Chapter 140 The Shi family, the Duke of Shan, betrayed the Rongguo Mansion, leaving the Rongguo Mansion innocently implicated...

The two months of the Lunar New Year are the busiest time of the year in Beijing. Starting from the Kitchen God worship on the eve of the Lunar New Year, and continuing until the Lantern Festival, the street outside Zhengyangmen never stops, day and night. No matter when you go out, there are always crowds of people, all kinds of hawking cries, and all kinds of snacks, some fragrant and some strange.

To join in the fun, Mu Chuan's family also moved back to the Zhongyong Marquis's Mansion at Donghua Gate, which was convenient and quick, just a few steps away.

Lin Daiyu encountered the daughters of the Marquis of Dingnan and the Earl of Ningyi on this street, and even met Grand Secretary Li twice. However, the most exaggerated encounter was with the two daughters of the Empress's family, whom she met a total of five times.

"They really know how to shop!" Lin Daiyu asked Mu Chuan with a smile. "Third Brother, shall we go shopping together tonight?"

Mu Chuan held a travelogue in his hand, his gaze fixed straight ahead, looking as proper as a gentleman. However, since the lady had spoken, he put down the book and glanced at Lin Daiyu again: "Now you remember me?"

Lin Daiyu pulled her wide sleeves over her face, revealing only her two bright eyes, which she blinked repeatedly at Mu Chuan.

"Third Brother, they say they want to eat their way through the entire street outside Zhengyang Gate. How can I lose to them? Third Brother, if you come with me, we can eat our way through the whole street in one night."

"So you think I'm a good-for-nothing?"

Lin Daiyu chuckled: "I have to take a bite, no matter what."

"Hehe." But after he finished laughing, Mu Chuan got up and went out to practice two sets of boxing. "That's enough. I can eat double tonight."

Although Lin Daiyu was quite happy, she could now do everything that she couldn't do in the Jia family before, and she was also becoming more and more familiar with the rules of the Rongguo Mansion, some of which she had made up herself to make it easier to control her, there were still people who sighed every day that she was not doing well.

Lady Wang advised Grandmother Jia, "Why don't we bring Lin back to stay for a couple of days? I even sent someone to inquire about the customs in that village. New brides aren't allowed to eat at the table. With her frail body, she cries three times just from hearing gossip. How can she bear it?"

Of course, if Lin Daiyu heard this, she would definitely agree. Just like today, she got up in the morning and it was almost noon. She ate her first meal in bed, at least sitting up. Her second meal was eaten standing up on the snack street outside Zhengyang Gate. She didn't actually sit down for a single meal.

Grandmother Jia sighed, "How could I not want to? But how long can we protect her? You are all so useless. What good will it do to bring her back? She'll only suffer more if she goes back."

After the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had put on their act, they felt much better. Madam Wang even forgot why she had suggested bringing Lin back in the first place, but the activity continued.

During the New Year holidays, Jia Zheng desperately wanted Jia Baoyu to "train hard in the coldest days of winter" despite his illness, hoping to strengthen his willpower. However, Grandmother Jia had already said that they should have a lively celebration, and Lady Wang had mentioned that she wanted to arrange for him to inherit the title. This inevitably distracted Jia Zheng, so Jia Baoyu avoided the miserable experience of studying while others celebrated the New Year.

But hearing people say every day that Lin Daiyu was having a hard time, he couldn't bear it anymore. The thought of Lin Daiyu spending her days in tears made him wish he could rush over and suffer in her place—

When the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor was not present.

"Why don't we bring Second Sister and Xiangyun back too? We can drink and watch operas like before," Jia Baoyu suggested again.

Grandmother Jia felt as if her heart had been squeezed hard. She glared at Madam Wang with a gloomy face. He was as simple-minded as a fool and didn't understand how to deal with people at all. Who taught him to do that?

After Shi Xiangyun left, there was no further news of her. She never received any New Year's gifts during festivals, and the Shi family almost completely severed ties with the Jia family.

Yingchun was a little better; she even came back once, although she left again as soon as she got off the bus, but she still brought back gifts for the holidays.

Compared to this, Lin Daiyu is not the most despicable.

Jia Baoyu was a little upset. He probably understood that he had said something wrong, but no one was there to teach him. Jia Zheng forced him to study all day long, and there was no other communication between them. Lady Wang only cared about his health, and that was all.

Jia Baoyu could tell that the four maids and servants serving him outside were just fooling him, and Mingyan was no exception.

But he had no other choice. "The old lady is here anyway," Jia Baoyu comforted himself softly. He unconsciously walked to the back gate of the Jia family mansion, which was now just across a wide street. To the north was the original Grand View Garden.

The name has been changed, and the main gate has been renovated; it's even more impressive than before.

He missed the plum blossoms of Longcui Nunnery, the bamboo of Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and the winding paths leading to secluded spots where phoenixes would come to visit.

Jia Baoyu seemed to see the scene of Yuan Chun's visit to her family again: lively and bustling. Lin Daiyu no longer confronted Baochai, and Baochai no longer lectured Lin Daiyu. The two were kind and friendly, and both were doing what was best for him.

"We used to be so happy... Why can't we stay like this forever?"

"Master Bao! The master is looking for you."

The maid's voice came from afar, and Jia Baoyu was startled. He dared not continue to grieve: "I'm coming right now!"

On his way back, Jia Baoyu went inside to pay his respects. Jia Zheng handed him a book: "The Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars. You have some talent in poetry, so write twenty-four poems on the theme of the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars. Take your time and do them well, but don't delay. Give them to me after the fifteenth."

Jia Baoyu looked rather miserable, but Jia Zheng had seen this expression many times before and didn't care. Since he wanted him to inherit the title, either he had to achieve something in the imperial examinations or he could only follow the path of filial piety.

If we get him to write a poem and then help spread it, we can at least earn some good reputation.

While Jia Zheng was plotting to obtain a title for the Rongguo Mansion, Jia She was staring blankly at the resignation memorial in front of him.

He had been observing carefully these past few days, and the second wife's demeanor and words were indeed different. Even Grandmother Jia treated him better than usual. He deliberately spilled some wine on himself to pay his respects, but Grandmother Jia not only did not scold him, but also advised him that he was getting old and should drink less wine. As her mother, she felt uncomfortable seeing this.

The second wife did indeed want her own title.

After writing his resignation, Jia She hesitated, for without his title, he would have nothing left.

Even though the second wife was in a worse situation than him, he wasn't much better off.

“…Wait a little longer.” Jia She put away his resignation letter again. Rather than giving the second branch of the family another chance, he wanted to wait until the very last moment.

Knowing he wouldn't be able to enjoy himself for more than a few days anyway, Jia She became increasingly unrestrained and indulgent.

On the morning of the tenth day, two young women that Wang Xifeng had bought entered the mansion.

She asked Ping'er to invite Jia Lian over, but to her surprise, not only Jia Lian came, but also You Erjie.

Not only did she arrive, but she was also somewhat disheveled, only fastening the top two buttons as she entered: "Greetings to Second Madam."

Wang Xifeng sneered. Everything she was doing was to escape this awful place, yet someone was still determined to jump in. Wang Xifeng said bluntly, "These are two concubines prepared for the Second Master."

Jia Lian thought Wang Xifeng had given in, but he still had to keep up the act. However, before he could say anything with a straight face, Wang Xifeng said again, "I know that Second Master likes children who have been used by others, but if you're going to have a child, it has to be clean. Don't raise a child for someone else."

Jia Lian's expression changed, and You Erjie leaned against him, sobbing, "Second Master."

Jia Lian was about to speak, but Wang Xifeng, who had been his wife for many years, knew exactly what he was going to do the moment he lifted his buttocks. So she cut him off: "I still don't understand, since it's Second Master's child, why did you keep it from him?"

Even though Sister You explained several times that she was afraid of Wang Xifeng taking action, it is also true that she kept it from Jia Lian as well. This explanation is not only a bit weak, but if you think about it carefully, doesn't it prove that she thinks that the Second Master can't compete with the Second Mistress?

Even if it were true, Jia Lian couldn't tolerate it. Instead, it suggested that You Erjie's usual tenderness and affection were somewhat feigned.

Wang Xifeng watched the two of them change their expressions, seemingly wanting to speak but unsure what to say, and thought it was quite amusing. They really thought they could fight her like this?

"Alright, let the two of them stay in the side rooms. There's no need to pick an auspicious day. Ping'er, go get some hot water and tidy up your second master properly."

In winter, it's nice to have someone to take care of you and take a hot bath; a hot spring would be even more comfortable.

Lin Daiyu ate her way through the entire street, and with Mu Chuan's help, she won the bet against the Song sisters. Satisfied, she looked at the little chain she had won and asked Mu Chuan, "Shall we go soak in the hot springs?"

Seeing that Mu Chuan's expression was a little subtle, she quickly added, "No mountain climbing this time! And no swimming lessons either!"

Mu Chuan laughed heartily, and Lin Daiyu blushed: "Third Brother is so annoying!"

However, before the plan could be finalized, Mu Chuan was urgently summoned to the palace by the emperor.

In the imperial study, there was only the emperor and someone kneeling on the ground—someone Mu Chuan didn't recognize.

"The Duke of Shan Guo, Shi family, Shi Guangzhu," the emperor said coldly. "Tell the Marquis of Zhongyong again."

Although the Four Kings and Eight Dukes had fallen on hard times and the Shi family had no capable people, Shi Guangzhu was still the eldest grandson who would inherit the title in the future. He was almost forty years old and had never knelt for so long before. His bones ached, but he dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction.

“The Prince of Beijing, together with the Prince of Nan’an, sent messages to the kingdoms of the Western Sea, asking them to attack our Great Wei so that the Prince of Nan’an could be ordered to suppress the bandits and be promoted.”

Mu Chuan looked incredulous; no one would believe such a thing.

The Prince of Beijing is a member of the royal family, and the Prince of Nan'an is also a nobleman of the Great Wei. Are they crazy?

Shi Guangzhu continued: "...They said that His Majesty has stockpiled a large amount of grain and fodder. Rather than letting outsiders benefit, it would be better to let them use it. With strong troops and ample supplies, this is a merit that can be firmly held in our hands."

Mu Chuan found it absurd, so absurd that he didn't know how to refute it. After a long while, he finally said, "The grain and fodder are stockpiled in the capital. The area along the West Sea coast is at least three thousand li away from the capital. No one fights like this. Along the way, people and horses would eat and graze, and there would be losses. It would be a lot if even 20% could be transported there. The same goes for the troops. To ensure combat capability, the marching distance cannot exceed forty li per day. Three thousand li would take three months just to march there."

Even Zhao Kuo wouldn't have done something like that.

This was truly a brilliant idea that came to mind on a whim: "You said he contacted the descendants of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, didn't anyone know that?"

Shi Guangzhu thought to himself that he now understood.

The emperor sneered twice: "A bunch of good-for-nothings. The Great Wei Dynasty is only wasting food by keeping them around!"

Shi Guangzhu kowtowed repeatedly: "Prince Bei Jing came to my residence during the New Year's opera performance, asking me to wait for news so that he could remonstrate with Prince Nan'an to lead troops. I initially thought he was drunk, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized something was wrong. This is a heinous crime! So I went to Duke Qi to inquire about the situation. Your Majesty! I am utterly loyal to the Great Wei and have absolutely no intention of rebelling!"

Of course, he deliberately waited a little longer. According to what the Prince of Beijing said, the first batch of people sent out should be almost at the Western Sea by now. However, they need to find people to contact and persuade them to send troops. They still need to assemble there, so it will take at least half a month.

We have to get them to do something, otherwise, if they stop people on the road, his contribution won't be as significant.

"How dare they!" the emperor roared.

Shi Guangzhu then added fuel to the fire: "Prince Bei Jing is renowned for his virtue in the capital. Everyone praises his humble nature and respect for scholars. Prince Nan'an's ancestors were skilled in naval warfare..."

Shi Guangzhu looked up and glanced around, only able to see Mu Chuan's belt. He had entered the palace to report the incident, and the emperor had sent eunuchs out on business, but the first one summoned was the Marquis of Zhongyong, which showed that the emperor trusted him.

Shi Guangzhu then said, "The Prince of Beijing is jealous of the Marquis of Zhongyong's great achievements and says that the Marquis of Zhongyong's success was just a coincidence. The Prince of Nan'an says that his family has a long history of learning and that he is no less capable than the Marquis of Zhongyong in battle."

Before Mu Chuan could react, the emperor was already furious: "One of them needs two people to help him mount his horse, and the other is a woman whose belly looks like she's about to give birth. How dare they do that!"

As the emperor spoke, he personally took out the "Treasure for Punishing Crimes and Pacifying the People" from the cabinet: "Qiao Yue, take men to seal off the homes of the four kings and eight dukes!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the emperor handed the imperial seal to Mu Chuan: "Print this on the seal, and let's see who dares to plead for mercy!"

Shi Guangzhu was nearly scared to death. The Seal of Punishment and Pacification was one of the Emperor's twenty-four imperial seals, used for occasions such as military campaigns. Although it wasn't as valuable as the "Emperor's Seal of Heaven," it was still an imperial seal. And they were just giving it away like that?

Is Your Majesty truly not afraid at all that he might falsely convey an imperial edict?

Shi Guangzhu was so frightened that he forgot to mention that the Rongguo Mansion had not been involved.

However, upon reflection, Shi Guangzhu felt no remorse. He wasn't the mastermind; how would he know who was involved or not? Besides, what the Prince of Bei Jing initially referred to was indeed "our descendants of the four kings and eight dukes."

Anyway, once His Majesty investigates, if the Rongguo Mansion is truly wronged, there will naturally be an explanation.

Thinking this through, Shi Guangzhu obediently knelt down again. However, the emperor was annoyed by him and immediately summoned a eunuch: "Take him to the Northern Garrison Command and have the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard interrogate him together."