Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 809: The Situation of Ningguo Mansion
"Drive, drive!"

"Go, hurry up, the people behind you should catch up."

There was a shout.

In front of the Luo Yunhou Mansion, a group of cavalrymen waved their whips, surrounded a carriage, and began to head east.

Zhang Jinyu was almost half lying inside, and only then did she feel a little more comfortable. Sex was like a steel knife scraping bones, it was absolutely true. They were obviously three weak women, powerless, but how come once they got on top of him, their fighting power doubled? Next time, I can't be so ridiculous.
It is said that the one-on-one fight is the best. How can a general lead three troops at the same time, except for the reckless Lu Bu in the Han Dynasty?

"My Lord, are we going to Rongguo Mansion or Ningguo Mansion?"

Outside, Ningbyon's voice came.
Zhang Jinyu wanted to go to Rongguo Mansion to see how the ladies were doing, especially the fairy-like Lin Daiyu. However, it would be too conspicuous in broad daylight. Not to mention others, Wang Xifeng, who was so shrewd, might not be able to hide it. This woman was too cunning, which was not good.
"Of course we should go to Ningguo Mansion and pay our respects. We can talk about it after that."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

In this way, many cars turned at the intersection and headed south.

At this time, Ningguo Mansion

A banquet was set up in the large courtyard on the west side. Some people who were busy here, as well as the young people of the clan, all had their meals here, rested for a while, and then went back to help out where they were supposed to be. There was a constant stream of people from outside coming here to pay their respects.

at the gate,
The brothers Jia She and Jia Zheng took turns receiving the guests, while the female relatives who came here were looked after by Lady Xing and Wang Xifeng in turn.
In the East Courtyard, Jia's mother and the Second Mistress were sitting in the room. The Second Mistress's eyes were slightly red, as if she had been crying.
"Why, are you still thinking about these things? If it doesn't work today, wait for the next time. Baoyu has changed a lot now, which is also a good thing."

Sitting on an octagonal chair, Grandmother Jia looked majestic without even getting angry. Although today's reason was a little unexpected, she was very proud of the good news. It was a pity that it was not Baoyu who was given the official position, which was a bit regrettable.

The second wife was obviously a little aggrieved. The road was paved, but now she had lost the title and official position she had obtained. Who could understand the sadness in her heart?

"Old lady, although what you said makes sense, Baoyu and I have lost so much face today. Now we have gained nothing. I don't know who will laugh at us from behind in the future."

As for who will be the one to laugh at the joke, it is clear without being told that it is Madam Xing from the first wife's house. These past few days, she has been involved in everything, and good things have turned into bad things. The most worrying thing is that after such a big change, so many benefits have been given to others, and her own Baoyu has not received any. How can this be?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he looked extremely aggrieved. Seeing this, Grandmother Jia felt a little soft-hearted, but how could she change something that had already been decided? Many of the words had also been spread out. No matter how much she loved Baoyu, she could not be vague on major issues.

"Second brother, you should take a long-term view. The imperial examination is based on your ability. There will always be a next time. As for Ningguo Mansion, it is a muddy place. How can you ask Baoyu to wade into that muddy water? You know, I also plan to return these family trees and the clan leader's keepsakes after I have determined the heir. You know how many things are entangled with me."

Grandmother Jia didn't want anything from Ningguo Mansion. There were thousands of people in the family. Although the clan leader was just a figurehead, he couldn't just sit there and watch when someone came to visit. He was entangled in worldly affairs and his luck was gone.

The second wife felt much better after hearing this, but as the old lady said, there were too many things to deal with. If they were handled well, it would be fine. But if they were not handled well, they would be blamed. The master's family was not good after all. But there was one thing she couldn't understand. Why was Jia Lan on the list of successful candidates, but Baoyu was not? What was the reason? Could it be that Marquis Luo Yun didn't allow Baoyu to be on the list? When she thought of this, she couldn't help but wonder,
"Madam, there is something I don't understand. Why is Jia Lan ranked third on the list at such a young age, while Baoyu is older and not even on the list? Could it be that Marquis Luo Yun didn't choose him?"

A bit of suspicion appeared on Jia's mother's face. What she said might make sense. Luo Yunhou was the chief examiner. Who would pass and who would not pass was decided by his own words. Or did Luo Yunhou remember the name wrong? Should she go and ask?
"I'll remember this, so don't keep it in your heart."

After the old lady spoke, the second wife knew that she would definitely go and ask about it. She felt much better and no longer kept the grievance in her heart as she had just done. She took the tea, took a sip, and felt much more relaxed.

And outside,
Zhang Jinyu was confused when she heard Ning Bian's voice.
"My Lord, we have arrived at Ningguo Mansion,"

"Well, so fast. I just took a nap. Get out of the car now."

Zhang Jinyu rubbed his eyes, sat up, leaned against the car window, lifted the curtain and looked out. A large group of young people in mourning took turns crying outside. The entire courtyard wall was covered in white, and the soul-calling banners were hung up. They were really trying to save face.
Just said get off the car,

Ning Bian turned around and waved, and a team of personal soldiers immediately dismounted and lined up outside the carriage to wait. Zhang Jinyu stretched his shoulders lazily, lifted the curtain and jumped down.
"walk into."

"Yes, Lord Marquis,"

Zhang Jinyu didn't care about the others and wanted to go into the yard first and go back after the memorial service. But as soon as he entered the yard, he saw a large group of maids gathered in the east courtyard and saw someone lecturing.

After a closer look, it was not Sister Feng, but someone else. I don't know why, but she was wearing a grey dress, and the more I looked at her, the more beautiful she looked.
"Wait a minute, go and take a look,"

Zhang Jinyu stopped and led the way to the east yard. He stopped at the gate of the yard to listen to what was said.

Many people came to the courtyard.

All the women and wives in the Ningguo Mansion, whether in the backyard or the front yard, gathered together when they heard the noise. They saw Feng Ji and Lai Sheng's wife distributing tasks. No one dared to enter without permission and could only listen and watch from outside the yard.

I only heard Sister Feng and Lai Sheng's wife say:

"Since you have entrusted me with this, I can't help but annoy you. I'm not as good-tempered as your grandmother, so I won't let you do whatever you want. Don't say that 'this is how it is in this mansion' anymore. Now you have to follow my lead. If you make the slightest mistake, I won't care who has the face or not, I will punish them all."

As he spoke, he told Cai Ming to read out the name list and call each one of them over for inspection.

After reading it for a while, he ordered again:
"These thirty were divided into two groups, with ten people in each group. They only had to take care of the guests coming and going and pouring tea every day. They didn't have to take care of anything else. These thirty were also divided into three groups. They only had to take care of the family members' meals and tea every day. They didn't have to take care of anything else. These forty people were also divided into two groups. They only had to burn incense and oil in front of the coffin, hang curtains to keep vigil, serve food and tea, and mourn. They had nothing else to do with them."

He checked the other rosters and assigned dozens of people tasks, some in the inner tea room to collect cups and tea utensils, some in charge of wine and food utensils, some in charge of collecting sacrificial ceremonies, some in charge of lamp oil, candles, and paper in various places. Quite a few people were needed for all these tasks.

There were also people who took turns to guard the doors, monitor the candles, and clean the place. The team was divided into different houses, and someone was in charge of a certain place. If any tables, chairs, antiques, spittoons, brooms, or any grass or seedlings were lost or damaged, they would be accounted for and compensated with the person in charge of that place.

It was also stipulated that there should be someone on guard at all times every day, starting at 15:00 am and having breakfast at 12:00 pm. Anyone who needed a license had to come and burn evening paper at 15:00 and 18:00. The housekeeper would have to check everywhere and come back to hand in the keys for the night shift. He had to come back at 15:00 am the next day to get them.

After giving the order, Wang Xifeng looked at the large group of people in front of her and sneered, saying bluntly;

"You should also know that the Ningguo Mansion has a new owner, and the mansion doesn't need so many people, so those who should leave must leave. If you find anyone slacking off, gambling, drinking, fighting or arguing, report to me immediately. If you show favoritism and I find out, you will lose face for the rest of your life. Those who follow me all know my temper, so I'm reminding you here, whether to stay or leave is up to you."

It was half a reminder and half a threat. At least half of the people in Ningguo Mansion would have to leave. Those who followed Brother Zhen and Jia Rong would have to leave. The rest, those who were sneaky and cunning, would not be able to stay. This way, the mansion would be much quieter.
Thinking of this, she felt a little upset. In the end, she would need to cover up the offspring left by that enemy, and she would also have to make arrangements inside and outside. What would she become? Could she be more than a brothel owner?

Feng Jieer was very proud to see that she had great power and could carry out her orders. After receiving the orders, the servants all came to her and did their jobs, unlike before when they only picked the easy jobs and did not take on the hard work.

Thinking that Youshi was ill and didn't eat much, she fried various kinds of fine porridge and exquisite side dishes from the mansion every day and ordered people to bring them to her to encourage her to eat. Now she is feeling much better. Of course, only the two of them knew what was going on inside.

"By the way, has anyone from Jing'an Temple come?"

"Reply grandma, they said they are coming, but I haven't seen them yet."

Lai Sheng's wife wiped her sweat and replied respectfully. Wang Xifeng frowned, a little unhappy. It was time, but she still hadn't come. Zhang Jinyu, who was standing outside the courtyard gate, was secretly shocked. Why hadn't she seen Sister Feng be so courageous before? She was amazing.

He wanted to go into the yard, but somehow he pulled his legs back, thinking it was better to have less trouble than more, so he went to pay respects first. But just as he was about to turn around and leave, a clear voice rang out behind him.

"Oh, isn't this the eldest marquis of our mansion? Why, after eavesdropping here secretly, do you want to run away?"

Originally, after Wang Xifeng had made her arrangements, she wanted to go to the backyard to tell the old lady. Thinking of this, she immediately set off. When she was almost at the yard, she saw the figure of Luo Yunhou. She didn't know why, but she felt a little aggrieved in her heart, and she couldn't help but ridicule him.

Zhang Jinyu touched his nose and smiled awkwardly. He might as well not leave. He was caught red-handed. He turned around and smiled.

"I'm here to pay my respects to Sister Feng. I just came in and saw how majestic Sister Feng is. Aren't you afraid of causing trouble for Sister Feng?"

Zhang Jinyu kept calling Wang Xifeng "Sister Feng", which made Wang Xifeng laugh.
"Alas, I am not worthy of receiving a greeting from the Marquis. If you don't know, I don't know what you are thinking. The Enke is over, and the Marquis is here to watch the fun?"

It is well known in the capital that Marquis Luo Yun and Jia Zhen do not get along. Something happened in Ningguo Mansion. Could it be that the Marquis is looking for trouble?

When Zhang Jinyu saw Wang Xifeng looking at him strangely, he realized that he had been a little rash.
"That's not the case. As a fellow noble, I have to come and pay my respects and come and see how the old lady is doing."

Then he ordered Ning Bian to go and burn incense for Jia Jing on his behalf.
"My Lord, you are very thoughtful. I was just thinking of going to the back to tell the old lady. In that case, let's go together."

Seeing Wang Xifeng say this, Zhang Jinyu had no choice but to nod. Well, he didn't know how the old lady of Ningguo Mansion arranged it, but it would be good to test the waters.

Accompany you all the way,
Just after walking a few steps, Sister Feng spoke briefly about the Ningguo Mansion.

"In Ningguo Mansion, Brother Zhen and his son have given up the idea. The old lady has drawn up the family tree and asked the eldest sister-in-law and her son to come over to continue the family line. The future titles will still be decided by the old lady."

Having said that,

Fengjie almost said something wrong, but she changed her tone immediately. However, Zhang Jinyu understood clearly that it was good. The title was better than giving it to an outsider. The title was hard to come by. If he was the old lady, she would have the same idea. But why was Jia Baoyu excluded? According to Grandmother Jia's idea, shouldn't Jia Baoyu take over? This was the title of the Duke's Mansion.
"That's not right, Jia Baoyu didn't come?"

When Jia Baoyu was mentioned, Wang Xifeng felt a little strange. These were all coincidental things.
"My Lord, you also know that the Second Wife only has this one person to take care of her in her old age. How to adopt him to the Ningguo Mansion? As a compromise, Jia Lan was chosen. Speaking of which, the list of names chosen by the Marquis for this special examination is too much."

To put it too far, the fact that Jia Lan was included in the list and Baoyu was not included in the list was mixed with the private affairs with the eldest sister-in-law. Although no one knew about it, it was inevitable that it would arouse suspicion over a long period of time, especially the matter of the list. It was reasonable for gossip to spread.

Wang Xifeng's words were full of questions. How could Zhang Jinyu not think of the meaning? When he thought of Jia Baoyu's article, the poem was okay, it was indeed literary, and one had to say that Jia Baoyu was romantic, but the eight-part essay was a mess, nine out of ten were correct, and one was not correct, it was not ordinary at all.
With a bitter smile, she wanted to explain, but when she arrived at the backyard house, Sister Feng ignored her and directly opened the door and walked in.

Zhang Jinyu had no choice but to look around. The garden was overgrown with weeds and no one was taking care of it. He also had no idea what the servants in the mansion were doing. He shook his head and followed them in.

As soon as I entered the inner hall, turned the corner and walked around the screen, I saw Jia's mother and the second wife sitting in the room, and Fengjie standing there answering a question.
Zhang Jinyu straightened his body, walked in, bowed, and clasped his fists.
"I'm glad to meet the old lady. I hope she is doing well."

As early as when Luo Yunhou came in, Jia's mother saw him and was delighted. She was glad that he had come. She did not care that she had ignored the second wife when she greeted him.
"What did you say? It's better to keep your own relatives. You keep talking about people. Now they are here. My Lord, please take a seat. Yuanyang, serve tea."

"Yes, old lady."

Yuanyang blushed, turned around and went to the flower hall to make tea for the Marquis. Zhang Jinyu's heart was warmed. Yuanyang was graceful, with a face as beautiful as a peach, and her figure was becoming more and more plump. She was actually more beautiful than Ping'er who was beside Fengjie. I don't know why Ping'er looked a little haggard.

Everyone around looked at her, except the second wife who was sitting opposite her. She looked extremely pale and ugly, as if she had just forgotten to greet the second wife. After all, she was Baoyu's biological mother and a member of the Wang family. So, she gave her some face.

"Meet the Second Madam."

Zhang Jinyu took the time to greet them, and everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief. At this time, Yuanyang also made some tea and brought it up, and also brought a plate of cakes. He was very considerate.

Just when he wanted to take a sip of tea to taste it, he didn't know that the second wife opposite him suddenly opened her mouth and asked;
"I cannot bear the respect from the Marquis. This whole thing is the fault of the Wang family. The Marquis will look down on me after all."

Just this one sentence almost burned my tongue. It was strange that one or two of them were like this. Are all the women in the Wang family the same?

Bah, bah!
Just when I was about to complain, I suddenly remembered that my mother's surname was also Wang, and she was also a girl from the Wang family. I immediately put away the thought and felt a toothache.

"I don't know what the Second Madam has to complain about. Please tell me. I just came here and if I have done anything wrong, please give me some advice."

When the second wife heard this, she could no longer hold back and tried to question him, but was stopped by the old lady.

"What can I complain about? We are all family, and it is just a small matter. The Marquis has been very busy these past few days. Jia Lan was ranked third on the A list, and I am very happy. I also need to thank your mother for the credit here."

These words were very pleasing to the ear, but privately, Zhang Jinyu also understood what the Second Madam wanted to ask, which was nothing more than the fact that Baoyu failed the imperial examination. The old lady was indeed very capable, and in a few words, she had to speak up.

"The old lady is in a serious condition. I will help her if I can. My mother always praises the old lady. She has been a little weak these days and is recuperating at home, so she has not come here. As for what the second wife asked about, it should be about Baoyu."

Zhang Jinyu did not shy away from speaking, and spoke openly first, which surprised several people. But what he said made sense.

In her heart, Jia Mu actually wanted to know the reason, why couldn't even a B-grade essay be accepted? She had also read Baoyu's essay, and it wasn't too bad, so he should be able to pass the provincial examination.

Zhang Jinyu took his time, drank some tea to moisten his throat, and replied;

"You don't know, old lady, that the examination papers were marked by the civil officials, and the final selection of the top papers was made by the boy. When the list was delivered to me, the first people I looked for were Baoyu and Lang'er, but there was only Jia Lan on the list, so I had the opportunity to select him."

This was like pushing the responsibility onto the document managers. Although it was not an excuse, the Second Wife would not be happy to hear that.

"That's not right. Even if it didn't make the list, it would be fine for the Marquis to give it a B-grade grade."

The voice was cold and the fierceness of the Wang family woman came to him. He looked at Sister Feng, who was sitting opposite him and winking at him.

Zhang Jinyu laughed and said without hesitation.

"What Second Madam said is wrong. The Enke is to select talents for the imperial court. How can we sacrifice public affairs for personal reasons? Second Madam, do you know that all the candidates for Hanyuan Palace are students from academies, students from the Imperial Academy, and children from so-called noble families? Are the essays they write really bad?"

"you!"

(End of this chapter)