The Red Mansion

Chapter 314 High-ranking officials and nobles pale in comparison

The rain had stopped by evening.

Inside the Rongguo Mansion, the remaining water at the foot of the steps reflected the few streaks of rouge-like sunset clouds on the horizon.

After finishing his dinner, Jia Zheng went to Aunt Zhao's residence.

Aunt Zhao had already heard the news that her brother, Zhao Guoji, would not only have his property confiscated but also be expelled from the mansion. Although she resented her brother for easily confessing to her under torture today, they were still blood relatives. Moreover, the thought that if Zhao Guoji's property was confiscated and he was expelled, she would have to pay for this good-for-nothing herself in the future made her heart ache as if it were being cut by a dull knife.

Just as he was feeling troubled, a maid lifted the curtain and said, "Master is here."

Aunt Zhao hurriedly wiped her eyes with a ginger-infused handkerchief she had prepared beforehand, but the snot immediately made her eyes red. When Jia Zheng came in, she said a few words and then rushed over to him, hugging his legs and crying loudly, "Master, you must do me justice!" Although it was fake crying, it was a heart-wrenching lament.

Jia Zheng looked down at her and saw that her hair was loose and her face was covered with makeup, but it couldn't hide her haggard appearance. His heart softened a little, but he still said in a deep voice, "What are you doing? Get up now!"

Aunt Zhao refused to listen and cried even more pitifully: "Even if my brother has a thousand faults, he is only a first-time offender and has only embezzled a few hundred taels of silver. Why should we confiscate his property and kick him out? Please, sir, forgive him this time for the sake of all the years I have served you!" As she spoke, she covered her face with her handkerchief and peeked at Jia Zheng's expression through her fingers.

"Get up and speak!" Jia Zheng ordered. After Aunt Zhao got up, he sighed, "Your brother has only been working for a month and he dares to embezzle so much. Moreover, he knows that the prefecture is investigating this matter strictly, yet he still defies the law. Such audacity is beyond reason that the Duke is angry."

Seeing that Jia Zheng's tone had softened slightly, Aunt Zhao leaned against his arm and sobbed, "Even if he embezzled some silver, he was still punished with a beating, and today I was also punished by the old lady. Isn't this beating and scolding enough to make up for it? Why must we confiscate our property and drive people away? How are they supposed to live with their families in the future?" Before she finished speaking, the ginger juice on her handkerchief stung her and brought tears to her eyes.

Jia Zheng sighed, “Nowadays, everything in the manor is managed by the Duke next door, and your brother’s matter was also ordered by the Duke himself. Not to mention that I have no face to plead for him, even if I did go, I would only be making a fool of myself.”

He had just recently gone to Yuan Yi to plead on behalf of Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren, but not only did he fail to get it done, he was also left speechless by Yuan Yi's criticism and humiliated.

Aunt Zhao couldn't help but complain, "Although he is a prince and a duke, the master is the one who is in charge of this household. Can't he even be lenient with this little bit of courtesy?"

"Insolence!" Jia Zheng shouted sternly, "The Duke is ordered to investigate and rectify our household. Do you expect me to disobey the imperial decree?"

The sound was like a thunderclap, startling Aunt Zhao so much that she immediately stopped crying, and even the maids who were eavesdropping outside shrank back.

Seeing that Aunt Zhao's face was pale and her body was trembling slightly, Jia Zheng couldn't bear to be too harsh on her. Remembering that although she had acted indecently, she had still given birth to Tan Chun and Jia Huan for him, he softened his tone and said, "You should follow the old lady's instructions, stay at home and reflect on your mistakes, and don't cause any more trouble. As for your brother... he has only himself to blame, and he can't blame anyone else."

Having said that, he straightened his robes and turned to leave.

Aunt Zhao stood there, watching the brocade curtain sway back and forth, but ultimately remained motionless.

She staggered a few steps and collapsed onto the bed, wailing loudly, "Why is my life so miserable! My own brother has ended up like this, and even I have been punished. How can I face anyone in this mansion from now on..."

This crying was about 70-80% genuine, and tears really did flow.

She recalled that she was originally a maid in this mansion. She had finally managed to become Jia Zheng's concubine. On the surface, she was a concubine, but in reality, her status was still low. Not to mention the ladies and mistresses in the mansion, even the servants rarely respected her. She had to give her meager savings to her family.

Now that her brother is facing confiscation of his property and being expelled, she not only loses a powerful ally but also has to support his entire family. Thinking of the humiliation she suffered at Grandmother Jia's place today, Lady Wang's ambiguous smile, and her daughter Tan Chun's indifference, she feels there is no place for her in this grand mansion…

woo woo woo...

……

……

The following morning, the sky was clear and blue, with a few wispy clouds scattered by the wind, reflecting the rising sun and appearing like golden and silver threads adorning the horizon.

Following the instructions given by Grandmother Jia yesterday, Lady Wang personally selected several top-quality tonics and went to Rongqing Hall to consult Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia was leaning against a large, gold-embroidered, green-striped satin pillow, listening to Yuanyang recite the Diamond Sutra, when she saw Lady Wang enter. She stopped her and asked, "What has been prepared?"

Madam Wang hurriedly read out the gift list, saying, "Half a catty of top-quality bird's nest, two pairs of Changbai Mountain ginseng..."

After listening carefully, Grandmother Jia nodded and smiled, "That's very appropriate. The Duke is currently busy with state affairs and should take good care of himself. Yuan Chun is over there helping with household affairs, so she should also take good care of herself."

Just then, a maid lifted the curtain and came in to report: "Reporting to the old lady and madam, the young lady Baoqin from the Duke's mansion next door has arrived."

Immediately afterward, Baoqin entered, first paying her respects to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, and then smilingly replied, "My lady said that the weather is fine today, and she would like to invite the Third and Fourth Misses to the mansion for a gathering so that the sisters can have a private chat."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia said with delight, "It's rare that she always thinks of her sisters." She couldn't wait for Yuan Chun to be close to Tan Chun and Xi Chun, which would show that Yuan Chun valued family ties. She said to Lady Wang, "In that case, you should take San Ya and Si Ya with you." At the same time, she instructed the maids, "Go quickly and tell the two maids to dress up nicely."

Tan Chun was sitting sullenly in her room. Because of the incident with Aunt Zhao and Zhao Guoji yesterday, she was still feeling depressed. When she suddenly heard Yuan Chun's invitation, her brows immediately relaxed, and she hurriedly called for her two maids, Dai Shu and Cui Mo, to serve her.

While helping her change her clothes, Dai Shu smiled and said, "Miss, you're finally smiling."

Remembering something, Tan Chun hurriedly took out a blue satin bundle containing a pair of autumn shoes she had made for Yuan Chun over the past month, and also took out a copy of the "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion" that she had carefully written. Before long, Tan Chun and Xi Chun were both dressed. When the two arrived at Rongqing Hall, Grandmother Jia was delighted to see Tan Chun looking radiant and Xi Chun looking elegant and refined. She instructed them, "When you see your eldest sister, please give her my regards."

Lady Wang led the two young ladies into the sedan chair and left. Lady Wang rode alone in a four-person sedan chair, while Tan Chun and Xi Chun rode together in a red-wheeled carriage with a canopy.

Upon arriving at the gate of the Duke's mansion, both Lady Wang and Tan Chun noticed a constant stream of carriages and horses, with a dozen or so official sedan chairs and horse-drawn carriages lined up in a row, clearly indicating the arrival of some high-ranking officials and nobles. Lady Wang and Tan Chun were both secretly amazed.

Upon entering the mansion, one finds deep courtyards and winding corridors. Palace maids lead the group, their steps light as if treading on clouds, until they reach the courtyard where Yuan-chun resides. There, they see Yuan-chun and Ying-chun greeting them under the eaves.

The group entered the main hall and sat down according to their status as host and guests. A maidservant served fragrant tea in a white porcelain covered bowl from the official kiln, which made the tea appear emerald green. Madam Wang smiled and said, "Yesterday, the old lady instructed me that the Duke is currently busy with important matters of water conservancy and land reclamation, which is truly exhausting. She asked me to personally select some top-quality tonics to send over today." With that, she ordered her maid, Caiyun, to present the gift list.

Yuan Chun took it and examined it carefully, then smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Madam and Mother. Fourth Master has indeed been working hard lately, reviewing official documents until 9 PM last night."

Madam Wang then asked, "When I came in just now, I saw many carriages and horses outside the mansion. Was he also busy with official business today?"

Yuan Chun gently stroked her teacup and sighed, "Ever since Fourth Master took on the post of managing the water conservancy and agricultural fields in the capital region, our mansion has become a government office. This morning was especially lively, with the presence of Zhuo Zhongtang, Lord Wang Tingyu who is in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, and Lord Wen Chaqi, the Minister of Works."

Upon hearing this, Lady Wang unconsciously clenched her handkerchief tighter. Wang Tingyu was a renowned and powerful official, whose name she, even living deep within the inner quarters, had long heard of. As for Wen Chaqi, the Minister of Works, he was Jia Zheng's direct superior. The thought that these figures, whose mere stomp could shake the court, were gathered in this Duke's mansion, serving under Yuan Yi, made her feel that the Rongguo Mansion, though seemingly glamorous, paled in comparison. She couldn't help but sigh, "The Duke is not only a descendant of dragons and phoenixes, but also truly a young and promising man!"

Tan Chun sat quietly to the side, her admiration for Yuan Yi growing stronger. Recalling his heroic and upright appearance and composed demeanor, she sighed inwardly, "A true man should be like this!"

Seeing that Tan Chun was lost in thought, Yuan Chun smiled and softly called out, "Third Sister."

The sound, like a gentle tap of warm jade, startled Tan Chun from her reverie. She quickly straightened her robes and replied, "Elder sister."

Yuan Chun had noticed the blue satin bundle she was carrying, and asked with a smile, "What good things have you brought?"

Tan Chun hurriedly got up and stepped forward, presenting the shoes with both hands: "I made a pair of autumn shoes for you in my spare time, but I'm afraid the needlework is rough. I hope you won't find them too bad." As she spoke, her eyes met Yuan Chun's concerned gaze.

Yuan Chun didn't entrust the task to a maid; she personally took the bundle and untied it herself. There lay a pair of embroidered shoes nestled in the blue satin, the uppers embroidered with peony branches in colorful silk threads, the petals layered and blurred. Most remarkable were the stitches, fine and even. Yuan Chun gently stroked the shoes with her slender fingers and sighed, "This needlework is no less exquisite than that of the embroiderers in my household."

Tan Chun said modestly, "Elder sister, you flatter me. I was just thinking about it slowly in my spare time."

Before she could finish speaking, Yuan Chun had already taken her hand and said with a smile, "It's so kind of you, sister, to go to such lengths to give me things you've made yourself. If I remember correctly, you gave me a pair of shoes just over a month ago, and now you've given me another pair."

It turns out that since Yuan Chun's marriage, Tan Chun had been sending her handmade sachets, handkerchiefs, shoes, and socks. These needlework items were not only a token of sisterly affection but also a way to curry favor with Yuan Chun, revealing her desire to find someone to rely on.

Seeing how much Yuan Chun cherished these shoes, Tan Chun was moved and said softly, "It is only right for younger sister to do some needlework for elder sister. The previous pair of shoes were for summer, but now that it is autumn, the mornings and evenings are getting cooler, so I should give you a pair that is thicker." She added, "The uppers of the shoes are padded with silk floss, so they will be warm and comfortable without pressing down on your feet."

Xi Chun sat silently to the side. Seeing Tan Chun's behavior, she couldn't help but feel a little depressed. She thought to herself, "Third Sister is so eager to please Eldest Sister. It makes me look like I'm being disrespectful." Thinking this, she unconsciously pouted. Her cherry lips were already small and delicate, and this pout made her look like a crabapple bud just beginning to bloom on a branch.

Lady Wang and Yuan Chun chatted for another quarter of an hour about everyday matters, such as Grandmother Jia's diet and Bao Yu's studies. After drinking two cups of tea, Lady Wang took her leave. Tan Chun and Xi Chun stayed at the Duke's mansion.

As Madam Wang exited through the side door next to the main hall, she suddenly saw a group of people walking out of the outer study ahead. They were dressed in magnificent robes and jade belts, their black gauze hats and black boots gleaming like clouds.

It turned out that Wang Tingyu had other important business to attend to, and Yuan Yi, along with Zhuo Shi, Wen Chaqi, Lin Ruhai, and others, were seeing him off. All of them were dressed in official robes, with Yuan Yi wearing a dark blue python robe. The golden sash at his waist, symbolizing his status as a descendant of the emperor, shimmered in the autumn sun, adorned with four gold plaques, each inlaid with crystals, which sparkled brilliantly. The group chatted and laughed, their steps measured and composed, exuding an air of authority.

Madam Wang hurriedly hid behind the side door, not daring to disturb Yuan Yi and his group of high-ranking officials. Her maids and servants, including Caiyun, Caixia, and Zhou Rui's wife, all stood silently, secretly marveling at Yuan Yi's truly extraordinary majesty.

After Yuan Yi finished seeing off his guests and led the officials back to the outer study, Lady Wang finally breathed a sigh of relief and left the Duke's mansion in her sedan chair.

Returning to Rongqing Hall, the windows were open, and sunlight slanted onto the bluestone floor. Grandmother Jia leaned against the couch, a maidservant kneeling on the footstool massaging her legs, while several respectable old women sat on stools below.

Madam Wang stepped forward, bowed, and sat down before recounting in detail what she had seen and heard that day. When she spoke of the large number of carriages and horses at the Duke's mansion, her voice revealed a hint of emotion: "Besides Zhuo Zhongtang, even Lord Wang Tingyu and Minister Wen of the Ministry of Works were there. When I arrived, the Duke was discussing water conservancy and agricultural affairs with several officials."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia paused in her prayer beads, sighing, "The Duke is becoming increasingly extraordinary." Then, recalling her husband Jia Daishan, who had passed away many years ago, she said sadly, "Back when the Duke was alive, wasn't our household just like this? Carriages and horses constantly filled our gates, high-ranking officials and nobles came and went in an endless stream, and the pair of large stone lions in front of the gate were always completely surrounded by carriages and horses. Sometimes, even in the middle of the night, civil and military officials would come to our door on urgent business." Her voice seemed to drift from a great distance.

An old nanny quickly chimed in with flattery: "That's absolutely true! Even His Majesty has visited more than once! I remember that year in the twelfth lunar month, the snow was falling like goose feathers, and the Duke was talking with His Majesty in the study. He changed the hand warmer three times."

Another old woman chimed in, "Back then, during festivals, the gifts sent from all over would fill the storeroom to the brim, leaving no room to even step."

A smile appeared on Grandmother Jia's lips, but before it reached her eyes, it vanished into the fine lines around them. She missed the past more and more, missed her husband more and more, and felt increasingly saddened.

Madam Wang comforted her, saying, "The old lady is blessed with great fortune. You are still the Duchess of the State, and Yuan Chun is the Duchess of the County. Our household is still as glorious as ever."

These words were spoken earnestly, but in her heart she thought, "This Rong Mansion is indeed far inferior to what it used to be!"

Thinking of this, she glanced at Grandmother Jia and suddenly felt that the old lady's figure sitting alone on the couch seemed to have aged even more.

(End of this chapter)