The Red Mansion

Chapter 37 Sending Someone to Invite the Thirteenth Prince
When Jiang Nian saw Ma Peicheng ordering the arrest of all members of the Jiang family, he was a little surprised.

Wang Ziteng was so brazen that he not only wanted to capture him, but also everyone in the Jiang family, including Xiangling. In Jiang Nian's opinion, Wang Ziteng was extremely arrogant. He also didn't want to see Xiangling fall into the hands of these officers and soldiers. If that happened, she might be bullied.

Qin Ye's death has made Wang Ziteng's crime this time serious, and there is a high chance that he will be punished.

Qin Ye's death may also drive Wang Ziteng crazy, and he may even capture and kill Jiang Nian.

Because of this, Jiang Nian finally couldn't hold back anymore, and shouted to stop, and also shouted that he was close to the Thirteenth Prince.

This loud shout was like thunder, shocking Ma Peicheng and Cheng Xu.

Ma Peicheng and Cheng Xu were already worried about Qin Ye's death, and now they were even more panicked when they heard Jiang Nian shouting and being so close to the Thirteenth Prince.

Everyone in the court knew that the Thirteenth Prince was Emperor Taishun's closest brother and the most trusted minister. He was extremely powerful and it could even be said that the Thirteenth Prince was equivalent to the vice emperor!
Moreover, Ma Peicheng was a disciple of the Thirteenth Prince. The fact that he could now become a third-rank lieutenant general of the Left Camp of the Patrol was mainly due to the promotion of the Thirteenth Prince.

"Stop!" Ma Peicheng was stunned for a moment before he stopped his officers and soldiers. He looked at Jiang Nian with deep eyes, and his tone had softened. "What is your relationship with the Thirteenth Prince?"

Jiang Nian's expression softened, but his tone remained firm: "I am very close to the Thirteenth Prince. If you don't believe me, I will send someone to invite the Thirteenth Prince here."

At this time, Jiang Nian would not treat Ma Peicheng with arrogance, nor would he say harsh words like "I won't forgive you" or "I will make sure you die a miserable death". This would be foolish because it might anger the other party and cause him to take risks.

He should look gentle, but speak in a firm tone, with a hint of intimidation in his words.

Jiang Nian said he and the Thirteenth Prince were very close, and this was not an exaggeration. He was considered the Thirteenth Prince's nephew, and Emperor Taishun had instructed the Thirteenth Prince to be his contact person after he arrived in Beijing.

However, Jiang Nian felt that it was unlikely that he could invite the Thirteenth Prince by sending someone on short notice.

The Thirteenth Prince held a high position of power, with numerous affairs and heavy responsibilities. How could he have come in person for such a small matter? Moreover, when He Yun had previously gone to Prince Zhongyi's mansion to look for the Thirteenth Prince, he was not there, but in Changchun Garden. Changchun Garden was located in the western suburbs of Shenjing City, far from the Jiang family's small compound.

Jiang Nian claimed he could invite the Thirteenth Prince to intimidate Ma Peicheng and Cheng Xu, deterring them from any rash actions. He was also buying time by sending He Yun to Prince Zhongyi's mansion to summon his men to prevent today's arrests. If Gao Zhuan, the palace's chief historian who despised him, was unwilling to send his men to intervene, then He Yun could go to Changchun Garden to seek out Prince Zhongyi or even request an audience with Emperor Taishun. However, this would be extremely time-consuming...

At this moment, Ma Peicheng grabbed the scabbard of the short-handled broadsword hanging at his waist and stroked the gilded cloud pattern on the scabbard - this sword was given to him by his benefactor, the Thirteenth Prince, in his early years.

Ma Peicheng then turned his gaze to Cheng Xu and asked for his opinion.

Cheng Xu asked Ma Peicheng to step aside with him and whispered, "He must have been frightened to make up such a lie to deceive us. How could such a young man, living in a house like this, be so close to the Thirteenth Prince? In my opinion, we should take them away and leave it to the Lord Wang to decide."

Ma Peicheng disagreed with Cheng Xu's words.

Cheng Xu was Wang Ziteng's disciple and a close confidant promoted by Wang Ziteng.

Although Ma Peicheng was under Wang Ziteng's jurisdiction and had received Wang Ziteng's favor, he was, after all, a disciple of the Thirteenth Prince. In his heart, the Thirteenth Prince was much more important than Wang Ziteng.

In Ma Peicheng's view, he had already gotten into trouble by leading his troops to arrest people today and accidentally killed Qin Ye, the Deputy Minister of Works. How could he offend the Thirteenth Prince, the Vice Emperor and benefactor?
However, Ma Peicheng still had some hesitation, worried that if he agreed to Jiang Nian's request, it might cause the arrogant and ruthless Wang Ziteng to be dissatisfied with him... Just then, a small military officer hurried over and bowed to Ma Peicheng and reported: "Your Excellency, a fifth-rank Dragon Guard has arrived outside. He claims to be the steward of this family and wants to come in to see his master."

Upon hearing this, Ma Peicheng and Cheng Xu opened their eyes wide at the same time, both with expressions of surprise.

Only then did Ma Peicheng realize that Jiang Nian’s steward was actually a fifth-rank Dragon Guard.

Cheng Xu also just learned about this. When he came with Wang Ziteng before, he did not see He Yun because He Yun was out shopping at that time.

A fifth-rank Dragon Guard was insignificant in Wang Ziteng's eyes, but to Ma Peicheng and Cheng Xu, he was already worthy of attention. Especially at this moment, when Jiang Nian had just said that he and the Thirteenth Prince were extremely close, He Yun's sudden appearance seemed to invisibly confirm that Jiang Nian's words were true...

"Put it in!"

Ma Peicheng pondered for a moment and then gave the order.

Following this order, He Yun, wearing the uniform of a fifth-rank Dragon Guard officer, walked into the inner courtyard.

In order to ensure convenience and safety, He Yun has been wearing official uniform today.

He Yunben, along with his wife Meng and son He Zhong, went to the nearby market to buy things.

Meng and He Zhong were still shopping, but He Yun came back first to return some of the items they had already bought, as well as the dinner. He knew Jiang Nian was hungry and wanted Jiang Nian to have dinner as soon as possible.

However, when He Yun returned to the Jiang family's small courtyard, he was shocked by the scene before him - the small courtyard was surrounded by a group of officers and soldiers.

He Yun thought for a moment and decided to go in and find out the situation first.

At this moment, He Yun, who had entered the inner courtyard, took the lead and walked towards Jiang Nian. His black leather boots clattered against the ground. Because the inner courtyard was crowded, the corners of his official robe brushed against the bodies of two officers and soldiers, making a rustling sound. However, he did not look away, as if he did not care about the officers and soldiers filling the courtyard. He walked up to Jiang Nian, his face full of concern and confusion. He bowed and asked in a steady and powerful voice, "Master, what happened? Why are there so many officers and soldiers in our house?"

When Ma Peicheng saw this scene, his heart was filled with ripples, and he thought that the fact that Jiang Nian and the Thirteenth Prince were very close might be true.

Even Cheng Xu thought so.

Jiang Nian looked at Ma Peicheng, his expression still gentle and his tone still firm, and said: "Please allow me, the butler, to invite the Thirteenth Prince."

"I actually think that maybe what he said is true." Ma Peicheng's hesitation was shattered. His brows moved slightly, and he refuted Cheng Xu, then nodded to Jiang Nian, "Yes!"

After hearing the word "yes", Jiang Nian breathed a sigh of relief...

(End of this chapter)