Chapter 7

Hearing Ping'er's words, Jia Huan's face turned somewhat unpleasant, but he eventually nodded.

He was well aware of his own limitations. He couldn't even afford to offend a few women in the Jia household, let alone the grand "ritual propriety"?

Seeing Jia Huan's somewhat unpleasant expression, Xiao Jixiang stopped giggling and stood quietly to one side. Ping'er, while combing his hair, sighed slightly and said, "You seem to have suddenly grown up. But you're still in a good position, after all, you are a master, aren't you? If you study hard in the future, and become a scholar, a provincial candidate, and even a metropolitan candidate, and then go out to serve as an official, Aunt Zhao will also have an easier time."

Jia Huan looked dejected and said, "Sister Ping'er, do you think I look like someone who could become a metropolitan candidate?"

Ping'er was simply too kind and couldn't even tell a white lie, so she could only say awkwardly, "As long as you strive and study hard, our household can also arrange... um, that's it! Hey? I never noticed before, Third Master looks more spirited than Second Master Bao!"

Xiao Jixiang started giggling again and said, "Otherwise, Madam's maids Caihua and Caiyun wouldn't like Third Master so much and dislike Second Master Bao, hehe!"

Xiao Jixiang's words also solved a mystery for Jia Huan from his previous life when he read "Dream of the Red Chamber."

Caihua and Caiyun were two close maids by Lady Wang's side, especially Caihua, who was often favored by Lady Wang, somewhat like Lady Jia's maid Yuanyang.

Yet, such important people liked the "vulgar and despicable" Jia Huan rather than the "graceful and charming" Jia Baoyu.

This was simply inconceivable.

In "Dream of the Red Chamber," compared to Jia Baoyu, Jia Huan was not just a stinky dog, but his image was as yellow as feces.

Could it be that Caihua and Caiyun liked feces?

Of course not.

The only reasonable explanation was that Jia Huan looked better than Jia Baoyu.

Caihua and Caiyun liked his "ugly skin"...

"You little rascal, what do you know about liking or disliking? Little one, you can't say such things, or Madam will punish you!"

Ping'er first tapped Xiao Jixiang's forehead, then said to Jia Huan, "Alright, change your clothes and go pay respects to Old Lady and Madam and Master. I'm busy, so I won't take you to introduce you. Xiao Jixiang knows the way."

Ignoring Xiao Jixiang, who had turned from cloudy to sunny, Jia Huan stood up and bowed solemnly to Ping'er, saying sincerely, "Sister Ping'er, thank you."

He could feel that Ping'er was saying these things for his own good. Perhaps Ping'er was just naturally kind and not specifically targeting him, but Jia Huan was still grateful, even deeply grateful.

Perhaps because she was used to Jia Huan's "troublesome" behavior, Ping'er was clearly unaccustomed to this sudden change.

Her face turned slightly red, and she tapped Jia Huan's head, smiling, "Don't do that again, it doesn't look right. You're just a child..."

Jia Huan laughed foolishly.

"Hu... Qi... Dui... Bai!"

Suddenly, Xiao Jixiang stretched out her voice and shouted.

This startled both Jia Huan and Ping'er, and then they saw Xiao Jixiang jumping and laughing "giggling."

"Oh, you little brat... you're really crazy, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Ping'er thought for a moment before realizing what Xiao Jixiang was saying, and her face turned bright red with embarrassment and anger as she chased after Xiao Jixiang around the room.

The quiet room was soon filled with the silver bell-like laughter of a child, screams, and gentle scolding.

Jia Huan crossed his arms, rubbed his nose with one hand, and continued to laugh foolishly.

Ping'er was Lady Wang Xifeng's maid, and she was also Jia Lian's concubine. The role of a concubine was to take over when Lady Wang Xifeng was unwell and could not share a bed with Jia Lian.

In a sense, Ping'er was also Jia Huan's little sister-in-law...

Unfortunately, a beautiful flower was stuck on cow dung.

"Third Master, what are you looking at? You've only been better for a short while, and you're already looking around with a sly expression?"

Ping'er suddenly turned around, raised her eyebrows, and scolded Jia Huan.

"Third Master, your eyes are... so lecherous!"

Even Xiao Jixiang condemned him from the side.

"Go away!"

Jia Huan felt a bit embarrassed as he shooed Xiao Jixiang, who was making a fuss. He was embarrassed because he was thinking of a famous saying.

Nothing is better to eat than dumplings, and nothing is better to play with than a sister-in-law...

Jia Huan explained seriously, "I was thinking about how to greet Old Lady when I go to pay respects. Sister Ping'er, how should I greet her? Should I just say hello or bow?"

"Ha ha!"

Hearing Jia Huan's words, Ping'er burst out laughing, rolled her eyes, and said, "What do you mean by saying hello or bowing? Are you trying to lose your skin? When you pay respects to Old Lady and Madam, you must kneel and kowtow!"

Jia Huan's face changed, and he said uncomfortably, "I have to kneel and kowtow?"

Ping'er was puzzled, "Is this a problem? Even the eldest master and master have to kneel when they pay respects to Old Lady. Can't you kneel? Our household is known for propriety and filial piety. Third Master, you must remember this. If you make even the slightest mistake and anger Old Lady, even Master can't protect you. This is no joke."

"Oh, I see. Alright then."

Although Jia Huan was still unhappy inside, his expression softened, and he thanked her, "Thank you, Sister Ping'er. Sister Ping'er, are there any taboos in our household? Please tell me, or I might commit a taboo when I go to pay respects to Old Lady and Madam."

Ping'er shook her head and smiled, "Old Lady and Madam are the most benevolent people. What taboos could there be? However... if you encounter Baoyu, you should show more respect. Um, and... never mind, nothing. Let Xiao Jixiang help you change your clothes quickly, and go. It's not good to be too late."

After saying this, Ping'er smiled at Jia Huan, tidied up Xiao Jixiang's hair that had come loose during their play, and then left gracefully.

...

"Third Master, are you really going to wear this?"

Xiao Jixiang looked worriedly at Jia Huan, who was wearing a blue robe.

Jia Huan was puzzled, "Didn't you say this is what I wear when I go to school?"

Xiao Jixiang nodded and then shook her head, "But..."

In her hand was a very bright and colorful robe-like garment. Jia Huan didn't know the name of this garment, but it was similar to what Jia Baoyu wore in "Dream of the Red Chamber."

A two-color gold robe with a hundred butterflies embroidered on it, tied with a five-color silk flower knot, and an outer robe of stone-blue brocade with eight floral patterns...

In short, it was a very luxurious and flashy garment.

But Jia Huan didn't like it much. It felt too showy, like something for a stage performance, so he preferred to wear a simple blue robe. In his previous life, he liked to wear blue shirts...

After getting dressed, Xiao Jixiang led the way, guiding Jia Huan through the vast and intricate mansion.

Compared to the carved beams and painted pillars, the lakes, pavilions, and strange rocks in the Jia household, the ancient-style resort where Jia Huan had lived with his mentor in his previous life was like a small hut next to a skyscraper, completely on a different level.

Walking through the Jia household felt like being in a large, ancient-themed park, with ancient charm everywhere.

After about fifteen minutes, they finally reached their destination. They passed through a mountain passageway and saw several maids feeding and watering the birds hanging in the corridor.

"Oh, Third Master is here!"

"Third Master, you're much better!"

"Third Master..."

A group of maids dressed in bright red and green greeted him, and Jia Huan felt a bit overwhelmed.

Didn't "Dream of the Red Chamber" say that Jia Huan was hated by everyone? Why did he seem so popular?

"Cough, cough, good morning, all the sisters! Good morning, all the sisters!"

Jia Huan bowed formally in all directions, not to flatter but to avoid being disliked. Given his current situation, he could only live in the Jia household. Jia Huan hoped to live more easily and didn't have the strength to act cool yet.

"Oh! Ha ha! It's true!"

"Hehe, Third Master is really different now!"

"Third Master never used to bow to us servants before!"

"Hehe! It's really interesting..."

About seven or eight young maids, all around ten years old, laughed and chattered, their voices sweet and clear, very pleasant to hear.

Therefore, although he was the center of discussion, Jia Huan wasn't really angry.

"Hu Po Sister, Ying Ge Sister, how can you do this?"

Seeing Jia Huan, who was too timid to speak, Xiao Jixiang weakly retaliated.

"What?! Xiao Jixiang, you little brat, have you eaten a leopard's gall to dare speak to us like that?"

The maid named Hu Po tightened her pretty face, her originally curved eyes now wide open, glaring at Xiao Jixiang.

Xiao Jixiang looked at Hu Po fearfully, then slowly moved her feet, retreating to Jia Huan's side, quietly holding the corner of his robe, and didn't dare to speak.

In terms of status and image in the Jia household, ten Xiao Jixiangs couldn't match a single maid by Old Lady's side.

Not to mention her, even Aunt Zhao had to speak politely to these maids when she came here.

Seeing Xiao Jixiang's pitiful, timid look, Jia Huan chuckled and said, "Hu Po Sister is just joking with you, don't be afraid."

Hearing this, Xiao Jixiang looked at Jia Huan, then at Hu Po, whose face was about to break into a smile, and her round face relaxed. Just as she was about to speak, the curtain behind the group was lifted, and a maid with a wasp-like waist, a duck-egg face, black hair, a high nose, and a few light freckles on her cheeks walked out. She first glared at Hu Po and the others, scolding them, "You are becoming more and more unruly. Be careful, or you'll lose your skin."

After saying this, she ignored Hu Po and the others' chattering and walked to Jia Huan, saying, "Third Master, come in quickly. Old Lady and Madam are waiting. Xiao Jixiang, don't come in, play with the sisters here."

Hearing this, Jia Huan nodded and smiled at the newcomer, then looked at Xiao Jixiang.

Xiao Jixiang also looked at the new maid, pursed her lips, and said to Jia Huan, "Third Master, this sister is Yuanyang Sister, the most capable person by Old Lady's side."

Jia Huan naturally knew Yuanyang's status by Old Lady's side. He had some suspicions earlier, and now they were confirmed. He bowed to Yuanyang and said, "Yuanyang Sister, good morning."

Yuanyang was startled, then realized and looked at Jia Huan, saying, "Third Master, please get up. I can't accept this bow. Old Lady will see it as inappropriate. Third Master, please come in with me."

Jia Huan straightened up, walked with her, and said with a smile, "Yuanyang Sister serves Old Lady diligently every day, which is also a way of showing filial piety on behalf of us, the younger generation. A simple bow is nothing."

Yuanyang turned her head slightly, looked at Jia Huan with surprise, hesitated for a moment, and said in a low voice, "Third Master, Old Lady and Madam are not very happy. You need to be careful."

...