"After a few years of hard work, has the fourth brother's strength developed to this point?" Cao Hao walked out of the Thirteenth Elder Brother's Mansion and rode on a horse, and what lingered in his ears was the murmur of the Thirteenth Elder Brother when he was drunk.

Both of them are smart people, and before drinking, no one continued to talk about the topic of "Fourth Elder Brother".

After listening to Cao Hao's analysis and knowing that Kangxi was not targeting him alone, the frustration of the thirteenth elder brother unconsciously decreased a few points.

"Don't suffer from the few, but suffer from inequality", this is the truth.

The rice and water have not been eaten for two days, and the thirteenth elder brother is also really hungry.

When the Thirteenth Fujin personally brought someone to bring the wine and food, the Thirteenth Elder Brother had already returned to the inner house to change his clothes and finished simply grooming.

Cao Hao ate breakfast early, and at noon he filled a mouthful of food in the yamen, and he was also a little hungry.

The guests and hosts are both open-minded people, and they don't talk about those false courtesies.

Around the kang table, first the wind swept the clouds, and they were half-full, and then the two of them ate and drank one cup after another.

The thirteenth elder brother has put away his self-pity and self-pity, and talked about the royal driver's personal expedition to Galdan back then.

At that time, he was also in his teens, and he was already half an adult.

Among the elder brothers, except for the second elder brother who was the crown prince at the time, who sat in the capital and exercised the power of supervising the country, the other elder brothers over the age of fifteen all followed the imperial battle.

"Hate not to be born a few years early", "Hate not to be a few years late", one night, the thirteenth elder brother just said these two sentences in his mouth.

A few years earlier, he would have been able to catch up with that expedition to the west and take revenge in his chest; In the evening, he doesn't have to get involved in these messy things, and he is happy to be a prince like the sixteenth elder brother and the seventeenth elder brother.

It wasn't until he was drunk that he couldn't support it, and when he fell on the kang with his eyes closed, the thirteenth elder brother said in a low voice: "After a few years of hard work, has the fourth brother's strength developed to this point?" ”

He seemed to be asking Cao Hao, and he seemed to be asking himself again.

In this voice, there is confusion, joy, and unspeakable entanglement...... The night was dark, and the evening breeze was blowing.

Cao Hao rode on horseback, thinking about the words of the thirteenth elder brother, and squinted his eyes slightly.

As the prince's elder brother, the thirteenth elder brother also had a lot of thoughts about that position, right?

The ninth son seized the heir, and the fourth elder brother first attached himself to the prince, and later became friendly with the eighth elder brother, and was misunderstood by Kangxi as the "Eighth Master Party". It wasn't until after the second abolition of the prince that he became more and more lonely, working hard when he was on errands, and worshipping the Buddha "devoutly" at other times.

The eighth elder brother is so happy, Kangxi has reprimanded him several times over the years, but he is still much appeased.

Only the eldest brother is circled, the prince is abolished, and the thirteenth elder brother is completely neglected.

Regarding the reason why the thirteenth elder brother was convicted back then, there are various theories, including "handwriting to transfer troops", "appeasement of the prince", and "preservation of the thirteen".

What the truth is, only Kangxi and the thirteenth elder brother father and son know in their hearts.

"Knowing the son is better than the father"? The thirteenth elder brother's high spirits and the thirteenth elder brother's strength have all become Kangxi's heart disease. Afraid that he will repeat the mistakes of the eldest brother, in order to protect him, is he so snubbed?

Such a humane Kangxi is like a loving father, but he doesn't look like an emperor anymore.

Perhaps the so-called truth is not "protection", but a real rejection.

Emperor, what I value most in my heart is the high position of the Ninety-Five.

Kangxi ascended the throne at an early age, and the opportunities were different from those of other emperors. Ever since he was a teenager, he could not tolerate others challenging his dictatorship.

Ao Bai, Wu Sangui and others in the early years, Suo Etu and Mingzhu in the middle period, and the princes and brothers who emerged at the end of the period.

The thirteenth elder brother is not a fool, in addition to being sad because he was rejected for war, what makes him desperate is that he can no longer continue to deceive himself.

All of a sudden, a ridiculous thought arose in Cao Yan's heart.

He suddenly wanted to use his pen to record what he saw, heard, and the characters and events of the Kangxi Dynasty. In that way, future generations will be able to have a deeper understanding of this dynasty according to his writings.

Kangxi, who was touted as the "Emperor of the Ages" by later generations, also has a stubborn side.

It seems to be "benevolence and filial piety", with the world in mind, but in fact it is hidden under its "tolerance" mask, which is a moody, hateful surname.

However, thinking of the literary prison that became more and more fierce in the Yongzheng and Qianlong dynasties, Cao Yan hurriedly shook his head.

The so-called history books are the words that are allowed to be recorded on the bottom line of the emperor's tolerance. Those who dare to reflect the folk customs and political affairs of "a certain dynasty and a certain generation" can only change their words and become novelists.

The crisis of the Cao family was resolved, and the soil for "Dream of Red Mansions" was gone.

The Cao Xueqin in history, whether it is God's blessing or the son after Xiao Wu, will not write this post-apocalyptic glory again.

Thinking of this, Cao Yan touched his forehead, even if he remembered the general plot of "Dream of Red Mansions", he didn't have the ability to write it silently, right?

Before I knew it, I had entered the alley and was about to arrive at the gate of Cao's house.

At this time, I heard Xiao Man say: "Uncle, the one who just entered the side door of the East Mansion looks like the third master!" ”

Hearing this, Cao Yan looked forward.

Under the red lantern of Dongfu, the side door has just been closed.

Back in the house, after Cao Yan went to Lanyuan to see his parents, he returned to Wutong Garden.

Chu Yu sat under the lamp, holding a needle and thread in his hand, and when he saw Cao Yan coming in, he got up and waited for him to freshen up.

"How do you do needlework at night, and watch carefully. I can't be idle, so I need to order a few more lights, and our family is not short of that little lamp oil money. Cao Hao finished changing clothes, washed his face, and sat by the kang to watch Chu Yu's needlework.

He originally thought it was Tianhui, Tianyou, Hengsheng, and a few of them, with a belly pocket or something, but he didn't expect it to be a pair of women's shoes with red satin.

The sole of the shoe has not yet been attached, and now most of the flowers on the upper are embroidered. It is the pattern of Ruyi peony, a circle of large and small peonies, plus Ruyi cloud pattern, it looks very graceful and atmospheric.

If nothing else, let's just say that this peony petal uses more than a dozen colors from dark to light.

The stitches are so dense that you can't see it, so it can be seen that you have used your heart.

"Why did you think of making embroidered shoes, and I don't see you wearing this?" Cao Hao remembered the purse embroidered by Chu Yu when he saw him for the first time, and then looked at the exquisite embroidery work in front of him, and asked his wife with a smile, but he felt a little distressed in his heart.

Over the years, Cao Hao's underwear, Chu Yu has never faked his hands to others. It's all stitches and threads, and they are made by themselves. Later, when she had children, Chu Yu did not let go of needlework.

How many times have these ten fingers been pricked before they have reached their current level.

Chu Yu arrived at the bowl of tea and personally delivered it to Cao Hao, and then replied with a smile: "It's not mine, it's for my wife." I asked the grandmother in the house for many years, in this 'dark nine' year, in addition to doing things, I must finally wear red clothes and tie a red belt. There is a red belt on my wife's side, and I want to sew a set of clothes, shoes and socks before my wife's birthday. ”

Although he is not superstitious about this, but thinking that "Dark Nine" means unlucky, Cao Hao is also a little unhappy in his heart.

He took a sip of tea, looked up and asked Chu Yu, "How is my mother today, but what is uncomfortable?" When I went to look, my wife was lying in the back room. Even if you are a good person, you can't lie down like this, and when you are free during the day, you will also pull your mother out for a walk. ”

When Chu Yu heard this, he hesitated for a moment and said, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs has sent two old grandmothers over, and Ming'er will start to raise the fetus and protect the fetus, so I have to listen to their arrangements." They had served nobles in the palace in their early years, and they heard that there were some regulations in the twins. ”

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs?" Cao Yan couldn't help but be surprised, and frowned: "How could this Internal Affairs Office send someone to our house?" Our side is not the royal mansion Baylor Mansion......" Speaking of this, he couldn't go on.

According to previous speculation, the real identity of the Li family is either Kangxi's exiled princess or Kangxi's niece.

Whether it is the princess or the queen's niece, for the sake of the old people, it is reasonable to take care of one or two.

"I heard that it was sent by the princess and the mother, and the various precious medicinal materials given by the mother, and the wife is still embarrassed, although she is impatient to see people, but since there is a reward in the palace, she has to go over to thank her." Chu Yu said while collecting the needle and thread on the kang.

Because the princess gave birth to three princes in a row, she had some status in the harem.

In these years, among the concubines of the palace, almost all of them have a place for the princess.

In the harem, in addition to the concubines and the four concubines of De, Yi, Rong and Hui, there are also several royal concubines who are the most decent.

Although the Wang family is treated as a "concubine" and is the head of the first palace, after all, he has not been sealed by the Golden Book, and his name is not right, how can he meddle in palace affairs?

To say that the sixteenth elder brother is now in charge of the internal affairs office, and it is not difficult for the princess to summon people. However, after all, she has been in the harem for more than 20 years, so she should not be so reckless.

It's just in the name of the princess, which has Kangxi's "holy family" to the Cao family, so he will be so rewarded.

Thinking of the predicament of the thirteenth elder brother, Cao Yan was also a little interested in Kangxi's "favors".

He didn't bother to think about it anymore, went to the kang, changed the topic and said, "I came back just now, and I seem to have seen the third child." Didn't he say that he went to the Shilang Mansion to make amends, did he hear any back? This late midnight return is enough for him to toss. ”

Chu Yu shook his head and said, "The second wife is here at the beginning and the next day, and when she talks to the wife, she mentions it, and listens to what it means, this time it was the in-laws who stopped Ruhui from coming back." For what reason, the second wife didn't say it clearly. just said that the in-laws over there have already loosened their mouths, and here they will let the third brother see the past to make amends. ”

Cao Yan thought about Cao Shuo's young age, and now he was busy with his wife and concubine, so he couldn't help frowning, and said, "The third child used to look stable, why is it like this now?" Marrying a wife should be a virtuous man, this sentence is indeed true. ”

said in his mouth, but he was still biased towards Cao Shuo in his heart.

There is a strong mother like Zhaojia's family, and she remarried Ruhui, a powerful daughter-in-law, and she couldn't bear it.

It's biased, and the blame place is still weird. At a young age, indulging in women's sex is too undeserved.

Regarding the fact that the cousins have concubines and concubines, Cao Yan's mood is also complicated, as if he is a little jealous, and he seems to be a little envious.

Although he is lazy, in the bottom of every man's heart, he still looks forward to being able to enjoy the blessings of all people.

Chu Yu glanced at Cao Yan, but disagreed with his opinion, and said: "I can't complain like Hui Annoyance, whoever this matter is left behind, it will make trouble for a while." In the end, the new daughter-in-law enters the door, and she has to save some face. Besides, this side is no better than others, and it is Ruhui's own aunt's family, so naturally I never thought that I would be so wronged. ”

What Chu Yu said was reasonable, and Cao Yan didn't say anything else.

Although the number of times this uncle and his brother and daughter-in-law can meet is limited, Cao Yan has also heard of Ruhui's "fierce" name.

He thought about it for a while and said: "Between husband and wife, appearance and conversation are secondary, and the most important thing is that the surname is the same, which is the long-term way." The third child and Ruhui are a pair, the third child is round on the outside and square on the inside, Ruhui is the child's surname, and it is not easy to get along properly. ”

In the end, the family has been separated, and for Cao Shuo's affairs, the Zhaojia family is in charge, and their cousin and sister-in-law almost can't interject.

After a couple of words, the husband and wife mentioned the relocation of Tianyou and Hengsheng.

Now the children are placed in the east house, although it is lively, but it is not good to catch up with one, and the three children are not resting well.

Cao Yan discussed with Chu Yu and decided to place Tianyou and Hengsheng in Kwai Yuan.

In addition to wanting the children to live spaciously, I also hope to make Amethyst more popular.

In the early years, when Tianhui was born, Hengsheng had only lived in Kwai Yuan, and Amethyst was also very painful.

Now, in addition to helping Chu Yu take care of the inner house, Amethyst rarely goes out of the Kwai Courtyard and copies scriptures throughout the day, which makes people feel uneasy.

After saying this, the husband and wife went into the back room to settle in.

Because of the wine, Cao Yan was also a little moved.

Husband and wife, there is no need to have some "boudoir fun". Between the sheets, ** passed, Cao Yan was already snoring.

Chu Yu couldn't sleep, looking at the bed curtain in a daze.

If Hui can't tolerate her husband's room, will she lose the word "virtuous"?

After all, there is no woman in the world who is not jealous.

Let's just say that Chu Yu is herself, and when she thinks about it in Ruhui's situation, she also feels heartbroken.

However, as the daughter-in-law of the Cao family, her in-laws love her and her husband cares, what should she do?

She touched her belly and faintly felt a little anticipation.

If the mother-in-law gave birth to a boy, the bloodline of the Cao family's family would not be so thin, and the inheritance of the heirs would be borne by the husband alone...... * The second time, the east mansion, the west across the courtyard, and the upper room.

The maid Yinxiang held a feather duster in her hand and wiped the dust everywhere. When she arrived at Baibaoge, she couldn't help but be surprised: "Hey, why is there another empty place, what about this Jin Ruyi?" ”

In the room, there was also a maid wearing a cyan vest, who came over when she heard the words, and looked at Baibaoge and frowned.

"Sister Zangxiang, look, this is empty again, yesterday there was no clouded golden lion, and today there is no Jin Ruyi, isn't this a thief?" As she spoke, she couldn't help but look around and shudder.

Their "fragrant" girls are a total of four. In addition to being sent to Zhuangzi with a pregnant fragrance, there is also a beautiful fragrance.

After Ruhui returned to her parents' house, Zhao Jia's family looked at her son's house one by one. Because of the good color of the fragrance, I was afraid that she would be restless, so I sent it out to match the boy.

Zangxiang and Yinxiang are obedient and have mediocre appearances, and Zhao Jia's family taught them a lesson, so they still let them wait here.

The two maids left by Ruhui have been picked up by the Shilang Mansion. In this courtyard, only Tibetan incense and hidden incense are left waiting with a few little maids.

Zangxiang raised his head and looked at Baibaoge one by one, but the more he looked at it, the more frightened he became.

The place where the blue and white double phoenix pattern bottle was originally placed was replaced with a blue and white three-fruit pattern garlic bottle; The place where the ivory flower carved fairy statue is placed is replaced with a white marble Buddha hand; The place where the white jade carving Sanyang Kaitai ornaments are placed, and the white grapefruit pen holder is replaced...... There were more than 20 ornaments in total, and five or six pieces were replaced.

Because of the change of things, either the color is almost the same, or the style is almost the same, if you are not careful, you really can't see it.

Yinxiang is old, and she doesn't know how much she is worried, how old is Zangxiang, her palms are already sweaty, and her body is a little soft.

She stroked her chest, forced her heart, and whispered to Yinxiang: "Don't be public, otherwise you and I won't be able to do anything." This matter cannot be hidden, and it must be reported immediately. ”

When Yinxiang heard this, she couldn't help but tremble, showing a look of panic, and said, "Sister, are you going to the wife's room, I'm afraid." ”

Hidden incense is different from Tibetan incense, it is the son of a family on this side of the capital, and when the second room first entered Beijing, it was divided in Cao Shuo's room.

In the past few years, she can be regarded as having seen Zhaojia's Yinwei, which is really like a cat avoiding mice.

The death of the jade spider in the early years, coupled with the fact that Liuxiang was indiscriminately pointed at a pockmarked child just because of anger a few years ago, made Yinxiang more and more afraid of Zhaojia's family.

Zangxiang thought for a while, shook his head and said, "Don't go to the wife's room, report to the second grandmother first, and see what the second grandmother tells ......."

(To be continued)