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

Shui Rong bid farewell to the palace gates and had not gone far from his carriage when he saw a procession of red-wheeled carriages and ornate wheels approaching from the end of the street; it was none other than the Jia family's carriages.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Jia Zhen, dressed in a dark blue silk robe and a jade belt, strode down. Upon seeing the Prince of Bei Jing's entourage, his face immediately lit up with a beaming smile, and he stepped forward to bow and greet them:

"Your Highness, it's been a long time! What a coincidence that we've met here. I've come today to pay my respects and explain the situation."

After saying that, he looked up at Shui Rong, his eyebrows slightly raised, and a knowing look in his eyes. It was the tacit understanding between men that didn't need to be said.

Shui Rong nodded in the car, her voice clear and gentle yet tinged with seriousness:

"Brother Zhen, it is fate that we meet again. However, today, when we meet the Emperor, there are some things we can say frankly, and some things we must keep to ourselves. Our two families have been close friends. In this world, apart from the four great families of Jia, Shi, Wang and Xue who rely on each other, the only foreign power that the Jia family can entrust is my Prince Bei Jing's Mansion."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious, "If even the slightest bit of this matter is leaked out, it will be detrimental to your Jia family and a disaster for my Prince Bei Jing's family. As the head of a clan, you should weigh the pros and cons carefully."

Jia Zhen hurriedly bowed and replied, "Your Highness's teachings are well remembered. Before I left, the Old Ancestress and Rong'er had repeatedly given me instructions, and I understand the importance of them."

He knew perfectly well that since Consort Yuan entered the palace, although the Jia family had once been at its peak, it could not withstand the suppression from Prince Zhongshun. Even Prince Teng had some of his military power stripped away. Now, the only place they could cling to was the increasingly prosperous Prince Bei Jing's mansion.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two went their separate ways.

Shui Rong returned to her seat in the carriage, where the brocade curtains hung low, isolating her from the wind and snow outside.

Steward Zhao Zhong lifted the curtain and entered, bowing as he reported, "Your Highness, the Qin family father and son, Qin Ye and Qin Zhong, have been brought to the manor by imperial decree and settled in the west wing."

Shui Rong closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"I don't need to go in person. Find a profitable silk shop or pawnshop and assign it to them to manage. Just say it's a job bestowed by the Prince's Mansion, and let them run it with peace of mind. Remember, it must be a shop that is guaranteed to make a profit."

Zhao Zhong bowed and replied, "Your subordinate obeys."

He knew that the prince had his own reasons for acting, so he didn't ask any further questions.

Shui Rong lightly tapped the carriage wall with her fingertips, thinking to herself: If Ke Qing really has a change of heart in the future, she will probably give her some consideration for Qin Ye and Qin Zhong.

Although this approach has the appearance of coercion, it is the safest strategy at present. The Minister of War, Qin Zhongxun, is a shrewd and experienced official who has been navigating the political landscape for many years; we must be wary of him.

Suddenly remembering something else, he asked, "Is Mr. Jiang Zhushan, whom we invited to the mansion, still here?"

"Your Highness, Mr. Jiang is still in the manor," Zhao Zhong replied. "He is grateful for the manor's hospitality and has been provided with the finest supplies. He has no intention of leaving."

"Very good."

A glint of light flashed in Shui Rong's eyes. "Go and tell Mr. Jiang that there is a difficult illness in his household. If he can cure it, I will recommend him to the Emperor so that he can serve in the Imperial Hospital and not waste his medical skills."

"I will go and inform them immediately," Zhao Zhong replied.

"Wait a minute." Shui Rong raised his hand to stop him. "I will explain the specific symptoms after we return to the manor."

The carriage continued to the street corner, but unexpectedly, a commotion broke out ahead.

Zhao Zhong hurriedly lifted the curtain to look, and saw a bright red figure standing out like a raging fire in the middle of the road amidst the swirling snow. The figure was slender and graceful, and it was none other than Wang Xifeng, the second mistress of Rongguo Mansion.

The accompanying guards stepped forward to stop her, but she blocked them with the words, "I am Wang Xifeng of Rongguo Mansion, and I have important business to discuss with Prince Bei Jing."

Zhao Zhong hurriedly turned around and reported, "Your Highness, it is Wang Xifeng, the second mistress of Rongguo Mansion. She stopped the carriage alone and said she has important business to discuss with me."

Shui Rong's eyes flickered slightly, and she pondered for a moment before saying, "Let her get in the car."

Zhao Zhong accepted the order and got out of the carriage. He cupped his hands to the red figure and said, "Greetings, Second Madam Lian. My master invites you to come aboard for a chat."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's face suddenly broke into a radiant smile, her eyes and brows brimming with the alluring charm unique to mature women, devoid of any girlish shyness or coyness, leaving only the seductive allure of a beautiful woman.

When her gaze swept towards Shui Rong, it was sweet and alluring, gently landing in the softest spot of one's heart.

Snowflakes clung to her temples as she gently brushed them aside with her jade-like fingers. In the instant she turned her head to tuck her hair behind her ear, her fair neck was exposed to the cold, snowy sky. It was as delicate as mutton fat jade that had been soaked in snow water, and its warm luster created a captivating tension against the surrounding chill.

Her full breasts remained firm and shapely, their ample silhouette barely concealed even through the appropriately thick winter clothing.

Shui Rong's gaze swept over them unintentionally, and he felt a burning sensation in his chest, as if a raging fire was burning in his lower abdomen, making it difficult for him to calm down.

Wang Xifeng glanced sideways and quickly scanned the inside and outside of the carriage. Seeing that Shui Rong was the only person there, she suppressed her sharp and shrewd demeanor, and her eyes were filled with an overwhelming softness and respect.

She stepped forward gracefully, her figure swaying with elegance. Her winter coat tightly hugged her voluptuous figure, revealing no curves whatsoever.

Her crimson embroidered shoes lightly touched the snow, revealing not a single cotton sock. A section of snow-white skin was exposed at the top of the shoes, which looked even more lustrous and dazzling against the backdrop of the pure white snow and the brightly colored embroidered shoes. This made Shui Rong's heart itch, and she couldn't take her eyes off her.

The hem of her cloak swept lightly across the snow with each step, concealing some footprints, which only accentuated her light and graceful movements, making her seem like a bewitching flower spirit seeking love in the snow.

As she boarded the car, she deliberately slowed her movements. With her knees bent and body bent, the curves of her waist and hips were outlined more clearly and three-dimensionally by the fabric. The firmness and softness of her buttocks were faintly revealed through the fabric, and every posture was full of subtle seduction.

Her fingertips accidentally touched the snowflakes falling from the carriage curtain; the icy touch made her eyelashes tremble slightly.

This fleeting moment of tenderness added to her charm; her almond-shaped eyes curved into crescent moons, and her voice, though crisp, was soft and sweet, rippling out like honey.

"Your Majesty, I, Wang Xifeng, greet you. I apologize for my rudeness in stopping Your Highness's carriage in the snow. I hope you will forgive me."

Seeing that Shui Rong remained silent, she raised her eyes and added a touch of pitiful softness. She lightly draped a silk handkerchief over her knees and bent her waist slightly. Her posture was by no means humble or ingratiating, but rather like a silent invitation that made people unable to resist.

A faint fragrance mingled with her own warmth, gathering into a small, ambiguous cloud amidst the cold snow. Enveloping her unique mature charm, it gradually pressed against Shui Rong's defenses, making this chance encounter in winter an irresistible, alluring temptation.

"Come in."

Shui Rong felt only a dry mouth and a burning sensation in his lower abdomen, constantly reminding him of this.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's face first flushed slightly, and a blush involuntarily spread across her cheeks, like a red plum blossom blooming in the snow, adding a touch of shyness. She tightened her grip on the handkerchief and gracefully lifted the curtain to enter.

The carriage was originally spacious, with thick brocade cushions and elegant furnishings, but when she entered, it inexplicably felt a bit cramped.

Her cloak remained in place, the soft, fluffy fox fur over her shoulders accentuating her voluptuous and slender figure, while the jade belt cinched at her waist outlined her delicate and supple curves.

Her figure was gracefully proportioned, and her clothes fluttered lightly as she walked, creating a breathtaking charm. Yet, her poised demeanor concealed some of her arrogance, leaving only a subtle allure.

She sat down sideways on the brocade bench opposite Shui Rong, took off her cloak and handed it to Zhao Zhong, who was standing beside her, her movements swift yet gentle.

As soon as she sat down, she looked up at Shui Rong, her phoenix eyes filled with a mixture of inquiry and urgency. She spoke softly, her voice slightly gentler than when she had stopped the carriage earlier:

"Yesterday, Your Highness kindly reminded me that you know of a hidden ailment I suffer from, and even said that a cure can be found. I have indeed often felt unwell these past years managing the household, but this ailment has always been secretive; even the imperial physicians in the palace couldn't give it a clear diagnosis. I wonder how Your Highness knew about it? And what is the cause of this ailment?"

After saying that, she lowered her eyes slightly, her slender fingers unconsciously stroking the handkerchief on her knee, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyelids, as if she had something difficult to say.

In fact, this hidden illness had been troubling her for many years. Since marrying into the Rongguo Mansion and taking charge of the household affairs, she had to flatter Grandmother Jia and Madam Xing above and manage all the affairs of the mansion below. She was constantly entertaining guests both inside and outside the mansion, working hard day and night, and her mind was often depressed.

Lately, I have often felt chest tightness and shortness of breath, irregular menstruation, and frequent dreams at night. My complexion is also not as bright as before. However, due to my status, I am unwilling to make a fuss about it, for fear that people will notice my flaws and gossip.

Yesterday, Shui Rong casually mentioned it, and it hit the nail on the head, which surprised and delighted her. Today, she braved the snow to stop the carriage and wanted to ask him for an explanation.