I'm in the Red Mansion

Chapter 12: Lin Daiyu Helps in Times of Need
Jia She sneered, "What a fool! I don't manage the family, so where did the ginseng come from? You should go ask the head of the family for it."

The situation in Rongguo Mansion is very strange. Jia She, as the eldest son, inherited the title, but the second house is the housekeeper.

In addition, Rongxi Hall, the main residence of Rongguo Mansion, is also where Jia Zheng and his wife from the second wife live.

Although Jia She did not take care of the household, Jia Cong was sure that Old Deng must have good things here, and he might have some high-quality ginseng.

But he was reluctant to give it away, and Jia Cong didn't want to ask for it again.

Jia Cong could not help but kneel on the ground and said, "Then I beg the master to lend me one or two hundred taels of silver, so that I can go out and buy ginseng to treat my aunt."

Upon hearing this, Jia She became furious.

He suddenly threw the blue and white porcelain wine glass in his hand at Jia Cong's head. The wine glass shattered and fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

Jia Cong's forehead was broken by the wine glass, and blood flowed out, soon dyeing half of his face red.

Jia She said angrily: "That bitch is always making trouble. How can she be so delicate? She must eat ginseng to be cured? She doesn't even consider whether she is worthy of eating ginseng!"

"You little bastard are the same as that bitch. You cheated me out of money! I must beat you to death today, or you will cause trouble in the future and bring trouble to me."

Having said this, Jia She was about to stand up and beat Jia Cong.

Yanhong and Qiutong pulled Jia She and said hurriedly, "Brother Cong, the master is angry, why don't you leave here quickly. When the master calms down, it won't be too late for you to apologize."

Jia Cong stood up from the ground, bowed to Jia She, turned around and strode away.

As he walked out of the house, his eyes became cold and grim.

Jia Cong quietly returned to his yard. Hongxiu was shocked when she saw Jia Cong's appearance.

While bandaging Jia Cong's wound, she asked in tears the reason.

After hearing the reason, Hongxiu said after a while: "Third Master is very filial, but he has to deal with such a master. There is nothing we can do about it."

"If it really doesn't work, then just do as Auntie said and don't buy ginseng first. Just take other medicines and try them first before making any decisions."

Jia Cong shook his head and said, "It hasn't come to that point yet. Let me think of another way."

After Hongxiu had bandaged the wound, Jia Cong went out again.

Since Jia She couldn't get through, he could only go to the front to seek help from Jia Mu, Mrs. Wang, and Wang Xifeng.

However, Grandmother Jia had just scolded me a few days ago and forbade me to go to the front, so it would be better to out of sight and out of mind.

If I run to her and beg her for help, will she help me?
Jia Cong also thought of a detail in the book "Dream of Red Mansions". Mrs. Wang needed two taels of ginseng to prepare medicine. Mrs. Wang did not have any, so she asked Grandmother Jia for help. Grandmother Jia gave her a large bag of ginseng as thick as a finger.

Zhou Ruijia showed it to the imperial physician and came back to report: "This packet of ginseng is of course top quality. Even thirty yuan won't give you this kind of ginseng nowadays."

"But it's too old. This thing is different from others. No matter how good it is, it will turn into ashes after only a hundred years."

"Although this one has not turned to ashes, it has become rotten wood and has no sexual power. Please take this one away, Madam. It doesn't matter if it's thick or thin. It would be better to replace it with a new one."

In other words, the ginseng that Lady Jia had had no medicinal properties left, and it would be useless even if someone asked for it.

Apart from Lady Jia, only Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng were left.

It was just that Baoyu had been beaten because of him a few days ago, and they must be holding a grudge against him. If he begged for forgiveness like this, they might not grant it.

But there is no other way now. Even if the chance is only one in ten thousand, I have to give it a try.

Suddenly, Jia Cong thought of another person, and that person was his elder sister-in-law Li Wan.

If there is really no other way, then go to Li Wan and try, maybe you can borrow some money. Thinking of this, Jia Cong could not help but walk out of the main house, head west to enter Rongguo Mansion from the west corner gate of the north gate of Rongguo Mansion, and then walk forward.

As soon as I arrived near Rong Xi Tang, I saw Lin Daiyu head-on.

At this time, Lin Daiyu was walking out from the flowers with a collection of poems in her hand, and her temperament looked even more celestial.

When Lin Daiyu saw Jia Cong, she couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Third Brother Cong, how did you get injured? Where are you going now?"

Jia Cong didn't want to say more, but then he thought that this matter couldn't be kept secret from anyone.

He smiled bitterly and explained the reason.

After hearing this, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but say, "My eldest uncle is the elder, and as a younger generation, it's hard for me to comment on him. It's rare that Third Brother Cong is so filial."

"I can lend you a few hundred taels of silver. I don't mean to look down on you. I just think that if you go to ask Madam or Sister Feng for help, and the ancestors find out, you will be in trouble."

"If Third Brother Cong doesn't think I'm frivolous, I'll send someone to get the silver."

When Jia Cong heard this, he was overjoyed.

Lin Daiyu was extremely intelligent and naturally realized that even if she went to ask Lady Wang or Wang Xifeng for help, she might not be able to get the money.

Now she is willing to lend me money, which is really a timely help.

Although Lin Daiyu in the book "Dream of Red Mansions" often cries about being poor and says that every blade of grass and every piece of paper comes from the Jia family, she is actually a wealthy woman.

As the Imperial Censor of Salt Inspection in Jiangnan, and one of his ancestors was a marquis, Lin Ruhai was naturally wealthy.

He had only one daughter, Lin Daiyu. How could it be possible that Lin Daiyu did not bring some silver with her when she traveled so far to the Jia Mansion?
Thinking of this, Jia Cong hurriedly bowed and said, "Sister Lin's action is truly a life-saving grace. I will never forget such a favor throughout my life, so how could I be so foolish as to blame Sister Lin?"

"Sister Lin, just lend me a hundred taels of silver and that will be enough."

In this era, the purchasing power of silver is still very strong. One hundred taels of silver is enough to buy medicine.

Lin Daiyu nodded after listening, then turned around and called Zijuan, whispered a few instructions to her, and Zijuan turned and left.

Soon, Zijuan brought the silver and gave it to Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu personally handed two silver notes worth one hundred taels to Jia Cong.

After receiving the banknote, Jia Cong could not help but bow deeply and said, "Thank you, Sister Lin, for helping me out of this crisis."

Lin Daiyu quickly dodged and returned the greeting, saying softly, "It's just a small favor, why should Third Brother Cong do this?"

"Speaking of which, you and I are in the same boat. Third Brother Cong is actually stronger than me. At least he still has his mother to rely on."

Speaking of this, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but redden her eyes.

Jia Cong bowed to Lin Daiyu again, then said goodbye to her, turned around and walked away.

Looking at Jia Cong's departing back, Lin Daiyu felt melancholy for a long time before she left.

The people in the Jia family are really ridiculous. They can't even tolerate a diligent and studious person like the third brother Cong.

Speaking of which, this Third Brother Cong is actually a pitiful man.

But at least he still has his mother to rely on, and he has two brothers and sisters who share the same mother.

Unlike me, I don’t even have a mother or a brother…

(End of this chapter)