Chapter 85
Zhao Ru looked at King Rui and continued, "Of course, you can choose not to go back, for example, if you were injured or assassinated."
Prince Rui was just happy, but his expression changed quickly. Looking at Zhao Ru who looked serious, he said, "If it weren't for the Crown Prince that Prince Ying mentioned at the beginning, this would be possible. But now, Emperor Cheng will only think that I am deliberately shirking my responsibility."
Princess Rui and Chu Xiuming also came over. Princess Rui glanced at Prince Rui, then sat next to him and said, "Have you made a decision, Your Majesty?"
Chu Xiuming also spoke up, "Father-in-law, if you are willing, I will escort you and mother-in-law to the border town. Even if Emperor Cheng issues an imperial decree to let you go back, I can still protect you."
Prince Rui's eyes lit up for a moment, but then dimmed again. "The current situation, according to Emperor Cheng's temperament... Unless I die or am taken care of by him, I'm afraid my mother will be implicated."
Regardless of whether the Queen Mother was a good person or a bad person, and what she had done, she was still very good to her son, Prince Rui, so Emperor Cheng would not possibly ignore his mother.
Chu Xiuming did not say anything, because Prince Rui was right. Emperor Cheng was of a character that would never consider himself if he encountered setbacks, but would only vent his anger on others. So the Empress Dowager, who had tied Prince Rui up and told them to leave the capital, would naturally be the first to be blamed.
In fact, there is another way now, which is to send a son back to Beijing. A bastard's son is not enough, it must be a legitimate son. In other words, one of the two children, Shen Xuan and Shen Xi, must be sent to Beijing.
Everyone thought of this, but no one was willing to bring it up, not even Prince Rui. In his mind, the two legitimate sons would inherit his legacy. If sending a concubine's son would be useful, Prince Rui would not hesitate at all. He would even choose to send Shen Qi and his wife back after he hesitated for a moment if a legitimate daughter was useful.
Shen Xuan is now in central Fujian, preparing to make a career, and Shen Xi is also in the border town. "How is Xier?" King Rui suddenly looked at Chu Xiuming and asked.
In fact, when Chu Xiuming just came here, Prince Rui asked about this matter, but he suddenly asked it again today. Princess Rui pursed her lips and had a guess in her mind, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she took a sip from the teacup. Zhao Ru liked to drink tea, and he liked to make his own tea even more. The tea at home was all grown in Zhao Ru's own garden, and then made by himself. It was a bit bitter, but the fragrance lingered in the mouth after drinking it.
Princess Rui used to like it very much, but today she felt that even her lips and tongue were bitter.
Chu Xiuming heard this and said, "Because Brother Xi wants to fight on the battlefield and make his father-in-law and mother-in-law proud, my wife and I have no choice but to send him to the barracks first and let him train with the new soldiers. Even if Brother Xi wants to fight on the battlefield again in the future, he will be safer."
King Rui exhaled slowly and said, "This child is more promising than me."
No one spoke, whether it was Zhao Ru, Chu Xiuming or even Princess Rui. Prince Rui looked at Princess Rui and said, "Princess, you gave me two good sons who look like me!"
When these words came out, even the always highly respected Zhao Ru couldn't help rolling his eyes. Princess Rui was used to the words of the King Rui, and said, "Young eagles will always grow up, and they will fly higher."
Prince Rui glanced at Princess Rui and said, "I will go back. Third son-in-law, you escort the princess and the others back to the border town."
As soon as these words came out, Zhao Ru looked at King Rui with a bit of surprise. No one expected that King Rui would make such a choice. Chu Xiuming frowned and looked at King Rui and said, "Father-in-law... if you go back like this, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to come out again."
"I know." King Rui said, "It doesn't matter. I don't like going out anyway."
Princess Rui smiled and said, "I will go back to the capital with the prince, and let Concubine Chen take the two children to the border town. My prince will rest assured that they will be taken care of by my third son-in-law, Jin girl, and Xi'er."
Prince Rui looked at Princess Rui with a touched look on his face and said, "Princess, the capital is dangerous. You should go with your third son-in-law and the others."
"I've said I will always be with His Majesty." Princess Rui knew it, but since she had married Prince Rui, he had given her everything that a wife should have, and also handed over the entire palace to her, so even if Princess Rui did not love Prince Rui, she would not abandon him at this time.
What's more, Princess Rui's eyes flashed, she wanted to see Emperor Cheng get his retribution with her own eyes.
Zhao Ru sighed slowly. He knew his daughter. Since he had made a decision, he would not regret it. So he just looked at Prince Rui and said, "Son-in-law, I only have this one daughter. I have spoiled her a little. Please take good care of her when we get to the capital."
"Don't worry, father-in-law." Prince Rui was so moved that his eyes turned red. He said, "She is my wife. I will definitely protect her."
Zhao Ru smiled, looked at Princess Rui and said, "Since you have made your choice, I won't say much. But you must remember that you still have a son waiting for you, and your old parents are waiting for you, okay?" Zhao Ru knew about the Sixth Prince. Once his daughter made up her mind about something, she would not change it. Since she had decided on the Sixth Prince, she would not be tempted even if someone better than the Sixth Prince appeared.
The Sixth Prince was killed by Emperor Cheng. If one day he learned that his daughter had really stabbed Emperor Cheng to death, Zhao Ru felt that he would not be too surprised. However, he also knew that his daughter was the type of person who would not do anything unless she acted. However, the longer she endured, the deeper the hatred in her heart would be.
Zhao Ru suddenly thought that if one day Chu Xiuming escorted the prince's grandson to attack the capital, it was possible that his daughter had arranged for someone to open the city gate. Thinking of this, he suddenly felt that his daughter's accompanying Prince Rui back this time was really a disaster rather than a blessing for Emperor Cheng.
Princess Rui didn't know what Zhao Ru was thinking. She just smiled and said, "Then ask Concubine Chen to come over. I'll tell her something. Since the prince has decided to return to the capital, we should do it sooner rather than later. If we wait for the imperial edict from Emperor Cheng, the meaning will be different."
After listening to this, King Rui nodded and said, "Then pack up and leave in the next two days."
Princess Rui agreed. Seeing that both Prince Rui and Princess Rui had made their decision, Chu Xiuming did not say anything more. After all, it would be enough for him to take Concubine Chen back. However, Chu Xiuming thought of the news brought back by the Zhao family's children and said, "Father-in-law, I would like to borrow your jade token for a while."
King Rui looked at Chu Xiuming with a puzzled look, and Chu Xiuming said, "It is somewhat useful."
Princess Rui also knew about this matter and agreed with it in her heart, but she didn't expect Chu Xiuming to speak so directly. However, she understood it after thinking about it. After all, it was a jade token. If Prince Rui found out that it was lost, he would report it in Beijing, which would make Emperor Cheng alert and even guess their purpose. But if Prince Rui gave it to her voluntarily, it would be different. Prince Rui almost didn't need to use the jade token.
Jade plaques are very important to the royal family. In normal times, they can just use identity cards. Jade plaques are only used in formal or very important occasions, which are very rare.
Princess Rui glanced at Prince Rui and said, "Your Highness, the third son-in-law has always been a steady child. I think he has his own uses."
The jade plaques of different generations are also different. The jade plaques of the prince's lineage are even more different from those of ordinary royal family. Prince Rui's are naturally different from those of the prince and others, but compared to them, they are the closest, which is enough to fool people.
King Rui hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying, "Okay."
Chu Xiuming said, "Thank you, father-in-law."
Zhao Ru also said at this time, "When you go back, except for going to the palace to see the Queen Mother, you should stay in the Rui Wang Mansion and don't go out, understand?"
"I understand." King Rui said respectfully.
Zhao Ru said, "Wait for me here." Then he stood up and walked towards the inner room.
Chu Xiuming looked at King Rui and said, "Father-in-law, if there is anything difficult to handle, you can ask someone to go to Jingzhong Kexianju to order their signature jade shoot lamb and pay with pearls."
King Rui looked at Chu Xiuming in surprise. Chu Xiuming just said in a deep voice, "If there is anything wrong, then the people from Kexianju will take the initiative to send the secret bacon to your house."
If King Rui had been a little hesitant just now because of Chu Xiuming's request for the jade token, he was now completely willing. Even if he was ignorant, he understood that it was extremely difficult for Chu Xiuming and his men to plant such a spy in the capital, especially since Kexianju had been around for decades and had a good reputation. If Chu Xiuming hadn't said it, no one would have thought that Kexianju belonged to Chu Xiuming.
"I understand. Don't worry, third son-in-law." King Rui said.
Chu Xiuming shook his head and said nothing more. Concubine Chen had already come over. Although Chu Xiuming did not say anything, he stood up on his own initiative when Concubine Chen came in. He waited until Concubine Chen sat down before sitting down again.
Princess Rui looked at Concubine Chen and said, "The prince and I have decided to return to the capital. You take the two children and follow Chu Xiuming back to the border town."
Concubine Chen's expression changed when she heard this. She didn't say much, but said seriously, "Don't worry, Prince and Princess. I will definitely take good care of the child."
When Prince Rui saw Concubine Chen was so straightforward, he felt a little uncomfortable again, so his expression became much uglier. However, Princess Rui and Concubine Chen ignored him, and Chu Xiuming just pretended not to see it.
Princess Rui smiled and said, "Okay, go back and ask the maid to pack up."
"Yes." Concubine Chen said respectfully.
Princess Rui continued, "Let someone call Fifth Girl and Brother Hao over."
"yes."
Chu Xiuming said, "Father-in-law, mother-in-law, I'll take my leave now."
Upon hearing this, King Rui said, "I will send the jade token to you tonight."
Chu Xiuming nodded.
After everyone left, Princess Rui looked at Prince Rui and said, "Your Majesty, please give Little Four a name too."
King Rui thought for a moment and said, "Let's just give him the character Qing."
"Fragrant flowers from afar invade the ancient road, and clear green connects to the deserted city." Princess Rui's voice was filled with a sense of melancholy, which was really appropriate at this moment. "What a good name."
Prince Rui was stunned. Actually, he just wanted the sky to clear up after the storm. However, after hearing what Princess Rui said, he felt that this explanation was better, so he didn't say anything.
Shen Rong and Shen Hao came here together. Since leaving Beijing, the brother and sister have hardly ever been apart. They had no idea what had happened, not even that Chu Xiuming was coming. After arriving in Chu Yuan, they hardly ever left the hospital.
After the two of them paid their respects to King Rui and Princess Rui, they stood aside. Princess Rui said softly, "Sit down."
"Yes." The two of them sat down. Shen Hao secretly glanced at King Rui. When King Rui saw Shen Hao's expression, his expression eased a lot and he said, "Your mother and I are going back to the capital. You should continue to move forward with Concubine Chen. Remember to be obedient, understand?"
When Shen Rong heard this, she quickly said, "Father, I want to stay by your side and serve you."
In fact, if she had a choice, Shen Rong would not want to leave Beijing at all. Now she asked them to stay with Concubine Chen. Thinking about how Concubine Xu bullied Concubine Chen and how her sisters bullied Shen Jin, how could Shen Rong be willing?
Prince Rui sighed, and thought Shen Rong was sensible. Hearing this, he said, "Be obedient and follow Concubine Chen."
"I don't want it." Shen Hao shouted, "I want to go back to the capital with my father."
Princess Rui had actually expected this a long time ago. She also didn't want Shen Rong to go to the border town and cause trouble for her son. Upon hearing this, she said, "Even if there is danger in the capital?"
"My daughter will stay by my father's side and serve him." Shen Rong held on to these words.
Princess Rui said, "That's fine, but I can only take one of you two back to Beijing. After all, we have to hurry on our way because of some things, and we can't take care of both children."
Shen Hao looked at Shen Rong eagerly, and Shen Rong also looked at Shen Hao, gritted her teeth and said, "Let my brother follow Concubine Chen. My brother is a boy, so he should go out more often."
After saying this, Shen Rong thought she was being polite, but even Prince Rui could see through Shen Rong's true intention, not to mention Princess Rui. Although Shen Rong was somewhat scheming, she was still young after all, so it was inevitable that some of that would show up on her face.
"Since you want to follow me, then follow me." King Rui said with a gloomy face.
Shen Hao couldn't believe his sister, "Sister, don't you want me anymore?"
Shen Rong said, "I'm doing this for your own good. You're young, and you won't be able to keep going if you hurry."
"I'm not afraid. Father, please let me go back with you." Shen Hao looked at King Rui pleadingly.
King Rui said, "You can go out now. It is settled."
Princess Rui said softly, "Brother Hao, don't worry, Concubine Chen will take good care of you."
Shen Hao was crying, but seeing the expression on King Rui's face he didn't dare to say anything. Shen Rong realized that her goal had been achieved, so she quickly pulled Shen Hao out. Shen Hao was young anyway, so she just needed to coax him.
After Shen Hao and Shen Rong left, King Rui gritted his teeth and said, "Since she wants to die, let her die. She is so scheming at such a young age. Brother Hao is her own brother, and she dares to do this."
Princess Rui sighed slowly and said, "The fifth girl is not young anymore. If she returns to the capital with us this time, I'm afraid it will be difficult to arrange a marriage."
"Don't worry about her." Prince Rui said in a very bad tone.
Princess Rui wanted to say something else, but when she saw Zhao Ru had sent someone to call them over, she stopped talking. Zhao Ru and Zhao Qi were waiting for them in the study. When they came in, Zhao Ru put a key that looked a bit old in the hand of Prince Rui and said, "There is a secret door under the corner of the old house of the Zhao family in the capital. If anything really happens, you can lead people through that door and you will reach a farm outside the city. But remember to go west immediately after you get there. You will see an abandoned charity farm. There is a dry well at the innermost part. After going down, there is a dark room that can hide about fifty people. I think the things you prepared at the beginning are no longer usable now. Remember to arrange people to prepare things in advance."
That secret room was the key to sending away the Crown Prince's second son. It was originally prepared by the Zhao family for their own family, but now that they have left Beijing, they no longer need it. But it is exactly what Prince Rui and Princess Rui need the most.
King Rui had gone from being surprised at first to being impressed later, and he said, "I'll remember that."
Princess Rui thought for a moment and said, "I will leave Cui Xi here. Father will help us arrange a few trustworthy people. We will go to the charity cemetery to make the arrangements."
Zhao Ru nodded and said, "That's fine."
King Rui also knew that this was safer, and said, "Thank you, father-in-law."
Zhao Ru looked at Prince Rui and said, "Remember, you can only take the most reliable ones when the time comes. Otherwise, there will be no other way out at the charity cemetery."
King Rui gritted his teeth and nodded, saying, "I saved it."
Zhao Ru looked at Princess Rui and said, "Your mother misses you. Go see her and talk to her more."
Princess Rui glanced at her father, then stood up and said, "Okay."
After Princess Rui left, Zhao Ru looked at Prince Rui and said, "I have something to say to you before I die."
"Please speak, father-in-law." King Rui said respectfully.
Zhao Ru asked, "If the events of the 37th year of Yongjia happen again, what are you going to do?"
King Rui said without hesitation, "Take your wife, children, and guards and hide through this road."
"Then what about Emperor Cheng?" Zhao Ru looked at Prince Rui and asked in a deep voice.
King Rui said without hesitation, "We must not let him know about this."
Zhao Ru was not surprised, his expression was calm, and he suddenly asked, "What about the Queen Mother?"
Prince Rui was completely stunned, looking at Zhao Ru in a daze. When he knew that there was danger in the capital, would he really run away with his men and ignore his mother?
The Queen Mother and Emperor Cheng were different. Prince Rui would not feel much sadness over Emperor Cheng's death, but what about the Queen Mother? If he had not been afraid of implicating the Queen Mother, his master would not have chosen to return to Beijing.
Zhao Ru sighed slowly and said, "If you bring the Queen Mother with you, can you guarantee that you can keep it a secret from Emperor Cheng and everyone else?"
No, unless the Queen Mother lives in the Prince Rui's Mansion, it is absolutely impossible to hide it. But can the Queen Mother leave the palace? Impossible, Emperor Cheng will never allow it.
"Think about it carefully." Zhao Ru said.
King Rui nodded, his face full of struggle.
At this time in the border town, Shen Jin suspected that she had heard it wrongly. She was playing outside with Dongdong in her arms while the sun was shining. But when she heard what Madam Zhao said, she felt something was not right. "How many cousins does your husband have?"
"If what Madam wants to ask is the one who came to seek refuge and later almost had an engagement with the general, but betrayed the general, there is only this one." Nanny Zhao said, "She said she had a letter written by the Prince of England to the general." If not for this, she would not even be able to enter the gate of the border town.
Shen Jin frowned and said, "Then take the letter and bring it to the steward Wang. Since she can deliver a letter to the prince of England, she must know something about the prince of England."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao said, "Yes."
Shen Jin thought that Madam Zhao and the others were worried that Chu Xiuming would be unhappy if they dealt with his cousin in this way, so she consoled him, "When my husband comes back, I'll tell him about my idea."
Madam Zhao looked at Shen Jin, smiled and said, "Madam, in fact, even if you said you wanted to see that cousin, after you have seen her, I would have suggested that you handle it this way. Whether it is Steward Zhao or Chief Steward Wang, they always ask you about everything, and even if they have an idea, they still report it to you before they act. This is just to show respect for you."
Nanny Zhao didn't say anything more because saying too much would be too much.
Shen Jin was stunned for a moment and then understood in her heart. Both Manager Wang and Manager Zhao were expressing their attitudes to others. If they neglected to talk to Shen Jin for a long time and did not send any orders through Shen Jin, then the people below would inevitably look down on her and even follow her example. It is no joke that leaders lead by example. Moreover, with the abilities of Manager Wang and others, it is not difficult for them to undermine Shen Jin.
The reason why Nanny Zhao said this was because she was sincere to Shen Jin and was afraid that Shen Jin would look down on people like Manager Wang, which would be very disadvantageous to Shen Jin.
"I understand." Shen Jin shook Dongdong. Dongdong was now plump and white, with arms like lotus roots, one section after another. Shen Jin's arms became sore after holding him for a while, so he handed him to An Ning, then looked at Zhao Ma and said, "Thank you, Ma."
Madam Zhao said, "I hope Madam doesn't think I am meddling in other people's affairs."
"No, I know you are doing this for my own good." Shen Jin said.
Zhao Mama's eyes were particularly gentle. She knew Shen Jin was not the kind of proud person, but it was precisely because of her concern that she thought more about it. "By the way, Manager Zhao and the others told Madam not to worry. Although the Prince of Ying framed the Prince of Rui and forced the Prince of Rui into a difficult situation, the general is now by the Prince of Rui's side and will definitely bring Concubine Chen back safely."
Shen Jin listened to Zhao Ma's comfort. In fact, she was not worried about this matter at all, because her husband was there, and neither Zhao Ru nor Princess Rui would be willing to offend her now. How could they hold Concubine Chen hostage? How could they do such a thankless task? Therefore, Shen Jin never felt that dealing with smart people was dangerous, because smart people would weigh the gains and losses. What she feared most was dealing with people who thought they were smart.
But Shen Jin would not say these words. She liked other people's concern and kindness, so she said, "Well, that's good."
Madam Zhao looked at the sun and said, "Madam, it's time to go back."
Shen Jin nodded and said, "Ha, Dongdong should be hungry too."
When Dongdong heard his name, he turned his head and looked at Shen Jin. Shen Jin pulled his hat and said, "Mammy, I'll go in first."
"Okay." Nanny Zhao sent Shen Jin and others in, and then went out to arrange the matters of the cousin.
Shen Jin actually didn't think he could get any information from that cousin. If she really knew a lot, she wouldn't have been sent here by the Prince of England. She said so only to show her attitude. But did this cousin have something to rely on? Otherwise, how could she dare to make such a trip after doing such a thing?
After thinking for a while without figuring it out, Shen Jin put the matter aside and carried the child into the inner room. Dongdong was indeed hungry. As soon as Shen Jin put the child in her arms, he leaned against her chest and started eating with big mouthfuls.
Shen Jin thought about what that cousin relied on, but she didn't expect that her reliance was so great. When she was released, not only Chief Steward Wang and the others, but also Shen Jin were stunned. They looked at Madam Zhao and said, "Whose posthumous child did she say she had?"
"It's the general's third brother, Chu Xiuyao's." Nanny Zhao looked unhappy. "She said that when she found out she was pregnant, she gave birth to the child. She knew the general would not forgive her, and she did something wrong in a moment of confusion. She also felt ashamed, so she never came back. Now the child is in the hands of the prince of England, so she came this time."
"But, wasn't it my husband that she almost got engaged to?" Shen Jin was a little confused and asked hesitantly, but how did she get pregnant with Chu Xiuming's third brother's child?
Madam Zhao shook her head and said, "I don't know what's going on either."
This matter is difficult to handle now. Chu Xiuyao is no longer with us, and no one knows whether it is true or not. If it is true, this child is Chu Xiuyao's only son.
Shen Jin and Nanny Zhao looked at each other. The most important thing was that the child was still in the hands of the Prince of England!
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