Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

He stared at Jia She with wide eyes, angrily retorting, "If it were an ordinary family, a name wouldn't be a big deal. But this is no ordinary place. It's a world of fame and fortune where everyone is racking their brains to stand out and strive to get ahead! In this place, any slight difference will be magnified infinitely, let alone a name like this that obviously carries a special meaning. You're simply setting yourself up as a sitting duck. If others want to attack you, they'll hit you with every strike!"

As a family of meritorious service and power, the Jia family aspired to achieve a magnificent transformation from aristocratic family to aristocratic family. This was undoubtedly a difficult and arduous journey fraught with thorns and setbacks. Otherwise, how could the first Duke Rong and Jia Daishan have placed such high regard on scholars? Even Grandmother Jia was deeply influenced by this, attaching special importance to Jia Zheng, and this appreciation for scholars even deepened later in life.

You have to know that the Jia family rose to prominence through their military achievements, and almost all of their connections and resources were concentrated in the military. Therefore, it was not difficult for the children of the Jia family to obtain a good official position in the military camp.

At this moment, "Brother Zhang, please relax. I know who the truly virtuous people are!" Jia She seemed to have returned to the past, when his grandparents were still alive. Although he behaved a little unruly and seemed quite a jerk, he was ultimately the legitimate heir carefully nurtured by his family.

Aside from his dislike for reading and limited knowledge, he had diligently studied all the etiquette and manners expected of aristocrats. Occasionally, when he displayed his unique aura, he could actually shock others and make them dare not underestimate him.

"As long as you understand it in your heart," Zhang Ying said lightly. Then he changed the subject and asked Jia She again, "Then what do you think of Lin Ruhai's suggestion? You know, this Rongguo Mansion was built by your Jia family's ancestors through untold hardships and blood and sweat!"

Jia She frowned, slowly answering Zhang Ying's question while unconsciously gripping his fan so tightly that the handle nearly broke. He spoke gravely, "I've given this matter considerable thought. The Rong Mansion has lost its former glory. It's no longer the prestigious Rong Mansion, but merely the residence of a first-class general. In my opinion, the Jia family's continued existence is likely due to a narrow margin of survival."

Having said this, Jia She paused briefly, as if to gather his thoughts, and then continued, "Perhaps the court will, out of consideration for the merits and reputation of our ancestors, refrain from taking action against us for the time being, but this is merely a temporary measure. At some critical moment, they will undoubtedly use us as an example to serve as a warning to others."

After a brief pause, Jia She shook his head again, sighed deeply, and continued, "Even if Jia Zheng were lucky enough to inherit the title, it would at best be a low-ranking title. You know, in this capital, a falling brick might hit one or two members of the royal family. How can a mere low-ranking title be considered a great status?"

At this moment, the Rongguo Mansion seemed shrouded in a thick, dark cloud. The gloomy, oppressive atmosphere evoked a profound unease, as if a violent storm were about to strike. An atmosphere of tension permeated Lady Jia's courtyard. The servants were terrified, their breathing becoming extremely shallow, fearing that even the slightest sound would anger their masters. Even if they felt like sneezing, they had to suppress it with all their might, carefully controlling themselves to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Is the eldest master back?" Grandmother Jia sat on the couch, her face solemn, her eyes revealing a trace of hatred that was hard to conceal. She could never have imagined that the useless Jia She would go to meet the Zhang family again without her knowledge, and even dared to conceal this matter. This made Grandmother Jia's anger even stronger. She couldn't help but secretly curse these conscienceless guys. They were simply a bunch of ungrateful people who could never be tamed. Each of them was ungrateful and treacherous.

Hearing Lady Jia's question, Mrs. Wang raised her head slightly, a barely perceptible gloating look flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and replied softly, "Not yet." After that, she observed Lady Jia's reaction inconspicuously. Seeing Lady Jia's face slightly distorted by anger, and her hands tightly clenching the Buddhist beads with bulging veins, Mrs. Wang felt secretly proud in her heart.

As Lady Jia slightly opened her well-maintained, slightly loose lips, her eyes flickered, as if a thousand words were about to burst out. Lady Wang, standing by, gazed at Lady Jia with anticipation, secretly speculating on what she would say next. However, to her surprise, after a moment's hesitation, Lady Jia finally closed her mouth tightly, not uttering the crucial words Lady Wang had hoped for.

Grandmother Jia slowly raised her hand and sighed deeply. This sigh was like a heavy thunderclap, echoing in the silent room and making everyone present tremble. Then, Grandmother Jia once again cast her gaze on the round, smooth Buddhist beads in her hand and began to knead them vigorously with her fingers. Each kneading seemed to vent the endless anger and dissatisfaction in her heart.

At this moment, the entire room was filled with a tense and oppressive atmosphere. Everyone was silent, afraid to speak easily, for fear of accidentally angering the already furious old ancestor. Everyone could clearly feel that Jia's anger had reached its peak, like a volcano about to erupt, ready to erupt at any moment.

As for whether Grandmother Jia was so angry because something had gone wrong with the Zhang family, or because she was deeply disappointed and angry at Jia She, that useless and unfilial son? Perhaps only Grandmother Jia herself knew the answer best.

Just at this moment, Yuanyang, who had been waiting quietly at the door, suddenly raised his voice and shouted: "Old lady, second lady, the eldest master... is back!" This sudden shout instantly broke the silence in the room and made everyone's nerves tense again.

After hearing this, Jia's face suddenly changed, her brows knitted tightly together, and her eyes burned with anger. Without hesitation, she raised her right hand and slammed it hard on the carved mahogany table in front of her. There was a loud "bang" sound, and the cups, plates and bowls on the table trembled slightly. At the same time, Jia's mother shouted angrily: "Evil creature!"

This roar, like a bolt from the blue, suddenly resounded throughout the room. Its volume and force were so intense, like a piercing thunderclap, instantly shattering the oppressive and gloomy atmosphere within. Instantly, everyone present shuddered, their faces turning pale.

At this moment, Jia She reached out and slowly opened a narrow gap in the heavy curtain. However, before he could completely step into the room, suddenly, a sharp and piercing sound of breaking through the air came from far away, whistling towards him.

Jia She was startled and quickly looked over. He saw an exquisitely crafted blue and white porcelain teacup hurtling towards him at breakneck speed, like a meteor streaking across the sky. The teacup spun rapidly in the air, flashing a cold light and stirring a powerful gust of wind that barreled straight into Jia She's face.

The teacup was about to hit Jia She squarely on the head, and the situation was extremely critical. At this critical moment, Jia She displayed extraordinary agility and adaptability. He tapped the ground lightly and flashed past like a ghost, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow.

The teacup flew almost past Jia She's ear, the gust of wind it brought stingingly across his cheek. Then, with a dull thud, the cup slammed hard against the hard ground, shattering into countless fragments. The scalding tea in the cup also splattered, creating a cloud of mist.

If Jia She had hesitated or moved a little slower, he would have been bleeding and in a terrible state. Thinking of this, Jia She couldn't help but feel a lingering fear, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead.

Yet, in this thrilling, daunting moment, Jia She seemed to be completely oblivious to the perilous scene before him. His face remained calm, his heart unflinching, his steps steady and powerful, as if he were walking down a path in his own garden. He walked straight ahead, through the astonished gazes and tense atmosphere, towards where Lady Jia was.

When he reached Lady Jia, Jia She bowed slightly and then leisurely sat down in a nearby chair. A faint smile lingered on his face, one that was neither flattering nor overly intimate, perfectly showcasing the magnanimity and self-restraint expected of the eldest son of the Jia family. Then, Jia She gently opened his lips and asked in a gentle, soft voice, "Who could have been so bold as to provoke such a fury from you, old lady?" His tone was calm, as if the thrilling scene that had nearly led to such a disaster had never happened.

Jia She's seemingly caring words concealed a wealth of hidden ulterior motives and mysteries. On the surface, he appeared to be simply asking who had angered Lady Jia, but in reality, he was implicitly accusing someone of misbehavior that had caused Lady Jia's anger. This subtle, yet subtle, tone undoubtedly placed a subtle pressure on everyone present.

And how could Grandmother Jia not discern the deeper meaning behind Jia She's words? Her face, originally flushed with anger, instantly turned ashen, and her body trembled uncontrollably with rage. Her weathered hands now trembled as they pointed directly at Jia She, lashing out in fury, "You unfilial son! How dare you insinuate and question me here!" At that moment, Grandmother Jia's fury burned like a volcano about to erupt, scorching magma churning within her chest, ready to erupt at any moment. All her rationality seemed to be consumed by the raging fire of rage, causing her to speak without restraint for a moment. "Hmph! It's all because of you, this good-for-nothing evil creature! Why did I have to give birth to a useless, good-for-nothing like you? You just wander around all day, slacking off, without even the slightest bit of ambition! Look at other people's children, who isn't diligent and hardworking? And look at you, you've brought shame to our Jia family and made us all laugh! People like you are not even worthy of standing in the limelight. It really makes me feel heartbroken!" Grandmother Jia was so angry that she was shaking all over, her eyes wide open, and her angry gaze seemed to be able to spit fire. Her voice was like thunder, shaking the whole room.

The more she spoke, the angrier she became. Her scolding was incessant and merciless. Not only did she devalue Jia She, she also condemned Jia Lian, who was serving as an official outside the palace, and even threatened to bring all of Jia Lian's children back to her house to raise them personally.

At this moment, not only Jia She looked at Grandmother Jia in astonishment, but even Mrs. Wang beside him was astonished, her eyes wide open, staring at Grandmother Jia in disbelief. In this Rongguo Mansion, everyone knew that Grandmother Jia had always been prejudiced against the eldest wife, and she especially disliked Jia She. But today's Grandmother Jia's fury was truly beyond everyone's expectations.

Finally, as if she were tired of scolding, Grandmother Jia stopped her incessant chatter. But she was still furious. Pointing at the dumbfounded, unresponsive Jia She, she angrily chided him, "Are you a gourd with its mouth sawed off? You can't even utter a word?" Then, with a stern face, she looked at Jia She coldly, demanding a satisfactory answer. Poor Jia She had barely entered the house, barely had time to drink a sip of tea, when he was met with a barrage of scolding from Grandmother Jia.

"Isn't the second wife's child enough for mother to raise?" Jia She's lips curled up slightly, a hint of a smile, a meaningful arc that made it difficult to guess his true intentions. Just as everyone was speculating, he suddenly changed the subject and said in a deep voice, "If mother really wanted to raise Lian's child, she could have gone directly to discuss this matter with Lian. Why bother to entangle with her son here?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Mu was immediately furious. She widened her eyes and pointed at Jia She and shouted angrily: "What a bastard! If you can't tolerate the people from the second house, then I will take them back to my hometown in Jinling and have nothing to do with you from now on! Why do you have to force me like this and put me, your mother, in such an embarrassing situation?" When she talked about the sad things, Jia Mu's eyes turned red and tears burst out like a broken dam. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and kept beating her chest, looking extremely sad.

However, facing Lady Jia's tearful accusations, Jia She remained unmoved, his expression as calm as water. He slowly spoke, "Mother, please calm down. I am acting with all my heart! Think about it. This vast Rongguo Mansion is a family inheritance passed down from our ancestors, and now it is entirely under your control. But without a virtuous mistress to manage the household, how can we maintain the prosperity of our family? If this continues, won't outsiders ridicule our Jia family for having no successor?"

Jia She's words were so righteous and righteous that no one could refute them. When Lady Wang heard this, her previously calm face turned pale, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She wondered to herself, if it was true, as Jia She said, that she could no longer manage the Rongguo Mansion's household affairs, then what place would she have in this vast and secluded mansion?