Chapter 16: Dream of the Red Chamber 14

Jia Lian and Liu Xianglian followed Jia Zhu south; they would also participate in the imperial examinations this time to test the waters.

No one held great expectations for them to pass the scholar exams.

However, given their abilities, they should be able to pass as *tongsheng* (candidates).

When Liu Zhong returned to the manor, he found the entire family in high spirits.

Jia Yuanchun’s brow was filled with joy and bashfulness.

Liu Zhong raised an eyebrow, a guess forming in his mind.

Sure enough, Mother Liu spoke up first with a smile: "Zhong'er, you are going to be a father."

Liu Zhong put on an expression of delight: "Really? That's wonderful."

He walked to Jia Yuanchun's side, took her hand, and said softly, "You have worked hard."

"It wasn't hard," Jia Yuanchun replied, her heart swelling with even more joy. "I am very happy."

Upon hearing of her daughter's pregnancy, Lady Wang came to the Liu manor the next day to visit.

Seeing that only Baoqin, a familiar maid, was by Jia Yuanchun's side, she asked, "Where are Cuiyan and the others? Why aren't they attending to you?"

Jia Yuanchun said, "I found them matches and let them marry into other families."

Lady Wang snapped, "Foolish! Those were the candidates for your bedchamber maids that I specifically prepared for you. Their families are all in the Rongguo Mansion, making them easy to manage. Now that you've sent them away, who will attend to your husband during your pregnancy? Do you intend to promote the maids from the Liu family?"

Jia Yuanchun shook her head. "Husband said he does not want other women attending to him. During my pregnancy, he will be staying in the study."

Lady Wang felt a sense of frustration at her daughter's perceived naivety. "What man doesn't stray? He might just be keeping a little mistress in that study. Wasn't that Concubine Zhao exactly what your father kept in his study to provide 'red sleeves and fragrant incense'?"

Jia Yuanchun defended him, "Husband promised me there would be no concubines or bedchamber maids, and so there won't be. The only servants in his study are young attendants and elderly nannies; there are no young women."

Lady Wang still did not believe that Liu Zhong would remain faithful, but Jia Yuanchun did. Seeing that she could not win the argument against her daughter, Lady Wang could only leave in frustration.

She thought to herself that only after Jia Yuanchun suffered a loss would she learn to listen to her own mother.

Unfortunately, even when Jia Yuanchun gave birth, Lady Wang never saw Liu Zhong take up a concubine or a bedchamber maid.

While happy for her daughter, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

How could her daughter be so lucky to encounter such a good man as her son-in-law, while she herself had married a useless hypocrite?

The frustration weighed on Lady Wang until she eventually fell ill.

Fortunately, news arrived in the capital that Jia Zhu had passed the scholar exams. This cheered Lady Wang up, and her illness resolved itself naturally.

Not long after, Jia Zhu returned to the capital with Lin Ruhai's family.

In the original story, Lin Ruhai died of exhaustion while serving as the Salt Transport Commissioner.

That was because he was a man of the Retired Emperor; even though the Emperor knew Lin Ruhai's situation was difficult, he would not assist him, only squeezing out the last bit of his utility.

But in this world, the Emperor, considering Lin Ruhai was the uncle of Jia Hu, and seeing that Lin Ruhai was truly talented and capable, allowed his influence in the Jiangnan region to support him.

Lin Ruhai was very tactful; he immediately pledged his loyalty to the Emperor, becoming one of the Emperor's men.

Therefore, he did not linger in the dangerous position of Salt Transport Commissioner. The Emperor issued an edict recalling Lin Ruhai to the capital.

Of course, Lin Ruhai would not return to the capital empty-handed.

He held in his hands most of the data regarding the Jiangnan salt administration, as well as evidence of collusion between salt merchants and local officials.

Once the Emperor obtained this data and evidence, he could strike at the officialdom and salt fields of Jiangnan.

Jia Daishen and Lady Jia were both delighted by the return of Jia Min and Lin Ruhai, and the two immediately invited the Lin family to reside in the Rongguo Mansion.

Thinking that the Lin residence still needed repairs and that his wife had not seen her parents for a long time and wished to fulfill her filial duties, Lin Ruhai agreed to stay at the Rongguo Mansion.

The Rongguo Mansion held a grand banquet, and Liu Zhong, as the grandson-in-law, also returned to the mansion with his wife.

Meeting Lin Ruhai again, the latter nodded at Liu Zhong with satisfaction and praise.

The daughter and son-in-law had returned, and the second grandson had passed the scholar exams.

Jia Daishen, in high spirits due to the auspicious events, shared several drinks with his son-in-law and son.

Jia Baoyu hovered around Lin Daiyu and Lin's younger brother, though he primarily hovered around Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu did not dislike this third cousin; she felt he was somewhat endearing, as if she had met him somewhere before.

Jia Baoyu had similar thoughts, but he would not rashly point at "Little Sister Lin" and say, "I have seen this sister before," as he did in the original story.

Without the influence of the evil magic from the Jade of Spiritual Mindfulness, although Jia Baoyu appreciated beautiful things, he knew his place and would not behave impolitely toward girls.

Furthermore, after years of his teacher's guidance, Jia Baoyu would never say things like "daughters are water" or "scholars are bookworms."

Watching the interaction between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, Jia Min's eyes flickered as she looked toward her mother.

Receiving her signal, Lady Jia smiled and asked, "How is it? The two 'Yus' are quite a good match, aren't they?"

Jia Min nodded, but then frowned slightly and whispered, "I am afraid Second Sister-in-law will not like Daiyu."

Lady Jia snorted and said, "I am still here; she can dream if she thinks she can bully Yu-girl."

Jia Min felt even more moved, but considering her daughter was not yet seven and still quite young, she said, "Let's wait until they are older; they are still too small now."

Lady Jia agreed and changed the subject.

Lady Wang did not overhear the conversation between Lady Jia and Jia Min. Her mind was entirely focused on her son, Jia Zhu.

Now that her son was back, she could begin looking for a wife for him.

With Jia Hu having emerged from the Rongguo Mansion, his younger siblings had also become highly sought after.

However, since Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng had a good relationship, there was a tacit understanding between the Rongguo Mansion and the Wang family. Since Jia Baoyu, Jia Huan, and Jia Cong were still young, the most sought-after person was naturally Jia Zhu.

Lately, Lady Wang had encountered many noble ladies inquiring about Jia Zhu's marriage prospects.

Lady Wang was extremely proud, intent on marrying Jia Zhu to a wife from a high-status family with a substantial dowry.

After the grand banquet ended, Liu Zhong and Jia Yuanchun returned home.

The first thing Jia Yuanchun did was go to see her chubby little son.

Liu Zhong followed behind his wife, watching her hold and interact with their son.

A faint smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

Two days later, while Liu Zhong was still at the Hanlin Academy, he received news from a servant: Jia Daishen had died.

He had passed away in his sleep, a smile still lingering on his lips.

Jia Daishen must have been satisfied.

He had lived ten years longer than in the original story, seeing the third generation of the Rongguo Mansion grow up and become capable of bearing its heavy responsibilities.

He saw that his grandsons were more capable and successful than their predecessors.

—This time, not only did Jia Zhu pass the scholar exams, but Jia Lian and Liu Xianglian also luckily passed as scholars at the very end of the list.

He saw the birth of the fourth generation of the Rongguo Mansion: Jia Hu's son was born a full month before Liu Zhong's son.

He saw his daughter happily returning to her parental home for a visit.

Jia Daishen must have felt that this life of his was sufficiently complete.

(End of Chapter)