Chapter Eight, General in Golden Armor

Jia Huan wore a look of "confusion" and "incomprehension," but he still had to listen to Grandmother Jia and continued speaking: "That General in Golden Armor said, our family rose to prominence through martial prowess, and our wealth and honor stem from martial achievements. How can there be such crude words? Do you dare to forget your roots?" Then... then he scolded his grandson again, mocking me as a blockhead, saying that even if I studied for a hundred years, I wouldn't be able to pass the examination for a scholar, and that being able to recognize a few characters was sufficient for school... Then he scolded his grandson again, mocking me as a blockhead, saying that even if I studied for a hundred years, I wouldn't be able to pass the examination for a scholar, and that being able to recognize a few characters was sufficient for school...

Jia Huan truly went all out, kneeling on the ground paved with red bricks, and he knocked his head three times with a loud thud.

Suddenly, a general clad in golden armor appeared in the darkness. He wielded a precious sword and with two swift strikes, severed the iron chains binding me to the two figures in black and white. I vaguely heard him shout at them, questioning what kind of demon dared to harm the descendants of a certain bloodline, though I did not fully comprehend it. In any case, he was the one who saved me

Because Lady Wang's eyes were too calm, so calm that one could not discern her thoughts, nor could one perceive her joys, anger, sorrows, or happiness

Jia Huan wore a face full of frustration and continued, "The grandson argued with that general, saying that I had studied in the clan school and was not a coarse martial man. Who would have thought that the general, upon hearing this, became furious and struck the back of my head hard with the blade of his sword. Ah! Yes, yes, I remember nothing at all; it must have been that general who struck me! That scoundrel... yes, yes, I remember nothing at all; it must have been that general who struck me! That scoundrel..."

The grandson has paid respects to the ancestors and the matriarch

The old lady, naturally referring to Lady Jia, upon hearing Yuanyang's playful remarks, could not help but smile when she recalled Jia Huan's swaying appearance just moments ago

Enough, enough, how pitiful, why hit so hard? Get up quickly

It is not that Yuanyang has any feelings for Jia Huan; he is merely a seven-year-old child. She is simply kind-hearted and concerned.

The crowd exclaimed in unison, their gazes towards Jia Huan varying, yet each reflected a degree of horror and disgust

Jia Mu let out a hum and said: "The beginning and end are loyalty and righteousness, as well as filial piety. That's enough, you may continue speaking, and once you are done, I will explain it to you clearly, for you do not understand."

Did he really meet the late Duke of Rongguo, Jia Daishan, who has been deceased for several decades?

After glancing at Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang slightly narrowed her eyes and then said to Jia Huan: "Huan'er, is this not something you made up to scare us in order to skip school?"

This time, even Lady Wang stood up, looking at Jia Huan in astonishment

Upon hearing this statement, the expressions of the crowd suddenly changed. Old Madam Shi's face grew stern, and her gaze towards Jia Huan took on a more scrutinizing quality.

Lady Wang also looked at Jia Huan with a face full of shock, for she had seen the late Duke of Rongguo before

Madam Wang listened with a sense of disbelief, her gaze towards Jia Huan filled with suspicion

Hurry up!

The girl following behind him, however, had a posture reminiscent of a delicate willow swaying in the wind, slender and frail, her movements akin to that of Xi Zi holding her heart.

Jia Huan felt that he truly had not lied, and he nodded emphatically.

However, these words are not something that his coarse and rude mother could teach him

Jia Baoyu may have been pushed away so roughly by Grandmother Jia for the first time in his life, looking at her in confusion as she trembled with excitement like a sieve

Even if Jia Huan's reaction was slow, he still knew that the pair of young children who could appear by Grandmother Jia's bedside could only be the renowned "Brother Bao" and "Sister Lin"

However, among those who are aware of this, only a few individuals in the entire Jia household who have seen the old duke are truly clear about it

Jia Huan said in a deep voice: "I cannot remember the previous events, only that on that day, everything suddenly went dark before my eyes, and I fainted. Then... then I found myself in complete darkness, unable to see anything or grasp anything. Just when I thought I had already died, suddenly, two figures appeared... one black and one white. Their... their tongues were very long..."

Lady Wang sought a loophole: "Then how do you recognize the old lady and me?"

I silently shouted: Damn it, this hurts so much

Jia Huan felt that he could truly stand in the position of the Oscar-winning Best Actor. His expression was somewhat timid, and his tone carried a hint of fear as he said: "It is true, ancestor, that golden-armored general really resembles him. He is just a bit taller, darker, and more robust."

Jia Huan said timidly in a low voice: "Yes, ancestor, I was just momentarily confused and should not have been unaware of loyalty and righteousness"

Jia Huan suddenly fell into a coma without any illness or disaster, and upon waking, he had forgotten everything from the past. It seemed as if he had been contaminated by something unclean

You ... ... please say that again

After standing still, Jia Huan greeted the plump old lady, who was half-asleep on the soft couch, and the silent lady sitting below with a bright smile that revealed six teeth, saying: "To pay respects to the ancestors and the ladies, one must be sincere."

Lady Wang quietly looked at Jia Huan and suddenly spoke: "Huan'er, can you truly not remember the past?"

It is indeed a natural display of elegance and charm

Grandmother Jia scolded, grabbing Yuanyang's hand with one hand, causing her great pain.

Grandmother Jia, with a stern expression, scolded, "How dare you insult him? If it weren't for him, how would you, this good-for-nothing, even exist?"

One is black, one is white, with a long tongue; what else could it be but the Black and White Impermanence

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia wore a face of deep sorrow, staring intently at Jia Huan without uttering a word. Although her eyes were fixed on Jia Huan, her gaze lacked focus, and her thoughts seemed to wander aimlessly.

Jia Huan continued, "Those two people locked me up with an iron chain and pulled me along, jumping and bouncing, not knowing where they were taking me. I was extremely frightened, so I cried out for help. Suddenly!"

Be quiet

An elderly woman sitting on the soft couch above finally spoke after Jia Huan finished his bowing.

Jia Huan secretly gave her a thousand negative reviews in his heart, but on the surface, he appeared to be sincerely fearful and said: "Madam, how could I dare to deceive the ancestors and you? Even if I had the audacity to deceive, I would not have the ability to escape the discerning eyes of the ancestors and you"

Jia Huan's sudden exclamation of "suddenly" caught the three people opposite him off guard, causing them to shiver in unison, yet they had no time to be annoyed with him, as Jia Huan continued to speak.

However, the somewhat agitated expression on Grandmother Jia's face indicated that she seemed to truly believe it. Grandmother Jia sat up and said in a serious tone: "Huan Ge'er, did that general say anything to you?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Huan paused slightly, as he truly did not know how to describe it. As thoughts raced through his mind, unsure of how to continue the deception, he noticed the curtain of the small drooping flower door being lifted, and two half-grown boys and girls walked in together.

Grandmother Jia enjoyed a life of health and wealth, and her greatest fondness was for joyous and auspicious things. Therefore, she cherished Jia Baoyu, who was born with a jade in his mouth, as well as those fair, clean, and beautiful young ladies.

Jia Huan's distinctly black-and-white eyes glanced at Lady Wang, yet he could not discern anything. After a moment of thought, he lowered his head and said: "It is indeed... quite terrifying, though I fear that the ancestors and the madam may not believe it."

Jia Huan expressed his gratitude to Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang.

Grandmother Jia, supported by Yuanyang, had tears welling in her old eyes as she looked at Jia Huan and commanded him

Madam Wang did not seem pleased, still wearing that expression of indifference. Her appearance could not be described as cold; objectively speaking, there was even a hint of kindness in her demeanor. However, when Jia Huan looked at her face, he could not reconcile the words 'kind' and 'benevolent' with her in his heart.

The boy at the front is slightly chubby, with a round face, fair complexion, and a well-proportioned appearance

Sitting cross-legged beside the old lady, the mandarin duck gently massaged her leg and, upon hearing this, burst into laughter, saying: "Old lady, look, isn't it like a different person? When Third Master got up just now, I bet there were stars in his eyes"

Jia Huan scratched his head upon hearing this and said, "Ancestor, your question has reminded me; he indeed mentioned some things to me. However, I find what he said rather strange..."

Grandmother Jia scolded, "Speak quickly, speak quickly, if there is anything unusual, I will understand it once I hear it"

Ah!

Two crescent-shaped brows, neither frowning nor relaxed, resemble misty smoke; a pair of eyes, neither joyful nor sorrowful, contain deep emotions

Upon hearing this, Lady Wang's eyes twitched slightly. In the past, Jia Huan could hardly complete a sentence in front of the old lady and her; how could he possibly say such things?

After glancing again at the gentle and smiling Lady Shi, Madam Wang asked, "So what exactly happened the day before yesterday? Everything was fine, and then you suddenly fell into a coma? The doctor said it wasn't a physical issue. Huan'er, how do you feel yourself?"

Tears glisten softly, accompanied by gentle gasps

Jia Huan shook his head, feeling a bit dizzy. When he stood up, his body swayed slightly, but in the end, he managed to steady himself.

The mandarin duck cast a worried glance at Jia Huan

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia suddenly burst into tears, grabbing the somewhat dazed Jia Baoyu beside her, holding him tightly in her arms, and lamenting: "Among so many sons and grandsons, why do I love Baoyu the most? It is because he resembles his grandfather the most! That golden-armored general who saved Huan Ge'er, who else could it be but your grandfather? Yet, since he is still at home protecting his descendants, why has he not come to see me even once in decades? That golden-armored general who saved Huan Ge'er, who else could it be but your grandfather? Yet, since he is still at home protecting his descendants, why has he not come to see me even once in decades? Master, how cruel your heart is!"

What she dislikes the most are those malevolent spirits and evil entities.

Grandmother Jia paid no attention to his nonsense, her hands trembling uncontrollably as she tightly grasped Yuanyang's hand, looking at Jia Huan and repeatedly asking, "And then? What did he say next?"

She also knows that her son does not resemble his father; he is half like her, while the other half somewhat resembles his grandfather, the old Duke Rongguo, in a way that seems almost ancestral.

Jia Huan reluctantly said: "Yes, ancestor. After the Golden Armored General drove away those two hanged ghosts, he looked at his grandson and shook his head. He said he never expected that his grandson would turn out to be such a useless person. Ancestor, listen to this, isn't he insulting me? If it weren't for the fact that he saved my life, I definitely wouldn't have swallowed my anger. Whose grandson am I?"

Lady Wang was not so easily dismissed, saying: "Then tell me, what does that Golden Armored General look like?"

Upon hearing Jia Huan's words, the expression of Old Lady Shi and Yuanyang changed once again. Old Lady Shi's face grew increasingly stern, while the worry in Yuanyang's eyes deepened.

Pfft

Jia Huan had naturally never seen the old Duke of Rongguo, so how did he know about him

The grandson was unconvinced and was told that there were elders in the family who had passed the imperial examination, and that his elder brother was also a scholar. However, the golden-armored general said, "In my family, those who can achieve success in the imperial examination only look to the next generation to flourish together. As for you, if you were to practice martial arts, there would still be a glimmer of hope; at the very least, you could guard the home and protect the ancestral shrine in the future. But if you pursue academic studies, it would be in vain."

Jia Huan looked at her sincerely and replied: "After I woke up, my aunt... after my aunt learned that I remembered nothing, the first thing she instructed me to do was to remember that the most respected person in the mansion is the ancestor, and the second is the lady. I came to pay my respects to the ancestor and the lady, and I found that the ancestor and the lady possess the greatest nobility, so..."

There was no time to appreciate the falling Lin Mei Mei from the sky, as Jia Huan, with a heart full of fortune, pointed at Jia Baoyu, who was about to leap into Grandmother Jia's embrace, and said: "That golden-armored general looks just like him"

Because she is too familiar with Grandmother Jia, Old Lady Shi, and Lady Wang