Chapter 105

锦衣军查抄宁国府

骢马使弹劾平安州

A detachment of the secret police, the Embroidered Jackets, arrives at Zheng’s reception. The commissioner, Zhao Quan 赵全, says it is a social call, but Zheng does not know him. Zhao enters, ignoring all overtures, and announces the Prince of Xiping 西平王, who brings an edict for She. The prince and the commissioner asks the guests to leave, and constables seal the hall as the edict is read: She is arrested, deprived of his rank and an inventory made of his property, and the other Jia menfolk are placed under guard. As Lian manages both branches of Rongguo, his residence is also to be searched. When some restricted and illegal items are found, Zhao orders the confiscation of the entire contents of the mansion. The Prince of Beijing arrives with a second edict, which restricts the arrests to She only and dismisses Zhao; the princes discuss their dislike of him, and the Prince of Beijing summons Zheng. He sets his mind at ease, and advises him to account for the illegal promissory notes.

Baoyu is at Lady Jia’s other party when Patience and another maid report the commotion. The ladies are flabbergasted, and Xifeng faints; they hurriedly withdraw before Lian arrives with news of the prince’s intervention. After the hysterics, he explains the events and is aghast to find his cupboards ransacked. He is called out to join Zheng and the prices taking the inventory. He is puzzled not to hear his possessions listed; as the illegal documents were found in a chest in his chambers, he is detained. The princes leave with some concern, telling Zheng to wait for the final edict. He calls on Lady Jia, where there is an emotional gathering; he emphasises the Emperor’s generosity and the princes’ compassion. Lady Xing leaves, and is distressed to find her apartment padlocked with her maids inside; she also finds Xifeng recovered. Lady Xing returns to Grandmother Jia’s, where the others comfort her. Zheng, meanwhile, hears from a Ningguo retainer causing a rumpus at the gates that Zhen and Rong have been detained and a similar inspection undertaken. Xue Ke is able to get past the guards and, having come from the Board of Punishments, tells Zheng of the charges against Ningguo, principally regarding the Erjie affair. He has also discovered that She is seriously implicated in the impeachment of the magistrate of Ping’an – friends at court won’t help, and the family is disgraced. Zheng is furious and upset, and asks him to continue enquiries while he is concerned about his family. He hears someone cry out that Lady Jia is fainting, and hurries away.