The Good Concubine of the Qing Dynasty [Red Mansion]

The head of the Zhen family is the chief of the Jiangning Weaving Bureau, a lucrative position.

Though the Zhen family is of the Plain White Banner, their matriarch was the emperor’s wet nurse. Kangxi, having lost his mother at a young age, held a deep affection for her.

Furthermore, the head of the Zhen family also served as the emperor’s companion and has been a trusted guard, making him a close confidant.

He is a local power in Jinling, now more influential than the legendary families of Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue.

Their family’s wealth is well-known.

Could anyone claim they didn’t engage in salt trading?

However, such families typically wouldn’t get their hands dirty directly; they might involve their followers, servants, or even act under the names of female relatives in the household.

Officials are not allowed to conduct business themselves.

So, when it truly comes to making a decisive break, they can swiftly distance themselves, though it inevitably leads to some losses.

As long as these families withdraw in time and do not oppose the court, Kangxi has no intention of pursuing the matter, especially when it involves his wet nurse’s family.

Lin Ruhai believed that his family was among the first to receive the news, and the likelihood of them taking action was very high. Although there was no direct evidence linking the Zhen family to any wrongdoing, the Bai family associated with them had indeed acted.

However, with the emperor’s decree arriving and a special envoy sent, the Bai family had ceased their actions and even made efforts to cover their tracks. Unfortunately, the net of heaven is wide and unerring.

Now that the Bai family had not been subjected to a crackdown, it was clear that this invitation was merely an attempt to smooth things over, hoping he would spare them.

Perhaps they still thought he was unaware, only knowing that there was a concubine from the Bai family in Zhen Laoye’s household.

They likely wanted to plead for leniency earlier, but after he was attacked and injured, he had refused all visitors and ignored all invitations, leaving them without an opportunity. In contrast, the inner quarters presented a potential breakthrough.

The steward was the first to filter and deliver the invitations to the doorman.

Previously, the Zhen family’s invitation was to visit the master, which he had refused, but now it had changed to an invitation for Aunt Mei. He didn’t dare to make a decision on his own and took it to Lin Ruhai.

The invitation was worded nicely, mentioning a long-standing connection with the Jia family, expressing deep feelings, and noting that the matriarch had greatly favored Jia Min. It had been many years since they last met, and now that Lin Ruhai was in this position, they wanted Aunt Mei to inquire about Daiyu’s situation to comfort the elderly matriarch.

Additionally, it was heard that he had been injured, so they wanted to know if he needed anything. Their family was not far away, and they offered to provide any medicinal herbs he required.

Lin Ruhai didn’t want Aunt Mei to embarrass the Zhen family, as he had no intention of letting the Bai family off the hook. In this case, not meeting was the best choice.

After all, the emperor’s favor for the Zhen family was quite profound; he had stayed with them during several southern tours.

The bond formed by the wet nurse’s care and the companionship of the emperor’s companion was something that ordinary people could hardly compare to.

There would be plenty of time in the future.

Aunt Mei had fallen ill.

After a tiring journey filled with anxiety, she finally fell sick upon arriving in Yangzhou, so she had to regretfully decline all invitations. Although there was another concubine in the residence, the invitations specifically named Aunt Mei, making the other concubine irrelevant.

Yun Shuyao was aware of this matter, while Aunt Mei was not. After learning about it, Yun Shuyao inquired about many details regarding the Zhen family.

For example, Kangxi was known to be an emperor who loved to travel, having undertaken several southern tours. This was not merely for leisure; it held other political significance.

It was aimed at further easing the tensions between the Manchu and Han peoples, winning over the gentry in Jiangnan, soothing public sentiment, and understanding the people’s conditions.

Interestingly, the head of the Zhen family had a son named Zhen Baoyu, which made for an amusing contrast to Jia Baoyu from the Jia family—one real, one fictitious.

And speaking of the Zhen family, one could not overlook the matriarch.

Her life experience is quite legendary. She was a servant who entered the palace to become a wet nurse for the princes, specifically for the current emperor. Later, her own son became a companion to the emperor, and she had a daughter who married Prince Narsu of Pingjun—a title of significant status.

She can be seen as a model of success against the odds.

No wonder Lin Ruhai did not want to confront them now, as the Zhen family was enjoying a peak of imperial favor.

The Zhen family received a reply. They were filled with anger but ultimately helplessness.

If someone is ill and does not wish to attend a meeting, can they really insist that the person come out despite their illness?

If an ordinary family behaved this way, it might not be a big deal, but Lin Ruhai was no unknown figure. With the emperor’s special envoy present in Yangzhou, and given that their family held the position of chief weaver in Jiangning and acted as the emperor’s eyes and ears in Jiangnan, they had already fallen short of their duties. If they went too far and angered the emperor, the consequences would be severe.

Inevitably, this would lead to another mark against Lin Ruhai.

Ultimately, the Bai family was subjected to a crackdown.

By this time, the operation was reaching its conclusion, and the families that were searched greatly enriched the national treasury, with many of those items likely to re-enter the market.

Lin Ruhai also seized this opportunity to purchase good farmland and stores nearby. Those prime locations had been taken long ago, and if the owners were unwilling to sell, others had no chance to buy unless they resorted to coercion.

Yun Shuyao also took the opportunity to purchase three estates, one for herself and one for each of her two children.

At this point, Aunt Mei’s illness had also “recovered,” and she learned that someone had indeed sent her an invitation. However, Lin Ruhai mentioned that it was still somewhat chaotic outside at that time, making it unwise to go out.

This reminded Aunt Mei of the various dangers encountered on the road, causing her to shiver, and she had no objections left.

Staying here was certainly better than venturing out in fear, and the Lin residence in Yangzhou was different from the previous courtyard. Walking around wasn’t so boring, but she should be able to go out now, especially since the Zhen family had sent another invitation.

She wanted to go out, and now it was certainly possible.

Lin Ruhai asked Yun Shuyao, “Do you want to go?”

Yun Shuyao wanted to go; she was also curious to meet the Zhen family.

So, Yun Shuyao and Aunt Mei went to the Zhen family together.

The Zhen family’s main residence was in Jinling, and the one in Yangzhou was just a secondary residence.

Not to mention anything else, just the appearance and decor were far more luxurious than the Lin residence.

This was only one of their less frequently visited houses, and its decorations were similar to those of the Jia family in the Rongguo Mansion, which suited Aunt Mei’s aesthetic.

As they entered, Aunt Mei’s eyes gleamed with interest, but this was perceived by the doorman as a lack of sophistication. Although the doorman tried to hide it, Yun Shuyao still noticed the contempt and arrogance in their gaze.

Yun Shuyao: “…”

The invitation was not extended by the head matriarch of the Zhen family, but rather by one of their concubines. The guests included not only the concubines from the Lin family but also those from several other households.

The head matriarch was still in Jinling, while the two concubines brought by the Zhen family were surnamed Bai and Lu.

In terms of status, Concubine Lu held a higher position.

If their identities were not known in advance, anyone would believe they were the head matriarch based on their attire and demeanor.

Concubine Lu was relatively cordial, greeting them with a smile, even if it was somewhat superficial. At least her demeanor was acceptable.

Lin Ruhai’s attitude had already made it clear that the Zhen family’s interests were compromised, so she couldn’t be too friendly. If the previous invitation hadn’t been so flattering, and if they didn’t genuinely want to gather information about the Lin family’s legitimate daughter to appease the matriarch, they wouldn’t have sent an invitation to the Lin family’s concubines.

As for Concubine Bai, her hatred was palpable. Her family was still imprisoned, uncertain of their fate, so how could she not harbor resentment?

Seeing two members of the Lin family, she naturally wore a hostile expression. “So, Lord Lin has a concubine too? How come I hadn’t heard about this before? Could it be that something happened previously that made you too afraid to show your face?”

Yun Shuyao smiled slightly. “Perhaps Concubine Bai is preoccupied with other matters; after all, they are her own blood relatives. It’s understandable to make wild speculations when there’s so much uncertainty.”

What could Concubine Bai be concerned about? Naturally, it was about the Bai family being investigated.

Given the clear animosity from the other side, Yun Shuyao saw no need to hold back. Regardless of the situation, the Lin family had nothing to be ashamed of.

Concubine Bai’s face turned pale, taken aback by how directly her vulnerabilities had been exposed.

Aunt Mei didn’t know much, but she was aware that the Bai family was being investigated.

Why were they being investigated?

Assassinating high-ranking officials and opposing the court, leading to confiscation of property—wasn’t that only to be expected?

Perhaps the dangers she faced on her journey south were also tied to the Bai family. If she wasn’t careful, she might have lost her life. Thinking of this made Aunt Mei’s expression darken even further.

How could this Bai woman still have the audacity to show her face? Though her family was once wealthy, far surpassing Aunt Mei’s own, now her family had become criminals, losing all their possessions. It was a miracle she managed to stay out of prison. Even if she had, her future would be uncertain. How could she come out to face others and still dare to give them a hard time?!

The more Aunt Mei thought about it, the angrier she became, echoing Yun Shuyao’s words: “Exactly! Some people aren’t afraid of being locked up themselves. Perhaps they even think it’s a good thing—being together as a family, a joyous reunion, unlike us. We have no guilty conscience and aren’t afraid of ghosts knocking at the door. Isn’t that right, Concubine Bai?”

“Sister Bai, you look unwell. I told you it wasn’t necessary for you to come out and host guests. You should hurry back and rest,” Concubine Lu interjected, not giving Bai any chance to respond. She had never agreed with Bai coming out in the first place, but since Bai insisted, now she worried that if they stayed longer, Bai might cause a scene.

Seeing her leave with red-rimmed eyes and a look of unwillingness, Aunt Mei lifted her chin, clearly pleased—she had won.

Concubine Lu quickly changed the subject: “Ladies, come and see! This is what my family has been nurturing for a long time…”

Only then did the onlookers join in, exclaiming in agreement, “Truly extraordinary! We are fortunate to witness this today…”

After watching the scene long enough, they couldn’t really let things get awkward; neither the Zhen family nor the Lin family were ones they could offend.

Yun Shuyao looked over and noticed two orchids in the Zhen family’s garden that she had cultivated.

Were these gifts to the Zhen family, or did they purchase them themselves?

Regardless, the place where she sold these plants was quite far from Yangzhou. It took considerable manpower and resources to transport them. If not handled carefully, they could easily wilt. Being delicate varieties, perhaps there were others that died off, leaving just these two.

The Zhen family was truly wealthy.

As she admired the flowers, Concubine Lu slowly walked over to Yun Shuyao, her smile now much more sincere: “I’m really sorry for my earlier rudeness.”

Yun Shuyao smiled back: “Concubine Lu, you’re too polite. We haven’t suffered any loss; it’s all fine.”

Concubine Lu hadn’t expected such a response and felt momentarily stumped.

How was she supposed to reply to that?!