Red Mansion Huacai

Chapter 409: The House in Trouble, the Evil Son and the Bully

Li Weijian settled his family and went to Daiyu privately and said, "I'm afraid there will be changes in the capital. Sister, you can stay here with your people and wait and see. I have to go back to the capital to deal with some problems."

Daiyu was immediately worried when she heard this. After asking a few questions, Li Weijian whispered that the prince might cause chaos. His face changed immediately and he said, "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. Why did Fourth Brother jump into the sea of ​​fire and swords now?"

Li Weijian couldn't say it was because of Feng Jieer and Siqi, so he just evaded the issue by saying, "I have the king's order, so I have to do it."

Daiyu frowned and said, "Our family fortune is so rich that we can't even use it up in several lifetimes. At worst, Fourth Brother can just give up this position."

Li Weijian said with a smile: "Sister, you are joking. Without this tiger skin, how can I protect these family businesses? Don't worry, I will be back soon. Besides, even if the prince really seizes the throne, he will need me, the living god of wealth, at that time."

Daiyu knew that she could not persuade him, so she gave him some advice and said, "Xiuying is very skilled, why not let her follow us?"

Li Weijian shook his head: "Not good, Xiuying is gone, won't my sister be left without someone to take care of her?"

Daiyu said, "Since Xiuying is staying, let's bring more guards."

Li Weijian agreed, and immediately selected a dozen guards, along with the Ding brothers, bought horses and set off for the capital. After a round, Li Weijian sent several guards back, and led eight or nine people to the capital.

At this time, the official road from Beijing to Tianjin had been repaired. Li Weijian rode his horse all the way. Halfway through, he changed his clothes, found some glue, and changed his beard and appearance. The 200-mile journey ended in the evening. Everyone from Li Weijian to the rest was covered in dust, and Li Weijian's thighs were so sore from the wear and tear.

After hurrying and hurrying, they finally arrived at the capital before the city gates closed. The group dispersed and followed the pedestrians into the city in twos and threes.

Li Weijian led the horse and passed the city gate. He saw an old woman in front of him who looked very familiar. The old woman was holding a boy of about eleven or twelve. When they got closer, he could see clearly that they were Granny Liu and Ban'er. The situation was critical. Li Weijian and Granny Liu were not close friends. He could only sigh in his heart. If he entered the city now, he might have a hard time getting out.

He passed by each other, estimated the distance, and went to Shi Tiao Hutong first.

But Granny Liu looked anxious at the moment. Ban'er, who was standing by, saw that Granny Liu couldn't move, so he said, "Grandma, why don't I go first?"

Granny Liu shook her head and said, "Who knows you? At least I recognize my old face. You were only a few years old when you came back last time. How can I remember you?"

Ban'er said again, "If you ask me, Grandma, there's no need to be too anxious. Those thieves are talking so hard, but they are just lies. How can the capital allow thieves to sneak in?"

Granny Liu said, "We have to be on guard. Besides, they have done us a favor. If Second Madam and the old lady had not given us money, we would have had to pawn our land and property, and we wouldn't be living like we are today."

Seeing that they could not go any further, there happened to be a rickshaw in front of them, so Granny Liu gritted her teeth and hailed one, and led Ban'er to the Rongguo Mansion in a hurry. When they arrived at the Rongguo Mansion, it was almost dusk, so Granny Liu went forward to negotiate, but she knew that since Sister Feng, Lady Xing, and Ping'er had successively been the housekeepers, the housekeepers and managers had changed a lot, and now she couldn't find anyone familiar.

After Granny Liu started chatting with her, the doorman said impatiently, "You old woman, please get out of here quickly. How can someone like you enter Rongguo Mansion?"

Granny Liu begged, "I am really related to the Rongguo Mansion. May I ask if Mrs. Zhou Rui is here? Is the Second Madam here? I have come here twice, and the last time I received a reward from the old lady!"

The doorman said, "Zhou Rui's family had long been sent to the manor. The second wife also made a mistake and was divorced by the second master Lian. The old lady has been dead for more than two years. Do you know any other relatives?"

Granny Liu was stunned. Just then, Jia Qin came to ask Jia Lian for a reply. Seeing that the discussion was getting more and more complicated, he said, "Where did this old hag come from? Send her away quickly, or she will be a nuisance to me!"

Granny Liu wanted to say more, but the man became impatient and pushed her around until she finally said that Sister Feng was living in the city now. Granny Liu and Ban'er heard what was said and hurried off to look for Sister Feng again.

But on that day, Sister Feng was leaning on the couch in a listless mood. Ever since Li Weijian returned to Nanjing to mourn his father, Sister Feng had been managing the greenhouse business and had spent most of her time in a daze. Only after a month or two would Ping'er bring Sister Qiao and Sister Er to visit her.

Feng Jieer was filled with resentment, hoping that Li Weijian would return quickly, and also thinking that she would treat him well when he returned. While she was thinking about this, a maid suddenly came in and said, "Grandma, an old woman named Liu Laolao is here to look for you. She said she has come to tell you something."

"Grandma Liu?" After a quick glance, Sister Feng thought for a while before she remembered and muttered, "I'm afraid my family can't make ends meet anymore... Never mind, bring her in."

The old woman agreed and led the people in. Feng Jieer was sipping almond tea when Granny Liu and Ban'er came in and said anxiously, "Grandma, something bad has happened. There are thieves who want to attack Rongguo Mansion!"

"Ah? What do you mean?" Feng Jieer was startled.

Granny Liu came over immediately and explained the whole story.

It is said that Aunt Zhao and Jia Huan were banished to Heishan Manor by Jia Zheng last year. Aunt Zhao felt that she was the master and did not get along well with the brothers Wu Jinxian and Wu Jinxiao. Today she wanted to check the accounts and tomorrow she wanted to check the storehouse. Moreover, the mother and son were so aggressive that they angered all the village heads.

Last winter, Aunt Zhao caught a cold, and Jia Huan asked Wu Jinxian to invite a doctor to treat her. Wu Jinxian agreed, but said that the roads were blocked by heavy snow, and it took more than ten days to invite the doctor. At this time, Aunt Zhao was already very sick, and the doctor gave her two strong medicines, and Aunt Zhao died immediately after taking them.

After Jia Huan buried Aunt Zhao, he was filled with hatred. At night, he took a knife and went to the place where Wu Jinxian and Wu Jinxiao were, killing them and then fled.

Jia Huan fled south under a false name and entered the pass through a small path. On the way, he came across a mountain stronghold and happened to run into Jia Cong.

The two brothers met and reminisced about the past. Then Jia Cong asked Jia Huan where he was going.

Jia Huan said, "I will go to Rongguo Mansion to seek revenge! Everyone in this family favors Baoyu, and I won't accept it!"

Jia Cong clasped his hands and said, "That's right! Jia Lian has tried to take my life several times in order to inherit the title. I will never forgive him! Brother, now there is a big thing. If this thing succeeds, not only can we get our revenge, but we may also get a title for our wives and children in the future."

Jia Huan hurriedly asked what the big deal was, but Jia Cong kept silent and just shook his head. From then on, Jia Huan stayed in the mountain stronghold with Jia Cong, practicing swords and guns and fiddling with fire guns every day.

In the spring of that year, the nobleman from above suddenly sent an order, and more than a hundred strong men in the mountain stronghold left the stronghold and stationed in Xiaoliu Village.

Granny Liu was too old to work on the land, and Ban'er was too young, so she rented out her own land and usually did the laundry for the farm. Last night, Granny Liu went to the farm to help out again. While washing the dishes, she heard the thieves shouting "big things to do", and Jia Huan, who was drunk, yelled "bloodbath Rongguo Mansion".

Seeing that there were bullies everywhere, Granny Liu was so frightened that she kept silent. She was afraid that the news would leak out, so she went to the farm to help out as usual during the day. After finishing her shift, she took Ban'er to rush to the capital to report the news.

After hearing this, Sister Feng couldn't help but frown and think. How could the capital city, the best place, accommodate hundreds of thieves? Maybe the thieves had the support of a nobleman behind them, so they hid. She also remembered that Prince Zhongshun had been reprimanded by the sage a few days ago, and couldn't help but wonder, could it be that Prince Zhongshun was going to cause trouble?

The place she was staying at at that time only had three courtyards inside and outside, and more than 20 servants. If the thieves really came to attack, she would definitely not be able to withstand it. Even if the thieves did not come, and went to Rongguo Mansion, what would happen to her own Qiaojie and Erjie?
He immediately stood up, walked forward, took Granny Liu's hand and said gratefully: "Thank you for coming to tell me the news. If I had been unaware and got involved, the consequences would have been unpredictable."

Granny Liu said, "Second Madam, what you said is outrageous. Let alone the fact that we are relatives, just the kindness you showed me twice before between you and the old lady is something I have to report to you."

Feng Jieer was very kind-hearted. She had only done it for the sake of convenience that day, but she had not expected that she would be helped now. She immediately asked the maid to take good care of Granny Liu and Ban'er. She packed up and was about to leave when the maid came to report, "Grandma, Uncle is here!"

Feng Jieer was extremely surprised. When she turned around, she saw Li Weijian, dressed in casual clothes and with a beard, walking in quickly.

"Why are you here? When did you come back?"

Li Weijian whispered, "Sister Lin and the others are still in Tianjin. I am the first one to sneak into the capital. Without further ado, the capital will be in chaos in the next few days. You should quickly follow me to the Bo's Mansion and leave the city as soon as possible tomorrow morning."

Sister Feng grabbed Li Weijian and said, "Qiaojie and Erjie are still in Rongguo Mansion."

Li Weijian said, "I will find a way to get Ping'er, Qiaojie and Erjie out of the city first, so that they won't be affected by the disaster."

Feng Jieer nodded repeatedly, and immediately led the maid to follow Li Weijian out. A carriage had been prepared outside. Feng Jieer looked around before getting in the carriage, and saw that there was another carriage following behind. She was puzzled and didn't know who was sitting inside.

The carriage rumbled and arrived at Debo's mansion in a blink of an eye. When they arrived in front of Deyi Gate, Feng Jieer got off the carriage and then saw the tall and strong Siqi getting off the carriage.

Feng Jieer blinked, then looked at Li Weijian angrily. Li Weijian said awkwardly: "This... Siqi is still ahead of you."

Feng Jieer was speechless for a moment, and could only say: "Sure enough, there is no cat in the world that doesn't steal fish!" Then she turned around and left.

When Siqi saw Fengjie's expression, her face suddenly turned cold and she said angrily, "Why are you so proud? Aren't you just like me now?"

After that, he came closer to Li Weijian and asked in a sweet voice, "Master, where do I live now?"

Li Weijian said, "Backyard... Do you want to live in the main house?"

Siqi said, "I'm being kept away by the master, and now that the mistress is not here, what's the harm in me staying here for one night?"

Li Weijian said with a sullen face: "In that case, I'll take you in later."

Siqi thought to herself, this girl is raised outside, she has the final say in everything, even the maids and servants call her grandma respectfully. If she enters the house, she will have to be humble and submissive, how can she be happy outside? She immediately apologized with a smile: "Master, I was just joking. With my temper, I will probably quarrel with others after entering the house. It's better to be free outside."

After a busy time, Feng Jieer and Siqi settled down, and then they began to wonder whether Li Weijian would come to look for them at night. But they thought too much, now that chaos was imminent, Li Weijian was busy hiding all the shameful notes in the study, and it was already three o'clock in the morning when he finished. How could he have the energy to look for the two women?
Early the next morning, Li Weijian sent the maid who stayed behind to invite Tanchun and Ping'er.

Upon hearing that Li Weijian had returned, Tanchun and Ping'er were both very surprised. Ping'er was suspicious, thinking that maybe Sister Feng had come as well, so she brought Sister Qiao and Sister Er together.

When they got to the east courtyard, they went inside and saw Wang Xifeng there. Qiaojie came forward holding her second sister, and the three of them were happily together.

Ping'er, Tanchun and Li Weijian greeted each other, and after they sat down, Tanchun asked, "Brother Jian returned quietly, is there something wrong?"

Li Weijian nodded and said, "Third sister is smart. Now that the capital is about to be in turmoil, I am really worried, so I rushed back to deal with it."

At this time, Sister Feng told them what happened yesterday when Granny Liu reported the news, which frightened Tanchun and Ping'er so much that their faces changed.

Ping Erh said, "Before the Lunar New Year, the Wu brothers said they were ill and sent their nephew to give them a New Year gift. It looked more generous than usual. They also mentioned Aunt Zhao's death, but they didn't mention that Jia Huan had killed someone and escaped!"

Tanchun frowned and said, "These two are useless. They only think about the injustice in their family, but never think about working hard to improve themselves. Now they are colluding with gangsters to destroy the Jia family!" After all, they are brothers. Tanchun was so angry that her eyes turned red. "A family like ours has a deep foundation. Outsiders can't kill us. We have to commit suicide... Oh, I just said it casually that day, but I didn't expect it to come true."

Li Weijian said, "At this point, let's deal with the present situation first. Third sister, even if you tell Uncle Shi, Brother Lian has close ties with Changle Palace, so I'm afraid he may not believe you. For now, we should just find an excuse to leave the city and hide."

As they were talking, Qianxue came in hurriedly, her face changed and she said, "Master, the Ding brothers reported that the city gates are closed!"

There was a sound of surprise inside. Sister Feng was at a loss as to what to do. She took her two daughters by the hand and said, "Does this mean that we can't leave the city?"

Ping Er also panicked: "What should we do? Have we seen the army entering the city?"

Li Weijian raised his eyebrows and said, "It's okay. Since we can't leave, then let's not leave." After a pause, he said, "There is a secret passage downstairs in Yuechun. There are thirteen secret rooms of different sizes. At worst, we can hide in it and wait for the rebellion to subside before coming out."

Feng Jieer then breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Brother Jian is just like a cunning rabbit with three burrows."

Li Weijian frowned. What was he talking about?

Everyone ignored Fengjie's nonsense. Tanchun stood up and said, "There is no time to lose. I will go home and explain the pros and cons to the master. We must hide the girl at home first."

(End of this chapter)