The destiny of all heavens begins in the Red Chamber

"..."

The gentlemen present were all very proactive, crowding around Master Zheng to offer their congratulations.

The joy on the Second Master's face grew stronger and stronger; he almost couldn't hold it in if he hadn't forced himself to.

At this moment, Jia Huan took the initiative to retreat to a corner of the study, giving up his seat.

To be honest, he had no affection for Yuan Chun, since they had never even met or interacted with her.

Saying a few words of congratulations to the Second Master Zheng would suffice; asking him to keep saying insincere compliments would be a bit much. After all, he'd been the leader for quite some time and wasn't really used to this situation.

His mind raced as he considered the potential impact of Yuan Chun's pregnancy and the possible birth of a prince or princess on himself. But a moment later, his eyes lit up.

This is a good opportunity to leave the mansion smoothly!

Of course, it's unlikely that I can leave the city right now, but it will be different next year.

At this time, he was eleven years old and already nearly 1.65 meters tall. It was clear that he would grow up to be a burly man, perhaps even comparable to the fierce generals of ancient times.

Even if he doesn't grow to be as tall as Guan Yu, who was close to 2.2 meters, he must be at least around 2 meters tall!

He'll be twelve years old next year (actual age) and fourteen (traditional age)!

They are probably a little taller and stronger than the average person.

In ordinary society, there are many examples of children as young as fourteen or fifteen taking over the household and starting their own families, and this is not uncommon even in powerful and wealthy families.

When the time comes, as long as the old lady and Madam Wang join forces, even if Master Zheng doesn't agree, he won't be able to.

For Jia Huan, doing this was not a difficult task!

Of course, some preparatory work can begin now.

Stepping out of the study, one can clearly sense that the entire Rong Mansion is immersed in an atmosphere of joy.

Passing by the main hall of the second house, the feeling was exceptionally strong!

Back at her residence, Aunt Zhao had just returned from Madam Wang's main hall. Her face and eyes were filled with unspeakable envy and jealousy, clearly having been quite provoked.

"Huan-ge'er, what if Tan-chun could also enter the palace..."

Upon seeing Jia Huan, he couldn't help but mutter something under his breath.

"Auntie, don't say such things! You want to get Tan Chun killed!"

Jia Huan hurriedly stopped him, shaking his head and saying, "Having Sister Yuan Chun in the palace is enough. Sister Tan Chun has no chance to enter the palace, and I doubt she'd be too happy about it!"

"She's still not happy about it, what an unlucky girl!"

Aunt Zhao looked somewhat dejected and muttered, "You have no idea how happy Madam has been ever since Consort Yuan returned from her visit home!"

Jia Huan was speechless; they were mother and daughter!

His ears twitched slightly, and a strange smile appeared on his face, which disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Don't be discouraged, Auntie!"

He said with a smile, "If Sister Yuanchun really gives birth to a prince or princess smoothly, it's not like we can't benefit from it. After all, I am their maternal uncle!"

"No matter how much they laugh and ridicule us within the household, it still has quite an effect outside!"

"You unlucky seed, you've finally said something pleasing!"

Aunt Zhao's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly said, "If that's the case, Consort Yuan's pregnancy is really a good thing for you. You might even benefit greatly from it in the future!"

"Auntie, that's what I think too!"

Jia Huan smiled and said, "When I come of age, with the help of my status as the maternal uncle of a prince or princess, and with your help, sir, I might be able to get a good position in the officialdom!"

At this point, he couldn't help but let out a happy laugh: "By then, even if I've left the manor and become a member of a collateral branch, I'll still be living a very comfortable life!"

"Well said!"

Aunt Zhao was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, saying, "If one could attain an official position as high as the master's, one's influence in the clan would be considerable!"

"I believe that by then, even the master will think highly of you, and may even be able to give you some of the resources and benefits he has!"

He became more and more excited as he talked, as if Jia Huan had already risen to a high position and become a force that even the Rong Mansion dared not underestimate. His face was practically beaming with joy.

"Auntie, these are all still unconfirmed matters, you must not let them leak out!"

Jia Huan deliberately lowered his voice and reminded her, "Otherwise, if Madam had known beforehand, I'm afraid this good thing wouldn't have fallen into my lap!"

"Understood, understood, I definitely won't leak it!"

Aunt Zhao repeatedly assured her, and her steps as she turned to leave seemed to carry the wind.

However, she did not notice that a small figure quickly left outside the door.

Jia Huan, of course, noticed this. He wanted the inner room next to Aunt Zhao to relay the conversation to Madam Wang, so that she would be displeased.

In fact, he did achieve his goal.

"Did Huan-ge say those words?"

In the main hall and side room of the second house, Madam Wang asked with a displeased expression and an unfriendly tone.

Standing below was still Aunt Zhao's personal maid, Xiao Jixiang.

Upon hearing Madam Wang's unfriendly question, Xiao Jixiang trembled and hurriedly replied, "Absolutely true!"

"What a little beast! He's got his abacus clicking away!"

Madam Wang sneered, "It depends on whether you have the fate to do so!"

"Go and collect your reward. If there is any further news, remember to report it immediately!"

After saying that, he waved for Xiao Jixiang to leave.

"Zhou Rui's wife, what do you think Huan-ge'er really meant by those words?"

Once only Zhou Rui's wife was in the side room, Madam Wang spoke slowly, "Could it be that this little beast really has such audacity?"

"Normally, this would definitely not happen!"

Zhou Rui's wife answered cautiously, "But right now, isn't Consort Yuan pregnant?"

"Yes, Yuan Chun is pregnant!"

Madam Wang nodded and sneered, "But how dare he, a mere illegitimate son, presume to benefit from Your Majesty's favor?"

"Madam, why don't we let Huan-ge leave the manor ahead of time?"

Zhou Rui's eyes darted around, and she immediately came up with a terrible idea: 'Let's get it all done before Consort Yuan gives birth, then he'll just be an ordinary member of a collateral branch of the family!'

"Once Her Majesty gives birth to the prince, we'll spread the word that Huan-ge'er is just a son of a concubine and is not worthy of Her Majesty's favor at all!"

"Those outside, upon hearing this, will naturally not be fooled by him!"

Madam Wang nodded repeatedly, her signature kind smile returning to her face, and said leisurely, "Your idea is good, but now is not the right time!"

She also knew that Jia Huan was still young, and if she rashly suggested that he leave the mansion, the Second Master Zheng would be the first to disagree, and the Old Madam might not support it either.

While she may not care, that is not a reason for Madam Wang to act recklessly.

Besides, the aftereffects of Yuan Chun's visit to her family home had not yet fully spread. At this time, Madam Wang's influence in the household was far less than that of the old lady, so she naturally had to think carefully before making decisions.

Once the aftermath of Yuan Chun's visit to her family has fully unfolded, Madam Wang's influence will naturally rise accordingly, and even the old lady might not be willing to directly confront her.

By then, that little bastard Jia Huan will be fourteen years old, and he won't look much different from an adult. It will be much easier to bring up the matter of leaving the manor then.

That's what Madam Wang thought, but some necessary little tricks were still necessary.

Thus, through Yuan Chun's pregnancy, Jia Huan realized that he had a chance to leave the mansion smoothly.

Madam Wang, however, was very cooperative in making up her mind. She even secretly helped to smear Jia Huan, preparing public opinion in advance for the final verdict.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance! Still needing monthly votes, about 100 votes short.

Chapter 221 The Time Has Come (Please Subscribe and Vote)

The news that Consort Yuan was pregnant quickly spread among the powerful and influential.

Instantly, the Rong Mansion once again became the focus of attention for the powerful and wealthy in the capital!

Those who were close to him immediately came to offer their congratulations, and the Rong residence was bustling with visitors.

After the relatives and friends offered their congratulations, a large number of people, whether they knew him or not, came to give him gifts.

In short, with the news of Yuan Chun's pregnancy, the Rong family seems to be showing signs of returning to its former glory.

That's how noble families operate; they either bet on princes or on their own daughters. If either one succeeds, the reward is one or two generations of wealth and honor.

Of course, the price to be paid is also extremely high.

If the bet fails, it could lead to the complete annihilation of the family!

In the century since the founding of the nation, apart from the eight founding dukes, the twelve founding marquises have not been assembled.

This was still due to the influence of the nobility; otherwise, even among the eight founding dukes' families, one or two would have disappeared.

The battle to depose the crown prince was far too brutal. The retired emperor forced the noble families to become completely bound to the deposed crown prince, and the crown princess was the legitimate daughter of one of the eight founding dukes.

In fact, the main reason why the eight founding dukes were able to stand firm for so many years was the military power they held.

Unfortunately, by the time it came to the generation of the eldest master of the Rong family and the second master of the Zheng family, all the real power was in the hands of the old lady. She did not value military power too much, otherwise she would not have handed over all the connections of the Beijing garrison to Wang Ziteng.