Dream of the Red Chamber: I can see the hidden labels of the beauties.

When Jia Zheng tried to persuade him again, Jia She waved his hand impatiently and said:

"There's no need to ask anymore. I think the most suitable thing is for Baoyu to be adopted. There's no need to discuss it further."

"Besides, Can-ge'er is still young and inexperienced in big events, and Zhen'er's wife has just lost her mother and is heartbroken and exhausted. How can she have the mind to deal with these things? It would be best if we helped them handle the funeral first, and we can deal with other things later."

After saying that, he picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and had an expression on his face that said the whole situation was settled.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng was even more horrified. He could naturally understand the implication in Jia She's words: Jia She intended to lead the Rongguo Mansion to completely seize the Ningguo Mansion's titles and property.

It's called adoption, but it's actually embezzlement!

Her expression changed slightly. She turned to look at Jia Can and saw that Jia Can's expression was normal, neither sad nor happy. Her heart was filled with more complicated emotions.

Turning back to look at Jia She, he now harbored some dissatisfaction and indignation:

"Brother, this... how can we do this? Such actions will surely invite criticism, with people saying that our West Mansion is taking advantage of our vulnerability and bullying the orphans and widows of the East Mansion. How will the Jia family maintain its standing in the capital after that? How will we deal with others?"

If it weren't in front of court officials, Jia Zheng might have spoken more frankly and directly, perhaps even questioning Jia She's true intentions.

Even so, these words were already a direct challenge to Jia She.

Jia She's face immediately darkened, a flash of anger crossing his eyes. He glared at Jia Zheng.

"Second brother, this is the most appropriate way to settle this matter; you mustn't say another word!"

As he spoke, he slammed the teacup down on the table.

Several officials sitting nearby saw this and stepped in to smooth things over.

"Gentlemen, there's no need to get angry. We can talk this over..."

"Yes, it's all for your own family's sake, why ruin the brotherhood..."

Some officials nodded in agreement with Jia She's point that Jia Can was, after all, born out of wedlock and thus lacked the proper status. It would be more appropriate, both in terms of etiquette and dignity, to adopt a legitimate son to inherit the Ningguo Mansion.

Clearly, these officials were quite supportive of Jia She.

Seeing this, Jia Zheng felt quite helpless and anxious. He knew that he alone could not go against Jia She or these officials.

He could only place his hopes on Jia Can, so he turned to look at Jia Can, who was sitting at the very end of the table, and asked expectantly:

"Brother Can, do you...do you have any objections to this?"

After all, Jia Can was the person involved, and being deprived of his inheritance rights by Jia She in this way would inevitably make him indignant. If Jia Can objected, he could also take the opportunity to say a few words on his behalf.

However, to his surprise, Jia Can did not stand up to object, nor did he argue passionately.

He simply rose slowly, straightened his clothes, politely bowed to Jia She, Jia Zheng, and several officials, and then calmly replied:

"Uncle Zheng, I am but a son born out of wedlock, and my voice carries little weight. I dare not offer any opinion on such important family matters. I leave everything to the elders to decide. Whatever the decision may be, I am willing to accept it without a single complaint."

As he spoke, he lowered his head slightly, his face calm and composed, showing no sign of resentment or unwillingness.

However, in the instant he lowered his head, a glint of light flashed deep in his eyes, though no one present could see it.

Jia Zheng was completely dumbfounded when he heard this. Even Jia Can, the person involved, said such things so frankly. What reason did he have to oppose Jia She?

He was not a good debater, and besides, Jia She was the eldest brother, so he couldn't be too disobedient.

After a long while, he could only let out a long sigh, swallowing all his resentment and helplessness back down into a heavy sigh.

Jia She was quite pleased to see that Jia Can was so sensible. He stroked his beard, nodded slightly, and showed an approving expression. His tone also softened considerably.

"Hmm, Can-ge'er is a sensible man, very good! Then it's settled. From now on, all affairs of the East Mansion will be handled by your Second Uncle Zheng and me."

"Don't worry, we'll handle things perfectly, you don't need to worry about it."

Jia Can bowed slightly in response:

"Yes, nephew understands."

"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

After speaking, she looked up at Jia She, waiting for his response.

Jia She waved his hand gently:

"Go."

He didn't even lift his eyelids, completely ignoring Jia Can.

When Jia Zheng saw that Jia Can was about to leave, he wanted to call him back and say a few words of advice, but when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he didn't know where to begin.

In the end, he didn't move or speak, but just watched Jia Can turn and leave, his figure gradually disappearing outside the door, and then he sighed again.

Jia Zheng never paid much attention to these household matters. He was usually either attending court, playing chess, receiving guests, or reciting poetry. He never bothered with these things.

Furthermore, since Jia She was clearly determined to seize everything in the Ningguo Mansion, he, as the elder brother, could not repeatedly stop him, much less break ties with his elder brother.

Moreover, he had already tried to persuade and object, but Jia She simply wouldn't listen.

If we continue to persuade them, it might cause the brothers to turn against each other, which would be even more of a loss.

Jia Can was, after all, just his nephew, and since Jia Can himself didn't object, there was no reason for him to support Jia Can regardless of everything.

As Jia She watched Jia Can leave, the corners of his mouth gradually turned up, and he couldn't suppress it any longer.

Thinking to himself, since Jia Can is so honest and sensible, he might as well just give him some property to send him away. A few shops and a few acres of land would be enough for him to live comfortably. He figured he wouldn't dare to say anything more.

The thought that the vast Ningguo Mansion, with its countless fields, shops, antiques, treasures, silver, and banknotes, would all belong to him alone made Jia She burst into laughter.

"Hahaha……"

Although the officials from the imperial court did not know what Jia She was laughing about, they figured it was right for them to laugh along since their master was happy.

Laughter filled the hall, creating an unusually harmonious and joyful atmosphere, as if the Ningguo Mansion were celebrating a happy occasion rather than holding a funeral.

Jia Zheng was the only one who didn't smile; instead, his face was full of complex emotions as he sighed and didn't say much.

……

Now, Jia Can walked out of the main hall and slowly headed towards the backyard.

With a composed gait and a calm expression, he remained unperturbed, as if nothing had happened, and slowly returned to the room where Lin Daiyu and the other girls had helped with the accounting.

Upon entering, Jia Can approached Lin Daiyu and the others, politely bowing and saying:

"My dear sisters, thank you for your help. You don't need to continue. Please stop now."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and the others stopped what they were doing, looked up, and stared at him in surprise and doubt.

They exchanged glances, looking at each other with puzzlement in their eyes.

Weren't you just in a hurry to finish checking the accounts? How come you went out for a bit and came back saying there's no need to check them anymore?

Jia Xichun vaguely sensed something and couldn't help but ask:

"Second Brother Can, what happened? Has something unexpected happened?"

As he spoke, he carefully examined Jia Can's face, trying to discern something from his expression.