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

Shui Rong raised an eyebrow, signaling his attendants to retreat, and followed Jia Zhen to a secluded spot under the eaves.

Jia Zhen rubbed his hands together and said bluntly:

"I will never forget Your Highness's life-saving grace today."

"My son Jia Rong is mediocre and incompetent, and is really unworthy of a beauty like Qin Keqing."

"I have already made up my mind. I will petition His Majesty to say that Yan Keqing's birth chart is compatible with the Prince's, and that I would like to allow her to go to a temple outside the city to pray for the Prince's well-being, and to draft another letter of divorce to end the engagement with Rong'er."

"This arrangement will both repay Your Highness's kindness and preserve the Jia family's reputation. I hope Your Highness will agree."

Upon hearing this, Shui Rong's eyes flickered slightly.

He had already planned this out. Qin Keqing was not only exceptionally beautiful, but he could also use his connections to establish a relationship with an important figure in the court and bring her into the royal palace, which would greatly benefit his own plans.

Such a good thing coming to my doorstep is not a loss for me.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"Since Master Zhen has this intention, I will agree."

Jia Zhen was overjoyed and quickly bowed to express his gratitude.

Shui Rong turned around, about to look for Qin Keqing, but found that the figure that should have been nearby was gone.

Instead, Wang Xifeng, dressed in red, leaned against a pillar, looking at him with a half-smile.

Looking at her bright and flamboyant appearance, Shui Rong suddenly chuckled softly:

"Feng Lazi, you're getting bolder and bolder, daring to eavesdrop on the prince's private conversation. Did your brother, Wang Ziteng, give you this courage?"

Wang Xifeng stepped forward gracefully, a sly smile on her face, shaking her head as she approached:

"Of course not."

She walked to Shui Rong's side, her red lips almost touching his ear, her voice alluring and seductive:

"Your Highness has a brilliant plan. You cleverly won the beauty into your arms and stirred up trouble in the capital with the 'assassination'. You killed multiple birds with one stone. You are truly admirable."

As she spoke, her full breasts brushed against Shui Rong's arm, leaving a warm sensation.

Shui Rong glanced around, and after confirming that no one was watching, he leaned close to Wang Xifeng's ear, his voice low and mysterious:

"Spicy Phoenix, I do know that you have a hidden ailment. Fortunately, my royal palace has a renowned physician who specializes in treating this condition."

As soon as he finished speaking, he straightened up, said no more, turned around and left with his entourage through the snow, leaving Wang Xifeng frozen in place.

A cold wind blew by, carrying snowflakes, and the smile on her face gradually faded. Her heart was in turmoil as she pondered Shui Rong's words, and for a moment she forgot to move.

As a time traveler, I naturally know what Wang Xifeng's illness is.

The night wind was exceptionally cold, and the fine snowflakes hitting people brought a biting chill.

Qin Keqing was only wearing a plain-colored padded jacket, which was very thin, and her shoulders were trembling slightly.

Baoyu saw this clearly and quickly stepped forward, took her hand, and led her to the warm pavilion on the side, muttering to himself:

"Sister, you're dressed so lightly, you'll catch a cold. It's warm in the inner chamber, let's wait there."

Qin Keqing was pulled along by him, and she staggered a couple of steps before catching up.

Once inside the warm room, the chill lessened slightly, but the worry on her pretty face remained undiminished; her brows were furrowed, and her eyes were filled with unease.

Baoyu sat down next to her and asked softly:

"Sister Qin, what's wrong? You look so pale, are you feeling unwell?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing simply shook her head slightly, her lips moved, but she ultimately said nothing, only gripping her skirt with even greater force.

Just then, a clear, calm voice came from outside the warm pavilion, calling out, "Baoyu."

He paused, then added, "I'm going back now."

Upon hearing Shui Rong's voice, Bao Yu immediately stood up and glanced at a red fox fur coat placed in the corner of the warm pavilion—a precious item that the mansion had prepared for distinguished guests to use temporarily.

He casually picked it up, walked over to Qin Keqing, carefully draped it over her shoulders, and gently adjusted the collar, saying softly:

"Sister, Rong-gege is going back now, let's go out and see him off."

Qin Keqing looked up at him, softly replied "Yes," and followed Baoyu out of the warm pavilion.

The moonlight, like water, spilled across the courtyard.

Shui Rong stood under the eaves, his black sable coat making him appear even more upright, and his eyebrows and eyes looked even more clear and handsome in the moonlight, like a celestial being banished to the moon.

The two stepped forward, and Qin Keqing was about to curtsy when Shui Rong raised his hand to stop her.

He first called Baoyu to his side and said gently, "It's cold and the night is chilly. You're young, so go back to your room and rest early. Don't catch a cold here."

Baoyu nodded obediently: "Thank you for your concern, Brother Rong. I understand."

As they spoke, a lustrous white jade pendant appeared in Shui Rong's left hand, its surface carved with exquisite lotus scroll patterns.

Taking advantage of the moment when Baoyu was speaking with his eyes down and not paying attention, she raised her eyes and gave Qin Keqing a wink, signaling her to come forward.

Qin Keqing's heart stirred, and she walked over lightly.

Shui Rong subtly slipped the jade pendant into her hand, whispering a message so softly that only the two of them could hear it:

"Keep this safe. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, you can take this pendant to the Prince of Beijing's residence to find me."

Qin Keqing held the warm jade pendant, her fingertips trembling. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with astonishment and emotion. Her lips moved, but she didn't know how to respond.

Shui Rong watched as Bao Yu helped Qin Keqing turn and return to the mansion. The crimson fox fur coat, like a warm fire in the snowy night, gradually disappeared into the depths of the vermilion gate.

He withdrew his gaze, the hem of his black sable fur coat sweeping across the snow piled up on the steps, causing a few snowflakes to fall like shattered jade.

The attendants had already prepared a carriage, its ebony carriage inlaid with dark silver threads, and the copper bells hanging from the eaves jingling softly in the cold wind, breaking the stillness of the night.

Shui Rong stepped onto the vehicle, his boots making a dull thud as they landed on the pedals.

The carriage curtains were drawn, shutting out the cold outside. Inside, thick wolf-skin rugs were laid out, and a brazier of silver charcoal burned, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

He leaned back on the cushion, his fingertips tracing the carvings on the edge of the car window, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Today's trip to the Ning residence was originally intended as a casual stop for a banquet, but unexpectedly, we stumbled upon an assassination attempt and took the opportunity to acquire Qin Keqing, a key pawn.

The entanglement of "dying in the Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion" in the original work was completely disrupted by his rescue and consent.

The fate of the Jia family, the destiny of Qin Keqing, and even the political turmoil in the imperial court will likely be affected by this.

He knew in his heart that the fluttering of a butterfly's wings could affect the whole situation, and he needed to be even more cautious in the future.

The car drove smoothly, the wheels crunching over the snow with a soft, gentle sound, like a low murmur. As Shui Rong gazed at the rapidly receding street scene outside the window, the desolate landscape of Liaodong suddenly flashed into her mind.

I went to Liaodong and all I saw were open fields with northerly winds and rough-faced men. I had never seen a beauty like Qin Keqing who possessed both gentleness and integrity.

Such beauty is rare even in the capital. Initially, he was attracted by her looks, but upon reflection, he realized his feelings were ultimately shallow.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes, and his fingers unconsciously tightened.

In the capital, who doesn't know the regret of Qin Zhongxun, the Minister of War?

When Minister Qin was being transferred to a post outside the capital, he passed through Black Wind Village and tragically lost his beloved daughter. The child was only three years old at the time and was his only bloodline with his ex-wife.

The news spread throughout the capital, and everyone sighed with regret.

After Qin Zhongxun was reinstated as Minister of War, his desire to find his daughter intensified. He secretly sent people to search for her everywhere, but there was no news of her for many years.

Shui Rong calculated that it had been exactly fifteen years since Qin Zhongxun lost his daughter, and Qin Keqing's age was exactly the same as that of the missing heiress.

What's even stranger is that Qin Keqing was adopted by Qin Ye at a young age, so her background was already questionable.

If she really is Minister Qin's flesh and blood... Once this thought arose, it grew wildly like vines.

At that time, he would not only have a beautiful woman in his arms, but also be able to establish a kinship with Qin Zhongxun, who held real power. This move was truly brilliant.

Even if not, having a talent like Keqing in the household would be pleasing to the eye and beneficial to his great cause.

"Uncle Zhao."

Shui Rong suddenly spoke, his voice low and deep, carrying through the carriage curtain to the outside.

Upon hearing this, the old steward Zhao Zhong, who was driving the carriage, immediately reined in the horses, and the carriage slowly came to a stop. He respectfully replied:

"What are your orders, Your Highness?"

"Tomorrow you will personally go to the capital and find two people."

Shui Rong's voice came clearly, carrying an undeniable authority.

"A father and son, the father named Qin Ye and the son named Qin Zhong. Remember, these two are not biological father and son. After finding them, do not alert anyone else, and quietly bring them back to the Prince's Palace."

Although Zhao Zhong had doubts, he dared not ask any further questions. He simply bowed and replied, "This old servant has noted it down and will take care of it first thing tomorrow morning."

"Um."

Shui Rong responded with a sound of agreement and then said no more.

The carriage curtain fell, separating the inside from the outside.

He leaned back against the cushion, closed his eyes, and the image of Qin Keqing's timid and worried eyes flashed through his mind, followed by the image of Wang Xifeng frozen in the corridor. An inscrutable smile appeared on his lips.

The snowstorm in the capital is likely to intensify. And he has only just made the crucial move in his game of chess.