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

After several rounds of drinks, the aroma of wine lingered in the warm pavilion of the Qianqing Palace.

Fine snowflakes drifted down outside the window, clinging to the plum branches in the courtyard, forming a layer of glistening white frost, making the plum blossoms in the courtyard appear even more elegant and beautiful.

Crown Prince Zhu Changyu suddenly raised his hand and picked up the celadon wine cup on the table. The cup was carved with a dragon pattern and felt warm and smooth to the touch.

He rose steadily, bowed slightly to Shui Rong, and poured himself a glass. His tone held a deliberate enthusiasm, and his words were clear:

"Chang Yu toasts Uncle Wang. I am delighted to hear that Uncle Wang and Miss Lin are destined to be together. I wonder when Uncle Wang will choose to hold the engagement ceremony, so that my brothers and I can prepare our gifts in advance to congratulate Uncle Wang on this perfect match."

Upon hearing this, the King of Qin and the King of Zhao both stopped eating and exchanged a puzzled look.

The Crown Prince and Prince Bei Jing have always been close, and Shui Rong, in the court, has often shown favoritism towards the Crown Prince.

Today was just a casual family dinner, but to ask about the wedding date in public, while in accordance with family etiquette, reveals a subtle stubbornness, as if deliberately trying to confirm something.

After a moment's thought, the two brothers felt a surge of curiosity. This Uncle Wang had always treated them brothers with kindness, and now that their wedding was approaching, they were eager to know the date so they could prepare gifts and offer their congratulations.

Upon hearing this, Shui Rong calmly stood up.

He gently raised his silver wine cup and lightly touched it to the Crown Prince's jade cup, producing a clear and crisp "clang" that echoed through the warm pavilion amidst the laughter and chatter.

A gentle, plum-like smile played on his lips, his tone calm and even, yet every word was perfectly polite:

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The engagement is settled for now. We will discuss it in detail after I return from my investigation in Jiangzhe."

"The specific date must be determined according to my father-in-law's wishes; I dare not act on my own."

After saying that, he turned to Lin Ruhai and bowed slightly.

With a gentle sway of her robes, her manners were impeccable.

Lin Ruhai stroked the three strands of white beard under his chin, his eyes full of delight, and smiled as he replied:

"Your Highness and my daughter are deeply in love, and these matters of marriage should be decided by the young people themselves."

"I am old and ask for nothing more than to share in the joy of my children and live out my remaining years in peace. I have nothing else to say."

The Crown Prince nodded and sat down. The moment he looked up, his gaze collided with Shui Rong's across the distance.

In a mere instant, invisible sparks seemed to burst forth in the air, only to vanish just as quickly.

A suppressed sharpness lurked in the Crown Prince's eyes, revealing both the unwavering control of imperial power as the heir apparent and a secret obsession with the slender figure behind the screen.

Shui Rong's eyes were calm as an ancient pool, and the smile on his face had not diminished in the slightest, but his eyes held an unyielding protectiveness.

Both men were well-versed in court intrigues, and they quickly looked away, their expressions calm and revealing nothing unusual.

Only the King of Qin, who was at the very end of the banquet, took in this fleeting undercurrent.

Zhu Yiheng, who was seated at the head of the table, was not a heavy drinker to begin with. After a few cups of warm jujube wine, he was already slightly tipsy.

A blush crept across his cheeks, adding a touch of languor to his eyes. He slammed his wine glass down on the table, slapped his thigh, and laughed loudly:

"Good! A harmonious family, without fighting or strife, is exactly what I want to see! Look, the snow scene in the plum garden outside the window is absolutely stunning."

"Today's family banquet will not discuss politics, nor will it concern anyone of rank. You are all talented individuals, so why not each compose a poem on the theme of 'Plum Garden in Snow' to enhance the refined atmosphere?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the screen on the east side, and then said:

"Ladies, don't just stand around! Someone, quickly go to Yanxi Palace and summon the Imperial Concubine. She's skilled in poetry and prose; she'll surely join in the fun!"

The chief eunuch bowed and accepted the order, then quickly retreated with light, stealthy steps, afraid of disturbing the emperor's enjoyment.

Zhu Yiheng's eyes darted around as he enthusiastically determined the order in which the poems would be composed:

"Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, you are quick-witted and intelligent, so you may go first. Next is Shui Rong, and then it's Lin Tanhua's turn. As for the ladies, Empress, you have always been skilled in poetry and rhyme, why not show off a bit as well?"

In the women's section separated by a screen, Empress Xu picked up a plain silk handkerchief, gently covered the corner of her lips, and smiled sweetly.

Through the carved screen, she replied softly, "Your Majesty is too kind. I have caught a cold today and my throat is sore. I fear I will not be able to compose any fine verses and thus disturb Your Majesty's and everyone's enjoyment."

"Miss Lin is a renowned talented woman, skilled in poetry, lyrics, and songs. Why not have her recite a poem? It will surely not disappoint His Majesty."

"Okay, okay!"

Zhu Yiheng clapped his hands repeatedly, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"In that case, let it be as the Empress says. Today, everyone, regardless of gender or age, may compose a poem, which I will personally judge. The best poem will be richly rewarded!"

After saying that, he picked up a piece of crystal-clear pork hock, slowly put it in his mouth, chewed it with relish, and quietly waited for everyone to begin.

Crown Prince Zhu Changyu rose again, stood with his hands behind his back at the table, his posture upright like a pine tree.

He looked up at the snow falling outside the window, his gaze inadvertently drifting to the side of the screen for a moment.

That glance was incredibly fast, seemingly unintentional, yet it landed precisely in the direction where Daiyu was sitting.

He quickly composed himself and said loudly, "Your subject has made a fool of himself."

His breath hitched slightly, and after a moment of focused thought, he recited the poem aloud:

Jade blossoms swirl and cover the palace walls, plum shadows cast oblique shadows on the imperial crown.

With ambition to embrace the Milky Way and bring peace to the four seas, with heart to follow the clear moon and stabilize the land of China.

I fondly admire the fragrant snow-like icy blossoms, and yearn for their graceful beauty as they lean against the painted pavilion.

Once I have grasped the reins of power and implemented benevolent policies, I will invite beautiful women to accompany me on my imperial journey.

After reciting the poem, the Crown Prince bowed and sat down, his expression seemingly calm, but his fingertips subtly clenched the hem of his robe.

The first four lines are powerful and vigorous, depicting snow covering the palace walls and plum blossoms reflecting on the crown.

He openly stated that he harbored lofty ambitions to encompass the stars and bring peace to the world, and every word he uttered revealed his ultimate yearning as the crown prince to wield imperial power and oversee the world.

The last four lines take a sharp turn, expressing pity for the pure and flawless plum blossoms in the snow and admiration for the elegant beauty standing by the railing.

The last sentence directly reveals his true feelings: once he has completely taken control of the world and implemented benevolent governance, he will definitely invite this beauty to accompany him and stand beside the imperial power.

Zhu Yiheng, slightly drunk, felt that the poem was grand and majestic, fully displaying the demeanor of a crown prince, and nodded repeatedly in praise: "Excellent! Ambitious! Truly worthy of being my crown prince!"

The King of Qin held his wine cup, tapping the rim of the cup lightly with his fingertips, his eyes filled with increasing mockery.

Although he was young, he was very perceptive and could easily understand the implied meaning of the poem.

The Emperor was drunk and couldn't discern the hidden emotions in the poem, yet he was perfectly sober.

His gaze shifted back and forth between Shui Rong and the Crown Prince, observing their composed expressions yet subtly turbulent emotions in their eyes. A faint smile played on his lips as he raised his wine cup, took a small sip, and remained an observer.

As for Lin Ruhai, he was slightly drunk from a few drinks, but after hearing the poem, the confusion in his eyes instantly disappeared, leaving only clarity and solemnity.

He was a former third-place scholar in the imperial examinations, with profound knowledge of poetry and prose, and had experienced the ups and downs of officialdom. How could he not understand the deeper meaning in the poem?

The phrases "admiring her beauty alone" and "inviting more beauties" are clearly directed at female relatives!

But His Majesty was already drunk and praising him highly. How could he, as an outsider, expose him in public?

He could only suppress the worries in his heart, a faint sorrow clouding his face. He raised his hand to stroke his beard and remained silent.

Just then, a very soft cough came from behind the screen.

Empress Xu's voice carried a deliberate air of authority:

"Guards! The Crown Prince may have had too much to drink, and he has lost his composure in his speech. Quickly take the Crown Prince away to sober up, lest he behave improperly here."

When the Empress first heard the poem, she thought it was powerful and fitting for the Crown Prince's status, and she was secretly pleased.

But Jia Yuanchun, who had just sat down next to her, saw this and quickly leaned closer and whispered a few words in her ear, which was nothing more than pointing out the admiration for a certain woman in the poem.

Upon hearing this, the Empress's face instantly darkened, all her previous relief vanished, replaced by anger and worry.

Although this poem appears grand, it reveals a deep longing for women of different surnames throughout.

At today's family banquet, apart from the women of the palace, there is only Daiyu, a young lady from a different family. The Crown Prince's intentions are self-evident!

Upon hearing his mother's words, Crown Prince Zhu Changyu's face turned pale instantly, his fingers clenched tighter, and his hands hanging at his sides trembled slightly.

How could he not understand that his mother had read his mind and was subtly warning him?

This action, taken in front of Shui Rong and Lin Ruhai, was both to protect him and to warn him to rein in his inappropriate thoughts.

He could only suppress his resentment and embarrassment, and bowed his head to reply, "Your subject... obeys the decree."

The Empress stopped looking at him, rose quickly, walked to the main seat, gently helped the somewhat dazed Zhu Yiheng to his feet, and instructed the head eunuch beside her:

"Your Majesty is drunk. Quickly summon a few reliable palace maids to help Your Majesty back to your inner chambers to rest and take good care of you."

"Your servant obeys the decree."

The head eunuch quickly led several palace maids forward, carefully helped the emperor, and quietly withdrew.

After the emperor's figure disappeared outside the warm pavilion, the empress's face was still unpleasant, but she still suppressed her anger.

She turned to Shui Rong, giving him a forced smile, her tone softening slightly:

"Rong'er, His Majesty is drunk today, and the family banquet is in disarray. Let's end this banquet here. You've had a long journey, so you should go home and rest early."

Upon hearing this, Shui Rong calmly rose, bowed to the Empress, his eyes still holding a gentle smile, his tone respectful yet measured:

"In that case, I will follow the wishes of my sister-in-law and take my leave now. I hope my sister-in-law will take good care of my elder brother and His Highness the Crown Prince."

Having said that, he looked at Lin Ruhai beside him and respectfully asked, "Father-in-law, shall we return now?"

Lin Ruhai, naturally eager to escape this hellish situation, immediately rose, bowed to the Empress and the princes one by one, and said:

"Your humble servant takes his leave. Daiyu, let's go, it's time for us to return to the manor."

Before long, Daiyu emerged from the side room, supported by Zhang Mama.

She wore a spotless light pink silk dress, with a jade hairpin swaying gently in her hair. Her eyes were lowered, her expression still gentle, but there was a hint of unease in her eyes caused by the poem she had just recited.

Upon seeing the Empress, she quickly curtsied and said, "This commoner greets Your Majesty the Empress."

Looking at her delicate and frail appearance, the Empress's anger subsided somewhat.

Ultimately, this matter cannot be blamed on Daiyu; the fault lies with the Crown Prince for losing his composure.

She stepped forward, gently took Daiyu's hand, and her tone softened considerably:

"Don't be afraid, Sister Lin. What happened today has nothing to do with you. From now on, when you enter the palace, just focus on talking with His Majesty and me. Don't worry about anything else."