Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 688

Henan Mansion, east of the magistrate's yamen, Cao's house.

Cao Xiang put down the family letter in his hand, looked at the green chrysanthemum with the maids on the dining table in the hall, and sighed inwardly.

The letter was written by Cao Song, and it mentioned that he had been appointed as the official wife of the General's Mansion Gege.

Cao Xiang was already prepared for this result.Ever since he found out that Dong Gong's daughter had been told to Xiao Wu last month, he knew that his wedding date was approaching.

Although he and Xiaowu are not very old, there is the granddaughter of the Dong family there.

One is the upstart of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the other is a family of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The two families are married, which can be regarded as a good match.

However, this violated Cao Xiang's original intention.

He originally thought that with this three-year release, the wedding would be postponed to three years later.Among them, let Lu Ju give birth to a boy and a half girl, plus her status as the second wife, even if a newcomer comes in, she will be more polite.

Unexpectedly, the marriage was settled in such a hurry, and it was still a high ranking of the clan Gege.

It's not that Cao Xiang has never seen Manchu aunt's temper. Thinking of his aunt's behavior, he couldn't help but feel a chill down his back.

It's just that the eldest brother is like a father, and there is no room for him to speak about the marriage that the family has talked about.

For a while, Cao Xiang was quite powerless.

All the good life in front of me seems like flowers in the water or the moon in the mirror.

"Master..." Lu Ju set the dining table, but Cao Xiang hadn't come over yet, walked to the door, looked at the study and said with a smile: "Didn't Master just say that he was hungry? Why are you not in a hurry now?"

Cao Xiang stood up, with a little smile on his face, and said, "I heard that you bought a box of vegetables? Master delivered it?"

"It's three days today. In addition to the boxed meat, there are fried eggs with leek yolks and shredded pork with green peppers. The master has already sent the mother over there, and the wine is still warm. Don't worry, sir." Lu Ju said with a smile. .

When Cao Xiang arrived in the Westinghouse, he filled the kang tables to the brim.

A maid brought hot water, and after Cao Xiang washed his hands, he sat down by the kang.Except for chive yolk eggs and green pepper shredded pork, which are fried in the home kitchen, the rest are bought box vegetables and shredded, such as tripe shreds, pig ears shreds, sauce noodles, roast beef, etc.

On the white porcelain plate next to it, there is a stack of pancakes, and there is also a sea bowl containing mung bean soup.

Lu Ju filled a bowl of soup for Cao Xiang with her own hands, brought it to him, and said, "I've boiled it for a long time, please taste it. It's just that there is no ice, otherwise it would be more comfortable to drink."

Cao Xiang took two sips, nodded, and said, "It tastes good, but why does it look different from the one in the capital?"

Lu Ju said with a smile: "How can it be compared? Huangmao, who is in charge of making mung bean soup in our mansion, has been working on the stove for decades as a poor old lady. How can this skill of making mung bean soup be unmatched?" Comparable. Sister-in-law Qiao has only been working in the kitchen for a few years, and she is not in charge of the stove, so it is not easy to learn how to look like a god."

Speaking of this, she glanced at the food on the table, and said with a bit of guilt: "When the second master was at home, why did he use such a vulgar food? Now that I am outside, I am not good at this. I am really wronged." If it really doesn’t work, write to Second Master and Second Mistress and call two Zao Shangren from Beijing.”

It turned out that when she first arrived in Henan Mansion, Luju had been cooking in a hurry.

But even though she was born as a maid, she had never done any heavy work, and after a lot of tossing, her hands were relieved.He bluffed Cao Xiang so much that he wouldn't let her go to the kitchen again.

Cao Xiang put down his porridge bowl, waved his hands, and said, "I'm a noble man, so I don't feel wronged or wronged. The food at home looks fine, but the taste is not ordinary. For ordinary people, if they can eat meat, it's a good day gone."

"If you're in Beijing, why would you suffer so much?" Lu Ju lowered her head and said sadly, "In the final analysis, it's because of me."

Cao Xiang stretched out his hand, put it on Lu Ju's hand, and said, "I've been thinking about something nonsense all day, are you bored? If you're really bored, I'll make some children's clothes, isn't it because this month's letter is a few days late Is it? I will ask the doctor to come and have a look at it tomorrow, maybe it will be there now..."

After being told that Xia Fei had both cheeks, Lu Ju stretched out her hand to touch her stomach, feeling a little more hopeful in her heart...

*
Cao's house, Dongfu, inner house.

Mrs. Zhao Jia wore a mop on her head and a woolen blanket on her body, leaning on the edge of the kang.Her face drooped, she didn't smile at all, and her face seemed to be able to scrape off frost.

On Cao Song's side, he was no longer as restless as before. He looked at Cao Yong and said, "Brother, since the rumors are not groundless, how about this marriage?"

Before Cao Yong could reply, Mrs. Zhao Jia had already said in a sharp voice: "What nonsense marriage? Naturally, it will be withdrawn. Who can afford to be ashamed of this! The elopement woman wants to pretend to be a girl and marry her as a big wife. This is a fraudulent marriage , if we don’t have nine admirals to sue them, we’ll take advantage of them.”

Although Zhao Jia's words were harsh, Cao Yong also meant the same thing.

That Yun Gege was 15 years old, and he dared to elope with others, which shows that she is a little girl with ideas.Leaving aside whether he is innocent or not, let's just say that this temperament is not a person who manages the house.

What's more, with such a reputation, if you really want to enter the gate of Cao's family, then Cao's family will become people's jokes after dinner.Besides, the fourth sister and the fifth son are still young, if there is such a sister-in-law who has entered the family, her reputation will also be implicated.

"Brother..." Cao Song waited for his mother to finish speaking, but still looked at Cao Yong, wanting to wait for his brother to get his opinion.

Cao Yong nodded, and said to Zhao Jia: "Then let's quit the marriage, it's just that we have already made a small commitment, so do we need the central matchmaker to go over and say..."

Mrs. Zhao Jia rubbed her forehead and said, "I originally wanted to ask Song'er and his sixth uncle to be the matchmaker, but because he is not in Beijing, no one has been found yet."

After hearing this, Cao Yong said: "Since that's the case, then the middleman introduced before..."

When Zhao Jia heard this, she gritted her teeth and said, "I have sent people to invite me several times, saying that my relatives have something to do and have left Beijing. It's just a guilty conscience, I'm afraid I'll settle accounts with her."

There is no middleman, no big matchmaker, it seems that this marriage has to be brought directly to General Fengguo's mansion by Cao's mansion.

Cao Yong thought about it for a while, and said: "In that case, my second brother and I will pass a film over there, send a letter, and withdraw the marriage."

Zhao Jia thought about the loss of being dumb, so he vomited so panicked that he held his forehead and said "Ouch", and said, "Let your brothers deal with it, I can't afford to worry about it..."

Coming out of the inner house, the two brothers went to the study in the front yard.

Cao Song clenched his fists resentfully, and said, "I can't wait to have a meal with that guy, how can I have the face to be my in-laws with us?"

"Don't make extra troubles, so as not to make a big fuss. It's obvious that we have a reason, but it seems that we don't have a reason." Cao Yong walked to the desk, picked up his pen, thought about it, and swiped it.

As for Yungege's indiscreet morals and bad reputation, of course they can't be directly put on the letter, it's nothing more than a combination of characters, and the two newcomers are at odds, so they don't dare to talk about it.

However, in order to prevent never denying the account, Cao Yong added a sentence later, "I am delighted to hear that Gege is lively, intelligent, and extraordinary. He will definitely find a good son-in-law. I wish you the best of luck."

Cao Song was at the side, read the letter written by Cao Yong, and said unconvinced: "Brother, is this too light? It should be said that his sister has the appearance of a red Buddha and the talent of a gentleman. Only Li Jing and Sima Xiang Only those who are like that are worthy, our little four can't climb high."

Both Hongfo and Zhuo Wenjun eloped with others, if they wrote that in the letter, it would be a slap in the face.If it spreads out, that Yun Gege might have to hang himself and wipe his neck, but he won't be able to wipe away the shame.

"You don't have to use your tongue, let's leave some room for it." Cao Yong finished the letter almost, folded it up and put it in an envelope, and asked someone to take his and Cao Song's name card, and send it to Yongquan together with the letter house.

Because it was a letter of resignation, fearing that there might be mistakes in the middle, Cao Yong also specifically ordered that it be sent to Yongquan himself, and he would come back after asking for Yongquan's reply.

Cao Song sat on the chair and said: "It's all because of rushing to talk about marriage with the fourth brother. Brother, since Yun Gege can't do it, what about the marriage on the fourth side? See what the Dong family means. , I still hope to marry the girl in years ago."

"Marriage is not a child's play. It's better to find a suitable one. Besides, the fourth brother is only sixteen, and he is not very old, so he shouldn't be so hasty. Although according to the usual rules, the elder brother should marry first. But the situation is different when the fourth younger brother is working abroad, so it is not a big deal for Xiao Wu to marry a year earlier." Cao Yong said.

Cao Song nodded, and said: "That's the only way. The fourth brother got green chrysanthemum, and it's like mixing oil with honey. It's hard for him to marry a wife now, and maybe he has added a couple of grievances. A two-year delay is also a good thing."

The two brothers were talking, when they heard a servant outside the door saying: "Master, Master, my wife sent Miss Hongmei to pass the message."

When Cao Song heard the words, he was already a little impatient. Seeing Cao Yong nodded, he raised his voice and said, "Tell her to come in."

After a while, Hongmei opened the door and came in, blessed, and said: "Uncle, Second Master, Madam said that I have to get back the few pieces of jewelry that Xiaoding. It was my wife's dowry in the early years, and I was reluctant to give it to outsiders for nothing."

Cao Song waved his hand and said: "Go down, just tell your wife, the uncle and I both know."

Hongmei went down in response.Cao Song couldn't help complaining to Cao Yong: "Look, brother, what time is it, and you still miss those pieces of jewelry. After all, Yungege's matter is secret, and there are many people who know about it. The fourth child has it. With this resignation, when we talk about marriage in the future, I'm afraid it will be even more difficult to pick a good one."

Cao Yong picked up the teacup, drank a couple of sips, and said, "Stop complaining. No one expected to encounter such a thing. Isn't the second aunt also sad? The fourth brother must be talented, and he must A good-looking person, but now he has let go of his real deficiency, so he can't be called a daughter-in-law?"

After hearing this, Cao Song stopped talking about it, and drank a few sips of tea, saying, "Brother, will Yongquan play tricks?"

Cao Yong shook his head and said: "Probably not, we also gave him the steps, and he should know it in his heart. Otherwise, if there is a trouble, it is also their fault. At that time, they will lose face."

The two brothers waited for the reply from the other side, sitting for a long time and bored, so they just gossiped.

On Cao Song's side, he has been working as a guard for nearly two years, and he has adapted to the job of a guard.

Two hours a day, six consecutive days of rest and bathing for six days. Among the errands in the capital, what errand is more comfortable than this?Except for the hard-to-drink food at the guard's office, there is really nothing to choose from other treatments.

Cao Yong also spent a few months in the bodyguard in his early years, and he knew the simplicity of it.

Speaking of which, he still has the bodyguard's scar, and he hasn't taken it back yet.In the early years, it was because he was a third-class bodyguard of the fifth rank, and he was transferred from a member of the household department of the fifth rank, Uiro, and he was relegated to fill the vacancy.In order to make up for him, Kangxi Yukou let Cao Yong still have a third-class bodyguard vacancy.

Then Cao Yong was promoted to a doctor, sent to Daotai, returned to Beijing to take over as the minister of Taipusi, and was later relegated to the Ministry of War as a doctor, and then promoted to the chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The toss was frequent enough.The guard is short, and he is always hanging, and receives salary twice a year.

Speaking of it, it is already a bit out of order.I don't know why the adults at the guards didn't think of this incident. No one has mentioned this time in the past few years.

"If you can follow the siege, the emperor will give you a yellow jacket if you can't keep it clean." Cao Song mentioned this, he couldn't help but beam with joy, and said: "This year there is something at home, and next year you have to follow whatever you say. Tigers, leopards, wolves, everyone Guys, you have to see and see to be considered a real hero, right?"

"They are all raised in captivity. At that time, thousands of people will surround them and drive them to one place. What's the point?" Cao Yong followed Xingwei a few times, shaking his head and said...

*
Beyond the Great Wall, Boluo and Tun, Shengjia is here.

Shengjia traveled from Rehe four days ago. Because Princess Gulun Rongxian of Bahrain and several other Mongolian princes successively came to the pilgrimage, Shengjia has stayed in Boluohetun for two days.

A total of sixteen princesses were born in the Kangxi harem, and only eight of them lived to the age of marriage. Except for the nine and fourteen princesses who married in Beijing, the other six lived in Mongolia.

Among the eight princesses who came out of the pavilion, five died successively. The only ones alive today are the third princess who married Bahrain, Princess Gulun Rongxian, the sixth princess who married Khalkha, and Princess Shuokejing, who married the first-class grandson Chengyun. The Fourteenth Princess and Princess Shuojing.

Among the three, Princess Gulun Rongxian is the most honorable. She is the same mother and sister of the third elder brother, born of Concubine Rong, and is the most favored by Kangxi. She is specially named "Princess Gulun".

The third elder brother's biggest bargaining chip in spying on the reserve position is that besides the eldest and second elder brothers who have been encircled, he himself is the leader of the princes.And his same mother and sister are also the most beloved princess of the imperial father.

Therefore, when Princess Rong Xian came to the court, the happiest person was Third Elder Brother.

In Princess Rongxian's tent, the third elder brother put a smile on his face, saying goodbye to his sister.

On the table in front of Princess Rong Xian, there were two emerald plates with watermelon and grapes bestowed by the emperor.

"After all, it's a tribute melon. It's different from the ones outside. It's made of sand, so sweet." Princess Rong Xian took a piece of watermelon, biting into it, and couldn't help praising it.

The third elder brother smiled and said: "I know that the emperor still eats this, hasn't she already sent someone to Mongolia to deliver melons?"

Princess Rong Xian put down the melon in her hand, tested the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief, and said: "Although it is transported thousands of miles away, how can the things sent to the imperial court compare with those slaves who transport them in mule carts? Every year That is to say, when you come to see Huang Ama, you can eat good melons and fruits for two days."

Speaking of this, Princess Rong Xian remembered something and asked, "Why don't you see the Queen Mother's Fengjia? Didn't it mean that the Queen Mother has also arrived in Rehe?"

The third elder brother sighed, and said: "The empress dowager is old and not in good health, so she rested in Rehe and did not follow the tour. The seventh brother stayed there to serve."

After hearing this, Princess Rong Xian thought for a while, and said: "The queen mother is 77 years old, and she is also a long-lived. It's just that Huang Ama is the most filial servant, and her current body is not as good as before. I still hope that the queen mother can live a long life. , so as not to make Huang Ama feel sad."

In this world, the most uncontrollable thing is life and death.

Thinking of this, Princess Rongxian glanced at the third elder brother, and said: "It looks like you are fine, you are about forty years old, and you look about the same as a few years ago, but I have long gray hair. In a blink of an eye, we are old."

All women in the world cherish their appearance.Even though Princess Rongxian has a noble status, she cannot be exempt from customs.

The third elder brother had already made preparations, and when he heard the words, he hurriedly offered up the two small boxes beside him, and said: "Sister Huang, this is my younger brother's filial piety, please accept it."

"What kind of strange and good thing?" Princess Rongxian said, and opened the box, inside was a palm-sized piece of Polygonum multiflorum in human shape, complete with beard and hair.

"This is a good thing, so is that one?" Princess Rongxian said as she opened another box, inside was a box of round black pearls.

"Last year after I heard Huang Jie mentioning these two things, my younger brother sent people looking around for them. God is sorry, after searching for a year, it was finally worthwhile. It can be used to make Huang Jie black hair and beautify her face." Three Brother said with a smile.

Princess Rongxian looked at the two boxes, waved her hand to send the waiters away from the house, her smile was already on her face, she looked at the third elder brother with a little more hesitation.

The third elder brother was stared at hairy, and said in a low voice: "Sister Huang..."

"Third brother, we are brothers and sisters who were born by my mother. Elder sister still doesn't understand your thoughts? Why do you still have to act like this? I will treat my brother well because of greed?" Rong Xian The princess frowned, and there was a bit of reproach in her voice.

The third elder brother was self-defeating, and said embarrassingly: "Sister Huang misunderstood, brother has no other intentions. I just know that sister Huang is living in poverty outside the Great Wall. That's why I thought about being filial..."

Princess Rongxian closed the box, looked at the third elder brother, and said in a low voice: "Since it is the kindness of the third younger brother, I will accept it from the elder sister. When the sister and younger brother are together, the older sister will also say a word. The third brother must remember, Huang Ama First is the emperor, then our Ama. What does Huang Ama value most? Not us sons and daughters? The second elder brother was born in the Yuan Dynasty, and Huang Ama taught the older ones hand in hand. What is going on now? The most important thing is the chair, which is the right in your hands. One mountain cannot contain two tigers, and so does a father and son. Even if the third brother is concerned about that position, let's pretend he doesn't care. I heard that the eighth elder brother is in a difficult situation. Can't the third brother wake up?"

When the third elder brother heard the words, he was immediately enlightened, and murmured: "No wonder he looks at him for pretentiousness. It turns out that he also knows Huang Ama's temper like the emperor's sister..."

*
Capital City, Cao Family, Dong Mansion.

Cao Yong and Cao Song waited for more than an hour, but the steward who was sent out has not yet returned.

Cao Yong waited impatiently, wondering if he should ask Cao Song to send someone to visit Yongquan's mansion again.Cao Song couldn't sit still, stood up, looked outside and said, "Why haven't you come back? Could it be that Yongquan really dares to play tricks and refuse to withdraw?"

The two brothers were wondering, when they saw the previous steward come back with a complicated expression, leaned over and said: "Uncle, Second Master, Uncle Yong didn't reply, but invited Third Uncle to come together..."

*
It's the weekend, please ask for a few monthly tickets and recommendation tickets. . . (*^__^*). .

(End of this chapter)