Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 639
Capital City, Changchun Garden.

Although Kangxi ordered the suspension of court celebrations and banquets, but the Longevity Festival is the Longevity Festival, which courtier would dare to ignore it?The civil and military men of the Manchu Dynasty all wore boa robes and mended clothes, and went to wait outside the garden early.

University scholars, leading guards, ministers, guards and others followed the emperor to the Empress Dowager Palace to salute.

There is no promotion to the palace, no banquets, and all civil and military officials kneel and kowtow outside the garden.

Although civil and military officials did not have court congratulations, many of the clan and their wives entered the palace to pay their respects to the empress dowager and concubines.

On the dozens of miles of official roads from the capital city to Changchun Garden, vehicles and horses come and go, breaking the usual silence.

Cao Yin followed several officials from the Ministry of Rites, but was summoned.

Kangxi was wearing an auspicious suit, and seemed to be in good spirits.

It turned out that there was an errand down.Kong Yuqi, Duke of Yansheng, went to Beijing to congratulate Wanshou, and Kangxi ordered officials from the Ministry of Rites to prepare a feast.

After explaining the errands, Kangxi left Cao Yin to speak and asked the others to kneel down.

"Go for a walk with me." Kangxi said to Cao Yin after he got off the kang.

With Kangxi in the front and Cao Yin in the back, the two monarchs and ministers left Qingxi Bookstore and strolled to the lakeside.

Under the willow trees by the lake, peonies are planted all over the place, in full bloom, full of prosperity.

Kangxi raised his head, looked at the scenery in front of him, and finally his eyes fell on a willow tree not far away.

That willow tree, I don't know when it was planted, has very thick branches.But half of it is withered, only the side facing the water and facing the sun is blooming with tender green, looking at the infinite love of spring.

Kangxi looked at the old tree, then lowered his head and looked at his left hand.

Although the spring is beautiful, his heart is as bleak as autumn leaves.

I had an illness last winter, which made my right arm stiff and unable to hold a pen with my right hand.These days, he used his left hand to approve the memorials.However, in the past two days, my left hand also started to drop the pen.

Speaking of it, it's really a joke in the world.

Even if you are an emperor, so what if you stand above the nine heavens?Now, I can't even hold a small brush.

Standing behind Kangxi, Cao Yin couldn't hide his worry.Although Kangxi didn't say anything, the frustration he showed made people feel uncomfortable.

It's just that if he doesn't say anything, he can only pretend not to know, this is the duty of a courtier...

*
Cao's house, Dongfu, main house.

Zhao Jia sat cross-legged on the kang, and on the chairs on the ground sat two women in flag dresses.

These two are the housekeepers of the Shi Lang's mansion, and Zhao Jia also knows each other.It was quite a surprise to see them come to the door today.

Although Ruhui is her own niece, she thought that if the young couple hadn't quarreled, she wouldn't have lost her son in middle age.Therefore, Zhao Jia also complained a lot about his niece.

In addition, Ruhui later returned to her natal family with the dowry, which made Zhao Jia even more unhappy.

During this year, she also got angry and never went to the Minister's Mansion.

Now, these two inner stewards are going to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing.

In addition to wanting to take back a pavement where Ruhui married, the Shilang Mansion also made a request, that is, to erase Ruhui's name on Cao Shuo's tombstone.

After listening to the previous words, although Zhao Jia was angry, he could still bear it; but when he heard the latter, he immediately became angry.

With a "pop", she threw the smoke pot on the kang table, with a cold face, she said, "What are you rubbing away?"

The two housekeepers and daughters-in-law knew that the aunt in front of them was not a good person, but they were ordered to come here, so they had no choice but to bite the bullet and say: "Our wife said, please be considerate, our girl is still young, and she can't..."

Zhao Jia’s face was covered with frost, looked at the two housekeeper’s daughters-in-law, snorted coldly, and said: “It’s not been a year, and you want to remarry? It’s a dream to grind the tombstone. This daughter-in-law She married into my family with three matchmakers and six certificates. In this world, wives keep their husbands’ chastity. I have never heard that a husband will not recognize her husband after her death. What is that girl Ruhui going to do? Huanghua girl married?"

The daughter-in-law wanted to say more, but Mrs. Zhao Jia had already said to Luju who was standing beside her, "I'm tired, see off my guests."

Luju responded, and asked the two housekeepers and daughter-in-laws to get up.

It was not until the two daughters-in-law went out that Zhao Jia cursed twice, took the cigarette pot and put it to his mouth.She chirped twice, but couldn't draw a cigarette.She glanced impatiently, put down her cigarette pouch, and took a deep breath.

After a short time, Luju had already seen off the guest and came back to report: "Madam, Fourth Master is here to greet Madam, and is waiting on the porch."

After the death of her second son, Zhao Jia's spirit was not good, she couldn't sleep in the middle of the night, and got up quite late in the morning.Therefore, for the sake of peace, she also exempted her sons and daughters-in-law from saying good morning.

Mrs. Zhao Jia is upset, how can I have the patience to greet my concubine.

She frowned, and told Luju: "Just say that I'm not feeling well, and I'll ask you another day." As she spoke, she rubbed her forehead, and said to Luju: "Bring me a pillow, I want to crooked. "

When Luju saw her, she hurriedly took out the pillow and blanket and helped Mrs. Zhao Jia to lie down.

Looking at Lu Ju, Zhao Jia's expression slowly eased, he took Lu Ju's hand, and said: "If the third grandma is half as sensible as you, your third master will not..."

"Madam, please be at ease, the third master is the most filial, if he knows that his wife is suffering, he will feel uneasy in the public..." Luju persuaded softly.

"Really?" Zhao Jia sighed, let go of Luju's hand, slowly closed his eyes, and said, "I'll close my eyes for a while, you go out and send fourth master back. Before dinner, don't ask anyone to disturb me."

"Yes, ma'am." Lu Ju replied, put away the cigarette pot, and then tiptoed out.

Cao Xiang waited for a while, saw Luju coming out, and wanted to ask questions, but was stopped by Luju's silent gesture.

"Fourth Master, my wife is feeling a little uncomfortable, please ask Fourth Master to greet you another day." After leaving the courtyard, Luju said.

"Not feeling well? Do you want to invite the imperial physician over?" Cao Xiang asked.

Although he is not close to his aunt, but as a son of man, it is not easy to turn a deaf ear after hearing this.

"It looks like I'm just a little tired, so I guess I don't need to call a doctor." Luju replied flatly.

Seeing Luju like this, Cao Xiang showed a bit of anxiety in his eyes, and said in a low voice: "Sister, I have something to ask you, sister and I will go to the study for a while, okay?"

Lu Ju had a cold face, and just about to refuse, she saw two housekeeper's daughters-in-law approaching not far away.

"Sister-in-law Zhang, sister-in-law Li, this is..." Lu Ju asked with a smile on her face.

"Fourth Master, Miss Luju." The two daughters-in-law leaned over to see each other, and then replied with a smile: "It's some trivial matters, I want to ask my wife."

Seeing their flickering expressions, Lu Ju knew it.

Now that the second mistress is pregnant, and the wife is impatient with the housekeeper, many housekeepers and wives in the house have started to work hard.

"My wife just took a break, and she said that you are not allowed to call before dinner. You two sister-in-laws, or come back after dinner." Speaking of this, seeing the embarrassing expressions of the two housekeepers and daughters-in-law, Luju added in a low voice: "Just now the servant's mansion Someone is here, and the wife feels uncomfortable, and I haven't even seen the fourth master. It's better to wait for the wife to feel better, and the two sister-in-laws will come over again. "

The two daughters-in-law glanced at each other, squeezed each other and said with a smile: "Thank you Miss Luju, then we will come to see the wife again in the evening."

After saying that, the two bowed down to Cao Xiang again, and then they went together.

Seeing that the two had gone far away, Cao Xiang asked, "A man from the Minister's residence? What's the matter?"

Lu Ju glanced at Cao Xiang, and said, "Fourth Master is not good at studying, so why worry about housework?"

"Second brother is not at home, so of course I have to ask..." Cao Xiang turned back, looked at Luju and said, "Sister, why don't you come with me, I really have something to say to my sister."

He was sixteen, and his stature was much taller than before.After staying in Taixue for more than a year, studying all day long, he looked more and more stable.

When Lu Ju saw her, she just felt confused, and nodded her head like a ghost.

She ordered the little girl here to guard the door carefully, so that no one would disturb the wife, and went to the fourth master's place to pick up two books by herself.

The two were silent and went to Cao Xiang's courtyard.

Because the weather was fine, Ding Xiang and Fu Ling were drying Cao Xiang's quilt in the yard with a few young maidservants.

Seeing Cao Xiang and Lu Ju come in, everyone stopped what they were doing.

"Make two cups of Pu'er tea, that's the bag my grandma gave you last month." Cao Xiang ordered Ding Xiang, and then led Luju to the study.

Seeing that Cao Xiang was about to close the door, Luju said in a low voice, "Let's keep the door open, lest people chew their tongues."

Cao Xiang acted as if he had never heard of it, and closed the door behind him.

Luju still wanted to talk, but Cao Xiang had already moved a chair, put it in front of the desk, and said, "Sister, sit down, I have something to discuss with my sister."

His expression was extremely solemn, and he seemed to be several years older all of a sudden.

Luju sat down, turned sideways, and said without looking into Cao Xiang's eyes, "What's the matter, fourth master, please tell me quickly."

"Sister, third brother's filial piety will be over next month..." Cao Xiang whispered.

When Luju heard this, her heart ached like a twist.

……

When she was in front of Mr. Zhao Jia, she naturally knew that Mr. Zhao Jia had already made arrangements to marry Cao Xiang and was waiting for the end of the filial piety period.

Not to mention others, but Dong Suxin, who lives in Xifu, has been praised by Zhao Jia several times.

Although they are four or five years older than the Cao Xiang brothers, it is not uncommon in this world for their wives and husbands to be younger.It's the former third grandmother in the mansion, isn't she older than the third master?

Even ordinary wealthy households only heard of maidservants being concubines, but never heard of maidservants being wives.Not to mention a family of officials and eunuchs like the Cao family, even if Cao Xiang is a concubine, he is still the serious master and son of the Cao family.

Thinking of these, Lu Ju felt out of breath,

"At the beginning of the year there was an exam in Taixue, and I passed it with a good grade. If I ask someone, I can fill in the vacancy right now. Let's...let's get married!" Cao Xiang pulled up the chair and sat opposite Luju, looking at her eyes, said.

"Huh?" Luju's body froze, she looked at Cao Xiang, speechless.

"Let's get married!" Cao Xiang repeated, his voice extremely firm.

Luju looked at the desk full of books, and asked, "Isn't the fourth master looking forward to the imperial examination?"

Cao Xiang shook his head and said, "I still have to wait for two years for the imperial examination, not to mention that there are too many variables in the two years. If I pass the exam, I will be more and more deprived of freedom, and it will be even more difficult for me to be with my sister."

Luju's body trembled slightly, her eyes were red and she said: "For my fourth master, you don't even want your future? Isn't fourth master looking forward to being on the list to win face for your aunt?"

Cao Xiang let out a sigh of relief, and said: "What if I passed the exam and lost face? Don't I have to live an honest life? If I seize this opportunity now, I will save two years of effort, and I will still be able to get along with you." My sister is together."

Luju's eye circles were already red, and she was speechless looking at Cao Xiang.

After a while, a smile slowly bloomed on her face, she stretched out her arm, took the initiative to hold Cao Xiang's hand, and said, "I'm satisfied if Fourth Master has such a heart. Fourth Master should study hard and prepare for it." Let's take the imperial examination..."

"I won't take the test, I really won't take the test..." Cao Xiang shook Lu Ju's hand and said.

"Don't..." Lu Ju smiled brilliantly, but her tears rolled down like beads: "... I will accept being a concubine or a girl, as long as Fourth Master wants me..."

"Sister..." Seeing this, Cao Xiang was already insane...

Outside the door, Ding Xiang was holding Pu-erh tea, hesitated for a moment, then quietly backed away.

Fu Ling stood on the porch, looked at the study, saw that Ding Xiang didn't go in with the tea, came back again, and complained in a low voice: "The door is closed in broad daylight, what's this called, does it make you famous..."

Ding Xiang had already entered the upper room, put down the tea tray, cast a reproachful look at Fu Ling, and said, "Don't gossip about your master's affairs. Although Fourth Master treats you generously, we should know the rules."

Fu Ling stuck out her tongue, grabbed Ding Xiang's shoulders, and said with a smile: "It's just nagging, but I got my sister to preach. I just can't understand how she is so strong, and she seems to be so high-minded, as if she doesn't know. .”

"Again!" Ding Xiang couldn't help frowning upon hearing this.

"If it wasn't for my sister and I helping them cover it up, it would have been quiet all these years. What's wrong with saying a few words? She hasn't asked her to prepare a thank you gift for us yet." Fu Ling pouted.

Ding Xiang shook her head, and brought a plate of rose cakes to Fu Ling, saying: "If you want to move your mouth, eat more and stop grinding your teeth..."

*
In the study room, Lu Ju had already wiped away the tears on her face, and smiled as she looked at the golden hairpin she was looking for.It is said to be a golden hairpin, but it is actually not much bigger than an ear pick, with a small peony on its head.

Cao Xiang felt a little embarrassed, and said with a blushing face, "Because of the Longevity Day, the school gives each person two taels of silver extra. Including what I usually saved, there are ten taels of silver. I bought this for my sister and gave it to my aunt. I bought an earring. Sister, don’t be disgusted, I will earn money to buy pearls and gems for my sister when I have an errand in the future.”

Green Chrysanthemum tightly held the hairpin in her hand, and nodded vigorously.

It's not that she hopes that Cao Xiang can earn more money and buy pearls, jade and gemstones for herself, but that she is content with Cao Xiang's intentions.

The most indispensable thing in the house is the aunt.

Whether it's the virtual aunts in the West Mansion, or the big and small aunts in the mansion here, how many of them are having a good time.

Lu Ju is a smart person, seeing the hardships of these people, she doesn't want to repeat the same mistakes.Although Cao Xiang can be regarded as the one she watched growing up, and she knows her character and temperament well, the two of them are considered childhood sweethearts.However, Lu Ju never thought of being his concubine...

However, now, looking at the peony hairpin in her hand, Luju sighed faintly, and recognized it.

In this world, who else can treat her like this...

*
Rehe, the palace.

Although reunited after a long absence, Baoya was already a wife and knew that it was not easy for husband and wife to live in and out of the palace, so after talking for a while, she dragged that Mongolian princess away.

Seeing her husband's sunken eyes and dark complexion, Chu Yu was already worried.

As soon as the guests had left, she went to her husband and asked how he was doing.Cao Yong just had an empty stomach and didn't have anything to eat for breakfast. Seeing his wife interfering, he told the truth.

On Chuyu's side, they were busy calling people to serve meals, and the family of three had a reunion dinner.

Although I was reluctant to part with it, it was a palace after all, and Cao Yong didn't like to stay for a long time, so I went back to the garden after talking with my daughter for a while.

Because Chuyu took Tianhui to live in the palace, Xicai and two little maids were left to serve in the west courtyard.

When Cao Yong went back, Xi Cai was standing at the gate of the courtyard looking around.

Seeing Cao Yong coming back, she hurriedly stepped forward and said, "My father-in-law, the sixteenth master is here, and I have been waiting for two hours..."

Cao Yong listened, feeling a little puzzled.The two separated in the morning, what could happen?

Brother Sixteen not only came, but also lay down on the kang outside, looking at the paper bag in his hand in a daze.Even when Cao Yong came in, he didn't notice it.

Cao Yong was a little thirsty, poured himself a glass of water and drank it, then turned his head and said, "What are you looking at? You are so concentrated."

Brother Sixteen sat up slowly when he heard the movement, and said: "You are back, I have something to say about this." As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and rushed the paper bag in his hand towards Cao Yong.

Cao Yong stood far away and couldn't see clearly, but he was stunned when he took two steps forward.

If you have diarrhea, pick a little of this with a toothpick, and drink it with water for an excellent effect.This is opium.

Xicai came with her little maid, carrying hot water.

Cao Yong waved his hands and said, "I have something to say with Lord Sixteen, so we all go out and watch outside the gate of the courtyard."

Xi Cai responded, and went down with the little maid, only Cao Yong and Brother Sixteen were left in the room.

Cao Yong took two steps forward and took the opened paper bag from Brother Sixteen.

Inside is a piece of opium paste the size of a thumb, with fresh digging marks on one side, Cao Yong couldn't help but widen his eyes, raised his head and said: "Master Sixteen, this little..."

"I tried..." Brother Sixteen replied calmly.

Cao Yong was horrified when he heard the words, and hurriedly said: "How did you try it? You can't eat this directly. Didn't I say it before, if you take too much of this thing, you will die."

The sixteenth brother glanced at Cao Yong, and asked back: "Am I a fool? I smoked it when I rolled it into the dry tobacco, and I used half a little finger to cover it."

Although Cao Yong has never taken drugs, he also knows the dangers of drugs.He shook his head in disapproval, and said, "Master Sixteen is too nonsense. Everyone here knows that arsenic is poisonous, so who would want to try arsenic. Although this thing is not as good as arsenic, it is more harmful than arsenic. Arsenic is just Killing one life, this thing is addictive, but it is ruining the family and ruining the whole family..."

Brother Sixteen seemed not to have heard Cao Yong's words, he raised his head and said, "I got that chair..."

"Huh?" Cao Yong didn't understand, and asked, "What chair?"

Brother Sixteen looked at Cao Yong and said, "That's the chair. I sat on it. I didn't want to move, but I was so happy in my heart. I sat on that chair, and Er Niang was honored. Huang Ama praised me, saying that she brought me by my side all these years just to teach me..." At the end of the speech, his expression also became cheerful.

"Master Sixteen..." Cao Yong looked at the ointment in his hand, and already understood what he was talking about. He was very worried and couldn't help frowning.

Brother Sixteen raised his eyebrows, pointed to the opium in Cao Yong's hand, and said with a smile: "This thing is really more poisonous than poison, and it can turn people into ghosts. Don't worry, I'm only addicted this time. I'm not crazy... If I smoke again, I won't be able to be a human anymore..."

*
28 people, tears, asking for a monthly ticket.

(End of this chapter)