Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 114

Although those two young princes are not stupid, they are not fools. There is no other "Sixteen Lords" in the capital who can be worthy of the gift of Prince Jian's house.All of them bowed their hands obediently, and said respectfully, "Please greet Uncle Sixteen!"

Elder Sixteen smiled, well, with this little effort, I have two older nephews, judging by their ages, the older ones are eighteen or nineteen, and the younger ones are sixteen or seventeen, and they look like elders at the moment With a wave of his hand: "Well! You two, whose house is it? It looks strange to you!"

Among the two brothers, the older one was a little stunned, the one who hit Yang Zimo just now; the younger one looked smarter, and replied obediently: "Responding to Uncle Sixteen, my nephew's father's name is taboo on the picture and his birthday is on the bottom." I didn't expect to meet your old man here, it is really a blessing for my nephews, no wonder I saw magpies when I came out this morning."

When Qi Hai heard that he was Tushou's son, he twitched his lips slightly.It turns out that Tushou is a side branch of Prince Kang's mansion, and he always likes to make money, and he doesn't look like a master on weekdays.Although she is a yellow belt, she relies on the influence of her father-in-law's family everywhere, which is most looked down upon by people in various palaces.

These two boys offended Prince Jane's mansion, so naturally there is nothing good to eat.Brother Sixteen didn't want to participate in these messy things, so he just said goodbye and took Cao Yong away first.

The two boys behind them changed their previous arrogance and sent them off with low eyebrows.Qi Hai also sent them off respectfully, but the corners of his eyes were squinting at those two people, thinking how to deal with them.

It wasn't until the horse was far away that Elder Sixteen shook his head regretfully: "Oh, it's a pity for my two eldest nephews! It seems that Tushou's family is suffering, and my old man is really a little bit unhappy. Have the heart!" There was unabashed gloating in the voice.

"They're all from the clan, isn't it? For an actress, isn't that a good reputation?" Cao Yong didn't believe it.

Although Prince Jian Yaerjiang is a dignitary, he has met Cao Yong twice when he went to Pingjun Palace for entertainment. He is 35 or [-] years old, and he is very low-key on weekdays, and has a good relationship with Naersu.

Brother Sixteen shook his head: "You don't like to listen to music, so you don't know the details of this Sanxi troupe. This was originally the family troupe of Prince Jian's mansion, Yang Zimo and Liu Zidan, and another one named Lin Zibai, They are all the darlings of Yaerjiang Ah. Only because the old prince passed away a few years ago, the mansion kept filial piety, and the actors were dismissed, so they came out to form a team, borrowing the strength of the palace. It is the name of the Sanxi team, or Yaer Jiang Ah gave it to me personally." Speaking of this, he lowered his voice: "The year before last, because the crown prince sent some stewards to rob Lin Zibai, Yaerjiang A Zeng led people to directly break the legs of those stewards, The feud between the two families has not been solved yet. He is not afraid of the crown prince, but he still cares about the little Fu Guogong?"

When Cao Yong heard this, he just thought it was funny. The prince was really fraternal, and this romantic debt had provoked so many enemies.As long as Cao Yong knew about it, there were already two prostitutes, and it was uncertain how many things he didn't know about.

"Actors are nothing, everyone is just raising them as a plaything, and it's just arguing!" Elder Sixteen said again: "It's frightening for this honest man to get angry!"

It's almost two hours after leaving the palace, it's time for Elder Sixteen to go back.Cao Yong and the Wei family brothers sent him back to Donghuamen, and when he was about to enter the palace, the sixteenth elder brother turned around as if thinking of something: "Look at my brain, I was so fascinated by Yang Zimo that I almost forgot to talk to him." You said it's a big deal! I asked someone to inquire carefully, some Fujin and Gege from Prince Chun's Mansion will go to Tanzhe Temple to offer incense on February [-]th, and then I will find a reason to come out and accompany you to see your wife!"

Cao Yong's eyes lit up, and there was some expectation faintly.It's just that although he is very curious about his little fiancée, he also knows that there are too many rules at this time. Since it is the female relatives of the palace who offer incense, they must arrange human guards to follow. Big joke.

Brother Sixteen heard Cao Yong's concerns and said with a smile: "Since I said that I want to arrange for you young couple to meet, then I will find a way to arrange it. I will make your wish come true. Just wait for me!" Said Here, he patted Cao Yong's shoulder again: "A few days ago, Da Gege followed her mother-in-law to the palace to pay her respects. I have also seen it. It is indeed well done. It is really cheap for you!"

After teasing Cao Yong a few words, sixteen princes entered the palace, and Cao Yong returned home.

As soon as he arrived at the gate of the mansion, a servant came forward to lead the horse: "The uncle is back, there are visitors in the mansion, Mr. Zhuang talked with the living room, and asked people to ask the uncle several times!"

"Where did the guest come from? Who knows the name?" Cao Yong got off his horse, handed the reins to the boy, and then asked.

"I heard that Mr. called him 'Xiao Cheng', and later called him 'Five Bridges', five bridges, what a strange name!" The young man was very clever.

After hearing this, Cao Yong knew in his heart that it should not be "Five Bridges", but "Wu Qiao". Mr. Zhuang once mentioned a talented man, surnamed Cheng, first name Mengxing, style name Wu Qiao. have strengths.Mr. Zhuang heard that Cao Yong was going to repair the garden, but he didn't have a suitable drawing, so he recommended this friend of Wangnian.

In the front hall, Mr. Zhuang was talking to a Confucian scholar who looked 25 or [-] years old.Seeing Cao Yong coming in, the Confucian scholar got up, and Mr. Zhuang introduced the two of them, and it was Cheng Mengxing who came.Although he is just an example, he does not have any restraint in entering and leaving the Cao Mansion, and he is neither humble nor overbearing in his speech, which is quite the demeanor of everyone.

When the two met, Cao Yong smiled and asked Cheng Mengxing to sit down, and he followed Mr. Zhuang's instructions to look at the garden drawings on the table.

Although it is just a simple sketch, it can be seen that the layout is not bad, with both the atmosphere of northern gardens and the exquisiteness of southern gardens.The most important thing is that the design from the main courtyard to the auxiliary courtyard to the garden all reveals a comfortable and leisurely charm.Compared with the ease and grace of this design, Zhuangzi in Changping looks like a nouveau riche.

Cao Yong was very satisfied in his heart, and he was busy and thanked him.

Cheng Mengxing said a few words humbly, and explained the arrangement of flowers and plants to Cao Yong one by one according to the drawings.Cao Yong was secretly convinced that the literati at this time should not be underestimated, and there are many people who have ups and downs in their hearts.

After the explanation, Cheng Mengxing's enthusiasm for Xiu Yuanzi was stronger than that of Cao Yong, the righteous master. Finally, he clasped his fists to Cao Yong with a little hope and said, "Mr. Cao, I have another unfeeling request!"

"Brother Cheng, you're being polite. If there's anything I can do, please just ask!" Cao Yong said with a smile.

Cheng Mengxing caressed the blueprint, with a bit of reluctance, and then said: "To tell you the truth, Mr. Cao, this garden was originally drawn for myself in my spare time. The construction has not started so far due to the delay. I have not seen the site of your mansion, the surrounding scenery, and the location of the various house foundations. If you want to build a garden according to the picture, I am afraid that there will be some imperfections. If you allow me, can I see it? The garden site can also be corrected and perfected to reduce defects.”

"This is not troublesome, Cao Yong is just wishing for it. I heard that Mr. Cheng said his name earlier. If Brother Cheng doesn't dislike it, we should have more contacts!" Cao Yong can understand his thoughts. In his eyes, he is afraid that this blueprint will be the same Like my own child, I am afraid that there is a little imperfection.

It's getting late, it's time for dinner.Although Cao Yong and Mr. Zhuang asked to stay, Cheng Mengxing still politely left and made an appointment to come back next time.

*
February [-]th, Cao Mansion.

When he came back from the outside, Cao Yong was told by the servants that Bao Gege from Pingjun Wangfu was coming, accompanied by the second master and Zijing girl in the hall.

Cao Yong walked all the way to the front hall. As soon as he reached the door, he heard Bao Ya's clear voice coming from the hall: "Why hasn't your brother come back? I've been waiting for him for a long time!"

Then, it was Cao Song's loud voice: "My brother is busy every day, how can you be so leisurely like Gege!"

Cao Yong smiled, the last time I saw Bao Ya was at the banquet in Pingjun Wangfu on the Shangyuan Festival, and I haven't heard her crisp little movement for almost a month.

Just as Bao Ya was waiting to retort, she suddenly saw Cao Yong walking in with a smile, so she forgot to quarrel with Cao Song, jumped off the chair, came to Cao Yong's side, and looked him up and down: "It's said that people celebrate happy events. Refreshing', it's true!"

Cao Yong was used to being teased by her, so he was not annoyed, and asked with a smile, "What's the matter with Ge Ge after you've made Ge Ge wait for a long time?"

Baoya still tilted her head and said with a smile: "Did you see Da Gege's purse? Don't you thank me? It's not because I've been coaxing you. How could you get it so quickly!"

Cao Song went in without knowing it, and asked curiously, "What purse?"

Cao Yong's old face turned slightly red, he continued to talk about this in front of Cao Song and Zijing reluctantly, and quickly changed the subject: "What's the matter with Gege? Don't delay Gege's serious business!"

Seeing that he was impatient to say this, Baoya stopped teasing: "It's nothing serious. The [-]th of this month is Sister Yongjia's birthday. I want to celebrate her birthday in advance. Are you and Cao Song coming?"

Cao Song obviously heard what she said just now, and now he is looking at his brother.

Cao Yong was taken aback for a moment: "This...Wanyan Mansion is still in the filial piety period..."

Baoya nodded: "I know that, Sister Yongjia doesn't know how to celebrate her own birthday. I didn't plan to do this at first, but I went to see her a while ago and saw that she was a little less energetic. I think It's because of the mourning, and I can't play around in the first month, and I'm bored at home. So I want to give her a birthday, so that she can have fun. Of course, I can't open a new restaurant in Wanyan Mansion, Xuanwumen, I heard it’s good, and I’ve already reserved a table there.”

Cao Yong nodded and asked, "I don't know which day Gege chose?"

Baoya replied, "Fifteen."

Cao Yong remembered that the appointment of Tanzhe Temple in the sixteenth elder brother's mouth was just on the fifteenth day, so he said, "I have some common affairs that day. I really don't have time. I'm afraid I won't be able to make it through." Seeing Cao Song's face collapsed, he said: " The second brother took a few days off in the twelfth lunar month and the first month, so it’s not easy to ask for it again this month, after school is over, I’ll go eat at the bar!"

Cao Song let himself go, his face was happy at first, then he seemed to think of something, and frowned again: "If you don't go, I won't go either!"

Bao Ya pursed her lips and said: "I didn't find too many people, I just thought that the table between us would be lively and lively. If you don't go, I'm afraid you won't be able to support it!"

Cao Song muttered: "If you don't go, why should I go drink with you women?!"

Bao Ya's eyes widened: "This is new, you never drank with us? Last year when the third sister was here, you still drank with us every day?!"

Cao Song blushed and said, "That was then... now... now..."

Cao Yong saw that these two people still quarreled as soon as they met, so he interrupted: "It's not that I don't want to give Gege face, it's really something, I made an appointment with someone a long time ago. It is necessary to trouble Gege to bring me a congratulatory gift. "

Bao Ya gave Cao Song a white look: "Hmph, it's fine if you don't go, who cares about you! I'll go find the brothers and sisters of the Tong family!" Then he asked Cao Yong, "What gift?"

For a while, Cao Yong was not prepared, so he had to look at Amethyst.Seeing Zijing nodded slightly, Cao Yong pleaded guilty to Baoya and left the front hall with Zijing.

Amethyst said in a low voice: "Master, there are two sets of sweet white glazed teacups with dark patterns at home for the ceremony. A set of chrysanthemums was liked by Miss Biao at that time, so she took it to the palace; there is another set in Curry. A set of camellias. The servant brought the uncle to have a look?"

Zijing manages all the ceremonies in Cao's house, since she said so, it must be appropriate.Cao Yong nodded: "I don't need to look at it, it's just this set! Wrap it more beautifully, write a note, and let Baoya take it later!"

Zijing went to the storehouse to get the set of teacups, and Cao Yong went back to the hall to chat with Baoya.

Baoya waited enthusiastically for a long time, but Cao Yong and Cao Song didn't make an appointment. They felt very disappointed and didn't like to stay there anymore.After a while, seeing Zijing brought the packaged congratulatory gift, she got up and said goodbye.

*
In the Earl's Mansion of Bravery, Yi lives quietly.

With a candied fruit in her mouth, Baoya persuaded Yongjia in a vague voice: "My good sister, you can go! See you stay at home, the color is not good! You should go out and walk around more, we last autumn What a great time!"

Yongjia laughed and said: "You just think that everyone loves to play around like you? I appreciate Ge Ge's kindness, but I am not feeling well, probably because of spring sleepiness. I am so tired that I really can't play."

Bao Ya frowned, and muttered: "The seats are all set, and people have told you..."

Yong Jia hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Who did Ge Ge invite?"

Baoya said: "They are not outsiders either. Sister Yierha, Sister Qilin, and Tong's brother and sister, and then the two of us and your second brother Yongsheng. Originally they were also called Cao's brothers, but they couldn't do it if they had something to do." go."

After hearing this, Yongjia lowered his eyelids: "Since Gege has made an appointment with them, I should go. Thank you Gege for your trouble!"

Hearing this, Bao Ya became happy, counted the favorite dishes of everyone, and talked about the signature dishes of that restaurant, and got up to leave just before dinner.

As soon as she jumped off the kang, the big servant girl Lingque came over and asked in a low voice: "Gege, did you forget the gift that Uncle Cao asked us to give?"

Baoya patted his leg: "Oh, that's not it! Take it quickly." He smiled at Yongjia and said, "Because I didn't bring my gift today, I forgot the gift I brought too! This is Cao Yong's." , Can you say you can’t come, and asked me to bring it. My gift, I will give it to my sister later.” While speaking, Lingque took a crab shell green bundle and put it on the kang table in front of Yongjia.

Yongjia smiled faintly: "I'll let you bother, I'll thank Gege in advance. Gege will meet the eldest son of the Cao family some other day, please thank him for the gift on my behalf!"

Bao Ya smiled and said that her sister had met someone else, and then said goodbye and left.

Because when it was time to set the meal, Yongjia's big maid seemed to see that the master was sitting in front of the kang table, not knowing what he was thinking, and without moving the burden, she came over and said, "Miss, do you want to let the meal be set? This thing..."

Yongjia let out a "hmm", and then reached out to open the package, and there were four teacups that were as white as fat and as soft as jade lying quietly in the sandalwood box.She casually picked up one.The setting sun came in from the window and fell on her face, hands, and the teacup.When the light flows, the dark lines of the cup body appear, it is a blooming camellia, lifelike.

Yongjia looked at it for a while, put it back, covered the box and rewrapped it, and said to Ruyi, "Put it away!"

Ruyi saw that the set of teacups was exquisite, and it was the simple and elegant style that the girl liked. She thought it would be used frequently, and after taking it, she sent it to the carved cabinet for the girls' usual things, but she heard Yongjia's flat voice. A voice came from behind: "Keep it in that black lacquered box in Westinghouse!"

Ruyi paused, it was a box for things that were not used for a long time.She turned her head and glanced at the girl quietly, seeing that the girl was reading the book with nothing unusual on her face, then she picked up her bag and went to the West Room, and asked Chuanfan to come in again.

*
The next day, there was only one day left for the female relatives of the Prince Chun's Mansion to offer incense.After class in the study room, Elder Sixteen dragged him to Elder Brother's office, where he gave advice on how to dress, and said that Cao Yong's usual clothes were too simple and elegant, so he asked him to tidy up decently, comment on all the clothes, belts, and boots Over and over, even with what purse said.Cao Yong didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but seeing that he was very enthusiastic and unwilling to spoil his interest, he had to write them down one by one.

Cao Yong also felt like he was dating his girlfriend for the first time in his previous life, and he felt a little nervous in his excitement.Although she wouldn't rummage through her closet like a woman goes on a date, she also specially asked Zijing to find a set of spring clothes that were just made.However, the heaven failed to fulfill the wishes of the people, and the imperial decree arrived.

This time it was Kangxi's oral order, and it was delivered by Nalan Fusen, the second-class bodyguard in front of the imperial court.

Cao Yin was ill, and Kangxi ordered Cao Yong to return to Jiangning to serve his relatives and deliver medicine quickly.

(End of this chapter)