The Red Mansions

Chapter 672 Zhen Qing: Brother Heng, is this wine not to your liking?

Chapter 672 Zhen Qing: Brother Heng, is this wine not to your liking?

Zuixianlou

At the end of midsummer, the moon and stars are sparse, and the dusk is gradually covering the earth. The heat in the air has not abated. In the bustling Chang'an West Market, restaurants, teahouses, theaters, and brothels on both sides of the street are bustling with people and noisy.

And just beside the street of West Market, there are lanterns with three big characters of "Zuixianlou" hanging, swaying with the wind in the cool summer night, and the sound of pushing cups and changing glasses and shouting five drinks and six drinks comes from the brightly lit attic for the first time. spread far.

From time to time, horse-drawn carriages on the street drove through the Qingshiban road where light and shadow intersected, and drove out of the West Market, while dogs barked a few times from the row upon row of houses.

Behind the Zuixian Tower, there is a manor covering an area of ​​more than ten acres. The pavilion near the lake stands majestically. The red lanterns raised from the corners of the eaves, the bright moon and sparse stars in the sky, and the lake stones and willows on the shore all fall together. In the lake, the lake light and water color complement each other.

This place is where Princess Chu Zhen Qing, the person behind the scenes, entertains Jia Heng. The bustle can be heard faintly from the front yard through the eaves and pavilions.

In the southwest direction of the manor, there is a gatehouse, two carriages are parked beside the road, and several coachmen from Chu Wangfu and Beijing Wangfu are resting on the side of the road.

Second floor, in the wing

Zhen Xue stands in front of the window and looks into the distance. She is a beautiful woman with high temples and a beautiful face. A warm and gentle married woman's charm flows silently. The red lanterns swaying gently in the wind, the dizzy light and shadow make Huaxin young woman's eyebrows and eyes caged. Among the shadowy light waves, only the clear eyes are bright and sharp, but they are a little lost in ecstasy.

And a long dress of plain blue gauze folded and embroidered plum blossoms set off the exquisite and delicate body as soft as willows, and a few strands of hair curled behind the ears, and the earlobes were matched with earrings, shining brightly under the light.

Because it was midsummer, the temperature in Guanzhong was unbearably hot, and the gentle and quiet cheeks, chin, and neck of the young woman Huaxin were sweaty, and even the edge of her small clothes was wet, and the candlestick not far away fainted circles. Under the light of the lights, there were crystal beads of sweat, and the snowy skin and jade skin had a rosy charm, which could be seen from the rouge smeared on the young woman's lips, well, she also put on makeup before coming here.

Zhen Xue picked up a handkerchief, wiped the sweat from her temples with her hand, stood by the window, looked at the evergreen pines and cypresses, and the shadowed environment of the bamboo forest, especially the blue waves in the distance through the plane trees, the swaying lights Jiang Chi smiled slightly, parted his pink lips slightly, and said softly: "Sister, I don't think it's quite quiet here."

Although they are sisters, Zhen Xue has not been to all of Zhen Qing's properties in Beijing.

"The house here was originally a place for some officials' children to have a banquet, but because of the high price, there are not many people coming here. Today, I specially ordered the shopkeeper not to accept other guests." Zhen Qing smiled lightly and explained. .

Today, the strong-tempered Princess Chu has changed into a light red palace dress with a bun like clouds, charming phoenix eyes, red lips and pink face, and a flawless, white and jade-like melon-seeded face that looks a bit sharp , and the earlobe between the hair on the sideburns is equipped with crescent moon earrings, which are glittering and shining, and the pearls are so beautiful that the skin is so greasy.

At this moment, the snow round and crisp like a millstone, bounced off the armchair, walked to the front, and said with a light smile: "I also know that my sister, you always like quietness, so you didn't look for a box in the restaurant facing the street, my sister." As long as you like it here."

As Zhen Qing spoke softly, she couldn't help but glanced at the jasper jug ​​on the wine table from the corner of her eye. This jug was specially made by a craftsman.

Zhen Qing didn't dare to look too much, she quickly withdrew her gaze, and looked at her sister fixedly, feeling a sense of complexity in her heart.

"Sister, it's cheaper to travel here." Zhen Qing raised her eyes and said with a smile.

The palace of the two of them obviously cannot be used as a place to hold a banquet, not to mention the question of whether Jia Ziyu will go as promised, even the two palaces also have many servants and mothers. , and may not spread some gossip.

In fact, the boxes for ordinary diners in front of the Zuixian Tower are not good enough, and there are people coming and going, so there is a manor-like courtyard behind the restaurant, but it couldn't be more suitable.

Zhen Xue thought about Guan Yao, and said with a light smile, "My sister is more sophisticated in dealing with people."

Half of Zhen Qing's snowy face was hidden in the shadows, she smiled lightly and said, "My younger sister was innocent and innocent before, and she wasn't always cautious, but after she didn't want to get married, she became worried."

When Zhen Xue heard the words, Yu Rong was slightly taken aback, she couldn't help but sighed, and said quietly: "After leaving the pavilion, it will be different from the one in the boudoir after all."

Zhen Qing was silent for a moment when she heard the words, then she chuckled, and changed the topic and asked: "My younger sister likes to read since she was a child, and she was also a famous talented woman when she was in Jinling. After all these years, I wonder if there are still poems?"

Under Zhen Xuexiu's brows, her watery eyes flickered, she looked at the lights, her eyes were full of nostalgia, and she said: "I haven't done it in the past few years. At that time, I was still in the boudoir, playing with my sister. My son, reading, composing poems, and becoming a female celebrity, there were not so many troubles at that time."

Since she married in the capital, she has never written those poems again, and her sister cares more about her family than before.

Zhen Qing looked at Zhen Xue, who looked a little lonely, and said in a low voice: "These years, I have been married to Shenjing far away, and my sister has suffered."

She also learned through some spies a few years ago that her brother-in-law turned out to be like that, and her younger sister...

Zhen Xueyu looked faint, and said in a low voice: "People have to grow up, after all, they are not as carefree as they were when they were young."

Turning around, on a mahogany book table, the orange candlelight reflected Wen Ning's soft eyebrows vividly, and said: "Sister, will Uncle Yongning like the things we gave you?"

Zhen Qing smiled lightly, took Zhen Xue's hand, and said with a smile: "It's something used by generals, Uncle Yongning will definitely like it."

To give him such a beauty as his sister, he must be overjoyed and run away for her.

After thinking about it, he joked, "Why don't my sister feel uneasy, why not write a poem and send it to Uncle Yongning?"

After all, she was a married woman with children, plus the sisters grew up together and slept in the same bed, so they talked a little casually.

Zhen Xue's heart skipped a beat when she heard the words, her snow-fleshed and jade-faced cheeks became slightly hot, and she said shyly, "What are you talking about, sister?"

She is a married woman, what kind of poems should she write for Yongning Bo?

Zhen Qing smiled, took her sister's jade hand, and said softly: "Sister, there are no outsiders here anyway, we sisters are joking, why are you ashamed?"

When Zhen Xue heard the words, her beautiful eyes rolled her eyes at Zhen Qing, and said angrily: "Sister, if you talk like that again, I will ignore you."

Looking at her younger sister who was suddenly a bit shy and coy, Zhen Qing smiled, and did not continue to tease her. While talking, she dragged Zhen Xue to sit on the bamboo couch beside her.

Zhen Qing sat down all at once, the bamboo couch was as soft and round as a millstone, making a "squeaky" sound, and the full moon in front of the beauty was on top of it.

Concubine Chu Zhen Qing looked at Zhen Xue who sat down after him, and said softly: "Sister, I heard the matter of my brother-in-law was discussed in the court today, but I am not sure what my father intends, my sister."

Zhen Xuexiu frowned slightly, pursed her cherry lips, and said in a tone of rare resentment and grievance, "Since the prince has made no progress over there, he just came back, why bother to linger at the border?"

"Sister, you don't understand now, right? A man wants to live in the world, and he still needs merit. Now anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Military Aircraft Department is in charge of the soldiers and horses of the Han Dynasty. My brother-in-law is now the Minister of Military Aircraft. Do you want to do something?" Some achievements?" Zhen Qing said with a chuckle, looking at her younger sister.

While the two sisters were talking, suddenly a female official came in from the outside, it was Zhen Xue's personal female official, and said: "Wangfei, Uncle Yongning is here."

Princess Chu Zhen Qing's face changed slightly when she heard the words, and said with a smile: "Sister, someone is here."

Zhen Xue nodded and stood up.

Not long after, I saw a young man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, led by a female officer and wearing a plain white brocade gown, enter the inner room.

"Brother Heng, are you here?" Princess Chu Zhenqing was overjoyed to see that the person came to the appointment as scheduled, a smile overflowed on the beautiful young woman's face, and her phoenix eyes twinkled, she couldn't help but glance at the young man.

Secretly said, it is true that a hero has been a boy since ancient times. Speaking of the person in front of him, he is a few years younger than his sister, but he is already an important military minister in charge of the Privy Council.

Princess Zhen Qing of Bei Jing was at the side, under her curved and beautiful eyebrows, her eyes were as clear as water, and she cast her eyes on the young man, seeing that he was only dressed in commoner clothes, with a relaxed expression, Xiao Xuan raised his eyebrows sparingly.

It's really hard to associate it with the young man who walked alone with his sword under the escort of a large number of Jinyi palace guards in front of the Xihe Palace.

Men are visual animals, and so are women, but they are mature women after all. When they glanced at it, they felt something strange in their hearts, and then stopped looking further.

Jia Heng raised his eyes, looked at the Zhen sisters, nodded and said: "After the imperial court, the palace gave a banquet, it's late, the two concubines have been waiting for a long time?"

Zhen Qing smiled sweetly, and said in a charming voice: "My sister and I have only arrived not long ago. Brother Heng is a very busy person, so come here in your busy schedule, as long as you don't delay your official duties."

Zhen Xue's eyebrows and eyes were gentle, her voice was gentle and soft, and she also said happily: "Zi Yu is busy with business, I thought that Zi Yu might be too busy to come."

"I just came back to the capital, and I don't have any other things to do at hand. Besides, because of the matter of King Jingjing, I asked Princess Wang to talk about it." Jia Heng looked at the young woman Huaxin with soft eyebrows and eyes, and said softly.

Zhen Xue was taken aback when she heard that, and said softly, "Let Ziyu worry about it."

Jia Heng said: "The princess is polite."

"Sister, Brother Heng, our two families have been relatives for decades, so we don't need to see each other too much." Zhen Qingyu said with a smile, stretched out her hand to invite her, and said, "Brother Heng, sit here."

Jia Heng nodded, and sat down at Zhen Qing's invitation.

At this moment, the seating order of the three people is that Jia Heng is leaning against the door, Zhen Xue is sitting next to Zhen Xue, and Zhen Qing is beside Zhen Xue, so that they can prepare food and drink, and hold the pot to pour wine.

Facing the eyes of the Zhen sisters, Jia Heng looked calm, and said slowly: "I asked about the matter entrusted by the princess before when I entered the palace. There are indeed some problems in Datong and Taiyuan."

"Oh?" Zhen Qing put down the teacup, her beautiful eyes were slightly focused, as if asking.

Zhen Xue turned her body slightly, under her beautiful eyebrows, she also saw seriousness in her bright eyes.

Jia Heng said: "The king of Beijing County went to Taiyuan and Datong. The town generals of the two places said that there was a real shortage of soldiers. This statement is widely disbelieved, presumably the king of Beijing County does not believe what they said, and is still staying in Datong Army Town to investigate the details."

He didn't know how the king of Beijing ordered his troops. Of course, there was a high probability that 8 or [-] people would line up to check one by one, so that would give the town general room to cheat.

"What do you mean in the palace? The emperor is obviously displeased?" Zhen Qing rested her crisp white lotus root arm on the table, and looked at the boy opposite in surprise.

Jia Heng said: "The Holy Majesty didn't say anything."

After thinking for a while, she turned her head to look at Princess Zhenxue of Beijing, who saw worry in her eyes as soft as water, and said in a low voice: "Princess, don't worry too much. After a while, she will be famous for her military achievements The prince is transferred from Taiyuan."

Even if he went to investigate, he would have to paralyze Datong and Taiyuan.

Zhen Xue was overjoyed when she heard the words, and said softly: "Zi Yu, I also mean the same thing. Since the prince has not made any progress there, it is better to come back, but the prince is also stubborn, and even a woman like me can't persuade her, Zi Yu See if you can persuade the prince?"

Zhen Qing's eyes flickered, and she said with a light smile, "Brother Heng, there are indeed problems in Datong and Taiyuan, and the Military Aircraft Department can't ignore them, right?"

"Wangfei, this is a military secret. Is it inappropriate for Wangfei to ask the bottom line?" Jia Heng glanced at Zhen Qing and asked with a smile.

He didn't know what Princess Chu Zhen Qing was thinking, but he still had some precautions in his heart.

Zhen Qing heard the words, her charming and glamorous face like Taorui changed slightly, her phoenix eyes streamed, like annoyance or annoyance: "Brother Heng doesn't say what he doesn't want to say, why scare me?"

There is a gorgeous young woman's charm between the slightly sharp eyebrows and eyes, especially when speaking, the snow-capped mountains are trembling, overlapping and flickering, which is undoubtedly seductive in such a thin and cool summer day.

Zhen Xue also looked at Jia Heng worriedly, clutching her handkerchief tightly.

Jia Heng smiled lightly and said, "You're joking with the princess."

After pondering for a while, he said in a cold voice: "The whole army and military affairs are related to the imperial court's plans. Those with evil intentions can't be perfunctory. If they don't know the general idea, the imperial court has other ways to deal with it. It will never tolerate and raise traitors!"

He went to Datong and Taiyuan Junzhen, and it was fine to talk to Princess Jinyang, but it was not easy to talk to Princess Chu Zhenqing.

Zhen Xue looked at the young man who spoke righteously and had sharp eyes, her beautiful eyes flickered, she couldn't help but take another look, she quickly lowered her beautiful eyes, and pursed her pink lips.

Even though this man was dressed in commoner clothes, his demeanor as a military minister did not diminish at all. On the contrary, he was indescribably... free and easy, lifting weights as if they were light.

"That's fine, Brother Heng is the military minister in charge of the country, so it's good to make up your own mind." Zhen Qing smiled sweetly, and Wu Zhu's longing beautiful eyes showed a hint of thought.

As he spoke, he glanced at the vast night sky outside the window, and said with a light smile: "Brother Heng, it's getting late, let's have dinner first."

Jia Heng nodded. At this time, the female official led two maidservants, brought a washbasin, and waited for Jia Heng, Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue to wash their hands.

Everyone sat down and used the dishes.

"Brother Heng did not go out of Beijing this time without hard work. I heard that Brother Heng fought with the bandit leader in Kaifeng and captured Gao Yue alive by himself? Isn't it quite a thrill?" Zhen Qingmei looked at the opposite with fixed eyes The young man had a look of surprise and reverence in his eyes.

To be honest, thanks to the presence of Zhen Qing, otherwise, if only Zhen Xue, who is not good at warming up, was here, the atmosphere would not be so close and natural.

Zhen Xue also looked at the boy in cloth clothes, and said in a crisp and soft voice: "After the bandit leader was escorted to the capital, many people in the capital went to see it. Ziyu is brave and everyone in the capital knows."

Such a young man who is a few years younger than her is not only good at it, but also has both civil and military skills. He is really a first-class handsome man since the founding of the country for a hundred years.

Of course, this young woman with Huaxin is just because she often reads "The Biography of Jia Heng" written by her sister, out of a feeling of looking at her friends of the same age, and has no other intentions.

Jia Heng put down the chopsticks in his hand, and said: "It is inevitable for generals to fight the enemy outside, and it is not dangerous, but Gao Yue committed the crime with courage, I am the commander of the Beijing camp, I will not sit idly by."

"I heard that on that day, Gao Yue beheaded several generals in the army, Brother Heng came out with a knife and captured them from the horse. It was spread all over the capital that Brother Heng won the three armies bravely, with the courage of the ancient fierce generals." Zhen Qing Complimenting, the smile on the gorgeous jade face was like a hibiscus flower rippling, and said softly: "I respect Brother Heng."

As he spoke, he picked up the jug, took the wine cup and poured a glass for Jia Heng, and another glass for his sister Zhen Xue.

Jia Heng said softly: "It's too much praise, it's not that magical, the enemy is the last of its strength."

In front of the two young women, he didn't have the heart to brag about how brave and invincible he was.

Zhen Qing smiled, raised the wine glass with both hands, looked at the young man opposite with a gaze, and said, "With this glass, my younger sister Jing Heng and I will destroy the thieves in the Central Plains with the force of thunder."

Zhen Qing raised the wine cup and took a sip first. She looked rather bold, and did not forget to look up at the young man opposite.

"The princess is too famous." Jia Heng raised the wine cup, put it to his lips, and took a sip.

In fact, he didn't drink a lot, and he was somewhat wary of Princess Chu Zhen Qing, but seeing Zhen Qing drinking heavily, it shouldn't be a serious problem.

On the other side, Zhen Xue also raised the wine cup and made a toast to Jia Heng.

The beauty's plump pink lips, like rose petals, were pressed against the edge of the wine glass. She seemed to feel that the smell of wine was too strong. Subconsciously, she stretched out her lilac tongue and licked it like a kitten. Immediately, she drank a cup quickly, because her movements were hidden, The sleeves of the skirt cover it, but no one notices it, but it is a bit indescribably playful.

The young woman drank on her face, and after drinking a glass of wine, her white and snowy cheeks suddenly turned red, her rose petal lips smelled of alcohol slightly, and her teeth, like scalloped cherry blossoms, shone brightly.

Seeing that Jia Heng just took a sip, Zhen Qing felt anxious and said with a smile: "Brother Heng, is this wine not to your liking?"

Although the dose of aphrodisiac is enough, but only a small sip, who knows if it will work?

And she just drank it all in one gulp, this person is a little unhappy.

Jia Heng put down the wine cup, declined and said, "Forgive me, Princess, I'm not feeling well these days."

Hearing this, Zhen Xue put down the wine cup, eyes as bright as water saw concern, and said softly: "If you are not feeling well, just drink two glasses less."

Zhen Qing smiled and said: "Brother Heng, today we don't persuade anyone, just one or two glasses of wine, the wine is slightly drunk, the mood is comfortable, and it is easy to talk. Although Brother Heng is young and light, he is dignified and serious, which makes people Respectable and unlovable."

With that said, he poured himself another cup.

Zhen Xue's heart jumped when she heard her sister's somewhat "intimate" words, and she glanced at Zhen Qing.

Jia Heng glanced at Zhen Qing who was refilling her glass, nodded and said: "What the princess said is true."

In fact, she was a little too wary, and Zhen Qing often looked for Keqing during this time, so she didn't have any bad intentions.

Zhen Qing smiled, her eyes sparkled softly, and said: "Speaking of which, Brother Heng is really tired this time, I read in the mansion newspaper that the dikes on the Henan side are more dilapidated than the South River, because Heng Brothers repaired the embankment ahead of time, there was not a single breach, but there were two breaches along the Nanhe embankment, it is clear at a glance who is dedicated to the king's affairs."

Mentioning this matter, the respected princess couldn't help feeling that this is a capable official.

"During that time, Ziyu lived on the river bank every day, and he seemed to be much cleaner than before he left Beijing." Zhen Xue looked at the young man with eyes full of water, and then said suddenly.

Jia Heng looked at Zhen Xue on the opposite side. Hearing these words, for some reason, he felt a little strange in his heart, but he said in his mouth: "It's actually okay, it will be fine after a while."

Zhen Qing glanced at her sister, chuckled inwardly, picked up the jug, pressed the handle with her fingers, and poured a glass from Zhen Xue's wine cup.

Then, Zhen Qing looked at the young man, and she saw admiration on Yan Ye's jade face, and said: "If there is no Brother Heng, I don't know how much trouble there will be in Henan. It is really hard work for Brother Heng to live and eat in Henan Light, my sister and I will toast Brother Heng again."

As he spoke, he raised the wine cup with both hands and drank it down in one gulp.

She doesn't believe it, can you drink a glass of wine in ten times?

(End of this chapter)