Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 646
The capital, Cao's house, Dongzhai, Shangfang.

As soon as Cao Song came back from Changchun Garden, he was called by Zhaojia's envoy.Before Zhao Jia could speak, Cao Song knew what his mother was going to say. Apart from the marriage between Cao Xiang and Cao Fu, what else could there be?
Sure enough, I heard Zhao Jia muttering: "Brother Song, tell me, is it the young lady of Bai Shaoqing's family, or the daughter of Commander Zhou's family? The marriage of the fourth child should also be discussed, so that we can book the fifth child." .”

When Cao Song heard this, he couldn't help frowning, and asked, "Which one is Bai Shaoqing? The one with an old lady at home?"

Mrs. Zhao Jia glanced at Cao Song and said, "What old girl? You are only 21, which is considered a good age. There is an old saying, 'Wife is five years old, old mother Sai'. Finding an older daughter-in-law will hurt people."

Cao Song hesitated for a moment, then said: "Didn't it mean that their daughter doesn't want to marry, and they want to recruit a son-in-law for the elderly. They have been picked and picked, but they haven't found anyone yet?"

Zhao Jia let out a "cough", cleared his throat and said, "What's wrong with this? Not only did I find a wife, but I also received an estate. Where can I find such a cheap job?"

Cao Song waved his hand and said, "Don't intervene! Our family is not too poor to marry a daughter-in-law, so how can we let Xiao Si go out to be a son-in-law? Backbone, ridiculed by others."

After hearing this, Zhao Jia became a little impatient, and muttered: "Can good words still be eaten? Then Miss Bai, your cousin and aunt have seen her before, and she didn't pick her appearance or character. How can she not be worthy of the fourth child? "

"If there is no difference in appearance and character, how can you be rejected in the draft? My cousin's words have always been unreasonable, and it's not like my mother doesn't know, so how can I believe it?" Cao Song said.

Zhao Jia was so choked that he couldn't speak, and after a while he said: "If you are worried, find a reason another day, and I will go to see each other? If it is wishful, it will save you from missing a good relationship."

"If the mother thinks it's really good, then tell Xiao Wu. The left and right Xiao Wu spends all day waving and writing, and has no intention of becoming an official." Cao Song said casually.

When Zhao Jia heard this, she couldn't help being annoyed, pointed at Cao Song and said, "You black-hearted thing, who gave you this idea? Is it because your daughter-in-law is worried about the family property, and she is afraid that the little five will divide her, so she encourages you to say that Xiao Wu needs to be talented and good-looking, what kind of daughter-in-law can’t be married, and she wants to be a door-to-door son-in-law? She just pretends to be honest, and she is also a restless person, a prodigal!”

Seeing his mother's harsh words, Cao Song couldn't sit still, and said, "Mother, it's all here! The son just followed his mother's words and said it casually. Why did he lead to Jinghui again? Xiao Wu is not fake. , Where did the fourth son go? He is also the mother's son. Even if she doesn't think about the fourth son, the mother is sympathetic to the son. If the fourth son goes out to be a son-in-law, the son will be ashamed to see his uncle and brother. Outsiders don't know , I have to say that my son treats his siblings poorly. The emperor is the most benevolent old man, and he can't see this. If this reputation spreads, his son's future will be ruined. Instead of waiting to be rejected by others, it is better for his son to resign now. It can be more peaceful."

After all, Zhao Jia's family is a woman's family. Although she has small calculations in her heart, she still relies on her eldest son for major matters.

After hearing Cao Song's words, she said awkwardly, "As for what? The emperor is an old man who is in charge of the world's affairs, so how can he control who gets married?"

After Cao Song said these words, his mouth was a little dry, he picked up the teacup, drank it in one gulp, and said: "There are not many people in Beijing who are disgraced because of brothers' discord?"

Zhao Jia said with a smile: "I can't, the fourth brother has always listened to you, and your elder brother has nothing to say to the younger brothers."

Cao Song shook his head and said: "That was in the past. If my brother was really a door-to-door son-in-law, he wouldn't be my brother. To avoid having nephews and nieces with other people's surnames in the future, I would feel panicked. Even if it is In the future, when I go underground, my father will give me a big stick."

"It's a pity, I heard that there are only four or five Zhuangzi in their family." Zhao Jia said with a bit of regret: "Since the Bai family can't do it, what about the daughter of Commander Zhou's family?"

Cao Song knew his mother's money-greedy nature, and he felt quite helpless, but he still said: "The fourth son is very talented. I heard that the master Jijiu of the Imperial College thinks highly of him. In the future, I can't say that I can earn a phoenix crown for my mother. The candidate for this bride, It can't be too low, can it? The fourth child is only sixteen this year, and the mother doesn't have to worry too much, just pick the right one slowly. Didn't the mother say it's inappropriate for the one in the Zhou family last time? My brother is not good enough, he is in his 20s, and he is still dawdling in government schools."

In Cao Song's heart, he really didn't believe his mother's eyes.These days, he also pays attention to suitable people.In addition to the girl's character and appearance, I also hope to find a decent family.

The fourth child wants to become an official through the imperial examination, and in the future, in addition to the support of his family members in the officialdom, if he can have a strong wife family, he can save a lot of effort.

Cao Yong's colleagues came from Shangsanqi, and most of them were descendants of Manchu surnames. Many families had daughters, nieces, younger sisters, and nephews who were waiting to be married.

It's just that those who have good family background and good looks all left a sign during the draft, and they are not allowed to specialize in marriage.For the rest, either they can't climb up, or they are lacking in one way or another, and they don't care too much for a while.

Hearing his son's words, Mrs. Zhao Jia was sincerely thinking of his younger brother. He looked at him rather strangely, and said, "You have always been so careless, why would you worry about this? A great kindness is a great hatred, so be careful about it." Come out a white-eyed wolf."

"Mother, the fourth child has always been honest and filial to his mother. The mother looks after her son and takes good care of her, while the aunt is more tolerant. We are a family, everything is going well together, and my son is also stable when he is away on errands. " Cao Songkou said bitterly.

When Zhao Jia heard this, his expression froze, and he said in a bad mood: "How can you be so beautiful, can't you be an ancestor? Did you come out of my stomach? Why are you talking to outsiders? What kind of shit family is that, it's from my heart The thorn in my body." At the end, the circles of his eyes were already red, and he choked up and said, "I said I would not take a concubine, but I stole my girl before I got pregnant. I finally gave birth to your siblings. Three, and another treasure butterfly. The jade was given by the old lady. Who forced your father into the bridal chamber? The difference between the fourth sister and the fifth is less than half a year. I have a big belly, watching your father hug you Little wife, which day is not soaked in tears? Now it is good, I have to pretend to be virtuous and worship my enemy."

Cao Song didn't know how to speak when he heard Zhaojia's mention of the past.It's an old principle that the son doesn't say anything about the father's mistakes.

However, he was also quite touched.

What I have seen in books since I was a child is that men are respected.Women have three obediences and four virtues, and only jealous women will object to their husbands taking concubines.

Cao's parents' room and second room, except for Cao Yong, all other adult males have concubines.

But, is it true that wives and concubines are harmonious and happy?

Thinking of these, and thinking of Zilan living in the wing room, Cao Song couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

After Zhao Jia finished speaking, she felt much more at ease, wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and said, "Maybe I'm getting old, I can't sleep at night these days, and I can see your father when I close my eyes."

"It's all boring in the house. Mother goes out for a walk when she has nothing to do. If she wants to eat, she also tells her son." Cao Song said.

Seeing his son being so considerate, Zhao Jia was quite relieved, looked at him and said, "After all, I have grown up. From now on, I will rely on you."

The two mothers were talking in the room, and Luju took a little maid and stood outside the door to obey orders.Although she lowered her head, her ears were erect.

This is not only about Cao Xiang's marriage, but also about her life.

If Cao Xiang really went out to be a son-in-law, even if she wanted to be a concubine, it would be a luxury.

Everyone has selfish intentions, although she knew that it would be good for the official career if the fourth master got married, but she was also afraid that the other party was born with a domineering temper and could not tolerate sand in her eyes.

Even though she has served the Zhaojia family for many years, and her grandmother is Zhaojia's mistress, but the slaves are slaves after all, I have never heard of any slaves who can turn the world upside down.

These days, listening to Zhao Jia's talk about Cao Xiang's marriage all day long, Luju also feels very tormented.Now listening to Mrs. Zhao Jia's complaints, thinking of the difficulty of getting along with her wife and concubines, she was also in a mess.

Just as he was thinking, he heard the sound of the door curtain, and Cao Song had already come out of the back room.

Seeing the green chrysanthemum, Cao Song stopped in his tracks and asked, "Does my wife still use the soothing prescription prescribed by the imperial physician a few days ago?"

Lu Ju shook her head and said, "Madam thought it smelled bad, so she stopped that. Now I am using the herbal recipe given by my wife. I use ginseng, deer antler and yam to make porridge."

Although he didn't like Luju's grandmother, Cao Song had a good impression of Luju, knowing that she was sensible and capable, and said: "Second Grandma is not feeling well, so I need to trouble you for my wife. As a son, it is better for you to serve your wife by your side and know how to be warm and cold. Speaking of which, we should all thank you."

Lu Ju hurriedly leaned over and said: "All slaves should do, I dare not be the second master's praise."

Cao Song saw that she was calm and generous, no arrogance or impetuosity, nodded, and said: "Fortunately, with you serving in front of my wife, there will be less disputes." After speaking, he has already walked away.

Luju looked at Cao Song's back, her heart sank slowly.

The second master is the parent of the second bedroom. If the fourth master really spoils him and loses his sense of propriety in the future, then the second master will be the first one to get angry with him.

For these years as a maidservant, she knows how to handle things properly; to her, being a concubine's concubine is not comparable to a mountain of swords and a sea of ​​fire, but every time she thinks about it, she shudders...

*
East across the courtyard, the upper room.

Although Jinghui didn't show her bosom, she had already changed into loose clothes and was sitting on the kang.

Yuqin and Zilan sat on the stool, talking with them.Yulong holds needlework in her hand, a half-embroidered red bellyband with a pattern of a boy stepping on a lotus and hugging a carp.

The golden carp with red ground and green lotus looks very happy, and the stitches are also very dense. It can be seen that it has been done with care.

Jinghui saw it in her eyes and said, "You can't do this all day long, it hurts your eyes carefully. It's still half a year before the baby falls to the ground. What's the rush?"

In fact, Yulong is older than Cao Song, let alone Jinghui.It's just that the rules are like this, so the sisters and sisters have to decide the names.

There was already a smile on Yulong's face, she tilted her head and said: "Grandma, count the days, the little master was born in winter. Besides the bellyband, there are also small jackets and trousers. The material cotton, slaves and maids are ready, In a few days, please ask grandma to choose the flower pattern."

The scar on her face has become much lighter, it looks like a white line, covered with powder, it doesn't look as glaring as it used to be.It's just that she has a heavy heart and doesn't like to stay in front of people, so she doesn't come out of this yard easily.

People in their early twenties, like an old woman, also have white hair in their temples.

When Jinghui saw it, she couldn't bear it, and said, "Did you run out of the pearl ointment last time? A few days ago, I told the third girl that if she still has some, she will prepare another one for us."

Hearing this, Yuqian couldn't help being startled, and then said with a smile: "Please worry about it, grandma, there's still half a bottle left. It's really a good thing, and the slave girl thinks that the hair on this face has grown a lot. If there are more, grandma will keep it for use. Well, it’s also a waste to the servants.”

"Don't be reluctant, use more every day. If you can get rid of all the scars, wouldn't it be better than anything else?" Jinghui said.

Yulong trembled her lips, said nothing, and nodded slowly.

After all, Zilan is a newcomer, and she hasn't consummated the house yet, so she behaves extra cautiously and respectfully.

Seeing Jinghui and Yulong, they were not considered close when they got along, but they took care of each other, there was no verbal confrontation, and there was no open and secret fighting.

Zilan saw it in her eyes, and felt a lot more at ease in her heart.

Although Mrs. Zhao Jia asked her to go to the house several times these days, and there was no lack of "teaching" inside and outside the words, but Zilan had made up her mind, kept her identity in mind, lived her life in peace, and did not get involved with her wife and grandma. In the confrontation between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, avoid being disgusted by others.

Therefore, she not only treats Jinghui respectfully, but also treats Yulong as a "sister", without daring to take it too seriously.

When Cao Song came back, he saw this scene of "harmony between wives and concubines".

As usual, he would still be complacent, thinking he was blessed; today, after hearing his mother's cry, all this seemed a bit dazzling.

Seeing Cao Song come in, both Yuqin and Zilan stood up, and Jinghui also got up to get off the kang.

Cao Song took two steps forward, held his wife down, and said, "Didn't you complain that your feet have been sore for the past two days, you should sit down."

"I've been sitting for a long time, and my legs are a little numb." Jinghui said, seeing that Cao Song hadn't changed, she ordered the servant girl to go out to bring water.

"Really? Then I'll help you go for a walk." Cao Song lost his mind and asked.

Seeing him being so careful, Jinghui was a little embarrassed, and said with a smile: "It's not that easy to support, it's not that delicate."

Was it in front of Yulong and Zilan? Cao Song was a little embarrassed immediately. He leaned over to Yulong, looked at the work in her hand, and said, "The carp embroidery is finished? I saw it a few days ago, and it's just a fish tail." .”

Jing Hui remembered something, and said: "Have you seen Fourth Uncle? Just now, Fourth Uncle came here. It seems that there is something wrong, and he doesn't say anything."

The maids had already brought water, Cao Song washed and changed, and went to look for Cao Xiang.

Cao Xiang was in the study, already restless, as if he had 25 mice in his arms, scratching his heart with all kinds of claws.

It's been half a month, and he hasn't spoken to his family yet because he's waiting for his teacher's reply.

After a lot of trouble, just two days after he got the letter of approval, the security guard for him to fill in the vacancy had already arrived at the Ministry of Officials, and he heard the news that Mrs. Zhao Jia had proposed a marriage proposal for him.

He knew that his elder brother had to make the decision in the end, so he just waited for his elder brother to come back.

He was also a little apprehensive about the matter.

As a child of the Cao family, what he did was quite selfish, and he was not really a good younger brother or elder brother.

It's just that his life is less than a hundred years old, and there is no regret medicine in the world. He has been depressed in this family for more than ten years, and he really doesn't want his children and grandchildren to live here holding their breath.

To stand out from the crowd, marry a wife who is like him, have a pair of lovely children, and serve his biological mother well, has been his wish since he was a child.

Although in the eyes of the world, the imperial examination is the right way, but if you are on the list, if you want to let it out, you must start from the seventh rank, just like this time.There was also a two-year delay.

It's good to be an official outside, and my brother will answer after a lesson; marrying a wife has always been "the order of the parents, the words of the matchmaker", and it is against the rules to make up your own mind.
Hearing footsteps in the yard, Cao Xiang hurriedly dropped the book and ran to the door of the study.

"Fourth, what do you want from me?" Cao Song asked with a smile when he saw him come out.

"Second brother, here we come... sit down quickly... drink tea..." Cao Xiang was quite nervous, and asked Cao Song to come in and take a seat.

Cao Song sat down and raised his head. Seeing Cao Shuo flustered and his face pale, he said with a smile, "Why did you bluff? This is the news. I'm afraid that I will be 'married' out to be someone's son-in-law?"

Cao Xiang was stunned when he heard this, and said, "Second brother, is it decided for the wife?"

"It's settled, I just discussed with me what kind of 'dowry' to prepare for you." Seeing him like this, Cao Song joked with a straight face on purpose.

Hearing a "plop", Cao Xiang had already dropped his knees to the ground, and said, "Second brother, please forgive my brother for being difficult to obey, my brother has already made a promise with someone."

When Cao Song heard this, he couldn't help being surprised, pulled Cao Xiang up, and said, "I'm kidding you, look at how stupid you are." Having said that, he looked at Cao Xiang with a smile and said, "This yellow hair hasn't faded, so you know how to miss him Daughter? Tell me, which family is the lady? If you are of the right family and have a good character, my brother will entrust someone to help you as a matchmaker."

Cao Xiang looked into Cao Song's eyes and said, "Brother... is Miss Luju who is beside my wife."

"What?" Cao Song stood up when he heard the words.

Thinking of Lu Ju's usual dignified and well-behaved appearance, and looking at Cao Xiang who said seriously that he wanted to marry a wife, Cao Song only felt furious, and said: "I still think she is well-behaved, I didn't expect to hit you in private, It's really abominable. What kind of ecstasy soup have you been poured into, and you married a girl, how can you say it!"

The more he talked, the more annoyed he became, and he said bitterly: "After all, it's the blood of Mrs. Zhang, that old godly woman, and it's not safe. I'll have someone kick her out. Let's see what she will do?" As he spoke, he was about to go out .

Cao Xiang turned pale with fright, hugged Cao Song's thigh, knelt down and begged, "Brother, it's because my younger brother has admired her for many years and stopped doing things about green chrysanthemums."

Cao Song glared at him and said, "What do you know about children? Don't say such nonsense anymore. If it spreads, who will marry your daughter to you?"

Cao Xiang shook his head like a rattle, and said, "Second brother, I heard that when the second brother married the second sister-in-law, the elders should not do it, and the eldest brother and sister-in-law have to deal with it. Second brother, can't you help the younger brother this time?" ?” By the end, she was already in tears.

Cao Song couldn't help being moved when he heard this, but he still frowned and taught: "One size is worth one size. Even if you have a girl you like, you have to be close. If you like it, you can take the house after you get married, and there is no need for it." The principle of a maidservant being a wife."

Cao Xiang bowed his head and said, "Second brother, who's girl is not raised by her parents. If she can decide her birth by herself, who would be willing to be a maid? My younger brother...I was born by my aunt...I don't want my son, Inferior..."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Why did it involve Auntie again?" Cao Song stomped his feet vigorously, not knowing how to persuade him for a while.

Although he has always treated brothers and sisters equally, he also knows that this concubine brother has received a lot of face from his mother when he was young, so he can't help but feel a little guilty.

"It's useless to beg me, my wife won't answer, you should die." Cao Song hesitated, turned his face and said.

"Second brother, my younger brother has asked Lord Jijiu to make up for the vacancy. There will be instructions in a few days, and he will leave Beijing in May." Cao Xiang raised his head, his face had gone from frustration, and he was solemn Said.

"How long has this been going on, why haven't I heard you mention it?" Cao Song was a little puzzled, but he didn't object in his heart, patted him on the shoulder and said: "It's a good thing to get out of office early, so that you don't have to hold your book all day long." Books, make people stupid again. Is there no shortage in Beijing? At a young age, who can rest assured that you will go out?"

"Elder brother has already gone to Beijing as a bodyguard when he was this age, and second brother traveled all over the world when he was this age. My younger brother will be sixteen this year." Cao Xiang said.

Cao Song nodded, thought for a while, and said: "If you are afraid that your wife will not be able to choose a marriage, then wait until you come back after your term is over. My wife is with me, so don't worry."

Cao Xiang shook his head and said, "Second brother, I want to take my aunt and Luju to the post."

"Madam seems to be inseparable from that girl..." Cao Song hesitated, but seeing his younger brother acting like this, he really seemed to have taken a fancy to Luju, so he pulled Cao Xiang up and said, "Okay, okay, get up Right. Whoever told me to be an elder brother, I have to find a way to ask my wife to get it for you."

Cao Xiang stood up, picked up a piece of paper from the desk, and handed it to Cao Song with both hands.

"What is this?" Cao Song took it with a smile, glanced at it, his expression froze, staring at Cao Xiang and said, "What's going on?"

Now that Cao Xiang had made up his mind, he stopped hesitating and said, "Second brother, this is a document for my younger brother to voluntarily give up his family property and leave the house. With this, my wife..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was kicked heavily and fell to the ground.

"Bastard! Do you still remember your last name? Don't you even want your ancestors?" Cao Song was furious, but he kept kicking several times.

Cao Xiang gritted his teeth and endured, his eyes were red, but he didn't have the slightest intention of dodging...

*
Rehe, Chunwang Mansion Garden, West Courtyard.

Looking at the delicious food on the table, Baoya's eyes were already bright, and she said with a smile: "I never thought that after a few years of marriage, you would have developed a great skill. Tell me, is Cao Yong teaching you in private?" Yes? I remember hearing him mention it in the early years, when he was in the south, he even ran a restaurant."

Chu Yu smiled and said: "My son-in-law is busy with errands, so I don't have the time to play with these things. Only when I was in Shandong, my life was leisurely, and my son-in-law was too busy. Mostly I figured it out according to the prescriptions outside."

As soon as he spoke, Xicai had already picked up his pen and ink.

Chu Yu took out a wooden box from the cabinet, took out a book from it, opened the pages, took pen and ink and bowed down to write.

Bao Ya looked at it with surprise, and when she finished writing, she reached out to take it, and said, "What is this? It's really not thin."

"It's a recipe. It was suggested by my son-in-law when I was bored in the early years. It will be used when I marry a daughter-in-law." Speaking of this, Chu Yu couldn't help chuckling: "It's amazing to think about it. In a blink of an eye, The kids are in school."

"Tsk tsk, I was thinking about it. Since it is a family heirloom, I can only be greedy." Baoya put down the recipe, raised her eyebrows, and said.

"What's there? If you like it, someone will make a copy for you." Chu Yu laughed.

After Baoya heard this, she quickly waved her hands, and said, "Forgive me. I'm not as dexterous as you. Let me play with food, and it would be more refreshing to let me ride a horse and shoot arrows..."

*
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(End of this chapter)