King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 738 Three sisters-in-law are of one mind
"What do you mean?" Baochai asked.

"Don't we have Brother Xue in Jinling? Why don't we just hand over the task to Brother Xue and let him summon us?"

"If...Brother Xue is not convenient, it is not a bad idea to give the task to Lin Yao and then have the Lin family recruit Liu Xiang!"

Daiyu would never have said the following sentence if she had not really opened her heart to Baochai.

Just because the Lin family was involved in this matter, there was some suspicion of usurping power. Of course, Daiyu did not mean that.

Baochai didn't think much about it. After thinking carefully, she said to Zhu Jinghong, "What do you think about letting the Lin family come forward?"

Zhu Jinghong did not answer directly, but waved to Daiyu who was standing beside him, and the latter walked away with graceful lotus steps.

"Girl Lin has really grown up and can now help me with my worries?"

As he spoke, Zhu Jinghong wanted to pull Daiyu into his arms, but the latter dodged and stepped away.

Baochai took the initiative to reach out and hold Daiyu, saying with a smile: "Sister Lin is very capable, please don't look down on me, Your Majesty."

"It seems that I don't know Lin girl well enough!"

Leaning behind Baochai, Daiyu said with a smile: "The prince has traveled all over the world, so he is arrogant. How could he look down on a weak woman like me!"

The three of them were chatting like this. When the girls in the mansion learned that Zhu Jinghong was in Tongxin Palace, they came here one after another to chat.

There are many women in the palace now, and Zhu Jinghong has limited time, so they naturally have to try their best to find some sense of existence in front of Zhu Jinghong.

In the blink of an eye, a few days passed. Because Third Sister You's appeal was too powerful, the situation of the Jia family took a sharp turn for the worse.

In order to maintain the reputation of the Eastern Palace, the emperor asked the cabinet to urge the three judicial departments to close the case as soon as possible.

On July 28, all the relevant facts of the case were clarified, and the Ministry of Justice submitted all the documents to the Imperial Household Department, and finally transferred them to the emperor.

"The Jia family... these people are useless. They can't help the prince, and now they are a burden!"

This is Zhu Xianming's opinion of the Jia family. These trash were just an eyesore before, but after Yuanchun became the Crown Princess, these people rose to prominence, and now they are always causing trouble and becoming a hindrance.

What's more, these people did such a heartless thing during the Queen's mourning period!

Whether it is out of venting anger or to detoxify the Eastern Palace, the Jia family should not be allowed to stay!

So on the petition, Zhu Xianming wrote down his verdict on the Jia family with a red brush.

After the imperial approval is completed, it is transferred to the Silijian for seal, then sent to the Criminal Department for copying to the Ministry of Justice, and then the Ministry of Justice issues an official document for execution.

Of course, dealing with the Jia family also involves dismissal from office and removal from title, which requires the issuance of a separate decree, which the cabinet will arrange to draft and finalize.

On July 29, officials from the Ministry of Rites entered the gate of Ningguo Mansion with the imperial edict.

The people from the East and West Mansions, including Old Lady Shi, all came to Ningguo Mansion to receive the imperial edict.

The turmoil these days has made everyone in the Jia family very pessimistic, and everyone in the Rongguo Mansion is no exception.

Everyone in the mansion, including those within the five degrees of mourning, was present. Even Lin Hongyu was among the ladies, since Jia Yun was not yet out of the five degrees of mourning.

When everyone arrived, men and women stood in line, and on the steps outside the hall, servants had already set up an incense table and other items.

On both sides of the courtyard, there were guards standing with weapons, each of them had an indifferent expression and sharp eyes, creating a strong deterrent effect.

"Alas... I'm afraid a disaster is about to happen!" Jia Zheng sighed.

Beside him was Jia Jing, and behind them were Jia Rong, Jia Lian, and some other members of the Jia family.

Jia Lian felt extremely unwilling. He had tried to reform himself and make progress in recent years, but now all his efforts were in vain.

Therefore, Jia Lian had deep resentment, even hatred, towards Jia Rong who was by his side.

While everyone was thinking different things, Minister of Rites, accompanied by several eunuchs, walked out of the hall in square steps.

All the members of the Jia family present at the scene fell silent at this moment, and then bowed their heads waiting for the imperial decree.

The head of the Ministry of Rites who delivered the imperial edict had a good personal relationship with Jia Zheng. When he took the imperial edict from the eunuch, he couldn't help but sigh before reading it out.

"The Ning and Rong mansions are listening to your orders..."

"Your Highness, we bow to wish you the best of health. Long live the emperor!" Everyone in the Jia family kowtowed.

Holding the scroll of the imperial edict, the official from the Ministry of Rites read aloud: "The imperial edict says..."

"The Queen is compassionate and virtuous. People all over the world look up to her and receive her grace..."

"However, the Empress passed away suddenly, and I am not only heartbroken and grief-stricken, but the people of the world are also mourning and weeping, mourning the death of the virtuous Empress..."

After hearing these opening words, the heads of the Jia family were already sweating profusely and their hearts were trembling.

As for the other members of the tribe, either because of their low education or lack of sensitivity, they just felt that something was wrong but did not understand how serious the situation was.

There was no way. Not everyone could see the situation clearly. Most people in the Jia family were still immersed in the splendor of being a duke of two countries, and they believed that if there was a crown princess in the family, she would be the future queen.

"However, the Jia family has lost all conscience. During the period of national mourning, they indulged in drinking and pleasure, committed evil and indulged in lewd and promiscuous activities... I am not the only one who is horrified when I hear this. All the subjects in the world are also shocked when they hear this!"

"The Jia family, for not caring about the pain of the emperor and father, is disloyalty; for not mourning the death of the queen, is unfilial..."

In ancient society, being disloyal and unfilial was a death sentence on the personality.

"If such people who are disloyal and unfilial are not severely punished, how can we appease the anger of the emperor and father, how can we comfort the queen's spirit? How can we calm the anger of the subjects of the world..."

At this point, everyone in the Jia family realized that the situation seemed very bad, so their faces turned pale and their bodies began to tremble unconsciously.

The only people who remained calm at the scene, apart from Tanchun who saw through everything, was Lin Hongyu, who had a transcendent status.

"Your crimes are more serious than Mount Tai. According to the law of the country, you should be sentenced to death..."

My goodness, everyone understood the words "should be punished to death" and knew the meaning of this sentence.

Am I going to die now? I haven't done many bad things. It's all my fault, that bastard Jia Rong...

I am innocent, these things have nothing to do with me, I don't want to die...

The Jia family members were all thinking wildly, and there was a slight commotion. Then they heard the guard leading the team shouted, "Silence!"

As he shouted, the guards on both sides raised their weapons and smashed them heavily on the ground, and then everyone shouted "Silence".

It’s no wonder that after this set of operations, the scene suddenly became quiet and no one dared to move around.

"Of course..."

Hearing this word, Jia Zheng's originally desolate heart suddenly felt a little hopeful, but he didn't dare to think too much.

"Considering that your ancestors were once valued by Emperor Taizu and had made contributions to the stability of the country, although you are incorrigible, I am willing to sympathize with my old subjects and repay grievances with kindness and grant mercy beyond the law..."

"Here..."

This is another very important word. What will be read next will be the specific criminal law, so everyone pricked up their ears and listened.

"Revoke the hereditary titles of the Ning and Rong families, and dismiss Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Lian, and Jia Rong from their court posts..."

Simply put, the Jia family lost their titles and all their officials lost their official positions.

"Jia Rong, who was involved in the incident, committed a heinous crime and should be executed by beheading. Jia Jing, who failed to manage his family properly, should commit suicide to make amends!"

"The Jia family will be sent back to their hometown to reflect on their mistakes and rectify their family traditions!"

"Appreciate this!"

After the decree was read out, Jia Rong had fainted. Although Jia Jing looked miserable, he was the first one to kowtow and express his gratitude.

"Your Majesty, I bow to thank you for your grace. Long live the emperor...Long live the emperor!"

Although the Ningguo Mansion was stripped of its title and his grandson and grandson were about to die, there were still many clansmen in the Ning Mansion. In order to keep the family bloodline going, Jia Jing had to express his gratitude at this moment. After him, the rest of the Jia family also followed suit and expressed their gratitude, and the entire process of announcing the decree was over.

The officials from Shuntian Prefecture had been waiting outside for a long time. After the decree was announced, they entered the courtyard and carried away Jia Rong, who had fainted.

As for the other people in the Jia family, as for Jia Jing, a piece of white silk was sent to him, urging him to set off as soon as possible.

Everyone looked over here, and no one said anything at this time. Most people hoped that Jia Jing would die as soon as possible so that everyone could feel at ease.

For most of the clan members, although they had lost their official titles, these had nothing to do with them, and being ordered to return home would not affect their lives. After all, the Jia family still had many industries in Jinling.

Especially in Ningguo Mansion, after confirming that Jia Jing's branch was finished, everyone else was thinking about dividing the family property.

Everyone watched as Jia Jing entered the inner hall, accompanied by several guards. After a while, howling sounds were heard from inside, and soon the room became quiet.

Everything that had just happened made everyone in the Jia family extremely frightened. After all, Jia Jing's identity was not simple, but now he was killed like a grass.

Among the crowd, Tanchun lowered her head, thinking about what would happen next.

She is eighteen years old now, which is considered old in this era, but she has not yet found a marriage.

The Jia family wanted to find a good family for marriage in order to strengthen the family's strength and help the Eastern Palace, and their target was the nobles.

However, among the group of nobles, those that the Jia family likes are not willing to marry, and those that are willing are not liked by the Jia family.

As a result, Tanchun's marriage has been delayed again and again, and it still hasn't been settled.

"It's better to leave, it's better to leave this dangerous place..." Tanchun murmured in a low voice.

After a while, the imperial envoys left. Before leaving, they told the Jia family a deadline to leave the capital. They had to leave the city before the tenth day of August.

In these ten days or so, they have to dispose of all their assets in the capital, either handing them over to the Eastern Palace or selling them directly.

After the imperial envoy left, the elderly Lady Jia fainted, causing the already panicked Jia family to become even more chaotic.

As a bystander, Lin Hongyu sighed, took the initiative to say goodbye to her former master Wang Xifeng, and then turned around to go home to take care of her children.

Lin Hongyu had just walked out of the ceremonial gate of Rongguo Mansion when she heard Wang Xifeng's voice behind her.

"Xiaohong..."

Turning around, she saw that it was Wang Xifeng who came. After bowing, Lin Hongyu asked, "What do you want, Madam?"

After approaching, Wang Xifeng said with a heavy expression: "If anything happens in the future, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you for help!"

"Second Madam, you are too serious. If we clean up the house from now on, there will be no more troubles. Why do we need any help?"

"Besides, I am a nobody and my words are not influential. How can I be of any help?"

After pulling Lin Hongyu aside, Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Don't say that. I know you are a capable person!"

"Don't worry, we won't make things difficult for you in the future. We just ask you to pass on a message for us when we are in trouble!"

As for who the message was to be delivered to, although Wang Xifeng did not say it explicitly, Lin Hongyu knew it clearly.

To be honest, she felt somewhat superior in front of Wang Xifeng just now. After all, she was her former master, but now she was making demands on her.

But after hearing what Wang Xifeng said, Lin Hongyu suddenly realized that the person in front of her was not only the second wife of Rongguo Mansion, but also the legitimate cousin of Princess Xiang.

"Second Madam has treated me well. If I can help you in the future, I will definitely not hesitate to do so!"

The two talked for a few more words, and then Lin Hongyu left, and Wang Xifeng returned to find Jia Lian.

Today, the Jia family is in disarray, with everyone having their own agenda. It is foreseeable that there will be more chaos in the future.

Once the emperor's decree was issued, the matter was settled. Yuanchun in the East Palace had already accepted the reality.

Ningguo Mansion was completely destroyed, but the damage to Jia Zheng's branch was not too great. In Yuanchun's view, if the Eastern Palace succeeded this time, they could make up for what they had lost in the future.

And if the Eastern Palace fails, then it might be a good idea for the Jia family to escape far away as soon as possible.

As for the deaths of Jia Jing and Jia Rong, they meant nothing to Yuanchun. She wished these two fools would die soon, otherwise she would not have caused all these troubles.

The problem facing Yuanchun is how to promote the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, and she is already thinking of a way to do it.

First, she found Concubine Jia, the highest-ranking person in the harem, who was temporarily in charge of the harem after the queen passed away.

From a procedural point of view, it is very appropriate for Concubine Jia to come forward and talk about this matter.

But Concubine Jia had been in the palace for so many years and understood the emperor's temper very well, so she was not willing to get involved. After all, the risk was too great.

But Yuanchun's words were reasonable and logical, making it difficult for her to refuse.

Seeing that she was in a real dilemma, Yuanchun suddenly had an idea and suggested inviting Princess Rui, Princess Xiang, and Zhu Yunsheng to discuss the matter together.

As Yuanchun had planned before, the proposal to hold a Mid-Autumn Festival family dinner was intended to make the emperor happy, and at the same time it would be an opportunity to remember the queen together.

At the moment, this is absolutely the right thing to do. If the Xiangwang Mansion and the Ruiwang Mansion oppose it, it can be used to make a fuss.

Therefore, Yuanchun guessed that these three families would not oppose each other on such an insignificant matter.

However, Yuanchun was wrong.

When Baochai and Chen Zhi were invited to Concubine Jia's bedroom and heard Yuanchun's proposal, instead of arguing, they both strongly supported the matter.

"When my mother was alive, she said that we shouldn't be too sad for her. She would be at ease if we were doing well!"

"That's right. When I was taking care of my mother at her meal, she also told us not to be too sad. We just need to think of her when the moon is full!"

These two sentences were spoken by Chen Zhi and Baochai respectively. They were both said in a very moving way, and one could tell at a glance that they were filial and good daughters-in-law.

Zhu Yunsheng, who was silent nearby, was now murmuring in her heart. She had taken care of her mother for the longest time, but had never heard her mother say these words.

Of course, none of this matters anymore, after all, my mother has passed away.

For Yuanchun, as long as Baochai and the other two agreed, other things were really not important. The most important thing at the moment was to let Concubine Jia do the work.

"My Lady, you see they have said this, do you still have concerns?"

"You just need to tell us what we mean, and even if the emperor disagrees... he will understand your good intentions!"

Looking at the three women in front of her, Concubine Jia knew very well in her heart that one of them would become the empress in the future, so she had to do as these three people wished.

Of course she could also refuse, but the problem was that she had to consider her daughter. If she offended these three people, her daughter's family would not be well off.

"Okay... I'll go see His Majesty later, but whether it will succeed or not... is hard to say!"

Yuanchun smiled and said calmly, "My Lady, if you can persuade us with emotion and reason, the Emperor will not refuse!"

After hearing this, Concubine Jia felt even more pressured. Finally, she had no choice but to leave for the Qianqing Palace, and Yuanchun also urged several others to go with her.

In order to accomplish this task, Yuanchun was really determined.

In order to avoid too much pain, Zhu Xianming has kept himself very busy recently. He also designated some memorials that he had never read in the past to be sent to the Qianqing Palace.

In addition to memorials, he also met with civil and military officials several times more often, so when Concubine Jia and her entourage arrived, they waited for a full half hour before they were finally allowed to enter the palace to make suggestions.

As Yuanchun expected, the emperor refused at first, but after listening to Concubine Jia's persuasion and the requests of several daughters-in-law and his own daughter, he finally agreed to hold a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

The only difference was that the banquet venue was changed from the usual Chonghua Palace to the Xiyuan to the west of the imperial palace, where there were islands and lakes and the scenery was more pleasant.

This was Baochai's suggestion, but it made Yuanchun extremely happy, because it was easier to mobilize troops in the West Garden outside the palace, and it was easier to control the situation on the island.

"Baochai, you are courting death!"

Yuanchun and Chen Zhi had the same idea in this sentence, but they didn't know that while the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole is behind.

(End of this chapter)