Flowers in full bloom

Chapter 669 Dilemma

Changliang Prefecture and Changhui Prefecture in Xichang Prefecture have high temperature and high humidity throughout the year, with distinct dry and rainy seasons and high humidity. Changxing Prefecture and Changhuai Prefecture in the northwest have high temperature throughout the year, but rarely have rainy seasons, and droughts often occur, leaving farmers with no harvest.

Although there is a rainy season in Changhuai Prefecture and Changwu Prefecture in the west, the rainfall is very little and the temperature difference is large. People there wear cotton-padded jackets in the morning and gauze in the afternoon, and eat ice melons around the stove.

In the Great Sheng Dynasty, where transportation was so underdeveloped, going to Xichang Prefecture to work was a bit like being exiled. What's more, Hua Lei was a girl.

"Lei'er, after the imperial court opens its seal after the New Year, I will go to the emperor to ask for a favor. Jinshi is still so young and needs your care. It is not suitable for you to go to Xichang Prefecture which is so far away." Old Marquis Pei said.

"What is His Majesty thinking? Why does he suddenly let Lei'er, a girl, go there? It's so inappropriate. It's really..." Madam Pei swallowed the rest of the words.

"He must have been attracted by Lei'er's talent. His Majesty saw everything Lei'er did in Mobei very clearly. If Lei'er hadn't been pregnant when she came back from Mobei last year,

The two places His Majesty preferred were Xichang Prefecture and Liaodong Prefecture. One was in the westernmost part of the Great Sheng Dynasty, and the other was in the easternmost part, both of which were remote and impoverished areas.

The emperor asked Lei'er to go there to improve the local people's livelihood and economy." Pei Jingxuan said in a deep voice.

"After doing a good job, you are still exiled to the most remote area. According to this logic, you'd better not do it that way in the future." Madam Pei's suppressed anger rose again.

"Grandmother, don't be angry. In the eyes of His Majesty, this is a great favor and a recognition of my ability..."

"Lei'er, you don't want to go, do you? Don't go. Just stay in the capital. At worst, we won't be officials anymore. From now on, you can just eat and have fun.

Don't worry, if you are worried about the monthly salary, I will give it to you. It's just a few dozen taels of silver every month. Besides, you don't need this official position now, so it doesn't matter."

Mrs. Pei was worried that Hua Lei wanted to go, so she interrupted Hua Lei.

"Well, okay, grandma, we don't have to rush. Isn't the letter of appointment not stamped yet? His Majesty also said that he wanted to ask for my opinion. He doesn't necessarily want me to go. His Majesty has been very kind." Hua Lei comforted Madam Pei.

"Lei'er, although His Majesty asked for your opinion, but..."

"But what do you mean by "but"? Why don't you go back to your own yard to eat? Why are you standing here?" Old Madam Pei glared at Pei Jingxuan and drove him away.

"Yes, yes, yes, you should go back early, we have to have dinner." Old Marquis Pei also waved his hand and said with disdain.

Pei Jingxuan stood up helplessly, smiled at Hua Lei, and left Songheyuan under the disdainful gazes of the two elders.

Rong Jin looked at the letter of appointment on the table and sighed softly, but did not say anything. Instead, he and Hua Lei each helped Madam Pei into the dining room.

After dinner, Rong Jin held Jin Shi in his arms, and Hua Lei held Jin Nian's hand, and they returned to Qixia Courtyard together. Looking at Rong Jin who had been somewhat silent, Hua Lei didn't know how to start.

After playing with Jinnian for a while, she saw that it was almost time, so she asked the wet nurse to take the two children downstairs. Hualei and Rongjin went to the bathroom to wash up.

In fact, Hualei was a little overwhelmed by the sudden letter of authorization.

As for whether to accept the trip to Xichang Prefecture, Hua Lei hadn't made up her mind yet. However, she knew that Lord Pei and Madam Pei didn't want her to go, and Rong Jin didn't want to either.

Soaking in the tub, Hualei sighed deeply. Jinshi is only less than seven months old now, and it will only be eight months after the New Year.

Although she is no longer breastfeeding, Hualei feels reluctant to go to Xichang Prefecture because the child is so young and she won’t be able to see him for three years.

There is also Jinnian, who is only four years old. His daily life is indeed taken care of by maids and old women, but Hualei is usually the one who accompanies him most of the time during his enlightenment and games in the evening.

Jinnian has also gotten used to this pattern. If I leave for three years, it will be a kind of loss for his growth, which doesn't seem to be good. No matter how well the maids and old women take care of him, how can they compare to his own mother?

By the way, there is Rong Jin. If I go to Xichang Prefecture, Rong Jin will be left alone in Shangjing City. Will Rong Jin take a concubine during these three years of being alone?

Hualei suddenly felt a little discouraged? Of course, right? Here, taking a concubine is as normal as eating and dressing. Jiang Yunqi took a concubine, and Chen Lichun, the husband of Mrs. Chen Shao, who was on good terms with her in Mobei, also took a concubine.

Even Gui Jing'an, the grandson of Gui Jijiu, already has a beautiful concubine. It is said that Mr. Gui and his first wife Wen Shi have a mediocre relationship, but he likes that concubine very much. Alas! Men, there is really no good thing.

If I really go to Xichang Prefecture, I guess there will be women entering this courtyard within three months, let alone three years.

It is said that many divorced couples start with not being able to eat together, talk together, or sleep together. Of course, the original meaning of this statement is about the impact of different living habits of two people on the relationship between husband and wife.

However, Hualei thinks that this statement is more appropriate if the couple is living in different places. If two people are always separated, they really can't eat together, talk together, or sleep together.

Nowadays there are no electronic devices like online video. In the past, we could make video calls every day, but there were so many problems in long-distance relationships. A big reason for this is that the actual distance created a gap.

Alas... Hua Lei let out a long sigh. It seemed that she could not go to Xichang Prefecture. If she went to Xichang Prefecture, it was very likely that she would take the initiative to make room for another woman.

At that time, I will suffer outside while that woman enjoys a good life in the mansion. I will run around outside while that woman plays chess and enjoys flowers in the back garden of the mansion?

If that woman was a little more vicious, she might have hurt Jinnian and Jinshi. No, no, then she would have lost her husband, her children, and her home.

Forget it, let's not go...right? Then...give up? But if I give up this time, will there be no chance of promotion in the future?

Just now, Uncle San said that Emperor Shengwu wanted me to go to Xichang or Liaodong Prefecture last year. It was merciful enough that I was suppressed because of my pregnancy.

If I refuse again this year, it would be shameless, and Emperor Shengwu would definitely be unhappy, right? Even if he doesn't punish me, I won't have a good life in the future. It's a good thing that I can stay in this position for the rest of my life.

Hua Lei picked up the bath towel and washed her face. Now she finally felt how difficult it was for a married woman to pursue a career. It was really difficult to find a balance between family and career.