The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 314 Trivia
Ningguo Mansion suddenly became lively.

The return of the owners made the guard dogs excitedly run around in circles.

Almost everyone from the West Mansion who could come had come. The men went to talk to Jia Zhen and Rong-ge'er, while the women gathered in Shen Ning's courtyard.

"It's getting late."

Having just changed her clothes and washed her face, Shen Ning personally served Grandmother Jia a cup of tea. "I was originally planning to go over to pay my respects to my aunt first thing tomorrow morning and maybe even have a meal at your place, but who knew you'd be in such a bad mood..."

"Pah, you think I came here to see you?"

Grandmother Jia was amused by her words, "This old woman has come to see our Yue'er."

But Jia Yue couldn't care less about her at that moment.

One older sister rubbed her little face, another older sister pinched her little nose, and yet another older sister, unable to lift her, snuggled up to her...

Jia Yue suddenly remembered everything, hugged Daiyu who was playing sticky with her, and burst into tears. She cried her heart out and no one could take her away. She kept calling out "Sister, Sister" in her mouth.

Daiyu was quite sad at first, as her little sister didn't really remember her. Who knew that she would cry like this after suddenly remembering her?
She hugged her and kept patting the little girl's back to comfort her.

The little girl was prone to tears, and as we tried to comfort her, she started crying herself.

Shen Ning and Jia Min were unsure whether to laugh or not.

The old lady, however, took the two children in her arms and comforted one and the other.

In the end, Jia Yue heartlessly abandoned her mother and left with her sisters.

They hadn't seen their little sister for so long, and they all adored her, collecting little things that Jia Yue liked.

For example, there were little shoes adorned with pearls, little bibs embroidered with kittens playing with butterflies, lip rouge and rouge made by learning from a teacher, and even little chicks that would peck at rice when pulled on a rope, and little monkeys that would climb trees...

Not to mention little Jia Yue, even Shen Ning adores her.

The bed was only so big; it was one thing for the girls to squeeze in, but there was no way she could fit.

After seeing all the guests off, she lay down without her little baby beside her, and it took her a while to fall asleep.

But the next morning, Shen Ning still happily went over to freeload a meal.

The old lady's breakfast was very substantial.

Besides rock sugar bird's nest porridge, shredded chicken noodles, crystal dumplings, tofu skin buns, and green rice porridge, there are also lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake, steamed sweet cheese, cream and pine nut rolls, rose-flavored sesame cakes, and water chestnut flour cakes...

During this time, Shen Ning ate a lot of snacks and delicacies along the way, but the food outside was still a bit rough.

But this place is different; not only is there plenty of delicious food, but there are also many beautiful women.

Besides the young girls, there were also Xing Shi, Jia Min, Jia Wen, and Wang Xifeng.

Jia Yue didn't need her to worry at all. She fed this child a bite, fed that child a bite, and gave the ones she didn't like back to her sister. In the end, not only did Jia Yue have a protruding belly, but Jia's mother also laughed a few times because the child ate so happily, and ate half a bowl more of porridge.

After breakfast, the girls went to the East Mansion to handle affairs and go to school as usual, while Shen Ning strolled around with the old lady and a few others to digest their food, talking about the journey and their hometown in Jinling.

The main point is to thank Jia Wen for watching over her house and to thank Jia Min for avenging her.

She then went to see Jia Zhu and Li Wan, and after confirming that Jia Zhu was recovering well and Li Wan's pregnancy was stable, Qingzhu delivered all the gifts from each family.

Shen Ning prepared some of the jewelry, fabrics, and other fashionable items popular in Jiangnan.

She didn't even neglect Aunt Zhou and Aunt Zhao.

Moreover, Shen Ning felt that although the two men looked meek and obedient, they both appeared younger than when she first entered the Red Mansion.

Especially Aunt Zhao, who has lost the frivolous and unruly spirit she had in the Dream of the Red Chamber, is actually quite good.

Shen Ning thought about Wang Shi's subtle methods of tormenting Daiyu and understood.

Daiyu was loved by Grandmother Jia and had a lot of wealth, yet she was still forced to suffer in silence. How much more so Zhao Yiniang, who was just a concubine.

If I don't make a scene, I might die of an illness one day and no one will even know.

After bowing their heads and thanking the reward, Aunt Zhao and Aunt Zhou went home happily together.

"The First Madam is still as generous as ever."

Because Jia Huan was with her, Aunt Zhao also received an excellent set of writing materials: "I heard that this Huzhou brush sells for three taels of silver each outside."

"Yes, the First Madam has always been a good one."

Aunt Zhou looked at the twelve Huzhou brushes in Aunt Zhao's hand and said with some envy, "Send two more to the Third Miss this evening."

"She doesn't have it."

Aunt Zhao couldn't bear to part with it.

Although her daughter Huan'er is still young, it is clear that the First Madam dotes on girls more.

Although Huan'er was rewarded with fabric this time, Tan Chun will receive even more.

"She has what she has, and what you gave her is what you gave her."

Seeing that she was oblivious, Aunt Zhou could only advise, "Although she is your own mother and brother, if you keep asking her for things, she will eventually become cold and indifferent."

"...Didn't I just make her a pair of shoes the other day?"

"But what has Huan'er ever given her?"

Aunt Zhou was exasperated. "Take two pens tonight and make him give them to his sister himself."

"Okay, okay, I'll do as you say."

Aunt Zhao was most afraid of Aunt Zhou getting angry.

Having supported and looked after each other for so many years, she knew that Aunt Zhou would never harm her.

The fact that both children were able to be born safely was due to the help of her maternal family, her own efforts in contacting the old lady early on, and the considerable assistance from Aunt Zhou.

Aunt Zhao always cherished this kindness.

"Have Huan personally deliver it to his sister tonight."

Although the old lady didn't like her son, since the master left the mansion, her eldest brother had become like a father to her, and her Huan'er actually received a lot of care from Master Zhu.

Having grown up in this mansion, she knew very well that Master Zhu was far more reliable than the master.

"Take a few more and have Huan'er give them to his two older brothers."

"...That makes sense!"

Aunt Zhou laughed after a pause.

If Jia Huan has everything, how could the eldest mistress of the East Mansion possibly lack Master Zhu and Bao Yu?
She differentiated between the children based on their relationship to her, but Aunt Zhao was shameless...

Aunt Zhou sighed softly to herself. If she had been as shameless as Aunt Zhao back then, and had begged the old lady to take better care of her womb, perhaps her child wouldn't have been lost.

Back in her room, she lay down to soothe the heartache of the past, while Aunt Zhao busied herself, touching this and looking at that before reluctantly packing them away one by one.

……

Shen Ning was quite tired after returning home, but Jia Zhen came.

"Uncle Jin got three somewhat capable soldiers into jail."

Although he had dismissed the maids, Jia Zhen still kept his voice low, "Mother, I don't intend to let them go back alive. These people are all officials. If they really go back, our Jia family will be in constant trouble."

In the end, it might not just be his family that gets assassinated.

"Jiao Da has already sent someone to contact one of the boatmen there. They really like the food of our Da Zhao."

Jia Zhen said, "Jiao Da found a cook from the estate. When they are really released, he will go with them."

Is it reliable?

Shen Ning hadn't expected that Jiao Da had already done so much.

It's such a pity about him in Dream of the Red Chamber.

"Don't worry, Mother!"

Jia Zhen said, "Jiao Da's words are absolutely reliable."

Jiao Da said that the man was someone his father had once employed.

Jia Zhen felt there was no need to tell his mother this.

His father has passed away, and now he only prays that his mother can take good care of herself and live a long and healthy life.

"That's good."

Shen Ning nodded, "Please take good care of his family."

"My son knows."

At this point, Jia Zhen hesitated for a moment, "Mother, Uncle She said that a few days ago, the Rakshasa delegation visited our second brother Lian." Hmm?
Shen Ning frowned and looked at him.

“At that time, Lian’s second brother finally returned to the mansion to rest, so he did not meet with them, but they sent people to meet with him several times later.”

Jia Zhen said, "Uncle She said that they are now penniless and have failed in negotiations. Their constant visits to Brother Lian may be ill-intentioned. Our family... what do you think? Should we give them a hard time to make them give up on their idea?"

This?
Shen Ning frowned slightly but didn't speak immediately.

"...Let me think about it first."

The Russians were dirt poor, and now their food and drink came from the promised three hundred acres of land.

What can we do by looking for Jia Lian?
Jia Lian was merely a junior official in the Imperial Treasury, and had no connection with the negotiators...

"Have they never managed to get their hands on our revolver?"

"Yes!"

Jia Zhen nodded, "Now we not only have revolvers, but I heard from Uncle She that the things that Li, the fireworks dealer in Xuzhou, was researched have also been improved by the Weaponry Bureau. They're called hand grenades now. The reason the Mongolians were able to arrive so quickly is because General Jiang of Ningxia showed them what they were made of."

That's it!

Shen Ning smiled, "Then let's meet them and see what they're up to."

As former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once said, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.

This is especially true between countries.

"Before we meet, let Lian'er report to the Emperor first."

The fact that the emperor could come up with the idea of ​​getting the impoverished Russian delegation to provide 300 acres of land for food and drink shows that there must be a brilliant person by his side.

This person is not even a member of the imperial court.

Shen Ning was actually looking forward to the other party making another move.

Rakshasa people can be friends for the time being.

Through them, we may also gain a more comprehensive understanding of Europe's development.

Even more.

……

The Emperor and Empress are having dinner together again today in Kunning Palace.

With the emperor in control, negotiations with the Russian Empire and the Mongols went smoothly for the Great Zhao Dynasty, and he was in a very good mood.

“In Jiangnan, Jia Zhen is doing an excellent job in Jinling.”

The emperor's biggest worry right now is the impending Japanese pirate raids. "Tomorrow..."

"I miss Sister Shen. Tomorrow morning, I'll have someone invite her to the palace."

Through the emperor's almost daily visits, the empress learned about the situation in the court.

She remembered those arrogant words he uttered that day.

After winning battles on both the north and south, and resolving the potential threat of Japanese pirates in the south, the emperor will likely implement a policy of requiring officials and gentry to pay taxes together.

There are many famous empresses in history books, and if she could, she would like to be one of them.

"Haha, Cai Cai understands me best."

The emperor was pleased.

He has Mr. Liu, but Mr. Liu is just one person.

Which emperor would complain about having too many talented people under his command?
"If Madam Shen has any grievances, let her speak freely. I will avenge her against the Japanese."

Yu Zhijian has already linked the Japanese pirates who assassinated her with the Japanese delegation.

The emperor couldn't very well kill the Japanese delegation, but there was a considerable amount of property confiscated from the Japanese in various places, which could be used to appease Jia Zhen and Madam Shen.

“In that case, I will thank His Majesty on behalf of Sister Shen.”

The empress smiled and placed a piece of venison on the emperor's plate.

The next morning, people indeed came from the palace.

It was still the familiar Granny Wu.

"Her Majesty the Empress wanted to summon you to the palace yesterday, but considering your long journey, she decided against it."

Granny Wu actually felt that Madam Shen could rest at home for another two days, but her mistress really couldn't stand it.

So she got into the carriage and said with a smile, "That's why you urged me to come early this morning."

"Haha, you've gone to so much trouble!"

Shen Ning was amused by her words, "I heard from Madam You that you have come to our mansion several times while I was away from home."

"Isn't this how it should be?"

Running errands for the Empress is her job, and many people want to do it but can't.

Moreover, the Jia family has never mistreated her.

In that short while, Granny Wu received a purse in her arms.

"Your Majesty is very fond of the young ladies in the manor, especially your future granddaughter-in-law."

As someone close to the Empress, she knew Qin Keqing's true identity.

That's someone even the emperor thinks about.

Moreover, the emperor read it more and more.

The time before last, I even made a special effort to meet him.

After meeting him, they sighed deeply, fearing that Rong-ge'er was not good enough for their family's princess.

"Qing has already agreed to marry into my family; she can't take it away from us."

Upon returning this time, Shen Ning noticed that Qin Keqing was still getting closer to Wang Xifeng, just like in the Dream of the Red Chamber.

The intimacy between the two far surpassed anything else.

"Maybe."

Granny Wu laughed, "We can't snatch her as a daughter-in-law, but who knows, we might snatch her as a goddaughter."

The Emperor and Empress have discussed giving Qin a new status.

"That's a good feeling!"

It's better to be a daughter.

Once her identity was revealed, no one dared to look down on her.

Even if Jia Zhen develops lustful thoughts later, he won't dare to make a move on her.

"Today I'll ask the Empress to give her a few more nannies."

The royal family has offered a ladder; why not take it?

There are many girls in the household, so there are some rules they still need to learn.

If everyone had a maidservant from the palace by their side, they would be safer when visiting others.

Those who originally had ulterior motives would be more wary of the palace maids when they saw them.

Shen Ning had no choice but to worry about these things.

Min Mei had already found a suitable man, but because Jia Jing and Jia Zheng were her uncles, the engagement date was postponed for half a year.

"Oh dear, if I had known you had this idea, several of my old friends would definitely have spent more time by Your Majesty's side."

Now that Consort Zhen is no longer causing trouble in the palace, everything is fine, but even the best things can't compare to the freedom outside!
The Jia family was a noble family, and its future prosperity was foreseeable.

Countless people in the palace would be tempted to retire in such a family.

"Then please recommend a few more to me later."

Shen Ning grabbed Wu Mama's hand.

Wu Mama, who was able to protect the Empress and keep her safe under Consort Zhen's command for several years, was undoubtedly a capable person.

How could someone she befriends be bad?

"Haha, definitely, definitely."

When the two entered the palace with smiles on their faces, the Empress had already instructed her head maid to wait for them.