The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 197 Reinforcements (A long chapter of 6,000 words, please vote!)

Jia She was stomping his feet.

He kept stomping his feet.

Why haven't the officers and soldiers arrived yet?
Or has something else happened in the capital, and someone is holding them back, wanting the entire Dong family to die?
Jia She felt even colder.

He was so cold that he was shivering all over.

That year, the Crown Prince set himself on fire and took his family with him. Then the court was thrown into turmoil, and the execution grounds were packed with people every day, with wave after wave of people being exiled.

His wife's family had all met with misfortune, leaving Lian'er without a maternal grandparent family. She thought that was already terrible, but then her uncle and father died one after another, and the title of the East Mansion was even passed down to Zhen'er by her eldest uncle, bypassing her eldest cousin.

That year...it was so cold!

Just like now.

Jia She couldn't help but shudder again.

"Sir, sir, there are soldiers! The soldiers are here!"

When I saw it from afar, I shouted in alarm.

Jia She was startled and hurriedly turned around to meet him, but his foot slipped and he fell to the ground with a thud.

The servants rushed to help him up, but Jia She, ignoring the pain, got up again and looked at the approaching soldiers.

But it would have been better if he hadn't seen it yet, because when he did... his heart sank.

It seems that only one team came.

No more than thirty people.

What can such a small number of people do?
That's what he was thinking, but Jia She sniffed and still tried his best to greet him.

No matter how much, their presence is always a help.

Otherwise, he would be terrified to stay here.

"Lord Jia!"

Fang Dayou, the squad leader of the Five Cities Garrison, was about to ask for details when he heard the earth tremble. It seemed that a dozen or so horses were coming this way.

This this?

The thought of Madam Shen being attacked here made them tense.

Jia She was also nervous; he was afraid!
He was afraid that after those bad guys had dealt with his older brother's family, they would also come after him.

If that were to happen, then... no one in the family would be able to control my second brother anymore.

Lian'er is very stupid. His second brother can coax him like a child. It probably won't even take three days to win him back.

Mother……

His mother always doted on him.

Without the eldest brother and sister-in-law, and without the couple, the entire Jia family will likely fall under the control of the second brother.

Thinking of this, Jia She's heart was filled with unease...

"Who is coming?"

As they drew closer, the newcomers appeared to be dressed in the standard military uniforms of the border town, but due to his duty, Fang Dayou still held up his token and conducted the routine questioning.

It was impossible not to ask, as Madam Shen was a first-rank imperial consort.

Everyone who passes by here today will be checked.

"The thirteenth lieutenant of Ningxia Guard went to the capital to receive his title."

The man who spoke also raised his identification badge.

But Ningxia Guard...?
Jia She suddenly remembered something and shouted, "Is Lan Zhi here?"

His voice trembled with excitement, "I am Jia She, your maternal uncle!"

Jia She?

Lanzhi, who was riding a horse, couldn't help but tug at the horse.

She had no feelings for her maternal uncle.

Because he was truly an incompetent person.

Although he inherited the title, he was driven from Rongxi Hall by the second wife to live in the stables.

Even though in recent communications my uncle seems to have regained his strength, it's not entirely due to his own abilities.

Lan Zhi did not want to acknowledge the Rongguo Mansion.

If she really accepts it and seeks revenge for her parents, who can her uncle help?

With the old lady around, even if he disliked his second brother, he certainly wouldn't side with her.

Since that's the case, let's leave it at that!
During this period, she was willing to pay double the price for any medicinal herbs or other supplies sent by the people of Rongguo Mansion, as if she were buying them.

Lanzhi spurred her horse, trying to gallop away from the group, when Jia She's tearful voice rang out again, "Lanzhi, Lanzhi, help! Your aunt from the Ningguo Mansion has been attacked! Are you there? Lanzhi..."

"Xu~"

Lan Zhi suddenly reined in her horse, "My aunt from the East Mansion has been attacked? Where?"

When she turned to look at the group of people, she realized that the two people lying on the road ahead might be corpses.

"It's there, it's there, it's up ahead."

Jia She's heart suddenly came alive again.

His family had two ancestors who were both born with great strength.

However, their descendants were not good enough; they were all just ordinary people.

But Lan Zhi is different.

According to her, she is incredibly strong.

She must resemble her great-grandfather.

"Everyone stop."

Lan Zhi immediately stopped everyone, turned her horse and went to Jia She's side, "Uncle, where are you?"

"They went to Tai Xuan Temple."

Jia She was excited. "I can ride a horse. Shall I show you the way?"

He's finally starting to be useful.

Jia She had had enough of this feeling of being powerless to wait.

Moreover, with the help of veterans like Lan Zhi, his confidence greatly increased.

"Then what are we waiting for? Mount up!"

After explaining to her eldest uncle, Lanzhi quickly looked at the people from the Five Cities Garrison, "You're here to rescue people, right? Then all those who can ride horses should come with you."

The Jia family still has nine horses here; each additional person adds to their fighting strength.

"Yeah!"

Jia She looked at Fang Dayou, "Lord Fang, let's go together!"

"...Mount your horse!"

Fang Dayou also breathed a sigh of relief.

With more people, we have more confidence.

Several brothers quickly came out of the team. "The rest of you, keep watch here and wait for reinforcements."

If a first-rank imperial consort is attacked, the Shuntian Prefecture will definitely send people.

Even Lord Zhu Si would likely be alarmed and is on his way here.

"Master, Lan Zhi..."

Xing stuck her head out of the car and shouted, "Be careful!"

It was warm in her car, but Lanzhi was a girl all alone...

Xing took off her thick fur cloak and stretched out her hands expectantly, "Lanzhi, I'm your aunt, sweetie, put this on too."

Lan Zhi: "..."

What?

Since the eldest uncle has already acknowledged it, the eldest aunt can't deny it either.

She quickly rode over, saying, "Thank you, Auntie."

"Eh~"

Ms. Xing was deeply moved.

This niece is a female general.

She didn't recognize the old man at first, but as soon as she called out to him, he recognized her.

"Be careful!"

This family can't function without any one of them!
She watched the group of people head towards Taixuan Temple and couldn't help but sigh.

Hopefully it's not too late, it definitely will be in time.

Xing prayed silently.

……

The capital city, Ningguo Prefecture.

Although Rong-ge'er is not yet an adult, his grandparents and father are the three people closest to him in his life, living outside the city.

He had just finished school when he received the message.

There was no time to panic, and he ordered Jiao Da to quickly gather the household guards and reserve guards.

He rushed to the backyard and said, "Mother, please take my aunt to the West Mansion for now."

No, I'm right here in this house.

Madam You was in turmoil. "I want to see if those people dare to come and kill us in broad daylight. If they really come to our house, I'll admire them."

They won't even need to file a complaint themselves; the retired emperor, the emperor, and all the civil and military officials in the court will not agree.

They also worry that one day someone might kill them in their home.

"Rong-ge'er, you can go in peace. I have already sent Yue'er to your third aunt to take care of."

Third Aunt Jia Wen has a good relationship with her mother-in-law and is an upright person. With Xiao Yue'er in her care, she and Rong Ge'er have no worries.

"Just remember, we are waiting for you to come back."

Compared to the bustling West Prefecture, their side...

The You family was in great distress; their family was small and infrequent.

"Even if they don't come back, you... must come back."

"Ok!"

Rong-ge knelt down and kowtowed, "Mother, take care. Your son will definitely return safely."

Anyone who dares to harm his family, as long as they have a breath left... he will definitely avenge them.

With the Ningguo Mansion making a move, the Rongguo Mansion certainly wouldn't just sit idly by.

Although his grandmother and aunt were both in the palace, they should have gone to see them and brought them home, but Jia Zhu and Jia Lian didn't care.

Now that the fate of the eldest aunt of the East Mansion is unknown, they must take care of her first.

"Why are there horse-drawn carriages?"

Jia Zhu asked Jia Lian, who was also riding a horse but had brought two carriages with him, "Who's inside?"

Bringing women along at this point would not be helping, but rather causing trouble.

"Nobody's here, it's empty."

Jia Lian said, "My aunt's side... there might be some casualties. Having a carriage will make the return trip easier."

Jia Zhu: "..."

Lian's second brother, who has entered the imperial court, is growing at a speed that can be seen with the naked eye.

Jia Zhu was deeply moved, "Well done! Let's catch up with Rong-ge'er quickly. He's still young, we can't let him get cold."

With the fates of my uncle, aunt, and Brother Zhen still unknown, Rong-ge'er must not be allowed to get into any trouble.

"We can stay with you, but as for persuasion... well, let's just leave it at that."

Jia Lian said, "He must be suffering terribly right now. It's better for him to be on horseback with a goal in mind than to be lost in thought in the carriage."

This?
Jia Zhu fell silent.

When the brothers caught up with Rong-ge, they were relieved to see that he was dressed warmly.

Of course, Rong-ge'er wouldn't let himself get sick.

Their family is already in such a state, and if he gets sick again... wouldn't that just be playing right into the hands of the people behind the scenes?

This is something Rong-ge'er can't tolerate.

When the Jia family's large entourage headed out of the city, those in the capital with good connections knew that something had happened.

As the steward gathered the information, the Princess Consort of Nan'an unconsciously furrowed her brow.

She was delighted to see the assassination of Lady Shen of Ningguo Mansion.

But if the person behind this is targeting the entire Ningguo Prefecture... then the capital will probably be in a state of panic for some time to come.

The emperor's methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated. If things end up backfiring on the Nan'an Prince's Mansion, no one will speak up for them.

Hey~
Her son was not very capable, which displeased not only the emperor but also the court officials.

But if we really have to hand over power...

Just look at Ningguo Mansion now, and you'll know what they'll become in the future.

"Go and inquire again."

The Dowager Princess of Nan'an sighed inwardly and asked, "How is the situation of the Shi family of Rongguo Mansion entering the palace?"

That old lady was Jia Daishan's widow.

The retired emperor will surely take care of Jia Daishan out of consideration for him.

The Princess Dowager of Nan'an was conflicted.

She disliked Shen and even hoped for her death, but she couldn't help but admire her. After falling to the ground for several years, she was able to get back up and lift the Jia family, which was like mud, back up.

Throughout the entire capital, not to mention women, there are very few men who could do what she did.

"Also, tell our people to pay close attention to this matter, and if they can help the Jia family, then they should."

what?
The butler was puzzled.

"If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold!"

They were all from families of military generals.

The Jia family abandoned everything and wanted to find another way to ensure the safety of their descendants.

Their family's efforts to maintain military power are also a path.

The Jia family is gambling with the conscience of the royal family.

The retired emperor and the emperor had a conscience, but the other princes did not, so they could only suffer in silence.

Compared to the Jia family, the Dowager Princess of Nan'an felt that their family had a better path. With military power in hand, even if the Prince of Jin was arrogant, he couldn't be won over, and he wouldn't dare to act so recklessly in such an open manner.

"Moreover, if the Jia family is willing to put in a good word for the prince, Prince Teng... won't be able to cause any major trouble."

The real heads of the Jia family were Madam Shi and Madam Shen, and neither of them were fools.

We really have to accept their kindness...

There will surely be retribution from Jia Lian.

On the contrary, as the leader of the Jia family's Yu generation, could he allow others to deal with the Jia family?
If there's even the slightest clue, Jia Lian might not be able to act on his own, but by casually giving someone a hint through the Armory... that would be quite something.

According to the Dowager Princess of Nan'an, Prince Jin is truly spoiled.

Consort Zhen herself was extremely intelligent, but unfortunately, her son was spoiled.

At this moment, the Prince of Jin, whom some insightful people believed had been spoiled, was listening to a little tune with his eyes closed.

Looking back, the Jia family, especially the Ningguo Mansion, was truly his nemesis and the emperor's lucky star.

If we keep them around, they won't enjoy eating or sleeping.

So what if someone guesses that he was the one who did it?

Is there any evidence?

The old man is still alive.

The old man also pointed at him, saying he could put pressure on the emperor in the imperial court.

ho~
The Prince of Jin was filled with hatred.

He was once so close to the throne, so very close.

Why are they all holding him back?

They are both sons of dragons and descendants of phoenixes.

Why?
She kept saying she loved him the most, but what was the truth?
Shit!

Since they don't care about him, why should he care about them?

As the Prince of Jin listened to the music, he clapped along to the rhythm.

Just then, the steward rushed in, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! All the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital have gone to Shou Kang Palace."

what?
The Prince of Jin's heart skipped a beat. "What's going on?"

"It's not clear yet."

The butler shook his head, "But it certainly won't be because of the Shi family of Rongguo Mansion."

Shi entered the palace, saying she was begging the Emperor Emeritus for help.

Then they summoned the imperial physician, who said that Lady Shi had fainted.

But now, all the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy have been summoned to Shou Kang Palace.

In this situation, it can only mean that the retired emperor has something to do.

"Your Highness, do you think you should go to the palace?"

This?
The King of Jin did not act immediately, but said, "Let's see how the King of Cheng and the others do it."

If they all go to the palace, he will naturally have to go to the palace too.

But what if they hadn't entered the palace...?

The Prince of Jin knew how severe his father's paranoia was.

He didn't want to be the one to stick his neck out.

"Also, send a maid to the palace to deliver some things to the Dowager Consort."

His mother would help him find out about his father's situation.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The butler left in a hurry.

But at this moment, the emperor had no desire to see Consort Zhen.

Especially the way she seemed so concerned about the retired emperor, it really disgusted him...

"Someone, please invite Consort Zhen back to the palace to pray for the Emperor Emeritus."

The emperor's voice was particularly cold: "From this moment on, without the decree of the retired emperor, no one may leave the small Buddhist hall."

"...The Dowager Consort!"

Seeing the emperor's gaze, Dai Quan quickly bowed and gestured for him to enter, "Please!"

Consort Zhen: "..."

Her lips moved slightly, but not a single person in the entire hall offered her a way out.

No one spoke up for her.

she……

She sobbed, "I pray for the Emperor Emeritus, Emperor Emeritus, you must get well!"

After kowtowing to the Emperor Emeritus, Consort Zhen wiped away her tears and hurriedly left.

At that moment, as she passed by the side hall, she happened to see Grandmother Jia and Jia Min.

Both of them looked at her coldly, and she...

Consort Zhen turned her face away and quickly left.

"Mother~"

Jia Min was very worried.

"nothing!"

The old lady patted her daughter's hand, feeling somewhat relieved.

The retired emperor was so angered by the Prince of Jin that he fainted.

It has nothing to do with them.

Besides, the emperor... might prefer the current situation.

The old lady wasn't worried about the retired emperor.

She was worried about the three people outside, whose fate was unknown, in the heavy snow.

Jia Min was also worried, and she wanted to leave the palace.

She wanted to know how things were at home.

“I know,” she whispered. “Judging from Consort Zhen’s appearance, she must have been scolded.”

But once you're disciplined, you're still far from death...

“I’m not worried about here, I’m worried about home.”

Just then, Eunuch Liu came out of the main hall. "Is the old lady feeling better? His Majesty has decreed that if you are feeling better, you should go home and rest. Lord Zhu of the Five Cities Garrison has already personally gone to see Madam Shen."

"Better."

Grandmother Jia quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am deeply grateful. We will return now and await Lord Zhu's good news!"

She had intended to say that she would go back and pray to the Bodhisattva to bless the Emperor Emeritus with peace and safety, but she swallowed the words back down.

Eunuch Liu was the emperor's personal eunuch.

The less trouble, the better.

……

Meanwhile, the man in black, who had discovered the steel wire mixed in with the whip, knew that the knife couldn't save him. He dropped the knife and tried desperately to grab the whip with his hands to try and save his life, but to his surprise, the other man flicked the whip, tightening it even more.

He struggled incessantly in the snow, desperately wanting to call for his companions to come and save him, but with his neck strangled, he could barely breathe and could hardly make a sound.
After loading the musket, Shen Ning noticed that the man's legs were scratching in the snow and becoming increasingly weak, so she didn't want to waste the bullets.

It's unrealistic to send her alone to the rescue.

Shen Ning quickly ran over, picked up the man's knife, and under the man's bulging eyes, she felt a little scared. She turned her hand and handed the knife to Wen Peilan without hesitation.

Bu~
Wen Peilan was not going to be polite.

The moment he took the knife, he slashed it across the man's neck.

Finally, she's killed someone, hasn't she?
“Madam, please come with me.”

There were nine people on the other side, and their own men on the side of the carriage, all of whom appeared to be injured.

Grandpa Zhen was probably in the car too.

His life or death...

Wen Peilan was also quite worried about their wives.

After all, he only has this one son.

Wen Peilan held a knife in one hand and a whip in the other.

He immediately led Shen Ning to the carriage.

At this moment, the six men in black who were besieging the carriage did not expect that the three brothers could not do anything to the two women.

Given a little more time and a bit more effort, they could have dragged Jia Zhen out of the car, but now…

The leader of the men in black was furious.

If we divide the tasks among ourselves, today's mission will be considered a failure.

But if we don't stop them... and let them join forces with the remaining troops on the carriage side, they can hold out for a long time.

What they lack most is time.

Soldiers may have already arrived here.

"Tiger, you go."

He said to his bear-like brother beside him, "Take them down, and they'll be yours."

"Then it's settled."

Tiger, who looked like a black bear, quickly turned around.

Jia Zhen, who was in the carriage with an arrow in his shoulder, knew from the sound of the gunshot that his mother had arrived.

Now that tiger cub...

He gnashed his teeth in hatred.

Old Doctor Bai tried to remove the arrow from him, but he couldn't manage it several times. But now...

"Ahhhhh, you bastard!"

Jia Zhen grabbed the broken arrow and pulled it out with a sudden movement.

With lightning speed, Dr. Bai squeezed the wound, causing a brief spurt of blood, before pouring medicine onto the man's shoulder.

"Oh my god!"

Jia Zhen was in excruciating pain.

"It's alright, the arrowhead is clean."

Dr. Bai offered a rare word of advice.

The old man had almost thought he was going to die.

Unexpectedly, even though the Jia family was caught off guard and almost everyone was injured, they quickly regained their footing.

We now have reinforcements, though only three people, but it's better than nothing.

Maybe if we hold on a little longer, reinforcements will arrive.

bang~
Another gunshot rang out, and Dr. Bai hurriedly lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

Well, another man in black has fallen.

It looks like he still has a few years left to live.

Just as Dr. Bai was about to feel relieved, he sensed something was wrong.

That woman who fired the gun... why does she look so familiar?

Huh?

Is it Madam Shen?!
Oh my God!
The old man was shocked.

At first, from a distance, he only thought the other party's marksmanship was quite good, but he never expected that it was actually Shen who shot him.

Oops!

The old man couldn't help but scorn Jia Zhen, who cried and howled like a banshee just by pulling out an arrow.

Almost everyone outside has arrow wounds, but who is like him?
It's one thing that they can't compare to the guards, but even his mother...

shhh~~
shhhhh~~~
Wen Peilan's whip was exceptionally nimble, and with her joining the party, even Fan Daming, who arrived first, felt that life was much easier.

The two men knew that in order to kill the enemy without distraction, they had to get their wives into the carriage.

Moreover, once inside the carriage, it would be even easier to fire a gun.

The men in black were aware of this as well, but they had already fallen from an absolute advantage to a disadvantage.

It's just a pity that the prince gave too few arrows.

otherwise……

Hey~
Qiang~
shhh~~
Knives, swords, and whips clashed and fought.

Everyone wanted to cooperate with their teammates to defeat the opponent.

But the more you rush, the worse it gets.

Just then, a tremor came from ahead, and a group of men in black rode in on horseback.

Oh no~
Jia Zhen hurriedly lifted the carriage curtain, and thick smoke billowed from the direction of Taixuan Temple.

"Our people have arrived, hurry!"

The men in black who were attacking the carriage were invigorated.

The swords in his hands immediately became much sharper than before.

At the same time, on the way Shen Ning and her group arrived, they also heard the sound of galloping horses.

The man in black who came down from Tai Xuan Temple paused for a moment, but when he saw the number of the other side... he felt relieved again.

Both sides glanced at the fighting on the carriage side and decided against joining in, treating each other only as opponents.

Their horses galloped faster and faster, charging into battle with the determination to cut down their opponents.

“Kill~~~~”

Lan Zhi and the others were all seasoned warriors. Just as they were about to charge into battle, they shouted and swiftly brought their blades down with incredible speed and precision.

Meanwhile, the men in black... no one shouted, and they were even startled by the shouts from the other side.

In the instant of their confrontation, there was almost no chance of either side winning a single exchange.

The soldiers of the Five Cities Garrison followed behind, taking advantage of the situation.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!!"

They joined in the shouting.

Of course, even those who couldn't get into the Five Cities Garrison were still quite strong.

In the clash of swords, almost half of the enemy's men were cut down.