The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 226 Xue Baochai

In the Rongguo Mansion, in the Xue family courtyard, Aunt Xue looked at the letter sent by the steward from the capital, her heart filled with hesitation.

She wanted to discuss it with her son, but he had to go to school and finish his homework when he got home in the evening. Having raised him for so many years, this was the first time Aunt Xue had seen her son so focused. She cherished this time for him and couldn't bear to let trivial matters distract him.
Thus, the letter ended up in Xue Baochai's hands.

Heng Shu Dian?
Xue Baochai knew this was her family's pawnshop.

But how many cartloads of Zhen family's goods were put into her family's pawnshop?
"Mom, something's not right."

Xue Baochai immediately became anxious. "I heard that the Zhen family also came to the Jia family, but my cousin had them thrown out. It's clear that the Zhen family's conviction is a foregone conclusion, and their wealth... I'm afraid it's already been spotted by someone with ulterior motives."

"That's what made me uneasy."

The pawnshop could use the excuse of ignorance to claim that they received the goods, but items worth tens of thousands of taels were only pawned for five hundred taels, and the term was three years, which is clearly suspicious.

The practice of using pawnshops to conceal valuables has existed since ancient times.

Therefore, the imperial court also supervised pawnshops.

This batch of goods...

"Mom, have Manager Lu file a report with the imperial court immediately!"

Baochai said, "He said that he was greedy for cheap things at the time, but after thinking about it, he felt something was wrong. He vaguely remembered seeing the two people who pawned the goods at the Zhen family in Jiangnan from afar."

That's how it is.

The stewards of the Zhen family had always been upright and honest, and they probably never imagined that two years ago, when Manager Lu brought back some good things from the capital and delivered them to the Zhen family on behalf of his family, he had met them.

"If he goes to the imperial court to file a report and something happens, it has nothing to do with Heng Shudian or our family."

"Can……"

Aunt Xue knew that her daughter was right.

Manager Lu has been with the Xue family for many years. He is not only the manager of Hengshudian in the capital, but also the general manager of Hengshudian in various places.

His judgment and loyalty are impeccable.

After her husband passed away, Hengshudian was one of the only two businesses that remained profitable, roughly the same as before.

"If Manager Lu files this report with the authorities, what will happen to his reputation..."

"Mom, is his reputation more important, or is the life-or-death situation of our family more important?"

Baochai anxiously retorted, "Besides, no matter which pawnshop the Zhen family sends their goods to, the end result will be the same. It doesn't really have much to do with reputation. We can ask Manager Lu to use his connections to notify all the pawnshops in the capital, which would be equivalent to saving everyone's lives."

This?
It seems so.

"Then I'll send someone to tell him right away."

Aunt Xue immediately went to call for help.

But Baochai was still uneasy.

Although their family voluntarily filed the report with the government, officials are not above the law, and those with a valid reason should not be allowed in.

In the past, in Nanjing, various government offices in Nanjing could get a lot of benefits from their family every year.

Now in Beijing...

"Mom, I'll go tell my cousin!"

The Duke's Mansion.

Even if my cousin only sends a junior manager, it might make a difference to their family.

"go Go!"

Aunt Xue was naturally willing to share her daughter's burdens.
So, not long after, Wang Xifeng learned that the Zhen family had sent the items that hadn't gone into the Jia family's possessions to the Xue family's pawnshop.

"Now that it's been registered with the government, everything should be fine."

Wang Xifeng couldn't help but glance at her cousin again, "Don't worry, as long as the business is legitimate, Shuntian Prefecture won't make things difficult for you."

"Those things from the Zhen family..."

"It will most likely be confiscated."

Wang Xifeng said, "The five hundred taels that were given out are probably not going to be returned."

"The Zhen family... has it all fallen like this?"

Xue Baochai found it quite unbelievable.

Everyone in Jiangnan knows how powerful the Zhen family is.

In order to maintain their status as imperial merchants, the Xue family alone had to send tens of thousands of taels of silver every year.

Even if you give someone money for free, you still have to find connections and pull strings.

did not expect……

"Or else?"

Wang Xifeng sighed, "Their influence has gone too far. There are supposedly many memorials impeaching the Zhen family in the court. The Emperor originally only wanted Lord Zhen to come to the capital to defend himself, but then the Prince of Jin staged a coup... I heard that the imperial decree to confiscate their property was issued that very night."

The same applies to the capital city.

Two more companies were raided today.

The Emperor is gradually cleaning up the court.

Wang Xifeng suddenly understood the main reason why none of the four aunts of the Jia family had married into the royal family.

No wonder her aunt made such a decisive move to bring Yuan Chun back to marry.

"...But isn't Consort Zhen in the palace?"

Baochai was still somewhat confused, "The royal family doesn't care at all..."

"First of all, Consort Zhen was protecting her son."

How is the Emperor supposed to read this?
Judging from her experience managing the household, Consort Zhen must have caused countless obstacles for the Emperor and Empress while in the palace.

Wang Xifeng went through this when she first started managing the household.

Although my mother-in-law is my stepmother-in-law, she can't control others, and it's not easy to make things difficult for her...

Similarly, if Consort Zhen gains favor with the Emperor Emeritus, then the Empress must suffer injustice.

"Secondly, it was because the Prince of Jin was unfilial that the Emperor Emeritus was so angered that he suffered a stroke."

Wang Xifeng said, "Based on this alone, Consort Zhen is guilty."

This cousin is going to be selected to enter the palace.

Royal...

Wang Xifeng didn't want her family to get involved in royal affairs again because of their relatives.

Being a good subject is actually safer.

"My sister comes from Jinling, so she may not know how many people are convicted in the palace every year."

Wang Xifeng sighed, "It's already quite remarkable that Consort Zhen has come this far."

Consort Zhen and the Zhen family were actually interdependent.

"But look, now that the Emperor Emeritus has fallen, no matter how capable she is, she has no use for it."

Xue Baochai: “…”

After leaving Wang Xifeng's room, she sought a secluded path and walked back, feeling quite sad.

Her cousin was actually trying to dissuade her from entering the palace.

But if she doesn't enter the palace, her family...

My mother was soft-hearted, and my brother was not assertive enough.

Of the four prominent families in Jinling, the Xue family seemed alright, but every year when they sent gifts to the Zhen family, they would try to get in touch with the Jia, Wang, and Shi families as well.

Since we're going to use someone else's connections, we naturally have to give them gifts.

Back in my hometown, we send out quite a few every year.

Although they would give a return gift, what kind of return gift would it be...?

Baochai sighed softly.

She stopped and, after thinking for a moment, turned towards Grandmother Jia's courtyard.

As evening approached, Yingchun and her classmates were about to finish school.

Baochai wanted to spend more time with them for future convenience, but she didn't expect that Shen Ning would call all the young girls over just to see her dough figurines and the Nancheng paper-cuttings she had just bought that day.

These rustic things were extremely rare, except for Min Mei and Daiyu, who had traveled all the way from Jiangnan to the capital and gained a lot of knowledge. Yingchun and Tanchun were also very rare.

Tan Chun tugged at Shen Ning's sleeve, "Auntie, I also want to make a dough figurine."

"And I."

Third Sister tugged at Aunt's sleeve, and Daiyu tugged at hers, saying, "Aunt, when you go out tomorrow, please take me with you!"

The little girl looked so longing...

Let alone both of them coming together, even just one of them would be too much for Shen Ning to handle. "Going out is not an option."

what?
The girls were all very disappointed.

"But..."

Shen Ning kept everyone in suspense, saying, "I plan to invite the dough figurine maker to my home."

Ah?

"Auntie, you are so kind."

Daiyu immediately cheered. Minmei, who was holding little Yueyue, couldn't help but laugh as well.

"I would also like to invite that woman who is good at paper cutting over as well."

Shen Ning couldn't wait for her daughter to paint the Grand View Garden.

Anyway, there won't be a Grand View Garden in the future.

Cutting it out and preserving it carefully is also a very meaningful thing.

"How about we have her include all of you in the cut?"

"...Her cutouts of people weren't very good?"

Daiyu glanced at the paper-cutting from the South City and said, "It has no eyes or nose."

"Hahaha!"

Shen Ning laughed and took the opportunity to rub the little girl's soft cheeks, "You don't like that she doesn't have eyes and a nose? Then you can help her fill them in!"

"I'll come, I'll come."

Tan Chun volunteered, saying, "The teacher said my eyes and nose are drawn well."

When she was learning to paint, she received more praise than Lin Daiyu.

Wow, you're that amazing!

While praising her generously, Shen Ning also touched her little face, "Then I'll send it to Ningcui Pavilion tomorrow so the master can watch you paint your nose and eyes."

"Uh-huh!"

Tan Chun nodded vigorously.

"Since you've been helping me with these tasks, you can have dinner here tonight!"

Shen Ning knew they wouldn't object, so she said to Qingping, "Go tell the old lady of the West Mansion that the young ladies are having dinner here tonight."

"Yes!"

Qingping smiled and left, while the little girls chattered and surrounded Shen Ning's clay figurines.

They look forward to seeing their smaller selves.

Jia Yue, sandwiched between her older sisters, was also happily making "ah ah oh oh" noises.

Baochai, who had been invited to stay for dinner by Grandmother Jia, was quite disappointed to hear that the young ladies would not be coming back for dinner.

She really wanted to join them.

But so far, there hasn't been a good reason.

Madam Shen is a scholar; does she dislike merchants?
"Fortunately, I have Baochai here."

Grandmother Jia smiled and glared at Qingzhu.

She was unhappy because of her family, but Baochai was a considerate and coaxing girl. She told her many interesting stories about Jinling, "Next time your wife tries to take someone away, either take me away too, or send half of them back to me."

"Pfft~"

Wang Xifeng, who was serving them, almost burst out laughing. "Did you hear that? The key is that we didn't steal from the old lady, and she got jealous."

Aren't you going to make me jealous?

Grandmother Jia's attempt to feign a fierce expression failed, and she burst into laughter. "Qingping, when you get back, tell your mistress that if she tries to steal my thunder next time, I'll go and knock her on the head."

"Eh~"

Qingping laughed heartily, "I promise I'll say it all without missing a single word. You wait, old lady, our madam will definitely create an opportunity for you to rush over and knock her on the head."

"...You, you!"

Grandmother Jia laughed so hard she couldn't sit still, "What kind of talk is this?"

“It was my wife who said it herself. She said that at her age, it’s a blessing to still have elders taking care of her.”

"Ha ha……"

The room was suddenly filled with laughter.

Baochai discovered that Madam Shen of the East Mansion was truly skilled at flattery.

The maid she chose was quite eloquent. She would come over to report something and not only received a reward, but the old lady also had her carry a large food box, saying it was to give her an extra meal.

Call ~
Wow, that's impressive! She should definitely learn from her.

After eating, they talked for a while before Baochai hurriedly rushed home.

Xue Pan has already gone back.

He was beaten again today.

The ink I ground stained all my classmates' books.

Finally, the teacher taught him how to grind ink.

His family was wealthy and had many servants, so Xue Pan couldn't understand why he insisted on grinding the ink himself.

He wanted to tell his teacher that he didn't need to take the imperial examinations, and that he didn't need to learn such a troublesome task as grinding ink.

It was hateful that Mr. Wu from Ningguo Mansion was standing outside the window at that time.

He didn't dare to say it.

However, he wasn't paying attention when grinding the ink. With one forceful movement, he broke the ink stick and smeared ink all over the gentleman's face.

Finally, the gentleman said that his attitude was not proper, and he struck his left hand three times with a ruler.

Woo~
Xue Pan wanted to cry, but he didn't have time to cry.

Today, Mr. Wu from Ningguo Prefecture said that he didn't stand in the horse stance properly, so he punished him with a meal to remind him of the bitter past and appreciate the sweet present.

That thing...

Xue Pan had no idea how human beings could eat such food.

He had the backbone to refuse to eat.

Yesterday he observed that the school had snacks in the afternoon, and he had been holding back for a long time, but he didn't expect that the snacks were also limited, and each student in the Montessori class could only eat one.

Xue Pan had no choice but to endure it; he was already starving.

He had never suffered like this in his entire life.

When Aunt Xue saw her son wolfing down his food, she thought he had suffered a great deal again, and tears streamed down her face.

When Baochai returned home, she saw her brother eating heartily while shedding tears.

Her heart clenched instantly.

Once we know the whole story...

Baochai, accompanied by her maid, fetched water to wash her mother's and brother's faces. "Brother," she said, "Father once said, 'When a person grinds ink, the ink grinds the person.' This refers to the process of grinding ink. When grinding ink, a restless mind must gradually calm down. Only in this way can one write good characters. Grinding ink is also a process of cultivating one's mind and character."

Unfortunately, the older brother didn't heed his father's words.

The mother would then start crying incoherently.

"Come to the study, I'll grind the ink for you now."

The father died too early, and the mother spoiled him too much, which was not a good thing.

now……

Baochai suddenly realized that with the same intensity her husband had in disciplining her brother, things might really change after three years.

"There are three years to go."

She threatened her brother, who was still trying to make their mother cry, "You have to write every day, brother. You don't want to get beaten every day, do you?"

Xue Pan: "..."

"How could that be? He wasn't..."

Aunt Xue wanted to speak to her son.

At least he wasn't beaten by the teacher yesterday for grinding ink.

But Xue Pan turned his face away.

Baochai understood. "Did you use your classmate's ink yesterday, or did your classmate grind it for you?"

"He... grinded a lot."

Xue Pan really wanted to shout it out.

"Brother, he can't keep going on and on all the time. You have to learn this skill."

There are also specific techniques involved in grinding ink.

"By the way, how many large characters did you write today?"

"Five!"

That is not bad.

Baochai nodded, "We still have plenty of time, let's go now!"

"..."

Xue Pan glanced at his mother, and finally followed helplessly.

"When grinding ink, use less water rather than more. If it becomes too concentrated, add water and grind it again until it becomes concentrated."

As Baochai taught, she said, "The posture for grinding ink must be correct. The pressure and speed must be moderate, and the ink must be kept vertical and level. You should grind it vertically in circles on the inkstone. Do not grind it at an angle or push it straight, and you must not grind it randomly. If you use too little force or go too slow, you will waste time and the ink will float. If you use too much force or go too fast, the ink will be coarse and frothy, and the color will be dull."

She pressed and pushed with her fingers, her voice slow and deliberate, “It has to be like this, pressing and pushing with your fingers, with varying degrees of pressure.”