King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 539 Brother-in-law
Xia Jingui acted very actively, but also carefully observed Sun Shaozu's reaction.

After he finished washing and changing clothes, Xia Jingui could basically tell from his demeanor and tone that the person in front of him had become someone he could handle again.

So what if I get promoted? I am in a relationship with the princess, and I am not going to suppress you for the rest of my life.

In fact, Xia Jingui was observing Sun Shaozu, and the latter was also sizing her up from beginning to end.

Could it be that this woman wants to control me again? Sun Shaozu was beating a drum in his heart.

He had known for a long time that the Xia family was going to get married to the Xue family, so he knew how much the woman in front of him could rely on.

Although Sun Shaozu was ruthless, he also knew how to weigh the pros and cons and how to win over his mother-in-law, so that he could better leverage the power of Prince Xiang's Palace.

A husband should be able to bend and stretch, and this was not the first time that he, Sun Shaozu, had done this kind of thing to a woman. He even washed Xia Jingui's feet when they got married.

Now that I have someone else to rely on, what does it mean to be a lowly person...

Thinking of this, Sun Shaozu smiled brightly again, walked behind Xia Jingui and pinched her shoulders.

"Oh?" Zhu Jinghong became interested again.

"It's really hard for Madam to take care of the housework in the capital these days!"

Hearing this old guy praising himself again, Zhu Jinghong didn't know what to say for a moment, so he just looked at the stage in front of him without speaking.

Because of his long-sleeved skills and good handling of things, he was well regarded both inside and outside the palace.

Zhu Xianrong's Zhongshun County Prince's Mansion has been passed down for two consecutive generations. Normally, he should be the general of Zhongguo.

Zhu Xianrong smiled and said: "It's just a small actor, it's not a big deal!"

With a smile on his face, Zhu Jinghong said: "Uncle Ninth, we are all here today. Whoever congratulates Old Fourteenth and Fifteen, you should praise them more!"

"There is a Qiguan who is a junior Dan in my house. He has always been good at serving the people in the house. I have seen him feeling uneasy in the past two days. I asked carefully and found out... Princess Xue's brother, Chief Xue Zhongyi, often invites him to the palace in the past two days. Let’s meet him at his house!”

These more than a thousand people are more than a thousand families, and it is not surprising that all kinds of weird things happen.

Nowadays, under the downgrading system, the number of people in the clan is very small compared to the previous Ming Dynasty, but the total number of people above the rank of lieutenant in Fengguo is almost a thousand.

There are six county princes and seventeen generals and above present today, but there is only one prince, Zhu Jinghong.

After drinking, Zhu Jinghong motioned for Zhu Jingchun and Zhu Xianrong to sit down, and then said to Zhu Xianrong on the side: "The princess is in charge of this matter, and I don't deserve their thanks!"

Time passed like this, and the banquet ended when the sun was about to set, and then Zhu Jinghong returned to the palace.

Besides, at Qingyang Palace, a group of sect kings and generals are gathering here.

Seeing that Sun Shaozu was so knowledgeable, Xia Jingui felt more and more proud, but his face remained calm: "I am out on the battlefield, serving the country, and earning my life. It is my turn to thank you!"

Listening to the compliment of the loyal and shun king Zhu Xianrong, Zhu Jinghong smiled and said: "Uncle Jiu, I just went to see the situation, don't praise me!"

Looking at Zhu Xianming, Zhu Jinghong said: "He is about to get married. How can he behave like this? Uncle Jiu, please don't let him go!"

Although he had the highest title, King Zhongshun was the elder, so Zhu Jinghong specially asked him to sit with him.

Baochai was personally responsible for the selection of concubines for these two people, so he made it possible for Zhu Jingchun and Zhu Jingchun to choose the girl they liked.

Now there are only two princes in the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Jingyuan has gone to Jinling. There is only one prince in the capital, Zhu Jinghong.

In fact, Zhu Jingchun and Zhu Jingchun were also very busy at this time, and all the brothers present were complimenting them, praising them to the sky.

The first thing he did when he arrived at the palace was to send someone to send a message to Xue Pan, asking him to come to the palace tomorrow.

Zhu Xianrong naturally liked Qiguan very much, but if Xue Pan really wanted to, he could cut her off to please Prince Xiang's Mansion.

From the perspective of the original Red Mansions, King Zhongshun appears as the villain, but in Zhu Jinghong's daily interactions, this uncle-like old man is quite amiable.

"If Mr. Xue really likes it, I can just be a favor and give Mr. Qi to him!"

An opera was being performed on the stage, while the clan kings were chatting below.

Thinking of this, Zhu Jinghong had to look at Uncle Wang again and was surprised that this man's vision was too tricky.

"Since His Highness doesn't allow it, then I'll give it up!"

"Fourteen, fifteen... you two should thank your thirteenth brother!"

"Princess Xiang is virtuous and benevolent. Her Highness chose her to be the princess that day. She is really discerning... We ordinary people can't compare with her!"

This may sound normal, but Zhu Xianrong was actually very unhappy, but it was because of Zhu Jinghong's face that he didn't get angry.

Zhu Xianrong was heard sighing: "They are lucky. If they marry the person they love, their life will be considered complete!"

While Zhu Xianrong was speaking, he kept looking at Zhu Jinghong's expression. When he saw Zhu Jinghong's frown, he knew that he should not be able to send his Qi Guan away.

"Hey...how can this be called an promotion? In today's Ming Dynasty, who doesn't know that you train soldiers well and use them like a god..."

Zhu Jingchun and Zhu Jingchun had already thanked him for this matter, but since Zhu Xianrong mentioned it again at this time, they raised their glasses and toasted to Zhu Jinghong again.

Feeling the cold reception, Zhu Xianrong quickly changed the subject: "Speaking of the princess, I thought of his brother. This boss Xue is also an interesting person!"

The couple complimented each other, and the atmosphere between them was particularly harmonious, but Xia Jingui was still vaguely proud.

Normally, his eldest son should attack the general of the country, but now that he is so close to me, does he want to burn my cold stove and then get a title?

The reason why he was granted the title was because he was a strong supporter of Zhu Xianming during the Donghuamen Incident, so he was granted the title.

"When Your Highness goes to Jinling, it will be like the story of the northwest, and he will build a strong army for our Ming Dynasty..."

After the conversation ended, the two of them changed the topic again, talking about some interesting things in the clan.

The reason why it was not handled today was because Zhu Jinghong wanted to explain it to Baochai first to prevent her from getting pregnant in a hurry.

What made Zhu Jinghong angry was not because Xue Pan was messing around outside or because he was hooking up with people from the Zhongshun Mansion, but because this guy didn't know how to behave properly.

A person who is getting married in a few days is still messing around and getting into trouble. Such a person is definitely not mature and stable. As an uncle, Zhu Jinghong is deeply disgusted.

Back in the inner house, Zhu Jinghong calmly told the matter. As expected, Baochai's face also looked ugly.

At this time, she was also extremely helpless, secretly thinking that her brother could no longer be called mud, but could be called shit.

"He must be punished severely tomorrow!" Baochai said solemnly.

Zhu Jinghong said calmly: "Let him kneel for an hour first, and then I will whip him a few times myself!"

After thinking about it, Baochai said: "When he gets married, I will personally support the Xia girl so that she can restrain her brother!"

"I hope it works!"

Zhu Jinghong no longer had any hope for Xue Pan. In his eyes, this guy was just a piece of shit.

Time soon came to the next day. Xue Pan arrived at Prince Xiang's Mansion early in the morning and was told by the eunuch to kneel down outside the Yimen.

Xue Pan was suddenly confused, so he thought back to his recent events, but he didn't understand where he was wrong, or whether it was because of many things he had done.

But regardless of whether he understood it or not, he had to kneel down and hand a piece of silver to the little eunuch who was delivering the message.

"Excuse me, father-in-law, please report this matter to the princess!"

After collecting the money, the young eunuch said with a smile: "Sir, the princess already knows about this and is having breakfast with the prince right now!"

"May I ask my father-in-law, what did I do wrong to make the prince angry?"

"My uncle, I don't know what I'm saying..." "Eunuch, think about it more carefully!" Xue Pan took out another ingot of silver.

After all, it is money and silk that moves people's hearts, so the young eunuch replied: "I really don't know. The prince came back from Qingyang Palace last night, and his face didn't look very good!"

"Prince Qingyang's Mansion..."

Based on this news alone, Xue Pan could not contact King Zhongshun at all, let alone think that he was related to Jiang Yuhan.

"Thank you for the reward, sir. I will take my leave now!"

After saying this, the young eunuch left happily, leaving Xue Pan alone in fear.

As soon as he knelt down, more than half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, until another person came outside Prince Xiang's Mansion.

The visitor was none other than Sun Shaozu. He didn't see Zhu Jinghong yesterday, but he came here specially today and brought some treasures he "obtained" from the northwest.

After being led into the Chengyun Gate by the eunuchs, Sun Shaozu was about to go to the side hall to wait for summons when he saw Xue Pan kneeling outside the main hall.

"Who is this……"

Sun Shaozu was very curious at this moment, what kind of person would kneel here and be worthy of kneeling here to apologize.

The young eunuch who led the way replied: "This is Uncle Xue!"

Although he guessed who it was in an instant, Sun Shaozu still asked: "That Uncle Xue?"

"That's the princess' brother, Uncle Xue from the Xue family in Jinling!"

After the answer in his heart was confirmed, Sun Shaozu became even more confused. Why is the princess's brother kneeling here?
Speaking of which, he and I are still brothers-in-law... Sun Shaozu thought.

"I'll ask!"

After greeting the young eunuch who was leading the way, Sun Shaozu came to Xue Pan's side and saw the man's uneasy look.

Due to excessive fear, which led to mental breakdown, until Sun Shaozu came close to him, Xue Pan forced himself over to look at this person.

Sun Shaozu was tall and tall, and his face was full of sharpness. He calmed down Xue Pan at the first sight.

"Brother Xue, this is Sun Shaozu!"

"Sun...Shaozu...sister...brother-in-law?"

After all, he will become the son-in-law of the Xia family, so Xue Pan also knows something about the Xia family, down to the name of this brother-in-law.

"Brother Xue, what is this?"

"I also……"

Just as Xue Pan was about to explain, another young eunuch came out, but he came to tell Xue Pan to go in immediately.

Xue Pan didn't dare to delay, so he immediately asked the young eunuch to help him up, and went inside with a trembling body.

After kneeling for such a long time, his knees actually hurt a lot, so walking seemed unnatural.

"Why are you so afraid?"

After muttering something in his mouth, Sun Shaozu realized after thinking about it, not to mention ordinary people like Xue Pan, but the commanders and generals who were rushing through the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and they were as frightened as Zhu Jinghong was offended.

Thinking of the jokes circulating in the army, Sun Shaozu smiled and whispered: "Xue Pan is not the nominal head of the Household Department, but now he enjoys the treatment of a real-power commander!"

After all, generals below the level of commander and staff general are not qualified to enter the commander's tent and be scolded.

Because Chengyun Hall and Yin'an Hall were far apart, Sun Shaozu did not hear Zhu Jinghong curse, but soon Xue Pan's screams attracted his attention again.

"Who's yelling?"

"I think it's Uncle Xue!" the eunuch on duty replied.

The eunuchs were all used to this kind of thing, so they answered very calmly.

Xue Pan was beaten? He was going to get married in two days, and he was being beaten at this time?
In an instant, Xue Pan's status in Sun Shaozu's heart plummeted.

So he took another ingot of silver and gave it to the young eunuch to drink tea, and then asked about Xue Pan again.

Under this question, Sun Shaozu was shocked. Only then did he realize that the princess's brother was nothing but shit in front of Zhu Jinghong.

In front of the Thirteenth Master, a person is either useful or useless. Useful people will naturally get promoted and make a fortune, while useless people are worthless even if they are close relatives.

In this case, just strive to be a useful person, and nepotism is of little use.

Thinking of this, Sun Shaozu's attitude changed, and he lost patience with his wife. He still felt that it was better to live as before.

Just as Sun Shaozu was thinking about this, he heard a snoring sound coming from outside, so he got up and went to the door of the side hall to check.

In the meantime, Xue Pan looked panicked, suppressing the pain and shouting in a low voice, and was helped out by two young eunuchs.

Seeing that it was difficult for him to even walk, Sun Shaozu not only doubted whether the marriage could be consummated in two days.

Sun Shaozu's idea was superfluous. He wanted to teach Xue Pan a lesson and Zhu Jinghong knew it well, so Xue Pan only suffered flesh wounds.

Sun Shaozu wanted to step forward to express some concern, but another eunuch came to him and informed him that Zhu Jinghong wanted to see him.

Sun Shaozu did not dare to delay, so he followed the young eunuch to the inner palace. Soon he was taken outside Yin'an Palace.

Of course he couldn't go in directly, he had to wait outside for communication.

A few breaths later, Yu Hai, the eunuch in charge of the palace, appeared at the door of the hall and said: "General Sun, the prince invites you to enter the palace!"

Sun Shaozu was promoted to the commander of the capital, and his rank was already the fourth rank, General Mingwei. Now he can be called "General Sun".

"Yes!"

Entering the Yin'an Hall, Sun Shaozu was led to the east side Nuan Pavilion, where he saw Zhu Jinghong sitting behind the desk in casual clothes, looking through the scrolls in front of him.

"My grandson Shaozu, please pay homage to the Thirteenth Master!"

Looking at Sun Shaozu who paid homage respectfully, Zhu Jinghong said with a smile: "No courtesy!"

"Thank you Thirteenth Master!"

After Sun Shaozu stood up, Zhu Jinghong asked: "General Sun, congratulations!"

"Thanks to the guidance of Thirteenth Master, Fang Youchen's encounter today, and the kindness of the prince... I will never forget it!"

At this point, Sun Shaozu was about to kneel down again, but Zhu Jinghong raised his hand to stop him.

"What kind of reinvention? Li Bai said that my talents will be useful. You have the ability... you have earned these by yourself, what does it have to do with me!"

"Your Majesty said so, I will be ashamed of myself!" Sun Shaozu looked ashamed.

Zhu Jinghong did support Sun Shaozu, so at least at this moment, the latter was indeed deeply grateful to him. This was an expression of true love.

However, Zhu Jinghong knew Sun Shaozu's nature, and although he was good at using such people, he would always be wary of him.

"Well, if you come here specifically this time, you won't just say these polite words to me!"

After saying this, Zhu Jinghong motioned to sit down next to him, and the latter sat down after repeatedly declining.

After the eunuch brought the tea and left, Sun Shaozu said: "Your Majesty, to be honest... everyone has been thinking of your kindness, and now they are all looking forward to your return!"

(End of this chapter)