The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 231 Following the Story
My father wasn't good at much else, but his handwriting was quite good, especially when copying books...

Seeing that Baoyu shrank back to his father after making a suggestion but receiving no response, Jia Zhu felt distressed. "Father, copying books doesn't cost anything, and you don't have to go out and set up a stall in the wind and rain."

My younger brother is very sensible; even at such a young age, he worries about our parents' livelihood.

Jia Zhu was heartbroken, "If you have time..."

I'll give it a try!

The key is that you don't have to set up a stall outside and be haggled over by people.

Jia Zheng was just too shocked by what Baoyu said.

His second son, who was born with a jade pendant in his mouth, was also special in his heart.

With Zhu'er's outstanding achievements preceding him, Jia Zheng once believed that his branch of the family was the only hope for the revival of the Jia family.

When he learned that Baoyu's jade was a hindrance, he became annoyed every time he saw it.

After hating Wang Shi, the more Wang Shi doted on Bao Yu in the small Buddhist hall, the more he would nitpick at her.

Finally, the child couldn't take it anymore and went to the East Mansion.

At that time, Jia Zheng was furious. If he hadn't been afraid of his sister-in-law from the East Mansion, he would have dragged him back and beaten him to death.

did not expect……

"During your time in the East Prefecture, did Min Jianbai and Rong Ge'er often talk to you about making a living?"

Jia Zheng tried to speak gently to his second son, "After we left home, did you still often go to your aunt's house for meals?"

“…Cousin Min often talks about making money. He says that as a man, he has to support his third aunt and cousin Mei’s family.”

Baoyu now admires Min Jianbai the most.

The school awards prizes to the top ten students, and Cousin Min has consistently ranked in the top three.

Both Mr. Wu and Mr. Wen often praised him.

“Rong’er is the same. Brother Zhen is neither good at literature nor martial arts, Aunt is getting old, and Yue’er is too young. He said he also wants to try his best to support the East Mansion.”

Baoyu looked up and gazed longingly at his elder brother, "Brother, they all envy me because I have you and don't have to work so hard."

Jia Zhu: "..."

Jia Zheng: "..."

“But my aunt said that you work very hard, and I have to work hard with you. When Huan’er is a little older, we will take him with us, so that the old lady won’t have to worry about our second branch of the family.”

"Yes, yes, I'll listen to my second brother."

When Jia Huan heard his brother mention his name, he quickly moved closer to his two brothers.

My eldest brother is often away from home, and my second brother is quite busy.

However, his aunt often took him to his third sister's place, so Jia Huan could still see Bao Yu every few days.

Although he was too young to understand what Baoyu was saying, he still knew what his aunt and sister had told him.

It just slipped out unconsciously.

"Good~"

Both younger brothers are very well-behaved!
Jia Zhu felt a surge of warmth in his heart and couldn't help but reach out and pat their little heads, saying, "When brothers are of one mind, their strength can break metal."

His aunt didn't hold any grudge against them because of their parents, and he was so grateful. "Father, you don't need to worry about us brothers."

"..."

What else could Jia Zheng say?
He could only nod silently.

It would be a lie to say that I don’t feel uncomfortable.

If his sister-in-law were to teach his son bad things, what could he say? But his sister-in-law was teaching Baoyu to help Zhu'er support their second branch of the family, and even told the old lady not to worry about their second branch...

After earning money penny by penny and experiencing the hardships of life, he finally realized how much of a jerk he had been.

He essentially handed over the family fortune his ancestors had painstakingly built up, and in doing so, he caused the deaths of his sister, brother-in-law, and two nephews.

If this were in a village...

Yesterday, a man in the village who had been married for only a few months was dragged to the ancestral hall and beaten by the elders of the clan. The reason was simply that he had earned money during the New Year and bought cloth to make clothes for his father-in-law and mother-in-law, but not for his own parents.

That was money he earned himself.

He can buy fabric to make clothes for his parents-in-law, but he shouldn't forget his own parents.

So, instead of hitting his wife, they hit him.

Those ten strokes of the cane deeply affected Jia Zheng.

And the old men and women in the village, their mouths... Jia Zheng felt that for the next few years, they would be like a board, constantly hitting that couple.

"From now on, at home, listen to the old lady and your eldest aunt from the East Mansion."

Jia Zheng said, "They won't harm you. If there's anything you don't understand or know how to do, ask them. There are some things they can't easily ask... Zhu'er, you can ask your father-in-law, your uncle, or your uncle-in-law Lin."

"……Yes!"

Jia Zhu was overjoyed; his father seemed to have grown up.

They no longer put on airs and know what is good and what is bad.

The father and his sons slowly made their way to the village. Wang, who was left at home, was so angry that she grabbed an axe and started chopping firewood as if it were an old woman.

Why can't she go home to pay respects to her ancestors?

She had two sons, and her daughter was a Lady of the Marquis.

The old lady's actions were tantamount to throwing her own face and her children's faces on the ground and stomping on them!

Wang chopped the firewood again and again, wishing she could chop it into pieces.

When the father and his sons arrived, she was holding an axe, her face full of murderous intent.

Wang Shi hated the old lady, but she didn't treat Jia Zhu and Bao Yu very well either.

They are her sons, and despite the way the old lady treated her, they didn't say a word in her defense.

The carriage only brought back their father. Are they blind?

After discovering it, didn't you think to send another carriage?

Also, what was Li Wan, the daughter-in-law, doing during the Lunar New Year?
They couldn't even manage to come and pay their respects.

And Jia Huan...

What's this little brat doing here?
Are you going to laugh at her and then go back and complain to Aunt Zhao?
"Mother~"

Seeing his mother's unfriendly expression, Jia Zhu felt heavy-hearted. "Your son has brought his two younger brothers to visit you."

As he bowed in respect, he quickly thought of a solution: "It's fortunate that you didn't go back today to pay respects to our ancestors."

Wang: "..."

She dropped the axe and beckoned to Baoyu, "Baoyu, where's your sister-in-law? Did she participate in the ancestral worship?"

"...participated."

When his elder brother bowed, Baoyu also bowed, and now his mother is saying this...

He saw his brother's face turn pale and quickly said, "But my sister-in-law is very busy, she..."

"Mother~"

Jia Zhu didn't want his mother to make things difficult for his younger brother anymore, so he said, "What if Li comes over?"

"It was the old lady who wouldn't let her come."

Jia Zheng glanced at the axe on the ground and said, "What do you think we can do if the old lady forbids it?"

Wang: "..."

She wanted to cry, make a scene, and yell.
Why isn't that old geezer dead yet?
But as she was about to speak, she saw the neighbors craning their necks and peering around...

Wang's heart suddenly stopped.

Whether it's the Duke's mansion or a place where they haven't eaten meat even once in the last three months, the concept of 'filial piety' is an insurmountable barrier.

"Alright, you've seen the child."

Jia Zheng didn't want to embarrass himself in front of his sons any longer. "They're all fine, you don't need to worry about them. Zhu'er~" He turned to his eldest son, "Take your two younger brothers back home safely. As for the house... your mother and I are all in your care."

"……Yes!"

Jia Zhu hesitated for a moment, then glanced at his mother. "Mother, I'll kowtow to you. I'm an unfilial son!"

While their parents lived a hard life, they enjoyed a life of luxury.

"Mother~"

It would be a lie to say I don't miss my mother.

Baoyu rushed over and hugged Wang Shi, crying, "Your son missed you so much!"

Wang: "..."

She gently hugged her former darling.

He asked in a hoarse voice, "Is practicing martial arts hard?"

"My son isn't afraid of hardship!"

Everyone does it this way.

My cousin from Chang'an will also be learning martial arts next year.

"Son, study hard and practice martial arts well, and I will bring you honors."

I heard that once you have an imperial decree, you will receive a salary from the court.

“Once you receive an imperial title, you will have money.”

"..."

Wang's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but look at her eldest son. However, she held her younger son tightly. "Baoyu, tell your mother, who told you that?"

“That’s what Cousin Min said.” Baoyu struggled a little as he was being held too tightly. “Cousin Min wants to get Third Aunt a title so that she will have money to spend when she gets old.”

"...Pearl, did you hear that?"

Madam Wang relaxed a little, but her eyes remained fixed on her eldest son. "Next year, can you earn an imperial title for your mother?"

"Son, keep up the good work!"

Jia Zhu has always wanted to work towards this goal.

It's not right for Cousin Lan to manage the money given by the imperial court.

"...Okay, that's what you said. Mother will wait for you."

Hope rekindled in Wang's eyes.

……

At Ningguo Mansion, a very tired Shen Ning went back to her room and lay down.

Jia Zhen rushed over, "Mother, you're not feeling well. Should we call the imperial physician?"

"No, I'm just tired."

Shen Ning wanted to send him away, "You've been busy for so long, go back and rest!"

Dark circles have appeared under my eyes.

"Son... I have something I want to ask you."

"you say!"

Do you know where Jin Yong, the author of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," is?

Left with no other choice, Jia Zhen had to ask, "My son and You Shi both think that book is very well written and want to know where the sequel is. If possible, I would also like to promote it."

"..."

"..."

The maids, including Qingzhu, who were serving in the room, all looked at their mistress.

That book was written by my wife!

"……publicity?"

Shen Ning's interest was piqued. "How do you plan to promote it?"

The book's popularity needs no introduction, Jia Zhen.

"Doesn't General Feng's family own a teahouse?"

Jia Zhen thought that the father and son would definitely like it, "The son plans to go to Feng Ziying and have his family's storyteller tell stories in the teahouse."

This?
That's a great idea.

Shen Ning nodded. "Then do you need to pay the teahouse?"

"That's definitely not possible!"

Jia Zhen decided to give the first two volumes of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" to Feng Ziying free of charge.

Once he sees it, he will definitely come begging to him.

By the time……

"The Legend of the Condor Heroes is excellent. Madam You said it could boost the teahouse business. My son plans to ask her for money and then give Jin Yong a share."

"Oh~"

Shen Ning was very satisfied with Madam You. "So how much silver do you think we can get in a year?"

This?
Jia Zhen hadn't thought about it yet. "No matter how much, first of all, Jin Yong has to give me the rest, right?"

He looked at his mother pitifully, "Mother, where does this Master Jin live? How did he come to know you?"

His mother did something so big, and he didn't even know.

Jia Zhen felt that he had failed in his duty.

"The last one is already in print."

Shen Ning did not answer directly, after all, she was not the original author.

"You'll see it once it's printed."

Shen Ning pondered for a moment, "However, if you want to see it sooner, go find Feng Ziying and see how much of a share he can give you in a year."

The money can be sent to the orphanage to care for the elderly and widowed.

Especially the Salesian Bureau in the north.

According to Lan Zhi, it's practically defunct in name only.

"If it's less than three hundred taels, we'll talk about it when we get back from Jiangnan."

Anyone who opens "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" will definitely be able to keep reading and will look for the third part.

"……no!"

Jia Zhen was completely dumbfounded. "Mother, you can't be so cruel to your son! Have you read 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'? I really want to see the rest of the story."

It's too cruel to not let him see it.

"...So your dark circles are from staying up late reading?"

A slight smile crept onto Shen Ning's lips.

"Yes!"

Jia Zhen pleaded pitifully, "Mother, please have pity on your son and introduce me to Mr. Jin!"

"...I'm too tired today, I don't want to talk about this."

Shen Ning waved her hand, "If you want to read, then take care of Feng Ziying first."

Jia Zhen: "..."

His mother has more and more tricks up her sleeve to deal with him, and each one is different.

How can this be done?

Who would have thought that one day he would ask to read books!

Madam You was anxious for further updates, but seeing his dejected return, she knew she wouldn't be able to see him for the time being. "Is Mr. Jin not in the capital?"

"no!"

Jia Zhen took a deep breath. "It's my fault for being too talkative!"

He paused for a moment, then said, "I need to find Feng Ziying and make him give Jin Yong a profit share of three hundred taels a year."

What kind of nonsense is this during the Lunar New Year?

Feng Ziying is stingy. If he asked him for three hundred taels of silver before he even read the book, he would definitely have jumped up and started a fight with him.

"You wait, it will be at most two days, I guarantee you will see it."

Jia Zhen left in a hurry, while Shen Ning had already lay down.

There is a trilogy to The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

She remembered most of the plot of the next two novels, *The Return of the Condor Heroes* and *The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber*, but not the specifics…

Shen Ning had a headache.

Writing books is tough!
"Madam, the master has left the manor."

Qingping stared outside, "Why are you..."

She wanted to ask, "Why don't you tell the old man that you are Jin Yong?"
"Let's leave the manor then!"

Shen Ning closed her eyes and said, "It's better for Master Jin to remain a bit mysterious for now."

If others knew that Jin Yong was her, some self-proclaimed scholars... who knows what they would say about her behind her back.

She wasn't afraid of what people would say, but she didn't want a good book to be buried; she wanted to inspire more chivalrous hearts in the world.

"I'll say it again: none of you are allowed to tell anyone without my permission."

"Yes!"

Qingzhu and the others readily agreed.

Anyway, they all got involved later on.

Let the elderly couple also experience the hardship of following the book!

……

Outside General Feng's mansion, a carriage waited quietly.

Upon receiving the letter, Feng Ziying rushed over. "Brother Zhen, what happened?"

They came to see him during the Chinese New Year.

Even his father was surprised.

"Come in, I have something to show you."

Jia Zhen handed him the book, saying, "I acquired this book by chance. I'll give you two days to read it, and then we can discuss a business deal."

What?
Feng Ziying was stunned.

The Ningguo family is known for its wealth.

Now the Emperor values ​​his family.

I've heard that the Jia family received the first New Year's rewards.

"...Did Aunt Shen accept your private savings?"

He swallowed hard, and his gaze toward Jia Zhen was filled with pity!