The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 643 Rejecting the Imperial Edict Again
It is well known that Prince Xu Wenhou of Min loved food; otherwise, where would he have gotten his fat body? When he came to visit Jia Huan in prison, he still brought a large table of delicious food, including the braised duck and braised beef that he had once taken Jia Huan to taste. They were so fragrant and tempting that they made one's mouth water.

After eating bland prison food for several days, Jia Huan couldn't resist the temptation of this delicious feast. He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat heartily.

Seeing Jia Huan enjoying his meal, Xu Wenhou, succumbing to his gluttony, also picked up a duck leg and began to eat it with relish. Li Jinzhong, that sycophantic lackey, immediately and cleverly brought out a plum-flavored self-pouring pot to pour wine for the two of them. The pot had been kept in a porcelain jar filled with hot water, so the wine inside was still warm.

After a few cups of wine, Jia Huan felt warm all over his body, and the chill disappeared. So he ate even more enthusiastically. The two of them ate heartily and soon devoured all the delicacies on the table.

After a hearty meal, Xu Wenhou let out a burp, patted his belly, and said, "This is the first time I've ever eaten and drunk in a prison cell. But as long as there's good food, it doesn't matter where you eat. In this world, nothing is more important than good food!"

Jia Huan chuckled and said, "Thank you for your hospitality today, Your Highness, but it would be best if you visited less often in the future?"

"Why?" Xu Wenhou asked in return, but Jia Huan did not answer.

Xu Wenhou's eyes darted around, and he waved his hand, saying, "Clear away the remaining food, and you can all wait outside."

Li Jinzhong hurriedly ordered two guards from the Prince's Palace to collect the leftovers and leave, but Xu Wenhou waved his hand and said, "You go out too."

Li Jinzhong had no choice but to leave the cell sheepishly, though he was filled with jealousy, he dared not show it. By now, Li Jinzhong had been serving Xu Wenhou in the Minwang Mansion for nearly two years, and he had always tried to please him, thinking that he was quite favored by his master. But now, compared with Jia Huan, he realized that his importance in his master's eyes was far less.

After Li Jinzhong left, only Jia Huan and Xu Wenhou remained in the cell. The latter glanced at Jia Huan, a rare shrewdness appearing in his small eyes, and asked in a low voice, "When have you ever refused to go to the Prince of Min's residence to talk with me? Are you worried that Father Emperor will be suspicious?"

Jia Huan remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement. Xu Wenhou sighed and said, "Since ancient times, the most ruthless are those in the imperial family. I understand your concerns. It's funny, but I've been timid and cowardly since I was a child, and I'm also obese. My father and grandfather disliked me, and I've never dared to have any improper thoughts about that position."

"So what now?" Jia Huan stared intently at Xu Wenhou.

Xu Wenhou also stared intently at Jia Huan, whose fair and plump face was flushed, probably due to some alcohol intoxication. After a long while, he nodded, which can be regarded as admitting that he had ideas about the throne.

Jia Huan said calmly, "That's normal."

Xu Wenhou said with distress, "But I would rather be as free and unrestrained as before. However, I have a clear opportunity now, and I am unwilling to give it up. Moreover, if the former crown prince is like this, it is inevitable that the successor will be like this. I am also afraid. Last time at Iron Net Mountain, if it were not for Brother Jia, I would probably have been reincarnated by now. How could I still be alive now!"

"That's because His Highness Prince Min is blessed with good fortune and boundless good luck," Jia Huan said.

Xu Wenhou said irritably, "What 'heavenly signs'? Can't you say something useful? I recently received news that the front lines have suffered a defeat, and I estimate that Father will soon be negotiating peace with the Jurchens. Do you understand what I mean?"

Jia Huan asked in surprise, "A defeat? When did that happen?"

"On the very night you were imprisoned, an urgent secret report was delivered by an undercover agent of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The official battle report from Sun Chengzong, the Liaodong military commissioner, had not yet arrived. Guerrilla General Man Gui had crossed the river without authorization to attack Yaozhou, but was ambushed and lost more than a thousand men."

Jia Huan raised an eyebrow and said, "Before I entered the pass, I strictly ordered that no one was allowed to cross the river without authorization. Although Man Gui is a troublemaker, he dares not disobey my military orders. There must be other reasons for this."

Xu Wenhou nodded and said, "It is said that Huang Taiji suddenly appeared in Yaozhou City on the east bank of the Liao River, with few troops with him."

Jia Huan shook his head and sighed, "Huang Taiji is no simple man, even more difficult to deal with than Nurhaci. His sudden risky approach to the front line is most likely a trap. It's understandable that Man Gui is greedy for merit and reckless, but the Grand Marshal couldn't possibly not see it. Why was he so careless?"

Xu Wenhou spread his hands and said, "I have no way of knowing either. In any case, the defeat at the front is a foregone conclusion. I estimate that Sun Chengzong's official battle report will be submitted in the next couple of days. If it is concealed, the punishment will be even more severe. At that time, Father Emperor will most likely agree to peace talks, and then..."

Xu Wenhou didn't continue speaking, but just looked at Jia Huan. Jia Huan naturally understood what the former meant. Once the two sides reached a peace agreement, it was highly likely that Prince Qing would return to the country, which would make Xu Wenhou's position as crown prince even more precarious.

According to the ancestral system of the Great Jin Dynasty, if there is a legitimate heir, the eldest son shall succeed; if there is no legitimate heir, the eldest son shall succeed. Prince Qing's succession order is undoubtedly ahead of Xu Wenhou's. In addition, Emperor Qiansheng originally favored Prince Qing more, as evidenced by the fact that he personally led the expedition with Prince Qing by his side.

Jia Huan pondered for a moment before asking softly, "Has Your Highness Prince Min's painting skills improved?"

Xu Wenhou was taken aback. At this critical moment, with the situation so dire, how could you, a mere lad, still talk to me about painting techniques?

Jia Huan added, "Actually, many things are like painting. Haste makes waste. Only by being patient and meticulous, and carefully crafting each stroke, can you create a masterpiece that will be passed down through generations!"

Xu Wenhou looked at Jia Huan thoughtfully. The latter dipped his finger in some wine and wrote the character "filial piety" on the table. He smiled and said, "Your Highness, if you focus your efforts on this aspect from now on, you will surely achieve twice the result with half the effort and your painting skills will improve by leaps and bounds. However, do not overdo it, lest you become too affected and pretentious. Too much of a good thing is bad!"

Xu Wenhou asked with skepticism, "Does this really work?"

"It may not work, but compared to other methods, this is definitely the most effective," Jia Huan said decisively.

Emperor Qiansheng grew up under the powerful shadow of the retired emperor. He was intelligent and arrogant, patient and suspicious. Especially after the retired emperor's restoration and the betrayal of Crown Prince Xu Wenhong, he probably no longer trusted anyone. The reason why he never established a crown prince was probably due to this influence.

Given Emperor Qiansheng's current mindset, any son who shows any ambition for the throne will inevitably arouse his suspicion and displeasure. Therefore, the more unambitious one is, the more points one will gain in Emperor Qiansheng's eyes. Thus, Jia Huan advised Xu Wenhou to focus on filial piety. Otherwise, compared with Prince Qing, Xu Wenhou, who has no advantage, will have no chance at all.

Although Xu Wenhou was overweight with a round head, round face, and small eyes, and looked rather dim-witted, he was actually quite intelligent. After a moment of contemplation, he fully understood Jia Huan's meaning and nodded, saying, "This meal was well worth it."

Jia Huan laughed and said, "He who eats another's food is bound to do his bidding; he who takes another's money is bound to do his bidding. Your Highness, Prince Min, has grown up."

Xu Wenhou retorted with an unfriendly expression, "Does Brother Jia refuse to speak without this meal?" "That's not the case. We've been through thick and thin together."

Xu Wenhou chuckled with satisfaction, then asked, still somewhat unwilling to give up, "You really don't want to marry Yongning?"

Jia Huan shook his head and said, "If Seventh Master sees Princess Yongning, please convey my apology. Jia Huan refused the imperial decree only because he has someone else in his heart, not because he disrespects the princess."

Xu Wenhou said sullenly, "I will personally visit her another day to see what kind of extraordinary person this woman surnamed Lin is, that she would make you, boy, disregard your career and life to defy the imperial decree. Humph, I'm off!" After saying that, he turned and left.

Jia Huan bowed and said, "Your Highness, please take care!"

Xu Wenhou deliberately quickened his pace, clearly still displeased. As a result, he stepped into the snow and nearly slipped and fell flat on his face, startling Li Jinzhong and the prison guards. Fortunately, the fat man was quite agile and managed to grab the wall in time, preventing injury.

"Oh my lord, you scared me to death!" Li Jinzhong hurriedly stepped forward to help him up.

Li Jinzhong was a master of flattery and sycophancy. He was quick-witted, knew how to read people's minds, and catered to their preferences. In the year since he was transferred to the Prince of Min's residence, he had already won Xu Wenhou's favor. It is said that Xu Wenhou's failure to lose weight was also partly due to this guy's "contribution." Li Jinzhong searched everywhere for delicacies and even sent people to find famous chefs all over the country to bring back to the Prince's residence to cook for Xu Wenhou. He ate a variety of dishes every day, so it was hard for him not to gain weight.

Getting back to the main point, just as Xu Wenhou left, a group of people emerged from the shadows. They were none other than Shi Dayong, the director of the Eastern Depot, and Lü Youwei, the vice commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

This Lü Youwei was originally a commander under Yi Hong, but he has now submitted to Shi Dayong and was recently promoted to the position of Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

In the past two years, Shi Dayong has enjoyed the favor of Emperor Qiansheng, becoming incredibly popular and a highly sought-after figure in the court. After bringing down the former commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Yi Hong, the new commander also followed his lead. As a result, Shi Dayong and others controlled the two major secret service agencies, the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and his power expanded rapidly. Even Chen Ju, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, was somewhat afraid of him, and many unprincipled officials in the court even came to curry favor with him.

Meanwhile, Shi Dayong and Lü Youwei emerged from the shadows, watching Prince Min Xu Wenhou and his entourage leave through the snow, their eyes filled with indescribable gloom.

“His Highness Prince Min’s friendship with Jia Huan is indeed deep. No wonder His Highness pleaded for Yi Hong as soon as Jia Huan stepped forward,” Lü Youwei said slyly.

Mentioning this old incident, Shi Dayong's eyes darkened even more. He thought to himself, "Fortunately, Prince Qing is about to return to the country. If Prince Min were to take the throne, that brat Jia Huan would be even more formidable!"

Shi Dayong sneered and turned to walk towards the prison. The prison warden was even more afraid of the arrival of the Eastern Depot's commander than when he saw the Prince of Min. He hurriedly bowed and scraped to greet him.

"Are you blind? Open the cell door now!" a member of the Imperial Guard shouted sternly.

The jailer hurriedly opened the prison gate that he had just locked. Shi Dayong strode in without even raising his eyes, went straight to Jia Huan's cell, and said through the iron bars with a forced smile, "Young Master Jia, we meet again. It's truly unpredictable how things turn out. Just a few days ago you were all high and mighty, promoted and ennobled, and now you're a prisoner. It's really a pity!"

Jia Huan glanced at Lü Youwei behind Shi Dayong, whose eyes flickered and who lowered his head guiltily.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Eunuch Shi," Jia Huan said calmly.

Shi Dayong said regretfully, "Young Master Jia clearly had a bright future, but he disobeyed the imperial decree for the sake of a woman. He was utterly foolish. The Emperor is showing leniency because you are young and it is your first offense. If it were anyone else, I'm afraid they would have already lost their heads. Jia Huan, listen carefully. The following is the Emperor's decree."

Jia Huan had no choice but to kneel down and kowtow: "Your sinful subject Jia Huan obeys the imperial decree!"

A smug glint flashed in Shi Dayong's eyes as he shouted, "Jia Huan, do you know your crime?"

Jia Huan forced a smile and said, "I have failed Your Majesty's grace and deserve to die, but I am truly unworthy of Princess Yongning. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree and choose another talented man as my consort!"

Shi Dayong's expression changed, and he sneered, "Jia Huan, you've really made up your mind. Fine, I'll report this to the Emperor now. Good luck to you!" With that, he turned and left.

The jailer and the guards were all terrified and fell silent. They all looked at Jia Huan with admiration and sympathy. Tsk tsk, this guy is so arrogant. The emperor gave him a chance, but he refused again. Now he's probably going to lose his life!
Shi Dayong and Lü Youwei left the Ministry of Justice prison. The former sneered, "That kid Jia Huan has guts, but the more guts he has, the faster he dies. Heh heh, he won't shed a tear until he sees an official's corpse. Good, saves us trouble!"

Lu Youwei sighed, his feelings complicated. "I've seen that Lin family woman before; she's truly a beauty beyond compare, one in a million. Any man who sees her is captivated. And that Xue family woman, Baochai, is also an unparalleled beauty. Her entanglement with Jia Huan is truly a case of even heroes finding it hard to resist the charms of a beautiful woman!"

Shi Dayong's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Could it be that Jia Huan also has an affair with that Xue family woman?"

Lu Youwei laughed and said, "I'm not too sure about that, but back in Jinling, when the Xue family mother and daughter were kidnapped by the bandit Kang Dayong, Jia Huan was willing to offer himself as a hostage to save them. Later, he also used Yi Hong's connections to help Xue Baochai on several occasions."

"Look, a couple of years ago, Xue Pan, the eldest son of the Xue family, was implicated in the Emperor Emeritus's rebellion. His family was raided and his property confiscated. As a result, Xue Pan, his mother, daughter, and servants were all sent to the brothel. Jia Huan used Yi Hong's connections to redeem them from the brothel, and since then, Xue Pan and his mother have been living in the Jia family's household."

Shi Dayong's eyes flashed, and he sneered, "It seems that Jia Huan is quite the ladies' man, leaving his mark on everyone. Tsk tsk, truly, a man who isn't a bit of a playboy in his youth is wasting his life!"

Next, Shi Dayong returned to the warm pavilion of Qianqing Palace and reported the truth to Emperor Qiansheng. Upon hearing that Jia Huan refused to admit his mistake, the latter was furious, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He said in a deep voice, "Well done, Jia Huan! Do you really think I wouldn't be willing to cut off your head?"

Shi Dayong was secretly delighted and seized the opportunity to fan the flames, saying, "This old servant has heard that the Lin family's daughter is as beautiful as a fairy, a rare beauty in the world. I guess Jia Huan has been bewitched by her and doesn't even care about his life and future. In addition, this old servant has also heard that there is a woman in the Xue family who is also a peerless beauty, surpassing all others in beauty, and she is also entangled with Jia Huan!"

Emperor Qiansheng sneered, "A peerless beauty? Then I shall grant your wish!"

(End of this chapter)