Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

From the master of the mansion to the servants and maids, everyone, from top to bottom, was enveloped in this seemingly beautiful yet illusory joy. Everyone was immersed in their own dreams, oblivious to the deep anxiety brooding within Mrs. Wang's heart. It seemed that if only this wedding took place, all problems would be solved, and the Jia family would usher in an unprecedented moment of glory. However, they had no idea that a huge crisis was quietly approaching...

After hearing what Lady Wang said, Tanchun felt a surge of discontent and resentment, but she knew her position was still low, so even though she felt resentful, she dared not say anything. At this moment, Zhou Rui, who had been standing by and observing the situation, hurried forward, smiling and cautiously saying, "Madam, please don't worry too much about this matter! Speaking of the Prince Zhongshun's Mansion, while there are some minor rifts between it and our Second Branch, the First Branch still lives under the same roof as us. Now that the Second Miss has been betrothed to the Prince Zhongshun's Mansion, if she can skillfully maneuver and mediate, perhaps she can gradually improve the strained relationship between the two families. Furthermore, Prince Zhongshun is a powerful figure, wielding immense authority and prestige. If, for the Second Miss's sake, he were willing to lend a hand to our Second Master Bao, wouldn't that be a great boon for his future?"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang's gloomy expression softened slightly. Her eyes flickered slightly, as if she were seriously considering Zhou Ruijia's argument. Zhou Ruijia continued, "Besides, even if the eldest branch gains power, the entire Jia family remains a single entity in the eyes of outsiders. In this way, we can at least benefit from it. So, in my opinion, instead of getting so angry, it would be better to calm down and think carefully about how to make the most of this special relationship."

Madam Wang frowned slightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on the horizon, as if lost in deep thought. Time ticked by, and finally, she parted her rosy lips and spoke slowly, "You're not entirely unreasonable. However... will Prince Zhongshun's situation truly be as smooth as you claim? I have some doubts." She shook her head gently, a hint of worry on her face.

Seeing this, Zhou Ruijia hurriedly nodded and said, "Madam, you can give it a try without worry! Even if the result is not satisfactory, it is better than us sitting here and sulking." As she spoke, she looked at Mrs. Wang with eager eyes, her eyes full of expectation and encouragement.

After hearing Zhou Ruijia's words, Mrs. Wang fell silent for a moment. Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she sighed deeply and said helplessly, "Forget it, forget it. Things have come to this point. There's really no other way. Let's just try as you suggest." As soon as she finished speaking, the tense atmosphere in the room suddenly eased slightly. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and exchanged comforting glances.

No matter how much dissatisfaction and complaints Mrs. Wang had in her heart, she did not stir up too much trouble in a short period of time and did not cause any trouble.

Time flies by like a white horse, and two months have passed in a flash. In the blink of an eye, it is the day before Yingchun's wedding.

As Wang Xifeng is Lady Wang's niece, and both of them live in the capital, it is natural for her to go to the Jia Mansion to add dowry to Yingchun, who is about to get married.

This time, Yingchun was marrying a member of the royal family, a noble, and would even be listed in the imperial patriarchal chart as a concubine. As a result, even though the Jia family was reluctant to part with the large sum, they had no choice but to meticulously prepare Yingchun's dowry in order to save Prince Zhongshun's reputation. The amount was staggering.

Jia Mu, Jia She, Mrs. Wang and other family elders all donated generously and gave a large and valuable dowry; even Mrs. Xing, who was usually stingy, took out a lot of treasures from her most valuable treasure box and gave them to Yingchun for the first time.

This is as rare as a stingy person plucking his feathers on his own initiative. It is truly the first time in the world that this has happened!

On the day of the make-up, sunlight streamed through the window lattices, illuminating the room. Lady Wang, dressed in a gorgeous brocade gown with delicate embroidery at the collar and cuffs, walked gracefully into the room. Following closely behind her were two charming and striking maids, both with rosy complexions and graceful figures.

Mrs. Wang smiled as she walked up to Yingchun, stopped, and whispered softly, "Yingchun, you'll be entering the palace tomorrow! As the saying goes, 'Once you enter a marquis's mansion, it's like entering a deep sea,' especially since this is a palace! Second Aunt has specially selected these two thoughtful maids for you to take with you. This way, you'll have more helpers around you, so you'll have someone to lend a hand when you need help. Don't you agree?"

At this moment, Jia She suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "What do you mean, sister-in-law? Could it be that I, Jia She, don't even have the ability to provide a few maids for my own daughter? Do you need to send people here so attentively? Do you think that I, as a father, have not taken good care of my daughter?" His voice was as loud as a bell, shaking the whole room.

A trace of subtle embarrassment flashed across Mrs. Wang's face for a moment, but she quickly regained her smile and hurriedly explained: "Oh, brother, you really misunderstood me! How could I dare to have such an idea! I just wanted to send two more people to take care of it. It won't do any harm after all." However, Jia She obviously did not appreciate it. He snorted coldly, folded his hands on his chest, and said seriously: "Forget it, I have already arranged Yingchun's dowry maid, so don't bother you, sister-in-law!" After that, he turned and strode away, leaving Mrs. Wang standing there, looking at his receding back with a complicated expression.

Yingchun stood quietly by, fiddling with the corners of her clothes with her hands, her eyes wandering, looking a little bewildered. At this moment, Jia Mu's majestic yet kind voice rang out: "We are all family, why bother arguing over such a small matter? Yingchun, your second aunt has good intentions and is worried about you and is afraid that you will be wronged." Upon hearing this, Yingchun hurriedly responded respectfully: "Yes, Grandmother."

Although Mrs. Wang still felt resentful, seeing that Lady Jia had spoken, she swallowed her words and said no more. After the crowd had gradually dispersed, Yingchun was left alone in the large room. She slowly walked to the bedside and sat down gently, gazing blankly at the roomful of dowry. The exquisite silks, the luxurious jewelry, and the dazzling array of dressing boxes now weighed on her like mountains, almost suffocating her.

Yingchun knew that behind this seemingly glamorous dowry lay a hidden source of helplessness and sorrow. Tomorrow, she would marry into the prince's mansion, leaving behind her familiar home for a completely unfamiliar environment. The mansion was a vast mystery to her, filled with unknowns and uncertainties. She felt like a pawn on a chessboard, at the mercy of others, unable to control her own destiny.

At the thought of this, Yingchun's eyes gradually moistened, tears streaming down her cheeks uncontrollably. She sobbed silently, praying in her heart: I only hope that the future can be a little safer and smoother, even if it means just struggling to survive in a small corner of this deep courtyard, it would be better than the current helpless situation...

At that moment, the carved wooden door emitted a slight yet prolonged creaking sound, as if a door of time had quietly opened amidst the passage of time. Then, Jia She walked slowly into the house with steady steps. His slightly tired figure looked somewhat lonely in the dim candlelight.

Jia She walked straight to a sandalwood chair and sat down gently. He narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at the graceful Yingchun before him, and said slowly, "My dear Yingchun, time flies by like a white horse, and in the blink of an eye, you are about to get married. I am ashamed to say that since your childhood, your father has not been able to take good care of you. Now that you are about to enter the marriage palace, my heart is both happy and worried."

At this point, Jia She paused for a moment, as if recalling the past. He then continued, "After you marry into the prince's mansion, remember to settle down and live your own life. Don't compete for the limelight with others, and be patient and yield in everything. Especially don't interfere in the affairs of the Jia Mansion, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble. Back then, I had some friendship with the Zhongshun Prince. As long as you are careful in what you say and do, behave properly, and do not make any mistakes, I believe he will ensure that you enjoy a life of wealth and glory. Here is some money, please keep it safe, and do not use it lightly unless it is absolutely necessary."

Yingchun's eyes welled with tears upon hearing this. She nodded slightly and, with a choked voice, softly thanked him, "Thank you, father, for your kind teachings. I will remember them." Seeing this, Jia She couldn't help but sigh, a hint of pity in his eyes. Then, he reached into his bosom and carefully fished out a small, exquisite jade pendant.

The jade pendant was crystal clear, as smooth as jade, and radiated a faint luster. Jia She handed it to Yingchun and said solemnly, "This jade pendant is a precious token given to me by the late Crown Prince. If you ever encounter great difficulties or obstacles in the future and are truly at your wit's end, you might as well take it out. Perhaps it can come in handy and help you escape danger."

Yingchun took the jade pendant respectfully with trembling hands and held it tightly in her palm. She raised her tear-stained face and said softly, "Father, I don't know when we will meet again." Jia She turned his head away, unable to bear to see her like this. He said only, "Silly child, don't think too much. As long as you live a smooth life, that's all that matters."

Just as the father and daughter were immersed in that deeply emotional exchange, Jia Lian's wife strolled in. She immediately noticed the glistening tears on Yingchun's cheeks, and her lips curled up slightly, revealing a friendly yet somewhat teasing smile. She whispered, "Oh, why is our second sister shedding tears? Could it be that she's reluctant to leave the Jia Mansion?" Before she finished speaking, she quickly pulled out a snow-white handkerchief from her bosom and gently wiped the tears from Yingchun's eyes.

Jia Lian's wife carefully wiped Yingchun's tears while she continued to jokingly say, "Second sister, you will surely be blessed with great fortune and luck! Your second brother is currently working away from home and cannot spare the time to return to personally see you off. However, he has carefully prepared a generous dowry long ago and entrusted it to me to pass on to you."

Hearing this, Yingchun's delicate face, which had been shrouded in tears, instantly blossomed into a smile as brilliant as a spring flower. Her tears seemed to be washed away by the joy and disappeared. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with gratitude, like the bright stars in the night sky, gleaming brightly. She quickly raised her hand to gently wipe away the remaining tears from the corners of her eyes. Then, her red lips parted, and in a voice slightly choked with emotion but filled with joy, she said, "Thank you, second brother and sister-in-law, for your hard work. I will remember this kindness in my heart and will repay you doubly in the future!"

Mrs. Jia Lian smiled slightly, stretched out her hand and gently held Yingchun's slightly slender little hand. The warmth from her palm made Yingchun feel comforted. Mrs. Jia Lian said softly: "Oh, we are all family, so don't say such polite words. Second sister, come here and take a closer look. There are many rare and precious medicinal herbs in this dowry. Although they may not be worth a lot of money, each one is full of your second brother's deep affection for you. Your second brother said that these herbs were specially found by him, hoping to nourish your body and let you live a healthy and peaceful life in the palace. Moreover, he also specifically asked me to tell you that after you go to the palace, you should just live a peaceful life and don't interfere in the affairs of the Jia family. He said that as long as you live a happy life, it will be the greatest comfort to us."

Yingchun nodded gently and agreed obediently. Seeing this, Mrs. Jia Lian's eyes flashed with relief. She patted Yingchun's hand and said, "Second sister, you are simple-minded. Although the palace is rich, the people are complicated. You should be more careful in everything you do. Fortunately, you still have the maids and servants who came with you to accompany you. If anyone bullies you, please send a message to us."