The Second Master of the Red Chamber

"Oh, so Sister Baochai originally planned to enter the palace?"

Inside the Tianxiang Tower, Princess Zhaoyang forced Chai and Dai to talk to each other.

After all, Daiyu kept strangers away, and even though she had a good impression of Princess Zhaoyang, she only answered every question. Unlike Baochai, she could also chat with Princess Zhaoyang appropriately while answering questions.

After a while, it turned into a conversation between Princess Zhaoyang and Baochai, with Daiyu and Jia Lian serving as their foil.

When talking about the Xue family's move to Beijing, Baochai was not in a position to answer about her brother Xue Pan's accidental death, so she only mentioned that she was going to Beijing as a candidate.

“At the beginning, the palace issued an edict that all daughters of famous officials and families were to be personally reported to the Ministry of Personnel to be selected as princesses and county ladies to attend school.

But Baochai was not talented enough and was not selected. "

When Baochai said this, she deliberately glanced at Jia Lian.

Although she was originally selected to be a female official around the princess, not a concubine, but as the saying goes, once you enter the palace, it is like entering a deep sea, and from then on Xiao Lang was just a passerby.

In the palace, what do you have any control over once you enter?

Wasn’t Yuanchun also a female official who participated in the selection, and wasn’t she given to the emperor by the old empress dowager in the end?

She was a little worried that Jia Lian would mind this matter.

"How could this really happen? With Sister Baochai's character and appearance, how could she fail in the selection? I will definitely investigate the officials who were in charge of this matter to see if they were blind or took advantage of someone to eliminate Sister Baochai!

It's a pity, if Sister Baochai had been chosen that year, I would have been the first to get her, so that I would have an extra capable arm by my side."

Princess Zhaoyang said half-jokingly.

Although they only chatted for a short while, Princess Zhaoyang was able to confirm from Baochai's words that she was a woman with thoughts and insights, who was not an ordinary girl in the boudoir.

"It's Baochai who is unlucky..."

"Hehehe... I'm afraid it's not that you're unlucky."

Princess Zhaoyang suddenly laughed.

Facing the strange looks from Baochai and the others, Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said, "If you had entered the palace at the beginning, how could you have the good fortune you have today?

Moreover, if I remember correctly, the year when the palace selected the candidates was when Lord Rong was highly valued by my father, the Emperor.

From what I know about Mr. Rong, he will do whatever it takes to get what he likes.

Sister Baochai is of such good character and appearance, and she entered the Jia family so early. I'm afraid she has already caught the eye of Lord Rong.

In this case, how could he watch you being selected to enter the palace?

With his ability and means, if he had the will, even if my sister was so beautiful, I'm afraid she wouldn't be able to enter the palace."

Princess Zhaoyang said jokingly.

But Daiyu next to him suddenly became serious and looked at Jia Lian.

She felt that Princess Zhaoyang's guess was very reasonable and there was a high possibility that it was true!

She had originally thought that Jia Lian was a gentleman who took great care of her, the poor orphaned cousin. But after the engagement, he began to show his fangs, not only bullying her in various ways, but also generously admitting that he was nice to her just to win her over...

Judging from this, if he had also taken a fancy to Baochai back then, he might have secretly sabotaged the Xue family's selection of concubines in order to achieve what he has today!

Good job, Second Brother Lian, you are really a good person.

Facing Princess Zhaoyang's teasing and Daiyu's questioning, Jia Lian flatly denied it: "What nonsense are you talking about? How could I be that kind of person?"

"You are it!" Daiyu snorted coldly and turned her head away angrily, having forgotten that the princess was beside her and was jealous in public.

Baochai was also stunned for a moment, then smiled slightly.

She felt that this possibility was unlikely, but for some reason, she actually hoped that things would be just as Princess Zhaoyang guessed.

Princess Zhaoyang saw that she had successfully made Daiyu jealous. She was just about to take advantage of the situation to interrogate Jia Lian, but unexpectedly Aqin came in with a message.

"Master, Princess, King Xiao sent someone to tell me that he has finished his business and is leaving. Please tell me to leave as soon as possible."

Princess Zhaoyang paused for a moment, nodded and said, "I understand. Go tell him, I'll be out right away."

After Ah Qin left, Princess Zhaoyang stood up and said to Baochai and Daiyu, "I am very happy to meet you two sisters today. Unfortunately, the opportunity was short and I was unable to express my feelings freely.

I will invite you two sisters to my house for a gathering tomorrow, and I hope you will not refuse."

Baochai and the other two hurriedly said respectfully that they dared not do so and would definitely keep the appointment when the time comes.

Princess Zhaoyang reached out and touched the two girls' cheeks, then smiled and said to Jia Lian, "I know the way very well. Lord Rong, please stay here with the two sisters. There is no need to see you off."

After saying this, he turned around and strode away.

His resolute and unrestrained manner, walking as fast as the wind, attracted the attention of Dai and Baochai. Just as Baochai was about to say something, Jia Lian said first, "Wait for me here. I'll be back soon."

After saying this, Jia Lian also strode away.

Outside, Princess Zhaoyang slowed down her pace after leaving the hall. When she turned around, she saw Jia Lian. A bright smile appeared on her face, warmer than the sunshine.

When Jia Lian came closer, she said with a smile, "You left two beautiful ladies behind to see me off. Aren't you afraid that they will get jealous and give you a cold shoulder later?"

Jia Lian touched Princess Zhaoyang's hair and said softly, "Although they are not as open-minded and generous as Qingran, they are not unreasonable people. Qingran rarely comes to see me, so how can I not see her off?"

Princess Zhaoyang rubbed her head against Jia Lian's hand, and waited for Jia Lian to finish speaking before replying, "I am not magnanimous at all. Seeing your two concubines are more charming than each other, I am so jealous. My magnanimity just now was just an act.

Humph, if Erlang hadn't come out to see me off just now, and just stayed inside with them, I would have tricked them into my house and then bullied them severely, making you feel heartbroken."

Jia Lian smiled, rubbed her head lovingly, and then said with a smile: "Let's go, if you don't get out, your brother will probably come and kill you."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhaoyang suddenly felt embarrassed and was too embarrassed to act coquettishly with Jia Lian.

The two walked side by side to the outside of Ningguo Mansion. After a brief silence, Princess Zhaoyang said faintly, "I'm quite worried."

"worry about what?"

Princess Zhaoyang stopped and said: "I am very worried when I see the confidantes around Erlang, each one is more quiet and elegant, and more beautiful than the other.

I’m worried that I can’t compare to them, and that one day Jiro will think that our relationship is a burden…”

After hearing what Princess Zhaoyang said, Jia Lian didn't know what to say.

The first question was not a problem, but the natural fear of loss in women. Princess Zhaoyang had asked similar questions more than once, and Jia Lian did not think this would be a problem for her.

“The pearl of the empire will always be the brightest no matter where it is placed.”

Sure enough, Jia Lian's words could easily dispel Princess Zhaoyang's snack cravings. She chuckled: "The Pearl of the Empire? I like this title!

Humph, there were countless handsome men in the empire who pursued this princess, but it’s a pity that someone didn’t know what was good for him and turned a blind eye to this princess’s feelings. It makes me angry just thinking about it.”

Jia Lian smiled, put his arm around Princess Zhaoyang's shoulders and held her in his arms.

Seeing that Jia Lian did not respond to her second question, Princess Zhaoyang remained silent for a long time and said, "Because my grandmother, the Concubine Dowager, passed away, I have already reported to the Queen Mother and will mourn for her for three years."

"What does the Queen Mother say?"

"She agreed."

Now it was Jia Lian's turn to remain silent.

How could he not understand what Princess Zhaoyang meant by raising this topic?

After three years of mourning, one does not need to marry.

In other words, the engagement between Princess Zhaoyang and the Wei family can be postponed for three years!

But what about three years later? Would Princess Zhaoyang really marry into the Wei family or would Wei Ruolan move into the princess's mansion as a consort?

Perhaps Princess Zhaoyang is confused, and she needs him, her backbone, to give her advice.

But what ideas could Jia Lian have?

Before, he dared to ask for mercy from Emperor Ning Kang, but what about now? If he dared to go now, Emperor Ning Kang would make sure that he would be turned into a eunuch and always be by his side!

So Jia Lian said: "Don't worry, I will give you a satisfactory answer within three years!"

For now, we can only take one step at a time.

Ok……

Three years later, the emperor seemed to be in his eighties.

……

At the gate of the east courtyard, Jia Lian saw off Princess Zhaoyang and her brother, but did not rush back to Tianxiang Tower. Instead, he walked through the main gate.

In the main hall, Wang Ziteng was indeed still waiting for him.

The two were old acquaintances, so there was no need for excessive formalities. Wang Ziteng simply told the Fourth Prince the gist of what he had just said, and asked if that was really what Jia Lian meant.

Jia Lian smiled when he heard this.

Letting the Fourth Prince win over Wang Ziteng was just an excuse to get him away.

If the Fourth Prince knew how to win over court officials, he would no longer be the Fourth Prince.

"Your Highness Prince Xiao is right. Prince Yun is two-faced and plotting to kill his brother. He is definitely not a wise ruler."

Wang Ziteng said, "But now that the crown prince is dead, who else among your majesty's sons can take on the important task, except Prince Yun?"

"Prince Xiao!"

Wang Ziteng was not surprised by Jia Lian's directness.

It is different from facing the Fourth Prince. Not to mention the relationship between the Jia and Wang families, the relationship between him and Jia Lian is also the relationship of uncle-in-law and nephew-in-law. In addition, he helped Jia Lian in the past. Now that Jia Lian has grown up, the two of them are naturally political allies.

"Do you think the Fourth Prince will be a wise leader?"

"Even if he is not a wise ruler, he will not be a ruler like Jie and Zhou."

Wang Ziteng remained silent, thinking that what Jia Lian said was right. Although the Fourth Prince seemed unreliable, he had never heard of any evil deeds.

On the contrary, the Third Prince has always had a good reputation, but no one expected that once he gets the chance, he would do something inhumane!

The calculations and scheming of such a person are truly terrifying. If he becomes emperor one day, these ministers will all feel insecure.

"But judging from the Fourth Prince's remarks, it seems that he intends to let the Fifth Prince take the throne?"

"His Royal Highness Prince Xiao is of good character. He has seen the cruelty of the imperial throne and is unwilling to get involved in it himself."

Wang Ziteng was speechless. If someone else said that he didn't want to be emperor, Wang Ziteng would never believe it.

But if it was the Fourth Prince, Wang Ziteng felt it was still quite possible.

"But if Prince Xiao himself has no intention of competing for the throne, even if we use all our skills, I'm afraid it will be difficult to succeed."

Jia Lian smiled: "It doesn't matter whether he wants to fight or not. What matters is that he doesn't want Prince Yun, who has his brother's blood on his body, to ascend the throne. That's enough."

Wang Ziteng was stunned, then smiled bitterly.

Well, Jia Lian even plotted against the Fourth Prince.

No wonder the Fourth Prince kept saying that he would help the Fifth Prince ascend to the throne. I'm afraid that was just Jia Lian's lie.

Therefore, Wang Ziteng only had one last doubt: "What does your majesty think of the two princes?"

That’s right, Wang Ziteng is not someone who is willing to follow Jia Lian to do big things on a whim.

In fact, if Jia Lian was not the confidant of Emperor Ning Kang, Wang Ziteng would have been willing to discuss the possibility of success with Jia Lian if he believed that Jia Lian understood Emperor Ning Kang's mind better than he did.

Otherwise, who would have chosen a fool instead of the Third Prince who had already become the winner but had some flaws?

Seeing Wang Ziteng asking the key question, Jia Lian also became serious: "Uncle, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"What about truth or lies?"

"The lie is that your majesty has not yet decided who will inherit the throne. I personally think that Prince Yun and Prince Xiao each have a 50% chance."

Wang Ziteng frowned: "Where's the truth?"

"Three-seven."

"Who's three and who's seven?"

"Yun Wang San, Xiao Wang Qi!"

Wang Ziteng was stunned, feeling that it was completely different from what he had imagined.

(End of this chapter)