The Red Mansions

Chapter 1596: Concubine Duanrong: I have lived in the deep palace for a long time and I really don’t

Chapter 1596: Imperial Concubine Duanrong: I have lived in the deep palace for a long time, and I really don’t know about this matter…

Shu, Yangping Pass

Xie Zaiyi, the third-rank Duke of Liao, led a group of soldiers from the Beijing camp and entered the city gate with armor rolled up.

At this moment, this majestic and mighty city wall stands tall and majestic. On the beacon towers on all four sides of the city wall, black and red satin flags are flying in the wind, rustling.

Xie Zaiyi sat down on a pearwood chair behind a black lacquered table and said, "Come here, write a military report and report the victory to the capital immediately!"

A middle-aged clerk below stood up with a serious expression, answered yes, and then walked quickly to the outer room.

Xie Zaiyi looked at the middle-aged officer beside him and asked, "Where are the defeated troops in Yangping Pass fleeing to now?"

Jia Yun bowed and said, "General, most of the more than a thousand defeated soldiers at Yangping Pass surrendered to the imperial court, and some fled to Bashu."

Upon hearing this, Xie Zaiyi's eyes flashed fiercely, and he said in a deep voice: "Immediately send troops to gather the defeated troops in the city, guard the generals, pack up the baggage, and rest for a day. Tomorrow, we will march into Baoning Prefecture City. There must be no mistakes!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Yun clasped his fists and responded loudly.

After Jia Yun left quickly, Xie Zaiyi turned around and looked intently at a map of Bashu hanging on the screen, a thoughtful look appearing on his unshaven face.

In this way, the army went out of Yangping Pass, headed towards Baoning Prefecture, attacked Jiameng Pass, and marched into Jiange.

Xie Zaiyi suppressed the military strategy in his mind, and accompanied by several personal guards, he went to the hall and started to eat.

One day later, in Baoning Prefecture, inside the government office

Bao Qichun, the commander of Baoning Guard, and Lu Zhaoyuan, the prefect of Baoning Prefecture, sat down across a small table, their faces as solemn as iron.

After a day, the defeated army at Yangping Pass sent the defeat report to Baoning Prefecture. Upon hearing the news, the prefect of Baoning Prefecture, Lu Zhaoyuan, and the commander of Baoning Guard, Bao Qichun, were terrified.

Bao Qichun, the commander of the Baoning Guard, had a slightly chubby face. He stared at Lu Zhaoyuan and said in a muffled voice, "Prefect Lu, Yangping Pass has been breached. The previous battle to defend the pass didn't even last a day."

Lu Zhaoyuan said in a deep voice: "The imperial court's soldiers are all elite soldiers. They have fought in many battles over the years and have been victorious in every battle. They are also assisted by the Red Barbarian Cannon. It is no wonder that they have been victorious in every battle."

Bao Qichun said: "I am afraid that the imperial army will bring red cannons and enter the city gate again to attack our army on the city wall."

Lu Zhaoyuan looked stern, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "There is no good way for the city to resist the imperial court's red cannons."

Bao Qichun looked solemn and said, "Although I have never seen this kind of red cannon, I know its power is huge. At that time, the chieftain of the Jurchen East Prison was killed by one cannon. After that, the court relied on this red cannon to attack cities and strongholds, and it was always successful."

Hearing this, Lu Zhaoyuan nodded and said, "The imperial army has indeed been elite and brave in recent years."

Bao Qichun said: "Prefect Lu, you should collect food and fodder carefully these days and prepare for a long-term confrontation with the Han army in the Beijing camp."

Lu Zhaoyuan expressed his determination and said, "Don't worry, Commander Bao. There is enough food, armor, and weapons in the city to sustain us for three months."

Bao Qichun said in a deep voice: "Send military information to Chengdu Prefecture and ask the commander-in-chief's intention. We cannot allow the troops of the Beijing camp to approach the city."

Lu Zhaoyuan nodded and agreed to the matter.

……

……

Godly City, Ningguo Mansion

Jia Heng stayed in Xiaoxiang Pavilion with Daiyu for a while, but then he didn't stay for long and decided to go and see other golden hairpins.

Grand View Garden, Qiu Shuang Zhai

Tanchun was wearing a pink dress and sitting behind a pearwood desk. Because it was summer, the girl's dress was light and thin, and her white neck was plump and bright.

That innocent and bright face seemed to be flushed. At this moment, the girl was holding a goat-hair brush in her hand and writing something on the rice paper.

At this moment, a maid entered the room and said, "Miss San, the prince is here."

When Tanchun heard this, her heart trembled, and her innocent and bright face flushed, looking charming and attractive.

After a while, the young man in the python robe came out from outside. A warm smile appeared on his white jade-like face. He called out and said softly, "Third sister."

Tanchun raised her beautiful eyebrows and asked, "Brother Heng, you are back?"

Jia Heng walked closer and whispered, "Third sister, come and see you."

Tanchun's plump and lovely face flushed red for a moment, and she responded timidly. After coming to the desk, she looked at the young man in the python robe and said softly, "Brother Heng, are you done with the things outside?"

While Jia Heng was speaking, he suddenly pulled Tanchun's slender hand over and came to a lacquered wooden desk. He looked at the sheets of rice paper on which his name was written in black characters with flying dragons and phoenixes in a dancing style.

Jia Heng gently embraced Tanchun's plump and delicate body, leaned close to the beauty's ear, gently kissed her soft and slightly moist lips, and captured the sweet and refreshing fragrance.

Tanchun couldn't help but snort under her delicate nose. Her innocent and bright face was as bright as the clouds. Feeling the intimacy of the young man in the python robe, she couldn't help but feel shy.

Jia Heng gently embraced Tanchun's full and soft body. The two of them sat on the pearwood chair. Jia Heng asked, "Has Third Sister been practicing calligraphy at home these days?"

As Jia Heng stared at her, Tanchun's face turned slightly red. She said softly, "When I have nothing to do, I practice calligraphy at home."

Jia Heng embraced Tanchun and came to sit on the pear wood chair. He put his arms around Tanchun's plump waist. When he felt the youthful and beautiful breath of the girl's soft body, his heart was filled with excitement.

Tanchun's innocent and bright eyes were filled with concern, and she asked, "Brother Heng, is the war situation in Bashu all right?"

Jia Heng said: "The Beijing Army has fought bravely in the past few years. If Gao Zhongping was there, it might be a difficult battle to invade Bashu. But since Gao Zhongping is dead and there are no strong military men in Sichuan, the Beijing Army is more than enough to deal with the chaos in Bashu."

If Gao Zhongping were still alive, he would most likely have to take action personally, but now that Gao Zhongping is dead, the soldiers of the Beijing camp will be enough to deal with it.

This is why Gao Zhongping was kept in the first place. At least the Bashu strategy has been changed from difficult mode to simple mode.

If Gao Zhongping were allowed to integrate the three forces, it might produce a purgatory effect.

Tanchun raised her beautiful head, her plump face full of beauty, and asked, "Brother Heng, will Sichuan send troops to Huguang, or even join forces inside and outside to sweep across Jiangnan?"

Jia Heng shook his head and said, "The Sichuan army has been in Shu for a long time and has been at ease for a long time. They are not good at fighting. Bashu is a long way from Jiangnan. Once they leave Sichuan, they will face the might of the imperial court. They may not be able to hold out until they reach Jiangnan and will be scattered."

Tanchun's eyebrows were thin and willow-shaped, and her eyes were sparkling with a glittering light. She said, "Brother Heng is right."

At this moment, Jia Heng saw the innocent and bright girl with sparkling eyes. Without saying anything else, he could not help but move closer to the girl's two rosy and smooth lips. When he lowered his head, he grabbed the clear and sweet taste.

Tanchun said "hmm", put her arms around the young man in the python costume, and her beautiful eyes were sparkling with joy.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he suddenly embraced Tanchun's plump and delicate body and went towards the inner room.

Coming to the bed with hanging curtains, Jia Heng looked at the person who was approaching with warm eyes, his lips parted, and under his willow eyebrows, his pair of sparkling eyes seemed to be filled with a charming charm like water.

There was a sense of thrill in my mind.

When Tanchun occasionally raised her beautiful head, the graceful charm that silently flowed between the girl's beautiful eyebrows and eyes seemed to be somewhat breathtakingly beautiful.

The girl's hair is as delicate as a butterfly.

After a while, Jia Heng took Tanchun's slender hand and looked at Tanchun's face, which was full of literary talent and made people forget the world. As he lowered his eyes, his heart was beating fast.

Jia Heng's sword-like eyebrows suddenly raised, and his eyes couldn't help but fall into a long-lost warmth.

Tanchun's delicate and straight nose made her hum softly. Her plump, soft and tender body first stiffened, and then became as soft as a silkworm.

Jia Heng gently lifted a strand of Tanchun's hair that hung from her ear and looked at her intently, with an inexplicable sense of comfort in his sparkling eyes.

At this moment, the pavilions and towers outside the window remain motionless in the scorching summer sun. The breeze blows gently, blowing the grass and leaves in the courtyard, making a rhythmic rustling sound.

……

……

Qiu Shuang Zhai is a place where vegetation is lush and green.

The cool summer breeze blew gently, making the leaves rustle, and ripples appeared on the calm lake surface.

In the side room, Jia Heng gently embraced Tanchun's soft, white body, turned his eyes to look at her bright face, and said softly: "Third sister, it's getting late."

Tanchun uttered "hmm", her voice soft and charming, and her innocent face seemed covered with a layer of bright red blush.

Jia Heng reached out and gently embraced Tanchun's plump body, and whispered, "Okay, third sister, I'll get up first."

While he was speaking, he stood up, put on a pair of Chaoyun official boots, and his face was calm.

At this moment, the maid, with a face as white as snow, slowly came over, took a cup of tea, and when she looked up at the young man in the python robe, her beautiful eyes were filled with inexplicable shyness, and she said, "My lord, have some tea."

Jia Heng nodded, took a teacup from the secretary, took a sip, and immediately tasted the fragrance.

Tanchun was wearing a green dress. While she was talking, she came closer and whispered, "Brother Heng."

At this moment, the secretary also came closer, poured a cup of tea for Tanchun, and took a look at the charm that silently flowed from Tanchun's eyebrows and eyes, and her snow-white face was flushed.

Tanchun took a blue and white porcelain teacup, lowered her head, and took a sip.

Jia Heng said, "Third sister, you must be a little hungry now, Shishu, ask the kitchen to prepare some food."

The secretary shyly responded, "Your Highness, wait a moment."

As he was speaking, the secretary left the room and went to the hall.

A trace of concern could not help but show in Tanchun's beautiful eyes, and she asked, "Brother Heng, has the elder sister finished her confinement?"

Jia Heng smiled and said, "I have finished my confinement now."

Tanchun's fair and rosy face flushed, and she suddenly said in a deep voice, "Recently, Madam said that she wanted to discuss the marriage of Second Brother Bao."

"Yes, the lady in the mansion urged me several times." Jia Heng said.

Tanchun sighed and said softly, "In the blink of an eye, we have all grown up. It's time for Brother Bao to get married."

I remember when I was young, everyone was talking and laughing in the backyard. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, all the sisters in the backyard had grown up.

Jia Heng sat down immediately and started eating with Tanchun.

……

……

Shenjing City

As the rebellion in Sichuan grew, people from all walks of life began to turn their attention to the war in Sichuan, and Li Zan in the capital also began to find ways to contact Concubine Duanrong in the palace.

Wuying Palace, Military Affairs Office

Li Zan was holding a memorial in his hand at this moment, reviewing it absent-mindedly.

This is a memorial delivered from the Ministry of Revenue in Nanjing, which records the collection of summer grain this year. It is another year of bumper harvest in Jiangnan, and there is sufficient food and fodder.

While Li Zan was speaking, he turned to look at the military minister Shi Jie and asked, "Sir Shi, has the military report from the Beijing camp been delivered?"

Shi Jie said, "Reporting to the Lord, the news was delivered this morning that the vanguard troops of the Beijing camp have arrived at Hanzhong Prefecture."

This is just a piece of unimportant news of an advance.

Li Zan's eyes showed a thoughtful look under his two dark green pine eyebrows, and he said: "The terrain of Bashu is dangerous, and Yangping Pass is even more difficult to break through with one man guarding the pass. It is not easy to take it down."

Shi Jie thought for a moment and said, "The Sichuan Army has not experienced many battles, while the Beijing Army is a veteran of many battles. The Sichuan Army may not be able to withstand the fierce attack of the Beijing Army."

Li Zan's eyes flashed fiercely, and he said in a deep voice: "That's true. The Beijing Army has fought in many battles in the past few years and has never been defeated."

Li Zan thought for a moment and said, "In two days, it will be the Zhongyuan Festival. The worship of Emperor Sejong should be put on the agenda."

He knew how to meet Concubine Duanrong.

Using Emperor Sejong's worship as an excuse, he mentioned this matter to Concubine Duanrong.

Shi Jie nodded and said loudly: "Worshiping Emperor Sejong is of utmost importance. Emperor Sejong is a wise ruler who has restored the country. Worshiping Emperor Sejong will help to rally the people in the court and the country."

Shi Jie has become acutely aware of the strange atmosphere in the capital. It is difficult to tell whether Prince Wei is loyal or treacherous, and as a minister of military affairs, he cannot make the situation worse for the time being.

Li Zan said: "Emperor Sejong worked hard for the great cause of the Han Dynasty's revival, and the people of the world are all grateful for his virtue. It is time to go to the Taimiao to pay homage to him on the Zhongyuan Festival."

After Li Zan finished speaking, he immediately sent a minor clerk from the Secretariat to the Funing Palace to inform Concubine Duanrong.

Palace Garden, Funing Palace

In the warm room, a beautiful lady in a light blue dress sat down at a low table behind a pearl curtain, her jade-like face slightly lowered from her bun.

Concubine Duanrong was stroking the strings of a zither. Her slender, white and delicate hands played the zither. After a while, the sound of "ding dong" was heard, but the beauty's mind was obviously a little confused at this moment.

I've been a little absent-minded these days.

As soon as I close my eyes, I can imagine the scene of the young man in the python robe and my sister entangled with each other.

At this moment, a tall female official walked into the hall quickly and said softly, "Your Majesty, Lord Li sent a small clerk from the cabinet to tell you that he has something to inform you."

Concubine Duanrong looked surprised and asked, "Lord Li? What's wrong with him?"

The female official replied, "Your Majesty, Lord Li seemed to be talking about going to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay homage to Emperor Shizong."

When Concubine Duanrong heard this, she suddenly felt sad and murmured, "It's time to pay respects."

She also had a thousand words to say to Emperor Shizong. Her sister had an affair with Jia Ziyu. What should she do?

Imperial Concubine Duanrong suppressed her melancholy mood, raised her eyes, fixed them on the female official, and said, "Call Elder Li over. I have more questions to ask later."

The female official was stunned for a moment, and said nothing more. Then, she walked quickly to the outside.

After a while, a middle-aged official with a thin figure and a clean-faced face came quickly from outside the palace. He came closer, bowed to Concubine Duanrong, and said in a loud voice: "Your humble servant greets your majesty. May your majesty live a thousand years."

Concubine Duanrong looked at Li Zan with her beautiful eyes and said softly, "Master Li, please stand up."

Li Zan responded and thanked Concubine Duanrong.

Concubine Duanrong said softly, "What Lord Li said before, how will Emperor Shizong's worship be carried out?"

Li Zan's face became solemn, and he said, "This time, all civil and military officials will go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay homage to Emperor Shizong and remember his achievements and virtues."

Duan Ronggui nodded and asked, "Has the Imperial Ancestral Temple been built?"

Li Zan said, "Your Highness, the Imperial Ancestral Temple has been renovated and the tablet of Emperor Sejong has been brought to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to be worshipped with incense and offerings."

Concubine Duanrong nodded her delicate head, and under her straight nose, she slightly opened her red lips and said softly, "Emperor Shizong has been working hard for state affairs for many years, working day and night. Now that it is the Ghost Festival, we must pay our respects to him properly."

Li Zan responded softly, raised his eyes and looked at Concubine Duanrong, carefully considering his words, and whispered: "Your Majesty, the situation in the capital has been turbulent recently. What do you think?"

Imperial Concubine Duanrong was stunned for a moment and said, "How can I watch this when I am in the harem?"

Li Zan thought for a moment and said tentatively, "There are rumors in the capital, and even more so in Bashu. Does your Majesty know?"

Imperial Concubine Duanrong frowned slightly, her beautiful eyes flickered, and she said in a low voice: "I have lived in the deep palace for a long time, and I really don't know about this matter."

Li Zan said loudly: "The rebels in Bashu are all denouncing Prince Wei, saying that he is defiling the palace and even falsely claiming that the young prince is not the son of Emperor Guangzong."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Duanrong said softly, "If this matter is not a slander by Chen Yuan and other traitors, how can Lord Li believe it?"

Previously, Gao Zhongping, the second assistant of the cabinet who believed such words, had been executed.

"I don't believe it." Li Zan was silent for a moment, then suddenly looked at him intently and asked, "Did your Majesty notice anything unusual in the deep palace?"

Upon hearing this, Imperial Concubine Duanrong was silent for a moment.

She didn't just sense something was wrong. She almost saw with her own eyes that her sister and Jia Ziyu were secretly having an affair.

Concubine Duanrong looked at Li Zan with a look of inexplicable meaning in her beautiful eyes. She said softly, "What does Lord Li mean by saying this to me?"

Li Zan stared at Concubine Duanrong with a fierce look, but he said nothing for a while.