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

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai's smile froze instantly, his hand stroking his beard paused in mid-air, and his expression turned serious. He remained silent for a long time.

He was well aware of his daughter's feelings, but being in the royal family and living in such an era...

The idea of ​​"one person for life" is simply a luxury.

Seeing her father remain silent, Lin Daiyu understood most of what was going on. The expectation in her eyes gradually faded, leaving only a gloomy look.

She lowered her eyes, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible:

"Daughter...daughter knows."

"No matter how much the prince loves his daughter, the royal family will not allow him to marry only his daughter."

Which of the princes in the capital doesn't have three wives and four concubines, with numerous offspring? Even though the rules of the Prince of Beijing's mansion are lax, it can't escape the shackles of the imperial family.

Looking at his daughter's dejected expression, Lin Ruhai felt a pang of heartache and helplessness. He spoke slowly, his voice low and heavy:

"Among all the princes in the capital, the only exception is your father-in-law, Shui Yanchen, who was the former Prince of Beijing."

"Back then, he held tens of thousands of troops in the capital region, wielding immense power. He also played a crucial role in supporting the late emperor's ascension to the throne. The late emperor, grateful for his achievements, tacitly allowed him to marry only one wife throughout his life and never take a concubine."

He paused, looked at Daiyu with a complicated expression, and continued:

"Although Shui Rong is also the Prince of Beijing and has considerable power, he is far less powerful than his father was back then."

"Now that His Majesty has checked and balanced the princes of the imperial clan at every turn, he will not allow him to act as the former Prince Bei Jing did."

"Moreover... I can see that Shui Rong is sincere towards you, but in his heart, there is still someone else, court intrigue, and his own schemes and calculations."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Lin Daiyu's heart.

She had long sensed Shui Rong's deep thoughts, yet she couldn't help but harbor expectations. Now, with her father's words outlining her true feelings, she finally understood.

The one person's desire for a lifetime of monogamy is ultimately just an unattainable dream in the capital, a place of imperial power, wealth, and intrigue.

The carriage continued its journey through the wind and snow, the warmth inside seemingly dissipated by the heavy reality.

Lin Daiyu lowered her eyes silently, her fingertips clenching the silk handkerchief. She couldn't hold back the tears welling up in her eyes, which slid down her delicate cheeks and dripped onto the fox fur cushion, leaving a small damp patch.

Seeing his daughter's heartbroken state, Lin Ruhai felt deeply guilty, yet powerless to help—this was the inevitable fate of a royal marriage.

Even though he was a third-ranked scholar with great academic achievements, he ultimately couldn't protect the pure love his daughter longed for.

………………

The next morning, a biting north wind blew, and Ci'an Temple was covered with a thin layer of fresh snow.

Glistening icicles hung from the eaves, snowflakes clung to the bare branches of trees in the courtyard, and a thin mist, mixed with the cool scent of sandalwood, drifted slowly in the biting cold.

The lingering sound of the morning bell was dispersed by the cold wind, adding to the solemn and serene atmosphere of this ancient temple.

Shui Rong, dressed in a black brocade robe trimmed with white fox fur, walked slowly through the snow with an upright posture.

The fox fur collar shielded him from the biting cold wind, and he exuded the majesty of a prince.

The abbot, who was waiting at the mountain gate wrapped in a thick monk's robe, dared not say much, but simply put his hands together and bowed.

Shui Rong glanced at them indifferently, nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and then walked straight past the crowd, stepping on the snow, toward Qin Keqing's residence deep inside the temple.

The snow under the eaves remained unswept, and the cold wind swept past, carrying snowflakes with it.

Qin Keqing was already waiting under the eaves. She wore a plain white satin jacket over her moon-white robe, and her black hair was tied up with a plain silver hairpin. The stray hairs at her temples trembled slightly in the wind.

She was already frail, and standing in the cold winter wind, her shoulders hunched slightly as she saw Shui Rong approaching.

A gentle light instantly appeared in her eyes. She wanted to curtsy, but the cold wind made her cough twice.

Her body swayed, making her appear even more frail and boneless, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

Shui Rong strode forward; there were still monks coming and going around.

Not wanting to overstep his bounds, he simply reached out and gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist. His palm touched the cool fabric of her clothes, and he immediately sensed the chill emanating from her.

He leaned down slightly, his lips close to her ear, his warm breath dispelling the chill in her ear, his voice low and tinged with tenderness and ambiguity:

"Qing'er, it's freezing cold, why aren't you waiting inside? Has Qin Zhongxun sent anyone to look for you?"

Enveloped in his warmth, Qin Keqing trembled slightly, her waist softened, and she instinctively leaned closer to him.

She raised her slender fingertips and gently patted the hand that Shui Rong had wrapped around her waist, the movement carrying a hint of coquettish resistance.

Her voice, however, was as soft as if it had been soaked in warm water, and trembled slightly from the chill.

"Your Highness... there are people around. A few days ago, Grand Secretary Qin sent his trusted confidant over to ask me many questions about the past."

"There were a few things that I couldn't quite remember, so I relayed them to him one by one from the notebook that the prince gave me."

A knowing smile flickered across Shui Rong's eyes.

The notebook he gave to Qin Keqing contained scattered clues he had secretly gathered about Qin Zhongxun's missing daughter.

Whether Qin Zhongxun's daughter lived or died remains unknown.

His plan was to mold Qin Keqing into the missing heiress, and through her, firmly control the network of people and forces under Qin Zhongxun's command.

Even if the plan ultimately fails, he will suffer no loss whatsoever—it would be a wonderful thing to have such a beautiful, gentle, and considerate woman by his side every day.

"well done."

Shui Rong tightened his arms around her, half-supporting and half-protecting her, avoiding the snow under her feet, and whispered, "The roads are slippery in the snow, be careful not to fall."

The two walked side by side toward their dwelling, the cold wind whipping up snowflakes that stung their bodies.

Shui Rong deliberately walked on the windward side, shielding her from most of the cold air.

Qin Keqing followed closely behind, her steps light and her figure delicate, appearing completely dependent on him.

As soon as I pushed open the wooden door of my residence, a wave of warmth washed over me.

Inside, a silver charcoal brazier burned, its crackling flames dispelling the winter chill.

Numerous gift boxes were neatly arranged on the table, containing not only rare tonics but also brand-new fox fur hand warmers, thick cotton quilts, and warm brocade fabrics.

These were all winter supplies sent by Qin Zhongxun.

Shui Rong raised an eyebrow, leaned down to Qin Keqing's ear, his warm breath brushing against her reddened earlobe, his voice teasing and playful:

"It seems that Grand Secretary Qin not only values ​​you, but also carefully remembers the difficulties you faced during the winter in the temple."

Qin Keqing's cheeks flushed crimson instantly, her ear tips turning almost red. She tried to struggle slightly, but Shui Rong held her even tighter.

Before she could speak, Shui Rong said softly again:

"Let me hug you and see if you've taken good care of yourself this winter. The last time I saw you, you were so thin it broke my heart."

Before she could finish speaking, Shui Rong wrapped his arms firmly around her waist and, with a slight effort, lifted her up in his arms.

Qin Keqing gasped, her voice barely audible, and instinctively reached out to wrap her arms around his neck. Her body tensed instantly, then went limp.

She nestled in his arms, her cheek pressed against his warm fox fur collar, dispelling the chill that had enveloped her.

Her body was soft and boneless, like a soft cloud, gently leaning against his chest, even her struggles were tinged with a touch of coquettishness.

Shui Rong looked down at the person in her arms, feeling their lightness.

His fingertips gently brushed across her slightly reddened cheeks, and a satisfied smile curved his lips:

"Hmm, you're a bit plumper than last time, and your complexion is better. I guess the charcoal fire was strong enough, and you didn't get cold."

"Your Highness...please put me down quickly."

Qin Keqing's voice was delicate and soft, filled with a shy charm. She buried her face in his shoulder, not daring to look up.

"This is a sacred Buddhist temple ground; it would be very inappropriate if the monks were to see us here."

Shui Rong seemed not to hear, his arm still steadily supporting her.

His other hand gently stroked her lower abdomen, his fingertips warm, his tone playfully affectionate:

"It seems the food at my palace suits your taste; your tummy is all soft and round."

The warm touch on her fingertips sent a shiver through Qin Keqing, her waist going completely limp.

She squirmed gently in his arms, her delicate appearance evoking pity.

Seeing this, Shui Rong finally gently put her down, but did not loosen his arms around her waist. He then leaned down and kissed her lips.

Her lips were soft and slightly cool, but they gradually warmed up as he kissed them.

Qin Keqing closed her eyes slightly, passively enduring the situation, her breathing rapid, her body trembling slightly, appearing completely delicate and at his mercy.

After a few gentle teasing words, Shui Rong pulled back slightly, his fingertips lightly tracing her reddened lips. His tone deepened, filled with earnest admonition:

"After the New Year, I'm going south to Jiangsu and Zhejiang to investigate a case. It's cold and the journey is long. I'm really worried about you."

"I have arranged for bodyguards to follow you closely and protect you."

Qin Keqing leaned against him, slightly out of breath, and looked up at him with her watery eyes, nodding gently.

"Although Ci'an Temple is quiet, it is safe. Stay in the temple and do not go out easily."

"You must keep the token I gave you safe. If anything happens while I am not in the capital, or if anyone makes things difficult for you, take the token to the Prince of Beijing's residence, and he will protect you."

He paused, then added:

"As for Qin Zhong, before I head south, I will arrange for him to return to his home and help your father manage the tea shop."

"With someone to take care of things at home, you can rest and recuperate here with peace of mind."

Qin Keqing was deeply moved. She leaned limply against Shui Rong's chest, as if all her strength had been drained away, leaving only a soft murmur:

"Yes, Your Highness, I will do as you say and take good care of myself so that Your Highness will not have to worry about me."

After a moment of silence, Qin Keqing seemed to suddenly recall the rumors circulating in the streets.

She cautiously raised her eyes, a hint of tentative shyness in them, her voice as soft as falling snowflakes:

"Your Highness, I've heard... you've been betrothed by imperial decree? Your future princess consort is Miss Lin from the Jia family, is that right?"