The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 3 Jia Rong Gets Beaten
Back at Huifang Garden, Shen Ning headed straight for the sunniest spots.

Although I got a little tired after walking less than 300 steps, I was in a great mood.

As long as Jiao Da's guards can be used by her, she seems to be able to deal with Hao Da'er even without Jia Jing.

"Madam, the eldest mistress has arrived."

Qingzhu, who was by her side, was quick to notice and listen to everything around her. She spotted You Shi rushing over at a glance.

Shen Ning turned around.

Madam You hurriedly greeted her with a smile, "Greetings to Madam, you look radiant today." She naturally stepped forward and took over Qingzhu's task of supporting her, "Qingping just went out and asked the master to invite Manager Chen from Huichuntang. Although Manager Chen's medical records are good, they are far inferior to Physician Wang from the Imperial Hospital, you..."

“You said I look good today,” Shen Ning said, walking slowly with her help. “It’s just a simple pulse check, why would we need to go to the Imperial Hospital to ask someone for help?”

She wants to invite her.

It's just not good to change too quickly all at once.

"Let's wait another two weeks!"

With good sleep and more exercise, your health will definitely be better than it is now.

If I see several doctors and get various treatments, I might be able to get my body into the best condition for childbirth.

"When you invite Physician Wang, you should also check his pulse and give him some treatment."

The men in the Jia family today are all irresponsible, to the point that even the pampered daughters have become like duckweed with no branch to cling to.

Shen Ning hoped that Lady You could rise to power, at least after she crippled Jia Zhen, so that she could keep him in check in the inner courtyard.

She was somewhat confident about this.

Most readers of *Dream of the Red Chamber* probably think of Lady You as a completely incompetent woman who only knows how to blindly obey her husband, is weak-willed, and dispensable. But in reality, if you read carefully, you'll find that the Lady You you perceive is not the whole picture.

In Shen Ning's view, that was very likely her way of survival.

From the situation of You Sanjie, You Erjie, and Old Mother, we can see that You Shi was born into a poor family. Unlike Wang Xifeng and Xue Baochai, who came from the four noble families, she did not have a prominent family or a strong background. In addition, she was a second wife. If she did not please Jia Zhen, she would probably have no way to move forward in Ningguo Mansion.

Shen Ning actually quite admired Madam You.

In *Dream of the Red Chamber*, when Jia Jing died, Lady You's first reaction was to "order someone to go to Xuanzhen Temple and lock up all the Taoist priests, waiting for the master to come home and interrogate them." And she did just that. She ignored all the Taoist priests' explanations and simply ordered them to be locked up, waiting for Jia Zhen to come and release them.

She is clearly very tactful in her interactions with others.

Shen Ning felt that as long as she could firmly grasp the Ningguo Mansion, Madam You would be a great help to her.

"I?"

Unaware of Shen Ning's thoughts, Madam You's eyes flashed with unease upon hearing this.

Who wouldn't want a child of their own?

But sir...

"I'll listen to my wife."

She hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Madam, Rong-ge got into a fight at school yesterday."

"With whom?"

Shen Ning wasn't surprised. "Why?"

"Along with Uncle Rui's family, there was also Yun'er from the fifth branch of the family at that time."

While observing her expression, Madam You said softly, "The children are all about the same age, so a fight wouldn't normally be a big deal. But Rong-ge'er is naughty. In this freezing weather, he pushed Rui-ge'er into the ditch, and the boy developed a fever that night. As you know, Uncle only has him as his only son. Auntie came over yesterday and even cried to me."

I haven't dared to tell the master yet, but this can't be kept a secret. There are too many gossips in the manor and the school. Even if my uncle is magnanimous and doesn't say anything, the master, who is often out and about, will eventually hear about it."

She had witnessed Jia Zhen beating his children.

That kick left Rong-ge'er stunned and bedridden for three months, almost losing his life.

My mother-in-law's health is probably not up to the task now.

If something really goes wrong, the sky will fall.

"...Find out if Ruige'er still has a fever, and select some more good medicine from the storeroom to send over."

Shen Ning thought for a moment and said, "By the way, tell the kitchen lady that the boy will be eating with me for dinner, and have an extra bowl of steamed sweet cheese." Before educating the child, give him a treat first.

Her grandmother always raised her this way.

Fortunately, my grandmother passed away half a year ago. Otherwise, after losing her son and daughter-in-law, losing her granddaughter would have been incredibly heartbreaking for her.

now……

Shen Ning did not regret saving the two children who had fallen into the water. The children who had no parents to take care of them were pitiful, but the parents who lost their children were even more heartbroken.

She witnessed her grandmother's hair turn completely white overnight after her parents died in a car accident.

If it weren't for her granddaughter, the old lady would probably have passed away long ago.

It was worth it to save two families with my own carefree life.

Moreover, if Grandma knew that she had skipped the most difficult marriage and not only had a son and a grandson, but was also pregnant, she would only be happy.

Shen Ning touched her belly, thinking about how to teach Jia Rong.

The Ningguo Mansion has a history of failing to educate its children, starting with the eunuch Jia Daihua. When he gets angry, he treats his son like a thief.

When Jia Jing and Jia Zhen followed suit, they even went further. However, they still had their mothers to rely on when they were young. Jia Rong, on the other hand, suffered a major upheaval in his maternal family due to the court at the age when he needed the most care. His mother fell ill and never recovered. The original owner of this body was also overwhelmed with the affairs of his own family and his maternal family, so he neglected his daughter-in-law's physical and mental health. By the time he realized something was wrong, it was too late for her to recover.

Shen Ning sighed inwardly, deciding that when she had the chance to beat Jia Zhen, she would give him three more lashes.

His wife was sick, and as her husband, he didn't even pay attention to it.

If he had paid more attention, he wouldn't be in this situation now.

"Bring him a plate of fried quail; I remember he likes that too."

Shen Ning wanted to eat it too.

There were six quails on a plate, which was just enough for her and Jia Rong to each have half.

"Yes!"

Qinglian hurriedly agreed and gestured for the maid to go and deliver the message. Just then, she saw Granny Tang from Rongge's courtyard rushing over with a pale face.

"Madam, Madam, something terrible has happened! Rong-ge is going to be punished at school."

Are you going to get a beating?
Does Jia Dairu have this kind of courage?
Shen Ning was deeply skeptical.

Anyway, Jia Rui isn't going to die now, he won't die. Jia Dairu, that good-for-nothing, would never dare to lay a hand on Jia Rong, the eldest son and grandson of the Ningguo Mansion, who is also the future heir to the title and the clan leader.

"what happened?"

Shen Ning's voice was stern.

This Granny Tang was left behind by the former daughter-in-law, and she was in charge of everything in Jia Rong's courtyard.

She seemed afraid that someone would mistreat her young master. With the original owner of the body dying early and You Shi no longer taking charge, she spoiled him relentlessly, turning Jia Rong into a greasy, selfish, lecherous scoundrel with no sense of responsibility.

To put it bluntly, she absolutely dislikes this Granny Tang.

"It's the old man. When the old man arrived at the school, he heard something and wanted to beat Rong Ge to death in front of Master Ru."

Shen Ning: "..."

Madam You: "..."

Both of them were somewhat incredulous.

Didn't Jia Zhen call a doctor for her?
"Nonsense!" Madam You shouted angrily as soon as she saw Shen Ning's expression. "Master went to Huichuntang to fetch a doctor for Madam. How could he have gone to the school?"

"Master Rui has fallen seriously ill." Tang Mama's tears fell in droves. "Manager Chen is treating him at the old master's house."

what?
Shen Ning and Madam You's expressions both changed drastically.

If this goes wrong, given Jia Zhen's temper, he might really beat Jia Rong to death.

"Quick! Go to school."

(End of this chapter)