The Red Mansion

Chapter 39 The Thirteenth Prince Visits
The Patrol Zuoying Yamen is located outside Chaoyang Gate, which is a transportation hub in the capital and a key area for public security in the eastern suburbs.

Inside the high blue-gray wall, a flagpole stood in the glow of the setting sun, with the flag of the Left Patrol Camp hanging on the pole, as if even the wind blowing the flag carried a bit of solemnity.

While He Yun was still on his way to Prince Zhongyi's mansion, Cheng Xu had already arrived at the Patrol Office of Zuoying and reported the situation in detail to Wang Ziteng.

After hearing this, Wang Ziteng's face turned pale, and he was shocked and scared.

"He's close to the Thirteenth Prince? He's actually the Thirteenth Prince?"

Wang Ziteng thought that Jiang Nian might not be bragging.

This is not surprising.

He had already been aware that Jiang Nian might have a distinguished background, but he had previously denied this. Now that Jiang Nian had brought up the specific figure of the Thirteenth Prince, combined with Cheng Xu's detailed report, his denial intensified.

"Qin Ye was unexpectedly killed, and Jiang Nian might really be close to the Thirteenth Prince... This is a troublesome situation. What should I do?"

Wang Ziteng's brows were twisted into a knot, and his heart was in turmoil.

He knew Qin Ye.

His brother-in-law, Jia Zheng, was also a deputy minister of the Ministry of Works and had a similar personality to Qin Ye. They were colleagues and close friends, regardless of age. He also knew that although Qin Ye held a low position and had little to show for his abilities, he was renowned for his integrity and had served for decades, earning him considerable fame within the court.

He was a close confidant of the retired Emperor Jingning, and the two people he feared the most were Emperor Taishun and the Thirteenth Prince.

"If Qin Ye fell to his death, there were so many witnesses at the scene!"

He secretly hated it.

"If we continue to capture everyone in the Jiang family, and if Jiang Nianzhen becomes close to the Thirteenth Prince, today's matter will become even more difficult to resolve!"

He clenched his fists.

"At this point, let's wait and see. Even if Jiang Nianzhen is close to the Thirteenth Prince, and even if he accidentally killed Qin Ye today, it's not a big mistake for me, Wang Ziteng. The Thirteenth Prince can't punish me, and even if he reports it to His Majesty, His Majesty probably won't punish me, Wang Ziteng, for such a small matter! Besides, I still have the Emperor to protect me!"

Thinking of this, Wang Ziteng took a deep breath, suppressed the uneasiness in his heart, and made a decision - wait!

He was patrolling the Zuoying Yamen and ordering Cheng Xu to return to the Jiang family and wait.

……

……

It was already dusk.

The vermilion lacquer gate of Prince Zhongyi's mansion glowed dark red in the setting sun, appearing majestic. The bronze bells on the eaves swayed gently in the evening breeze, their tinkling sounds whispering the majesty of this palace.

In order not to offend the palace, when approaching the palace gate, He Yun deliberately pulled the reins and dismounted, leading the horse on foot. Accompanied by the sound of horse hooves on the bluestone road, he arrived outside the palace gate, and the sweat on his forehead had been cooled by the wind.

This was his second time coming to Prince Zhongyi's Mansion today.

"The prince has not returned home yet."

A palace guard who was in charge of guarding the gate gave an answer that made He Yun feel a little disappointed.

"Since the prince is not here, I would like to see the chief secretary. I have something urgent to tell you."

He Yun bowed, his tone respectful and eager, placing his hopes on the Chief Secretary Gao Zhuan. A personal guard went in to report, and after a moment came out, saying to He Yun, "The Chief Secretary is very busy and has no time to spare."

Oh, Chief Clerk Gao Zhuan already despised Jiang Nian and He Yun, and He Yun hadn't bribed him. Previously, he had simply sent Sixth-Rank Clerk Ke Shijie to take He Yun to his residence in the eastern suburbs, and today he was unwilling to meet with He Yun again. Even if He Yun claimed to have something urgent to discuss, in his eyes, whatever He Yun was up to was of no consequence.

He Yun knew that if he bribed Gao Zhuan, the situation might improve. However, he came on behalf of Jiang Nian. How could the son of Emperor Taishun easily bribe a mere official like Gao Zhuan? Moreover, if Gao Zhuan was to be tempted, the bribe would have to be substantial.

He Yun clenched his fists and sighed. He was about to rush to Changchun Garden to look for Prince Zhongyi, or directly ask to see Emperor Taishun, which would take a lot of time.

Suddenly, there was the sound of horse hooves and wheels rolling over stone slabs.

He Yun turned around and saw a carriage slowly approaching, guarded by a group of attendants. It was a solemn and magnificent carriage, gleaming brightly in the setting sun.

He Yun knew at a glance that the person in the carriage was most likely Prince Zhongyi, and he was immediately delighted.

The guards who were guarding the palace gate came forward respectfully to greet them.

He Yun watched as the carriage approached the palace. The occupants refused to get out at the gate. He hurried forward, immediately drawing the guards' attention and shouting, "Who dares to approach and offend the prince? Stand aside!"

He Yun knelt down and shouted loudly towards the carriage: "Your Highness, I, He Yun, have an urgent matter to discuss with you!"

The carriage curtain was gently lifted, revealing a thin, slightly tired face with sparse features. It was none other than Prince Zhongyi. He looked at He Yun through the carriage window, his eyes scrutinizing, but he quickly regained his composure.

He Yun shouted again: "Your Highness, I, He Yun, have an urgent matter to report!"

Prince Zhongyi knew He Yun and knew that this important matter must be related to his fourth brother's illegitimate son.

He raised his hand slightly, and a third-rank first-class guard of the royal palace hurried to the car window. After he whispered a few words of instruction, the first-class guard led the attendants to retreat.

Prince Zhongyi waved to He Yun again. He Yun understood and walked respectfully to the car window, lowering his head slightly.

Prince Zhongyi smiled faintly and said in a calm tone, "What's the matter?"

He Yun followed Jiang Nian's instructions, lowered his voice, and told the story of Jiang Nian, the Xue family, and Wang Ziteng truthfully and in detail.

It talked about how Jiang Nian and the Xue family met on the Qinhuai River, how Xue Pan gathered a crowd to cause trouble at the Jiang family, how Jiang Nian saved the Xue family from bandits on the Grand Canal, how Xue Baochai was promised as a concubine, and then how Wang Ziteng, dissatisfied with this, went to threaten the Jiang family but failed, and actually mobilized soldiers to surround the small house in the eastern suburbs and arrest everyone in the Jiang family, and how Qin Ye was murdered...

Spoken in an orderly manner.

He Yun finally said in a heavy tone: "Uncle Nian ordered me to ask the prince for help. If the prince does not help, everyone in the family will be arrested, and Wang Ziteng may murder Uncle Nian!"

"This Jiang Nian actually wants the Xue family to make her a concubine in return. Interesting!" Prince Zhongyi raised his eyebrows slightly, a curve at the corner of his mouth, and smiled coldly, "I'll go with you and meet Jiang Nian!"

He was willing to do this not only to protect Jiang Nian, the illegitimate son of Emperor Taishun, but also for another reason...

He Yun was overjoyed. Not only did he have the good fortune to meet Prince Zhongyi who had just returned to the palace, but Prince Zhongyi was also willing to come to the eastern suburbs in person.

If Jiang Nian were here now, he would think that it was luck at work.

At this time, the Chief Secretary Gao Zhuan hurried to the gate, ready to welcome the prince back to the palace, but was surprised to find that He Yun, whom he despised, was talking to the prince through the car window, and all the guards and other attendants were dismissed.

What surprised Gao Zhuan even more was that the prince immediately ordered the carriage to turn around, and hurriedly left in the sunset with a group of attendants and He Yun on horseback.

Gao Zhuan stood there in shock, filled with astonishment and regret. "How could this Fifth Rank Dragon Guard and his Master Jiang be so close to the prince?"

(End of this chapter)