The Red Mansions

Chapter 686

Chapter 686

Daming Palace, in the evening, the western sky is covered by golden and red rays of light. The gorgeous sunset glow falls on the roof of the palace. The glazed tiles are dyed in gold and red, showing off the eyes. The setting sun shines through the windows, perhaps because of dust , the air seems to be filled with light particles.

In the inner study, the figures of the monarch and his ministers are reflected on the bookshelf of the side cabinet, with a small three-legged tripod in the middle.

"Your trip to Yangzhou this time, you should know who is behind the Yangzhou Salt Affairs?" Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment, looked out the window at the dark night, and said in a deep voice.

Jia Heng pondered and said: "Weichen found out the relevant information, and it is indeed closely related to the Guo and Liu families."

Emperor Chongping looked coldly, and said: "These two people and Xu Guifei's younger brother, Xu Jie, the three of them have been in charge of the director of salt transport for nearly 30 years, and I don't know how many losses have been caused. At that time, I also wanted to investigate the salt affairs, but then I had to turn around several times, and it has been delayed until today. I heard that you asserted against corrupt officials in Henan, and the investigation has been carried out for 20 years. Now I send you to Yangzhou. It is not a simple investigation in the past, but It is to reveal to me the bottom of the Yangzhou transport depot!"

Jia Heng cupped his hands and said: "I also mean the same thing, this time I either don't go, or I have to redefine the latitude and longitude, and reorganize the situation. Besides, since the Holy Lord Yuji Tianxia, ​​​​they still don't restrain themselves, they don't stop, they are eroding me like moths. Dahan Sheji, I would like to clean up the moths in those countries for Your Majesty."

Emperor Chongping nodded, and said: "Once the Yangzhou transport depot is deficient and the money is returned, whether it is to organize the army, fight the captives, or implement various major policies of the court, the court will have the money and confidence."

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, then said: "Your Majesty, I think that the most important thing about salt affairs is to accumulate financial resources."

Emperor Chongping said: "That's what I mean. You go to rectify the salt affairs and talk to Lin Aiqing more. He stayed in Yangzhou for more than ten years. He also gave a lot of memorials to reform the old and eliminate the evils. But I am busy with the central government. Didn't get a chance to deal with it."

Jia Heng nodded in agreement, and said: "There are priorities, this moment and that moment."

Emperor Chongping nodded and said, "Yes."

Emperor Chongping stretched out his hand to call Jia Heng who was about to bid farewell, looked at the surprised young man with gentle eyes, and said, "Call Xianning later, and have a meal at Kunning Palace together, by the way, Tomorrow is the birth of the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager said she would like to see you."

Because Princess Xianning went out with the army before, after Queen Mother Feng heard about it, she asked about Emperor Chongping, and she probably knew the emperor's intentions.

"But tomorrow is the Madam's gathering, so is it not appropriate for me to go?" Jia Heng said hesitantly.

The emperor now regards him almost as his son-in-law, but that is precisely the case. Jinyang's worries are also justified. If he is really asked to find out something, he will be cornered at once. Instead of this, it is better now Don't touch that secret, wait until he is strong enough to deal with the storm brought by the truth, and then it will not be too late to reveal the answer.

"They all talk behind the screen, and the screens are often slanted on both sides of the palace." Emperor Chongping said.

Jia Heng paused, and said: "Since that's the case, I obey the holy order."

A thought flashed across his mind, Zhen Qing will come tomorrow, but I don't know if Zhen Xue will come, well, he has already said that he should cherish each other's dewy love, so he shouldn't be thinking about it anymore.

He quickly suppressed the ripples in his heart.

However, the frowning and forbearance of Princess Beijing Jing, who is as gentle as water and like a porcelain doll, is really impressive and makes me want to think about it.

At this moment, a soft call came from the inner eunuch outside, saying: "The empress is here."

While speaking, Empress Song walked into the palace with graceful and graceful steps. She was dressed in a red dress, her shoulders and arms were covered with light gauze, she was a beauty with a green bun like clouds, her eyebrows like a moon, and a white and snowy jade face. Ruo Taorui, in a gorgeous state in the summer night, is like a beautiful and heavenly-scented peony, so close, with phoenix eyes and black pearls looking forward, she said with a smile: "Just now I heard that Ziyu entered the palace to face the saint, The concubine thought that she was probably discussing something with His Majesty in the palace, so she came over to have a look, and didn't think she was really here."

Jia Heng hurriedly bowed to Empress Song, cupped his hands and said: "I have seen the empress."

"Forget it, we are all from our own family, so there is no need to be polite." Empress Song looked at the young man gently with watery eyes, then turned to look at Emperor Chongping, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, it's getting late, and Kunning Palace is already here. Once the food is ready, His Majesty should go and use some."

Because after Emperor Chongping recovered, he became often busy with official duties, often forgetting to eat and sleep, and Empress Song often came to remind him.

Emperor Chongping raised his eyes to look at the beautiful woman, and said softly: "Zi Lu, I still have some memorials to deal with here, and I will go there later, so you and Ziyu go there first, call Xianning, and have a meal together. "

Jia Heng was stunned for a moment, and said: "The humble minister will go first."

When Empress Song heard the words, she glanced at the memorials piled up on the mahogany desk, sighed softly, and said, "The concubine and Ziyu will wait for Your Majesty first."

Emperor Chongping nodded, and after returning to the book case, he picked up the memorial and read it intently.

"The concubine will call Your Majesty in half an hour." Empress Song said softly.

Emperor Chongping let out a "huh", put down the memorial, and began to write and review it.

Jia Heng clasped his hands together and left the study room of Daming Palace with Queen Song one after the other. Standing under the eaves of the corridor, the two of them stared at the fair-skinned and gorgeous Queen Song, and said in a warm voice: "Your Majesty, you can ride on your shoulders , it’s good for Weichen to walk.”

Empress Song turned her eyes to look at Jia Heng, smiled softly, and said softly: "It's not necessary, it's not that long to get to Kunning Palace, I can just walk like this, I heard from those in Tai Hospital, in fact It’s good to move around more often.”

Jia Heng looked at Empress Song, the graceful and elegant, gorgeous beauty, just like a peony flower in full bloom, under the cloud bun, under the slender eyebrows of willow leaves is a gentle and beautiful face, her temperament is completely different After raising a child, his eyes tightened, and he didn't know what to think of for a moment, and said softly: "The way of life lies in exercise. The empress is well versed in the method of longevity and health preservation, and I admire you."

Under the willow leaf slender eyebrows of Empress Song, her crystal clear eyes were rippling, and she said in a soft voice: "What Ziyu said is true, not to mention anything else, you should walk around after eating, so as not to accumulate food and damage the internal organs. It’s not bad to say that it prolongs life and prolongs life.”

Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty said so."

The two talked softly, and walked towards the Kunning Palace along the corridor and Hongqiao between the palaces. They were so close to a majestic and majestic palace, but they saw that Empress Song stopped in her tracks, and Jia Heng also had to stop. He stared at the beauty.

"I have a few words to ask Ziyu." Empress Song turned Yuyan's beautiful eyes, and looked at Jia Heng.

At this moment, it is evening, the sun is setting, the twilight is falling, and the golden sunset is shining, because the Queen of Song is against the light, and the beautiful and majestic cloud bun, a phoenix-headed gold hairpin is shining, and under Mingjie's forehead , that skin is better than snow, and the graceful and plump jade face seems to be surrounded by a layer of dreamy and magnificent rays of light, and there is a slight smile between the gentle brows and eyes, and the beautiful eyes are like the vast mist of Dongting Lake, which makes people want to be incarnate A flat boat, rippling and undulating in the soft waves.

The coiled strands of hair around the beauty's ears seemed to be mottled with fine light and shadows, and on the petite and exquisite earlobe, the beaded earrings swayed slightly, as if they were swaying in the hearts of the people, plucking the strings of the piano.

And under the neck, crystal beads of sweat flowed down the collarbone and fell into the chiffon skirt, soaking the little clothes, above the full moon, the skin was white and translucent.

When Jia Heng raised his eyes, the unspeakably glamorous beauty reflected by the golden sunset glow was reflected in his eyes, he lost his mind for just a moment, then he settled down, quickly lowered his eyes, and said softly: "Please tell me clearly. "

A sentence that may not be suitable for the occasion can't help but come to mind, the sun was very sunny that day, and you happened to be wearing a white shirt.

With a little adaptation, the sunset was gorgeous that day, and the summer breeze was warm. You happened to be dressed in a gorgeous dress, with a beautiful face, and your neck and collarbone were covered with crystal beads of sweat.

"Ziyu, you have quelled chaos in Henan, and you have done a good job in fighting floods in Huaiyang." Empress Song captured the momentary loss of focus in the young man's astonishing eyes, and a flash of embarrassment flashed in her heart, her red lips parted slightly, and she said in a low voice.

This Jia Ziyu is really... daring!Just now, is that the way a man looks at a woman?Stunning, distracted?Still looking down?

No, no, she's already old, she's already aged, and her eyes just now... shouldn't be.

Empress Song quickly dispelled the trace of strangeness in her heart.

Jia Heng said softly: "My minister is loyal to the king's affairs, and dare not be praised by a concubine."

Empress Song frowned, she was silent for a moment, and said: "My fourth younger brother is working in Henan, what is he doing?"

"Your Majesty, are you asking Uncle Song Siguo?" Jia Heng said with a calm face, "Uncle Song Siguo helped the humble ministers to appease the people after he recovered and opened the mansion. , now has the right to know the affairs of the Kaifeng government."

Empress Song said softly: "This palace knows all about it, and it's thanks to... Thanks to Ziyu's recommendation."

Jia Heng cupped his hands and said: "The minister is to promote talents for the court, and not to use the treasures left over from the sea. Firstly, it is out of public interest, and secondly, it is due to his own responsibility. I dare not take credit for it."

Empress Song nodded, looked at the young man who was answering the question, and said softly: "Ziyu, Your Majesty is now forgetting to sleep and eat for government affairs, and doesn't know how to cherish the imperial body. Ziyu, you should persuade Your Majesty when you are doing things... If you get married with Xianning in the future, you and His Majesty will become son-in-law, and you can't see the Holy Majesty working hard on official documents, becoming sick from overwork."

Jia Heng said softly: "I will advise the Holy Majesty to rest well and take care of the dragon's body, but sometimes I am not in the palace, so I still have to be persuaded by the empress."

Empress Song sighed, looking at the sunset in the west with her charming and rippling eyes, she cut the autumn water far away, and said in a low voice: "I will always persuade Your Majesty."

It's just that she was persuading, His Majesty was not always listening, but the young man in front of him blocked ten words with one word.

Jia Heng raised his eyes, looked at the charming and bright Empress Song under the setting sun, his face paused, and he didn't know if it was a coincidence, and said softly: "It's better not to faint like last time, so that the empress will be worried. "

As soon as Fang said it, he felt a little regretful.

Empress Song seemed to be silent for a while, but she didn't seem to be silent either. Yurong turned her face to Jia Heng, but she couldn't see her expression. The pillar of the six palaces of this palace, nothing can happen, speaking of it, Ziyu suffered a loss last time."

When it comes to the end, there seems to be a slight difference in the ending sound, and it seems that there is no such thing.

Last time, in fact, only this beauty knew that there were not only frost and snow in winter, but also grapes in summer.

Empress Song turned to Yuyan, mentioned another matter, and said softly: "Zi Yu, there is one more thing I want to tell you. Yesterday Gao Zhongping's wife brought her third son Gao Yong into the palace and asked Bengong and Rong The concubine begged to marry Xianning."

When Jia Heng heard this, he was slightly startled, and asked: "The third son of Gao Zhongping, governor of Sichuan?"

Gao Zhongping was also the favorite minister of Emperor Chongping in the past. He had the merits of following the dragon at the beginning, and now he is the governor of Sichuan.

Empress Song said softly, "Gao Yong is already twenty-one years old. It stands to reason that he should have married a long time ago, but he should have taken a fancy to Xianning back then, and Gao Zhongping... was also a minister of meritorious service of His Majesty back then. , Xu is still unaware of what happened in Beijing, that's why his wife, Mrs. Zhou, made the request. I have already told Mrs. Zhou yesterday that Xianning has already promised someone. Mrs. Zhou didn't say anything, but Mrs. Zhou Look at Gao Yong's expression of unwillingness."

"The Gao family was also the ministers of Qiandi, and they have supervised the river for many years, and they have worked hard." Empress Song thought for a while, glanced at the young man, and said in a low voice.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "I thank you for your adult beauty."

Empress Song looked at the young man who cupped his hands to thank him, and she admired him a little bit. He was affectionate and righteous, and it was not in vain that she helped send Zhou Shi away yesterday, and said softly: "Ziyu, you also have a family. If it wasn't for Xianning Xin You, this palace and Xianning's mother and concubine will never agree, do you understand?"

Jia Heng said: "The empress's kindness, the concubine's tolerance, I will never forget it."

If Empress Song and Concubine Rong wanted to do bad things, even if Emperor Chongping wanted to win him over, after a lot of trouble, it would probably cause a lot of trouble.

"It's up to you, but here in Xianning, you should continue to work hard and never let the world gossip." Empress Song looked at the respectful young man, and after a while, she turned around. Mou looked into the distance.

Earlier, it was said that many of the military and horse affairs in the five cities were taken over by him, and Jia Ziyu recommended his fourth brother as the prefect of Kaifeng. All these things may be due to Xianning.

As for the Gao family, although their family status is not bad, they are still...too far away from Shenjing.

It's okay to have such a capable son-in-law, but we still have to watch the battle against the captives, and then it will be a certainty.

Jia Heng cupped his hands again and said, "I thank you, Madam."

The two were talking, when they suddenly saw a few palace people coming from a distance, surrounded by a graceful and quiet girl, who was none other than Princess Xianning.

"Mother's queen." Princess Xianning looked at the beauty not far away, and called out joyfully when she saw the tall and tall young man in a python suit.

"Xianning, are you here? Where's your mother and concubine?" Seeing the person coming, Empress Song asked with a smile, her long and narrow phoenix eyes sparkling like water.

Princess Xianning said softly: "My concubine is already in Kunning Palace. Empress, it's so hot today, why don't you ride on your shoulders?"

While talking, he looked at Jia Heng.

Empress Song smiled lightly and said, "Fortunately, now that the heat has subsided, let's go for a walk with Ziyu and talk about your affairs."

When Princess Xianning heard the words, she was a little bit ashamed and happy for a moment, with a slight blush on her beautiful and refined cheeks, she said in a low voice: "What did the queen mother talk to Mr. Jia just now?"

Jia Heng looked at Princess Xianning, the girl was slim and charming.

Because of what happened to Chen Xiao earlier, he wanted to ask Xianning what happened later.

As they talked, they came to Kunning Palace. At this moment, the dusk was falling from the sky. There were maids lighting lanterns inside and outside the palace, and the spacious and luxurious palace was suddenly brightened.

Concubine Duanrong got up from the embroidered pier, seeing that there was no one else beside Empress Song, she asked, "Sister, is Your Majesty still reviewing memorials in the inner study?"

"Your Majesty will come over soon." The smile on Empress Song's jade face stagnated a little, and she said, "Let's sit down and talk first."

"Sister, are you ready for tomorrow's affairs?" Duanrong Guifei asked.

Empress Song said softly: "It's ready. The Empress Dowager still wants to go back to Luoyang. The old man has been thinking about it for a long time. This time, Mrs. South Korea brought a few imperial orders and people from the Feng family to come, which is even more so. Empress Dowager felt a little bit of intention to leave."

Concubine Duan Rong said softly: "Earlier, there was a disturbance in Henan, but now that the disturbance has been settled, it is possible to visit relatives, but many years have passed, and things have changed. Speaking of which, my sister and I have not returned for many years. Pass Luoyang."

Hearing Concubine Rong mention her hometown, Empress Song spoke softly with nostalgia in her beautiful eyes. "Let's look at what His Majesty means. His Majesty also intends to go to Luoyang in the past two years. Guanzhong has been cold in winter and hot in summer in recent years. His Majesty also intends to visit Luoyang in recent years."

Jia Heng's heart moved slightly, thinking about Emperor Chongping's thoughts. In fact, when he was in charge of Henan, there were palaces in Luoyang and Kaifeng.

During the Longzhi period, the Supreme Emperor liked to tour everywhere, including Luoyang, Kaifeng, and Jinling, and asked the prince to stay in Shenjing.

However, in Luoyang, Jinling, one middle school, one south and two Beijings, staying for a few months to deal with government affairs is commonplace, and not all of them are greedy for pleasure. For more than 20 years before Emperor Longzhi, Wenzhiwugong was commendable, and it could even be said to be Longzhi flourished.

And Emperor Chongping has stayed in Shenjing City for more than ten years after he was crowned as a great treasure, don't you want to go?Not really, the Supreme Emperor was raised in the capital of God, and Emperor Chongping dared not go anywhere. Who knows if Shenjing will change the king's banner at the top of the city when he comes back?

Of course, the Supreme Emperor will not be allowed to go to Jinling again. It is equivalent to the fact that both father and son are wasted in Shenjing. Of course, it is no different whether they go out or not.

But this is bound to not last long. The country has been established for a hundred years, and after two generations of Emperor Taizong and Longzhi's tour system, there is no rule that the emperor should not go to Beijing. It's just that Taizong is frugal, and the tours are all light and simple, with political purposes, while Longzhi is extravagant and ostentatious. It's important, traveling in the mountains and rivers, and hunting for beauty in the rivers and lakes will not be delayed.

Therefore, if there is a chance, Emperor Chongping will definitely visit Jinling and rectify the intricate officialdom in the south of the Yangtze River.

But all of this... may have to wait for the death of the Supreme Emperor, and in recent years, Guanzhong has been hot in summer and cold in winter. I am afraid that the Supreme Emperor after the collapse of Gongling Mausoleum will not have a good life for two years.

Jia Heng's eyes flickered, thinking maliciously.

At this time, Empress Song looked at Princess Xianning who was talking softly with Jia Heng, and said, "Zhier, what did the Queen Mother say?"

Princess Xianning turned her eyes to her, her beautiful face was full of thought, her voice was as clear as melting ice and snow, she said: "The Empress Dowager said that the country has had a lot of troubles in recent years, so don't make a fuss and waste it."

Empress Song nodded, and with a slight smile on her snow-skinned face, she said: "But we can't lose the dignity of the Tian family, it's harder, it's a little bit harder, we as juniors just have to bear the burden."

The mother-in-law said so, but this birthday still needs to be well planned.

(End of this chapter)