The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 167 Believe in Him (Second Update)

With martial law in effect throughout the capital, where could the Japanese possibly escape to?
Prince Teng was in his residence, slowly examining the map of the capital.

As a former military governor of the Beijing garrison, he was familiar with all the streets, alleys, and even the alleys of the capital.

If nothing has been found so far, there's only one possibility: there's a secret stronghold of Japanese pirates in the capital.

Moreover, they may have already deviated from the Japanese speaking and physical habits.

As Wang Ziteng twirled the ring on his hand, he wondered where a Japanese person would normally hide.

Where can I go without being noticed?

His finger slowly traced the main street of Zhengyang, where Shuntian Prefecture was located, and finally stopped at the end of the street.

This is a four-way intersection.

However, Zhengyang Street is different from other places.

Because of the Shuntian Prefecture government office, even the slightest disturbance in the capital could be detected here.

hiss~
"Somebody come!"

Because of the Lan family's affair, the officials in the court all felt that he had betrayed his ally, the Jia family, and none of them wanted to see him. So, if he could take down this case, he might be able to salvage his image with the Emperor.

"Take a few people with you, prepare a car, and let's go out for a trip."

"……master!"

Wang Jin rushed in, "Young Master Zhu is here."

what?
Wang Ziteng, who was about to leave, paused. "...Please!"

Jia Zhu came in quickly. When he called out, "Uncle!" he bowed respectfully.

"..."

Wang Ziteng did not speak immediately, nor did he call out to him.

This nephew, whom he once doted on, did not offer a single helping hand when he needed it most.

Even so, he couldn't find fault with him.

"I dare not accept such a title from you, Uncle Zhu!"

Judging from Jia Zhu's appearance, he probably has something to ask of him.

Wang Ziteng sat down. "Speak, what is it?"

When Jia She and Jia Lian exposed the Lan family's affairs in court, the Wang and Jia families had no chance of maneuvering.

As it turned out, without the Wang family, the emperor seemed to trust the Jia family even more.

Wang Ziteng suspected that this was the result of Jia Jing and Shen Shi discovering that things were not going well and plotting behind the scenes.

Now that Jia Zhu has come to see him... he's at most representing himself.

Moreover, as far as Wang Ziteng knew, his sister had been confined to a small Buddhist temple, and Jia Zhu and Yuan Chun had not done anything to fight for their parents.

Is my eldest uncle going out?

Jia Zhu slowly straightened up and glanced to the left and right.

The servants knew what it meant, and, upon confirming that the master had not objected, quickly retreated to a distance.

"Heh! I can't go out? Or are you going to set up a small Buddhist shrine for me in my Wang family home?"

Jia Zhu: "..."

When he arrived, he was prepared to be ridiculed or even beaten up, but he was not discouraged at the moment.

"Uncle!"

He took a deep breath. "Are you aware of the assassination attempt on Lord Dong last night?"

"..."

Wang Ziteng narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything.

He couldn't quite figure out what his nephew meant by mentioning Lord Dong.

"It is said that he was assassinated by the Japanese because of his policies on dealing with them."

"..."

Wang Ziteng raised an eyebrow. He understood his nephew's purpose in coming here. Anger flashed in his eyes. "Heh~, are you afraid that I, Wang, will say outside that the strategy for dealing with the Japanese pirates was given to Dong Xiaoquan by the Shen family of Ningguo Prefecture?"

"Yes!"

Jia Zhu looked directly into his uncle's eyes without flinching. "Those people who dared to assassinate Lord Dong in Shuntian Prefecture, if they knew that the strategy for suppressing the Japanese pirates was offered by my aunt, they would surely come after our family. I have come here today to earnestly request your help, Uncle..."

Bang~
A teacup smashed at Jia Zhu's feet.

"Jia Zhu, what do you take Wang Ziteng for?"

What image does he have in his nephew's mind?
Is he the kind of person who would betray his country and collude with the enemy?
Although he disliked Shen very much and even had murderous thoughts about her time and time again, there were some things he would do and some things he would never do.

Wang Ziteng stood up abruptly. "Yes, I am sometimes unscrupulous in some matters, but colluding with the enemy... I, Wang Ziteng, would never do that before, I would never do that now, and I would never do that in the future."

The border war was intense, but the emperor was unwilling to appoint him.

Prince Teng was still thinking about how to take advantage of the Zhao Dynasty's strategy to conquer Japan and find another way for the royal family to rise to power.

"Do you understand now? If you understand, get out. You are no longer welcome in the Wang family."

Jia Zhu: "..."

At that moment, he believed in his uncle.

He lifted his robe, knelt on the ground, kowtowed heavily, then quickly got up, turned around and left.

Fortunately, Jia Zhu left quickly. Just as he mounted his horse and left, Wang Zisheng, who was also at home, heard that he had arrived and stormed over angrily with a broom in hand.

"Brother, where is Jia Zhu?"

Wang Zisheng stared wide-eyed. "At this time, why are you still protecting him? Jia Zhu, you come out here."

"No need to call him anymore, he's gone."

what?
So fast?
"Big brother..."

Prince Sheng was disappointed in him.

If Jia Zhu, that ungrateful wretch, hadn't come, fine, but now that he's here, how can we let him leave so easily?
"Ask him..."

"what?"

Wang Ziteng interrupted him immediately, "That's the mother who gave him life and raised him. He doesn't even care about her, so why are you worrying about it?"

The daughter who is married off is the water that is thrown out.

"Just focus on living your own lives, and mind your own business!"

It would be wrong to say that Zhu'er and Yuan Chun were wrong.

Even if he had a daughter-in-law like Wang Jiayou's sister, he wouldn't be able to tolerate it.

Zhu'er and Yuan Chun are from the Jia family, so it's only natural for them to protect the Jia family's interests.

So they really can't control their sister anymore.

Wang Ziteng glanced at his younger brother and said, "Things aren't very peaceful in the capital lately, so stay home and behave yourself."

With those words, he picked up his usual large knife and strode out the door.

Wang Jin's carriage was ready, with four guards following closely behind.

As they headed toward Zhengyang Street, Shen Ning, sitting in a soft chair, was also carried into Lixiang Courtyard.

Li Wan hurriedly went out to greet her, "Auntie, you...you've come all this way? If there's anything you need, just let me know."

My mother-in-law is locked up, and my father-in-law can't even get up. Logically, they shouldn't have any chance to cause trouble!

Li Wan was very worried that it was someone else who had caused trouble for their second branch of the family.

"Well, it's nothing serious, I just came to check on things."

Shen Ning comforted her, "How is your mother-in-law doing?"

"it is good!"

Li Wan nodded, "Madam just wants to cause some trouble." It wasn't that she wanted to complain, but that was simply the truth.

After entering the Buddhist hall, my mother-in-law's biggest concern every day was what to eat.

Cabbage and tofu, congee and side dishes, plus a steamed bun every day.

You can't eat until you're completely full.

But it's still better than the ancestral hall.

The old man said that the "bitter memories and sweet presents" meal at the ancestral hall was nothing compared to simple porridge and side dishes. Moreover, it wasn't enough to fill him up; he went hungry every day.

My mother-in-law here...

Since we are staying in a Buddhist temple, and since we are atoning for our sins, we must suffer some hardship.

Since her husband had said so, Li Wan had no objections.

Anyway, ever since her mother-in-law was put under control, her life has been particularly easy.

Even when it comes to paying respects, she only needs to perform a bow outside the Buddhist hall at roughly the same time, without actually meeting the person, and say "Greetings, Madam."

"is it?"

Shen Ning looked at Li Wan, whose complexion had improved considerably, and smiled slightly, "Did you give it to her?"

"The old lady set a fixed amount for him, and occasionally the master would also serve him a bowl of porridge."

Li Wan dared not lie to her aunt.

"..."

As expected, Shen Ning nodded and said to Aunt Zhou, who had also come out, "Since the old lady has already set the quota, then give it according to the quota."

The old lady was a respectable person; she would never do anything shameful in public.

Shen Ning said, "Your master is confused. There's no need to listen to his talk about removing the porridge today and the dishes tomorrow."

“…Yes!” Aunt Zhou was particularly obedient in front of Shen Ning. “I will do whatever the old lady and you say.”

Yesterday, when Wang asked her for food, she didn't tolerate it.

But considering it was a special day for the young lady, she sent over what the master had withheld.

In this way, even if Wang complains, she will have something to say.

In fact, Ms. Wang did file a complaint.

Aunt Zhou wasn't afraid of her suing her.

There's a long way to go.

It's still a long way off until next year.

She can take her time.

"Hmm, where are your brothers and nephews again?"

Shen Ning looked at her and asked, seemingly casually.

"...I'm helping out at the family shop in Jinling."

Like Aunt Zhao, she was born into a family.

However, after her child was lost, the old lady compensated Wang by having her transferred to her hometown in Jinling to manage a tea shop.

Over the years, the amount of silver handed over by the shop has decreased, but Aunt Zhou knows that her brothers and nephews are all living quite well because of that shop.

At this moment, the eldest wife of the East Mansion mentioned...

Feeling guilty, she inexplicably sensed that she was being pressured.

He was advising her that there are some things she can do and some things she cannot do.

She lost her son, but she still had brothers and nephews.

If something really happens, she can't escape, and her family can't escape either.

"It's good to look after the shop."

Shen Ning said, "It's sheltered from the wind and rain. It's a pretty good job."

"Yes!"

Aunt Zhou lowered her head even further.

"Don't be afraid, I'm just asking for no reason."

Shen Ning glanced at Li Wan, who seemed lost in thought, and asked, "Is your master awake or asleep right now?"

"Awake!"

Hearing Aunt Zhou sell him without hesitation, Jia Zheng, who was inside the room, couldn't help but want to move closer to the bed.

"How is his injury?"

"Okay...much better."

Aunt Zhou's voice trembled slightly.

She just didn't want that man to be happy.

She wished he would suffer every little torment, and that he would die.

But if the first wife interferes...

Aunt Zhou was afraid she wouldn't be able to escape.

"After forty strokes of the cane, how could it possibly make a difference?"

Jia Zhen strode in.

He has investigated most of the people he needed to investigate.

Apart from the Wang family, Uncle Zheng didn't go anywhere else during that period.

And just a few days later, he was punished and sent to the ancestral hall.

"Mother! Would you like to come with your son to see Uncle Zheng?"

Without him, his mother wouldn't feel comfortable entering her brother-in-law's room.

"Let's do it!"

Shen Ning nodded.

"Sister-in-law, you don't need to be so polite. My mother and I just came to visit my second uncle and wait for Zhu'er and his brother."

"Don't mention it, I'll just pour you a cup of tea."

Waiting for her husband?

Did my husband cause some trouble?
Li Wan's heartbeat quickened slightly.

When Shen Ning and Jia Zhen went to see Jia Zheng, she quickly brought tea with her men.

"Sister-in-law! Zhen'er..."

Hearing that they were looking for Zhu'er, Jia Zheng breathed a sigh of relief.

But you should show weakness when necessary.

"I've been recovering from my injury recently and haven't written any letters."

He wanted them to know that they were driving him crazy.

He was ordered to retire by imperial decree, and from then on, he had no one in the world to write letters to.

Don't even mention having few friends; even if you do have friends, you'll never see them again in this lifetime.

So don't worry!
From then on, he became a shut-in.

"……I know!"

Shen Ning looked at him and said, "We just came to see you."

"No need, I... won't die anytime soon."

He's now hoping that next year, Zhu'er will be transferred to a post outside the city, far away from this home, to a place where no one will know him.

They've already been given forty strokes of the cane, what's with the pretense now?
"My second brother harbors a lot of resentment towards me and Zhen'er!"

Shen Ning didn't have much patience for him to begin with, and now she simply pulled a long face and sneered, "Are we going to beat you? It's the clan rules that are going to beat you, it's Second Uncle's spirit in heaven that is going to beat you. And you don't think that's all, do you? The border war is intense, and Lan Zhi can't come back for the time being, but that doesn't mean she won't return to the capital."

Jia Zheng: "..."

In an instant, not only did my butt hurt, but my neck also felt cold.

Lan Zhi, a woman, was able to become an official in Ningxia, so she must have taken more than one life.

he……

Jia Zheng's face turned from white to gray, and he suddenly looked several years older.

If time could turn back, if there were a way to undo regrets, he would get his hands on it no matter the cost.

"I don't need to teach you the lesson that 'disaster comes from the mouth' anymore."

Shen Ning stopped her eldest son from talking about Lord Dong and the strategy for dealing with the Japanese pirates with a look.

This person is so stupid. If I don't tell him, he won't get the information and won't remember. But if I do tell him, it might actually remind him.

Moreover, for Jia Zheng now, it might be better if she were dead.

Zhen'er is his nephew, and the old lady is his mother.

With her death, there is one less person in the world who can control him, and dares to control him.

Although Jia Jing could also manage things, he was in a Taoist temple, and unless others told him, he knew nothing.

"Just remember this: keep your mouth shut from now on, or I'll find out anything..."

Shen Ning stared at him for a long time, and just when he seemed about to collapse, she said, "I'm afraid there's no place for you in this world."

Jia Zheng: "..."

He trembled with fear.

I have a feeling that my sister-in-law isn't looking for Zhu'er, but for him.

No, I came to find him.

Pearl has gone to school!

"Grandpa is back."

The sounds outside were like heavenly music, and Jia Zheng's blood, which had been surging and then stagnating, finally returned to normal.

"Auntie, Father, Eldest Brother~"

Jia Zhu strode in, "Things are settled."

"..."

"..."

Shen Ning and Jia Zhen both felt a sense of relief.

"Let's go outside and talk."

Jia Zhen gestured to his younger brother to help carry his mother out.

Jia Zhu hurriedly helped carry Shen Ning's soft chair to the study.

The group completely ignored Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng was also happy that they didn't care about him anymore.

“My uncle said that he is unscrupulous in some matters, but colluding with the enemy… Wang Ziteng would not have done that before, he would not do that now, and he would never do that in the future.”

Jia Zhu recounted the entire incident, saying, "I believe him! Aunt, you..."

"...I believe it too!"

Thank you to everyone who voted! Thank you!!! Here comes the 4000-word chapter!