Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

The mother and daughter of the Yu family were dragged away by the guards, and Youshi looked at them with smugness. This farce finally developed according to her plan. Next, she would use the power of Lady Jia to completely get rid of these three troubles.

Yu Shi turned to face Lady Jia, feigning tears of gratitude. "Grandmother, thank you for upholding justice for your daughter-in-law. I will redouble my efforts in the future to serve the Jia family well." Lady Jia smiled and nodded, expressing her satisfaction. After Yu Shi left, the nanny beside Lady Jia leaned forward and whispered, "Grandmother, why did you trust Yu Shi so easily? What if she deliberately framed Yu Shi and her daughter..." Lady Jia smiled. "Of course I know what's going on. Yu Shi may be scheming, but she's still a member of the Jia family. This commotion is just an attempt to protect her position, but it's made me see clearly her tactics. If she can truly serve the Jia family, she might also be able to serve our Rongguo Mansion." With this, Lady Jia closed her eyes and rested for a moment. Meanwhile, Yu Shi returned to her room, feeling cheerful. She began to plan her next move: to ensure that Yu Shi and her daughter would never stand up again...

After a long while, Grandmother Jia slowly closed her eyes and said in a heavy tone, "This matter has been going on for so long, why haven't you seen Brother Zhen yet? Go and call him over and tell him I've been waiting for him here."

During this period of waiting, Grandmother Jia's mind raced. She couldn't help but reflect on the current state of the Jia family. The men of the Rong and Ning mansions were obsessed with debauchery, with no one capable of carrying the family's weight. Only Concubine Yuanchun remained, struggling to maintain the family's reputation within the palace. Although she often professed her disbelief in the Jia family's decline, the reality was stark and undeniable. It seemed she must find a way to strengthen her relationship with the Lin family, even if it was only superficial. Otherwise, the Jia family might truly be doomed.

Recalling the days when the Jia Daishan brothers were still alive, they had been so brave, powerful, and immensely influential. Back then, whenever she traveled to visit a household, she was warmly welcomed, and even the most favored ladies in the palace would affectionately address her as "Sister." But what about now? Grandmother Jia sighed deeply, her heart filled with helplessness and sorrow.

At this moment, Jia Zhen hurried over and immediately greeted, "Nephew greets Grandmother." Because Jia Zhen had been fooling around with a maid in his study, the servants didn't dare enter to disturb him. He was whipped, and naturally, he didn't know his dirty tricks had been exposed. Grandmother Jia looked at Jia Zhen, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, but she still asked, "Zhen'er, do you know why I called you here?" Jia Zhen lowered his head and said nothing.

Grandmother Jia paused, her gaze sharp as a torch, and continued, "Since the passing of the Duke, the Jia family has lost its former glory. Now, with so few talented individuals in the family, there's a lack of successors. We urgently need someone to step forward and shoulder the heavy burden of revitalizing the family. And you, as the head of the Jia family, should shoulder this responsibility!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen's face immediately showed embarrassment, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead. He knew very well that he was usually indulgent and indulged in wine and women, so how could he take on such a heavy responsibility? So he quickly declined, saying, "But, great-aunt, my nephew is used to his free and easy life. I really can't handle these trivial matters..."

Grandmother Jia's face darkened, and she said sternly, "Humph, you seem to understand your own moral character very well! Can you really bear to watch the Jia family decline like this?"

Jia Zhen was caught off guard. His legs went limp with fear, and he fell to his knees with a thump. He kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "I know I was wrong. Please calm down, great aunt. I will definitely change for the better!"

However, Lady Jia did not calm down. Instead, she continued to scold, "Do you really know you are wrong? Why do I hear those rumors, saying that you disregarded the law and even took prostitutes during the mourning period, and even committed adultery with your aunt's sister, making her pregnant!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen's heart was shaken, and his face turned pale. He hadn't expected this matter to reach Lady Jia's ears, and to attract such attention and dissatisfaction from her. He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, and then feigned composure and argued, "Old Madam, please don't believe these rumors! Someone must have ulterior motives, maliciously fabricating them to tarnish my reputation."

Grandmother Jia didn't buy his story at all. She laughed coldly, her tone tinged with sarcasm and distrust. "Hmph, I don't think it's a rumor. You should know better than anyone what you've done. If you don't want others to know, then don't do it yourself."

Seeing Lady Jia's resolute attitude, Jia Zhen grew increasingly anxious. He knew Lady Jia was a shrewd and intelligent woman who wouldn't be easily fooled. But he refused to give in, so he continued stubbornly, "Madam, I swear to heaven I never did such a thing. Someone must be jealous of my position and power within the Jia family and is deliberately fabricating these rumors to frame me. You must distinguish right from wrong and don't believe these fabricated rumors!"

However, Grandmother Jia was unmoved by his oath. She narrowed her eyes slightly, revealing a hint of majesty and determination. "Jia Zhen, there's no need to quibble. Although I'm old, my mind is still clear. I've heard a lot of rumors about you these days. As the saying goes, there's no smoke without fire. If you were truly upright, how could there be so many rumors?"

Grandmother Jia stared at Jia Zhen gravely, a hint of disappointment flickering in her eyes. She gently shook her head, sighed deeply, and said in a heavy and helpless tone, "Alas, you truly disappoint me! I had hoped you would repent and reform, but I never thought you would remain so stubborn. You even dared to say something like 'someone is jealous of you'. Who in this world would envy you for indulging in wine and women all day long? Who would envy someone as irresponsible as you?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen's heart suddenly ignited with rage. His face flushed red with anger, and veins popped out on his forehead. His eyes widened, his fists clenched tightly, and he roared loudly with gritted teeth, "Who on earth is this talkative fellow who is spouting nonsense and actually alarmed the old lady?"

His angry roar reverberated throughout the room like thunder, each word laced with endless anger and resentment, chilling people to the bone. It seemed as if it was about to devour everything in the room.

Grandmother Jia sat nearby, her brow slightly furrowed in displeasure. She spoke to him in a reproachful tone, "Why, are you still trying to shift the blame onto others? Isn't it your own bad behavior that has caused all this trouble?" Her voice, though calm, carried an undeniable authority.

After hearing this, the muscles on Jia Zhen's face twitched slightly. He gritted his teeth and said viciously: "It must be that jealous bitch Youshi! She has always been dissatisfied with me. She must be behind this and wants to destroy my reputation!" His eyes were full of hatred and resentment, as if he wanted to eat Youshi alive.