The Red Mansions

Chapter 1429 Queen Song: At that time, the position of the Eastern Palace should be established

Chapter 1429 Queen Song: At that time, the position of the Eastern Palace should be established...

Grand View Garden, Xiaoxiang Pavilion

The bamboo forest is rustling, and the sound is like singing. On the green bamboo leaves, there are still traces of last night's autumn rain drops falling, making them look even greener and more lush.

In the side room, Daiyu was playing chess with Baochai across an apricot-yellow chessboard, her slender hands twisting a white chess piece.

Since getting married, this Immortal Crimson Pearl Herb has not combed her lush black hair into a bun that reveals her smooth forehead. Instead, she still has the air bangs she had when she was a girl in the boudoir, showing her pure and beautiful appearance.

At this moment, she was wearing a pink flowing long dress, and under her beautiful dark eyebrows, her sparkling eyes were as bright as rainbows, still as clear and moving as a girl's.

Baochai's moist almond eyes seemed to be soaked with light under her emerald eyebrows. She said softly, "Sister, your chess skills are really getting better and better."

Daiyu said in a charming and bright voice, "I have nothing to do every day, so I play chess with Sister Bao a lot. Naturally, I know some of Sister Bao's chess routines."

Under Baochai's emerald eyebrows, her watery almond eyes seemed to be condensed with dew. Soon, she looked at the girl with bright eyes as clear as water and smiled softly, "Sister, your words seem to have hidden meanings."

Daiyu laughed and said, "Sister Bao must be overthinking it."

"My sister is very smart. One of her sentences can have a hundred meanings. How can I not think about it more?" Baochai said softly with a sweet smile.

After the two became sisters serving the same husband, the woman's casualness and flirting were visible in their daily conversations.

Daiyu looked at Baochai across from her with her bright eyes, as if condensed with dew, and said, "Sister Bao, Brother Heng has been gone for such a long time and has not come back yet."

Baochai said softly, "He should be back before the New Year."

Daiyu sighed softly and said with emotion: "How come I feel like a widow every day?"

When Baochai heard this, her almond eyes were charming and flowing under her emerald eyebrows. She gave Daiyu a look of anger and said, "Sister Lin, Brother Heng is fighting at the front line. Why are you saying such unlucky words at this time?"

Daiyu felt that she had spoken out of turn, and quickly covered her mouth with her handkerchief, spitting to the side, and said softly, "Pooh, pooh, I was talking nonsense."

Baochai chuckled and said softly, "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore."

While the two sisters were talking, Baoqin, with her plump, fair and tender face, came to Xiaoxiang Pavilion holding Xiangyun's soft, white and chubby little hand.

Xiangyun's round face, which looked like a red apple, was now plump and rosy. Her innocent voice was a little tender and gentle as she said, "Since Sister Lin married Brother Heng, she has only been playing with Sister Bao and never talked to me."

When Daiyu heard this, her fair face, as white as jade, gradually turned red with shame. Under the light, it looked bright and beautiful. She said, "I am usually here, but you two don't come. You just ride around everywhere and talk about me here."

Baochai asked, "Sister Yun, Sister Qin, didn't you two go horseback riding?"

While Xiangyun was talking to Baoqin, she linked her chubby little hands and sat down on an embroidered cushion nearby.

Baoqin said softly, "No, the training ground is too muddy today."

Baochai smiled and said, "It's good to take a break. In a few days it will be August 15th, the Mid-Autumn Festival. We sisters in the backyard should eat mooncakes and write poems."

Baoqin is not only her cousin in the boudoir, but also a good sister in the rear house in the future.

Baoqin's slightly chubby face was pink and pouty, and her eyes were sparkling under her brows. She said softly, "Just now the maid outside said that Brother Heng won a victory in Liaodong."

Baochai looked surprised and asked, "What victory?"

"It won't take long to recapture Jinzhou City and kill Ajige in battle." Baoqin's rosy face paused slightly, her voice soft and gentle.

Xiangyun nodded and whispered, "People outside are saying that it won't be long before Brother Heng will be able to wipe out Liaodong and return to the capital."

Under Baochai's emerald eyebrows, her watery almond-shaped eyes were sparkling and her gaze was slightly stunned for a moment.

If he could pacify Liaodong, he would be able to be made a prince after returning to Beijing. At that time...

It’s really not Baochai’s fault, because after becoming Jia Heng’s wife, she is also the wife of a first-class duke, so it’s inevitable that she would have some expectations.

After all, those princesses and princesses have their own titles and salaries, so it is obvious that they will not be named princesses.

Then the titles of princess and concubine would probably be decided.

She and Lin Daiyu were at least concubines.

Daiyu's pair of bright eyes under her beautiful eyebrows looked at Baochai intently, and she asked jokingly with a smile: "What are you thinking about, sister Bao? Why are you so absent-minded?"

Most likely he was thinking about Brother Heng being honored as a prince after his return from the expedition.

Baochai came back to her senses, and two blushes appeared on her plump and fair face. She whispered, "It's nothing. I just thought it would be nice if Third Sister and Sister Lan'er came over."

Daiyu said: "They can help explain the war and even predict the direction of the next war."

Baochai said softly, "It has been a long time since the two of them came to visit my sister."

Daiyu said in a soft and charming voice, "Every day they talk about national affairs, and it seems out of place for us to talk about family matters here."

Xiangyun said naively, "Third sister and Sister Lan do like to talk about these things, and sometimes what they say is quite accurate."

Baochai's moist almond eyes beneath her beautiful emerald eyebrows were a little dazed, and she said, "They both often read the court newspapers, and have been taught skills by word of mouth by brother Niheng, so naturally they are incomparable to ordinary people."

In this respect, she is indeed far inferior.

That Zhen Lan was indeed passed down by word of mouth, but my third sister didn't know about it.

He's already this old, but still hasn't gotten engaged. She could guess what he's thinking.

What girl is not pregnant?

In the entire Han Dynasty, there is no one as outstanding as Brother Heng. He is proficient in both civil and military skills, and he is also so handsome.

Daiyu said, "Let them come over later and talk about the court and the war on the front line, so that we can have a better idea of ​​what's going on."

Baochai ordered, "Ying'er, go to Qichiyuan and call someone over."

Ying'er responded softly, then turned and left.

With Baochai being honored as the first-class duke's wife, Ying'er has become much more obedient recently, of course this is mainly due to Jia Heng's pressure.

……

……

Palace Garden, Funing Palace

In the palace, as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the autumn sunshine is warm and seems to be sprinkled on the glazed tiles of the palace, reflecting sparkling rays of light, as if frost is flowing.

Concubine Duanrong stared at me, sitting on a soft couch covered with a mattress. She was dressed in gorgeous clothes, with a majestic and dignified bun on her head. Her snow-white face had clear and sharp lines.

Princess Xianning sat down on a pearwood chair between her and Li Chanyue.

As August of the autumn of the nineteenth year of Chongping arrived, Princess Xianning's health became worse and worse. She was bored on weekdays and just sat with Li Chanyue and Song Yan.

Li Chanyue is nearly twenty years old. She has changed from the pink dress of a little girl in her early years to a light yellow dress. Her hair is tied up in a beautiful bun. Between her eyebrows, she has gradually revealed the gentleness of a woman. Her eyes are calm, gentle and affectionate, as if they are moistened by the misty rain of the south of the Yangtze River.

Concubine Duanrong looked concerned with her beautiful eyes, and said, "You will give birth in two months. You should be careful recently."

Princess Xianning's beautiful face flushed red, and her white and soft hands gently stroked her bulging belly. Her face was full of happiness and she said, "Mother, I understand."

Li Chanyue stared at Princess Xianning's bulging belly, and a hint of envy could be seen in her eyes that were as sparkling as the stars and the moon.

Song Yan's condition was not much better, and her snow-white face also showed envy.

Brother Heng left after marrying her, but several months passed and there was no movement in her belly.

Suddenly, the eunuch's voice came from outside the palace, in a shrill voice: "The Queen has arrived."

When Concubine Duanrong heard this, a look of surprise appeared on her beautiful face, which was as white as frost. She stood up, walked forward and said, "I greet the Queen."

"Sister, please stand up." Queen Song's eyes were filled with smiles. She stretched out her slender, white, tender and smooth hand and lightly supported Concubine Duanrong's arm. Her fair and beautiful face was brightly smiling.

The beautiful and bright face of Concubine Duanrong gradually showed a happy smile, and she asked softly, "What do you mean?"

"Your Majesty just said that Zi Yu has captured Jinzhou City in the Liaodong war." Queen Song's beautiful and gorgeous face showed a prosperous smile and she said softly.

Princess Xianning's clear eyes were like condensed dew under her willow-shaped eyebrows. She said in surprise, "Mother, did the master win the battle?"

Queen Song chuckled and said, "We have already won the battle. They said that the next step is to march into Shengjing. Your father said that it won't be long before Liaodong is completely pacified."

Princess Xianning's beautiful eyes were clear and moist, with a hint of thought beneath her curved eyebrows. She whispered, "Then the gentleman should be able to come back before the New Year."

Queen Song smiled brightly on her fair face and said softly, "Your father didn't say that, but it's unlikely that such a big war will end quickly."

Princess Xianning said in a sad tone, "Then it may be too late for the baby to be born."

Queen Song's fair face was filled with a smile, and she said softly, "Don't be too persistent. When Qin had the child, Zi Yu was also busy with state affairs outside."

By the way, when she had Qianqian and Luoer, the little fox was also fighting outside.

Princess Xianning nodded and turned to look at Concubine Duanrong beside her.

Under the curved willow-leaf eyebrows, the pair of clear eyes of Concubine Duanrong were full of concern. She asked, "Sister, how is His Majesty?"

Queen Song said softly, "I have already drunk the ginseng porridge and rested."

Imperial Concubine Duanrong nodded her delicate head, and a look of pity appeared on her frosty face. She whispered, "Your Majesty, you have been busy with state affairs for these years, working day and night, and your body has been worn out."

When Queen Song heard this, she couldn't help but feel guilty, and she agreed, "Yes, after the war in Liaodong is settled, Your Majesty will definitely have to rest for a while."

By that time, the throne of the Eastern Palace should have been established, and Your Majesty should go to Chonghua Palace to recuperate and take good care of your health.

Princess Xianning had clear eyes under her willow-like eyebrows, and her voice was a little charming as she said, "Sir, you have to take a good rest after you come back. You promised me and Chanyue that you would go to the world... uh, the famous mountains and rivers."

While the beauty was speaking, she vomited, and "going to the world" seemed to have become "taking" the world.

Queen Song looked at Princess Xianning and asked, "Is morning sickness still so severe at this time?"

Princess Xianning nodded, her round face filled with a happy smile, and she said softly, "She's still making trouble, and sometimes she even kicks me."

Queen Song chuckled and said, "Children tend to be more noisy at this time, so you should pay more attention to them."

"The child imitates his mother. You were always climbing up and down when you were young, so naturally you are not very good at it." Concubine Duanrong glared at Princess Xianning.

Princess Xianning said: "I don't know whether this baby is a boy or a girl. If it's a boy, he might be more naughty."

As they were talking, the maid outside said, "Empress, Concubine, the Eighth Prince is here."

As he was speaking, a young man with a fair complexion, red lips and white teeth entered the hall and said, "Mother, Mother Consort, Sister."

The eighth prince, Chen Zesheng, has a fair complexion, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and an imposing bearing. The young boy he once was has grown into a handsome young man.

Concubine Duanrong said, "Ze'er, I'm back from school."

The young man nodded and said, "Mother, I heard in the academy today that my brother-in-law is going to pacify the Jurchen Tartars."

Concubine Duanrong was surprised and asked, "Who told you that?"

"The gentleman from the Hanlin Academy said so." Chen Ze sat down on an embroidered cushion, took the teacup handed to him by the palace maid, and said "thank you", which made the palace maid flattered.

This is the humility and courtesy of the superiors, which makes ordinary people feel a sense of gratitude of "a gentleman will die for his friend".

Queen Song smiled and said, "It seems that the nerds in the Hanlin Academy have also known about it."

"The teacher also asked me to write a policy for maintaining stability in Liaodong. Once Liaodong is recovered, how should the court govern it?" Chen Ze said.

When Queen Song heard this, she was surprised and asked, "How are you going to write it?"

Why is this scholar from the Hanlin Academy teaching Ze'er these things?

Chen Ze said in a clear and loud voice: "Appoint officials, establish systems, and station troops. There is nothing else to do."

Queen Song nodded and smiled, "It's almost enough that Ze'er can think of this."

There is nothing else that I, as a vassal, can get involved in. The throne of the Eastern Palace is reserved for several older brothers.

When Concubine Duanrong noticed the slight change in Queen Song's eyes, her mind moved slightly and she seemed to be thinking about something.

……

……

While the Ning and Rong mansions were chatting with Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue in the palace, Song Yan and others were worried about Jia Heng who was away on the battlefield.

The inner guards and Jinyifu guards in the Shenjing City were also heading out from the palace at this moment, arresting the scoundrels and people in the capital who were spreading rumors. They followed the clues and began to arrest the related bandits in the city.

A house with flying eaves and hooked corners in the west of the city is covered by the inky night, surrounded by lush trees and thick shade.

At this moment, in the square courtyard, in a pavilion surrounded by a pool of clear blue water, there came the sound of soothing piano music.

Behind the two hanging pale yellow curtains was a tall and beautiful woman with a cool temperament.

Judging from the outline, it vaguely resembles Gu Ruoqing.

But in fact, Gu Ruoqing was not in Chen Yuan's house, but was selected by Chen Yuan from a brothel in Shenjing City.

Well, it’s probably a meal replacement mentality.

Chen Yuan sat near the window, holding a blue and white porcelain teacup in his hand, sipping the steaming hot tea, feeling inexplicably comfortable in his heart.

At this moment, Ruan Yongde had a solemn expression on his face. As he walked, his heavy clothes and armor gave off a heavy aura. He walked quickly into the hall and said, "Young Master."

Chen Yuan stared at the singer sitting behind the beaded curtain and said, "You go down first."

"Yes, sir." The singer's voice was soft and gentle like the Wu dialect, and then she followed a servant out of the pavilion.

Ruan Yongde lowered his voice and said, "Sir, it is rumored in the capital that Jinzhou City was captured by Weiguo Duke Jia Heng."

Chen Yuan looked at Ruan Yongde with a sharp gaze and asked, "What happened? Jinzhou City was breached? How long has it been?"

It can be said that during this one or two months, Ningyuan and Liaoyang were successively captured by the Han army, which was a rapid progress.

Ruan Yongde said: "Jinzhou City was captured, Ajige was beheaded by Jia Heng, and now the Beijing Camp's troops have gone to Shengjing City to join forces with the Beijing Prince's troops. People in the capital say that it won't be long before Shengjing City is captured, and Liaodong will be pacified soon."

"According to the detailed military reports circulated by the Ministry of War, the Duke of Weiguo first dug the Xiaoling River to flood the Jinzhou City, soaking the wall bricks and stone slabs, and then waited for the city to collapse before using explosives to take the city." Ruan Yongde's face was as solemn as ice, and he said in a deep voice.

Because Chen Yuan had previously placed spies in the Beijing camp and knew the power of the Han army's muskets and black gunpowder.

In particular, the Edo Castle of Japan and the capital of Korea were both destroyed by digging tunnels and burying gunpowder. These are all lessons from the past.

Chen Yuan frowned and said in a cold voice: "Shengjing City is not that easy to break. Moreover, even after it is broken, the king and his subjects will be suspicious of each other and kill each other. This is not uncommon in history. That kid Jia Heng will not be immune!"

As he spoke, his slightly sinister and dark eyes looked at Ruan Yongde in a slightly inquiring manner and asked, "What do people outside say about the rumors I asked you to spread recently?"

Ruan Yongde nodded and said, "There has been a lot of discussion in the capital these days, but just now, the inner factory and the Jinyifu went out to investigate and began to arrest all kinds of people who spread rumors in the capital."

Chen Yuan's fair and handsome face was slightly gloomy, but soon it returned to normal and whispered, "It seems that Jinzhou has been breached, and we need to clear the troubles."

He actually didn't care whether Liaodong was pacified or not. The key was to take advantage of this time to get rid of the person in the palace as soon as possible.

Ruan Yongde looked anxious and said, "Sir, we can't delay any longer. The Tengxiang Four Guards are adjusting their personnel. If we delay any further, there will be many more variables."

It can be said that the last trump card left by King Zhao was the Four Tengxiang Guards guarding the imperial palace, among whom were King Zhao's old subordinates.

After the previous King of Qi was defeated, after a period of adjustment, some palace guards were promoted again, and among these guards were former subordinates of Chen Yuan's father, the former King of Zhao.

It can be said that Emperor Chongping's personal guards had been almost infiltrated like a sieve by the King of Zhao and the King of Qi.

This is also a logical conclusion based on facts, because even the inner court guards who guard the palace have their own families and heritage, and in the process of growing up they will establish many ties in the entire network of relationships.

Chen Yuan frowned, his eyes were deep, and he said in a cold voice: "Wait a little longer, wait until Shengjing City is broken, when that person is at his most proud, it won't be too late to take action."

At that time, the military and civilians in the capital and the court and the public would surely be jubilant. It is possible that someone in the palace would go to the Taimiao to comfort the ancestors of the Chen and Han royal families.

That was their chance to start a war.

After hearing this, Ruan Yongde didn't know how to persuade him anymore.

It’s not too late to make careful preparations during this extra time.

(End of this chapter)