaft of the carriage first, hurriedly stopped in front of Xu Zhongxuan, and looked at the two men warily.

The person in front of him has a square face and wide cheeks, which makes people think that he is a person with a strong personality, who accepts death and is not flexible.

Qi Sang saw this man's face clearly, and immediately knelt down on one knee, "I've seen the second master."

It turned out that this person was Xu Zhongxuan's second uncle, Xu Zhengxing.

Xu Zhengxing thought that he had been waiting in front of this courtyard for some time, and his expression was very bad.

He snorted softly, and said: "Sure enough, it's different when you get promoted to the Ministry of Officials, Zuo Shilang. It's actually making me, the second uncle, wait in front of this courtyard for half a day."

In Xu Zhongxuan's daily home, there are only two subordinates, Qi Sang and Qi Hui, accompanying him, and there are no other servants.It's just that I don't even have a rough woman who cooks, and I just eat outside after the daily work.So Xu Zhengxing came here for a long time and looked at the door for a long time, but he was stunned that there was not even a single person who came to open the door.

But Xu Zhongxuan didn't care about Xu Zhengxing's ridicule and accusation.He just smiled lightly, and then ordered Qi Sang to open the door and invite Xu Zhengxing to go in.

Xu Zhengxing didn't intend to go in, but just stood there.The servant behind him lowered his head and followed him with his hands down.

"I'm here, just to talk to you a few words, and then leave, there is no need to go in."

When Xu Zhongxuan heard the words, he didn't insist.

After handing the oil-paper umbrella in his hand to Qi Sang, he also walked under the eaves, with his hands in his sleeves, and asked with a smile: "May I ask second uncle what you can teach me?"

At first he didn't notice it because he was far away, but now he was standing in one place, and Xu Zhengxing could smell the alcohol on him.

So he frowned, and asked displeasedly: "Have you been drinking? Still drinking so much?"

"Today I invited a few colleagues to eat together, and we drank a few cups." Xu Zhongxuan answered very casually.

When Xu Zhengxing heard this, his expression became more and more relaxed.

"In the officialdom, it is most taboo to form cliques and cliques. If you invite your colleagues to eat and drink like this, what will you think in the eyes of those who care about you? And I heard that there are an endless stream of people who have come to congratulate you these days, You actually treat people equally regardless of their official position? Let’s not talk about how you are too ostentatious when you are in such a crowd, but only say that you should stand up to those with low official positions. How can you greet them with a smile on your face? Equal? ​​This is not a broken rule, how will they obey you in their hearts and fear you in the future?"

After a pause, he added a sentence as if he hated iron for being weak: "You are also an important minister of the third rank, why don't you even understand such a simple truth?"

Xu Zhongxuan let him talk, the expression on his face remained the same, there was still a faint smile.

After Xu Zhengxing gave him a good meal, he finally said: "The day after tomorrow is your grandmother's birthday, when do you plan to go back?"

Xu Zhongxuan was slightly taken aback.He didn't remember when Wu's birthday was.

Since he was born, a bastard who has no blood relationship with him, Wu Shi is extremely indifferent to him, and looks at him with indifference.Since he was careful, he could tell that Wu Shi didn't like him, so he never went to her side.It was only after he entered the official career that Wu gradually got closer to him, but he couldn't get closer to her.That's why they are called grandparents, but in fact, they are just called grandma when they meet, and they don't care about other times.

I heard Xu Zhengxing say there again: "It's your grandmother before, but she is your grandmother after all. As a descendant, one should respect the elders. You rarely go back to your grandmother's birthday these years. In the past, it was just because you were on duty that it was not convenient to go back, but the day after tomorrow is a holiday, why don't you go back?"

The Emperor's Longevity Festival has just passed.The emperor was overjoyed because of the bustle and bustle of the event.I also understand that all the courtiers have been busy for the Longevity Day recently, so I specially gave all the courtiers a three-day holiday to show my favor.

Xu Zhongxuan was still standing under the rain eaves with his hands in his sleeves, with a faint smile on his face.

"Since the second uncle said so, I will go back in the future."

Only then Xu Zhengxing nodded in satisfaction, and then said: "From now on, you'd better keep a low profile, don't have too many contacts with the courtiers. I'm going back."

Xu Zhongxuan watched him go down the steps with a smile on his face, and suddenly said: "Second Uncle's household doctor is doing well now?"

Xu Zhengxing paused, then turned around suddenly, and asked in a deep voice, "What do you mean by that?"

Looking over through a thin layer of rain curtain, Xu Zhongxuan's handsome face was hidden in the shadow of the lamp and candle, half-bright and half-dark.

"It doesn't mean much." He clasped his hands and leaned against the door panel behind him, with a slight smile on his face, "It's just that the household department is under the control of Mr. Zhou. Second uncle, have you ever thought about why he would Moved you back to the capital from Shandong, and made you a doctor in the household department under his control?"

(End of this chapter)