The King of Beijing in the Red Mansion

Thinking of this, Shui Rong's eyes became gentle, and he took Yuanchun's hand and said softly, "There is no rush for this matter. Don't you want to know what mother likes? Do you want me to tell you?"

Having offspring is not a short-term project. It requires diligent effort and cannot be rushed. As for Yuanchun at the moment, she still needs a method that will show results quickly.

Yuanchun nodded slightly when she heard that, and looked at Shui Rong with her beautiful eyes, waiting for Shui Rong to tell her.

Seeing this, Shui Rong did not keep the secret and said, "I heard that mother used to like playing dominoes very much, but there are not many people in the mansion and no one to play with, so mother has not played for a long time. There is a set of dominoes made of white jade in the storehouse. If you can let mother take it out and play, then you have a talent.

The so-called dominoes are similar to mahjong. Most women in the Daqian Dynasty stayed in the back house and had no entertainment. Playing dominoes was a good way to entertain themselves. In the past, there were many people in the palace, so naturally everyone could get together. However, since the death of the old Prince Beijing, the Dowager Concubine Beijing gradually sent away those concubines, leaving the palace empty and deserted.

As for playing with the maids, the Dowager Concubine Beijing was too embarrassed to do so. However, among the hostesses in the mansion, there were the Dowager Concubine Beijing, Yuanchun, Keqing and Tanchun, exactly four people, so they could set up a table.

Yuanchun's eyes lit up when she heard this. As the saying goes, "please give your mother what she likes." Now that she knew her mother's preferences, things would be much easier.

Chapter 95 Entering the palace to express gratitude

Imperial City, Qianqing Palace, West Warm Pavilion.

Shui Rong wore a silver-winged royal hat and a robe with a five-clawed dragon. Yuanchun beside him wore a golden dress in the color of autumn fragrance. The two of them looked past the white crane screen and saw Emperor Yongkang sitting cross-legged on the kang. They immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am Shui Rong and I, Jia Yuanchun, pay my respects to you."

The reason why Shui Rong brought Yuanchun to see the emperor this time was because their marriage was granted by Emperor Yongkang and presided over by the emperor, so he came to thank the emperor for his grace.

Emperor Yongkang had a kind face and said, "No need to be polite. Please sit down."

The eunuchs hurriedly brought over the brocade stools, and Shui Rong and Yuanchun sat down calmly.

Emperor Yongkang looked at Shui Rong and Yuanchun and said with a smile, "At the beginning, I felt that you two were a match made in heaven. Now it seems that my vision was very good."

Emperor Yongkang had noticed the two of them earlier in the corridor outside Shou'an Palace, and he felt that they were very compatible at the time. However, due to his fear, he did not take it seriously, and even gave Shui Rong a scolding afterwards.

Yuanchun was slightly tipsy when she heard this, and lowered her head. Shuirong responded with a generous gesture, "Your Majesty, you have a keen eye, which is beyond the reach of us. Yuanchun is virtuous and kind, and I am very satisfied with her."

Emperor Yongkang laughed and said, "As long as you are satisfied, I remember that when you granted me the marriage, you were not attentive to my sister-in-law. I felt that I had done a bad job."

When the marriage was arranged, Shui Rong's expression was more than just indifference, it was extreme disgust. He had been PUA'd up by Yuanchun twice before, and now Emperor Yongkang was causing trouble again, and it seemed that he was just here to watch the fun.

Shui Rong had a bitter face and said helplessly: "Brother Emperor, I was wrong at the beginning. Please don't mention this matter again."

That was the past. Now that she has become my wife, how can I humiliate her verbally again? I have to change my approach.

As he spoke, Shui Rong said softly, "You don't know, because of this matter, I had to coax her several times before I could get her to come. If not, I'm afraid that the wedding night would not be peaceful."

Emperor Yongkang laughed when he heard this, and looked at Shui Rong with sharp eyes, but said nothing.

Shui Rong didn't care about it. They were just chatting about family matters, and there was no need to hide some private words. Besides, to royal nobles like them, women were mostly vassals. It was obvious that a prince would spend so much time to coax a woman, which showed his intentions.

However, when he was free, Shui Rong glanced at Yuanchun who was lowering her head. He knew that she was shy, but her chin was almost touching her chest, and he couldn't help but sigh at Yuanchun's broad-mindedness, where her toes were not visible when she lowered her head.

After chatting about family matters for a while, Emperor Yongkang suddenly asked, "Little Sixteen, you are married now, what are your plans for the future?"

Shui Rong understood what he said. After getting married and starting a family, one cannot neglect his career. The Emperor Yongkang's intention was simply to recruit Shui Rong.

After a pause, Shui Rong said, "My humble brother's mind is scattered, so how can I consider these things? I wonder if my royal brother has any suggestions?"

The situation was different, so Shui Rong's approach was naturally different, so he did not refuse as harshly as he did in the past.

Shui Rong had a plan in mind for the future development direction, but he could not speak out directly, otherwise he would be suspected of asking for an official position. This time he took the initiative to ask about the Emperor Yongkang. This way, he could show the hierarchy and give the Emperor Yongkang room to maneuver. Why not do it?

As for worrying that Emperor Yongkang would be stingy with him, that was pure nonsense. Not to mention that he was a prince, even given the current situation, Emperor Yongkang would not treat him lightly.

Emperor Yongkang naturally understood Shui Rong's intention, took a look at him, and said with a smile: "Since the founding of Daqian, Prince Beijing's Mansion has controlled the Central Army Governor's Mansion. In this case, you should go and manage the Central Army Governor's Mansion!"

Upon hearing this, Shui Rong immediately stood up to express his gratitude, and Yuanchun, who was standing beside him, followed suit.

Shui Rong was not surprised that Emperor Yongkang asked him to be in charge of the Central Army Governor's Office. After all, as Emperor Yongkang said, since the founding of Daqian, Prince Beijing's Mansion has been in control of the Central Army Governor's Office, and most of the meritorious officials in the Mansion are old subordinates of Prince Beijing's Mansion, and their power is intertwined.

Before Shui Rong inherited the title, he had thought about taking over the Central Army Governor's Office. However, since the death of the old Prince of Beijun, Emperor Yongkang did not make any arrangements and instead ordered the Ministry of War to take charge. This made Shui Rong understand that Emperor Yongkang intended to use the Ministry of War to suppress the Five Army Governor's Office, or to be more precise, to use civil officials to suppress military honors, so he gave up on the matter.

At present, Shui Rong's attitude tends to be towards the imperial party, so Emperor Yongkang naturally has other plans. The Five Military Governor's Office is responsible for the management of the army, military registration, and selection of generals. It has the power to command troops but not the power to mobilize them. The Ministry of War is responsible for the appointment and removal of officers, promotions, and mobilization of troops by imperial order. It has the power to mobilize troops but not the power to command them. The two departments check and balance each other to ensure that military power is not monopolized.

The reason why Emperor Gaozu followed the Ming Dynasty's system of the Five Military Commissions was that he valued the constraints that could be formed between the Five Military Commissions and the Ministry of War. How could Emperor Yongkang, as the Son of Heaven, not know this?

As for being afraid of the faction in Prince Beijing's Mansion, just ask yourself, who in the court doesn't have some connection? As long as Shui Rong is inclined towards Emperor Yongkang and the faction is not for personal gain, there is no need to be afraid.

Emperor Yongkang gave a false support, then said earnestly: "The Central Military Governor's Office is related to the safety of the capital. I feel relieved to leave it to you."

Shui Rong understood what he said. The Central Military Governor's Office governs the northern Zhili area, which is the central area of ​​the Daqian court and is of vital importance. As the saying goes, relatives protect each other, so Emperor Gaozu handed the Central Military Governor's Office over to the Beijing Prince's Mansion, a member of the royal family, for control. This was also Emperor Yongkang's expression of trust.

Thinking of this, Shui Rong said: "Don't worry, my emperor, I will do my best to fulfill my responsibilities."

Emperor Yongkang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Since you have just gotten married, it is not appropriate to ask you to take up a post. You should take a rest for a while. I will issue an order myself."

Yuanchun's cheeks became slightly drunk when she heard this, and she lowered her head without saying a word. After all, this was a serious matter between men, and she, as a woman, should not interfere.

Shui Rong felt that what Emperor Yongkang said made sense. As a newly married man, he should indeed spend some time with his wife first and treat it as a honeymoon leave, so he agreed with a smile.

After a while, Shui Rong felt that the matter was almost done, so he said, "Your Majesty is busy with government affairs, so I will not disturb you."

Emperor Yongkang nodded slightly upon hearing this, but did not try to persuade him to stay.

Shui Rong and Yuanchun then walked out side by side, and when they reached the corner of the corridor, they met a group of people. The person in the lead had a bun on her head, and wore a five-phoenix-facing-the-rising-beaded hairpin on her head. She was dressed in a golden-yellow cloud-smoke shirt embroidered with phoenixes, a long yellow skirt in the shape of clouds with double butterflies and ancient patterns, and she was holding a peony-shaped gauze with a graceful and elegant temperament.

This is Queen Zhou of Daqian. Although she is over thirty years old, she has a voluptuous figure, a charming face like the moon, and bright eyes. Her charm has not diminished.

Shui Rong and Yuanchun made way for him, lowered their heads and said nothing.

Queen Zhou stopped walking in front of Shui Rong as she passed by him. She turned her eyes slightly and smiled, "Sixteenth brother, you didn't even say hello to the Emperor's sister-in-law when you saw her."

Shui Rong couldn't help but raise his eyebrows when he heard the gentle voice. Shui Rong had only met the Queen Daqian a few times and they were not close.

There is no such thing as goodwill without reason in the world. Now that Zhou Hou took the initiative to greet him and spoke in a friendly manner, Shui Rong couldn't help but become alert.

However, Shui Rong still had to give face to the dignified Empress Daqian, so he bowed and said, "Meet the Imperial Sister-in-law."

Queen Zhou frowned slightly. Although Shui Rong called her the Emperor's sister-in-law, his tone was a little stiff.

After a moment of silence, Empress Zhou looked at Yuanchun who was bowing gracefully, took off the silver silk double-buckle bracelet from her fair wrist, handed it to Yuanchun and said, "It's just a small gift, but it's just a gift. Now we are sisters-in-law, so when you have free time, come to the palace to accompany me and relieve my boredom."

Yuanchun's starry eyes turned slightly, her jade-like face smiled, and she replied: "When I have free time, I will go to the palace more often to pay my respects to the Empress's sister-in-law."

Upon hearing this, Queen Zhou smiled sweetly, said "hmm", and left with lotus steps without saying anything else.

Shui Rong looked at Empress Zhou's departing figure thoughtfully, and after a moment he said, "Yuanchun, let's go to Daming Palace to pay respect to the Emperor first."

After all, the retired emperor was Shui Rong's biological father, and he always treated him well, so when he had a new wife, he would naturally bring her to see her.

Yuanchun did not say much about this. As for the relationship between Shui Rong and the retired emperor, everyone in and out of the court knew about it. As the saying goes, the husband sings and the wife follows, so she just needed to follow her husband honestly and dutifully.

The two of them walked to Daming Palace. The eunuch outside the palace gate saw Shui Rong and hurriedly passed on a message. A moment later, Dai Quan, wearing a bright red python robe, trotted over and said flatteringly, "I pay my respects to the prince and princess."

Shui Rong didn't say much. Under the guidance of Dai Quan, he entered the Daming Palace. After walking along the corridor for dozens of steps, he came to the main hall. As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw the retired emperor in an apricot-yellow robe sitting on the throne. There was a chessboard on the table below him, and he seemed to be playing chess.

"Your servant Shui Rong and your concubine Jia Yuanchun pay their respects to the Supreme Emperor."

The Emperor raised his eyes and looked at the two of them, his cloudy gaze mostly on Yuanchun. After a moment, he nodded and said, "Jia Daishan's granddaughter is quite good."

Soon the retired emperor signaled, and Dai Quan came up with a tray with a smile on his face. On the tray was a purple gold jade ruyi.

"This is what I give you. May you and your spouse live in harmony."

Yuanchun was delighted when she heard this, as the retired emperor's move meant that he approved of her as his "daughter-in-law".

Shui Rong and Yuanchun Fuli thanked the emperor, then walked forward, sat opposite each other, and started playing chess with the emperor.

The emperor made a move and immediately asked, "Does the fourth brother have any plans?"

Shui Rong was not aware of what he said. With the wisdom of the emperor, he must have guessed that Emperor Yongkang would have other plans for this visit to the palace. Facing the emperor, Shui Rong did not hide anything and responded, "Brother Emperor intends to let me take control of the Central Military Governor's Office."

The Emperor looked calm as usual. He groaned for a moment and said, "Little Sixteen, they are all people who have made contributions to the court. Try to save their dignity."

Shui Rong paused as he understood what the retired emperor meant. If Shui Rong took over the Central Army Governor's Office, he would definitely make great efforts to reorganize it. Those people who had pretended to obey the Beijing Prince's Mansion but actually disobeyed him, the Beijing County Prince, would definitely not tolerate him staying in the Governor's Office. The retired emperor's words were nothing more than an intercession, asking Shui Rong not to be too drastic.

After a pause, Shui Rong said, "I understand."

Shui Rong had his own arrangements in mind for those former subordinates of Prince Beijing's Mansion. Those troublemakers would certainly not be kept, but some small fry would be considered on a case-by-case basis. After all, Shui Rong couldn't kill them all at once.

Upon hearing this, the emperor looked up at Shui Rong, but didn't say anything else. He continued to play chess with Shui Rong peacefully.

Chapter 96 Yuanchun: Don’t Make a Sound

Inside Xinuan Pavilion.

After Shui Rong left, Emperor Yongkang began to review memorials.

Soon, Queen Zhou walked in with lotus steps, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

Seeing Empress Zhou's charming face, Emperor Yongkang couldn't help but relax his brows and asked, "Why is the Empress here?"

Empress Zhou's eyes were full of smiles, and she said in a worried tone, "I heard that Your Majesty has had a poor appetite recently, so I made some appetizing cakes and sent them to you."

As she spoke, Queen Zhou signaled the palace maids to bring out the cakes and place them neatly on the table.

Emperor Yongkang looked at the exquisite pastries, his eyes softened involuntarily, he reached out and picked up a piece to taste it, and said: "It is crispy and delicious, with a pure fragrance. The queen is thoughtful."

Queen Zhou smiled and said softly, "As long as your majesty likes it."

Emperor Yongkang felt relieved when he heard this. Even though he was an emperor, he felt warm in his heart for his beloved wife's thoughtfulness.

Seeing that Emperor Yongkang was in a good mood, Empress Zhou turned her eyes slightly and said casually, "Your Majesty, I ran into my sixteenth brother earlier. He seemed to be very distant from the palace, so I asked Princess Beijing to come to the palace more often to accompany me and relieve my boredom, so as to avoid alienation."

Emperor Yongkang raised his eyebrows upon hearing this and looked at Queen Zhou with sharp eyes. Seeing her calm expression, he began to think more.

As for Shui Rong's unfamiliarity, he had already felt it when he first inherited the title. His indifference towards Queen Zhou this time was similar to his.

However, when Emperor Yongkang heard Queen Zhou talking about inviting Princess Beijing to the palace, he was slightly moved. Although he trusted Shui Rong, Queen Zhou's words made sense. It would also be beneficial to him if Prince Beijing's Mansion could be closer to the palace.

Thinking of this, Emperor Yongkang said in a deep voice: "It's up to the Queen to decide!"

Empress Zhou's eyes lit up when she heard this. As the person who sleeps beside her, Empress Zhou obviously knows Emperor Yongkang very well. Since Emperor Yongkang agreed to let her have more contact with Princess Beijing, it was probably to show her closeness, which means that Emperor Yongkang will make great use of the Prince Beijing's mansion.

Shui Rong stayed in Daming Palace for a while, and then left. After leaving Daming Palace, Shui Rong glanced at Yuanchun's tired face and said softly, "Yuanchun, it's getting late, let's go back home first!"

This time when he entered the palace, he met all the people he was supposed to meet. Yuanchun accompanied him the whole time, remaining silent. It was normal for her to look a little tired.

When Yuanchun heard Shui Rong's caring words, her heart warmed, her starry eyes became bright, and she said "hmm" softly.

As they were talking, the two of them left the Daming Palace, and a gilded pavilion-style carriage stopped in front of them.

Shui Rong helped Yuanchun onto the carriage. The driver drove the carriage rumblingly, passing over the bluestone-paved palace road and leaving the majestic imperial city.

Inside the carriage, tea, fruits and other items were placed on a small nanmu table. Yuanchun picked up a tangerine from the fruit plate and started peeling it. Her slender jade fingers handed the tangerine segments to Shuirong.

Shui Rong smiled gently upon seeing this. Yuanchun, his wife, was gentle and lovely, which was exactly what he wanted. Faced with the beauty's affection, Shui Rong naturally would not refuse. However, he did not reach out to take it, but instead leaned his head closer.

Yuanchun's cheeks were slightly tipsy, and she felt the wetness of his fingers, her heart beating inexplicably, and her starry eyes sparkled.