The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 250 Princess Rongguo
At the Prince of Nan'an's residence, the Dowager Princess of Nan'an, who had just witnessed a lively spectacle, couldn't fall asleep.

The meeting between Ms. Shen and Jia Wen was not what she had imagined.

The Emperor's attitude towards the Jia family because of her cannot be used as a basis for choosing their family.

How to do?
Is it better to let our son suffer in the south, being utterly outclassed by Wang Ziteng, or to simply withdraw now?

Princess Nan'an was undecided for a moment.

But one thing is certain: the war between the Great Zhao and the Rakshasa Kingdom can only be won, not lost.

At this moment, the emperor will likely need their family's military power.

While handing over military power at this time wasn't exactly a godsend, it could still be considered a timely help.

Princess Nan'an donned a thick cloak, stepped out of her bedroom, and headed towards the ancestral hall.

Shen is a very capable person; she was able to break the deadlock for the Jia family. She…

The Princess Dowager of Nan'an offered incense to her husband.

If the emperor doesn't retire now, when he has time to deal with the Prince of Nan'an's family, he might punish them even more severely because they are surnamed Zhen!

What will happen to the children then?
She sat silently in the darkness until dawn broke, then slowly stood up and said to the memorial tablets, "Xiao'er is neither good at literature nor martial arts, but he excels in the south. He is going to ruin the reputation of our Nan'an Prince's Mansion."

The Dowager Princess of Nan'an sighed, "Let's leave it at that. I'll have him... write a memorial and come back."

Perhaps being a shut-in like Jia Zhen wouldn't be so bad.

As she turned to leave, the accompanying matron gasped in astonishment, "Your Highness, your hair..."

In just one night, the hair of the Princess of Nan'an turned white in many places.

"Never mind the hair for now, get the brush and ink ready!"

The royal family should be monitoring the letters from the Prince of Nan'an's residence. She used to be very wary of them, but now she actually hopes that the emperor isn't so busy and can take a look.

But in reality, the emperor was very busy.

The first thing to do at the morning court was to meet with the head of the academy to present the petition on behalf of Woch, which included the "Book of Eight Princes."

The Eight Banners princes, who had once established a nation and were entitled to participate in political discussions, all pledged their loyalty and recognized the Great Zhao Emperor as the ruler of the world.

Not only that, but Woch also sent a personal letter expressing his loyalty.

The sincerity in the words was palpable.

It further listed the various benefits that his reign would bring to the Great Zhao Dynasty.

When the emperor saw that Wohe actually asked him to help mediate between the Jia family and Jia Wen, he was so angry he almost laughed.

Does he not know why this person suddenly became so obedient?
The man in black last night was under the watchful eyes of the secret guards.

The Jia family wanted to kill him, and he was scared!

hum~
They really are a bunch of cowards who fear power but not morality.

The court was in harmony, with everyone discussing the Book of the Eight Princes and praising the emperor.

You have to understand how many battles they fought against those people, from the founding emperor to the retired emperor.
Each time, they managed to resolve the issue by uniting with the various Tatar tribes.

Unexpectedly, a beating from Madam Shen of Ningguo Mansion immediately made them behave.

The censor, who had originally intended to impeach the official, quietly put away his impeachment memorial amidst the favorable situation.

These past few days, although Woch has been running around giving out invitations everywhere, he has shown absolutely no willingness to ask for favors.

Those I've met can only be described as arrogant and unruly.

Behave yourself now...

A bunch of old foxes already know how to deal with them.

So, after taking her medicine, eating breakfast, and seeing her little niece who was constantly pestering her sister-in-law, Jia Wen had just said she was going back to the West Mansion to pay respects to her stepmother when a maid rushed in, "Madam, someone from the palace has come and wants to see Second Aunt."

what?
Jia Wen's expression changed drastically.

"Who's coming?"

While asking questions, Shen Ning patted her fussy daughter to comfort her.

This little one, I saw her crying so hard yesterday, it was like she had done something utterly heinous.

She felt sorry for him because he was crying.

Last night, the little girl slept next to her, even though her hand was injured and she told her it hurt and asked to sleep. She insisted on sleeping next to her uninjured left hand.

Today, she is even more afraid of others trying to hold her and resists any outsiders.

"Wu, the old nanny by the Empress's side."

"It's nothing, just an old acquaintance."

Shen Ning breathed a sigh of relief. "Let's go, I'll go with you to see her. Her Majesty the Empress is a very kind person, and this nanny is one of her people. We've met her many times."

Granny Wu still had that same smiling face. After exchanging greetings several times, she first quickly looked Jia Wen over, and then immediately looked at Shen Ning's hand. "Her Majesty the Empress heard that Madam's hand was injured, and specially asked me to bring several boxes of white jade ointment and some bird's nest."

"Your Highness has gone to great lengths, and we've also troubled Granny."

"Actually, this time I came here..."

Granny Wu glanced at the little girl who was looking at her curiously and said with a smile, "Her Majesty also asked me to bring some small toys made by the Imperial Household Department for Miss Yue'er."

Lady Shen had just left the capital when the Empress sent her here twice. "Little Yue'er, do you still remember your nanny?"

"Ahh~~"

Jia Yue seemed to know the person; normally, she would be willing to extend her arm and let the other person hug her.

But not now!

Her mother suddenly passed away.

I can't find it anywhere.

Now that they've met, no one can separate her from her mother.

"My child misses me after being away from home for a few days."

Shen Ning smiled somewhat shyly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

After being away from home for a few days, the Empress sent things home twice.

From Lady You and Qin Keqing to Yue'er, everyone was taken care of.

Although Shen Ning knew that the Empress sent things home mainly to Qin Keqing, she never missed sending things to You Shi and Yue'er.

"It's because Your Majesty the Empress and you are kindred spirits!"

Once the relationship is closer, it can be said to be crucial.

Granny Wu sensed that Jia Wen had become much more natural, so she said, "The Emperor and the Empress were very concerned about what happened yesterday. This morning, Wohe sent someone from the Huitong Hall to deliver the letter of the Eighth Prince, and also wrote a memorial expressing his loyalty, asking the Emperor to speak to the Jia family and Second Aunt on his behalf."

what?
Jia Wen and Shen Ning's expressions changed simultaneously.

"Her Majesty wishes to see Second Aunt," said Granny Wu, her expression unchanged. "It's quite a coincidence that Consort Chen of the palace, who has no daughter, was present at the time and said she wanted to adopt a daughter."

Ok?
Shen Ning understood somewhat.

"Second Aunt, don't be afraid. Consort Chen has actually seen you before."

Granny Wu said, "Back then, you were very young, about the same age as Miss Yue. The Emperor Emeritus brought Consort Chen on a private visit to the Rongguo Mansion and said that he liked you very much when he saw you."

The retired emperor has been leaving state affairs to the crown prince for years while he himself goes off to have fun!

At that time, Consort Chen was also in the limelight.

"Being the daughter of Consort Chen is equivalent to being a princess of my Great Zhao."

Even if they don't bestow the title of princess, they will certainly be granted the title of county princess.

"If anything happens in the future, not only will you have the Jia family, but also the Emperor and the Empress to back you up."

As she spoke, Granny Wu curtsied and offered her congratulations, "Second Aunt, please come with me to the palace to meet Consort Chen. There will surely be an imperial decree to come to the Jia family later."

"...Thank you, Granny!"

Jia Wen's heart was beating a little fast.

What she feared most was implicating the Jia family, but if the imperial family intervened, the situation would be completely different.

"Sister-in-law~"

Jia Wen looked at Shen Ning, tears welling up in her eyes.

"...This is a joyous occasion!"

Shen Ning also sighed with emotion, "Go ahead, in any case, the gates of Ningguo Mansion are always open for you."

It's definitely better that the royal family took over.

She watched Jia Wen being taken away, feeling helpless towards her daughter who was still clinging to her body. "If you keep doing this, we'll just lie in bed! My arms can't take it anymore!"

"Ah woo~"

The little girl stretched out her chubby little hands and hugged her neck, biting or kissing, leaving her with a lot of saliva. In the end, Shen Ning had no choice but to have a strap made so that she could hold her more easily. She hung it around her neck and then wrapped it around her daughter's little bottom, finally freeing her arms.

Of course, while doing these things, someone also sent a message to the Western Prefecture.

Jia Wen is not a daughter of the Ningguo Mansion.

Don't let Grandmother Jia get angry and try to take someone away from her in the end.

But it would have been better if she hadn't heard the news, because once she did..., Grandmother Jia was completely distraught.

If Jia Wen were to be granted the title of princess or county princess, would she still be able to recognize her as her legal mother?

She came twice, but she not only refused to see her, she also wouldn't let her in.

"old lady!"

Lin Zhixiao rushed in, his face looking rather grim. "At the Huitong Hall, Vohberle sent someone with gifts."

Jia Mu: "..."

Everyone: "..."

"What did you give?"

Wang Xifeng, who was serving her mother-in-law Xing Shi here, asked.

"There was a lot of music and celebration outside, and they sent thirty-six loads of gifts."

With all that music and drumming, and thirty-six people carrying the load?

Jia Min frowned, suspecting that this guy wanted to be used as a betrothal gift.

But the betrothal gifts were sent way too late.

"Send it out! Ignore it!"

My sister-in-law just said yesterday that it's good that Woch is dead.

Jia Min also thought about it for half the night last night and felt that it would be better if this person were really dead.

"Min'er~"

The old lady disagreed, saying, "Your second sister and your eldest sister-in-law from the East Mansion..."

"Mother!"

Jia Min said, "Second Sister will listen to the eldest sister-in-law of the East Mansion, and the eldest sister-in-law of the East Mansion will never accept anything from Wohe at this time."

This?
"All right!"

Grandmother Jia sighed.

"Then I'll have Lin Zhixiao bring a few more people."

Wang Xifeng looked at everyone and said with a smile, "Drive them out of Ningrong Street."

She learned something new from what her aunt did yesterday.

That evening, Jia Lian sighed and lamented to her again, regretting his foolishness.

When the second aunt returned, they were worried that she had tarnished the reputation of the Jia family's daughter and the Jia family as a whole. They feared that if things went wrong, the entire family might be implicated and wiped out, and they would be despised by everyone.

They tried their best to protect themselves.

They are on the defensive.

But my aunt came back...

The couple spent the whole night tapping each other's heads for a long time.

Now that Woch is trying to annoy them again, the obvious response is to drive them out of Ningrong Street.

"Okay, let's do it this way. Let Lin Zhixiao bring more people."

A look of approval flashed in Jia Min's eyes. "Go quickly!"

After a while, the procession of people bringing gifts and playing music all went out on Ningrong Street, and Wohe became famous again.

However, he was not discouraged.

In their region, women with their maternal families backing them up are treated differently.

Therefore, they valued marriage alliances with various Tatar tribes.

Now that Jia Wen has someone backing him up, shouldn't we put his arrogance to a minimum?
If once doesn't work, try twice; if twice doesn't work, try three times.

With three children around, Woh wasn't afraid that she would actually fly out of his grasp.

His main problem now is to correct his attitude, ingratiate himself with the Jia family, and show loyalty to Da Zhao, so that he can get what he deserves...

Once the backyard is under control, everything else will be much easier.

"Lord Baylor!"

A secret guard sneaked in and said, "The concubine has been brought to the palace. The Emperor of Da Zhao may be elevating her status!"

what?
Woch was both surprised and delighted.

What's surprising is that he hasn't reconciled with Jia Wen yet; what's pleasing is that she's raised her status, which means his status will inevitably rise in the clan as well.

"Go and find out what happened."

The letter I wrote yesterday should have been delivered to the clan by the gyrfalcon by now.

"Also, if there is any news from the clan, it must be sent over immediately."

The news of him being beaten yesterday must have reached the clan.

It won't be long before the Jia family and Da Zhao find out that they are not to be trifled with.

Woch didn't think they would laugh at him for being useless.

Anyone in his position yesterday would have been beaten up.

"Yes!"

The guards quickly left to inquire about news from the palace.

But in fact, they didn't need to ask at all.

Dai Quan personally went to the Rongguo Mansion to issue an imperial edict that the retired emperor had adopted Jia Wen as his goddaughter and bestowed upon her the title of Princess Rongguo.

The retired emperor was already confused and didn't even recognize people anymore, so how could he possibly bestow the title of princess upon anyone?

Needless to say, everyone knows that this is the Emperor's will.

Despite the endless stream of gifts, Grandmother Jia wasn't particularly happy, because the Emperor Emeritus had mainly praised the Jia family in his edict, especially Shen Shi, almost praising her as the eldest sister-in-law who was like a mother to him.

Although the praise wasn't explicitly stated, the meaning behind the tone was clear to everyone.

Although half of the reward was kept in the Rongguo Mansion, Grandmother Jia was still very upset.

What should we do?

She certainly didn't stand up for Jia Wen.

The old lady waved her hand, telling people to quickly move the things to the storeroom, and then went back to her room to lie down.

"Mother!"

Jia Min could only come over and comfort her, "What are you upset about? Weren't you worried before that your second sister would bring trouble to the family? Now it's all good, we don't have to worry about her bringing trouble to the family anymore, isn't that a good thing?"

Many things really depend on how you look at them.

Jia Min originally thought she was a very qualified matriarch, but after her sister-in-law fought so bravely at the Huitong Hall yesterday, she realized that she was still far from qualified.

However, there are really few people in the capital who can compare to her sister-in-law.

"Didn't you tell me last night when you were sleeping that Father was still thinking about Second Sister before he passed away?"

Jia Min sighed with emotion, "If Father knew that Second Sister was doing well, he would be very happy."

Jia Mu: "..."

"Mother, let's try to think of the bright side of things."

Jia Min comforted her mother, "My second sister came back but couldn't enter the house. After being granted the title of princess, she still had Eunuch Dai come to our house to announce the imperial decree, which shows that she still cares about us. Otherwise, it would have been even more embarrassing if he had gone directly to the East Mansion."

"...Which side are you from?"

"I'm on both sides!"

Jia Min smiled ingratiatingly, "I am your daughter, and also the younger sister of your second sister-in-law. In addition, I am also the youngest sister-in-law of the eldest sister-in-law of the East Mansion."

"Go! Go! Go!"

Grandmother Jia was at her wits' end with her daughter. "Since she's someone else's youngest sister-in-law, why don't you hurry up and go offer your congratulations?"

She can't go to the East Mansion, but her daughter can.

Shen played a crucial role in Jia Wen's being granted the title of princess.

Grandmother Jia was upset, but she also wanted her own daughter to improve her relationship with the family.