Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 278, Entrapment

As the most powerful person at present, Fang Yong has absolute control over the capital. He has his hands over the every move of everyone, whether it is the army or intelligence personnel.

Especially in the palace, it is of paramount importance.

Therefore, Fang Yong received the news immediately after Xue Pan and Baochai met.

In the evening, Baochai entered the Qianqing Palace.

Fang Yong lay on his side on a soft couch, with no one else attending to him.

Baochai was so clever that she naturally knew that Fang Yong was waiting for her.

She immediately knelt on the ground, kowtowed, and said:

"Your Highness, this lowly concubine is guilty!"

Fang Yong opened his eyes, looked at the scene, and smiled helplessly.

This girl is always so smart.

She guessed everything without me saying anything.

Unfortunately, she was too clever for her own good, thinking too much, and sometimes she wasn't as good as Xiangling, who was simple-minded.

"Get up."

Fang Yong said.

Upon hearing this, Baochai stood up, her almond-shaped eyes trembling slightly, as if she had a thousand sorrows in her heart and her thoughts were not clear.

Fang Yong found it somewhat amusing.

He knew that Bao was deliberately putting on an act for him.

If she were truly troubled, she wouldn't have come to see him. Since she came, it means she must have already thought things through.

Only by showcasing one's "effort process" can its value be highlighted.

Fang Yong was not averse to this.

Everyone is different from others.

Baochai is worldly-wise and knows right from wrong. She never hurts anyone; she just "acts" around herself in hopes of getting more attention. So what's wrong with that?
In contrast, Daiyu could never do this, keeping all her worries to herself. If it weren't for my "day after day of guidance," who knows how much the silly girl would have accumulated her worries.

Fang Yong extended his hand and said, "Come closer."

Upon hearing this, Baochai obediently walked to Fang Yong's side.

Fang Yong pressed his hand down and said, "Lower it a bit."

Baochai squatted down.

Fang Yong raised his hand and placed it on Baochai's forehead.

"Thump!" It bounced hard.

"Oh!" Baochai took two steps back and covered her forehead.

A red mark had appeared on her fair forehead, and Baochai's eyes were filled with tears from the pain.

"Do you know why I hit you?"

Fang Yong asked.

Baochai pursed her lips and said:

"This concubine is guilty!"

Fang Yong asked, "What crime?"

Baochai said, "I met with my brother in private and agreed to his request."

Fang Yong shook his head.

"Given your intelligence, you must have known long ago that I had people around you, so this can't be considered a private meeting. As for that matter, since you've already come to me, it's not a crime."

Baochai was slightly taken aback, and opened her mouth, "That is..."

Fang Yong said, "Heh, you silly girl, where did your usual cleverness go? Didn't you see that I specially sent all the maids away to wait for you, and you still haven't come up to serve me? You deserve a beating!"

Baochai then realized what was happening and was immediately filled with emotion.

Busy, Fang Yong grabbed her arm and led her to the bed.

The two embroidered shoes were thrown far away.

"Master!"

Baochai nestled softly in Fang Yong's arms and said.

Fang Yongdao: "Call me master!"

Upon hearing this, Baochai gave Fang Yong a resentful look.

Among the women around Fang Yong, there was no uniform way of addressing him.

Most people simply call him Prince Fang Yong. This is the most common and formal form of address.

It evolved gradually from the very beginning as a general and a marquis.

Another way to address someone is "Master".

This title is usually used by maids like Xiao Xueyan, Xiangling, or Shishu, who frequently served Fang Yong.

Then there is another special name, Fang Yong Gege (Brother Fang Yong).

This title is very special; among all people, only two people can use it.

One is Daiyu, because of her special relationship with Fang Yong, this is a term of endearment used exclusively between the two of them.

Another one is Qiaoyan, which is normally discharged.

Qiaoyan is a relative of Fang Yong, but her family is all gone, so Fang Yong recognized her as his god-sister, and she calls Fang Yong "brother".

Of all these names, there is one that is the most special.

Currently, it belongs only to Baochai.

That is the "master".

This was the name Baochai used to address herself at the beginning.

Because she was originally a beauty given to Fang Yong by Feng Tai.

In the social hierarchy of that era, this was the lowest category, belonging to female slaves.

When Baochai first met Fang Yong, she couldn't figure out his character, so she addressed him as "master" in order to win his favor.

Of course, Fang Yong was very gentle with all his women.

Baochai and he had known each other for a long time and had developed feelings for each other. Now, his status was no less than that of Tanchun and Xiangyun.

However, this title was not abolished; instead, it became a unique way for the two of them to address each other.

They rarely show their true colors in front of outsiders.

She only makes noises during sex.

Holding Baochai in his arms, Fang Yong easily removed the cumbersome silks and brocades with a slight movement.

Her skin was smooth and lustrous, snow-white and plump; holding her in my arms was a completely different sensation from holding Daiyu, who was petite and frail.

Fang Yong placed his hand on Baochai's heart, gently stroking it, trying to understand her thoughts.

Baochai also recounted how Xue Pan had come to see her that day.

Although Fang Yong already knew the contents, he still patiently listened to Baochai retell the story again.

As Baochai recounted her story, Fang Yong gently massaged her, feeling her heartbeat.

Baochai's face flushed slightly, and she exuded a hint of affection.

The thing is actually very simple.

Xue Pan agreed to Song Yun's request and sent Song Yun to the palace to recommend him to the Longqing Emperor.

But while he agreed, Xue Pan wasn't stupid.

He knew Fang Yong's current status; as long as he followed the established path, he might even become the emperor's brother-in-law in the future. How could he possibly ruin his own future?

The reason he agreed to Song Yun's request was simply because he truly had a deep affection for Song Yun and couldn't bear to see Song Yun starve to death.

Therefore, after Xue Pan went to find Baochai, he immediately told her the whole story.

Xue Pan hoped that Baochai could plead with Fang Yong to make an exception and allow Song Yun to enter the palace, and then spare Song Yun's life afterward. He was willing to give up his current official position for this.

Simply put, it's about cooperating with Song Yun in a play.

Of course, such a demand is still quite outrageous.

But at least it's better than acting in secret from Fang Yong.

So it seems that Xue Pan has really improved.

The hardships I endured before weren't in vain.

As for Song Yun, Fang Yong thought about it and decided that perhaps they could turn the tables on him.

Many people in the government are now dissatisfied with him.

The fundamental reason is simply that Fang Yong's policies touched upon the interests of these people, making a conflict between the two sides inevitable.

Previously, Fang Yong had temporarily postponed the outbreak of this conflict in order to consolidate his rule, but the interests of the two sides were fundamentally in conflict. The conflict could be postponed for a while, but not forever.

Those people today must be incredibly nostalgic for the reign of the Longqing Emperor.

Rather than letting these people do dirty tricks behind our backs, it's better to send Song Yun in as bait and lure them out on their own.

This approach eliminates opponents while keeping the situation under control, making it a win-win plan.

(End of this chapter)