Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The next day, when Jia Lian returned from the military headquarters, Jia Zheng was indeed in the study, gathering the family members to discuss matters.

Besides Jia Zheng and Jia Zhen, there were also the two head stewards, Lai Da, Lin Zhixiao, and Lai Sheng, as well as several of Jia Zheng's guests, such as Zhan Guang and Cheng Rixing.

Jia Lian finally met Shan Ziye, an old man in his sixties with slightly graying temples, but in good spirits.

"Lian'er, you've come at the right time. We were just getting to an important point, and there's something I need to discuss with you."

Jia Zheng led Jia Lian to the large desk in the center of the study, where Shan Ziye's freshly drawn first draft of the design was laid out.

"Yesterday, I sent people to demolish the rear half of the wall of our two mansions and the servants' houses in the eastern area."

According to Mr. Shan Ziye, mountains, water, and trees are indispensable in the construction of any garden.

Huifang Garden originally had a stream of water drawn from the north corner of the East Mansion wall. In the future, a clear canal can be dug in the garden to directly draw this water from east to west, running through the entire garden, thus eliminating the need to draw water from elsewhere and reducing many troubles.

However, the rocks and trees currently in Huifang Garden are probably far from enough. It would be cheaper and easier to move some from the east wing.

Jia Lian immediately understood Jia Zheng's meaning.

Before the east wing was given to Jia She to live in, it was the original garden of the Rongguo Mansion, which was full of rocks and trees.

Previously, the family had reached a consensus that Rongxi Hall would remain Jia Zheng's residence, while the east wing would belong to Jia Lian.

Although the rocks and trees are not particularly valuable, they are still one of the most important components of the east wing, so any relocation of them would naturally require Jia Lian's consent.

"What the master is considering is that if such a large garden for the imperial visit were to be built, the number of trees and rocks needed would be countless."

The discontented master said, "These past few days I've been building a place for myself to practice martial arts. I've already had the craftsmen dig up and move many trees and rocks, which are precisely for the construction of the garden."

Those trees were dug up with their roots and soil still attached. If they were transplanted to the garden as soon as possible, most of them should be able to survive.

In addition, you may send people to the east courtyard to inspect the garden. If you take a fancy to any tree or rockery, as long as it is useful in the garden, you may send people to move it in. There is no need to discuss it with me separately.

Building the family garden is the most important event for the family right now, and as family members, we should set aside our selfishness and give it our full support.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng felt a warm glow in his heart.

Look how well you put it! If only it were my own son!

It's worth noting that the reason Jia She was willing to live in the east wing was probably because the scenery there was beautiful, which made him feel less like he was being exiled.

If the precious flowers, trees, and rocks inside were all moved away to build a garden, then the east courtyard would really be nothing special.

Thinking of this, Jia Zheng couldn't help but glance at Jia Zhen.

As expected, Zhen'er was not as enlightened as Lian'er. She kept saying that the Empress's affairs were the most important thing, but in her heart she was still heartbroken that the construction of the Imperial Garden for the Empress's visit to her family occupied most of her Huifang Garden.

When the topic of demolishing the walls between the two government offices came up, his eyelids twitched so much, clearly showing his reluctance.

Why doesn't he consider that the Empress is now one of the Four Consorts, and the Jia family has become imperial relatives, so the only one who benefits is his clan leader?

Once this garden is built, it will become the Empress's temporary palace, not necessarily part of their Western Residence.

To be honest, if the Rongguo Mansion weren't currently short of funds, he would have really wanted to give Jia Zhen tens of thousands of taels of silver, so that the other party wouldn't always feel that they were taking advantage of him.

Then he looked at Jia Lian and said, "It's kind of you to think of things so thoroughly. In that case, even if the needs of this project are still insufficient, it shouldn't be too much of a problem to make up for it in the future. This way, we can save a lot of money."

"That's exactly right..."

The group then brainstormed ideas on how to quickly set up the garden.

Jia Zhen had already heard Shan Ziye explain the overall plan, and now, after carefully examining the complex and detailed blueprints, he suddenly said, "Reporting to you, Master, although building the garden according to Mr. Shan Ziye's plan will certainly be perfect, in my opinion, if we were to build so many palaces and villas, I'm afraid the cost would be enormous."

In my opinion, we could omit the buildings on the east and west sides, as well as the main mountain range to the north, and then simply decorate it with some rocks, ponds, and trees.

In this way, the construction period can be shortened, and money can be saved for the future welcoming of the Empress back home.

Jia Zhen's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over the heads of everyone who was looking forward to seeing what the garden would look like after it was built.

谷鶄

Upon hearing this, Shan Ziye immediately realized that although the Jia family was a public institution, their budget might not be particularly sufficient. So he hurriedly said, "If we follow your suggestion, it's not impossible. Please allow me to consider it carefully and make some additions and modifications..."

There are ways to build a garden depending on how much money you have and how little money you have.

Shan Ziye was also impressed by the Jia family's prestige: their two mansions were even more spacious than most princely mansions in the capital.

Seeing Jia Zheng's sincere entrustment, he wanted to design a perfect garden based on the terrain of the Jia family mansion to showcase his learning and reputation.

However, if the Jia family doesn't have enough money and has to give up halfway, it would be counterproductive.

I think it's unnecessary.

I just briefly observed the old gentleman's design, and it can be described as ingenious, perfectly combining the topography of our two residences. Moreover, according to the old gentleman, it also incorporates feng shui metaphysics, which shows that the old gentleman is indeed a master of garden design.

If we follow Brother Zhen's suggestion and omit the pavilions on the east, west, and north sides, the entire garden will become monotonous.

In my opinion, these things should not only not be omitted, but I would also like to ask the old gentleman to put in more effort to design them in a more exquisite way.

At that time, the selection of materials for all buildings will still need to be personally overseen by the old gentleman.

"Once this is accomplished, my Jia family will certainly reward you handsomely."

Jia Lian would never allow Jia Zhen to cause trouble.

Does Jia Lian still remember that Xue Baochai, the hermit of the mountains, will one day live in Hengwu Garden on the mountainside of the north?

He also wants to delete the villas on the east and west sides. Wouldn't that mean he might also erase Lin Daiyu's Xiaoxiang Pavilion?

What was the point of building the Grand View Garden then?

Without Hengwu Jun and Lin Xiaoxiang, can the Grand View Garden still be called the Grand View Garden?

Jia Zhen did not expect that Jia Lian would reject his suggestion in public.

The reason he made this suggestion was simple: he was afraid that the Rongguo Mansion would run out of money and then try to fleece him again!

"But if we don't do it this way, I'm afraid that just building this garden will cost too much money. Then we'll have to welcome the Empress back home for a visit. Will you be able to support that?"

"If you're only worried about money, there's no need to worry."

Even without the old lady's prior statement, we cannot wrong Her Majesty.

The Empress is the most important person in our Jia family. Even if we live a frugal life in the future, we must still welcome the Empress home in a grand and glorious manner.

Moreover, this palace isn't useless just because it's only used once for a family visit. If the emperor grants permission to visit family again next year, then there will be no need to worry about the location anymore.

Therefore, for the long term, this garden should not be built with any shortcomings in order to save a few tens of thousands of taels of silver.

There's one more thing...

Master and Brother Zhen, have you ever considered that our Lady is virtuous and talented, and she has already been granted the title of one of the Four Consorts upon her first conferment? If our Lady were to rise even higher in the future, not only would it bring blessings and glory to our Jia family, but if she were to return to her hometown, would we be expected to build another garden?

Therefore, we might as well go all the way and build the best one.

I wonder what the master and Brother Zhen think?

Jia Lian's words were like a thunderclap in the ears of Jia Zheng and the others.

Yuan Chun is already one of the Four Imperial Concubines; if she were to advance further, she would be…

Imperial Concubine!

The Imperial Concubine is above all other concubines and can assist the Empress in managing the affairs of the inner palace.

It can be said that the Imperial Concubine had transcended the status of a "concubine" and could be considered a "mistress" in the six palaces.

In the palace now, there is only one Imperial Concubine, who is the birth mother of the Third Prince.

This is also the reason why the Third Prince has an extraordinary status among the princes and even dares to compete with the Crown Prince for attention.