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Shui Rong already knew that Prince Yong was working in the Ministry of War. Although the Governor's Office and the Ministry of War were two parallel military agencies, they both cooperated with each other and restrained each other.
Some time ago, the Central Military Governor's Office reorganized its jurisdiction and promoted many generals. However, the Governor's Office only had the right to nominate but not the right to appoint, so the promotion documents were submitted to the Ministry of War.
After taking the document, Shui Rong roughly scanned it and found nothing wrong with it. At present, all the officers in the jurisdiction of the Central Military Governor's Office were promoted by him, so the group seemed much more stable.
Prince Yong was eating a cold melon, but his eyes were always on Shui Rong. Seeing that Shui Rong was indifferent, he said, "Sixteenth uncle, I have just started working in the Ministry of War, and I am not very clear about many matters. If there is anything unclear in the future, I hope you can enlighten me."
Shui Rong looked up at Prince Yong after hearing this and said with a smile, "My nephew, I am from the Governor's Office and I am not as knowledgeable as you about the Ministry of War. How can I teach you?"
Although the Governor's Office and the Ministry of War have many connections, they are ultimately two parallel military agencies. Anyone who tries to get close to Shui Rong by using the Ministry of War's affairs is just dreaming!
Prince Yong raised his eyes and glanced at Shui Rong. His expression was normal, but he felt a little annoyed in his heart. After all, he had shown his goodwill many times, but Shui Rong's attitude was always indifferent. He felt inexplicably unhappy.
After chatting for a while, Shui Rong remained indifferent. After sending Prince Yong away, he didn't care.
However, Shui Rong understood Prince Yong's behavior very well. The prince had a high status, but it was also a shackle. When you are in that position, it is not up to you whether to fight for it or not. Many things are beyond your control.
The fight for the throne has always been dangerous. Apart from other things, none of Shui Rong's brothers had a good ending except King Zhongshun. When he was still a prince, he did not participate in it because of his young age. Now that he has been adopted out of the main line, with his status and position, there is no need for him to get involved. After all, no matter how much he fights for it, the throne will never fall on him.
Even if Shui Rong wanted to preserve the power of Prince Beijing's Mansion and take part in the fight for the throne, regardless of his talents, he was not optimistic about Prince Yong.
Although Prince Yong was the second legitimate son, the early death of Empress Zhang and the promotion of Empress Zhou weakened his presence in front of Emperor Yongkang. He also had a fatal weakness, which was that he had no offspring to this day.
There are many options for the throne. If a prince like Prince Yong who has no children ascends the throne one day, how can he establish a stable foundation for the country? By then, the people in the court may be unstable and everyone will be uncertain, causing turmoil in the court.
In Shui Rong's opinion, Emperor Yongkang was not a foolish and incompetent ruler, so it was absolutely impossible for him to choose Prince Yong.
After thinking about it carefully, Shui Rong felt that there was something fishy about Prince Yong having no children. Such tactics were extremely common in the palace. There were also rumors that Prince Yong was inhumane due to illness, but it was not known whether it was true or not.
Regardless of whether it is true or not, the fact that such secret information can be leaked is problematic in itself.
Judging from the current situation, the beneficiaries of Prince Yong's downfall are the other princes, and the biggest beneficiaries among the other princes are Prince Le and Prince An, because once Prince Yong is eliminated, these two legitimate sons will have more legitimate status.
After Empress Zhang passed away, it was Empress Zhou who raised Prince Yong. Wow. The palace struggles were always cruel, and Empress Zhou was able to stand out from them. Shui Rong never underestimated her from beginning to end. After marrying Yuanchun, he met Empress Zhou when he went to the palace to express his gratitude. At that time, he told Yuanchun to stay away from this woman.
But what do these things have to do with him? He has already escaped from the vortex.
Chapter 197: Atonement
Prince Beijing’s Palace, Tianxiang Tower.
Shui Rong came back from the Governor's Mansion and went to Tianxiang Tower to visit Keqing. As for the matter of Prince Yong today, he had already forgotten it. At this moment, he sat on the embroidered couch, hugged Keqing's slender body, rubbed her ears, and the plumpness of his fingertips touched his heart. Shui Rong couldn't help but sigh: "Ke'er seems to be a little fatter than when she first entered the mansion."
When Keqing entered the palace in her early years, she was graceful and delicate. Now, while she is delicate, she has also become a lot plumper. Perhaps it is because the food in the palace is good and nourishing, or it may be because of Shui Rong's care that has never let Keqing be idle for too long.
Upon hearing this, Keqing's charming and delicate face suddenly turned red, and her pair of bright eyes looked at the young man. She pressed the mischievous hand with her bare hands and pouted her cherry lips and said, "Does the prince like the old one or the current one?"
Shui Rong chuckled and lowered his eyes to look at the beauty in his arms. This beauty with "illusionary body" is always different from others, and her every frown and movement can touch the heartstrings.
Shui Rong hesitated for a moment and did not answer. Instead, he asked, "What do you think, Ke'er?"
Shui Rong felt that Keqing's figure had its own merits and he did not care about it. He just wanted to know what Keqing was thinking. Then he could follow Keqing's words and coax the beauty.
Keqing pursed her lips when she heard this, and with her bare hands she tucked up her black hair at the temples, playing with a strand of hair and said, "How would I know what the prince is thinking? If the prince doesn't tell me something today, I won't agree."
Facing Prince Shui Rong, Keqing's temper became less restrained and her tone became more casual. She just wanted to know which type the prince liked.
Shui Rong could not help but sniff the fragrance of the hair and looked at the beauty with more and more loving eyes. After all, a daughter who acts like a spoiled child is lovable, especially a girl as charming and enchanting as Keqing. It is hard to suppress the restlessness in one's heart.
Reaching out and gently pinching the beauty's chin, Shui Rong said with a smile: "I loved the previous Ke'er, and I love the current Ke'er even more."
The main point is that everyone likes it, there is nothing to say about it.
When Keqing heard this, her beautiful face flushed and she spit in her heart. She didn't like the current one better. She had already noticed it and she was always greedy because she had no nutrition.
But Keqing also knew that the prince was obsessed with her, which made Keqing happy. She gathered her straight and slender breasts, raised her bright eyes and looked at the boy, and asked softly: "Prince, why is my sister's belly still not moving?"
The royal family has few offspring, so continuing the family line is a big deal. Keqing knows that the prince plans to marry the princess after she becomes pregnant. She thought her sister would be pregnant in one or two months, but there is still no news. It is really worrying. After all, quenching thirst by looking at plums will not quench thirst!
Shui Rong paused when he heard this, and he began to murmur in his heart. After all, Shui Rong had never treated Yuanchun badly, and her supplies were the most generous among all the beauties, but there was no news. He had Zhang Youshi treating him, and there was most likely nothing wrong with her body. Could it be that there was something wrong with Yuanchun?
Of course, he would not say this directly. He groaned for a moment and then said, "Maybe it's just that my luck has not arrived yet. I'll take care of Yuanchun for a while, and it won't take long."
In fact, it was not only Keqing who was anxious. Facing the enchanting beauty in front of him, Shui Rong could not hide his restlessness. However, he was not only obsessed with Keqing's body, but he also liked her in his heart. He wanted to marry her into the palace, so he had to consider Keqing more.
If Shui Rong didn't care, and Keqing got pregnant first, it would be troublesome.
It's not that Shui Rong didn't trust Yuanchun. He knew that Yuanchun was virtuous and very tolerant of his romantic affairs. But after all, they were not monogamous. Especially since Yuanchun had been in the palace for several years and was accustomed to the filthiness of the palace. It was not difficult for Yuanchun, as the mistress, to make her have a miscarriage quietly.
Shui Rong had been in the palace since he was a child, so how could he not be on guard against these things?
Therefore, it is the safest way to let Yuanchun get pregnant first, or perhaps it can prevent Keqing from getting pregnant. But if one wants to avoid this, one can drink contraceptive soup afterwards, which is harmful to the body. He can't bear to see Keqing get hurt.
The second is to take some safe methods, but this is a feudal era with backward conditions. It is better to keep the original intention than to use those water-soluble things. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it also makes you smell fishy.
Perhaps you can leave your warm home, but once you step in, it is difficult to avoid leaving no traces.
To sum up, Shui Rong did not do anything excessive towards Keqing.
Upon hearing this, Keqing couldn't help revealing a hint of resentment between her brows, and her moist red lips were slightly pouted, obviously she was unhappy. If her sister was pregnant, she could have expected something, but now there was no sign of anything, and she didn't know how long she would have to wait.
Seeing this, Shui Rong smiled knowingly, leaned close to the beautiful woman's crystal clear ear, and whispered softly: "Okay, it won't take too long, I'll serve you first."
Upon hearing this, Keqing's beautiful face became slightly hot, and her charming eyes and eyebrows were full of beauty. She glared at the young man and said in a soft and tender voice, "My lord, let me serve you first!"
Having said this, without waiting for Shui Rong to speak, Keqing rolled up the black hair that fell on her snow-white shoulders and leaned down.
Shui Rong smiled knowingly upon seeing this, his eyes fixed on the swaying tassels on the embroidered couch, thinking about Yuanchun's health. In Shui Rong's opinion, in the original novel, Yuanchun did not give birth to an heir to the emperor, probably because of the Jia family, so Emperor Yongkang deliberately neglected her. Now it seems that perhaps Yuanchun had some health problems.
Of course, these are all Shui Rong's imagination. Maybe as Shui Rong said, maybe his blessing has not yet arrived. But to be prepared, it is still necessary to seek treatment from Zhang Youshi and check himself again to avoid any mistakes.
After a while, Keqing raised her bright eyes and looked at the young man. She sobbed softly and stared at him without saying a word.
Seeing this, Shui Rong knew what was going on. He sat up, picked up a brocade handkerchief from the side of the couch, walked over to wipe the corners of his lips, and said with a smile, "Ke'er, you have become more and more lazy lately."
The two of them had been whispering to each other countless times, and Keqing was already very familiar with it. In the beginning, she would even drink tea with it, but now she didn't need to do that. However, compared with the past, Keqing was indeed a little less careful.
Keqing lowered her eyes and looked at the handkerchief. Her rosy face was flushed with anger. She couldn't help but spit and said, "The prince has grown a lot taller than last year. It's not my fault."
As a good tailor, tailoring according to the body's measurements is fundamental. How could Keqing not notice the little prince's growth?
Shui Rong raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard that, and he didn't feel happy in his heart. He was at the age of growing up, and it was natural for him to grow taller year by year. Keqing originally had a cherry-like mouth, but now it was not up to par, which was really difficult for her.
Thinking of this, Shui Rong gave in and said, "Okay, it's my fault. I will serve Ke'er to atone for my sin."
Chapter 198 Shui Rong: You have to suppress it first
On the gorgeous embroidered couch, Keqing heard Shui Rong's words of atonement, and her beautiful face flushed red. She glanced at the young man with her tender and graceful eyes. Her white hands fell on the autumn-scented silk ribbon, as nimble as a butterfly. She looked at the young man with her crystal eyes, and there was a hint of coquettishness between her brows, as if she was longing for something, or urging him.
Shui Rong couldn't help but smile when he saw this. Among so many beauties, Keqing has the highest self-awareness, which makes him very happy.
Shui Rong took the delicate hand of the charming lady, and felt the soft touch on his palm. He whispered, "Ke'er, tell me what you have been doing recently?"
Some things have to be done step by step and never rushed, so that you can achieve twice the result with half the effort. He is not like Keqing who is impatient to fill her stomach.
Keqing's heart trembled violently, and she felt her body go limp. She looked at the young man with her beautiful eyes, feeling angry in her heart. She knew that the prince liked her the way she was now, and the reason she became plump was probably due to the prince's habit.
Biting the corner of her lips with her pearly teeth, Keqing tilted her neck and whispered, "It's nothing. My sister asked me to help with some things in the mansion. Besides that, I just do some needlework."
Shui Rong frowned upon hearing this, snorted, and asked, "Aren't there so many sisters in the mansion? Didn't you go and play with them?"
According to Keqing's words, it seems that she is busy with her own affairs and does not get along well with Yuanchun and other people from the Jia family. This is not a good thing.
Keqing's curved eyelashes trembled, her cheeks blushing as she said, "Sister did invite me a few times, but the younger sisters are all talented people, and they often recite poems and compose couplets when they get together. I don't really understand these things, and I find them quite boring."
Shui Rong understood what he said. Although Keqing was considerate and a very lovely girl, she came from a humble family and was not good at literature. Therefore, she had little in common with Baochai and her other sisters who were all very talented in literature, and it was naturally difficult for them to get along well.
However, Shui Rong did not care too much about it. After all, it would be difficult for people without a common language to get along harmoniously. In short, he felt very satisfied that Yuanchun had this intention.
Gradually, Keqing closed her beautiful eyes and immersed herself in the hot tenderness without distraction.
Soon, the maid Frost moved into the room and saw the two people whispering to each other on the embroidered couch. Her pretty face flushed, her eyes were as clear as water, straight and soft, her pearly teeth bit the corner of her lips, and she summoned up her remaining strength and called out, "Prince."
Shui Rong looked up at Shuang Jiang, pursed his moist lips, and frowned. Being interrupted while doing business would make anyone unhappy. However, he knew that the people below would not be so ignorant. There must be something wrong, so Shui Rong asked calmly, "What is it?"
Keqing turned her head and looked at Shuangjiang with a pair of resentful eyes. She felt a little bit guilty. She felt that her heart was just touched but it was disturbed. How could she not feel lost?
Seeing that the prince was not angry, Shuangjiang felt much more at ease. Then, seeing the resentful look in the girl's eyes, she felt aggrieved. God have mercy on her. If there had not been an outsider visiting, she would not have disturbed the prince and the girl when they were doing serious business.
This report would disturb the interest of the prince and the young lady, and she would be disliked for no reason. If she did not report it, and something went wrong, her sin would be even greater. Thinking of the good nature of the prince and the young lady, Shuangjiang went into the house to report it.
After a pause, Shuang Jiangfu said, "Your Majesty, Xiangling sent someone to report that Qiu Liang, the commander of the Five Cities Military Division, wants to see you. Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."
"Qiu Liang."
Keqing looked at Shui Rong and saw that his expression was gloomy. She pursed her pink lips and said softly, "Your Majesty, please go and take a look first. I'm fine."
Although she hoped for the prince's favor, Keqing was not someone who did not know her proper conduct. The commander of the Five Cities Military Division came to see her, probably to report something. This was an important matter, and how could the thoughtful Keqing not be aware of the general situation, even if she was itching to do so now.
Shui Rong frowned when he heard this, and was silent for a moment. He turned his eyes to look at Shuang Jiang and ordered: "Tell Qiu Liang to wait in the flower hall first."
When Qiu Liang came to visit, Shui Rong knew that it was probably about the Jia family's affairs, and it was not a big deal, so there was no need to rush. Keqing's eyes were blurred with tears at the moment, so how could he ignore the beauty.
Keqing snorted, feeling very sweet in her heart. She knew that the prince loved her, and that was why Keqing had to be sensible. If she ruined the prince's business, not to mention that she would feel guilty, the concubine dowager and her sister would also blame her if they knew.
Thinking of this, Keqing stretched out her hand and said, "My Lord, business is more important."
Shui Rong didn't care and replied in a muffled voice: "It doesn't matter. I know what Qiu Liang is talking about. It's not a serious matter."
Keqing's anxious heart was relieved after hearing the young man's words. It was good that the prince knew what was going on. She didn't want to become the source of trouble for the prince's seduction. She closed her beautiful eyes slightly, and her rosy lips uttered a soft cry.
Beijing Prince's Mansion, in the Flower Hall.
Qiu Liang, the commander of the Five Cities Military Department, sat on a yellow wooden chair in the hall. The teacup on the table had gone cold. He had no interest in chatting with the maids in the mansion over tea. He looked outside the house from time to time, looking a little nervous.
After waiting for half an hour, there was still no sign of the prince. Could it be that the prince was dissatisfied with his efficiency?
Thinking of this, Qiu Liang looked at the beautiful woman who was drinking tea in front of him, and asked humbly: "Miss Xiangling, am I being too presumptuous to come here today and disturb the prince's peace?"
Even though the other party was just a maid, as the so-called seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister, Qiu Liang, the commander of the Five Cities Army, had to be polite to Xiangling, a maid. Moreover, the maid in front of him was charming and pretty, and was very likely someone close to the prince. Therefore, Qiu Liang was not only humble and polite, but also did not even look away and did not dare to be disrespectful.
Xiangling, who was drinking tea, was startled when she heard this. She looked at Qiu Liang with her soft and charming eyes and said gently, "The prince has always been kind and generous. You are overthinking it."
Although Xiangling did not know her master inside and out, she was generally aware that given the prince's personality, he would never vent his anger on others. Moreover, Xiangling also knew that the prince had gone to Tianxiang Tower and must be busy there!
Thinking of this, Xiangling couldn't help but recall some beautiful moments. When Yingluo was serving the prince, she never avoided her. The prince even looked at her more often, which made her feel quite embarrassed. She didn't know why, but she felt that the day when she knew the prince inside out was getting closer.
Qiu Liang felt relieved when he heard this. As long as the prince didn't blame him, it would be fine. After all, the prince was his path to success.
Not long after, Shui Rong walked in. Qiu Liang's eyes lit up when he saw him, and he quickly stood up to greet him, saying, "Your subordinate Qiu Liang greets His Majesty."
Shui Rong's eyes fell on Qiu Liang who was bowing, and he nodded gently and said, "I was delayed by something, so I came a little late. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time."
Serving Keqing was a delicate job, but it didn't take half an hour. It was really unstoppable, so Shui Rong had to clean up first, so it took some time.