Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 866 Wang Xifeng's Horror
Beijing,

Rongguo Mansion,
In the north side of the school, the invited troupe leader Jiang came on stage and bowed to the people around him.
"My dear old and young masters, today is a big day for Rongguo Mansion. I am honored by the old lady's favor for inviting my Taoyuan Opera Troupe to perform here. It is said that Kunqu Opera is the best-sounding Jiangnan Shuimo Opera, but few people know that in our capital, there is Luanshan Opera, named after Marquis Luo Yun, which is superior to Jiangnan Opera. Next, I have Hongyan, the apprentice of Mr. Li, to sing Peony Pavilion for you, my dear old and young masters."

"it is good,"

With a loud shout of "good", the people in the whole courtyard applauded happily.
However, Zhang Jinyu, who was sitting in the corner, blushed slightly. He heard everything that the Taoyuan Jiang troupe leader said on the stage. And it seemed that the troupe was really full of talents. There were people who could sing that tune. It was not easy.
Queen Jiang put down her bowl and chopsticks. She hadn't seen the food in front of her for a long time. Just tasting it brought back a lot of memories. But what the class owner just said, Marquis Luo Yun also understands music?
"They all taste the same as before. I haven't tasted them for a long time. But you, kid, know about music. How can the mountain music of Beijing compare to the water-grinding tune of Kunqu Opera in Jiangnan? I remember that this tune was created by Lian Yuming, the headmaster of Bailu Academy, after two years of hard work. There are only a few who can sing this tune."

Zhang Jinyu held the bowl in his hand and drank the last mouthful of soup. It's said that the broth stewed with bones has a unique flavor. Seeing that the queen didn't believe it, Zhang Jinyu reached out and wiped his mouth twice, and replied;

"My lady, there are thousands of tunes, but it's just that Lian Yuming is famous, and the students from Jiangnan praised him, so he became famous. I thought that there are good tunes in the capital, and they are not worse than that one. The name is vulgar, so I took the initiative to change the name. Let's praise it here, isn't it also a famous tune? You can listen to the beginning and you will know whether it is good or not."

Pointing to a person dressed as a common woman on the stage, she walked around to the music and began to sing;
"The moon-worshipping hall is empty, the path is crowded with drifting clouds, my bones are cold and I am afraid it will turn into an autumn dream. What in the world is as strong as love? It is a heart-breaking pain."

The melody is melodious and heavy, with a long tail and overlapping tones. It is obviously majestic and carries a woman's resentment. It is surprisingly refreshing.
Emperor Wu raised his head, listened attentively, and nodded continuously.
"Good, great Luanshanyin, you did something right, this tune has both the style of the south of the Yangtze River and the heavy momentum of the north, it is unique."

Hearing the Emperor Wu's praise, Zhang Jinyu grinned.
"Thank you for the compliment, Master Huang. I just encountered this by chance and I don't want this good thing to be buried, so I want to support it. I can't stand those people in Jiangnan flattering each other. What's the importance of literary style? I think they are trying to form a group around each other."

What Zhang Jinyu meant was that he wanted to use this opportunity to warn the scholars in Jiangnan. The imperial examination was a special examination, and the strength of Jiangnan's group would definitely affect the examination.

"What you said makes sense. It's time to suppress it."

Emperor Wu put down his bowl and chopsticks and nodded. He understood what Marquis Luo Yun was talking about. He ate this bowl of noodles so happily. He hadn't been so relaxed for a long time.

While Zhang Jinyu and his group were eating noodles and chatting,
There was a sudden bustle in front of Rongguo Mansion.

A steward shouted;
"The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion is here to congratulate you!"

First there was a sound, and then it was like a floodgate was opened, and there was an endless stream of people singing "yes".
"Duke Liguo's Mansion is here to congratulate you!"

"Marquis Pingyuan's Mansion is here to congratulate you!"

"Marquis Zhongjing's Mansion is here to congratulate you!"

A series of congratulations came one after another, making the whole yard even more noisy and the atmosphere reached its peak.

but,

Several old masters from the Duke's Mansion did not come, but the housekeeper sent a lot of gifts, especially the four princes who came later. They handed over a whole list of gifts. Many barons, idle marquises, and some officials from the capital came one after another, paid gifts, and entered the inner courtyard to have a banquet.
In the inner hall, Lai Da, the housekeeper of Rongguo Mansion, had already led people to serve. Jia She and Jia Zheng were standing at the two sides of the inner gate to receive the distinguished guests. Before dawn, the news of Jia Yuanchun's appointment as a concubine last night had been known by the heads of various mansions. Those who should know had already known it, and those who should not know it also knew it later. They arrived at the same time, and the difference was not much.
After all, if there is any disturbance anywhere in the capital, many nobles will be fence-sitters. When something big happens, even if they want to send gifts, they have to wait for the four kings and eight dukes and those marquisates to come before they can follow suit.
But Zhang Jinyu found these singings boring, but Emperor Wu was there, listening to the show while keeping an eye on the people who came to give gifts, with a hint of amusement on the corner of his mouth.

"Dai Quan, how many prefectures have responded just now?"

"Your Majesty, I have counted carefully. Several princes and several dukes have all come. Half of the nobles have also arrived. The only missing ones are the future gifts from the Marquis of Luoyun and the Marquis of Xiangyang. Many civil servants from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Rites have also come!"

After Dai Quan finished speaking, he glanced at Luo Yunhou with a strange expression, as if asking something, which made Zhang Jinyu very uncomfortable. He secretly admired in his heart that he was worthy of being the eunuch in charge of the six cities. At this age, his memory was still so good. There were so many people just now, but except for the few leaders who remembered, no one else could remember!

"That's interesting. The timing is quite coincidental!"

Emperor Wu waved his hand and continued to listen attentively. On the stage in front of him, the Kunqu opera was being sung. No one knew what he was thinking. But Empress Jiang looked at Luo Yunhou with a smile in her eyes. A table of dishes had all gone into his stomach. Then she looked at the people around. Although many people came, few people came to their tables. Even after they had finished eating,
Zhang Jinyu was different. Although a bowl of noodle soup was not a small amount, it was not enough for a soldier. He stopped a servant and said;

"You guys, call someone to fill up the noodles in the bowls of the brothers at the tables next to you. They don't have enough to eat. And give them two more servings of this jar of meat."

"Uh, yes, this, this gentleman."

The servant was a little angry. He had been busy all morning and was already unhappy serving these people. He was stopped again and wanted to curse, but he didn't know that the gentleman in front of him was extraordinary, dressed in neat clothes, and was not someone who couldn't afford to eat. As for these people, the more they looked at them, the more strange it seemed, but he didn't dare to refuse.
With a bitter face,
He called over a dozen waiters around to collect the bowls of the gentlemen, went straight to the backyard, filled them with new bowls, and asked a few people to bring up a few jars, and set up several tables of food. These centurions were moved, as expected of Marquis Luo Yun, who even thought of his brothers while eating.

"Master, everything is ready. Do you need anything else?"

The servant's forehead was covered with sweat, and he didn't know how long he had been busy. Zhang Jinyu was not a demanding person. He took out a silver ingot of ten taels from his bosom and threw it over.

"I'm not ordering you around. Let me ask you, this banquet will be held for three days. Are the dishes the same?"

"Yes, sir, the people who come here will be fed as long as they have enough seats."

The servant was overjoyed when he received the silver. His guess in his heart was correct. They were not ordinary people. He quickly replied,
"That's really rich. I heard that the daughter of Rongguo Mansion was named a noble concubine in the palace. Doesn't that mean she is a royal relative?"

Not knowing what Marquis Luo Yun meant, he asked deliberately. Emperor Wu and Empress Jiang immediately looked over here, wanting to see what Marquis Luo Yun meant.
The boy's face was red, and he was full of pride. Amid the laughter and cheers of the people around him, the boy lowered his head and came closer.
"You are absolutely right, my master. The eldest daughter of the master's family was sent to the palace a long time ago, but there has been no news since then. I thought she would be released back to the mansion when she reached the age. But last night, the emperor showed great favor, and the master's family was overjoyed. We servants were also happy."

"You should be happy, get busy."

"Thank you for the reward, sir."

The servant took the silver and left happily. After he left, Zhang Jinyu looked around and saw that a new group of people had arrived. The people who had eaten their fill had gone to listen to the opera, while those who came later were still wolfing down their food. It might seem like not much, but it actually cost the most. The Rongguo Mansion had invested a huge amount of money.

"Mr. Huang, I thought the Rongguo Mansion was just pretending, but I didn't expect that they really spent a lot of money. With the way we eat, Rongguo Mansion will probably go bankrupt."

Zhang Jinyu was idle and teased him. The Emperor Wu raised his lips and said unhappily;

"You think everyone is as careless as you. Bring them here to eat. After they finish one bowl, they want another. You can't leave any. Eat up all the meat in this pot."

"Uh, Mr. Huang, it's a bit much,"

Zhang Jinyu looked at the half jar of meat left on the table. He was so full that he couldn't eat any more. He rolled his eyes, hugged the jar, picked up the chopsticks, and walked to Liu Qianhu's table. He divided the meat in the jar, "Come on, Mr. Huang said that meat should not be wasted. Eat, eat."

After dividing it, Dai Quan came back and looked at all of them. He couldn't help but shook his head. Only Luo Yunhou had no scruples. The meat was delicious, but a little sticky in the teeth.

Just at this time,

Wang Xifeng brought Ping'er and a group of people behind them. Led by the steward Qian Hua, they walked in from the east corner gate. When they entered the large courtyard, they looked at the people in the courtyard, frowned, and asked:

"Why are there so many people?"

"Grandma, when the main gate was opened in the morning, the news was released that there was a buffet. The neighbors nearby all came after hearing the news. After the meal, they listened to the opera. The people who came later continued to eat. There were only people coming in and not leaving. Isn't it true that there are too many people?"

Qian Hua didn't expect that the place would be full of people in a short while.

Wang Xifeng looked up, trying to see where Luo Yunhou was, but how could she find him amid all the noise?
"Laiwang, go to the back and get some people to open the side door on the east wall and have someone guard it. Tell them to leave after dinner and chase them away so they can be managed. Those who have finished dinner should give up their seats. The elderly, the weak, women and children can stay to watch the show. Advise the strong men and the young to go back and rest."

"Uh, Second Grandma, yes."

Lai Wang wanted to say something, but seeing that the Second Grandma was sulking, he dared not say much. He responded and went back to call people. He opened the side door and persuaded those who refused to leave to leave. Only the elderly, the weak, women and children stayed there. All the young and strong men were driven away. The commotion lasted for a long time.

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After there were fewer people, Qian Hua pointed to the corner and said,
"Second Madam, look at the tables in the southeast corner. That's what I saw. The Marquis was sitting in the middle, surrounded by strong men who looked like soldiers. No one dared to go over."

When Wang Xifeng heard this, she quickly looked over. There were indeed a few tables of people who looked unusual. It was too far to see clearly, so she led her people along the corner of the wall and walked closer. Just a few steps away, she saw a man standing up, holding a jar of meat, and distributing food to the strong men at the tables. Who else could it be but Luo Yunhou?
It's really interesting that a marquis did not go to the inner hall for the banquet, but instead brought his personal soldiers to a buffet. Even if outsiders knew about it, they would still think that the Rongguo Mansion did not know the etiquette of entertaining guests.

"Ping'er, go and see our Marquis. He doesn't want to eat the main meal, but is eating these noodle soups instead."

"Yes, grandma."

Ping'er also noticed that the people at the tables in front were unusual. Luo Yunhou had just stood up and sat down again. There was no mistaking his figure.

The group was walking in a hurry, Qian Hua was at the end, he wanted to leave but didn't dare, but he was still a little afraid to go to see the Marquis, so he had no choice but to stay at the end.

It's not far away. Follow the path around the corner and you'll be there.

It was clear when I was close. Marquis Luo Yun was leaning sideways, listening to the play. There were a few people sitting with their backs to him, so I couldn't see clearly. But I was sure that the Marquis had come. I walked over slowly and shouted;
"Oh, the Marquis is really elegant. Why did he bring people to these buffets instead of eating at the main banquet in the inner hall? If it gets out, people will think that the Rongguo Mansion doesn't know etiquette and neglects the Marquis."

A clear and beautiful voice, with an inexplicable meaning in it, came over, and the noise startled the people around.
Especially Zhang Jinyu was stunned, looking at the swaying figure not far away, who else could it be but Wang Xifeng? Why did she come here? Seeing everyone at the table looking back, he quickly raised his head and winked at them, but it was a pity that it was in vain.

"Ahem, so it's the second wife of Rongguo Mansion. Excuse me, I'm not going in to cause trouble. Anyway, we're just eating and drinking, it's the same everywhere."

Zhang Jinyu saw Wang Xifeng was radiant and full of vigor. It seemed that Jia Yuanchun's appointment as a concubine was really a great honor. However, since the emperor and the queen were here, how could she not pay attention? She quickly coughed a few times to remind them.

Wang Xifeng was still wondering why Luo Yunhou seemed so polite after not coming for a while. She walked closer and saw a handsome young man at the same table asking:
"You are the second wife of the housekeeper of Rongguo Mansion, the daughter of the Wang family,"

The voice was gentle, crisp and clear, like a woman asking a question, but the words were too direct. How could a man speak like that? She wanted to scold him, but she saw Luo Yunhou winking at her. Could this man have some background? Although Wang Xifeng was very cunning, she could not guess that it was a noble from the palace. She could only think about it in her heart and smiled.
"This young man looks unfamiliar. I wonder which family he is from. Why doesn't he go to the inner hall for the banquet? I come from a small family. I don't care about whether I am the manager or not. It's all because of the old lady's love that I am in charge first."

Seeing that Wang Xifeng replied that there was no problem, Zhang Jinyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If the Queen asked a question, he should be careful. Fortunately, it was her. If it was someone else, he would have walked into the gates of hell.
Seeing that the visitor's answer was flawless, Queen Jiang also became interested and continued to ask;
"If the Wang family is a small family, then there are not many big families in the capital. It is said that the women of the Wang family are virtuous and capable. After seeing them today, it is true. How is the old lady?"

Ask casually.
Everyone at the table also looked over here, especially Luo Yunhou. He didn't say a word at this time, which was too abnormal. This made Wang Xifeng a little alert and she replied first.

"The old lady is still in good health and doing very well."

Then he secretly looked at the people at the table. There was a young servant and an old maid. The person sitting next to the young master was a middle-aged official with extraordinary temperament. He was also unfamiliar. The old man who looked like a housekeeper beside Marquis Luo Yun looked familiar. After taking a closer look, he was shocked. Wasn't this the "internal minister" Dai Gonggong who came to the mansion last time?
How could he be sitting here? His mind was confused, and suddenly he thought of the only person who could make Luo Yunhou and Eunuch Dai accompany him at the same time without saying a word. He shuddered in his heart and looked at the young man in front of him. He had a handsome face and delicate skin, but the most important thing was a pair of jade-like ears with pierced ears. It was obviously a woman dressed as a man. No wonder there was an old nanny sitting next to her. Her identity was obvious. He felt his legs go weak and the air around him seemed to solidify.
He was a little panicked and wanted to salute quickly, but he held back. There were many people living here and they knew he shouldn't make it public. His hands were sweaty and it was no exaggeration to say that he was at a loss.

This obviously couldn't be hidden from everyone at the table, especially Dai Quan, who smiled slightly. The glance just now showed that he had recognized me.

Zhang Jinyu saw that Fengjie should have guessed something, so she spoke up to help.

"There are so many people here. What are you bringing them here for? Let them wait at the door. Ping'er, move two stools and sit down."

Seeing that Marquis Luo Yun had spoken, the grandmother looked a little strange. Although Ping'er didn't see anything, she knew something was wrong. She turned around and sent the steward Qian to wait in the back. She moved two stools from the neighboring table and put them down behind the nanny.
Seeing this, Wang Xifeng pulled Ping'er to sit down.

Queen Jiang smiled. She was indeed the daughter of the Wang family. Although she was noisy and not as respectable as the young ladies from aristocratic families, she was better at dealing with people and the world than anyone else. It was a pity that she was the legitimate daughter of the Wang family.

"It's good that the old lady is safe and sound. I remember that I saw her during the Chinese New Year last year. It has been half a year since she came and left. Yuanchun has served in Kunning Palace for many years. She is a filial daughter. Now she is promoted to a noble concubine. It is also her good fortune. Congratulations!"

Empress Jiang did not conceal her identity, but praised her. At this time, Wang Xifeng could no longer sit still, and quickly pulled Ping'er to kneel down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Majesty, for your grace. I am blind and have neglected your Majesty and Your Majesty."

She was even more resentful of Marquis Luo Yun in her heart. He did not inform the mansion in advance and actually brought the emperor and the empress here to eat the buffet. It was simply ridiculous.

As soon as they knelt down, the maids beside them lifted them up one by one and reminded them;
"There are so many people and so many eyes, there is no need to do this."

"Yes, it was the woman who lost her composure."

Wang Xifeng was so cautious, and Ping'er lowered her head and dared not move. Emperor Wu smiled. She was worthy of being the housekeeper of Rongguo Mansion. The second wife of Rongguo Mansion was known in the palace. She was rare and smart. But the three princes could not marry the daughter of Wang family because she was jealous!
(End of this chapter)