The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 84: Two Sides
Since even the Rong Mansion has been invited, the Ning Mansion naturally has to have a whole family present as well.

Therefore, after leaving Doufengxuan, Youshi came to Tianxianglou again.

Qin Keqing and her servant had already learned from Ruizhu that Zhang Yunyi had been promoted. When they heard that his title was equal to Jia Zhen's, they were naturally overjoyed.

If they were worried before that Zhang Yun逸 could not stand up to Jia Zhen, they no longer have this worry now.

Not to mention that he also held the actual position of Tiangongyuan, just the emperor's favor was beyond Jia Zhen's reach.

Of course, it is difficult for an honest official to settle family affairs. After all, Zhang Yun逸’s surname is not Jia. If they want to solve the problem thoroughly, they have to catch Jia Zhen in the act and then report it to Jia Jing.

Thinking of this, Qin Keqing couldn't help feeling dazed. There was always a time lag in sending messages, and it was impossible for it to be as coincidental as last time every time.

Even though Zhang Yun逸 rushed over immediately after hearing the news, he still had to face Jia Zhen's harassment.

Her clothes were already thin in the summer, and if he tore them open a little, wouldn't her uncle see them?

When this thought came to her mind, the first thing that came to her mind was not the shame and anger of being harassed by Jia Zhen, but how Zhang Yun逸 would react after seeing this.

By the time she reacted, she was already filled with ashamed. Her charming face was immediately covered with a layer of blush, making her even more captivating.

Baozhu saw her blushing and absent-minded look, so she pondered for a moment, leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Grandma! This is to celebrate for Grandpa. As the host, we have to go over early to greet the guests!"

When Qin Keqing heard this, her body trembled slightly and a hint of confusion appeared in her eyes.

Baozhu's words seem to be correct, but if you look closely, the words "grandma" and "grandpa" do not have a prefix, which makes them quite ambiguous.

And he regarded himself as the master of the house...

Although the wedding banquet was arranged by the Ning Mansion, it was understandable, but it was still a bit inappropriate.

If it were in the past, she would probably point it out, but now, she couldn't help but have a slight thought.

Since I have often put myself in Xiangling's shoes in my dreams at midnight, why should I try to cover it up?
However, considering their respective identities, she couldn't help feeling guilty and hurriedly made an excuse, "Yes! Let's go quickly. Last time, Aunt sent Ping'er over and gave her two bottles of rose water, but I haven't had a chance to thank her yet!"

……

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study Room.

"Be flat!"

Zhang Yunyi thanked him, and Emperor Zhengqing raised his hand and said with a smile: "I have been feeling refreshed recently. It seems that this good deed has had some effect. My dear minister, you must keep up the good work!"

Zhang Yunyi was startled for a moment, then realized that this was a psychological effect, and quickly replied: "I will definitely not disappoint Your Majesty!"

Emperor Zhengqing said in a deep voice: "Well! I have been thinking recently, since the law of the immortals is to benefit the people, then reducing taxes and levies, rectifying the administration of officials, eradicating corruption, and putting an end to annexation and exploitation, is it also feasible?"

"Your Majesty is wise. As long as the result is good, it will definitely be effective."

He was being a little clever here, as his past life experience told him that no matter how good an idea was, it might not necessarily produce good results when it was actually implemented.

This was especially evident in ancient times.

Due to the limitations of information transmission, it is impossible to communicate from top to bottom.

Even the seemingly simple reduction of taxes and levies is the same.

How much of the annual tax money is pocketed by officials along the way? Once the tax money is reduced, the fire consumption will inevitably be reduced accordingly. How many officials along the way who are used to eating meat can bear to drink soup?
I'm afraid I'll have to find another way to make up for it by then.

Land annexation has been a chronic disease throughout the dynasties. Unless there is the courage of teachers, there is no way to eradicate it completely.

It might even cause trouble.

So, he only talks about the results.

Emperor Zhengqing did not understand his implication, and thought he meant that there were more than just the few items mentioned. Considering that he had no experience in governing a country, he did not continue to ask, but only asked about the future plans of Tiangong Academy.

“Although glass has been produced, its uses are far more than this. As the saying goes, fire prevention is better than theft prevention. I am currently urging craftsmen to make glass lampshades, which are not only fireproof, but also can make the candlelight brighter.

I plan to build another large factory to expand production... to make smoother glass, and replace the windows in the palace with those used by the immortals..."

In ancient times, most houses were made of wood and had many gauze curtains. If the candlelight at night was blown by the wind, it would easily cause a fire.

Even if ordinary covers are windproof and fireproof, they do not allow for enough light to pass through. Glass covers perfectly solve this problem.

This was also inspired by the kerosene lamps in the previous life. Although the glass cover is expensive at this time, it is worth it compared to the damage caused by the fire.

He spoke a lot in an eloquent manner, and Emperor Zhengqing was listening attentively.

Until Dai Quan whispered behind the emperor: "Your Majesty! Prince Ning is coming!"

"Call him in!" Emperor Zhengqing looked at Zhang Yunyi who was about to leave and said, "Your mother is from Ningguo Mansion, so there is some connection. There is no need to be shy. You can tell me the rest later!"

While he was wondering, Prince Ning, wearing a khaki robe with a five-clawed dragon pattern, stepped in.

Zhang Yunyi quickly stepped aside and waited for him to salute the emperor before saying, "Your Highness Prince Ning, I, Zhang Yunyi, greet you!"

Emperor Zhengqing has two princes. The eldest prince, Prince Qin, is the son of the deceased queen, and the Prince Ning is the son of Concubine Zhen.

In ancient times, the system of monogamy was practiced with multiple concubines, and even the emperor was no exception. Only the empress was the emperor's legal wife, and the other concubines were equivalent to concubines.

The imperial concubine, on the other hand, is somewhere in between the two and is more like a co-wife.

In order to show respect to the empress, most emperors would leave the title of Noble Concubine vacant, unless they encountered a particularly favored concubine or a meritorious relative, then they would make this exception.

The reason why Concubine Zhen was given the title of Concubine was not because she was favored or her family had great achievements, but because her mother was the emperor's wet nurse.

Because the Queen died young, people have often petitioned over the years that the position of Queen should not be left vacant, but Emperor Zhengqing has never agreed.

He has been thinking about how to get on the good side of the new emperor. Although the royal family pays the most attention to seniority and the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, given the status of the Zhen family in Emperor Zhengqing's heart, he may not choose Prince Ning.

Moreover, he remembered that the book once mentioned that an old empress dowager died in the palace, and Jia Mu and others still observed the mourning period according to their titles.

This is also the reason why he considered the possibility of Prince Ning succeeding to the throne.

He was daydreaming, thinking about this and that, but the words of Emperor Zhengqing brought him back to his senses.

"Your mother mentioned to me the other day that she wanted to give you Jia Yuanchun, a female official in her palace, as a concubine. What do you think?"

"I will obey the decision of my father and mother!"

"Yes!" Emperor Zhengqing nodded and said, "Your mother has already chosen a date, which is the 26th of next month. I will issue an order to Rongguo Mansion later. You should go back and prepare well!"

After hearing this, Zhang Yun逸 felt a little confused.

He had indeed guessed that Emperor Zhengqing was the emperor emeritus in the original book, but Jia Yuanchun was not named a concubine until the new emperor ascended the throne.

Although her identity would not change if Prince Ning succeeded to the throne, it would be different from the original book.

He was not afraid that the emperor would give up the idea of ​​abdication because of the claim that he had done great deeds.

The key point is that without the Grand View Garden, wouldn’t the Dream of the Red Chamber be less interesting?
Thinking of this, he bowed and said, "I have something to ask you, Your Majesty!"

……

(End of this chapter)