King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 424: The destined wife is the princess

Zhu Jinghong never imagined that he would be lusted after by Zheng Zhenqin again.

Today is Baochai's canonization day, but it has basically nothing to do with him, so he still came to Shanglin Garden at this moment.

Today, the four northern guards trained together. Each team changed their formations, and their guns and artillery cooperated with each other to fight. They have basically coordinated and formed combat effectiveness.

Judging from the results of today's drill, if the North Four Guards were brought to the current battlefield, they would definitely be very capable soldiers.

"Not bad, very good!"

"If this goes to the northwest, and the Junggar people are not beaten out of their shit, I will think that they will be wiped out!"

Hearing Zhu Jinghong's words, all the generals present laughed out loud, and all of them were in a good mood.

"Thirteenth Master, you said last time...that you would ask the Lord to review the ministers, but I wonder if there is any solution to this matter!"

The speaker was Jiang Qingsheng, the commander of the Yulin Left Guard, and Zhu Jinghong said the military parade in front of him.

"Well...it's not time yet!"

Turning back and looking at the generals of the Northern Four Guards behind him, Zhu Jinghong said calmly: "After the new year... the vassals will come to Beijing to meet again. It would be better to mention the review at that time!"

Only by using the Northern Four Guards to deter vassal states can we make the best use of everything, which is also in line with the emperor's pragmatic concept.

"So good!"

"exactly!"

After everyone complimented them, they invited Zhu Jinghong to join the army. Zhu Jinghong wanted to personally commend the phalanx that performed well in the drill just now.

The so-called commendation is actually just a few words of praise from Zhu Jinghong in public.

But... this is also a great honor for soldiers and junior officers.

In the future, when meeting colleagues in the military camp, you can also boast that you have been praised by the Thirteenth Master.

When Zhu Jinghong finished commending everyone, the eunuch from Kunning Palace happened to come over and spread the news that the queen had summoned him.

So Zhu Jinghong could only say goodbye to the generals and rode towards the palace.

He was very confused along the way. Why would his mother call him when he had nothing to do today?

When he entered the palace that day and came outside Kunning Palace, today's ladies-in-waiting, including Baochai, had already left the palace.

Normally, Baochai has returned to the palace at this moment and is preparing to congratulate his foreign wife in the afternoon. This matter also has nothing to do with Zhu Jinghong.

Only when the Crown Princess is being congratulated does the Crown Prince need to attend.

Entering Kunning Palace, the palace maids and eunuchs were dismantling the ceremonial guards that had been put up during the canonization.

"Kowtow to Your Highness!"

Along the way, the maids and eunuchs saluted one after another, and Zhu Jinghong rushed into the main hall of Kunning Palace, only to find someone who made him feel embarrassed.

Looking at her son who was stunned at the door, Yang Qingyin asked with a smile: "Why...don't you recognize anyone?"

"When...sister Ting came!" Zhu Jinghong asked with a smile, and then walked into the room.

"I came yesterday!" Yang Jingting said timidly.

"Oh...it's been a tiring journey all the way, so you have to take a good rest!" Zhu Jinghong said awkwardly.

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Thirteen!"

Listening to the conversation between the two youngsters, Yang Qingyin couldn't help but interject: "Brother and sister, you have to be together from now on, don't be so estranged!"

"Oh!" Zhu Jinghong responded.

Yang Qingyin then ordered: "Just for these two days, just take Ting Yatou and follow the guard of honor for the concubine entering the house. I have already greeted her at Shangyi Bureau!"

It was absolutely impossible to refuse Yang Jingting entry into the house. After thinking about this, Zhu Jinghong opened his heart.

"My son understands this, mother, you don't have to worry!" Zhu Jinghong said with a smile.

Seeing his statement like this, Yang Qingyin finally felt a lot more at ease. She was afraid that her niece would go to the palace and be left out in the cold.

In fact, Zhu Jinghong's performance at this moment also surprised Yang Jingting. The embarrassment just now seemed to have suddenly disappeared.

"Okay then... let's talk, you two. It's time for me to go to the Buddhist hall to meditate!"

"Mom, please walk slowly!"

After seeing off the queen, Zhu Jinghong came to Yang Jingting and said, "I haven't seen you for a few months, and my sister has lost a lot of weight!"

Yang Jingting smiled slightly and said, "Brother Thirteen has also changed. He is much calmer now than before!"

Looking closer, Zhu Jinghong had to admit that this girl was also very beautiful, but it was a pity that she came a little late.

Being scrutinized by Zhu Jinghong made Yang Jingting slightly happy, secretly thinking that Brother Thirteen still liked her, but he was just fascinated by Baochai.

"What's in my sister's hair?"

Zhu Jinghong stretched out his hand to take care of her. This sudden move made Yang Jingting extremely panicked. There were so many maids watching beside him.

But she didn't move after all, because the relationship between them was already close, and their relationship would become even closer in the future.

While arranging Yang Jingting's hair, Zhu Jinghong said: "After we go to the palace, let's live a good life and don't be burdened by external things... and cause unpleasant things!"

Yang Jingting is a very smart person, so she naturally understands what the so-called "foreign objects" are, and this is exactly a thorn in her heart.

It was obvious that she should be the princess, but it happened to be Baochai, and now she was canonized by decree...

How could Yang Jingting deal with such a thing calmly!

Feeling Yang Jingting's hesitation, Zhu Jinghong held her shoulders and said: "You know I am a person who can't get rid of the sand in my eyes. Good is good... bad is bad!"

"do you understand?"

After all the words were said, Yang Jingting didn't understand, so she could only nodded sadly, and some of her thoughts were suppressed.

"That's right, living a harmonious and beautiful life is the serious thing!" Zhu Jinghong said with a smile.

"I'm afraid that Thirteenth Brother will neglect me if I go to the palace!" Yang Jingting said a little aggrieved.

"How could it be possible... Let's all play together!"

Just when Zhu Jinghong was about to comfort Yang Jingting, he heard a voice coming from behind: "Master Thirteen, please drink tea!"

Good guy, the atmosphere was ruined instantly.

Yang Jingting looked at Zhen Qin who appeared with a tray with a sullen face, and Zhu Jinghong also slowly turned his head.

"Girl Qin, why did you only bring one cup? There are two of us!" Zhu Jinghong asked with a smile.

Two people?I'm not a palace maid who only serves people, so why should I serve tea to others... Zhen Qin was filled with dissatisfaction.

"This is the only cup of tea left!" Zhen Qin made up a random reason.

The idiot who ruined my good deeds... Yang Jingting cursed in her heart.

Zhu Jinghong took the tea cup and handed it to Yang Jingting: "My sister should drink this cup of tea!"

Seeing that the tea she prepared was given to Yang Jingting, Zhen Qin could only hold back her resentment, but her impression of Yang Jingting dropped a lot.

"Then I'll make a pot of tea. Master Thirteen will be waiting later!"

Seeing Zhen Qin turn around and leave, Zhu Jinghong couldn't laugh or cry for a moment. Finally, he turned back to Yang Jingting and said, "This girl is quite interesting!"

Yang Jingting then teased and said: "If Brother Thirteen likes it, why not bring him into the palace together!"

"Haha...hahaha!"

While Zhu Jinghong was hiding his embarrassment with laughter, Zhu Yunsheng was complaining about Zhen Qin in the east hall of Kunning Palace.

"As soon as Brother Thirteen came, she slipped away. Whose attendant is she? I think we should just report it to Empress Ming and send her to Prince Xiang's Mansion!"

Hearing this, Daiyu Xiangyun looked at each other, and they all showed understanding smiles.

If she were brought into the palace, Zhen Qin would wake up laughing in her dreams... Daiyu thought.Putting this matter aside, Daiyu became worried about Baochai again when she thought of Yang Jingting's entry into the palace.

At this time, Zhu Yunsheng was heard sighing: "It's better for you two. Only stay with me. We are the best sisters!"

…………

Let's say that a grand congratulatory ceremony was being held in Prince Xiang's Mansion, and all the ladies came to congratulate the new princess.

The crown prince and concubine receive congratulations on all major festivals, but the concubine only receives congratulations on her wedding. The purpose is also to let the ladies of the capital get to know each other.

In the biting cold wind, all the foreign ministers lined up in front of the Chengyun Hall, performing various congratulatory ceremonies.

The ceremony lasted for half an hour. Everyone watched the princess leave, and the entire congratulatory ceremony ended.

Most of the wives of civil servants left one after another, while most of the wives of nobles stayed outside Chengyun Hall and handed their names to the inner house in the hope of meeting the princess.

Even if a group of people left, there were nearly 400 women of third grade and above present. It was impossible for Baochai to meet them all, so he could only meet some of them in advance.

The first thing I want to see is the high-ranking family members who came today, that is, the wives of a group of clan kings, generals who govern the country, generals who support the country, and generals who support the country.

Of course, married princesses, county lords, county princes and county princes are also the people Baochai wants to see first.

Even after screening, there were still more than 100 people. Baochai divided them into five groups and summoned them separately.

When she summoned these people, Jia Mu also waited in the guest room with several members of the Jia family, as did other wives of nobles.

Everyone chatted with acquaintances, and the most eye-catching ones were Princess Beijing and the three concubines of Nan'an, Dongping and Xining.

The reason why the latter three are concubines is because their titles as princes have been downgraded, and they have become ordinary princes and princes. Only the concubines are left to support the appearance.

In other words, the only remaining prince with a different surname is Prince Shuirong of Beijing.

The four of them do not belong to the clan, so they can only wait with other noble families at this moment. Because of their higher status, they have become the center of the crowd.

Most people would go up and say hello, and Jia Mu was no exception.

In the past, these people would have just nodded, but now that Yuanchun has become the princess, they are much more eager to treat Jia Mu, and they can't help but chat a few more words with each other.

At this time, Tanchun and Yingchun also followed. They were two extremes, one was looking forward and the other was dull.

When Jia Mu introduced Tanchun, Princess Beijing leaned forward, took her hand and said, "How old are you this year?"

"Twelve!" Tanchun answered.

After hearing her age, Princess Beijing was greatly surprised, saying that she was too calm.

Then Princess Beijing asked her questions again about her knowledge, and Tanchun answered them appropriately, causing everyone to nod.

As for the timid Yingchun, everyone only asked a few questions and showed no interest. She herself was happy to be alone.

Seeing that Tanchun had attracted everyone's appreciation, Jia's mother felt that her trip was worthwhile, and she even wanted to praise Tanchun in her heart.

The Jia family has lush branches and leaves. To support this large family, the key is to strengthen the branches.

Marriage with high-ranking nobles is one of the means to strengthen the family, and Tanchun can be used as a marriage alliance.

Jia Mu was chatting and laughing with everyone, while Wang and Xing, who were accompanying them, were talking to other acquaintances and wives.

About two-quarters of an hour later, several county princesses and concubines were invited to leave, along with several ladies from the Duke's family and several marquises, including Shi Jia.

As the Duke's wife, she was not summoned, which made Jia Mu's face particularly troubled, but she had to maintain a superficial calm.

"Old lady, the princess has specially ordered her servants to come here to deliver a message. Please wait in the inner hall!"

The person who came to deliver the message was Ying'er, and Jia Mu still had some impressions of her. Seeing that she was the one who came to deliver the message, she knew that the princess wanted to summon her family alone.

Thinking of this, Jia Mu felt much better instantly, so she led Ying'er and others away together.

After passing through the courtyard gates, they were taken to the east side hall of Tongxin Hall. The person who greeted them was Aunt Xue, the third grade official.

Because Jia Zheng is now a fifth-rank official, Mrs. Wang is not qualified to enter the palace. Seeing that her sister is a third-rank lady today, Mrs. Wang feels a little uncomfortable.

"Old lady, please come inside!" Aunt Xue smiled.

"How are you, my aunt?" Jia Mu asked with a smile.

"Thanks to the old lady Hongfu, everything is fine..."

When everyone entered the room, they started chatting cordially, mainly between Jia Mu and Aunt Xue.

As a biological sister, Mrs. Wang said even less than Mrs. Xing, which shows that there is some gap between the two sisters after all.

Aunt Xue still vividly remembers being "humiliated" by her sister in Rongguo Mansion that day, and it makes her feel uncomfortable every time she thinks about it.

Mother Jia was keenly aware of this current state, so she sighed unconsciously.

Even Aunt Xue has such a mentality. As the princess, Baochai can let go?

Everyone chatted with different thoughts for half an hour before a maid came from outside to summon them.

After arranging their appearance, everyone in the Jia family followed the maid and left. After a few breaths, they came to stand outside the Tongxin Hall.

"Everyone, please come in!"

Under the guidance of the maid, Jia Mu led everyone into the Tongxin Hall. At this moment, Baochai was sitting on the phoenix throne in Yanju's crown uniform.

"Kowtow to see the princess!"

Getting up from the phoenix position, Baochai personally helped Jia Mu up: "Old lady, please get up!"

"Thank you madam!"

Then Baochai looked at Mrs. Wang again and said, "Aunt, please get up too!"

"Thank you madam!"

Immediately afterwards, Baochai came to Tanchun and the two of them, helped them up and smiled at Tanchun and said, "Girl Tanchun, long time no see... I've grown taller again!"

At this moment, in Tanchun's eyes, Baochai is shining brightly and is the benchmark for her to strive for.

Tanchun replied: "Sisters have always remembered the empress. Now that the empress is in good health and looking forward to Shenfei, the foolish sisters can feel at ease!"

Hearing these words, Baochai's smile became even bigger. He looked around and said, "Look, it's already a big deal... Now, Tan Yatou is also saying these face-saving words to me!"

Everyone present laughed and the atmosphere was relatively relaxed.

Brushing the hair around Tanchun's ears, Baochai continued: "From last year to today, I have been extremely busy. The sisters have not seen each other much...now they are all separated!"

At this time Tanchun said: "What are you talking about, your Majesty? Today I see your Majesty, but she is still very friendly, just like when we read and wrote together!"

To be honest, Baochai didn't live in Jia's house for a long time. It was completely untrue to say that she and Tanchun had such a deep relationship.

But this did not prevent Tanchun's words from being so good that everyone present laughed.

Baochai was also smiling at this moment. Thinking of making the prince's family feel at ease, she continued: "I know very few people in the capital. From now on, the sisters should get closer together. It will be interesting to talk and write together!"

Hearing this, Jia Mu immediately interjected: "This is the grace given to you by your Majesty. Why don't you thank your Majesty quickly?"

Although the Jia family has a crown prince, the prince's family lives in the imperial city, which is not suitable as a social place, so it is difficult to bring help to the Jia family.

But it is different in Prince Xiang's Mansion. It can be foreseen that in the coming days, nobles will come to visit from time to time. This is a good place for the Jia family to "promote" their daughter.

Although this is very utilitarian, if Tanchun welcomes the spring and marries a good family, it will be of great benefit to the Jia family.

"Thank you, empress!"

Tanchun and Yingchun wanted to kowtow again, but Baochai held them back and prevented them from doing so.

"Why are you so polite? It would be really annoying if you really show off!"

After saying this, Baochai looked at Mrs. Wang with a smile and asked softly: "How is your aunt always?"

This sudden greeting made Mrs. Wang unable to react for a moment. She was stunned for two seconds before she bent down and replied: "Everything is fine, everything is fine... Thank you for your concern, Madam!"

(End of this chapter)