Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Upon hearing that the official from the Ministry of Rites who was in charge of granting marriages had arrived at the mansion, Jia's grandmother had no time to pay attention to her son's troubles. She took the female members of the family who had status, followed by Jia Cong, and went to Rong Xi Tang to receive the imperial edict.

At this moment, Jia Cong's mood completely fell to the bottom. He didn't expect that all his planning would end in vain.

In the end, he was forced to accept the arranged marriage. Although he had closed the East Palace for two days, it was ultimately just an act of covering up the truth. Once the imperial edict was issued, the news would spread throughout the East and West Palaces immediately.

He recalled that night in Daiyu's room, the sweet whispers and the warm embrace.

Is it possible that the direction of my future path will be distorted and controlled by the lives of others?

Although he was extremely anxious at the moment, deep down in his heart, he still couldn't believe that things had become a foregone conclusion.

Given Emperor Jia Zhao's intelligence and strategy, even after learning that Jia She had committed crimes such as stealing and transporting muskets and being involved in the private manufacture of firearms, he would still remain unmoved by this arranged marriage!
After Jia Cong, Jia's mother and others entered Rong Xi Hall, they waited for a while and then heard the sound of drums, music and bells coming from outside, coming from far away and getting closer, with a clear and festive feeling.

For ministers, a royal marriage is the most honorable auspicious sign. The wedding ceremony granted by the Ministry of Rites is very gorgeous and festive, and the scene is as grand as that of a medium-level conferment of a title.

At this moment, Grandmother Jia had long forgotten her son's ridiculous behavior, and even temporarily put aside why the Jinyiwei came to arrest her eldest son so early in the morning.

At this moment, she could only hear the sound of drums and music for the arranged marriage outside. The Rongguo Jia family had been established for several generations, but this was the first time that a royal marriage had been arranged. This was a once-in-a-century honor for the Rongguo Jia family.

Jia Zheng was also looking very happy, but he found that among the family members who received the decree, only his eldest brother Jia She was missing. He felt a little strange, because he was Jia Cong's biological father, and his son was being married, but his father was nowhere to be seen.

At this time, there were complex footsteps sounds coming from outside the hall, and it seemed that a lot of people were walking in a line.

Jia Cong and Jia Zheng each walked to the entrance of Rong Xi Hall and looked outside.

Not far outside the hall, four ceremonial officers wearing vermilion sixth-rank official uniforms were seen walking in two rows with their heads held high, each holding a vermilion tray in their hands.

On the tray were placed the vermilion wedding dress, the gold-inlaid black gauze, the seven-treasure phoenix crown, the Hehuan jade belt and other wedding items bestowed by the emperor.

Jia Cong also recognized the leading official, who was Huang Hongcang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. It was also this person who had conferred the title on Jia Cong and announced the imperial edict last time.

The marriage was granted by the imperial decree issued personally by Emperor Yong'an. This was the first time in more than ten years since he abdicated and lived in the palace. Naturally, the Ministry of Rites did not dare to neglect it.

Grand Clan Master Guo Youchang specially asked the Right Vice Minister Huang Hongcang to announce the edict in order to show respect. Although Emperor Yong'an had abdicated for many years, his military strategy almost surpassed that of his ancestors. Although he had abdicated for more than ten years, his prestige has not diminished.

This is also the deep reason why Emperor Jiazhao suppressed and weakened the Four Kings and Eight Dukes since he came to power...

……

Jia Zheng stepped forward and led Huang Hongcang into Rong Xi Hall, and Jia Cong also hurried forward to pay his respects.

It was Huang Hongcang who announced the title for him last time, and the two of them were old acquaintances. Although Jia Cong was reluctant about the marriage, he still followed the etiquette on the surface.

Huang Hongcang smiled and said, "The young Earl of Weiyuan is wise and intelligent, and has received the emperor's grace many times. This is cause for celebration."

Jia Cong clasped his fists and replied, "Master, I am grateful for your repeated announcements of the imperial edict."

Although everyone was just being polite, Huang Hongcang, being an experienced man, still noticed that there was something strange in Jia Cong's expression.

The last time he announced the imperial edict to confer a title on Jia Cong, Jia Cong's demeanor was calm and mature for a young man, which was quite remarkable, but his face couldn't help but show excitement.

But this time he came to announce the imperial decree to grant the marriage, and the young man was proud and should have been full of joy. However, although he was very polite, his expression was too indifferent and a little strange.

Huang Hongcang murmured in his heart, Jia Cong is only of this age, but his mind has been honed to such a profound level...

When all the officials who announced the imperial edict entered the hall, Huang Hongcang took out the pocket watch of the Kingdom of Schwyz and said, "The auspicious time has come. Earl Weiyuan, please accept the imperial edict!"

Jia Cong was slightly shocked when he heard this, and he knelt down with everyone else in Rong Xi Hall to receive the imperial decree.

Huang Hongcang unfolded the imperial edict in yellow silk and read in a straight voice:
By the Will of Heaven, I declare:

Here we have Jia Cong, the Earl of Weiyuan, a descendant of a noble duke. He was a brilliant young man with a clean conduct, talented in both civil and military affairs. He worked hard in state affairs, made the army famous with his military strategies, and left behind many good writings.

He was clear-minded and virtuous, loyal, honest and harmonious. He was still single at his age. Fang Qing, the third daughter of the Zhen family, was from a famous family in the old capital. She was well-mannered and well-versed in etiquette and morality...

Huang Hongcang was an old official in the Ministry of Rites, who often read out imperial edicts. He was experienced and read out the marriage edict in a rhythmic and dignified manner.

The joy and glory in the hearts of Jia Mu, Jia Zheng and others who came to welcome the imperial edict continued to rise, but Jia Cong was the only one kneeling there with a blank expression on his face, as if he was in another world.

……

Just as Huang Hongcang was reading the imperial edict at the crucial point, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the hall, and a sharp but powerful voice rang out: "Proclaim the imperial edict for now. The emperor has issued an order, and the Ministry of Rites is accepting it!"

Huang Hongcang, who was reading the decree, was startled when he heard the voice and subconsciously stopped reading the decree.

He had no idea how many times he had announced the decree, and he had never been interrupted by anyone. He was filled with surprise. Why would the emperor come to the Jia Mansion to issue an edict to the Ministry of Rites? This was unreasonable.
In the hall, Jia Mu, Jia Zheng and others were feeling honored and happy. Suddenly they heard the imperial edict being interrupted. They were all startled and had a bad premonition.

Only Jia Cong, who was kneeling in the middle, lowered his head, but his originally expressionless face now curled up into a faint smile at the corners of his mouth.

It was already four quarters past the hour of Si when Guo Lin received the imperial edict from Emperor Jiazhao, and only two quarters of an hour remained before the edict was announced.

Although he rushed there non-stop, it was quite a distance as he had to pass through the deep palace to reach Ningrong Street in Judefang. He finally arrived at the Jia Mansion just when the fire was about to break out.

Before Guo Lin even approached Rong Xi Hall, he hurriedly stopped the marriage decree. If he waited until Huang Hongcang finished reading the marriage decree before stopping it, it would be a big disaster.

Guo Lin entered Rongxi Hall. He was still a little out of breath because he walked too fast. He calmed himself down and said, "Minister Huang, we have an imperial decree from the emperor. Kneel down and receive it!"

Huang Hongcang was filled with doubt and immediately knelt down to listen to the order.

He saw Jia Cong kneeling beside him. As the person involved, he remained calm and composed in the face of such a sudden change, as if nothing had happened. He was surprised at how shrewd this young man was.

The festive and solemn atmosphere that had originally filled the hall due to Huang Hongcang's reading of the marriage decree had long since disappeared, and a huge sense of fear and doubt weighed on the hearts of everyone in the hall.

……

Guo Lin glanced at everyone in the hall, fixed his eyes on Jia Cong, and then unfolded the imperial edict and read out:
"The Emperor issued an edict:
Today, the authorities have reported that Jia She, a first-class general of Rongguo Mansion, died at one o'clock last night in a private residence in Chongqingfang.

Today, Weiyuan Earl Jia Cong has received the emperor's grace and has been granted a marriage. This is a happy omen of great prosperity, but when the heaven is not ready, the joy and the mourning conflict with each other, which is against common virtue.

The country governs the world with filial piety. Jia Cong is Jia She's biological son. After his father's death, the son should be filial to him. This is a great etiquette. Now I will grant you marriage and observe mourning for three years to fulfill the principle of filial piety. I decree this."

This imperial edict was drafted by Emperor Jiazhao in a hurry. It was not like the imperial edicts drafted by the Imperial Household Department or the Cabinet, which had smooth rhymes and elegant words.

However, the words are concise and the imagery is clear, just like a direct statement, revealing an unquestionable dragon power.

When Guo Lin finished reading the imperial edict, Huang Hongcang, the right vice minister of the Ministry of Rites, changed his face drastically. As a senior official of the Ministry of Rites, he had read many imperial edicts in his life, but had never encountered such a horrifying thing.

It was too unbelievable that the father suddenly died on the day his son was married.

……

Guo Lin's brief and concise decree completely shocked the Jia family members who had just knelt to welcome the marriage decree, and a feeling of sadness began to spread.

Grandmother Jia's face was already pale. She was old and needed help even to kneel down. But she climbed up by herself tremblingly, not caring about etiquette, and staggered to Guo Lin in a few steps.

He asked sadly, "Is my son really dead?"

Guo Lin also bowed his head slightly and said, "This morning, the Jinyiwei found General Jia's body in Chongqingfang. Please accept my condolences, Madam."

When Lady Jia heard this, she burst into tears, rolled her eyes and fell backwards. Lady Wang, Wang Xifeng and other female relatives in the hall hurried forward to support her.

Just now the Rong Xi Hall was filled with joy, but now seeing Lady Jia fainted and hearing that Jia She had passed away, there was a burst of crying, as if there was a joyous occasion and a mourning one at the same time.

Jia Zheng was also frightened by this sudden bad news and his face turned pale.

Huang Hongcang and Guo Lin saw that there had just been a death in the Jia family and it was not appropriate to stay any longer, so they said goodbye to Jia Cong and left the house.

Jia Cong sent the two out of Rong Xi Tang again. He was about to send them out of the mansion, but Huang Hongcang stopped him and told him to take care of the funeral. Jia Cong then asked the housekeeper Lin Zhixiao to send them out of the mansion.

When Jia Cong returned to Rong Xi Tang, Jia's mother had been awakened by the old woman in charge, who pinched her Ren Zhong fiercely. She was crying loudly, and Mrs. Wang and others were crying with her.

Mrs. Xing had cried so much that she passed out, and was carried to the east courtyard.

Jia Cong walked up to Jia Zheng and said, "Master, the old lady is old, and we must not be too sad at this moment. If something bad happens, please stay in the mansion and comfort her.

My second brother and I will go to Chongqingfang now to take care of the old master's funeral."

Jia Zheng had been at a loss for a long time, and since Jia Cong took the lead in this matter, he naturally agreed.

Jia Cong pulled up Jia Lian, who was still in shock, and took five or six servants with him, and left the mansion to go to Chongqingfang to prepare the meal.

At this time, the women in the hall were crying until they were hoarse. After being reminded by Mrs. Wang, they helped Lady Jia back to Rongqing Hall to settle down.

Wang Xifeng's face was also full of tears, like pear blossoms in the rain, she looked particularly beautiful. She looked at the backs of Jia Lian and Jia Cong as they left, and suddenly her heart was startled.

He thought that now that the eldest master was gone, the hereditary title of Rongguo Mansion would immediately be passed on to his second master. Even if he was demoted to a lower rank, he would still be a second-class general.

The imperial edict that he had envied day and night no longer had to wait for decades. It was now within his reach, and it was a second-rank imperial edict, much higher than his wife's fifth-rank concubine.

At this moment, Wang Xifeng's father-in-law had passed away. Her pretty face was filled with tears and she looked extremely sad. However, she was so excited in her heart that she was secretly happy in an unkind way...

……

Ningrong Street, Earl's Mansion, Daiyu Courtyard.

Daiyu sat on the zither stool, wiping the zither in a bored manner, with an absent-minded look on her face.

A head of black hair as beautiful as clouds, casually tied up, hanging in front of the chest, covering the slightly heaving breasts.

Her pretty face was still a little pale, and her pink lips had lost some of their color, making her look very adorable.

Only a pair of smart eyes, still full of autumn water, eyes are gentle, flowing, and touching. Zijuan came over with the medicine bowl and said, "Miss, it's time to take the medicine."

Daiyu frowned slightly, as if she didn't like the taste of the medicine soup, and said, "Haven't you taken it for several days? Why do you need to take it again?"

Zijuan advised: "These are the last two doses. The girl will be finished after taking them. You don't need to take any more after that."

The medicine that Zijuan brought was the prescription that Zhang Youshi had written that day.

In fact, after Jia Cong comforted Daiyu that day, half of her symptoms were relieved. It was just a temporary mental illness and the root cause was not damaged. The prescription Zhang Youshi prescribed was just for warming and nourishing the qi.

Daiyu continued to fiddle with her harp and did not take the medicine bowl from Zijuan's hand.

Zijuan smiled and said, "In the past, when the young lady took medicine, the Third Master would often come over, bringing some candied fruit and icing sugar, and would also test whether the medicine was hot or bitter. The young lady drank it very refreshingly, but why doesn't she drink it now?"

Tanchun, who was looking for books on the bookshelf, couldn't help but burst out laughing when she heard this. She had never known that her third brother had such a way of coaxing people.

Daiyu blushed when she heard this. Zijuan scolded her, "You are the only one who talks too much." Then she took the medicine bowl from Zijuan, frowned, and drank it all in one gulp.

……

Zijuan smiled and took the medicine bowl away. Daiyu suddenly said to Tanchun who was reading, "Third sister, is the West Palace busy receiving the imperial decree to grant marriage to third brother today?"

When Tanchun heard this, she was startled and almost dropped the book in her hand. Her third brother even sealed the door of the mansion and asked her to look after Sister Lin when he went out today.

No one spread the word, so how could Sister Lin guess it?

Daiyu saw that Tanchun looked surprised and said, "It's a bit strange that Third Brother has suddenly closed the door to his mansion these past two days.

This morning I went to his courtyard to talk, but I met him going to West Mansion early in the morning. I chatted with Sister Zhishao for a few words. When she saw me, she spoke much more cautiously than usual. How could she hide it from me?

Later, I went to my second sister's courtyard again. The maid in the courtyard said that my second sister and my third brother went to the West Palace early in the morning. She also said that my second sister used a gold phoenix with pearls and filigree, which was very noble and dignified.

That beaded and filigree gold phoenix was given to my second sister by my third brother. She treasures it very much and only wears it during festivals. I am not stupid, so I can guess what is going on."

Tanchun sighed inwardly. This kind of important matter could not be concealed at all. Besides, Sister Lin was very cunning and could not deceive her at all.

Tanchun was worried that the matter would be exposed, and Daiyu became depressed and sick because of this, feeling a little uneasy.

She stepped forward, took Daiyu's hand and said, "You are a sensible person. Third brother has been close to us sisters since we were young, and he is especially attentive to you. Whatever he does, he wants to take care of you."

Daiyu smiled slightly, with a somewhat sad expression, and said, "I know what Third Sister meant by this, and now I understand that people may have their own thoughts, but they cannot change their destiny.

Even if you keep getting entangled and hurting yourself, it's all in vain, and it's also tiring others to worry about it for nothing. As they say, a long shed is bound to end in vain. Don't keep thinking about what to do in the future, just live well in the present."

Just as Tanchun was about to say something to comfort Daiyu, she heard Xueyan running in breathlessly, saying, "Miss, it's bad. Something big has happened in the West Mansion."

Daiyu and Tanchun were both shocked when they heard this. Daiyu asked palely, "What happened? Isn't Third Brother in the West Mansion?"

Xueyan said, "I wanted to go to the kitchen and ask Sister Liu to make a bowl of bird's nest porridge for the young lady. On the way, I met Xiuju, who was with the second young lady. She had just come from the West Mansion.

It was the Second Miss who asked her to come back and pass on a message. She said that the Ministry of Rites sent someone to the West Mansion today to announce the imperial decree granting marriage to the Third Master…”

When Daiyu heard about the arranged marriage, although she had guessed it a long time ago, she still couldn't help but shed tears when she heard the confirmation.

Tanchun, who was standing by, heard something was wrong and asked quickly, "Since the marriage was granted, how could such a big thing happen?"

Xueyan said quickly, "Young lady, don't panic. I heard from Xiuju that the officials from the Ministry of Rites hadn't finished reading the imperial edict when another imperial decree suddenly came out from the palace.

They said…they said that the eldest master of the West Mansion suddenly passed away, and asked the Third Master to observe filial piety and observe mourning for three years. The marriage grant was also withdrawn by the Emperor. Xiu Ju came back to tell the housekeeper that the mansion should wear white mourning clothes immediately. "

After hearing this, Daiyu and Tanchun stood up at once, their faces filled with shock.

……

When Jia Cong and Jia Lian left the mansion, their family members had already helped them tie white mourning belts, and even their horses were hung with flowers.

The two men had just mounted their horses and ran out of Ningrong Street when suddenly, from the south, there was a loud bell sound, one after another, solemn and loud, as if to shake the world.

At this time, many pedestrians on the road stopped and looked towards the south, listening to the deafening bell.

When Jia Cong heard the bell, his face changed immediately. He turned his head and looked south for a moment. The shadow of Zhen Fangqing appeared in his mind and he sighed slightly in his heart.

Jia Lian, who was standing by, looked puzzled and said, "Third brother, which temple is ringing the bell? Why is it so loud?"

Jia Cong said in a deep voice: "The south is the direction of the palace. There is no temple there. That is the funeral bell in the palace. The bell rang seven times in a row. It means that the concubine of the previous emperor passed away..."

……

The palace city of Da Zhou, Qinghe Palace.

Since last night, Old Concubine Zhen has been unable to speak. She has been suffering from illness for a long time and is at the end of her life.

But Zhen Fangqing still did not give up and stayed by the concubine's side day and night. Under the guidance of the imperial physician, Zhen Fangqing would feed the concubine some ginseng soup every half hour, and she finally made it through dawn.

But after the 9th hour, the old Concubine Zhen's face suddenly flushed and she called out Zhen Fangqing. Everyone around her was shocked, but anyone who knew what was going on knew that this was a last gasp of energy.

Zhen Fangqing walked to the bed, his thin face was covered with tears, he squatted down and smiled softly: "Grandpa, you can talk now, you will be fine if you rest well."

Old Concubine Zhen held her hand but could no longer speak. She just smiled at her and closed her eyes tiredly.

Emperor Yong'an, who had just arrived upon hearing the news, heard Zhen Fangqing's miserable cry, "Old Ancestor..." before he even entered the dowager's bedroom.

Emperor Yong'an was shocked as if struck by lightning. He stood there in a daze and did not even have the courage to enter the bedroom.

He remembered that the emperor had just gone to Chonghua Palace to report the death of Jia She. At that moment, an unrelieved heavy feeling of powerlessness filled Emperor Yong'an's heart.

Emperor Yong'an looked at the bedroom and murmured to himself: Concubine Dowager, I can't even fulfill your last wish, I feel ashamed.

The concubine had good intentions, but her compassionate heart could not defeat the will of heaven. This was probably his fate, it was hard to give up his noble character, and he would never leave the ups and downs...

……

Shenjing, Hongde Gate, two horse-drawn carriages are facing each other, and there is the emblem of a rejuvenation medicine shop on the carriage.

The carriage at the back was filled with sacks of herbs, which gave off a strong smell of medicine.

The curtain of the carriage in front was lifted, revealing a middle-aged man with a straight back and bright eyes. He looked back at the capital city, as if thinking about something.

When he lowered the curtain, the two carriages had already passed through Hongde Gate and headed towards Jinling.

……

Shenjing, Chongqingfang, Jia She's outer residence.

At a nearby intersection, Jia Lian was followed by Xue Pan. The two of them were escorting a horse-drawn carriage, on which was a high-quality coffin selected from the Xue family's funeral shop.

In the house where the master had died, four or five servants entered the main room, arranged Jia She's body, and changed his shroud.

Jia Cong stood alone in the yard, with no sadness on his face, just looking at the sky to the south.

Although he did not know the cause of Jia She's death, he thought that Jia She's crime was whitewashed so that he could openly observe filial piety and get away with it from the marriage arranged by the emperor.

He believed that this must be the work of Emperor Jiazhao.

He also believed that with the emperor's scheming and planning, he would never easily let go of the opportunity to weaken the power of the four kings and eight dukes because of Jia She's crime.

Of course, there is also the huge centripetal force that has never disappeared from these old heroes, and the former emperor in Chonghua Palace.

……

Shenjing, Hongping Street, Hongchun Fur Store.

The shop owner opened the shop on time, but at this time, Jia She had not shown up.

The shopkeeper was not surprised, because the master was a hands-off manager and did not come every day. He would only show up when there was big business from the north.

Not long after, a dozen customers suddenly came into the store in groups of three or four, filling the store up.

The shopkeeper was delighted. He didn't expect that the place would be so popular today. With so many customers coming, he would definitely do more business.

He was about to go forward to greet the customers when one of them suddenly waved his hand, and the other two customers quickly stepped forward and closed the door.

The shopkeeper turned pale in an instant, his heart beating fast. The capital had become so chaotic that thieves could appear in broad daylight.

He said in a stern voice: "What do you want to do? This is the property of General Jia of Rongguo Mansion. You must know the power of it and never dare to act recklessly!"

The guest smiled sinisterly: "The Jinyiwei are investigating the case and are looking for your family. They will arrest everyone!"

The other dozen or so customers rushed forward, tied up the store owner and three employees, and took away all the account books in the store.

Then, he took the man and the account book away from the back door of the shop, put them in a carriage, and disappeared into the bustling street.

What awaits these shopkeepers and their assistants will be endless torture until they tell the Jinyiwei what they want.

Even if the shopkeeper and his clerk knew limited information, they could still find valuable clues in the store's detailed account books.

From this point of view, it is difficult to hide the privacy of Hongchun's fur business, and it will be a bloody surprise.

After a while, Hongchun Fur Shop reopened. The owner was still at the counter, and several shop assistants were busy in the store.

But few people noticed that the people in the store had changed to new faces. (End of this chapter)