Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 761: How to Solve the Disaster
In Rongqing Hall,

The atmosphere just relaxed, then became tense again, with twists and turns.
Everyone looked at the old woman who came to report the news. A trace of surprise appeared on Jia's old face, and she murmured:

"What are people from the palace doing here at this time?"

I thought, could it be because of the joke that happened that day? That shouldn't be the case. Even if Shuntian Prefecture wanted to cause trouble, they wouldn't go to the Heavenly Family first. Besides, except for the two little brats who caused the trouble, all the others were released, which shows that Lord Xu didn't want to make a big fuss. What could it be?

Mrs. Wang was sitting aside with an indifferent expression on her originally relaxed face, but when she heard these words, she seemed to have thought of the same thing. Her heart skipped a beat and she turned to look at the old woman. Her heart, along with the Buddhist beads in her hand, clenched tightly. Could something have happened to Baoyu in the palace?

The people sitting in the hall might not understand what was going on. They were feeling irritable and restless, which made them feel very uncomfortable. Aunt Xue was sitting on the embroidered cushion next to Mrs. Wang. On her plump, fair face, doubts gathered in the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, but she didn't understand what was going on, so she could only turn to look at her daughter Baochai.

Baochai noticed her mother's gaze and just shook her head slightly. Under her willow-leaf brows, there was a hint of surprise in her moist apricot eyes. She hadn't heard of any other things happening in Rongguo Mansion these days. After thinking about it, it was just the Ningguo Mansion and the Jia family's troubles. There was nothing else.

When Fengjie heard the conversation, a look of surprise appeared on her bright and beautiful face, and she began to have the same guesses as Lady Jia. Many things were spread to the palace.

As for the imperial edict of punishment or reward?

They were all a little confused. It was not the right time to ask for punishment, and how could they reward the Jia family? The Jia family had always been playing it safe, relying on the Wang family and the recent Marquis' Mansion. Although their influence had not been greatly enhanced, it had also added icing on the cake. The Ningguo Mansion had not moved an inch, so they were suspicious for a while.

At this moment, Daiyu, Tanchun and Xiangyun also stared at the old woman who brought the news, but from her frightened eyes, they gradually perceived some clues.

Although Lin Daiyu did not speak, her beautiful face tilted her head to look over. Her slender jade hand holding the tea bowl was suspended in mid-air. Her pair of slender eyes, which were calm and indifferent, revealed her deep thought.

"Sister Lin, what do you think it will be?"

Xichun was still young and couldn't sit still. Seeing this, she couldn't help but be curious and asked quietly. Lin Daiyu shook her head.
"I don't know either. I just thought it happened a few days ago. Then again, the people from the palace who came to reprimand him didn't do that."

The three sisters heard Lin Daiyu's words and were a little confused. That was not a reprimand but a praise.

As everyone looked at her in confusion, Grandmother Jia also noticed the mother-in-law's uneasy look and asked;

"What happened?"

But the old woman suddenly looked at the old lady with a slightly "panicked" look and said tremblingly.

“Old Madam, the angel in the palace said that she wanted something from Ningguo Mansion and she also wanted to issue an imperial decree to close the case.”

The old woman's words were like a bolt of lightning, causing a huge uproar in Rongqing Hall.

"Clap!"

The teacup in Jia's mother's hand suddenly fell to the ground. In an instant, the porcelain pieces were broken everywhere, and the tea flowed everywhere. The carpet was soaked with large traces of tea leaves. The stains were glaring on the red and white carpet.

"What, so fast."

The second wife, Madam Wang, and the first wife, Madam Xing, were both somewhat unbelievable. It had only been a few days, and they were going to deal with the Ningguo Mansion. They had just tried the case once, and were about to close it.
Wang Xifeng's plump and beautiful face was full of disbelief. She immediately turned to look at Tanchun beside her, only to see that Tanchun's face was also full of confusion.

Baochai and Daiyu frowned their slender eyebrows, and waves of suspicion surged in their hearts.

When Grandmother Jia heard the bad news, she was shocked as if struck by lightning. Her old figure shook. Yuanyang and Amber, who were beside her, were startled and quickly reached out to hold her.

This frightened the old woman so much that she shrank her neck and lowered her head quickly.

Grandmother Jia asked anxiously:

"Why is the palace in such a hurry to pronounce a verdict? Even if Jia Zhen is guilty, they shouldn't close the case without investigating the matter thoroughly."

Is it against the law to eat, drink and enjoy the honor at home?

The Heavenly Family doesn't care about old friendships?

While everyone was talking, suddenly a woman behind the screen called out in a low voice,

"Madam, Madam, the second master is here."

It was obvious that Jia Zheng was in the study outside the front yard, chatting with a group of guests, when he suddenly heard an angel from the palace coming to the Rong Mansion to convey an imperial decree.

Jia Zheng left the outer study and the group of guests and went to the flower hall to meet Eunuch Yun who came from the palace. He was shocked to hear his brief account of what had happened. Then he hurried to Rongqing Hall to see Lady Jia.

After gathering everyone to receive the order, Jia She hurriedly packed up and hurried over. He asked the maid to serve tea and water to Eunuch Yun first.

"Mother."

The screen,
Jia Zheng, wearing a blue-black short-collared gown and a scholar's scarf on his head, walked into Rongqing Hall with a heavy heart. His usually elegant and fair face was now filled with fear and panic. Without waiting for Lady Jia to ask, he hurriedly said,
"Mother, Eunuch Yun from the Yangxin Palace is waiting in Rongxi Hall for the imperial edict. My eldest brother is there to receive him."

"Did you say anything?"

As Grandmother Jia spoke, she stepped forward and grasped Jia Zheng's arm. Her old face was filled with urgency, and she immediately asked:

"Have any letters come from other prefectures?"

Mrs. Wang, Aunt Xue, Mrs. Xing and others also looked at Jia Zheng, hoping to read some positive side of the expression on Jia Zheng's face.

When Baochai heard Lady Jia mention other mansions, her heart was moved slightly, and she looked at Jia Zheng with her watery almond eyes.

I don’t know whether the Marquis’ Mansion knows about these things. Maybe the Royal Family is deliberately hiding it. Only one day has passed since the Enke ceremony.

Wang Xifeng's eyebrows were filled with worry.

Tanchun and Daiyu also frowned and listened attentively to Jia Zheng's words.

As for Jia She in Rongrong Xitang, his face was as pale as death at this moment. All kinds of speculations surged in his mind. Jia Zhen had finally come to this step. How could it be so easy to enter the imperial prison?

It is not surprising that Jia She thought so. After all, among the civil officials, they had long hated the actions of the Ningguo Mansion. They alarmed the heavens and were convicted in the capital, which was considered a great treason.

I rushed over and was speechless!

Jia Zheng glanced at his mother with complicated eyes and sighed:
"Mother, the matter of Zhen'er has been delayed for so long. All the facts have been investigated and proven. Although the evil Taoist priest was not caught, he was rescued by the Taiping Cult. It was witnessed by the people of the Imperial City Bureau. Many people died. As for the civil officials, Yan Cong once again wrote a letter to severely punish Jia Zhen of Ningguo Mansion. Most of the civil officials supported it, so now the angel is outside the flower hall to convey the order."

As soon as these words came out, Jia's mother's heart sank. Her old lips moved and she said in surprise:

"Yan Cong, the evil way, the Taiping Sect."

Now, everyone in the court, and even the people of the entire capital, knew that the Taiping Sect was a great threat to the court and that they wanted to eliminate it as soon as possible. Jia Zhen got involved and narrowly escaped death.

When the three words "Taiping Sect" fell into everyone's ears, everyone was shocked.

"Mother, the angels in the palace are still waiting in Rongxi Hall. Let my eldest brother go to receive the imperial edict on behalf of the entire Jia family. If you neglect it, there may be unexpected disasters."

Jia Zheng looked depressed and spoke.

Grandmother Jia stared at Jia Zheng, slammed her cane on the ground, and scolded him:
"The Jia family is one body. How can he be worthy of representing the whole family? Now that he has the chance, he is still so disgraceful!"

Because Emperor Wu had always ignored the affairs of the Ningguo Mansion, as to how to deal with it specifically, such as depriving the title, imprisoning or sentencing to death, and coupled with what Jia Zheng had said and what had already been discussed, Grandmother Jia had already realized the seriousness of the matter, or had already made a decision.

It would be a huge matter if the ancestral title could not be preserved. However, in the end, Jia Zhen was sentenced to death and imprisoned, but he was still ranked last.

Grandmother Jia sighed for a long time and said:
"How can this be good?"

Seeing that Jia's mother looked unhappy, Jia Zheng said with a worried look on his face:
"Mother, please take care of yourself. Zhen'er's case will be handled by the palace."

"In that case, the others will stay, and you two will go to receive the decree."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia waved her hand and drove Jia Zheng out without waiting for him to continue persuading her.

Upon seeing this, Jia Zheng sighed, said nothing more, and turned to follow him outside.

Not to mention Rongqing Hall, there was chaos and confusion in the place, and people were in panic.

Inside Rongxi Hall,

Eunuch Yun sat there calmly drinking tea, Jia She stood beside him, outside the hall,

A group of tall guards of the Imperial City, dressed in bright clothes, were waiting outside with blades in hand and precious swords hanging from their waists. They were lined up in several teams under the eaves of the corridor, not avoiding wind and rain. Perhaps they were experienced in many battles, so their expressions were mostly sinister and vicious.

In the spacious and elegant hall, Eunuch Yun sat quietly on a nanmu chair. He did not touch the cakes on the small table. Instead, he raised his feminine face without a beard and looked at the large red gold and blue dragon plaque hanging high up. On it were inscribed the three characters "Rong Xi Tang" written by Taizu himself, and next to it were the words "written on a certain day in a certain month in a certain year".

Even though it was not the first time he came to deliver the imperial edict, he was deeply impressed by the heritage of such a long line of nobles. The size of Rongguo Mansion was really not something that ordinary people could have. However, Ningguo Mansion was considered a failure.

"Such a wealthy family, blessed by the emperor for generations, but they don't know how to cherish it, and they have to break the law and end up in prison. Why do they bother?"

Eunuch Yun looked around, his mind racing, and he drove away certain emotions, and instead a sneer rose in his heart.

Just as Eunuch Yun was lost in thought, he heard heavy and chaotic footsteps coming closer and closer. He saw Jia Zheng enter the hall alone and stand next to Jia She. One of them looked panic-stricken, and the other looked pale.

Seeing that the real master had arrived, Eunuch Yun stopped waiting.
"General Jia She, the First-Class Divine Mighty General, and Jia Zheng, the Minister of Works, both received the imperial edict."

Eunuch Yun stood up, took out the imperial edict, turned around, and shouted coldly.

Jia She was stunned for a moment, lowered his eyes, lifted the front of his robe, and knelt down in Rong Xi Hall, where the two Dukes of Rong had met and feasted, with his head bowed tightly.

"Your Highness, Jia She, accepts your order."

Jia Zheng was standing by and knelt down as well.

"Your subordinate accepts the order."

Since it was an imperial decree to punish him, the eunuchs in the inner chambers would not allow him to look for a cushion again and had to listen respectfully to the imperial decree.

At that time,

There was a hazy fog outside and the sky was gloomy. It was getting gloomier and gloomier, as if it was going to rain. The sky was clear just now, but it changed color in an instant. The sound of wind blowing against the doors and windows fell into the ears of Jia She and Jia Zheng, and time seemed to last a lot longer.

Eunuch Yun shouted:
"Your Majesty, Jia Zhen is a third-rank noble and a powerful general. He has failed my expectations. Jia Zhen and his son have no respect for the emperor, disregard the grace of heaven, endanger the court and the country, believe in evil ways, steal the court's fortune, and cause strange phenomena in the capital. Their crimes are extremely evil and they must be sentenced to death to correct the grace of heaven. In addition, Ningguo Mansion is a noble family of the court and has done favors for the court. I cannot bear to see their titles destroyed. Let the Jia family choose another person to adopt the Ningguo Mansion lineage and inherit the title. The rank will not change, and the grace will be retained. I decree this."

Because the matter involved nobles and many people, Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong cut the Gordian knot and directly convicted the criminal and showed mercy.

Jia She's hands and feet were cold. He listened to the imperial edict and felt that every word weighed heavily on him. He could hardly breathe. He bowed and said in a hoarse voice:

"Your Highness, I am here to receive the imperial edict on behalf of Ningguo Mansion and will obey the imperial edict."

"I accept your order and thank you for your grace."

Jia Zheng had never thought that Jia Zhen and his son would lose their lives. Then he thought that the title of Ningguo Mansion had not been lost, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Eunuch Yun's sharp, feminine voice seemed a little strange at this moment. He looked around and said:
"Marquis Jia En, please accept the order."

After he finished speaking, he handed over the imperial edict. Jia She stretched out his trembling hand, took the edict, and was able to stand up with the help of Jia Zheng.

Jia She's face was pale, as if he had lost his parents. His mouth moved unconsciously, but he could not utter a word. After he stood up, he thought of Jia Zhen and his caravan, and the smuggling in the north. He was startled and asked anxiously:

"Eunuch Yun, is there any room for easing this matter? Jia Zhen was led astray because he believed in slander. Is there a way out for him to survive?"

"Marquis Jia En, don't say that Rongguo Mansion didn't know anything about Ningguo Mansion. The evil Taoist priest was causing chaos in the Duke's Mansion, but Marquis Jia En didn't ask about it. Isn't he guilty of negligence?"

Eunuch Yun looked at Jia She with his narrow eyes and added:

"If it weren't for Marquis Luo Yun's dignity, the reprimand from the Rongguo Mansion would have been inevitable."

Upon hearing the letter from Marquis Luo Yun, Jia She shuddered as if awakened from a dream, and said to Jia Zheng beside him in a hurry:

"The Marquis is still invigilating, and he is still the chief judge. Should we inquire about the Ningguo Mansion's case and save him?"

Jia Zheng looked at Jia She, who was already at a loss and speaking in panic, and sighed secretly. For a moment, he could not say anything.

However, at this time, Eunuch Yun turned his eyes and asked:

"Madam You from your mansion is also involved in this. She should be taken away with you and taken to the clan house to have her imperial edict taken away. Where is she now?"

"What, eunuch? A woman like me is going to be imprisoned in the court?"

Jia Zheng was shocked when he heard this. If he went there, his reputation and status would be in jeopardy. It would be a crime to force someone to death.

When Eunuch Yun came, he had already read the files submitted by the Northern Pacification Envoy and was well aware of the case. In addition to convicting the suspects, he also wanted to detain all the people in Ningguo Mansion and deal with Madam You as well. However, he had heard privately that the Marquis had asked the mistress of Ningguo Mansion to hide in Rongguo Mansion that day, so he was still a little hesitant.

"Do not worry, Doctor. We are not sending you to prison. You can go to the clan house and sign the imperial edict in person. Then you can leave. If you are worried, Mr. Jia can send someone to follow you and wait at the gate of the government office. After getting the documents, they can come back."

At this time, the old woman who was gathering information outside was so frightened when she heard that Madam You was also going to be arrested that she almost fainted and trotted all the way towards Rongqing Hall.

In Rongqing Hall,

There was a gloomy atmosphere.

Aunt Xue and the Second Madam sat on the couch, sighing and looking gloomy.

Tanchun, Yingchun, Xichun, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai gathered around and were trying to comfort her.

Shi Xiangyun and Lin Daiyu both shook their heads slightly.

Mrs. Xing didn't care. She sat there expressionless, her eyes rolling around, and no one knew what she was thinking. She was mostly looking at the screen, and there was actually a hint of anticipation in her heart.

Sister Feng's face also looked unhappy. She said:
"Second Madam, do you know what is going on?"

"How should I know? You are the housekeeper. You don't know the news inside and outside the mansion. How can you ask me?"

The Second Wife was upset and didn't treat Wang Xifeng well, which made Wang Xifeng feel embarrassed. In fact, Jia Zhen was imprisoned for the affairs of Ningguo Mansion, and for some unknown reason, he didn't seem to be... that anxious. Perhaps, there was still hope that the title would fall to Baoyu.

at this time,

What happened outside had already been reported in.
Jia Zheng had no choice but to nod his head and agree, asking Jia Zheng to arrange someone to go with him. But he was afraid of tarnishing his reputation, so he asked the government to arrange a carriage to escort him.
As for Lady Jia, she was so exhausted that she had to stand up and take a breath with the help of Yuanyang and Amber.

Seeing that no one had arrived yet, the second wife asked anxiously;
"Old Madam, is there any room for maneuver? The palace and the Marquis' Mansion can help."

As if she had been reminded, Grandmother Jia quickly looked at Lin Zhixiao who was serving beside her and said:

"Go and send someone to check if the Marquis has left any message at the Marquis' Mansion. Send someone to Xuanzhen Temple to tell Master Jing to hurry back?"

"Yes, old lady."

Lin Zhixiao quickly responded and arranged for his servant to ride a horse directly to Xuanzhen Temple outside the city to ask the master to come out of the mountain.

inside the house,

The crowd was still panting.
The old woman ran in and suddenly shouted again;
"Madam, the people in the palace are going to the west courtyard to arrest Madam You,"

"what?"

Wang Xifeng exclaimed, how could Madam You be involved in this? Could it be that her title would be in jeopardy? She asked quickly:
“Old lady, why is Madam You involved in this, where is she going?”

"Don't worry about that. It's just to take away the imperial title. Going to the clan house, besides keeping the identity on file, now we have to save the lives of Jia Zhen and his son."

Grandmother Jia was panicked for a moment, and hadn't figured out what to do yet. Mrs. Xing didn't say anything, but looked at the second wife, whose expression didn't change. They were all shrewd people, and she wanted to ask but didn't dare to.
"The imperial edict has come down, how can we save it? The title of Ningguo Mansion was passed down from our ancestors, and I don't know what happened to it."

Jia's mother's eyes narrowed and she slammed the table hard.
"Old man, it's already this time. This is about Zhen'er's life. How can you still care about these things? The title is saved, but the Ningguo Mansion is the bloodline of our ancestors, so it should also be preserved."

In this way,
Mrs. Xing was secretly delighted. The title was still there, but who would inherit it was unknown. There was still a Jia Zong in the first house.
Even the second wife beside Lady Jia, who was holding the Buddhist beads in her hand, relaxed and felt much better. She was still thinking about her own Baoyu. The title of Ningguo Mansion might not belong to Baoyu.

(End of this chapter)