The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 278 White Hair
Rongguo Mansion, Grandmother Jia's courtyard.

The old lady was heartbroken all night. Early the next morning, she sent her eldest grandson back to Pear Fragrance Courtyard. She gave Li Wan many instructions and told her to take good care of Jia Zhu, who had finally fallen asleep after taking two doses of medicine. Only then did she return to her own courtyard in sorrow.

At this moment, she truly regretted it.

He regretted marrying his second son that kind of wife.

The second son may be ignorant, but even if he married a wife like Xing, it shouldn't have caused such unrest in the household!
Now she has brought this upon herself, and has even dragged her second son to his death.

And her eldest grandson...

The old lady was heartbroken at the thought of the filial piety her eldest grandson would have to observe in the future.

Yuanyang carefully took care of her, wanting to say something comforting, but even now, she still didn't know what was wrong.

She could only say, "Grandma, if it's too difficult, just talk to the eldest mistress of the East Mansion. The eldest mistress of the East Mansion is much better now, she will definitely be able to think of a solution."

Yuanyang also knew why no one was telling the First Madam of the East Mansion the reason.

However, she had just escaped death and was in poor health. They were afraid that the trouble caused by the second master and second mistress would upset her and harm her health.

But Yuanyang felt there was absolutely no need to worry so much!

The eldest wife of the East Mansion disliked the second master and his wife.

The reason they tolerated them was only because of the old lady and the eldest son, eldest daughter, second son, third daughter, and even the third son of the second wife.

"No!"

Grandmother Jia shook her head, "You must not tell Madam Shen about what happened last night."

Pearl will be delayed by the mourning period, but she will still have to take the exam later.

If Shen were to hate the second wife's children because of that foolish woman, Wang...

Although she was extremely reluctant to part with her second son, the old lady was able to harden her heart once she had made her decision. "Alright, that's settled then. You can go now!"

They discussed it for a long time last night.

Taking them back to the ancestral hall for punishment would only draw attention to them.

If things go wrong, those erotic rumors will spread even further.

If Wang were to protest her innocence and bring Wang Ziteng into the picture, it would be even more difficult to take action against her.

It's better to do it silently.

Let them all get sick.

We got sick together, and we're gone together, completely gone.

Even if they were brought back, it's impossible for the Shen family not to know or care.

"If anything happens to Zhu'er, just report it to me immediately."

She is tired.

Grandmother Jia closed her eyes slightly, clearly aware that she was getting old, and therefore her children and grandchildren were no longer as respectful and obedient as before.

Especially after the Shen family was re-established.

When she and her nephew Jia Jing were living in seclusion at the Taoist temple, how well-behaved Zhen'er was in front of her!
At that time, everything was done by following their lead.

To put it bluntly, it's actually listening to the emperor's will.

A tear slid down the corner of the old lady's eye.

She didn't wipe it off; her second son...

As Grandmother Jia wept for her dying second son, Jia Min and Jia Wen, who had breakfast together, also came over to pay their respects.

However, they were stopped by Yuanyang.

"The old lady didn't sleep well last night."

Yuanyang whispered, "I just told them to sleep a little longer."

"……become!"

As soon as Jia Min entered the courtyard, she sensed that the maids and servants looked strange.

But since her mother had kept it from her...

Jia Min felt that the main thing was to keep it from her third older sister.

"When the old lady wakes up, have the maid tell her."

Jia Min turned around and said, "Third Sister, let's go back and finish that painting."

"Okay!"

Jia Wen smiled very gently.

After her divorce and return home, she was cared for by her brother and supported by her sister. Her stepmother also treated her very well because of her brother and sister.

Jia Wen was very content.

As for what's a little strange about this courtyard today...

Since her stepmother was unwilling to talk about it, she naturally wouldn't investigate.

The two sisters lingered here and completely missed Shen Ning's trip to Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

Li Wan stayed by Jia Zhu's side, filled with fear. Her husband had just woken up from a nightmare, crying out, and his eyes were lifeless.

As she watched helplessly as her husband's hair began to turn gray, she couldn't help but press his hand to her abdomen and cry out, "Grandpa, I'm pregnant! We're going to have a baby! No matter what happens, please think of us, think of our child."

Jia Zhu: "..."

He stared blankly at his wife's slightly protruding belly.

Does he have a child?
Why didn't he know?
The eldest uncle of the Dong family had just passed away, and he didn't...

"Do you remember when Sister-in-law You from the East Mansion found out she was pregnant, I told you her period was delayed?"

Li Wan was heartbroken. "Later, she asked the family physician to examine her and confirmed that she was pregnant. She then informed the old lady, who said that the family should get together after the baby was three months old."

"...Why didn't you tell me?"

Jia Zhu shed tears.

"You read books every day, and I want to wait for you to discover it yourself."

"……sorry!"

Jia Zhu leaned forward and embraced his wife, bursting into tears.

He seemed to be crying out all his pain, confusion, sadness, and helplessness.

When Aunt Zhou heard this, she waved to the maids and they all retreated a little further away.

Although they didn't get along with Wang, the eldest uncle and his wife were very kind people.

Especially after those two people left home, her uncle and aunt took good care of her.

Although she lost her own biological child, Aunt Zhou was still quite satisfied that Wang's children would support her in her old age, but not Wang herself.

Moreover, she was well aware that the second wife could only rely on the eldest son for the time being.

If the old man falls ill, the second branch of the family will be finished.

Aunt Zhou sighed inwardly and waited patiently.

"Grandma, the First Madam of the East Mansion has arrived."

Just as the noise inside subsided, the old woman guarding the gate rushed over.

Aunt Zhou was startled.

Yesterday, Master Zhen came over and made him look like this. Now, the First Madam of the East Mansion has come over too…

Time did not allow her to hesitate. Aunt Zhou gave her little maid a wink and hurriedly went to greet her.

"Everyone is free of charge!"

As Shen Ning alighted from the sedan chair, she waved to Aunt Zhou and the maids and servants who were about to pay their respects, "Where is the physician from the manor who is treating Zhu'er? Please come over."

She did not go into the Pear Fragrance Courtyard immediately.

Leaving aside the younger children, Jia Zhu was the only promising student among the fourth generation of the Jia family.

He himself is very ambitious.

Shen Ning actually really hoped that he could get through this ordeal safely.

If we don't let Li Wan become a young widow, but instead support the second branch of the family and teach and manage her younger siblings, it will also ease her worries.

"Yes!"

Li Wan's head maidservant hurriedly went to the backyard to find the family physician.

Given the old man's condition, the imperial physician stayed with him at Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

Before long, the physician came running over to report on the patient's condition.

Upon hearing that the cause was anxiety, emotional distress, and other issues, Shen Ning couldn't help but furrow her brow.

In particular, Jia Zhu even vomited blood.

"...The fact that the old man can cry now is actually better than drinking medicine."

The doctor was actually quite pleased.

Jia Zhu looked really bad last night, and he was afraid that his medicine wouldn't work for him.

If the manor were to summon another imperial physician...

It was quite a slap in the face for him.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Shen Ning gave Qingzhu a wink, and a purse was presented to the physician. "I'll be troubling you to take care of me at Pear Fragrance Courtyard during this time."

"It should be."

The physician had just left when Jia Zhu, who was inside the house, heard of her arrival and hurriedly dressed. With the help of her maid and Li Wan, she rushed out to greet her, "Auntie~"

Jia Zhu felt extremely ashamed. When he knelt down, he almost knocked Li Wan down with him.

"...Let's talk inside."

Upon seeing Jia Zhu, Shen Ning almost fell speechless on the spot.

Jia Zhu had just visited her two days ago to pay her respects, and she was perfectly fine then, but now her hair...

"Quickly help your uncle and grandmother up."

Jia Zhu stood up shakily, feeling apologetic towards his wife.

"Pearl, what's bothering you that you've made yourself like this?"

The room reeked of medicine.

Shen Ning didn't have the patience to explain slowly, so she asked him directly.

"Nephew..."

Jia Zhu was about to kneel down again.

Shen Ning frowned. "Stand properly! Don't you know a man's knees are worth more than gold? It's not a holiday, and I'm perfectly fine. Why are you kneeling?"

Jia Zhu: "..."

His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly straightened his bent leg.

"You're still sick, sit down and let's talk."

"Aunt Xie!"

Jia Zhu was indeed not able to stand up very well.

He was panting and, with Li Wan's help, slumped halfway down the chair.

"If you really want to thank me, if you really consider me your aunt, then stop with the formalities and tell me what it is?"

Shen Ning asked again, "Or is it that your brother Zhen did something foolish and is trying to pin it on you?"

My hair has turned so white.

Shen Ning also has some gray hairs, but not many.

"No, it has nothing to do with Brother Zhen."

Jia Zhu quickly shook her head.

"Do you know where your brother Zhen is now?"

When Jia Zhen and Jia She go out together, it must be something important.

Shen Ning was also afraid that they would do something foolish and she wouldn't be able to stop them in the end.

"Nephew...nephew doesn't know."

what?
When Li Wan heard Jia Zhu say that, she couldn't help but glance at him.

My aunt even came to our house herself to ask.

Can you hide your parents' secrets from your aunt?

Or did they receive financial assistance from the Wang family outside, and instead of relying on themselves as originally agreed?

Thinking of this, Li Wan didn't dare to breathe loudly.

"...Are you determined not to talk about this anymore?"

Shen Ning looked at Jia Zhu, who was sweating profusely even while sitting, and felt an even stronger sense of unease. "Never mind then, I'll go ask the old lady."

In fact, at this time, Grandmother Jia was also on her way here.

When Jia Min and Jia Wen came to pay their respects, she did not see them. However, considering that Jia Zhen had not returned home since last night, and that something might be exposed if Shen Shi inquired about it, she hurriedly instructed Yuanyang to immediately inform her if anyone from the East Mansion next door came.

Unexpectedly, just as she finished giving her instructions, a maid came to report that the First Madam of the East Mansion had gone to Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

This greatly frightened Grandmother Jia.

My grandson is in a bad situation right now; what if he accidentally lets something slip in front of Madam Shen...

The old lady didn't dare to delay, so she quickly got up, dressed, and rushed over.

"Auntie, please don't ask..."

Jia Zhu pleaded, "In a few days... I'll definitely tell you in a few days."

Slow things down.

My eldest uncle and eldest brother went there in person and pressed down everything that needed to be pressed down and sealed everything that needed to be sealed up. Even if my aunt found out, she probably wouldn't be too angry.

"……Fine!"

Shen Ning gave him a deep look. "Then I won't ask for now. But there's something I have to tell you, Zhu'er. This world is big. Even if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. Although you are the eldest son of the second branch, you are not without brothers and sisters to support you. Don't always think about being the first to step up."

Even if you don't pass this year's imperial examination, you don't need to feel so much pressure.

Which of the teachers at the school hasn't taken the exams for several years?

Just do your best in everything. If you think too much, you'll unknowingly carry more burdens on your shoulders. These invisible baggage are just as heavy, and if you carry them all the time, not only will your body suffer, but your mind will also suffer.

If you want to be filial to your mother and take care of your younger siblings, you should take even better care of yourself.

If you can't even take care of yourself, how can you expect to take care of others?

"...Nephew understands."

Jia Zhu forced herself not to cry.

My aunt's every word was full of concern.

But what is his mother doing?
She tried time and again to harm her aunt so that she could stand out in the family.

"Nephew will never do it again."

“I’m listening to what you said, and your wife heard it too.”

Shen Ning sighed inwardly, stood up, and said, "Auntie hopes you can keep your word." She walked out, "You're not feeling well, no need to see me off. Li Shi, help Zhu'er to the inner room..."

Just as she was about to suggest going to the inner room to rest, Grandmother Jia's sedan chair was brought over directly.

"old lady!"

"Old lady~~~"

A large group of people were bowing in greeting.

"Auntie, you've come too?"

Shen Ning bowed and was about to say something when Grandmother Jia saw Jia Zhu also bowing.

Her eldest grandson...

Grandmother Jia's mouth moved, but she was speechless for a moment.

……

Meanwhile, Jia Zheng and Wang Shi, who hadn't slept all night, felt increasingly uneasy as dawn broke.

The kang (heated brick bed) is already cold.

Wang's health had just recovered, and she dared not let herself get cold. She got up to boil water, then cooked noodles and poached two eggs.

Surprisingly, she even personally served Jia Zheng a bowl.

After falling ill, she refused to give the eggs to Jia Zheng.

But today's generosity made Jia Zheng hesitate to speak.

Compared to his usual breakfast, Wang Shi really put some effort into it for him today.

But just thinking about the look in Shou'er's eyes when he left made Jia Zheng lose his appetite.

Wang also suspected that she couldn't escape.

They will likely be taken back to kneel in the ancestral hall.

When she goes back, who knows how Shen will torment her.

Wang decided to make sure she was well-fed and watered.

"Zhu'er will be taking the exam for officials this year."

As she ate, she said, "Yuan Chun is the wife of the Marquis of Xinping, and the Emperor's niece-in-law. How much worse can things get now?"

She never imagined she would die.

Both the old lady and Madam Shen valued Yuan Chun and Zhu'er highly.

Especially Pearl.

The Jia family needs him.

Having failed in his attempt to abandon martial arts for literature under Jia Jing, Zhu'er deserves even more attention.

"Eat up, or you'll be too tired to kneel in the ancestral hall when you get back."

Jia Zheng: "..."

If you really can't eat it, then give it to me.

How could Jia Zheng possibly give it to her?
It would have been better if she hadn't said that; as soon as she did, he started eating heartily.

Eggs.

What was that before?
It's a shame things are different now.

He has to eat.

If you really have to kneel in the ancestral hall, you'll have to eat a meal to remember the bitter past and appreciate the sweet present.

That stuff wasn't even as good as his family's simple meals.

Jia Zheng ate heartily.

He also comforted himself, thinking that they were related to the emperor by marriage, and no matter how powerful his sister-in-law was, she couldn't kill them.