The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 342 He was killed, it was just his bad luck.

Anyone who misses out on a life of easy wealth and luxury will struggle several times.

Ma Juren had no choice but to struggle.

Being an examiner is really not that easy.

Like the Xiucai (a scholar who passed the county-level imperial examination), countless others never reached the level of Juren (another scholar who passed the provincial-level imperial examination).

If he doesn't take advantage of his youth to find a good marriage, he doesn't know how he'll make a living in the future.

Using the benefits provided by the imperial court to successful candidates in the imperial examinations to help others evade taxes by taking land is possible, but the Great Zhao Dynasty is not like the previous dynasty. The amount of land that can be taken is small, and at most it can only support a family's food and drink. Forget about literary gatherings, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.

Moreover, his mother had already given all the land under his name that could be used to avoid taxes to his maternal uncle's family.

My uncle is greedy, and the reason his family has become so poor so quickly over the years is partly due to him.

However, his mother was biased, and the pressure of filial piety weighed on him, leaving him helpless.

He was so happy when he first met Sister You!
She even gave him thirty taels of silver to prepare a betrothal gift.

Originally, Scholar Ma intended to hold a twelve-color ceremony.

Actually, the twelve-color gift set would only cost a little over ten taels of silver. Second Sister should have realized that the remaining amount could be used to make two nice clothes for her and her mother.

The problem is... she's too good, which makes him and his mother think that even if things go wrong, it won't matter.

Her marriage to him also changed the status of the You family.

Once he passes the imperial examination, he can also request an official title for her.

Ma, the scholar, was filled with regret. If he had known it would turn out this way, he should have waited until after the marriage to coax her slowly.

Now that things are not going well with the You family, his cousin-in-law has introduced him to a cousin from the Rongguo Mansion.

He despised women who divorced and returned home.

Even if Jia Wen acts all good now, her daughter will probably be a difficult person to deal with.

In fact, Ma Juren didn't know that, for the sake of Min Mei's reputation, very few people in the capital knew that it was she who asked Jia She to beat all the male members of the Min family over the age of twelve.

He then heard that Min Mei was also a beauty.

Third Aunt Jia Wen's dowry was also quite substantial.

Although they had divorced and returned home, all the expenses for the family of three were covered by the Rongguo Mansion.

In other words, the dowry she could give Minmei wouldn't be too low.

Moreover, when his niece gets married, the Rongguo Mansion will definitely provide some dowry.

In addition, the girls who studied with Min Mei were either daughters of dukes and marquises or daughters of high-ranking officials like Lin Ruhai, and these people would also become her network in the future.

Considering the vast resources she had, Scholar Ma reluctantly accepted Jia Huang's proposal.

"Cousin," he bowed again, "please help me, cousin!"

Xiao Jinshi: "..."

She didn't want to go into the ancestral hall anymore.

Moreover, given the temper of the eldest aunt of the East Mansion, if you were to offend her again, she might just divorce you on Jia Huang's behalf.

This is something she wouldn't do!

"You're oversimplifying things."

No matter what, Xiao Jinshi dared not agree. "My cousin Mei is studying in the East Mansion. I heard that she is deeply loved by my eldest aunt. After my sister-in-law You Shi became pregnant, she took over the management of the household with the support of my eldest aunt."

Although her second and third younger sisters from the West Mansion, as well as her fourth aunt's youngest daughter, were also managing the household with her, they were all still young.

She didn't really have much of a chance to go up to them and call them "sister."

However, in front of relatives, one must try to save face.

"The main housekeeper is still Cousin Mei."

These past few days of "bitter memories and sweet tastes" meals were probably all delivered by her.

Xiao Jin's legs trembled. "How could she not have heard anything about your affair with the You family?"

This?
Scholar Ma was stunned.

He couldn't help but look at Jia Huang pleadingly.

Jia Huang frowned deeply, unable to speak up for him for the time being.

"Actually, it's more accurate to say that the Xue family's cousin is Baochai, rather than Mei."

Xiao Jinshi's voice rose slightly, "Their family are imperial merchants, extremely wealthy. In their hometown of Jinling, they are one of the four great families, alongside our Jia family. The Xue family's wife is from the Wang family, the sister of the general who fought against the Japanese pirates. Now, the eldest son of the Xue family is also studying at our family's clan school. I heard he's rather slow-witted, but while he is slow, his sister isn't. While she's studying at the East Mansion, she also helps manage the family business."

At this point, her eyes gleamed with gold. "If Cousin Ma marries her, he will not only gain assistance in his official career, but he will also never lack money."

This?
Old Mrs. Jin and Scholar Ma exchanged glances, both quite tempted.

Even officials need money to bribe their way in.

Moreover, with a legitimate degree in the imperial examinations, as long as enough money is given and some connections are made, one might even be able to directly donate money to obtain an official position and a real post.

"Then..." Old Madam Jin said expectantly, "When will my niece have time to go and inquire for us?"

"tomorrow!"

Xiao Jin gritted her teeth, "After I go to Pear Fragrance Courtyard tomorrow, I will go find Aunt Xue."

The Xue family needs a man who can uphold the family's honor and support it.

Since the Xue family's own son was incompetent, they were determined to rely on their son-in-law.

Jia Huang had also figured things out a bit, and said, "Here's what we'll do: you go ask Aunt Xue, and I'll find someone else to sound out Third Aunt's opinion."

what?
"Thank you, brother-in-law!"

Scholar Ma bowed deeply.

"Don't mention it, we're brothers."

When Jia Huang personally lifted him up, the two looked at each other and both revealed a special smile.

“Here, you stay with your aunt,” he said, taking Ma’s hand. “I’ll go to the study with my cousin to discuss the article we didn’t finish yesterday.”

After saying this, Jia Huang led Ma, the scholar, directly to the study.

The next day, after seeing Li Wan and the child named Xiao Jialan, Madam Jin indeed went to find Aunt Xue.

But what's so special about being a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations)?
Her elder brother is now a general in the campaign against the Japanese pirates.

In his last letter, my second brother promised to find a good match for Baochai.

Of course, Aunt Xue did not give up the idea of ​​sending Xue Baochai to the palace.

If the war in Japan goes smoothly, her daughter's entry into the palace will likely be a certainty.

When she casually saw Xiao Jinshi off, Jia Wen, who was staying at the Marquis of Xinping's residence and managing the household for Yuan Chun, received Jia Huang.

He personally brought Ma, the scholar, ostensibly to visit Yuan Chun and his young nephew, but in reality, his target was only Jia Wen.

"Aunt, Cousin Mei is getting older."

Jia Huang, with the air of a gentle and refined gentleman, said, "Scholar Ma is very learned; I could tell at first glance..."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Jia Wen glanced at Ma Juren and interrupted with a smile, "Sister Mei has already found a suitable family. Once the mourning period is over, a matchmaker will come to visit."

She has no worries at all about her daughter's marriage.

When she returned home after the divorce, she was very worried that her two children would be implicated by her.

Little did they know, their fortunes lay entirely in the capital.

"Is it...this early?"

Jia Huang was quite disappointed. He had promised Xiao Ma that he would find him a reliable match within the Jia family. "Aunt, would you please not..."

"What else?"

Min Jianbai strode in.

Cousin Yuan Chun treated their family very well. Since his mother moved here, Min Jianbai has made a trip here every day. He even took leave to stay here for the entire third-day celebration.

The affair between Ma Juren and You Erjie was no secret in the Ningguo Mansion. Jia Rong had even taken the time to complain to him about it.

The reason why Jia Zhen, the eldest cousin, listed Ma, the scholar, as a candidate for his sister's wife was because Jia Huang recommended him.

Now, they've actually recommended him to his mother.

When Min Jianbai learned from the servants that Scholar Ma was also there, he was furious.

Others may not know who Jia Huang is, but he is busy making a living and has many acquaintances, so how could anyone not know him?
“Cousin Huang, you’re not a child anymore. You should know what you should and shouldn’t do. If you don’t, I’ll teach you.”

What disgusting people! How dare they say that to his sister?
"Come here, see the guests off!"

what?
Jia Huang was stunned.

Although he knew his cousin was very capable, he hadn't offended him!
"Aunt~"

He couldn't help but look at Jia Wen.

Seeing the anger in her son's eyes, and then looking at the red-faced Scholar Ma, Jia Wen suddenly understood. She said to the two stewards and the old woman who had rushed over, "Show the guests out!" She gave Jia Huang a deep look, "Sprinkle water and sweep the floor."

The Jia family rules became increasingly strict.

Some scoundrels started coming up with other ideas.

Originally, Jia Wen didn't want to get involved in these matters, since she was divorced and returning home.

But these people actually disgusted her by coming to her face.

And they even want to marry off this young man surnamed Ma to her daughter?
Tolerable or unbearable.

Her daughter is her bottom line.

Jia Wen's anger intensified, and before Jia Huang could call out to her again, she swept away the teacup beside her, "Didn't you hear me? Get out!"

She was furious.

Her own brother, sister-in-law, and nephew never looked down on her, yet these scoundrels dared to insult her daughter like this.

"Mother, don't be angry. Your son will teach this cousin how to behave."

Min Jianbai dared to go to Beijing alone to seek help; he was a bold man at heart.

He studied hard, practiced martial arts, and earned money, all because he didn't want people to look down on his mother and sister.

Now that they've bullied us to our very doorstep, how can we tolerate it?
bang~
*Smack! Smack!* *Thud! Thud! Thud!*
"I'll teach you to be a scoundrel, gossiping to my mother, I'll teach you to pretend, I'll teach you to be dirty..."

Min Jianbai kicked him and mounted him to start hitting him.

Jia Wen pretended not to see it and got up to leave.

When Yuan Chun heard that a fight had broken out outside, she learned that Jia Huang had two teeth knocked out by Min Jianbai.

She knew about this little cousin.

With the Marquis away, her aunt came to visit her during her postpartum confinement. Her cousin, worried that the men of the Cheng family might take advantage of the fact that there were no men in the outer courtyard, even took leave to come over.

He indeed shielded her from a lot of trouble.

Yuan Chun was very grateful.

Her elder brother couldn't come often because his wife was also giving birth, and Baoyu and Huan'er were too young, so even if they came often, her cousin always took care of things for her in the outer courtyard.

What could possibly make him this angry...?

Yuan Chun waved her hand and said to Bao Qin, "Have someone keep an eye on things, make sure the young master doesn't suffer any losses, and as for the rest... just make sure no one gets killed."

Although Jia Huang was her elder brother, she had only seen him a few times at clan banquets and sacrificial ceremonies.

Although he looked like a frail scholar, she didn't get a good impression of him.

The clan spent so much money to send the men to school, but not a single one of them passed the imperial examination to become a scholar.

Yuan Chun actually despised him in her heart.

After a while, Jia Huang and Ma Juren, who had been kicked out of the Xinping Marquis's mansion, got into the carriage in a sorry state.

The two knew that their affair had been exposed.

At least Min Jianbai knew.

I felt both ashamed and angry.

But this was a shameful affair, and the two of them were too busy trying to cover it up to tell anyone.

Jia Huang went home to deceive Xiao Jinshi, and Ma Juren went home to deceive Lao Jinshi. Neither marriage proposal came to fruition, and both mother and son were heartbroken.

They had no choice but to ask the matchmaker again, but unexpectedly, just two days later, when Ma Juren went to see Jia Huang, he was caught in bed with another man by Xiao Jinshi.

Xiao Jin's world has collapsed. No wonder Jia Huang is even more concerned about her family's affairs than she is.

She had been pitifully staying in the ancestral hall for so many days, while this man was probably having an affair with someone else.

And her gold bracelet, the silver coins in the mansion...

Xiao Jinshi has eyes, and the jade crown that her cousin wears to tie his hair and the jade pendant on his waist originally belonged to her husband.

She broke down on the spot, crying and making a scene until she scratched her cousin's face, only to be slapped hard to the ground by Jia Huang.

"You still dare to hit me?"

Little Jin went mad. She covered her face and noticed blood seeping from the corner of her mouth. She trembled with rage, yelling, "You wait!"

She rushed out of her house and headed towards Ningguo Mansion.

Jia Huang tried to stop him, but his clothes were disheveled.

After finally getting it done, Xiao Jinshi was already kneeling and crying in front of Shen Ning.

In broad daylight, Shen Ning felt as if her ears were dirty.

She doesn't have that kind of discrimination, but you're a lesbian and you're also married and deceiving people...

Shen Ning suddenly remembered that Min Jianbai had come to apologize the other day, saying that he and Jia Huang had gotten into a fight over something, and her heart skipped a beat.

Inside the Red Mansion, the Jia family's school was a chaotic mess, filthy beyond recognition.

The school is now strictly managed and clean, but it's hard to guarantee that those old hands who no longer attend school won't think Min Jianbai is easy to bully.

Otherwise, why would he have fought with Jia Huang?

Shen Ning's expression changed several times. She said, "Have Xing'er take a few men, seize Jia Huang, give him ten strokes of the cane first, then interrogate him thoroughly and take back everything he gave me."

"Auntie, you can't hit my master!"

Upon hearing that Jia Huang would be given ten strokes of the cane first, Xiao Jinshi immediately regretted her words, "You..."

She wanted to plead for mercy, but her aunt's expression was too cold.

"Tell Xing'er to give him twenty lashes."

After forcing Xiao Jinshi back with her eyes, Shen Ning doubled her accusation, saying, "If he's dead, it's just bad luck."

"Auntie~~~~"

Little Jin was terrified and burst into tears.

“He was in the wrong first. He’s going to die, so all his assets will be yours.”

She couldn't openly discuss Jia Huang's scandalous affair with the man surnamed Ma, but secretly, she would have Xing'er tell those morally corrupt individuals.

Shen Ning looked down at Xiao Jinshi and said, "When the time comes, whether you divorce and return home or adopt a son is entirely up to you."

uh~
Little Jin let out a sob, inexplicably feeling that if she dared to say anything more, her aunt would beat her to death as well.

She covered her mouth, not daring to make another sound.

Xing'er acted swiftly, taking several guards with him. First, he arrested Jia Huang, who was pacing anxiously at the back gate. Then, he caught up with Ma Juren, who was trying to escape home. Right there on Baisui Street, he stripped Ma of his jade crown, jade pendant, long robe, and boots.

"You know where these things came from, and so do I."

Xing'er kicked him disdainfully, "You have three days to return the thirty taels of silver you owe Madam Huang, do you understand?"

"understand!"

Scholar Ma trembled all over; how could he dare to refuse?

Wealthy families usually keep these kinds of things to themselves, don't they?
The Jia family is like this...

For the sake of his future, Ma Juren could only swallow his tears and bear it all.