The Overlord of the Red Mansion

Chapter 105: Things teach people, once
After Jia Rong stopped talking about some rules, Xue Baochai stood up and came to Jia Rong.

"Master, it's almost the New Year, and both of you ladies will go to the palace. I don't know if you can get the clothes in time."

Lin Daiyu also joined in the sewing and quickly said, "We will definitely catch up. There are still more than 20 days left. We just need to work a little harder in the evenings these few days and it will be almost done."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "It doesn't matter if I can't make it. I'll go talk to the Queen and get two pieces from the treasury. I'll treat them as gifts from the Queen. My official uniform is a reward."

Jia Yuanchun said hurriedly, "It's not too late, it's not too late, there's no need to trouble the Empress with this little matter."

Seeing how nervous she was, Jia Rong couldn't help but have the idea of suppressing this trend.

"You can all try on this dress after it's made. Although there are only two ladies in the family, it's nice to try it on behind closed doors."

Jia Yuanchun was soon speechless, and You Erjie also said carefully: "How dare I? If I dress carelessly, I will be beheaded."

Jia Rong laughed and said, "Can you understand the law better than me? Wearing the emperor's clothes is a capital crime. You guys who make clothes should give it a try. They are not the ones that are ready-made. What are you afraid of?"

"It's okay to try it yourself after you're done."

Jia Rong lowered his head, drank his tea, and said some extremely treasonous words.

Jia Yuanchun couldn't argue with Jia Rong, so she could only sit there and not get in the way.

One of the two embroidered dresses for ladies on the table is for her.

Since Jia Yuanchun didn't say anything, the others naturally didn't dare to say anything either. They all lowered their heads and worked.

Seeing this, Jia Rong put down his tea bowl and said, "Why worry about such a small matter? If I don't insist, you will never have a chance to wear it in your life. These are all our family members in the mansion, so what's wrong with trying it on?"

Lin Daiyu said, "I appreciate Rong's kindness, but I can't do this, for fear of causing trouble for Rong."

Shi Xiangyun is usually very brave, but not so brave at this moment. She doesn't want to do anything that obviously goes against the rules.

People like Qingwen, Xiren and Yinglian are even more timid.

Qingwen has a bad temper, mainly towards the younger maids who are not as good as herself. She only shows off in front of Jia Rong, but she is not really bad to everyone.

When I was in Rong Mansion, I had to avoid the master and his wife, let alone the old lady.

When he was in Ning Mansion, he was also very respectful in front of Jia Yuanchun.

At this moment, she dared not say a word.

Yinglian has always been like this, with no opinion of her own.

Xiren was Jia Baoyu's maid. Shi Xiangyun called her over to help because she was too busy. She was even less qualified to try on the clothes.

Jia Rong looked at Jia Yuanchun.

At this moment, Jia Yuanchun suddenly understood Lady Xing's three obediences and four virtues.

Now suddenly many roads appeared before my eyes.

Or you can become like Youshi, who ignores the master's affairs and only takes care of household affairs as a housekeeper.

Or you can become like Mrs. Wang, who ignores the master and the family affairs and focuses on worshiping Buddha.

Either you become like Mrs. Xing, obey the master in everything, and then keep some money for yourself.

Or you can become like Li Wan, who doesn't care about anything except her son's affairs and becomes a living widow.

Either she can become like Wang Xifeng, suppressing the master in all aspects and taking control of the family power, but this path is obviously not feasible. If she really dares to copy Wang Xifeng's path, the Ning Mansion must have a new mistress.

Yuanchun knew very well that she was not Wang Xifeng. Besides, if Wang Xifeng came in, she would become a wild chicken.

"Yuanchun, help me persuade the girls."

Jia Rong spoke.

Everyone knows that Jia Rong is the one who needs to be advised the most.

Jia Yuanchun also knew this.

There's nothing I can do even if I know.

Jia Yuanchun wanted to say something, but she was too tongue-tied to say anything.

The poetry and philosophy she had learned in elementary school and the family education she received would not allow her to do such a rebellious thing, let alone persuade others to do so.

Jia Rong knew that Jia Yuanchun would find it difficult to ask for this because of her personality, so he said, "Forget it. We were planning to have fun together. If you don't want to, forget it. I'll give you one dress and the other to the lady."

"Make the one for my wife first and send it to her for a try."

If Jia Yuanchun refuses, then let Youshi come.

You Erjie stood aside and didn't know what to say.

Qingwen, Shi Xiangyun, Lin Daiyu and others also realized that Jia Rong would definitely let others try on the clothes of the Lady of Imperial Concubine.

The person most likely to wear it in You's courtyard is Wang Xifeng, and the others, Qin Keqing, You Erjie, and You Sanjie, may also try it.

Yu Shi was known for being easy to talk to, and she didn't seem like someone who could persuade Jia Rong.

After the troublesome Jia Rong went out to do something, Jia Yuanchun didn't have the face to continue sitting down and watching, so she waited for a few minutes and then stood up.

"I'll go check on Ben'er and the others' homework. Sisters, there's no need to rush. Take a break when you need one. I can still wear my old clothes."

Jia Rong was already a first-class general. Although the wife of the Duke was of a superior rank, it was still in accordance with the rules for her to wear first-rank clothes.

Everyone agreed, and after Jia Yuanchun left with her maid, You Erjie also left.

Shi Xiangyun then whispered, "I've been here for so long, but I've never heard Madam mention Big Brother."

Grandmother Jia would teach her son and daughter-in-law a lesson, and Lady Wang and Lady Xing had also taught their sons and step-sons and step-daughters a lesson.

Yuanyang whispered, "Don't talk about this kind of thing. There are a bunch of living Buddhas in that yard. They don't make noise or make trouble, but they are all very capable."

Xue Baochai said quickly, "In the past, even the old lady didn't dare to criticize the master, let alone the wife. Our master has his own reasons. He has done nothing wrong, so why would he be scolded?"

Shi Xiangyun said with a smile: "Sister Baochai has been here for quite some time. The master has been calling her for so long, why hasn't she done anything yet?"

Xue Baochai rolled her eyes at her, knowing that Shi Xiangyun was joking. "It's just that there are too many things going on outside. I don't know why, but there are things happening everywhere these years."

Yinglian, who seldom spoke, said softly, "There is a war going on outside, and disasters have occurred in many places. Many people are selling their daughters and wives to brothels and other places. Many of the maids that our mansion bought from Jiangnan this year are daughters of officials of the sixth and seventh ranks."

"Some of the lucky ones came to our home, while those who were unlucky went to brothels and were beaten and humiliated. Many died of illness and starvation."

Everyone looked at Yinglian.

Shi Xiangyun asked curiously, "How did you know?"

Yinglian said: "My mother told me that when she was teaching the new maids how to do things, she said that many of them were girls from good families, and that there was chaos outside, and the emperor would confiscate their homes and behead them as fast as making dumplings."

The girls were all shocked when they heard this. Yuanyang said hurriedly, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's make the clothes quickly. Yinglian, bring the clothes drawing here so I can take a look."

Yinglian stood up and took the sample drawing of the clothes. The colors on it were clearly outlined, and she knew exactly what kind of thread to use.

More than ten days later, the maid of the Jia family hurried to the place where clothes were made.

Jia Yuanchun and others usually have fun here, but now it is winter outside and there are a lot of things to do at home, and they can't drink, have fun or watch opera, so they all come here to chat.

"Madam!" The maid walked in quickly and said quickly, "The Shi family has been raided!"

Shi Xiangyun, who was looking at this side curiously, quickly turned pale.

Jia Yuanchun quickly asked, "What's going on?"

The maid replied, "It is said that because of the poor performance in the war and the bribes received from foreign tribes, the Shi Marquis and his wife have been taken back to the capital prison. After the two marquises and the son were sentenced to death, the wives and daughters of the Shi family were also imprisoned and sent to the Jiaofang Division to be prostitutes."

Shi Xiangyun stood up sluggishly, her body trembling.

Jia Yuanchun didn't care about Shi Xiangyun anymore and asked hurriedly, "Where's the master? Is our master okay?"

The servant quickly said, "I don't know. The court hasn't ended yet."

"Go and find out quickly!" Jia Yuanchun quickly sent someone out to find out. If anyone was implicated, the whole family would be in trouble.

At this time, Wang Xifeng stood up and said, "Don't worry, sister. Our family has no dealings with the Shi family except for Miss Shi, so we can't be blamed."

Shi Xiangyun quickly ran to Yuanchun and cried, "Sister! Please save my uncle and aunt!"

Yu looked at the kneeling girl and sighed, "Silly child, this is not your uncle and aunt's business. You should take care of yourself first."

Wang Xifeng said, "I will go to the front yard and wait for the master. I will know what happened when he comes back."

Shi Xiangyun quickly said, "I'll go with you!"

Wang Xifeng reached out to support Shi Xiangyun who was crying, "My dear girl, don't worry. The master doesn't have any contact with the Shi family, but he loves you from the bottom of his heart and will never let you go to such a dirty place."

Jia Yuanchun was also worried about whether her family would be implicated, especially since it was difficult to say whether the people from the West Mansion were involved in this matter. After all, many people from the southwest had given gifts to the old lady, Lady Shi, in the past.

After Jia Yuanchun, Wang Xifeng, and Shi Xiangyun took the maids to the front yard to wait, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, Xichun, and Yingchun could no longer sit still.

Jia Xichun said quickly, "Ruhua, go and take a look. Come back and tell us if you get any news."

"Okay!" Ruhua put on her cotton-padded jacket and quickly went out to inquire about the news.

Wang Xifeng and others had been waiting in the front yard for a few minutes when a servant came with a message.

"The master is back! He will be here soon!"

"Okay, go down." Jia Yuanchun said in the room.

Soon after the servants left, Jia Rong entered the house with the maids.

"Big brother!" Shi Xiangyun's voice trembled a little and her eyes turned red.

Jia Rong said, "It seems that you know about it, but it won't implicate us. I told the emperor about your situation, and the emperor pardoned you because your parents died early and you have been living with me. You can live with me in peace from now on."

"There are people losing their heads everywhere out there. Your marriage has been cancelled. Let's settle our family down for the next few years first."

Wang Xifeng and Jia Yuanchun both breathed a sigh of relief, as they were naturally afraid of being implicated because of Shi Xiangyun's affairs.

Shi Xiangyun wiped her tears and said, "Thank you, big brother!"

Jia Rong sighed and said, "There are too many members of the Shi family. There are hundreds of people with the surname Shi implicated. Not only in the capital, but also in Jinling, a large number of people will die. Your two uncles are the main culprits. I really can't save them. The Shi family's wife and daughter will soon become prostitutes. Now I am in a high position, and a group of people are watching me. I really can't help them out of their suffering."

Shi Xiangyun wiped her tears and nodded hard, "Thank you, big brother! I know there is nothing I can do about it, please don't let me get you into trouble!"

Jia Rong walked over, held Shi Xiangyun's shoulders, and said to her, "Don't be afraid. What is past will eventually pass."

Shi Xiangyun was left alone and soon cried in Jia Rong's arms.

The affairs of the Shi family have nothing to do with Jia Rong. That family is very cunning and Jia Rong has no idea what they are doing.

However, the Shi family and the Wang family were preparing for a marriage, so now it was unclear whether he could survive.

Jia Rong and Shi Xiangyun went back to the garden together. The wind was howling outside, and everyone in the warm hall tried to comfort Shi Xiangyun with kind words.

Shi Xiangyun's uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters were all living a life worse than death in prison.

At this moment, not only Shi Xiangyun, but also the other girls, grandmothers and wives became more clearly aware of what it meant to be in danger of losing their lives at any moment.

Not only the women of the Jia family were afraid, but the children of officials in the capital and in the north and south were also afraid.

The emperor seemed to be killing madly. Over the past few years, not only countless minor officials outside the capital died, but also many high-ranking officials in the capital and the sons of meritorious officials with titles had died. Now, from princes and dukes to minor officials of the sixth and seventh rank and palace guards, all worked in fear.

In this situation, someone like Jia Rong who will not die is naturally more worthy of winning over.

The group of four kings and eight dukes is no longer as powerful as it used to be. Now the situation has changed, and the one holding the key is no longer Prince Beijing, but Duke Ningguo Jia Rong!
Duke Ningguo is not the Duke Ningguo who is a lackey of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes Group; he is the Duke Ningguo who is a favorite of the Emperor’s trusted group!

Everyone knows that it is useless to curry favor with the emperor. If you deserve to die, you will die anyway, and your property will be confiscated. It is better to have a good relationship with Jia Rong.

Although every household in the capital was in mourning and this year was still a dark and depressing year, the number of people secretly sending gifts to Jia Rong increased significantly compared to previous years.

Jia Rong didn't care about the gifts. What made him happiest was that his wives and concubines were willing to wear their imperial robes and go to bed to play. They had completely lost their awe of the imperial power and broke through the constraints of secular ethics.

(End of this chapter)