The Red Mansions

Chapter 1398 Jia Heng: Everlasting Years, White Clouds and Changing Dogs

Chapter 1398 Jia Heng: For thousands of years, time has changed...

The next day, at the Chu Palace

Early in the morning, the sun rises and the morning light is just visible. The golden sunlight shines on the jade steps, shining brightly, and the breeze blows the two lanterns hanging on the eaves, swaying in the wind.

The King of Chu was wearing a moon-white brocade robe made of Shu brocade and a glittering golden crown on his head. He had a tall figure and a fair and handsome face.

The beauty had a beautiful face, graceful figure and elegant appearance. After raising two children, her graceful face became even more round and smooth, which neutralized the sharpness and coldness between her eyebrows and eyes, and added a bit of "gentleness" like water.

"My Lord, someone is coming."

At this moment, a servant came riding from the end of the street, calling out in surprise to the King of Chu and the Queen of Chu who were standing there looking out.

King Chen Qin of Chu smiled and said in a gentle voice: "Zi Yu is finally back."

Princess Zhen Qing of Chu said with emotion: "Yes."

The bastard didn't say he would come to her as soon as he got back.

Jia Heng was riding on a maroon horse, holding a rein as thick as a finger in his hand. At this moment, he was walking along the official road paved with green flagstones.

On the carriage, in the compartment with bamboo curtains hanging, the two sisters Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi sat side by side, like twin lotus flowers with one stem. Their charming and beautiful faces showed clear signs of joy and happiness.

After all, the two little girls are still little girls at heart. This time they stayed in the Qichiyuan in the mansion for a long time. At this moment, they are like released butterflies, flying around carefree.

Jia Heng was wearing a black and red embroidered satin robe, and a black cap with a mountain character on it. He was nearly twenty years old, but his face was as white as jade. He walked quickly to the front of the Chu Palace, met the gaze of Chu King Chen Qin, and said softly, "Your humble servant greets His Majesty."

The King of Chu smiled widely, raised his eyes to look at the young man in the python robe, and said softly, "Zi Yu is here."

Here, Zhen Qing stared at the young man in the python robe in a daze. There was a hint of longing in her cold and narrow phoenix eyes. However, she was thinking of the King of Chu standing beside her and quickly hid the infatuated affection in her eyes.

Just as Jia Heng thought, the twins, a boy and a girl, have become an inseparable bond between the two.

Jia Heng was talking to King Chen Qin of Chu, with a look of joy on his face.

At this moment, the pearl curtain hanging down from a carriage with a high shaft was suddenly opened, and two girls in a pink dress and a water green dress stepped out from it. They were Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi.

Jia Heng looked over and saw bright and pretty girls, each dressed up to look radiant and charming.

Not far away, several maids came over and helped up two beautiful girls, some of whom were slender and graceful, while others were delicate and pretty.

The two sisters are like a red or green lotus, swaying gently in the wind, emitting a faint and scattered fragrance of plants.

Zhen Lan paused for a moment, then walked up to her gracefully, a big smile on her pretty face, and she said softly, "Big sister."

Zhen Qing's gorgeous face was filled with a smile. She looked like a gorgeous hibiscus flower, smiling as brightly as the clouds. She said softly, "Sister Lan'er, Sister Xi'er, you are here."

Zhen Xi's eyes and eyebrows were as bright as a stream, and her voice was as gentle as water. She called out, "Big sister."

Zhen Qing smiled and patted Zhen Xi's plump and straight shoulders, with a doting look in her eyes, and said softly: "Sister Xi'er looks a little taller than at the beginning of the year. She has really grown a lot."

Zhen Xi's bright and beautiful face suddenly blushed like clouds and glowed like fire. She said softly, "Big sister, I have always been this tall."

On the other side, Zhen Lan's narrow face, which resembled Zhen Qing, seemed to be covered with a layer of rose-red charm. She smiled and said, "Sister Xier, I don't feel it myself, but I am indeed a little taller."

Isn’t it said that after you lose your virginity, you won’t grow any more?

How come he has grown taller again? Is it because he usually lets his sister Xier swallow him?

After Jia Heng finished exchanging pleasantries with the King of Chu, they entered the hall of the mansion and sat down as host and guest.

The King of Chu looked at the young man in the python robe and asked in a clear voice, "Zi Yu, the weapons and food supplies are ready now. The day of the expedition should not be far away."

If there was anyone who was more anxious to pacify Liaodong than Emperor Chongping, it must be his two sons, the King of Chu and the King of Wei.

They all wanted to prove themselves through this war to pacify Liaodong.

Jia Heng nodded and said in a gentle voice, "It will be soon. In a few days, I may follow the order of Kunning Palace and marry the daughter of the Song family first."

In addition, there is the matter of Xing Xiuyan taking a concubine, which will gradually be put on the agenda.

The King of Chu smiled and said, "National war is unpredictable, so it is reasonable to prepare for a longer period of time, which can increase the chances of victory."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "During this period, His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu has been busy and toiling. He has been sitting in the military equipment supervisory office to inquire about matters. He has been busy and toiled a lot."

King Chen Qin of Chu smiled and said, "Zi Yu, for the sake of the Han Dynasty, I will do my best and I will be happy to do it."

As they were talking, a slender and beautiful maid entered the hall and said softly, "My Lord, the wine and food are ready in the inner room."

The King of Chu nodded, looked at the handsome young man in the python costume, and said, "Zi Yu, let's go have dinner together."

Jia Heng then sat down with the King of Chu and Zhen Qing around a round lacquered wooden table.

There is a dazzling array of dishes on the table, and you can smell the aroma, which is refreshing.

At this moment, two children were brought out by several maids. The two little children were as cute and clever as delicate pieces of jade.

"Father." The two children spoke softly in sweet voices.

When the King of Chu heard the two children's voices, he gently took their hands and said, "Zi Yu, Jie'er is almost three years old. In the future, I want him to learn the art of war. Zi Yu, what do you think?"

Jia Heng stared at the baby boy whose features slightly resembled his own, and he felt inexplicably happy. He said, "I have been on the march and fought in the wars over the years, and I don't know much about military tactics. I am based on my own thoughts. If I want to teach others, I don't know what to do."

The King of Chu picked up the teacup, looked at the foam floating on the tea, took a sip and said, "Zi Yu, this... Historically, famous military strategists and generals have summarized some insights into the art of war. When can Zi Yu write a book about it for future generations to admire and learn from?"

Zhen Qing stared at the young man in the python robe, and she was obviously secretly annoyed in her heart. How could this man be so secretive about his own child?

Jia Heng's expression became strange under his sword-like brows. He clearly felt his feet being touched under the table. It was Zhen Qing, the Princess of Chu, who was expressing her dissatisfaction at the moment.

Jia Heng said softly, "But I will share some of my military experience and insights. After the Liaodong war is over, I will compile the relevant military experience and write a book. Then I will teach His Royal Highness some military experience."

Having fought wars in the south and the north, and in the east and the west over the years, he does have some experience in commanding troops.

Jia Heng turned to look at the baby girl in the arms of another nanny, who was his own daughter Chen Yin, nicknamed Yin Yin.

Jia Heng stared at the delicate little girl and said, "Yinyin doesn't look young anymore."

Under his sword-like brows, Chu Wang Chen Qin's eyes were smiling. It was obvious that he was very fond of his lovely and clever daughter. He said, "She is still a little girl. The princess insisted that she learn to read and write early."

Jia Heng persuaded her, saying, "Children are just playing around right now, so there's no need to force them."

We can't stifle our playful nature too much.

Princess Zhen Qing of Chu chuckled and said softly, "It's not too early. Originally, he was scheduled to start school at the age of three. Since Brother Heng said so, then five is fine. It's not bad to start school at the age of five."

There is no need to argue about everything concerning my daughter, but as for my son, I must encourage him to do his studies well, because he will be the ruler of the world in the future.

The two of them decided the matter in a few words.

Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi, who were not far away, looked at each other and thought to themselves that the King of Chu's brother-in-law was still in the dark.

But if one day in the future we knew the truth, how angry would we be?

Then, everyone sat down together to have lunch.

After the story was finished, the King of Chu invited Jia Heng to his study to chat, and the two sat down again.

The King of Chu looked at the young man in python robe sitting on the pearwood chair, was silent for a moment, and said: "Zi Yu, you and I are close relatives. I have something I don't understand, and I would like to ask you, Zi Yu."

Jia Heng was puzzled and asked, "What did His Royal Highness the Prince of Chu mention?"

He had a hunch that the King of Chu was going to show him the truth.

As expected, the King of Chu paused for a moment, and beneath his sword-like brows, a trace of thought appeared in his eyes. He said softly, "Father... Zi Yu, who do you think should be the head of state?"

Jia Heng was shocked when he heard this, but his expression did not change at all. He said, "Your Highness, it is the duty of a subject to not speak nonsense."

He now regretted going into the study to talk with the King of Chu.

The King of Chu nodded and said, "Zi Yu, you and I have cooperated in military operations several times in Jiangnan and Yuehai. What is there to be taboo about? Not to mention, Zi Yu and I both married the daughter of the Zhen family, so we should have a brotherly relationship. Zi Yu has great talent, so how can he be willing to live in idleness and leisure in the forest in the future?"

Jia Heng said, "Your Highness, your words may be a display of personal interests above public interests. If we talk about personal friendship, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei and I are no less than Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, the King of Chu was silent for a moment.

Jia Heng said, "I have received the grace of the emperor. I have been a subject to the emperor and a father-in-law to the emperor. If I want to restore the Han Dynasty, I should choose a wise ruler to assist me."

Upon hearing this, the King of Chu's face became slightly solemn, and he said, "How can I not be a wise ruler?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Everything depends on the emperor's choice. This is not something I can discuss. I hope Your Highness the King of Chu will not underestimate himself."

Upon hearing this, the King of Chu said, "I will learn from what Zi Yu said."

What else can he say? He can only say, rely on real strength.

Jia Heng said goodbye without saying anything more.

After Jia Heng left, the King of Chu's face suddenly turned gloomy. He frowned for a long time before slowly relaxing his brows.

Not long after, Princess Zhen Qing of Chu entered the study, looked at the King of Chu, and said softly, "My Lord, how is it?"

The King of Chu shook his head, his face gloomy as iron, and said, "Let's wait and see."

Zhen Qing's beautiful face flushed red as she pursed her soft pink lips and said, "Your Highness, don't worry too much. Everything will work out when the time comes."

King Chen Qin of Chu murmured, "Yes, things will work out when we get to the bridge."

……

……

Ningguo Mansion, Grand View Garden, Cuicui Temple

Miaoyu was sitting in the Zen room, holding her daughter in her arms. Her daughter was holding a rattle and shaking it gently. Then she heard a "dong dong" sound, which was clearly the sound of the rattle ringing continuously. It quickly echoed in the Longcui Temple. The little girl's laughter echoed in the courtyard, like a string of silver bells ringing continuously.

At this moment, Miaoyu's maid Susu walked into the room and said, "Sister Miaoyu, Master Heng is here."

Miaoyu heard this and looked over. She saw the young man in the python robe coming quickly from a distance and said, "You are here."

Jia Heng nodded and said gently, "Come and see you two."

"Daddy." The little girl Momo's chubby face was smiling brightly. She had a mouth full of white milk teeth and stretched out her two chubby little hands to greet Jia Heng.

Jia Heng squatted down, picked up Momo, and said softly: "Momo, do you miss your father now?"

"I've thought about it. Why doesn't Daddy come to see me?" Momo called softly, her voice extremely gentle.

Jia Heng said in a delicate and gentle voice, "Dad has been very busy these days and has no time to visit Momo."

Miaoyu snorted and said softly, "Your father is busy, and you are not the only daughter we have."

Hearing this, Jia Heng smiled and said, "Don't keep telling your daughter these things every day. If you continue like this, you will teach your daughter bad habits."

I instilled hatred in my daughter every day, and after a long time, my daughter and I became less close.

So this is why some divorced couples fight for custody of their daughters. Children become the source of continued hatred for each other.

Miaoyu's crystal clear eyes flashed under her willow-leaf dark eyebrows, and she said, "Aren't you afraid that your children will follow suit in the future?"

Jia Heng looked a little uncomfortable, and said, "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. You're going to get pregnant again."

Miaoyu didn't pursue the matter relentlessly, but as her pregnancy was approaching, she became a little irritated.

Xing Xiuyan said: "It's already noon now, it's time to eat vegetarian food."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "You two can eat first. My daughter and I will play for a while."

My daughter is cute and clever, with soft and chubby cheeks. If you pinch them gently, it seems like water will come out.

Jia Heng teased Jia Mo for a while, and then without saying much, he came closer and sat down.

Miaoyu looked at the young man intently and said, "When will you marry Xiuyan?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "It will be in the near future. The Song family girl's wedding will also be in the next few days."

Miaoyu didn't say anything else, but Xing Xiuyan, who was not far away, had a slight blush on her face.

……

……

The next day, the sky was bright and the golden morning light shone on the streets. Early risers were already pushing flatbed carts, coming out of the streets in twos and threes, and starting their busy day.

Jia Heng was standing at the gate of the palace today, next to a carriage with a tall shaft and a flag embroidered with a phoenix hanging on it, and tassels hanging from the four sides of the carriage.

At this moment, you can smell the musk aroma floating in the carriage, and the rich floral fragrance is refreshing.

The beauty was dressed in a gorgeous dress, with her hair in a bun and lush black hair. She was sitting upright in the carriage. Her plump and beautiful face was flushed as if she was excited.

Accompanied by the sound of a whip, the carriage started rumbling, and accompanied by palace maids and eunuchs, the beautiful lady headed for the prayer convoy of the Da Ci'en Temple, heading towards the Da Ci'en Temple.

When you walk to the mountain gate of Da Ci'en Temple, you will see two majestic stone lions on both sides of the stone steps. They are made of bluish-white limestone and are wet after the drizzle of spring rain, showing the traces of years of erosion.

As Jia Heng and Chen Xiao were talking, they came to a towering mountain gate temple, where a carriage and a huge crowd of people stopped.

The beauty stretched out her hand and lifted a bamboo curtain hanging from the carriage. Her elegant face, with snow-white skin and beautiful complexion, appeared as white as jade under the golden morning light. Her fragrant skin seemed covered with a layer of shining golden light.

A beautiful lady in a gorgeous dress, accompanied by a group of eunuchs and palace maids, came back to the Da Ci'en Temple along with Jia Heng.

Chen Xiao had a serious expression on his face. He led a group of palace guards and had already searched the surroundings inside and out to check for potential assassins. Only after everything was clear did he allow Jia Heng and Queen Song to enter the Da Ci'en Temple.

When everyone came to the solemn and dignified temple, the scent of sandalwood lingered in the air, and the fragrance was gently floating in the air, refreshing the heart.

At this moment, the beauty's face was as plump and bright as the petals of a pear blossom. She was kneeling on an apricot-yellow cushion. For some reason, facing the Buddha's gaze, she couldn't help feeling a deep sense of self-blame in her heart.

In fact, this is the pain of conscience deep in our hearts, which involves the glorious conscience of human nature.

Jia Heng was in the main hall, also enveloped in the solemn and dignified atmosphere, and for some reason felt a little unnatural.

After a moment of silence, he walked out of the solemn Main Hall, stood under the eaves, looked up at the sky, and for a moment he looked at the sky. At this moment, the sky was blue and boundless.

At this moment, the golden Buddha statue in the hall stood behind the altar, gazing at the infatuated men and resentful women kneeling on the cushions with a pair of compassionate eyes, as if looking down at all the living beings who were struggling in the sea of ​​love and hatred.

After the beauty lit a stick of incense, she followed Jia Heng out of the main hall and, surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, came to the eaves of the corridor with green roofs and red pillars. She glanced at the young man, and then the two of them quickly entered the meditation room.

At this moment, the beauty has taken a Buddhist scripture from the abbot, the name of the scripture is "Lotus Sutra". The beauty came to a lacquered wooden desk, and her graceful and exquisite body was outlined by her dress, showing her full and exquisite figure.

At this moment, one could see the graceful and gorgeous lady picking up a goat-hair brush and beginning to write on a piece of peach blossom letter paper, with a rustling sound.

The small regular script written is elegant and clean.

The golden rays of morning sunlight shone on the pair of slender, white jade hands, casting rustling shadows on the paper.

Jia Heng, standing aside, picked up the teacup that was emitting steam, took a sip of the tea, and smelled the fragrance of the tea spreading all around him.

For some reason, he always felt that the sweet girl seemed to be shrouded in an inexplicable sadness at the moment, unable to extricate herself.

I don’t want to think about it anymore. If I think about it again, I might end up exploring the human nature in Li Yu’s The Sex and the Beast.

Throughout the ages, human nature has never changed, despite the changes in the world. It still has both the evil of indulging in desires and the kindness of clinging to emotions.

Decades of love and support between husband and wife, I wonder how many warm memories they have experienced, how could he compare to them?

Unless, Tianniuer has no conscience at all, and is a fickle woman by nature with extremely low moral sense.

Jia Heng's face was gloomy, and for a moment, he felt a little inexplicably emotional.

At this moment, Chen Xiao came closer, gently patted Jia Heng on the shoulder, and said, "What's wrong? Why are you suddenly frowning and thinking deeply?"

She looked at this man and seemed to feel a little guilty.

Jia Heng looked gloomy and said softly, "My conscience is uneasy."

"Don't regret after you've done it. If you regret, don't do it. Don't pretend here." Chen Xiao's pair of clear eyes sparkled under his curved willow-leaf eyebrows. He gave a clear rebuke and said in a low voice.

Jia Heng was slightly startled, and said softly, "That's true."

Just now, my conscience began to suffer violently deep in my heart.

There is indeed no turning back now.

It can only be said that it was a bad fate.

Big Wild Goose Pagoda, attic——

At this moment, Jia Heng and Queen Song were standing in the octagonal and heavy attic with flying eaves. They gently pushed open two wooden windows and looked up at the beautiful scenery outside the window. Unknowingly, the spring rain began to fall from the sky like butter.

Jia Heng turned his head and looked at the beautiful lady with fair skin and asked, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has not looked well these days."

Just after coming out of the main hall, the sweet girl felt a little unstable mentally, and was clearly in a state of guilt, self-blame, and regret.

This is normal. Human nature has both a bright and shining side and a dark and evil side. It is dynamic and changeable.

Under Queen Song's delicate and beautiful willow-shaped eyebrows, her narrow and long beautiful eyes seemed to be covered with an indescribable gloom. She said softly: "Your Majesty has been working hard for state affairs over the years, and it has really exhausted your energy."

By the end, the beauty began to feel somewhat guilty and blamed herself.

……,……

The beautiful lady with fair skin and jade-like face, with two curved willow-leaf thin eyebrows and clear eyes as clear as water, looked at the young man intently and asked again: "Zi Yu, His Majesty has not yet established the Crown Prince, what do you think should be done?"

Jia Heng weighed his words carefully and said, "This time the army is going to conquer Liaodong. Your Highness the Prince of Wei and Your Highness the Prince of Chu will go with the army. Everything is up to the emperor."

He had said this before, and today he was just repeating it again.

Queen Song's beautiful eyes sparkled with dew under her slender eyebrows. She said softly, "Don't play dumb here. I'm asking you, do you support Ran'er's entering the East Palace?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, and could only say vaguely again: "My lady, it all depends on what His Majesty wants."

When Queen Song heard this, her glittering face suddenly changed. She gave a delicate rebuke and said with an aggressive look, "Don't tell me this. I just want to ask you whether you support it or not."

At this moment, there seemed to be a murderous aura between the beautiful and graceful eyebrows of the beautiful lady, and there was a hint of anger in her beautiful and clear eyes.

She gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, but she couldn't get a promise from him.

What is the difference between this man and the man in that palace?

Is he also a heartless person?

Jia Heng looked very silent, and said: "Some things are like the more you help, the more trouble you will cause. It is better to let nature take its course. Your Majesty, there is no need to be too persistent."

Queen Song's beautiful eyes, which were as gentle as water, showed anger under her slender eyebrows. She said, "How can you let me just let things take their own course? I have two sons, but they haven't even established the Crown Prince. How can they have me in their hearts?"

Thinking of this, the beautiful lady with fair skin and fair complexion felt an indescribable resentment in her heart.

Even for the sake of their relationship as husband and wife, he should have made Raner the crown prince.

But in his heart there was only the Han Dynasty's country and people. How could he have had any affection for his wife?

This was the reason why Jia Heng had succeeded in seducing the beauty previously.

As the saying goes, flies don't bite seamless eggs, and there must be a reason why leather pants are worn over cotton pants.

There must be a reason behind this.

Jia Heng was silent, his eyes paused, and he said in a comforting tone: "Your Majesty, this time we can only deal with it after we pacify Liaodong. Your Majesty, what belongs to you, no one else can take it away."

Under Queen Song's beautiful dark eyebrows, her pair of narrow and long eyes were as clear as water. Her expression paused slightly, and she looked at the young man intently, her heart surged with emotion.

In the evening, a golden red sunset outside the window hung high in the western sky, covering the buildings of Da Ci'en Temple.

After an unknown amount of time, Jia Heng walked down the stairs from the five-story exquisite pagoda. Behind him, Chen Xiao supported the delicate body of Queen Song, who was "supported weakly by her maid," and walked slowly.

The fair, plump face of the beauty was flushed, and there was a hint of beauty flowing silently from the corners of her eyebrows and eyes, without any trace of previous guilt and self-blame.

Well, humans are very complex animals.

It contains both the decadence of desire and the brilliance of humanity.

Transition chapter, the daily life in the capital is about to end and the journey to become king begins.

(End of this chapter)