King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 426
In the side hall, Lin Ruhai waited for an hour, during which time he drank two cups of tea and paid homage before the eunuch came to tell him.

Following the eunuch out of the side hall, Lin Ruhai entered the main hall of Qianqing Palace, and was finally taken to wait outside Nuan Pavilion.

After standing here for more than ten minutes, an official came out. Apparently, this official had just finished the summons.

So Lin Ruhai finally tidied up her appearance to show her best side to the emperor.

"Lin Ruhai, the inspector of salt inspection in Jinling, came to see you!"

Hearing the eunuch's call, Lin Ruhai stepped into Nuan Pavilion and saw the emperor in regular clothes sitting behind the imperial desk.

He didn't even have time to see the emperor's face clearly before he knelt down in front of him.

"I, Lin Ruhai, the inspector of salt inspection in Jinling, come to see your majesty!"

Lin Ruhai was in poor health. Zhu Xianming actually knew this, but he was still shocked when he saw it with his own eyes.

The last time they met was two years ago. Lin Ruhai was relatively thin at that time, but now he can be said to be in his twilight years.

No wonder he wants to resign... Zhu Xianming thought.

"Get up!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Lin Ruhai stood up, Zhu Xianming ordered: "Give me a seat!"

These two words shocked Lin Ruhai even more!
He knew very well who the emperor was, and he used the court officials as tools. Let alone a small fourth-rank official, he could not even get a seat among the six ministries and nine ministers.

"I'm scared!" Lin Ruhai declined quickly.

"I've worked hard for you all these years, and now it's like this. I've treated you badly!"

This is Zhu Xianming's true words. He has dealt with a lot of dishonest people over the years, but those who are sincere also live a very uncomfortable life.

After many accusations from the queen, Zhu Xianming changed his mind slightly, and focused his debt on Lin Ruhai, such as Xue Li, who died young.

But don't think that the emperor has changed. This is just a coincidence caused by the right time, place and people. Zhu Xianming is still the cold emperor in essence.

The stool was brought, and Lin Ruhai sat on it very uneasily, and then the monarch and his subjects began to question and answer.

Zhu Xianming didn't ask much about the salt affairs. He mainly wanted to know about the situation in Jinling.

Under strong pressure from the cabinet, the Jinling local government is now conducting a thorough investigation into the civil uprising, and relevant reports are sent back to the Ministry of Justice every day.

From Lin Ruhai's perspective, the situation in Jinling was generally stable, which made Zhu Xianming a little satisfied.

After some questions and answers, half an hour passed quickly.

When Zhu Xianming signaled to Lin Ruhai that he could leave, the latter seemed hesitant to speak.

"Is there anything else, sir?" Although Zhu Xianming was asking, he had already guessed what Lin Ruhai wanted to say.

"The minister is described as withered, like a withered bone in a grave. It is difficult for him to take on the important task of patrolling the salt. Please, Your Majesty... appoint another worthy minister to take up this important position!"

After thinking for a few moments, Zhu Xianming said: "Since you are determined to do this, I will not force others to make things difficult for you!"

"I will assign the duty of patrolling the salt in Jinling separately. You will stay in the capital to rest for now, and then you can contribute to the court when your health improves!"

"how?"

The emperor's words came to this, which meant that Lin Ruhai couldn't refuse at all, otherwise he would be ungrateful.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!" Lin Ruhai bowed.

After signaling Lin Ruhai to stand up, Zhu Xianming asked again: "How do you plan to settle down in the capital?"

"I can settle down at Yue's house temporarily!"

"This is not a long-term solution, not to mention that now that you are a civil servant, it is not good to disturb the government!"

"Your Majesty's lesson is correct, I will find a place to live as soon as possible!" Lin Ruhai replied immediately, thinking about the meaning of the emperor's words.

Standing up from the throne, Zhu Xianming slowly walked around the desk and said with a smile: "I heard someone say... During your tenure as the Salt Patrol Censor, you accumulated millions of belongings..."

These sudden words really frightened Lin Ruhai half to death, and then he knelt on the ground with a "plop".

"Your Majesty, this matter is completely false..."

Naturally, he had heard such rumors in Jinling. They were all spread by salt merchants in private, in order to drive away the emperor's loyal dog.

"Get up... I know you are honest, but I won't believe these words!"

In fact, Zhu Xianming did not trust any of his subordinates. With Jinyiwei and Dongchang strictly monitoring him, he certainly knew that Lin Ruhai was not corrupt.

Raising his hand to signal Lin Ruhai to stand up, Zhu Xianming said in a soft tone: "Rice is expensive in the capital... If you have any difficulties, please report it to me!"

"Yes, thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!"

"By the way, your daughter is being raised in the Queen's Palace. Since you have returned to the palace today... just take her back temporarily, so that you can also enjoy a family relationship!"

Although the emperor had his own considerations from beginning to end, Lin Ruhai was really moved. After all, this concern was real.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After another exchange of words, Lin Ruhai thanked her profusely and left the Qianqing Palace, and then waited for her daughter to arrive outside the Qianqing Gate.

When the news reached Kunning Palace, Daiyu was confronting the princess. When she received the order, she was so excited that tears filled her eyes.

Her father is her only close relative in this world, the person she cares about and misses the most. Now that they are finally reunited after three years of separation, how can she remain calm?

"Go quickly, your father is still waiting for you!" Zhu Yunsheng stepped forward to wipe away Daiyu's tears.

"Please clean up Daiyu quickly!"

After hearing Zhu Yunsheng's instructions, the maids all got busy, and soon her personal belongings were packed away.

"It's inconvenient for me to go, Xiangyun, please send her off for me!" Zhu Yunsheng ordered again.

"Yes!" Xiangyun naturally accepted the order.

After the two said goodbye to the princess, they walked out of Kunning Palace accompanied by several palace maids.

Although Kunning Palace and Qianqing Palace are right next to each other, it still takes a few minutes to walk from Kunning Gate to Qianqing Gate.

In the snow, Lin Ruhai looked towards the palace gate and finally saw a group of people coming out, so he went inside to greet them.

"Father……"

After calling out, Daiyu quickened her pace and came to her biological father as quickly as possible.

"Yu'er!" Lin Ruhai's eyes were moist and her voice was choked.

"An unfilial daughter meets her father..."

Seeing Daiyu about to kneel down, Lin Ruhai grabbed her. How could he let his good daughter kneel down in the snow.

"I have grown taller and my complexion has improved... The Queen is well-educated!"

After finishing her emotion, Lin Ruhai knelt down towards the Forbidden Palace and kowtowed in gratitude very seriously.

Daiyu did not stop him, because this was the duty of a minister and what he had to do.

After her father finished thanking her, Daiyu stepped forward and helped him up. Her father's thin body made her burst into tears again.

At this time, Xiangyun also came forward to see the gift, and Daiyu could only endure the sadness and introduce it to her biological father.

After talking for a while, Xiangyun said goodbye and returned to the forbidden palace, while Daiyu followed her father outside the palace.

On the way, the father and daughter talked about people and things that had happened since their separation in the past two years, and for a moment they felt a sense of right and wrong.

When they walked out of Donghua Gate, they happened to meet Zhu Jinghong who had returned from Shanglinyuan. At this moment, he was surrounded by Hou Jing and his gang, chatting nonsense.

In addition to Hou Jing and others, the relatively young middle-level officers of the North Fourth Guard, mainly Baihu Deputy Qianhu Qianhu, there were also more than [-] people who followed them.

Everyone spoke so loudly that it was like a mudslide pouring into the palace wall, but the civil and military officials they met along the way were no longer surprised.

"So I said, just kill those bastards. Firstly, the court will be in serious trouble, and secondly... you can also get promoted and make a fortune, right?"

After hearing this, Hou Jing laughed twice and said: "Thirteenth Master, what you said is too straightforward. You can't hide this kind of thing!"

Looking around, Zhu Jinghong put his hands on his hips and said, "What can I hide? Who can I show it to?"

I am a reckless man, what if I know how to hide my thoughts?Zhu Jinghong thought so.

While he was looking around, he saw Lin Ruhai and his daughter coming from ahead.

"Greetings to His Highness Prince Xiang!" Lin Ruhai stepped forward and saluted.

At this time, everyone noticed Lin Ruhai and his daughter.

"Censor Lin...Long time no see!" Zhu Jinghong asked with a smile.Lin Ruhai leaned forward and replied: "After half a year of separation, His Highness has become more and more energetic. I really don't dare to look up to him!"

Hearing these words, Zhu Jinghong couldn't help but laugh. Lin Ruhai was not a stubborn person, so he said these words naturally.

"Yu Shi Lin has been overly praised. Why did he return to Beijing this time?" Zhu Jinghong asked.

"Return to Beijing to report on work as usual!"

"Hmm... there are errands to run and health to take care of!" Zhu Jinghong reminded.

"Girl Lin is always worried about you. She is a poor child. Now you are the only close relative. You must take good care of her!"

Daiyu was originally very grateful, but when Zhu Jinghong said that she was just a child, she immediately felt unhappy, but she didn't show it on her face.

Of course, the so-called unhappiness was just a momentary mood. In essence, Daiyu was grateful to Zhu Jinghong for saying this for her.

"Your Highness has mentioned something, I should remember it carefully!"

In fact, this is enough. Saying more will make the protagonist seem to be nosy.

"Ok!"

Zhu Jinghong just responded and walked away. When he passed by Daiyu, the two of them looked at each other.

Looking at Zhu Jinghong with a smile on his face, Daiyu was a little distracted for a moment. This warm and caring feeling made her realize that she had more than just respect for the Thirteenth Master since she didn't know when.

In fact, Daiyu's mental journey is similar to Baochai's, because both of them lack a sense of security, and Zhu Jinghong, who is full of martial virtue, can just provide this.

Feeling something different in her heart, Daiyu was surprised for a moment, and even felt particularly guilty.

Daiyu, Daiyu, you claim to be a lady, how can you come up with these messy thoughts? The Thirteenth Master is Sister Bao's husband... Daiyu is reflecting on herself at this moment.

I often laugh at how stupid Zhen Qin is, but now, how am I different from that Zhen Qin?

"Yu'er? Yu'er?"

"Ah? Father...what...what happened?"

"I've called you a few times, what are you thinking about?"

"Oh... I left suddenly. I miss the princess and sister Xiangyun a little!"

Daiyu blurted out lies, which made her feel even more guilty. This was the first time she had lied in front of her father.

"Since you have been educated by the Queen, and now you are studying with the princess, you will have to return to the palace in a few days!"

Speaking of this, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but feel sad. The long-term absence made the relationship between father and daughter fade. Otherwise, how could her daughter miss her close friend at this time?

"A daughter would rather serve at her father's knees!" Daiyu replied.

Lin Ruhai smiled, and then started chatting with her daughter again, asking her about her life in the palace.

After leaving Dong'an Gate, there were servants of the Jia family coming to pick them up. The leader was Jia Lian of Jia Jiarong's mansion.

After returning all the way to Rongguo Mansion, Daiyu went to the inner house to meet Jia's mother and talk to several sisters, while Lin Ruhai went to see Jia She's brothers.

Jia She asked about the interview, and Lin Ruhai took the opportunity to tell the emperor's intention, making it difficult for the two brothers to say more.

As for Baoyu who returned home, he was detained by Jia Zheng, who wanted him to follow Uncle Tanhua to gain some literary talent.

This made Baoyu very anxious, and he only wanted to go to the inner house to see Daiyu.

But now that Lin Ruhai is here, Jia Zheng knows Baoyu's thoughts and will not let him behave rudely, so Jia Baoyu really can't see Daiyu.

After only two days at Jia's house, Lin Ruhai found a place to live in Beicheng and moved there with her daughter.

Because it is a temporary residence, it is only a three-in-one courtyard, which is indeed shabby among the wealthy families in the capital.

However, the vast majority of officials in the capital are at this level, and a few who are in a tight situation have to find accommodation in Nancheng, such as Wang Pei'an, the chief historian of Prince Xiang's Mansion.

While Lin Ruhai was busy cleaning up his new home, a new person also moved into Prince Xiang's Mansion, it was Yang Jingting who was the concubine.

At this moment, in the Chengyun Hall of the Wang Mansion, Zhu Jinghong and his wife were sitting at the top, accepting Yang Jingting's worship.

No matter how many times she had made some mental preparations, Yang Jingting still felt particularly aggrieved when she was actually kneeling in front of Baochai.

But she always remembered Zhu Jinghong's words. When she came to the palace, she could only live peacefully, otherwise she would be even more sad if she lost Zhu Jinghong's trust.

In fact, the people from Shangyi Bureau had already announced the decree, and the ceremony was almost over at this point.

So after Yang Jingting knelt down and worshiped, Baochai immediately stood up to greet her and helped her up personally.

"Thank you princess!"

"What's your name, Princess? You and I are good sisters. Whatever we called her in Kunning Palace, we will call her now!" Baochai said with a smile.

"This... I'm afraid it's inconsistent with etiquette!" Yang Jingting said hesitantly.

"Let's call each other behind closed doors, who can say it's not the case...he will never make irresponsible remarks!" When he said this, Baochai looked at Zhu Jinghong who had already stood up.

"I didn't say anything!" Zhu Jinghong looked helpless.

Ignoring Zhu Jinghong, Baochai picked up Yang Jingting and said, "Sister Ting... our accommodation has been arranged, let's go there first!"

"Ok!"

"Let's go...I'll take you there!" Baochai said.

The two of them left like this, and more than a dozen eunuchs entered the hall and began to pack up all the furnishings in the room. Normally, the Chengyun Hall was rarely used, and everything inside had to be put into the warehouse.

Zhu Jinghong naturally left. He planned to give himself a holiday today, so he went to the dormitory.

At this moment, in his bedroom, Yinglian was lecturing the maids, teaching them to be serious in their work and not to be careless and careless.

After staying in Kunning Palace for more than a year, Yinglian studied with Zhu Yunsheng and expanded her knowledge a lot, so she was able to teach well at this time.

Seeing that it was Zhu Jinghong coming in, Yinglian waved the people away, and then trotted to Zhu Jinghong.

"My lord, why are you back... where are the princess and empress Yang?"

Zhu Jinghong took off the black gauze winged crown on his head, handed it to Yinglian, and then said: "They were reminiscing about the past and chatting lively, but I became an outsider... Of course I can stay where it's cool!"

"What are you talking about, Your Majesty? The Princess is as close to you as one person, how can she treat you as an outsider!"

While talking, Yinglian put her gauze hat down, turned around, took the tea brought by the maid, and handed it to Zhu Jinghong.

Waving his hand and signaling Yinglian to put down the tea, Zhu Jinghong said with a smile: "Could it be that you accepted the princess's favor, otherwise you wouldn't be talking to her wholeheartedly!"

"Princess is very nice to everyone!" Yinglian replied very seriously.

Sitting on the chair, Zhu Jinghong waved to Yinglian, who immediately came over and pinched her face.

"My lord, it hurts...it hurts..."

Yinglian yelled, her voice a little exaggerated, so Zhu Jinghong squeezed it again and asked, "Where are you, girl?"

"Slave, please tell the truth!" Yinglian said, covering her face.

"Am I not treating you well?" Zhu Jinghong asked slowly.

"Alright!"

"Come come come..."

Seeing Zhu Jinghong waving again, Yinglian followed suit this time: "No!"

"I'm telling you, you girl is suspicious. Since you don't come over...then go to Tongxin Palace as an errand!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, I'll just come over!"

Seeing that Yinglian was reluctant to come over, Zhu Jinghong suddenly laughed. When she came closer, he pulled her into his arms and reached up and down with his hands.

"You all go out, I have something to say with Yinglian!"

The eunuch and maid on duty in the palace retreated after hearing this, and then Zhu Jinghong became even more impudent, and soon explored the winding path leading to the secluded place.

Besides, in Yihe Garden, the eunuchs and maids were busy, while Yang Jingting and Baochai were sitting in the courtyard. The two were talking happily at the moment.

The two were originally on duty in the same palace in Kunning Palace. Before the emotional entanglement, they were really good sisters. It would not be awkward to talk about the past at this time.

"Princess Qi...Miss Qin is outside asking for a meeting!"

Of course Keqing is no longer a girl, but she has no status after all, so the maid can only call her a girl.

"Ask her to come in!" Baochai said calmly.

(End of this chapter)