After hearing my inner thoughts, the ancestors in the Dream of the Red Chamber went berserk.

Chapter 152 Granny Lai's Level of Skill

Lai Er began to speak:

"Brother, don't be so suspicious. You've done plenty of these things before, why are you being so cautious now?"

Lai glared at him and said:

"You really have no sense of propriety! What are you saying! What did I do?!"

Granny Lai glared at her second son, who realized he had misspoke and gave an awkward laugh.

"Nothing will happen, so don't worry, brother. Didn't you say that Mother is going to visit the old lady tomorrow? We'll see how she reacts then."

Lai Er really couldn't understand his older brother. His older brother had a really big heart, and his appetite was never satisfied.

For their family, things are already quite good.

But my eldest brother is never satisfied. He used to say that he was too timid and that he would do anything. But today, seeing my eldest brother and sister-in-law get into this mess, they are so terrified.

Lai Da, on the contrary, felt that his younger brother was too timid.

The Ningguo Mansion is different from theirs. Theirs has an old lady in charge, the eldest mistress is also a formidable figure, and now there's Jia Hu, who has even earned the title of "Little Immortal." The mansion is full of powerful people.

Looking at the Ningguo Mansion, only the eldest mistress is in charge now, and there's no old lady or anything above her to keep things in check, so things in the mansion are very easy to manage.

But his second brother was stubborn and lacked courage. If things continued like this, when would their family be able to escape their lowly status?

Granny Lai waved her hand.

"Alright, you two brothers, stop arguing. Brothers should work together. You should think more about the past to get where you are today."

I'll go there tomorrow. If anything comes up, I'll sound them out; if all else fails, I'll just have to risk my reputation.

That evening, Granny Lai sent someone to deliver a visiting card to the old lady, saying that she had been thinking of her masters a lot these days and was very concerned about them.

Unfortunately, my own body is quite uncooperative; I fell ill a few days ago, but now that I'm better, I'm even more eager to come and see my masters.

Grandmother Jia already knew about it and asked a few more questions about Granny Lai's health.

Later, when Lai's mother was around, he thought about the past and sighed about what had happened. His performance made Lai's mother even more convinced that the matter was over.

Look at the old lady, she still respects her mother-in-law very much. She's even reminiscing about the past.

Lai's mother was overjoyed. Sure enough, as soon as her mother-in-law appeared, everything was fine. She said that her husband was just being paranoid.

The next day, not long after Grandmother Jia had finished breakfast, Granny Lai arrived.

Granny Lai changed her clothes today, not the rich lady's attire she wears at home, but dressed very modestly.

When she came to see Grandmother Jia, she was about to kneel down to pay her respects, but Grandmother Jia quickly told a maid to pull her away.

"Granny Lai, what are you doing? There's no need for such a grand gesture. You're an elder who has served your elders before. How can I allow you to give me such a grand gesture?"

After saying that, he turned to the agate beside him and said:

"Hurry up and help Granny Lai sit down."

Granny Lai quickly patted her head, and, trying to steady herself, smiled as she said, "..."

“Miss, please don’t be in such a hurry. We servants can’t do this.”

Grandmother Jia smiled and said:

"Alright, alright, stop being so polite. Sit down and let's talk."

Granny Lai then laughed and said:

"I'm not used to sitting properly, so I'll just sit here."

As they spoke, they sat intimately on the small stool at Grandmother Jia's feet.

After sitting down, Granny Lai smiled and said:

"When I'm at home, I always want to visit my masters, but my health is getting worse and worse."

I was sick for a few days not long ago, but I'm feeling better today. Thinking about how I'm getting on in years, I thought I'd come and visit my masters.

Grandmother Jia asked with concern:

"You're getting on in years now, so you shouldn't be running around too much. You should stay home and take good care of your health."

"Hey!"

Granny Lai sighed:

"It's my own body that's not cooperating. I often think back to the old days when I was agile and had a good relationship with the other sisters in the mansion."

The masters were also incredibly kind and generous. I was truly blessed to have such a good job. How wonderful it was to serve them all those days, filled with joy and laughter.

Grandmother Jia smiled and said:

"I often think back to the past. Now you should take better care of your health. When you go back later, I have some good medicinal herbs here. Take them with you and take good care of yourself."

After hearing this, Granny Lai wanted to thank Grandmother Jia, and Grandmother Jia had a maid help Granny Lai.

"Why are you being so polite? It's been so long since we last met, we should be having a good time and chatting."

Granny Lai:

"I feel guilty, I really have no face to accept it, it's something from an old lady!"

Grandmother Jia changed her expression and, sure enough, arrived.

"What are you talking about? What could possibly be wrong?"

Granny Lai was filled with shame. She sighed, supporting herself on her knees, and said:

"As the saying goes, children are a debt! Old lady, look at me and my husband back then, we worked hard and diligently."

Who knew that my son and daughter-in-law would do such a thing? They even kept it from me. If I hadn't overheard it by chance, I wouldn't have known that they would do such a thing.

I feel sorry for the old lady and I feel guilty and uneasy. I came here today to apologize to her.

The old lady's punishment was too lenient. She's kind-hearted and remembers the good things we old folks have done for her.

But the punishment was too lenient. My daughter-in-law is so ignorant and arrogant; she should have been severely punished. It's only because the old lady is kind-hearted that she spared her life.

Upon hearing this, Lai Daren quickly came over and knelt down to apologize.

"Grandma, I was also very uneasy. When I got back, my mother-in-law scolded me severely."

They say we servants should always be thinking about relieving our masters' burdens, but I've only added to their troubles.

Grandmother Jia sighed and instructed her maid to help Granny Lai to her feet, saying:

"It's all in the past, and I haven't taken it to heart. It's normal for a young girl to sometimes think things through."

I'm only letting this matter go for the sake of Granny Lai."

Granny Lai was moved to tears, and wiping them away, she said:

"It's the masters who are good, but we servants are doing this. Now that the old lady is saying this, I feel even more that I deserve to die!"

Grandmother Jia:

"What are you saying? I've seen you serve the elders of the Jia family for a long time."

Back then, you were dedicated and responsible, and everyone praised you for your meticulousness. You were also an honest and kind person. Now that you're older, you deserve these respectable things.

We remember all the things you old folks did for the Jia family. Don't worry, just take good care of yourself; that's true happiness!

The maids around Grandmother Jia were deeply moved by her words, thinking how kind and benevolent their mistress was.

Agate glared at Lai Dajia again. The old lady was so generous and kind, but this old woman was so ungrateful.

Granny Lai also shed tears, wiping them away with a handkerchief.

"Don't worry, Grandma. After what happened, I will definitely keep an eye on them from now on. I may not be of much use as an old man, but I can still teach them these things."

Please rest assured, Madam, if they make a mistake, please don't hesitate to punish them severely.

Grandmother Jia smiled and agreed, restoring harmony to the atmosphere. Grandmother Jia then invited Granny Lai to stay for another meal, and they chatted for a long time in the afternoon before Granny Lai finally went home.

Grandmother Jia also instructed the Lai family to escort Granny Lai home, as she wouldn't need to be on duty tonight and could return tomorrow.

Back at the Lai family home, the eldest daughter of the Lai family was so excited that she kept praising her mother-in-law for being so amazing.

Not only did nothing happen to him, but he also received so many rewards from the old lady.

Granny Lai looked at her short-sighted daughter-in-law and sighed, saying:

"What do you know about this? This is all gained by sacrificing your dignity. The old lady was generous this time, but if there's a next time, even ten of me couldn't protect you."

Think about it carefully. You've been working here for so many years, and you used to be extremely meticulous. How come you've become so brainless these days?

And then there's Lingmiao's matter. I don't agree to this marriage. I can't just stand by and watch you push the child into a fire pit.

I sent someone to inquire, and you said you chose which family Lingmiao was from!

Not only those from the village, but also those who had lost two wives, both of whom he beat to death!

How could you be so heartless as to push your child into the home of someone like that!

Lai, the eldest son, lowered his head as he was being scolded and tried to explain:

“I also inquired about it. He’s a well-known wealthy man in the village, very rich. He didn’t kill those two wives; it was all a misunderstanding. As for the matchmaker…”

At this point, Lai Dajia suddenly fell silent.

Granny Lai slammed her hand on the table and pointed at her nose, cursing:

"Are you feeling guilty?"

"Is it because that family offers you more money that you're willing to marry your own granddaughter off?"

That's not true at all. The Lai family really believed the matchmaker's words. Besides, that family was really generous. They heard that the maid was from a high-ranking family and was very beautiful. They were extremely satisfied with her and were incredibly generous.

Granny Lai was furious, but after catching her breath, she continued to berate:

"How could I not have realized before that you have such a cruel heart? Even if that girl did something wrong, she is still a member of the Lai family. How can I allow you to treat her like this!"

Even if she did something terribly wrong, now that her master isn't pursuing it, why are you still doing this!

Even if you hate her, what does that damned woman have to do with this child? Just because she came out of that woman's belly!

Go and return the money to that family. We won't marry them off. My Lai family wouldn't stoop so low as to sell our granddaughter!

Lai was feeling very guilty. It was because of this incident that she remembered that woman again, which was why she wanted to marry Lingmiao off as soon as possible.

Lai's family had also inquired about it; those two wives died from illness, not from being beaten to death.

Seeing her expression, Granny Lai was furious, but finally sighed deeply, sat down, and said:

"I used to think you were a kind, honest and kind person."

Who would have thought that your appetite would grow so much? You don't even try to advise your man. Look at the two of you now, you're becoming more and more arrogant.

The thing is, while I'm alive, I can still put aside my pride, but what if I die one day? Who will you all be able to rely on then?

Now you won't give it to them. The old lady and her family maintain a good relationship; my eldest grandson went astray before.

He is studying hard now, but if he fails the exam this time, I was willing to swallow my pride and beg the old lady to use her connections with the Jia family to buy him an official position.

If you don't maintain a good relationship and preserve your dignity, you won't even be able to find the door when you try to ask for help again!

Don't pretend to be wronged in front of me after all these years. I know your personality.

I know that after this incident, you were trying to make a good impression on the old lady.

But look at how arrogant you were to the maids today. I have told you many times that you must maintain good relations with everyone in this mansion, big or small, and be humble.

Look at you, how many of the maids in the old lady's room, besides those who flatter and fawn over you, do you have a good relationship with?

Don't underestimate those girls. No one can be sure if they'll be noticed and rise to great heights.

I taught you so much, but you didn't learn anything except one thing: now you're arrogant.

I'm telling you, if you continue like this, I'll beg the old lady to let you come home, so you won't cause trouble for the Lai family.

Don't feel wronged. I'm not just talking about you; I'll also talk to your man about it.

Everything the Lai family has now is the result of steady, step-by-step hard work. It's not something you two could have built up.

If you become so arrogant now, and you ever catch your master's eye, when he really decides to deal with you, no one will be able to save you!

Remember this: your current respectability is all given to you by your master. Once your master stops giving it to you, you'll have nothing. You're now just a servant of the Jia family!

Lai Dajia lowered her head even further and her face turned red as her mother-in-law spoke to her. She was already a grandmother, and she felt very ashamed to be treated like this by her mother-in-law.

"Alright, you should go back and rest too. I know you've been working hard to perform these past few days and you're exhausted."

Go back and drop the matter with Lingmiao. I have my own arrangements for that girl; you, her grandmother, don't need to worry about her."

Lai left, feeling ashamed and uneasy.

Granny Lai sat in the room, looking at everything around her, and sighed inwardly.

The Lai family's current wealth and success is hard-earned; one wrong step and it would all be gone.

To put it nicely, it was through the Lai family's hard work that they climbed up the ranks step by step to become managers.

To put it bluntly, her son's appetite has grown increasingly larger; she is old, not that she understands nothing.

With their family's wages and the master's rewards, they couldn't even buy half of this courtyard.

But who among us who are slaves doesn't climb the ladder? Who doesn't want to change their fate, even if they're desperately trying to climb up?

Now that her grandson has been freed from slavery, that's a huge change.

She also wanted the Lai family to become slaves, stopping at her son's generation.

After this generation passes, the entire Lai family can be completely transformed, and they can become a respectable official family.

Unfortunately, his son and daughter-in-law are both a hindrance, and at his age, he doesn't know if he'll even live to see that day.