CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 228 INVESTIGATION

After the Imperial Physician left, Princess Nanzhang reported to the Old Madam about punishing Su Jin by making her kneel in the Buddhist Hall, and even about the matter of dismissing her.

Of course, she also mentioned Xie Jingchen’s words in defense of Su Jin.

The words "peaceful resolution"—

had already infuriated Princess Nanzhang, let alone the Old Madam.

The Old Madam’s face turned green with anger.

Seeing the Old Madam’s furious demeanor, Princess Nanzhang’s anger subsided by three points.

As it was time for lunch, Xie Jinyu had not yet returned, and Princess Nanzhang frowned and said, "Why hasn’t Yuyu come back yet?"

"Didn’t someone go to inform her that the Old Madam fainted?" Princess Nanzhang asked.

"As soon as the Old Madam fainted, someone was sent to tell her, but Miss Xie hasn’t returned," the maid replied.

"Shall I send someone to find Miss Xie again?" the maid asked.

"Go again!"

...

Beauty Pavilion, backyard.

Xie Jinyu, Xie Jinxiu, Xie Jinhuan, and the Eldest Young Madam of the Ministry of Industry Vice Minister’s Mansion had gathered around a table to play mah-jong.

Xie Jinyu was winning on all fronts, playing with great enthusiasm.

The Eldest Young Madam of the Ministry of Industry Vice Minister’s Mansion lost to the three of them.

Although she lost money, seeing Xie Jinyu and the others happy made her happy too.

A maid came over and said, "Miss Xie, a servant from Duke Zhen’s Mansion asks you to return to the mansion."

Xie Jinyu was focused entirely on winning the game.

She didn’t care what the maid said and impatiently responded, "Alright, alright, I know, I’ll be back in a while."

Even though she didn’t win much money.

She wasn’t short of money.

But she liked the feeling of winning.

The maid stepped back and truthfully conveyed Xie Jinyu’s words to the servant.

What could the servant do, unable to enter the backyard, he waited for a full two quarters of an hour, and when no one came out, he returned to Duke’s Mansion.

The servant relayed the message to the maid, who then passed it on to Princess Nanzhang.

Princess Nanzhang frowned tightly, "Is Beauty Pavilion really so entertaining?"

The maid shook her head.

She didn’t know.

"The servant said Miss Xie won quite a bit of money and was in a good mood," the maid said.

"Winning money?" Princess Nanzhang frowned.

Ever since the Heir of Duke Chong won against Marquis Dongxiang, eventually losing Duke Chong’s Mansion, Princess Nanzhang had developed an aversion to gambling.

Beauty Pavilion was the territory of that female bandit, who knew what kind of traps were set?‍

Having won enough, and considering it was indeed getting late.

Only then did Xie Jinyu reluctantly leave Beauty Pavilion and return to Duke Zhen’s Mansion.

After dismounting the carriage, she stepped into the mansion.

Xie Jinhuan asked the maid, "Nothing happened in the mansion, right?"

"The Old Madam fainted," the maid replied.

Xie Jinhuan’s expression changed, and she looked at Xie Jinyu.

It’s over.

The Old Madam fainted, such a significant matter, and despite sending two groups to fetch them, they hadn’t returned.

Xie Jinyu asked, "Why did the Old Madam faint?"

The maid shook her head.

"You don’t know?" Xie Jinyu frowned.

"Can’t say," the maid replied.

"...."

Such an embarrassing matter, a gag order had long been issued.

Anyone who discussed it further would be severely punished.

But even with the gag order, under Xie Jinyu and her companions’ pressure, the maid had to speak up honestly.

"The Old Madam had a headache and asked the Eldest Young Madam to massage her feet, but the Eldest Young Madam ended up making the Old Madam’s feet swell, and then the Old Madam fainted," the maid said in a low voice.

Xie Jinyu, "...!!!"

Xie Jinxiu, "...!!!"

Xie Jinhuan, "...!!!"

"How was the Eldest Young Madam punished?" Xie Jinyu asked excitedly.

"...."

"No punishment," the maid shook her head.

"How is that possible?!" Xie Jinyu’s voice rose several notches.

The maid said nothing.

When it comes to the Eldest Young Madam, what could possibly be impossible?

Even though she had made the Old Madam’s foot swell, hadn’t the Eldest Young Madam also stung Princess Shouning and fainting her without being punished, and even received rewards?

Xie Jinyu and her companions hurried to the inner courtyard to visit the Old Madam.

But they were stopped outside the door.

The Old Madam refused to see them.

Xie Jinyu then went to Peony Garden, where her delayed return earned her a rare scolding from Princess Nanzhang.

Xie Jinyu embraced Princess Nanzhang’s arm, acting spoiled, "Mother, I know I was wrong, it won’t happen again next time."

Princess Nanzhang, seeing her admit her mistake, let it go.

But Xie Jinyu admitted her mistake because the Old Madam fainted, and she didn’t hurry back.

She poured tea for Princess Nanzhang, saying, "Mother, the Beauty Pavilion of Eldest Young Madam is really fun, especially mahjong. I even brought a set back."

Princess Nanzhang’s face turned green with anger.

She raised her hand to poke Xie Jinyu’s head, frustrated, "How did I give birth to such an unpromising daughter!"

"Mother!" Xie Jinyu said aggrievedly.

"I must go and see how fun it really is!" Princess Nanzhang said through gritted teeth.

The next day, Princess Nanzhang went to the Beauty Pavilion.

But she didn’t play.

She arrived a bit late, and there were no mahjong tables left.

Even if there were, she wouldn’t take the stage.

Leaving the Beauty Pavilion, Princess Nanzhang headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

She went to see the Empress, as so many noble ladies were running to the Beauty Pavilion, staying out from morning until night, plus gambling involved, it was obviously not a good thing.

Princess Nanzhang requested the Empress to persuade the Emperor to ban everyone from playing mahjong to curb this inappropriate trend.

The Empress thought Princess Nanzhang made a valid point, so she went to see the Emperor.

Imperial Study.

The Emperor was reviewing memorials.

A little eunuch entered and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience."

"Let her in," the Emperor said.

The Empress walked in.

The Emperor took a sip of tea and said, "Is there something you need to discuss with me?"

The Empress curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that recently the trend of playing mahjong has risen sharply in the Capital City, with many people becoming deeply engrossed in it."

"As the model for all the women in the realm, I have a duty to guide them away from neglecting their household duties due to mahjong. May I urge Your Majesty to decree that everyone be prohibited from playing it."

"What is mahjong?" the Emperor asked, puzzled.

The Empress, "...."

The Empress suppressed her frustration and explained to the Emperor what mahjong was.

"It sounds quite interesting," the Emperor became a bit intrigued.

The Empress turned green with frustration.

"Your Majesty!" the Empress exclaimed.

The Emperor gave a light cough.

"Why are so many people suddenly playing mahjong?" the Emperor asked.

"I heard it all started at the Beauty Pavilion," Eunuch Fu said.

The Emperor, "...."

The Emperor raised his hand to rub his forehead.

The Empress looked at the Emperor, "Your Majesty won’t ignore it just because it’s led by the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, will you?"

The Emperor frowned and said, "I will investigate this matter. If it is as the Empress says, I will definitely issue a decree."

At this moment, the little eunuch entered and said, "Your Majesty, several ministers have entered the palace."

"Let them in."

The Emperor looked at the Empress, "Empress, you may step back for now."

"Why not directly ask those ministers, Your Majesty?" the Empress suggested.

"That would work too."

Several ministers came in and saluted the Emperor.

The Emperor asked, "Do your wives play mahjong?"

The ministers looked at each other in confusion.

Not understanding why the Emperor suddenly asked about this.

"My wife plays mahjong," one minister said.

"Do you think it should be banned?" the Emperor asked.

The ministers hastily responded, "Why does Your Majesty ask this?"

The Emperor cast a sidelong glance at one of them.

That minister immediately regretted his words and wished he could slap himself for daring to question why the Emperor asked, who gave him such boldness.

The minister hurriedly said, "It shouldn’t."

The Emperor, "...."

The Emperor glanced at the Empress’s expression.

Such obvious anger, yet these supposedly perceptive ministers didn’t notice a thing.

Incredible.

"Explain why it shouldn’t," the Emperor said.

That minister then said, "In the past, my residence was always filled with quarrels among the wives, but since we got mahjong, they’re now sitting together, chatting and laughing."

The Emperor, "...."

Another minister, somewhat embarrassed, said, "I haven’t taken a concubine in five years, with one wife and two concubines in the house. The other day, my wife brought in a concubine, saying it was to play mahjong with three players, so adding one more would complete the table."

The Emperor, "...."

Eunuch Fu, "...."

The last minister said, "My mother used to always complain of headaches and seemed listless all day, but since playing mahjong these past few days, her spirits have improved considerably."

The Emperor, "...."

Eunuch Fu, "...."

The Empress’s face turned purple.

"Such a good thing, and yet we don’t have it in the palace," the Emperor said.

"Your servant will immediately send someone to buy it," Eunuch Fu quickly responded.