The King of Beijing in the Red Mansion

What Mrs. Xing said about extravagance was nothing more than she felt that this was the property of the Duke of Rong's Mansion being used, so she had some reservations, which made Mrs. Wang quite unhappy, but it was not appropriate to speak at this time, so she could only remain silent.

Grandmother Jia looked up at Madam Xing and was clear about the eldest daughter-in-law's thoughts. She couldn't help but scold her, "What do you know? The eldest girl's marriage into Prince Beijing's mansion is not only about the second house, but also about the entire Rongguo Mansion and the entire Jia family. You are so petty, and you don't feel ashamed."

As for the marriage between the Jia family and the Beijing Prince's Mansion, Jia's grandmother knew in her heart that this was a matter concerning the entire Jia family. Apart from other things, on the day of the initial engagement ceremony, many super-ranking marquises and earls came to congratulate. Although it was the face of the Jia family, it was also the face of the Beijing Prince's Mansion.

Moreover, Yuanchun's background is not worth mentioning compared to the prince's mansion. Although there is nothing unusual about the prince, there is no guarantee that Concubine Beijing will not despise her. Therefore, they can only make a fuss about Yuanchun's dowry to show that the Rongguo Mansion values ​​her and should not be underestimated.

Mrs. Xing was choked up when she heard this. She did not dare to refute in front of Lady Jia, but Mrs. Wang was delighted in her heart, after all, her eldest maid brought honor to her.

Seeing that the atmosphere had cooled, Sister Feng stepped forward with a smile and said, "I was envious of the good things in the old ancestor's storehouse, and now they are all given to you, which shows how much the old ancestor loves you. After all, you are a precious young lady from a noble family, and you are really impressive.

Hey, I've heard that my aunt's dowry was eye-opening, and now I think my elder sister's dowry is not bad either."

In fact, not only Mrs. Xing felt distressed, but Sister Feng also felt chest pain. You have to know that she is from the eldest wife's family. However, this was the will of the ancestors, and Sister Feng had no choice but to do it even though she felt chest pain.

Moreover, strictly speaking, those things do not all belong to the property of the Rongguo Mansion. Most of them were the dowry that Lady Jia gave when she married into the Rongguo Mansion. It was up to Lady Jia to decide who to give them to.

Judging from the current situation, even after Lady Jia passes away, the family property will probably be left to Baoyu, so even if Fengjie feels heartache, she has to bear it.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang felt even more relieved. The aunt that Feng Jieer mentioned was none other than Daiyu's mother, Jia Min. It should be noted that when Jia Min got married, the magnificent scene made Mrs. Wang feel uneasy. But now, her daughter was no less prosperous, so she could finally vent her anger.

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia didn't say anything. At the beginning, Jia Min was very much loved by them, and when she got married, she was much more glorious. Now that Yuanchun is married, although she cannot be considered a real lady from a noble family, she is marrying into the Beijing Prince's Mansion, which is completely different.

Yuanchun, who was standing by, pursed her lips and said to Grandmother Jia: "Grandma, I also feel that this is a bit too much."

Although Yuanchun knew that dowry represented respectability, she had no intention of plundering her parents' home.

Mrs. Wang's expression remained unchanged when she heard this, but she suddenly became anxious, worried that Lady Jia would change her mind.

Grandmother Jia did not listen to Yuanchun's words. She shook her head and said, "Girl, you don't have to pay attention to these. When you marry into the palace, live a good life."

Grandmother Jia did not mention anything about helping the Jia family, because as long as Yuanchun could gain a foothold in the palace, everything else would fall into place naturally.

As she spoke, Jia's mother looked at Mrs. Wang and asked, "Daughter-in-law Zheng, you should choose the person who will accompany you to the bedroom carefully, so as not to make fun of yourself."

The so-called companion-in-law refers to a girl in the old days who would marry into her husband's family. Everything was unfamiliar to her, so she would bring a wife from her parents' home to take care of and support her. This included teaching and guiding her on housework, etiquette and various relationships, etc. She was also the young lady's "protector", just like the servant Zhou Rui and his family that Mrs. Wang brought from her parents' home.

Of course, the more wealthy and distinguished the family, the more complicated it is. There are not only such types of escorts, but there are also single girls. These are called escort girls, and those like Tanchun are dowry attendants. Each has different responsibilities. .

Mrs. Wang smiled and responded, "Don't worry, old lady, I know."

Grandmother Jia nodded slightly and said no more. After all, she knew that Yuanchun was Lady Wang's own flesh and blood, so she would naturally be very concerned. She was just giving her a reminder.

Madam Wang groaned for a moment, then looked at Yuanchun and said, "Speaking of which, the eldest maid is only served by Baoqin and a little girl. This is not appropriate. How about this, I will send the two trained maids to you later."

As a future princess, she seemed undignified with only one or two maids around her.

Yuanchun's cheeks turned slightly drunk when she heard this. They were all talking about her getting married, so she couldn't help feeling a little shy. When she heard that Lady Wang was going to give her a maid, she wanted to refuse, but she thought what Lady Wang said made sense, so she didn't say anything more.

At this time, Jia's mother added: "Zheng's wife, don't forget the third girl."

Although Tanchun was a concubine who came with the dowry, she was also a legitimate concubine and should be treated as a proper lady.

Sister Feng, who couldn't bear her loneliness, heard the news and said, "Old ancestor, I've left the three girls to me. I'll definitely look for some little girls to flatter my heart."

PS: If you have any ideas about the selection of the dowry maid, feel free to discuss it and give the author some suggestions, but it must be logical.

Also, today is just one chapter, please forgive me.

Chapter 87 Wedding Day

On the auspicious day of the zodiac, the sky was bright and the Royal Palace in Beijing was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Guests from all walks of life came here to congratulate one after another. The palace looked very happy.

Inside the flower hall of Prince Beijing's mansion, there were already quite a few people sitting in the hall. They were of different ages, but they all looked quite majestic.

Soon, Shui Rong, wearing an indigo robe with silver-edged cloud-patterned edging on the collar and cuffs, and a wide green brocade belt with auspicious clouds around his waist, walked into the flower hall accompanied by Feng Ziying.

When everyone saw Shui Rong approaching, they all stood up to greet him, and the respectful words of "Your Majesty" could not be heard.

Shui Rong sat down safely in the main seat. Feng Ziying, dressed in tight clothes, stood behind him like a bodyguard.

Feng Tang, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but feel relieved when he saw this. His son's fortune was quite good and he was increasingly valued by the prince.

After Shui Rong sat down, he looked at everyone in the hall.

Headed by them are Niu Jizong, the current first-class baron of Zhenguo Mansion, Liu Fang, the current first-class son of Liguo Mansion, Qiu Liang, the current commander of the Five Cities Army of Jingtian Marquis Mansion, and Feng Tang, the Shenwu General.

These people were originally from the old subordinates of Prince Beijing's Mansion. When the Ministry of Revenue demanded payment of the outstanding silver, they also responded.

As for the other old subordinates who did not respond, Shui Rong naturally did not bother to pay attention to them. Shui Rong clearly understood that the people in this hall were the strength of Prince Beijing's Mansion in the future, and it was just the right time to gather them together to reminisce about the past during the wedding.

"Everyone, I am busy today, so I am a little late. Please don't be offended."

Shui Rong is getting married today, so naturally he needs to entertain guests from all sides, so he is a bit busy.

Everyone understood what was said and agreed one after another. Then, at Shui Rong's invitation, they all sat down. Soon, there was silence in the hall, and everyone was waiting for the prince to give a lecture. They knew that the prince had specially summoned them and must have some instructions.

Shui Rong took a sip of the teacup and said in a clear voice: "This king invited you here for no important matter, but just to reminisce about the past. Everyone present is an old friend, and I should support and protect you and take care of you all."

Everyone's faces brightened when they heard this. Although the meritorious officials in the capital were from the same lineage, there were also dirty things between brothers, let alone them. Therefore, there were also factions among the meritorious officials, most of which were headed by the four princes.

Originally, they were old members of the Beijing Prince's Mansion. However, after the old Beijing Prince passed away, Shui Rong, who was adopted, first observed a three-year mourning period and had no contact with them. Even after the mourning period was over, it was still the same. This made them feel quite confused, as if they were a group of dragons without a leader.

Shui Rong's words were undoubtedly a shot of confidence for them. They immediately became clear-headed, so they stood up and said, "We will obey the prince's orders."

Shui Rong nodded slightly upon seeing this. Originally, he wanted to avoid the taboo and be a leisurely prince, keeping a close but distant attitude with his old subordinates. However, things did not go as he wished. He had been dragged into the game by Emperor Yongkang. Now that he was in, his approach would naturally be different, and the relationship between them should be closer.

Inviting everyone to take a seat, Shui Rong's face darkened and he said in a clear voice: "But there is one thing, don't commit crimes, otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Shui Rong had treated them politely before, but now he had to be frank. He needed these people to give him confidence, and correspondingly, Prince Beijing's Mansion would certainly give them support, but he didn't need anyone to hold them back.

If you act on your own and get into trouble, and then come back to clean up the mess, don't blame Shui Rong for standing by and doing nothing.

Everyone looked solemn upon hearing this, and they understood Shui Rong's warning, and they all bowed in response.

Seeing this, Shui Rong nodded with satisfaction. It seemed that they were all sensible people.

Shui Rong glanced at Niu Jizong, who was at the first place. He seemed to be in his early forties, with a thick beard, broad shoulders and a strong waist, which was worthy of his name.

"Uncle Niu, how have you been lately?" Niu Jizong was of the same seniority as the old Prince of Beijing. Although they were old subordinates, they were also old friends, so it was reasonable to call him uncle.

In a society where human relationships are the norm, being polite always helps. Besides, Shui Rong has always been humble and polite, and his personality has not changed.

When Niu Jizong heard Shui Rong calling him his great uncle, his eyes lit up and he bowed his hands respectfully and said, "Your Highness, please come forward. How dare I be rude?"

Shui Rong didn't take it seriously, it was just a title, so there was no need to worry about it. However, Niu Jizong called himself a subordinate, and his attitude made Shui Rong very satisfied. He couldn't help but look up to this guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, at least he was not a brainless person.

After all, as a prince, Shui Rong can be called a close person, but the other party cannot accept it with peace of mind. This is not because Shui Rong is being pretentious, but because of his sense of propriety.

For example, Wang Ziteng, Shui Rong called him uncle, but he still respectfully called Shui Rong "Prince".

Shui Rong smiled and stopped struggling. He asked, "The Duke of Zhenguo's family is a family of military merit. Has the family's foundation been left behind?"

Niu Jizong's eyes lit up when he heard this. A family with military honors is nothing more than the ability to lead troops. Now that the prince asked, there must be a deep meaning behind it, so Niu Jizong said excitedly: "Of course not."

As he spoke, Niu Jizong looked dejected, and said helplessly: "It's just that I am incompetent and have been idle at home for a long time, which has brought shame to the family. Moreover, since the current emperor ascended the throne, I have had empty ambitions."

Shui Rong understood what he said. Ever since Emperor Yongkang ascended the throne, he had been suppressing the lineage of military meritorious service, so that many military meritorious service officers were idle at home. The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was one of them.

Thinking of this, Shui Rong said in a clear voice: "It's a good thing to have ambition. After the wedding, I will try to recommend you to His Majesty to serve in the Central Military Governor's Office. If it succeeds, we will make plans later."

At the beginning of the founding of the Daqian Dynasty, the military system followed the previous Ming Dynasty, and the Five Military Commanderies were established to manage the military affairs of the court. All the officials in the command were meritorious officials. It can be said that all the top military officials of the Daqian Dynasty were included in the command.

Although the Five Military Governorates was inherited from the previous Ming Dynasty, its military system was slightly different. For example, the current Central Military Governorates was in charge of the northern Zhili area, which also included the capital, so Emperor Gaozu let the Beijing Prince's Palace, a royal relative, control it.

Since Shui Rong has joined the game, he naturally cannot ignore the Central Army Commandery. Moreover, I believe that with his recent performance, Emperor Yongkang will not refuse. After all, Emperor Yongkang's original intention was to use him to control other military honors. How can he control them without giving him power?

Right now, everyone in the hall is Shui Rong’s supporter, so they should be arranged first. This is also a reward for these supporters.

As for the old subordinates who originally served in the Central Army Governor's Office, what is the point of keeping them? If they stand on the wrong side, they will have to pay the price.

Upon hearing this, Niu Jizong immediately stood up and said with a folded hand: "Thank you, Your Majesty. Please rest assured, the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion will respect you as the most respected."

Although Shui Rong said to give it a try, considering the power of Prince Beijing's Mansion and the current attitude of the emperor towards it, there would be no problem in all likelihood. Therefore, Niu Jizong expressed the attitude of the Duke Zhenguo's Mansion in public.

Shui Rong nodded slightly upon hearing this. He did not doubt Niu Jizon's words, because the fact that the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion owed money to the Ministry of Revenue had already made Shui Rong understand the attitude of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, so there was no need to say more.

Next, Shui Rong encouraged everyone present and chatted with them for a while.

Niu Jizong took a sip of the fragrant tea, looked at Feng Ziying behind Shui Rong, put down the teacup, and gestured to the young man behind him.

"Your Majesty, this is our boy Niu Cheng. He has a lot of strength. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, let him be your bodyguard."

Following Niu Jizong's words, Niu Cheng stepped forward and bowed deeply, saying, "Niu Cheng greets His Majesty."

Shui Rong looked at Niu Cheng. He had a sturdy build and it was obvious that he was a man who had been honing his strength for many years.

Shui Rong could roughly understand what Niu Jizong and the others were thinking. It was the same reason why Feng Tang asked Feng Ziying to be his servant.

Thinking of this, Shui Rong smiled and replied: "Okay, this king is planning to reorganize the palace guards, and he is short of people, so let Niu Cheng be the guard commander!"

As a prince, Shui Rong naturally had guards, but the number of his guards was not as exaggerated as that in the Ming Dynasty, but similar to that in the Qing Dynasty.

According to the regulations of the Daqian Dynasty, the prince's guards totaled 150 people, and the money, food, and horses they needed were all provided by the court.

The money and food that the court gives to the guards of the royal palace are all fixed, and there will be no discounts due to shortages. Nearly a hundred years after the founding of the country, the people have lived and worked in peace and contentment, and there are mostly vacancies for the guards in various palaces of the Daqian Dynasty, but they will not fill the vacancies of guards and regard the guard money and food as an income of the palace.

The same is true for Prince Beijing's Palace.

Shui Rong has no shortage of income right now, so he naturally plans to recruit more guards as a backup.

Upon hearing this, Niu Cheng bowed respectfully and said, "I thank you, Your Majesty."

Although the guard commander is in charge of a small number of people, it is a fifth-rank official position registered by the court, which is not bad.

As Niu Cheng stepped down, those who brought their young family members were unwilling to lag behind and asked for instructions one after another. Shui Rong accepted all of them.

Taking in young cadets from old subordinates is also a sign of closeness, and compared to outsiders, these people whose interests are tied together are more trustworthy. There are only a dozen people in total anyway.

After accepting the man, Shui Rong looked at Feng Tang who was a little distance away from him, and said with a smile: "General Feng, I think Ziying is good. If you are willing, I want him to be the leader of the guards. I wonder if General Feng is willing to let him go?"

Feng Ziying was a nice guy and his martial arts skills were not bad either. Shui Rong trusted Feng Ziying very much, so he made him the commander of the guards and put him in charge of the palace guards.

Feng Tang's face lit up when he heard this, and he quickly stood up and said, "It is his blessing that the prince thinks highly of me, so there is no reason for me to be reluctant to let him go."

Shui Rong nodded slightly and said no more. However, Niu Cheng and the others who had joined the guard looked at Feng Ziying behind Shui Rong, feeling a little disappointed. After all, Feng Ziying was lucky as he had established a good relationship with the prince a long time ago and was now the commander of the guards, meaning he was their boss.

After chatting with his old friends from Prince Beijing's Mansion for a while, Shui Rong returned to the house as the auspicious time had arrived, changed into a groom's uniform, wore a big red flower on his chest, rode a snow-white horse, and led a grand wedding procession, carrying the bridal sedan, towards the Rongguo Mansion.

Chapter 88 Yuanchun: Her husband is here to pick her up

Rongxi Hall, side courtyard, inside Yuanchun House.

Yuanchun sat in front of her dressing table, her jet-black hair tied into an elegant bun, and she wore a gold hairpin adorned with gems. A tasseled hairpin with gold peony and rubies swayed gently, adding a touch of charm to her dignified and noble face.