King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 766: The Crown Princess Visits Her Parents

After a brief stay at the reception site, Zhu Jinghong set off for Yingtian again. After all, this was not the place to discuss business.

As for the four major naval forces and the local affairs of Nanjing, we should stay in the city and discuss them slowly.

The local affairs of Jinling are more complicated than those of other provinces, involving the navy, maritime trade, and salt survey.

It is already September, and Zhu Jinghong will stay for at least three months. He will not leave Nanjing until next year.

When they entered Nanjing, all the people along the way had been cleared away, and the streets and alleys near where Zhu Jinghong was marching were also put under martial law.

So along the way, he arrived at the palace safely, and he will live here from now on. This is also the grace given to him by the emperor.

As they needed to rest after a day's journey, Zhu Jinghong did not summon the officials, but instead ordered them to fast for three days and then pay homage to Taizu Xiaoling Mausoleum after three days.

After offering sacrifices to Taizu, officials will be formally summoned.

In the afternoon, Zhu Jinghong, dressed in casual clothes, took a walk in the palace with Baochai.

This place was originally the imperial palace during the reign of Emperor Taizu. It was later abandoned due to the relocation of the capital. Later, most of it was destroyed in wars, and its subsequent reconstruction was no longer as large as it was back then.

"It was here that Taizu ascended the throne and announced the founding of the Ming Dynasty... It has been more than 340 years since then!"

At this moment, Zhu Jinghong was standing on a high platform. This was the original base of the Fengtian Hall. After the damage, it was rebuilt in a much smaller size and is now named "Changxing Hall."

Although Baochai has lived in Yingtian for more than ten years, this is her first time to visit the Yingtian Palace. She is somewhat curious about this place and is looking around at the surrounding scenery.

Turning her head slightly, Baochai looked at Zhu Jinghong and asked, "Ten years ago, you followed the late crown prince to Jinling. That was the first time you entered this palace. Now thinking about it... how do you feel?"

"At that time I was thinking about fighting for it, and now I have won it... but I don't have the satisfaction I thought I would have!"

Baochai then sighed, "I remember the time when you and I first met. I was so anxious at the time, as if it was the end of the world. Thinking about it now... I also feel that things have changed and people have changed!"

"How could I have imagined that I would be so honored today, so... thank you, Your Highness, for coming to my house to question me!"

Hearing this, Zhu Jinghong laughed and said, "I can't remember whether I came to your house specifically to interrogate you!"

Baochai then smiled and said, "Could it be that Your Highness knew that the princess would be here in the future, so he made a special trip to visit her?"

These words triggered Zhu Jinghong's deep thinking, and led his thoughts back to ten years ago. At the same time, some strange ideas popped up in his mind.

If among the two people, Daiyu and Chai, I had met Daiyu first, would Baochai still be the princess?

Both Baochai and Daiyu have their own merits. Baochai met Zhu Jinghong first, which gave her a great advantage.

It's a pity that time cannot be reversed. It's meaningless. But when he thinks that now that he has married both Dai and Chai, and has become the crown prince, Zhu Jinghong thinks everything is good enough.

Seeing that Zhu Jinghong did not answer, Baochai asked, "What are you thinking about, Your Highness?"

“That visit to your home was indeed very rewarding!”

"How do you get rich?" Baochai asked again.

After looking Baochai up and down, Zhu Jinghong replied: "I got a wife who is beautiful and plump, and she also gave birth to two sons for me. Isn't this a rich harvest?"

"you……"

When Baochai was at a loss for words, she also looked Zhu Jinghong up and down, then turned around and went to the other side of the guardrail, saying as she walked, "Your Highness, please respect yourself!"

"Hahaha……"

Zhu Jinghong laughed again, then followed.

During the next three days of fasting, Zhu Jinghong did not fast too strictly, but just added two more vegetarian dishes.

October 1st, early morning.

Zhu Jinghong changed into the crown and robes of the crown prince and rode in a sedan chair toward the Xiaoling Mausoleum. Naturally, he was surrounded by three layers of guards along the way to ensure his absolute safety.

He didn't know whether it was because of his old age, but he would always recall old things when he was alone. For example, when he first came to the Xiaoling Mausoleum, he thought about setting a fire there. Of course, he didn't do this evil thing in the end.

Paying homage to Taizu's mausoleum was a major event, and high-ranking civil and military officials from Nanjing, Jiangbei, Jiangnan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang all arrived and had already arrived outside the imperial mausoleum early to wait.

These people were called here not only to participate in the sacrifice, but Zhu Jinghong would also meet with them one by one and explain the court's major policies to them.

In addition to the five provinces mentioned above, senior officials from other southern provinces will arrive in Yingtian one after another to receive summons.

The sacrificial process was complicated and Zhu Jinghong spent the entire day on it.

When he returned to the palace in the afternoon, he was very tired, mainly mentally exhausted.

Moreover, he will also meet with local officials in the next few days, so he has to do his homework in advance, so he can be said to have no spare time at all.

Like him, Baochai also had to make some preparations when meeting a woman from another official position, especially to clarify the relationships and reputation of the people.

In a blink of an eye, another two days passed. Baochai met all the high-ranking ladies, and her main task was completed.

As for Zhu Jinghong, he is in charge of the real business and will still be busy in the future.

On the fourth day of October, the couple sat opposite each other and had dinner together.

Baochai told Zhu Jinghong all the anecdotes she had heard from the wives of officials, one by one, which were mixed with many grudges among the noble families.

These may seem like trivial matters, but many things are tied to human relationships, so listening to these gossips is useful to Zhu Jinghong.

At the end of the conversation, Baochai changed the subject and said softly, "Oh, there is one more thing... I want to ask for your advice!"

With a slight smile, Zhu Jinghong said: "Why are you so polite? This is not like you!"

"You are the prince, how dare I disrespect you!"

Holding up the teacup, Zhu Jinghong asked, "Who in your family wants to be an official? Or do you want some benefits?"

Baochai said angrily, "What are you talking about... Am I so ignorant of my own limits?"

She didn't want to beat around the bush at this time, so she said bluntly: "I want to go back to my parents' home!"

Zhu Jinghong was slightly stunned, and then replied: "I thought it was something else!"

After taking the towel and wiping his hands, Zhu Jinghong continued, "If you don't return home when you are rich and powerful, it's like walking in the night in fine clothes... It's better to go back!"

Baochai was in no mood to joke at this time, and she sighed, "I just wanted to go back and take a look. After this separation... I'm afraid I'll never be able to come back again!"

If nothing unexpected happens, this trip to Yingtian will be her last time home and the last time she sees her mother.

"Yeah!" Zhu Jinghong responded.

The news that the Crown Princess was going to visit her parents was passed back to the Xue family that evening.

At this time, Xue Pan had to be thankful that his wife had already prepared everything so that he didn't have to worry about it until the last minute.

"Madam, you are really a fortune teller!"

In the bedroom, Xue Pan hugged Xia Yuegui with a look of joy on his face.

She was able to control Xue Pan not by relying on the Crown Princess's order, but by relying on her own abilities to make Xue Pan submit to her.

"Okay, don't just be happy. The Crown Princess's visit is a big deal, and there are still many things to deal with!"

"Especially the etiquette, we have to consider it carefully. It would be bad if we made mistakes. If we were laughed at by outsiders, it would be an unprovoked disaster!"

Xue Pan thought he could just lie down and relax, but now he was assigned another task. He felt a little uncomfortable.

"That's true!" Xue Pan could only respond.

"The Crown Princess will return home on the ninth day of the first lunar month, and there are still five days left...Send someone to the temporary palace tomorrow to invite a few eunuchs and female officials to come to the palace to take care of this matter!" "These are the errands of the palace people. The Crown Princess is going home to visit her family, and their daily life is their responsibility!"

"This is the last time for the Crown Princess to enter the Xue family's gate. If you don't pay more attention... We may not meet again in the future. How can we maintain our relationship?"

"A few days ago, Lin Yao was summoned by the Crown Prince, but you were turned away. Have you forgotten about this?"

Xue Pan really couldn't argue with Xia Yuegui, so he didn't bother with her any more and just agreed to the matter.

In the next few days, the Xue family was extremely busy. The Wang, Shi, and Jia families also came to help, and the four major families were finally together.

Early in the morning of October 9th, all the members of the Xue family had arrived and were lined up outside the mansion gate. At the front was Xue Wang-shi, followed by Xia Yuegui in her official robes, and of course, the head of the family, Xue Pan.

Inside and outside the Xue family's house, there were lights and decorations, creating a peaceful and grand scene.

Everyone waited for half an hour, and at the beginning of the morning hour, guards arrived, lined up outside the Xue family's gate, and surrounded the entire Xue family.

Then another group of guards appeared and went straight past the Xue family members and entered the mansion. It was obvious that these people were responsible for internal security.

In fact, there are more troops guarding the outskirts of Xue’s home, but the people here don’t know about it.

After the third group of guards arrived, two teams of eunuchs and maids appeared. These people stood all the way from the Xue family's gate into the inner house.

After half an hour, it was the beginning of the morning. Finally, the Xue family heard the sound of drums and music, and they knew that Baochai's carriage was coming.

The sound was getting closer and closer, and a team of ceremonial guards holding various ceremonial objects appeared in front of everyone in an orderly line, and finally stood in two rows outside the Xue family's gate.

There were already many members of the Xue family, and now with so many people coming, the place outside the gate became even more crowded.

But there was no way to squeeze in. The Xue family didn't dare to leave at this time, because no one could bear the charge of "disrespect".

Not only the Xue family, but also people from the Wang family and the Jia family from farther away were there, and of course other distant relatives of the Xue family.

After a while, another team of ceremonial guards arrived, followed by flags and umbrellas, and then the Crown Princess's sedan chair.

At this moment, Baochai was sitting upright in the sedan chair, feeling a little excited.

Zhu Jinghong said that if one does not return to his hometown when he is rich and powerful, it is like walking in fine clothes at night, but Baochai really does not have such an idea. She just simply wants to come back and take a look, so she is wearing casual clothes at this moment.

The Crown Princess' phoenix coronet and bridal robe were left in the palace by her.

Of course, this was against the rules, but she was the Crown Princess and the future Queen, and with Zhu Jinghong's indulgence and doting, the royal rules could not restrain her.

Before Baochai's sedan chair appeared, the Xue family and others knelt on the ground in an orderly manner at the eunuch's request, and could not even raise their heads when Baochai's sedan chair passed by.

And further away, all the members of the Jia family were also kneeling, and they couldn't even see what the sedan chair looked like.

It is said that Baochai's sedan stopped after entering the ceremonial gate, and then she walked out with the help of her maid. At this moment, there was no one from the Xue family around her except the eunuchs and maids.

Standing there, looking at the outer hall in front of her, Baochai said, "Call my mother and sister-in-law in!"

After a while, Mrs. Xue Wang and Xia Yuegui were brought in, and they bowed to Baochai again.

After the two stood up, Baochai smiled and said, "Mother, after nearly ten years, your daughter is finally back!"

Before Baochai came to Jinling, the last time Mrs. Xue and Mrs. Wang saw her was five or six years ago, and she couldn't help feeling emotional at this moment.

"My wife..."

Mrs. Xue was about to answer when she heard Baochai say, "There are no outsiders here, mother, don't be too restrained!"

The female officials around Baochai were very tactful at this time and did not express any opinions about it. They even looked away.

"Your Highness... I... we are all concerned about you, and your elder brother is always thinking about you too!"

Even though it was her own daughter in front of her, Mrs. Xue Wang still seemed restrained.

The person in front of her was her daughter, it was true, but she was also the Crown Princess of the Ming Dynasty.

"Mother, have you been doing well these past few years? A few days ago, you wrote to me saying that your old cough had recurred, so I asked someone to send you some medicinal herbs..."

Since the family members were restrained, Baochai could only take the initiative to start a conversation and guide Xue Wangshi and Xia Yuegui.

Sure enough, after talking for a while, the restraint felt by Xue and Wang Shi dissipated a little, and while they were talking, everyone came to the front hall.

This is where Baochai met everyone from the Xue family. Looking at the plaque "Delong Chaohui" on the door, Baochai suddenly stopped where she was.

It really seems inappropriate to hang such a plaque in her parents' home when she hasn't even become the queen yet!

In a calm tone, Baochai said softly, "Take down this plaque, and don't show it off like this in the future!"

"Yes!" Xia Yuegui responded quickly.

Then, Baochai continued to walk inside, but after she entered the outer hall, she only took a few glances and continued to walk inside.

"Your Majesty, do you want to summon everyone in the mansion?" Xia Yuegui asked bravely.

"Let's talk about it later. Let's go inside and take a look first!"

From the outer living room, she entered the inner living room, and then entered the main hall of the inner house. At this moment, Baochai was standing outside the door of the main hall, but there was a hint of displeasure on her face.

"This plaque of Feng Yi Tian Xia should also be taken down!"

"Yes!" Xia Yuegui replied nervously. She realized that she had been too flattering.

Baochai didn't say much on this matter, then turned back to look at the Xue royal family and asked, "Mother...why is the curtain hanging outside the main hall door gone?"

"what?"

This question really surprised Mrs. Xue Wang. She didn't understand why Baochai cared about this.

When was the curtain on the door removed? Last year or the year before? Or several years ago?
Others may think this curtain is dispensable, but it is of great significance to Baochai.

She remembered very clearly that her first meeting with Zhu Jinghong was because the curtain was blown up by the wind, and the two of them fell in love with each other at first glance.

Xia Yuegui reacted faster, and regardless of Baochai's thoughts, she immediately replied, "I'll have someone hang it up right away!"

Baochai smiled and said, "No need... since we are leaving, let's leave now!"

The marriage between her and Zhu Jinghong didn't mean much to others, so there was naturally no need to restore it.

After entering the inner hall and looking around, Baochai suggested, "Let's go to my room and take a look!"

"Your Majesty, please!" Xia Yuegui led the way.

Here, Baochai was strolling and sightseeing, while the people from the Xue family who were waiting to be summoned by her were so tired that their legs were weak from standing.

Fortunately, after half an hour, a eunuch came out and asked them to go into the mansion and wait, which made the suffering people feel a little relieved.

The people from the Wang family and the Jia family also followed the Xue family into the mansion at this time. If possible, they still wanted to meet the Crown Princess in person.

Among the crowd, only Jia Baoyu did not have such an idea. He even thought about escaping from here because Baochai was the person he disliked the most.

"Baoyu, I have to tell you, if you make any moves later, even if Second Uncle protects you... I will beat you to death!"

Jia Lian knew Baoyu's character, so he took the initiative to warn him at this time because he was afraid that this guy might cause trouble.

According to his idea, Baoyu should not be allowed to appear, but Mrs. Wang insisted on having him come, saying that it was for the reconciliation between the siblings and that Baoyu would have someone to rely on in the future.

Jia Lian had become numb to his aunt's stupidity, but his second uncle Jia Zheng also agreed to this matter, which made Jia Lian very puzzled.

This also made him want to split up the family business even stronger, and he thought to himself that if he stayed with these fools, he would be dragged down to death by them sooner or later.

(End of this chapter)