Chapter 256: Mid-Autumn Festival and Farewell

August 15th is the Mid-Autumn Festival. I heard that there was another banquet at the Jia Mansion, and it was still at Tubi Villa outside the city. This trip to the Jia Mansion led to a long train, which opened the eyes of many people in the capital. It was so lively when people were crowding around. However, neither Chen Heng nor Daiyu went. They only sent the gifts prepared for Jia's mother and other relatives to Jia Min, and asked the elders to hand them over on their behalf.

The couple had only been married for half a month, and the most important thing they attended was the banquet. Needless to say, his own wedding banquet was Jia Mu's birthday banquet at the beginning of the month. On the eighth day of this month, Chen Heng invited his colleagues to a meal. It was rare for the court to give its officials a day off during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Chen Heng had no plans to go out to socialize. He wanted to take this time to relax and be alone with his wife.

Daiyu also had this intention. When she heard Chen Heng's arrangement, she immediately raised her hands in approval. She is not a little girl who likes to join in the fun. When her husband said he wanted to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at home, she immediately started to make arrangements in the house. As soon as she got up today, Mrs. Chen led the maids in the house to work non-stop. Although Lao Chen's family is not considered rich, their current wealth is more than enough to be considered a small fortune.

After Daiyu became the mistress of the house, in addition to the maids and servants brought by the Lin family, she also invited several people from outside to help take care of everything in the house. Although the family is not big, life is prosperous under her management. Putting down poems and books with bare hands, he started to cook firewood, rice, oil, salt and other common things, which was also a decent thing.

When Chen Heng came out of the study after reading the book. I happened to see Daiyu in front of Qingzu Pavilion, preparing a table for worshiping the moon at night. He, a scholar, came up to join in the fun, smiled at the beauty and said, "Madam, is there anything I can do to help?"

Daiyu didn't bother to pay attention to him, she just glanced at her enemy, and still pulled Zicuckoo and Qingwen and said, "It's so good, the sun is going down, and here comes the people going to the market."

"Hahahaha." Chen Heng laughed, he discovered it. After getting married, Daiyu's expression and attitude changed drastically from before. This strange feeling of familiarity is really interesting and even more endearing.

Amidst the suppressed laughter of Qingwen and Zijuan, Chen Heng shamelessly stepped forward, stood next to Daiyu, bumped her shoulder lightly with his shoulder, and said curiously: "What's going on at the market? I can see clearly that it's... A moon catcher is spreading the word from door to door that the moon is about to rise, so don’t miss the auspicious moment.”

Daiyu wanted to laugh when she heard this, but she held it back with some effort. She pursed her lips and turned her head, deliberately not to see her husband's antics, "This moon catcher is very kind-hearted, why can't I see it?"

"Take another look, take another look?" Chen Heng walked left and right, his attitude was very positive.

Qingwen and Zijuan couldn't help but smile, and said hurriedly, "Master, Madam, there is something else going on over there, let's go take a look first," and then held hands and hid in the warehouse. Seeing no outsiders, Daiyu became more courageous and stepped forward to grab Chen Heng and start a fight. While the two were noisy, they finished the final arrangement of the dishes on the table.

The color of the sunset is about to be taken away by the sky. When it was time to hang up the lantern, Chen Heng followed Daiyu into the house. The couple wore casual clothes and chatted non-stop.

The topic between the two of them has turned to Sun Shaozu from before. Daiyu didn't take the initiative to ask about the Maritime Affairs Department. She only discussed the family tradition of the Sun family and Sun Shaozu's character. Chen Heng had recently learned a lot about this matter, and he immediately told the other party about it.

Mrs. Chen was shocked and said: "This family is so vicious, how can Sister Yingchun survive after marrying her?"

Chen Heng couldn't comment, so he just shook his head softly. The reputation of the Sun family is indeed not very good, but not even Jia Min can interfere too much in Yingchun's wedding, let alone the couple. Jia's mother can intervene, but according to her attitude towards Jia She, she is probably just thinking that doing more is worse than doing less.

Daiyu also thought about this clearly and frowned slightly. She has a good temper and is innocent, but she rarely does dirty things. With such a simple mind, I can't help but hope that everyone around me can live a good life and get better and better.

Chen Heng is different from her. He knows that in this world, it is extremely difficult to live a good life with the door closed. Fortunately, although Sister Lin has a good mind, she is not ignorant of the ways of the world. She frowned and thought for a moment, then she realized the difficulty of this matter. If my uncle insists on getting married, can they, the younger generation, stop him?

"Thank you, Mr. Xian." Daiyu saluted Chen Heng, suppressed her worries and smiled, "I will tell Sister Yingchun about this matter tomorrow and the day after. Whether it succeeds or not depends on what she and her grandmother want. "

clever! Chen Heng nodded secretly, knowing that Daiyu could figure this out and know who to marry Yingchun. He also smiled and said: "Don't worry about these for now. Madam, what will our family eat tonight?"

"I'll give you mooncakes." Daiyu clapped her hands and said with a smile, "Don't you like salty food? I specially made some for you this morning."

When Chen Heng heard this, he became quite interested. But when Daiyu saw that he kept asking questions, she pushed him out angrily and began to bathe and change clothes inside.

At the time of Xu, the bright moon like a silver plate suddenly jumped out from the top of the mountain. The courtyard at home is illuminated very brightly. In ancient times, there was a custom that "men do not worship the moon and women do not worship the stove". Chen Heng took Xinda, Xianglian and other people to wait beside him, watching Daiyu leading the maids at home to salute and offer wine to the hanging moon statue. , to pray for peace and success in the coming days.

This festival preceded the Tang and Song dynasties, and also ranked in front of the Qiqiao Festival. To this day, both festivals are considered big days in my daughter’s family.

After the ceremony was completed, Daiyu ordered the kitchen at home to bring out the dishes. A couple and two or three friends enjoy the autumn moon together. This night was quite pleasant. When Xianglian drank too much, she was sent back to her room by Xinda.

Chen Heng continued to accompany Daiyu and carefully watched the changes in the moon and stars. Both of them are well-read people. Chen Heng tells rural fairy tales and folk anecdotes. Daiyu would occasionally talk about some of the notes she had read. Drink and talk, talk and discuss, everything from the sky to the earth, from the bright moon to the colorful clouds.

The moonlight is very beautiful this night. The moonlight falls on Qingzu Pavilion, and the ripples of light shine like gorgeous Bailian. Daiyu, who had washed herself, was wearing a light blue girl's dress and was shaking a small fan. Chen Heng's eyes did not stay on the scenery in the sky for too long. But Daiyu was still watching carefully, watching the thin clouds flying across the night sky, and the stars shining and changing.

Xu Shi saw a beautiful scenery again. Daiyu did not hide the surprise in her eyes and wanted to share it with the person beside her. When he turned his head, he saw that the other party was looking at him intently, and he didn't know how long he had been looking at him.

"Okay, don't look at the moon and see what I do." Daiyu suppressed a smile.

"You are more beautiful than the moon." Chen Heng answered honestly.

The small Qingluo fan in Daiyu's hand sped up slightly. After a while, she said slowly: "The universe is as big as the bright moon. I wonder if there are still people like us in the world at this moment."

After hearing this, Chen Heng thought about it very seriously before replying: "Of course there are people everywhere enjoying the cool air and admiring the moon. But there shouldn't be many people like our couple who talk about everything."

Daiyu hesitated and asked, "Why is that?"

Chen Heng immediately said arrogantly: "Because my wife is Sister Lin."

Daiyu looked embarrassed, holding a small fan and waving it. Seeing that there was no one else around, Chen Heng couldn't suppress the impulse in his heart and invited his wife to go back to the house to enjoy the moon together.

His reasons are also interesting.

"The pavilion has the liveliness of the pavilion, and the house has the elegance of the house. What do you think, Madam?"

Daiyu couldn't resist Chen Heng's righteousness, so she had no choice but to let him hold hands and walk towards the house.

The candle that was still burning in the pavilion was blown out by Qingwen who came later.

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August 17th, just after the Mid-Autumn Festival. The court seems to have finally decided how to deal with the Maritime Affairs Department. The joint trial of the three departments is definitely indispensable. What is surprising is that Du Yunjing, as a doctor of the Ministry of Punishment, was also named by His Majesty to participate in it.

These things have little to do with Chen Heng. On the last day of August, he was suddenly summoned to Linjing Hall by Li Zhi. When he arrived in a hurry, Li Zhi expressed his will to his ministers.

It is said to be a decree, but in fact it is an oral instruction. The official edict for promotion had to be written by the Hanlin Academy before the formalities were completed. Chen Heng listened dazedly and then said: "When does Your Majesty want me to set off?"

"Let's do it on the fifth day of next month. Try to do it as soon as possible." Li Zhi looked very bad. He thought he had too many things to worry about recently and he didn't get a good night's sleep. "Don't you have a wedding in Yangzhou? Let's do it together."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chen Heng replied. He really didn't expect that the place Li Zhi finally decided for himself was Songjiang Mansion. This place is sandwiched between Suzhou and Hangzhou. Although the reputation is not as prominent as the latter. But in the previous life, its reputation was such that when Su and Hang saw it, they would shout "Brother Hai, nice to meet you".

"I'm going to Songjiang Mansion to take office. If you have any ideas, just do it boldly." Li Zhi still recognized the minister's ability to deal with things. "If anyone interferes, I will allow you to write a secret letter and submit it, and special matters will be dealt with."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chen Heng quickly bowed and thanked him. With Li Zhi's words, he could show off his talents when he went to Songjiang Mansion.

After leaving Linjing Hall like this, Chen Heng hurried back to the Hanlin Academy and started packing his things. After a while, the news spread throughout the department that the number one scholar in the Jinke Palace Examination would be released ahead of schedule.

Cui Huan and Zhao Mingyi did not expect that Chen Heng would leave so quickly. They rushed up and sighed: "I didn't expect that Chi Xing would go to Songjiang Mansion to take up his post after only staying in the hospital for a few months."

Zhao Mingyi couldn't understand whether this was a good thing or a bad thing. To be honest, the Hanlin Academy has the most noble status. After completing the three-year qualifications, he would be appointed as one of the six ministries, and he would at least start as a sixth-grade doctor. This is still a capital official. Compared with the official position of a local official, he is naturally half a rank higher.

As the number one scholar who passed the exam in March, Chi Xing comes and goes in such a hurry. Does this mean that His Majesty has more trust?

But if he was a favorite, why did he go to Songjiang Mansion? You know, this Songjiang Prefecture has just suffered a tsunami and flood. If a place like this is not handled well, it will trigger a civil unrest. Zhixing's official career was almost aborted.

Chen Heng, the person involved, had the most relaxed attitude. He had already chosen the road to go, but he didn't expect that he would go to Songjiang Mansion. Smilingly accepting the thanks from his two friends, he went to Cao Tingshou to explain the situation.

After the rightful owner left, a room of Hanlin officials immediately gathered together to discuss Chen Heng's 'promotion'. Someone said: "As expected of the number one scholar in the sixth rank, he was promoted to the rank of sixth-rank state magistrate before he stayed in the ministry for half a year."

The sixth-grade prefectures are all magistrates, and above them are the fifth-grade prefects and the fourth-grade prefects. In terms of official rank, it is higher than those from the sixth-grade Hanlin Academy. But the former and the latter, one is in the local area and the other is in the Hanlin Academy. When everyone thought about it carefully, they became less and less able to understand His Majesty's deep meaning. Is this a promotion, or an overt promotion or a covert promotion?

"Can you understand?" someone asked.

Everyone shook their heads.

Someone pointed to the official documents Chen Heng brought back and said, "Look, Chixing also holds the title of Fuguo County Magistrate. Tsk, tsk, tsk, who remembers whether Songjiang Prefecture is Shangzhou or Xiazhou?"

"It's the lower state." An old Hanlin in the officialdom immediately answered, "But their prefect has just been promoted to Jinling prefect, and the prefect position is still vacant. I remember that the prefect of this prefecture is an old Jinshi, and he will retire in one or two years."

So? ! Everyone suddenly looked at each other, thinking of the scene of the top scholar parading in the streets, and felt that Chen Heng might break the record of the officialdom of Dayong.

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Cao Tingshou was not too surprised to hear that Chen Heng was going to take up a local post. He only reminded him: "Your talent is more suitable for you to be an official and benefit the local people than to stay in the courtyard to study books and write history."

This was a congratulation from his old boss, and Chen Heng hurriedly stood up to thank him. The two chatted for a few more words, and Cao Tingshou indicated that he would write Chen Heng's promotion decree by hand. Seeing this, Chen Heng hurriedly withdrew. As soon as he left the door, he was surrounded by his colleagues who reacted and asked him to treat them.

There was no time left, he had to leave on the fifth day of the first lunar month, so he hurriedly told Li Zhi what he meant. When everyone heard that Chen Heng was so anxious to leave, they changed their invitations to congratulate.

Sit in the courtyard until the time to leave the government office, tomorrow, September 1st, Chen Heng doesn't have to come. Just receive the imperial edict at home, and then go to the Ministry of Personnel to get an official document, and you can set off directly.

Hurrying home, Chen Heng hurriedly told Daiyu the good news. Sister Lin was also surprised and happy, she didn't expect that her husband would be promoted and sent out in a blink of an eye. She thought about it, and suddenly said anxiously: "What can I do, there are only three days, and I can't pack up the things at home. How can I go with you..."

This is indeed a difficult problem, but the court's laws are here, and Chen Heng can't wait. Thinking that they have just been married for a short time, they have to separate. Chen Heng hurriedly hugged Daiyu and comforted her: "It's okay, wait for me to go there to settle things, and you can come slowly later."

Daiyu also knew that there was no way, their family would definitely stay in Songjiang Prefecture for a long time. Then, she had to personally ask about the things to be prepared and the servants who were traveling with her.

The emperor's order was hard to disobey, and the couple had no choice but to hug each other. There were still a few days before separation, and the feeling of reluctance had begun to spread.

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The next day, Chen Heng received the imperial decree at home, and took advantage of the afternoon to go to the Ministry of Personnel to complete the formalities. Because it had been a full month since the wedding, Chen Heng took the initiative to take Yu'er back to the Lin family.

The father-in-law and mother-in-law were quite open-minded about this matter, and felt that it was a good thing for the son-in-law to be promoted. Jia Min saw that Daiyu was a little disappointed and reluctant, and couldn't help but laugh at the newly married daughter-in-law, who was different.

Lin Ruhai talked to Chen Heng for a long time, and their topic was still on Songjiang Prefecture. Lin Ruhai emphasized the matter of the port of Songjiang Prefecture. If the border is not good next year, there will be a war. This winter, if the port can be expanded and the sea ships of Dayong can land directly from Qingniwa, it can greatly reduce the transportation pressure.

Chen Heng understood the burden on his shoulders, nodded his head immediately, and brought a few books related to water conservancy from his mother's home.

When the couple finally returned home, Daiyu told Chen Heng again and again that she would go to him as soon as she finished her business.

Chen Heng said nothing, just hugged her tightly.

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Early in the morning of the fifth day, Chen Heng said goodbye to Daiyu at home. He took Xinda and Liu Xianglian with him. This time they traveled light, took the official ship and went straight to Yangzhou, then from Yangzhou to Suzhou, and then to Songjiang Prefecture.

Eight days later, the three of them got off the ship at Guazhou Wharf. This time, there was no loud gongs and drums.

The willow branches were bleak, and there were still people coming and going on the wharf. Chen Heng got off the ship calmly, but the fellow villagers around him did not recognize this Yangzhou celebrity. After returning home quietly, Chen Heng knocked on the door and saw his family who opened the door.

"Heng'er?!" Chen Gaishan rubbed his eyes. He didn't expect that his grandson, who was thousands of miles away, would return home so suddenly.

"Grandpa." Chen Heng was calm after they had just parted. He only went forward to pay his respects to his grandfather before being pulled into his home by the latter.

Chen Qi and Chen Huaijin, who got the news, went home as soon as possible. Later, even the two brothers-in-law came back. The family sat together and heard Chen Heng explain the meaning of his return this time.

"So, you will be an official in Songjiang Prefecture in the future?" Chen Huaijin said happily. This place is not far from Gusu, so it is not far from Yangzhou. It will be much easier for the family to meet in the future.

Chen Heng smiled and nodded.

Monday syndrome, a lot of work today, very busy. Woo woo woo, please give me some money to comfort me.