Forcing Laughter, Hengwu Celebrates a Birthday; In Death’s Lingering Longing, Xiaoxiang Hears Ghostly Weeping

It is said that Jia Zheng had earlier memorialized the throne, wishing to hand over the family residence and the Grand View Garden to the government. The court had declined to accept them. Since no one lived in the garden, it had to be locked and sealed. Because the garden adjoined the courtyards where Lady You and Xichun lived, the area was vast, empty, and bleak; Bao Yong was therefore assigned to guard the deserted garden as a punishment. At this time Jia Zheng managed the household, and in accordance with Mother Jia’s instructions he gradually reduced the number of servants and cut expenses everywhere. Even so, the family could barely hold together. Fortunately, Mother Jia doted on Wang Xifeng. Although Lady Wang and the others did not much like her, Xifeng was still capable in managing domestic affairs, so the inner household was still left in her hands. But ever since the confiscation, money had been tight in every direction, and there was a shortage everywhere. The servants in the various households had long been used to comfortable days. Now their income was......