Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

Shui Rong put down her teacup, looked at Zhu Changming, and spoke with a hint of expectation:

"If I haven't been able to interrogate the real mastermind before leaving the capital, I will hand these assassins over to you."

"When the time comes, I'll let you practice and see if you can find anything out."

"If I manage to uncover the truth by chance, I will leave you the relevant clues so that you have a general idea."

Zhu Changming's eyes lit up, and he instantly became interested. He patted his chest and loudly agreed, "Alright! Uncle Wang, it's a deal!"

After Zhu Changming changed his clothes and walked closer, Shui Rong looked him up and down and couldn't help but laugh:

"That's more like it."

"He insisted on wearing that gaudy outfit; he doesn't look like a young man from a noble family at all."

"Don't use your third brother as an excuse. Everyone in the court and the country knows that your third brother loves to wear bright colors. Why are you joining in the fun?"

"Wearing that outfit would look out of place; this simple white outfit adorned with golden lotuses looks much more appropriate."

Zhu Changming touched the fabric of his clothes, a smile playing on his lips. Suddenly, he stretched out his hand in front of Shui Rong, his eyes sparkling with laughter:

"Uncle Wang, it's still the first month of the lunar calendar, the New Year celebrations aren't over yet. As an elder, shouldn't you give the younger generation a red envelope for good luck?"

Shui Rong chuckled and playfully tapped his forehead: "You're seventeen already, practically an adult, and you still have the nerve to ask for a red envelope?"

"Why are you embarrassed? As long as the seniority is there, you can ask for it every year!"

Zhu Changming deliberately put on an exaggerated expression, raising an eyebrow and saying, "Could it be that Uncle Wang wasn't prepared at all and is trying to renege on his promise?"

Unable to resist his persistent pleading, Shui Rong took the red envelope that Zhao Zhong had already prepared.

I took the thickest portion and handed it over, pretending to be reluctant to part with it.

"Here, this is it. Don't think it's too little, it'll break my heart."

Zhu Changming snatched the red envelope, immediately opened it, and saw a small, shiny gold ingot inside. His eyes widened instantly, and he exclaimed with delight:

"Wow, Uncle Wang! You're so generous! I'll call my third brother and a few of my younger brothers to come get their red envelopes from you later. It'll be quite a spectacle!"

"You little brat, how dare you try to take advantage of me?"

Shui Rong pretended to hit him, but Zhu Changming laughed and dodged. The two were playfully bickering when suddenly Gong Ji entered quietly through a side door, bowing and saying:

"My lord, the old Prince of Dongping has arrived. He said he came to the palace to enjoy the festive atmosphere during the New Year. Steward Zhao is chatting with him in the flower hall next to the gate. The young Prince of Dongping has also come along."

Upon hearing this, the two who were playfully fighting immediately stopped.

Zhu Changming hurriedly raised his hand to straighten his disheveled collar, his fingers running through the stray hairs at his temples.

Shui Rong also straightened his robes and brushed away the wrinkles at the cuffs.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the same question in each other's eyes: "Why is he here?" They then quickly left the study to greet him.

Along the passageway beside the main hall of the mansion, Zhao Zhong was accompanying an elderly man with half-white hair and beard as they slowly walked in.

The old man was dressed in a bright yellow brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist; although he was quite old...

Yet he walked with a steady gait, his brows and eyes revealing the composure of a veteran minister from a prestigious family. Beside him was a fair-skinned and handsome young man, none other than Liu Chengze, the young prince of Dongping.

Shui Rong and Zhu Changming quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and performed the proper courtesies.

"Greetings, Uncle Wang (Wang Zu), Shui Rong (Chang Ming) is very polite."

Liu Dongchen looked up and saw the two of them. A hint of surprise flashed across his face, then he laughed heartily, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes crinkling up, full of the warmth of an elder seeing a younger person.

"Haha, it's Rong'er and Ming'er. What a coincidence that you two are both here."

"I had nothing to do during the New Year, so I brought my good-for-nothing grandson to your manor to enjoy the festive atmosphere and teach him how to be a good older brother. I'm sorry to bother you."

Liu Chengze also stepped forward, bowed, and said respectfully, "Greetings, Prince Bei Jing and Prince Zhao."

"Chengze, there's no need for such formalities. We're of the same generation, so you can address me by my given name," Zhu Changming continued.

Shui Rong raised her hand in a gesture of support, her face showing apology.

"It was my oversight that I did not know Uncle Wang was coming and failed to greet him properly, which was a great inconvenience."

"We should have invited Uncle Wang to Chengyun Hall to serve tea, but Zhao Zhong led you to the study instead, which has made us so hasty and impolite."

"It's alright, it's alright."

Liu Dongchen waved his hand, stroked his beard, and smiled gently.

"The Chengyun Hall is too formal, which makes people feel distant."

"I've long heard that your study is exactly as it was back then. Today is a good day to see it, and also to let Chengze have a look."

"You younger generation are much more dedicated than those in the main hall."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Changming quickly stepped forward, took Liu Chengze's hand, and said with a smile:

"Wang Zu, Chengze, the study is quiet, and Uncle Wang has a lot of interesting things hidden there. Let's go over there, and I'll accompany Chengze to take a look."

Liu Chengze responded shyly, and the group chatted and laughed as they made their way to the study, their figures illuminated by the red lanterns hanging in the corridor.

A breeze blows, lanterns sway gently, and red silk tassels rustle, creating a warm and lively atmosphere of the New Year, completely devoid of the formality of the imperial court.

Upon entering the study, one is greeted by the fragrant aroma of sandalwood incense, rows of books on the shelves, and a half-drawn map of the territory spread out on the desk.

Liu Dongchen slowly paced back and forth, leaning on the edge of the desk. His gaze swept over the furnishings of the study, and he couldn't help but smile.

"Rong'er, your study hasn't changed at all. It's still the same layout as your father's back then. Even the inkstone on this desk is the same Chengni inkstone from back then, isn't it?"

"Uncle Wang has a good memory; these are indeed my late father's belongings."

Shui Rong smiled and replied, personally pouring Liu Dongchen a cup of hot tea, "This is freshly brewed pine needle tea for the New Year, Uncle Wang, please have a taste."

Liu Dongchen took the teacup, took a sip, looked up at Zhao Zhong standing to the side, and waved his hand:

"Steward Zhao, please take Chengze to the Prince's mansion to take a look at the New Year's decorations."

"The plum blossoms in the Prince's mansion are in full bloom. Let him go and take a look. I want to have a private chat with Rong'er and Ming'er."

"Your servant obeys the decree."

Zhao Zhong bowed in agreement and gestured for Liu Chengze to follow. Liu Chengze bowed to the others and took his leave, then followed Zhao Zhong out of the study.

The door was gently closed, leaving only three people inside. The atmosphere was quiet, yet it was still the relaxed chatter of elders and juniors, without any sense of oppression.

Liu Dongchen put down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, looked at Shui Rong and Zhu Changming with a smile on his face and a casual tone:

"During this festive season, with nothing of real business to discuss, I, an old man, would like to test you two youngsters today. Let's not talk about court matters, but express our thoughts through poetry, just as a game between uncle and nephew, grandfather and grandson. What do you say?"

Shui Rong and Zhu Changming both bowed and replied, "We will obey Uncle Wang's (Grandfather Wang's) orders."

Liu Dongchen nodded, his gaze first falling on Shui Rong. He cleared his throat and recited a poem, the words subtly probing for the position of heir apparent in the imperial court.

Yet his tone was casual, as if he were chatting idly: "The Eastern Palace shines majestically, while the princes' residences, though sharing the glory, have not yet returned. The princes have grand plans in their hearts, but how can they determine the safety and security of the empire?"

This question was clearly directed at Shui Rong. With the Crown Prince's power surging and the Kings of Qin and Zhao each having their own strong foundations, what court strategies did Shui Rong harbor, and how did he intend to secure the safety of the empire?

In reality, they were probing his stance: whether he favored the Crown Prince, aided the vassal kings, or had other plans.

Zhu Changming stood to the side, his hand holding the teacup pausing slightly.

Although the young man knew a little about the ways of the court, he did not expect the old prince to ask him a question in the form of a poem.

He immediately suppressed his previous liveliness, listened attentively, and his eyes showed a hint of obedient seriousness.

Shui Rong lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment. When he looked up, his expression was calm, and he responded in a clear voice. His tone was steady, containing a strategy of checks and balances, yet every word was humble and showed the proper demeanor of a junior:

"The stars are arranged in the nine heavens in order, and the rivers flow in a hundred streams in peace. The Dragon Court is not just a single branch in full bloom, but ten thousand trees flourish to protect the jade plate."

The phrase "stars arrayed in the nine heavens" means that the crown prince and the princes should be arranged like stars in the sky, each guarding their respective positions.

The phrase "a hundred streams flow" is a metaphor for the mutual checks and balances among various forces, which is essential for the stability of the country.

Upon hearing this, a glint of shrewdness flashed in Liu Dongchen's eyes. He clapped his hands, laughed heartily, and nodded repeatedly.

"Excellent! What a beautiful line: 'Ten thousand trees lushly protect the jade plate'! Rong'er, your cunning surpasses even your father's; you conceal your talents, yet possess profound wisdom!"

After laughing, he turned his gaze to Zhu Changming beside him, his tone becoming even gentler.

"Ming'er, it's your turn. I'll ask you a question too: The golden throne rises a thousand feet high, and the purple palace is adorned with nine layers of pearl curtains. May I ask, Prince Zhao, what are your aspirations in this life? Where do you wish to go?"

This question was directed at Zhu Changming's thoughts on the throne, asking whether he wanted to fight for the position of heir apparent or if he had other aspirations.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Changming scratched his head; the young man wasn't as composed as Shui Rong.

After a moment's thought, he recited aloud, his words straightforward and full of youthful carefree ease, devoid of any ambition for power or gain:

"A thousand peaks on a jade throne are not my desire, nor do I wish to be entangled in nine layers of beaded curtains. I only wish to roam freely among the mountains and rivers, and to be intoxicated by the spring breeze year after year."

He had never been interested in the throne, much less in the power struggles of the court.

He preferred to live a carefree life; these lines of poetry perfectly reflected his true feelings, without a trace of falsehood.

Upon hearing this, Liu Dongchen was taken aback at first, then smiled again, pointed at Zhu Changming, and spoke with the doting and approving tone of an elder:

"You child, you have developed a carefree heart, not coveting power and position, only seeking freedom. That's good, that's good. With less of the turmoil of the court, you can live a more comfortable life."

Zhu Changming chuckled and scratched his head, saying, "What Wang Zu said is true. I'm not cut out for power struggles. With my third brother in front and Uncle Wang in charge, I can just live a carefree life."

Looking at him like this, Shui Rong smiled. It was a good thing that the young man was pure of heart and did not covet power.

Liu Dongchen chatted with the two of them for a few more minutes about holiday matters, and reminded Shui Rong not to overwork herself for the engagement banquet on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month.

He then jokingly urged Zhu Changming to get engaged soon to add to the festive atmosphere, before getting up to leave.

"I won't linger any longer. There are still some trivial matters to attend to at home before the New Year, and Chengze should also be heading back. This casual chat today is much more interesting than sitting idly in the manor."

Shui Rong and Zhu Changming quickly rose to see him off, escorting him all the way to the gate of the mansion. Before Liu Dongchen boarded his carriage, he turned back to look at Shui Rong again, his gaze slightly darkening, but he only said one sentence:

"On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, I will definitely come to share in your joy."