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

Upon hearing this, everyone in the main hall exchanged bewildered glances.

Although they knew the search was carried out by imperial decree, the residence of a prince was so prestigious that allowing soldiers to freely enter and search it would ultimately be a loss of face.

After a moment's contemplation, a hint of approval flashed in her eyes, and she spoke first: "Your Highness is truly wise and righteous, and I admire you greatly. Our Jia family should follow Your Highness's example, opening our gates and fully cooperating with the officials in the search. A little dignity is a small matter; the stability of the capital is of utmost importance. If we can rescue those lost children, what does it matter if we lose some face?"

Jia She and Jia Zheng quickly echoed, "Mother is absolutely right. We will all follow the Prince's arrangements and fully cooperate with the search."

Madam Wang and Aunt Xue nodded in agreement. Aunt Xue then said, "Although my Xue family is not of noble birth, we have been established in the capital for many years. We should obey the imperial decree and cooperate with the Prince and Lord Li in their duties. Everyone in the family is at your disposal."

Seeing that everyone agreed, Shui Rong felt somewhat relieved, and a faint smile appeared on his lips: "You all understand the greater good, and I thank you on behalf of the people of the capital. With the cooperation of all the noble families, I believe it won't be long before we can bring these villains to justice."

The group discussed some details, such as how the people in the mansion should cooperate during the search and how to appease the servants and children. Their conversation was always conducted in accordance with etiquette and propriety, demonstrating the tacit understanding between the noble families and the royal family.

Before we knew it, the sun was setting in the west, and the afterglow of the sunset shone through the window and onto the golden bricks of the main hall, filling the room with warmth.

Grandmother Jia glanced at the sky and smiled at Shui Rong, saying, "Your Highness, it's getting late, the sun is about to set. Why don't you have a simple meal at the mansion so we can show you our hospitality?"

Jia She quickly chimed in, "Yes, Your Highness. Although we don't have any delicacies in our mansion, we have all sorts of everyday dishes. Please do us the honor of joining us."

Shui Rong initially wanted to decline, but he couldn't resist everyone's warm invitation. Remembering that he had come today to sound out the Jia family's intentions, he readily agreed, "Since the Old Madam and everyone have extended such a warm invitation, then I will trouble you."

"Good, good!" Grandmother Jia smiled and her eyes crinkled. She quickly instructed Yuanyang, "Quickly, go to the back house and tell the kitchen to prepare a banquet. Also, invite Miss Lin, Baoyu, and Tan'er over. Tell them that Prince Bei Jing is having a meal at his residence and that they should all come to see the prince so that they can share in his good fortune."

Yuanyang acknowledged and withdrew. Jia Zheng rose and apologized, "Your Highness, I will go to the front hall to make arrangements so that the servants can take good care of you."

"Second Brother Zheng, please do as you please." Shui Rong nodded.

Before long, light footsteps could be heard outside the main hall, mixed with the laughter of young men and the whispers of young women.

Jia Baoyu had already finished applying the medicine and changed into a loose brocade robe. Although there was still a hint of grievance between his brows, he could not hide his charming and lively nature. As soon as he entered the door, he called out, "Brother Shui Rong!"

Following closely behind was Lin Daiyu.

She was thirteen years old, wearing a moon-white cotton-padded jacket embroidered with magnolia branches, and a light purple silk cloak over it. She was slender and delicate, like a willow swaying in the breeze.

Her eyebrows were delicately furrowed, her eyes held a mixture of joy and sorrow, her skin was as white as snow, and her lips were like cherries. At this moment, she lowered her eyes slightly, her steps were light, and she carried a bit of the demureness of a lady from a noble family. After entering the room, she bowed slightly according to etiquette and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Afterwards, three young ladies, Jia Tanchun, Jia Yingchun, and Jia Xichun, also entered, all dressed in their finest attire, each with their own unique charm.

For a moment, the main hall was filled with the fragrance of perfume, the boys were charming and the girls were gentle, which was completely different from the solemn atmosphere when the meeting was held. Instead, it added a touch of the warmth and liveliness of a noble family mansion.

Jia Baoyu sat at the table, looking every bit the adult. He would point at the tea and snacks on the table and chatter away, and then turn to talk and laugh with Tan Chun and her sister, busy arranging the items on the table.

Xue Baochai sat gracefully beside Jia Baoyu, her fair skin accentuated by her moon-white silk jacket. As she sipped her tea, her gaze slowly swept over the people in the hall. Seeing that the table was almost complete except for one key figure, she suddenly frowned, gently tugged at Jia Baoyu's sleeve, and spoke in a soft, gentle voice:

"Brother Bao, look, the room is all set up. Where is Sister Feng? With the Prince's arrival, she is always the most considerate. There's no reason for her not to come and pay her respects."

Reminded by her, Jia Baoyu suddenly looked around and, sure enough, couldn't find Wang Xifeng. He quickly turned to Xiren, who was standing beside him, and instructed her:

"Quickly, go to the back and see why Second Madam Lian hasn't arrived yet. Tell her that Brother Shui Rong is here and ask her to come over quickly." Xi Ren responded "Yes" and quickly retreated.

Inside the main hall, Shui Rong leaned back in a rosewood chair, his dark blue robe with gold embroidery accentuating his upright posture, his face as fair as jade, and his eyes as bright as stars.

He did not participate in the young sisters' playful antics, but instead chatted casually with several elders, including Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and Aunt Xue, asking about trivial matters in the household or discussing the mundane preparations for the year-end. His words were humble, his demeanor dignified, displaying the majesty of a prince while maintaining a gentle nature.

Grandmother Jia sat at the head of the table, her hand resting on her prayer beads, looking at the harmonious scene before her with a beaming smile.

Seeing that Shui Rong was well-mannered, and remembering that his mother had passed away early and his marriage had been delayed, she decided to offer some advice. Changing the subject, her gaze fell on Shui Rong, and her tone carried a hint of intimacy and concern:

"Rong-ge'er, I've watched you grow up. Now you've just come of age, a perfect time for marriage. When your mother was alive, she was most concerned about your marriage. Now that you're on the throne, you should have someone who cares for you."

Upon hearing this, the laughter in the main hall subsided slightly. Both Madam Wang and Aunt Xue looked up at Shui Rong, their expressions differing. Madam Wang's eyes held a hint of expectation, secretly hoping that the young lady in the manor could find such a good match. Aunt Xue, on the other hand, lowered her eyes slightly, twisting her handkerchief between her fingers, pondering Baochai's future.

Upon hearing this, Shui Rong sighed inwardly, but his face remained calm and gentle, without the slightest embarrassment. He slowly said, "I appreciate the old lady's concern. To be honest, when I met with the Emperor this morning, my elder brother had already arranged a marriage for me. With the engagement settled, there's no point in discussing anything else."

Upon hearing this, the main hall fell silent for a moment. The smile on Grandmother Jia's face faded slightly, and a hint of regret flashed in her eyes—she had hoped to find a good match for the young ladies in the manor, but now that the Emperor's mind was made up, the opportunity had ultimately been missed;

Madam Wang's expectations were dashed in an instant, and she sighed inwardly, but dared not show it at all; Aunt Xue's fingertips paused, the gentle smile on her face stiffened for a moment, and then slowly melted away, but the anxiety in her eyes was even greater.

Although everyone felt displeasure and regret, they knew that the Emperor's will was difficult to defy, and dared not utter a single complaint in front of Shui Rong. They could only bow and nod. Grandmother Jia spoke first: "So that's how it is. I was too talkative. The Emperor's decree to arrange this marriage is a great blessing. It is truly a cause for celebration that the Prince has obtained such a good match."

Jia She and Jia Zheng quickly echoed, "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations! This is a match made in heaven by imperial decree; it is surely a perfect union."

Shui Rong smiled and nodded, saying nothing more—he never mentioned the name of the woman he was betrothed to, both in accordance with the emperor's wishes and leaving room for maneuver.

Everyone was secretly calculating in their hearts. Although the position of the principal wife had been decided, everyone knew that the regulations of the Prince of Beijing's mansion originally stipulated that there were ten concubines.

The prince is young and promising, and of noble status. Even if he could become a concubine, it would be a great blessing for the young ladies in the manor or for Xue Baochai. So it is not entirely hopeless.

The disappointment in Madam Wang's eyes gradually faded, and she secretly glanced at Tan Chun and Dai Yu, a glimmer of hope rekindling in her eyes; Aunt Xue's heart stirred, and she loosened the twisted handkerchief between her fingers, her smile becoming even gentler—Baochai was dignified and virtuous, and if she could become a concubine in the Prince of Bei Jing's mansion, she would have the protection of the prince in the future, and the Xue family's future would be more secure.

Grandmother Jia, being so insightful, saw through everyone's thoughts at a glance, but she didn't expose them. Instead, she smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Yes, since it's the Emperor's will, it's the best arrangement. When Rong-ge'er has a family in the future, he'll be less lonely and will have someone to take care of him."

After chatting for a while, Shui Rong suddenly looked up, his gaze passing over everyone to Lin Daiyu under the corridor, and said in a friendly tone, "Miss Lin, I have a question to ask you."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang quickly stood up and said, "Your Highness, please wait a moment. I will have someone fetch her right away." After saying that, she instructed the maid beside her, "Quickly, go and invite Miss Lin over. His Highness has something to ask her."

The maidservant responded and left. A short while later, Lin Daiyu gracefully walked forward.

Although she was slender, she already possessed the demeanor of a lady from a prominent family. She wore a light purple silk cloak with delicate magnolia flowers embroidered on the collar. Her black hair was tied up with a single jade hairpin. Her face, without any makeup, had eyebrows like distant mountains and eyes like autumn water, with a hint of intelligence and wit hidden in them.

She walked lightly into the hall, slightly curtsied, and said in a clear, melodious voice, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Miss Lin, you may dispense with the formalities."

Shui Rong raised his hand in a gesture of greeting, his tone gentle, "I just wanted to ask when you plan to leave the capital to find your father, Lord Lin? If you are setting off, please inform me in advance, as I happen to have a few words I would like you to convey to Lord Lin."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu's brows flickered slightly. When she looked up at Shui Rong, her eyes held a mixture of frankness and bewilderment. She replied softly, "Your Highness, I truly do not know when my father will summon me. This matter will require waiting for his letter."

"I see." Shui Rong nodded, not asking any further questions. "Then that's fine. Just let me know when you know the departure date."

Just as Lin Daiyu was about to respond and leave, Shui Rong stopped her, saying, "Miss Lin, please wait. I thought you were unwilling to get involved in these chores, so why don't you stand beside the Old Madam and listen to our conversation? This way, you can learn about the rules of aristocratic family meetings and be more appropriate when you go out in the future."

"Yes, Your Highness." Lin Daiyu curtsied and replied, a complex emotion flashing across her eyes—a mixture of surprise and secret curiosity, which she quickly concealed before obediently walking to Grandmother Jia's side.

She knew perfectly well that ever since Shui Rong had given her the expensive winter clothes and the jade carving of snow-covered plum blossoms a few days ago, she had developed a strange curiosity about this Prince Bei Jing, whom she had only heard of before.

He wielded immense power, being the head of all princes, yet he was gentle and insightful, displaying none of the arrogance often associated with powerful and influential families.

Today is a rare opportunity to get so close to him, so I'll take this chance to see what this high-ranking prince is really like.

Grandmother Jia adored this granddaughter, and when she saw her coming, she quickly beckoned her to sit down. She then instructed a maid to bring a small pear wood stool and place it beside her, saying, "My child, sit down quickly, don't stand and tire yourself out."

Lin Daiyu sat down as instructed, her posture dignified. Though she remained silent, she paid close attention to the conversations in the hall.

Occasionally, when Grandmother Jia asked for her opinion, she could answer fluently, her words revealing her intelligence and wit, and the refined and elegant temperament in her eyes was captivating.

Madam Wang and Aunt Xue sat to one side, each with their own thoughts, but both remained silent.

Lady Wang looked at Lin Daiyu with a complex expression in her eyes—she was pleased with her intelligence and understanding, and deeply loved by Grandmother Jia, but she was also secretly wary of her talent and this favoritism, fearing it would affect Baoyu's marriage. She also hoped that she could enter the Prince of Beijing's mansion and secure this stable kinship for the Jia family.

Aunt Xue was preoccupied with Xue Baochai's future. Seeing Shui Rong's gentle care for Daiyu, she couldn't help but feel anxious. However, when she thought of the ten concubines available in the Prince of Beijing's mansion, she calmed down. She simply held her teacup, maintained a gentle smile on her face, and waited to see what would happen.

The group chatted for a while longer, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious. The tea and snacks were changed twice, and the news of the kitchen preparing the banquet was quietly reported to Grandmother Jia by a maid.

Suddenly, a series of slightly hurried footsteps came from the direction of the back courtyard, breaking the tranquility. Then, Ping'er came running in, panting, looking nervous. As soon as she entered, she knelt and curtsied to Grandmother Jia and Shui Rong, her voice tinged with urgency: "Grandmother, Your Highness, this servant has been impolite."

Upon seeing this, Grandmother Jia's smile faded slightly, and she asked gently, "It's Ping'er. Why hasn't your mistress arrived yet? Baoyu just sent Xiren to urge her. Has something happened?"