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

Qin Zhongxun smiled and nodded, then turned and walked steadily out of the study. His back view was calm and composed, clearly having already anticipated Shui Rong's reaction.

Inside the study, once the footsteps had completely faded away, Shui Rong slowly leaned back in her chair. The coldness in her eyes disappeared, replaced by an intense and unyielding solemnity.

How could he not want to get that job in the south?

Getting away from the murky waters of the capital would allow them to avoid His Majesty's suspicions and secretly build up their strength in the south—a perfect opportunity indeed.

However, ever since his return from his mission to Liaodong, His Majesty's attitude towards him has become increasingly subtle.

Although he was treated with courtesy in the past, he always carried a certain degree of apprehension. Recently, he has been frequently summoning him to the palace for banquets, seemingly to chat casually, but in fact, every word he said was a test of his thoughts and an investigation into his power.

He knew that His Majesty was already wary of him, a prince who held some military power and enjoyed great prestige. If he volunteered to go to the south now, it would only increase suspicion and bring trouble upon himself.

"That's enough."

Shui Rong sighed softly, her fingertips tapping slowly on the table again. "Right now, let's get the academy's affairs sorted out first. Take it slow and don't be impatient for quick results."

He already had a plan in mind: the academy could not only attract the best talents in the world and secretly cultivate his own power, but also use literature to avoid disaster and make His Majesty lower his guard.

As for Liaodong, although the Duke of Wei is secretly hindering things, which is a problem, most of the other officials are pragmatic and can be stabilized with a little appeasement and warning, so there is nothing to fear.

The warm sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on his clothes, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in his heart.

The winds in the capital will only grow stronger. Only by proceeding cautiously and prudently can he protect himself and those around him in this treacherous vortex of power struggles.

The somber atmosphere in the study had not yet completely dissipated when a series of light footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, accompanied by the soft rustling of fabric. Qin Keqing pushed open the door and walked in.

The warm winter sun slanted across the threshold, and as soon as she stepped in, she felt as if she were enveloped in a layer of soft light, her whole being radiating a warm and luminous glow.

Her fair skin was accentuated by a long pink satin dress with scattered floral patterns. The hem of the dress was embroidered with delicate magnolia flowers, and with each gentle turn of her body, the petals seemed to swirl in the sunlight.

Her slender waist was so thin it could be encircled by a single hand, and the swaying hem of her skirt accentuated her full breasts. Each step she took was accompanied by a gentle rhythm as she slowly walked towards Shui Rong.

Before Shui Rong could get up, a pair of slender jade arms wrapped around his neck. Qin Keqing gently nestled into his arms, the cool fragrance of her hair mixed with the sweet scent of her perfume instantly lingering around his nose.

She tilted her head slightly, her soft red lips gently brushing against his Adam's apple, uttering a sweet, innocent murmur:

"Your Highness, do you think this outfit I'm wearing looks good?"

Shui Rong finally snapped out of his scheming thoughts, gently pinching her waist with his fingertips. The touch was delicate and soft, and he chuckled softly, his voice so gentle it could melt water:

"Qing'er is so beautiful, she looks good in anything, especially this pink dress that suits her so well."

His praise was direct and enthusiastic, and Qin Keqing blushed. She nuzzled his chin with her nose, her eyes full of shyness: "Your Highness, you're so naughty."

Before she could finish speaking, Shui Rong grabbed her waist and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

Their lips met, filled with deep affection. Qin Keqing leaned softly against him, her fingertips gently clutching his clothes, her breathing gradually quickening.

Shui Rong's body had already reacted instinctively, his arms tightened, holding her firmly in his embrace. The intimate actions continued for a few more moments before he reluctantly let go of her.

Qin Keqing's cheeks were as red as ripe cherries. She gently punched Shui Rong's chest, her voice soft and sweet with a hint of reproach:

"Your Highness, my new clothes are all wet."

Shui Rong looked down and saw that there were indeed some wet stains on her clothes.

He smiled and got up, took a moon-white fox fur robe from the clothes rack next to him, and gently draped it over Qin Keqing. The wide robe wrapped her whole body, only revealing a small section of her slender neck.

"That way you won't be able to see it," he said, lowering his head to plant a kiss on her forehead, his tone slightly teasing.

"Your Highness is so mean," Qin Keqing said, her voice muffled as she nestled in his arms. "I feel full even though I haven't had lunch yet."

Shui Rong chuckled softly, reached out and took her hand, their fingertips intertwining tightly: "Let's go, I'll take you for a walk."

As he spoke, he turned to Zhao Zhong and instructed, "This time we won't take a carriage; Miss Qin and I will walk there."

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

The two walked out of the Prince of Beijing's mansion side by side. Qin Keqing had already put on a thin veil to avoid being seen by passersby, but the moon-white fox fur coat made her figure look even more slender and graceful. As she walked lightly, her exposed wrists were as white as snow, attracting passersby to stop and look at her.

Qin Keqing felt uncomfortable under his gaze, her cheeks burning hotter and hotter. She instinctively shrank into Shui Rong's arms, like a frightened little quail, clutching his sleeve tightly.

Shui Rong sensed her unease, turned to her side and pulled her into his arms, whispering in her ear with a smile, "My Keqing is so beautiful that even passersby can't help but take a second look."

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked around and his eyes instantly turned cold, revealing the innate majesty of a prince.

Several servants who were waiting nearby immediately stepped forward and silently followed behind the two, forming an invisible barrier.

Upon seeing this, passersby instantly realized that these two were people of high status and not to be trifled with, so they all withdrew their gazes and turned away to avoid them.

As she walked, Qin Keqing gradually relaxed, her gaze drawn to the cosmetics shops along the street.

Seeing this, Shui Rong led her inside. He was completely clueless when it came to choosing cosmetics, so he just stood quietly beside Qin Keqing. He would hand her the silver whenever she picked something, his eyes filled with undisguised doting affection.

Qin Keqing tiptoed in front of the counter, selecting items, sometimes picking up a rouge to test the color on her fingertip, sometimes turning to ask him if it looked good. Shui Rong always smiled and nodded, his tone gentle.

"Qing'er's choices are all good." The two of them picked and chose, chatting and laughing, and before they knew it, the sun was already setting in the west.

Finally, the two walked back to the Prince of Beijing's residence side by side. Shui Rong handed her some menstrual pads that he had prepared beforehand, gently brushed his fingertips through her hair, and lowered his head to place a soft kiss on her lips.

"Zhao Zhong will escort you back to your residence. Be careful on the road."

Qin Keqing took the things, looked up at him, her eyes full of reluctance, her small hands tightly gripping his sleeve, unwilling to let go.

Shui Rong's heart softened, and he reached out to put his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace, and whispered a promise:

"Don't worry, Qing'er. It won't be long before I marry you in a grand and glorious way, so that you can rightfully stay by my side."

Qin Keqing nodded vigorously, tears welling up in her eyes. She hugged him tightly before turning and getting into the carriage.

But the carriage hadn't gone far when she suddenly remembered something, and her heart sank—she hadn't yet asked Shui Rong who his principal wife was!

She desperately wanted to lift the carriage curtain and ask what was going on, but the carriage had already driven far away, and the gates of the Prince of Bei Jing's mansion gradually disappeared from sight.

She ultimately couldn't bring herself to ask, and could only sit alone in the carriage, watching the scenery rushing past the window, and sigh softly. Although she knew she wasn't the principal wife, but only a concubine, she was still very curious about who the principal wife was.