King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 713 Lin girl, it’s time to take a rest!

Zhu Muzhen was taken back and then punished with a ruler by Baochai. His crying could be heard in Tongxin Hall.

While the child was being taught a lesson, Daiyu finished her conversation with Lin Yao on the other side, letting the latter know what to do next.

To put it simply, Daiyu will go home with Lin Yao today, and five days later, which is on the 18th day of the twelfth lunar month, Daiyu will be officially married to Prince Xiang's Mansion.

This means that Lin Yao will get to meet Zhu Jinghong today.

Since the Lin and Xue families came to the palace together, Xue Pan couldn't leave unless Lin Yao left, although he was urging Xia Yuegui to leave in the outer hall at the moment.

At this time, Zhu Jinghong had already finished checking the military equipment situation.

Before, he was 70% sure, which was a relatively optimistic idea, but now he is at least 70% sure.

The key to the problem lies in a not-so-significant breakthrough, namely, the technology of integrated charging has been mastered.

It is not quite accurate to say that it has been conquered. After Zhu Jinghong proposed this matter a few years ago, craftsmen have been verifying the technology and constantly improving the production process.

By now, it is basically possible to produce and store weapons, which will shorten the soldiers' reloading time.

In this era of line infantry, the faster the reload speed, the greater the output.

Zhu Jinghong then immediately went to the palace to ask for permission, ordering the Ministry of Works and the Armory Bureau to work at full capacity and strive to produce one million rounds by the end of the first month of the year.

The elite troops fighting on the front line actually only numbered about 100,000, and on average each person could only fire ten rounds.

It may not sound like a lot, but firing ten rounds in one battle is not an easy task.

These one million rounds are only the first batch of new ammunition. The old ammunition produced before can still be used, and there will definitely be sufficient ammunition on the front line by February next year.

The efforts that Zhu Jinghong took on the initiative to promote were unprecedented in the Ming Dynasty. He requested the emperor's order in the afternoon of that day, and workshops everywhere began to work at night.

He said the production goal was one million, and the emperor directly added 300,000, requiring the Ministry of Works and the Armory Bureau to complete it within the first month of the year.

At this time, Zhu Jinghong left the palace, and he was already thirsty.

It was not because he was reporting to the emperor, but because he "accidentally met" many people along the way from the Qianqing Palace to the Donghua Gate, and it was really a waste of time to greet these people.

These people are generals of the younger generation, and among them are many of Zhu Jinghong’s die-hard fans, such as Zhou Shoujun.

Their purpose was simple, they wanted to go to the northwest with Zhu Jinghong to earn military merits to help their future.

By now, the deployment of the troops has been basically completed, and it is no longer appropriate to let these people go to the northwest.

Therefore, Zhu Jinghong rejected all the requests from these people and asked them to perform their duties and do their jobs well in their own positions.

After sending these people away, Zhu Jinghong returned to the carriage and rushed to the palace.

About ten minutes later, Zhu Jinghong returned to Prince Xiang's Mansion and summoned Lin Yao who was waiting there.

Xue Pan was naturally summoned as well, but since the protagonist today was Lin Yao, he did not receive much attention.

Even so, Xue Pan was still extremely careful and listened carefully to the conversation before and after, preparing for Zhu Jinghong to ask questions at any time.

After instructing Lin Yao, Zhu Jinghong looked at Xue Pan, who subconsciously lowered his head.

"Xue Pan, you are engaged in maritime trade in Jinling, tell me about the Maritime Customs Office!"

In the past, Xue Pan only knew how to eat, drink and have fun, but now he has changed a lot and is working hard for the family business.

Therefore, Xue Pan can now answer some specific "business" questions.

After Xue Pan replied, Zhu Jinghong asked several more questions, mainly to understand Zhu Jingyuan's management of the Maritime Customs.

This question and answer session took more than twenty minutes to complete. After Zhu Jinghong gave Lin Yao some more warnings, he allowed him to take Daiyu back home.

After these people left, Zhu Jinghong went to the study, not to read or write, but to sit alone and sort out the day's events.

During this process, Zhu Jinghong asked about the affairs of the mansion again, and only then did he learn from Yu Hai that Xue Pan had been attacked.

This made him smile unconsciously, and even relieved a lot of his fatigue from the day.

Five days passed in a blink of an eye. The eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month was an auspicious day, and it was also the day when Daiyu got married.

Although Zhu Jinghong attached great importance to Daiyu, she was just a concubine after all, so the ceremony was not made too grand.

Even the people who came to watch the ceremony were only relatives, such as several familiar princesses, as well as Daiyu's aunt and cousins.

At this moment, outside the Tongxin Hall, the female officials of the Shanggong Bureau were reading out the Queen's decree.

"The daughter of the Lin family is appointed as the concubine of Prince Xiang..."

The most crucial sentence in the imperial edict was read out. Although the women in the palace knew it in advance, they felt deeply jealous after hearing it, including Yang Jingting, who was also a concubine.

She is the Queen's niece and she went through a lot of hardships to keep her position as a concubine. Why does this guy named Lin do that?
Yang Jingting was extremely angry, but the smile on her face was exceptionally gentle, which showed that her rank had indeed improved.

Although she was unhappy with Daiyu, Yang Jingting also knew that she must not offend this person, otherwise all her energy would have to be spent on this little girl, which would be a waste for Xue.
Thinking of this, Yang Jingting adjusted her gaze slightly and looked at Baochai who was standing beside her, who also had a smile on her face.

Soon the decree was read out, Daiyu took the decree of enthronement and got her own golden book.

After kowtowing again to express her gratitude, she stood up and walked towards Baochai, greeting her as a concubine.

Afterwards, Daiyu was led to Hanxiangyuan, where she would receive worship from concubines and others.

That’s right, people like Keqing, Yinglian, and Zhen Qin all have to pay their respects to Daiyu.

Of course, these things have little to do with the people who came to watch the ceremony. For example, Tanchun left everyone else and walked to the back garden of the palace alone.

Tanchun had been to Prince Xiang's mansion many times and was very familiar with the environment here, so she didn't need anyone to lead the way.

But after she took a few steps, she saw a familiar figure, which almost made her jaw drop.

"Second sister?" Tanchun asked uncertainly.

After being called like this, Yingchun turned around and looked at the sister who called her.

"Tan girl!" Yingchun was a little embarrassed.

"When did Second Sister arrive at Prince Xiang's mansion? I have been worried about you for more than half a year!"

After Yingchun was taken away by Prince Xiang's Mansion, the Jia family completely lost contact with her. Of course, this was mainly because the latter did not make an effort to look for her.

Knowing that Yingchun was weak-willed and had no opinions of her own, Tanchun had always been worried that she would be wronged outside. She never imagined that her sister had already entered the palace.

"I lived outside to recuperate a few days ago, and only moved into the palace these two months!"

"Where is the child?" Tanchun asked.

Yingchun sighed and replied, "I had a miscarriage and lost the baby!"

Upon hearing this, Tanchun looked distressed. She wanted to comfort him but didn't know where to start.

After a moment of silence, Tanchun noticed Yingchun's attire. The simple Taoist robe really surprised her.

"Sister, what are you doing!"

Yingchun replied: "Now I am practicing Taoism and resting in peace of mind!"

Tanchun was silent again, and then she asked, "Even Sister Lin has a result, what are your plans, Second Sister?"

"What else can I plan? As long as I can have a place to stay, I won't ask for anything else!"

At this moment, Yingchun seemed like a master who had seen through the world, but Tanchun knew that she was just playing badly.

However, it was difficult for Tanchun to persuade her about this matter, because she knew that Yingchun was only capable of that and forcing her to fight might backfire.

"Sister, I won't say much about cultivating your mind, but don't forget to keep in touch with His Royal Highness Prince Xiang, otherwise... it will be difficult in the future!"

Do I have to tell you about my dual cultivation with His Highness... Yingchun murmured in her heart.

"Got it!" On such a happy day as today, Zhu Jinghong himself was of course also in the mansion, but he didn't need to be present at the occasion just now.

After completing all the formal agenda, he went to Hanxiangyuan alone.

This courtyard was only where Daiyu lived, and even though it was staffed with twenty maids and old women, it actually seemed very empty.

"You all stand down!"

Zhu Jinghong asked everyone to leave, and then went into the main room alone. At this moment, Daiyu was the only one in the room.

Although she had been alone with Zhu Jinghong many times, her status was different today, which made Daiyu feel embarrassed.

So when she saw Zhu Jinghong coming, she not only forgot to step forward and greet him, she didn't even do the normal greeting.

"Lin girl, why... don't you recognize me?" Zhu Jinghong asked as he approached.

"How could I not recognize you? Your Highness Prince Xiang... I... I pay my respects to Your Highness!"

Daiyu felt a little embarrassed to call herself "your concubine", but there is a first time for everything.

Coming to Daiyu's side, Zhu Jinghong reached out and helped him up, then said, "There's no need to be so polite between you and me!"

Zhu Jinghong led Daiyu to the couch and said, "From now on, you belong to this palace. This is your home!"

"Ok!"

Having close contact with Zhu Jinghong, the Lin Duidui of the past has completely lost her arrogance and is now just a shy little girl.

Seeing her performance, Zhu Jinghong liked her even more, and he reached out and held Daiyu in his arms.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for so long these years!" Zhu Jinghong said slowly.

He is not Liuxia Hui, but he does not have too many lustful thoughts towards Daiyu who is so close to him. He feels good just having the two of them snuggle together.

This is indeed an indescribable state. For Zhu Jinghong himself, it seems that a long-distance love race has reached the end, and what he is recalling at this moment is the process of running.

Falling in love in this different time and space filled the gap in his emotional history, which was certainly very enjoyable.

The two chatted about personal matters and kept each other warm in the cold winter.

On the other side, in the Tongxin Hall, Baochai was talking to Xiangyun in order to comfort her sister.

"Sister Yun, I have already reported your matter to the Queen, but it was a little late, so I can only postpone it until next year!"

"I really wronged you!"

Even though Baochai is very smart, she still finds it difficult to deal with such things, after all, the other person has indeed suffered a great injustice.

Xiangyun felt sour in her heart. She had given herself to Zhu Jinghong, but until now there was still no result.

After hearing what Baochai said, Xiangyun felt a little better, but still felt uncomfortable.

Baochai was helpless about this, this was all she could do.

Although it was not quite appropriate, Baochai still felt that her man should personally comfort Xiangyun.

"Sister Yun, don't go back these days. I'll say hello to your family and stay with me in the palace!"

Baochai's purpose was to find someone to accompany her, and she just wanted to create an opportunity for Xiangyun to get along with Zhu Jinghong.

Xiangyun intended to refuse for the sake of face, but in her heart she really wanted to stay.

So after some persuasion, Xiangyun finally agreed to stay reluctantly, but she felt that she had no ambition.

But no matter what, Xiangyun stayed after all and had the opportunity to meet Zhu Jinghong.

As luck would have it, this opportunity came very quickly. Just when she had settled down in the side hall, she ran into Zhu Jinghong who was passing by.

"Girl Yun, I haven't seen you for a while. Are you okay?"

Zhu Jinghong was also rude. He stepped forward and grabbed Xiangyun's hand, which scared the latter so much that she quickly shook it off and looked around like a thief.

"Master Thirteen, please respect yourself!" Although she was happy in her heart, Xiangyun still gave a serious reminder.

"You live here?"

The room was being cleaned up, so Zhu Jinghong made this guess.

"The princess ordered me to stay and talk to her!"

"So that's how it is. It's good to keep it. It's good to keep it!" Zhu Jinghong nodded repeatedly.

So he took Xiangyun by the hand and said, "Come on, let's go in and talk. I have a lot to say to you recently!"

Half-heartedly, Xiangyun was pulled into the room. Fortunately, everyone around her was from Prince Xiang's mansion, so there was no need to worry about being seen by outsiders.

In Tongxin Hall, Baochai cursed in her heart when she learned that Zhu Jinghong had gone to provoke Xiangyun again.

"How could this person be like this... Today is Miss Lin's good day, how could he bother Miss Yun!"

"Isn't he afraid of others' suspicion?"

Baochai just felt a headache, so she calmed Xiangyun down, but she was also worried that Daiyu would be worried.

"If you have nothing else to do, let's go check on Miss Lin!"

But as Baochai walked out of the hall, she saw a young girl sitting under the porch in front of her with her head down, a look of endless sorrow on her face.

The girl was Baoqin. The direction she was looking at was the side hall where Xiangyun was settled. Zhu Jinghong was also inside at the moment.

Of course Baochai knew what Baoqin was thinking.

Seeing this scene, Baochai sighed again. She planned to talk to Baoqin first.

Without me, this family will be in chaos sooner or later... Baochai sighed to herself.

The emotional entanglements within Prince Xiang's mansion are indeed complicated, but Zhu Jinghong doesn't care about it. It is obvious that he is dependent on Baochai and believes that she can handle everything.

Although Zhu Jinghong was a playboy, he had one thing under control, for example, he should rest at Hanxiangyuan tonight.

Before the sun set, Zhu Jinghong arrived at Hanxiangyuan and had dinner with Daiyu.

In order to delay time, Daiyu suggested playing chess with Zhu Jinghong, and then said she wanted to practice writing, and then...

About an hour later, Zhu Jinghong put down the brush in his hand and said to Daiyu beside him: "This is the eighteenth one, it's almost done!"

"It's not good enough and can be improved!" Daiyu replied.

"How about we change it tomorrow? We have other things to do today!"

Daiyu knew clearly what "other things" meant, and this was what she was avoiding.

After hearing Zhu Jinghong's reminder, Daiyu said, "It is indeed a little late today. Your Highness, please go back and rest. We will continue tomorrow..."

Before Daiyu could finish her words, Zhu Jinghong picked her up and frightened her so much that she screamed "Ah".

Zijuan, Xueyan and others were in the room. Daiyu felt extremely embarrassed to be picked up in front of everyone.

So she subconsciously hid her head in Zhu Jinghong's arms. Zijuan, Xueyan and the others also knew their limits and took the initiative to leave the room, and even closed the door considerately.

He carried Daiyu to the bedroom, who didn't dare to look at him at all, and finally Daiyu was put on the bed.

"Girl Lin, it's time to rest!"

After saying this, Zhu Jinghong blew out the light himself and then threw himself on the bed.

(End of this chapter)