The True Winner of the Red Chamber

Chapter 61

Within two days, the emperor issued a decree, giving Zhen Yingjia the title of imperial envoy, and asked him to go to the south of the Yangtze River with Kang He to handle the repairs of the palace.

As soon as the imperial decree came out, all the princes were in an uproar, but they both loved and hated Zhen Yingjia even more.

Let’s talk about his imperial examination first. Zhen Yingjia lived in Jiangnan. There are many scholars in Jiangnan, and it is a province with a large imperial examination. Zhen Yingjia’s knowledge may not be bad. This is barely fooled.

But he has only been an editor for less than half a year, and he has a new job... Didn't I see that the number one scholar is still struggling in the position of editor in the Imperial Academy, does Zhen Yingjia look wrong?

But he has grace... This is really enviable and enviable.

It's just that the princes had recruited him for a round last time, and none of them succeeded.Now it is a tacit understanding in private, and no one will make another move for the time being.

Although Zhen Yingjia rejected the solicitation of these princes last time, none of them felt that he didn't love power, and they just wanted to wait until this paragraph was over.

After all, if you are really a wild crane, why do you still have to take the imperial examination?

Two days later, Zhen Yingjia packed up her luggage, took only Ji Chu with her, followed Kang and two, and boarded the boat to the south of the Yangtze River again.

It had only been half a day since he left the capital, not only Zhen Yingjia, but also Kang He, who had been pursing his lips so tightly that even his brows were slightly dimpled, relaxed.

Standing side by side at the bow of the boat, the two of them swept away their troubles against the wind and waves, but they also gave birth to unlimited ambitions.

Zhen Yingjia was blown from the bow of the boat until her body was damp, and then she went back to the cabin full of satisfaction.

When the lights came on, the cook on the boat prepared food and wine, and the two sat in the cabin, opened the window and listened to the sound of the water outside, even the conversation was not so serious.

After drinking two glasses of wine, Kang He raised his glass to Zhen Yingjia and said, "When I went back to the capital, I still had great ambitions. Now it seems that it is very far away. The seven sons of the emperor's grandfather, except righteousness Prince Zhong, anyone has a better chance of winning than me."

Zhen Yingjia knew that Kang He drank too much, and he would not talk about such things on weekdays, but he also saw Kang He's eyes flicker when he was talking just now, and he must have the intention of giving him a try.

Zhen Yingjia raised the cup and touched Kang He lightly, making a crisp sound.A faint smile appeared on his face, "Why did you say that? You are the first among the emperor's grandsons to come out to handle errands. Even if you count the uncles above you - the sixth prince is weak and sick, even if he has such a heart, what does the emperor say?" He can't make it through, and the Seventh Prince is only 11 years old now, unless His Majesty can live another ten years, it will be his turn to take the throne."

Kang He didn't speak, but his brows raised slightly again.It's not that he lacks confidence, but with the help of alcohol, the loss and helplessness in his heart surged up. At this moment, he desperately needs someone to give him an affirmative answer.

Kang He's eyes fell on Zhen Yingjia.

Zhen Yingjia leaned closer again, her voice became deeper and deeper, "The Second Prince holds the military power, and His Majesty is getting old, and he is the most taboo, and the Second Prince also wants to be the throne. It's fine if he doesn't do anything. Once you do something, His Majesty will definitely deal with him!"

Kang He's expression froze.Speaking of which, he also thought about these things, but he just went through them in his own mind. He never dared to tell anyone about these thoughts. Hearing that Zhen Yingjia had the same thoughts, he couldn't help but get excited.

"There is also the third prince. The third prince took advantage of the opportunity of marrying me to get into the eyes of the emperor." Maybe it was too close, Zhen Yingjia felt that Kang He's breath brushed against his cheek, it was a little itchy, he sat up straight, Then he continued: "From ancient times to the present, the first one to jump out of the fight for the throne will not end well."

Kang He smiled slightly and nodded in agreement, but seeing Zhen Yingjia who was sitting far away, his smile froze immediately.

Zhen Yingjia didn't notice this, and continued: "The fourth prince...the fourth prince has already jumped out once, besides, he is arrogant and even rude to the courtiers, so the possibility of him is not very high."

Kang He pulled the stool to join Zhen Yingjia, and said, "There's Fifth Uncle too. Fifth Uncle hides so deeply. If it wasn't for splitting up with Fourth Uncle this time, no one would be able to see it."

Zhen Yingjia smiled, "Your fifth uncle was restrained by your fourth uncle, and your fourth uncle is very angry because he took in the power cultivated by the two of them. If you ask me... maybe the two of them will bite off a big piece of each other sometime." Come on, so the two of you will have no chance."

Kang He smiled, "Hearing what you said, isn't the throne in my hands? But, let the emperor's grandson succeed directly—"

"It's not uncommon!" Zhen Yingjia said firmly, "The throne was taken from my elder brother, my younger brother, and my grandfather!"

Kang He's heart was pounding, he pondered for a moment and said: "That is to target the shortcomings of my good uncles... The second uncle's military power, the third uncle's collusion with the officials, the fourth and fifth uncle's dogs bite dogs, Six uncles and seven uncles..." Kang He squinted his eyes and stopped talking, and thousands of plans to deal with these people emerged in his mind.

Zhen Yingjia saw that his eyes became more and more determined, and said: "If His Majesty really doesn't mean anything to you - why would he ask you to do errands? After all, you are the son of the deposed prince!"

After a great drink, Kang He burst out laughing. His usual [-]-[-]% of his mind was now [-]% to [-]%. He hurriedly drank two glasses of wine and felt his heartbeat gradually calm down. Then he said nonchalantly, "Eat more vegetables."

Zhen Yingjia smiled, and the two changed the subject again.

It's just that Kang He puts the two things at the top of his mind, one is a high position, and the other is Zhen Yingjia.

Now that Zhen Yingjia was sitting in front of him, talking to him about the high position seemed to be the only subconscious choice.So without saying a word, the topic came back.

Only this time it was very cryptic.

"A few days ago, I heard that my third uncle wanted to be your in-law. Speaking of which, Zhiyin is not too young. The noble girls in Beijing have already started to choose their age. Do you have an idea?"

What he said was a bit uncomfortable, Zhen Yingjia heard it, and thought to himself that this person usually looks mature, stable and reliable, and speaks straightforwardly, how come he eats his confidence with the wine after drinking? ?

He glanced at Kang He, "Don't worry, we should keep her for two more years." Zhen Yingjia deliberately only said a few words, without mentioning the third prince at all, and this reason is applicable to anyone who comes to propose marriage.

Of course Kang He was dissatisfied, and hurriedly said: "Zhiyin has lived in my mother's palace for a long time, and I have met her before, she is very decent and steady, I know what people in Beijing say about the loss of their mother and eldest daughter, Wait for me... I'll find her a good home."

Naturally, Zhen Yingjia was not in a hurry, but seeing Kang He's anxious look, she felt a little funny, and said, "Of course she can afford to wait." After finishing speaking, her face straightened, and she stopped teasing Kang He, saying: " I don't want her to marry someone from the royal family, let alone the Third Prince who has ulterior motives."

Kang He's attention was all on the first half of the sentence, and he didn't want to marry the royal family.His mind, which was a little dizzy from the drink, somehow remembered Zhen Yingjia and himself.

His mind became hot, and he said, "What about me?"

Zhen Yingjia looked at him with confused eyes, and couldn't help laughing: "You? Do you want to marry my daughter? Then you have to wait."

"No!" Kang He retorted hastily, shaking his head rapidly, "I mean the two of us."

Zhen Yingjia understood what he meant, but said: "The two of us?" He deliberately paused, "I remember you said—" Another pause.

Kang He only felt that his heart was up and down and he didn't know where he was flying.

"The two of us will be good brothers for a lifetime." Zhen Yingjia retrieved Kang He's words that day, stood up after speaking, looked at Kang He who was sitting there with a dull expression, and reached out to pat him on the shoulder, " It's late at night, and the water surface is damp and cold, I have ordered someone to roast the bedding with charcoal fire, let's rest after washing."

As Zhen Yingjia said, she flicked her sleeves and left without hesitation. Kang He sat there with a look of regret, wishing to go back to the day and slap himself to death who said he was a brother.

On the second day, Kang and Jiuxing disappeared without a trace with the courage of Jiu Jiner. Moreover, seeing Zhen Yingjia's description of his behavior as usual, nothing unusual, he dared not mention this matter even more.

So the rest of the days were spent in Zhen Yingjia's reticence and Kang He's apprehension.

After walking for more than [-] days on the road, we returned to Jinling.

The emperor's decree has already been issued here, and the two came here through the cultivation palace. The imperial decree also said that they should not mobilize the teachers and mobilize the crowd, and do not ask the local officials to host banquets and so on.

It's just that an imperial envoy came, and he was more popular with the emperor. He might be better than the governor at critical times, so it was still necessary to welcome him.

Besides, there was also the eldest grandson of the emperor accompanying him. Although the eldest grandson of the emperor was in a bit of an embarrassing situation, everyone could only pretend that they didn't know anything before the situation became clear, and that's how they came.

Zhen Yingjia thought for a while, followed Kang He for half a step, and the two of them took the cabin.

There are many officials on the pier, the first three can be seen by looking at their official uniforms.

The prefect, the magistrate, and the general soldier.

The governor didn't come. After all, the governor is a second-rank official, much higher than Zhen Yingjia.The imperial envoy is of no rank, and as for the compilation of the Hanlin Academy on his face, compared with the official second rank, there is nothing left.

There is an acquaintance among these three, that is Jia Yucun who returned to Beijing with Zhen Yingjia earlier, and is now the magistrate.However, a well-known official in Jinling City did not come, that is, Lin Ruhai, the current inspector of salt and censor Lin Ruhai.

Zhen Yingjia noticed this.

Seeing the people coming out, the lower officials stepped forward, Jia Yucun, who was not up to the top, cupped his hands, bowed to Kang He in front, and said, "I welcome His Royal Highness, the eldest grandson, and the imperial envoys."

Kang He didn't smile, instead he frowned, and said, "I'm sorry, my lords, it's just that before leaving, the emperor's grandfather repeatedly ordered me not to work, my lords, this..."

Jia Yucun smiled and said, "Your Highness and the Imperial Envoy came here for the purpose of this palace. To renovate the palace still needs strong men, and we also need to coordinate with local officials. This is my job."

Kang He nodded when he heard this, and Jia Yucun smiled and said: "The ministers have prepared simple meals, and the station has also been prepared, so I will guide the two of you."

"No need." Kang He shook his head, and said, "It's very inconvenient to live in a post station. Mr. Zhen is a local, and I have already agreed with him to stay at his house this time."

Kang He had a look of disdain for the inconsiderate living in the inn.

Jia Yucun was taken aback, he had expected such things, but... thinking of Wang Ziteng's order, just as he was about to say something, Kang He had already disembarked from the boat in two steps, and turned to Zhen Yingjia and said in a very blunt tone, "Your family What about the carriage? I’ve been on the boat for almost a month, and my body is stiff, so I need to wash it off first.”

After all, he was a member of the emperor's family, and no one dared to refute what he said.

Jia Yucun looked back at Fu Yin, Fu Yin smiled and said: "It's time to take a good rest. After all, the post station is not as comfortable as Master Zhen's house, and the waiters are all clumsy. It's better to live in Master Zhen's house."

After speaking, Kang He nodded at the two of them, and waited impatiently. Seeing this scene, the few of them dared not say anything to Zhen Yingjia, so they greeted them and sent them away.