Red Mansion Daiyu, the Rise of the Lin Family

In Jia Mu's Rongqing Hall, now sitting are Lady Wang, Lady Xing, Wang Xifeng, Jia Min, and Aunt Xue.

The smoke of a sandalwood cigarette climbed up the wall and covered the entire room.

There was a cup of tea in front of each lady.

"The eldest lady has been promoted to Empress Dowager. This is an honor for our entire Jia family."

"In the future, we can all be said to be relatives of the Empress."

"Everyone sitting here is your blood relative,"

"Broken bones are connected to tendons, so I won't say anything else."

Having said this, Grandmother Jia felt a little thirsty, so she picked up the tea in front of her and took a few sips.

On the left sat Mrs. Xing, looking calm and composed, as if her mind was wandering somewhere.

On the right, Mrs. Wang had a tense face and was staring at the tea foam in front of her.

His daughter Jia Min kept looking at him with doubtful eyes.

Yes, even this silly girl could tell that something was wrong with the atmosphere.

Jia's mother coughed twice, and suddenly she felt a little bored and couldn't say anything. She decided to wait until after dinner.

The current atmosphere makes it difficult to enjoy one’s meal.

"It is a great joy for the Queen to be promoted to a higher position. All the relatives have gathered together today and will have a good time."

Mrs. Wang looked up suddenly and asked in surprise, "Mother, should we clarify the matter first before talking about dinner?"

"We have to reply to the queen as soon as possible!"

"We can't let the queen down."

Mrs. Wang pronounced the word "Empress" with particular emphasis.

Grandmother Jia couldn't help herself any longer. She put the teacup on the table.

"Okay, let's talk about it now. The newly promoted ladies, His Majesty has granted permission for them to visit their parents."

"This is a golden era that only comes once in a lifetime, but we are a little short of cash right now. We need to borrow money from relatives. When the shop and farm have a harvest, we can return it."

After saying these words in one breath, Grandmother Jia seemed to have spent a lot of energy. She took a deep breath and sat in the chair.

Jia Min was shocked when she heard this. This was about borrowing money.

Visiting one's parents means going back to one's parents' home. Even if one is an imperial concubine, the status is different. Is it necessary for one's parents' home to borrow money to prepare for the ceremony?

But since her mother had spoken, Jia Min had no choice but to speak. Fortunately, she was still somewhat wealthy.

"Mom, how much do you need?"

Grandmother Jia glanced at the rest of the people. They were all very calm, biting their lips tightly and no one spoke.

"The gap is nearly one million taels. Mother, after converting some of the dowry, is still short of nearly eight hundred thousand taels."

"What?" Jia Min blurted out in surprise, "Mom! This is not necessary, right?"

"Who can afford so much?" Jia Min originally thought that if it required tens of thousands of taels, she would just give it to her mother.

But there are so many of them that I really can’t make the decision.

She looked at her mother in embarrassment, "Mom! Normally, my family is in trouble, and I shouldn't refuse, but my dowry has already been promised to Daiyu."

"But now I can't move."

"Your son-in-law's salary is almost nothing."

"Mother! Can we talk to the Empress and let her use the existing houses in our Ning and Rong mansions for the visit? It's not impossible to decorate them with some effort, right?"

Jia Min was really in a difficult situation. Normally, she would never say such things before. She was a married daughter, and her brother and sister-in-law were in charge of her parents' affairs. It was not her turn.

But now I have to say it.

Mrs. Wang sneered after hearing what Jia Min said.

"How can you be so frugal? You, a little girl of six or seven years old, promised a dowry of one million taels?"

"It's your turn to be frugal, madam."

"Does anyone believe what you said?"

Jia Min was also a little angry. She didn't expect that her second sister-in-law, who usually didn't talk much, would now speak in a sarcastic way.

"Second sister-in-law, that's not what I meant. After all, the visit is short. Do you think it's worth it to empty your mother's house just for a day or two?"

Mrs. Wang replied directly, "Worth it!"

After that, she said to Lady Jia, "Mother, my dowry can be made up to 100,000 taels. Sister Feng, our Wang family cannot lose its generosity at this time."

Mrs. Wang passed the message to her niece Wang Xifeng. Wang Xifeng was speechless and felt like she was being forced into a task.

This aunt of mine is also interesting. She is a very stubborn person at ordinary times. But now that her daughter has become successful, is she confident?

This is not paper, this is pure silver, this is money.

You just talk for yourself and suddenly become tough. But you can't use your own niece as a raft, right?

Wang Xifeng also received a share of the responsibility,

"I can't compare to the elders, so I'll pay 80,000 taels!"

The dowry cannot be touched. Who doesn’t have a daughter? We have to get some money from other places.

Aunt Xue coughed. She was also a member of the Wang family.

"Ordinarily, my dowry should be left to Baochai, but my niece has become so successful and has become an empress. Shouldn't I follow Sister Feng and give her 80,000 taels?"

"others……"

She was about to say that her own pawnshop could raise the money, but Mrs. Wang grabbed her and shook her head at her.

Aunt Xue stopped talking.

Mrs. Xing said directly and very simply,

"I come from a poor family, and I can't compare to your great achievements. I am poor, so I will give you five hundred taels as a gift!"

As expected, everyone was helpless except to sneer.

There is still a shortfall of more than 500,000 taels, and all eyes are on Jia Min.

Moreover, in their hearts, Jia Min's dowry was given by her natal family, so it was natural for her to give back to her natal family.

Jia Min felt numb all over. She wanted to agree to make her mother happy, but she knew she couldn't agree.

This is not right. If I promise this, my daughter will definitely quarrel with me.

Daiyu is such a greedy child. If she knew that she had lent out all her money, she would be furious.

And it’s obviously wrong to spend money like this, so why do we do this?

"Mom! Can I discuss this with your son-in-law? I can't make the decision on such a large sum."

Jia Min struggled painfully.

Grandmother Jia also knew that this matter should not be pushed too hastily or too far.

"That's fine, let's go eat first. We're at the table, you can choose a time to discuss it."

"Talk to your son-in-law nicely. This is borrowed from my mother's family."

"Your brother will give you the IOU."

Jia Min felt distressed when she heard this. She felt that she was not a person who could hide her thoughts. Instead of eating while struggling like this, it would be better to discuss a result first.

"Mom! I understand. I'll ask someone to call your son-in-law over so we can discuss it first."

Grandmother Jia sighed. She knew that her daughter was shallow-minded and could not handle things well.

"Okay, Min'er, you go first!"

"You all should go out first. I want to be alone. Call me later."

Grandmother Jia drove everyone else out.

What are you all standing here for?

Grandmother Jia felt very upset.

It has only been a few years since the old Duke passed away, and life has become like this.

As for my daughter's dowry, I had selected each of them myself and the Duke.

The past is still vivid in my mind, but today I am crying like rain.

……

Mrs. Wang and others walked out of Lady Jia's room. Mrs. Xing glanced at everyone and left with Wang Xifeng.

He said he would go to the front to entertain the guests.

Aunt Xue looked around and saw that there was no one around. She asked quietly, "Sister, why didn't you let me talk about the pawning?"

"The mansion needs money. I have a pawnshop at home. Isn't that just right?"

"It's just that the amount is huge, so it definitely requires some collateral."

Mrs. Wang stared at the people coming and going in the distance and said,

"Sister, if Jia Min can give up her dowry, there will be no need to pawn it."

"If Jia Min doesn't give up, and you bring it up again, it will be a slap in Jia Min's face."

"Secondly, it can also show the ability of my Wang family."

"You can also bring up Baochai's affairs in the future."

"You can't really count on Xue Pan anymore. Can't you rely more on the girl?"

"I think your daughter is very good."