Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 452
After Cao Song and Jing Hui's marriage was settled, so was the small deal at the Minister's Mansion. Zhao Jia's wish was half fulfilled, and she laughed from ear to ear all day long.

Tianhui's [-]-day banquet has also passed, and they are all close relatives who usually travel to and from several houses, and they don't invite many outside guests.A lot of gifts of various colors were received, and Cao Yong and Chu Yu received them one by one.

Husband and wife, the greatest joy now is to pack things and prepare a dowry for their daughter.It may be too early to say this, but no matter what good things they see, the two of them will think about leaving this to Tianhui and that to Tianhui.

As for the eldest son Tianyou and the adopted son Hang Seng, the husband and wife did not think about buying property for the two sons.I always feel that a man should stand upright and make a good appearance by himself.

Daughters are different, daughters are for pain.

The fourth sister, the fifth, and Niuniu all ran around the yard, and often came to see the "little niece".Brothers Zuo Cheng and Zuo Zhu are three years old, and Hang Sheng is two years old. When they are free, they put a few boys on the kang, and the kang is full of rolls.

Hang Seng Xu is Mongolian, he looks bigger than children of the same age, and is almost as tall as Zuo Cheng and Zuo Zhu brothers. At first glance, he looks like three brothers.

The old censor Zhang next door has returned to his hometown. When Zhao Jia heard that Cao Yong bought a house for his younger brothers to use as a wedding room, he was very grateful.Although it is said that the kitchens are divided now, they live in the same mansion after all, and some small frictions are inevitable.

In the future, if they live with a wall, as in Jiangning's old practice, it will be cheaper.

The east courtyard needs to be repaired. Taking advantage of the cold weather in September, the head housekeeper Cao Zhong has already ordered people to start work there.

The happy events in Cao's mansion happened one after another.

In the last forty chapters of "A Dream of Red Mansions", Jia Baoyu got lost after passing the provincial examination. Mingyan was ecstatic when she knew that her young master had won the No. 7 Juren.He thought that the second master Bao would not be able to lose it, because isn't there a saying that "become famous in one fell swoop and the world knows it"?Thinking that since the second master Bao is a juren, he can't lose it anyway, and he can send back everything he encounters.

Although Cao Shuo and Cao Xiang brothers did not win the exam, they are the two most popular scholars in the Shuntianfu Township Examination.

Although both of them are unknown on the list, Cao Xiang's "filial piety" act of withdrawing from the exam to take care of his elder brother was praised by Xu Rixuan, the chief examiner of Guozijian Jijiu.

Cao Xiang was young and good in character and learning, which moved Xu Rixuan's love for talents.After the provincial examination, he submitted a letter of recommendation to the Imperial College, recommending Cao Xiang to the Imperial College as a supervisor.

Guozijian is also called "Taixue", and Guozijian students are also called Taixue.After completing three or five years of study here, you can be directly awarded an official, or you can take the capital examination together with your son.

It can be said that Cao Xiang's entry into school is half a foot into the official career.

Although Xu Rixuan said that he loved talents, but because he was born as a censor, he had a bit of character, and he didn't want to be misunderstood as currying favor with the powerful.Therefore, he did not notify the Cao Mansion of the matter before the admission procedures for the Guozijian were completed.

When Cao Yong got the news, the formalities over there were already complete, and he was waiting for Cao Xiang to enter school.

For such a high righteousness and kindness, Cao Yong naturally had to bring Cao Xiang to the door to thank him in person.

Xu Rixuan's official position is from the fourth rank, which is two ranks lower than Cao Yong's rank, so although he is a little alienated, he still treats him with courtesy.He praised Cao Xiang, a student personally recommended by him, and was very satisfied.

Because the list of the township examination was announced, all the new candidates on the list came to Xu Zhai to thank their mentors together, so Cao Yong and Cao Xiang did not delay much, and after talking for a while, they took their leave first.

Cao Song and Cao Shuo's marriage is already in preparation, and Cao Xiang will be admitted to the Imperial Academy soon, which is really a happy couplet.

Cao Yong was also in a good mood, and said to Cao Xiang: "These days you have a list of books you want to buy, make a list, and ask someone to buy them before entering school. The same is true for pens, inks, papers and inkstones. Write down everything you want."

Cao Xiang rode on the horse, looked back at the endless stream of new recruits in the direction of Xu's house, and said to Cao Yong with some hesitation: "Brother, what should I do with the third brother? How about asking the teacher to write another recommendation for the third brother?" Zhezi, it's really not good, should our family go to Mengjian?"

Cao Yong said: "Your third brother is different from you. These days, I have also seen that although he is safe in his actions, he has made slow progress in learning. He is really not suitable for learning. Go to the Eight Banners first. It may be cheaper to go to school and stay for two years to make up a pen post."

After Cao Xiang heard this, he felt relieved, and said with some gratitude: "I have to bother you!"

Seeing him like this, Cao Yong smiled and said: "What are you talking about? In the future, your task is to study hard. Let's not mention those who failed the exam. If you have knowledge in your belly, in this world, even if you don't have a family Yin, after all, there is something to rely on."

"Yes!" Cao Xianggong agreed.

When I got to the gate of Cao's mansion, I heard that the housekeeper Cao Zhongdao had a letter from the master, and sent it to the study.Cao Yong sent his younger brother back to the inner courtyard first, and went to the study by himself.

When the family letter is opened, looking up is just a trivial matter for Jiang Ning.

It's nothing more than that Li's health has been fine recently, Tianyou's teeth have grown sixteen, Xiao Wu'er's poetry knowledge has improved, and he composed a tune, and so on.

Cao Yong read it with gusto, as if there were scenes of parents and relatives in front of him.Thinking of his son, he felt a little ashamed in his heart, Tianyou was already on his second birthday, but he didn't know what his son looked like now.

In his heart, Tianyou was still that fat boy who just knew how to sit and crawl.

At the end, when Cao Yin wrote the words "I have handed in the old book, I want to return to Beijing", Cao Yong jumped up and got up from the chair.

Although the man did not flick his tears lightly, Cao Yong's chest was hot but his eyes were wet when he saw these words.

Over the years, he has thought of many ways, hoping that the Cao family can escape from Jiangnan and reunite with the family.However, first of all, Cao Yin couldn't get through that pass.

Whether he was afraid of violating the emperor's taboo or being selfless, loyal to the emperor and patriotic, Cao Yong could not persuade Cao Yin to leave Jiangnan.

Now, quietly, Cao Yin changed his mind.

Cao Yong remembered that when he visited his sister in Pingjun Wangfu in August, he heard her mention that his father asked about his granddaughter's eye disease in his family letter.

Presumably Cao Yin was worried about the capital, so he finally let go of his worries and sought to return to the capital.

With the moment of hope, Cao Yong can not help but worry about gains and losses.What if Kangxi was too "compassionate" and was not allowed to "retire the old man"?

I remember what I knew in my previous life that Kangxi let three generations and four members of the Cao family be re-elected to weave. The former ones are of course the favor of the Cao family, but when it comes to Cao Xi’s grandchildren later, they are "rewards" and do not want the Cao family to lose their home due to relocation. capital.

This reason sounds very humane, but the result is just the opposite.

Jiangning weaving is a fat shortage, and the new emperor ascends the throne, naturally he wants to reward his direct descendants, this is "one emperor and one courtier".

As a result, after the Cao family became prominent for four generations, they ransacked their homes twice, and their descendants were impoverished.

Since Cao Yin already had this idea, it's fine, if it doesn't work once, then think of other ways.Thinking of these, Cao Yong is full of expectations.

A family reunion, coaxing parents, educating sons, is not in vain to be a son and a father.

Cao Yong read the family letter carefully again, and made sure that he was not delusional, so he stood up and wanted to go back to the inner house to tell Chu Yu the good news.

As soon as he left the study, Cao Yong saw Mr. Zhuang hurrying back from the outside, accompanied by Pingjun Wang Naersu.

Although the two were somewhat eager, their faces were full of joy.

Seeing Cao Yong, Na Ersu smiled and said: "Brother Yong, I am overjoyed, my father-in-law is going to Beijing!"

Cao Yong looked at the family letter in his hand and asked: "Brother-in-law also received a letter from my father today?"

"Father-in-law's letter?" Naersu was a little surprised, and said: "The Ministry of Officials only drafted the decree today, how did the father-in-law know about it? Is this an early news?"

"Officials?" Cao Yong couldn't help opening his eyes wide when he heard the words, and asked anxiously: "Is there an order from my father?"

Naersu nodded, and said with a smile: "Exactly, being promoted to the left servant of the Ministry of Rites is both decent and easy, and it is a good job for honor. Although the weaving shortage has not been filled yet, I think I will be able to go to Beijing in the next year."

Mr. Zhuang also smiled and said: "Four joys come to the door, today we should set off firecrackers to congratulate."

History changed again, Cao Yong only felt his nose was astringent, but his heart was filled with unspeakable joy, and he called out to people loudly, saying: "Prepare for the firecrackers, set off tens of thousands of rings, so that you can listen to the movement!" Send a message to the second gate to prepare wine and dishes, and to stay in Naersu for wine.

Na Ersu waved his hand and said: "As soon as I got the letter, I came here, and I haven't returned to the palace yet. I'll drink it another day, and I have to go back quickly today, talk to your sister, and make her happy. "

Cao Yong only felt that his heart was blocked, and he was extremely happy, with a bit of indescribable sentimentality.

After hearing what Naersu said, Cao Yong didn't stay much and sent him out of the house in person.

Outside the gate, the concierge boys had already taken firecrackers from the warehouse and set them up cracklingly.

Several strings of firecrackers rang together, which was really deafening.

After a short time, the front of the gate was gradually filled with gunpowder smoke, and the red gun casings were scattered all over the ground.Cao Yong looked at everything in front of him, and the scenes in his mind were all after Kangxi went to Beijing in 48 years.

Whether it is the responsibility of the eldest son or the independence of the time-traveling people, Cao Yong can only take care of whatever happens to him over the years.

In the silence of midnight, Cao Yong would also ask himself, why did he come here when he was so troubled?
But I don't know whether it's because I want to live a comfortable life, or because I want to take care of someone who can take care of me.

No one is a Buddha, even selfishness exists.That is to want to be calm, to live with nothing owed, and to have peace of mind.

In this world, the most difficult thing to repay is the kindness of parents.

Listening to the thundering sound of firecrackers, at this moment, Cao Yong suddenly found that even if his parents were old and not enough to protect him, they still made people dependent and dispelled the lingering loneliness ...

*
Indus Court, the upper room.

Chu Yu sat on the edge of the Kang, rocking the cart leisurely.Xiyun and Xicai were sitting on the twig next to the kang and playing netting.

Chu Yu watched the two people's fingers flying, but what she thought about in her heart was the matter of Xiyun and Xicai.Of the eight maids who were dowry at the beginning, four are working in this yard now.

Xiyan and Xixia are one year younger than Chuyu, they are eighteen this year.Xiyun and Xicai, one is two years older than Chuyu, the other is one year older than Chuyu, they are both over twenty now, they should be the age to be released.

Both of them served Chu Yu from a young age, and the relationship between master and servant was very deep, so Chu Yu couldn't bear them to leave the house.

Thinking of this, Chu Yu wondered if she should ask these two people if there is someone they like.If not, just look at the couple who should be married in the front yard, and see if you can pick out a match.

The sound of firecrackers could be faintly transmitted to the inner courtyard, my lord is fine, there is not much movement, so I don't really care about it.But the child didn't move, and Tianhui couldn't help crying "wow".

Chu Yu quickly hugged her daughter in her arms and gently coaxed her.Xiyun and Xicai also put down their work, a bit confused.

It's not a year or a festival, and it's not the time to get married and become a Jinshi, so why are there so many firecrackers?
*
Songyuan, the study room.

Cao Shuo's illness has recovered, and he is reading in the study.Hearing Cao Xiang's "pen post-style" words, Cao Shuo put the book in his hand down, with a bit of surprise on his face, and said, "Really? Brother really said it, don't you urge me to take the Juren examination?"

Cao Xiang nodded and said with a smile: "The eldest brother just said it himself, how could my younger brother be fooled by the third brother? It's just that the third brother is still young, so he should adjust his breath for a few months first, and then go to the Eight Banners Academy for two years in the next year, and then make up for it. Go on an errand and go on an errand."

Cao Shuo was very pleasantly surprised when he heard this, and said loudly: "Add fragrance, add fragrance, add fragrance!"

Following the sound of the answer, a tall maidservant came in. Cao Xiang stooped to see her first, and then asked, "Third Lord, what's the matter in such a hurry?"

Cao Shuo pointed to the books on the desk, and said, "Hurry up and take them away, lock them in a box, all..." He wanted to say "Throw them all away", but he thought that he would still study the Four Books and Five Classics when he entered school next year. This set, he said: "Move it far away, don't let me see it, I smell the ink in this book and I feel sick..."

(End of this chapter)