A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 83 A Disgrace

Wang Qing arrived at the deserted Mengpo Studio.

Upon knocking on the study door, he saw Jia Zheng sitting at a table laden with food and wine. Jia Zheng waved him over with a touch of arrogance and said casually, "Nephew, you've arrived! Come and sit down!"

Today's remarkable performance in front of the palace has left Jia Zheng somewhat dizzy and disoriented.

Back at the yamen, he was so busy accepting the flattery of his colleagues that when he got home he realized he hadn't informed his family. So he had to go and tell Grandmother Jia the good news.

Previously, even though he was deceiving himself, he still knew in his heart that he had benefited to some extent from Wang Qing's influence.

However, being kept behind by the emperor and receiving high praise from him, Jia Zheng became so arrogant that he forgot himself and his mindset changed.

On the contrary, he felt that Wang Qingmeng's summons to the emperor was due to his own merit, and that Wang Qingmeng's advice was merely an added bonus because he had noticed the emperor's attitude.

If it weren't for the emperor's repeated instructions that protecting the imperial mines was of utmost urgency, his high praise for Wang Qing's efforts in preventing and apprehending thieves, and his hint that he should recommend virtuous individuals regardless of personal relationships, it would have been a mistake.

Jia Zheng also did not want to invite Wang Qing over at this time, lest it cause any unnecessary speculation.

Wang Qing was not offended. He quickly stepped forward, sat down opposite Jia Zheng, poured him another cup of wine, and then asked with a smile, "Could it be that the matter has been settled?"

Jia Zheng curled his lip and said, "Today His Majesty summoned me to the palace for an audience..."

He embellished his account of the audience in court that day, as well as the fact that he had been kept behind by the emperor.

Finally, he stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "His Majesty has entrusted me with such an important task; I bear a heavy responsibility. I still need my nephew's help!"

"Uncle, please rest assured. Just provide me with some craftsmen, and you won't need to worry about the rest!"

He had a clear division of labor with the emperor. He negotiated with Jia Zheng on operational matters, but the emperor had to give him hints to form a mining protection team.

After all, the mine protection team was an armed force, and his eagerness to propose it inevitably aroused suspicion. Considering Jia Zheng's personality, Wang Qing was genuinely worried that he might act impulsively and secretly report him.

This matter had been discussed beforehand, but Wang Qing noticed that Jia Zheng's attitude had changed. To be on the safe side, he pretended not to know and took the opportunity to finalize the matter.

Before Jia Zheng could respond, he briefly explained his plan to renovate the vegetable market, attract more people, and take the opportunity to promote his business.

Finally, he added, "The specifics of how to proceed and the pricing still need careful consideration. Please allow me some time, Uncle. In any case, it will take some time for the finished product to arrive, but I will definitely make the necessary arrangements by then."

Jia Zheng is all talk and no action; he has no idea how to actually do things.

He had thought that everything would be fine as long as the matter was approved in the imperial court, but after hearing Wang Qing's words, he felt a little guilty.

He was already clueless and didn't want to get involved with those peasants. Now that he needed Wang Qing's help, he was happy to be a hands-off manager.

He readily agreed and then took the opportunity to suggest that Wang Qing form a mining protection team to safeguard the imperial assets.

Wang Qing readily agreed, and from then on, both host and guest enjoyed themselves immensely.

……

Ningguo Prefecture.

As soon as Lady You stepped through the back gate, she saw Jia Zhen standing with his hands behind his back, looking irritable, pacing back and forth in front of the side gate of Huifang Garden.

Feeling guilty, Madam You quickly lowered her head and stepped forward, saying, "Master...Master!"

Jia Zhen gestured towards Yin Die with his lips, and the latter quickly stepped forward and whispered a few words to her. Jia Zhen then waved to her and walked ahead without saying a word, while You Shi could only follow behind with trepidation.

We arrived at Ning'an Hall.

Jia Zhen sat down in the main seat, his face grim, and said, "You went to Brother Qing's place and said that? Why are you back so soon?"

Originally thinking that Jia Zhen was unhappy about her leaving so quickly, You Shi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and hurriedly said, "He did look at me strangely. I was thinking of drinking a few more cups and then pretending to be drunk to test him, but I didn't expect that the Second Master would suddenly send someone to invite me!"

"What!" Jia Zhen's pupils dilated suddenly, and he sat up abruptly, staring at You Shi, and asked, "You said that the Second Master just sent someone to invite him?"

Madam You was startled and stammered, "Yes! I'm not lying. I said I had something to discuss, but perhaps Second Master heard some... gossip?"

Unexpectedly, Jia Zhen ignored her concerns and instead muttered to himself, "Sure enough! Sure enough! I knew there was something fishy going on here!"

Upon hearing this, Madam You became even more anxious and said in a panic, "Master, please don't scare me!"

"Did I scare you?" Jia Zhen looked up blankly, then realized what he meant and laughed, "Do you know why the Second Master was in such a hurry to find him?"

He didn't seem to intend to let Lady You answer, and explained with a smile, "Two days ago, the Second Master submitted a memorial to His Majesty, and today he was summoned to the palace to give an audience, but His Majesty kept him behind alone again..."

Although Jia Zheng forgot to go home to announce the good news, some old friends and acquaintances still came to congratulate him and inquire about the details.

However, with Jia Lian not at home and Jia Zheng not having returned, the Rongguo Mansion did not even have a male head of household to receive guests.

Those of higher seniority could go to the east wing to find Jia She, but the rest could only go to Jia Zhen.

Jia Zhen knew his uncle all too well what kind of person he was, so he couldn't believe that he would tinker with charcoal and mix mud.

Considering the sudden change in attitude of Jia Zheng and Lady Wang some time ago, he had some guesses.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng rushed to find Wang Qing, which further confirmed his suspicions.

After briefly recounting how Jia Zheng was summoned to the palace and promoted to the position of Director of the Imperial Household Department, the speaker shook his head and sighed, "I had long seen that he was adept at making money. I thought he would take the opportunity to target a few easy targets with little background, but I never imagined that my vision was too narrow!"

Upon hearing this, a look of joy flashed across Madam You's face, and she suddenly realized, "Master means... these are all Brother Qing..."

Before she could finish speaking, Jia Zhen sneered, "Do I need to explain what kind of person the Second Master is? I've always wondered why the Second Master and Second Madam suddenly became so arrogant towards him. I'm afraid that's the key!"

Madam You took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the burning desire in her heart, and tentatively asked, "No wonder Master asked me to give him a little sweetness; it turns out he wanted to get a taste of it and then use me to entice him..."

"Otherwise what?"

Jia Zhen said irritably, "You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. Father burns mercury and refines elixirs, which costs at least seventy or eighty thousand taels a year. The annual rent from the estate is at most fifty or sixty thousand taels. There's also a large family to support, not to mention all the social obligations."

Ever since Vice Minister Zhou joined the Ministry of Works, life has become increasingly difficult. If he doesn't find a way to make money for his family soon, he fears they won't even have enough to eat in ten years.

Originally, although Lady You intended to feign submission and go with the flow, she couldn't help but worry that Jia Zhen would discard her after using her.

Now, I feel enlightened and suddenly understand.

She quickly volunteered, "If the Second Master hadn't interfered today, I'm afraid he would have been tempted to lay a hand on me. Tomorrow... no, the day after tomorrow, I'll go again and make sure I live up to your expectations, giving him a real treat!"

He thought that since he was speaking with such certainty, Jia Zhen would surely agree readily.

Unexpectedly, Jia Zhen sneered, "You? You'd better stop making a fool of yourself!"

……