The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 336 Vest
Long queues formed again outside Yu's bookstore.

Jin Yong's latest novel, "The Return of the Condor Heroes," has once again caused a sensation.

Because the popularity of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" hasn't waned, anyone with a bit of money coming to Beijing from other places will buy a copy here. Now that "The Return of the Condor Heroes" has been released, of course, one can't miss it if they come across it.

Therefore, even though only 15,000 copies were printed in the first edition, bookstores could only sell them sparingly, just like with the Legend of the Condor Heroes.

Apart from the top ten, anyone who wants to buy anything else, such as writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, must bring fifty taels of silver.

This was a decision made by Mr. You after several days of deliberation, taking into account the immense popularity of his previous book.

Fifty taels of silver is neither a lot nor a little.

The powerful and wealthy families in the capital wouldn't care about such a small amount of silver, so let them take it if they want.

She avoids offending anyone.

Once they've all bought a batch, the second version will be out soon.

Madam You's calculations were excellent. In fact, she did indeed make a fortune every day. Even the emperor, because people in the martial arts world admired the great heroes who served the country and its people, became curious about The Legend of the Condor Heroes and had his son, Xiao Sanzi, secretly buy a copy.

During those days, he was busy with state affairs while also thinking about his books, wishing there were twelve more hours in a day.

Now that I've heard that Jin Yong is making another "The Return of the Condor Heroes", how can I stand it?
Xiao Sanzi went and bought a copy that very day.

"Why are you only getting back now?"

Liu An wanted to curse as soon as he saw him, "Doesn't Your Majesty know what's going on?"

"Get in line!"

Xiao Sanzi complained, "You have no idea, I was ranked forty-eighth, and I was even required to buy fifty taels more for writing materials before I could get the book."

Liu An: "..."

Never mind, the Emperor is waiting.

He still gave Xiao Sanzi a nudge before hurriedly sending the book to the emperor.

The emperor still had many memorials to read, but he wanted to give himself half an hour off.

Upon receiving the book, I hurriedly started flipping through it without even asking why it was so late.

Liu An also wanted to read it; since the emperor was so obsessed with it last time, he couldn't resist buying a copy himself.

Later... well, let's not even go there, he managed to squeeze in time to finish watching it.

This time he resisted the urge to buy it, but the emperor, who had been listless just moments before, was now engrossed in reading, full of energy, and he…

Liu An's heart was moved again.

But last time I almost missed my job because I was reading, this time...

Liu An tried his best to suppress his restless heart.

Silently calculating the time, he knew that in about fifteen minutes, he would have to ask the Emperor to put away the book.

Government affairs need to be dealt with as soon as possible. The Empress caught a cold yesterday and has a slight fever today. The Emperor needs to go and see her.

He waited silently, and the moment the time came, he whispered a reminder, "Your Majesty, it's time."

what?
So fast?

The emperor was very reluctant to part with him; he had just seen the son of an old friend.

Woo~
It's infuriating! Why are there so many things happening every day?
Helpless, the emperor obediently put down his book and went to deal with his state affairs.

After finally finishing everything, he still didn't have time to read. He didn't even have time to drink a cup of tea before grabbing the book and rushing to the Empress's Palace.

He was worried about the Empress's illness.

"I don't have anything here."

The Empress wouldn't let him get close, saying, "It'll be fine in a few days. If you catch your illness here, won't I have to worry about you even more?"

The children are still young, and she is already ill; the Emperor certainly cannot afford to be ill either.

Although she searched the palace several times, the initial doubts were not completely dispelled.

At this moment, the Empress also deeply understood the helplessness of the Ningguo Mansion.

No wonder Sister Shen wanted to have another child so much back then.

There are too few people in the family, and they can't withstand the slightest storm.

"...Fine, I won't go in."

Knowing the Empress's temperament, the Emperor felt both saddened and touched. "I've acquired a fine book today. You can read it to pass the time."

When you're lying down, it's easy for your mind to wander.

Overthinking is bad for your health.

The emperor readily sent the newly acquired copy of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" to the palace maid, saying, "This is a new edition by Jin Yong. Didn't you say last time that you would get it for me as soon as I had another one?"

"Jin Da Xia's books?"

The Empress, who had initially intended to refuse, immediately smiled and said, "Then I thank Your Majesty."

She knew about Jin Yong because the emperor was obsessed with "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" at that time, spending all his time in the outer study, which made her think he was infatuated with some little demon.

The little fairy can enter the harem, but not the outer study, so she went and killed her way in.

Unexpectedly, she too was eventually bewitched by the little vixen.

"I haven't finished reading it yet."

The emperor was pleased to see her smile, but also a little regretful. "Liu An, hurry up and buy me another copy."

Liu An: "..."

What can he do?

He could only hurry out to find his apprentice, Xiao Sanzi.

"Master, this book is sold as a bundle."

Xiao Sanzi looked distressed. "My fifty taels of silver for writing materials..."

"Was it a good one?"

"Definitely! Definitely!"

"That's fine, the palace needs it too."

The concubines in the imperial harem were also entitled to a share of writing materials.

Although the emperor mostly ignored those people, the empress was kind and never shortchanged them on supplies.

"Go buy another one, I'll reimburse you later."

“Master, I heard that it’s the property of Madam You of the Jia family, we…”

"Shh~, just do what I'm told, why are you talking so much?"

When the emperor became fascinated with Mr. Jin's books, he specifically ordered someone to investigate.

Only Madam Shen knows the true identity of the mysterious Jin Yong.

Madam Shen's reluctance to speak must have a reason.

When the Emperor discovered that Madam Shen was involved, he stopped investigating.

You should know that the lady and Jin Yong had sent all the money from selling the books to General Feng in the border town to set up an orphanage.

That money has now supported orphanages in three border towns.

Based on this alone, the emperor would not be stingy with the money spent on buying books.

In any other family, Eunuch Liu would definitely have made Xiao Sanzi reveal his identity, but since it involves Madam Shen, it's best to keep it a secret.

When people do business, they can't just not make any money at all.

If we don't earn a single penny, what will we eat and drink?
Not long after, Xiao Sanzi ran off to buy books again.

He thought he wouldn't have to queue this time, but there were still twenty-one people ahead of him.

What can we do? Just wait and see!
If he doesn't go back, the emperor won't be able to get any books to read, so he can only sit outside the empress's bedroom and chat with her.

Since he can't get his hands on it anyway, the Empress shouldn't watch it for now either.

Otherwise, he would be itching to get back to work.

"...Madam Shen won't tell anyone who Master Jin is, but Cai Cai, aren't you curious? Why don't you ask her sometime?"

Things that the emperor couldn't do, it was only natural that the empress would do. "If someone can utter words about the great heroes who serve the country and the people, it would be a waste to just write books."

Many officials in the Jiangnan region need to be replaced.

The guy who was just promoted to prefect of Xuzhou was dismissed because of that Japanese woman who escaped from prison.

Although the imperial court has many officials, few are truly capable of getting things done.

An emperor is not afraid of having many talented people, but rather of having few.

"Speak to Madam Shen and see if she can recommend him to me."

Queen: "..."

She glanced at the book she hadn't yet opened and said with a hint of melancholy, "If Jin Yong were to enter the imperial court, would he still have time to write books?"

emperor:"……"

He struggled with himself for a moment, thinking, "If the hero Guo in the book could speak in the imperial court, he would definitely be able to protect more people."

An individual's strength is limited; the strength of a nation is the greatest.

He was willing to trust and fully support any capable and competent minister who could bring benefits to the Great Zhao Dynasty.

"Alright, I'll summon Sister Shen to speak with her once I'm feeling better." The Empress sighed. "However..." she hesitated for a moment, "What if this Master Jin is truly a martial arts practitioner?"

So many martial arts moves, they look so real.

"use!"

The emperor insisted, "I believe in Jin Yong's character."

There are many extraordinary people in this world.

But most of them live in seclusion.

If they can be used by him, it will be a blessing for the Great Zhao Dynasty and the people.

Therefore, a few days later, when Shen Ning was summoned to the palace again, the Empress asked about Jin Yong.

"Master Jin?"

Shen Ning blinked. They had just asked each other about their health, how did they suddenly turn to Jin Yong?
"Your Majesty has also read Jin Yong's books?"

She asked tentatively.

"Ok!"

The Empress nodded vigorously, "I've read both of Jin Yong's books. I'm so glad I recovered so quickly this time, thanks to the companionship of 'The Return of the Condor Heroes'."

This was the most comfortable illness she had ever experienced.

Even when I was sick, I didn't dare to let myself off the hook, because I had to deal with many things in the palace.

But this time, she indulged herself when she was sick.

She was involved in everything except dealing with the retired emperor, the emperor, and the children; she left everything else to her maids and servants.

It saved me a lot of trouble.

Everyone says that only my sister knows who Jin Yong is.

The Empress looked at Shen Ning, "What? Is his status really that difficult for you to assess, sister?"

"Is it absolutely necessary for Your Highness to ask this?"

Mr. Jin Yong is not from this era, so she can't conjure him up!

As for her...

Shen Ning was too embarrassed to say it was herself!
"If the book is good, we can just read it. Why do we have to follow the author?"

"Haha~ Hahaha~~~~"

Seeing her so conflicted, the Empress couldn't help but laugh. "I really do want to know the author. Good sister, don't keep it from me. I've been dreaming about Jin Yong these past few days."

You will be disappointed.

"No matter who it is, I will not be disappointed."

"Then what about me?"

what?
The Queen's eyes widened slightly.

"Do not believe?"

Now it was Shen Ning's turn to turn the tables on her.

"no no……"

Seeing Shen Ning's expression, the Empress was actually about 80% convinced. "I just find it too unbelievable."

Is Sister Shen a Jin Yong novelist?
It seems... quite possible.

No wonder nobody knows who Jin Yong is.

No wonder Jin Yong donated all the proceeds from his book sales.

"Does your sister usually spend her time writing books?"

The Empress's eyes shone brightly. "How did you come up with so many tricks? And the Eastern Heretic, the Western Poison, the Southern Emperor, the Northern Beggar, Yang Guo, Little Dragon Girl, Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and even Ke Zhen'e, I admire them all!"

Shen Ning: "..."

She doesn't have that kind of brain.

But who can blame her for now being associated with Jin Yong's name?

"I just think about things randomly when I have nothing to do!"

"Then think about it some more."

Very well, Jin Yong can no longer enter the imperial court.

You can continue writing books.

The Empress felt that if the writing was done well, it could also effectively guide the people.

"Dear sister, what are you planning to write next?"

Shen Ning: "..."

She doesn't want to write anymore.

The novel "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" from the Condor Trilogy is difficult to write because of the words "slaying the dragon"!

Moreover, she didn't like Zhang Wuji very much.

The Ming Cult declined because of him.

His love life is too chaotic, and he has hurt too many people.

If she were to write it...

Shen Ning had no idea how much she would change.

Moreover, she couldn't guarantee that she would still like it after making so many changes.

In fact, she didn't like Zhang Wuji very much, but she still liked the book very much.

"Take a break for a while!"

Shen Ning hasn't decided yet.

She could perhaps write something else.

"Taking a break?"

The Empress was very disappointed and wanted to lock her up and have her continue writing, but seeing that Shen Ning was much thinner than last year, she could only say, "Then take a few more days off. But when you start writing your new book, you must let me know."

Then she remembered something else, "Oh right, dear sister, the Emperor's birthday is coming up in a few days. How about you give the manuscript of 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes' as a gift?"

Shen Ning: "..."

Some parts of that manuscript weren't written by her.

"Your Majesty, my handwriting is not very good."

Even with the original body's features, one can only say that she's not bad-looking.

"Moreover, I was lazy in the middle and had a maid write it for me."

"It's alright, I just need your original manuscript."

"But isn't this the Emperor's birthday?"

"...Hahaha~~~"

After a moment of embarrassment, the Empress smiled and said, "Can't I accept a gift I like on his birthday?"

Besides, if the Emperor knew it was a manuscript from The Legend of the Condor Heroes, he would definitely like it.

"Yeah, sure!"

Shen Ning had no choice but to admire her!

When she got home, she packed up a lot of pastries from the Imperial Kitchen and two bags of Lu'an Melon Seed Tea. Then she sighed and said to Qingzhu, "I originally wanted to keep that manuscript for myself."

In this world, she is like Jin Yong, and her manuscripts, if passed down, would be worth a lot.

Unfortunately, it was snatched away just like that.

Moreover, if "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" couldn't be saved, "The Return of the Condor Heroes" probably won't be saved either.

In fact, at this time, the emperor did feel that there were not enough empresses.

He has been on the throne for several years, but this year he finally celebrated his birthday.

Since the Empress already wants "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," why doesn't she also want "The Return of the Condor Heroes"?
"A steady, continuous flow!"

The Empress looked down on the Emperor, "There's a long road ahead. If you push Sister Shen too far now, what if she turns around and runs off to Jiangnan? What will you do then?"

emperor:"……"

Hey~
His great novel, Jin Yong!

Who would have thought that Jin Yong was actually Madam Shen?
No wonder no matter how much others inquired, they couldn't find out.

The emperor once again lamented that Shen Ning was a woman.

If this were a man, he would probably have been appointed a Grand Secretary long ago.

Alas, it's a pity that Lord Shen is too old; he can no longer be summoned back to court.

After some thought, the emperor decided to recall her brother, the former scholar Shen Hanlin.

"Prince Teng is about to return to the capital."

The Emperor said, "To prevent the Wang family from becoming arrogant and complacent again and bullying the Jia family, you should summon Madam Shen more often when you have nothing else to do."

Wang Ziteng was a capable and competent minister, and he wanted to use him.