Half a month later, the vacant lot in Linjia Village was announcing the contents of the notice from the county seat, telling the good news that the family members who entered the palace in the village could go to the capital to reunite on the Mid-Autumn Festival.
When the villagers heard the news, they all talked about it.
"Dazhuang, there's a letter from your family in the inn, and I'll bring it back for you." Li Zheng called a group of Lin Dazhuang's family, "Come to see the family text, it was sent by your family, it's a big burden. ."
Now Li Zheng is very affectionate towards the Lin Zhuang family. Lin Jiawen passed the exam this year as a scholar, and now he is a famous person, so he doesn't have to kneel when he sees the county magistrate.
Lin Jiawen ignored Li Zheng's deliberately pleasing attitude, and took the burden and made a few perfunctory sentences.
Everyone in the village heard Li Zheng's words, and they were also curious about the burden. A few people booed and said, "Lin Xiucai, open everyone to see, what good things did your family bring back?"
Among the 10 people who entered the palace before, only Lin Jiaojiao, the girl who lived in the Lin family at the head of the village, brought things back, and Lin Jiaojiao's mother was the proud one. Every time she meets everyone, she tells how her Jiaojiao is so good. Now she is working in the palace of the noble lady, she is very appreciated, and she brings back a lot of money.
This time, the burden that Lin Jiabao sent back was so big that everyone in the village stared at it, guessing how much money he brought back.
Lin Jiawen ignored their booing and hurried home 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 Zheng announced, and said excitedly: "Jiabao brought something back!"
The family was very excited when they heard it, and hurriedly urged, "Open it up and see..."
Since Lin Jiaojiao brought something back, they have been looking forward to Jiabao's return. Jiabao has been in the palace for more than a year and nearly two years, and the family is always concerned about it, even a message can make them feel at ease.
The family couldn't wait to open the bag, which contained a stack of thick letters, a delicate purse, and a bag wrapped in a handkerchief that should be silver.
Lin Jiawen first unfolded the stationery, Lin Jiawen looked at it, and Lin Jiabao's words were relatively large, and he began to read it aloud to everyone: Father, Mother, I am Jiabao. I had a very good time in the palace. I am now working in the imperial room in the Queen's Palace, making snacks for the Queen.
Madam Lin, the manager of the Imperial Dianfang, made peace with me and taught me how to make dim sum. Now I can make several kinds of dim sum and cakes by myself, all of which are delicious. It's a pity you can't eat it, but I can make it for you every day after I leave the palace. Now I have one tael of silver per month, and I often get rewards. After I leave the palace, I can open a dim sum shop in the county town. In the future, I will definitely make a lot of money and buy a big house in the city. We live together as a family!
Parents, eldest sister, eldest brother-in-law, eldest brother, eldest sister-in-law, second sister, little brother, little sister I really miss you!
This time, the empress is kind, you must come to see me on the Mid-Autumn Festival. Afraid that you won't be enough, I brought back all the money and rewards I saved. And the money that I brought into the palace before, I didn't use it, 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 Jiawen and reading the letter, she looked at Jiabao's painting again. Zhang Huiniang wiped away her tears, "This child's painting is really good, and the dim sum portrait is really the same."
"It seems that Jiabao is doing well in the palace, you can rest assured now." Lin Dazhuang was also very happy, "My son, if you go to your in-law's house tomorrow, Jin'er has been worried about it."
Lin Jiabao's eldest sister, Lin Jin'er, heard the news of Jiabao's entry into the palace, and was so sad that she almost had fetal gas. Fortunately, there was no danger, and a pair of twins were born. The happiness ruined the Qin family. Mrs. Qin was rude to the twins, and she believed in Lin Jiner's good fate at the beginning. After Lin Jiner gave birth, she gave her the power of housekeeping and started to spoil the children by herself. good grandma.
Lin Dazhuang opened the veil, and there was indeed a lot of money. After counting, there are actually one hundred and thirty-five taels of silver. "So much silver!
"Wow! Wow!" Dragon and Phoenix are also very excited. With so much money, how much delicious food can be bought.
"Why so much? It's not one tael of silver a month, plus the twenty taels brought into the palace before, it should be at most thirty taels? I heard that Lin Jiaojiao brought back twenty taels of silver." Wen wondered.
Xuanyuan Hancheng saw that Lin Jiabao had paid thirty-five taels of silver, so he ordered another hundred taels to be added. Thinking about it and being afraid that it would be inappropriate, he ordered all to use broken silver. Therefore, the burden that the Lin family received will become a larger one.
"What's the matter? Jiabao is doing things in the Queen's Palace. The Queen's Queen is the biggest in the harem, of course, the most generous. There are also many rewards." Zhang said indifferently, the family listened, except for Lin Jiawen I think this is true!
Lin Jiawen's wife, Mrs. Wu, also thought that the money for the Xianggong to go to Xuzhou to take the rural examination next year would be enough.
Lin Li'er touched the delicate purse. The flowers and plants embroidered on it were so beautiful, and the purse was bulging. She poured the contents on the table, "There's still more in this purse!"
I saw five silver fruits and three golden melon seeds poured out of the purse.
"Yeah! Is this made of gold? It's so beautiful!" The little girl took a closer look.
"It's in the palace, and it's done delicately. This silver fruit is estimated to have two or two weights." Zhang Shi weighed the weight 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 the cost of going to the provincial capital Xuzhou for the rural exam in the year of the Lin family.
The remaining money is going to renovate the home, build a few more rooms, and expand the home. Seeing that the family is going to have a new population, and the children are getting older. The house matter is imminent.
I originally wanted to save the money 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. With labor and materials, it can be built very well for a few dozen taels.
If there are any leftovers, I will buy a few more acres of fertile land. Now there is no need to pay land tax. The more land, the more income.
No one objected to putting this acre of land in Lin Jiabao's name. If the family treasures come back with money in the future, they are all prepared to buy more fields. In this way, after Jiabao came back, he also had some reliance.
The first thing in the purse is left untouched, and it can be used in an emergency if there is an emergency.
Early the next morning, Mrs. Zhang went into the city to visit her 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 came to the door.
Lin Jiaojiao Niang heard yesterday that Lin Jiabao also brought something back, she was very curious, and came to inquire early this morning.
Wu Shi was not good at chasing her, so Lin Li'er supported her, so she had to ask her to sit down. "It's early in the morning, but something happened?"
"I heard that your Shuang'er brought something back, so I came to ask. Haha, where is your Shuang'er on duty now? My Jiaojiao is on duty in the noble lady's palace!" Lin Jiaojiaojiao asked gossip.
Wu Shi couldn't stand her appearance, "Our family treasure is on duty in the dim sum room in the Queen's palace!"
"It's in the Empress's palace!" Lin Jiaojiao Niang paused for a while, and then said proudly: "That's the kitchen clerk, my Jiaojiao is in front of the empress. How much money did your family bring back? ."
"It's none of your business!" Lin Lier said angrily when she heard that her brother was a handyman.
"I heard it's a big bag, a lot of money, right?" Lin Jiaojiao Niang asked reluctantly.
"I won't tell you." Lin Li'er replied slyly.
Wu Shi also didn't want to reveal it to her. She knew that the wealth was not revealed. "Not much, Aunt Lin, my family has something to do. It's not convenient for me to entertain you. Please come back."
"Oh, you're putting on airs when you're a talented lady? You don't even tell me that I know that she's just a handyman. She must have come back with a big bag of copper plates, hahahaha." Ken said, maliciously guessing.
Lin Li'er took out a big broom and chased her away, "Can you go! Can you go!"
Lin Jiaojiao Niang walked out of Lin Dazhuang's house scolding, "Damn girl, you are so pungent, be careful not to marry."
It was almost noon when Mrs. Zhang arrived at the Qin family in the city, and the Qin family was all there. Lin Jin'er was also very happy to see her mother, "Mother, why are you here?" Qin Kaixing saw it and stepped forward to salute his mother-in-law.
Zhang Shi first said hello to his in-laws, and then looked at his eldest grandson, Brother Cong, and a pair of twins.
After that, the news that Lin Jiabao came back with a letter from the family was all said. The Qin family was also very happy for them.
"When are mother-in-law, father-in-law and Jiawen going to leave?" Qin Kaixing asked, he had an idea in his mind.
"They're going to leave at the end of August, and the journey will take half a month." Mrs. Zhang replied, Lin Dazhuang and Lin Jiawen would go after the family's discussion. In fact, she really wanted to go, but her eldest daughter-in-law was due to give birth in October, and there were three children in the family, all of whom were inseparable.
"Look at this, let me accompany me to the capital this time. I have never been to the capital, so I just took this opportunity to take a look. There are also some goods in the store, and I will take them to the capital to explore the way. I The goods are all good, but the patterns are a bit outdated here, maybe people who go to the capital look at the freshness. I will buy some fashionable cloth in Beijing when I come back." Qin Kaixing is very business-minded and has made plans. .
After hearing this, Master Qin also agrees very much. His son has a family and a business, so he can go to experience it. He said to Mrs. Zhang: "My mother, Kai Xing is right, let him go with him. We have everything in the house, and you don't need to pay to hire them. I will send a few more guys and servants to escort them on the road. Safer too."
"The relationship is good, thank you in-laws. I'll go back and talk to them." Mrs. Zhang naturally agreed.
At noon, the Qin family enthusiastically left Mrs. Zhang for lunch, and in the afternoon took her back with a carriage.
Zhang Huiniang went back and told what the Qin family meant, and everyone felt good. Next, the Lin Dazhuang family got busy.
Just when Lin Dazhuang's family was happily building a house and preparing to go to the capital. Xuanyuan Hancheng was also contemplating his plan.
In the blink of an eye, in July, Xuanyuan Hancheng began to participate in the court meeting again. The court's response to things became more mature and smooth, and the ministers also felt the increasing pressure of His Royal Highness the Prince, and they were both convinced and fearful of him.
As usual, in the afternoon, Xuanyuan Hancheng came to Yongshou Palace to accompany his mother and talked over snacks.
The queen was very pleased that the prince often came to accompany her. Her second prince, Xuanyuan Hanqi, liked to dance with a knife and made a stick, so he didn't come often. But the prince is more considerate and often comes to accompany her. The wives who came to see him all praised His Royal Highness for his filial piety.
"Cheng'er, I've seen the Qiqiao Festival for a few days. I would like to invite some unmarried female relatives from the court to the palace. How about taking this opportunity to choose a side concubine for you? You have only three attendants besides Xue Caiyu. Concubine, there are too few, they are also old, I don't think you like it very much." The queen thought about taking a side concubine first, and when the Xue family's affairs are over, choose a prince concubine carefully, after all, it is the future The mother of the country, if you want the mother to honor the world, you can't be sloppy.
"Empress mother, don't need it. I have to recuperate for a year or two. I'm afraid it's not right to be a concubine now." Xuanyuan Hancheng shook his head.
"Why does it take another year or two? It's been more than a year. How does Imperial Physician Qian do things? It's not that he will help you with the army." The queen was a little annoyed.
"Don't blame Qian Tai's doctor, he is also very attentive for me to detoxify and recuperate. However, sometimes it is inevitable that I can't take care of it when I go out to fight. My body is now cleared of toxins, but I am still lacking in conditioning." Xuanyuan Hancheng replied. .
"Then what should I do? You've been out for nearly a year this time, but you're back now. If you don't get close to women for another year or two, you won't have any children. I'm afraid there will be rumors that His Royal Highness is sick. ." This is what worries the Queen.
"But I haven't been able to take care of it yet, and I can't do what I want. Although I can barely have sex, I won't have an offspring." Xuanyuan Hancheng continued to talk to his mother. In fact, his body has recovered a long time ago, but for the sake of his baby, he still delays it for another year or two. He is unwilling to touch other women.
"How can this be good?" The Queen asked worriedly.
"Don't worry, Empress, I have come up with a solution." Xuanyuan Hancheng said to Empress.
"I want to spoil only one twin. I only love this twin, and I don't go to other concubines. It is more difficult for twins to conceive children than for women, so it is normal for me to have no children for a year or two." Xuanyuan Hancheng said his method.
"Pampering only one twin, this is the reputation of beauty..." The Queen heard that this idea was okay, but it was still a hindrance to the Crown Prince's reputation.
"Empress mother, this is the best way. It's much better than the rumor that the crown prince is ill. I'm still young, a heroic boy, and it's nothing to love beauty." Xuanyuan Hancheng continued to lobby.
"Oh! This is the only way. You have someone to choose." The queen asked the prince.
"Not yet, please ask my mother to find it for me. It's better to be in the mother's harem." Xuanyuan Hancheng said calmly.
"Mother Zhou, you have heard what the prince said. Give me the list of suitable names in the Yongshou Palace tomorrow." The queen looked at the confidant Zhou Ma who was waiting on the side.
When the queen was talking to the prince, she only kept close attention to Mammy Zhou, and she was also very at ease with Mammy Zhou.
"Don't worry, Empress, I'll prepare the roster tomorrow." Mother Zhou patted her chest confidently.
Xuanyuan Hancheng listened to Mother Zhou's words with a happy expression on his face.
At the same time, Madam Lin in the Imperial Dianfang received a message from His Royal Highness's dark guard. After hearing this, Lin Ma frowned and sighed.
Mammy Zhou got the Queen's order and went back to look through the register of the servants of the Yongshou Palace.
This turn, Zhou mama is stupid, there are only five Shuang'er palace attendants in the Yongshou Palace! Two of them are over 20 years old, one is only 13 years old, and only two are 15 and 16 years old. These two Shuanger Palace attendants were all serving flowers and plants in the Yongshou Palace, and Zhou Mama specially went to see people.
Both of them are plain-looking and not at all provocative. How does this make His Royal Highness "special favor"
Mammy Zhou was walking around in her room, which made her explain to the empress tomorrow.
"Knock-knock..." Mammy Zhou heard the knock on the door, opened the door and saw Mammy Lin, "Old sister, why are you here?"
Mammy Lin came in with a food box, "It's about to beg for the festival, we, Yudianfang, have researched a new snack. Mammy Zhou, you are in front of the Queen, and you know the Queen's taste best. I'll ask you to help first. I'll taste it." As she said, Mammy Lin put the food box on the table.
"Old sister, what you do must be good. The empress loves to eat the desserts you make." Mammy Zhou and Mammy Lin are both sons of the queen's family. The palaces have also been taking care of each other for many years, as sisters.
Madam Lin took out the plate, "Try it, this is bird's nest cake, and this mold is also newly made."
"The shape of this magpie is good, old sister, you are attentive. The Queen Mother will definitely like it." Zhou Ma took a piece and put it in her mouth to taste, "It tastes so good! Old sister, just wait for the reward. "
"Then I'll borrow your auspicious words, haha." Mammy Lin also smiled, looking at Mammy Zhou's roster on the table, "I think you seem to be busy, so I didn't bother you."
"Hey! Older sister, I'm worrying about it. The Queen Mother wants to give Her Royal Highness a servant in our palace, but I don't see any of them. How can I deal with it?"
"There are very few palace attendants in our palace. It's difficult to choose this person." Lin Ma said with concern.
"There are only two that meet the conditions, but their appearances are too ordinary." Mother Zhou complained bitterly.
"Then what should I do? If the appearance is not good, the Empress must be dissatisfied." Lin Ma agreed, "Speaking of appearance... The appearance of the twins in my imperial room is very good."
"It's a pity that I'm only 13 years old and I'm too young." Mother Zhou said regretfully.
"I'm not 13 years old. I just passed my 14th birthday last month, but I'm still a little younger." Lin Momo said, "That's really good, her eyes are so big that they seem to be able to talk, and there is a pair of Dimples are hilarious."
Mammy Zhou heard what Mammy Lin said so well, and thought for a while, "How about I report all three of them to the Empress, and one more will be fine."
"Yeah, there are too few candidates to choose. If there is one more person, the list will look better." Mammy Lin guided her intentionally.
"Well, that's it."
The next day, Mammy Zhou handed over the three candidates to the Empress. After the Queen read it, she placed the roster heavily on the table, "Mammy Zhou, how are you doing! How come there are only three candidates, and there are still There is a young man as young as 13 years old, make up the number!"
Mother Zhou hurriedly knelt down and said the answer she had thought of before, "Empress Empress, it's not that I don't care. There are too few palace attendants in our palace. There are only two that fit, but they are really unsatisfactory. , How can this make His Royal Highness "specially favored", I have to add another one, although I am a little younger, but the appearance is very good, and it will not humiliate His Royal Highness."
Mammy Zhou looked at the empress's face a little better, and continued to say, "This pair of children works in the imperial house, and they are well-behaved and sensible. They just turned 14 years old last month, although they are a little younger. The women are different, the younger ones are at the tender age."
"That said, I'm afraid that Cheng'er doesn't like it." The Queen heard Zhou Ma's reason and couldn't blame her any more.
"Empress Empress, why not let His Royal Highness take a look. If you don't like it, then you have to choose among the palace attendants in other palaces."
"Well, let the prince make up his own mind. It's the person he wants to favor, or he likes it. Mammy Zhou, you can arrange it." The queen didn't want to choose other people in the palace, not the president of her own palace. Is not at ease. Moreover, the selection of people from other palaces is also a bit louder, which is inappropriate. I hope this candidate will be satisfied.
"promise."