Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 89: Birthday Wishes with Unlawful Intentions (Please save and read!)

Today is the day when the results of the Yongzhou Academy Examination are announced. Jia Cong got up early as usual, did his daily physical exercises, and after washing up, he began to practice calligraphy in the study.

Today he made an appointment with his classmates Cai Xiaoyu, Cui Anzhi, Liu Xiaoping and others to go to the East Courtyard of the Ministry of Rites at 3:15 pm to see the announcement of the results of the Yongzhou Academy examination.

Just after the Chen hour, Jia Cong prepared to finish practicing the last two large characters before going out.

At the same time, the butler Lai Da welcomed two foreign guests to Rongqing Hall.

One of the two foreign guests was a middle-aged man wearing an indigo Shu brocade robe and a jade belt around his waist. He had an upright figure, fierce eyes, and a military air.

Following behind him was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old, who looked similar to the middle-aged man, with a long sword hanging from his waist and a stern expression, and followed by a servant carrying gifts.

Jia She was already waiting outside Rongqing Hall. When he saw the two men coming, he stepped forward and greeted them, "General Wang, I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you?"

The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Big brother is always so nice. I dare not call you general. We are all family relatives. Just call me Zi Teng."

Wang Ziteng entered Rongqing Hall, met Lady Jia, and presented birthday gifts. Lady Wang and Baoyu were both in the hall with her.

Although Wang Ziteng is now working in the military, his conversation is smart and appropriate, without any of the roughness of a military commander. After all, he is the leader of the Wang family among the four major families, and his manners are also quite good.

He seemed to be completely unaware that his wife had been severely disciplined by Jia Cong in this hall yesterday.

Wang Ziteng glanced at Baoyu standing behind Mrs. Wang and said with a smile, "Old lady, Baoyu has grown up and has become even more outstanding. This child has been smart and clever since he was young.

I heard that my brother-in-law has been teaching me how to study, and I'm afraid that in a few years he will be able to win the imperial examination and bring honor to the family.

I am not praising my own nephew, but I have seen many sons of noble families in the capital, and few are as outstanding as Baoyu."

Grandmother Jia knew that Wang Ziteng was a capable man. Although he had the support of the Jia family, if he did not have the ability himself, he would never be able to hold on to the position of Jiedushi of the Beijing Camp.

In Grandmother Jia's heart, she dotes on Baoyu the most, so it is natural that a person like Wang Ziteng praises him. After hearing these words, her face was full of smiles, and she felt very happy.

As for whether it was too ridiculous to say that Baoyu would win the first prize in the imperial examination, the old lady automatically ignored it.

When Baoyu heard that he was actually associated with the four words "winning the imperial examination", the corners of his mouth could not help but twitch. He touched the jade on his chest and lowered his head again.

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Baoyu is the most filial and polite child. He is the most caring among all my children and grandchildren. His father has always urged him to study."

Wang Ziteng added: "Speaking of studying, I heard that the old lady's son Cong entered Qingshan Academy a few years ago and did very well in his studies."

He then said to Jia She, "My elder brother has taught his children well. I heard that Cong was recommended by Lord Jing'an to enter Qingshan Academy, which shows that this child is talented.

I'm afraid that in a few years you will be able to go to school and become an official. You are so lucky, brother."

Jia She blushed and said, "That beast... He is just a young boy who has read a few books. It is not worth it for him to pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar."

When Wang Ziteng heard this, there was a barely perceptible sarcasm in his eyes.

Yesterday he heard his wife come back crying and saying that she was humiliated by that bastard Jia Cong in the Jia Mansion and that she had lost all her face.

Wang Ziteng knew that his wife was not a shrewd person and would inevitably do things without measure, but the Jia and Wang families were relatives, and the other party didn't even give them any face, which made him feel dissatisfied.

He did not come here to call for an accusation today, but he had long planned to celebrate Lady Jia's birthday. After all, his official position was inherited from the Jia family, and this favor was of great importance.

Just now he asked briefly about Jia Cong, with no intention of taking advantage of him or venting his anger. He just asked casually when talking about Baoyu.

Having reached his position, he has an extraordinary vision. He is not like a woman who is vindictive and always considers things from a big picture perspective.

Moreover, he is now seeking the position of commander of nine provinces through Jia Zheng and the Jia family's connections. The relationship between this juncture and the Jia family is of utmost importance.

How could he ruin his future by making trouble for no reason just because of his wife's trivial anger? But when he mentioned Jia Cong just now, Jia She had such an expression and voice.

Wang Ziteng was a sophisticated bureaucrat, so how could he not see the truth?

When Jia She talked about Jia Cong, he even called him a beast, even in front of outsiders, which shows how much he disliked this son.

He had also heard that Madam Jia had always disliked this grandson the most.

After all this time, it turns out that this kid not only has a humble background, but is also hated by everyone in the Jia family.

With his weight, he actually dared to ridicule his own wife in public. He really doesn't know his own place.

At this time, the young man behind Wang Ziteng said, "Old lady, I have never seen this brother Cong. Even though he is outstanding, can you please come and see him? After all, we are brothers."

The person who spoke was Wang Yi, Wang Ziteng’s only son.

Wang Ziteng frowned when he heard what his son said. Yesterday, his wife came home and cried, and his son's face became gloomy when he heard it. He probably felt unfair for his mother.

When I heard him say that he wanted to invite Jia Cong to come over for a meeting, I knew that no one knows a son better than his father, and it was clear that he had bad intentions.

He went to the mansion to celebrate the birthday and brought his son with him to show respect. If he had known that the boy had such thoughts, he would not have allowed him to come.

But his son had already spoken, and if he did not express his opinion or say that he did not need to be invited to meet him, it would seem strange and would not be worth it for the old lady to think that he had ulterior motives.

He called everyone to the hall and kept an eye on them himself. He thought his son wouldn't be able to cause any trouble, so he could just get away with it.

"Old lady, Yi'er only knows how to wield swords and guns, and can't concentrate on studying. If he gets close to a brother like Cong'er who is outstanding in literature and art, he can also be influenced by him. Why not invite him to meet you?"

Grandmother Jia's face froze. She had asked that boy to come and meet people yesterday, but it turned out to be like that.

Why do you want to see him again today? Grandmother Jia felt a little uneasy and thought, don't you know that boy has a bad nature?

But he couldn't just say he didn't want to see him, as that would be rude and Wang Ziteng would not look good.

Helplessly, he could only ask Yuanyang to call someone over.

……

Before Yuanyang reached Qingzhizhai, she happened to meet Jia Cong on the way. He told her that Uncle Wang wanted to see him and the old lady asked her to call someone.

After hearing this, Jia Cong's face showed some impatience. Uncle Wang of the Wang family, isn't it Wang Ziteng?

Yesterday, I was asked to go to Rongqing Hall to meet guests, but I was humiliated by Wang Zhang for no reason. Although I fought back fiercely and made Wang Zhang look very embarrassed.

But that doesn't mean Jia Cong is willing to experience such a scene again. He just dealt with the woman yesterday, and today the man came. Could it be that he wants to come back for revenge?

Jia Cong didn't want to give people this kind of opportunity. What uncle from the Wang family? He was Baoyu's uncle. He lived in a different house from him, so how could he be his uncle?

Thinking of Wang Zhang's stupid way of provoking trouble, Jia Cong no longer had a good impression of the Wang family. He said he would meet them, but who did he think he was?

"Sister Yuanyang, please tell the old lady that today is the day when the results of the Yongzhou Academy Examination will be announced. My classmates and I have already agreed to go to the Ministry of Rites to check the results. I don't want to break my promise."

Suddenly someone shouted, "You are Jia Cong. My father called you to meet him, but you refused to go. You are so brave!"

I saw a boy of about fifteen or sixteen walking out from behind a rockery behind Yuanyang, with a long sword hanging from his waist and a very unfriendly look on his face.

(End of this chapter)