The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 422 Zhongshan Wolf

Jia Huan nodded and said, "It would be very elegant to set up a poetry club. It can be used for entertainment and can also cultivate one's temperament. But you should just set up the club and don't include me. I don't dare to do that."

Lin Daiyu burst out laughing and said, "If you don't dare, who else would dare? Did you get the first place in the Nanzhili County Examination for nothing?"

Jia Huan blinked and said, "I just picked it up. Besides, the imperial examination mainly tests the classics and essays. Poetry is just for embellishment. It's okay to write a few lines to pass the exam, but if I really want to start a poetry club, I'm very timid."

This is the truth. If it weren't for the cheating device called "Wenchaogong", Jia Huan would have been overwhelmed if he had written his own poems. Therefore, he always tried to avoid occasions such as reciting poems and composing couplets.

Lin Daiyu snorted, "You are just being naughty. The chief and deputy examiners are both from the Imperial Academy, so how can they be fooled? You can't use this excuse to escape, unless you move out of the garden right now."

Jia Baoyu hoped that Jia Huan would not attend, so he sarcastically said: "Sister Lin, since Huan'er doesn't want to attend, why force him? Let him concentrate on reading the books of sages, so as not to waste his time and hinder his future."

Fifteen-year-old Da Lian Bao is still a little childish. If you make such a mockery, then I must join. Jia Huan took a sip of tea and smiled, "That's not the case. Although I can't do it, I can still be a supervisor. Sister Lin, just let me know when you start the club."

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "I will definitely send you a message then. If you dare not come, brother Huan, I will punish you."

As they were talking, they heard a woman outside the house say, "Miss Ping is here!"

Then Ping'er's voice was heard asking, "Is Master Huan San here?"

"Yes, yes. I'm talking to everyone in the room." the old woman replied.

After a while, Ping'er came in, and Xueyan said with a smile, "Hey, Aunt Ping is here."

Ping'er's sweet face turned red immediately, and she spat, "Little Snow Goose, wait until I pay my respects to you before I tear your mouth apart." Then she walked up to Lin Daiyu and Baoyu and paid her respects.

Ping'er had always been one of the most outstanding maids in the Jia family. She was sweet and lovely in appearance. Now, she was nourished by Jia Huan and became even more rosy and fair. She was as delicate and charming as a crabapple after a spring rain. Her skin was as delicate as a baby's and her beautiful eyes were like a pool of spring waves.

Seeing this, Jia Baoyu could not help but feel regretful. Such a beautiful and intelligent sister Ping'er actually followed a fame-seeking parasite like Huan Lao San. It was really blind that God wasted such a beautiful and intelligent sister!

If Jia Huan knew what Jia Baoyu was thinking at this moment, he would be amused. To be honest, he looked down on a good-for-nothing like Da Lian Bao who could neither support his parents nor protect his servants. Moreover, this guy was a coward who only cared about flirting with girls but had no sense of responsibility. In the original novel, Jin Chuan'er jumped into a well and died, and Qingwen was driven out of the house and died of illness. These were shocking examples. Whoever followed this kid would be wasting his time.

"Sister Ping'er, how did you know I was here?" Jia Huan asked Ping'er with a smile.

Ping Erh replied, "I have been asking along the way."

Jia Huan's heart moved, and he asked hurriedly: "Is there something wrong?"

"There was a message from outside saying that Master Zhen of the East Palace asked the Third Master to worship at the Jia Clan Ancestral Hall before 9:00 today and not to miss the time. This was also the Master's order, so I hurried over to find him."

Lin Daiyu glanced at her pocket watch and said in surprise, "It's already 3:45 pm. There's still half an hour left. Brother Huan, go quickly."

Jia Huan frowned. He didn't tell him last night, but only informed him now. What's the matter? He said goodbye and left quickly. He hurriedly returned to Yueweiju, changed his clothes and rushed to Ningguo Mansion without even having time to wash his face.

The Jia Clan Ancestral Hall was built in Ningguo Mansion. Last time Jia Huan passed the imperial examination, he went to the Jia Clan Ancestral Hall to worship. This time, he passed the imperial examination and naturally it was no exception. Moreover, this time the worship was obviously much more grand than the last time. The central door was wide open, and three animals were offered as sacrifices. The ceremony was presided over by the clan leader Jia Zhen himself, and even a troupe of actors was invited to set up a stage to perform a big show. When Jia Huan arrived at the Jia Clan Ancestral Hall, everything was ready, just waiting for him to be the protagonist. The clan leader Jia Zhen was dressed solemnly, and with a stern face, he shouted: "Why are you so late, Brother Huan? Another stick of incense, and the auspicious time will be over. If you dare to do this again next time, don't blame me for punishing you according to the family law."

Jia Huan seemed to understand something instantly. It was such a grand occasion, but he was notified at the last minute. It was most likely Jia Zhen's doing, trying to embarrass him on purpose. He didn't seem to have offended this guy before. So, could it be that he was dissatisfied with me about the Lin family's property?

"I'm sorry, I was delayed by something urgent. Brother Zhen, please start. Don't miss the auspicious time." Jia Huan said calmly.

Jia Zhen originally wanted to take advantage of the situation to scold Jia Huan a few more times in order to demonstrate his authority as the patriarch, but Jia Huan's calm and composed demeanor instead urged him on, which weakened his momentum. He snorted coldly and announced the start of the sacrificial ceremony.

In ancient times, passing the imperial examination was a great event to bring honor to the family. Even ordinary families would publicize it in a big way, and would do it even if they had no money, even if they had to borrow money. This was even more so for a noble family like the Jia family. So the ceremony of worshiping the ancestral temple was quite grand, with music and fireworks, firecrackers, and rituals. It started at nine in the morning and lasted until almost noon. It was really tiring.

This time it was not that Jia Zhen deliberately made trouble for Jia Huan, but the ceremony was indeed so complicated. Moreover, there was a buffet after the ceremony. All the relatives and friends of the Jia family who could come came, and Jia Huan had to toast at each table. He was busy until about four o'clock in the afternoon, when it was truly over.

Just as Jia Huan was about to leave, Jia Zhen stopped him and said meaningfully, "Brother Huan, the master asked you to go see him after you pay homage to the ancestral temple."

Jia Huan frowned secretly and nodded, "Okay, thank you for your hard work today, Brother Zhen."

Jia Zhen said with a fake smile: "It doesn't matter if I work hard, because I am the head of the clan. The most important thing is that Huan Ge'er has passed the imperial examination, and my Jia family is proud of it. If Huan Ge'er can pass the imperial examination next spring, then all my hard work will be worth it."

Jia Zhen's words sounded high-sounding, but one could not sense any sincerity in them, so Jia Huan was too lazy to engage in meaningless politeness with him. Moreover, it was dirty to stand with this lustful devil who even spared his own daughter-in-law, so he bowed and said goodbye.

Jia Zhen watched Jia Huan leave with a sneer on his face, thinking, "You want to have sex and wealth, but your appetite is really big. You won't be able to pass the master's test unless you spit out more than 70% of the meat. Hehe!"

Jia Huan left Ningguo Mansion and came to the east road of Rongguo Mansion, which was Jia She's residence. The gatekeeper had already greeted them and when he saw Jia Huan coming, he immediately let him in.

"The eldest master is still meeting guests. Please wait a moment, Mr. Huan." A steward with a slightly crooked mouth politely invited Jia Huan to sit down and served him tea.

Jia Huan recognized the crooked-mouthed steward. It was Wang Shanbao, Mrs. Xing's chamberlain. He asked casually, "Steward Wang, may I know why the master wants me here?"

Wang Shanbao smiled and said, "I don't know about this, but Master Huan San will know it later."

Jia Huan sat there for half an hour before he saw Jia She bringing out a guest. The man was a very burly man, with sweeping eyebrows, a flat nose, and very small eyes, what are commonly known as green bean eyes. He was extremely ugly, but judging from his strong and powerful appearance, he must be a warrior.

"Huan'er greets the master!" Jia Huan stood up and saluted.

Jia She stroked his beard and smiled, "Brother Huan, you have come at the right time. Let me introduce you. This is Commander Sun, from Datong. He is an old friend of our Jia family and now holds an important position in the capital."

Jia Huan's heart moved, and he vaguely guessed who it was. He bowed and said, "It turns out to be Commander Sun. Nice to meet you!"

The man looked Jia Huan up and down and said with a smile, "This must be Brother Jia Huan, the new champion of the Southern Zhili Province. He is indeed a handsome man. I, Sun Shaozu, have long heard of Brother Jia Huan's great name. Nice to meet you!"

Holy shit! It really is this guy—Sun Shaozu, the Zhongshan Wolf!
Jia She laughed and said, "Huan'er is the best talent of our Jia family. My dear nephew, you two should get to know each other more in the future. It will surely be helpful to each other."

(End of this chapter)