The Red Mansions

Chapter 1700 Jia Heng: If this continues, officials and scholars will all mention the new learning.

Chapter 1700 Jia Heng: If this continues, officials and scholars will all mention the new learning...

Godly City, Ningguo Mansion

In the back house, in the hall——

Qin Keqing sat down on a wooden chair made of pear blossoms, her gentle and bright face was blushed with rouge.

Youshi was wearing a blue dress with embroidered patterns and a silver hairpin was pinned between her lush green hair, which was combed into an exquisite and beautiful bun.

On this side of the beauty, her flat belly was slightly bulging, and her fair face seemed to be covered with a layer of blush, which made her look bright and charming under the sunlight.

On another pearwood chair, You Erjie and You Sanjie were sitting at this moment, and a hint of blush seemed to be floating on their beautiful and clear faces.

"Eldest sister is pregnant this time, and the fetus in her belly should be a boy and a girl." Under her emerald green eyebrows, Third Sister You's beautiful eyes were as soft as water, and she whispered.

A few beautiful blushes appeared on both sides of Youshi's rosy face, and she whispered, "It hasn't happened yet, so who knows?"

As she spoke, You turned her head to look at You Erjie who was standing beside her, and asked curiously, "Second sister, how are you now?"

There were bright blushes on both sides of You Erjie's charming and bright face.

Mingli's eyes were filled with inexplicable shyness, and she whispered, "She just got pregnant, and the morning sickness reaction is quite severe, but there's nothing else. She's not as good as her elder sister, these are twins, a boy and a girl."

On the other side, Youshi hummed softly, and under her emerald eyebrows, her crystal clear eyes were as bright as water. She said in a gentle voice, "What are you talking about? It hasn't even happened yet."

While Youshi was speaking, she turned her head to look at the beautiful Third Sister You who was standing beside her and asked, "Where is Third Sister?"

Third Sister You reached out and gently stroked her slightly bulging belly. Her beautiful face seemed to show a hint of loss, and she whispered, "I'm not like that yet. I don't have any morning sickness reaction at the moment."

At this moment, a slender and beautiful maid came in quickly from outside, looked at Third Sister You, and said, "Princess, the prince is back."

Qin Keqing responded softly, then looked up, and there was a hint of surprise on the beautiful rosy face and snow-white skin.

After a moment, the tall young man in the python robe came out from outside, with a calm and resolute face and a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Qin Keqing asked, "You are here."

At this moment, Youshi, You Erjie, and You Sanjie all turned their eyes to the young man in the python robe and called out softly, "Your Majesty."

Jia Heng had a bright smile on his face and said gently, "Come and see you."

He couldn't help but think of the conversation with the White Lotus Mother. Keqing was indeed a little weird, and there was still no movement in her stomach.

As he spoke, Jia Heng came to sit on a pearwood chair beside a small lacquered wooden table. Then the servant brought him a cup of steaming hot fragrant tea, turned around, and slowly left.

Qin Keqing's beautiful eyes sparkled softly under her emerald eyebrows, and she said in a clear voice, "I just heard from my third sister that the imperial court has won the war in Tibet."

Jia Heng said with a hint of joy and happiness in his tone, "The King of Meng has recovered Tibet, and the imperial court's deployment of troops in the southwest has come to an end."

Qin Keqing's eyes flickered and she said, "Then this year's war is considered over."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said gently, "Yes, we'll see what happens then."

Then, Jia Heng smiled and looked at Qin Keqing beside him, his face was surprised, and he asked curiously: "Why is Fu'er not here?"

Qin Keqing's face was as white and flawless as snow, and she said softly, "Fu'er and Mo'er went to the Grand View Garden to play."

Jia Heng said in a gentle voice: "They are both a little naughty, and sometimes they act like little kids."

My daughter is six or seven years old now. In a few years, she will be the beauty in the Grand View Garden, with gorgeous skirts, hairpins, and jackets, and bright and charming makeup.

Third Sister You smiled and covered her mouth as she said, "My Lord, it's getting late. It's time to eat."

Jia Heng smiled and said gently, "Okay, let the kitchen prepare the meal."

Then, everyone sat down here.

A maid with a beautiful face and bright eyes called out, "Miss Fu'er and Miss Mo'er are here."

After a while, Jia Fu and Jia Mo smiled and said in a gentle voice, "Father, you are here."

Jia Heng smiled like a kind father and said, "Fu'er, where did you and your sister Mo'er go?"

Jiafu's delicate face seemed to be filled with a smile. She said in a sweet voice, "My sister and I went to fly a kite."

As he spoke, he reached out and gently held the slender hand of his younger sister Jia Mo.

Jia Mo's pink and pretty little face was also filled with an extremely sweet smile.

Third Sister You raised her two beautiful eyebrows, her cold and sparkling eyes seemed to contain ripples of light, and she said softly: "I wish I could have a little girl like this in the future."

Yu Shi smiled and said, "You are definitely pregnant this time."

You Erjie was listening quietly to the conversation of several people. She reached out and gently stroked her bulging belly. The sides of her beautiful and charming face were lightly flushed, making her look bright and charming.

Jia Heng said in a gentle voice: "No matter who of you three gives birth to a daughter, you should treat her as your own daughter."

Qin Keqing couldn't help but snort from her delicate and straight nose. She glanced at Youshi, You Erjie and You Sanjie with her crystal clear eyes and sighed softly in her heart.

Others all have three daughters, but she has none.

At this moment, a beautiful maid ran into the hall and said in a gentle voice: "Princess, Prince, Old Madam You is here."

Old Madam You is naturally Old Lady You.

Ever since she learned that Youshi, You Erjie and You Sanjie were pregnant, Old Lady You was extremely happy and often came to see Jia Heng.

After a while, I saw Old Lady You in silk and satin clothes. Her wrinkled face seemed to be smiling. As she spoke, she walked closer and looked at the young man in the python robe, saying, "Brother Heng, are you back?"

Jia Heng nodded, with a polite yet awkward smile on his face.

At this moment, Third Sister You came up quickly and asked with a reproachful tone, "Mother, why are you here?"

Old Lady You smiled widely and said, "Why can't I come? I made chicken soup for you three sisters. You can have a taste later."

As he spoke, he turned to look at Youshi who was standing beside him. Her fair and delicate face seemed to show a hint of surprise.

Yu's beautiful face was clearly blushing with shame, and it was obvious that she was feeling quite uncomfortable because of Old Lady Yu's funny words.

What nonsense was mother talking about just now?

While talking, Youshi turned to look at You Erjie beside her and said gently, "Second sister, you must take good care of your pregnancy these days and don't do anything stupid outside."

You Erjie's face, as white as snow, was clearly blushing with shame. She lowered her eyes and uttered a soft "hmm". The bright red blush extended to her earlobes, making her look so beautiful and tempting.

You turned to look at Third Sister You, and asked in surprise, "Third Sister, what are you going to do?"

Third Sister You took her mother's arm and said, "Mom, please stop talking. The feast will start soon. Sit down and enjoy your meal first."

Upon seeing this, Old Lady You didn't say anything else. She sat down and was about to say something when Third Sister You pulled her sleeve.

After the meal, Jia Heng did not linger in the hall of Ningguo Mansion for long, but went to the Grand View Garden to see Daiyu.

It had been some time since Daiyu gave birth, and she spent the whole day holding her daughter in her arms in the room.

Grand View Garden, Xiaoxiang Pavilion

As Jia Heng was talking, he arrived at the Xiaoxiang Pavilion hidden in the bamboo forest. At this moment, the wind suddenly blew, blowing the bamboo leaves, making a rustling sound.

In the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, there was a blazing fire and the air was warm.

Daiyu was holding a delicate and pretty baby girl in her arms. Two red clouds floated on both sides of her snow-white face. Under her delicate and picturesque brows, her sparkling eyes were as bright as a galaxy.

Zijuan's fair face was covered with a smile, and she said softly, "Girl, it's time to change the little princess' diaper."

Daiyu said "hmm" softly, and looked at her daughter with great doting in her sparkling eyes. She whispered, "When she grows up a little, I'll tell her what to let her learn."

Zijuan chuckled and whispered, "Miss, let's talk about the future later. It also depends on the interests of the little princess."

Daiyu's face, as white as snow, said "hmm" with joy and looked at her daughter in her arms. She really liked her more and more.

At this moment, Xiren's voice came from outside, with a hint of surprise and joy in her voice, saying: "My Lord, you are here."

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Xiren, I'm here to see Sister Lin and the little princess."

As he spoke, Jia Heng hurried into the side room, stared at Daiyu and her youngest daughter Jia Ru, feeling inexplicably happy.

Ever since the Immortal Grass Crimson Pearl had a child, perhaps because of the added maternal instinct, the beautiful Wen Ning's eyes and eyebrows have become more gentle and charming.

"Brother Heng, you're here." Daiyu was holding the baby girl in her arms. Her bright eyes, as clear as water, were twinkling with dew under her willow-like brows and she was looking at Jia Heng with eyes as clear as water.

While Jia Heng was talking, he turned his head to look at Daiyu and said, "Sister Lin, how have you been these days?"

Daiyu's eyes sparkled under her smoky eyebrows, and she said softly, "I still have to take care of the child every day, so what?"

Jia Heng smiled and said loudly, "Let me see Ru'er."

As he spoke, he came to sit on a soft couch covered with a cotton mattress, looked at Jia Ru who was in Daiyu's arms, and said, "Ruru, it's almost one month old."

Daiyu sneered and said, "It's a strange question for a father like you to ask. How old is Ru'er? Don't you know?"

Jia Heng said softly, "I was busy with things outside and forgot about it."

Daiyu snorted softly, her eyes as bright as water.

Jia Heng paused for a moment under his sword-like brows, and said in a low voice: "My daughter should not learn your mischievous temper in the future."

Daiyu's delicate eyebrows and eyes were covered with a layer of embarrassment and annoyance. She said unhappily, "What's wrong with me being naughty?"

Jia Heng said, "Okay, you can tease me if you want. I'll hug my daughter."

Daiyu hummed softly under her beautiful, straight nose, and handed her daughter in her arms to Jia Heng.

At this moment, Jia Heng was holding his own sweet daughter in his arms and looking at the soft and cute little Ru'er, he couldn't help but feel an inexplicable joy in his heart.

As he spoke, Jia Heng leaned over to his daughter's soft face and gave her a gentle kiss. Then, looking at little Ru'er's delicate and picturesque eyes, he called her lovingly, "Ru'er."

"Ah ah..." Jia Ru stretched out her two soft and white little hands, babbling something, her bright eyes as clear as water and her eyes full of waves.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Daddy will teach you how to ride a big horse, okay?"

Jia Ru's eyes lit up like stars, and she seemed to understand the meaning of her father's words.

Daiyu watched the scene quietly from the side, and a hint of sweetness welled up in her eyes which were as bright as the stars.

Jia Heng let Jia Ru ride on his neck and teased her with his hands.

Jia Ru was giggling non-stop at this moment, and the sides of her snow-white face were rosy like clouds.

Xiren and Zijuan, who were not far away, were also watching Jia Heng interacting with the little maid with smiles on their faces, their hearts filled with inexplicable joy.

Xiren's beautiful eyes flickered beneath her willow-shaped brows, and she thought to herself, when will she be able to have a child?

If she could conceive a child with the prince, her life would not be in vain.

……

……

Time flies, and between light and shadow, it is the winter month of the third year of Qiande in the Han Dynasty without us noticing.

During this half year, the Han Dynasty's steam locomotive was still being improved and verified, while the rails had already been planned and were ready to be laid across the country.

The coal mines from Jinzhong are continuously transported to Shenjing and surrounding cities, providing nutrients for the residents in the city.

In the third year of Qiande in the Han Dynasty, it was winter, with a thin mist and the dawn just breaking. The dazzling sunlight shone on the earth, and the glazed tiles of the palace reflected colorful mottled sunlight.

There was a heavy snowfall in the Shenjing City. Snowflakes were flying everywhere, covering the ground with silver and white. Looking around, the sky and the earth were all white.

Shenjing City, Ningguo Mansion——

Jia Heng was sitting in a spacious study room. In the southwest corner of the room, a stove embroidered with animal heads was emitting hot steam, and the charcoal fire made the room warm.

Chen Xiao was silent for a moment, then asked, "The King of Meng and the Marquis of Shanhai have stationed troops in Lhasa, and the Ministry of Revenue has already sent some quilts and mattresses to Yushu."

Jia Heng nodded, his eyes warm, and whispered: "Next spring, the Beijing camp will be able to return to the capital."

Gu Ruoqing was holding her own baby Jia Ping in her arms. She turned her head and looked intently at the young man in the python robe as he spoke. There seemed to be a hint of consideration in her clear and bright eyes.

Chen Xiao's eyes were as clear as water under his handsome eyebrows. He whispered, "The public opinion in the capital city towards the new school seems to have improved a lot recently."

Jia Heng took the child from Chen Xiao's arms, and a thoughtful look appeared in his clear eyes. He asked, "What do you mean?"

Chen Xiao picked up the blue and white porcelain teacup, took a sip of tea, and said, "Speaking of the things created by the new learning, it is beneficial to the country and the people, and it is of great benefit to the national economy and people's livelihood."

Jia Heng nodded and whispered, "As time goes by, the common people will benefit more and more from the new learning, and the scholars in the world will also join the new learning and learn the way of knowing things through investigation."

Chen Xiao's beautiful eyes, soft and moist, were as bright as water under her emerald eyebrows. She said in a clear voice, "But there are also some old pedants who denounce the creations of the new school as strange and cunning, not worthy of being in the hall of elegance."

Jia Heng waved his hand and said, "Don't pay attention to it for now. When the new learning becomes popular in the world, there will be great scholars to debate the classics for it."

Although Chen Xiao didn't know why Jia Heng was so sure, he said gently, "I just want to wait for the new learning to become popular in the world, and I don't know how many years it will take."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "To change the world and people's hearts is not something that can be done overnight. It requires subtle influence and silent nourishment."

Chen Xiao said: "In recent years, there are more and more scholars advocating new learning."

Jia Heng said: "This is obvious. If the superior likes something, the subordinates will follow it. There are many opportunists who use it to seek promotion. They all obey the will of heaven."

Chen Xiao's bright eyes flickered under his willow-shaped eyebrows, and he asked, "So what do you mean?"

Jia Heng nodded and whispered, "Even if it is caused by the prevailing trend, it has won the hearts of the people. If this continues, officials and scholars will all mention the new learning."

In order to get promoted and make money, these scholars would certainly keep the new learning on their lips as a catchphrase, and even study it painstakingly and promote it.

This is what they call engineers governing the country.

……

……

The years do not live, the seasons flow.

The third year of Qiande in the Han Dynasty passed quietly as Jia Heng's daughters grew up, and in the blink of an eye it was the beginning of spring in the fourth year of Qiande.

It was a bright and beautiful spring day, and it was also the day when the army that had marched to Tibet returned to Beijing.

At this moment, on both sides of the official road outside the west side of the capital, willows are swaying, grass is green, the water of the Wei River flows around the city, the city walls are towering, the towers with flying eaves and hooked corners are octagonal and exquisite, and wind chimes are swaying gently on the eaves, making bursts of clear and crisp sounds.

On a straight and spacious official road, teams of cavalrymen in distinctive armor were waving flags, which were fluttering and gongs and drums were beating not far away.

Shanhai Hou Cao Bianjiao was riding on a maroon horse with a rein in his hand. He stared at the distant Shenjing City with some excitement in his heart.

Although he was cooperating with King Wei at the beginning, he was still criticized by others.

At this moment, Jia Heng was standing on the city gate tower of Shenjing City, surrounded by the Jinyi Guards. Surrounding him were the Chief Minister Qi Kun, the Second Chief Minister Lin Ruhai, the Minister Zhao Yi, the Minister Liu Zheng, the Grand Councilor, Prince Beijing Shui Rong, the Vice Minister of War Shi Jie and many other ministers.

"Woooo..."

The desolate and distant sound of the horn resounded between heaven and earth.

"Da da……"

As the sound of horse hooves approached, the officers of the Beijing camp who were sent to Tibet this time came up with a rein as thick as a little finger. They looked at Jia Heng and said in unison: "We greet His Royal Highness Prince Wei. Live the Prince Wei for a thousand years."

Jia Heng's clear eyes swept across the familiar faces under his thick eyebrows, and he extended his hand to support them, saying, "Please don't be polite, everyone."

Immediately, Jia Heng swallowed the word back which was about to come out of his mouth. Perhaps, after being in a high position for a long time, this language habit would inevitably be revealed unnaturally.

"Thank you, King Wei." The officers of the Beijing camp, riding on a maroon horse, wearing shining armor, clasped their fists in thanks.

Jia Heng glanced at the officers and soldiers present under his sword-like eyebrows, and said in a loud voice: "All the soldiers have traveled far to Tibet and fought in the snowy plains and mountains. They have made great contributions. I have prepared wine and meat for the soldiers in Hanyuan Hall, intending to welcome them."

When the officers and soldiers of the Beijing camp below heard this, traces of joy welled up on their young and handsome faces.

As the "wooo" sound of the horn sounded, a large number of officers and soldiers from the Beijing camp marched towards the Shenjing City in a mighty manner.

On top of the towering city wall, the chief minister of the cabinet, Qi Kun, was standing on the top of the city wall, and the gloom in his heart was undoubtedly even thicker.

After this battle, the power of King Wei's subordinates grew even more.