Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

Jia She was genuinely shocked upon hearing this, but he quickly composed himself, thinking, "I can't be as inexperienced as Jia Zhen." He mused to himself that even if Jia Zheng were promoted to a third-class general, that would be a compliment for a hypocrite like him. And yet, Jia Zheng was still hosting such a lavish banquet, as if he was afraid others wouldn't know about his accomplishments. He was truly courting humiliation.

As if even Heaven couldn't bear to see Jia Zheng's high-profile behavior, right in the thick of the banquet, Jia She's repayment took on an unexpected and jaw-dropping turn. The emperor had actually issued an imperial decree that very day! The eunuch delivering the decree read aloud: "Jia She, loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and of upright character, is hereby granted the title of Marquis..." Just like that, Jia She became a Marquis, a rank exactly one notch higher than Jia Zheng's.

As for Jia Zhen, while his personal life had been somewhat dissolute and chaotic, he had never committed any unforgivable offenses. Wang Xifeng, mindful that he was still a relative on her mother's side, couldn't bear to see him sink into depravity, so she sought his help. She sought out Jia She and asked him to intervene. Jia Zhen, on the other hand, seeing Jia She's appointment as a marquis and recalling the Eighth Prince's previous threats and inducements, gritted his teeth and decided to burn his bridges. So Jia Zhen quietly presented a secret memorial to the emperor in the towering palace. It felt like a heavy burden, yet he carefully guarded it. At the same time, he repaid his massive debts to the Ministry of Revenue, paying them back in full, with every penny, like a treasure.

At this time, Jia Zhen, who was standing in the court, was as pale as paper and said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, I have only one son in my family! This child is the only child of my Jia family..." Jia Zhen, who was idle, unlearned and unrestrained all day long, now burst into tears like a child without any scruples.

Everyone was stunned. Who could have imagined that this usually dissolute dandy would lose his composure like this? Even more ridiculous, however, was the sheer absurdity of the excuse he gave. Tears welled up in Jia Zhen's voice, explaining that a few nights ago, he had a deeply bizarre dream. In it, his long-deceased father, Jia Jing, suddenly appeared, berated and chastised him. Furthermore, even Jia Rong, the only child of his thousand-acre estate, was crying and begging for mercy. It was for this reason that Jia Zhen gritted his teeth, determined to do everything in his power to clean up the mess and pave a path forward for his own son.

It was a coincidence, perhaps God was blessing this father and son, or perhaps the emperor had mercy on him. In the end, Jia Rong, the beloved only son of a thousand acres of land, unexpectedly obtained the title of Marquis, the third rank.

From then on, the Jia family began to split and separate. Jia Jing and Jia She's faction opened up a new path, while Jia Zheng's faction of the four kings and eight dukes and old relatives remained in contact.

After the family split up, Jia She had a high wall built in the east courtyard, and even the original road was closed. The family moved to the Marquis' Mansion, and when entering and leaving the Rongguo Mansion, they no longer went around the main gate, but only entered and exited from the Lixiang Courtyard.

The family arrived at the marquis's mansion, where pavilions, towers, bridges and flowing water were all exquisite.

As soon as they entered, the old boy Jia Zhen and the two older boys Jia Rong and Jia Cong were so happy that they went crazy.

A few people were having fun here, while the others went to visit the courtyard. Not to mention that Jia She had no other needs, as for food, clothing, housing and transportation, this place to live was really good.

The atmosphere in Marquis Jia's mansion was unusually tense. Jia She paced back and forth anxiously, muttering, "What on earth is Jia Min trying to do? Can't you just go and see?" Jia Min had been sending frequent messages to urge Madam Xing to meet him, but each time, she had been unsuccessful.

Jia She always doted on his sister and always agreed whenever Jia Min asked to see him. However, this time the situation was different because Jia Min's request made him feel very embarrassed.

Mrs. Xing, who was sitting nearby, sneered after hearing Jia She's question and said, "I can't agree to anything she wants." Then she warned, "If you agree to anything rashly, you'll be in trouble when Lian'er comes back. He will definitely turn against you."

When Jia She heard this, his body trembled violently, and his face showed astonishment, as if he had been struck by thunder. He stared at Mrs. Xing with wide eyes in disbelief, thinking to himself: How could she have seen through Jia Min's true intentions in such a private matter at home?

Madam Xing's lips curled up slightly, revealing a sneer of contempt. She snorted softly, like frost in a cold wind, chilling everyone to the bone. Then, without even turning back, she uttered, "Mind your own business!" Then, she swept away, leaving behind only a resolute figure.

From Mrs. Xing's cold attitude, it was easy to tell that she had long been aware of this matter. It was obvious that she knew very well what Jia Min longed for deep down. However, although Jia She also knew all this, when he thought of his sister Min's pitiful appearance, now bedridden and haggard, his heart, which had been as hard as iron, softened involuntarily.

Although Jia Min's request was indeed excessive and almost intolerable, whenever he recalled the once lively, lovely and innocent Min sister, who was now suffering from illness and became so weak and helpless, Jia She's pity surged like a tide, making it impossible for him to refuse outright.

At this moment, Mrs. Xing seemed to see through Jia She's inner struggle and entanglement. She turned around and said coldly, "You, stop showing your sympathy. Your sister's troubles are not your business. She doesn't need to interfere in Lian'er's future or the prosperity and disgrace of our Jia family!" After that, she glared at Jia She fiercely, then left the room with a firm step. "I know." Jia She sighed heavily, his face full of worry. "I feel bad seeing her like that!" He shook his head, as if trying to get rid of the picture in his mind.

"Hmph, you really are so bored with nothing to do!" Madam Xing glared at Jia She fiercely and said unhappily, "If you really have so much free time, why don't you go and have some fun with Jia Zhen? Why do you have to sit here and sigh?"

Jia She, however, acted as if he hadn't heard what Madam Xing said, and continued to speak to himself, "Even the imperial physician has examined her. You know exactly what's going on. Things have come to this, and yet you're still plotting against your own daughter! All you do all day is keep an eye on your nephew's backyard, and even meddle in the affairs of your two brothers' rooms. Do you think this is appropriate?"

Seeing that Jia She was so persistent, Mrs. Xing simply spoke out: "Everyone knows these things, it just depends on whether you can listen to it!" However, she was also a little nervous, not sure whether Jia She could understand what she meant.

Jia She suddenly raised his head, glared back at Madam Xing, and said loudly, "I just feel sorry for my niece! What a wonderful girl! She's even younger than our Yingchun, and yet she can only stay by her mother's side all day long."

Mrs. Xing frowned upon hearing this and asked, "What's wrong with staying by your own mother's side all day?" Perhaps it was because she was so unruly with Lady Jia that Jia She had misunderstood her. After all, Lin Daiyu's mother was ill, and as a daughter, it was only natural for her to be by her side and take care of her.

Is this person mentally ill? She is rude to Lady Jia, but she still eats and drinks well, and even expresses her gratitude during festivals.

Their situations were different from Lin Daiyu's, and since Lin Daiyu's father was still alive, they didn't say anything, let alone her aunt. "If you're really worried, just go and tell Lin Ruhai directly," Mrs. Xing said, frowning slightly. She wondered: After all, that was his first daughter. How could Lin Ruhai be so easily relieved?

At this time, Jia She had a bitter face, and he was suffering but couldn't express it! It turned out that his own son was about to come back, so his mind was full and he had already focused all his attention on his son.

Finally, the day arrived when Jia Lian returned to the capital. Wow, the entire Rongning Street suddenly became bustling with activity! The wide avenue was packed with people, shoulder to shoulder, the bustling crowd surging like a tide. Everyone was buzzing with conversation about Jia Lian's return, and the atmosphere was truly lively! Many people even followed him closely all the way to the Marquis Jia's mansion.

"Oh my, it's really lively today!" someone couldn't help but exclaim loudly.

Although Rongguo Mansion and Jiahou Mansion had been separated for a long time, as the saying goes, truth cannot be hidden, and everyone who should know knew about it.

Even Jia Min, who was lying on the sickbed at the moment, felt much better after hearing the news! She also treated her daughter beside her with a little more patience and tenderness than usual.

After Jia Lian returned home, he immediately went to pay his respects to his parents. However, before they could exchange a few words, Jia Lian hurriedly took his wife and two children and headed straight for the Rongguo Mansion. Along the way, the messenger maids kept running happily, shouting, "Old Madam, Madam, Second Master, Second Madam are back!" Their voices were clear and melodious, like the sound of a yellow oriole singing out of a valley.

From afar, I could see the couple, leaning against each other, slowly approaching. Their steps were light, their clothes fluttering, like a pair of immortal lovers descending to earth. The man was tall and handsome, and in his arms he carefully held a delicate child. Behind him, a nanny followed closely, each holding two adorable children.

The room was bustling with activity. Jia Lian had already arrived with his wife and children to pay their respects to Lady Jia. Everyone sat around, chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

When she saw Jia Lian, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but complain: "You guy, you've been gone for so many years! Do you know what a scoundrel Xing is in this mansion? She causes trouble all day long and makes the whole family restless!" Grandmother Jia's tone was full of dissatisfaction and blame.

However, Jia Lian smiled slightly and responded calmly: "Old Madam, if my mother heard what you said, she would probably be very sad. My mother has always been very strict in observing etiquette and acting prudently. She would never be as rude as you say."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's face darkened, and she sternly scolded Jia Lian, "Nonsense! She's just a stepmother. Addressing her as 'Madam' is already a great honor. You address her so affectionately, and how are you putting your own mother in that position?" As she spoke, Grandmother Jia's gaze swept over Jia Lian sternly, as if warning him not to speak carelessly. "And how many stepmothers in this world truly treat their stepsons well? For all these years, she's banished you far away, and the entire mansion has become her world. And now, she's gone even further, keeping Jia Cong by her side and raising him personally. Even your father keeps him by his side all day, doting on him. So, how much of this mansion will be left for you in the future?"

"In Grandmother's opinion, you should hurry back to the mansion and live here. After all, this is where our ancestral heritage was founded, and now your elder brother Zhu is no longer with us. We are counting on you to support this family business. We can't just sit there and watch this legacy decline." Grandmother Jia sat on the couch, teacup in hand, sipping tea as she spoke incessantly. She became increasingly agitated, her emotions rising as she completely ignored the others around her. Without hesitation, she ordered the servants to quickly prepare accommodation for Jia Lian. Her tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation, and she even strictly forbade Jia Lian from returning to the mansion.

Just then, a figure hurried in. It was Mrs. Fei, trotting along, her face filled with anxiety. Upon entering, she hurriedly bowed and greeted Lady Jia: "Greetings, Madam!" Without waiting for Lady Jia to ask, she couldn't wait to speak: "My wife wants to know why Second Master and Second Madam haven't returned to the Marquis' Mansion yet. Someone from the Ministry of Personnel has come, specifically requesting Second Master to come over!"

Upon hearing that the Ministry of Personnel had come to look for Jia Lian, although Grandmother Jia was extremely reluctant, she also understood the situation and knew that she couldn't stop it. So, after a moment's hesitation, she told Jia Lian, "Since the Ministry of Personnel has summoned you, you should go first. But don't forget to come back and visit your aunt Jia Min often." After saying this, Grandmother Jia waved her hand, signaling Jia Lian to go quickly.

Meanwhile, in the Marquis's Mansion, Jia Lian was circling his wife with a fawning look on his face. He was trying to please her with a smile and nice words, and he had been trying to please her for a while, but Second Wife Lian was still furious. She puffed her cheeks, glared at Jia Lian angrily, and kept muttering, "Humph, you really pissed me off!" As she spoke, she took another fierce bite of the water chestnut crisp in her hand, as if it were Jia Lian. After a while, she calmed down a little and complained to Jia Lian, "I finally understand why we have to divide the family!"