Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 98 Jia Yan reprimands Li Wan, everyone is terrified!

At dusk, the sky was ablaze with a magnificent sunset.

In the backyard of Ningguo Mansion, the remaining members of the Jia family had all undergone medicinal baths and changed into black short-sleeved shirts, looking exceptionally energetic.

"Well!!!"

Jia Yan stretched and got up from the bed. Xiao Xue had already brought him water and a towel.

"Master."

"Previously, the First Madam, Rong's First Madam, Lian's Second Madam, Zhu's First Madam, Aunt Zhao, and Yuanyang, who was with the Old Madam, all came."

Xiaoxue handed him the towel as she spoke.

"Ah."

Jia Yan was not surprised by this. She simply took the towel, wet it with water, and began to wipe her cheeks.

It would be strange if no one in the two government offices paid attention to such a big commotion.

"Master."

"Miss, Miss Lin, Third Miss, Fourth Miss, Grandma Zhu, Aunt Zhao, and Ping'er are all waiting outside."

Xiaoxue continued to report.

Who stayed behind?

Jia Yan asked directly.

"Besides Huan Sanye, Lan Ge'er, and Cong Sanye from the West Mansion, the remaining ones include Jia Qiong, Jia Guang, Jia Ying, Jia Chen, Jia Yun, Jia Chang, Jia Xing, Jia Jun, Jia Yin, Jia Zhi, Jia Zhi, and Jia Qiang."

"Uncle Rong ran for less than a quarter of an hour before stopping and leaving with Jia Rui, Jia Qin and others."

"A pile of rotten sweet potatoes."

With a pursed lip, Jia Yan looked down on Jia Rong and the others, not even as good as Jia Lan and the other little brats.

However, he was indeed somewhat surprised that fifteen members of the Jia family persisted, including Jia Yun and Jia Qiang, whom he had high hopes for. The two were the most outstanding members of the Jia family in the original novel.

The reason why people like Jia Huan, Jia Lan, and Jia Cong were able to persevere is probably mainly due to the power of role models; these three individuals do indeed have some special backgrounds.

"Master."

"The clan school is now full of people who are related by blood or marriage."

"There are not many capable members of the Jia family."

Xiaoxue added a few more words.

"Ah."

Jia Yan disagreed.

The Jia family clan school was essentially a private school for the Jia family, established under the supervision of the two dukes, Ning and Rong. It was located about one li away from the two mansions, and the expenses were covered by donations from clan members who held official positions. The school was run by senior and virtuous individuals, and all clan members, nephews, and relatives could enroll.

Here, not only are tuition fees waived, but students are also provided with writing brushes, ink, paper, and meals. This was a common practice among large families in feudal society for cultivating talent.

The Jia family was not originally from an aristocratic family. Therefore, the two dukes of Ning and Rong hoped to establish a clan school so that the Jia family could gradually become a family of scholars and officials, which could be passed down from generation to generation and continue forever. Who would have thought that it would turn out like this in just a few generations?

Jia Dairu was in charge of the clan school and taught the children. He was not only uneducated, but also lacked professional ethics. He not only collected fees privately, but also frequently left the school and arranged for his grandson Jia Rui to manage it. Jia Rui was even more immoral, often extorting money from the students to treat him to drinks and indulging the students in causing trouble.

In the original novel, Xue Pan thrived in the Jia family school, and Jia Baoyu was overly close to Qin Zhong and others, which is enough to show that the Jia family school existed in name only.

"I'll deal with them when I have time later."

With a wave of his hand, Jia Yan gave the order.

"Yes."

Xiaoxue nodded slightly and responded.

"Second Uncle Yan!"

"Second Brother Yan!"

The Jia family members waiting in the courtyard saw a tall figure walk out and quickly bowed.

Especially the boys like Jia Huan, Jia Lan, and Jia Cong, who were only a few years old, had eyes full of fervor and admiration.

"This outfit looks much better than your usual ones."

“What kind of man is he if he spends his days lounging around in the inner chambers? He should stand tall and upright.”

Looking around at everyone, Jia Yan said coldly.

'.'

Everyone present thought of Jia Baoyu and couldn't help but chuckle.

"elder brother!"

A tiny, elfin figure pounced directly on Jia Yan.

"younger sister!"

Without a second thought, Jia Yan reached down and scooped Xiao Xichun into his arms, his face full of doting smiles.

"Big brother is such a lazybones."

Little Xichun said in her childish voice, "The sun has already set, and you're only just getting up."

"Cough cough."

Jia Yan blushed and showed an embarrassed expression.

The others around him didn't dare to laugh at him; they just suppressed their laughter, their expressions all strange.

"Sister-in-law Zhu, Second Sister, Third Sister, Sister Lin, Aunt Zhao."

"You are here too."

"Brother Yan/Second Brother Yan!"

Li Wan and the other women quickly returned the greetings.

Facing the dashing young man before them, they dared not be presumptuous, and their demeanor and actions were very reserved.

"Second brother."

Upon seeing Jia Yan, Lin Daiyu's face immediately lit up with a smile, a title that left the women present with some inexplicable speculations.

Logically speaking, Lin Daiyu was the only son of Jia Min, the legitimate daughter of the Rongguo Mansion. She should have been closer to the people in the Rongguo Mansion. Jia Lian and Jia Baoyu could both be called "Second Brother," but she called Jia Yan that. It's hard not to think about this.

"My Lord".

Ping'er stepped forward respectfully and asked, "The eldest master and the second master wish to pay a visit, and they specifically sent me to ask when you are available."

"Go and tell Uncle She that I know."

“Come later.”

Jia Yan said calmly.

"Yes."

Ping'er hurried back to the Rongguo Mansion with small, quick steps.

"It's getting late, I suppose none of you have eaten yet."

"Xiaoxue, order a banquet to be prepared."

Jia Yan made the arrangements directly.

"Yes."

Xiaoxue busied herself getting the food ready. The second branch of the Ning family never shared public expenses with the first branch, and they purchased all the cooks and ingredients themselves, so there was no need to notify the Ning family's kitchen.

"This"

Li Wan and Aunt Zhao hesitated. They had stayed because they were concerned about Jia Lan and Jia Huan, so how did they end up at the banquet?

Yingchun and Tanchun were more familiar with Jia Yan, and with Lin Daiyu and Xichun also present, they felt more at ease and less restrained.

“I know you care about them. I’ll say it all today so you won’t have any questions later.”

After glancing at Li Wan and Aunt Zhao, Jia Yan's tone was unusually serious.

"Thank you, Brother Yan/Lord."

Li Wan and Aunt Zhao looked at their sons before deciding to stay.

A moment later, three tables were set up in the courtyard. Jia Yan and the women sat at one table, while the others sat at two separate tables.

"Tap tap!"

A group of maids appeared before them carrying steaming hot meals. However, the food on the three tables was completely different. Jia Yan's table was filled with exquisite dishes, accompanied by white glutinous rice. The other two tables only had some coarse steamed buns, millet porridge, a dish of pickled vegetables, and a few unrecognizable wild vegetables stir-fried in water. The lush greenery was dazzling to the eye.

"Brother Yan!"

Li Wan hesitated to speak.

"You eat here, I'll eat with them."

Jia Yan plopped down on the table where Jia Huan and the others sat, picked up a coarse steamed bun, and began to eat it heartily with pickled vegetables.

"Gulu."

The older members of the family, such as Jia Yun and Jia Qiang, followed suit and ate the same food.

"This"

This scene left Li Wan and Aunt Zhao dumbfounded. These kinds of things were what ordinary people in the countryside ate. Women from noble families like them could never even see them, let alone eat them.

Who would have thought that the dignified Marquis of Wu, a figure standing at the pinnacle of power and wealth, would enjoy these things so much? It's truly astonishing.

"Well!!"

Jia Huan, Jia Lan, Jia Cong, and the others picked up the coarse steamed buns, took a bite, and the hard and rough texture made them want to vomit.

If you can't chew it, just swallow it.

They were met with Jia Yan's icy gaze: "Whoever vomits can get out of here."

"Ah."

Jia Cong buried his head in chewing the coarse flour steamed bun, getting used to this meal first.

In the past, Madam Xing had been stingy with his allowance, and the leftovers he ate were hardly any better than what he was eating at this table.

Jia Huan, Jia Lan, Jia Yin, Jia Zhi, and the others were all young boys, each one a pampered child at home. They had never experienced such hardship before. They forced themselves to swallow the coarse steamed buns in their mouths, tears welling up in their eyes. It was just too harsh on their throats.

"Brother Yan."

"Lan'er has never suffered such hardship before, we..."

Li Wan felt sorry for Jia Lan and wanted to offer some advice, but when she saw Jia Yan's face devoid of any emotion, the rest of her words stuck in her throat.

Aunt Zhao felt a jolt of fear and tugged at Li Wan's sleeve. Coming from a humble background, she was adept at reading people. Who was Jia Yan? He was the Marquis of Wu of the dynasty, and everyone in both mansions feared him.

He had only been back at the manor for two days, yet he had accomplished so much. Zhou Rui's wife, who was Lady Wang's personal maid, was beheaded with a single sword stroke, her blood staining Rongxi Hall. Even Lady Wang herself was slapped twice across the face by her maid with a sword sheath and confined to the West Mansion, forbidden from leaving.

Li Wan is Jia Lan's mother, but her status in the West Mansion is even lower than Wang Xifeng's. What gives her the right to question Jia Yan's decision? Does she have the guts of a bear and the gall of a leopard?

"With a population of 90 million, how many people can't even afford these things?"

"The Battle of Datong was fought because the grasslands were hit by a white disaster, which froze the cattle and sheep to death, so the Mongol Tartars went south to plunder."

"The people on the frontier have to risk their lives all year round for this grain, and countless people have died or been injured."

"Cock!"

Jia Yan put down her chopsticks and looked at Li Wan with her sharp, hawk-like eyes: "Are you saying that Jia Lan is more noble than them, and that he can't eat the food that ordinary people eat? I'm making him suffer here?"

boom! ! !
An invisible sense of oppression suddenly enveloped Li Wan. It was the unique aura of the Marquis of Wu of the dynasty, a chilling aura forged in blood. How could a woman confined to her chambers withstand it? Li Wan was so frightened that her pretty face turned pale and her whole body trembled uncontrollably.

Everyone present fell silent; no one dared to interrupt Jia Yan unless they wanted to die.

"At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Shaanxi suffered a disaster. Not to mention these things, even tree roots and grass were eaten clean."

"When the two Dukes Xianning and Rong went on their expedition, they saw starving people everywhere, corpses strewn across the fields, and people exchanging their own children to eat each other."

"I know that your Li family is a famous official family in Jinling, and Li Shouzhong is the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. He has never seen the suffering of the people."

“But Jia Lan is not a member of the Li family, he is a member of the Jia family. This is just the beginning. If you can’t stand it, you can leave. I will personally talk to Uncle Zheng and send you back to the Li family. When that time comes, if you want to remarry, the Jia family will not stop you.”

Looking at Li Wan, Jia Yan spoke slowly and deliberately.

what?
Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present changed drastically.

The Ningguo Mansion is the lineage of the clan head, and Jia Yan holds the Jia family's authority. If he speaks up, Jia Zheng will certainly not refuse. At that time, Li Wan will really be asked to leave the Jia family and will no longer be the eldest daughter-in-law of the second branch of the Jia family.

Li Wan was so frightened that she almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Aunt Zhao, who was next to her, helped her up. Married women obey their husbands, and after their husbands die, they obey their sons. This is a tradition that has lasted for thousands of years. Jia Lan is still alive. If she were sent back to the Li family, the first person to take her life would be her father, Li Shouzhong.

"Clap!"

Jia Lan didn't understand the meaning behind these words, but seeing Li Wan's appearance, he quickly knelt down and kept kowtowing and begging.

"Lan'er!"

Seeing Jia Lan's state, Li Wan was filled with remorse.

"elder brother."

Little Xichun climbed down from the low stool, grabbed Jia Yan's leg, and looked at him pitifully with her bright, sparkling eyes.

In the Rongguo Mansion, Li Wan and her son Jia Lan cared for young Xichun a lot, but due to their own circumstances, they could not do more.

"Lan-ge'er, get up."

Jia Yan never intended to do anything to Li Wan; he was just making some preparations in advance.

These are the first batch of Jia family members. There will be a second and a third batch in the future. The Jia family members have been spoiled. If we don't take this opportunity to correct them, it will be even more difficult to deal with them later. Jia Lan is at the right age to establish his values, so he should be treated strictly.

If Li Wan's education leads to different deviations, it would be tantamount to wasting the only scholarly talent in the Jia family's two mansions.

Furthermore, Jia Lan is the designated heir of the second branch of the Rongguo Mansion. If he cannot stand up for himself, who will take over the responsibility of the second branch of the Rongguo Mansion?

"Second Uncle Yan!"

Jia Lan obediently stood up, looking like she was listening attentively to the instruction.

"Sister-in-law Zhu".

Jia Yan looked at Li Wan and said in a deep voice, "There are some things I will only say once."

“Lan’er is still young. I know you want him to follow in his father’s footsteps and achieve academic success. I don’t object to that.”

"Have you thought about this at all?"

"Brother Xianzhu achieved success at a young age and indulged himself recklessly, ruining his health. Do you want Lan'er to repeat such a tragedy?"

"Woo! Woo!"

Upon hearing Jia Zhu's name, Li Wan's pent-up sorrow welled up instantly, and tears streamed down her face.

“Now that I have agreed to this, I will consider their future.”

“Lange’er, Huane’er, and Conge’er are no different from the other children in the clan.”

"They are still young, so it is not necessary to distinguish between literature and martial arts for the time being. They will just learn some methods to strengthen their bodies, understand human affairs, and learn to read and write."

"In the future, no matter who it is, if they interfere with them without authorization, I will not let them off easily."

"Yes."

Li Wan and Aunt Zhao nodded in agreement without a second thought.

“Starting tomorrow, you will come at Chenshi (7-9 AM) and return at Xushi (7-9 PM).

"We eat all three meals here, and our clothes and linings are delivered to each household by designated personnel."

Immediately afterwards, Jia Yan instructed Jia Yun and other members of the clan.

"Yes."

Jia Yun and the others were overjoyed and had no reason to refuse.

"Except for Huan-ge'er, everyone should go home."

With a wave of his hand, Jia Yan dismissed the guests.

"Yes."

The group of Jia family members bowed respectfully and left the backyard of Ningguo Mansion in a respectful manner.

Li Wan led Jia Lan back, while Ying Chun went to find Jia Cong. Only Jia Huan, Aunt Zhao, Tan Chun, Lin Daiyu, and Xiao Xi Chun remained in the courtyard.

"Sister Lin."

"Take your sister to play."

Jia Yan gave Lin Daiyu a look.

"it is good."

Lin Daiyu, being exceptionally clever, immediately took Xiao Xichun's hand, and the two of them walked out of the courtyard.

(End of this chapter)