I'm in the Red Mansion

Chapter 9 Baoyu gets beaten
In Rongqing Hall, Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu sat on both sides of Grandmother Jia, the three sisters Yingchun, Tanchun and Xichun were sitting below, and Wang Xifeng stood in front of Grandmother Jia serving her.

The maids and servants in the room all chimed in and said, "We have another talented scholar in our house. He will surely pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar in the future. Congratulations, old ancestor. Congratulations, old ancestor."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "This is clearly the credit of our ancestors."

Grandmother Jia looked at Wang Xifeng and asked with a smile, "This is strange. It is obvious that Cong has talent and is willing to work hard. What does this have to do with me?"

Wang Xifeng said sternly, "Your Majesty, you are wrong. Your Majesty is an old noble, blessed with great fortune. How could a little boy like Cong have such great fortune?"

"It's obvious that he got some of the blessings from the ancestors, which is why he got such good fortune. The grandson's wife does have something to say, the ancestors are too partial and don't give me more blessings."

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Since you say so, I will simply give you more blessings so that you can also pass the imperial examination and become the top female scholar. How about that?"

Wang Xifeng clapped her hands and laughed, "That couldn't be better!"

Everyone in the room burst into laughter.

At this moment, Lin Daiyu couldn't help thinking: When I first met Brother Cong, he was practicing calligraphy by the lake. I didn't expect him to be so smart. I'm afraid he will be able to pass the imperial examination in a few years.

The three sisters Yingchun, Tanchun and Xichun were also amazed.

Although Jia Cong is a brother to them, he has always been an unknown person and they only see each other a few times a year.

They didn't expect that Third Brother Cong was so smart and studious.

When Jia Baoyu saw that everyone was flattering Jia Cong, his face suddenly became gloomy.

He could not help but take off the jade and threw it away.

Everyone was so frightened that they rushed to pick up the jade.

Grandmother Jia hugged Baoyu anxiously and said, "You evil creature! If you are angry, it is easy to beat and scold people, but why bother to smash your vitals!"

Jia Baoyu said angrily: "Except for the Four Books, everything else is fabricated. Cong Lao San is just a vulgar parasite, and you still praise him!"

Grandmother Jia said hurriedly, "I was wondering why. It turns out it's because of this. If you don't like him, just don't let him come to the front in the future."

"You should only say this to me, and never tell anyone else. If your father hears it, you will definitely suffer again."

For Grandmother Jia, the fact that the Jia family had a talented scholar was naturally a pleasant surprise, but it was not worth anything.

For a noble family like the Jia family, having a scholar is just a matter of course.

Unless Jia Cong can pass the imperial examination, or even become a Jinshi.

But according to Jia Dairu, this Cong brother is just a little clever, and he is a bastard's son, so Baoyu does not like him.

Therefore, Grandmother Jia did not take Jia Cong's talent to heart.

Jia Baoyu then nodded and said, "Grandfather, I know it, but I won't let you hear it."

When Lin Daiyu saw this situation, she felt even more disgusted with Jia Baoyu.

After sitting for a while, Lin Daiyu left Rongqing Hall, and Jia Baoyu followed her out in a hurry.

Seeing this, everyone in the room couldn't help but laugh.

Jia Baoyu walked a few steps quickly to catch up with Lin Daiyu and said, "Sister Lin, wait for me. I know you love books, and I have just found a few rare books. Sister Lin, come with me and take a look."

After saying this, Jia Baoyu stretched out his hand and was about to pull Lin Daiyu's sleeve.

Lin Daiyu hurriedly stepped back and said sternly, "Men and women should not touch each other, please respect yourself, Brother Bao."

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu immediately looked embarrassed.

Lin Daiyu added, "Besides, my father is also a vulgar parasite in the eyes of Second Brother Bao. It would be better for Second Brother Bao to see me less often in the future, so as not to tarnish his noble character."

Jia Baoyu said hurriedly: "Sister Lin, I was talking about the third brother Cong just now, and I didn't mean to blaspheme my uncle. If I had any disrespectful thoughts, I would die immediately...Sister Lin, Sister Lin!"

It turned out that Lin Daiyu had already walked away before he could finish. Jia Baoyu's full moon face turned red, and he left angrily for a long time, but in his heart, he had already hated Cong Lao San.

It’s all the fault of the third brother Cong. Otherwise, why would Sister Lin hate me to this extent?

……

The news that Jia Cong was a scholar spread quickly in Rongguo Mansion.

It is said that Jia Zheng learned the news soon after he got off duty.

Jia Zheng's face suddenly turned gloomy.

He was not jealous of Jia Cong, but through Jia Cong's progress, he suddenly associated it with Jia Baoyu's lack of ambition.

Jia Zheng originally disliked Jia Baoyu very much. Now that he had other children to compare him with, his disgust for Jia Baoyu increased even more.

Jia Zheng could not help but order, "Go and ask that evil creature Baoyu to come see me."

"Yes, sir."

Soon, Jia Zheng's servant found Jia Baoyu eating the rouge on the maid's lips.

When Jia Baoyu heard that the master was looking for him, he was suddenly struck by lightning. He lost all interest and became terrified.

While Jia Baoyu quietly asked his maid to deliver a letter to Jia's grandmother, he walked towards Jia Zheng's study, Mengpo Zhai, as if he had lost his parents or was going to the execution ground.

Soon, they arrived at Mengpo Zhai.

When Jia Zheng saw Jia Baoyu, who was trembling with fear as if he was avoiding a cat or a mouse, he felt more and more disgusted.

He couldn't help but ask: "Let me ask you, how many of the Four Books have you memorized?"

Jia Baoyu said timidly: "My Lord, I have only memorized the first five chapters of the Great Learning."

Brother Cong had already memorized all the Four Books and Five Classics, but this damn beast only memorized the first five chapters of the University?

Jia Zheng was getting more and more angry. He could not help saying, "Recite what you know for me."

Jia Baoyu took a deep breath and said desperately, "Yes, Master."

"The way of a university is to manifest the bright virtue and to be close to the people..."

I recited the first two passages quite fluently, without any mistakes or omissions.

But when it came to the third article, I started to stumble.

The fourth and fifth chapters are even more intermittent and fragmented.

At this time, the anger in Jia Zheng's heart had already spread like wildfire.

He shouted, "You evil beast! Is this how you study?"

"Brother Cong has memorized all the Four Books and Five Classics. And you have only memorized two chapters of the university. You, you are a useless person!"

"Someone, come here! Tie up this evil beast with ropes, and break his legs with a stick. Let's see if he dares to fool around again in the future."

Several of Jia Zheng's servants immediately took Baoyu down, pressed him on a stool and started beating him.

Jia Zheng thought the beating was not light enough and was about to take action himself, but Jia's mother arrived in time and stopped Jia Zheng.

After scolding Jia Zheng, Grandmother Jia took Jia Baoyu away with great heartache and sent him back to his room.

After personally watching people apply the medicine to him, Jia's mother returned to Rongqing Hall.

(End of this chapter)