King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 593 The Attacking Princess Xiang
October 19th, Luoyang, the capital of the gods.

As winter deepens, the weather becomes colder and colder, and the howling cold wind sweeps through the streets and alleys.

In a courtyard ten miles away from the south of the city, literati and refined scholars were gathering, and famous courtiers from the Qing Dynasty were invited to join in the fun.

"Large-scale" gatherings of officials in private are rare in the current Ming Dynasty, unless it is very necessary under special circumstances.

For example, right now, at the critical moment of "destroying Xiang", these backbones of impeachment have gathered together at this time.

Because the prince was blocking the way, the Donggong family had no choice but to follow and fought back and forth with the other officials in the court.

It's not that the East Palace is very strong, but most of the officials involved in the impeachment don't want to hurt the prince, so they can't show their strength.

To use an inappropriate word to describe this situation, it is called a rat trap.

When the first wave of impeachment turmoil broke out, the prince himself came out to appease the ministers, which made these officials who loved him very sad, thinking that he had betrayed his "morality" and was against the right path.

Later they found out that this was the result of the emperor's pressure, so they understood the prince's difficulties and regained their confidence and began to fight.

It's a pity that the emperor himself ignored the matter at all and only asked the prince to block the gun, leaving the courtiers unable to use their weapons.

However, after such a long tug of war, the courtiers were not without gains.

For example, Zhu Jinghong has been characterized as a model of arrogance, tyranny, disloyalty, filial piety, benevolence and unrighteousness, and his reputation has been completely trampled to the ground by them.

Now they are gathering together to discuss how to bypass the prince and impeach Zhu Jinghong directly to the emperor.

Since the resurgence of Emperor Zhu Shenzhuo, the imperial power has been strengthened unprecedentedly, which has overwhelmed civil and military officials. "Vicious incidents" such as series of impeachments have rarely occurred.

However, it rarely happens, but that doesn't mean it never happens.

For example, during the Zhengtong Dynasty, it had happened seven or eight times, and the last one was all related to Zhu Jinghong.

The Qing courtiers were playing and singing beautifully, and the scholar-bureaucrats were talking loudly. The atmosphere was particularly lively.

Most of these officials came from the Metropolitan Procuratorate and the Sixth Section, so they had the spare time to be the so-called mainstay.

The contents of their gatherings and discussions quickly reached the emperor's ears.

"Alas...it seems that I am still too kind!" Zhu Xianming couldn't help but sigh.

It is not easy for the prince to support himself to this point, and Zhu Xianming will not make it too difficult for him, so this time he will take the initiative.

"Go and ask for three bachelors!"

"Yes!"

"Call Li Qingxiang over again!"

After hearing the previous instructions, Cheng Ying knew that the emperor wanted his cabinet ministers to suppress him. As for calling Li Qingxiang, a fellow official from the Northern Division, over, it meant that the emperor was ready to send people to Zhao Prison.

Your Majesty is too partial to Prince Xiang... Cheng Ying came up with this idea.

As an outsider and someone close to the emperor, Cheng Ying saw all this clearly.

"Yes!"

Tomorrow is October 20th. As usual, the Chang Dynasty will be held. These people will attack at the Chang Dynasty. Zhu Xianming must be prepared in advance.

While the emperor was discussing with his cabinet ministers, Chen Zhi was welcoming an honored guest in Prince Rui's Mansion outside the imperial city.

The main entrance of the palace opened wide, and a sedan was carried in. It passed through several gates and arrived at Yin'an Gate.

In front of Yin'an Palace, Chen Zhi led the women from Prince Rui's Palace to wait. When the sedan landed in front of the palace, she took the initiative to greet it.

"Sister...it's rare for you to come here!"

Baochai got out of the sedan, with a bit of worry on his face, and said with a forced smile: "I have been in poor health these days, so I haven't been able to visit... I neglected my sister-in-law, so don't be angry!"

"What are you talking about? We are a family...you are making a fool of yourself by saying this!"

"Come on... I have prepared tea and am waiting to entertain you!"

Having said this, Chen Zhi took Baochai's hand and walked inside. As she walked, she introduced the concubines of Prince Rui's palace to Baochai.

Although they were both Zhu Jingyuan's women, these people were far inferior in status compared to Princess Chen Zhi. After bowing to Baochai, they retreated calmly.

Compared to Princess Xiang, the inner residence of Prince Rui's Mansion was much more lively, with more than a dozen people ranging from concubines to the princess.

After seeing it, everyone walked into the back garden of the palace. Everything was ready in a pavilion in the northeast corner.

After sitting down, Baochai sighed three times before Chen Zhi could speak.

Seeing this situation, Chen Zhi could only say: "Sister...are you worried about your thirteenth brother?"

"Now that the government and the Central Government are impeaching him more and more, how can I not be worried... He never thinks too much about what he does. Now that he has caused such a big disaster, how can I live?"

Seeing Baochai's performance, Chen Zhi couldn't help but sneer in her heart, secretly thinking that this girl can indeed act.

Chen Zhi also knew in her heart that this incident was indeed difficult for Prince Xiang's Mansion, but to say that a disaster was imminent was an exaggeration.

Even if the courtiers were successfully impeached, the emperor would probably treat him lightly. At most, Zhu Jinghong would be banned or fined, and it would be basically impossible to reduce his title.

You, Prince Xiang's Mansion, are now so powerful that you don't want to suffer any grievance. Do you also want to fight for the crown prince?
Chen Zhi looked at Baochai calmly. She was not sure whether Zhu Jinghong had this idea, but she dared to say that the smart girl in front of her not only had it, but also had the courage to seize the heir.

Maybe Lao Shisan was instigated by him, and he has done so many things in the past few years... Chen Zhiru thought.

Picking up the teacup and handing it to Baochai, Chen Zhi comforted her and said, "The thirteenth brother is deeply loved by his father, the emperor and his mother. How can those people harm him with just a few words of criticism? You are really worried too much!"

"Besides, no one is perfect without gold and gold. Who in this world can avoid making some mistakes? The thirteenth brother has also made great contributions to the country. It is unjustifiable to reject them all just because he made one mistake!"

What Chen Zhi said was all empty talk. Anyway, she was standing on the sidelines watching the excitement, and followed Zhu Jingyuan's wishes to remotely control the officials attached to the palace to add fuel to the incident.

Of course Baochai knew what this woman was thinking, and immediately said: "My sister-in-law also thinks this is unfair, but she is willing to consider her flesh and blood relatives and help her brother once!"

"Baochai... Of course I am willing to help, but I am too willing to help but not able to do so. Besides, Brother Liu Liu is not here either..."

"Sister-in-law, you and I are all close sisters. I will tell you some things directly...don't be offended!"

At this point, Chen Zhi knew that she had to deal with the next words carefully.

"It depends on what you said... There are things that we cannot say between sisters. If you have something to say, it doesn't hurt to say it!" Chen Zhi said generously.

"Sixth brother is praised by both the court and the public for his virtues. The followers of Prince Rui's Mansion are all over the court and the public. If you say that you are more than willing to help but not enough, it is really hard to convince my sister!"

What Baochai said had exceeded the dignity of conversation and directly made Chen Zhi put away the fake smile on her face.

"I know that my sister-in-law and my sixth brother are in trouble, but as a sister, I still have to put aside my shame and ask my sister-in-law to lend a helping hand... Old Thirteen and my sixth brother are, after all, brothers from the same mother!"

Morally kidnapping others is the most basic method for Baochai, and at this time, he used it on Chen Zhi.

"Having said that, if my sister-in-law still finds it difficult, sister-in-law, I will never force her to leave immediately...and I will not bother you again in the future!" At this point, Baochai put down the tea cup in his hand and was ready to leave.

Chen Zhi certainly hopes that Baochai will disappear immediately, but she also knows that she cannot let him go like this.

This girl is a smart person, she must have some agenda for her special trip, and she will definitely take revenge if she comes back after running into a wall.

Not to mention anything else, just the news that Prince Rui's residence refused to save him was enough to make them miserable.

Originally, they were not favored by the Queen. If Baochai were to arrange a few lines again, the losses to Prince Rui's Palace might be even greater.

Seeing Baochai's determined look, Chen Zhi knew that the other party had risked everything, and if he didn't help today, he would really become an enemy in the future.

If you can trample Prince Xiang's Mansion to death in one go, then it doesn't matter if you are an enemy. Unfortunately, it is impossible to do this.

"Baochai...you have already talked about this. As a sister-in-law, if I have even half of humanity, I will never stand idly by!"

"No matter how difficult it is, even if you become the target of public criticism, your sixth brother and I... will try our best to help the thirteenth brother!"

Passing the tea cup back to Baochai's hand again, Chen Zhi said: "The worst is possible, we will also be accused by the courtiers, and then we will be imprisoned or reduced in rank. You and I will both advance and retreat together!"

These are all just words. She didn't say a word about how to help Chen Zhi. She would never take action unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Sister-in-law, you don't need to help too much. If the chief historian of your palace can write a letter and say a few words to defend us, we will be grateful to you whether it succeeds or not!"

The report by the Palace Chief Historian was almost equivalent to Zhu Jingyuan's own statement. It was obviously a very formal and serious matter, but Baochai said it lightly.

Hearing these words, Chen Zhi felt extremely unhappy, but for a while she couldn't refuse directly.

"I have to plan this matter carefully, don't worry...it's unfortunate that the chief historian of the house has been ill for the past two days, and I don't know if he is qualified to do this!"

Chen Zhi finally made up these words, but Baochai didn't give her a chance at all, and immediately said: "Even if he is sick, just let someone else write it. He can only say a few fair words, no need to be too gorgeous!"

"Hmm... That makes sense. Come on... don't just talk, let's drink tea!" Chen Zhi said with a smile.

Next, the two of them continued to make excuses. Finally, under Baochai's pressure, Chen Zhi could only hold her nose and agree to help.

She had no choice but to establish a virtuous and benevolent memorial arch in Prince Rui's palace, and she had to suffer the moral kidnapping of Baochai.

The delay reached noon, and Baochai thanked Chen Zhi profusely at the luncheon, and finally decided to praise King Rui for caring for his brother.

This move made it impossible for Chen Zhi to keep a low profile and not be able to justify not really helping.

After the banquet, Baochai took a car back to the palace. On the way, she received new news and learned that something big would happen at the court meeting tomorrow.

"Is the house ready?" Baochai Yun Danfeng asked lightly.

"Replying to your Majesty, everything is ready... I also sent people to Jia's house in the morning. They will definitely arrive at noon!"

Regardless of whether he likes it or not, the East Palace has been standing up for the impeachment of Prince Xiang's Mansion, so Baochai has been very grateful to Yuanchun recently.

Under the theme of "Love the House and the Crow", in order to show her closeness to the Donggong family, Baochai sent a message to the Jia family yesterday, asking her family members to come to Prince Xiang's Mansion to appreciate the plum blossoms.

Of course, in addition to the Jia family, Baochai also invited some other noble ladies. In the afternoon, she had to show some strength to Prince Rui's house in public.

"What time is it now?"

"Two quarters past noon..."

"So, they should all be here!" Baochai said calmly.

I just stayed in Prince Rui's Mansion for a while longer, that's why I delayed until now.

In the palace of Prince Xiang, in the east side hall of Tongxin Hall, a group of ladies were chatting animatedly, but the two ladies of the Jia family, Wang Xing, seemed out of place.

As for the three people in Yingchun, they could only stand around, each of them thinking about something different.

In fact, Mrs. Wang was reluctant to come. Even though Princess Xiang was her niece, she always felt that she was very close to this girl.

Mrs. Wang had also heard about the recent court situation, and she was actually secretly happy when she learned that the courtiers were criticizing King Xiang in large numbers.

Unexpectedly, the prince's resistance to the officials made it difficult for the courtiers to criticize him, which greatly disappointed her.

"Madam, the palace's selection attendant is about to give birth. I had a very pleasant conversation with her before... I would like to take this opportunity to see her!" Tan Chun suggested.

Mrs. Wang nodded and replied: "That's fine...I'm waiting for the princess, so it's inconvenient to go...you greet her for us!"

"Madam... let me go too!" Yingchun said.

She didn't have much idea, she just thought it was boring here, so she wanted to go out and walk around.

Mrs. Wang replied: "You all go!"

Mrs. Xing, who was the housekeeper's wife throughout the whole process, didn't say a word, just because her identity was too different from Mrs. Wang.

The latter is the biological mother of the Crown Princess and the biological aunt of Princess Xiang, while Mrs. Xing is nothing.

When Tanchun and the others left the side hall, they asked the maid on duty to lead the way towards the garden where Yinglian was.

The three of them were frequent visitors to the palace, so the maid who led the way knew them, and they were chatting and laughing along the way.

Tanchun was thinking about how to talk to Yinglian, but Yingchun was in a state of missing people when he saw things, thinking about the person thousands of miles away.

After not seeing each other for nearly a year, Yingchun inevitably felt longing for her. When she suppressed this ridiculous thought, she realized that she had fallen in love with Prince Xiang.

On weekdays, she always avoids the difficulties in reality, but the love in her heart cannot be escaped, because it really exists, and she can feel it all the time.

"Thirteenth Master...when will you return to Beijing?" Yingchun said secretly in his heart.

In the past, she could use Taoist scriptures to calm her mood, but now these things have no effect at all, so she feels particularly depressed.

Fortunately, she looks dull on weekdays, so no one notices anything strange about her!
Yinglian lives in Lanyue Garden. She lives here with Zhen Qin. Now that the latter is gone, she lives alone.

Because she is pregnant with Zhu Jinghong's flesh and blood, the people who serve her in Lanyue Garden are all high-ranking wives. There are more than thirty maids and eunuchs.

On weekdays, the sisters from the palace came to see her, so that Yinglian would not be lonely and bored, but she was still particularly happy when she saw Tanchun and the others.

After inviting everyone to sit down, Yinglian asked about things outside, and eventually they talked about poetry and songs.

Previously, Yinglian became a disciple of Baochai, which was no joke. She really learned a lot, and she continued to improve herself, and now she is also very accomplished in poetry.

When we talked about topics that we were good at, the atmosphere was even more harmonious and joyful, and time went much faster in the process.

After a while, someone came outside to remind him that the princess had returned to the mansion.

Since Tanchun and the others were summoned, they naturally rushed to greet her, so they could only say goodbye to Yinglian and then leave.

(End of this chapter)