Red Mansion Rebirth: Ghost Phoenix

At five o'clock the next morning, Wang Xifeng could not wait to get up. She stopped practicing martial arts as an exception, hurriedly ordered breakfast, swallowed a few bites, and rushed to Penglai Palace to meet Queen Mo.

Empress Mo had not yet risen. When she heard that Wang Xifeng's parents had entered the capital, she wanted to summon them to the palace. She turned over impatiently and ordered Aunt Han to go out and say:

"That's right."

Just these two words, without asking where he came from or where he lived, let alone whether he could be given lunch in the palace.

She didn't even ask whether Prince Fu, a foreigner, could enter the inner palace.

Wang Xifeng knew that Empress Mo was too lazy to know that her family was harmonious. She was also too lazy to flatter her, so she immediately obeyed the order and left.

Then he ordered An'er to take Jing Li with him: "Go and invite my parents to the palace in person. If my brother and sister-in-law are also here, please invite them to come as well. If you are also bringing that adopted sister to the capital, bring that child in as well.

"You'll have lunch at my place. So don't worry, take your time."

An'er and Ru'er had been excited the whole night. When they heard that they could invite the master and the mistress to the palace to meet them immediately, they both cried with joy.

Having received the assignment, An'er quickly packed up and urged Jingli to get the pass to leave the palace. They left the Daming Palace at 3:15 am.

Wang Xifeng then began to arrange for people to clean up the palace inside and outside. She also temporarily released Ru'er from house arrest and asked her to recall with her what her parents used to like to eat, drink, and use.

While sending someone to tell the Imperial Food Bureau to prepare, he went into the small storeroom and personally took out a set of tea sets, even including two separate tea cups.

He Ke followed behind, full of curiosity. He turned around and asked Aunt Ji in a low voice: "Why is mother so nervous?"

Madam Ji sighed and patted her on the shoulder, "I am homesick. It has been nine years since the Imperial Concubine last saw her parents, and her impression of them is already vague.

“Now that the two elders have come to Beijing, we will be closer in the future, and who knows, there will be more teachings and visits.

"If Master Wang and Madam Wang feel that they have broken the rules for the first time, they might be 'persuaded' to learn from the beginning."

He Ke opened his eyes wide: "My mother is already a royal concubine! Her rules are the rules. How could anyone think she is bad?"

"As parents, you can always find fault with your child even if you give it a hundred years." Nanny Ji laughed, "The princess has been studying and learning etiquette for several years, so she should have made some progress.

"But in the Imperial Concubine's mouth, aren't you always 'still far from it'?"

He Ke thought for a moment and pouted: "Mother used to praise me, but in the past two years, she has praised me less and less, and she often scolds me!"

Nanny Ji smiled, and suddenly something clicked in her mind. She rolled her eyes and whispered to her, "In fact, the parents of the imperial concubine, according to etiquette, are the princess's grandparents.

"If the princess can gain their love and care, she will be the imperial concubine in the future. It is not advisable to treat the princess too harshly, lest the old man feel distressed and angry..."

He Ke's eyes lit up: "That makes sense! Thank you for your guidance, Madam!"

He turned around and slipped back to his room, opened his box and searched for a long time, suddenly picked up a small box, and laughed: "This!"

Nanny Ji opened her eyes wide in surprise: The princess is willing to give this away?!

………………

Wang Zifu is nearly fifty years old. He experienced great ups and downs in his early years, and later became decadent and defeated. In recent years, because of his daughter, he has regained his spirits and made plans with all his heart. His temples have already turned gray, but he looks older than his actual age.

However, Mrs. Yuan was broad-minded, bold and capable. Even though she followed her demoted husband and moved from the capital to the south of the Yangtze River, she only had some difficulty acclimatizing to the local climate in the first two years. Later, she started a business and made a lot of money in Nanjing, Suzhou and other places.

Although this trip to the capital was ordered by the emperor, he had long missed his daughter madly and was looking forward to a reunion in the capital.

So when he received the imperial edict, he set out immediately, left his son and daughter-in-law to arrange matters in Jiangnan, and took his little daughter Keqing with him, packed a few clothes, took a box of banknotes, and flew to the capital by carriage.

Unexpectedly, before they got off the boat, someone conveyed the emperor's oral order, and took the family of three directly to a three-story house in Changlefang.

The visitor smiled and said, "My name is Guo Jian, and I am a guard in front of the emperor. When I was in the East Palace in my early years, it was I who opened the palace gate for the imperial concubine to enter.

"Your Majesty has already written the title of Imperial Concubine on this house, and it is just right for the old man and Mrs. An to live in.

"The Imperial Concubine once mentioned that the two elders did not like to have too many servants, so there were only four sweepers and four cooks in the house.

"The other two elders can make the purchase themselves based on the situation.

"I think tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, and the palace will be very busy. After the festival, when the Imperial Concubine has some free time, it's time to summon the two elders to the palace to meet them."

Wang Zifu was surprised by Guo Jian's politeness, but he did not ask casually. He just thanked the emperor for his grace and said:

"The palace has its own rules, so we should follow them. I haven't seen my daughter or had any contact with her for a few years, so two or three days won't make a difference.

"Let's wait until the Imperial Concubine is free before summoning her."

Guo Jian said nothing and left with a smile.

Wang Zifu brought his wife and youngest daughter into the house. Seeing that the interior was neat and simple, which was exactly his daily habit, he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

Seeing his expression, Madam Yuan called the eight people over and asked them in a soft voice who owned the house, who cleaned it, who decorated it, whether the imperial concubine had sent anyone over, etc.

These people naturally don't know much about anything.

The only thing we know is: "Seven or eight days ago, Miss An'er, the maidservant who came with the imperial concubine, came here once.

"At that time, there were still many things in the house. When Miss An'er came, she pointed out a lot of things and asked us to return them.

"It is said that the eldest master and the eldest mistress of the Wang family are both frugal people who do not like luxury. These things may all be from His Majesty's small storehouse. It is best not to let the royal things be lost outside if possible.

"Besides, although this is a residence granted by His Majesty, I'm afraid it will be difficult to stop relatives and old friends from coming and going. If someone accidentally damages or takes one or two items, it will be hard to explain.

“So it became what it is today.

"Guardian Guo said when he came to see me yesterday that this house is like a snow cave. There is nothing else except bowls for eating and beds for sleeping. If this gets out, people will say that the emperor is stingy."

Before Wang Zifu could say anything, Madam Yuan burst into laughter: "Your Highness is my own daughter, and she knows my temper best!

“My favorite thing is shopping!

"When we settle down, I will definitely take my little daughter out for a stroll in and out of the city for three or two months!

"If there's not some space in the house, I might have nowhere to store the things I buy in the future!

“How great is this?!

“At least there’s enough room for me!

"Oh my, I'm so happy!"

As she was speaking, Madam Yuan slapped her thigh and shouted, "Ping'er, come quickly and bring me the box. Where are the gold ingots I specially prepared?

"One reward per person first!"

Prince Fu was standing beside him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, and he held his forehead and sighed.

A little girl about ten years old snuggled up to Mrs. Yuan, looking delicate and soft, with a smile as gentle as water.