Chapter 4: Dream of the Red Chamber 2

Jia Hu was a good-tempered and talkative child, and Liu Tong learned quite a bit of news about the Jia family from him.

The current Jia Daishan was the Commander of the Capital, in charge of the military defense of the entire capital city.

The Emperor trusted Jia Daishan deeply.

Jia Hu’s mother was the daughter of the Crown Prince’s tutor; she was of noble status, well-read, and sensible, and she shared a very good relationship with Jia She.

Aside from his wife, Jia She had only one concubine, and there were no other "nightingales and swallows" in his backyard.

Lady Wang had married Jia Zheng last year and was now four months pregnant.

Because of this, Lady Wang did not attend this banquet.

……

Liu Tong reached out and patted Jia Hu’s little head.

The child was growing up under the care of his grandfather and parents, and he was raised to be very innocent. It was no wonder he would be easily plotted against and lose his life in the future.

Liu Tong: "From now on, big brother will look after you."

Jia Hu: "Tong-didi, you are younger than me. You are the younger brother, not the big brother."

Liu Tong: "……"

When the banquet ended, the Baron, the second uncle, had no intention of keeping his half-brothers, and the other branches of the family left grumbling and complaining.

Liu’s father and mother genuinely wanted to leave and go home as soon as possible, especially Liu’s mother.

Serving the Old Madam for an entire day was truly exhausting.

She just wanted to hurry back to her own home to rest.

The family of three rode in a carriage, with Liu Tong sandwiched between the couple.

Liu’s mother asked about Liu Tong’s day: "Did anyone bully you?"

Liu Tong shook his head: "No. Mother, I made a little friend. It’s Jia Hu from the Rongguo Mansion. Can I invite him to our house to play often?"

Hearing that her child had made a friend, Liu’s mother was very happy and agreed immediately: "Of course you can."

Liu’s father knew Jia Hu’s status and said: "He is the eldest legitimate grandson of the Duke of Rong; his status is noble. I’m afraid he won’t be able to come to our house whenever he pleases, right?"

Liu Tong didn't say anything, as he couldn't be sure if the Jia family would agree to Jia Hu associating with him, a collateral branch of the Duke of Li.

The truth was, Jia Hu’s grandfather and parents doted on him very much; as long as his requests weren't excessive, they would agree to them.

Moreover, Jia Hu just wanted to play with a companion of his own age; how could the elders possibly disagree?

Not long after, the Jia family sent someone over to pick up Liu Tong to play at the Rongguo Mansion.

Liu Tong followed the Rongguo Mansion servants into the estate and arrived at the East Courtyard.

At this time, there was no stable next to the East Courtyard; it was the residence of the heir to the Duke’s mansion.

Jia Hu was waiting at the gate of the courtyard. Seeing Liu Tong, he immediately ran over and hugged him.

"Tong-didi, you finally came!"

Liu Tong patted Jia Hu’s back and said: "Hu-ge'er, let me go."

"Oh, oh." Jia Hu released Liu Tong, switched to holding one of Liu Tong’s hands with one of his own, and pulled him into the courtyard: "Come, I’ll take you to see my mother."

Jia Hu’s mother, Lady Zhang, was a beautiful and gentle woman.

Her attitude toward Liu Tong was excellent, and Liu Tong could tell that she genuinely liked him.

After all, he was the only friend her son had acknowledged.

Of course, this also had to do with the fact that he was good-looking.

Who wouldn't like a beautiful and cute child?

Liu Tong also met Jia She, who was very concerned about his son and wanted to see his son’s friend with his own eyes.

Likewise, Jia She was very satisfied with Liu Tong.

After this, Jia She and Lady Zhang took Liu Tong and Jia Hu to the Lixiang Courtyard to pay their respects to Jia Daishan.

When visiting someone else’s home, how could one not pay respects to the head of the household?

Liu’s mother had even prepared gifts for everyone in the Jia family.

Jia Daishan’s attitude was kind.

He was about fifty years old, with a refined appearance; he didn't look like a general who led troops into battle, but rather like an elegant scholar.

Jia She and Jia Hu’s physical advantages were both inherited from Jia Daishan, which showed just how handsome he was.

Jia Daishan only spoke a few words to Liu Tong before dismissing them.

He was very busy; even at home, he had to handle many affairs.

Jia She and Lady Zhang then took the two children to the Rongqing Hall to see Lady Jia Shi.

Although Lady Jia Shi did not care for her eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law, she was very fond of her eldest legitimate grandson.

Furthermore, she was a person who valued appearances and liked good-looking people.

Liu Tong was fair, tender, and cute, like a little rice dumpling, and he immediately caught Lady Jia Shi’s eye.

Lady Jia Shi held Liu Tong in one arm and Jia Hu in the other, ordering the maidservants to bring out small snacks immediately.

The food at the Jia Mansion was indeed very delicious; Liu Tong felt it was no worse than some modern desserts.

It was just a bit too oily, which wasn't very friendly for a child’s digestion.

Liu Tong thought of cakes and egg tarts.

He wanted to eat them.

They stayed at the Rongqing Hall for quite a while, mainly because Lady Jia Shi wouldn't let them leave.

Lady Jia Shi dismissed Lady Zhang and Jia She, leaving the two children to keep her company.

Jia Hu was a filial child; although he wanted to play alone with his little friend, he still obediently stayed to keep his grandmother company.

Liu Tong, an "old cucumber painted with green lacquer," naturally wouldn't be as rowdy as an ordinary child and cause trouble for his friend.

With his sweet little mouth, he said things that Lady Jia Shi loved to hear, coaxing her until she was beaming with joy, wishing that Liu Tong were her own biological grandson.

The two little ones ate lunch there, and only after Lady Jia Shi took her afternoon nap did they leave the Rongqing Hall.

They first returned to the East Courtyard to report to Lady Zhang, and then Jia Hu pulled Liu Tong to play in the garden.

Liu Tong saw the large pond in the garden, then looked at the little child beside him and asked: "Do you know how to swim?"

Jia Hu shook his head.

Liu Tong: "Summer is almost here. When it arrives, I’ll invite you to my family’s villa. There’s a river nearby; let’s go swimming. It’s very refreshing."

Jia Hu: "But I don't know how to swim."

Liu Tong: "I do, I’ll teach you."

Jia Hu’s eyes sparkled, and he nodded vigorously.

Jia Hu liked his little friend Liu Tong so much that when it was time for Liu Tong to leave, he was reluctant to part and wanted to keep Liu Tong at the Rongguo Mansion forever.

Lady Zhang comforted her son and said softly: "Does Hu-er want to be separated from Mother?"

Jia Hu shook his head violently.

Lady Zhang: "By the same token, Tong-er doesn't want to be separated from his own mother either. We cannot stop him from going home to find his own mother."

Jia Hu: "Then can I invite Tong-didi to play often in the future?"

Lady Zhang: "Of course you can. However, only after you finish your lessons."

Jia Hu: "I will definitely study hard and finish my lessons on time."

Lady Zhang smiled with satisfaction.

After this, Jia Hu and Liu Tong visited each other frequently.

Sometimes Liu Tong went to the Rongguo Mansion, and sometimes Jia Hu came to the Liu residence.

In the summer, Liu Tong begged his father and mother to take him to the villa to escape the heat, and he invited Jia Hu along.

Jia Hu obtained Lady Zhang’s permission, packed his bags, and happily followed the Liu family to the villa outside the city.

Liu Tong kept his promise and took Jia Hu to the small river near the villa, teaching him how to swim.

Jia Hu was accompanied by a group of Rongguo Mansion servants; these were the people Lady Zhang had assigned to Jia Hu, and they had not yet been infiltrated or bought off by Lady Wang. With them protecting Jia Hu, he was very safe.

(End of chapter)