King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 449 Something is wrong with Daiyu

The prince's concubine is above the super rank and has the highest status among foreign wives.

If such a person can help, the Zhang family's troubles can indeed be easily solved. Brother Zhang Jin knows this very well.

"But...are they willing to help?" Brother Zhang Jin pointed out the key to the problem.

Cui Xiuqing was not sure whether Baochai was willing to help, but she was willing to give it a try for her best friend.

She was about to leave, and it was her last chance to do something for her good sisters.

"You'll have to pay a visit to find out!" Cui Xiuqing said in a relaxed tone.

…………

Three days later, outside the capital, inside the Tiekan Temple.

After three days, Jia Zhen's tranquilizing method finally ended, and everyone in Ning Rong's second house heaved a sigh of relief.

These three days made Wang Xifeng exhausted physically and mentally. She returned to her residence early after the last day's work.

In the Mantou Temple, Wang Xifeng sat on a chair and took a nap, while Ping'er was making the bed beside him.

At this time, a girl came to report that Master Jingxu had come to pay homage.

Opening his eyes, Wang Xifeng muttered: "It's so late, what is she doing here?"

"Let her in!"

A few breaths later, an old nun appeared in front of Wang Xifeng with a smile on his face and a food box in his hand.

This person was very quiet. She came to Wang Xifeng with a smile and said very humbly: "Second Grandma has worked hard these days... Second Grandma!"

Putting the food box aside, Jingxu continued: "This is the Buzhong Yiqi soup I ordered to make. It is just right to relieve the fatigue of the second mistress. It is used in it..."

The so-called showing courtesy for nothing is either cheating or stealing. If Jingxu brought soup so late, Wang Xifeng knew that she would have something to say later.

She was really tired at this moment, so she didn't want to talk nonsense with Jingxu, so she asked bluntly: "We are all acquaintances. If you have anything to say, just say it!"

Being interrupted by Wang Xifeng, although Jingxu was a little embarrassed, he said without changing his expression: "I have a small matter. I want to go to the house to ask my wife, so I need to ask my grandma for permission first!"

Seeing that Wang Xifeng was silent, Jingxu thought to himself and said: "When I became a monk at Shancai Temple in Xin'an County, there was a benefactor named Zhang who was a wealthy man. He had a daughter..."

What Jingxu was talking about at this moment was about the Zhang family in Xin'an County.

The current troubles were overwhelming, so Zhang Quande tried every means. When he learned that Jingxu could talk to Rongguofu, he asked for help from Mantou Temple two days ago.

It is worth mentioning that Cui Xiuqing did not tell the Zhang family that she wanted to help because she knew that Zhang Quande wanted to cling to the Li family.

If Zhang Quande knew that Cui Xiuqing was going to help the Xu family, Zhang Quande would probably interfere with it, which would cause trouble, so Cui Xiuqing told Brother Jin to keep it a secret.

In the Mantou Temple, after Jingxu explained the reason for the incident, she saw that Wang Xifeng still didn't respond, so she could only laugh twice in embarrassment.

"I heard someone say...Now that the commander of the New Security Guards has made Mr. Yun the most compatible with the family, Second Mistress may ask my wife to write a letter to the master, asking Mr. Yun to tell the Xu family that they are not afraid that the Xu family will not comply..."

The commander is the highest officer of the First Guard. Not only is he the immediate superior of the commander, but he is also two levels higher. Needless to say, his intervention will be effective.

"If you are willing to do it, the Zhang family will be willing to be filial and filial..."

After finally hearing what was going on, Wang Xifeng laughed a few times, changed her position to make herself more comfortable, and then said: "It's not a big deal, but my wife doesn't care about such things!"

Jingxu said quickly: "Madam, I don't care, grandma can decide on such a trivial matter by herself!"

Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "I don't wait for money, nor do I do such a thing!"

Jingxu didn't panic at all. After a few breaths, she sighed: "The Zhang family already knew that I came to the mansion to ask for help. Now that grandma doesn't care about this matter, I'm afraid the Zhang family thinks... your mansion doesn't even have such an idea!"

"If it spreads, then..."

That's all. Jingxu didn't continue because Wang Xifeng had already sat up straight.

At this moment, Wang Xifeng was also aroused, and immediately said: "You know me all the time. You never believe in any underworld retribution. No matter what it is, I can do it as long as I say..."

"You ask him to bring three thousand pieces of silver, and I will do this for him!"

Just waiting for your words, Jingxu immediately said: "Yes, yes, how could the Zhang family not even understand these rules and prepare them long ago!"

Wang Xifeng stood up, walked to the bed and sat down and said, "I'm not asking for their money. These three thousand silver are just for the young man to make some hard money for him!"

Jingxu did not criticize her, and immediately said: "In that case, grandma will just be merciful tomorrow."

…………

On the fifth day of March, the sun is just right.

In Kunning Palace, Baochai was talking to the queen. There were also several concubines present, as well as several county princesses and high-ranking wives.

When the time came at noon, everyone else left without hesitation, except Baochai, who would accompany the queen to have lunch.

"I see there is a knot between your eyebrows. What difficulties have you encountered?" In the courtyard of Kunning Palace, the queen looked at Baochai and asked.

"My daughter-in-law can take care of some small things!" Baochai replied, smiling at the same time.

"A trivial matter? If it were really a trivial matter...how could you be so sad?" Yang Qingyin said calmly.

"Speak out if you have something to say. If you keep it in your heart, you will get sick even if you are not sick!"

"Speak!"

Seeing that the atmosphere was almost over, Baochai said: "Reporting to my mother, the prince has been frowning for the past two days. He is restless when he comes home every day and cannot eat well... My daughter-in-law sees it in her eyes and is anxious in her heart!"

"What's wrong with him?" Yang Qingyin asked again.

"My wife asked him about it, but he said some nonsense, which made people confused..."

"Nonsense? What nonsense?"

"My wife dare not say it!" Baochai lowered his head.

"Say!" Yang Qingyin's tone was stern. When it came to her own son, she couldn't take it lightly.

"Your Majesty, he said that he had a miserable life. Unfortunately, he was born into an emperor's family. He lived in a miserable state every day, just like the cattle and sheep raised in the forest garden. He couldn't do anything except eat, drink, and defecate every day!"

"Can't do anything? Doesn't he have enough things to worry about?"

Yang Qingyin looked dissatisfied, feeling more and more that this kid was a bastard for even saying these words.

"What else did he say? Tell me everything..."

"Almost all these words are like this. I don't know what happened to him, but he suddenly became disgusted with the world. My wife is worried about this..."

As soon as Baochai finished speaking, Yang Qingyin said coldly: "He is just full, so just ignore him..."

Yang Qingyin knew very well what kind of virtue Zhu Jinghong had.

"He has been out of shape all day long. I think he should be allowed to stay in Shanglin Garden again to temper his temper!"

"Let him come into the palace this afternoon. I would like to ask him how unfortunate he is!"

Could it be that I went too far?
Baochai didn't know what to do at this time, so he could only nod his head in agreement, and while appeasing the queen, he interceded for Zhu Jinghong.

At this moment, it is exactly what I said, a wife who knows how to hide things from both sides.

While having lunch at Kunning Palace, Zhu Yunsheng also came with Daiyu Zhenqin.

After lunch, the queen was about to chant sutras and worship Buddha, so Baochai and Zhu Yunsheng and others left the hall.

Everyone talked all the way into the east hall. Baochai looked at Zhu Yunsheng's new paintings, commented on them, and then left.

But when leaving, Baochai specially ordered Daiyu as a gift.

The two slowly walked out of Kunning Gate, arm in arm with Daiyu who was following him. Baochai couldn't help but ask: "Girl Lin, something is wrong with you!"

"Huh? What?"

Daiyu pretended not to know and turned her head away. She was calm on the outside, but actually her heart was already turbulent.Stopping, Baochai stared straight at Daiyu and said slowly: "I said...there's something wrong with you girl!"

Daiyu's eyes flickered, she turned her head to one side, and then said casually: "What's wrong with me?"

"In the past, Sister Bao was better than Sister Bao, but after I sent you back to the palace... you and I have become a lot stranger!"

"Every time we meet, I can't speak a few words, my mouth is not as sweet as before, and I always want to avoid me..."

"Why is this?" Baochai put her arms around Daiyu's shoulders.

Why?Why else?Of course it’s because of a guilty conscience!
Just as a spring springs higher when it is pressed more tightly, the more emotions are suppressed and once they rebound, they will become hotter and even uncontrollable.

Daiyu had an admiration for Zhu Jinghong, but she had never dared to face this feeling. Who knows, the more she avoided it, the more her love deepened.

Because of this, Daiyu felt ashamed and ashamed when she thought that she fell in love with her good sister's husband, and naturally it was difficult to meet Baochai.

"How can there be such a thing!" Daiyu said in a coquettish tone.

At this moment, she felt more and more guilty, fearing that Baochai would reveal her feelings, which would make her feel ashamed.

"You girl, you still don't tell me the truth, do you think I don't know your thoughts?"

Hearing Baochai's words, Daiyu became more and more panicked. She was really afraid that Baochai would see her thoughts and she would die on the spot.

So much so that at this moment, Daiyu didn't dare to answer the question.

Unexpectedly, Baochai took her slender hand and said softly: "I think after you left the palace, you were taught and admonished by your father many times, and I added a lot of rules and regulations to you..."

"Now that you are in the palace, you only treat me as a princess, not as sister Bao..."

Based on this, Baochai smiled and said: "Am I right?"

Before Daiyu could answer, Baochai showed a look of nostalgia on her face and continued: "When my late father was alive, I was most afraid of his teachings and admonitions. Every time I experienced it, it was like being in a desperate situation!"

"And now, I want to teach him a lesson, but I can't..."

It was precisely because of the irreversible friendship that Baochai told Daiyu this, so much so that his eyes became moist.

Knowing that Baochai thought this way, Daiyu felt even more ashamed. At this moment, she was asked to enlighten Baochai.

"Sister Bao...I was wrong!" Daiyu solemnly apologized, but this mistake was not the other's fault.

After calming down her emotions, Baochai smiled and said, "Silly girl, what's wrong with this?"

"Of course you have to listen to what my father says, but after all, you and I, sisters, are different. We must not become estranged because of this!"

Listening to Baochai's warning, Daiyu replied: "I know!"

Holding Daiyu and moving forward, Baochai then asked: "What have you been doing in the palace recently? I heard you said you wanted to practice Slimming before, but have you started?"

"I just read some calligraphy from predecessors. The princess said that we want to practice together, so..."

The two of them chatted like this until they reached the vicinity of Fengtian Hall, and then Baochai asked Daiyu not to give it away anymore.

When Baochai returned to the palace, he conveyed Yi's decree to Zhu Jinghong and asked him to go to the palace in the afternoon to pay his respects.

Zhu Jinghong wanted Baochai to accompany him, but the latter refused with a smile.

The queen made it clear that she wanted Zhu Jinghong to go alone to prevent him and his wife from making any moves during the audience.

There was no other way, Zhu Jinghong could only clean up and let the guards escort him into the palace.

While Baochai stayed in the palace, she was not idle either. Many people came to visit her every day.

For example, today, there is Mrs. Liu Zhang, the prefect of Shuntian, and Mrs. Chen Zhou, the wife of Jianyang Bo...

Of course, people from the Osmanthus Xia family are here today, and they were specially summoned by Baochai.

These people came one after another. Baochai entertained them in the backyard of the palace, and everyone chatted briefly.

This is the daily life of ladies in the capital. It is during this process of communication that a complex network of relationships is built.

Compared to others, Baochai was more interested in the Xia family, so he summoned the Xia family's mother and daughter to come forward for questioning.

"Are you the second girl of the Xia family?" Baochai asked, looking at the beautiful woman in front of him.

The person standing in front of her was named Xia Yuegui. She was the second girl of the Xia family, with delicate features and elegant demeanor. Aunt Xue had previously intended to marry her as her daughter-in-law.

Both sides talked about the step of appointing someone, but it was delayed because Baochai was granted the title of princess. Later, Aunt Xue's vision became brighter, and in the end the matter was dropped.

The Xue family could escape unscathed, but this matter would have a great impact on Xia Xia. At least it would delay Xia Yuegui's marriage, causing her to be seventeen years old and not yet married.

Although the Xia family is resentful about this, the Xue family is now in power, and the Xia family can only break their teeth and swallow it.

"I heard you have a sister?"

"Exactly...my sister's name is Jin Gui, and she got married at the beginning of the year!" Xia Yuegui answered carefully.

Baochai had known about the Xia family before and knew that the Xia family's daughter was not married. Now that he learned that she was married, he was somewhat surprised.

"I wonder whose family you are getting married to?" Baochai asked one more question.

Xia Yuegui replied: "Reporting to the princess, my sister promised to the Sun family..."

"Sun family? Which Sun family?"

"The princess is from the Sun family of Datong. Her ancestors were military officers. Now she is commanding the affairs of the Shouyang Guards. Her name is Sun Shaozu!"

Sun Shaozu was sent by the commander of the Yongning Guard, and his official officer was the commander of the Shouyang Guard.

This guy was eventually dismissed from his post because of the Kushu Fort incident. Now he only retains his own command and is mainly responsible for managing the military personnel of Shouyang Guard.

The Shouyang Guard is the capital guard, and all the young and strong soldiers are in the capital camp. Therefore, Sun Shaozu, who is commanding the generals, cannot actually command a few soldiers.

In fact, the military attaches in the 72nd Guards in Beijing originally relied on dispatch officers to join their posts, and their hereditary officers could also receive some salary.

This is why the Xin'an Guard Xu family can't compete with the Li family. No matter how high the rank is, they can't scare people without actual duties.

Therefore, Sun Shaozu was never willing to live a mediocre life, so he tried every means to seek recovery.

He had been to the Jia family, but they ignored him, and when he wanted to ask for help, he was put off.

The Jia family is now very cautious and will not easily seek officials for others, especially Sun Shaozu who still wants to serve as a military attaché.

If the Jia family didn't help, Sun Shaozu had to find another way, so he focused on the Osmanthus Xia family.

If you want to run for office, you need money, and the Xia family is most in need of money, and there are still a few weak women, so Sun Shaozu targeted the Xia family.

Before he left his post, Sun Shaozu gave the Xia family a betrothal gift and then completed the wedding extremely quickly.

After getting married, this guy had a request from the Xia family and was obedient to Xia Jingui, which cost him a lot of money.

Compared to Xia Yuegui, her mother, Xia Huang, gave a more detailed introduction to her son-in-law, but she also didn't know the inside information. She only thought that her son-in-law was demoted because of bad luck.

But Baochai just asked casually. She didn't care who Xia Jingui married. The reason why she asked was to open up a conversation.

So next, Baochai asked Xia Yuegui more questions to examine his character, knowledge and cultivation.

That's right, it's an inspection.

Baochai was also very concerned about her brother's marriage. Thinking that the girl from the Xia family was almost there, she specially invited her here today to have a look.

After some conversation, Baochai came to the same conclusion as Aunt Xue, that this girl from the Xia family was indeed a good girl.

"Before, my brother wanted to marry your family, but he was delayed by my canonization. Later, he took an errand and went back to Jinling, so that the matter has not been settled yet..."

Regarding her own marriage, Xia Yuegui had become increasingly anxious after her sister got married. Baochai's words undoubtedly gave her great hope.

Does the princess mean that the Xue family is still willing to welcome me?Xia Yuegui made a bold idea.

(End of this chapter)