There was an indescribable familiarity to that figure, and Du Ming was about to take a closer look, and the man had already dodged into the palace. She sat in the carriage, thinking blankly about the back, and went all the way back to Yushu Hutong.

As soon as he turned into the alley, he was stopped by a carriage in front of him. Du Mingxin lifted the curtain to look, but saw a thoughtful-looking maid standing next to the car, and after saluting her, he said with a smile: "My wife asked Miss Du to come over and say a few words." ”

Du Ming was suspicious and asked, "May I ask who your mansion is?" ”

"Cheng'an Hou Mansion." The maid smiled, "Originally, these words could also be said to the elders of the girl's family. But my wife thinks that the girl has an idea, and there is no biological mother at home who plans for you, so it is better to tell you directly, so that you can cut it yourself. ”

Du Ming thought about it, it was nothing more than about his marriage to Lin Lang. She got out of the car and told the coachman to wait in place, and walked to the Lin family's carriage alone.

"Come on." The curtain opened a crack, and a warm breeze with incense blew in.

"When I was not married, I went back to Hanwai with my mother to live at my grandfather's house several times, and I met your mother there." Mrs. Lin held the pot, poured a cup of tea and handed it to Du Mingxin. "There are many rules for banquets in the palace, you drink hot tea to warm your stomach."

Du Mingxin took the tea and thanked him, and listened carefully to Mrs. Lin.

"Originally, I was satisfied with this family business, Hengzhu is the daughter raised by your mother, where can I go?" Mrs. Lin sighed and stroked her sideburns, "It's a pity that no matter how strong a person is, he can't be strong...... Your mother went early, and my old marquis also went early, I only have one son like Lang'er, and the entire Hou Mansion has to rely on him to support it. He has a heavy burden on his shoulders and a bitter heart, but he is a strong ...... You don't have to blame, just think that the two of you are not fate......"

Du Mingxin lowered his eyelids, thinking about the meaning of her words. Because he is an only child, he has to support a large family. Because of his strong personality, he is unwilling to be left behind. Because of the heavy burden on your shoulders, it's best to take shortcuts. Since someone sent the shortcut, the Lin family naturally wanted to change the way.

Du Mingxin smiled and said, "Since my mother died, the Lin and Du families have broken off contact. In fact, Mrs. Tai doesn't have to go this way today, after so many years, I never thought that this family business could be successful. ”

"Thank you for your hot tea." Du Mingxin put the tea cup that was still warm on the table, and was about to get off the car when the curtain was lifted.

Mrs. Lin pressed her hand and said in a low voice: "That being the case, then please persuade your father to return the tokens sent by the Hou Mansion back then, which can be regarded as two clear." Now that there is Xingguogong, the girl's future must be good, and I am waiting to drink the girl's happy wine. ”

Du Mingxin nodded, answered "Got it", and got out of the car and left.

*

In the Qianqing Palace, Chen Xi, the king of Jin, presented several maps and a booklet to the emperor, reporting his trip to the south of the Yangtze River, and the emperor nodded again and again, very satisfied.

After finishing his business, the emperor smiled and said, "I calculated that you should come back in the next few days, but unfortunately you came late today." The queen held a spring banquet in the palace and invited the daughters of various families to come over. If you come early, you can go over and take a look twice, and pick your favorite to go back to be your daughter-in-law. ”

Chen Xi lowered his head and said embarrassedly: "I still want to do a few more things for my father-in-law, but I haven't thought about marrying a relative." ”

The emperor looked at his expression, and the smile on his face deepened: "I have told you a few times, you should call me 'Father Emperor' with the crown prince and King Yu." I treat you as my own son, so why do you want to see you like this, not afraid of breaking my heart? ”

Chen Xi hurriedly knelt down and said "don't dare".

The emperor walked over, personally helped him up, patted him on the shoulder and smiled: "You have done a great job this time, but this matter is secret, I will not reward you first." When I take Jiangnan in the future, I will be rewarded for both merits, and I will never break my promise. ”

Chen Xi said with a smile: "The minister doesn't dare to expect a generous reward from his father, he just looks forward to not rewarding the beauties in the palace again." ”

"What, you don't like it?" The emperor raised his eyebrows, but his heart was very happy.

Chen Xi scratched his head and said embarrassedly: "I don't like it or not...... It's just that the minister hasn't married a wife yet, and he doesn't want to make too much internal favor. In addition, Shaolin Kung Fu can only make progress in self-cultivation...... Besides, they are all very noisy, and the ministers occasionally go back to the house to hide......"

The emperor laughed and said, "Since the reward has been given to you, you can do whatever you want, and you can exchange it for silver if you sell it!" ”

Chen Xi breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "Nachen knows what to do!" ”

The emperor looked at him lovingly, and said earnestly: "I have been thinking about your family affairs for a long time. Although you have won the championship this year, can you wait another two years? ”

Chen Xi was stunned, but nodded obediently. As for the reason, the emperor did not elaborate, and he was not easy to ask. Thinking about the people sent to Kaifeng, they should be back in a few days, I hope that Miss Du is not married yet......

"Now that you're in the palace, it's no better than before in the barracks, so I'll let you out of the palace and eat freely. Go home early to rest and don't feel that it doesn't matter if you're young! ”

Chen Xi agreed, and the emperor walked out of the Qianqing Palace with him. "Where are you going to eat?"

Chen Xi smiled: "I'm going to bother Brother A Yao!" ”

The emperor smiled: "He is also a bachelor!" You might as well call him and go to King Ning's mansion together, I'm afraid that there will be a hot meal to eat! ”

Chen Xi pursed his lips and smiled but did not answer, and when he walked out of the hall, he saluted the emperor and said goodbye. The emperor stood on the high jade steps and watched his back go out of the palace gate before turning around and going to the harem.

*

Xingguo Mansion.

"You kid really aren't dogs?" Shen Yao smiled and poured Chen Xi a glass of wine, and the two clinked glasses and drank it all. "I asked the little guy to go to Guo's roast chicken shop early this morning to line up, and I got such a chicken, so you followed the fragrance!"

Chen Xi smiled: "Then thank you Xingguo Gong for the generous reward!" ”

"Reward a big-headed ghost!" Shen Yao tore the roast chicken and complained, "You are a prince, are you embarrassed to give me a reward?" ”

Chen Xi took a piece of meat he tore off with chopsticks, tasted it, and it was really tender.

"Today, the emperor said when he will send troops to Jiangnan?" Shen Yaoping retreated and asked in a low voice.

Chen Xi shook his head and said, "I only said that I would be called when the time comes, but I didn't say anything else." He suddenly remembered the emperor's brainless words, so he asked: "The emperor said that I am not in a hurry about marrying, and asked me if I can wait for two more years, what do you mean by this?" ”

Shen Yao thought for a while and said, "Could it be that you are waiting for you to make meritorious contributions in Jiangnan before marrying?" ”

Chen Xi hesitated and said, "I think the emperor means, I don't necessarily want to wait that long. Besides, marrying a girl can make the emperor value it so much, and I have to marry again after I have made great contributions? ”