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

Stepping out of the Qianbaoge courtyard, the north wind swirled snowflakes across the eaves, but it couldn't dispel the warmth between the father-in-law and son-in-law.

Shui Rong stood with his hands behind his back under the eaves, looking at Lin Ruhai beside him, who still seemed somewhat dazed, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

His tone was relaxed yet filled with sincerity:

"How about it, Father-in-law? Isn't my sincerity enough? You can rest assured that when Daiyu reaches marriageable age, I will definitely treat her well and protect her so that she can live a carefree life in the Prince's Mansion without suffering any grievances."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai snapped out of his daze. Looking at the sincerity in Shui Rong's eyes, the last trace of doubt in his heart vanished.

At this moment, his mind was filled with the mountains of gold, silver, jade, and rare embroidery that had been piled up in the secret room. The dowry that Shui Rong had prepared was so generous and extravagant that it far exceeded his expectations.

He pondered to himself, although the Lin family was a prominent family in Suzhou and the descendant of a noble family...

However, if Daiyu's dowry is too meager when she marries into a top-tier royal family like the Prince of Beijing, it would not only be unfair to the daughter but also damage the reputation of the Lin family.

Although Daiyu was free from her mother-in-law's harassment after marriage, and Shui Rong treated her with such affection, she still had to maintain the proper dignity and support she deserved.

Thinking of this, Lin Ruhai felt immense pressure, and even his brows furrowed with anxiety.

He raised his hand and bowed deeply to Shui Rong, his tone earnest:

"Your Highness's sincerity deeply moves Ru Hai. However, Dai Yu's dowry still needs to be prepared properly, so Ru Hai will go back to make arrangements now and will not linger here any longer."

"As for the New Year's celebrations, I will discuss it with Daiyu when I return, and then report back to the Prince."

After saying that, he turned around hurriedly, his steps even faster than when he came.

As the patriarch of the Lin family, Lin Ruhai was already familiar with the paths of the Prince of Bei Jing's mansion. Without needing a servant to lead the way, he walked straight towards the mansion's gate.

His back view was filled with anxiety and urgency as he prepared his dowry—he had made up his mind and would begin taking stock of his personal assets in the next few days.

The engagement was finalized after the New Year. Once the marriage was settled, Daiyu could rightfully accompany Shui Rong south to Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

There's no need to avoid any awkwardness between men and women, and it also allows Shui Rong to take care of her daughter while investigating the case.

Shui Rong watched Lin Ruhai's hurried departure and couldn't help but chuckle softly, muttering to himself:

"My father-in-law is even more anxious than I am." In that smile, there was both relief that Lin Ruhai valued Daiyu, and certainty that the marriage was settled.

Returning to the study, the charcoal fire inside was still burning brightly, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Shui Rong suppressed his smile, sat upright at the table, his expression gradually becoming serious as he fell into deep thought.

He was not unaware that with more women in the household, conflicts were bound to arise. Daiyu was devoted to one man for life, and Qin Keqing was gentle and dependent. There might be other entanglements in the household in the future, and conflicts were inevitable.

But having finally transmigrated to this world of Dream of the Red Chamber, holding power and enjoying wealth, how could he be content to stay with only one person?

Moreover, Qin Keqing had already been entangled with him, and Daiyu was someone his brother had arranged for him to marry, someone he truly loved; he was unwilling to give up either of them.

"Well, minor conflicts can always be resolved."

Shui Rong sighed softly, suppressing his concerns and instead shifting the blame to the times.

"It's not that I'm promiscuous. This is just how it is in an era with strict social norms and the prevalence of polygamy. You can't blame me."

He had already prepared a generous dowry for Qin Keqing, and would take her into his household once her prayer period was over. This was by no means a whimsical remark.

While pondering, Shui Rong got up and walked towards the dark room inside the study.

Inside the dark room, a huge map occupied the entire wall, marking the various prefectures, mountains, rivers, and military strongholds of the Ming Dynasty.

He had long since studied the map so thoroughly that he could recite every single mark on it from memory.

Shui Rong's fingertips landed on the location of Suzhou Prefecture on the map, and she slowly murmured to herself:

"The Lin family is a prominent family in Suzhou, descended from noble families, with deep roots. If we can win them over completely, it will be an extra boost to our southward expansion."

Then, his fingertips moved towards the Shaanxi area, a calculating glint flashing in his eyes.

"Qin Zhongxun is a former official from Shaanxi with connections throughout the Northwest. If we can use Keqing to control him, the Northwest will have a check and balance."

Unbeknownst to him, the direct forces under his control, along with the connections he could indirectly cultivate, had become a force to be reckoned with, enough to maneuver between the imperial court and the local authorities.

"Oh, right," Shui Rong suddenly called out, his voice steady.

An elderly man in gray casual clothes entered through the door in response to the call. It was Zhao Zhong, the chief steward of the Prince's residence. He bowed and greeted the man, saying, "This old servant is here. What are your orders, Master?"

"Go and draft a letter for me and send it to the Shui clan in Sichuan."

Shui Rong turned around, his tone carrying a hint of authority.

"The letter said that I might return to Sichuan soon to learn about their hardships and difficulties over the years."

"In addition, inform them that this year, the younger generation of the clan can come to the capital to celebrate the New Year with me, so that we can get closer."

"Write more words of encouragement to urge them to behave themselves and fulfill their duties as members of the royal family."

As she finished speaking, a ruthless glint flashed in Shui Rong's eyes, and her tone turned icy:

"If any member of the Shui clan remains obstinate, unwilling to obey, and refuses to behave, then we have no choice but to... kill them as a warning to others."

Zhao Zhong's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and replied, "This old servant understands."

He hesitated for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Master, after the New Year, will we still send people to Sichuan to appease and monitor them as originally planned?"

"Of course I'll go."

Shui Rong nodded, his tone returning to calm, yet still carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"This letter is merely a warning to them, to show them that I have not indulged them because of the late king's mercy, and to let them know to behave themselves."

"If you know what's good for you, then behave yourself; if you don't, then swift and decisive action will be necessary. Don't you agree?"

"What you say is absolutely right, Master."

Zhao Zhong nodded in agreement.

"When the late king was alive, he indulged the Shui clan of Sichuan in every way and did not hold them accountable. Now that the master is in power, they still want to continue their old ways of being unruly and disrespectful to their superiors. This is absolutely unacceptable!"

"Okay, go draft the letter. Bring it to me for review after you've finished." Shui Rong waved his hand, signaling Zhao Zhong to leave.

After Zhao Zhong left, Shui Rong returned to the map, dipped his fingertips in a little water, and gently traced the border area on the map, muttering to himself:

"The barbarians...every year after the Spring Festival, during the spring famine, they will come to plunder the border and disturb the people."

"This restlessness could actually make them a useful pawn..."

In his mind, he had already begun to plan how to use the barbarian raids to restrain the power of the border generals and add leverage to his own scheme.

Just as he was pondering this, a bodyguard dressed in black, like a ghost, silently stepped into the room, his footsteps so light that they made no sound.

He quickly walked to Shui Rong's side, bent down slightly, and whispered a few words in Shui Rong's ear, in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

Upon hearing this, a knowing smile flashed across Shui Rong's eyes, and he chuckled softly.

"Haha, they arrived faster than expected. These 'foreign friends' have finally arrived."

The guard raised his head slightly and reported in a deep voice, "Your Highness, the envoys from various countries just arrived in the capital today."

"Officials from the Four Barbarians' Hall and the Meeting Hall, as well as officials from the Ministry of Rites, have already gone to the post station on the outskirts of the city to welcome them."

"Just as Your Highness predicted, among all the countries, Jiaozhi does indeed carry the kind of thing you specifically instructed us not to touch."

"Very good, it certainly didn't disappoint me."

Shui Rong nodded in satisfaction, his tone tinged with amusement.

"Jiaozhi was a poor country with few things to offer, and these 'special products' were the only ones that were worth mentioning."

He abruptly changed the subject, his expression turning serious, and sternly instructed...

"You must remember this: that stuff is poisonous and hallucinogenic. Contact with it will result in immediate infection and endless consequences. Never touch it, not even a fraction of it!"

"Not only you must be careful, but everyone in the Prince's mansion must be strictly forbidden from having such a thing in the mansion. Even the slightest trace of it must be destroyed immediately, understand?"

"Yes, sir!" The guard bowed respectfully and firmly.

"Brothers, we must be on high alert and conduct a thorough search, ensuring that nothing that would set foot in the Prince's residence!"

"Yes, get up."

Shui Rong waved his hand, his tone softening slightly.

He glanced at the twilight gradually settling outside the window, and remembering that the end of the year was approaching, a thought stirred in his heart. He then spoke to his bodyguard.

"The New Year is almost here. Over the years, you have risked your lives with me. Thank you for your hard work."

"During the Lunar New Year holidays, you should also put aside your duties for a while and spend some quality time with your families."

"Each person's salary will be paid seven times the normal amount, plus some rice, flour, cooking oil, and New Year's gifts, so that the brothers can celebrate the New Year in peace."

"Remember, safety is of paramount importance. Even on leave, the secret agents in the mansion and the capital must not be let down."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of emotion crossed the guard's eyes. He bowed again, his voice trembling with a hint of choked respect:

"Your Highness thanks us for your kindness! We brothers will certainly live up to your expectations, remain steadfast in our posts, and protect the Prince's residence!"

After saying that, the guards quietly withdrew again.

Inside the study, the warmth remained. Shui Rong stood before the map once more, gazing at the densely packed power markings on it, his eyes gleaming with a determined light.

With the arrival of the Jiaozhi envoy, the Sichuan royal family was appeased and intimidated simultaneously. The barbarians could be used. The Lin family and Qin Zhongxun's power was gradually being brought under control, and the balance of power among the three kings was also being planned... Everything was progressing steadily according to his plan.

As the year draws to a close, the festive atmosphere in Beijing grows stronger, but for Shui Rong, the game of chess in his heart is only just beginning to reach its crucial moment.

He knew that this year was destined to be anything but peaceful, and his journey south after the New Year would be an important game of chess concerning the expansion of power and the struggle for imperial authority.