Today, the General's Mansion is particularly lively. Whether it is the inner or outer courtyard, red lanterns are hung, and the servants occasionally set off a few firecrackers, which makes the people of Yunxiang County curious about what the General's Mansion is doing. Even many children are watching outside.
Firecrackers were made by Yang Haiyan when sulfur and saltpeter mines were discovered. A lot of them were made. On special days, such as the New Year and other festivals, they can be set off, which is particularly interesting.
Although the people of Yunxiang County don't know much about the General's Mansion, which has only been there for four or five months, they still have a good impression of it. First of all, the general solved the problem of the city wall and the beast mountain, so that they don't have to worry about beasts appearing in the cold winter.
Secondly, the General's Mansion recruited soldiers, the military camps and fields recruited managers, and the General's Mansion also collected grain, and when collecting grain, the money was never in arrears. For this, the people were most happy.
Finally, and most importantly, the General's Mansion did not bully the people. For the people, the most feared thing is that a high official came to the local area, and as a result, this high official oppressed the people, making the whole county city full of smoke and miasma. But after four or five months, everyone knew that the General's Mansion was not like this, so how could they not be happy?
Although the General's Mansion was lively, there were not many guests in the mansion. The Qin family had no relatives in Yunxiang County, and they only invited a few people from the county government. Du Ke, one of the protagonists, is from the capital, so he has no relatives here, so there are not many talented people in the general's mansion.
However, with fewer people, it is easier to entertain them.
In the inner courtyard, Yang Haiyan entertained the wife of Yang County Magistrate, Mrs. Lu, and the wife of Yang Xiaowei. Grandma Qin, Mother Qin, and Aunt Qin San were also there. Qin Siya and Qin Qiuya entertained the young ladies, including Yang County Magistrate's daughter and Meng Qiu.
Qin Shoucheng was not idle either. He brought Niu Dan and Kun Daying to entertain Lu Dawei, Lu Xiaowei, the son of Yang Xiaowei, and the son of Yang County Magistrate. They were all classmates in the academy and were very familiar with each other.
Qin Shouye was brought by Qin Fang. As the accountant of the military camp, he could meet more people and broaden his horizons, which was also a good thing for Qin Shouye.
Wei Ting stood up first: "Today is the happy event of Lord Du and General Qin. Let's pay tribute to Lord Du and General Qin."
As Wei Ting finished speaking, Shen Lixian, Yang County Magistrate, Bai County Secretary, and Song Zhubu also stood up: "Respect Lord Du and General Qin."
Yang County Magistrate was really full of sighs. Before Qin Fang came, he was still wondering how Qin Fang, a child from a poor family, could achieve today's achievements. Now that he came to this apprenticeship banquet, he knew that the person behind Qin Fang was actually Lord Du Ke, the Minister of War. You must know that Lord Du is the confidant of the emperor.
Sure enough, it is very important to pay tribute to the right teacher.
He must not offend Qin Fang, and he should get along well with him.
Of course, Yang County Magistrate had no intention of relying on Qin Fang, currying favor with Qin Fang, and then getting promoted and making money. With his status, he could just stay in Yunxiang County and live a stable life. If he gets in front of the emperor, he might find fault with him because of the Yang family's affairs and punish him. Fortunately, during the time when Qin Fang took office in Yunxiang County, he and Qin Fang got along well.
Du Ke stood up. He rarely drank on weekdays, but today he was happy, so he naturally had to drink a few glasses. "In this case, I would like to thank you for your kindness. You have been in the officialdom for a long time and have more experience than Qin Fang, a boy who has just entered the officialdom. Qin Fang will need your care in the future."
Speaking of which, Qin Fang has only been in the officialdom for three months, starting from this year when he was officially named General Wude. I have been in the military camp before, not in the officialdom.
Wei Ting said: "Lord Du is too polite."
Shen Lixian also said: "That's right, General Qin is Lord Du's disciple, maybe we need General Qin to take care of us." County
Magistrate Yang smiled as they teased, he had no right to speak here.
Du Ke was a person who didn't like to talk nonsense with others. After saying politely, he talked about business: "I came to Yunxiang County this time with the emperor's order. Since Lord Yang is here today, I will talk about the emperor's order..."
The male guest talked about business, while the female guest chatted about family matters.
Mrs. Yang's eyes stopped on Qin Qiuya many times. Yang Haiyan had introduced her just now. This is Qin Fang's cousin, the only daughter of the third room of the Qin family, and she is thirteen years old this year. Mrs. Yang was a smart person. Qin Fang was able to bring all the people from the Qin family here, which showed that he respected his uncle from the next room in the family and wanted to promote him. So she naturally looked up to Qin Qiuya.
Moreover, this girl was gentle and polite. Although she was a little petty and introverted, she just came from the countryside, so this kind of personality was understandable. After a period of time, she would naturally change. Even if she didn't change, she thought this kind of personality was not a big deal.
Thinking of this, Mrs. Yang County said, "County Master, has Miss Qiuya agreed to a marriage?"
No one present was a fool, and everyone could understand what this meant.
Aunt Qin's heart tightened, but she was not good at speaking and didn't know how to say it. Therefore, she could only look at Yang Haiyan.
Yang Haiyan smiled and said, "Not yet. Qiuya is only thirteen years old this year. According to the family's wishes, there are only three sisters in total. Now that the eldest sister is married, the remaining two sisters want to stay for a few more years. However, a good girl is not afraid of being picked, and a good man is picked early. So, if you meet a good man, you can also look at him first."
The earlier you meet, the more you can get in touch with him and see the person more thoroughly.
Mrs. Yang County said, "That's right, that's the reason."
Mrs. Yang Xiaowei and Mrs. Lu also smiled. They had no idea about Qin Qiuya. The son of Captain Yang's family was only ten years old this year, and Lu Dawei and Lu Xiaowei were twins, only nine years old this year. If there is an idea, it is possible with Qin Siya.
Maybe it was because Mrs. Yang County Magistrate mentioned Qin Qiuya's marriage, and they all thought of Qin Siya. It's okay for a girl to be one or two years older than a boy. On the contrary, it's good for a woman to be older to have children, so they all thought of Qin Siya. However, neither of them showed it.
Mrs. Yang County Magistrate only mentioned Qin Qiuya once, and didn't mention it again. But everyone knew that once it was mentioned, it meant that there was an intention to do something next, but they didn't say it on the surface.
After the dinner, everyone went back.
The wife of County Magistrate Yang and County Magistrate Yang were sitting in the carriage on the way back. County Magistrate Yang's wife said, "Today, I met General Qin's family members at the women's meeting. They are all down-to-earth people. They all look friendly and easy to get along with."
County Magistrate Yang raised his eyebrows and said, "Why are you telling me this?" What does the matter of the women have to do with him?
County Magistrate Yang's wife said, "General Qin's family is simple and honest. He has a cousin who is thirteen years old this year. They are going to arrange a marriage."
County Magistrate Yang listened and thought for a while: "Are you going to arrange a marriage between my son and General Qin's cousin?"
The wife of County Magistrate Yang said, "My son is fifteen this year, and you are not going to let him take the imperial examination. Although you can protect him now, in the end... I want to find him a kind and simple Yue family who can be his backer. In fact, General Qin's biological sister is the most suitable. Although she is only ten years old this year, it doesn't matter if my son waits a little. But in the current situation of our family, General Qin will definitely not marry his biological sister to our family. So, let's take a step back and choose General Qin's cousin. What do you think?"
County Magistrate Yang was silent. In fact, he hoped that his son would take the imperial examination. He was a Jinshi, so naturally he also hoped that his son could pass the exam. But for the safety of his son and the safety of the Yang family, he had to let his son down. It is not convenient for the Yang family to present themselves before the emperor at present, so it is better for them to be as far away from the capital as possible. Therefore, the greatest achievement of his son can only be to become a scholar. If he passes the examination for a scholar, at least in Yunxiang County, even if he dies in the future, his son will have a face to live here.
If the Yang family wants to take the imperial examination again, it can only be three generations later.
But when his wife talked about the marriage of the Qin family, he was also somewhat tempted. The Qin family is now on the rise. If his son is engaged to the cousin of General Qin, and General Qin is a student of Lord Du, then can his son... take the imperial examination? Even if someone brings up the affairs of Taifu Yang's family in the future, with Lord Du and General Qin as the backing of his son, it should be fine. When the wife of the
Yang County Magistrate saw that Yang County Magistrate was silent, she knew what he was thinking. As a mother, how can you not consider your son?
Not to mention the fact that the Yang County Magistrate's family was tempted, even when Yang Haiyan took a bath and lay in bed with Qin Fang, she also brought up this matter: "Husband, Mrs. Yang told me about Qiuya's marriage today. Although the Yang County Magistrate is good and Mrs. Yang is not the kind of person who is difficult to get along with, I don't agree with marrying Qiuya to the Yang family."
Qin Fang was stunned: "Are you thinking too much? Maybe Mrs. Yang wants to be a matchmaker."
Yang Haiyan said: "I'm just saying that. Because of the matter of usurping the throne, the Yang family was implicated. Although the Yang County Magistrate's family is fine, there is no guarantee what will happen in the future." Although the Yang County Magistrate's family was not mentioned in the novel, Qin Fang has now taken the official route, and she wants to avoid anything that will affect Qin Fang if she can. She was originally from the family of Taifu Yang, and this identity is sensitive enough. If the Qin family and the Yang family have other relationships, they should be careful of the villains and gossip.
Qin Fang said: "Those matters must be decided by the third uncle and the third aunt, you just need to mention it to them."
Speaking of the third aunt, Yang Haiyan remembered what Qin's mother said: "In fact, my mother mentioned it to me today. She said that the third uncle and the third aunt want to find a good young man among your subordinates to match Qiuya. What do you think of Tao Shan?"
Tao Shan?
Qin Fang was completely stunned after hearing this. He really had no intention of matchmaking with his subordinates, but after hearing his wife mention it, he thought it was okay. Compared with the Yang County Ling family, he thought Tao Shan was better. Tao Shan followed him, and no matter where he was transferred to in the future, Tao Shan would go with him. This way Qiu Ya would also go with him, and he would be able to take better care of her: "I'll ask Tao Shan tomorrow."
Yang Haiyan said: "When you ask, you must also explain Qiu Ya's situation clearly, especially since she wants to find a son-in-law... If you can't find a son-in-law, you can also agree with the man that the first child born to them, regardless of boy or girl, will take Qiu Ya's surname Qin. This will also be regarded as leaving a thought for my third uncle."
Qin Fang thought it made sense when he heard it: "Okay, I'll talk to him. Yan Yan... What a beautiful day, and today is another good day. Shouldn't you also congratulate your husband?"
Yang Haiyan rolled her eyes at him: "I've been busy for you all day today, isn't it time to congratulate?"
Qin Fang chuckled and immediately changed the tone: "Yan Yan is tired all day, so let your husband give Yan Yan a massage." He was really happy today, and because he was happy, he drank a few more sips. Qin Fang even felt that he had never been as successful as he was today. Even when he was named a fifth-rank military general, he still felt that it was not as good as today. "Yan Yan, I'm very happy today." He sat up from the bed, took her hand and gave her a massage.
Yang Haiyan raised her eyebrows and looked at him. It was rare to see a hint of red on the man's dark face. He must have drunk too much. Yang Haiyan said: "Every day in the future will be as happy as today." He is only 22 years old. If it were in modern times, he would still be playing in the university club.
Qin Fang nodded: "Well, as long as you are here, I will be so happy every day in the future."
Yang Haiyan raised her head and patted his face: "It's time to go to bed. The teacher will definitely talk to you tomorrow."
Qin Fang grabbed her hand: "I can't sleep. Yanyan, I can't sleep, let's celebrate, and maybe I will fall asleep while celebrating." As he said, he picked up Yang Haiyan from the bed and let her sit on his lap, "Yanyan, let's try something new today."
Yang Haiyan: "Play with you..."
Before she finished the first word, Qin Fang had already kissed her lips.
Yang Haiyan blinked and met his gentle eyes full of smiles. This person is really good. She hugged his neck with both hands and responded to him enthusiastically.
The next day
Qin, who was a little drunk last night, made a little too much noise. Although Yang Haiyan got up early today and did not stay in bed, she still felt a little tired.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, Du Ke came over: "General, Xiangjun, the master wants you to go over after breakfast to discuss the mission." The person who came was Zhang Hao, an attendant of Du Ke. Zhang Hao has followed Du Ke since he was a child and has a very high status in the Du family.
Qin Fang said: "Does Zhuo Jing want to come with us?"
Zhang Hao said: "The master said that Xiangjun knows the situation of this mission best, so he wants to hear Xiangjun's opinion."
Qin Fang heard it and said no more. He said: "We have already had breakfast, so let's go with Uncle Zhang."
When Qin Fang and others were about to reach the yard where Du Ke was settled, they met Wei Ting. Although the outside is large, the courtyards of these guests are settled close to each other, so it is inevitable to bump into each other.
When Wei Ting saw them, his eyes lit up: "General Qin, Lord Bingyun, I was looking for you for something, and I didn't expect to meet you now. What a coincidence."
Qin Fang said: "What a coincidence? What does Lord Wei want to talk to us about? We are just going to find the teacher."
Wei Ting said: "Then let's go to Lord Du and ask her to be a witness."
Qin Fang and Yang Haiyan looked at each other, not understanding the meaning of Wei Ting's words.
Several people came to Du Ke's yard together. Du Ke was practicing boxing in the yard. When he saw Qin Fang and the others coming, he stopped boxing: "Qin Fang, you are here. I came to discuss joining with you. Why is Wei Ting here too?"
Wei Ting smiled and said, "Sir Du, I also have something here. It was ordered by my father. Please be a witness, Sir Du."
"Oh?" Du Ke was surprised. "It's inside." When
they got into the house, the servants brought tea. The people who brought tea were all brought by Du Ke himself. No matter where he went, the followers he brought were all his own people. He was used to it. Now he was in the general's mansion and in the student's home, so he felt more at ease.
Du Ke: "Drink tea."
"Yes." Everyone picked up the teacup.
After taking a sip of tea, Wei Ting said, "Lord Du, General Qin, and Lord Bingyun, when we were at the border in the past, I, Wei Wu, recognized Lord Bingyun as my adopted sister. Many people in the Yongzhou military camp at the border knew about this. My father meant that if I recognized my adopted sister, then she would be my Wei family's goddaughter, so the Wei family would have to follow the proper etiquette. Coincidentally, Lord Du is here now, so I will ask Lord Du to be a witness on behalf of my father." He mentioned Wei's father, which meant that Qin Fang and Yang Haiyan could not refuse.
Du Ke looked calm, but a thought flashed through his mind. The Wei family wanted to recognize Yang Haiyan as their goddaughter? What was going on? Of course, he did not approve of this, but judging from Wei Ting's words, it seemed that this matter had been settled. Du Ke looked at Qin Fang and the others.
Qin Fang was also surprised. Didn't he make this clear to Wei Wu, and Wei Wu also promised not to mention it again? Why did Wei Ting mention it now? Moreover, Wei Ting didn't mention it when he first came to Yunxiang County, but now he mentioned it after he became his apprentice... Qin Fang immediately understood that if Yanyan and the Wei family became godparents, and he was a student of the teacher, then the Wei family and the Du family...
"Thank you, Lord Wei, for your kindness, Bingyun." Yang Haiyan said, bowing in the direction of the capital. The Lord Wei she mentioned was naturally Wei's father, "But Bingyun has already recognized Master's wife as her adopted mother, and has also accepted the recognition gift that Master's wife entrusted Master to bring, so she can no longer recognize the Wei family as godparents." Yang Haiyan also touched the ruby hairpin on her hair. This was the one given to her by the prince's wife, and she had never used it before. Speaking of which, it was the first time she used it today.
Then, Yang Haiyan bowed to Du Ke again: "Teacher, I like the hairpin given by my stepmother very much. Please thank my stepmother for me after you return to the capital."
Du Ke was a man who felt aggrieved again, but smiled: "As long as you like it. This hairpin was given to your stepmother by her mother when she was a girl. It is a bit old, and I am afraid that you girls don't like such things. It seems that you have the same preferences. When you have the opportunity to go to the capital in the future, she will like you after you meet her."
Wei Ting didn't react at first, and didn't think about who the stepmother Yang Haiyan was talking about. When Du Ke answered, he understood. Isn't Yang Haiyan's teacher's wife Du Ke's wife? Du Ke accepted Qin Fang as a student, and Mrs. Du accepted Yang Haiyan as her adopted daughter?
It was possible.
But, was this just a coincidence?
But now that it was said, what else could he say? Let Yang Haiyan recognize two godparents? That was too much of a stretch. "In this case, it is the fault of our Wei Mansion and Wei Wu for not making this matter clear earlier."
Yang Haiyan said, "The Second Young Master Wei is a cheerful person. When he said that I was his sister-in-law, he was just thinking of our old friendship and raising my status. He was afraid that my husband would bully me. He probably didn't expect that Lord Wei in the capital would take it seriously. I hope Lord Wei can explain to Lord Wei in the capital after returning to Beijing and ask him not to be angry with the Second Young Master Wei. Otherwise, it will be my fault."
Wei Ting smiled and said, "No, no, this kid has always been a person without measure. Now that it has been made clear, there is nothing to worry about. In this case, I'm sorry to bother you, and I'll take my leave first."
Qin Fang: "I'll see you off, brother Wei."
Wei Ting: "Thank you."
Qin Fang and Wei Ting went out, and only Du Ke and Yang Haiyan were left in the room. Yang Haiyan's heart was pounding. She had no choice but to ask Du Ke to stop Wei Ting. In fact, she couldn't think of any other reason at the moment. When she thought of this reason, she was also very sure that Du Ke would not refuse.
But at this moment, there was only her and Du Ke in the room. She still felt a little nervous and uneasy.
Du Ke's eyes were like a sharp sword. At least Yang Haiyan thought so. She thought Du Ke's eyes were very sharp.
But in Du Ke's opinion, it was not the case. He thought the woman in front of him was very smart. Such a smart woman, paired with his verbose student, was... quite interesting. Du Ke could feel Yang Haiyan's nervousness, and even saw sweat on her forehead. As if he could sense her nervousness enough, Du Ke spoke: "Why did Bingyun reject Wei Ting? The Wei family is among the top families in the capital. If Bingyun County Lord recognizes the Wei family as his godparents, I'm afraid he will be very famous when he goes to the capital in the future."
Yang Haiyan lowered her head and said, "The Wei family and I have a grudge, although we are not mortal enemies. In fact, the Wei family has helped me in some ways, but there is indeed some hatred. If I recognize the Wei family as my godparents, I'm afraid there will be a lot of rumors about me in the future. And... although those who achieve great things do not care about trivial matters, I am a woman and I don't do big things, so in some places, I don't recognize the Wei family." She didn't dare to look Du Ke in the eye.
Du Ke raised his eyebrows and asked, "Oh?"
Yang Haiyan paused, and continued, "I was sold to the Yang family by my parents when I was five years old. I was favored by the eldest lady and followed her from then on. I wore better clothes and ate better than other maids. I was even lucky enough to learn needlework and read from a famous teacher..." At this point, Yang Haiyan knelt down and said, "Lord Du, the affairs of the court are beyond the imagination of a woman like me. It is not something a woman like me can manage. The Yang family is in trouble, which is good for me. I have been able to become a good person from a slave. However, the eldest daughter of the Yang family has been very kind to me. I have no right to criticize the Wei family for what they did to the Yang family, but I have the right to disagree. In a hurry, I borrowed the name of Mrs. Du, and I hope Mr. Du will forgive me. "
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