The head of the Red Mansion

Golden Lock?

It also needs to be paired with jade.

When Wang Xifeng heard the news from her servants, she was terrified and immediately ordered him to be tied up and his origins traced.

Two years ago, on the day Jia Yue, the younger sister-in-law of the East Mansion, turned one month old, the elders argued fiercely over Bao Yu's jade pendant, which ended with the second uncle, second aunt, and Brother Zhu all entering the ancestral hall together.

The Jia family cannot mention jade.

The declining Jia family cannot be mentioned, and the prosperous Jia family is even more so.

Baoyu was not only her brother-in-law, but also her cousin.

This child was once pampered like a precious gem by the old lady and her second aunt because of that piece of jade.

However, after discovering that the jade would not only affect Baoyu's career but also potentially the entire Jia family, it seems that Second Aunt abandoned this son first.

Although the old lady still loved her, she helped spread rumors that the jade was a fake made by her second aunt to compete for favor with her on behalf of the second wife. But estrangement is estrangement.

Who in the entire government is not afraid!

During those days, Wang Xifeng saw very clearly that her second uncle and second aunt were venting all their resentment towards each other on Baoyu.

The little child didn't understand how the adults had all suddenly changed.

He still wanted to try to please her and salvage everything.

He, who used to dislike reading, started reading books seriously.

But to his second uncle at that time, both the scholarly Baoyu and the unscholarly Baoyu were—abandoned children.

Because of his second aunt, Baoyu was not his biological son but his enemy.

If it weren't for his eldest aunt from the East Mansion lending a helping hand without hesitation when Baoyu asked for help, his life would probably be even worse than that of Huan'er, who was born out of wedlock.

Although the servants in this mansion have been disciplined several times and become much more obedient, people are inherently flawed. How many of them can truly serve and treat their masters who have lost power sincerely?
Wang Xifeng was not unhappy to see her beloved younger cousin, who, with the help of his aunt from the East Mansion, had become a well-rounded young man skilled in both literature and martial arts.

The people in the mansion gradually forgot about the jade.

Given enough time, when Baoyu is old enough to become an official, he might very well be able to enter the imperial court.

But now...

What is a golden lock?
Which of you sisters doesn't have one?
Even Wang Xifeng herself had an extremely precious red gold dragon-shaped necklace.

And she brought it with her today.

"Second Madam is here?"

In the Xue family's courtyard, the old woman guarding the gate noticed that Wang Xifeng's expression was not right and hurriedly called inside, "Quickly, quickly go and inform Madam that the Second Mistress has arrived."

Although this grandmother was their wife's niece, their relationship didn't seem close at all.

It seems that the Xue family was able to move into the Jia family's residence mainly because of the connections of the second branch of the family.

Now that Second Madam has come with such a sullen face, and several burly old women with her...

"Is Feng girl here?"

Aunt Xue's voice preceded her arrival.

When she came out to greet us, she had a warm and welcoming look on her face. "Come in, come in and sit down."

She once bullied her because her parents were both dead.

I only gave her perfunctory gifts for holidays and festivals.

Aunt Xue always thought that this girl would marry someone even worse than herself, but she never imagined that one day she would have to make a living here with her.

For the sake of her two children and the family business, she tried her best to repair their relationship.

But this girl seemed to hold a grudge against her, and was always lukewarm towards her.

Helpless, she could only rely on the second wife, Jia Zhu.

However, the second wife's family was no longer comparable to the first wife's family.

Now my niece is coming over...

Aunt Xue was happy, but when she saw her expression, she couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart.

"Aunt~"

Wang Xifeng bowed slightly and said, "I'm sorry, my niece. Your maid Tongxi has been arguing, and I'm going to punish her."

what?
Aunt Xue was stunned.

Tongxi, who came out with her, was so frightened that she immediately knelt down, crying, "Madam~"

Tongxi didn't know how she had committed the sin of speaking ill of others. She was by her wife's side every day, and she only did what her wife asked her to do!

"Second Madam, this servant..."

"Feng girl, are you mistaken? Tongxi has always been honest."

Aunt Xue's expression changed as well. Taking Tongxi was a slap in the face to her!

This is not possible!

How can a junior take a maidservant from his elders?

Don't say that sharing joy is without fault. Even if she really did something terribly wrong, for the sake of her aunt, you should tell her behind closed doors and let her handle it herself.

"Tell me in detail what exactly happened."

Relying on the Duke's mansion, this niece doesn't respect her aunt at all!

Aunt Xue was so angry that her face turned red, and she stood in front of Tongxi.

However, for other matters, Wang Xifeng would simply turn a blind eye and let it go, considering their blood ties, but not for 'jade'.

Whether it's the jade that Baoyu refers to or the jade that's alluding to the imperial family, it can't be passed down from the Jia family.

The eldest aunt of the Eastern Mansion and the Empress had a very close relationship.

Because of her aunt, the Empress also took good care of the Jia family.

During festivals and holidays, there were gifts for her sisters and also for her.

Wang Xifeng could see at a glance what her aunt wanted to do through Baochai.

She dared not imagine the consequences for the girl who studied and lived in the Jia family, who would eventually go to the palace and compete with the Empress for favor.

"Aunt~"

Wang Xifeng looked directly at Aunt Xue and said, "Our Jia family is too small. Since you think I'm not qualified to manage the celebration, then you should go back to your own home!"

what?
Aunt Xue could hardly believe it. She wanted to roar and ask her if she was going to kick her out.

But once she says those words, she'll probably really leave.

That kind of journey with no turning back.

This Rongguo Mansion belongs to the eldest branch of the Jia family.

Even now, Zhu'er and the others can only be considered to be 'living' at their uncle's house.

"What are you saying, child?"

Aunt Xue's eyes immediately reddened. "We are aunt and niece. How could I embarrass you for the sake of a maid? If you want to take it, then take it. But you must tell your aunt what she said that offended her. If you can't kill her, I will."

"..."

It's unacceptable to say you're completely unconvinced.

When they first came to stay, they were told that the house hadn't been repaired properly.

But how much time has passed?

Sometimes, Wang Xifeng also missed the bond between her and her family, so she let her widowed and unemployed aunt live in the Jia family and be protected by them.

But now, she dares not let her live in the Jia family's house.

Wang Xifeng raised her hand and waved it behind her. The old women who had come with her quickly bowed and withdrew, led by Ping'er.

Seeing her expression, Aunt Xue quickly waved to the maids and servants in her courtyard, signaling them to leave.

"Tongxi, stay."

Seeing that Tongxi was about to leave, Wang Xifeng stopped her, saying, "Aunt, I heard that a high monk said that Baochai's gold lock must be matched with a jade piece?"

This?
Aunt Xue looked at her niece's cold expression and felt a sense of relief. "That's right!"

She glanced at Tongxi as if she had just thought of something and said, "Are you so angry because Tongxi relayed these words?"

Isn't this just asking for trouble?
Aunt Xue suppressed her anger and explained to Wang Xifeng, "Your sister was in poor health when she was young. It wasn't until a wandering monk gave her a prescription and the auspicious phrase 'May you never be separated from her and may your youth last forever,' which she was told to have engraved on gold jewelry and wear daily, that she recovered."

At this moment, she couldn't very well say that the monk was a bald-headed monk.

Last year, Madam Shen was tricked by a bald-headed monk.

Aunt Xue didn't know if it was the same person, but she was afraid that if she said it, her niece would lump the Xue family together with that bald-headed monk. "I only remembered it by chance the other day and told Tongxi about it. Did she go out and tell someone else? It's not a big deal. As the old saying goes, a perfect match is a match made in heaven!"

Aunt Xue seemed puzzled, "How did this lead to a quarrel?"

Back then, her sister wrote to her saying that when Baoyu was born, he had a piece of jade in his mouth.

She didn't believe it either, but she pretended to.

How many people believed in it back then?

Even the old lady of the Jia family believed it?
Because the old lady believed it, her sister's family practically squeezed Jia She's eldest son's house out of space.

If it weren't for Madam Shen from the East Mansion meddling in other people's business, Feng'er and her husband would have been doing all the work for the second branch of the family.

"Aunt, let's not beat around the bush. You want to send Baochai to the palace, don't you?"

"...Can't she enter the palace? When your uncle returns from Japan with more merits, won't the Emperor reward him? At that time, Baochai will be in the palace..."

“Sister Baochai goes to school at our Jia family’s residence.”

Wang Xifeng interrupted immediately, "You know how the Empress treats our family."

She was furious.

My second aunt was like that back then.

What did Yuan Chun gain in the palace?
This aunt is the same now.

Was it my uncle who told them?
By studying imperial edicts, reading official gazettes, and occasionally listening to Jia Lian discuss matters of the court, Wang Xifeng vaguely understood why her uncle dared not send a daughter of the Wang family to him.

He was afraid of becoming a direct relative of the emperor and incurring his suspicion.

So, he first let Yuan-chun enter the palace, and after Yuan-chun left the palace, he set his sights on Bao-chai.

It's ridiculous that my aunt was sold out and was still helping the seller count the money.

"We are not in a position to give away the jewelry and other gifts bestowed upon us by the Empress, but you have certainly enjoyed quite a few of the pastries and other treats."

Wang Xifeng said, "Our Jia family would never do something as ungrateful as this. Since you intend to let Baochai enter the palace, then our Jia family cannot keep you here."

"Feng'er..."

Aunt Xue's tears fell. "Are you trying to force your own aunt to her death?"

"No, it's not that I'm trying to force you, it's that you're trying to force our whole family to our deaths."

Wang Xifeng was so angry she wanted to hit someone. "You don't need to tell me that the Emperor will always fill his harem. No matter how much the Emperor fills his harem, there can't be any girls from my Jia family. Aunt, I'm begging you as your niece. Go ask your uncle what he promised you. Don't try anything funny in my Jia family."

I am a daughter-in-law of the Jia family, and I also want to be a person.

And then there's Brother Zhu and Baoyu. They are members of the Jia family, and they also need to be respected. You can't let them be so ashamed that they won't even be able to enter the ancestral hall in the future, can you?

No matter how close or distant the relatives are, you can't just stay at their house forever.

"Please also consider the feelings of Brother Xue and Sister Baochai."

"..."

Aunt Xue's lips trembled, as if she wanted to say something in rebuttal.

Can……

Her niece was willing to break ties with her.

she……

Aunt Xue clutched her chest, feeling breathless, her vision blurred, and she collapsed to the ground.

Tongxi burst into tears, crying out, "Madam~~~~, someone come quick, help me!"

The commotion here was so loud that it eventually alerted the nearby Pear Blossom Courtyard.

When Jia Zhu and Li Wan arrived, Aunt Xue had already been helped to the couch.

With her eyes closed and tears streaming down her face, she allowed the royal physician to treat her.

"what happened?"

Li Wan tugged at Wang Xifeng, who was sitting in the outer room, and asked her softly.

Logically, the eldest son's sister-in-law should be very close to Aunt Xue.

In reality, they were rather distant, not as close as her husband and aunt.

"How did you manage to make your aunt sick?"

This sister-in-law is usually so shrewd and charming, how could she do something so stupid today?
My younger cousins ​​will come back from school soon. When they see their mother so heartbroken and still crying, I wonder what kind of trouble they'll cause.

“It’s not that I want to make my aunt sick, but that she’s trying to lead our whole family to our doom. She’s making sure that neither you nor Brother Zhu and Baoyu can enter the Jia family’s ancestral hall.”

what?
Li Wan was stunned.

"If I weren't young and healthy, I would be the one who would fall ill."

Wang Xifeng had made up her mind to get the Xue family to leave the Jia family. "If I didn't want to take care of them, would they have lived here for so long? A broken gold lock, and they insist on saying that it must be matched with jade, according to some high monk."

What does it mean to have jade?

"Sister-in-law, you can't possibly not know, can you?"

Li Wan: "..."

She was initially just watching the show.

As they were all wives of the Jia family, she always had a competitive spirit.

This second sister-in-law is wonderful in every way, but precisely because she is so wonderful, she occasionally feels a little jealous.

But now, Li Wan has no interest in anything.

"Uncle~"

She looked at Jia Zhu, who came out of the inner room.

"I heard it all."

Jia Zhu sighed, "I will persuade my aunt to leave and go to my uncle's house."

They don't get involved in the Wang family's affairs.

Since Aunt trusts Uncle's side more, then she can just move to Uncle's house.

The Wang family has quite a few courtyards.

It's better for the Xue family to be there than for them to be at the Jia family's.

Jia Zhu didn't lower her voice, and Aunt Xue heard everything she said inside.

She clutched her chest, feeling increasingly suffocated.

We can't leave!

What will happen to Pan'er if we leave now?
What should Baochai do?
My eldest brother isn't home, and my second brother is such a scoundrel.

Her sisters-in-law only showed her superficial kindness.

Moreover, if Pan'er really goes to the Wang family, there's a high chance she'll learn bad habits from her second brother and nephew!

His nature was inherently lawless.

And then there's Baochai. She studies with Yingchun, Miss Lin, and the others. It sounds good that she'll enter the palace in the future!

"Madam, Madam, something terrible has happened! Madam has fainted again."

Tong Gui called out urgently from inside.

The physician, who was brewing the medicine, hurriedly came over and gave her a few more acupuncture needles.

When Aunt Xue slowly woke up, she heard Xue Pan's hurried footsteps outside.

Baochai was also on her way back.

Unlike her brother, who knew nothing, she vaguely understood why her mother had fallen ill after asking the messenger.

What kind of verbal disputes?

What kind of trouble could Tong Xi possibly cause?
In a secluded place, she clutched the gold lock on her chest, wishing she could tear it off and smash it.

The sisters all have gold locks, and on their gold locks are auspicious words.

It was specially crafted by a renowned master craftsman commissioned by the eldest wife of the Eastern Mansion.

now……

Baochai's legs couldn't help but feel a little weak.

She felt that her cousin Feng's act of bringing people to find her mother, instead of secretly informing someone, meant that she was openly breaking off relations and trying to drive her family out of the mansion.

How to do?
Baochai felt as if she were walking on cotton, and her vision blurred. (End of Chapter)