The Red Mansions

Chapter 1449 Zhen Lan: Brother Heng should give her a concubine position, right?

Chapter 1449 Zhen Lan: Brother Heng should give her the position of concubine, right?

Godly City, Ningguo Mansion

It was early winter, and a light snow had already fallen the day before. The rugged rocks and the attic with double eaves and hooked corners seemed to be covered with a layer of snow powder, which looked beautiful from a distance.

It can be seen that it is covered with silver and is extremely charming.

Grand View Garden, Cuicui Temple

In the courtyard, a bright red plum blossom with resinous pink had begun to sprout green buds, while a blazing fire in the brazier in the nunnery provided an inviting warmth.

Miaoyu was wearing a loose skirt and her belly was bulging like a ball. At this moment, she was sitting on a soft couch covered with a thick mattress. Her chubby and rosy face with a bit of baby fat was not made up, but one could still see the bright red blush floating on her face.

Not far away, Xing Xiuyan, wearing a green dress and simple makeup, looked like a green lotus that grew out of the mud without being stained. She sat on the couch and teased Jia Mo.

At this moment, the maid Susu came into the wing room from the outer room and said, "Miss, the people in the front yard said that the master is back and has been conferred the title of Prince."

Miaoyu heard this, and her rosy face seemed to show joy. Then she looked at Xing Xiuyan beside her and said happily, "He's back."

Xing Xiuyan said: "Brother Heng was also conferred the title of Prince this time."

Miaoyu's eyes were as bright as water as she trimmed her eyebrows. She said, "The title of a county king is a title above that of a duke or marquis. It cannot be granted lightly unless one has made great contributions to the founding of a country."

Although Miaoyu has always regarded fame and fortune as dirt, and has always felt that fame and fortune are fleeting, the title of a prince is hereditary and will last forever along with the country.

In other words, as long as you don't commit treason, you will have a stable job that will last forever for your descendants.

"Daddy is coming back?" The little girl in Xing Xiuyan's arms raised her delicate face and spoke in a soft and cute voice, as if to make people soften.

Xing Xiuyan smiled and asked, "Momo, do you miss daddy?"

The girl said in a soft voice: "Yes."

Just as they were talking, a familiar voice sounded in the courtyard, "Is Master Miaoyu in the inner room?"

As she was speaking, Qin Keqing's maid Baozhu, who was wearing a cotton skirt embroidered with lotus patterns, had a faint smile on her innocent and beautiful face.

"Master Miaoyu, grandma has set up a banquet in the hall at the back house and invited you and Miss Xing to go over. She said that the master has returned and we should have dinner together." The maid Baozhu said with a smile on her pretty face.

Xing Xiuyan frowned her beautiful eyebrows that looked like clouds, and said, "Sister Miaoyu is not feeling well right now."

Miaoyu said, "Xiuyan, carry Momo over there. She was just talking about her father."

Xing Xiuyan responded softly, "That's fine."

As he spoke, he came forward, picked up the soft and milky little girl, chuckled, and said, "Momo, let's go see daddy together, okay?"

"Yeah." The little girl responded softly, her little face full of joy.

Grand View Garden, Hengwu Garden——

While the beauties in the front yard were talking non-stop, Baoqin and Xiangyun were reading two books on the embroidered cushion in the wing room of Hengwu Garden, looking very contented.

Baochai was also playing chess with Daiyu across an apricot-yellow chessboard. Her delicate face was round and smooth, and gradually she looked more and more noble, a person who had been pampered and lived a life of luxury.

Under Daiyu's eyebrows that looked like willow leaves, her eyes that were like stars and moons seemed to be twinkling with stars and rainbows. She said, "Sister Bao, it's your turn."

Baochai uttered a soft "hmm" and, speaking, picked up a chess piece with her snow-white hands and placed it on the apricot-yellow chessboard. Then, she picked up the teacup from the small table beside her and took a sip.

At this moment, Ying'er walked quickly into the house and said, "Miss, the master is back. I heard from the maid in the front yard that the master has been conferred the title of Prince by the palace."

As soon as these words were spoken, there were two "click" sounds, and immediately, two chess pieces fell one after the other on the apricot-yellow chessboard.

Baochai and Daiyu looked at each other and caught a glimpse of joy on each other's faces.

Baochai's watery almond eyes sparkled under her emerald eyebrows as she said, "Brother Heng is back."

Daiyu opened her mouth and said softly, "Brother Heng has been conferred the title of Prince."

Baoqin and Xiangyun also raised their heads at this moment. The two little chubby girls couldn't help but show joy on their snow-white faces.

Baoqin said happily: "Brother Heng is finally back."

Not only did he come back, he was also granted the title of Prince, so she... no longer had to be a concubine.

She should be able to be given the title of Lady of Imperial Concubine.

Xiangyun also raised her cute, bright face at this moment, with joy in her eyes.

Even Xiangyun knew the significance of Jia Heng being named a prince. After all, in the original novel, he was able to tell Baoyu that economics and official career are of paramount importance.

While everyone was talking, a maid came into the hall, with a smile on her wrinkled face, and said, "Miss, Ruizhu is here."

As she was talking, Ruizhu entered the hall and said, "Miss Xue, Miss Lin, grandma is hosting a banquet in the hall in the backyard to entertain the two young ladies."

Then Ruizhu turned to look at Baoqin and Xiangyun and said with a smile, "It's a good thing that everyone is here, so I don't have to go around inviting people."

Baochai put down the chess piece in her hand, stood up, looked at Daiyu not far away, her moist almond eyes full of joyful smiles, and said, "Okay, let's go together."

Daiyu nodded and said, "I just feel a little hungry right now."

In a blink of an eye, it has been half a year since I last saw Brother Heng.

Several people were talking and walking towards the hall.

……

……

Grand View Garden, Qichiyuan

In the courtyard, the biting cold wind gently blew the branches in the courtyard, shaking off a thin layer of snow and making a rustling sound in the air.

In the pavilion with carved beams and painted rafters, Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi sat on a soft couch covered with a mattress and chatted with each other.

Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi, one in a red skirt and the other in a blue skirt, sat on the couch, holding needle and thread, sewing skirts. At this moment, the two girls were like two lotus flowers in a swaying pond, one enchanting, the other elegant, complementing each other.

Tanchun and Yaruo were sitting on an embroidered cushion, playing a game of chess.

Yaruo picked up a horse and hit the chess piece in front of Tanchun, her face full of joy and brightness.

Recently, Yaruo has become obsessed with playing chess and would pester Tanchun to play two games with her every day.

At this time, a maid dressed in silk and satin walked into the hall quickly and said in a brisk tone, "Miss Lan, the eldest grandmother asked you and Miss Xi to go to the front yard to talk. She said that Master Heng has returned and has been conferred the title of Prince by the court."

As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if a spring breeze was blowing through the hall.

Tanchun's bright eyes beneath her handsome eyebrows were filled with a hint of joy.

Zhen Lan smiled and said, "I think it's time to come back."

Some time ago, such a big thing happened in the capital. The emperor in the palace would definitely transfer Brother Heng back, and he is indeed here.

Tanchun said in a cheerful and bright tone, "Brother Heng is now a prince."

She had witnessed her brother Heng's rise from a commoner to a prince.

And this feeling of witnessing along the way is undoubtedly touching.

Zhen Lan nodded, her heart filled with joy, and said, "Since the founding of the country, there have only been four princes, and Brother Heng is the fifth."

A prince has four concubines. I wonder if she and her sister can get one.

While the two were talking, a maid from outside came into the hall again and said, "Miss Lan, the grandmother is calling you to the hall for dinner."

Several people looked at each other, stood up, and walked towards the front hall.

On the other side, Jia Heng, served by Qingwen, quickly entered the wing room, looked up at the girl with a slender waist and thin shoulders, and said, "Qingwen, how are you doing at home recently?"

Under Qingwen's two curved green eyebrows, her pair of bright eyes, which were somewhat similar to Daiyu's delicate temperament, seemed to be filled with joy. She said, "What else can it be? It's just like that. It's the young master. Every time he goes out, his title is promoted a level."

As they were talking, the girl was helping Jia Heng take off his robe and clothes.

Jia Heng sighed and said, "It's been almost half a year since I left Beijing."

Qingwen's face, which was as pure and beautiful as frost, was as rosy as clouds. She pouted her bright red lips and said, "The young master has now been made a prince."

Jia Heng said: "Yes."

When she turned around, she gently pinched the maid's bulging front and said with a smile: "After a while, I will ask for you to be given the title of Madam of Imperial Concubine."

After not seeing her for a while, Qingwen is no longer the young girl she used to be. After all, it has been five years since the Fourteenth Year of Chongping.

Qingwen responded softly, and a hint of joy appeared in her beautiful eyes beneath her willow-shaped eyebrows. She said jokingly, "I have always been the young master's maid, and I don't want to be given any imperial decree."

Jia Heng smiled lightly and didn't take it too seriously.

In this way, Jia Heng finished his bath with Qingwen's help.

When I looked up, I found that it was already evening. The setting sun illuminated the octagonal building covered with a thin layer of snow. The white and red light and shadows blended together, creating a magnificent scene.

Jia Heng stood under the eaves of the corridor, wearing a blue-white Shu brocade robe. His cold eyes flickered under his sword-like brows. He looked at the red sunset in the distance, but his heart was covered with a thick haze.

After standing for a while, Jia Heng returned to the back house, the hall -

The first night after returning must be spent at Keqing's place.

Qin Keqing was seated in the hall, chatting with Youshi, You Erjie and You Sanjie. Jia Fu, wearing a pink dress and pigtails, was playing a nine-ring game.

The little girl inherited the handsome looks of her father and mother. Although she is still a child, she already looks like a beauty.

As time passed slowly, the girls from the backyard came into the hall one after another and sat down one after another. They were like a garden of spring flowers, charming and beautiful, blooming and fragrant.

Under Qin Keqing's willow-shaped eyebrows, her beautiful eyes, as gentle and peaceful as water, seemed to sparkle with condensed dew. She looked at Baochai and Daiyu and said, "Sister Xue, Sister Lin, you are here."

Baochai and Daiyu looked at Qin Keqing and responded softly.

At this moment, the nanny reported: "Grandma, Miss Xiuyan is here."

As she was speaking, Xing Xiuyan walked quickly into the hall holding a little girl with a rosy face.

At this moment, Jia Fu seemed to be sensitive to her sister coming over. She turned her pink face to look at Jia Mo, her eyes lit up, and she called sweetly, "Sister."

"Sister." Jia Mo looked at Jia Fu with her bright and sparkling eyes, her voice soft and sweet.

At this moment, two pretty little girls came up, picked up the nine-ring puzzle and started playing with it.

Qin Keqing smiled, looked at Youshi, and whispered, "The two sisters have a lot of fun playing together."

Yu Shi's eyebrows were as dark as ink, and she smiled gently, saying, "After all, they are sisters."

Qin Keqing: "..."

For some reason, she always felt that this statement was strange.

At this moment, Xing Xiuyan sat down, and her snow-white face seemed to be covered with a layer of blush.

At this moment, a maid from the outer room quickly entered the hall and said, "Grandma, the prince is here."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their eyes to the young man behind the embroidered mica screen. The young man was dressed in a Sichuan brocade robe. He had an upright figure, sword-like brows slanting down into his temples, and his eyes were sharp and clear like a god.

Xiangyun's heart was trembling violently at this moment, and she couldn't help but grab Baoqin's soft hand.

"My husband is here." Qin Keqing stood up gracefully. Under her beautiful and elegant bun, a bright smile could be seen on her graceful and beautiful face.

He came closer and took the boy's arm.

Jia Heng looked at the group of beautiful girls and asked, "Are they all here?"

Qin Keqing's face was bright and beautiful. She said, "Miaoyu is in the Rongcui Temple and has not come yet."

"Daddy."

At this moment, the two little girls called out to the young man softly, their voices sounding soft and cheerful.

Jia Heng bent down and squatted over, with the two little girls on either side.

Suddenly, with a "baji" sound, I felt a warm feeling coming from one side of my face.

"Daddy~~"

The two caring little ones called out sweetly, their voices so soft and sticky.

Qin Keqing smiled as she looked at the interaction between the father and his two daughters and said, "Okay, husband, take them both to have dinner together."

Jia Heng smiled, then held the two little girls and sat down to eat.

At this moment, Baochai and Daiyu both stared at the young man as well as Jia Fu and Jia Mo. Their eyes fell on the pair of little lolis, and they couldn't help feeling envy in their hearts.

Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi also raised their heads, their bright and slender eyes, and eyebrows as lively as a stream, seeming to be moistened by ripples.

Jia Heng nodded, picked up a pair of bamboo chopsticks, and said, "In a few days, the clan office will send officials to publish the golden books and jade statutes of the princesses, concubines, and wives of the imperial edicts."

Baochai and Daiyu paused with their chopsticks in their hands and looked at each other, each with different thoughts in their minds.

At this moment, a gleam of hope seemed to appear on Zhen Lan's cold and beautiful face.

Brother Heng should give her the position of concubine, right?

Third Sister You raised her eyes to look at the young man, and the spoon in her hand clanged gently in the jade bowl, making a crisp sound, revealing her uneasy mood.

Zhen Xi, who was sitting on an embroidered cushion at the bottom, had beautiful eyes and eyebrows as lively as a stream, and also had a layer of watery and quiet aura, but she looked at Zhen Lan beside her.

Sister Lan has been waiting for a long time, so it should be for Sister Lan.

On the other side, the two chubby girls, Baoqin and Xiangyun, had rosy red blushes on their plump and fair faces.

Yaruo raised her face, which was slightly red from the highland weather, and her lively eyes were full of curiosity.

How does the position of princess compare to her position as princess?

Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes, with their moon-like eyebrows, showed a hint of curiosity. She smiled and said, "My husband, who are the concubines and the wives of the imperial family?"

The beauty really did not hide anything at this moment. She said that the Princess of the County took the responsibilities and asked about the position of concubine.

As Qin Keqing said this, the hearts of the people in the hall rose to their throats.

Jia Heng took in the expressions of all the golden hairpins present and said, "In Rongqing Hall before, the old lady also asked me about the princess and concubine. Several princesses and princesses are from the royal family and have their own status. They don't need this. The position of concubine is Sister Lin, Sister Xue, and Sister Yan'er. As for the wives of the imperial edict, they are all included."

Sometimes I also like to watch the changes in the expressions of the girls in the back house.

Well, it’s actually a kind of bad taste.

Or is it the same reason why some emperors like to watch concubines in the harem compete for favor?

Everyone didn't know what to say, but they all had different thoughts.

There were four concubines, but now there are only three. It seems like there is one more?

Could it be the one from Longcui Temple?

But Zhen Lan had lost her appetite and was absent-minded.

Brother Heng didn't seem to mention her and her sister just now? Could it be that she and her sister are not together?

After finishing the meal, all the ladies dispersed.

Jia Heng also looked at Qin Keqing who was standing beside him. Then, he took the beautiful lady's slender hand and looked at the bright lights of Ningguo Mansion in the distance. He felt a little dazed and said, "Keqing."

Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes were filled with charming affection under her slender eyebrows. She said softly, "My husband, my second and third sisters will go over and serve you together."

Jia Heng said, "Let's wait for another day. Today I just want to accompany you."

Although multi-threaded operation is not impossible, it is also more energy-consuming.

Qin Keqing raised her eyebrows, rolled her eyes at the young man, and said sarcastically, "My husband has changed his temper."

Jia Heng didn't say anything else, but went towards the side room with Qin Keqing.

In the middle of the room, on a lacquered wooden table, a candle flickered constantly, and the wax flowed and gathered in a layer under the candlestick.

Jia Heng gently embraced Qin Keqing's plump and delicate body, whispered to her, and called out, "Keqing."

Qin Keqing's cheeks flushed and she said softly, "Dad has passed the New Year and is old. I think it's time for him to retire and enjoy his old age."

Jia Heng warmed his hands, stirred up trouble, and said, "Wait a few days, I will ask my father-in-law what he thinks."

Under Qin Keqing's delicate eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were sparkling and slightly moist, as if filled with endless charm. Feeling the young man's intimacy, her delicate body was already burning hot like fire.

As the curtain fell, the couple, feeling as if they had just been separated for the rest of the night, remained silent.

……

……

next day

As Jia Heng was conferred the title of a prince, the news gradually spread throughout the entire Shenjing City. It was rare for someone to be a prince before the age of twenty, even during the founding of the Chen Han Dynasty.

Looking through the history, it is hard to find one like him.

Afterwards, news came that the false Jurchen emperor and the queen mother were rushing to the capital, and there was a lot of discussion in the city of Shenjing.

Some people said that the Jurchen Queen Mother was extremely beautiful, otherwise she would not have been so favored by the Jurchen regent Dorgon after she became a widow.

Early in the morning, the sky was bright and the golden sunset glow shone on the eaves, covering them with a layer of golden gauze.

Jia Heng called Qingwen, prepared a black and red brocade embroidered dragon robe, and prepared to go to the Jinyifu government office.

At this moment, Qin Keqing was sitting in front of the dressing table, dressing herself in front of a diamond-shaped bronze mirror, served by Baozhu and Ruizhu. Her face, as charming as a hibiscus flower, was watered by the rain and dew, and was bright and beautiful.

Jia Heng was wearing a silk belt around his waist at this moment, with a calm face and sharp eyebrows and bright eyes.

At this moment, Jia Heng left the wing room and went to the study in the front yard. As expected, Chen Xiao was sitting behind a lacquered wooden desk, reading a book.

Hearing the footsteps outside, he lifted his beautiful head from a book and asked, "Why are you up so early?"

Jia Heng's face was as calm as water. He looked at Chen Xiao intently and said, "Come with me to Jinyi Mansion later, and then we will go to the palace to meet the emperor."

Chen Xiao looked at the young man in the python costume and said, "Okay."

Under the escort of the Jinyifu guards, they headed towards the Jinyifu government office.

(End of this chapter)