The Overlord of the Red Mansion

Chapter 10 Family Harmony
Ningguo Mansion

When Jia Rong came back, Jia Yuanchun was eating. When she saw Jia Rong coming back, she quickly stood up and took off his coat for him.

It was already winter, and there was a stove in the house, so it was very warm every night.

There was steaming hot food on the table. Since getting married, the food at home has become much more delicious.

Jia Yuanchun helped Jia Rong sit down and said, "I was thinking it would take ten days or half a month, but I didn't expect you to bring my sister back today."

Jia Yuanchun didn't object to taking a concubine, but she didn't expect it to happen so soon. It felt like buying someone.

The maid next to him had already prepared the dishes and chopsticks, and after Jia Rong sat down, she took the initiative to lean against his back and rub his shoulders.

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Let's talk while we eat. If I go out to do something, you should eat when it's time. You don't have to wait for me. Otherwise, I will be worried about you and come back early, which will delay things."

Jia Yuanchun nodded, her face full of tenderness and maternal love.

"Okay, we'll eat by ourselves."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Taking a concubine is not like getting married. It can be done in one day. There is no need to wait for three years."

After hearing this, Jia Yuanchun felt more at ease and began to show the tolerance of a wife.

"Whose family does your sister belong to?"

Jia Rong said casually, "It's an ordinary family. She's pretty and well-behaved. You and her will definitely get along. I don't want to bring in a woman who makes you angry and make my wife and children uncomfortable."

Jia Yuanchun took the initiative to pick up some food for Jia Rong, "Should I go down and see her, or wait for her to come and see me?"

Jia Rong said, "Her mother died early, so I guess she doesn't know much about the relationship between men and women. Baoqin, go over and talk to her about what's going on. I'll go over there tonight and ask her to come see you tomorrow."

Baoqin replied, "Yes, Master!"

Baoqin was a maid, and she would definitely not be able to take the position until Jia Yuanchun's child was born.

However, when the couple usually do things, several maids are there to serve them, and they know everything they need to know.

Jia Yuanchun ate her fill quickly, but Jia Rong ate more slowly and didn't like to waste food.

Soon, with the help of the maid, Jia Yuanchun sat on the bed and talked to Jia Rong not far away.

"Master, the situation outside this year is mixed, but generally a little better than last year."

Jia Rong said, "Well, this is a good thing. The government has been very busy this year. We should give out some silver as a reward during the New Year so that everyone can have a good year."

Jia Yuanchun lay on her side at the head of the bed, looked at her husband and said, "Every time this time comes, we get busy and spend a lot. Fortunately, you are in charge of the affairs of the mansion. Except for this year, we can have a lot of surplus every year."

Jia Rong said, "We spent a lot of money on our wedding this year. We can keep it low-key, but it can't be too shabby. We should show respect to those who deserve it."

Baoqin said at this time: "They were all presented to Fengjie and her family. Now Fengjie, the housekeeper of Rongguo Mansion, has suddenly received a fortune of 100,000 yuan. They are so happy!"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Of course, marrying a wife should be grand. I think it's worth it."

Jia Yuanchun didn't say anything. A lot of the 100,000 silver coins he spent went to his father to build relationships, and he also left a lot for his mother.

Although he gave a lot of dowry, Jia Rong gave it to Jia Yuanchun to manage herself and asked her to use it to take care of her family.

Baoqin asked curiously, "How much did it cost, Master, to take a concubine?"

Jia Rong has a good relationship with Jia Yuanchun's maids, and they do not have the authority of a master.

"One thousand taels." Jia Rong said, "This matter is very low-key. Don't look down on her because of this. You should be polite and respectful when talking to her. You will be an aunt in the future, so don't break the rules."

Hearing Jia Rong's assurance, Baoqin said happily, "Yes, Master!"

Jia Rong quickly drove the man away.

"You go and serve over there. I'll be there later. Remember to tell her how to serve me, so that she won't be unhappy later."

Baoqin agreed with a red face and quickly went over to make arrangements.

Jia Rong added, "We have planted a lot of medicinal herbs in the farm this year, and my grandfather has also made some medicines for curing diseases in the Taoist temple. The business of the medicine shop will be better next year."

Jia Yuanchun took note of this and asked, "Should I go see Grandpa?"

Jia Rong shook his head and said, "No, Grandpa likes quietness, and you are pregnant so it's not suitable for you to go. I'll just send someone to notify you."

"it is good."

Jia Rong is in charge of most of the affairs of the Jia family. In addition to studying and practicing martial arts, Jia Rong often practices martial arts with people in the mansion. He also goes out all night and does not know what he does.

Jia Yuanchun was very satisfied with her husband. Not only was he considerate, but he was also promising and capable of accomplishing great things.

While we were eating, two women came in from outside.

There are not many owners in Ningguo Mansion. Apart from Jia Rong and his wife, there are also the dead old man Jia Zhen’s second wife, Youshi, and two other concubines.

Jia Rong was a man who had sent those two concubines away long ago, giving them money and letting them return to their hometowns to remarry.

The reason why Youshi was the only one left in the mansion was not because Jia Rong was kind-hearted, but because he was concerned about You Erjie and You Sanjie, who were not related to Youshi by blood.

You Erjie and You Sanjie are both daughters of You's mother, but You's mother is not You's biological mother, but stepmother, so the relationship is not close.

Yu Shi was in danger at the moment, so she naturally didn't dare to call her mother over. After Yu Shi walked into the room, Jia Yuanchun got up from the bed and said, "It's the Madam!"

Jia Rong didn't talk while eating.

Youshi said awkwardly, "No need to get up. You have a child now. You don't need to get up on purpose. You should have a good rest."

Jia Yuanchun lay down and said, "Thank you, Madam!"

Yu said hurriedly, "I heard that you were pregnant, so I came to see you."

Youshi had no children and became a widow in her twenties. Now she is not even thirty years old and feels very embarrassed in the mansion. She is usually submissive and dares not say a word.

Youshi was Jia Zhen's legal wife, mistress of Ningguo Mansion, and a third-rank official.

But she can't easily call herself Madam.

Youshi was a granddaughter-in-law in the Jia family. Since the wives were employed by Lady Xing and Lady Wang, Youshi could not overstep her authority and could only call them grandma.

Behind closed doors in the Ningguo Mansion, Jia Rong and his wife could call Youshi "Madam", but no one else could.

It was only after Lady Xing and Lady Wang passed away that Youshi became the eldest and was able to be called Madam. In fact, her generation was the same as Wang Xifeng.

Just because Jia Rong is the patriarch and can ignore some generational constraints does not mean that Youshi can do so.

Jia Rong ate quietly without saying a word, while Youshi and Jia Yuanchun gradually stopped talking.

"I'm going back, you have a good rest."

After saying this, Youshi was about to leave.

Jia Rong looked at Youshi and said, "Sit down and eat something. I can't finish it all by myself."

The food on the table had started to get cold, but it was still a little warm.

Youshi said hurriedly, "I've eaten. Okay... I'll try it."

After being watched by Jia Rong, Youshi quickly became obedient.

Jia Yuanchun said at this time: "The food must be cold, let someone heat it up."

Yu said quickly: "No, it just comes to mind!"

"Go take a bath." Jia Rong asked Jia Yuanchun and the other maids to go down, leaving only Youshi and two maids.

After Jia Yuanchun left, Jia Rong stood up and poured a glass of hot wine for Youshi.

Yu Shi hurriedly held the wine glass with both hands to receive the wine, obviously afraid of him.

Jia Rong found that Youshi still had her charm, so he smiled and said, "Madam, are you all right in the mansion? Are you lonely?"

These words were a bit frivolous, but Youshi was very scared.

"I'm not lonely. After the master left, I recited sutras every day and I don't feel lonely."

Youshi was worried that she would be kicked out like the other two concubines. No one else would do such a thing since she was the principal wife, after all. But for some reason, she felt that the man in front of her was capable of doing such a wicked thing.

Jia Rong sat down and said, "Come on, let's drink."

Youshi hurriedly drank the toast in one gulp, while Jia Rong only took a small sip.

Jia Rong said, "I used to give you two taels of silver a month, which is almost the same in Rongguo Mansion, but this is less than the maids around me, which is not right. Starting next month, I will give you ten taels a month. What do you think?"

After drinking a glass of wine, You's face turned red, but she was not drunk.

"No, two taels a month is enough for me to spend. I dare not ask for too much."

Jia Rong poured her another cup and said, "Now that Ningguo Mansion has become prosperous under my husband and I've raised the monthly wages for the servants, if I don't give you more, wouldn't it be a joke if the news got out?"

"Just accept it. You can spend it however you want. Come over more often. You are not old, and it is not good for you to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures all day. Don't chant. If you have nothing to do, come over early and talk to us. Don't wait for Yuanchun and I to pay our respects to you."

"I have asked someone to prepare new clothes and shoes for Xichun and her family for the New Year, as well as jewelry and other small items. You will get one for each."

Jia Rong raised his glass.

You quickly filled her own glass with wine, raised it in a toast, lowered her head with a flushed face, and quickly drank it all in one gulp.

Jia Rong saw her drinking, so he took a small sip himself.

Soon Jia Rong put down his wine glass and said, "Eat something. Am I good to you?"

"Thank you, Master! Since you took over the family, Ningguo Mansion has become better. I am so happy!"

"Just be happy. From now on, you must listen to me."

Jia Rong quickly accompanied Youshi to eat hot dishes. After eating and drinking, Youshi and the maid went back, and Jia Rong also lay down with Jia Yuanchun who had returned.

After Jia Yuanchun fell asleep, Jia Rong got up and took a bath and washed up with the help of his maid, and then went to find his concubine Qin Keqing who was waiting anxiously.

(End of this chapter)