The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 452 Mrs. Wang's Demonstration
When Jia Huan heard that these two were also there, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous. Last time, Jia She tried to coerce him into giving away the Lin family's inheritance but failed. He must not have given up. Could it be that he had persuaded Jia Zheng this time? It shouldn't be possible. Although Zheng was confused and pedantic, he was still a man of honor. In this respect, he was much better than those two scums, Jia She and Jia Zhen.

At that moment, Jia Huan followed Li Shier to Rong Xi Tang. As expected, Jia She and Jia Zhen were both there, with dark faces and unfriendly looks.

Jia Huan frowned secretly, stepped forward and saluted, saying: "Huan'er greets the master, the eldest master and Brother Zhen."

Jia She just snorted coldly and said nothing. Jia Zhen slightly turned his body to indicate that he did not accept Jia Huan's courtesy.

Jia Zheng shouted, "You evil creature, kneel down!"

"Damn it, can't you just speak properly instead of showing off your loud voice?" Jia Huan complained secretly in his heart, but he still had to kneel on the ground. It is said that a higher-ranking official can crush people to death, and when it comes to filial piety, I am the absolute authority that cannot be disobeyed.

"I don't know what mistake Huan'er has made. Please tell me clearly, sir!" Although Jia Huan knelt down, his upper body was still straight, and there was no fear on his face.

Jia She sneered and said, "Second brother, look, this is the good son you taught. Now he has become more independent and even ignores me."

Jia Zheng was already full of anger, and when Jia She provoked him, he became even more furious. He was so angry that his hair and beard stood on end. He shouted sternly: "You evil creature, I'm going to beat you up first and then ask you." After saying that, he rolled up his sleeves and was ready to start fighting.

Jia Huan was shocked and angry, and protested loudly: "Even if the execution is to be carried out after the autumn, the Ministry of Justice must first try him, and the emperor can only approve it with his own handwriting. Master, are you going to execute him without any warning? I don't accept it!"

Jia Zheng was stunned for a moment, then he was so angry that he jumped up and down, what a rebellious son! He gritted his teeth and said "good" several times, pointed at Jia Huan's nose and shouted: "Then I will ask you first, and then beat you to death, did you go to Diecui Academy yesterday?"

"The child has indeed gone!" Jia Huan was secretly shocked and nodded in reply.

Jia She sneered and said, "Then I haven't wronged you."

Jia Zheng was so angry that he was about to attack again. Jia Huan hurriedly asked, "What do you mean by that, Master? What laws and regulations have I violated by going to Diecui Academy to study?"

Jia Zheng was moved when he heard this, and shouted, "Evil creature, let me ask you, did you go to listen to the lecture of Gu Xianzhi, the headmaster of Donglin Academy? That old man instigated the scholars to write a petition together, did you participate in it?"

Jia Huan immediately understood about 80% of what was going on and shook his head, saying, "Huan'er did attend the lectures, but she did not participate in the joint petition, and none of the scholars from Diecui Academy participated."

Jia Zheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. Jia She and Jia Zhen looked at each other and asked doubtfully, "You really didn't participate?"

Jia Huan frowned and said, "Why should I participate? Besides, Huan'er has already joined Diecui Academy, and the headmaster has banned students of Diecui Academy from participating in the political movements initiated by Donglin."

Jia Zheng coughed awkwardly, waved his hand and said, "Get up, it's good that you didn't participate. It's really the old Minister Ye who is wise."

Jia She and Jia Zhen could not help but feel a little disappointed. They had thought that Jia Huan was young and full of vigor, and that the people in Donglin Academy were the best at inciting people. If Jia Huan participated in such a rally, he would most likely sign a petition, but he did not, and even joined Diecui Academy. In this way, their wish to punish Jia Huan with Jia Zheng's help was dashed.

The news of the lecture held at Donglin Academy yesterday has now spread throughout the city. In addition, early in the morning, a large number of scholars gathered and marched in front of Zuoye Gate on Chang'an Street, urging the court to conduct a thorough investigation into the collusion between nobles and the Ministry of Revenue in issuing false salt permits.

Now the whole capital was shaken, especially those nobles, who had basically all engaged in reselling salt permits for profit. In addition, Prince Yizhong had just been executed along with his entire family not long ago. Naturally, the nobles were afraid and hated, and they came together to discuss countermeasures.

It just so happened that Jia She and Jia Zhen had both resold salt permits before, so they were naturally very scared. They hurried to Jia Zheng to inquire about the news in the court, fearing that the court would be influenced by public opinion and really investigate the reselling of salt permits.

It happened that Jia Zheng heard Mrs. Wang mention last night that Jia Huan went to Diecui Academy and did not return all night, so he suspected that Jia Huan was involved in the joint letter. He was even more worried that this illegitimate son was ignorant of the immensity of the world and would join the parade, so he sent someone to call Jia Huan for interrogation.

Now that it was confirmed that Jia Huan was not involved, Jia Zheng breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help but regret his impulsiveness. However, as a father, he could not admit his mistake, let alone apologize to Jia Huan. He could only deliberately change the subject and asked, "Have you joined Diecui Academy?"

Jia Huan nodded and said, "My uncle was once a student of the old headmaster of Diecui Academy. In terms of seniority, the old headmaster is Huan'er's master. It just so happens that Huan'er also has several good friends studying at Diecui Academy. I was invited by them warmly and Huan'er joined the academy."

Jia Zheng stroked his beard and said, "The old headmaster of Diecui Academy, Mr. Ye, once served as the Minister of Rites. He is a highly respected scholar, and he is not of the same school as Donglin. It's fine for you to join. If you join Donglin Academy, I will break your legs. Go ahead and don't get in the way here!"

Jia Huan was speechless. With such a father, who did nothing but order his son around and use corporal punishment, it would be a miracle that he could raise an outstanding son. Look at what kind of person Jia Huan was before. It was a good thing that he traveled through time and space, otherwise he would still be a waste.

"Huan'er just happened to have something to report to the master. I plan to move to Diecui Academy on the ninth day of the first lunar month." Jia Huan said calmly with his head slightly lowered.

Jia Zheng frowned, "The New Year is coming soon. It's freezing cold, and the academy should be closed for the holidays. Why move to the academy now?"

Jia Huan then told the story of the headmaster of the academy using the winter vacation to give extra lessons to the candidates taking the exam.

Although Jia Zheng was a muddleheaded man, he was very clear about the issue of studying. After listening to him, he immediately nodded and said, "In that case, then go ahead. Only those who endure the most hardships can become the best. But I'll make it clear in advance. If you don't study hard in the academy and just act naughty, or if you can't stand the hardship and run back after two or three days, then you'll have to watch out for yourself!"

Jia Huan said calmly: "Master, don't worry. The three years of hardship that Huan'er endured in Jinling were not in vain."

Jia Zheng's old face twitched, and he felt a little guilty. He waved his hand and said, "Go ahead. Remember to tell the old lady and the mistress, and go back to ask Lin Zhixiao for fifty taels of silver. When you get to the academy, pay all the fees you should pay, and invite everyone you should invite. Don't be so stingy and bring shame to my Jia family."

A strange look flashed in Jia Huan's eyes. It seemed that his cheap father was not a heartless man. He still had some tenderness. Unfortunately, he was too old-fashioned and pedantic. He always had a stern face and acted like a strict father. This was really annoying. Jia Huan left Rongxi Hall and heard the sound of the opera in front of him become clearer. After pondering for a moment, he simply went to Jia's mother's room on the west road of Rongguo Mansion.

At this time, Mrs. Wang and Wang Xifeng had already left. Grandmother Jia was just about to take a nap. When she heard Jia Huan coming to pay his respects to her, she happily ordered, "Let Huan come in."

Jia Huan entered the house, first paid his respects to Lady Jia, and then told her that he was going to Diecui Academy to study.

After listening to this, Jia's mother groaned and said, "Since you are going to study, it is a good thing, and your father has agreed. As an old woman, I have nothing to say. It would be more appropriate to ask your mother."

"Huan'er originally planned to report back to the old lady first, and then report back to the mistress."

"Well, that's good. You go now. Oh, wait a minute!" Grandmother Jia called Jia Huan and turned to say, "Yuanyang, I vaguely remember a golden pheasant fur coat that I put in a box upstairs. Find it and give it to Huan."

Jia Huan hurriedly said, "Thank you, old lady. Huan'er has clothes to wear."

Grandmother Jia said, "I know you have clothes to wear, but all your clothes combined are probably not as good as that one. For a middle-class family like us, we are not as good as the rich, but better than the poor. You are socializing outside, representing the reputation of our Jia family. Look at what you are wearing, it's too plain. My golden pheasant fur coat is light and warm, and it shows your status. It's just right for wearing outside, and people will look down on you."

"Uh... then Huan'er thanks the old ancestor." Jia Huan had no choice but to say. In fact, it was not that he could not afford good clothes, but he did not want to be too ostentatious. Moreover, he did not like to dress up luxuriously like Da Lian Bao. Firstly, it was a burden, and secondly, it was troublesome to wear. However, since Grandmother Jia wanted to give him clothes, he could not disobey.

Yuanyang smiled and said, "There are hundreds of boxes upstairs. It's not easy to find them all at once. I'll find them slowly and then send them to Master Huan San."

"That's fine. Just find it out in the next two days. It will probably snow again, so it's just right to wear it on a snowy day." said Lady Jia.

Jia Huan said goodbye and left, and Amber personally opened the curtain to see him out of the room.

"Thank you, Sister Amber." Jia Huan bowed.

Amber said a little embarrassedly: "Third Master Huan, you are too polite. I have been rude to you in the past. I hope you can be magnanimous and not take it to heart."

Jia Huan smiled calmly and said, "What happened in the past is in the past. Why mention it again? Sister Amber, please go back." After saying that, he turned around and left.

Amber looked at Jia Huan's back as he left. She felt ashamed and turned back into the house.

After all, Amber is still a bit snobbish. Unlike Yuanyang, when Jia Huan was suppressed by Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng, at least Yuanyang could remain neutral and occasionally said a few fair words for Jia Huan. But Amber completely stood on the side of Jia Baoyu, and was dismissive of Jia Huan, a bastard, and had a very arrogant attitude. Now that she sees that Lady Jia's attitude towards Jia Huan is so good, she actually wants to repair the relationship. One can only say that this girl is too realistic.

Naturally, Jia Huan had no feelings for such a person and was too lazy to pay attention to him. He just went straight to Mrs. Wang's room, and after paying his respects, he told her that Chujiu was going to Diecui Academy to study.

Mrs. Wang naturally didn't want Jia Huan to pass the next spring exam, but since both Grandmother Jia and Jia Zheng agreed, she couldn't object and could only say reluctantly, "I know. Study hard!"

Jia Huan was too lazy to stay any longer, so he bowed and prepared to leave. Suddenly, Mrs. Wang said, "Brother Huan had someone send us that pot of white crabapple. It's very nice, but I can't stand the smell. Brother Huan should take it back and enjoy it by yourself."

Don't give up!
"Yes!" Jia Huan responded very straightforwardly.

Madam Wang continued, "By the way, the day before yesterday I went to the palace to visit the Imperial Concubine and the Eleventh Prince. The Imperial Concubine gave them some fresh lychees, which are very rare. Huan'er, take some back to try."

At the same time, he turned around and ordered, "Caixia, go get the plate of fresh lychees in the ice cupboard."

Jia Huan frowned secretly and said calmly: "Since it was given by the Imperial Concubine, how dare Huan'er take it without permission? Madam, you should keep it for yourself."

Mrs. Wang's eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction, and she said calmly: "One litchi is three fires. I am old and can't stand it. You can eat it or go away!"

Jia Huan had no choice but to kneel down and thank him, after all, this was a gift from the Imperial Concubine.

Mrs. Wang looked at Jia Huan kneeling in front of her and sneered in her heart, "So what if he is a juren? So what if he is a jinshi? My son is now a noble concubine."

Mrs. Wang did not accept the white begonia, but instead gave Jia Huan fresh lychees. It was not because she loved Jia Huan, a bastard, but on the contrary, she wanted to show that she did not accept Jia Huan's filial piety. At the same time, she reminded Jia Huan that her own daughter was now a noble concubine, and she was the grandmother of the eleventh prince. This was clearly a demonstration to Jia Huan!

"Get up, go back and study hard!" After showing her authority, Mrs. Wang waved her hand happily.

Jia Huan stood up and walked out calmly. At this time, Caixia followed him out, holding a food box, which probably contained the dish of iced fresh lychees.

"Thank you, Sister Caixia!" Jia Huan bowed and was about to take the food box.

Caixia chuckled and said, "Master Huan San seems to be a stranger now. I will help you take it over. It just so happens that I have nothing to do now, so I will go for a walk in the garden."

(End of this chapter)