Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 792: Something is Wrong
The second floor of Jiaofangsi,
Yunniang was stunned for a moment. It was not that she did not want to take the silver, but she was considering how to answer. Seeing that the three masters in front of her were not easy to mess with, she hesitated, and Zhou Yunfu spoke again.

"If you have any concerns, Yunniang, just keep it short and take the money. We just want to know the origins of that woman that made Luo Yunhou and that person take action."

Pointing downstairs,
It seemed that a doctor had arrived and was treating General Yang. Then, many servants came and carried the man to the back hall.
Yunniang touched her hands, a hint of hesitation flashed across her face, and she nodded and said;
"It's not that I can't tell you, my dears. This should be the first time that Marquis Luo Yun comes here. He said he wants to listen to music. I thought that you should entertain him well. It just so happens that I have a group of trained women, so I called them up right away. I just don't know why General Yang did this."

After a pause,
And then he said;

"General Yang is a frequent visitor. He always likes old friends. But today, for some reason, Miss Xu was once the wife of a mansion. It is said that her husband was the prefect of Shuoyang County. He was reported by General Wang who was in charge of the garrison. He was stripped of his official position and taken to the capital for trial. He was convicted of the crime of confiscating his property. This lady and her daughter were sent to me for training. I happened to meet them today."

Yunniang couldn't understand such a simple matter. There were many ladies like Xu Niang in the Music Bureau, so why was this one so special that she attracted so many patrons who rushed to ask questions.

The three princes were somewhat suspicious after hearing this. Shuoyang County was a frontier military base, and it was under the control of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. How could the garrison general Niu Jizong have a conflict with a prefect? ​​And who was that General Wang? I'm afraid that the matter was not a trivial matter.

Although the three were interested, the border was too far away, and even if they had the idea, they could not reach it. Only Luo Yunhou outside the border was close. It would be better not to listen to it, as it would be annoying. Then why did General Yang also come to ask for that woman?
Although the three of them didn't understand, Zhou Yunfu quickly asked;
"Mother Yun said it well. Take these. However, since General Yang is a frequent visitor and has a familiar woman as his companion, why would he go out of his way to find Madam Xu today and even offend Marquis Luo Yun? Do you know why?"

"Sir, I really don't know. Logically, General Yang came here to meet with his friends. I have no idea what is going on with such a reckless thing."

Yun Niang curled her lips and took the banknotes on the table without hesitation. Seeing that the three nobles were still thinking, she simply waved her hand and a waiter came up with a lot of dishes and set the table.
"Gentlemen, if I were to say, don't overthink this. Coming to the Jiaofangsi is just for fun. That General Yang, if he wants to cause trouble, it may not be for Madam Xu. Maybe he has recognized the wrong person."

A sweet laugh brought the three back to their senses. It was really possible that this was true. The three looked at each other and recalled what happened before. They subconsciously ignored the fact that Luo Yunhou had brought a few people with him.
"Alright, that's all. Eat and drink first. Thank you, Yunniang, for telling me. Go and rest first."

Yunniang saw the three gentlemen chasing people away, obviously they had something to discuss, so she bowed and left.
Seeing people walking away,

Zhou Lianghao looked at the table full of food, his appetite aroused. He picked up the wine pot and filled two cups of wine for his two brothers.
"Brothers, let's think while we eat. If we don't eat now, the food will get cold. Besides, she is just the wife of a prefect. What hidden things can there be? It's nothing more than that General Yang. It's fine when other people come, but only when he comes, there will be trouble. My guess is simple, it's nothing more than being attracted by her beauty."

He placed the wine cup in front of the two brothers and waved his hand indifferently.
Zhou Yewen and Zhou Yunfu also thought there was some truth in it, so they picked up their wine cups, clinked their glasses together, drank it all in one gulp, then picked up their chopsticks and started eating.

When Yunniang returned alone, she was questioned by the eunuch in charge;
"What did those three people just ask?"

"My Lord, those three nobles were asking about Madam Xu, and Yunniang thought it was a small matter, so she told them."

I returned feeling somewhat uneasy, not knowing what else my father-in-law would say.
"Oh, you're still asking about Miss Xu. That's strange. The people who came today are all strangers, but they're all wealthy people. General Yang is not someone who's easy to get along with. They all want Miss Xu. I'm afraid there's something fishy going on."

Seeing the trouble caused by that lady Xu, it was not safe to put her in front of him, and what Luo Yunhou said was that they were all living ancestors,
"In this case, she can't stay in the building of the Jiaofangsi anymore. There are some odd jobs in the backyard, such as sewing and mending. Let her go there in the future. She still needs to learn Kunqu. After all, no one can predict what Luo Yunhou likes. Remember, she can't show up."

"Yes, I understand just now. I am just afraid that General Yang will come and not give in. What should I do?"

It is said that General Yang has always been a regular guest of Yunniang. She has met many dignitaries and is familiar with them. If you ask about him again, it will be difficult to answer.

But the steward snorted coldly.
"Humph, isn't he just a general at the front gate of the Beijing camp? He is nothing. If you know what's good for you, you won't ask any more questions. If you don't, it's useless to ask. I'm afraid he won't come here many times. Not everyone can touch the tiger whiskers of Marquis Luo Yun."

The words of the steward eunuch came to mind, especially the three figures beside the marquis, who looked somewhat familiar. Suddenly, people were startled. Aren't they the three princes of the current emperor? I heard from the eldest eunuch that the three princes followed Marquis Luo Yun to supervise the examination in the palace. Now they should come out to eat, but something bad has happened.

This matter must be passed on to the eunuch, and he turned around and shouted,
"Someone, change your clothes and go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

"Yes, father-in-law."

Let's talk about Yang Shixiong downstairs.

Yin Renchang and Hu Shoucheng carried her into a courtyard at the back of the Jiaofangsi. They carried her in with great effort and laid her on the bed. They asked the servants to fetch her some water and a brocade cloth to wipe her face.
After the doctor examined him just now, he found that he was fine. He just fainted because his acupoints were hit and he was holding his breath. He just needed to rest for a while and he would be fine.

Hu Shoucheng was worried, so he used his hand to check the doctor's breathing. His breathing was even, and it was obvious that there was nothing wrong with him. He was relieved, took the money, paid the consultation fee, and let the doctor go.

Just this disturbance,
The identity of Luo Yunhou was brought up, and it gave me a headache just thinking about it.
"My two brothers, what should we do about Brother Yang's matter? Marquis Luo Yun is well-known, how can we explain it to him now?"

At this time, Duan Wenyuan stood aside with a gloomy face, watching Hu Shoucheng and Yin Renchang constantly wiping the soup off Yang Shixiong's clothes, and asked;
"Find a way to wake him up and ask him what happened. Why did Madam Xu offend Marquis Luo Yun for no reason? Didn't he like Madam Li in the past?"

The more Duan Wenyuan thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong. Today was a sudden decision made by the few of them. They had not made an appointment before. It just so happened that there was nothing to do in the camp, so the four of them decided to go out for some fun. It was only because Duan Wenyuan left first that they came to the Jiaofangsi first.

The other three arrived later, first Yin Renchang, then Hu Shoucheng, and finally Yang Shixiong. The key point is that when they arrived, they were not far apart in time, but Yang Shixiong was not, he was one hour late. Where did he go during this hour?

Duan Wenyuan's doubts also made the other two people react. Yes, why did he come so late?

Hu Shoucheng clapped his hands and put some water on it.
"You two brothers, step back and watch me wake him up. Make way."

Before Yin Renchang could react, Hu Shoucheng pulled him aside. Then he saw Brother Hu slap Yang Shixiong in the face several times. Before Yang Shixiong woke up, he took the cold water from the table and poured it directly on his face.
After the basin of water was poured out, Yang Shixiong coughed violently a few times and sat up suddenly. He felt wet and cold in a daze. He looked up and saw his three friends surrounding the bed and staring at him. What was going on?

Looking around, there was a bed and a desk, and no other decorations. It was obviously a guest room. Oh, why was I here?

"Brother Duan, why are we here? What's going on?"

The confused look made Duan Wenyuan a little amused.

"If you don't know, then who would know? You just attacked Luo Yunhou. Where is your prestige? Or did you do it on purpose?"

This reminder reminded Yang Shixiong of what happened before. He couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat and felt something was wrong.
"Brother Duan, this is not right. I didn't do it on purpose. I was just suddenly so angry that I lost my mind and couldn't listen to other people's consolation. No, it was her, definitely her!"

Yang Shixiong's face condensed, and he suddenly remembered that when he just entered the Jiaofangsi, he met Li Niangzi coming over. The two hugged for a while and drank tea. Li Niangzi said she wanted to go back to change clothes, so he went upstairs, and then he was a little confused.
"Who, who are you talking about?"

Hu Shoucheng and the others heard something strange and asked quickly,
"Brothers, when I first came to the Jiaofangsi, I met Madam Li and drank tea with her. Then I went upstairs and felt dizzy. I don't know what I did."

After saying this, he still looked a little ashamed, after all, he had slapped his brother in the face.
Sure enough, the three of them looked unhappy. They asked you to come and have drinks first, but you were so good that you tasted the meat first, leaving the three of them sitting upstairs in boredom. Yin Renchang asked unhappily;
"You are so happy, kid. Where do you put the three of us? Not to mention that Marquis Luo Yun has been offended, even if that lady Li has used some tricks, there is no evidence. Who can you tell and who can believe you? Big brother, what do you think?"

Duan Wenyuan sighed. What could he do? He would find a chance to go back and ask his father what to do. Although Luo Yunhou was troublesome, he could probably ask for mercy because of his father's noble family background. However, if the three people around the marquis were the three nobles in the palace, would they have a way out in the future?
But seeing the anxious faces of the three people in front of me, I couldn't bring it up again.

"Okay, pack up, let's go back and think of a plan, then make an appointment to go to Luo Yunhou Mansion to apologize to the Marquis. Brother Yang, this matter is caused by you, you have to find a way to apologize, don't be lucky, I can only remind you this much," he was helpless and was about to turn around and leave. Hu Shoucheng was still packing the bedding, and didn't see the expression on Second Brother Yin's face. He thought that there was something else in Brother Duan's words.
Senior Brother Yang was ashamed, he didn't expect to implicate several brothers, he said ashamedly;

"Don't worry, Brother Duan. Everyone is responsible for their own actions. I will not implicate you brothers."

"You, I didn't understand. Forget it, let's end this matter here, figure out a way to deal with it, and go back."

Duan Wenyuan pointed at Yang Shixiong, cursed him for being brainless, waved his sleeves and pushed the door open, leaving the three of them staring at each other in bewilderment.
Rongguo Mansion,
Outside the palace gate,
Many members of the Jia family came to help. Lai Da saw that it was getting late and many people had not eaten yet. According to custom, when the host family holds a funeral and the family members come to help, they must stay for dinner.

Thinking of this,

Lai Da directed a number of people to clean up the mess outside the mansion, and moved the table for pulling cloths in front of the door to the side of the mansion door.
"Everyone, be more observant and quick. Clean up the gate inside and outside. I'm going to ask for a reward from Second Madam. You all wait here."

"Yes, Butler Lai, everyone is busy."

A helper in charge nodded repeatedly and said,

Seeing this, Lai Da pulled the hem of his clothes, called two servants to follow him, and trotted all the way to the Pear Garden.
The Second Mistress now has the final say in the mansion. Even to Ningguo Mansion, the Second Mistress sent a message that when the Imperial City Department goes to pick up people, the servants should be brought back first. As for Master Zhen and his son, it will take some time.

As for the funeral of the East Mansion, it seems that it was also handled by the Second Mistress. She dared to take a profit from these things in the past. Now, although she still takes money, she dare not be so blatant. After all, Luo Yunhou's previous search took away most of the Lai family's wealth in just one go.

If I don’t make some money now, what will I do in the future?

Thinking about things, people become more respectful and cautious. There is one more thing that is buried deep in my heart. Now that the eldest grandmother has gone to Ningguo Mansion, no matter whether Madam You gives birth to a boy or a girl in the future, the one in charge of the East Mansion is the eldest grandmother. The eldest grandmother has always had a good relationship with the second grandmother. It is possible that the power of the housekeepers of the East and West Mansions will fall into the hands of the second grandmother. At that time, the whole Jia family may have to look at her face. In the past, the Lai family has offended the second grandmother in many ways. Now think about it, it needs to make amends.
With this in mind, he came up with an idea and led his people towards the Pear Garden!

When we got to the yard,

First he walked quickly to the main hall and knocked on the door.
"Second Madam, I, the servant Lai Da, have something to report."

Wang Xifeng, who was in the room, had just finished her meal. When she heard the noise, she touched Ping'er's waist.

"Go and see what's going on."

"Yes, grandma."

Ping'er blushed. Grandma didn't know whether to be ashamed or not. She kept touching her body. Without thinking much, she turned around and went to open the door. When she saw Butler Lai outside the door, she asked,

"Butler Lai, is there anything wrong?"

Seeing that it was Miss Ping'er who opened the door, Lai Da nodded.

"It's Miss Ping'er. I have something to report to you. The yard has been cleaned up, but there are still many relatives here to help. I want to ask if the master will provide food for us."

Ping'er felt relieved when she heard this. But she didn't know since when, she felt anxious whenever she thought of someone coming into the yard to report. After all, there had been no good news in these days.

Seeing that Manager Lai was no longer as restrained as before, but now he was much more pleasing to the eye with his humble appearance,

"Okay, Second Grandma is in the room, come in and talk."

"Thank you, Miss Ping'er."

Lai Da nodded, then turned around and told his two attendants,

"You stay here first, I'm going to see grandma,"

"Yes, butler."

Spoken,
The two entered the house one after another.

The furnishings were still luxurious and beautiful, and the house was filled with top-quality furnishings and ornaments. The white eyebrow screen sent by the Wang family mansion was not far in front. Many good things in the Rongguo Mansion's storehouse were actually in grandma's room. Lai Da just glanced at it with his peripheral vision, then quickly lowered his head and bent over and walked in.

Arriving at the inner hall,

Seeing the second grandmother sitting there drinking tea, he knelt down on his knees.
"I, the servant Lai Da, pay my respects to the Second Madam,"

Kneeling down and bowing, he even kowtowed to greet
This kneeling startled Wang Xifeng. People outside said that the housekeeper of Rongguo Mansion was like the second master of the Duke's Mansion. He was acting so artificially, asking for help or having other intentions. However, deep down, Wang Xifeng actually felt a little proud. Her careful arrangements had paid off. If she could really get the housekeepers of the East and West Mansions in her hands, then she would be truly secure.

"What kind of greeting are you asking, housekeeper Lai? I dare not accept such a gift, grandma. Get up."

"Oh, Second Madam, you are too polite. I was not tactful in the past and have offended you in many ways. Please forgive me and give me some face. Thank you, Madam."

He kowtowed again, then bent down and stood up. His respectful look was really rare.
Although Wang Xifeng was somewhat happy in her heart, as the saying goes, one does not visit a temple without a request, and it is probably not a good thing for someone to enter the temple and be so humble.

"Okay, listen to me more in the future. I am not a stingy person. If you listen, you will be rewarded. If you don't listen, you will be sent back to where you came from."

It's meant as a warning.
Lai Da nodded repeatedly and agreed.
"Grandma ordered that servants must follow their own rules. If anyone disobeys my orders, I will make him know without any action from Grandma how powerful those who don't know the rules are."

"Okay, tell me, what's the matter?"

Wang Xifeng nodded with satisfaction. The obstacle that had prevented the last housekeeper of Rongguo Mansion from taking action was removed. She didn't know where she got the good news. On the other hand, although there were some shocks today, good fortune and misfortune go hand in hand.
"Grandma, there is nothing else to say. I just want to ask for a reward. It has always been the custom for ordinary people to help out at funerals, and we have many people gathered at Rongguo Mansion. I dare not neglect them, so I came to ask you if we can set up a simple banquet to show our generosity."

There is nothing that can be done about it. Without the master's permission, even if Butler Lai wants to keep the guests according to custom, he cannot. It is getting late and with so many people here, it will be too late to cook some food!
(End of this chapter)