Chapter Six: Rites

Little auspicious was not afraid of being labeled, wrinkling her little nose and saying: "You don't remember the old lady and the old master, yet you particularly remember Lan Ge'er. However, in the Jia family, you are indeed closest to Lan Ge'er. As for Baoye... San Ye, you might as well not compare yourself to him. Baoye was born with a jade in his mouth, the greatest auspicious sign in the Jia family. The old lady and the madam already believe in the Bodhisattva; encountering such matters, how could they not take it as a matter of life and death? Who in the Jia family can compare to him? San Ye, you might as well not make yourself uncomfortable."

Sister Ping'er, I now know you

Now it is different; such a dignified and composed demeanor is what a good child should possess

... ...

A child of about six or seven years old, whose eyes dart left and right when looking at people, and whose gaze is also not steady

In a modest ear room, a graceful woman reclined against the brocade quilt at the edge of the kang, looking at the young woman standing beside her with a hint of surprise, and asked.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Xiao Jixiang first jumped up high on her little legs, her round face beaming with smiles. After running a couple of steps towards Ping'er, she turned back again and introduced Jia Huan while holding onto his arm.

"Brother Huan, do you really not recognize me anymore?"

Jia Huan entered the room while laughing heartily, saying: "If we don't compare, then we don't compare; what's the big deal? Besides, I, Third Master, am quite popular; that little fellow, Lan Ge'er, is always willing to play with me"

I see that this illness of yours is a blessing rather than a curse, as you seem much more refreshed. However, you are too thin. Second Madam has asked me to bring a few taels of good ginseng, and later, let Aunt Zhao instruct Xiao Que to prepare some ginseng porridge for you to nourish yourself. It would be best to eat fewer snacks.

Jia Huan had a few faint black lines on his forehead. He sat down on the small stool by the window in front of the dressing table and said, "Shut up quickly and hurry up and comb my hair!"

Clear eyes paired with a handsome and refined face are truly endearing

Oh? Third Master, didn't you say you couldn't remember anything? How come you still remember Brother Lan?

Xiao Jixiang's hands were small, unable to grasp her hair properly. Ping'er, watching from the side, found it amusing and stepped forward to help, taking her hand and asking, "Where is Aunt Zhao?"

However, in front of her, Wang Xifeng did not dare to act recklessly at all and replied earnestly: "In my opinion, there is an 80 to 90 percent chance that it is true. She has completely changed as a person, and actually dares to greet me!"

Really

Pfft

... ...

Ping'er’s voice and Fengjie’s voice are two different directions. Wang Xifeng’s voice is filled with a powerful confidence, and it is clean and decisive, without any hesitation. Although Ping'er’s voice is not overly coy, its inherent quality is gentle and warm, akin to flowing water.

Little Lucky, can you explain why Lord Bao Er is so favored? What about Jia Lan?

Her hand, resting on Jia Huan's head, did not move away. After hearing Jia Huan's words, she gently rubbed it and said, "Go ahead and ask."

Jia Huan spoke in an almost intoxicated tone

In the past, how could Jia Huan dare to look at others with such a gaze

Jia Huan amusingly scratched her little nose and said, "As I listen to you, some old thoughts just pop up in my mind. What's wrong, are you not happy?"

Jia Huan shamelessly pretended to be young and acted cute

Ping'er, feeling somewhat shy and annoyed, lightly tapped her fingers on Jia Huan's forehead and scolded him

Characters from the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties are all mentioned in "Dream of the Red Chamber"

Without personally confirming, it is ultimately difficult to feel at ease

Madam Wang furrowed her brows upon hearing this, hesitated for a moment, and said: "Do you think it has improved or worsened?"

Jia Huan was taken aback upon hearing this, and exclaimed in surprise: "Do I refer to my biological mother as... Aunt?!"

In fact, this has always been a question of confusion for Jia Huan

Ping'er, upon hearing this, looked at Jia Huan with great surprise, withdrawing her hand that was resting on his head, and said: "Brother Huan, why are you asking this?"

Ping'er walked over and placed a small paper bag she was holding on the nearby cabinet. Then she reached out and gently stroked Jia Huan's head, smiling as she said: "The other day, the second madam originally intended to come and see you. However, after Zhang Zhenren from Qingxu Temple visited you, he told the old lady that you need to rest quietly, and it is best not to let anyone bring in cold air and disturb you. Everyone then decided against it.

Jia Huan is very fond of her, and in his impression, Ping'er in the Dream of the Red Chamber has always been a very kind character

Upon hearing Jia Huan's words, Ping'er paused slightly, and then spoke to Jia Huan in a somewhat serious tone: "Brother Huan, when we are alone without outsiders, it is acceptable for you to refer to Aunt Zhao as 'mother.' However, in public, you must address her as 'Aunt.' Especially in front of the Old Lady and the Madam, there must be no mistakes whatsoever"

Ping'er looked at Jia Huan's eyes in the mirror and said: "Brother Huan, she can only be a concubine, nothing more, this is the principle of propriety. According to the rules of propriety, your mother can only be the main wife. In the future, when you go to school and achieve success, become a high official, and receive titles, you can only give them to the main wife. In families like ours, the rules of propriety are paramount, and we cannot deviate from them in the slightest. Knowing propriety is even more important than achieving success. Do you understand?" In families like ours, the rules of propriety are paramount, and we cannot deviate from them in the slightest. Knowing propriety is even more important than achieving success. Do you understand?"

Hearing the words of the maid Xiao Jixiang, Jia Huan couldn't help but twitch his lips in speechlessness

Sister Ping'er, may I ask you a question

Jia Huan chuckled and nodded, saying: "Thank you, Sister Ping'er, and also thank you, Second Aunt."

Ping'er is actually just a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old, but after accompanying Wang Xifeng as a dowry to the Jia family, she has experienced quite a lot, making her appear much more mature.

Before Jia Huan could finish speaking, a burst of laughter came from behind the door curtain

Ah! Brother Huan, you must not call her "Second Granny"; you should call her "Second Sister-in-law" or "Sister Feng" instead. You are also a proper master in our household.

Her actions warmed Jia Huan's heart, and Ping'er also smiled gently.

Even if one originally looks quite decent, the secretive and sneaky demeanor makes one feel utterly repulsive, coupled with unclean hands and feet... it is truly difficult to like such a person

As long as it does not offend the eye, one can do as one pleases, but this is also acceptable

Little Lucky's round, big eyes were wide open, filled with a look of suspicion, and his caterpillar-like eyebrows were also twitching, as if interrogating an enemy agent

As Jia Huan and Xiao Jixiang turned around, they saw a young girl with a charming appearance lifting the curtain and entering. A hint of kind mockery played at the corners of her mouth, her gaze was gentle, and her eyes were crescent-shaped as she lightly nodded at Jia Huan

Jia Huan was on the verge of tears; could it be that in this era, 'handsome' is merely a military title and not an adjective?

Moreover, having lost a father at a young age, it is truly pitiful

This is the Qin of Qin Shi Huang, but it is not closely related to that Qin. There is some connection, as it is said to be a descendant of the First Emperor... Oh, Huan Ge'er, why are you asking me these things? I cannot explain it clearly... Now you are doing well, just rest for another two days and you can go to school. Once you are at school, just ask the teacher for guidance, why make things difficult for me?

Jia Huan said: "I heard from Xiao Jixiang that my mother went to fulfill her vow early this morning. Hehe, Ma Daopo..."

Little Lucky, why am I so handsome, Third Master?

What is this, the Great Qin? Is it the Qin of Emperor Qin Shi Huang or the pure and innocent Qing?

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's expression slightly changed, yet she did not dare to speak recklessly. She understood the implications contained within. Shaking her head, she said: "It is hard to say; it is still unclear at this moment. However, in my opinion, no matter how good a person is, they cannot improve while being beside Zhao Aunty. If the Madam believes that the Third Master still has potential to be taught, she may keep him close and personally instruct him a little; that would be considered a blessing for him."

Xiao Jixiang was simply shocked and said: "Third Master, how come you are so unfortunate?"

Xiao Jixiang was giggling beside.

Madam Wang's appearance is not particularly outstanding; at most, she has an average beauty. However, the expression in her eyes and brows is very kind, and she is even holding a string of jade prayer beads in her hand, giving the impression of a benevolent and compassionate person.

Jia Huan smiled brightly and said, "I just suddenly wanted to know"

Therefore, it stands to reason that Jia Lan should be the one who is favored more.

The little auspicious figure and the little ghost both shook their heads and sighed

Sister Ping'er! Third Master, this is Sister Ping'er, who is by Second Madam's side! Sister Ping'er is doing well, she is the best sister to us!

Little Lucky denied: "It is not that Lan Ge is willing to play with you, but rather that you are the one seeking to play with Lan Ge. Among the boys of similar age in the mansion, there are only you and Lan Ge. Lan Ge does not have many other options either..."

Damn, it turns out he really is a worthless piece of trash...

However, his attention quickly shifted to the small mirror in front of him, which was not the legendary bronze mirror, but rather a glass mercury one, set within an exquisitely carved copper floral frame

This young woman is Wang Xifeng, whom Jia Huan encountered earlier, and this lady is naturally one of the most influential women in the Jia family, Lady Wang

Jia Huan looked at Ping'er, whose smile was as radiant as a flower, and felt a twinge of regret. What a wonderful girl she was, yet she was burdened with a mindset that was half feudal and half servile. ... However, I like her ...

With just this one glance, Ping'er was convinced that this Jia Huan was indeed different.

It's alright, you will be fine in a couple of days, and we will all be at ease. Although you may not remember the past, it is not a big deal; you are so young and there isn't much to remember. You can take your time to recall things.

Jia Huan almost jumped up, crying out in his heart that it was impossible. If it were in "Our Great Qing," one could keep their head but not their hair. However, if it were in the context of the Great Qin, it would be even more impossible

Madam Wang, upon hearing this, cast a faint glance at Wang Xifeng and, with an air of detachment, remarked: "I do not even have Baoyu by my side, so how could I have the inclination to bring him along? Let him stay over there... Well, it is time to visit the old lady; let us go and see her together."

Jia Huan said: "Sister Ping'er, although I can hardly remember the past, I vaguely recall some dynasties, such as Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming. Which dynasty are we in now?"

Ping'er observed that his gaze was still somewhat strange, but ultimately spoke up to clarify: "After the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, it naturally leads to our current Great Qin."

Jia Huan patted his forehead, smiled, and then said to Xiao Jixiang: "Hurry up and get it ready, I still need to go pay my respects to the old lady and the madam"

Jia Huan looked at Ping'er with a pair of clear eyes and said earnestly

Jia Huan weakly said: "What I mean is, Third Master, how can I be so handsome and extraordinary, how can I be so uniquely charming..."

Ping'er said with a smile

Jia Lan is indeed the first in the fourth generation of the Rongguo Mansion's direct descendants. In terms of the Jia Zheng branch, he is the legitimate eldest son and grandson.

These are all trivial details, the focus is on ... ...