The Love of the Red Chamber

In September of the 51st year of Kangxi, Emperor Kangxi Jinnian Gengyao became the governor of Sichuan.

In October of the 51st year of Kangxi, Emperor Kangxi ordered the fourth son of the emperor, Prince Yong Yinzhen, to go to Shengjing to worship the ancestral mausoleum.In the same month, Nian Gengyao went to Beijing to report on his duties, but he did not go to the residence of his master, Prince Yong, to pay his respects.

Prince Yong's Mansion

"This Nian Gengyao, is he determined not to recognize himself as a servant of Prince Yong's Mansion now?" In Wu Sidao's small courtyard, Daiyu sat firmly at the stone table under the tree to play chess with Wu Sidao.Honghui obediently practiced calligraphy on the side, while Shuhui sat next to him flipping through the album.Jiang Yuhan, Liu Xianglian, and Han Siniang are all due, but they are missing Yinzhen who went to Shengjing to worship their ancestors three days ago.Wu Sidao stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Nian Gengyao has never met Wu, but I heard about it earlier. This person is quite ambitious and arrogant. He is restrained by the fourth master, so naturally he wants to choose one." You are a gentler master." Daiyu said with a sigh, and said with a smile: "I don't think this person is a loyal one. I'm afraid I still regret that I gave him a bad look. It's rare that I came back this time. Fourth brother is not in the capital, so naturally he will not set foot in Prince Yong's mansion."

Wu Sidao shook his head and said: "This person acts too arrogantly. It's okay if he doesn't have power, but once he gains power, he will definitely become a thorn in the side of the master. No matter who he turns to, he will not be tolerated in the end." Even if the prince is not there.As a coated servant of Prince Yong's mansion, it is a rule to go to the mansion to kowtow to say hello, and it can be regarded as showing respect for the master.But because of a little grievance with Fujin back then, this person did not enter the house.It's really unrecognizable.

Liu Xianglian leaned on the tree and watched the game between the two, and said calmly: "Earlier, Sichuan was under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Gansu and Shaanxi, and Nian Gengyao's rescue was overwhelmed by Master Lin, and because of Fujin, his sister lost her marriage to Yong An opportunity in the Prince's Mansion. Now that he has finally become a big official of the frontier, if Nian Gengyao can bear that tone, he is not Nian Gengyao." Daiyu sneered and said: "Look at what he wants to do , If this kind of slave who eats inside and out, if he still wants to bite the master back, it's useless to keep it!" Gently put down a white piece, and killed Wu Sidao's black piece.

Hong Hui, who was sitting at the side of writing, looked up at Daiyu, and blinked his eyes with some doubts: This mother seems to be a little different from the previous mother.After looking at it for a while, I decided that my mother is my mother, and then I buried my head and continued to write.

Jiang Yuhan sat leisurely while reading a book, and said slowly: "Nian Gengyao came to Beijing for two days, not only visited many officials, but also visited the residence of the third master, the eighth master, the ninth master, and the tenth master. By the way, it seems to go to I met the Fourteen Fujin." Daiyu raised her eyebrows, "Nian Gengyao went to see the Fourteen Fujin, what did they say?" Jiang Yuhan shook her head and said, "They are not alone, and it doesn't matter who belongs to them. But After around fourteenth, I went to the Eighth Lord's mansion again, and had a private conversation with Nian Fang Fujin, and this morning Fourteenth Fujin entered the palace to greet Defei. It is also a secret agent. The content is unknown."

Hearing this, Wu Sidao frowned and said: "Fujin, the content of the Fourteenth Fujin's spying with the Concubine Defei is probably not a trivial matter."

Daiyu nodded, and said: "Concubine De has been in the palace for decades, it is not easy to inquire about news from her palace. If it is an extremely important matter, I am afraid it is. If you catch it and ask, you will know gone."

Jiang Yuhan praised: "It is indeed a good method. But Si Niang, how do you end up with the kidnapping of Prince Fujin?" Han Siniang snorted coldly and said: "Since I have a way to steal her out, I also have a way to send her back. There is a better way to make her forget about it and not to mention it. Do you treat me as a useless piece of the Sword Pavilion?" Wu Sidao shook his head and said: "This is absolutely impossible. Although we are staring at others, others are also staring at us .If something like kidnapping Prince Fujin is caught by someone. Especially... Fujin who is still the [-]th prince, it is not impossible for him to take the opportunity to send troops to the capital." Daiyu said with a slight smile: "Si Niang Don't make jokes. Don't teach Shuhui badly. Yuhan, Xianglian, you can figure it out."

The two nodded yes.

Liu Xianglian said: "What are Nian Gengyao and Fujin planning to do? Do you want to write a letter to inform the fourth master?" Daiyu shook her head and said, "The fourth brother is now on the way to Shengjing, and he will be even more angry when he finds out. This time Can't deal with Nian Gengyao in any real way." Han Siniang asked in puzzlement, "Why?" Daiyu said, "Although Nian Gengyao is not very good, his ability to do things is not bad. Qinghai can still use it. Look at him. Anyway, he can't turn the sky, so let's use it first. Now changing people halfway will not only disturb the fourteenth master, who is restless and unintentional to deal with the enemy, it is also a waste." Wu Sidao nodded appreciatively: "Fu Jin saw it. clear."

A game of chess was played, and Hong Hui finished writing.Daiyu looked helplessly at these people, Liu Xianglian who was leaning on the tree, Jiang Yuhan who was drinking tea, and Han Siniang who was playing with throwing knives. They had no intention of leaving at all, and could only say: "You are already in the palace. I've been carrying it for two days, are you okay?" Han Siniang looked up at her, then looked at Jiang Yuhan and Liu Xianglian and said, "I'm fine. While the prince is not in the capital, I'm ordered to protect Fujin and Xiao Gege." Jiang Yuhan is elegant With a snap of his fingers, "What can happen to the Qianji Pavilion? Even if there is, why don't I, the pavilion owner, go to find out the news in person?" Liu Xianglian lay on the tree and closed her eyes to sleep, "I'm on vacation."

Daiyu said helplessly: "What danger can I have in Prince Yong's Mansion?" Han Siniang smiled like a flower, "Prevent it before it happens."

Eight Baylor House

Yinzhen lay comfortably on the recliner, picked up the grapes beside him and threw it into his mouth, "Mynah, the old fourteen has become more and more courageous after going out for a few years."

Sitting behind the desk, Yinhu looked at the file in his hand and said, "Where is the battlefield? It's a place that can turn a soft-hearted living Bodhisattva into a murderous evil ghost. Ninth brother, this fourteenth brother, we will see you I can't control it anymore." Yinzhen snorted coldly and said, "His ability can only be used to fight bravely on the battlefield. Do you think it's really okay if we fall out of favor with Huang Ama? But myna, that slave of Nian Gengyao, no wonder the fourth child didn’t want him back then, double-faced and treacherous." Yinhu smiled lightly and said, "Nian Gengyao... I never trusted him. As long as you can give him Enough benefits, maybe even his father and ancestors can sell it to you."

Yinzhen propped his head up curiously and said, "Then mynah, what did the fourteenth promise him, so that he dares to fight against the fourth so clearly?"

Yinhu smiled and said, "It should be the benefit that the old fourteen can't afford now, right? Or as long as the fourth brother is around, the old fourteen will never be able to pay it, and Nian Gengyao will never get it." His benefits." Yinzhen smiled and said: "So, in order to get his benefits, Nian Gengyao had to fight against the fourth child?"

Yinhu smiled and said nothing, Yinhu was satisfied, he knew he had guessed right, "By the way, starling, what are you going to do that Nian Jiayao?" Yinhu raised his eyebrows, and asked in confusion: "What are you going to do?" Yinyu said: "Nian Jiayao seems to be an inexperienced child this year, and she still focuses on her brother. Now that Gengyao has fallen to the old fourteen this year, there is no guarantee that she will not betray you that day." Yinhu laughed. : "What can she betray me? Her surname is Nian, and she should be in the Nian family. Do you think that if her brother is not Nian Gengyao, she can live so well in this mansion? Nian Gengyao's downfall will not do her any favors." Any benefits." Yinzhen frowned and said: "Could it be that the starling still intends to continue to support her?" Yinhu smiled and said: "Indeed, we must continue to support her. We can also help secretly with the things that the old fourteen has to do. But...don't let anyone get caught.

"Brother..." Yinzhen was puzzled.Yinhu smiled lightly and said: "Look at it, the old fourteen is not a patient master. This time... I'm afraid it's not small. Old nine, don't get yourself into it. The starling can't get into it now. There is no way to pull you out." For Yinhu, Yinhu has always trusted unconditionally.Still nodded and said: "I understand."

In Yonghe Palace, Concubine De was sitting alone in the dormitory, lost in thought.Her hands were shaking, and her face was unusually pale.Even the calming incense wafting from the incense burner on the table could not calm her mind.She spent half her life in the harem, and there were countless dangers in it.But she had never been so afraid.Clenching her fists tightly to gather herself, a decisive light flashed in her eyes.In a low voice: "Fourteen... Zhen'er, Erniang will definitely do this for you!"

After a while, she finally regained that dignified and elegant Concubine De's appearance, slowly got up and walked out.

After a while, she finally regained that dignified and elegant Concubine De's appearance, slowly got up and walked out.

One unremarkable night, a seemingly completely unremarkable eunuch stood in front of Concubine De.But he didn't want ordinary eunuchs to lower their heads and dare not look at the master above him. He stood and looked directly at the graceful face of Concubine De, and said indifferently: "What do you want me for?" Every eunuch in the house has the same voice.He was indeed a eunuch.Concubine De looked at her and said, "I don't want you to do something for me."

"I said 20 years ago that I would never do anything for you again." The man turned away from him.

Concubine De's voice was a little raised, and she said anxiously: "You must help me do this! Otherwise, I will die?" The man looked at him strangely and said: "You are now the Concubine De of the first palace lord , the two sons are also highly valued by the emperor. In the future, no matter which one ascends the throne, you will be a queen mother, what else can threaten you?" Concubine De said: "There are many things that can threaten me. The former Tong Jia is now The Tong Jia family, that Lin Ruhai, and the current Lin Daiyu, which one has put me in their eyes?" The man said lightly: "I have said long ago that contentment is always happy, don't try to compare with those you will never compare with. It is impossible to compare with things that cannot be compared. The family background of the Tong family and the Wu Ya family will not be comparable even in another 30 years."

"I don't believe it! When my son becomes the emperor, who would dare to underestimate the Wuya clan? Who would dare to disrespect me?!"

"Enough." The man said a little tiredly, "What do you want me to do?"

Concubine De's hands trembled, she took out a ball of paper from her sleeve and handed it to him.The man opened it and took a look, immediately changed his color, stared at her for a long time and finally spit out a few words, "Are you still human?" Concubine De was taken aback, and after a long time said: "Why do you say that about me?" The man sneered : "You can think of such a thing, and you still want me to say something about you? I don't know what happened today and you don't need to mention it again. If you want to kill me, try to see if you have the ability." After speaking, I will go outside.

Concubine De panicked and said, "You won't help me?"

The man said: "Although I have become like this, I always feel that I am still a human being. I don't do things like animals."

Seeing his unrepentant appearance, Concubine De gritted her teeth and said, "Even if you don't help me, I will still do it. If I miss...don't worry about my death!" Looking at her, Concubine De sat back down again, staring at him and said word by word: "I must do it. For Zhen'er... no matter what, I will do it!"

"you!"

The two of them were in a stalemate, and the dignified Concubine De thought she would fail for a while, but finally the man moved, gave her a hard look, stomped his feet and said, "Forget it. After this time, I will never see you again regardless of life or death! After you It has nothing to do with me whether it's glory, wealth or..." After finishing speaking, he stopped looking at Concubine De, and left in a flash, disappearing into the deep palace like a ghost.Concubine De stared blankly at the door, not knowing what she was thinking.After a long time, a gust of breeze woke her up, and she whispered: "Of course I will be rich and prosperous. I will become the most honorable woman in the world."

In the quiet night, Daiyu was holding Shuhui and sitting at the table reading a book, while Honghui was walking around, looking very irritable.Daiyu glanced at him, and said softly: "Hui'er, what's the matter, you're so irritable tonight?" Honghui walked obediently to Daiyu's side, buried his head in her arms, and took a deep breath of the fragrance from his mother's body. The smell of incense shook his head.He didn't know what was wrong, he always felt very uneasy.Daiyu fondled her son's small face, and in a blink of an eye, the baby was already so big. "Did you miss Ama?" Hong Hui tilted his head and thought for a while, then nodded.That's right, it's that feeling of wanting father and king by his side all of a sudden.It seems...there is nothing to be afraid of when the father is by his side.But... what is he afraid of?

Daiyu said with a slight smile, "Emiang misses Ama too. Ama will be back in ten days. Let's wait for Ama together, shall we?"

Hong Hui rubbed against Daiyu's arms and said, "Hui'er wants to see Ama soon." Daiyu kissed his forehead and said, "Emiang also wants to. Then let's hope that Ama will come back soon." Okay?" To appease her son, who was rarely attached to his father, Daiyu picked up her drowsy daughter and put her on the bed.Then he put Hong Hui on the bed, changed the quilt and softly coaxed the child to sleep.

Outside the courtyard, a strange sound came to Daiyu's ears, and Honghui on the bed immediately opened his eyes and sat up.Daiyu hurriedly patted her son comfortingly.After a while, Ziluo and Han Siniang Ziyin came in together.Daiyu frowned and said, "What's going on?" Han Siniang said, "Someone has invaded the mansion. And there are quite a few of them. Jiang Yuhan and Liu Xianglian have brought the guards of the palace and people from Shenjian Pavilion to stop them outside."

Daiyu's heart trembled, but she also knew that she must not panic now, so she could only grit her teeth and bear it. Seeing that Shuhui was about to wake up, she quickly patted her lightly to let her continue to sleep.Then she looked back at Han Siniang and said, "How many people are there in the mansion?" Han Siniang said, "The palace itself has 68 guards, six shadow guards each, and 20 guards from the Sword Pavilion. There are about 110 people." Daiyu settled down and said: "Send a few people from Shenjian Pavilion to protect Mr. Wu. No...send someone to bring Mr. Wu to Xiyuan and place him in the side hall. Everyone in the mansion will not All martial arts people retreat to the backyard, don't come out."

Zi Yin hurriedly went to Han Siniang and Zi Luo to protect her.The room was silent for a while, only the wind outside the door seemed to have a bit of chill.Daiyu looked down at Hong Hui who was sitting on the bed with wide eyes, and said softly, "Hui'er, nothing will happen. Don't be afraid." Hong Hui nestled in Daiyu's arms and said, "Hui'er is not afraid."

Gradually the sound became louder and louder, and the sound of weapons colliding could already be heard. Han Siniang frowned and said, "Ordinary guards really don't work. If I had known earlier, I should have replaced everyone with the guards of the Sword Pavilion. Now the inner city gate It's closed, and it will take more than an hour for the people from the dark pavilion to arrive."

The person who came didn't seem to be an ordinary assassin. Half an hour later, the sound of fighting had gradually entered Xiyuan.Almost all the guards of the palace were killed or injured. The twelve shadow double guards and the guards of the Shenjian Pavilion blocked the entire main hall together, preventing the enemy from going overboard.

Jiang Yuhan and Liu Xianglian stood in the front, and Liu Xianglian held the sword in his hand with a cold light, and looked at the human being opposite him coldly, "Who are you?" Said: "Prince Yong's mansion is really a hidden dragon and crouching tiger, we are the ones who want your life!" Jiang Yuhan smiled coldly on his lips, "It's not certain who wants whose life!" Up to now, they have also vaguely noticed it.These people are not ordinary assassins who have no rules. These people have undergone very strict training, and they are well-versed in their actions and ruthless in their attacks.And very fearless of death.Compared with the assassination that Yinzhen and others encountered in the suburbs in the past two years, these people's thoughts were even more terrifying.It's like the perfect killing machine.

When did such a group of people appear in the capital, but they didn't know it at all?

The soldiers fought hand to hand, and thick blood filled the entire palace.But the assassins still couldn't get close to the target they wanted to attack - the main hall of Prince Yong's Mansion.Han Siniang stood at the door, and from time to time dealt with several assassins who wanted to break through the blockade and break in.Frowning, he looked at the guards of the Sword Pavilion who were gradually falling down.

"Since they won't come out, let's help him!" came the voice of someone who didn't know.Some men in black holding bows and arrows appeared on the wall of Xiyuan. Flames were burning on the bows and arrows. They all aimed at the main hall where Daiyu was. "Shoot the arrow!" They settled on the walls and windows, and one or two flew into the room through the windows.Liu Xianglian and Jiang Yuhan glanced at each other, secretly startled.These people are simply well-trained archers!

"They want to burn the house, deal with those people first!" Jiang Yuhan said.Together with Liu Xianglian, they flew up and rushed towards the man in black on the wall.In a blink of an eye, several people had fallen down.Jiang Yuhan turned cold, and cut the throats of these people neatly with the dagger in his hand.An extremely strong force struck from behind, Jiang Yuhan was startled, it was too late to escape, she was slapped heavily and fell off the wall.The man turned around and attacked Liu Xianglian as soon as he succeeded in the move. Liu Xianglian had seen Jiang Yuhan's situation a long time ago, and it was so easy for him to succeed there. Knowing that there was still a gap between her and the opponent's skill, Liu Xianglian avoided it and drew her sword to face each other, " Who the hell are you?"

The visitor didn't answer, and started fighting with Liu Xianglian before rubbing his body.

In the room, a flaming arrow happened to hit the table in the room, and Zi Luo jumped up angrily, "Why is this trick again?" She had already blocked the window while speaking, her hands tightly clenched. With a whip that has never been used very much.Daiyu frowned and looked at the flames that had started to burn on the window and the continuous sound of long arrows piercing through the air, saying: "They are going to set fire to the house!" Looking at the two children on the bed, Daiyu got up decisively and said: "Ziluo, tell two people to come in and take the two children with you." Han Siniang came in and said, "There are people all around, so I'm afraid I won't be able to leave." Daiyu said firmly, "Let's go, Si Niang, take care of me." Two children. I'll distract them."

The two were shocked and said: "Fu Jin, absolutely not!" Hong Hui also wrinkled his face and said, "Eniang, Hui'er don't leave Erniang." Daiyu rubbed his little head and said: "Hui'er, are you Brother, do you know that you need to protect your sister?" Picking up Hong Hui, he stuffed it into Han Siniang's hands.The smoke from the window drifted into the room, and Shuhui also woke up. She seemed to be frightened by the battle in front of her. She glanced at her little mouth and was about to cry. Daiyu quickly hugged her and said softly, "Hui'er, be good! Don't cry." Shuhui blinked, looked at Erniang and then at her brother to see if she finally didn't cry.

The fire outside seemed to be getting bigger and bigger, Jiang Yuhan rushed in with injuries all over and said: "The house is about to burn, let's go."

Daiyu looked at the two children, gritted her teeth and said, "Si Niang, take Honghui away, Yuhan, Ziluo, come with me." Holding Shuhui in her arms, she stepped out of the room.Sure enough, as soon as he went out, people in black surrounded him, but they were all swept away by Jiang Yuhan and Ziluo.Ziluo danced with a long whip in one hand, and she stretched out her hand, but it was not under Jiang Yuhan.Seeing them being attacked, Zi Yin who was wounded also rushed over to protect Daiyu together.But at this time, there are people everywhere, and where can I retreat.Daiyu was afraid that with Han Siniang's lightness kung fu, she could take Honghui away safely.It's just that it's inevitable that my daughter will suffer if she follows her.

The courtyard was full of flames and blood, and was in chaos.Shuhui didn't know if she was petrified or what, she nestled in Daiyu's arms and didn't move.Daiyu looked at Jiang Yuhan beside her and said, "Yuhan, can you rush out alone?" Jiang Yuhan shook his head and said, "Rushing out with Xiao Gege will only kill you faster. They come here more than we imagined." .Fu Jin, as long as you hold on for a while, the people in Shenjian Pavilion will be able to feel it."