The Overlord of the Red Mansion

Chapter 97 As you wish

"Brother Rong."

Without waiting for Jia Rong to go find Xue Baochai, Xue Baochai took the initiative to find Jia Rong.

Jia Rong is researching gunpowder, and since his family is a family of alchemists, it makes sense for him to do this.

Seeing someone coming to disturb him, Jia Rong packed up his things and left.

The weather was neither cold nor hot at this time, so Xue Baochai was still wearing summer clothes.

Because of her plump figure, long dresses make her look more fleshy when she wears them. It is also the time when she is the most young and beautiful, with eyebrows as green as green and eyes as white as apricots.

When Jia Rong walked out of the house, he paid more attention to the environment and climate, and didn't care about the delicate beauty.

"After I came out, I found the room a bit stuffy. It was still cool and refreshing outside. The best time of the year always passes by before we realize it."

Xue Baochai smiled softly while holding a fan. That smile was kind and lovely. She also joked, "Brother Rong has been bored in the room for too long. He should go out more often. These days, when the sisters and sisters went to the garden to enjoy the autumn, Brother Rong was always missing. Even if Brother Rong is busy in the room, he should open the window from time to time to get some fresh air."

Jia Rong naturally understood the principle of opening the windows to allow air to circulate. Even if he didn't know it, Yuanyang, Ping'er and others would do it.

Since the window is not open, there must be a reason for it.

Jia Rong didn't care about Xue Baochai's closeness.

Whether it is Xue Baochai or Lin Daiyu, Jia Rong's attitude has always been to chat with them casually, but he will not do anything special.

If you want to have fun, you can go find Qin Keqing, Wang Xifeng and others where you can have more fun. There are also many families who are reserved and dignified.

Whether it is Xue Baochai, Lin Daiyu, or Li Wan and the Li sisters, Jia Rong's attitude towards them is very average.

Miaoyu, who had just come in not long ago, was also a noble and incompetent woman. She could only say a few Zen sayings and collect expired winter snow and bury it in the ground to make tea. Even if this kind of tea was given to Jia Rong, he would not drink it.

"How is Jia Baoyu doing recently?"

Xue Baochai was just about to say something intimate to Jia Rong to improve their relationship, but she didn't expect Jia Rong to mention Jia Baoyu.

Who is Jia Baoyu?
Nothing else matters. What matters is that Xue Baochai and her mother had tried to establish a relationship with Jia Baoyu before. Although the Jia family did not agree, some rumors did spread.

Xue Baochai said quickly, "Since I've been seeing Miss Lin often recently, she seems to be much better and seems to be free and at ease. I seldom go there, but I heard from the people in the mansion that she should be doing well."

Because she was afraid of misunderstanding, Xue Baochai was cautious and nervous at this time, fearing that past events would affect her future reputation.

A girl's reputation is still very important.

Jia Rong and Xue Baochai were thinking different things. When he saw Xue Baochai, he thought of Jia Baoyu, and also of Jia Yuanchun's recent pursuit of pomp and circumstance.

These people have suffered less.

Jia Rong is not a person who cannot bear to see others enjoy life. It is only right for his family to live a good life. However, he has to spend his own money on food, clothing, housing, transportation, and leisure time, and yet he always finds trouble, which makes people angry.

Jia Rong always feels that he is not living in a feudal era, but in a modern society.

"It's not a big deal to always live with me now."

Jia Rong frowned and said quickly, "Now that there is nothing to do, it's almost time for the people in Rong Mansion to go back. Otherwise, you will have nowhere to live, and it's not good to live outside all the time."

Xue Baochai was overjoyed. She knew she should take the initiative, but she said shyly, "Yes, Master..."

Jia Rong didn't spend much effort on Xue Baochai's affairs. Except for the women in the family who took a lot of effort to deal with Jia Yuanchun when he had no power in the beginning, the rest of them were simple people.

Qin Keqing took half a day to finish it, the second and third sisters finished it as soon as they entered the house, and Yuanyang, Ping'er and Baoqin only needed a word to finish it, and the rest was just a matter of time and effort.

Xue Baochai's problem was solved easily. Wang Xifeng took a long time to deal with it and put in a lot of effort, but most of the time she just went with the flow. At the beginning, she really didn't want to mess with her and thought she was a decent person.

When it comes to women, Jia Rong has never pursued anyone except Jia Yuanchun, he always...picks.

Pick the fruit when it’s ripe.

Jia Rong, who was thinking about how to drive the people from Rong Mansion away, didn't care about the title of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling at all. People like Li Wan should just go back to live a hard life. It's not possible for her to live a good life without making any contribution. What's the difference between such a person and a parasite?
After comparison, Jia Rong found that Wang Xifeng was more competent.

Seeing Jia Rong standing in the courtyard looking at the trees and high walls without saying anything, Xue Baochai could not help but ask, "Master, when can I enter the house?"

Jia Rong said casually, "Let's talk about it after the mourning period is over. I have things to do. You can go back and do them."

After saying this, Jia Rong walked out. It was just taking a concubine, not a big deal.

Xue Baochai breathed a sigh of relief and a look of joy appeared on her face.

"It's finally settled..."

In the past, she had never wanted to be a concubine, but when she really had no money at all, the family of three immediately hoped that the eldest daughter of the Xue family would become a concubine to change their fate.

Shame, that's something I didn't have in the beginning.

When Jia Rong went to Youshi's courtyard, before he reached the courtyard, a big maid in a red coat came running up behind him.

Lin Hongyu walked over quickly and said, "Master, where are you going? You don't even have anyone with you to help you."

Jia Rong continued to walk forward, "Follow me."

Lin Hongyu quickly followed. Before she was officially admitted, she was still a maid. Only after she truly gave her body did she become an aunt.

Jia Rong saw the two maids Xueyan and Siqi playing with sandbags at the gate of You's courtyard.

Xueyan is Lin Daiyu's maid.

Lin Daiyu has four maids, two of whom were sent by Jia Rong and Jia's mother, and Lin Daiyu brought the little maid Xueyan and the wet nurse Wang Mama from her hometown.

Xueyan and Mother Wang were one weak and ignorant and the other old, so most of the time it was Zijuan, the maid given by the old lady, who took care of Lin Daiyu.

Siqi saw Jia Rong and Xiao Hong coming over, and stood up and said happily, "Master is here, our girl and Miss Lin and Sister Zhu are all taking a bath."

Jia Rong walked straight in.

Xiaohong felt something was wrong. Normally, Jia Rong would not be so rude. Something must have happened!

Siqi and Xueyan hurriedly followed him in, and Siqi quickly shouted, "Uncle, the grandmas are taking a bath inside."

"I'm not watching them bathe. Go stand guard at the bathhouse door and don't make any noise here."

Jia Rong glanced at her and quickly went to Wang Xifeng's room to wait.

After five or six minutes, Wang Xifeng, with her hair still wet, hurriedly entered the room from outside. Wang Xifeng looked at Jia Rong who was examining the tea bowl and said with a smile, "Isn't this celadon cup nice? I like it just by looking at it. I usually put it in a prominent position. This set of tea set cost me more than thirty taels of silver, but it looks decent and doesn't embarrass the master."

Jia Rong said, "Sit down and talk. Xiaohong will get Brother Feng a towel."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Feng'er, go get it. Feng'er knows where it is. Xiaohong can just wait on the master."

Jia Rong didn't waste any words and said directly, "Now that the national mourning is almost over, things in Rong Mansion are almost settled. It's not good to continue living here. The front yard, the inner yard, and the back yard can't accommodate people. When the children grow up, they will have to have separate rooms."

"I originally planned to live with you in the garden at the back. Jia Baoyu will also get married in the future. Master Zheng has several concubines, Jia Huan and others, as well as Li Wan and her son."

"I have things to do back home. I came here to tell you so that they know it was my intention and I won't make things difficult for you and Yuanchun."

"You should tell them later. It's almost time to go back."

Wang Xifeng nodded, "What about Miss Lin?"

Miss Lin is considered a relative of the old lady, but she is also on Jia Rong's side.

Jia Rong said directly: "Go and ask her what she thinks. It's up to her where to live. If she lives with me, she will be her relative there. If she lives with the old lady, she will still be her relative here."

Jia Rong did not indulge Lin Daiyu and let her choose for herself. He then said, "You guys should also prepare yourself. When everyone over there has moved out, you can move in."

This is Ning Mansion, Jia Rong’s home. The people from the old lady’s side should have left long ago!
Not long after Jia Rong left Youshi's yard, Youshi and Li Wan, who had just finished taking a bath, came out to inquire about the situation.

"Where's the master?"

"gone."

Li Wan had long noticed that Youshi's attitude towards her stepson Jia Rong was very humble, but when she thought about the fact that her mother-in-law and father-in-law were equally humble, she felt it was reasonable.

After Yu sat down, she asked, "Master, is there something you want to ask?"

Wang Xifeng was thinking about the matter and told Jia Rong what he meant.

After hearing this, Youshi said in embarrassment, "Why not wait until after the Mid-Autumn Festival to leave? From the beginning of the New Year till now, the whole family has been crowded together in a lively atmosphere. I am used to the lively times with so many people. If I leave, it will be quiet again."

How could Wang Xifeng and Li Wan not understand what Youshi meant?

Seeing that Wang Xifeng was not easy to talk to Li Wan, Youshi said, "Forget it. Even if you have traveled a thousand miles, the banquet will end. Now that Rongfu has been cleaned up, it is better to live comfortably at home."

Youshi was living in her own home, and now she felt uncomfortable with outsiders moving in. When she heard that Jia Rong suggested that the two hundred people from the old lady's side should leave and then let her own people move in, she of course supported it.

The old lady, Mrs. Wang, Tanchun, Yingchun, Li Wan, Jia Lan, Jia Zheng, Jia Huan, Aunt Zhao and others.

Although Jia Zheng, Jia Huan and Jia Baoyu have already moved into Jia She's courtyard, the female members of the family and many servants still live and eat in the Ning Mansion, and all their expenses are paid by the Ning Mansion.

There are more than two hundred people in total, including maids, servants, housekeepers, wet nurses, dowry, cooks, etc., and the number is increasing.

The number of slaves was not a problem. The main problem was that the old lady, Mrs. Wang, Li Wan and others lived in the garden, and it was not easy for Youshi and Jia Rong's concubine to live in.

Li Wan was anxious but had no other choice. She quickly said softly to Wang Xifeng, "It's easy to go back this time, but I don't know what the rules are. Rongguo Mansion no longer has the title of Duke, and the old lady's title of Duke's wife has been dismissed. Now the house has been given to the eldest lady's child. If we move in, we're afraid people will report us."

The important thing is, who will support us after we return?

Should we rely on Jia Zheng or Jia Baoyu?
What Li Wan cares about is whether Jia Rong will continue to support everyone, continue to share power and status with everyone, and continue to pay silver subsidies on time.

All three of them have housekeeping abilities and their levels are similar, but their thoughts and attitudes determine their performance.

Youshi is a person who just gets by, Li Wan only cares about herself, and Wang Xifeng also has various problems, but she is indeed the one who is most willing to make efforts when it comes to the management of the household.

It was my husband's home before, and it is still my husband's home now. Moreover, my son and daughter are here. My plan is to maintain this home and let my son and daughter grow up well, instead of being like Li Wan, who does not offend anyone and just takes money to take care of her own children.

Wang Xifeng could have done the same as Li Wan, but due to her personality, she never thought of doing so.

Soon, Wang Xifeng agreed to let Li Wan talk to Jia Rong again. Of course, it was just a verbal agreement. Wang Xifeng quickly went to discuss the matter with Jia Yuanchun.

Li Wan quickly went back to report the matter to Lady Jia and Lady Wang.

Soon, Jia Yuanchun, Grandmother Jia's granddaughter, sat down to talk with her mother, grandmother, sister-in-law and others.

"It was the daughter of the Xue family who went to the master and said something, so the master rushed to Brother Feng to chase her away."

Jia Yuanchun told the story and found out that she had found out almost everything.

Grandmother Jia sighed, helpless.

Madam Wang cursed, "It's their family again! None of the people in the Xue family are good!"

Jia Yuanchun couldn't laugh, and neither could the other maids, grandmothers, or other wives.

The old lady sighed and said, "We should be grateful that someone helped save us when we were about to be wiped out. Now that we have lived here for more than half a year, it is indeed time for us to go back."

Jia Yuanchun was reluctant to let him go, so she said, "I'll talk to you when you come out of the pharmacy tonight."

Mrs. Wang could only count on her daughter now. "Don't be angry with him all the time. Think about the past. During the first five or six years of your marriage, you always protected your master. I never heard of you two quarreling."

When the old lady heard this, she said, "I think there's no need to persuade you anymore. We should just go back. Since we moved in, I've noticed that you two have been having a lot of problems. I can't tell whose fault it is, but it's better for us to leave."

Jia Yuanchun said hurriedly, "It's not the old ancestor's fault. I always wanted to show off and made the master angry. The master has forgiven me, and I know I was wrong. I will go back and talk to the master about this matter and those things that will not cause any trouble. There will definitely be no problem."

Jia Yuanchun made this promise very confidently, and soon said goodbye and went back to tell Jia Rong that her family could continue to stay.

He also said, "The house has now been given to our children by the Emperor. If my parents, grandmother, brother and others were to move in, it would be very inconvenient."

Jia Rong drank some wine and ate some food, and said casually: "Then you can take the children and live there for a while. This way it will be legitimate. Anyway, you haven't been back to your parents' home for more than half a year. It's good to go back and live there for a while. Come back after the New Year."

If a wife is sent back to her parents' home by her husband, it is basically the same as divorce.

This time, Jia Yuanchun was really obedient and did not dare to interfere with Jia Rong's decision again.

The next day, Jia Yuanchun did not go to see the old lady and Mrs. Wang, but went to pay her respects to Youshi after a long absence, forcing Youshi and Wang Xifeng, the second sister, the third sister and others to get up early and accompany her and say some polite words.

The problem of Jia Yuanchun's sister-in-law that she was worried about was also solved. Jia Tanchun and Jia Yingchun both returned to Jia She's courtyard.

Without Jia Rong's relationship, the two commoner girls would have no chance of getting married...

Realizing this, Jia Yuanchun became completely honest and voluntarily gave up the housekeeping power to Youshi's room.

(End of this chapter)