King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 458 The storm has begun
Orthodox year 12, March 25.

This was the tenth day after Zhu Jinghong fell into the water, and his "cultivation" had come to an end. On this day, he led Baochai into the palace.

Also entering the palace with them were Zhu Yunsheng and several others. Their semi-free life was about to end.

In the past few days, Zhu Jinghong went to see Daiyu several times, but this girl either avoided seeing her or went to crowded places, making it impossible for Zhu Jinghong to trick her.

Of course, he himself enjoyed this feeling of remoteness, but it was because of Daiyu's internal friction.

Everyone entered the palace together, Zhu Jinghong went to Qianqing Palace, and Baochai led Zhu Yunsheng and his party to Kunning Palace.

Let's say that when Zhu Jinghong arrived at the Palace of Qianqing, Emperor Zhu Xianming was reading the memorial. What he held in his hand was the impeachment of the Liaodong capital.

As an official of the Ming Dynasty, it is extremely normal to be impeached. Even people like Wang Pei'an, who have no black spots, have been drowned by large bullets before.

It's just that the content of this impeachment is very different, related to the loss of Liaodong Dusi's ordnance two years ago.

What a coincidence, it was Wang Shuirong of Beijing who was ordered to inspect that time, and he personally handled the matter.

As a result of the water-soluble treatment at that time, one commander of the Liaodong Dusi was dismissed from his post, two commanders of the Fushun Guards were beheaded, and the commanders were dismissed from their posts and their homes were searched; the commander of the Liaohai Guards and a fellow commander were beheaded.

Logically speaking, the matter should have ended, but now the impeachment of the censor of the Liaodong Patrol has dug up this old story again.

The group of people who were inspected and punished by Shui Rong before were mainly responsible for reselling ordnance to Jurchen ministries, but this time the censor impeached Jiulian Guard and Xin'an Guard. This group of people transferred the ordnance operation to North Korea.

Zhu Xianming could see that this bullet was aimed at Liaodong Dusi on the surface, but its actual goal was to rectify Shuixun, and finally involved the prince.

However, Zhu Xianming would not tolerate the reselling of arms, so he must investigate this matter strictly.

So he immediately issued three edicts. First, he ordered Jinyiwei Liaodong Qianhu Station to conduct a strict investigation. At the same time, he asked Nanzhen Fusi to secretly investigate in North Korea. Finally, he asked Dongchang to send a team of people there.

Including the censor of the Liaodong Patrol who was originally investigating the matter, there were a total of four people investigating the matter.

"This kid Lao Liu really has some tricks up his sleeve!" Zhu Xianming sighed inwardly.

Immediately afterwards, someone came to report from outside, saying that His Highness King Xiang came to pay homage.

"Call him in!"

After a few breaths, Zhu Jinghong stepped in.

Although he is still the same person, Zhu Xianming feels that he has changed a bit, similar to the change after returning from a trip to Jinling.

"Kowtow to my father!" Zhu Jinghong saluted solemnly.

Zhu Xianming was a little unaccustomed to being so observant of etiquette, so he just said "hmm" to signal him to get up.

"All right?"

"It's all good!"

"Yeah!" Zhu Xianming nodded. The child who was too polite made him not know what to say.

"Dad, my son wants to go to the northwest with the Northern Four Guards. Look at this..."

"You are making such a big fuss, how can I stop you from going?"

"Thank you, thank you so much, dad... You are busy, my son, I'm leaving!" Zhu Jinghong saluted and turned to leave.

"You're leaving now?"

"You have agreed to everything, why should I stay here? My son is rushing to pay his respects to his mother!"

It's like he dropped by my place to ask for advice... Zhu Xianming's face darkened.

But just as he was about to say something, Zhu Jinghong had already moved away quickly, giving Zhu Xianming no chance to scold him.

"This bastard!" After scolding with a smile, Zhu Xianming picked up the next memorial.

After leaving Qianqing Palace, Zhu Jinghong went straight to Kunning Palace. At this moment, Baochai was replying to the queen, and Zhu Yunsheng stood uneasily beside him.

It turned out that the question was about Zhu Yunsheng's schoolwork, and the queen was blaming Baochai for not supervising strictly.

In this regard, Baochai had no choice but to endure the queen's anger.

Fortunately, Zhu Jinghong's arrival diverted the queen's attention and prevented Baochai from being questioned further.

"My son, I wish you well!" Zhu Jinghong bowed solemnly.

"Get up quickly. Will your body feel better?" Yang Qingyin asked with concern, fearing that her son's knees would hurt from kneeling.

"My son has been well for a long time. I planned to go to the palace to pay you respects a few days ago. It's Baochai who has to let me take care of him for a few more days, for fear that his son..."

Zhu Jinghong talked nonchalantly. Although he was complaining about Baochai, the queen was particularly satisfied after hearing it.

"Your wife cares about you, but you don't know what's good and what's wrong!" the queen feigned anger.

"Yes... my son won't say anything anymore!" Zhu Jinghong shut up at the right moment.

"Sheng'er has been living in your house these days... I have fallen behind a lot in my studies. As an elder brother, have you never taken care of me?"

"Mom, you are confused... How can I control Sheng'er like this!" Zhu Jinghong defended.

The queen then scolded a few more words before Fang got to the point and said, "I plan to mate Qin girl to you!"

Zhen Qin wants to enter the palace. Even if the queen doesn't say anything about it, Zhu Jinghong will take the initiative to bring it up.

"Those things you did, you bullied this girl...you have to treat her well in the future!" Yang Qingyin reminded her with a serious expression.

"Mom, it's not my fault alone that my son did those stupid things!" Zhu Jinghong muttered in a low voice, but his voice was just loud enough for the queen to hear.

"You bastard, what do you mean by that?" Yang Qingyin's face turned serious. She knew that this boy was trying to tease her.

"Mother, this is all the fault of my daughter-in-law. She failed to take care of the affairs of the inner house. The prince deserves to be blamed!" Baochai took the blame on herself.

Yang Qingyin didn’t want to delve into this matter, so she said, “Have a good life from now on, and stop making trouble!”

The queen knew that the current grudge between the prince and Prince Rui was enough to annoy her, so she said this.

Zhu Jinghong was just acting like a child, but these two brothers were doing it with real swords and guns, so the seriousness of the problem was much higher.

Everyone here is talking, but in the east hall of Kunning Palace, Daiyu is sitting alone by the bed, weeping sadly.

Yesterday she met Zhen Qin and learned that she was about to enter the palace. Because of this, she didn't sleep well all night.

She also wanted to be with Zhu Jinghong, but it was extremely difficult and impossible to achieve.

On the one hand, she was embarrassed to face Baochai, and on the other hand, she couldn't convince her biological father.

According to the imperial system, the daughter of a Jinshi was not allowed to be a clan wife. Lin Ruhai was born as a Tanhualang, so she did not meet this rule in the first place.

Secondly, as a Qingliu official, if he sent his daughter to be brought up by the prince, the saliva of the civil servants and officials would drown him.

"Girl...if you are not comfortable saying something, you might as well ask your slave to tell it to me!"

"How can you keep it in your heart like this?" The worry in Zijuan's eyes was clear.

Daiyu turned her face away and said, "How could you understand my difficulties!"

Unexpectedly, Zijuan said bluntly: "Is it for His Highness Prince Xiang?"

Good guy, these words pierced Daiyu's heart, causing her to subconsciously look around, for fear of being overheard by outsiders.

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Daiyu looked at Zijuan angrily.

"Girl, I think His Highness Prince Xiang is also interested in you, why don't you let me go with him..."

Before Zijuan could finish her words, Daiyu reprimanded her: "You're talking nonsense again. The Thirteenth Master is deeply in love with Sister Bao. He is willing to disobey the Holy Emperor and the Empress for her. How can he have eyes for another woman!"

If Zhu Jinghong knew that he was so devoted in Daiyu's eyes, he would probably be ashamed.

Different from Daiyu's sadness, Zhen Qin in Ningshou Palace was so happy that Concubine Zhen reminded her several times to restrain herself.

"According to my wishes, I didn't plan to let you enter the royal family. I will let you leave the palace after two years and let your father find a good family for you!"

Of course, this was not Concubine Zhen’s original idea, but she changed it after being reminded by the Supreme Emperor.

"After entering Prince Xiang's Mansion, you must be careful in your words and deeds in the future, and don't show your thoughts openly again!" "I know!" Zhen Qin replied seriously.

Concubine Zhen continued to remind her, and it was not until people from Kunning Palace came to invite her that she reluctantly let her grandniece go.

Outside Ningshou Gate, watching Zhen Qin being led away by people from Kunning Palace, Concubine Zhen's eyes were filled with tears.

Hui sighed and returned to Ningshou Palace. At this time, the decoction had just been brewed and was delivered to the Supreme Emperor by Concubine Zhen herself.

The Supreme Emperor is very old and spends most of his time sunbathing on the porch. He seldom speaks, even when facing Concubine Zhen.

But seeing his wife unhappy today, he still took the initiative to ask: "What's wrong with you?"

Sitting on the brocade stool next to Zhu Xinkan, Concubine Zhen picked up the spoon and said: "Girl Qin entered Prince Xiang's Mansion, I'm still a little worried about her!"

"No need to worry..."

After swallowing the decoction fed by Princess Zhen, Zhu Xinkan said after swallowing: "Don't think Xiao Shisan is rude, but... he is a good boy and he is still kind at heart!"

There was no one around at this moment, and Princess Zhen couldn't help but ask: "Your Majesty, I really don't understand why among all the emperors and grandsons... why are you so kind to Prince Xiang?"

Glancing at his wife, Zhu Xinkan said slowly: "I said... he is a good boy!"

"I still don't understand!"

"After that year, he was the only one who erected a tomb for his cousins..."

"Tatsuka?"

Although these two words were spoken, Concubine Zhen was thinking about the fate of Zhu Jinghong's cousins.

The Supreme Emperor was thousands of miles away, but as his beloved concubine, she was in the harem. On that day, Prince Li and King Ying'e's heirs were somewhat desperate and hid in the harem.

Therefore, Princess Zhen saw with her own eyes that the Yiwei Si and the Longjing Guards who originally guarded the royal family took away the emperor's grandchildren like piglets. In the end, all Huang nobles were executed in these days.

In the days before the matter was resolved peacefully, Concubine Zhen, who lived in the harem, was in constant fear every day. She was awakened by nightmares many times in the middle of the night.

"Yes... they were a few small mounds of earth he piled with his hands at the corner of the palace wall. I wasn't living in Ningshou Palace at that time, so I happened to take a fancy to them while I was walking!"

During the two months when Zhu Xianming became the crown prince, Zhu Xinkan still lived in Qianqing Palace, and his personal freedom was not restricted too much, unlike later when he had to stay in Ningshou Palace.

"How old was he then?" Concubine Zhen asked in surprise.

"About... four or five years old, I can't remember!"

"No wonder, no wonder!"

The two emperors and emperors were chatting here, while Zhen Qin on the other side had arrived at Kunning Palace.

Zhen Qin, who was originally lively and active, became much shy when entering the palace, which even surprised Zhu Jinghong.

"Girl Qin, please go out of the palace today, and then the Shangyi Bureau will come to the mansion to announce the decree!"

"I will obey your orders!"

Zhen Qin kowtowed with a calm expression. This was the most proud moment in her life, and she was able to suppress her joy and not show it.

"Old Thirteen..."

"The son is here!"

"Don't bully girl Qin again!" Yang Qingyin said slowly.

Zhu Jinghong said very directly: "My son never bullies others!"

Then Yang Qingyin looked at Baochai again and ordered: "Baochai, girl Qin acts impulsively, please pay more attention to her in the future!"

"My daughter-in-law has a close relationship with Sister Qin, so I should take more care of her!" Baochai replied solemnly.

The queen specially ordered this matter to compensate Zhen Qin. After all, her son was really ridiculous this time.

The queen then gave many instructions, and finally left Zhu Jinghong and others to have lunch before letting them go out of the palace.

With one less person around her, Zhu Yunsheng returned to her dormitory feeling empty. It wasn't until she saw Daiyu Xiangyun that she felt better.

"The princess is back!" Xiangyun was the first to greet her, and then Daiyu followed.

"Alas..." Zhu Yunsheng sighed.

"What's wrong with the princess?" Xiangyun asked.

Zhu Yunsheng replied: "There is one less person in our palace!"

"From now on, the three of us will depend on each other!" Zhu Yunsheng held Xiang Yun's hand tightly.

Xiangyun persuaded: "Sister Qin got what she wanted, the princess should be happy for her, not to mention she is not going back to Jinling, she will still be able to see her in the future, why should the princess be worried about this!"

After nodding slightly, Zhu Yunsheng looked at Daiyu, who had been silent, and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with Sister Lin?"

"It's nothing, there's sand in my eyes, just rub it and it'll be fine!" Daiyu replied.

"If you encounter any difficulties, you can tell me!" Zhu Yunsheng said very solemnly.

"I'm just sad for spring and sad for autumn. Princess, don't worry too much!" Daiyu denied.

When Zhen Qin was brought back to Prince Xiang's Mansion, Baochai immediately summoned everyone in the mansion to prepare for the Queen's decree.

Sure enough, the slaves from Prince Xiang's Mansion had just arrived, and the female officer from Shangyi Bureau also came over.

The decree was announced outside the Cunxin Hall. Zhen Qin received the decree with great excitement, and almost couldn't control her emotions and cried with joy.

And she also became the first selected attendant in Prince Xiang's Mansion, ranking below the side concubines and above the concubines.

Immediately afterwards, Baochai introduced Zhen Qin to the servants in the mansion and told everyone to serve her wholeheartedly in the future.

After finishing these things, Baochai led Zhen Qin back to Tongxin Hall and introduced Yang Jingting and Keqing.

Zhen Qin knows all these people present, but now her identity is different, and everyone needs to get to know her again.

After the conversation, Zhen Qin came to her residence, which was Lanyue Garden on the southeast side of Yin'an Hall.

At this time, the maid was still cleaning the place again, so Zhen Qin could only stay in the courtyard temporarily, looking at the place where she would live for a long time.

Compared to the east hall of Kunning Palace, this place is obviously much more spacious, allowing Zhen Qin to decorate it as she pleases.

"I want to put flowers over there. What kind of flowers should I put?"

"I will show you whatever Master Thirteen likes!"

"Plant a piece of bamboo over there, and then plant it over there..."

Zhen Qin was working on her manuscript when someone came to report that Concubine Yang was here.

Yang Jingting was the concubine, and even though Zhen Qin acted informally, she knew she had to go out to greet her at this time.

During this time in Ningshou Palace, Concubine Zhen taught her a lot about how to deal with things, so Zhen Qin has grown greatly recently.

"Sister Ting!"

"Sister Qin, congratulations!" Yang Jingting smiled.

Yang Jingting was really happy, because with the arrival of Zhen Qin, she at least had someone to talk to.

In the palace, Keqing and Yinglian were only close to Baochai, so Yang Jingting had always been lonely.

"Thank you, Sister Ting!"

Stepping forward and holding Zhen Qin's hand, Yang Jingting said with a smile: "Now that I have achieved what I wanted, it's time to celebrate. I'm preparing a banquet over there. Let's go there together later!"

"Thank you, Sister Ting!" Zhen Qin said very solemnly. She was indeed moved.

"Hey... why don't you thank me? We are good sisters!" Yang Jingting took Zhen Qin into her arms.

Now I still choose an escort, and being a sister with her is always a step lower... Zhen Qin thought.

(End of this chapter)