The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

The news that Chen Heng returned to Songjiang quickly spread throughout the mansion. Ye Yan) coincides with the New Year holiday, and many officials in the government are on annual leave. Lao Du is a sharp-tongued and warm-hearted person, and he comes even faster.

As soon as he met Lao Du, the guests who came to the door began to lament Chen Heng's experience in front of the host.

Chen Heng listened for a long time and couldn't help but feel strange. When we were all studying together in college, you, Lao Du, secretly liked chivalrous novels the most.

All day long I look forward to being a light warrior and shouting slogans like This is what a man should do. How come now, I can't avoid the battlefield?

It was Old Du who was proud of the spring breeze and smiled, raised his finger and pointed at the county government house, then took the teacup and drank a full sip.

Chen Heng suddenly realized this and stood up to congratulate him: What a great thing. Congratulations to Brother Du. Congratulations to Brother Du.

It's not yet three months old. Lao Du laughed and waved his hand, hurriedly motioning for Chen Heng to sit back, and said cheerfully, Keep it true and don't make it public.

Chen Heng also smiled and nodded. He really didn't expect Lao Du to be so fast and quietly want to become a father.

But counting the days when they got married, it was almost a year. It is natural that Mrs.-in-law is pregnant.

I have to tell Yu'er and ask her to prepare more of Madam-in-law's favorite food at night. Chen Heng was about to call the servants at home, but Lao Du quickly stood up and stopped him, jokingly saying, They are also classmates and close friends. You Are you still worried that my wife won’t tell your wife?”

Thinking that Wei Qijun was chatting with Daiyu in the back room, Chen Heng laughed loudly and repeatedly said that he was confused.

Lao Du didn't care and said proudly: Chixing, the name of the imperial examination is in front of me. It seems that I am better at being a father.

Chen Heng and Dai Yu had definitely discussed this matter. When the two of them first got married, Yu'er was still young, but her body was in about the same condition.

But Chen Heng has experience in later generations and does not think that being born too early is a good thing.

Now everyone around me of the same age has taken this step, and the elders in the family are constantly urging me.

At this moment, if she hadn't made preparations early, she might have caused Daiyu's sensitive mind to wander. Chen Heng thought for a while and could only smile and said: There is no need to rush this matter, just let it take its course.

Du Yunjing said this just to show off his joy of becoming a father, and did not mean to urge his friend.

The two of them were continuing to chat when another distinguished guest came to their door. It was Qian Dayou, Jiang Yuanbai, Tang Jingsen and others whom they had not seen for a long time.

Songjiang is a small government, and the water and land transportation within the territory has been repaired several times, making travel very convenient.

It was the annual vacation of Dayong officials, so the prefect Liu Yanzhang took advantage of the new year's holiday and invited magistrates from various counties to the prefecture as guests.

One is to thank everyone for their hard work in the past year, and the other is to look forward to the future prospects.

These things are all done for Li Jun to see.

Such a big shot suddenly came to Songjiang Mansion, so he had to take the opportunity to show off.

As soon as the three people called their names at the government office, they came to Chen Heng's place hand in hand to see how their old friends were doing.

A true friend is hard to find. On such an auspicious occasion, with nothing to worry about and only two or three friends to keep him company, Chen Heng spent the afternoon happily in the county office.

However, these people came not only as guests, but also to inquire about Li Jun's purpose and the court's arrangements.

There is no need to hide this kind of thing too much from friends in the same department. In about a year or so, word of what happened to the Zhen family will spread throughout the south of the Yangtze River.

When Chen Heng told the general story, Jiang Yuanbai, Qian Dayou and others were all horrified by the downfall of the Zhen family.

The other party's illustrious reputation has long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people in Jiangnan. Everyone was a little surprised and unaccustomed to having to pull out this big tree all at once.

It's always a good thing. Du Yunjing commented, Without these people, the lives of the people within the territory would be much easier.

Jiang Yuanbai's thoughts are the most out-of-the-box, and he doesn't care much about officialdom affairs. He only chased Chen Heng and asked: After the New Year, are you going to move to the government office or find another house in the city?

Chen Heng was now promoted to the magistrate of Songjiang, officially transitioning from a parent officer in charge of affairs to a chief officer in charge of people.

In the future, the office location will naturally change with the promotion, and I can no longer live in Huating County Yamen.

However, in the backyard of the government office, lived a family from the prefect. Chen Heng discussed this matter with Daiyu and said directly: I'm already looking at a house in the city.

Everyone here is a parent and official, and each has a different understanding of this matter. Qian Dayou felt that the west part of the city was in a good location, elegant and clean. Jiang Yuanbai also prefers the excitement in the east of the city. After all, it is closer to Ruanjia Lane and is always a fun place to go.

However, Tang Jingsen advised Chen Heng to locate the house next to the mansion. As the saying goes, being influenced by what you hear and see is also good for the family tradition.

This trendy concept of school district housing really made Chen Heng dumbfounded. He hurriedly thanked everyone for their concern and indicated that the matter should be left to Daiyu herself.

After the small talk, it was immediately time to eat. It was rare for old friends to come to visit, so Daiyu naturally ordered her family to make extra preparations.

When Lin Jue and Chen Qingyue came back from outside, a group of people gathered at two tables and ate and drank.

The days before that were always so relaxed and happy. On the twenty-ninth day of the new year, Magistrate Liu finally held a banquet in the government office to entertain the squires and officials in each house.

As the magistrate of the state, Chen Heng is also the second-ranking figure in the government, so there is no reason why he should not be present.

At his table sat Jia Yucun, who had just been transferred to Huating County Magistrate. Although his official rank had not changed. But jumping from Chuansha Hall to Huating County was indeed a great help to his official career.

With the emergence of such a successor, Chen Heng can worry more about Huating's affairs and concentrate on the affairs of the state capital.

The new general judge who took over the Chuansha Hall was transferred from Yuhang territory.

This person's behavior is quite similar to that of the ancients who cherished words as gold. Chen Heng didn't bother to say hello and only touched the other party a few glasses of wine to express his welcome.

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After the fifteenth day of the Lantern Festival, Chen Heng, Daiyu and Yinglian began to arrange a new home.

Their house has two separate courtyards. It is transparent from north to south and has excellent lighting. Although it is not as spacious as the backyard of the county government office, it is more compact and exquisite.

All three are very satisfied with their new home. It's not far from the government office and close to Yunjian Academy, which is enough to meet the couple's outing needs.

After the first month, Chen Heng began to adjust his mentality and readjust to the work scope of Zhizhou. The first thing to pay attention to is the government's finances and the situation on Xiunan Street.

Maybe it’s because I’ve suffered too much outside, or my good luck will be in Songjiang. Chen Heng was really pleased to see the financial situation of Songjiang counties last year.

Although Songjiang had a good reputation as a large tax collector in the past, unfortunately, like Yangzhou, this reputation was derived from the convenience of salt administration and fertile land, and it was completely a resource-based region.

Now Songjiang has taken the first step in transformation, taking advantage of the east wind of port shipping. Business travelers traveling from north to south are bringing countless wealth to Songjiang.

The increase in housing prices is inevitable, and Chen Heng has noticed that many new residents who have moved from other places have also chosen to settle in Songjiang. From this point alone, we can see Songjiang's attraction to people all over the world.

After sorting out these common matters, Chen Heng will start to review the documents of county magistrates from various places. The government government governs the county government and has direct power of disposal. Supervising the daily affairs of these people is one of the duties of Zhizhou.

After a busy month like this, good news began to spread to Songjiang Mansion one after another. First, the Xin family's father and son defeated Shuirong and Shi Ding's rebels at the beach of the Yellow River. The Zhen family and the Shi family were sacked one after another, and officials sent by the court to ransack their homes. It is said that the wealth moved out of the Zhen family alone amounts to millions of taels.

Chen Heng only half-heard about this matter, but he didn't see it with his own eyes. Li Jun was acting as his guardian.

Under Li Jun's excited narration, Chen Heng knew that an earthquake in the officialdom was about to begin at the beginning of the sixth year of Jianping.

Power abhors a vacuum. I wonder how many upstarts will benefit from this crisis.

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Lin Jue and Chen Qingyue, who were supposed to be studying hard in Songjiang and preparing for the college entrance examination next year, got into trouble today.

Jia Yucun, who was promoted to the magistrate of Huating County, carried two small heads to Chen Heng's office in the government office and reported his intentions to the busy Shangguan.

Chen Heng's face immediately darkened when he learned that his brother-in-law and second brother were beating people on the street. First, he politely sent Jia Yucun away, and then Chen Heng ordered the two fools to stand in front of him. He shouted directly and asked: Let's talk about it. If you don't understand it, you can't understand it. Don't go out in the future...

Seeing her brother-in-law rarely getting angry, Lin Jue felt frightened in her heart. He pushed Chen Qingyue with his elbow and signaled that you are the other person's brother and you have a good relationship. You go and explain to my brother-in-law first.

Chen Qingyue understood and stared back at him. He thought to himself: It is true that I am a biological brother, but you are still my brother-in-law. Who can he deal with, and who can he be willing to deal with you?

But thinking about it like this, Chen Qingyue suddenly felt that if he didn't tell the truth, his elder brother would never let him go easily. After hesitating for a long time, Chen Qingyue finally took the initiative to explain.

It turns out that in the past two days, gossip has often spread in the city. The current house of the Chen family was obviously rented by the family for temporary use.

But the thoughtful people in the city didn't know what to think. It is said that Mr. Chen, who came back from Ping'an Prefecture, made a fortune.

If anyone asks where the money comes from, they will answer that Chen Heng made it possible by counting military supplies from various places.

As mentioned before, the value of this batch of military supplies is extremely exaggerated. Even knowing that Chen Heng burned him with a fire in front of tens of thousands of people.

There are still some people who are secretly maliciously speculating whether Chen Heng used the cover of the fire to secretly enrich himself with military supplies shipped from various places.

So you beat people up just because of this? Chen Heng said in disbelief.

Brother-in-law, you don't know, those people are really too much. One moment, they said that you were greedy in private, and you bought a house in Songjiang with the greedy money. The next moment, you said, brother-in-law, you are so happy with your success that you have so many people in the city...

The sequelae of too many civilian deaths in the war are still fermenting and taking effect in the city.

Knowing that his reputation had dropped so quickly, Chen Heng was already prepared.

His origins and his behavior after arriving in Songjiang. It is destined that there will be no family members around to stand up for him and shout some good names.

Therefore, both good and bad reviews are in the hands of others. Now the other party is looking for an opportunity to add insult to injury, letting others set the pace and gossiping is inevitable.

Chen Qingyue even imitated the talkative woman beside him, squinting his eyes, pursed his lips, and said gracefully: I said there are no officials who are not greedy. This Mr. Chen has only been an official for one year, and he can You can buy a big house. We all misjudged good people.

Although he had accepted the kindness of Lin Jue and Chen Qingyue, Chen Heng still couldn't laugh or cry: So you just want to stand up for me? And then you will punch and kick the people who are talking nonsense?

Lin Jue was more courageous after all, and said out loud: Brother-in-law, don't worry. We followed that man all the way, knowing that he was a helper who had nothing to do in the city. He only drank and had fun all day long, so he must not be a good family. son.

Then he is also a local citizen in Songjiang. Chen Heng pointed out, You beat him today, and people will complain about it later. He also said that our family has a bad family tradition and has raised naughty children. You still think of doing things alone. Can’t one person do it?”

The age of seventeen or eighteen is the time when a boy's temperament is at its most exciting.

When Chen Qingyue learned that his behavior would cause trouble for his brother, he immediately patted his chest and said, It should be so. I was the one who beat him, so what does it have to do with my brother? Mr. Jia is not easy to handle because of our family's situation. Brother, just punish me.

Seeing his second brother's unrepentant look, Chen Heng also felt a headache. He thought about what he could say to teach people, but he was also worried that if he said too much, the two boys might be even more unconvinced in their hearts. They just felt that their family was living a useless and repressed life, and they were not open and open enough.

Chen Heng had an idea and suddenly said: I won't punish you either.

Lin Jue and Chen Qingyue immediately looked ecstatic, and heard Chen Heng say: Go home now, tell your sister-in-law about this matter, and let her comment on it for you.

What? Chen Qingyue hurriedly waved his hand and refused, regretting repeatedly, Why bother my sister-in-law for such a trivial matter? If the elder brother wants to punish or scold me, just give him the order, and the younger brother will never say anything.

Lin Jue also deeply regretted letting his good sister know about this. With Daiyu's words, he was afraid that he would not be able to come out unscathed.

Brother-in-law, brother-in-law. Let me go, let me go...

Seeing that the two of them were finally lost, Chen Heng couldn't hold back his smile, and met Zicuckoo coming to the government office to deliver lunch to Chen Heng.

He ordered Zijuan to take these two bastards home and leave them to Daiyu to take care of them.

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Chen Heng was working in the government office today, but Yunjian Academy was on holiday. Daiyu was chatting with Yinglian about various affairs in the academy when she suddenly saw Zijuan leading the two dejected people in.

Daiyu has been teaching in the academy for a long time and can tell the clues at a glance. However, she knew that the two boys were causing trouble, so she deliberately said nothing, leaving the two of them where they were, and only continued to discuss with Yinglian.

They waited in silence for a quarter of an hour, until both of them were red-faced and each had held back what he could say. Daiyu calmed down and said calmly: Do you understand?

I figured it out. The two of them said in unison, fearing that they would be even a little bit late.

You know you're wrong?

I know I was wrong!

What's wrong?

We shouldn't hit people. Lin Jue said, while Chen Qingyue also explained: In the future, if someone talks nonsense about our family, I... I... will just pretend that I am passing by and pretend not to hear.

Two idiots explained things clearly in a few words.

What, you still dare to hit people? Daiyu raised her apricot eyebrows and glared at the two frustrated geese. She hated the iron and said: It seems that I still haven't figured it out, so I will continue to stand. Let me see when two of them appeared in our family. The overlord of Western Chu actually wants to imitate King Li of Zhou and guard against the common people.

When Chen Heng spoke, the two boys dared to talk back and were stubborn. Seeing Daiyu getting angry, Lin Jue and Chen Qingyue didn't even dare to fart. They had no choice but to lower their heads silently and wink at each other.

After half a moment of this, the two of them knew that continuing like this was not the answer. In desperation, Lin Jue said first: Sister, I really know I was wrong. If you don't care about the villain, my brother will be honest and sensible in the future.

Sister-in-law, me too. It's my fault to hit someone. Brother Lin and I will never act impulsively again in the future.

Seeing the two people's sincere repentance, Daiyu asked back: You are not bad at reading, and I'm afraid you know more principles than me and your brother-in-law. Now that the college exam is coming, don't you want to study hard at home? , I just go out and play around all day long. I think it’s because your brother-in-law and I didn’t discipline you enough. Without my parents watching, you don’t take us to heart.

Hearing these words was really heart-breaking. Lin Jue jumped up and down anxiously and defended repeatedly: How could my sister be like this? How could my sister be like this? My brother only cares about you and his brother-in-law!!!

Seeing that his sister-in-law only focused on teaching Lin Jue a lesson, Chen Qingyue felt even more uncomfortable. It was obvious that the two of them did the thing together, how could they only teach one a lesson?

Chen Qingyue was determined to take a step forward, but seeing Daiyu's angry look, he couldn't help but timidly step back. That's all, let Brother Lin support himself first.

After Daiyu finished taking care of Lin Jue, she looked at her brother-in-law again. Chen Qingyue hurriedly showed a silly smile and said: Sister-in-law just teaches me a lesson.

If such a dead pig is not afraid of boiling water, how can Daiyu have no way to deal with the two of them? She simply said: I punish you for copying books, I'm afraid it won't be taken seriously, but it will benefit you.

Let's do this. In the next half month, after class every day in the academy, you two will go over and clean the house together.

????

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When Chen Heng came home, during the meal break, when he heard Dai Yu finish punishing Lin Jue and Chen Qingyue, he couldn't help laughing and said: This punishment is better because my wife is smart. She can control them so that they don't go out to cause trouble, and she doesn't As for losing the young man’s face.”

At the beginning of spring, there are many affairs in the house. Chen Heng came back late, and the whole family had already had dinner first.

At this moment, Daiyu and Yinglian were keeping company, watching Chen Heng take a big bite of rice. Yinglian seemed to think of something interesting, and took out the appearance of Lin Jue and Chen Qingyue during the day and said vividly. I heard Chen Heng laughing heartily and even eating an extra bowl of rice.

It can be regarded as finding a way to cure these two confused boys.

After eating, Chen Heng wiped the oil stains on his lips and said slowly: After all, it's because my family's life has improved that they don't want to suffer any grievances.

How can a person live his whole life without being talked about behind his back? Rather than having trouble with these people, it is better to concentrate on doing your own thing.

Chen Heng's words were also meant for the wise and sensitive Daiyu.

Seeing that Chen Hengzhen was not affected by the rumors, Daiyu finally said with peace of mind: It's great that my husband thinks like this. It's very difficult for our family to live an honest life with a clear conscience.

Chen Heng laughed and nodded under the candlelight. The three husband and wife have the same mind. When they look up at each other, they all feel that there are all kinds of wonderful things in their ordinary life.

That night, Chen Heng naturally slept in Daiyu's room.

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It's interesting to say that once life settles into a calm rhythm, the days really fly by without a trace.

In the blink of an eye, it was the beginning of spring in March. Xu was sleepy in spring, and Daiyu's expression was obviously a little depressed in the past few days.

When he got up for dinner in the morning, Chen Heng saw that Daiyu still didn't have much appetite for food.

This situation has been going on for some time. Chen Heng was really worried, so he took a half-day leave and asked Zijuan to go out with Xinda to ask a doctor for diagnosis.

Daiyu originally didn't want to make a fuss out of a molehill. She was currently busy arranging exam content for the students in the academy, so she was unwilling to delay this matter.

Chen Heng had no choice but to coax and persuade, You can't go to teach with a sick body and then pass the illness on to the children.

Seeing her husband say this, Daiyu gave up. The two of them sat together at home for a while, and finally waited until Zijuan brought a doctor in.

The doctor only checked Daiyu's pulse for a while, and then said to the nervous Chen Heng, Congratulations, sir. Congratulations, sir.

Chen Heng hasn't figured it out yet, but his wife is frowning. Why are you, a doctor with a white beard, congratulating you?

For some reason, Daiyu suddenly blushed and lowered her head. Chen Heng realized later and asked, What do you mean, doctor?

Seeing the governor's expression of excitement and expectation, the doctor hurriedly smiled and nodded, accepting Chen Heng's guess.

My lady is pregnant for more than a month.

I...I'm going to be a father? Chen Heng was shocked all over, and felt that his mind was empty, with no thoughts at all.