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Shui Rong didn't care and waved his hand, saying, "Okay, leave the White Jade Guanyin behind and take the rest of the gift list back with you."
Xue Baochai bowed and responded, looking at Xiangling with her almond-shaped eyes, and said in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, I will send someone to deliver Xiangling's indenture to the palace when I return."
Baochai had previously given Xiangling to the prince, and the prince released her brother the next instant. How could he not know the twists and turns involved?
Shui Rong did not refute, but admired Baochai's intelligence more and more in his heart. She was indeed a lovely person with a sharp mind.
Thinking of this, Shui Rong suddenly asked, "I heard that your Xue family went to the capital to be selected into the palace. Is this true?"
Baochai's almond-shaped eyes moved slightly when she heard this. She guessed why the prince asked about this matter. With doubt, Baochai replied in a clear voice: "Your Highness, it is true, but I have been suffering from fever since I was a child, so I cannot serve the royal family, so I was not selected. I am sorry to make you laugh."
After saying this, Baochai's face showed a little embarrassment. After all, failing the selection was not something worth publicizing. If the prince had not asked her this time, she would not have said it.
Shui Rong didn't take it seriously. Baochai only mentioned the heat poison and nothing else, because it was even harder to talk about the other things. But it didn't matter, as she was eliminated anyway.
After a pause, Shui Rong played with the rosary on his wrist and said nonchalantly, "Miss Xue, there is no need to belittle yourself. Even if the royal family in the palace doesn't like her, it's hard to say whether the royal family outside the palace will like her. I just don't know if Miss Xue has this intention."
The so-called heavenly family refers to the royal family. Prince Beijing's Mansion also belongs to the heavenly family, and it happens to be outside the palace. It is impossible for Xue Baochai not to understand this clear indication.
When Baochai heard this, her heart was shocked. Could it be that the prince had taken a liking to her?
Previously, she was worried about her brother and did not pay much attention to it. Baochai could not help but raise her eyes slightly, and glanced at the prince in the hall with her bright almond-shaped eyes. She saw that he was wearing a goose yellow robe with gold edges, like a jade figure cast from a flawless jade. Even if he was sitting there quietly, he had a unique charm and gave people a sense of luxury.
Everyone has a love for beauty. With the luxurious setting, the image of a perfect man suddenly appeared in Baochai's mind, making the beautiful woman lower her head and her heart tremble slightly.
At this time, Aunt Xue was ecstatic. She thought it was a disaster for the Xue family, but unexpectedly it was an opportunity for the Xue family. Now her son was safe and sound, and her daughter was favored by a nobleman. This was a double happiness.
This is because the Prince of Beijing has taken a fancy to his own daughter. He doesn't dare to ask for the position of the principal wife, but the position of a concubine is not a bad idea. Even if he takes a step back, having a concubine would not be bad either.
For a moment, the second son of the second branch of the Duke of Rong's Mansion was instantly forgotten, and he hurriedly said: "If he can serve the royal family, it will be a blessing for the Xue family!"
Shui Rong raised his eyes and glanced at Aunt Xue, not caring about her eagerness. If he put himself in her shoes, it would be difficult for an orphan and a widow to manage the huge Xue family. In addition, this was an era of male dominance and female inferiority, so her situation was even more difficult. If she didn't seek support, how could she survive?
In the original novel, didn’t the Xue family take a fancy to Jia Baoyu because of his background in the Rongguo Mansion?
At present, the power of Prince Beijing's Mansion is greater, and the benefits it brings are much higher than those of the second son of the second wife.
Unless it is like in the original novel, where Jia Yuanchun is named a noble concubine and Jia Baoyu becomes a royal relative, if not, it would be far from the truth.
Shui Rong did not respond to Aunt Xue's enthusiasm, but smiled and said, "Miss Xue, I think you are also worried about your brother, so go pick him up first!"
Upon hearing this, Baochai looked up at the gentle Shui Rong, not knowing what he meant. However, Shui Rong was right. The most urgent thing should be to pick up her brother.
Thinking of this, Baochai bowed gracefully and then said goodbye to Aunt Xue and left.
Looking at Baochai's departing figure, Shui Rong didn't say much. Today he just wanted to take a look at her true appearance and there was no rush. If he spoke today, it might be suspected of blackmail.
The most important thing is that the Princess of Beijing County is about to enter the mansion. It is not convenient to cause trouble at this time. Perhaps it will be more convenient to go through the selection process. She can legitimately take him into the mansion, and it will also let the palace know, killing two birds with one stone.
As for Xiangling, her status as a maid was not a big deal.
After the Xue family mother and daughter left, Yingluo looked at Xiangling who was lying on the ground and asked, "My Lord, is this girl sent to Miss Qin?"
Not to mention whether the prince has taken a fancy to the daughter of the Xue family, she cannot have a say due to her status. So what should she do with the maid who was sent here?
Shui Rong glanced at Ying Luo and said, "It's hard for you to serve me alone. How about this? Xiang Ling will stay with me so that she can help you."
After all, it was quite tiring for Yingluo to serve him alone, so he simply let Xiangling stay by his side to reduce Yingluo's burden.
Moreover, Concubine Beijing had asked Shui Rong to replenish the staff several times, so wasn't it just a coincidence that Xiangling came?
Yingluo raised her eyebrows when she heard that. She had never said that it was hard work, so what did he mean by helping her? It was obvious that the prince was hiding something.
Although Yingluo had some guesses in her heart, what could she do if the prince liked her? Anyway, there would be more and more people around the prince, it was only a matter of time.
Shui Rong found it funny when he saw Ying Luo pursing her lips. This little slut sometimes had a bad temper, but mostly she just liked to act like a spoiled brat in front of him. She was very well behaved in everything else.
Thinking of this, Shui Rong ignored her and looked at Xiang Ling who was kneeling on the ground. He said warmly: "Xiang Ling, you will stay in the palace from now on. If you have any questions, just ask Ying Luo."
There are many rules in the palace, and Xiangling is bound to make mistakes when she first arrives. At this time, she needs someone to teach her the rules. Yingluo is a good candidate. This little slut is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and she cannot afford to make any mistakes.
Chapter 67 Keqing: Your Majesty, this looks exactly like you?
Beijing Prince's Mansion, Ning'an Hall.
The graceful and elegant Concubine Beijing half-leaned on the soft couch, her almond-shaped eyes looking at Keqing who was tying her brocade, and her heart became more and more suspicious.
Compared to the past, Keqing seems to have changed a lot today. Her almond-shaped eyes are like autumn water, and her charming and delicate cheeks are even more rosy, as if they are moisturized.
As an experienced person, Concubine Beijing had some guesses in her mind, but seeing that she was still a virgin, she couldn't help but feel confused.
After all, in the mind of Concubine Beijing, the prince is high and mighty, so how could he serve others without being bothered by the dirt?
After thinking for a moment, Concubine Beijing asked without further ado, "Keqing, what are you hitting?"
Keqing was concentrating on knitting a silk scarf. When she heard the Dowager Concubine Beijing asking, she replied, "The prince wants some hand towels. Let me help you knit a few."
Hearing this, Concubine Beijing couldn't help but purse her lips and smile, and said, "Brother Rong, there are so many sweat towels in the mansion, but you just want to beat him. You don't know how to feel sorry for others."
Upon hearing this, Keqing lowered her eyes and said nothing, her cheeks flushed with heat. She knew the prince's intention in asking her to prepare a few more sweat towels. When she talked about this, Keqing felt ashamed to face people. What a fool the prince was. How could she be so unbearable? Yet he insisted on asking her to prepare a few sweat towels as backup. Wasn't this a joke?
How could she say such embarrassing words in front of Concubine Beijing? So she could only lower her head, look down and remain silent.
Upon seeing this, Concubine Beijing did not say much. Instead, she became worried about her son's situation. Not to mention the plain appearance of Yingluo, who was taking care of him, even the sight of Keqing was enough to make one's legs go weak. Yet he could still resist and did not violate her body.
However, Concubine Beijing knew that Shui Rong was close to Yingluo and Keqing, which proved that he was still a normal man. She felt relieved. Maybe her son wanted to find a new way. If it didn't work, why not find a few handsome boys to help Shui Rong open his mind? It would always be a little better.
Just as Concubine Beijing was concentrating on making plans for her beloved son, Shui Rong walked in, stepped forward and greeted, "Your son greets you, mother."
Seeing Shui Rong coming, Concubine Beijing sat up straight, her delicate face full of smiles, and her eyes looked at Shui Rong lovingly.
Shui Rong sat down next to Concubine Beijing with ease. Perhaps because Concubine Beijing had been leaning on the couch for too long, there was a soft and greasy fragrance on her, which made Shui Rong wrinkle his nose.
Concubine Beijing reached out her hand to help Shui Rong straighten her clothes. After some greetings, Shui Rong said in a clear voice, "Mother, I got a maid today. Please take a look at her."
The maidservant was naturally Xiangling, and there was a purpose behind asking Concubine Beijing for her opinion.
After all, Xiangling had just arrived, and if she was not careful, she might break the rules of the palace. Therefore, Shui Rong made it clear to the Dowager Concubine Beijing, in the hope that she would be more lenient towards her and not punish her for trivial matters.
After that, Shui Rong waved his hand, and Xiang Ling timidly stepped forward, bowed and said, "Your servant Xiang Ling, pays respect to the Concubine Dowager."
Concubine Beijing had a strange look on her face, and looked at Xiangling with curiosity. She wondered what kind of maid was she that the well-behaved and polite Shui Rong would take her in.
Xiangling was seen wearing a small paddy field jacket with a jade-colored, red, green, and velvet-like three-color satin band, a willow-green sweat towel tied around her neck, and water-red floral trousers underneath.
There was nothing wrong with the maid's dress. After all, Prince Beijing's Mansion was a royal family and the rules were different from those of ordinary people. Even Yingluo, the "future concubine", had to pay attention to her clothes, let alone the new Xiangling. Therefore, Shui Rong asked Xiangling to change into suitable clothes first.
Concubine Beijing looked at Xiangling and saw her character. Her eyes couldn't help but glance at Keqing beside her. She suddenly realized something and looked at Shui Rong with a playful look.
Keqing, who was standing by, was also surprised. How could this maid be so similar to her? Could it be that the prince looked exactly like her?
Thinking of this, Keqing felt sweet in her heart, and her eyes became brighter and brighter as she looked at Shuirong. She had reviewed the book again yesterday!
When Concubine Beijing heard Shui Rong's solemn introduction, she understood. However, the more she looked at Xiangling's character, the more suspicious she became. She couldn't help but look at Keqing and asked, "Keqing, remember that you were adopted by the Qin family from Yangshengtang?"
Keqing was stunned when she heard this, and she understood what Concubine Beijing meant. She looked at Xiangling with her almond-shaped eyes and said softly, "I have been in Yangshengtang since I can remember, and I don't know anything else."
Shui Rong understood what he said. In fact, from the moment he saw Xiangling, he also thought that Keqing and Xiangling were long-lost sisters. However, Shui Rong knew Xiangling's background. She was the only daughter of Zhen Shiyin from Jiangnan and had no other sisters.
Seeing the suspicion on Concubine Beijing's jade face, Shui Rong explained: "Xiangling is from Jiangnan. I guess she has nothing to do with Keqing. They just look similar."
Those who came from Jiangnan might not be real sisters. Maybe their family moved to Jiangnan for some reason, or maybe Xiangling was taken to Jiangnan by a kidnapper.
However, Concubine Beijing was just curious. The truth was not important. Since Shui Rong had refuted the rumor, she did not say anything more. Instead, she smiled and said, "Since you like it, just keep it."
Concubine Beijing did not control Shui Rong too much. She was even happy to see this happen. It was good for her son's backyard to be lively and bustling.
After that, Concubine Beijing looked at Xiangling and said kindly, "Xiangling, right? Your salary will be the same as that of a maid. In the future, you will serve the prince wholeheartedly."
Shui Rong was delighted when he saw this. As a head maid, she belonged to Shui Rong's household and was also recognized by Concubine Beijing. Her status was unique and no one in the mansion dared to underestimate her.
Rongguo Gongfu, Lixiangyuan.
The table in the house was filled with delicacies. Xue Pan sat on the brocade stool carelessly, not caring about his manners, and started to eat the delicious duck leg, like a starving ghost reincarnated.
Seeing this, Aunt Xue was filled with pity and said hurriedly, "Slow down, no one is competing with you for it."
Xue Pan rolled up his sleeves and wiped his mouth, complaining, "Mom, you don't know, the food in the prison smells so bad, it's not edible. I'm almost starving to death."
The conditions in prison were not suitable for a nobleman, and Shui Rong had informed him in advance, so there was no special treatment at all. This made Xue Pan live a miserable life. After being released with great difficulty, he had to take some supplements.
Aunt Xue sighed softly upon hearing this, and scolded in a rather ironic tone, "How dare you say that? I reminded you not to cause trouble when we went to the capital, but you must cause a mess."
When talking about this, Xue Pan was filled with anger and cursed: "Who knew that the crooked thing was so petty."
When Aunt Xue heard Xue Pan scolding the prince, her face turned pale and she quickly scolded: "That's the Prince of Beijing County, how could he tolerate a wicked creature like you, Hu Qin."
Xue Pan was shocked when he heard this. He guessed that the other party was of noble status, but he didn't expect that the other party was actually a prince. Brother Feng was too unfair for not even telling him.
Knowing the other party's identity, Xue Pan looked a little sullen. He lowered his head to eat and stopped cursing.
Aunt Xue reached out and knocked on Xue Pan's head. She couldn't help but feel sad and cried, "You troublesome evil creature, be more obedient in the future. If anything happens to you, who can I and your sister rely on?"
If Xue Pan were gone, this orphan and widowed mother would have been treated cruelly by others.
Although Xue Pan was a bad guy, he cared a lot about his mother. Seeing Aunt Xue crying, he comforted her, "Mom, don't cry. I won't make trouble anymore."
Xue Baochai, who was standing by, didn't take it seriously. How could she not know her brother's character? Every time something happened, he admitted his mistakes but never changed. Yet, her mother believed him every time.
Sighing, Baochai turned her almond-shaped eyes slightly and asked, "Brother, how did you offend the prince?"
Xue Pan's mouth twitched when he heard this. Although Feng Ziying did not specify his identity, he had repeatedly warned him not to spread it. Now that he knew the other party's identity, he dared not speak nonsense.
Besides, how could he be asked to talk about such things? You couldn't say that he was "lusting after beauty".
Thinking of this, Xue Pan's eyes rolled and he said vaguely, "Nothing, just a quarrel."
Baochai was puzzled when she heard this. Although she had only met Prince Beijing briefly, judging from his personal cultivation, he did not seem to be such a petty person. It seemed that there must be some hidden story.
However, since Xue Pan didn't say anything, Baochai didn't dare to ask too much. She just thought about the prince, and her cheeks became slightly drunk. She didn't know what the prince meant, whether he liked her or not. If he did, why didn't he say a word? If not, why did he say anything?
No one knows a daughter better than her mother. Ever since Baochai asked Aunt Xue about the affairs of Prince Beijing, she already knew the whole story. She cared more about Prince Beijing's affairs than Baochai did. Judging from the prince's words, it was obvious that he had taken a liking to his own daughter.
Thinking of this, Aunt Xue felt a little regretful. She had been interested in Baoyu before and had said something about "a perfect match made in heaven", which now seemed inappropriate.
Fortunately, it's just a joke and I hope it won't cause any trouble.
After eating and drinking to his heart's content, Xue Pan patted his belly with satisfaction, looking quite adorable, which made Aunt Xue couldn't help but smile.
"Mom, where is that damn girl Xiangling? She didn't even know how to greet me when I came back. What a wicked bitch."
Xue Pan hadn't seen Xiangling since he came back. He didn't pay much attention to it at that time, but now that he had eaten and drunk his fill, he started to think about Xiangling.
Aunt Xue was stunned when she heard this. She knew that Xue Pan liked Xiangling very much, otherwise he would not have beaten her to death. But now she has been sent to Prince Beijing's Palace, and she cannot be brought back even if she wants.
After a pause, Aunt Xue said, "Xiangling has been sent to Prince Beijing's mansion."