latelenovela Chapter 8: The Deception is Over
Chapter 8: The Deception is Over
“I caught a cold before the New Year and have been sick ever since. It’s been almost two months now, and the illness hasn’t gotten better or worse. It’s just kept me confined to this small place, and I’ve missed so many important events in the manor. Don’t you find that strange, Aunt?” Jia Huan said in a low voice.
Aunt Zhao looked Jia Huan up and down, a wary glint in her eyes: "What do you mean?"
"Human hearts are unpredictable! These aristocratic families appear glamorous on the surface, but you know better than anyone how many shady dealings they engage in behind the scenes. You are a concubine, and I am a son born out of wedlock. If we were to harbor thoughts of fighting over the family fortune, would the master, mistress, or even the old lady who dotes on Baoyu the most, let us off the hook? Just think about the kind of life we've lived these past ten years—always trembling with fear, as if walking on thin ice. Even living a dutiful life is like this; if we were to be restless, what would await us?"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhao shuddered violently. A sudden realization dawned on her: "You mean someone tampered with your illness?"
Jia Huan lowered his eyes and remained silent.
Aunt Zhao stood up instantly, first in anger, then in alarm. She started circling around the room, muttering, "That's it, that's it. Your illness is so minor, and you've been taking good care of yourself with the right medicine. How could it have dragged on for so long? It turns out there's someone causing trouble. Who is it? Is it Madam? Yes, she's always hated me. It must be her."
Aunt Zhao thought back to the New Year when she had indeed been quite restless, constantly whispering in the master's ear, hoping he would mention Huanhuan during the Empress's visit home, so that Huanhuan could also gain some recognition in public. It was after that that Huanhuan fell ill and hasn't recovered since: "I'll go tell the master and ask him to take charge for us!"
After saying that, he turned to leave.
"What can the master do if he finds out?" Jia Huan asked.
Aunt Zhao stopped in her tracks, her mind a jumbled mess. Without hesitation, she replied, "If Master finds out, he'll naturally stand up for you. Do you think he'll just stand by and watch you get hurt?"
"As long as the Imperial Concubine is alive, her position will not be shaken. Besides, neither of us has any evidence! This is just our speculation."
Aunt Zhao remained silent, unable to utter a rebuttal.
Jia Huan gave her time to think.
The room suddenly fell silent, and even the atmosphere began to freeze.
Letting Jia Huan inherit the family business is like a bubble that can be popped with the slightest touch. In terms of whether he is a legitimate son or a son of a concubine, or whether he is older or younger, he has no right to it. Yet, Aunt Zhao is unable to see reality and keeps jumping around, clinging to unrealistic dreams.
Now, Jia Huan's illness made Aunt Zhao realize that this was just a warning from Madam Wang to her and her son. If they continued to hold onto these unrealistic ideas and remained as restless as before, she would naturally not be lenient with them.
The wife has a family, means, children, the master's respect, and now she has the empress as her backer. What can I use to fight her?
After a long silence, Aunt Zhao gave a bitter smile: "Then what do we do?"
“My aunt has been confined to this mansion for too long. Don’t you want to go out and see the outside world?” Jia Huan gently persuaded, “I am a man after all. There will come a day when I leave to establish my own mansion. When that time comes, I will take my aunt out as well. Then we will have a good life together.”
Aunt Zhao could no longer hold back. She hugged Jia Huan and wept bitterly, as if she wanted to vent all the grievances and resentment in her heart.
Aunt Zhao finally understood and faced reality. Her son definitely couldn't inherit the family property, but Huan'er had a share in the master's private property. She had to find a way to get more money from the master so that she and her son could have a better life in the future.
Seeing that she had cheered up, regained her former spirits, and was relieved, Jia Huan felt that his efforts had not been in vain.
It was getting dark, and the ground was muddy and difficult to walk on. Jia Huan personally escorted Aunt Zhao out of Qingfeng Courtyard, and then had Xiuyun and Xiuyu carefully escort her back to Rongxi Hall with lanterns.
"From now on, I can finally have some peace and quiet." Jia Huan watched Aunt Zhao's departing figure, feeling very happy.
Aunt Zhao used to constantly nag Jia Huan, saying things like, "Baoyu got this, Baoyu got that," and then she'd start scolding him for being useless, and then she'd cry about her own miserable life. It was incredibly annoying. Now that her unrealistic dreams have been shattered, she should finally be able to calm down a bit.
Jia Huan was in a good mood and had an appetite.
He immediately ordered, "Let's have hot pot today, with a spicy broth. Slice plenty of lamb, fish balls, shrimp balls, yams, mushrooms, and a variety of seasonal vegetables. Prepare all the dipping sauces, cut some noodles, and heat up a pot of wine. If the small kitchen doesn't have any, go to the box and get some money from the main kitchen."
Qingyun Nuanxue quickly agreed and went to instruct the kitchen.
Vibrant green vegetables, tender lamb, and plump, bouncy meatballs—a truly satisfying meal.
Before bed, Qingyun Nuanxue brought her a bowl of medicine and a dish of candied fruit.
'This is the downside of faking illness!' Jia Huan sighed silently, then skillfully wandered around the room, pouring some medicine into the cracks between bricks and in the corners of the walls before finally taking a sip. In this way, the smell of medicine would fill his body and the room.
Silent all night.
The next morning, the people that Madam Wang had arranged came over.
There were two nannies, four maids, and six wives who swept the courtyard. The four maids were all quite good-looking, each with a beautiful face.
As if realizing something, Jia Huan glanced at the maids in the courtyard.
really!
While not every single one is outstanding, most of them are good-looking, and given that they are all in their prime, the overall appearance of Qingfeng Academy is truly high!
Without a doubt, this must be Madam Wang's doing!
He's getting older, still full of youthful vigor, and the courtyard is full of beautiful young women. His parents live far away, so it's hard to guarantee that no trouble won't arise.
His stepmother certainly has good intentions!
However, this was actually a good thing for Jia Huan, as the women in his courtyard were all beauties, which at least enhanced his appearance.
Jia Huan showed no mercy or pity, and directly ordered Qingyun and Nuanxue to reassign the tasks to everyone in the courtyard.
Jia Huan stood on the platform, dressed in a black and gold cloak, his face solemn, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the courtyard. Although still young, his imposing presence was overwhelming, making it impossible to look directly at him.
"From today onwards, Qingfeng Courtyard is my courtyard, and you are all people in my courtyard. I don't care where you came from before, but once you're here, you must abide by my rules. You must work diligently, without shirking or cheating, without drinking or gambling, and each of you must do your job well without slacking off. You are not allowed to go out unless necessary, and if you do go out, you must report where you are and what you are doing. If you are not on duty at night, you can go home to stay, but you must return on time the next day and not be late. Anyone who violates the rules will be severely punished according to the severity of the offense, and the punishment will be doubled for repeat offenders."
"Of course, if you do your work well and behave honestly, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
"Today is also a celebration of my housewarming. Everyone will receive a month's allowance, and each of the little maids will receive a bright silver jingling hairpin, and the nannies will receive a pearl hairpin. Make sure you all wear them when you are on duty."