The Overlord of the Red Mansion

Chapter 26 Reputation
The next day, Jia Yuanchun took her child and Qin Keqing and went to Rongguo Mansion with her zither.

Qin Keqing was beautiful, even more beautiful than Jia Yuanchun, and could be called the most beautiful woman in the two mansions.

But even so, Jia Yuanchun and Qin Keqing had a good relationship.

Jia Yuanchun was not only the good daughter-in-law that Ningguo Mansion had been waiting for for three and three years, but she was also the eldest sister of Rongguo Mansion, and she gave birth to a son to establish her status.

Besides, Baoqin is on her side, and Jia Rong is often busy learning martial arts and dealing with all matters of the clan.

Everyone thought that Jia Rong was not a lustful person, so naturally they were not on guard against Qin Keqing.

Some men, even if they marry more than a dozen women, are not considered lustful by others.

Some people are lustful even if they don't have a wife.

Jia Yuanchun told her mother and many other female relatives what Jia Rong had said.

Only then did Grandmother Jia know that Jia Rong liked Yuanyang.

The mandarin duck also blushed, looking embarrassed but happy.

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "If he had asked, how could I not be willing to give it up? Why bother with so much trouble?"

Mrs. Wang smiled and said, "I don't think he is in a hurry. He will take the exam next year, so he doesn't have time to care about such things. Besides, it's not easy for Yuanyang to get in, so he has to take good care of the old lady first."

As a mother-in-law, Mrs. Wang felt that everything her son-in-law said and did was correct.

Mrs. Xing also smiled and said, "Madam, don't let him go yet. Wait until he gets the results of the exam next year."

"If you don't win, just take it as consolation. If you win, then it's double happiness!"

The old lady was indeed a little reluctant to part with the maid, and after hearing this, she said happily: "Okay, since Master Rong is not in a hurry, let's talk about it next year. Let Master Rong study hard first."

After all, Jia Yuanchun can still give birth to more children, and the old lady also knows who her own family is, so she plans to wait until Jia Yuanchun gives birth to her third child before making any decision.

Lin Daiyu listened without saying anything, but she sensed something from Jia Yuanchun and Qin Keqing.

The man looked busy, like a prim young man.

The old lady looked at Jia Yuanchun again and said, "The housekeeper's job was given by the master. Your master Rong is right. Compared with the housekeeper's job, it is more important to teach your son well first."

These words directly hurt several women nearby.

Mrs. Wang’s eldest son, Jia Zhu, died, and her youngest son, Jia Baoyu, was useless and spoiled.

Mrs. Xing has no son, which is the most embarrassing thing for her.

Wang Xifeng became more and more anxious. Compared with the housekeeping affairs, she also agreed that having a son was more important.

Li Wan also stood there carefully, thinking about educating her son.

Although she was born into a scholarly family, she read more about women's virtues rather than various useful books.

A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent. Large feudal families were more concerned about their daughters' needlework and reputation. Most of them were not willing to let their daughters read too many books or show up in public all day, which would ruin their reputation.

When I read too many books, I tend to quarrel.

Li Wan must send her son to study in the Jia family's school, and must also find a good teacher for him.

Seeing that the topic was becoming a bit serious, Jia Yuanchun took the initiative to invite Lin Daiyu.

"Miss Lin, why don't you come back and sit with us later?"

Lin Daiyu was cautious and said hurriedly, "Sister, I shouldn't refuse your kindness. I just made an appointment with my grandmother, uncle, aunt and others to go to the opera tomorrow. We will go together then."

Jia Yuanchun smiled and said, "I didn't think it through. The master said he knows some medical skills and will be back early tomorrow evening. If he comes back late, you can wait for him."

Lin Daiyu hastened to thank him and understood what Lady Jia meant by "cold on the outside but kind on the inside".

The next day, everyone went to listen to an opera together, but Jia Baoyu did not go because he had a bad relationship with Jia Rong.

Jia Rong was very rude to his brother-in-law and always scolded him for reading more. Jia Baoyu didn't like to come here to get scolded.

Another thing is that there has been very little contact between the two mansions in recent years. Jia Rong doesn't like others to come here, so he rarely goes out.

Wang Xifeng and the people in the Jia family had spent several thousand taels to donate a Tongzhi position to Jia Lian, but it was just money to buy an empty title. Otherwise, it would be difficult to toast without status.

Jia Lian usually does not act with the female members of the family. He mainly helps with household affairs at home. Jia Baoyu is mainly young and has many maids looking after him.

On the other hand, Jia Rong was not deliberately ignoring Lin Daiyu, but he was actually very busy recently.

Busy making a repeating pistol.

Since marrying Jia Yuanchun, Jia Rong has always felt that he will be criticized in the future. Of course, those who criticize him will not stop opposing him just because Jia Yuanchun did not happen.

It is necessary to control power. In the early years, because of Wang Xifeng's affairs, the Wang family was offended. Now, the four major families basically have dealings with Rongguo Mansion and have little dealings with Ningguo Mansion.

When they got married, it was a low-key wedding and no princes, nobles, or royal relatives were invited.

Of course, he couldn't endure this kind of life forever. Jia Rong had grown up for eight years and was capable of doing something to divert attention when necessary.

Apart from doing some things at critical moments when making weapons, he also made friends with some scholars from poor families, but had less contact with the nobles.

Although he is the patriarch of the Jia family, he has no elders to protect him. In the aristocratic circle, he is actually far inferior to the Rongguo Mansion where the old lady lives.

The Jia family's external interpersonal relationships, intermarriages with the four major families, decisions on future paths, and interactions with dukes and princes were all under the protection of Grandmother Jia.

Just because the Jia family’s descendants are not promising doesn’t mean that Grandmother Jia is incompetent. Most of the influence of the Jia family lies with this old lady.

The old lady lived a long life and knew many people. Others only interacted with her for her sake, not because of a young patriarch who was less than 20 years old.

Jia Rong plans to visit Lin Ruhai in a while to check his illness.

If Lin Ruhai can hold on for a few more years, it will be a good thing for the entire Jia family.

To do this, you need to carry self-defense weapons and take care of business at home and on the street.

Jia Rong went to the street and found the person he was looking for in a casino.

The person he found in the casino was not a scoundrel or a cruel and ruthless villain, but a handsome young man who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.

"big big big!"

"It's open! Little one!"

"Alas!" The young man couldn't help but sigh when he saw the dice coming out, and watched helplessly as his money was taken away.

At this time, Jia Rong reached out and patted the young man on the shoulder.

"Xianglian, have you spent all your money? Whether you have or not, come with me. I have something to tell you."

Liu Xianglian turned around and saw Jia Rong, and said quickly: "Okay, there is still a little left. If Brother Jia had come a little later, I'm afraid it would have been gone."

Jia Rong did not joke with him. He took him aside and said, "I am going to Yangzhou in a few days. Go and tell your aunt, and then come with me."

Liu Xianglian nodded and said, "That's great. I was thinking of going out for a walk as well. I wonder what Brother Jia is doing in Yangzhou?"

Jia Rong explained: "Of course, I am here to study, visit some friends and check out the business over there."

Liu Xianglian thought it was no problem. "Okay, I'll go back and tell my aunt and wait for you at your door the day after tomorrow morning."

He is not Jia Rong's younger brother, but one of Jia Rong's friends.

It turned out that he was a young man from the Liu family, Duke of Liguo. His parents died early and he was not good at studying. He was of a generous character and was fond of playing with guns and swords, gambling and drinking, and even sleeping with prostitutes, playing the flute and the zither. He did everything.

He is handsome and an amateur opera singer. He loves to perform in various operas and is good at playing the role of a young man in romantic operas. He also has a good relationship with Jia Baoyu.

Jia Baoyu envied this kind of playboy very much.

Jia Rong, however, is notoriously conservative. He never goes to brothels, does not keep a male prostitute, and certainly does not flirt with good-looking men.

Jia Rong quickly took out a bag of silver and said, "Don't gamble anymore. Go home and prepare some things. Your aunt knows me well. Talk to her and she will be relieved."

"Okay! Thank you, Brother Jia!" Liu Xianglian happily accepted the money.

Jia Rong walked away quickly.

Liu Xianglian paused for half a minute, hesitated for a while and finally walked out. When he went out, he saw Jia Rong standing at the door and his face quickly turned red.

"Brother Jia!"

Jia Rong asked, "Have you spent the money?"

"No."

Jia Rong was relieved. "I just got a house in the city, but the reputation there is not so good. The original owner sold it at a low price and I bought it. I will take you there to have a look after I come back this time. You need a place to stay in the capital in the future. You can't always live in your relatives' house. You can return it to me when you earn enough money in the future."

"Thank you, Brother Jia!" Liu Xianglian hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Jia Rong returned home soon. Over the past eight years, Ningguo Mansion had undergone great changes under his management and was no longer as dirty and messy as in the original novel.

(End of this chapter)