King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 532 Jia Sisters
Following Zhu Jinghong into the bamboo forest, Yingchun felt a little regretful when he saw that there was still no one inside.

As a person who would not refuse, she could only follow Zhu Jinghong and walk in, hoping that there would be no one next, otherwise it would be a big trouble if someone saw him.

Her worries were completely unnecessary, because with Deng An, a caring servant, there would be no one else in the bamboo forest unless the princess came to find her in person.

Entering the bamboo building, sure enough, tea sets and cakes were already placed inside, and the teapot on the small stove was already boiling.

"Girl, please sit down!"

"Your Majesty, please!"

Zhu Jinghong smiled and sat down first, and Yingchun also sat on the side.

Since there is no one else here, the task of making tea falls on Yingchun. As a lady, she is certainly good at these things.

Just as she was about to reach out and take the tea into the pot, she saw Zhu Jinghong lift the boiling kettle from the stove and add water to the teapot.

"Your Majesty, I'll do it!"

A group of bachelors came up with various methods, but most of them were frame-up methods, hoping to discredit Lin Ruhai or even kill him.

"Be careful, don't burn it!" Zhu Jinghong reminded carefully.

Although he is a prince, Zhu Jingyuan has always been very polite and courteous.

This was of course very disrespectful, but Zhu Jinghong was a prince, so although Yingchun was angry and resisted, he did not dare to show it at all.

Lin Ruhai is related by marriage to the Jia family, and the Jia family is related by marriage to the East Palace, so he can be regarded as a member of the prince.

Twenty-five of the top three in Bai Shouzhong were indeed very ordinary among Jinshi. Now he has been promoted to the fourth rank in more than ten years, among which Zhu Jingyuan helped a lot.

It was a pity that these plans were not on the table, and failing to hide them from the emperor would be asking for trouble, so they were all rejected by Zhu Jingyuan.

"Sir, please speak!"

"Ok!"

Unfortunately, this state did not last for a while before Zhu Jinghong began to reveal his true nature.

"Your Highness, I would like to see Bai Shouzhong!"

The two chatted like this, and Yingchun gradually calmed down, secretly thinking that this Thirteenth Master is indeed a gentleman.

"Later, thanks to His Highness's support, I was able to enter the Jixian Hall!"

But before he sat down for a while, there was a knock on the door outside the study.

Of course, to be obedient, you must pay attention to the key points, and the key point of this sentence is that Bai Shouzhong and Lin Ruhai are of the same age.

Feeling depressed, Zhu Jingyuan dismissed everyone and stayed alone in the study, frowning and thinking about how to deal with it.

"It would be nice to drink tea in your free time!"

"I was also a Jinshi in the 12th year of Taiping. At that time, Lin Ruhai entered the Hanlin Academy as a top prospect in high school, but I was only a top 25 student and was sent to Runing Prefecture in Henan Province to serve as the magistrate of Zhenyang County!"

When the two of them got tired of being together, an edict was sent to the Ministry of Personnel.

If he hadn't entered Jixian Hall, he might still be serving as the prefect, and he doesn't know how long it will take to return to the capital.

"How can I bother you to do these little things yourself!"

"you?"

But even if they are of the same age, do you want Lin Ruhai to betray the East Palace and come together with you just based on this little friendship?

After saluting Zhu Jingyuan, he heard Bai Shouzhong say: "Your Highness, I do have something to tell you!"

"Is there anything else, sir?"

At this time, Zhu Jingyuan was convening the bachelors in Jixian Hall to discuss countermeasures.

"OK then!"

"Come in!"

Why is he getting closer? Where are his eyes looking? Why did he touch my hand again? Why is his breathing so heavy?

Thinking of this, Zhu Jingyuan expressed his denial in his heart, but he remained modest on the outside and planned to listen to what Bai Shouzhong had to say.

In the end, Zhu Jinghong came close to Yingchun and even took the initiative to hold her hand and read her fortune teller.

So when Zhu Jingyuan heard the news, his mood suddenly hit rock bottom.

When Zhu Jinghong handed the teapot to Yingchun, he inadvertently made skin-to-skin contact with her, which made Yingchun instantly blush with embarrassment.

The content of the edict was very simple. Lin Ruhai was formally appointed to inspect the various shipping departments in the city and at the same time supervise the military affairs of Jinling Navy training.

"Is the girl very accomplished at drinking tea?"

In fact, Zhu Jingyuan did not need Bai Shouzhong to register. After all, this person was already an old minister under his command and was now one of the two bachelors of Jixian Hall.

"The sisters used this to pass the time in their free time, so I learned some!"

Zhu Jinghong would not go to Jinling for the time being, which originally made Zhu Jingyuan extremely happy, secretly thinking that there would be no one to restrain him if he went there, but he didn't know that the old man had played this trick again.

Bai Shouzhong is in his thirties and now has the rank of fourth-grade official. He is deeply trusted and relied upon by Zhu Jingyuan.

"Who?"

Therefore, the former emperor summoned Lin Ruhai alone, so the content of this appointment was not spread, so that it now surprised the courtiers.

"Lin Ruhai married a daughter of a noble family. She was very disgraced by officials at that time, which alienated the concubines of the same period, and some officials even accused her of misbehavior!"

That was all sixteen or seventeen years ago. Zhu Jingyuan was still a child at that time, so of course he didn't know about these things.

If these things really happened, Lin Ruhai would lose his reputation, and it stands to reason that he would not be able to stay in the Hanlin Academy. However, Zhu Jingyuan knew that he had stayed for four years, which seemed very abnormal.

Zhu Jingyuan was very calm and didn't ask a question at this time, so Bai Shouzhong continued: "At that time, I was watching the government at the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the material discussions in the court were very loud. Lin Ruhai planned to withdraw voluntarily to save his last face. Hanlin Academy!

"However, Prince Li admired him very much and suppressed the criticism against all odds. Lin Ruhai was saved and stayed at the Hanlin Academy as an editor for four years!"

Zhu Jingyuan could tell that Bai Shouzhong was still jealous of such a proud man as Lin Ruhai.

At this time, Zhu Jingyuan also woke up and understood what Bai Shouzhong wanted to do, so a smile appeared on his face.

"So, Lin Ruhai has been greatly favored by Prince Li!" Zhu Jingyuan said as he picked up the teacup.

Bai Shouzhong replied: "When this incident happened, His Majesty was in Annan to quell the rebellion. It took a year after the incident to return to the capital. Then he was framed by Prince Li and was reprimanded. I don't think he knew these things about Lin Ruhai!"

Although the emperor is very well-informed, because he is too well-informed, he will be faced with a massive amount of information, and he has no choice but to understand it selectively.

When he returned to Beijing, he was dismissed from his post and placed under house arrest. Zhu Xianming certainly had no intention of understanding the family affairs of a small Imperial Academy editor.

Later, it was already the second year of Zhengtong that Lin Ruhai was reused. At that time, he was appointed as the Bachelor of Zhongshu in the cabinet.

Although he roughly understood Bai Shouzhong's thoughts, Zhu Jingyuan still asked: "So, what do you think?"

"Lin Ruhai colluded with Prince Li, and he may have been involved in the conspiracy to frame His Majesty back then!"

"so what?"

"I think we can use this matter to threaten him. There is no need to make him favor us, as long as he is neutral!"

Rather than using this matter to make Lin Ruhai look bad, using it to threaten him is undoubtedly a better choice.

After all, if the matter of Prince Li is brought up again, the emperor will feel very resentful. It means that he has hurt the enemy by one thousand and hurt himself by eight hundred.

As long as he chooses to be neutral, or work without any effort, Zhu Jingyuan seems to be very likely to succeed. "It's just... who should be sent to explain the interests to him?"

"Your Highness, I am willing to go!"

Zhu Jingyuan smiled even more and said immediately: "I am so lucky to have you help me!"

"Your Highness's kindness in supporting you will never be forgotten. I am honored to be able to serve Your Highness now!" Bai Shouzhong said righteously.

The emphasis in his words was on the word "support". Of course Zhu Jingyuan understood it clearly, so he said: "If I remember correctly, the Zhejiang Chief Envoy An Jin took office a few days ago, and now the civil servants are in the process of election. Successor official!"

"It would be too unfair for a talented person like you to stay in Jixian Palace. You may want to consider sending him to Zhejiang!"

Being promoted to the third rank as the Chief Envoy of Zhejiang Province was already a high promotion for Bai Shouzhong, and of course he was willing to do so.

Not to mention that Zhejiang is a fertile vacancy, just the important task of entrusting the governor with the border is enough to make Bai Shouzhong yearn for it.

He was an ordinary Jinshi in the top three, and normally could not reach the position of Chief Envoy, so Zhu Jingyuan's proposal made him excited and gave him a stronger motivation for the future.

He is not yet forty now, and he has great potential in the next ten or twenty years. And if Zhu Jingyuan is promoted to sit on the throne, it is not impossible to join the cabinet and worship the prime minister.

Although there is a rule that non-Hanlin members cannot join the cabinet, the rules of the Ming Dynasty are all set by the emperor. Who can object to whoever he wants to join the cabinet?

"Your Highness's kindness, I shall swear to death in repayment!" Bai Shouzhong knelt down directly, and Zhu Jingyuan saluted.

Around Zhu Jingyuan, there were many speculators like Bai Shouzhong, and it was these people who supported the reputation of Prince Rui's Mansion.

Although there are many people who support the prince, his real die-hard supporters may not be as good as Zhu Jingyuan. After all, the latter is completely based on interests and has a strong personal attachment relationship.

"Sir, please wake up. Then... I'll have to trouble you about this matter, sir!"

Bai Shouzhong left the study, and the gloom in Zhu Jingyuan's heart had disappeared, so he looked forward to the outcome of this matter.

Besides, in the back garden of Prince Xiang's Mansion, Zhu Jinghong released Yingchun from his arms, just because Deng An came over to report that the meeting with the Jia family was about to end.

After shooing away Deng An, looking at the earthy Yingchun in front of him, Zhu Jinghong arranged his fine hair on the temples and said softly: "Don't be afraid!"

"Thirteenth Master, this is not good...if anyone finds out, I..."

It was really difficult to welcome the Spring Festival, so I mustered up the courage to express my objections at this time.

However, before she finished speaking, she heard Zhu Jinghong say: "Don't worry...no one will find out!"

Taking Yingchun into his arms again, Zhu Jinghong said: "Even if you are discovered, I can still protect you!"

Although she still felt worried, Zhu Jinghong said it all, and Yingchun could only nod in approval, although she didn't feel at ease in her heart.

"Remember... I'll come to the palace from time to time. After all, we still get along very well and we just happen to be able to relieve each other's boredom!"

In fact, Yingchun didn't want to come again, but after hearing Zhu Jinghong's words, she was immediately troubled.

"Ok?"

"Yeah!" Yingchun could only nod again.

"Okay, go back quickly. If they ask, they will say that they were wandering around the garden and accidentally forgot the time!"

"Yes!"

After being instructed by Zhu Jinghong, Yingchun was led away by Deng An, and she felt deeply anxious as she walked.

When she returned to Tongxin Hall, the two wives of King Xing were about to leave, so she took advantage of the opportunity and joined them.

After saluting and saying goodbye, everyone in the Jia family exited the Tongxin Hall, went to the outer courtyard, and headed east to the stables. Then everyone got in their cars and left.

Yingchun and Tanchun took a car. At this time, the two sisters were sitting on one side and thinking about completely different things.

Tanchun was recalling what Baochai said, analyzing his preferences and personality in detail, so as to adjust the way he speaks in the future.

As for welcoming the Spring Festival, we are in a state of great mental internal friction.

On the one hand, several "disrespectful" behaviors and Zhu Jinghong's threats made her panic, fearing that someone would discover this matter.

But on the other hand, she felt that Zhu Jinghong was someone who truly understood, cared, and loved her. The key was that he could really protect her, so she felt that this was good.

"Second sister? Second sister?"

Tanchun screamed several times before Yingchun was awakened from her melancholy thoughts, and then she looked at Tanchun.

"what happened?"

"Sister, I have an audience with the princess today, why did you stay away for a long time and not come back?" Tan Chun asked with hatred.

"I went out to get some fresh air and went to the back garden for a tour, but accidentally forgot the time!"

"Sister, don't you know how important it is to meet the princess? If you leave the meeting with such contempt, aren't you afraid that the princess will be dissatisfied?"

Tanchun was furious, but Yingchun said slowly: "The princess is generous, I won't blame you!"

What can I do? Prince Xiang wants me to drink tea with him. If I leave, won't I offend him... Yingchun muttered in her heart.

"Yes, the princess is very generous and won't blame you...but I'm afraid she won't have a good impression of you either!"

"Sister, in your prime years, why don't you think about yourself? If you can get the attention of the princess and recommend you to the noble houses, you can also find a good family!"

The people who come to Prince Xiang's Mansion to meet are all high-ranking wives. If the princess recommends ladies to these people, the possibility of success will be very high.

Thinking of the mess in the Jia family, Tanchun felt worried and said, "Sister, how can you not seize such a good opportunity?"

Yingchun was about to turn fifteen, and it was indeed time to get married, so Tanchun really cared about her, and that's why he put himself in her shoes and considered her like this.

Good sister, I no longer need this opportunity... Yingchun thought to herself.

After being touched and hugged by Zhu Jinghong, Yingchun decided in her heart that she would not marry anyone except Zhu Jinghong in this life, so she really felt that she was no longer needed.

Obviously, she has not realized the "seriousness" of the problem, and she has been appointed by Zhu Jinghong.

Seeing that Yingchun's expression remained unchanged, Tanchun was so anxious that she almost jumped, but she still held back her temper. After all, the person in front of her was the sister she wanted to respect.

"Second sister, please read less Taoist scriptures in the future and care more..."

Tanchun was like an old lady, nagging in Yingchun's ear, but she didn't know that her first words were rejected by Yingchun in her heart.

Prince Xiang likes to hear me lecture on the Tao Te Ching, saying it can make him feel at ease. If I stop reading these books in the future, how can I explain them to him...

When the two sisters were going in opposite directions, Mrs. Wang was talking to her niece in the carriage in front of her, and they were talking about the meeting today.

"Princess, regardless of past grudges, she really has a lot of food!" Mrs. Wang sighed sincerely.

Although she is Baochai's biological aunt, because of Jia Baoyu's incident, Mrs. Wang knew that she had no face with Baochai, so she felt a little scared when she came today.

However, Baochai was not embarrassed, which made Mrs. Wang relieved.

But even so, she felt extremely uncomfortable every time in front of her niece, so she would try her best not to come.

"Although there is a difference between up and down, blood is thicker than water after all. You are the princess's cousin, so you should spend more time with her in the future!"

She didn't want to come over, so Mrs. Wang thought of pushing Wang Xifeng out, so that she could sit back and relax.

"Yes!"

Wang Xifeng didn't object to the matter of having a relationship at all, and she agreed without even thinking about it.

(End of this chapter)