Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 95 The Western Scenery of the Jia Family, The Rising Sun!
At 1:15 AM, the sun gradually rose towards the zenith, and servants and young men went in and out of Rongxi Hall.

The bloodstains on the ground had been washed away, but a strong, pungent smell of blood still lingered in the air, sending chills down one's spine.

“Brother Zhen”.

"It's all over."

"I only have one thing to tell you: rein in your lustful nature."

"They are not the kind of promiscuous women you find in brothels and red-light districts."

Grandmother Jia glanced at Jia Zhen and offered a few words of advice.

"Don't dare, don't dare."

Jia Zhen seemed to have his thoughts read and quickly shook his head.

Although these sword-wielding maids all had cold and aloof faces, they couldn't help but evoke different thoughts in him, a man consumed by lust.

After being reminded by Grandmother Jia, he recalled how Zhou Rui's wife had just been beheaded with a single sword strike, and he couldn't help but tremble all over, all other thoughts vanishing from his mind.

'Something that can't be presented in public.'

Jia She glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. Both were Jia Jing's legitimate sons, but Jia Zhen was not even as good as Jia Yan's little finger.

"Grandma, Uncle She."

"I still have a lot of things to attend to at the manor, so I'll head back now."

Jia Zhen greeted them somewhat hastily and hurriedly led his men away from Rongxi Hall.

At this moment, only Grandmother Jia, Jia She, and Madam Xing remained in Rongxi Hall, and the atmosphere became somewhat eerie.

"Boss."

Grandmother Jia called out to Jia She.

"Mother."

Jia She responded immediately.

"Let's start doing what you promised today, Second Brother."

"Tell the servants to be extra careful with Shufen's food and drink, so that the Wang family doesn't come looking for her."

After giving Jia She a deep look, Grandmother Jia, supported by Yuanyang, slowly stepped out of Rongxi Hall.

"it is good."

Jia She understood what she meant. At least for now, it was not appropriate for Lady Wang, as the second wife, to die in the Rongguo Mansion. If word got out, the dissatisfaction of the Wang family would be a minor matter, but the reputation of the Rongguo Mansion would be a major issue.

"master."

"What kind of behavior is it to have so many sword-wielding maids in the inner courtyard?"

"Which household in the capital is in such a state?"

Seeing that everyone else had left, Madam Xing couldn't help but grumble.

She, the first wife, was just about to exercise her power and sweep away the shadow of being suppressed by Madam Wang for more than a decade when, unexpectedly, such a group of female demons appeared in the inner courtyard.

"Snapped!!!"

However, she was met with a slap from Jia She.

"master."

Madam Xing was completely stunned by the beating.

"Ignorant and foolish woman."

Jia She said with a displeased expression, "If you want to die, you can talk to me and I'll have someone prepare three feet of white silk for you."

"Who is Yan Ge'er? He is the Marquis of Wu of the dynasty, and the Jia family's authority is in his hands."

"Let alone the Rongguo Mansion, who among the eight branches of the capital or the twelve branches of Jinling would dare to disobey orders?"

"You'd better put away your little schemes, or I'll just give you a letter of divorce and send you home."

"Sir, I was wrong."

Madam Xing was immediately terrified, her face turning deathly pale, and she begged for mercy repeatedly.

Others may not know Jia She well, but she knows him very well. On the surface, he appears unrestrained and loves wine, women, wealth, and power, but in reality, he is as hard as stone. His words are never jokes, which shows that Jia She really wants to divorce her, or even send her to her death.

"Do you think that just because the second wife has lost power, you can act like a tyrant in this mansion?"

"All matters in the inner courtyard are to be managed by Lian's daughter-in-law; this is an unspoken agreement between the old lady and me."

"We all agreed to let these sword-wielding maids enter the inner courtyard. When did it become your place to interfere?"

"Stay put in the back room. You're still the legal wife of the Rongguo Mansion's main wife. Otherwise, you'll regret it."

Jia She was almost driven to tears by Madam Xing's stupidity. Not to mention that these fifty sword-wielding maids could change the Rongguo Mansion's previously lax manners and form an impenetrable unit, so that there was no longer any need to worry about the news being known to outsiders.

The decision that Wang Xifeng was put in charge of the inner courtyard of Rongguo Mansion was approved by Jia Yan, agreed to by the old lady, and made unanimously by the eldest and second branches of the family. How could Madam Xing want to overturn such a resolution? What does she think she is?
"Sir, I will never dare to do it again!"

Madam Xing trembled with fear; the arrogance that had just arisen in her heart was replaced by terror.

“I heard that you have a niece in your family. She is elegant, poised, well-educated, and polite. Why don’t you write her a letter and invite her to come to your house to play?”

Just then, Jia She remembered something and spoke up.

"Sir, what do you mean?"

Madam Xing was somewhat unsure of Jia She's intentions. She did indeed have a niece named Xing Youyan, but she hadn't seen her for many years.

"You're so stupid."

Jia She was so angry that he was speechless. He suppressed his emotions and explained, word by word, "Yan-ge'er will be sixteen after his birthday."

"The title of Marquis of Wu in this dynasty is a super-rank title. According to the system, he should have one principal wife, one secondary wife, and four concubines."

"Not to mention a common wife, even if she is just a concubine, her status and position are still higher than that of an ordinary official's wife."

"oh oh."

Madam Xing then realized what was happening, her eyes lit up, and she replied, "Sir, I'll send a letter right away to ask her to come."

"call!!!"

Jia She waved his hand wearily.

"Tap tap!"

Madam Xing hurriedly led her maid downstairs to write a letter.

The changes that occurred in Rongguo Mansion did not affect Ningguo Mansion. Jia Yan had just finished breakfast when he saw a group of figures, many of whom were little kids.

"Second Brother Yan!"

"Second uncle!"

Jia Huan, Jia Cong, Jia Lan, Jia Rong, and Jia Qiang took the lead in bowing, followed by the others.

"Why are there so many people?"

Looking at the dense crowd in front of him, Jia Yan frowned.

"Replying to Second Uncle."

“All the young men from the eight branches of the capital who have not yet reached adulthood have arrived.”

Jia Rong, sensing the situation, stepped forward and introduced them one by one: "Jia Rui, grandson of Master Ru; Jia Yun, son of Fifth Sister-in-law in the back corridor; Jia Qin, son of Sister-in-law Zhou; Jia Jun, son of Sister-in-law Lou; Jia Qiong; and Jia Yin."

"Ah."

Looking around, Jia Yan understood. All the young men from the eight branches of the imperial family who were under 20 years old were here, numbering over a hundred.

"Master!"

Dong Yong and his entourage, dressed in black and with cold expressions, appeared before the Jia family members, drawing their attention.

"You've come at the right time. Take all these people with you."

“There are connecting corridors and passageways between the two government offices, and we can see them running around.”

Pointing to the Jia family members standing to the side, Jia Yan gave them an order.

"Ah this?"

The twelve guards were stunned, watching these people run, wondering what they were doing.

"Master."

How long will it take to run?

Dong Yong asked, "Keep running until they can't run anymore."

"If anyone can't keep going, they can quit."

Jia Yan pinched his chin, looking amused.

"Yes."

The twelve guards immediately understood his meaning and stepped forward to urge the Jia family members on: "What are you standing there for? Keep up and run!"

"Rong-ge'er".

"This"

A handsome young man in the crowd looked at Jia Rong with some surprise and suspicion.

"run."

Jia Rong glanced at Jia Yan, gritted his teeth, and said.

Immediately, all the Jia family members present were driven to the connecting corridor between the two mansions, running one after another. The twelve guards split into two rows, staring at them intently, like vicious wolves that made it impossible to look them in the eye.

"Master."

Xiao Xue, dressed in a simple, fitted outfit, appeared beside Jia Yan, accompanied by dozens of sword-wielding maids.

Jingzhe was in charge of Fengtai, Mangzhong presided over Luange, and Bailu managed Sihai Qianzhuang. Only she acted as the person in charge, and she was responsible for arranging all matters concerning the 150 female servants and the inner courtyard.

"Order people to prepare the medicine bath according to the most basic prescription."

Jia Yan gave the order.

"Yes."

Xiaoxue saw through his plan; he was going to select suitable people from among these Jia family members.

Since ancient times, blood ties have often been the foundation of trust. Clan relatives and nephews are undoubtedly the most trusted people. The Jia family has twenty branches and at least several thousand members. The eight branches in the capital have children who have not yet come of age. True gold is refined in fire. As long as a group of people is cultivated, they will be Jia Yan's most trusted subordinates, without exception.

For a time, female servants in the backyard of Ningguo Mansion were going in and out, boiling water and cooking medicine, and the rich aroma of herbs gradually spread.

These prescriptions were all optimized by Jia Yan from the treasured collections of the Ning and Rong mansions. They are not only suitable for laying the foundation of martial arts, but also have the effects of strengthening the body and repairing chronic illnesses. Ordinary people cannot obtain them even if they want them.

"Look!"

"What's going on?"

"Why are Uncle Rong, Third Master Huan, and Third Master Cong all inside?!"

As a large group of Jia family members ran at full speed under the command of the twelve guards, the servants of both mansions were all shocked. The maids and old women spread the news to the inner courtyard, and the female relatives such as Li Wan, Aunt Zhao, Wang Xifeng, and Qin Keqing rushed over.

At noon, the sun was scorching. Most of these Jia family youths were lazy, ignorant of farming, and in poor physical condition. After running for only a quarter of an hour, they were already drenched in sweat and panting heavily.

"I can't take it anymore, I can't take it anymore."

Jia Rui was the first to announce his surrender. He walked outside the guards' quarters, slumped to the ground, and lay there like a dead dog.

"I can't do it anymore either."

"I quit."

One after another, the Jia family members followed suit and voluntarily withdrew from this ordeal.

"Brother Qiang, let's go."

Jia Rong's legs trembled as she weakly spoke to Jia Qiang beside her.

"Rong-ge'er".

"You go first, I want to try again."

A resolute look appeared in Jia Qiang's eyes, despite his handsome appearance. He was the grandson of Jia Daihua's younger brother and could also be called a legitimate great-great-grandson of the Ningguo Mansion. Jia Jing specifically instructed Jia Zhen to take him into the mansion and provide him with supplies second only to Jia Rong.

But such a favor was not a source of happiness for him. On the contrary, it made him feel like he was living under someone else's roof, only able to be Jia Rong's playmate, while Jia Zhen treated him like a cat or dog, with no sense of existence.

When he heard that Jia Yan had summoned him, he knew that the opportunity he had been waiting for had arrived, and he could not give it up so easily.

"it is good."

Jia Rong suddenly felt that his friend was a bit of a stranger, but he still couldn't hold on and walked out of the group alone.

Time passed second by second, and the originally dense crowd dwindled in number. One after another, the Jia family members left the group, leaving only a handful of people remaining.

“Tap tap.”

The dull footsteps echoed incessantly in the narrow passageway between the Ning and Rong mansions. One after another, the weary figures were already soaked in sweat under the scorching sun, their faces flushed red like never before, and their breathing was abnormally disordered.

This scene attracted the attention of everyone in the Jia family, but not many people cared. Only some of the female relatives were concerned. Jia Zhen and Jia She were well aware that Jia Yan was selecting clansmen who could be cultivated, while Jia Zheng was so upset by the changes that morning that he had no time to pay attention to these matters.

"mandarin duck."

"You go and see."

On the couch in Rongqing Hall, Grandmother Jia gave a few words of advice.

"Yes, old lady."

Without saying a word, Yuanyang headed towards the passageway, followed by maids and servants from the first and second wives' households.

"Hmph! Hmph!"

Half an hour had passed, and the few remaining members of the Jia family were already in a daze, their throats were hoarse and felt like they were being stabbed with a knife, and rapid and heavy breathing was constantly coming from their throats.

No one moved forward without struggling like zombies; their eyes were bloodshot, their lips were bitten until they bled, and their gazes were like those of hungry wolves hunting in the wilderness—fierce and stubborn.

Among these people, only two figures stood out: Jia Qiang and Jia Yun, both eighteen years old. The rest were mostly young children, including Jia Huan, Jia Cong, and Jia Lan.

When the Jia family arrived at the scene, they saw figures who looked as if they had been pulled out of the water, with sweat evaporating from their heads in the scorching heat, faintly emitting steam.

"Lan'er."

"Brother Huan!"

Li Wan and Aunt Zhao were the first to see their sons, Jia Lan and Jia Huan, who were standing together.

The group of young lads were the most conspicuous among the Jia family's children. Their bodies were simply not strong enough to support such a long period of overexertion, and they were all relying on sheer willpower to hold on.

"Lan'er!"

Upon witnessing Jia Lan's condition, Li Wan was speechless with shock. She had lost her husband in the prime of her life, and all her hopes were pinned on her son. How could she bear to watch Jia Lan suffer such torment?

"Brother Huan."

"You maggot-hearted wretch, a seed without any destiny."

"Let's stop running, let's go home, okay?"

As Aunt Zhao cursed, tears streamed down her face. How could she not love Jia Huan after carrying him for ten months and giving birth to him?

"Wow!!!"

The twelve guards drew their swords, the gleaming blades blocking the Jia family women, especially Li Wan and Aunt Zhao.

"Stop!"

Dong Yong said coldly, "The Lord has ordered that no one is allowed to interfere unless they voluntarily withdraw."

Immediately, the women of the Jia family present, intimidated by the swords of the guards, all stood still.

"Brother Huan."

"Let's go back!"

Ignoring the guards' attempts to stop her, Aunt Zhao let out a heart-wrenching roar.

"Lan'er."

Although Li Wan couldn't lose her composure like Aunt Zhao, the worry on her face was no less than Aunt Zhao's.

"grandmother."

"Third Master Cong".

Ping'er quietly pointed Jia Cong to Wang Xifeng.

"Third brother."

Wang Xifeng looked in the direction she was pointing, and her phoenix eyes widened. Who else could it be but Jia Cong standing next to Jia Huan and Jia Lan?

Jia Cong, the eldest son of a concubine in the Rongguo Mansion, has always been inconspicuous and cowardly. His daily food, clothing and other necessities are usually cut off by Madam Xing, and his clothes are even more shabby than those of the other members of the clan. But today he is like a completely different person, which is really surprising.

PS: Duke: one principal wife, two secondary wives, and four concubines; Marquis: one principal wife, one secondary wife, and four concubines; Earl: one principal wife and four concubines; Viscount: one principal wife and three concubines; Baron: one principal wife and two concubines. These are the identities that can be recorded in the clan register.

(End of this chapter)