The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 416: Entering Rongguo Mansion Again

Ningrong Street was still as prosperous as it was in the past, with cars and people coming and going, and the hawkers' shouts and calls one after another. Lin Daiyu opened the carriage curtain a little and secretly peeked out. Seeing the familiar streets and buildings, she couldn't help feeling sad.

Thinking back to when I first entered the Rongguo Mansion, although my mother had passed away, I still had my loving father far away to miss and rely on. Now that I have entered the Rongguo Mansion again, even my loving father has passed away. I am all alone, completely a guest in a foreign land, a rootless duckweed...

Thinking of this, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but burst into tears. Seeing this, Xueyan knew that her girl was moved by the scene again, but she didn't try to comfort her, but just silently handed her a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

At this time, Jia Rong rode up to Jia Huan and said, "Uncle Huan, we are not far from the gate of the mansion. Let Miss Lin and Miss Ping get off the carriage and change to the sedan chair."

Jia Huan nodded calmly: "I understand."

Lin Daiyu was still silently weeping in the carriage. When she heard the faint words coming from outside the carriage, she felt extremely relieved and her emotions stabilized. She thought to herself, "Yes, I am not alone. I still have my brother Huan. From now on, wherever my brother Huan is, that is my home!"

Thinking of this, Lin Daiyu felt relieved, and her pretty face actually became slightly hot, with a mixture of shyness and joy. Although her father could not speak before his death, Lin Daiyu understood what he meant. In addition, her heart had long been tied to Jia Huan, so she subconsciously regarded herself as Jia Huan's younger brother.

When Xueyan saw Lin Daiyu crying and smiling shyly, she couldn't help but stick out her tongue. She thought, this girl must be crazy!
At this time, Jia Huan rode his horse to the carriage, knocked on it and whispered, "Sister Lin, we are almost there. Please get ready and take the sedan chair to the mansion later."

"Oh, I understand." Lin Daiyu agreed and quickly wiped away her tears.

Jia Huan had sharp ears and obviously heard the noise. He quickly stuck his head out of the carriage window and saw Lin Daiyu's red eyes. He asked with concern, "Why are you crying?"

Lin Daiyu blushed immediately and said angrily, "Who's crying? Ride your horse carefully, be careful not to fall off, then you'll see who's crying!"

Jia Huan blinked and laughed softly, "Yeah, if I fall, let's see who cries first!"

Lin Daiyu's heart trembled, and she used both hands to push the hateful face away.

Xueyan covered her mouth and laughed secretly. Lin Daiyu's heart was pounding and her face was burning. She pinched Xueyan's thigh and said angrily, "What are you laughing at?"

Xueyan rubbed her thigh and said aggrievedly: "I didn't laugh, haha!"

At this time, the convoy passed by the gate of Ningguo Mansion. Jia Huan looked up and saw that the plaque in front of the gate that read "Ningguo Mansion Built by Imperial Order" had been taken down, and the two mighty stone lions in front of the gate were nowhere to be found. Although the gate tower was still tall, without these two things, its imposingness was much less than before.

It is said that Wang Ren and a steward of Prince Yi Zhong's mansion wanted to snatch the ice cream business from Jia Huan, but they hit a wall and accidentally injured the seventh prince Xu Wenhou. In a rage, Emperor Qiansheng ordered the Jinyiwei to arrest Wang Ren and the steward of Prince Yi Zhong's mansion. In the end, the Jinyiwei dug up a lot of dirty secrets about Wang Ren, including a murder case, in which Jia She and Jia Zhen were also involved.

So Emperor Qiansheng waved his hand and stripped Wang Ren and his son, Jia She and Jia Zhen of their titles and official positions, and exiled them all three thousand miles away. Later, because Jia Yuanchun was selected to the Fengzao Palace and given the title of Consort Xian De, they were pardoned and returned to the capital, but their titles have not been restored yet, so the imperially-made plaque in Ningguo Mansion and the two stone lions in front of the gate were moved away.

Thinking of Jia Zhen, that pervert, Jia Huan couldn't help but turn his head to look at Jia Rong who was riding a horse behind him.

When Jia Rong saw Jia Huan looking back at him with a hint of pity in his eyes, he felt a little puzzled and could only respond with an awkward smile.

Jia Rong is a handsome boy, just like Jia Lian, he is a handsome guy. He is not a bad person, but he can be classified as a dandy young man. The most unfortunate thing is that he has a father named Jia Zhen, a perverted tyrant. He couldn't even protect his wife Qin Keliao, who was killed by his father.

However, Jia Zhen was stripped of his title and exiled. Although he has benefited from Concubine Jia's bonus and can return to Beijing to live without punishment, he has lost his title passed down by his ancestors. He has undoubtedly become an unpopular descendant of the Jia family. He should not be as bold and arrogant as before, right? I wonder if he has taken action against his daughter-in-law Qin Keliao.

While Jia Huan was thinking, the convoy finally arrived in front of Rongguo Mansion. He saw the plaque "Building Rongguo Mansion" shining brightly, the two stone lions in front of the gate were still majestic, and more than a dozen servants stood in a row.

"Master Huan San is back, and the servants come to pay their respects to him!" Those servants rushed to Jia Huan's horse, knelt down and bowed their heads.

Jia Huan dismounted and glanced around, finding that they were all familiar faces. The leader was the one who had troubled him before. He had forgotten his name, but he was too lazy to even look at such a small character, like an ant, and said calmly, "Get up!"

The slaves felt relieved, although they had mixed feelings, they still flattered him to the utmost. There was nothing they could do, since Huan Lao San had become so successful now and even the old lady valued him so much, how could they, the slaves, dare to neglect him in the slightest?

Jia Rong shouted, "After you have paid your respects, please move away. Don't block the way. The old lady and the mistress are still waiting."

The servants hurriedly stepped back with a smile and brought over the sedan chair that had been prepared long ago. However, there was only one, which was for Lin Daiyu. No one else had this treatment.

Lin Daiyu got on the sedan chair and was carried by four servants into the mansion from the west corner gate. Jia Huan and Ping'er followed on foot. When they reached the second gate, the four servants withdrew and replaced by four strong women to carry the sedan chair. They walked through the corridors and courtyards, went straight into the back house, and went to Jia's mother's residence. Mandalin couldn't help but be secretly surprised. Is this the life of the Duke of Jin? Wow, it's really exquisite. Look at this huge house, look at these carved beams and painted buildings, look at these rare treasures, look at this style. In comparison, our Duke's Mansion is simply a slum. It is worthy of being a nation that has been passed down for thousands of years. This heritage is really not covered.

At this moment, Mandarin was like Granny Liu when she entered the Grand View Garden for the first time. She looked around and was deeply attracted by the various buildings and furnishings that were full of oriental cultural heritage. Fortunately, she was of noble birth after all, so she only marveled in her heart and did not make any sound, otherwise it would be embarrassing.

Despite this, Mandarin's expression and actions still made the servants in the Jia family look at her sideways.

After walking for about seven or eight minutes, they finally arrived in front of Jia's mother's courtyard. There were red and green people standing in front of it, and they were all chirping, "Look, Master Huan San and the girl are here."

Jia Baoyu was among the sisters and maids, and was looking forward to it eagerly. When he saw the sedan chair that Lin Daiyu was riding in, he ran forward impatiently. Before the bearers put down the sedan chair, he reached out to lift the curtain.

Jia Huan secretly groaned and quickly stretched out his hand to block it. "In the past, you, Big Face Bao, could do whatever you want, but now you can't. Sister Lin is mine, go to hell!"

When Jia Baoyu was stopped, he was stunned for a moment. He frowned and turned around to look. He found that it was Jia Huan. He immediately frowned in displeasure.

"Hello, Second Brother Bao. It's been a few years since we last met. How are you?" Jia Huan said with a smile and bowed.

"You're so good, Third Brother Huan. After not seeing you for a few years, not only have you caught up with me in height, but you've also become more handsome." Jia Baoyu complained secretly in his heart, and while perfunctorily returning the greeting with a fist, he wanted to reach out to lift the curtain of the sedan chair, but was blocked by Jia Huan again.

"Brother Huan, what are you doing?" Jia Baoyu asked with an angry look on his face.

By this time the sedan had come to a complete stop, and Xueyan had lifted the curtain and helped Lin Daiyu out.

When Jia Baoyu saw Lin Daiyu, he could not take his eyes away from her. He had no time to pay attention to Jia Huan anymore. He cried out in tears of joy, "Sister Lin!"

Lin Daiyu bowed and said politely, "Hello, Second Brother Bao!"

"Sister Lin, you... seem to have lost some weight!" Jia Baoyu's eyes were red and his look was infatuated, as if there was a lump in his throat.

Jia Huan rolled his eyes secretly. He didn't feel it before, but now he just felt very disgusted and wanted to kick this guy aside.

Lin Daiyu was feeling embarrassed when Sanchun and a group of maids came over and held her hands. Zijuan was so happy that she cried. For a moment, the place was filled with chirping and the atmosphere was lively. Lin Daiyu took the opportunity to get away, leaving Jia Baoyu aside.

"Huan—brother!" Jia Tanchun walked up to Jia Huan with a smile on her lips and tears of relief in her eyes.

After not seeing her for more than three years, Jia Tanchun has grown a little taller. She is now tall and slender, with shoulders as sharp as a knife. She looks around with a lively spirit. She is truly the essence of literary talent, and one can forget the world when seeing her!
Jia Huan smiled and said, "Third sister, I'm back!"

"Well, I'm glad you're back! I'm glad you're back!" Jia Tanchun finally couldn't control her emotions, tears welled up in her eyes, but she was too embarrassed to turn aside to wipe them away, while covering up, "The wind was a little strong, and sand blew into my eyes!"

Jia Huan felt warm in his heart and said softly, "I'm sorry that you've been worried about me these past few years, Third Sister."

Jia Tanchun burst into tears again when she heard this. She held Jia Huan's hand and straightened the collar of his scholar's gown for him. She said in a low voice with shame, "Brother Huan, please stop talking. It's all your fault that I was incompetent. I left you all alone and wandering outside while I lived in luxury at home. I should have gone south with you."

Jia Huan hurriedly whispered, "Sister, please don't say that. I was the one who insisted on leaving back then. And given the situation at the time, how can I blame you? If you insist on going south with me, it will only anger that person even more. By then, not to mention you, I'm afraid even I won't be able to leave... Anyway, everything is over now, and I'm fine, so let's not talk about the past anymore."

Jia Tanchun quickly wiped away her tears and nodded: "Brother Huan is right. I won't say any more. Let's talk about it after we settle down. Now I'm going to see the old lady and the lady first."

After Jia Tanchun finished speaking, she pulled Ping'er over and said with a smile, "Sister Ping'er, I miss you so much after not seeing you for three years."

Ping'er smiled sweetly and said, "I and the Third Master often think of the Third Miss. In the past few years, before the Spring Festival every year, we have received clothes sent by the Third Miss, and every time there is a portion for me. It is hard to believe that you still think of me. Now I have the opportunity to thank you in person."

Jia Tanchun smiled and said, "I'm not with Brother Huan, and you've taken great care of him over the past few years. I should be the one thanking you."

Jia Huan watched the two girls reuniting with a smile, feeling warm in his heart. He thought back to when he first left the Jia Mansion, Jia Tanchun and Ping'er were the people closest to him.

(End of this chapter)