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

Meanwhile, Shui Rong was riding in the Prince's blue-curtained carriage, slowly traveling through the streets and alleys of the capital.

As the carriage passed the Rongguo Mansion and was about to turn the corner, a heart-wrenching scream suddenly erupted from inside, mixed with wailing: "Ouch! Father, spare me! I'll never do it again!"

The cry was sharp and familiar. Shui Rong lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, his gaze sweeping over the two majestic stone lions guarding the gate and the half-closed vermilion gate. A playful smile immediately appeared on his lips.

Apart from Jia Baoyu, the troublemaker of the Rongguo Mansion, no one else in the capital could cry with such a fearful yet helpless tone.

"parking."

Shui Rong gave a casual order, a playful smile playing on his lips, and muttered to himself, "I heard Brother Bao was punished. I'm a little curious, let's go in and see what's going on."

After saying that, he looked at the guards accompanying him outside the carriage and ordered loudly, "You don't need to follow me. Just go back to your residence and wait for orders. I'll go in for a stroll and come out in a moment."

Upon hearing this, the guards bowed in unison and replied, "Yes, Your Highness." After speaking, they vanished silently into the crowds and shady trees on both sides of the street.

The coachman brought the carriage to a steady stop and stepped forward to lift the curtain.

Shui Rong straightened her clothes and slowly stepped down from the carriage.

The servants at the gate had already caught a glimpse of Prince Bei Jing's entourage and carriage. Terrified, they all knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "Your Highness, we servants pay our respects! Long live Your Highness!"

"Alright, get up, all of you." Shui Rong waved his hand, his gaze turning with interest towards the mansion. The wailing grew clearer. "I was just passing by and heard it clearly. Is your second master disciplining someone?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, it was...it was Young Master Baoyu who angered the Master, and the Master is punishing him in the courtyard." The head servant replied tremblingly, not daring to raise his head.

"No need for an announcement," Shui Rong said casually as he walked inside. "I just happened to be passing by, so I'll go in and see how Brother Bao managed to anger Brother Zheng like this."

"Yes, yes, Your Highness, please." The servant dared not stop him, and quickly got up, pushed open the door, and stood respectfully to the side, guiding the water into the room.

Shui Rong followed the piercing screams and passed through the ceremonial gate. There in the central courtyard, Jia Zheng was red-faced with rage, his eyes wide open, holding a large board and beating Jia Baoyu, who was lying on a stool, mercilessly.

Jia Baoyu was already crying uncontrollably, his hair was disheveled, and half of his brocade robe had been torn off, revealing red marks on his exposed skin, some of which were even bleeding. He looked extremely disheveled.

"You unfilial son!" Jia Zheng cursed as he hit him, his voice trembling with rage. "I was away from home for the past two days, and you've become completely lawless! You actually conspired with the maids to sneak out of the house, engaging in cockfighting, dog racing, and loitering in the marketplace—what kind of behavior is this! Today I will beat you to death to set an example for the family!"

"Ouch! Father! I really know I was wrong! I'll never do it again! Please don't hit me!" Jia Baoyu cried until his voice was hoarse, and his body convulsed in pain, but he didn't even dare to dodge.

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a cool and noble figure standing at the courtyard gate. The moon-white brocade robe accentuated his tall and straight figure, and his handsome face was like that of an immortal descended to earth. It was none other than his most respected brother, Shui Rong.

As if grasping at a straw, Jia Baoyu burst into an even louder cry, his voice cracking: "Brother Shui Rong! Save me! Brother Shui Rong! I'm about to be beaten to death!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng abruptly stopped, leaving the large wooden board suspended in mid-air, unable to fall for a long time.

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Prince Bei Jing, Shui Rong, standing with his hands behind his back under the corridor, a faint smile on his lips, looking at him with a half-smile.

Jia Zheng was startled, thinking to himself, "This is bad!" He quickly put down his scepter, rolled up his sleeves, hurriedly straightened his clothes, and stepped forward, bowing respectfully. His tone was full of embarrassment: "I did not know Your Highness would grace us with your presence. I have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"

Shui Rong stepped forward, glanced at Jia Baoyu's disheveled appearance, then fixed his gaze on Jia Zheng, and gently advised:

"Second Brother Zheng, calm down. The child is still young and mischievous, so it's inevitable that he might make a mistake in a moment of confusion. There's a saying that 'spare the rod and spoil the child,' but you have to be careful with the punishment. Don't really hurt him and end up damaging the relationship between father and son."

As he spoke, he naturally grasped Jia Zheng's hand. The warm, steady strength gradually calmed Jia Zheng's restless heart, and he dared not lash out again.

"For my sake, I'll spare Brother Bao this time, but we'll discipline him more strictly from now on."

Jia Zheng sighed, his face full of helplessness, and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Shui Rong: "Well, since Rong-ge'er has said so, then... I'll spare you, you unfilial son, for now! Quickly kowtow to the Prince to express your gratitude!"

Upon hearing that the beating had stopped, Jia Baoyu felt as if half of his pain had vanished instantly. He scrambled to his feet, not bothering to pull up his trousers or care about the dust on his clothes, and knelt down with a thud, kowtowing to Shui Rong. His voice, still trembling with tears, cried out, "Thank you so much, Brother Shui Rong, for saving my life!"

"Alright," Shui Rong smiled and raised his hand, gesturing for him to get up. "Go inside and apply the medicine quickly. If the old lady comes and sees you like this, she'll be heartbroken and give Second Brother Zheng another scolding."

Jia Zheng then snapped out of his daze and quickly turned to the servants, scolding them, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and prepare tea! What kind of behavior is it to have the Prince standing in this courtyard! Don't you have any manners at all!"

"Yes, yes, yes, this servant will go right away!" The servant hurriedly agreed and retreated in a panic.

Jia Zheng turned around and respectfully cupped his hands to Shui Rong: "Your Highness, please move to the main hall for tea."

"please."

The two men bowed to each other and walked towards the main hall, chatting and laughing. Seeing his father and Shui Rong leave, Jia Baoyu immediately scrambled to his feet, ignoring his pain, and ran towards the Yi Hong Courtyard, fearing that Jia Zheng might change his mind again.

As soon as he entered the Grand View Garden, he shouted at Xiren, "Quick! Go and inform the Old Ancestor, as well as Lin Daiyu and Baochai, that Brother Shuirong has arrived! Tell them to hurry to the main hall!"

After saying that, he collapsed onto the bed, pulled down his pants, revealing his bottom, which was red and bleeding from being beaten, and groaned as he waited for Xiren to apply medicine: "Ouch...it hurts so much...thank goodness Brother Shui Rong came in time...otherwise I would have lost my life..."

........................

Meanwhile, in the main hall, Shui Rong and Jia Zheng took their seats as host and guest, respectively.

At this moment, Jia Zheng had long since lost his previous violent temper and had returned to the gentle, kind, respectful, and modest demeanor of a noble family patriarch, his words filled with reverence.

"Your Highness," Jia Zheng picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said with a solemn expression, "The case of the missing child in the capital has caused quite a stir recently, and everyone in the streets and alleys is talking about it."

"Although I am not in charge of criminal matters, as a court official and a member of a noble family, I am deeply concerned upon hearing this matter. It is truly disgraceful and disheartening for the Holy Dynasty to have such heinous acts of child trafficking happening right under the emperor's nose and in the heart of the people."

Shui Rong put down his teacup, tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, and said with a deep gaze, "What Brother Zheng said is absolutely right. I have been paying attention to this matter for a long time, and recently I have even had people secretly investigate it."

"With the year drawing to a close, this gang of kidnappers is so rampant, daring to commit crimes in the heart of the capital, even targeting scions of noble families. This shows that they must have powerful backers and are no ordinary bandits. I have ordered men to assist Lord Li Yanling in investigating this matter, and anyone involved will be dealt with severely."

Jia Zheng nodded repeatedly, his face full of agreement: "Your Highness is wise! Such a heinous villain should indeed be severely punished to serve as a warning to others, so that the people of the capital can have a peaceful year. Although my Rongguo Mansion dares not say that we can provide full assistance, we will certainly cooperate fully with the government as long as it needs us."

Both men were well-read and admired Confucian ethics. When they talked about the state of the world, people's hearts, and important national affairs, they found themselves quite compatible, and the atmosphere in the main hall was very harmonious.

As the two were talking, footsteps came from outside the door, and then the steward hurriedly entered, bowing and saying, "Master, Your Highness, the Ancestor and the First Master have arrived."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng and Shui Rong both rose to greet them.

Before long, Grandmother Jia, supported by Yuanyang, slowly walked in.

This old nobleman of Rongguo Mansion, nearly seventy years old, was still vigorous and energetic. He wore a dark blue jacket embroidered with auspicious and longevity patterns, and a red gold headband inlaid with tourmaline. His face was kind, but his eyes revealed a shrewdness and majesty that came from having seen the world.

Following closely behind was Jia She, who was over fifty years old, with a round face and a plump body. He wore a royal blue brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist. Although he looked respectful, his brows betrayed a hint of laziness and indifference.

"This old minister (your humble servant) greets Your Highness." Jia She and his mother greeted him together. The former bowed deeply, while the latter gave a slight curtsy. Their movements were proper and refined, demonstrating the impeccable manners of a noble family.

"Grandma, Master, there's no need for such formalities." Shui Rong quickly stepped forward to help him up, his tone humble and polite. "I have come here today out of curiosity after hearing that Brother Bao was punished. I have disturbed the peace and quiet of the Rongguo Mansion."

"Your Highness, what are you saying?"

Grandmother Jia smiled and waved her hand, gesturing for everyone to take their seats. "It is a great honor and blessing for our Rongguo Mansion that Your Highness has graced our humble abode. I just heard that that wretched Baoyu angered Zheng'er, and it was thanks to Your Highness that the situation was resolved; otherwise, that child would have been beaten many times over."

After saying that, she glanced at Jia Zheng, her tone slightly reproachful, "The child is naughty, just teach him properly, why get so angry, or you'll ruin your health."

Jia Zheng bowed and replied, "Mother's teachings are correct, I will remember them."

Once everyone was seated, Jia She spoke first, his tone unusually solemn: "Your Highness, I just heard from the people in the manor that you have come today also because of the case of the missing children in the capital? This matter concerns the stability of the capital and touches the hearts of thousands of families. As a founding noble family, we, who are paid by the emperor, should naturally share the emperor's burdens and fully cooperate with the government in the investigation without the slightest shirking of responsibility."

Shui Rong nodded, his gaze slowly sweeping over Grandmother Jia, Jia She, and Jia Zheng. He said in a calm and steady tone, "I have come here today for two reasons: first, to visit Brother Bao on the way, and second, to discuss this matter with the three of you."

"Recently, Lord Li Yanling has been ordered by His Majesty to impose martial law throughout the capital, and to search every household for suspicious persons and traces. No one, including princes, noble families, and officials, shall be exempt from this order and shall be searched equally."

No sooner had she finished speaking than the sound of tinkling jade pendants came from outside the main hall, and Madam Wang and Aunt Xue entered hand in hand.

Both women were dressed in their finest attire. Lady Wang wore a dark blue brocade jacket with gold trim, her face dignified and solemn; while Aunt Xue wore a light purple silk dress, her figure plump and graceful, her temperament gentle and refined.

The two women had obviously come to pay their respects upon hearing that Shui Rong was there. Both were experienced matriarchs of the inner quarters and knew that it was inappropriate for women to interfere too much in matters concerning men's affairs, especially important matters concerning the security of the capital. Moreover, unmarried girls in the household needed to avoid suspicion, so they were respectful and simply served as attendants.

"Greetings to the Prince, and greetings to the Old Madam, the Master, and the Lord." The two bowed in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized.

"Get up," Grandmother Jia said with a smile, gesturing for them to rise. "You've come at the right time. The Prince is discussing the case of the missing children in the capital with us. Please sit down and listen. In the future, please be more vigilant in the household to prevent any mishaps."

Lady Wang and Aunt Xue thanked her and took their seats. The former represented the inner quarters of the Rongguo Mansion, while the latter was the head of the Xue family. Both listened silently, not saying much, and behaved with propriety, fully demonstrating the proper etiquette of a lady from a prominent family and the mistress of the house.

Looking at the crowd before him, Shui Rong slowly announced his decision: "I have ordered that the gates of the Prince of Beijing's residence be left wide open for the soldiers to search freely, without any obstruction or favoritism. Firstly, this demonstrates the Prince of Beijing's openness and impartiality, and secondly, it sets an example for all the noble families in the capital—only when the court and the people are of one mind can we quickly apprehend these kidnappers and bring them to justice, thus ensuring a peaceful and tranquil New Year for the people of the capital."