King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 533 Marriage
Two days later, East Palace.

Zhu Jingyuan was sitting on the main seat, and standing in front of him was Xu Xinan, but both of them looked ugly.

The Donggong family was originally very worried about Zhu Jingyuan taking charge of the Shipping Department, but they were relieved to learn that Lin Ruhai would be the supervisory censor.

Lin Ruhai's relationship with the Jia family made them certain that he could be won over to help the prince limit Prince Rui's abilities.

So the next day, Zhu Jingyuan instructed his father-in-law Jia Zheng to visit the Lin family, but Lin Ruhai declined because of illness.

Dong Gong had no doubts about this, after all, Lin Ruhai's body was already weak.

So yesterday, Zhu Jingyuan sent Bachelor of the East Palace to accompany Jia Zheng and bring famous doctors and medicine to visit Lin Ruhai.

However, this time, Lin Ruhai only let Jia Zheng and others into the house, and only sent the housekeeper to greet and thank them.

Lin Ruhai's actions were naturally very rude and did not give face to the East Palace. Even Zhu Jingyuan was dissatisfied.

But he is a kind person after all, so he sent Xu Xinan to visit again today.

"Your Highness, I will send someone to investigate!" Xu Xinan replied.

Still in the study room, Xu Xinan said with a gloomy expression: "Your Highness... it is really Prince Rui's Mansion who took action, maybe Lin Ruhai has been bribed by him!"

So the next day, Xu Xinan reported the situation to Zhu Jingyuan.

At first Xu Xinan made insinuations, but Lin Ruhai didn't answer at all. Then Xu Xinan could only make his intentions clear and force Lin Ruhai to express his attitude.

The prince is actually not stupid. He knows like Lao Liu that making trouble for Lin Ruhai is too low-level and can easily make the emperor dissatisfied.

To find out why Lin Ruhai was ambiguous, Xu Xin'an's method was very simple. He sent someone to find a steward of the Lin Mansion to find out who Lin Ruhai had met in recent days.

"Exactly!"

"The Lin family and the Jia family are close relatives. It would be even better if they could get closer!"

In fact, before coming to see Zhu Jingyuan, Xu Xinan had already discussed it with the bachelors. This was a strategy that was arrived at after everyone discussed it.

"As far as I know, Lin Ruhai has a daughter who is almost in her prime years. Why doesn't Your Highness find a good match for her?"

Seeing Zhu Jingyuan's emotions bursting out, Xu Xinan reminded him in time: "Your Highness, we are not thinking about these things right now. Either pull him over or replace him with one of our people!"

However, Lin Ruhai always looked at him and said some high-sounding words, which made Xu Xinan furious.

Xu Xinan replied very calmly: "Your Highness clearly knows that the Jia family has been divided for five generations since its ancestor Jia Yuan Jia Yan!"

Two days ago, Bai Shouzhong secretly met with Lin Ruhai. Who could ask him to cooperate with Zhu Jingyuan in the first place? Only after Lin Ruhai's insistence did he allow him to be neutral.

Zhu Jingyuan has an impression of Daiyu. After all, this girl is the cousin of the Crown Princess and has visited the East Palace several times before.

Xu Xinan replied: "As far as I know, the current head of the Ningguo Mansion, the second-class male Jia Rong, is not yet married. He is only a few years older than the girl from the Lin family. He is a good match!"

Xu Xinan shook his head and said: "Your Highness, we asked him to supervise the Shipping Department. This matter is in line with His Majesty's will. Why should he refuse people thousands of miles away!"

Lin Ruhai closed the door to thank guests these days, and he didn't see many people, so it was easy for Bai Shouzhong to be asked.

Xu Xinan replied: "I thought I wanted to investigate carefully, but I'm afraid that Prince Rui's Mansion has already taken action first!"

As for how to operate, these people are already experienced players, and there are at least three or five methods that can be used. It only requires the prince's willingness (responsibility) to implement it.

After frowning and thinking, Zhu Jingyuan said: "It seems that there is no suitable man in the Jia family!"

After hearing what Xu Xinan said, Zhu Jingyuan looked ugly, but he still said: "Sir, could it be that His Majesty has a strict decree that makes Yushi Lin afraid to get close to me?"

How would he know that Bai Shouzhong had been there before him, and Lin Ruhai had been surrendered under coercion and inducement.

In fact, in Zhu Jingyuan's opinion, Jia Baoyu is a very suitable candidate, but it is a pity that this boy is no longer a member of the Jia family.

Therefore, Lin Ruhai did not feel guilty towards the prince. After all, he had argued hard and was not coerced by Bai Shouzhong into leaning towards Prince Rui.

Of course Xu Xinan also understood what the prince understood, so he did not put forward any opinions, but immediately gave suggestions.

After nodding slightly, Zhu Jingyuan immediately shook his head: "No, no, no... Jia Rong is the nephew of the girl from the Lin family, how can he get married regardless of ethics?"

According to the emperor's decree, Zhu Jingyuan was leaving Beijing at the end of the month, while Lin Ruhai took action in mid-February because he had to deliver the current errand.

"Lin Ruhai is really unwise. The so-called estrangement and lack of intimacy. He is seeking death by helping Lao Liu..."

"A good match? Who can be a good match?" Zhu Jingyuan asked.

It was now the twenty-eighth day of the first lunar month, and Lin Ruhai would be leaving in half a month at most, leaving little time for the East Palace.

"What is Yushi Lin's intention?"

The struggle at the highest level and the relationship of interests are very simple. It is not difficult to guess these.

"Hurry up...they will leave in a few days, so we must get this done before then!"

This result made Zhu Jingyuan very uncomfortable, but he had to accept this conclusion.

"I understand!"

"After all, we are in-laws. If Lao Liu really gets married, it will be very difficult for the Lin family. I thought... I could still win over him!"

Of course, there were seven other people who were questioned along with Bai Shouzhong, but after checking everyone's details, these seven people were easily eliminated.

Xu Xinan is a bachelor of Zuo Chunfang, and his status is very unusual. When he went to Lin Mansion, he met Lin Ruhai, but the conversation between the two was like a duck.

This is his inference, but it is also consistent with the truth of the matter.

Hearing this, Zhu Jingyuan asked: "Sir, what do you mean... let the Lin family and the Jia family get married? To consolidate the relationship?"

In other words, Jia Rong and Daiyu have already entered the fifth service. They are not bound by etiquette, law and ethics, and can get married normally.

After being reminded like this by Xu Xinan, Zhu Jingyuan had nothing to say, but he always felt that something was wrong with this matter.

"this matter……"

"If Your Highness still feels that something is not right, I still have a suitable candidate!"

"Who?"

Xu Xinan replied: "Jia Huan, the son of Jia Zheng, a member of the Ministry of Industry!"

Jia Huan is now Jia Zheng's only "legitimate" son. Now his status in Rongguo Mansion has risen sharply, but he is not loved by Jia's mother.

"I remember... that Jia Huan is younger than the girl from the Lin family!" Zhu Jingyuan was a little unsure, and he only heard Yuan Chun mention it accidentally.

"Reporting to Your Highness, Jia Huan is now thirteen this year, two years younger than the girl from the Lin family!"

After the introduction, Xu Xinan changed the topic and replied: "However, the Lin family girl still has to serve the princess. She can only leave the palace after the princess gets married. By then, Jia Huan will also have reached adulthood!"

"Ok!"

With Zhu Jingyuan's approval, Xu Xinan continued: "The marriage can be put on hold. The Jia Lin family only needs to make a marriage contract!"

Making an engagement is equivalent to getting married, and the Lin family will be firmly tied to the East Palace.

Zhu Jingyuan said with doubts on his face: "This is a family matter of the Lin family. We are afraid that others may not be willing to arrange it this way!"

The prince was telling the truth. If Lin Ruhai did not agree to the marriage, it would not be good to hear the news that Dong Palace was using his power to pressure others.

However, Xu Xinan and others took these questions into consideration and listened to his answer: "Jia Huan is the brother of the Crown Princess. This status is by no means an insult!"

"But civil and military forces are different after all, so this arrangement..."

"Your Highness, if you can ask the Crown Princess to speak to the Empress and implore the Empress to grant a marriage to the Lin family girl, the government and the public will be speechless!"

If the queen grants a marriage, the situation will be different. It is equivalent to a favor to the Lin family, and they have to be willing even if they don't want to.

As for whether the queen would grant the marriage, Xu Xinan didn't think it was a big problem because he knew how much the queen supported the prince.

In fact, Xu Xinan himself also rejected this marriage and felt that it was not in line with the rules of separation of civil and military affairs, but he could not care about that at the moment. Prince Rui was in charge of the Shipping Department to make money for the emperor, and he would definitely have to deal with the Jiangnan scholar-bureaucrats who would not submit to him, and these people were the most important base for the prince.

If you can't protect these people, who in the world will support the prince? Xu Xinan and other bachelors have no choice.

"Yeah!" Zhu Jingyuan responded again.

He was like this when Gao Shuyan was there, and he is like this now under Xu Xinan. He is indeed a model of "ruling from the top down", and how could he not be universally supported by scholar-bureaucrats.

Xu Xinan continued: "It's just that this matter should not be rushed. We must first let the Jia family propose to the Lin family, and then His Highness will follow the trend and ask for grace on their behalf..."

"By then King Rui has left the capital, and there won't be much of a disturbance in this matter!"

"That makes sense!"

Zhu Jingyuan is very lucky to have these wise bachelors under him, otherwise he would not know how to deal with himself.

But Zhu Jingyuan did not expect three things, one was Jia Huan's character, the other was how much Lin Ruhai loved his daughter, and the third was that his brother had regarded Daiyu as a forbidden object.

"If His Highness allows it, I will make arrangements when I get down!"

Nodding, Zhu Jingyuan said: "I'll have to trouble you about this!"

"It is my duty to share His Highness' worries!"

The East Palace discussed the strategy, and that afternoon Xu Xinan found Jia Zheng and explained the prince's intentions to him.

After Jia Zheng returned to the government, Princess Yuan Chun also sent a letter, the meaning of which was exactly the same as Xu Xinan's words.

Under the candlelight, Jia Zheng couldn't help but sigh after reading the letter.

Beside him, Aunt Zhao squeezed his shoulders and couldn't help but ask: "Master, why are you so worried?"

Putting down the letter, Jia Zheng looked at Zhao, stared at her for a few seconds and said, "It's a good thing and a bad thing!"

Holding Jia Zheng's neck, Aunt Zhao lay on his shoulders and asked very affectionately: "What good thing is it? Tell me too, you can't have it all to yourself!"

The marriage was strongly recommended by the prince. For the sake of the overall situation, Jia Zheng knew that it must be carried out and he had to find a way to do it well, so there was no need to hide it.

"The Crown Princess said that now that Huan'er has grown up, it's time to arrange a marriage for him!"

Thinking that the Crown Princess actually cared about her son, Aunt Zhao was so happy that she almost jumped up, and she even scratched Jia Zheng in pain from her excitement.

"Master, the Crown Princess... which girl are you going to tell Huan'er?" This is the question that Aunt Zhao is most concerned about right now.

Sighing, Jia Zheng replied: "It's that girl Daiyu!"

At this time, Jia Zheng felt very sorry for Jia Baoyu.

If this kid hadn't been stupid, he would have been the one used for marriage, and he would have gotten what he wanted.

Yes, Jia Zheng knew who Baoyu's affection belonged to, so he felt pity.

Compared with Baoyu, whom he valued, Jia Huan was indeed less effective, so Jia Zheng didn't like him very much.

"Daiyu...this is really..."

Thinking of that girl who was like an immortal, Aunt Zhao felt that it was unreal, and it was rare for her to feel that her son was not worthy.

But so what if it’s not worthy? Now that the Crown Princess has spoken, even the fairies in the sky have to give birth to children for their sons.

While listening to Aunt Zhao's heartfelt praise: "The Crown Princess is a saint!"

As soon as these words came out, Jia Zheng sighed again, and then he had no idea of ​​saying more.

"Master, you just said there are bad things happening, but you don't know what they are?"

Isn't it a bad thing to put flowers on cow dung... Looking at Aunt Zhao's smiling face, Jia Zheng thought.

Just as he was about to say a few perfunctory words, a maid came into the room and reported: "Master... Madam, please come and ask you to come, saying that we have something important to discuss!"

Jia Zheng knew without thinking that Wang must have known about the letter from the Crown Princess and wanted to read the letter in person.

"I know, I'll go over right now!"

After all, Mrs. Wang is Jia Huan's legitimate mother, and her help is needed to complete the marriage, so Jia Zheng had to go over and discuss it with her.

If in the past, Aunt Zhao would definitely stay if Jia Zheng wanted to leave, but today she had no such thoughts because she was already eager to bring the good news to her son.

After Jia Zheng left, Aunt Zhao came to the next room, where Jia Huan was playing with the girl.

Now that his status has risen, his salary has naturally increased accordingly. There are seven or eight girls serving him, and the ones who can stay in his house are all beauties.

Seeing that it was his own mother who came in, Jia Huan immediately regained his composure and drove the girls out of the room.

He is now thirteen and has grown in stature. He is now half a head taller than Aunt Zhao.

"mother!"

That's right, Jia Huan called "mother" instead of "aunt". This was obviously taught by Aunt Zhao.

Tanchun served Mrs. Wang all day long. In the eyes of Aunt Zhao, she had lost her daughter, so she was determined not to lose her son again.

"Huan'er, you are so lucky... great things will happen to you!"

After picking his nose, Jia Huan asked, "What's the good thing?"

Approaching Jia Huan, Aunt Zhao took a handkerchief and wiped the powder on her son's face while saying: "The fairy wants to marry you, is this a good thing?"

"How can a fairy marry me when she is in heaven? Mom, stop joking!"

"Is the Lin girl considered a fairy?"

"Which Lin girl?"

"You boy, what other girl from the Lin family could there be?"

Seeing that her son was still not enlightened, Aunt Zhao smiled and said, "It's the Miss Lin that Baoyu has been thinking about so much!"

"Sister Lin? She wants to marry me?" Jia Huan was shocked.

"Exactly!"

Shaking his head, Jia Huan said: "Mom... stop joking, how could Sister Lin marry me!"

"Why am I lying to you? This is the Crown Princess..."

Aunt Zhao explained the reason, and then Jia Huan really believed that she really wanted to eat swan meat.

"This this……"

When Jia Huan was shocked, on the other side of Jia Zheng's residence, Mrs. Wang had finished reading the letter.

Although this was the arrangement of the Crown Princess, Mrs. Wang was still very dissatisfied after seeing it.

Although she had previously looked down on Daiyu, she also admitted that this girl was so beautiful that marrying Jia Huan was a waste of money.

"Do you really want Huan'er to marry Daiyu?"

Jia Zheng replied: "This is what the prince and the empress want. How can you and I not obey their orders?"

While he was discussing with Mrs. Wang, Tanchun, who was copying Buddhist scriptures in the side hall, felt mixed emotions in his heart.

From a personal benefit point of view, it is a good thing for Daiyu to marry Jia Huan, but emotionally she does not approve of the marriage.

However, all major marriage matters are decided by the parents. Tanchun knew that he was not qualified to intervene, so he could only sigh in his heart.

But when she thought about it, she realized that she could also do a little bit, such as making Jia Huan a little better.

(End of this chapter)