The Red Mansion

Chapter 262 The Rong family gets into trouble, resulting in a death.

Since yesterday, when Jia She witnessed firsthand the bustling carriages and horses and the endless stream of gifts pouring in at the gate of the neighboring Duke's mansion, the envy, jealousy, and hatred in his heart were like a hundred claws scratching at his heart.

The following morning, he could no longer contain himself and, together with his son Jia Lian, went to Rongqing Hall to see Grandmother Jia, saying that he had confidential matters to discuss.

Grandmother Jia ordered all the maids and servants to retreat outside the hall, leaving only her trusted head maid, Yuanyang.

Jia She, however, still felt it wasn't enough. He stared at Yuanyang and said, "This matter concerns the family's reputation, so Yuanyang should temporarily step aside."

Seeing his seriousness, Grandmother Jia gestured for Yuanyang to also leave.

For a moment, only Grandmother Jia, Jia She, and Jia Lian remained in the hall, and the atmosphere was heavy.

Grandmother Jia grew impatient, glared at Jia She, and said, "What important matter is it that requires such sneaking around?"

Jia She stepped forward, feigning deep sorrow, and said, "Your Majesty, I have come today because of the matter of our eldest son's family fortune."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's face immediately darkened, and she said in an unpleasant tone, "Why are you still thinking about this? A few days ago, Madam You came over crying and complained that you were forcing her and trying to seize the family property. I told you that you should behave yourself and not cause such a disgraceful incident."

A few days ago, Lady You came to see Grandmother Jia, saying that Jia She wanted to forcibly seize the family property of the eldest son's family. Although Grandmother Jia disliked Lady You, she also felt that this matter was improper, and at that time Jiang Nian was being held in Changchun Garden. Grandmother Jia believed that the Rongguo Mansion should behave itself.

Jia She deliberately put on a sincere expression: "Mother, please understand! Your son really... really can't stand it! Zhen'er and Rong'er have been gone for a year now. That You Shi is just a second wife, and she comes from a humble family. Logically speaking, what right does she have to hold onto the family business of the Jia family for long? Moreover, how can a woman like her hold onto it?"

He paused, and seeing that Grandmother Jia was listening intently, he emphasized, "I've already had Lian'er investigate thoroughly. Over the past year, that You-shi has been gradually moving a lot of gold, silver, and valuables back to her parents' home! And that Qiang-ge'er is also absurd, spending his days only on cockfighting, dog racing, and womanizing, squandering money like water! How can we allow these two to waste the family fortune that our ancestors painstakingly accumulated? I'm truly heartbroken, which is why I'm thinking of taking back the eldest son's family fortune to our mansion as soon as possible to prevent it from being completely ruined!"

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia frowned and turned sharply to Jia Lian: "Lian'er, is what your father said true?"

Jia Lian felt extremely embarrassed, as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

These past few days, he had indeed been following his father's orders to investigate the situation of the eldest son's family. It was true that Lady You had provided some financial assistance because her maternal family frequently came to beg for money; and Jia Qiang did indeed have the habits of a spoiled brat and had engaged in some outrageous behavior. However, the extent of their misdeeds was not as appalling as Jia She had described.

Seeing his father's intense gaze fixed on him, Jia Lian felt fear. After a moment's hesitation, he finally steeled himself and nodded vaguely, saying in a low voice, "Reporting to...reporting to the old lady, what Father said...is mostly true."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's face grew even more gloomy.

Seeing that Jia Lian was following his lead, and noticing that Grandmother Jia's face was gloomy and she remained silent, Jia She was secretly pleased, knowing that there was now a 50-60% chance of success in the matter.

He quickly seized the opportunity and stepped forward, saying to Grandmother Jia with great emotion, "Mother! Now, our Jia family truly relies on our mansion as its pillar. I am unworthy, but as the clan head, I have witnessed the eldest branch's estate being squandered by those unrelated people. How can I sit idly by? In my humble opinion, we should take over all of the eldest branch's estate for safekeeping, so as to prevent the foundation accumulated by our ancestors from being ruined by those two spendthrift scoundrels, You Shi and Jia Qiang!"

Seeing that Grandmother Jia did not immediately refute him, he grew bolder. His eyes darted around, and he threw out another high-sounding reason: "Besides, Fourth Sister Xichun is the eldest son of Brother Jing, a legitimate eldest daughter of the main branch! She has always been raised in our household. Logically speaking, the vast estate of the main branch should belong to her with the largest share! What right does You Shi, a second wife, have to monopolize it? Jia Qiang is not a direct descendant and only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun. What right does he have to get involved? Now that we are taking over the estate of the main branch, it is not only to manage it on her behalf, but also to plan for Fourth Sister's future! When she gets married, she will have a substantial estate as her dowry. Wouldn't that be respectable and glorious? We are thinking about her lifelong happiness!"

He kept bringing up Xichun. Xichun was Jia Jing's legitimate daughter and Jia Zhen's younger sister.

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's heart stirred. In truth, ever since Jia Zhen and Jia Rong had died, she had harbored some covetousness for the eldest son's family fortune, but she had refrained from speaking out due to considerations of propriety and social obligation. Now, with Jia She's words, it seemed as if it were something she should and had no choice but to do.

After a moment's hesitation, Grandmother Jia's expression softened slightly, but she still harbored some concerns. She slowly said, "What you say... makes sense. However, your eldest brother Jing is still alive. Although he has spent years cultivating immortality at the Xuanzhen Temple outside the city and has long since stopped concerning himself with family affairs, especially after the passing of Zhen'er and Rong'er, he has completely abandoned them. Nevertheless, if our household is to rightfully take over the eldest son's family business, we ultimately need his consent. Otherwise, it will be illegitimate and may invite criticism from outsiders."

Upon hearing this, Jia She hurriedly said, "Mother, you are overthinking it! Brother Jing is already beyond worldly concerns and only hopes to ascend to immortality as soon as possible. Why would he care about these worldly matters? Why should we go to such lengths to disturb his cultivation? In my opinion, as long as you, Mother, give your approval, the matter will be settled!"

Grandmother Jia shook her head, her attitude quite firm: "No. Even if he doesn't manage affairs, he is still the head of the eldest branch and Xichun's biological father. This matter concerns etiquette and status, and it is ultimately inappropriate without his approval. He must give his personal consent."

Seeing that his mother was so insistent, Jia She knew he couldn't persuade her otherwise, so he could only sigh inwardly. He frowned and pondered for a long time, then steeled his heart and said, "Since Mother says so, fine! I will personally go to the Xuanzhen Temple outside the city and explain this matter to Brother Jing in person. I'm sure he's reasonable and won't stop me."

……

……

Xuanzhen Temple, located outside the city, is secluded and surrounded by pine and cypress trees, rarely experiencing the hustle and bustle of the secular world.

On this day, a carriage and several horses were seen traveling slowly to the front of the mountain gate. It was Jia She and his son Jia Lian who had arrived.

Jia She got out of the carriage, straightened his clothes, and ordered a young Taoist priest to announce that he wished to see Jia Jing.

When the young Taoist priest entered to report, Jia Jing was in the alchemy room, burning elixirs and refining mercury in front of the furnace. He was wearing a gray Taoist robe, his hair and beard were gray, and his face was thin and gaunt.

Upon hearing that Jia She had come to visit, Jia Jing did not even raise his head, but said indifferently, "Go back and tell him that I have long since stopped caring about worldly affairs and am currently in a critical period of quiet cultivation. It is inconvenient for me to receive guests. Please leave."

The young Taoist priest refused as instructed.

How could Jia She let this go? He had Jia Lian reward the Taoist with some silver and ordered him to report again, only to discuss important matters concerning the eldest son's family business and Xi Chun's future.

Upon hearing the name "Xichun," Jia Jing's heart stirred slightly. This daughter was the legitimate daughter of his first wife, his only remaining bloodline in the world. Although he had abandoned his family and career to pursue the Tao, he could not completely sever ties with her.

After a moment's hesitation, Jia Jing finally sighed and decided to meet with Jia She.

Jia Jing moved to a simple, quiet room, sat cross-legged on a futon, and closed his eyes to rest. A short while later, Jia She led Jia Lian in.

Seeing his cousin Jia Jing's otherworldly and detached demeanor, Jia She, though inwardly disapproving, quickly put on a smile and stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Greetings, elder brother."

Jia Lian hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Greetings to my uncle."

Jia Jing slightly opened his eyes, raised his hand in a gesture of respect, and said, "No need for formalities. Please sit down."

There were no tables or chairs in the room, so Jia She followed suit and sat cross-legged on the ground opposite his father, while Jia Lian stood behind him with his hands at his sides.

Jia She coughed lightly and then recounted, with added embellishments and earnestness, what he had said to Grandmother Jia in Rongqing Hall earlier that day. He lamented how You Shi secretly supported her family, how Jia Qiang squandered his wealth, how the eldest branch of the family's property was on the verge of collapse, and how he worried about his niece Xi Chun's future, fearing she would suffer hardship due to a lack of dowry. His performance was so skillful that he even managed to squeeze out a few tears.

Jia Jing listened silently, and actually believed it to some extent. In his heart, neither You Shi nor Jia Qiang could compare to his own daughter, his only remaining blood relative, Xi Chun.

After pondering for a long time, he slowly said, "In that case... let Madam You hand over half of her family fortune, clearly stating that it is for Xichun, to be managed by your household on her behalf, and then handed over to her when Xichun gets married."

Upon hearing this, Jia She was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Brother, you are wise! But words alone are not enough, and Madam You may not be willing to hand it over obediently. Please write a note in your own hand as proof, so that I can handle things properly."

Jia Jing frowned slightly, clearly unwilling to get involved in such mundane affairs any longer. But seeing Jia She's "eager" appearance, and thinking that it was also for his daughter's sake, he finally sighed, ordered the Taoist priest to bring paper and pen, and wrote a brief note, which was nothing more than instructing You Shi to allocate half of the family property to Xi Chun and entrust it to the Rongguo Mansion for management.

After finishing writing, he handed it to Jia She, as if holding it for even a moment longer would soil his hands.

Jia She treasured the item, carefully put it away, and then feigned concern for Jia Jing's well-being before taking his leave with Jia Lian.

Although he received a letter from Jia Jing authorizing him to take half of the Jia family's wealth for Xichun, he was still greedy and unwilling to stop there. He thought to himself, "How can half a fortune be enough? Even if I can't take it all, I must take seven or eight tenths to satisfy my desire!"

Inside the quiet room, Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, as if the disturbance he had just experienced was merely a dream.

He slowly got up, strolled back to the alchemy room, and continued his alchemy practice, facing the flickering flames in the furnace.

For him, worldly affairs were nothing more than a fleeting disturbance, ultimately less important than the ethereal path to the Golden Elixir.

……

……

At this moment, Madam You was sitting alone in the Buddhist hall of the inner courtyard of her mansion in the western part of the city.

Incense smoke curled from the Buddhist altar, but she did not touch the prayer beads, her mind preoccupied with Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun.

Recently, the news that Jiang Nian had been recognized as a prince and granted the title of Duke has been spreading like wildfire. She had naturally heard about it and was truly shocked!

She had thought that Jiang Nian, at only seventeen, had already served as an imperial envoy three times, made outstanding contributions, enjoyed immense imperial favor, and received such a large mansion as the Ningguo Mansion. Her future was bound to be limitless, and she might even be granted the title of Duke! Little did she know that reality would be even more astonishing than her boldest imagination! The Jiang Nian of the past was actually a prince and a nobleman, now an incomparably noble prince and duke!

She had always envied Yuan Chun's good fortune, marrying such a young and promising husband as Jiang Nian and becoming the new mistress of the Ningguo Mansion. In contrast, she herself had fallen from the position of the head mistress of the Ningguo Mansion to this state. Now, she was filled with even more envy and jealousy, thinking that Yuan Chun was indeed destined to be an empress born on the first day of the first lunar month—her good fortune was truly boundless! A position as a princess was inevitable, and if… if Yuan Yi had even greater opportunities in the future and became emperor, wouldn't Yuan Chun become the empress?
Just as Madam You was lost in thought and feeling uneasy in the Buddhist hall, Jia Qiang suddenly rushed in, panting, and said, "It's terrible! Master She and Uncle Lian have barged in with a large group of people!"

Madam You's heart tightened suddenly, realizing something was wrong! She quickly got up and went out to greet them from the Buddhist hall. Sure enough, she saw Jia She and his son Jia Lian leading a large number of Rongguo Mansion servants, who had stormed into the inner courtyard with great momentum.

When Jia She saw You Shi, he didn't say much. He coldly smiled and showed You Shi the handwritten letter from Jia Jing, and said sternly, "This is Master Jing's order! He orders you to immediately hand over half of the family fortune to Fourth Sister Xi Chun, so that our mansion can manage it on your behalf! Quickly hand over the storeroom keys and account books!"

When Madam You took the paper, she recognized Jia Jing's handwriting, but she refused to hand over half of the family fortune. She said, "Master She, this matter needs to be discussed carefully! Master Jing has been out of charge for a long time, how could he know the family's difficulties? How can this family fortune be handed over so easily?"

Jia She, already impatient, saw her resisting and his face darkened. He shouted, "You shameless hussy! Master Jing's order is right here. How dare you try to argue? Men! Move it out! Move all the valuables out!"

A group of powerful servants, like wolves and tigers, immediately attacked.

Madam You was shocked and rushed forward to stop them, but Wang Shanbao's wife shoved her hard to the ground, scattering her hairpins and jewelry, leaving her in a disheveled state. Furious and anxious, she cried out to Jia Qiang, who stood helplessly to the side, "Qiang-ge'er! You are the legitimate great-grandson of the eldest branch! You are also the head of this household! Are you just going to stand by and watch them blatantly seize our family property?!"

Jia Qiang, initially hesitant and fearful of Jia She, was finally overcome by You Shi's shout and the sight of his family's property being seized. He rushed forward, blocking the servants, and pleaded with Jia She, "Master She! Show mercy! This matter still needs..."

"You've gone too far!" Jia She roared in fury before he could finish speaking, "Where did this little bastard come from, daring to stop me? Beat him!"

Upon hearing their master's order, several henchmen immediately swarmed forward and began punching and kicking Jia Qiang.

Jia Qiang was a spoiled brat with a weak constitution. How could he withstand such a beating? In the chaos, he was shoved hard by someone, stumbled, and crashed headfirst into the hard, cold stone steps in the courtyard. With a dull thud, Jia Qiang collapsed to the ground, blood gushing from his forehead. He died instantly!

The noisy courtyard fell silent instantly, and everyone was stunned.

Madam You was deathly pale; she couldn't even cry anymore...

(End of this chapter)