The Red Mansions

Chapter 1617 Li Wan: My child’s father is here

Chapter 1617 Li Wan: My child’s father is here…

palace garden

It is autumn now and the air has become a little cooler.

Jia Heng stretched out his hand and embraced the voluptuous beauty. His face was calm, but there was some pity and love in his heart.

At this moment, the two of them sat side by side, hugging each other with their hands extended, like a beautiful poetic picture.

Jia Heng gently stroked the beauty's round shoulders and said in a soft voice, "Sweet girl, stay in the palace and accompany Qianqian and Luo'er during this time."

Empress Song looked at him with her charming eyes, as if she saw a hazy mist rising. She said, "Zi Yu, I want to transfer my fourth brother back to the capital."

Jia Heng said: "He has been in Kaifeng Prefecture, Henan for several years. It is time for him to be transferred to the capital."

Song Xuan used to be the prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture. Several years have passed in a flash. According to his merits, he should be transferred to serve as an official in one of the six ministries in Beijing.

It was just that Song Xuan's career was delayed because of the rebellion committed by King Liang of Wei.

Jia Heng turned around and looked at the beautiful lady's fair face. He couldn't help but feel pity for her and said loudly, "Sweet girl."

Queen Song raised her slender eyebrows, her eyes were as bright as water, and she looked at the handsome young man, but she saw a warm breath coming from her nose. It was obvious that the young man in the python robe suddenly came close to her lips and kissed them.

Queen Song slightly closed her beautiful eyes, and a light blush appeared on her tear-stained face.

The two of them were affectionate for a while. Queen Song was teased. Her body was soft and delicate, and she was breathing softly, but her plump and rosy face was flushed like fire.

Jia Heng reached out and gently put his arm around Queen Song's shoulders, comforting her for a while, and said, "Sweet girl, I have to go to the cabinet later to discuss the war in the southwest and the chaos in the northwest with the two cabinet ministers."

At this time, Tianniuer was immersed in the grief of losing her son, and it was impossible for her to really "celebrate the funeral".

Queen Song hummed softly, and there was a hint of loss on her snow-white face.

She also wanted to be alone at this moment.

Jia Heng looked at Queen Song deeply, without saying anything else, left the bedroom, thought for a while, and decided to go see his daughter Qianqian.

As for Luo'er, he seemed to have gone to school. I haven't seen him since I came here.

When they arrived at the side hall, Qianqian was holding her cheek with her hands. Under her thin eyebrows, her two beautiful eyes were like black grapes, crystal clear and sparkling.

"Qianqian." Jia Heng approached, a big smile appeared on his face, and asked, "Qianqian, what are you doing?"

"Brother-in-law, I'm in a daze at the moment." Qianqian responded softly.

Jia Heng looked at Qianqian intently. His daughter inherited the beauty of a sweet girl, and her eyes were full of cleverness and shrewdness.

Qianqian raised her rosy and chubby face and asked, "Brother-in-law, where is mother?"

Jia Heng stretched out his hand and scratched Qianqian's nose bridge, and said with a smile: "Your mother is not in a good mood. You should spend more time talking to her these two days to relieve her boredom."

Qianqian said "Oh", her voice becoming softer and softer: "Why doesn't my brother-in-law come over to accompany mother more often?"

Jia Heng pinched Qianqian's rosy cheeks, smiled and said, "Because my brother-in-law is busy with things outside."

In the eyes of outsiders, they are not a couple, so how can they be together all the time?

Qianqian raised her rosy and chubby face and said, "Brother-in-law, what is my sister doing at home? Why don't you come and see me?"

Jia Heng said, "Your sister is at home taking care of your eldest nephew."

My daughter is so cute and adorable.

Among the daughters, Jiafu is naughty, Jiamo is quiet, Yinyin is lively, Qianqian is cute and soft... most of them inherited some of their mother's temperament.

Qianqian's rosy face was full of hope, and she said softly, "Brother-in-law, take me to see her."

"I'll take you there next time." Jia Heng said, "Go spend some time with your mother later."

"Yeah." Qianqian pouted. In Jia Heng's eyes, she looked even cuter and smarter.

Jia Heng gently stroked Qianqian's head without saying anything else. While he was talking, he had already walked out of the side hall.

……

……

Wuying Hall, Cabinet

Li Zan was discussing the upcoming autumn grain collection with Qi Kun, the second assistant of the cabinet. As the season gradually entered autumn, the annual autumn grain collection of the Han Dynasty was once again put on the agenda.

After the new policy was implemented in the nine provinces for several years, the national treasury was abundant, and the people all over the world had surplus food at home. Especially after the land tax was distributed, they also showed a strong desire to have children, and the population grew rapidly.

The original national policy of immigration to border areas also had a soil for implementation.

At this time, a small clerk from the cabinet entered the hall and said, "Sir, the King of Wei is here."

Li Zan's expression moved slightly and he put down the memorial in his hand. When he turned around, he looked at Qi Kun beside him with surprise.

What is Prince Wei doing in the cabinet at this time?

After a while, the young man in the python robe came in from outside. Li Zan stood up, looked at the young man in the python robe, and said, "Prince Wei."

Jia Heng said, "Lord Li, a pigeon has come from Bashu, saying that Jianmen Pass has been breached by the Duke of Liao, the father and son of the Gao family, the masterminds of the Sichuan Rebellion, have died in battle, and Chen Yuan, the chief culprit of the White Lotus Sect, has been captured alive. The war in Bashu is over."

Li Zan was shocked when he heard this and asked, "When did this happen?"

Jia Heng walked closer, sat down, and said, "Actually, it happened in the past two days. The pigeon message from the Jinyi Palace arrived in the capital first, and the detailed military report should have arrived after the 600-mile express."

Li Zan nodded, sighed, and said, "The Sichuan rebellion has been completely quelled."

During this period, although the cabinet was in charge of the military and political affairs of the Han Dynasty, it was only responsible for the logistics and transportation of food and fodder for the wars in the southwest, northwest and Tibet, and had no power to mobilize a single soldier.

A hint of joy also appeared on Qi Kun's dignified and solemn face.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "Lord Li, after Sichuan is pacified, the chieftains of Sichuan should be changed to officials, and the Gao family's military officers in Sichuan should be transferred. They should not be allowed to form cliques and engage in private activities in Bashu any longer."

Li Zan paused for a moment, and said softly, "The issue of changing the native system to Han Chinese does need to be put on the agenda. After this incident, it is clear that the governor cannot stay in one place for too long. He needs to be replaced every five years to avoid being too powerful in the local area."

Jia Heng nodded and said in a deep voice: "One term is three years, two terms are replaced, or the current governors and governors-general are swapped to facilitate their performance of duties."

If a governor or governor-general stays in a certain place for a long time, it is easy for him to place his cronies there and form cliques for personal gain.

Li Zan nodded, was surprised, and asked with concern: "When will the Duke of Liao return from Bashu?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "There are still some follow-up matters to be dealt with, and the matter of returning to the camp will probably have to be dealt with later."

Li Zan nodded and whispered, "I just mentioned to Lord Qi that the country has been engaged in military operations for many years, which has resulted in huge expenditures of the national treasury. King Wei, after the rebellion in Bashu is quelled, we should rest and recuperate for a few years to restore the people's strength."

Jia Heng said: "This is as it should be. The court should also strictly implement the policy of streamlining administration and improving administrative efficiency in the next two years."

The country has been at war continuously in recent years, and it is a little hard to get used to the sudden stop.

"Efficient administration, lean military, and simple administration." Li Zan pondered over these eight words, and felt that the more he savored them, the more he saw their charm. He said aloud, "What the King of Wei said is really to the point, and it goes straight to the heart of the matter."

If this person had not intended to usurp the Han Dynasty and establish himself as the emperor, he would have been a famous official. Unfortunately, you are such a beautiful woman, why do you become a thief?

Jia Heng glanced at the figure in the hall, a thoughtful look on his face.

His father-in-law was not seen in the cabinet today. It seemed that he was preparing to take the exam for the Autumn Examination.

Jia Heng sat in the cabinet for a while, asked about some recent official business, and then, without saying anything else, quickly left the palace.

In another three months, the first year of Jianxing will pass and the first year of Qiande will come.

It seems that a new chapter of the Han Dynasty is about to begin, but... is it really so?

……

……

Jia Heng talked to Li Zan for a while and didn't say anything else. While talking, he quickly left the hall and returned to Ningguo Mansion.

Ningguo Mansion, in the study room——

Chen Xiao was reading a book on military strategy, his face, as white as an iceberg and as pure as frost, was filled with concentration.

Not far away, Gu Ruoqing was looking at a chess manual, and her quiet face, which had a bit of bookish air, was also full of concentration.

Jia Heng entered the study, looked at Chen Xiao intently, and said, "Xiaoxiao, you are reading a book right now."

Chen Xiao put down the book in his hand, his clear eyes full of joy, and said, "You're back."

Although they have been husband and wife for several years, their passion has faded a little, but they have gained a little more affection for each other.

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Yes."

Chen Xiao whispered, "Just now, Jinyifu sent a pigeon message from the northwest, saying that the troops of the Junggar tribe have been withdrawn to Junggar."

Jia Heng was surprised when he heard this, and said softly: "If that's the case, then it's really a triple blessing."

At this point, the rebellion in Bashu was completely put down, and the siege of the northwest was completely lifted.

Once the internal situation of the imperial court is stabilized, Tibet and the Western Regions can be recovered.

While Jia Heng was talking, he came to a lacquered wooden table and sat down, and Gu Ruoqing came over from the inner room and poured Jia Heng a cup of hot tea, just like a virtuous young wife.

Jia Heng took a sip, praised softly, and said with a smile: "Ruoqing's tea art is really getting better and better."

Gu Ruoqing hummed softly, and looked at the young man in the python robe with a bright smile on her snow-white face.

Chen Xiao was surprised for a moment, and then said, "The rebellion in Shu has been quelled, and the army should be returning soon, right?"

Jia Heng said: "There are still many things to deal with, so we can't rush it."

After hearing this, Chen Xiao nodded and said, "That's true."

Jia Heng put down the teacup, gently took Chen Xiao's slender hand, looked at that gentle face, and said, "Xiaoxiao, has your stomach been still for the past few days?"

"How can it be so fast?" Chen Xiao glanced at Jia Heng with shyness and anger in her beautiful eyes, and said in a tone of shame and anger.

It turned out that Chen Xiao wanted a child during this period, or rather, Chen Xiao had followed Jia Heng since Chongping for fifteen years, and now six or seven years have passed. She is now twenty-four or twenty-five years old. At this age, ordinary people would already be the mother of several children.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Then take your time."

Chen Xiao snorted lightly, a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes, and then he didn't say anything else.

This man was always successful in getting pregnant when he had affairs with other people's wives, but when it came to her, there was no news at all.

Jia Heng talked to Chen Xiao for a while, then left the room quickly and went to the study to take a shower and change clothes.

Then, after thinking about it, he went to see Li Wan who was in Daoxiang Village.

Grand View Garden, Daoxiang Village

Li Wan was currently teasing her twins, a boy and a girl. Her gentle and lovely face was full of maternal pampering and holy glow.

After all, it was not her first time being a mother, so Li Wan was quite adept at taking care of the two children.

Li Wan reached out her hand and gently teased one of the children with lively eyes and eyebrows, her beautiful eyes filled with joy.

At this moment, Suyun from the outer room slowly walked into the wing room and said, "Grandma, the prince is here."

When Li Wan heard this, she was overjoyed. She raised her delicate head with long black hair like a waterfall, with a look of anticipation in her eyes.

The boy's father is here.

After a while, Jia Heng came in from outside, and said in a gentle voice, "Sister Wan."

Li Wan stared at him and said in surprise, "Zi Yu, you're here."

Jia Heng nodded, walked closer, held the beauty's slender hand, and said in a gentle voice: "Wan'er, how have you and the child been these days?"

Li Wan's eyebrows were as curved as a crescent moon, her beautiful eyes were fixed with affection, and she said softly, "The two children are white and plump, and everything is fine."

At this moment, Jia Heng turned his head to look at the twins, a boy and a girl. He saw two soft little hands stretched out, and a cute smile on their rosy faces.

Jia Heng came forward and immediately held the twins' soft hands, feeling an indescribable sense of intimacy welling up in his heart.

"Ah..."

At this moment, the little guy suddenly opened his mouth and started crying loudly.

This prompted her younger sister beside her to start crying as well.

Jia Heng smiled and said, "Is the child afraid of strangers?"

Li Wan snorted and said, "Maybe. After all, I haven't seen them for several days. Let's comfort them."

As he spoke, he walked closer, picked up the two babies at once, and looked at their cute and soft faces. He couldn't help but feel inexplicably happy.

Jia Heng gently held Li Wan's slender hand, a hint of surprise appeared in his sparkling eyes, and he said softly, "Wan'er, thank you for your hard work during this period."

Li Wan responded softly, "I'm not that tired."

At this moment, as Li Wan coaxed the twins, the two little ones suddenly calmed down and stopped crying.

Jia Heng said, "During this period, the war clouds are gathering in Bashu. I need to take care of it in the front, so I don't have time to accompany you two."

Li Wan turned her gentle and peaceful face and looked at him intently. She said in a coquettish voice, "Zi Yu."

Jia Heng gently put his arm around Li Wan's shoulders, his heart filled with tenderness, and said, "I'll spend more time with you two these days."

As he spoke, he gazed at that beautiful and charming face, feeling inexplicably happy.

After playing with the two children for a while, Cao came in from the outer room, accompanied by Li Wen and Li Qi, and said with a smile, "Your Highness is here to see the children."

Jia Heng said, "Come and see Aunt Cao, it's been a long time."

Jia Heng looked at Li Wen and Li Qi, smiled, and asked, "Wen'er, Qi'er, why haven't I seen you two these past two days? Where have you been?"

During this period, Li Wen and Li Qi were also neglected.

Li Wen lived up to her name, with a quiet and gentle demeanor. Even though she was married to Jia Heng, she was still somewhat shy at this moment, and said, "Your Highness, my sister and I are at Sister Lin's place, writing poems together."

Jia Heng was stunned for a moment, and said, "It seems that I haven't been to Xiaoxiang Pavilion during this period."

I wonder how Daiyu would feel resentful.

Cao smiled and changed the subject, "The prince was busy with the war in Sichuan, so it's possible that he couldn't take care of the harem."

Jia Heng paused for a moment, and then continued, "It is true that we were busy with the war outside, but the war in Sichuan was already foreseen."

Cao smiled and said, "That is truly a happy event. The world will be peaceful from now on."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Aunt Cao, I will talk to Wan'er."

Cao stared at the young man in the python robe and said with a smile, "Then Wen'er, Qi'er and I will go to the study room outside first."

Li Qi's face was flushed, and she pursed her pink lips. She was a lively girl, but at this moment, she felt a little aggrieved.

Is it because she and her sister have been married for so long but have no children?

But the prince doesn't usually look for them...

The little girl felt very aggrieved and was clearly confused.

Just as the little girl was mumbling in her heart, Jia Heng said softly: "Wen'er, Qi'er stay and help take care of the two children."

Cao chuckled and said, "Then I'll go over first."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Wen and Li Qi and said softly, "You two take care of it here."

Li Wen and Li Qi lowered their beautiful heads and responded softly, with a mixture of shyness and joy in their hearts.

Li Qi snorted in her heart. It turned out that she was still asked to take care of Sister Wan's child.

……

……

Bashu, Chengdu Prefecture

Jia Yun was entertaining the surrendered generals from Bashu. Everyone gathered together, began to eat, clinked glasses and toasted each other.

At this time, a deep voice came from the corridor, saying: "General Jia, the Duke of Liao sent a scout over, saying that the Duke of Liao will arrive in Chengdu in one day."

Jia Yun stood up, looked at the eagerly awaited officials from Bashu, and said in a gentle voice, "Everyone, the Duke of Liao will be here in two days."

Among the Bashu gentry, Qiu Yuanchang, the former Sichuan Provincial Governor, smiled flatteringly on his old face with deep wrinkles, and said, "I have long admired the demeanor of the Duke of Liao. It is rare to see him now. It is a great honor for us."

Jia Yun said modestly: "Sichuan is now in chaos. I hope that all the wise men will work together to give us advice on how to deal with Sichuan after the war."

When the gentry of Bashu heard this, their faces became solemn and they responded in unison.

At this moment, Jia Yun was entertaining the gentry from Bashu. With the demise of the Gao family and their son, all prefectures and counties in Sichuan returned to the embrace of the imperial court.

Two days later, Xie Zaiyi, the Duke of Liao of the Han Dynasty, led the troops of the Beijing Camp to arrive at the city of Chengdu.

Jia Yun led a group of Bashu officials out of the city gate of Chengdu to greet them and looked at Xie Zaiyi, the Duke of Liao.

"Duke." Jia Yun walked quickly forward and said in a low voice.

Xie Zaiyi's rough, heroic face was filled with an eager smile. He dismounted and said approvingly, "Jia Yun, you have done a great job leading the army alone to capture the city of Chengdu and quell the chaos in Bashu."

Because Jia Yun is a member of the Jia family and Xie Zaiyi is already a duke, it is impossible for the internal strife between Zhong Hui and Deng Ai a thousand years ago to happen again.

Jia Yun smiled and whispered, "Duke, the city has prepared wine and food. Please come in and have a chat."

Xie Zaiyi responded softly, and then, accompanied by his personal guards, he entered the Chengdu city in a mighty procession.

At this moment, Sichuan gentry, celebrities and dignitaries in the city stood on both sides of the street, looking forward to welcoming him.