King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 456 The Emperor and Empress Arrive
"Quickly...hurry up and save people!" Zhu Jingyuan was the first to shout.

At this moment, everyone gathered around the railing and leaned out towards the lake. They only saw Zhu Jinghong lying quietly, as if he was waiting for death.

At this moment, everyone finally understood that this thirteenth brother was "dead", so he put life and death aside.

He is really a straight person, he would rather bend than bend and even risk his life...

At this moment, many people felt such a stamp of approval on Zhu Jinghong's heart that no one would doubt his straightforwardness.

After Zhu Jingyuan shouted out, all the servants on the scene jumped into the lake. They were all very active at this time. If Zhu Jinghong died, they would all die as well.

"Your Highness... Your Highness..."

Baochai also wanted to jump into the lake, but was held back by Yuanchun, Chen Zhi and others, who obviously didn't want her to jump in again and cause trouble.

The eunuchs surrounded Zhu Jinghong in the water and swam with him towards the shore. After a few breaths, he was carried to the shore.

From the time he fell into the water to the time he was rescued, it definitely took less than 1 minute, which shows how efficient the eunuch was in working hard.

Among them, the best performer is Yu Hai. After all, he is Zhu Jinghong's eunuch.

The prince and others immediately gathered around, but at this time Zhu Jinghong had fallen asleep, making everyone more and more worried about him.

"My lord, my lord... nothing can happen to you. If you die... how will I live!"

Zhu Jinghong's performance is over, and now it's time for Baochai to show off.

No matter how noble and elegant he is usually, he becomes vulgar when he reveals his "true feelings". Baochai's reaction at this moment was just right.

While she was crying, Yuanchun had ordered the eunuch to pass the medicine to the doctor, and Chen Zhi had someone go to the house to get good medicine.

When Baochai was crying, Zhu Yunsheng also cried with her, followed by Yang Jingting, Daiyu and others.

"Send the thirteenth brother back to the palace first!" Zhu Jingyuan said.

It's troublesome to lie here all the time. I have to change into clean clothes first, because the wet wind and cold will get into my body.

"Baochai, please send your thirteenth brother to the palace quickly!" Chen Zhi stepped forward and helped him up.

"Hurry up and carry it back!" Zhu Jingyuan also said.

As a result, Zhu Jinghong was carried to the bedroom by the eunuchs. Baochai and other female family members followed him, but a group of Zhu family men stayed behind.

"I'm afraid I have to report what happened today to my father and mother!" Zhu Jingyuan said slowly.

But everyone knew that he was talking nonsense, and they could all confirm that the news was on its way to the palace.

It was originally a birthday banquet to celebrate, but it turned into what it was tonight. Looking back on what just happened, everyone present felt that it was outrageous.

But one thing they guessed was right. As soon as the messenger they sent entered the imperial city, Zhu Xianming, who was having dinner with the queen, received the report.

After reading the situation, Zhu Xianming's expression was gloomy and uncertain, which puzzled Yang Qingyin who was sitting across from him.

"What's the matter?" Yang Qingyin asked.

Zhu Xianming said calmly: "Old Thirteen...he can't think of jumping into the lake!"

Emperor Shengming Zhuzhao naturally understood that the so-called jumping into the lake was probably because the boy was having a temper, but this time he was even more violent.

"what?"

Yang Qingyin was immediately frightened and almost fainted. Fortunately, the female officer beside her reacted in time to support her.

Zhu Jinghong had sex after drinking two days ago. She would think that her son was showing his temper, but something like jumping into the lake made her lose her sense of proportion.

"Queen, Queen...are you okay?" Zhu Xianming quickly stood up and stepped forward.

After a few breaths, Yang Qingyin calmed down, grabbed Zhu Xianming's clothes, and asked quickly: "Is Thirteenth okay?"

"He was rescued when he fell into the water, so he should be fine!"

Zhu Xianming tried to speak as calmly as possible, for fear that the queen would be anxious about what was going on.

"Let's... go to Prince Xiang's Mansion. I have to go see Thirteen!" Yang Qingyin struggled to get up.

"He's fine. It's getting late. Just send someone to take a look!"

Compared with Zhu Jinghong, Zhu Xianming was more worried about his wife. The queen had always been in poor health.

"I have to go and see for myself, otherwise I won't feel at ease!" Yang Qingyin said firmly.

"But this..."

"I have to go see him, I have to go!"

Sighing, Zhu Xianming had no choice but to nod, and then ordered people to make arrangements immediately.

While they were waiting, reports came back one after another, conveying that Zhu Jinghong's life was in danger and also restoring the details of his fall into the water.

"The year I die is only seventeen... I want to force him to death!" Yang Qingyin's tears fell.

"This kid is used to talking nonsense, and what he says is of no importance...don't think too much!" Zhu Xianming consoled him.

But at this moment, Zhu Xianming thought of another point. Unofficial history records that Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty said similar words.

However, the reason why Li Shimin said this was very special, because he was lamenting that he killed his brother and forced his father.

Now, similar words were said by his own son, which somewhat made Zhu Xianming feel uncomfortable.

Could it be that this kid also wants to learn from Tang Taizong?
But when he thought of Lao Shisan's virtue, Zhu Xianming sneered. Regardless of his character, temperament and ability, this boy was in no way comparable to Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty.

After all, even I am just equal in terms of merit...

When the emperor was "thinking wildly", Yang Qingyin wiped away tears and asked: "Your Majesty, I am doing this for his own good. Am I really wrong?"

Zhu Xianming replied: "He is just too indulgent, so it is difficult for him to understand your painstaking efforts!"

But at this time, he was also sighing, Lao Shisan is really stubborn, he just indulges himself if he can't achieve his goal, and now he doesn't even care about his life!
So at this moment, Zhu Xianming thought about how this boy chose the princess last year and risked the disapproval of the world and unexpectedly chose the daughter of the Xue family as the princess.

At that time, he was almost angry to death, but it was the queen who persuaded him to hold his nose and admit it. Now the situation was completely reversed, and it was he who tried to persuade the queen.

He and his wife were really manipulated by this kid. Thinking of this, Zhu Xianming felt particularly helpless.

At this time, Yang Qingyin continued: "I had known that he was straight-tempered and could not get back what he had decided, but he still forced him to tie his own hands and feet... I was forcing him to go to a dead end!"

"Just discipline him strictly from now on!" Zhu Xianming replied.

"Strictly discipline him? If he continues to be strictly disciplined, I'm afraid he will really die!"

While the two were talking, someone came outside to report that the honor guards were ready.

To be honest, the preparation process was not fast. It took more than half an hour, and now the emperor and empress could leave the palace.

However, slow time does not mean slow process. The emperor and empress leaving the palace are extremely complicated matters.

For example, within this hour, the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division mobilized at least 5000 people to complete martial law along the route from the palace gate to Prince Xiang's Mansion, ensuring that there were no outsiders within thirty feet of the imperial commander.

Followed by the bodyguards, the left and right Shence Guards, and the left and right Hu Ben Guards, each had 1000 retinues assigned to them. This alone totaled [-] soldiers.

Of course, the above-mentioned personnel are only responsible for peripheral security. The middle-level security is responsible for 1000 people allocated by the Banner Guards. The innermost level is the guards selected by the Dragon Guards. The imperial guards are responsible for the Qianqingmen Guards Office.

The news of the emperor and empress leaving the palace really alarmed the entire North City dignitaries, and everyone was speculating on what happened.

Knowing that they were going to Prince Xiang's Mansion, these people became even more confused. Could it be that the emperor and queen were going to celebrate their son's birthday?It doesn't really make sense logically.

At this moment, outside the gate of Prince Xiang's Mansion, Prince Zhu Jingyuan led a group of brothers and female family members and had been waiting here for more than a quarter of an hour.

As for Baochai, she was left in Yin'an Palace, and the prince ordered her to take care of her closely. This is what she should do.

The sun had already set at this time, and the torches at the end of the long street illuminated the path of the emperor and empress. This was their first time to Prince Xiang's Mansion.

Outside the gate of Prince Xiang's Mansion, the Crown Prince and others knelt down and opened the way to the Prince's Mansion so that the sedan chairs of the Emperor and Empress could pass.

Soon the emperor and empress appeared outside the gate in their sedan chairs, and were carried into the mansion amidst the sounds of worship from the prince and others.

In front of the Chengyun Hall of Prince Xiang's Mansion, when the emperor and empress' sedans landed, the prince and others had already come in from the outside and were waiting respectfully on one side of the sedan.

At this time, the emperor and the empress were riding in the same sedan. After the maids opened the curtain, Zhu Xianming helped the empress out of the sedan.Then a female official came forward, took the queen's hand from the emperor, and helped her move forward.

"My sons, please bow to your father and your mother!" All the princes and princesses present paid their respects.

"Is Old Thirteen awake?"

"Reporting to my father, I woke up half a moment ago, and Princess Xiang is now taking care of her!" Zhu Jingyuan replied.

"Ok!"

After answering, Zhu Xianming looked at the queen beside him and said: "Let's go...go and have a look!"

The two of them walked inside, and the others all looked serious and unsmiling, and followed them towards the depths of the palace.

After passing Chengyun Hall and Cunxin Hall, they entered Yin'anmen, and Zhu Jinghong's bedroom appeared in front of them.

At this moment, Baochai, who was in charge of taking care of her, was worried. It would be a lie to say that she wasn't nervous.

However, at this moment, Zhu Jinghong, who was lying on the bed, held her hand tightly, his expression full of encouragement.

At this time, a eunuch outside shouted: "Your Majesty, the Queen is here!"

Baochai took a deep breath, then squeezed out tears, stood up and rushed out of the bedroom, and happened to meet the emperor and empress just as they were about to enter the room.

"Father, Emperor and Mother, please save him!" Baochai knelt down in front of the two emperors.

This is called taking the lead, using his miserable appearance to exaggerate a sad and pitiful atmosphere, so as to guide the emotions of the emperor and empress.

"How is my son?" the queen asked several imperial doctors standing in the hall.

The leading physician replied: "Reporting to your Majesty, Your Highness fell into the water and was frightened. However, after the doctor's diagnosis and treatment, there is no serious problem. You just need to rest more!"

After passing Baochai, the emperor and empress came to the bed. Zhu Jinghong stared directly at the top of the bed, as if unaware of the arrival of the emperor and empress.

At this time, Baochai had been helped up by Yuanchun and Chen Zhi, and she only heard her remind: "Your Majesty... your father, emperor and mother are here to see you!"

After hearing this, Zhu Jinghong still did not react, as if he had become demented.

Looking at Er's pale face and those empty, lifeless eyes, Yang Qingyin burst into tears again.

"Old Thirteen, your mother is here to see you!" Zhu Xianming reminded with a dark face.

At this time, Zhu Jinghong was also under great pressure to remain "sluggish" and unaware, but he didn't know how long he could resist.

Coming closer, Yang Qingyin sat beside the bed and reached out to touch Zhu Jinghong's forehead.

"Thirteen, it was my mother who harmed you, it was my mother who was wrong!"

Hearing Yang Qingyin's words, the prince and others present were shocked.

The queen actually apologized to Lao Shisan... The world is turned upside down. Is there still a regular etiquette system?
Although everyone was shouting in their hearts, there was no word spoken at the scene, and they could only hear the Queen's chattering.

Perhaps he thought it was not good for others to see this scene, so Zhu Xianming ordered the others to go out, but Baochai was left alone.

"You love martial arts and don't like studying. I won't force you to do it, but the northwest is bitterly cold and chaotic. I stopped you for your own good!"

"Now that you have grown up and have your own ideas, mother doesn't care about you anymore..."

"You are my mother's lifeblood. How will my mother survive if you don't predict her?"

"From now on... don't commit suicide again, mother can't bear it!"

Every sentence was full of mother's care for her son, so much so that Zhu Jinghong shed tears unconsciously. He was really moved.

"Mother..." Zhu Jinghong's voice was hoarse.

"Hey... Mom is here, Mom is here!" Yang Qingyin quickly leaned down and held her son's hand tightly.

Turning his head slightly, Zhu Jinghong said slowly: "I am living and eating and waiting to die. It is better to die a hundred times. In this way, you can..."

"Nonsense, who said you're just waiting to die? If your mother doesn't stop you from doing whatever you want, your father won't stop you either!" Yang Qingyin quickly confirmed.

Although she gave birth to three princes, she only had this one son. How could she bear to see him let go.

"I won't tell you what you do in the future. If you want to ride a horse and shoot archery, you can go there. You can go to the northwest to see the scenery. If you want to do business, build ships or other things, it's up to you..."

Hearing these words, Zhu Jinghong felt happy. This time he put all his efforts into making a game, withstood the pressure and the risk of failure, and the harvest was not as great as usual.

"But you have to promise mother that you must live well and live as happily and as high-spirited as before!"

"Your Majesty, your mother is so concerned, why don't you thank your mother!" Baochai reminded.

"Father, mother... my son is stupid and can't do big things. He wants to do something he likes just so that he won't waste his life in this world!"

After coughing a few times, Zhu Jinghong continued: "If I were trapped in the palace and had to eat, drink and defecate every day, my son would rather..."

Before he could finish his words, Yang Qingyin answered: "Mother knows...Mother knows it!"

"Take good care of yourself and stop thinking nonsense!"

"En!" Zhu Jinghong responded.

As for Zhu Xianming at this time, he thought of more things at this moment
Is Lao Shisan really desperate and decadent, or is he using this to force the queen to make concessions? In fact, his mentality has always been very good...

For a moment, he couldn't decide which one it was, but in an instant he threw away these thoughts.

How could a straight man like Lao Shisan have such complicated thoughts, let alone be so benevolent and filial... Zhu Xianming thought this.

That's right, even if Zhu Jinghong has been rebellious to this extent, in Zhu Xianming's eyes he is still a good boy of benevolence and filial piety, and he has just made a small mistake at the moment.

It can be seen that as long as the parents trust them, the so-called "naughty children" will have a great time. Even if they do bad things, their parents will attribute it to the world's fault.

Just beside the bed, the emperor and empress cared for Zhu Jinghong before watching their precious son fall asleep "tired".

At this moment, the two of them seemed to have returned to many years ago, and the scene of raising their young son together was still vivid in their minds.

"Baochai, you have been more tired these days and take good care of him!" the queen said softly, for fear of waking up her son.

At this time, Zhu Xianming said: "Okay, my son has watched it too, it's time to go back, right?"

Seeing that her son was fine with her own eyes, Yang Qingyin felt relieved, and naturally she would not embarrass the emperor.

"Let's go...go back!"

Seeing the emperor and empress leaving, Baochai wanted to follow them to see them off, but the empress stopped her and asked her to stay in the palace to take care of them.

So Baochai stayed in the palace as instructed, while the emperor and empress went straight out.

Arriving outside the palace, the prince and others immediately came to greet him, with their hands lowered and their eyebrows lowered, as if they were listening to the instructions.

"Old four and six!"

Hearing the emperor's cold tone, the two people who were called out were anxious and frightened as they approached and replied: "My son is here!"

"Were you two there before Old Thirteen fell into the lake?"

"Yes!"

"Since you are all here, why didn't you stop him when you saw him repeatedly making false claims? Why did you let him fall into the lake in the end?"

This sentence made it difficult for the two princes to answer, because they knew that the old man was venting his anger on them.

"Dad, my son at that time..."

Zhu Jingyuan was about to explain, but he heard Zhu Xianming angrily scolded: "Are you the brother who does this?"

The emperor's tone was so harsh that Zhu Jingyuan was so frightened that he immediately knelt down to apologize, and then everyone else knelt down as well.

Standing at this time was too conspicuous, and it was safer to kneel... This was the thought of all the princes present.

At this moment, Queen Yang Qingyin said: "Let's all go back and let Thirteen rest well. Don't mention what happened today again!"

(End of this chapter)