The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 197 Meeting Grandmother Jia

Wang Xin followed Yuanyang through the garden, out of the Grand View Garden, and then through Wang Xifeng's courtyard. After many twists and turns, they finally arrived at Grandmother Jia's courtyard. After entering the hanging flower gate, there were covered corridors on both sides and a passageway in the middle, where a large marble screen with a rosewood frame was placed.

Turning past the screen, one enters a small inner hall with three rooms. Behind the hall lies the main courtyard, with five main rooms in the front, all adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. On either side are covered corridors and side rooms, where various parrots, thrushes, and other birds hang. On the platform sit several maids dressed in red and green. Upon seeing Yuanyang leading the guests, and knowing that Wang Xin was a man, they each smiled and curtsied from a distance.

Although Yuanyang thought Wang Xin was a lecher, she still smiled and said, "Master Xin is here." Everyone then greeted him with smiles, saying, "The old lady was just talking about him, and Master Xin has arrived."

So three or four people rushed to lift the curtain, and then they heard someone say, "Lord Xin has arrived."

Because the guest was a man, Grandmother Jia told the young ladies not to come today, only she and her maids. Wang Xin followed her in and saw two people helping an old woman with silver hair to her feet.

Wang Xin dared not be negligent and stepped forward to bow first, saying, "I am Wang Xin, and I pay my respects to the old lady."

With a friendly expression, Grandmother Jia invited Wang Xin to sit down and ordered someone to serve tea. She said with a smile, "This maid is Yuanyang, the most capable one in my household. That's why I sent her to invite you. If there was any negligence on the way, please forgive me. It's not that I'm being disrespectful or presumptuous."

“Why do you say that, Madam?” Wang Xin said with a smile. “I am a junior and should have taken the initiative to pay my respects to you. However, I was hesitant to disturb your peaceful life because of my concerns. Now that you have summoned me, I am overjoyed.”

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia laughed even more heartily.

Wang Xin's smile was also genuine.

I dislike people who are bitter and resentful for no reason. Normal children should have more smiles on their faces. Just like in officialdom, everyone helps each other out when there is no need to. It not only creates a harmonious atmosphere, but also makes everyone feel good.

The maids and servants in the room, many of whom had only heard of Wang Xin and heard various rumors about him, were all captivated by his presence.

Fortunately, I have been leading troops for many years. If it were me back then, I probably wouldn't have been able to remain calm in the face of so many women watching me.

The old lady was in a good mood and clearly liked Wang Xin, which made everyone happy.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but praise, "I've heard my eldest and second sons praise you so often that I'm almost sick of it. But seeing you today, look how eloquent you are! And what's more, you're quite handsome. I've heard you're very capable outside. I haven't seen a person like you in many years."

It's possible for Jia Zheng to praise himself, but why would Jia She? Wang Xin cupped his hands and smiled, "I must thank Lord Lin. If it weren't for Lord Lin's help back then, I would just be an orphan with no parents, forgotten in a corner."

In this situation, there's no need to emphasize that one's own contribution is the main reason; everyone here isn't stupid. The fact that Grandmother Jia invited them already proves their abilities, so why bother?

Grandmother Jia lived to a ripe old age, enjoying a life of wealth and honor. She had raised many outstanding young ladies. Despite her cheerful demeanor, she was very shrewd and had a growing respect for Wang Xin.

Young people are most afraid of their abilities going unnoticed, fearing they will miss out on something. Wang Xin is so young and so capable, which is rare but not uncommon. Yet he is so humble, which is truly astonishing. No wonder this young man has achieved so much at such a young age, and everyone admires him.

Such a person, given the opportunity, will achieve great things. Grandmother Jia agreed wholeheartedly and said with a smile, "The mansion is not as it used to be. You will have to fight for many things yourself. I'm sorry to trouble you."

It seems that Grandmother Jia was aware of the Jia family's decline. She didn't say anything on ordinary days, but secretly accumulated a lot of wealth. This was a wise move.

People who are used to spending money lavishly will not appreciate your advice when you tell them what not to buy, only to use, and never to speculate. Instead, they will resent you and rush to buy it.

Therefore, while openly advising against it, they secretly prepare for a response. They accumulate more strength so that when things settle down and people start to panic, they can provide a safety net and use their abundant resources to weather the storm. This is the prudent approach.

If reasoning were effective, there would be no endless conflicts in the world.

Therefore, Wang Xin admired the old lady quite a bit. Unfortunately, she could only manage the household affairs, not the external affairs. She did her own job well, but she couldn't control what happened outside.

Thinking of this, Wang Xin sincerely said, "Lord Lin has been kind to me, and I have never denied it. As long as it is not immoral or against the law, I will definitely repay him. Lord Zheng is the same; he has been busy running around for me and speaking up for me in court. He has made the same promise."

Such boastful words, coupled with various conditions, might have enraged an impatient old woman. However, Grandmother Jia nodded kindly, believing that Wang Xin's character made his words all the more believable.

Grandmother Jia dislikes forcing people; she prefers to go with the flow, just like Granny Liu who came before.

Although I knew she was there to ask for something, I didn't say anything. We just played around and made fun of her, letting her eat well and giving her some more. I packed up what she needed, which comforted her and eased her burden, preventing a great favor from turning into a great enmity. If she ever thought of the Jia family again, she would remember the joy she experienced there. I absolutely couldn't give her something and make her feel humiliated.

Seeing how sensible and clear-cut Wang Xin was, and how he never mentioned his eldest son, Grandmother Jia wasn't angry. Taking care of the second son was also taking care of the Jia family; it wouldn't be right to force him, as that would be undesirable.

Grandmother Jia laughed happily, “I heard you’re looking for a house outside. I don’t understand the thoughts of you young people nowadays. But you’re no different from the other children in the family. Since the Tubi Villa in the manor has been given to you, it’s yours. There’s no reason to take it back. If you’re not looking for a house because you’re not comfortable living here, then I’m going to be doing something that will cause a lot of trouble.”

The Convex Jade Villa is located in a corner of the Grand View Garden. It was previously offered to Wang Xin for accommodation, and since he has already stayed there for so long, it might be better to just bring up the matter directly and let him stay permanently. "No, no, not at all," Wang Xin said politely.

Grandmother Jia pretended to be confused and followed Wang Xin's words with a smile, saying, "Then you can stay in the manor. Tu Bi Manor is your manor. You shouldn't talk about finding a house anymore. If outsiders hear this, they'll think we're getting distant."

In the memory of the mandarin duck beside her, the ancestor had never treated her like this before, so she was startled. It turned out that this Master Xin was so important in the ancestor's heart, and she couldn't afford to offend him.

The other maids and servants also heard this and were greatly impressed by Wang Xin's high status, fearing that the mansion would soon have a proper master.

As the saying goes, old people are shrewd and experienced. It was really hard for him to refuse, and Wang Xin couldn't show his displeasure. At this moment, Grandmother Jia was genuinely thinking of the best for both of them. She needed the Jia family's influence in the court, and the Jia family needed someone as powerful as him.

Actually, I don't really care whether I can stay at Tubishan Villa for a long time.

At present, I have nothing to give to the Jia family except for my own power, which, although still relatively small, can contribute to the Jia family's reputation. On the contrary, Jia Zheng has been of great help to me.

If I move out of Convex Jade Villa and become estranged from the Jia family someday, it doesn't matter. I will officially move into Convex Jade Villa as requested by Grandmother Jia. Unless Grandmother Jia passes away one day, I should give a reasonable reason for leaving Convex Jade Villa in order to be a proper gentleman.

It's not that I dislike them. Such a fine estate, with the old women and the main kitchen in the mansion, etc. Grandmother Jia's original intention was good, and it also brought the two sides closer together. What I admire is the advantage of wealthy families, one advantage after another. Unless the wealthy families collectively do something stupid, ordinary people really can't compete with them.

Just like when aristocratic families were still around, their scions could indeed gather more resources. This had both advantages and disadvantages. At least in terms of external affairs, although they could lose sometimes, they were not completely defeated.

Of course, for ordinary people, even after the imperial examination system flourished and corrupt officials were everywhere, they would still choose the latter. In the society of the imperial examination system, ordinary people had a more relaxed life than in the era of aristocratic families.

Economic oppression and power oppression are two different things.

Of course, neither of these is as good as later generations.

With a thousand thoughts running through his mind, Wang Xin couldn't think of any reason to refuse, so he smiled and said, "I cannot refuse a gift from an elder. I accept your kindness, madam, with a thick skin. I only hope that you won't bother me in the future."

Wang Xin's frankness and composure made Grandmother Jia like him even more. She talked for a long time and even talked about the Jia family's foundation in the army when the old master was alive.

Grandmother Jia meant well, wanting her to know how to establish herself in the army after reaching a high position. This kind of inheritance is a valuable experience that cannot be bought. Given her own experience as an orphan, she would probably have to spend her whole life figuring it out herself before she could gain such experience, but often the opportunity would have already been missed.

However, he had his own advantages, which were not quite the same as what Grandmother Jia said, but it was still good to listen to them so that he would have a better understanding of the situation. Therefore, Wang Xin listened attentively.

"Be good."

"Our ancestor talked so much today, but I'm not sleepy at all."

"How could I not be sleepy? I just had to endure it."

The wives outside were whispering among themselves.

Yuanyang, who was inside, felt sorry for him and couldn't help but wink at Wang Xin. When Wang Xin saw Yuanyang's expression, he couldn't help but find it a little funny. When he came, she had been ignoring him.

Yuanyang saw Wang Xin's expression. This man was really driving her crazy. Everyone said he was serious, but he was not serious at all. He was thinking about something.

Wang Xin spoke up first, "Grandma, I know everything."

Hearing Wang Xin's words, Grandmother Jia stopped talking. Feeling tired, she smiled and said, "It's good if it's useful to you. If it's not, just listen to the nagging of an elder. But I'm old and tired, so I won't keep you any longer. If you need anything, just ask Yuanyang or come to me."

After giving her instructions, Grandmother Jia then sent Yuanyang to personally escort Wang Xin to the palace.

"Lord Xin."

"Take care, Master Xin."

A room full of women saw him off. Wang Xin followed Yuanyang, who remained silent and walked straight ahead. Wang Xin smiled and waved to everyone, his polite attitude eliciting smiles from many of the stewards' wives.

(End of this chapter)