Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 677: Shi Xiangyun Enters Jia Mansion
"Your Majesty, Marquis Luo Yun is outside the gate asking to see you!"

The Hall of Nourishing Heart,
In the imperial study room,

Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong sat on the dragon throne behind the desk, holding a red-letter in his hand, looking at the memorials submitted by the county governors, reporting on the grain storage conditions of the county treasury and official warehouses. Although there were slight discrepancies,

However, according to the reports from the governors, the situation in some of the counties was not much different. The silver and military equipment in the treasury had been prepared, and the official warehouses were checking the grain. After the autumn harvest, the new grain would be harvested, and there would definitely be enough food for the army and the people on the border.
At that time, the autumn was high and the horses were fat.

If we really were outside the northern Shanxi Pass, we could kill the Right Wise King, severely damage his troops, and allow the Dawu border troops to recuperate for a few years. This would be the most important thing.

The Beijing camp and the imperial guards, together with the northern border troops, have gathered together, allowing Marquis Luo Yun to think about finding an opportunity to severely damage the troops of the Right Wise King of the Donghu people, Qie Tihou. The interior of the Great Wall will be able to give the court a great respite, and with the stability outside the Great Wall, the court will have time to reform. The new policies that Lu Wenshan and Gu Yichen have been secretly working on should be almost done, and with the Prime Minister Li Chonghou's efforts to fill in the gaps, the reforms that must be implemented can give Dawu a revival.

As mentioned before, the current issue is still the civil unrest in southern Beijing. I hope Wang Ziteng will live up to the emperor's grace and put down the rebellion in the shortest possible time.

Thinking of this,
Before autumn comes, we need to accumulate food, silver, and weapons in the arsenal. We cannot hesitate.

He looked up at the person reporting to him in the hall and said;

"Lord Luo Yun, why are you here so early? Go, call him in."

"Yes, Your Majesty,"

Xiao Yunzi lowered his head, responded quickly, turned around and walked out of the room, to call Marquis Luo Yun to come into the palace to see him.

When he got outside, Xiao Yunzi saw the Marquis and whispered;

"My Lord, His Majesty invites you."

"Ahem, thank you for your help, Eunuch Yun,"

Suddenly, a voice

Zhang Jinyu, who was still daydreaming, was awakened. It was not because he was not paying attention, but because he was a little anxious on the way here. He didn't know whether he ate too much in the morning or caught a cold, but his stomach felt a little uncomfortable. He finally arrived at the palace, found a deserted place, and took a break. Only then did he feel better.

But I don’t know why, these past few days, I kept thinking of the two princesses, especially the lingering fragrance, which was endlessly lingering. Every night when I hugged my wives and concubines in joy, I felt a little uncomfortable.

What you think about during the day you will dream about at night. If you dream at night, your mind will wander during the day. There is nothing you can do about it.

Zhang Jinyu was startled when she suddenly heard Eunuch Yun's voice.
Back to God,
Looking at the familiar places around, it was still the spacious wooden door. This was His Majesty's study in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. He tidied up his robes and pushed the door open. What caught his eye was a huge screen. It seemed that the screen had been replaced. It was no longer the one with the moonlight over the lotus pond. Now it was a picture of the capital's mountains and autumn waters. It was a good painting, not to mention that it was lifelike. Even two academies were drawn. I don't know which master's hand it was. His Majesty actually had such a refined taste. I guess His Majesty was in a good mood today.

Thinking of this,

I took a few quick steps.

After passing this place, we entered the inner hall of the imperial study.

now,

The entire imperial study was silent, and there was not even a single eunuch serving. Only Eunuch Dai and Eunuch Yun, who was leading the way, were waiting in the study.

On the dragon chair,
The familiar figure of Emperor Wu came into view. Zhang Jinyu took two quick steps and knelt in the middle of the imperial study, shouting "Long live the Emperor".

"Your Majesty, I am Zhang Jinyu, Marquis of Luoyun, and I pay my respects to your Majesty. Long live the emperor."

"Well, I'm listening. I think you're more comfortable when you shout. Stand up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

As Zhang Jinyu thanked him and stood up, Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong put down his red brush and looked up at Luo Yunhou, who was wearing a brocade robe with a wide silver belt around his waist. He was not even wearing an official uniform. He was the only one who entered the palace in such a manner. Ordinary officials, even the cabinet ministers, were not so casual.
"Tell me, what do you want to say to me? Is it possible that your wife and concubines are having a conflict, and you are coming to me to cry and complain?"

It was a rare occasion that the Emperor Wu made a joke, and Dai Quan, who was serving beside him, couldn't help but grin and laugh a few times.
Now it was Zhang Jinyu's turn to be a little nervous. He didn't expect His Majesty to be so direct and ask such a thing.

"Your Majesty, everything is fine in my house, and my wife and concubines are not making a fuss. These days, I have been busy with court affairs."

The serious answer made Emperor Wu laugh a few more times.
"Okay, go ahead. What's the matter?"

This time, it was Zhang Jinyu's turn to be confused. Shouldn't he ask other questions and chat for a while before getting to the point? Why was it so fast today? Well, it would save time, so he replied;
"Your Majesty, I want to talk to you about Enke's matter."

"Oh, what do you think? I have also asked the Ministry of Works to complete it as quickly as possible. I heard that the Ministry of Works rebuilt the Hanyuan Hall overnight and sent a lot of craftsmen. In order to help you meet the deadline, I also transferred a few of the master craftsmen who built my father's mausoleum to your place. What, do you have any other ideas?"

Emperor Wu asked with a smile, there are many craftsmen in the Ministry of Works, but there are not enough master craftsmen. The few people who are going to renovate the house in the capital cannot be transferred, so they can only ask two people from the construction of the mausoleum. It is important to finish the renovation of Hanyuan Hall first, and it will not be too late to go back after it is completed.

Zhang Jinyu, who was in the hall, didn't believe it. Was it true? The master craftsman from the imperial mausoleum said he could bring them here, and the emperor would be willing to do so.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. If that's the case, I estimate that the reconstruction will only take three days. Now one day has passed. I think it is of utmost importance to set the date of the special examination and announce it as soon as possible to stabilize the minds of the candidates in the capital. Now the candidates outside are undecided and have started to spend money on wine and women after receiving the money. Many wine shops and teahouses are almost booked by them."

Zhang Jinyu had this idea a long time ago. The scholars in the capital who were preparing for the imperial examinations would gather together to chat and talk about everything. Most of the chatter was nonsense and groundless. When they talked about it, they would show off and exaggerate it, and it would become a rumor.

The key is that many people like to listen to these things. One person tells ten people, ten people tell a hundred people, good news spreads far and wide, and bad news spreads a thousand miles. This is what people who have nothing to do will do.

Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong immediately thought of many things. It seemed that the examinees were restless. There were many rumors in the capital, and they were all in the secret letters on the desk. Well, time had dragged on for a long time, and people were agitated. The longer it took, the easier it would be for chaos. There was also the matter of cheating in the imperial examination, and there was no clue in the investigation yet.

Seeing that Luo Yunhou wanted to start the exam early, he continued to ask;
"What are your plans, boy? When do you want to take the exam?"

Zhang Jinyu was still thinking that the renovation would take two days. The day before the exam, the examiners would enter the venue, and the next day, the candidates would enter. In this case, as the saying goes, it is better to do it sooner rather than later. The sooner the better.
"Your Majesty, I feel that the exam will officially begin in three days, and the Hanyuan Hall will be completed in two days. The examiners will enter the exam hall one day in advance. In this case, it is better to give them a surprise attack sooner rather than later. Let's see if those students will still have the heart to chat."

Luo Yunhou's decisive words rang out in the imperial study, causing the room to fall silent. Dai Quan's eyelids were twitching. There was no solid evidence of cheating in the imperial examination, and they had not found out who was behind it. Luo Yunhou was so anxious, what should they do?
Besides, this move is too damaging. Those candidates have been in Beijing for so long, many of them must have become lazy. Now, they will be nervous and easily make mistakes. Then, who knows what will happen.

Obviously, with such a tight schedule, Emperor Wu was a little unsure. If it was really decided, the provincial examination, the metropolitan examination, and the palace examination would have to be completed consecutively this year to fill vacancies in the court, etc.
But looking at Luo Yunhou's determined eyes, perhaps this kid had an idea.

"Why are you so anxious? You know, we still don't have any clues about the exam questions being leaked. If we make a decision rashly, won't it alert the enemy?"

"Your Majesty, if those people sell the test questions, they will definitely be exposed. But we cannot cancel the test just because of this. Besides, I will definitely change the test questions on the spot this time. As for the Imperial Examination Hall, I will send my personal soldiers to escort and deliver the test questions. I really want to see who is so bold as to sell the test questions and make money. Of course, Your Majesty should also prepare three policy essays in case of emergency."

Zhang Jinyu also decided that starting from the imperial examination, all the test questions would be changed, especially the policy essay section.

Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong still had a calm expression and smiled slightly.
"Okay, I'll do as you say. Dai Quan will draft an edict. The provincial examination will begin in three days. In addition, all the people in the Imperial City Department will be mobilized to see who is taking advantage of the situation in the capital. I haven't encountered such a bold and reckless person in a long time."

"Yes, Your Majesty, this time, I will send all the people from the Southern Pacification Office to keep an eye on the Enke matter. If there is any movement, they will be caught."

Dai Quan was also furious. The Southern Pacification Office had been reorganized long ago and was led by Ma Mengquan as the deputy commander. Mobilizing the entire Southern Pacification Office, he thought there would be some gains. It would be best if he could catch the officials in the court and find out who was the mastermind behind the scenes, which would be a great achievement.

"Thank you, Your Majesty,"

Zhang Jinyu heaved a sigh of relief, thinking about how to carry his things into the examination room. He needed tents, accommodation for more than a hundred personal soldiers, and food supplies. He also needed to buy a few good yellow sheep and store a few jars of good wine. He would live like a god, but he didn't have a woman to serve him. Sigh,
He looked carefully at His Majesty, who was sitting behind the desk, and said goodbye again;
"Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Humph, you want to leave right after you come here? That's not a good idea. You can go back, but take your people with you to the Anhu camp outside the city to send off the soldiers heading south. By the way, tell Wang Ziteng that I heard good news from him in the capital."

Emperor Wu raised his head and looked out the window with a solemn expression, hoping that Wang Ziteng would live up to the trust of the court and me. "Yes, Your Majesty, I understand. I will go right away."

Zhang Jinyu bowed, turned around and walked out.

Looking at Luo Yunhou's departing figure,

Emperor Wu couldn't calm down for a long time.
Rongguo Mansion,
Shi Xiangyun and her maid Cuilu got off the carriage one after another and followed Ping'er to Rongqing Hall.
along the way,

Passing by those familiar houses in her memory, Shi Xiangyun no longer had the timidity on her face, everything was the same as before.
Arriving at Rongqing Hall,
Entering the inner court, through the corner gate,

After entering the main hall, I heard cheerful laughter coming from inside the house. It seemed like there were a lot of people.
"Miss Xiangyun, the old lady is in the room, and the second mistress is also there. Please come in with me."

Ping'er looked back at Miss Xiangyun, no longer shy as before. She pointed to the screen not far away, walked around it and entered the back hall.

Shi Xiangyun nodded and subconsciously pulled the package behind her.

"Okay, thank you Sister Ping'er, let's go in."

finished speaking,

The three of them didn't pass on the message and just walked over.
At this time, inside the house,

Or maybe Second Wife Wang Xifeng told some joke and laughed while holding her belly.
When he looked up, he saw Ping'er coming back. The maid she brought with her had already brought the cakes she had bought and scolded him with a smile;

"Well, you lazy bastard, I can't even find you when I go shopping. Tell me, where did you go to be lazy?"

For a moment, she was so busy complaining and cursing that she didn't even notice the couple following behind her. Ping'er paused, looking aggrieved.

"Grandma, you are talking nonsense again. How could I be lazy?"

"Hey, you little bastard, you dare to talk back,"

Wang Xifeng glared and stood up to start scolding, but suddenly Shi Xiangyun, who was following Ping'er, quickly spoke up to persuade her:
"Second sister-in-law, don't talk about Ping'er. She went to pick me up, so she came late."

A crisp voice was heard, and everyone in the house looked over. While they were stunned, only Tanchun's eyes lit up. Isn't this the old ancestor's niece's granddaughter Shi Xiangyun? Why is she here?

"Oh, it's Sister Xiangyun, why are you here?"

It was Tanchun's exclamation that brought everyone back from their trance, especially Grandmother Jia, who hurriedly supported the bed and walked down. Her eyesight was not good and she seemed a little flustered, calling out,

"Is it Xiangyun girl?"

When Shi Xiangyun heard her aunt's voice, she could no longer hold back. Her eyes turned red, tears flowed, and she started crying loudly.

"Aunt, it's Xiangyun who's back,"

In a hurry, he dropped the package and ran over. He was immediately hugged by Jia's mother. They both cried bitterly.

"My dear Xiangyun, why did you come just now? You have suffered so much. The letter from Baolinghou Mansion said you would come, but it didn't say when. I was still thinking about you last night."

Sanchun was also deeply moved, with red eyes. Only Li Wan and Wang Xifeng hurried forward to comfort her, telling her not to cry so hard that she would hurt herself.
"Oh, old lady, look, it's a happy day, how can you cry? Xiangyun is here, and you are not happy."

Li Wan and Madam You came over to support the old lady. Wang Xifeng glared at Ping Er and then stood up and consoled her.
"Yes, old lady, Xiangyun is back. It's a great joy. You are going to hold a banquet today. Although I don't know what it is, it's a double joy for you, old lady."

He walked closer and gently patted Shi Xiangyun on the back.
Shi Xiangyun got up from Grandmother Jia's arms, and she knew she couldn't make the old lady sad, so she wiped her tears and pouted her lips to complain;
"Aunt, my second sister-in-law just patted my back."

As soon as these words came out,

Everyone around looked at Wang Xifeng, as if asking a question, which made Wang Xifeng blush.

"You girl, you're complaining right now, you really don't know how to appreciate a good person,"

And deliberately raised the tone,

After being interrupted, Jia's mother no longer looked as sad as before.
"You are a poor man, you only know how to bully Xiangyun. Go, ignore her. You, the second sister-in-law, bully Sanchun girl all the time."

As Grandmother Jia spoke, she began to smile. Thinking of the maid from the Meng family coming to visit her today, she was really happy on top of her happiness. Her mood became much better.
"Look, look, she hasn't even been bullied yet, but she's already been criticized. Since she's been bullied, Sanchun girl won't get this month's allowance."

Wang Xifeng raised her face and sat back. Sanchun was unwilling to agree and refused to give in, and there was a lot of noise and a lot of fighting.

This made Jia Mu extremely happy, and she even held Xiangyun's hand.

"Girl, since you are here, just stay here with peace of mind. I have many rooms here, and no one lives in the west room. You can stay there after cleaning it up, and just accompany me. As for the Marquis' Mansion, I have received a letter, so I am not in a hurry to go back."

Shi Xiangyun nodded with tears in her eyes. She looked at Sanchun who was still making a fuss and felt envious. She hadn't been so happy for a long time, so she nodded and replied;
"Yes, auntie, I will live with you."

"What are you standing there for? Come sit on the kang."

With the help of Yuanyang, Jia's mother returned to the kang and asked Xiangyun to sit with her on the west side. She was very pleased.

Yuanyang led the maid Cuiwei, who was still standing there in a daze, and asked the maids beside her to take the people to the west room first and settle them down.
that's it,
The hall returned to its previous state, but the expressions of the two ladies sitting at the east end did change slightly. Although the second lady did not say anything, her eyes were fixed on Xiangyun, and no one knew what she was looking at. Not to mention that the second lady often sat there, turning the rosary in her hands. Now, her hands did not move at all, and the rosary was held tightly in her hand.

The eldest wife, Madam Xing, looked even more interested. The Baoling Marquis Mansion was the old lady's maiden home. Although what happened back then was unpleasant, as the old saying goes, blood is thicker than water. Judging from the old lady's appearance, she still cares about the Shi family. The current lady of the Baoling Marquis Mansion is the second daughter of the Nan'an County Prince's Mansion. Perhaps there must be something going on.

Otherwise, how could the Shi family send that girl here for no reason? We should pay close attention to her.

Inside the hall,
After everyone had fun,

Grandmother Jia asked Yuanyang to tell some servants to tidy up the house.
"Feng girl, how is the banquet prepared today?"

"Oh, old lady, I see how worried you are. You are still worried about your granddaughter-in-law's work, so I have already prepared it. Sister Liu cooked it herself today and even killed a yellow sheep. She steamed, fried, stir-fried, and stewed it. She cooked everything."

Wang Xifeng stroked her hair and replied while sitting there.
Grandmother Jia nodded in satisfaction. It was a very nourishing food. When Baoyu came back, she would make sure he had one more bowl.

"Oh, by the way, when will the girl from the Meng family come over?"

As soon as Lady Jia mentioned the maid from the Meng family, everyone else was stunned. Who could the maid from the Meng family be?

Just thinking,

A servant came to the door to report;
"Report, old lady, Miss Meng has arrived."

(End of this chapter)