The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 341 Seeking Death
Shen Ning never expected that waiting to give birth would mean going to the battlefield.

Just as Madam You announced the good news that she had given birth to a young master, an urgent report came from the West Mansion that Li Wan had also gone into labor.

What can be done?
They don't have a mother-in-law, and it's hard for the elders to not go and watch over them!
Shen Ning reluctantly touched her ugly doll, then ran off to Pear Fragrance Courtyard with Xing and the others.

Of course, Liu the midwife and Zhong the midwife also went to the battlefield.

Fortunately, it's normal for midwives to work non-stop. The Western Mansion is extremely wealthy, and as long as the mother and child are safe, the reward will be substantial.

So, in the brightly lit courtyard, after watching Jia Zhen pacing around, Shen Ning then saw Jia Zhu pacing around as well.

that's nice!

Li Wan did not give birth to a child born posthumously.

Because of this, Shen Ning's mood was not affected when she saw Grandmother Jia.

She bowed respectfully to Grandmother Jia, who then asked You Shi and her child with great concern.

It's as if all the unpleasantness from the past has vanished.

Shen Ning speaks her mind, but beneath the politeness lies a lack of the warmth she once had.

But Grandmother Jia didn't care.

Just focus on the big picture.

On this day, the Jia family welcomed two more sons.

Wang Xifeng was so busy that she didn't return to her courtyard until midnight.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't disappointed.

Both of her sisters-in-law have children, but hers...

"Grandma, don't be sad. The doctor said you're in very good health!"

Ping'er advised her, "Once the mourning period is over, perhaps good news will come soon."

"...I hope so!"

Wang Xifeng sighed, "By the way, why didn't Second Master come home again today?"

She vaguely heard someone say something, but at that moment, her sister-in-law's shouts frightened her, and she also had to take care of the old lady and the others, so she didn't listen carefully.

"Wang'er came back and said that Second Master is at the Ministry of War, discussing the supply issue for the army going to Japan with several officials there."

Ping'er said, "Once we finish here, the world will be at peace, and the mourning period will be almost over, so Second Master will be able to relax."

Yes, now that the war is over, Jia Lian can finally have some free time to spend with her.

Wang Xifeng's mood finally improved.

She soaked her feet with the help of a maid, and after a while, she remembered something. "By the way, have you heard that the eldest uncle's title has been decided on the Wang family side?"

“I haven’t heard of it!”

Ping'er shook her head.

The magistrate over there also had a reputation as a serial killer, and she only heard that the censors had impeached him several times.

She just couldn't say this to her second grandmother.

Wang Xifeng frowned, about to say something, when she heard hurried and familiar footsteps.

"Second Master is back."

The moment the maid's joyful voice rang out, Jia Lian lifted the curtain.

"Why aren't you asleep yet, it's so late?"

Jia Lian looked slightly tired, but seeing that Wang Xifeng also seemed exhausted, he thought of something and quickly asked, "Is it because Sister-in-law You from the East Mansion is having a difficult childbirth?"

"Pah, what nonsense are you talking about? It's your two sisters-in-law who have given birth, and you've just gained two new nephews."

Ah!
When Jia Lian saw her, he couldn't help but laugh. He sat down next to her and let Ping'er take off her shoes and socks, then put his feet into her foot basin. "We're young. After the mourning period, we'll definitely give you a child."

His eldest uncle in the east wing and his second uncle on this side passed away, and as his nephew, he had to observe a year of mourning.

"..."

Wang Xifeng's feet were being held down by him, and she couldn't help but glare at him, saying, "Do you need to tell me? I'm exhausted today because of your two nephews."

"..." Jia Lian put his arm around her waist. "I know you've worked hard both at home and outside."

The elders could sit in the courtyard drinking tea, chatting, and waiting for news, while Feng'er, the younger generation, could only run errands and serve them.

"Wait until I'm done with this busy period..."

"If we really go to fight Japan, has the commander-in-chief been decided?"

"It should be...your uncle!"

what?
Wang Xifeng was shocked. "Didn't he just return from Annam?"

"Japan should learn a lesson from this even more than Annam."

Jia Lian sneered, "It would be best if someone like my uncle went there and wreaked havoc."

Anyway, the Emperor has this intention.

"But with my uncle like this... won't he be cementing his reputation as a butcher?"

We need someone like my uncle to step in now, but we won't need him anymore...

Even if he is granted a royal title, I'm afraid it won't last long.

Wang Xifeng, who read both imperial edicts and official gazettes, no longer limited her vision to the inner quarters of the Jia family.

"You're overthinking it. The Emperor is a wise ruler and won't let your uncle lose his future."

The couple chatted while washing their feet. After returning home, Shen Ning visited Madam You and the ugly baby, and then went to sleep.

The next day, as she strolled around and looked after the two children, Xing'er urgently reported that Wang Ziteng had been promoted to General of the Expedition against the Japanese Pirates and would be setting off soon.

"Let him be the Great General!"

Shen Ning smiled.

She actually admires Wang Ziteng quite a bit.

Annam has been separated from its country for too long. If it doesn't carry out a massacre, the army might be able to restore the country as soon as it withdraws.

Japan is even worse.

Having tasted the benefits of the previous dynasty's Japanese invasion, they now covet the Great Zhao.

"I'll tell Grandpa and Second Grandpa later, and they'll help if they can."

She hoped that this butcher Wang would do even better in Japan.

"Yes!"

Xing'er nodded hurriedly and left.

In fact, without Madam's permission, the eldest and second masters had already supported Prince Teng in the court.

They supported not only Wang Ziteng, but also Jin Muchuan.

Sure enough, by the afternoon, Jin Muchuan was again appointed as the vanguard officer on the left flank.

Unlike Prince Teng, who needed to consolidate the forces of various factions and use Korea as a stepping stone, Kim Mok-chon went directly to Nangharwei to consolidate the army of Daejo there, and then marched directly from Nangharwei (Kuye Island) to Ezo (Hokkaido).

This year's Emperor's birthday celebration was not held in a grand manner due to the war.

However, Shen Ning still dutifully delivered the birthday gift personally selected by the Empress.

However, the very next day, the Emperor and Empress bestowed upon them a great many kinds of jadeite transported back by sea.

Shen Ning liked You Sanjie and gave her a pair of red jade bracelets.

"This is so festive."

Third Sister You also liked it, saying, "Second Sister, I was originally thinking of giving you something as a dowry."

After what happened with Scholar Ma, the second sister had calmed down considerably. She tried to coax her, "Now it's all right, second sister. I'll give this to you later."

"This is from Madam Shen."

My sister's pair of red jade bracelets are as radiant as the morning glow, with a warm and delicate texture. They feel warm to the touch, like a gentle ray of sunshine caressing the wrist. When worn, they not only accentuate the skin's whiteness but also add a touch of elegance and nobility.

Second Sister You liked it very much, but for some reason, she felt that her younger sister suited the red jade bracelet better.

"She must have thought that you have a fiery personality, which is why she gave you this bracelet."

If she wore it, she might lose that charm.

Sister You refused, saying, "Keep it safe. My flower bracelet is also very beautiful."

"Really not?"

"do not want!"

The two sisters exchanged a smile.

Sister You really loved the red jade, but with her sister's wedding just around the corner, she wanted to add another layer of joy to her life.

"Fine, if you don't want it, I'll keep it for myself."

Sister You touched it tenderly.

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she always felt that Madam Shen liked her more.

She couldn't bring herself to talk about this with her second sister anymore. But while she was difficult to talk to, Old Lady You was quite talkative after seeing the gifts her two daughters had given her.

They often meet in the courtyard of the You family now.

When I saw her off from the hospital that day, I said, "The matter between Second Sister and Zheng Xiaoqi has been settled. She has a relatively gentle personality, so I have no worries."

Once married, they will naturally live a good life together.

"That's my third sister, look at her fiery temper..."

Old Lady You was genuinely worried. "What kind of good family can she find in the future?"

"So what if you have a bad temper? As long as you're reasonable, that's fine."

Shen Ning really liked You Sanjie, "She's not the kind of unreasonable person."

If she could, she would very much like to help the star-crossed lovers in the Dream of the Red Chamber to be together.

She was waiting for Liu Xianglian to come to visit.

"But the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law often cannot be explained by politeness alone."

Once married, a daughter-in-law mainly faces her mother-in-law.

If your mother-in-law doesn't like you, life will be as bitter as a bitter gourd.

Of the two mansions of the Jia family, Old Lady You felt that Wang Xifeng, the second mistress of the West Mansion, was far inferior to her eldest sister.

Wang Xifeng has two mothers-in-law.

There are also two aunts who are at home.

With so many elders around, if anyone speaks ill of her, her life will be unbearable.

“You’re overthinking it. Third Sister is still young. Let her older sister and brother-in-law keep an eye out. They’ll find her a good match.”

"...Then I'll take your kind words."

Old Lady You beamed with joy.

Since Madam Shen has said so, then the marriage of the third daughter is practically settled.

Going to the capital was definitely the right decision.

The life she has now is something she never dared to imagine before.

The reason I was kind to the eldest sister was because she was a child without a mother.

Putting herself in his shoes, she naturally felt she should treat Lord You's daughters well, since Lord You had been so kind to them.

I never expected to receive such great help.

"We're family, it's only natural."

It was actually quite unexpected for Shen Ning that Old Lady You was able to choose Zheng Xiaoqi as her official.

Unless Zheng Xiaoqi goes to the battlefield, his career will likely only reach the sixth rank at most.

But Qian Xiucai was different.

Unexpectedly, she didn't choose Qian Xiucai, but instead chose the Zheng family, which was more stable for You Erjie.

Since they were both in the army, and out of respect for Lady You, the Zheng family would absolutely not mistreat Second Sister You.

Even though she had many cousins, they would still be more courteous to You Erjie for the sake of the men's future.

Comparing the two, Shen Ning realized that Zheng Xiaoqi was actually more compatible with You Erjie.

"I've already spoken to Mr. Zhan about the school. My second and third daughters can go there to study anytime."

"That's a good feeling!"

Old Lady You was overjoyed, her eyes practically popping out of her head. "Third Sister was talking about it to me last night."

Her father was a scholar, though he never passed the imperial examinations, she still learned a lot from him since childhood.

After marrying into the You family, the characters that Madam You learned to recognize were all taught by her.

But she can't compare to Mr. Zhan.

Old Lady You heard that the person was proficient in playing the zither, playing chess, writing calligraphy, and painting.

"Then let's go, today is fine too."

Shen Ning winked at Qingzhu, "Have Xing'er prepare two sets of apprenticeship gifts."

Even though Sister You Er's reading time is not long, being able to read and not being able to read are two completely different things.

In particular, at her request, Zhan Xue also added the Great Zhao Code.

The two of them made the decision about You Erjie's schooling so quickly. By the time You Erjie found out, it was too late. She could only put down the dowry she was going to embroider and, together with her sister, take gifts to find a teacher.

Shen Ning had just returned to her courtyard and hadn't even had a sip of tea when someone from the Marquis of Xinping's residence came to announce the good news that Yuan Chun had safely given birth to a daughter.

"When was it launched? Why didn't you inform your family beforehand?"

While changing her clothes, Shen Ning asked Bao Qin.

"I was going to report it."

Baoqin smiled broadly, "Who knew our girl felt so sorry for her mother? The midwife had just taken her place when she gave birth."

Because of Yuan Chun's pregnancy, the palace sent two nannies to her.

All food and drink were to be prepared according to the nanny's wishes.

Although Yuan Chun gained some weight, it was still within a manageable range.

Moreover, when she was in labor, she immediately had her servants seal off the courtyard of the Cheng family's old lady.

Fortunately, she sealed it off first. When the old lady of the Cheng family heard that she had given birth, she indeed wanted to take advantage of Cheng Luo's inability to return from the south for the time being and seize power.

The result was predictable.

Before she could even rush out of the yard, they announced the birth.

Old Mrs. Cheng had no choice but to give up and go back.

Baoqin also told Shen Ning about the matter of the old lady of the Cheng family, "...Fortunately, our young lady anticipated the enemy's move."

"You should try to think more about things for her in the future."

Shen Ning thought for a moment and said, "Send a few more people to keep watch over Old Madam Cheng's side."

The postpartum period lasts at least thirty days, and there's no guarantee that the old lady won't cause trouble.

So on that day, Jia Min and Jia Wen stayed at the Marquis of Xinping's residence.

With their cooperation with the palace maids, the old lady of the Cheng family settled down and became quiet again.

By the time Shen Ning remembered Jia Huang's wife, Jin Shi, she had already lived in the ancestral hall for sixteen days, eating sixteen days' worth of "bitter memories and sweet tastes."

When she was being escorted out, she didn't dare look back and just urged the carriage to hurry up.

Jin never wanted to go to Ningguo Mansion again in her life.

That meal, a reminder of past hardships and a taste of present happiness, is something only those who have eaten it truly understand.

When she got home, she was greeted by Old Madam Jin and Scholar Ma.

"Good niece, you have to help us with this!"

"help?"

Madam Jin was furious. "Haven't I helped you enough? You've all lost your minds, turning a perfectly good marriage into this mess, making me stay in the ancestral hall for so long. How dare you still come here to beg?"

She even lost a gold bracelet because of them.

"Oh right, thirty taels of silver, you still owe me thirty taels of silver."

Her money didn't come from a flood either.

Moreover, after this incident, neither she nor Jia Huang could enter the Ningguo Mansion again.

In the past, at least three out of ten times something would slip through.

But now there is no future.

"You have ruined our family."

"Cousin, my mother already knows she was wrong."

Scholar Ma said, "We didn't mean anything by it, we just wanted to apologize."

He had already inquired and learned that, besides the You sisters, there was also the third aunt who had divorced and returned home.

“My conditions are not bad. If you help me again, not to mention thirty taels, even three hundred taels or three thousand taels is not impossible.”

He bowed respectfully, like a gentleman. "If Sister You doesn't work out, isn't there a woman by the side of Third Aunt, who has divorced and returned home from Rongguo Mansion? I heard that she is not much different from me in age."

"Min Mei?"

Xiao Jin looked at Jia Huang.

Jia Huang nodded, "Third Aunt is well taken care of by Princess Rongguo and Fourth Aunt, and I heard that Cousin Min is also very ambitious."

It wasn't that he wanted to get involved, but rather that his family could only gain more by having a deeper relationship with the two governments.

Moreover, since they helped Cousin Ma, they won't abandon him once he achieves success.

"Although we are still in mourning, it would be alright if you could give your third aunt a heads-up beforehand."