Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 716 Longevity (Part [-])
In the "Legend of the White Snake", which has been passed down through the ages, there is a paranoid monk Fahai.With staring eyes, she just can't understand Bai Suzhen, a snake demon who "repays her kindness".They figured out right and wrong, and created a Leifeng Pagoda, suppressed Bai Suzhen at the bottom of the West Lake Pagoda, and forced the well-behaved couple, mother and child to be separated.

There was also Fahai in the Kangxi Dynasty. Although he was not as famous as the monk Fahai, he was considered a legendary figure among the rich and powerful in the capital.

Speaking of which, he was born in the Tong family known as "Tong Banchao". He is the second son of the uncle Tong Guogang and Kangxi's cousin. He should be an authentic royal relative and a very noble status.

However, because Fahai's biological mother was not Tong Guogang's concubine, but a maidservant.According to the saying in the capital, it was raised by a girl.Therefore, since he was a child, his identity has been extremely embarrassing.He didn't even receive the treatment of an ordinary concubine, and was discriminated against by his father and brother, and the whole Tong family didn't regard him as his master.

His biological mother did not reveal her identity until her death, and was not buried in the Tong family's ancestral grave because of her brother Elundai's obstruction.For this reason, Fahai and his elder brother became enemies.

Fortunately, he was upbeat, knowing that his father and brother were not reliable, so he took the road of imperial examination, and won the Jinshi in his 20s.This is not a big deal, because of his excellent character and learning, he was appointed as the prince's teacher before he was [-] years old, teaching the thirteenth elder brother and the fourteenth elder brother.Among them, the thirteenth elder brother is the most congenial, and the master and apprentice are very compatible.

When the prince was "abandoned", because the thirteenth elder brother was involved in the battle for the heir apparent, Fa Hai, a teacher, was also implicated, and was downgraded by six levels in a row. Originally, he was downgraded from a fourth-rank bachelor's attendant to a seventh-rank The Imperial Academy review.

It was not until last year that he was reinstated after pleading with several university scholars.

In the winter of the 55th year of Kangxi, the capital snowed heavily.

A Ling'a was lingering on the sick bed and was already unconscious.The Seventeenth Elder Brother took the Seventeenth Fujin out of the palace to serve the sick, and it has been several days.According to the imperial physician, he is now dying, and it is time to start preparing for the funeral.

The Duke's Mansion was full of gloom. Elder Brother Shi, as Ling'a's nephew, came to visit the sick twice, but he was not in the mood.

Some people are frustrated, and some people are proud.

Fahai was promoted to governor of Guangdong and will leave Beijing to take up his post on this day.

The people who saw him off included colleagues from the Fahai Imperial Academy and the two prince students he had taught.There are also several distant relatives of the Tong family, the main family and the close branches of the Tong family, but because they are afraid of Erlundai, no one shows up.

Cao Yong and Fa Hai are not familiar with each other at all, and today they are accompanying Brother Thirteen to see him off.

After the eighth elder brother burned the "May Seven", the thirteenth elder brother returned to Tangquan. He originally planned to come back when the eighth elder brother went to the funeral.Unexpectedly, only two days later, I got the news of Fa Hai's promotion.

At the front door, Elder Brother Thirteen happened to meet Cao Yong, so he pulled him to go with him.

Cao Yong didn't know Fa Hai. He had been an official in Beijing for many years, and this was the first time he saw him.However, he has been admiring his name for a long time, and he heard it mentioned by Brother Thirteen a long time ago.

Fahai was a Jinshi in the 33rd year of Kangxi, and he worked in the Imperial Academy for more than 20 years. The refined temperament cultivated by him is indeed different from others.

Even if the Tong family doesn't recognize him, but the emperor recognizes him as a cousin, the future is naturally limitless.After the first governor came down and returned to the capital, it was Jingtang.

Fourteenth elder brother's attitude is very respectful, which makes people offer Cheng Yi generously.During the conversation, there was also a sense of gratitude to the mentor for the teachings of the past, and those who listened were also filled with emotion.

Naturally, it is inevitable that some people will follow and flatter, either praise Fourteenth Brother for respecting the teacher, or praise Fa Hai for his extraordinary learning.

In contrast, Brother Thirteen is also a disciple, but he is much more silent.In addition to pulling Cao Yong, he was wearing ordinary clothes and only brought two long followers.

If Brother Fourteen hadn't called "Brother Thirteen" and Fa Hai said "Brother Thirteen", few would have recognized him as the prince.

"The mountain is high and the water is far away, the teacher cherishes it." Thirteenth elder brother looked at Fa Hai and clasped his fists after everyone had said their farewell words.

Fa Hai looked at Elder Thirteen, and said slowly, "Master Thirteen, do you still remember the banner in the teacher's study?"

Brother Thirteen didn't expect Fa Hai to say this, he was slightly taken aback, and nodded.

"Send it to Brother Thirteen for encouragement." Fa Hai showed a slight smile, looking at Brother Thirteen with encouragement in his eyes.

Elder Brother Thirteen only felt a warm feeling in his heart, his eyes were already sore, he took a few steps forward to take the reins from the coachman, leaned over and said, "Student helps the teacher to get on the carriage."

Fa Hai nodded, and saw off the crowd, hugged and saluted, supported Brother Thirteen's arm, and boarded the carriage.

Fourteenth elder brother stood aside, watching the carriage gradually go away, but his heart became cold.

He and the thirteenth elder brother are both Fa Hai's students, so naturally they have also been to the teacher's study.On the banner was a Tang poem written by Fahai himself, "Danqing doesn't know the old man will come, and wealth and honor are like floating clouds to me."

Is this remark sent to the thirteenth elder brother for encouragement, or is it to be told to him, the fourteenth elder brother?

Because of the teacher-student relationship, the fourteenth elder brother was a little happy about Fa Hai's comeback, but now he is not too happy.He glanced at Brother Thirteen, feeling a little apprehensive.

Back then, the thirteenth elder brother was neglected by the emperor's father because of his restlessness; now, if he has other thoughts, what should he do?

Brother Thirteen watched the carriage go away with a sad expression.He didn't turn around until he was out of sight, and said to Cao Yong: "Thank you for coming with me, I want to stay at the fourth brother's house before leaving the city. Tang Shan, let's have some more wine."

Cao Yong agreed, the fourteenth elder brother had already strolled over, and said to the thirteenth elder brother: "Thirteenth elder brother, are you going back to the mansion, or..."

"Go and see fourth brother, and then leave the city." Thirteenth elder brother replied peacefully.

The fourteenth elder brother added a smile, and said: "That's just right, I haven't been to the fourth brother's house for a few days, let's go together."

The thirteenth elder brother smiled and nodded, said goodbye to Cao Yong, and rode away with the fourteenth elder brother.

After seeing the teacher-student farewell scene, Cao Yong felt uncomfortable.Another month will be Mr. Zhuang's anniversary.At this time last year, Mr. Zhuang was still worrying about his student, but now it is forever.

All the way silent, to the door, Cao Yong saw several carriages parked outside.

Cao Yong turned over and got off the horse, and saw Wu Sheng leading the horse with the porter boy.

"Visitor?" Cao Yong pointed to the carriage over there and asked.

"If you go back to uncle, it's the housekeepers and ladies sent by several princes' mansions to give birthday presents." Wu Sheng bowed and replied.

Tomorrow is October 46, Li's [-]th birthday.Because it wasn't a whole birthday, and Chu Yu was still wearing filial piety, so Mrs. Li explained that she didn't need to hold a birthday, and she didn't invite a troupe, just a family meal.

Unexpectedly, there is also the prince's mansion coming to celebrate his birthday.

Cao Yong nodded, and before he entered the mansion, he heard the sound of "tapping" and "tapping" horseshoes. Looking along the sound, he saw two blue horse-drawn carriages coming from the entrance of the alley.

After a short time, there was a steward holding a prayer box, who seemed to have seen the world, and recognized him from Cao Yong's make-up clothes, and said, "Excuse me, is this Cao Yong's son-in-law?"

Cao Yong nodded and said: "It is Cao, may I ask your honor?"

The man bowed and replied: "Returning to Concubine Cao's words, the servant is the manager outside Prince Yu's mansion, and was ordered to come to present the birthday ceremony for Mrs. Uncle."

Although the Cao family is said to be an earl, it is a commoner.Prince Yu's mansion is of the blood of Emperor Wen, and the head of the family is Baotai, Kangxi's nephew.Even if you want to send a birthday gift to Cao's family, you can't use the word "Jin".

Or because of the rumors outside, even Baotai was not sure whether Mrs. Li was a cousin or a real sister.As soon as the rumors about Li's life experience came out, it was found that the old prince sent nuns to Suzhou and Jiangning when he was alive in the early years.

Everyone in the world knows that the siblings are the most respected today, and all the brothers were crowned princes during their lifetimes.Among them, he has the closest relationship with his elder brother, Fuquan, the first generation Prince Yu.

Even if Mrs. Li is not a princess, but the daughter of Prince Yu Fuquan living among the people, it makes sense for her to treat her like a woman in Aiwujiwu today.

Cao Yong has been in the capital for many years, and it is hard to say other experiences, but it is common for the stewards of various palaces.That's really a lot of bullshit, even if it's against Cao Yong, it's just mediocre.

Are there really not many people who are as respectful as the steward in front of him?
Could it be that Baotai really wants to recognize his nephew?Baba makes people give gifts with great fanfare.

Cao Yong thought in his heart, and stretched out his hand to invite the steward to the living room for tea.In the carriage was the old woman who came to celebrate Li's birthday. She rushed directly to the second gate and entered the inner house to talk.

Apart from drinking tea, the steward secretly looked at Cao Yong.Isn't there that old saying?Call your nephew like an uncle.

The old prince has six sons and seven daughters. Except for the third son Baotai who inherits the throne, there are only Wugege and Liugege alive.Unfortunately, these two princesses have both married to Mongolia, and they cannot provide help to their natal families.

Although the Li family is not a real princess or princess, she has a son-in-law and daughter-in-law of the princess, and is also favored by the queen mother in the palace.

Even if they can't recognize their relatives clearly, they are their own flesh and blood after all.Therefore, after discussing with Fujin, Baotai prepared a birthday gift and sent it over, which was not without a sense of temptation.

Cao Yong was a little uncomfortable. He had seen Prince Yu Baotai before. He was more than ten years older than him, and he was considered a relatively modest figure among the princes.Rao is so, Cao Yong is not interested in recognizing his uncle.

What is secretiveness?

If Li's identity could be seen in the light of day, why should he be a child of "Ruyi" and "Enyin"?

That's it, it's a bit stupid for Prince Yu's mansion to still want to recognize relatives.

*
Inner house, orchid courtyard.

Sitting on the edge of the kang, Mrs. Li asked her servant girl to serve tea to the two nuns who came over from the palace.

During this noon time, she has already entertained several groups of guests.Some palaces are okay, they walked around a little before, and could say a few words; some palaces of princes had no human relationship with the Cao family earlier.

The more unfamiliar, the harder it is to entertain.

Don't lose etiquette, because people feel neglected; don't get close inexplicably, and you will be suspected of flattery.

Fortunately, Chu Yu was by her side, seeing that her mother-in-law didn't like to talk, she said a few words on her behalf to round off the situation.

The people from Prince Yu's mansion are different from those from other prince's mansions.Even Chuyu had some guesses in her heart, thinking that her mother-in-law might be the legacy of the late old prince.

The grandma who came here to celebrate her birthday, besides presenting birthday presents, also received an explanation from Baotai and Fujin to come and see Li Shi.

Because King Fujin of Pingjun is a beauty, and his son-in-law Cao Yong has always been praised for his good looks, so he has long thought that Mrs. Li should be a beauty.After meeting, apart from feeling fairer and younger, her appearance is not very outstanding.

It's just that the calm atmosphere is different from ordinary ladies, and she has a bit of royal demeanor,
The two nuns sighed inwardly, their faces became more respectful, and they said a lot of auspicious words.

Mrs. Li listened with a smile on her side, and Chu Yu's side had already asked someone to prepare a silver seal for the two nuns.

After the two nuns were sent away, Li Shi breathed a sigh of relief, and said to Chu Yu: "It's agreed not to make a fuss, but it's more worrying than in previous years. There will be no dinner tomorrow. Don't these people who give gifts Do you want me to return the gifts one by one?"

Chu Yu persuaded: "My wife is worrying too much. It is almost the end of the year. We just need to be more generous in the annual ceremony."

Mrs. Li stroked her forehead and said, "That's fine, otherwise, I can't afford to run."

Chu Yu thought to herself, let alone not being able to run, even if she went to someone else's house, how should she be greeted?It's not appropriate for the following to be against the above;
"By the way, Fujin, the eldest girl, and the third girl have all said that they will come back tomorrow. The palace is fine. The prince and Fujin are coming back, so there is no need for a carriage to pick them up. The Sun family and the Duke's mansion have to prepare a carriage. Go pick it up early tomorrow." Mrs. Li also had a smile on her face when she thought that her daughters and nieces were coming home.

"I have ordered it to be prepared." Chu Yu replied.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were talking, when they heard a maid say from the corridor: "Madam, grandma, the second wife and second grandmother are here."

Mrs. Li remembered Zhao Jia's joke about Changsheng catching Zhou, and complained to Chuyu in a sullen voice, "Look, you must have come to hurt me again. You say old boy, little boy, and what you said is true. .”

Mrs. Li guessed wrong, Mrs. Zhao Jia originally wanted to come here to show off the decency of what was decided yesterday, but she did not expect that the West Mansion was running into the carriage of Prince Yu's Mansion and leaving.

In the past month, after Mrs. Li was bestowed with "Ruyi", all kinds of royal secrets were flying all over the sky.But because Zhaojia's body is not comfortable after winter, and he doesn't like to go out, so he doesn't know.

Mrs. Zhao Jia only thought that Mrs. Li had borrowed from her husband and son to earn her royal status, and she was so respectable today, so she couldn't help feeling a little bit jealous.

Hearing that both Cao Ying and Cao Yiming'er had returned, Zhao Jia's expression became a little stiff.She was a few months older than Li Shi, and she didn't make any arrangements for her birthday. The two daughters were just sent back to her natal family as birthday gifts, and they didn't show up.

Okay?When my mother passed her birthday, she couldn't go back to Ning; when her aunt passed her birthday, she had to go back to her mother's house.

They are all their own flesh and blood, yet they can be so snobbish.

She just felt that she couldn't catch her breath, looking at the kang table and the various birthday presents on the floor that hadn't been put away in time, it was even more dazzling, and she didn't even feel like hurting Li Shi...

*
Front yard, study.

Cao Yong sent away the steward of the palace, and asked Wu Sheng to send over the gift list and account book for the past few days.It's a thick book, many people gave gifts from the royal family and princes to other dignitaries' mansions.

All of a sudden, there are so many people who walk away from the ceremony, Cao Yong feels a little headache.After all, when it comes to the holidays, when it is necessary to visit the house, he, the son, has to come forward...

*
The monthly ticket was overtaken and was about to fall out of the top five in history. Xiao Jiu asked for a few monthly tickets for support, thank you.

(End of this chapter)