King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 390 Cui Xiuqing

Su He was a man who knew horses very well, and he kept praising him as soon as he opened his mouth. Nuo Min became their full-time translator.

Hearing Su He speak happily, with even his eyes shining, Zhu Jinghong said: "Since you like it so much, why don't you take the horse out and ride it!"

"This horse is loved by His Highness, how could I..."

"You're welcome, someone... take the horse out and go to the martial arts arena!"

There is a martial arts arena on the southeast side of the palace, which is mainly used for the guards to practice martial arts or point their fingers. The spacious place is perfect for riding horses.

"Father, since His Highness loves you so much, don't refuse!" Nuo Min gave the assist.

Nuo Min also hoped that her father would leave so that she could talk to Zhu Jinghong alone.

Although Su He was almost fifty, he was still itching to see a good horse. After being persuaded, he couldn't help but go to the martial arts field.

When Su He was about to get on his horse, Zhu Jinghong was already chatting with Nuo Min in the distance.

"How old is the girl?"

"sixteen……"

"What a coincidence that I am also sixteen. At this age, I should have gotten married in Ming Dynasty. I wonder if the girl has a good match?"

"My father wanted to marry me to Langtaiji, but I refused!"

"Why?" Zhu Jinghong asked curiously.

"I think the third son of leader Langtai Ji is too cruel and rude. I don't like him very much!"

"What kind of man does that girl like?" Zhu Jinghong asked with a smile.

Nuo Min replied frankly: "Of course he is a man with both civil and military skills!"

It is impossible for such a straightforward question and answer to appear on a Ming Dynasty woman.

Zhu Jinghong said with a smile: "Haha... That's right. A woman as capable of both literature and martial arts as the girl must be worthy of being both civil and military!"

"It is said that His Highness Prince Xiang is invincible, but I dare not ask Your Highness if this rumor is true or false!"

Looking at Su He who was still unable to mount his horse in the distance, Zhu Jinghong said calmly: "I don't know what it means to be brave and invincible, but I can show you our martial arts!"

"Bring me my bow!" Zhu Jinghong ordered to the left and right.

"Yes!"

His bow was specially made, and when it was brought to him, Nuomin could tell it was extraordinary at a glance, knowing that not many people could use such a hard bow.

"Did you see that flagpole in front of you?"

Nuomin looked forward and estimated that the flagpole was a hundred steps away, then nodded.

Zhu Jinghong stretched his bow and nocked an arrow, then loosened the bow string without taking much aim. Finally, the arrow whizzed out and stabbed through the flagpole.

Zhu Jinghong's ability to penetrate the Yang with a hundred steps is already superb in terms of shooting skills, and there are only a few in the entire Nakibu League.

Just when Nuo Min was feeling sure, Zhu Jinghong took the second arrow, and after pulling out the bow string, he took a little longer aim this time.

Immediately afterwards, the arrow flew out again, and then a scene that stunned Nuomin appeared. This second arrow actually broke the previous one from behind.

Such level of shooting skills can be called a miracle, and Nuo Min has no doubts about Zhu Jinghong.

Being able to defeat Rising Sun in the polo match clearly shows that this prince's riding skills are also superb.

Looking at his father who had not yet mounted his horse, Nuo Min made this judgment in his mind.

"Your Highness is indeed brave and unparalleled, I admire you!" Nuo Min said this very sincerely, and the way she looked at Zhu Jinghong changed at this moment.

All men in the Ming Dynasty were influenced by books. His Royal Highness Prince Xiang was the emperor's legitimate son, and he was probably even more well-read and talented.

Isn’t this person worthy of being said to be both civil and military?

Looking at Zhu Jinghong's handsome appearance, Nuo Min was even more satisfied. She thought of a lot for a while.

At this moment, in Nuo Min's mind, Zhu Jinghong gathered all her fantasies about her other half, and she was stunned for a moment.

Why is this girl so stupid?Zhu Jinghong was puzzled.

Just at this time, Su He was knocked to the ground by the horse, making a noise that attracted Zhu Jinghong and Nuo Min.

Nuo Min also woke up from his fantasy, and immediately rushed forward when his father fell.

"Father, are you alright?"

"It's okay, it's okay... Hey, I'm getting old after all!"

Su He was just covering up his embarrassment by saying he was old. He thought that even when he was young, he would probably not be able to control this horse.

At this time, Zhu Jinghong also stepped forward. After he pulled the reins, the horse immediately calmed down.

After getting on his horse, Zhu Jinghong took a few steps back and forth before saying, "This horse recognizes its owner, and the leader is afraid that he will not be able to ride it!"

Su He said sincerely: "I have heard for a long time that His Highness is invincible in riding and shooting. It is a blessing for such a good horse to match His Highness!"

Then the two of them chatted for a while, during which Nuomin kept interrupting. She found that she quite liked talking to this Prince Xiang.

About half an hour later, when Zhu Jinghong wanted to stay with Su He for lunch, the emperor's oral order came from the palace, summoning him to the palace to observe the naval expansion.

This made Zhu Jinghong sigh with emotion. The old man would do anything to make money. In the past few days, he had started to deploy the navy.

Although he was just a spectator, it was also an opportunity for Zhu Jinghong. After all, this is how prestige is built.

Although he wanted to continue flirting with his sister, Zhu Jinghong also knew that the overall situation was more important, so he could only let Su He and his daughter go back first.

Zhu Jinghong Ma slipped into the palace, while Su He and his daughter slowly returned to the official residence. They had plenty of time.

The two of them even deliberately took a detour to Nancheng, just to experience the bustling scene of dense crowds and row upon row of shops.

"The Ming Dynasty deserves to be called the Great Kingdom of Heaven, and it is the only one in the world with such a scene..."

Su He said several words in succession, but Nuo Min did not answer, which made the old father feel particularly strange.

"Nomin, what's wrong with you?"

Nuo Min did not answer, but asked: "Father, what do you think of His Highness Prince Xiang?"

"This man has superb martial arts, unparalleled riding and shooting, and is a rare man in the world!" Su He admired sincerely.

"My daughter likes him a little!" Nuo Min said very bluntly. Women from the tribe are so clear about love and hate.

Su He was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect his daughter to have such thoughts, but when he thought about it again, he felt it was normal.

Zhu Jinghong's identity, status, appearance, martial arts and talents were all top-notch in every aspect, at least no one in Namubu League could compare with him.

Although Nuo Min has high vision, it is extremely normal for her to fall in love with someone like Zhu Jinghong when she meets him.

"At your age, it's easy to have random thoughts, and they will fade away after a while!" Su He enlightened.

"Maybe..." Nuomin himself was not sure.

While Nuo Min was preoccupied here, Zhu Jinghong on the other side had arrived at Qianqing Palace, and the discussion had already begun.

The people present at the meeting today were the governors of the Fifth Army Governor's Mansion and several senior officials from the Ministry of War, who were reporting to the emperor on the current situation of the navy.

The discussion started before Zhu Jinghong arrived, which showed that he himself was dispensable, so he only listened when he arrived.

Today's Daming Navy has old warships and few in number. It has not fought any major battles in many years.

On weekdays, it only plays a defensive role, and even the encirclement and suppression of Japanese pirates seems to be insufficient.

So when Zhu Xianming heard this, he was not in a good mood, so he ordered the commander-in-chief of the Fifth Army to order the navy in various places to strengthen training.

But such a decree is actually of no use. After all, it is useless to practice the warship without it.

Of course Zhu Xianming knew this truth, and the reason why he issued such an order was to express his importance to the navy and make the people below him take it seriously.

"It seems that the old man is really tempted!" Zhu Jinghong judged in his heart.

…………

In a study somewhere in Rongguo Mansion, Yingchun and Xichun were playing chess, while Tanchun watched quietly.Since Daiyu left, the three of them have lost a good playmate, and their lives have become much boring.

"Today is April [-]th?" Tan Chun suddenly asked.

"Today is fourteenth, what's wrong?" Yingchun looked confused.

"That's tomorrow!"

"What's going to happen tomorrow?" Xichun looked up with confusion on his face.

Tanchun looked out the window at the blue sky and said, "Tomorrow will be the final selection of the princess..."

"Tell me...if Sister Bao can choose a concubine!"

Obviously, in Tanchun's view, it was a blessing to be able to choose a concubine like Baochai, whose father died young.

No one answered Tanchun's question, but Xichun looked around, and then whispered: "I heard from my servants that Sister Bao asked the second wife for her candidacy, but she ridiculed her..."

Although Mrs. Wang deliberately concealed what happened that day, paper could not contain the fire.

So not only Xichun knew about this, but Tanchun also knew about it early on.

Tanchun didn't know how to evaluate his aunt's actions, but he just felt that it was extremely ridiculous.

Because even from a self-interested point of view, even if Baochai chooses Prince Xiang's concubine, it will be a big benefit to Yuanchun.

How could it be like this now? Baochai was running for the election because of Princess Rui's favor, so it had nothing to do with Yuan Chun.

In order to prevent Baochai from not admitting her fault in the future, Princess Rui Chen Zhi always praised Baochai whenever she met, and even mentioned her support for her candidacy.

"You'd better not worry about this matter. Whether you choose or not...it's all determined by fate!" Yingchun couldn't help but say.

At this moment, a voice came from outside the house: "What kind of fate? I don't think she can choose!"

The one who can speak like this is undoubtedly Jia Baoyu.

He and Baochai were not on good terms, and Daiyu, whom he cared about most, also left because of Baochai. Jia Baoyu naturally hated Baochai deeply.

Many times he couldn't help but wonder, if he hadn't taken Daiyu to see Baochai, the ending would not have happened now.

"Second brother, why are you here? Didn't you go to school today?" Tan Chun asked, changing the subject at the same time.

"The master in the school is sick today and has given everyone a day off. I will stop by to see you!"

After Yuanchun was granted the title of Crown Princess, more and more people visited Jia's family, and Jia Lian was also away on errands, so the restraint on Baoyu became much weaker.

Just when he was about to sit down and watch chess, a girl suddenly came outside to deliver a message. It turned out to be Jia Zheng who asked him to come over to meet the guests.

"Which guest? Why don't you just have your father accompany you?" Baoyu was very impatient.

The girl could only reply: "Second Master Bao, he's not at our house, he's going to the Prince's Mansion in Beijing to meet him!"

The Prince of Beijing and the Jia family are family friends, but they were estranged because of what happened ten years ago. Now that Yuanchun has made the crown princess, the Prince of Beijing and the Jia family have become closer.

Baoyu had always hated receiving guests, but he didn't object to going to the Prince's Palace in Beijing because he and Shuirong got along well with each other.

"Okay, I'll go right away!"

…………

Let's talk about the Shangyi Bureau at this moment. After completing the etiquette training, the women rested for a few days and finally waited for the most critical moment tomorrow.

More than 20 days is not a short period of time. Although these girls are competitors, some of them have established friendships with each other.

For example, Baochai and a woman living next door became good friends who "talked about everything".

"Sister Bao, why are you not afraid of not being elected when I have never heard you talk about running for election?"

The woman who spoke was named Cui Xiuqing, and her father was an ordinary scholar (a scholar). He was only one step away from changing his fate and winning the imperial examination. The family life can only be said to be passable.

Baochai did not answer the question directly. She put down the book and asked, "You have never talked about this!"

"I definitely can't choose him, so why bother talking about him!"

Baochai was very curious when she heard this, so she smiled and asked, "Why did my sister say this?"

Apart from family matters, the women who are now staying in Shangyi Bureau are not bad in appearance and knowledge, so Cui Xiuqing's remarks really made Baochai curious.

"Sister Bao, don't you ask knowingly?" Cui Xiuqing did not answer directly.

"If you know, why do you need to ask me?"

"I'm just worried about Sister Bao. Several of us have quite a good background, especially Miss Yang, who is the most powerful!" Cui Xiuqing looked worried.

"Although Sister Bao is very human, I'm just afraid..."

When Baochai heard this, she knew that the girl in front of her didn't know her origin yet, otherwise she shouldn't worry about herself.

Except for Yang Jingting, with the identity of the Crown Princess's cousin, and the full support of Princess Rui, Baochai felt that she was no worse than anyone else.

"So let nature take its course!" Baochai said with a smile.

"Sister Bao may still be able to compete, but I don't think so anymore!" Cui Xiuqing said with emotion, but there was no trace of sadness on her face.

Baochai even saw her hope for the future, so Baochai asked: "What are my sister's plans next?"

"If others ask, I will definitely not tell... But Sister Bao is not an outsider after all!"

It's really hard to explain what's so elusive about personality charm, but it's obvious that Baochai has it.

"Our family is planning to move away... to find another place to live!"

"where to?"

"North Korea!"

When Baochai heard the word "North Korea", she almost thought she heard it wrong.

Thanks to her reading a lot, she knew that North Korea was a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty and was thousands of miles away from the capital of the gods.

"Going to North Korea? Why?" Baochai was very puzzled.

Cui Xiuqing straightened her hair on her temples and said with a smile: "My family will be able to obtain land and a house when they go to North Korea, and their family will be able to live a good life!"

"But North Korea is remote after all. There are more opportunities in Ming Dynasty. Going to remote places like North Korea...is it really cost-effective?"

"Besides...why can I get land and a house when I go to North Korea?" Baochai was very puzzled.

Cui Xiuqing smiled brightly, and then said: "I forgot to tell Sister Bao that my great-grandfather was a Korean. He fled to the Ming Dynasty 60 years ago to avoid war... In recent years, I have contacted my family, and I found out that they have become a Korean place. Rich family!”

Upon hearing this, Baochai finally figured out the key. In this way, Cui Xiuqing is called recognizing his ancestors and returning to his clan.

"I'm afraid the language is different and it will be inconvenient..." Baochai said with concern.

Cui Xiuqing smiled and replied: "North Korea also uses the Ming Dynasty script. As for the language... my family has not abandoned the local accent from my grandfather to now!"

"Since you are originally from North Korea, why can you run for the princess this time?" Baochai was a little confused.

Normally, people from foreign countries are not allowed to stand for election.

"Although my ancestral home is North Korea, I have been registered as a Ming Dynasty household registration since my great-grandfather!"

Baochai nodded and asked no more questions, but said with a smile: "Maybe if you choose the princess, you won't have to go to North Korea!"

Cui Xiuqing shook her head and said calmly: "Sister Bao, don't be ridiculous, there are two places on one side and one side, how can I have a chance to choose!"

Sighing, Baochai said: "Everything depends on tomorrow!"

Many people put a lot of thought into choosing the princess.

But the result has already been decided by the Queen, and many people are thinking in vain.

For example, in the side hall of Kunning Palace at this time, even the emperor of the Ming Dynasty came to ask the queen about the choice of princess.

"You said... you want your niece to be the princess?" Zhu Xianming was a little surprised.

Looking sideways at the emperor beside her, Yang Qingyin put down her tea cup and said with an unhappy look on her face: "Why... do you have any objections?"

(End of this chapter)