Inside the Anding Gate, Prince Yong's Mansion.

Although it was a side blessing to marry and get married, the fourth elder brother still maintained a consistent low-key style, and did not send out invitations for a large banquet. Therefore, when Cao Hao followed the sixteenth elder brother to dismount in front of the Yongwang Mansion, he found that there were not many carriages and horses, and there was no one singing promises at the door, only a deacon and two rows of small servants in front of the door to welcome guests.

The deacon knew the sixteenth elder brother, so he hurriedly greeted him, and then arranged a small servant to lead the sixteenth elder brother and Cao Hao in, while the entourage waited outside according to the rules.

The sixteenth elder brother ordered the four henchmen to go out to play for a while, so only these four people were left at this time, and the rest of the team escort was sent to eat and drink elsewhere. Cao Hao also sent Wu Mao and Wu Sheng back to the house to deliver the letter, leaving Xiaoman and the Wei brothers to wait in front of the door.

Although it was not the first time Cao Hao had come to Yongwang's Mansion, he was only led to the small hall on the West Road last time, but this time it was the first time he entered the garden on the East Road. This garden is different from the general royal garden of the opulent and extravagant, but quite Suzhou garden style, pay attention to elegance and freehand, the trees and stone pavilions are arranged with ingenuity, it looks simple and comfortable. Although it is winter and the flowers and trees are withering, and Zhu Shaocui is missing, it still does not hide the pleasant scenery.

The banquet was set up in the theater building of the East Courtyard, that is, the Wufu Building that was later raised by Kangxi Yubi himself, and opposite the theater was a stage that was more than a foot high and protruding on three sides.

The princes and brothers were naturally seated in the middle of the chair, and the guests were divided into seats around them according to their official ranks. Sixteen Elder specially arranged Cao Hao on a table in the outer corner, so that it would be convenient to slip away for a while. Cao Hao is eager to stay away from the group of princes and brothers, others have nothing, and the ninth elder brother is also sitting at the table, although he is not afraid of anything, but he can't talk back after saying two sentences in a weird way, it's really boring, it's better to hide.

At this table, Cao Hao didn't know anyone. I don't know if the guests who came here today are as low-key as the host's family, and everyone didn't even exchange names, but only said two words to each other, "You please, you please." Drinking, drinking", they raised their glasses to each other, and they ate and drank wine and listened to the play, as if there was no one around. Cao Hao doesn't like hypocritical socializing, which saves trouble.

After singing two plays on stage, the sixteenth elder brother couldn't sit still, and whispered to the fourth elder brother that his body was not very good, and he sued and left the table. Cao Hao kept staring at the movement on Sixteen's side, and when he saw him get up, he followed out.

Out of King Yong's Mansion, the sixteenth elder brother found a tavern and private room nearby, changed into the guards clothes prepared in advance, and happily followed Cao Hao and them to Longfu Temple.

Longfu Temple is in the east four archways, every nine or ten days there is a temple market. When the temple was opened, department stores gathered. Whether it is a pearl and jade ayaluo, or flowers, birds, fish and insects, or even things that are used, there is everything; At the same time, the stars and acrobatics are blowing, playing and singing, and they are very lively. In fact, this area belongs to the commercial area, and the shops are gathered, not only in the opening of the temple, but also very lively.

The sixteenth elder brother is like a bird out of the cage, he is happy all the way, he is comfortable looking at everything, and he always looks at some small plaything stalls, and asks Cao Hao what new and interesting things he knows.

Cao Hao shook his head, he really hadn't paid attention to children's toys with his mental age, and asked him what kind of thing he planned to buy, although he was not good at it, but he could give it a reference.

The sixteenth elder brother said with a smile: "I was thinking of buying some interesting things for Eniang to relieve boredom, although the things in the palace are fine, they are not fresh." I'm just thinking it's more fun outside, but when I look at it this way, it's all very ordinary. ”

Cao Hao listened to it, and he didn't have any good suggestions. This kind of market is for the general public, and it is basically all ordinary groceries, and it is not easy to find new things. Besides, in these markets, the workmanship of handmade products is probably rougher.

The two picked and chose half the street, and the sixteenth elder brother only looked at a set of four small lanterns tied with colored paper and a rattan rouge box. Although there are not many things, it is not empty-handed.

Walking to the entrance of North Street, Xiao Man's eyes were sharp, and he saw Cao Song coming from the east with a group of people from a distance, and hurriedly approached Cao Hao and said.

Cao Hao looked to the east, and Cao Song also saw his brother, so he happily shouted "brother" from afar, and then whipped the horse and drove over. Immediately after, several brocade-clothed young men behind him also came over and hurriedly called Cao Hao "Brother Cao".

Cao Hao saw that three of them were Feng De, Feng Che and He Lian who he had seen in Zhaojia Mansion before, and the other two did not recognize them. One is similar to him, and the other looks eighteen or nineteen years old, and he respectfully calls him eldest brother, Cao Hao really feels like a boss in the underworld.

The sixteenth elder brother sneered, stabbed Cao Hao, and jokingly said, "Where did you get so many younger brothers?" ”

Cao Hao pointed at Cao Song: "This is my second brother, and those are my brother's friends." "I pulled Cao Song to give the sixteenth salute, and when I was going to introduce it, I was slightly hesitant, the sixteenth elder brother came out to wander around without permission, and his identity was not easy to say.

The sixteenth elder brother knew what he was thinking, and when he saw him pause, he rushed to Cao Song first: "I am sixteen at home, and I am also your cousin, just call me cousin." ”

Cao Song scratched his head, he didn't know where there was such a relative, and he saw that the sixteenth elder brother had a very tender face, was not tall, and was not as strong as him, so he was not convinced that he was an elder brother, and only said: "I haven't said my age, why is it my cousin?" What month and year were you born? ”

Cao Hao just wanted to stop him from being reckless, but the sixteenth elder brother didn't care, and said with a smile: "I'm from the thirty-fourth year of Kangxi, not your brother?" ”

Cao Song laughed and said proudly: "No! I'm from New Year's Day, I'm your brother! ”

Cao Hao glanced at Cao Song funny, this stupid boy, is it fun to be the prince's brother? Immediately diverted the topic and asked him, "Where are you going?" ”

He Lian on the side replied first: "Let's make an appointment to drink, big brother will go with us too!" As he spoke, he glanced at the sixteenth elder brother next to him, and saw that he was also wearing the clothes of a guard, so he said respectfully: "This guard lord also asks to go with him!" ”

Cao Hao waved his hand and said, "We just came out of the banquet, so we won't go, next time!" ”

A few people sincerely gave in again and again, and when they saw that Cao Hao and Sixteen were determined not to go, they gave up.

Cao Hao saw that there were two older of the six people, and there were a lot of long-term servants behind him, so he didn't expect any danger, so he immediately instructed Cao Song to let them go.

The sixteenth elder brother walked around, and only added three strange stones, one was given to Cao Hao to keep to play, and two were put away by himself and prepared to go back to share with the fifteenth elder brother. The two of them rode back to the Yongwang Mansion, changed their clothes, greeted the guards and their entourage, the sixteenth elder brother returned to the palace, and Cao Hao returned to the mansion and parted ways.

*Cao Fu, Bamboo Courtyard.

After being in a daze for three days, Fangcha finally woke up quietly, and Vanilla breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly asked someone to warm up the red date glutinous rice porridge.

Seeing vanilla's dark eyes, and then seeing Zhang Genjia standing in front of the bed with a concerned face, Fangcha finally shed tears.

"Sister has been hungry for several days, let's drink half a bowl of porridge first!" Vanilla helped Fangcha wipe away her tears while softly persuading.

Fangcha was speechless, only buried her head on the pillow and cried silently. Vanilla has to persuade again, Zhang Genjia waved his hand to his daughter, sat in front of the bed, and gently patted Fangcha's back.

Fang Cha gradually burst into tears, muttering in her mouth: "Mommy, Mommy! ”

Zhang Genjia sighed. Fangcha is a talented child in Cao's house, because her grandmother Zhao Mama is the companion of the old lady, so she grew up in the yard over there since she was a child. She is not a bad person, and she is good at doing things on weekdays, but she has an unforgiving mouth, and she likes to talk about people, and she has no popularity among the maids and servants, and she often does good things and is not praised.

Although Fangcha is not the delicate maid with a very caring surname, she treats her master sincerely. Originally, before Jiang Ning came to Beijing this time, Mama Zhao had begged for the grace of the Li family and wanted her granddaughter to be released to arrange the marriage, but Fangcha was really relieved because the girl was sick at the time, so she could accompany her to Beijing.

I cried for a while, until I couldn't shed any more tears, and Fang Cha's crying stopped.

Herbs fed her half a bowl of porridge and drank a few sips of ginseng soup before she fell asleep again.

* In the Dongnuan Pavilion, Bao Ya sniffed and said to Cao Yi: "What kind of incense is smoked in the third sister's room?" It's light and light, and it smells weird! ”

Cao Yi pointed to the two fruit plates on the Baibaoge: "Where is the incense?" It's the smell of fruit! ”

Bao Ya looked at her hand, and saw three or four bright red apples and two buttery oranges on a white jade plate; On another agate plate were a few white pears and a few black water chestnuts.

Bao Ya couldn't help but praise: "This is good, it has a fragrance, and it doesn't feel smoky, the third sister's idea is exquisite!" ”

Cao Yi shook his head with a smile: "I don't dare to take credit, this is Sister Amethyst's idea!" ”

Bao Ya rolled her eyes, wrinkled her nose at Cao Yi, and said with a smile: "Is it called sister now, and we have to call sister-in-law in the future?" ”

Cao Yi listened, hurriedly looked at the door, and saw that no one was there, so he relieved himself, pulled Baoya's sleeve and said, "Gege, this can't be a joke." Sister Amethyst has always been noble, and her brother respects her, so she really shouldn't be joked like this! ”

Bao Ya playfully stuck out her tongue: "I know, don't say anything in the future!" It's just that seeing that she is old and hasn't been a parent, I can't make sure your brother doesn't think so. Let's just say that in our house, a few people who served my brother earlier have all become people in my brother's house. ”

Cao Yi retorted: "Brother won't, brother is the most polite!" When marriage is a major event, his parents are in charge, so his brother will not act recklessly! ”

"What kind of wanton behavior is it to buy a room and take a concubine?" Bao Ya said, and sighed again, "Sister Yongjia is right, there are a few men in the world who do not have three wives and four concubines, we are just born women, and we will have to endure hardships in the future!" ”

Cao Yi saw that Baoya's originally childish little face looked a little heavy, and couldn't help but quip: "How old is Gege, this kind of man is not a man, could it be that he fell in love with a young man and moved his heart?" ”

Bao Ya's heart moved, and an elegant and handsome figure flashed in her mind, and she unconsciously smiled on her face, tilted her body on the kang, and stopped squeaking.

Cao Yi didn't look right, didn't he let himself guess? At the moment, it was half speculation, half joking: "Who is Gege fancy?" Could it be my brother? It was a joke in his mouth, but he began to think about it in his heart, if it comes to character and family background, Gege and his brother are very compatible, but I don't know if the family affairs on the Ma family side can be pushed away.

It turned out that Ma Liandao's wife also visited her several times, and she was extremely attentive to Cao Yi and Cao Song. However, the girl's surname in her family is slightly cowardly, her behavior is not magnificent, and her appearance is ordinary, at best, she can be said to be delicate. Cao Yi felt that the young lady of the Ma family was not worthy of her brother.

It's just that the Ma family visits every time in the name of being a good family, and they carry the genealogy of their elders, and Cao Yi and others are not slacking off. After three times and two times, the Ma family gradually put on the style of the wife of the in-laws, and mentioned it in a word, saying that the letter to the south had been sent. Cao Yi was unhappy when she heard it, but the elders still decided the matter of marriage, and she couldn't do it, so she hoped that Baoya could marry at this time.

Baoya listened to Cao Yi's words and couldn't help laughing: "Okay, okay, third sister, don't worry, but no one cares about your precious brother!" I want to be a girl in the world like this, just think that my brother is the best in the world! When my brother didn't become a parent, I was like this, but whenever a woman came out, I thought it would be my brother's favor. But I don't know that each flower enters its own eyes, and its causes are different. ”

Cao Yi listened to Bao Ya's slightly melancholy words, and couldn't help but think of himself, although he was young, he was only fifteen years old in a month. However, according to the calculation of the north, it is sixteen years old, and seventeen years later. If his father and mother were in charge and made a marriage to himself, wouldn't he have to leave the Cao family?

Thinking of this, Cao Hao couldn't help but be a little frightened. But then I thought that I still had my brother above me, and I was young and orderly, and there was no reason for me to go past my brother. Right now, there is no shadow of my brother's relatives, what are I worried about! That's a little more steady.

*Cao Mansion, Banyan Courtyard.

After Cao Hao returned home, he came here directly, and Mr. Bi has not come back yet. The maid Lianqiu brought tea: "Uncle, please sit down for a while, see that Mr. Shichen should be almost back!" Before the words fell, another maid behind the door said crisply: "Mr. is back, and the uncle is waiting in the hall!" ”

Lianqiu and Xiqiu are two of the eight girls that Li bought in Beijing, they are siblings, the oldest among all the people, and the most stable in their actions, so they were selected to wait in the Banyan Courtyard.

Hearing Zhuang Xi's footsteps to the door, Cao Hao got up from his seat.

Zhuang Xi was wearing a thick leather robe, coughing as he walked in slowly.

"Sir!" Cao Hao heard him cough uncomfortably: "Please ask Imperial Doctor Chen to take a look!" ”

Zhuang Xi shook his head: "It's not in the way, it's an old problem for twenty or thirty years, I make it every winter, I have tried all kinds of methods, and I can't get to the root!" ”

Zhuang Xi saw that Cao Hao's expression was a little heavy, and knew that he must have something to find him, so he asked him to move to the study to talk.

When he arrived at the study, when only Zhuang Xi and himself were left, Cao Hao told the news he had just received from the Wei brothers.

It turned out that since he came back from King Yong's Mansion, Wei Hei and Wei Bai looked a little strange, as if they had something to say. Later, because of the presence of the sixteenth elder brother, he never spoke. It wasn't until everyone separated from the Sixteenth Elder Brother that they made a shocking discovery. When the two brothers were waiting for Cao Hao to come out outside the palace, they found a man with a very similar appearance and size to one of the people killed in Chunshu Hutong in Nancheng that night. But the man was twenty-five or sixteen years old, and now I see that this man is a little younger, ten ** years old.

The two of them were secretly frightened, and quietly inquired about the identity of the person, and for a while, no one knew who the person's surname was, only that he came with the fifteenth elder brother.

"Fifteenth elder brother......" Zhuang Xi touched his beard and groaned.

Cao Hao saw that his brows were tightly knit, and he knew that he was also like himself, and he was very surprised that the fifteenth elder brother was involved. The fifteenth elder brother is only one year older than Cao Hao, and his mother is a Han girl, whether it is age or identity, it cannot be compared with all adult elder brothers; is a prince who lives in the Forbidden City and has not been knighted, where does he have the opportunity to cultivate people from outside?

Cao Hao tried hard to recall the little thing he knew about the "Nine Dragons Seize the Heir" in later generations, and he didn't remember that the fifteenth elder brother was mentioned in it. I only vaguely remember that the sixteenth elder brother seems to have passed on to Prince Zhuang as the heir, and the seventeenth elder brother is the "fourth master party", but no one mentions the deeds of the fifteenth elder brother at all.

After pondering for a moment, Zhuang Xi shook his head: "It shouldn't be the fifteenth elder brother!" When the second prince was attacked in October, the old man investigated the private residences of the princes in the capital to see if it was a secret son who had cultivated. As a result, although all the kings have their own forces, the little brothers in the palace do not have this convenience! It's just that over the years, the above has been very fond of these young princes from the princesses, although the fifteenth elder brother and the sixteenth elder brother have not yet been able to succeed, but they are also growing up, and they are now at the age of being knighted and building a mansion, so it is not uncommon if they are remembered or won over by other older princes. Now, if you follow the person you found today, you may be able to hang out the big fish! ”

Cao Hao was originally worried that if the fifteenth elder brother was really involved, he would have to have some scruples about dealing with it, after all, he had to look at the relationship between the princess and the sixteenth elder brother. Listening to Zhuang Xi's words, he secretly agreed, and at the same time, he was curious, not knowing who the person behind the curtain was.

After thinking about it, Cao Hao suddenly felt a little strange, glanced at Mr. Zhuang, and did not speak again.

(To be continued)