Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 48 Chess Game
Inside Xinjiekou, the Palace of the Earl of Bravery.

The mourning hall of the old uncle was set up in the mourning shed in the front yard of the Earl's Mansion. It was supposed to stay for 49 days, but because of the hot weather, it had to stop for 21 days.In the mourning shed, there are nanmu coffins that are as tall as one person.In front of the coffin were all kinds of melon and fruit offerings, and Yongqing led several cousins ​​to kneel and watch in return.On the left and right sides, there are seven or seven 49 monks and Taoist priests doing Buddhist rituals, and the sound of wooden fish and chanting scriptures in the courtyard are mixed together.

Cao Yong and Ma Jun arranged for the long attendants to offer sacrifices, and then they burned incense before the spirit.

Yongqing's expression was slightly haggard, his eyes were bloodshot, and when he saw two friends coming, he stood up to greet them.

Cao Yong and Ma Jun inevitably gave a few words of comfort. The old man died at seventy.

Yongqing nodded in response, but his expression couldn't hide his pain.Cao Yong thought of himself three years ago, the pain of bereavement could be alleviated by comfort, so he didn't say more.

Ma Jun saw that it was Yongsheng who was picking up relatives and friends behind Wan Jiha just now, thinking about Yongqing's future situation, even though his parents were concerned about his daughter-in-law's favor, it was still inevitable to be biased.

The three friends are relatively silent.Brothers Wan Jiha and Luocha respectfully welcomed the two young people in. The one in front was 26 or seven years old, with phoenix eyes, thin lips, and a half-smile; , the appearance is somewhat similar to the person in front, the difference is that the corners of the eyes are slightly lowered, the facial features are more prominent, and there is a chilling air in every gesture.

Wan Jiha is the Earl, already a super-rank; Luo Cha is the second-rank servant, the two can treat each other like this, the answer is ready to come out.

When Ma Jun saw the person coming, he lowered his head and said to Cao Yong, "It's Brother Nine and Brother Fourteen who have arrived!"

The ninth elder brother Yinzhen (tang), born in the 22nd year of Kangxi, is 26 years old this year, and his biological mother, Yifei Guo Luoluo, was named Beizi just last month.Concubine Yi, one of the four chief concubines in the Kangxi harem, has two elder brothers, the eldest son is the fifth elder brother Yinqi, Prince Heng, and the second son is the ninth elder brother Yinzhen.

The ninth elder brother Yinyu was a well-known "Eight Lord Party" in history, and he was the right-hand man of the eighth elder brother Yinsi (si), so he was hated by Yongzheng, and he ended up miserable after Yongzheng came to power.

The fourteenth elder brother Yinzhen (zhen), born in the 27th year of Kangxi, is 21 years old this year. His biological mother, Concubine De, was also the son of last month.As the fourth elder brother Yinzhen's same mother and younger brother, he is a "Eight Master Party".

Seeing the two of them in "Kowloon Conquering the Inheritance", Cao Yong was very moved. Even if they are fighting for the throne, they must have some technical content, okay?

Four elder brothers gathered under the banner of the "Ba Ye Party", but they didn't even have a single counselor, and they didn't even understand the principle of making a big tree attract the wind.

When Kangxi abolished the crown prince last year, he said something about the officials recommending candidates for the crown prince. As a result, these people rushed to the fire and tricked half of the courtiers to jointly recommend the well-known eighth elder brother.This is simply a provocation to the imperial power, how could Kangxi allow it?The evaluation of "my mother's family is humble, how can I be made a crown prince" shattered the dreams of my brothers.

Last month, Kangxi re-appointed the crown prince, and at the same time entrusted all the adult princes.In addition to the elder brother and the thirteenth elder brother who became sick one after another due to the abolition of the crown prince last year, the third elder brother Yinzhi was named Prince Cheng, the fourth elder brother Yinzhen was named Prince Yong, and the fifth elder brother Yinqi was named Prince Heng. The elder brother Yinyou, the tenth elder brother Yinxuan, I am the king of the county, the ninth elder brother Yinyu, the twelfth elder brother Yinxuan, and the fourteenth elder brother Yinzhen are the beizi.It's just that he doesn't have the share of the well-known eighth elder brother.

Cao Yong made up his mind to stay away from these spoils of the royal family. Even if the ninth elder brother Yinzhen had poached Yutian's two royal chefs and ruined Lin Xiazhai's business, he had nothing to complain about. .

With the two old foxes Cao Yin and Zhuang Chang around, how can people make calculations in vain. If there is no Jiu Age as a cover, making the Cao family look like they are suffering, there will be no defense from Kangxi. Someone might have been involved in the tea garden long ago.It's just that there are some words, just know it in your heart, thinking of Gu Na who is working as an errand in the nine elder brothers' mansion, Cao Yong is a little irritable again.

The two princes came to sacrifice, in addition to the in-law relationship between the fourteenth prince and the Earl's Mansion, it can also reflect the importance that the "Eight Lord Party" attaches to Wanyan's family.

Cao Yong and Ma Jun had retreated to one side, but the two princes still looked at this side after offering incense.Both of their brothers traveled south with them in their early years, but Cao Yong was still a child at that time.The fourteenth elder brother looked arrogant and cold, but the ninth elder brother smiled slightly and walked towards the two of them: "Isn't this the new Jinshi Ma Jun? Why, I didn't show respect when I saw the master, and I want the master to come here in person!" Said, while looking at Cao Yong beside Ma Jun.

Ma Jun looked a little embarrassed, bowed his head and said: "The villain has met the Ninth Master and the Fourteenth Master!"

Ma Jun and Yongqing are good friends, they have been to Fourteenth Prince's mansion and met Ninth Prince.

Standing behind Ma Jun, Cao Yong couldn't avoid it, and he couldn't just bow down to salute like Ma Jun, so he had to follow the banner man's courtesy, flicked his sleeves, and slapped him a thousand times: "Your servant Cao Yong has seen Master Ninth and Master Fourteen, the two masters are auspicious!"

Brother Jiu had a smile on his face: "You are Cao Yong, it's not easy to see you."

The fourteenth elder brother's expression was very ugly: "Cao Yong, I ask you, did you break Guishan's leg on purpose!"

What's the matter, the cousin of the family didn't speak, so why is it your turn?Cao Yong was unworthy in his heart, but he was terrified on the face. He looked at Brother Fourteen with doubts: "Master Fourteen, what do you say?"

Seeing Cao Yong frowning slightly, his face full of fear, the ninth elder brother and the fourteenth elder brother did not speak, Yongqing couldn't stand it anymore, and stepped forward and said: "You two, Cao Yong is still young, and he can't act properly. Zhouquan, please don't blame me, please invite me to drink tea!" After finishing speaking, he said to Cao Yong: "Your body has not recovered yet, you still need to rest well, I won't keep you any longer today!".

Even if Yongqing doesn't say anything, Cao Yong is too lazy to stay.He didn't have the heart to climb the dragon and the phoenix, and he was not interested in being a slave in front of these princes.Due to limited status, there is still a need for obedience on the surface. Cao Yong first bid farewell to the two princes, then Wan Jiha and Luo Cha, and finally the two brothers Yongqing and Yongsheng.

Out of the door of the Earl's Mansion, both Cao Yong and Ma Jun heaved a sigh of relief.Yongqing sent the two of them out, seeing how relieved they were, he couldn't laugh or cry.To be able to talk to the two princes, many people can't get it, but the two in front of them are like cats and dogs.

When he left on horseback, Cao Yong asked Ma Jun, "Can't you offend brother Jiu? Otherwise, why do you look like that?"

Ma Jun shook his head, and said: "My little Jinshi, how dare I offend the prince, it is really kind and majestic, I can hide if I can!"

"Where is this and where, have you accepted Brother Jiu's love?" Cao Yong was a little surprised.

Ma Jun smiled wryly: "It's really a great kindness!"

It turned out that Ma Jun had followed Yongqing to Fourteenth Prince's Mansion before the exam started, and was dragged to join in the fun just as Ninth Prince was entertaining guests at Tao Ranju.I don't want to go and have a look, many candidates from official family backgrounds are present.And among the guests invited by Brother Nine, there happened to be the chief examiner of this subject.According to the taboo, candidates and examiners cannot meet before the exam.However, since it was the prince's treat and they met "unintentionally", everyone naturally didn't care.

Although there are strict rules in the examination room, there is nothing to cheat, but someone like Ma Jun who is admitted to Jinshi has to accept Brother Jiu's favor.

Cao Yong listened, and his heart was clear. These princes were ulterior motives, and they clearly wanted to beat scholars, but they were actually staring at the power of the family behind them.It's just that he is so reckless. Could it be that Emperor Kangxi is really regarded as an old man who is deaf and blind?
Out of Xinjiekou, Cao Yong and Ma Jun waved goodbye.According to the selection rules of the Ministry of History, new scholars like Ma Jun have to wait for the first half of the year before they can find real vacancies.

*
West of the city, Cao Mansion.

When Cao Yong came back on horseback, he saw a Huagai Zhulun carriage parked at the gate.

Hearing the sound of horseshoes, the people inside raised the curtain, revealing a white face: "Cao Yong, you are back, I have been waiting for you for a long time!"

The person who came was Bao Yagege from Pingjun Prince's Mansion, with his face up to the sky, wearing a light blue flag dress, and there was no jewelry on his head or hands.

Because of the beating of Cao Yong, Bao Ya once took the children inlaid with red flags to avenge Cao Yong. Although in the end, under the intervention of King Pingjun, the group fight did not take place, Cao Yong still thanked her with some gratitude. Not as unhappy as before.

"Gege has been to the Earl's House?" Cao Yong asked.

"Yeah!" Baoya nodded: "I went to complain to sister Yongjia. When I came out, I saw you going in through the front door, so I came here and waited for you to return home. I received all the gadgets you gave me. , I’m here to thank you today!”

It turned out that Cao Yong came back from Changping and brought several pairs of hares and hedgehogs.Seeing that the girls in Amethyst liked it, Cao Yong thought of his sister. Pregnant women seemed not suitable for raising these small animals.Thinking of the last time Baoya came forward to complain about his injustice and hadn't thanked him yet, he chose to send it to the little rabbit and the little hedgehog as a thank you gift.

"Come on, just go in, why wait at the door? Go in, I'll play two games with Gege!" Cao Yong saw the little girl looking at him with bright eyes, thinking of Cao Yi in Jiangning, his heart softened, and he said with a smile.

"Well, that's great! Sister Yongjia is keeping her filial piety at home, and now she doesn't even have anyone to play chess with me!" Baoya got off the car happily, without the slightest elegance of a lady, and the two women who followed hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade her: " Pay attention to your manners, Gege, this is not in line with etiquette!"

Bao Ya stared: "Stop rambling, one more thing, I will ask my sister-in-law to fine you two months of silver."

The two women wanted to persuade him again, but felt sorry for Yin Zi, and covered their mouths with ridiculous expressions.

Cao Yong knew what the two mothers-in-law were worried about. Cao's family had no female relatives in Beijing at the moment, and it was indeed unethical for a person like Bao Ya to come to the house as a guest.Cao Yong just looked at the little girl lonely, couldn't bear it for a while, and wanted to play chess with her, but didn't want to have a gossip.So, he led Bao Ya to the living room, and arranged many servant girls to wait inside and outside the house, so he avoided suspicion.

When Baoya saw the chessboard, her expression changed, she was never serious before.

Cao Yong only had a little understanding of qin, chess, calligraphy and painting, and of course he was not her opponent, and was defeated in less than a quarter of an hour.

Baoya couldn't enjoy it to the fullest and begged for another dish.Cao Yong didn't want to lose too badly, so he settled carefully, but he still couldn't change the defeat after all.

Baoya played two rounds, although Cao Yong was not a good opponent, but he was satisfied and went back to the palace with a smile on his face.

(End of this chapter)