Red Mansion Rebirth: Ghost Phoenix

The two middle-aged eunuchs who had the hidden key and were on duty were called over. When they tried to argue, Wang Xifeng looked at her fingernails and said in a low voice:

"Don't waste your time talking to them. Give each of them twenty lashes first.

"Whoever speaks first will have his caning stopped."

The two men paused for a moment, then immediately rushed to tell the whole story: Last year, the emperor was in a good mood and gave gifts to Prince Su and Prince Xiaoyao, asking them to choose from the warehouse themselves.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Dai was so talkative that when Prince Su was choosing an ancient bronze sword, he tactfully advised him that it was the sword that the emperor had promised to Prince Zhongyong at the beginning of the year, in order to encourage Prince Zhongyong to leave home, pick up his martial arts again, and especially to stop drinking.

Prince Su was immediately annoyed, but he didn't say anything. He randomly picked someone else and left, but instigated Prince Xiaoyao's child, and a few days later, he caught a mouse and released it in.

Fortunately, the two of them discovered it early and only ten pieces of brocade were damaged, so they quickly caught the mouse.

But the two of them did not dare to speak out, for fear of provoking a quarrel among the princes' brothers. If the emperor got angry with them, not only the two of them, but even Zhou Dai might suffer the consequences.

The two of them discussed it quietly, and then they scattered the brocade and tucked it under the other fabrics.

They did not dare tell Zhou Dai about this, for fear that he would complain to Prime Minister Dai. Prime Minister Dai had connections and might find an opportunity to complain to the emperor. If the princes were reprimanded and punished, would he let them off?

That’s why it has been delayed until now.

Wang Xifeng nodded in understanding, thought for a moment, and said, "Then you should pack these things up and put them aside.

"Tomorrow I will find a chance to get all these ten pieces of brocade into my hands. I can let this matter pass quietly without anyone noticing.

"It's only been a few days since I entered the palace. I'm almost scared to death and annoyed by these things.

"If I can cover up the past and be okay, I will chant Buddha's name."

The two men kowtowed repeatedly with tears of gratitude.

Wang Xifeng looked at the two of them and sighed, "You are also in trouble.

“But the fact that a rat could be thrown in by a child like King Xiaoyao shows that you two are not really capable of guarding the inner chamber.

"Since you are not cut out for this, go work somewhere else."

The two men shrank back and looked at each other.

Qian Gang wanted to kick these two people to death. Seeing this, his teeth itched. He slapped one of them with a whisk and cursed with gritted teeth:

"Are you still thinking about this lucrative job? Liang Di spared your lives and showed you a way out, why are you not grateful?!"

The two men were so frightened that they kowtowed and said, "Please give me your orders, Lady Liang!"

"That's better." Wang Xifeng curled her lips and looked at Qian Gang again, "After this matter is over, go back to the palace first, learn the rules more thoroughly, and then go to serve the Crown Princess.

"She doesn't have any capable eunuchs, and she only relies on the palace maids for support, which is not right."

He pointed at Qian Gang and said, "Don't worry about it. Let your master take care of it later. You are still young and your words are not trustworthy."

Qian Gang was overjoyed, but he felt a little jealous when he looked at the two people, so he gritted his teeth and whispered, "You two are lucky! Why don't you thank me quickly!"

The two eunuchs in charge of the storehouse went down timidly.

Wang Xifeng asked everyone, "Please be more careful. It was just a coincidence.

"But if we can't find out the truth, the prince is a stickler for truth, and the blame will probably be put on us!"

Everyone spontaneously put away their previous perfunctory attitude and began to check the accounts and treasures seriously.

With so many things, it is impossible to finish them in one day.

Seeing the sun setting, Wang Xifeng yawned, stretched, and ordered a few people to check the doors and windows: "And put on the three locks.

"I'll take one key, Qian Gang will take one, and Jing Li will take one.

"Tomorrow morning, at that time, we will be here again. The three of us will gather together and unlock the door and check again."

In this way, he worked diligently and took three days to complete the inventory of the hidden warehouse.

Although Wang Xifeng said that she would cover up for the two guards and eunuchs, the whole matter still reached Dai Quan's ears.

Dai Quan thought about it and reported the matter to Emperor Shengping: "Wang Liangdi is really a good manager of the household. Your Majesty is a shining light for thousands of miles!"

Emperor Shengping was also very satisfied with her countermeasures: "She neither caused trouble at such a critical time, nor spread the family scandal to the outside world, and she even got ten pieces of tribute brocade in advance.

"How clever!"

Dai Quan laughed and said, "There are even smarter ones!"

She also reported to Emperor Shengping in detail the Crown Princess's nonsense that had disheartened Wang Xifeng, and the fact that the Crown Prince had promised to give her ten things:

"I think Wang Liang Di will use these ten pieces of brocade as compensation, which will save the Crown Prince's face and settle the matter. She won't be known as a money-grubber in front of the Crown Prince."

Emperor Shengping chuckled, stroked his beard for a long time, and finally just sighed.

Dai Quan glanced at him and said nothing.

Emperor Shengping glared at him.

Dai Quan bowed helplessly: "I wonder why your majesty is sighing?"

"I was thinking about Brother Tao." Emperor Shengping grabbed his old friend and complained, "What's the difference between this and the current queen?

"The prince is very good, very motivated, and very smart. I am very satisfied with him.

"But the Queen is confused and partial to the Seventeenth Prince. If the situation continues, it will be another quarrel between the brothers!

"This Crown Princess has only one son, but his mind is also confused from time to time.

"Wang is so capable. If she had been born a few years earlier, I might have directly assigned her to the original Prince Cheng. How clear and clean is the harem now?

“But now Wang can only be a concubine, otherwise Brother Tao’s position will not be preserved.

"Brother Tao's mother is intolerant. Even if Wang is very patient, she may not be able to endure it for a long time, even if it lasts one, two, three, or five years!

"What if there are other children in the palace..."

Emperor Shengping sighed sadly at this point, "My son has a miserable life, just like me. Sooner or later, he will have to experience all these dilemmas..."

Dai Quan was silent.

Emperor Shengping naturally just complained to him and did not need his opinions or suggestions.

What's more, this will be a headache for the prince in the future. By then, Emperor Shengping and himself may have been buried in the ground!

"But your disciples are not decent. The rules of the palace were not taught completely, and Zhou Dai was too lenient in managing people.

"We should ask Wang to give them a good beating later. If they continue to live like this, they will get into trouble sooner or later!

"If we leave the palace, no one will be able to protect them!"

Emperor Shengping glanced at Dai Quan.

The cold sweat on Dai Quan's forehead fell down, and he knelt down hurriedly, whispering: "Your Majesty, I have actually thought about it.

"Wu Wei and Zhou Dai actually relied on the friendship between me and Your Majesty, so their duties were simple.

"The Crown Prince and Lady Wang now have quite a few smart and capable people under their command. After a year or so of training, they will be able to take charge on their own.

“When the time comes, let those two boys follow us to the other palace to serve His Majesty in his old age. Wouldn’t they be more familiar with the world than others?

"This is my humble opinion, I hope Your Majesty will approve it!"

Emperor Shengping nodded casually: "Well, not bad, you know how to retreat while the going gets tough. I approve."