Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 339 5.21 Why are there so many people today?

Volume [-]

5.21 Why are there so many people today?

That night, the Xue family's guest room was in the courtyard garden.

It was the holiday before his promotion. Apart from discussing a few things with Xue Xun, Zhou Yang actually had nothing important to do. Only then did he have time to take the girls around and cultivate feelings. Today he accompanied three girls again. One day at Xuanwu Lake, he was a little tired. He sent all his men to do some physical training alone in the garden, and then prepared to take a bath and go to bed.

“Huh——” After finally completing his daily weightlifting and squatting routine, Zhou Yang let out a sigh of relief and put down the three-hundred-jin stone lock. He took off a towel from the branch next to him and wiped his sweat. Then he returned to the pavilion and sat down on the stone bench. The ginseng soup was cold on the stone table. After drinking it in a few sips, I trimmed it a little and prepared to rinse it next to the water tank.

"Brother Zhou" had just picked up a big spoon. Before he could pour water on himself, he heard a familiar female voice at the door. He was so frightened that he quickly dropped the spoon, walked a few steps back to the stone pavilion, picked up a long gown and put it on himself. Only then did he see Xue Baoqin walking over hesitantly.

"You girl, you have been crazy all day long. When you came back, you cried out that you were tired. Why don't you go to bed now?" Zhou Yang saw her coming and went up angrily and said, "Is something wrong?"

"Brother Zhou will not come back when he returns to Beijing this time?" Xue Baoqin asked softly, "I heard that my father said before leaving that the capital has already prepared a fourth-grade real candidate, waiting for Brother Zhou to go back and take office. A few days ago, my aunt mentioned it, and Sister Bao also sent her a letter, urging her to go to Beijing with her, and probably never come back in the future, right?"

"It's hard to say, maybe it depends on the situation." Zhou Yang said politely. In fact, he also knew that according to the current traffic conditions, no one can travel thousands of miles; it's not like modern high-speed trains and airplanes. It only takes less than two days to travel from the Northeast to the Southwest. "Why, sister Qin is still worried about this? Your family's fleet travels to various places, doesn't it just go wherever you want?"

"Brother Zhou" Xue Baoqin paused and slowly leaned into Zhou Yang's arms.

Zhou Yang:.
"You girl, why are you so sentimental?" Even though he boasted that he had a deep knowledge of the original novel of Red Mansions, he never thought that this girl had such a side, but no matter what, he couldn't play with a girl of twelve or thirteen years old. Ambiguous? "Okay, let's talk about something. If not, can I go back to sleep?"

"I'm afraid it won't be that simple for Brother Zhou and Sister Bao to come to Beijing this time." Xue Baoqin obviously made the decision after repeated consideration. She slowly explained her analysis of Xue Baochai's appointment as an attendant in Beijing and asked Zhou Yang directly. His face was gloomy, "Little sister, I dare to ask, but Brother Zhou and His Highness Yongchang"

"This girl, what do you know so much about?" Zhou Yang knocked her in confusion, feeling that she just threw herself into his arms, not to seek comfort, but to comfort others, "Okay, I will naturally solve the external issues. , you just have to play at home; and, as long as you know about this matter, you are not allowed to go out and talk nonsense, and you are not allowed to tell my wife."

"Brother Zhou, don't worry, it's just..." Xue Baoqin showed hesitation again on his face.

"Girl Qin, since when have you been so hesitant?" Zhou Yang was speechless. "Speak out quickly and solve the problems if they arise. What's the use of keeping it in your heart?"

"My little sister wants to say that what His Highness Yongchang did is actually not unreasonable." Xue Baoqin said softly, "Since I heard about Brother Zhou's appointment, I have checked a lot of things, but I found that Sister Rubao and my little sister are like this The daughter of a merchant cannot become an official’s wife.”

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Zhou Yang was stunned, not expecting Xue Baoqin to say that.

"Brother Zhou, please listen to what I have to say!" Of the 'ordinary wives', none of the gentlemen in the imperial court today has a wife who was born in a merchant family; what's more, my little sister has heard that some people's wives died after they became officials."

"." Zhou Yang was blocked for a long time and couldn't speak. After a long time, he said with a wry smile, "How did I hear that there are people who 'catch a son-in-law under the ranking'? Anyone who can do such a thing must be a merchant, right? "

"I'm afraid Brother Zhou doesn't know. Those who are caught at this time are usually third-ranked people with Jinshi status. It is almost difficult to reach the position of prefect or above. Naturally, there is no need to think so much." Xue Baoqin showed a maturity that was not commensurate with his age. "However, since Brother Zhou is about to take up his post as a fourth-rank official, if he really marries Sister Bao, he may not have a good reputation in the capital."

Zhou Yang had never considered this issue before. In his mind, the top two women in the world of Red Mansions were naturally Baochai Daiyu; but now after listening to Xue Baoqin's statement, he didn't have much doubt. Nothing else. He said that he dated the younger generation of the four princes and eight princes. Even Jia Lian, who was still a relative, had never taken a fancy to the Xue family before the decline of the Jia family.

"Brother Zhou—" Just as he was thinking about something, someone came in again at the door, "I have something to do. Oh, sister Qin is here, but I didn't come at the right time? Otherwise, I'll go out first and wait for you to finish talking." Come in again?"

"Qiying!" Zhou Yang glared at her angrily. The topic he just talked about with Xue Baoqin was obviously too serious, and it was really not the time to tease him. "Sister Qin, I know what you said, and I will definitely do it in the future." "Brother Zhou." Don't say anything yet." Xue Baoqin interrupted him gently. When he turned to look at Zhao Qiying, his face immediately changed, "Huh, I'm sorry to say it's a delay. My little sister just said a few more words to Brother Zhou, so how can I delay it? What, at least I won’t be ashamed when I’m still on the boat.”

"Damn girl, I'll beat you to death!" Zhao Qiying lost her composure in an instant. She rushed forward, grabbed Xue Baoqin and rubbed her face. Although Qin's girl burst into tears from laughing, she still held back her words until Zhao The heroine was so embarrassed that she lost her temper, so she broke away with a bad smile, not forgetting to close the door before leaving.

"This girl really dares to say anything." Zhou Yang was also very embarrassed just now, and he didn't speak until then, "I really don't know where she is like a little girl."

"Okay, Brother Zhou, I have something to say when my little sister comes over." Zhao Qiying didn't know how to discuss such a shameful topic, so she hurriedly put the conversation away, "I've been busy cleaning up these days, and I haven't been able to go back to the Escort Bureau to visit; now that Everything has been settled, I would like to ask Brother Zhou for permission to allow me and Yan Ling as well."

"What else is not allowed?" Zhou Yang laughed dumbly, took the girl in his arms and said, "Is it possible that I can still prevent you from returning to your parents' home? That's all right. You can send someone over to ask when the time is suitable for you to go there. Just send someone to send you there at any time; I know that you and Yan Ling can go back by yourself, but at this time, it is better to follow the rules."

"Brother Zhou is right." Zhao Qiying nodded with a blushing face, "When the time comes, Yan Ling and I will go back together, just find a carriage. There is not only one in this mansion."

"Okay, whichever one you like will be the one." Zhou Yang would not be sorry for the girl on this matter. "If I am free that day, I will join you."

"Brother-in-law, it's better not to go." Unexpectedly, another voice came from the door, of course it was Zhao Yanling, "Otherwise, when you get to the escort office, you can command the master to stand there and let others talk. Originally, the second sister and the second brother-in-law were always talking. They live here with the Xue family and are responsible for daily security matters. For this reason, the eldest sister sent them back as soon as she came back!"

"You girl, it's time to clean up again!" Zhou Yang really didn't expect that there were so many people today. He pulled her into his arms speechlessly, holding the Zhao sisters on the left and right, "Okay, you have the final say, if necessary What, remember to tell me; well, it’s late, let’s go back and rest!”

This involves another rule in the feudal era. The concubine is only half of the master, and the concubine's family is not considered the master's relative. Just like Jia Zheng's concubine Zhao, even if she gave birth to two children, Tanchun and Jia Huan. , was still scolded by Wang Xifeng as "a slave for several generations", and even the slightly respectable slaves in Rongguo Mansion didn't take her seriously.

At least at this point, Zhou Yang can pat his chest and say that he has not sorry for any girl, but even if he is really willing to take Zhao Tianhao as his father-in-law, I am afraid that no one in the Zhao family would dare to take the challenge; even the escorts from the Zhongyuan Escort Agency , no one dared to regard him as "brother-in-law", and even Zhao Yanling's "brother-in-law" was actually "transgression".

"It's been a tiring day, please rest early!" Unexpectedly, Zhao Qiying gently pulled Zhao Yanling back two steps, gave a semblance of a blessing gift, turned around and walked towards the courtyard door hand in hand, "I won't disturb you, my slave." .”

"I'm talking about you." Zhou Yang was made to laugh and cry. He didn't know that the girls were resentful, so he saw three girls tonight and was so stunned that he couldn't sleep alone. "Qiying, don't we still have something to do?"

"Hehe, we'll talk tomorrow if we have anything to do. Brother-in-law, it's better to have a good rest!"

When they were having fun on the boat during the day, Xue Baoqin ran so fast, how could there be no sound? To say that the two of them couldn't hear was purely self-deception. Zhao Qiying was very embarrassed at the time; but someone was in the mood, He didn't care and made it to the end. If he hadn't really had something to do today, Zhao Nuxia wouldn't have seen him for at least three or two days.

Zhou Yang shook his head depressedly. He lowered his head and looked somewhere. He could only throw off his long robe and poured a ladle of cold water on his body to relieve his anger. It was getting late anyway, so he should just have a good rest for the day.

"Hey, Mr. Zhou has been busy all day, why did he come back alone?" But as soon as he arrived in the courtyard, he saw the familiar white figure sitting in the living room, mocking him with a face full of ridicule, "I don't know today. Are you having fun, are you—oh, let me go!"

"Don't let it go, you sent it yourself!" Zhou Yang would never let go of the fat in his mouth.

"You are such a cruel person, weren't you in the yard chatting with those sisters? What are you doing to me, a miserable person like me? If I didn't have something to do today, how would I dare to disturb your Mr. Zhou's rest time?"

"It's bullshit - today is the imperial edict of the King of Heaven, so I have to stay alone!"

(End of this chapter)