Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 852 There are still people coming in
North Shore of Qing Lake,

Princess Yongcheng's residence,

The housewarming party was originally scheduled for 15:30, but almost no one showed up. I wonder if it was almost time.

Shi Tai, the head of the palace guards, received the princess' order to receive guests at the palace gate. Since no guests came, she could only pack up the gifts.
But just when he was at his wit's end, three carriages arrived in front of the mansion, followed by many servants, carrying boxes of gifts.
Shi Tai was surprised for a moment, then immediately came over and greeted the three people;

"I am General Shi Tai, and I greet all the generals."

Shi Taizhen recognized the three people who came. One was Xie Cheng, the grandson of Marquis Dingcheng and the second-class male guerrilla general of the Beijing Camp. Another was Qiu Liang, the grandson of Marquis Jingtian and the second-class male deputy general of Sizhou. The last one was Jiang Zining, the grandson of Marquis Pingyuan and the second-class male deputy general of Hongnong.

The three of them happened to meet at the street corner. Although they did not talk, since they came here, they must have the same purpose. So the three of them got off the carriage and did not show good looks to each other. First, Xie Cheng stretched out his hand and asked;
"Get up, we are all familiar faces. I wonder if His Highness is here?"

"General, His Highness is waiting in the main hall,"

Shi Tai did not hide it, but she felt something was wrong. Didn't the master say that no one came here? Why did someone come to visit now?

Therefore,
Keep an eye on it,

He immediately asked his servant to go in and pass the message, and he delayed for a while.
"That's good, it's not too late,"

After saying that, he wanted to go in first, but he didn't know that Mrs. Shi blocked his way.

"Wait a minute, General. The banquet has not yet begun. Also, General, we need to register the gifts for the reception."

As soon as this word comes out,
The two people behind him came forward and heard what was said, and then they started to mock him.
"Yes, brother Xie, why are you in such a hurry?"

Qiu Liang now benefits from the care of the Ministry of War. After General He went south, he was appointed as the deputy general of Sizhou, which was considered a promotion. Suddenly, he heard that the two princesses had returned to Beijing, and he missed them. In the past, he participated in the selection of the prince consort, but unfortunately he could not compare with others. This time he came back, it would be nice to reminisce and see them. However, the eldest princess was involved in the Su family, so it was not suitable for him to go there. He could only come to Princess Yongcheng to see her and express his longing for her.
"Brother Qiu is right. Since we came together, let's go in together. Brother Xie, hurry up. That won't work."

Jiang Zining, the deputy general of Hongnong, also followed with a smile. Since they could come, their purpose should be the same. He heard that Princess Yongcheng and her husband were not on good terms. He didn't know if the princess was bullied. Back then, he was just one step away from the position of husband. He didn't know how He Yishen got to Princess Yongcheng's mansion from the eldest princess. Until now, Jiang Zining still didn't understand.

That is the time of this moment.

Princess Yongcheng Zhou Ying in the inner hall received the news, and when she heard who was coming, she smiled coquettishly. They were all acquaintances, so it was good to reminisce about the past. At least there would be someone cheering for her. Otherwise, she would have to prepare some amazing things for the birthday banquet of the retired emperor in June.

"Ge Qing, what is the current situation of these three people?"

Hearing this, Ge Qing found a booklet from somewhere, opened it and looked through it, then replied;
"Master, the three people who came are old acquaintances. Xie Cheng from Dingcheng Marquis's Mansion is now a guerrilla general in the Beijing Camp. He has married four wives and concubines, and there are no additional rumors. Qiu Liang from Jingtian Marquis's Mansion also has four wives and concubines. Now he has received documents from the Ministry of War and has gone to Sizhou to serve as a deputy general. The last one, Jiang Zining from Pingyuan Prefecture, has only married one wife and one concubine, and serves as a deputy general in Hongnong."

In other words, the situation of these three people, even the wives and concubines in the mansion, were investigated clearly. These means were the result of using the money of Manchunyuan to lay out spies in the days before going to Beijing.
"Oh, they are doing quite well now. I remember when they left, they were all playboys. Now they are generals, with four wives and concubines, each one is better than the other. Marquis Luo Yun is such a lustful man, but he has only four wives in his mansion now, and two of them are from maids. Zou Xiao, go to the princess's mansion and wait at the back door. As soon as Marquis Luo Yun comes out, bring him here."

"Yes, Your Highness,"

Zou Xiao nodded quickly. Although she was puzzled, her master said that Luo Yunhou was there, so he must be there. She knew the corner gate at the back of the mountain. After getting up, she slowly retreated and disappeared into the corner.

After seeing someone leave,

Princess Yongcheng Zhou Ying's face straightened and she sneered. Those who came here wanted to test the truth. In the early years, some people had impure intentions. I thought they were rejected, but now they are still the same.
"Let them in. Since they are here, the banquet must be held. Ge Qing, notify the backstage to serve the dishes as prepared."

"Yes, master."

That is, when we were talking in the palace,
Outside the hospital,

The housekeeper finished his greetings, and a servant came over and told Mrs. Shi:
"Commander, the master lets them in."

Shi Tai nodded, knowing that everything had been arranged, and then he clasped his fists and took a step back.
"Generals, now that we have finished singing, please let the three generals come in,"

Seeing the front yard in a mess, the three of them lost their temper. Xie Cheng was not polite at all and asked;

"It's just you. You are a member of the Shi family of Baolinghou Mansion. You come here to be the leader of the guards, but you don't know the etiquette at all. It's just to register the gift, why is it so troublesome?"

"That's right, you don't know any rules. The historians didn't teach you these."

Qiu Liang looked unhappy. He should have gone in earlier, but until now, he was still blocked in the front yard. Anyone would be angry, but Jiang Zining followed behind without saying a word.

"Three generals, I am only the commander of a small guard in the princess's mansion. How dare I change the rules of the mansion at will? You all come from famous families. These rules have always existed and are not unique to this family. If I have been disrespectful, please forgive me. Please go ahead. Her Highness is still waiting."

Mrs. Shi apologized and stretched out her hand to invite them in. Since the conversation had come to this point, if she said one more word, it would mean that she had complaints against the Princess's Mansion. Xie Cheng and Qiu Liang were so angry that they waved their hands and went inside. Jiang Zining followed them, but in his heart, he suddenly felt regretful. Why did he come with the two of them?

If he hadn't known that Princess Yongcheng returned to the capital alone and her husband He Yisheng was still in his fiefdom, it would have been obvious that her husband had been banished to the cold palace.

Therefore,
Thinking of getting a glimpse of the beautiful face he longs for, deep down he may have some desire to get closer to her, but with all this being messed up by the two people in front of him, he's afraid that everything will be in vain.

From the front yard to the inner yard,
It was only a few steps away. After passing the central courtyard, they arrived close to the temple. What caught their eyes was a laurel tree with thick branches and lush leaves. The three of them ignored it and entered the temple one after another.
Just entered the house,
Then he saw Princess Yongcheng Zhou Ying sitting in the main seat, waiting with grace and elegance. Her beautiful face and black robe showed that the princess who was once famous in the capital had returned.

The three of them suppressed their excitement and knelt down to pay homage.

"Your servant Xie Cheng, (Qiu Liang) (Jiang Zining) pays homage to Your Highness."

"Stand up, three generals, and take a seat."

Zhou Ying also raised her hand and let the three generals sit down. She looked at the three of them. It has been a long time since they last saw each other. The three of them are no longer as high-spirited as they were in the past. Not only have they gained weight, but the official airs of the court can be seen everywhere. There is a hint of disappointment in their eyes. After all, they are no longer the young talents they used to be!

"Come on, let's start the banquet." Without saying much, the banquet started right away, which made the three of them feel quite flattered. People haven't arrived yet, Xie Chengyi clasped his fists and said;
"Your Highness, it's not the right time yet and everyone seems not to be here yet. It would be a bad idea to hold a banquet."

"Yes, Your Highness, if we have a banquet and someone comes, it would be inappropriate to treat them with indifference."

Qiu Liang was also puzzled. Why was he in such a hurry? Jiang Zining wanted to continue talking, but he didn't know that Zhou Ying smiled when she heard it.
"Haha, three generals, if anyone is holding a banquet in their house, it will be held at 3:45 in the afternoon. I don't want to bother my old friends and relatives, so I deliberately set the time. Those who can come will come, and those who can't come will not come. Thinking about the past, I feel that I owe them a lot."

First he confessed his crime, then he explained it.
Although I can say it, I cannot do it. Starting the banquet at 15:30 in the afternoon is probably not the only practice in the whole capital, so I started the banquet early. Everyone knows what I meant, but you three came here without any sense at all!

That is, this will
The maids began to bring up the dishes. They were not particularly amazing, but were just what ordinary people would eat. The three generals were actually delighted to see this. It seemed that His Highness did not treat them as outsiders. Xie Cheng was impatient and spoke quickly.

"Thank you for the banquet, Your Highness. I am deeply grateful. Knowing that Your Highness can come back, I regret my decision."

I don't know if it's true or not, but it's so touching.

Zhou Ying was stunned. A guerrilla general was so outspoken. What was he regretting? When choosing a consort, he was eliminated at the first round.

That is to say, Jiang Zining, who was at the end, was still shortlisted.

"General Xie, your words are too serious. You are already drunk before you even have a drink. I am returning to the capital this time for the sake of the Emperor, to fulfill my filial duty to him. Why bring up the past?"

Seeing His Highness carrying out the Emperor, Xie Cheng's face tensed up, knowing that he had said something wrong, and wanted to say something to make amends, but before he could open his mouth, Qiu Liang interrupted him with a wine cup in his hand;
"Your Highness' words make sense, but Xie Cheng, I couldn't help myself and couldn't help myself. It has been a long time since I greeted Your Highness. Today, I have the opportunity to greet Your Highness again."

He stood up and bowed, then took up the cup and drank it all. The remaining two did not dare to sit alone, so they stood up and drank together.
Zhou Ying narrowed her eyes. Xie Cheng was still the same as before, with an impetuous personality and unable to accomplish anything great. No wonder he was still a guerrilla general. As for the remaining two, their positions were promoted fairly quickly. In return for the gift, she took a sip from the wine cup.
Seeing the three of them finish their drinks and sit down,

He asked again;
"Please take a seat, generals. We haven't seen each other for a long time, so I can't help but be moved. I understand, but there are some things that can be said and some things that cannot be said. The three generals know that the capital is different now, and even the three of you are generals now, right?"

He tried to advance by retreating and persuade with kind words. In fact, he still wanted to find out. The court was controlled by the civil officials and their families. Although the nobles retreated, they were firmly nailed in the army. However, many generals in the army were replaced. Qiu Liang, who was originally in the Wucheng Bingmasi, actually went to Sizhou. So, on the side of the Bingmasi, who does Lord He's heart belong to?
"Your Highness, we are ashamed of what you said. We have wasted so much time and now we are only a deputy general guarding the city. How can we be called a general?"

Jiang Zining, who was sitting at the end, shook his head helplessly. Although the Beijing Camp was now controlled by nobles, how could they arrange for those people? Without military merit, they could not win the support of the people. The Nine Borders were the "territory" of the four kings and eight dukes, and faced with harassment from foreign races. It was extremely dangerous and a place of life and death. How could those who enjoyed a good life in the capital dare to go there?
As for other places within the Great Wall, they are all owned by others and are not stable either.

Unconsciously, I suddenly felt that the court was in a difficult situation because of this. Although it was not to the point of "difficult to move forward", many things were not as smooth as when the emperor was in power.
Some of those aristocratic families and local gentry and wealthy families are even more arrogant and domineering than these nobles in the capital. To put it another way, the nobles have fallen into decline. Thinking of this, his interest in coming here has suddenly faded. Although the princess is still as beautiful as before, it's a pity that she has become a wife. Although her husband did not come with her, she has tasted the sweetness of life after all, so it is worth it.

I don't know why Jiang Zining lost interest, which made the other two people who were in high spirits feel like cold water was poured on them. You yourself are a deputy general of a city, and Xie Ben is still a guerrilla general. To put it nicely, you are a general, but to put it bluntly, you are not much better than a captain leading troops.
If the princess knew what he said, how could he still sit here with dignity? Xie Cheng put down his wine cup and retorted,

"When the princess asks questions, you answer them. Why are you talking about these things? The capital has been peaceful for a long time. Military merits are hard to come by. It is not easy to be promoted to general. You can't think about other things. Brother Jiang, as the deputy general of a city, I don't know how many people envy him."

"Yes, Brother Jiang, don't say too much."

Qiu Liang also came here with a purpose. The eldest princess has always kept strangers away, and the matter is complicated with the Su family. Only Princess Yongcheng has returned to Beijing. If he could become the princess's lover, or change his husband, the Qiu family would at least be rich and prosperous. Especially after seeing the princess's face, the restlessness in his heart could not be calmed down.

"Well, it is Jiang who has said too much. Your Highness, my two brothers, please forgive me."

Jiang Zining took advantage of the situation and filled up another cup of wine, apologized, and drank it.
Princess's Residence,
Zhang Jinyu had been trying to be careful not to drink too much, but with the company of the three girls, they talked about all sorts of things. After eating, he didn't know if he was happy or if he was a little drunk.

The two people who were originally sitting opposite each other could not tell which was which. Zhou Xiangxue's robe half-covered her beauty, so she leaned beside him. Liu Yue and Wei Shuyun, with red faces and a little dazed, accompanied him on both sides.

The dancers in the outer room had already slowly retreated.
Only Wei Shuyun, who was still somewhat sober, probably because of her martial arts training, suddenly realized that something was wrong and that there was something wrong with the wine. She reached out, touched the tea bowl, dipped it in water, and splashed it on her eyes, which made her sober up a little.
But seeing that Marquis Luo Yun's hands were at a loss, and His Highness's face was already confused and bloody, and the same was true for Liu Yue.

I wanted to yell, but unfortunately, I was powerless.

He had no choice but to pick up the tea bowl, aim at Luo Yunhou, and prepare to throw it at him.

at this time,

Zhang Jinyu, who was sitting here, was in a daze. He only thought that he dreamed of Wang Xifeng there. How could he bear it? He moved his hands for no reason. A sense of comfort spread from his hands to his heart. It was the person in his arms. Suddenly, he could not see the face clearly. He wanted to see, but he could not see clearly.

When he wanted to take a closer look, he felt his face turn cold and he came to his senses. He saw the eldest princess Zhou Xiangxue, almost lying in his arms. Her hands had long been buried in her robes, touching the wrong places. He was so scared that he shrank his hands. A faint orchid fragrance came from her, and her snow-white skin was flushed with pink. Such an erotic scene made Zhang Jinyu at a loss.

Looking up, Wei Shuyun's face was red with shame, but she was glaring. The maid Liu Yue on the other side had already collapsed on the ground, undressed, and realized that there was something wrong with the wine, and someone had drugged it. She quickly helped His Highness up, reluctantly picked up the robe, and put it on His Highness. In an instant, the attractive part was covered up.

He swallowed his saliva, picked up the water in the tea bowl, and splashed it on his face a few times. He also poured a bowl of water on the eldest princess' cheek.
moment,

His Highness was slightly awake, but his body was still weak and sore. He knew how ugly he was, so he simply closed his eyes and said nothing.

Seeing that it worked, Zhang Jinyu put the princess down and laid her on the blanket. He then poured two more bowls of tea on the maid Liu Yue and Wei Shuyun at the same time. Their heads and faces were covered in tea. They looked so miserable.

I felt relieved. They could do something like drugging. I thought there must be something wrong with the wine pot in front of His Highness. If there was no problem, it should be the pot in front of Liu Yue. As for why it was the one that got hit, it should be Zhang Jinyu's habit of being careful. He changed the wine cups when drinking. Inadvertently, he changed the cups several times when pouring the wine.
But I got myself into trouble. I don't know which girl His Highness wants to send me. I subconsciously look at Liu Yue on the right. They all look like what I like. I can't stay here for long. I don't know if those girls who just left are spies in the palace. I've suffered a great loss.
Simply continue to pretend, clasp your fists and say;
"Your Highness, Miss Wei, and Concubine Liu, I am not very good at drinking. I am dizzy and my head is swollen from drinking. This congratulation ends here. I will take my leave and go back."

When he was dizzy, he lowered his head to talk, and the tip of his nose touched the princess's plumpness. He couldn't help but take a deep breath, and his mind was clear in an instant. He stood up shakily, felt his way and left. After walking two steps, he thought he was still not satisfied, so he turned back, picked up the tea bowl, and poured it on Wei Shuyun's face. Looking at her eyes full of indignation, he felt much better.

"Ahahaha, farewell, minister."

This time, the laughter was over, and the man was no longer dizzy. He walked out, pulling his legs.

With the sound of the door closing,
The eldest princess Zhou Xiangxue, who was lying on the ground, suddenly opened her eyes and asked angrily;

"Liu Yue, how much medicine did you put in?"

Writer's words
(End of this chapter)