The Red Mansion

Chapter 313 Interrogating Zhao Shi, Showing Pity for Tan Chun
It was mid-July, the leaves of the paulownia trees had fallen, the moon was just beginning to rise, and the capital city was already filled with the scent of autumn.

Yuan Yi has been busy with the water conservancy and land reclamation work in the capital region lately, assembling a team, discussing regulations, and preparing to lead a team out of the capital to conduct an inspection later this month with Zhuo Shi.

Meanwhile, at the Rongguo Mansion, the accounting audit, which had lasted for more than a month, was also coming to an end.

That morning, the sky was overcast, with low-hanging leaden clouds. A cool breeze swept through Ningrong Street, occasionally swirling up a few withered leaves.

The two guests, Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren, were summoned and went to the Rongguo Mansion together. Zhan Guang was wearing an indigo straight robe, while Shan Pinren wore a gray cloth long gown. As soon as the two entered the main courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion, Meng Xiong suddenly led more than ten personal guards and servants to rush forward and tie them up tightly without saying a word.

Zhan Guang was so anxious that his face turned red and veins bulged on his forehead. He shouted loudly, "I have official rank and title. How dare you be so rude! Even in front of Lord Zheng, such insolence would not be tolerated!"

Dan Pinren stood to the side, his lips pale, unable to utter a single word.

Meng Xiong's voice boomed: "It has now been ascertained that Zhan Guang embezzled over five thousand taels of silver from the Rongguo Mansion, and Shan Pinren embezzled over three thousand taels. The accounts and witnesses are all there; the evidence is irrefutable! Now, by order of the Duke, you two are to be handed over to the authorities for investigation!"

These words struck them like a bolt from the blue, and the two men instantly turned ashen-faced. Zhan Guangqiang, however, remained calm and said, "Don't make false accusations! We've served in this household for years; even if we haven't achieved anything, we've certainly put in the hard work! I want to see Master Zheng; he will surely stand up for me!"

Zhang Ruojin stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Now it's all your own fault. I gave you chances to make amends time and time again, but you were stubborn and refused to listen. You have no one to blame but yourself for this predicament."

Previously, neither Zhan Guang nor Shan Pinren had made restitution within the stipulated time. Later, Zhang Ruojin and Meng Xiong privately approached them, presenting them with accounts and witnesses, demanding restitution and a fine on the grounds of "deceiving their master." The two refused, instead seeking Jia Zheng's intercession, thinking that his request would resolve the matter peacefully. Jia Zheng, magnanimous and kind, listened to their tearful complaints and actually went to Yuan Yi to intercede, only to be humiliated.

Meng Xiong personally escorted Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren to the Shuntian Prefecture government office. Along the way, many servants from the Rongguo Mansion and passersby gathered to watch, pointing and whispering. Zhan Guang was both shocked and furious, while Shan Pinren was both shocked and regretful—but it was too late!
Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren were both scholar-officials who relied on Jia Zheng for support. Their relationship with the Rongguo Mansion was closer to that of advisors or retainers than that of servants bound by a life-or-death contract. Therefore, Yuan Yi's handling of them was different from that of servants; he could not arbitrarily confiscate their property, sell them, or exile them.

However, according to the laws of Daqing, even if Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren only embezzled a few dozen taels of silver from Rongguo Mansion, it would still be a serious crime, let alone a huge sum of several thousand taels! Yuan Yi only needs to send a message to Shuntian Prefecture, and with irrefutable evidence, he can sentence Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren to death.

However, Yuan Yi was thoughtful. For the sake of his reputation, he would not sentence Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren to death this time. Instead, he would have them make amends and then exile them to remote and harsh lands. This treatment, while seemingly sparing their lives, would in reality likely result in a more miserable fate for the two than outright execution.

……

……

A month ago, Aunt Zhao begged and pleaded with Jia Zheng, who then arranged for her younger brother, Zhao Guoji, to be the manager of the Rongguo Mansion's treasury. Although it was only a managerial position, not the overall head of the treasury, it was still a lucrative post.

Zhao Guoji was always poor and greedy. When he suddenly got this job, he was like a hungry rat falling into a rice jar. In just one month, he embezzled several hundred taels of silver.

That morning, Zhao Guoji witnessed Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren being captured by Meng Xiong and his men. Although he was a little uneasy, he thought to himself that they were Zhao Yiniang's brothers and were personally appointed by Jia Zheng. Moreover, he felt that he had only embezzled a few hundred taels of silver, so it was not a big deal.

Little did he know that Zhang Ruojin and Lin Zhixiao were secretly watching his embezzlement over the past month.

That afternoon, Zhao Guoji was sitting with his legs up in the treasury office, sipping tea and planning to make a few hundred more taels of silver so he could buy a pretty maid to serve him. As for buying a decent house, he wasn't in a hurry; he'd get a pretty maid first, then he'd buy a house.

Suddenly, Meng Xiong, Zhang Ruojin, and Lin Zhixiao, leading several bodyguards, barged into Zhao Guoji's guardhouse. Meng Xiong's towering figure blocked the doorway, Zhang Ruojin's face was as cold as frost, and Lin Zhixiao's eyes held a mocking glint.

"Tie him up!"

At Meng Xiong's command, which was as loud as thunder, his personal guards rushed forward and tied up Zhao Guoji.

Zhao Guoji was immediately terrified, his face turning ashen: "You... what do you mean? I am the steward personally appointed by the Second Master! I am Aunt Zhao's brother!"

Zhang Ruojin said coldly, "Well done, Steward Zhao! You've only been in office for a month, yet you've already embezzled beyond measure. The Duke is currently conducting a thorough investigation into corruption in the Rong family, and you dare to defy the rules. You're truly audacious!"

Zhao Guoji tried to argue, but his hands were already tied behind his back by his personal guards and bound tightly with hemp rope.

The group escorted Zhao Guoji straight to the south stable. Servants along the way quickly made way, whispering amongst themselves. Soon after, groans and screams echoed from the south stable, clearly indicating that Zhao Guoji was being tortured.

Aunt Zhao was trying on a newly acquired gold hairpin in front of a mirror in her room when a maid rushed in to deliver the news.

Upon hearing that her brother had been arrested, Aunt Zhao was so shocked that she dropped her gold hairpin, her heart leaping into her throat. She was worried about her brother, but even more afraid that he would implicate her. It turned out that over the past month, Zhao Guoji had repeatedly "gifted" his elder sister, totaling over a hundred taels of silver. She had used several dozen taels for jewelry, hiding the rest in a camphor wood chest.

Aunt Zhao paced back and forth in her room like an ant on a hot pan, wanting to plead with Jia Zheng, but Jia Zheng was on duty at the Ministry of Works and not at home; she wanted to speak to Grandmother Jia, but felt that Grandmother Jia would not be lenient, and besides, she was guilty and would be walking into a trap if she went there.

Just as they were at their wits' end, Lin Zhixiao's wife entered with two maids. Lin Zhixiao's wife was expressionless and said indifferently, "The old lady summons you to Rongqing Hall for questioning."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to say, "I wonder what the old lady wants to see me about?"

Lin Zhixiao's wife said calmly, "You'll understand when you get there."

Aunt Zhao had no choice but to steel herself and follow Lin Zhixiao's wife to Rongqing Hall. Along the way, she saw the autumn wind swirling withered leaves, which she felt was like the deadly hand of death; she saw the winding corridors and the swaying shadows of the trees, which she felt was like ghosts following her. With each step she took, her legs felt weak; with each threshold she crossed, her heart pounded wildly in fright.

When she arrived at Rongqing Hall, she saw that the maids who usually loved to laugh and joke were all standing with their hands at their sides, and she became even more frightened.

When she entered the hall, she saw Grandmother Jia sitting upright on the central couch, her face ashen; Lady Wang sat beside her, her hands twirling prayer beads; Li Wan, Tan Chun, Xi Chun, and a group of maids, servants, and old women stood in attendance, all holding their breath. The room was completely silent, with only the ticking of the clock adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

"Greetings to...greetings to the old lady, greetings to...the great...madam."

Aunt Zhao's voice trembled.

Grandmother Jia's gaze sharpened as she slowly said, "I just heard that your brother Zhao Guoji, who has only been the treasury manager for a month, has already embezzled several hundred taels of silver?" Aunt Zhao forced a smile and said, "Grandmother, I...I really didn't know..."

"You didn't know?" Grandmother Jia's voice was as cold as ice. "Your brother confessed that you accepted over a hundred taels of silver as 'tribute' from him!"

These words struck Zhao Yiniang like a thunderbolt, causing her to collapse to the ground. She hadn't expected her brother to confess so quickly. She cursed Zhao Guoji in her heart and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Grandma, you are wise! It must have been those people who tortured me. My brother was just talking nonsense under torture."

Tan Chun, who witnessed everything, felt her face burning with shame. Although she had always been distant from Aunt Zhao, Aunt Zhao was still her birth mother. Seeing Aunt Zhao in this state, she had no choice but to kneel down as well, feeling both ashamed and angry: she usually valued propriety, yet her birth mother was so disgraceful. Now, having lost face in front of the entire household, she felt utterly humiliated.

Grandmother Jia coldly observed Aunt Zhao, recalling her past unruly behavior, which fueled her anger. However, when her gaze shifted to Tan Chun, seeing Tan Chun kneeling in shame, looking forlorn and pitiful, she couldn't help but feel pity for her.

Grandmother Jia sighed and said to Aunt Zhao, "Although you are a concubine, you should know your place. Recently, the Duke next door has been strictly regulating our household, and you have allowed your brother to do such a thing. How can I not feel disheartened? Even if you don't care about your own dignity, you should at least care about the dignity of Sanya and Huan'er."

Aunt Zhao even tried to argue, "Old lady, I... I'm truly innocent!"

Seeing this, both Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang grew increasingly disgusted with her.

Grandmother Jia said coldly, "Fine, fine! I'm too lazy to listen to your sophistry. Go back and reflect on your mistakes! Without my permission, you are not allowed to leave your courtyard!"

Seeing that Grandmother Jia's expression was gloomy and Lady Wang's gaze was like lightning, Aunt Zhao had no choice but to get up and leave Rongqing Hall.

Grandmother Jia looked at Tan Chun again: "Third girl, get up." Her voice was still authoritative, but much gentler. "This matter has nothing to do with you, why kneel?"

Tan Chun slowly rose, feeling her knees go weak. Fortunately, her head maid, Dai Shu, quickly supported her. With tears in her eyes, she said, "Grandmother's kindness is something I am deeply grateful for. Although it has nothing to do with me, it was my birth mother who did such a foolish thing..." Before she could finish speaking, she choked up and couldn't speak anymore. Crystalline tears rolled down her hibiscus-like cheeks, like autumn lotuses covered in dew, making her even more pitiful and moving.

Seeing this, Madam Wang said gently, "She is her, and you are you. You are always reasonable, everyone in the household knows that. Don't blame yourself too much."

Although these words were ordinary, they were a rare source of comfort coming from Madam Wang.

Grandmother Jia looked at Li Wan and said, "Zhu-ge's wife, take San-ya back to her room and give her some advice." She then said to Xi-chun, "Si-ya, come along too. You sisters are always very close."

Li Wan quickly replied "Yes," and stepped forward to take Tan Chun's hand. She noticed that Tan Chun's hand was icy cold, realizing the bitterness in Tan Chun's heart. She couldn't help but think of her own hardships as a widow for many years, and sighed inwardly at the difficulties faced by women in these deep mansions. Xi Chun silently followed, and the three figures gradually left Rongqing Hall.

After they left, Grandmother Jia sighed to Lady Wang, "Zhao is truly a muddle-headed fool! She's become increasingly unruly over the years. It's just a pity for Sanya, having such a birth mother." As she spoke, she rubbed her temples. "Although Sanya wasn't born from your womb, according to etiquette, you are her rightful mother. From now on, you should pay more attention to her; this child is destined for good fortune."

Madam Wang hurriedly said, "Don't worry, Grandmother. Third Sister is always sensible, and I will naturally dote on her." In her heart, she thought to herself: With Tan Chun's looks and character, she might be able to marry into a good family in the future.

Just then, a light rain began to fall outside the window, the sound of rain pattering against the courtyard filling the air.

Another autumn rain is coming, and the weather is getting even cooler.

Grandmother Jia gazed at the autumn rain outside the window, lost in thought for a while, and then sighed to Lady Wang, "The manor is in turmoil again today. Those two gentlemen, Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren, have been arrested and sent to the Shuntian Prefecture government office, and Zhao's brothers have also been questioned."

Madam Wang chimed in, "Speaking of which, there have been quite a few problems in the manor over the years. Recently, the compensation paid by those embezzling servants has amounted to tens of thousands of taels of silver." She paused deliberately, "No wonder the Duke is so determined to crack down on these issues."

Grandmother Jia nodded: "Yes, it is indeed time for some reorganization. We will have to trouble the Duke."

At this point, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law exchanged a glance, and both saw a hint of relief in each other's eyes.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law actually spoke well of Yuan Yi.

There's a reason for that.

Firstly, Yuan Yi recently took on the task of overseeing the irrigation and land reclamation projects in the capital region, demonstrating the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor's exceptional favor towards him. His imperial favor was so great that even Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang were once again impressed by him. Secondly, all the compensation paid to the servants of the Rongguo Mansion recently totaled a staggering 60,000 taels of silver, and this astonishing sum was all deposited into the Rongguo Mansion's treasury; Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun did not take a single penny. Such actions demonstrate both his ability and his character.

Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but sigh, "Speaking of which, it's a good thing that our household has someone like the Duke in charge! The Duke is currently busy with important matters of water conservancy and land reclamation, which is truly exhausting. Tomorrow, you should personally select some top-quality tonics and send them to the household next door."

Madam Wang nodded in understanding.

……

……

Aunt Zhao returned to her room, listening to the rain outside the window, growing angrier with each passing thought. She was angry at her brother, Zhao Guoji, for how well she had treated him, even asking Jia Zheng to arrange for him to become the treasury manager, only to have him so easily implicate her when questioned today. She was also angry at the humiliation she had suffered today; she already had little dignity in this household, and now it would be even less so. Furthermore, she was angry at Tan Chun, who hadn't said a word for her birth mother at Rongqing Hall today.

Aunt Zhao slumped down and stared at the newly made gold hairpin on the dressing table, finding it extremely irritating.

The rain intensified, and a chill seeped in through the window screen, causing her to shiver.

She paused, then suddenly grabbed the gold hairpin, about to smash it to the ground, but then couldn't bear to. In the end, she could only sigh deeply, collapse onto the bed, and wail.

The wailing inside the room blended with the sound of rain outside the window.

(End of this chapter)