The Red Mansion

Chapter 289 The imperial edict is magnificent, how dare we disobey it?
Although the rain had stopped and the sky had cleared by late afternoon, a lingering gloom seemed to still hang over the warm pavilion of Rongqing Hall in the Rongguo Mansion.

At this moment, only Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, mother and daughter-in-law, were sitting facing each other in the warm pavilion; all the maids and servants had been dismissed.

Grandmother Jia leaned against the couch, holding a string of sandalwood prayer beads in her hand. She sighed deeply, her voice hoarse and heavy: "I'm feeling very uneasy, always thinking about one thing."

Madam Wang bowed slightly and said, "Please speak, Madam."

Grandmother Jia said quietly, "Look at our mansion, the Imperial Mansion, which was built by imperial decree and has been magnificent for nearly a hundred years. When Zhen-ge'er in the East Mansion committed a crime and was stripped of his title, the Imperial Mansion was immediately taken back by the court without any leniency."

She paused, her tone growing increasingly somber: "Our master has committed a terrible crime, and his hereditary title has been revoked. However, he hasn't immediately taken back our imperial mansion. This is because I, this old woman, still hold the title of Duchess and am still alive. It's also because the Duke next door pleaded with the Emperor, thus preserving the foundation of our mansion."

Her eyes were filled with helplessness and sorrow: "But I am old, I am already in my twilight years, how many more years do I have left to live? Once I close my eyes and pass away, according to the rules of the court, I am afraid this mansion will not escape the fate of being taken back! At that time, where will our whole family go?"

As she spoke, her voice choked with emotion.

Upon hearing this, Lady Wang's heart sank. Since marrying into the Jia family, she had lived in this magnificent, ornately decorated imperial mansion for over twenty years, becoming accustomed to every detail and every aspect of its grandeur. To be asked to move to an ordinary residence would be worse than death for her. In her heart, even in death, she wanted to die in this Duke's mansion.

Madam Wang pondered for a moment and said, "Old Madam, don't worry too much. Think about it, the Duke next door is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor and will surely be granted the title of Prince in the future! At that time, our Yuan Chun will be a Princess Consort, with an extremely noble status. With her around, how could we not protect our mansion?"

Grandmother Jia slowly shook her head and sighed, "I've thought of that too, but I'm afraid it's impossible. Even though Yuan-chun is a princess, she is still a married woman. The court's decision to reclaim the imperial mansion is a rule established by our ancestors. How could it be easily changed because of the status of a married woman? If that were the case, wouldn't it be a violation of the law? It's difficult, very difficult!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang's glimmer of hope was shattered once more. She anxiously asked, "Then... what should we do? Are we just going to watch this century-old foundation vanish just like that?"

Grandmother Jia paused again, then said, "There are ways, though. Unless, our family's hereditary nobles can return."

Madam Wang's eyes lit up, then dimmed again: "This... there's no hope for the eldest master and Lian-ge'er this time. As for the second master... alas, with his temperament, he's just a junior official in the Ministry of Works. To earn back his title is probably as difficult as climbing to heaven. As for the rest, Bao-yu and Lan-er are still young. How long will it take for them to grow up, achieve great things, and regain their titles?"

She subconsciously ignored the illegitimate children Jia Cong and Jia Huan, as if they had never existed.

Seeing her distress, Grandmother Jia hesitated for a moment before lowering her voice, almost whispering, "Actually, there is another way, but... it is even more uncertain."

Madam Wang quickly moved closer: "Please speak, madam."

Grandmother Jia spoke in a low voice, afraid of being overheard: "If that Duke next door were to have such great fortune in the future, inheriting the throne and becoming emperor... then Yuan Chun would be the Empress, the mother of the nation. At that time, even if our family loses its hereditary title and I am no longer here, relying on the status of the Empress's maternal family, preserving this mansion should not be difficult..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes flashed with an unusual light! If this were truly possible, it wouldn't just be about preserving the mansion; it would be about unimaginable wealth and glory!

However, Grandmother Jia immediately poured cold water on the idea, saying, "But the possibility is extremely slim! You must know that the Duke is, after all, a prince found among the common people. According to the rules of our Great Qing imperial family, for a prince of such status to surpass those princes who have grown up in the palace and have deep-rooted connections to inherit the throne is as difficult as ascending to heaven! The obstacles and hurdles involved are countless!"

There was one more thing that Grandmother Jia didn't say: The current emperor is in his prime. Even if Yuan Yi were to become the emperor of Daqing in the future, she, the Duchess, would surely have already passed away, and the Rongguo Mansion, which was built by imperial decree, would have already been taken back by the court.

Madam Wang's newly ignited hope was extinguished by this cruel reality, and her expression turned ashen again. She murmured, "Is there really no foolproof way?"

Just as the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sat facing each other in sorrow, and the warm room was silent, Yuanyang's voice suddenly came from outside the door, with a hint of caution: "Old Madam."

Startled by the sound, Grandmother Jia summoned Yuanyang and her face darkened. She asked in a cold voice, "Didn't I tell you all to leave? Were you eavesdropping in the outer room just now?"

Yuanyang quickly curtsied and said, "How dare I disobey the old lady's orders? I have been guarding outside and did not hear what was being said inside. I came in now because the Duke and his wife from next door sent Baoqin over, saying that they have something important to report to the old lady immediately."

When Grandmother Jia heard that it was Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun who had sent someone, her expression softened.

Soon, Baoqin was led in. She bowed to Grandmother Jia and Madam Wang and said respectfully, "Greetings to Grandmother and Madam. I have come on the orders of my master and his wife to convey a message. They request that Grandmother, Second Master, Second Madam, and the Lin Zhixiao steward and his wife come to the mansion immediately for a meeting to discuss important matters. If Second Master is still on duty at the yamen, please wait a moment until he returns to the mansion, and then we will all go together."

Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. It was normal for Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun to suddenly invite them, saying they had important matters to discuss and requesting Jia Zheng and the two of them to come along. But why specifically bring along the head steward, Lin Zhixiao, and his wife? What exactly was going on here?
Grandmother Jia couldn't help but ask, "Baoqin, do you know what urgent matter has come up?"

Baoqin shook her head, her expression unchanged: "In response to the old lady, the Duke and his wife did not say anything explicitly, but only instructed that everyone must be invited. I really do not know the specific reasons."

Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang were puzzled, but they had no choice but to agree first, full of doubt.

……

……

Yesterday, Lu Keduo led the infantry battalion to confiscate the property of Jia She and Jia Lian at Rongguo Mansion, and also discovered that Madam Xing and Yu Mei had hidden property. Naturally, this alarmed Jia Zheng, who was on duty at the Ministry of Works.

When Jia Zheng heard this news, he was so frightened that his face turned ashen. He hurriedly asked his superior for leave and rushed back to his residence. However, even after returning, he was helpless and could only sigh in despair.

Because the Ministry of Works had urgent business to attend to recently, and could not afford to delay, Jia Zheng, though anxious, was too proud to repeatedly ask for leave. Today, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go to the yamen as usual to be on duty. Although he was sitting in the duty room, he was restless. When he heard that Jia Lian, Madam Xing, and others had been chained and escorted out of the mansion, his heart pounded wildly, and he could no longer concentrate on his work.
Finally, at the fourth quarter of Shenshi (3:45 PM), the gong signaling the end of the shift, Jia Zheng felt as if he had received a pardon. He hurriedly took his sedan chair back to the Rongguo Mansion, his heart filled with longing. As soon as he arrived, the head steward, Lin Zhixiao, rushed up to him and said, "Master, you're finally back! A message has come from the Duke's mansion next door, requesting that the Old Madam, Madam, and Master come to see you immediately, saying that there is something important to discuss. The Old Madam and Madam have been waiting for quite some time, just waiting for Master to return so that we can go together."

Immediately, Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, Lady Wang, and Lin Zhixiao and his wife, along with their entourage, headed towards the neighboring Duke's mansion, their hearts heavy with worry.

The young eunuch Tian Fengzao was already waiting. When he saw the Rongguo Mansion group, he didn't say much, but silently led them to Lishenzhai.

Inside the study, Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun sat at the head of the table, Meng Xiong at the foot of the table, and Xiang Ling, Bao Qin, and Zhang Ruojin and his wife stood in attendance.

Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, Lady Wang, and Lin Zhixiao and his wife stepped forward to pay their respects.

After inviting Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, and Lady Wang to sit down, Yuan Yi got to the point: "Yesterday, I went to Changchun Garden to meet the Emperor and plead for leniency for the Rongguo Mansion. The Emperor gave me a different decree, saying that the Rongguo Mansion is ultimately my wife's family home, and now it seems that the family's morals are becoming increasingly deplorable!"

At this point, Yuan Yi deliberately paused, causing Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, and Lady Wang to tense up.

Yuan Yi took in their expressions and continued, "His Majesty also said that although he has pardoned the second branch of the Rongguo Mansion this time, as I requested, thus ensuring the foundation of the Rongguo Mansion remains intact, as the son-in-law of the Rongguo Mansion, it is only right and proper for me to properly discipline and regulate the Rongguo Mansion! If they continue to run amok like this, who knows what kind of lawless things they will do in the future! At that time, not only will it damage Yuan Chun's reputation, but it may also harm my own reputation."

His Majesty issued a stern edict, ordering me to take this matter to heart! I replied, "Your subject will heed Your Majesty's instructions! I will strictly discipline them, rectify the family conduct of the Rongguo Mansion, and ensure they do not cause any further trouble, lest they fail to live up to His Majesty's grace!"

After he finished speaking, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Grandmother Jia felt her heart sink. Forcing herself to remain calm, she asked in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I thank you for your boundless grace. Since it is His Majesty's decree, the Duke naturally cannot fail to repay this kindness. But I wonder how the Duke intends to... discipline... this household of mine?"

She spoke the word "rectification" with great difficulty.

Yuan Yi said calmly, "It's quite simple. The focus of this crackdown is to investigate the household's accounts over the years. Anyone found to have embezzled or enriched themselves will be ordered to make compensation. If any other acts of wrongdoing or illegal activities are discovered during this process, they will also be punished."

The Lin couple, who were standing in the study, quickly exchanged a glance and saw panic in each other's eyes. The Lin family member even felt her legs go weak.

Jia Lian had long suggested to Grandmother Jia that she investigate the stewards of the Rongguo Mansion, but Grandmother Jia refused. Someone else suggested the same thing to Jia Zheng, but Jia Zheng, being even more inflexible, let it go. Grandmother Jia and Jia Zheng, this mother and son, usually only emphasized treating their subordinates with kindness and governing the household with benevolence, unaware that this "kindness" was precisely what was nurturing future troubles.

Now, although Grandmother Jia was unwilling, the imperial edict was powerful and she dared not disobey it in the slightest. Jia Zheng could only agree repeatedly.

Seeing that Grandmother Jia and Jia Zheng looked ashen-faced, Yuan Yi knew he had been intimidated. He softened his tone and said, "You should know that His Majesty's order for me to manage and discipline your household is a great favor. It is with the intention of protecting you and hoping that your household can see the error of its ways and restore its good reputation. You should be able to understand his good intentions."

Jia Zheng rose from his seat and bowed deeply, his voice trembling: "Yes! Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!"

Grandmother Jia was filled with mixed emotions, her heart heavy with unbearable sorrow. She thought of the Rongguo Mansion's eldest branch, already ruined, its property confiscated, its members arrested. Now, the entire mansion was about to be dealt with by Yuan Yi. This century-old prestigious family had utterly lost face! Yet, even in this state, she was still expected to express gratitude!

Thinking this, a wave of bitterness surged to her throat, but Grandmother Jia had to forcefully suppress it. Her expression was awkward, unsure whether to cry or laugh.

Yuan Yi solemnly said, "Since you all understand and are willing to follow the Emperor's will, then from this moment on, I will temporarily take charge of all affairs of the Rong Mansion until the rectification is completed and the family discipline is restored."

Jia Zheng dared not object and could only bow and agree, saying, "It is entirely up to the Duke to decide."

The matter has been agreed upon.

Suddenly, Yuan Yi's gaze shifted, shooting towards Lin Zhixiao and his wife, who had been standing respectfully with their hands at their sides, like two bolts of cold lightning. His expression turned icy and stern, and he shouted in a deep voice, "Lin Zhixiao! You two, kneel down!"

This sudden shout came out like a thunderclap from a clear sky!
Not only were Lin Zhixiao and his wife so frightened that their legs went weak and they knelt down with a thud, but even Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang trembled in shock, staring at Yuan Yi in astonishment, wondering why this thunderous wrath had suddenly descended upon Lin Zhixiao and his wife. Jia Zheng, on the other hand, was at a loss, simply staring blankly.

Inside the meditation hall, the atmosphere instantly froze again, becoming even more stagnant and oppressive than before.

Lin Zhixiao and his wife were ashen-faced, lying prostrate on the ground, not daring to lift their heads. Only when Yuan Yi ordered them to raise their heads did they do so.

Yuan Yi's gaze was like torches, fixed on the two people on the ground, but his voice was as cold as ice: "Among the stewards, managers, and even those sycophantic gentlemen of the Rong Mansion, how many are clean? Almost all of them are embezzling and enriching themselves! You two are among them! Do you admit it or not?"

Lin Zhixiao's face turned ashen; she only looked at her husband beside her.

Lin Zhixiao pondered for a moment, realizing that since the Duke had spoken, he must have already investigated. If he tried to deny it, he would likely face utter ruin. He had no choice but to steel himself, kowtow, and say in a trembling voice, "Your Excellency is wise and discerning. I confess, I did indeed embezzle some money, but... but..."

"What do you mean, 'just what'?!" Yuan Yi interrupted sharply, slamming his hand on the table. "At this point, you still dare to stammer? If you utter a single falsehood, I'll immediately ransack your house and condemn your entire family to eternal damnation!"

Lin Zhixiao was so frightened that he kowtowed repeatedly: "I dare not! I did embezzle, but... but compared to the other stewards in the manor, I am still relatively restrained, and I am not as unscrupulous as Steward Lai in the past."

(End of this chapter)