Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

"…Two carts full of books! They told me to quietly bring them to Lixiang Courtyard and not to make them public, because they were afraid of causing trouble for Sister Lin!"

Wang Xifeng's forehead, temples, and even the corners of her nose were covered with sweat, and her eyes were full of fear: "Grandfather, what do you think the emperor means by this?"

"I don't understand this either." Grandmother Jia stared out the door and was silent for a long time before turning her gaze back to Wang Xifeng, asking, "Your eldest wife said that you fainted at her place the other day?"

Wang Xifeng's face showed a trace of embarrassment. She looked at the maids serving around her and forced a smile: "Yuanyang, I was busy entertaining the guests and didn't have time to eat or drink. Can you help me see if there is any porridge and bring me a bowl?"

"Well, don't let them use the leftovers to fool your second wife. Go and watch them make a bowl of bird's nest porridge." Grandmother Jia understood and sent everyone away.

Yuanyang lowered her eyes and led the maids out.

When they were the only ones left in the room, Wang Xifeng smiled bitterly and whispered, "The eldest mistress told me that the eldest master has taken a fancy to Yuanyang and wants to take her as his concubine..."

Grandmother Jia was stunned for only a moment, then she was so angry that she beat her chest and stamped her feet: "This beast!!! I only have this one loyal and devoted person by my side, and he still wants to scheme against me! Is he trying to force me to death? "

"Grandma! Grandma, please don't be angry. The master definitely didn't mean that!" Wang Xifeng hurriedly moved to sit next to Lady Jia, and whispered to her, "For so many years, the master just liked young things and never had those thoughts!"

Grandmother Jia was so angry that her whole body was shaking, her teeth were chattering, and her eyes were full of fire.

Seeing that she had stopped scolding him, Wang Xifeng continued, "The eldest mistress tried to persuade him for a long time, but the eldest master was stubborn and refused to give in, so he turned hostile and called Master Lian. It happened that he was busy with the matter of Sister Lin those days, so Master Lian said that he would think of a solution after finishing his serious work.

"Who knew that the eldest master got angry in front of the mistress, and he didn't let the second master refuse, so he came up and kicked him a few times. The second master Lian went home limping and holding his stomach. I was scared, so I asked him what happened.

"We were just thinking about what to do when the eldest wife called me over. How could I, a daughter-in-law, control my father-in-law from taking in someone else? And stop him? It would be too embarrassing for everyone! I was so embarrassed that I pretended to faint."

Grandmother Jia snorted, and her anger gradually subsided: "Fortunately you all understand, otherwise, I couldn't hit him, and I'm afraid I would vent my anger on you two and your wife!"

"Our lady has listened to you this year and often sent cakes and fruits to Lixiangyuan. Her mind is particularly clear. It should be said that it was the aunt from the palace who taught the lady the truth through her polite responses." Wang Xifeng praised Aunt Meng endlessly, but did not dare to mention Lin Daiyu.

Jia Mu was dragged back to the topic by her and fell silent again. After a while, she whispered, "What do you think? Let's ask Zijuan to come out and ask. Is it possible?"

"It's not impossible. We can discuss other things after we ask Zijuan for confirmation." Wang Xifeng said softly, looking deeply at Lady Jia.

Grandmother Jia understood and laughed. She held Wang Xifeng's hand tightly and patted it gently: "Besides Yuanyang, you are the one who understands my heart the best in this family."

"My dear ancestor, among all the people in this family, you are the one who loves me the most. I love to follow you and respect you! Otherwise, I would have asked Master Lian to find a post outside the capital and travel outside the capital!" Wang Xifeng leaned on Lady Jia's shoulder and acted coquettishly.

Grandmother Jia chuckled, her heart slightly moved.

At the same time, Jia Zheng also received the news about the two carts of books. He frowned and thought again and again, and asked someone to invite Jia Yucun to come over and sit with him. When it was almost time for dinner, he asked Jia Lian to accompany Yucun for dinner, and he returned to the inner house and asked someone to invite Mrs. Wang to come.

Mrs. Wang looked at the empty room with only her and her husband left, and the sumptuous dishes on the table, and couldn't help but wonder: "Master, do you have something to say?"

"Take a look at this." Jia Zheng handed her a piece of paper.

Mrs. Wang took it hesitantly, and after just one glance, her eyes lit up: "What is this?!"

"The income of Lin girl is expected to grow in a year and a half." Jia Zheng looked at her meaningfully. "Now you know why the old lady wanted to marry Lin girl to Baoyu, right?"

Fifty thousand taels!

A year and a half!

It’s just the interest, not the principal!

The lust on Mrs. Wang’s face could no longer be hidden!

"Only you and I know about this matter. Don't tell anyone else." Jia Zheng said, and then he took the paper back from her hand, folded it, and put it in his sleeve.

But thinking about how Xue Baochai was, how mellow and fertile she was, how respectful, gentle and obedient she was, and how Aunt Xue was, who always listened to her instigation, Mrs. Wang still felt unwilling to give in: "As for wealth, the Xue family is not bad either."

"Does the Xue family have the emperor's favor?" Jia Zheng looked at her coldly, "The so-called imperial merchants are just a name. Since your brother-in-law passed away, there is no one in the Xue family who can support them. The only master of the second house is said to be in poor health.

"But my niece is different. Today, the emperor remembered that Ru Hai loves books like his life, and heard from Aunt Meng that Sister Lin is also a reader, so he ordered people to bring two carts of books for the child to read. He also said that the books are for Sister Lin alone, and asked others to stand far away and not touch them!"

Madam Wang was shocked, and a strange look suddenly appeared on her face. She suddenly leaned over and asked in a low voice: "Sister Lin is already thirteen years old, and has gradually grown up. Is it true that the emperor only loves Lin Ruhai, and is he attracted to Sister Lin's beauty?!"

"Tao Xingjian treated Sister Lin like an uncle treats his niece. During the ceremony today, Sister cried so hard that she almost fainted, and Tao Xingjian helped her up without any suspicion."

Jia Zheng dodged and glanced at her, "If the emperor really has that intention, would Tao Xingjian dare to touch her even a finger?

"You are full of filth, so you think others are just as filthy as you!"

Mrs. Wang snorted and turned away. After a long while, she said reluctantly, "Since the master and the old lady are willing, and Baoyu is fascinated by her, I won't say anything.

"But this girl's mother has a bad body since her birth. If she dies prematurely in the future, Baoyu will marry her again as a concubine, and she won't be a good one! Besides, with Lin girl's body, if she gives birth to Baoyu's child, it will be the end of her life!"

After a pause, he remembered something and sneered, "Of course, since your Jia family's second branch already has Lang Ge'er, Baoyu doesn't need to have an heir!"

"What are you talking about?!" Jia Zheng frowned and said seriously, "Will Baoyu not leave two people in the room in the future? Not to mention you and me, even the old lady will make arrangements for him!

"Don't dwell on these details. Anyway, the marriage between Baoyu and Lin Jie'er has been decided. After dinner, come with me and tell the old lady!"