The Red Mansion

Chapter 301 Yuan Yi Orders Meng Xiong's Home to be Confiscated

More than ten days have passed since the Duke's Mansion took over and investigated the Rongguo Mansion's accounts. But how could the accumulated wealth of this century-old family be sorted out overnight?

The Rongguo Mansion's finances were not a single ledger, but rather a complex web of interconnected and intertwined accounts, resembling a winding corridor. Upon closer examination, they comprised several categories, including public accounts, accounts for individual departments, accounts for special projects, and accounts for physical inventory in the storerooms. The public accounts alone encompassed a wide range of matters, such as farm harvests, salary income, daily purchases, and social obligations.

The ledgers were piled up like mountains, and the receipts were as numerous as the sea. How many unknown secrets were hidden in each yellowed ledger; how many unclear and inexplicable expenses were recorded on each faded receipt.

The investigation team dispatched by Yuan Yi to Rongguo Mansion had to retrieve all the account books and receipts, interview the relevant stewards, managers, and even the guests, and conduct item-by-item verification and comparison.

Fortunately, this investigation was carried out by Imperial Prince Yuan Yi, and even Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, and Lady Wang had no choice but to obey. Furthermore, members of the eldest branch of the family, such as Jia She, Lady Xing, and Jia Lian, were all severely punished and not at home. Therefore, there was little resistance.

Furthermore, Lin Zhixiao, the chief steward who had managed the Rongguo Mansion's accounts for many years, was the first to realize the truth. He not only proactively admitted to making the necessary compensation but also wholeheartedly assisted in the investigation. The steward Shan Daliang also proactively admitted to making the compensation and assisted in the investigation. These two stewards made the investigation process much smoother.

As for Zhang Ruojin, she was originally a member of the Rongguo Mansion and was familiar with its affairs. Although she couldn't help but consider old relationships and had some private calculations when she was ordered to investigate, she still worked quite diligently overall.

Even so, Yuan Yi was still dissatisfied.

His biggest complaint was against Wu Xindeng. This steward, who had managed the Rongguo Mansion's treasury for many years, not only refused to admit wrongdoing and make amends, but also dared to resist and obstruct the investigation!

On the morning of June 12th, Yuan Yi told his wife Yuan Chun in detail about Wu Xindeng's matter in the east wing of Debentang. He then said, "This kind of unruly servant dares to be so lawless because he relies on his master's leniency! To put it mildly, he has no respect for his master; to put it more seriously, he has disobeyed the imperial decree! After all, I was ordered to investigate and rectify the Rong Mansion this time."

At this point, his expression turned stern: "My mind is made up. Arrest Wu Xindeng and his wife, along with all their family members and servants, immediately, and confiscate their property. Only in this way can we make an example of them and deter others from doing the same!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun couldn't help but feel melancholy. However, seeing Yuan Yi's stern expression, she knew she shouldn't try to dissuade him, so she could only agree in a low voice: "Fourth Master is right. Such a wicked servant should be severely punished."

Immediately, Yuan Yi ordered someone to summon Meng Xiong, Zhang Ruojin and his wife, and Lin Zhixiao and his wife. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they had all arrived and stood respectfully in the Lishenzhai.

Yuan Yi sat upright in his seat, his face ashen, his gaze sharp as lightning. He ordered in a deep voice, "Wu Xindeng and his wife have resisted and obstructed the investigation. Arrest the couple, their family, and servants immediately, and confiscate their property. Meng Xiong will lead the team, and Zhang Ruojin and Lin Zhixiao, your families will assist in this matter!"

As the group left Lishengzhai, the sky was overcast and a cool breeze blew by. Zhang Ruojin whispered to Lin Zhixiao, "Why did Wu Xindeng come here?"

Lin Zhixiao sighed deeply, shook his head, and remained silent.

……

……

Upon receiving Yuan Yi's orders, Meng Xiong, Zhang Ruojin and his wife, and Lin Zhixiao and his wife immediately gathered a group of the Duke's personal guards and servants, and the group headed straight for the Rongguo Mansion's treasury.

It was only Chen Shi (7-9 AM). The silver treasury courtyard was paved with blue bricks, with vermilion-lacquered pillars and two tightly closed iron gates. In the courtyard stood an old locust tree with lush branches and leaves. Three or five servants were sweeping and dusting when they saw Meng Xiong and his entourage suddenly appear. They were so frightened that they quickly hid under the eaves, standing with their hands at their sides, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Meng Xiong, dressed in the official robes of a fifth-rank Imperial Guard, with a short-handled broadsword at his waist, led several personal guards and strode into the guardhouse next to the treasury.

Wu Xindeng and his wife were drinking tea and talking in their duty room. Wu Xindeng was wearing an indigo robe and holding an expensive purple clay teapot; his wife was wearing a lilac-colored vest and a gold hairpin in her hair. When they saw Meng Xiong leading several guards with swords drawn, they both looked up, and the purple clay teapot in Wu Xindeng's hand trembled.

"What...Master Meng has something to say?" Wu Xindeng forced himself to remain calm, put down the purple clay teapot, stood up, clasped his hands, and forced a smile on his face.

Meng Xiong didn't answer, his face ashen, he waved his hand, and his personal guards swarmed forward like wolves. Two burly men pinned Wu Xindeng's hands behind his back, while another grabbed his wife's arm. In the process, they knocked over the purple clay teapot on the table, shards flying everywhere, tea spilling everywhere, just like the shattered future of Wu Xindeng and his wife.

Wu Xindeng struggled and shouted, "I am the steward of this mansion, how can you do this to me!"

Meng Xiong snorted coldly, his voice booming: "By order of the Duke: You and your husband have committed serious embezzlement and have resisted and obstructed the investigation. Arrest you both immediately, along with your family and servants, and confiscate your property!"

These words were like a bolt from the blue. Wu Xindeng's wife collapsed to her knees, wailing and crying, "What a terrible injustice! We've served in this household for twenty years. Even if we haven't made any great contributions, we've certainly worked hard! The old lady, the master, and the mistress all know this!"

At this moment, Zhang Ruojin stepped forward with a solemn expression and said, "Now that things have come to this, stop making excuses. The treasury is short of funds, and the evidence is conclusive. Making excuses will be of no use."

He paused, softening his tone: "If you have any sense at all, you should reflect on your actions immediately and confess truthfully during the interrogation. I will still consider our past relationship and put in a good word for you two with the Duke."

Wu Xindeng stubbornly insisted, "Although I have embezzled, it's not serious. Who in this household doesn't embezzle for their own benefit? Why single me out for this?"

"Shut up!" Meng Xiong shouted sternly, his voice shaking the roof tiles. "Stop making a racket! Take him away!"

The guards shoved and pushed the two men out of the guardhouse. As they passed the treasury, Wu Xindeng stared at the two heavy iron doors, his eyes filled with reluctance. His eyes were red, his teeth clenched, while the iron doors gleamed coldly in the morning light, as if mocking his foolish delusion.

The group moved through halls and courtyards, with servants giving way, old women hiding, young servants whispering, and powerful servants stealing glances. Some who were on good terms with the Wu family were terrified at the sight; others, who had been oppressed by the Wu family or were envious of them, secretly clapped their hands in delight.

Wu Xindeng and his wife were taken to the South Wing stable. The stable was quite spacious and was where horses were kept. In the corner, there was an earthen hut for storing hay, which served as their prison cell.

The mud walls inside the house were mottled and covered with cobwebs. Hay was piled up, and the air was filled with the smell of horse manure and decay. A small window, about a foot square, peeked in from a high place.

Meng Xiong ordered his personal guards to push Wu Xindeng and his wife inside, and with a "bang," the wooden door was locked from the outside.

Wu Xindeng's wife rushed to the door and, through the crack, saw the guards standing outside with knives. She immediately grabbed Wu Xindeng's clothes, crying, and whispered, "Heavens! What are we going to do? It's all your fault for being so greedy!"

Wu Xindeng slumped onto the haystack, muttering, "I never imagined...that Duke would be so serious. In previous years, when Second Master Lian checked the accounts, it was just a formality, easily dismissed..." "You still mention Second Master Lian!" Wu Xindeng's wife cried even harder, "Now the eldest branch has fallen, and you still think it's the same as before! You know that Duke is...he's ruthless, he's confiscated countless properties, and he kills without blinking an eye! This time, not only will we lose our property, but we're afraid...we're afraid we'll even lose our lives!"

Wu Xindeng forced himself to remain calm: "It can't be that serious. The old lady and the second master are both kind-hearted. We've been running this household for so many years, do you think we'd show them no mercy? At most, they'll confiscate the property on the surface, but the things hidden... they might not be able to find out. In any case, we can't confess!"

He said this, but his heart was pounding like a drum.

Hearing her husband's words, Wu Xindeng's wife felt a glimmer of hope rekindle in her heart. She tidied her disheveled hair, wiped away her tears, and thought to herself, "Perhaps it's true, as my husband says, that the old lady and the second master are sentimental and will say a word for us!"

……

……

After imprisoning Wu Xindeng and his wife in the stables of the south courtyard, Meng Xiong did not rest for a moment. He immediately gathered a group of his personal guards and servants, and led Lin Zhixiao and his wife straight to the Wu family residence. Along the way, people came and went, and upon seeing this group of men with a murderous aura, some glanced away or whispered among themselves.

The Wu family residence, located near Ningrong Street, was a surprisingly spacious two-courtyard complex with blue bricks and green tiles. While the main gate couldn't compare to the grandeur of the Rongguo Mansion, its brass rings gleamed. Such an imposing presence hardly resembled that of a servant's household! Many officials in the capital couldn't afford such a residence situated within the inner city!
Meng Xiong took the lead, knocking on the door first, and then led his troops in, shouting sternly, "Take them all down, and don't let a single one escape!"

The guards and servants rushed in like wolves, and the courtyard was instantly thrown into chaos, with cries and screams filling the air. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, more than ten members of the Wu family, young and old, were all bound and brought to the front yard.

One of the elderly women, with gray hair, was Wu Xindeng's mother, Granny Wu. She was over sixty years old and tried her best to shout, "Our Wu family has served the Jia family for generations. The old lady often praised us for our loyalty. Even when the Duke was alive, he treated us well. How can you confiscate our property with knives and canes like this?"

Lin Zhixiao's wife stepped forward and advised, "Old lady, please say less. The Duke is investigating the Rong family by imperial decree, and he personally ordered the confiscation of your property. If you make a scene and anger that lord, you may face even harsher punishment."

After temporarily detaining the group in the outer courtyard, Meng Xiong ordered his men to confiscate their property.

In no time, the guards and servants began rummaging through chests and cabinets.

The interior was exquisitely furnished, with rosewood tables and chairs, marble screens, and several display cabinets. However, after searching for half a day, only three or four hundred taels of silver were found, and there were very few pieces of jewelry, which was quite inconsistent with the grandeur of the mansion.

Meng Xiong frowned and asked Lin Zhixiao, "Is this all the Wu Xindeng family has to offer?"

Lin Zhixiao hesitated for a moment, then leaned closer and whispered, "Master Meng, you are wise. Logically speaking, this shouldn't be the case. I'm afraid... I'm afraid they had this planned all along."

Meng Xiong understood that they must have hidden their family property. He immediately ordered his men to pack the loot into boxes and transport it back to the Rongguo Mansion. He also took all of Wu's family members and servants to the South Courtyard Stable. Along the way, the neighbors all peeked out to look.

Back at the South Wing stable, Meng Xiong ordered Wu Xindeng to be brought in for interrogation. The former treasury manager was now disheveled, his clothes rumpled, and he had lost his former imposing presence. However, even when two guards forced him to kneel, he still managed to maintain his composure.

Meng Xiong said in a deep voice, "I advise you to honestly confess where you have hidden your valuables. If you resist, don't blame me for using torture!"

Wu Xindeng raised his eyes and said, "These are all the belongings I have at home. There's nothing else I'm hiding."

Meng Xiong said, "It seems you won't confess without torture." He waved his hand and ordered his men, "Give him twenty strokes of the cane!"

Meng Xiong had worked with Yuan Yi on more than one major case, and had also accompanied Yuan Yi on numerous raids and interrogations, so he was quite experienced in this area.

The guards forced Wu Xindeng down onto a bench, and the blows rained down on him. At first, Wu Xindeng gritted his teeth and endured the pain, but after a dozen or so blows, his skin was torn and blood soaked through his silk trousers. Finally, he cried out in agony, "Please spare my life, sir! I... I really didn't hide anything!"

After the twenty strokes of the cane were finished, Meng Xiong asked again, but Wu Xindeng still insisted that he had not hidden any family property.

Meng Xiong then ordered Wu Xindeng's wife to be brought in. When the woman was dragged in, she was already pale as a ghost. Seeing her husband lying face down on the bench like a corpse, she collapsed to the ground.

Meng Xiong said to the woman, "Now that things have come to this, even if you don't confess, I can still find out. Your family members and servants, including your elderly mother, are all being held here. If I interrogate them one by one by torture, how can I not get the truth out of them? If you confess now, you may be able to save your lives."

Wu Xindeng had already conspired with his wife, agreeing that they must not confess under any circumstances. Therefore, although the woman was terrified, she still gritted her teeth and said, "I really...I really didn't hide anything..."

Meng Xiong ordered his personal guards to whip her. The leather whip drew an arc in the air and lashed the woman's back with a "crack." A scream startled the horses in the stable, causing them to stamp their feet restlessly. After ten lashes, Wu Xindeng's back was covered in bloody welts, yet she still refused to let go.

Meng Xiong ordered his men to take Wu Xindeng and his wife away, and then brought in Wu's old nanny for interrogation. The old nanny was also stubborn and refused to confess. Next, they interrogated Wu Xindeng and his wife's youngest son, who was only a teenager. The guards raised their rods and struck him several times, and he cried out in pain, "I confess! I confess!"

It turned out that at the end of last month, Wu Xindeng sent a trusted old servant with several people to transport two large boxes of valuables to a house outside the city.

Meng Xiong immediately suspended the interrogation and personally led more than ten of his personal guards and servants, escorting Wu Xindeng's youngest son out of the city. They arrived at the house outside the city, broke down the door, and indeed captured Wu's old servant who was guarding the place. They also found two large chests in the cellar. Upon opening them, they found dazzling gold ingots, stacks of silver ingots, jewelry, antiques, and several land deeds and house deeds.

When Meng Xiong escorted the old servant and two large chests of gold and silver treasures back to the stables in the south courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion, Wu Xindeng and his wife were ashen-faced, as if they had lost their parents.

Meng Xiong looked coldly at Wu Xindeng: "Now that the evidence is all there, what else do you have to say?"

Wu Xindeng collapsed to the ground, panicking, and cried out, "I want to see the Second Master!"

Wu Xindeng's wife cried out, "I want to see the old lady! I want to see the second wife!"

Meng Xiong sneered, "Even if the master of this manor were willing to see you now, he couldn't save you!"

(End of this chapter)