Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 402
In a blink of an eye, it's April, and the weather is getting hotter.

Because the pox did not spread in the city, the door of Cao's mansion was sealed. Cao Yong also thought about waiting two more days to see if the ban was lifted.

Because Cao Song lived in the front yard and no one was in charge, he began to like to run around Bird City.Because I have inquired about Jinghui in the past few months, I know that she is kind, and every [-]th day of the Lunar New Year's day when I pray to Buddha, I have to use myself to buy some fish and birds to release them.

Cao Song couldn't see her, so he wondered if he should discuss with his brother and sister-in-law, and find a reason to send Jinghui a few cages of birds.

There are several bird markets in the capital, and raising birds and listening to music is one of the hobbies of bannermen.But some songbirds, though good in volume, don't look good in coat color.

Cao Song has a somewhat childlike heart, and he is thinking about giving Jinghui away. He only looks at the color of the feathers, and buys them when he catches his eye.

Because some of his private houses are kept by Yulong, and his hands are not tight, so he will go around if he has nothing to do.

Cao Yong got the letter and knew that Xiao Er had bought a bird. He went to the guest room to have a look and cleaned several bird cages.

In this capital city, there are many people carrying cages and birds, and Cao Yong saw many of them.

Like Prince Baylor's mansion, most of them are raised hawks for hunting.Ordinary banner people, when it comes to raising birds, divide them into civil and military affairs. For example, those who are responsible for writing errands such as pen posting, dialing Shiku, etc., all carry lark cages;

The birds Cao Song bought back were larks, thrushes, parrots, and white sparrows.

Cao Yong's face was a little ugly.

He doesn't like the habit of Baqizi carrying cages and birds at all, and he doesn't want his younger brother to play with things and lose his ambition.

There is less than half a year left before the imperial examination period, Cao Song is already 20 years old, and he started to play this again, why not let Cao Yong down?
Ever since Cao Song went to a brothel for the first time, Cao Yong had warned him, "eating, drinking, whoring, gambling, gambling, cheating and stealing" can only be one of the ten, and that is "eating".

It's not to encourage my younger brother to eat and be lazy, to eat better, it's okay to pay attention to appetite, and it's not a sin to influence people like them to be picky eaters.Rather, other vices are undesirable.If other things are stained, it is a matter of character, which is really harmful to others and oneself.

Cao Song has always been obedient, and he also knows that his brother is doing it for his own good, so he keeps it in mind.Even the brothel flower shop, he only entered it once when he was a boy chicken.Then he had Yulong and knew about the affairs of the house, so he lost the curiosity he had before.

Just because he saved his younger brother from knowing how to measure, Cao Yong didn't hold him too tight.After all, at the age of 20, at this time, in other people's families, it is already the age to get married and have children, and work as a servant.

Unexpectedly, without seeing it, this kid started playing with birds again!

Cao Song didn't see the change in his brother's face, and pointed to the caged birds beside him, saying which color looks good and which one can call what sound.After speaking, his volume became smaller and smaller, and his head almost reached the front of his front.

How could Cao Yong be in the mood to listen to him talk about the bird classics? He frowned and asked, "What's the matter, you didn't go out to visit friends or relatives, but to study this bird?"

Cao Song listened and was about to nod his head when he noticed that his brother's tone was not friendly, so he quickly shook his head and said, "No, it's just these few days! Brother, do you think these caged birds look good?"

Cao Yong saw that his face turned white and red for a while, and his expression was quite strange, so he said: "It doesn't matter if it looks good or not, this bird... you want to give this bird away?"

Cao Song scratched his head, smiled "hehe" and nodded.

Although it is said that "a fair lady and a gentleman are good", Cao Yong still disagrees with his behavior.

He called Cao Song to sit down and asked, "Look at your posture, have you identified Jinghui?"

Cao Song blushed and nodded vigorously.

Seeing that his eyes were full of expectations, Cao Yong didn't want to pour cold water on him, but he had to say something.

"How can the world be as you wish? It's not that you say you're sure, and things are settled! Have you ever thought about it, if Dong E's family disagrees with this marriage, what will you do? If your mother doesn't let go and hire someone else for you, you What should you do? If Jinghui comes in and your mother doesn't like it, what should you do?"

After hearing this, Cao Song stopped smiling, clenched his fists tightly, gritted his teeth and lowered his head. After a long while, he said: "I am lucky if I get it; I will die if I lose it. It is about living and having children. If there is no She, which one is not the same. If God has eyes and makes my brother's wish come true, he will naturally protect her well. My brother taught me that, as a man, if he can't even protect his own woman well, then what kind of man is he!"

Cao Yong laughed angrily at his words, pointed to those bird cages, and said: "Since you accept your fate, why do you clean them up? If you don't do serious homework, and you don't show your fame, you just count on the title and money to support your wife? You just How tall are you? You are a son, an elder brother, you must be filial to your parents, and you must teach your younger brothers and sisters, what have you done?"

The more Cao Yong said, the more annoyed he became: "You protect Jinghui comprehensively, how can you protect? This is to learn from others, marry a daughter-in-law and forget your mother, and disobey your mother? She is your biological mother, but if you can take some responsibility on weekdays, Will she treat those in your house like this? Or do you think the girl is not serious and not worth taking to heart!"

Cao Song was stunned to hear this blatant reprimand.Although he felt ashamed when he heard all sorts of things, he was confused and asked in a murmur, "My brother wants my younger brother to be filial and not disobedient to my mother, but also wants my younger brother to be responsible. How should I do this?"

Before Cao Yong answered, he heard footsteps outside, but no one entered the house for a long time.

It wasn't until the voice of Yulong greeting Cao Shuo that he knew it was Cao Shuo.

Both Cao Shuo and Cao Song lived in the guest house, because he wanted to study, so the East Wing was cleaned up and used as his study.Therefore, when Cao Yong entered the upper room just now, he did not know.

When the servant girl delivered the tea, he mentioned that he saw the uncle coming, so he went up to the room to say hello.But when he walked into the courtyard and heard the movement in the upper room, he felt that something was wrong, so he hesitated, not knowing whether he should go in or not.After being seen by Yulong, he bit the bullet and entered the house.

Cao Shuo's face was much ruddy, not as pale as it was a few days ago, but he felt very guilty when he saw Cao Yong, because Cao Yong had mentioned this younger brother once a few days ago.

Seeing Cao Shuo's uncomfortable appearance, Cao Yong suddenly felt powerless.Although they are both cousins, Cao Shuo and Cao Song are still different.Cao Song grew up by Cao Yong's side, and the two had the deepest affection, and they didn't have any scruples about speaking.

These little ones only have respect for him, but they don't get close to him at all.He thought about it several times, thinking not to hurt the little brother's self-esteem, so he tactfully persuaded him once.Obedient or not, it's not easy to say now, but Cao Shuo played like a cat-and-mouse when he saw him again, which was awkward.

Cao Yong had to stare at the situation of the government and the opposition all day long, and also deal with various personnel frictions in the Yamen.Do you still want to stare at these small waistbands like an old hen?

No matter how good your temper is, you can't stand this kind of trouble.

Today is just right, since Cao Shuo is also here, it is necessary to have a good talk.

Cao Yong looked at the two younger brothers and said: "My brother has never asked you anything, as long as you are a clean man. Even if you are doing learning and seeking fame, you don't talk about you all day long, making you a burden. I It's my brother, I will take care of the place I can take care of. But you are not only younger brothers, one is twenty, one is sixteen, you are all young men! What is going on outside, my brother can't control it, but this mansion wants to make a safe life Peaceful days. Today, I put this sentence here, and you two brothers must remember it in your heart!"

Hearing what he said, Cao Song and Cao Shuo got up from their chairs and stood up.

"If you want to fight against the outside world, you must first settle down inside. If you don't clean up a room, how can you sweep up the world! The second wife is your biological mother, and you sons of her nature know better than me, a nephew. Let me tell you a word here, If you messed up the house because of your bad belts, then it’s fine, just send them to Qili as a soldier, and everyone will be clean!” Cao Yong also stood up, looked at the two of them and said.

Both Cao Song and Cao Shuo blushed and were speechless.

Cao Yong didn't respond, just looked at the two little brothers like this.

After a long while, Cao Songfang lowered his head and said, "Brother, I know I was wrong, from now on... from now on... Jinghui's side... I..."

He wanted to say that he stopped talking, but he only felt a pain in his chest, so he couldn't say it.

Cao Yong heard the meaning of his words, glared at him, and said: "What do you know? Although I scolded you for being indiscreet, I didn't intend to stop your marriage. If you really can save yourself, you won't You should work hard on these birds! If you really want to seek marriage by yourself, the second wife, whether you coax, lie, beg, or cry, always make her let go. That's what you do. There are a few parents in the world who don't love their sons, even if you can't ask for it in the end, you don't need to regret it."

Cao Song raised his head, his eyes sparkled, and there was a little hope on his face.

This little duo is not stupid, it's just that sometimes their brains don't turn around.Cao Yong sighed in his heart and turned to look at Cao Shuo.

Although Cao Yong didn't speak any more, Cao Shuo also knew that his cousin wanted to express his opinion.His face has returned to calm, and he replied neither humble nor overbearing: "Tian Xiang is my younger brother's roommate, and my younger brother asked her to serve me. If my mother punishes me, my younger brother will naturally accept the punishment!"

Although his voice was not loud, his tone was very firm, and it seemed that he didn't make a hasty idea.

Cao Yong nodded, patted Cao Shuo on the shoulder, and said: "Okay, okay, if you can say this, it means that you are not a child, but a real man! You don't have to feel embarrassed when you see my brother in the future." , brother will always nag you?"

The two brothers compared each other and stood up.Apart from being thicker, Cao Song is no more stable than Cao Shuo.

After hearing what his younger brother said, Cao Song was full of shame, drooped his head, and stopped talking.

After all, it was in front of Cao Shuo, Cao Yong didn't want to put his face down too much, and said: "It's already April, and there may be no news of pox in the city for a long time. You ask people to clean up and go back Make your own yard!"

Both Cao Song and Cao Shuo agreed, Cao Yong came out from the guest room and returned to the study, feeling a little dazed.

He is really just a big lazy man, why are there more and more things happening now, and the burden on his body is getting heavier and heavier, so that he has no free time all day long.

Could it be that he really wants to "go up to the court and enter the hall", grasp all these big and small things, and keep his eyes open?

When is a day like this a boss?
He lay down on the kang, staring at the beam in a daze.Xiyan and Xicai packed their belongings and waited for Cao Yong to speak.

Seeing that Cao Yong didn't respond, Xiyan stepped forward and asked, "Erfu, didn't you say you want to go back to our yard? The slaves are all packed, today..."

Cao Yong rubbed his temples, thinking about Chuyu who hadn't seen him for half a month, he felt soft in his heart, sat up and said, "Go, I'll go back now!"

Xiyan has the liveliest personality, she couldn't help laughing out loud when she heard this, and said: "That's great, the slaves miss Gege and Xiyun so much!" After saying that, she went to carry Cao Yong's luggage.

Even the mattress and quilt were quite a big bag, Cao Yong stood up, waved to her and said: "You two take the small one, I will hug the big one!"

Xiyan didn't let go, and it seemed strenuous to hold her.

It's not easy for Cao Yong to snatch it from her, so Xicai said: "In broad daylight, my son-in-law made this, and let the servants see it, just as the servants took Joe. Let's go first, son-in-law, and send them away later. Ladies, just carry it in!" Then he said angrily, "I didn't let go, I fell to the ground and scattered it. I know you've been working hard in the front yard these days, so you don't have to show it to everyone!"

Xiyan laughed at what she said, and finally let go of her hand, and changed to a small bag to hold it.

The three masters and servants entered the second gate together and returned to Wutong Garden...
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PS: Paishiku: Qing Dynasty official name, Manchu, Chinese called Lingjian, managing documents, salaries and general affairs in Zuoling.

(End of this chapter)