Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 897 Intervention
Li Xu's prediction was right, the eight blessings did come here for the marriage of their adopted daughter He Wanqing.

After the eighth elder brother died of illness, Wan Qing stayed at the Baylor Mansion, spending time with her adoptive mother.Bafujin was originally a staunch woman, and she sent her adopted daughter back to the He family in order to restrain her husband.

Now that the eighth elder brother died of illness, she has no intention of pleasing Kangxi, so she can do whatever she wants.

However, it is different from the high-spirited and arrogant in the past. After undergoing great changes, her state of mind has long been different.

It would be a lie to say that she has no regrets. When she was tossing and turning in the middle of the night, she thought more than once that if she could start all over again, she would definitely dissuade her husband from thinking about that position, and the husband and wife would live happily ever after.

It's just that there is no medicine for regret in this world, it's too late to say anything.

She is not a virtuous person, and she only takes care of the concubine and concubine, but cannot give birth to sincerity.After all, they were born by other women, and it makes people feel blocked when they see them.

Although Wan Qing is an adopted daughter, she has been raised by her side since she was a child, and it really hurts her as her own.

When He Zhuo came to the mansion and mentioned that he planned to betroth Wan Qing to Li Xu's grandson, the Eight Fortunes at the beginning of the Jin Dynasty were unwilling. Far.

But He Zhuo made it clear that he is already an old man, and his health has not been very good in recent years, and he plans to leave Beijing and return to Suzhou to retire.

Telling his daughter to the Li family is not only because of the friendship with the Li family for several generations, but also because the Li family, Li Xu, Li Nai and his son are honest people, he has also met Li Cheng, and they are both good-looking.

After hearing this, Ba Fujin didn't want to stop him, and asked people to inquire about the third young master of the Li family, who had a good reputation, so he agreed in his heart.

He Zhuo is a man of letters who values ​​righteousness more than wealth. He gave up his family's fields and houses to his brothers, and he has no permanent property in his hands.

Wan Qing's dowry has become the concern of Fujin.

It is said that the Li family is rich and rich, the more they are, the more important the dowry is, otherwise even the servants will be contemptuous.

The properties of the Baylor Mansion are registered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and even the eight Fujins are not easy to deal with.Eight Fujin ordered people to dispose of his dowry, and took out half of it to buy Wanqing as a dowry, and kept the other half as private money.

When she heard that Li Xu helped the spirit to enter the capital, she asked someone to invite Li Xu to come over.

Because Li Xu was nearly seventy years old, there were not so many taboos between the two of them when they met, and there were no screens or bead curtains to separate them.Wearing plain clothes, Ba Fujin entered the side hall surrounded by maidservants and mother-in-law, walked to the main seat and sat down.

Although the Li family has not formally belonged to the eighth elder brother's family, according to their rank, Li Xu still has to bow down.

Bafujin received it steadily, and then waved his hand to ask Li Xu to get up.

"I invite you to come here today. I don't have anyone else. It's for Wanqing's sake." Bafujin didn't bother to babble, and cut straight to the point: "Li Cheng's status is a bit low. It just so happens that you are in Beijing. Donate him an official position and then hire him."

Although there are no fixed numbers for dowry and dowry among the people, they are all done by the people who host the wedding according to their ability.But strictly speaking, there are all custom-made, the more official the family, the more they have to follow the system. The status and status are different, and the specifications of the dowry are also different.

Ba Fujin didn't want Wanqing to be wronged, and He Zhuo didn't care about mundane affairs, so Ba Fujin went directly to the Li family.

Li Xu was fine when he heard what happened before, but he felt a little uncomfortable when he heard what happened behind.

After all, he was in his filial piety now, and Bafujin didn't shy away from mentioning his marriage, which was indeed a bit rude, but who was he, how could he show his joy and anger, his expression remained unchanged, and he listened respectfully.

After Bafujin finished speaking, seeing Li Xu's gray clothes, he also knew that he was a bit reckless.She frowned and said, "I heard that Li Cheng is two years younger than Qing girl? He's only a little older, what are you in a hurry for?"

Although Wanqing is sixteen this year, it is already the year of marriage, but the Banner family only gets married when they are eighteen or nine, and the Eight Fortunes would like to keep her for a few more years, so as to avoid the hardship and hardship of being a daughter-in-law at a young age.

"It's Mr. Yimen's idea. After finishing the young daughter's marriage as soon as possible, he has settled his mind." Li Xu replied: "Two days ago, I met Mr. Yimen. What he meant was to wait for the grandson of my slave." Once filial piety is achieved, the children's marriage affairs will be handled."

"Is it the next year to marry?" Bafujin asked.

"Exactly, even if we can get hired in the twelfth lunar month, we have to wait until February or March next year to get married." Li Xu replied.

After hearing this, Bafujin breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Fortunately, I have more than half a year's work."

She sent people to the south to buy good wood and make furniture for Wan Qing, but she was worried that the time would be too fast and it would be too late.

Ba Fujin thought about the origin of Cao and Li's family, and then thought about Cao Yong's character, and he had a little more affection for Li's family. He asked a few more questions about Gao Taijun's entry into Beijing, and he was already thinking about asking someone to give him a gift past……

*
People in this world talk about "filial piety", in addition to "filial piety", but also "obedience".It means that children must obey what their parents say.

Cao Fu didn't take it seriously. In his opinion, "filial piety" who doesn't know how to adapt is "foolish filial piety".

Mrs. Zhao Jia sent the maidservant away, leaving only the son, and said that the daughter-in-law had been married for several years and had not had children, and wanted to give Hongmei, who was waiting beside her, to Cao Fu as a concubine.

Although Hongmei is what she needs to use by her side, but Hongmei is already twenty this year, so there is no need to delay.

Hongmei knew that Fifth Grandma's natal family was powerful, and that Fifth Grandma had worked as a servant in the palace. When she looked at people, she seemed to be able to read people's hearts, so it was not easy to fool her.Therefore, she gave up the idea of ​​going to the fifth master early, and focused on Cao Xiang's side.

But Cao Xiang has always been far away from his aunt's side, and he has both wives and concubines by his side, so he has no intention of adding others.Hongmei gritted her teeth with hatred, but there was nothing she could do. Originally, she wanted to persuade Zhao Jia to give herself to Cao Xiang, but since Cao Xiang had green chrysanthemum by her side, how could Zhao Jia let her go?

As a result, the matter was delayed until Cao Xiang let go of his foreign post, and Hongmei couldn't find a chance.

After all, she is a maid, and everything is arranged by the master, and she has no room for her own size to speak.

When Mrs. Zhao Jia told her that he wanted to promote her and let her serve Cao Fu, Hongmei was overjoyed, and naturally she was willing to do so.

Seeing Cao Fu coming, she replied shyly, blushed and retreated with the others, leaving the room for Mrs. Zhao Jia and his wife to talk.

Cao Fu didn't even think about it, and refused straight away: "Don't worry, the son is only twenty, and the common people only take concubines when they are forty and childless, what's the hurry?"

After hearing this, Mrs. Zhao Jia couldn't help being annoyed, and glared at him and said, "You're talking nonsense! If a bride doesn't come in for three years, she dispatches to take concubines for her husband Zhang Luo. Don't worry about your daughter-in-law, I am a mother-in-law. You still hope to have a grandson. Because of your uncle’s filial piety period, and you have to take the Jinshi exam, it has been delayed for another two years. Now that you have a concubine, even the Dong family will not say anything."

When Cao Fu heard that the flames of war were going to turn to his wife, he hurriedly said: "What my wife said is that this is what Su Xin should worry about. I will tell her when I get back."

After hearing this, Zhao Jia's expression was slightly relaxed, and he said with a smile: "I asked, Hongmei's mother has given birth to five children. I also let people see Hongmei, she is a good child."

Cao Fu is a smart person, he has already seen that Hongmei is not a docile person, how can he take over?He waved his hand and said: "Madam, even if the son wants to take a concubine, he doesn't want a girl. There are not many girls who are concubines in this mansion? Or let Suxin make someone choose a good girl."

Mrs. Zhao Jia was puzzled, and said: "The ones brought in from outside, how can anyone know the basics? The red plum is not outstanding, but it can serve people."

After Cao Fu said those words, he already regretted it.What he said was true, but it also included two concubine mothers, one of whom was the elder brother's biological mother, which was somewhat disrespectful.

After listening to Mrs. Zhao Jia, he happened to find a step and said, "Anyway, I don't want red plums. Who is not a 'good wife and beautiful concubine'? I must find a stunning concubine to be my concubine."

Speaking of which, Suxin's appearance is also above average, and she is older than Cao Fu. It is only because of Cao Yin's decision that this marriage came about.

In Zhao Jia's heart, he only thought that he had wronged his youngest son, seeing that he wanted to find a beautiful concubine, he was reluctant to say anything, and said: "If you look for it outside, you should look for it outside, but you have to find out clearly, no matter how good-looking a prostitute is, you can't want... ...You still have two younger sisters who have not left the cabinet, and no messy people can enter the mansion..."

"Don't worry, ma'am, isn't there such a rule in the family rules written by uncle before his death? Don't take prostitutes as concubines, so your son can save it." Cao Fu said with a smile.

Compared with other daughter-in-laws, Zhao Jia is quite satisfied with his youngest daughter-in-law.

Seeing her son being "lustful" now, she can't help nagging a few words, saying: "You miss my concubine, I won't stop you, but don't break the rules. Although the daughter-in-law is older, she has served you well all these years after entering the house Of course, there is hard work without credit, so don't make her feel cold."

Cao Fu was a little surprised that his mother had always picked on a few daughters-in-law's faults.

He "coughed" a few words, and said: "Madam, don't worry, the son has seen the suffering of his wife in the early years, if he still spoils his concubine and kills his wife, wouldn't he be a bastard?"

After hearing this, Zhao Jia could not help feeling bitter when thinking of her family's grievances in the early years.

At this moment, she couldn't think of fighting with her daughters-in-law. Instead, she said with a little hesitation: "Your second sister-in-law is in charge of the house, and Zilan and Yulong can't bully her. Your wife is submissive." Shouli's temper, your beautiful concubine, not only must you pick someone who is outstanding in appearance, but also has a good temper."

At this moment, the topic has changed from taking concubines for the son to helping the daughter-in-law to control the concubines.

Cao Fu secretly smiled inwardly, but remained expressionless on his face. He frowned and said, "Madam, this daughter's parents are better, and it's normal to have a petty temper. Su Xin is a virtuous person, so she doesn't care about these things."

Seeing him like this, Zhao Jia became more and more worried.

She thought of Wu'er's biological mother, Lu Mei, who, although not "extremely beautiful", had a first-class appearance, and how much she had suffered.

She snorted coldly and said: "This little concubine's temper is small-tempered, and she doesn't take it seriously; this one who is the main wife can only be 'virtuous'. My wife can tolerate those who are not sensible, but I can't tolerate it. When the time comes, don't think I'm troublesome when the board is over."

Cao Fu said shyly: "My son knows, I will choose someone who looks good and has a good temper, so as not to make my wife angry."

Seeing that he was obedient, Mrs. Zhao Jia was relieved, and the mother and son said a few more homely things.

Hongmei knew that what she was talking about today was about her life's event, she wanted to eavesdrop on a few words, but she turned down her face, so she walked around the gate of the courtyard.

Seeing Cao Fu coming out of the upper room with a smile, her heart skipped a beat, "thump", and she blushed and softly called out "Fifth Lord".

Cao Fu stopped, raised his eyebrows, glanced at her with a half-smile, and then left.

It wasn't until he was far away that Hongmei raised her head, touched her face, looked at Cao Fu's back, and thought to herself, she was really confused before.

The fifth master is much more handsome than the fourth master, and he treats people kindly.

In the upper room, Zhao Jia felt a little worried.The son said that Hongmei should also be a matchmaker when she is old, and he wanted to tell his long-term follower He Lao Liu.

Zhao Jia knew about He Lao Liu.In his thirties, he has served Cao Fu's side for more than ten years. He is said to be a long-term follower, but because he can handle horses, he is a groom.

He looks big and thick, and he is a bit silly. His daughter-in-law died of illness two years ago.

He is not a son of the Cao family, but an orphan Cao Quan took in when he was the county magistrate, so he has never been taken seriously in the mansion.

Bisheng Cao looked down on love, and stayed by his side all the time as an errand.

After all, Hongmei is Zhao Jia's big maid, even if her son doesn't want her, she should point out a steward to be a good match.This He Lao Liu, his status is a bit low...

*
Across the courtyard, in the upper room.

Su Xin sat on the edge of the kang in the outer room, listening to the two women.

Although Jinghui is the housekeeper in the mansion, she still has two daughters who need to be taken care of, and her nephew Tianhu, who is too busy, so she asks Suxin to take care of the kitchen affairs.

In the early years before Cao Xiang and his wife left Beijing, Jinghui thought about asking her sister-in-law to share the family affairs, but was rejected by Zhao Jiashi.Although Chunhua is Zhao Jia's chosen daughter-in-law, Zhao Jia doesn't want her to intervene in housework because Cao Xiang is separated from her.

Jinghui had no choice but to work hard.

When Cao Xiang and his wife left Beijing, she asked Zhao Jia to ask her sister-in-law to help with housework, and Zhao Jia nodded.

It's going to be a holiday soon, so I'm talking about some dumplings in the kitchen.

Cao Fu grew up there and loves bacon rice dumplings; Zhao Jiashi likes rice dumplings made of old yellow rice, and Jing Hui loves jujube paste rice dumplings the most.I need to pack a few more and send some to Xifu.

The Xifu sends rice dumplings from Daoxiang Village every year, but there are so many people in this mansion, they still have to make more small jujube rice dumplings to reward people.

Just as she was saying this, a little girl picked up the curtain and came in, saying: "Grandma, the fifth master is back and has entered the east room. Ask grandma when she will finish her work and want to have dinner with grandma."

After hearing this, Su Xin waved her hand to send the ladies off, then got up and went to the east room.

Entering the room, I saw Cao Fu waving his fan, and said with a bit of pride: "You have to ask the kitchen to add two dishes tonight, so please reward me?"

Although I don't know where her husband's words came from, but in front of the maid, Su Xin didn't say much, and ordered: "Go to the kitchen and tell me, don't be in a hurry to prepare the meal, mix some radish seedlings, and add a crystal elbow."

When the maid went out, Su Xin asked with a smile: "Did Fifth Lord make meritorious service today?"

Cao Fu smiled without answering, and said, "That's right, I'll ask someone to clean up the West Wing."

When Su Xin heard this, her heart skipped a beat, she raised her head and looked at her husband.

Cao Fu closed the fan in his hand, and said with a smile: "What are you thinking about? It's just a study for the master. Now someone in the upper room always comes to ask you about it, and I don't have a quiet time."

Cao Fu was afraid that his wife would be overwhelmed with the fact that his mother asked him to take a concubine, so he wanted to keep it secret, but he thought that if his mother asked, Su Xin would not know the details, so it would be unbeautiful to talk about it twice.

After a little thought, he still said it simply in a few words.

He only said that Hongmei was restless and urged his wife to enter the yard here, but he refused...

*
Cao's house, the living room.

"Peace talks?" Cao Yong looked at the seventeenth elder brother, a little surprised: "It has been prepared for several years, doesn't it mean that the fight has already started? Why do you want peace talks?"

"What else is there? It's all for meritorious service. If we can win, no one will want peace talks." Elder Seventeen said with a bit of sarcasm: "The one has already signed up. The purpose is to return to Beijing for a review..."

(End of this chapter)