The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 395 Invisible Barrier
Jia Huan was really tired these days and originally just planned to take a short rest, but he just lay down on the bed, Ping'er massaged his legs for a while, and he fell asleep immediately. When he woke up, it was already evening, the sun was setting in the west, and dusk was gradually falling.

Seeing that it was getting dark, Jia Huan hurriedly washed his face and rushed to the front. He found that several waves of gentry had arrived to pay their respects. These last guests had all come from far away. Fortunately, Lu Xiangsheng and Jia Lian helped to receive them so that they were not left out.

After seeing off these groups of guests, the lights were already on. The monks and Taoists who had been chanting and offering vegetarian food went downstairs to eat, and Jia Huan and others were also able to rest and eat.

After the meal, Lu Xiangsheng said to Jia Huan, "Ziming, Master Lin's first seven days of mourning have passed, and the rituals have been completed. After sending his coffin to the temple tomorrow, I plan to go home, stay for a few days, and then leave for the capital immediately."

Jia Huan nodded and said, "It's time to hurry on while the autumn is cool. However, I still have to escort Master Lin's coffin back to his hometown for burial. It will take at least a month before I can leave for the capital, so I can't go with you, Jiandou. I wish you a safe journey, brother Jiandou."

Lu Xiangsheng nodded and said, "I wish Ziming all the best. Thank you for your hard work."

Jia Huan shook his head and said, "This is what I should do. Then let's make an appointment to meet in the capital. Next year, when the spring comes and the flowers bloom, it will be the time for Brother Jiandou to pass the imperial examination."

Lu Xiangsheng was in high spirits and said, "I appreciate your words, Brother Ziming. However, I barely passed the provincial examination this time. I can only say that I will try my best for the imperial examination. I hope I can pass the examination in the same year as Brother Ziming."

"Of course, Brother Jiandou will definitely pass the exam. Come, drink this bowl of wine as a farewell gift to Brother Jiandou in advance."

"it is good!"

Jia Huan and Lu Xiangsheng clinked their bowls together, drank the wine in one gulp, and looked at each other. There was a bit more warmth and reluctance in each other's eyes. There was no doubt that over the past six months, the two of them had formed a deep friendship. They were not only brothers in the same school, but also friends for life and death.

After dinner, everyone went their separate ways. Jia Huan came to Aunt Xue's residence. Aunt Xue was instructing her two maids, Tongxi and Tonggui, to pack up. When she saw Jia Huan, she immediately took his hand and asked him to sit down. She smiled and said, "Good boy, you came to see me so late. Have you finished your work?"

Jia Huan nodded and said, "It's basically done. I'll have housekeepers Xiao and Lin to take care of it. By the way, I heard from Sister Ping'er that Aunt and Sister Bao are planning to leave for Jinling tomorrow?"

Aunt Xue sighed and said, "I originally wanted to spend a few more days with Yu'er, but there are still a lot of things to do at home. Your sister Qin is still young, and the family can't be left without anyone to take care of her, so..."

Jia Huan hurriedly said, "Huan'er understands. Aunt and Sister Bao have worked hard these days."

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "It's not hard. The one who has worked the hardest is you, Huan'er. Congratulations, hurry up and serve a bowl of Tremella and Snow Pear Soup for Third Master to moisten his body."

Tongxi agreed and quickly brought a bowl of snow pear and white fungus soup. Jia Huan took it and said, "Thank you. My throat is a little dry."

Aunt Xue heard this and said, "It's dry in autumn, so this soup is the best to drink. It can moisten dryness and reduce internal heat. Huan'er, you've been staying up late these days, so you should drink more. After you finish, serve another bowl."

Jia Huan was not polite and drank two bowls of soup. Aunt Xue asked with a smile, "Does your throat feel better now?"

Jia Huan smiled and said, "I am indeed much better. Thank you, Auntie. What are you doing now?"

Aunt Xue hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "She's doing needlework inside. Go ahead and say hello to your sister Bao."

Jia Huan smiled and walked into the inner room, only to see two lamps lit in the room. Xue Baochai was indeed doing needlework under the lamps. She had a girlish bun on her head, a thin layer of bangs on her forehead, and a dress that was neither new nor old. She looked dignified and quiet, giving people a feeling as gentle as the soft light.

Xue Baochai had obviously heard the conversation outside, so when Jia Huan came in, she stood up and said with a smile: "Brother Huan is here, Ying'er, please pour the tea."

"Sister Bao, what is she doing? Let me take a look." Jia Huan walked closer and saw that it was a women's style headband.

Xue Baochai put down the embroidered basket and said with a smile, "It's just a little thing I made for mother. What's so good about it? Brother Huan, please take a seat."

Jia Huan couldn't help feeling a little depressed. Sister Bao had become more polite now. Although she still smiled gently and was graceful, she was obviously not the same as before. It was as if there was an invisible layer of estrangement out of nowhere. He didn't know what went wrong!
"Mr. Huan San, please have some tea." Ying'er brought over a cup of tea.

Jia Huan thanked him and took it, then put it aside. He had just drunk two bowls of pear soup and couldn't drink any more. Only then did he notice that Xue Baochai was wearing the golden longevity locket on her chest again.

Seeing Jia Huan's eyes on her chest, Xue Baochai's face became slightly hot. She turned around quickly, unbuttoned her outer garment, and put the golden lock inside. Then she turned back and asked with a smile, "Have you finished everything ahead?"

Jia Huan lowered his eyes and said absentmindedly, "I'm done."

"Then Brother Huan, you should go to bed early. You have worked hard these days." Xue Baochai said with a smile.

Jia Huan felt unhappy and stood up and said, "Oh, then Sister Bao should also go to bed early. Huan'er will not disturb you."

"Well, Ying'er, send Master Huan off," Xue Baochai ordered.

Jia Huan had no choice but to turn around and leave unhappily.

Seeing that person looking listless and with his head drooped, Xue Baochai almost softened her heart and wanted to say something, but finally she held back and turned away with a hard heart.

Ying'er escorted Jia Huan out of the room and was about to go back. Jia Huan hurriedly said, "Sister Ying'er, wait a minute." Ying'er stopped and asked, "Does Third Master have any other instructions?"

Jia Huan asked in a low voice: "Is Sister Bao angry with me?"

Ying'er smiled and said, "Third Master, you are overthinking. Why is the young lady angry with you?"

"Then why is Sister Bao so cold to me?" Jia Huan frowned.

"Really? I didn't think so. Our girl is usually like this. Master Huan San, you are overthinking it." Ying'er's eyes flickered and she turned her head to glance into the room.

Jia Huan's heart was moved, and he whispered, "My dear sister, just tell me, I promise I will remember your kindness for the rest of my life."

Ying Er burst out laughing: "Mr. Huan San didn't learn the good things, but he learned the tricks of Mr. Bao Er. However, Mr. Huan San is not as thick-skinned as Mr. Bao Er. If it were him, he would probably pull the other person's hand and act like a rogue, and he would not stop until he achieved his goal."

Jia Huan couldn't help but feel ashamed.

Seeing Jia Huan embarrassed, Ying Er chuckled and said, "Forget it, I won't tease you anymore. Ever since that day, Master..."

"Ying'er, where is the book I was reading yesterday?" Ying'er had only said half of her words when Xue Baochai's voice came from inside the room.

Ying'er secretly stuck out her tongue and quickly turned back into the house.

Jia Huan's heart moved. It seemed that the problem lay with Xue Pan. He didn't know what this fellow had done to make Bao-sister distance herself from him. Well, he would deal with it later.

Jia Huan left Aunt Xue's residence and went to visit Lin Daiyu before returning to his own room to rest.

The next day, after sending Lin Ruhai's remains to a temple outside the city for safekeeping, Lu Xiangsheng left for his hometown in Changzhou Prefecture, while Aunt Xue and Baochai also took a boat to Jinling at noon.

…………

"Be careful, hey, I'm talking to you, don't break anything!" Lin Zhixiao was directing his men to dismantle the mourning hall and pack up the offering vessels when he suddenly felt someone pat his shoulder. He turned around and saw that it was Jia Lian. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Second Master Lian!"

Jia Lian said sarcastically: "Now that Steward Lin has climbed up the social ladder, how can he still recognize me, Jia Lian?"

Lin Zhixiao said in a horrified manner, "Why do you say that, Second Master Lian? Even if I had ten guts, I wouldn't dare to be disrespectful to Second Master Lian!"

Jia Lian sneered, "Although Jia Huan is no longer the same as he was in the past, he is still just a bastard after all. In Rongguo Mansion, besides me, Jia Lian, there are Master Bao and Brother Lang. Huan'er is not even a rank. Do you understand?"

Lin Zhixiao lowered his eyebrows and said cautiously: "Slave... understand!"

Jia Lian nodded and said, "I understand. I came here to take Sister Lin back to the capital on the orders of the old lady. Unexpectedly, Uncle Lin died of illness. Now Uncle Lin's funeral is almost done, and the Lin family has no male heir to inherit the family line. Naturally, the property under Uncle Lin's name belongs to Sister Lin. Do you agree with this, Steward Lin?"

Lin Zhixiao's heart moved, and he nodded and said, "Indeed!"

Jia Lian said solemnly, "The Lin family is small, and there is no other relative to rely on except for my mother's uncle's family. Otherwise, Uncle Lin would not have sent Sister Lin to our house to be raised. And this time I came here on the orders of the old lady, so I plan to sell all the properties under the name of the Lin family, convert them into cash and bring them back to the capital, so that Sister Lin can use them daily. When Sister Lin gets married in the future, the remaining silver will be returned to Sister Lin as a dowry."

"This... makes sense. However, before his death, Uncle Lin entrusted Miss Lin to Uncle Huan. It would be best to discuss with Uncle Huan how to deal with the Lin family's property."

Jia Lian's face darkened as he said, "I am the eldest son of the eldest branch of the Rongguo Mansion, and I came here on the orders of the old lady. Why should I discuss this with Huan Lao San? Let's just leave it at that!"

Lin Zhixiao didn't dare to confront Jia Lian, so he could only say, "Second Master Lian is right, but the Lin family's house and land deeds are all kept by Miss Lin, and the storehouse key is in the hands of Butler Xiao, so if Second Master Lian wants to sell them for cash, it would be better to discuss it with Miss Lin, otherwise it won't be done."

Jia Lian frowned and said, "I will naturally consult Sister Lin. You have always done things properly. You will be in charge of contacting the buyer. If you do a good job, I will not treat you unfairly."

"Yes, I obey your command!" Lin Zhixiao had to agree verbally, but he didn't agree in his heart. He didn't believe that Jia Lian could get the land deeds and house deeds from Lin Daiyu, and the entire Lin family only recognized Jia Huan.

Seeing that Lin Zhixiao agreed, Jia Lian's expression eased a little, and he asked, "By the way, the master sent you south to move Aunt Zhao's grave, why did you stay until now?"

"Well... there is no suitable auspicious day yet."

Jia Lian sneered, "I'm afraid Huan Lao San doesn't want to. Hey, he's not even strong enough yet, but he dares to go against the old lady and the master. Well, I'm not too lazy to get involved in this. When we get back home, I'll see how he explains it to the old lady and the master."

(End of this chapter)