Dream of the Red Chamber: Madam, please have some self-respect!

When Jia Yun returned to the west corridor and turned the corner of the alley, he saw Jia Qin's mother, Zhou, carrying a basin of dirty water out of her house.

Zhou spotted him immediately, glared at him fiercely, and then splashed the sewage onto the street with a "splash," creating a muddy mess.

She snorted coldly, turned around and went back into the house, slamming the door shut.

Jia Yun's face remained calm, but his heart was filled with coldness.

He knew perfectly well where this resentment came from. Some time ago, Jia Qiang and Jia Qin had been punished because of him. Now, he had no idea where his son was.

The previous punishments sounded severe, but their implementation was quite "refined".

The blows from the board were indeed quite severe, and Jia Yun had even secretly taken a peek. The two men were lying face down on the long bench, their buttocks and backs covered in bruises, groaning in pain. They clearly had suffered real physical pain.

The deducted allowance was indeed carried out by the public treasury. With a stroke of the manager's pen, the allowance was deducted in full, causing both families considerable distress.

But those "reflecting on one's mistakes behind closed doors" and "repenting in the ancestral hall"... hehe, they were just a facade to impress those in power.

Aside from keeping them properly locked up for the first few days, once the heat died down, they really couldn't be kept in check. It was just to let them lay low for a while and keep them from making a scene outside.

Such is how things are in this household. Unless it's a serious crime that touches upon fundamental interests, who would really go to such lengths to destroy their own son?

However, for a woman like Zhou, she wouldn't think about what evil her son had done; she would only blame Jia Yun for the loss and pain brought about by this punishment.

In her view, if it weren't for Jia Yun's "meddling," why would her Qin-ge'er have suffered like this and lost half a year's income? Isn't he just someone who's used to being bullied? What does your resistance mean?

Jia Yun sneered inwardly; this was the nature of human nature.

Now that he has gained power, no one will dare to bully him openly anymore, but the jealousy and resentment in his private life are probably even stronger than before.

However, Jia Yun is no longer the same as before, and he doesn't take this little trouble seriously.

He may not be considered a martial arts master now, but he has gained the ability to protect himself and will never again be in a situation like half a year ago when he was almost killed by someone trying to kill him.

Jia Yun straightened his back and strode forward, ignoring the cold gaze that might be cast from behind the tightly closed door, and headed straight for his own little courtyard, which now exuded a bit of warmth and hope.

After having a little more money, Jia Yun did not squander it over the next three days, but he was no longer as stingy and frugal as before.

He first went and bought several feet of thick, durable blue cloth to make a new cotton-padded jacket for his mother, Bu, replacing the old, faded, and no longer warm clothes.

I bought some high-quality cotton and fluffed up and thickened the old, stiff, and poorly warm quilt at home.

Next, he went to the butcher shop and bought a full five pounds of pork belly, a plump fresh fish, some trendy dried fruits and snacks, and even, for the first time ever, a pot of liquor that, while not the best, was still very fragrant.

Finally, Jia Yun didn't forget to go to the incense and candle shop and get a brand-new image of the Kitchen God and a pair of red candles.

Just as the mother and son were enjoying the rare peace and abundance on New Year's Eve, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open with a "creak".

A middle-aged man wearing a worn silk shirt, with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face, and shifty eyes peeked in, wearing a forced friendly smile.

It was Bu Shiren, the younger brother of Bu Shi and Jia Yun's uncle.

"Sister! Yun-ge'er! Are you eating? It smells so good!" Bu Shiren rubbed his hands together, but his eyes kept darting between the fish and meat on the table and the bag of new rice in the corner of the room.

When Madam Bu saw her younger brother, her expression stiffened slightly. She then looked at her son and forced a smile, saying, "His uncle is here. Have you eaten? Or... should we get another pair of chopsticks?"

Women are gentle by nature and ultimately cherish the bond between siblings.

Jia Yun put down his chopsticks, looked at Bu Shiren calmly, and said nothing.

Bu Shiren, ever the familiar type, sidled up to the table and clicked his tongue, saying, "Look, look! Life's really getting better! I told you long ago, Yun-ge'er is going to be successful! Sister, you don't know, it's all over the place that the manor is giving you your allowance now? That's fantastic news!"

He abruptly changed the subject, his face showing distress: "Alas, my luck has been bad lately. I lost money in my little business again, and this year-end is tough. Your niece and nephew are still waiting for rice to cook... Do you think I could lend you a few coins to tide me over? I'll definitely pay you back after spring!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Bu looked troubled and subconsciously glanced at her son.

Jia Yun sneered inwardly; he knew his uncle's character all too well.

When their family was poor, this uncle avoided them like the plague. When their mother came to ask for help, he couldn't even lend them a liter of rice and instead suffered cold looks and ridicule.

Now that they see that things are just starting to look up, they swarm around them like flies that smell fish.

Jia Yun remained unperturbed, calmly wiping his mouth as he said, "Uncle, you're certainly well-informed. The allowance has been provided, but this money is for my studies and exams; every penny is fixed and cannot be touched. As for Uncle's difficulties…"

He looked up, his eyes clear as he looked at Bu Shiren: "I remember last year when my mother was seriously ill, I went to my uncle's house to borrow two hundred coins for medicine. What did my uncle say back then? 'Even a clever housewife can't cook without rice,' and 'Every family has its own difficulties.' I suppose your current difficulties are even greater than when my mother was seriously ill. I am but a humble nephew, and I am truly powerless to help. Uncle, you should try to find a solution elsewhere."

His words were spoken in a calm tone, yet they revealed Bu Shih-ren's cold-heartedness and ruthlessness.

"Yun-ge'er, just lend me five hundred coins, five hundred coins will do! Your uncle is truly desperate..." Bu Shiren rubbed his hands, then turned to Bu Shi after seeing Jia Yun's cold face, his face now plastered with a fawning smile, "Sister, for the sake of our blood ties, could you lend me some to tide me over? I'll definitely pay you back after spring! Really!"

Ignoring her mother's mournful gaze, Jia Yun simply looked up at Bu Shiren with clear eyes and asked, "Uncle, do you remember that I also came to your door for help a few days ago?"

Bu Shiren's face stiffened, and he stammered, "This...nothing like that...I've long forgotten..."

"Of course I have! What did you say the other day, Uncle, when I wanted to borrow fifteen taels of silver to start a spice business? 'Do you think I don't know your family's situation? If you borrow the silver, how will you pay it back? With your life? It's worthless!'—Do you still remember those words, Uncle?"

Bu Shiren immediately blushed, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"I know that fifteen taels is indeed a lot, but I understand that this deal is a sure thing and I can pay you back the next day."

Jia Yun continued unhurriedly, "My aunt was there too. She said things like, 'Looking so poor, yet trying to do business,' and that she had long told my uncle to cut ties with our branch of the family. My uncle turned and left without saying another word. Why is he suddenly thinking about family ties now?"

These words were like slaps to the face, leaving Bu Shiren utterly ashamed.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word. In the end, he could only slink away, leaving in a hurry without even saying goodbye.

Jia Yun held his mother's hand and said gently, "Mother, from now on we'll live our own lives. We don't need to take these hypocritical people to heart."

Watching her younger brother's disheveled figure disappear into the distance, Madam Bu sighed but ultimately said nothing.

She knew in her heart that this younger brother was unreliable.

After shooing away his annoying uncle, Jia Yun said softly to his mother, "Mother, I'll have lunch with you. Tonight... I have to go outside the city to spend the New Year with my master and the others. If it weren't for my master's careful guidance these past few days, I wouldn't have the physique and spirit I have today."

Ms. Bu was a reasonable person. Although she was also reluctant, she quickly nodded.

"Of course, of course! Master Zhou has been kind to you by teaching you his skills, so it is only right that you show him respect. I've noticed that you've become much stronger and your face has gained weight these days, all thanks to Master! Go ahead and give my regards to Master Zhou and your two senior sisters, and bring some gifts with you, so as not to be impolite."

She looked at her son with increasing joy, but then suddenly remembered something on her mind. She lowered her voice and spoke with a hint of anticipation.

"Yun'er, I heard... your two senior sisters are still unmarried? You're all grown up now, it's time to think about your marriage. What do you think... if it's a good match, why don't you..."