King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 544: A woman is pleased with herself
On the eighth day of March, at the east corner gate of Rongguo Mansion, a small sedan chair was carried in.

Sitting in the sedan is Jia Baoyu. This is the first time he has returned to Jia's house in person after half a year.

After all, he had been kicked out of the Jia family, so the process of returning home was particularly hidden, and he was actually carried directly to the inner house.

There was no other way. The old lady missed her grandson and it was understandable that she wanted to see him.

From returning to Rongguo Mansion to Jia Mu's courtyard, although the surrounding scenery is still familiar, it makes Jia Baoyu feel like a world away.

After getting off the sedan, Jia Baoyu was dressed like a young boy, but it was difficult to conceal his refined temperament.

After being led into the house, Jia Mu and Mrs. Wang took the initiative to greet them. The scene was heartbreaking.

After crying, Mrs. Jia first asked about Baoyu's current situation, and then asked about his food, clothing, housing and transportation. She was so thorough that Mrs. Wang had no chance to interrupt.

After talking for a while, Jia Baoyu looked around, and then asked: "Ancestor, why don't you see the sisters?"

"Could it be that...they have also abandoned me?"

Soon it was time to set off. Sanchun of the Jia family came to Wang Xifeng, followed her in a sedan chair out of the mansion, and then headed towards the palace.

After hearing this, Jia's mother was extremely dissatisfied with Mrs. Wang. The latter refused to open the pot and mentioned it even though she knew her son didn't like King Xiang.

Si Qi has been busy since the morning until now, and has not even had a drink of water. He has been tossed back and forth many times by Yingchun.

According to her character, she never cares about dressing up. Today, she was uncharacteristically because she wanted to say goodbye to Zhu Jinghong.

In the past, these words might have been Jia Baoyu's joke, but now they are his true thoughts.

"Today my grandchildren came home, but they didn't come to see me. Instead, they went to see an unrelated person. Could it be that they no longer regard me as a brother?"

She also knew that she had made a mistake, so she no longer said a word, and could only chime in from time to time.

"But I don't know what it is?" Jia Baoyu asked.

"What does their brother have to do with other people in person? He asked his sisters to send him off?"

Seeing him like this, Jia Mu then comforted her and said, "Don't worry too much. They are thinking of you. It's just the princess who calls you. How dare they neglect you!"

After much talking, Jia Baoyu slowly calmed down, and then continued talking to Jia Mu. As for Mrs. Wang, she had no chance to speak at all.

The eldest nephew in Zhu Jinghong's mouth is Zhu Muchun, the eldest son of the crown prince.

"Girl, this is great!"

She also didn't understand how the second girl, who was so carefree and indifferent to the world, paid so much attention to dressing up today. She had adjusted her jewelry, make-up, and clothes seven or eight times.

"Baoyu, don't talk nonsense. Do you think your life is too long?" Jia Mu asked with a cold face.

As the saying goes, a woman likes her appearance. Since she has Zhu Jinghong in her heart, she naturally wants to show her most beautiful self to him.

"Eldest nephew, don't you mean going to a banquet? Where are you taking me?"

Here Zhu Jinghong was separated from the women. They were led to the back garden, while Zhu Jinghong was taken to another place by the eunuch.

Even after reaching this point, Jia Baoyu still cares about these details, which shows that he has grown but not much.

When they rushed to the East Palace, Zhu Jinghong and his wife also changed into their robes, got on the carriage and rushed towards the East Palace.

"The hairpin here is a little higher, press it down..."

After saying that, Si Qi continued: "Second Mistress just sent someone to urge you, you can't delay any longer!"

After arriving at the East Palace safely, Zhu Jinghong led Baochai and others inside, and was led by the eunuch all the way to the inner chamber.

Although Si Qi was happy that the girl had become "lively", such continuous tossing also made Si Qi feel miserable.

At least according to Jia Mu, the reason why Yingchun and the others didn't show up was because they had no choice but to cling to them.

Jia Mu was about to answer, but Mrs. Wang spoke first and said: "Yesterday, there was a message from the East Palace that King Xiang was about to leave the capital, and the prince was going to hold a banquet to see him off. Everyone who is close to him can attend the banquet!"

"They have to do this for the sake of their family...don't accuse them unjustly!"

"I always feel that...the makeup doesn't match today's clothes. How about changing clothes?"

Because today is a gathering of two families, in addition to the two of them, Ke Qing and others will also be accompanying them, so the size of the convoy is much larger.

Those who went to the East Palace for the banquet today were the younger generation, headed by Wang Xifeng.

The forbidden area is heavily guarded, and between the tall palaces, there are dense patrols of soldiers, which extremely demonstrates the majesty of the heavenly family.

"It's so good that even the goddess in the sky can't match it!" Siqi replied.

"Are you really safe?" Yingchun still felt uneasy.

Mother Jia was afraid that he would have random thoughts, so she quickly explained: "Of course they want to come to see you, but they just have something to do and can't get away!"

On the other side, in Yingchun's room, she was dressing up carefully.

After saying this, Yingchun continued to fiddle with her headdress. Although Si Qi was puzzled, he continued to serve him wholeheartedly.

"You're talking nonsense again!"

Hearing this, Jia Baoyu's heart suddenly trembled, and then the anger he had gathered quickly disappeared, and his whole person became shrinking and decadent.

Of course, Yingchun didn't know this, because she couldn't believe that she was in love with Zhu Jinghong.

Since Yuanchun became the Crown Princess, she rarely invited her sisters into the palace, so after entering the palace gate, Sanchun and Wang Xifeng couldn't help but be curious and observed the situation outside through the gap in the curtain.

Because in her opinion, she and Zhu Jinghong were too far apart, and could even be said to be from two different worlds.

Although they are uncle and nephew, the two of them are almost the same age. Zhu Muchun will be fourteen in a few months.

"Father is in the Jiade Academy study room and wants to introduce a group of bachelors to Uncle Thirteenth!" Zhu Muchun replied.

"Introducing the bachelor? Those rotten scholars?"

When he heard this, Zhu Muchun felt uncomfortable because he respected those bachelors.

"Uncle Thirteen, all bachelors are honest and hard-working people. You can't slander them at will!"

Patting Zhu Muchun's shoulder "gently", Zhu Jinghong said with a smile: "A honest and hard-working man...have you seen it with your own eyes? Isn't it all just their boast?"

"Their talents are known to both the government and the public..."

"How old are you? How do you know the government and the public? Have you ever been out of the East Palace? Have you seen the world with your own eyes? Do you know what these people are like in private?"

"I……"

Miaoyu and Zhu Jinghong were both saying these words, but the effect on Zhu Muchun was completely different. He was half-convinced about the former, but not at all Zhu Muchun about the latter.

"Look...it's all what others said. You don't know how much water is in it!"

Zhu Muchun was speechless, but he was still dissatisfied and felt that Zhu Jinghong was being clever.

"Boy, as the saying goes, listening to both sides will lead to enlightenment, and listening to one side will lead to darkness... Not only do you have to remember these principles, you also have to think about them carefully!"

A person like you who doesn't study has taught me a lesson... Zhu Muchun felt more and more unhappy.

At his age, he is very competitive and it is normal to have such thoughts. "Hey...then which way to Jiadeyuan?"

He was not very familiar with the interior of the East Palace, so it would be difficult without someone to lead the way.

After catching up, Zhu Muchun said with a smile: "Uncle Thirteen, you said that my nephew doesn't understand anything, but you don't want to ask me now!"

"Forget it if you don't tell me... I'll go directly to the back garden for the banquet!"

Leading Zhu Jinghong to the academy was a task given to Zhu Muchun by the prince. If Zhu Jinghong didn't go, the latter would not be able to do the job.

"Uncle Thirteen, Uncle Thirteen...this way, this way..."

Seeing Zhu Jinghong walking around, Zhu Muchun became anxious, so he quickly ran in front of Zhu Jinghong.

After much talk, Zhu Jinghong reluctantly gave him face and followed him to Jiadeyuan.

Today is a farewell banquet. If not for the repeated persuasion of the bachelors, Zhu Jingyuan would definitely not have arranged this meeting.

The good brother farewell took on another meaning, which made Zhu Jingyuan feel very uncomfortable.

But he also knew that the reason why the scholars met Zhu Jinghong was because of the affairs in Jiangnan, so he could only choose to compromise.

Entering the study, Zhu Jinghong saw the prince sitting high, with three or four officials on the left and right below him.

Seeing Zhu Jinghong's arrival, all these people stood up and saluted, while Zhu Jinghong saluted the crown prince.

"Thirteenth brother, sit down and talk!" The prince looked modest.

The first seats to the left and right of the prince were all empty, obviously reserved for Zhu Jinghong and Zhu Muchun.

At this time, Zhu Muchun sat on the right side, so obviously the left side belonged to Zhu Jinghong.

Sitting on the chair casually, Zhu Jinghong said with a half-smile, "Fourth brother...didn't you say we were attending a banquet? Why does this sound like going to court?"

These words made Zhu Jingyuan very embarrassed, but he still explained: "Thirteenth brother, they have admired your name for a long time, and they just lamented that they could not talk to you, so they took this opportunity to see you!"

After Zhu Jingyuan said this, the task of meeting him this time was completed.

After he finished speaking, he heard Xu Xinan say: "Thirteenth Master... I heard from His Highness the Crown Prince that you are willing to support justice and save the virtuous gentry of Jinling. I am really grateful!"

"I had known that the Thirteenth Master had a warm and ancient way, but now I have seen it..."

Starting from Xu Xinan, these East Palace officials began to have high hats with Zhu Jinghong, and while praising him, they also gradually changed the subject of conversation.

In the end, the meaning became that if Zhu Jinghong did not go to Jinling in time and caused the gentry to be killed, he would be the sinner.

Zhu Jinghong was originally in a good mood, but after being kidnapped by these bastards' morality, he felt very angry.

With two "bang bang" sounds, Zhu Jinghong knocked on the table, causing everyone at the scene to finally quiet down.

"Everyone... don't just talk about Jinling. You promised to help me, but now there is not even the slightest movement!"

"What do you mean I won't go to Jinling? Although I didn't go to Jinling... I have done everything I should do!"

The deal with Donggong itself is a deal. These people insist on talking about feelings for you. Of course, Zhu Jinghong has to let them wake up.

"You are so active in promising the Lin family girl to your bastard, why did you promise to give me such a virtuous king... but you have done nothing!"

Zhu Jinghong's self-proclaimed "Wise King" was just praised by these people, and now everyone can only recognize it when it is cited.

Yes, it is definitely wrong for a good girl to be given to a bastard rather than to a well-known wise king.

Since it is wrong, it must be corrected.

At this point in the logical deduction, the bachelors of the East Palace were all in a dilemma, mainly because they had not thought of taking the initiative to operate.

In the opinion of the scholars of the East Palace, this matter will have to wait until a storm breaks out before they can stand up and settle the matter.

After all, it would be too unscrupulous for them to take the initiative to do this kind of thing. The reputation of Donggong and Qingliu should be maintained more.

Seeing that everyone was silent, Zhu Jinghong spoke again: "Everyone, everyone said that I would reciprocate my kindness... I have helped you a lot, so you should show something!"

"It's just a girl, it's not a big deal!"

Compared with the struggle in Jinling and even the overall situation of the East Palace, Lin Daiyu, the legitimate daughter of Qingliu, is really insignificant.

After another silence, Xu Xinan said: "Thirteenth Master, after all, this matter is not in accordance with the system..."

"If I wait for it to work now, I'm afraid Lin Ruhai will be resentful if he learns that if he falls to Prince Rui..."

They had hastily proposed a marriage before, with the idea of ​​using the East Palace to coerce Lin Ruhai, indirectly kidnapping Lin Ruhai with the moral principle of "getting closer to each other", and finally forcing her to submit.

Although this plan was shelved, the bachelors later learned more about the situation and realized that the proposed marriage was not possible at all.

Not only was the boy from the Jia family too useless, but Lin Ruhai was too protective of his daughter.

Fortunately for everyone in the East Palace, the matter was stopped because of Zhu Jinghong before it reached a wall.

Otherwise, they would not only offend Lin Ruhai, but also offend Zhu Jinghong to death.

"On Lin Ruhai's side, it's your turn to send someone to persuade. You and I have also thought about marriage. My fourth brother and I are brothers, so it's not a bad idea to get closer to the Lin family!"

Zhu Jinghong said it casually, but everyone present brightened up and realized that this might be a solution to the problem.

Just listen to Xu Xinan say: "Don't worry, Thirteenth Master, your ministers will understand and persuade Lin Ruhai to send her daughter to the palace!"

"I don't study well, so don't lie to me!" When he said this, Zhu Jinghong clenched his fists, and the "crackling" sound frightened everyone.

He threatened the officials in front of him with actual actions in order to make these people feel a sense of urgency and not just think about taking advantage of him.

The rest of the conversation was full of useless talk. Zhu Jinghong still gave in to them, and everyone looked good.

About half an hour later, the meeting officially ended.

After the officials left, Zhu Jinghong urged the prince to walk to the back garden, and Zhu Muchun naturally followed.

Let's talk about the banquet place in the back garden. Baochai and Yuanchun were sitting together on the balcony because they were basically equal in status.

Of course Zhu Yunsheng also has this qualification, but she is a person who can't sit still, so she doesn't want to stay with the "elders".

After the two sisters chatted, Baochai suddenly asked: "By the way, why don't you see Master Miaoyu?"

During Zhu Jinghong's previous trip to the northwest, Miaoyu went to Prince Xiang's Mansion to meet Baochai several times, and the two became barely friends.

Yuanchun explained with a smile: "She said she was going to Yanshan half a month ago, as if she was attending some kind of Dharma conference!"

The so-called Yanshan is actually the land of dark clouds. It was renamed Yanshan during the reign of Emperor Taizong.

"Yanshan Mountain is thousands of miles away, and she went very far this time!" Baochai sighed with emotion, and then didn't ask any more questions.

Yuanchun nodded, and when she was about to speak, she heard someone shouting "The prince is here", so she glanced at the source of the sound.

At this moment, on the garden terrace, the warblers and swallows also stopped playing and came to the railing to look at Zhu Jinghong and the others who were approaching.

(End of this chapter)