Ruan Meiying returned to the temple's main gate and saw Shaoyao and Juxiang. She told them she could go back, and the two immediately summoned a sedan chair. Ruan Meiying got into the chair, and while inside, she pondered how to find evidence of Hongshi and his accomplices causing the drought and harming the people. She believed that Hongshi now cared about her, but because they hadn't known each other long enough, he didn't yet trust her. Once she gained his trust, everything would be much easier. Ruan Meiying thought to herself, "Hongshi, you wait! One day I will expose your evil deeds to the world, and I will personally witness your punishment!"
Ruan Meiying returned to the Prince's mansion. As soon as she entered her courtyard, she saw Hongshi's personal guard. Upon seeing Ruan Meiying, the guard immediately said, "Madam, you're finally back! The Prince has been waiting for you for a long time. If you hadn't returned, I would have been in trouble."
Ruan Meiying went inside and found Hongshi drinking alone in the room, looking very unhappy. She went up to him and asked, "Master, what's wrong? I didn't know you were coming back today, so I went out to offer incense and pray for Father. It's my fault for coming back late and upsetting you."
Hongshi put down his wine cup and said, "It has nothing to do with you!" It turned out that ever since Hongshi returned from Kaifeng, he had been waiting for the emperor to reward him. He felt that he had made such a great contribution this time, and his father should at least reward him with ten thousand taels of gold, or even make him the crown prince. However, he waited and waited without any news, which made him extremely depressed. But no matter how depressed he was, he could not go to the palace to see the emperor, nor could he tell anyone else. So he could only sulk by himself. He simply went to Ruan Meiying's room and said that he was not feeling well and would not even go to court.
Seeing him like this, Ruan Meiying asked again, "Sir, shouldn't you be going to court at this time? How come you have time to come to Meiying's room?"
Hongshi was stumped by her question, but he couldn't show it, so he said impatiently, "This prince is not feeling well today and has taken leave to attend court!"
Seeing his reaction, Ruan Meiying knew something had upset him, so she didn't dare ask any further. But she knew that if he was still keeping it from her, it must be related to the drought in Kaifeng Prefecture. Even if it wasn't, it must be a big deal. Watching Hongshi drink, Ruan Meiying thought this was a good opportunity. If she could get Hongshi drunk, she could get the information she wanted to know out of him.
So Ruan Meiying used all her skills, employing all the tricks she had learned in the brothel over the years to deceive men, until Hongshi was completely drunk and disoriented.
Seeing that the time was right, Ruan Meiying asked, "Master, what's making you so unhappy today? If you're unhappy, I'm unhappy too. Why don't you tell me so I can share your worries and think of a solution for you, okay?"
Hongshi was completely drunk and didn't know anything anyone asked him. He mumbled, "Father, he's so biased! I accomplished such a great thing and made such a great contribution, but he didn't give me any reward at all. He's so biased!"
Upon hearing Hongshi's words, Ruan Meiying knew he was referring to the "drought" in Kaifeng Prefecture. Ruan Meiying trembled with excitement and asked anxiously, "Master, what important matter have you accomplished?"
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