The Red Mansions

Chapter 1725: The old dynasty has gone, and the new dynasty has just been established. How can there be no one to sacrifice their lives? (Please vote for the monthly pass at the end of the month!)

Shandong, Linyi, Yang's House——

But beside the rippling pond, a white-haired old man was sitting on a rattan chair, holding a book in his hands and reading intently.

This person was none other than Yang Guochang, the chief minister of the cabinet at that time. After returning home, he enjoyed playing with his grandchildren and lived to be nearly eighty years old.

However, when he was at home on weekdays, he heard about some changes in the court and found that the chief minister of the cabinet, Yang Guochang, had already started to curse Jia Heng.

At this moment, an old servant came running up and said, "Master, the news from the capital has arrived."

The old man raised his goose-skinned hands, put down the book in his hand, and asked in a hoarse voice, "What news has been spread from the capital?"

These days, news about changes in the court situation in the capital has been passed on to local prefectures and counties.

The old servant reported, "Master, the county's notice said that the King of Wei has ascended the throne."

Yang Guochang dropped a thin book in his hand. Upon hearing this, he cursed, "This traitor!"

Over the years, Yang Guochang had always regretted that he had not reminded Emperor Chongping to be wary of Jia Heng, only for his words to unfortunately come true.

"Father." Yang Guochang's eldest son, Yang Sihong, quickly stepped forward and asked, "Why are you so shocked and angry?"

Yang Guochang said indignantly: "The thief Jia usurped the throne, but no one in the world rose up in anger for the late emperor. How ungrateful are the people in the world?"

"Father, Prince Wei has been working hard for many years in the court and the country, and his followers are spread all over China and abroad. Prince Wei has used his strange skills and tricks to deceive the world, and those ignorant people in the world are grateful to Prince Wei because of the benefits of his new policies. Now that the people's hearts have returned to Xia, it will be difficult to change them." Yang Sihong sighed and said helplessly.

Yang Guochang sighed and said with emotion: "How ungrateful are the people in the world?"

Then, he waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "Help me to the study. I want to write a memorial for the late emperor and Chen Han."

"Father, didn't you just write an article before?" Yang Sihong said.

As an old minister of Emperor Chongping when he was in his private residence, Yang Guochang wrote many elegies to mourn the death of Emperor Chongping after his death.

Yang Guochang said: "Yes, then write another one."

With the help of his son Yang Sihong, Yang Guochang entered the study and sat down on a chair with a pear-shaped backrest. He waved to his son and said, "Let me stay by myself for a while."

Yang Guochang stared straight ahead, muttering, "The old dynasty has gone, and the new dynasty has just been established. How can there not be people who will die for their loyalty?"

At this moment, Yang Guochang was holding a thick-bristled brush and writing on the book the poem "Linjiangxian" written by Jia Heng fifteen years ago.

The Yangtze River rolls along as it flows eastwards, its waves wash away all heroes, success or failure is all in vain, the mountains remain, the sunsets are red several times... So many things from ancient times to the present are now just a joke.

Yang Sihong was sitting in the outer room at this moment. He had a bad feeling in his heart. While speaking, he turned and walked towards the study.

After a long time, an old housekeeper came out and looked at Yang Sihong with tears in his eyes. He said softly with a hint of tears in his voice, "Master, the master is gone."

In the eighth year of Qiande, Yang Guochang died for Emperor Chongping. After hearing the news, the local officials in Linyi were shocked and reported it to the capital. According to historical records, the emperor remained silent for a long time after hearing the news.

……

……

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall——

The eunuch slowly put away the apricot-yellow scroll of imperial edict in his hand, and said with a smile on his fair face, "Madam Rongguo, the relevant seals and the imperial edict lady's makeup will be delivered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the next few days."

"Thank you very much for your grace, Your Majesty." Grandmother Jia thanked him softly and pulled Baoyu, who was kneeling there in a daze, to signal Baoyu to express his gratitude.

Baoyu's face, which looked like the full moon on Mid-Autumn Festival, gradually lost its youthfulness, and there was a hint of elegance between his eyebrows and eyes. Or, in other words, he became more and more like Jia Zheng's dull air.

Fifteen years have passed, and Baoyu is now almost thirty. He has been treating his wife with respect over the years. He also has a son, named Jia Gui, who is now three or four years old.

The absurdities of his youth sometimes made Baoyu burst into tears and sometimes made him sigh with regret when he woke up in his dreams at midnight.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Baoyu calmed himself down and thanked him, but a thought flashed through his mind, he didn't know what happened to Sister Lin.

At this moment, there was an indescribable joy on the faces of Lady Jia and Mrs. Wang.

The eunuch had an eager smile on his fair face and said loudly, "Madam Rongguo, I won't stay any longer. I have to go to the palace to report."

This young eunuch did not dare to be arrogant in front of the nobles in Rongguo Mansion. Except for reading the imperial edict, his expression was serious. After that, he had a smile on his face almost the whole time.

Grandmother Jia had an extremely prosperous smile on her face and said, "Take care, eunuch. Mrs. Lin Zhixiao, please see him off for me."

Then, she said to the maid beside her: "Amber, take the imperial edict to the ancestral hall. Tomorrow, we will offer sacrifices to the ancestors."

Well, as for Yuanyang, because she was conferred the title of palace concubine, she has been brought into the palace, and now it is Amber who accompanies Lady Jia more often.

Mrs. Wang muttered in a low voice, "I didn't expect that he was only given a first-class general title."

He had originally expected to be granted the title of marquis or earl, as both of his daughters had married that man.

Grandmother Jia, however, had a stern face and said, "Honorary titles should not be granted indiscriminately. Otherwise, what will those generals who fight on the battlefield think?"

Mrs. Wang's fair face had turned pale as paper. She said, "Brother Heng said before..."

Grandmother Jia slammed the ground with her cane and shouted, "What Heng'er? That's His Majesty! Don't talk nonsense!"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang shrank her neck in dismay. On the other hand, after being scolded by Lady Jia, she nodded and did not say anything else.

Grandmother Jia frowned and reprimanded him, saying, "Brother Heng is now the emperor. You should be more respectful when addressing him. Don't take advantage of your status as the eldest maid and look down on others. This will only bring disaster to the family."

Mrs. Wang hummed softly, not daring to say a word in rebuttal, or rather, a daughter-in-law naturally lowers her head in front of her mother-in-law.

Grandmother Jia said, "I am old too, and I don't know how many years I have left to live. From now on, you... take care of yourself at home."

When Mrs. Wang heard this, she suddenly felt panic in her heart.

Although Lady Jia is old, to some extent, having an old person in the family is like a treasure, so Mrs. Wang is more at ease about it.

However, she remembered that her eldest daughter had been conferred the title of Imperial Concubine in the palace, and that Heng had given birth to a prince, so she and Baoyu had someone to rely on.

Grand View Garden, Daoxiang Village

Ever since all the beauties in the Grand View Garden entered the palace, the garden has become increasingly deserted. Only Li Wan is left in the Grand View Garden, and now she is taking care of her two children.

The son Jia Fan and the daughter Jia Kui are already several years old. The two little ones are as pretty as jade and are reading and practicing calligraphy together.

Li Wan was sewing with needle and thread in her hands, looking at her two children from time to time, with a surge of imagination in her heart.

Your Majesty will probably treat these two children well in the future.

At this moment, Sister Feng came in quickly from the outside, with an eager smile on her gorgeous oval face, and said softly, "Sister Zhu, I'm busy right now."

Because neither Feng Wan nor anyone else had been granted the title of concubine, they felt a sense of sympathy for each other at the moment. Now that the daughters and daughters of the Grand View Garden and the East Palace had all entered the palace, the two of them usually got together to talk.

They are all mature women in their early thirties, and they were sisters-in-law in the past. Now they both have a pair of twins, so they naturally have more topics to talk about.

Li Wan rolled her eyes at Sister Feng and whispered, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Now she can no longer remember what her late husband looked like.

"Now that they have all entered the palace, you and I are the only ones left who are not loved by our grandmothers and uncles." Sister Feng said jokingly with a smile.

Talking about this, Sister Feng still felt a little resentful.

Fengjie's personality was originally one of vanity and ostentation. She followed him for so many years without any status, but in the end she didn't even have a status.

Li Wan asked with a smile, "Didn't Granny Liu come today? Why aren't you staying with the old lady in Rongqing Hall?"

Fengjie sat down next to Li Wan and said with a smile, "I was just saying that the old lady is chatting with Granny Liu and she brought her grandson Ban'er with her."

Li Wan nodded and asked, "Grandma, you are not young anymore, are you?"

"He's almost eighty." Fengjie picked up the teacup on the small table beside her and said in a low voice.

Li Wan nodded and said, "In the blink of an eye, fifteen years have passed."

Sister Feng smiled and said softly, "Yes, you and I are getting old and ugly too."

No wonder that bastard didn't take her into the palace.

At this time, the maid Caiming came into the hall from the outside and said, "Grandma, Sister You from the East Mansion is here."

Sister Feng laughed and said, "We have all the widows from the East and West Courts gathered together."

Hearing this, Li Wan laughed and scolded, "What are you talking about, little bitch?"

Since Qin Keqing moved out of Ningguo Mansion, Youshi took over the affairs of Ningguo Mansion. As for the title of Ningguo Mansion, Jia Heng did not propose it, and it was probably given to Youshi's son.

Yu Shi laughed and said, "What are you guys talking about? It's so noisy."

Sister Feng smiled and said softly, "We are just chatting together. It's nothing. Sister You, how is the situation in the East Palace?"

Yu said, "It's so quiet, there's not even anyone to talk to."

Sister Feng said, "This house is becoming increasingly deserted nowadays. Where is your child?"

Yu said softly, "Now let the teacher help me learn to read."

When talking about her own children, Youshi's warm and gentle face showed more smiles.

Sister Feng smiled and whispered, "It's the same with my child."

Then, the three women mentioned their children and talked about parenting, and bursts of laughter suddenly rang out in the side rooms of Daoxiang Village.

……

……

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace——

Qin Keqing was wearing a dress embroidered with hibiscus flowers. Her dark black hair was adorned with pearls and jade, her temples were pink and disheveled, her face was beautiful, and her demeanor was graceful and elegant.

At this moment, the beauty sat in the middle and asked, "The New Year is coming soon. What are the people in the palace saying?"

As the Empress of the Central Palace, Qin Keqing was in charge of all palace affairs and also had to coordinate the overall situation.

You Erjie was flipping through a thin account book in her hand. She looked at Qin Keqing and said, "The palace account books for the past few months are all here."

Perhaps because she had been pampered for a long time, Qin Keqing seemed to have some nobility in her words. She said softly, "Bring it here and let me see it."

On the other side, Third Sister You was also managing her own affairs. Not far away, one could see a group of brightly dressed female officials and maids coming and going, serving respectfully.

It can be said that this is also the situation of other concubines, each of whom is in charge of a matter in the harem.

Third Sister You laughed at herself and said, "It seems that there is no difference between being in the palace and being in Ningguo Mansion."

Qin Keqing's snow-white face blushed on both sides. She pursed her pink lips and said softly, "Yes, family, country and the world. That couplet that my husband hung in his study back then: family affairs, national affairs and world affairs, he cares about everything. The sound of wind, rain and reading is pleasant to the ear."

You Erjie's gorgeous face seemed to show memories of the past, and she said with emotion: "This couplet was the motto that was hung in your majesty's study. Now, in the blink of an eye, more than ten years have passed."

I remember that if it weren't for the third sister's keen eye and pestering Your Majesty, I'm afraid she would have married Zhang Hua now. How could she have such a successful life?
Not only You Erjie had such feelings, but others felt the same way.

At this moment, Jia Heng's eldest princess Jia Fu came in from the outer room with Jia Mo. Her fair face was covered with a smile. She said, "Mother, what are you doing?"

Qin Keqing raised her eyebrows, her beautiful eyes sparkling like water, and said angrily, "You are so old, but you are still crazy. How can I find a good husband for you if I wait another two years?"

Jia Fu was born in the 16th year of Chongping. She is 12 years old now and has grown into a graceful young lady.

When Jia Fu heard this, her snow-white face turned red with shame, and she said angrily, "Mother, what nonsense are you talking about? Who... who is getting married?"

At the end, there was a hint of shyness in the beauty's voice.

Qin Keqing no longer had the bearing of an empress, but more like a mother blaming her own daughter, saying, "Look at Momo, how quiet she is. And look at you, you are so unruly all day long."

Jia Mo approached Qin Keqing and bowed, saying, "Your son greets the queen mother and the ladies."

"Good boy." You Erjie took a washed apple and handed it over.

Qin Keqing nodded and said, "Momo, is your mother okay now?"

Jia Mo said: "My mother is doing well in the palace."

Qin Keqing nodded and said softly, "Your mother likes quietness. There are so many things going on in the palace. I don't know if she can get used to living in the palace."

Third Sister You smiled and said, "With Xiuyan and the others accompanying us, it shouldn't be boring. Besides, there aren't many noisy things in the palace over there, so it's suitable for both quiet and active occasions."

If you like quietness, does that mean you have to send the person to the cold palace?

Well, it’s no wonder that Third Sister You had wild thoughts, because as soon as she arrived at the palace, she felt that everyone was talking with hidden meanings.

……

……

On the other side, Xiren came out of the Crimson Pearl Palace where Daiyu lived and came to the side hall where she lived, which was a side hall not far from the Crimson Pearl Palace where Daiyu lived.

"Your servant greets Her Majesty. May Her Majesty live a thousand years." At this moment, several female officials around called out softly.

When Xiren saw this scene, her face, which was full of shrewdness, became a little dazed.

Back then, she thought it was good enough to be the main wife, but now she has risen to the top and entered the palace as a concubine.

Even her brother became a royal relative. As the ancients said, if one person succeeds, the whole family will benefit. Today she has realized it.

At this moment, Xiren sat down on a soft couch covered with a cotton mattress, and a charming blush seemed to appear on her fair and shrewd face.

It’s a pity that her pregnancy has not been going well in the past two years and she has not given birth to a child yet.

In the past two years, only when Miss Lin was unwell or out of favor, did she and Zijuan have the opportunity to receive the grace.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Qing and Concubine Ping asked you to come over." At this moment, a tall and dignified female official came quickly and said softly.

Because they all stayed in Lady Jia's courtyard in the past, Qingwen had a close relationship with the three maids. After entering the harem, all the golden hairpins in the Jia family were gathered together according to their original degree of closeness. Qingwen could not play with other maids such as Baoqin, Shishu and Ruhua, so she turned to play with Xiren and Yuanyang.

Xiren reached out and gently supported Yijiao's forehead. Her beautiful eyes were as soft as water and she said, "Wait a minute, just say that I'm a little tired. Let's leave it for another day."

Upon hearing this, the female official responded softly, turned around and left without saying anything else.

On the other side, Princess Xianning was staying with Li Chanyue. Her snow-white face showed a look of joy. She grabbed Li Chanyue's delicate hands and asked, "Chanyue, your stomach is moving again."

Li Chanyue's snow-white face seemed to show a trace of happiness and longing. She gently stroked her bulging belly and said, "I hope this baby is a son."

Song Yan said softly: "Don't worry, Chanyue, it's definitely true."

At this moment, a female official from the outer room quickly entered the hall and said, "The Queen Mother has set up a banquet and invites the Queen to have lunch."

The so-called empress dowager is Empress Song, who now lives in Changle Palace.

As for the Grand Empress Dowager Feng, she is now living in luxury in Chonghua Palace, worshipping Buddha and not caring about worldly affairs.

Princess Xianning said, "Chanyue, Yan'er, let's go first."

Li Chanyue and Song Yan hummed softly, and then a group of female officials surrounded the three of them and walked towards Changle Palace.

Palace Garden, Changle Palace
Although Queen Song is in her forties, she has taken good care of herself and her fair and flawless face is still as white as before.

This also made Queen Song quite pleased, because Jia Heng still came to favor her from time to time.

At this moment, she was greeting a group of female officials, preparing various dishes, and waiting for Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue to come.

"Empress Dowager, the Queen is here." As she spoke, Princess Xianning, Li Chanyue and Song Yan came over.

The three of them approached and bowed to Queen Song, saying, "Mother, long time no see."

Queen Song smiled warmly and said softly, "I just asked you to come over for dinner, and now you are finally here."

As she grew older, Queen Song became more and more fond of lively atmospheres.

As for his son, he has gone to study at the Hongwenguan, which teaches princes. As for his daughter Qianqian, she has recently been pestering her "brother-in-law" Jia Heng, constantly asking about her life experience.

Princess Xianning nodded, and sat down with Li Chanyue and Song Yan without saying anything else. At this moment, the female official came forward and poured hot tea for them.

Queen Song smiled and joked, "Chanyue is pregnant again."

Li Chanyue lowered her long black hair and her snow-white face flushed redly. She whispered, "The Imperial Hospital has diagnosed that the baby is already two months old."

Queen Song nodded, her crystal clear eyes showing a hint of kindness, and said, "Then you should take care of yourself during this period of time."

Princess Xianning's voice was a little softer at this moment. Her beautiful eyes were as soft as water under her willow-shaped eyebrows. She whispered, "Mother, have you seen mother these days?"

"Your mother is now in the harem, and she is becoming increasingly haggard. You should visit her more often." Queen Song advised.

Princess Xianning hummed softly, and a thick layer of haze covered her heart.

Queen Song smiled slightly and said softly, "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Now that everyone is here, let's eat first."

Princess Xianning, Li Chanyue and Song Yan all said "hmm" softly, then sat down at the round wooden table again and started to eat.

If nothing unexpected happens, the next chapter should be the finale.