The head of the Red Mansion

After all the twists and turns, it turned out that Xue's cousin still had to go to the palace.

When she found out, Wang Xifeng was so angry she almost vomited blood.

She simply couldn't imagine the consequences if her eldest aunt from the East Mansion found out.

"Second Grandma, you're pregnant."

Ping'er became anxious.

Grandma Zhen and Grandma Zhu both had children. Their grandmother was one step behind, and she had to observe mourning for more than a year. Other people's children were already running around when their grandmother finally got pregnant.

Both the wife and the second master cherish her.

"If it's going to rain, it's going to rain; if a mother wants to remarry, she can always marry someone else. At worst, we'll just stop interfering in the Xue family's affairs."

What kind of relative?
It's an absolute crater.

"You do not understand……"

Wang Xifeng was heartbroken.

She had no family home back when the Jia and Wang families fell out.

Although she maintained a distant relationship with the Xue family, she also wanted to cultivate them and treat them as a kind of maternal family.

"Whether they understand or not, the eldest wife of the East Mansion..."

"I'll go apologize right away!"

Wang Xifeng's stomach was a little uncomfortable, but if she didn't go to apologize quickly, she would feel even more uncomfortable.

The one who is in the most difficult situation right now is probably the eldest aunt.

She enters the palace from time to time. How will she face the Empress, who is like a sister to her, in the future?

The eldest uncle sent his cousin from the Xue family to the palace; she couldn't possibly be a palace maid or a female official.

Whether it's the Wang family or the Xue family, what they want is a position as one of the emperor's concubines.

That same cousin… was the same.

As Wang Xifeng headed towards the East Mansion, she pondered Xue Baochai's behavior all along and suddenly realized that she might be the one most like her uncle, Prince Teng.

No, we must plan ahead.

She often read the imperial gazette and had received many rewards from the Empress, so she admired the Empress from the bottom of her heart.

"...You came because of the Xue family's daughter?"

Seeing Wang Xifeng's pale face and her about to kneel down, Shen Ning quickly helped her up, saying, "I already know everything about this, so there's no need to worry. It has nothing to do with you."

"But Auntie~"

"..."

Shen Ning patted Wang Xifeng's hand reassuringly and said with a smile, "Is the palace a place lacking in beauties?"

She doesn't deny that Baochai is excellent and beautiful, but how old is she?

Which of those old foxes in the palace, Consort Zhen, hasn't used the methods she's capable of?

In today's court, no one can rival the emperor. Why doesn't he expand his harem?
Isn't it because he was bullied when he was a child?

He finally got married and lived a peaceful life outside the palace for a few years. Then, by a stroke of good fortune, he was brought back into the palace.

But in order to seize this great fortune, how much mistreatment did he and the Empress endure from Consort Zhen? And how poor were they at times?
At that time, the emperor was still in the midst of his efforts to govern diligently. Not to mention that she had already told the empress about what happened after Baochai entered the palace, she hadn't even mentioned it...

The emperor now is far from being senile; he can't be easily seduced by any woman.

“If the emperor wanted, countless girls like the eldest daughter of the Xue family would enter the palace.”

This can't be stopped.

How many emperors who were wise and powerful in their youth turned into old beasts when they grew old?
"Just wait, entering the palace... doesn't mean you'll be favored."

Shen Ning comforted Wang Xifeng and watched her leave before picking up her pen and writing "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" based on her memory.

The reason I chose this book is simply because it contains so many things that are unattainable.

The goal that Murong Fu pursued throughout his life was something Duan Yu obtained at birth. And Wang Yuyan, whom Duan Yu pursued for most of his life, was something Murong Fu could easily possess.

How many people did Ding Chunqiu kill? He obtained the martial arts manuals that Xu Zhu dreamed of with ease. Xu Zhu only wanted to stay at Shaolin Temple to cultivate, but in the end, he couldn't return. Ding Chunqiu, on the other hand, despite his life of evil, was able to spend his final days in Buddhism.

Qiao Feng deeply hated the Khitans, only to discover in the end that he was a Khitan himself. He dedicated his life to protecting his homeland and the Song Dynasty, but in the end, the Song Dynasty had no place for him...

Life!
What torments us is always what we care too much about. If we stop caring, what can fate do to us?

As the saying goes, the sun sets behind the mountains and seas, and the mountains and seas hold profound meaning!

Shen Ning picked up her pen and wrote a whole page in one go.

……

Baochai eventually entered the palace through the preliminary selection process.

In the past two years, more people have left the palace, so naturally more people have entered the palace.

However, the emperor and empress were quite happy with it.

In reality, they discovered that even girls from poor families who entered the palace would eventually leave.

But if you were sold to a wealthy family, you would be a servant for life.

On the contrary, when you go to the palace, even if the food isn't the best, at least you can eat your fill and you won't get too cold.

In the palace, you can learn some rules and recognize some characters. If you're lucky, you can follow a senior nanny to take care of flowers and plants, or even learn embroidery and pastry making. Once you leave the palace, you'll always have a way to make a living.

With a bit more luck and talent, and after a few more years of study, one could become a female official and receive a salary from the imperial court.

Both of them felt that this was a virtuous and good deed.

It's very energizing to get things done.

The emperor naturally understood what Prince Teng meant. However, before he could tell the empress, she told him that she wanted to find a few people who were good at arithmetic to manage the caravan's accounts, and she would choose the people first this time.

When the emperor learned that the empress had accurately chosen Xue Baochai and tested her, he could only sigh and say that he particularly liked her and promoted her to the position of lady-in-waiting.

Damn!

A gentleman does not take what others love.

He can't possibly steal someone from his own empress, can he?
The Empress also accomplished great things.

In the blink of an eye, he let go.

By the time Prince Teng and Aunt Xue learned that Baochai had unexpectedly become a lady-in-waiting to the Empress instead of the Emperor, several months had already passed.

What can they do?
Aunt Xue, with tears in her eyes, begged her brother for help.

However, Prince Teng, who had been promoted to Duke of Anguo, was sent home by the emperor to reflect on his mistakes and educate his children and nephews after his younger brother, Prince Sheng, and nephew, Wang Ren, were impeached for harassing respectable women and engaging in gambling.

How could he dare to approach the Emperor and Empress again because of Xue Baochai?
"It's not that my brother doesn't want to help."

Wang Ziteng knew that his younger brother and nephew were restless and thought they would just play around at home at most. However, he did not expect that because of his promotion, the two of them simply let loose in the villa.

Not only did they abduct several respectable women, but they also led many sons of noble families to turn games like cockfighting and pitch-pot into gambling.

When he heard the censor impeach him in the imperial court, and Dong Xiaoquan from Shuntian Prefecture also came out to testify, he was so angry that he almost vomited blood.

Those two idiots, they got into trouble and didn't even bother to let him know.

It's better to inform him sooner rather than later, so he can apologize first!

Now look what happened, he was directly sent home by the emperor.

Prince Teng also knew that the emperor did not want to raise any more figures like the Four Kings and Eight Dukes.

The title of Duke was a reward for his achievements, but he couldn't ask for anything more.

The matter involving the brother and nephew was merely a prelude.

But people always have a bit of wishful thinking.

He felt that even without this trigger, he could still stand firmly in the court, and might even be able to return to the capital garrison.

pity……

Having lost his chance, he went home and personally beat his brothers and nephews with a board. But after beating them with a mixture of anger and heartache, he himself felt terrible.

I haven't slept well for several days in a row, and my head is throbbing.

While rubbing his forehead, Wang Ziteng sighed to Aunt Xue, "But Baochai's matter is probably related to Madam Shen of Ningguo Mansion."

what?
Aunt Xue was both shocked and furious. "Brother, then you can't just ignore Baochai even more."

She cried, tears streaming down her face. "The reason why Feng Yatou kicked us out of the manor last time was mainly because I spread the rumor that 'Baochai's golden lock is matched with a jade.' Because of her relationship with the Empress, the two Jia families have probably been keeping an eye on Baochai entering the palace!"

That poisonous woman!

“My sister told me that Yuan Chun originally had a chance in the palace, but she brought Yuan Chun back in order to suppress the second wife.”

Aunt Xue tugged at Wang Ziteng's sleeve, "Now she's bullying our Baochai again! Brother, if you don't save Baochai, how will she survive under the Empress's watch!"

Would the Empress spare a beautiful young girl with powerful relatives?
On the surface, they brought her over to be a lady-in-waiting, but in reality, her daughter is still suffering terribly.

Aunt Xue really regretted it.

She hadn't expected that Mrs. Shen would actually hold such a grudge against her daughter.

Her daughter studied at Ningguo Mansion for several years, so she did take care of her.
If their daughter is favored in the palace, can't the Jia family also benefit from it?
The Empress is no longer young.

Men love novelty. Rather than letting someone else take the throne, why not support your daughter to ascend to the throne?
With everyone's connections, even a daughter can help the Empress secure her favor!

"Big Brother~~~"

"It's not that I don't want to help, brother."

Wang Ziteng's headache worsened. "But I am an official outside the palace. How can I extend my reach into the inner palace? Your sister-in-law can't easily enter the palace. Instead of begging me here, you should go to Ningguo Mansion and plead with that Shen family."

Explain the pros and cons to her.

If we could secure the Empress's support for Baochai, everyone would be happy.

This is truly a win-win situation.

It all depends on whether the Shen family accepts it or not.

Anyway, he would definitely have accepted it.

"His Majesty is now in the prime of his life and has not yet established a crown prince. If Baochai could become a favored concubine and help the Empress persuade him... and with some help from others in the court, what could be impossible?"

This?
It's a good idea, but if we really help the Empress's son, what about her future grandson...?

Wang Ziteng could see his sister's hesitation at a glance. He sighed inwardly and lowered his voice, saying, "Didn't you hear what I said before? His Majesty is in the prime of his life. Do you know what that means? If not, then let me tell you, throughout history, very few crown princes have been able to ascend the throne smoothly."

Judging from the Emperor's appearance, he is also someone who knows how to take good care of himself.

Even the sickly Emperor Emeritus could live to this day, let alone him.

"Our current problem is how to get Baochai to the Emperor's side."

Yes, yes, she was confused for a moment.

Having received the tip, Aunt Xue went to the Ningguo Mansion to request an audience with Shen Ning.

"not see!"

The weather is perfect in spring.

Shen Ning's desk has been moved to Tianxiang Tower.

She writes here, looks at the sky, and gazes at the bustling life on the back street, where memories and inspiration are bursting forth.

Shen Ning continued writing her own words without looking up, saying, "Just say I'm busy right now."

When visiting someone's home, shouldn't you first send an invitation and ask if the host has time to visit?
As a first-rank imperial consort, could she meet just anyone?
When reading Dream of the Red Chamber, Shen Ning also disliked Aunt Xue very much.

This woman has a hidden tendency to favor sons over daughters.

He only knew how to spoil Xue Pan.

There was absolutely no discipline whatsoever.

If Xue Pan had been disciplined even a little and had any genuine feelings for his mother and sister, he would never have ended up like that.
Moreover, on the surface, she seemed to love Baochai very much, but in fact, Baochai was just a tool in her hands to seek benefits for the family and her son.

"When you come again in the future, I will make you turn them down."

In the Dream of the Red Chamber, Daiyu once followed Baochai in calling her "Mom," but when Baochai took away Daiyu's marriage, she showed no mercy whatsoever.

Shen Ning's dislike for her was only slightly less than her dislike for Madam Wang.

"Yes!"

Xiao Nan glanced enviously at Xiao Dong, who was grinding ink and reading a book at the same time, before turning around and shooing him away.

Sure enough, Aunt Xue couldn't be easily driven away.

Unable to enter the mansion here, she simply went to the Rongguo Mansion.

"Madam, you've come at a very inopportune time. Neither my master nor my mistress are home."

The gatekeeper of Lixiang Courtyard said directly, "They took the young master with them on a spring outing."

“I’m not here to see them, I just came from here.”

That won't work either.

The gatekeeper said with difficulty, "Madam, you are the eldest master's own aunt. You know the situation in this mansion. Even if you don't help him and the second branch, you can't harm him. Besides, if I let you in here today, the second mistress will beat me to death on the spot and sell my whole family."

Their second grandmother has such a temper; once she gets angry, not even the Heavenly King himself can save her.

"you you……"

Aunt Xue never expected that a servant would dare to speak like that.

She wanted to say something harsh, but then she thought, she's the mistress, arguing with a servant...

"go!"

At this point, Aunt Xue finally realized that because her daughter Baochai had entered the palace, the entire Jia family... had probably shut their doors to her.

She felt it was inappropriate to knock on the side door of the Rongguo Mansion anymore.

Ever since Baochai entered the palace, her niece Wang Xifeng had someone spread the word, "The two families are done for."

At that time, she thought, "It's all over now, my older brother is back."

During this period, whenever there was anything going on in the shop, she would ask the Wang family's steward for help.

Her family's business was not affected in any way.

just now……

Aunt Xue hurriedly returned home and had two invitations written, one for each of the Ning and Rong mansions.

Unsurprisingly, the Ningguo Mansion refused to accept it.

When the old woman returned from the Rongguo Mansion, she was also dejected. "Ping'er, the maidservant of the Second Mistress, came over and said that the Second Mistress is taking care of her pregnancy. She is a member of the Jia family. If the Madam has any problems, she can go to the Wang family. There is no need to come to the Jia family."

Aunt Xue: "..."

She was filled with shame, anger, and rage.

But what to do?
She absolutely had to go to the Jia family.

"Have someone inquire when Zhu'er and the others will return to the manor."

She clutched her chest and gave instructions to her servants.

However, Jia Zhu did not return home for several days in a row.

Living in the villa outside the city was very comfortable.

Especially when the servants said that his aunt had been looking for him recently, he simply took Li Wan and his son Jia Lan to visit this temple today and that monastery tomorrow.

His cousin from the Xue family has entered the palace; he's really embarrassed!

Although he, like his second sister-in-law, went to the East Mansion early in the morning to apologize to his eldest aunt, and his eldest aunt was kind and did not hold a grudge against him, his heart was truly saddened.

He never wanted to see that aunt again, never in his life. (End of Chapter)