King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 708 Galloping Horse
On the second floor, the middle seat was originally reserved for the crown prince. Since he did not come today, Zhu Jinghong would sit there.

On his left and right were Zhu Jingqing, Prince of Le'an (the eighth), Zhu Jingshen, Prince of Ningyuan (the ninth), Zhu Jingtao, Prince of Huichang (the eleventh), Zhu Jinghao, Prince of Jinghai (the fifteenth), as well as Huang An, the consort of Princess Danyang, and Zhu Jingze, the crown prince of Zhongshun.

Zhu Xianming had a total of fifteen sons and three daughters, among whom the eldest, second, tenth and twelfth died early, and Prince Guangyang Zhu Jingrun was stripped of his title and imprisoned.

The sixth brother Zhu Jingyuan is in Jinling, the fifth brother Yunyang Prince Zhu Jingze and the seventh brother Xingshan Prince Zhu Jingzhi are unwell, and the fourth brother, the crown prince, has something else to do and cannot come, so these people are here today.

While his three brothers were sitting in front, Zhu Jinghong took the main seat, and no one at the scene thought there was anything wrong with it.

Firstly, Zhu Jinghong had a higher title, and secondly, his contributions were enormous, so he deserved to sit in the main seat.

"Your Highness, today's six teams are a gathering of heroes. It will surely be a grand event!" Prince Zhongshun said with a smile.

Beside him, Huang An, the imperial concubine's lieutenant, said, "That's right. We are lucky enough to see him, all thanks to the Fourteenth Master!"

"Who's calling me?"

The voice came from downstairs, and naturally came from Zhu Jingchun.

He took Zhu Yunsheng and his wife upstairs and happened to hear the gossip.

"Has Brother Thirteen arrived yet?"

As soon as he heard the voice, Zhu Jinghong knew it was Zhu Yunsheng, so he turned his head to look.

Although Zhu Yunsheng and others appeared, Zhu Jinghong's gaze was towards Xiangyun behind them. He couldn't help but sigh that this girl had become much more beautiful.

"Brother Thirteen, you didn't even say hello when you saw your sister!"

Zhu Yunsheng entered the attic, and everyone present stood up, including her half-brothers.

Zhu Jinghong replied casually: "I just met him a few days ago, what are you talking to me about?"

Zhu Yunsheng laughed and said, "Only you can say that!"

"Let's go...Xiangyun, let's go upstairs!"

After saying that, Zhu Yunsheng took Xiangyun away, while Liang Yi stayed on the second floor and greeted everyone.

After everyone took their seats, Zhu Jinghong asked, "Fourteenth brother, everyone is here, and the players are ready... Can we start?"

Zhu Jingchun is the convener, so it is appropriate to seek his opinion at this moment.

"Then start now?"

"As you wish!" Zhu Jinghong replied calmly.

So Zhu Jingchun ordered someone to pass the message, and soon the two teams came on the field. They first saluted to the attic, then mounted their horses and started hitting the ball.

They are all young people and they all want to show their faces at this crucial moment, so the competition was very intense from the beginning.

Although they couldn't play on the court, the men on the second floor were also excited by the lively atmosphere. They clapped and cheered, booed, and shook their heads.

The men's attention was all on the arena. Among the female guests on the third floor, only a few young princesses and county ladies were standing by the railings and staring at the arena.

The princesses, duke wives, and older princesses present were all chatting about trivial matters in their own homes, only glancing at the competition field from time to time.

There is no doubt that the prince's wife Baochai is also sitting in the main seat at this moment.

Sitting on her left was Zhu Yunsheng, and on her right was Princess Danyang Zhu Yunhan.

A little further away were the princesses and the daughters of the counties.

Baochai did not come alone today, Daiyu and Baoqin also came with her. When they met Xiangyun, they went to a corner to chat.

Previously, when they were in Kunning Palace, Daiyu and Xiangyun lived together day and night, and the relationship between them was very deep.

Although Baoqin was not very familiar with Xiangyun, she had met her several times in Prince Xiang's Mansion. In addition, they had similar personalities and ages, so they could chat with each other.

"What's wrong with you today? I always feel like you're acting weird!" Daiyu was extremely puzzled.

After these words were spoken, Xiangyun's expression became even stranger, but she couldn't explain what was going on. After all, what was going to happen today was too embarrassing.

"Sister Lin, how long have you lived in Prince Xiang's Mansion?" Xiangyun asked for some unknown reason.

"perhaps……"

Daiyu was about to say something, but when she thought about how she had indeed stayed there for too long and it would be difficult to say anything without any status, she held back her words.

"Are you missing me? Do you want me to accompany you?" Daiyu asked back.

"If you are willing, I would love it!" Xiangyun replied.

"I'm willing to do that, but I'm afraid Sister Bao won't let me go!"

As soon as Daiyu finished speaking, she heard Baoqin say, "It's not my sister who doesn't want to let her go, it's obviously my brother-in-law who can't bear to let her go!"

Daiyu and Xiangyun could hear the bitterness in her voice, so they both smiled.

Back at the table, Baochai was looking at the tea in her hand and listening to the conversation between the people around her.

"It's really true. They have been neighbors for decades, but they got angry over such a small matter and haven't had any contact for half a year!"

The speaker was Princess Danyang Zhu Yunhan. She was already in her thirties, but with proper maintenance she looked almost as good as a young girl.

Others echoed the words, but Baochai just listened and said nothing.

In fact, she doesn't talk much at most gatherings.

As the saying goes, too much talk leads to mistakes. At this moment, just listen and pay attention to the things that need attention.

Of course, to be able to do whatever you want, the key is to have a high enough status so that you don't have to flatter others.

In the world today, there is no other woman who needs her flattery and fawning except the Queen.

"Sister-in-law, I gave you rouge a few days ago. Have you tried it? How do you feel about it?"

Looking up slightly, Baochai replied, "I have been so busy these days that I haven't had time to use it yet!"

"But those hairpins are extremely exquisitely crafted and are truly treasures!"

Zhu Yunsheng was quite disappointed at first, but she felt relieved after hearing the last sentence, so she explained the origin of the jewelry.

After opening the topic, the two began chatting about random things and also led the topic of the conversation.

Soon everyone started chatting about makeup, and Baochai naturally left the conversation and returned to the state of talking less and listening more.

The women were talking very quietly, but downstairs there was a lot of noise, and the difference between the two was quite interesting.

There were a total of six teams on the scene. Only four games were played in the morning, and only the top three teams were eliminated. The first, second and third teams would have to play two more games in the afternoon.

After the morning competition was over, Zhu Jinghong couldn't just leave. He wanted to meet with the participating officers and children of nobles, and the location was naturally chosen to be the stadium.

Although the team was temporarily formed, most of the people present served in the military, and at this moment they stood neatly on the field in teams.

Zhu Jinghong appeared on the field with several half-brothers and princes-in-law.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Everyone bowed.

"No need to formality!" Zhu Jinghong stood in front of the team.

The seventy-odd people on the opposite side had burning eyes. Zhu Jinghong, who was standing in front, began to lecture calmly as if he was taking a leisurely stroll in the garden.

His speech was not very formal. Apart from pointing out the highlights of the previous game, he praised everyone for their good spirits.

While the lecture was going on, Baochai and other female relatives had already gone downstairs to the courtyard.

Walking in front, Baochai smiled calmly and said, "Xiangyun, you are the most active. I think you like riding horses and playing ball very much!"

"Sister-in-law is right. She came to visit me yesterday. When she heard there was a polo match today, she cried and begged me to bring her here!"

After saying this, Zhu Yunsheng half complained: "Who would have thought that when she came, she was so happy chatting with the Lin girls that she forgot about me!"

"Princess, how could I dare to forget you? You were busy talking to others, how dare I go up to disturb you!" Xiangyun hurriedly defended herself.

As they talked, they soon came to the inner house dining room, where the dishes were already prepared. They ate in the inner courtyard, while Zhu Jinghong and others were outside, and the separation between men and women was strictly maintained.

After lunch, we rested for about half an hour and then the afternoon competition started again.

The weather was not good and heavy snow fell from the sky, which added some intensity to the event and made the competition more exciting.

After another two hours, the competition officially ended. Surprisingly, the idle nobles won the first place.

Of course there are prizes for the first place, mainly some rewards, all of which are prepared by Zhu Jingchun.

After the awards were presented one by one, the atmosphere was extremely harmonious. After chatting with everyone for a while, each of them said goodbye and left.

Zhu Jinghong and his companions would not leave, because Zhu Jingchun had arranged a banquet in the evening, so they would probably return home tomorrow.

After everyone dispersed, they, at Zhu Jingchun's invitation, planned to go to the other courtyard to drink tea and chat.

As for Baochai and others, they did not come at all in the afternoon. Instead, they sat around the stove in the inner house, brewing tea and continuing to chat about gossip in the capital.

When they entered the courtyard through the side door, they were surprised to find Zhu Yunsheng waiting there.

"Third sister, why are you here?"

Without answering Zhu Jinghao's question, Zhu Yunsheng said directly: "I have something to say to Brother Thirteen, if you have nothing else to do, go back first!"

Everyone had to leave, including Liang Yi.

After everyone left, Zhu Jinghong asked, "Third sister, if you have anything to say, please say it quickly. We have something else to do later!"

"Brother Thirteen, I want to give you a treasure!"

"treasure?"

This statement easily aroused Zhu Jinghong's interest, so he asked, "What treasure is it?"

"beauty!"

"Oh?"

Zhu Jinghong stopped smiling, he was really not very happy just because his own sister had learned bad things and used these methods to corrupt him.

Realizing that the situation was going a little off track, Zhu Yunsheng quickly turned around and shouted to the north alley, "Xiangyun, why don't you come out quickly!"

When Zhu Jinghong heard that it was Xiangyun, his mind changed. He no longer wanted to pursue what had just happened. He followed Zhu Yunsheng's gaze and looked into the alley.

"If you don't come out, I'll tell Master Thirteen how you tossed and turned..."

Even if Xiangyun couldn't save face, she had to show up at this moment, and then stamped her feet and said, "Princess, stop talking nonsense and spreading rumors!"

Unexpectedly, Zhu Jinghong said, "I want to hear why she is tossing and turning!"

"Thirteenth brother, I was just joking. Actually, Xiangyun wants to learn polo, so I came to bother you!"

"You are the best horseman in the world today. It would be easy for you to be her teacher!"

"I am the prince of the dynasty. If you want me to be her teacher... you have to pay me extra money!"

The sudden three words almost made Zhu Yunsheng sprain her waist, and then she burst out laughing.

"You don't have to pay more. I'm giving you a beautiful woman for free. Isn't that enough?"

As he spoke, Zhu Yunsheng had already pulled Xiangyun and pushed her directly into Zhu Jinghong's arms.

Xiangyun instinctively wanted to resist, but her will was not very strong, so she half-heartedly leaned on Zhu Jinghong.

"Whatever, whatever, there's nothing else to do... It won't hurt to teach her a lesson!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yunsheng smiled and said, "Xiangyun, why don't you thank Master Thirteen!"

Xiangyun was so embarrassed about this matter that she couldn't say a word. She lowered her head and looked dull, which reminded Zhu Jinghong of Yingchun.

Speaking of Yingchun, Zhu Jinghong thought of her holy appearance in Taoist robes, which was really interesting.

Something is moving...

Xiangyun just noticed the change and was led out by Zhu Jinghong, which frightened her so much that she screamed "Ah".

After watching the two of them leave and disappear, Zhu Yunsheng turned around and walked to the other end of the alley.

When Zhu Yunsheng reached the first intersection and was about to turn, Liang Yi appeared in front of her.

"In order to please your Thirteenth Brother, you pushed your best friend to him. Your method is really despicable!" Liang Yi said with dissatisfaction. He saw what happened just now.

Zhu Yunsheng didn't care, tightened his cloak in front of him, and said slowly: "First, the girl is willing, and I didn't force her. I am just helping her!"

"Secondly, you are right. I am trying to please Thirteenth Brother, but I am also doing this for this family. What right do you have to say that to me?"

Liang Yi had previously exceeded his authority in Hunan, resulting in a great defeat and heavy casualties. Even though he was a royal consort, it would not be excessive to execute him according to the law.

Because of Zhu Yunsheng's plea, he was given a light punishment, but this has caused dissatisfaction among many people.

What Zhu Yunsheng is doing now is indeed fighting for the future of the couple, so Liang Yi has nothing to say at this moment.

"Let's go... I have to go accompany my sixth sister-in-law. You need to spend more time with your brothers. That will benefit you in the future!"

Liang Yi didn't say anything. He admitted that Zhu Yunsheng was very virtuous and respectful to him and his parents, but he just couldn't be happy.

On the other hand, Zhu Jinghong dismissed the eunuchs who were accompanying him and went to the stable to get a horse.

That’s right, a horse!

"Yun girl, come here...I'll carry you up!"

Carry me up? Xiangyun was shocked and became even more shy, her head almost touching her chest.

Zhu Jinghong did not delay and without waiting for Xiangyun to respond, he carried her horizontally and put her directly on the horse's back.

He has really grown up... Zhu Jinghong sighed in his heart.

Immediately afterwards, he also got on the horse and held Xiangyun in his arms.

Then he took the club from the saddle, handed it to Xiangyun and said, "I'll ride the horse and you hit the ball...how do you do that?"

Feeling the excessive intimacy in front of her, Xiangyun's face turned red as if she had been dyed. She took the club and nodded slightly.

"drive……"

Zhu Jinghong pulled the reins, and the horse immediately rushed forward with more force, pulling Xiangyun to the back, and the two of them got closer to each other.

The horses galloped and leaped wildly, causing Xiangyun to twist and turn in Zhu Jinghong's arms, and they kissed each other several times.

The most important thing is that when Zhu Jinghong was helping her, he also touched places where he shouldn't have reached...

After only a dozen minutes, Xiangyun had roughly adapted to the situation and started hitting the ball under Zhu Jinghong's guidance.

"Ah...slow down!"

The horse jumped so hard that Xiangyun was knocked off the pole again and almost fell off.

Fortunately, Zhu Jinghong acted quickly and pulled her back with one hand, but because he used too much force, Xiangyun leaned back again and was almost lying in his arms.

The two looked at each other, and the atmosphere was somewhat charming, even in the wind and snow, even though the horses were still running and shaking.

Looking at Xiangyun's rosy little face and her shy and evasive eyes, Zhu Jinghong bent down slightly.

Xiangyun unconsciously stretched out her hand, trying to push Zhu Jinghong away, but in an instant Zhu Jinghong lifted her up and their four lips stuck together.

At this moment, Xiangyun's brain froze. She slowly lowered her outstretched hand and finally tightly grasped Zhu Jinghong's sleeve.

The two of them embraced each other in the wind and snow, and followed the horse into the distance, where they could vaguely see a few houses.

(End of this chapter)