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

As soon as the carriage arrived at the gate of the Prince of Beijing's residence, Shui Rong had not yet disembarked when he sensed something was amiss.

On either side of the mansion gate, several ornately decorated carriages were parked, and dozens of Imperial Guards dressed in flying fish robes and wearing embroidered spring knives stood solemnly around, their expressions cold and stern, as if facing a formidable enemy.

Even at both ends of the street in front of the mansion, there were imperial guards with guns on duty, with strict discipline, sealing off the entire street completely.

Shui Rong lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage. With a quick glance, she saw that the curtain of the leading carriage was embroidered with bright yellow tassels, and she immediately understood.

He straightened his clothes and was about to take a step when a commander of the Imperial Guards quickly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a deep voice, "This humble general greets Your Highness. His Highness the Crown Prince has been waiting in the study of the mansion for a long time and specially ordered this humble general to greet him here."

"Get up." Shui Rong nodded slightly, his tone calm and even.

The commander immediately stood up, respectfully stepped aside to lead the way, and personally helped Shui Rong up the steps.

Passing through the screen wall and around the covered corridor, as you reach the door of the study, you hear a clear and cheerful young voice from inside: "I heard Uncle Wang has returned to the manor?"

Before he could finish speaking, a handsome young man dressed in bright yellow casual clothes strode out to greet him.

The boy was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a touch of childishness in his brows, yet exuding royal majesty; he was none other than the Crown Prince Zhu Changyu.

Upon seeing this, Shui Rong immediately straightened his robes, bowed deeply, and paid his respects: "Your subject Shui Rong greets Your Highness the Crown Prince. I humbly wish Your Highness good health."

"Uncle Wang, please rise!"

Upon seeing this, Zhu Changyu quickly stepped forward and helped Shui Rong up with both hands. With a hint of affection and teasing on his face, he said, "We're all family, why be so formal? In this mansion, we only talk about uncle and nephew, not ruler and subject." After saying that, he took Shui Rong's hand without further ado and led him into the study.

Tea had already been brewed in the study, its aroma filling the air.

Zhu Changyu pulled Shui Rong to the large sandalwood table, his face full of pride. Pointing to an object on the table, he said, "Uncle, look. I heard that you were recently attacked and frightened. I was truly uneasy. This 'Pearl of the Sea' is a rare treasure from the Western Regions. It glows at night and has a calming effect. I'm giving it to you as a token of my goodwill."

Shui Rong looked over and saw a huge luminous pearl on the table, about the size of a fist. It was pure white, shimmering with light, and emitting a soft glow. It was indeed a rare and precious item.

His heart skipped a beat, but he quickly declined, bowing and saying, "Your Highness, this is a rare treasure, priceless. I am but a subject, how dare I accept such a generous gift? Please take it back, Your Highness."

"Oh, Uncle Wang, what are you saying!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Changyu raised an eyebrow and waved his hand dismissively, feigning displeasure. "How can I take back what I've given away? Besides, I'm here today for two reasons: first, to check on Uncle Wang's health, and second..."

As he spoke, he glanced around the study, shook his head, and said, "Uncle, this mansion, though elegantly decorated, is rather too desolate and lonely. I've brought some hardy and exotic flowers and plants from the Eastern Palace's Imperial Garden, along with these clever palace maids, for you to use. This mansion needs some more life."

Shui Rong followed his gaze and saw several timid palace maids standing in the corner of the study. They were all pretty and slender.

He sighed inwardly. Zhu Changyu not only sent gifts, but also people. It seemed that His Majesty's intentions were already obvious.

As expected, Zhu Changyu changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious: "Uncle, Father has been quite concerned about your marriage. Recently, he has even selected several young ladies from prestigious families, all of whom are both talented and beautiful. Father sent me here to persuade you to finalize this marriage as soon as possible, so that the joy of the wedding can dispel the bad luck of the past few days. What do you think?"

As he spoke, Zhu Changyu took out a list from his sleeve, gently placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Shui Rong: "These are the candidates. Uncle Wang, please take a look and see if there are any you like?"

Shui Rong looked at the list and smiled bitterly to himself.

How could he not know that His Majesty's apparent concern was actually a ploy to control him and plant spies through a marriage alliance?

He reached out and picked up the list, glancing at it briefly. They were all daughters of important officials in the court, from prominent families.

"Your Majesty... let's discuss this later." Shui Rong put down the list, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"Sigh, Uncle Wang always makes excuses like this."

Zhu Changyu shook his head helplessly, then his attention was drawn to the furnishings in the study. He looked around curiously. "Speaking of which, I've long heard of the rare treasures in Uncle Wang's residence. I've come in a hurry today, so I wonder if you could let me see them?"

Seeing this, Shui Rong smiled knowingly and turned to Zhao Zhong, who was waiting nearby, and instructed him, "Zhao Zhong, go and fetch those 'new gadgets' from the storeroom so His Highness can take a look."

"Yes, Your Highness." Zhao Zhong bowed and accepted the order, then turned and left.

When Zhu Changyu heard about the "new gadget", his eyes lit up immediately.

His uncle, Wang, was very quick-witted and always came up with some novel ideas that had never been heard of before. The two had a close personal relationship, and Zhu Changyu often got benefits from Shui Rong.

Before long, Zhao Zhong returned with several servants.

The servants each carried a tray covered with a red cloth.

Zhao Zhong placed the trays on the table one by one and stepped aside.

Shui Rong stepped forward and first unveiled the red cloth on the first tray.

Inside, there was a layer of brocade, and on the brocade lay a pair of long stockings as thin as cicada wings and crystal clear. The stockings were pale pink, with a delicate texture, and shimmered with a soft luster under the light, making it impossible to tell what they were made of.

"Uncle Wang, what is this...?" Zhu Changyu asked curiously as he leaned closer.

"Your Highness, why don't you touch it?" Shui Rong said with a smile, handing it over.

Zhu Changyu reached out as instructed, and the moment his fingertips touched the socks, he was astonished by their silky, cool texture.

His eyes widened as he repeatedly stroked it, exclaiming in amazement, "Wonderful! This texture is several times smoother than silk! Uncle, what is this called?"

Shui Rong smiled faintly, her voice tinged with a hint of mockery: "This item is called 'Glass Silk Stockings.' It is made using a special process, as thin as a cicada's wing. When worn by a woman, it is so revealing that it is almost invisible. It is the most romantic item for women in their boudoirs."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Changyu's cheeks immediately flushed red.

Although he was not yet married, he was at the age of just beginning to experience romantic feelings. How could he not understand the deeper meaning of the word "romantic interest"? He held the stocking in his hand, feeling his fingertips burning and his heart skipping a beat, yet his eyes couldn't help but linger on the stocking.

"Your Highness is not yet married. You may take these socks back to the palace and give them to...the Empress or the Noble Consort, as a token of my heartfelt wishes." Shui Rong looked at Zhu Changyu with a half-smile, his tone serious.

Zhu Changyu's face flushed even more. He quickly stuffed the stockings back into the box and coughed, feigning composure, "Uncle is absolutely right. I...I will deliver it myself. And what is this second one?"

Shui Rong lifted the second tray, revealing a stack of neatly folded white paper-like objects with a faint grassy scent.

"This product is called 'menstrual pad,' and it is made from mulberry bark paper and wood ash."

Shui Rong picked up a piece and handed it to Zhu Changyu. "Women often experience inconvenience during their menstrual period. This item is absorbent and breathable, far better than the old strips of cloth or wood ash. It is also clean and hygienic, and less likely to cause disease."

Zhu Changyu was stunned, and then blushed.

He, the Crown Prince, was actually listening to his uncle explain women's private parts in his study. If this got out, what kind of decorum would it be? He quickly waved his hand and said, "Uncle... this... I won't look at women's things in detail."

Seeing this, Shui Rong didn't insist. He smiled, put the lid back on, and then opened the third tray.

Inside was an exquisite bamboo plaque, engraved with various patterns and characters.

"This is 'Mahjong'," Shui Rong explained. "It's a newly created gambling game, with more varied and interesting gameplay than leaf games. It can both entertain and stimulate the mind. I have written the rules down on paper. Your Highness can take it back to the Eastern Palace and play it with the palace servants in your spare time to learn more."

Upon hearing that it was a game, Zhu Changyu's eyes lit up again. He picked up a bamboo plaque and examined it carefully, nodding repeatedly: "This is interesting. It looks much more exquisite than those dull leaves."

Shui Rong smiled slightly, then took out a piece of paper with pictures and text printed on it from his sleeve and handed it to Zhu Changyu: "Your Highness, this last one is the real 'way to make money'."

Zhu Changyu took the piece of paper, which was covered with dense numbers and patterns, and the words "lottery" were written below.

"This item is called a lottery ticket."

Shui Rong lowered his voice, leaned close to Zhu Changyu's ear, and explained in detail, "For just a small amount of silver, one can buy a ticket. If one wins the grand prize, one can receive a huge reward. Your Highness, think about it, if this were to be promoted widely, the people of the world would flock to it, and what an enormous amount of money would flow into the Eastern Palace!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Changyu's pupils contracted sharply.

Although he was the crown prince, the expenses of the Eastern Palace were also fixed, and he often found himself in financial straits.

If they had this "lottery ticket," wouldn't that be...? He looked at Shui Rong, his eyes filled with shock and ecstasy, his voice trembling slightly: "Uncle Wang... this... this is truly a stroke of genius!"

"Your Highness flatters me." Shui Rong smiled faintly and patted Zhu Changyu on the shoulder. "This matter still requires Your Highness to handle it discreetly, while I will assist you in secret. Naturally, Your Highness should be the one to earn this first pot of gold."

Zhu Changyu clutched the piece of paper tightly, his heart pounding with excitement.

He and this Uncle Wang were about the same age, grew up together, and had a deep bond.

Although Emperor Zhu Yiheng was somewhat wary of Shui Rong, he tacitly approved of their interactions. The fact that Shui Rong entrusted him with such a confidential matter at this moment demonstrates his trust in him.

"It's getting late, I should return to the palace to report."

Zhu Changyu suppressed his excitement, carefully hid the piece of paper close to his body, and then looked at the box on the table, as if he remembered something.

He stood up, casually walked to the table, and with a cry of "Oops," pretended to slip, knocking the box containing the "glass silk stockings" to the ground.

"Oops, I messed up!"

Zhu Changyu exclaimed in surprise and quickly squatted down to pick it up. Taking advantage of the moment he bent down, he swiftly stuffed the box, along with the stockings inside, into his wide sleeve.

Immediately afterwards, as if afraid that Shui Rong would find out, he also quickly swept the box of "menstrual pads" and a set of "mahjong tiles" into his sleeve. His movements were so fast that they were astonishing.

After doing all this, Zhu Changyu straightened up, patted his sleeves, and a sly smile appeared on his face: "Uncle, this box is broken, so it's probably not presentable. Please find a finer box and prepare another one to send to the palace for Father. I will take this 'defective' one back to the Eastern Palace as a keepsake."

Shui Rong watched Zhu Changyu's smooth, flowing movements, his flushed cheeks, and his feigned composure, and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. This kid, he says no, but his actions speak louder than words.

"Since Your Highness likes it, then take it." Shui Rong pretended not to know and nodded with a smile. "But Your Highness, after you return, you must carefully study the rules of the lottery, so as not to disappoint my good intentions."

"Of course!" Zhu Changyu nodded repeatedly, afraid that Shui Rong would change his mind, and turned to leave. "Uncle Wang, I'll take my leave now! I'll come to bother you again another day!"

Seeing Zhu Changyu running frantically and unsteadily towards the door, Shui Rong couldn't help but call out a reminder, "Your Highness, the road outside is slippery, watch your step! Don't forget, the lottery matter still needs further consideration!"

"I know, I know!" Zhu Changyu waved his hand without turning his head, and his figure quickly disappeared outside the door.

Once Zhu Changyu's carriage had driven away, the Embroidered Uniform Guards and Imperial Guards also withdrew, and the area in front of the Prince's Mansion returned to its usual tranquility.

Shui Rong stood under the corridor, gazing in the direction the Crown Prince had left. The smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a deep contemplation.

He turned and went back to his study, looking at the list of women left by Zhu Changyu on the desk, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Zhao Zhong".

"Your servant is here."

"Go to the storeroom and select a few pairs of the finest 'glass silk stockings' and some 'menstrual cotton,' prepare several sets of each, and send them to the palace in my name to be distributed to the ladies of the palace," Shui Rong instructed.

"Yes, Your Highness," Zhao Zhong replied, bowing.

Shui Rong waved his hand, dismissing Zhao Zhong. He sat alone in his study, toying with the "Pearl Lost in the Ocean," his mind filled with thoughts. Zhu Changyu, though young, had already shown his talent, and today's test and attempt to win him over had been half successful. However, the game of chess between the harem and the court had only just begun.

As for the marriage, I can postpone it until Qin Zhongxun takes the bait.