The Overlord of the Red Mansion

Chapter 83: Family harmony and everything is prosperous

After the first month of the year, the New Year is completely over.

Jia Rong brought Jia Yuanchun, Yuanyang and others to the Jia Mansion.

Lin Zhixiao quickly opened the door to greet him.

"Master!"

Jia Rong asked, "Is everything alright at home?"

Lin Zhixiao's family has already taken refuge with Jia Rong, so they don't have to worry about having no future if they stay, but the situation for the rest of them is very bad.

"Some left, some ran away. A lot of things happened in the past month. Grandma Zhu's private money was stolen, but no one dared to report it to the police, so they just let it go."

"The eldest wife was sent back to her parents' home. Madam, Master Zheng, and Master Bao and Master Lian all lived in the old lady's yard. Grandma Zhu and Brother Lang also went there. Now the masters are all living with the old lady."

Mrs. Xing had no children, no one to rely on, and was unpopular, so naturally she was sent away.

Now, six rooms are enough to accommodate Jia Zheng and his wife, Jia Baoyu and his maid, Aunt Zhao and Jia Huan, Li Wan and Jia Lan, the old lady and his maid, Jia Lian and his concubine, maid and son.

The rest of the maids and servants were all looking for money and a way out, and the kitchen was turned upside down.

It's like raising hundreds of out-of-control dogs, and a few people can only live in one yard to protect themselves.

Fortunately, with the deterrent power of the Ning Mansion, everyone was afraid of Jia Rong and did not cause such chaos.

Jia Rong walked towards the old lady's room, and Jia Yuanchun looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar courtyard corridor.

Jia Yuanchun sighed and said, "This place used to be very clean, but now it's run-down."

Jia Rong said: "Our family must also pay attention to these things in the future. You must keep them in mind and discipline your descendants well in the future."

Jia Yuanchun nodded and said, "Yes."

Jia Rong soon arrived at the old lady's courtyard gate, and Lin Zhixiao's wife quickly knocked on the door.

"Xiao Hong! Open the door!"

Soon the door opened. Lin Hongyu opened the door and saw her parents. She said happily, "Mom, you're here."

"The master is here too!" Lin Zhixiao's wife reminded quickly.

Lin Hongyu quickly spotted Jia Rong approaching, and hurried out, bowing happily, "Master! Grandma!"

Jia Rong said to Jia Yuanchun, "This is Xiaohong, Lin Hongyu. You will start working by my side from today, starting as a messenger maid."

Jia Yuanchun looked at Lin Hongyu and said, "Well, I've been here so many times, but this is the first time I see you."

Lin Hongyu smiled and said, "The Rong Mansion used to be grand, with flowers blooming one after another. There were hundreds of servants like me. It's normal that grandma doesn't know me."

Jia Yuanchun nodded, "Okay, I understand."

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Go in and tell Xiaohong to invite the old lady. I have someone prepare a sedan chair and will take her to live with me later."

At this time, Jia Zheng, Jia Lian, Jia Baoyu and others came out.

After Jia Rong entered the courtyard, Jia Lian quickly came over to ask, "How is the situation? Has it been dealt with?"

Jia Rong said, "I'll take back the title and property, and only keep part of the ancestral property. I'll take the old lady and Master Zheng's family to live with me. Master She has committed many crimes, so you have to find a way out. The Lai family's house has not been sealed, so you can live there first."

Jia Lian looked around and pulled Jia Rong into the house.

"My concubine might be pregnant. What do you think, should I abort her or what?"

Jia Rong looked towards Master Zheng outside the door and found that Jia Zheng had turned his head and looked away.

"Who knows?" Jia Rong asked in a low voice.

Jia Lian whispered, "Master Zheng and the old lady know about it. They have beaten me and scolded me. I want to listen to you."

Jia Rong walked past Jia Zheng and said, "Jia Lian must be busy here. I have a lot of businesses in Jinling. Let him take his family back to help take care of them."

Jia Zheng looked at Jia Rong, then at Jia Lian, and asked carefully, "Is this all right?"

Jia Rong said, "It's okay. Let him go to the countryside to live in peace for a few years and manage the ancestral land. There are fewer rules there."

Seeing Jia Rong say this, Jia Zheng said nothing.

Jia Lian's family could no longer stay in the capital, so Jia Rong said, "Let Ying'er stay. Tell others that she is my son."

Jia Zheng quickly asked, "Will this cause you trouble?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "I have weaknesses all over my body, but I don't have any weaknesses. If I am really convicted, it will definitely not be such a small matter."

Jia Zheng said in panic: "Don't say such depressing words!"

Jia Rong was still careless, "Why is Master Zheng acting like his wife?"

Jia Zheng had no choice but to accept the fact that he could not be persuaded, as he was frightened.

Everyone soon saw the old lady. Jia Yuanchun was already serving her, and was sitting with Grandmother Jia holding her hand.

Grandmother Jia looked at Jia Rong who was coming over and he looked obviously much more haggard.

"I know everything. I am an old man, why would I bother you at your house?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Madam, you don't have to say that. It is said that an old man in the family is like a treasure. Besides, the two families are actually one family. I don't believe that if something happened to my Ning Mansion and my property was confiscated, the old lady would watch me die without helping. I think based on the old lady's personality, if my property was confiscated back then, the old lady might have left me some of her inheritance!"

Seeing Jia Rong's fearless character, the old lady smiled bitterly and said, "Ah, I feel much better after hearing what you have to say. It's fine if this thing is gone, but at least the person is still alive."

Jia Rong said, "Madam, please get on the sedan chair. There is a carriage outside. Yuanchun and the mistress and sister-in-law will take Jia Lan and Jia Ying over first. Master Zheng and I will clean up here."

Grandmother Jia quickly took the women over, while Jia Rong stayed behind to discuss the next steps with Jia Baoyu and others.

After Lady Jia and her entourage entered Ning Mansion, Yuanyang and others quickly came out to greet them.

You took the initiative to support the old lady's hand, "Old lady! The room has been cleaned up. It's just behind the main hall, only a dozen steps away from where I am."

The old lady looked at Yuanyang, then at Youshi, at Tanchun, Xichun, Yingchun and Yuanchun beside them, at Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, Wang Xifeng, Ping'er, Xue Baoqin and others, and couldn't help but shed tears.

"It's good that everyone is here. I feel relieved to see that you are all okay."

Everyone hurried to comfort her and followed the old lady to the house to rest.

The courtyard arranged for Lady Jia naturally had to be grand. Basically, the furniture and flowers and plants for a large courtyard were put together according to the style of Lady Jia's family. Even the cats, dogs and birds were brought from various houses.

Although it was pieced together, it was basically better than Lady Jia's original courtyard.

Jia Yuanchun said, "Prince Zhongshun's wife came over and talked with me for more than an hour before the New Year. Later, I thought that if distinguished guests came over in the future, we would definitely need a special place to entertain them, so I asked someone to prepare a yard for use. I didn't expect that it would be used now."

Jia Xichun said, "Miss Shi just came the other day. I just sent someone to pass a message, inviting her to stay for a few days. Her uncle and aunt gave her gifts and asked her to come over more often."

Yuanyang said, "All the things the old lady used will be moved here in the future. The master asked me to continue to serve the old lady."

Grandmother Jia saw that Yuanyang was no longer dressed as a maid, but was wearing nice clothes.

"You are already an aunt, how can you come and serve me, an old lady?"

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Why don't you just treat her as your granddaughter-in-law? There are so many sisters here. If you go and serve two of them a day, you can wait until the end of the month."

The old lady looked at Wang Xifeng, who had been divorced and was no longer considered her grandson's wife, and said with a smile, "You are the one who talks too much. When I heard Brother Feng's voice, I felt like home."

Everyone quickly helped the old lady to tidy up her hair and clothes, and also served her meals.

The main reason for the decline of the Jia family is still men's affairs, and has little to do with these women.

While eating, the old lady asked Jia Yuanchun who was sitting down to eat.

"How did your mother and brother arrange it?"

Jia Yuanchun said: "It's all arranged. Dad, mother and aunt will live in the west courtyard first, and Baoyu and Jia Huan will live in the front courtyard. They will learn some skills to make a living in the future."

"There are still a few empty houses in the streets and alleys. Mr. Lian can live there first."

"Sister-in-law, please stay in Huifang Garden for now. The master will reopen the family private school in a few days. You should study hard and seek a good future."

Li Wan's private money was stolen by her maids and servants. Now she is alone and helpless. The orphan and widow rely on Ning Mansion as a big backer, so naturally they say whatever they want. Wang Xifeng holds her son in her arms while eating, feeding her son whom she hasn't seen for almost a month.

"Ying'er, we will live here from now on. This is our home, okay?"

Jia Ying was unfamiliar with this place, but there was food and drink here, and his sister was there, so he said, "Okay," while eating meat.

Qiao'er didn't realize the problem and was still playing with her nephews and nieces.

Ping'er was eating at the same table with her and she rolled her eyes at the mother and son. The relationship was something that happened three or four years ago.

You Erjie and You Sanjie were sitting on one side holding their children. They had so much fun playing with Jia Rong that it was natural that they would have children.

Not only is there something in my arms, there’s also something in my belly!

Usually the maids help to look after the children, and she will only take care of them herself when she has time. After all, accompanying the master in entertainment is also an important responsibility of a concubine.

You Sanjie quickly took the baby to change the diaper, leaving only You Erjie, Wang Xifeng and Ping'er sitting at the table.

You Erjie was not familiar with these two people, but she saw them all the time and asked politely, "Sister, would you like to live here?"

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Okay, the master is kind and caring, so how can I not be kind?"

You Erjie said politely, "That's good."

You Erjie just went along with Jia Rong's wishes in front of him. In fact, she considered herself a lady from a noble family and the woman of a man who won the third place in the imperial examination. After having a son, she behaved very dignifiedly and learned from Jia Yuanchun in every way.

Behind closed doors, she could accompany her third sister and Qin Keqing to serve her husband, but this was mainly for the sake of pleasing her husband for herself and her son, and she herself did not want to do that kind of thing.

You Erjie felt that she and her sister belonged to the You family's side, and could not play together with the young ladies, nor with the maids who had risen to higher positions, so she sat at Wang Xifeng's table.

When there are many people, there will be factions.

The Jia family was soon divided into several circles.

The You sisters and Qin Keqing were concubines from outside and had nothing to do with the Rongguo Mansion. They were outsiders.

Although Youshi is the leader of this camp, it is not absolute, and she also has connections with other factions.

Baoqin, Yuanyang, Ping'er and Qingwen belong to the Jia family faction that originated from Rongguo Mansion. Their representative figure is Jia Yuanchun, but Jia Yuanchun is not absolute in such matters.

The three sisters Lin Daiyu and Shi Xiangyun belong to the young faction. Although these girls are not as powerful as the outsiders and the Jia family faction, they can still make some noise!
All three factions have personnel to be developed.

The outsiders can develop and absorb concubines from good families outside.

The Jia family can develop servants like Qingwen and Xiaohong.

You can also develop relatives of the Jia family such as Xue Baochai and Shi Xiangyun.

The younger faction has vital forces like Qiao'er, each of whom is Jia Rong's weakness.

The younger generation does not necessarily need to sleep with Jia Rong, they just need to gain power from him.

The young faction headed by Jia Xichun can gain a foothold in the garden, have their own little world and financial and salary support, and do not have to serve Jia Rong like the other two factions.

In March, Jia Rong had just returned from outside and was drinking tea with Jia Yuanchun in the room when he was found by Jia Xichun and Jia Tanchun.

Jia Tanchun walked over happily and said, "Brother-in-law, we want to buy a kite, but we are short of two taels of silver."

Jia Rong said angrily, "There's a hole in my pants, can you mend it for me?"

Jia Tanchun said cheerfully, "No problem!"

Jia Yuanchun scolded them, "Don't be silly! Do you think two taels of silver is too little? I give you a lot of silver every month, more than you got in the west. The master is accommodating you, but you are so unruly!"

Although it was Jia Tanchun who was being scolded, it was obvious that Jia Xichun who was standing next to her was also being scolded, so she stuck out her tongue, lowered her head, and dared not speak.

Jia Yuanchun continued to scold Jia Tanchun: "You are twelve years old! She is eleven years old! The family atmosphere is not very good to begin with, and you don't learn to be more ladylike. If you are still like this when you are older in a few years, how can the master arrange marriage for you?"

Jia Xichun is considered a younger sister, so Jia Yuanchun cannot scold her, but it is okay to make indirect accusations. It is not against the law for Jia Yuanchun to scold her own sister.

Jia Rong drank his tea and said softly, "Don't worry about them. Although Yingchun is fifteen years old, she is stubborn and will be bullied to death if she goes out. Besides, her father has committed a crime. Just stay here and don't worry about anything else."

Jia Xichun quickly said, "Okay!"

With the support of her master Jia Rong, Jia Tanchun is no longer afraid of her sister.

In this family, Jia Rong is still the one who makes the decisions, and Jia Yuanchun cannot make decisions about Tanchun and Xichun's marriage.

Jia Yuanchun said helplessly: "You only know how to pamper them. Have you seen how they have improved since they were in the West Mansion? I think they have become even more naughty and willful!"

Jia Xichun defended herself by saying, "I am from the East Palace."

Jia Yuanchun couldn't argue with her and just pretended not to hear.

Jia Rong said, "Don't take money from Yuanchun anymore. I'll give the money to Tanchun to manage. It's still the same amount as before. But if you spend it recklessly after you become the manager, you'll have to work to pay off your debts if you borrow money from me again."

Jia Tanchun said hurriedly, "It would be great if my sister could take care of it. I don't want any money."

It is obvious that he felt that he had exceeded his duties and was afraid of offending his eldest sister, Jia Yuanchun.

Jia Rong smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. Here, each courtyard manages its own money. You are not young anymore, so it's okay to learn a little. It's worth spending some money to let you know how to manage the household. If you don't know how to manage it, you can ask Baochai, Ping'er, Yuanyang, Fengge, Li Wan, and your sister. Look at how many women in this family know how to manage money. How can you not learn it sooner?"

Jia Tanchun nodded happily, "Thank you, brother-in-law!"

At this time, Wang Xifeng's voice came from outside, "Whose brother-in-law calls so sweetly?"

Soon Wang Xifeng came in and said with a smile, "It's the third young lady."

Jia Yuanchun is the eldest, Yingchun is the second at fifteen years old, and Tanchun is the third.

"Sister Feng!" Xichun and Tanchun greeted her happily.

Wang Xifeng is no longer Jia Lian's second wife. Now that Jia Lian has returned to his hometown in Jinling to avoid trouble, it is Wang Xifeng's own business whoever she marries after being divorced.

Instead of going back to her mother's home, the Wang family, she has been helping Jia Rong with things with her children. After a while, everyone naturally guessed something.

Others were just guessing, but the old lady figured it out the first moment she entered the mansion.

But she wouldn't say it.

Family scandals should not be made public.

The Jia family can no longer withstand the turmoil. If it continues, Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng will both die, Jia Rong will also lose his official position, and everyone in the Jia family will be completely left without support.

Not to mention having an affair with Wang Xifeng, even if Jia Rong were to touch Li Wan's butt in front of the old lady, the old lady would pretend not to see.

Jia Yuanchun was naturally aware of this matter. Before, she pretended to be ignorant just like the old lady, but today she could no longer pretend.

"You two go back!" Jia Yuanchun sternly dismissed the two girls.

After Tanchun and Xichun ran away with their skirts lifted up, Jia Yuanchun said to the maid, "Go and guard the gate outside the courtyard."

"Yes..." The maid also went out carefully.

Wang Xifeng asked in embarrassment, "What's going on?"

Jia Rong was very casual and not afraid at all.

Jia Yuanchun looked at Jia Rong, then at Wang Xifeng, and could only get angry at Wang Xifeng.

"I know what happened between you two. Now that things have come to this, I won't say anything else. The only bottom line is that you can't give me a name!"

"I know I can't stop you, but you must not take a concubine. Otherwise, if you marry my aunt, how can I face people? I'll just hang myself with a rope!"

Wang Xifeng was speechless. She looked at Jia Rong and then at Jia Yuanchun, "Don't worry, sister. I'm not that kind of fool. If Ying'er's father is not well, we, an orphan and a widow, will not be well either."

Jia Yuanchun was almost laughing out of anger. She thought it was something that happened recently, but she didn’t expect it to be... How shameless!
"A harmonious family brings prosperity." Jia Rong smiled and said, "Look, Sister Li has lived alone for more than ten years. It's nothing. Sister Feng can just stay here with peace of mind. We are all family members in this mansion."

Jia Rong has never been a passionate man and is very shameless.

Jia Yuanchun couldn't take care of so many things, so she simply ignored them and pretended not to see them. She followed her mother, Mrs. Wang, and focused on educating her children. The housekeeping work in the house was handed over to Yuanyang, Ping'er and others who had no children.

(End of this chapter)