Shipin Dalizheng

Chapter 356 Release

Emperor Xuanning blinked, his mind rapidly calculating the pros and cons. Releasing a group of old palace maids would benefit the court, not harm it, and he would also gain a reputation as a virtuous man.

"Well... I can't control the affairs of the various mansions, but I can still make the decisions in this palace. My dear, please take the trouble to release the old and idle palace maids."

Before He Daban could respond, Rong Tang bowed deeply, "Your Majesty is wise."

Zhao Ling also went up and crossed his arms, shaking them. "Father, your majesty is mighty and powerful."

Emperor Xuan Ning couldn't help but laugh and scold, "Look, you two are the best at flattering."

When Rong Tang left the palace, Li Dequan was the one who sent him off. He kept whining all the way, but when they were out of the palace, Rong Tang stuffed fifty taels of silver into his arms, and he immediately stopped whining.

Instead, he was a little curious. "Young Master, they both played cards with His Majesty, but both Concubine Xian and Princess Seven lost to His Majesty. Why is His Majesty unhappy?"

He and Rong Wan secretly made gestures and released some water, which made His Majesty very happy.

Rong Tang looked at him and smiled, "I didn't let Your Majesty. Even if I tried my best, I couldn't be as good as Your Majesty. There's nothing I can do about it."

After sending Rong Tang away, Li Dequan took the opportunity to ask He Daban about this matter. He Daban slapped him and said, "You should learn from the young uncle. He is younger than you, but he is ten times more cunning than you."

Rong Tang replied and immediately had the imperial edict delivered to the side courtyard. In an instant, bursts of crying were heard from the side courtyard. This was the sense of relief that had been suppressed for several months and finally had peace of mind.

Madam Xiao woke up from her coma and heard crying in the next yard. She asked weakly, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Xiao Jinyue suppressed her sadness and smiled happily, "Mother, Earl Jian'an really did ask for an imperial decree. We are freed from our crimes and are now children of good families."

Since Rong Wanli became engaged to Xiao Jinyue, he simply stayed in the courtyard all day long, fearing that his mother-in-law might suddenly pass away at any moment and leave no one around, which would scare Xiao Jinyue.

He leaned forward and said, "Our master is very powerful. Whatever he wants, he can get."

Xiao Jinyue wiped the corners of her eyes and suddenly had an idea. If Earl Jian'an was very powerful, could he also help her father and brother escape punishment?

Madam Xiao seemed to know what her daughter was thinking. She coughed a few times and said, "The Emperor's grace can only be bestowed, not be demanded. If it is too much, it will be quickly lost. Your father did something wrong and deserves to be punished. Your brother is a man and should shoulder the responsibilities of a man. Only you are a weak woman, and you are the most worrying thing."

After a violent coughing fit, followed by vomiting, Xiao Jinyue hurriedly went to ask for Dr. Mo. Madam Xiao took advantage of this opportunity to grab Rong Wanli's sleeve. She gasped for air and said incoherently, "My dear son-in-law, I am extremely satisfied with you, but there is one thing I want to ask you. Can you and Jinyue get married in advance? Also, do you have a house outside? If not, find an unowned piece of land and build a thatched hut. I, I can't do it anymore. I can't die in the Jian'an Earl's Mansion... That's not right..."

Rong Wanli couldn't help feeling sad. He had been an orphan since childhood, and now that he had gotten engaged, he began to treat Madam Xiao as his mother.

"Madam, I have a house. It's in the Rongjia Village compound, and I have my own yard. When we get married, we'll all settle down there. Don't worry too much, everything will be fine."

Doctor Mo came over to take her pulse. He felt that her time was running out, so he said to Rong Wanli as soon as he left the room, "It's only a matter of three or two days. Get ready early!"

No matter how good the medicine is, it cannot save a person who wants to die. Doctor Mo has come to terms with it. Sometimes, not forcibly interfering with the cause and effect of others is also a kind act.

Rong Wanli was anxious, so he went to ask Rong Tang, "Master, Madam Xiao is no longer able to make it. Can Jinyue and I get married first to put her mind at ease?"

Rong Tang sighed, "I originally wanted to hold a separate party for you guys to make it lively, but since you can't wait, let's move it up to the eighth day after tomorrow."

No matter how urgent it is, we must prepare wedding clothes for them.

Nanny Xi had already taken out various gifts received before the New Year from the warehouse, among which there was a lot of cloth. She distributed it to the girls in the side courtyard to make their own wedding dresses. Since they were all women, she understood that it was not easy for women, so she was willing to give some kindness without harming her own family.

However, when delivering the gifts, the necessary warnings still had to be made in advance, "Our family wants you to be a decent wife and live in harmony with your husband in the future. Don't have any bad intentions and think that our uncle is soft-hearted and easy to manipulate. As for so-and-so, we have found the person, why are you still making excuses? If you don't give me a definite answer, I will just appoint someone at random! If you don't obey, I will send you back tomorrow. Do you still think you are a government official's daughter?"

The last few people were so frightened that they hurried to choose their husbands.

"Look, look, look, this is what you chose. If it were placed somewhere else, you wouldn't have the right to choose. It would just be given to whoever you want. Just pray to the Buddha in your hearts."

As soon as this decree was issued, new rumors spread in the capital. It was said that the Earl of Jian'an was not buying a concubine for himself, but was giving wives to low-ranking officials of the new army.

Within a day or two, the matter fermented and spread. People in other military camps were envious and jealous. Many people quarreled with their superiors, saying that if they were not given wives, they would be transferred to the new army to serve as errand boys.

Even though they were making a fuss, there was no chance that they could really transfer their camp. However, it did make some military officers in the court interested. They were definitely reluctant to pay money to redeem the people. Just then, news leaked out from the palace that one or two hundred older palace maids would be released. Immediately, all of them showed their magical powers, wanting to divide up some of the quotas and assign them to officers of some minor status under their command.

Later, the competition became too fierce and there were not enough palace maids. Naturally, some people started to think of other ways to deal with them. For example, the older maids in various mansions and the older dancers in the Imperial Music Bureau were all put on the schedule for dismissal. Rong Tang even thought that he had committed a sin and forced many women to do things they didn't want to do.

It was Nanny Xi who comforted him, "Master, women in this world have a hard life. They all rely on their husbands and children to survive. They are confined to the harem, never marrying or having children, and have no hope when they grow old. Getting married while you can still have children is definitely a good way out. It is a great act of kindness, not evil."

Of course, this will happen a long time in the future. Right now, I am busy arranging the marriages of my subordinates.

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, Rong Wanli and Xiao Jinyue got married first. A courtyard was specially set up in the mansion to decorate the wedding hall. Wei Wu and Rong Xian, as witnesses of the wedding, arrived the day before, dressed in new clothes, waiting for the wedding to begin.

Originally, the news was not spread outside, and the mansion had no plans to entertain outside guests. However, before the auspicious time, guests kept coming into the mansion with gifts. Some were from the Jian'an Earl's Mansion, and some were from Rong Wanli's own connections. Butler Tao had no choice but to instruct the kitchen to temporarily add a few tables for the wedding banquet to entertain the guests.

Sima Zhi would be heading south again after the Lantern Festival, replacing Duke Du. He had come here specifically for a drink today. As soon as he saw Rong Tang, he smacked him in the chest, "You're such a good secret, kid! We all thought you were so lustful that you bought dozens of concubines. Tiantian was almost crying."

Rong Tang forced a smile and rubbed his chest, "I dare not, Fourth Uncle must have confidence in me."

"This time we have it. You are a very righteous man. It is not a loss for these men to follow you."

Rong Tang said calmly, "This is all due to the grace of His Majesty. If the officers want to express their gratitude, it should be to thank His Majesty for his great grace."

"Yes, yes, it is a grace given by His Majesty."

Sima Zhi continued to laugh. This nephew-in-law was so cautious and always afraid of being told on.

During the worship of heaven and earth segment, Rong Wanli originally wanted Rong Tang to sit and receive the worship, but Rong Tang said he couldn't handle it and asked Rong Xian to sit instead.

Rong Xian took out a pair of tablets from his bag and asked Rong Wanli to pay his respects to his parents in front of the tablets.

Sima Zhi looked at it with great interest. When he saw the name on the tablet, he was suddenly stunned. He felt familiar.