The destiny of all heavens begins in the Red Chamber

Damn, why does this feel like bullying an honest person?

Recalling the 'confession' I saw this morning, I accepted Jia Huan's story. Jia Zheng is truly an oddball of an honest official.

Such officials are extremely rare in the capital's officialdom.

I genuinely have no intention of targeting anyone right now; I don't feel any sense of accomplishment from bullying them.

Previously, he had considered the Ning and Rong mansions as targets that needed to be dealt with.

Since you're an honest person, then don't cause trouble recklessly.

The emperor and his high-ranking officials actually held a serious discussion about a mere child during a small court session, which really seemed a bit foolish.

As for the veteran censors who were 'wronged', they were simply placed in a leisurely position in another government office.

Just as that rascal Jia Huan said, he's really too old to be a censor anymore.

That was the end of it; nobody had the intention or desire to cause any more trouble.

For the next few days, the Ning and Rong families remained in a state of anxiety.

After all, Jia Huan had been detained in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office, so how could he not be worried?

Fortunately, the other noble family leaders repeatedly assured that Jia Huan would only stay in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office for three to five days at most, and that he would stay in the flower hall. This reassured the core members of the Ning and Rong mansions.

Three days later, in the early morning, Jia Huan leisurely emerged from the Jinyiwei government office.

It was the height of summer, and after three days without showering or changing clothes, I started to smell a bit.

He waved his hand behind him and walked directly toward the Rong family carriage parked at the door.

The driver of the carriage had a fawning smile on his face. Jia Huan had no intention of targeting him, so he nodded, got into the carriage, and closed his eyes to rest.

When the carriage finally arrived at the Rong residence, only Cong-ge'er was waiting at the gate.

Qiang-ge from the neighboring mansion was also there, his face full of happy smiles.

Tsk, that explains why the Ning and Rong mansions have so few male members.

Once several adults were all in positions of power and unable to exercise their freedom, he couldn't even find enough people to put on a show of goodwill, which gave him a bad feeling.

Of course, Jia Huan didn't expect Jia Baoyu to come out to greet him; he was just expressing some感慨 (feelings of emotion/reflection).

"Huan-ge'er, how was your stay at the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office for three days?"

Qiang-ge asked with a grin, "Oh dear, why do you smell so strange?"

"Get out of here. Do you think the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office is an inn that offers bathing services?"

Jia Huan waved his hand dismissively, lightly punched Cong-ge'er on the shoulder, who looked somewhat tired, and laughed, "Don't worry, I've been eating and drinking well at the Embroidered Uniform Guard's residence for the past three days, and I haven't been tormented at all!"

"Let's go, the old lady is still waiting for us at Rongqing Hall!"

Congge'er smiled happily and urged, "This matter has caused quite a stir, and I'm afraid the old lady is a little unhappy!"

"Why are you unhappy?"

Jia Huan was somewhat displeased and said irritably, "Master has been bullied to the point of being indifferent. Is that just absurd?"

"The imperial court is full of vicious and ruthless people who will pounce on any advantage they see and try to take a bite!"

"Once they think that Master is easy to bully and that his influence extends to the entire Ning and Rong mansions, they won't be polite at all. What will we do then?"

He didn't speak loudly, nor did he try to keep his voice down; at least the doorman next to him heard it clearly.

Given the Rong family's tendency to spread rumors about their sons, it's likely the news will spread throughout the entire mansion in less than half a day.

After entering the house, walking on the road leading to Rongqing Hall, seeing that there were no maids or servants around, he said softly, "If we don't find an opportunity to test just how much influence our household has, doesn't Qiang-ge'er feel a little guilty?"

Jia Qiang was stunned, and his face turned ugly at a visible speed.

He wouldn't have realized it if Jia Huan hadn't deliberately reminded him.

Based on the information he knew, the Ning and Rong families didn't have as much influence as he had imagined.

"Furthermore, it allows me to clearly distinguish between enemies and friends in the imperial court, which is well worth it!"

Jia Huan said unhurriedly, "These are all things that need to be considered in advance!"

"Unless the Ning and Rong families stagnate from this point on, slowly decline, and are eventually removed from the ranks of the nobility!"

These words made Jia Qiang and Cong Ge'er's expressions turn sour.

The three of them were all quite fast and soon arrived at Rongqing Hall.

Only after the gatekeeper maid went in to report was Jia Huan allowed to enter.

Although it seemed to be strictly disciplined, Jia Huan thought it was a bit pretentious.

If you really want to implement access control, start from the main entrance, instead of waiting until you're almost inside.

"Grandson greets the old lady!"

Upon entering, the greetings were still exchanged, first with the old lady, then with Madam Xing and Madam Wang.

Why didn't Lord She show up this time?

Without thinking much, he stood up and quietly stood in the center of Rongqing Hall, waiting for the old lady to speak.

"Huan-ge'er, you've suffered. Did you suffer at the Embroidered Uniform Guard's place?"

The old lady's face and eyes were cold, and even her words of concern sounded somewhat icy. It was hard to tell what she was really thinking.

"Don't worry, Grandma, your grandson hasn't been mistreated at the Embroidered Uniform Guard's place!"

Jia Huan honestly replied, "I've always lived in the flower hall. Apart from the restriction on my freedom of movement, it's no different from living in the mansion!"

"That's good!"

The old lady's tone remained cold: "You acted far too rashly this time!"

"You've caused your master to suffer a lot of impeachments, and the whole household has been worried for days. You mustn't be so naughty and mischievous in the future!"

Jia Huan's eyelids twitched, and he felt truly speechless.

Damn it, just treat this as nonsense and don't keep reminding me.

As for the impeachment of the Second Master Zheng, it was as if he could have escaped it if this incident had never happened.

So, they think that if their Rong family doesn't actively seek trouble, outside problems won't come knocking on their door, right?

I don't know what the old lady was thinking. She probably thought that the Rong family was still at its peak and was the leader and core of the noble lineage.

"Grandson understands, and will be more careful from now on!"

Jia Huan was too lazy to argue, and things would naturally continue as they were going to be.

After this ordeal, if Master Zheng Er still doesn't have a strong drive to improve himself, then he won't continue to cause trouble. It's not too late to do things when he's older.

If Master Zheng had a strong ambition, Jia Huan was confident that he would definitely become a core member of the Grand Study's staff.

"Alright, you just came from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, go back and get some rest!"

The old lady immediately told him to get out of the house: "Don't go out easily for the next while!"

Is this a disguised form of house arrest?

Smiling inwardly, Jia Huan still respectfully agreed, seeing no need to quarrel with the old lady.

Winning or losing won't benefit him, so why bother?

Without any hesitation, he bowed again and turned to leave.

As for the second wife, Madam Wang, he ignored the sharp gaze she cast upon him from beginning to end.

Damn it, he really didn't think he had offended the second wife in any way this time.

If Jia Baoyu doesn't behave well, then it's the fault of the old lady and her own mother in teaching him. Why should we blame ourselves?

The principles of this world are never so biased.

To avoid a conflict of interest with Jia Baoyu, he has already started pursuing other paths. Does he not even want to give him this much space?

My mind was calm and undisturbed, and I was not affected by the environment of Rongqing Hall.

This isn't a place he can come to often anyway, so we should just ignore it.

"Second son's wife, you, as his legal mother, will be in charge of disciplining Huan-ge'er!"

Inside Rongqing Hall, the old lady looked up at Madam Wang and said, "Let him know the rules and have some respect!"

She absolutely did not want to go through that again.

As for Jia Huan 'standing up for his father,' she didn't take it to heart at all.

As the mother, the old lady played a significant role in shaping the second master's personality.

Is it only with such an honest personality that she is easy to control?

As for the fact that Master Zheng was targeted because of his personality and suffered in silence, what does that have to do with her? It's not like she caused the trouble.

Conversely, she naturally had no goodwill or affection for any of her children who threatened her peaceful enjoyment of life.

The second wife smiled and nodded gently to indicate that she understood.

No one noticed the fleeting fierce glint in her eyes.

He didn't have any intention of disciplining Jia Huan; he just wanted to teach the kid a lesson.