Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

The divine capital, Judefang, the Earl's Mansion.

On the cobblestone path in the backyard, a slender and graceful figure was walking towards Daiyu's yard.

She wore a pine green and aqua blue embroidered long vest with a collar, an ivory tulle lining, a snow-white long skirt, and a dark green embroidered sweat towel tied around her slender waist.

With her shiny black hair and beautiful, soft face, under the late summer afternoon sun, she looks as delicate as a willow and as graceful as an orchid.

In Daiyu's yard, Zijuan carried a copper basin and went to the well in the front yard to fetch water.

Seeing the figure coming in from the courtyard gate, he smiled and said, "Sister Wu'er, why are you out strolling under the scorching sun? Aren't you afraid of getting sunburned?"

Wu Er smiled and said, "I heard that Miss Lin has not been feeling well these past two days, so I came to see her."

Zijuan glanced into the inner room behind her, took Wu'er a few steps, and sat down on the shaded porch.

He said: "The young lady has not been eating or sleeping well these days, and she is a little tired. The second young lady has asked a doctor to see her. He prescribed a few doses of herbal medicine to soothe the mind and she will be fine after taking it.

The girl has been in much better health in the past two years and rarely gets sick. In fact, there is no other problem, but she is just upset. "

Zijuan turned around and glanced into the inner room, whispering in Wu'er's ear, "It's all because of the incident with the third young lady of the Zhen family. The young lady is feeling uncomfortable."

Wu Er smiled softly and said, "Today, Third Master's servant Jiang Liu came back from Jinling to deliver a memorial to the palace for Third Master."

Zijuan's face lit up and she asked, "So is your Third Master coming back?"

Wu Er replied, “Not yet, I heard that the mission in Jinling is not yet completed and it will take some time before he returns.

The eldest lady placed Jiang Liu and the five accompanying guards in the guest house in the outer courtyard, and asked my mother to prepare wine and food for them. I asked my mother to find out some things and came here to tell you. "

Zijuan smiled and said, "Good sister, do you have anything good to say about the Third Master? Come on and tell me."

Wu Er smiled and said, “Jiang Liu follows Third Master every day, and he knows everything about Third Master.

I asked my mother to ask him about the matter between the Third Master and the Third Miss Zhen. They are said to be close and to be in talks about marriage. This has been spreading in the West Mansion recently, so I have to get the exact news."

Zijuan chuckled and said teasingly, "You are so concerned about when the Third Master will get married, but you can't wait to become a concubine."

Wu Er blushed when she heard this, and twisted Zi Juan's waist: "What are you talking about, you old girl.

I am just the maid of the Third Master, a servant born in the family. I don't dream of carrying a sedan chair. I just need to serve the Third Master well and let everyone live in peace."

Zijuan laughed and said, "You are such a hypocrite. Everyone knows that you are the confidant of the Third Master. If you stay here for a long time, I am afraid you will not be given a sedan chair, haha."

Wu Er's face flushed, and she frowned as she said, "You nagging little hoof, I came here to say something nice to you, but you teased me, so I won't say anything, but don't regret it!"

After saying that, she stood up, twisted her slender waist and was about to leave.

Zijuan quickly stepped forward and pulled him, saying with a smile: "You are such a boring person, I just made a few jokes and you turned your face away, I said too much, I am wrong, isn't that ok.

Tell me your good words quickly, or you won’t be allowed to leave.”

Wu Er pouted, sat down again, smoothed her hair, and said, "My mother asked Jiang Liu, and Jiang Liu said that the Third Master and Miss Zhen San are not as close as rumored.

Because Miss Zhen San asked Master San to help save her brother, she visited Master San once at the Jia family's old house. Later, Master San went to the Zhen family to celebrate Old Lady Zhen's birthday, and he probably also met Miss Zhen San.

We only met twice, and they were all public affairs. It's not like the outrageous rumors in the mansion, about a close engagement, which are just gossips from the people below. "

Zijuan felt relieved after hearing this and asked again, "The palace's plan to grant marriage is not fake. I heard Mrs. Shi say it was true in Rongqing Hall that day."

The affairs of Rongqing Hall in the West Mansion could never be kept secret, and Jia Cong was now the focus of the Jia family, so the strange things about his arranged marriages would naturally spread faster.

Naturally, all the girls and maids in Jia Cong's room heard about this.

Wu Er said, “I can’t say for sure what happens in the palace, and no matter how capable the Third Master is, he can’t control what the nobles in the palace do.

In my opinion, the Third Master must have gone to pay respects to the old lady of the Zhen family and showed his face in front of the elders. It is possible that the Third Master, who is so proud of his character and appearance, was favored by the elders. "

When Wu'er said this, her little face was full of smiles, and she looked quite proud.

He then said, "The old concubine in the palace is the elder of the Zhen family. The marriage was probably arranged through that method. This matter has nothing to do with the Third Master.

In short, the same thing applies. Third Master did not flirt with the girl in Jinling, nor did he choose the girl as his wife. "

Wu Er said this, and he couldn't help but smile and said, "Just tell your daughter these good words, it will be more effective than taking any medicine."

Zijuan was delighted and said, "Sister Wu'er, you are so kind. You found out all these good things and told me. I thank you on behalf of the young lady."

Wu Er smiled and said, "Before the Third Master took Zhi Shao out, he told me to visit Miss Lin more often. He was worried that Miss Lin would suffer any loss or injustice. I was just helping the Third Master to keep an eye on her."

Zijuan said, "Sister Wu'er, please don't let anyone know about your worries. If it gets to the West Mansion, it will be a disaster and will definitely cause a big fuss."

Wu Er nodded and said, "I have been in your house for more than a year or two, I know the seriousness of the matter, you can rest assured."

He laughed again and said, "I won't go in to see Miss Lin. If I say those things, Miss Lin will be embarrassed. You should just say these nice words quietly to your girl."

……

Zijuan saw Wu'er off and went into the inner room and up to the embroidery tower.

Daiyu was seen lying on the bed, her long beautiful hair casually tied up in a bun with a pearl hairpin inserted in it, she was wearing a light green gauze dress, a light blue bodice, and a white gauze skirt embroidered with plum blossoms.

She had picturesque eyebrows and eyes, a slender body, and an air of immortality. She was holding a book of unknown origin in her hands, flipping through it absentmindedly.

"Zijuan, who came just now? I think I heard you talking to someone."

"It's Sister Wu'er from the Third Master's room."

"Then why don't you invite her in? I haven't seen Wu'er for a few days, and I just want to talk."

Zijuan walked to Daiyu with a smile and repeated what Wu'er had just said.

Daiyu felt relieved after hearing this and said, "Is that really the case?"

Zijuan smiled and said, "Jiang Liu is the trusted servant of the Third Master. The Third Master takes him with him wherever he goes. How can this be false? This is what Wu Er specifically asked Sister Liu to ask. It can't be wrong.

Wu Er also said that before the Third Master left, he had told her to visit the girl more often, which shows that the Third Master always cared about the girl. There are many sisters in the garden, but he only cares for the girl the most. "

The sadness on Daiyu's face dissipated a lot, and her heart was filled with tenderness. She said, "Third brother is such a hateful person. I don't care which girl he likes to be with."

Zijuan couldn't help but smile. Daiyu blushed slightly and asked angrily, "What are you laughing at?"

Zijuan said: "I advise the young lady to relax a little. The Third Master is a man of both civil and military talents, and he is very successful at a young age. It is not surprising that a man like him is being missed by a girl.

I'm afraid that this kind of thing will happen again in the future, and the girl can't handle it all."

Daiyu blushed when she heard this, glared at Zijuan and said, "I wasn't raised in a small family, don't I know this?

My third brother is of the bloodline of a duke, the son of a noble family, and was granted a title at an early age. It will be normal for him to have wives and concubines in the future. Isn’t this the case for all wealthy families?

My father was also well-read, and had been served by maids and concubines since he was a child. After my mother passed away, it was thanks to Aunt Chen who took care of the family that my father was able to live without worries at home and focus on his career.

I don’t mind what Third Brother does, I just…

Over the past year or so, many of the noble relatives who came to see the old lady off have been paying attention to his good deeds. If the old lady hadn't stopped talking, I'm afraid he would have already... "

Daiyu and Zijuan have been together since childhood. Although they are master and servant, they are as close as sisters. She is either very cautious or a little wary of other people.

Only Zijuan was devoted to her and planned everything for her. She was also very close to Zijuan, so when she had something on her mind, she did not hide it from her.

In fact, some thoughts had been accumulating in Daiyu's heart for more than half a year. When she heard that Jia Cong asked Wu'er to come and take care of her often, she was so moved that she said them out unconsciously.

Daiyu felt something was wrong when she was halfway through her speech. Her face suddenly turned red and she saw Zijuan beside her trying not to laugh.

She raised her eyebrows and said through gritted teeth, "You silly girl, you deliberately teased me by saying these embarrassing words, and you even dared to laugh secretly. I will not forgive you!" As she said that, she jumped up from the bed and chased after Zijuan. Zijuan screamed and ran around the room to hide.

Zijuan begged for mercy and fled, laughing: "Even if you don't say it, I know it very well in my heart. Even if I hear it, it doesn't matter. I won't tell anyone..."

Two pretty and graceful figures were running and chasing each other back and forth in the house. The ringing of bells and laughter filled the room with spring, and all the distant thoughts and melancholy were quickly swept away.

……

The palace city of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Qianyang Palace.

Guo Lin was covered in cold sweat, kneeling in front of the imperial desk, feeling panic and helpless.

There was silence on the imperial desk, but it frightened Guo Lin more than the emperor's harsh rebuke.

After waiting for a long time, the gloomy and cold voice of Emperor Jiazhao came from behind the imperial desk: "Mobilize the capable personnel of the Central Vehicle Department to investigate the matter of Du Hengxin's promotion from centurion to thousand-householder of the Water Supervision Department.

I want to see, apart from Prince Beijing's Mansion, who else in the Five Military Commandery is involved in fraud, colluding with merchants, and selling official positions and titles!"

Guo Lin's voice trembled slightly as he replied, "I will definitely make amends and investigate this matter thoroughly!"

The focus of Jia Cong's memorial was that Luo Xiong, the commander of Suzhou Guard, had sheltered and hidden Zhou Zhengyang, a wanted criminal of the imperial court, and was suspected of being involved in a major case of the Water Conservancy.

The insider investigation into Du Hengxin in the memorial could only prove that his past was blemished, but it did not provide any evidence to prove his guilt.

However, Emperor Jia Zhao's focus in this memorial did not seem to be on Luo Xiong. A guard commander who violated the national law could be taken down with just one imperial decree.

Instead, the person he was most concerned about was Du Hengxin, whom he was very familiar with and who had played a special role for him more than ten years ago.

Because this person, whom he originally didn't care about and even despised, suddenly made him smell a certain dangerous aura...

……

Back then, he transferred Du Hengxin back and forth, promoted him twice, and left him alone for ten years, simply because he felt that this person was not worth re-employing and that he had squeezed out all his value.

It was not until five years ago when the Water Conservancy Bureau defeated Japanese pirates along the coast of Songjiang that Du Hengxin, who had disappeared for many years, returned to the attention of Emperor Jiazhao.

Later, Du Hengxin was promoted to the deputy commander of the Jinling Commandery because of his outstanding performance along the coast of Songjiang.

Although Emperor Jiazhao was wary and prejudiced against him, it was understandable that Du Hengxin was promoted one level due to his great contributions.

If Emperor Jiazhao, with his dignity as an emperor, had obstructed the movement, it would have been disrespectful and given rise to criticism.

Therefore, he went along with the calls from the Five Military Commanderies and the court.

Later, the former Jinling Commander-in-Chief Wang Sheng died of illness. The four kings and eight dukes wanted to take advantage of this vacancy to rebuild their power in the army.

Duke of Qi Chen Yi was recommended by many nobles to take over as the commander-in-chief of Jinling.

However, this official position was the first military officer of the Nanzhili Guard Army, and was related to the control of military power in the six states and one prefecture in the south of the Yangtze River.

Emperor Jia Zhao would never allow this official position to fall into the hands of the four kings and eight dukes.

So Du Hengxin, the deputy official of the Jinling Military Command and the third-rank assistant commander, once again entered the emperor's vision.

A person who has no family background or connections in officialdom is undoubtedly more suitable to be a chess piece for the emperor to take whatever he wants. He can be used to occupy the position of the commander-in-chief of Nanjing, leaving the four kings and eight dukes no chance to take advantage.

When Du Hengxin ascended to the high position of Jinling Commander-in-Chief, the plan of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes to revive the country once again failed.

Duke of Qi Chen Yi was sent to the Five Military Commandery, and naturally took on the sinecure of commander-in-chief of the Left Army. Emperor Jia Zhao once again remained calm and crushed the delusions of the four kings and eight dukes into the dust.

A major case broke out at the Water Supervision Bureau. Du Hengxin was not Zou's direct superior, so although he was responsible for poor supervision, he was not guilty of any crime.

Jinling Wei Zhou Zhengyang was involved in the case, and Du Hengxin had submitted a petition to plead guilty, but after an investigation by the Dali Temple, it was found that Du Hengxin was not involved.

Therefore, Emperor Jiazhao did not move the chess piece he had placed among the Jiangnan Guards.

However, it was not until Jia Cong's memorial that it was revealed that Du Hengxin's resurgence was actually closely related to the Zhen family of Jinling.

The Zhen family in Jiangnan is deeply involved with the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, and there is even the shadow of the former emperor behind them.

This made Emperor Jia Zhao, who was always suspicious, suddenly suspicious, which was why he asked Guo Lin to investigate the matter thoroughly.

……

Guo Lin said: "Your Majesty, the memorial of the Earl of Weiyuan said that Du Hengxin was able to be promoted from a hundred households to a thousand households because of the financial support of Zhen Yingquan of the Zhen family in Jinling.

If we want to investigate this matter thoroughly, we must involve the Zhen family of Jinling.

There have been rumors in the palace in recent days that the Zhen family in Jinling has taken a fancy to Earl Weiyuan and wants to marry Miss Zhen San to him. The old Concubine Zhen has already made a suggestion to the Emperor, wanting to arrange a marriage for the two.

The old Concubine Zhen had a high status, and even the emperor treated her with courtesy and filial piety.

At this juncture, I have to thoroughly investigate the affairs of the Zhen family. I am afraid that if the Emperor and the Concubine Dowager find out, they will blame me... "

Guo Lin had been in the palace for many years, so he naturally knew the intricate connections involved.

There are considerable risks hidden behind the investigation of the Zhen family.

Even if he could go through fire and water for the emperor, he had no confidence that the emperor would save him if he angered the former emperor and the dowager concubine and lost his official position and his life.

After all, maintaining a balance and harmony between His Majesty and the Emperor is much more important than one's own life, so that's why I have the courage to ask this question.

After hearing this, Emperor Jia Zhao frowned slightly. He had also heard about the affairs between Jia Cong and Miss Zhen San in the past few days.

Jia Cong was talented in both civil and military affairs, was granted a title at a young age, and had always been highly valued by the emperor. The Zhen family in Jinling wanted to recruit him as a son-in-law, but this was just an attempt to curry favor with the powerful and build up their family influence.

He said calmly: "There are many things wrong with this marriage. Jia Cong is from a duke's family and is a nobleman in the imperial court. It is not decent for him to marry the daughter of a merchant.

Regarding the matter of Zhen Yingquan, for the sake of the dignity of the Emperor and the Concubine Dowager, we should first investigate it secretly and not make it too public. I will make a decision after we have obtained solid evidence!"

Emperor Jia Zhao had always been somewhat disdainful of the marriage between Jia Cong and Miss Zhen San.
Now that he knew about Zhen Yingquan's affairs, he felt more alienated from the Zhen family in Jinling and naturally became even more resistant to this marriage.

He even thought about how he should respond if the emperor really wanted to grant him a marriage.

It was nothing more than seizing the initiative and arranging a marriage for Jia Cong before he became the emperor.

He would never allow the young and capable officials whom he had carefully cultivated to be influenced and eroded by others, thus losing their value in serving and being valued.

It is in the emperor's own interests, and her father and uncles are the most loyal subjects of Emperor Jiazhao. There are many such wealthy and noble ladies in the city of Shenjing.

Even his family background is higher than that of the Zhen family in Jinling...

……

Guo Lin put the memorial in his hand back on the imperial desk, and Emperor Jiazhao took a look at the memorial.

Jia Cong found out that Luo Xiong was hiding Zhou Zhengyang, and presumed that Suzhou Wei was also involved in the Water Supervision Department case.

On the surface, this matter had nothing to do with Du Hengxin, but Jia Cong still listed the results of his investigation into Du Hengxin's performance in his memorial.

This shows that he, like himself, has already had some doubts about this person, but there is no relevant evidence at the moment.

Emperor Jia Zhao knew that Jia Cong had traveled thousands of miles to write an urgent letter because he was vaguely aware of the complexity of the situation in Nanjing and did not want to act rashly, lest he discover something he should not touch and suffer the consequences.

Emperor Jia Zhao sneered in his heart. The disciples taught by the old fox Liu Jing'an indeed behaved in the same way as him.

Regardless of how the Du Hengxin incident is resolved, a countermeasure must be determined and an imperial edict issued as soon as possible for the follow-up to the major case of the Water Supervision Bureau.

Only in this way can Jia Cong act according to the order as soon as possible. Otherwise, if time is delayed, unexpected events are inevitable.

So he said to Guo Lin: "Pass on my oral order, summon the Minister of War Gu Yankui and the Minister of Justice Wei Guanyao to the palace to discuss the matter!" (End of this chapter)