Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 404: Under One Person, Above Ten Thousand People
Xue Pan, who was so arrogant one second ago, screamed the next second, "Hey, mother, why are you pinching me?"

Aunt Xue glared, retracted her hand that had pinched Xue Pan's arm, and said angrily: "You have become more capable again, pretending to be fat in front of your mother and sister. Go to the Jia family and make a scene. Let's see if you have the ability to do it!"

Xue Pan smiled awkwardly, glanced at Xue Baochai, and said, "I don't have much ability, but my sister does. Besides, those rotten garlics in the Jia family are not as good as me, and are far worse than my sister."

"If mother wants to marry my sister to him, I will be the first one to disagree."

Xue Baochai frowned, feeling unhappy, "Is it true that there is no good news when they call me here to meet you? The Second Madam has set her sights on me."

When she went to see her mother again, Xue Baochai's face couldn't help but become a little gloomy.

"Hasn't mother changed her mind? From Cangzhou to now, the changes are truly tremendous."

Seeing Xue Baochai's expression change, Aunt Xue immediately coaxed her in a friendly manner: "Bao girl, don't think too much. Mother is not unreasonable."

"You are different now. The Xue family still relies on you. How can they bear to let you marry into another family?"

"You also know that your brother is a good-for-nothing. How will mother survive without you in this family?"

In the old days, although her mother would ask for her opinion on matters big and small, Xue Baochai's suggestions were often not adopted.

Nowadays, my mother's attitude towards me seems to be that she is afraid of offending me. Every time I say something, I have to look at her face.

Xue Baochai clearly understood where this change in treatment came from.

Just as Aunt Xue said, the Xue family cannot do without Xue Baochai now. This is the confidence that Yue Ling gives her. Even though she is a girl, she is already the de facto person in charge of the Xue family.

Even if Aunt Xue really couldn't change her mind and wanted to make the marriage happen, the old shopkeepers under the Feng family would definitely form a group to rebel.

At the moment, Xue Baochai was calm and not influenced by her mother and brother, nor did she reason with them. Instead, she analyzed the current situation and said, "According to what mother said just now, my aunt came to ask about my marriage, and the Jia family sent someone to ask about the Xia family's marriage. This is not reasonable at all."

"Marriage is not something that can be bought at a price, so how can it be promised to two families at the same time?"

Xue Pan slapped his forehead and said, "Yes, this is a bit strange. Could it be that one marriage is to the first wife and the other is to the second wife?"

Xue Baochai shook her head and said, "I don't know how long it has been since mother and brother last visited Rongguo Mansion, but I just went there yesterday."

"The Jia family appears to be peaceful on the surface, but in reality, the first and second wives are in chaos. Why would they both seek to marry into a merchant family? In my opinion, there must be a gap in the Jia family's accounts, and they need a wealthy merchant to fill it."

"So, mother, don't be deceived. Don't think that this affection is worth much. How can there be no calculation in it?"

After listening to Xue Baochai's analysis, Aunt Xue's face changed slightly, and she said in astonishment: "Is there such a thing? Could it be that the Jia family has run out of money to build this villa for the imperial visit?"

After thinking about it, Aunt Xue said, "But the eldest daughter of the Jia family has been named Consort Xian De, and the Jia family is now a royal family. If we only pay a little money, we can secure the position of the young lady of the Duke's Mansion, which is worth it."

Xue Baochai's face froze, but Xue Pan was already rolling on the ground.

"Oh my dear mother. She just said she was a reasonable person, but now she is even more stupid than me."

Xue Pan slapped his thigh and howled, "Building a big garden has emptied the family funds of his Duke's Mansion. What else does his Duke's Mansion have? Can it compare to the money my sister earns in a year or two? It's just a name, and mother still thinks it's worth it."

Aunt Xue's face flushed, and she said impatiently, "What are you yelling about? Why don't you get up quickly?"

Xue Pan sat on the ground and threw a tantrum, shaking off Tong Xi and Tong Gui who came to help him, and started to make a scene again, saying without restraint: "My sister and the Marquis are in love, and she doesn't want to marry into the high branch of the Anjing Marquis's Mansion. Why does she want to be the young mistress of the Rongguo Mansion? Mother, you are really confused."

"If mother ever mentions my sister's marriage to that useless guy in Rongguo Mansion again, I will sit on the ground and never get up again!"

"What? Little Bao and Marquis Anjing have this kind of relationship?"

Aunt Xue looked over in disbelief.

Xue Pan patted his buttocks and stood up, saying repeatedly: "Mother, how long have you not been out of the house? Don't you know that Marquis Anjing is a topic of conversation among the people in the market?"

"Not to mention the brothels and wine shops, even in ordinary tea stalls, people can't help but talk about the Marquis."

"Whenever there is any new news, it will spread all over the city in an instant. The most famous one is the rumor that Marquis Anjing is a womanizer."

"I share the same interests with Marquis Anjing in this regard."

Xue Pan chuckled and scratched his head.

Aunt Xue rolled her eyes and said, "Tsk, why don't you learn from other places?"

Xue Pan smiled and said, "Mother, this is really a good thing. Look at my sister's figure. If she is not the best, she is also a natural beauty. Living with An Jinghou all day long, won't she have a secret crush on him?"

"Besides, mother, why do you think Marquis Anjing has given so much care to my Xue family? This is all related to my sister's efforts."

Xue Pan bowed his hands and said, "Nowadays, no one else in this family can make me convinced, except my sister. I admire her wholeheartedly."

Aunt Xue opened her mouth but swallowed back the unpleasant words she wanted to say. She turned to Xue Baochai and asked, "Bao girl, is what your brother said true?"

Xue Baochai's face was as red as a lantern at this moment.

Although she was sitting in a reclining chair, her whole body was tense, and even the toes in her embroidered shoes were secretly exerting force.

His chest rose and fell, as if he was accumulating some energy that just needed an outlet.

"So that's how they thought of me. They thought I was using my beauty to please others, which is why the Xue family is so prosperous today. They, they are really infuriating!"

Xue Pan smiled flatteringly, came to Xue Baochai, and asked carefully: "Sister, how far have you and the Marquis developed now? Do you have this?"

As he spoke, Xue Pan stretched out his two thumbs and slowly put them together.

"I think it's better to be useful to Marquis Anjing than to be the uncle of the king..."

Xue Baochai could no longer bear the anger in her heart, so she picked up the teapot on the table and poured it on Xue Pan's head, "Stop dreaming, I'll go back and ask the Marquis to send you to the Beijing camp for a few more years of training!"

With a flick of her sleeves, Xue Baochai turned around and left.

When Aunt Xue wanted to stand up and stop them, it was too late.

Seeing Xue Pan soaked to the skin, Aunt Xue said helplessly, "How could you treat your sister like this? Even if it really happened, you can't say it out loud."

"Besides, isn't there an engagement between Marquis Anjing and the maid of the Lin family? And your sister is an unmarried maid, aren't you forcing your sister to make peace?"

Xue Pan wiped his face and said frankly: "Mother, you don't understand this."

"Ah?" Aunt Xue was really frightened by Xue Pan's question. She thought that tea was poured on her son's head and damaged his brain which had just begun to open up.

"What do you mean?"

Xue Pan said calmly: "If my sister really didn't have such thoughts, she would definitely not have such a big reaction. But my sister is so excited, which just shows that my sister has been in contact with An Jinghou!"

"Mother, I won't say any more. I have to go after my sister and beg her not to send me to the military camp again."

"If I hadn't had this cup of tea, I wouldn't have believed she could have done it. With this cup of tea, I'm afraid if she whispered something in the Marquis's ear, I'd be in trouble!"

The son and daughter left in a hurry, and the house returned to silence.

Aunt Xue shook her head and sighed, "Alas, they are all grown up now, and I can't take care of them anymore. Let them be..."

……

Hall of Supreme Harmony,
The ministers were shocked at Yue Ling's title, which was promoted to Duke of Chengguo. However, when they thought about it carefully, it was reasonable.

The title of Marquis of Anjing was earned for his military exploits during an extraordinary period, and he deserved it. After that, he performed at the highest level in both civil and military affairs during his journey southward, and even eradicated the Japanese pirates that had plagued Jiangnan for nearly a hundred years, along with the aristocratic families in Jiangnan. The Japanese even paid compensation for peace and resumed tribute.

With such achievements, it is appropriate to be promoted to Duke.

But considering Yue Ling's age, he is only twenty-four, but he already has the title of Duke, which really makes everyone envious.

The ministers present were all of Yue Ling's father's age. Seeing this talented kid present, they secretly cursed their own good-for-nothings.

Jia Zheng is particularly prominent among them.

But Emperor Longyou had not yet finished speaking, and even more shocking things were yet to come.

Xia Shouzhong gave the imperial edict and handed it to Yue Ling. After returning to the stage, Emperor Longyou said again: "Duke Dingguo, please stand up."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Facing the ministers, Emperor Longyou said in a deep voice: "The title is to show merit, as for the official position, I have pondered it and have an idea."

After hearing this, all officials fell silent.

The rank of the title is just something that others envy, and it is a level of honor that one is superior to others.

But being granted an official position means being superior in terms of real power, which is closely related to all the high-ranking officials in the court.

The previous factions and party struggles may have collapsed because of Yue Ling's return.

The general trend is tilted.

Everyone held their breath and listened to Emperor Longyou's words: "I want to set up a Duzheng Hall. The word Duzheng means 'governing the world and helping the people', which will facilitate the new policies and reforms we are carrying out now."

"This office is independent of the two courts and six ministries. It has a minister of government, who is of the second rank and is granted a jade belt and dragon robe."

"The ability of the Duzheng Hall is to investigate corruption among officials from the Ministry of Personnel and to investigate military pay from the Ministry of Revenue. The six ministries listen to their advice, and the two courts consult with them. The Duzheng Minister can report directly to me, and issuing an imperial edict is also a special decree, but not the Secretariat."

"My dear ministers, do you have anything to say?"

All the officials bowed their heads, their hearts beating fast.

Although the name of this so-called Minister of State Affairs was not mentioned, the candidate was definitely one designed specifically for Yue Ling. He was not a prime minister, but he was worse than a prime minister.

The six ministries had to report to it, and the two houses had to consult with it. It was an independent government office that was only responsible to the emperor, or in other words, only responsible for implementing new laws.

This power is so terrifying that it can gradually completely hollow out the two houses.

Moreover, he was also able to inspect the attributes of all officials, and no one dared to offend them easily. This was a special permission granted by the emperor.

Beads of sweat slowly seeped out of everyone's foreheads, and they looked up at the ministers in the first row in front of them.

The powers of the six ministers, the Secretariat, and the Privy Council have all been diluted, and they are the ones who suffer the most at this moment.

Dongfang Zhi suddenly cupped his hands and said, "Whom would Your Majesty like to appoint as the Minister of State Affairs?"

Emperor Longyou nodded and said, "I would like to appoint Duke Dingguo to the position."

Dongfang Zhi stroked his beard and said, "Duke Dingguo is young and promising, with great ideas and ingenuity. He is the best candidate."

Chai Pu and Prince Beijing Shui Rong on both sides, as well as the ministers of the six ministries, all couldn't help but focus their attention on Dongfang Zhi.

The old people in the Qin Palace sang the same tune and actually put on a show in front of the ministers.

People at that time were speechless. Due to the intimidation of Emperor Longyou at the moment, they did not dare to say that this move violated the ancestral system and find fault with it.

Emperor Longyou was a stubborn emperor when it came to doing things and would not listen to advice.

"My dear ministers, do you have any objections?"

Prince Beijing Shui Rong asked without thinking, "Your Majesty's new establishment of the Duzheng Hall is indeed a clever idea, and it is also a place for Duke Dingguo to display his talents. But I don't know what your Majesty plans to do next, so that you can be prepared and assist the Duzheng Hall in handling the new policy."

Emperor Longyou nodded slightly, "This is a newly established government office with high authority, so we should not act rashly. However, I trust Duke Dingguo to support this government office."

"Among them, the best of the best government officials need to be selected to assist Duke Dingguo in handling government affairs. Therefore, the next imperial examination will be jointly organized by the Duzheng Hall and the Ministry of Rites to select some talented people to become the pillars of the country."

All the officials were whispering to each other and discussing the matter.

Emperor Longyou not only gave him power, but also gave Duke Dingguo an excuse to build up his power in the court, completely making up for Yue Ling's shortcoming that he had entered the court due to his military achievements but had a shallow foundation among the civil servants.

Everyone gasped unconsciously.

"Okay, I'm tired, so let's leave it at that for today. Let's adjourn."

Emperor Longyou stood up, shook his dragon robe, and walked to the back hall with the gait of a dragon and a tiger.

Many officials wanted to surround Yue Ling and block his way, either to congratulate him or to ask him questions, but then they saw Xia Shouzhong push the crowd apart and squeeze out a path.

"Duke Dingguo, His Majesty asked you to go to the Imperial Study to wait for the meeting."

……

Xicheng, Lancangfang,

At a tea stall on the street, Zhao Hao and Liu Xianglian sat opposite each other drinking tea and chatting.

"The Marquis sent a message asking us to wait here, but I don't know what will happen."

Zhao Hao pondered and said, "Do you think this is a matter of rewarding us for our merits?"

Liu Xianglian sneered and said, "You follow the Marquis to work, are you just for that little reward? You are short-sighted."

Zhao Hao was even more unconvinced. "Oh, you still have the nerve to criticize me. After entering the capital, you didn't even go back to the Duke of Liguo's Mansion. Aren't you just waiting to get a job and go back in glory?"

Liu Xianglian raised his hand and slapped the hilt of the sword on the table, "What? Have you thought of two more moves?"

"Just two moves, just two moves. I'm afraid of you, so I'll write the word Zhao upside down!"

The two men stood up at the same time, and were about to find an open area to practice some more, when they heard the people sitting next to them say, "Have you heard? Marquis Anjing has returned to the capital!"

"The news of your return to Beijing has spread a long time ago. You are too untimely. Many people saw you at the dock yesterday."

"Well, that's not what I'm talking about."

"What's that?"

Hearing people talking about Yue Ling, the two of them sat down at the same time.

Zhao Hao poured himself a cup of tea and also poured one for Liu Xianglian and pushed it over.

The two raised their cups together and were drinking when they heard the person sitting next to them say, "Don't you know? My family has a distant relative living in Rongguo Mansion. He heard that on the first day that Marquis Anjing returned to Beijing, he went to Rongguo Mansion and kidnapped the three girls who were waiting to be married for fun!"

"puff……"

The two of them took a sip of tea and sprayed it out at the same time, splashing on each other's faces...

(End of this chapter)