In front of Zhang Yanling's mansion in Xuanbeifang, there were already loud gongs and drums, lanterns and colorful decorations.
Several groups of people had already come to announce the good news, and the little princess Xu Wanyi and others were also extremely surprised. They never expected that their husband was actually made a duke.
After getting the news, Xu Wanyi Tan Ruqing, Axiu, Xu Youtang and the four girls looked at each other and thought: "The four of us are really good-sighted. With the addition of a husband, we have risen rapidly. We have made meritorious deeds and received rewards. Now we are already
He has the title of Duke, and is on par with the top nobles of the Ming Dynasty. It is really unimaginable."
Axiu rewarded the person who brought the good news with silver, and also rewarded a large group of people at the door who got the news. There were also those who were interested in the street, who came to join in the fun, walking on stilts, beating gongs and drums, and paddling land boats.
Axiu was in a happy mood and rewarded her without hesitation. Today's Axiu is no better than before. When she first married Zhang Yanling, even a full table of dishes in the Marquis's house was a waste. Looking at it for a month
The expenses were like running water, and my heart ached very much.
But now, the money comes in like a flowing stream, and flows out of the hand like a flowing stream, without blinking an eyelid. As the wife who is in charge of the family, she now has a certain grace and calmness.
As the saying goes, nourishing the body and moving the Qi. The change of environment and status on a person is subtle, but it is very obvious.
While Axiu was greeting the congratulatory people outside, the others were busy dressing themselves up. Today was a big day, so they had to dress up in a grand and dignified manner. They would go to the door to greet Zhang Yanling later.
At noon, several women were drinking tea in the front hall and waiting. Huang Si was ordered to watch at the door. Once the Marquis came back, he would report it immediately.
However, the left waiter does not come, the right waiter does not come, the waiter is anxious, and the tea is tasteless.
It was Xu Wanyi who understood the group of nobles and frowned: "Maybe he was dragged to drink by everyone after the court. It's really strange that he hasn't come here yet."
Tan Ruqing stirred the tea with a tea spoon in her delicate hands and said with a smile: "No, even if he went to drink, at least he would order someone to come back with a letter. If there is no letter, he didn't go. Just wait, maybe there are many things,
The morning meeting has taken too long."
Everyone waited again, and soon Ma Quan, who went to the palace gate to inquire about the news, came back and brought back some bad news. He said that Zhang Yanling was going up against the emperor in court, but was dragged down by the emperor to reprimand him. He might be in trouble.
The girls were panicked again. This time, Ru Qing said: "Don't just make a duke and then be dismissed in the blink of an eye. That would become a joke."
"Bah, bah, bah, bah, crow's mouth. How can this matter be so childish? Once you are made a duke, you have the right to be exempted from crime. You are going to be given an iron book to avoid death. How can you say it so casually?"
Xu Wanyi said angrily.
When Xu Wanyi said this, everyone calmed down again.
In the Ming Dynasty, not only the dukes but also the marquises were exempted from crimes by imperial edicts. This was the privilege of nobles. As long as it was not a heinous crime such as rebellion, the most common crime was dismissal from office, and there was no need to worry about personal safety.
"Weren't you panicking just now, and you're talking about us? How come you're panicking because you're from the princess of Dingguo Palace?" Tan Ruqing deliberately quarreled with Xu Wanyi.
Xu Wanyi stood up and stepped forward, stretched out her hand to pinch Tan Ruqing's face, and said with a smile: "I want to see why your mouth refuses to admit defeat."
The two of them were laughing and joking, and suddenly they heard someone shouting in front of the house: "The Marquis is back, the Marquis is back."
The caller was none other than Huang Si. When he saw Zhang Yanling trotting from the shade of a tree, he called out quickly.
The girls were busy putting on their makeup and clothes, and Xu Wanyi didn't forget to curse: "The damn thing is still called the Marquis. Our family is the Duke of the country."
While he was talking, Zhang Yanling had already dismounted at the door. The people around him kowtowed and congratulated him loudly.
After Zhang Yanling handed the horse's bridle and reins to the people around him, he smiled and said: "Wow. It's so lively. Have you all given rewards? Come on, give me a reward."
Huang Sidao: "There is no need to reward, Mrs. Axiu has already rewarded me. These guys are greedy and take it again and again, making our family a success."
Zhang Yanling said with a smile: "What are you talking about? I will be promoted to an official position, and others will be happy with it. What's the point of giving some silver rewards? You are just a small calculation, and you have no future."
Huang Si scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. Zhang Yanling went up the steps and walked in the door, but saw Xu Wanyi arriving in front of the screen wall with the girls, all of them beaming with joy. They all knelt down to salute Zhang Yanling.
"Congratulations to your husband, congratulations to your husband," the girls said tenderly.
Zhang Yanling hurriedly bowed and said with a smile: "Why are you doing this great gift? Get up and talk."
Xu Wanyi said with a smile: "This is a big event. To be granted the title of Duke of the country is such an honorable thing. It is more valuable than winning the first prize. You should pay homage to me with great ceremony."
Zhang Yanling nodded with a smile and said: "That's right. A champion will be born in three years, but a prince may not be crowned in ten years. It is true that gold is valuable. But you are even more valuable. Look, your clothes are dirty. Get up quickly."
The girls got up hurriedly and looked at Zhang Yanling smiling. Zhang Yanling stood in front of them, listening to the sound of firecrackers and gongs and drums in his ears, looking at the smiling faces of his wife and concubines in front of him, and wanted to speak, but for a moment he didn't know what to say. In an instant, it seemed like he was In a dream.
"Sir, this house has to be changed. We are still the Marquis of Jianchang. How can this happen? We are now the Duke of Protector's Palace." Ma Quan's words brought Zhang Yanling back to reality.
Zhang Yanling looked up at the plaque of Jianchang Houfu on the lintel, nodded and said: "Change it, I will change it immediately. Go to Hanbaozhai at Zhengyang Gate in the inner city to make one. Use Wang Xizhi's font. The kind with red background and gold stamping." .The money is worth his money. It must be well made. Hahaha.”
Everyone laughed when they saw Zhang Yanling's proud look. Indeed, the honor of being granted the title of Duke was enough for him to be so coquettish.
They rushed back to the hall, where the food and wine had been prepared, and a family banquet was held to celebrate. The couple laughed and laughed, feeling extremely happy.
After three rounds of drinking, Xu Wanyi asked about the emperor's anger when Ma Quan came back to report. Zhang Yanling did not hide it and told the emperor what had happened.
Xu Wanyi pondered for a moment, then nodded and said: "My husband did the right thing. This Liu Jin is outrageous. He has caused such a big mess, and the emperor is still protecting him. How can this happen? If the Ming Dynasty continues like this, it will be over." My husband is working hard to maintain it, suppressing rebellions here and thieves there. Some people are always lighting fires everywhere, wouldn't it be exhausting?"
All the wives and concubines said yes. Zhang Yanling nodded secretly. Although these wives and concubines of his were not economical, they had all three views, and they were indeed like-minded.
At the banquet, we discussed the banquet to celebrate. At the same time, we also assigned people to send the news to Xishan Manor to let Xu Gao, Zhang Laoji and others know about it, so that they would also be happy. Naturally, they were the ones to organize these matters, and Zhang Yanling only told them. , and you don’t have to worry about it yourself.
In the afternoon, Zhang Yanling was drowsy after being drunk. Zhang Yi was so noisy that he went to Tan Ruqing's yard in the east courtyard and lay down on Tan Ruqing's mat to rest.
Tan Ruqingwai was fanning Zhang Yanling and talking to Zhang Yanling. Inadvertently, she sighed.
Zhang Yanling narrowed her eyes and said, "What? Are you worried?"
Tan Ruqing said: "Don't you go and take a look at Qingyi?"
Zhang Yanling sat up and said in surprise: "Didn't she leave? Didn't she leave without saying goodbye before I left for the expedition?"
Tan Ruqing gave him a white look and said: "You said you didn't want that child. She was afraid that you would use force, so she asked me to lie for her. Let's go back to Ningxia. In fact, she is still in the house in Zhengnanfang. She has a big belly.
, How to go back to Ningxia? You don’t even think about it.”
Zhang Yanling groaned and frowned in silence.
Tan Ruqing said: "What? Are you still thinking about taking that child? You are so cruel."
Zhang Yanling shook her head and said: "I figured it out, just keep it. In fact, it's not that I'm cruel, but that she is an unmarried princess, so what does it mean to have a child? If people find out, her reputation will be ruined. The key is
, she is the princess of Prince Qing’s Mansion, and I can’t marry her. Do I want her to be my concubine?”
Tan Ruqing said angrily: "What's the use of talking about this now? Why did you go there so early? I went to Ningxia, hooked someone up in bed, and then said this again."
Zhang Yanling smiled bitterly and said: "The conscience of heaven and earth, she took the initiative."
"Bah, can she do it on her own initiative? How can she, a weak woman, use force on you? If you didn't have that intention, that kind of thing wouldn't happen." Tan Ruqing said with a smile.
Zhang Yanling replied silently, that's true. She still has the desire to pursue beauty from the bottom of her heart. Otherwise, how could she force herself to do it?
"Now is not the time to say these words. I don't regret it, I just feel guilty for causing trouble to her. Since she is in the capital, I should go see her. If you have time, you can go with me. Qingyi, hey, I
I don’t know what to do.” Zhang Yanling sighed.
"There will be a road before the car reaches the mountain. There is nothing to worry about. I have already agreed with Qingyi to be the godmother of the baby in her belly. I visit her once every few days. She and her baby are both in good condition now.
Not bad. I guess the baby will be born healthy. You just got an extra baby, why are you being pretentious?" Tan Ruqing rolled her eyes at Zhang Yanling while shaking her fan.
Zhang Yanling stopped talking, and suddenly grabbed Tan Ruqing and said: "Oh, you are so great now, you teach me a lesson. I haven't seen you for a few months, and your mouth is a bit smarter again. Let me take a look at you."
What’s changed?”
Tan Ruqing struggled with a red face, trying to escape. However, Zhang Yanling threw her down on the mat. Soon after, the upper and lower positions were lost, and she just groaned and let Zhang Yanling bump into her wildly.