With the relocation of the capital to Yongle, the treatment of officials became more and more generous, and it was no longer as harsh as the Hongwu Dynasty. Up to now, the imperial court has added a New Year's Eve holiday to the holiday, and the Yuanri holiday and the Shangyuan holiday have been combined, from the 24th of the twelfth lunar month to the 20th of the first lunar month, which can be said to be quite comfortable.
Lu Heng worked overtime a year ago to clear all the cases and finally be able to live a new year in peace. He is rarely free. He reads, writes, and raises his younger sister at home. He has nothing to teach Wang Yanqing to play chess.
The stable days always pass quickly, and in a blink of an eye, the New Year's Day is coming. While playing the game, Lu Heng spoke to Wang Yanqing: "Qingqing, where do you want to play in Shangyuan this year?"
Wang Yanqing subconsciously replied, "It's all right." After speaking, he felt inappropriate and asked, "Second brother, there may be a banquet in the palace for the Shangyuan Festival. If you accompany me, is it okay in the palace?"
Although she had no memory of the past, she instinctively felt that the palace would be very lively during the festivals. Jin Yiwei was the emperor's personal soldier, and Lu Heng was directly responsible for the emperor's safety. This kind of time was often the busiest time for Jin Yiwei. Lu Heng goes to the city to play, will it delay the business
Lu Heng shook his head: "Don't worry. There should be no banquets in the palace this year."
"Really?" Wang Yanqing was surprised and asked, "Why?"
Lu Heng dropped a sunspot and said, "The emperor himself doesn't like making noises, and he rarely has time to spare. He wants to clean up in the harem. Besides, this year, the Queen Mother Xingguo is not in good health. The emperor wanted to pray for the Queen Mother, so the palace banquet was cancelled. "
The Empress Dowager Xingguo in Lu Heng's words was the Empress Dowager Jiang, the emperor's biological mother. Emperor Zhengde had no heirs. The first assistant, Yang Ting, and the mother of Emperor Zhengde, the Empress Dowager Zhang, had chosen the current emperor for a long time among the children of many clans. Empress Dowager Zhang and Yang Ting would choose the emperor. First, the emperor was young. He was only fourteen years old at the time, which was far better than those adult princes. At least Empress Dowager Zhang and Yang Ting thought so. Second, the emperor was quick and eager to learn, and had a reputation as a genius in the imperial clan.
Yang Ting is a literati, naturally inclined to children who like to read. He feels that a studious child is a malleable person who can be taught to be a wise and wise king.
It's a pity that Yang Ting has misunderstood. It is hard to say whether the emperor is a Mingjun, but obviously he will not become a virtuous monarch. It is true that the emperor has read a lot of books since he was a child and is a wise man, but who said that a wise man is easy to fiddle with
Yang Ting has been playing tricks for many years, but he was finally planted in the hands of a fourteen-year-old child. Now, Yang Yingning, another elder of the three dynasties, has also been planted, and all those who are still active in politics have been replaced by those who were promoted by the emperor himself.
The emperor's character is sullen and boring, he doesn't like noise, and he is not an emperor who is keen on pomp and banquet. When he has this time, he prefers to practice Taoism.
Therefore, after entering the Jiajing Dynasty, the court changed from the chaos of the previous Zhengde Emperor, and became depressed and dull. The cancellation of the Shangyuan Banquet this year is one aspect of the emperor's dislike, and another aspect of the poor health of the Empress Dowager Jiang.
In the 16th year of Zhengde, the emperor came to the capital from Anlu to enthrone. At that time, because of identity issues, he had a lot of trouble with Yang Ting and Empress Dowager Zhang. Yang Ting asked the emperor to recognize Xiaozong as his father and Empress Dowager Zhang as his mother. The emperor refused. He said that he could inherit the throne because he was a descendant of Emperor Hongwu and Emperor Yongle, and had nothing to do with Yang Ting. Now that Emperor Zhengde has passed away, no one in the court has inherited the great lineage, so he was invited to be the emperor. He asked to be enthroned as emperor in Fengtian Temple, and he did not agree to recognize Xiaozong as his father, and renamed his biological parents as Huangshu. , Royal aunt.
At the critical time of the confrontation between the emperor and Yang Ting, it was the Empress Dowager Jiang who pushed the crucial hand. At that time, Lu Song protected the emperor and rushed to the capital as quickly as possible, while the Empress Dowager Jiang and Lu Heng's mother, Fan, arrived in the capital a month late.
After Empress Dowager Jiang entered the city, she heard that Yang Ting was going to break up their mother and son, and asked the emperor to call another woman mother. Even if they said that the emperor was inappropriate, she would go back to Anlu by boat with her son. At the same time, Empress Dowager Jiang also contacted her father's old department in private, and received the support of Wudinghou and other nobles. No matter how tough Yang Ting was, he was no match for the army. Later, Yang Ting gave in, and Empress Dowager Jiang was able to enter the palace with the etiquette of "Empress Dowager".
That year the emperor was only fourteen years old, but Yang Ting was the chief assistant who had been in charge of the government for nearly twenty years. For the emperor to defeat Yang Ting, in addition to being smart, Empress Dowager Jiang's public statements and secret support are also very important. After Empress Dowager Jiang entered the palace, the emperor has always been very filial to his mother, and as Empress Dowager Jiang was firmly seated on the throne, Empress Dowager Jiang's honorary title was added, but Empress Dowager Zhang's title was reduced again and again.
The grand ceremony ended with the emperor's overall victory, and the first and second assistants were down two, not to mention the Queen Mother Zhang's harem family? Up to now, Empress Dowager Jiang is Empress Dowager Xingguo, and Empress Dowager Zhang has been reduced to the Virgin Mary.
Wang Yanqing can fully understand that since ancient times, the empress dowagers of the two palaces have not been able to get along in harmony, and Empress Dowager Zhang and Empress Dowager Jiang are not the relationship between the palace and the concubine, but two concubines. The emperor and Empress Dowager Jiang are in a heart-to-heart relationship, can Empress Dowager Zhang fight against other people's mothers
Wang Yanqing nodded and said, "No wonder. This winter is really cold, and many people are sick. Does Empress Dowager Xingguo's illness matter?"
Lu Heng didn't want to talk about the relationship between the two empress dowagers. Wait for Shangyuan in a few days, and I'll accompany you to the market to have a look."
Wang Yanqing had no objection and nodded in response.
The Spring Festival is the busiest festival of the year. The night ban was lifted three days before and after Shangyuan, and the whole city carnival. At that time, the city will be full of lanterns, and people of all ages, men and women, can go to the streets to watch the lanterns. There are also vendors selling food, silk flowers, jewelry and other gadgets along the way. Shadow puppets, lion dances, and juggling are all over the street. Women do not need to guard against men and women, and can go shopping freely outside. Therefore, Shangyuan Festival is also a good time for men and women to date. Unmarried couples who are in love with concubines and young girls and young girls who are in love will take the opportunity to meet on this day.
The horse-drawn carriage of the Marquis of Zhenyuan drove out of the second gate, shouted in front and embraced back, and walked down the street. But there were too many people in the Shangyuan Festival. Even if the guards of the Zhenyuan Hou Mansion tried their best to clear the way, they were still surrounded by the crowd, making it impossible to move an inch.
The carriage could no longer go, so the ladies of Zhenyuan Hou's Mansion could only get off the carriage and walk instead. Today, Mrs. Chen is wearing a gold-weaving official green silk jacket, a ermine leather skirt, a sable Zhaojun sleeve around her forehead, and a black satin-gold cloak, which is unparalleled in wealth. The Miss Fu family came down one after another, and they were all well-dressed and radiant.
Chen shi stood on the street and looked around, as if looking for someone. Suddenly her eyes lit up and she waved in one direction: "Mrs. Yongping Hou, here!"
The people from Yongping Hou's mansion turned around and saw that it was the Chen family, so they hurried over to greet him. Mrs. Yongping Hou walked towards the Chen family with a series of daughters, and said with a smile: "Mrs. Fu, it's a coincidence that you are here too. Come over and say hello to Mrs. Zhenyuan Hou."
Yongping Marquis has many sons and daughters. Today, on the Shangyuan Festival, the unmarried young ladies of the Hong family all came out, standing behind Mrs. Yongping Marquis from high to low. The young ladies were used to the exchanges on the entertainment venue, and said "Wan Fu" delicately. Hong Wanqing mixed with the sisters, blushed slightly, and saluted Mrs. Chen: "Old Madam Zhenyuan Hou."
Although there were many children in Yongping Hou's mansion, Hong Wanqing was undoubtedly the most beautiful among the flowers, and her clothes were obviously different from the prostitutes around her. Chen Shi saw Hong Wanqing at a glance, and she was more and more satisfied when she saw Hong Wanqing's generous and decent dress, dignified and docile temperament. Chen shi couldn't close his mouth with laughter, and waved to a figure behind him: "I happened to meet the Yongping Marquis Mansion, and your brothers and sisters will come and say goodbye to Mrs. Hong."
Mrs. Chen said that she wanted the children to come to see Mrs. Yongping Hou. In fact, everyone knew that Mrs. Chen only called Fu Tingzhou. The girls of the Fu family understood their mother's intentions very well. After greeting Mrs. Yongping Hou obediently, they stepped aside and stayed quiet, not vying for the second brother's limelight.
Fu Tingzhou was in command of the guards on the other side, always staring at the passing crowd. Today, the whole city is crowded on the street, the fish and the dragon are mixed, and the Chen family and a few young ladies are focused on playing, but Fu Tingzhou has to ensure the safety of the female family members. If the same thing happened in December last year, Fu Tingzhou can commit suicide to Lord Fu. Please sin.
He was busy when he heard Chen's call. Fu Tingzhou sighed secretly, knowing that he couldn't escape today, he turned around slowly and walked towards the bright light.
He had broad shoulders and long legs, and his face was cold and solemn. He walked up to Mrs. Yongping Hou and saluted, "Mrs. Hong goes to Yuan Ankang."
The female relatives of the two houses were stunned by his aura, and it was not until he finished speaking that everyone slowly reacted. The sisters of the Hong family all cast envious and hateful glances at Hong Wanqing. Hong Wanqing blushed and stood beside her mother with her handkerchief twisted. She lowered her chin slightly and refused to look directly at Fu Tingzhou. 's ladylike appearance.
Mrs. Yongping Hou looked at the man in front of her with a dashing appearance and bright eyes, and she was extremely satisfied. Mrs. Yongping Hou asked her sons to come over and meet Fu Tingzhou. After the two parties met, Mrs. Yongping Hou said: "These girls from the Fu family are as beautiful as green onions, and I am very happy to see them. Mrs. Fu hits it off, so don't be polite to our two families, why don't we let the children be brothers and sisters, and it's better to connect the family, how about it?"
Of course, Mrs. Chen agreed, saying, "Master Hou is the oldest and ranks second in the family. If Mrs. Yongping Hou does not dislike it, let the girls call him second brother."
When Fu Tingzhou heard the title, his brows quickly wrinkled, and he said abruptly, "I'm a small person, so how dare I be so abrupt? You ladies just call me by my name."
Hong Wanqing felt a little regretful, and they couldn't really call Fu Tingzhou by his name, so they had to step forward and give Fu Tingzhou a blessing: "My little girl greets the marquis of Zhenyuan."
A series of daughters of the Houfu saluted together, but Hong Wanqing was the most conspicuous of them both in terms of clothes and manners. But Fu Tingzhou didn't pay attention to her, just avoided them and saluted, and returned half salute without any disturbance.
He didn't look at her at all, Hong Wanqing couldn't help but be disappointed, but she noticed that Fu Tingzhou didn't look at the other concubines either. Hong Wanqing was relieved in an instant, Fu Tingzhou was respectful, and he didn't glance at so many young women, it was obvious that he didn't care about color. Such a good son-in-law, what more can you ask for
Although everyone saluted together, everyone's eyes were on Fu Tingzhou and Hong Wanqing. Hong Wanqing couldn't hide her shyness, but Fu Tingzhou stood straight on the side, his face was always calm, but he couldn't see any emotions. Mrs. Yongping Hou told herself that this is the case with fiancées. Fu Tingzhou is so indifferent, which shows that he has no intention of lusting for women. In the future, his daughter will not need to be angry with the concubine's house when she gets married, which is a good thing.
Mrs. Yongping Hou thought like this, as if she had seen the future. The smile on her face deepened, and she warmly greeted everyone to go to the front and look at the lights.
Fu Tingzhou thought he would be able to leave as soon as he dealt with it, but he didn't expect that as soon as the team dispersed, everyone would push him and Hong Wanqing together if there was something in his way. Fu Tingzhou frowned secretly, but it wasn't over yet, Hong Wanqing was hit by someone and fell in his direction. Fu Tingzhou could only hold his face down and hold Hong Wanqing up.
Hong Wanqing stood blushing and thanked in a low voice, "Thank you, Marquis Zhenyuan."
Fu Tingzhou was tall, standing a lot taller in the crowd without affecting his sight at all. He squinted his eyes and looked at Chen Shi, and he was very unhappy in his heart. But in front of everyone in Yongping Marquis Mansion, he endured and said, "Miss Hong doesn't need to be too polite."
Finally being able to talk to him, Hong Wanqing's face was shy, and she said as delicately as a mosquito: "And last time. Thank you Zhenyuan Hou for saving your life."
It's okay if she didn't say it, but Fu Tingzhou's face became completely cold when she said the last time. Hong Wanqing is fine, but Qingqing has disappeared. Fu Tingzhou would rather Wang Yanqing didn't push him away, and he would take the arrow himself.
Fu Tingzhou said indifferently: "It was I who caused Mrs. Yongping Hou and Miss San to be frightened. It's up to me to make amends. I don't dare to be the third Miss Xie."
"Marquis Zhenyuan is too outrageous." Hong Wanqing lowered her head, plus Fu Tingzhou's height, she didn't know Fu Tingzhou's expression at all, she was still immersed in secret joy, and said, "Marquis Zhenyuan, I think The light in front is good, let's go over there and take a look."
Fu Tingzhou didn't want to go, he wanted to take the opportunity to retire, but looking around, Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Yongping Hou had already gone away, and he couldn't throw a woman into the crowd. Fu Tingzhou had to be patient and accompany her to the other side to watch the fun.
At this moment, on another road, Wang Yanqing was standing in front of the stall lighting up a lamp. She was wearing a white velvet jacket with gold rims all over the cuffs, a rabbit velvet jacket, a red horse-faced skirt, and a delicate woven gold necklace at the bottom. All kinds of lights shone on her body, complementing each other, making it impossible to square things.
Lu Heng stood one step behind her and accompanied her to light the lamp. He seemed to be looking at the lamp booth, but when someone squeezed in, he turned his gaze back precisely, and swept towards the other person with a clear and light touch. The person who came was frightened by his eyes, and left embarrassedly, not daring to approach again.
Almost at the same time, Wang Yanqing also picked out the lamp. She turned around and showed Lu Heng the glazed lamp: "Second brother, do you think this lamp looks good?"
The glazed lantern is made into an octagonal palace lantern. The lamp inside slowly rotates, and the light passes through the colorful glaze, as if it is underwater, as clear and hazy. She was holding this beautiful lamp, and Lu Heng nodded with a smile, not seeing the danger just now: "Deng Lin Qingqing, it's very beautiful."
Wang Yanqing glanced at him angrily, with a smile on his lips, his eyes wandered, and he said, "That's it."
Lingxi went forward to pay the bill, and then automatically returned to the back, and it was invisible in the blink of an eye. Lu Heng and Wang Yanqing were still as comfortable as they were just two people shopping. Wang Yanqing swept towards the crowd, but could not find any trace of Lingxi. She felt a little embarrassed and asked, "It's rare to celebrate today. Wouldn't they be too tired to follow along like this?"
"No." Lu Heng grabbed Wang Yanqing's wrist and took her forward as usual, "For them, it's nothing."
Yeah? Wang Yanqing didn't have time to ask, and was pulled away by Lu Heng. The lights on this street seemed to be extraordinarily bright, and the surrounding lights were dazzling. Wang Yanqing, dressed in a white velvet jacket, walked in it, as bright as a fairy concubine, and people who came and went couldn't help but pay attention. There are many people who are eager to move, but when they see the man next to the beauty, they give up wisely.
Lu Heng was wearing his regular clothes today, and he was also observing filial piety. But the people who walk in Jinyiwei all the year round, even if they don't have the flying fish suit and the embroidered spring knife, their invisible murderous aura is enough to scare the night away.
Lu Heng was tall and fair-skinned, and he was dressed in plain clothes again today. The colorful lights reflected on Lu Heng's body, giving the feeling of the sunset melting gold and the morning glow reflecting the snow. But his beauty is full of intimidation, like a snow leopard and a white tiger standing on the top of his strength, showing off his patterns, but no one dares to question his ferocity.
The two walked side by side in the splendid lamps, not knowing if the Shili Long Street was a painting, or if they were a painting. Lu Heng noticed that there was a fortune-telling booth across the street, and he thought to himself that such a good opportunity to get eye drops should not be missed. So Lu Heng said to Wang Yanqing: "Qingqing, do you still remember that stall? Last year, you asked for a sign here. The other party said that you would recruit villains, so it's not appropriate to discuss relatives. Sure enough, you met Fu Tingzhou. You can't take it seriously this year. , I'll take you to ask for another signature."
In fact, Wang Yanqing had no impression at all, but what Lu Heng said had a cause and effect, and it was a decent thing, and such a thing came out of her mind vaguely, as if she had really experienced it. Wang Yanqing nodded, and Lu Heng took Wang Yanqing to the booth, thinking that with his ability to attack, he would not come back with any words.
When the stall owner saw that there were distinguished guests, he quickly nodded and bowed. Wang Yanqing glanced at the stall owner secretly, wanting to see the stall owner's expression, as if he knew them. But Wang Yanqing suddenly thought that a year has passed, and it is normal for the stall owner to forget so many customers after seeing so many customers. She no longer delved into it, and lowered her head to concentrate on the lottery.
With a click, a bamboo stick fell out. Lu Heng didn't look at it in a hurry. He picked it up calmly and asked with a smile, "Qingqing, what are you asking for? Could it be marriage?"
"How could it be!" Wang Yanqing glared at Lu Heng secretly, and said, "I asked for the second brother."
Lu Heng thought about each other when he wanted to sign. While thinking about it, Lu Heng turned over the bamboo stick and saw the words on the back.
Jinghuashuiyue is unintentional, don't trust the person in front of you.
The corner of Lu Heng's lips stopped, the smile in his eyes faded in an instant, he raised his head, and swept towards the stall owner coldly.
Does this guy know him? Deliberately cheating on this? But he and Wang Yanqing came here at will, how did they know that Lu Heng would pass by here
Lu Heng has experienced a lot of intrigue, and when he sees a coincidence, his first reaction is conspiracy. The stall owner was originally thinking that another deal was done, but when he raised his head and met Lu Heng's eyes, he was shocked and couldn't even speak.
Seeing that Lu Heng's expression was wrong, Wang Yanqing hurriedly asked, "Second brother, what's wrong?"
In the blink of an eye, Lu Heng has carefully swept the stall owner's fingers, tiger's mouth, clothes, and soles of his shoes. All kinds of traces show that this person does not know martial arts, and there are no weapons under the car. Lu Heng took the lottery bucket and saw that the wood was ordinary, and there was no mechanism.
Is that pure coincidence? But why did such directional words fall out? Isn't this just talking about him
Wang Yanqing saw that Lu Heng suspected the stall owner at first, but should have ruled it out later, but Lu Heng's face did not show ease, but became more dignified. How is this going? Wang Yanqing was surprised and reached out to pick up the bamboo stick in Lu Heng's hand.
Lu Heng's hand was slightly dodged back, Wang Yanqing raised his eyes and fixedly looked at Lu Heng. Lu Heng wanted to prevent her from looking more suspicious, so he smiled reassuringly at her and said, "It's not allowed to sign, you don't believe it."
Wang Yanqing looked at him silently: "But, you just said that I asked for a signature here last year. It's very accurate, and I can't take it seriously this year."
Lu Heng was in a fire, he never expected that the fire would come to him. The meaning of this sign is too straightforward, and Lu Heng can't even talk about it.
He could only watch Wang Yanqing take the bamboo stick, lowered his eyes, and carefully read the words above. Lu Heng kept staring at Wang Yanqing's eyes, her eyelashes moved, and she quickly finished reading.
Lu Heng's heart also tightened, would she be suspicious of this? It stands to reason that with so many people around her, she may not be able to think of him at once.
Lu Heng thought quickly, and Wang Yanqing had already put down the bamboo stick. She thought to herself that the second brother had been staying in Jinyiwei for a long time, and she could not tell the signatures she didn't like, and the signatures that were beneficial to him would be distributed immediately. He also said that she couldn't distinguish between solving a case and life. In her opinion, the second brother called life completely invaded by official business.
Wang Yanqing was thinking about how to tell his second brother when a faint "Qingqing" came from the crowd.
She turned back subconsciously.
Outside the heavy lights, Fu Tingzhou accompanied Hong Wanqing to come here to see the lights. Hong Wanqing tossed and turned on the lights. He was bored waiting, looked around, and accidentally swept across a soft and beautiful silhouette. Fu Tingzhou was in a state of misunderstanding and shouted absently, "Qingqing?"
He thought he had made a mistake again, but at this time, the woman heard the movement and turned back. When Fu Tingzhou saw her face, it was like being struck by lightning in an instant.
Qingqing!