The Overlord of the Red Mansion

Chapter 21 The Elegant Young Man
The three of them arrived at the study.

Jia Rong took out the prepared drawings from the cabinet.

Jia Zheng was actually very satisfied with his son-in-law. Although he didn't pay much attention to his father-in-law and mother-in-law, he was very good to his daughter.

Not only does the daughter often go home to visit her parents, she also always gives some money to support them, and she also says that it is a filial gift from her son-in-law.

Especially this son-in-law is really capable and motivated.

Jia Zheng loved reading since he was young, but he was not interested in worldly affairs. He neither passed the imperial examinations nor had the talent to be a good official.

Now that he sees that his son-in-law is studious, has achieved fame, and is also interested in becoming an official, he is naturally very satisfied.

"This is the boiler room I designed. Compared with today's heating rooms, it can be warmer and last longer. There is no need for hand warmers after it starts burning."

When Jia Zheng heard this, he was immediately disappointed. He thought it was a good policy for governing the country or a poem or book praising the emperor, but he didn't expect it to be this kind of thing.

"You are a scholar, you shouldn't waste your time on this kind of craftsman's stuff. If you spread it out, you will be ridiculed."

Jia Zheng taught Jia Rong with a look of regret and sorrow, "If you have this time, you can read more books and talk to your teacher more often, which is better than doing this kind of thing!"

Jia Rong looked unhappy. "I understand the principle that Master Zheng said, but offering gifts to His Majesty is not considered as a waste of time."

"If you don't like it, I'll talk to Qin Ye, who is in charge of the craftsmen, later. If he comes over and thinks it's feasible, Master Zheng will help me put in a word at the government office."

Although Jia Zheng was a minor official in the Ministry of Revenue, he was a member of the Jia family after all. If he said anything about making suggestions like this, it would usually be seen by the emperor.

After all, it is not about reporting others, nor is it about interfering in state affairs. What's more, it provides a good place for ministers who go out at four or five in the morning every day, or work overtime in the middle of the night. They are definitely willing to give this kind of thing a try.

Jia Zheng saw that Jia Rong had a bad attitude and spoke directly to his elders in a "you you" way, and he felt angry.

However, the anger came and went quickly, and she really didn't want to fall out with her son-in-law.

"Well, I'll just say one thing for you, and you can handle the rest on your own!"

After saying this, Jia Zheng left, not wanting to stay here any longer.

Jia Lian hurriedly followed him out and did not get involved in the matter.

Jia Rong was too lazy to be angry with the two men, so he continued to work at home, preparing to build a boiler room himself.

The heating in ancient times was called heating, and the heating in modern times is also called heating, but there are definitely differences.

A more scientific approach can reduce more heat waste, and the upgrade of tools and materials can also make heating more comfortable.

Beijing is located in the north, and it is relatively cold most of the time, so there is a great demand for heating. However, most of the time, we still rely on large amounts of clothes and hot water to get through the cold winter.

There is also the mining and utilization of coal resources. Although it has been used since ancient times, it has not really been brought into play until today.

Whether it is for ironmaking or heating, charcoal is the main source of energy, which has resulted in fewer and fewer trees outside.

Jia Rong didn't plan to talk about coal right now. In this era, there were restrictions on feng shui, and people generally wouldn't agree to casually mine anything. Only when they realized that there was money in the land would they make a decision that went against their ancestral teachings.

The boiler room for heating is not of the modern kind, there are no hoses at present, and the ironwork is not so advanced, but it is only slightly improved upon the present technology.

Anyway, there will be no money to be made if the Construction and Repair Bureau doesn't start work. As long as it is a project that can be started, everyone from top to bottom will support it. Who the hell cares whether you study or not!
Qin Ye came over when it was almost dark. Although Qin Keqing had returned a long time ago, she did not come out to meet him.

Jia Rong discussed with Qin Ye for half an hour, then invited him to have a meal and sent him back in a sedan chair.

The next morning, Jia Rong went from Qin Keqing's room to Jia Yuanchun.

When Jia Yuanchun saw Jia Rong coming, she started talking about what happened yesterday.

"Father said you were not doing your job properly. I stayed there for a while yesterday and came back. I didn't hear anything. When I came back, I saw you were still discussing something, so I didn't bother you."

Jia Rong sat on a chair at one side and said disdainfully, "Your father is not a good official. I don't know whether it is good or bad. I am here for his achievements and for his better relationship with his colleagues. If he doesn't appreciate it, it's fine. I will avoid trouble in the future."

Jia Yuanchun was indeed embarrassed yesterday, and now she felt awkward listening to Jia Rong scolding her father again.

"Thank you for your hard work, Master. I will go over to talk to you after dinner and make everything clear."

Jia Rong said directly: "Don't go there every day. I didn't say anything before, but now that you are pregnant, why don't you stay at home and take care of yourself instead of going out and wandering around all day?"

"Now you should just stay at home and be a good daughter-in-law. It won't be too late to go out after the baby is born. Whose daughter goes back to her parents' home every day?"

After hearing what Jia Rong said, Jia Yuanchun realized that something was wrong.

"Master is right. I will move less in the future."

Jia Rong said, "I will take care of the household affairs first. You can make some clothes for the children, or read a book, appreciate the flowers and feed the fish, and talk to the maids."

"If you don't go over, can your mother and sisters come to see you? Don't let your brother come over. It's better for him to study hard."

Jia Yuanchun is now a married daughter and the eldest daughter-in-law of Ningguo Mansion.

She herself was a well-educated and well-mannered lady from a wealthy family who lived within strict ethical standards, so she naturally knew that what her husband said was right.

If I go back to my parents' home every day, I'll be laughed at if people get the news.

Soon, apart from Jia Rong and Youshi, Jia Yuanchun and Qin Keqing also stopped going to Rongguo Mansion, and the relationship between the two mansions became cold.

The old lady was in a bad mood, but there was nothing she could say.

According to etiquette, Jia Yuanchun should not come back often, even if they live on the same street, she should not come back to her parents' home every day.

Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Xing were also women, so they didn't dare to say anything rude on such topics, otherwise they would appear to be unruly.

Anyone with a discerning eye knew that Jia Rong was angry that Jia Zheng took his anger out on Jia Yuanchun, but they just endured it.

Jia Rong was in a good mood at this time and went out to do business.

The person I went to pick up in the countryside yesterday was not able to move around at night, so I came back this morning and arrived at noon.

Soon three sedan chairs stopped at the back door, and a woman in her thirties or forties came out with two girls in their sixteens or seventeens.

Youshi can also be considered a middle-aged woman, but she is much inferior to the other two.

The two girls next to them were exactly You Erjie and You Sanjie that Jia Rong was looking for.

You Erjie is pretty, gentle and docile, with big bright eyes and a gentle and lovely manner. Even at a young age, she has a pretty face that becomes more attractive the more you look at it.

Third Sister You was beautiful and charming, with a sweet smile on her face. Perhaps it was because she came in a big sedan chair, her face was full of charm.

Of the two sisters, You Erjie is famous for her beautiful appearance and bright eyes. She doesn't have many expressions, but her eyes are bright and have a static beauty.

Third Sister You is more notable for her charming figure, unlike her elder sister who is so docile.

When Old Lady You and the You sisters saw Mrs. You and a hundred people welcoming them at the door, their faces and eyes were filled with excitement.

When Youshi saw the expressions on her stepmother and two sisters' faces, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and felt a little proud.

The Seven-Year Itch! "Mom, sister, you've worked hard along the way. Come with me into the house and have a rest."

Seeing her stepdaughter's promising future, Old Lady You said hurriedly, "Good! Very good!"

Yu's attitude was not respectful. She just said a few polite words and led the three people in.

She was followed by four maids, all wearing the attire of the ladies who were going to the Jia Mansion. They were all specially taken out of the boxes, the ones that they usually didn't wear, and all kinds of gold and silver jewelry.

The maids and servants nearby who were asked by Jia Rong to perform a formal ceremony soon dispersed, with only about twenty people following.

Even so, Old Lady You and the two sisters were extremely envious.

Especially Old Lady You. This old woman is not a stable person. After her husband died, she decisively remarried and wanted to continue living a good life.

But a few years after she remarried, her second husband also died.

She had not had time to give birth to a son with Old Man You, and the two children she gave birth to were both daughters of her ex-husband, so her status and prospects in the You family were not optimistic.

She is already in her 40s and it is impossible for her to remarry to improve her quality of life.

The only hope lies in my daughter.

The eldest daughter had a husband who was arranged for her since birth, but he had long since fallen on hard times, so the marriage fell through.

The second daughter hasn’t been decided yet, and other people look down on their family now.

The mother and her two daughters did not have the surname You, because You was the eldest daughter of the second family. Not only did Old Lady You change her own surname to You, but her two daughters also became You Second Sister and You Third Sister.

Youshi brought a few people to her own yard. It was beautiful and luxurious, with stone tables and benches for resting, a gazebo, lounge chairs, and grape trellises. It was like a paradise.

"Grandma, the food is ready."

"Go down and wait at the door."

"Yes!"

The three of them watched the maids in the room line up to go out, and saw that they were dressed the same as the young lady, which made their own carefully dressed clothes look much shabby.

Especially the delicious food on the table, which whets people's appetite.

"My dear daughter, you are living a good life now!"

Old Lady You quickly developed a closer relationship with her stepdaughter.

As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together." Yushi's attitude towards her stepmother became much more casual.

"Sit down and talk."

Old Lady You smiled and sat down with her two daughters.

Yu said, "Eat something to fill your stomach first, and then talk slowly. Just treat it as your own home and eat as you like."

You picked up the chopsticks and ate a piece of tofu skin and meat bun.

You Erjie picked up a piece of yam cake with date paste.

Third Sister You ate a piece of steamed cheese cake with sugar.

Old Lady You ate a piece of boiled ham elbow.

After taking a bite, the three of them felt hungry, but they all looked at Youshi nervously.

Only when they saw that Youshi was still eating did they dare to take a second bite.

Youshi has had a miserable life these years. This is one of the few times she can have a good meal, except during the New Year and other festivals when she goes to the Jia Mansion for free meals.

Of course, at this time, Youshi was very grateful to Jia Rong.

Naturally, he also did not forget to help Jia Rong.

"I called my two sisters here this time because I want them to stay with me for a few more years. Are they willing?"

Before the two sisters agreed, Old Lady You said happily, "Yes! Definitely!"

Yu said, "I'm asking about them. If the two sisters stay, I'll be worried about you, mother, being alone in the countryside. You should also stay here."

"If the two sisters want to go back, I will also be relieved for you to go back, mom. After all, biological daughters are better at taking care of people. I can't let you two be separated."

Youshi no longer has any normal ethical concepts!

At this time, the weird stepmother and her family just felt very happy! Very happy!

You Erjie and You Sanjie could naturally feel You's attitude.

But after all, my mother came here for two or three years and killed the other person's father, and my mother, who tried so hard to give birth to a son, exhausted the other person's father to death. It's already very good that they can take the initiative to entertain and take him in.

"Yes!" You Erjie spoke first.

Third Sister You also followed her mother and sister and said, "If it's not too much trouble, of course we're willing to do it."

Yu smiled.

"It's not a problem, but my position in this mansion is awkward. After mom and you two came here, the master has a few more elders out of thin air. The master is kind-hearted and certainly doesn't mind, but it's not good not to come and ask about the elders who come to the house."

"How about this, mom is still my mom, and the two sisters can be called distant relatives. Maybe it would be a blessing for the master to like them. My master is about the same age as you two, so you can be closer if you are of the same generation."

Youshi was self-righteous, but she underestimated Jia Rong's shamelessness. If Jia Rong cared about these things, she, as a stepmother, would not be so miserable.

Third Sister You said awkwardly, "Is this appropriate?"

"Suitable!" Old Lady You wanted to stay and live a good life, so she agreed immediately.

You Erjie and You Sanjie also wanted to stay, so they agreed.

The four of them ate and drank together, their faces greasy with joy.

In the afternoon, Youshi led the three of them to meet Jia Yuanchun and Qin Keqing and had dinner together.

After returning, You Erjie and You Sanjie chatted by the flower pond in the mansion.

Third Sister You said, "The ladies here all seem to be good people, and they don't make things difficult for us or look down on us. I wonder what kind of person the master is?"

You Erjie smiled and said, "Looking at the two grandmas, the master is not bad. I heard that he passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. Moreover, at a young age, he is in charge of thousands of people in the mansion and is the patriarch of the eight branches of the Jia Mansion with thousands of people!"

Third Sister You was so excited that she said with a smile, "I don't know when he will come back. After all, he is still our nephew."

"Don't talk nonsense." You Erjie was amused, but still reminded, "Be polite when you meet. I think the eldest lady is a well-educated and well-mannered person, and Master Rong must be a handsome man with extraordinary appearance."

(End of this chapter)