King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 691 The one wearing the dragon robe is Dad
"The Celestial Empire is a great country, a country of etiquette... This doesn't sound like something you would say!" Zhu Xianming smiled.

Zhu Xianming was also relieved that Zhu Jinghong was able to take these aspects into consideration instead of relying solely on force.

"I was frivolous and thoughtless in the past, so I was self-righteous!"

Nodding, Zhu Xianming then said: "The fact that you can think of these things shows that these years have not been wasted!"

But as soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Jinghong said, "But if you really want to do it, it's not impossible!"

"After all, the imperial court is in a difficult situation now. As a vassal state, Japan should make all possible contributions. This is how they can maintain their dignity!"

Zhu Xianming smiled even more and walked into the tea room further inside, saying slowly, "But what if they don't want to be respectful?"

Zhu Jinghong followed closely behind him, taking off his veil as he walked, and then said, "Then let's help him look decent!"

"How can we help him save face?" Zhu Xianming turned around and asked.

Zhu Jinghong remained calm and said slowly, "I have a plan that can help you resolve your doubts!"

Sitting on a couch, Zhu Xianming asked, "What do you mean by... forged claims?"

Holding his hat and leaning forward, Zhu Jinghong replied: "We can first..."

He was originally going back to the palace to report, and according to reason, he should have left after the routine audience. Zhu Jinghong did not expect that they would suddenly talk about such an important matter.

He and his son chatted for nearly half an hour. During the chat, they asked the eunuch to bring a map and simulated the possible war.

"If they don't appreciate the favor, don't blame us for being ruthless!"

After the meeting, Zhu Xianming expressed such emotion, and it sounded like he had no choice but to start the war.

"The Japanese shogunate had its hand in the Japanese pirates in Nanjing and the Korean turmoil. The Okamoto family is so vicious... It is only natural for the imperial court to punish them!"

"Yeah!" Zhu Xianming nodded.

"If a war breaks out, my son thinks that we can also call on the Jurchen wolf soldiers to fight. It would be best if they were the main force in the land battle!"

"This will firstly reduce the losses of the imperial court and its troops, secondly it will weaken the strength of the Nuzhen people, and thirdly..."

When Zhu Xianming heard the second benefit, he smiled happily and thought to himself that this boy had the same idea as him!

"Okay!" Zhu Xianming nodded.

"As for North Korea, just provide military rations!"

Listening to Zhu Jinghong's talk, Zhu Xianming smiled even more. This way of spreading the costs downward was really soothing.

"Nothing, go see your mother first!"

"Also, today the Crown Prince personally went out of the city to welcome you, but you went directly to the Emperor's Mausoleum to pay your respects. This ultimately neglected the Crown Prince. Don't forget to apologize to him today!"

"Yes!" Zhu Jinghong replied.

"Also, I've always told you to cultivate both the civil and military aspects. This time you come back, you should cultivate yourself and your character. There's no harm in reading more books!"

"At least...when someone scolds you, you know what they mean!"

"Son, I understand!" Zhu Jinghong became more respectful.

After hearing what the emperor said, he realized that his previous thoughts were wrong. It seemed that he should not be suppressed as before.

Although thinking this in his mind, Zhu Jinghong did not completely let down his guard. It was impossible for him to let down his guard towards others.

"Go!"

"Yes!"

"Go see your mother!" Zhu Xianming said in a deep voice.

"Yes!"

Zhu Jinghong left the Qianqing Palace, and before he had gone far, a group of guards who were off duty came up to him, most of whom were Zhu Jinghong's acquaintances.

After chatting with everyone for a few words, Zhu Jinghong waved everyone away and walked straight to Kunning Palace.

In Kunning Palace, when the Queen learned that Zhu Jinghong was coming, she went to greet him in person outside the hall.

As soon as Zhu Jinghong entered Kunning Palace, he saw a large number of palace maids and eunuchs lined up in the courtyard. Of course, the first person he noticed was the queen.

Looking at the empress's exhausted figure and the expectant and sad look on her face, Zhu Jinghong, who had been wandering outside for a long time, couldn't help feeling sad.

Zhu Jinghong ran forward in two steps, knelt down at the queen's knees, and kowtowed, saying, "Mother, the unfilial son is back!"

The queen's eyesight had deteriorated a lot. Only when Zhu Jinghong knelt in front of her did she lean over and take a closer look at her little son.

"I got tanned and thinner..." Yang Qingyin couldn't help crying.

The battles were dangerous, life at sea was hard... Yang Qingyin knew very well that her son had suffered a lot, which was why she was so distressed that she shed tears.

"Get up, get up!"

Zhu Jinghong stood up and helped the queen walk into the palace, while he was concerned about his old mother's health.

After entering the palace, the queen asked Zhu Jinghong to sit down and asked about what had happened over the past year. Zhu Jinghong then told her some interesting experiences.

As long as her son returned safely, Yang Qingyin felt relieved, so the conversation was relaxed and casual.

"Thirteen, who is the noble lady with magical powers?" Yang Qingyin suddenly asked.

Zhu Jinghong could have been talking nonstop, but after hearing this he could not help but become silent: "Ah... this..."

"I asked you to return to the rear to protect you, but you said such things in front of others. Aren't you afraid of making me feel heartbroken?"

Although the queen was not angry, Zhu Jinghong quickly stood up, knelt in front of the throne and kowtowed, saying: "In order to boost the morale of the army, my son said such rebellious words that day, which hurt my mother's heart... I really deserve to die!"

Signaling Zhu Jinghong to stand up, Yang Qingyin said with a smile: "Alright, alright... you don't have to do such a crime. Be more calm in the future, think more about yourself, and don't make me worry anymore!"

"Yes!"

"You are a precious girl, you must take good care of yourself so that you can share the worries of the court!"

"Yes!"

After staying in Kunning Palace for nearly half an hour, until the queen showed signs of fatigue, Zhu Jinghong took the initiative to say goodbye and leave.

After leaving Kunning Palace, he went towards Donghua Gate, and after leaving the palace, he went to the East Palace.

Over at the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince was indeed in a bad mood. There were too many reasons for this, and being stood up by Zhu Jinghong was just one of them.

Yuanchun entered the study and came to the prince's desk, where she saw the words "six" and "thirteen" written on the paper.

"I think it's time for the Sixth Brother to arrive in Nanjing!" Yuanchun said.

In order to make maritime trade work and coordinate various aspects, we need someone with sufficient status, and Zhu Jingyuan is indeed very suitable.

"According to the previous rules, the Thirteenth Master is returning to the capital today, and we all have to go to Kunning Palace. But this time, our mother has skipped the process..."

"It seems that the Queen Mother feels that you brothers can't get along well. It would be better not to go and save a lot of trouble..."

Yuanchun said so much, but the prince didn't say a word. At this moment, he was furious.

Sighing, Yuanchun said, "Your Highness, many things need to be prepared early!"

Hearing this, the prince finally paid attention and looked up at Yuanchun.

"This matter must be kept secret. If our father finds out, it will be a disaster rather than a blessing!"

The prince is weak in character, indecisive and lacks strategy. Even at this critical moment, he is still afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind, which makes Yuanchun feel ridiculous.

As for disappointment... Yuanchun has become numb because of so many disappointments.

"Recommending the sons of meritorious officials to enter the government is impeccable on the surface. Your Highness does not need to worry too much!"

"As for sending some eunuchs and soldiers to the palace to serve, there is no need for us to intervene personally. We just need to let the people below give a heads up!"

Yuanchun's eloquent talk made the prince feel much more at ease.

He used to rely on Gao Shuyan, then on Xu Xin'an, and now he is relying on his wife.

"Do you really want to go to the last step?" The prince still hesitated.

"Your Highness... this is the only way now!" Yuanchun said solemnly.

The prince sighed and silence fell between the two.

After a while, someone outside reported, "Your Highness, the Queen... Prince Xiang is here!"

The person who can guard outside at this time is their most trusted confidant.

"Got it. Please go to the front hall to serve tea!" Yuanchun replied.

"Yes!"

When he was about to tell the man to pass on the message, Yuanchun reminded him, "Your Highness, it would be good to go and see him!"

"I actually don't want to see him!" Zhu Jingyuan said with a gloomy face.

Zhu Jingyuan didn't want to see Zhu Jinghong because he himself had accomplished nothing and his younger brother was very powerful throughout the country. In comparison, his elder brother seemed too incompetent, so he did not want to see Zhu Jinghong.

Yuanchun reminded him, "Go and meet him. At least you should save face. Father and mother are watching us!"

At this time, Yuanchun felt like an old nanny, persuading the prince like coaxing a child.

After a few breaths, the prince got up and went to the front hall.

Here the two brothers were pretending to be nice, but at this moment in Prince Xiang's mansion, Baochai was sitting in the Tongxin Hall, with other women on her left and right.

At this time, in Baochai's arms, Zhu Muzhen, the eldest son of Prince Xiang, was constantly moving and pulling at his mother's clothes.

Zhu Muzhen was born in August of the 13th year of the Zhengtong reign. It is now May 20th of the 15th year, and he will be two years old in three months.

"Mom...eat..."

Looking at her son holding up an orange slice, Baochai smiled and said, "If mother doesn't eat it, Zhen'er will eat it!"

“Eat…eat!”

There was no choice but Baochai to give in. Zhu Muzhen then burst into laughter and turned and ran towards Keqing.

In front of Keqing was a cradle, and in it was his newborn daughter.

This girl was born in the first month of the fifteenth year of Zhengtong. She is now five months old and is sleeping soundly in the cradle.

Next to the cradle, a little girl was holding onto the fence, her hands making small movements constantly, as if she was trying to reach out and touch her little sister.

"Rou'er, stop touching me!"

The one who shouted was Yinglian, and the one who was taught a lesson by him was Zhu Xianrou, who is now one and a half years old.

But just as she called Zhu Xianrou away, Zhu Muzhen appeared beside the cradle with his head stretched out, and Keqing had no choice but to sit closer to the cradle.

"Zhen'er, don't move!" Baochai scolded.

Because of her brother's previous experience, Baochai is very strict with her son.

Zhu Muzhen immediately calmed down, then suddenly ran away, finally climbed over the threshold of the hall and went out to have fun.

Behind him, several eunuchs and palace maids immediately followed. They were carefully selected and were responsible for taking care of Zhu Muzhen.

Zhu Xianrou also wanted to go out, but she was a girl after all and was a little timid, so she stopped at the threshold.

"This child...is such a worry!" Baochai said helplessly.

At this time, Keqing said, "Just like the prince!"

Although her words were simple, Baochai felt very happy about them, so she looked at Keqing who was speaking.

"I think Jing'er is the best. She can save people a lot of worries!"

The Jing'er mentioned by Baochai is Keqing's daughter. Zhu Jinghong named her Zhu Xian through letters.

Quiet.

Also present at the scene were Zhen Qin, Qi Qige and Nuomin. The three of them felt disappointed at the moment, after all, they were the only ones whose stomachs were not moving.

Without children, you will be under tremendous pressure at the moment, and it is mostly pressure that you put on yourself.

"The prince is back!"

A shout from outside made several women in the hall look sideways. Everyone stood up and smiled.

"Let's go... follow me to welcome the prince back to the palace!"

Having not seen each other for over a year, Baochai missed him terribly. Her steps became much lighter and she went out first.

The crowd went through several gates and finally waited inside the Chengyun Gate.

Everyone was looking forward to seeing Zhu Jinghong's return.

"Where did Zhen'er go?" Baochai asked those around her.

One of the maids replied, "Your Majesty, the young prince has gone to the main gate, and Liu Jin and his men followed him!"

"Yes!" Baochai nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Outside the gate of Prince Xiang's mansion, Zhu Jinghong was escorted back by the guards. After getting off the sedan chair, he saw all the eunuchs of the mansion, big and small, waiting outside to greet him.

The ceremonial flags were flying at the scene, and when Zhu Jinghong appeared again, everyone knelt down to pay homage.

In the past, when Zhu Jinghong came back, noble ministers would come to greet him. But this time, Zhu Jinghong sent someone to greet them in advance and did not allow anyone to greet him.

He is now a big tree that attracts a lot of attention, so naturally he has to keep a low profile as much as possible.

Walking towards the palace gate, the eunuchs' chief stewards Deng An and Zhang Ping'an stood up and greeted Zhu Jinghong on the left and right.

As for Yu Hai, Zhu Jinghong left him in Jinling to help Yang Jingting deal with some things, and then he would return to Beijing with Yang Jingting.

"Your Highness, you are finally back. The ladies are waiting for you inside Chengyun Gate!" Deng An spoke first.

"How are the tasks you were assigned to do during my absence this year?"

Zhu Jinghong's question was purely nonsense. Deng An would write letters every month to report on the situation, and he was actually doing his job very well.

"I dare not forget the task assigned by the prince for even a moment, and I am keeping a close eye on the people and the matter..."

Deng An began to report the situation, while Zhang Pingan on the side was thinking about how he could get a word in.

As Zhu Jinghong walked up the steps to the palace gate, he saw a little child on the threshold, holding the door and staring at him.

This was of course Zhu Muzhen. The eunuchs and maids behind him were kneeling on the ground very respectfully.

"father……"

The father and son looked at each other. Zhu Jinghong was deeply touched when he heard the sudden call of "Dad".

Unconsciously smiling, Zhu Jinghong walked to the door, then leaned over and asked, "How do you know I'm your father?"

Hearing this, Deng An and others were very surprised, thinking that the prince should be happy at this time, why would he ask such a question.

"My Lord, little..."

Zhang Ping'an was about to say something nonsense, but Zhu Jinghong raised his hand to stop him.

Looking at the little man in front of him who was touching his head and seemed to be thinking, Zhu Jinghong's smile became brighter.

Just as he was thinking about not making things difficult for his son anymore, he heard Zhu Muzhen reply, "Mother said... the one wearing the dragon robe is father!"

Hearing this, Zhu Jinghong was stunned at first, and then burst into laughter.

Picking up the child, Zhu Jinghong held Zhu Muzhen's hand and said, "Boy...you are right, the one wearing the dragon robe is your father!"

At this moment, Zhu Jinghong was wearing a dragon robe that represented his status as a prince.

But what made Zhu Jinghong happy was certainly not just Zhu Muzhen's intelligence, but also the child's courage.

You have to know that although he is his biological father, he is also a "stranger" whom he hasn't seen for more than a year. This child is not afraid of strangers and can even talk back, showing courage beyond his peers.

(End of this chapter)