Chapter 234: Double Happiness Comes to the Door

After seeing the ceremony, Chu Zhen couldn't help but be confused for a while, what day is today, why are the family here, thinking for a moment but still puzzled, he couldn't help but cast his questioning eyes on Mrs. Hui on the side, but found that she smiled lightly, looked joyful, and seemed to be a little excited, perceiving Chu Qian's confused gaze, Mrs. Hui didn't speak, just smiled silently.

Just when Chu Zhen wanted to ask, he only heard Chu Luo smile and said: "Qian'er, go back to the room first and tidy up your manners, and when there will be guests coming, don't be rude." ”

What guests? With a little curiosity and a hint of doubt, Chu Zhi saluted slightly, slowly returned to the room, changed into formal clothes, sat in front of the mirror table, and asked Chu'er to help tie up the scattered hair, after thinking for a moment, Chu Zhen turned his head and asked, "Chu'er, do you know what festival it is today?" ”

Bowing his head and thinking for a moment, Chu'er also shook his head lightly and said softly: "The Dragon Boat Festival has just passed, and there should be no other festivals in the whole of May." ”

Dragon Boat Festival, unconsciously it's been a year, fortunately, Chu Zhen is not used to being sentimental, his thoughts flew down, and then he smiled and said: "The elders are dressed up, but they seem to be in a good mood, and it shouldn't be a bad thing to be smiling." ”

"I heard from the adults just now that there are guests coming, maybe some noble person is visiting the mansion." Chu'er guessed, with a sweet smile on his face, he deftly straightened Chu Qian's long hair, skillfully tied it up, fixed it with a hairpin, and then carefully groomed the slightly curled hair.

"Quite possibly." Chu Zhen nodded and said, his heart suddenly moved, could it be that the matter of his own official appointment has finally come to fruition, someone from the palace has conveyed the emperor's appointment, and after thinking about it, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that it should be like this, and the corners of his lips couldn't help but bloom with a bright smile.

Seeing Chu Qian's smile that seemed to be clear to his chest, Chu'er was also a little curious in her heart, and couldn't help but ask softly: "Childe, can you guess what's going on?" ”

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be a happy event." Chu Zhen looked in the mirror, felt very satisfied with his current image, stood up with a smile, stroked Chu'er's delicate pink face, was in a good mood, and said with a chuckle: "Chu'er, remember to congratulate me later." ”

Chu'er's pink little face flushed with a touch of fat, looking at Chu Zhi walking out of the room with a spring breeze on his face, his beautiful eyes swept over for a while, and his soft red lips gently hooked a smile, although it was not clear what was going on, but as long as the son was happy in his heart.

Walking to the front of the hall, he heard a whisper inside, Chu Zhen didn't intend to eavesdrop, he walked straight in, and greeted several elders again, but suddenly found that the hall was quiet when it was neutral, and the eyes of the elders seemed to become a little weird, maybe it was a bit inappropriate to describe it as weird, although a friendly smile appeared on every face, but it gave Chu Zhen the feeling of bad intentions.

There was a sudden change in his heart, and without waiting for Chu Zhen to react, he only heard Chu Qian smile and said: "Qian'er, you actually concealed such an important matter, you can know that it is wrong." ”

"Uncle, what do you mean by that? What am I hiding? Chu Zhi said with a confused face on the surface, but in his heart he hurriedly thought about what secrets he let them know.

"You know in your heart, hurry up and tell the truth, otherwise." Chu Qian's mouth let out a smug and inexplicable laugh, this kid actually didn't admit that he had anything to do with the little lady of the Cao family last time, now I have to see how he explains, before Chu Qian thought about how he should laugh at Chu Qian, the laughter suddenly stopped, and his smug expression turned bitter.

Quietly let go of his fingers, and Pan Shi, whose belly bulged with beautiful lines, smiled: "Quality, don't listen to your uncle's nonsense, my fair lady, good gentleman, it is the principle of nature, mutual admiration, mutual shyness, and reluctance to tell the elders is also human nature, and there is nothing to hide or hide." ”

"Madame's lesson is that I shouldn't talk nonsense." Chu Qian hurriedly said, showing a flattering smile, he didn't dare to brush his wife before she was pregnant, now that Pan is pregnant, Chu Qian is even more obedient to his wife's orders, and he doesn't dare to have the slightest disobedience, of course, he is not afraid, but he is worried that Pan's will not go his way, which will affect his body, you must know that the body immunity of pregnant women is worse than usual, and it is easy to lose some temper, after the guidance of many people who have come over, Chu Qian is naturally careful to remember this.

What's the same thing? This will Chu Zhen is not only confused, but also feels a little confused, she is a lady, and she is admired, and in a daze, Chu Zhen has an inexplicable melancholy in her heart.

Chu Ji has been an official for many years, and he still has this bit of eyesight, noticing Chu Qian's confusion, he chuckled and said: "Okay, if you are vague, I'm afraid you won't understand it if you talk about it." ”

Chu Zhen smiled slightly, and was about to flatter Chu Ji a few words, and ask clearly by the way to solve the doubts in his heart, but at this time, a courtyard suddenly rushed in, wheezing and undecided: "My lord, Mrs. Li is here, just wait in the front hall living room." ”

"It's coming so fast." Chu Ji sighed lightly, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and then he stood up and smiled: "It's good to come, let's go and greet you." After speaking, he walked outside, and the others naturally had no disagreement, and they followed.

At this time, Chu Zhen also knew that the so-called visitor turned out to be this Mrs. Li, although her identity was not detailed, but it could basically be ruled out that it was an official who came to announce the holy decree, but she didn't expect it to be empty, Chu Zhen pursed his lips to hide a trace of disappointment in his heart, and then his curiosity suddenly became vigorous, but he didn't know what the origin of this Mrs. Li could make his family pay so much attention to it, Chu Zhen couldn't help but take a few steps forward gently, and asked quietly: "Mother, who is that Mrs. Li?" ”

"You kid, people have already come to the house last time, and they talked to you for a few words, but you actually forgot." Mrs. Hui sneered, her delicate eyebrows bent into a half moon, her eyes as clear and translucent as autumn water flashed, rippling with a trace of joy, she had been waiting for a long time to finally wait for today, how could she not be happy in her heart.

I've been here, isn't it, my memory is not so bad, could it be that I am old, I have amnesia, and I ignore that I am only sixteen now, and I belong to the time when I am young and in my prime, Chu Zhen frowned and thought about it, after half a ring, there are dozens of people surnamed Li, and there are a few people who can be called Mrs. Li, but there seems to be no one who can be received so ceremoniously by the family.

Just when Chu Zhen was thinking, everyone had already walked to the living room in the front hall, and Chu Zhen didn't bother to continue thinking about it, and looked directly at the visitors, but saw a middle-aged woman wearing a hijab, dragging her skirt to her neck, wearing a purple suit, and gorgeous clothes on the seat in the hall.

Seeing the familiar dress on the woman's body, Chu Zhen's eyelids couldn't help but beat slightly, no wonder Mrs. Hui said that she knew her, and chatted a few words, if she had changed her clothes, she might not be able to remember who she was, but now that her eyes just fell on the purple suit, Chu Zhen could conclude that this person was Mrs. Li, who came three times a day some time ago, and was extremely difficult, known as the first media in the east of Bianliang City.

"Oh, the bachelor, the magistrate, the magistrate, and a few ladies came out to greet each other in person, so how can the little woman afford it." Mrs. Li hurriedly got up, and Ying Ying said with a warm smile on her face, which still had a bit of charm.

Its ancient matchmakers are not like the world imagined, they are all wearing red robes, green scarves on their heads, white powder on their faces, bright red on their mouths, seemingly flowery, but in fact, they are unbearably dressed up, look at Mrs. Li, a well-cut lilac robe, with a soft voice but not rudeness, and there is no difference between the women of the powerful families.

It is precisely because of this that Chu Zhen will talk to her a few times, and leave an impression, but after rejecting her a few times, Mrs. Li did not come to the door again, for a while, Chu Zhen naturally guessed that it was her who was the visitor, after all, with her identity, it seemed that the three Chu brothers, who were officials of the imperial court, could not make a special trip to greet her.

"Aunt Li is polite, there are still many things to trouble you to help in the future." Chu Ji smiled faintly, replied flatly, waved his hand lightly, and everyone sat down.

"Where is the bachelor, it is also the honor of the little woman to be able to promote a marriage for Chu Jinshi." Mrs. Li said with a smile, speaking sincerely, after all, I have been a matchmaker for many years, and I have said countless matchmakers, not to mention success or failure, but there has never been anything as weighty as today's case, if the task can be successfully completed, then my reputation as the first media in the east of the city can be regarded as completely solid.

Regardless of Chu Zhen's face changing lightly after hearing his words, thinking of the bright prospects in the future, Mrs. Li hurriedly took out a piece of flower paper from her arms, and said with a chuckle: "Lord Zhi, this is the woman's family back to the post, please take a look, if you feel that there is no problem, then you can discuss the next step of the wedding ceremony." ”

Chu Luo took the post with a smile, glanced at it casually, and handed it to Mrs. Wang next to her, and Mrs. Wang took the post, and gathered around a few female dependents, talking quietly, showing a satisfied smile from time to time, and after a while, several people nodded slightly in approval.

"If the ladies are satisfied, I would like to." Seeing this, Mrs. Li smiled and said, "Then the next step is." ”

"But I'm not satisfied?" Chu Zhen said in a muffled voice, after understanding what was going on, he knew that he would not speak out again, and the marriage was decided, and he would never have a chance to speak again.

Everyone was stunned, looked at each other, the hall suddenly fell silent, Mrs. Li also closed her mouth, blinked her eyes, Chu Qian suddenly said: "By the way, the matter has not had time to tell the hostage." ”

After Chu Qian's reminder, everyone understood and laughed, which made Chu Qian, who was a little worried in his heart, more and more confused, how to look at their appearance, as if he expected that he would definitely agree to this family business, you must know that you have expressed a state, you don't plan to get married in the past two years, and they also agree with their decision, how can they forget it in a blink of an eye.

"Quality, do you know whose post this is?" Taking the post from Mrs. Hui's hand, Chu Qian said with a smile.

"Please also ask Uncle to solve your doubts." Chu Zhi arched his hand and said.

"Hehe, let's see for yourself." Chu Qian smiled and handed over the post.

After hesitating, Chu Zhen stretched out his hand to take the flower note that exuded a faint fragrance, and without delay, he unfolded it directly, and his eyes fell on the first line of names on the right, the three words Cao Yaxin came into view, his hands couldn't help shaking, and his mind seemed to be blank for a few seconds before he recovered his thoughts.

"How's it going? Are you satisfied now? Chu Qian smiled.

Chu Zhi was stunned, things happened suddenly, he was not prepared, even if he regained his senses, Chu Qian's thoughts were a little confused for a while, and he didn't know how to answer Chu Qian's question, and this appearance fell into the eyes of everyone, but it became a state of joy that he was speechless.

chuckled, Chu Ji explained: "Yesterday morning, Lord Cao in front of the palace came to me and Junrui to discuss this matter, saying that it was the queen's meaning, without your consent, we are not good to agree, so we will push it up first, and then I heard that you and the little lady of the Cao family have already known each other, and when we learned the news, we simply made our own decisions and made a draft post, ready to give you a surprise." ”

Originally, Chu Ji didn't need to explain, but he was worried that the most promising son of the Chu family had a pimple in his heart, Chu Ji felt that he still needed to clarify it to hide his weakness, after all, what he said was untrue, when Cao Ji discussed this matter with the two of them, he was stunned, and when he heard that it was the order of Queen Cao Yi, the two of them only hesitated for a few seconds, and immediately agreed.

Afterwards, the two of them felt embarrassed, after all, what was Chu Zhen's mind, they knew in their hearts that according to their thoughts, but Chu Zhen had not yet reached the age of a weak crown, so what did it matter if they waited for a few years, maybe they would understand it then, and they would change their minds without being persuaded at all, and they were naturally unwilling to force Chu Zhen to marry anyone, and they were a little optimistic.

But now it is different from before, the Cao family, which is the top famous family in the Great Song Dynasty, what are the benefits of marrying with it, there is no need to think about it at all, Chu Ji and Chu Luo know it, and this is also for the sake of Chu's good quality, weighing the pros and cons, the two were overjoyed, naturally without the slightest hesitation, smiling and promised, Chu Luo also wrote a post on the spot and handed it to Cao Tong.

It was clear from the surprise, going back on its word didn't seem like something that the elders should do, although they didn't promise it personally, but after all, they also acquiesced, and now they do something that seems to be regretted, the two of them really can't erase this face, thinking about it for a while, the two of them thought of Chu Qian, who usually has the best relationship with Chu Qian, and immediately went to the door, who knows that when Chu Qian knew what was going on, he immediately laughed before he heard the two of them talk about their worries.

When he knew that Chu Zhen and Cao Yaxin had already met, and they were secretly in love, the unexpected surprise again made Chu Ji and Chu Luo stunned, and after coming back to their senses, they immediately began to prepare, and the Cao family also sent news in due time, and they were carrying out the wedding procedures together, and made a decision to each other, and the next step should be that the two parties should meet each other's daughters-in-law.

Generally, the man's relatives or matchmakers go to the woman's house to see, of course, there are also men who go to see it in person, mainly because they are afraid that the other party's appearance and family background are not as described by the matchmaker, so as to prevent being deceived, but thinking of Chu Zhen and Cao Yaxin's acquaintance, several elders are still considering whether to skip this step, directly make a financial gift, and choose an auspicious day of the zodiac to get things done.

"What do you think?" Hearing Mrs. Hui's soft voice, Chu Zhi woke up leisurely and shook his head vigorously, as if he wanted to throw away his chaotic thoughts.

"What's wrong with you?" Mrs. Hui asked softly, her warm hand caressing Chu Zhi's forehead, and her beautiful eyes flashed with concern.

"It's okay, I just feel like it came a little suddenly, and I don't seem to be ready." Chu Zhi said with a wry smile, his heart was still like a mess.

"That's right, when I married your aunt back then, my uncle was the same, I suspected that it was in a dream, and it took several days to come to my senses." Chu Qian said with a smile and took a few of Pan's charming eyes.

"Hehe, Qian'er, you don't need to prepare anything for this matter, just be a groom official with peace of mind." Chu Ji smiled and said, "Leave other things to you." After a pause, thinking that he was still busy with government affairs, and he was not good at it, Chu Ji continued: "Just leave it to your aunt and aunt to deal with." ”

Several female dependents naturally nodded again and again, and Mrs. Hui's smile became brighter and brighter, although she was reluctant to have someone snatch her son's love from her, but when she heard Chu Luo analyze the benefits of her son's marriage with the Cao family, she immediately changed her mind, anyway, this day will come sooner or later, for the sake of her son's future, it didn't matter earlier.

Just when several female dependents were excitedly discussing what color brocade cloth should be used to decorate the new house, Chu Ji and the three of them listened to the female relatives discuss with a smile and interjected a few words from time to time, and Chu Zhen hesitated whether to open his mouth and refuse, there was a sudden noise of gongs and drums outside the Chu Mansion.

Everyone in the hall hesitated, and suddenly saw the gatekeeper courtyard rushing over, and said without saying a word: "My lord, someone from the palace has come." ”

"Someone from the palace, isn't it the queen who personally sent down the will?" Chu Ji said in surprise, causing everyone to be happy, the queen issued a decree to discuss marriage, which is a rare glory.

"Butler, set up the incense case, and prepare to welcome the order." Chu Luo hurriedly ordered, and when he commanded the servants in the palace to prepare, everyone did not dare to slack off, and hurriedly greeted them.

At this time, the gate of Chu Mansion has been completely opened, everyone came to the door to look out, only to see a few waiters in front of the door, surrounded by a group of guards, waiting quietly, there are a few people in their hands embroidered with auspicious clouds and dragons and phoenix patterns of the pennant, but it symbolizes the presence of the Son of Heaven in person, after confirming the undoubted, everyone hurriedly stepped forward to salute, and welcomed a few waiters into the front yard.

"Who is the new science and technology scholar Chu Qian?" Seeing that the incense table had been placed in the courtyard, the head of the chamberlain had a smile like approval on his face, and he didn't talk nonsense, he said directly, his voice was a little sharp and harsh, but no one cared, or he didn't show it if he cared in his heart.

"It's down there, but I don't know what the big pavilion has to teach you?" Chu Zhen stepped forward and arched his hand, a little reluctant in his heart, and naturally had a somewhat calm and unhurried bearing.

It is worthy of being a well-known young talent, and his bearing is really extraordinary, and the waiter secretly praised it in his heart, but on the surface, he was not moved at all, but he just stepped forward slightly, and shouted: "By the order of the Son of Heaven, Chu Zhi will accept the order." ”

"The minister is here." Chu Zhen subconsciously responded, and only then did he react, and hurriedly bowed deeply, even when he was in the regular court, the hundred officials did not have to kneel and bow, and the same was true when the decree was announced.

Isn't it the queen's will, how did it change to the order of the Son of Heaven, everyone was puzzled, but they didn't forget to give the gift, and the optimistic Chu Qian thought in his heart, maybe after the official family knew about it, for the sake of the queen's feelings, they simply issued a decree to give marriage.

Looking around slightly, I found that everyone's expressions were respectful, solemn and quiet, and their hearts were satisfied, and the chamberlain then raised his voice and recited: "Pardon said, the first and tenth place and the first Jinshi Chu quality, good temperament, gentle and frugal, meritorious to the community, I am pleased, I am specially rewarded, awarded Dali Commentator, sent to Hangzhou, know the affairs of Qiantang County, and appreciate three colored satins." ”

The holy decree is long and long, and there are many unnecessary modified words, which make people dazzled, but it is not so much that they don't know what to do, anyway, there are a few sentences that Chu Zhen heard very clearly, and he made meritorious contributions, and the Son of Heaven was pleased, and he was awarded Dali Commentary, Qiantang County, and the will of the Son of Heaven, that is, he was going to be an official, Chu Zhen thought in a trance.

"Chu Commentary, please accept the order." The chamberlain chuckled, his voice soft, not as shrill as it had just been.

"Your Majesty's Order, Thank You for Your Grace." Feeling that someone was pushing him behind his back, Chu Zhen came back to his senses, and hurriedly stepped forward to take the bright yellow holy decree, and bowed to the middle of the palace, and then became a little dazed and at a loss.

"It's been a lot of hard work." Fortunately, Chu Luo and the others were experienced, and they glanced lightly, and the housekeeper immediately offered a few bags of candy and pastries to express their gratitude.

After weighing the pastries that were different from the 'heavy' and had a lot of things inside, the smiles of several chamberlains became more and more kind, and under the pretext of going back to the palace to resume their lives, they politely refused Chu Luo's proposal to set up a banquet to stay, and under the polite gift of everyone, they got into the sedan chair and returned to the palace in a comfortable mood.

"Qian'er, what is written in the holy decree, hurry up and show it to my uncle." As soon as the gate of the Chu Mansion was closed, Chu Qian had no choice but to say, his eyes were full of excitement and joy.

"Didn't the palace attendant already read it out in public just now, it's hard for the uncle not to hear it." Having said that, Chu Zhen still handed over the holy decree with a smile.

Chu Qian did not argue, took the holy decree, carefully unfolded it, watched and recited the content over and over again, the excitement was difficult to suppress, if the unknown person saw this scene, he would still think that the holy decree was for him.

"After watching it for so long, it's time for someone else's turn." Pan said in a coquettish voice, showing his tender white slender hands.

How dare Chu Qian disobey, he put the holy decree on Pan's palm with a smile, walked to Chu Qian's side, suddenly patted him on the shoulder, and laughed and praised: "Okay, Qian'er, it took more than ten years for my uncle to become a magistrate, if you compare with you, you can be ashamed." ”

"Uncle is laughing again, how can this be compared." Chu Zhen smiled and shook his head, Chu Qian's words seem reasonable, in fact, they are two different things, the auspicious charm under the jurisdiction of Kaifeng Mansion and the Qiantang County under the jurisdiction of Hangzhou are not at the same level at all, the counties of the Song Dynasty are divided into eight grades, including Chi County, Qi County, Wang County, Tight County, Shang County, Zhong County, Middle and Lower County, and Xia County, of which Chi County and Qi County are near the capital and outside, and the official rank is seven grades, and the others are in various places, which are from the eighth grade, and the Beijing officials and local officials are not only a few levels apart, but the difference in treatment can be understood.

"Big brother, something seems to be wrong." From the surprise intersection, Chu Luo hesitated and said: "According to common sense, with the rank of Qian'er, his dispatch should be the general judge or official of a certain prefecture, and the court practice is that new jinshi is only allowed to be a deputy position, so as not to make mistakes due to unfamiliar government affairs, and how did Qian'er become a magistrate, among them. ”

It's no wonder that Chu Luo is cautious, the officialdom is treacherous and unpredictable, it can be seen from Chu Zhen's innocent involvement, now Chu Zhen's official position has come down, but it is not in line with the norm, the lessons of the previous teacher have passed, who dares to forget.

After pondering for a moment, Chu Ji smiled and said, "Junrui doesn't have to worry, I can guess what the official family means." ”

"Madam, I ordered the kitchen to prepare a banquet, and today is a double happiness, how can I not celebrate." Chu Luo said with a chuckle, and several female relatives also understood that the men were talking about the secrets of officialdom, and it was not appropriate to listen to them, so they also smiled and commanded the servants to set up tables in the courtyard, while several men returned to the hall, waved back left and right, and whispered softly.

"In fact, it is easy to understand, although thirty is just a ridiculous statement, but the official family did not leave a trace of hesitation in the heart of the official, naturally will not allow the quality of the child to enter the officialdom, immediately occupy a high position, of course, it may also be that the official family is afraid of granting the post of the official of the general judgment of the quality child, and it has attracted the opposition and approval of some ministers of the imperial court, and the argument is endless, this kind of thing is obviously unwilling to see the official." Chu Ji carefully analyzed and said: "But the official family also knows that the innocent person was affected, and he made a contribution in the fake prince case, if he is given some low-level official positions, I am afraid that the official family itself will not be embarrassed." ”

"So simply adopt a compromise method, do not allow high positions, do not grant low positions, and simply give a magistrate." Chu Qian smiled and said, "And it's still a regular job, so let the quality child hone for a few years." ”

"Not only that, but the granting of a regular position is also a blessing and a curse." Chu Ji shook his head and sighed with a smile: "If Qian'er makes political achievements in office, it is naturally easy to be promoted, and if he does nothing, then he can justifiably let Zhen'er experience a few more years in the county governor's office, which is really a double win." ”

is worthy of being a member of the imperial court, what the emperor's actions mean, can be speculated nine times out of ten, Chu Zhen admires it in his heart, and he does not have the slightest complaint against Zhao Zhen, the son of heaven, after all, Chu Ji has analyzed it very clearly, and appointing himself as the magistrate seems to be a disadvantage to himself, but there are also many benefits.

Moreover, Qiantang Zhixian, Hangzhou, that is a heavenly place, picturesque, peaceful, hundreds of years away from the Fangla Uprising, it will definitely not affect himself, think about it carefully, the emperor is still quite humane, as long as it is safe, what political achievements and the like are secondary, it is a big deal to do a few more years to know the county, it is a good place with beautiful mountains and rivers, and it seems that the temperament of a few more years is not bad.

"Don't worry, when it comes to governing places, I still have some experience." Chu Qian smiled and said, "Don't go anywhere these days, listen to me carefully." ”

"Why don't you go, you forgot about the blind date?" Chu Ji reminded with a smile.