Chapter 5: The hospital can open.
Chapter 5: The hospital can open.
In contrast, Madam Wang was different. Although she was plain-looking, she appeared very gentle and kind. Because she often chanted scriptures and prayed to Buddha, she carried the scent of sandalwood, which made her seem even more gentle and compassionate. If Jia Huan hadn't had the memories of the original owner of this body and knew how Madam Wang had treated him and Aunt Zhao, he might have really thought she was a kind and easy-going person just by looking at her compassionate appearance.
At this moment, Jia Baoyu, who was standing beside Lady Wang, was exactly as everyone praised: "His face was like the moon on Mid-Autumn Festival, his complexion like the flowers of spring dawn, his sideburns were as if cut by a knife, his eyebrows were as black as ink, his nose was like a hanging gall, his eyes were like autumn waves, and even when he was angry, he seemed to be smiling, and even when he glared, he was affectionate." The original owner of this body was already quite different from Jia Baoyu in terms of appearance alone, so it is no wonder that the elders in the mansion preferred Baoyu.
Looking at the three girls sitting beside her, each one was strikingly beautiful, in their teens, in the prime of their youth. All three wore the same makeup, hairpins, and skirts. Yingchun was gentle and quiet, approachable to behold; Tanchun was bright-eyed and intelligent, possessing refined literary talent; Xichun, though slightly younger, had bright eyes, white teeth, and exquisite features.
The three women, plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, each possess their own unique beauty. The eldest sister, Yuan Chun, entered the palace when the original owner was very young, so the original owner had little memory of her, but it was said that she was also a beautiful woman.
After observing for a while, Jia Huan regained his composure and heard Jia Zheng read out the names of the people the Imperial Concubine had called for to stay: his own three daughters, Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun; Jia Mu's granddaughter, Lin Daiyu; Xue Baochai, the daughter of Aunt Xue, Wang Furen's sister; and finally, Jia Baoyu. Sure enough, his name was not among them.
Lady Wang looked at Jia Zheng, who was reading the imperial edict for the Imperial Concubine, with a virtuous smile on her face, but she was quite pleased with herself. Although she had lost Zhu'er, Heaven had eyes, and her daughter had become an Imperial Concubine. From now on, even the old lady in the mansion would have to look up to her. Her good days had finally arrived.
Lady Wang glanced at Jia Huan, thinking about his change today, and made a plan in her mind. She smiled and said, "Master, in the past, it was Zhu'er's wife who led the girls to study and learn needlework and etiquette. Now, why not let her live in the courtyard as well, and still lead the girls? But our grandson Jia Lan is still young and can't be separated from his mother. Let him go with his mother too."
The "Zhu'er's wife" that Lady Wang mentioned refers to Li Wan, Jia Zhu's widow. She was determined to remain chaste and devoted herself to raising her son Jia Lan to adulthood. The young ladies in the family learned manners from this elder sister-in-law.
Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement: "Yes, Madam."
Jia Zheng considered it for a moment, then felt something was amiss, and said, "Now that Baoyu has entered the garden, it wouldn't be good to leave Huan'er out."
Upon hearing this, Madam Wang's eyes suddenly sharpened, but quickly disappeared when Jia Zheng looked over: "Her Majesty's decree did not mention Huan'er. If we rashly let him in, I'm afraid Her Majesty will be displeased if she finds out later. Besides, Zhu'er's wife is a woman, and she went in for the sake of the young ladies in the family. Huan'er is a man after all. How can he move in without Her Majesty's permission?"
Jia Zheng frowned upon hearing this. Although he was unwilling to show favoritism, what Lady Wang said made sense.
Lady Wang didn't want Jia Huan to enter the Grand View Garden. Seeing Jia Zheng's wavering, she quickly pressed on: "Huan'er originally lived with Aunt Zhao in the east wing. He only came to Qingfeng Courtyard to recuperate because he was sick. However, he is still not fully recovered and it is not good to move him. Why not just give him Qingfeng Courtyard? It is a quiet place and most suitable for recuperation. Besides, he is already ten years old, and it is not good for him to live with Aunt Zhao anymore."
Lady Wang's words directly drove Jia Huan out of Rongxi Hall!
Lady Wang's words were reasonable and persuasive, making it difficult for Jia Zheng to refuse: "Then let Huan'er officially move into Qingfeng Courtyard. Just make sure he has all the necessary staff and belongings. After all, temporary residence is different from permanent residence."
"Don't worry, sir. No matter what, I am Huan'er's legal mother, and I will naturally make proper arrangements for him. This time, when Baoyu and the others move into the Grand View Garden, in addition to their respective wet nurses and personal maids, the old lady has arranged for two more old nannies, four maids, and six more to take care of cleaning and tidying. Huan'er can follow the same arrangement."
Jia Huan stood by, pretending to be oblivious to their conversation, until he heard them settle the matter. Only then did he stand up and say, "Thank you for your trouble, Madam!"
Madam Wang nodded, smiled, and took a sip of tea.
This time, she not only prevented Jia Huan from moving into the Grand View Garden, but also made him move out of Rongxi Hall and into a secluded courtyard in the Rongguo Mansion, further away from the sight of everyone in the mansion. In addition, he is now in poor health and gets out of breath after walking a few steps. She won't let him pay his respects, won't let him go to school, and he won't even be allowed to see Jia Zheng! His presence will be further weakened.
However, no one would speak ill of Madam Wang, after all, she was only doing it for the good of this 'son', which is why she made him move out of Rongxi Hall. She sent him to a secluded and quiet courtyard because he needed to recuperate. Besides, Qingfeng Courtyard is spacious, elegant, and exquisitely decorated; it is a very nice courtyard!
Moreover, his food, clothing, and other necessities were all in accordance with the usual practices of the household, and his servants were all comparable to those of Baoyu.
What kind of servants serve Baoyu more than Huan'er?
Those were people bestowed upon them by the old lady; they did not receive Baoyu's share.
She was a first-rate loving mother, and she didn't treat her illegitimate son any differently!
Jia Huan, you might as well just be forgotten by the Jia family!
Madam Wang sneered inwardly.
Jia Huan understood Madam Wang's intentions and muttered to himself, "Madam Wang has some clever tricks up her sleeve!"
If it were the original owner of this body here, even if he doesn't understand now, Aunt Zhao would definitely make him understand the stakes when they get back. She would definitely scold him for being useless, and if she were to stir things up a bit more, he would probably go crazy on the spot.
But now Jia Huan is here. He was worried about moving back to live with Aunt Zhao, but now Madam Wang has solved that problem for him. Moreover, he can stay away from the public eye and live his own life.
Although Madam Wang originally intended to trick him, it turned out to be exactly what he wanted, and she inadvertently helped him.
Jia Huan readily accepted Lady Wang's decision to formally move out, which infuriated Aunt Zhao, who was standing at the door. However, she dared not be presumptuous in front of Jia Zheng and his wife, and could only suppress her anger in her heart, cursing Jia Huan in her mind for being a brainless brat who didn't know right from wrong and was easily dismissed by Lady Wang.
Jia Zheng had always been indifferent to the affairs of the inner quarters, and now he was even more unaware of what his wives and concubines were thinking. Seeing that Lady Wang had arranged everything, he didn't say much, but only told Jia Huan to take good care of his health. He then turned around and told Bao Yu, "Your sisters are studying and writing in the courtyard. You must study hard. If you are not obedient, you will be in trouble."
Jia Baoyu readily agreed.
Jia Zheng was quite annoyed by his appearance: "You beast who's doing homework, get out of here!"
Madam Wang quickly said to Jia Huan and the others, "You should all go back and tidy up your things."
Jia Huan and the others acknowledged this and withdrew in turn.
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