King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 382 Baochai is summoned
In the Xue family's mansion, Baochai is sitting alone in the study.

From the time she left the palace to now, she spent most of her time in the study.

She likes the quiet atmosphere here. In addition to reading and writing, she can also practice needlework and embroidery.

She has a full schedule every day in order to have more advantages when running for election.

Of course, Baochai also knew that this idea was wishful thinking, and he was lucky to have chosen his concubine.

Just like the selection of a concubine, the concubine of the direct prince must be appointed by the emperor and empress, and it has little to do with the person's talent, education, appearance.

When an "ordinary family" like Chen Zhi chooses a princess, the matter itself is not that simple.

Not long after he succeeded to the throne, the emperor needed to reassure the civil and military ministers in the world, so he emphasized his adherence to the system, so the selection of Princess Rui was particularly fair.

Chen Zhi, a daughter with no background, suddenly became one of the most noble women in the Ming Dynasty. She is still the first among the married women (note: the queen and the princess are half-kings, not married women).

Only the appearance of the second princess will break Chen Zhiwai's title as the number one married woman, and that day is not far away.

While Baochai was thinking, he heard Ying'er's voice coming from outside: "Girl, someone has come from the palace and asked you to come!"

"understood!"

Someone suddenly came to the palace. From which palace?East Palace?Kunning Palace?Or Chengmingyuan?
People coming from different places have different purposes, and how to deal with them will be different. Baochai thought of many things at once.

She didn't dare to delay, so she went to the front hall under the guidance of the girl.

When Baochai came to the front hall, he saw a eunuch standing in the hall, talking to his mother.

She had stayed in Kunning Palace for half a year and was very familiar with the maids and eunuchs there. She could recognize this person even by looking at his back.

"Eunuch Hu, it's really rude to miss you from afar!"

Hearing the voice, Eunuch Hu turned around, bowed his hands and said, "Miss Xue, I haven't seen you for a month, and you are even more radiant!"

"This selection will definitely bring good results to the girl!"

Aunt Xue on the side responded: "Thank you for your kind words, father-in-law. If I can be favored by the Heavenly Family, this girl will be blessed!"

"I wonder what the reason for my father-in-law's trip is?"

Hearing Baochai's question, Eunuch Hu slapped his forehead and said, "I forgot about the business!"

"We are here to pass on the Queen's decree!"

After saying this, Eunuch Hu walked to the front of the living room, and Baochai and her daughter also realized what was going on and came to their next stop.

"Your Majesty's Word!"

Baochai and everyone in the room hurriedly knelt down, said hello and waited for the old eunuch's announcement.

"The Xue family daughter will enter the palace immediately!"

This is the Oral Oral, exceptionally concise and clear.

After visiting the shrine again, Baochai's mind was racing, wondering why the queen summoned her.

"Miss Xue, come with me!"

"Eunuch, please!"

…………

When Baochai left for the palace, Jia Yun was painting cakes for the craftsmen in the workshop of Shanglinyuan.

"Everyone, you have to learn the little tricks of foreigners!"

“Not only must we learn from them, we must also surpass them and make something better than them!”

"The Thirteenth Master has said that as long as you create what he wants, the reward will never be less, and he can even grant you an official title!"

If the money is already very attractive, then obtaining an official title and honoring one's ancestors is enough for these craftsmen to risk everything.

In fact, Jia Yun has said similar words many times, but every time they hear it, the craftsmen's hearts are filled with excitement.

After some beatings, Jia Yun asked the craftsmen to leave, while he himself walked to visit various locations.

Getting the job of being in charge of the workshop from Zhu Jinghong was tantamount to finding the ladder of life for Jia Yun.

Therefore, he was particularly attentive to the tasks at hand. In addition to being responsible for the daily operation of the workshop, he also spent time in various kilns every day, and even participated in blacksmithing and other matters himself.

So much so that now, he has become half an expert in iron manufacturing, at least he can avoid being fooled.

"Master Yun, Eunuch Zhang is here!"

Hearing the boy's reminder, Jia Yun turned around with a smile and saw Zhang Ping'an coming over.

"Eunuch Zhang, I've given you all the errands for today. You can just drink tea in your room. Why do you need to come to this workshop in person?"

The Eunuch Zhang mentioned by Jia Yun was specially sent here by Zhu Jinghong to supervise the progress of the project.

The workshop consumes a lot of money every day. Although he is very relieved about Jia Yun, Zhu Jinghong never wants to test human nature, so he sent Zhang Pingan.

"Brother Yun, Master Thirteen has asked about the situation of the workshop again in the past two days. They must come up with things as soon as possible!"

"For example, the one-piece bomb that Thirteenth Master mentioned, even if the finished product cannot be made now, there must be a semi-finished product!"

"It's like a gun barrel. Not to mention the engraved lines inside, we have to make a stronger tube!"

Hearing Zhang Pingan's words, Jia Yun had a wry smile on her face.

When he didn't know how to do it, he thought these things were easy, but now he no longer thinks so.

Of course, it was hard for him to refute Zhang Ping'an at this moment, so he could only agree to it.

In fact, Zhang Pingan also knows that it is difficult, but the meaning of his existence is to exert pressure. Whether people like Jia Yun are difficult or not has nothing to do with him.

"Brother Yun, Thirteenth Master values ​​you very much. Once the errands here are done... you will be indispensable in the future!"

These words touched Jia Yun's heart, and it was with this thought in mind that he worked so hard in the workshop.

"I hope Eunuch Zhang will give you more kind words then!"

"Me? Alas...I can't speak in front of the Thirteenth Master now!"

"Why is this?"

"Last time I went to Ningguo Mansion to run an errand, I almost messed up the matter. I was afraid that I would make the Thirteenth Master unhappy, so I was kicked here!"

The last time I went to Rongguo Mansion to pick up people, Zhang Pingan should have been in charge, but Hou Jing and others were allowed to "take them randomly". Zhu Jinghong was angry about this.

So in Zhang Pingan's opinion, he was sent away because of this incident.

Although Zhu Jinghong attached great importance to the workshop, Zhang Ping'an felt that it was better to stay in Chengmingyuan, and the eunuch would be more important if he stayed with his master.

As a Jia family member, Jia Yun knew very well why Zhang Pingan went to Ningguo Mansion.

But he didn't care to explain: "My father-in-law, what you said is wrong. The errand here is ordered by the Holy One. The Thirteenth Master sent you here to watch. This is because he has extra trust in you!"

"I hope so!" Zhang Pingan smiled helplessly.

In the past, he looked down on Deng An, thinking that this person would only be charming, but now he has changed his view.

It's really hard to change Keren's character. Zhang Pingan thought that he couldn't be like Deng An, so he could only convince himself to stay calm.

"Father, I got a nice wine yesterday. Although it is not as good as the treasures in the palace, it has a different taste... Why don't you try it?" Jia Yun said with a smile.

"How boring it is to just drink!"

After saying this, Zhang Ping'an accompanied the young eunuch and ordered: "Go and get some good food, I just want to talk to Brother Yun today!"

"Yes!"

So the two men walked to the north side of the workshop, where they rested.

At this moment, in the workshop, more than 30 kilns are emitting smoke and dust and are operating at full capacity for casting experiments.

If the artillery and muskets are not up to standard, they will be melted down and remade. This cycle of continuous improvement will normally pay off.

Although weapons are important, Zhu Jinghong also knows that it will be more difficult to break through, so he focuses on military training.

After a morning of observation, although there were some things that were not satisfactory, they were not much different from what he expected, which was acceptable.

"I only have one pair of eyes, and I rely on you to help me keep an eye on them. Don't be afraid of offending others...you must say what you need to say!"

"If anyone is dissatisfied with you, ask him to come to me and scream. If he doesn't want to come, I can go find him!"

"I didn't select you from the Dragon Guard to make you a good gentleman. Do you understand?"

Walking between the palace walls, Zhu Jinghong was surrounded by a group of guards and walked forward, talking incessantly. "Master Thirteen, I have always been strict with you. If you don't train well, I will scold you on the spot!" Hou Jing was the first to answer.

He was not talking nonsense, but he really did it. His grandfather was the Governor of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion and the most powerful military attache in the Ming Dynasty. Naturally, no one had to be afraid.

"Shut up!" Zhu Jinghong scolded him angrily, because he didn't say this to Hou Jing in the first place.

Stopping, Zhu Jinghong turned to look at everyone, and said with a serious expression: "As long as I support you, you should go about your business with a straight back, otherwise you will lose my reputation!"

"Everyone is deaf? Damn it!" Zhu Jinghong looked unhappy.

"Master Thirteen taught you a lesson!"

"I must keep this in mind!"

Everyone responded in a flurry of words and clapped their chests in assurance, but Zhu Jinghong was actually not sure what the actual effect would be.

Because he had said similar words to these people a dozen times.

…………

Let us say that in Kunning Palace, Baochai had already answered more than a dozen questions from the queen.

This time the Queen brought Baochai to the palace specifically to inquire about Chen Zhi and Yuan Chun. Apparently, the entanglement surrounding Baochai in the East Palace and Prince Rui's Mansion had reached Yang Qingyin's ears.

Facing the Queen's inquiry, Baochai naturally did not dare to lie, so she told the truth truthfully.

As for the situation, Yang Qingyin had already done a preliminary investigation, and everything she said was consistent with what Baochai said. Only then did she fully understand the whole story.

"Don't have any contact with Princess Rui from now on. The so-called lack of intimacy...the Crown Princess is your cousin!"

The queen has always preferred the prince, and Baochai knows this very well.

So naturally, the queen would hope that her youngest son and the prince would treat each other with sincerity, and the identity of Baochai and Yuanchun's cousins ​​could just consolidate the relationship between Zhu Jinghong and the prince.

So at this time, there is only one way to answer.

"Your Majesty's teachings, please remember them!"

"You are a good boy. I believe you can tell the difference very well. I just hope you don't go the wrong way!"

The queen's words had a strong warning meaning, which gave Baochai a great sense of crisis.

He secretly thought that even if he chose the concubine, it would not be easy for him to be caught between the Crown Princess and Princess Rui.

And if the princess is chosen... In Baochai's opinion, this possibility is negligible, so she simply doesn't consider it.

"My daughter understands!"

Nodding, Yang Qingyin said calmly: "Sheng'er wants to talk to you, go to her place!"

"Yes!"

"Go!"

"The servant girl retire!"

After Baochai left, Yang Qingyin sighed helplessly. She actually knew that it was difficult for Baochai to be caught in the middle.

"If she becomes a princess, I'm afraid that Old Thirteen will also get into trouble, so just letting her be a concubine is enough!" Yang Qingyin thought to herself.

"But if Ting girl becomes the princess, can she persuade Old Thirteen to stay?"

For a moment, Yang Qingyin was also in trouble.

While Yang Qingyin was thinking about it, Baochai had walked out of the main hall at this moment. At a glance, she saw Daiyu and Xiangyun waiting in the direction of the east hall.

"Sister Bao..." Xiangyun shouted, then pulled Daiyu and ran over.

Walking down the steps and looking at the two people facing her, Baochai said with a smile: "Look at you... you are not well behaved in the palace, you are still like a child!"

At this time, Daiyu also came forward and complained: "We haven't seen each other for so long, and Sister Bao teaches us a lesson when she comes. It's really chilling!"

After looking at Daiyu and seeing that her complexion was much better, Baochai couldn't help but feel relieved, and then said: "You are not allowed to say that you are wrong? Do you still want to praise you?"

At this time, Xiangyun said from the side: "Sister Lin, I miss you every day, I'm afraid that for my future husband... I won't do anything more than that!"

Taking two steps back, Xiangyun's smile became even brighter: "Speaking of which...the two sisters really look like a perfect couple!"

After hearing Xiang Yun's teasing, before Xue and Lin could get angry, they heard a voice coming from outside the palace gate.

"Forcing people? What forcing people? Who is talking dirty words?"

Baochai and the three of them knew who was coming without even looking.

Xiangyun became more and more excited at this moment, turned around and said, "I just talked about my future husband, and my future husband is here. What a coincidence!"

Knowing that Xiangyun was joking again, Daiyu started to cooperate before Baochai could say anything to stop him.

"Which future husband is here?"

Xiangyun took a few steps back, laughed and said, "Of course he is our sister Bao's future husband!"

"Ah? So that's it..." Daiyu also retreated, guarding against Baochai's attack.

It has been a month since she entered the palace. Daiyu has become familiar with Zhu Jinghong and has made many jokes on weekdays, so she is as bold as Xiangyun at this moment.

At this moment, Zhu Jinghong had walked into the court and ignored their jokes.

But everyone's jokes felt particularly harsh in Yang Jingting's ears. After all, she was the future princess.

Just listen to Yang Jingting say: "The princess is studying, the sisters should not make any noise!"

Seeing Yang Jingting again after a month, Baochai also noticed the changes in this woman. She was much more mature and steady than before.

"If she becomes the princess and I become the concubine, I'm afraid..." Obviously there is concern about Baochai's future.

Looking at the oncoming Zhu Jinghong, Baochai made a Wanfu salute.

"Bao girl, why did you come into the palace?"

When Zhu Jinghong came to Kunning Palace today, he actually wanted to talk to Xiangyun Daiyu. He didn't focus entirely on his career every day, and he clearly distinguished between work and rest.

Before Baochai could answer, Yang Jingting had already walked down the steps of the east hall, came forward and said with a smile: "Brother Thirteen, I have made the folding fan you mentioned yesterday... Why don't you take a look? "

Yang Jingting's initiative was beyond Baochai's expectation, and she secretly said that the changes in this month have been huge.

But she didn't know that Yang Jingting was also extremely nervous at this time. She said this at the risk of everything.

"Folding fan!"

Zhu Jinghong mentioned the painting on the folding fan casually. He didn't pay much attention to it at first, but he thought about it after hearing Yang Jingting talk about it.

"Brother Thirteen, let's go and have a look...the princess has also troubled herself about this!"

When she came to Zhu Jinghong's side, Yang Jingting kept cheering herself up before saying this.

She loved deeply, and at the same time she loved very tiredly, but she was also happy with it.

"Then go take a look!" Zhu Jinghong said with a smile.

Having said that, if you don't go and see her, it would be disrespectful to your cousin, which may not be a good thing for Baochai.

Baochai smiled slightly throughout the whole process, as if he didn't care about the scene in front of him.

As for Daiyu and Xiangyun, they just watched like good babies. They felt something unusual, but they really couldn't talk about it.

"Sister Bao, you..." Xiangyun looked worried.

"I'm very fine. I heard that the princess wants to see me. Let's go in too!"

Xiangyun Daiyu couldn't help but admire her despite her lover being snatched away in front of her.

But how could they know that after seeing the sachet on Zhu Jinghong's waist, Baochai knew that he was invincible.

Yang Jingting can pull Zhu Jinghong away, but she can't pull his heart away.

Folding fan and sachet, after all, the folding fan is not as good as the sachet... Baochai thought calmly.

　1. Baochai has a flaw. She feels that she cannot choose the princess. This is actually a very normal thinking. This is a clear understanding of herself.

　　2. It is difficult for Baochai to choose the princess. Like most people in the comment area, she cannot even stand for election.

　　3. The existence of difficulties does not mean that they cannot be overcome, especially for a person like the protagonist, who does nothing unusual.

　　4. I have 90 words of content, and I am writing Baochai under pressure. How could I pull my crotch at the most critical moment?

　　You don’t believe me, which makes me very hurt!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)