The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

The white gauze lanterns that were usually hung under the eaves of the doorway to represent the mourning period at home have been replaced with red silk lanterns with the words "Loyal and Brave Marquis' Mansion" printed on them.

From the main gate, ceremonial gate, hall, inner hall, inner three gates, inner ceremonial gate, inner blocked gate, to the backyard, all the door gods, couplets, and hanging signs were replaced, and the peach charms were newly painted, making the mansion of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery look brand new, as if it were Chinese New Year.

Two servants were sweeping the space in front of the door with brooms.

The sound of horse hooves and the creaking of wheel wheels came from the street corner.

A dozen strong men dressed as servants came on horseback, escorting a red-wheeled canopy carriage and several blue-roofed carriages.

A lantern with the words "Baolinghou Mansion" printed on it was hung on the carriage.

Those sturdy men were obviously very familiar with the Li family's servant. They chatted with him for a while, then watched the carriage drive into the side door and returned the same way.

Many maids had been waiting outside the ceremonial gate. When they saw the carriage coming, they all went to greet it with smiles, and at the same time ordered a little maid to go in and report that "Miss Shi is here."

The coachman stepped aside, and several sturdy old women drove Shi Xiangyun's carriage into the ceremonial gate. The old women and wives behind had already got off the carriage and followed in with their large and small bags.

Feng was already standing on the stone steps outside the Chuihua Gate with a smile on her face, obviously waiting for Shi Xiangyun.

When Feng saw this, she understood that Shi Xiangyun would have to stay for another ten days or half a month.

The carriage stopped, Feng came forward, opened the curtain, and helped Shi Xiangyun get off.

Shi Xiangyun helped Feng get off the carriage and asked with a smile, "Auntie Feng, are Second Sister and Bao Sister here?"

Feng: "To answer the young lady, the Second Young Lady, Miss Bao and the others came here early in the morning and are now talking in the meeting room."

After hearing this, Shi Xiangyun ran into the hanging flower gate with her skirt lifted up.

Feng and the others smiled at each other and followed him in.

A group of housekeepers' wives came out of the meeting room while talking. When they saw Shi Xiangyun coming, they hurriedly went up to her with a smile and said,
"Hello girl!"

"The girls were just reciting it, and it just happened that you came."

"You came at the right time, young lady. We have just finished our work inside."

Several little maids had already opened the curtains and announced inside, "Miss Shi is here."

Shi Xiangyun walked in with a smile. Jia Yingchun, Jia Tanchun, Jia Xichun, Xue Baochai and Xue Baoqin were all there. When they saw her come in, they all smiled and said, "You're late and you have to drink a penalty drink."

Shi Xiangyun smiled and said, "I'm preparing a gift for Sister Lin." Then she stepped forward and took Lin Daiyu's hand, looking her up and down carefully, "Sister, you look so beautiful, like a fairy from heaven, so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off you."

Lin Daiyu poked Shi Xiangyun on the forehead in annoyance, "Flatterer."

Everyone laughed when they heard this.

Shi Xiangyun also laughed. Lin Daiyu had already completed her mourning clothes and had resumed her normal attire a few days ago.

After laughing, Lin Daiyu asked: "How long do you plan to stay this time?"

Shi Xiangyun smiled and said, "Before the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Let's go to the backyard and talk."

Behind the conference hall is Lin Daiyu's main courtyard.

The stone path in the middle of the courtyard, which is more than a hundred steps long, leads to the main hall. It is all lined with bamboo trellises, which are also covered with lush green ivy.

Shi Xiangyun walked onto the stone path under the trellis and felt the thick shade and coolness on her face. She touched the green bamboo and said with a smile, "Sister Lin, when did you ask someone to build this trellis? Why didn't you tell me about the scorching sun, the mist, and the green leaves?"

Lin Daiyu interrupted her: "Let's talk about it next year."

Shi Xiangyun nodded, and said, "I haven't congratulated my sister yet." Lin Daiyu smiled. It was already early August. A few days ago, good news came from Shandong that all the White Lotus rebels in Shandong had been wiped out. This time, the emperor did not suppress Li Hu's military rank, but promoted him to general, and asked him to expand the army by 10,000 to prepare for war.

Lin Daiyu suddenly remembered Li Hu's words, "It's not that I'm so outstanding, it's all thanks to the support of my peers." The suppression of the rebellion in Shandong can be described as a crushing victory, but the same cannot be said for Henan and Anhui. The wars became bigger and bigger, the bandits increased in number, and the situation in the Central Plains further deteriorated.

Prince Zhongshun and Wang Ziteng were certainly not good-for-nothings, but they could not stand the coincidences that happened one after another. Either the White Lotus rebels fled in advance, or they predicted the movements of the government troops and ambushed them halfway. Not only did they cause great losses to the government troops, but they also seriously affected the morale of the army. The soldiers complained about Prince Zhongshun and Wang Ziteng.

It's not that the Dashun Dynasty was without other generals available, but due to a series of troubles and those incredible coincidences, the veteran generals were simply unwilling to go to the Central Plains to wade into this muddy water, and they all shut themselves up to recuperate.

Lin Ruhai was promoted to the rank of first-class earl.

Shi Xiangyun suddenly remembered: "Oh, right, before I left, I heard a piece of news that the old concubine was not well."

Lin Daiyu: “Oh?”

Jia Yingchun said: "It's almost Mid-Autumn Festival."

Jia Tanchun: "The emperor is extremely filial and benevolent, and the old concubine has made great contributions to the royal family. The nobles must observe mourning according to their rank and are not allowed to have banquets or get married within a year. Even the common people must observe mourning for three months."

Jia Xichun exclaimed: "Then Sister Lin can't marry Brother-in-law Lin!"

"Not for the time being."

Jia Tanchun blinked her eyes and said with a sly smile, "We won't have a poetry club today. Let's copy scriptures and pray together."

Shi Xiangyun was curious: "Why?"

Jia Yingchun, Jia Xichun and Xue Baoqin also looked at her in confusion.

Xue Baochai seemed to understand something. She looked at Jia Tanchun and then glanced at Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu stared at Jia Tanchun, her eyes full of threats and warnings.

Jia Tanchun didn't notice and nodded at Shi Xiangyun with a smile: "What a silly girl. Let's copy scriptures to pray for the old empress dowager. If she recovers from her illness, it won't delay Sister Lin's marriage to Brother-in-law Lin!" As she said this, she first chanted "Amitabha".

The girls were startled at first, then they all chanted "Amitabha" together and started laughing again.

Lin Daiyu blushed and spat, "You guys are not good people."

All the beauties looked at her and smiled.

Lin Daiyu became anxious and said, "I'm going to tear your rotten mouth!" As she said that, she was about to go forward and tear Jia Tanchun's mouth.

"Good sister, please let me go this time." Jia Tanchun smiled and ran towards the main room.

Lin Daiyu chased him in and said: "I will tear your mouth off today."

The golden hairpins followed in with laughter.

With a "bang", a tea bowl smashed to pieces on the ground!

"Don't go too far!" The runner-up with red eyes looked particularly scary at this time.

The number one scholar's servant was not afraid. Instead, he calmly replied, "They are indeed too much of a bully, but things have come to this point and it is useless to say anything. Master Bangjian, don't forget that the White Lotus rebels robbed the imperial court's grain and grass based on the information you provided. This is a crime punishable by the death of the entire clan!"

The runner-up was so angry that his face turned pale. He grabbed the inkstone on the desk and threw it to the ground!
The inkstone fell to the ground, ink splashed everywhere, and the boy was splashed all over his face and body.

The runner-up yelled, "Get lost!"

The servant was not annoyed: "I'll wait for your news." He bowed and walked out.

After a long time, the voice of the servant came from outside the study: "Master, it's time to go to the study." (End of this chapter)