The Overlord of the Red Mansion

Chapter 91 Warning Fairy
The weather is hot in the sixth lunar month

Jia Rong returned home early and took off his stuffy official uniform as soon as he got home.

Qingwen took the official uniform and used it to remove sweat and odor.

These official uniforms cannot be washed too often, but they cannot be left unwashed either. A special maid has always been in charge of this.

If the color fades, or if it becomes dirty or torn, the special embroiderer will be responsible for it.

Among the maids, Qingwen has the best skills and does not have to do rough work. She only needs to serve Jia Rong every day and take charge of the tailoring work.

He doesn't even do tasks like fetching water or washing clothes.

Cleaning and maintaining official uniforms is not the same as doing laundry.

Jia Rong changed into his homemade over-the-knee shorts and a short-sleeved shirt. Over the years, not only did he have several sets of comfortable home clothes for himself, he also prepared pajamas, underwear and other clothes for Qin Keqing and others.

Jia Yuanchun also wore a bra and underwear.

Of course she refused to wear them at first, thinking they were obscene clothes.

After Jia Rong gave her high-end clothes of the queen's style, she was willing to give in and wear vulgar clothes.

Jia Yuanchun still can't figure out who would dare to risk losing his head and his entire family to imitate the Queen's dress, but she dared not say anything.

Just like the empress and the emperor who lost their clothes, they all ignored the matter.

The clothes had long been secretly burned by Jia Yuanchun. She didn't have the courage like Jia Rong to hide a nest of evidence that could kill the whole family.

Jia Rong has been a lot more lazy lately and doesn't want to go to work every summer.

Yinglian brought some cold tea, "Master, have some tea."

Jia Rong took the tea and rinsed his mouth, and Xiaohong quickly brought the spittoon.

Jia Rong said, "I need a maid to help me wipe my mouth."

Qingwen came out of the room, wiped Jia Rong's mouth with her sleeve, and said, "There are indeed fewer maids in the room."

Xiao Hong put the spittoon back to its original place and said with a smile: "The grandmas all thought that the master would come back in the evening. Usually, the master comes back early or late, and the grandmas can't predict this."

Jia Rong sighed, "There is indeed no fixed time. Fortunately, no child is born during the period of national mourning, otherwise there will be more things to do in the palace."

Xiao Hong complimented him, "Thank you for your hard work, Master!"

Jia Rong said quickly, "Tie my hair up tighter. It's really hot with long hair. It feels like a bird's nest when it's stuck to my back. I want to cut my hair and become a monk."

Qingwen said, "Let me do it."

Qingwen is more suitable for doing delicate and meticulous work. Xiaohong is smart and clever in words, while Qingwen is dexterous and pretty, but she is straightforward and has a bad temper, and she easily offends people.

Xiaohong stood aside and talked with her while Yinglian went downstairs to do something.

Soon Yinglian and a maid came over carrying a wooden box filled with ice cubes and watermelon, which was wrapped in a thick quilt.

Everyone took out the watermelon, cut it open, and took a few bites of the icy sweet food. Only after their mouths felt comfortable did they feel at ease.

The summer was hot, the days were long and the people were tired. The birds hid and the insects disappeared. The maids, young ladies and the old ladies were all fanning themselves non-stop. They had nothing to do and did not want to go out.

Qin Keqing and others hid in the yard, took off their clothes and took a nap, or slept on mats in simple clothes.

There were many people coming and going in Ping'er's yard, so she dared not lie on the bed without closing the door, and she always had to keep herself in good shape.

Fortunately, the house is high enough, warm in winter and cool in summer. There are maids in the room gently fanning, and there are ice cubes hidden for winter to keep cool.

The floor is also scrubbed frequently, and the room cools down very quickly.

The labor cost in this era was very low, so there were endless maids and old women to employ.

Jia Yuanchun, Baoqin, Qin Keqing, the You sisters, Yuanyang, and Ping'er, Jia Rong only has seven wives and concubines so far.

In addition to the seven wives and concubines, the gardens where Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang, Youshi, Sanchun, Shi Xiangyun and others lived were also provided with enough ice cubes and fruits.

A few people were eating watermelon when Wang Xifeng and Ping'er walked in.

Both of them had maids holding umbrellas to shade them from the sun, and when they came in they were also accompanied by maids carrying food boxes.

Wang Xifeng said, "I knew the master was back, so I came over to bring some snacks."

"Today, the governor of Yangzhou, Jiangnan, sent five mats. They are all high-quality bamboo mats woven by Jiangnan embroiderers. Some are large and some are small. The large one weighs more than 30 kilograms, and the small one weighs more than 10 kilograms. The bamboo pieces are all the same size, and each piece is tightly connected by two ribs on the top and bottom. It can be rolled up and folded, and it feels smooth and cool. Grandma asked to let Master take a look."

Jia Rong finished eating the melon flesh in his hand, put the rind on the table, and kept his hands on the table motionless.

Qingwen was busy combing Jia Rong's hair, so Xiaohong quickly took a handkerchief to wipe Jia Rong's mouth.

Jia Rong quickly said, "I used it when I was in Jiangnan. It is indeed a good thing."

"I'll keep one, one for Yuanchun, one for the old lady, and the rest for Sister Xiangyun and Keqing. Daiyu is weak and can't catch a cold. I remember someone sent silk cloth a few days ago. Go find some good material and send it over to make bed sheets."

Although we have mahjong mats at home, the workmanship is not as good as those made by professionals in Jiangnan, where there are also wealthy families who know how to enjoy life.

Wang Xifeng quickly wrote it down, "Okay, I'll remember it. I'll talk to Sister Daiyu about it later."

Jia Rong added, "Now that we have a large family and a large business, many people come to us to show their respect. We can do some things, but not others. Especially, we won't take on anything that could cost someone's life."

"I don't think you can handle it well, so just stay out of these things, lest you give others a handle."

Wang Xifeng was already accustomed to Jia Rong's tremendous power and felt that he was too modest.

"My master is enjoying the emperor's favor now. He is in contact with officials from the imperial court and provincial governors. It would be fine if he accused my family of treason."

Jia Rong said indifferently, "You are used to a good life. If you don't get punished for three days, you will tear the roof off the house. Tell your Wang family's senior official Wang Ziteng what I said just now. He will beat you to death!"

Wang Xifeng immediately realized she was afraid, and hurriedly knelt down and said, "Master, calm down. I was tongue-tied and said the wrong thing. I will slap myself!"

"Get up, I think you are the one who dares to say such nonsense because you treat us as your own family, so don't say it again in the future." Jia Rong said calmly: "Just take care of the affairs in the mansion, and don't interfere in the affairs outside!"

"Yes!" Wang Xifeng responded quickly and breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, Jia Rong didn't take it seriously and just let it go.

A day later, Grandmother Jia called Jia Rong over for dinner.

When Jia Rong went there, he found that Lin Daiyu and others were not there, only Jia Mu, Yuanyang and Mrs. Wang were there.

"You guys wait outside."

Jia Rong asked Qingwen and Yinglian to wait outside.

After sitting down, Jia Rong was thinking about something.

Grandmother Jia glanced at Mrs. Wang, and Mrs. Wang quickly went over to close the door and talk.

After the door was closed, Jia's mother whispered, "Yuanchun told me about what happened with Wang Xifeng yesterday. She knew she couldn't persuade you, so she only told me this. I don't care what you think, I just want to tell you what I think."

"Please speak, old lady." Jia Rong did not pursue who leaked the news.

It is most likely Xiaohong or Qingwen. Yinglian is the type of person who will never say anything unless Jia Yuanchun asks.

Of course, it could also be Ping'er or Wang Xifeng herself, or Wang Xifeng and Ping'er's maid.

So many people might know about it, so it’s not surprising that Lady Jia and Jia Yuanchun knew about it.

Grandmother Jia said, "That girl is a nuisance. You can send her away or get rid of her. You have no shortage of beautiful women around you. There are countless beautiful women in the world. Why do you have to keep her?"

It’s not that Lady Jia is cruel, it’s that Wang Xifeng is too good at stirring up trouble and no one can tolerate her.

Although Jia She was to blame for Jia Lian's incident, he had died long ago. Everyone believed that it was Wang Xifeng who caused the Jia family to fall apart.

Now, just a few days later, she has started to act up again and is trying to drag the whole family to die with her.

Jia Rong thought about it.

Although I think it's just a trivial matter, but since everyone thinks so, it would be good to teach that woman a lesson so that Wang Xifeng won't be unable to control her mouth.

"I'll send someone to send a letter to Wang Ziteng and ask him."

Grandmother Jia was relieved now. As long as the matter could be handled, it would be best to let the Wang family take Wang Xifeng away.

In this way, the matter between aunt Wang Xifeng and Jia Rong can be resolved, and there will be one less annoying woman around to cause trouble.

Jia Rong quickly sent someone to deliver a letter to Wang Ziteng, in which he wrote down Wang Xifeng's words truthfully.

However, when Wang Xifeng refers to our family, she is referring to Wang Xifeng’s own family, the Wang family.

Wang Xifeng is no longer a member of the Jia family and cannot represent the Jia family.

Soon, Wang Ziteng's son came in person to deliver the message.

Jia Rong went to work, and Jia Yuanchun called Wang Xifeng to receive her nephew.

Wang Xifeng's biggest backer is Wang Ziteng, the only high-ranking official in the Wang family. Her parents, on the other hand, are of no consequence.

Seeing her uncle's son coming to visit after a long time, Wang Xifeng, who didn't know what was going on, happily brought her children to recognize her. As soon as Wang Xifeng entered the room, Wang Ziteng's son looked at her with a frown.

Soon, Wang Ziteng's son said to the inner room curtain: "My father asked me to report to Minister Jia that Wang Xifeng is no longer a member of the Wang family. My father has had her removed from the list and will not ask whether she lives or dies in the future!"

Wang Xifeng stood there in a daze, not reacting to what was happening.

Jia Yuanchun did not reply. After a long while, she said, "I will tell the master."

"Yes! Goodbye!" Wang Ziteng's son quickly said goodbye and left without any stopping.

After Wang Xifeng entered the room, Jia Yuanchun came out and said, "Sister, please sit in the room first and make arrangements when the master comes back."

Wang Xifeng already understood what had gone wrong, and she felt deeply regretful and in tears.

Although it was just a momentary impulse of words, things are different now than before. The old lady, Mrs. Wang, Jia Zheng and others are all very timid and are not willing to gamble their lives with this crazy woman.

Even though he was the emperor's brother, someone wrote "I want to rebel" on the wall and he was so scared that he didn't dare to make friends with high-ranking officials for several years.

Now Wang Ziteng is a military officer and Jia Rong is in charge of the Ministry of War, both of which are important positions where lives may be lost. Who would dare to keep this woman who speaks wild words and causes harm?
Not long after, Jia Rong came back early from get off work.

"Shit! It's so hot!"

Jia Rong had obviously skipped work and came back. He often left early, but fortunately the emperor didn't care about that.

Jia Rong returned to the room and saw Wang Xifeng holding two children.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling so wronged? Did something happen to Jia Lian?"

Jia Rong asked curiously.

Jia Qiaoer said quickly: "Uncle Rong, Grandma and my uncle said they don't want us anymore..."

Both children were frightened and Wang Xifeng cried for a long time.

Jia Rong smiled and said, "If he doesn't want me, I will. I'll change my clothes and take you guys out for dinner!"

Seeing that Jia Rong was not afraid, Wang Xifeng quickly stood up and begged, "Master, please don't chase us away. We have nowhere to go..."

Jia Rong was still very brave. He approached Wang Xifeng and whispered, "Where can a woman like you go with your son and daughter? Just stay and serve me."

Wang Xifeng finally breathed a sigh of relief, and now she would do whatever Jia Rong said.

"it is good!"

Jia Rong added, "Yuanyang and Madam Wang are in charge of the old lady's place. You have nothing to do with her now, so you don't have to go there to serve her all day. Your sisters from the You family are usually easy to talk to. It's convenient for them to play cards, listen to music, have fun, and eat."

Ping'er's courtyard is full of maids' factions, and Wang Xifeng's presence there is too conspicuous, so both sides cannot let go.

Youshi was the first person to know about the relationship between the two, and they had a very good relationship with each other. The second and third sisters were also more willing to interact with Wang Xifeng rather than those women who were born as maids.

They are all daughters of officials, so it is easier to get along with them.

Soon Wang Xifeng moved to You's courtyard with her maids and children. Yinglian and her family moved in, and the maids' faction was also full.

That night, Ping'er, Yuanyang and others played cards together under the lamp.

As Xiaohong looked at the cards and sorted them out, she said, "It's good that Second Grandma has passed away. It's good enough for us to stay in this yard."

Yuanyang smiled and said, "She is a grandmother wherever she goes, and we are still maids."

Ping Er smiled and said, "Aunt Jin, Grandma~"

Jin Yuanyang smiled happily and said, "Grandma Ping'er~"

Xiao Hong said: "How wonderful! When she was around, we couldn't let go."

Yinglian looked at the cards, and the maid beside her helped her with advice.

Yuanyang asked curiously, "Qingwen is on night duty today? Didn't the master go to the second and third sisters' place?"

There are maids from there serving in Youshi's courtyard, so there is no need to bring the maids over there.

Jia Rong's maids could sleep well at night, unless something happened outside, otherwise they didn't have to be on duty at night.

Xiaohong said, "She is reading in the study room. She is researching medical prescriptions. It is too hot during the day to concentrate on reading. She reads at night when it is cooler."

Yuanyang said, "Then let Mother Feng take over for me later. I will go and bring some midnight snacks to the master."

Feng agreed and said, "Okay."

Ping'er and Xiaohong did not fight for it.

Yuanyang is the oldest, already in her twenties, and is the oldest sister among the group.

At this time, Jia Rong was reading a book and studying medical prescriptions in the room.

With so many royal relatives serving as experimental subjects, it was not a big deal if the emperor was killed by medical treatment in that era. The mortality rate of royal relatives has always been quite high anyway.

After all, he was not a robber before he traveled through time, but a practical doctor who became a dean of the hospital.

It is normal for a woman who has both wealth and power to look for things that are ideal and of interest to her.

Jia Rong's interest is his job.

Qingwen was making clothes for Jia Rong under the lamp.

I have been following Jia Rong for half a year, but it feels like several years have passed. The things I experienced with Lai Jia, Lady Jia, and Jia Baoyu were quickly pushed into my memory pile.

Although she is no longer Jia Rong's first maid, Qingwen is treated like an aunt here.

Things like sleeping with the patient in bed with just one word from Jia Rong.

Nowadays, three maids take turns to serve him when he needs to take a bath and change clothes.

Qingwen knew that this was a period of national and family mourning, so she just hoped it would be over quickly and not have to wait for several years.

While Qingwen was making the shorts that Jia Rong requested under the lamp, she often looked up at the senior official who was studying hard.

At this moment, Qingwen felt that she was not a maid, but his wife.

Yuanyang came over to bring in the midnight snack with light footsteps. When she lifted the gauze curtain to keep out mosquitoes, she saw the look in Qingwen's eyes as she looked at Jia Rong, and she couldn't help feeling a little lost.

His heart is high as the sky, but his body is of lowly status.

Yuanyang didn't know why Qingwen, a servant of a servant, was always so self-righteous and always wanted to learn like those young ladies.

You, a helpless little maid, are dreaming of a great life, even though you are not worthy of Wang Xifeng and Jia Yuanchun, the daughters of famous families.

The young lady is not a young lady, the maid is not a maid, and she doesn't know the rules in front of the master all day long. Don't you realize the attitudes of the other ladies?
Yuanyang reminded her several times in subtle ways, but Qingwen didn't take it seriously at all and wouldn't listen to the advice. Instead, she took other people's advice as envy.

Jia Rong looked at Yuanyang standing at the door, "What are you preparing?"

Yuanyang quickly came over with warm soup, "The side dishes prepared by the kitchen, and a small plate of cooked beef. I'm worried that the master will be hungry in the middle of the night, and I'm afraid that he will eat too much and have trouble falling asleep."

Jia Rong had only taken two bites when he saw Jia Yuanchun come in with her maid.

Seeing Yuanyang and the food on the table, Jia Yuanchun smiled and said, "I heard from the maids that the master couldn't sleep tonight and was reading, so I thought of asking the kitchen to make some food and send it over. When it was ready, my sister hadn't come yet, so I made too much."

Yuanyang said quickly, "I only made two or three dishes, all of which are ordinary side dishes made by Sister Liu. Madam's dishes are better. I will take these away first."

Jia Rong frowned. Am I being stared at so harshly now?

Jia Yuanchun said hurriedly, "No, no, since I put it down, there is no reason to take it back. Our family has always been frugal and dare not waste. Before I came, I asked the cook to make sure that the master didn't turn on the stove before I ordered people to cook, but I forgot that you have a kitchen in your yard."

Jia Rong felt annoyed, "Stop talking, just let it go. Don't come to bother me at night. If you have anything to say, talk during the day."

"Go back to sleep, let's go." Jia Rong walked out of the house. The humid and hot temperature outside hit him in the face, and he felt uncomfortable all over.

"It's still so hot. I don't want to go to work anymore. Qingwen and I are going to take a shower."

Qingwen replied, "Yes."

Jia Rong quickly took Qingwen to take a bath. Jia Yuanchun sighed helplessly and quickly said to Yuanyang, "If the master studies hard at night in the future, sister, please send someone to tell me in advance."

"Yes, grandma." Yuanyang responded politely.

Although she was the elder sister of several maids, she was also a maid in the Jia family. If they offended the madam, the lives of these concubines would be difficult.

Jia Yuanchun felt even more helpless and powerless, because her master had never taken the Rong Mansion in the west seriously since she was not yet married.

Now that the couple had begun to have conflicts, Jia Yuanchun really didn't dare to make trouble like Wang Xifeng, which resulted in the destruction of the family and the end of being divorced.

Wang Xifeng still has a place to go, but I really have no way out.

My family members from my mother’s family are still there, but there is no home to speak of any longer. I can’t count on anyone else but my husband and children.

Wang Xifeng has become an example in Jia Yuanchun's mind, a very bad warning.

(End of this chapter)