The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 203 Two Paths

Start over?

Carrying brambles shirtless in such cold weather?

Jia Zheng was terrified.

After his buttocks were badly beaten, his health deteriorated.

There are many things I'm willing to do but lack the strength to do, and if I catch a cold...

Jia Zheng felt that he was going to die.

He is afraid of death.

Especially after lying in bed for so long.

That helplessness, that despair...

But Lan Zhi's knife was icy cold and pressed against his chin.

Jia Zheng even felt that the skin there was already broken, and his niece in front of him seemed... seemed to want to stab him with a knife.

"I...I'll start over."

If you don't get a second chance, you'll die immediately.

Jia Zheng retreated in a panic, his torn coat barely concealing his injuries. Inside, it might have been fine, but outside…

"Wait!"

Lanzhi saw him shiver, so she slowly walked over and looked at him.

When Jia Zheng saw her come out carrying a knife, his legs trembled, and he suddenly felt even colder.

"For my maternal grandfather's sake..."

Lanzhi looked at him and said, "When you bring the brambles over, you don't need to take off your underwear."

what?
That's it?

Hearing that she would consider her father's sake, Jia Zheng was filled with anticipation, but now, his mouth moved, but Lan Zhi's knife...

"Thank you!"

Jia Zheng lowered his head and hurriedly retreated. When Lan Zhi could no longer see him, he quickly covered his clothes and ran back to the side gate connecting the two mansions. He said to the maid who was with him, "Quick! Tell the old lady quickly."

The eldest brother, Jia She, will only help Lan Zhi. Jia Zhen and his sister-in-law will also side with her because of the life-saving grace she received.

His two younger sisters had long since lost faith in him because of everything that had happened to the Lan family.

Son, daughter... let's not talk about them.

He could only rely on the old woman to save him.

The old lady was able to get everyone in the family to speak up for him.

After much deliberation, Jia Zheng realized he could only rely on the old lady.

In fact, at this point, Grandmother Jia had no need for him to tell her.

She instructed her maid to keep an eye on the news from that side. When she heard that her second son's clothes had been torn open and that he was to be re-tied with thorns, the old lady was stunned.

Something doesn't seem right!
Such a cold day...

Although the snow stopped long ago, it's still cold.

Blue branch like this...

Is this the way an ordinary girl handles things?
Grandmother Jia's heart skipped a beat. "Quickly, go and tell Zhu'er and Lian'er in the East Mansion."

She is in a hurry.

The children tried their best not to get involved in the elders' feuds, especially Lian'er, who, as the secretary of the Armory Department, helped Lanzhi and General Jiang a lot.

Lanzhi may not give face to others, but she must give Lian'er some face.

Lian'er... can't just stand by and watch her second uncle freeze to death or be beaten to death, can she?

"Go and call Fourth Aunt and Third Aunt."

Jia Min and Jia Wen were both Lan Zhi's aunts, and they advised her that they were better than her, a maternal grandmother with whom she had no blood relation.

Having met once at the mourning hall in the East Mansion, the old lady could sense that Lanzhi's feelings for her were merely a formality.

She has her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so she doesn't really care about Lanzhi.

But now it really concerns her second son's life!
And the Shen family...

Even though she was sick, Lanzhi was with her, and she... she couldn't just ignore her!

Even if we don't care about others, we could at least think of this old lady who is already quite old!

She will definitely understand her.

After all, on the day she was assassinated, she rushed to save Jia Zhen despite her own danger because she was worried about him.

"Quickly! Prepare the sedan chair, I need to go to the East Mansion."

The maids and servants all sprang into action immediately.

Just as Grandmother Jia sat in her sedan chair, Aunt Zhou rushed over in a hurry. "Grandmother, Master said that Madam should also go over to apologize together."

Jia Zheng was too hasty and too afraid, and forgot to say this, but she had to confirm it.

Yes, yes, and the Wang family too.

She was so anxious she lost her mind.

Grandmother Jia hurriedly said, "Quickly, quickly pull Wang out and send her to the East Mansion together."

She was busy with her second son's affairs and didn't pay much attention to what Aunt Zhou meant by those words.

Seeing Jia Zheng so miserably bound with thorns again, Aunt Zhou was overjoyed.

But how can it be that only Jia Zheng is in such a miserable state?
Wang was in the Buddhist hall, sheltered from the wind and rain.

Although the food wasn't very good, it was enough to fill me up to about half full.

I just drank some water and that was enough to get through it.

In Wang's eyes, this was already the worst she had ever lived, but in Zhou's eyes, it was not enough, far from enough.

Her child is gone.

Wang's three children... it's quite obvious that they will all have a bright future.

Why?
She can't touch her child, so can't we cause her some more trouble?
Aunt Zhou thinks about this all day long.

She was figuring out how, while protecting herself, she could make the old lady, the master, and even Wang's children stab her in the heart.

As Jia Zheng's concubine, Aunt Zhou was very careful to protect herself.

After all, she has no children, and she might have to live with Zhu'er and Baoyu in the future.

So Aunt Zhou went back in a panic.

She carried a set of thick clothes belonging to Jia Zheng, and another set of so-called thick clothes belonging to Wang Shi that looked good but were not practical, saying, "They need to be tied up securely."

When Aunt Zhou saw the old woman tying up the woman, she seemed to be thinking of Wang Shi's future. "Master told her to tie her up tightly, saying that the young lady's knife... doesn't discriminate."

Wang: "..."

When the old woman tightened the bramble around her body, her face contorted in pain.

"Madam, please move around a bit, let your back bleed a little!"

Aunt Zhou was still trying to persuade her.

After all, that was the same advice she gave Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng listened to her.

“The young lady has come back from the battlefield and has seen a lot of blood. You are bound with thorns and there is not a drop of blood on you... I'm afraid her family’s hatred will never be forgiven.”

"..."

Wang's heart skipped a beat.

The old women busied themselves moving the brambles around.

Oh dear~~~~
Wang's face contorted in pain.

"Hurry up, Madam. It's cold. Let's hurry to the First Madam's room so she can suffer less."

Nowadays, which old lady doesn't have a charcoal brazier in her house?

Wang understood what she meant.

After tying her up, she didn't dare to delay and quickly headed towards the East Mansion.

At this moment, Shen Ning, who was physically weak, tried to fight off sleepiness and asked Qingzhu and the others to help pat her arms and legs.

She's been sleeping for the past few days, and her whole body, not just her bones, but even her muscles, are aching.

Take more photos; it'll make people look more energetic.

Only when you're mentally sharp can you watch the rest of this grand show.

Shen Ning was unaware that her spirits had unknowingly improved because she was watching Jia Zheng and Wang Shi suffer misfortune.

Finally, Jia Zheng, whom we've been waiting for, has arrived again.

The thorns on his back were even more numerous than before.

The white undergarment was already pierced, and the scattered red spots were still quite eye-catching.

Lan Zhi first glanced at her aunt, Shen Ning.

They were afraid that her seriously ill body would feel unwell again after seeing blood and she would vomit again.

Good thing...

Lanzhi noticed that her aunt's complexion didn't look so bad after being patted and hit by the maids.

She was relieved.

"Blue branch..."

Jia Zheng practically ran all the way here. Upon entering Shen Ning's warm and spacious room, he almost sneezed. "Back then, I was also deceived by your second aunt and the Wang family."

If you're so capable, go find Wang Ziteng!
He is now the General Who Guards the South.

No matter how strong or how many battles Lan Zhi has, she can only command the women's army there; she will never be able to surpass Wang Ziteng in her lifetime.

Jia Zheng really hoped that Wang Ziteng could be here to help him divert some of his hatred.

"I am incompetent, I am stupid..."

His tears fell.

He was originally the only one in the two government offices in the imperial court.

Although they couldn't attend court, it was still considered a substantive position.

They are better than my older brother and Zhen'er in every way.

The two of them could only stay at home, relying on their ancestors, living a life of idleness and waiting to die.

Jia Zheng always felt that he was the most promising, upright, and gentlemanly member of the Jia family.

If anyone has any problems, they just need to come to him, and he's generally willing to help if he can.

Wang also posted his message.

The Wang family, through the Wang clan...

"I misjudged people!"

Jia Zheng truly cried, "But I really didn't know it would harm your whole family!"

He thought it was just a matter of relatives helping each other out.

"Sister-in-law, please say something for me."

He pleaded with Shen Ning.

What could Shen Ning say?
She sat in a wheelchair, looking quite weak.

In Dream of the Red Chamber, after Daiyu's death, the Jia family was reunited. Jia Zheng clearly saw that one person was missing, but what did he say?

The Jia family took so much silver from the Lin family, and he really didn't know anything about it?
He didn't know anything about the marriage between the Lin and Jia families?
Parents to enrich people.

Even if Lin Ruhai were confused, he couldn't possibly have only made an agreement with Grandmother Jia about the marriage between Daiyu and Baoyu.

After the Grand View Garden was completed, Jia Zheng strolled through the garden and said that he liked the Xiaoxiang Pavilion the most.

Then Lin Daiyu moved in.

Yuan Chun sent the Jia family to a Taoist temple to pray for blessings. The Taoist priest wanted to arrange a marriage for Bao Yu. Later, Dai Yu and Bao Yu quarreled. Grandmother Jia said, "Is the saying 'enemies are destined to meet' just a casual remark?"

You have to understand, in this day and age, this phrase is basically used to describe married couples.

Grandmother Jia has made it clear.

How could Jia Zheng not know?
He's just faking it.

Anyway, he didn't have to lift a finger; Wang Shi could handle everything for him, so he wouldn't have to put up with anything.

Lin Daiyu must die; otherwise, the Jia family will have to repay the money and provide a dowry.

now……

Shen Ning always felt that Jia Zheng's evil was far more terrifying than that of Jia She and Jia Zhen.

At least their bad behavior is out in the open, so we can guard against it, but Jia Zheng...

It was all for naught that Lin Daiyu and Baoyu got angry and kept talking about finding their uncle.

She trusted her uncle so much...

"Sister-in-law~~~"

Jia Zheng raised his voice and called for Shen Ning again.

"Second Master," Qingzhu hurriedly said, "please don't make things difficult for our Madam. Our Madam can't speak at all."

Why say that to him?

Lan Zhi sneered, "If he cared even a little bit about this place, he would know how sick Auntie is."

Jia Zheng: "..."

He felt like he was being wrongly accused.

He doesn't dare come to the East Mansion, isn't it to avoid her?
"Master Jia, are you feeling unwell now?"

Lan Zhi gently wiped her broadsword. "Do you know how much pain my mother suffered before she died? She prided herself on her relationship with you, and before she died, she wanted to beg you to take care of us siblings out of consideration for our childhood friendship. But what did you say?"

Jia Zheng: "..."

He knelt on his own lap.

His face was pale and ashen.

How long did he kneel in the ancestral hall because of this?

He also lost his official position and got a severe beating.

Now he has to kneel before his own niece...

If he had the courage, he felt he might as well be dead.

But he didn't have the courage.

Seeing his expression, Shen Ning couldn't help but close her eyes.

In Dream of the Red Chamber, Jia Zheng holds great authority within the Jia family.

Jia Zhen was not fit to be the clan head, but he was his nephew. After Yuan Chun was made a concubine, if he had even a little bit of restraint for his children, and if he had truly loved reading as described in the book, the men of the Jia family would not have become so corrupt.

"You've made my mother die without peace of mind."

Lan Zhi took a step forward, “My father, my eldest brother, my second brother…” She took a step forward with each person she mentioned, “Of the three people, only my second brother was able to have a complete corpse.”

Urgent footsteps could be heard outside.

Jia Zhu and Jia Lian have arrived.

Jia Wen and Jia Min also arrived.

Grandmother Jia's sedan chair was also coming into the courtyard.

Upon receiving the news, Jia Zhen and Madam You each saw off their guests and hurriedly ran over here.

"Do you know why I set fire to my house that day?"

Lan Zhi's knife struck Jia Zheng's face again.

Jia Zheng shuddered.

He was cold, and he was also frightened.

“Because if we don’t burn it, I will be forced into marriage by that relative of the Wang family, who is using the relationship between the Wang and Jia families.”

Lanzhi looked at Jia Zhu, "Cousin, if you were me, would you come here to take revenge?"

Jia Zhu: "..."

He slowly lifted his robes and knelt down. "I will!"

What's meant to happen will happen, "but as a son... I beg my cousin to spare my parents' lives."

"Your parents' lives are lives, but my parents' and brothers' lives aren't?"

"……sorry!"

Jia Zhu's eyes reddened.

This is an unsolvable problem.

"Grandma, their lives are lives, but aren't the lives of my parents and brothers also lives?"

Lanzhi let Jia Zhu go and then asked Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia trembled and tears streamed down her face. “This wretched child…” she cried, “The lives of your parents and my two grandsons are something no one can afford to pay for. But Lanzhi, things have come to this. He is, after all, a descendant of the Duke and your own uncle. I am an old woman, so please spare his life for the sake of your maternal grandfather and me. As for the rest… it is up to you.”

Even if I can only lie in bed from now on.

Just stay alive.

"Follow my lead?"

Lanzhi's eyes were a little red as she looked at the woman who came in with a pale face and a bundle of thorns on her back.

At this moment, carrying thorns on her back and wearing only a single layer of clothing... she must be Wang Shi without a doubt.

"Who are you?"

"I……"

Wang glanced at Jia Zheng and Jia Zhu kneeling on the ground, tried to calm her breathing, and knelt down towards her son, saying, "Lanzhi, I am your second aunt."

"..."

Lan Zhi gritted her teeth. "Everyone says that a mother's brother is the most important person, but look at you, how are you even worthy of that title?"

"..."

"..."

Jia Zheng and Wang Shi had no way to defend themselves.

Jia Min and Jia Wen both slightly turned their faces away.

They couldn't persuade them.

If I put myself in that situation, I would hate Lan Zhi even more.

Because they are mothers.

"You think that beating them one by one, or staying in a small Buddhist shrine, is enough to atone for your sins?"

Lan Zhi said, "For the sake of my maternal grandfather, I will give you two choices: one is to atone with your death, and the other... is to each receive twenty strokes of the cane, an acre of land outside the city, and a thatched hut. From now on, you will have to rely on yourselves, growing whatever you can eat. If you don't have enough to eat, you will either go hungry or work as a laborer for others."

"If you accept even the slightest help from your relatives, I will return and chop off your heads."