The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

In the pavilion, the autumn wind never stops. Outside the pavilion, hundreds of flowers are blooming. Even if the autumn branches are drooping, they can't block the brilliant sunshine from shining in. The shadows of the two people extended from the ground to the steps. Both the monarch and the minister looked relaxed and casual.

Hehe. With Li Zhi's permission, Chen Heng first chuckled and then said loudly, I would like to ask your Majesty to find a house for me and use it for other purposes in the future.

Hearing this, Li Zhi frowned slightly, with an expression that said, You're just bothering me about this. He looked Chen Heng up and down, then played chess, and asked, Why, have you been wronged at your teacher's house? He laughed again and encouraged, If you have any grievances, just tell me and I will make the decision for you.

No, no. Chen Heng didn't dare to accept these words, he didn't even dare to move his hands, and quickly shook his head, I'm old enough, it's time to move out on my own.

At your age, you are not even twenty yet. Li Zhi sneered and glanced at the shy-looking ministers. Suddenly, he came to his senses and laughed: Okay, okay, I have indeed grown up. I have also begun to understand some things about Muai...

Li Zhi's laughter was too wild, which made Chen Heng a little embarrassed. The latter lowered his head slightly, waited until Li Zhi stopped laughing, and asked: Tell me, which girl do you like? Do you need me to grant you a marriage?

Your Majesty, please take care of me. If I can't handle this matter, I would like to ask your Majesty to come forward and make the decision. Chen Heng quickly rejected Li Zhi's proposal. He hasn't mentioned this matter to the Lin family yet, so asking Li Zhi to come forward can definitely cut through the mess quickly and get it done in one step. But if the Lin family doesn't like me, it will leave an impression on my teachers and mistress that I am using His Majesty's favor to forcefully suppress others.

Getting married is not enmity. It is best if we can understand and respect each other. Seeing that Li Zhi was a little confused, Chen Heng briefly explained what happened between him, Lin Daiyu and Zhen Yinglian.

This matter is really confusing. Back then, Yinglian ignored her own safety and took the risk to come to the academy to find her. She had made a tacit agreement with her at that time, and Yinglian kept this verbal agreement and waited year after year.

A person must be conscientious. The other party will not fight or grab, but will only act as a silent explanation flower in the dark. However, Chen Heng does not want to make Yinglian suffer unnecessary injustice.

What about the children of Lin Qing's family? Li Zhi listened to the Yangzhou girl for a long time, and then asked about Lin Daiyu's situation with great interest.

Speaking of this, Chen Heng really couldn't find many words. He murmured for a long time before saying: I and her are childhood sweethearts and childhood sweethearts.

With just these eight words, Li Zhi had already understood the feelings between Chen and Lin. Looking at the young minister in front of him, he couldn't help but smile and said: Since the girl from Yangzhou you mentioned is not well-connected, you might as well take her as your concubine and save yourself a lot of trouble. In my opinion, Lin Qing has always had a broad mind, so it is inevitable Will agree.

Chen Heng naturally knew this truth. But if Jin takes Yinglian as his concubine, it would not be an insult. Thinking about the other party's waiting in Yangzhou day by day, although Chen Heng never expressed it in words, he felt very clear in his heart. Immediately he said in a deep voice: My lord, I feel guilty.

Li Zhi took a deep look at Chen Heng, and he understood this minister a little better.

So, you thought of marrying the daughter of the Lin family as your first wife and that girl from Yangzhou as your second wife?

Yes. Chen Heng nodded.

What if the two families disagree? Li Zhi asked again.

Then I will keep begging you day by day, and there will always be a time when the elders are willing to let go. Chen Heng chuckled, and said shamelessly, If it's true, the matter is urgent. Please be kind to me and make the decision to avoid any mistakes. The age at which I will get married.

After saying this, Chen Heng quickly stood up from his seat and bowed deeply to Li Zhi. The latter laughed loudly and said, Have you used everything Master Pei and Lin Qing taught you?

Then he said, I know about this. It's just such a small matter. Why don't you ask the prince to help you?

They had been chatting about family matters earlier, and Li Zhi's tone was relaxed and casual. Chen Heng didn't want to dwell on this ordinary remark. But just when he was about to speak, he thought about Master Pei's teachings on weekdays, and his heart seemed to be suddenly struck by lightning. Busy continued to bow his body and said sincerely: I am your Majesty's minister. Now the elders of the family are not in the capital. If anything happens, it is natural that you should ask your Majesty to make the decision.

Chen Heng finished his sentence, but did not receive an immediate reply from Li Zhi. Seeing this reaction, a flash of certainty flashed through his heart. Sure enough, something must have gone wrong somewhere.

What could it be? He thought carefully about the recent past and suddenly realized that he wanted to take credit for Bao Qin. Recently, Chen Heng has only had contact with Prince Li Xian on this matter.

What should I do, continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb? Or should we express our will? How does His Majesty define this matter in his mind? Did Prince Li Xian say it himself? Or did you know it from others?

Two different news channels directly determine the change in the nature of this matter. For the first time, Chen Heng felt what it means to accompany a king like a tiger, and why Li Zhi would attack at this time.

It’s just that no matter how much you think about it right now, it’s useless. How to get through this level is the key. Chen Heng's mind raced, and he suddenly thought of Master Pei's words about being a minister.

No matter what tricks Li Zhi wanted to use or what thoughts he had. At the moment, the best way is to make him believe that he has no other intentions. What's more, if Li Zhi had meant to question him, he would not have said it so casually. He would have taken the opportunity to beat himself up.

Your Majesty is talking about the affairs of the Xue family in Yangzhou? With an idea in his mind, Chen Heng immediately adopted the attitude of a pure minister and a straight minister, and said bluntly, His Majesty's Wanshou Festival will be in two days, and the Xue family of Yangzhou should already be in Beijing. On the way. By then, Your Majesty will be able to understand your intention.

Oh, so... Li Zhi paused and said in a nonchalant manner, The Xue family in Yangzhou has prepared a gift for me?

Your Majesty, it was not prepared by the Xue family of Yangzhou. Chen Heng said bluntly again, It was prepared by the people of Yangzhou.

After hearing this, Li Zhi relaxed his brows and chuckled. The tense atmosphere in the pavilion eased slightly. Okay! Mr. Chen, if I'm not satisfied with what they give me then, you're the only one to ask.

Yes. Chen Heng received this sentence respectfully.

Why don't you get up? Li Zhi looked at the young man bending his body. He thought the minister would say that His Majesty had not allowed him to stand up. Who would have thought that Chen Heng would not hesitate to ask, Your Majesty has not yet agreed to my request, so I dare not get up.

Hahahahahaha. Li Zhi then laughed, Okay, get up. I'll give you my permission. If your teacher is really unyielding, just come to the palace and I will grant you a marriage.

Chen Heng was overjoyed. He quickly raised his sleeves to wipe the sweat from his forehead and said happily: I obey the order.

Hmph. Li Zhi looked at his behavior and couldn't help but hum. Tell me, what kind of house do you want?

It's good if it's big and cheap. Your Majesty, you know that my family is short of money and the housing prices in the capital are too expensive. It's best to be closer to the palace so that it's more convenient for me to go to court...

You might as well ask me to reward you with a house. Li Zhi laughed and cursed, then turned to Xia Shouzhong and said, You have someone go and take care of this matter.

What this means is that it will be done privately and not in the name of rewards from the palace. Xia Shouzhong understood and said: Your Majesty, don't worry, I will definitely build a house for Mr. Chen for the future use of his family.

The two of them sat back down to where they were before, and Li Zhi also started to mention Chen Heng, The house has been found for you, and I have agreed to your marriage. Think about it for yourself, where did you go wrong in this matter.

Seeing that Chen Heng was deep in thought, Li Zhi added, If it's agreed, you can take the house. If it's not agreed, you can stay somewhere for a while and wake up your mind.

Li Zhi said it harshly, but when Chen Heng heard it, he felt that he was not at a disadvantage anyway and felt much more relaxed. He is different from most people. Compared with fighting in a capital with many rules, he still feels that the freedom of the place is better and more comfortable.

To answer this question well, we must first understand where Li Zhi violated taboos. After thinking about it carefully, Chen Heng understood where the mistake was. After all, the Xue family in Yangzhou had some money. It would be strange for Li Zhi not to be suspicious of such a person hooking up with the prince.

In addition, the Xue family is closely connected with the four major families in Jinling. Although the Xue family in Yangzhou has already shown that the Xue family is divided into two branches. But Master Pei said that since ancient times, the emperor has been a loner, and being suspicious is a necessary quality for a king.

Chen Heng had thought about the doorway here. At this moment, he only thought about his words slightly, and when he answered, he faced the topic directly, Your Majesty, it is really difficult for you to come forward with this matter about the Xue family.

Oh? After listening to this, Li Zhi felt even more curious. Is there anyone in the world that he can't stand up to? He glanced at Chen Heng, wanting to see what fart this boy could hold back.

This Erlang of the Xue family is actually a daughter. I want to invite the Crown Prince to go to the palace and ask the Queen to give her a royal decree.

Asking Li Zhi to come forward in person and give decrees and rewards to the daughters of grassroots people would simply bring trouble to Li Zhi. Only someone like Qin Liangyu of the former Ming Dynasty would be qualified for Li Zhi to come forward in person.

Are you serious? Li Zhi raised his eyebrows, looking in disbelief.

Chen Heng said immediately, I don't dare to lie. The imperial physician sent by your Majesty to Shenzhou that day also checked the pulse of Erlang Xue. Your Majesty summoned the imperial physician and you will know after asking.

Li Zhi didn't say anything, but Xia Shouzhong turned around and ran out. While waiting for the imperial doctor to arrive, Chen Heng briefly talked about the customs of Yangzhou and some trivial matters of the Xue family.

When the imperial doctor arrived, he finally revealed Baoqin's true identity. Li Zhi's doubts were all gone, and he laughed heartily and said: Ch'ixing, Ch'i-hsing, you know how to fool around.

This hurdle finally passed. Although there was no sweat on Chen Heng's forehead, the big stone in his heart finally fell to the ground. He hurriedly agreed: Your Majesty, you don't know. This daughter of the Xue family, if it weren't for her daughter's physical condition, she could really be called a scholar. Both, a hero among women.”

Li Zhi didn't take it seriously. What he wanted was an answer. No matter how talented a woman is, she is still a woman.

Come, come, come and play chess with me again.

yes.

…………

…………

Daiyu also had some free time today and only took Zijuan and Xueyan out together. He rushed to the inn where Bao Qin was staying to visit this sister.

The house where Baoqin lives is a single-family house with a courtyard, which is very spacious. The scenery in the courtyard is neat, flowers and trees are planted, and the sound flows like water, adding to the atmosphere of autumn. Although the items inside were ordinary, Daiyu was still amazed when she came here and said with a smile: Sister, I don't know who's good son will be able to marry you home from now on.

As soon as he was able to make a move, he rented a courtyard to live in the capital, which was very expensive. The wealth of the Xue family in Yangzhou is evident.

Baoqin led Daiyu across the yard, and while asking Chunyan to pack up the books on the table, he smiled and said, Did something good happen to my sister? Why did she start talking about marriage and admiration?

Sister, you don't know. Daiyu couldn't hide the smile on her lips. She moved her chair to Baoqin's side and whispered into his ear, Brother has awakened.

This pair of beautiful ladies are wearing bright-colored clothes today. Sitting side by side in the spacious hall at this moment, it really feels like sinking fish and falling geese flying together.

As the instigator, Bao Qin was not surprised in his heart, but pretended to be surprised on his face and said, What does Sister Lin mean by enlightenment?

Hehe. Lin Daiyu snickered like her brother. The two of them were exactly the same in some details of their lives. He showed his feelings to me... oops.

The girl herself didn't even finish her sentence, but her face turned red and red. Daiyu's appearance as a young girl's love for spring is difficult for others to see.

Bao Qin smiled and nodded. She knew that as long as her eldest brother wanted to understand this matter, he would take action immediately. It has always been the elder brother's advantage to keep his word. It's just that I have to be a good person and do it to the end. After helping Sister Lin, I also have to help a bunch of big brothers.

Finally, the clouds opened and the moon shined. Congratulations to Sister Lin. It seems that my sister will have to sit at the head table for this wedding banquet. Bao Qin chuckled and played with the folding fan in his hand, like a good gossip. The suave young man asked, I wonder how this good brother of mine expressed his feelings to my sister?

You still expect him to say something nice. Daiyu pursed her lips and held her chin with her hand, saying sweetly, He just said to me, The Willows on the Moon.

Thinking of the tension in her brother's eyes and the forced composure on her face when her brother said this, Daiyu still felt sweet in her heart.

Forget it, it's not difficult to be an honest person. Bao Qin smiled and shook his head, But Sister Lin, has my eldest brother told you about Sister Zhen?

Bao Qin didn't believe that Chen Heng would hide such a big matter without explaining it clearly.

Sure enough, Lin Daiyu nodded and said: He made it clear last night. He said he would ask His Majesty for a decree, and then go to his parents to explain it clearly.

I'm not a narrow-minded person. Daiyu's intelligence allowed her to know that men nowadays rarely stay in love with two people for the rest of their lives. As long as her brother treats her well as always after marriage, that's enough. When the time comes, I will get along well with Sister Zhen.

Bao Qin let out a long breath and finally said with relief: If the eldest brother can really get the will from His Majesty, then the elder sister and the eldest brother can be regarded as lovers and finally get married. It really couldn't be better.

Sister Lin, my eldest brother is gentle and upright. You will definitely not be wronged if you are with him. But my sister often hears that when it comes to husband and wife, treat each other with respect and treat each other as guests. When you get married in the future, don't let your temper get the best of you.

The depth of love and the confusion of meaning. Bao Qin knows too well that a person's excessive love will make his heart worry about gains and losses. She got through it on her own, but she was afraid that Sister Lin wouldn't be able to figure it out in the future.

This is the sincere advice between sisters, and Daiyu also knows it. I also know that Bao Qin said all this for the benefit of herself and her brother. He hurriedly said: Don't worry, sister, it's easy for me. If it's really... oh, I won't let him get into trouble.

Seeing Sister Lin showing her daughter's shame, Xue Baoqin laughed loudly, Hahahahaha.

After the two finished chatting about the matter, Baoqin asked a few more details about last night. They then turned the topic to the Xue family who would be arriving in Beijing tomorrow. This was the first time Daiyu knew that it was the palace order to invite Xue Ai and Xue Biao to come. She hurriedly asked: But what good thing happened?

Uncle Laurin came forward and asked for a reward from the palace for our family.

Auntie Lin, this has not happened yet. Lin Daiyu was a little embarrassed and couldn't stand the teasing of her good sisters.

Baoqin smiled again and explained all the causes and consequences. Daiyu who just listened was also very surprised, and said: I didn't expect that the business on Qiupu Street in Yangzhou has already gone to Shenzhou. Is this Qingniwa a fun place?

It's still a small fishing village now. Baoqin also heard a lot about Qingniwa during this period, and said with emotion, But in a few years, I'm afraid there will be earth-shaking changes. Sister Lin will just wait and see, I can't say From now on, the elder brother's name will be written in the state annals of Qingniwa. The local people will also erect a clay statue in his honor.

State Chronicle, if only I could leave a seal here. My brother can already be said to have left his name in history. Lin Daiyu felt even sweeter in her heart and didn't know what to say for a moment.

…………

…………

In the middle of the night, inside Lin's house.

Chen Heng was writing documents in the room. The Maritime Affairs Department had just been set up in the court to coordinate the shipping of Qingniwa, Jingshi and Yangzhou. Li Zhi specially promoted Chen Heng to the Sixth Section to give him special supervision on this matter.

Chen Heng had to present a copy of the clauses inside and submit them to Li Zhi for review by the staff of the government office. Of course, Chen Heng cannot be the only one to do this. There is also someone from the Ministry of Revenue who is responsible for this. The two resolutions will be brought to the imperial court together and handed over to Li Zhi for judgment.

While she was busy, Daiyu pushed in the door with tea. When she saw Chen Heng looking up at her, she smiled and said, I knew you were busy with official duties, so I... I made some tea.

Don't tell me, it will be so refreshing to secretly have a private party with my future little wife at my future father-in-law's house. This feeling is really exciting.

Seeing that it was Sister Lin who was coming, Chen Heng immediately put down his pen, suppressed his thumping heartbeat, and sat down with Daiyu, What is Sister doing?

This kid was not stupid. He knew that Daiyu must be embarrassed because of her blushing face, so he took the initiative to change the topic.

Brother, you might as well take a guess. Daiyu stretched out her hand to press the teapot. Hey, this little lady is still having fun.

Chen Heng happily went to the appointment, sniffed the air and said, It's Longjing tea.

No. Daiyu smiled reservedly and shook her head proudly.

Is that Biluochun? Chen Heng blinked.

Daiyu couldn't hold back her smile, Haha, brother, guess again.

I'm afraid the tea will get cold if I keep guessing like this. Chen Heng deliberately grimaced, then looked at Daiyu's face filled with pride. He thought about the recent events at home, and suddenly remembered that a guest brought some 'Shizhou Jade Dew' to the teacher.

But Shizhou Yulu?

It's not stupid. Daiyu smiled, then moved her hand away, and urged, Drink it quickly, otherwise the tea will get cold and it will hurt your stomach if you drink it.

Not knowing who the person he had just been asked to guess again and again, Chen Heng smiled and said nothing. He just brought the teapot and got himself a cup. Sister Lin, who felt guilty for a while because of her brother's smile, began to argue: Who told you to guess wrong all the time?

Chen Heng finally found out, since the two of them got to know each other. His sister didn't even call her brother, so he didn't care and just coaxed: Everything my sister said is right.

Lin Daiyu's face turned red again, but Zicuckoo behind her couldn't hold it in anymore. She couldn't even hold up her handkerchief to hide her smile. If she wasn't worried about her wife's questioning, she would really have to get up and go outside the house to hold the door for them.

Daiyu glanced at Zicuckoo, then changed the subject in a hurry and embarrassedly, Brother, what are you writing about?

She just asked casually, but Chen Heng stood up directly, took the documents on the case, and told the other party bit by bit what he had done. Occasionally during conversations, Chen Heng would also ask Lin Daiyu what she meant. It means inspiring but also respecting the other person’s ideas.

He didn't want Sister Lin to waste her talents. No matter how good a virtuous wife was, she had to develop her skills.

Zicuckoo huddled next to the candlelight, watching the two people in the distance talking to each other, talking so pleasantly and understanding each other, that she actually felt that the beauty in the world was nothing more than this.

After a while, Lin Daiyu finally couldn't hold it in anymore and asked Chen Heng about the result of today's appointment. Chen Heng knew that this was why his sister came. He originally wanted to catch Daiyu's appetite, but looking at her eagerly awaited look, he couldn't bear to see her look disappointed. He said, Your Majesty promised me that he would help me find a house and would also grant us a marriage.

Daiyu was dumbfounded at the time, not expecting the good news to come so quickly. The purple cuckoo in the corner was frightened when she heard this. Master Chen was so neat in doing things. Can this be done in a few moments? !

Then...then... Lin Daiyu immediately panicked. She thought that good things would take a while, but she didn't expect that they would be done so quickly. When she thought about the fact that she was going to marry her brother in the not-too-distant future, she was even embarrassed to stay for a moment.

I...I, I'm going back first, brother.

Hahahahaha. Chen Heng let out a wild laugh and said proudly, The tea maker is leaving even before the tea is finished?

Lin Daiyu stamped her feet angrily, and the hairpin on her head trembled, and then she said: Sister Xue said that brother Xue will arrive in Beijing tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Brother, don't forget to go there...

Okay. Chen Heng nodded. There are a lot of things on his hands lately, and if his sister doesn't remind him, he will really forget.

I heard from the Jia family that some relatives are here. Mom said she would take us back in a few days. If my brother doesn't want to go, we can hide at home and read together.

Feeling his sister's thoughtfulness, Chen Heng felt very sweet in his heart and agreed: Okay, I will listen to you.

It's really annoying for a woman to follow her husband like this. Lin Daiyu didn't know what to say. After a while, she said: I went out today and bought some gifts for Sister Zhen. My brother asked for leave later, so remember to take it with you when you return to Yangzhou. I think Sister Zhen saw the gifts I gave. , you will definitely understand my thoughts.”

Hearing this, Chen Heng was even more shocked. After a long time, he stood up. Under Sister Lin's panicked eyes, he stepped forward step by step, stretched out his hand and hugged Sister Lin gently. As the candlelight flickered, the atmosphere turned into an unspeakable ambiguity.

Chen Heng smelled the subtle fragrance on the other person's body and said seriously, Sister, we will be fine in the future.

Lin Daiyu didn't have time to talk. This was the first time she knew her brother had such courage. Suddenly being embraced by his sweetheart, he felt dizzy and almost fell into his brother's arms.

Chen Heng would not dare to do anything if Zijuan was there... Even if Zijuan was not there, Chen Heng would never dare to mess around. He only hugged her gently, then reluctantly let go. He said: Sister, go back and have a good rest. Tomorrow, I will go back to Yangzhou to get some money from home, and we will go see the house together.

With a pair of watery eyes, Daiyu also glanced at Chen Heng with nostalgia, then lowered her head and said softly, Hmm, and pulled the dumbfounded Zijuan away.

On the top of the willow tree in the moonlight, people meet at dusk. The ancients do not deceive me!

Hahahahaha, it was so cool to write. I was in normal condition these past two days, but when I woke up in the morning, a book friend praised me in the book club. I took off right then, inspiration popped up in my mind, and it was so exciting to write. Thank you book friends~~~