The head of the Red Mansion

At the Prince of Nan'an's residence, the Dowager Princess of Nan'an could not find peace.

The letter was sent, but she didn't know if it would reach her son.

Moreover, the fact that the retired emperor appointed the Prince of Jin as the envoy to inspect the south clearly shows that he was very dissatisfied with his son.

That was bad enough, but then Wang Ziteng was also appointed General Zhennan...

With both a king and a general at the helm, the Princess Consort of Nan'an knew that her family was facing a life-or-death crisis.

In the past, she could ask Consort Zhen for help, but who can she turn to now?
The Prince of Jin himself was the envoy to observe the south.

The retired emperor probably just wants his incompetent son to seize military power from the Prince of Nan'an's mansion.

With the military power of the Prince of Nan'an's mansion, even if he were no longer alive, the Emperor would not be able to do anything to the Prince of Jin.

Therefore, Consort Zhen will not help her.

The Princess Consort of Nan'an paced back and forth in the room, but couldn't come up with a solution.

Of the four founding kings and eight dukes, how many are still around today?
The only family better off than theirs was Prince Bei Jing.

However, Prince Bei Jing married princesses for two consecutive generations.

The Shui family and the royal family have long been inseparable.

Would anyone speak up for the Prince of Nan'an's Mansion?
the answer is negative.

"Mother, the Prince of Jin's residence has sent an invitation."

what?
Princess Nan'an suddenly turned around and looked at the invitation in the princess's hand.

The princess quickly presented it, saying, "Princess Jin invited me to offer incense at Baima Temple tomorrow."

Was he going to meet the princess?

The Princess Dowager of Nan'an glanced at it quickly, then pondered for a long while before asking, "Tell me, why did she want to meet you?"

This?
Princess Consort's heart skipped a beat. "Prince Jin is going to Guangnan Prefecture." She had thought about this when she came to see her mother-in-law. "After all, it is under the jurisdiction of our prince. In any case, it would be good to establish a relationship with each other first."

"To build relationships?"

Princess Nan'an wanted to give her daughter-in-law a sneer, "Heh, that's true. If he doesn't come and put on an act of having no other choice now, he won't have an easy time in Guangnan either."

But this is like a weasel paying New Year's greetings to a chicken.

Does the Prince of Jin not care about the military power of their Nan'an Prince's Mansion?
They care a lot about it.

Even the retired emperor and the emperor couldn't openly rob him, so how could a mere prince...

Although the Princess Consort of Nan'an was both angry and furious, she could only force herself to calm down. "Where is the person who delivered the invitation?"

"left already."

gone?

He dared not see her.

The Princess Dowager of Nan'an was almost laughing in exasperation. "You agreed?"

"……Yes!"

They were making a living in the capital, and no matter what, he was the emperor's own son.

Princess Nan'an didn't think she had done anything wrong by agreeing. "Mother, the Prince said in his last letter that he wanted to return to the capital."

What's the point of clinging to that little bit of military power?

The family rarely gets to spend time together.

My great-grandfather died outside, while my father-in-law died in the capital, but how painful his passing was!
In recent years, there has been little war in the southern border region, but in reality, the prince spends more than half the year in Guangnan Prefecture.

Princess Nan'an was also very knowledgeable about the situation in the capital.

The path to becoming a powerful minister has never been easy.
The path of a loyal minister is even more difficult.

She didn't want her son and grandson to end up like princes, spending little time with their families.

This is true even when there's no war, but once there is war...

"Now that there is war in the north, those small countries in the south are also waiting for a share of the spoils."

Princess Nan'an worried about her husband, saying, "With Prince Jin and Prince Teng going there, our prince will actually have an easier time."

slap~
As soon as she finished speaking, the Dowager Princess of Nan'an finally slapped her hard across the face. "Foolish woman, do you still want to stand up for Yi'er?"

Her eyebrows shot up. "Guards, send the princess back to her quarters for three days. No one is to let her out without my permission."

"Yes!"

Several maids and servants rushed in quickly, saying, "Your Highness, please!"

"..."

Princess Nan'an covered her face, tears welling up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

She slowly backed away, then finally turned around and strode back to her own yard.

Disobeying one's mother-in-law is a serious crime.

At this moment, Princess Nan'an realized that what she lacked was a maternal family like the Jia family.

Meanwhile, the Jia family was bustling with activity because of Yuan Chun's return to her parents' home.

But this liveliness seemed to have nothing to do with Pear Blossom Courtyard.

The Jia Zheng couple, who were most looking forward to Yuan Chun's return home, actually didn't even get to exchange ten words with their daughter and son-in-law before the old lady called out.

The couple, one lying on the bed sighing, and the other sighing in the small Buddhist shrine.

The old lady is worried about them!
The key issue is that neither the daughter nor the son-in-law has any intention of staying.

As soon as they were called, they seemed to reluctantly take their leave.

Moreover, Zhu'er and Baoyu, who had accompanied them, were also eager to leave.

Thump thump thump~~~
Once he was sure they were all far away, Jia Zheng pounded the bed a few times.

He wanted to yell at them for being ungrateful.

In order to ensure that his daughter and son-in-law would not smell bad when they came over, he got up early in the morning to use the toilet and wipe himself down, which caused his buttocks to suffer twice.

But they...

Jia Zheng was filled with regret; he shouldn't have given away such fine jade.

But he could only keep these words to himself.

"Sir, perhaps something really has happened to the old lady."

Aunt Zhou served her diligently, saying, "Look, this is osmanthus dew sent by the son-in-law. It smells wonderful. Please have a sip."

Jia Zheng: "..."

His stomach was so full of anger that he couldn't drink anything. "Does Wang have any?"

"no."

Aunt Zhou smiled and said, "Madam's daily meals are rationed, but this Osmanthus Dew is not included in the ration."

That's good.

Jia Zheng felt a little better. "You should drink it!"

"Sir, this is for you..."

"If I tell you to drink, then you drink."

When his daughter and son-in-law arrived, he had already drunk half a cup of tea.

If I drink any more, I'll need to go to the toilet again soon.

Jia Zheng doesn't want to make any moves right now.

He wanted his buttocks to rest a bit longer.

"Okay, okay, okay~"

Aunt Zhou smiled and agreed, drinking it in front of him. "Mmm, it's fragrant and sweet, and it warms me up inside."

After taking a few sips, she breathed on her hand, and the faint fragrance of osmanthus was truly delightful.

"nice! You love it!"

Jia Zheng asked, "How many jars did Cheng Luo give?"

"Sixteen cans were given away."

Aunt Zhou smiled and said, "The old lady has four jars, the master, you, and the two aunts each have two jars, and the eldest mistress of the East Mansion has four jars. That's just enough to go around."

Jia Zheng: "..."

He felt uncomfortable again.

Because he, as the father, is just like his older brother and two younger sisters.

Surprisingly, the eldest sister-in-law from the East Mansion had four jars...

"By the way, I haven't asked you yet, is the leg of the eldest sister-in-law in the East Mansion... very serious?"

"I do not know."

Aunt Zhou shook her head, "But I heard the injuries were quite serious."

She knew what their master was thinking.

Just say you don't know.

Although I heard that the First Madam's leg is getting better and she can walk slowly without any problems.

"Ah~"

Jia Zheng, unaware of her thoughts, felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this. "This year, our Jia family has been in conflict with the Tai Sui!" he sighed. "Today, Baoyu ran quite fast. Later, have someone tell him to come to my place every day to recite a book and practice two large characters."

"Eh~"

Aunt Zhou's smile deepened.

She knew that Baoyu was most afraid of his master asking about his studies.

If things go wrong, the child will definitely be punished again.

She enjoyed watching him beat the children. It would also be good for the person in the small Buddhist shrine to hear it.

“Baoyu has indeed been making quite a fuss lately because of his eldest daughter’s marriage.”

Aunt Zhou said, "You really should do more to manage things."

Baoyu, who was always doting on his older sister, had no idea that his hard times were about to begin.

At that moment, all he could think about was his older sister.

When his older sister got married, he was too short to carry her, so he could only watch helplessly as his older brother carried her all the way out.

Baoyu was very envious.

"Are you so happy?"

Cheng Luo liked this brother-in-law very much, and patted his little head, "Then I'll have someone come and pick you up to come to the mansion tomorrow."

"Big sister~"

Baoyu was deeply moved and looked longingly at his eldest sister.

"You've already taken the day off today, are you going to take the day off again tomorrow?"

Yuan Chun straightened the crooked golden dragon pendant on her younger brother's neck. "You've taken too many leave days. Be careful the master doesn't ask you about your studies."

Her father will have nothing to do at home from now on, and he'll probably have to ask Baoyu about his studies all the time.

Yuan Chun felt that Bao Yu would be better off with Rong Ge'er from the East Mansion and learning some martial arts from Jiao Da.

Firstly, it can improve physical health, and secondly, it can help avoid contact with one's father.

"Oh~"

Baoyu lowered his head and turned to his more approachable brother-in-law, "Brother-in-law, please have someone come and pick me up when I have my day off!"

"Haha!" Cheng Luo laughed. "Great! I'll definitely have someone come pick you up when you're on leave."

"And me and me."

Lin Chang'an ran over, "Brother-in-law, there's me, my cousin, my sister, and the others. We're all together."

He grabbed his older cousin's sleeve, "Older cousin, you can't only like Baoyu, can you?"

"Who said that?"

Yuan Chun pinched his little cheek, unable to suppress her laughter, "I like you so much."

"Brother-in-law, did you hear that?"

"I heard it."

Cheng Luo hugged his little cousin tightly, "When you have your days off, I'll definitely invite you all over."

They have a place at his house to play.

"Big Cousin~"

"Big sister~~"

Daiyu and the others gathered around, one saying how beautiful the hairpin her sister gave them was, another saying how cute the lucky bag her sister gave them was, chattering away, making it incredibly lively.

Watching this scene from afar, Shen Ning couldn't help but smile.

Among these girls, there was also Min Mei.

However, Xiangyun is missing.

The Jia family has been busy these past six months. Has the old lady not been in the mood to take care of that child?
Or is it that historians are deliberately distancing themselves from the Jia family?
Shen Ning thought about it and felt that both were true.

Previously, because of repaying the national treasury's debts, the Jia family had offended a number of high-ranking officials in the capital.

When the Shi family sold everything they owned to pay off the national treasury's debts, Shi Nai's wife came over and cried with the old lady, managing to get some money back with her.

At that time, they should have wanted to distance themselves.

However, since Jia Lian was appointed as the Director of the Arsenal Department in the Ministry of War, historians should try to reconnect him with his former position.

Why haven't you thought of sending Xiangyun here yet?
The four great families—Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue—have all declined in this generation.

However, Shi Ding, a historian, obtained a marquisate on his own, which shows that the historian's foundation has always been there.

that……

"Ahhh~~ Ah~"

Seeing her older siblings playing over there, Jia Yue, nestled in her arms, stretched out her little body, wanting to go over there too.

"Don't worry, your older brothers and sisters are there, they can't run away."

Sure enough, Min Mei spotted them and came over immediately.

"Auntie!"

After bowing, she reached out and took her younger sister, who was eagerly wanting her to hold her, into her arms. "I'll take Yue'er over there to play."

"Go!"

Shen Ning felt completely at ease entrusting her daughter to them.

She went directly to the old lady.

Upon hearing that Prince Teng had been appointed General Zhennan, Grandmother Jia felt uneasy.

"Have you heard? Prince Teng has been appointed General of Zhennan."

"Ok!"

Shen Ning nodded, "Go ahead and do it, it's none of our business."

"Ah~"

Grandmother Jia glanced outside and, confirming that Wang Xifeng was also with Yuan Chun, sighed on the spot, "It has nothing to do with the East Mansion, but it won't work with the West Mansion!"

Both of the wives who were in charge of the household in the West Mansion were daughters of the Wang family.

Let's not talk about the second daughter-in-law, Wang.

But Feng girl...

“Especially Lian’er, that Prince Teng is Feng’er’s uncle after all.”

"Did Lian'er attend court today?"

"He's attending court; how can he not attend?"

With the war in the north becoming increasingly tense, the position of Director of the Military Treasury was quite special. When the higher-ups discussed the war with the Emperor, Jia Lian would always accompany them.

Anyway, Grandmother Jia had heard him say it several times.

As the adults argue, they might ask him for various inventory data from the warehouses.

Once you understand the situation, then continue arguing.

Jia Lian said he remembers it vividly, and to this day, he has never made a mistake.

Grandmother Jia was also deeply moved by this.

She always thought that her grandson was good-for-nothing and that he would be lucky if he could manage the household in the future.

Unexpectedly, he is quite capable.

"As for the South, the Emperor Emeritus just appointed Prince Jin as the Envoy to Inspect the South, and then in the blink of an eye appointed Prince Teng as the General Who Guards the South. Could it be that things are going to be unstable in the South as well?"

"It's hard to tell!"

Shen Ning sighed inwardly, "You shouldn't concern yourself with Lian'er's affairs. As for what and how much the south will give, I'm afraid the Armory Division alone can't decide that."

Everything should be done according to the rules.

"Sigh, you're right."

Grandmother Jia also sighed, "Ding'er is in the north, and my heart is always on edge with worry."

My own nephew.

"When I ask Lian'er about the situation, he only tells me the good news."

"You were already pregnant!"

Shen Ning wasn't worried about the war in the north. After all, Shi Ding was granted the title of Marquis Zhongjing in the Red Mansion. "I heard from Zhen'er that he is a brilliant strategist and often wins unexpected battles. After reinforcements arrive from all sides, he often leads his men out to seize horses and grain."

That's quite impressive.

In the years leading up to the abdication of the retired emperor, the Great Zhao Dynasty was on a path of continuous defeat.

It's always been others who come to rob people and food.

Now Shi Ding is doing the opposite...

If she were the emperor, she would also bestow lavish titles and honors upon her.

“Aunt, do you believe that when he comes back, you will have another nephew who will become a marquis?”

"...You're just good at flattering me."

The old lady laughed at her coaxing. "If that's really the case, I'll definitely treat you to a good drink."

"Don't believe me? Let's make a bet!"

"...What do you see in me this time?"

The old lady smiled.

"I have plenty of options that I like."

Shen Ning smiled and reached out her hand, "I like gold, I like jade, and I also like the maids here. You can't bear to part with the gold and jade, so how about giving me a maid instead!"

Granny Lai finally got her hands on Qingwen.

It's also because that child is too good-looking.

If it doesn't look good, you absolutely can't buy it.

Who have you taken a fancy to?

Grandmother Jia smiled.

"I heard that Granny Lai has acquired a new young maid, and she's placed here with you to train her." (End of Chapter)