Corrupt official in the Red Chamber

Chapter 150
Just when Jia Rui was thinking wildly, another word came from inside, "The queen wants to listen to the show."

As the manager of the actors, Jia Qiang quickly sent the playbook and asked the queen to order some plays.

After a while, Concubine Yuan's order came out, and four plays were ordered, namely: the first play, "The Banquet"; the second play, "Begging for Skills"; the third play, "The Fate of Immortals"; the fourth play, "Leaving Soul".

Jia Qiang, who had been preparing downstairs for a long time, quickly led the bought actors to prepare.

When Jia Rui, who was waiting outside, heard that Concubine Yuan ordered these four plays, he immediately frowned and said to himself that it was indeed the same as what was said in the Dream of Red Mansions.

At the same time, Jia Rui was also a little surprised. Why did Concubine Yuan order these four unlucky plays?

The first play, "A Banquet," comes from Li Yu's play "A Handful of Snow" in the Ming Dynasty, implying that the Jia family would be ransacked because of the case of the stone idiot's antique fan.

The title of the second play "Begging for Skills" also foreshadows the bad consequences of Jia Zheng and Jia Zhen offending the politicians in the "Dream of Red Mansions".

The third play, "Immortal Fate", is very lively, just in line with the scene of visiting relatives, and it also coincides with a monk who enlightens the jade.

The fourth play, "The Lost Soul", comes from "The Peony Pavilion" and is a play by Tang Xianzu. It depicts Liniang dying of illness on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

None of these four plays is suitable for today's joyful scene.

Without Jia Rui, naturally no one would dare to say anything.

But Jia Rui is a favorite of the Supreme Emperor, and he doesn't have so many scruples. The four dramas of Concubine Yuan are not in line with today's scene.

What's even more terrible is that these four plays seem to be a coherent prophecy. As a member of the Jia family, Jia Rui naturally cannot let this happen.

So Jia Rui walked out of the class and said to the eunuch on the stairs: "Don't schedule this play for now. I have something to advise."

These eunuchs knew Jia Rui's identity very clearly, and they did not dare to offend him.

So he nodded with a smile, and then quickly went in to report.

Concubine Yuan, who was sitting in the hall, was preparing to watch a play. Suddenly, a eunuch hurried in and knelt on the ground.

"Go back to your Majesty, the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Minister of Internal Security, Jia Rui, request an audience."

Concubine Yuan was already well-known to Jia Rui. She only glanced at her outside today and didn't say a word. Now that she heard Jia Rui's request for an audience, she easily agreed.

Jia Rui outside got the order from Concubine Yuan and then followed the eunuch into the inner hall.

After entering the inner hall, Jia Rui paid homage to the emperor and his ministers.

After the salute, Concubine Yuan quickly ordered her personal maid to hold Qin and help Jia Rui up, which was enough to give Jia Rui face.

But Jia Rui didn't appreciate it.

Today's Concubine Yuan didn't know if she was too excited, and she was in a dilemma, and she even ignored her minister several times.

Now, if he wants to restore her impression in his mind with such a small favor, don't dream about it.

Although Jia Rui was disdainful in his heart, on the surface he still did not follow the etiquette of a monarch and his ministers and did not show it in any way.

"What's the matter with your visit?"

Jia Rui lowered his head and cupped his hands and said, "The four plays ordered by the queen are not in line with today's scene. Please take them back."

Jia Rui's words immediately silenced the entire hall.

No one expected that Jia Rui would be so ignorant and bold, daring to make Concubine Yuan look bad on her wedding day.

Concubine Yuan's expression also changed a little, but she quickly covered it up. After all, she couldn't stay in a place like the palace for long.

"Why did Aiqing say that?"

"Your Majesty, these four plays look lively, but in fact they are not going to be successful in the future. Please give me some warning."

Concubine Yuan sat on it and was silent for a long time, and finally said: "What Ai Qing said is absolutely true. In this case, it will be replaced by dragon and phoenix presenting auspiciousness, a picture of a hundred years of life, a red Luan Jubilee, and Shiro visiting his mother."

After hearing this, Jia Rui was satisfied, because these four plays are all famous auspicious plays, and it would be a good thing if they succeed before and after.

So Jia Rui resigned.

After Jia Rui exited, Mrs. Wang glared at Xue Baochai who was not far away, and then said to Concubine Yuan sitting above her:
"Jia Rui relies on favor and is arrogant. He is not a human subject. Please give me an order to punish him."

Concubine Yuan glanced at her mother and didn't know what to say. Doesn't this old lady have any eyesight?
She didn't dare to reprimand Jia Rui loudly. Didn't she see that?If Jia Rui knew what he said now, it would be even more difficult for him in the palace.

"Mother, what Jia Rui said is a good word. The four plays I started are indeed unlucky. It is the duty of a minister to give advice and advice. What is wrong? Mother, there is no need to say it again."

Mrs. Wang seemed to know that what she just said was wrong. After her daughter spoke, she retreated silently.

Just as he was talking, the scene had already started on the stage.

All I saw was: each one sang to the sound of cracking stones, and danced like a demon.Although the description is made up, it depicts all the joys and sorrows.

Since there was little entertainment in this ancient time, Jia Rui also did some research on opera after he came, so he is now watching with gusto while sitting down.

Soon the four plays were finished.

A eunuch came out with a gold plate of pastries and asked, "Who is the senior official?"

Jia Qiang knew that it was a gift to the senior official. She was so happy that she quickly accepted it and ordered the senior official to kowtow.

The eunuch said again: "The imperial concubine has an edict, saying, 'Young officials are very good. Let's go to the garden again to make today's scene complete.'" Jia Qiang hurriedly agreed.

But something went wrong in the end, and the young official took it upon himself to do it. It was not his role, so he insisted not to do it, and decided to do two parts: "Meeting" and "Currently".

Jia Qiang was also shocked, knowing that what the senior officer did was against the holy order.So I could only keep persuading from the sidelines.

Jia Rui, who was not far away, was angry when he heard this. A little actor dared to be so arrogant.

"What else are you talking about? Take him out and beat him to death. Of course I will have something to say to you, Queen Mother."

Jia Rui's words shocked everyone.

However, the young official did not bow his head to the threat of death. Instead, he stared at Jia Rui with big bright eyes.

Jia Rui felt a little guilty after being stared at by this look. He coughed involuntarily and turned his head away.

He didn't know what was going on today. He was actually in trouble with a little actor. This was not his usual character!

Thinking about it now, it turns out that it was the sight of Ling Guan and Jia Qiang being so close just now that aroused Jia Rui's hatred.

Although Jia Qiang is already a disabled person, Jia Rui still hasn't let go of the hatred in his heart, which is why today's incident happened.

During the stalemate, Concubine Yuan's words came from the palace, "Don't embarrass the child, just let her perform as she pleases."

With Concubine Yuan's presence, the awkward situation was finally resolved.

After the Lingguan play was over, Concubine Yuan gave her many things in order to appease the little girl.

Seeing that it was getting late, a eunuch came over and asked Concubine Yuan to move back to Luan.

After Concubine Yuan heard this, she burst into tears immediately. Although she was extremely reluctant to give up, the royal rules were immutable, so she could only get into the carriage crying.

After everyone sent Concubine Yuan out of Rongguo Mansion, they knelt on the ground and waited quietly for Concubine Yuan's Luan Jia to disappear.

At this point, the vigorous farce with the icing on the cake finally came to an end.

It was already about two o'clock or almost three o'clock in the middle of the night.

Jia Rui escorted the tired Jia Dairu and Mrs. Wang back home.

Since they had been tired for almost a day and a night, everyone did not say anything else and rested separately.

The next day, others were still sleeping, but Jia Rui had to get up, put on his official robes, and go into the palace to serve the Supreme Emperor.

Entering the main hall of Longshou Palace, I saw the Supreme Emperor taking a walk in the hall to exercise.

Jia Rui hurriedly ran over and held the Emperor's arm.

Dai Quan on the side curled his lips when he saw Jia Rui's appearance, thinking that Jia Rui was going to flatter him this time.

When the Emperor was taking a walk just now, Dai Quan wanted to go over and help him, but he was shouted back by the Emperor.

Now that Jia Rui is still rushing to show his courtesy, isn't he asking for trouble?
But to Dai Quan's surprise, the Supreme Emperor was not angry at Jia Rui's diligent support. Instead, he had a smile on his face and seemed to be enjoying it, and was supported by Jia Rui as he walked around in circles in the hall.

When Dai Quan saw this scene, he felt a little puzzled. He was also a human being, and he had served the Supreme Emperor for so many years, but he had never seen the Supreme Emperor favor him so much.

Jia Rui has only been with the Supreme Emperor for a long time, and yet he is regarded as a confidant by the Supreme Emperor. Who can he reason with?
With Jia Rui's support, the Supreme Emperor walked once or twice in the hall and suddenly asked: "Is your house busy yesterday?"

Jia Rui supported the Supreme Emperor and said nonchalantly: "It's all piled up with money. It was so busy yesterday. I'm afraid the famine will last for more than ten years."

The Supreme Emperor nodded after hearing this. He was indeed the boy he liked. He was still sober and was not blinded by the bustling talk in front of him.

"I am going to go south after the spring flowers bloom. Will you follow me or stay in the capital?"

Jia Rui said quickly: "I don't have any ideas. I just follow the arrangement of the Supreme Emperor."

The Supreme Emperor smiled and then said: "If that's the case, then I will make arrangements for you."

While they were talking, the eunuch from outside came in and reported, "Concubine Xiande, Concubine Wu, please see the Supreme Emperor."

After hearing this, Jia Rui immediately understood that this was Concubine Yuan coming to thank the Supreme Being.

The Supreme Emperor thought for a moment after hearing this, and then said: "I am tired today, so I will not see them all, but only the virtuous concubine."

After the eunuch listened, he quickly bowed out of the hall.

After a while, there was a sound of hairpins jingling outside, and then Concubine Yuan entered the hall with the support of a palace maid.

It turned out that Concubine Yuan had gone to Yangxin Hall to thank the emperor this morning. After coming out of the emperor's place, she and her companions came to thank the emperor for his kindness.

However, outside the Supreme Emperor's courtyard, the eunuch had already sent away his companions and only summoned himself.

When she entered the palace, she saw the Supreme Emperor, spinning around in the main hall to exercise. The person supporting the Supreme Emperor next to him was none other than Jia Rui.

At this time, the Supreme Emperor was talking softly to Jia Rui with a smile. The two of them did not look like monarchs and ministers, but rather like father and son chatting in the yard.

Seeing this scene, Concubine Yuan understood even more how favored Jia Rui was by the emperor.

Just looking at the situation between the two of them, as long as Jia Rui doesn't rebel, even the emperor will give Jia Rui three points.

(End of this chapter)