Chapter 72 Returning to Beijing and Entering the Palace
Before leaving, Zhao Xiaofei gave Feng Shengshi and Zhao Xinhui some glassware. He let them know he was trying to win them over, but they didn't meet. It wasn't the time to wander around, so he packed up. Over 300 people pulled empty carts and took the main road back to Beijing.
Taking the main road was much faster, and they arrived at Zhengyang Gate in two days. The escorts followed Zhou Shuai, Wanshan, Li Deliang and others back to the escort agency. Mao Jiu was fired by Zhao Xiaofei for disobeying orders and acting on his own.
Mao Jiu didn't express dissatisfaction, as he had made a lot of money this time. However, he still kowtowed to Zhao Xiaofei, thanking him for his kindness. Then he rode away from the capital, and it was unknown where he went.
After settling everyone, Zhao Xiaofei took Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu back to the Prince Consort's residence. As soon as they entered the residence, they saw Princess Kunxing running towards them. Zhao Xiaofei opened his arms, hugged Princess Kunxing, and began to spin around.
"Husband! You are finally back!" Princess Kunxing was almost in tears.
"It hasn't been a few days since you left. Besides, when I had nothing to do, I went to Yanyu Tower to meditate in seclusion for several days, but I didn't see you so sad." Zhao Xiaofei said while hugging Kunxing.
"That's different! At least I know you are fine and I can find you anytime! I have been worried to death every day since I went to Tianjin." Princess Kunxing really shed tears this time.
"Don't cry, don't cry! You won't be pretty if you cry! Let's go back to the house and talk. The servants are still here!" Zhao Xiaofei didn't really care, but as soon as he said the servants were still there, Princess Kunxing stopped crying immediately. She didn't want to lose her dignity in front of the servants.
Just as the couple was about to turn around and go back into the house, they heard someone shouting from behind, "Prince Consort Zhao Xiaofei, receive the order!"
A thousand horses were galloping through Zhao Xiaofei's heart. Even Princess Kunxing was complaining. Was his father really trying to make things difficult for the two of them?
Zhao Xiaofei turned around and saw that it was Wang Chengen. He immediately put on a smile and asked, "Hey! Eunuch Wang, what brings you here?" The princess also came over to pay her respects, but Wang Chengen avoided her.
Wang Chengen said to Zhao Xiaofei with a forced smile, "Of course I'm here on the Emperor's orders! His Majesty has heard about the Prince Consort sending his beloved across thousands of miles, and he specifically instructed me to bring you to the Emperor as soon as you return home. Is that right?"
"Eunuch Wang, please wait a moment while I change my clothes," Zhao Xiaofei said. He hadn't changed his clothes or showered in almost a week. He felt terribly uncomfortable.
"Okay! The emperor said that you should go to see him right away! You don't need to change your clothes. I think your Highness looks very heroic in this warrior outfit!" Wang Chengen said with a smile.
"Eunuch Wang, you have worked hard. Why don't you come in and have a cup of tea!" said Princess Kunxing.
"I don't deserve it! Please understand me, Princess. I am just following orders!" Wang Chengen knew that the princess was reluctant to leave her husband after just seeing him. But don't you think that it would be hard for you to see your husband seeing off another woman?
"Then let's go, Eunuch Wang!" Zhao Xiaofei knew he couldn't hide, so he had to follow. Princess Kunxing wanted to go forward, but Wang Chengen turned around to block the princess. He saluted and said, "Princess, there's no need to see me off. The prince consort will be back soon!"
Just like that, Zhao Xiaofei was summoned to the palace by Chongzhen before he even sat down at home. Before entering the palace, Zhao Xiaofei wanted to find out what Emperor Chongzhen meant from the side, but Wang Chengen just didn't say anything.
Arriving at the Yangxin Palace, Chongzhen was reviewing memorials, and Zhao Xiaofei was kneeling on the ground. Chongzhen glanced up at him, then lowered his head to write something. He asked, "I heard you went to Tianjin? How was it? How big a deal did you make this time? Did the prince consort need to go there in person?"
"Your Majesty! We've earned hundreds of thousands of taels of silver, and after deducting the costs, we've made at least 60,000 taels in profit. I'll send someone to deliver 30,000 taels to the imperial treasury tomorrow, and that will relieve your Majesty's worries!" Zhao Xiaofei said. He thought to himself that the Imperial Guards had finally discovered his secret departure from the capital. It seemed he wouldn't get through this day without some hard work!
"Oh! It seems that business is good! But why did I hear that you were going to Tianjin this time to see off your confidante? Is Kunxing not on good terms with her? Do you want me to call Kunxing into the palace and let the Queen explain to her what the Three Obediences and Four Virtues are?" Chongzhen spoke sarcastically.
Zhao Xiaofei thought, Hey! I've already paid the silver, why do you have to do this? Unfortunately, he didn't dare to say it. He knelt on the ground and said, "The princess is extremely virtuous and is a model for royal women. She is also tolerant towards my concubine!"
"Since Kunxing is virtuous, why do you favor a concubine so much? The news of you sending your beauty thousands of miles away has spread throughout the capital! I heard that some teahouses are singing about the love between you and Miss Li, flying together like wings. It is said that the princess used cruel means to prevent you from being together, forcing you to send her to Jiangnan!" Chongzhen said.
Zhao Xiaofei thought to himself: Damn it! Who? Come out! I swear I will never kill you, you gossipy liar.
"Your Majesty! I asked Li to go to Jiangnan to take care of the business and to make more income for the mansion. I can also share your worries!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"I know that you have a patriotic heart! But people's words are scary! You left the capital without permission, which is a serious crime, right? Why didn't you report to the police when you encountered bandits on the road?" Chongzhen said.
"I think it's better to have less trouble than more, so I won't cause trouble for the local government." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, in addition to those who want to kill you, their families should also be beheaded. You are too soft-hearted. You gave money to those women and children and let them escape. What do you think?" Chongzhen asked.
"Your Majesty! These women are weak. They have no ability to stop their husbands, and they don't have any survival skills. Where can they go with their children? I feel sorry for them and can't bear to execute them. So I gave them all the silver that I couldn't take away so that they could have a way to survive." Zhao Xiaofei said.
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