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Chapter 8 prelude
Half a month later, the vacant lot in Linjia Village is announcing the contents of the notice seen from the county seat, telling the good news that the families of the village who enter the palace can go to the capital to be reunited during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
When the villagers heard the news, they all talked about it.
"Da Zhuang, there is a letter from your family at the post station. I got it back for you." Lin Ta-Zhuang's family was stopped by Li Li and said, "Let's have a look. It's from your family. It's such a big burden."
Now he is very affectionate to the Lin Zhuang family. Lin Jiawen has been successful in the examination of scholars this year, and now he is also a man of fame, and he does not have to kneel even when he sees the master of the county.
Lin Jiawen ignored Li's deliberately ingratiating attitude and took the burden and said a few perfunctory words.
All the people in the village heard Li Zheng's words and were curious about a large number of the burden. Several people booed and said, "Lin Xiucai opened everyone to have a look. What good things did your couple bring back?"
Among the 10 people who entered the palace before, only Lin Jiaojiao, the daughter of the Lin family at the head of the village, brought back things, the proud one of Lin Jiaojiao's mother. Everyone said that her family Jiaojiao how good, now in the noble lady's palace as a job, very appreciated, but also brought back a lot of money.
This time Lin Jiabao sent so much baggage that everyone in the village stared and guessed how much silver he had brought back.
Lin Jiawen ignored their booing and walked home quickly with his father.
At home, Zhang Huiniang supported her daughter-in-law, who was six months pregnant. "but what's the good news?"
Lin Jiawen told the news that Li was announcing, and said excitedly, "Jiabao has brought something back!"
The whole family was very excited and hurriedly urged: "Open it and have a look.". "
Ever since Lin Jiaojiao brought something back, they have been looking forward to the return of Jiabao. Jiabao has been in the palace for more than a year and nearly two years, and the family thinks about it all the time. Even a message can make them feel at ease.
The family can't wait to open the baggage, inside is a thick letter, a delicate purse, and a bag wrapped in a veil should be silver.
Lin Jiawen first unfolded the stationery. Lin Jiawen looked at it and found that Lin Jiabao's handwriting was relatively large and began to read aloud to everyone: father and mother, I am Jiabao. I have a good time in the palace. I am now working in the imperial room in the queen's palace, specially making snacks for the queen.
Mammy Lin, the housekeeper of the royal house, made up with me and taught me to make snacks. Now I can make several kinds of snacks and cakes by myself, all of which are delicious. It's a pity you can't eat it, but I can cook it for you every day after I get out of the palace. I now have one or two silver a month, and there are often rewards. When I get out of the palace, I can open a dim sum shop in the county. I'm sure I'll make a lot of money in the future, and then buy a big house in the city. My family lives together!
Father and mother, eldest sister, eldest brother-in-law, eldest brother, sister-in-law, second sister, younger brother, younger sister, I really miss you!
This time the queen will have mercy. You must come and see me on the Mid-Autumn Festival. Fearing that you are not entangled enough, I have brought back all the money I have saved and my reward. And the money I brought into the palace before, I was useless, and I didn't spend it in the palace, so I brought it back.
Be sure to come and see me. Jiabao misses you so much!
After listening to the family article and reading the letter, Zhang Huiniang wiped away her tears. "this child draws really well, and the portrait of the dim sum is really the same."
"it seems that Jiabao is doing well in the palace, so you can rest assured." Lin Dazhuang is also very happy. "son's mother, if you go to your in-laws tomorrow, Jiner will be worried about it all the time."
Lin Jiner, Lin Jiabao's eldest sister, almost moved her fetus when she heard the news that Jiabao had entered the palace. Fortunately, I gave birth to a pair of twins without danger. The Qin family was overjoyed. Mrs. Qin was so rare to the dragon and Phoenix twins that she believed in Lin Jiner's good life. After Lin Jiner had a month, she gave her the right of housekeeper, and she became a good grandmother who doted on her children.
Lin Dazhuang opened the veil and there was indeed a lot of silver. When I counted it, there were one hundred and thirty-five taels of silver. "so much money!
"Wow! Wow! " Dragon and Phoenix are also very excited. With so much silver, how much delicious food you can buy?
"Why is there so much? it's not one or two silver dollars a month, plus the 22 you brought into the palace before, it should be thirty taels at the most. I heard that Lin Jiaojiao brought back more than twenty taels of silver. " Lin Jiawen wondered.
When Xuanyuan Hancheng saw that Lin Jiabao had packed 35 taels of silver, he added another 120. When he thought about it, he was afraid of it, so he ordered all of them to use broken silver. That's why the burden received by the Lin family has become a larger one.
"what's the matter? Jiabao works in the queen's palace, and the queen is the biggest and, of course, the most generous in the harem. There are also many rewards. " Zhang said carelessly that when the family heard this, except Lin Jiawen, they all felt that this was the right thing to do.
Lin Jiawen's wife, Wu Clan, also thought that it would be enough for Xianggong to take an examination in Xuzhou next year.
Lin Lier touched the exquisite purse. The flowers and plants embroidered on it were so beautiful, and the purse was so bulging that she poured everything on the table. "there are still in this purse!"
I saw five silver fruits and three golden melon seeds poured out of my purse.
"Ah! Is this made of gold. How beautiful! " The little sister pinched one and looked at it carefully.
"in the end, it's from the palace, and what you do is delicate. This silver fruit is estimated to be two or two. " Zhang weighed himself in his hand.
The family happily played around the table.
With this large sum of money, the family discussed it. Apart from the entanglement of going to Beijing, and Lin Jiawen's expenses of going to the provincial capital Xuzhou for an examination next year.
The rest of the money is going to renovate the house and build a few more rooms to expand the home. Seeing that the family is going to have a new population, the children are getting older. The matter of the house is imminent.
I originally wanted to keep the silver for my son's trial next year, but now I don't have to worry about it. It is not expensive to build a house in the countryside. If you add materials by hand, you can build it well with dozens of taels of it.
There are others who are ready to buy a few mu of fertile land. Now there is no need to pay land tax. The more land there is, the more income there will be.
Everyone has no objection to counting this mu of land in the name of Lin Jiabao. If Hou Jiabao also brings money back, they are prepared to buy more land. In this way, when the family treasure comes back, there will be some reliance on it.
Keep what's in your purse so that you can meet an emergency in case of an emergency.
Early the next morning, Zhang went to the city to visit his daughter. Lin Dazhuang took Lin Jiawen to Lizheng's house to talk about building a house and buying land.
Not long after they left, Lin Jiaojiao's family came to the door.
When Lin Jiaojiao heard yesterday that Lin Jiabao had brought something back, she was very curious and came early this morning to inquire about the news.
It was not easy for Wu to drive her out, so she was supported by Lin Lier and had no choice but to ask her to sit down. "it's early in the morning, but what's the matter?"
"when I heard that your couple were bringing something back, I came to ask. Haha, where are your twins on duty now? My Jiaojiao is on duty in the palace of an honorable lady! " Asked Lin Jiaojiao gossiping.
Wu couldn't stand the way she looked. "our family treasure is on duty in the queen's palace."
"from the Queen's Palace!" Lin Jiaojiao paused, then said proudly, "that's the kitchen handyman. My Jiaojiao is in front of her." How much money did your couple bring back? "
"it's none of your business!" Lin Lier said angrily when she said that her brother was a handyman.
"I hear it's a big bag, a lot of money." Lin Jiaojiao asked without giving up.
"I won't tell you." Lin Lier replied to her harshly.
Wu did not want to reveal it to her, and she knew that the money was not exposed. "not much, Aunt Lin. I have something to do at home. It's not convenient for me to entertain you. Please go back."
"Oh, you've put on airs as a scholar, haven't you? You don't have to tell me that I know that he is just a handyman. He must have come back with a big bag of coins, ha. " Seeing that they all refused to say, Lin Jiaojiao conjectured maliciously.
Lin Lier took out a big broom to chase her, "do you want to go?" Whether to go or not! "
As she walked, Lin Jiaojiao scolded Lin Da-Zhuang's family. "Dead girl, you are so spiteful, you can't get married carefully."
When Zhang arrived at the Qin family in the city, it was almost noon, and the Qin family were all there. Lin Jiner was also very happy to see his mother. "Mother, what are you doing here?" When Qin Kaixing saw it, he went forward to salute his mother-in-law.
Zhang first said hello to the in-laws, and then saw the eldest grandson, brother Congge, and a pair of twins.
After that, told all the news that Lin Jiabao came back with a letter from home. The Qin family was also very happy for them.
"when are your mother-in-law, father-in-law and Jiawen going to leave?" Qin Kai asked, with an idea in his mind.
"they are going to leave at the end of August, and it will take half a month on the road." Zhang replied that Lin Dazhuang and Lin Jiawen would go after the family discussion. As a matter of fact, she would like to go, but the first wife is going to give birth in October, and she still has three children at home, all of which are inseparable from people.
"do you see if this is possible? let me accompany me to the capital this time. I have never been to the capital, so I just take this opportunity to have a look. There are also some goods in the store, so I took them to the capital to explore the way. My goods are all good, but the pattern is a little out of date here. Maybe people look fresh when they go to the capital. Then I'll buy some more fashionable cloth in Beijing. " Qin Kaixing has a lot of business acumen and is ready.
After hearing this, Master Qin agreed very much. when his son got married and started a career, he could go to practice. He said to Zhang, "Mother-in-law, Kaixing is right. Let him go with him." There are all kinds of carriages at home, and you don't have to pay to hire them. I'll send a few more men and servants to escort them, so that the road will be safer. "
"that's a good feeling. Thank you, in-laws. I'll go back and talk to them. " Zhang naturally agreed.
At noon, the Qin family warmly kept Zhang for lunch and sent her back in a carriage in the afternoon.
Zhang Huiniang went back to tell the meaning of the Qin family, and everyone felt good. Next, the Lin Dazhuang family got busy.
When Lin Dazhuang and his family happily built a house and prepared to go to the capital. Xuanyuan Hancheng is also thinking about his plan.
In the twinkling of an eye, in July, Xuanyuan Hancheng began to rejoin the imperial meeting, and the court became more mature and smooth in dealing with things, and the ministers all felt the increasing pressure of his Royal Highness, convinced and afraid of him.
As usual in the afternoon, Xuanyuan Hancheng came to Yongshou Palace to accompany his mother and spoke with a snack.
The queen is very pleased that the prince often comes to accompany her. Her second prince, Xuanyuan Qi, likes to dance with a knife and does not often come here. But the prince is more considerate and often comes to accompany her. The ladies who came to the audience all praised his Royal Highness's filial piety.
"Cheng, I've seen the begging Festival for a few days. How about I invite some of the unmarried women from Chaozhong to the palace? How about taking this opportunity to choose a side concubine for you first? Apart from Hsueh Caiyu, there are only three concubines around you now. they are too few, and they are all old. I don't think you like them very much. " The queen wants to take a side imperial concubine first, and then choose a good crown princess when the Xue family is over. After all, she is the future national mother. She should not be careless.
"Mother, no need. I still have to take care of it for a year or two. I'm afraid it's not right to take the princess now. " Xuanyuan Han Cheng shook his head.
"Why do you need another year or two? it's been more than a year. How does Qian Taiyi do things? it doesn't mean that he takes care of you with the army. " The queen was a little annoyed.
"Don't blame Qian for being too medical," she said. "he also detoxified and recuperated me very carefully. However, sometimes it is inevitable to ignore them when they go out. The toxins in my body are clear now, but there is still a lack of recuperation. " Xuanyuan Han Chengfu Road.
"what are we going to do? it doesn't matter if you've been away for nearly a year, but you're back now. If he is not close to a woman for another year or two and has no heirs. In this way, I am afraid there will be rumors that his Royal Highness the Crown Prince has a disease. " This is what the queen is worried about.
"but I haven't taken care of it yet, and I can't do what I want. Although I can barely have sex, I won't have any heirs." Xuanyuan Hancheng continued to break up with his mother. As a matter of fact, he had recovered a long time ago, but for the sake of his treasure, he still put it off for another year or two, and he didn't want to touch another woman.
"what should I do?" The queen was worried.
"Don't worry, Queen Mother. I've thought of a way." Xuanyuan Hancheng to the mother of the way.
"I want to spoil a Gemini. I only dote on this Gemini, and I don't go to other concubines anymore. On the other hand, it is more difficult for twins to have children than women, so it is normal for me to have no heirs for a year or two. " Xuanyuan Han Cheng talked about his method.
"to spoil a twin is to spoil the reputation of beauty." The queen felt that the idea was all right, but it was still a hindrance to the reputation of the crown prince.
"Mother, this is the best way. It's much better than the rumor that the prince has a disease. I'm still young, a young hero, and admiring beauty is nothing. " Xuanyuan Han Cheng continued to lobby.
"Oh! That's the only way to do it. You have a candidate. " The queen asked the prince.
"not yet. I asked my queen mother to look for it for me. Preferably from the mother's harem. " Xuanyuan Hancheng said quietly.
"Sister Zhou, you heard what the prince said. Give me the appropriate list in the Yongshou Palace tomorrow." The queen looked at her confidant, Mammy Zhou, who was waiting on one side.
When the queen talked to the prince, she only paid attention to Mammy around her belly, and she was also very relieved about Mammy Zhou.
"Don't worry, Queen. I'll have the roster ready tomorrow." Mammy Chou patted her chest confidently.
Xuanyuan Han Cheng listened to Mammy Zhou's words with a look of joy on his face.
At the same time, Mammy Lin, in the imperial point room, received a message from her Royal Highness, the Prince. When Sister Lin heard this, she frowned and sighed.
After receiving the orders of the empress, Mammy Zhou went back to look up the register of the people in the Yongshou Palace.
This turned Mammy Chou into a fool. There are only five palace attendants in Yongshou Palace. Two of them are over 20 years old, and one is only 13 years old, and only two of them are 15 or 16 years old. The two Gemini attendants were gardeners in the Yongshou Palace, and Mammy Zhou went to see people specially.
Both of them are plain and not stand out at all. How can this make his Royal Highness "pet"?
Mammy Zhou is walking up and down in her room, which makes her explain to the empress tomorrow.
"knock." When Mammy Zhou heard a knock at the door, she opened the door and saw that it was Sister Lin. "what are you doing here, old sister?"
Mammy Lin came in with a food box. "it's going to be a begging festival, and we've studied a new dim sum." Sister Zhou, when you are in front of the empress, you know the taste of the empress best. Please taste it for me first. " As she spoke, Sister Lin put the food box on the table.
"what you did, old sister, must be good. The queen loves your snacks." Mammy Zhou and Mammy Lin are both the sons of the Queen's family. They are related by marriage, and then they go to the palace together. They have been taking care of each other for many years and are called sisters.
Sister Lin took out the plate. "have a taste. This is bird's nest cake. This mold is also newly made."
"this magpie has a good shape, old sister, you put your heart into it. The queen will love it when she sees it. " Mammy Chou took a piece and tasted it in her mouth. "it's delicious!" Just wait for the reward, old sister. "
"then I'll lend you a lucky word. Haha." Mammy Lin also smiled and looked at the book that Mammy Chou had put on the table. "I think you're busy. I'm not bothering you, am I?"
"Oh! Old sister, I am worried. The queen wants to give a small servant to her Royal Highness in our palace. I don't think there is any match. How am I supposed to do my job? "
"there are very few attendants in our palace, so it is difficult to handle this candidate." Sister Lin cares about the tunnel.
"there are only two who meet the criteria, but they are all too ordinary." Mammy Zhou complained.
"what are we going to do? if you don't look good, the queen must not be satisfied." Mammy Lin echoed, "when it comes to appearance." The appearance of the twins in my room is very good. "
"Oh, it's a pity that 13 years old is too young." Said Mammy Zhou regretfully.
"I'm not 13 years old. I just turned 14 last month, but I'm still a little young." Mammy Lin said, "it's really good-looking, with big eyes that can talk, and a pair of dimples that are delightful."
When Mammy Zhou heard what Mammy Lin said so well, she thought, "Why don't I report all three to the queen, and it would be better for me to add up one more number."
"Yes, there are too few two candidates, and if there is one more person, it will look better on the list." Sister Lin guided conscientiously.
"well, that's it."
The next day, Mammy Zhou gave the three candidates to the empress. After the queen read it, she put the roster heavily on the table. "Mammy Chou, how do you do things?" How come there are only three candidates, and there is a 13-year-old one among them who makes up the numbers! "
Mammy Zhou hurriedly knelt down and said, "Queen, it's not that I'm not careless." There are too few attendants in our palace. Only two match, but the appearance is really not satisfactory, ah, how to make his Royal Highness "pet" ah, I have to add another one, although a little younger, but the appearance is very good, will not insult his Royal Highness. "
Mammy Zhou looked at the face of the empress and continued to say, "this Shuanger is on duty in the imperial point room, and she is clever and sensible." I just turned 14 last month, though a little young. But Shuanger is different from a woman. A little younger is just a young age. "
"having said that, I'm afraid Cheng’er won't like it." The queen could no longer blame her for the reasons given by Mammy Zhou.
"Queen, why don't you take a look at his Royal Highness? If you don't like it, you'll have to choose among the attendants in other palaces. "
"well, let the prince make up his own mind. Is it the one he wants to spoil, or if he likes it? Sister Zhou, you go and arrange it. " The queen does not want to choose people from other houses, not those in her own palace who are always uneasy. And there is a lot of noise in selecting people from other palaces, which is inappropriate. I hope this candidate will be satisfied.
"No."