King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 460 Cao’s Thief’s Heart
  "Who would have thought that after two days and dozens of miles, they would be captured by the Jinyiwei people!"

"Oh!"

Baochai's "oh" answer was very spiritual, and her tone was erratic, making people unsure of what she meant.

"My father and the deputy envoy Zheng Hong have become acquainted recently. Zheng Hong learned that I have some friendship with the princess, so he asked me to come and deliver a message, hoping that His Highness Prince Xiang can help turn things around!"

Baochai heard the news from Zhu Jinghong a few days ago about the capture of the North Korean prince. She knew that this matter was not simple, and that there was a battle between the fourth and sixth sons.

Normally Baochai would not be involved in such a matter, so she smiled and said: "Since it is a misunderstanding, the court will make its own decision, so you don't want them to worry too much!"

"The flowers in the palace garden have been blooming recently. Since you are here today, it's a good time to go and enjoy them!"

Seeing Baochai change the subject, Cui Xiuqing became more and more embarrassed and said: "Thank you, Princess, for your love. Zheng Hong said that although this matter was a misunderstanding, they are foreign ministers after all... but they don't understand the rules of the Ming government, so they thought of asking the prince for help. !”

Seeing Cui Xiuqing continue to talk, Baochai was somewhat dissatisfied with her best friend. Usually this girl didn't seem very smart.

Stopping what he was thinking, Baochai said slowly: "The prince is going to the northwest soon. Now that he has been homeless for days, he has too many things to do. I am also worried about his health!"

"The North Korean envoy also knew that the prince was busy, so he prepared generous gifts to express his gratitude..."

Hearing this, Baochai almost wanted to laugh. What else in this world could be considered a generous gift in front of Prince Xiang's Mansion.

"Xiu Qing, it's not that we don't want to help, it's really..."

Having said this, Cui Xiuqing knew that if she could not persuade Baochai, she would never have a chance again.

"The captured North Korean prince has a gold mine in his fiefdom, and they are willing to give it to the prince as a filial piety!"

From the beginning to now, this is the most useful sentence Cui Xiuqing said. After all, Baochai didn't say anything to chase the guests away at this time.

"It is said that the gold mine can produce at least five thousand taels of gold every year. It is a great way to repay the prince for saving me!"

Five thousand taels of gold, with today's gold and silver exchange ratio in the Ming Dynasty, can be exchanged for about five or six thousand taels of silver. In Baochai's opinion, this is indeed a considerable income.

"What is gold or not? We sisters are heretics when we mention these things!"

After saying this, Baochai stood up and walked to Cui Xiuqing, who also stood up in fear.

"There are many sisters here today, and I have to introduce them to you. We happen to be going to the garden to enjoy flowers in the afternoon, so why don't you stay and go with us?" Baochai extended an invitation enthusiastically.

"Princess, I..."

"Okay, okay, I know you are anxious. We are so close to each other...can I still not help you?"

Of course, this was a polite statement. She planned to stabilize Cui Xiuqing first and wait for Zhu Jinghong to come back for discussion before making a decision.

"Let's go, come with me to meet the guests!" Baochai took Cui Xiuqing and walked out of the hall.

In desperation, Cui Xiuqing could only follow Baochai out. She knew that the matter could not be rushed.

In fact, she herself was not really anxious. After all, the person who was arrested was not her relative. At this moment, she was just being entrusted by others.

Let's say that Baochai led Cui Xiuqing out of the banquet hall, and a female official came up to meet her. She said that all the things she had prepared for Zhu Jinghong were ready, and asked her to go and have a look in person.

So Baochai led Cui Xiuqing there again, causing Wang Xifeng who wanted to come forward to talk in the corridor to miss the opportunity, so she had to continue waiting.

She had been waiting for a while, and now she was upset, but even if she was upset, she could only continue to wait.

"Second Grandma, I've found you... Grandma Zhen is seriously ill in the village. The old lady asks you to go back and take a look!" Ping'er gasped.

From Rongguo Mansion to the outside of the Wang Mansion, she waited for a long time before being able to pass through the palace. At this moment, she finally found Wang Xifeng.

The Grandma Zhen in her mouth is Youshi. She has been depressed since Jia Zhen passed away. After Jia Zhen was buried, she left Ningguo Mansion on the grounds of purity and now lives in Zhuangzi outside the city.

Of course, her purpose of doing this was to hide the fact that she was pregnant, so Jia Rong naturally fully supported and cooperated.

But within a few days of You's arrival at the farm, Jia Rong ordered his confidants to place her under house arrest, and then forcibly used medicine to help her have an abortion.

This almost caused Youshi to die on the spot, but fortunately she survived again.

But You knew that if she didn't take action as soon as possible, Jia Rong would probably kill her again, and then she would really have no choice but to die.

So after Youshi woke up, she tried her best to send a confidant to send a message to Mrs. Jia that she was critically ill and wanted to return to Beijing for treatment.

It was unlucky to have consecutive deaths in the family, so Jia Mu asked Ping'er to send a message and asked Wang Xifeng to go back and take care of the matter.

"Well... I'll report it to my wife first!" Wang Xifeng responded, but her eyes were still looking in the direction where Baochai disappeared.

Ping'er replied: "My wife has already informed me, saying that please leave first and they will explain to the princess!"

It seems that he is indeed anxious, but he is also anxious about my affairs... Wang Xifeng was shouting in his heart.

After waiting for a few more breaths, when Wang Xifeng thought she couldn't wait and was about to turn around, she vaguely heard voices coming from behind.

Knowing that Baochai was here, Wang Xifeng immediately told Ping'er: "Go out and prepare the car first. I will come out immediately after I say goodbye to the princess in person!"

"Yes!"

A few seconds after Ping'er left, Baochai was seen returning from the back corridor, followed by several female officials besides Cui Xiuqing.

"Make a few more. It's hard to get through the bitter cold in the northwest now!"

"There is another one, and the chef has to choose two more. Not only must he be skilled in craftsmanship, but he must also be knowledgeable..."

After giving several instructions in succession, Baochai ordered everyone to retreat, while Wang Xifeng saw the opportunity and stepped forward to greet them.

"Princess, your Majesty, I really envy others to have such a virtuous wife like you..." Wang Xifeng saw the opportunity and stepped forward to answer.

Baochai smiled and replied: "I'm afraid you are the only one who thinks so. He is annoying me very much now, saying that I am dragging him down!"

"What do you mean? With a good wife like you, every man should be happy. How can he bear to criticize her like this!" Now in front of Baochai, Wang Xifeng naturally said something nice.

"He wanted to go to the northwest. I was worried about his safety and persuaded him not to go, but he blamed me..."

"Oh, this man, how many of us understand our difficulties!"

Wang Xifeng quickly catered to her and said: "What the princess said is true, only we women can be more considerate to each other!"

Listening to the false politeness of these two people, Cui Xiuqing followed behind and thought of things at home for a while.

If she gets things done this time, her family will become Li Hui's benefactors, and they will be more confident when they go to North Korea.

"Princess, I have something to tell you!"

"If you have anything to say, just say it straight, we are not outsiders!"

"I didn't know the truth about the Zhang family's matter in Xin'an. I was deceived and interfered indiscriminately..."

There was a follow-up to this matter, and Baochai certainly knew about it. Zhu Jinghong had told her about it before he returned home.

Unfortunately, Cui Xiuqing, who was also involved in the incident, was also there, which surprised Baochai somewhat.

"This fact is that I am wrong. Please punish me, Princess!"

After saying this, Wang Xifeng knelt directly in front of Baochai, showing her acceptance of the punishment.

"Okay, what a big deal, get up quickly!" Baochai said with a smile.

After Wang Xifeng got up, Baochai continued: "Although this matter has twists and turns, it has finally been resolved satisfactorily. Just be more careful in the future!"

"The princess's teachings should be remembered by my wife!"

"By the way, this girl from the Cui family is my good friend... let's get to know each other!" Baochai introduced Cui Xiuqing.

The matter was finally resolved, Wang Xifeng's heart finally settled, and she was in a much better mood now.

So according to Baochai's words, Wang Xifeng downshifted a little and praised Cui Xiuqing, and the two became familiar with each other while talking.

They sent Baochai all the way to Tongxin Palace, and when Mrs. Wang and others reminded her to return home, Wang Xifeng agreed as if she didn't realize it, and then apologized to Baochai and said goodbye. After leaving the Tongxin Hall, she walked towards the outside of the palace at a very fast pace. To save time, she took the narrow sidewalk.

When she turned into an alley, she bumped into someone's arms. She was so startled that she screamed "ah" and was knocked backwards the next moment.

Seeing that she was about to fall to the ground, Zhu Jinghong grabbed her clothes with one hand, and then pulled her back with all his strength.

And during this tug and pull, a scene that shouldn't appear in Wang Xifeng's clothes appeared before Zhu Jinghong's eyes.

"Fuck...tsk!"

Holding Wang Xifeng's waist and feeling her body temperature, Zhu Jinghong was a little carried away, at least he didn't think of letting go for a moment.

The eunuch behind him was about to step forward, but was stopped by Deng An, who was accompanying him to report. He was the eunuch who understood Zhu Jinghong best in the palace.

"My lord...my wife deserves to die for bumping into my lord!" Wang Xifeng was stunned for a moment and then immediately confessed.

But when she wanted to struggle to get up, Zhu Jinghong's hands did not let go, leaving her unable to move at all, not to mention she did not dare to struggle too hard.

"It's okay, it's okay..."

Zhu Jinghong slowly let go, and his hands wandered around Wang Xifeng's waist, quite reluctantly.

A gentleman like me is seduced, how can an ordinary person withstand it... Zhu Jinghong's eyes were like daggers, and he carefully looked at the mature woman in front of him.

This scene was all seen by Deng An, and he remembered it carefully in his heart.

"Are you here to see the princess today?"

"Exactly, because there was something going on in the palace, I returned in a hurry and bumped into the prince in a hurry. My wife really deserves to die!" Wang Xifeng wanted to kneel down and salute.

She was indeed scared, for no other reason than because Zhu Jinghong was a prince and because Jia Zhen was almost beaten to death that day.

"I'm not that stingy. Get up!" Zhu Jinghong stepped forward to help him and "accidentally" touched Wang Xifeng's waist.

Normally, there is no such way to help someone stand up.

Although Zhu Jinghong's behavior was very rude, Wang Xifeng could only pretend not to know and was helped up by him.

"Just go slower in the future... If you have something to do, go ahead!" Zhu Jinghong said calmly.

"Yes!"

After saluting Zhu Jinghong again, Wang Xifeng led the girl away.

And Zhu Jinghong turned around specifically and watched Wang Xifeng twist and disappear before turning back and continuing to walk.

"Your Majesty, would you like me to try to..."

As soon as Deng An opened his mouth, Zhu Jinghong knew what he wanted to fart, so he laughed and cursed: "What are you trying to do? Am I that kind of person?"

I haven't said anything yet... Deng An was speechless for a moment, but he became more sure of Zhu Jinghong's thoughts.

And a good slave is not only able to say flattering words, but also has to be considerate and get things done.

This daughter-in-law of the Jia family should pay more attention in the future and find an opportunity to give it to the Thirteenth Master... Deng An was thinking in his mind.

"Your Majesty has taught you a lesson. If your slave talks too much, he should be beaten!" After saying this, Deng An slapped himself twice.

The group of them continued to move forward, and Wang Xifeng, who had gone far away, was also teaching the two girls who were following him.

"I heard you all clearly. If word of what happened just now spreads out, I will kill you!"

In front of Zhu Jinghong, Wang Xifeng was submissive and punched the little girls Wang Xifeng, acting like a housekeeper and grandma.

"Yes!" The little girls were so frightened that they immediately agreed.

Besides, when Zhu Jinghong entered the palace, he learned that Baochai was meeting guests. It was not easy for him to attend such formal occasions, so he went to the palace to practice martial arts.

But as soon as he entered the school field with his front foot, Wang Pei'an came over with his back foot.

"Your Highness, today..."

"Sir, it's already late today. Let's talk about schoolwork tomorrow!"

"Your Highness, that's not what I want to say!" Wang Pei'an replied calmly.

"Oh? What do you want to say, sir?"

"Today, Your Majesty has issued a decree that I will accompany His Highness to the northwest this time. I must ensure that His Highness does not fail in his studies!"

Zhu Jinghong was originally in a good mood, but after hearing Wang Peian's words, he suddenly felt uncomfortable.

After going to the northwest, Wang Pei'an couldn't stop what he wanted to do, but it always added some inconvenience.

"This this……"

So at this moment, Zhu Jinghong didn't know what to say, which made Wang Pei'an who was standing there also very embarrassed.

"Okay, with my husband accompanying me, I can go to school with peace of mind and don't have to worry my father, the emperor, and my empress!"

In the end, Zhu Jinghong held back these high-sounding words. Not to mention Wang Pei'an, even he didn't believe it.

But this is the emperor's will. Zhu Jinghong must be cautious in this matter and cannot make trouble by saying more.

"Since you, sir, are going to join the army, you should take leave in the near future so that you can go back and spend time with your family. I heard the princess say that your wife often complains that you don't care about your family!"

Wang Pei'an was slightly stunned, and then he felt ashamed because he really didn't care enough about his family's affairs.

He failed to let his wife live a good life, his daughter was not fed and clothed well, and his old mother was not allowed to live a long life. Whether he was a husband, a father or a son, it seemed like he had failed.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I'll take my leave!"

At this moment, Wang Pei'an didn't defend himself. He just wanted to return to his family. He didn't know how long it would take before he could come back from the northwest. He only felt more and more indebted to his family.

Besides, in Tongxin Hall, after Baochai learned that Zhu Jinghong was back, she had no intention of making false concessions to Mrs. Wang. After all, she still had serious things to do at the moment.

So Baochai asked Yang Jingting to accompany him on the pretext of something happening at home, then left, went straight to Yin'an Hall to wait, and asked someone to invite Zhu Jinghong back.

Zhu Jinghong had only shot a few arrows here before he received Baochai's invitation.

Knowing that they had "important matters" to discuss, Zhu Jinghong could only put down his bow and arrow, and returned to Yin'an Palace with unfinished thoughts.

In the small study room of Yin'an Hall, Baochai was sitting in the guest seat drinking tea. When she saw Zhu Jinghong come in, she put down her tea cup.

"The prince is finally back!"

Sitting next to Baochai, Zhu Jinghong asked, "What's so important?"

After retreating to everyone in the room, Baochai handed the tea cup to Zhu Jinghong and said, "The prince of North Korea was taken away by the Jin Yiwei. Do you know about this?"

After taking a sip of hot tea, Zhu Jinghong replied: "What was taken from Henan Qianhu Office was handed over to Dongcheng Qianhu Office two days ago!"

Baochai continued: "Do you still remember that I have a handkerchief acquaintance named Cui Xiuqing!"

"Ok!"

"This person also wants to go to North Korea, and happened to be traveling with the North Korean envoy on the way north. Now the North Korean deputy envoy has asked her to do it. I hope you can try to rescue their prince!"

Looking at Baochai, Zhu Jinghong said slowly: "Do you know... this matter is very important, I can't hide now!"

"Of course I know, but the benefits are also great, so I came to ask for your advice!"

"Benefits? What benefits can it bring!" Zhu Jinghong didn't care.

"They are willing to give me a gold mine!"

(End of this chapter)