The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 173 Promise
The Lai family fell, but Granny Lai did not fall because of Grandmother Jia.

She was the old lady's dowry maid, and they had been close since childhood. When she married into the Lai family, it was also at the old lady's behest.

In fact, through the Lai family, Grandmother Jia did indeed gain control of the entire Rongguo Mansion.

Unlike Madam Wang, who had all three children taken care of by her mother-in-law, Granny Lai deserves much credit for this.

Of course, it was also Granny Lai who helped her with some things that weren't exactly matters to be discussed outside the family. Regardless of what others did, in Grandmother Jia's eyes, Granny Lai was the most loyal person to her.

Besides, when the Lai family's property was confiscated, Lai Da and his wife took the blame for everything.

Jia She said that she would leave the youngest child to the Lai family, but although the Lai family's children were considered to be born into the household, she had given them a favor from birth and they were not registered as slaves.

So now, the two boys and the girl all live with Granny Lai.

Grandmother Jia specially provided a small courtyard, and Granny Lai also received ten taels of silver as a monthly pension.

Although they could no longer live the wealthy life they once did, ten taels of silver was enough for the grandfather and grandson to live on.

Granny Lai rose from a lowly maid to a head housekeeper, and in a place like the Jia family, she was able to steadily pass on her position to her daughter-in-law. Her methods are self-evident.

Now that she can no longer send her grandchildren to the Jia family, how could she be willing to leave such a wealthy place from now on?

Even though the Jia family rules added a new rule that a man could only take a concubine if he had no children by the age of thirty, as long as she was a good prospect, she could still rise from a junior maid to a senior maid, and then to a head maid.

Having a family member who works as a steward in the Jia family means that one's descendants will have more options.

So Granny Lai kept an eye on it.

Having served as a housekeeper for so many years, the people she cared for were unaware of her true nature.

Having lost Lai Sheng and no longer relying on outsiders, the Ningguo Mansion could hardly expect any help from brokers when they approached them for assistance.
There were conditions that were met. They even said they would teach her manners, and once she was taught the manners, they would send her over. But as soon as Granny Lai said she wanted her, they sent her over immediately.

After all, the brokerage firms in the capital each have their own backgrounds; it's not a place where whatever a powerful or influential person says goes.

If you ask again, the answer is, "Sorry, someone else has already bought it."

Xing'er found out that the little maid that Granny Lai had bought had been given to the old lady of the West Mansion, and he quickly reported it to her.

Since this matter has come up today, Shen Ning couldn't help but ask.

"...Then I'll give you the gold instead!"

When Grandmother Jia heard that she wanted the maidservant that Granny Lai was sending, she simply declined with a joke.

After all, the Lai family had become enemies with this niece-in-law.

The little maid sent by Granny Lai can be given to anyone, but not to the East Mansion.

Besides, she quite liked the child.

She was even given a beautiful name, Qingwen.

"Qingwen has a real talent for needlework."

Grandmother Jia never wore clothes given to her by others throughout her life.

The person who made the needle and thread is also very important to her. "See this headband I'm wearing? That's what that child made."

The pine-colored beaded headband, while exquisite and luxurious, also accentuated her benevolent gaze.

"So you can't have this person."

The old lady laughed, "If you're really jealous of the people I've trained, then find someone else. Qingwen is absolutely out of the question."

Don't give it to her; she'll be living in fear.

The old lady could actually guess why Granny Lai was sending people to her.

She is willing to give them a chance.

The Lai family lost.

The eldest son of the Lai family, the one named Shang Rong, although he is studying, doesn't seem to be doing very well.

If the second son can't see it, then the girl is even more clueless.

Now that she has already left, it is impossible for her to marry into the Jia family again.

She wouldn't even be allowed to be a concubine for a man.

Marrying the steward... is one option, but now the eldest son, Jia She, is in charge of the household.

He had a falling out with the Lai family from the beginning.

Which manager would dare to marry the Lai family's daughter?
Grandmother Jia suspected that she was either training a wife for her second grandson or training a capable wife to take care of the Lai family in the future.

“Look, that girl is called Amber, and that one is called Parrot.”

Shen Ning could tell at a glance that the old lady was still reluctant to part with her mandarin ducks.

In Dream of the Red Chamber, Yuanyang not only takes care of the old lady's daily life, but also demonstrates her wit and adaptability on many important occasions. For example, when Granny Liu visits the Grand View Garden, she and Wang Xifeng devise activities such as the "Three Declarations of the Toothpick Game," taking control of the overall situation, creating hilarious moments, and making classic jokes that make the old lady and others very happy.

She was also thoughtful and meticulous, making careful arrangements beforehand and offering a warm apology afterward, showing great respect to Grandma Liu.

In terms of appearance, she was probably second-rate in the Jia family, but her ability to read people and adapt to changing circumstances was no less than that of Wang Xifeng.

Unfortunately, the old lady didn't make proper arrangements for her, so when the old lady passed away, she also hanged herself.

Shen Ning really likes mandarin ducks.

However, she wasn't alone.

Besides the four main maids, Qingzhu, Qingping, and others, there are now four more maids from the east, west, south, and north.

Originally, the directions of east, west, south, and north were meant for her daughter, but now Shen Ning feels it's better to keep them for herself.

After all, having a mother or not makes a world of difference.

If she lives, her daughter will receive more.

"Auntie, why don't you mention mandarin ducks?"

Shen Ning glanced at Yuanyang with a mischievous look.

"What are you doing?"

When Grandmother Jia saw her expression, she knew she was joking, and quickly laughed and said, "Are you trying to steal my precious daughter? No, no, Yuanyang, quick, get her out of here."

"Mother, who are you trying to drive away?"

Jia Min overheard the end of the conversation and came in hoping to see the joke.

"Haha, my aunt is going to kick me out for her precious child."

Shen Ning smiled, "My little sister isn't exactly my darling anymore."

"Who said that?"

Grandmother Jia laughed, "I have plenty of my own flesh and blood."

"Pfft~"

Jia Min laughed so hard she bent over, "Sister-in-law, even you are my mother's precious darling."

The room erupted in laughter.

Outside the courtyard, the children were laughing around Cheng Luo and Yuan Chun.

Lady Wang, who had no heart for chanting sutras, pressed her ear to the small window, her face revealing her desolation.

Her daughter and son-in-law, son and daughter-in-law, and her youngest son are all away from home, and none of them care about their mother!
She was so pitiful, always thinking of them in everything she did...

No, we can't do this any longer.

The two older brothers can no longer come to the Jia family, and their sister-in-law is also a member of the Wang family, so it's not appropriate for her to come over either. What about the younger sister?

Thinking of her younger sister who had married into the Xue family, Madam Wang couldn't help but pace around the room again.

At this time, she was unaware that because Wang Ziteng was leaving the capital, Wang Zisheng had already written a letter to Aunt Xue, who was far away in Jiangnan, inviting her to come to the capital and visit relatives at the Jia family.

The Wang family can no longer enter the Jia family, but the Xue family certainly can.

While everyone in the capital was either hoping or waiting, Prince Jin and Prince Teng left the capital one after another.

The two of them ultimately didn't end up together.

First, the Prince of Jin was unwilling; second, Prince Teng was unwilling.

When the Princess of Jin sent an invitation to the Princess of Nan'an, she also wanted to send an invitation to the wife of Prince Teng. However, when Prince Jin heard that she had talked with the Emperor for a long time in the palace and even had a meal with the Emperor, he felt very uncomfortable.

The Prince of Jin always felt that this guy was sent by the emperor to monitor him and the Prince of Nan'an.

Although the Prince of Nan'an's family did not keep the appointment with the Princess, clearly indicating their dissatisfaction with him, the Prince of Jin did not pay much attention to it.

Anyway, if he were the Prince of Nan'an, he would have done the same.

But what is Wang Ziteng?
You're just a petty person.

The Jia family treated the Wang family so well, but what was the result?
They wished they could devour the Jia family completely.

Although he also wished he could kill Shen Shi himself, Prince Jin did not intend to keep an ally like Prince Teng.

At this time, the Prince of Jin was unaware that Prince Teng disliked him even more.

They not only disliked him as a person, but also disliked his slowness.

With the war in the north intensifying and the south stirring with restless activity, the Prince of Jin, the so-called envoy to inspect the south, was leisurely riding in a carriage, as if he were sightseeing.

hum~
He has absolutely no sense of responsibility. Prince Teng rode at breakneck speed, and in the blink of an eye, he had left Prince Jin far behind.

"Your Majesty!"

Wu Rubao rode his horse to the side of the carriage. "Wang Ziteng is running so fast, shouldn't we hurry up too?"

If he arrives at Yuanjiang Prefecture, while their prince hasn't even gone halfway...

Wu Rubao could imagine what the retired emperor in the capital would think if this news reached him.

Even if the retired emperor can tolerate him, and the emperor tolerates him out of respect for the retired emperor, what about the court officials?
That would definitely lead to impeachment!

"What's quick?"

The Prince of Jin retorted irritably, "He is him, and I am me. He's in a hurry to be reincarnated, but do I need to be?"

"..."

"..."

This time, not only did Wu Rubao dare not speak anymore, but none of the other followers dared to utter a sound.

Their prince is in a bad mood right now, so it's best not to provoke him.

Wu Rubao quickly slowed down and put some distance between himself and the prince, so as not to be scolded by the prince later.

"If there's a tea shop, we can rest for a while."

I don't know when I'll be able to come back after leaving Beijing this time.

Especially since the old man is so old.

just in case……

The Prince of Jin sighed deeply inside his carriage.

Even if the Prince of Nan'an is an incompetent fool, Guangnan Prefecture is a place that has been managed by several generations. It will be really difficult for him to manage there!
At this moment, Prince Jin was still regretting the assassination attempt at the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth of August. If it hadn't happened, even if he was still going to Guangnan Prefecture, he could have staged an assassination attempt, then pretended to be injured and avoided going.

But now...

The Prince of Jin walked slowly, completely unaware that while he walked a hundred li, Prince Teng rode a fast horse for nearly four hundred li.

Little did they know that his itinerary had been relayed back to Beijing the very next day.

The Princess of Nan'an clutched the note delivered by the scheming person and couldn't help but curse the fool in her heart.

However, the Prince of Nan'an's mansion welcomed such a good-for-nothing.

But Wang Ziteng...

Princess Nan'an really hoped that Prince Teng's wife would send an invitation to her family.

As long as the other party dares to send it, she will immediately bring her daughter-in-law to the appointment.

Unfortunately, no.

"Someone, go and send an invitation to the wife of Prince Teng, inviting her to offer incense at Baima Temple in three days."

If no one comes to her, she has no choice but to seek help from others.

The Princess Dowager of Nan'an was also helpless.

The servant left in a hurry, and after a while, he ran back with a face full of excitement.

"Your Highness!"

The old woman who delivered the invitation had her eyes shining. "Do you know what I heard outside?"

"what?"

Is this good news for Yu's family?

The Princess Dowager of Nan'an eagerly awaited her report.

"Oh dear, during the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth of August, wasn't Madam Shen of Ningguo Mansion saved by the daughter of a minor official of the fifth rank? This morning, they hired a matchmaker to propose marriage to that family's daughter as their granddaughter-in-law."

what?
The Princess Consort of Nan'an was stunned.

Nowadays, not only are the daughters of the Jia family popular, but the sons of the Jia family are also very popular!
how come……

"Really?"

"Absolutely true!"

The old woman clapped her hands and said, "That family's surname is Qin. I heard that ever since the day they rescued Madam Shen, the Jia family has been sending things to the Qin family non-stop. Every day it's either this pot of flowers or that kind of pastry, without interruption. Now they're simply going to marry off their daughter."

Isn't that foolish?
"It is said that Jia Rong is handsome and talented, completely unlike his father Jia Zhen. He is more like his grandfather Jia Jing, who is skilled in both literature and martial arts!"

Don't even mention that the Jia family has risen again.

Even if he hadn't risen to prominence, given the status of the Ningguo Mansion and the eldest grandson of the Jia family, he shouldn't have married the daughter of a minor official of the fifth rank.

"Don't you think this is good news?"

Princess Dowager of Nan'an: "..."

That's good news, but...

She always felt something was wrong.

This is not Shen's style at all!
The recent series of changes in the Jia family all bear the imprint of the Shen family.

In particular, the Jia family's clan rule that a man could only take a concubine if he had no son by the age of thirty was clearly designed to lure daughters from high-ranking families.

How could it be that, just because of a life-saving favor, the coveted position of granddaughter-in-law was suddenly given to the daughter of a minor official?
The Dowager Princess of Nan'an knew that because the Ningguo Mansion did not have many sons, they were very tolerant of the daughters-in-law who married into the family.

Shen herself had never been tormented by her mother-in-law, and after having a daughter-in-law, she was very tolerant of both the deceased and You, her later wife.

There were also rumors circulating in the city that she had followed her mother-in-law's example and given the You family several properties as well.

now……

Is there anything special about the Qin family's daughter?

"You're good-looking!"

The old woman said, "I heard she's quite talented, and the other day she even won a good lantern by solving a riddle." She paused for a moment and then said, "But I also heard that the girl was adopted by Lord Qin from a charity."

"...Go and inquire again!"

The Princess Dowager of Nan'an felt something was even more amiss.

When she asked the old woman to inquire again, she found that many families in the capital were asking about Qin Keqing.

Rong-ge'er's conditions are just too good.

The Ningguo Mansion has few masters.

This means less need for socializing.

It also means that if the daughter marries into the family, she won't have to have so many children.

At most, she'll be like the Shen family, having two children is enough.

For women in the capital, the greatest risk was childbirth.

Every family has wives who die during childbirth.

This wife was a darling of her family when she was still at her parents' home.

If you have too few children, your mother-in-law will be dissatisfied, your husband will be unhappy, and outsiders will gossip.

Her family was also very worried.

But this is no big deal in Ningguo Prefecture.

With such a good son-in-law, which family wouldn't be envious?
Qin Ye was also envious, but he never dared to covet the legitimate masters of the Ning and Rong mansions.

He was eyeing the collateral descendants of the Ning and Rong families for his daughter!

how……

The old man was restless, thinking about his daughter's identity.

But he refused...

Qin Ye was really reluctant to part with it.

The daughter's true identity is worthy of Jia Rong.

She is worthy of any man in this world.

He's the one who dragged her down.

"Father, if it's not ours, we shouldn't keep thinking about it."

Qin Keqing, on the other hand, was quite frank, saying, "I feel ashamed to accept this life-saving grace."

Without the Jia family's guards rushing to deal with the men in black, and without Madam Shen coming up with a plan to fight them together, their family, being so close to Prince Jin, would probably have lost their lives.

"Wait a minute, let Dad think about it for a couple of days."

He didn't directly reject the matchmaker, but said he needed to think about it first.

That's how it is when you're getting married.

The bride's family will usually hold back for a few days.