The Red Mansions

Chapter 1002 Jia Heng: She's Really Like a Little Woman

Kunning Palace

It was mid-afternoon, and the sun was scorching hot. Although there were a few ice cubes in the hall to cool down the heat, it was still a little hot.

Empress Song looked at the Son of Heaven with her beautiful eyes, looked at the boy in the python suit, and asked, "Zi Yu, why is Your Majesty drunk?"

Jia Heng explained: "Scholar Qi and Li Dashi returned from Beiping today, the Holy One was very happy, so he drank two more cups."

Empress Song quickly came over to help support Emperor Chongping, she felt a heavy smell of alcohol mixed with it, and said, "Ziyu, help him to fall asleep in the bedroom."

Jia Heng nodded, only to feel a strong fragrance coming to his nostrils, and the refreshing breath floated in his nostrils, which made people feel distracted.

Empress Song said in a low voice: "Let's rest on the couch in the bedroom."

Jia Heng and Dai Quan supported Emperor Chongping to rest on the bed, this was the first time they saw Empress Song's bedroom.

The curtains are all around, bound by golden hooks, a three-foot-square dressing table made of mahogany is under the warm pavilion by the west window, the bronze mirror is light and shadowy, and there are gold hairpins and jade hairpins in the box, and there is no smoke in the sandalwood incense cage It is dense, but the fragrance is already filling the room, mixed with the rich fragrance of meat.

Jia Heng didn't want to look too much, held his breath, and suddenly heard the soft voice of the beauty in his ears, the voice was round and smooth, like a sweet spring flowing into his throat on a hot summer day, and the ending sound had a bit of tactful twitching, and he said: " Ziyu, help me over here."

Jia Heng heard that, supported Emperor Chongping to lie flat on the bed, the emperor's figure was somewhat thin, like a withered pine tree.

Jia Heng secretly sighed.

At this moment, Empress Song took the pillow and leaned against it hastily, while the full moon trembled between her lower body, her white color was eye-catching, and a strand of crystal sweat glistened on her neck, as if she had fallen into a deep ravine.

It was a scorching summer, but Empress Song didn't cover herself too tightly in her palace.

Jia Heng glanced at it, his heart skipped a beat, but he didn't want to look too much, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, if there is sour plum soup, you can drink some for Your Majesty, so as to sober up."

Suddenly there was a strange feeling in my heart, and I always felt that the plot of this scene was a bit like the official Ximen sent the drunken Huazi back home, and talked with Li Ping'er, um, it was Yang Simin's version.

Well, he was a little drunk.

But before "Dream of Red Mansions" came out, "Jin Ping Mei" was indeed one of the four great books.

Right now, Empress Song was wiping the sweat off Emperor Chongping's cheeks with a handkerchief. The beauty had slender hands, but she didn't look thin, her skin was fair, and her lotus arms were like snow.

Hearing this, her pink lips parted slightly, and she said softly, "Danzhu, go and order the imperial dining room to prepare sour plum soup, um, prepare more."

The extra sour plum soup is for Jia Heng to drink.

A slender female official next to Empress Song responded crisply, and then went to the imperial dining room to prepare sour plum soup.

Empress Song helped Emperor Chongping wipe the sweat from her temples and cheeks with a handkerchief, and ordered the female officer to fan him with a cattail fan.

Then he got up slowly and left the bedroom, Jia Heng had no choice but to follow him all the way out, through the bead curtain hanging like a rain curtain, and entered a warm pavilion in a side hall.

Empress Song sat on the soft couch in the West Nuan Pavilion of the side hall, her two willow-leaf slender eyebrows slightly raised, her charming and gentle phoenix eyes raised a little, she looked at the boy in the python suit, and said softly: " Your Majesty hasn't drank much in the past few years, but he has drank a lot in the past year, and the war in the north is smooth, so he feels happier."

It's all because the young man in front of him won the battle against the captives, and the country's situation, which was originally in decline, gradually recovered, and His Majesty became much lighter.

Jia Heng looked at Empress Song, the beauty was sitting on a soft couch, wearing a vermilion dress embroidered with the pattern of Luan and Phoenix, with peony flowers on her breasts, her lush hair in a bun was dignified and graceful, and her plump, white face Her face has not been baptized by years, her nose is delicate and straight, and her red lips are painted with rouge, like plump rose petals.

A ripe and charming breath overflowed silently between every gesture.

Jia Heng didn't dare to look at it too much, and slightly staggered his eyes, and said: "Your Majesty, your majesty is not in good health, and your majesty usually advises your majesty to take care of your dragon body."

"It would be great if I could persuade Your Majesty." Empress Song seemed to be emotional, with a look of sadness on her plump and graceful face, she glanced at Jia Heng who was standing, and said, "Zi Yu, stand still." What are you doing? There are embroidered pier over there, sit down."

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand to screen the female officer back.

Jia Heng thanked him softly, and then sat down on the embroidered pier. The sunlight from the window shone on the young man's sharp eyebrows and deep-set face. Hongqingquan flowed to the heart of Empress Song.

"It's a bit hot today." Empress Song smiled lightly, her voice was round and smooth, as if there was a hint of joy in it.

I don't know why, but talking to this young man has a much younger and lighter feeling, which was never the case when talking to Ran'er, Wei'er, and Xianning.

In fact, this is the same reason that a greasy middle-aged man with a big belly likes to find young and beautiful college students, and the youthful vitality cannot be concealed.

And the lady who has been lonely for a long time and locks Qingqiu in the Wutong courtyard, usually has no contact with men other than her relatives, and at the age of a wolf like a tiger, seeing a young man with a handsome appearance and a cold temperament, it is inevitable that there will be conflicts in her words. close.

Of course, it's not cheating.

Jia Heng said: "Recently, there has been a severe drought in the northern provinces. After a heavy rainstorm, the heat has not subsided. Your Majesty and Your Majesty should pay attention to sun protection and prepare more ice cubes to avoid heatstroke."

At this time, the characteristics of extreme weather in later generations were already present, but first there was a wave of high temperature and drought, followed by typhoons and heavy rains.

Well, speaking of it this way, at this time, the rain in the south of the Yangtze River should be quite heavy.

At this moment, Empress Song had already picked up the teacup on the tea table, and took a sip, her pink lips pressed against the Xiangyun porcelain cup, her slightly raised neck was like a swan, white and rustling.

At this moment, Jia Heng turned his eyes to see that there was a pearl necklace hanging on the beautiful neck, soft and white on the fragrant skin, like a trace of water putty formed from the crystal-clear sweat beads.

Secretly thought, she is really a snow beauty.

But at this moment, Empress Song was drinking tea, suddenly something strange happened in her heart, the phoenix eyes under her beautiful eyebrows raised a line, and met the slightly distracted gaze.

This... why is this peeking at her again?

Empress Song felt ashamed and annoyed, but in the deepest part of her heart, there was also a trace of self-satisfaction that she didn't realize.

But when he looked closely, he saw that the young man's gaze had moved away. Empress Song paused for a moment, and said, "Zi Yu, you went to search Zhen's house, have you ever come into contact with Jinling weaving mansion?"

Jia Heng didn't know Queen Song's intentions, thought for a while, and said, "Madam, the Weaving Mansion was originally managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and I don't know much about the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau."

Empress Song considered her words carefully, and said softly: "Jinyang is not here now. Recently, when preparing for the wedding, a large amount of brocade, silk, and even special products from the south of the Yangtze River need to be supplied. The Ministry of Internal Affairs is not very satisfied with this palace."

Jia Heng said: "But it's a big wedding? Do you need so much silk and satin?"

Empress Song looked at the surprised young man, smiled and said: "You just don't understand, the royal family's wedding ceremony is meticulous, and it will still be the same when the wedding is over." , hold the wedding at Xihe Palace, and then welcome you to the Princess Mansion, and wait for Xia Shouzhong to tell you."

Jia Heng thought for a while, then said: "I think it's better to be simple and elegant, and not to be too extravagant and wasteful."

Empress Song glanced at the young man, and said angrily: "Didn't that wrong Xianning and Chanyue? It would make others laugh if it fell into the eyes of officials. This kind of marriage is only once in a woman's life. Even if it is extravagant it's nothing."

Jia Heng looked at the charm and coquettishness overflowing from the eyebrows and eyes of the beautiful woman, as if it was natural, and the beauty's voice was like a yellow warbler, melodious to the ear.

Of course he didn't feel that he was so attractive that Empress Song seduced him, it was just the woman's graceful demeanor that made it hard to hold back.

Jia Heng lowered his eyes and said: "I don't understand much, everything is arranged by the palace."

Empress Song took advantage of the situation and said: "Yesterday Xia Shouzhong said he was going to the mansion. He is also preparing in the Sixth Palace today. Many of them still need the help of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but now there is no one in charge in Beijing. Jinyang I’m still in Jinling right now, I don’t know what I’m busy with, Chanyue and Xianning are getting married, and she won’t come back.”

Jia Heng said: "In Jinling, after the imperial court opened the customs, the three major weaving bureaus in Jiangnan of the Ministry of Internal Affairs carried goods to Nanyang to increase domestic funds. Now that Jinling is full of things, we cannot do without His Royal Highness Jinyang."

Jinyang didn't stay in Jinling just because he was pregnant, it was also for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to open up business routes to Nanyang.

According to a report from Jinyi Mansion in the South, since the opening of the sea, officials, civilians, and gentry have been vying to buy ships to go out to sea for trade, actively selling goods to Southeast Asian countries. Thousands of sails are vying to sail across the sea. Ten thousand taels.

And this undoubtedly surprised the officials of the household department.

The first time he opened the sea was when he went to Haojing to buy Hongyi cannons. He took the lead in piloting it from Guangzhou. With the Guangdong Navy's anti-smuggling fleet, Guangzhou was much more peaceful and smooth, while Jinling Kaihai followed Chongping in 16 years. After that, it was behind Zhangzhou and Quanzhou together with Hangzhou.

But a new problem has arisen, that is, the pirates contacted some desperadoes and robbed the coastal merchants.

The estuary cleaned by the Jiangnan Navy is fine, but the sea areas of Fujian and Zhejiang have become the hardest hit areas. In other words, there are many islands and reefs in this area, where bandits often hide. Engaged in the activities of robbing houses.

Obviously, the three southeastern provinces have not established a coast guard system to patrol the sea and eliminate pirates. Therefore, Wang Shuirong of Beijing sent people to Shangshuzuo to invite the Jiangnan Navy to cooperate with the navy of Hangzhou and Fuzhou to eliminate pirates.

Empress Song looked at the young man with a warm voice, and said softly: "Ziyu, I think that Xianning is not a person who can be free after marriage, so why not ask her and Chanyue to help out at the House of Internal Affairs?" ?”

Jia Heng said: "I have no objection, Xianning can just ask the Holy Majesty for orders at that time."

Empress Song still didn't give up her idea of ​​reaching out to the House of Internal Affairs, but there was nothing wrong with Xianning and Chanyue going to the House of Internal Affairs, and it was considered convenient for him.

Empress Song picked up the teacup, looked at the young man with soft phoenix eyes, and said softly: "Ziyu, Wei'er and Bengong have mentioned it several times, and they also want to go to the Beijing camp to train with the army. His father and emperor shared his concerns, some time ago I heard that you were fighting in northern Xinjiang, and Wei'er talked a lot."

Jia Heng deliberately pretended to be puzzled, and asked: "Didn't King Liang go to the Ministry of Punishment to observe politics? If you want to become a general in the army, I think that your mother can tell the story to the Holy One."

This is the second time that the beauty in front of me has mentioned it, and this time the meeting in private is undoubtedly more formal.

When Empress Song heard the words, Liu Mei frowned slightly, and stared at the young man, her heart was a little annoyed.

If it wasn't for her trying her best to match up, supporting Xianning to go to Henan, and persuading Concubine Rong's sister, would this young man have a good relationship with Zhi'er?

And if she insists on objecting, how can there be any coercion?Let this young man return home with the beauty as he wished, and repay her like this now?

To refuse again and again?Wei'er is not the boss, so what if he went to the Beijing camp to practice and practice?Why are you so afraid?

Deep in Empress Song's heart, the resentment from the emperor's past suspicions and jealousy poured out uncontrollably, coupled with Jia Heng's stimulation, the crystal clear and beautiful face was gradually covered with a thin layer of frost, and she looked at the young man with serene eyes.

His lips moved, unable to say anything after all.

Jia Heng felt something in his heart, he looked up, but he didn't avoid it, he just cast a pair of scorching eyes on the beauty, which shocked Empress Song, and gradually turned her eyes away.

But the anger in Li Xin's heart seemed to be more intense, she put one hand on the small table, slightly turned her head, slightly pursed her moist pink lips, and said nothing.

Seeing Empress Song who was hiding but not hiding, with her beautiful cheeks stretched out and puffed up, Jia Heng thought it was funny for a while, and at the same time felt a little inexplicably...cute.

Empress Song probably wanted to say, are you worthy of me?If it wasn't for Bengong, what would you and Xianning be able to do?You are heartless.

But this kind of tacit words can't be said, otherwise it will tear the face, and it will also insult the face of the beauty of the lord of the six palaces.

At the beginning, the co-author deliberately helped match him and Xianning, for the sake of his two silly sons?

Jia Heng thought for a while, softened his tone, and persuaded: "Your Majesty, just listen to what I have to say."

Empress Song raised her head, her cheeks as pink as peach blossoms, and looked at the young man, her phoenix eyes were shining brightly.

Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, King Liang discussed with the Holy Majesty before he changed the government administration, and the Holy Majesty sent him to the Ministry of Punishment must have some deep meaning."

When Jia Heng said this, he glanced at the direction of the bedroom.

Empress Song obviously understood what she meant, she pursed her pink lips slightly, surprised by Jia Heng's actions, and she felt anticipation in her heart.

Jia Heng's face was calm, and he lowered his voice and said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry about Wei Wang."

Empress Song's heart was shocked, and under her delicate and beautiful willow eyebrows, she stared at the young man.

Jia Heng glanced at the direction of the sleeping hall, and said in a low voice: "His Royal Highness King Wei is blessed by nature, and he is as safe as a rock, so you don't have to worry about it."

He also needs to do Li Ji at this time, otherwise he won't be able to withstand Queen Song's pressing every step of the way.

Empress Song glanced left and right, her heart was beating wildly, her voice trembled for some reason, and she said, "Zi Yu."

God is sorry, this little fox finally... really does not see the rabbit and does not scatter the eagle.

Her understanding of His Majesty's mind is really not as clear as the person in front of her.

Jia Heng said in a low voice: "Your Majesty has the ambition to rejuvenate, and he has a comprehensive plan for the things that your mother is worried about. In fact, he still values ​​His Highness more. Your Highness should put filial piety as the most important thing, self-denial and self-cultivation, and serve your superiors wholeheartedly. The rest don't have to worry about it."

When Empress Song heard the words, she felt her delicate body tremble slightly, and a burst of joy surged in her heart.

Is Your Majesty paying attention to it?But why hasn't the East Palace been established for so long, even after the chaos in Henan last year...not mentioning the establishment of the East Palace.

Obviously this beautiful woman could not understand Emperor Chongping's political intentions, but she understood Jia Heng's words of filial piety, and she seemed thoughtful.

Jia Heng was not easy to point it out, and said: "As for King Liang's temperament is free and unrestrained, he doesn't like to follow the rules, and he may not like the restrained military camp life. If King Liang really wants to, wait for the minister to come back from the south and see. The empress is still not as good as one. quiet."

If he proposed to let King Liang go to the capital camp, although the impression given to outsiders would not be that he supported King Wei, it would fall into the eyes of the emperor who didn't know what to think.

Although he is now married to Xianning, he still doesn't want to make himself into the king of Wei's party.

However, it is very normal for Empress Song to ask for something in return.

He and Xianning seem to be in love with each other, but Empress Song's promotion should take more than half of the credit, otherwise he is a married man, if Empress Song, the lord of the six palaces, beats mandarin ducks with a club, then the matter of co-existence cannot be mentioned.

You must know that Concubine Duanrong did not agree with Xianning to marry him at the beginning, it was Empress Song who was busy and helped with the work.

Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, this matter will be the first."

Although Empress Song still wanted to ask again, but she also knew the benefits and risks of this matter, and it might not be possible to explain it in a few words. She smiled and comforted her: "We are all a family, so you don't have to be too cautious."

Jia Heng nodded, and did not continue the topic, but looked at the beautiful woman with a charming smile like a spring flower, feeling a little bit emotional, really sullen one second, and smiled at each other the next second.

It's like a little girl...

Empress Song took advantage of the opportunity to change the topic, and said: "After Xianning and Chanyue passed through the door, you should be tolerant. They are two little girls, sometimes they are not very sensible."

Jia Heng's face paused, and he said seriously: "Your Majesty, don't worry, they will marry a humble official, and the humble official will not let them suffer the slightest grievance."

Empress Song looked at the young man with clear brows and spoke loudly. For some reason, a feeling of sadness arose in her heart.

While he was in a daze, suddenly the voice of a female official came from outside, saying, "My lady, sour plum soup is here."

As he spoke, he and several maids carried a porcelain urn, several jade bowls, spoons, etc., into the warm pavilion in the palace, and placed them on a small table beside them.

Empress Song got up and told the female officer, "Put a bowl here, and give Ziyu another bowl. I'll go and see Your Majesty."

The female officer Dan Zhu bowed her knees and gave a blessing, and said softly, "Yes."

Jia Heng glanced at Empress Song who was walking gracefully, and sighed secretly.

Empress Song's forced statement will not be just this time, he can't be sloppy every time, he needs to find a way.

Not long after, Empress Song finished feeding Emperor Chongping, and came back with a bowl of soup. The beauty saw the boy in the python suit drinking the sour plum soup with his head down, his phoenix eyes flashed, but he didn't say a word.

"Your Majesty." Jia Heng felt something in his heart, put down the sour plum soup, and asked with concern, "How is your Majesty?"

"Drink the sour plum soup, and I'm going to sleep now." Empress Song smiled sweetly, and said softly, she sat down on the soft couch, waved her away, and planned to continue talking about King Wei.

Jia Heng's hearing was keen, and he heard the loud snoring coming from the back of the dormitory. He sighed secretly, and took another sip of the sour plum soup beside him.

Then he put down the teacup, looked at the lazy beauty above the snow-skinned jade face, and said softly: "It's getting late, I'm going back first."

He felt that if he stayed here any longer, he couldn't help himself if he didn't talk about his feelings. If he did something he regretted, he would be forced by Queen Song to make suggestions.

Empress Song looked at the boy with a sweet smile, and said softly: "Wait a moment, Xianning is in Tangli Palace right now, let her see you off later, I still have something to do right now. Please teach me."

Jia Heng was invited to a banquet by Emperor Chongping, and Princess Xianning, who lived in Tangli Palace and was taught by Princess Qinghe together with the nuns and ceremonial officials who were familiar with the wedding ceremony, naturally knew about it.

Seeing this, Jia Heng could only sit down again, but didn't answer the conversation, and no longer planned to talk about the matter of seizing the heir.

There was a hint of disappointment in Empress Song's beautiful eyes under her willow eyebrows, and she had a lively smile on her face, and she asked softly: "Ziyu, the fourth uncle of Xianning said that she will return to Beijing to attend your wedding in a few days. I haven't seen you for a long time, too."

Jia Heng looked at Empress Song and asked, "I've been busy with side affairs this year, so I don't know how Uncle Song Si is doing in Kaifeng Mansion?"

Empress Song smiled and said: "He has been an official in Kaifeng Mansion for a year. He has sent several letters, and the palace has asked people to inquire about him. It's embarrassing for Ben Gong and Concubine Rong, but being an official outside, it's somewhat inconvenient to come and go. Ben Gong is thinking about when he can be transferred back to Beijing, and he can have someone to take care of him. Ben Gong doesn't care much about the court I understand, Ziyu, what do you think?"

Jia Heng said: "I thought Uncle Song Siguo could serve in Kaifeng Mansion for three years, and then he would leave sooner."

"Oh?" Empress Song raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Jia Heng said: "Recently, the imperial court is going to implement a new policy. The pilot projects in Jiangsu and Henan in the north and south are just the time for capable ministers and officials to make contributions. For example, uncle Song Siguo has achieved political achievements, and if he is directly promoted to the center, he will be more convinced by the hearts of the people."

When Empress Song heard the words, her charming and flowing phoenix eyes flickered, she nodded, and said with a smile: "If that's the case, then follow what Ziyu said."

His Majesty never told her about these foreign government affairs.

It seems that it is right to leave Ziyu to talk alone, and just now... I feel much more at ease.