Chapter 180: Martial Arts
Rongguo Mansion, Jia Mu's Courtyard.
Hearing that Baoyu was beaten by Er'er, the old lady felt very sad.
She vaguely guessed what Er'er was thinking, but had no solution.
What a bad wife! It was also her fault that she had chosen Wang, the troublemaker, for him.
If he had married a more virtuous woman, no matter how stupid his son was, he would not have ended up in his current situation.
But what to do?
Wang has given birth to three children for the Jia family.
Zhu'er will take the civil service examination next year, and Yuanchun is already a marquis' wife.
They are both grown up now, and Er'er's mistakes are clearly visible in front of them, so when he sees these two children, he must be very nervous and short of breath.
Only Baoyu is different.
Baoyu is still young.
Because of that piece of jade, it can be said that most of his future prospects have been ruined. Wouldn't Er'er's anger be directed at him? The old lady sighed, but did not think of stopping him.
Beating sons is an old tradition in the Jia family.
Zhen'er from Dongfu was beaten since she was a child.
Even a smart kid like Jia Jing was beaten.
In the West Mansion, on the other hand, the Duke was relatively lenient towards his sons because he had been beaten many times when he was young.
When it came to She'er and Zheng'er, beating children happened even less often.
now……
Just hit me!
Who made Baoyu Wang's son? Who made him still young?
Moreover, Baoyu has indeed made more progress in his studies since being encouraged by his second son.
Grandmother Jia could only open one eye and close the other.
But she comforted herself, but she didn't expect that Shen Ning would come over specially because of Baoyu.
The old lady was also quite embarrassed.
"Aunt, you actually know why I'm here, right?"
After waving his hand and seeing the maids leave, Shen Ning went straight to the point.
"Alas~"
The old lady sighed, "Zheng'er is indeed a bit harsh, I'll talk to him later."
"Aunt..."
Shen Ning knew that this old lady was not so easy to persuade.
In the Red Mansion, none of the men in the Jia family are useful.
Yuanchun died in the palace because of her family, Yingchun died in the Sun family because Jia She took five thousand taels of silver from Sun Shaozu, saying that he wanted to buy him an official position, but failed to do so, and Tanchun was sold to the Nan'an Palace because of her family...
"Whether Second Brother Zheng treated Baoyu in that way because he was harsh or something else, you know it in your heart, and I know it very well."
Shen Ning sighed, "Brother Zheng is already like that, do you want to destroy Baoyu as well?"
What? Grandmother Jia's expression sternly said, "Baoyu has indeed improved a lot in his studies recently."
"... Baoyu said today that he would never go to Lixiangyuan again. If my second brother calls him again, I will beat him to death."
“…”
Grandmother Jia was shocked and heartbroken.
Her precious jade...
"Baoyu is a smart child. He is not completely unaware of the change in his family's attitude towards him."
Shen Ning asked, "Second brother Zheng treated him like that. Was it because he was a strict father or because he hated him or was angry about it? Do you think he knows nothing at all?"
Grandmother Jia: “…”
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
"And do you know? Every time he taught Baoyu a lesson, he would ask Baoyu to go outside the small Buddhist temple of his second brother's wife and talk to her through the door."
Shen Ning was so angry, "Isn't there something wrong with his brain? It's true that Baoyu was born to Wang, but he is also his child, right?"
This man is such a piece of shit.
"He thought that doing that would make Wang Shi sad? If Wang Shi had such intention, she would not have done those things in the first place. Yes, Wang Shi would cry with Baoyu in the small Buddhist hall every day, but have you ever thought about what her tears meant to Baoyu?"
Wang is also extremely shameless.
"According to the second brother Zheng's thinking, Wang Shi might also be happy that Baoyu was scolded and beaten every day, because Baoyu is Jia Zheng's son."
Shen Ning was so angry that she took a sip of tea to cool down. "If she had any consideration for Baoyu, she wouldn't have cried there every day as Second Brother wished. Her crying... was clearly encouraging Second Brother Zheng to treat Baoyu like that."
Grandmother Jia: “…”
Her hands couldn't help but tremble a little.
As long as I think of that woman crying on the outside but smiling on the inside...
"They both can't do anything to Zhu'er and Yuanchun, so they just try their best to deal with Baoyu."
Shen Ning put down the cup and said, "Aunt, if you were Baoyu, and your biological parents made trouble for you every day, do you think you could grow up safely?"
“…”
Lady Jia's tears fell.
"It's no use crying to me."
Shen Ning wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said, "You can't let them do this any longer."
"So what do you say we should do?"
"Originally, according to my opinion, I would definitely not let my second brother off, but Baoyu is worried that his father will be beaten again."
“…”
Grandmother Jia's tears suddenly fell even harder.
"Baoyu is a good boy, but if the second brother Zheng and his friends push him like this, one day all his good qualities will be worn away."
Shen Ning said: "So what I mean is that Baoyu will not go to Lixiangyuan in the future, or in other words, when Zhu'er and Yuanchun come back, he will go with his brother and sister."
“…”
Grandmother Jia hesitated for a moment, "Baoyu has been studying a lot lately..."
"Aunt! I asked when I came here. Baoyu was more diligent than before during the time when his parents went to the ancestral temple."
Shen Ning interrupted, "If you think that if Baoyu doesn't go, my second brother will be embarrassed, then let Baoyu practice martial arts with Jiao Da after school. He is too busy to go, so you can't blame him, right?"
This? Is this possible?
That's all I can do.
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Grandmother Jia made up her mind.
Jiao Da is pretty good.
Rong Ge'er also learned martial arts from him.
I didn't neglect my studies either.
Baoyu..., I don’t ask for great success, but as Shen said, I can’t let the second brother and his wife ruin him.
"I'll go talk to Zheng'er about this."
There is no need for Shen to go.
If in the past, Zheng'er did something to make her angry again, there would definitely be the ancestral hall and the board again.
Grandmother Jia was also afraid.
"become!"
Shen Ning nodded.
She didn't want to go there.
Bring Baoyu out, and as for the rest..., Jia Zheng and Wang Shi can do whatever they want.
At Lixiang Courtyard, Jia Zheng was nervous for a long time, until the maid told him that the eldest lady of the East Palace had returned, and then he suddenly breathed a sigh of relief.
Great, I'm not here to see him.
Just tell me, what's wrong with him teaching his son to be motivated?
Besides, it is only natural for a father to teach his son a lesson, and even the king cannot control him.
Oh, he was really scared to death.
Jia Zheng felt alive again. Aunt Zhou hurriedly brought him a cup of tea and said, "Master, what do you think the eldest lady of the East Palace could be looking for the old lady at this time?"
This? Sue him? Huh~ Jia Zheng snorted, "What do you care about her?"
As long as you're not here to look for him.
"I'm really curious. When Zhao comes over tomorrow, you can ask her!"
Aunt Zhao is a loudmouth.
There was nothing in this mansion that she didn't know.
Sometimes when Jia Zheng was free, he would often listen to her gossip.
But lately..., he wasn't happy to see her.
Because needless to say, all the talk in this house is gossip about him.
Because of this, Jia Zheng has become very distant towards Aunt Zhao recently.
“Yes!”
Aunt Zhou laughed, "How could I forget about Sister Zhao?"
She was about to flatter him a few more times when Yuanyang came over and said, "Second Master, the old lady wants you to come over."
What? Jia Zheng frowned and straightened his body. "What's the matter?"
"I don't know either."
Although she could guess it, the old lady and the eldest lady of the East Mansion had asked them to leave, so of course she didn't know.
"The eldest lady of the East Mansion is leaving. Aren't you here with her?"
Aunt Zhou asked for help.
"The old lady asked us to get out."
"...Well, let's go!"
Jia Zheng walked very slowly because of his butt.
When he arrived, Shen Ning had already returned to her yard.
At this time, Baoyu's hand had been re-bandaged.
Seeing her come back, I felt both hopeful and scared.
"There are two pieces of news now." Shen Ning teased him, "One is good news, and the other is bad news. Baoyu, which one do you want to hear?"
She originally wanted to force the child to learn martial arts.
Stay away from the inner house.
It's ok now.
Sometimes Jia Zheng doesn't do completely bad things.
Shen Ning was in a very good mood at the moment.
"I...I want to hear the good news first."
Baoyu was very nervous.
"Congratulations!" Shen Ning touched his little head. "At Lixiangyuan, unless your older brother and sister come back, you have to go with them to see your master and mistress. You don't have to go there at other times."
Huh? Really?
Baoyu's eyes suddenly lit up, as if they were filled with stars, "Aunt, you are so kind."
He hugged her long sleeves and jumped up and down.
"Woo woo, auntie, I like you so much."
Youshi and Li Wan were laughing secretly beside them.
This child has a very sweet mouth, and they have heard the same words several times.
"Just sweet talk."
Shen Ning smiled and nodded his little head. "I have told you the good news. You still have some bad news." She paused. "And if you can't carry out this bad news, then the good news before will be invalidated."
"You say!"
Baoyu quickly stood up straight.
"The bad news is that after school, you have to come here immediately to practice martial arts with Jiao Da, and you must not fall behind in your studies."
"Practicing martial arts? Like Rong Ge'er?"
The last time, Baoyu saw Rongger running with an assist and reaching the top of the rockery in a few seconds.
He is so envious.
"Yeah! Would you?"
"Yes, I do! I am willing."
Baoyu quickly became happy again, "Aunt, Rong'er is so amazing. I want to be like him in the future."
All the sisters say that Rong Ge'er is awesome.
Cousin Jianbai and cousin Changan also said that Rong Ge'er is amazing.
He wants to be as awesome as he is and have everyone praise him.
"It's settled then."
Shen Ning smiled, "It's too late today. Forget it. You have to come tomorrow. You have to train hard in winter and in summer. You can't complain about being tired, and you can't cry or back out halfway."
"No."
Baoyu's little face looked serious.
He would rather be tired than listen to his master's scolding and his wife's crying.
"That's fine!"
Shen Ning smiled and held up a finger, "Be a real man, one spit and one nail, let's make a promise, and it won't change for a hundred years."
"Hehe~"
Baoyu smiled and held out his chubby little hand, "It won't change for a hundred years."
He had seen others play this game from afar, but no one had ever played it the way he did.
Baoyu came to the East Palace crying and returned to the West Palace smiling.
At night, Xiren helped him lie down, took off the spiritual jade and placed it under the pillow, "Second Master, do you really want to practice martial arts?"
She heard that Rong Ge'er was very tired.
I got up early in the morning and recited my lessons while doing horse stance.
In order to prevent him from reciting the text incorrectly, the servant had to hold the book and read it to him first.
"Um!"
Baoyu answered with his eyes closed.
He cried so hard today that he was about to fall asleep while lying on the bed.
"So...are you going to get up early tomorrow?"
"You have to get up half an hour earlier."
Baoyu suddenly remembered, "If Li Gui and the others don't come to call, you must remember to call."
"……good!"
Xiren agreed.
Baoyu felt relieved, turned over, and his breathing quickly became long.
Xiren covered him with the quilt and couldn't help but sigh.
When the old lady first asked her to serve the Second Master, the Second Master was so favored! How come he has become like this now?
Originally, the sisters envied her, but now...
Xiren couldn't help but sigh again.
There were many maids in the room, and the old lady asked them to play with Baoyu.
But now, those little maids are gradually leaving here.
Only she...
Xiren carefully closed the curtain and slowly backed out.
It's her turn to be on duty today, so she can't sleep.
Baoyu was beaten today. If he gets frightened or has a fever at night, he will be doomed if she is not around.
Xiren took her own hot water bottle and went to the tea room, but unexpectedly the newcomer named Qingwen was also there.
"Qingwen, are you going to be on night duty too?"
"No, I just came here to fill up my feet with hot water."
She specializes in needlework.
The old lady didn't want her to keep watch at night.
Qingwen asked, "Do you want to take night watch?"
"Um!"
Xiren nodded.
"I heard that Master Bao got beaten today?"
"……yes!"
It cannot be denied.
Xiren could only nod.
This is how the Duke's Mansion is. When the master is favored, the servants who follow him will have some face.
The master is not in favor..., even if she receives monthly salary, she still has to rank behind others.
“But probably not in the future.”
Xiren said, "The eldest lady of the East Palace asked our Second Master to learn martial arts from Rong'er in the future."
"I also heard that the eldest lady of the East Mansion is here."
Qingwen was a little afraid of the eldest lady.
Especially since she was recommended by Nanny Lai.
There were so many families in this mansion who wanted to have children and they all wanted to come to the old lady, but in the end she took the place.
Those people said behind her back that the eldest lady of the East Mansion particularly disliked the Lai family, and if she knew that she was Nanny Lai's woman, she would be in trouble.
So Qingwen tried to avoid it as much as possible.
"But didn't Rong Ge'er learn martial arts from Jiao Da?"
Nanny Lai told her about many of the masters and stewards here, but she didn't tell her a word about the East Palace.
Qingwen couldn't help but be curious.
"Yeah, just follow him."
What could Xiren do? She could only nod again.
Qingwen glanced at her and said, "I heard that many people in the mansion are trying to learn from Jiao Da."
It is said that all the guards taught by Jiao Da can become officials.
Qingwen has heard many people say, "Now that Master Bao has gone there, we won't have to worry anymore."
Xiren: “…”
"My water is ready. I'm leaving now."
Qingwen held her hot water bottle, thanked the tea-serving woman, and turned to go to the back room where everyone slept together.
There were six people sleeping in one room, and their beds were next to each other.
Qingwen put down the hot water bottle and lay down comfortably in it.
Now she is enjoying the good life in the Duke's Mansion, but it's a pity that her cousin...
Thinking of her cousin's pleading eyes when they parted, Qingwen couldn't help but touch the purse she had just embroidered today.
Nanny Lai said that if you want to ask for something, you should say it when the old lady is in a good mood.
I don’t know whether the old lady will be happy tomorrow.
Or should she wait a little longer? But the weather is getting colder and colder, what if my cousin gets frozen outside...
"God bless you!"
The little girl held the purse, clasped her hands together, and prayed to God in her heart, "Please bless our old lady to have some happy events tomorrow, and bless me to ask my cousin to come. Even if the old lady has no happy events for the time being, please bless it not to snow."
It's snowing, and there are no thick quilts at home.
The little girl fell asleep in a daze, but it was snowing in her dream.
In reality, the moon in the sky is indeed covered by clouds.
When daybreak began, the north wind began to blow.
Snow particles fall with the wind. Although there are few of them, their appearance means that the cold winter has officially arrived.
"Second Master, it's snowing outside. Are you still going to the East Palace to practice martial arts?"
Xiren felt that she could take a day off today, after all, their Second Master’s hand was still swollen.
"want!"
If you don't practice martial arts well, you will go to Lixiangyuan to listen to the master's scolding and the mistress's crying.
As long as he could stay away from there, Baoyu felt he could do anything.
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