The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 78 Clear Water

Yangzhou!

After completing his important task, Jia Lian received a warm welcome from his aunt's family.

More than forty days later, he saw Lin Daiyu and Lin Chang'an again. He saw his cousin Lian Erge, who had become much darker from the sun, and they all hid behind their mother and laughed.

In recent days, the two of them have heard their mother mention him countless times, so they haven't become too unfamiliar with each other.

"Why are you hiding? Come here and let your second brother give you a hug."

Jia Lian smiled and reached out to them, "Second brother brought you some good things."

"Second brother, what did you bring?"

Lin Chang'an curiously peeked his little head out from behind his mother.

Jia Lian did not answer, but instead smiled and revealed what Wang'er had hidden.

Wow, candied hawthorn berries!

Lin Chang'an jumped up happily, "Sister, candied hawthorn!"

Lin Daiyu was also pleasantly surprised, but she hurriedly went to see her mother first.

They had certainly eaten candied hawthorns before.

But their mother never gave them much to eat.

Even if her father wanted to bring one, he could only do it secretly, and she and her younger brother would share it.

After eating, you have to keep rinsing your mouth to prevent your mother from finding out.

"Watch what I do?"

Jia Min smiled and touched her daughter's little face, "These are from your brother, take them if you like."

Let them have some fun today!

"Hehe, thank you, Second Brother Lian."

Lin Daiyu ran over with a smile and took the candied hawthorn from her. "Mother, you should have some too."

"Father, please eat."

Lin Chang'an followed suit, leaving Jia Lian staring pitifully, "I bought them, didn't you guys even give me one?"

"for you!"

"……for you!"

After the siblings each fed one to their smiling parents, there were only five left.

Lin Chang'an was somewhat reluctant, so his answer wasn't as crisp.

"Hahaha~"

Jia Lian picked him up in one go, "You can't bear to part with him? Even if you can't, it's no use."

He took a big bite and laughed, "Mmm, the ones you snatch are still the sweetest."

"How old are you?" Jia Min said, both angry and amused. "You made him cry, so you go and comfort him."

"No way! Chang'an is a very generous place, isn't it?"

"Yes!"

What if that doesn't work?

It's already been eaten.

Lin Chang'an, who considered himself a little man, wouldn't cry. "Sister, there's more for you too." Seeing his sister's envy, he quickly reminded Jia Lian.

"Haha, that's right, there's also my little cousin's."

Jia Lian picked up Lin Daiyu with his other hand and ate a piece of food himself, just like everyone else. Seeing her slightly shy smile, he was delighted. "Cousin, you should eat more rice."

She's even lighter than my cousin.

It feels like she hasn't gained any weight at all in the month I haven't seen her.

"Yes, today we have her favorite longan, barley and lotus seed soup."

Jia Min was at a loss because her daughter wouldn't eat it.

The only thing I can do is try different methods to find something she likes.

Unfortunately, this child has been taking medicine ever since he started eating.

My appetite has been ruined a lot.

Nothing tastes as good as Chang'an.

"Come on! Sit down and eat!"

Lin Ruhai took his daughter in his arms and said with a smile, "I happen to have something important to announce to you all."

Now that the memorial has been sent, it's time for the lady and children to return to the capital with Jia Lian.

“Speaking of which, in a few days it will be my niece’s one-month celebration. Over the years, your aunt has been following me around. I was thinking that when you return to the capital, Lian’er, you should ask your aunt to take the two children back to see the old lady and your brother and sister-in-law.”

The Lin family had a difficult time producing offspring, and it was only with great difficulty that he finally had both a son and a daughter, for which Lin Ruhai was truly grateful.

"Uncle, really?"

Jia Lian was delighted, glancing at his uncle and then at his aunt.

"……real."

Jia Min nodded, "The luggage is all ready."

Although she was very reluctant to part with her husband, she really missed Kyoto.

I miss my mother, my brothers and sisters-in-law, and my nephews and nieces whom I have met and whom I have never met.

"Back in the capital, your uncle has already sent people to clean up the house."

Her husband was more attentive than she was.

Perhaps the person sent to Beijing will be able to attend my niece's full-month celebration.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

After putting down his happy little cousin, Jia Lian bowed respectfully to Lin Ruhai, saying, "If the old lady knew, she would be overjoyed."

They were happily talking when, completely unaware, flames had already broken out in the Lu family stables in the south of the city.

Little did they know that in an inconspicuous alley, the two were repeatedly knocked unconscious, robbed of their money, and stripped of their clothes.

……

In the capital, the Ningguo Mansion is making intensive preparations for Jia Yue's full-moon celebration.

This time, we invited quite a few people, and of course, many people joined in for the fun.

However, Jia Zheng and Lady Wang disliked the name ever since they heard it.

Their daughter Yuanchun was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Rongguo Mansion, and Yingchun and Tanchun followed in her name. Shouldn't the fourth daughter be called after her sisters?
But Shen and Jia Zhen went further, giving their daughter a different name, following their brothers' names, as if their daughter were more precious than their own.

It's rare for the couple to be on the same page, both unhappy about Jia Yue's name.

"I wonder how Yuan Chun is doing."

Madam Wang missed her daughter terribly. "Sir, do you think we should send something else in?"

"..."

Jia Zheng frowned slightly but did not speak immediately.

"The Emperor bestowed upon my sister-in-law the title of First-Rank Imperial Consort and also bestowed upon her so many gifts. After she finishes her postpartum confinement, she will definitely go to the palace to express her gratitude."

Madam Wang tentatively asked, "How about having my sister-in-law help mention Yuan Chun then?"

"...I think it's a good idea!"

Jia Zheng was also thinking about it, "I'll have the old lady go and tell her tomorrow."

He had given up on the Wang family.

Wang had offended her sister-in-law several times; it might have been better if she hadn't mentioned Yuan Chun.

"My sister-in-law really liked Yuan Chun back then."

Jia Zheng felt this wasn't a big problem. "When she goes to express her gratitude, we can also send a message in advance so that Yuan Chun can go and see her first. That might be even better."

"Uh-huh!"

Wang felt that Jia Zheng's words made perfect sense, and nodded repeatedly upon hearing them, "I'll have someone make arrangements right away."

Otherwise, it wouldn't be good for my daughter to just endure this kind of ordeal in the palace day after day.

Madam Wang was delighted and was about to say something when a maid rushed in, "Master, Madam, the Old Madam wants you to hurry. Someone from the Lin family in Jiangnan has gone to the capital."

what?
Jia Zheng was delighted. "Who's here?"

"It was a steward and two maids from the Lin family. They came to the capital first to tidy up the courtyard, saying that the young master and young lady of the Lin family were going to the capital to visit their relatives."

That's great. "Is Lian'er coming back with them?"

No wonder he hasn't replied yet.

"Yes!"

The maid nodded happily, "Second Master is going to protect the young lady and the others as they go to the capital."

"Good good!"

Jia Zheng said to Wang Shi, who was still somewhat dazed, "Quickly, let's go to Mother's courtyard to discuss this. Min-meimei has finally returned to the capital; she can't stay outside."

The house has a large yard.

"I remember her yard..."

“Master, those are for Baoyu.”

She tidied herself up very well.

“Baoyu is still young, and isn’t he living with the old lady?”

Jia Zheng was displeased. "Alright, if Mother asks about her old courtyard, you'll say the same thing."

The courtyard is big enough for my sister to live in with her nephew and niece.

Jia Zheng left after saying this, flicked his sleeves, and turned to leave, without waiting for Wang Shi at all.

Wang had no choice but to follow.

At this moment, Grandmother Jia was so happy that she didn't know what to do.

Her most beloved youngest daughter has been married for over ten years. Apart from the two years she was still in Beijing, she could only see her through letters.

Every time they write "seeing the letter is like seeing the person," but how can seeing the letter truly be like seeing the person?

"It's rare that Lian'er is capable of great things, managing to bring her aunt back."

During this time, Grandmother Jia missed her grandson who could do everything. Now that she heard that he was going to escort her daughter, grandson and granddaughter back, she was even happier. "I called you here to tell you that Min'er can't stay outside when she comes back. She can stay in her original courtyard."

"nature!"

“That’s exactly what I was saying to Mrs. Wang.”

Jia She and Jia Zheng spoke almost simultaneously.

The two glanced at each other, then looked away simultaneously.

"Good good!"

Grandmother Jia was too lazy to watch the brothers' discord. Anyway, when her daughter came back, she would help her brothers reconcile. "After all these years, our family can finally be reunited. Take a good look at her courtyard again and make sure to restore it to its original state."

The courtyard had already been tacitly given to Baoyu. I heard that Wang Shi was looking for people to fix things here today and there tomorrow.

Initially, Grandmother Jia did not care.

But now that their daughter is coming back, Baoyu is still too young.

"If anything is missing, just look in the warehouse. If it's not in the warehouse, come to me."

"Don't worry, Mother, your sons know."

This time, Jia Zheng spoke before Jia She, "But where are the Lin family members? Did they leave so soon?"

He really likes his brother-in-law Lin, but unfortunately the two families live too far apart. Now that his family has come to visit, it's time for them to have a chat.

"Oh, they just went to the East Mansion."

Grandmother Jia smiled, "Lian'er must have told your sister about Shen's impending childbirth. Tomorrow is also Yue'er's full moon celebration, so you should go and pay your respects."

My daughter and Mrs. Shen have always gotten along well.

With her back and Lian'er by her side, she has no worries at all.

At this time, in the Ningguo Mansion, Shen Ning, who was still in her postpartum confinement period, was happy to hear that Jia Min was also going to the capital with her two children. However, she felt that something was wrong about returning to the capital at this time.

She asked the two old women in detail about Yangzhou and Jia Lian.

When she heard that Jia Lian had only been in Yangzhou for a day, yet he went to personally make salt to give as a gift to his family, she knew perfectly well that Lin Ruhai was giving Jia Lian credit.

But this credit...

The thought that the emperor might have already taken action in Jiangnan made Shen Ning anxious.

After entering the Red Mansion, she safely gave birth to a daughter, survived a near-death experience, and did some things to improve the Jia family's situation. However, judging from the joint framing by Chen Chong and the Li family, she knew that the world was far more cruel than she had imagined.

At this time, Lin Ruhai asked Jia Min to take the children to Beijing, which suggests that he had foreseen the danger.

Will they be able to travel safely?
Lin Chang'an's calamity is this year.

If we avoid Yangzhou, will we truly escape this deadly ordeal?
After Jia Zhen's serious injury, Shen Ning dared not be careless in the slightest. She smiled and asked about Jia Min's health and the condition of the two children, and praised the gifts they had brought before serving tea and seeing the guests off.

"Please, Jiao Da!"

Fortunately, tomorrow is Yue'er's full moon celebration.

Once the full moon celebration is over, it shouldn't be too late to send ten guards to welcome him.

"Call the old man over here again."

It's not enough for just their family to send someone to welcome them; Jia Zhen and Jia She should also discuss sending a few people from the West Mansion.

This shows that you value the matter and that you can lend a helping hand immediately if something goes wrong.

At this moment, Shen Ning couldn't even be happy that she was going to meet the renowned Lin Daiyu. That very day, she forced Jia Zhen to go find Jia She.

In short, she shouldn't have any surprises.

……

The eighth day of the fifth lunar month, at Tai Xuan Temple.

Early in the morning, the people in the temple smelled a strange fragrance coming from the kitchen.

The two sweeping boys' stomachs rumbled loudly. "What delicious food is Senior Brother Liu making today?"

"It's not Senior Brother Liu."

The older Taoist boy glanced at it and whispered, "I heard that the noodle shop down the mountain wants to borrow our kitchen to send a bowl of longevity noodles to everyone in our temple."

what?
The young Taoist was overjoyed, but before he could ask why the noodle shop was so good, the older Taoist spoke up, "I heard from Senior Brother Liu that this bowl of noodles is all thanks to Layman Jia. His wife gave birth to a little daughter, and today is the girl's one-month celebration."

The young Taoist boy: "..."

Of course he knew Layman Jia.

Many of their Taoist robes, shoes, and socks were donated by the Jia family.

When Madam Shen was still living in the Guanwai Villa, she sent them snacks many times.

pity……

"Infinite Heavenly Lord!"

The young Taoist bowed several times in the direction of the capital city. "Senior brother, let's recite the 'Supreme Jade Emperor's Heart Seal Sutra' today!"

“Great! I bet the abbot, my senior uncles, and my fellow disciples will also help me recite it a few more times.”

Before Layman Jia came, the Taoist temple was very poor.

The senior and junior brothers would take turns going out to travel.

It wasn't that they wanted to travel, but that the Taoist temple couldn't support so many people. They had to go down the mountain to treat patients, consult feng shui masters, accumulate merit, and support themselves. In winter, they even had to buy themselves a thick Taoist robe.

Until Layman Jia came over.

The villa was built outside the temple, and because so many people invited guests, the temple also received more incense offerings.

In recent years, thanks to Layman Jia, everyone in their Taoist temple has benefited.

He no longer has to worry about not having enough to eat.

The two quickened their cleaning pace, and fortunately, they had barely finished when Senior Brother Liu called them to eat.

The broth, made entirely from various mushrooms, has a wonderful aroma that is truly appetizing. Add to that the vibrant green vegetables and scallions, and a drizzle of sesame oil, and wow, it's a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate!
Everyone was looking forward to the longevity noodles that were about to be served, but what they didn't expect was that there would be a bowl of longevity noodles that was completely different from theirs.

Jia Jing had already smelled the fragrance.

He used to be a man of exquisite taste and meticulous attention to detail when it came to food. Now that he's staying at this Taoist temple, he can still get by, but he still misses the food sometimes.

But the more he had been looking forward to this bowl of noodles, the more speechless he became.

“Master Jia, this is Madam Shen’s intention.”

The noodle shop owner was also helpless. He had made a lot of noodles in the kitchen, and even today's worshippers could get a bowl. But Madam Shen, who had paid, said that Layman Jia either wouldn't eat, or... he would only get plain noodles.

This plain noodle dish is simply boiled water with a little salt, a little vegetable oil, some chopped green onions, and some greens.

Even in a poor family, this would be a decent bowl of noodles, but this one...

Mmm, it smells delicious!

Jia Jing picked up his bowl of plain noodles and ate it as if it were a delicacy, every bite was incredibly delicious.

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