Being affectionate and giving birth to a child during the hot filial piety period is not a big deal or a small one. Be cautious. If you cheat on the child's birth date, it will be over. People tell me, it's not a big deal.
Liang Shilang is cautious enough. After his son was born, he made manipulations on the household registration, so that even if someone calculates it forward, it will not be a problem, but this trick can only coax ordinary people. If Jinyiwei and Dongxichang want to If he finds out something, it is estimated that even his mother can find out how old he can talk, let alone such a handle.
As a court official, the most important thing is to have a reputation, regardless of whether the reputation is good or not, as long as no one is impeached, it will be fine. Once someone is impeached, they have to take the blame at home and wait for the outcome. This is also a rule.
Tang Fan finally let go of his anger and asked, "What did you do?"
Wang Zhi said quietly: "I really wanted to do it, but unfortunately I was robbed first. That guy from Suizhou sent someone to investigate."
Since Tang Fan gave him advice through Pan Bin, he owed Tang Fan a lot of favor. Although the other party was only a fifth-rank petty official, he had helped him many times. Although Wang Zhi was not a benevolent person, he He is arrogant and arrogant, and does not want to accept the favor of others in vain.
As the saying goes, money debts are easy to repay, but human debts are difficult to repay. Who knows that Tang Fan has never been able to find a chance to repay him. Although there is no way to restore Tang Fan's official position for the time being, he will use Wang Zhi's ability to retaliate against Liang Wenhua. , or more than enough.
As a result, it was one step ahead.
How can this make Eunuch Wang not resentful
Tang Fan snorted, his heart warmed.
He knew that Suizhou must have retaliated against Liang Wenhua for his dismissal, but Suizhou and Tang Fan had a good relationship, but they had to avoid suspicion and could not report it directly, so he had to go through the supervision of Imperial History Guan Yong to impeach.
Tang Fan was not in the yamen, so the news was naturally not so well-informed. He heard the words and said, "As far as I know, Shangguan Yong has no friendship with Jin Yiwei, how could he be willing to do it?"
Wang Zhi only said one sentence: "Shangguan Yong is from Huating, Songjiang Prefecture."
Tang Fan suddenly realized that there was no other reason. Zhang Shangshu, who was kicked to Nanjing by the first assistant Wan'an, was a native of Huating, Songjiang Prefecture!
Dare to Qing Shangguan Yong is avenging Zhang Ying!
Wang Zhi said: "Shangguanyong is Zhang Ying's fellow countryman, and he is a latecomer. He communicates with Zhang Ying from time to time. Shangguanyong does not dare to attack Wan'an, but he still has the courage to impeach Liang Wenhua. I can't see it, Sui Guangchuan actually I also learned to borrow a knife to kill!"
Tang Fan asked, "What about Liang Wenhua, should he reflect at home?"
Wang Zhi laughed: "Don't talk about it, it's been lively these few days! Liang Wenhua's shameless guy, not only did not stay at home, but insisted on going to the yamen every day. But the more he is like this, the more criticism he is from others, Those censors were idle all day long, like a group of flies staring at the cracks of eggs. Seeing such a situation, how could they let it go? There is no other way but to transfer him temporarily."
Seeing his schadenfreude, Tang Fan couldn't help guessing, "Relocated to Nanjing?"
Wang Zhi touched his palm and laughed loudly: "No! I happened to be with old man Zhang this time. When the enemy met, he was very jealous. How the two of them would fight!"
Tang Fan shook his head, thinking that it would be really lively.
But no matter how lively it is, I can't see it. With such a thing, at least Liang Wenhua's dream of being a minister must be hopeless.
Wang Zhi had a rift with Shang Ming. Shang Ming has now taken refuge with Wan An. Naturally, Wang Zhi did not like Wan An's faction. Liang Wenhua was a great help to Wan An's men. Now that he has been removed, Wang Zhi follows. It was lively, and I felt very comfortable.
But Tang Fan couldn't help reminding him, "Mr. Wang, your current situation is a little fuzzy!"
Wang Zhi was inexplicable: "What fuzzy?"
Tang Fan teased: "Look, in the eyes of others, you are a man of Concubine Wan, and Wan An clings to Concubine Wan, but now Liang Wenhua has been demoted, you should have felt the same way, but instead, it's not good stop?"
Wang gave him a straight look and said nothing.
But what Tang Fan said next was no joke: "Because Wan An shares the same surname as Concubine Wan, he went to climb relatives with her. To put it bluntly, he can sit stably in this position as the first assistant, and he is not less hugged by his thighs. Yes, now Shang Ming has formed an alliance with Wan An, which means that they are all in the same faction now. What about you? You have a grudge against Shang Ming, and you dislike Wan An, but you have not stood by Wynn. On the other side, and the imperial concubine's feeling of closeness to you is not as good as before, your situation is like four words."
Lonely, family, widow, people!
Don't need Tang Fan's reminder, these four words have already appeared in Wang Zhi's mind.
He was startled, and his cold and arrogant expression became a little unstable.
If Tang Fan's previous analysis only made Wang Zhi feel reasonable and planned to implement it, then as soon as he followed Liang Wenhua's story, his sense of crisis was a hundred times stronger than before.
It's almost like sitting on pins and needles, and I can't wait to enter the palace immediately!
But what if you enter the palace
Concubine Wan did not see him for an excuse, which was already a very obvious signal.
Wang Zhi frowned tightly, pinched his fingers on the armrest, his face was sinking like water, after a while, he got up and gave Tang Fan a solemn bow: "Please teach me sir."
Yes, from calling him by his first name directly to Mr., this treatment is simply incredible!
But it also reflects that it's not that Wang Zhi can't let go of his body, he just depends on whether the other party is worth it or not.
—A typical pragmatist.
Tang Fan naturally got up to help him, and said warmly, "Mr. Wang doesn't have to be like this. I've already shown my attitude if I can come to the appointment, and things are not at the point where there is no turning back."
Wang Zhi just pretended to eat Tang Fan, and immediately went down the steps: "Then tell me quickly."
If it was said that because of their unequal identities, Wang Zhi always had some airs between his words and deeds, it was not until this moment that he really looked at Tang Fan as a person and regarded him as an equal to himself. .
Because it turns out that Tang Fan doesn't need to rely on him to ascend to power at all. Even if he loses his official position and wants to take revenge, he still has the help of Suizhou. With Suizhou's ability and the degree to which he is valued by the emperor, it is only a matter of time before he takes charge of Jinyiwei.
On the contrary, he came to Tang Fan several times to ask for advice, and he owed him a lot of favors. Not only did they not ask to be fulfilled, but every time they basically made an appointment, they would fulfill their request. This loyalty alone is also for others. incomparable.
Wang Zhi is not someone who doesn't know what's good or bad and doesn't have eyesight. It's just that he has always been a little bit carried away by his experience of ascending to a high position at a young age. In addition, he has made many contributions in side affairs in the past two years. .
But now this self-satisfaction has been crushed by Tang Fan a little, and now only the solemnity is left.
Tang Fan: "How to do it, I have already analyzed it for Mr. Wang one by one. But Mr. Wang should have a bottom line in his heart."
Wang Zhi: "I would like to hear the details."
Tang Fan: "I know, you don't like Wan An and Shang Ming's gang, but because you were brought up by the imperial concubine, you can't help but stand by her side, because in the eyes of the courtiers, you are from the Zhaode Palace."
Zhaode Palace is the palace where Concubine Wan was conferred, and courtiers sometimes referred to it as Zhaode Palace.
Wang Zhi did not hesitate to say: "Yes, to be honest, my position is very embarrassing now. Several parties do not rely on me, and many parties do not trust me."
Tang Fan said it very clearly: "Wan Guifei or Wan An, they all depend on His Majesty, you only need to be loyal to His Majesty. Besides, as I said just now, Xichang is a A double-edged sword, used well, will pay off handsomely.”
Wang Zhi: "I have one more thing to ask you."
Tang Fan: "Please speak."
Wang Zhi: "after going back to the East Palace case last time, His Royal Highness knew that I turned around for him, and he misses me very much. He once asked Wynn to thank me. Even Wynn's old guy's attitude towards me is better than before. a little."
Tang Fan knew that he was going to say more than that, so he didn't interrupt and listened to him continue.
Wang Zhi: "But the prince is the prince after all. As long as he doesn't get the great treasure for a day, he will be the crown prince. And the concubine has always looked down on the prince, but it's just that the prince has been doing well and has no chance to start."
Tang Fan nodded lightly: "It can be seen from the East Palace case that the conflict between the imperial concubine and the prince will break out sooner or later."
Concubine Wan killed the prince's mother, can she feel guilty and save others by herself, will she believe that the prince really has no revenge? No matter how kind and gentle the prince behaved, there was always a thorn in her heart. If she could change to another prince, at least she could sleep more peacefully.
The Donggong case is like a fuse, bringing the gap between the two parties to the surface.
Wang Zhi paused and said, "Then one day, His Majesty's decision is not good for the Crown Prince. Do you think I should side with His Majesty or the Crown Prince?"
This question is too cruel, and Wang Zhi has been thinking about it for a long time, so he will ask this doubt hidden in his heart.
This problem is also the fundamental reason why he has not taken a good stand.
There were only the two of them in the private room at the moment, but after speaking, Wang Zhi still felt a wave of regret.
If Tang Fan is untrustworthy and spreads today's words to a third person, his political career will be over.
Tang Fan: "Let me not say those words of conscience, Duke Wang might as well think about it, if you set up another prince according to the idea of the Zhaode Palace, and succeed him as the new prince in the future, will it be good for you, that person? Xinjun will miss you, okay? There are enough people around Concubine Wan now, no less than you, and now the prince is benevolent and sincere, whoever lends a helping hand when he is in trouble, he will definitely remember This kindness. For you, it is not difficult to choose which is better or worse."
Wang Zhi pondered for a moment, obviously listening, but he still needs more time to think about such a major matter, and it is impossible to tell Tang Fan the result, he just said: "You said it lightly, you didn't sit down. In my position, I can't experience walking on thin ice at all."
Tang Fan said with a smile, "The so-called capable people work hard, how else would Duke Wang have more power and a higher official position than me? The greater the power, the greater the responsibility."
Wang Zhi: "Forget it, let's not gossip, since you are leaving the capital, today's banquet should be practiced for you."
Tang Fan: "I'll tell you a secret."
Wang Zhi: "?"
Tang Fan: "Actually, after I was conferred an official position in the Hanlin Academy, I secretly went to the Qinlou Chu Pavilion to eat flower wine once in the same year."
Wang Zhi was inexplicable: "What are you telling me about this?"
Tang Fan smiled slightly: "Exchange secrets for secrets, lest you worry about me, always afraid that I will tell you what happened today."
Wang Zhi: "… "
In fact, after having known each other for so long, he still believed in Tang Fan's character more in his heart, otherwise he wouldn't be here to discuss such deep topics with him, but Tang Fan's inconsistency really made him feel powerless.
However, with Tang Fan's words, the solemn atmosphere of the whole room also disappeared.
When Tang Fan came out of Xianyun Pavilion, it was almost the second watch.
After leaving the street where the Xianyun Pavilion is located, all the hustle and bustle was immediately left behind. There were quiet households on both sides, and there were a few people with a little light from the windows. Or the female family members are rushing to make a pair of winter cotton shoes for their relatives.
Although Tang Fan no longer has an official position, he still has an official body, so the curfew cannot be placed on his head.
He drank too much, and he was inevitably a little drunk, but his mind was still clear, so he walked back slowly, looked at the moon in the sky, and couldn't help thinking of a night a few years ago, it seemed that he also came home late because of drinking. Then, on the way, I met a white lotus sect demon who pretended to be a ghost, and finally Suizhou appeared in time.
Letting his thoughts run wild, he unknowingly saw that familiar alley.
Just like the road when we came, it was dark all around.
But the difference is that there seems to be a person standing at the entrance of the alley with a lantern in his hand.
The familiar figure made him stunned for a moment, then quickened his pace and stepped forward.
Sure enough, it was Suizhou.
He stood here most of the night, naturally not to feed mosquitoes.
"I'm afraid you'll be back late and can't see the way." He said to Tang Fan.
When Tang Fan came out, he also had a lantern in his hand, but after walking this way, the candle flame was already faint, and it was not as bright as the one in Sui Zhou's hand.
The bright candles seemed to warm people's hearts.
Tang Fan smiled slightly: "Thank you."
This thank you, it's not just Sui Zhou who came out to pick him up.
As for what to thank, the two knew very well, and many things did not need to be explained.
It's pointless to say it too clearly.
A gust of wind blew, and the lantern in Tang Fan's hand struggled for a while, and finally went out completely.
The only light source around was the lantern in Sui Zhou's hand.
The dim and soft shimmer of light snaked up along the outline of Tang Fan's chin, which was really handsome and could not be described.
It can be said to see beauty under the lamp, nothing more than that.
"Let's go, go home."
———
Going to visit my sister, of course, does not mean that you can leave. The He family that Tang Yu married to is a big family, three generations in the same house, and the relatives of the three aunts and six mothers. Gifts must be available.
Fortunately, at the foot of the emperor in the capital, everything is available. Tang Fan bought it for several days, and finally bought everything.
But after such a search, Master Tang's savings level has at least regressed for several years.
Originally, he planned to buy a house. After all, as A-Dong grew up day by day, it was no longer suitable for her and Sui Zhou to live under the same roof. Of course, this was not to say that Sui Zhou had bad thoughts about A-Dong. But in the eyes of outsiders, there are differences between men and women, and A-Dong's reputation must also be considered. Besides, no matter how thick-skinned Tang Fan is, he can't stay in someone else's house for the rest of his life.
With the money that Suizhou has helped save over the past few years, it should be enough to buy a cheaper real estate in the capital, but Suizhou hopes that they can live closer, of course, it is best to be around, so that they can take care of each other. , Tang Fan also thought so, but unfortunately the house price near Suizhou's house is too expensive, and he won't be able to get it for a while.
It happened that Suizhou was transferred to an official from outside the house next door, and he didn't want to come back for three or five years. The male owner wanted to sell his house in the capital. Although the asking price was a bit high, if Tang Fan took out all his savings, he would sell it again. A good ink was dropped, but it was just right.
As a result, in order to buy gifts for the He family, there is a gap in the collected money.
Master Tang's heart is dripping blood with the silver flying away with wings...
Drops of blood return to drop of blood, gifts still have to be bought. After buying gifts, Tang Fan bid farewell to Suizhou and A-Dong, and left Beijing with Qian San'er.
Before leaving, he entrusted Suizhou with buying a house and let him make up his mind at will. As for the money issue, he could only borrow it from Suizhou first. Anyway, since the relationship is so good, yours is mine and mine is too. You, money debt, you owe it, you get used to it...
There were also two Jinyiwei guards in the entourage, one of whom followed Tang Fan and the others to go to Gongxian County's Jinyiwei General Banner Yanli.
Tang Fan doesn't have an official position now, but his general banner is of the seventh rank. He is famous for Jinyiwei. It would be too aggrieved to be a bodyguard for an idler. —
Take it or leave it.
Master Tang was helpless and had to succumb to "prostitution".
Of course, he wouldn't think that Sui Zhou was trying to monitor him, it was just a way for Sui Zhenfu to express his concern.
Along the way, the carriage was rolling, the wheels were rolling, and the people on it were not people, but gifts. Qian San'er drove the car.
Tang Fan, Yan Li and other three rode on horses. The former, after rushing through Gongxian County, had become accustomed to the way of horseback riding. Walking and continuing to walk is very leisurely, and of course it is not tired.
"Old Yan, I'm really sorry, this time I have to trouble you to follow me!" Tang Fan said apologetically.
Yan Li smiled heartily: "Master Tang, what are you talking about, I have a rare opportunity to be lazy, and I would like to thank you, Master Tang!"
Tang Fan: "I'm no longer an adult. If you don't dislike it, just call my face to be radiant."
Even though Yan Li is a martial artist, he has some details: "That won't work, you are our uncle's best friend, so I'll call you son!"
Tang Fan couldn't beat him: "As you like."
Yan Li looked at the cart of gifts that Tang Fan brought, and asked curiously, "Is there so many people in the He family? Will the son bring too many gifts?"
Tang Fan shook his head: "It's not much at all, I'm afraid it won't be enough. Although Xianghe County is small, the He family is an authentic official family. Today's old He Ying, the old man of the He family, was once an official to Zhejiang's chief envoy Si Zuo to participate in politics. He has already served. The eldest son, He Yi, was born as a scholar, and now he is an official."
It is not easy to become a jinshi these days, and it is even more difficult for both father and son to be officials. People like the He family can indeed become a family of officials and eunuchs, not to mention that He Ying's father is also an official, but he died a long time ago, and It's too old to be mentioned.
Yan Li suddenly said, "I have some impressions of the name He Ying. So, could it be that Sister Ling's husband is He Yi?"
Tang Fan: "No, my brother-in-law's name is He Lin, the second son of the He family."
Yan Li: "Oh, where are you now an official?"
Tang Fan: "He's not an official."
Yan Li: "Is that Master Juren?"
Tang Fan coughed lightly: "I didn't even lift it..."
Yan Li: "..."
He didn't dare to ask any more, this question was too offensive.
Tang Fan solved the mystery himself: "My brother-in-law is talented and intelligent, and he was known as a child prodigy when he was young. Maybe it's because of bad luck and repeated failures in exams. Now... he's just a scholar."
Yan Li's face was a little strange.
Scholars are the lowest-ranking fame among scholars, and those who are not even scholars are called Tongsheng. The competition in the imperial examinations was fierce, and many scholars might not be able to become scholars in their lifetime, and even if they did not pass the examination, they could at least become a teacher when they returned to their hometown.
But that's for the average person.
The problem is that in a family of three generations of officials like the He family, Lao Tzu became a third-rank official, and his eldest brother was also a jinshi, but He Lin couldn't even pass the exam.
In particular, people in the capital such as Yan Li dealt with various officials every day, and even the cabinet Saisuke did not know how many dozen he had met. In his eyes, a scholar was really not enough.
But in order to avoid embarrassing Tang Fan too much, he still comforted him: "My brother-in-law is still young, so it must be just bad luck for a while. When luck comes, it won't stop you."
Tang Fan chuckled: "Besides my brother-in-law's brother who is out of town, my brother-in-law also has a younger brother, who I heard a few years ago is also a scholar, but I don't know if it is listed now. In addition, there are many female relatives in the He family, as well as Mr. He's family members. Brothers and so on, all of the He family members live in Xianghe County, and they move around a lot on weekdays, so I don't have much for this gift at all."
Yan Li was eager for him to change the subject, so he nodded his head after hearing the words: "Yes, yes!"
The group of them chatted on the road, stopped and walked, because the travel was slow, and Tang Fan understood that it was not easy for her sister to be a daughter-in-law.
Over there in Xianghe County, there is a family holding a banquet.
Because this year's Autumn Festival just released the list, some of the children in the family were selected, and the old man was happy, so he ordered a banquet to celebrate.
The people hosting the banquet are not ordinary. As soon as this post, all the rich and powerful people in the county came, and even the county magistrate came to congratulate him in person.
Those who haven't received the post should try their best to get in and have a meal. If they can get to know the host, or the local parental official, they will make a lot of money.
Needless to say, this family's surname is He, which is the He family that Tang Fan's eldest sister, Tang Yu, married into.
As for the one in the middle, it was not Tang Fan's brother-in-law, He Lin, but He Lin's younger brother, He Xuan, the youngest son of the He family.
The eldest son is used to support the appearance, the youngest son is used to hurt, the youngest in the family is chosen, the elders of the He family are naturally very happy. The hand was softened, and there were more and more people in sight, and some who did not receive the invitation also wanted to come in and fish in troubled waters, and quickly stopped them from entering.
From the main hall to the courtyard, there are more than a dozen tables. The people sitting in the hall are naturally all the big figures in the county, the county magistrates, the county magistrates, the chief clerk, etc. One by one, there are also many high-profile gentry, congratulations. Family friends, in-laws, etc., are arranged one by one according to their status, and those that are not so important are assigned to positions in the courtyard.
The kitchen was in full swing, and the dishes flowed like water on the ground.
The door is full of guests, and the place is full of high friends. Naturally, not only male guests, but also family members will come. Behind is the event venue for women's family members. There are also more than a dozen tables. The guests at the table, lest any guests feel neglected.
"Master He San is a high school student today, and next year's Spring Festival will be able to go all the way without hindrance. A second-class scholar will really be honored by then!" As the wife of today's protagonist, Weiss is also at this table, and the guests naturally want to Pick something nice to say.
Wei Shi's eyes widened when he heard it, his mouth was almost grinning to his ear, and he said humbly: "This can't be said nonsense, there are so many talents in the world, my master was lucky, and I can't make this conclusion, and it's spread out, It would be too arrogant to say that our family is too arrogant!"
A female guest who knew her well smiled and said, "You don't have to be too modest. I think your master is only twenty-five years old this year, and he is already a master of Juren. Looking at the Ming Dynasty, he is already a young man. Those seventy or eighty-year-olds who are still old scholars, have they been missing?"
The speaker has no intention, and the listener has intention. After hearing these words, everyone's eyes can't help but glance at the table next door.
There is no other reason. The person next to the table who is in charge of greeting the guests is Tang Yu, the second grandmother of the He family.
According to the current concept, outsiders should be called He Tang Shi.
Wei Shi glanced at Tang Yu, the latter's face was as usual, with a faint and decent smile on his face, while introducing the dishes to the female family next to him, he didn't know if he heard these words.
She smiled and said, "I can't say that, like my second uncle, you have talent, but unfortunately, your luck is not good, so you will fail the test repeatedly!"
There was a female dependent pouting: "I'm in my thirties, and I still can't pass the exam, I'm afraid there is no hope."
Another person whispered: "On the other hand, he is still pedantic and lofty. I heard that he is bored at home reading dead books all day long. Thanks to the great wealth of the He family, he can support such idle people, otherwise he would not have gone bankrupt long ago?"
Weiss didn't answer their words. He lowered his head and ate the food, smiling and listening. Naturally, he couldn't hide the spring breeze on his face.
He Yizhong, the eldest of the He family, was twenty-seven when he was a jinshi. If He Xuan can win the title next year, it will only be twenty-six. Then he will become the pride of the He family. It is no wonder that Wei Shi will be with Yourong Yan, husband and wife. One, of course, is that the wife is the husband.
There was a maid over there in a hurry, walked straight to Tang Yu's table, went all the way to Tang Yu's side, bent over and said something to her.
But seeing Tang Yu's face changing slightly, she immediately got up, invited Wei Shi aside, and said softly to her, "Brother and sister, your second uncle is a little unwell, and now you're going back to your room to rest, I'll go to see him first, I'll ask you here. You look after it."
Wei Shi showed a surprised look: "Does the second uncle's health matter? Why don't you ask the doctor to come over!"
Tang Yu hurriedly said: "There is no need to recruit teachers and move the crowd. I think it's because I ate too much wine. It's good to rest for a while. Then I'll bother you here."
Wei Shi said: "Then sister-in-law, go quickly!"
Tang Yu thanked her and followed the maid.
Seeing her leaving the table in a hurry, everyone was a little strange, and when Weiss sat down again, they all asked her.
Weiss said with a smile: "It was said that my second uncle ate too much wine and felt unwell."
Everyone is not a fool, and naturally they can hear the mystery, and one person laughed: "I'm afraid it's not because you drank too much, but too much vinegar?"
Too much vinegar poured into my heart, pantothenic acid.
Tang Yu is not here, and the others have no scruples.
Another person said: "If you want me to say, this He Er is really shameful, he is incompetent, even his brother's celebration banquet is so shameless, I don't know who it is for!"
Another person said: "Grandma He Er is really pitiful, she is talented and beautiful, but she is married to a person like He Er!"
Another humane said: "I can't say the same thing. Grandma He's parents both died, and the family has long since fallen. It was because Mr. He kept his promise and let her marry into the He family. She should be content."
Tang Yu was thinking about her husband, and couldn't hear what others were saying about her. She walked through the noisy banquet and came to the door of her bedroom. After knocking twice, no one answered, so she pushed the door and went in.
"Don't come in!" Such a voice came from the room.
The volume was low, but the words were full of boredom.