King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 403
When Zhu Jinghong and his wife were confined in Shanglinyuan, his two good brothers were not idle and immediately sent people to inquire about the situation.

It took the two of them an afternoon to figure out what was going on, and then they had to sigh that the old man really knew how to play.

"I have long wanted to return to farming. If the old man was really such a person, why did he do those things back then!"

In the garden of Prince Rui's Mansion, Zhu Jingyuan couldn't help but complain.

There was no one within ten feet of him, so he wasn't afraid of others listening.

Chen Zhi sat aside, playing with the soup with a spoon, and whispered: "The girls of the Xue family have chosen the princess, what else is impossible in this world!"

Although so much time had passed, and although she was the one who recommended Baochai to run for election, she still found it difficult to accept the current result.

"In a few days, I have to plead with Lao Shisan. I can't just sit back and watch my brother suffer!"

"Suffer?" Chen Zhi was a little confused.

"The old man asked Old Thirteen to live in a thatched hut and wear commoners. He had to live on a meager diet every day, and he had no one to serve him. He had to cook for himself... This is not suffering!"

In Zhu Jingyuan's opinion, such treatment was worse than being imprisoned. How could he, as an elder brother, remain indifferent.

"This...could it be that Father wants to depose Lao Shisan?" Chen Zhi was a little surprised.

"Mom is still here!" Zhu Jingyuan said angrily.

"You have an acquaintance in Shangshi Bureau, think of a way... to send some food and drink to Lao Shisan, and let him remember the benefits of my sixth brother!"

"Okay!" Chen Zhi responded.

While the couple was discussing, the couple in the East Palace were not idle either.

"Dad, he doesn't see me at all. I can't even beg for mercy. What should I do?" Zhu Jingyuan looked anxious.

"Your Highness, this matter cannot be rushed...Since my father has made arrangements, I think it is just to make the thirteenth brother suffer some pain. We can discuss this matter in the long run!"

"It's only the first day now. In a few days, Your Highness will beg for mercy from my father. I think my father's anger will have dissipated a lot by then, and maybe he can spare my thirteenth brother..."

"I will plead with the Queen Mother again at that time. Maybe the Queen Mother will soften her heart and the Thirteenth Brother will come out!"

Hearing what Yuanchun said, Zhu Jingyuan felt a little more at ease.

He actually didn't know what Zhu Jinghong's life was like, otherwise he would be even more anxious at this moment.

"Besides, we still have to do something. Maybe... we should go see our thirteenth brother!" Zhu Jingyuan said hesitantly.

Yuanchun explained: "Your Highness, let's wait a few days... If we go now, I'm afraid I will offend my father!"

"The thirteenth brother disobeyed his mother's wishes and forcibly selected a girl from the Xue family as his wife. It was indeed too presumptuous. If this kind of behavior were done to others, I'm afraid they would lose their lives!" Zhu Jingyuan said with emotion.

"It can be seen that the father is thinking about the love between father and son, otherwise... alas!"

But Yuanchun's words also made Zhu Jingyuan feel even more uncomfortable.

The so-called father-son love is exactly what he desires most, and he can never get it.

In contrast, Zhu Jingyuan sees things much more clearly.

He only focused on pleasing his father, and at the same time showed his ability to make friends with courtiers. He regarded building a career as his only goal. He didn't care much about the relationship between father and son.

Two days passed quickly, and the news that Zhu Jinghong was sent to Shanglinyuan to farm began to spread among senior civil and military officials.

Through the relationship with the prince and their excellent qualities, Jia Lian and Jia Rong have officially joined the Dragon Guard, so they also got the news.

At this moment, these two people were in the front hall, talking about this matter with several elders.

"It's really surprising that His Majesty arranged it this way!" Jia She finally made this conclusion.

No one would believe a man who, like the immediate emperor, had tightly grasped the power of the military and political power, carried out reforms in the country, and used weapons wildly in the vassal lands, saying that he wanted to return to the countryside.

As for the reason for this arrangement, everyone present also roughly understood it.

From the perspective of the Jia family as ministers, Zhu Jinghong's arbitrariness in choosing Baochai as his wife really surprised them beyond measure.

In their view, even if the emperor deposed Zhu Jinghong for such a rebellious act, it would still make sense.

Now, just confining him to farming is considered a very light punishment.

The same thing was a test in the eyes of Zhu Jinghong, a punishment in the eyes of Zhu Jingyuan and others, but a favor in the eyes of ministers like the Jia family.

"It can be seen that the Xue family woman is an ominous person, and now even His Highness Prince Xiang has been harmed by her!"

Generally speaking, Baoyu has no intention of participating in such discussions among the men of the family.

But now the situation has changed. In order for his son to stand up in the future, Jia Zheng forced Baoyu to attend the recent meetings.

But now he was talking nonsense again, which almost made Jia Zheng angry to death.

Although Baochai has not yet been canonized, the full wedding ceremony has been completed, and she is the official daughter-in-law of the royal family.

Even the emperor didn't say anything. You, a dandy, dare to talk nonsense. If word spreads, you will really die.

Then the next moment, Jia Zheng stood up and slapped Baoyu, making him stunned by the sudden slap.

"Bastard, who told you to talk nonsense!" Jia Zheng scolded.

Everyone else also looked unhappy. No matter Jia Lian or Jia Rong, the directors now knew how difficult the Jia family was.

It doesn't matter if Baoyu talks nonsense and harms himself, but if it harms the whole family, everyone present will never accept it.

"Second uncle, Baoyu always makes crazy remarks and acts like this... I'm afraid it will cause big trouble!" Jia Lian couldn't help but speak.

Jia Lian has been holding his anger against Baoyu in his heart for a long time, and now he can't express it anymore.

Jia Rong also knew how difficult the current situation was. It was difficult for Jia Lian to take the lead at this moment. He also said: "Second Master... Uncle Bao's words are indeed true!"

After being reminded by two juniors, Jia Zheng couldn't keep his face. He immediately said with a cold face: "I still know the right rules, I don't need you to remind me!"

He is the father of the Crown Princess. Although he is no longer in charge of the house, his status in the clan is also aloof, so he is naturally confident in reprimanding the younger generation.

"What are you still doing here? Go back quickly!" Jia Zheng yelled angrily.

In fact, as soon as the words came out of his mouth, Baoyu knew that he was wrong, and he was very wrong.

Even if you think so in your heart, you must never say it out loud.

After Baoyu lowered his head and left, Jia She, who had been silent for the whole time, said, "Second brother... Baoyu, we still need to make him more stable. We can't make any mistakes!"

Jia She was the elder brother, so what he said was of great weight. Jia Zheng couldn't say much at the moment.

"This bastard... I will discipline him strictly and I will never let him talk nonsense again!"

After saying this, Jia Zheng also stood up and left. It seemed that Baoyu was inevitably beaten.

After a few breaths of silence, Jia Lian sighed: "In recent days, we have joined the Dragon Guard, and we have been squeezed out many times. It would be great if we could have the Thirteenth Master to take care of us!"

At that time, the children of Donghuamen's heroes accounted for at least half of the positions in the Dragon Guard. These people would naturally crowd out Jia Lian and his two men.

Zhu Jinghong had many acquaintances in Longjing Guard, and anyone would sell him face. Of course, Jia Lian and his wife would have an easier time with him taking care of them.

The prince's face is not very useful to the Dragon Guards.

Soon another three days passed, and Zhu Jinghong's life gradually got back on track.

The situation in Shanglinyuan was reported to the emperor's desk every day.

"It is said that the Thirteenth Master has been eating dry rice dumplings made by the princess for the past two days. Those days were really not easy..."

In the side hall of Qianqing Palace, Zhu Xianming was having lunch. Cheng Ying's report made him overjoyed.

"Bring me another bowl!"

Normally, Zhu Xianming only eats two small bowls for lunch, but today he obviously had a good appetite, because he felt hungry after hearing about his youngest son's suffering.

Cheng Ying handed the rice bowl to the emperor again, and then continued: "Your Majesty, the Thirteenth Master has been pampered since childhood, do you want to let the Food Bureau..."

Cheng Ying wanted to ask for mercy. Although he knew that the emperor would not agree, this was a plus for him.

Zhu Xianming was about to refuse, when a young eunuch appeared outside the hall and reported: "Your Majesty, the princess wants to see you!"

Zhu Yunsheng is the only princess still living in the palace.Before Zhu Xianming could say anything, this girl barged in directly, causing Zhu Xianming to become serious in an instant.

"Dad, please spare Brother Thirteen!"

Before Zhu Xianming could speak, Zhu Yunsheng spoke first.

"It's getting more and more unruly!" Zhu Xianming scolded.

But his words really had no power. Zhu Yunsheng came to him and poured him a cup of tea very thoughtfully.

"Father, drink tea!"

Taking the tea cup, Zhu Xianming said coldly: "What does Lao Shisan's matter have to do with you? He is working on my behalf, could it be that I have wronged him?"

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yunsheng was not frightened at all, and replied: "Dad... we are the royal family, and the majestic prince goes to farm. If word spreads, I am afraid he will be laughed at!"

"Makes fun? Thirteen is not afraid of teasing, what are you afraid of?"

While talking, Zhu Xianming picked up the bowl again and left the eunuch to help himself to the food.

"I heard from my mother that he has to hoe the ground every day, and he has to cook and wash himself. He doesn't have good food, housing or clothing..."

"Dad, how can Brother Thirteen bear that kind of suffering..."

"What do you know, a kid? Go back quickly...ask your mother to go!" Zhu Xianming became more and more annoyed as he listened.

But I heard Zhu Yunsheng mutter: "You don't let those who are willing to farm land, but you force those who can't farm, it's too unfair!"

These words made Zhu Xianming interested, and then he asked: "Who wants to farm and I won't let him?"

Zhu Yunsheng replied: "Of course it's the fourteenth brother and the fifteenth brother..."

"They said farming is better than studying every day. They also said they would rather farm with Brother Thirteen than be restrained in the palace and suffer!"

After pleading with the queen to get nowhere, Zhu Yunsheng came to Qianqing Palace.

But before coming, she first went to the Wenhua Palace, hoping to bring the two concubine brothers together to plead for mercy.

Unexpectedly, these two people were easy to talk to, but when they really wanted to come to the Qing Palace, they were naturally intimidated.

Thinking that these two people were talking about brotherly love and being righteous, but in the end they didn't even dare to come over to ask for mercy, Zhu Yunsheng naturally sold them.

What she said just now was really not made up by her, but was a big lie made by Zhu Jingchun and the two of them.

"Did they really say that?" Zhu Xianming asked coldly.

"They said it in the east pavilion of Wenhua Palace in front of my daughter. If dad doesn't believe it... he can ask the bachelors and ministers on duty!" Zhu Yunsheng replied confidently.

"These two bastards!"

Zhu Xianming knew very well the virtues of Zhu Jingchun and Zhu Jingchun.

Thinking that they would be crowned kings next year and it would be even more difficult to restrain them after leaving the palace, Zhu Xianming couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

"In that case...I will help them!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yunsheng suddenly felt happy, secretly thinking that with these two concubine brothers in his past, his brother would be much more relaxed.

"Cheng Ying!"

"The slave is here!"

"Pass on my instructions to send the two of them to Linyuan. Since they want to farm, they can do so in peace!"

"Then let them go immediately!" Zhu Xianming ordered emphatically.

"Yes!"

Seeing that the plan was accomplished, Zhu Yunsheng secretly thought that he was worthy of the Thirteenth Brother, so he picked up chopsticks to serve his father and took away the work of several eunuchs in the hall who specialized in this job.

"Dad, eat this!"

"Yeah!" Zhu Xianming responded, but his mood became better and better.

He could already imagine that when these two people went to Shanglin Garden, they would be punished severely by Zhu Jinghong, and these two bastards would understand how comfortable reading is.

Two brothers, it was you who said you were willing to help Brother Thirteen, and my little sister is here to help you today. I think you won’t blame me... Zhu Yunsheng said secretly.

While Zhu Yunsheng was persuading himself, Cheng Ying also went to Chengmingyuan to convey the decree.

At this time, Zhu Jingchun and his wife had gone to school and were gathering in the palace to have a meal.

Facing this table of delicacies, Zhu Jingchun sighed with emotion: "Li Bai said that a jade plate with delicacies is worth ten thousand yuan. In my opinion...there are no delicacies on a jade plate in this world, they are just ordinary dishes!"

Zhu Jinghao also sighed: "Yes... Shangshi Bureau only has these methods, we brothers can just eat whatever we want!"

"No appetite, no appetite!" Zhu Jingchun shook his head.

They are really not moaning in pain, but they have been eating this kind of delicacies for a long time, and basically can't find anything new, so it is normal to feel that they have no appetite.

"Fourteenth Master, Fifteenth Master... Manager Cheng from Qianqing Palace is here!"

The young eunuch's complaint outside made the two brothers in the room very strange. It was unusual for Cheng Ying to come over at noon.

"Let's go... let's go out to greet him!" Zhu Jingchun said.

Cheng Ying is the general manager of the Qianqing Palace and one of the most eunuchs in the 24 yamen of the inner court. He is responsible for closely serving the emperor's food and daily life. Even the prince does not dare to neglect him at will.

The two of them came out of the dormitory and saw Cheng Ying standing in the courtyard.

"Eunuch Cheng, what are you doing?"

"Fourteenth Master, Fifteenth Master... the Lord has spoken!" Cheng Ying finished speaking expressionlessly, then turned around and faced the direction of the door.

Upon hearing that there was an oral instruction, Zhu Jingchun and his two men did not dare to neglect, so they quickly walked around to Cheng Ying, and then knelt down to worship.

"My son, Zhu Jingchun (Hao), would like to ask my father's holy peace!"

"Saint Gong'an!"

After answering this sentence procedurally, Cheng Yinglang said: "Orally, since the fourteenth and fifteenth brothers like to farm, then they can farm with peace of mind!"

After hearing this, Zhu Jingchun bravely raised his head and asked, "Eunuch Cheng, is it over?"

"It's over!"

"Father, this is..."

Seeing that Zhu Jingchun was about to ask, Cheng Ying said coldly: "Your Highnesses, please accept the order!"

"My son accepts the decree, long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

After receiving the order, Zhu Jingchun and the others stood up, and then asked about the situation.

"You will know what the situation is when your Highnesses go down. Please come!"

"Go now?" Zhu Jinghao couldn't help but ask.

"Going right now!"

Zhu Jinghao then said: "Father-in-law, we haven't eaten yet!"

"The Lord said that now that the order has been received, your two highnesses can go to Shanglin Garden to have dinner!" Cheng Ying said calmly.

"But……"

Before Zhu Jingchun could finish his words, Cheng Ying said coldly: "If your two highnesses delay, they will resist the decree!"

Zhu Jingchun and his two men did not dare to accept this charge, and they did not dare to argue or ask questions at this time.

They wanted to pack their things but Cheng Ying refused, saying that Shanglinyuan was ready and they just needed to go there.

There was no choice but to leave with Cheng Ying and Zhu Jingchun, heading towards Shanglinyuan.

(End of this chapter)