King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 579 The Crown Princess of Joseon

In the residence of the North Korean envoy, Li Xuan stood in front of the mirror, and the attendant arranged his crown and hat.

The country of North Korea is a county-king title, but the king of the country enjoys the treatment of a prince, so his prince can enjoy the treatment of a county-prince.

The prince of the county wears Yishan and wears a double-coated dragon robe. This is a very high treatment. At least in the whole north today, Zhu Jinghong has a higher title than Li Xuan.

After finishing the arrangement, it was time to set off, but Li Xuan was not at all happy, and his expression was full of heaviness.

After accompanying her husband out of the room, Jin Youyan said: "My lord, as the saying goes, when the soldiers come, the water will be blocked and the earth will cover it up. Once everything is over, you will understand... You really don't have to worry too much!"

"My beloved concubine...the safety of the country depends on tonight's banquet, how can I not worry!"

Although Li Xuan failed to see Zhu Jinghong, he learned the general movements of the Ming army. Reality had proved that North Korea was in danger, so how could he not be worried.

Knowing that persuasion was useless, Jin Youyan sent her husband outside the house, and then watched her husband leave.

After leaving the courtyard, Li Xuan got on the sedan chair and rushed towards the banquet venue accompanied by a group of attendant officials.

Time gradually passed, and when the Jurchen tribes arrived, the banquet was about to begin.

At this time, a large number of eunuchs appeared at the back of the venue, and music began to play on the left and right sides of the main seat. Everyone knew that Zhu Jinghong was coming.

"Yes, yes...it's indeed quite round!"

"Maybe the moon in the sky also knows that the Thirteenth Master is hosting a banquet tonight, so it lights up a little!"

Li Xuan has long been proficient in the ability to put a hat on Ye Hemingen. It is not easy to put a hat on Ye Hemingen now.

Under the guidance of the on-site etiquette officer, everyone at the banquet stood up and saluted Zhu Jinghong, who then motioned for everyone to take their seats.

While explaining himself, Ye Hemingen retreated to his position at the same time, feeling even more angry at Li Xuan.

Most of what they talked about was about the current situation. Li Xuan changed the topic as soon as he got close to these people.

A large number of eunuchs appeared at the scene and guided the officials to sit down.

"The moon is so full tonight..."

"What do you think?"

Li Xuan was not shy, he forcibly blended in with several officials, and tried every means to participate in their chats.

The four generals are the commanders of the Yanshan, Liaodong and Andong Xingdu Divisions, and the Liaodong Navy Admiral Zhao Chengwu.

Even as domineering as Ye Hemingen, he couldn't bear such accusation at this moment, so he angrily yelled: "You kid, you are talking nonsense... you are messing with my innocence!"

Hearing these words, Bao Qin, who was following the little eunuch, almost laughed out loud. She didn't expect that a big shot who was rarely seen in ordinary times would be as flattering as an ordinary person at this moment.

Li Xuan felt no joy in winning a game because his biggest difficulty had not yet appeared.

As for the two civilian officials, they were the chief envoy and the inspector-general of Liaodong.

This man was tall and tall. Although his expression was calm, he was so powerful that people dared not look directly at him... This was Li Xuan's first feeling about Zhu Jinghong.

I'm going to cut this bastard into pieces... Li Xuan clenched his fists.

Everyone talked and laughed, sent Zhu Jinghong to the main seat, and then everyone returned to their seats.

"I think so..."

In addition to Li Xuan, the senior civil and military officials who had arrived in Liaodong were already present and were gathering together in twos and threes to chat.

"Young Master Ye He, the banquet is about to begin, you'd better sit back down!"

Not to mention, Li Xuan's knowledge can be said to be profound, and he can't fall behind just talking about poems and songs.

"Look at you now, you are the only one running around and not following the rules... Do you despise the venue? Or do you despise His Highness Prince Xiang?"

Li Xuan noticed Zhu Jinghong at a glance. This was his first time meeting this legendary figure.

At this time, Li Xuan looked at the main seat, but it was still empty, and the King Xiang he wanted to meet still did not appear.

"Your Majesty...since he brought his wife here, why don't you see her today?"

After he left, talents from the Jurchen tribes set off one after another, so Li Xuan was the first person to arrive among the envoys from foreign vassals.

"Tonight the Mid-Autumn Festival moonlight is extremely beautiful, and it is better to enjoy it alone than to enjoy it together, so I called you all to enjoy the moon together!"

Because Li Xuan's title was high enough, he came to the position closest to Zhu Jinghong, with less than two feet between them.

He is five or six years younger than me, but he has already convinced everyone in civil and military affairs, and he behaves like a king. I am not as good as me...

The Zhu Jinghong he saw with his own eyes was even more perfect than Li Xuan imagined, which even made him jealous in his heart.

As for the main aisle, Zhu Jinghong just said something casually, and then he heard all the senior officials present saying even more useless flattery.

At this moment, Ye Hemingen had his hands on his hips and was looking down at Li Xuan with a hint of joking in his expression.

But Li Xuan also felt it. He wanted to talk about something practical, but these people just ignored him and didn't give him a chance to inquire about the information.

After a few breaths, accompanied by four generals and two civilian officials, Zhu Jinghong, wearing a four-cup dragon-yuan collar robe and a black gauze winged crown, slowly appeared in front of everyone.

Ye Hemingen was tall and tall, standing next to Li Xuan like a ferocious beast.

"Everyone...he is slandering, he is slandering me..."

Although he knew that Li Xuan was a fake, he spoke loudly, causing everyone at the scene to look over.

A rough voice pulled Li Xuan out of his thoughts. Looking back, he saw that it was Ye Hemingen whom he hated the most.

how about? If we go by our true thoughts, there must be some people who are not willing to come. After all, it is undoubtedly more appropriate to spend time with family during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"We are so honored by His Highness's kind words, how dare we..."

There were all human beings present, so there was no need for reaction time at all, and the flattery was handed over to her.

Li Xuan, who was the closest, also activated his strongest brain at this time and knelt down to lick Zhu Jinghong in the most straightforward way.

"It is Li Xuan's good fortune and North Korea's good fortune to be loved by His Highness!"

"Okay... there are so many rhetorics, just enjoy the moon!" Zhu Jinghong smiled calmly.

"The singing and dancing can begin!"

Zhu Jinghong's reaction was dull and he didn't even say a word to himself. This made Li Xuan feel more and more heavy, but he still had to show his happiness.

The singing and dancing began. Because they were arranged according to Zhu Jinghong's preferences, these modern performance-style programs really made everyone at the scene feel refreshed.

"Tea!"

Zhu Jinghong glanced to one side. Standing here was Bao Qin, who was pretending to be a little eunuch.

So Baoqin, carrying the teapot, carefully came to Zhu Jinghong, raised the teapot with both hands and added tea for him.

"If your sister finds out about it, you might not be able to eat anything good if you come to this place!"

However, just after Zhu Jinghong finished speaking, he heard Bao Qin say: "Brother-in-law, you didn't accompany my sister during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Instead, you stayed with these messy people. I'm afraid my sister will be unhappy as well!"

Although he was talked back to, Zhu Jinghong still smiled. He was indeed happy to talk to Bao Qin. After whispering, after Bao Qin stepped away, Zhu Jinghong raised his voice and shouted: "Li Xuan..."

Li Xuan was thinking worriedly when he suddenly heard Zhu Jinghong shouting, so he immediately stood up from his chair and faced Zhu Jinghong respectfully.

"Chen is here!"

"I sent people to North Korea to invite your father, but he didn't come... Could it be that he looks down on me?"

"Your Highness, my father is ill in bed and it is difficult to get up and go on the road. I hope Your Highness will understand!"

Just after Li Xuan finished speaking, Ye Hemingen interrupted: "Your Majesty...North Koreans are accustomed to sweet talk. Li Xuan and his eldest daughter and concubine are here, but now only one person comes to the banquet. What do you think he means?"

Having lost face just now because of being arranged by Li Xuan, Ye Hemingen came out and started talking nonsense just to disgust Li Xuan.

He was quick to talk and was even prepared to be scolded, but unexpectedly things turned out differently than he expected.

Zhu Jinghong asked, "Is your princess here too?"

"Exactly...exactly!" Li Xuan felt something was wrong.

Zhu Jinghong said with a smile: "The Mid-Autumn Festival night is the time for thousands of families to reunite. Since he is here... why don't you bring her here!"

Hearing what Zhu Jinghong said, Li Xuan was completely stunned. He didn't know how to answer at the moment.

If he doesn't speak, someone will naturally speak for him.

Just listen to Ye Hemingen say: "The Crown Prince...His Highness has given orders, what are you still doing? You should ask the Crown Princess to come with you!"

"This is His Highness's kind intention, you can't live up to it!"

In the past two days, Ye Hemingen had many exchanges with other Jurchen envoys. These people also knew that the Crown Princess of North Korea was beautiful, and they all wanted to meet her.

Now that Ye Heming'en had spoken, these people all followed suit, stirring up public opinion in the banquet hall.

Li Xuan knew that tonight was the Hongmen Banquet, but he did not expect that it would be opened in such a way, which made him feel deeply humiliated and unable to resist.

Normally, Zhu Jinghong should have stopped the crowd from making noises, but at this moment he didn't say a word.

And by not speaking, he indirectly expressed his attitude, which made the Jurchen people scream even more fiercely.

"What? Do you really despise His Highness?"

"North Koreans have always been cunning. I think they appear to be submissive, but in reality they are extremely ambitious..."

"Your Highness, North Korea has done this, and I am willing to send troops to teach them a lesson!"

Hearing these words, Li Xuan's shoulders felt like a big mountain was pressing down on him, making him not only unable to straighten his back, but even breathing became difficult.

Zhu Jinghong still didn't speak, but the smile on his face had disappeared, and now there was a cold look in his eyes.

North Korea has a "rebellious" heart, and tonight was meant to make him look bad as a reminder, so Zhu Jinghong will not speak for Li Xuan.

She was just a woman. For the sake of the country's stability, it didn't matter if she gave it up... Feeling extremely painful in her heart, Li Xuan forcibly brainwashed herself.

Only in this way can he accept it more easily and not suffer forever.

"Your Highness, I am humble and despicable... It is difficult to wait for the elegance of the hall. Therefore, I did not take her with me, for fear that she would bump into His Highness!"

At this time, Ye Hemingen sneered and said: "His Royal Highness, King Xiang, is fighting on the battlefield and is invincible. How could he be bumped into by a woman?"

Facing Zhu Jinghong's indifferent gaze, Li Xuan could only say: "Since His Highness does not dislike it, I will order someone to pick Zhuo Jing up for the banquet!"

At this point, the matter is done, but Zhu Jinghong did not express his position throughout the whole process, so on the surface, this matter has nothing to do with him.

After hearing Li Xuan's words, Ye Hemingen and others were immediately overjoyed. After all, tonight would be more fun.

The singing and dancing continued, and everyone toasted to Zhu Jinghong one after another. Li Xuan, who was in a very bad mood, had to force a smile and join the toasting team.

After three rounds of drinking, the atmosphere became more and more joyful. At this time, Bao Qin took the initiative and poured a cup of tea for Zhu Jinghong.

"Brother-in-law, you'd better drink less!" Baoqin advised.

So many people came one by one, Zhu Jinghong had already drank two bottles of wine, and Bao Qin was really worried that he was drunk.

"I'm fine!" Zhu Jinghong replied casually.

After a pause, Baoqin said again: "Brother-in-law... why did you let the North Korean Crown Princess come to the banquet? This is not a suitable place for her to come!"

Bao Qin saw all Li Xuan's embarrassment and pain, which made her somewhat sympathize with the Joseon prince.

Picking up the tea cup, Zhu Jinghong said: "I never said that I would ask him to call his wife!"

"If that's the case, then you should tell him not to ask the Crown Prince to come!" Bao Qin added.

"Girl...he is willing to call me here, what does it have to do with me?"

Seeing that Bao Qin was still talking, Zhu Jinghong continued: "Besides, some things are not as simple as you see. What I told you two days ago, you forgot so quickly?"

"Don't just take things at face value?" Bao Qinhu asked.

"Yes!"

After about a while, a eunuch came outside to report that the Princess of North Korea had arrived. Zhu Jinghong nodded for the first time and allowed her to enter.

Led by Ye Hemingen, all the honest people at the scene turned their attention to the south, which was the entrance to the venue.

Whether it was the Jurchen envoys or the civil and military officials of the Ming Dynasty, they all wanted to see the appearance of the Crown Princess of Joseon. After all, such an opportunity was really rare.

However, they were soon disappointed because Jin Youyan appeared in a veil.

Being looked at by so many men, Jin Youyan wanted to find a crack in the ground and crawl in. She always felt that she was unclean.

At this moment, she was extremely regretful. She should not have listened to the nonsense about coming to the banquet with the prince as a sign of submission, otherwise the situation before her would not have happened.

Jin Youyan wanted to kill him head-on, but she was afraid of angering Prince Xiang, who would not only harm the prince but also implicate her family.

Taking small steps, Jin Youyan came to Li Xuan's side, and the couple looked at each other with pain in their eyes.

"What does it mean to wear a veil to a banquet? Are you afraid that the prince will see you?" Ye Hemingen's voice sounded at the right time.

The clay figurine was also very angry. At this time, Li Xuan couldn't bear it anymore and immediately scolded: "Your Highness didn't even say anything, but you are jumping up and down to stir up trouble... What are you worried about?"

Ye Hemingen showed no fear, he said arrogantly: "I have fought with His Highness, I have killed enemies with Your Highness, and I only have one loyalty!"

What he said was a fact, an irrefutable fact, so Ye Hemingen was full of confidence.

"On the contrary, you...have evil thoughts and calculations, so what are you doing?" Ye Hemingen said in a stern tone.

"His Highness has your best interests at heart and wants you and your wife to reunite during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but your woman comes to the banquet with her face covered. Isn't this a slight to Your Highness?"

"People like you are the real evildoers and should be severely punished!"

When Ye Hemingen stood on the moral high ground and criticized Li Xuan, a clear female voice suddenly sounded at the scene: "The veil is to prevent wind. Now that it is time for the banquet, you should take it off..."

"General, please be patient. North Korea is so respectful to the Ming Dynasty, how can it neglect His Highness Prince Xiang!"

(End of this chapter)