Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 24 Jia Hanhan, Lin Congcong

……

"The last part of the eight-part essay is called the conclusion, or the conclusion. It is the only part of the essay where you can express your own opinions, or it may be several dozen words. This is used to understand the candidate's ability to be an official. However, there are some things to note. You are only allowed to talk about the past dynasties, not the current dynasty. Try not to make innuendos. Some examiners care more about this."

It was already past noon after the sermon. Zhuge Lan had already left tactfully and prepared to go south.

Jia Jing served the meal, and after eating in the study, the grandfather and grandson continued to discuss the eight-legged essay topic for half a day before letting Jia Rong leave.

The sun was setting outside, and the fiery red clouds dyed half of the sky red.

"Hehe, Rong'er, come here quickly."

From afar, Xichun was waving from the Qinfang Pavilion. She was wearing a light yellow Xiang skirt with a light-colored double-breasted jacket over it. The tassels on her hair bun swayed as she ran, looking bright and cheerful.

Lin Daiyu was also pulled out of the pavilion by Xichun. She was wearing a light blue jacket, a white silk skirt, a light-colored silk ribbon tied around her waist, and a long ponytail hanging behind her. She had a faint smile on her face, as if something good had happened today.

Jia Rong took two quick steps and entered the pavilion.

"Aunt Lin, little aunt."

"What's the matter? Let me have a cup of tea first."

"I spent a long time talking to Grandpa about articles, but I was only busy pouring tea for Grandpa, and I didn't drink a single sip myself."

After saying that, he picked up the herbal tea on the table and drank a bowl of it.

Drink herbal tea in February.

I feel so refreshed all over.

"Hey, wait..."

"etc……"

Xichun, Lin Daiyu finally reacted.

One with eyes wide open,
One with his glasses half closed.

Jia Rong put down the empty tea bowl, looked at the two of them and asked in confusion: "What's wrong? Is there anything wrong?"

There are three tea bowls on the table. Isn't one prepared for him?
"It's nothing, just drink it."

Lin Daiyu waved her hands casually, muttering in her heart:

He is a junior.

I am an aunt.

Can't count.

Don't worry,

If one does not get angry when he is ignorant, isn't that also the behavior of a gentleman?
Xichun quietly stuck out her tongue.

It was only because she was too happy to see Jia Rong just now that she pulled Sister Lin out of the pavilion. The seat where Jia Rong was sitting now was actually where Sister Lin had sat before. However, as long as the two of them pretended not to know, Rong Ge'er would naturally not know. Some things would be fine if they were just let it go.

Thinking of this, Xichun hurriedly smiled and said, "It's okay, Rong'er, you drink it."

Jia Rong breathed a sigh of relief and said, "You two scared me for no apparent reason. I thought the tea was poisoned."

Lin Daiyu said: "It is poisonous. It is about to take effect now. You will have a lot more later."

"What poison?"

Jia Rong was so frightened that he couldn't hold the cup steadily.

Xichun covered her mouth and laughed: "Rouge poison...Oh, I was wrong, Sister Lin, I was wrong."

"You stupid girl, I told you not to talk nonsense!"

"Haha, I was really wrong. I won't dare to talk nonsense again."

The two started to play around.

Jia Rong seemed to know something, but also seemed not to know everything. He asked curiously, "What is rouge poison?" Lin Daiyu raised her hand and tidied her temples.

"Don't ask, just have some tea."

"Yes, yes, yes." Xichun smiled and said, "Just drink your tea, and don't meddle in the affairs of the aunts.

Jia Rong: “…”

At this time, the maid Ruhua came over to add more tea.

Xichun picked up the one in front of Daiyu and said, "Go get Miss Lin a new one, this one is a bit old."

Ruhua smiled and said, "Aren't these all new..."

Xichun said coldly: "Just change when I tell you to! Do you understand the rules?"

Ruhua said hurriedly, "I understand. Miss Lin, please wait a moment."

Jia Rong seemed to understand.

When Ruhua came over to add more tea, he pretended to know nothing, but did not drink any more.

When Lin Daiyu and Xichun saw him, they all secretly admired that Rong'er was well-mannered and polite, and had the demeanor of a modest gentleman.

Xichun was afraid that Sister Lin would be embarrassed, so she quickly changed the subject and said with a smile, "Brother Rong, you don't know that a Miss Qin came to our mansion today. She is as beautiful as a fairy. Sister Lin and I are here to entertain her. I originally wanted to send someone to call you so that you could meet her secretly, but the old man kept you for the whole afternoon, and Miss Qin has already gone home."

Lin Daiyu gloated a little, nodded and chuckled: "What a pity, what a pity, we won't have the chance to meet."

Jia Rong laughed and said, "She looks like a fairy? I don't believe it. Can she be as beautiful as the two aunts?"

"Giggle."

Xichun was so happy that her face was beaming with joy.

Lin Daiyu was feeling a little uncomfortable to begin with, and she seemed to have heard something, and said with a slight frown, "It turns out I was seeing things wrong."

Jia Rong was puzzled and asked, "What?"

Lin Daiyu pointed at Jia Rong and said, "You are such a hypocrite. You dare to be so smooth-talking in front of your aunt. Who knows what you will do outside!"

Jia Rong looked calm and said with a smile, "I am only speaking the truth. How can I say that you are being slick?"

Xichun smiled and said, "Sister Lin, Rong'er doesn't lie. Grandpa praised him for being filial, obedient and honest."

Lin Daiyu looked at Xichun and said seriously, "The old lady also praised Baoyu for his love of reading. Do you believe it?"

Jia Rong: “…”

You might as well call yourself Lin Congcong.

"Aunt Lin, what you said is wrong. As the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles tests a horse's strength, and time reveals a person's true character. You say that I am smooth-talking only because you have been in the East Palace for too short a time. You will know after a while," Jia Rong defended.

Xichun smiled and said, "Yes, Sister Lin, there is a long way to go. You will know how good Rong Ge'er is in the future."

"Ah……"

Lin Daiyu chuckled and was about to speak when she suddenly caught sight of Jia Rong holding up the tea bowl and sipping the tea carefully.

"Pooh."

Lin Daiyu was suddenly embarrassed and annoyed. She took out a handkerchief, covered her face and walked out.

Xichun quickly stood up.

"Sister Lin, please walk slowly."

"Sister Lin, wait for me..."

"Rong Ge'er didn't mean it, don't take it to heart..."

……

(End of this chapter)