After seeing the Niu family, Zhao Xiu saw that his grandmother Zhang was no longer as good as in the past, and his heart was much more stable. She could faintly perceive that the Zhang family seemed to have really changed. The change is gratifying. She didn't mind that Zhang's kindness and love to help the poor were kind, but she didn't want the other party to cause trouble to her family again.

The journey to the north is slightly faster than the journey to the south. First, the size of the fleet is smaller, and there are fewer retinues, strictly speaking, there are only two families of Guangping Wangfu and the ancestors and grandsons of the Zhao family. Zhao Wei had already returned to Beijing. As for the former deputy envoy Zeng Shilang, after the dam incident, he has been leading the work of rebuilding and strengthening the sea dam in Shanghai. When the tidal disaster came, the embankments in several other places were relatively strong, and Dunanhui was the hardest hit. Although there are reasons why Nanhui changed the county order and the work was delayed, the imperial court blamed it, but it would not ask about it. The new county magistrate of Nanhui is already destined to be questioned, and Zeng Shilang, who is in the leading position, cannot be implicated. Fortunately, the disaster situation in several other places is not strict, especially Fengxian and other places are newly strengthened embankments, and he also has the merit of supervision. The emperor was gracious and allowed him to compensate for his merits, and now he has to continue to stay in Shanghai Mansion to supervise the reconstruction of the Nanhui Dam. In less than a year and a half, he couldn't return to the capital.

Since Zhao Wei and Zeng Shilang can't accompany them, their entourage and subordinate officials naturally can't either. Therefore, the fleet of King Guangping returning to Beijing this time was reduced by half compared with when he went south. There are fewer people, fewer ships, and not in the winter when there is ice, so the speed of the fleet will naturally increase. They didn't delay much along the way, and they only stopped for one night at each stop. Unless you encounter extreme weather such as strong winds and heavy rain, you will not take an extra day off. Compared to when I went south, the time was much shorter. Only about 20 days after leaving Shanghai Mansion, they arrived in Jining.

Speaking of which, on the entire Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Jining is not a big port or a big city. But somehow, King Quang Binh's fleet seemed to enjoy docking here, and always more than for one day. It seems that I like the food here so much that I have a special place to replenish my water. Fang Chongshan, the prefect of Jining, brought a group of subordinate officials and local gentry to greet Wang Jia on the dock. But I don't know if it's Zhao Xiu's illusion, she always feels that there are many fewer people on the shore than when she went south, and the faces of those subordinate officials and gentry. In addition to the flattering expression, there was a little more fear, so obvious that even she, who was looking down from the corridor of the cabin on the second floor, could detect it.

But whatever, Zhao Xiu was not interested in knowing whether there was any conflict between the local officials and the gentry in Jining. Arrived in Jining. The king of Quang Binh also opened his mouth and instructed that he should stay here for one more day and leave the morning after tomorrow. This means that she has time to meet her long-lost friend Fang Renzhu.

Speaking of which, Fang Huizhu's marriage with the second son of Meishan Bofu broke down, and she still has a lot of unclear information about the follow-up. Although Fang Shi, the wife of the newly appointed political envoy of Suzhou, said a lot, after all, she also learned about the incident from the letters of her sisters, not her own experience, so many details are not clear. In addition, Zhao Xiu is not very familiar with her, so she is really embarrassed to ask some things. But in the face of Fang Renzhu, she doesn't need to be so reserved.

According to the old rules, Zhao Xiu and Zhang's moved into the post station again. It's still the same yard where I used to live. Only for two nights, the luggage does not have to be moved, the girls only changed the bed, took out the things for grooming, tea sets, stationery, and then took out a few sets of clothes from the suitcase, and that's it. The Fang family's post quickly spread in, and it was not Mrs. Fang's name, but Fang Renzhu's. Mrs. Fang is still taking care of her eldest daughter in Beijing, and now it is the fifth girl Fang Renzhu in charge.

Zhao Xiu saw Fang Renzhu last time. It was more than half a year ago. After not seeing each other for a long time, today the friends are reunited, and the two of them are very happy, holding hands and sitting down to talk. Zhang met Fang Renzhu. I was also very happy, greeted her family, and learned that everything was good, even Jingzhong's mother and eldest sister, Fang Huizhu's body had completely recovered, and the Zhang family was also happy about it.

Hurried for days. Zhang's body was quite tired. Now that she finally got ashore and can be down-to-earth, she was trying to sleep well, so she asked her granddaughter to chat with Fang Renzhu by herself, she confessed her guilt and went back to her room to rest.

Zhao Xiu drove the girls outside the door to guard, pulled Fang Renzhu to sit on the Luohan bed, and chatted comfortably next to the pillow. She asked Fang Renzhu: "I thought that since the last goodbye, we would be able to see each other again in three or four months, but I didn't expect it to be delayed for such a long time." I haven't heard from you for more than half a year, and I miss you for it. How are you doing? Are you used to housework? ”

"It's all good, I'm bothering you." Fang Renzhu pursed her lips and smiled shyly, took her hand and said, "I haven't thanked you yet." If you hadn't delivered a letter to our family, and asked the aunt of the Feng family to save my sister, I am afraid that my sister would have been tortured to death by the Qiu family at this time. Now that she has to get out of the predicament and her body is well up, our family is finally relieved. ”

Zhao Xiu said: "I just helped pass on a word." In fact, it is also because I can't get used to seeing the Qiu family's actions. I didn't expect his family to be so bold. Speaking of which, I probably heard from your aunt who married the new political envoy of Suzhou, but she only knew about it by reading her sister's letters, and many details are not clear. I don't know her well, so I can't ask too much, so I have to endure it until today. Since your sister has reconciled and divorced from the Qiu family now, this matter can be regarded as a big trouble, right? What punishment can the Qiu family suffer now? ”

Fang Renzhu sighed: "Heli is Heli, but whether the matter is a big deal or not, I can't say for sure." ”

Zhao Xiu was puzzled: "What is the reason for this?" The Qiu family originally shouted everywhere that your sister was pregnant, but now she hasn't given birth yet, and suddenly she left, how could people outside not talk about it? Can your family still help the Qiu family hide from the world? It shouldn't be because I'm afraid of affecting the reputation of the Fang family's daughter, or for the sake of your sister's reputation? ”

Fang Renzhu shook his head: "How is this possible?" was bullied like this, and she had to endure it, and if it was spread out, the daughter of the Fang family would be embarrassed. As soon as this incident came out, the mother of the family Chuang Qiu family witnessed her sister's pitiful situation with her own eyes, how could she hide it for his family? Not only the Fang family's aunts, aunts, and sisters, but even the in-laws' families have heard about it. Everyone said that the Qiu family was not, and Yushi participated in the Meishan Marquis father and son in the court. Qiu Huiquan, the son of the Qiu family, originally found an errand for his younger brother in the forbidden army, but because of this, he lost it, and even the Marquis of Meishan was reprimanded and lost his only idle position. As for Qiu Huiquan, he was on an errand in front of the emperor, and the imperial history also participated in him, knowing that his family violated etiquette. but turned a blind eye. He didn't know if he was really guilty, or if he retreated and asked the emperor to resign. The emperor agreed, and many people were deeply surprised. He has always been recognized as the emperor's confidant. I didn't think the emperor would be so fair. After this incident, no one from the Meishan Bofu entered the court to serve. ”

Sounds really exciting. Zhao Xiu thought of the somewhat pretentious Old Lady Qiu, so he couldn't help but smile, and decided that he would tell his grandmother the news for a while. Zhang must be happy when he hears this, right? She has always looked down on Old Madam Qiu the most.

Laughed over. Zhao Xiu looked at Fang Renzhu puzzled: "It's all come to this point, why do you still say that you don't know if it's a big trouble?" ”

Fang Renzhu sighed: "It sounds like the Qiu family has learned a big lesson, but his daughter, the Qiu Yuanqiu girl we have seen, has become a frequent visitor to the Middle Palace again in the past few months. The queen mother attaches great importance to her, and she must be summoned every three or five days, and even the girl of the queen's mother's family, Xie, does not have this grace. After the Qiu family was punished, I don't know if this Qiu girl said something in front of the queen's mother, and the queen actually issued an order to comfort Mrs. Qiu and Mrs. Meishanbo. also said in front of people that my sister was not virtuous in the first place, and although the Qiu family's behavior was impolite, it was also excusable. Since Qiu Huiyou and my sister are not compatible, it is also a good thing to be reconciled, and another good marriage is waiting for Qiu Huiyou, Yunyun. Not only that, but the queen also rewarded the concubine of Qiu Huiyou, who was expelled from the house by Mrs. Meishanbo, and ordered her to give birth to a good baby and spread the branches and leaves for the Qiu family. ”

Zhao Xiu was dumbfounded when he heard this. The queen is stupid: "Didn't Mrs. Meishan Bo drive people out at the beginning?" When the queen mother said such things, was she going to slap her in the face? Even if Qiu Yuan wants to ask the queen for a decree to help her family get out of trouble, she can't slap her own biological mother in the face, right? ”

Fang Renzhu sighed: "Who said it wasn't? My mother was so angry. When my sister heard the news, she fainted on the spot and cried when she woke up. The aunts and aunts were very angry in their hearts, but it was the queen of the middle palace, and her status was noble, and she said such things. Maybe there was some anger to vent, so I didn't dare to refute it, so I could only endure it. My mother said that after a while, I would have to come to Jining with my sister to live in Jining for a few days to avoid rumors in Beijing. ”

The Fang family once insisted on sending a girl into the palace to accompany her, and Fang Huizhu was specially cultivated by the family. The queen has always been jealous, of course she is not pleasing to the eye. In fact, Fang Huizhu is still very young, but she is ten years old, and she is born with both talent and appearance, and she still has a great chance to marry again after divorce. However, with such a comment from the queen, and her reputation is not good, I am afraid it will be difficult for her to remarry in Beijing, so it is better to find someone in other places who does not know her roots. Of course, for Fang Huizhu, this result is probably not what she wants, right?

What is this queen doing? Did the emperor let her go?

Zhao Xiu asked Fang Renzhu this question, and she replied: "The emperor doesn't care, it's just that it's not good to refute the queen's face." After the queen's words came out, Cining Palace also gave something to our family, although it was not explicitly said, but listening to the tone of the inner servant who passed the decree, it was about the queen mother and the emperor in the queen to remedy the queen's gaffe. Since then, although the daughter of the Qiu family still enters the palace from time to time, the queen has never said any will. ”

Zhao Xiu breathed a sigh of relief. From this point of view, the queen mother and the emperor still understand, and they also restrain the queen's behavior. Otherwise, if she continues to have such convulsions, how will she deal with her grandparents and grandchildren returning to Beijing?

Fang Renzhu said again: "For the sake of the queen's mother, for the sake of the queen's face, no one in Beijing is allowed to mention this matter in the open." It's not good for our family to say that the Qiu family is not the same outside, so we are afraid that we will be sued and say that we have complaints against the queen. Of course, no one said that his family was good, for fear of violating the holy will. That's why I said, I don't know if this is a big deal. It was obviously a big fuss, but no one talked about it, and no one talked about the Qiu family and our family anymore. My father ordered, the queen mother and the emperor have been rewarded, and we have nothing to be wronged about, so we don't need to mention it. ”

Zhao Xiu shook his head when he heard this, and sighed: "Even if it is a taboo, I have to say a word, the queen is really confused." How could she listen to Qiu Yuan's words and open her eyes for a concubine? She still refuses to let the emperor accept a concubine. People who are not used to seeing concubines have to help the ill-intentioned concubines to step on a persecuted main room. ”

Fang Renzhu lowered his voice: "I heard...... In fact, it was Sister Jiang who wrote to me in private, saying that the queen seems to have changed her mind now. Since the courtiers are persuading the emperor to accept concubines, and the emperor is also alienated from the queen, the queen might as well take the lead and choose a good concubine for the emperor herself, which not only shows that she is virtuous, but also lest she choose some naughty people to be concubines and enter the palace to embarrass her. Her mother's family, the Xie family of Qushuibo Mansion, originally wanted to send the girls from the two clans into the palace, but the queen did not allow it, but gave the two sisters to the children of the clan to marry. It is rumored in Beijing that the queen has taken a fancy to Qiu Yuan, and she will support her family if she wants to accept her as a concubine for the emperor. This is in the city too. ”

Zhao Xiu's eyes widened. (To be continued.) )