With the passage of time, the pain caused by Honghui's death is gradually fading, and Sibeile Mansion has returned to its former tranquility, at least on the surface...
One day at the end of June, Yinzhen learned the news that Ye was pregnant with Liujia, and he was overjoyed. Among the princes, he was the weakest. Although he was still young, it was not good to hear. Now he heard that someone was pregnant, so he was overjoyed.
, although she was not promoted to a certain position, she was rewarded with many things by Mrs. Ye, and even asked the kitchen to prepare meals suitable for pregnant women alone, which made her very popular in the house.
God seemed to want to compensate Yinzhen, and happy events came one after another. Not long after Ye's pregnancy was reported, Li's also received news that she was pregnant. It had been more than a month since the imperial physician diagnosed her.
The Nala family is no longer able to have children, and their only son died early. This means that as long as the Nala family is the legitimate eldest son, Yinzhen will not be able to have another legitimate eldest son. In this way, the position of the heir apparent will inevitably have to pass away.
Since ancient times, the choice among concubines has been to establish the elder rather than the younger. Now, the Ye family and
The Li family was pregnant one after another. Whoever gave birth to a boy first would be likely to become the crown prince's mother. Her status could even be equal to that of the direct descendant Fujin. For a time, countless pairs of eyes in the house were focused on the two of them, and some were watching the excitement.
, there are also those who hate it deeply, in short, everyone has their own agenda.
As for Ling Ruo, although Yinzhen still did not favor Ling Ruo, he often called her to serve in the study. Yinzhen was ordered to be in charge of the Ministry of Punishment. During his time away from Beijing, he accumulated many official documents, mostly sent from various places regarding the autumn trial executions.
The list of prisoners, as well as the judgments and sentences of major cases and the confiscation of stolen money, etc.
Yinzhen had to review and approve each piece before handing it over to Kangxi for review. Therefore, he often stayed in the study for a whole day. During this period, except for the dog that would bring meals, Ling Ruo would be the only one beside him, polishing ink and fanning himself.
The two rarely spoke, but a kind of tacit understanding grew up invisibly.
That day, when Yinzhen was reviewing the papers, Gou'er tiptoed in and whispered: "Master, the Thirteenth Master is here."
"Oh?" Yinzhen looked up from the book with a little surprise. Usually at this time, Old Thirteen should be working in the Ministry of War. Why did he come here when he had time? He put down his pen and said: "Please come in quickly, Master Thirteen."
.”
Before the dog had time to agree, he heard a cheerful voice outside, "No need to invite me, I'll come in by myself." As soon as Ling Ruo finished speaking, she saw a man with sword-shaped eyebrows and starry eyes pushing the door open and calling his fourth brother with a smile.
, just as he was about to speak, he caught a glimpse of Ling Ruo standing aside. He couldn't help but be slightly startled, with a bit of shock and surprise. This was the first time he saw a woman entering and leaving the fourth brother's study, and he immediately said: "Who is this?"
Ling Ruo quickly lowered his head in greeting and said, "I, Niu Hulu, have met the Thirteenth Master. The Thirteenth Master is auspicious."
Yinxiang stood sideways and received half a courtesy, thinking secretly in his heart, Niu Hulu... He remembered that the fourth brother's surname was Li and Nian, and there was no surname of Niu Hulu. Could it be that he was a concubine and Fujin?
"She is a princess in my house." Yinzhen explained casually and then added: "Go and make a cup of tea for Thirteenth Master. Remember to use the Yuqian Longjing that was rewarded by the palace. He likes to drink this the most.
"
"Fourth brother should still remember me." Yinxiang's eyes lit up and he rubbed his hands and said, "This year before the rain, there are very few Longjings. There are only a few kilograms in the palace, and even less are rewarded. There is no chance in my house."
, only the fourth brother can get in at this time."
Yinzhen laughed and said, "If you want tea, just ask. I don't have many Longjing teas here, so you can take them all."
Yinxiang was overjoyed, and he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you so much, fourth brother." Among the brothers, he and Yinzhen had the best relationship, so naturally they would not refuse.
While talking, Ling Ruo had already brewed tea and came in. In the porcelain cup, which was as white as jade, the soup was clear, with pieces of tender tea floating there. The color was dark green, like a bird's tongue, and there was a burst of fragrance. Yinxiang took a sip.
You will feel the fragrance lingering on your lips and teeth, leaving you with endless aftertaste.
"Why did you think of coming here today? Have you finished the work of the Ministry of War?" The court has not used troops for many years since Zhung'er was pacified, but the border defense cannot be relaxed for a moment. In June and July every year, it starts to coordinate the armaments, equipment, and equipment.
After the statistics of grain, grass, salary and silver are calculated, they will be reported to the Ministry of Household Affairs for disbursement.
"I get angry when I talk about this." Yinxiang said angrily, regardless of Ling Ruo's presence: "A few days ago, the Ministry of War discussed that a total of fifteen million taels will be needed next year, which is significantly more than last year.
For three million taels, those gangsters have made it clear that they are making a big deal out of it. I asked them to take it back and renegotiate it, and save whatever they can.
Finally, I came up with thirteen million taels, which was quite reliable. Who knew when I took it to the Ministry of Accounts, they said they couldn’t allocate so much money, only seven million taels at most. Fourth brother,
The imperial court's annual tax revenue is tens of millions of taels at least, how could it not be able to come up with tens of millions of taels? It's obviously those grandsons who are looking for trouble."
"What happened next?" Yinzhen asked, tapping his fingers on the table and frowning slightly.
Yinxiang put the empty tea bowl on the table and said angrily: "What else can I do? The person in charge of the household department is the prince. They asked me to find the prince. I didn't see the prince when I went to the palace.
I don’t know if I’m really not here or if I’m deliberately avoiding it, I have to discuss this with you.” He touched his neatly combed braids.
He added: "Although I don't like those old fools in the Ministry of War, it has nothing to do with the soldiers below. They are all exchanging their lives for money. No one can be harsh on their money." The last sentence was categorical.
He himself was a soldier, and his feelings for those soldiers were much stronger than those of others.
"This matter cannot be rushed. We have to take our time. Let's do this. I will accompany you to the palace tomorrow to meet the prince. He is a sensible person and will not embarrass you and me." Yinzhen said slowly.
"That's the only way." Yinxiang nodded helplessly, and talked to Yinzhen for a while about the affairs of the court before leaving. After he walked away, Yinzhen raised his eyes and looked at Ling Ruo who was standing next to him.
Wait for him to speak, Ling
Ruo already made a silent gesture and said: "I know that I will never tell what you and Thirteenth Master said. What's more..." His smart eyes rolled, and he said innocently: "I know everything.
Can't understand."
Yinzhen smiled at her, and the sharpness in her eyes gradually faded away. Today when she was talking to Yinxiang, she deliberately kept her from going out. She might not be tempted, but now it seems that she knows how to measure things.
"As long as you understand, let's grind the ink." Yinzhen lowered his head and continued to review the official documents, while Ling Ruo concentrated on grinding, adding some water to the inkstone from time to time, so that the ink there would always be thick and just right, shaking the fan gently, bringing up the hair.
Flying in the air, occasionally Yinzhen would raise his head to look at her. The moment their eyes met, there was a kind of tranquility and beauty in it.