The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

Chen Heng was shocked by Li Zhi's move, but he still didn't understand it.

Too hasty. Why is Your Majesty in such a hurry?

Now that the New Party is in charge of government affairs, the government and the opposition are gradually centering on him. Carry out his will.

Why must we choose to take action now? How to calm down the turmoil caused by this?

On the way back, Chen Heng kept thinking about this issue. He did think of some factors and was eager to prove it to his father-in-law.

It's just that it's hard to express too much of this eagerness in front of Jia Min and Jia Baoyu. The latter two were relieved to hear the whereabouts of Tanchun and Xiangyun from Chen Heng.

However, Lin Ruhai saw that her son-in-law was hesitant to speak, and when he saw Jia Baoyu, he wanted to chat with Jia Min for a while. He hurriedly found an excuse and pulled Chen Heng to his study room.

The two finally reached a private place, and Chen Heng hurriedly took out what Lu Yingxiong said and told his father-in-law.

In Chen Heng's step-by-step retelling, he seemed to have found some answers to the questions that had troubled him along the way.

Father-in-law, is it because of Wang Ziteng?

Chen Heng looked at Lin Ruhai's worried face and suddenly said this.

Lin Ruhai didn't expect that the child's guess was so accurate, so he could only nod his head without concealing it and said with a mocking tone.

Even a man named Gu can understand this. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Army, why should he be so obsessed with it?

The queen's cousin, General Zhang, has returned to the court for some time, and all the newly promoted nobles are eagerly waiting for Marshal Zhang to be promoted to a higher rank. It just so happens that you, Wang Ziteng, occupy your position and refuse to move.

It's no wonder that Li Zhi didn't even want to wait for Jia Mu's funeral. Even if Li Zhi had the political patience, the newly rich people who were waiting for food could not wait to eat it.

The later he leaves, the worse the fate of the four bastards will be. Lin Ruhai commented.

Chen Heng was silent about this. Rather than worrying about the situation of the Jia family and the Wang family, he cared more about the situation of his father-in-law's family.

It's no different now than it was back then, when mother-in-law Jia Min was still alive, and Jia Mansion was Jia Min's natal family after all.

Apart from anything else, my mother-in-law is really good to me. When I was studying in the Lin family, I never considered myself an outsider.

How to tell the elders some words of separation.

But her attitude will directly determine Lin Ruhai's attitude, and Lin Ruhai's attitude will also bind Chen Heng's thoughts to some extent.

The two of them are not only Weng's son-in-law, but also teachers and students. They are also the relationship between Bole and Qianlima.

The two families have long been indistinguishable from each other. There is a connection between you and me, and you among me.

Chen Heng was worried that Lin Ruhai would choose to enter the game rashly. This was not the behavior of a wise man, and it was also a reckless move.

But if the father-in-law insists on getting involved, then his son-in-law will have to accompany him no matter what.

Fortunately, Lin Ruhai saw Chen Heng's worry and immediately comforted him: Don't worry about me, and don't worry too much about my mother-in-law.

You mean?

Hearing the affirmative tone in Lin Ruhai's words, Chen Heng looked a little surprised.

Do you still remember that before the old lady passed away, your mother-in-law, Baoyu, and Yuanyang were the only three people left in the house. Lin Ruhai sighed and lamented,

She has already understood the crisis and has set her own bottom line. As long as Baoyu is fine, she will leave an incense for the direct lineage of the Jia family. The old lady will not care about anything else.

There is still this metaphorical explanation of what happened that day? Chen Heng couldn't help but marvel at the old lady's clever thinking.

But when I think about it, such a smart old lady can't be considered a wealthy family, and she even finds it difficult to teach her children and grandchildren.

Does father-in-law think Wang Ziteng will quit?

At the end of his words, Chen Heng suddenly asked a question that had been buried for a long time.

The authorities are obsessed with it. He is greedy for profit, and his whole life depends on being crowned king and duke. This has been the wish of several generations of the royal family. If we stop here, won't everything end up losing?

Lin Ruhai shook his head with emotion and said angrily: I really want him to retreat completely and leave a way for others to survive. Heng'er, if it were you, would you retreat?

Chen Heng wanted to say it right away. He always felt that power was just a supplementary means to achieve his goals.

Just thinking about how much Wang Ziteng attaches importance to power, I feel that the analogy cannot be made like this.

If someone tells you to give up the overall plan for the Jiangnan provinces and Songjiang Prefecture. That...that is truly a life worse than death.

I don't know. Chen Heng replied quite honestly.

Lin Ruhai nodded, but Chen Heng didn't answer without patting his head, which proved that his son-in-law had thought about this question carefully.

Remember his lesson. When one day you are transferred to the center of the imperial court, you will face similar difficulties... Then think carefully about whether you want to retreat or whether you have to work hard without risking your own life.

Keeping his father-in-law's warning in mind, Chen Heng suddenly realized: Does my father-in-law want me to leave early?

If you don't leave, it will be difficult for you two to leave. Lin Ruhai smiled, said nothing more, and directly pulled Chen Heng towards the front hall.

When the two returned here, they realized that Baoyu had not waited for them for a long time and had already left.

Chen Heng and Lin Ruhai looked at each other, and both asked the steward of the house when it was tonight.

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The joy of getting things done stayed in Jia Baoyu's heart until the carriage was stopped by outsiders.

As the sky turned bright, a passerby asked stiffly from outside the carriage, The road ahead is closed, who is in the carriage?

What a new thing, and still someone dares to block Rongning Street? Jia Baoyu couldn't wait for the servant to come out and reply for a long time, so he simply opened the curtain and stuck his head out, I am Rong Guofu...

Only halfway through the words, Jia Baoyu lost the confidence to continue speaking. His current location is under the archway of Ningrong Street.

Looking around, a group of officers and soldiers holding torches were standing on both sides of the road.

Many people nearby cast a scrutinizing look at Baoyu, and more people still turned their faces to the closed gate of Ningguo Mansion.

In front of these people, there was an official who looked very familiar to Baoyu. He also cast an appreciative glance at Baoyu's carriage.

Being stared at by hundreds of people like this, Baoyu had already forgotten the words on his lips.

He didn't know what happened, but he also knew it was definitely not a good thing.

Baoyu finished his words hesitantly. Several officers and soldiers approaching the carriage sneered, and then one of them ran towards the leader in the distance.

The leader didn't care about Baoyu's coming and going. He just waved his hand and nodded to the officers and soldiers under the archway.

Soon, someone removed the horses and roadblocks, and opened a path for Baoyu to pass.

Walking tremblingly all the way to the door of his house, Baoyu wanted to ask why he stopped in front of the Ningguo Mansion, but looking at the unsheathed swords, he didn't even have the courage to stop and look back. He ran towards Rongxi Hall and went to find his father.

How could the news outside be hidden from Jia She, Jia Zheng and others. As early as the first time Lu Yingxiong and others surrounded the door, servants who had been awakened came to report.

When Baoyu ran in, Jia Zheng was still arguing with Jia She. The former feel that the situation is unclear and should not act rashly for the time being. The latter was worried that the next target would be himself, so he insisted on sending his servants out to block the road.

As long as Jia Zhen is not arrested, it means that there is room for maneuver in her own affairs.

The two of them insisted on their own opinions. It was the second brother who couldn't convince the eldest brother, and the eldest brother didn't listen to the second brother at all.

The situation at home is so complicated, who has the heart to care about two orphan girls who have left home. Baoyu waited for a long time, but saw that no one came to him to ask for news about Tanchun and Xiangyun, so he could only watch Jia Zheng and Jia She quarreling patiently.

But they can't come up with an idea, and the people outside won't wait for their reaction.

A loud bang sound was heard, which frightened everyone present.

While everyone was worried about the situation outside, a servant stumbled in and said with a cry: They... they broke open the door of the East Mansion...

When Jia Zhen and Jia Rong were taken away, Jia She and others hid in the crack of the door and watched.

The scene was very chaotic, and the crying continued for a long time.

Before leaving, Jia Zhen shouted at the gate of Rongguo Mansion.

Uncle, second uncle, save me! Uncle, second uncle, save me!!!

It wasn't until the sky's light broke through the clouds and Rongguo Mansion came back to his senses that Jia Zheng was shocked to realize that everything was not a dream.

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What happened in Ningguo Mansion really shocked Mrs. Wang, who was fasting and chanting Buddha.

She had worked hard in Rongguo Mansion for half her life and finally managed to get Jia Mu away. How could she accept such unforeseen disasters when she was about to gain power?

She found Jia Zhen immediately and said with a rare hint of resentment.

Master, are you still thinking about protecting Da Fang? If you don't think about us two, you also have to think about Baoyu and Baoyu's unborn child!

What do you, a woman, know? You miss your three melons and two dates all day long. Jia Zheng walked away angrily, unwilling to talk to Mrs. Wang at all.

How could Mrs. Wang be willing to remain passive? Seeing that her husband was of no use, she immediately decided to turn to her natal brother.

Regardless of waiting, she immediately pulled Aunt Xue into the carriage and rushed to her parents' home together.

No matter what happened today, she had to ask her second brother to come up with an idea and a solution for her.

This is what Mrs. Wang thinks and comes from. When she arrived at the door of Wang's house, she received an unbelievable cold reception.

She was rejected by her parents' family!

It is somewhat inappropriate to say this. Strictly speaking, she and Aunt Xue didn't even see the Wang family concierge. The entire Wang family's doors were closed, and they didn't know what had happened.

The servants of the Jia family who went to deliver the message circled around the main entrance of the palace, but could not find a concierge to answer the message, so they had to return angrily and report back to the two ladies.

Mrs. Wang and Aunt Xue were both a little surprised, but they still refused to give up and hurriedly asked someone to turn the carriage around and rush to the back door.

This time, she and Aunt Xue got out of the car in person, walked to the steps, knocked on the door, and called out to the people inside.

It stands to reason that the back door is such an important location that it cannot be left unguarded.

However, no matter how Mrs. Wang called, no one came out to answer.

Mrs. Wang waited for a moment, secretly thinking something was wrong. Her good brother might not want to see her!

Why! Why? ! Brother, I am your biological sister!

Mrs. Wang couldn't understand.

Next to her, Aunt Xue, who usually listens to her brothers and sisters the most, also sensed something was wrong at this moment.

She didn't want to see Mrs. Wang embarrassed, so she took the initiative to say: Maybe there is some inconvenience at home. Sister, how about we go back first?

If there is any inconvenience, it must be because the Jia family is in trouble, and my brother wants to cut off the strong man's wrist.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Wang almost fainted from anger.

Aunt Xue saw something was wrong with her sister, so she hurriedly stepped forward to support Mrs. Wang's trembling body, pulled her and rushed home.

A long time after they left, the back door of Wang's house opened a small crack. A servant stuck his head out, looked around, then closed the door in a panic, and hurried towards the master and his wife with quick steps.

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Mrs. Wang's encounter with her parents' family could not be hidden from the public, because she fell ill as soon as she came back.

Yingchun and Xichun have always had a gentle temperament. After Jia Mu passed away, their already taciturn characters became even more silent.

After Tanchun and Xiangyun left, Daiyu got married again. They didn't have many playmates in Jia's house anymore, so they had to visit Baochai often.

Aunt Xue ran over anxiously, wanting to discuss things with her smart daughter. As soon as she opened her mouth, the two juniors naturally picked up some rumors.

Erchun knew something was wrong and hurriedly found an excuse to leave. Only Xue Baochai and her mother were left, worrying about the situation of the Jia family.

Soon, even Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian learned about it.

Although Jia Lian is confused, his knowledge is not bad. His problem is that he can't control his body and has no independent opinions.

The couple hid in their own room this time. Even Ping'er, who was cleaning nearby, didn't even bother to get out of the way. He said bluntly: It's a disaster. It's really going to be a disaster this time.

Wang Xifeng was not an idiot either. Even Mrs. Wang couldn't get rid of her natal family, and everyone in the Ningguo Mansion was taken away overnight.

Isn't this a catastrophe, or what?

She is not afraid of any underworld retribution, but she cannot bear to have a daughter. At this moment, Fang Cun was also confused and said: Will what you do involve Qiao'er?

What did you ask me to do? Jia Lian was annoyed for a moment and said fiercely.

Don't think that no one will know about your private interest. There are countless lawsuits among the people outside, and they have been filed in Shuntian Mansion. Who do you think will come forward to help you settle it?

Wang Xifeng didn't know what she was trying so hard to hide, and Jia Lian would always know. She thought of saying that she was just going out to make some money and had no idea about the other activities.

But just as she was about to leave her mouth, thinking about Shuntian Mansion in Jia Lian's mouth, she also reacted.

I'm afraid those money-lenders have done so many bastard things out there and forced so many families to die.

Then...then what do you think we should do?

Wang Xifeng is ruthless, has good ideas and good intentions. But these methods are somewhat unappreciable when used outside.

Jia Lian was more aware of the dangers of the imperial struggle. He knew that behind Ningguo Mansion was Rongguo Mansion, and his family was definitely in doom.

In such a situation where death is certain, the only thing he can think about is not to save himself and his wife, but their only child - Qiaoer.

When Jia Lian expressed his thoughts, Wang Xifeng was immediately dumbfounded. If I had known that I would end up being separated, would I still have gone my own way?

How old is Qiao'er? How can she... how can she live without us? Wang Xifeng dodged her gaze.

Ping'er, who had been listening for a long time, also spoke up: When that time comes, can I ask the master of the second room to take care of me on my behalf?

Are you still counting on them? Jia Lian sneered, Believe it or not, just finding a reliable family outside is better than leaving the child to the second wife.

He added, My second uncle is a docile coward, but my second aunt is also a snake-hearted person. She wants us to die as far away as possible. Do you really think she will take good care of Qiaoer when she grows up?

If Chen Heng were present and heard Jia Lian's words, he would definitely agree with them. In the entire Red Mansion, if there were really evil-hearted people, there would be six or seven people there, and Mrs. Wang would definitely have a share.

Wang Xifeng is her niece, and Jia Lian is her husband's nephew. With such a close relationship, Qiaoer ended up in a brothel. In the end, Grandma Liu, an outsider, was asked to sell off her property to rescue her, which was really abominable.

Jia Lian's words immediately woke Ping'er from his sweet dream, and made Wang Xifeng even more cruel.

Women educated by the Wang family have always had a decisive mind.

But when she thought about the people she had met in her life, it was difficult to find one or two people she could entrust her children to. For a moment, I felt so sad that I could only start sobbing in a low voice.

Ping'er felt sad when he saw her crying. She quickly stepped forward, wiping her tears and speaking words of encouragement.

The more Wang Xifeng listened, the more she came to her senses, and then looked up at Ping'er who looked eager. She said suddenly: Ping'er, can I ask Qiao'er to call you godmother?

Ping'er is a slave. Although Jia Lian has been coveting her, he has not yet succeeded. Wang Xifeng is a jealous person, and Ping'er is her right-hand assistant. How can she cut off her arm and give it to Jia Lian as a side wife?

I can't do it, I can't do it. Ping'er knelt on the ground with a plop and said bluntly, There has never been a reason in the world for the master's family to fall and the slave to live an ignoble existence.

Sister Yuanyang knew that she had to be loyal to the old lady. Even if Ping'er died, she would continue to serve her grandma on the road to hell.

If others said this, Wang Xifeng would only think of it as hypocrisy. But when Ping'er said this, she really wanted to believe it. After all, since she married into the Jia family, Ping'er has been her most powerful and most reliable person.

Thinking of this, Wang Xifeng hurriedly helped Ping'er up from the ground, You know me, I am not afraid of death.

I have done so many misfortunes in the past. If there is any retribution, it will just fall on me. It's just that Qiao'er is my only flesh and blood, I can't let anything happen to her...

Ping'er was left speechless and could only hug Wang Xifeng and cry bitterly.

But the more Jia Lian listened, the more he felt that it was feasible. He was worried about others and it would indeed be a good move to hand over his daughter to Ping'er.

That's it, move quickly. Jia Lian said immediately, Don't bring anything else with you. Just take Qiao'er by boat tonight.

Wang Xifeng and Heping'er didn't expect that things would be so hasty, and they said in unison: Where can we go if we are in such a hurry to get out?

Jia Lian rolled his eyes and said: Go to Yangzhou first and stay for a year and a half. When we are dead and the news has passed, you can go to Songjiang to find my brother-in-law.

As soon as she heard Chen Heng's name, Wang Xifeng immediately became energetic. Can we go to him for help regarding this matter in our family?

But when I think about the relationship between Mrs. Wang and Jia Min, it’s fine if others don’t step on her. Do you still expect the other party to come to the rescue?

Then I went to Yangzhou, how can I live in peace? Seeing Jia Lian speaking so eagerly, Ping'er didn't care to think about it and asked hurriedly.

I bought two shops in Yangzhou in my early years. My uncle originally opened a shopping mall and bought them to support me.

Jia Lian thought of his reckless actions back then.

At that time, the Jia family was prosperous and the business on Qiupu Street had not yet improved.

The two shops were rented out for only a few taels of money, and Jia Lian didn't tell his family about it.

This matter has become a private matter that only he knows.

Jia Lian continued to give instructions: Although those two shops don't make much money, it is enough for you and Qiaoer to have a full meal every month.

When I bought the shop before, I didn't reveal my family's name. The two landlords who rented the shop only knew that I was a wealthy businessman from the capital, and my surname was Wang. Go over there and don't let anything slip.

Thinking of Jia Lian's arrangements, and thinking of Ping'er leaving tonight. Wang Xifeng also stood up, took out a brocade box from under the bed, and opened it to reveal a heavy banknote.

Wang Xifeng didn't care about the details. She pushed the brocade box in front of Ping'er and said: Take it and take good care of Qiao'er for me when he grows up. Ping'er, I will remember you even when I go to the underworld. It’s good.”

Before Ping'er could refuse, Jia Lian had already knocked the brocade box to the ground and said angrily.

What other dreams do you have? Do you think the court can let them leave with their money? They will confiscate all the houses and wipe out even half a shop and half an acre of land. It is the Jinyi Mansion who takes Jia Zhen this time. Who knows what they are doing? How much news to hold in your hands.”

While talking, Jia Lian picked up one or two hundred-tael silver notes from the ground and stuffed them directly into Ping'er's hands.

That's all we can do. You and Ping'er save some money and survive for a year. As long as you survive this storm, go find my brother-in-law. He has a kind heart and will definitely not embarrass you and Qiao'er, a pair of poor people. .”

Not knowing what he thought of, Jia Lian walked back and forth with his hands behind his back, then pulled Ping'er and kept giving orders.

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Jia She was completely crazy. After drinking too much wine during dinner, he started acting crazy. He would point at Jia Zheng and scold her, and then sneak to Mrs. Wang's door while being drunk to scold her.

Call her a broken family, call her a broom star. Since she married into the Jia family, she has never had a peaceful life. She only knows her brothers from her mother's family.

When a person is about to die, his condition is also crazy.

Baoyu came here on the way. He wanted to stand up for his mother, but was afraid that his uncle would beat him up, so he had to return to Yihongyuan with resentment, looking forward to early morning to find Chen Heng for rescue.