The King of Beijing in the Red Mansion

Shui Rong would not go to such a point where lust could blind one's mind.

Keqing was even more surprised when she heard this. She had never thought that the prince had no other thoughts about the second daughter of the Zhen family. After hesitating for a moment, she reminded him, "But how will the prince explain to the concubine?"

With the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words, and the approval of Concubine Beijing, how should Shui Rong respond?

Shui Rong smiled and replied, "Have you forgotten that my marriage will have to wait until the concubines enter the palace next year and His Majesty will grant me marriage? The future Princess Beijing is still unknown."

Shui Rong had earlier received the grace of Emperor Yongkang and was granted marriage by the emperor. Emperor Yongkang had also made it clear that Shui Rong could make his own choice, which meant that the initiative was in his hands. He had a certain degree of choice in the selection of Princess Beijing, and even the Queen Mother Beijing could not forcibly interfere.

Keqing looked up at Shui Rong, curious in her heart, and whispered, "Sister Zhen is beautiful and well-educated, doesn't the prince have any thoughts in his mind?"

Shui Rong did not answer after hearing this, but looked at Keqing with a smile on his face. However, he seemed to detect a hint of jealousy in Keqing's tone. It turned out that no matter how cautious a girl is, she still has a scale in her heart.

Keqing was so embarrassed by Shui Rong's gaze that she couldn't even raise her head. She whispered softly, "My Lord, you haven't come back yet!!!"

She is afraid of rain and shy of clouds, her movements are charming, and her eyebrows are filled with all kinds of charm. She is truly the peach blossom of the fragrant country, beautiful and gorgeous.

Shui Rong held Keqing's hand in his palm and said softly, "In my opinion, Keqing is even more charming. I have long admired her."

She is the most beautiful and charming person in the Red Mansion, so it is no surprise that Shui Rong admires her.

In fact, compared with Keqing, Zhen Hua is not inferior to Keqing in appearance, but Keqing has a graceful figure, and her every frown and smile is full of charm, which makes her more attractive. However, in terms of knowledge and reason, Zhen Hua, who was born in the Zhen family in Jiangnan, is obviously better. For example, on the way to the garden, Shui Rong and Zhen Hua talked freely, while Keqing was silent. After all, they were exposed to different worldly experiences and their knowledge was inferior. Keqing, in contrast, was more prudent in her work, but she could not hide Shui Rong's preference for her, as everyone has a lustful heart.

"Your Highness." Upon hearing this, Keqing's face flushed red, her bright eyes moved charmingly, and she became annoyed.

The prince is really something. I was talking to him seriously but he became frivolous. Just listening to these words, Keqing felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.

Shui Rong laughed, his heart moved slightly, and he asked softly, "Keqing, do you have a nickname?"

Keqing raised her eyes and glared at Shuirong. Without hesitation, she murmured, "I have a nickname. It's Ke'er."

Shui Rong's mouth curled up when he heard this. He knew Keqing's official name was Jianmei, her courtesy name was Keqing, and her nickname was Ke'er. The reason he took the initiative to ask was because he was testing her. You know, a girl's nickname is very mysterious and can only be known to her parents, brothers and sisters and other relatives. After she gets married, only her husband can know it, so it is also called "girl's nickname". Now Keqing told Shui Rong her nickname herself, the meaning is self-evident.

So Shui Rong asked, "Then can I call you Ke'er from now on?"

Keqing lowered her eyebrows and eyes, her cheeks flushed red, and she felt a little angry with Shui Rong. She had already told Shui Rong her childhood name, so why did he ask this unnecessary question?

Shui Rong saw Keqing's face was as bright as rosy clouds, as red as fire, and as beautiful as swaying peach blossoms. She was so beautiful that she was not like this. He knew that this was the signal for a general attack. Shui Rong pursed his lips, moved closer, and slowly leaned down.

Keqing watched Shui Rong approaching with her moist eyes. Her heart was beating fast. Before she could react, a hot masculine scent came to her nose, causing her body to tremble violently.

Your Majesty, is this going to...

"Your Majesty, the peach blossom dew is here."

Suddenly, a delicate cry startled the bewildered Keqing. She quickly turned her back to Shui Rong, her heart beating wildly and her cheeks burning like fire.

Shui Rong's face was filled with black lines. He was about to get on base, but failed at the last moment. He turned around and looked at the person who came. He wanted to scold him, but felt it was unnecessary.

Shuangjiang held the perfume box in her hand and looked at Shuirong who was staring at her, and Keqing who had her back to her. Her pretty face was full of confusion. What was going on?

"Bring it here!!" Shui Rong didn't want to say more and gave the order directly.

Shuangjiang handed the perfume box to Shuirong and then stepped aside. Shuirong took the perfume box and looked at Keqing who had her back to him, revealing her graceful figure.

"Ke'er, can I help you put on lip balm?"

Keqing was startled when she heard that. After a long while, she turned around. However, the scene was still vivid in her mind. She heard Shui Rong calling her by her nickname. She was too embarrassed to look at Shui Rong directly. She lowered her eyebrows and eyes and whispered, "Don't bother your Highness. I can do it myself."

Shui Rong didn't take it seriously. He looked at her charming face and said with a smile, "It's okay."

The atmosphere has been set, how can we give up halfway? Moreover, Keqing's attitude of wanting to refuse but also to accept shows that she will not reject Shui Rong's "good intention". He knows that a girl's refusal means she wants it, so Shui Rong directly opened the lid of the box, hooked it with his index finger, and the soft, sweet and sticky lipstick appeared on his fingertips.

Keqing stared at this scene in a daze, her face slightly bewildered. Why did the prince use his fingers to apply lipstick? Before she could ask, she saw Shui Rong approaching. Keqing subconsciously dodged, but Shui Rong grabbed her with his left hand.

"Your Highness, what are you doing?" Keqing opened her charming eyes, became annoyed, and shook her head slightly, trying to break free from the grip, but to no avail.

Shui Rong didn't care about Keqing's anger. He gently stroked Keqing's jaw with his left hand, feeling the softness of her chin. When dealing with Keqing, he had to act like a domineering boss.

Keqing looked at the burning Shui Rong in front of her with full eyes, feeling surprised. The prince had always been proper and gentle, and at most he just held her hand, and had not done anything else inappropriate. Why was he so abrupt now, like a completely different person from before? Was he the "beast in human clothing" mentioned in books?

But Keqing was not annoyed. Instead, she felt an unknown excitement in her heart.

Shui Rong was unaware of the changes in Keqing's heart. He used his index finger with lipstick on it to carefully apply it on Keqing's cherry lips. The rose-red lipstick was evenly applied on Keqing's cherry lips. The color was bright and as tempting as a cherry. Shui Rong couldn't help but lean over again.

Keqing felt the wetness on her lips, her delicate body softened, the curved eyelashes on her bright eyes trembled and drooped, she lifted her soft hands, wrapped them around Shuirong's waist, and raised her head slightly.

Shui Rong noticed the slightly clumsy Xiang Jin and was surprised. You know, Ke Qing is shy and would feel uneasy holding her hand, so how could she take the initiative? It can only be said that the verdict is true, and the signs of "being good at love and sex" have already appeared.

After a while, Keqing sat sideways on the Arhat bed, covering her face with a scented fan in her hand. Her cheeks were as red as clouds and as red as blood, and she felt a little uneasy in her heart.

How could she take the initiative to cater to him? Would the prince dislike her? ! ! !

Shui Rong did not notice Keqing's abnormality. She pursed her lips and savored the sweetness of cherries. Unlike jasmine, peach blossoms were sweeter. I understood Jia Baoyu's happiness.

Chapter 24 The Young Master is Here

Shenjing, Yanzhi Hutong.

As the night lights came on, all kinds of carriages were parked outside the alley. Red lanterns were hung everywhere on both sides of the alley, just like neon lights, filled with decadent colors. The girls in the attics on both sides were gathering their strength, dressing up beautifully, waving red handkerchiefs in their hands to greet and see off guests. The music of stringed instruments and orchestras was endless, and the alley was very lively.

Shui Rong, dressed in brocade clothes and holding an exquisite landscape fan in his hand, watched the lively scene with interest. Nightlife has existed since ancient times.

Xiao Fuzi behind him had a bitter look on his face. His master had just been quiet for a few days, but now he came back to enjoy the banquet. It would be a disaster if the concubine knew about this.

"Master, it's too noisy here, let's go back home!!!" Xiao Fuzi bravely stepped forward and suggested in a low voice.

Shui Rong glanced at the sad-looking Xiao Fuzi, and understood his worry, so he explained, "I'm here to do serious business, not to flirt with women. Just follow me and don't say anything."

Xiao Fuzi still looked not much better. What business could he do in the red-light district? It was still evening. Xiao Fuzi was rootless, but not brainless. It was just that his master had spoken, and as a servant, he could not say much. He just hoped that his master would not stay overnight and at least leave him half alive.

Shui Rong ignored Xiao Fuzi, he really came to the brothel for business. As for coming in the evening, he did have selfish motives, he wanted to see the bustling scene of the brothel at night. Now it seemed that it was indeed prosperous and worth the trip.

After saying hello, Shui Rong walked into the alley, and Xiao Fuzi had no choice but to follow him.

The alley is bustling with people, most of whom come here to relax and enjoy themselves. There are also small vendors carrying their goods on their shoulders and hawking their wares, making the place quite lively.

"Oh, what a handsome young man, do you want to come to your sister's place to have fun?"

After walking only a few steps, the girls who were welcoming and seeing off guests saw Shui Rong, their eyes suddenly lit up, and they started shouting and waving their handkerchiefs. What's more, some people came forward and tried to pull Shui Rong in. The loyal Xiao Fuzi came into play at this time. She hurriedly stepped forward to stand in front of Shui Rong and started to scold her.

Shui Rong was quite troubled by this. It was really like a sheep among a pack of wolves. How could he remain unscathed? It was natural for him to be targeted.

Shui Rong quickly left the Shura field and went to "Fengmingyuan". Fengmingyuan was an upscale brothel. There was no so-called "noisy" atmosphere, but it was much quieter. Only the faint sounds of stringed instruments in the courtyard could highlight the prosperity of the night market.

Walking into the "Fengming Courtyard", Yi Nongji came forward to pay her respects. Shui Rong did not say much, but said directly: "Miss, I am here to visit Miss Du Yuejiao. Please let me know."

When Xiao Fuzi behind him said something in her heart, he knew that his master was here to look for that vixen.

Nong Ji stared at Shui Rong in a daze. She had been a receptionist at Fengming Courtyard and had seen all kinds of young men, but none of them was as handsome as the young man in front of her. She could not help but be moved. However, she also knew that the young man in front of her was dressed in brocade and was not someone she could covet. So she handled the matter in a businesslike manner. She saw him take out a piece of rice paper from the table and said in a clear voice, "Young Master, please."

Shui Rong understood what was going on. He was asked to write a poem. Last time, he heard Feng Ziying and others talk about many rules of brothels. Whenever a guest wanted to see a famous lady, he had to write a poem after entering the brothel. The maid would then bring the poem in for the lady to read. If the lady did not like the writing style of the poem, she would directly refuse the guest entry. This was called the Flag Tower Poetry Contest.

After passing the poetry contest in the flag tower, it is time for the tea party, which means tea drinking competition, knowing and tasting tea, and speaking and behaving appropriately. During the tea party, the ladies will not show up, but will only observe the man's words and deeds from behind the curtain. Even if she is satisfied with a man, she may not necessarily become his guest.

Last time, Shui Rong didn't need to follow these rules because he was having a brothel. The so-called brothel is also called "setting up a dinner party". Feng Ziying had already made arrangements, so he went in directly. But this time, he has to rely on some real skills. Brothels are not places that ordinary people can enter. Famous girls have certain rights of choice.

After a pause, Shui Rong picked up his pen and wrote a poem, handed it to the maid, and reminded her, "Please tell Miss Du that I am a good friend of Mr. Feng Ziying, and I drank with Miss Du last time."

Last time when they were having a banquet, Du Yuejiao had joked: "If my young master comes, just tell me your name and I will prepare the bed for you." It was getting late and he couldn't stay for long. It was better for him to finish his business and return home as soon as possible.

The maidservant didn't say anything when she heard this. There were many people like Shui Rong who tried to make friends or use the back door. It was none of her business. She would leave it to the young lady to decide. So she responded and turned around to leave.

In Du Yuejiao's small courtyard, in the flower hall, the finest sandalwood was burning in the incense burner, and more than a dozen people were sitting around the square table drinking and chatting.

In the private room of the house, Du Yuejiao, who is good at dancing with long sleeves, was leaning against the beauty table. Her charming eyes looked through a thin silk curtain and occasionally glanced at the "talented men" who were chatting in the flower hall.

The maid came forward to pour tea. Seeing that Du Yuejiao was not interested, she asked curiously, "But is there no gentleman that catches your eye?"

Du Yuejiao took a sip of the tea and said casually, "It's not that I don't like it, but I'm not feeling well today and don't want to see guests."

As a brothel girl, she may not receive guests, but she must set up the tea table. After all, she is doing business in a brothel and cannot do whatever she wants.

The maid frowned and calculated: "I remember that the young lady's day is still early!!"

Du Yuejiao rolled her eyes at the maid and spat, "Lian'er, you want to die? When did I say it was time? It's just that I didn't sleep well today and I'm a little tired."

Lian Er knew that she had made a fool of herself, so she spit out some air in the hope of getting away with it by being cute.

Du Yuejiao smiled when she saw this, but didn't care.

After a while, another maid lifted the curtain and came in. Du Yuejiao understood what was happening. She thought that this might be another guest. With such a great reputation, guests would come in an endless stream.

As expected, the maid handed the note to her and said in a clear voice, "Miss, there is a young man outside. He is said to be a friend of Mr. Feng Ziying. He drank with you last time."

Du Yuejiao was opening the note to check it out. After hearing what the maid said, she immediately had some guesses in her mind, so she asked, "Is it a handsome young man?"

The maid nodded slightly upon hearing this and replied, "He is indeed a handsome young man."

Du Yuejiao understood immediately and smiled, "So it's the young master who's here. Today is really interesting."

Thinking of the funny thing that happened last time when she made fun of the young master, Du Yuejiao couldn't help but become interested. She opened the note and started reading it. She wanted to see the young master's talent.

But when the note was opened and the contents were clearly seen, Du Yuejiao's mouth twitched slightly and her expression became complicated.

"Miss, what's wrong, but that young man is not good at writing?"

As Du Yuejiao's maid, Shui Rong had met her last time. His appearance and speech were both first-rate, so it should not be a problem for him to learn poetry. But looking at Du Yuejiao's expression, it seemed that something went wrong. Could it be a silver spear with a wax head?

Du Yuejiao did not answer, but handed the note over. Lian'er took it and looked at it. The handwriting was neat, so it was not a problem. She just looked at the content on the note.

"A bent wrist hides a careful mind, and things change with the times."

"Miss, what does this mean?" Lian'er scolded. She was influenced by it, and although she was not good at poetry, she knew the meaning of such simple poems. The poems on the note were clearly satirizing her young lady's scheming. As a maid, how could she tolerate this?

Du Yuejiao was not angry, but chuckled instead. This confused Lian'er. How could her young lady laugh when being ridiculed? Did she not understand the meaning, or was she making a fool of herself again?

"It seems that the young master is not only small in stature, but also small-minded. He is blaming me for coaxing him last time."

Last time at the flower wine party, Du Yuejiao's "inner meaning" was quite expensive, and the "mind" in the poem was probably the same thing.

Lian Er frowned upon hearing this and said unhappily, "Look, he is from a wealthy family, why is he still fussing over it? In my opinion, the young lady should just say no."

At the poetry contest in the flag tower, everyone else is flattering in the hope of winning the favor of the beauty, but this young man is making sarcastic remarks. If that's the case, why invite him in?

Du Yuejiao ignored him. Although the young man did not reveal his identity, she could tell from the attitudes of Feng Ziying and others that his status must be high. How could she offend such a noble person?

Thinking of this, Du Yuejiao said, "Please go to the private room next door, young master."

The maid nodded in agreement and went back to invite the guest in. Lian'er looked a little surprised. She invited someone in even though she was being ridiculed. Could it be that the young lady had taken a fancy to that young man?

Du Yuejiao ignored Lian'er, stood up, lifted the curtain and walked out.

When the young men who were having tea in the flower hall saw Du Yuejiao coming out to meet them, their eyes lit up and they all sat up straight, hoping that their performance would please Du Yuejiao and that she would invite them to be her guests and add to her beauty.

Du Yuejiao bowed gracefully and said softly, "I am a little tired. I will take my leave first. Gentlemen, please drink slowly."