The Royal Merchant of the Red Chamber

Everyone turned their heads, only to see the king of Dongping County coming in with his hands behind his back, dressed in Shiqing military uniform and with a crown on his head.He said with a smile, "Why don't you see me for a while, our Baoyu is going to be an abrupt nobleman?"

Everyone immediately got up to meet the king of Dongping County.Concubine Zhen said with a gentle smile: "That's not true, I was talking and playing with Pan'er. The prince just came back from the martial arts training ground?"

"Practicing martial arts is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. If you are lazy for a day, your bones will become crisp. But..." Dongping County King said, stretching his arms around Zhen's soft waist and teasing: "Even if you spend a whole day Practicing martial arts, this king will also break his bones when he sees his concubine."

"My lord." Concubine Zhen said coquettishly, and lightly hammered Dongping County King's generous chest with a powder fist, and said in disbelief, "There are others!"

"You can continue as if we don't exist." Xue Pan said immediately.

Concubine Zhen glared at Xue Pan, took a step back in embarrassment and left Dongping County King's confinement, turned around and ordered: "Make a cup of strong tea."

Xue Pan and Xue Pan both laughed and said nothing, they just looked at them treacherously.

After watching for a while, Concubine Zhen was the first to spit uncontrollably, and turned around with her skirt lifted.

"It's getting late, the concubine is going to arrange dinner."

In an instant, there were only three men left in the room.The king of Dongping waved his hand to screen away a room of maidservants, and said to Xue Pan, "You've been very busy recently, and you will be more and more honored by your majesty."

The declarative sentences are used, and there is a powerful aura between the words that cannot be ignored.It was half a smile but not a smile, as if two people close to each other were teasing each other, or it seemed to be the dissatisfaction and condemnation caused by it.Xue Pan looked at the Dongping County King who was staring at him with burning eyes, raised his eyebrows, and the fox asked: "Why do I have the illusion of being provoked by a male creature? Are you looking for the wrong person, my lord?"

Or take the wrong medicine?

The face of Dongping County King turned dark, and the aura that had been so easily gathered disappeared in smoke.

Zhen Baoyu let out a muffled laugh, and quickly grabbed the quilt and pretended to be asleep.From time to time, the eyes opened a small slit to watch.The King of Dongping County gave Zhen Baoyu a vicious look, and said in a muffled voice, "I just received the news that this year's duty of patrolling the border this year has been dismissed by the Holy Majesty."

Xue Pan was startled, and had a vague premonition.

Sure enough, the king of Dongping County stared at Xue Pan and said, "Yesterday, the Holy Majesty called me into the palace to discuss the matter of patrolling the border, and today there is news that I will be dismissed from patrolling the border. Only you Enter the palace and have a secret conversation with the Holy Majesty for several hours... What did you say to the Holy Majesty?"

Xue Pan blinked innocently, and asked, "I just came out of the palace and didn't know anything, how do you know the news in the palace?"

King Dongping was speechless for a while when asked.Just now, he was in a hurry to question Xue Pan, but he forgot that the source of the news he got was not upright.

Xue Pan let out an "oh" pretending to be suddenly enlightened, and said in a leisurely manner, "Did you arrange a mole in the palace?"

The king of Dongping County was startled, and subconsciously retorted: "You are talking nonsense. This king is loyal to the Holy Majesty, how could he do such sneaky things."

Xue Pan shrugged his shoulders, and replied disapprovingly: "This matter has nothing to do with loyalty or disloyalty. There is a saying in military strategists that only by knowing yourself and your enemy can you win every battle. I still know this."

Hearing what Xue Pan said, Duke Dongping heaved a sigh of relief.But I heard Xue Pan continue to say: "But the prince is a king with a different surname, but he knows the situation in the palace so well. I'm afraid..."

The king of Dongping County was expressionless, but he felt a little regretful in his heart.Because of the brothers and sisters of the Zhen family, he vaguely regarded Xue Pan as one of his own, and even vaguely regarded the Xue family as the Jiangnan Zhen family, completely forgetting the current identity of the Xue family.This caused him to be less careful in doing things. He just heard the news from the palace, and subconsciously came over to question him.Unexpectedly, no matter how good the relationship between Xue Pan and Zhen Baoyu is, and no matter how closely linked the four major families are, the identity of the Xue family will be different from the others after all...

Xue Pan didn't know the endless thoughts in Dongping County King's heart.Xue Pan always believed that it was normal for the courtiers to grasp the information in the palace.What's more, Tu Zhen's real secret will not be known to others.As for the news that Dongping County King has now received...

Xue Pan was almost certain that Tu Zhen had probably revealed it to the King of Dongping on purpose.It's just that Xue Pan still can't guess why Tu Zhen did this.What is even more difficult to guess is whether Tu Zhen had thought about it long ago, or whether it was a temporary idea after he learned that he went directly to the Dongping County Palace after leaving the palace.Or maybe this matter has nothing to do with Tu Zhen at all, but other people are going to mix up the water...

But did other people know about the conversation between Tu Zhen and Xue Pan in the warm pavilion?

Because he couldn't be sure what the truth was, Xue Pan didn't know how to reply.Weigh in mind for a moment.Pretending to be casual and asking: "What kind of news did you get?"

The king of Dongping County secretly took two deep breaths to calm his mind, and then replied softly: "What I am concerned about is what you said in Qianqing Palace and the Holy Majesty?"

The matter of selling opium and searching for the New World is an absolute secret. Xue Pan didn't even tell Xue Zhizhang, let alone the Dongping County King.Immediately laughed and laughed and said: "What can I do if I go to the Qing Palace? It's just a matter of offering gifts on the Longevity Festival. How can it be involved in the matter of the prince."

"Really?" Duke Dongping dubiously believed it, but based on his information analysis, he really couldn't guess that his position change had anything to do with Xue Pan.However, he was still a little unwilling, pondered for a moment, and asked again: "It's just two new plays, why do you need to enter the palace to bother the Holy Majesty?"

It was a bit unreasonable to ask this question, but fortunately Xue Pan didn't take it seriously, and immediately slightly hooked the corners of his mouth and said casually: "The so-called affection is all from the place. Whether it is the relationship between the monarch and his ministers or the relationship between relatives and friends, there is no interaction. There is no intimacy and friendship. I often sway in front of the Holy One, just to let him remember that there is such a person as me."

Although what he said was superficial, it was indeed true.The King of Dongping County nodded thoughtfully, and fell silent.

He stopped talking, but Xue Pan started to ask questions. "What kind of news did you get tonight?"

The king of Dongping County deliberately questioned Xue Pan in front of Zhen Baoyu. The main reason was that he hoped that Xue Pan would not do things that would harm others or benefit himself because of his sympathy.But now Xue Pan took advantage of this point and turned against the general, he couldn't help being stunned.

Seeing this, Xue Pan was amused.

You are not the only one who can play the emotional card.Since you are determined to build yourself into a brave person with a straightforward mind and a blunt personality, I am also happy to cooperate.Immediately opened his mouth to persuade: "Although I don't know what news the lord has received, but from my point of view, there must be a misunderstanding. Maybe someone is sowing discord. If the lord is trustworthy, you can tell the truth about it. Let’s take a look at it. I can also think about it, whether there is room for maneuver. Of course, if there is a place where Xue Pan can serve, he will go through fire and water, and he will not hesitate.”

Xue Pan's words were sincere, and the king of Dongping County was naturally not easy to refute.Immediately said the matter exactly.

In fact, there is no twists and turns in the plot.It was just a matter of going to the palace yesterday to discuss with the Holy Master about patrolling the border. This was just a routine matter, and the King of Dongping didn't care about it.After discussing the general scope of the inspection with the Holy Master, King Dongping left the palace.

According to the rules, the king of Dongping County can officially leave until the beginning of March.

Unexpectedly, news suddenly came out from the palace tonight that the saint had the intention of repenting.Another official was selected to inspect the south. As for the arrangement of the King of Dongping... I don't believe it. After hearing the story of the King of Dongping, Xue Pan frowned and asked, "Your Majesty, can you ensure the accuracy of this news?"

The Duke of Dongping replied without hesitation: "Naturally."

Xue Pan looked thoughtfully at King Dongping.The king of Dongping County's heart shuddered, and he felt a little regretful.The four kings with different surnames are powerful and have a deep and stable foundation, which is something that the Dayong Dynasty had already had since the establishment of the dynasty, otherwise they would not have been named kings with different surnames.A strong power will inevitably involve branches and vines, and it is normal to have some eyeliner in the palace.Although everyone didn't say it on the stage, they all knew it well.The king of Dongping County deliberately revealed this news in front of Xue Pan, firstly to show his hand, and secondly to exert pressure.But so far, neither of these goals has been achieved.Not only that, some things were brought to the fore, as long as Xue Pan was smart enough, he could learn a lot of things by following the clues.

He made abrupt movements, although he was a little bit genuine, but he was more of an act to express his opinion, wouldn't the gains outweigh the losses, right?

Regardless of how anxious he is.Besides, Xue Pan was also suspicious for a while.

Whether it is selling opium or opening up new continents, pirates and sea ships stationed in the Ryukyu area are indispensable.Since this is a big matter, the more concealed the action, the better. Why did Tu Zhen spread the news of changing generals at this juncture?

Surround Wei and save Zhao, or bring disaster to the east?Or was it someone else's frightening?

Xue Pan suddenly had the urge to go back to the palace and ask for clarification.It's just that he knows that this is impossible, not only that, but he even tried not to enter the palace recently, so as not to attract the attention of interested people.But……

It's a long story, but everything happened in the blink of an eye.Xue Pan immediately laughed and said, "When I left the palace, I didn't hear anything from the Holy Majesty about patrolling the border. I went all the way to Dongping Palace without even having dinner. How could I expect the prince to receive such news."

The king of Dongping County heard the sound and asked: "You suspect that the news about this king is false."

"After all, what I said is true." Xue Pan said disapprovingly.

Seeing Xue Pan's determined and calm appearance, the king of Dongping County was also a little suspicious.He also didn't think that a courtier like a plaything would let the Holy Majesty change the old calendar of Wang Xunbian with a different surname.Just like what Xue Pan said, maybe he heard it wrong and I don't know.

Thinking of this, Duke Dongping felt relieved for some reason.He said with a smile: "Perhaps this king's people have misunderstood. The action is rash, but it is abrupt, young master."

Xue Pan smiled and said: "Where is the prince talking? The four kings and eight princes are in the same spirit, one is prosperous and the other is harmed. Counting from the ancestors, they are friends and allies. If the prince does not despise me as a little brother, hurry up." Stay away from these heretical words."

When the king of Dongping County heard the words, he looked Xue Pan up and down.Immediately smiled and said: "From the first time I saw you, this king has treated you like Baoyu. If you really recognize my elder brother, you will have to have a few drinks with this king at dinner later." yes."

"Since that's the case, it's better to be respectful than obedient. It's just that I don't drink too much, and my wine taste is not very good. Please don't blame me, my lord."

"Just now you said I was a layman, wouldn't your words be more outrageous..."

So under the warm greetings, everyone tacitly did not mention the matter of patrolling the border.

After a while, the concubine Zhen, who was like a fairy concubine, walked back with graceful and enchanting steps.Behind them are rows of beautiful maidservants Jiao'e, each with a good figure and pretty complexion.Serving delicate dishes one after another.Concubine Zhen actually stood beside the King of Dongping and served vegetables herself.

On the surface, it looked like a small family feast, with only the king of Dongping County, side concubine Zhen, Zhen Baoyu and Xue Pan present at the banquet.Apart from the strict feudal ethics, the meal was warm and pleasant.

During this period, Concubine Zhen frequently gave Zhen Baoyu and Xue Pan two dishes as if before she got married.The king of Dongping County kept drinking with his wine glass, chatting with Xue Pan about the situation in Beijing from time to time, and caring about Zhen Baoyu Chunwei's achievements.

After thirty days of drinking, there is nothing abnormal.Except that the king of Dongping County began to faintly persuade him to drink.Xue Pan was secretly amused, so he simply pretended to be bold and grabbed the wine jug and poured the wine into his mouth. He drank the wine eagerly and almost choked.After belching twice, he shook his head in a daze, and sang with a stretched neck: "Sell my love, and leave behind my back. When I finally found out the truth, I shed tears—"

The king of Dongping County was taken aback for a while.

Zhen Baoyu stood up immediately and said with a smile: "Pan'er really doesn't drink well, and he likes to sing songs when he's drunk. Besides, he doesn't sing serious songs, but he likes to sing pornographic songs like this."

Concubine Zhen also smoothed things over with embarrassment: "The concubine also heard about this rumor when she was in Jinling. But Pan'er was still young at that time, and he was never allowed to drink at home. Therefore, the concubine has never seen it with her own eyes. Now It’s quite a long experience.”

The king of Dongping County nodded woodenly, expressing his understanding.

Zhen Baoyu grabbed the dancing Xue Pan with one hand, and asked, "What should we do now?"

"Why don't you arrange for Pan'er to stay in a wing room in the outer courtyard, and wait until you wake up tomorrow before talking." Concubine Zhen said cautiously.

Zhen Baoyu frowned and retorted: "That can't be done, didn't you hear what Pan'er said! He went straight to our mansion after leaving the palace. I think the Zhongxinhou's mansion didn't know about it. I don't see him going back so late, Uncle Xue and Aunt Xue will be in a hurry."

"Then just send a boy to Zhongxinhou's Mansion to report a letter. It's so late, the wind is very hard, and the cold is heavy, what if it freezes?" Zhen Zhenfei said with a concerned face.

Hearing the two brothers and sisters chatting for a while, King Dongping frowned, and replied in a deep voice: "What Wan'er said is true. The weather is cold, if he really suffers from typhoid fever, it will appear that our palace can't tolerate people."

Xue Pan suddenly stopped singing and said seriously: "It's okay, when I came here, the maid at home wrapped a big fur cloak with feather veil and fox fur. I was too hot at first, but now it's just right for me to wear."

The three of them were startled, and Duke Dongping asked, "Are you drunk?"

"I'm not drunk, who said I'm drunk?" Xue Pan stared, and retorted: "You are drunk, your whole family is drunk."

King Dongping: "..."