Chapter 004: Visitation

Aunt Zhou smiled and said: "Yesterday, after taking the medicine prescribed by Doctor Wang, the young master woke up today, and his fever has also subsided. It seems that the Bodhisattva has blessed him and he is finally recovering. I hurried to report this to the master and madam."

Madam Wang nodded in satisfaction and left with a smile on her face

In that case, it would be better to do a favor, so I hurriedly replied to Madam Wang: "Madam, I admit that I was foolish in the past. From now on, you can rest assured, I will certainly follow Zhu's lead and be attentive to your wishes."

Spring grass quickly got up, hurriedly placed the embroidery stool at the head of the bed, and invited Lady Wang to sit down

In the original memories, he believed himself to be no less than Jia Zhu, the legitimate son, which often led to rivalry between them. This was a warning from Lady Wang. It seems that Lady Wang issued this warning just as the illness of the illegitimate son showed signs of improvement, suggesting that there may be hidden circumstances surrounding the original's fall into the pond

Madam Wang, hearing his earnest words, smiled and said: "In the future, do not run around aimlessly. When you have time, play with your brother Zhu and study together, so that you can support each other in the future"

Lady Wang sat on the embroidered stool, turning to look at Jia Ke. Jia Ke hurriedly attempted to rise and pay his respects, but Lady Wang quickly stopped him and said: "Quickly, do not engage in such empty formalities; your well-being is more important than anything else. These past few days have been terrifying, do you still dare to be mischievous?"

Upon hearing Lady Wang's question, I hurriedly replied: "I can no longer do that. Having learned from this lesson, my son will certainly not dare to be mischievous in the future, causing distress to you and the master. If he were to do so, it would be too unfilial of him."

Madam Wang, seeing her certainty, believed her about eighty to ninety percent. She then stood up and said: "Sir, since the officials have not yet left the court, I will go and take a look at the young master first. I will report back to you when you return."

Aunt Zhou hurriedly expressed her gratitude, saying: "I thank Madam for the reward on behalf of the master. Once he has fully recovered, I will have him bow to Madam."

"By the way, I will have the maid send some ginseng and deer antler to the young master to help him recover; he has truly suffered a lot from this," said Madam Wang as she turned back to speak to Aunt Zhou just before leaving.

With three golden opportunities in hand, he is confident that he will soar to great heights, leaving the Jia family behind. In the future, those from the Jia family will likely have to consider his feelings. If things go well, that would be fine; if not, he will simply let go and see what becomes of him.

Several maids were aware that Master Jia Ke had not been well these past few days. Upon seeing Aunt Zhou arrive, they wondered if something had happened to Jia Ke. However, seeing the joyful expression on Aunt Zhou's face, it did not seem to be the case. They exchanged glances, and one of the older ones asked, "Aunt, is there something that requires you to leave the master’s side to see the madam?"

Aunt Zhou returned to the room after seeing off Madam Wang, and sat down in front of Jia Ke's bed, saying: "Amitabha, if you had had the cleverness of today earlier, you would not have suffered so much. You have not allowed me a moment of peace."

I cannot enjoy the blessings of the old lady; as long as you do not drive me to my death with anger, I will be satisfied, " said Aunt Zhou

At the moment when Jia Ke and Chun Cao were conversing, Aunt Zhou arrived at Rongxi Hall. It was observed that Rongxi Hall comprised five large main rooms, with side rooms on both sides, a deer-shaped roof, and an ear-shaped entrance leading into the mountain, all interconnected and magnificent, distinct from other places. Aunt Zhou walked in towards the east, discovering that Madam Wang often did not reside in this hall but rather in the three ear rooms on the eastern side. Upon reaching the entrance, Aunt Zhou noticed several young maidservants standing there and hurriedly approached them, saying: "Ladies, please have someone go in and inform her that I wish to see her." Aunt Zhou proceeded to walk eastward, realizing that Madam Wang often did not reside in this hall but rather in the three ear rooms on the eastern side. Upon reaching the entrance, Aunt Zhou noticed several young maidservants standing there and hurriedly approached them, saying: "Ladies, please have someone go in and inform her that I wish to see her."

Jia Ke understood the meaning behind Lady Wang's words immediately; it was to encourage him to become closer to Jia Zhu, so that he could assist Jia Zhu in the future

Aunt, you can rest assured in the future. In the past, I was mistaken, thinking that as the eldest son of my father, I was treated no worse than Jia Zhu, which led to my arrogance. Now, after experiencing life and death, I have awakened to the reality that no matter how hard I strive in the Jia residence, I cannot surpass Jia Zhu. It is better to take a step back and preserve my life. After marriage, I will be able to inherit some family assets and sustain myself. If fortune smiles upon me, I may even find life more comfortable than in the Jia residence. At that time, I will bring you out, so you can also enjoy the status of an old lady.

Aunt Zhou entered the door and hurried to the side of Madam Wang, offering her greetings and performing the proper courtesies. She then stood respectfully below and reported to Madam Wang: "Today, I come to inform you, Madam, that the young master took the medicine from Doctor Wang yesterday, and he is already feeling much better and has regained consciousness. I have come specifically to bring good news to you and the master."

My son, are you hungry? It has been several days since you last had food and water," Aunt Zhou continued.

"If you are hungry, it means you are getting better. You should lie down for a while, and I will go to the kitchen to get you some porridge. You cannot eat those greasy foods yet," said Aunt Zhou happily

In the memories of the original self, Jia Ke found recollections of Lady Wang, yet she did not exhibit the malicious and cunning demeanor often depicted in time-travel novels. At most, her attitude towards him was indifferent. Jia Ke was unsure whether this was due to the original self's youth and naivety regarding the ways of the world, or if Lady Wang was not as bad as people imagined. "I should observe further," Jia Ke thought to himself.

Consequently, Jia Ke was not angered by Lady Wang treating the Jia residence as Jia Zhu's family estate. He also temporarily suppressed his desire for revenge. Furthermore, in the story of the Red Chamber, Jia Zhu had only recently married before his demise, while the phoenix egg of the Jia family was soon to arrive. Even if Jia Zhu had not died, the future inheritance would likely prioritize that "well-connected" phoenix egg.

Jia Ke immediately cast aside the original body's views on Lady Wang, realizing that although she may not necessarily have a malicious heart, she is certainly not to be underestimated. However, Lady Wang fears that Jia Ke might use his status as the eldest son to compete with Jia Zhu for the inheritance. If it were the original body, they might not have seen the situation clearly and would have attempted to contest it. In contrast, Jia Ke does not regard the declining family fortune of the Jia household with any seriousness.

Madam Wang exchanged a few pleasantries with Jia Ke, mostly concerning health and well-being, and then prepared to rise and return to her room, while Aunt Zhou hurriedly offered to see her off

Aunt Zhou stepped forward to open the door, allowing Lady Wang to enter the room. As soon as the maid Chun Cao saw that it was Lady Wang, she hurriedly knelt down to pay her respects. Lady Wang, upon seeing this, simply said: "Get up." and walked towards the head of the bed

Aunt Zhou instructed Changcao to keep a close watch on Jia Ke, and only then did she rush out the door like the wind

As she spoke, she walked out the door, and the maid and the old woman hurriedly vied to lift the curtain and lead the way. Before long, they arrived in front of Jia Ke's room, where they could hear Jia Ke conversing with the young maid inside, realizing that Jia Ke was indeed in a very good state. Otherwise, he would not be able to speak so clearly.

Aunt Zhou hurriedly entered the room with the maid. Upon entering the main room, she saw a kang table set horizontally on the kang, piled with books and tea utensils. Against the eastern wall, there was an old blue satin backrest with a pillow. Madam Wang was seated at the lower end on the west side, also on a half-worn blue satin backrest mat.

Before long, the maid came out and said that the madam wanted Aunt Zhou to go in

Madam Wang felt a surge of joy upon hearing him speak, realizing that Jia Ke was quite different from how he used to be. She did not harbor any doubts, thinking he was merely a frightened child. If he were obedient and understood the distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children, the Jia family would not deny him a meal; they would simply wait until he got married and then give him some silver to send him off.

Madam Wang pondered for a moment and said, "I just changed the prescription yesterday and saw great improvement today. Are you confused?" In fact, when the maid came in to report earlier, she was quite astonished. Who would have thought that yesterday the situation was critical, and today not only has the person regained consciousness, but the fever has also subsided

The maid wore a smile on her face, uttered a few words of congratulations, and then turned around to enter the room

Aunt Zhou quickly said: "Madam, even if I had the greatest courage, I would not dare to deceive the master, Madam. Is it true that the young master has really improved?"

Moreover, for Jia Zheng's branch to inherit the family business, there is also the obstacle of the elder master Jia She. If they cannot overcome this hurdle, in this ancient society where familial rites and laws, as well as the authority of heaven, earth, sovereign, parents, and teachers, govern everything, it would be nothing but an illusion.

Aunt Zhou had just finished speaking when they heard a rumbling sound from Jia Ke's stomach. Jia Ke, feeling embarrassed, said: "I have been hungry for a long time, but I was holding back because the lady was here."