The next morning, Yuan Chun went to Jia She's courtyard.
As dawn broke, the courtyard was quiet, with only a few cleaning women busy at work.
She took a deep breath and ordered her servants to announce her arrival.
Jia She had just gotten up and was being helped to wash and dress by his maid when he heard that Yuan Chun was coming to visit. He had a feeling that it was not a good thing.
After washing up, she came to the main hall, frowned, and asked, "So early, is there something you need?"
Yuan Chun curtsied and said softly, "Uncle, the old lady instructed yesterday that the family is in serious financial trouble and needs to sell some properties to make ends meet. Huifang Garden is in a good location, and if we can sell it, it may solve our immediate problem."
"What?!" The teacup that Jia She had just taken fell to the ground with a "clatter," splashing tea everywhere.
He stood up abruptly, his face ashen: "Huifangyuan is my property. What right does the old lady have to decide to sell it? If anyone should be sold, it should be Rongxitang!"
Yuan Chun had anticipated his reaction, and her expression remained calm: "Uncle, please calm down. The old lady is only thinking of the family. Rongxi Hall is ancestral property and cannot be touched. Although Huifang Garden is under your name, the family is in dire straits right now, and I hope you will consider the bigger picture."
Jia She was trembling with rage. Pointing at Yuan Chun's nose, he cursed, "You, Yuan Chun! You've only been in charge of the household for a few days, and you dare to scheme against my things? Where's your father? Tell him to come see me!"
Yuan Chun remained composed and respectful: "Father is going to the yamen early this morning. This matter has already been reported to the old lady. If Uncle has any objections, he may go and discuss it with the old lady in person."
Jia She flung his sleeves and roared, "I'm going right now!"
Having said that, he stormed off to Grandmother Jia's courtyard without even putting on his coat properly.
Yuan Chun watched his departing figure and sighed deeply.
She knew her uncle wouldn't agree to this, but what could she do?
---
Jia She hurried along the road, and just as he arrived at the gate of Grandmother Jia's courtyard, he bumped into Jia Zheng, who was coming out of it.
The two brothers looked at each other, and Jia She sneered, "Second brother, you've really raised a good daughter!"
Jia Zheng frowned: "What do you mean by that, elder brother?"
Jia She repeated Yuan Chun's words, growing angrier with each word: "Your second branch of the family is short of money, so what right do you have to touch my garden? If anyone's going to be sold, it'll be your Rongxi Hall!"
Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng's face darkened: "Brother, be careful with your words! Rongxi Hall is ancestral property, how can it be touched lightly? Although Huifang Garden is under your name, the mansion is in dire straits now, and we should all work together to overcome this challenge."
Jia She sneered: "That sounds nice! Your second branch of the family has been squandering money all these years, and now you want me to fill the hole? Don't even think about it!"
The two argued louder and louder, disturbing Grandmother Jia inside the house.
Yuanyang lifted the curtain and came out, whispering, "The old lady invites the two gentlemen in to speak."
Jia She snorted coldly and strode into the house.
Jia Zheng followed closely behind, also feeling annoyed.
Grandmother Jia sat wearily on the couch. Seeing the two enter, she slowly spoke, "What's all the noise about? Isn't the mansion chaotic enough already?"
Jia She spoke first: "Mother! That girl Yuan Chun actually said she wanted to sell my Huifang Garden. Isn't that going too far?"
Grandmother Jia closed her eyes briefly and said, "It was my idea. The household is in serious deficit, and if it is not replenished in time, I fear there will be a great disaster."
Jia She said urgently, "You can't touch my garden! The second son has been in charge of the household affairs all these years, and now that something has gone wrong, I'm supposed to take the blame?"
Jia Zheng's face was grim, and he said in a deep voice, "Brother, the expenses of the mansion over the years have been shared by all the branches of the family, it is not my fault alone."
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Grandmother Jia raised her hand to stop them: "Enough!"
She looked at Jia She, "Eldest son, Huifang Garden is just a garden. We can sell it and buy another one. If the mansion falls apart, what use will it be to you?"
Jia She gritted his teeth and said, "Mother is biased! If you really want to sell, then sell Rongxi Hall too!"
Grandmother Jia slammed her hand on the table in anger: "Nonsense! Rongxi Hall is ancestral property, how can it be touched so easily?"
Seeing that Grandmother Jia was angry, Jia She dared not argue further, but he was still resentful. He threw down the words, "In short, I will not sell Huifang Garden," and left in anger.
Seeing this, Jia Zheng cupped his hands to Grandmother Jia and said, "Mother, please calm down. I will think of another way."
Grandmother Jia sighed and waved her hand, "Go."
---
Jia Zheng returned to his study, feeling extremely troubled.
He ordered his men to bring the household's account books and summoned several stewards to discuss countermeasures.
"Master, the only solution now is to have each household contribute some of their private savings for the emergency, and then pawn some valuables. Perhaps that will allow us to get through this period," Lin Zhixiao said cautiously.
Jia Zheng pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's the only way."
He paused, then said, "Pass on my message: have the heads of each household come to see me tomorrow."
The news quickly spread throughout the mansion, causing widespread panic among the residents.
Baoyu was reading Buddhist scriptures in the room when he heard about this. He put down his book and seemed to be deep in thought.
At dinner, he mustered up his courage and said to Jia Zheng, "Father, I want to travel to Jiangnan to study."
Jia Zheng was taken aback and looked up at him: "Why are you bringing this up again?"
Baoyu said in a low voice, "The household is in dire straits now, and it is useless for your son to stay at home. It would be better for him to go out and travel, which may broaden his horizons and help the family in the future."
Jia Zheng was originally troubled by family matters, so he was somewhat surprised to see Bao Yu's plan. Bao Yu seemed to have matured a lot recently.
He pondered for a moment and said, "I am very pleased that you have this intention. However, this matter needs to be discussed with your grandmother and mother."
When Lady Wang learned of this, she firmly objected: "Baoyu has never traveled far before. What if something happens to him?"
Grandmother Jia was also reluctant to let him go: "Baoyu is frail; how can he travel so far alone?"
At this moment, Aunt Xue interjected with a smile: "Grandma, sister, there's no need to worry. If you're really concerned, why not let Baochai accompany Baoyu? She's steady and meticulous; she'll definitely take good care of Baoyu."
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