Changying the Lady

Chapter 5: Ruiyu Hall

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The great Wei Dynasty respected the world's nobles and humble scholars. When elected by ministers, they must check the genealogy - the common people did not have naturalized genealogy at all. Over time, they naturally became a family with no humble family in the upper class and no noble family in the lower class.

And all famous families in the country are not treated equally. According to "In the three generations, there are three princes, who are called Gaoliang, those who have orders and servants are called Huafu, those who are ministers, leaders, and guardians are named A, those who are nine ministers and uncles are named B, and those who are casual knights, regular attendants, and Taizhong officials are named In the previous dynasty, the official surname was B, and the official surname was Ding. Note 1. "In the previous dynasty, the family status of the governors was Gaoliang, Huafu, Jia, B, Bing, and Ding.

However, in this dynasty, there are six surnames on top of Gaoliang, all of which have been rich and noble since ancient times. They have made great contributions to the Wei Dynasty, which is far beyond the ordinary Gaoliang with three generations and three sons -

Take the Fengzhou Wei family, which has a very long history and inheritance like the other five top families in the Wei Dynasty, as an example: the most noble origin of the Wei surname is the Ji surname of the Xuanyuan family, which comes from Uncle Kang, the ninth son of King Wen of Zhou Dynasty. . Uncle Kang was granted the title of Wei, and he was one of the princes during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, and his descendants took the country as their surname. After the death of Wei, Qin Shihuang unified the surnames, and the descendants of the Wei clan and people in the country took the surname of the country. The Wei family in Fengzhou was known as the direct descendant of Uncle Kang.

Over the hundreds of years, talented people from the Wei family in Fengzhou have emerged one after another. In the previous dynasty when Guo Zuo was only a hundred years old, there were five extremely powerful ministers. The number of officials in the capital exceeds one hundred. In this dynasty, due to the merits of Conglong, it became even more glorious, and there were two hereditary and irreplaceable titles in the family.

As for the number of people who are currently working as officials in both the government and the public, there are countless of them. They are indeed one of the most prominent families below the royal family. Since the rest are on par with the Wei family, they are naturally not far behind. From this, In order to commend these six surnames, only these six families can make contributions to the family, show off their family, and be proud to everyone. Those with Yaoliang and below are collectively referred to as aristocratic families, which is one step lower than the six surnames.

The name of the main clan of the Wei clan was Ruiyu Tang, derived from the ancestral home of Fengzhou. Today, the person in charge of Ruiyu Tang and the leader of the Wei clan is Wei Huan, the grandfather of Wei Changying.

Wei Huan once rose to the rank of Situ, and also held the positions of Crown Prince, Grand Master, Grand Governor, etc. He was one of the six top pillars of the Wei Dynasty and a very important and powerful official in the dynasty. However, he almost lost his life due to a serious illness many years ago. At that time, a fortune teller said that it was not suitable for him to leave his homeland. With the intention of giving it a try, Wei Huan ordered people to send him back to Fengzhou. Later, he recovered. After he recovered, he was ordered to be recruited. Unexpectedly, just after he left Fengzhou, his old disease relapsed. , had no choice but to retire early and return to his hometown.

Because Wei Huan was very popular with the emperor when he was in office, he was very disappointed when he knew that he could no longer serve as an official. He specially named Chang Shanggong as a show of honor. Considering that Fengzhou was Wei Huan's hometown, he also made Wei Huan's third son Wei. In his prime, he was appointed the governor of Fengzhou and served Wei Huan. In fact, Fengzhou had been under the control of the Wei family since before the establishment of the Wei Dynasty. Wei Huan still has the final say.

Within the power of the Fengzhou and Sakon Wei families, from the gentry to the lowly, they could not take the imperial decrees and decrees seriously, but they treated the Wei family as royalty.

The clan is higher than the imperial court. This situation is not limited to Fengzhou. The top six clans of the Wei Dynasty now have various privileges in Sangzi. For example, Fengzhou is to the Wei family, Qingzhou is to the Su family, and Jinxiu County is to Duanmu. Jiangnan is to the Song family, Eastern Hu is to the Liu family, Xiliang is to the Shen family - the power of the six clans in these six places is actually tacitly recognized by the imperial court. This is also what Wei Gaozu thought of the clans when he founded the country One of the rewards of support is passed down from generation to generation.

The Fengzhou Wei family now has two powerful tangs, one is the Ruiyu tang of the sect, and the other is the Zhiben tang that branched off a hundred years ago. Originally, it corresponded to the two hereditary titles of the Wei family in this dynasty, Duke Jingping and Marquis of Jingcheng. However, this generation of Duke Jingping and Wei Huan were inactive. Since their youth, they have been fond of sensuality and chatting, but hate the labor of writing documents. Shame, unwilling to serve as an official. Although Wei Huan was born as a commoner, he was smart, capable and good at strategy. Therefore, before the death of the older generation Jingping Gong, although the title was passed on to his eldest son Wei Huan, Ruiyu Hall was handed over to his concubine Wei Huan.

As for the Zhibentang of Jingchenghou's lineage, the ancestral hall is not far from Ruiyu Hall. Although the direct branch of Marquis Jingcheng had lived in the imperial capital since the early years of this dynasty and eventually returned, they came from the same source and had frequent contacts.

Moreover, after Wei Huan became an official, because there was no one in Ruiyu Hall who could continue his position as Situ, he strongly recommended Wei Qi, the Marquis of Jingcheng, and now he is appointed. Therefore, during the New Year, Marquis Jingcheng would send people all the way back to express condolences to Duke Jingping and Wei Huan, to show that they would not forget their old friendship.

When Wei Huan took office, he was not yet old enough to know his destiny. When he was in the imperial capital, he was used to taking care of all kinds of things. After returning to Fengzhou, he was in good health and living alone was bored. Although his third concubine, Wei Shengnian, was appointed governor by his father, his ability was actually mediocre and he managed Fengzhou in a confused manner. Wei Huan simply took over the administration of Fengzhou on his son's behalf, and Wei Shengnian was sent to the Yamen every day to review official documents and judge the case on his behalf - this was in the past few years.

In the past few years, the imperial government has become more and more collapsed, and bandits are rampant in various places. The Rong people in the north of the Wei Dynasty and the Qiudi people in the west are all ready to take action. Although Fengzhou is located in the south, the terrain is long and narrow. The northernmost part faces Donghu County across Nuchuan, and Donghu borders Beirong. After all, it is revealed that it is not peaceful.

Originally, Fengzhou was Shangzhou. Compared with other states in the Wei Dynasty, Fengzhou was extremely wealthy, and Wei Huan suppressed it with an iron fist, so there were not many bandits. But three months ago, a group of bandits also appeared in Fengqi Mountain, less than a hundred miles away from Fengzhou City, and robbed the merchants and people who passed by. Last month, Wei Huan's second son Wei Shengyi, who was serving as the right servant of Shangshu in the imperial capital, sent a cart of cloud-weaving silk back to Fengzhou to pay tribute, but they also robbed it and even killed several servants.

In anger, Wei Huan wrote to the court in person, summoned Zhou Yong, and wrote a letter to Feng Governor Song Han asking Feng Governor Song Han to send a team of troops to suppress the bandits in Fengqi Mountain.

-Song Han is a descendant of a side branch of the Song family in Jiangnan. Due to the marriage between Wei and Song, the two families have a very good relationship. This Song Han also married a daughter of a side branch of Ruiyu Hall, so it was his turn to be the governor of Feng.

Since Song Han was an official in Fengzhou, he did not dare to neglect Wei Huan's order. After receiving Wei Huan's trust, he not only sent an elite army, but also went into battle in person and rushed to Fengqishan. He went there in person. Wei Huan had stayed in Zhoucheng for many years and was very quiet and restless. He also went there to watch the battle, so he is not at home now.

In the absence of Wei Huan, Mrs. Song is in charge of Ruiyu Hall.

Mrs. Song is Song Zaishui's great-aunt, and she is also Mrs. Song's cousin. The relationship between these two aunts and nephews is rather regrettable when it comes to their children. In comparison, Mrs. Song was actually doing relatively well. Although she had endured nine years of hardship, both Wei Changying and Wei Changfeng were healthy and intelligent, and they had never suffered the pain of Zishang. Mrs. Song gave birth to a total of four sons and two daughters. In the end, only the eldest son Wei Zhenghong and the second daughter Wei Zhengyin survived to adulthood.

Wei Zhengyin is okay, he grew up safely and left the cabinet smoothly. She married a descendant of the Su family in Qingzhou, and now she is with her husband in the imperial capital, and they are well-matched to each other - they are far away, and their children are already here, so Mrs. Song has nothing to worry about.

As Mrs. Song's only surviving son, Wei Zhenghong, although he held the title of eldest son, was always lingering on the bedside. Not only could he not be supported by his father to serve as an official and shine like his younger brothers, but the fact that he was able to survive until now, and that he still has a daughter and a son, was blessed by God.

Therefore, Mrs. Song is particularly doting and caring towards the two siblings Wei Changying and Wei Changfeng. Why should Mrs. Song be unhappy about anyone or anything? Anyone who sees Wei Changying or Wei Changfeng will definitely be able to do it. Smiling from the bottom of my heart.

But this time Wei Changying and Song Zaishui held hands and entered the door. They saw Mrs. Song sitting alone in the hall with a gloomy face, her eyes seemed to have a hint of sinisterness and cruelty, and the waiters around them lowered their heads. So quiet you can hear a pin drop!

Seeing this, the two of them couldn't help but be startled. Wei Changying was used to being pampered in front of Mrs. Song. After being stunned, he stepped forward and called grandma happily as usual - he didn't want Mrs. Song to wait for her and Song Zaishui to finish. Li, just like waking up from a dream, he forced a smile, suppressed his sternness, and returned to his former kindness, saying: "Are you here? Sit down quickly. The road is as hot as a bottle. Go and bring up the fruit from the well. Don't Use frozen cheese. It’s hot and it’s not good for girls to eat too much.”

Although she greeted her granddaughter and grandniece, Mrs. Song's tone revealed an unconcealable weariness and exhaustion.

Mrs. Song's dowry confidant Chen Ruping hurriedly responded and ordered people to pick up the fruits in the well.

Wei Zhangying said: "My granddaughter was with her cousin just now and ate frozen cheese mixed with a lot of fruits. Now she doesn't really want to eat it."

Mrs. Song sighed and said, "Would you like some snacks?"

"No need." Wei Changying rolled his eyes and looked at his grandmother in confusion. He always felt that something was wrong with Mrs. Song today, and asked, "Is grandma not feeling well today?"

Song Zaishui waited until she was concerned and then said, "Are you tired?"

Mrs. Song glanced at them, and she didn't know if it was an illusion. There seemed to be a sad look on Mrs. Song's face, but she still said, "It's a little bit."

Wei Changying was used to doing things to please his grandmother when he was young, so he immediately stood up, rolled up his sleeves, and said, "I'll give my grandmother a leg!"

Song Zaishui followed, "Let me rub my great-aunt's shoulders."

Chen Ruping pursed her lips and said with a smile: "The old lady has such a good granddaughter and grandniece. She should be happy. The old lady is around."

Mrs. Song reluctantly raised her lips and said calmly: "Yes, they are all good children. I will always protect them."

These words were a bit incomprehensible. Song looked thoughtful on the water. Wei Changying looked up at his grandmother in confusion, but Mrs. Song had no intention of telling her. She just touched her hair and asked, "Isn't the green room just now?" Come here and say, can’t you come here today? Why are you here again?”

Wei Changying was waiting for his grandmother to ask about this matter. He immediately showed his grievance skillfully and said, "Originally, I couldn't come, but then I missed my grandmother, so I came anyway."

Of course Mrs. Song knew about her being punished to kneel. As usual, even though Mrs. Song's punishment was justified, Mrs. Song always wanted to comfort her and give her something to comfort her out of distress. This time, the Chief of Guards Ying was wondering whether he would like the set of glazed horses on the ancient shelf in Mrs. Song’s inner room, or the sword hanging in this hall to ward off evil spirits... Unexpectedly, Mrs. Song said: "Chang Ying is becoming more and more jealous now." You are well-behaved and gentle, and you should be like this in the future.”

"..." Wei Changying was stunned for a moment. Seeing that Mrs. Song had no intention of continuing, he had no choice but to say, "Yes."

Song Zaishui also showed a look of surprise. He was thinking about how Mrs. Song had changed her temper today and no longer cared for her granddaughter. At this time, another report came from the door, saying that it was the third lady leading the fourth and fifth ladies, as well as the fourth young master and the seventh son. The young master comes to say hello.

Wei Huan now has four sons and three daughters. The youngest son, Wei Shenghe, passed away to his childless half-brother Wei Jiong, and the daughters were all married separately. Because his eldest son Wei Zhenghong was ill for a long time, Wei Huan could only vigorously cultivate his second son Wei Shengyi and his third son Wei Shengnian.

However, the third son, Wei, was mediocre in his prime. Wei Huan was worried that it might not be a blessing for him to stay in the imperial capital after he returned to his hometown as an official, so he simply asked him to resign in the name of serving his father. From now on, he got a Fengzhou governor, which would be convenient for him. Provide guidance and education nearby. On the other hand, the second son Wei Shengyi completely inherited Wei Huan's shrewdness, and was reassured by Wei Huan to stay in the imperial capital to take charge of his own affairs.

Wei Shengyi is in the imperial capital, and his wife and family members have not returned to Fengzhou. Nowadays, there are only three-bedroom and two-bedroom people in Ruiyu Hall. Mrs. Song comes from a famous family and she married into an equally long-standing family. There are no more rules than that. Except for the two direct grandchildren who received special pampering from her, the rest of the younger generation never even dared to breathe in front of her.

Although they had to come over every day to say hello, no one except Wei Changying and Wei Changfeng would dare to rush in without warning. They had to be informed. Mrs. Song nodded and then dared to Come in. At this moment, Mrs. Song hummed, paused for a moment, and then said in a casual tone: "Call everyone in."

The maid went out to deliver the message, and the third lady headed in with her four grandchildren arranged by age, and the accompanying maidservants filed in. Although a large group of people came in, they all moved lightly. There was only a slight sound of clothes breaking, and there was not even a sound of rings and rings being struck, which shows how strict the etiquette of the Wei family's children is.

A prominent family that has been in the family for hundreds of years, the most taboo thing about random marriage is that the third lady naturally comes from a famous family. Her natal family, the Pei family, had been prominent for less than a hundred years, because her grandfather had produced a tutor, who was considered a high-ranking official. However, her father and her generation were only ministers of the Ministry of Industry, and were in danger of falling into the surname A. After all, the background is far less profound than that of the Wei family, so even if Wei Shengnian is a concubine, the third wife can be considered a high marriage.

Therefore, the third wife is the most disciplined among the three daughters-in-law. Not only did she always come to greet her every day, but she also carefully cultivated and taught her children, regardless of their legitimate concubines, for fear that her sister-in-law would laugh at her because her natal family background was shallow and she could not be a wife of the Wei family.

Mrs. Pei had a delicate appearance and was quite pretty. She greeted Mrs. Song in a calm manner. At this time, Wei Changying and Song Zaishui also stopped beating Mrs. Song's legs and shoulders, and stepped aside to salute together. .

Mrs. Song shouted, and everyone straightened up together, all with dignified manners and neat actions.

After getting up, Mrs. Pei glanced at Mrs. Song, whose expression was not good, and she felt a sudden thought in her heart. She had just married into the family, and she knew best that this mother-in-law was very wealthy. Mrs. Song's happiness and anger were not visible at all in such a trivial matter.

In other words, it must be no small matter to make Mrs. Song look sulky.

Mrs. Pei's mind was spinning - who in the end caused this anger? Originally, she came today to ask Mrs. Song for advice on something, but now she is not sure whether she should talk about it here.

Note 1: The word "Jiaoliang" can be seen in Dudu Encyclopedia. It is divided into levels for easy understanding.

One of the sources of the Wei surname is this. However, this article is fictitious. Please do not match the actual Wei surname into it.

Note the hall number: the original meaning is the name of the hall or living room. The hall name is the name of the family portal and an important part of the family culture. Because people with the same surname lived together in large groups in ancient times, and often lived under the same roof for several generations, or tribes and houses with the same surname lived together in one place or in several nearby courtyards or houses, the hall name became common to people of the same clan. Emblem. (Excerpted from encyclopedia, if you are interested, you can tease the young lady yourself)

Note 4 Valve Leader: I would say that I use this title because I think it looks very majestic? This title comes from "The Legend of Two Dragons of the Tang Dynasty", please note it here. (To be continued)