Chapter 1030
: Shopkeeper Yu Enters the Hall First
Chapter 1030: Shopkeeper Yu Enters the Hall First
Under the city of Runan,
The wind was blowing, making the flags rustle. Almost instantly, the people around, even the horses under them, dared not make the slightest sound.
The angry words of General Xuanwu Ling Yuantao made many of the generals present change their expressions slightly, especially Yang Shixiong and others, who secretly thought that it was bad.
"Oh, if you disagree with what I said, I wonder what General Xuanwu thinks."
Zhang Jinyu instantly turned his gaze towards Ling Yuantao, his cold eyes were like a sharp blade stabbing him. He was not afraid of people who spoke without brains, but was afraid that what people with brains said might not be brainless.
Perhaps it was the coldness of the voice that brought Ling Yuantao back to his senses. He turned pale with fear and fell off his horse. He then knelt on his knees and kowtowed repeatedly.
"My Lord, I just spoke nonsense. I spoke nonsense in a hurry. I hope you will forgive me."
Seeing this kneeling, Chu Minjun's pupils shrank. Luo Yunhou's power had reached such a level. It seemed that she had made the right move.
"Oh, I see. I thought that General Ling was in charge of the imperial army. Since you can't speak, don't speak anymore."
Zhang Jinyu snorted coldly, "You blind thing,
"Thank you, Lord. I will never tell you again."
He kowtowed several times again, then stood up and returned to his horse. The other generals were also sweating in their hearts, but they also felt a little strange. The Marquis has made the decision, so why are you interrupting?
Zhang Jinyu turned his gaze to the woman in front of him again and ordered;
"Since you have surrendered to me, tell the defenders in the city to take off their armor immediately and open the city gates. Yang Shixiong, you will lead 50,000 troops to station in Runan City and tell your men to behave themselves. If they break the rules, don't blame me for turning against you."
"Yes, Lord, I will obey your orders."
Yang Shixiong clasped his fists and rode away immediately to assemble his troops. Chu Minjun saw that the matter had been settled, so he took out the signal in his arms and shot it into the sky. A wisp of pink smoke floated out, and the gate of Runan City slowly opened.
The overall situation is decided!
Beijing,
Ningrong Street, in front of Rongguo Mansion,
Today's Rongguo Mansion has long since returned to its former bustle. Not to mention the number of common people coming and going, there are also many members of the Jia family who come to express their gratitude. Although they cannot bring any valuable gifts, at least they have given enough face, and when they go back, they always carry something in their hands and never return empty-handed.
this day,
Wang Xifeng had just dealt with the matter with the clan elders and asked someone to find her eldest sister-in-law to record the account books that needed to be filled in at the school. It was strange to say, before the school, everyone was honest. Although a few clan elders would often bring people to make trouble, they would just give them some money and that was it.
Now that the eldest sister-in-law has reopened the clan school, the elders in the clan have come more often. They are staring at the money in the account without knowing what is good for them. If it were her, she would not be able to treat them well.
"By the way, what's going on with my sister-in-law? I saw quite a few people from the clan going there these days. What's going on?"
"To answer grandma's question, I heard that it's still a clan matter. In the past, the clan would give out some silver as rewards during festivals, as well as silver for charcoal fires during the winter. In recent years, the Ningguo Mansion has not distributed any money, so several clan elders came to ask if they can make up for the silver that was lost in previous years."
Ping'er walked beside her and called Lai Wang to follow behind with a few guards. What happened in the yard could not be concealed. In the past few days, many people from the clan went to see the great grandmother. Some told her about money matters, some wanted to take this opportunity to find a job, and some wanted to study in the school. Fortunately, the great grandmother had set a rule that all those who studied in the school, including new students, must be over 20 years old, and the number of people in the past remained unchanged.
"What a joke! When Brother Zhen was here, everyone was very honest. Now that someone else is in charge, why do they think he's easy to bully?"
Wang Xifeng would not indulge them. No matter what happened inside or outside, if they angered her, who would benefit? It was because the eldest sister-in-law was kind-hearted that she agreed to this and that.
"That's not right, grandma. You are in charge of all the affairs of the mansion. As for the eldest grandma, it's nothing more than the school's affairs. You have given benefits to many people. Aren't those who didn't come here jealous?"
Ping'er was by her side, and everything in the mansion had to pass through her eyes. Now, she had heard a little about the people in the clan coming in and out of the East Mansion. As for the school, before the New Year, the eldest and second wives had already said that those who wanted to study should register at the mansion this morning, but many people asked, and only a few could come. Finally, they were confirmed, and after only a few days of attending, they saw that the eldest sister-in-law increased the monthly salary, and they were anxious.
"Humph, they are all fence-sitters, judging people with dog eyes. If there were no such things, there would be no such troubles. By the way, the elders of Ningguo Mansion said that they would make up for the money for the previous New Year. Is there any explanation?"
"To answer grandma, the eldest grandma didn't agree. She only agreed to give some of the money from last year and the end of the year. Except for the elders, no one else was given a penny. She said that she had taken over the Ningguo Mansion's account and would not ask about the past, but only about the future. This statement shut up those elders."
Ping'er accompanied her grandmother and sent several elders away. She also felt a little funny. After a while of making a fuss, she didn't achieve her goal.
"Humph, my sister-in-law is not one to suffer any loss. How can she bring up the past?"
Just as the master and his servants were about to enter Rongqing Hall, the gatekeeper suddenly ran over and shouted;
"Grandma, Grandma, Shopkeeper Yu is here. He said he wants to see you with good news."
This shout made Wang Xifeng pause. What was going on? Which shopkeeper's happy event was this?
"Why are you panicking? Where did the shopkeeper come from? What good news do you bring?"
"To answer grandma, I left in a hurry and didn't explain clearly. It was Yu, the shopkeeper of the Red Mansion, who said that he had discussed something with grandma and came here today to bring good news."
The doorman yawned and started to explain, only to hear Wang Xifeng yell "Ouch!" and immediately shouted anxiously;
"Quick, take the person to Rongqing Hall. Ping'er, go pick him up in person and bring him here. I'll go to the old lady first to let her know. Quick, "
Ping Er nodded in agreement as she was told anxiously. She knew that it was Master Bao who was discussing marriage. It should be that the Meng family had replied to the letter. This was good news.
"Yes, grandma, I'll go right away,"
After answering the call, he led the doorman to the front yard. Wang Xifeng did not dare to delay, and hurriedly entered the corner gate, then headed straight for the inner hall. When passing by the palace gate, several maids were chatting there. When they saw that it was the Second Mistress, they quickly shut up, stood up and saluted. But Wang Xifeng was thinking about Baoyu, so she waved her hand and went into the inner hall, leaving several maids standing there at a loss.
Fortunately, after a few steps into the hall and walking towards the curtain, I saw Sanchun, a girl, sitting next to the old lady. I don’t know what she was busy with. There was also a table on the kang with a lot of things on it.
"Ah, it's better to come at the right time than to come early. Sanchun is so nice. She serves here all day long, which saves me from worrying. Oh, Xiangyun is here too. This is just right. It's a happy occasion."
He shouted as he entered the house, and then took a quick look. It was strange to say, Miss Lin and Miss Xue, I haven't seen them for a long time, I don't know what they are busy with.
As soon as the curtain moved, the people in the room were immediately attracted. Jia's mother, dressed in a thin brocade dress and with an emerald hairpin on her head, was sitting on the kang with a big smile on her face, watching the maids showing off their needlework with a face full of praise.
When she heard the shouting, she knew that it was Feng Yatou who came, and she joked:
"Look everyone, I thought who was there, you poor bastard, why are you here again?"
Sanchun covered her mouth, and Tanchun opened her mouth happily.
"Oh, of course I'm thinking about the old lady. Maybe my second sister-in-law is still staying in the house and doesn't want to come out."
Yingchun rarely added a sentence,
"Yes, my second sister-in-law is free today,"
Xichun tilted her face and smiled as she chatted with him.
"Do you not want to come out, or do you have to come out? Where is Second Brother Lian?" Several people deliberately looked outside. At this moment, even Wang Xifeng's face flushed and she cursed angrily.
"Okay, you guys are actually making up stories about me. How come you've gotten bolder after not seeing each other for a few days? Oh, by the way, why aren't Miss Lin and Miss Xue here? They haven't gotten together in a few days."
When she heard this, even Grandmother Jia felt a little nervous.
"Yes, I haven't seen them for quite some time. I don't know what they are busy with. I remember seeing my aunt come here to talk the other day. I think she mentioned something, but I forgot about it now."
Seeing the old lady's confusion, Tanchun put down her needlework, smiled, and explained;
"Oh, old lady, you don't remember, Aunt Xue said that she wanted to divide the remaining property in the capital, and turned an attic in the south into a restaurant and let Brother Xue run it."
"Yes, yes, Tanchun still remembers it well. The Xue family opened a restaurant in the south city and let Xue Pan manage it. It just so happened that the Xue family was doing the accounting. The account books of the Marquis' Mansion were originally given to Yu'er to check. She is busy."
Grandmother Jia sighed, but there was a hint of joy in her expression. Yu'er still had to pay attention to the affairs of the Marquis' Mansion.
In the hall, Wang Xifeng was full of suspicion. How come she hadn't heard about the Xue family opening a restaurant? If she had known earlier, she would have asked Aunt Xue to take part in it and get more money every year. Unfortunately, it had been so long that it was not easy to ask for it. If Jia Yun came back from outside the Great Wall and made some money, she would be able to talk about it.
"Oh, old lady, look at what you said, Lin girl and Bao girl, now they can get involved in the business of the Marquis's Mansion, that's also a happy thing, it's better than being idle, as a wife, you have to have something to do. Oh, let's not talk about them alone, there is another thing, Manager Yu is here,"
Wang Xifeng clapped her hands, talking about gossip and almost forgetting the business. She quickly sat down beside the old lady and told her quietly, but Jia's mother's mind was still on Lin Daiyu. At first glance, she didn't hear it.
"What? Shopkeeper Yu is here?"
"Madam, the shopkeeper Yu from the Red Mansion has come to the mansion today. He said he was bringing a happy event. I asked Ping'er to bring him here directly."
Seeing the old lady's puzzled look, Wang Xifeng murmured a smile and began to explain. Then Jia's mother suddenly realized that it was Baoyu's fault. She complained with anxiety in her eyes;
"Look at you, you didn't think about the business, and now that everyone is here, you just remembered that since Manager Yu is here, does it mean that the Meng family wants to do something?"
The old lady was still a little uncertain. She hadn't found out what the Meng family meant in the past few days. She just thought that she would wait until Baoyu entered the Imperial College. Now that he could come, it should be almost certain.
"Don't worry, old lady. I've already gone to Shopkeeper Yu's place. She promised to get the match made. I think the Meng family has agreed. My eldest sister-in-law has also started moving things."
Just a reminder, we have built a separate courtyard for the imperial visit, and all the courtyards on the east side of the mansion have been demolished. Now there are many servants in the mansion, and they are all crowded in several small courtyards in the northwest. If the eldest sister-in-law moves out, and renovates the courtyards around the west side, there will be a lot of extra houses.
Unexpectedly, Grandmother Jia glared at her.
"You, there are so many unused warehouses in the northwest corner of the mansion. Clean them all up so that the servants can live there. If Baoyu gets married, he can live here with me. The courtyard to the west belongs to Zhu's daughter-in-law. Don't touch the surrounding courtyards. She likes quietness!"
"You are biased, old lady. You have never been to the backyard of Ningguo Mansion. It has changed a lot now. There is a pond and a pavilion. I want to live there for a few days.
Don't accuse me of being greedy, old lady. My eldest sister-in-law remodeled the backyard of Ningguo Mansion, and everyone who went there felt comfortable. I believed it. As for the West Garden, many people said that it was the same as the backyard of the East Mansion. Could it be that the luck and feng shui there were not good? If my eldest sister-in-law agrees, can it be changed?"
Wang Xifeng sighed. Her eldest sister-in-law was really lucky. She had everything. Could it be that there was such a thing as luck? In the West Garden, it was a mixed blessing.
When such idle talk came out, Grandmother Jia was also a little surprised. She thought about Jia Zhu, who died young due to a serious illness, leaving behind an orphan and a widow. Life had not been smooth. Later, Jia Lan entered the school. How could his fortune suddenly change?
At that time, I also thought that it was the literary spirit left by Jia Zhu that made Lang Ge'er suddenly enlightened. I also wanted Baoyu to get some of his luck, but unfortunately, in the end, he still didn't get it. It involved the luck of the mansion, and Grandmother Jia was not so sure.
"You should discuss this with Li Wan. Ask the servants to clean up the courtyards in the northwest of the mansion first. Take out the ones that are not pleasing to the eye and renovate them.
As for the Zhu family's courtyard, you can do whatever Li wants with it, whether to renovate it or tear it down and rebuild it. If she really doesn't want it, you can ask Master Song to take a look and see if it can be turned into a separate courtyard for Baoyu to get married. It's a place of literary atmosphere."
At the end, Jia's mother sighed. If there really was literary talent there, Baoyu would not have to worry. He would study hard in the Imperial College for a few years and would surely shine when he waited for the imperial examination.
Wang Xifeng knew what Grandmother Jia was thinking, but she didn't hold out hope in her heart. Even if Brother Zhu had some literary talent left, it would have been given to Jia Lan. As the saying goes, inheritance is passed down to the son, not the elder brother. Now that Brother Lan had passed the imperial examination, his literary talent would have been almost used up.
If the eldest sister-in-law really doesn't want the house, she can renovate it and leave it to Baoyu and his family, so that they can have an explanation. I still envy the eldest sister-in-law. The house behind Ningguo Mansion has been transformed into a big place.
"Don't worry, old lady. I will talk to my sister-in-law. With her personality, she will definitely agree. If the marriage is really settled, the several courtyards in the east, separated by the construction site of the provincial courtyard, will be noisy and not good. It is better to be quiet in the west. The place where Baoyu lives now is still too small, and the several maids who serve him are all squeezed into one room."
"Well, you can discuss it."
Grandmother Jia nodded. That was the truth. Just as the two of them finished talking, the door curtain fluttered, and a figure flashed behind the screen. A red figure came into view. It was Shopkeeper Yu, wearing a bright red festive silk dress, a coral hairpin on her head, and blush on her face. It was obvious that a happy event was coming.
Upon seeing this, Wang Xifeng quickly stood up and went to greet him.
"They say today is a day of great joy. It is indeed true. Everyone in the mansion is looking forward to seeing Master Yu coming to visit."
"Oh, look at what Second Grandma said. We are old friends. It's awkward to say these things to each other, sisters."
He walked a few steps quickly, and came to Jia's mother and bowed.
"Greetings to the old lady,"
"Look, you just said you wouldn't be shy, but now you are being shy, girl Feng, quickly ask Manager Yu to sit down."
Seeing the expression on Shopkeeper Yu's face, Grandmother Jia felt relieved. It seemed that the matter was settled. She just didn't know how the Meng family would discuss it.
After greeting each other, Yu Lan was not polite and sat next to the old lady. Wang Xifeng sat down in a different place. Both women had happy expressions on their faces. Then, the maidservant brought the teacup again. Jia Mu reached out and shook Yu Manager's hand and asked;
"You are very capable, and you have given me some peace of mind. It seems that the Meng family has agreed. I wonder what the rules of the Meng family are."
Grandmother Jia asked about the details, including the rules, how Baoyu would get engaged, and the wedding date. Hearing these words, Yu Lan smiled, said nothing, took out a letter from her bosom, and then put it on the table, smiling;
"Old Madam, look at what you said. I have kept your instructions in mind. Today I went to the Meng Mansion to ask about this matter. The Master and Madam of the Meng Family have been waiting for the letter. My visit is just a natural outcome. Please take a look at this, Old Madam."
Pushing the letter forward, Jia's mother was still a little confused. She took the letter, opened it and took a look. She saw Baoyu's name, and then read it carefully. She was suddenly shocked. This was a marriage certificate.
"Manager Yu, what is this?"
"Don't be surprised, old lady. Baoyu's birth date was given by Second Madam. I thought that if I go to the Meng family today and they agree, I will sign the marriage certificate immediately. If they don't agree, I can also bring back the reason for rejection.
You know, now in the capital, when discussing marriages, those who agree to it will first sign a marriage certificate. It is said that it started from Luo Yunhou, and then spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, and somehow it reached the Red Mansion. Once the two families have agreed on the matter, the marriage certificate is signed in the Red Mansion. How can this marriage be avoided?"
After rambling for a while, Yu Lan felt a little helpless. The capital had never seen a bride kidnapping, but Luo Yunhou had entered the capital and made a few big fuss with the marriage certificate. So now, all the marriage negotiations and engagements of various families were combined together.
"Oh, that's a good thing!"
(End of this chapter)