The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

It was daybreak, the rain stopped, but a strong wind started to blow.

At this time, the Zhen family's home was deserted. A gust of wind blew by, and the spirit flags and paper flowers in front of the door rustled, making the family look even more desolate!
The news of Zhen Yingjia's assassination spread throughout the capital before the curfew. Anyone who is not a fool can guess who the murderer is!

There was no imperial decree from the palace. None of the cabinet ministers came, nor did the nobles or the officials of the six ministries and nine departments come. Other civil and military officials did not dare to come to offer sacrifices!
There was a sound of horse hooves, and Wang Ziteng came galloping with two followers, then stopped their horses.

Looking at the white lanterns and blue curtains in front of the door, Wang Ziteng murmured: "Killing a chicken to scare the monkeys, this is killing a chicken to scare the monkeys."

Wang Ziteng and his entourage dismounted and prepared to enter the palace.

A burst of hurried horse hoof sounds was heard, and Wang Ziteng looked over.

Li San, dressed in plain clothes, came on horseback with two of the palace's personal soldiers and dismounted at the palace gate.

Wang Ziteng went over and hugged him with both hands: "Third uncle!"

Li San bowed in return: "Lord Wang, thank you for killing me." As he said this, he looked at the deserted Zhen family and sighed deeply.

Wang Ziteng also sighed: "Let's go and burn some incense for Ci Fu first." Then he extended his hand and walked inside with Li San.

Central Army Camp
Niu Ben's trusted generals all came and sat in front of low tables on both sides.

The second master of the Niu family also came and said excitedly: "Even the clean and honest people of the Censorate, the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial College have become mute! What a relief! What a relief!"

Everyone laughed silently.

The second master of the Niu family: "Damn it! Whoever dares to confront us in the future will be killed without a burial place!"

Everyone laughed again.

Niu Ben frowned: "Okay!"

The second master of the Niu family and all his trusted generals stopped laughing.

Niu Ben looked at the second master of the Niu family and said, "What do you mean by dying without a burial place? Don't say that again. Also, the time is not right yet, don't cause trouble for me!"

Everyone had to nod.

At this moment, the officer on duty hurried in and reported to Niu Ben: "General, there is news from the Zhen family. Wang Ziteng and the housekeeper of the Zhenbei Palace went to the Zhen family to offer sacrifices!"

The second master of the Niu family jumped up and said: "You are looking for death! Do you really think we dare not move?"

Niu Ben shouted, "Shut up!"

The second master of the Niu family quickly shut up.

Niu Ben: "All of you go to the Zhen family and burn incense for Zhen Yingjia!" He then said to the second master of the Niu family: "Send 5,000 silver coins to the Zhen family so that they can make Zhen Yingjia's funeral more splendid. Also, tell the Zhen family that the court will definitely catch the murderer who killed Zhen Yingjia."

The second master of the Niu family understood that Niu Ben was acting for the palace, the cabinet and those civil and military ministers.

Niu Family Second Master: "Do they believe it?"

"It's up to them to believe it or not. This is the way I give them."

Niu Ben stood up, walked to the door, and looked towards the direction of the imperial city, "They must get down!"

The second master of the Niu family and his trusted generals looked at each other and walked out together.

A gust of wind blew, and the corner of Niu Ben's robe was blown up. A flash of cold light flashed in his eyes, and three words burst out from between his teeth: "Wang Ziteng"

Xue Baochai has not been feeling well these past two days. Last night, she accompanied Lin Daiyu in sorting out the account books and went to bed after the second watch. She got up late today, washed up quickly, and hurried to Lin Daiyu's side.

When I walked into the backyard, I saw Xiangling, Xueyan and a few little girls sitting on the corridor chatting and laughing.

When they saw Xue Baochai come in, everyone stood up.

After chatting for a while, Xue Baochai went into the room to pay her respects to Lin Daiyu.

Xiangling smiled and said, "The princess has gone to the meeting room in front."

Xue Baochai nodded and said, "You guys go ahead and get busy." Then she led her maid Ying'er to the conference room.

From a distance, two old women were seen guarding outside the back door of the conference room, looking as if they wanted to keep strangers away.

Xue Baochai stopped, thought for a moment, turned and walked towards the hall, intending to enter from the main door of the conference room.

Ying'er supported Xue Baochai and said with some concern: "Miss, there is no need to rush now. Come and pay your respects after dinner."

Xue Baochai shook her head slightly: "Getting up late is already impolite. If I break the rules again, I will give people a reason to criticize me."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ying'er suddenly grabbed Xue Baochai's arm and looked ahead: "Miss, look!"

Xue Baochai was startled by her sudden action. She followed her gaze and saw Nanny Wang leading a man in a cloak and a hood into the west alley.

Xue Baochai was slightly startled. Judging from her figure, she was definitely a man, and a martial artist! Ying'er: "Yes, it's a man."

Xue Baochai suddenly remembered those rumors. Could it be that Li Hu had sent someone back? They were so secretive, they must be worried about the news leaking out. Are the rumors outside true? !

Thinking of this, Xue Baochai's eyes lit up.

Ying'er: "Girl?"

Xue Baochai came back to her senses and looked at her: "Don't tell anyone about what happened just now!"

Ying'er nodded hurriedly.

Xue Baochai: "Let's go back and have dinner first." As she said this, she prepared to go back.

"Miss Bao!"

When Xue Baochai looked over, she saw Nanny Wang standing in front of the alley door, looking at her.

"Girl." Ying'er's voice trembled.

Xue Baochai glared at her and said, "Don't listen to your mother talking about those scandals in the harem. This is the prince's palace. There are personal guards from the main gate to the inner gate. Strangers can't come in, let alone a man!" After that, she walked straight towards Nanny Wang.

Ying'er realized that she had been thinking wrong and breathed a sigh of relief. Now she didn't have to worry about being beaten to death.

Thinking of this, she hurriedly followed.

Walking up to her, Xue Baochai bowed slightly and said, "Mammy."

Nanny Wang returned the gift, smiling bitterly in her heart. Feng was originally in charge of this place, but she sent her to the small kitchen because she had to send someone out. Who would have thought that Xue Baochai would come in a short while, so she must have seen it.

Ying'er came over, bowed, and said, "Mammy."

Nanny Wang paused and said, "Young lady, are you here to pay your respects to the princess? You are free now, so please come in." As she spoke, she extended her hand as a gesture of giving way.

Xue Baochai smiled and walked towards the main entrance of the conference room.

When she walked into the conference room, Xue Baochai's eyes flashed. There was no one outside the conference room door or in the front hall. It seemed that her guess was correct!

Lifting the pearl curtain, Xue Baochai walked straight into the back hall.

Lin Daiyu was sitting at the table, writing something with a pen.

Only Zijuan was serving.

Zijuan smiled at Xue Baochai, and then said to Lin Daiyu: "Princess, Miss Bao is here."

Xue Baochai stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Princess!"

Lin Daiyu did not raise her head and continued writing quickly. She just responded habitually: "Hmm."

After a while, Lin Daiyu put down her pen, picked up the pieces of ink paper, blew on them, then put them into an envelope, sealed it, and finally put them into a box and locked it.

Only then did Nanny Wang step forward and whisper something in Lin Daiyu's ear.

Lin Daiyu looked at Xue Baochai, then said to Nanny Wang, "Give it to the guards outside the Neiyi Gate and have them leave the city immediately. Make sure they deliver it to the prince within five days!"

Nanny Wang took the box and said, "Yes." She turned around and hurried out.

Xue Baochai handed a bowl of tea to Lin Daiyu and said softly, "Princess, have a sip of tea."

Lin Daiyu took the tea bowl, took a sip, and then looked at Ying'er: "There is nothing for you to do now, go down."

Ying'er retreated.

Xue Baochai's eyes flashed. Is he going to confront her?
Lin Daiyu put down her tea bowl and turned her gaze to Xue Baochai: "Did you see everything?"

Xue Baochai hesitated for a moment, then said "hmm".

Lin Daiyu: "The prince sent someone back to explain some things. The capital is going to be in chaos. We should prepare in advance and leave the capital at any time."

After hearing this, Xue Baochai's eyes brightened even more.

Lin Daiyu saw this and smiled secretly: "Go home and bring your mother, aunt and Baoqin over."

Xue Baochai: "Yes." She answered and stepped back.

Lin Daiyu stood up, walked to the back hall door and looked into the distance.

Li Hu didn't send anyone back, it was Zhang Cheng who came back!
In addition to leading his men to sneak into the capital, Zhang Cheng also brought news of the rebels. The main force that besieged Xuzhou was not the main force of Prince Nan'an. The real main force of the rebels, led by Prince Nan'an, crossed the Yellow River from Henan and headed north. With absolute superiority in force, they encircled and annihilated the Taiyuan Town troops on the north bank of the Yellow River, and were now heading towards the capital!
I wonder how the imperial court would react when they find out about this?
Zhang Cheng also brought news about Jia Zheng, who did not escape this time and fell into the hands of the rebels.

In addition, they will not leave the capital, the palace is the safest place. (End of this chapter)