Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 713: Lady of Xiangyang Marquis's Mansion
"All of you, hurry up and stop the sheep over there, don't let them run away."

Beijing Street,

Zhang Jinyu sat lazily on the horse. Ning Bian, who was standing behind him, looked back at the back of the convoy from time to time, asking his personal soldiers to be more agile and not to scatter the sheep.

I thought there were only ten sheep, not many, how could there be any chaos? However, along the way, these yellow sheep were either running east or west, making the group of people sweat profusely. It would be more comfortable than fighting in the tavern.

"Oh, don't worry, it's okay to walk slowly, why rush?"

Zhang Jinyu was almost lying on the horse's back. The blow of swinging the sword just now made his shoulder hurt. The damn bald donkey was really strong. Thinking of this, he looked back and saw the monk Wuwei who was tied up tightly. His hands were tied and tied to the cart, and he followed on foot. He didn't know whether he lost too much blood or was tired, his face was pale and sweaty, and it seemed that he couldn't hold on any longer.

This person can't die, he is still useful.

"Ningbian, don't worry about the sheep. Two people, take that bald donkey back to the mansion for treatment. Don't let him die, otherwise it will be a big loss."

"Yes, Lord, what about these?"

Ning Bian pointed to the yellow sheep behind him. Each of them was extremely fat. It was obvious that they were bought by Chief Jin with great care. If they were killed and stewed, they would surely be delicious.

After hearing this, Zhang Jinyu also looked back. They were all bought with money, so if they ran away, it would be a loss.

"Then walk slower, send the person back first, and then come back."

"Understood, my lord."

Ning Bian agreed readily and smiled happily. He asked two of his personal soldiers to tie the bald monk to the horse and then returned to the marquis's mansion first.

As for the gazelles, several people surrounded them and continued on their way slowly.

Later,

Zhang Jinyu ordered the personal soldiers sent by Ningbian to ride alone and quickly to the Xiangyang Marquis's mansion to deliver a message to Xiangyang Marquis, asking him to rush to Hanyuan Palace tonight.

At this time, in Xiangyang Marquis's Mansion, Bai Guangju had just gotten up from his lunch break. He bathed and changed his clothes in the inner hall, feeling refreshed and finally getting rid of all the fatigue he had felt before. Especially after the court meeting, he always felt exhausted physically and mentally, and he also felt uncomfortable.
After returning home, he did not talk much to his wife and went straight to sleep with his clothes on. He only woke up at this moment.

"My dear, how are you? You seem to be feeling better. Do you want to ask a doctor to come over and give you some tonic medicine?"

Outside the screen,
Li Linghua, the wife of the Marquis of Xiangyang, came in with a few maids and carrying food boxes. Seeing that her husband was still putting on his clothes, she chuckled, walked closer, stretched out her hand, and helped him tidy up his robe.

When people approached, they could smell the fragrance of chrysanthemums, which was fragrant but not strong, but elegant and fresh. Bai Guangju looked at his wife, who was wearing an apricot-yellow silk gown today, with a large area of ​​snow-white exposed under the lining. Although she was getting older, she still had that charm, and Bai Guangju couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Don't worry, Madam. I'm fine. I've just been a little tired these days, so I'm not in a good mood. And today is a big meeting, so I got up early, so I feel a little sleepy. It's nothing serious."

It is true that I feel so relaxed. These days, I have been summoned to the mansion by the Duke of Zhenguo Niu Qing many times to inquire about the affairs of the nobles and the court, especially the Ningguo Mansion. As long as there is any movement, they will send people to the mansion to urge me to discuss solutions. I have to stay there for most of the day, sometimes a whole day. The old Duke likes to drink, so when he stays for dinner, I need to accompany him to drink, which is always not satisfactory.

Especially when it comes to the Xuanzhen Temple outside the city, I don't know what Jia Jing, who practices Taoism, is thinking of. Will he mobilize those old relatives and friends? If there is really a connection,

suddenly,

Bai Guangju was shocked. All the old friends of the Jia family were in the army, especially in the Beijing camp. Wang Ziteng had already gone south. Would the generals who stayed behind in the capital use this as an excuse to cause trouble?

Of course, when Xiangyang Hou was a little dazed, Madam Li looked at her husband more and was a little surprised. She thought that her husband was too tired and had not rested well, so she advised him;
"My dear, why are you thinking so much? Come and have something to eat. I asked the cook to make some more of your favorite dishes. After dinner, don't go anywhere. Have a good sleep tonight. Later, I will prepare some ginseng soup for you to nourish your body. I heard that it is wild ginseng from outside the Great Wall, which is very nutritious."

After hearing his wife's words, Xiangyang Marquis Bai Guangju finally came back to his senses. He didn't say much, but he had some doubts. Wild ginseng outside the Great Wall used to be a rare commodity, but why did they want ginseng soup every now and then? Isn't this a bit too extravagant?
"Madam, my husband is fine, so you don't need to drink the ginseng soup. Wild ginseng outside the Great Wall is rare, so save it for the critical moment, don't waste it."

Mrs. Li saw that her husband still felt a little sorry for the money. Her soft face raised her red lips and she laughed out loud.

"Oh, my dear, are you worried about the money or are you really reluctant to drink it? I remember that the concubine you favored three days ago is still unable to stand. She is so exhausted that she needs to be well nourished. Besides, the wild ginseng outside the pass is not as rare as it used to be.

There is a bank called Yunhai Bank on the market now. As long as you are a regular customer and do business with him, you can apply for a quota to buy wild ginseng from outside the Great Wall. Although it is a bit more expensive, they are all top-quality medicinal materials and are always available! "

After saying this, he leaned forward, leaning on the arms of Xiangyang Hou Bai Guangju, and continued;

"It's nothing more than spending a little more money. I bought a lot of them. If I don't eat them, then what's the point of buying them? Besides, I've been so exhausted, and it's not a small matter if I lose some of my health."

She didn't know what she was thinking about, but her face turned red. Although her husband seemed gentle and refined, he was really good in that aspect, otherwise, she would not have allowed him to take a concubine and share her favor.

Marquis Xiangyang's face turned red. He was holding the soft jade in his arms, and he was quite distracted. He looked at the bed not far away, and for a moment he was unable to move his feet.

Just at this time,
The maid outside had already prepared the meal and was waiting for the master and his wife to come over for dinner. Just a moment later, the housekeeper of the Marquis's Mansion knocked on the door hurriedly.
Shouted outside the door;
"Master, Master, I have something to report."

The sound was quite loud, and it came in, causing the two people who were still somewhat ambiguous to react immediately, let go of each other, and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ma'am, I."

"My dear, business is more important. Some things can be done in the evening."

Mrs. Li from the Marquis' Mansion blushed with shame. How could she forget her important business? How could she indulge in promiscuity in broad daylight?

Bai Guangju understood, straightened his clothes, walked out of the inner hall, and shouted outside;
"come in."

"Yes, sir."

The steward pushed the door open carefully but did not dare to step in.
She first looked up and saw the master was there, then she dared to stretch her legs and walk into the hall, carefully waiting not far from the door.

"What's going on? Why are you yelling? Who's coming to the concierge?"

Bai Guangju sat quietly at the table, picked up his chopsticks and started to eat. The maidservant beside him quickly served the meal to the master and the mistress. Bai Guangju seemed to be really hungry and started to eat with big mouthfuls.

He was not worried about who was coming. After all, after the grand court meeting, all officials needed to be careful in their actions. The special examination would start tomorrow, so he would go to the Hanyuan Hall. It would not matter who came.

"My lord, it's the personal guards of Marquis Luo Yun's mansion who are here to tell you what Marquis Luo Yun said. They want you to get ready immediately and go to Hanyuan Hall right away. Tonight, the chief judge, deputy judge, and chief inspector must all enter the hall one night in advance. They are in a hurry, so I dare not neglect them. I am here to tell you the message right now."

Bai Guangju, who had just been eating peacefully at the table, was startled when he heard the words. His hands holding the chopsticks for eating also stopped. Why was he so anxious? Wasn't the deputy chief examiner Lord Chu Nian of Wuying Palace? The chief inspector seemed to be himself!

Marquis Xiangyang was a little confused as to why he had to enter the palace the night before. After all, he had never had such an experience before and thought that he only had to enter one day in advance. After all, this was the rule in the "Gongyuan".

"My dear, what happened? It's already this late. Marquis Luo Yun doesn't go back to his house to rest. He has many beautiful wives and concubines in his house. How can he bear to spend the night outside?"

Just thinking,

Madam Li Linghua, who came out of the inner hall, looked a little unhappy. Her eyes fell on the doorman, who lowered his head in fear and hurried to explain.

"Your servant greets Madam. Someone from Luo Yunhou Mansion just came to pass on a message saying, "Okay, go down."

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by the Marquis of Xiangyang. As a last resort, the steward looked carefully at the lady, and when she nodded, he bowed and left as if he had been pardoned.
"My dear, look at you, you are so easy to talk to. What should we not talk about after dinner? Yes and no."

Bai Guangju smiled, took a few sips of the porridge,

"Madam, you are right. When eating, I hate to hear these annoying things. I can't eat well. Come, Madam, take a seat and eat with me."

Li Linghua wanted to say something else, but seeing that her husband didn't want to talk about what happened just now, she knew that her husband didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't say anything more. She just suppressed her thoughts, sat down beside him, picked up a few pieces of meat with chopsticks, and
"Okay, I will listen to you, my lord. If you don't want to ask, then don't ask. However, I have heard that examiners have always entered the examination room one day earlier. Why did Marquis Luo Yun call you over so early? Isn't this a hassle? I can't stand it. We are both marquises, but you have always given in to him. I..."

Before he finished speaking, the Marquis of Xiangyang put down his bowl and chopsticks, tapped the table with his fingers, and stopped his wife and said something.

"It is a rule that one should do his job well. I am the chief inspector of Hanyuan Palace. I have never been there since the reconstruction of Hanyuan Palace began. This is not right. Today is the day when Hanyuan Palace is put into use. If I don't go, it will be disgraceful. You should know that Master Chu Nian of Wuying Palace has been in the palace for the past few days, and he has been busy running around. I am really ashamed. I will not eat anymore. I will prepare some dry food and leave now."

The Marquis of Xiangyang told the story in a deep voice. The more he thought about it, the more ashamed he felt. He simply gave up eating, and even if he did, he would find it hard to swallow.

But this made the lady feel a little embarrassed. She knew that she had gone too far and leaned over aggrievedly. She had to eat. How could she hold on?

"My dear, this is all my fault. I am worried about your health. Let's eat first. I have prepared the food for you a long time ago, including naan, pickles, and bacon. Please make do with it for a few days."

He also reached out his hand and gently pulled at Bai Guangju's sleeve, which made Xiangyang Hou's face look better. He was no longer as ugly as before. He sat down again, picked up the bowl and chopsticks,

"Okay, let's eat together. After dinner, you can take care of the affairs of the mansion. As for them, don't be so strict, and you should say less!"

Bai Guangju also knew that these few days were not three days, but a full seven days. After all, there was still the work of marking the papers and the amount of food to be taken. He just didn't know whether Marquis Luo Yun knew about this. There were also the reviewing officials tomorrow, which would be a troublesome matter.

As for the mansion, it is all managed by the Madam. Although she doesn't care much about the concubines, she still needs them to maintain peace in the backyard, so she just said it casually.

It was this sentence that made Madam Li Linghua suspicious. Who was this vixen who was talking too much? It seemed that she had been too lax in her supervision.

But he didn't show it on his face, he still smiled gently and nodded,
"I understand, my dear. I am listening."

"Um,"

Bai Guangju picked up his bowl and chopsticks again, quickly took a few mouthfuls of rice and drank the soup. After he was full, he stood up and tightened the jade belt around his waist.
"Ma'am, we're done eating. I'll leave now."

"Hey, my dear, what are you busy with? Xiao Cui, go to the kitchen and prepare the things that the master needs to bring."

"It's ma'am."

Seeing that her husband was in a hurry to leave, Lady Li Linghua of the Marquis's Mansion could no longer sit still. She quickly ordered people to prepare. Many servants were busy outside moving the luggage, and even took a few extra pieces of clothing.

"My dear, everyone says it's cold at night. I left my fox fur coat for the winter in the carriage for you. I don't know if you can let the carriage in."

Mrs. Li was still a little worried. After all, she had a lot of things to bring with her.

Bai Guangju also washed his hands and wiped his face, waking up from his sleepiness.
"Just bring it with you. The exam won't start tomorrow, so it won't be that strict. Get your things ready. There should be a place for the chief officer to sleep."

"That's good."

The two talked.
in the yard,
After a long time of busy work, the Marquis's things were finally prepared. Xiao Cui, the personal maid, came back to report;
"Master, Madam, everything is ready. I also packed two packages of cakes from the kitchen and put them in the carriage."

"See, you are the one who does things honestly, sir. These will work."

Madam Li smiled and praised the little girl. She turned around and asked the young man who was about to get in the car,
"Thank you for your trouble, ma'am. I'm leaving now."

Leaving behind a word, Bai Guangju stepped onto the carriage. As the driver waved the whip, the carriage slowly moved away from the gate of the Marquis's mansion. Seeing the Marquis leave,

Madam Li Linghua of the Marquis's Mansion then changed her expression slightly, and shouted in a deep voice to the people around her;
"Everyone go back and do your own things. Be careful in everything. The master is not here. You should think carefully before you say anything."

"Yes, ma'am."

The stewards and servants around him all lowered their heads and responded, not daring to breathe.

Seeing this scene, Madam Li nodded in satisfaction, and then instructed her personal maid Xiao Cui:
"Xiao Cui, send someone to tell each room that I will prepare a banquet tonight and invite them to come to the banquet. By the way, bring a whip wrapped in brocade. I want to see who dares to gossip in front of the master. As a concubine, you must abide by the rules of a concubine."

"Yes, ma'am, I understand."

A cold look flashed across her face. As the principal wife of the Marquis's mansion, she arranged all the expenses of the mansion herself. Even the concubines were chosen from the maids in the mansion, some beautiful women. She thought they would be grateful, but she didn't expect that some of them would think of other things. This was not something she could tolerate.
Xiao Cui, as a maid who came with the dowry, understood that the madam's affairs were more important than anything else. She responded and led a number of maids to the backyard. However, her words frightened the servants and stewards around her so much that they bent down even lower.

Madam Li stood in the gate, her eyes sternly scanning the servants, and said sternly;
"Listen to me, Madam. You have to work hard in the Marquis' Mansion, but you also have to distinguish between the primary and the secondary. You have to know what you can say and what you can't say. If there is anything inappropriate in the mansion, you must report it. If you don't say it, someone else will say it. Remember it clearly?"

"Yes, ma'am, I understand."

Everyone responded immediately and no one dared to disobey.

"That's good to know. Everyone will get an extra month's pay this month. Go get busy."

"Thank you, Madam."

They were still a little scared, but then they all looked happy, grateful for the lady's generosity and the extra month's allowance, and then they dispersed.

After the people left, Madam Li immediately returned to the main hall with her maid, and ordered someone to go find Granny Bai.

And the backyard of the mansion,
There are four relatively independent small courtyards. These two courtyards are where Bai Guangju's two concubines live. Although they are not very luxurious, they are relatively similar. Not to mention pavilions, towers, attics and courtyards, they have everything.

When everything was going on as usual, the gate of the courtyard was suddenly pushed open and someone shouted;

"Everyone, come out,"

It turned out that Xiao Cui had brought a number of maids and old women with her, and entered the small courtyard in the east in a threatening manner. This was the residence of Leng Yaoyao, the first concubine of Xiangyang Marquis. It was said that Leng Yaoyao was the leader of the Meiyuan Opera Troupe in those days. She was favored by Xiangyang Marquis because of her good singing of Kunqu Opera. Also, because she was a woman who had just debuted, her figure and appearance were also top-notch, so Xiangyang Marquis simply spent money to buy her. As time went by, he fell in love with her and took her as a concubine. She was before Madam Li came into the house. Her former prestige was gone after Madam Li entered the mansion.

In private, they never meet each other, and can be said to keep out of each other's way. Of course, they keep doing small things behind the scenes.

Leng Yaoyao, a concubine dressed in a blue shirt, was sitting in the attic drinking tea, looking down with contempt, and opened the window to see who had come. If her guess was correct, it should be someone from the lady's room.

"Who is so ignorant of the rules that he makes a lot of noise as soon as he enters the yard? He has no manners at all. If you don't know, you would think it's a wild girl who is horny."

(End of this chapter)