Red Mansion Rebirth: Ghost Phoenix

Wang Xifeng lay on the bed with her eyes closed peacefully.

The parrot swung on the shelf for a long time before asking her in a low voice, "My Lord, what shall we do next?"

"Jin Ercai, you have been learning to speak like a human for so long that have you forgotten that you are just a bird?" Wang Xifeng closed her eyes and said in a sarcastic tone.

"Ah." cried the parrot.

Wang Xifeng turned over without saying a word and fell into a sweet sleep.

At five o'clock in the morning, because of the sacrificial ceremony, everyone in each palace got up and washed up. The three concubines went to Cheng'en Hall earlier and sent the Crown Princess off respectfully.

Only the East Hall of Yi Qiu Palace was silent, just like the past three years.

The Crown Princess dressed neatly and walked out of the palace holding Zhu Qing's hand, but she saw only three people outside and frowned: "Why didn't Wang Chenghui come?"

Zhu Qing lowered his head and said, "I guess the lockdown has just been lifted. I didn't know you were going to the Daming Palace for the La Festival today, so you didn't come."

In fact, she only notified the other party to lift the seal on the palace, but did not tell him that he should come here to arrange shifts at this moment.

"Madame Ji and Aunt Meng are both the most polite people. How could a situation like this happen? Could something have happened?" The Crown Princess showed worry on her face.

No one responded.

Mei Ruoqin and Geng Simiao actually heard some noise in the East Palace, but they didn't want to go out and give the Crown Princess an excuse to accuse them at this time.

However, before she could finish her words, Jingshun came in from outside, and when he reached the steps, he clasped his fists and bowed, "Lizheng Palace Guard Jingshun greets the Crown Princess."

"What's the matter?" The Crown Princess remained calm.

In the past three years, whenever the prince went to Cheng'en Palace to deliver a message, he used this Jingshun.

I remind myself all the time: If you dare to put your hand into the prince's guard team, you are being clever and overestimating your own capabilities.

The Crown Princess gritted her teeth several times, but could only swallow it with the blood.

Jingshun also looked calm: "A thief has entered the East Palace with a weapon. An hour ago, he was frightened by a black cat on the roof of the East Palace of Yiqiu, and he fell to his death.

"Wang Chenghui was frightened and had a fever, and fell ill in bed.

"The Crown Prince has ordered General Pang to lead the imperial guards to conduct a thorough search of the entire palace to prevent the thief from having accomplices.

"I have come here to convey the words of the prince:

“Please all the palaces return to their respective places immediately, guard your own doors, and do not move around at will.

“Cheng’en Palace asks the Crown Princess to hand the case over to Nanny Weng for assistance in the investigation.

"Also, the Crown Prince's carriage is ready and waiting for the Crown Princess. Please leave as soon as possible."

The Crown Princess was horrified: "What? A thief? And he's dead!?"

"Your Majesty, the prince is already sitting in the carriage waiting for you." Jingshun urged her calmly.

The Crown Princess realized something was wrong and quickly suppressed her panic. She nodded, helped Zhu Qing out of the hall, and got on the sedan chair.

Jingshun respectfully stepped aside and let the Crown Princess and her servant go first.

Zhu Qing glanced over coldly, with hatred in his eyes.

If it weren't for this person, how could Zitang be driven back to the Mo family, get married early, and become a village woman who could only work in the fields!

Jingshun lowered his eyes and looked at the bluestone road on the ground, as if he knew nothing.

After the Crown Princess left and the three concubines hurried back, Jingshun walked into the palace to see Nanny Weng.

"The Crown Prince asked me to ask the nanny: Is the little prince ready for enlightenment? Many people will return to Beijing to report on their work at the end of the year, and the Crown Prince wants to find a tutor for the little prince."

Tao Ge'er is still sleeping soundly at this moment.

Nanny Weng was standing outside, checking the clothes, shoes and socks that the palace maids and eunuchs had prepared for Tao Ge'er. When she heard this question, her eyes lit up and she laughed:

"The prince and I are thinking the same thing!

"Brother Tao is very smart, and the stories he tells now are a little too simple. He spends his days hanging out with palace maids and eunuchs, and has grown up in the hands of women, so his temperament is inevitably weak.

"If we can find him a teacher as soon as possible to give him a proper education, I won't have to worry so much every day!"

Jingshun nodded: "Yes, I've made a note of it. I'll pass it on to the prince."

"Oh, yes, there is one more thing." Aunt Weng hurriedly called Jingshun, "Brother Tao loves to be lively.

"If the prince has already decided on a plan to educate him, then it would be better if you could find a few study companions."

Invesco agreed and said goodbye with his eyes lowered.

He didn't ask a single question about the internal affairs of Cheng'en Hall.

He didn't try to get close to Aunt Weng or exchange pleasantries.

A maidservant who was brought in as a dowry by the Mo family and is now the head maid of Cheng'en Palace, named Gan Lan, looked at Jingshun's back curiously:

"Why doesn't this man look like a eunuch? He looks more like a guard. So straight and proper."

"He is the guard. There are guards among the eunuchs." Nanny Weng looked at Gan Lan gently and said, "You also heard what was said outside just now.

"I'll be guarding the prince here. You take your men to walk around Cheng'en Hall inside and out.

"Check carefully, don't miss those cabinets and cupboards."

Kale agreed with a smile and left with a group of people.

........................

The Crown Princess got on the Crown Prince's carriage.

As soon as he sat down, he asked nervously, "What's going on? Who's the thief?"

The prince looked at her coldly and said, "He was one of the three guards that you admired the most among my guards. Zhang Zhu."

The word "praise" was bitten hard by the prince.

In an instant, the Crown Princess' face turned pale.

He knew, he knew everything...

The prince sneered and turned away: "The man is already dead, and the things on his body cannot be traced back to the person behind it. I have already ordered that the case be closed as a gambler attempting to steal."

But I can't really admit it.

The Crown Princess' mind raced, her eyes slightly closed, and when she opened them again, she looked humble and annoyed: "It's the New Year since the twelfth lunar month. Your Highness, calm down. Such an ungrateful servant is not worth your anger.

“When I come back, I will go to the East Palace of Yiqiu to visit Wang Chenghui in person.

"It just so happens that He Ke is also in mourning, so I'll take her back and let Wang Chenghui rest for a few days."

The prince's original expression of "I don't want to bother with you" was suddenly covered with a layer of frost: "No need."

The Crown Princess paused, looking at him in disbelief: "Your Highness, the New Year is coming soon, and He Ke is in mourning. If she doesn't return to Cheng'en Palace, how can I tell others that she is registered under my name?"

"I have been saying this for the past three years." The prince looked cold and gritted his teeth as he looked at her, "You are also a mother.

"He Ke's own mother treated her like a pig and a dog, and Gu abused her openly and secretly. And after she had lived in Cheng'en Palace for only a few days, you were so busy that you gave her away again.

"Now, she finally has someone who loves her, teaches her and manages her, and you want her to leave again!"

The Crown Princess looked aggrieved: "Your Highness, this is unfair! I only asked Wang Chenghui to take care of him, but she went to you to ask for your order and detained He Ke in Yi Qiu Palace!

"I don't have a daughter, and He Ke is so sensible. I wish I could have such a sweet child to raise by my side!"

The prince sneered: "Since you say so, I will agree to your request."

The Crown Princess' eyes lit up with joy.

"It's just that it's time for Tao to start his education. After the New Year, I will find a suitable teacher for him." The prince stared at the princess's face, not wanting to miss a single expression on her face. "Then I will move him to Lizheng Palace and take care of him myself!"

"No!" the Crown Princess screamed.

The prince laughed and said, "Princess, I was just joking with you.

"To take away the son from the mother, and to take away the mother from the son, how cruel is that?!

"I cannot bear to do anything unless it is a desperate situation."

So, Princess, don't push me!