The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 708: The Emperor’s Grace

Jia Jing's death caused a great stir in the Jia family, but because Jia Lian was in Beijing, nothing went wrong.

Soon, You Shi, who was in the imperial mausoleum in Xiaoci County, also received the news.

In the imperial mausoleum of the retired emperor, which was under construction for nearly ten years but has not yet been completed, north of Xiaoci County, Concubine Li was buried in the latter half of the concubine's cemetery.

The so-called Concubine Mausoleum is because among the emperor's concubines, usually only the empress was qualified to be buried with the emperor or have her own mausoleum, while other concubines who did not reach the status were buried in the Concubine Mausoleum.

At this time, outside a palace outside the concubine's mausoleum, the queen came with her maids.

"Is your majesty in there?"

"His Majesty is inside to meet with several generals."

General? The queen was a little surprised, but instinctively did not ask, she just nodded and prepared to go back and come back later.

Just at this moment the palace door opened, and as expected, several generals were seen walking out of the palace. Although they were not wearing robes or armor, but only wearing white linen mourning belts, they looked more mighty and majestic than the civil officials.

"See the Queen."

"Thank you for your hard work, generals."

The queen nodded to several generals who were saluting with their fists, then walked into the hall.

Emperor Ning Kang was reading at his desk in the palace. When he saw her come in, he just glanced at her casually and said, "It's not time to bury the dead yet. What are you doing here?"

The queen gently walked to Emperor Ning Kang and rubbed his shoulders. The only person in the harem who dared to make such an intimate move to Emperor Ning Kang without sleeping with him was the queen.

"Your Majesty has been worrying about the Concubine's affairs for days, and you should take care of your health. Let the ministers worry about some unimportant matters.

Your Majesty is working so hard, I'm sure the Queen Mother in heaven would feel sorry for you."

The Empress was only a few years younger than Emperor Ning Kang, and her face was already clearly marked by the signs of aging. However, she had a kind of tranquil and dignified beauty, a beauty that did not fade with the passage of time, but instead became more condensed and profound.

Even Emperor Ning Kang's eyes were filled with warmth at this moment, and he shook his head and said, "I'm fine."

The Queen knew the character of Emperor Ning Kang well, so she did not try to persuade him any further. Instead, she called the palace maids forward, scooped out half a bowl of the cooked soup, and told him the purpose of her visit.

"Just now, the third-rank imperial official from Ningguo Mansion came to see me and said that her father-in-law had passed away suddenly, and she wanted to ask for an imperial decree to allow her to return to the capital early to take care of her father-in-law's funeral.

I thought that things here were basically finished, and when I heard her say that there was no one in the family who could take charge, I took the initiative to agree to her request. "

Emperor Ning Kang sipped the soup brought by his wife and listened unconsciously to what she said.

He didn't care about these things at first. The emperor and empress were no different from ordinary families in this respect, with the man managing the outside world and the woman managing the inside world.

The Empress is the mother of a country, commanding the ladies inside and outside the court, and Emperor Ning Kang would not normally ask about it. But the Empress was obviously concerned about whether her favor would affect Emperor Ning Kang's arrangements, so she came to tell him specifically.

However, as he listened, Emperor Ning Kang suddenly realized that Ningguo Mansion was just another branch of the two mansions of the Jia family.

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve only heard the three words “Rongguo Mansion” in all these years, so when I suddenly heard the name Ningguo Mansion, I felt a little unfamiliar.

Of course, it was only a momentary feeling. Although the Ningguo Mansion had long since declined to the point where it was easily ignored, Emperor Ning Kang still had a basic understanding of this founding duke's mansion.

After thinking for a while, he asked, "A third-rank imperial edict? Jia Zhen? His father is...?"

The Queen laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you actually forgot. He is Jia Jing, the son of Jia Daihua. When Your Majesty was still in the palace, this man passed the imperial examination and caused quite a stir among the nobles in the capital at that time."

"It turned out to be him." Emperor Ning Kang sneered for no apparent reason.

"How did you die?"

"I don't know the details, but I heard from Mrs. You that her father-in-law seemed to have been practicing in a Taoist temple outside the city. I don't know how he died in the temple. Maybe he died of old age."

Emperor Ning Kang did not care too much about it, as he was originally an insignificant figure.

No one knew what he was thinking of. Emperor Ning Kang put down the soup spoon in his hand and sneered, "Think of the Jia family with two princes, how glorious it is! Who would have thought that among the descendants, only Jia Lian is still useful, and the rest are all good-for-nothings.

Especially the Ningguo Mansion, each one is worse than the other..."

Emperor Ning Kang obviously wanted to start scolding, but he suddenly remembered that this was the burial place of his biological mother, the Concubine Dowager, so he stopped talking.

He also thought that although Jia Jing was extremely stupid, he was the grandson of Duke Ningguo and had a distinguished status. His death was the perfect time for the royal family to show their favor.

So he asked, "What position did Jia Jing hold during his lifetime?"

How could the Queen know this? She thought to herself that if she had known that His Majesty was so concerned, she would have done more homework before coming.

Just as she was about to send someone to inquire, Dai Quan, who had been standing by for a long time with his head bowed, bowed and smiled flatteringly: "Your Majesty, there is no need to send anyone to inquire. I know a little more about the affairs of the Jia family."

“Although Jia Jing is the son of the first-class divine general Dai Huagong, he is just like those folk alchemists, who like to burn elixirs, refine mercury, and seek immortality.

After Duke Daihua died, he was supposed to inherit the title, but he did not show any reluctance and let his son Jia Zhen inherit it.

Although he had achieved great success, he did not hold a position in the court. Therefore, Jia Jing was a commoner from the beginning to the end. This is why eunuchs have been prone to abuse their power since ancient times. Eunuchs like Dai Quan, who follow the emperor's side, are well versed in the situation inside and outside the palace, and in the court and the country. They may know more than the emperor.

In addition to the innate advantage of being favored by the emperor, if the emperor becomes a little confused, how can he not have the opportunity to seize power?

Upon hearing that Jia Jing was indeed a commoner, Emperor Ning Kang told Dai Quan: "Although Jia Jing is a commoner and has done no service to the country, in consideration of his grandfather's merits, he is posthumously awarded the rank of fifth-rank commander.

In addition, his descendants are allowed to carry the coffin into the capital through the north gate and bury him in his private residence. The court officials, from the king and dukes down, are allowed to offer sacrifices and condolences.

Emperor Ning Kang showed mercy to Jia Jing based on his actual situation.

If Jia Jing was posthumously awarded the fifth rank, his funeral could be handled according to the regulations for fifth rank officials.

But the fifth rank was a relatively low rank after all. Most of the old friends and relatives of the Jia family were from honorary families, and the rank of the head of the family was not low. Even if Jia Jing was posthumously awarded the fifth rank, many people could not go to pay their respects in person according to regulations, so the kings and dukes were specially allowed to pay their respects.

After the imperial edict was passed down, Jia's grandmother and other members of the Jia family who were still in the imperial mausoleum were naturally grateful.

After expressing her gratitude, Youshi packed her bags and rushed back to the capital with her family.

……

Beijing.

Jia Lian's ability to handle funeral affairs has reached perfection.

Over the years, he has taken care of the funerals of Lin Ruhai and his wife, Jia She and Jia Zhen, father and son, and others, and has accumulated rich experience.

Now, as for Jia Jing's funeral, it is naturally easy to take care of it.

Therefore, when Youshi returned home a few days later, what she saw was a Ningguo Mansion full of white sails, but everything was in perfect order and meticulous.

The imperial edict from Xiaoci County was sent back to the capital at full speed, so it was naturally faster than Youshi's arrival in a carriage. Therefore, before she returned home, Jia Lian had already sent Jia Jing's coffin from Tiekan Temple back to Ningguo Mansion.

In Ningxuan Hall, the principal room.

While holding her son, Youshi asked about the situation in Qin Keqing's mansion, especially the preparations for Jia Jing's funeral.

however……

"Second Uncle has already asked Manager Lai to prepare everything."

“This is ready too.”

“And they have all been prepared.”

Qin Keqing kept replying in this way, which made Youshi, who had been racking her brains all the way, fearing that there would be mistakes in Jia Jing's funeral and that she would be laughed at again, feel very uncomfortable.

After hesitating for a while, Youshi asked, "Then, what do you think is the most important thing to do next?"

"Uh……"

Seeing Youshi's tangled expression, Qin Keqing suddenly understood Youshi's thoughts and couldn't help but smiled. "Mother-in-law, you just need to go to the old man's coffin on time every day to keep vigil. And...if there are other ladies coming to pay their respects, you just need to receive them. You don't need to do anything else, because Second Uncle Lian has arranged everything."

Youshi smacked her lips. She vaguely remembered that in the carriage, she had lamented that she would be very busy again after returning to Beijing.

But judging from the current situation, it seems that she thought a little too much.

So she finally asked, "Where is his second uncle?"

"He came here this morning, arranged some things, and then went out of town. He seems to be very busy recently. He goes out of town every day and comes back very late. I don't know what he is busy with..."

Qin Keqing looked a little melancholy, as if she was blaming Jia Lian for being too busy and neglecting such a beautiful woman as her.

But soon her eyes were filled with a strong fox smile again. She was thinking of the beautiful and happy days when Jia Lian helped to take care of the funeral of Ningguo Mansion, and she, the eldest young lady of Ningguo Mansion, assisted in it, and she would ask Jia Lian for instructions whenever she had the chance.

Youshi didn't realize what Qin Keqing was "smirking" at, she just felt that this woman was always flirting.

He had no intention of teaching a lesson, but only sighed, "He has so many important things to do outside, and he still has to take the trouble to help us deal with the master's funeral. Today is his birthday..."

After hearing what Youshi said, Qin Keqing was stunned for a moment, then she said, "Yes, it's a pity that filial piety is combined with filial piety for the country and family. Otherwise, on such a day, the family would definitely make good preparations."

As she spoke, Qin Keqing saw that besides the two little ones, there was only the maid named Yindie left in the room, so she couldn't help but laugh at Youshi: "When Grandma came back just now, she looked dusty. She must have been thinking about Uncle Lian's birthday and didn't dare to delay. So she hurried along the way, and that's why she got home today. Am I right?"

Qin Keqing's words made Youshi lower her head in embarrassment, feeling her face getting hot.

Seeing Qin Keqing's smile getting brighter, Youshi finally couldn't resist and put her son down, saying, "I'll go see the old lady first. You take care of things here."

After saying that, he just slipped away, leaving Qin Keqing there, smiling, and then went forward to play with the two little ones in the cradle for a while, and then stood up and went to the outer courtyard mourning hall.

Because most of the dignitaries in the capital followed the emperor to the imperial mausoleum, there were very few people who came to pay their respects during these days, and there was not much to do at the mourning hall. Qin Keqing simply took care of it and went back to her room to rest.

Suddenly she heard that Jia Lian had returned, and she hurriedly changed her clothes and came forward.