Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 884: Eunuch Chang Comes to Deliver the Imperial Order
Chang'an County,
Jiedushi's residence,
Yunguang was angry. It was a good opportunity, but it turned out like this. Not only did he lose more than he gained, but the He family really made trouble. This matter had a lot to do with him. Madam was right. There was a letter from Rongguo Mansion, so he had to go and do it.
Now we need to inform Rongguo Mansion first and think of a safe solution. Also, how to remedy the situation at He Mansion?
The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became. He stood up and walked out of the hall to the study. The butler followed him closely. After entering the study, Yun Guang walked quickly to the desk, sat down, took out rice paper, and immediately wrote a secret letter, writing down the whole matter of the He family. In addition, he also wrote down in detail what happened this morning. After reading it once, he found nothing wrong, so he hid it in the letter, sealed it, and said;
"Arrange someone to hurry up and send it to Rongguo Mansion in the capital tomorrow. There must be no delay."

"Yes, sir."

The steward took the letter and rushed out of the room without pausing for a moment, leaving Yunguang frowning in the study.

One more thing,
How did that rich man Zhang find his way to the Rongguo Mansion? They are not related at all. Could there be someone else involved? What is the prefect Chang Yunze's plan? This is making an enemy. Thinking of the second son of the He family, He Miao, who was gentle and timid, and the Zhang family's Brother Jin was even more well-behaved. I never thought that they would have the courage to jump into the river and commit suicide. It's fate and time!

The He family in North City,

The white sail had already been hoisted, and the housekeeper personally led people to pull back the body of the second son of the He family. Mrs. He had already fainted from crying when she saw this. He Shoubei asked her maid to help her leave. Looking at the cold body of her son in the inner hall, her face was as gloomy as if water was dripping out.
"Dad, my second brother has died tragically. We can't just let it go. The Zhang family has gone too far. I don't know what the governor Yun Guang is talking about."

He Weifeng cried until his eyes turned red, and he gnashed his teeth and said, "How could it be such a coincidence? Someone came to talk to me last night, and he died in the morning. It's still unclear whether it was suicide or murder.
He Yonghua stood there for a long time without saying a word. He had always been the one who endured humiliation and gave in. Now that he had ended up like this, he had no place to retreat.

"Yonghua, go to the main camp of the government army immediately and gather three thousand soldiers and horses to seal up all the shops of the Zhang family in the city. Also, arrest the youngest son of the Zhang family in the east of the city. The charge is that he has secret dealings with the Taiping Cult. You must write a secret letter yourself. Also, have the deputy general Cao Jie lead five thousand soldiers to guard the main camp. As a father, write a memorial immediately to report to Yun Guang, and also make a petition to the master's family."

He Yonghua also made up his mind that as long as he mobilized troops in Chang'an Prefecture, he would break off relations with the Yun family.

"Well, Dad, why do you want to report to the Jiedushi instead of the prefect Chang Yunze?"

He Yonghua was puzzled. There was a conflict between their family and the Chang family. It was Li Li, Chang Yunze's brother-in-law, who started it. Yunguang came to mediate.

"What do you know? If the Yun family doesn't intervene, the matter will at most remain deadlocked. The Zhang family's daughter will eventually marry into the He family. Chang Yunze's brother-in-law is causing trouble, but Chang Yunze did not intervene. Only Yun Guang came to the door, and he brought a secret letter from the Rongguo Mansion. He shouldn't have come."

He Yonghua knew that as long as the memorial was submitted, the two would be in a fight to the death and one of them would be transferred away, so he sent the secret letter and the memorial to the master's house together. As for the Zhang family in Xicheng, he would not let them go.

"Yes, Dad, I understand. I'll tell Uncle Cao right away."

He Weifeng did not dare to delay, and rode out of the mansion to the garrison camp.

After a while,
Three thousand soldiers entered the city. Some of them went to the Zhang family's shop in the city and smashed and looted it. Another part went to a house in the east of the city and captured the women and children living there and brought them back to the barracks.
"Quick, quick, get out of the way,"

"According to the garrison's order, arrest the Taiping Sect spies, all of you get out of the way,"

Soldiers from all over the city rushed to capture Zhang's family. Anyone who tried to stop them would be beaten. All the shops on the street were affected. When the news got out, the whole Chang'an County was in a panic, especially the Zhang family. When they heard about this, they regretted it so much that their intestines turned green.
Beijing,

Rongguo Mansion,
Grandmother Jia got up early these days and was very happy. She first got up and washed, then sent the maid to tell everyone that dinner would be served in Rongqing Hall today. The first to come was the maid Sanchun, then Baoyu, and the two ladies, Daiyu and Baochai. Now they are pairs. The two often chat in the same courtyard and come together. Only the eldest sister-in-law, perhaps because of her poor health, always found an excuse and didn't participate. The old lady seemed to know it too, and didn't come or ask.

Only the Second Madam had a look of displeasure. Grandmother Jia looked around and saw that everyone was there, but she didn't see Feng Yatou. She asked,
"Why don't I see Feng girl? Where did she go?"

"Look, the old lady is still worried about her, Feng girl. She took people to the yard to watch over her early in the morning. Today's banquet is still the same as before, so there are many people coming. I'm worried."

The one who was speaking was Madam Xing. No one knew whether Madam Xing had let go of some things or had something else on her mind. She actually said nice things when she spoke and did things, which made Grandmother Jia feel relieved. When everyone heard her words, they all covered their mouths and laughed out loud.
Baochai and Daiyu were still sitting at the back of the west side. Sanchun wanted to change seats with them several times, but they both disagreed. So now, Shi Xiangyun was placed in the front, opposite Baoyu. Baoyu sat there blankly, staring at Daiyu and Baochai opposite him, mesmerized by their every move. Xiren behind him discovered the mystery and pushed Baoyu several times with her hand from behind him, and then he felt much better.

"You are the one who talks too much, Yuanyang. Send someone to call Feng girl over first, and we will set the table."

"Yes, old lady,"

Yuanyang nodded. It was getting late. If they didn't have to eat, it would be noon. She waved her hand and the maids outside began to set up the table and chairs. Someone went to the backyard to see Sister Liu and brought the food boxes.
But the front yard,

Wang Xifeng took Ping'er to the large courtyard in the southeast corner and looked around. Then, they went to the front yard and the main hall in the inner courtyard.

Just look around to see if it's Luo Yunhou who's sneaking in here again.
"Ping'er, tell the people below to serve everyone who comes to eat politely, no matter who they are. If there is anything wrong, send someone to find me. Don't be arrogant or domineering."

"Yes, grandma, I told the people in the mansion about this last night, and arranged for several stewards to take turns to watch the front. What happened yesterday will not happen again."

Ping'er knew what her grandmother was worried about. The Marquis had done such a big thing without saying anything. If something went wrong in the Rongguo Mansion, the consequences would be unpredictable. However, as a servant, she couldn't understand why he did this.

"That's good to know. Be careful in everything. Wait one more day and the Liushui Banquet will be over. There won't be so much to do and we can take a good rest."

As Wang Xifeng was talking, she looked around the courtyards. Everything was fine. She had not slept well the previous night. She knew that Marquis Luo Yun was sometimes playful, but she didn't know whether the Empress and His Majesty had come here incognito to see Rongguo Mansion or were just passing by to join in the fun. But the Empress,
Not daring to think any more, she glanced at the gate and was about to go back. But just when she turned around, a sedan chair came outside the door. It had a lavender gauze curtain with exquisite flowers embroidered on it, and a purple gold roof on top. Several eunuchs followed it. As it was about to arrive in front of her, Wang Xifeng's heart skipped a beat. She was afraid that someone from the palace had come because of what happened yesterday.

She quickly called Ping Er to go and greet him. When she saw the eunuch getting off the sedan chair, she saw that he was an acquaintance, so she hurried over and said,
"How come Eunuch Chang has the leisure to come to Rongguo Mansion today? It's such a happy occasion. Come in and have a drink."

"Oh, I don't have time to spare. I'm busy with official business in Beijing and don't even have time to stay."

After getting off the sedan chair,

I looked up at the gate of the Duke's Mansion and it really became more and more magnificent.

"Then why are you here today, sir?"

Wang Xifeng smiled and handed over a banknote in her hand, feeling a little nervous. Eunuch Chang smiled but said nothing, and took the banknote back. Eunuch Chang was also the eunuch in the past, but now he was wearing a green official robe. The material seemed ordinary, but it was actually made of the finest Su brocade.
His long and narrow eyes were always half-closed, revealing a bit of cunning, and his thin lips were pale. Now the corners of his mouth were slightly raised, and he took out an imperial edict wrapped in yellow cloth from behind and handed it over.
"It's a coincidence that the Second Madam came. I won't go in. The old ancestor has passed on a message in the palace. Don't publicize this matter first. His Majesty has shown mercy and allowed the imperial concubines of high rank in the palace to return home to visit their relatives. A separate courtyard needs to be built for them. They can return when all the arrangements are completed," Eunuch Chang narrowed his eyes. The old ancestor's instructions were word for word, but the inner matters came suddenly, and even Eunuch Chang didn't figure it out. The virtuous concubine was able to return home to visit her relatives as soon as she entered the palace. The grace of the royal family was only for the virtuous concubine, and the other concubines just benefited from it.

Wang Xifeng was a little stunned. Yuanchun, that’s not right. The Queen wants to go back home to visit her relatives. How does she do that?

"Please trouble the father-in-law to come here, but, father-in-law, is this visit important?"

Wang Xifeng became more cautious. She thought that when returning home to visit her relatives, there should be rules. This was a very important matter. She took out a silver note from her purse, knelt on the ground, took the imperial edict, and held it in her arms, feeling a little nervous.

"Everyone says that the Second Madam of Rongguo Mansion is sensible. Today I see that she is indeed a heroine. I will tell you the truth. The construction of the residence for the imperial visit cannot be delayed too much. The sooner the better. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has a batch of stones and wood ready-made. Each family will be given the first come, first served."

Eunuch Chang replied cheerfully. These were also the instructions of the ancestors. As for the details, they had to go to the Internal Affairs Department to discuss with Eunuch Wang. That was not something he could manage. As for this imperial edict, it was a grace from the palace. There was no need to make a fuss about it and attract the attention of the ministers in the court.
"Thank you for your advice, eunuch. It's a great gift. I will definitely tell the old lady about this. If you don't stay for a meal, please leave."

Wang Xifeng couldn't help herself. Seeing that Eunuch Chang had just got on the sedan chair, she hurriedly expressed her gratitude. She was still thinking in her heart, what's wrong with the so-called visit to the mother's parents and the separate courtyard for the visit to the mother's parents? But no matter what, as long as the construction started, it would cost money. Rongguo Mansion had only had some income recently, and it was afraid that it would not be enough.

"I appreciate your kindness, but I still need to return to the palace to report, so it's not up to others."

After saying this, several young eunuchs lifted the sedan chair, turned a corner and went back, leaving Wang Xifeng behind. She looked around and saw that only some common people were leaning against the door, happily entering the mansion to have a banquet, and no one had noticed this side. Holding the yellow cloth and pulling Ping'er, they entered the inner courtyard and went along the corner of the wall to Rongqing Hall.
As he left, he asked Ping'er questions;
"Ping'er, do you know how much money Ningguo Mansion received a few days ago?"

"Madam, the money we collected was nearly 100,000 taels. After deducting the expenses and the previous accounts receivable of Ningguo Mansion, there were still 80,000 taels left after balancing the account books, including the 20,000 taels given by the old lady and Rongguo Mansion."

The two of them were talking in a low voice. The so-called income was the money given by various families and mansions to the funeral after Master Jing died. Fortunately, Prince Beijing took the lead, otherwise, in the end, who knows how many people would come.
Wang Xifeng blinked and did some calculations in her mind. In this case, if the money in the hands of Madam You and her elder sister-in-law were not used, there would still be 80,000 taels of silver available in the public account of Ningguo Mansion. In addition, there was also the income from the ancestral property. Although it was not much, it would still be 60,000 taels of silver a year. She could make some money by asking for it.
But what is the story behind this villa for visiting relatives, and where can it be built?

"I know. Just keep it in mind. In the end, we should count the gifts from those who came to Rongguo Mansion to see how much is left. Don't say that I am stingy. With so much money coming in, everyone needs money. Hurry up and go to the old lady's room."

The more Wang Xifeng thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong. She had finally collected the silver, but it looked like she would lose it again. The two of them followed the path to the corner door of the corridor of Rongqing Hall and entered from one side.

He opened the curtain and entered the inner hall, only to see that the meal had already been set up. With a twinkling look in his eyes, he walked in.
When Grandmother Jia heard the noise, she looked up and saw that Feng Yatou had arrived, so she hurriedly greeted her.

"Hurry up, I'm waiting for you. If you don't come, the meal can't be served."

"Oh, look at what the old lady said. I came late, so she told them to use it first."

Wang Xifeng smiled and walked straight to the seat reserved for her by Lady Jia's side and sat down. Now in the mansion, the words of the Second Mistress, whether overtly or covertly, were becoming more and more serious.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Jia's mother was about to pick up her chopsticks, but when she glanced at the yellow cloth in Feng's hand, she was moved, put down her chopsticks, and asked:
"What is that in your hand?"

"In reply to the old lady, I was just about to tell you that it was sent by Eunuch Chang from the palace, and he told me not to make it public, but he gave me a grace, saying that the concubines of high rank in the palace could return home to visit their parents, and that they would also build a separate residence for them, and he said that the sooner the better."

Wang Xifeng handed the imperial edict wrapped in yellow cloth to Jia's mother.

When Jia's mother heard this, her face changed and she glared at her.
"How can you be so negligent? Come, set up an incense table in the inner hall and kowtow to thank God for his grace."

When they heard it was an imperial edict, they were curious, but since Grandmother Jia had spoken, they did not dare to sit still. They all stood up and went to the incense table set up in the inner hall, lit incense, and placed the imperial edict on the incense table.
then,

Following Jia's mother's kowtow, under everyone's curious gaze, Jia's mother finally stood up, walked over, opened the yellow cloth, took the imperial edict in her hand and spread it out. It was almost the same as what Feng Yatou had said, except for how to build the separate courtyard for the imperial visit.

Seeing that everyone was still looking at them, especially the anxious look on the second wife's face, she comforted them first;

"Don't wait here. Let's have dinner first and discuss it after dinner. Yuanyang, put up the imperial edict and send someone to bring Li Wan from the West Garden, Madam You from the East Palace, and Marquis Luoyun's mansion to invite them all. If the Marquis asks, tell him that I miss him and invite him to come and talk."

"Yes, old lady."

There was some surprise in Yuanyang's eyes. She responded and went out to arrange for the servant to pass on the message. Everyone in the inner hall was confused and sat down around the table. Grandmother Jia started eating first, and then everyone started eating carefully. Wang Xifeng's eyes flashed with confusion, and she asked Madam You and the eldest sister-in-law to come over. They were in charge of the East Palace and should have come here. Why did they ask that enemy to come over?
After drinking some porridge, I couldn't help but speak out and asked;
"I wonder what the old lady wants you to discuss here with me,"

But Grandmother Jia did not raise her head and replied,
"Since we are going to build a separate residence for the imperial visit, what did Eunuch Chang say?"

"He didn't say anything, but just said that the sooner the better. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has wood and stone materials. If you need anything, just go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

As she was talking, Wang Xifeng understood that she had to use silver to buy it. Things in the Imperial Household Department were not so easy to get, and she didn't know how much silver she had to put in. In an instant, her face turned a little ugly.
"You said it all before. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has stones and wood. Since we are building a courtyard, we need someone to design how to build it. There are only a few master craftsmen in the Ministry of Works, and most of them are at the mausoleum. The rest are with Marquis Luo Yun's father-in-law, who is building a house in the capital. Also, the Ministry of Works is not short of stones and wood. What do you think we should do?"

Although Grandmother Jia didn't know the details, she knew that if these important matters were not discussed well, nothing could be done. Therefore, some things had to be said with a stern face. Finally, Grandmother Jia wanted to finalize Xichun's marriage today, so that she could have someone to rely on in the East Palace. Therefore, this matter could only be decided by Daiyu and Baochai.

"Oh, the old lady is smart, but my granddaughter-in-law is stupid and didn't think of these things. I heard that the Marquis is also in charge of the renovation of the mansions in the capital. This way, we can save a lot."

Wang Xifeng's eyes lit up. If that was true, it would save a lot of money.
"We will discuss this later. We still need to buy the stone and wood from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We cannot buy too little."

After finishing her porridge, Grandmother Jia shook her head. She couldn't offend the Ministry of Internal Affairs just to save money. Finally, her eyes fell on Daiyu and Baochai, with indescribable complexity. She then looked at Xichun, the maid, who was sitting there eating happily, with some pity in her eyes.

"Yu'er, Baochai, wait a moment. I need your consent to talk to the Marquis. The situation in Ningguo Mansion is like this now. Xichun is the youngest and has no one to rely on. I think about it and let Xichun go to the Marquis Mansion as a concubine according to what I discussed with Master Jing before."

(End of this chapter)