King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 375

The palace is fully furnished with flowers, trees, tables and chairs, and it looks more like a residential place than before.

After looking around the outer hall, inner hall, the official offices of the left and right courtyards, the warehouse and the living quarters of the guards and eunuchs, Zhu Jinghong stepped into the inner house.

When they got here, Zhang Lin and other guards did not follow.

Even though there were no female relatives living inside yet, Zhu Jinghong didn't take the initiative to invite them, so they could only wait outside.

Zhu Jinghong's palace is called Yin'an Hall. Behind Yin'an Hall is the Tongxin Hall, the princess's bedroom. The two are connected by a corridor, which means that the prince and the princess share the same heart.

After turning around again, Zhu Jinghong stood under the corridor of Tongxin Hall, looked at Deng An standing beside him, and asked: "Where does the Qin family girl live? I'll go see her!"

Deng An replied: "Just listen to Yuzhai in the back garden, where the pure people live!"

"You can make arrangements and lead the way!"

Seeing that Zhu Jinghong was in a good mood, Deng An was also very happy. He believed that his master would be even happier in a while.

Here, Zhu Jinghong went to Tingyuzhai, and a eunuch went to send a message to Qin Keqing and others to prepare to welcome him.

At this time in Tingyuzhai, Qin Keqing looked even more radiant after dressing up carefully. Even the eunuch who was delivering the message felt dazzled.

With the two girls beside her, Keqing arrived at the door of Tingyuzhaiyuan, feeling worried and scared but also a little hopeful.

Worry and fear are easy to understand, but as for expectations... I actually want to pass this test as soon as possible so that I don't have to worry about it in the future.

In her complicated mood, Keqing heard voices and footsteps, and her heart beat faster.

The so-called expectations quickly disappeared, leaving only panic and fear.

After hearing what was going to happen in a while, Ke Qing felt her mouth was dry and she couldn't even think straight.

So when Zhu Jinghong appeared at the corner, she even forgot to greet him.

Deng An said "um hum" a few times before Ke Qing woke up from his mental breakdown, and the latter hurriedly faced Zhu Jinghong.

Because she was too nervous, Keqing tripped over her skirt before taking two steps. Fortunately, Zhu Jinghong quickly stepped forward to help her.

"It's okay, girl!"

This is already in the palace, and the girls have already moved in. Zhu Jinghong will no longer pretend to be a saint, so he is holding Ke Qing's waist firmly at this moment.

"No... no problem, little girl, see the Thirteenth Master!"

Seeing that Keqing was about to bow, Zhu Jinghong directly grabbed her and said slowly: "No need to be polite, I just came to see you!"

He could feel that the girl in front of him was extremely nervous, so he said in a calm and soothing tone: "Is it okay for you to live here?"

"Everything is good here, thank you Thirteenth Master for your blessing!"

After straightening Keqing's hair, Zhu Jinghong smiled and said, "It's cold outside, let's go in and talk!"

"Master Thirteen, please!"

"What are you asking for? Let's go together!" Zhu Jinghong pulled Ke Qing inside.

Baozhu Ruizhu stepped aside and allowed Zhu Jinghong and the others to enter.

But when they were about to follow them in, they were stopped by several eunuchs.

"We'll be waiting inside, so you won't have to worry about the two girls!"

Obviously, this is also Deng An's arrangement.

Deng An was very thoughtful about Zhu Jinghong's affairs.

Let's say that after Zhu Jinghong entered the hall, they were the only two people left in the room, and the responsibility of serving others fell on Ke Qing.

"Master Thirteen, drink tea!"

When the two were alone, Keqing became even more nervous, so much so that the hand holding the tea trembled.

Soon, her hand was held by Zhu Jinghong, and then the teacup in her hand was taken.

After taking a sip, Zhu Jinghong nodded and said, "The tea made by the girl is particularly fragrant!"

"Master Thirteen is joking!"

"Sit down and talk!" Zhu Jinghong pointed to the chair next to him.

But Qing could only lean down and sit down, nervousness still visible in his expression.

"Don't be nervous, I won't take advantage of you!" As he said this, Zhu Jinghong's eyes never left his body.

It seemed that he had been holding back for too long in the palace. At this moment when the man and woman were alone, he had an indulgent attitude.

After drinking tea, Zhu Jinghong asked: "How is your stay, girl? Are you enjoying your food and drink?"

"Master Lao Shisan is concerned that everything is fine with the little girl!"

"You don't have to be too restrained. I've always been kind. Let's treat each other as you and me. Let's put aside all the red tape and formalities!"

Hearing that Zhu Jinghong claimed to be "kind", Ke Qing thought it was extremely absurd, at least Jia Zhen would never think so.

"Yes!"

"What are you doing here these days, girl?"

Zhu Jinghong took the initiative to stir up the topic, and following his guidance, the two chatted, and the deep separation and embarrassment gradually disappeared.

Ten minutes later, Zhu Jinghong opened Qin Keqing's heart in a down-to-earth manner, at least making her no longer so nervous.

Seeing people talking and laughing inside, Deng An standing at the door was also very happy. At this moment, he had a full sense of accomplishment.

Zhu Jinghong was a person who couldn't sit still. After chatting for a while, he stood up and wanted to see what was going on in Tingyu Zhai.

But Qing would not let him walk alone, so he immediately got up and followed him.

After walking into the inner room, the environment became even quieter, but Qing's originally peaceful heart became nervous again.

She lowered her head and followed, but unexpectedly, Zhu Jinghong suddenly stopped and turned around, and the two of them bumped into each other.

"Ah...Master Thirteen!"

Zhu Jinghong was not a saint at this moment. He opened his arms and hugged Ke Qing into his arms, then lowered his head and looked at the beauty in front of him.

If a person holds it in for a long time, he will get angry very quickly, especially under Ke Qing's eyes.

"Master Thirteen, please have mercy!"

These words of "soft and weak" melted Zhu Jinghong's heart, making him wish he could feel pity immediately.

Of course, he did exactly that, and the next moment he hugged Ke Qing.

A good man is upright. If he pretends to be serious at this time, Zhu Jinghong will look down on himself.

Putting her hands around Zhu Jinghong's neck, Keqing's breathing became rapid. She had imagined today's situation countless times, but she never thought it would develop so fast.

When she continued to think wildly, Zhu Jinghong's kiss made her stunned.

"Thirteenth Master~"

The delicate sound made Zhu Jinghong feel as if he had been injected with chicken blood, and his blood was so intense that he couldn't control himself.

When the spring breeze rippled in the room, Deng An, who was guarding the gatehouse, closed the door consciously.

The eunuchs here at the moment are all Deng An's confidants, and they can ensure that nothing about what happened today will leak out.

When there were groans and even shouts from inside, Baozhu and the two people waiting in the courtyard became anxious, thinking that something had happened inside.

"Father-in-law, are you in there?"

Deng An looked serious and said slowly: "It's a long time to wait, don't ask about what's going on inside!"

"Yes!"

Time passed like this. About half an hour later, Zhu Jinghong covered Ke Qing with the quilt, feeling extremely happy both physically and mentally.

It was the first time that he had been tormented by him for such a long time, but Ke Qing was in pain and tired at the moment, and her eyes were filled with tears when she looked at Zhu Jinghong.

He put on his clothes, but Zhu Jinghong had no one to help him at this moment, so he seemed a little helpless.

"Little girl, help Thirteenth Master!"

Seeing that Keqing was about to stand up, Zhu Jinghong quickly stepped forward to comfort him and said, "You can just lie down alive, I can do it myself!"

As he started to get dressed, Zhu Jinghong said: "From now on, you can live in peace and I will find time to visit you!"

"Master Thirteen is leaving?" Keqing's tone was filled with grievances, and tears remained involuntarily.After what happened today, her heart was tied to Zhu Jinghong, and she naturally didn't want him to leave at this moment.

What's more, for Ke Qing, who was insecure, huddled in Zhu Jinghong's arms made her feel at ease, and love gradually grew in her heart.

It's really too scumbag to leave right after you're done... Zhu Jinghong thought to himself.

So he sat by the bed again, kissed Keqing on the forehead, and then said: "I won't leave... I'll stay with you!"

After saying this, Zhu Jinghong hugged Ke Qing into his arms, and the two of them became tired again.

It was now afternoon, and while Zhu Jinghong and Ke Qing were talking to each other, Baochai was waiting anxiously outside Dong'an Gate.

Although she felt that there would be no harm done, Baochai still couldn't wait calmly until the outcome of the matter came out.

She rarely has such a mentality now, which shows how important it is to her to run for the princess to marry Zhu Jinghong.

There were many people coming and going outside Dong'an Gate. When the Xue family and his entourage came closer, Baochai discovered them.

The Xue family's sedan chair fell down, and Aunt Xue walked in the direction of Baochai with the support of Ying'er and Wen Xing.

After the mother and daughter met, they went to a corner together because it was not easy to talk in a crowded place.

"Mom, how are you?" Baochai asked hopefully.

Aunt Xue sighed, looking like she was hesitant to speak.

But for the sake of her daughter's future, she still made it clear: "Baochai... I think you should not choose this princess!"

"The Jia family doesn't want to help?" Baochai asked quickly, not taking his mother's words to heart at all.

Just as Aunt Xue was about to explain, Ying'er couldn't help it anymore and said angrily: "Girl, not only are the Jia family unwilling to help, they also ridiculed the girl... saying that the girl is climbing a high tree!"

"Mr. Jia, why is this so..." Baochai couldn't believe it.

From the beginning, she asked her mother to go to Jia Mu instead of her stupid aunt.

So at this time, she thought it was Jia Mu who was like this, so she couldn't believe it.

"It's not Jia..."

"Ying'er, shut up!" Aunt Xue turned around and scolded her.

Immediately afterwards, Aunt Xue turned back to look at her daughter, only to see that Baochai's face was extremely ugly.

Although Ying'er didn't say anything else, she knew that her mother didn't listen to her warning and still went to find her aunt.

"Baochai, your aunt..."

"Mom, you don't need to say more, I understand everything!"

Contrary to what Aunt Xue thought, Baochai had no hatred in her heart at this moment. She was more anxious about how to get the queen's permission to run.

"Mom, please go back first. I have something to do with the princess!" Baochai said goodbye directly.

"Bao girl, you..."

"My daughter is rude, she took the first step!"

Obviously, Baochai was resentful of her mother who did not listen to her advice. After saying this, she turned around and left.

Aunt Xue felt uncomfortable, sighed and turned away.

But their conversation just now was watched by people from Prince Rui's Mansion. When they learned that Baochai had entered the Donghua Gate, Chen Zhi had someone carry the chariot to follow him in.

Prince Rui and his wife discussed today's matter in detail, so the time to see Baochai was very accurate.

They had to wait until Baochai knew the reason and had hatred for the Jia family before they would take action.

This also means that even if Ying'er hadn't revealed it just now, Prince Rui and his wife would have thought of other ways to let Baochai know what happened to the Jia family today.

This is called the ultimate plan. Thinking of these things, Chen Zhi had a smile on her face. It was her greatest pleasure to cause trouble for the prince's family.

After Baochai entered Dong'an Gate, Chen Zhi happened to meet her.

"Baochai!" Chen Zhi called very affectionately.

Hearing someone shouting from behind, Baochai turned around and saw that it was Princess Rui behind her.

"See Princess!"

"Free gift!"

Signaling the eunuchs to get off the sedan, Chen Zhi walked out of the sedan with the support of her maid, and then came to Baochai.

"Seeing that you are worried about something, are you still worried about what happened just now?" Chen Zhi smiled warmly, looking like a close sister.

"No...my daughter is fine!"

Taking advantage of the situation, Chen Zhi took Baochai's hand and said with a smile: "You girl is so stubborn. I heard the conversation you had with your mother just now!"

When Princess Rui heard the conversation, Baochai felt particularly embarrassed, so even she couldn't help but lower her head, feeling even more resentful towards her own aunt.

Seeing her like this, Chen Zhi's tone became softer and said: "You don't have to worry about this, it's just about running for election. Since the Jia family is inconvenienced, I'll help you tell the queen mother about the same!"

At this moment, Chen Zhi smiled heart-warmingly. In Baochai's eyes, she was like a living Bodhisattva crossing the sea of ​​suffering, with holy light almost all over her body.

Chen Zhi also saw the look in Baochai's eyes, which strengthened her intention to push Baochai to the top.

One is to ruin Zhu Jinghong's reputation, the other is to make Princess Baochai grateful to Prince Rui's palace, and the third is to alienate Zhu Jinghong and the prince... Kill three birds with one stone, how can we not do it.

In fact, Baochai is also a very smart person. Chen Zhi happened to show up to help, and she was keenly aware that something was going on inside.

As long as she thought about it roughly, she could guess what Chen Zhi was thinking. She showed tears of gratitude at this moment, but in fact it was just to take advantage of her.

As long as Chen Zhi can really help her, Baochai can pretend not to see it, no matter what evil intentions he harbors.

"Your Majesty, my servant..."

Baochai was so excited at this moment that she even squeezed out two tears, which prompted Chen Zhi to take a step further and take out a handkerchief to wipe them away for her personally.

"You girl, you are really sincere towards your thirteenth brother. How can you let such friendship go to waste!"

Patting Baochai's hand, Chen Zhi said slowly: "Let's go...come with me to Kunning Palace. I will personally tell the queen mother that she agrees to your candidacy!"

Chen Zhi was moved by such a fraternal look, secretly saying that her acting skills today were extraordinary.

"My lady...I..."

"No need to say more, just come with me!"

Chen Zhi pulled Baochai onto the sedan chair and then ordered him to go to Donghua Gate.

And under Chen Zhi's arrangement, the fact that they were riding in the same sedan chair would inevitably spread to Yuan Chun's ears, which would tear the relationship between the cousins.

The sedan arrived at Donghua Gate, and the palace belonged to the palace further inside. Even Princess Chen Zhi had to get off the sedan, so she took Baochai into the palace with her.

Along the way, Chen Zhi kept comforting Baochai, and at the same time praised her as the most beautiful daughter in the world, and she would definitely be chosen as the princess this time.

"Mother, you also know my family's background..."

Before Baochai could finish speaking, Chen Zhi said immediately: "Of course I know, my father is just a civil servant. Didn't I also choose the princess back then?"

"The Ming royal family doesn't pay much attention to family status when selecting concubines, so just relax!"

Baochai was still in a low mood: "But my father died young, and I am an unlucky person, and it is difficult for me to get into the eyes of the royal family!"

Chen Zhi agrees with this point. If he can choose the princess in this way, Zhu Jinghong will have to fight against the emperor. Of course, Chen Zhi is happy to see this scene.

Chen Zhi's expression became more and more loving, and she said seductively: "Don't think too much, who can say for sure what will happen in the future. As long as the Queen agrees to your candidacy, who dares to say that you are not qualified to join the Zhu family?"

"I'm afraid the empress won't agree!" Baochai said tentatively.

Chen Zhi smiled and said calmly: "It's me, don't worry!"

"Yeah!" Baochai still looked timid.

No matter how smart you are, you are just a little girl, and now you are not easily controlled by me... Thinking of this, Chen Zhi's smile became even brighter.

The two walked all the way to the palace, entered Kunning Gate ten minutes later, and stopped outside the main hall together.

"You wait here, I will go in first to say hello to the Queen Mother. No matter how difficult your problem is, I will help you!"

Hearing Chen Zhi's strong assurance, Baochai burst into tears: "Thank you, empress!"

(End of this chapter)