Ning squinted at Zhenzhen, who was sitting quietly in the corner of the carriage, pursed his lips and smiled: "When will your family be busy, presumably your family will not be idle, I didn't expect you to be so leisurely, go out shopping, where do you look like a person who has just decided to marry." ”

Zhenzhen's face was slightly red, and said: "It's been a few days since I came back, and I'm so bored at home, I don't need to do those things, I just take the car out to breathe, and I don't shout to everyone, what's the matter?" ”

"It doesn't matter if everyone knows it, my brother won't change his mind." Shuning said with a grin.

Zhenzhen glanced at her with disgust: "Look at what you said, I just hid in the car to see the excitement, and I didn't mean to get out of the car, what you said is not interesting." ”

Shuning smiled and asked, "Where have you been visiting today?" You can't just run around the pastry shop and buy a few pieces of dim sum, right? ”

Zhenzhen's face turned even redder: "It's nothing, it's just right to meet you, I have something to ...... If you want to give it to your brother, you can help carry it. ”

"What is it?" Shuning teased her, "Could it be a token of love?" ”

Zhenzhen gritted her teeth and said: "You really should let those who praise you for your chastity and dignity listen to this, where are you like a girl from a big family?" Seeing Shuning's smile, she was also helpless, so she took out a one-foot-square box that she had just gotten in her hand and handed it to her, saying, "This...... I made it in Songzhuzhai, your brother may be able to use it, you ...... You take it. “

Shuning took it and took a look, but it was a set of four treasures of the study, the specifications were smaller than the general ones, and the styles and materials were also a little different. There is also a fixed ground device in the box, but it is used for the march. Duan Ning is now a pen sticker, and he has to go out with Shangguan, and this set of four treasures of the study is perfect for him.

Shuning was a little moved, and hurriedly said to Zhenzhen: "My brother needs this thing, thank you Sister Zhenzhen for thinking, he must be very happy to see it." ”

Jinjin lowered her head a little embarrassed, but her face was full of joy.

Shuning told her something about what had happened recently. I heard her talk about Wu Dan and Chongli when they were busy receiving guests who came to congratulate them recently. And make some gifts for others. Very busy.

She said: "I don't know who leaked the news, saying that my marriage was specially begged by Ama to the emperor, in order to avoid the prince and the third elder brother, but the two of them were a little unhappy, intentionally or unintentionally blocking my second brother." Therefore, the second brother persuaded Ama to prepare some gifts, intending to appease the two princes. ”

Shu Ning paused: "Get some gifts?" Do you want to give it to the prince and the third elder brother? ”

Zhenzhen was a little suspicious: "What's wrong?" What's wrong? ”

Shuning was silent. She doesn't remember much about the rest of the history. But I vaguely remember who seemed to be being made miserable by Lao Kang or Yongzheng because of a private gift to the prince, and it seemed to be Kangxi's cronies. She has always ignored this kind of thing, but since Zhenzhen has become her sister-in-law, and General Wudan's father and son are in-laws, it is better to remind them.

She raised her eyes to look at Zhenzhen, and said with some hesitation: "Sister Zhenzhen, don't think I'm troublesome, I think ...... It's better for your family not to give gifts to the crown prince...... or other elder brothers. If you really want to send. It is better to tell the emperor that he knows. The situation in your family...... It's different from others......"

Zhenzhen looked at her and sat up straight: "What...... Is there anything wrong? ”

Shuning shook her head: "It's just a precaution, if the emperor cares." With the presence of the general, your family is now favored and trusted, and you must not suffer any loss; If the emperor doesn't care, it's nothing to say. She saw Zhenzhen's thoughtful expression, so she added: "That's what I said, maybe I'm thinking too much." ”

"No, you have a good idea." Zhenzhen Zhengse said, "Thank you for reminding me, I will definitely tell Ama and the second brother." ”

Shuning smiled and talked about other light topics, and Yu Xin urged outside that Brother Xian'er was back, so she said goodbye to Zhenzhen and got out of the carriage. Liangzhu handed over a snack and said: "This is Zhengming Zhai's eight pieces out of Beijing, just bought from the store, the lady took it back and tasted it, it is a thank you girl for her words." ”

Liangzhu was already guarding outside the carriage, and it was not strange to hear what she said in the carriage, but Zhenzhen didn't seem to say anything about it, and Liangzhu's move was a bit surprising.

Zhenzhen smiled in the car and said: "It was my negligence, it should be like this, or Liangzhu is thoughtful, but this gift is a little thinner, let my second brother personally thank you another day." ”

Shuning didn't care about this, just smiled.

When she saw Zhenzhen's carriage go away, she turned around to meet her brother and his party. Previously, because Xianning called her sister-in-law in public, Zhenzhen was ashamed, so Shuning was kind, got in the car and talked to Zhenzhen, and handed Xianning to Wang Er's family and Yuge plus two male servants to protect him, and walked around. Now that they have visited several shops next to them, Xianning is holding a rock sugar gourd in one hand and a hot bun in the other, and he is eating a mess on his lips.

Shuning was angry and funny, hurriedly took out a handkerchief to help him wipe it, and carefully looked at the food in his hand, which seemed to be quite clean, before relieving himself and ordering everyone to go back.

Back near the doorframe alley, Wang Er had been waiting by the carriage for a long time, and when he saw them, he breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly greeted the little masters into the carriage and wanted to turn around and go back to the inner city. Shuning said: "Continue to walk to the east, I heard that there are many good silk flowers for sale in Chongwenmen, so as not to return empty-handed." Wang Er had no choice but to respond.

~~~~~~~~~~~~I was ~~~~~~~ dividing the line a few days later

The guests who had come to the congratulatory place had finally stopped, and Shi De had already put his energy back on preparing for the marriage and packing her husband's luggage. Originally, she planned to hire as soon as possible, so that her husband could take office as soon as possible. But the general's mansion is too hasty, and hopes to find another auspicious day to do this. Although he felt that the other party was reasonable, he was still a little anxious.

When Zhang Bao learned about it, he comforted her and said: "It's still early, don't be in a hurry, I'll wait until I get hired before leaving." ”

Shi sighed and said: "Although it is not surprising that the official takes office for a month or two, you go to Baoding from Beijing." It's only a little distance, but it drags on for more than half a month, and there are always some things that can't be said, I'm afraid that you will suffer losses in the future. ”

Zhang Bao smiled slightly: "Don't be afraid, someone from the ministry has already greeted me, saying that our son is married by the Holy God, and the family will inevitably take it seriously, so even if I am a month late." neither

Shi was a little surprised: "How could the officials say that? Her heart moved. guess whether it will be Chen Liangben's meaning. But Chen Liangben hadn't been in contact with them for quite some time. It doesn't look like it.

Zhang Bao said with a smile: "This is nothing unusual, my official position has been determined now, and I have been promoted two levels in a row, and my son has married a good family again, so those people will naturally not lose face." I no longer interact with Lord Chen Liangben now, so naturally I am no longer a thorn in the side of some people. ”

He pondered for a moment and asked, "What news did you hear?" I think you're a bit weird. ”

Zhang Bao smiled. said: "You are busy all day, so I don't know, I also heard about it from others, and it is quite a big trouble." It was the person who gave the prefect of Jinan, the nephew of Lord Huang, the servant of the ministry, who was accused of plagiarizing someone else's work in a poem that he had previously appreciated by the emperor. In order to find out the truth, the emperor sent people to investigate his literary talents. found that he was of mediocre intellect. He was only a low-class student in Hanlin, but he was first-class every year, so he was determined to be a fraud. not only took away his official position, but also canceled his birth as a fellow jinshi because he was suspected of bullying the king. ”

Shi said in surprise: "Ah, the punishment is really heavy, that person will not be able to appear again in the future, right?" ”

Zhang Baodao: "This is already because of the mercy of his subordinates, or because many courtiers helped him intercede." But Lord Chen Liangben didn't say anything, and the emperor asked him, that person was his niece and son-in-law, and the nephew of his friend, why didn't he help intercede? As a result, Lord Chen Liangben said that the person only married the niece of his concubine, and his identity was also a concubine, and according to the etiquette law, he could not be regarded as a niece and son-in-law; Moreover, although the two are related, as the emperor's courtier, he does not dare to forget his public because of his selfishness. He also confessed to Lord Huang on the spot, saying that he did not intercede for his nephew, and asked Lord Huang to forgive him. ”

Shi was stunned for a moment: "I heard that the two of them have been good friends for more than ten years, but when I heard this, why did I feel a little cold?" ”

Zhang Bao smiled and said, "What is cold? The emperor also praised him, and Lord Huang had to say that he didn't care in person, but no one knew what he would think in his heart. Previously, it was rumored that Lord Huang was going to be promoted to the secretary of the ministry, but due to Lord Chen's affairs, it was delayed. If you really know how to make friends, this matter will naturally not matter, but people's hearts are unpredictable, who knows what Lord Huang will think? I heard that the officials who are good friends with him are all good and short, but the young people who are good friends with Master Chen are always not in the shortage, and even if they are in the round, they are also poor. It seems that the disagreement between the two of them has existed for a long time. ”

Shi sighed and said: "These intrigues in the court are really annoying, and the friendship of more than ten years is also said to be gone, fortunately, you have already got an errand and will not be stirred in." She paused, and suddenly remembered another thing: "A lady who came to the place yesterday told me that Mrs. Chen Liangben was originally going to Xishan to recuperate because of illness, but a few days ago, Lord Chen personally led people to welcome her home, and the pomp was very decent, I don't know if it has anything to do with it?" ”

Zhang Bao thought for a while and said with a smile: "The second lady of his family is also a little unusual, and it is time to invite him back to the main room to preside over the overall situation, but this is all someone else's business, let's not worry too much." I can see it now, as long as I do my duty well, I will live with my wife and children, and nothing else has anything to do with me. ”

Zhang Bao and his family know that they are no longer in a hurry as usual, and strive for perfection in everything. However, the General's Mansion was unwilling to drag on any longer, so Mrs. Wen took the Earl's Mansion to discuss the time and arrangements for the appointment and wedding.

Because the representative of the other party was a female dependent, Zhang Bao handed over the matter to his wife. When Shi and Mrs. Wen were discussing, the latter asked Duanning and Shuning to accompany Chongli to talk elsewhere, so as not to suffocate him.

Duan Ning had some official work that had not yet been done, but it was not good for his sister to accompany the guests alone, so he had to lead them to the small study and accompany Chongli to talk about some things in the yamen. Chongli was a little absent-minded, and his eyes looked at Shuning from time to time. Shuning noticed it and asked him what was wrong.

Chongli cleared his throat and said, "I heard that my little sister went out a few days ago and met Sister Shu. Shuning smiled: "Yes, it's on Qianmen Street." She glanced at Duan Ning, the other party had a smile in his eyes, lowered his head and coughed lightly, his face flushed slightly.

Shu Ning was thinking it was funny, but she heard Chongli and said: "Little sister is so disagreeable, she actually ran around as soon as she got married, Brother Duanning, please don't be surprised." Duan Ning hurriedly said: "How come? She went out for a gift, and I was too late to be grateful. ”

Chongli frowned slightly: "I know it's the four treasures of the study, but the custom-made things are just for Yahuan to pick up, why bother to run in person, and run to a place like the front door, if it is for people to see, how can it be good?" ”

Shuning listened on the sidelines, but was a little uncomfortable. Zhenzhen never got off the carriage that day, and she was still very measured, and she once said that she could go back to the house if she got the four treasures of the study at the Liuli Factory, but because she remembered that her second brother Chongli loved to eat Zhengmingzhai's dim sum, she specially went around to Qianmen Street. Zhenzhen originally cared about her brother, but she didn't expect the person who was cared about to say that.

Duan Ning was also a little displeased, but the other party was the second brother-in-law, and he didn't know what to say, but slowly brought the topic back to official business, and talked about some interesting things he saw in the officialdom. Chongli was not very interested in those interesting things, but he was quite interested in the way officials got along with each other, and he was not very good at it.

Shuning was very bored listening to it, and her mood had not calmed down, so she didn't say a word, but when Chongli occasionally asked her something, she should say a word or two.

When bidding farewell to Mrs. Wen and Chongli, Shuning felt that Mrs. Wen's behavior was a little strange, and she seemed to smile very brightly at her, for some reason.

Shi sent the guests away, saying that he was tired, so he asked his daughter to take care of the housework in the courtyard and went back to the main room to sit by herself. Zhang Bao walked in and asked, "How did the discussion go?" ”

Shi said: "The day after tomorrow, the wedding date is set for the fourteenth day of the first month, just the day before the Midyear Festival, one is to borrow a celebration, and the other is to take a vacation." ”

Zhang Bao felt that the days were good, and it was not impossible to put them together with the New Year's holiday.

It's just that there is another thing that is a little difficult to say, and after hesitating for a while, he said: "Mrs. Fang Cai asked if Shu'er failed in the draft next year, could Shu'er be married to their family Chongli." Husband, what do you think? ”