King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 420 Homecoming
Although it is a family banquet, once it gets involved with the royal family, it is more than just a banquet.

First, the queen led the concubines and family members to greet each other, and then the prince led the prince and grandson to toast. The various ceremonies lasted for more than half an hour, and then the banquet began.

Some people were already toasting to the Empress and the Supreme Emperor, while more people were chatting and drinking with each other.

As the only second princess, Baochai now has many family members gathered around her. Although most of them should call her sister-in-law, these people are very enthusiastic and flattering him.

Because she attracted some people here, and Yuan Chun became the crown princess, there were not many people around Chen Zhi, which was in sharp contrast to previous years.

Although the number of people has always been decreasing, today's sudden decrease still made Chen Zhi's mentality unbalanced, causing her to feel unhappy with Baochai and Yuanchun.

After thinking for a while, Chen Zhi lined up the crowd and came to Baochai. She said with a smile: "Sister Xue... let me and you have a drink!"

After Chen Zhi finished speaking, a palace maid brought the wine glass. Chen Zhi took it and handed it to Baochai herself.

"Please!"

"Sixth sister-in-law, please!"

When the two clinked glasses and drank, a family member behind Chen Zhi said with a smile: "The two empresses have the same mind. It's not like sisters are better than sisters!"

Another person said: "That's it. The two empresses are watching and helping each other. That's why..."

The two people said these words in public, and Baochai certainly understood what they meant, so he said: "Sixth Sister-in-law, let's go and toast the Crown Princess!"

"Uh... That's fine!" Chen Zhi smiled awkwardly.

When the two of them left hand in hand, Baochai said very sincerely: "Sixth sister-in-law's help will never be forgotten by my sister. After paying respect to the crown princess... let's rekindle our old friendship!"

Chen Zhi was still uncomfortable at first, but she finally felt more comfortable after hearing this, and then she said: "Speaking of which... when you ran for election, the Crown Princess didn't even help you, and I don't know what her plan was!"

"And I also heard that..."

"What did you hear?" Baochai asked after approaching.

"I heard that the Crown Princess's biological brother had many disrespectful words towards you. It is said that it has spread throughout the Jia family!"

Regarding this situation, Prince Rui's Mansion has actually known about it for a long time, but it has never had the opportunity to take advantage of it. Today, Chen Zhicai revealed it to his face.

"The Jia family is a wealthy and powerful family, and my uncle has a very strict upbringing. This may be a false rumor..."

"How could it be a false rumor? I heard someone say that that boy also said that you were an unlucky person, which caused Lao Shisan to be punished to farm!"

Hearing this, even though Baochai City Palace was deep enough, a cold light flashed in her eyes at this moment, but she returned to normal the next moment.

Just listen to Baochai say: "This is even more unbelievable. After all, he and I are also siblings, why would he hurt me like this!"

Chen Zhi saw Baochai's change, and she said regretfully: "Oh, my sister, you are too honest, you will suffer a loss!"

She knew that Baochai understood the situation, and she also knew that this girl would not get angry about it. After all, everyone was smart.

Chen Zhi's purpose is to plant a thorn in Baochai's heart, waiting to be exploited later.

"What are you talking about?" Yuanchun came over at this time.

Seeing Baochai and Chen Zhi chatting happily will have a very negative impact on Yuan Chun, because it will remind people of many things.

"Nothing...just telling some jokes!" Chen Zhi answered proactively.

On one side, the three sisters-in-law were pretending to be cowardly, while on the other side, at Zhu Yunsheng's place, several girls were eating and watching the fun.

"Look...Sister Bao has become a princess. I don't know how much more attention she has to spend. It's too tiring to do everything well!" Xiangyun said frankly.

"Girl Yun... Since you feel sorry for Sister Bao so much, why not go and help her!" Daiyu covered her mouth and smiled.

"Help her...how can I help her?"

"This is not easy. If you follow me into the palace, you will be able to help Sister Bao!"

Speaking of this, Daiyu took two steps back and then said: "Have you forgotten... there is still one missing concubine in Prince Xiang's Mansion!"

"You...you are so bad, I want to teach you a lesson!"

Xiangyun was furious, because Daiyu's joke was too much, and marriage matters could not be mentioned casually.

While the two were fighting, Zhen Qin was very unbalanced. After all, she believed that the concubine was already in her pocket.

"Stop making trouble. I see Sister-in-law Thirteen is moving forward and retreating with ease...then I need your help!" Zhu Yunsheng said angrily.

Hearing this, Zhen Qin immediately agreed: "What the princess said is absolutely true. You'd better stop joking around. This is not good!"

Unexpectedly, Xiangyun said with a smile: "Sister Qin, I think you are quite suitable!"

"really?"

Zhen Qin was overjoyed, and then she changed her words: "Marriage is such a big deal, it's nothing to play with. Sister Yun, please don't talk nonsense!"

At this time, Xiangyun burst into laughter, and Daiyu on the side turned her head away. It was obvious that she was about to break her guard and laugh.

No matter what, the scene is always fun, but some people are frightened.

For example, Zhu Jingchun and Zhu Jinghao, they mustered up the courage to come to the emperor and toasted to the emperor alone.

Normally, they should get out after drinking, but at this time, they were still stuck in place, which surprised Zhu Xianming.

"Do you have anything else to do?"

Upon hearing the inquiry, the two men looked at each other, and then Zhu Jingchun said: "Father, my sons have been farming in Shanglin Garden for two months. Now they know that the world is difficult, and they understand the benefits of studying!"

"For this reason, I have changed my mind, so..."

"So what?" Zhu Xianming asked coldly. He had already guessed what these two guys were going to say.

"So... I'm waiting for you. I can go back to study!" Zhu Jinghao said his purpose in time.

They learned that Zhu Jinghong would be "released", so they came to ask for grace. Apparently they were tired of staying in Shanglinyuan.

"Want to study?" Zhu Xianming asked.

"I think about it, I think about it so much!" Zhu Jingchun nodded repeatedly.

"Okay... I will help you and send a bachelor to Shanglin Garden to give you lessons tomorrow!"

Hearing this, the smiles on Zhu Jingchun's and Zhu Jingchun's faces froze, but how could they dare to interrupt at this time.

"You work in the fields during the day, and the bachelors come over at noon and evening to give you homework!"

The eunuchs sent to serve in Shanglin Garden were only responsible for taking care of food, clothing and daily life. They were strictly prohibited from participating in farming, so the two brothers were always busy with the farm work.

Originally, they could rest at noon and night, but after the emperor's arrangement, the time was really occupied, so much so that the two brothers felt like crying without tears.

Seeing that the two people did not respond, Zhu Xianming asked coldly: "Is there anything else?"

"No...it's okay!" At this moment, Zhu Jingchun's smile was uglier than crying.

"Since it's okay... just thank you!"

"My dear father, I thank you for your kindness!" The two brothers held back tears as they paid homage.

"Go down!"

"Yes!"

The two people walked down the steps and were stopped by Zhu Jinghong when they returned to their seats.

"You were so happy just now, why are you so sad now?" Zhu Jinghong asked casually.

"Brother Thirteen, our father asked us to continue to stay in Linyuan. You must come and see us more often!" Zhu Jingchun begged.

He was embarrassed to talk about studying. After all, it was too embarrassing and it was a complete joke.

"Try your best so that you can transform your life... Oh no, you can live a better life and work for your father. This is a rare grace for ordinary people!" Zhu Jinghong said slowly.

"You should remember Brother Thirteen's teachings!" Zhu Jingchun and the others replied.

Amidst the joy, time passed quickly, and in a blink of an eye, the royal family banquet came to an end.

The Supreme Emperor was overwhelmed and tired, so he was supported by the Emperor and left the stage, and ordered the Crown Prince and Prince Rui to accompany him.

After everyone bid farewell to the two supreme beings, people began to say goodbye to the queen one after another. Soon Zhu Jinghong also led Baochai to the queen.

"Mother...where is my son going?"

"Of course I'm going back to your palace!" Yang Qingyin said calmly.

"You really want me to go back? There is no purpose, I'm afraid..." Seeing his hesitation, Yang Qingyin immediately said: "If you are reluctant, you can go back to Shanglin Garden!"

"Then my son should go back to the palace!"

"The people in your mansion are waiting at the palace gate. It's getting late. You should go back early!"

"Yes!"

Zhu Jinghong turned around and was about to leave, but Baochai stretched out his hand to hold him back. Then Baochai said: "If it weren't for the mother's constant protection, how could the sons and ministers escape today? The prince should thank his mother!"

"Oh...yes, yes, thank you, Queen Mother, thank you Queen Mother!" Zhu Jinghong bowed repeatedly.

Yang Qingyin nodded with satisfaction, but she was even more satisfied with Baochai. She just heard her say: "Go back quickly!"

"Yes!"

After saying goodbye, Zhu Jinghong led Baochai away, while talking to Zhu Yunsheng and others.

After leaving Chonghua Gate, he walked all the way to Donghua Gate. On the way, he encountered concubines greeting him, and Zhu Jinghong also had to talk nonsense with them.

When they arrived at Donghua Gate, Deng An, Yu Hai, and Zhang Ping'an were all there, talking to a group of eunuchs surrounding the carriage.

"The lord is here!"

Upon hearing the little eunuch's reminder, Deng An and others immediately stood up and then rushed towards the palace gate.

"The servant kowtows to the prince!"

"Get up!"

Zhu Jinghong didn't want to say much, and walked past Deng An and others to the carriage, with Baochai following closely behind him.

When the two of them got on the carriage, Deng An also immediately called people to prepare for departure, and the ceremonial guards representing the prince's majesty were all in place.

After entering the carriage, Zhu Jinghong sat in the main seat, while Baochai sat in the side seat. There was still a relatively wide space inside. The next moment, a maid handed over tea.

"Let's go!" Baochai ordered outside.

Dealing with so many people just now consumed a lot of their energy, so they didn't speak in the carriage.

Heading east from Donghua Gate, the team exited Dong'an Gate and no longer belonged to the imperial city, so dozens of guards from Prince Xiang's Mansion were waiting here.

While the bodyguards accompanied him to protect him, as the dignified prince traveled, the Five Cities Military and Horse Division also sent hundreds of additional sergeants to the streets along the way to take charge of the peripheral guards.

The capital does not enforce a curfew, and although there are fewer pedestrians on the road at night, protection duties will never be relaxed.

This trip safely arrived outside the palace. At this moment, hundreds of people had gathered outside the gate, including the eunuchs, maids and guards of the palace.

After more than two months, Zhu Jinghong and his wife returned to the palace, and everyone in the palace who was able to move would definitely come out to greet them.

Keqing and Yinglian were also in the crowd. Although they had no status, they were in the middle of the gate at the moment.

As Zhu Jinghong and his two men got out of the car, hundreds of people outside the gate bowed down and the sound of shouting was like thunder from the sky, directly alarming the nearby mansions.

Facing the sound and feeling the intangible but tangible status and authority, Zhu Jinghong showed a smile on his face.

"Everyone, get up, it's such a cold day, thank you for your hard work!"

Although these words were very cliché, coming from the mouth of a dignified prince, it still made everyone present feel warm in their hearts.

Looking back, Zhu Jinghong looked at Baochai: "Princess, they serve you wholeheartedly, they should be rewarded with something!"

"This is natural, my concubine suggested..."

Before Baochai finished speaking, Zhu Jinghong smiled and said, "You can arrange this!"

"Yes!"

As soon as they finished speaking, they saw Deng An running over and paying homage: "Kowtow to the prince and princess for the reward!"

This guy took the opportunity, and everyone else followed suit to pay homage, and for a while the noise swept the place again.

"Let's go in, don't disturb other people's dreams at night!"

There are some noble neighbors on the left and right. Zhu Jinghong feels that he is a quality person, so he will not do anything to disturb the people.

When he entered the house with Baochai, Keqing and Yinglian also followed.

The two of them looked at Zhu Jinghong with enthusiasm. If Baochai hadn't been there, they would have pounced on him.

This scene was naturally noticed by Zhu Jinghong, so he decided to fight two tonight.

Arriving at the Yin'an Hall of the bedroom, the four of them sat down in order of priority.

Drinking hot tea and feeling the comfort of the warm floor, Zhu Jinghong felt that this was life.

While he was feeling good, the women kept talking, mainly because Ke and Qing asked Baochai for answers.

Hearing about the miserable life in Shanglinyuan, Ke and Qing kept making sounds of surprise, and their worries were palpable.

"Baochai... you are tired too, go and wash up first!" Zhu Jinghong said suddenly.

After looking at Ke Qing and Ying Lian who looked like peach blossoms on the left and right, and at Zhu Jinghong who was pretending to be serious, Baochai immediately smiled and said: "The prince said to wash up... then I will go and wash up!"

She really wasn't jealous at all. In the past two months, Zhu Jinghong had been plowing her land. To be honest, she couldn't stand it anymore. She could take a break in the past few days.

When she stood up, Ke and Qing followed suit: "Best farewell to the princess!"

"You're so lucky to be with him!" Baochai said with a smile.

"Yes!"

After Baochai left, Yinglian was the first to come to Zhu Jinghong, and while beating his shoulders, she said how he had lost weight...

Listening to Yinglian's chatter, Zhu Jinghong grabbed her hand and played with it. He looked at Ke Qing who was sitting where he was and said, "Ke Qing... you have moved to a new residence?"

Keqing answered extremely cautiously: "This... I moved to Jiangyunzhai on the order of the princess!"

If you want to have a good reputation in the palace, it is necessary to have a good relationship with the princess, but Qing attaches great importance to this.

Zhu Jinghong stood up, came to Ke Qing and said, "Go and see your new home!"

After saying this, he turned back to look at Yinglian: "You should go and have a look too!"

"Yeah!" Yinglian naturally wouldn't refuse.

When leading the two beauties to Jiangyunzhai, another person came to the gate of the palace, but it was Chang Shi Wang Pei'an.

Although it was already "off duty" time, on such an occasion as Zhu Jinghong's return to the palace, as the palace chief, he should be present anyway, but Wang Pei'an was absent today.

It's not because he's arrogant, he still understands the ways of the world. The reason why he wasn't there today is because no one informed him at all.

The news was revealed by the inner court. Wang Pei'an only knew that Zhu Jinghong would be returning to the mansion in the past two days, and he did not expect that he would come back tonight.

The reason why he came back at this time was that he learned about it tonight when he visited his classmates in the Hanlin Academy.

"Your Highness is back?" Wang Peian asked the guard at the door.

"Exactly!"

"When did you get the news?"

"Replying to your lord, I found out yesterday afternoon!"

Hearing this, Wang Peian's expression became even colder and he asked, "Why didn't you hear anyone in the house mention it?"

"The father-in-law who sent the message said that this matter should not be made public, so we are not allowed to discuss it privately!"

"That's it!" Wang Pei'an looked grim.

After saying this, Wang Peian walked straight into the palace. He knew that he had been tricked by the eunuch.

As for the reason, he could easily guess that it was because the eunuchs had not asked the eunuchs to replace Chang Shisi's desk, chair and utensils in the past two days.

All the way to the outside of Cunxin Hall, Wang Pei'an stood at the door of the hall and said to the eunuch on duty: "Go and report to Your Highness, and say that I, Wang Pei'an, have come to apologize!"

Several eunuchs on duty looked at each other, and one of them said: "Master Wang, it's late at night... Your Majesty has already fallen asleep!"

"Yes, Mr. Wang, let's talk about it tomorrow if you have anything to do!"

"That's right...we can't afford to disturb the prince's rest!"

(End of this chapter)