The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 536: Farewell on a Moonlit Night

Watching Jia Lian leave the room, Jia Rong said worriedly, "Uncle Huan, will Jia Lian complain to the old lady?"

Jia Huan shook his head calmly. Although Jia Lian was not picky about food or drink, especially his lower thoughts, he was still quite trustworthy. Since he had agreed to cooperate, he would certainly not go back on his word. After he tasted the sweetness of the honeycomb coal business, it would be even less likely for him to go back on his word.

Of course, he was not afraid even if Jia Lian complained to the old lady, as long as he did not admit it. Jia Lian could not produce any evidence. And now he was the only hope for the revival of the Jia family. Even if the old lady and Jia Zheng had doubts in their hearts, they would eventually choose to consider the overall situation.

Seeing Jia Huan so calm, Jia Rong felt relieved and said hesitantly, "Then..."

Jia Huan naturally knew what Jia Rong was worried about, and comforted him, "Even if those two in prison are not exiled, they will definitely not be able to get out within a few years. Don't worry, I will take care of it."

Jia Rong felt relieved when he heard this. He was now convinced of Jia Huan's ability and was willing to follow his advice. He nodded and said, "That's good."

"Take good care of yourself. When your injury is healed, you will naturally have a share in the management of the honeycomb coal business. I'll go back first." Jia Huan stood up and stretched. Today he had to participate in the ceremony of announcing the names of the best officials, parade through the streets to praise the officials, worship the ancestors, and welcome and see off guests. It was really tiring.

Jia Rong hurriedly said, "Thank you, Uncle Huan. I'll see you off!"

"No need!" Jia Huan waved his hand and walked out of the room. Qin Keqing wanted to see him off, but he refused. He went towards the garden alone with a lantern in his hand.

The place where Jia Rong and his wife now live is on the east side of the Rongguo Mansion, which is the original place of Jia She's family. It is very close to the west gate of the garden. Now Jia She is still in prison and the number of servants has been reduced by half. There are many vacant rooms here, which are just right for accommodating Youshi and Jia Rong and his wife.

When Jia Huan returned to Yuewei Residence, he found Baochai there, chatting with Ping'er under the lamp. She was gentle, elegant, dignified and generous. When she saw Jia Huan coming back, she stood up and said with a smile, "It's late, Ying'er, let's go home!"

Jia Huan was surprised and asked, "I just came back and Sister Bao is leaving. Could it be that Huan'er has upset you?"

Baochai chuckled and said, "No, I have been sitting here for a long time. Even if Brother Huan doesn't want to come back, I should go back. Besides, Brother Huan has been busy all day and must be tired. You should pack up and rest early. I'm afraid you will be busy tomorrow."

In order to celebrate Jia Huan's success in becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination, the mansion will hold banquets for three consecutive days, and tomorrow will surely be filled with guests as well.

Ping Er couldn't help thinking, "After all, Miss Bao is considerate. No wonder everyone likes to be close to her."

"Then let me see you off." Jia Huan said as he picked up the lantern that had just been hung on the wall.

Baochai said quickly, "No need, I have Ying'er to accompany me, and there is moonlight tonight, so Brother Huan should go to bed early."

"It's all right. I just want to go for a walk to get rid of the alcohol." Jia Huan left the room without saying anything. Ying'er said with a smile, "Don't say goodbye, young lady. If you say goodbye again, the moon will go down."

Xue Baochai had no choice but to say goodbye to Ping'er and the others and leave Yuewei Residence, but Jia Huan was already waiting in front of the Fish-Watching Pavilion with a lantern.

Today is November 1st, and I can see a half moon hanging in the sky, the moon is bright and the wind is clear, the willows are swaying, and the white sand path along the pond is clearly visible, like a white jade belt winding into the distance.

"Third Master, please give me the lantern!" Ying'er snatched the lantern from Jia Huan's hand without saying a word, and then held the two lanterns and led the way.

Xue Baochai glanced at Jia Huan and walked forward. Jia Huan hurriedly followed and walked side by side with her.

In March, the night breeze does not make you feel cold, but rather refreshing and comfortable. The fine sand under your feet is soft and makes a rustling sound, while the weeping willows on both sides brush gently over your head, making you feel peaceful and comfortable.

Jia Huan couldn't help stretching and yawning. Seeing this, Xue Baochai said softly, "Brother Huan, there's no need to see me off. Go back and have a rest."

At this moment, Xue Baochai's pair of almond-shaped eyes were like water, shrouded in the hazy moonlight, and her whole body was as gentle and elegant as water. Jia Huan couldn't help but be a little dazed by her, so much so that he forgot to reply. In an instant, even the air seemed silent.

Xue Baochai's cheeks immediately flushed, and she quickly withdrew her gaze and continued walking, her pace obviously increasing a little. Jia Huan came back to his senses and changed the subject, "How is your business these days, sister?"

Xue Baochai said absentmindedly, "It's still the same, neither good nor bad. Hmm, when will the banquet be held?"

"On the 15th. Brother Tad has taken care of everything in the south. When will he head north?"

"It may take some time, I can't say for sure. Brother Huan is now a Hanlin editor, so he will have to attend court every day in the future, right?"

"The Emperor has granted all new scholars a month's leave to go home and pay respects to their ancestors. For those who have to travel far, they will receive two months. Therefore, I will officially report to the Hanlin Academy after the fifteenth of next month."

"Oh, that's... pretty good." Xue Baochai said to herself.

The two of them chatted endlessly, asking each other questions. Before they knew it, they had walked along the sandy road and arrived at the Banana Garden. The banana trees had grown very lush after the spring, and their huge leaves blocked out the moonlight, casting large shadows on the road. When the wind blew, the trees swayed and made a loud noise, like a group of demons dancing wildly, which was really scary.

"Miss Third likes banana leaves the most, but I don't like them. People say they attract ghosts. I dare not pass by here alone at night." Ying'er said nervously.

Xue Baochai frowned and said, "A gentleman does not talk about strange things. Don't talk nonsense and just go your way." Xue Baochai said this, but subconsciously leaned closer to Jia Huan. She was probably a little scared, after all, she was only a girl of sixteen or seventeen years old.

Jia Huan couldn't help laughing secretly and said, "Sister Ying'er, I'll teach you a way. You don't need to be afraid when walking at night in the future."

Ying'er asked hurriedly, "What method?"

"Paint a Zhong Kui on your face, and ghosts will avoid you when they see you." Jia Huan said with a smile.

Ying Er laughed and said, "The Third Master is looking for me for fun, what a bad idea! If I suddenly run into someone in the middle of the night, I'm afraid he will think I'm a ghost. How miserable!"

Xue Baochai couldn't help laughing.

Jia Huan laughed and said, "I'm just kidding you. There are no ghosts in this world. It's just that people have ghosts in their hearts and scare themselves."

"No, there really are ghosts. Many people have seen them. Aunt Li said she had seen one with such a long tongue..." Ying'er argued.

Xue Baochai felt a little terrified after hearing this, and said angrily, "You idiot, you are getting even more crazy, aren't you? What ghosts and gods are you talking about in the middle of the night? Believe it or not, a ghost will come out and catch you and eat you."

Ying'er stuck out her tongue and dared not say anything more.

Before they knew it, they were outside Hengwu Garden. Xue Baochai stopped and turned around, about to call Jia Huan to go back, but the latter had been busy from morning till night and was very sleepy and tired. He was not in good spirits and did not react in time, so he bumped into Baochai.

"Ah!" Xue Baochai cried out tenderly. Jia Huan was immediately shocked and took two steps back, saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Xue Baochai's cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were shy with a hint of panic. She calmed herself down and shook her head, saying, "No... It's okay, Brother Huan, go back soon." After saying that, she turned and walked into the courtyard.

Jia Huan touched his chest, and the soft feeling seemed to still be there, as touching as it could be.

At this time, Ying'er returned the lantern to Jia Huan and said with a smile, "Third Master, go back alone, so be careful on the road." After saying that, she made a face.

"I'll give you a ginkgo nut." Jia Huan raised his hand to knock on it, but Ying'er giggled and slipped into the room.

Jia Huan smiled, turned around and walked back with the lantern in his hand. When he passed the banana grove, he saw Qingwen and Feng'er coming with lanterns in their hands. He went up to them and asked, "Why are you here?"

"Sister Ping'er is worried, so she asked us to come and welcome her," Qingwen said.

Jia Huan felt warm in his heart and said with a smile, "Let's go back."

The master and his two servants returned to Yueweiju, talking and laughing, holding lanterns.

On the second day, the Jia family continued to hold a grand banquet, and Jia Huan naturally had to attend and entertain the guests. Fortunately, Jia Lian helped to entertain the guests, which alleviated a lot of the burden.

Suddenly, a servant came to report: "My uncle and my younger uncle are here."

Since Wang Xifeng's father had passed away two years ago, the so-called uncle was naturally Lady Wang's second brother Wang Ziteng, and the younger uncle was Wang Zisheng.

Jia Huan frowned secretly. Wang Ziteng had been dismissed from office and was idle at home. He rarely went out. It was a rare visitor that he came to visit today. He went out to greet him and found that not only the brothers Wang Ziteng and Wang Zisheng had come, but they also brought their female relatives with them. Wang Zisheng even brought his unmarried daughter.

Jia Huan's heart skipped a beat. He remembered that Wang Zisheng had approached old man Zheng and said he wanted to marry his daughter to him, but he had rejected him in person. So they had already fallen out. What was the point of bringing his daughter here? Did he want to be my cheap father-in-law?
However, Wang Ziteng is not even a toothless tiger now, so Jia Huan is not worried that he will use force. If the other party proposes a marriage, the worst that can happen is that he will refuse again. Anyway, it is the Wang family that will be embarrassed.

At that moment, Lin Zhixiao notified Mrs. Wang and brought the women of the Wang family to the back house for reception, while Jia Huan and Jia Lian welcomed Wang Ziteng and Wang Zisheng into Rong Xi Hall for reception.

Wang Ziteng was over sixty years old and had gray hair. He praised and encouraged Jia Huan, and after having a meal and drinking, he sat for half an hour before saying goodbye and leaving. He never mentioned the matter of marriage from beginning to end, which made Jia Huan a little confused.

"Why didn't my second brother mention the marriage?" After returning to the Wang family mansion, Wang Zisheng couldn't help but question Wang Ziteng.

Today, Jia Huan is a completely different boy. Even a fool can see that he has a bright future. Naturally, Wang Zisheng hopes to become Jia Huan's father-in-law.

Wang Ziteng asked back: "Do you want to be rejected in public again?"

Wang Zisheng suddenly wilted. Before the Wang family fell into decline, Jia Huan had rejected him. Now, this boy had won the top spot in the imperial examination and was on good terms with the Seventh Prince and Yi Hong. On the other hand, the Wang family's flagship figure Wang Ziteng had been dismissed from office. The Jia and Wang families had risen in the east and fallen in the west, and the status had reversed. How could Jia Huan still be interested in his own girl?
"Then why did big brother ask me to take the maid to Jia's house today?" Wang Zisheng asked puzzledly.

(End of this chapter)