Red Mansion Beijingwang

Guest house, inner room.

Liu Wu'er sat cross-legged on the Arhat bed, stuffing a foot in his arms, and gently rubbing it with his delicate hands. He looked at the young man with his Liu eyes and asked with a smile: "My lord, are you in a good mood today?"

The prince seemed to be in a bad mood in the past two days, so those who served him were also cautious. They just saw that the prince's eyebrows were soothed and his expression was much better. In addition, they had had close contact, and their courage was strengthened. After a while, Liu Wuer expressed his concern.

If this were the case in the past, he would definitely be a weak quail.

Upon hearing this, Shui Rong paused for a moment while holding Gong Wen's hand, and glanced at Liu Wu'er. Is he in a happy mood today? I can't say it's pleasant, just a little relaxed.

The rise in food prices in Jinling caused some turmoil, which made Shui Rong a little worried. However, under the patrol led by Feng Ziying, there was no trouble.

Moreover, the government has food and has built three more porridge sheds to provide the victims with food. With a bite to eat, the victims will naturally stay content and the situation in Jinling is still under control.

In addition, the 30,000 stones of grain sent by the Xue family were not unloaded, but were sent to the disaster area by the Xue family's merchant ship. In addition, Xue Xiao used his own channels to purchase grain.

So far, the disaster relief matters are going well, which makes Shui Rong relax a lot.

There is no need to talk to them about these official matters. Putting the official documents on the table, Shui Rong stretched and said, "It's okay."

As a maid, if the master is in a good mood, they will naturally follow suit. Liu Wuer's eyebrows are crescent, and there are shallow pear dimples on her jade cheeks, and she is rubbing them with all her heart.

At this time, Xiao Hong, dressed in red armor, walked in with a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup. When she saw Liu Wu'er on the Arhat's bed, she felt a little disgusted.

As a second-class maid, Liu Wuer did all the honorable things of serving closely. On the other hand, she usually served tea and water. Even that night, she picked up what Liu Wuer had left.

It's not that I'm jealous, I just feel a little aggrieved.

Of course, Xiaohong was very transparent and knew her identity well. It was not her turn to be jealous. She honestly held up the Tremella and Lotus Seed Soup and said, "Your Majesty, Jia Fuyin is here."

Shui Rong frowned when he heard this. Jia Yucun was busy with disaster relief matters and it was time to show off. Normally he wouldn't come to see him, but when he came to see him, he had something to do and had to see him.

He put his feet back, sat upright on the Arhat's bed, and said calmly: "Let him come in."

After hearing this, Xiaohong bowed and retreated, while Liu Wuer got off the Arhat bed, put on his embroidered shoes, and stood An Ran to one side. After a while, Jia Yucun walked in and immediately saluted: " I'm going to pay my respects to the prince."

Shui Rong raised his eyes and glanced at Jia Yucun, and saw that his crimson official robe had some wrinkles, and his face looked haggard under his sword-browed eyes. He must have been busy with disaster relief work.

Jia Yucun has a bad character, but his attitude towards doing things is very good, but it is not surprising that since he has a heart to climb up, how could he not be dedicated.

Nodding his head, Shui Rong asked without saying anything, "Jia Fuyin, what happened?"

Jia Yucun also knew Shui Rong's temperament and didn't like to beat around the bush, so he said bluntly: "Your Majesty, the price of food in the city has risen. Many people are pretending to receive relief porridge, so that the food consumption is very large, and I'm afraid they won't be able to survive for long."

Shui Rong frowned deeper when he heard this and pretended to receive it. This was a troublesome matter. After all, people could just dress up and receive relief porridge without any means of screening.

However, Shui Rong cannot be blamed for claiming falsely. After all, although there are some people who pretend to claim, they are more likely to receive relief because they have no food to eat because of rising food prices. Porridge.

Speaking of which, although this group of people are not victims of the disaster, they are no different from the victims. They are equivalent to the victims of man-made disasters. They are also common people in the Qian Dynasty. They cannot turn a blind eye to the people in the city just because they are victims of the disaster.

After groaning, Shui Rong said: "Then add sand to the relief porridge in public, and it will last as long as it lasts."

Those who can afford food will stop eating when they see sand. People who cannot afford food will eat even dirt as long as they are extremely hungry, let alone relief porridge mixed with sand. The trick is to put an end to people who are picking up cheap opportunities.

Although it is a bit immoral, there is no way around it. Things have to be prioritized, and we must survive this period of time first. After Xue Xiao buys the food back, the situation will be alleviated.

Hearing this, a strange color flashed in Jia Yucun's eyes. There was an old practice of adding sand to disaster relief grains, which was not surprising. He even had an even trickier method, such as replacing the grains with the ones he usually feeds. The bran and fodder that livestock eat.

The victims of the disaster can no longer be regarded as human beings. As long as the victims do not starve to death, then everyone will be happy.

It's just that although Jia Yucun's time with Shui Rong was short, Shui Rong's behavior in providing disaster relief showed that he was a prince who cared about the people and would not treat the victims as human beings. Therefore, Jia Yucun did not make such suggestions.

After all, disaster relief is the responsibility of the local official in Jiayu Village, but more importantly, he has to show his value in front of the prince, so his own image is extremely important.

If not, how could Jia Yucun ask the prince for instructions on this matter.

Shui Rong's actions now made Jia Yucun understand that Shui Rong was not a pedantic person, and his opinion of him became more and more high, so he responded: "I will accept the order."

After the official matters were settled, private matters came next. Jia Yucun raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, Miss Xiangling's matter has been settled. Brother Shi Yin has become a monk and has no regard for the secular world, so he did not come. Madam Zhen Feng is waiting outside, would you like to see me?"

The purpose of this trip to Jia Yucun was firstly to report on official business, and secondly because of the Zhen Feng family's affairs.

In fact, Jia Yucun came here in person mainly because of the Zhen Feng family's affairs. The prince was able to find a bride for Miss Xiangling, which shows his status in the prince's heart. How could it be a sign of grandeur if he did not receive her in person.

You must know that Jia Yucun has contacts with the Zhen family in Gusu, and Zhen Feng asked him about the whereabouts of his lost daughter from time to time. It seems that they are friends. Later, Miss Xiangling became the prince's favorite concubine, and Jia Yucun could also rely on this A first-level relationship can win favor in front of the prince, so why not do it.

He is a professional in the Panlong Association.

Shui Rong sneered when he heard this. His beloved daughter who had been lost since childhood was found. As a father, Zhen Shiyin actually refused to see her for the reason of becoming a monk. It was really contemptible.

In the final analysis, it's not because of escaping or lack of responsibility, it's really because of hiding.

As for Zhen Feng, it can only be said that it came from her belly. She is emotionally different. She has always been thinking about Xiang Ling. This is called maternal love.

Nodding lightly, Shui Rong said, "Please come in."

Jia Yucun had been observing Shui Rong's expression, and saw that his face was cold. He couldn't figure out Shui Rong's meaning for a while, but he could get a glimpse of it from the word "please". He suddenly felt that his actions were not in vain, so he responded, He said respectfully: "I have official business to attend to, so I won't disturb the prince."

Friendship comes back to friendship, but he can't forget about business. Only when the disaster relief work is done well can he be appreciated. Now it's enough to show his face.

After all, the remaining things are the prince's "family affairs" and are not something that an outsider like him can be curious about.

After Jia Yucun left, not long after, Zhen Feng, wearing a washed white undershirt, led a girl in, knelt down on the ground, and saluted: "Mr. Zhen Feng, a civilian woman, pays homage to the prince." "

Facing a mother, Shui Rong naturally wouldn't put on any airs. What's more, he really likes Xiangling and loves the whole house, so he politely said: "Madam, there is no need to be polite. Please sit down."

As soon as she finished speaking, the smart Xiaohong brought a brocade pier.

Although Zhen Feng was dressed shabbily, the Feng family from which she came was well-off and she received a good education since she was a child. In addition, the Zhen family in Gusu also had a good family background, which allowed Zhen Feng to live an elegant life, looking at flowers and cultivating bamboos. , a heavenly day.

Even though he is now in a state of decline, his past cultivation has not been lost. Although he was frightened and frightened, he did not lose his sense of proportion. He thanked him and sat down safely.

At this moment, Shui Rong's eyes were carefully looking at the woman in front of him. Her face was lightly covered with makeup. Her face was engraved with the traces of time. There were a few faintly visible crow's feet on the corners of her eyes, but there was still a sense of beauty in her eyes. of brilliance.

Although she is shabby, she still has a plump figure and elegant temperament. She is worthy of being the person who gave birth to Xiang Ling. She is indeed a beauty.

Sitting down, Zhen Feng didn't care about anything else. She clasped the sweat towel in her hand, stared at the young man with her beautiful eyes, and said with a little trembling: "Your Majesty, I heard Master Jia said that my daughter Yinglian is in the palace." When Jia Yucun sent people. Speaking of Yinglian's whereabouts, Zhen Feng was so excited that she rushed over from Gusu in a hurry, just to confirm the authenticity of the matter.

Shui Rong looked at Zhen Feng's trembling body, and the sweat towel in his hand was almost broken. He knew clearly in his heart that the daughter he had been searching for for half his life was found. How could he not be concerned? I'm afraid Zhen Feng was very worried at the moment. , for fear that the news would be false and it would all come to nothing, which would be a huge blow to a mother.

After groaning, Shui Rong said in a clear voice: "The appearance of Mrs. Guanzhen and Xiangling are indeed very similar. I think Xiangling is most likely my daughter."

After all, they are mother and daughter, so it is normal for their appearance to be similar. According to Shui Rong, this Zhen Feng is equivalent to the female version of Xiang Ling, that is, a few years have been added to her jade face, and she is not as gorgeous and romantic as Xiang Ling.

However, Zhen Feng also has advantages that Xiang Ling cannot match. She has a mature temperament, mellow and unique, and Zhen Feng has a plump figure, which is far beyond the comparison of an immature girl like Xiang Ling.

When Zhen Feng heard this, she didn't care about Shui Rong's almost teasing words as he looked at her appearance. A flash of light flashed in her beautiful eyes, her teeth bit her pink lips tightly, she hesitated for a while, and asked anxiously: "Your Majesty, does Xiang Ling have any eyebrows?" A little bit of rouge the size of a grain of rice?”

Rouge Ji, this is the only way to recognize relatives.

Shui Rong nodded and responded: "That's right, Xiangling was trafficked by a kidnapper since she was a child. She no longer remembers anything. From the moment she can remember, there is a little rouge mark about the size of a grain of rice between her eyebrows."

When Zhen Feng heard this, she was ecstatic. She learned about it from Jia Yucun, but she was worried. As a prince, there was no need for him to deceive her as a woman.

Now that Xiangling had the experience of being abducted, and at the same time, there was a little rouge mark the size of a grain of rice between her eyebrows, wasn't this her own Yinglian.

It's so pitiful that her life can be divided into two parts. Before the loss of her daughter, her husband and wife were harmonious and beautiful. For a woman, what could she want in this life? If time goes on like this, she will be the happiest woman.

However, since Yinglian was lost, her life has been cast into a shadow. At that moment, she understood what impermanence is.

The fire that followed caused huge economic losses, leading to poverty. Later, life in the country became unbearable. She sought refuge with her father, but was humiliated by him in every possible way. Finally, her husband became a monk.

After losing her daughter, her home, and her husband, at this moment, Zhen Feng felt like a bolt from the blue. There was no hope in her life, and she even thought about letting it go.

It's just that Mrs. Zhen Feng always cares about her daughter, which is the reason for her to live. When she is alive, her daughter who is living abroad still has her mother. When she is alive, there is a possibility of reunion between mother and daughter, even if it is a one in ten thousand chance. , which also gave Zhen Feng a reason to endure.

Now, she finally managed to see the bright moon through the clouds, her lost daughter was found, and she felt that her persistence was not in vain.

Suddenly, pain surged into my heart, and I didn't care about being rude. I covered my face and cried loudly, as if I wanted to vent all the bitterness of these years.

Seeing this, the girl Zhen Feng brought with her hurriedly stepped forward to comfort her. Seeing that Zhen Feng could no longer take care of herself, she looked at Shui Rong with mist in her willow eyes and said, "Your Majesty, my wife has been thinking about the young lady. Now that we have news about the young lady, I can't control myself at the moment, I hope the prince won't take offense."

As a maid, she understands Madam's state of mind best. Those days were really difficult. If she hadn't been thinking about Madam, she would have died.
Shui Rong waved his hand, indicating that he didn't care, and stared at the Zhen Feng family who was covering her face and weeping. Her heart was quite complicated. The original book only briefly mentioned Zhen Feng family, and only described how she cried almost to death when Yinglian was lost. In the past, from Jia Yucun's few words, we knew that Zhen Feng had never given up. Even Zhen Shiyin could not bear to escape from becoming a monk. This shows how miserable their family's life was.

Separating flesh and blood is like cutting out a piece of flesh. How can you not feel heartbroken? These traffickers really deserve to die.

After a lot of venting, Mrs. Zhen Feng regained her composure. Her heart trembled involuntarily, and she knelt on the ground and said with fear and fear: "A commoner woman is rude, I hope the prince will not blame her."

For a moment, I was so distracted by the huge joy that I forgot that the prince was still here, which would be a big shame.

Shui Rong didn't care, and said warmly: "I understand Madam's mood of finding her beloved daughter, and I won't blame her. Madam, just relax."

After finding my beloved daughter, I can't control my feelings. How can I be blamed? On the contrary, Shui Rong greatly appreciated Zhen Feng's true temperament.

The greatness of maternal love is admirable.

When Zhen Feng heard this, her heart relaxed slightly, and she wiped her slightly red and swollen eyes with a sweat towel. The young man in front of her had a kind-hearted nature, and her own Yinglian was serving him. She thought she had never suffered, and she felt grateful to the young man in her heart. Even more so.

With a sob, Zhen Feng raised her face with wet tears on her face, stared at Shui Rong, and said, "Your Majesty, a commoner woman wants to see Ying Xiangling, is it possible?"

After finding her daughter, Zhen Feng naturally wanted to meet her to express her feelings for her. However, Zhen Feng also knew that Yinglian was working as an errand for the prince at the moment, so she belonged to the prince, and her daughter was not named Yinglian at the moment. , but Xiangling. If she wants to meet him, she needs permission from the prince.

Shui Rong heard the words clearly and said softly: "Xiang Ling is in the capital, Madam, there is no need to worry."

Zhen Feng's face was slightly startled when she heard this, and she felt annoyed in her heart. She only thought about her daughter Xiang Ling, but ignored this common sense.

Shui Rong stared at Zhen Feng's pear-shaped jade face, her willow eyes were red and swollen from crying, and she felt a bit broken, which made people feel pity for her.

Hey, after all, she is a mother who loves her daughter deeply.

After pondering, Shui Rong suggested: "Let's do this. Madam, you can go back to Gusu first and tell your family about Xiangling. The king still has important matters to deal with in Jinling. When he is done, he will go to Gusu and pick you up then. Let’s go to the capital together to meet Xiang Ling for a reunion.”

Although Zhen Shiyin became a monk to escape, he was Xiang Ling's father after all. Since he promised Xiang Ling to find his parents, he could not be left behind. As for whether Zhen Shiyin went to the capital or not, that was his own business.

But judging from Zhen Shiyin's attitude, he wouldn't go if he thought about it.

Zhen Feng's beautiful face was slightly startled when she heard this, with a hint of sadness in her eyebrows. She sighed softly and said, "The women of the people listen to the prince."

When Shui Rong saw Zhen Feng's expression, he understood in his heart. If Zhen Shiyin still missed her, how could he not come now? It is impossible to say that Zhen Feng had looked for Zhen Shiyin before going to Jinling.

What do you expect a man to do when he becomes a monk to escape? In the original work, when faced with Xiangyun’s hoarse shouts, Jia Baoyu also became a monk to escape.

Just as he was about to speak, Shui Rong saw from the corner of his eye that the girl on one side was about to speak but hesitated, as if she had something to hide. She frowned and asked, "What's the matter? What's the problem?"

When the girl saw Shui Rong asking, she glanced sideways at Zhen Fengshi, bit her lip and said, "Your Majesty, we ran out of money when we came to Jinling, now..."

"Jiao Xing."

Before she could finish her words, Zhen Feng interrupted Jiao Xing with a shout, and her cheeks couldn't help but feel hot.

Shui Rong raised his eyebrows and his eyes fell on Jiao Xing. She had good appearance, delicate features and attractive features. He did not expect that this girl would be Jiao Xing.

In the original work, Jiao Xing was taken as a concubine by Jia Yucun. When "the first wife suddenly became ill and passed away", she helped the wife of the wife and counterattacked from a slave to the imperial wife.

Not to mention Jiao Xing, judging from Zhen Feng's embarrassed appearance and Jiao Xing's unfinished words, Shui Rong probably had a guess. Looking at the shabby clothes of the two masters and servants, it didn't take much to think about it. This was the link back to Gusu in his hands. No money at all.

Tsk tsk tsk, she has the temperament of a noble lady, but she is short of money.

After groaning, Shui Rong said, "Let's do this. You stay at the guest house first. After I finish handling the government affairs, you can follow me to Gusu."

Of course, Shui Rong could give money to allow Zhen Feng to return to Gusu, but Shui Rong knew that Zhen Feng had gone to her natal family, the Feng family. However, the current embarrassment showed the Feng family's attitude. In this case, why let Zhen Feng go back.

When Zhen Feng heard this, she was startled. She raised her eyes to look at the gentle young man in front of her. A warm current surged in her heart. She pursed her lips and bowed, "Then I'll bother you, Your Majesty."

Although I felt ashamed and panicked, the money problem was a flaw after all. I originally planned to borrow some money from Jia Yucun shamelessly, but the prince had already given me the steps, so how could I not accept it.

No matter what, my daughter had already received the prince's kindness, and staying here to do the work of serving tea and water could be regarded as repayment. (End of chapter)