The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 25 Father and Son
Jia Lian, who had some filial piety, watched from afar as his father and uncle entered his grandmother's courtyard, knowing that they were going to argue there.

But nine times out of ten, his father will still lose.

His only worry now is that one of them... might get really angry.

Jia Lian had been preparing carriages and horses so he could go find the imperial physician immediately.

However, Baoyu suddenly burst in, crying loudly.

Jia Lian was stunned.

Sure enough, a short while later, his father came out with a dark face and an angry expression.

uncle……

Jia Lian noticed that his uncle's face was also very dark.

It seems neither brother got the better end of the deal.

Jia Lian watched for a while longer, and after confirming that the old lady was alright, he hurriedly ran back to the courtyard and said to Wang Xifeng, who was also avoiding the quarrel of her elders, "Quickly, pack your things, I'm leaving tonight."

What?
Seeing his frightened look, Wang Xifeng didn't know whether to be angry or feel sorry for him. "Unless you don't come back, you definitely won't escape a beating from your father."

She had already received word that Baoyu had been coaxed by Zhou Rui's wife to play in the old lady's courtyard.

Needless to say, they will definitely let him break in at the crucial moment.

Although she had only been married into the family for a short time, Wang Xifeng always knew how much the old lady doted on Baoyu.

"Besides, running away now will only make my father angrier."

Although that father was unreliable, he would really protect her husband when it mattered.

"What should I do?"

Jia Lian became even more anxious and paced around the room.

He won't get a single penny of Lai's property.

He clearly gained nothing, yet he still suffered as a result.

"...Let's go ask Auntie from the East Mansion for advice!"

Wang Xifeng could tell that the aunt was truly daring and capable. "I feel that she is still good to you and Father."

Although she was forced to repay over 100,000 taels of silver at the time, which pained her greatly, she now understood that if she didn't repay the silver today, she would never be able to repay it in the future, as her aunt would use various methods to gradually empty it out.

"Then... should I go now?"

"Ok!"

Wang Xifeng nodded, "Go!"

So, not long after, Shen Ning saw Jia Lian.

Her eyes couldn't help but curve into a smile.

"Auntie, I'm going to Yangzhou tomorrow," Jia Lian said with a fawning smile. "Is there anything you'd like me to bring back?"

"It really does."

Shen Ning gave Qingzhu a look, and Qingzhu hurried into the inner room. After a while, she came out with a thick envelope. "This is a letter I wrote to your aunt and uncle. Please take it to them and send my regards."

"Yes!"

Jia Lian took it, but hesitated to speak.

"Since this is your first time going on a long trip, go find your elder brother Zhen and ask him to give you four guards to accompany you."

"……Yes!"

Jia Lian was moved and stood up to bow.

The house is in complete chaos right now, and probably no one will bother to help him.

No, even if he's perfectly fine, no one will take care of things for him.

He has always taken care of himself.

"I will listen to my aunt."

"We're family, no need for formalities."

Shen Ning gestured for him to sit down. "When you get back, no matter how late it is, and no matter how angry your father and uncle are, you must remember to say goodbye to him." She instructed him, "You're going on a long trip now, so he won't beat you for helping your second aunt hide the 10,000 taels of silver she stole from him."

Jia Lian: "..."

He was sweating.

However, I must say, what my aunt said makes a lot of sense.

He's going on a long trip!

No matter how angry her father was, she had to hold back until he came back before saying anything.

This is better than him running away, which would only make his father angrier.

"I will go back and say goodbye to my father."

The huge weight on my heart has finally been lifted.

“Lian’er…”

Looking at the silly boy's expression, Shen Ning sighed inwardly, "When you helped your second aunt move that ten thousand taels of silver, did you ever think about whether she could repay it?"

This?
Jia Lian lowered his head.

Having managed the household for two years, how could he not know about the problems within the family?
But he was powerless to reform.

Moreover, the old lady had instructed that the family must not be short of supplies from the palace.

He had no other choice.

Even if his father jumped up and down in protest, it was useless; the old lady could suppress him at any time. "Looks like she's thought it through."

Shen Ning was furious for Jia She. "You think your father is a scoundrel and your second uncle and aunt are good, but Lian'er, no matter how good other people's parents are, they are still other people's parents. When you are in trouble, the first person to jump out and protect you will definitely be your father."

Jia Lian: "..."

His face gradually turned pale.

Today, his grandmother brought him out to confront his aunt, but his father immediately protected him, as did his second uncle and aunt...

"Many things, once started, can never be undone."

Shen Ning sighed, "If you can embezzle money once, you can embezzle it many times. But your grandfather sealed it, your father sealed it, do you think it's just a joke? Even if you don't trust your father, you should trust your grandfather."

They all know this money has to be repaid sooner or later. Even if you don't repay it in your generation, what about your descendants? How will they repay it then?

Large beads of sweat appeared on Jia Lian's forehead.

"Your father's fighting and grabbing may seem undignified, but have you ever considered that what he's fighting and grabbing should rightfully be his?"

Shen Ning shooed him away, "Go on, go back and properly apologize to your father and say goodbye!"

"……Yes!"

Jia Lian bowed even lower, "I will listen to my aunt. I will think it over carefully."

He felt quite sad as he walked back.

Today, he broke his father's heart.

Jia Lian quickened his pace and walked towards his father's courtyard.

The Rongguo Mansion was actually very large, and Rongxi Hall was very large. Even though my second uncle and aunt only lived in a side room, it was still several times larger than my father's place.

Brother Zhu's courtyard is very large. Although Baoyu is temporarily staying with his grandmother, he knows that Baoyu's future courtyard will not be small. After all, the empty courtyard, which is well-furnished, was reserved for him.

And his yard was just like his father's...

At this moment, Jia She's courtyard was brightly lit.

He had seen many of the antiques and calligraphy works belonging to the Lai family when he was young.

It can now be considered a return to its rightful owner.

However, his yard doesn't seem to be big enough to accommodate everyone.

Fortunately, he already has a separate residence.

Jia She took out the land deed for the Lai family's courtyard and was about to give the order to move the excess property over here when his son came in.

"Father!"

Jia Lian knelt down the moment he entered.

"Who do you think it is?"

Jia She sneered, "So it's the mighty Second Master Lian. What are you doing here? Quickly, go to Rongxi Hall. Your good second uncle is waiting for you."

"Father, your son knows he was wrong."

Jia Lian crawled a few steps on his knees and hugged his father's legs, saying, "Please don't chase your son away."

Hearing the sob in his voice, Jia She frowned slightly.

This kid did something bad, so normally people would avoid him.

Now they're actively looking for a fight...

Jia She said in a deep voice, "Come in with me."

He pulled his hand away from his son and went into the study first.

Jia Lian quickly followed suit.

"Tell me, what other bad things have you done?"

Only someone who can't control this foolish boy would seek out his father.

"No son."

Jia Lian hurriedly shook his head, "Son... has come to say goodbye." He looked at his father, making sure that his father was waiting for him to speak, and hurriedly added, "Didn't you want your son to go to the school? Aunt said that it's not good that the school's expenses have always been provided by the clan and the mansion. She told my son to take three years' worth of supplies from the clan and buy some sacrificial land from my aunt in Yangzhou."

"..."

It turns out it was important business.

Jia She's expression relaxed. "But we don't have enough manpower?"

“My aunt lent me four guards from the manor.”

Jia Lian leaned closer to his father. "Father, are you going to write a letter to my aunt and uncle?"

To write or not to write?
According to Jia She's original temperament, he wouldn't want to write it.

But if this foolish boy hadn't said a word to his father...

"Hmm~, I'll pick it up tomorrow morning."

He needs to think about what to write.

Jia She said, "Although it's getting warmer in Jiangnan, there's still a chance of a cold snap in spring. Tell your wife to prepare some warm clothes."

"Ok!"

Jia Lian nodded vigorously, "Son, I'll tell Feng'er when I get back."

His father didn't intend to hit him, nor did he scold him.

Jia Lian was overjoyed. "The clothes and jewelry from Jiangnan..." Seeing his father's glare, he quickly added, "The fans and such are all good. I'll bring back a lot to show my respect to you and my wife when I come back."

(End of this chapter)