The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 185 The Official's Business Empire
The people in the hall were crying and wailing, as if they were in a funeral!
The Yang family members, one by one, were dragged and shoved out of the house by the fierce yamen runners, who were like wolves and tigers.

The high-ranking official stood to one side of the hall, coldly observing this sordid farce, a sneer playing on his lips. He couldn't let them get away with it so easily!
Seeing that Magistrate Li was still trembling with anger, his beard bristling and his chest heaving, he straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and clasped his hands in greeting:
"Your Excellency, please calm your anger! These cunning ruffians, with their boundless audacity, dare to slander the reputation of such a noble person as Eunuch Yang! They deserve to be torn to pieces! However..."

His tone abruptly changed, glancing at Yang Shouli, who was sprawled on the ground like a sieve, and then at Yang Si, whose face was as thin as a sieve:
"Just now, Yang Si swore an oath, insisting that the marriage certificate was genuine. Now that his nephew's despicable act of impersonating a relative of Eunuch Yang has been exposed, this 'marriage certificate'..." The official deliberately dragged out his words, speaking with profound meaning, "is probably not entirely clean either!"

"In my humble opinion, this is clearly a premeditated act of deceiving people into marriage for money and violating moral principles. If it is not severely punished and brought to justice, wouldn't it ruin the peaceful world and bright sky under the rule of the esteemed magistrate of Qinghe County?"

Magistrate Li, who was seething with anger and had nowhere to vent it, slammed his gavel down with a loud "crack!" upon hearing this, causing a buzzing sound throughout the courtroom.
"Oh dear! I'm getting senile! I need your guidance on such a crucial point! I've truly been blinded by the brilliance of these scoundrels!!"

The slight annoyance on his face instantly transformed into overwhelming ferocity. He straightened up, grabbed the gavel, and with a resounding "crack!", silenced the remaining wails from the courtroom below.
"Shut up! You scoundrels, listen to this! Yang Shouli and Yang Si! You have the audacity to commit such a heinous crime! First, you fabricated identities, falsely accused officials, and attempted to coerce the government. 'Those who impersonate officials or falsely claim to be officials shall be exiled two thousand li!' Although you are not real officials, you have impersonated close relatives of the emperor. Your intentions are despicable, and your actions are contemptible. Your crime is compounded!"

"Secondly, forging marriage certificates, setting up schemes to marry fraudulently, and plotting to seize a widow's property constitutes 'fraudulent acquisition of wealth'! 'Anyone who defrauds officials or private individuals to obtain property shall be treated as a thief'! The value of the stolen goods is enormous, making the crime even more unforgivable!"

He grew angrier with each word, his voice like a broken gong, spitting saliva that flew far away, as if he wanted nothing more than to chew up these troublemakers who had nearly caused him to lose his post:
"The ringleader, Yang Shouli, is guilty of three major crimes: impersonating a close relative of a palace attendant, forging documents, and defrauding others of money! He is sentenced to twenty strokes of the cane and exile to Shamen Island. He will not be pardoned! His family property will be confiscated and used to compensate the aggrieved woman, Madam Meng!"

"Exiled to Shamen Island! No pardon if granted!" These nine words struck like a bolt from the blue, like a death warrant arriving!
Yang Shouli didn't even utter a sound. He rolled his eyes, foamed at the mouth, and immediately collapsed to the ground like a dead dog. With a "plop," a mixture of yellow and white fluid gushed out from his crotch. The stench was so strong that the nearby yamen runners frowned and covered their noses.

Not to mention him, the Yang clan members below the hall were all terrified, their faces ashen, their eyes rolling wildly, trembling like leaves, wishing their parents had given them two more legs, fearing that they would be the next to be targeted.

What is meant by being exiled to Shamen Island?
First, he tattooed a gold mark on his face, condemning him to be a "traitorous convict" for all eternity, enduring the scorn and contempt of the world.

Then, with heavy shackles around their necks and iron chains on their feet, they endured beatings from the guards, hunger, cold, and illness all the way, trekking thousands of miles to that isolated island off the coast of Shandong.

Once on the island, it was like entering a living hell!
Going hungry one day and eating well the next? That's wishful thinking!

They toiled like oxen and horses all day long, performing endless hard labor.

The sea breeze is like a knife, and miasma is rampant. What's even more deadly is that once the island becomes overcrowded, there will be either a shortage of food or an epidemic.

The soldiers in charge of the camp would wrap the sick and weak prisoners, or those they didn't like, in straw mats, attach them to stones, and throw them into the vast sea with a "plop" to feed the fish and turtles! Not even a splash was made.

Magistrate Li didn't even bother to lift his eyelids; his two icy gazes, like two poisoned awls, were fixed on Uncle Yang, whose face was ashen and who was trembling like a leaf.
"Accomplice Yang Si! A dog relying on its master's power, acting as an accomplice to a tiger! The mastermind behind the marriage fraud, fabricating documents, and even daring to falsely accuse an imperial official! His crime is increased by one degree! He is sentenced to fifteen strokes of the cane and exiled to the Guangnan East Road Military Prison! His family property is confiscated, half of which will go to the government and the other half will be used to compensate the aggrieved lady Meng Niangzi!"

Guangnan East Road! That place was shrouded in miasma, teeming with snakes and insects, a desolate and barren wasteland!

To be exiled to that military prison to be a beast of burden, at such an old age, probably only one in ten would survive. It was truly a nine-out-of-ten chance of death; they were already prepared to die on the way.

The pent-up anger in Magistrate Li's chest was still churning, impossible to quell. His finger, like a judge's pen, swept viciously across the Yang clan members below, who were slumped like mud, weeping uncontrollably, and he roared:
"The rest of the Yang family, you knew the truth but failed to report it, aiding and abetting the evildoer, and even dared to roar in the courtroom, showing contempt for the law! According to the law, you deserve to be flogged! Considering that most of you were coerced into doing so, we will be lenient: each of you will receive thirty strokes of the cane! You will be displayed in front of the court for ten days in cangues! Let the whole county see what happens to those who are unruly and lawless! As a warning to others! Court adjourned—!"

"Please, Your Honor, spare my life!!"

"I'm innocent! We truly had no idea!"

The desperate wails of mourning once again shattered the courtroom, even more piercing than before! They sounded like the howls of ghosts and wolves, threatening to tear the roof off the hall!
Especially those clansmen who were sentenced to caning and caning, thinking of those thirty merciless blows of water and fire, which were enough to break bones, tear flesh apart, and take away half their lives.
They would also be put in shackles at the yamen gate for ten days, subjected to the pointing fingers of thousands and the spitting of ten thousand people, and slowly tortured in the cold wind, like livestock being displayed to the public. It was truly a living hell!
They were terrified, kowtowing repeatedly, their heads hitting the cold stone slabs with a "bang, bang, bang." Their foreheads were instantly torn open, blood mixed with snot and tears covering their faces, but they were completely unaware.

The official stood below the steps, coldly observing the scene, a barely perceptible sneer playing on his lips.

He straightened his sleeves and, facing Magistrate Li, who was still panting and whose chest was heaving, clasped his hands in a fist salute once more:

"Truly worthy of being the magistrate of Qinghe County! Upright and impartial, enforcing the law with unwavering resolve! Such a judgment is in accordance with the principles of Heaven and the hearts of the people! It is a blessing for the people of Qinghe! Ximen Qing is utterly impressed!"

"Not at all! Ximen Xianmo is too kind!" Seeing that the group of troublemakers who had almost caused him a great disaster had been dealt with so badly that they were crying for their parents and running away in a panic, Magistrate Li finally felt a great deal of relief from the pent-up anger in his chest. He waved his hand lazily.

The ruthless yamen runners, without any restraint, dragged the limp Yang Shouli and the paralyzed Uncle Yang like dead dogs, shouting and driving away the wailing and screaming Yang clansmen who were like pigs and sheep waiting to be slaughtered. In a "whoosh," they were dragged out of the gloomy hall, tumbling and crawling.

With the dust settled, Magistrate Li, beaming with pride and sporting a protruding belly, strode down from the hall with an official gait.

“Master Ximen, now that this matter is settled, and since you’ve come all this way to my county office… why don’t we have a few drinks in the back room to relax?”

The official's face immediately showed deep apology, and he repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting: "I should have accompanied the county magistrate for a few drinks! But unfortunately, I am preoccupied with some matters at home and dare not linger any longer! Another day, another day!"

"I will certainly prepare wine and water at my humble abode another day and personally invite Your Excellency to my residence. I will then accompany Your Excellency to drink until we are completely drunk!"

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Li's eyes seemed to casually and quickly sweep over the beautiful and pitiful widow Meng Yulou, who was still kneeling on the cold bluestone slab, before giving Ximen the meaningful look.

"Hahaha! Good! Good! Sir, you are a busy man, making a fortune every day. I understand! I understand!" Magistrate Li laughed knowingly, stroking the few sparse yellow hairs on his chin.

"Then I won't linger any longer! Please make yourself at home, sir! Another day, another day I will certainly trouble your household for fine wine!"

Having said that, he cupped his hands in greeting to Ximen Qing again, then, with his belly protruding, he strolled leisurely into the deep back hall with a satisfied, official gait.

"Miss—!" The little maid Lanxiang watched anxiously as the county magistrate walked into the back hall. Then, like a frightened little sparrow, she rushed into the gloomy hall and clung tightly to Meng Yulou!
"Lanxiang!" Meng Yulou, like a drowning person grasping at a straw, wrapped his arms around Lanxiang's thin body like iron hoops.

"You scared me to death! Waaah..." Lanxiang sobbed, gasping for breath, her little face turning red, snot and tears streaming down her face, making it almost impossible for Meng Yulou to breathe.

Overwhelmed with grief, Meng Yulou's tears flowed like a burst dam! Her throat felt like it was blocked with burning coals, and she could only let out broken, mournful cries of "woo-woo...ho-ho..." like a wounded mother beast.

In the gloomy and empty hall, only the master and servant remained.

A draft swept through the room, creeping up the back of my neck and adding to the chilling atmosphere.

Meng Yulou and Lanxiang embraced each other, weeping bitterly. Their mournful cries were like the lament of a wounded lone goose, making one's heart tremble.

Meng Yulou's eyes were blurred with tears as she sobbed, her trembling hands reaching out towards her dark, cloud-like hair.

After fumbling around for a while, she finally pulled out the plain silver hairpin. The head of the hairpin was adorned with a considerable amount of pure gold, making it the most valuable and respectable item she owned. Then, she laboriously removed the exquisite jade bracelet from her wrist—it was the most precious dowry item she had kept hidden away in her dowry.

She held the two items tightly in her palm, then forcefully stuffed them into Lanxiang's cold little hand, holding on tightly and refusing to let go.

She lifted her tear-streaked face, forcing back sobs, her voice hoarse like a broken gong: "Lanxiang... now... now I only have these two things left to touch my skin, at least... at least they're worth some money!"

She held Lanxiang's hand tightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh, her eyes filled with reluctance and heartache:

"You...you take this and go out and find a way to make a living! The world outside is dangerous; there are kidnappers, human traffickers who eat people without spitting out the bones...everywhere you go! You're an innocent young girl, so you must...you must be careful! Find an honest and upright family to work for, and hide this money...well, don't...don't let anyone cheat you out of it! Especially not a handsome one!"

Every word felt like a dull knife cutting into her heart!

This girl is the last bit of warmth she has in this cold world!

Upon hearing this, Lanxiang shook her head vigorously! She desperately shoved the hairpin and bracelet into Meng Yulou's arms again, wailing:

"No! I won't leave! I'd rather die than leave! Wherever Miss is, Lanxiang will be! I'll follow Miss even as a ghost!"

She abruptly released Meng Yulou, scrambled to Ximen Qing's feet, and slammed her head against the bluestone floor with a loud thud! Her small forehead instantly became red and swollen, with faint traces of blood showing through!

She raised her tear-streaked face, her voice hoarse, filled with a desperate plea:
"Please, my lord, have mercy! Let me... let me come into the manor with you, young lady! I can do any kind of menial or lowly work! Washing clothes... cooking, serving tea... pouring water, making beds... folding blankets, I can do it all! I... I don't want a monthly salary! I only ask that you, my lord, give me some leftovers... just a roof over my head! Please, my lord... take me in! Waaah..."

The high-ranking official lowered his eyelids, glancing sideways at the little maid at his feet, who was crying uncontrollably, her forehead red and swollen with blood. He recalled the scene of her desperately begging him to save Meng Yulou in front of the Ximen mansion, and his heart stirred slightly.
"You're quite a loyal and righteous person. Well, these days, a devoted servant like you is a rare find. Get up and come back to the manor with me. In the Ximen manor, don't even mention not getting paid. Working for the Ximen manor, I certainly won't skimp on your food or mistreat the servants."

Lanxiang could hardly believe her ears! She suddenly raised her head, her tearful eyes gleaming with the ecstatic joy of being saved from a desperate situation, like a drowning person grabbing onto a piece of driftwood!
"Thank you, sir! Thank you for your divine grace! Thank you for giving me a second chance! I... I am willing to serve you like a cow or a horse, to repay you for all eternity!"

She kowtowed three more times before scrambling to her feet. She practically tumbled and crawled back to Meng Yulou's side, using all her strength to help her swaying, almost exhausted mistress to her feet.

Looking at Lanxiang, who had survived the ordeal, Meng Yulou then stole a glance at Ximen Qing's unfathomable face, which revealed neither joy nor anger. He felt a mix of emotions, as if a bottle of mixed flavors had been overturned.

The road ahead was uncertain, a blessing or a curse? But at least… poor Lanxiang was still by her side. She leaned weakly against Lanxiang's thin shoulder, her throat tight, and uttered a few words in a low voice: “Thank… thank you, sir…”

Ximen Qing said no more. He straightened his luxurious robe sleeves and calmly gave the order:

"Let's go."

Having said that, he flicked his robe and strode off toward the blinding sunlight outside the county government gate, leaving only the master and servant staggering behind him.

Lanxiang gritted her teeth and used all her strength to half-support and half-carry the swaying, weak-legged Meng Yulou, carefully following behind Ximen Qing's tall and burly figure, step by step.

The wild, swirling draft outside vanished instantly upon hitting this "mountain of flesh," leaving no trace and not even a hair on the ground able to get in.

The two of them huddled behind, as if hiding in the shadow of Mount Tai, but felt a warm, masculine energy enveloping them, and no longer felt the slightest bit cold.

Two magnificent carriages were already waiting outside the county government gate.

The carriages were all painted in vermilion and gilded, with emerald canopies and beaded curtains. The strong horses pulling the carriages had glossy coats and snorted loudly. Seven or eight robust servants stood solemnly beside the carriages, hands at their sides, silent as a statue, clearly in accordance with the rules of the Ximen household.

The official didn't even turn his head, but merely raised his chin slightly and ordered, "You two, get into the carriage in the back."

Then, he glanced at the quick-witted servant Dai'an beside him: "Dai'an, take these people, hire a few carriages, and go with Madam Meng. Carefully inventory all the deeds to her house and land, as well as her valuables, valuables, gold and silver utensils, and everything else, and move them all back to her residence properly without any mistakes!" Upon hearing this, Dai'an immediately put on a beaming smile and cheerfully replied, "Don't worry, Uncle! I understand! I'll make sure it's done flawlessly for you!"

With Lanxiang's help, Meng Yulou struggled to climb onto the carriage covered with thick brocade.

The wheels started moving, rolling forward.

Meng Yulou grabbed Lanxiang's hand, her icy fingers digging painfully into Lanxiang's. She leaned close to Lanxiang's ear, her voice low and trembling with lingering fear and deep worry:
"We're about to enter the Ximen mansion... That grand mansion is nothing like our humble home! We must be extremely careful in our words and actions! We must be sharp-eyed, meticulous, and tight-lipped! Don't look at what you shouldn't look at, don't listen to what you shouldn't listen to, and keep what you shouldn't say to yourself, even if it kills you!"

"One wrong step and I'll be shattered to pieces! I can barely protect myself, how... how can I protect you!"

At this point, Meng Yulou felt as if her heart was being torn apart, and tears welled up in her eyes again. She quickly removed the warm jade bracelet from her wrist, and without a word, forcefully shoved it into Lanxiang's palm, tightly gripping Lanxiang's fingers, preventing her from pushing it away and forcing her to hold on firmly, her voice filled with urgency:

"This...you must hide it well on your body! Or wrap the jade light with a red string, and whatever you do, don't let anyone see it! This is our last hope for survival! In case...in case something happens, at least we can exchange it for some money to tide us over!"

Lanxiang nodded repeatedly, tears welling in her eyes.

Shortly after.

Inside the Ximen Mansion.

Ximen Qing was reclining in the grand chair at the head of the hall, with Jin Lian'er and Li Guijie standing behind him.

Below the steps, Dai'an stood respectfully with his hands at his sides and his back bent, and replied: "Reporting to my father, I have returned to the Yang residence with Madam Meng. All the chests and belongings have been checked and inspected, and have been moved into the back storeroom and locked up. Here is the list, please take a look."

As he spoke, he presented a piece of paper with both hands.

The official didn't even lift his eyelids, and snorted, "Read it aloud!"

“Yes.” Dai’an unfolded the list, cleared his throat, and read aloud: “Item 1: Two Luohan beds with carved sandalwood inlaid with ivory railings, each paired with fine silk curtains from Suzhou and Hangzhou, and silver-inlaid gold curtain hooks, truly exquisite and magnificent…”

Below the steps, Meng Yulou knelt on the cold brick floor, her head bowed, her expression somber.

These two daybeds represent the pinnacle of her household's wealth; you couldn't find another like them in Qinghe County.

Even in the capital city under the emperor's nose, it would be a rare item! It would be worth at least a thousand taels of gleaming silver!

Dai'an continued reading: "Clothes for all four seasons, embroidered robes, filled to the brim, enough to fill four or five large trunks..."

Before the words were finished, Jinlian and Li Guijie, who were behind the official, exchanged glances and gasped. A layer of watery envy welled up in their four eyes.

Those who are used to serving others closely are most envious of the endless mountains of silk and satin that they can wear!
Especially when the gilded cabinet creaked open, the piles, stacks, and hangings inside were truly a mountain of brocade and jewels, dazzling to the eye!

It made my heart pound with greed, and I wished I could pounce on it right away and wrap all that good material around my own skin!

Although I was favored by the master and had a few decent new clothes made for me, that's just how people are!

Once they've been exposed to oil and water, they become picky eaters.

Those old, coarse linen and hemp jackets and skirts from before now look like filthy rags, scratchy and uncomfortable to wear! They're like a beggar wearing a burlap sack!

It just goes to show the old saying: Once you're used to being a god, you can't swallow coarse food anymore!
This body, pampered by those fine clothes, can hardly bear the slightest grievance.
The two exchanged envious glances, but then, remembering their past grievances, they immediately turned their faces away, snorted softly, and rolled their eyes at each other.

Dai'an also reported: "More than ten pieces of gold and silver jewelry and headdresses!"

Upon hearing this, the official asked in surprise, "Why do you have so many clothes, yet so few jewelry?"

Meng Yulou lowered her head even further, her voice barely audible: "My lord, I have many clothes, all of which belong to me... Whenever I see a new style, I want to imitate and improve it, hoping to open a clothing shop in the future to make a living, so I have accumulated some."

"As for jewelry... I usually work behind the scenes in the cloth shop and don't even wear cosmetics, so how could I have time to wear jewelry? Therefore, I don't wear much."

Ximen Qing grunted in response, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. However, the fact that this woman still addressed him as "Master" was rather jarring, indicating that she hadn't yet grasped her own status.

He had a sudden thought but didn't react immediately. He nodded his chin toward Dai'an, signaling him to continue.

Dai'an quickly finished reading the list and bowed, saying, "Uncle, these are the main items that Madam Meng brought. As for the other bottles and jars, I also asked a few experts to take a look, and they all said they were worthless and left at the Yang residence without being moved here."

"Then there's the yarn shop and Yang's Cloth Shop on Lion Street. The goods and accounts in the shop are hard to find out in a short time."

"I have left a few strong guards there to watch over the gate. Tomorrow morning, I will ask Xu Zhi and Fu the accountant to go over and thoroughly investigate the inventory, money, and accounts of the two shops before reporting back to my master for a decision."

The official grunted in acknowledgment, stroking the jade belt buckle at his waist, and said lazily, "Understood. You've done a thorough job. Now you may leave."

"Yes!" Dai'an responded loudly, then with a hunched back and quick, backward steps, he retreated nimbly.

The official slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze sweeping over Meng Yulou. He tapped his fingers on the armrest of the rosewood chair and slowly asked, "After deducting expenses, how much silver do the yarn shops and cloth stores on Lion Street actually keep each month?"

Meng Yulou remained kneeling, his voice low but clear: "Replying to Your Excellency. The yarn shop is a small business with limited profits. The monthly net profit... fluctuates around thirty taels. In good years, there may be some extra, but in bad years, the profit will be shorter. The cloth shop... the cloth shop is slightly better. After deducting the monthly net profit, it is always around eighty taels of silver, not much different."

The official nodded in agreement.

Over the course of the year, the income was more than 1,300 taels, nearly 1,500 taels!
He couldn't help but take a second look at the woman below the steps.

A widow's family managed to support such a business, earning 1,500 taels of silver a year. She was truly shrewd and resourceful!

It's a pity they were born in the wrong era.

No wonder those relatives surnamed Yang were drooling, all eyeing this piece of fat meat!

The official then asked, "Since you're so successful, you must have saved some money, right? Why don't I see any savings?"

Upon hearing this question, Meng Yulou's face darkened instantly, her head drooped even lower, almost buried in her chest, and her voice became so weak it was almost inaudible, carrying a hint of bitterness and helplessness:
"Reporting to my lord, firstly, there are matters concerning my daily household expenses, social interactions, and managing affairs with various parties!"

"Secondly, the elders of the Yang clan always... always have to show some respect during festivals, weddings, and funerals, and it's impossible to refuse!"

She paused, then continued with difficulty, "...And some time ago, because of... because of arguing with the master, I... I used all of my savings of over two thousand taels of silver accumulated over the years... and still it wasn't enough, so I... I even borrowed some money at exorbitant interest rates..."

By the end, her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with emotion.

Although the official only raised his eyebrows slightly, his heart was in turmoil. If he hadn't mobilized the high-ranking officials and nobles of Qinghe County to open the business and make a good impression, and hadn't used this as an excuse to introduce the method of "forming a group of ten people"... it would have been hard to say who would win this game!

This Meng Yulou is quite a ruthless character who dares to risk his life and fortune!

This rescue mission will surely net them at least three to five thousand taels of silver!

What's even more amazing is that this beautiful young widow had the same idea as him!
Nowadays, in Qinghe County, from woolen yarn shops to cloth shops, and then to silk shops, all the various levels of control are now firmly in our own hands.

If we just gather a few more top-notch tailors, we can turn all those silks and satins into fashionable clothes and open a large ready-made clothing store!
Selling these ready-made garments directly to the capital and other prosperous areas in the south could be a very lucrative business!

Think of this.

The official scrutinized the woman closely!

She was kneeling upright, wearing a white lotus-patterned silk jacket and a pale yellow embroidered skirt.

His buttocks pressed heavily on his heels.

Her legs were long and slender, extending straight forward from her full hips. Although she tried her best to keep them together, the insides of her knees were still pressed tightly together due to her plump thighs.

It outlined the full curves of her legs from the root to the knees, making them overflow with curves.

The flickering candlelight made the gold threads on her dress shimmer, but it also revealed the fine beads of sweat on her forehead and a few strands of hair sticking messily to her pink cheeks.

The elaborate adornment and air of wealth contrasted sharply with the humiliating kneeling posture and the voluptuousness that seemed to burst forth beneath the taut fabric—truly:

Silk robes draped over a jade mountain, kneeling to reveal her true form. Where flesh is abundant and fat thick, her disheveled state only adds to her allure!

The official took a leisurely sip of tea and said calmly, "Now that you've entered the manor as a maid, hand over those two shops outside. I'll have Xu Zhi take care of them."

Upon hearing this, Meng Yulou was struck dumb. Her snow-white neck stiffened abruptly, and her cherry lips parted slightly, as if a thousand words were stuck in her throat. In the end, they turned into a wisp of turbid air and she swallowed them back down.

(End of this chapter)