In October, the weather became cooler, and Xiao Hongcheng, who was busy with disaster relief and mobilization due to the bursting of the Yellow River's embankment, was finally a little free, although he also went out early and returned late, but at least he could come back at night.

More than one million people were affected by the Yellow River's bursting embankment, countless people were displaced, and they fled to other places to join their relatives, starvation and death of disease occurred from time to time on the road, and tragic things such as selling oneself to bury one's father and selling oneself into slavery were not uncommon.

Xiao Hongcheng only occasionally talked about these things, but there was no way, the imperial court had tried its best to rescue, transferred food and medicine from everywhere, opened a porridge shed and good hall, and also saved a lot of people, which can be regarded as a powerful rescue.

Even the harem has been reduced, and Zhou Baolu also ordered that this season's clothes be halved and the daily meals reduced by 30%.

Xiao Hongcheng said: "Fortunately, since the first emperor began to try to grow sweet potatoes in the south, after decades, the yield has been good, this time the sweet potato really made a great contribution." If it weren't for sweet potatoes, I'm afraid that more than 100,000 people would starve to death. ”

Zhou Baolu was taken aback, the number of 100,000 people is really terrifying, she was born rich and noble since she was a child, and she is not like Xiao Hongcheng who runs errands, so she naturally doesn't understand these, so she hurriedly asked: "Is it the kind I usually bake?" Does this work? ”

She thought that roasted sweet potatoes were delicious, and it was good to eat shredded sweet potatoes occasionally, but she didn't expect it to be a life-saving gift.

Xiao Hongcheng said: "Yes, this thing is actually not the original on our side, before the first emperor dynasty, no one knew about the way, in the eleventh year of the first emperor Kangyuan, General Fuyuan intercepted several pirate ships, and there was a sack of this in it." The general didn't recognize that there were a few captured sailors on the pirate ship, who had gone out to sea with the merchant ships, so he went back to the general, saying that he had gotten it in a small country on the other side of the sea, where it was planted everywhere, and the yield was high, and it could be full, although it was not as delicious as our rice and wheat, but the yield was much higher. ”

Xiao Hongcheng said with a smile: "His son has done civilian work in the household department, and has done it in several yamen such as the Qing Officials Division, and has promoted grain and grass, and has also followed the disaster relief, knowing the importance of this grain, he quietly looked for some soldiers from peasant families in the army, and opened a field in the barracks to try planting, after two or three years, he actually planted a sweet potato with a yield of 20 stones per mu, this time the general did not dare to slack off, and immediately went to the table to play the imperial court, the first emperor was overjoyed, and ordered the Department of Agriculture and Industry to start trial planting, and gradually popularized, this sweet potato can be harvested in only three months, and there are few insect pests, And the need for water is also less, after these decades, almost every family has been planted in the soil more or less, this time, I don't know how many people have survived because of this sweet potato. ”

Zhou Baolu didn't understand: "If we eat rice, how much is the production capacity per mu?" ”

"The land of fish and rice in the south of the Yangtze River, the best field, the rice harvest is five stones, on average, but three or four stones, and then to the north, one or two stones, if the year is not good, I am afraid that the seeds and grain will not be recovered." Xiao Hongcheng has been on errands for a long time, and has been providing disaster relief many times, which is the first thing to say.

Zhou Baolu said: "In this way, this thing doesn't look unusual, it's actually a good thing." Amitabha, speaking of which, that Fuyuan general can be regarded as a Buddha of ten thousand families! ”

Xiao Hongcheng said with a smile: "Yes, although this Fuyuan general is tired of military exploits, he finally got the title because of this sweet potato, and was awarded the title of Cheng Anbo, which is the family that the lord of Chang'an County married." ”

"There's something interesting about their house." Zhou Baolu heard that it was their family, and couldn't help laughing, about this family is not a family, the foundation is shallow, the family population is small, the previous generation did not have a promising son, it seems to be a little declining, the lord of Chang'an County married in the past, the face is not very good, but the inside is stronger than many noble girls, and he lives comfortably, and the long one is called a fortune.

Zhou Baolu believes that women dare to gain weight only if they live comfortably and are sure of the future.

Just like the county lord of Chang'an.

Zhou Baolu sent the maid: "Take the thing sent by the former Chang'an County Lord in and show it to the prince." ”

There were two half-foot-long sticks in a box, yellow, with something attached to it, Xiao Hongcheng had never seen it: "What is this?" ”

"The county lord of Chang'an said that this was bought in the market in the south of the city, called corn, one tael of silver!" Zhou Baolu said.

The market in the south of the city, Zhou Baolu also just heard about it, it is on the border, smuggled in by the sea, I don't know where the strange things come from, Zhou Baolu also occasionally sends one or two elegant and special things in, such as the jewelry box of a fat doll with long wings and a bare buttocks holding a bow and arrows, a large rough wool blanket with a unique pattern, jewelry with a thorn corolla pattern, etc., in Zhou Baolu's eyes, the novelty is everything, but it is too rough.

I'm afraid that the gem is too small, and the color of the gem is quite strange.

Xiao Hongcheng picked it up and touched it, didn't think there was anything unusual, and threw it back: "What is this for?" ”

Zhou Baolu said slowly: "I didn't take it seriously before, but as soon as you say it today, I remembered that this is eaten, just like sweet potatoes." She looked at Xiao Hongcheng and said: "The county lord of Chang'an said that she didn't recognize it originally, but her father, Uncle Shenwang, recognized it, and it was also something from overseas, saying that it was overseas grain, which was very easy to grow and had a high yield." ”

"Really?" Xiao Hongcheng was stunned, and Zhou Baolu added: "It is said that this can be planted on the ground where rice cannot be planted." ”

Xiao Hongcheng couldn't sit still, and picked up the box: "I'll ask." ”

I didn't change my clothes, so I hurried out.

Zhou Baolu held her chin and recalled the situation of the county lord of Chang'an that day, her husband's family grew sweet potatoes and got the title, so since she said so, she would definitely not despise corn, why did she have to give it to her?

Of course, giving it to her is to give it to Xiao Hongcheng, which obviously wants to give the prince a credit?

I guess I have asked for something.

Zhou Baolu pondered for a while, since people didn't ask her to come, it probably has nothing to do with her, it should be to ask Xiao Hongcheng to send it to her, probably to be less deliberate.

Zhou Baolu didn't want to think about it, but thought about it, the county lord of Chang'an said that the fresh corn monster was delicious, and I don't know when I will be able to taste it.

Speaking of which, it's about autumn, the weather is not hot, and the appetite is good, and the two months have been extraordinarily stopped everywhere, Concubine Xi Niangniang is seriously ill, and the concubine Niangniang is locked up in Zhengming Palace and can't get out, no one tosses something out, this day is really good.

Eating and drinking every day, strolling around the garden, basking in the sun, and every once in a while someone comes into the palace to ask for a talk, but it is not lonely.

Zhou Baolu looked at the weather outside, it was the cool time, so he instructed the maid to pack up the fishing rod and go to the pavilion by the pool to sit and fish.

As soon as I sat down, I didn't see any fish biting the hook, but I saw Princess Zhuang Hui come over with a smile: "Sister-in-law is really free, she is still fishing here, and she will bring me a fishing rod." ”

A maid had already packed it up and brought it over.

Zhou Baolu teased: "I sent someone to your house to deliver things a while ago, and your house also told me that you went to Jinshan for the summer, and you haven't come back yet, I thought you were going to avoid the New Year, and when the snow covers the mountain, see how you come back, you will come back." ”

Princess Zhuang Hui said with a smile: "I originally went to escape the summer, but because the autumn of Jinshan is very comfortable, the leaves on the halfway side of the mountain are red, I was reluctant to leave for a while, so I stayed for a few more days." When I came back yesterday, I heard that my sister-in-law sent someone to see me a few times, and I just came to the palace to say hello to my sister-in-law. I also brought some things back, and I just entered the door and handed them over to the grandmother in your palace. ”

In fact, the princess is still comfortable to marry, unlike when she was a girl, there were many disciplines in the palace, and now that she has opened the princess's mansion, she can call the shots, and the court has given preferential treatment to the princess.

Zhou Baolu looked at her a few times, and saw that her complexion was really good, her complexion was ruddy and shiny, her face was radiant, and her eyes were bright, and she could see that the trip to Jinshan was very pleasant, and it seemed to be more pleasant than the carefree girlhood.

Compared to the time when I just divorced, it is even more different.

Zhou Baolu smiled and said: "Jinshan looks good, look at your appearance, I don't know what to do, I thought this was not autumn, it was spring!" ”

As soon as she said this, Princess Zhuang Hui, who has always been generous and refreshing, had a trace of blush on her face, and she couldn't help but show the shyness of some girls, and even her voice was a little quieter: "What did sister-in-law say, how could there be ......?"

Zhou Baolu just saw that she was good-looking and happy, and she was happy in her heart, so she joked with her casually, but she didn't expect her to show a childlike attitude, which made Zhou Baolu stunned and said, "You...... This is...... Who went to Geumsan with you? ”

Princess Zhuang Hui said: "There is no one, I invited a few young ladies to join me, otherwise, no one will even play the leaf card." I've also learned to push pai gow, won't you? I'll teach you! ”

Who has time to learn that! Zhou Baolu saw that she was talking about it left and right, so she stopped asking: "I can be idle for these two days, the noble concubine is about to give birth, in a few days, in winter, everywhere will enjoy the snow banquet, I have to go to a few places, and then I have to pay the account inside, and the first month of Chinese New Year's Eve, several uncles and aunts' birthdays, these are all certain, I don't know what else will come out of the road, where there is so much space." ”

Princess Zhuang Hui lazily flicked the fishing rod, seeing that there was no fish on the bait, and there was no patience, seeing that the maids were standing far away outside the pavilion and waiting, she approached Zhou Baolu and said: "Speaking of which, I heard a new article a few days ago, but I don't know whether it is true or false. ”

Zhou Baolu snorted in his nose, signaling that he was now sitting horizontally and vertically chatting, whether it was true or not.

Since there is a glazed pavilion in Princess Zhuang Hui's house, it is simply a gossip distribution center, as the owner, Princess Zhuang Hui is naturally more and more well-informed, almost like a monster, but the truth is true and false, even she can't tell the difference.

When Zhou Baolu chatted with Xiao Hongcheng, he also mentioned this, and Xiao Hongcheng praised it very much: "Fu'er finally did a smart thing." ”

"It's naturally good to be well-informed, but you can't tell the truth from the fake, but you have to be careful." Zhou Baolu said.

"Being well-informed is one thing." Xiao Hongcheng said: "In fact, there are other benefits, one is that she is the master in the end, others can't leave her, she is more active, she has more face and more power to speak in the imperial capital, and everyone has to worry about what she has to say." Second, the more this is the case, the more you can influence the direction of public opinion, you think, if you want to put some news out, or who you want to support or step on, as long as you hand it over to her, isn't it easy? ”

Zhou Baolu understood: "That's right, with these benefits, the little bit of unclear news is backward, but this kind of thing must also have her identity as the eldest princess, and you, the prince's brother, will be in the formation, otherwise, if you are weaker and encounter some things, you will stir yourself into it and you can't get out." ”

"Not bad." Xiao Hongcheng said: "I see that her side is lively, and I have sent a few people who can do things to serve in the princess's mansion, this matter is well managed, and it is very beneficial to us, but if it is out of proportion, maybe there will be a disaster, Fu'er's temperament is a little reckless, and arrogant, and her temperament is up, and someone has to watch her." ”

At this time, Princess Zhuang Hui said mysteriously: "Isn't that concubine in Zhengming Palace often proud that she has a good reputation outside her family?" ”

"Who? Wenge old? Zhou Baolu said.

Princess Zhuang Hui smiled: "Except for who else, but my sister-in-law may not know very well, although the Wen family is naturally the elder of the Wen Pavilion in front, but the eldest son of their family is a talent, even my brother has praised it." ”

Zhou Baolu was indifferent: "There are many people who have praised your brother, how can I remember who is who." ”

Princess Zhuang Hui's eyes rolled: "Your brother An has also praised it." ”

Well, the famous 'Our Family Angoer.' ’

Sure enough, Zhou Baolu said: "What did our brother An'er say? ”

Princess Zhuang Hui "Your brother said that the eldest son of the Wen family is not only a smart person, but also a strict and cautious person, if he does not do it, he will calculate again and again, there are few flaws, he can't catch his tail, and he is especially good at taking advantage of the situation. ”

When others say this, Zhou Baolu may not think so, but when Chen Yi'an says this, Zhou Baolu can listen to it, and immediately pay attention to this great prince of Wen. Thinking of the case of Xiangrui in the summer, Xiao Hongcheng also said that it may be the handwriting of Prince Wen, so as to confirm it, Zhou Baolu really raised his spirit.

Zhou Baolu said: "The concubine Niangniang relies on the Wen family very much, right? ”

"Of course. Especially Wen Ge Lao and Wen Wei. Princess Zhuang Hui smiled: "But their family is very interesting, and the one who is most valued by Wen Ge is not Wen Wei, but Wen Ge's nephew." ”

Princess Zhuang Hui told Wen Hualin's life experience, Zhou Baolu said: "My brother went early, his orphan is the death of both parents, and Wen Ge has a lot of pain, and it is not a big deal." ”

Princess Zhuang Hui smiled: "What my sister-in-law said is the same as I thought, but someone told me that there may be a secret here!" ”

She secretly lowered her voice and made a mysterious appearance: "I heard that Wen Hualin is also the son of Wen Ge Lao!" ”

Wow! Such a secret!

Zhou Baolu's gossip heart boiled: "Really? How could such a thing come out? It's also too weird. ”

It stands to reason that this kind of thing is very confidential, and even if Wen Ge Lao really had an affair with his brother and daughter-in-law, no one dared to assert that the child born by his brother and daughter-in-law was Wen Ge Lao's species, and it could also be the son of Wen Ge's old brother.

Besides, how could such a thing come out?

Princess Zhuang Hui said with a smile: "The Wen family is from a poor family, and it is different from our family, just like your sister-in-law, who can enter the house to serve closely since childhood, they are all born in the family, and the old people who have been used for several lifetimes can rest assured, but how can the Wen family be like this, they are all developed, they have a family background, and they should have pomp □□and circumstance. The good ones stayed, and the bad ones were either resold or sent away, and what was not? ”

Zhou Baolu understood: "Which house did an old servant enter and leak this?" ”

"Sister-in-law Shengming!" Princess Zhuang Hui said with a smile: "It's the maid who is serving in the room of the old brother and daughter-in-law of Wenge, she said that she was sent out because she was defiled and stolen her master's jewelry, and she said that she saw it with her own eyes!" Wen Ge Lao's brother because he wanted to study, often in the teacher's house to ask for advice, do not go home to live, at that time, Wen Ge Lao went over there, and his brother and daughter-in-law tryst, heard that poetry and singing harmony, playing the piano and playing, but also quite elegant! ”

There were still such clear details, Zhou Baolu was convinced, and asked Princess Zhuang Hui: "What about the old servant?" ”

Princess Zhuang Hui smiled: "I have already begged for it and raised it in my house, but it is really hard to say whether this matter is true or not, and I haven't told my brother yet, so I will talk to my sister-in-law first, and my sister-in-law will consider it." ”

Zhou Baolu stretched out her hand and poked her forehead: "Fineize you!" ”

She said: "This kind of thing is actually meaningless whether it is true or false, for the parties, as long as there is doubt in their hearts, it is enough, especially smart people, the smarter they are, the more easily influenced." ”

Because smart people have more eyes and think more, the easier it is to be suspicious.

Wen Wei is undoubtedly a smart person.

Zhou Baolu's fat paw touched his chin and thought for a while: "I can't say if this matter is needed, I'll tell your brother when I go back, you just have to take care of people." ”

There is nothing wrong with raising a maid horizontally.

Zhou Baolu vaguely felt that there was something that could work in this matter, but he couldn't figure it out for a while, and the two gossiped about Wen Ge Lao's strange wife, Wen Wei's strange mother, Zhou Baolu sighed: "It is said that the wife is virtuous and the husband is less troubleful, and Wen Ge Lao has such a daughter-in-law and can still be a pavilion elder, it is really not easy!" ”

Princess Zhuang Hui said with a smile: "That's Wen Ge Lao is smart, he never takes his daughter-in-law out to socialize, locked up in the backyard, no matter how much he can toss, it's just a family matter, or later Wen Wei married a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Wen actually tossed not only Wen Wei's daughter-in-law almost reconciled, Wen Ge Lao also offended the teacher, Wen Ge Lao made up his mind, got two powerful grandmothers, put them in the back house to take care of things, detained his daughter-in-law, and walked around by the eldest daughter-in-law Zhao. (Please refer to the farce of the Wen family's daughter-in-law to see the Rebirth Pearl, because the process does not affect the plot of this article in this article, so I will not repeat the detailed description.) ）

Zhou Baolu said: "Miss Zhao family, I haven't seen it much, but my aunt's sister-in-law is married in the Zhao family, I heard that there are still rules in the family, and the family style is also upright." ”

Princess Zhuang Hui said with a smile: "The third brother and sister gave birth to the former son, isn't the sister-in-law who is busy in her room also the aunt and grandmother of the Zhao family?" It's just that I didn't pay attention to how close I was to Wen Wei's daughter-in-law. ”

"Oh~~~~~" Zhou Baolu replied in a lengthened voice, indicating that he understood.

The gossip between the two began, chatting more and more happily, the topic became farther and farther, Princess Zhuang Hui was really well-informed, any family could tell some gossip, and some secrets were quite interesting.

After talking for a long time, Zhou Baolu also left Princess Zhuang Hui to eat before leaving.

A few days later, the concubine Niangniang of Zhengming Palace gave birth to a daughter, who is the eighth daughter of the saint today.

Now that the concubine is giving birth, Concubine Xi is seriously ill and can't show up, so she is managed by Concubine Ning, but she also does it with flowers, looking festive, of course, the concubine is not very festive, the previous child said the wrong thing, the emperor locked her up for two months, she was afraid and anxious, looking forward to having another prince to invite pet, but she didn't think it was a princess.

But what relieved her was that although she was born a princess, the emperor still came to see her for the first time, with a pleasant face and soft speech, not only relieved her ban, allowed her mother's family to come to see her, but also rewarded the concubine and the eighth daughter of the emperor with a lot of things.

A stone in the concubine's heart fell to the ground, which was a little more relieved. In the past two months, the concubine has been hanging her heart, and she has not gained weight at all until she gives birth.

The concubine's maiden sister-in-law and sisters were finally allowed to enter the palace to see her, and the sister-in-law withdrew from the people who were waiting, and talked with her secretly for half an hour, naturally repeatedly persuading her not to act rashly, especially now that the prince cannot be brought down for a while, she can't be easily provoked.

The concubine was frightened this time, she didn't have the opportunity to serve the emperor before, but then she had the opportunity, and she has been favored, this is the first time she really feels what it means to be unpredictable, and she is like a tiger, and after listening to her sister-in-law's words, she naturally has no mouth to come down.

Therefore, the concubine at the baptism ceremony this time was particularly gentle, and she put her posture very low towards the clan and the crown princess.

Zhou Baolu is simply thankful, as long as the concubine doesn't come to provoke her, it's a good thing!

There are a lot of people here, because it is a happy event, everyone is wearing flowers, all of them are bright, Zhou Baolu has sharp eyes, and when he sees Wei Wen's talking in front of the concubine, he is very intimate, three or four steps away from the two of them, a woman about twenty years old is sitting alone, and she does not go to talk to them.

That position is very strange, looking at the place, it should be the concubine's relatives, but the distance is a few steps away, and the woman's expression is quiet, her posture is indifferent, and she doesn't seem to have the slightest intention of turning her head to the concubine to have fun.

Zhou Baolu looked at it with interest, and then heard Wang Jinxiu next to him come out of nowhere, and said with a smile: "That's my sister-in-law's sister-in-law, the wife of Prince Wen." ”

This ghost!