The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 178 Sorrow

Jinling!

Aunt Xue is very annoyed.

Back in the capital, the Wang family and the Jia family actually had a falling out.

These two families are her and her children's greatest support in this world!
How could they have fallen out?
"Mom, don't worry, blood ties can't be severed."

Xue Baochai also read the letter from the capital. "Aunt Jia has three biological children, and the matriarch of the Rongguo Mansion is her cousin Wang Xifeng. No matter how much she favors her husband's family, there is no reason for her to disown her own family."

She wasn't worried at all about the relationship between the Wang and Jia families.

Anyway, no matter how bad they are, it has nothing to do with the Xue family.

However, she couldn't say these words in front of her mother.

"Didn't my cousin Yuan Chun marry the Marquis of Xinping?"

The head manager in the capital had been in charge of the Xue family's dealings in the capital.

Xue Baochai believed that gifts must have already been sent over there.

"No matter how bad my eldest and second uncles are, they haven't wronged my cousins."

Since the Jia family members could no longer serve in the military, it wasn't really a big problem for the eldest uncle to use the Jia family's connections.

However, Madam Shen from the Jia family is quite formidable.

No wonder she earned the title of the most shrewish woman in the Great Zhao Dynasty.

"Given time, they'll eventually realize what's going on."

She didn't really care much when she was comforting her mother.

Anyway, the Jia family didn't fall out with the Xue family.

After the falling out between the maternal uncle's family and the Jia family, they will only value the Xue family even more.

Otherwise, my father has been gone for several years, and my mother has written several letters to him, hinting and suggesting, but my uncles haven't responded. Now, however, they're taking the initiative to invite them to Beijing.

Xue Baochai originally had high hopes for her uncle's family, but now...

"We'll go to the Jia family first when we get to the capital. My aunt and cousin are there. They can help smooth things over between the two families. They'll probably be very grateful to us."

"...I hope so!"

Aunt Xue sighed.

She had met that Mrs. Shen years ago.

The daughter of a high-ranking official, she was pampered by her family from a young age.

After marrying into the Jia family, she was favored by her mother-in-law and loved by her husband. In just one year, she gave birth to Jia Zhen, the heir of the Ningguo Mansion. The whole family wanted to make her a star.

She and her sister were very envious at the time.

Unfortunately, they were all too old for Jia Jing, and their families hoped they would enter the palace...

"Actually, your older cousin Yuan Chun shouldn't have left the palace."

Aunt Xue said, "If she hadn't left the palace, she would definitely be someone close to the emperor now. With royal blood, the Jia family, the Wang family, the Shi family, and our Xue family would all be different."

Just look at the Zhen family, and you'll know how wealthy they are.

Unfortunately, Madam Shen ruined it all.

"No matter how good the Marquis of Xinping is, he can't compare to the one above him."

She looked at her daughter, her eyes filled with deep expectation.

Her daughter Baochai is so beautiful, she should go to the most prestigious and wealthy place.

But Aunt Xue herself knew that their Xue family's status wasn't quite up to par.

Not just anyone can enter the palace.

If they want their daughter to enter the palace, they will need the help of the Wang and Jia families.

As for her niece Yuan Chun...

Aunt Xue automatically excluded them.

After all, she didn't seize such a good opportunity.

What if asking her for help leads to my daughter's neglect?
"My son..."

Aunt Xue patted her daughter's hand, "When a woman marries... it doesn't really matter who she marries. Since that's the case, why not marry someone else..."

"Mom, I know."

Why would Xue Baochai need her own mother's advice?

Because of her mother, she knew how good the Wang and Jia families were.

Although their family were imperial merchants, their father had passed away and their elder brother was useless. Not to mention the clan, even the shopkeepers were bullying them, a widow and her orphan.

But they still have to rely on them and can't afford to turn against them.

Xue Baochai was pampered by her father from a young age. She may not have read all the classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections, but there was no book in the family collection that she did not know.

Her father regretted that she wasn't a boy, but how could she not regret it herself?

The four prominent families of Jinling—Jia, Wang, Shi, and Xue—all assisted Emperor Taizu in the past, but in the end, they only received the title of Imperial Merchants.

Grandfather was unwilling, father was unwilling, and she—naturally—was unwilling as well.

Xue Baochai also wanted to help her grandfather and father vent their pent-up frustrations.

Since my uncle can't rely on my eldest cousin Yuanchun, he's probably willing to do more for his daughter.

Therefore, what is bad for others may not be bad for their family.

"...That's what I think too, but..."

Aunt Xue still looked worried.

The daughter kept referring to her maternal uncle's family, which was her maternal family, but she was an illegitimate daughter.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to marry into the Xue family.

Those two older brothers, the eldest brother is arrogant and has never valued her much, the second brother... he can have fun, but you can't count on him for anything else.

However, the older sister from the Jia family who was confined to the small Buddhist hall was much closer to her than the two older brothers, as they had grown up together.

If she really had to go to Beijing, the only person she could vote for was this older sister.

But then she...

"I always have to worry about your aunt's condition."

If she could rescue her sister from the small Buddhist shrine, regardless of what would become of her sister, her two brothers would also show more consideration for her children and take better care of them.

"Moreover, I've heard that the Jia family's clan school is very good. Your brother is like this... If he could get into the Jia family's clan school, he would be able to support the family in the future."

All the children of the Jia family attended the clan school.

If Pan'er can get in, he will definitely be able to make many friends among the Jia family's sons.

That way, the Xue family won't be bullied by others in the capital.

Besides, that's the Duke's mansion. If you stay there, the shopkeepers everywhere... even if they still try to take advantage of your family's shops, they certainly won't be so blatant.

"Mom is right!"

When talking about her brother, Xue Baochai was also very worried.

Even if you say your brother is bad, he still loves her very much.

But to be fair to my brother... he's impulsive and always gets tricked by others.

Xue Baochai knew that her brother was spoiled by their mother.

"Since the Jia family's clan school is so good, it would be best to let him study there."

I don't seek any official rank or fame.

Even if you can't become a great talent, being a decent person is fine too!
"Mom, now that we've made up our minds, let's head to Beijing as soon as possible!"

"hold on……"

Aunt Xue was very reluctant to leave this place, which she had long considered home.

As a child, she was not valued by her father and had to make a living under her stepmother's care.

Although she married into the Xue family from a lower social class, her husband was a good person, and she, as the matriarch of the family, was very powerful and influential.

Although life hasn't been as good as it used to be these past few years, she still holds absolute power in this family.

Let's get through the New Year together!

Aunt Xue sighed.

After this year, let her go back to being the humble and unassuming person she always was!

"...Schools usually start around the tenth day of the first lunar month."

Since she was going to leave this place, Xue Baochai wanted to leave immediately.

After all, the sooner they go to Beijing, the sooner their family can make plans.

Not only was she going to the palace, but her brother was also going to the Jia family's school.

If the new year really passes, then many things will have to be postponed for another year.

“After the New Year, when we go to the capital again, my brother wants to immediately enroll in the Jia family’s clan school, but that will probably be delayed.”

Xue Baochai said, "Why don't we go to the capital now and make arrangements for all parties? Once school starts there, my brother can go and study."

This?
Aunt Xue had placed all her hopes on her son, and upon hearing this, she hesitated again.

"Mom," Xue Baochai added fuel to the fire, "it's almost New Year's, and relatives are visiting each other affectionately." "..."

Aunt Xue was persuaded.

If we go to Beijing after the New Year, the journey will take one or two months.

It will take another month or two to get all the relatives visiting.

"indeed!"

She patted her daughter's hand, "My son is so thoughtful."

Her daughter is wonderful in every way.

"Someone, call the old man back and tell him I have something to tell him!"

……

In the capital city, at Ningguo Mansion, Xing'er was packing his belongings.

At his wife's behest, he was to return to his hometown of Jinling.

The sacrificial field and the houses around it have been built for so long, it's really time for someone to go back and take a look.

Xing'er was happy to go back.

This time, he was going back on behalf of his wife and husband.

Even the men of the clan had to bow down before him.

In the past, this would have been an absolutely fantastic job.

It's not good to accept bribes these days, but as long as you do your job well, you'll still get a reward when you get back.

Xing'er was thinking about which accountant and guard to ask to accompany him, while also thinking about the girl his wife had asked him to find.

The girl from a relative of the Shen family, with a tiny red mark the size of a grain of rice between her eyebrows, named Yinglian, was said to have been abducted to Jinling, but Jinling is such a big place...

Xing'er sighed. He could only do his best and leave the rest to fate.

Shen Ning is doing her best and leaving the rest to fate.

Of course, she also mentions the monk and the Taoist priest who appeared in Dream of the Red Chamber.

These two individuals have appeared in the Xue family, the Lin family, and the Jia family.

They seem like real gods, but are they doing things that gods do?

Shenying, the attendant, had a fleeting desire for worldly pleasures and wanted to experience the splendor and emotions of the human world in a prosperous and peaceful era. Therefore, she chose to descend to the mortal realm to experience illusory love. This is understandable. However, if she wanted to experience the splendor and emotions of the human world, why did she have to make her life so bitter?
Is love in this world only between men and women?
Besides kinship, heroism, chivalry, human affection, infatuation, deep affection, and true feelings, there are also emotions such as loyalty, awe, trust, respect, doubt, resentment, anger, and disgust!

In addition to these, there are also various other emotions such as the bond between teachers and students, and the bond between the nation and its people.

What kind of love did Jia Baoyu experience in Dream of the Red Chamber?

Shenying Shizhe didn't even experience one-tenth of the 'emotion' he wanted to feel!

To experience the emotions of the world, Jia Baoyu should have experienced everything.

Staying in the inner quarters, facing the open and covert struggles within the family and the jealousy and rivalry among a group of girls, one could say that his heart was gradually nurtured.

And there's also the Crimson Pearl Fairy...

The Crimson Pearl Grass grows on the banks of the Western Spirit River near the Three Lives Stone, so it doesn't need irrigation.

Since she lives there, she certainly doesn't lack water.

Being watered too much is already frustrating enough, why do you have to repay that water with tears?

The Lin family has been marquises for five generations and has never done anything immoral or immoral. Why should their only bloodline have to live such a life?

Shen Ning felt that they had all gone down the wrong path.

She helped them correct it, but...

Undeniably, both of them were quite capable.

If something goes wrong and it gets traced back to her, I just can't wrap my head around it...?
Shen Ning is worried about herself now!

If you trace it back to her, you might find that she is a wandering ghost.

If things go wrong, even without the Prince of Jin ordering her assassinated, they might be able to kill her with a single slap.

Are there any other eminent monks or wise men in this capital city?

Shen Ning felt she needed to obtain a protective magical artifact before they arrived.

She twirled the sandalwood prayer beads on her wrist and suddenly asked Qingping, "Qingping, do you know who the truly eminent monks in the capital are?"

what?
Qingping was taken aback by the question.

She couldn't help but think of her wife's novel, *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*.

Sometimes the wife would discuss with them the characters' personalities, clothing, manner of speaking, and so on.

Sometimes they would each lead a group of people, or several groups of people, and imagine what they would do in what situations.

Recently, Qingping has been leading the Iron Corpse Mei Chaofeng, who knows the Nine Yin White Bone Claw, so she can't stop thinking about her.

This eminent monk...

She asked uncertainly, "Master Yideng!?"

"Yideng...?"

Shen Ning didn't react for a moment, still wondering if there really was someone in the world named Yideng?
Where is Master Yideng?

Qingzhu laughed to death, "Madam, don't listen to this girl's nonsense. The abbot of Baima Temple is Master Wuchen, and the abbot of Jinming Temple is Master Yuanhui. They are both famous monks."

"..."

"..."

The people in the room were trying not to laugh.

Seeing Qingping blush, Shen Ning's lips twitched involuntarily.

"Oh dear, madam, why are you asking the high monk such a nice question!"

Qingping stomped her foot, trying to shift the blame.

"Hmm, I'd like to ask for one of their personal magical artifacts."

what?
That's a bit difficult, isn't it?
The maids looked at each other, none of them daring to speak.

"Forget it, this can't be rushed."

Shen Ning was also hesitant to go out.

First, they were afraid of being assassinated; second, they were afraid of implicating others.

"School's about to end, go and call Baoyu to me."

She had to straighten his little head.

The Crimson Pearl Fairy has a father, mother, and younger brother in this life, and her health is also good. She can't be fooled by him no matter what.

Moreover, with Jia Min around, she doesn't need to worry about her.

But Baoyu…

Because of her, the child's situation is almost worlds apart from that of the character in the book.

"I go!"

Qingping was about to hide when she heard this and immediately tried to run away.

"Wait a moment."

Shen Ning called out to her, "Is Baoyu still wearing that jade pendant?"

This?
Qingping thought for a moment, "It seems like she wears it, but the old lady said it has to be hidden inside her clothes."

That's good.

Shen Ning breathed a sigh of relief, "Okay, go call them!"

Qingping quickly ran away.

At this moment, Baoyu, who had just finished school, walked very slowly.

He didn't want to go back to Pear Fragrance Courtyard to write calligraphy.

I don't want to recite my lessons in front of the master.

No matter how well you write, you'll get criticized; no matter how well you memorize, you'll still get criticized.

Mingming was praised by the teacher when he was in school.

But sir...

Baoyu misses his older sister and older brother very much.

When his older sister and brother are home, the old man won't call him.

He wouldn't have to listen to his wife cry after being scolded by the master...

"Second Master, hurry up!"

Mingyan was getting anxious. "Master is keeping track of the time. If we're late, you'll definitely get scolded!"

The key point is that if Second Master gets scolded, he'll also suffer the consequences.

When luck is particularly bad, you might even get beaten up.

Mingyan was truly terrified.

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