Chapter 95 Beating the Child on a Rainy Day (Part 2) Aunt Zhao's Ultimate Accusation...
"This matter should be decided by Master, Madam, and Grandmother," Jia Baoyu replied meekly, his head bowed. "Besides, it's still time for studying, so I dare not be distracted."
Jia Zheng sneered, "You do have some knowledge. Go back to your studies!"
Jia Baoyu didn't dare to look up and quickly sat back down at his desk. At least he didn't have to face his master anymore, which made him feel a little more relaxed. However, his homework these days was copying books, and it was hard to tell if he was distracted or not. After he finished copying the books, he was afraid he would have to write essays. How was he going to deal with that?
Jia Baoyu's appearance was very convincing, and as he said, he didn't seem distracted while copying books, which made Jia Zheng nod in satisfaction.
He had been back for several months, and the shame he had felt from being dismissed from office had lessened somewhat. Jia Zheng came out of the courtyard and instructed Mingyan, "Take good care of him. Serve him tea and snacks when he needs them. Don't let him get thirsty or hungry."
Mingyan responded with a "yes," and after watching Jia Zheng leave, she returned to her study and said with a smile, "Second Master, Master has left. I think it was that old codger Zhan Guang who came to invite him. I overheard a few words; it was his retainers who prepared a feast to invite Master to drink. He probably won't be back tonight. Second Master, you should rest and relax."
Jia Baoyu threw down his brush, then tried to retrieve it, but in his anger, he had used considerable force. The brush bounced twice before falling under the table. Jia Baoyu glared at Mingyan: "How can you be so carefree? Master knows how many pages you can copy in an hour. If you don't do enough homework tomorrow, I'll expose you!"
Mingyan chuckled twice, crawled under the table to pick out the pen for him, and then wiped the table with a cloth. But if he was afraid, he wasn't afraid of Jia Baoyu: "Second Master, I'll serve you outside."
After Mingyan left, Jia Baoyu leaned back in his chair and put his feet on the table.
He was a little reluctant to have dinner at the old lady's.
...Since the Marquis of Zhongyong came last year, Lin Daiyu has stopped being close to him.
They all knew, but kept it from him alone.
The memory of those people's laughter made Jia Baoyu feel like he was going to have another fit of madness, but he dared not do so when he thought of his master.
The old lady and the wife would coax him, but the master was truly ruthless in punishing him.
"Xiren! Xiren!" Jia Baoyu shouted loudly. Since his master wasn't around, this was the only way he could vent his frustration.
Xiren hurriedly ran over: "Second Master, please don't shout like that, or you'll hurt your voice."
"Go and tell the old lady that I am busy with my studies and cannot leave. I will not be able to come over for dinner today. I will go to pay my respects to the old lady tomorrow."
Xiren tried to persuade him again, but Jia Baoyu glared at her and shouted, "Hurry up and go!" So she had no choice but to come out.
However, since Grandmother Jia no longer liked her, Xiren called Musk Moon over again: "Second Master is having dinner in the outer courtyard tonight. I have some work to do here, so go and tell him."
Musk Moon went, but she wasn't happy. It was fine before, with a whole room of maids waiting to run errands for her. Now, only the two of them were serving outside, and Xi Ren was acting all high and mighty.
Normally it would be fine, but this kind of job, which definitely doesn't offer any reward, has been pushed all onto her.
Musk Moon already looked honest and kind, so she simply pretended to be stupid.
Grandmother Jia asked, "Why aren't you coming for dinner? Are you feeling unwell?"
Musk Moon shook her head: "I didn't see Second Master. It was Sister Xiren who told me. She said she was busy and couldn't get away."
Grandmother Jia sneered, not moving her head, but her eyes swept over Lady Wang three times before she spoke: "It's clear that if you don't treat the maids with respect, they'll forget who they are. You may leave."
No one spoke in the room. Without Jia Baoyu, who knew nothing and could still laugh innocently, dinner was also a little quiet. After dinner, everyone quickly dispersed.
The three springs walked together, and once they entered the Grand View Garden, they could see the Grand View Tower from afar.
Tan Chun suddenly sighed, "I wonder how much longer Sister Lin can stay."
Yingchun only heard from Siqi that they had found her a marriage, and that they had even accepted the betrothal gifts. But how could they accept betrothal gifts before the proper marriage ceremony? They didn't even ask her to prepare needlework as a return gift, and she hadn't seen a single wild goose.
This clearly indicates they don't intend to follow the traditional rites and rituals.
We grew up together, and I'm inferior to her in every way. Yingchun tilted her head and turned her body to the side, deliberately avoiding looking at the Grand View Tower: "If you want to take another look, then I'll go back first?"
After all, the people she hangs out with these days are either the Empress's niece, the daughters of this marquis or that earl, or the daughters of some high-ranking official.
Although Xichun didn't say anything, she followed Yingchun's footsteps, clearly indicating that she didn't want to continue the topic.
Tan Chun had no choice but to go alone. She was afraid she would have nothing to say, so she went with her. But she still had to say one more thing: "She has to prepare things for going out, so she probably won't have time to talk to us."
As night fell, Jia Baoyu became anxious again.
He does nothing he wants to do every day now, and he feels like he's going crazy.
All the storybooks and tales he had accumulated were burned by Lin Daiyu. Every night before bed, he could only read the Four Books and Five Classics, and he didn't even have a travelogue.
Xiren brought him hot water to wash up, and then said, "I'll go tell them about dinner. I heard from them that Aunt Zhao asked them to prepare the meal, using Master's portion. I suppose Master will be staying at Aunt Zhao's place tonight, so he probably won't come to check his studies again today."
Jia Baoyu breathed a sigh of relief: "If that's the case... it's a pity it's only for one night."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a servant's voice came from outside: "Master, be careful on the way, this way."
Jia Baoyu hurriedly stood up, not even bothering to wipe his feet, and slipped them into his shoes before coming out, just in time to meet Jia Zheng face to face.
Jia Zheng reeked of alcohol, and his breath smelled foul: "Hmm, get some sleep early, and get up early to study tomorrow. The plan for the day starts in the morning, the plan for the year starts in the spring, and the plan for life starts with diligence. This is the time for you to study hard."
For the first ten years or so, Jia Baoyu had only smelled the fragrance of flowers, cosmetics, and the natural scent of girls. How could he stand this smell?
He involuntarily took a step back, slightly avoiding the danger: "What the master says is true."
"You've been studying very hard these past two days. Take a half-day rest tomorrow and continue studying in the afternoon."
Jia Baoyu was overjoyed, but quickly lowered his head again: "It's dark outside, Master, please be careful on the road."
Jia Zheng was slightly tipsy, not drunk but a little confused. He waved his hand dismissively, "Alright, go and rest. I'm not old enough to need your help."
Jia Zheng went to the backyard. Jia Baoyu breathed a sigh of relief. What was his master going to do? Why did he need to rest tomorrow morning? He wasn't a novice; how could he not know?
"Only officials are allowed to set fires, while ordinary people are forbidden to light lamps."
Jia Baoyu was incredibly frustrated and dragged Xiren towards the bed. This was the only way he could vent his anger now, but his master rarely went to the backyard.
"The door isn't closed, and the water hasn't been poured yet." Xiren stepped back slightly.
Jia Baoyu snorted and let go of his hand: "Hurry up."
When Jia Zheng arrived at Aunt Zhao's room, Aunt Zhao smelled the alcohol on him and complained, "Master, you're not young anymore, how can you drink so much?"
As she spoke, she pulled the wine pot off the table and called to the maid, "Tell them to brew some hangover soup and mix in some honey water."
Jia Zheng sat down at the table, picked at his food a few times, and then laughed, "They made me drink a lot of wine this afternoon, and I didn't eat much. I'm actually a bit hungry. Bring me another bowl of rice."
Aunt Zhao knew perfectly well that he was drinking to drown his sorrows in frustration, but only a fool would expose him. She could only say with concern, "They don't care about the master's health at all."
As she spoke, she personally served Jia Zheng his meal.
After drinking honey water, my headache subsided, and after taking the hangover soup, I felt less confused.
Jia Zheng immediately recalled the look of disdain in Jia Baoyu's eyes earlier.
"You unfilial son! You actually despise your father!" Jia Zheng slammed his hand on the table, making the plates rattle.
This definitely isn't referring to Huan'er, so who else could it be?
Aunt Zhao thought that even a small opportunity was still an opportunity, so she advised, "Master, don't be too angry. Baoyu... is perhaps a little spoiled."
"You brat! How old is he? Still spoiling him?"
Normally it wouldn't be a problem, but Jia Zheng had just drunk some wine. Although he wasn't feeling too unwell, the effects of the alcohol were still there.
Moreover, he had just been dismissed from his post and was in a sensitive and self-conscious state. Now even his son disliked him. Who could tolerate that?
Jia Zheng suddenly stood up. "I'll go check on him."
Aunt Zhao pretended to stop her, but all she said was encouraging words: "It's getting dark," "Second Master is probably resting now," "We can talk about it tomorrow," "It's not convenient to go now."
Jia Zheng pushed the man aside and left with his lantern.
Aunt Zhao chuckled twice, but instead of tidying up, she rubbed her face to wipe away the smile and put on a miserable expression as she waited.
If the master returns, he will surely feel heartache upon seeing her; if he does not return, she will merely sit idly for half a day.
Jia Zheng went straight to the front courtyard and headed towards Qin Ku Zhai.
Jia Baoyu was currently leaning against Xiren's chest, embracing her tenderly.
Although it was dark, it wasn't time to go to bed yet. The courtyard gate was closed but not locked. Besides, there were only a few people serving in the courtyard, and they couldn't even eat on time, so who would be there to guard the gate?
Jia Zheng went all the way to the innermost room and heard the obscene and lewd words being spoken inside. He was so angry that his face turned red and white in turns.
Jia Zheng couldn't listen to more than a few sentences.
This unfilial son not only mentioned Lin Daiyu and Baochai, but also Yun Daiyu, Baoqin Daiyu, and many other maids.
Jia Zheng was already in his fifties or sixties, and he had wives and concubines, as well as quite a few maids who served him. Yet, he never mentioned anyone else's name during intimate moments.
Fearing that he too would come out of this unfilial son's mouth, Jia Zheng kicked the door open with a loud bang.
Two muffled gasps came from inside. Jia Zheng didn't go any further in, but shouted from the doorway, "Get out here—"
"Get dressed before you get out here!"
Before long, Jia Baoyu ran out. In his haste, he was not properly dressed, barely wrapped in his clothes, with one trouser leg still hanging down. He stumbled and fell to his knees in front of Jia Zheng with a thud.
Jia Zheng was furious whenever he saw him.
"This afternoon I asked you if you had any maids you liked, and what was your answer?"
Jia Baoyu did not dare to speak.
"Two-faced! Hypocritical!" Just like your wife.
Jia Zheng kicked out, not only at Jia Baoyu, but also with resentment towards Lady Wang. However, being his own son, Jia Zheng slightly lowered his foot, avoiding hitting him on the head.
In a fit of rage, he kicked Jia Baoyu to the ground.
Xiren came out at this moment, and hurriedly knelt down to the side to help Jia Baoyu up.
"Is this the maid named Xiren?" Jia Zheng asked coldly.
Jia Baoyu didn't dare answer, trembling with fear, and just knelt with his head down. Jia Zheng became even angrier: "You unfilial son! Do you think you can escape by not speaking?"
"Reporting to Master, this servant is indeed Xiren."
Jia Zheng sneered twice: "Guards, lock her up. Her whole family will be sold off first thing tomorrow morning!"
The servants came to drag her away, and Xiren's legs went weak: "Second Master, Second Master."
Jia Baoyu didn't even raise his head, nor did he dare to move an inch.
“Master,” Xiren cried, “it was given to Second Master by Madam.”
"Even if the old lady gave it to you, it's useless!" Jia Zheng turned and left. As he took a step, he felt a slight twist in his ankle, probably from the kick earlier. He didn't pay much attention to it and went back to Aunt Zhao's room.
Xiren was locked in a secluded room, hoping that Master Bao would ask his wife to say a few words on her behalf.
After Jia Baoyu and the others left, he stood up, rubbed his knees, and crawled back into bed. Although it was late spring, he felt cold all over after this ordeal.
"Musk Moon! Musk Moon!"
Musk Moon entered, still shaken, and asked, "Second Master, would you like some hot water?"
Jia Baoyu reached out to her, saying, "I'm a little cold, come and warm me up."
How could Musk Moon dare?
She asked, "Second Master, aren't you going to ask Madam for help?"
"How could I dare? Master is in a fit of anger." Jia Baoyu's eyes reddened at the thought of Xiren, but he shrank back when he thought of Jia Zheng. "Let's talk about it when we see Madam tomorrow. If Madam finds out that Xiren took two taels of silver from Madam, she will definitely protect her."
As for Jia Zheng, when he returned to Aunt Zhao's room, he saw leftover food and Aunt Zhao sitting listlessly on a stool waiting. He immediately softened his voice and said, "You should rest. Although the weather is getting warmer, it is still cool in the morning and evening. You should take care of yourself."
Aunt Zhao seemed to come alive, and got up to tell the maid to bring hot water for Jia Zheng to wash up.
With servants attending to him, Jia Zheng sat there and sneered again: "Xiren? I knew there was something fishy about him choosing such a strange and unusual name. This afternoon I asked him if I wanted to prepare two concubines for him, and he only said he was studying. But before it was even completely dark tonight, he was already—making a ruckus."
There's a very obvious pause before the "fuss," so it's quite clear what Jia Zheng meant by "fuss."
Aunt Zhao thought her chance had finally come, and she asked with a slightly exaggerated doubt, "Xiren? Isn't she Bao Er Ye's concubine? Doesn't Master know?"
"What did you say?" Jia Zheng asked incredulously.
Aunt Zhao immediately knelt down: "Please, sir, do me justice! I have borne you children, and it's one thing for Madam to dislike me, but why humiliate me like this?"
Aunt Zhao knelt down with such force that the loud thud startled Jia Zheng, who instinctively reached out to pull her away, saying, "Speak properly, why are you kneeling?"
“Master,” Aunt Zhao said sadly, tears streaming down her face, “I don’t know what kind of life I’ve been living these past few years while you were away on assignment. The year before last, my brother died, and Tan Chun was in charge of the household. I went to her to ask for money, but she said that according to custom, I should only give twenty taels, and that I should do what the madam deserved. Around that time, Xi Ren’s mother also died, and she gave forty taels. I was so angry that I went to her, but she not only disowned her uncle, but also insisted that Xi Ren was an outsider and I was a member of the household, so I should only receive twenty taels.”
At first, she was just using it as an excuse, but later she was really heartbroken. Aunt Zhao was initially thinking about not crying and ruining her makeup, but after a couple of sentences, she couldn't remember anything else.
“I am a proper concubine, listed in the family genealogy, and she compares me to a maidservant. Besides, I am her birth mother. How can she treat me like this? I am the master’s concubine, while Xiren is Bao Er’s maidservant. How can I accept this? But when we argued, no one spoke up for me. Zhu’er’s wife was there, and Bao’er was there too. They all said I was being disrespectful.”
Jia Zheng's face darkened.
"Are you serious?" Jia Zheng was still somewhat incredulous, but he knew what kind of temperament the Wang family had.
Aunt Zhao wiped away her tears; her face was truly streaked with tears.
"She's been receiving two taels of silver for several years now. When her mother died, Tan Chun gave her forty taels of silver, and the whole family knew about it."
Jia Zheng pursed his lips tightly; the wine he drank made him drunk again.
Aunt Zhao was still crying: "Those maids in Yihong Courtyard don't treat Huan'er like a master, let alone like Bao Erye's brother. They used jasmine powder disguised as rose saltpeter to humiliate Huan'er. I was so angry that I went to confront them, but a bunch of actresses grabbed my hair and beat me. Master, when you're not home, am I even human? Even opera singers can step on my head."
“Tan Chun still said it wasn’t a big deal, that I had lost my decorum, and told me to report to Madam. She also said that those maids were nothing more than cats and dogs, and could be chased away. As a result, I was beaten so badly that everyone knew about it, while those maids stayed put. Master, when you’re not home, I’m not even as good as a dog.”
Aunt Zhao was heartbroken when she thought of the grievances she had suffered over the past two years, and she cried uncontrollably.
Jia Zheng was so angry that he felt a throbbing headache.
"Someone come here!" He was so angry that he stood up abruptly, rushed out of the room and shouted, "Go and bring me Baoyu!"
Aunt Zhao lived in the small east courtyard next to Madam Wang. When the commotion broke out, Madam Wang came out and saw a chaotic scene. Jia Zheng was standing in the courtyard, and Aunt Zhao was kneeling at his feet crying. A maid came up and whispered, "Master wants to take away Master Bao."
Madam Wang hurriedly stepped forward to persuade him, "Master, why are you so angry? Baoyu has been so obedient and hardworking these days. Such a good child, could it be that you have been misled by some slanderous words?"
"You vicious woman! Baoyu is only a few years old, and you've already found him a maidservant to share his room. No wonder he wasn't studying properly; it's all your fault! After what happened, how could he possibly concentrate on his studies!"
Madam Wang was stunned. Then, thinking that her son only had two maids by his side, she looked incredulous and said tremblingly, "Go and call Xiren. I want to ask her what she thinks of Baoyu!"
"She's still called Xiren, I saw it with my own eyes, would I lie to you!"
Aunt Zhao was still kneeling on the ground, listening to the master and mistress arguing. She cried and felt a little regretful. She really wanted to say that Bao Er Ye had been having an affair with Xi Ren since he was eleven years old, but if she really said it, she would be digging her own grave.
"You dare to be a lady?" Jia Zheng sneered. "You can't even read two characters, you don't read a single book of Confucian classics, all you know how to do is eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist prayers every day. Where do you get your compassion? If someone like you believes in Buddhism, you'll drag even Buddha into the mud!"
Madam Wang had never been scolded like this in her decades of marriage, especially with all the maids in the courtyard, as well as Aunt Zhou and Aunt Zhao. Her face flushed red with embarrassment. "Master, please calm down." After saying that, she ordered a maid, "Go and bring me some hangover soup!"
Madam Wang glared at Aunt Zhao again: "What kind of wine did you give Master to drink, that incited him to beat Baoyu, you heartless, despicable wretch!"
Jia Zheng sneered, "Only today do I understand how you run the household!"
“Why do you have to humiliate me like this, sir?” Madam Wang cried. “I am also a daughter of the Wang family. My ancestors were not much worse than your Jia family, and I am no worse than your Jia family now.”
This isn't a plea; it's a threat.
Jia Zheng was even angrier. When Wang Ziteng was in power, she relied on the Wang family to act arrogantly and domineeringly. Now that Wang Ziteng is like this, what else does she want?
He had endured this for decades, but Jia Zheng simply ignored Lady Wang and urged, "Where is Baoyu? Why isn't he here yet!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Jia Zheng saw a pale pink face peeking out from the moon gate. Who else could it be but Jia Baoyu?
"Get over here and lie down properly!" Jia Zheng roared, then turned to go behind the door to get the bolt for another door. As he did so, his right foot couldn't touch the ground.
Jia Zheng was already furious, and he had to beat her up first before talking about anything else.
This looks like they're going to beat Jia Baoyu again.
Madam Wang also knelt down: "Master, Baoyu is frail and cannot withstand a beating. Besides, the old lady is getting old; what if she gets seriously ill from anger?"
Jia Zheng kicked her away: "I'm asking you, what if he makes me sick from anger?!"
Jia Baoyu lay trembling on the bench, while Jia Zheng sneered, "This isn't the first time you've been beaten. I just didn't expect you to dare to do it a second time."
The sound of slapping rang out, and Jia Baoyu immediately burst into tears. Lady Wang's tears flowed freely, and Aunt Zhao, who had been feeling a little better, also started to shed tears upon seeing this scene.
Putting everything else aside, it was so exhilarating.
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The author says: Jia Zheng is very fond of Aunt Zhao. Jia Huan calls him father and Aunt Zhao mother.
Moreover, when Jia Zheng was alive, Aunt Zhao asked Granny Ma to cast a spell, and Jia Huan pushed the lamp and burned Jia Baoyu's face. It's over now.
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