The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 104 Unleashing the Sword (First Update)
In the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Zheng, who had spent the night peacefully, finally learned that Jia She and Jia Zhen had gone to pick up the people.

He was quite sad.

Jia Zheng was determined to deal with any family matters as soon as possible, but Lian'er was impeached... and he got caught up in a different matter. Now, he was trying to pick up his sister... but his sister-in-law had excluded him from the process.

“Mother, please let your son know if anything happens in the future.”

Inside the house, Jia Zheng seemed very disappointed with the old lady, saying, "What my elder brother can do, I can definitely do too, and I'll do it better than him."

Jia Mu: "..."

Looking at her second son, who was determined to compete with his eldest son, she felt exhausted. "If you're so determined, you can go now!"

She didn't stop her.

My daughter has never returned since she went to Jiangnan.

She had two children, but she had never seen them.

It's only natural that his elder brothers and nephews would come to pick him up after he finally returned to Beijing to visit his family.

"Your sister would complain if you picked her up?"

Jia Zheng: "..."

There are many routes back to Beijing, how would he know which way she would have gone?
Looking at his elderly mother, Jia Zheng felt that she had changed and no longer considered his difficulties.

Even if you took the wrong turn and didn't pick her up, your sister will be happy to know you went to get her.

Grandmother Jia gave another hint, but her good second son opened his mouth and asked, "Mother, do you know where my sister and the others are now?"

From Yangzhou to the capital, it would only take ten days by fast horse and waterway. However, my sister, with her two young nephews and nieces, might not be able to reach the capital for two months if the wind was not favorable or if they happened to encounter rain.

Should he go pick him up?
Where did he pick it up from?

"Now that we've arrived in the capital, will Lian'er send someone back to inform us first?"

Can't he just pick me up then?

"...Since you've already thought that way, why are you still asking me?"

Grandmother Jia closed her eyes, not wanting to look at her son.

With a brain like that, no wonder he's been in the Ministry of Works for years but hasn't done any real work, only drinking tea and reading the official gazette.

I never expected that my second son, who seemed to be doing so well in everything, would turn out like this.

Grandmother Jia was also puzzled. How could she have raised him to be like this?
"I……"

Jia Zheng was speechless again.

He wanted to ask, where did his mother, who used to think of everything for him, go?
If he does nothing, wouldn't that just confirm what his sister-in-law said to him?

"Mother!"

Jia Zheng could only plead with his mother again, "When my sister-in-law sent my elder brother and Zhen'er to pick up the person, didn't you ever think that she might be hiding something from us? My elder brother and the East Mansion have already sent people to pick them up."

This?
It's really possible.

Grandmother Jia's heart suddenly jumped.

That niece-in-law has been acting very freely ever since she caused a scene at the school.

Jiangnan...

Thinking of the major case involving the Li family that had been making headlines in the capital, the old lady's expression changed. "Your eldest brother and Zhen'er aren't home, and Zhu'er has gone to study at the Imperial Academy. You need to be more careful about the security of this house. Take some people for a walk around tonight."

Jia Zheng: "..."

Are he and his mother talking about the same thing?
"Especially in the Eastern Prefecture."

The old lady was exasperated. She had made it so obvious, but he just wouldn't get it. "Rong'er is still young. As his uncle, you should visit him more often and ask him about his studies. He'll only feel grateful."

This?
Jia Zheng nodded, "When Rong-ge'er finishes school, I'll call him over and ask him where he is in his studies. If he doesn't understand something, I'll explain it to him."

"..."

Grandmother Jia felt even more exhausted. "Alright, my head hurts, I need to rest for a while. You can go now!"

After sending her son away, the old lady had her maid summon Wang Xifeng. "Twice the number of old women patrolling tonight, and the same goes for the outer courtyard. Also, tell the patrolling women in the outer courtyard to keep an eye on things in the East Mansion. Your elder brother Zhen isn't home, and Rong'er is too young. As his aunt, you should take better care of him."

"It's from my granddaughter-in-law."

Wang Xifeng was grateful to her aunt from the East Mansion for sending out Brother Zhen for Lian Er's sake. "Yesterday, the number of people on patrol was doubled. I also told Sister-in-law Zhen about the East Mansion. People have been sent to guard both side gates so that they can provide support at any time if anything happens."

"...I trust you to handle things!"

Grandmother Jia was very pleased. "When Lian'er comes back, I'll have him thank you properly."

"Look at what you're saying. When Second Master left, he told me to take good care of the family."

Wang Xifeng is now more eager for Jia Lian to return than anyone else.

The family has already been divided. Although she still lives in the old courtyard, the courtyard that her aunt originally reserved for Baoyu has been explicitly given to them by her father-in-law.

It can be said that every time the eldest aunt of the East Mansion made a move, their eldest branch of the family had an even better life.

"I know, I know, you are all good children."

Her grandchildren are all good.

Although Grandmother Jia was disappointed in her second son, she still treated Jia Zhu the same as before.

Of course, Jia Lian is alright, at least he's better than his father.

Their younger brothers, unlike their father who was like a black-eyed chicken, were different.

Grandmother Jia now only hopes that her two grandsons can keep the Rongguo Mansion afloat.

"Yuanyang, go and get my gold-inlaid ruby ​​butterfly hairpin for your second mistress."

When the old lady is happy, she likes to reward people.

They're all her grandchildren anyway.

Moreover, Feng Yatou is a hundred times better than her two daughters-in-law.

She would feel guilty if she didn't reward him.

"Oh dear, then I thank you very much for your generous gift, Grandma."

Wang Xifeng, having received a reward, came out of Grandmother Jia's courtyard with a smile. "Ping'er, you'll have to work harder these next few days. Take the maids with you at night and keep a close watch on things, so the night patrols don't slack off."

"Hmm~"

Ping'er was overjoyed that her grandmother had received a reward, and said, "I will go out to check on her from time to time."

As a result, no one dared to slack off.

"Then, while it's still early, you should go back and get some sleep."

The master and servant were being very affectionate, but little did they know that Jia Lian, who was on his way to Tianjin, was being thoroughly disciplined by Jia Min.

When the aunt and niece were in Yangzhou, they didn't have time to talk. On the way back, they were both on edge and didn't have the energy to have a detailed conversation.

But now that they're about to go to the capital, Jia Min has also discovered her nephew's problems. Naturally, she grabs him and interrogates him about everything in the family, while also asking him about the benefits of the school reforms, the benefits of repaying the debts, how the Lai family of the two prefectures ended up like that, whether his father should take responsibility, whether his uncle should take responsibility, and whether he should take responsibility...

He wanted to break down everything and everyone into their details and tell them everything.

Jia Lian broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this.

Because my aunt almost bluntly said that the old lady was biased, which led to my second aunt being too greedy and greedy for money in the Lai family. She was greedy for... more than she could have.

Having lived through the heyday of the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Min was heartbroken by the current state of her family.

Especially when she heard that Wang had actually used this foolish nephew to use the money her father had sealed in the treasury to repay the national treasury to her descendants, she smacked his blockhead a few times, almost yelling at him, "How could you be so stupid, so incredibly stupid?"

However, although he didn't say it out loud, Jia Lian sincerely felt that he had been stupid.

"Go home and apologize to your father properly."

Jia Min was exasperated. "Although it's a bit late, you apologized, and your father's antics will be less outrageous."

My older brother grew up with his grandparents and that's how he turned out... it's not his fault.

Having followed Lin Ruhai in the officialdom for more than a decade, I gradually came to understand things that I had never understood in my youth.

If the Ning and Rong mansions continue to receive the same imperial favor as their grandfather and father in their generation, then the greater the favor, the greater the danger.

Compared to her elder brother Jing, her elder brother was relatively mediocre; he was content to simply be a caretaker of the household.

I just didn’t expect that…

Jia Min sighed inwardly, "You are his own son. I don't expect you to always take his side, but you can't... stand against him." She could imagine how painful it must have been for her brother.

No wonder the eldest sister-in-law of the East Mansion wanted to send Lian'er to her.

With the Jia family's power and influence, they could buy sacrificial land anywhere, she...

Jia Min suddenly felt a little guilty, because she had only spoken properly to her nephew today.

"Nephew, apologize as soon as you get home!"

Jia Lian, who had been keeping his head down, didn't see his aunt's expression and earnestly promised, "Don't worry, Aunt, your nephew..."

Just as he was about to say something more, the carriage stopped; it turned out they had arrived at a tea stall for rest.

After traveling for so long, even if the horses are able to keep going, they need to rest and have a drink of water.

"Alright, your aunt believes you."

My nephew is a good person with a kind heart. Throughout the journey, he tried his best to make her and her two children as comfortable as possible.

My husband said that he made the salt himself; he's a hard worker.

All the problems stemmed from my second sister-in-law.

Jia Min never really thought much of her second sister-in-law. She looked dignified and generous, and didn't compete or fight, but deep down she was competitive and always wanted to be the best.

The eldest sister-in-law of the East Mansion and the original eldest sister-in-law... were both from scholarly families, and they acted with composure and maturity. She could only stay obediently.

But first, Lian'er's mother passed away, and then the Crown Prince had an accident. With changes happening in the family, wouldn't that make her stand out?
"Let's go downstairs and relax for a bit."

As she spoke, Jia Min put on her veil and, with Jia Lian's help, got out of the carriage.

Lin Chang'an and Lin Daiyu hadn't seen their mother or cousin for a long time, so when they finally saw them, they rushed over.

"Second cousin, you should drink less alcohol in the future."

"Exactly, when you drink too much, you smell bad."

The two younger ones went to their mother's side and first started to berate their older brother.

Jia Lian: "..."

Seeing his aunt smile, he could only touch his nose and promise them, "I will never drink like this again."

As he spoke, Jia Lian even secretly sniffed himself, as if afraid he really smelled bad.

Jia Min was amused by the three of them. "You silly boy, your sister is just teasing you."

"Oh, so you dare to bully your brother?"

Jia Lian grabbed little Daiyu and pretended to throw her away.

But my little cousin wasn't scared at all; instead, she waited with bright, sparkling eyes.

Jia Lian then tossed the object a few times, saying, "If you dare to bully my brother again, I'll go home and ask your sister-in-law to beat you up."

"Hehe, I won't do it again, I won't do it again."

Little Daiyu laughed heartily.

"Me too, me too."

Lin Chang'an grabbed his brother's clothes, indicating that he had also bullied his brother.

"Come on, you little troublemaker."

After putting down his little cousin, he promptly tossed up his little cousin.

The tea stall, which had been quiet just moments before, suddenly became lively because of the laughter of two children.

At this moment, Li Haifeng and his caravan were also riding at full speed.

Their mules were all carefully selected, so although they were a step behind, they still managed to catch up from a great distance.

However, once they saw it from a distance, they slowed down a bit.

After all, being too hasty will arouse suspicion.

"Seventh Master, the next twenty miles or so are all good places to make a move."

If we go any further, it will be dangerous.

Chang Lei stood on the truck, gazing into the distance. "Third Master's men should be arriving soon."

"Yes, I figured it was in this area too."

Li Haifeng was slightly excited, knowing she was about to get revenge. "Remember, I'm going to personally deal with those two brats from the Lin family and Jia Lian."

As for Jia Min...

Killing a mere woman would be too lenient for her.

Li Haifeng wanted a fate worse than death.

If Jia Min hadn't had a conflict with their family, her cousin Li Haizhong would never have attacked the Jia family.

Therefore, all of this begins with Jia Min.

He wanted to make her wish she were dead, to make Lin Ruhai heartbroken, and to make the Jia family experience the meaning of powerless rage.

After pulling off this heist, the next time he sets foot on this land will surely be when he is surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Li Haifeng not only wanted revenge, but also to continue the Li family line.

“Jia Min… strip off her clothes and let the brothers at sea have some fun. Let them taste the flavor of this noble lady from the capital and see if it’s different from the others.”

"Yes!"

Chang Lei was not surprised at all.

He just doesn't have the time. If he did, he would like to taste the flavors of the two daughters of dukes.

As the mule and horse caravan slowly moved forward, they were unaware that Jia She, who had been heading towards the official road since early morning, was already not far from the tea stall.

Even Jia Zhen is on his way.

He was targeting the group that was suspicious.

I just didn't dare get too close.

If the other party wasn't targeting his house, then... he would simply pretend he didn't see them.

Even Jia Zhen was afraid when faced with vicious criminals.

"Dismount and re-wrap the horse's hooves."

Jia Zhen, who had become a mediocre student under Jiao Da, still racked his brains for his own and everyone else's safety.

The group obediently dismounted and wrapped their hooves.

Jia Zhen was very inexperienced in his work; everyone else had finished, but he hadn't even finished one hoof.

At this moment, Third Master Baoyan and his group had already overtaken Jia She and reached the front.

However, they drove very arrogantly, and it seemed they even deliberately kicked up dust.

The old man driving the oxcart not far away also choked, and he cowardly pulled the ox around to a side road. Jia She and his group all looked very bad.

Including the master and his men, there were only ten people.

The other side, however, had eighteen people.

If they couldn't reunite with Master Lian and the others, they would have no choice but to avoid people like this.

But what if they just want to scare everyone away so they won't dare to go forward, but their target is Master Lian and his aunt who are coming back?

"Sir, it's not appropriate to report this to the authorities here."

Lin Zhixiao was very worried. In any case, according to his observation, if the other party was a highway robber, the area within a dozen or twenty miles was a good place.

Whether reporting to the authorities in Cangzhou or Tianjin, the time spent traveling back and forth would be enough for them to flee far away.

"Then... let's walk slowly for now."

Unlike his usual self, Jia She's face was very serious. "Everyone, stay vigilant."

As he spoke, he kicked the seat panel with his heel, making a snapping sound, and pulled out a box containing ten swords. "Here, distribute these as well."

There will be one more update, but it will be very late. You can read it tomorrow.