When the Xue family's mother and daughter were settled, the sun was already setting.
After finishing his studies today, Jia Baoyu sneaked into Jia Mu's courtyard while his father was chatting with Mr. Qingke.
Sure enough, all the sisters were there, which made his boring heart suddenly become alive.
At this moment, everyone was discussing poetry, but Chai and Dai spoke the most. Their insights were profound and thought-provoking, and everyone gained something.
As the protagonists, Chai and Dai, although they had different opinions after a heart-to-heart talk, they felt like they had met each other too late.
Seeing Jia Baoyu's arrival, everyone looked over. Baochai was especially suspicious as to why this man had entered the inner house again.
After quickly approaching, Jia Baoyu said proudly: "I just heard from the master that the Thirteenth Master entered the palace today and was punished by the Holy Master to kneel down in the Qianqing Palace. He didn't get up until the master came off duty!"
Hearing this, Baochai was immediately frightened, but his face remained unmoved.
"Didn't you kneel for more than two hours?" Tan Chun was full of surprise.
Jia Baoyu nodded and said, "If you haven't gotten up now, it will probably take three hours!"
At this time Yingchun said: "I don't know how many mistakes this Thirteenth Master has made!"
"Who knows, by the way, Sister Bao... I just heard you talk about Su Dongpo's words, and I thought..."
As soon as these words came out, Jia Baoyu received two unkind looks, because Baochai was not in the mood to talk about poetry at the moment, while Daiyu was dissatisfied that he was talking to Baochai again.
"Well... I'm going to pay my respects to my ancestors!" Jia Baoyu found a step for himself and slipped away.
…………
On the east side of the Imperial City, inside the Prince's Mansion.
Zhu Jingyuan locked himself in the study and refused to see anyone, but Gao Shuyan and others were extremely anxious.
They were eager to know what the emperor said to the prince so that they could discuss the next countermeasures.
After all, this trip has completed the mission of suppressing Japanese invaders. It must be made clear whether it is a reward or a punishment.
It's a pity that the prince is nowhere to be seen, and Gao Shuyan is helpless.
Of course, the two concubines of the East Palace were equally anxious, among whom Yuanchun was the most decisive.
She has received the news that Zhu Jinghong is still kneeling outside Qianqing Palace, and the sixth brother Zhu Jingyuan has gone to plead for mercy.
At this time, as the legitimate brother, the prince should come forward no matter what and plead for his brother in front of the emperor.
Showing filial piety and brotherhood is the cornerstone of the prince's stable status. Yuanchun especially understands this, so she came outside the study alone.
"Your Highness, Thirteenth Brother has been kneeling outside Qianqing Palace for three hours!"
Seeing that there was no response, Jia Yuanchun spoke again: "I just heard that... Prince Rui has gone to Qianqing Palace to intercede on behalf of my thirteenth brother!"
There are many eunuchs in the East Palace, and the news about their comings and goings is not blocked, not to mention that it is such a big event as King Rui's trip.
I thought that the prince could not speak, but unexpectedly a voice came from inside: "If he wants to go, just go. The prince will let him do it, and I will be clean!"
Although I don't know how much Zhu Jingyuan was stimulated, the fact that he actually said such concessions really chilled Yuan Chun.
In order to help Zhu Jingyuan secure his position as the crown prince, countless people worked hard, and some even lost their lives.
None of the people below said give up. As a protected and highly praised prince, who had the right to give up easily.
Of course, you can only think about these words in your mind, and saying them directly will only be counterproductive.
"Your Highness is the legitimate eldest son, established by the ancestral family law as the crown prince, and all the subjects in the world respect him. No one can touch His Highness' position as the crown prince!"
"There are so many people in the house now, and they all rely on His Highness's shelter to survive..."
After a pause, Yuanchun gritted his teeth and continued: "Even if Your Highness doesn't think about yourself, you should think about your ministers, concubines and others!"
"Now that the Thirteenth Brother is being punished, His Highness may be in trouble. How can His Highness stand still..."
Before Yuan Chun could finish what he said, the door to the house was opened, and Zhu Jingyuan appeared inside wearing a Chinese coat. It was obvious that he had been lying on the bed in the afternoon.
"Have you said enough?"
Hearing this, Jia Yuanchun quickly knelt down, kowtowed and said, "I have overstepped my bounds. Please deal with it, Your Highness!"
Ignoring this, Zhu Jingyuan shouted directly outside: "Zhang Xin..."
"My servant is here. Your Majesty, please give me your orders!"
After walking out of the threshold and glancing at Yuanchun, Zhu Jingyuan said in a deep voice: "Change my clothes!"
"yes!"
After Zhang Xin and others got busy, Zhu Jingyuan said to Yuan Chun: "Get up!"
"yes!"
When Zhang Xin and others brought the robes and Jia Yuanchun wanted to leave, he heard Zhu Jingyuan say: "Wait a moment... you can come with me to the palace!"
"yes!"
After the death of the Crown Princess, the two concubines took the honors in the East Palace. Relatively speaking, Yuanchun was more valued by the Queen, and she attended most of the formal and informal occasions.
While the prince was preparing in a hurry, Prince Rui Zhu Jingyuan had already entered the Qianqing Palace and was kneeling in front of the emperor's imperial case.
"Father, even if Thirteenth Brother is at fault, kneeling for three hours now is enough to atone for his sins. Let him get up!"
"From noon to now, the thirteenth brother hasn't even eaten!"
Playing with the newly acquired jade, Zhu Xianming glanced at Zhu Jingyuan and said slowly: "Are you here just to beg for mercy?"
"My thirteenth brother and my son are very close by flesh and blood. Now that my son is being punished, how can he just sit back and watch? This... isn't it shameful for everyone in the world!"
On the surface, Zhu Jingyuan's words were to express his filial piety, but in reality, he wanted to accuse the prince. After all, the eldest brother had not come yet.
"Are you finished?" Zhu Xianming asked calmly.
"Dad... please let the thirteenth brother get up. Thinking of him kneeling for so long, my son's heart is as sharp as a knife!"
Seeing Zhu Jingyuan's eyes filled with tears, Zhu Xianming was very disgusted.
"Lao Liu, with his body like an ox, it doesn't matter if he kneels for a whole day, not to mention three hours, so don't worry about it!"
Picking up the tea cup, Zhu Xianming said calmly: "If you really can't bear it, just kneel with him!"
"ah?"
With just these words, Zhu Jingyuan was stood up. Refusing at this time was definitely not an option.
After a brief moment of surprise, Zhu Jingyuan immediately said: "Since father is unwilling to spare the thirteenth brother, then my son will kneel with him!"
The drama has gone so far, so if you don't accompany me, it won't make people laugh.
Besides, as long as I can win over Zhu Jinghong, there is no harm in kneeling for an hour or two.
"Go!" Zhu Xianming's tone was still light and airy.
Besides, outside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Jinghong did feel very tired, especially his knee pain, but as Zhu Xianming said, it was far from the limit.
"Thirteenth brother, I'm here to accompany you!"
Zhu Jingyuan appeared at the side and knelt down directly next to him, which made Zhu Jinghong astonished.
"Brother Six, what are you doing?"
Zhu Jingyuan had an angry look on his face: "I'm begging for your help, but my dad won't agree. Let me either leave or kneel with you!"
Judging from his performance alone, Zhu Jingyuan can definitely be called a good brother, but Zhu Jinghong is really not moved.
Because he knew very well that the purpose of this sixth brother was not simple.
"Brother Six, thank you very much!" Zhu Jinghong also acted, even pretending to be a little moved.
Who would have thought that the honest Zhu Jinghong would lie to others. At this moment, Zhu Jingyuan felt extremely comfortable, and it was worth it to kneel down today.
Fourth, oh, old four, Thirteenth was punished because of you, and now you don't even show your face, which is really chilling... Zhu Jingyuan felt secretly happy.
What do people like this have to fight with themselves for?
Thinking of this, Zhu Jingyuan felt more and more comfortable, and said to Zhu Jinghong: "Thirteenth brother, don't worry, my brother is here... we can handle big things together!"
"Thank you, Brother Six!"
Zhu Jinghong looked more and more moved. My brothers and sisters from Ming Dynasty are respectful to everyone in the world.
As the sun set, the shadows of the two brothers stretched out outside the Qianqing Palace.
(End of chapter)
