I'm in the Red Mansion

Chapter 42: Cong Lao San, You're in Trouble

Xiren said hurriedly: "No, it's just that this matter is related to the Third Master Cong of the eldest house."

"But I'm afraid my wife will get suspicious and think I'm trying to sow discord between the brothers. Not only will my words be in vain, but I'll also have no place to bury my body."

Hearing this, Mrs. Wang hurriedly asked, "I trust you the most, how can I doubt you? Tell me, what's going on?"

After hearing what Mrs. Wang said, Xiren said, "Madam, please look at this painting."

As she spoke, Xiren took out Baoyu's portrait from her pocket, opened it, and placed it on the table in front of Mrs. Wang.

Mrs. Wang looked at it and couldn't help but sigh in amazement, "I didn't expect that there is someone in this world who can paint such a likeness. I wonder where this portrait came from? And what is its relationship with Cong-ge'er?"

Xiren couldn't help but say, "Madam, this painting was painted by Third Master Cong. It was a coincidence today. Baoyu went to the front street to buy books and happened to meet Third Master Cong painting for someone on the street. He charged one tael of silver for each painting."

"When Baoyu saw it, he wanted to help, so he asked Master Cong to draw a picture for him. Baoyu was delighted to see that the painting was good, so he gave him five taels of silver."

Having said this, Xiren paused slightly when she saw that Mrs. Wang looked thoughtful.

After waiting for a while, she continued, "I heard from Baoyu that the reason why Third Master Cong went out to sell paintings was to earn money to buy medicine for Aunt Mei."

"It's not a big deal, but I thought that although Third Master Cong is a bastard, he is still a young master of the mansion."

"If word gets out that he has to sell his paintings to raise money to buy medicine for his mother's illness, I'm afraid he will be laughed at by outsiders."

"Although this is only the eldest wife's business, if Baoyu had never met Third Master Cong and asked Third Master Cong to paint his portrait, he could still pretend that he didn't know anything about it."

"But since Baoyu already knows about it, if we let Third Master Cong continue to sell paintings, I'm afraid Baoyu's reputation will also be affected."

"It would be fine if I hadn't thought of this, but since I have thought of it, why shouldn't I tell you? That's why I took advantage of Baoyu's deep sleep to go there."

When Mrs. Wang heard this, she clasped her hands and chanted "Amitabha". She couldn't help but call out to Xiren:
"My son, you are a wise and thoughtful person. Although I have heard people praising you behind your back recently, I still don't believe it."

"I'm afraid you're just paying attention to Baoyu, or being friendly in front of others. These little things are good, so I treat you and the old aunt as one."

"Who knows that what you said is all great truth, just like what I think. You can go now, I have my own reason."

"But there is one more thing: since you said this today, I will hand him over to you. Please take good care of him. If you save him, you will save me. I will certainly not let you down."

Xiren agreed and went.

After Xiren left, Mrs. Wang couldn't help but sneer and said, "A mere bastard is actually thinking of turning the world upside down?"

As she spoke, a gloomy look appeared on her face.

……

On the second day, Jia Cong got up early as usual and practiced Hunyuan Zhuang Gong, Ba Duan Jin and Bajiquan.

After washing, he went to school carrying his book box.

After going out the back door and walking to the intersection of Rongning Street, he waited for a while before Zhao Guoji drove over in a horse-drawn carriage.

After getting in the car, Jia Huan suddenly said to Jia Cong solemnly: "Third Brother Cong, you are in big trouble! Last night, Xiren ran to the Madam and reported you!"

"Today, the mistress will go to the old ancestor to complain about you. You should be careful that the master will beat you when he returns."

Hearing this, Jia Cong frowned and asked hurriedly, "Brother Huan, I wonder what Xiren has accused me of?"

Jia Cong didn't remember that he had offended Xiren recently, and he had never offended Jia Baoyu. What kind of bad thing did she accuse him of? Jia Huan couldn't help but say, "I heard that she was accusing you of selling paintings. If it gets out, people will laugh at you, and it will also affect Baoyu's reputation!"

What does it have to do with her that I sell paintings? What kind of scandal is this?
Although Jia Cong's soul is a fusion of two lives, the soul of the later life ultimately obtains more information.

Therefore, his thinking was also biased towards later generations. When he was preparing to sell his paintings, he really didn't think about the inappropriateness.

But now I think about it, according to the thinking of this era, for him, a young master of the Jia family, to go out and sell paintings is indeed a disgrace to his status and will also bring shame to the Jia family.

But what kind of complaint was Xiren making?
After thinking for a moment, Jia Cong vaguely guessed what Xiren was thinking.

The fact that she accused herself of something bad this time probably had nothing to do with her selling paintings.

Even if he brought shame to the Jia family and brought disgrace to the family, it had nothing to do with her.

The reason why she went to complain was, firstly, because Baoyu had beaten him because of her, and secondly, because she had emerged as a threat to Baoyu, at least that was what Xiren thought.

Third, through this incident, he came into Mrs. Wang's sight and gained her approval.

In the book Dream of the Red Chamber, Xiren once did something like this.

After Baoyu was beaten, Mrs. Wang asked someone to question him, and Xiren ran over in person.

Then he told the truth to Mrs. Wang.

And her amazing ability lies in that she did not accuse any specific person of something wrong, but instead used unfounded reasons to secretly say that someone was not disciplined, fearing that something might happen in the future and Baoyu's reputation would be ruined.

Soon after, Mrs. Wang drove out Qingwen, Si'er, Fangguan and other maids.

It can be seen that Xiren has a good tradition of reporting other people's wrongdoings.

Fortunately, Xiren's accusation of himself was probably heard by Caixia, who then secretly told Jia Huan, who then told himself.

If I hadn't known about it in advance and hadn't prepared a strategy to break the impasse, I would have suffered a great loss this time.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong couldn't help but say: "Brother Huan, thank you so much this time. When I'm free, I'll treat you to a drink."

Jia Huan sneered, "I told you this with good intentions, am I trying to get something from you?"

"Third Brother Cong, you'd better run away while no one is around to catch you! If the master catches you, I'm afraid he will beat you to death!"

Jia She can indeed do this.

Not to mention a nobody like him, even his legitimate son Jia Lian would be beaten at will, right?
However, since Jia Cong already knew about this matter in advance, there was room for maneuver.

Jia Cong couldn't help but say, "Things haven't gotten to that point yet, and the master isn't an unreasonable person. I'll talk to him nicely, and I'm afraid it will pass."

Jia Huan snorted heavily and said, "You are about to die, and you are still dreaming here! I am too lazy to pay attention to you."

"Forget it, forget it, I'll prepare the ointment for you in advance and wait to apply it to you!"

Jia Cong looked at Jia Huan and couldn't help but smile.

Although this guy is annoying, he is actually quite loyal.

(End of this chapter)