The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 13 Madam Wang's Rhetoric
In the Ningguo Mansion, under the dim yellow light, Shen Ning leaned on the table and made a stepping motion in place.

Although she was already very tired and wanted to sleep, she wanted to keep going for a while longer, even though it was just a slow, jogging-like in-place exercise.

"Have the rewards been distributed?"

Seeing Qingzhu tiptoe in, Shen Ning shifted her attention.

"Yes!"

Qingzhu hurried over and poured her a cup of warm water. "As you wish, each of the six women, including Granny Wang, will be given ten taels of silver."

They all made contributions at school today.

"Ah."

Shen Ning didn't stop what she was doing. "You and Qingping have worked hard today too. Go to the warehouse tomorrow and each of you can take a gold ring."

"Thank you for the gift, Mrs. Xie."

Qingzhu curtsied and said, "Madam, it's getting late, you should go to sleep."

I wonder if they're waiting for the old man.

But the old man is usually very stubborn; if his wife says she won't see him, he can barge right in. But today, he was very well-behaved and stood outside in the cold for more than half an hour. He left reluctantly before his wife gave in.

now……

"Hmm~" Shen Ning stopped pacing. "What time is it?"

It's three-quarters past Xu hour.

Qingzhu peeked out and glanced at the grandfather clock in the living room.

"Then go to sleep!"

Shen Ning yawned, took off her outer clothes with Qingzhu's help, and lay down on the bed that had been warmed up by several hot water bottles.

Unlike the previous nights when she felt uncomfortable everywhere in bed, today she fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The baby in her belly, perhaps following her movements, didn't fuss at all; it was exceptionally well-behaved, only turning over twice in the middle of the night.

But Jia Zhen tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

He couldn't bear to part with his head butler.

He and Lai Sheng grew up together, and over the years, he took many punishments for Lai Sheng from his father.

Logically, it wasn't Lai Sheng who made the mistake; only his wife should be punished.

But what Lady You said is also true. The eldest branch of the Lai family also has few offspring. It is rare that Lai Sheng's wife gave birth to three sons for him. If she is dealt with, not to mention Lai Sheng, even his three sons will probably feel resentful.

And the mother is at a critical stage in her life; what if she is disturbed by someone...?

Jia Zhen had a headache. "If all else fails, considering the Lai family's loyalty over the years, let's spare his wife and let her go home!"

Madam You: "..."

She wanted to say, "As long as you're not afraid of your mother hitting you with a big stick, I don't care."

But considering this person's temper, I could only close my eyes and pretend to be asleep.

"That's it."

When Jia Zhen received no response, he simply got up and said, "Someone, call Lai Sheng."

The others should be dealt with in the same way.

This matter still needs to be handed over to Lai Shenggan.

So, before long, the Ningguo Mansion was bustling with activity again before nightfall.

It was a rare occasion for Jia Zheng to drink with his colleagues. He returned home late, tipsy, and was served hangover soup by Lady Wang. Just as he was soaking his feet, he heard a knock on the door.

"Mrs!"

Zhou Rui's wife knocked gently on the door from the outside. "There's been another disturbance at the East Mansion. Should we tell the master?"

"The master is drunk, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

Lady Wang glanced at Jia Zheng, who was pretending to be asleep with his eyes closed, thought for a moment, and then said, "Report this to the master!"

"what's up?"

Jia Zheng slightly opened his eyes.

"You're awake? Don't even mention it, something terrible happened at home today."

Madam Wang was still heartbroken over her thousand taels of silver. "My elder brother and Zhen'er caused a scene at the clan school all day, beating up quite a few people. Master Dairu can't stay at the school anymore and is taking his grandson back to his hometown." What?
Jia Zheng suddenly opened his eyes, "What exactly happened?"

Although he also looked down on his twelfth uncle's teaching ability, he was astonished that such an important matter was not discussed with him. "Does the old lady know?"

"The old lady knows."

Lady Wang sighed.

"Know?"

Jia Zheng's tense body relaxed slightly as he avoided looking at the old woman who had entered. "Didn't the old lady stop it?"

Mother wouldn't let my older brother cause trouble.

If you know this, and Uncle Twelve still wants to leave the school, then it can only be Uncle Twelve's problem.

but……

Why didn't you have Lian'er inform me?

"Didn't you make an appointment to drink with Lord Chen and the others early this morning?"

Madam Wang sighed, "Today's turmoil started when Rong-ge'er and Rui-xiaozi from the East Mansion got into a fight. Rui-xiaozi said some things, and when my sister-in-law found out, she was so angry that she fainted. That's when Zhen-er started to get furious."

"Hmm~" Jia Zheng closed his eyes again, seemingly casually asking, "What did he say?"

"My sister-in-law had a difficult pregnancy this time, and everyone was worried about her health. Brother Jing didn't want her to keep the baby, and he even said some harsh words about it, saying that the baby was here to collect a debt."

Madam Wang spoke gently, "I don't know who spread the rumor. You know how rumors always get more and more outrageous. Rui is young, and I don't know who told him. After he fought with Rong, they said that the child came to collect a debt, and that his sister-in-law would die because of him. They even brought up the fact that the East Mansion only has one son. Then Rong pushed him into the ditch."

At this point, she glanced at Jia Zheng, who was not making a sound, and said, "Actually, it's not a big deal. Children are normal to fight and make a fuss. Who knew that my sister-in-law would not have exploded when she heard this before, but she exploded today. She said that it was unfilial and that they were talking about their ancestors. She forced Zhen'er to arrest all the children who spread and listened to the rumors and beat them one by one."

Jia Zheng: "..."

"Now that this has happened outside, I'm afraid it will also cause trouble for those gossipy old women at home."

What Wang Xifeng could guess, Madam Wang, having managed the household for so long, could naturally guess as well.

I just didn't expect that it would take so long to flare up in the middle of the night.

"Your wife is wise."

Zhou Rui's wife hung her hands at her sides. "My husband just said that Steward Lai Sheng is in trouble. Lai Sheng's wife just went to find Granny Lai crying. They say that more than half of the people in the East Mansion are going to be laid off. It's the New Year, and I don't know how many families will be unable to make ends meet."

"..."

Jia Zheng slightly opened his eyes. "Keep an eye on things. Don't disturb the old lady yet. We can talk about it tomorrow."

He lifted his foot, and the maids rushed forward to wipe it. "It's getting late, go to sleep!"

Mrs. Wang: "..."

Zhou Rui's wife: "..."

The two exchanged a glance. Madam Wang waved her hand and reluctantly followed Jia Zheng, personally helping him change his clothes. "Sister-in-law, this is a crucial time. If you ask me, shouldn't we be accumulating blessings for the child? Now that things have escalated so much, I'm afraid our family will become a laughing stock."

"Hmm~" Jia Zheng said with his eyes slightly closed, "I'll talk to them tomorrow."

Zhen Ge'er still listened to his advice.

During the Lunar New Year, it's time to accumulate blessings for the children.

“My sister-in-law is very compassionate towards the poor and weak. She might come to her senses tomorrow. When that happens, you can come with me and try to persuade her.”

Jia Zheng, being very filial, said, "Don't tell the old lady about this." He had heard Aunt Zhao gossip about those rumors to him several times.

Hmph, not everyone is as lucky as him, getting his wife pregnant and his concubine to give birth to two children in a row.

Previously, he admired Brother Jing the most, but now, Jia Zheng felt that he was the most blessed.

"master……"

Wang hesitated for a moment, then straightened his clothes as she said, "Because of what happened today, my sister-in-law wants to reform the school system. She said that all the children of the Jia family who attend school will have to eat a 'bitter-sweet meal' every seven days and will also have to learn martial arts from Jiao Da. Although our Baoyu and Huan'er are getting older, their health is still weak. From now on..."

"What kind of martial arts do you practice?"

Jia Zheng stared wide-eyed.

Their family has already left the military, and for two generations they haven't let their children learn martial arts. The transformation is gradually taking place, so how can it be changed?

"I'll talk to them tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)