The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 69 Production (Part 1)

March 28th is an auspicious day for moving, breaking ground, praying for blessings, and setting up a bed...

On Fulong Street, people from the Chen family were carrying things, one by one, onto the carriage.

Before long, everyone knew that the house would belong to Liu Tang.

That kid changed his name from Chen Tang to Liu Tang and eventually managed to get his mother's dowry back.

They were just neighbors for many years. Although Mrs. Wang was a vicious stepmother, she was relatively kind to outsiders like them.

Needless to say, Chen Chong is in a terrible state now...

People who initially sympathized with Liu Tang's plight and despised Chen Chong and Wang Shi began to feel that he had gone too far.

No matter how bad they were, they still raised him and gave him an education. Otherwise, how could he possibly pass the county-level imperial examination? He can't even read, so how could he possibly pass the provincial-level imperial examination?
"Dear neighbors!"

Chen Chong looked ten years older. When everyone looked over, he bowed deeply and said, "Thank you all for taking care of me over the years. Everyone in the village knows my character. But even a great man is not immune to having an unworthy wife and unfilial children. However, no matter how bad they are, it is my responsibility. Today, I have moved to my old house in Nanlai Lane. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know as before, and I will do my best."

At this point, he bowed again, "This house was my late wife's dowry, and from today onwards it belongs to my son... Liu Tang."

His son's name seemed to be causing him great distress.

Those around him could hear the sob in his voice.

However, Chen Chong seemed to be holding back, saying, "I hope that all my fellow villagers will continue to take good care of my son Liu Tang as before! I, Chen... am deeply grateful."

The sight of him made the old men feel sorry for him, and they all helped him up. "How can a father and son hold a grudge overnight? Nanlai Lane is not far from here. Lord Chen, you should come here more often. Without the Wang family, you and your son will eventually reconcile."

“Exactly! Wasn’t Wang Shi already punished by your clan with family discipline? I heard her mouth was swollen and she even lost eight teeth. This can be considered as a way of avenging Chen Tang… oh no, Liu Tang. We can’t really let you divorce Wang Shi; after all, she raised him.”

"Yeah yeah!"

Everyone truly felt sorry for Chen Chong at this moment.

As he said, even a great man is bound to have an unvirtuous wife and unfilial children; it's all fate.

Who would have thought that while he was working hard outside, his stepmother and biological children were living in chaos at home?
Even if he knew, and wanted to intervene, his stepmother was almost ten years younger than him and had given him a son and a daughter. His heart would always lean towards her.

Liu Tang could tolerate it before, and she can tolerate it in the future as well.

However, Wang went too far and angered the Jia family again.

"Don't worry, Lord Chen, we will all help you persuade Tang Ge'er to change his surname back to Liu."

"Yes, yes, Tang-ge is a filial son. Now that he's a father, he'll definitely understand your predicament."

"Thank you! Thank you!!!"

With tears in his eyes, Chen Chong bid farewell to his fellow villagers and waited a while before getting into the carriage.

But once he was in the carriage, he lifted the curtain and looked longingly at the Chen family mansion and the streets where he had lived for more than twenty years, as if he was extremely reluctant to leave each and every one of them.

Everyone couldn't help but sigh.

But no one knew that after crossing the street, Chen Chong, who had lowered the curtain, punched the cushion with a murderous look on his face.

"Go to Liansheng Inn."

The moving act is over; now it's time for his revenge.

Although the Chen family's old house is located on the street, it only has three rooms and a small courtyard. This time, they were able to buy all the houses on the left, right, and in front of the house and enclose them together, thanks to their friends in Jiangnan.

Of course, he was even more aware that the other party's target was also the Jia family.

The Jiangnan region was prosperous, and salt merchants were among the wealthiest of the wealthy.

Chen Chong was calculating in his mind whether the Chen family or the Wang family would each pay for one or more lives.

In a collaboration, of course you provide the money, and I'll provide the manpower.

If you don't have enough money, don't expect me to provide manpower.

At this point, buying something cheap is actually a loss.

If you're not ruthless, you'll never rise above others.

The carriage weaved through the crowd and finally arrived at Lian Sheng Inn.

……

In Ningguo Mansion, Shen Ning has been treating Hao Da'er exceptionally well lately. When Manager Chen came to check on his health, he even made sure Hao Da'er had a pulse reading as well.

Jia Zhen ate the extra dish added every day, but felt only panic.

Her mother has been being kind to everyone lately.

Her father's private property, her dowry, and the gifts her grandmother gave her before she passed away—all of these were sorted out.

We've prepared a plan for how to distribute these things should something happen to her.

Even Jiao Da got a street-front shop with living quarters in the back and business in the front, as if they were afraid he and Rong'er wouldn't support him in his old age.

"Grandpa, isn't the roasted venison delicious today?"

Madam You sensed that he was having a particularly hard time eating, "How come you..."

"I'm uncomfortable!"

Jia Zhen put down his chopsticks. "It's almost April."

"..."

Madam You also sighed, "How about starting tomorrow, we all eat in Mother's courtyard!"

"to make!"

Jia Zhen agreed without hesitation.

Little did he know that a massive net targeting the Jia family had already been quietly cast in the capital.

……

On the second day of the fourth lunar month, just before dawn, a heavy rain kept many people from going out.

Just as the rain stopped and everyone was getting back to their normal routines, a piercing cry echoed from the end of Changshun Alley.

"Oh dear, husband, it's terrible! Come quick, son... son..."

In the ditch in front of the door, a man's body was outside, but his head was submerged in the water, and he was not moving.

A few of the bolder ones went forward and turned him over, only to be so shocked that they backed away.

The man's eyes were wide open, as if he had died with his eyes still open.

Many of his fingernails were torn off, as if he had struggled too much when he was forced into the water, leaving many scratches on the stones in the ditch before he died.

There were also many footprints on the ground.

"Oh my god~"

Seeing his son's miserable state, Chen Laoliu rolled his eyes and collapsed as well.

The alleys surrounding Fulong Street have been quite turbulent lately. Everyone knows that the Jia family is taking revenge on the Chen and Wang families.

Today someone broke their leg, tomorrow someone else accidentally fell and hit their head, sometimes even several times a day.

But after Lord Chen backed down and moved away the day before yesterday, hasn't everything been peaceful now?
Why did it start again?

Someone even died. Who can accept this?
Soon someone reported it to the authorities.

Although there is no evidence to prove that it was the Jia family who did it, the surrounding neighbors all believe that it was the Jia family.

Who knows who will be the next unlucky one?

Sure enough, on the third day of the fourth lunar month, a woman hanged herself in front of the former Chen residence on Fulong Street.

"Oh my, isn't this Wang Chongjing's wife?"

"I heard that she was a maidservant who came with Lord Chen's first wife, Lady Liu."

"Yes, yes, I know about that too."

All the women who saw it were whispering to each other as they watched.

The Wang family was doing quite well. It was said that Madam Wang was very generous to the maid who accompanied his first wife. When she was betrothed to his cousin who had a limp, she was freed from slavery and given a considerable dowry.

While they weren't exactly living in slavery, they were still better off than ordinary families.

But now he's hanging here...

Something just doesn't feel right!

Amid the wailing of the Wang family, the yamen runners from Shuntian Prefecture arrived quickly, accompanied by an experienced coroner.

On this day, Xing'er was taken to the government office for questioning.

On the fourth day of the fourth lunar month, another elderly Chen family member fell outside the outhouse on the back street of Fulong Street and died on the spot. On the same day, in Jiuru Lane, which is only two miles away from the back street, an elderly Wang family member was also found dead at home. Whether she died of old age or was murdered needs to be investigated!
Suddenly, the residents around Fulong Street were all living in fear.

Although they weren't from the Chen or Wang families, the deaths in those two families were so frequent that they were turning the streets into haunted places; no one dared to go out after dark. And yet, for several nights in a row, people had seen flickering ghostly lights wandering the streets.

Oh dear, this is a big problem.

Taoist priests and Buddhist monks began to frequent Fulong Street.

On the seventh day, Jia Zhen was invited to the government office for a cup of tea.

However, as soon as he returned, he smashed a set of official kiln teacups.

"You bastard, who is trying to frame me?"

Those in their family who were supposed to leave had already left.

Even at the height of their anger, Jiao Da and his men did not kill anyone.

At most, they'll break a leg, then hire a few thugs to cause trouble at two shops, disrupting business and extorting some money.

Everything was just a minor skirmish.

"uncle……"

Jiao Da's expression was grave. "Didn't I tell you before that Chen Shiqi and the others were more seriously injured than we were?"

Perhaps it's a case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

"Didn't I tell you to investigate?"

Jia Zhen's eyes widened. "What? You haven't found anything yet?"

"...That person was faster than us."

Twice in a row, they only saw a shadow and couldn't catch up at all.

Jiao Da was also helpless. "Master, why don't I go and talk to Lord Dong?" He had met Lord Dong when he was with his master, Jia Jing. "This matter may be more serious than we imagined."

"...No need, Lord Dong told us to be careful."

His father's classmate was quite good.

But the invisible enemy still made Jia Zhen anxious. "Rong-ge'er needs to go to school, so send a few more people to accompany him."

Who is targeting their family?
"Also, don't tell your wife about this beforehand."

If we wait a few more days, my mother will probably give birth.

"you……"

Jia Zhen turned around and around, and when he stood in front of Jiao Da, he finally said again: "One guard from the prefecture will take four servants and, starting today, follow the yamen runners who are patrolling the streets. Each team will be divided into two groups, one open and one covert, and keep a close watch on Fulong Street."

Anyone who dares to frame the Jia family is courting death.

He couldn't find the person before, but now...

"Sir, keeping an eye on things is no problem."

Jiao Da was also seething with anger. "But our primary concern right now is to find Chen Chong and the Wang family. Since they are cooperating with the people behind them, aren't they afraid at all that the Chen and Wang families have lost so many people? If they're stupid enough not to be afraid, we still have to make sure they're not silenced."

He lived a long life and saw many fools who were silenced and many self-righteous clever people.

"Yeah!"

Jia Zhen realized what was happening, "Hitch up the carriage!"

He needed to see Chen Chong immediately.

Xing'er hurriedly ran out.

Just then, a young maid rushed in, "Master, Madam has started labor."

what?
Startled, Jia Zhen ran outside first.

After these days of rest, Granny Zhong's injuries have healed, and Granny Liu can now assist her, but they are not doctors after all.

On the day Jia Yan had a difficult childbirth, the pills and emergency medicine that Manager Chen brought were very effective.

Seeing Jia Zhen jump into the carriage, the guards on duty followed. Jiao Da glanced at the inner courtyard with a particularly complicated expression before quickly going out to find someone.

At this moment, Shen Ning's labor pains had begun.

Her face looked ugly.

It wasn't entirely because she was in unbearable pain; rather, she and Jiao had agreed that the day of delivery would be the day they would begin.

When she first transmigrated, she disliked Jia Zhen intensely and even considered breaking his legs and keeping him confined at home under the control of Lady You.

However, after spending this time together, Jia Zhen is not yet the scoundrel in the Dream of the Red Chamber who is abandoned by his father after his mother's death and acts recklessly all the time.

He was extremely filial to his mother, and although he wasn't very intelligent, he was someone who listened to advice.

He never compromises on anything he's given; he always completes it perfectly.

Shen Ning didn't know if her decision was right or wrong, but when the time came, she couldn't ask Jiao Da to take it back.

"Madam, please eat something, otherwise you'll run out of energy later."

Midwife Zhong and Midwife Liu had initially had great confidence in her, but now, seeing her like this..., they both started to have doubts.

"to make!"

Shen Ning was also afraid of running out of strength, because running out of strength meant death.

However, she couldn't swallow after only two bites.

I feel like throwing up if I eat any more.

Psychologically, she just couldn't eat.

"Let's get ready to participate!"

Another wave of pain struck, and Shen Ning said with difficulty, "When I'm too weak, I'll suck on a piece of ginseng."

“The ginseng is ready,” said Liu, the midwife, whose right hand was broken and could not help her touch her belly. “Madam, don’t think about anything else now. Just think about your child and give birth to her safely. That’s the most important thing.”

"..."

Shen Ning didn't say anything, but nodded slightly.

Midwife Zhong carefully examined her belly to make sure there were no problems, and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, the baby is fine, and you are healthy too. You will definitely have a safe delivery."

Pregnant women should not be afraid, as fear can easily lead to problems.

She was afraid and resigned to her fate, even though she could have overcome the hurdle with a little more effort, and she might have given up all her strength at once.

That could really result in the death of both mother and child.

"I'm not afraid!"

Shen Ning was actually a little scared.

Despite all the effort, the child hasn't grown up much. There are always unexpected complications during childbirth these days, let alone nowadays.

I once heard an old saying that childbirth is like a woman stepping into the gates of hell.

She's just starting to adjust here...

"Where is Madam You?"

If anything unexpected happens, the child must not be taken to the West Mansion to be raised by Grandmother Jia under any circumstances.

"I'm here, Mother."

Urgent footsteps came from outside the door, and Madam You rushed in. "Mother, I'm here. Don't be afraid. Master has gone to invite Manager Chen. Even with all that hardship, Yan'er managed to give birth safely. How much more so for you?"

"I'm not afraid..."

Lady You was very clever. Although her family background seemed to be no match for Jia Zhen's, when they married her, the original owner of this body and Jia Jing looked at her carefully.

Shen Ning wanted to tell her, "I'm entrusting Jia Zhen, Rong-ge'er, and the baby in my belly to you."

But she couldn't bring herself to say it; it would sound like giving her last words.

“This is not a place for you. Go outside and wait. Jia Zhen… keep an eye on him for me, and also tell Rong-ge’er not to rush.”

In a little while, Rong-ge'er will be out of school.

Shen Ning said, "Now that Rong-ge is here, let him study in the courtyard."

Even if something were to happen to her, Jia Rong would still study diligently based on this instruction alone.

Sorry, only one update today, I've been too busy. My parents cleared land outside the community to plant sesame, but when they went to harvest it this morning, they accidentally cut their hands. My mom severed three tendons in her hand, and the bleeding wouldn't stop.

I'm truly amazed. The old couple cleared land everywhere, as if they wanted to provide all the food, vegetables, and oil for my siblings and me.

Fortunately, there are no mountains around us. If there were, the two of them could have leveled the mountains with hoes and gone to farm.