The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 600: Blessings from Negligence

When Jia Huan appeared in front of the mansion gate, the servants guarding the gate could hardly believe their eyes. They rubbed their eyes hard, and after confirming that it was correct, they hurriedly reported it. In an instant, the whole mansion was in an uproar.

The chief steward Lin Zhixiao led people to rush out to meet them. When he learned that Jia Huan had found the fourth girl, he quickly ordered people to bring a sedan chair and carry Jia Xichun into the back house.

"I am your pretty niece's granddaughter. I kowtow to the old lady." Jia Xichun knelt down in front of Grandmother Jia with red eyes and kowtowed three times, tears streaming down her face.

Grandmother Jia helped Xichun up. When the grandmother and granddaughter met, they inevitably burst into tears again. Yuanyang, Amber and others tried to persuade them, and finally managed to stop them.

Grandmother Jia gradually recovered. She pulled Jia Huan up and looked him over. Then she smiled and said, "He seems to be darker, but also stronger, and seems to have grown taller. Is Huan'er returning to the capital for official business this time?"

Jia Huan shook his head and said, "Master Jinglüe was compassionate and granted me a seven-day holiday, but now it's already the second day."

Yuanyang calculated silently and said with a smile: "Doesn't that mean we have to rush back the day before New Year's Eve? Lord Sun is a bit stingy. At least give him a few more days off and leave after the New Year."

Grandmother Jia sighed, "It's hard to be both loyal and filial. It has been like this since ancient times. It's no wonder that Lord Sun, seven days is not a short time. You can finally go home and visit. Many soldiers have stayed at the frontier for ten or eight years. I remember when I first married into the Jia family, Huan'er's great grandfather was stationed in Yulin for five years. He didn't come back to Beijing in five years. The wind and sand tanned his face red and black."

Yuanyang stuck out his tongue and said, "That's too much."

Grandmother Jia nodded and said, "Isn't it exhausting? Our Jia family has been prosperous for hundreds of years, and has enjoyed hundreds of years of blessings, all earned by our ancestors at the cost of their lives. Now it is Huan'er's turn to shoulder this heavy responsibility."

As Grandmother Jia spoke, she took Jia Huan's hand and stroked it lovingly, making the latter feel a little embarrassed. After all, he was not the kind of spoiled child who liked to act coquettishly.

Fortunately, Grandmother Jia also knew that Jia Huan was not very close to her, so she asked him a few questions and then let him go back to take a bath and rest. Jia Huan felt relieved, left Grandmother Jia's room, and paid his respects to Lady Wang as usual, then walked briskly to the Grand View Garden.

I haven't seen you for a few months, and I miss you so much!

When Jia Huan quickly stepped into the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Lin Daiyu was standing under the eaves teaching the macaw to recite poems. She had her back to the gate and did not notice Jia Huan's arrival.

Jia Huan had an idea and signaled the maids to keep quiet. Then he tiptoed behind Lin Daiyu. All the maids covered their mouths and laughed, but Lin Daiyu was the only one who was unaware.

The macaw in the cage stretched its neck and peered at Jia Huan, who was hiding behind Lin Daiyu. Suddenly, it called out, "Master Huan is here, Master Huan is here, pour some tea!"

At this time, Lin Daiyu didn't know that Jia Huan had returned home. She stretched out her finger and tapped the macaw lightly, saying angrily, "I asked you to learn poetry. If you keep yelling, I will stew you."

The macaw fluttered its wings and flew around, shouting, "Help! I'm sleeping soundly, and someone wants to eat me!"

Jia Huan laughed out loud. Lin Daiyu's delicate body trembled. She turned around suddenly and saw someone smiling and looking at her tenderly. She was immediately stunned. It took her a long time to recover. Her heart was instantly filled with surprise. She blurted out, "When did Brother Huan come back?"

"We have just arrived at the mansion, Sister Lin, let's go inside and talk!" Jia Huan said nothing, holding Lin Daiyu's hand and walking into the house.

Lin Daiyu's cheeks were flushed with joy, and she was as obedient as a little bird. As soon as she entered the inner room, she felt her slender waist and her little mouth being occupied by someone domineeringly...

Zijuan and Xueyan were very sensible and only stayed in the outer room without disturbing the two people in the inner room. They waited until the two had finished their affectionate relationship and heard the sound of soft talking before they went in to serve them.

Jia Huan was sitting by the fire, warming himself. Lin Daiyu's pretty face was still covered with an intoxicating red glow, her lips were also red, and she lowered her head in embarrassment. Zijuan pretended not to see anything, poured Jia Huan a glass of warm wine, and said with a smile: "It's cold, Third Master, have a drink to drive away the cold."

Jia Huan thanked him and drank it all in one gulp. Seeing that Jia Huan was obviously darker and his face was cracked by the cold wind, Lin Daiyu felt a little distressed and asked Zijuan to bring some facial cream to apply on him. She asked softly, "How long do you plan to stay this time, brother Huan?"

"The military affairs at the front line are very busy, and the general has only granted me seven days of leave. I have to leave the day before New Year's Eve." Jia Huan replied.

Lin Daiyu's heart tightened when she heard this, and she sighed, "Why are you in such a hurry? Can't you leave after the New Year?"

Jia Huan shook his head and said apologetically, "Military orders are as heavy as mountains."

Lin Daiyu uttered an "oh" and lowered her head to look at the charcoal fire silently. Her beautiful look with a melancholy expression made people's hearts beat faster and softened.

Jia Huan didn't know how to comfort her at this time. He had no choice in the court, and if he wanted to gain strength to protect his lover, he had to fight. If he just indulged in the gentleness of life, what was the difference between him and the useless Big Face Bao?
"Sister Lin..." Jia Huan stretched out his hand and held Lin Daiyu's soft hand, wanting to say something but stopping himself. The latter's pretty face could not help but slightly heat up. After all, Zijuan was watching beside her. He pulled his hand back and said softly: "Brother Huan, you must have been tired on the journey. Go back and take a shower and rest first. I... will come to see you in the evening." "Uh... OK!" Jia Huan stood up: "Then I'll go back first. You don't have to come in the evening. It's very cold outside. I'll come to talk to Sister Lin after dinner!"

Lin Daiyu felt sweet in her heart and nodded slightly.

When Jia Huan returned to Yueweiju, Ping'er, Mandalin, Qingwen and others had obviously received the news and were waiting in the house, looking anxiously.

"Third Master!" Seeing Jia Huan step into the room, Qiao Ping'er was so excited that she almost cried for joy. The passionate foreign maid threw herself into Jia Huan's arms and gave him a few sweet pecks. Qingwen was stunned and blushed. She secretly spat, "You slut, you are so shameless!"

Jia Huan put Mandalin down, picked up Ping'er and said, "My dear sister, I miss you so much!"

Qiao Ping'er cried out softly, her sweet face instantly flushed, her heart was sweet, as if she had eaten a few spoonfuls of honey. Qingwen looked at her with a blushing face, envious and a little disappointed, and sneaked out secretly.

It is said that Jia Huan and the two maids were affectionate for a while and then went to bathe and change clothes. After not seeing each other for several months, the two maids were both very passionate. It was a rare occasion for them to serve together, which made someone enjoy the good fortune of being embraced by them. The beautiful scene is not convenient to describe in detail.

After bathing and washing, Jia Huan lay comfortably on the bed waiting for dinner. However, before he could eat the hot meal, Jia Zheng returned home from work and immediately sent someone to summon him to the study.

Jia Huan had no choice but to get up from the bed reluctantly, change into casual clothes and go to Mengpo Zhai to meet his father Zheng.

When Jia Huan walked into the study, Jia Zheng was sitting behind the desk, pretending to read. It was not until Jia Huan came forward to pay his respects that Jia Zheng coughed and asked calmly, "How soon did Huan come back?"

"I've been back for quite some time." Jia Huan replied.

Jia Zheng looked at his son, who had grown darker and taller, with mixed feelings. He didn't know what good fortune this evil creature had. He was promoted to the third rank in less than a year. Now he was a higher official than himself. It was really infuriating! But fortunately, no matter how high the official was, he was no higher than me!

Jia Zheng coughed again and said in a lecturing tone: "Since you were ordered to guard Ningyuan, why did you leave your post and run back?"

Jia Huan was somewhat speechless. Wasn't this just making small talk? He replied, "Huan'er did not leave his post without permission. It was because of the compassion of the General Manager that he granted me seven days' leave to go home and visit my old lady and my parents."

Jia Zheng stroked his beard and said, "I see. That's all right. But now that you've returned to the capital, can you meet the Emperor?"

"It's not too late. Huan'er plans to go to the palace to meet the emperor tomorrow."

Jia Zheng's face changed slightly, and he shouted hurriedly: "No, go now, even if the palace gate is locked, you have to kowtow outside, go quickly!"

Jia Huan's heart trembled, and he nodded and said, "Huan'er will go right away!" After that, he hurriedly left Mengpo Zhai.

Jia Zheng shook his head and sighed, "This evil man was promoted quickly, but his official experience is still too shallow. As an important official on the front line, he did not even meet the emperor the first time he returned to the capital. If the Jinyiwei knew about it and reported it to the emperor, what would happen!"

After being reminded by Jia Zheng, Jia Huan realized his negligence, and hurried back to Yueweiju to change into an official robe, and rode to the Forbidden City on horseback.

When Jia Huan arrived at Zuo Shun Gate, it was already getting dark. The palace gate was locked, so he knelt down in front of the door and kowtowed. The palace guard on duty hurried to find the eunuch from the Imperial Household Department to report in.

Jia Huan waited outside Zuo Shun Gate for about half an hour. When it was completely dark, a eunuch came in and said through the door, "The emperor has heard about it. It is getting late today. Lord Jia should go back and rest. You can come to the palace to see him tomorrow. By the way, the emperor also said that the New Year is coming soon. Since Mr. Jia's family has returned to Beijing, you can stay at home to celebrate the New Year and leave for Ningyuan after the sixth day of the first lunar month."

"Your Majesty, I, Jia Huan, thank you for your grace!" Jia Huan thanked the emperor hurriedly, then stood up and left Zuo Shunmen.

After walking out of the Forbidden City, Jia Huan saw the sky full of cold stars. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He was really careless this time. Fortunately, Father Zheng reminded him. No wonder they say that an old man in the family is like a treasure. Although Father Zheng is a mediocre official, he is more experienced than himself. Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. Some details cannot be neglected!

When Jia Huan returned to the Jia residence, he saw Lin Zhixiao waiting anxiously at the door. He knew that Jia Zheng must be worried about him, and he felt warm in his heart. He said, "It's dark today, and the emperor didn't see me. He asked me to go to the palace tomorrow, and also allowed me to return to Ningyuan after the sixth day of the first lunar month."

Lin Zhixiao was delighted when he heard this, and hurried back to report to Jia Zheng. The latter was finally relieved. The emperor actually granted him a few more days of vacation, which showed that he was really generous to Huan'er.

When Jia Huan returned to Yueweiju, Ping'er and others learned that he could spend the New Year in the mansion and go back to Ningyuan to perform his duties on the sixth day of the first lunar month. They were very happy and said that the Third Master's kowtow was worth it.

(End of this chapter)