The Red Mansions

Chapter 1508 Jia Heng: This thunder will explode sooner or later

Chapter 1508 Jia Heng: This thunder will explode sooner or later...

Ningguo Mansion, Grand View Garden

On a snow-covered winter night, cold winds blew, whistling loudly on the eaves of the blue brick and black tile roofs.

In the side room, candles were burning brightly. Next to a half-person-high glass screen, there were embroidered lotus flowers with two stems, competing with each other in beauty and brightness.

On the lacquered wooden table stood a bronze candlestick. A cluster of orange candle flames flickered silently, emitting an orange glow as quiet as water.

The curtain fell gently, and Jia Heng looked up at the curtain above his head. When he lowered his eyes, he saw two little fat girls vying for it.

The two rosy and chubby faces are like two hibiscus flowers with huge disks, bright and delicate, and as red as fire.

Jia Heng held the girl's slender hand, his eyes warm, staring at Xiangyun's rosy face, and said, "Sister Yun has really grown up."

There seemed to be an indescribable fragrance on the little girl's body, with a hint of milky smell, and her skin was plump and soft, as if she was stepping on a ball of cotton.

The pink and plump cheeks of Xiangyun blushed, and under her delicate and straight nose, she snorted and said, "Brother Heng."

On this side, the girl could clearly feel the boy's lingering around, which made her feel an indescribable sense of shame and annoyance.

Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at Xiangyun's plump, chubby apple-like face, and felt an inexplicable fondness for her in his heart.

His brows raised, his eyes froze for a moment, and then tightened.

He thought to himself, as expected, thin is shallow and fat is deep. He has verified this countless times.

Immediately, the girl's dark green eyebrows slightly frowned, and her chubby face like an apple seemed to be covered with a hint of pain, and then her delicate and straight nose seemed to let out a disgusted snort.

Outside the window, the biting cold wind blew on the plum tree which was covered with thick snow. With a "crack", the branch of the plum tree broke, and two plum blossoms fluttered down. On the white snow, two bright red plum blossoms were visible.

Jia Heng reached out and gently embraced Xiangyun's plump body. When their skin touched, he felt the nervousness and fear of the little fat girl.

As I lowered my head, I suddenly held the white and shiny snow in my mouth, and I felt the sweet fragrance, luscious and delicious.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiangyun's rosy face turned red with shame, her bright eyes narrowed into a line, and she said in a trembling voice, "Brother Heng..."

Oh, this is different from what Brother Heng did back then.

Baoqin stared at her at this moment. Her rosy and chubby face was as red as rouge, and her skin was white and rosy, so white that it seemed that water could be squeezed out of it.

Jia Heng, on his side, reached out and gently embraced Xiangyun's soft body, saying comfortingly: "Sister Yun, I'm afraid we won't be able to get married until next year."

Xiangyun's face was as red as a peach, and her voice was soft and tender as she said, "Brother Heng, I'm not in a hurry either."

The two did not get married and become husband and wife, but they were already husband and wife in fact.

At this moment, Jia Heng was looking at Baoqin who had been watching the battle for a while, and said, "Sister Baoqin, come over now and talk with me."

Under Baoqin's slender eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were sparkling and clear, and her snow-white face seemed to be flushed like a peach blossom. She said in a trembling voice, "Brother Heng."

Obviously, when the little fat girl looked up and saw Xiangyun's "bitter first, sweet later" experience, she began to back off.

Jia Heng gently pulled Baoqin's plump body over, picking stars and grabbing the moon. Well, Baoqin is older than Xiangyun after all.

Baoqin's jade-white face was plump and translucent, and her beautiful eyes, which were sparkling under her curved eyebrows, seemed to be somewhat bright and charming. She said in a trembling voice, "Brother Heng, please have pity on me..."

The chubby girl hadn't finished speaking when she felt her heart tremble. She couldn't help but frowning, and even let out a disgusted snort from the wings of her delicate, straight nose.

From now on, she will belong to Brother Heng.

At this moment, Jia Heng was hugging the chubby girl's soft and delicate body, with a look of joy on his face.

I have to say that in terms of being pleasing to the eye, a slim figure like Daiyu is indeed more pleasing to the eye, but when it comes to actually touching her, I feel that a chubby girl like Baoqin is more pleasing to the eye.

Baoqin's rosy and chubby face was as red as fire, as if covered with a layer of intoxicating blush, and a strand of lush hair hung down, sticking to her sweaty face.

At this moment, Baoqin felt as if she had returned to her girlhood, swinging on the swing in the backyard garden, her heart pounding and fluctuating as she went up and down.

I don't know how long it took, but the cold wind of the twelfth lunar month seemed to stop howling outside the window, and the candles on the high table in the side room no longer flickered.

Jia Heng gently took Baoqin's slender hand, looked at the chubby girl who was as soft as a silkworm, and said, "Sister Baoqin, how are you?"

"Hmph." Under Baoqin's curved brows, the pair of watery eyes that somewhat resembled Baochai's seemed to open a little, as if filled with a charming and sparkling gaze. Then, she let out a sweet hum, and her plump face was like beautiful clouds, with beautiful charm flowing silently between her eyebrows and eyes.

Xiangyun's voice was sweet and coquettish, with thick dark green eyebrows, "Brother Heng, when will you marry me and Sister Baoqin?"

"Let's wait until the national mourning is over before getting married," Jia Heng said.

Baoqin's plump and chubby face was flushed, and her delicate body, as white as jade and flawless, was trembling constantly. Two blushes appeared on her rosy and chubby face. From a distance, she looked as beautiful as a peach, bright and charming.

Jia Heng pinched the beautiful woman's plump and slightly rosy face and said, "It's getting late, let's take a rest."

Baoqin pressed her plump, snow-white face against Jia Heng's chest, listening to the strong and steady heartbeat of the young man in the python robe, and her heart was filled with sweetness.

On this side, Xiangyun was not to be outdone. She hugged Jia Heng like a sloth, tightly wrapping around him, her soft and tender skin feeling extremely fragrant.

At this moment, it was a winter night, and the two little fat girls, full of passion, soft, fragrant, tender and smooth, snuggled in the boy's arms.

Jia Heng slept particularly soundly this time.

The next day, the sky was bright and the morning light from the east shone through the window lattice onto the carpet in front of the couch. On the bed with curtains all around, several chubby girls were entangled in physical combat.

Behind the pale yellow curtain, Jia Heng had already opened his eyes and was looking at Xiangyun and Baoqin beside him. There was a hint of joy in his eyes as he turned his head.

At this moment, a moaning sound came from my ears. Xiangyun woke up first. Her face, which was slightly chubby, was rosy and she said in a soft voice, "Brother Heng."

The chubby little girl, who had just experienced sex for the first time, still had some childishness in her eyes and eyebrows, and her face was rosy and as bright as peach blossoms.

Jia Heng said, "It's daybreak, we have to get up now."

Baoqin hummed softly, her plump and bright face flushed, and said, "Brother Heng."

Jia Heng said: "It's a bit cold today, you two should take a good rest."

As he spoke, he gently lifted the quilt, stood up, and put on his clothes.

The little chubby sisters behind the curtains blushed. Xiangyun turned her head to look at the red plum blossom on the snow-white bed sheet. The plump, round apple-shaped face was as rosy as a rosy cloud.

Baoqin also caught a glimpse of the red plum blossoms on her own bed sheet. She raised her eyebrows, snorted softly, and said, "I'll find the scissors later."

This is the most precious thing in a girl's life.

Xiangyun's face was as hot as fire and she uttered a soft "hmm".

……

……

The next day, the 19th year of Chongping, New Year's Eve -

Because of the national mourning, the entire city of Shenjing was devoid of the lively atmosphere of the approaching festival. Instead, the city was covered in thick snow, with a biting, cold and solemn atmosphere.

Zhen Shao, as the Grand Councilor and Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, was in charge of the affairs of the Five Cities Military Department. At this moment, he organized the inspectors in the department to clear the snow from the entire street.

As time passed silently, the influence of the previous rebellions of the King of Wei and the King of Liang seemed to gradually dissipate, and everything began to return to calm.

On this day, Jia Heng was chatting with Jia Fang, a member of the Jia clan, in his study, arranging the training plan for the Beijing camp for the second year.

Suddenly, a young servant walked into the room quickly and reported, "Your Highness, the eldest and second masters of the Zhen family have handed in their business cards and are waiting for you in the hall."

After entering the palace to pay tribute to the late emperor, Zhen Yingjia and Zhen Shao left the palace and visited Jia Heng.

Jia Heng sent Jia Fang away, slowly stood up and walked towards the hall.

Zhen Yingjia bowed to Jia Heng and said, "I greet the Prince of Wei."

Jia Heng quickly supported Zhen Yingjia's arm and said gently, "Mr. Zhen, you really embarrassed me."

Because the Zhen and Jia families were close friends, Jia Heng did not address him as "father-in-law of the state", just as the King of Chu addressed Zhen Jue as his brother when he was still the crown prince of the Eastern Palace. Of course, it was not only about intimacy, but also about respecting the wise and humble, which earned him the loyalty to his father-in-law.

Zhen Yingjia smiled brightly and said, "Prince Wei, the situation in the capital is extremely stable now. It is all thanks to Prince Wei who turned the tide when the situation was difficult."

Jia Heng said, "It is only my duty as a subject. I really do not deserve the praise from Mr. Zhen."

Zhen Yingjia nodded and said, "Now everything in the capital is going smoothly, and there is no trouble in the world. After the new era next year, a peaceful and prosperous era will be just around the corner."

Zhen Shao asked, "Why aren't Lan'er and Xi'er here?"

Jia Heng nodded and said, "I'll ask someone to call them over."

As the King of Chu ascended the throne, his relationship with the Zhen family became increasingly close.

Zhen Shao said, "Yesterday I went to see the emperor, and he said that the Beijing camp had been in chaos several times in the past, and that we should rectify it. At the same time, we should take back the military power, standardize the deployment of troops, and make strategic plans."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "We will make some adjustments to some officers in the spring of next year. In the past few years, the court has deployed troops in all directions, and the soldiers and generals have been crowded in the camps, and there is a lot of mud and sand. It needs to be rectified."

Zhen Shao stared at the young man in the python robe and said, "Prince Wei, after the Liaodong incident is pacified, the troops should be withdrawn to the capital."

Jia Heng said: "After the beginning of next spring, the Liaodong garrison will be established and most of the troops in the Beijing camp will be withdrawn."

Zhen Shao nodded and said, "It's time to withdraw. The army has been away for a long time. Not to mention other things, the transportation of food and fodder has consumed a lot. If this continues, the national treasury will not be able to sustain it."

Zhen Yingjia sighed and said, "Over the years, the country has fought wars in the south and the north, and the national treasury has been consumed countless times. If it weren't for the new policy and the prosperity of maritime trade, these wars would not have been fought."

Jia Heng looked at Zhen Yingjia intently and asked gently, "Have you taken over the Ministry of Internal Affairs recently, old sir?"

Zhen Yingjia nodded and said, "I have taken over. I took a quick look at the account books and found that Princess Jinyang has worked very hard for the country."

Princess Jinyang was originally in charge of the Imperial Household Department, and she managed it in an orderly manner. The Fu Qiufang she sent over also managed the department well.

While they were talking, a maid in green came from outside and said, "The third and fourth young ladies of the Zhen family are here."

As she spoke, Zhen Lan was seen wearing a plain dress. A golden hairpin with tassels was pinned to her quiet and beautiful bun. The tassels were so fine that she looked even more dignified and graceful. However, her face was delicate after all, and it was a little hard to support her appearance.

Because it was a day of national mourning, the Jia family was a noble family that mourned together with the country.

While Zhen Lan and Zhen Xi were talking, they came to the hall. Yingying bowed and said in a gentle voice, "Hello, uncle."

Zhen Shao nodded, with a kind smile on his face, and said, "Lan'er, Xi'er is here."

As she spoke, Zhen Lan sat down on a lacquered pear blossom chair.

Jia Heng looked at the maidservant who was serving beside him and ordered, "Ask the kitchen to prepare some food."

Zhen Lan asked, "Do your uncle and second uncle have a place to stay in the capital now?"

After all, Zhen Lan is Jia Heng's concubine, and her status is no longer what it used to be. She speaks and talks with the awe-inspiring aura of a mistress of the house.

Zhen Yingjia smiled and said, "The old house has been unsealed and is still intact."

Zhen Lan's jade-like face was filled with a serene smile, her bright eyes flickered constantly, and her tone was full of concern as she asked, "Has my aunt come over?"

"When the snow melts in the spring of next year, our whole family will move to the capital," Zhen Shao said.

Zhen Yingjia also took over the conversation at this time, and said in a gentle voice: "Your aunt is not young anymore, it is still warmer in the south of the Yangtze River, and it is quite suitable for living."

After the two of them exchanged pleasantries, Jia Heng smiled and said, "Old sir, it's getting late. Let's have lunch first."

While everyone was talking, they came to a wooden lacquered table and sat down to eat.

Zhen Yingjia said, "Zi Yu, the Jinling Weaving Bureau in Jiangnan ships a lot of goods to the sea every year, but the court still collects customs duties. Is this inconvenient?"

The Zhen family was the president of Jinling Tiren Academy back then. Now, after some ups and downs, they have returned to the position of Jinling Tiren Academy.

Jia Heng nodded and said, "We have to collect what we should collect. Otherwise, if this continues, some officials and gentry in Jiangnan will use the name of the Ti-Ren Yuan to transport grain and fodder to other places and evade the taxes paid by the court."

Zhen Yingjia looked thoughtful, stretched out his hand and gently twisted his gray beard, and said in a gentle voice: "Zi Yu is right, it is inevitable that there will be cunning officials who will take advantage of it."

Now Zhen Yingjia is the father-in-law of the emperor. After his identity change, his previous position will also change, and he will still regard himself more as a member of the ruling class.

Jia Heng said: "The customs duties are the basis of the taxation of our Han Dynasty. With this, the land tax of the court can be much less, the taxes and levies will be light, the burden on the people will be reduced, and the country and society can be stable and peaceful for a long time."

The wealth and honor of the people can be preserved for a long time.

Zhen Yingjia said: "That's right. Although I was just passing through the city on my way north, I found that the people's lives are much better now, especially in the Central Plains. It's hard to believe that there was some unrest in the Central Plains a few years ago."

Zhen Shao also said with some emotion in his tone: "After the implementation of the new policy, the livelihood of the people has improved a lot."

Perhaps it was the two years of exile that made the Zhen Yingjia brothers understand a little about the sufferings of the working people.

Zhen Lan said in a charming voice, "It is also because of the promotion of sweet potato planting that the people of the world are no longer hungry and cold, and have enough food and know etiquette, which is why we have today's prosperous era."

Zhen Shao smiled and said, "Lan'er is extremely sharp-minded and has unique insights. She can be employed by the Military Affairs Office."

Zhen Lan said, "The prince usually says the same thing to me at home."

Jia Heng said: "Okay, let's eat."

As he spoke, he gazed towards Zhen Xi. Beneath her curved brows, her eyes, as bright as a stream, were filled with a hint of charm and clarity. At this moment, noticing Jia Heng's gaze directed at her, she blinked mischievously.

Well, kind of cute.

While everyone was talking, they had dinner.

After Zhen Yingjia and Zhen Shao finished their lunch, they did not linger for long, but returned to Zhen's house.

Jia Heng returned to the study in the back house. At this moment, the slender and graceful figure in the green skirt was sitting on a lacquered Huanghuali chair, holding a book in her hand and reading it intently.

Chen Xiao's beautiful eyebrows were as dark as ink, and her eyes were as clear as water. She asked, "Brother Zhen, come here. What were they talking about just now?"

Jia Heng said, "I just came to say hello. Zhen Shao tried to test my attitude. The palace probably wants to seize power over the Beijing Camp."

Chen Xiao frowned, his eyes flickering coldly as he asked, "Didn't Zhen Shao just take control of the first battalion of the martial arts training camp? How else can he seize power?"

"Now it's still a test. If the person in the palace wants to keep his position, the Beijing Camp must be completely under control. There will be no less such tests in the future." Jia Heng said.

It is almost an instinct for the emperor to centralize power.

Of course, it is still the honeymoon period. The King of Chu has just ascended the throne and is not yet adept at exercising royal power.

But as time goes by, the boundaries of its power will definitely expand outward.

Chen Xiao put aside his troubled thoughts for the moment, stepped forward, and said softly: "There is news from Senior Sister. She will come to see you today. She said she wants to tell you something important."

Jia Heng's eyes flickered when he heard this, and he asked in surprise, "What's the important matter?"

Chen Xiao shook his head and said, "I asked someone to bring a message, but I didn't go into details."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "Maybe she misses me."

After all, he and Ruoqing can be said to be reunited after a short separation.

Chen Xiao: "..."

Jia Heng said, "Wait for me to go over and take a look."

Chen Xiao said "hmm" softly, her beautiful eyes were as clear as water, as if moistened with charming waves, and then asked: "When are you going to see the millstone?"

Jia Heng stared at Chen Xiao and thought to himself, you are also called a millstone. He calmed himself down and said, "We have to wait until the New Year is over, after the new emperor's ceremony, when the power and position are more stable, before we can have the opportunity to display our power."

Some things need to be put on the agenda as soon as possible.

If he had complicated feelings towards Emperor Chongping before, such as guilt, then he had no feelings at all towards King Chu.

Chen Xiao said, "You have to hurry up. The King of Chu is probably still targeting the Princess. Qiu Liang will definitely tell the palace about the fact that you and the Princess have a child."

Jia Heng: "..."

With a frown on his face, he said, "Once the late emperor is gone, Qiu Liang will no longer have any scruples and will probably send someone to investigate my affairs with Kunning Palace."

Although he did not know what Qiu Liang was thinking at any given moment, he probably knew his constant thoughts. Qiu Liang should have been favored by the King of Chu because of his previous contribution of "supporting the king to the throne", and given his hatred for Qiu Liang, he would surely bite him like a mad dog.

Chen Xiao said coldly, "He will definitely investigate and use this to bring you down. After a year or so, the one in the palace will use this as an excuse to depose you and take over the military power. Liaodong has been pacified anyway, and the remaining Northwest and Mongolia can be pacified by any ordinary officer with firearms. There is no need for you at all."

Jia Heng frowned and said, "That's true."

Therefore, the conflict between him and the King of Chu is irreconcilable. This is a potential crisis that will explode sooner or later.

Chen Xiao squinted at Jia Heng and said unhappily, "After all, truth will come out. If something happens in Kunning Palace, then the affair between you and that evil concubine, um, the evil queen, will also be revealed to the world. At that time, it will be a life-and-death struggle."

A man cannot tolerate cuckolding, let alone an emperor.

(End of this chapter)