Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 419 I can’t ask for it

Baoyu knelt in the snow and begged Emperor Zhaoming not to match couples randomly: "I am a student who has committed a crime...

"All the women that Your Majesty knows are outstanding. No matter what kind of family background they come from, I dare not humiliate them...

"I thank your majesty for your love and mercy, but I dare not obey your order even if I die."

She didn't even ask for a word of pleading for the downfall of the Jia family, but she would rather die than accept the arranged marriage?

Emperor Zhaoming narrowed his eyes, and his voice became a little colder: "What if I grant you the title of Lord, can I protect the lives of your entire family?"

Baoyu supported himself on the ground with both hands, and dug his hands into the soil where Emperor Zhaoming could not see. He lowered his head, closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and whispered:

"I thank your majesty for your grace, but I am ignorant, stupid and incompetent. I would never dare to humiliate you, my lady, even if I die!"

He refused to do so even at his death.

Emperor Zhaoming stood up straight and looked at him coldly. After a while, he chuckled and said, "Although I am not happy to hear your answer, I admire your courage.

"Just kidding.

"Although I have a princess, she is only five years old. If you marry a royal daughter, there is no guarantee that you will not have a rift with Zhaoqing and Yimin.

"The Queen Mother loves these two girls very much. I cannot make her sad."

As Baoyu listened, he raised his head unconsciously and stared blankly at Emperor Zhaoming.

Emperor Zhaoming looked at his appearance and said with disdain: "But your sister has always been short-sighted and has long hair. I can't guarantee that she won't force you to marry a personal protector."

He raised his hand again and asked him to stand up.

Baoyu suddenly came back to his senses, and hurriedly stood up, saying softly: "The Imperial Concubine has been studying since she was young, and she understands etiquette and morality.

"This kind of thing would delay a girl's life for nothing. She won't do it."

Emperor Zhaoming glanced at him and hummed.

Who would have thought that after Baoyu had already started to speak, he continued: "I heard that Princess Yimin has chosen Brother Ziying from the Feng family, and I am very happy.

"Before the New Year, I prepared two gifts. One was for Princess Yimin, to congratulate her on finding a good husband.

"The other copy was prepared for Princess Zhaoqing. But I still don't know what plans the Queen Mother and His Majesty have for her marriage. Do I have the blessing to know?"

good boy!

As for the rest, I won’t say a word more.

When it comes to his own marriage, he gritted his teeth and refused to comply.

Instead, he inquired about Zhaoqing's marriage, and spoke in pleasant and flattering terms, using roundabout ways to make others feel like they were in spring breeze.

All my thoughts are focused on Zhaoqing!

Thinking of this, Emperor Zhaoming couldn't help but get angry, and he started to speak in a sarcastic tone: "Zhao Qing?

"She is talented and clever, and the Queen Mother loves her very much. To mention marrying her off now would be like ripping the Queen Mother's heart out.

"Besides, she has a huge fortune, so even if she leaves the palace, she won't have to worry about food and drink, so why is she in such a hurry to get married?

“I don’t care about this matter.

"Just let her be happy!

"The country has no shortage of young talents. I will remember this and let her take her time to choose!"

Baoyu seemed to be relieved, and he said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for telling me."

Then he fell silent again.

Tao Xingjian, who had been following behind like an invisible man, finally couldn't help it anymore. He hummed softly and whispered in Baoyu's ear:

"Don't worry, sir. Even if Zhao Qing doesn't get married, you won't be chosen!

"If you find the right one, you should marry her quickly so that your Jia family can continue the family line, right?!"

Baoyu's face turned pale.

Emperor Zhaoming had lost interest in moving forward. He yawned and turned back: "Old Tao, have someone find a place for Jia Jue to sleep. When the palace gates open tomorrow, send him to Fengzao Palace."

Tao Xingjian agreed, and then whispered to Emperor Zhaoming: "Your Majesty, you have only slept for two hours in the past two days. Go back and get some sleep! You will be busy tomorrow!"

Emperor Zhaoming listened to the advice and said, "Well. Listen carefully. If there is any news from the Supreme Lord, whether good or bad, report it immediately."

Seeing the emperor go to the bedroom of Zhaoqing Palace to rest, Baoyu began to feel uneasy again.

I don't know if it was to give face to Tanchun, but Tao Xingjian still had someone move an old couch over and added a charcoal basin and two thick quilts.

The young eunuch subconsciously said politely: "Master Jia, please make do with it. We just moved in today, so we don't have everything."

Tao Xingjian ignored Baoyu's repeated thanks and snorted to himself, "Unfair? This is probably the most luxurious sleep Master Jia will have in the rest of his life!"

After speaking, he walked away.

Baoyu sat on the couch in silence for a while before he realized that everything from the soles of his feet to his thighs were already cold.

Slowly and clumsily, he took off his boots, lifted up his robe, and carefully warmed himself over the charcoal brazier. When his whole body was warm, he fell on the couch, covered himself with the quilt, and fell into a hazy sleep.

In a trance, he seemed to be in the Land of Illusion again, and saw the Fairy Jinghuan who invited him to drink tea and wine, listen to songs and dances, and allowed him to read many books.

He had had this kind of dream several times.

I dreamed of Qin Keqing, the poem about burying flowers, the story of the Immortal Crimson Pearl and the Fairy Water Servant, and I also dreamed of my family being confiscated and exterminated, being wrapped in a tattered blanket on a snowy night, and choking on sour vegetables in the cold winter...

But this time it seems different.

He was in a trance and grabbed Fairy Jinghuan's sleeve: "Sister Jinghuan, are you kidding me? How come everything I have read and heard cannot be verified?

"And Fairy Jiangzhu, how could she enter the palace? How could she be favored by the emperor? How could such an innocent and pure daughter of hers become a parasite?

"This world is fake, right? I'm dreaming within a dream, right?!"

Fairy Jinghuan looked at him with pity and took his hand: "Foolish boy. The two immortal masters once enlightened you:

"'Good things are hard to come by, but there is always a fly in the ointment' is a happy thing in this world; 'Extreme joy leads to sorrow, and people are no longer the same as they used to be' is common sense; if you think clearly, it must be 'In the end, it is just a dream, and everything returns to nothing'.

"Think about it carefully, isn't that the case?"

Baoyu shook his head repeatedly, refusing to admit it: "Different, different!"

"You have been lost for too long, I am afraid I can no longer save you." Jing Huan sighed and shook his head, "Two lives of separation and reunion, love and separation, and unrequited love, yet you still haven't realized it!"

Baoyu suddenly thought: "Two lives?"

Jing Huan realized that she had said something wrong and quickly changed the subject: "Since you are so persistent, I have a plan to save the women in your family. Do you need it?"

Baoyu stopped listening to her and turned back to sit on the couch, muttering to himself in a daze: "Two lives?"

"Baoyu! Wake up!" Jinghuan had no choice but to push Baoyu hard!

Baoyu sneezed and woke up.

It was still dark outside the window, but palace servants were already cleaning and tidying up the place.

The charcoal basin in front of the couch was burning brightly, and it was obvious that someone had quietly added some fuel during the night.

Baoyu sat up in a daze, wrapped himself tightly in the quilt, and slowly recalled the dream he had just had: separation and reunion in two lifetimes...

Love is leaving...

Can’t get it!

I see.

Baoyu closed his eyes.

Two lines of hot tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Sister Lin...I have let you down..."