The Red Mansions

Chapter 826 Changing a wife to a concubine is simply... shocking!
The next day, the autumn rain that lasted for two days gradually stopped, and the weather was clear. Pedestrians on the street had already put on cotton-padded jackets, wrapping their necks tightly to prevent the cold wind from blowing in.

Today is Lidong.

After Jia Heng changed into his clothes, he went to Jiangnan Daying to handle official duties as usual, and then ordered Liu Jixian to send Jinyi Mansion Guards to guard the Zhen family.

Including but not limited to the Zhen family's four descendants, as well as the Zhen family's servants and in-laws' families, the main purpose is to prevent the Zhen family from transferring property in advance once the imperial decree arrives.

At noon, Jia Heng rode back to Jinyang Princess's mansion under the escort of a group of Jinyi mansion guards.

As for Chen Ling, he did not accompany him on the grounds that he was not feeling well.

The Princess's Mansion, the second floor of the attic

After listening to Jia Heng's words, Liu Yexiu of Yuanshan Furong, the eldest princess of Jinyang, frowned, with a hint of surprise on her gorgeous face, she asked curiously, "Why are you asking this?"

This child...ah, no, this little man is asking her if she has a monthly letter, what is she doing?
Jia Heng stared at the beauty's beautiful eyes, with a slightly unnatural expression, took Princess Jinyang's plain hand, and said: "It's nothing, I just want to ask, so that I can have a baby in the future."

Princess Jinyang: "..."

This man, using such an excuse to lie to her, has tried so many tricks and folk remedies.

The beauty thought for a while, a faint blush appeared on Yurong, and said softly: "There are a few days, but shouldn't it be a few days earlier and a few days later?"

Jia Heng was slightly startled when he heard this, and said, "How long have you been late?"

"It's been about ten days." Li Ren said softly, "I haven't paid much attention to it, it should be normal."

Jia Heng paused, and said: "That's... when you came back from Guangdong? Don't you have it?"

There's a big one hidden here?
Now that Zhen Qing is suspected of being pregnant, he is getting nervous. If his body is starting to mature, then he needs to find a way to avoid it in the future.

If you really have five or six children in a row, it is not a question of whether you can afford it, but it will become very troublesome.

Not to mention other things, if one day I don't hold back and have a husband and wife with Baochai, and start having children at the age of 15, the damage to Baochai's body will be a bit serious, not to mention Daiyu, it will be a disaster.

When Princess Jinyang heard the words, her heart jumped suddenly, her jade face was slightly red, and her beautiful eyes were a little surprised, and she said: "I don't know, but hearing what you said, could it be that... ...had it?"

At the end, her voice trembled slightly, and she grabbed Jia Heng's hand.

Beauty has always wanted to have Jia Heng's child. After all, she is considered a half-advanced mother, and now she has completely fulfilled her mother's dream.

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, then said: "I can't tell. In the last one or two months, you should pay attention to see if you have morning sickness, like to eat sour, maybe I'm overthinking it."

When Princess Jinyang heard the words, Liu Yemei twitched, her jade face changed, her beautiful eyes looked at Jia Heng suspiciously, and said: "You are very good, why did you suddenly ask about this?"

Jia Heng pondered for a moment, then said: "Maybe it's because I feel that my body bones don't seem too long recently, so I thought of this."

When Princess Jinyang heard the words, she didn't doubt him, she smiled lightly and said, "Why don't I find a doctor and have a look."

Jia Heng nodded and said: "I don't think I can see any pulse now, wait for half a month to see."

At this moment, in front of the bookshelf, Li Chanyue, who was playing chess with Princess Xianning across a chess field, was listening to the conversation between the two, her heart beating a little faster.

Putting down the chess pieces, she turned to look at Princess Xianning at the side, took Princess Xianning's hand, and said softly, "Cousin, what are you talking about, Mr. Jia?"

If she really has a child, will it affect her in the future?

Princess Xianning had a beautiful and peaceful face, her clear eyes twinkled, and she said in a low voice, "It has nothing to do with you."

So what if you have children?If you have children, you will grow old quickly, and even more so, you will become an old woman.

Dominate Mr. every day.

Jia Heng changed the subject, looked at Princess Jinyang, and asked in a low voice: "There is news from the Jinyi Mansion in Beijing that the Holy Majesty has issued an order to investigate the deficit case caused by Zhen Yingjia, the president of Jinling Tirenyuan, and I will preside over the investigation. To search the property of criminal officials, I guess it is probably handled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

When Princess Jinyang heard the words, the phoenix eyes under Liu Yexiu's eyebrows flashed a clear light, and said: "Brother Huang, this is a move."

Liren actually doesn't like the Zhen family very much.

"The edict is on the way now." Jia Heng said in a low voice.

Princess Jinyang smiled, looked at the boy's face, and asked: "Why, do you feel embarrassed?"

Jia Heng said: "There is nothing to embarrass, it's just business."

Princess Jinyang smiled lightly, and said: "After all, the Zhen and Jia families have been family friends for so many years, and there is no one from the Zhen family in your house."

Jia Heng's heart moved slightly, and he said softly: "At the beginning, I didn't push it even if I wanted to."

While the two of them were talking, there was a creaking sound from the stairs in the attic, and suddenly a mother's voice came: "Your Highness, the King of Chu, Princess Chu and his son are here to visit."

Princess Jinyang raised her eyebrows and murmured, "What is King Chu doing here at this time?"

Jia Heng said softly: "You are an elder, since you have arrived in Jinling, you should also come over to say hello to you."

At this time, when I met the sufferer, I was somewhat embarrassed, and I don't know if the millstone had fooled me.

The eldest princess of Jinyang stood up gracefully, her beauty was full of pearls and hairpins, her makeup was graceful and gorgeous, and the tassels on the vermilion dress shook and fell apart, she said with a smile: "I am going to see the king of Chu right now. .”

Jia Heng said: "Let me go there too."

At this moment, on the clean road paved with bluestone slabs outside the Long Princess's mansion, a carriage with a high shaft and beautifully decorated carriage descended quietly under the escort of a group of guards, female officials and nuns.

The King of Chu and his concubine Zhen Qing got off the carriage, surrounded by female officials and mothers holding umbrellas.

Zhen Qing took her son Chen Chun who was beside her in her arms. The beauty changed today, the makeup on her face was slightly brighter, and her beautiful eyes were a little curious.

Because he was visiting the elder Princess Jinyang, he brought his son with him to show his closeness.

As the middle door opened wide, the female official who welcomed the guests removed the threshold, and welcomed the Chu king and his wife and the prince into the mansion.

And a female official supported Zhen Qing, and walked forward quickly.

Zhen Qing was already a little cautious when walking up the steps.

When she entered the flower hall, Zhen Qing couldn't help being startled, Gain saw a familiar face besides the graceful beauty, which was Jia Heng.

The King of Chu saluted first to Princess Jinyang, then looked at Jia Heng warmly and affectionately, and said, "Zi Yu is also here."

Jia Heng bowed his hands and explained: "It's a bit of a matter to come here to find the eldest princess, what is this, my lord?"

As he said that, he took a quick glance at Zhen Qing, looked at Beauty for a moment, and quickly shifted his eyes away before drawing them.

After this Mopan felt pregnant with his child, he seemed a little unscrupulous?

At this time, Princess Jinyang looked pale, with a faint smile on her face, and said: "Here he is, why did he bring so many things?"

The beauty at this moment is like an aunt who has been beautiful and elegant all her life, her eyes are as lustrous as water with a bit of scrutiny, and her face that was originally graceful and glamorous is as charming as a peony stamen.

The king of Chu smiled warmly and said, "Auntie, it's been a long time since I saw my aunt."

And Zhen Qing also pulled Chen Chun who was at the side, and said with a sweet smile: "Chun'er, quickly call your aunt."

Chen Chun felt a little timid when he looked at the gorgeous beauty, but under Zhen Qing's usual strict teaching, he politely said: "Chun'er has met my aunt."

"Good boy." The eldest princess of Jinyang smiled like a flower, like a sunny and snowy day, shining brightly in the room.

While everyone was exchanging greetings, Li Chanyue and Princess Xianning also opened the bead curtain and entered the hall with the bead curtain "cracking" and the sound of ring peeping.

"Brother Chu, sister-in-law." Princess Xianning walked a few steps quickly, a slight smile appeared on her jade face, a slim and delicate girl with quiet and charming eyes.

And the little princess on the side is a bit of a good girlfriend who is willing to be a green leaf, and it is nothing special.

The King of Chu looked at Princess Xianning, and greeted Princess Xianning with a smile, "Xianning, Chanyue."

King Chu and Princess Xianning were half brothers and sisters.

"Brother Wang." Princess Xianning pulled Chen Chun, the son of King Chu, aside, and said with a light smile, "Chun'er is so tall."

Zhen Qing smiled slightly and said, "Chun'er is six years old this year."

Everyone exchanged greetings and sat down to drink tea one after another.

Zhen Qing held up the teacup, put it to her lips, took a sip, and watched the king of Chu talking to Jia Heng and Princess Jinyang, her eyes were mostly on the face of the boy in python suit who was lifting weights lightly.

While everyone was talking, suddenly, a nanny came in and said, "Princess, there is someone from the capital, and they are looking for you urgently."

Everyone was taken aback when they heard the words, and raised their eyes to look at the mother-in-law of the Zhen family.

Zhen Qing put down the teacup, stood up, stood upside down with Liu Mei, and said clearly: "What's the matter? You're in a panic."

After a while, a female officer in her early twenties came in from the outside, walked up to Zhen Qing and whispered something in Zhen Qing's ear.

When Zhen Qing heard the words, her complexion suddenly changed, and her heart was suddenly filled with turmoil, and she said in a startled voice, "Really?"

Zhen Qing also left a dark thread in the capital. After such a long time, the official residence newspaper has spread all over Shenjing.

The King of Chu was peeping at the prosperous beauty of the eldest princess of Jinyang. Hearing this, he asked in surprise, "What's wrong with the princess?"

Zhen Qing's face was complicated, she glanced at Jia Heng, and said in a clear voice: "The imperial edict was passed down in Beijing, saying that it is... that the Zhen family is going to be investigated!"

There is no need to hide these things, the Jingzhong Mansion News has already published the impeachment memorial of Zhang Zhi, the right deputy capital censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, as well as the emperor's review to investigate and deal with the Zhen family.

As soon as this remark came out, Jia Heng's face was calm and unmoved, the king of Chu was shocked, and asked anxiously: "Princess, when... when did this happen?"

"Just a few days ago, there was an imperial decree in Beijing." Zhen Qing looked at Jia Heng, frowned and said, "Uncle Yongning, you already know this."

If this bastard knew about it a long time ago, why didn't he tell her?She was just pregnant with this bastard's child, no, possibly a sister.

Jia Heng looked silent, and said in a low voice: "I also only received the news last night. This is the order of the majesty in the palace. The princess and the prince should know the reason. Since the Longzhi period, the three major weaving bureaus in the south of the Yangtze River have suffered huge losses, such as impeachment. According to the memorandum, the Zhen family has stolen internal funds for their own use in recent years, lived extravagantly, and was extravagant. , Your Majesty is also in a difficult situation."

According to the follow-up news from Jingzhong, the right deputy capital censor Zhang Zhi went south to investigate the case of the Ministry of War Armory Cleaning Department, and after returning to Beijing, Shangshu impeached the Zhen family for six major crimes.

The Di Bao has already published the full text, and at the same time there is a review by Emperor Chongping, criticizing the Zhen family's various illegal and transgressive actions in recent years in a severe tone.

Zhang Zhi is a clear stream of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and most likely he has the full support of Xu Lu, the censor of Zuodu.

The Zhen family is undoubtedly a good breakthrough point for refreshing the Jiangnan officials.

The King of Chu suppressed the panic in his heart, and asked with expectant eyes: "Uncle Yongning, I don't know what the father means? Is there a way to turn around and accommodate?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, looked at the King of Chu, and said: "My lord, you don't need to say anything if you want me to intercede with the Holy Majesty. The holy will is arrogant and the power of the sky is unpredictable. I sent a letter from Beijing earlier, and the holy will is for me to handle this case properly." , I have seen the earnest warning."

Zhen Qing's heart shuddered when she heard the words, and her phoenix eyes looked at the young man opposite, her eyes were fixed.

Earnestly warn?

That's right, he took in the fourth younger sister earlier, is this the emperor's father beating him?

Hearing the words, the King of Chu frowned into the word "Chuan", he couldn't open his mouth again, but his heart was covered with a thick haze.

This is Emperor Chongping's trick of power. With Jia Heng representing the case, he achieved multiple goals.

Jia Heng said: "Since the concubine and the prince heard the news in advance, let's prepare for the interrogation. In the past two days, the Jinyi Mansion's Experience Department and the Ministry of Internal Affairs will help the Zhen family to copy the inspection and try to maintain the dignity of the royal family."

The deficit of the Jinling Weaving Bureau needs to be filled even if the whole family is copied, and Zhen Yingjia will definitely go to jail.

Although from the perspective of Zhen Qing and Zhen Xue, Zhen Yingjia is also his father-in-law.

Hearing this, the king of Chu looked solemn, turned to look at Princess Jinyang, and said, "Auntie, that little nephew is going back first."

After such a big thing happened, I couldn't stay any longer.

Princess Jinyang nodded, her eyes were a little cold and she said, "Go."

This eldest nephew seems to be a little tricky.

Zhen Qing also got up, bowed to the eldest princess of Jinyang, took a deep look at Jia Heng, and was accompanied by a large number of nuns and female officials, holding the hand of her son Chen Chun, and hurriedly followed the king of Chu to leave. go.

Although she had already expected that this day would come, Zhen Qing was also a little panicked and couldn't accept it when things came to an end.

Jia Heng watched Zhen Qing leave, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and kept thinking.

Princess Jinyang suddenly said softly: "You have been too close to the Zhen family recently."

Previously, when the captives came to attack, it was okay to bring the members of the Zhen family to perform crimes and meritorious deeds, but the fourth young lady of the Zhen family was taken in earlier.

Jia Heng put down the teacup, sighed and said, "I know that the daughter of Zhen's family came to be a concubine, so it's a bit public."

But he also has difficulties, let alone Zhen Xi's matter, Zhen Qing's entanglement, sometimes he can't help himself.

Princess Jinyang stared at the beautiful eyes, looked at the two people not far away, and said, "Xianning, Chanyue, you two go to rest for a while."

Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue: "???"

Drive them away again?This is too much.

When Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue left, Princess Jinyang asked with concern: "Then how are you going to search?"

Jia Heng said: "Seal up the government treasury and investigate and deal with it as usual. As for the female relatives, Qiu has not committed any crimes. Speaking of the current honor, disgrace and wealth of the Zhen family, it is based on the superior, and now it can be regarded as a word back."

On the other side, the king of Chu and Zhen Qing boarded the carriage, their handsome faces turned gloomy, and they felt as if they were mourning their concubine, the sky was falling!
"Father, what does he mean?" The King of Chu looked confused, and said in a deep voice, "If you don't investigate sooner or later, why is there an imperial decree to investigate the Zhen family?"

Is this directed at him?

Looking at the king of Chu, who had no master, Zhen Qing sighed in her heart, and said in a clear voice: "My lord, when the fourth uncle was defeated, the family had vaguely thought of this incident and started planning. My younger sister gave it to Jia Ziyu."

Upon hearing this, the King of Chu looked at Zhen Qing, and said in a deep voice, "Jia Ziyu can't intercede? Also, if many properties are confiscated, what should we do in the future?"

Without money, the palace cannot move a single step.

Thinking of this, the king of Chu was in a state of confusion for a moment.

Zhen Qing sighed, and said, "Let's get through this hurdle first."

Shouldn't he come over to comfort her at this time?That's right, all these years, she has been on the sidelines knowing the general situation...

"Princess, those goods and properties should be transferred quickly recently." King Chu said in a low voice with a gloomy expression.

Zhen Qing pursed her lips and said in embarrassment: "My lord, it's not that easy for the guards of Jinyi Mansion to watch now."

The King of Chu said in a low voice: "Since Ziyu is the presiding judge of this case, the princess thinks, can he turn a blind eye or close one eye?"

Zhen Qing: "..."

"Jia Ziyu is not a fool, as I said just now, my father was warning him, but in fact it was a beating. He still has to do business this time." Zhen Qing said softly.

At this moment, for some reason, she couldn't think of asking that bastard to help her transfer gold and silver, and plead for mercy?
Ah, this...

The King of Chu looked gloomy and said, "Why is it so sudden?"

Zhen Qing said with relief: "My lord, as long as my father and the second uncle are not questioned, it's fine. As for the money, I can slowly find a way."

The king of Chu was very worried, and said in a low voice: "This is the only way to do it now."

……

……

But as time passed, the imperial envoy with the imperial decree to punish the Zhen family approached, and the mansion newspaper in Beijing also went to the government offices in the southern province. The news almost spread like wildfire, spreading to the streets and alleys of Jinling City in the southern country, and there were many discussions.

The Zhen family was extravagant, and they owed the grace of the saint. The sage Longyan was furious, and the Zhen family was about to fall. This is the emperor's dissatisfaction with Chu Fan...

The more and more exaggerated news spread, almost overwhelming, covering the entire Zhen family like a black cloud, with a hint of a storm that was about to come.

Especially when the king of Chu was involved, there was a cruel and bloody atmosphere, because the shadow of Longzhi's seizing the throne still flashed in the minds of some elderly officials in the south of the Yangtze River from time to time.

All of a sudden, all the officials and honorable families in Jinling City also set their eyes on the Zhen family, watching the situation quietly.

Two days later, the Zhen Family Manor

In the flower hall with the green dragon plaque inscribed with "Xianzhengtang" in three small italic characters, there were many people.

Zhen Yingjia, who was in the process of questioning the news about the crime of the Zhen family, entertained Fang Yaochun in the living room, and Fang Kuang who was not far away accompanied him.

In addition, there are Zhen Shao, the second master of the Zhen family, and Zhen Xuan, the third master of the Zhen family.

After the exchange of pleasantries between the two parties, Zhen Yingjia asked about the reason for her visit, and said, "I don't know what happened to my in-laws."

In the past few days, I have been worrying about how to deal with the impending imperial decree, and I have already written several memorials.

Fang Yaochun twirled his beard with his hands, and said in a deep thought: "Brother Zhen, this is the case. I discussed it with Quan Zi, and I think the marriage arrangement made by your residence is not appropriate?"

When Zhen Yingjia heard the words, her heart skipped a beat, she had some bad premonitions, she collected herself, turned to look at Zhen Xuan, and asked, "Third brother, what do you think?"

Zhen Xuan frowned, his eyes lingered on Fang Yaochun's smiling face, and asked, "Dear family, what does this mean?"

Fang Yaochun said: "Gou Zi made up his mind at first that he is not married if he is not a senior high school scholar. Earlier, because of the harmony of the manor's poems, he fell in love for a while, and he didn't want to make a lifelong marriage with the third lady of your house. Later, he made a marriage letter."

The smile on Zhen Yingjia's elegant face gradually disappeared, and her complexion became as hard as steel. She fixed her eyes on Fang Yaochun and said, "Fang Jijiu is to regret the marriage?"

In this era, regretting a marriage is indeed a slap in the face, especially for a first-class family like the Zhen family in Jiangnan.

Fang Yaochun hurriedly said: "Brother Zhen misunderstood."

Zhen Yingjia looked a little better, and exchanged a glance with Zhen Xuan, waiting for his words.

At this time, Fang Kuang also answered: "Master Zhen misunderstood, it is Xiao Ke who has not achieved anything in his career, and has long had great ambitions. He was not a Jinshi, so he will not get married for the time being."

Today's Zhen Lan is already the daughter of a prisoner. If she marries her as his wife, she will definitely be judged by others in the scholarly circle.

"I said earlier that we should wait until we get a Jinshi in high school before getting married." Zhen Xuan said softly.

Fang Kuang hesitated for a moment, then said softly: "What I mean is, now that something has happened to the Zhen family, the third lady might as well go through the door first, and become a concubine's room, which can be regarded as a complete fate."

As soon as this remark came out, there was an uproar in the hall, it was almost unbelievable.

Zhen Shao's eyes, which were originally slightly squinted, opened suddenly, with a faint evil spirit in them, overflowing with murderous intent.

Bastards!

At this moment, Zhen Xuan, who was Zhen Lan's biological father, was even more furious. He stared at Fang Kuang and asked, "Nephew, do you know what you are talking about? Changing a wife to a concubine is simply... shocking!" "

Because my heart was too angry, my voice trembled a little.

(End of this chapter)