The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 181 Thief

Snowing.

Although it's just snowflakes, everyone knows that it won't be long before real snow begins to fall.

On such a cold day, Jiao Da was prepared for some people not to come, but when he arrived at the training ground, he saw that not only were there as many people as before, but there was also an extra little child.

The old man paused, but then pretended to be nonchalant and continued on his way.

At this moment, Jia Rong was already reciting his lessons.

Even Baoyu followed suit, squatting in a rather awkward horse stance, having Li Gui hold up the book for him, and loudly reciting it.

A hint of a smile flashed in Jiao Da's eyes.

This little baby looks just like the Duke of Rongguo back then!
It's just that the slightly trembling calves don't quite look right.

When the Duke of Rong was his age, his stance on horseback was as steady as a mountain.

He strode over and patted the little guy on the shoulder.

Baoyu swayed and almost fell on the spot.

"Your body is too weak."

Jiao Da then changed the subject to lifting, saying, "Let's go practice our horse stance against the wall over there first!"

"……Yes!"

Baoyu glanced at the wall over there and, of course, didn't object.

The horse stance was still too difficult for him.

Even just being able to lean against the wall for support would be helpful!

Jia Rong and Min Jianbai couldn't help but turn their faces away as they watched him run off.

They were like this when they first started practicing horse stance.

However, you thought you had borrowed strength, but in fact, Grandpa Jiao would make you practice for even longer.

Hey~
I hope Baoyu won't go back to the old lady crying.

The two practiced their skills while worrying that someone was crying and going back to find the old lady. Unexpectedly, the child's legs trembled all the way, but he persevered.

When Shen Ning woke up early in the morning and heard that Bao Yu's legs were shaking so badly he couldn't walk and that Li Gui had to carry him to school, she couldn't help but laugh.

She took a giant leap forward in reforming Baoyu, didn't she?
Since I didn't ask for leave even with such heavy snow, then naturally I can't ask for leave so easily in the future.

At the same time, the Prince of Jin was also watching the snow.

He wished the snow would be heavier, even heavier.

It would be best if there were a major snow disaster.

A major snow disaster signifies divine retribution.

As the emperor grew older, he became increasingly superstitious. The sorcerers he had prepared for him were already in place, just waiting for divine punishment to strike.

"Your Majesty~"

Wu Rubao arrived with a chill in his body. "The Five Cities Garrison and Shuntian Prefecture both said they would be increasing patrols today."

When the snow gets heavy, they will urge the people to clear the snow off the roofs in time.

This has been done well since the emperor ascended the throne.

It's rare in this capital city for a house to be damaged by snow, resulting in injuries to an entire family inside.

"Hmm, bring me a pot of hot wine."

The snow has only just started falling.

The Prince of Jin raised his hand and caught a snowflake.

The snowflakes were much larger than when he first got up.

His unlucky days should be over by now.

The maid glanced at Wu Rubao and hurriedly bowed to prepare the wine.

"Your Highness, you're drinking so early in the morning..."

Wu Rubao wanted to dissuade him, but when the Prince of Jin glanced at him, he was so frightened that he quickly changed his mind, "Should we get another pot?"

"You're taking too much control."

Prince Jin turned and went back into the room. "Didn't you say last time that someone in the north wanted to contact you? How's it going? You've been going out every day, but those people haven't made a move yet?"

"...Not yet."

Wu Rubao kept his head very low.

The prince's influence is waning, so why would those people in the north still bother with him?

It's no use them wandering around outside until they die!

"idiot!"

An unnamed anger rose within the Prince of Jin: "If they don't come looking for you, then you can't go looking for them?"

They just eat and do nothing all day long.

“Your Highness, it’s not that we don’t want to search, but the Shuntian Prefecture is investigating very closely. Their previous hideouts are now deserted.”

They had no choice!
Lord Dong of Shuntian Prefecture is very shrewd.

If they accidentally get it, the prince will only sever ties with them and will absolutely not save them.

"Go away~"

The Prince of Jin picked up a teacup and smashed it on him with a 'bang'.

Wu Rubao was about to flee in a panic when, unexpectedly, their prince shouted again, "Stop!"

The Prince of Jin turned around and stood in front of him again. "Since you can't handle things in the capital, then go to Jiangnan and ask your uncle why the tribute from Jiangnan this year is so much less?"

His uncle definitely lined up the money for himself.

Otherwise, how could his mother have such a large group of people?
The Li family may have fallen, but the number of salt merchants in Jiangnan will not decrease, and their filial piety towards their uncle will naturally not diminish.

The agreement was that he would only handle the transaction, and the rest would be given to him.

In the past, it would have been at least 500,000 taels of silver per year, but what about now?

The princess actually said she only had 300,000 taels.

How is he supposed to celebrate the New Year?

"Also, while you're at it, go to Yangzhou and find out how much silver Prince Zhongshun has amassed there."

"Yes!"

Wu Rubao quickly agreed.

When he arrived in Jiangnan, he represented the Prince of Jin, and even Lord Zhen had to give him some face.

"Also, investigate Lin Ruhai!"

The Prince of Jin lowered his voice, "As the Salt Inspector, he also bears responsibility for the chaos among the salt merchants in Jiangnan."

As he spoke, he quickly returned to his desk, scribbled a letter, and sealed it up. "Take this to my uncle."

The Tiren Academy was the place where officials in Jiangnan were supervised.

Since my uncle is in charge of the Tiren Academy, why can't he think of a way to take down Lin Ruhai?
"remember……"

He looked at Wu Rubao and said, "When you get to your uncle's place, observe and listen more, and speak less."

"……Yes!"

Wu Rubao was startled.

He understood what the prince meant.

I'll also check on Lord Zhen while I'm at it.

When he left the palace, he took two attendants with him and rode away on horseback, braving the wind and snow without daring to delay for a moment.

Not long after, the skinny monkey who had been summoned also slipped out of the back door, heading straight for Ningrong Street.

……

At Ningguo Mansion, Shen Ning was holding the goose down jacket that Qingcheng had brought up as requested.

To prevent the wool from showing, two layers of fine cotton fabric were specially used, making it soft, fluffy, light, and warm.

"Madam, this brocade coat was also made according to your request. A thin layer of cotton was added first, and then goose down was added."

Qingcheng asked, "Would you like to try it?"

"nature!"

Shen Ning not only wore a big coat, but also down pants that matched her little coat.

Of course, it wouldn't work if she tried it herself.

"By the way, what about yours?"

Shen Ning looked at the group of maids and said, "Put your clothes on, let's go for a walk outside."

"Yes!"

This morning, Qingcheng brought over the needlework and thread.

But the wife hasn't put it on yet.

Now, naturally, there's no need to worry about that anymore.

The maids took turns changing their coats.

Soon, they all came out, looking charming and pretty.

"How are you? Are you cold?"

Shen Ning was waiting for them on the back corridor.

Anyway, she felt it was quite lightweight and warm.

"It's not cold yet."

Qingzhu knew that the manor's sewing room had been rushing to finish these kinds of clothes lately.

Moreover, the style resembled a military uniform, clearly indicating that it was intended for Miss Lanzhi of Ningxia.

Whether it's cold or not, we have to test it out first.

Otherwise, if we send them over there and the female soldiers there wear them but they're not warm enough, it could be fatal.

"Madam, let's go for a walk outside first."

The snow has stopped now.

"Alright then, let's go up to Tianxiang Tower for a stroll."

The overcoat has an extra layer of cotton, not only to prevent the wool from getting in, but also to keep out the wind.

Shen Ning led a group of maids toward Tianxiang Tower. The road had already been swept clean, so walking there was no different from usual.

The wind was quite strong upstairs at Tianxiang Tower. She went all the way up to the third floor. She didn't know how others felt, but she felt it was similar to wearing a down jacket in modern times.

"Huh? It's really not that cold."

Because the weather is getting colder, the lady hasn't come to Tianxianglou for half a month.

But this time...

Qingping jumped up and down, "Madam, my palms are still warm."

Last time I went to Tianxianglou with my wife, she had a stuffy nose and a heavy head when we got home, and she took medicine for three days.

"Wear them for another two days and see."

Shen Ning looked towards the back street, but unexpectedly saw someone jump up a tree in a flash.

Huh?
She stood behind the window.

After climbing the tree, the skinny monkey glanced around and, seeing that everyone was hurrying along because of the cold weather, leaped up, intending to head towards the servants' quarters of the Ningguo Mansion.

He had already scouted the area; it was full of rough-and-tumble women on duty.

When they argue or fight, no one intervenes.

The easiest way to enter the back garden of Ningguo Mansion is from this side.

He carefully stepped on the tiles, pulled out the moon-white cloak he had prepared beforehand and put it on, then half-crouched and slowly moved forward.

The Ningguo Prefecture Guard is quite formidable.

Having learned his lesson the hard way, the skinny monkey decided to be extra careful.

Upstairs at Tianxiang Tower, Shen Ning gently exhaled a breath of stale air. "Qingzhu, are all four maids in the courtyard?"

"Yes!"

The other four are still young. Besides learning how to do things from them, they also have to look after the house.

"Qingping, go to Grandma's right away and tell her that Yue'er will stay with her for the time being."

"Yes!"

"Qingzhu, go to the outer courtyard and tell Jiao Da to bring four guards over immediately. I have something to ask him."

"Is it at Tianxiang Restaurant?"

"Correct!"

Shen Ning nodded, "Right here."

Because of her status as a second wife, Lady You was not valued by outsiders.

That person went to Ningguo Mansion... there's no way he could possibly find her now.

Therefore, Shen Ning suspected that they were targeting her.

That's really impressive!

Two maids hurried downstairs. Qingcheng stood beside her, about to say something, but sensed something was off about the way the mistress was looking outside. She glanced over and noticed the thing moving on the roof.

"Mrs……"

She almost screamed.

"Shh~"

Shen Ning gently shushed, "Let's see first. If they come to my place, Xiaodong, Xiaonan, and the other two will have spent some time with Jiao Da."

"Madam~"

Qingcheng stepped forward slightly to shield her from the wind. "I brought a cloak; please put it on!"

Although she didn't feel cold yet, it would be safer to wear another layer.

If a fight really breaks out, wearing an extra layer will always provide some protection.

"Not urgent!"

Shen Ning grabbed her hand, "You should move back a little, so he can't see us."

Qingcheng quickly moved back.

My wife was assassinated once on the fifteenth of August.

That time, none of the maids were present.

When the wife returned, they were all terrified.

now……

"Madam, aren't you going to tell the master?"

"...Wait a little longer!"

Jia Zhen has a very impatient temperament.

If they found out, they might take action immediately.

Although Shen Ning called Jiao Da and was also going to take action, she wanted the four people in the courtyard to try first.

The fact that the other side only sent one person doesn't necessarily mean they wanted to kill her.

Even if they really wanted to kill her, they would have to let her maids test the waters first.

Skinny Monkey had no idea how unlucky he was; he was exposed to the master of Ningguo Mansion before he even entered the mansion.

The Prince of Jin wished he could kill Lady Shen immediately.

However, his target was not only Madam Shen.

Skinny Monkey's mission this time was still to deliver a letter.

Go to Madam Shen's courtyard and look through her letters.

Let's see if she's having an affair with Jia Jing.

If there is clear evidence, the Ningguo Mansion may not be around for long before it is destroyed.

With a leap, the skinny monkey nimbly leaped from one rooftop to another, and quickly followed with two more leaps, vaulting over the courtyard wall and landing at Ningguo Mansion.

Sure enough, snowy days are great; not many people come out.

He carefully crawled in from here, then crouched down from there.

Standing in Tianxiang Tower, Shen Ning could see that he was heading straight for her courtyard.

"Mrs!"

Jiao Da arrived quickly. "What business do you have with this old servant?"

Even Baoyu, the grandson of the Duke of Rongguo, was brought over to be taught by him, which made the old man very happy.

"A thief broke into the house."

what?
Jiao Da was stunned for a moment, his beard bristling. "Where is it?"

He stared with his large, bell-like eyes, scanning the entire Tianxiang Tower.

The four guards who followed quickly set up a perimeter, trying to find the thief.

"Don't rush yet."

Shen Ning said, "They're heading towards my yard. Do you think Xiaodong and the others will be able to find out?"

This?
Jiao Da's heart skipped a beat.

He wasn't worried about Xiaodong and the others; he was concerned about them going to his wife's courtyard.

The assassination attempt on August 15th was indeed aimed at their wife.

"Is it one person?"

As he asked this question, he looked warily out the window.

"Look, there!"

Shen Ning pointed with her finger.

Stand tall and see far.

That person who thought he was well hidden was occasionally spotted by her.

"He climbed over from the back street."

"It's him?"

Jiao Da saw it clearly.

So that's why they failed to catch her last time!

He ran into the God of Wealth Casino.

hiss~
He is the King of Jin's man.

"Madam, this is the one who stole from the master's study last time."

It was around that time that they kept a close eye on the God of Wealth Gambling House, and then, by chance, they discovered the dwarf assassin Xie Zhenghu.

"Can the four of you handle him?"

Shen Ning asked the four guards.

"can!"

They were already embarrassed enough by letting him escape last time.

Let him escape again this time...

Then let's just atone with our deaths!

Seeing the look in Jiao Da's eyes, the group didn't dare to hesitate for a moment.

If he really hesitated, perhaps he wouldn't have to atone with his death; the old man could have fought them to the death.

"That works!"

Shen Ning nodded and made room for him. "You all come and take a look, and then keep a close eye on him."

"Let him into your yard?"

Jiao Da did not want to agree.

"Enter!"

Shen Ning said, "Wait until he enters the courtyard. If Xiaodong and the others don't notice, then you can arrest him. If they do notice... let them try first."

I recommend my friend Yao Yingyi's new book, "Good Times".

Zhao Shiqing was born with a special gift: she could understand animal language. When she was young, her whole family was murdered, but she survived by chance and was adopted by the Prince of Liang. From then on, Zhao Shiqing had a father who was rich and noble, a mother who was weak and unable to take care of herself, a scheming older brother, a mama's boy second brother, and a virtuous and kind older sister, plus a beautiful master who was as cold as ice.

Suddenly one day, her father died, her family was destroyed, and her mother and daughter turned against each other. Zhao Shiqing became a jinx in everyone's eyes. She was driven out of the palace and everyone avoided her.

Zhao Shiqing encounters Xiao Zhen, who has been reborn and faked his death, and Zhao Shiqing feels both sorrow and joy.

The tragedy is that it was all a conspiracy; the joy is that there are people even worse off than her.
This is the story of a pair of jinxes who play the victim together and fight monsters together.