Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 861: Eating and Drinking in the Palace
Luoyunhou Mansion,

The house was quiet.

Qin Keqing widened her eyes, staring at her husband in confusion. She walked around in a circle and wanted to go to Rongguo Mansion to eat for free, which was so embarrassing.

His face turned red and he complained;

"My dear, you are joking. How can a lord of a mansion go to someone else's place to have a buffet? It would be embarrassing to be seen by others."

Zhang Jinyu didn't care about that. What did she mean by "not good"? It was not good in the first place. Besides, it wasn't like she was eating at their restaurant for free. She had already sent all the gifts today.

"Madam, you are wrong. We still have to send gifts today. The host will provide meals. Let's go and have a meal first. It will be considered as eating in advance. How good. If you don't want to go, wait at home first. Your husband will go to the palace to pay respects."

Seeing that Qin Keqing looked reluctant, Zhang Jinyu did not force her. He went to the palace to pay his respects first and take a look at the schedule for today. If it really didn't work out, he would not go. It would be embarrassing if he was seen going there.

"Then you can go by yourself, my dear. I and my two sisters will go to Dongyun Tower to have dinner with mother."

Qin Keqing blushed and pulled Baozhu out of the room. Zhang Jinyu touched his nose and shouted to the outside;
"Ningbian, be horsed, go to the palace."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

Immediately, the sound of horse hooves was heard from the Marquis's Mansion, and a group of people rushed towards the palace gate.

Ningrong Street,
The central gate of Rongguo Mansion was now wide open, and in the demolished courtyard in the southwest, there were more than a hundred tables placed directly. The maids and servants in the mansion were all busy inside and outside, washing and cutting vegetables. The chefs hired by several restaurants set up stoves and made fires on the spot to prepare meals in the morning.

Second Madam Wang Xifeng, wearing a shawl silk dress, stood at the entrance of the courtyard with a few guards and servants, her hands on her waist, her other hand extended, pointing. Behind her, a row of stewards, as well as the housekeeper Lai Da, all stood there respectfully, not daring to move at all.

"Listen, everyone. The wall over there has been demolished. We can put up a stage. Tell Master Jiang to hurry up and sing a few lines. Also, the courtyard is large and there are many people and eyes. Tell the servants and stewards in the mansion to guard the gates of the courtyards. Make sure no outsiders run around and do not disturb the women. Do you understand?"

"Yes, grandma, I am listening. I have called the servants and guards in the mansion early in the morning and they are busy all the time."

Lai Da quickly replied, his face flushed. Now the Rongguo Mansion actually had an extremely wealthy master. As the housekeeper, when he went out this morning, people outside were very respectful and gave him enough face from a distance.
"Just remember it. This time, the money awarded by the Second Madam should be distributed first. The buffet for the other three days should be well prepared. People outside should not be allowed to eat, otherwise they will gossip about it. The noodles and stews for breakfast should be given in sufficient quantities, otherwise the money and effort will be spent and gossips will spread."

Wang Xifeng looked at the mess in the courtyard. Many people from the clan had come here. She felt helpless. Although some of the relatives of the Jia family worked, when they heard that there were benefits to be gained, especially the benefits given by the master, they would give them all and never leave out any. Although she was not happy about it, she still had to give what she had to give.
"Don't worry, Second Madam. We don't lack this amount of food. We have plenty to keep you full. We have already contacted the butcher shop in the East Market. They sent a few carts of meat last night and another batch this morning. I estimate that it will be enough for a day. In addition, Sister Liu stayed up all night last night and prepared the ingredients herself. You know Sister Liu's cooking skills. She uses enough ingredients and the food will be delicious."

Housekeeper Lai had been at the mansion and had dealt with outsiders for so many years that he knew that if the common people really came to eat, they would just be satisfied with having enough wine and meat, and would not care about the taste. As for tasting the food, only those in the Jia family would care about it, and they could not talk about family matters, so not many dishes were prepared. There was a big jar of stewed meat, four stir-fried vegetables, and a big bowl of noodles for each person, which would definitely make their mouths drool.

Hearing Lai Da's reply, Wang Xifeng nodded. Sister Liu's cooking skills were impeccable. Although there were fewer dishes, as long as they were full and had meat, they would not complain. Seeing that in the end, the servants in the courtyard were no longer panicking and were doing things in an orderly manner. More than a dozen pots and stoves were already stewing.
So he stopped lingering.
"Ping'er, follow me back. Lai Da, let a few stewards help here. You take the people and be responsible for receiving guests inside the middle gate. Prepare a good banquet in the courtyard of Rong Xi Hall. Wait for people from various mansions to come to congratulate at noon, and then arrange the banquet."

"Yes, grandma, I'll go right away."

After a few replies, the surrounding officials immediately scattered like birds and beasts.
Upon seeing this, Wang Xifeng took people to Rongqing Hall and told the old lady about it.

Only the Ningguo Mansion was deserted, the main door was closed, and a few doormen were guarding the side door. Even the manager looked depressed. Suddenly, a burst of crying was heard.

There were at least a hundred people in the front yard, carrying large and small packages. Most of them were servants and old women, but there were not many maids. They crowded in the front yard, crying and sobbing.
"What are you doing? What are you doing? Why are you crying? Today is a big day for the Jia family. If you cry, have you ever thought about the consequences?"

The steward Lai Sheng, standing at the front, scolded, the group of people in front of him were also the old people in the mansion. The maids were all sent to Rongguo Mansion to be married to the young men. The remaining elderly people and some idle servants were all sent to the farm. How could the mansion use so many people?
The eldest sister-in-law of Rongguo Mansion has already replied that if they want to live here, no one is needed. There are forty people left inside and outside Madam You's yard. Fifteen people are left at the front yard gatehouse, twenty of her own men are left, and fifteen people are left in the kitchen. As for the rest, in the backyard, Rong Ge'er took away more than thirty people, and the rest had nowhere to go. With the approval of the second wife, they all went directly to the farm.

"Butler Lai, we servants have served in Ningguo Mansion for a long time. Even if we have no merit, we have worked hard. Now you are driving us away to the farm. How can we have hope for the future?"

The person who spoke was a steward. As the steward of Ning Mansion, he was considered a well-known person. Now he was being driven out of the mansion. In the future, not only would his face be gone, but even his life would be much more difficult. After all, the life in the Duke's Mansion could never compare to that.

"Yes, housekeeper, the old woman nursed Ronger before. When she left last night, she didn't even inform the old woman, and didn't even leave a word. Damn it, oh my."

After saying this, he burst into tears and sat on the ground throwing a tantrum.

Lai Sheng looked at this group of people with an indifferent expression. He actually hadn't understood the situation clearly yet.
"Pan Youan, you will be in charge of the gate from now on. Wang Xing, you will be in charge of cleaning the house. The two of you will stay here to be the stewards. The rest of you will go back in batches to pack your clothes and leave the house directly later. Don't mention who you used to be. Remember, the head of the Ningguo Mansion is no longer here, so who are you going to serve?"

He glanced at the crowd, his eyes were mocking, and everyone who was glanced at lowered their heads, looked at the old woman who was still making a scene, and shouted at her;
"Why don't you get up? You are playing mad and stupid. Although you are Rong'er's nurse, you know how you treated him in the past. You either stole his property or spoke ill of him. Who would dare to take you with you if you were alive? Considering the friendship we have had in the mansion over the years, this steward has one last word to say. If you want to live, go to the manor. If you don't want to live, do it yourself. Wang Xing, take them to clean up."

"Yes, Butler Lai."

Wang Xing yawned quickly and responded. He took a dozen servants with him to "supervise" these people to go back to the west room to pack their clothes. The rest of the people stayed here and waited. Lai Sheng did not mind the trouble. He moved a stool and sat down here. Looking at the panicked eyes of the group of people in front of him, he sighed in his heart. He was afraid that he would never come back once he left.

In the secret place of her heart, there was still a trace of doubt. Madam You had entered the mansion, but she had never been pregnant. How could she be pregnant now? It was too strange. And the eldest sister-in-law of Rongguo Mansion and the adopted Lang'er, could it be that all these arrangements were the tricks of the old lady, all for the sake of keeping the title? Thinking of this, she shuddered and quickly killed the thought.
"What are you looking at? The house is ready in the farm. If you work hard, you will have enough food and drink. The owner is kind-hearted and has given you an extra month's salary."

Ouchi Imperial Palace,

The Hall of Nourishing Heart,
Zhang Jinyu rode as fast as he could. As soon as he arrived at the palace gate, he jumped off his horse. After the imperial guards checked his badge, he ran straight to the Yangxin Palace in the palace. Because he had not eaten, he only drank some water. He felt his feet slipping as he ran all the way here, and sweat broke out.
As soon as I arrived outside the palace, I saw Eunuch Yun once again leading a group of eunuchs, carrying food boxes and entering the room.

When Eunuch Yun saw the Marquis, he quickly bowed.

"My Lord, you came so early today?"

Xiao Yunzi was a little surprised. She thought the Marquis would come later, around noon, but she didn't expect him to come right away. At first glance, the clothes the Marquis was wearing looked like those worn by a guard of a wealthy family, so it seemed that it was OK.

"So it's Eunuch Yun. You've gotten up early. I have some ideas that I'd like Your Majesty to think about. Is Your Majesty up yet?"

Zhang Jinyu wiped the sweat off his face and muttered to himself, he was still a little out of breath after running such a short distance. Eunuch Yun quickly made a gesture of invitation,

"My Lord, His Majesty has finished washing and is preparing to eat. Earlier, he was still talking about my Lord."

Seeing this, Zhang Jinyu didn't hesitate, put on his clothes, followed Eunuch Yun into the east warm room,
As soon as he reached the door curtain and screen, Zhang Jinyu knelt on the ground and shouted;

"Your Majesty, I, Zhang Jinyu, pay my respects to you. Long live the emperor."

At this time, Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong in the warm room, with a smile on his face, sat at the table, watching the movement outside. This kid came so early.
"Come in," "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Jinyu kowtowed, then stood up and walked in. As soon as he entered the room, he saw a table full of food and snacks. The table was filled with buns, steamed dumplings, various side dishes, and even shortbread and barbecued meat, all steaming hot.

Dai Quan also dressed up as a butler, and accompanied him. He personally took out a plate of exquisite side dishes from the food box and placed them on the table.
It looked like some steamed venison. Just one look at it made my stomach growl with hunger.

"You are so anxious that you haven't even eaten yet and your forehead is sweating. Tell me, why did you get up so early and rush to my place?"

Emperor Wu looked at Zhang Jinyu's blushing face and found it interesting. It was obvious that she had run over without eating. She had not yet wiped the sweat off her forehead and was panting.

Zhang Jinyu smiled awkwardly and wiped his forehead with his hand. It was just a little sweat, but the emperor saw it.
"Your Majesty, I am here to pay my respects to you, to see if you need anything, and to ask you and your wife when they will leave."

"What are you asking for? I don't usually see you being so filial. Tell the truth."

Emperor Wu smiled. This kid started to play tricks again. He picked up a bowl of porridge, placed it across the table, and asked Dai Quan to serve another bowl. Only then did he take a sip carefully.

"Well, Your Majesty, I came early today. It was really a sudden idea. I just got up and heard that in Ningrong Street, Rongguo Mansion said that they had invited a troupe of actors and prepared a buffet for people who came to the mansion. I thought, I happened to get up early today and had no food in my stomach, so I might as well go and have a meal and try something new!"

His face was a little embarrassed, he hesitated for a while, wondering how he could come up with such a weird idea, and then he said;
"I got excited and thought, Your Majesty, if you haven't had your meal, why not go and have a meal together to join in the fun. If that doesn't work, Your Majesty can go too."

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The words became quieter and quieter.

Dai Quan's hands trembled when he heard this, and he almost dropped a plate of side dishes. He looked up at Luo Yunhou in surprise. What kind of ideas do you dare to think of? Going to Jia's house to eat for free, what kind of idea is this?
"My Lord, you are so bold to imagine that the banquet held by Rongguo Mansion can be compared with the one in the palace. Even the banquets held by the wealthy merchants in the private sector only care about filling the stomach. How can the emperor, who is worth millions of dollars, go there? What about the table of dishes?"

It was difficult to complain at the moment. Looking at the table full of food, he had an excuse. Zhang Jinyu understood and took advantage of the situation to back off.

"Eunuch Dai is right. I have never seen a so-called buffet. I think it means that the food is served in large quantities. I was negligent. Your Majesty, please enjoy your meal. I will go back to eat."

Seeing Emperor Wu sitting there, quietly eating a few buns, Zhang Jinyu excused himself and prepared to go back. He felt a little uncomfortable with hunger. It was really asking for trouble.

Who knows,

Emperor Wu's expression eased and he smiled, thinking of the decree he had conveyed to Xia Shouzhong last night. The Jia family was somewhat happy to receive this favor, but he didn't know if the old lady of the Jia family understood the intentions of me and the retired emperor. I haven't seen the banquet yet.

"Wait, you're here, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Sit down and eat together. There's a table full of food, so why waste it?"

"Uh, thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Jinyu was a little dumbfounded. Did the emperor want to go or not? He invited her to dinner, although it was not the first or second time, but her eating manners were not worthy of being in a formal occasion.

As the Emperor Wu finished speaking,
Dai Quan immediately moved a stool over and placed it under the bowl of porridge that His Majesty had just served. It turned out that the bowl of porridge was prepared for Marquis Luo Yun. He couldn't help but feel a little surprised in his heart, as His Majesty had a special friendship for Marquis Luo Yun.

Zhang Jinyu couldn't refuse. It was just a meal, so she could just take a few bites. She thanked Dai Quan first.

"Thank you, Chief Steward Dai. I'll do it myself."

He placed the stools, crossed his legs, sat on them, picked up the chopsticks, picked up a bun, and took a bite. Needless to say, the snacks made by the imperial kitchen tasted amazing, but they were too small, a circle smaller than the buns sold in the stalls. He ate one by one, and was very excited. The venison and the shortbread were gone in three bites at most.

In less than a moment, most of the food on the table was eaten. Emperor Wu and Dai Quan were stunned. Especially Dai Quan, he wanted to remind him, but seeing the interested look in His Majesty's eyes, he swallowed the words back and had to serve him. He served another bowl of soup to Marquis Luo Yun.

"My Lord, please eat slowly. Is it delicious?"

"Yeah, it's good. To be honest, the food in the imperial kitchen may not be better than outside, but this breakfast is really amazing. It's just that the buns are too small, not as big as the buns sold at the street stalls."

One to say one,

Zhang Jinyu was really hungry. The small bowls and plates of food on the table could only fill her stomach. She finished the porridge in the bowl in one gulp, still feeling unsatisfied.
"Ahahaha, you kid, as soon as you came to the palace, you arranged my imperial kitchen. The food is exquisite and skillful. How can you overeat?"

Emperor Wu put down his chopsticks and looked at Marquis Luo Yun eating with relish. He actually ate two more buns and drank a bowl of porridge. He always stopped eating when half of his meal was consumed in the morning as a way to preserve his health.

"Your Majesty is right. There are certain rules for eating. I've been living outside the Great Wall, and I'm used to it. I don't care about these rules. As long as I'm full, it's fine. If I come across something delicious, I always eat it to my heart's content. Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward. Hiccup!"

While talking, he burped. He ate too fast and choked.
Listening to some of the casual words, Emperor Wu couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Yes, one must always eat happily and comfortably, but unfortunately, who can do that in the palace?
Looking at Luo Yunhou again, he looked unsatisfied and obviously not full. This kid,

"Let's go to the harem first, call Yuqing, and go with you to have that, a flowing banquet, to see what the flowing banquet at Rongguo Mansion looks like."

Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong slapped his thigh. He was really interested in the Rongguo Mansion. He didn't know which nobles would come to celebrate today. He needed to watch the fun. It was a rare free time.

He ignored the stunned expressions of the two men, stood up, straightened the official's robe, and was about to walk out. Dai Quan saw him and followed closely behind him, quickly waving his hand.

in a blink,
Emperor Wu had already walked out of the door curtain and around the screen.
Xiao Yunzi, who was serving outside, knocked hard on the wall beside him three times. Then, there was a sound of a partition door opening. The walls around suddenly changed, as if a door was opening. A large group of people came out from inside the wall. Upon closer inspection, it was Captain Liu of the Northern Pacification Division of the Imperial City Division, who was accompanied by a group of captains of the Imperial City Division. They all transformed themselves into guards of a wealthy family, came out from the secret compartment outside, and followed Dai Quan like ghosts.

Zhang Jinyu, who was following behind, was shocked. Looking at the walls around him, which had returned to normal, he thought to himself, this is an ambush partition, or the Tian family are too cunning.

There was no one outside the room, but so many guards from the Imperial City Division suddenly appeared, which would have startled anyone. Seeing that everyone in front of him had left the warm room, Zhang Jinyu quickened his pace and hurriedly followed behind.
immediately,

Inside the imperial palace, a group of people dressed in common clothes appeared and headed toward the harem. Although they were dressed like people from wealthy families, they were still very eye-catching as they walked around the palace.

Arriving at the gate of the harem,
Coincidentally,

Unexpectedly, a sedan chair was rushing out from inside. The people serving in front and back, except for the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair, were only Chunhe and a person dressed as an old woman. It was obvious that the person sitting in the sedan chair was the Queen.

(End of this chapter)