The spear that Emperor Jingshun rewarded his son-in-law was certainly a good spear. It was 13 feet long and weighed 42 pounds. The spear head was extremely sharp and flashed a cold dark light.
The prince had only learned some boxing and archery skills so far. When he saw the gun, he was more excited than Chen Jingzong and asked Chen Jingzong to show him some gun skills.
Chen Jingzong decided to go see Huayang first.
Huayang had discovered long ago that every time Chen Jingzong saw his father or brother, he would always act respectfully and follow their lead. His father-in-law and mother-in-law disliked him for being rude and reckless, but in fact he was smarter than anyone else.
"Go ahead, and be careful." Huayang said, then stood up and followed the big and small ones out.
Chen Jingzong walked to the middle of the yard carrying the precious spear, while Huayang held his brother's hand and stood under the eaves, keeping a distance.
Speaking of which, this was the second time Huayang saw Chen Jingzong use a gun.
The first time was in her previous life, when her father and mother took her to visit Chen Jingzong.
Even if they wanted to meet each other, they had to find other reasons. It happened that Chen Jingzong was serving in the Jinyiwei at that time, so the emperor selected twenty soldiers to compete with them on the pretext of reviewing the Jinyiwei's military strength.
Wrestling is not decent, and each soldier can choose a weapon.
Chen Jingzong chose a gun.
He was tall and handsome, and he wielded a wooden spear with great authority and vigor. He defeated nine people in a row. In the end, he had to retreat because his spear shaft broke due to his excessive strength.
Huayang was only seventeen years old at that time. Although she admired gentle and elegant men, and also respected the invincible generals and heroes on the battlefield, she was satisfied with Chen Jingzong's appearance and skills. In addition, he was the son of Chen Ge Lao. During the time when she was waiting to get married, Huayang had imagined Chen Jingzong to be a romantic figure who was as good at both civil and military affairs as Zhou Lang in the Three Kingdoms period.
How could she know that "Chen Lang" Meng Lang was lustful and didn't like to be particular!
"good!"
The prince's sudden cheering brought Huayang back to his senses. He happened to see Chen Jingzong performing a beautiful gun show and then put away his gun.
Huayang looked at the gun again and felt a little confused. When they came to pay New Year's greetings in their previous life, his father did not give Chen Jingzong this gun. Why did it change this time
Could it be that Chen Jingzong looks more handsome in this Shu brocade robe, and the emperor is also pleased by his son-in-law's kindness
After all, it was the New Year, so the couple did not stay in the palace for too long. They took some rewards and left the palace.
On the way out of the palace, I met Princess Nankang and her family who were returning from Concubine Lin's place.
Seeing two young eunuchs carrying a long box, which contained something valuable, Princess Nankang asked curiously, "Sister, what is this?"
Hua Yang smiled faintly: "My father rewarded the prince consort with a precious spear."
Chen Jingzong stood beside her, with his eyes downcast and a respectful look.
Princess Nankang subconsciously looked at her husband Meng Yanqing.
It’s so infuriating. The emperor obviously loves her two children, so why did he give Huayang and his wife special rewards
It must be because Meng Yanqing is holding back, and is not as favored by the emperor as Chen Jingzong!
Come to think of it, she had two sons-in-law, one was good at training soldiers and helped the guard win the championship in the competition, and the other was drunk and only cared about his concubine. If she were the emperor, she would also favor the former!
After figuring it out, Princess Nankang glared at Meng Yanqing fiercely.
Huayang and Chen Jingzong got on the carriage first. The gun was too long and could only be placed in front of the carriage.
Huayang adjusted her skirt and turned her head to see Chen Jingzong frowning with a complicated expression.
"Why do you look unhappy about the reward given by your father?" Huayang asked curiously.
Chen Jingzong: "If he had rewarded me on the day I won the competition, I would have been happy. But today, when he held his grandson in his arms, he gave me a meaningful look, and then gave me a golden spear. What do you want me to think?"
Huayang: …
The gun is a common weapon, but when it comes out of his mouth, it suddenly becomes something else.
Huayang's face was a little hot, and he turned away and said, "If the emperor really doubts that you are not capable, he should also reward you with elixirs. Don't distort his meaning."
Chen Jingzong raised his eyebrows: "What kind of elixir?"
Huayang didn't want to mention the pills that harmed his father's health. His face turned cold and he warned Chen Jingzong: "Don't even think about it. If I find out that you use the medicine indiscriminately..."
How could Chen Jingzong not know about elixirs
He was just teasing her with words, but she suddenly got angry, and Chen Jingzong immediately thought of Emperor Jingshun's health.
It is no secret among officials in Beijing that the emperor is lustful.
Before Huayang could utter any harsh words, Chen Jingzong said solemnly, "Don't worry, I won't touch it."
He didn't need it, but he couldn't say it anymore. She was obviously not in the mood to listen to his jokes at this moment.
Huayang leaned against the car board and closed his eyes.
Chen Jingzong remained silent and waited until the carriage stopped in front of the Chen Mansion. Only then did Huayang seem to have forgotten about the elixir and a smile that matched the New Year's atmosphere appeared on his face.
After returning to Siyi Hall, Chen Jingzong left the gun in the front yard to avoid it being an eyesore to her.
After a while, when he arrived at the backyard, he saw Chaoyun holding three invitations and asking Huayang to decide: "Princess, these three families will have banquets tomorrow, which one do you want to go to?"
There were banquets all around the New Year. There were many royal relatives in the capital, and the princes were all away. Some of the new and old princesses were married in the capital. Even if some of the older princesses had passed away, their descendants were still royal relatives. Such a mansion had no relationship with Chen Tingjian, but it sent an invitation to Huayang and Chen Jingzong.
The three families that were going to hold banquets on the second day of the Chinese New Year were not close to Huayang, so Huayang instructed: "None of them will go, just give each of them a gift."
Chaoyun understood, and took the invitation and went to the warehouse with two maids.
Chen Jingzong sat down next to Huayang, thought for a moment, and asked, "We are going to have a banquet tomorrow, do you want to go?"
Huayang showed little interest: "Which one?"
Chen Jingzong: "Lü Ge's hometown."
There are four elders in the cabinet now. These elders stay together every day, and the time they spend together may be longer than the time they spend with their families.
Huayang is familiar with these ministers. Minister Lu supports his father-in-law's faction, so Huayang is willing to give face to the Lu family.
"Go ahead."
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Chen Jingzong smile.
Huayang asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Chen Jingzong: "Don't be angry if I tell you."
Huayang: "You try it first."
Huayang was not so narrow-minded. He snorted, "It's human nature. The elders can help my father deal with state affairs. They are all meritorious people. What have those relatives done? They are close relatives, so why should I bother to entertain them?"
Chen Jingzong: "Well, that's how it should be."
The next day, Huayang followed the Chen family to attend a banquet at Lu Ge Lao's residence.
The princess' carriage was in the front. When she got off the carriage, Lord Lu, dressed in a dark robe, came personally with his family to greet the princess.
Mr. Lu is almost sixty years old. Half of his hair and beard are white, and his appearance and demeanor are three points inferior to Chen Tingjian.
Chen Jingzong was watching from the side and found that Huayang treated Lord Lu with great respect and courtesy.
Looking at Lu Ge Lao's three middle-aged sons and none of his grandsons were of the same age as Huayang, Chen Jingzong secretly felt fortunate.
If Lord Lu had the same outstanding appearance as the old man and had handsome children of marriageable age, Empress Qi might not necessarily choose the Chen family for marriage.
.
On the fifth day of the first lunar month, a certain garrison commander held a banquet at his home. Chen Jingzong went there alone and came back reeking of alcohol.
He took a nap in the front yard on his own accord, and when he woke up it was already dusk.
After taking a shower and rinsing his mouth to completely get rid of the smell of alcohol, Chen Jingzong went to the backyard to find Huayang.
It was still some time before dinner, so the two of them sat on the couch in the second room and chatted.
Huayang: "Have a feast and drink some wine. You really enjoyed this New Year."
Chen Jingzong: "I don't want to drink more, but they insist on forcing me to drink more. If everyone else drinks but I don't, it will be embarrassing for them."
Although he said he was embarrassed, there was no sign of sadness on his face as if he was forced to drink.
Huayang thought that soaking Chen Jingzong in a pool of wine was like throwing a fish into the water. He would be happy!
Fortunately, Chen Jingzong now knows how to behave himself and won't come near her when he's drunk, so Huayang doesn't have to worry about it.
"There's a banquet at my uncle's house tomorrow night. Did you forget?"
Chen Jingzong: "How dare I forget to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Madam? I have turned down all other banquets on the same day and waited to celebrate the Madam's birthday."
Huayang nodded. On grandma’s big day, his father would always show his appreciation.
After dinner, it was already pitch dark outside the window. The two washed up early and went to bed.
Although he should be resting tonight, Chen Jingzong's hands have been restless.
But there was no lotus bowl prepared, so it was useless for him to argue.
Huayang was awakened by his noise. When he finally went to sleep, Huayang suddenly remembered something and told him, "Drink less tomorrow night."
In her previous life, when her grandmother celebrated her birthday, Chen Jingzong drank a lot. When he came back, he sat gloomily beside the bed, which scared her a lot.
Chen Jingzong: "I can't decide this. It depends on whether others want to respect me."
Huayang could imagine the men drinking and chatting at the banquet, and snorted, "You've drunk too much. You should sleep in the front room tomorrow night."
Chen Jingzong: "If I drink less, will there be a reward?"
Huayang: "Dream on."
.
Because it was his grandmother's birthday, Huayang took Chen Jingzong to Wuqing Marquis' Mansion early the next morning.
The other guests would come in the afternoon. At this time, the Wuqing Marquis Mansion was still relatively quiet, with only the servants busying around in an orderly manner.
Marquis Wuqing and his son Qi Jin entertained Chen Jingzong. The marquis's wife was in charge, so Huayang and his cousin-in-law Tian accompanied Madam Qi to visit the garden.
The sun was shining brightly. Madam Qi looked at Tian and praised Huayang, saying, "Your words are still effective. Look at your cousin's wife. She is in such good spirits now."
Tian lowered her eyes somewhat embarrassedly.
Huayang had just looked at Tian outside the Marquis's mansion. Tian was a thin beauty commonly seen in the capital. She was too haggard when she was sick, which was shocking to look at. Now she looks much better. Although she is still slender and thin, she is so beautiful that it makes people feel pity for her.
There was a bench in front, and the three of them sat down and talked.
Through a grove of flowering trees that had long lost all their leaves, one could see the stage and shed built on the opposite side.
Madam Qi shook her head and said, "I told your uncle and aunt a long time ago to not be too ostentatious, but they just didn't listen to me and even hired two opera troupes."
Tian sat sideways, gently massaging the old lady's legs.
Huayang coaxed the old lady: "Your uncle and aunt are filial to you. You may say you dislike them, but you are so happy in your heart."
Her attention was attracted by Tian's actions again and again.
Huayang thought that even if she was not a princess, it would be impossible for her husband's mother-in-law or the lady-in-law to expect her to serve her so considerately.
At this time, Qi Jin and Chen Jingzong came over from the bluestone road they came from. The two were of similar height and both had handsome looks. They walked side by side, and even Huayang looked at them a few more times.
Tian stood up stiffly.
Huayang still sat next to his grandmother.
Madam Qi smiled and asked, "Why are you here?"
Qi Jin explained: "You always miss your husband. Today is a rare day for me to be free. I will bring my husband here to talk with you."
When he spoke, Huayang of course looked at him. After all, he was his cousin and it was rare for them to meet each other.
The sun is shining today, and her face, looking up, is white with a hint of pink, and looks bright and beautiful.
Qi Jin looked at her, then looked away naturally.
Madam Qi patted the spot where Tian had just sat, and asked Chen Jingzong to sit down as well. She then said to Qi Jin, "The mansion is busy today, so you and your wife don't have to accompany me. Go to the front and keep an eye on it."
She knew what Chang Sun was thinking, and felt sorry for him because he still couldn't let go after all these years. But the queen was the one who made the decision, so she had to suppress Chang Sun and not give him any chances, let alone reveal any flaws for the princess to notice.
Qi Jin smiled, said goodbye to Tian and left.
(End of this chapter)