The holy driver returned to Changchun Garden on the 10th day of the ninth month, and Cao Hao had to resume his homework in the study since September 11. I haven't seen him for more than half a year, not only the sixteenth elder brother has grown taller, but even those teenage emperors and grandsons have jumped a lot taller. In addition, there is one more little brother of appropriate age, that is, Brother Hongshi of Prince Yong's Mansion.

Prince Yong Yinzhen was born in the seventeenth year of Kangxi, and now he is thirty-two years old, he has been divided for many years, and he has married a lot of wives and concubines, but it is difficult to have children, the eldest son and the second son have died one after another, and now there is only one son, Hongshi.

Hiroshi was born in February of the forty-third year, when he was six years old, and began to study in March. He is not a big person, but he knows the rules very well, and he is no worse than those older emperors and grandsons. When Cao Hao saw this villain, he couldn't help but think of himself many years ago. Speaking of this child, it is somewhat similar to his own fate, except that he died of illness, and this little brother died inexplicably when he became an adult. Some say that he died of illness, some say that he committed suicide, and some say that his father Yongzheng poisoned him with medicine, but no matter what, it didn't end well.

The sixteenth elder brother is tall, and the childishness on his face has gradually faded, and he already looks a little young and heroic. He was born at the age of 15 in June this year, and at that time, Cao Hao specially sent someone to send him a congratulatory gift from the south.

The gift was an object from the West, a calculator of the time, a cylindrical logarithmic slide rule, invented by the English priest Ochhard. If it were someone else, I wouldn't be interested in the child's toy-like woodwork, but because Sixteen liked arithmetic since he was a child, he treated that gift as if it were a treasure.

During the recess, the sixteenth elder brother went to Cao Hao's side and muttered, in addition to asking about Cao Yin's condition, there was naturally Cao Hao's mother Li. At the mention of the Li family, the sixteenth elder brother suddenly remembered something and asked Cao Hao in a low voice: "This time back to the south, did you go to Uncle Suzhou?" ”

Cao Hao heard him mention the Li family, he was a little curious, and nodded: "I went with my mother once in May, what's wrong?" ”

The sixteenth elder brother was puzzled: "Then what do you think of their family now, is it going to be a big development or a big defeat?" ”

Cao Hao heard it strangely: "Why do you say that? I don't see any difference from the past! Now that the two cousins are older and have errands, it is not wrong to say that they are developed! ”

The sixteenth elder brother shook his head slightly: "There is still something wrong. Although their family also gave gifts to Eniang in previous years, they were not as generous as this year, and even my brother and I were a generous gift! ”

Cao Hao thought secretly in his heart, but said with a smile on his face: "Maybe it's because I saw that the fifteenth master and you are both older!" ”

The sixteenth elder brother glanced at Cao Hao: "Don't say good things for their family, although I am in the north, I have heard about it." Then the Li family is afraid that they are hugging Kali's thick legs! If they hook up, will it be bad for your family? This favor is too light, then Kali has done something to your family, how can the Li family recognize your enemies as friends when they see your father is sick? ”

I don't know where I heard these words, and now I came to hold the grievances for Cao Hao. Seeing that Cao Hao was just smiling and silent, the sixteenth elder brother thought of what he had just said, and if the son of the Li family had an errand, he said, "By the way, you don't know yet!" I'm afraid that next month, you will also go to the ministry on an errand! ”

Cao Hao really heard this letter for the first time, and couldn't help asking, "Where did you say this?" I really don't know! ”

The sixteenth elder brother was just about to explain in detail, when the master came, and hurriedly whispered to Cao Hao: "I'll tell you carefully after school in a while!" ”

Finally stayed up until the beginning of the afternoon, Cao Hao and the sixteenth elder brother went out of the study, and just wanted to continue to talk about the topic of Fang Cai, when he saw a little eunuch running over and said respectfully: "Slave Zhang Rui to the sixteenth master and Cao Ye to say goodbye, our master invites the two of them over!" ”

"Thirteenth brother? I haven't seen him for more than half a year, and I just miss him! The sixteenth elder brother smiled and patted Cao Hao's shoulder: "Since it is the thirteenth brother who called us, then let's hurry over and take a look." I'm hungry, so if I could drink and eat! Having said that, the eyes that looked at Cao Hao were a little inquiring.

Cao Hao shook his head gently, indicating that he didn't know what the reason for the thirteenth elder brother was calling. He only knew that there was no thirteenth elder brother among the princes of the grassland this year, and he heard that he was recuperating in the capital due to rheumatism, and he couldn't help but worry that the thirteenth elder brother's leg disease would worsen.

When they arrived at the elder brother's office, they saw the thirteenth elder brother who was completely different from last year, who even needed crutches to walk, and Cao Hao and the sixteenth elder brother were also very surprised. The sixteenth elder brother was very close to this elder brother, and his eyes widened and asked, "Thirteenth elder brother, is this cured?" It doesn't look good in April! ”

The thirteenth elder brother was in a good mood: "I knew that Xiao Sixteen returned to Beijing yesterday, and Xiao Cao will definitely come to the study today!" At this point, he pointed to the stool in the hall and asked the two to sit down.

Waiting for the two of them to sit down, the thirteenth elder brother smiled at Cao Hao: "You can come back to Beijing, it can be seen that your father is also in good health, but I have been familiar with the Tai Hospital in the past six months, if there are any medicinal materials in need, tell me!" ”

"Thirteenth Master Xie is worried, my father has recovered!" Cao Hao replied with his fists clenched.

The thirteenth elder brother nodded, and said to Cao Hao: "That's good, although I have been recuperating in the past six months, I have vaguely heard some rumors in the south of the Yangtze River, but it is a mess, I am really worried that your father is still sick, and you will not be able to come back if you are trapped there!" ”

This sounded solid, Cao Hao's heart was warm, and he said with a smile: "Look at what the Thirteenth Master said, I'm just going back to serve the sick, even if there is more trouble over there, what's the matter with me?" ”

The thirteenth elder brother frowned slightly and said, "Even if you don't want to get involved, others can't do it to you?" When Kali and Zhang Boxing had a quarrel in June, someone in the capital really had the idea of beating your family! When the Jiangnan Wolf Mountain General Army stepped down, someone 'kindly' asked you to fill the vacancy, and the reason was very sufficient, because you are an only son, so it is convenient for you to fulfill your filial piety. ”

Cao Hao tugged at the corners of his mouth, the other party was really "kind". If someone really did something in the capital and let Cao Hao make up for that shortage, not only would he offend Kali, but he was afraid that the governor Zhang Boxing would also misunderstand that the Cao family and Kali were in the same stream.

Although Cao Hao wanted to know who that person was, he didn't ask when he saw the meaning of the thirteenth elder brother, and it didn't mean to continue to talk about it. But he understood one thing in his heart, the thirteenth elder brother is a recuperating elder brother, if there is no news from the outside, he should not know about these, could it be that the fourth elder brother said it? This time, the saint drove to the grassland, and among the left-behind elder brothers in the capital, there was the fourth elder brother Yong, Prince Yinzhen.

Although the sixteenth elder brother was still a little ignorant about political affairs, he also heard that the so-called "kindness" was a rhetoric, and couldn't help but snort coldly: "Let them make trouble, with Huang Ama here, can they still play flowers?" Huang Ama is not old and confused, so naturally he will not let the Cao family suffer. ”

"Well, Little Sixteen is right, but it's just some mad dogs! Be careful, but don't take it too seriously! The thirteenth elder brother smiled and said, "It's my illness, but it's so good that I can make a profit, and I want to thank you." I took the recipe for the snake oil essence to the Tai Hospital, and asked them to make the 'snake venom pill'. That one was taken internally, and I used it for half a year with the snake oil essence applied externally, but this leg was almost better! ”

Listening to the domineering name of "snake venom pill", Cao Hao was a little uneasy, if this is to use snake venom to attack damp poison, this toxin will also cost people their lives after accumulation.

Seeing Cao Hao's concern, the thirteenth elder brother said, "Don't worry, it's just that the name is like this, it's all about the poisonous surname!" The doctors in the hospital are even more cautious, but if there is anything inappropriate, even if it is effective, they dare not let me use it! ”

Cao Hao smiled and said: "It's okay, then congratulations to the Thirteenth Master, although this disease is not an emergency, it is really painful, and it is really fortunate to be able to get better!" ”

The thirteenth elder brother sighed with feeling: "Yes, after going through these, I know that having a good body and bones in this world is the most important thing, and everything else is nonsense!" ”

Cao Hao and Sixteen Elder Brother did not answer, but the two thought differently.

What the sixteenth elder brother thought was that since he was a child, he knew that in addition to the crown prince, Huang Ama loved this thirteenth brother the most, but since he was involved in the 48-year abolition of the prince turmoil, the relationship between the father and son has faded. If it weren't for the captivity of beekeeping, how could the thirteenth brother get sick? This is a lesson from the past, those messy things, you must stay away, don't have anything to do with it.

Cao Hao was thinking, if the rheumatism of the thirteenth master is good now, can it still be as silent as in history for more than ten years? Has history changed?

*Cao Fu, Aoi-in.

Amethyst heard that Cheng Mengxing brought two carts of flowers over, so he sent someone to find the steward who sent the flowers to knot the silver, and brought two little maids over, and saw Cheng Mengxing instructing the four florists to move the clusters of chrysanthemums into the newly built flower bed according to the shape, so he smiled and invited him to the side hall to drink tea.

Cheng Mengxing has seen Amethyst a few times in the past few months because of the use of manpower, project money and other things, and knew that she has a transcendent status in the house, so he hurriedly hugged his wrist and thanked her, and asked her: "I'm tired of the girl." But what's the matter? Rong Cheng saw that the flower was put in place before going. ”

Amethyst returned the salute and said, "Mr. Cheng is polite." It's not a big deal, and it's not for Tete to go to the hall to discuss. Before going to school, my uncle instructed us to invite Mr., saying that because the trivial matters at home were busy a few days ago, we should not reward Mr. well, and I just sent a few baskets of good crabs to the village, and I want to ask Mr. to stay and drink a glass of water and wine today. ”

Cheng Mengxing smiled: "But your mansion is polite." I shouldn't have resigned, but because I made an appointment with someone else early in the morning, I had to change my name and ask for mercy again, please ask your mansion Haihan. ”

When Amethyst heard him say this, it was not good to stay any longer, so she only said a few polite words, and ordered the little maid to come over with tea, and another maid fetched water and came over to serve Cheng Mengxing to wash his hands and drink tea.

Cheng Mengxing thanked him again, washed his hands in the basin, took the tea, took a sip, and saw a gardener put the variety in the wrong place, hurriedly put the tea cup down, and called him: "There is a 'golden sunflower' left over there, and this 'golden roll cinnabar' is placed outside." Leave a two-inch-wide place on the edge and insert 'Tzuyun Dianyu'. ”

Amethyst looked at the chrysanthemum, loved it in her heart, and couldn't help but praise: "Mr. is so elegant, especially this 'crow's back sunset', but it is rare." ”

Cheng Mengxing said with a smile: "It turns out that the girl also understands flowers. This flower, it is also a coincidence, the ninth double yang, and the opening of the temple in Longfu Temple, a lot of good chrysanthemums have come out. I walked most of the time in the first ten years of the year, not to look for it, but I didn't want to run into it, but it was an unexpected joy. It's just that there aren't many left, so I bought them. ”

Amethyst smiled: "It's not much, but it's the finishing touch!" I looked at this stack of stones, and said that Mr. would grow orchids. Now chrysanthemums are planted everywhere, but there is a unique autumn rhyme. ”

Cheng Mengxing listened, and couldn't help but look at Amethyst seriously, and felt like he had met a confidant: "What the girl said is not bad at all!" Orchids are indeed the best choice. In fact, Cheng also loves orchids, but if we are in the south, the orchids in the courtyard can still be raised, this northern autumn and winter are too cold, and some orchids can't be raised outside, in the end, this chrysanthemum is frost-resistant. Because of my love for this stack of stones, I didn't change it, but only changed the flower pond to match this chrysanthemum. What a discerning girl! ”

Amethyst was speechless, and hurriedly said: "It's me who is too talkative, Mr. forgive me." ”

Cheng Mengxing waved his hand: "Why should the girl be humble!" Because he has always been informal, he has never underestimated Amethyst because of his subordinate status, and he is quite good at listening to her just now, so he asked Amethyst about the setting of several flower beds.

Amethyst didn't say much, and said a few words of modesty, then retired and said that he wanted to go to the front to sort out the accounts, and said: "The crabs on the village are very good, and Mr. said that he can't stay for a banquet today, so please bring some back for a while, and try it!" ”

Cheng Mengxing didn't shirk it, and thanked him with a smile.

After the flower bed was arranged, when Cheng Mengxing left, a steward really carried two large baskets of crabs, about forty or fifty catties, and handed them over to his entourage, which was about to be loaded into the car.

Cheng Mengxing stopped and smiled: "Where can I eat so much, your mansion is too polite, and I can bear it in one basket." "Leave a basket behind.

The steward hurriedly said: "Miss Amethyst has explained, it was originally prepared to invite Mr. to eat at the table, so please ask Mr. to accept it." If Mr. doesn't accept it, Uncle Hui will have to blame us for not doing things well. ”

Cheng Mengxing had no choice but to accept it, and asked the housekeeper to thank Cao Hao and Amethyst on his behalf.

*Cui'er and Huan'er saw that the flower bed was cleaned up, and they all ran over to take a look. Amethyst was going to Kwai Yuan to get something, and when she saw them, she couldn't help but smile and said, "You know that you are greedy for fun, are your errands all over?" It's all gone, and it's time for the uncle to come back. ”

Cui'er smiled and said, "Sister, don't worry, we're all done." And he said, "I came to see it because of the good flowers." Forgive me for my sin, Miss Cousin also planted a few plants in the yard last year, and it was not as good as this. ”

Amethyst also stood by the flower bed for a while, nodded and said, "This Mr. Cheng is really an elegant person, it's really good to put it like this." ”

Huan'er said with a smile: "Our Miss Cousin is Ai Ju, but she is not good at tinkering with the garden, if she sees this pond of chrysanthemums, I don't know how happy she is." ”

While he was talking, the little maid outside came in and replied that a relative had come to visit Ermen Daily, saying that his surname was Chen.

Amethyst said with a smile: "Just a few of you, Miss Biao, the Chen family is here." As he spoke, he went out to ask, and learned that it was the two housekeepers and their women who came together to say goodbye.

Because Cao Hao was not at home, Amethyst asked Xiaowei to invite the two housekeepers to the side hall to drink tea, and asked Mr. Zhuang to accompany him, so that the two housekeepers and daughters-in-law could meet each other in the flower hall of the inner courtyard.

The two daughters-in-law of the Chen family's housekeepers first presented the gift list, and then explained their intentions. However, it was the Chen family who was named a noble person in the palace who had been pregnant for a few months, and the Chen family got the letter, and they were busy sending people to Beijing to send some food and clothing to the palace. I came here to visit the relatives of the Cao family, but because there was no way to send things into the palace, I wanted to ask the Cao family to take the road of the Internal Affairs Office, or let the princess of Pingjun help send them.

Amethyst didn't dare to respond rashly, so she only asked them where they stayed, and said that she would have to go back and ask the uncle before she could give them an answer. The two housekeepers' daughters-in-law took their leave and went back to wait for news.

* When Cao Hao returned home, Amethyst first talked about the Chen family.

Cao Hao thought for a moment and said, "The Chen family, we have to wait." Now the holy driver has just returned to Beijing, and he is still in Changchun Garden and has not returned to the palace, and the forbidden palace in the Forbidden City is quite strict. We also have to raise a backup gift and send it together. I have to tell the county king's mansion. ”

Amethyst responded one by one, and went back to the backyard to repair the flower bed, Cheng Mengxing couldn't stay for a banquet if he had something, so he gave him two baskets of crabs and other things before leaving.

Cao Hao smiled: "It's okay, let's invite Mr. Cheng again." After pacing out, I went out to look at the flower bed, and when I saw that it was really chic, I also praised it, and couldn't help but say to Amethyst: "It would be nice if it was arranged two days earlier, Chongyang is just eating crabs and appreciating chrysanthemums." ”

Cao Yi heard that his brother came back from school, and Cao Song and Cao Song also came to say goodbye, and when he heard Cao Hao say this, he smiled and said: "It's not too late to reward now!" ”

Cao Song said: "I can see that there are still a few baskets of crabs in the kitchen, and there are chrysanthemums here, just today to make wine-brewed chrysanthemum crabs." ”

Cao Yi smiled and pointed at him: "Appreciate chrysanthemums and chrysanthemums, you want to eat chrysanthemums!" It's really burning the piano and boiling the crane, and it destroys the heavens. ”

Cao Hao said with a smile: "The wine-brewed chrysanthemum crab is not made of this chrysanthemum. Speaking of crabs, it's cheaper for you kid, those crabs are kept for today's banquet for Mr. Cheng Mengxingcheng, because he can't stay for a banquet because he has something to do, so fill your mouth! After a while, we will set up two tables in the courtyard to enjoy chrysanthemums and crabs. ”

(To be continued)