The Overlord of the Red Mansion

Chapter 126 A Good Man

The old lady and others had been gone for a day, and everyone in the Ning Mansion had dinner in the mansion.

Just after dinner, the servants from the mansion brought tea.

Yinglian took the tea and put it on the table without handing it to Jia Rong.

Jia Rong was still eating. He was a frugal person and liked to finish his meal before stopping.

The meals we cook normally are enough to fill us up to 70% to 80% full, and if we are hungry we can naturally have midnight snacks to fill the void.

In addition to Jia Yuanchun, those who accompanied Jia Rong for dinner included Qin Keqing, Wang Xifeng, Lin Daiyu, and Shi Xiangyun.

Youshi sat at a table with Sanchun and others, and Miaoyu also sat down with Xing Xiuyun to eat.

"Miss Lin, have some tea."

The servant brought tea to Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu took it and was about to drink it, but Jia Rong said, "Sister Daiyu, drink it later. Just rinse your mouth and talk."

After hearing this, Lin Daiyu nodded and said, "Yes."

Jia Rong also put down his bowl and chopsticks and took the tea to rinse his mouth.

The servants quickly went downstairs with the mouthwash.

The servants also began to clear the table.

After the others left, Jia Rong said to Lin Daiyu, "Sister Daiyu, just treat this place as your own home. I remember when I was still with your father, I was used to drinking tea after a while after meals to nourish my body. How come you have learned the old ways again when you came here?"

Lin Daiyu was a little embarrassed and whispered, "I drank it because I was a little thirsty. It's my fault. I made Brother Rong worry."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "You don't have to tell me. I understand. Others are used to drinking tea after meals. If you don't follow them, you will seem a little aloof."

Jia Yuanchun said quickly, "It's my fault. Since the old lady came here, we all drink tea after dinner. The old lady believes in the health-preserving principles in the Tea Classics. Sister Daiyu has changed her habits like us."

Shi Xiangyun asked curiously, "Is it not okay to drink tea after dinner? I have always done this."

The people at Sanchun's table also looked over here. The only difference was the time for drinking tea. Sanchun always drank tea according to the rules.

When Jia Rong is in charge, go slow, then go slow.

When the old lady was around, she liked to drink tea directly after meals, and everyone naturally followed suit.

Xichun said directly: "Why do you care about such a small matter? If you want to drink, just drink. Why are you making a fuss over just a few sips of water?"

Jia Rong ignored Xichun and said to Lin Daiyu: "Xichun has said everything for you. I know that you care about people like her, so you dare not speak."

Lin Daiyu said hurriedly: "I dare not, Brother Rong has misunderstood."

Xichun frowned, not understanding what this was talking about. "What's wrong? It seems that I am wrong."

Xichun was a little angry. Tanchun and Yingchun, who were nearby, smiled. Miaoyu and Xing Xiuyun did not have a very good relationship with Xichun, so they did not say anything.

Jia Rong said, "I didn't misunderstand you. Sister Daiyu, don't worry too much about these things. I know you have been smart since you were young. Although you don't participate in various power relations, you understand them and can see all kinds of things."

"You and Miaoyu both dislike participating in this kind of thing, and you are both lonely and helpless, so you are a little sensitive to many things."

Miaoyu was sitting at the next table. After hearing this, she said to Jia Rong, "My Lord, I wonder how Miaoyu has offended you?"

Jia Rong said: "No offense, but the Zhen family has Zhen Baoyu, the Jia family has Jia Baoyu, Baoyu also knows Jiang Yuhan and other jade people, and we also have Lin Hongyu in our house."

Jia Rong first broke up the similarities between Jia Baoyu, Daiyu and Miaoyu by saying that it was a very common thing to have the character "yu" in one's name.

He then said, "Miaoyu and Daiyu have the same name, and both of you have parents and relatives who are away. When Miaoyu was invited to live in Ning Mansion, it was Yuanchun's mother who invited her, but there was also some face from the Duke's Mansion."

"I think Miaoyu must have felt it was difficult to refuse, so she came down. In order to prevent Miaoyu from thinking that our government was bullying her, we never disturbed Master Miaoyu's meditation."

After Miaoyu knew the reason, she said politely, "My Lord, you are too polite. I am sorry for offending you and being disrespectful to you."

Jia Rong smiled at Lin Daiyu and said, "Sister Daiyu, when you have time, go out with Miaoyu. It's okay to be aloof when you are in a powerful situation."

When Lin Daiyu heard this, she felt that Jia Rong was considerate and gentle, and could understand the grievances in her heart.

Jia Rong added: "Everyone has likes and dislikes. If something makes sense, just speak it out and give advice. Don't worry about being accused of being arrogant."

"I'm a doctor. I think it's good to drink water after a meal. If the old lady says something that makes sense, I'll listen to her. If it doesn't make sense, I won't listen to her. If Uncle Lin says something that makes sense, I'll listen to him too. I won't forget it just because he's gone."

"I am usually very busy and don't like to take care of such small matters. You are well-read and smart, and it is difficult for you to take care of those naughty boys. Please take care of Qiaojie for me, so that she won't be like Fengjie when she grows up, and won't know how to play girls' games."

Wang Xifeng stood up and said, "That's good!"

She was full of joy, holding a handkerchief and coming over to stand beside Lin Daiyu, saying with a smile: "Sister Lin, too, I usually bring Qiaojie here often, and you don't teach Qiaojie after knowing her for so long."

Lin Daiyu was a little embarrassed, so Jia Rong said for her: "Sister Feng, you don't understand. Scholars have their own rules. You can give reminders and advice, but you can't learn knowledge by asking others to beg you to do so."

"Scholars have their own pride. For someone like me, I would ignore anyone who came to me to become my disciple, even if they begged me to do so. How could I force them to study hard?"

"I don't care whether outsiders want to learn or not, whether they want to listen or not."

"Sister Daiyu is not a coward like me. Besides, you have no status and no position. You let Sister Daiyu teach your daughter, and other people's sons and daughters just watch?"

"I will make the decision today. Let Qiao'er go to Sister Daiyu to learn something when she has time. Sister Daiyu may accept Qiao'er as her pupil?"

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Yes."

Wang Xifeng said happily, "Then I will ask that girl to come over later. She has been playing crazy while I am busy all day. I must discipline her properly. I will not disturb Mr. Lin's rest today. After lunch this morning, I will bring that girl to pay her respects to me."

Lin Daiyu nodded and said, "Okay." As the husband of Wang Xifeng's daughter, Lin Daiyu naturally belonged to the camp of the You family.

Yushi and others have always welcomed Lin Daiyu and congratulated her this time.

There are highly educated people in several camps.

Jia Yuanchun of the western camp is quite capable and can control the situation. She can also go out and negotiate with the princesses and concubines of various royal palaces.

Yuanyang from the maid camp is at the level of the organizer. She is better at controlling the situation than Jia Yuanchun and Lin Daiyu, and is familiar with all kinds of social games between wealthy ladies.

It’s just that in the past, due to her status, she could only be the host. Now that she’s an aunt, she can sit down and naturally make great progress in this kind of social game.

On the contrary, the You family lacks such social experts.

Yu lacks quick wit. The human brain is often unable to make the most satisfactory decision in the first place.

The same goes for Jia Rong. Sometimes many ideas and solutions come out after the fact.

The three sisters of the You family all came from a small family. They had little education and poor social skills.

Not to mention Wang Xifeng, whose social skills are limited to the ways of the world, and she has no idea about poetry, allusions, game rules, etc.

If you are illiterate, you can learn slowly, but if you don’t understand the rules of the game, you are afraid of being embarrassed, and if you are absent frequently, you will be even less willing to learn.

Qin Keqing had been hanging out with them for a long time, and their daily gatherings were all about eating, drinking, talking about children, sex, and men!

The second and third sisters, who have become mothers, have always been actively trying to win over talented women like Lin Daiyu and Shi Xiangyun.

Wang Xifeng also didn't want Qiao'er to be like herself, knowing nothing after getting married.

Seeing that Lin Daiyu had become a teacher, Shi Xiangyun joined in the fun and said, "I want to join in, too!"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "My daughter is still young. I think you should teach the second and third sisters. You can get two or three taels of pocket money for each teaching. You can eat and drink for free and still get money. How great!"

Shi Xiangyun nodded quickly, "That's good!"

The second and third sisters came over from a nearby table and said with a smile, "Then I'll trouble Master Xiangyun."

Shi Xiangyun responded by saying, "Don't be polite! When the time comes, just bring us some good wine and good food!"

Jia Rong said, "I heard that you have spent all your pocket money and still owe a lot?"

Shi Xiangyun nodded hurriedly, "Yes! Now I have to do needlework to pay off my debts!"

Jia Yuanchun said: "She is used to spending lavishly, and she always spends money on dinners. Otherwise, her pocket money and the salary from teaching the children are enough for her. The old lady also advised her to be frugal."

Jia Rong knew that there were also expenses for gambling and playing cards.

However, the women in the garden usually have nothing to do, so if they don’t play cards, they will have fewer things to do. They also can’t always drink and harm their health.

"Starting this month, the monthly salary of girls and grandmothers will increase by 20%."

"In the next few summer months, we will give you some ice and carbon subsidies every month to help you cool down. It will be three-tenths of your monthly salary. The original ice and carbon subsidies will continue to be given."

Jia Rong looked at Shi Xiangyun and said, "I've increased your salary by half this month. Are you satisfied?"

Shi Xiangyun nodded hurriedly, "Satisfied! Thank you, big brother!"

Jia Rong smiled again and said, "I'll give you and Miss Lin another 500 taels as a travel allowance. Would you two be willing to go with me to Jiangnan in a few days?"

When Lin Daiyu heard that they were going to Jiangnan, she immediately realized that they were going home to visit the graves.

Lin Daiyu quickly stood up and half-knelt to greet Jia Rong, "Thank you, Brother Rong! Daiyu is very grateful!"

Shi Xiangyun also said: "Thank you, big brother! Maybe I can go visit my aunt and the others?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "I have already made some connections with your uncle. He will be exiled to Hainan next month. He will pass by Gusu when he goes there. We can just go there in advance."

After hearing this, Miaoyu stood up and said, "My family also lives in Suzhou, but my husband and mother passed away when I was three years old. Duke, can you help me visit the Panxiang Temple where I practiced as a monk when I was young?"

Jia Rong said, "Of course, I also lived in Suzhou for a period of time when I was young, and I also went to visit Miss Xing's home."

"It's just that it's inconvenient to bring too many female relatives with you when you go out. Miss Xing, please stay for now."

Xing Xiuyan has lived here for a long time, but has long been accustomed to the good life here.

"Yes, sir."

Xing Xiuyan's family had long since sold her to the Ningguo Mansion.

Xue Baochai felt uncomfortable being ignored and felt that she was not as good as maids like Qingwen and Xiaohong.

Soon, the Ning Mansion's Lone Courtyard Alliance was formed, with the Xue sisters and the Li sisters joining forces to keep each other warm.

The next day, Jia Rong sent Jia Yuanchun and Jia Tanchun away to suffer a little, and asked them to go home to visit their parents and stay there until he came back.

Sister Tanchun did nothing wrong. It was Jia Xichun who contradicted Jia Rong yesterday.

But one of the three children must suffer a little, otherwise they will not realize the good things about their family.

Jia Yuanchun and Jia Tanchun's maids also suffered and had to join in the summer cleaning.

At this time, Jia Rong was holding Yuanyang and Ping'er, and was busy having children.

By the way, he fed all the concubines and spanked them so hard that they couldn't get out of bed for three days!
(End of this chapter)