Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 436 6.7 Xue Baochai: Let’s think about it more in the future
Volume VI

6.7 Xue Baochai: We want to open more in the future
On the first day of the Lunar New Year in the 51st year of Longwu, it was in the courtyard of the Zhou Mansion.

There were a few "bang bangs" in the bedroom, and then "ouch" sounds. After a while, someone was seen throwing a nightgown randomly with a rippling smile. Qingwen, who was already standing at the door, greeted her with a red face. He went up and gave his young master a few gentle blows before pulling him to the basin that had been prepared to wash up.

"Girl, what time did you have trouble with Yun Yatou, Qin Yatou, and Keqing last night?" Zhou Yang simply washed his face first, then picked up the willow green salt and found that Qingwen had dark circles under her eyes, and the whites of her eyes were even whiter. It was a lot of blood, "I remember last night, but someone felt that there were too few opportunities to serve, and then they didn't know where they went. It was really sad."

"Master -" Qingwen mixed the soapy water and said with a pout, "Anyway, it doesn't matter if I lost my slave last night. Aunt Xue is thin-skinned, but you are good. She just likes to tease others. Mrs. Xue's slave doesn't dare to play. Talk about it, but this slave also knows that you shouldn’t do this; what’s more, there are so many people in the family, even Miss Lin knows about it, so you don’t have any taboos.”

"You guys -" Zhou Yang shook his head with a wry smile, and could only continue to wash up, because he couldn't explain this kind of thing clearly.

Wang Shuying's situation is too special. Although the two had their own ideas at the beginning, the elements of "mutual use" were more concentrated. At that time, Zhou Yang didn't have the confidence to let the Xue family agree to marry Xue Baochai, so he found a "spare tire". Everyone takes what they need, but as time goes by, even if they only talk about "love grows over time," now it is time for love to become stronger than gold.

However, the situation changed again and again later, and Xue Baochai also changed from a wife to a concubine. In other words, his relationship with the Xue family changed from the original "equal relationship and mutual support" to "a vassal of the Xue family." It's impossible to be Chen Shimei and have the desire to "want it all", so she just gritted her teeth and made a name for herself so that everyone could get used to it.

Anyway, the girls in the family are in a special situation, with sisters, aunts and nephews, plus Yuanchun in the palace, Tanchun and Xichun who are still in Rongguo Mansion, they will definitely be in trouble in the future. It is not unacceptable to have more than one mother-in-law, or in other words, the girls His "bottom line" has been repeatedly lowered, and he has become basically numb.

"Brother-in-law, when are we leaving?" Before he had finished washing, Zhao Yanling's voice came from outside the door.

"It's early. The palace is hosting a luncheon. According to the custom of previous years, people have entered the palace one after another. The more junior officials go, the earlier they arrive. After arriving, they go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to visit His Highness and the Queen." Zhou Yang smiled. Then he said, "It will be after noon that the real vacancies from the fourth rank and above take their turn. These are also the candidates who are qualified to participate in the luncheon.

Instead of leaving directly after the banquet, most of the officials are fortunate enough to be able to chat and greet with His Royal Highness in turn, which is considered to win people's hearts, while the family members have to accompany the empress to watch a play and talk, which is considered a royal grace. When you return home, a small number of core members will also be treated as staying in the palace, which will keep you busy. "

"Brother Zhou, is it really appropriate for us sisters to follow you?" While the two were talking, Zhao Qiying had already walked over, her tone was very unconfident, "Although my little sister doesn't understand the meaning of this, she also knows that she will follow you into the palace today. They are all Mrs. Gaoming, and Yan Ling and I are concubines no matter what, even if we let Sister Bao pass."

"Don't worry, you are the commander of Xuan'er's bodyguards. Yan Ling also got the title of third-class bodyguard a few days ago, and I am behind you. You won't say anything careless." Zhou Yang said with a smile. , "Although Baochai is indeed better at communicating in the inner house than you, don't forget that you also have a lot of face with the Queen."

In fact, there is a more important point that Zhou Yang did not mention, that is, he was deliberately "creating a character."

Now he is in charge of the Shenji Battalion, but he is only in his twenties. Even if he is still a "powerful knowledge" for the time being, and it takes a few years to be given the title of "General Soldier", it is a bit too exaggerated. In modern society, it is equivalent to He was awarded the rank of general when he was less than [-] years old, and he also controlled the country's most elite military unit. The limelight was too great, and if he was not careful, he would definitely encounter "the wind will destroy him".

Another point, it is not too exaggerated for him to be a third-rank general and concurrently hold a third-rank official position, but he has a terrifying room for growth. Even if he is close to the royal family now, who can guarantee what will happen in the future?His marriage to Princess Yongjing was so smooth. For this reason, he even endured the unclear things between him and Princess Yongchang. But this is now, what about the future?

Therefore, Zhou Yang must hand over a certain "handle" to the royal family so that the royal family can rest assured about him. Since Wang Mang, the so-called "perfect man" officials have never been popular, but he really has no serious problems so far. , then you can only create one, or "self-pollution".

The problem is that this kind of "handicap" should not be too exaggerated. If the enemy is caught with a serious crime, it is difficult to say how the Queen and Guo Kai will deal with it when the situation arises. The result of the discussion is to follow Princess Yongchang's suggestion and find a way for themselves. The reputation of "loving flowers and being beautiful" came out. This was not a big deal in the feudal era anyway. Anyone who heard it could only laugh it off. The Zhao sisters were the "symbol".

"It's just." Zhao Qiying was still worried. Of course, she knew that the so-called "face" she and Zhao Yanling had with the Queen was actually due to the fact that she entered the palace as a guard when the Yizhong County King was in trouble, but it was not enough to make her stand out among a bunch of officials' wives. , Gao Mingzhong stood firm, "After all, our sisters don't have much knowledge. They can only practice martial arts and swords since they were young. If you are not careful." "No." Zhou Yang has already arranged this point, "I have already said hello, After you enter the palace, someone will lead you to rest directly in the side hall of Fengzao Palace, where the royal family members are, and there will be Rong'er or Xuan'er to take care of you, no one will be bored and embarrass you, and you will go to the main hall when the banquet starts Take a seat and don’t worry about getting into trouble.”

"This -" Zhao Qiying hesitated but nodded, "Since Brother Zhou has made arrangements, I will say no more."

"Let's go, let's have breakfast first. The banquets in the palace are all the same. It's impossible to keep the temperature on such a cold day. By then, it will either be completely cool or simply served cold. Not to mention the food is delicious and filling. The dishes for such banquets are common. It’s very filling, so you’ll be lucky if you don’t have a stomachache after eating it.” Zhou Yang smiled and pulled the three girls around him to go out, “Be sure to eat beforehand, and bring some snacks if you’re worried. Don’t wrong yourself.”

It wasn't until the four of them went out that there was movement in the inner bedroom. Whether it was deception or self-deception, the two women, who were still undressed and washed, looked at each other and then looked away, even if they hadn't known it for a long time. How many times have there been, every time I wake up in the morning, I still feel shame, so I can only call Yinger for help, and after a hasty wash, they separate, and even Fu can't enter the inner courtyard.

"Bao girl——" Only this time, Wang Shuying no longer wanted to be stuck without embarrassment like before. She hurriedly stopped Xue Baochai who was about to go out and half-forced her back to the bedroom, "Although I'm sorry for you, mother."

"Mother doesn't need to say anything, my daughter understands." Xue Baochai said "I understand", but her beautiful eyes fell into tears.

"How do you really understand?" Wang Shuying sighed softly, hugged her daughter and began to explain.

Zhou Yang did not fully explain all the considerations about his family's girls and career to others. Only Wang Shuying, who was in a special situation, he gave special explanations in order to let her talk to Xue Baochai one day, even if there was another one in the future. What kind of estrangement, at least it won't be like it is now, Nianglai has almost nothing to say except "jointly fight against the enemy".

"Is that so?" No matter how smart Xue Baochai is, he has always stayed at home. In other words, he has only learned to manage Xue Zihao from Li Wan in the past two months. How can he have such far-reaching knowledge? Looking at Wang Shuying's narration, he still pauses from time to time and thinks about it for a moment. Only then could he continue talking, and he didn't know who these explanations came from, so he said quietly, "What does mother think?"

"Now that the matter has come to this, what else can be done?" Wang Shuying sighed softly, hugged her daughter hard and said, "We can't separate ourselves from each other, it's just pretending to be stupid. I knew from the beginning that Ziyang was capable. Now he has lost his sense of shame, but he didn’t expect that he would get to where he is now, not to mention the things at home, but less outside?"

"There are two Your Highnesses and one sister who didn't come, and there are several sisters who can't cross the road. I really don't know what the future will be like." It's too late to say anything now, just follow what mother said, don't be shameless if you are shameless."

"Sorry for your pain." Wang Shuying sighed softly, but she breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, "Zi Yang also promised to arrange a good marriage for your brother. It was the sister of the Li family who often came here, even if she was in When I was in Jinling, I also heard about the reputation of the Li family as 'a family of poetry and calligraphy'. If it can really happen, it will be worth the shame for both of us."

"Seriously?" Xue Baochai's eyes lit up, and he nodded slowly after hesitating for a moment, "My daughter remembered it. A few days ago, Brother Zhou also said that he would give it to his second uncle. If it succeeds, he can completely pull out the Xue family." The merchant's quagmire, with my second uncle taking care of me, I believe this marriage can be successful."

"I just remembered when you said it. Ziyang mentioned at the beginning that the second wife of the Li family has no heirs to inherit, only two girls. At that time, your elder brother and the second uncle's family will happen to be one for each of them. If the second uncle can really be like a son It's like what Yang arranged. Isn't it?" Wang Shuying was so excited that she couldn't speak.

"The second uncle is still a prince even if he is called a barbarian vassal king; the eldest brother has now gone from being a fifth-rank deputy to a thousand households, and then married the legitimate daughter of a family of poets and writers." Even with Xue Baochai's cultivation, at this time His face was inevitably red with excitement, "Mother."

"That's all, if he likes it, let him go." Wang Shuying gritted her teeth and said half shyly, half excitedly, "Good girl——"

"Mother, let's be more open in the future!"

(End of this chapter)