Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 683
Cultivating a garden is like cultivating one's heart, and it cannot be said that the garden is like a person, but the subtleties can also show the sentiment of the owner.

The same is the Wang Garden, the garden of Prince Yong's Mansion is completely different from the garden of Prince Cheng's Mansion.Although green onions are also planted everywhere, most of them are dominated by pines and cypresses, which are covered with thick shade and have a leisurely artistic conception.

Only a few magnolias were planted under the corridors of the inner hall, and because it was not in flowering season, the scenery was not outstanding.

Along the small lake in the garden, a corridor was only built according to the situation.On the lake, there are slim lotus flowers.

The entire garden is not as magnificent as the Summer Resort, nor is it as elegant and chic as the garden of Prince Cheng's Mansion, but it still has a kind of casual grace.

Cao Yin walked behind the crowd, looked at the scene in front of him, thought about how his son treated the fourth elder brother differently, and thought about the fourth elder brother who was called the "cold-faced prince".

Compared with the third elder brother who pretends to be leisurely, the fourth elder brother is better than "no external things in his heart".

Whether it's true indifference or fake indifference, at least it can make people feel the "one can be strong without desire".

Just like the same, the current attitude of the fourth elder brother accompanying Shengjia touring the garden, looking respectful is true respect, and filial piety is true filial piety, but it is a little more calm, and a little less deliberate and flattering.

In this way, the third elder brother who was devoted to pleasing Kangxi has already been compared.

Just as Cao Yin was thinking, he heard the call from the front: "Master Cao, Master Cao..."

Cao Yin looked up, and it was Ma Qi, a scholar of the Hall of Martial Arts who had been reinstated, who was waiting for him.

Now that Rehe is walking, the most popular person is Ma Qi, a senior scholar.

A few days ago, on the occasion of Ma Qi’s 65th birthday, Kangxi bestowed an anthology of poems on the imperial summer resort, an anthology of Tang poems selected by the imperial court, a book of changes, and a chapter on morality.

How many veterans can have this honor?
"Lord Zhongtang..." Since Ma Qi called, Cao Yin took two quick steps to meet him.

Ma Qi smiled warmly, pointed to the nearby lake view and the distant pavilions, and asked Cao Yin, "Master Cao, what do you think of the scenery here?"

Cao Yin's heart was moved, he didn't answer, but asked instead: "How does Master Zhongtang look?"

Ma Qi looked around in front of him, and said for a long time: "The blessed land has caves in the sky, the water is beautiful, the mountains are bright, and the scenery is beautiful."

On Cao Yin's side, he nodded and said, "Master Zhongtang said that it is indeed a beautiful view."

Both of them are veterans in the officialdom. After saying a word, the rest is speechless. They look at each other and smile, and they are already saying poetic and elegant sentences...

In the pavilion facing the water in front, Kangxi had already taken his seat, and several princes and elder brothers were standing and talking.

The third elder brother had a smile on his face, and he had already hurt the fourth elder brother in his heart.Alright, pick up the wisdom of others, and invite Shengjia to visit the garden like yourself.

If you visit the garden, just visit the garden, and it will be bare everywhere, showing a bit shabby.The several royal gardens were jointly built by the House of Internal Affairs and the Wangfu.

There is no reason why there is no place for lakes, stones, vegetation and trees.

What is the purpose of showing this shabbiness on purpose?
It is well known that there is a shortage of money in the Northwest War.Before the battle, more than 1 horses have died in the military camp waiting for the battle in the northwest.In addition to food and military pay, I heard that the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of War are in dire straits.

The third elder brother hated it more and more, and occasionally glanced at the fourth elder brother with a bit of inquiry.

They are all masters from the palace, no one is a fool.

Brother Sixteen's eyes were on Ma Qi and Cao Yin who were not far away.Because it was cool and pleasant by the lake, he had already put away his folding fan, just watching and listening with a smile.

On Kangxi's side, he talked to the fourth elder brother in a casual manner.

The fourth elder brother will leave for Beijing tomorrow, and Kangxi will have to ask a few things about the errands of the household department.There is one more thing that Kangxi specially ordered, and that is the condition of Elder Seventeen.

Although a decree has been sent to the capital city to ask the Imperial Hospital to diagnose and treat with care, Kangxi still couldn't hide his father's heart, and asked the fourth elder brother to return to Beijing to play it in detail.

Although the seventeenth elder brother is already a weak crown age, compared with other older elder brothers, he is still a young elder brother.

Although Kangxi couldn't dote on him as much as he did to the [-]th elder brother and the [-]th elder brother, he still had some genuine love for him.

On the fourth elder brother's side, he responded respectfully and said a few more words to persuade the emperor to be at ease, it was kind and righteous.

The third elder brother was by the side, watching the interaction between father and son, he already felt his brain hurt.Why is it not him, but the fourth elder brother who is ordered to return to Beijing this time...

*
Di'anmen Street, Fufeng Hall.

The best business to do in the capital is this entrance business.Halls, villas, gardens, buildings, squares, and residences are all places to eat.

When the Eight Banners enter the customs, some basic families have world titles on their heads, and those with a little military merit will have titles handed down from generation to generation.Even ordinary people, when a man reaches sixteen, he will receive a share of money and food.

Such a comfortable life made these Eight Banners children develop a luxurious living habit, and pay attention to eating, drinking and drinking.

Restaurants like Fufengtang can be counted in the capital, and they are the business of a secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.Cao Yong had eaten with Yiduli and the others twice before, and it was authentic Shandong cuisine.The master chef who is in charge of the spoon is an imperial chef from the palace. He is not well-known, but his craftsmanship is very exquisite.

However, today Cao Yong took advantage of Xiu Mu to come to the house, not for the delicacies here, but because there is a big stage in this hall.

Now, the drums and music are already ringing on the stage, and the danjiao comes out, singing and babbling.

Under the stage, only two tables were seated.A table for the men and a table for the women.

At the men's table, sit Cao Yong, Cao Song, Wei Hei, Zheng Hu, Wei Xin, and Wang Quantai, and at the female family's table sit Chuyu, Vanilla, Aida, Zheng Woxue, and Zheng Hu's wife, Cao Shi.

During the few days in the capital, Wei Xin originally wanted to take his wife for a stroll, but Ada's appearance was different from ordinary people, which almost caused trouble, which also made the couple less interested in going out.

Cao Yong saw that they had been bored in the mansion for several days, and heard that they wanted to go to the opera, so he asked someone to book such a hall and brought the couple to watch the opera.

Adaman could barely understand the words, but he couldn't understand the music on the stage.It's just a fresh look.

Mrs. Cao and Zheng Woxue both stayed in Guangzhou in the early years, and I will talk about the customs of Guangzhou while I am with Ada.

Vanilla sat on the side of the handlebar, her eyes moved to Ada occasionally, but she quickly moved away, she really didn't understand, why there are still people who look like ghosts in this world.

Chu Yu was only wearing an ordinary flag outfit, with a smile on her face, listening to Zheng Woxue talking to Ada and others.

After a while, after a play was sung, someone came up to report that the banquet had been set in the garden.

Everyone moved to take their seats again, just like here, men and women sat separately.

There are eight or two tables of swallow's fin mats, casserole fish lip, three silk shark's fin, pearl stewed bird's nest, diced dace fish, etc., which are packed in extremely delicate containers and served one after another.

Ada has learned kung fu for a long time, knowing that Chuyu is respected at the table, watching Chuyu move her chopsticks, she uses the chopsticks, picks up a mouthful of vegetables clumsily, and puts them in the bowl, politely. to eat.

The man's table has already been poured with lotus white.

Except for Wei Hei and Wang Quantai, the rest of them are all young friends who have been friends for more than ten years.On the wine table, a lot of rules were reduced, pushing the cups and changing the cups, drinking happily.

Even Wei Hei and Wang Quantai are acquaintances with Wei Xin.Wang Quantai stayed in Guangzhou for several years, and Wei Hei had already followed Cao Yong when Cao Yong made friends with Wei Xin.

Cao Yong's envy of Wei Xin was only in his heart; Cao Song's side was naked on his face.

"Wulang, I didn't expect that you are really promising. Not to mention marrying a foreign daughter-in-law, you have to learn from the Eight Immortals and cross the ocean. Now you have seen the big world." Cao Song took the wine cup and gave it to Wei Wei personally. Xin poured a glass and said.

"Thank you, Second Young Master." Wei Xin drank the wine in his glass with a smile, looked at Cao Song's guards, and said, "It's just fooling around, after all, it's not as decent as Second Young Master. The guards in the palace are the emperor's close servants. Of the several military officers in Guangzhou, two of them were from bodyguards, and their style is really unbelievable."

Some palace guards were promoted quickly, but they had to be internal guards who had the opportunity to work in front of the imperial court; external guards like Cao Song would have to suffer.

Fortunately, Cao Song is not a person who is keen on fame and fortune. He glanced at his nail cover and said with a smile: "What is decent or not? It's just a gatekeeper and guarding the courtyard to share money." Wei Daoxin: "By the way, it's you Wulang, didn't you make up for the vacancy of the fourth-rank magistrate? Since you came to the capital, you can do activities, and you can even get the order of your sister-in-law."

"Decree? What's the use, you have to worry about it." Wei Xin waved his hand and said: "Spend some money and buy two sets of clothes from the front door, you are still a fourth-rank respectful person."

When Cao Yong heard this, he was a little concerned, and said: "Since I have come to the capital, I am not in a hurry to leave early. It is good to finish this. When you get to Europa, maybe you can use it for Mengmeng's side The royal family, treat yourself well."

Wei Xin hesitated for a moment, then said, "My lord, will it be too much trouble?"

Cao Yong shook his head with a smile and said: "It doesn't take much. I will send someone to the Ministry of Officials tomorrow. It's just that the holy driver is in Rehe, and it takes some time to get back and forth. It's almost the end of July. It's a big deal to return. On the way, hurry up."

After hearing this, Wei Xin smiled and thanked him.

While everyone was talking, Zhang Yi came in and said, "Master, the Fourteenth Master is here, wait in the front hall."

When Cao Yong heard the words, he couldn't help being stunned for a moment. He really didn't know why the fourteenth elder brother had leisure time and became an "uninvited guest".

If it was a chance meeting, then the fourteenth elder brother was too insolent to come forward so boldly.

Thinking in his heart, Cao Yong had put down his chopsticks and let everyone eat first, so he got up and came to the front yard.

Elder Fourteen did not sit obediently in the front hall, but walked out, stood in front of the fish tank in the yard, grabbed a handful of bait to feed, and looked very leisurely.

Seeing Cao Yong coming, the fourteenth elder brother turned around, greeted with a smile: "Master, if you take the liberty to come here, didn't you disturb your interest?" Having said that, he raised his eyebrows and said: "I heard that your family has come to visit you recently. A guest, is this entertaining a distinguished guest?"

Cao Yong went up to meet Li, and then said: "It's an old friend of Jiangning, and he just arrived in the capital, so he set up a table here."

Elder Fourteen's face was flushed and he smelled of alcohol, he said with a smile: "This Fufengtang is not bad, but it is better than theirs. The Qingxi troupe is the leader of the opera troupe in the capital. I asked you to come here for the church meeting. I didn’t hear that you were so kind, so it can be seen that you are a distinguished guest. I was a little curious about what kind of person Cao Yong valued you so much. What’s the matter? Please come over and tell the master to follow suit."

This is the one who is full, but when he sees him drunk, Cao Yong is also afraid that he will pretend to be crazy by drinking, and he will be more disappointed.

After thinking about it for a while, he whispered to Zhang Yi to go over and invite someone, and he did not forget to ask Zhang Yi to explain to Wei Xin the identity of the Fourteenth Elder Brother.

Seeing that Cao Yong didn't refuse, Brother Fourteen had a much better face, and sat in two halls with Cao Yong.

A servant brought some tea, Brother Fourteen picked it up and took a sip.

Perhaps because of the spring breeze, this tea tastes more fragrant than usual.

"This Fufengtang, I have eaten it once. Not to mention anything else, just say that their vegetable leaves are stewed with claw tips. The heat is sufficient and the taste is authentic. It tastes smooth and tender, and it is full of fragrance." Elder Fourteen Said with a smile.

He is in a good mood, but Cao Yong's mood is not getting better.

It's really impatient to deal with this master after taking a rest for a day.

But no matter how unwilling he was, he had to listen with a smile on his face, and occasionally echoed a few words.

Fortunately, it didn't take much effort, Wei Xin turned around from the inner courtyard.

Compared with just now, Wei Xin already has quite a few more outfits on him.With golden hands and a jade pendant half the size of a palm inlaid with gold on his waist, he looks like a rich man.

However, because Xu has lived in Guangzhou for a long time, his face looks a little purple, which is obviously darker than others.So this wealth is just a look, more like a rich man who has never seen the world, with a bit of novelty in his eyes.

I didn't see how he drank just now, but now the smell of alcohol on his body is much stronger, no less than Fourteenth Elder Brother.

"I've seen my lord... I've seen Lord Fourteen..." While speaking, his tongue grew bigger.

Brother Fourteen was originally curious about what kind of friends Cao Yong would entertain, and he was about to smile when he saw Wei Xin, but when he saw his outfit, he already showed a bit of contempt in his heart.

On Wei Xin's side, the rules are also shortened. When he said you and me, Elder Fourteen frowned.

He couldn't help feeling depressed, and after hearing a few words, he couldn't sit still, got up and said: "Cao Yong, since you have a guest, then I won't delay you, let's have a drink together some other day."

Cao Yong was really eager in his heart, so he personally sent the fourteenth elder brother out of the yard, and asked the concierge here about any famous restaurants nearby.

It turned out that there was a Tianfu Hall nearby, which was dedicated to the sale of princely residences.

These days when Sheng Jia is not in the capital, Brother Fourteen is getting more and more prosperous.

Cao Yong sighed, turned around and went into the yard, and said to Wei Dao beside him, "Why do you think of changing this outfit, it looks like the Buddha in the temple, shining golden light."

Wei Xin said with a smile: "My lord, although we are far away in Guangzhou, I have heard some old news about the capital. I heard that these princes and elder brothers like to recruit slaves the most. If they are useful, they will win them over. It's better to be my free and easy rich man, and we won't climb other high branches..."

*
Taijichang Street, Ba Age Mansion, Study Room.

Seeing the eighth elder brother who has lost a lot, the ninth elder brother asked with some concern: "Okay, why do you want to live in Haidian Garden again? For the first two months, it was like a fire. I will see you sooner or later." It’s getting colder, why go there? It’s next to Haizi, the humidity is high, and the starling is sick again.”

"It's rare to be clean, let's go out of the city to raise it. I've wanted to go a long time ago, but your eighth sister-in-law thought it was deserted, so she didn't make the trip; now she has also seen the cruelty of the world, and she doesn't like to walk around with those people anymore." Eighth elder brother coughed twice , said.

This is something that brother Jiu can't control, and he can only sigh in his heart.However, thinking of what Elder Fourteen had done recently, he couldn't help feeling a little annoyed, and said, "Brother, Old Fourteen is going too far. Submissive. If this continues, his influence in the clan will be great..."

The eighth elder brother heard the words, and said after a long while: "Let's get older, ninth brother, now I have accepted my fate. If we get together with the old fourteen, we will benefit both. If we part ways, it will be two evils, and it will only benefit others."

Brother Nine stomped his feet, resentful, but he also knew that Brother Eight was telling the truth.

I really don't even bother to think about these troublesome things...

*
Suzhou Weaving Mansion, the inner house.

Wen's lingering sickness lasted for ten months, and finally he became more sober and knew how to recognize people.When the old lady was able to speak, the first thing she asked was Miao Yun's whereabouts.

Hearing that it was gone, the old lady still didn't believe it. She looked at her daughter-in-law, Wang, and said suspiciously: "It's really gone? Since Dinger is gone, your man is looking forward to a son, and the old lady knows it. The maids in the house are also good. Whether it’s bought from outside, he will take it all. But he doesn’t look at his own age, his grandson is about to marry a wife, so can he still grow a fruit?”

Wang's face flushed, and she replied in a low voice: "Indeed, it's gone, because it's too hot to stay for too long, and I'll be buried in the first seven days." Speaking of this, she bit her lip and said, "It's buried in the Dinger Cemetery..."

The old lady finished speaking in one breath, and she was a little out of breath. After listening to Wang's words, she couldn't help frowning when she remembered the dirty things in it.

Li Xu had already got the news, so he hurried over. Seeing Wen Shi leaning on the head of the bed, staring at him with his eyes open, he felt guilty and lowered his voice, "Mother..."

"Huh..." Wen snorted coldly, and said, "So you still have Gang Chang in your heart? You know that you are human. The old woman is also strange, why did you give birth to something like you?"

Li Xu was scolded so badly, Wang Shi didn't dare to listen any more, and hurriedly called the maids standing in the room to retreat.

There were only mother and son left in the room, Wen's face became stern, and he wanted to scold again, but in the end his body was weak, he was only panting heavily, unable to speak.

Li Xu had already taken two steps forward, knelt down on both knees, kowtowed and said: "Mother, calm down, my son knows he made a mistake, so he won't dare again."

"There are things in this world that you dare not do?" Wen Shi pointed at Li Xu, not believing his words, and said, "Even if Ding'er is gone, you have children and grandchildren, what is there to be dissatisfied with? Do this, do this..." At the end, he was so angry that he couldn't speak.

Li Xu didn't dare to argue, so he could only continue to kowtow to plead guilty, his voice was already a little choked up.

After all, he is over sixty years old, and his hair is mostly gray. In addition, he has indulged in sensuality in the past two years, his body has been damaged, and his old appearance is becoming more and more obvious.

Wen looked at it, waved his hands weakly, and said: "Okay, you are not a child, you should know how big you are... I heard from your wife that Xiangyu's mother was buried in Li Ding's cemetery. If you do this, you will let me know your size." The child can't rest in peace even if he is buried underground. Let's find a reason and build another grave..."

(End of this chapter)