Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

Jia Tang's brow twitched. He noticed that the maids around him were covering their mouths and snickering. He pretended to hit Zijuan, which startled her so much that she ran behind Lin Daiyu to hide.

"What's this? Now you're even hitting and scolding my girl, that's really something."

"..."

Helpless, Jia Tang picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

Previously, there was Xichun in the manor who wasn't afraid of him, but now there's Lin Daiyu, who is clever and proud, making her even more difficult to deal with.

"Listen to your sister, it's your decision."

"Who can make decisions for the Earl?"

"If you can, then I won't go, okay?"

"Fine? Oh, so it was your sister who caused trouble. Fine, don't say anything then. Brother, go ahead."

"..."

"Has my sister encountered any problems while practicing martial arts recently?"

Jia Tang quickly changed the subject, chatting casually for a while, then looked at the sky and said, "It's getting late, sister, you should get some rest."

"Alright, don't forget to visit the Xue family later."

"I'll listen to my sister."

Lin Daiyu rose to see him off, leaning against the doorframe, staring blankly as Jia Tang turned and left with Qingwen and Amber.

It wasn't until Zijuan tugged at her that she came to her senses, and she immediately started playfully fighting with Zijuan in embarrassment and annoyance.

···

Pear Blossom Courtyard in the northeast corner.

Inside the room, Madam Xue sat on a soft couch chatting with Xue Baochai beside her, her elegant face bearing a lingering gloom.

"Mother, please don't worry. If all else fails, try asking the old lady for help. She should be able to help."

Xue Baochai, with her beautiful features and gentle demeanor, offered words of comfort.

Upon hearing this, Madam Xue's face became even more sorrowful, and her voice choked with sobs: "My child, you have truly suffered. It's a pity that your heartless father passed away so early, and your brother is so useless."

Xue Baochai had a faint smile on her face: "It's alright, Mother. Besides, Cousin Tang should be able to help."

"Sigh, he rarely associates with our Xue family. The Ningguo Mansion is already in its fifth generation, and he's had a conflict with your aunt. I really can't figure him out."

Xue Baochai opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

The first time I met Jia Tang was when I was spying on him at Zhangjiawan Wharf. I didn't expect that we were related by chance. However, our two families were not very close, and the people who were in contact with each other had even had conflicts.

After arriving at the Rongguo Mansion, she thought her aunt would be a reliable support, but she was surprised to witness Jia Tang's imposing presence and overhear Xichun and Lin Daiyu whispering to each other.

Since then, I've inquired about it privately and now I understand the situation.

Five years ago, Jia Tang beat Jia Baoyu a little too hard. Lady Wang was furious and went to the old lady to complain, saying that Jia Tang was intolerant of his younger brother and disobedient to his elders. She also said: "Father-in-law is still entrusting two of our generals to this brat. It would be better to entrust them to my elder brother so that he can be loyal to the country."

Upon hearing this, the old lady flew into a rage and struck him twice with her cane without any mercy.

Afterwards, someone spread this message out of the mansion. When Jia Jing found out, he rushed back to Rong Mansion from Xuanzhen Temple. As the acting clan head and elder of the Jia clan, he had Jia Zheng and Jia Baoyu both whipped.

It is only natural for elder brothers to instruct their younger brothers and for elders to teach their children.

Upon learning of this, the founding lineage was in an uproar. The surviving second-generation noblewomen from various households flocked to the Rongguo Mansion. After a thorough reprimand and being forced to kneel, Grandmother Jia took the opportunity to remove Lady Wang from her position as the head housekeeper, and the treasury was put in charge of the eldest son's family.

Subsequently, a Buddhist hall was built in the Rongguo Mansion, where Lady Wang went to cultivate her mind for two years.

The old ruffians from the founding line stormed into the Wang family's residence, forcing Prince Teng to host a banquet. After drinking, the group of thugs beat and scolded him.

After learning the reason, Wang Ziteng rushed to Rongguo Mansion with a family discipline ruler and hit Madam Wang five times, giving her a scolding. He also built a Buddhist hall in her mansion to express his stance.

Only then did Xue Baochai understand why she was investigated when she used the Wang family's name, but was allowed to pass when she used the Jia family's name when she entered the capital.

Now that they have a favor to ask, and given that the Xue family is related to the Wang family by marriage, no one knows what Jia Tang is really thinking.

Xue Baochai looked slightly worried and was lost in thought when Tongxi rushed in.

"Madam, young lady, the lord has arrived."

"Please come in quickly."

Madam Xue quickly got up, wiped her eyes, and the mother and daughter straightened their clothes before coming out of the room to greet each other.

As Jia Tang strolled leisurely into the courtyard with his two maids, he saw the graceful Xue Baochai looking at him.

The two exchanged a glance, and Xue Baochai lowered her head first. Madam Xue, who was standing to the side, greeted, "Lord, you've arrived. Please have a seat and share in our joy and honor with tea."

Madam Xue was very shrewd. In private, she never used the term "brother" or similar terms. Only in the hall of Grandmother Jia would she occasionally respond with "Yu Yin".

In everyday conversations, he always flatters you, both in words and in speech.

After taking a sip of the fragrant tea that Tongxi had brought him, Jia Tang asked, "Madam, I heard from Amber that you were looking for me. Is there something you need?"

"Ah~"

Madam Xue was surprised by Jia Tang's directness and exclaimed in surprise. After regaining her composure, she said, "Lord, you also know that our Xue family are imperial merchants. We have come to the capital to sort out the accounts of our shops and stores in Xianjing and the Imperial Household Department."

"But now, for some reason, rumors have spread that our family's status as a royal merchant will be revoked. I was thinking of asking you, Lord, to inquire and see if there is any misunderstanding."

He speaks tactfully, leaving room for maneuver.

"Oh, no need for such formalities, Madam. I suspect someone has taken money and is trying to resell the spots. Just send someone to find Jia He tomorrow."

After hearing this, Jia Tang waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to be so cautious.

Madam Xue was overjoyed upon hearing this and said with a smile, "Thank you so much, Lord Lord. I'll have your sister send you an invitation to a banquet tomorrow."

After chatting for a while, Jia Tang got up to leave, saying, "It's getting late, and I won't disturb your rest any longer, so I'll take my leave now."

"My lord, it's so dark. Let me have your sister see you off."

Madam Xue turned to Xue Baochai and said, "My child, go see your cousin off."

"There's no need for that, cousin."

"It's alright, it's alright, go on, honey."

Xue Baochai hesitated for a moment, but still followed Jia Tang out of the room.

After they left the courtyard and walked side by side, Xue Baochai turned her head to look at Jia Tang and said softly, "Thank you, cousin."

"No need to be so polite, it's nothing at all."

Jia Tang waved his hand, then changed the subject: "Was that my sister at the dock last time? I can't forget those eyes of hers."

Xue Baochai blushed instantly, realizing she'd been caught peeking and brought up, but she still nodded and admitted, "That day, my cousin startled me; I even thought your eyes looked rather fierce..."

"We didn't know who was behind it at the time, so they were a bit vicious. Please bear with them, little sister."

"It's alright."

The two then fell silent. After reaching the intersection, they bowed to each other, and Jia Tang led the two maids away in a long stride.

Xue Baochai stood there, gazing wistfully at Jia Tang's retreating figure, sighed, and then turned and went back to her courtyard.