The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 18 Surprise
Rongguo Mansion, Grandmother Jia's courtyard.

Grandmother Jia had already heard about Lai Da's wife's affair from Lai Sheng's wife in the East Mansion.

She is now unwilling to hear her son and daughter-in-law talk about Lai Sheng's wife anymore.

That's a matter for the East Mansion after all; it wouldn't be right for her, a distant aunt, to interfere too much.

Especially since Shen Ning is currently at a critical juncture and her emotions are quite sensitive, if things go wrong, the two households could lose their previous close relationship because of a servant.

"Grandma, this isn't just about Lai Sheng's wife."

Seeing the old lady frown, and knowing that her husband Jia Zheng, who had previously listened to her, was about to back down because of her attitude, Lady Wang had no choice but to step in herself. "I heard from Zhou Rui's wife that more than half of the people in the East Mansion have already been detained. Although these people are servants, they are all born into the family. Our Jia family is known for its generosity towards its servants. Now that my sister-in-law and Zhen'er are doing this, what will others think of our two mansions?"

Madam Wang was very sincere, "Do you think you should do something about it?"

Does she care?

Grandmother Jia, reclining on the couch, glanced at her second daughter-in-law and said, "Wait a minute!"

A group of Jia family members studying in the school were beaten, so why would they care about a few servants?
Although Grandmother Jia was slightly displeased that Shen Ning and Jia Zhen had made such a big move because of a rumor, she did not intend to take immediate action.

The East Mansion is, after all, the eldest son's family.

Although Shen Ning did not have an official title, she was still the most honored woman in the Jia family after Jia Jing and Jia Zhen.

As her aunt from a different branch of the family, she could have the upper hand in terms of status, but the rumors were too malicious. If she helped the person spreading the rumors, what would she become?
"Your sister-in-law has always been sensible, and Zhen'er isn't a heartless person either. Let's see what Lai Sheng does!"

Lai Sheng is the head steward of that household. He wasn't worried when his wife was sent home. Why are the master and mistress in such a hurry?
Grandmother Jia had long been dissatisfied with Lady Wang's abuse of power.

It's just that her children are good, so she has to be a little accommodating.

Both generations of Wang's aunts married into the Jia family, so Grandmother Jia was quite at ease with Wang Ziteng.

However, both generations of aunts are in their Rongguo Mansion. If Shen Ning and Jia Zhen in Ningguo Mansion have any complaints... they will come and talk to them after they have taken care of what needs to be done. Anyway, it's just a matter of the distribution of benefits.

"By the way, where's Lian'er? Tell him to go ask his brother Zhen how far things are going to escalate."

They talk better when they're brothers together.

Even if Lian'er is wrong, Jia Zhen won't do anything to him.

On the contrary, once the uncles, such as She'er and Zheng'er, speak their minds and cause a rift, many things become difficult to handle later.

“This is exactly what Lian’er should be concerned about. You, as her uncle and aunt, should let go when it’s time to let go.”

Grandmother Jia was not actually worried about Jia Zhen.

Compared to the Ningguo Mansion, the Rongguo Mansion still had her to support it. Although her eldest grandson, Zhu'er, was not the one to inherit the title, he was very promising in his studies.

He will not follow Jia Jing's path, nor will he follow Zheng'er's path.

Grandmother Jia believed that Jia Zhu could pass the exam based on his own abilities.

With the help of the Li family and the support of the Jia family, they will surely surpass their predecessors.

"Alright, you can all leave now. Have Lian'er come over here..."

Before the old lady could finish speaking, a wail accompanied by hurried, chaotic footsteps rushed in, "Grandma, help!"

Granny Lai rushed to Grandmother Jia's bedside, crying out, "Master Zhen is going to confiscate my property!"

what?
Jia Zheng and Lady Wang stood up abruptly.

"what happened?"

Grandmother Jia thought she was hallucinating.

Jia Zhen was perfectly fine, how could he have been copied here?

"This old servant doesn't know either!"

Granny Lai was going crazy. "Master Zhen led a group of guards and servants, like wolves and tigers, and suddenly stormed into our house and arrested everyone in the family!"

She saw Jia Zheng's head thumping repeatedly, crying out, "Second Master, please hurry and save my Lai Da! Waaaaah, waaaahh ...

"Mother~"

"Go!"

Grandmother Jia, no longer caring about being crooked, said, "Let's go see what that scoundrel is up to."

She was angry too.

Granny Lai was her dowry maid. Over the years, she had been through thick and thin with her. Now that she was finally able to become a noblewoman and enjoy her life, Jia Zhen wanted to confiscate her property. What audacity he had!
"Where is the master?"

Grandmother Jia called out repeatedly, "Go, quickly call him too."

The second son was clumsy with words and pedantic; when Jia Zhen got going, he couldn't do anything about it.

But the eldest son was different; he was even more of a scoundrel than Jia Zhen.

Jia She was unaware that his grandmother cared so much about him.

There was a commotion in the East Mansion last night, and they closed all their doors and windows afterward, so he couldn't be bothered to do anything about it.

After all, he can't even manage his own family.

but……

Jia She looked at Xing'er kneeling before him, clutching a piece of paper with a few lines of writing on it, and paced back and forth for a while. "Is your master really made up his mind?"

They raided Lai Sheng's house, but stopped halfway through and sealed it off. Then, with a bunch of people, they took Lai Sheng to raid Lai Dajia's house.

Jia She was convinced.

Is this to prevent Lai Da from transferring his assets?

Or was he afraid his mother would stop him, so he decided to just go all the way and not do it at all?
"Yes!"

Xing'er trembled with fear.

At this moment, he was both afraid and excited.

There always needs to be a steward in a household.

Although he is not yet qualified to be the steward, with Lai Sheng gone, most of the people in the mansion have also fallen, which greatly increases his chances of promotion.

"Master, you'd better hurry up and go, otherwise, once the old lady and the second master inside get the news, many things will become inconvenient."

This?
Jia She finally stopped. "Men, bring fire and water sticks and seize Lai Dajia for me."

Lai Da certainly has more than 20,000 taels of silver in his possession.

If what Jia Zhen said is true, he is about to make a fortune.

snort!
Jia She, of course, also disliked Lai Da.

He was clearly the one who inherited the title, but the servants in the mansion all called him Second Brother Master, while he became the First Master, as if he were the one who was taking shelter from his younger brother.

When Jia She, leading a large group of servants, stormed towards Lai's family through the southeast corner gate, Jia Zheng, with two servants, finally arrived at his courtyard. It turned out he too was worried he couldn't control Jia Zhen and wanted to call upon his elder brother.

"What did you say?"

Upon hearing that his elder brother had actually led a group of people to attack, Jia Zheng's face changed color, fearing that he was going to avenge Lai Da and would fight with the people of the East Mansion.

"Quickly, hurry and chase after the master."

When they called for people to chase Jia She, Jia Zheng himself started running as well.

Oh no, if a fight really breaks out, the Jia family will be finished.

What did Lai Da do?!

He was perfectly fine when he came back from the East Mansion!

At the same time, upon hearing that Jia Zhen had suspended the search of this house and instead taken most of his men to search Lai's house, Shen Ning was slightly taken aback, but then laughed, "Rong-ge'er, do you think your father did the right thing?"

Jia Rong: "..."

He was a little confused.

It doesn't seem right to say that his father couldn't bear to part with Lai Sheng and changed his mind; he left Jiao Da to look after Lai Sheng's family.

With Jiao Da around, the people left behind there didn't dare to do anything funny.

But then, after copying half of it, they went on to copy the works of Lai Dajia of Xifu...

"That should be correct."

Jia Rong's voice was clear and bright. "The Lai family has been operating in both mansions for a long time. If we don't wipe them out completely, there will be endless troubles in the future."

Why are there six old women guarding outside?

Isn't it because his mother is worried about his and his grandmother's safety?

“The West Mansion is not our East Mansion. Father and Grandmother can make decisions about the East Mansion. If we can’t take down the Lai family in the West Mansion in one fell swoop, we may not be able to take them down at all. The old lady there will not agree to it just because of Granny Lai.”

"...Truly worthy of being a descendant of the Duke of Ningguo!"

Shen Ning patted his head. "Very strategic."

They are not the type to act blindly.

pity……

Shen Ning sighed inwardly, "Your father has considered everything very thoroughly."

She didn't expect it.

Sure enough, Jia Zhen, the eldest son, was quite capable.

"The You family!"

"Mother……"

Madam You is looking at the account books that were moved from the Lai family.

"Find a few more maids from the kitchen, and transfer a few accountants from the outer courtyard to Rong-ge'er."

Shen Ning smiled at Jia Rong, who was pleasantly surprised, and said, "Go and finish the job of confiscating the property."

"Yes!"

Jia Rong responded loudly.

Although his buttocks still hurt, he could bear it.

"Bring your men with you."

Shen Ning smiled at her grandson, who hadn't yet gone astray, and said, "Remember, you can never be alone."

The Ningguo Mansion is now mostly empty.

Therefore, she couldn't assign any of the six old women outside.

"Grandson remembers, grandson will definitely come back soon."

Jia Rong carefully got off the kang (a heated brick bed), saying, "Mother, I'm leaving Grandmother here in your care."

"Your mother knows what she's doing, so go quickly!"

Ms. You smiled.

She had been his stepmother for several years, but the child had never been so respectful and affectionate as he was today.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were both in high spirits when they saw Jia Rong leave with a group of people again.

"Mother!"

Only after the person was out of sight did Madam You turn her head and ask, "Do you think things will go smoothly at the West Mansion?"

"Probably!"

Since Jia Zhen has already done it, he should have sought Jia She's approval.

Shen Ning slowly walked into the garden, "If he can get there first, he's already won half the battle."

There was no time to transfer assets, and the reliance on everyone's wealth might just shock all the masters of the Rong Mansion.

It's such a pity I can't go and see it.

"Later, the Lai family's shop and land will be split in half between you and Rong-ge, and the rest..."

Shen Ning felt a kick in her stomach and touched it. "Keep the rest sealed here. I have another use for them."

"Yes! Thank you, Mother!"

You Shi Mangfu bowed.

She came from a humble background, and if it weren't for the generous dowry she received, she probably wouldn't even be able to stand in front of others.

All the dowry was prepared using the original betrothal gifts.

Yu Shi could never forget the torment she endured during that period.

"Get up quickly and call me Mother. What are you being so polite about?"

Shen Ning's hand was still on the baby's little feet. "I don't actually need you to serve me for a while." She couldn't get the first scoop from the Rong family, but the second scoop would be acceptable. "Why don't you go to the West Mansion and pay your respects to the old lady?"

She laughed and said, "While you're at it, curse your husband in front of them."

Madam You: "..."

She smiled slowly, "I'll listen to my mother, I'll go over there right away."

(End of this chapter)