The Red Mansions

Chapter 1708 Jia Heng: Concubine Rong, you don’t want to…

The next day, Shenjing City
At dawn, when the golden rooster crowed and the sky was bright, teams of imperial guardsmen in brocade uniforms searched the entire city of Shenjing all night long. They went back and forth and arrested many officers from the Beijing camp and members of the Prince of Yan's party who were involved in the assassination of Jia Heng.

For a moment, the entire capital was shrouded in an atmosphere of white terror.

The imperial guards of the capital camp were dispatched on a large scale at this moment, searching for the traces of Prince Yan and his party throughout the entire city of Shenjing.

As time passed, the news that King Wei in the palace had been assassinated also spread to the city of Shenjing.

Jinyang Princess Mansion——

Princess Jinyang's face was frosty. She turned to look at Lianxue and asked again, "Are you back?"

Lian Xue said softly, "Your Highness, I have sent the nanny to look for the prince."

Princess Jinyang was still anxious, and said, "Send someone to urge them."

Lianxue uttered a soft "hmm", then walked out of the room and headed outside.

After about a quarter of an hour, a young man in a python robe came in from under the eaves of the corridor and walked into the wing room. He looked calm and said, "Jinyang."

Princess Jinyang looked Jia Heng up and down with her beautiful eyes and said with concern, "I heard from Xiahou that your previous assassination was caused by King Chen Ze of Yan?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "Jinyang, you are right, it was indeed Chen Ze who did it."

Princess Jinyang was speaking, and her eyes flickered under her two emerald eyebrows. She was silent for a moment and said, "So how do you plan to deal with Chen Ze?"

Jia Heng looked indifferent and said in a deep voice: "A cup of poisoned wine, death!"

Princess Jinyang frowned and whispered, "How do we explain the situation in Xianning?"

Jia Heng said: "You should persuade her more."

Princess Jinyang sighed softly and said, "Why is the King of Yan so perverse?"

Jia Heng said: "He hates me to the core and wants to get rid of me as soon as possible!"

Princess Jinyang was silent for a moment, then said, "We shouldn't have allowed him to contact the outside world before."

Although, deep in his heart, he vaguely guessed that the person in front of him was probably doing it on purpose, with the purpose of prompting Prince Yan to make a mistake, thereby implicating the anti-Jia forces in the court.

At this moment, a fair-skinned female official entered the room, raised her eyes to look at Jia Heng, and whispered, "Your Highness, Princess Xianning is here."

Soon, Princess Xianning came in from outside. Her face, which had changed from bright and beautiful to gentle and charming after she became pregnant and gave birth to a child, came closer and said, "Sir."

Jia Heng said with some joy in his eyes, "Xianning, you are here."

He really didn't know how to tell Princess Xianning about the matter of Prince of Yan Chen Ze.

Princess Xianning looked concerned and asked, "Sir, are you okay?"

When Jia Heng heard this, he felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.

Xianning was concerned about his safety at the first moment and really loved him deeply.

Jia Heng said in a gentle voice: "Xianning, I think you already know about the matter of the King of Yan."

Princess Xianning sighed and said, "Your Highness, why did my eighth brother...come to this?"

At the end, his voice was choked with sobs.

Jia Heng's sword-like brows showed a cold look in his clear eyes. He said in a deep voice, "He is grown up now, and his mind is inevitably treacherous and unpredictable. Moreover, there are some villains around him who instigated and encouraged him. It is inevitable that he believed in the slander and did such a perverse thing."

As he spoke, he winked at Princess Jinyang who was standing beside him.

Princess Jinyang understood what she meant. She walked closer, took Princess Xianning's slender hand, and whispered, "Okay, Xianning, just leave these matters to your husband."

Jia Heng said softly, then turned to look at Li Chanyue beside him and said, "Chanyue, are you and Ruo'er okay now?"

Li Chanyue had just given birth to a daughter for Jia Heng not long ago.

Li Chanyue's eyes seemed to be shining brightly, and her voice was still soft and gentle, saying: "Mr. Xiao Jia, I have nothing to do here."

Jia Heng held Li Chanyue's slender and soft hand, looked into her sparkling and shining eyes, and an inexplicable feeling surged in his heart.

While Song Yan was speaking, she also walked slowly with her plump and graceful steps, approached Princess Xianning, took Princess Xianning's slender hand, and comforted her non-stop.

Jia Heng felt a little torn if he continued to stay like this, so he did not linger any longer and left the backyard room to go see Yuanchun.

Although he restored his surname to Su, Yuanchun still felt embarrassed for a while and was too ashamed to bring her own child home.

In other words, Yuanchun still has some psychological burden.

In the backyard, in the side room——

Yuanchun was seated in a hall, wearing a light yellow dress. Her round and smooth face was as white as jade, and her beautiful eyes were soft and moist under her emerald eyebrows. Not far away was her son Jia Yun, who was playing with Yuanchun's maid Baoqin.

At this moment, a maid entered the hall, bowed to Yuanchun, and whispered, "Madam, Prince Wei is here."

While they were talking, the tall young man in the python robe came in from outside, turned his eyes to Yuanchun, and said in a gentle voice, "Big sister."

Yuanchun's delicate eyebrows were as dark as willows, and her graceful and bright eyes were full of joy. She whispered, "Brother Heng, you are here?"

Jia Heng nodded, his eyes warm, and said softly: "Come and see big sister, how is big sister doing recently?"

Yuanchun said gently, "I'm doing fine here, too."

While Jia Heng was speaking, he took a few quick steps, looked at Yuanchun with warm eyes, gently grasped the beauty's slender hand, stared at her, and said, "Then I'll come over to see Yun'er."

Yuanchun, on her side, seemed to say "hmm" softly.

……

……

Jinyifu, Imperial Prison
A few rays of sunlight filtered through the wooden barred window above the cell, illuminating the dark cell, filling the entire room with a gloomy atmosphere.

The Prince of Yan, who was kneeling on the straw, had a pale face under his thick and heroic eyebrows, and was secretly hating the Prince of Wei in his heart.

At this moment, a series of chaotic footsteps were heard, which made King Yan's heart tighten.

Soon, the sound of chains rattling was heard, and then King Yan looked around. When he raised his eyes, he clearly saw the young man in python clothes standing behind the fence.

The King of Yan raised his slightly dishevelled head, with anger surging on his face, and shouted angrily: "Jia thief!"

Jia Heng's face turned pale, he stared at the King of Yan, and asked loudly: "Chen Ze, why do you want to harm me?"

Under the sword-like eyebrows that slanted into his temples, the Prince of Yan's eyes, as cold as knives, seemed to burst out with hatred. He said in a cold voice: "You are plotting to usurp the Han Dynasty and defile the palace. You are unworthy of the trust of Emperor Shizong. I am the blood of Emperor Shizong, and I wish I could eat your flesh and sleep on your skin!"

Jia Heng snorted coldly and shouted, "You are so stubborn!"

King Yan's face was filled with resentment, and his eyes were filled with rage.

Jia Heng's face turned serious, and he shouted coldly: "Come here, push Chen Zeyan and make no mistakes."

At this moment, the Jinyifu guards not far behind him responded with a yes, then walked closer and quickly surrounded Prince Yan.

After Jia Heng finished speaking, he didn't say anything else and turned to leave the imperial prison of the Jinyi Palace.

Immediately, after thinking about it, he decided to go to the palace to see Concubine Duanrong.

Palace Garden, Funing Palace——

Imperial Concubine Duanrong sat on a soft couch in the hall. The beauty was wearing a light pink palace dress today, her hair was tied up in a bun, and her fair face was full of sorrow.

The news that Prince of Yan Chen Ze attempted to assassinate Jia Heng and was arrested and imprisoned has spread to the palace and reached the ears of Concubine Duanrong because it was not kept secret.

Concubine Duanrong was holding a piece of silk scarf in her hand, her elegant and cold face was full of worry, and there was still some shame and anger deep in her heart.

Ze'er, this time it's really dangerous.

At this moment, a female official entered the palace with a look of panic on her face and said, "My lady, the King of Wei is here."

When Concubine Duanrong heard this, her heart trembled and she clenched the handkerchief in her hand tighter.

As he spoke, Jia Heng walked into the hall, looked at Concubine Duanrong, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Concubine Rong."

Concubine Duanrong looked at Jia Heng intently and asked, "Prince Wei, what did Ze'er do wrong? Why did you arrest him and put him in the imperial prison?"

Jia Heng's face was covered with frost, and he scolded, "Your Majesty, don't you know? The Eighth Prince wants to take my life, and you still ask me why I put him in prison?"

Concubine Duanrong's face, which was as white as snow, was as pale as paper. Under her emerald eyebrows, her clear eyes were soft and gentle. She asked, "What do I know?"

Jia Heng stared at Concubine Duanrong and asked, "Didn't Concubine Rong take an active part in this?"

Imperial Concubine Duanrong's face, which was as white as snow, turned pale as paper. Her sparkling eyes showed a hint of evasion as she hesitantly said, "I really don't know about this."

Jia Heng approached, his eyes already showing some interrogation, and asked loudly, "Your Highness, are you really unaware of this?"

Under the emerald eyebrows of Concubine Duanrong, a hint of shame and confusion appeared in her sparkling eyes. She said, "I don't know what you are talking about."

Jia Heng did not say anything else and took two more steps forward. Concubine Duanrong's face became more and more flustered. While speaking, she took a few steps back and suddenly collapsed on a soft couch.

After all, she was a mature woman with a plump figure. When she suddenly sat down, a dazzling white mass in front of her made people dizzy.

Jia Heng raised his sword-like eyebrows, quickly suppressed his unbridled gaze, and said: "Empress Rong, you don't want to..."

Concubine Duanrong: “???”

So, she didn't want to think about anything? What did Jia Ziyu want to say?
Jia Heng looked strange for a moment. Hmm, it was really a subconscious speech. He calmed down and said loudly: "In short, Chen Ze's crimes are extremely serious and it is difficult to forgive him. After the truth of his rebellion is revealed, he will be handed over to the three judicial departments for trial and execution!"

When Concubine Duanrong heard the words "executive punishment", her heart trembled and she said anxiously: "Zi Yu, he is Xianning's only brother, how could you bear to kill him?"

Jia Heng said coldly: "I am Xianning's husband, how could he have the heart to kill me?"

When Concubine Duanrong heard this, her delicate and fair face changed slightly, and an unspeakable worry surged in her crystal clear heart.

Jia Heng said: "As for Xianning's brother..."

You may not be unable to have another one.

Of course, I just thought about this in my heart.

Concubine Duanrong is still different from Tianniuer. She still needs to restrain her nature.

Concubine Duanrong calmed down, her beautiful eyes seemed to be filled with pleading, and she said, "Zi Yu, how do you plan to deal with Ze'er?"

At the end, Concubine Duanrong's voice was trembling inexplicably.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "The Prince of Yan is unrepentant and keeps forcing me. I can no longer tolerate this, so I must send him to see the late emperor!"

When Concubine Duanrong heard those sinister and cold words, her snow-white face suddenly changed, and a bit of panic appeared in her eyes. She said in a trembling voice: "Zi Yu, you can't do this! He is your brother-in-law."

Jia Heng said: "I am still his brother-in-law."

Having said that, he turned around and walked quickly out of the hall.

"Zi Yu..." Concubine Duanrong looked at the young man in the python robe who was gradually going away. She felt her hands and feet were cold, and her face, which was as white as jade, was as pale as paper at this moment.

After Jia Heng finished speaking, he didn't say anything else and walked towards Kunning Palace where Queen Song was.

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace——

Queen Song was wearing a scarlet dress at the moment, with her lush hair combed into a beautiful bun. She stared at the two children sitting not far away and whispered, "Luo'er, Qianqian, wait a minute, your mother will check your homework."

Chen Luo was sitting behind a red lacquered table at this moment, his expression serious and stern, and he was clearly sitting very upright.

The young emperor inherited Jia Heng's good genes and was handsome and dignified.

Qianqian had some ADHD. On her rosy face, the goat-hair brush in her hand kept shaking, and her sparkling eyes kept glancing at Chen Luo and Queen Song.

At this moment, a beautiful female official came into the hall, approached and said, "Madam, the King of Wei is here."

Queen Song hummed softly, and her beautiful eyes, which were as bright as willow leaves, looked at the young man in the python robe.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he quickly walked up to her and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, I greet you."

Before Queen Song could speak, she saw Princess Qianqian, who was sitting not far away, walk over quickly and throw herself into Jia Heng's arms, saying, "Brother-in-law."

Jia Heng immediately embraced Qianqian's petite body, his eyes full of doting, and said with a smile: "Qianqian is missing her brother-in-law."

Queen Song's crystal clear eyes were soft and moist under her two green willow eyebrows. She said softly, "She doesn't miss you at all. She obviously doesn't want to do her homework."

Jia Heng smiled, looked at the girl whose eyes were rolling, and whispered, "This girl is very cunning."

Qianqian is already in her teens and is almost a grown-up girl.

Queen Song looked surprised and asked, "Zi Yu, you are here. How is the trial going?"

Jia Heng said, "Your Majesty, I have already examined them."

Queen Song's fair face showed some worry, and she asked, "What did Ze'er say before?"

Because Chen Ze wanted to kill Jia Heng.

Jia Heng's face was as cold as frost, and he said in a deep voice: "Chen Ze confessed to his crime. Now the criminal officer of Jinyifu is interrogating Chen Ze. It won't be long before the truth comes out."

Queen Song looked surprised and asked, "Are you going to torture me again?"

Jia Heng said coldly: "What else?"

Queen Song remained silent, sighed softly, and did not try to persuade her any further.

Jia Heng stared at Queen Song and said, "Let's leave it at that. The main thing is to investigate the party members in the court who tipped off Chen Ze and catch them all in one fell swoop."

Queen Song's beautiful, crystal clear eyes flickered beneath her dark green eyebrows, but she was not so happy in her heart.

Because, Li Ren knew very well that after this, her son would not be able to sit on the throne for long.

Queen Song was silent for a moment. Under her willow-shaped eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were soft and radiant like water. She whispered, "Just make your own arrangements."

Jia Heng asked, "How is Luo'er's schoolwork lately?"

Even though his son was talking to Queen Song just now, he was still concentrating on writing his homework. Apart from other things, his calmness alone showed some of the majestic bearing of an emperor.

Chen Luo stood up. Although he was still young, he looked quite heroic and handsome. While speaking, he bowed to Jia Heng and said, "Brother-in-law, I have studied all the Four Books."

Jia Heng nodded, his eyes showing approval: "Luo'er is very intelligent. If you study the Four Books carefully, you will benefit a lot from them in the future, whether it is governing the country or cultivating your character."

Chen Luo was silent for a moment and responded with a "yes".

Queen Song looked at Jia Heng with her beautiful eyes, and whispered, "Luo'er, your mother and your brother-in-law still have something to say. You and Qianqian should go to the side hall to talk first."

Chen Luo responded softly, then turned around and walked away without saying anything else.

After Chen Luo left, Jia Heng looked at Queen Song intently, then sat down on a small table beside him and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Queen Song was silent for a moment, then asked, "Are you really going to execute Ze'er?"

After all, he is her nephew, and Queen Song is also worried that Chen Ze’s death will cast a thick shadow on the relationship between Jia Heng and Princess Xianning.

Jia Heng picked up a blue and white porcelain teacup, took a sip, and said, "I hope Chen Ze can be more courageous and commit suicide."

It's impossible that Emperor Sejong's bloodline doesn't even have this little bit of blood in it, right?
When Queen Song heard this, her heart skipped a beat and she said, "No matter what, you and Xianning..."

Jia Heng sighed, his eyes flashing, and said, "Xianning is a man of broad mind. Besides, this matter can only be resolved with time."

Queen Song just nodded and said nothing more.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "But as for Concubine Rong, I hope Your Majesty can go over and explain it to her."

Queen Song's jade-like face seemed to show a gloomy look, and she said: "Rong Fei already hates everyone in the house, and she has hated me a lot before."

But the beauty changed her mind and realized that she had not done anything wrong.

Jia Heng gently pulled the beauty's slender hand, looked at Queen Song with warm eyes, and said, "Your Majesty, don't worry too much about what's happening outside."

Queen Song hummed softly, then pushed away Jia Heng's hand, saying, "Be careful, don't let Luo'er see it."

Jia Heng hummed, gently put his arm around Queen Song's shoulders, and said, "Given Luo'er's intelligence and talent, I'm afraid she would have suspected it a long time ago."

When Queen Song heard this, her snow-white face flushed with rouge and she said, "It's all your fault for being so reckless. Hmm~"

But while the young man in the python robe was speaking, he had already moved close to her lips, and immediately held her soft and smooth lips, grabbing the sweet and fragrant breath.

……

……