King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 675 Between Sisters
"betray?"

Jia Lian lowered his voice and said, "What betrayal? Are we born to be used by them?"

The "they" here, of course, refers to the Eastern Palace. Jia Lian never dared to call them that in the past.

"You're crazy..." Wang Xifeng covered her mouth, feeling extremely panicked.

"I'm not crazy, I'm very sober!" Jia Lian looked determined.

"You have always believed that our Jia family should be united and rely on the Crown Princess, but is this right in itself?"

"Isn't it right?" Wang Xifeng asked back. At this moment, she really felt that Jia Lian had lost his mind.

"If the Crown Prince has a solid foundation, then of course it's right!"

"Are you saying that the prince's foundation is unstable?"

After that, Wang Xifeng retorted: "The prince is benevolent and virtuous, and everyone in the court and the country praises him. How can his foundation not be stable?"

Because of their different environments, ways of thinking, and insights, people have different views on the political situation. There are many people who share Wang Xifeng's views, and it can even be said that they are the majority.

"That's why I always say that you have a woman's opinion. How useful is the so-called praise from the government and the public? Can it be harder than the handle of a knife?"

"Do you know how much respect the military has for His Royal Highness Prince Xiang?"

Wang Xifeng was still puzzled. With her simple ideas, she could not immediately think that the army could not only be used to resist foreign enemies, but also to seize power internally.

“You don’t understand!”

Sighing, Jia Lian continued, "Do you still remember Lu Yuxin?"

"I know. He asked you to drink with him many times in the past two years, and I even scolded him several times!" Wang Xifeng said indifferently.

"His father is just a mere assistant in Jinling Zhenjiang Guard, but he is very prestigious in the Dragon Guard. He is now a centurion... and even the thousand-householders above him have to treat him as an equal!"

The centurions and captains in the Dragon Guards can be said to be the future rising stars in the army. Wang Xifeng did not dare to underestimate these people, so when she learned that Lu Yuxin was so powerful, she became curious.

"This is strange. Do you know why?" Wang Xifeng asked.

"Why? It's because he has a close relationship with Master Thirteen. In order to protect Master Thirteen, he risked his life to break through the bandits and get help!"

Jia Lian was also in Jinling when the incident happened back then and knew a lot about it.

"So what you're saying is, as long as you rely on the Thirteenth Master, you can also rise to prominence!"

"What I want to say is, who in the army doesn't give face to the Thirteenth Master? That's why Lu Yuxin, who has such a background, can rise to the top so quickly and have such great face!"

Even Jia Lian often thought that if he had worked harder in his early years and played with Zhu Jinghong like Hou Jing and others, he would now be able to get a real position as a lieutenant general or commander in the Beijing camp.

The couple was silent for a while, and then Wang Xifeng said, "You are a member of the Jia family. If you insist on going your own way and betray your family...how will you cope with the future?"

"That has to be a plan for the future!" Jia Lian's eyes were filled with sadness. In his opinion, if the Jia family continued to live like this, they would probably be confiscated and exterminated in the future.

After all, their family almost died more than a decade ago, and before that they were still the powerful people in the military.

"Are you sure that the Eastern Palace cannot win?"

In a low voice, Jia Lian answered: "Lu Yuxin and Zhang Lin are willing to block the sword for the Thirteenth Master. Shi Chong and Hou Jing are the ones that the Thirteenth Master will attack wherever he points. Who is willing to die for the East Palace?"

Having been to the northwest front, Jia Lian really felt clearly how much those fierce and powerful troops respected Zhu Jinghong. The Crown Prince and Prince Xiang would choose the latter without hesitation.

The question raised by Jia Lian at this time was very sharp, but the answer was also very obvious, and Wang Xifeng knew it without having to be told.

"Think about it again. Even I, the eldest grandson of the eldest son of the Rongguo Mansion, have doubts about the Eastern Palace. How many of those praises from the court and the public that you are talking about are sincere? And how many people are willing to die for the Eastern Palace!"

Faced with these words, Wang Xifeng had no way to refute it, and at this time she had to admit that Jia Lian's choice might be right.

Seeing Wang Xifeng's thoughtful expression, Jia Lian continued, "It's been three days since the news was passed to the Crown Princess, and she still hasn't said anything. Maybe she has other thoughts in mind!"

"What are you talking about?"

Jia Lian thought that Yuanchun might make a fuss about this matter, but it was just a random guess and he didn't say anything more at this moment.

He never imagined that Yuanchun really intended to take advantage of this matter.

"What I mean is that you should report this matter quietly to Princess Xiang and ask her to make a decision on how to deal with it!"

"I go?" Wang Xifeng was shocked and then felt afraid.

"You are the daughter of the Wang family and the cousin of Prince Xiang. You two have a close relationship, so it's just right for you to go!"

In Jia Lian's opinion, it was a pity that the relationship between Wang Xifeng and Baochai had been neglected because of their family's stance.

Now, with Yingchun's support for Prince Xiang's Mansion, and his own wife having a good relationship with Prince Xiang's Mansion, his future can be said to be bright.

"This matter...needs to be discussed with the old lady!" Wang Xifeng was particularly cautious.

"Don't you understand who the old lady favors?" Jia Lian asked angrily.

"But……"

"No buts. If you don't listen to me, this will end today!"

"What's the end?"

Facing Wang Xifeng's questioning, Jia Lian replied: "Since husband and wife are separated, let's go our separate ways!"

Jia Lian's tone was calm but very firm, letting Wang Xifeng know that he was not joking.

After the couple was in a stalemate for a while, Wang Xifeng was finally persuaded.

In fact, it was not that she was persuaded, but that in this patriarchal era with strict ethical standards, she had no chance to choose at all.

If she couldn't persuade Jia Lian, then she could only choose to obey.

As the sun set, Baochai, who had been kneeling in the palace all day, dragged her tired body out of the palace and got on the carriage back home with the help of her maid.

Except for the ladies living in the palace (i.e. imperial concubines), no one else needed to stay in the palace at night, so Baochai could go back home to rest.

There were many people who came out with her, but the only ones who were qualified to walk ahead of her were the Crown Princess and Princess Rui.

Not to mention these two people, once they got on the carriage and lowered the curtain, Baochai no longer cared about her image and lay directly on the cushion inside, then asked Ying'er to take off her shoes.

"I'm so exhausted!"

Keeping vigil is indeed tiring. She is relatively lucky among everyone, at least she can take a break from time to time. But those concubines and clan wives are miserable, as they have to endure kneeling day after day.

But Baochai also knew that these people must have thought of various ways to make her kneel more comfortably.

The carriage slowly drove out of the imperial city and arrived at the palace in less than half an hour. She usually came back at this time.

After entering the mansion, she changed out of her mourning clothes and was about to drink some tea when Wen Xing came in to report that Wang Xifeng had arrived.

"Come here at this time?"

Although she was curious, Baochai didn't think much about it and asked the maid to bring the person in.

After a while, Wang Xifeng was brought into Tongxin Hall.

Looking at Baochai who was drinking tea with her head down in the main seat, Wang Xifeng took the initiative to bow and pay her respects as soon as she entered the room.

"Your Highness is here to see you, Princess!"

If it were in the past, Baochai would definitely be very polite. Even if she didn't go forward to help Wang Xifeng up, she would at least say a few polite words.

But she was really tired these two days, so she didn't have the mood to do so at all. She just casually said, "Get up."

"Sister Feng, you came here so late, is there something wrong?"

In fact, at this moment, Wang Xifeng was very nervous because her next action would be a betrayal of the Eastern Palace.

But the arrow had to be shot, and she could only explain the situation to Baochai according to the results of her discussion with Jia Lian.

"Princess, I do have something important to report!"

"Oh? Tell me about it..."

"Three days ago, at the mansion..."

Wang Xifeng began to explain the situation. When Baochai finished listening, she was extremely surprised.

"There is such a thing!" Although she was surprised, she was not too surprised. After all, she knew very well what kind of person Zhu Jinghong was.

Even a monk like Miaoyu could not escape, let alone the innocent girl who had been targeted by Zhu Jinghong.

In Baochai's view, this incident itself was not a big deal, but the possible incidents it might cause were worthy of her vigilance and deep thought.

From this point of view, she is essentially the same as Yuanchun, prioritizing interests rather than emotions.

Of course, this is not absolute. In fact, most people are no longer qualified to talk about feelings.

"Who else knows about this?" Baochai asked.

"Only my wife, my wife, the old lady, and Tanchun know about this!"

"Besides this, no one else knows?" Baochai asked again.

This is a shameful thing after all, so she must find out the scope of people who know about it so that she can think of a way to deal with it.

"There is also a maidservant beside Yingchun who knows about it and is currently serving her personally. Also..."

Wang Xifeng looked embarrassed when she heard the last four words, but Bao looked at her inquiringly.

"Three days ago, I reported this matter to the Crown Princess!"

This was reported to Yuanchun three days ago, which shocked Baochai.

Yuanchun learned of this scandal. If the other party were to cause trouble at this sensitive time, three days would be enough for her to arrange many things.

At this time, Baochai asked, "Since you have already reported it to the Crown Princess, why are you telling me now?"

This question was beyond Wang Xifeng's expectations, and she was unprepared and could only answer it herself.

Of course, it was impossible to say openly that he felt the Eastern Palace was unreliable and was trying to curry favor with Prince Xiang's Mansion.

"This matter involves the reputation of His Royal Highness Prince Xiang. I think we should inform the palace so that this matter can be concluded satisfactorily!"

After staring at Wang Xifeng for a few breaths, Baochai said, "I know about this matter. You can go back now... Don't tell anyone!"

"Yes!"

After Wang Xifeng bowed, she was about to leave when she suddenly turned back and said, "Princess, I have an...unwelcome request!"

"you say!"

"The Crown Princess has issued a strict order before, saying that this matter cannot be mentioned to anyone. I hope that Princess can cover it up for me!"

This sentence is the highlight, telling Baochai indirectly that she is taking risks by coming to report, and it is a favor to the Prince Xiang's Mansion.

"Don't worry!" Baochai replied with a smile.

Wang Xifeng retreated, and Baochai was the only one left in the hall.

After thinking for a while, Baochai ordered, "Call Deng An!"

"Yes!"

After a while, Deng An, the eunuch in charge of Prince Xiang's palace, appeared and knelt obediently in the hall.

Holding the teacup in one hand and the lid in the other, Baochai fiddled with the tea and asked slowly, "Has the Jia family in Rongguo Mansion made any moves recently?"

Deng An is in charge of all the spies in the palace. He should have been aware of the affairs of the Jia family, so Baochai came to question him.

"No abnormalities have been found yet, but the second daughter of the Jia family was sent out of the mansion these two days. It was said that she was going to pray for the emperor!"

Yingchun had a low sense of presence to begin with, and if Zhu Jinghong had not asked Deng An to take extra care of her, the Jia family would not have known that she was quietly sent away.

Staring at the tea, Baochai then asked, "Where was she sent to?"

"This...I...don't know!" Deng An looked terrified.

The next moment, there was a "pop" sound, and it was Baochai who slammed the teacup onto the table.

She rarely lost her composure like this, so Deng An knew that the princess was extremely angry, so he kowtowed and apologized immediately.

"Your servant will die a thousand times, please calm down, Madam!"

Butler Deng, who usually shows off his power inside and outside the palace, is now as frightened as a stray dog.

Looking at Deng An coldly, Baochai rebuked him, "Such a big thing happened to the Jia family, but you don't know anything. What's the point of keeping you in the palace?"

Deng An is the manager, and under him are several managers, and below them are the people who do the actual work.

So here, Baochai used the word "support you" instead of just talking about Deng An.

Baochai continued, "Letting you take care of these things is a sign of trust in you. If you can't manage them well... you'd better give up your position as soon as possible!"

These words made Deng An even more terrified. He had done dirty work and knew too many things he shouldn't know. If he gave up his position, he would only die.

"Your Highness, I know my crime... Please forgive me. I will investigate my subordinates when I return and will never let you down again!"

Although he knew he was in danger, Deng An was confident that the princess would not really replace him.

Firstly, it is difficult to find someone to take over his job for the time being. Secondly, if he really needed to be replaced, it would be the guards who would find him and kill him, rather than being called here and scolded.

"The slaves below need to be disciplined. First of all, you need to reflect on yourself!"

"Yes!"

"You don't have to investigate the Jia family's affairs anymore, but don't let such things happen again in the future. Otherwise, even if I can forgive you... the prince won't forgive you either!"

"Yes!"

"Go down!"

"Slave, please resign!"

After dealing with these matters, Baochai called a few female officials and asked them about the arrangements for the next two days. Then she washed up and went to bed.

The next morning, she had to get up and go to the palace to start a new day of vigil.

When they entered Ningshou Palace, Yuanchun had already arrived and was sitting in her seat. She had to kneel down when everyone was present.

Baochai was not far from Yuanchun, and at this moment she walked straight to Yuanchun.

"Fourth sister-in-law, you're here really early!"

"Sister, you're here early too!" Yuanchun replied.

Baochai sat down beside her and said, "Last night, I got some news!"

"What's the news?"

"It's related to Yingchun!"

"Oh?" Yuanchun turned her head and looked at Baochai beside her.

"The maid next to Yingchun said that our prince had a one-night stand with Yingchun, which caused Yingchun to get pregnant... Now she has been placed under house arrest in Rongguo Mansion!"

The "girl" that Baochai is talking about here is actually Siqi, but the latter did not come to inform the secret. She said this just to cover up for Wang Xifeng.

"This is a matter of great importance. I have ordered people to take Yingchun away this morning. She has now been properly placed in the other courtyard!"

Baochai got Yingchun's address from Wang Xifeng and sent someone to bring her before dawn. The person in charge of this matter was Lin Hongyu.

"There is such a thing!"

"Hasn't the Rongguo Mansion explained this to my sister-in-law?" Baochai asked.

Of course, he couldn't admit it at this time. After all, if he knew about it but didn't tell Prince Xiang's Mansion, it was obviously a sign of ill intention.

"I really don't know about this!" Yuanchun replied.

Baochai nodded and asked, "Sister-in-law, what do you think is the appropriate way to deal with this matter?"

Yuanchun didn't fall for it and asked, "Sister, what do you think is the appropriate way to deal with this?"

(End of this chapter)