King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 571 Village Living
Zhu Jinghong stared at Bao Qin, who was also looking at him at this time.

Is this His Royal Highness the Prince of Xiang? My brother-in-law? He looks quite handsome...

He is thinner than I expected, but taller than ordinary people. Can he really kill hundreds of people?
Why does he keep staring at me? It’s so embarrassing…

Thinking of this, Bao Qin lowered his head again and did not dare to cross his eyes with Zhu Jinghong.

This girl is eye-catching, it would be nice if she could stay with her... Zhu Jinghong came up with this idea.

My fair lady is a good gentleman, and Zhu Jinghong has always been calm, so he accepted his thoughts.

"Are you Baoqin?" Zhu Jinghong turned around with a warm smile.

"Yes!" Baoqin lowered his head even further.

"How old is this year?"

"Almost fifteen!"

"You can say whatever you want. For example, what did she like to play when she was a child?" Zhu Jinghong continued to dominate the topic.

Where can I go if I can't go to the house? Besides, there's nothing to talk about here. Brother-in-law's proposal is really difficult... Baoqin complained in his heart.

On the one hand, he wanted to be alone with Bao Qin, but on the other hand, it was for Zhen Qin's good, and knowing that the princess had too many things might not be beneficial to her.

Bao Qin quickly asked: "Your Majesty has never killed anyone, so...the rumor that you killed hundreds of people in the northwest is also false?"

"Ah~" Bao Qin was greatly disappointed.

"Of course it's fake!"

"I am three years younger than my sister, and I have been with her since I was a child!"

Following Zhu Jinghong, Bao Qin started talking about his childhood.

"Raise your head and say something back!"

Compared with the simple Bao Qin, Zhu Jinghong is a veteran in love. In less than a quarter of an hour, he made Bao Qin completely let down her guard.

Baoqin could only follow one step further and replied: "I know a few things, but I have forgotten many things!"

Baoqin asked, not because she was stupid, but because she didn't understand what the question meant.

So Baoqin raised her head again, but she still didn't dare to look at Zhu Jinghong, so she looked away.

Seeing her embarrassment, Zhu Jinghong smiled slightly.

Such people, whether intentional or not, are punishable by his actions.

Of course, this was not Zhu Jinghong's smile, but the sound made by Zhen Qin beside her. At this time, she really couldn't hold it back.

"The princess is overly praised. A common girl only knows a few words, so what kind of talent do she have?"

Stepping forward, Zhu Jinghong said: "Since we grew up together, you know everything about her when she was young. Would you like to tell me about it?"

"So, the prince really beat Jia Zhen to death?"

"Yes!"

He is a prince, and it is not impossible for the people below to please him and take credit for him...

Sensing that Bao Qin was in trouble, Zhu Jinghong took the initiative to ask: "Have you and Baochai grown up together since childhood?"

Bao Qin was really worried about Baochai being punished at this time, so he immediately stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, Princess, she did not lie, I... a common girl is quite talented!"

When Bao Qin asked this question, Zhu Jinghong realized that someone must be talking like this behind his back.

If this is the case, the invincible and powerful brother-in-law in my heart will no longer exist... Baoqin felt particularly uncomfortable.

So he had already thought about writing a letter to Baochai later and asked her to try to sort out the matter at Xue's house.

"So the princess lied to me, so I have to teach her a lesson when I go back!" Zhu Jinghong said solemnly.

"I'm here for the first time. You are the master of this mansion. Please take me for a walk and talk about the affairs of this mansion!" Zhu Jinghong extended the invitation.

Zhu Jinghong was asking about Baochai, and Baoqin also started asking Zhu Jinghong about some things, especially the rumors about him.

Of course, she also really felt Zhu Jinghong's easy-going attitude, so she felt much less nervous.

Zhu Jinghong saw all the changes in her expression, so he smiled and said: "They were all stabbed to death by me with a gun, not beheaded... so the rumors are false!"

"You have some talent and learning...hahaha..."

Although Zhu Jinghong was kind throughout the whole process, the sense of oppression caused by the huge gap in status still put Bao Qin in a state of high tension, so she spoke in a panic.

Zhen Qin was also very interested in these things and wanted to listen together, but was pushed away by Zhu Jinghong.

No one dared to ask about this old matter, let alone Zhu Jinghong directly.

Zhu Jinghong said without changing his expression: "He died of illness. How could a kind-hearted person like me beat someone to death?"

After stopping Zhen Qin's laughter with his eyes, Zhu Jinghong took two steps forward and said softly: "Don't be nervous, you are Baochai's good sister, we are a family... There is no prince here, only you. Brother-in-law!”

The business was done today. He originally wanted to listen to Zhang Xiaoyue singing, but now he met Bao Qin and changed his mind.

When the two were talking, Baoqin had already called herself "I" and was able to laugh when it was time to laugh. She was much more casual at this time.

"Yes!"

In order not to scare the girl, Zhu Jinghong still stood where he was and said slowly: "I often hear your sister mention that she has a younger sister who is both good-looking and talented. I want to talk about you!"

"Oh ah?"

At this time, Baoqin was beaming with joy, showing a clear sense of stupidity, which reminded Zhu Jinghong of some things in his previous life.

"So... the prince really killed... stabbed hundreds of people to death?"

"Absolutely...I haven't counted them, there are many anyway, no one has more than me!" Zhu Jinghong made his hands like playing an organ.

"Brother-in-law, you are so powerful... No wonder the world says you are a martial artist who descended to earth, and that you are the God of War of the Ming Dynasty!"

Regarding Zhu Jinghong's bravery, it was first discussed in the capital. After more than half a year of fermentation, everyone in the Ming Dynasty now knows about it. It is not unusual to hear such discussions in Liaodong.

"Now it's my turn to ask you, what are Baochai's hobbies when she's at home?"

"I do have hobbies...but I can't tell you!"

"If there's anything hard to say, just say it!" Zhu Jinghong said with a smile.

"Sister, she likes to read novels!"

"Novel? Read those novels?"

"Romance of the West Chamber, Peony Pavilion, and...Autumn in the Han Palace..."

These are basically romance novels, and it is normal for girls to like reading them, so Zhu Jinghong asked: "Have you read these too?"

"I didn't!" Baoqin hurriedly denied.

Zhu Jinghong smiled even more happily. Baoqin's appearance at this time said everything.

When the two of them were chatting happily, it was lunch time in a blink of an eye. Zhu Jinghong invited Bao Qin to have lunch, and he even said that he was taking care of his sister for the princess.

Even at the dinner table, the two of them were still talking. Zhu Jinghong, a modern soul with extraordinary thinking, knowledge, and experience, naturally made Bao Qin very eager to explore.

At this moment, she actually forgot that there were still a bunch of sisters waiting in the wing. Not only did these people fail to meet Zhu Jinghong, but they were now hungry.

It seemed that Yu Hai had not forgotten these people and led them out of the inner house. The Xue family came to greet them outside.

Regarding last night's incident, Yu Hai was about to go into the inner house to wait on him, but Xue Qi appeared in front of him at the right time.

"Mr. Yu, I wonder if my daughter is here now?" "My concubine is having lunch with the prince!" Yu Hai replied.

After learning about this, Xue Qi felt relieved, but at the same time he was a little sad.

After all, it is the apple of his eye. Now that he has contributed to the prosperity of his family, Xue Qi, who still has a conscience, will feel uncomfortable if he donates the treasure qin as an item.

His discomfort only lasted for a short while, and then disappeared without a trace. This situation can be called hypocritical.

At this time, Yu Hai said: "Mr. Xue, your good days are coming!"

Based on Yu Hai's knowledge, Bao Qin's appearance ranked among the top three among the ladies in the palace. In addition, she was the sister of the princess, so he concluded that she would be very popular.

As Zhu Jinghong's closest confidant eunuch, Yu Hai is well aware of many things, so he already knows the outcome of Bao Qin.

"Haha...thank you father-in-law for your kind words!" Xue Qi responded with courtesy.

Besides, in the inner house, lunch was closed at this time, and Zhu Jinghong was still chatting with Bao Qin.

"So... the ground beneath our feet is actually a plate?"

"It's not a plate, it's a ball!"

"ball?"

"Yes, it's a ball, a round ball!"

"How is this possible...Brother-in-law, you lied to me again!"

Because she was so familiar with him, Bao Qin actually started acting coquettishly at this time. Her youthful, lively and playful look really made Zhu Jinghong jealous.

"Then let me tell you one more thing!"

"What's the matter?" Baoqin came closer.

"Actually, we humans are all transformed from monkeys!" Zhu Jinghong said seriously.

"What...brother-in-law, why are you talking nonsense if you are drunk?" Bao Qin complained directly.

Outside the door, Zhen Qin, who was eavesdropping, felt aggrieved and secretly wondered why she was always treated roughly by Zhu Jinghong despite being closer to him.

Baoqin's sudden appearance really made Zhu Jinghong feel much better, and made him no longer feel so boring during the waiting time.

In the blink of an eye, another seven days passed, and on the first day of July, Chen Yuntai's report was finally delivered to the capital.

Nowadays, the prince supervises the country, but he can only handle domestic affairs. Such major matters involving "international relations" are still directly submitted to the emperor.

In the palace, after approving the memorial, the dignified emperor of the Ming Dynasty, wearing simple robes, was turning over the earth with a hoe.

In order to make it easier to work, Zhu Xianming tied the hem of his robe to his belt, which made him look a little more capable.

The land was not big, only half an acre at most, but it was not easy to cultivate, especially for the pampered emperor.

Outside the land, there was a pavilion. Dozens of palace maids and eunuchs were waiting outside with various objects, all with their heads lowered and not saying a word.

In the pavilion, there were two rocking chairs. Yang Qingyin was lying on one of the chairs, with a female officer fanning him next to him.

"I said...it's okay, come here and have a rest, be careful of heat stroke!" Yang Qingyin couldn't help shouting.

It is indeed easy to get heat stroke in summer, but the sun is not strong today, so it is not that hot.

After waving the hoe a few more times, Zhu Xianming stopped and walked towards the pavilion.

As he approached, a eunuch brought towels and other items, but Zhu Xianming waved them away.

After walking into the pavilion and sitting on a chair, Zhu Xianming took the sour plum soup from the palace maid and felt extremely comfortable after taking a sip.

"It's such a hot day, why don't you take a good rest? Why waste all this effort?" Yang Qingyin asked with great distress.

“Food is the most important thing for people, so why do we need a reason to farm?”

"Then what are you going to plant?"

"Not ready yet……"

"Haha!" Yang Qingyin smiled lightly.

She knew that the old man was doing it just for fun. After all, he had never played farming before.

"The eaves are low, the grass on the stream is green..." Zhu Xianming began to read.

"Wu Yin is so charming when you're drunk, but whose old lady is white-haired?" When he said the last sentence, Zhu Xianming looked at Yang Qingyin.

The two were married as husband and wife, sharing weal and woe throughout their lives, and walking hand in hand for more than thirty years.

"Whose old lady has gray hair... It seems you think I'm old!" Yang Qingyin said with a smile.

Zhu Xianming didn't answer this. He just said this casually, but it immediately gave him a new idea.

"Build me a thatched hut on the east side of the garden, dig a stream in front of the house, build a bridge over the stream leading to the ground, and then tear down the annoying pavilion and corridors!"

Zhu Xianming's instructions are equivalent to restoring the scene in the poem.

He is the emperor, and he is in the palace, so of course he can do whatever he wants.

"According to the order!"

Yang Qingyin also knew what Zhu Xianming was thinking, so she said, "Why do this!"

With a smile on his face, Zhu Xianming was as happy as a child. He just heard him say: "This place is pure, without the clutter of ministers, and without the trouble of filing documents. I want to do whatever I want, why not?"

Of course Yang Qingyin knew very well how tired Zhu Xianming was over the years.

After hearing what the emperor said this time, she didn't say much.

At this moment, a young eunuch entered the garden and handed a memorial to Cheng Ying.

Then, Cheng Ying presented it to Zhu Xianming.

"I just said that there is no need to write a document, and here it comes... It seems that there are some things that should not be said nonsense!"

Yang Qingyin then joked: "This is the path you chose. Just bear the pain honestly!"

Zhu Xianming laughed, took the report and read it, and then his smile gradually disappeared.

The content of the report was very long. Chen Yuntai introduced the affairs of North Korea in detail. Zhu Xianming became more and more angry as he read it. After a quarter of an hour, he put away the report with a sullen face.

Seeing this situation, Yang Qingyin couldn't help but ask: "What's going on? Something happened in the northwest?"

"The Li family has different intentions regarding North Korea!" Zhu Xianming said solemnly.

"I thought it was such a big deal. North Korea is just a small country. It's just a matter of beating it up if it has different intentions!" Yang Qingyin said casually.

"That's true, but these people have different intentions, which shows how wild they are!"

"In the past two years, North Korea has paid tribute to them. I have greatly exempted them. Their food and money have been halved repeatedly. They have no sense of gratitude. They are really abominable!"

Zhu Xianming's words sound questionable, but if you know that even after the court reduces money and food, North Korea still has to pay 30% of tax revenue, you won't think he is very merciful.

That's right, North Korea is the main source of financial support for Andong Xingdusi stationed in the outer northeast, and the rest is provided by the Jurchen tribes.

It can be said that the current Ming Dynasty's skills in scraping the oil and water of the outer vassal are really extraordinary.

This did reduce the financial pressure, but everything had pros and cons. For example, the northwest vassal states were beaten too hard, and then rebelled against the court in anger.

"Give the memorial to the prince, let him analyze it in detail, come up with countermeasures, and report back to me within two days!"

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)