Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Daiyu said that if Jia Zheng had listened to Chen Changji's advice, he would have decided to submit a memorial to apologize, and the Jia family would have owed the Chen family a great favor.

These words infuriated Lady Wang. Even Yingchun didn't understand at first. Although Grandmother Jia was also confused, she knew that Daiyu was exceptionally intelligent and there must be a reason for her words.

He asked, "Lin girl, the Chen family had your uncle submit a petition to apologize. It doesn't sound like a good thing. How come our family is indebted to them? I'm really confused."

Daiyu said, "Grandma, just now Aunt Lin brought news that Second Uncle has been suspended from his post and detained by the court because of the Feng Yuan case in Jinling, in which Second Uncle was implicated."

But as far as I know, after Baochai's family moved to the capital, Feng Yuan's case was closed and no one cared about it. How could it have been several years before it was suddenly brought up again?

The reason for this becomes clear upon closer examination: it must be that Brother Xue was involved in the military depot leak case, and the Dali Temple, as is customary, would investigate Brother Xue's past.

The Xue family was originally a prominent family in Jinling. However, it had only been less than three years since Baochai's family moved to the capital. If the government wanted to investigate Brother Xue's background, they would definitely send a letter to the government offices in the secondary capital.

I had heard a lot about the official procedures and laws since I was a child, living in the inner courtyard of the government office with my parents. Because my third brother often went to Nanjing on official business, he knew the details of Feng Yuan's case.

During a casual conversation, it was mentioned that Brother Xue was able to extricate himself from the Feng Yuan case because Jia Yucun claimed that Brother Xue had died suddenly from an illness, allowing him to escape imprisonment and even be recorded in official documents.

Things written in black and white are the most obvious and clear-cut. If no one mentions them, they will remain unknown. But once the capital sends an official document to Nanjing for investigation, the truth will soon be revealed.

The exchange of official documents between the two local governments, coupled with Jia Yucun's confession and his treacherous words, made it clear that his second uncle's involvement in Feng Yuan's case was now public knowledge and could no longer be concealed.

The military depot leak case caused quite a stir. The root cause of the Third Brother's expedition was the loss of military depot secrets. Anything related to this case would reach the Empress's ears directly.

My second uncle was implicated in Feng Yuan's case, and because of Brother Xue, he was indirectly involved in the leak of military supplies. Since this had become a public matter, if the court did not take action, it would be difficult to silence public opinion.

Even though his second maternal uncle was a descendant of a noble family and had served as an official with integrity for more than ten years without making any mistakes, the Emperor still would not tolerate it. This was already a foregone conclusion from the moment the official document was issued.

The Emperor wants to demonstrate the principles of law to the court and the public. My second uncle's official position in the Ministry of Works will certainly not be preserved. Otherwise, if he is punished severely but let off lightly, it will not be convincing to the people, and the law will not be upheld.

However, the second uncle's official position was different from others, as it was bestowed by the Emperor Emeritus. Since the dynasty governs the country with filial piety, the Emperor had to consider the respect for the Emperor Emeritus when dismissing the second uncle from his position.

Therefore, issuing an order to suspend my second uncle from his post and place him under house arrest was not a direct dismissal from his official position. In my private contemplation, I believe this was the implied meaning, though outsiders might not have noticed it.

……

Grandmother Jia, who had been looking worried, couldn't help but smile after hearing Daiyu's words. She said, "My Yu'er is so clever and perceptive that she can see through such subtle details."

Zheng'er's position in the Ministry of Works was indeed of noble origin. It was because the Duke, on his deathbed, submitted a memorial to the Emperor Emeritus, who, out of pity for the long-standing friendship between the emperor and his minister, granted Zheng'er an official position, thus providing him with a shortcut to a career in government.

His Majesty is also a filial son. When he decides to punish Zheng'er's official position, he will naturally consider the Emperor Emeritus's filial piety and dignity. Yu'er, does this mean that even if Zheng'er is suspended from his post, he can still be reinstated?

When Grandmother Jia said this, even though Lady Wang was dissatisfied with Daiyu, she felt that what Grandmother Jia said made a lot of sense. She subconsciously softened her tone and waited for Daiyu to say something nice.

But Daiyu said, "It would be best if he could be reinstated to his original position, but I'm afraid that's not possible. The official document has been issued, which means the matter has been settled and there will definitely be some punishment."

Lady Wang's face fell again when she heard Daiyu say something unpleasant. Grandmother Jia sighed, thinking that Daiyu's words made sense. Now that things had come to light, how could she possibly get away unscathed?

Daiyu said, "Grandma and Second Madam don't need to worry too much. Second Uncle's situation is currently unstable, but fortunately there are other benefits at home, namely that Third Brother has just been awarded a title for his meritorious service."

The Emperor values ​​my third brother's military talent and has entrusted him with important responsibilities. This is an act of imperial favor towards his subjects. Perhaps my second uncle can share in this favor, and there might be room for leniency regarding his transgressions.

……

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang felt another pang of pain in her heart. How come everything in this family, good or bad, is related to that boy? Everyone mentions him, as if they can't speak without him.

This girl Lin rambled on and on, going around in circles, just to praise this kid. Everyone in the family does the same thing these days; it's truly disgusting.

This girl is the old lady's favorite. Among so many girls in the family, even if the old lady can't make up her mind, she will call her over to talk, which shows how much she values ​​her.

If this brat keeps talking in circles and bewitching the old lady, praising Cong-ge'er all the time, the old lady is getting on in years and her ears are easily swayed.

Since I can't stay in the West Mansion to oversee things, if I keep feeding the old lady rice porridge like this, she might really change her mind, and my affection for her will only grow weaker.

Now that the master's career has run into trouble and he will most likely lose his official position, if Baoyu loses his former importance and status in the old lady's heart, the second branch of the family will probably become increasingly weak and helpless.

That brat is just as awful as her mother. She's all silver-tongued and sharp-tongued; she's no good at all. Just look at how her eyes light up with joy whenever she talks about Cong-ge'er—she can't even suppress it.

They are cousins, and they live in the East Mansion with their sisters. Could it be that these two are having an affair? In the grand mansion, the dirty deeds of cousins ​​are nothing short of bizarre, but they are a common occurrence.

Besides, Cong-ge'er has always been despicable, even ruining and playing with Bao-ya. This Lin-ya is also a beauty, so do you think he would let her go easily? He probably did it to her in the morning, so who knows?

I'm not often at the West Mansion these days, so I can't find any clues. Otherwise, if I had a handle on this scandal, I'd see how this girl behaves and how the old lady would still dote on her precious granddaughter.

Could it be that the boy's ridiculous rule of not allowing outsiders to enter the East Mansion wasn't meant to bully my Baoyu, but rather to cover his tracks so he could run wild inside?

This matter concerns the reputation of the Jia family. As the mistress of the house, I cannot stand idly by if anything scandalous or immoral happens. I should pay close attention...

……

Lady Wang, with her wicked thoughts, was overcome by jealousy and resentment, and for a moment she was lost in thought. It was only when she heard Daiyu's clear and melodious voice that she was able to regain her composure.

Daiyu said, "Even if the laws of the country are severe, we still need to weigh the pros and cons. When there are specific external factors, standards, and degrees of severity in handling a matter, there will be room for maneuver and a degree of thoroughness."

It seems that the eldest brother of the Chen family may have received some guidance from the old master Chen, or perhaps he realized the mystery behind it, which is why he came to his second uncle to analyze it, and that's how the petition to apologize came about.

That's why the granddaughter said that because of this matter, the Jia family owed the Chen family a great favor.

Grandmother Jia sighed, "It's all thanks to your keen observation. What you said makes perfect sense. The Chen and Jia families have no enmity with each other, so why would they come to harm my Zheng'er at this critical juncture?"

Daiyu smiled and said, "Grandmother, please rest assured. Master Chen is an upright man. He was my third brother's tutor in the imperial examinations. Their relationship is extraordinary. It is only natural for him to support his disciple."

The eldest brother of the Chen family is the senior brother of the third brother. They are not only fellow disciples, but also know that the second uncle and the third brother have a deep family bond. He must be grateful for the help from their family friends before he came to help.

Over the years, I have corresponded with my father, and he often talks about anecdotes from officialdom as a form of instruction, which broadens my horizons. My third brother also often talks about matters of the court and the countryside, and I have been greatly influenced by him.

Even if my second uncle couldn't keep his position in the Ministry of Works, he would most likely be demoted or exiled. The court would always make some gesture to make a show of it.

Although this path has been fraught with difficulties, as the old saying goes, officialdom is full of ups and downs, and such things are common. As long as my second uncle can keep his official position, there is always a chance for him to make a comeback in the future..."

...When Lady Wang heard the words "demoted and exiled," her heart ached. When the old master passed away, Jia Zheng was granted the position of principal of the Ministry of Works, and later promoted to assistant minister.

As a result, Lady Wang and her entire family rose to prominence. Because of her husband Jia Zheng and the fact that she was the legitimate wife of the heir of the Rongguo Mansion, she was granted the title of Fifth-Rank Lady by the imperial court, truly a great stroke of luck.

Before Wang Ziteng rose to power, the Wang family was one of the four great families of Jinling, but it had already declined in the inland areas. The male head of the family held a low-ranking official position and had not produced an imperial consort for many years.

Every woman in the Wang family had a strong desire. After marrying into the Jia family, Wang Xifeng's greatest wish was for her husband, Jia Lian, to inherit the title, so that she too could receive the honor of being a titled lady.

But now, her life has been shattered, becoming Wang Xifeng's lifelong regret. As a daughter of the Wang family, Madam Wang also had the same desires as Wang Xifeng, but she was much luckier than Wang Xifeng.

She became the only Wang family woman to hold an imperial title. After Jia She died suddenly while concealing his crimes, Madam Xing's title was also revoked, and Madam Wang became the only woman of the Wen generation to hold an imperial title.

Although Jia Cong's birth mother, Du Jinniang, was posthumously granted the title of Fifth-Rank Lady, which had long aroused Lady Wang's jealousy and disgust, she was, after all, a dead person and would not affect Lady Wang.

The title of Yiren was her proudest honor. After the second wife was reduced to a secondary branch, it was her last remaining dignity, something she valued highly and could not afford to lose.

Regardless of whether Jia Zheng was suspended from his post and confined to his residence, or demoted and exiled, Lady Wang was not only anxious about her husband's career, but also worried about whether her own fifth-rank imperial title would be revoked by the court.

However, she couldn't openly express these thoughts to her husband's face, lest it be improper. She could only show it by being extremely protective and concerned about his career prospects and future...

Although she disliked Daiyu's tone, she wasn't entirely stupid. Deep down, she felt that what Daiyu said made sense, but the words "demotion and exile" made her heart pound.

She couldn't help but say, "Grandma, since Cong-ge'er has made great contributions in battle, the court has shown some leniency towards the master. There is still a lot of room for maneuver, so we shouldn't miss this opportunity."

The daughter-in-law still had the same idea: the old lady and the Empress Dowager were very close friends. If the old lady went to the palace to do favors for her husband, the Empress Dowager would be willing to speak on her behalf out of consideration for their past relationship.

"The Emperor and the officials will show leniency towards the monk, but they will surely preserve your position. As long as you are reinstated, even a year or two of suspension and confinement in your residence will not be a problem."

……

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's face stiffened slightly, and she felt somewhat troubled. Entering the palace to plead for mercy was no small matter, and the old lady herself was uncertain about the outcome.

Daiyu suddenly said, "Second Madam, it is not appropriate to ask Grandmother to go to the palace to plead with the Empress Dowager. It may backfire and cause complications."

Madam Wang frowned and said, "Lin girl, you are still young and do not know the stories of the older generation. Before the Empress Dowager married, she was also born into a prominent family in Jiangnan."

The old lady and the Empress Dowager were close friends from their youth, a friendship spanning decades, which was extraordinary. If the Empress Dowager were to enter the palace and earnestly request permission, the Empress Dowager would certainly consider it.

Daiyu sensed the dissatisfaction in Madam Wang's words, her mind went blank, and she stopped talking. After all, Madam Wang was an elder, and her maternal grandmother was also present, so she had to save face for her.

Yingchun felt somewhat dissatisfied with Madam Wang's harsh words. The Second Madam was just a housewife in the inner quarters and couldn't read or write. She couldn't possibly have the extraordinary insight of Lin Daiyu.

Just now, Lin Daiyu spoke carefully, and every word she said was for the sake of the Second Master. It also reflected her relationship with Cong Di. How could the Second Madam be so ungrateful as to say such cold words?

When Grandmother Jia heard Daiyu's opposition to entering the palace, she didn't find it offensive. Daiyu's words were thoughtful, intelligent, insightful, and enlightening.

Grandmother Jia was filled with pride and asked her granddaughter for advice. Sure enough, she was right. Her daughter was so outstanding back then, so naturally, the daughter she raised would also be top-notch.

He laughed and said, "There must be a reason why Lin girl says that. I'm getting old and my mind is more confused than before. I don't understand the reason. Why don't you tell me?"

……

Lady Wang's expression stiffened upon hearing this. She had asked the old lady to go to the palace to plead for her, but this wretched girl had said it was inappropriate. The old lady even wanted her to explain the reason. Wasn't this a slap in her own face?

She's just a girl from another family, and the old lady has spoiled her for so many years. Isn't that enough? Why does she still have to pamper her like this? She's really getting more and more senile.

Daiyu said, "Grandma, the current emperor is a diligent and capable ruler. Since ascending the throne, he has been diligent in his duties and has outstanding talent and strategy, which has led to peace and prosperity throughout the country and earned him praise from both the court and the public."

I have heard that the retired emperor was also a ruler of exceptional talent in both literature and military affairs, but since Your Majesty ascended the throne, the retired emperor has retired to Chonghua Palace and no longer concern himself with state affairs, which shows that he greatly trusts Your Majesty's abilities.

Although I was not fortunate enough to meet the Empress Dowager, two years ago the Emperor Emeritus sent an eunuch to the palace to request calligraphy. My third brother personally wrote the poems and brought them to the palace, and the Empress Dowager subsequently rewarded him.

These are all the Four Treasures of the Study used by the emperor in the palace, as well as rare items used in daily life, which shows that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus are of one mind and their thoughts are extremely similar.

Over the years, my third brother has been rewarded by the Emperor with gold and imperial wine for his meritorious service in judging cases or fighting in battles. However, on such occasions, Chonghua Palace has never bestowed any further favors upon him.

That was because the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager bestowed their gifts as a sign of praise for the younger generation, while the Emperor's own bestowal was a matter of etiquette between ruler and subject. The two were clearly distinct, and the proper relationship between ruler and subject was a great national etiquette.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor Emeritus believed the ironclad rule that the empress dowager should not interfere in politics. The old lady went to the palace to beg the Empress Dowager to intervene, and since the matter involved a case of leaked military supplies, wouldn't that put the Empress Dowager in a difficult position?

If the news reaches the Emperor, he will think the Jia family has acted improperly, which will likely backfire. Not only will it make the second uncle bear more blame, but it will also be bad for the third brother.

……

Lady Wang felt a mixture of resentment and confusion upon hearing Daiyu's words, but her knowledge was ultimately limited, and Daiyu's words were so shrewd that she had no way of finding fault with them.

That brat stopped the old lady from going to the palace to plead for him, ultimately for Cong-ge'er's sake, worried that he would be implicated. If she weren't corrupt, why would she be so concerned?

If we let this girl sway us in this matter, and no one in the family does anything but let things slide, then once the master is demoted, we ourselves will lose all our dignity...

Lady Wang racked her brains, trying to find a way to persuade Grandmother Jia after Daiyu, Yingchun, and the others left. She was determined to do her best in this matter.

But then Grandmother Jia said, "Lin is truly insightful. What she said makes perfect sense. Remember that year when Wang Shanbao's family was involved in witchcraft? Your eldest uncle was implicated and detained in the Imperial Clan Court."

At that time, I went to the palace to plead with the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager advised me not to pay attention to these matters and to let me take care of my health. Her words were very similar to what Lin Yatou had said.

The matter of entering the palace should be dropped to avoid causing more trouble. Even if Zheng'er is really demoted, he will still retain his official position. Ups and downs in officialdom are common.

Cong-ge'er has already made meritorious contributions and been promoted in less than half a month since he went to war. Now is a critical moment for him to make achievements and establish his career. He should not lose sight of the bigger picture and pick up the sesame seeds while losing the watermelon.

Now he is a vice minister. As long as his career continues to flourish, our Jia family will be secure. We will wait for Cong-ge'er to return to the capital in triumph and for Zheng'er's matter to pass.

"It's easy to get Cong-ge to help Zheng-er in official circles, so there's no need to panic too much. Let's just settle this matter to save people from worrying every day."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang was stunned. Her original plan to instigate him from behind the scenes had fallen through, and she was so angry that her chest ached as if it were being pricked by needles.

The old lady is used to being carefree and has completely abandoned the matter, focusing solely on making a mess of things and ignoring the master's life or death, only caring about Cong'er's promotion and rise to prominence.

She couldn't just watch her master be demoted and exiled, lest the second branch of the family lose its only foothold. She absolutely refused to agree to it... (End of Chapter)