Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 195 The Improper Son

……

"Cough cough cough, cough cough."

The way Jia Zheng coughed on his sickbed looked very much like Master Zhen back then.

"Second Master, are you feeling better?" Jia Rong stepped forward and asked with a concerned look on his face.

"Ahem, it's Rong'er." Although Jia Zheng was dying, his face was still full of anger: "I'm fine. It's all because of that unfilial beast Baoyu that I got angry. If he was half as sensible as you, I wouldn't be like this, cough cough cough..."

Jia Rong smiled and advised: "Second Uncle Bao is still young, so it's normal for him to like to play a little. When he grows up and becomes sensible, he will know how to study."

Jia Zheng shook his head weakly: "Rong'er, you don't need to comfort me. As the saying goes, 'You can tell a person's future by looking at him when he's three years old.' I can see clearly that Baoyu is probably useless."

Jia Rong wanted to say that it was not only 80%, but 100% useless, but he could not bear to continue to attack Jia Zheng, so he said seriously: "Second Master, please don't say that about Uncle Bao. Uncle Bao still has a bright future, especially in writing poetry. He is very talented."

Jia Zheng felt even more miserable.

"What's the point of writing poetry? Can it help you pass the imperial examination?"

Of course, no!
It can be seen that although Jia Zheng cursed harshly, he still had expectations for Baoyu in his heart.

Jia Rong reminded him, "I heard that Lang'er has already entered school and is studying very hard. Several old teachers have praised him many times. Why don't you pay more attention to Lang'er, Master?"

"Oh!"

The decadent Jia Zheng's eyes lit up.

Even if my son is disabled, I still have my grandson.

Back then, Brother Jing's son Zhen was also a useless person, so the elder brother simply abandoned him and focused on teaching Rong, which led to today's results.

After figuring out the key point, Jia Zheng suddenly understood and laughed, "That's right, that's right. Someone, call Lan Ge'er over here."

Baoyu, humph!

From now on, I will learn to respect my elder brother and beat my son to death!
It's no use anyway.

In an inconspicuous courtyard in the Rongguo Mansion, Li Wan was watching her son write attentively.

At this time, Jia Lan was just six years old and had been studying in the clan school for a year. He had memorized the "Three Hundred Thousand" in the enlightenment class and could write about a hundred characters.

Although the second branch has been continuously suppressed in the past year and its status is not as good as before, Li Wan does not care about it. She only focuses on cultivating her son.

She was looking forward to Jia Lan passing the imperial examination in the future and earning her a phoenix crown and a bridal robe.

"Lan'er, you must study hard. Mother will only rely on you in the future."

The six-year-old Jia Lan did not understand the deep meaning of his mother's words. He just knew to listen to her and nodded and agreed: "Don't worry, mother, I will study hard."

"Brother Lang is so good."

Li Wan rubbed Jia Lan's head and suddenly let out another long sigh.

She is only in her twenties.

Life can almost be seen at a glance.

Just as Li Wan was sighing, a little maid suddenly ran over and panted, "Grandma, the master wants Lan Ge'er to come over."

Li Wan was shocked.

It turned out that since Jia Zhu's death, neither the master nor the mistress cared much about the mother and son. Only the old lady sometimes felt sorry for them and occasionally called them over to talk to them.

"What's the matter?" Li Wan asked.

The girl shook her head: "The master didn't say."

Li Wan thought for a moment and said, "Brother Lan, you go ahead. Remember to pay your respects to the master first."

Jia Lan said seriously, "I understand, mother."

After a while, Jia Lan ran back again.

Li Wan was still waiting in the yard. She hurried forward and pulled Jia Lan to ask, "You are so reckless and you are not afraid of falling. What did the master say?"

Jia Lan said happily: "Mother, the master said that after school, I will go to his yard and teach me how to write."

"real!"

Li Wan was pleasantly surprised.

Although she felt that it was a bit early for Jia Lan to write articles now, it was definitely a good thing to be valued by the master.

However, the master's mind is entirely on Baoyu, so why would he suddenly care about Jia Lan?
Did someone say something to intercede?
Li Wan was puzzled.

……

Now Jia Rong, after coming out of the Second Master's courtyard, saw Xing Xiuyan still waiting at the door, so he smiled and asked, "Miss Xing, aren't you busy today?"

Xing Xiuyan smiled and said, "I'm not busy. I have my wife to look after me and my second wife to help me. I am dispensable."

"It's fair to say that I'm lazy."

Jia Rong exposed it mercilessly.

"Haha, Rong Ge'er figured it out? The ancients could 'steal half a day of leisure from their busy lives', so can't I steal half a day of leisure and go out for a walk?"

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Okay, you are Miss Xing after all. If you can't do it, who can?"

Xing Xiuyan blushed and stamped her feet.

"Brother Rong is not serious!"

After saying that, he ran away.

Jia Rong was somewhat confused and talked to himself.

"What's wrong with me?"

"Is there anyone more serious than me?"

"What are you mumbling about?"

It turned out that they had unknowingly walked into Daiyu's yard, where Lin Daiyu was feeding the parrot hanging under the corridor.

When the parrot saw Jia Rong, it suddenly jumped and opened its mouth to say, "Rong brother, you are not serious!"

Jia Rong: “…”

"Who taught you this?!"

"Pfft!"

Lin Daiyu covered her mouth and laughed so hard that she doubled over. It took her a long while to recover. She knocked on the cage and smiled, "Well said. I'll give you some extra rice today."

Parrot: "Brother Rong is here."

Jia Rong: "Well, I'm here. I'm looking for my aunt."

Parrot: "Brother Rong is here."

"Brother Rong, you are not serious."

"Brother Rong is not serious about looking for his aunt."

Lin Daiyu blushed and gritted her teeth, "Don't talk nonsense!"

The parrot danced even more happily: "Don't talk nonsense, Rong Ge'er is not looking for an aunt properly."

"what!"

Lin Daiyu collapsed and glared at Jia Rong: "You are the one who taught me to say this nonsense. Change it right now!"

"Okay, okay, I'll change it." Jia Rong looked at the parrot and said seriously, "Brother Rong is handsome and elegant."

The parrot was indeed smart, and followed up with, "Brother Rong is handsome and elegant."

"Haha, nice bird!"

Jia Rong clapped his hands in praise.

"Well you ghost!"

Lin Daiyu put away the porcelain plate of millet and said coldly, "Go hungry. There is no food to eat today."

The parrot was anxious: "Auntie, Auntie."

"Brother Rong is handsome and elegant."

Jia Rong was very satisfied. He knocked on the bird cage and said, "How about I help you feed it for two days?"

Lin Daiyu said: "No need, you'll have to raise him for two days and you still don't know what good words he can come up with!"

Jia Rong entered the house and said with a smile, "How about we take turns raising them? I'll also let you raise our lucky rabbit for two days."

Lin Daiyu had heard before that Jia Rong had adopted a lively and lovely auspicious rabbit, which was very beautiful. She had always wanted to go and see it, but because of what Jia Rong said a few days ago about the wedding, she felt very shy and therefore did not dare to go.

"Then bring the lucky rabbit to me first, and then I'll make a decision." Lin Daiyu sat on the chair in front of the window and said in a faint voice.

"Easy to say."

Jia Rong called over Zijuan, who was guarding the door, and said, "Go find Qingwen and bring the lucky rabbit here."

Zijuan had long heard how beautiful and lovely the lucky rabbit was, but she only regretted that she had no chance to see it. Now that she had the chance, how could she not work hard? Soon she returned with Qingwen, holding the lucky rabbit.

The auspicious rabbit has gained a lot of weight in the past few days and looks even more auspicious.

"Girl, look how well-behaved she is. She doesn't run around." Zijuan said with a smile while holding the lucky rabbit.

Lin Daiyu looked at the snow-white rabbit and wanted to hug it, but she was afraid that Jia Rong would hold her, so she held back for the time being and waved her hand, saying, "Since you like it, the parrot will stay with you for two days. But if you dare to teach her nonsense, I won't allow it."

Jia Rong smiled.

"rest assured."

"Qingwen, take the parrot home quickly." Qingwen blinked and smiled at Zijuan, "Did you hear that? Your mistress wants you to stay with us for two days, so why aren't you ready to serve us?"

"Pooh!"

Zijuan spat and chased Qingwen to hit her.

"Giggle."

"Why are you chasing me? It's your master who said so."

"You still say that, wait and see how I punish you!"

The two of them started quarreling outside.

inside.

Lin Daiyu hugged the lucky rabbit and whispered, "Okay, you should go back. Don't come here all the time. It's embarrassing if someone sees you."

Jia Rong didn't listen at all. He sat down beside Daiyu and waved his hand, saying, "Why bother about those empty formalities?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head gently and said, "If I cared, I wouldn't have met you, and you wouldn't have been able to get in."

Jia Rong smiled: "That's it, isn't it? Only those pedantic and sour Confucian families would follow that. Our family has never been so rigid."

"Humph."

Lin Daiyu opened Jia Rong's hand and whispered, "Although we don't have to be too polite, we can't be too presumptuous. If you want to come, you can, but just stay away from me, and don't... bully others casually."

Jia Rong: "I never bully anyone."

Daiyu: "Tell me, do I believe it?"

Jia Rong put his arm around Lin Daiyu's shoulders and said with a smile, "It smells so good."

Lin Daiyu reached out and twisted the waist of a certain bad guy hard.

"Go away!"

Jia Rong quickly let go of Daiyu and rubbed her waist.

"Ouch, ouch, that hurts."

Lin Daitian sneered: "You deserve it!"

"See if you can still bully others!"

As he spoke, he felt distressed, secretly blaming himself for being too harsh just now. He gently reached out his hand and rubbed Jia Rong's waist a few times, and asked, "Does it still hurt?"

Feeling Daiyu's tenderness, Jia Rong was extremely proud. He held Daiyu's hand and said, "Just rub it a few more times."

Lin Daiyu: "How many times? Explain clearly."

Jia Rong: "Just ten times."

Lin Daiyu pulled her hand back and said, "You wish. I'm tired today. Let's do it next time. Next time, if I can't control myself and it hurts you, I'll make it up to you."

Jia Rong: “…”

He's already thinking about pinching me next time!
Outrageous!

Jia Rong was about to show off his domineering spirit to boost his husband's authority, when Xiangling suddenly ran in from outside: "I got another poem. Miss Lin, please show it to me. Is this one good?"

Lin Daiyu laughed and said, "Do you still need to show it to me? Your master is here!"

"what!"

Xiangling was stunned for a moment and looked to the side: "Master, you are here too? I..."

"It's alright." Jia Rong waved his hand and said with a smile, "Let me see the poem you wrote."

Xiangling handed it to Jia Rong sheepishly and said, "I don't write well."

Jia Rong took a look and was immediately full of praise.

"Good! Good poem! Good poem!"

"Really?"

Xiangling, who was originally nervous, now had bright eyes.

If their grandfather says it’s good, then it must be good!

Lin Daiyu said, "Bring it here so I can have a look."

Jia Rong handed it to Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu read it, and although she didn't think it was very good, since Jia Rong said it was good, she could only follow suit and say, "This one is not bad, much better than before."

"Hehehe."

Xiangling hugged the poem and smiled happily.

Jia Rong stood up and said, "That's enough. The rest is just a matter of time and effort. I'm not very good at poetry, so you should come and ask Miss Lin for advice. In a year or two, you won't be able to compose a poem in seven steps, but you won't be far behind them."

"Ok!"

Xiangling nodded heavily.

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Let's go home."

"it is good."

Xiangling stood obediently behind Jia Rong.

Lin Daiyu thought that if she saw them off, it would be like she was reluctant to say goodbye, and she would feel embarrassed if someone saw them, so she said, "I won't see you off, Amber will do it for me."

Amber quickly agreed: "Yeah!"

He led Xiangling home. Xiangling couldn't stop giggling all the way. She took Jia Rong's hand and leaned closer to him and said, "My master is so kind, and Miss Lin is so kind too. Will we be together forever in the future?"

Jia Rong touched Xiangling's head, looked at the green hills in the distance, and said with a smile, "Of course!"

Amber, who was following not far away, muttered, "Shameless, huh!"

……

royal palace.

A heavy snowfall and severe freezing temperatures forced the construction of the Dengxian Pavilion to be halted.

Although the emperor has supreme power in the world, he has to submit to the power of nature.

"When can we start work? Aren't those peasant craftsmen afraid of freezing?" The retired emperor said in a cold voice.

Dai Quan, who was kneeling below, said hurriedly, "Replying to the Holy Emperor, a peasant is naturally not afraid of the cold, but the people from the Ministry of Works said that the palace would not be stable if it was too cold. For the safety of the Holy Emperor, we can only...start construction in the early spring of next year."

The emperor's face suddenly looked unhappy.

"Next spring? Humph!"

"Bring Wen Tingxuan here! I want to ask him whether he still wants to be the Minister of Works!"

"promise."

Dai Quan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and hurried downstairs.

At this time, Wen Ting was still in the warm room at home, admiring the graceful figures of the dancers, playing with a crystal clear crystal glass in his hand, which was filled with fine grape wine tributed from the Western Regions.

Very interested.

"master!"

The old butler suddenly came in hurriedly.

A hint of displeasure appeared on Wen Ting's face, which then turned into solemnity.

He knew that the old butler was a very disciplined person. If it wasn't a big deal, Duan Ran wouldn't have barged in so rudely.

Wen Ting first waved to the dancing singers, and then when they bowed and left, he looked at the old butler and asked, "What's the matter?"

The old butler only dared to glance at the slender waists of the dancers as they withdrew, and said without looking away: "The old eunuch Dai is here, and he said that there is a message from the emperor."

Wen Ting stood up in a flash and said, "Where are we now? Take me there quickly."

The old housekeeper hurriedly said, "In the main hall."

"go!"

After a while, Wen Ting quickly walked to the main hall.

"Eunuch Dai!"

Wen Ting cupped his hands.

Dai Quan didn't waste any words. He said in a stern voice, "The Emperor asks Lord Wen to enter the palace immediately. There must be no mistakes."

"Sir, obey the order."

Wen Ting bowed and took a step forward: "Eunuch Dai, may I ask..."

"I don't know!" Dai Quan waved his hand and walked out of the main hall: "You will know when you enter the palace."

After Dai Quan walked out the door, Wen Ting spat.

"Pooh!"