The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 83 Matchmaking
Jia Family Ancestral Hall.

Having not slept all night, Jia Zheng and Lady Wang watched the sun rise higher and higher, and a look of urgency rose on their faces.

I don't know if my daughter and sister-in-law have met yet.

There's an instant connection when you meet.

My sister-in-law used to love her daughter so much, seeing her...wouldn't that touch her a little?

If the sister-in-law remains unmoved, the daughter will make a scene with their second plan to force her to admit it, right?

squeak~
The ancestral hall door was pushed open, and Jia Rong came in carrying a food box. "Uncles, Aunts, Uncles..." He first bowed to Jia She and the others, then took out four portions of "bitter-sweet" rice from the food box. "This is what Father instructed before he passed away. If it's not good enough, I'll get something else..."

"No need!"

Jia She calmly took a bowl of dark green porridge of unknown origin, then touched a small, similarly dark, pancake-like object. "This is what we decided yesterday. From now on, this will be the food served in the ancestral hall."

Jia Rong: "..."

If he hadn't taken the smallest wheat bran and wild vegetable cake, he might have believed this uncle.

"What are you all standing there for? Eat up!"

Jia She looked at his second brother's family of three and said, "Second brother, Zhu'er, you two come first."

Jia Zheng and Jia Zhu each silently took one.

However, Jia Zhu first gave his share to his mother, Wang Shi, asking, "Rong-ge'er, why didn't you go to school today?"

Despite suffering through a night of agony, Jia Zhu still mustered his strength to face Jia Rong.

"I'm not at ease!"

Jia Rong plopped down on the prayer mat. “Grandmother and Father have both gone to the palace. I want to wait for them at home. As for school… I can’t study well in this state.”

He eavesdropped last night, but unfortunately there was no sound from inside for half a day. He was so sleepy that he was swaying back and forth, and the servant had to drag him back to sleep.

Jia Rong said with slight regret, "Grandmother has just finished her postpartum confinement period, and her body hasn't fully recovered yet."

However, to show respect to the royal family and gratitude to the family, they had to go early.

"She didn't sleep well last night either."

He glanced at Wang with a accusing look in his eyes, "Aunt, please don't do things on a whim anymore. If there's anything, please discuss it with your two uncles."

Wang: "..."

Jia Zheng: "..."

Both of them had flushed slightly.

The Wang family member who was mentioned was ridiculed by the boy, who was not yet a child, and the same was true for Jia Zheng, who was not mentioned.

What image do they have in this child's mind?

"cough~"

Jia Zhu wanted to cover his face. Rong-ge'er had included Bao-yu in the calculation, making it seem as if his parents were less intelligent than a few-year-old child. "This porridge is good, Mother, please have some."

As he spoke, he took a large gulp of water.

However, as soon as she put the drink in her mouth, Jia Zhu's face scrunched up.

It's bitter, astringent, and a little sour. Will eating this give me diarrhea?

He forced himself to swallow it, but then, fearing he might vomit, he quickly took another bite of the biscuit to try and calm himself down.

goo~
The pancake was a bit sour and bitter, and it made his throat feel dry, but with Rong-ge watching him, he could only force himself to swallow it.

Seeing that he actually ate it, Jia Rong sighed inwardly.

Sure enough, Uncle Zhu was just an ordinary person, neither stupid nor smart.

If it were Uncle Lian, perhaps he would bump his shoulder, put his arm around him, and discuss with him whether these things were not enough and if they could be mixed with something better. Although it would be difficult, as long as he could finish this meal of remembering the bitter past and appreciating the sweet present, Jia Rong felt it was still acceptable.

But Uncle Zhu didn't say anything.

Just eat it like that.

Oh dear, Jia Rong knew exactly how awful this "bitter past and sweet present" meal, which he and his servant had spent half the day preparing, was.

"Cough~ cough cough~~"

Jia Zhu's stomach was rebelling, rebelling with all her might.

He covered his mouth, coughing awkwardly.

Wang rushed over to massage his back.

"eat!"

Seeing that Jia Zheng dared not move, Jia She pretended to be calm, took a sip of porridge, and then ate a bite of bread. "At least this is hot. Back then, the old master and the others didn't have such good conditions."

Jia Zheng: "..."

With Jia Rong, a junior, around, he couldn't very well argue with his older brother.

"Eat up, everyone. Eat slowly and you'll be fine."

Jia She was overjoyed; he suffered one share of hardship, while his second brother's family suffered three.

As long as they can endure these three hardships, then their share of hardship will be sweet.

Jia Zhu coughed for a while, and seeing his uncle eating so calmly, he naturally didn't dare to be negligent. "Mother, I'm fine now, you can eat too!"

Although he wanted to take the suffering upon himself for his mother, they were able to endure this suffering entirely because of her.

And if you eat your mother's food, should you eat your father's too?
Since my father had eaten all of it, my uncle couldn't just ignore it either.

Jia Zhu didn't have such a big belly, nor such great abilities. He lowered his head, tears welling in his eyes, and ate his "bitter past and sweet present" meal.

In a moment, he realized that Jia Rong, who hadn't left, was keeping an eye on them.

It's even possible that he added something extra to the meal.

Just as he was born to protect his parents, Rong-ge'er was also born to protect his aunt.

He resented his family.

They resented that on the day their little sister turned one month old, when everyone was exhausted, they gave their aunt a hard time, which angered her.

But... of all virtues, filial piety is the most important; it is of utmost importance!
Jia Zhu felt bitter inside.

The parents were wholeheartedly devoted to their children and the family, even though their methods and processes were wrong, but Yuan Chun...

Having eaten the "bitter memories and sweet tastes" meal, he finally, like his parents, hoped that his aunt would help Yuan Chun after seeing her.

Even if we don't push her towards the Emperor, asking the Empress to take care of her a little would make Yuan Chun's life a bit easier.

"Alright, we'll call the servants to collect the food when you're done eating."

Seeing that Wang Shi had also started eating, Jia She said to his young nephew with satisfaction, "Go to the West Mansion and keep an eye on the old lady for us. If there's anything you can help with, then lend a hand."

"……Yes!"

Jia Rong obediently agreed in front of Jia She, and left feeling quite satisfied.

……

In Kunning Palace, the Empress finally dismissed several concubines who came to pay their respects. After washing up again, she ordered the matron to summon Shen Ning, who was waiting in the side hall.

"This humble servant, Shen, greets Your Majesty the Empress! Long live the Empress!"

"Please get up quickly!"

The Empress's voice was very soft and gentle, "Please be seated!"

"Thank you Queen!"

Shen Ning did not get up immediately, but kowtowed again and said, "That day, my life was hanging by a thread. I am very grateful to Her Majesty the Empress for bestowing the female physician, which saved my life and my mother's life."

"Madam, you are too kind."

The Empress herself rose to help them up, saying, "Actually, it wasn't me or the physician who saved you, it was yourselves." She smiled and said, "Has Madam forgotten when she was scattering money everywhere to accumulate blessings for Little Yueyue?"

"..."

Shen Ning was taken aback, then smiled, "Now that you mention it, I should thank Her Majesty the Empress even more. Her Majesty the Empress has bestowed blessings upon my family."

"Haha~"

The Empress was amused by her, so she simply didn't sit in the main seat and sat in a seat not far from her. "Then I'll shamelessly accept it." In this palace, there weren't many people who could make her feel relaxed. But Madam Shen was an exception.

After confirming that neither she nor the Emperor would have any worries for the next two years, she began to develop a slight liking for her.

"I heard from the female physician that Xiao Yueyue is growing very well, so I am relieved."

The Empress said, "Actually, you don't need to be in such a hurry about expressing your gratitude. You should rest at home." She had someone wait for her early in the morning, only because she guessed that the Jia family would be anxious. "You should rest properly for another month and have the imperial physician treat you."

"Yes!" Shen Ning nodded. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I understand."

"There are no outsiders here, so I will speak frankly. I hope Madam Shen will not take offense."

“…You say.”

Shen Ning hadn't expected the Empress to be so straightforward.

This doesn't seem to match the rumors.

"I am actually asking this on behalf of His Majesty."

emperor?

Shen Ning was about to rise and curtsy when the Empress stopped her, saying, "That's too polite, it's too formal." She smiled and said, "Lord Lin Ruhai, the Salt Inspector of Jiangnan, has already produced a batch of high-quality salt that saves time and effort, following the salt-making plan given by the Madam. His Majesty asked me to ask the Madam if the note you mentioned in your letter is really gone."

"No more."

Shen Ning shook her head. "After my husband and I went into seclusion at the Taoist temple, he gradually became obsessed with all kinds of elixirs and cultivation techniques in Taoist legends. He has been spending a lot of effort collecting them. Over the years, he has never let go of anything that is even remotely related to them. Occasionally, he would even go to the secondhand book market to look for them himself."

At first, I also helped organize it. To put it simply, the method of salt making is related to the Taoist practice of refining certain minerals. For some reason, the fragment mentioned salt again, starting with minerals. The nameless Taoist must have lived by the sea and knew some salt-making techniques, and then helped improve them.

However, his improved method didn't spread. I glanced at it again, then casually put it down. That winter was very cold, and later his house caught fire… Although many things were salvaged, that notebook was lost.

"……I see!"

Such great credit was not attributed to Jia Jing.

The Empress admired her, thinking, "Fortunately, Madam Shen remembered it."

"Many extraordinary people live among the common people."

Shen Ning never intended to attribute the credit to her family.

After all, they don't have the means.

As for Jia Jing, it's best for him to remain a reclusive Taoist priest.

Shen Ning said, "Some things that we can't figure out may have been unintentionally solved by some people long ago, but they don't know how valuable they are, so they have been wasting them."

Just like the comprehensive industrial survey in modern times, how many problems were solved?

Shen Ning sincerely said, "It was just a coincidence. I was thinking that my brother-in-law was in charge of salt, so I wrote to him and mentioned it. It was successful because of the Emperor and Empress's good fortune. Lord Lin was very thoughtful."

"..."

The Empress patted her hand, "It's fortunate that you were able to remember again by chance."

Salt may seem insignificant, but it is essential to people's livelihood.

One or two coins may seem insignificant, but for millions of families, one or two coins can make a world of difference.

Besides, which family doesn't buy a few pounds of salt every year?
The few pounds saved here are worth more than a penny or two.

"In any case, His Majesty asked me to thank you."

"Don't dare!"

Shen Ning stood up and curtsied.

"His Majesty said, 'If there is anything difficult, just tell me.'"

As the Empress said this, her heart pounded, but the Emperor said that Madam Shen was a smart woman and would not bring up anything that would put them in a difficult position.

But this is the Emperor's promise!
No one would waste it so carelessly!
"..."

Shen Ning paused for a moment, then immediately knelt down, "There is indeed a matter at home that I would like to ask Your Majesty for help with."

Queen: "..."

Her heart suddenly relaxed; it was good that she was asked for help, not the Emperor.

There was no solution to Jia Jing's problem for the retired emperor.

Even after pleading for it, the emperor was helpless.

"You said."

The Empress vaguely guessed what she wanted to mention.

really……

"My niece, Yuanchun, is getting older, and her aunt is very worried. Please, Your Majesty, allow her to leave the palace!"

"Please get up quickly!"

With Yuan-chun in the palace, it was indeed no big deal.

She was too deeply involved with Consort Zhen.

But she was a member of the Rongguo Mansion.

The Emperor has been hesitant lately. It's not difficult to take her in, but if he does, at least on the surface the Jia family will be considered one of them.

But the future... is hard to say.

In particular, Madam Shen and Madam Wang of the Rongguo Mansion did not get along.

Taking Yuan Chun into the fold is not beneficial to Madam Shen.

The Emperor felt that Madam Shen and the Ningguo Mansion were bringing him good fortune and did not want to cause any harm to them.

"It just so happens that the Emperor Emeritus's birthday is coming up in a few days. A group of palace maids will be released from the palace. Yuan Chun... I will put her on the list."

"Thank you, Queen!"

Shen Ning was extremely grateful!

The Empress relaxed and gestured for her to sit down and talk. "Is Yuan Chun leaving the palace to get married? Have you found a suitable candidate?"

"Not at the moment."

Shen Ning smiled, "Does Your Majesty have any suggestions?"

"Well..." The Empress's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands and laughed, "Don't say that, I actually thought of one, but I don't know if Madam Shen can make the decision."

"As long as the child is a good child, has never been married, and is ambitious, I can make the decision."

Under such circumstances, the Empress would not likely assign the task to someone of low quality.

In that era, for a family like the Jia family, not getting married was definitely not an option.

Even if it's not good, it's still better than Yuan Chun being in the palace.

Shen Ning trusted Yuan Chun. Even if they encountered a wolf from Zhongshan, Yuan Chun would be the one to train it. If she couldn't train it well, her many brothers and nephews could take them over and take turns training it for her.

While training wolves and standing up for their sisters, they might also cultivate a bit of courage and stand on their own two feet.

Shen Ning couldn't help but look forward to this choice.

"Cheng Luo, the Marquis of Xinping, is the legitimate son of Princess Baofeng." The Empress sighed and said, "He is a child with a tragic fate. First, his grandfather passed away, and then both the Marquis of Xinping and Princess Baofeng died of illness. Now he is twenty-two years old and still unmarried."

Shen Ning quickly searched her memory for the Marquis of Xinping.

I seem to have a vague recollection of it, but I can't quite put my finger on it right now.

"Princess Baofeng..."

She suddenly thought of Princess Baofeng.

I think I heard someone gossip that he died together with the Marquis of Xinping.

Marquis Xinping, Cheng Feng, was once a powerful general under the Prince of Nan'an. When Princess Baofeng married him, he was granted the title of Marquis Xinping. However, he always had a childhood sweetheart cousin whom he loved, and that cousin gave birth to two sons for him.

Marquis Xinping wanted to pass his title to his son on the other side. While he was observing mourning for his father, his mother and Qingmei plotted to make the legitimate son fall ill. Later, the horse was startled, and the legitimate son faded from the world's sight.

Could it be...

"Princess Baofeng's passing was very pitiful."

Seeing her expression, the Empress sighed again, "Although Marquis Xinping has left, his family is still somewhat complicated. However, I believe that Yuanchun can help Marquis Xinping manage the manor well."