King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 623 Why are these two people like this?
In a blink of an eye, another two days passed and the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month arrived.

The capital city was as lively as in previous years, with people from all over the world gathering here to pay homage to the emperor during the Lantern Festival.

The Lantern Festival is held at night, while during the day, polo teams from various vassal states are competing at the Royal Polo Field. There are two teams representing the Ming Dynasty, belonging to Prince Qingyang and Prince Jinghai respectively.

This brother was just playing around. The team was formed only half a month ago. He never thought that he would be entrusted with such an important task. In previous years, people were selected from the Dragon Guards and the Imperial City Guards.

Zhu Jinghong is also at the polo field, but he will not play today. After all, his status is different now.

He is not only a prince, but also the "God of War" of the Ming Dynasty. Taking part in such competitions would only lower his status.

Zhu Jingchun and Zhu Jinghao did not play either. They were afraid of being embarrassed if they did not score a goal. At this moment, they were very comfortable giving instructions in the stands.

"Can you two be quiet!" Zhu Jinghong said unhappily.

Zhu Jingchun and the other man laughed awkwardly a few times, then lowered their voices and continued their discussion.

Around them were more princes and generals from royal families, all of whom were seated on the left and right of the throne.

Further away are the civil and military nobles and officials, and below them are the envoys from various countries.

The atmosphere at the polo field was tense, and the Prince Xiang's Palace outside the imperial city was also very busy.

To be precise, the palace is very busy during the New Year period, and today the palace is also preparing for the festival.

"My Lady, now that the Princess is not here, you have to make all the decisions about the affairs of the mansion!"

In the back garden of the palace, Li Huizhen, who had tried to curry favor with Yang Jingting, was following Yang Jingting with an incense burner in her hand.

She meant to compliment Yang Jingting, but the latter became furious, turned around and slapped her in the face.

"How dare you... Who told you to talk nonsense?" Yang Jingting scolded.

The two of them were having a great chat just now, but suddenly she was slapped in the face. Li Huizhen was a little confused for a moment.

Instinctively, the girl knelt down and kowtowed obediently, saying, "My servant has spoken out of turn, please calm down, Madam!"

"If you dare to speak nonsense again, I will never let you off!" Yang Jingting stared at him coldly.

Even though there was no one around, Yang Jingting still looked around. Only when she saw that the nearest eunuchs and maids were ten feet away did she feel relieved.

After finally returning to the palace and gaining Baochai's basic trust, Yang Jingting did not want to cause any trouble.

She knew that the girl in front of her was trying to please her, but she still had to teach her a lesson.

At this point, the goal had been achieved, so Yang Jingting slowed down her tone and said, "Remember this... If you still want to keep your life, don't say these taboo words!"

"Yes... Thank you for your teachings, Your Majesty!" Li Huizhen quickly spoke up.

"You are a smart girl. You should be careful in what you say and do. This palace may look harmonious, but it is actually full of dangers..."

"Do you know how many maids have been strangled to death and how many eunuchs have been beaten to death in recent years?"

After hearing the last sentence, Li Huizhen finally felt fear. She found that she had indeed thought things were simple.

The princess is indeed kind, but she is also a high-ranking princess. What does it matter if she kills someone...

Thinking of this, Li Huizhen couldn't help but recall that when she was in Korea, her family had also beaten and killed a slave, and that person hadn't committed any serious crime!
I still took it for granted and thought that I was a human being in Korea, but now I am a slave in Ming Dynasty... Li Huizhen felt sad.

"I am stupid and ignorant. Thank you for your advice, Your Majesty!" Li Huizhen kowtowed again.

Since it was so dangerous in Prince Xiang's mansion, one had to hold on to this powerful person in front of him. Li Huizhen naturally behaved more attentively.

"Get up!"

"Yes!"

Continuing to walk forward, Yang Jingting continued: "You sisters, you must practice dance and music diligently, so that you can be used when the time comes!"

Knowing what Li Huizhen wanted, Yang Jingting used this to spur her on, in order to make these people more useful.

In Yang Jingting's view, the first priority is not to regain favor, but to give birth to a son first, so as to consolidate her position as a concubine.

If Yang Jingting wants to have a son, Zhu Jinghong has to come more often, and she has to use people like Li Huizhen to lure him.

"Yes!"

Pausing, Yang Jingting turned around and said, "Okay... let's go back!"

"Yes!"

After Li Huizhen left, the maid who had been following her from a distance came over.

This girl's name is Xiangying. She is Yang Jingting's personal maid. The two grew up together.

"My queen... this person is very cunning, we have to be on guard against her!"

Yang Jingting smiled and said, "Smart people are good... what's the use of stupid people!"

Xiangying continued, "Your Majesty...why don't you go to the palace as well? It's reasonable for you to visit the Empress today on Lantern Festival!"

"If I go...wouldn't I have conflicts with the princess again?
"That's all!"

Sighing, Yang Jingting continued, "Let's go... go see what they are doing!"

Lanyue Garden is the residence of the two selected concubines, and at this moment, the sound of lewd music can be heard from here.

In the east wing, Zhang Xiaoyue was singing softly while Yinglian was playing strings beside her.

As for Zhen Qin, although she was also listening quietly and thought that Zhang Xiaoyue sang very well, there was a look of disdain on her face.

"Wow...it's so lively, we are here today!"

Several people in the room looked towards the door and saw Keqing appear with Nuominqiqige, who had already stepped into the hall.

Because it was very cold today, the three of them were wearing cloaks and asked the maid to take them off after entering the room.

Keqing walked to the center of the room and said to Yinglian with a smile, "Don't stop... We are here just to join in the fun. If you stop, you will be chasing us away!"

"Sister, please take a seat!" Yinglian hurriedly stood up and greeted her.

At this time, Zhen Qin also stood up, looked at Nuomin and the others and said, "Why are you two here too?"

"This place is not yours alone. Yinglian didn't say anything. What's it to you if we come here?" Nuomin responded directly.

"Humph... you came here without being invited, and you dare to speak nonsense here. It's true that you don't know etiquette in this barbarian land!"

"you……"

Nuomin and the other two could not bear such a personal attack and immediately raised their hands to tear Zhen Qin apart.

Zhen Qin knew that the two of them would be furious, and she also knew that she was no match for them, so she retreated several steps after she finished speaking.

"I'll tear your mouth apart..." Qi Qige also pressed forward.

Zhen Qin was also very capable. She did not forget to add fuel to the fire at this time. She continued, "To commit treason and hit someone... You are indeed a barbarian!"

He originally brought people here to have fun, but things got a bit noisy and Keqing just felt a headache.

"Stop making noise, be quiet today as it's a festive occasion..." Keqing then stood up to stop them.

Yinglian, who was standing beside her, stepped forward and pulled Zhen Qin away, saying, "Sister Qin, please stop talking!"

"What's wrong with me telling the truth..." Zhen Qin refused to give in.

Nuomin said, "Sister Keqing, please get out of the way. I have to beat her up today. At worst, I can ask the princess for forgiveness and let her deal with me!"

"What happened? Why did they start fighting for no reason?"

Another voice was heard outside the house, which quieted down the noisy crowd. When they turned around, they saw it was Yang Jingting.

"Today is the Lantern Festival. Other families are all in harmony. If you guys make a scene at this time, won't you be laughed at if the news gets out?"

After all, Yang Jingting was a concubine, and her words carried weight because of her high status. At least the people at the scene stopped making a fuss, but there was still resentment in their expressions.

After entering the house, Yang Jingting said slowly: "Everyone please be quiet. The prince has already had enough trouble. If you really care about him, you should stop causing him trouble!" Keqing guided her to sit in the main seat. Yinglian took the teacup from the maid and handed it to Yang Jingting.

"Everyone sit down..." Yang Jingting waved her hand, signaling everyone to sit down.

Putting down the teacup, Yang Jingting looked at Zhang Xiaoyue, who was standing respectfully at this time.

"I heard that you were brought to the palace by the prince from Yanshan because of your beautiful singing voice. Today I have to experience it for myself!"

"Don't be nervous... just sing your song!"

With Yang Jingting's encouragement, Zhang Xiaoyue played the instrument again and sang along with the music again.

The occasion was more formal now, so Yinglian did not participate in it, but instead watched with everyone.

…………

The Kunning Palace was also very lively today, because all the ladies from both the inner and outer courts came to pay homage to the Queen.

There were hundreds of ladies of the third rank and above. After the audience, most of them left. Only the prince's wife and high-ranking ladies were allowed to stay. All of them were above the first rank.

For example, Mrs. Jia, the wife of Rongguo, was talking to the queen at that time.

Even for the Duke's wife, it was rare to have a direct conversation with the Queen, so Lady Jia was extremely cautious throughout the process.

Around her, in addition to several other wives of dukes and marquises, there were also the wives of three cabinet ministers, and of course a group of princes and princesses.

Baochai stayed in a position near the outside because the people who were around the Queen at that time were all older ladies, and they were reminiscing about the past together.

Around Baochai were Princess Xu of Qingyang, Princess Zhao of Jinghai, as well as Zhu Yunsheng and Xiangyun who were close to her.

The five of them were in a small circle, chatting about what they did during their daily lives, and they were having a lot of fun.

In comparison, the topics of conversation in the small circles of Crown Princess Yuanchun and Princess Rui were much more utilitarian, and they both enjoyed it.

"Sister-in-law, how is that matter going?" Zhu Yunsheng finally asked.

"What is it?" Baochai said with a smile.

Seeing Zhu Yunsheng's embarrassment, Qingyang Princess Xu said, "Sister-in-law, please stop teasing my third sister. She asked me this with great difficulty!"

Princess Zhao of Jinghai followed up and said, "That's right. If sister-in-law delays any longer, my third sister will probably get anxious!"

Baochai then smiled and said, "Your Thirteenth Brother is in charge. If you want to ask, you should ask him!"

"He still listens to you!" Zhu Yunsheng continued.

Pinching Zhu Yunsheng's pretty face, Baochai said, "Don't say that, or else your Thirteenth Brother will be upset and will force you to break up!"

Zhu Yunsheng quickly covered his mouth and replied, "Don't dare to say nonsense again!"

She actually didn't need a clear reply; she could roughly infer the result just from Baochai's tone and expression.

Zhu Yunsheng is not a love-brained person. Although she fell in love with Liang Yi at first sight, she still inquired about his character and made sure that he had no stain before pursuing him.

Now that things are about to be accomplished, she is of course very happy.

In this day and age, marrying someone you like is as difficult as ascending to heaven, even if you are a princess.

Zhu Yunsheng was lucky. The emperor and empress were both very open-minded, and they doted on her without restraint, or rather, spoiled her.

As time passed, the ladies of Kunning Palace gradually left, and in the end, the only ones left were members of the royal family and the concubines who came to visit.

Today they will have dinner in Kunning Palace, and then wait until dark to climb up Daming Gate to watch the lanterns. This has been the process over the years.

It was afternoon when a maid entered the East Hall of Kunning Palace, where Baochai was playing chess with Zhu Yunsheng.

Like Zhu Jinghong, Baochai has been extremely low-key recently, so she hid here with Zhu Yunsheng and did not stay in the main hall with Yuanchun and Chen Zhi.

The maid came to Baochai, whispered a few words in her ear, and then left on her own.

"Sister-in-law, what's the matter?"

Baochai smiled and said, "It's something about you!"

Xiangyun, who was watching the game, blurted out, "Is it the news about the Liang family?"

"What's the news?" Zhu Yunsheng asked immediately.

"Sheng'er, you have a good eye. That Liang family kid scored 15 goals in three matches today, the most goals scored today!"

"Because of his bravery, my father praised him on the spot, selected him as a member of the Dragon Guard, and also granted him..."

Baochai continued to talk, but Zhu Yunsheng was no longer listening. At this moment, she smiled and thought to herself that she had good taste.

"Princess...Princess?"

"what……"

Zhu Yunsheng shook off his wild thoughts and found that Baochai and Xiangyun were both staring at him, their eyes full of meaningful meaning.

This made Zhu Yunsheng extremely shy, and he quickly covered his face and said, "I... I have a stomachache!"

Then she stood up and ran away, making Baochai and Xiangyun laugh out loud.

"Girl Yun, she hasn't finished her move yet, come and play for her!"

It is gentlemanly of the game to watch chess in silence, but it is also uncomfortable to hold back something. Seeing that Zhu Yunsheng did not go to the right place, Xiangyun had long wanted to take action herself.

"it is good!"

Xiangyun agreed immediately and sat down opposite Baochai, picked up the chess piece and put it on the chessboard.

"Sister Bao, will the princess be okay?"

"Do you really think she has a stomachache?"

Xiangyun shook her head. She had been with Zhu Yunsheng for almost two years and knew exactly what kind of person he was.

"That girl is not in love..."

After You Ran finished speaking, Bao Chai's eyes flickered and she asked with a smile, "Yun girl, what about you?"

"What am I?"

"Which talented person are you thinking of?"

Xiangyun was stunned for a moment, and after thinking about it carefully, she was sure that Baochai had teased her.

Why are both of them like this... Thinking of how Zhu Jinghong teased her two days ago, Xiangyun looked at Baochai and questions arose in her heart.

"Girl Yun, I'm asking you a question... Why are you staring at me?" Baochai looked puzzled.

"Sister Bao...you and Master Thirteen are such a perfect match!"

Xiangyun's sudden remark surprised Baochai.

"Why are you saying this out of the blue? Do you have a fever?"

After saying this, she reached out to touch Xiangyun's forehead, but the latter dodged her.

Xiangyun pouted and said, "What I mean is that Sister Bao is as dishonest as Master Thirteen. How can you ask such questions to others?"

"Oh~ So that's how it is. In other words... your Thirteenth Master has already asked you this question?"

"Ah... this... is not happening!" Xiangyun quickly denied it.

"You have to be careful, he's a playboy, he might get entangled with you, and then you won't be able to escape!"

"what?"

Although she appeared panicked on the surface, Xiangyun was actually wondering whether she should run away if she was harassed.

(End of this chapter)