PFC Chapter 98, Part 4: Everyone Meets for the First Time (3)
Chapter 98, Part 4: Everyone Meets for the First Time (3)
At this moment, the gears of fate began to turn. When the ministers went to court after the New Year, they discovered that the Jia family, which had always been low-key, had begun to transform into a fire-breathing dragon in the court, daring to spew fire at anyone.
Many ministers felt that the Jia family had become arrogant. After saving the emperor and obtaining the glass formula, they had gained the emperor's favor and started to act recklessly. They were not very smart and did not consider the emperor's age. If they did not take advantage of this time to befriend the princes, what would happen to the Jia family when the princes ascended the throne?
The wiser ministers admired the Jia family's boldness and went back to instruct the women in their families to be even closer to the Jia family in the future.
The Emperor was very satisfied. He wasn't an emperor for nothing; he had seen through the Jia family's intentions on several occasions.
He is now very satisfied with the Crown Prince, who is a bit too timid and cautious, while the other princes are jumping around too much. In order to maintain balance, the Jia family is willing to step forward, so he is happy to sit back and enjoy the benefits, continuing to be a loving and good father.
The princes mostly felt that Jia Daishan and Jia Daihua dared to do this because they were acting on the emperor's orders, so they all kept a low profile for a while, and the atmosphere in the court calmed down, which pleased the emperor even more.
Those two old foxes are indeed shrewd and perceptive; considering this, they'll spare their son's title.
These are all things to come later. Right now, everyone is immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the New Year, with banquets at this house and that house every day for several days in a row.
Jia Hu started out by coming to see what was fun, but there were so many people, and his social anxiety was about to kick in.
From the initial "Hello! Hello! Happy New Year!" to the polite smiles, I've gotten used to everyone, even though I can't remember them all. I've become numb to it, and social anxiety no longer exists.
When Jia Hu woke up in the morning, he felt that his face was numb. He had been smiling too much these past few days, and all those aunts and cousins, why did they like to pinch his face? He felt that his face had become bigger.
Little Jia Zhu watched his brother rub his face and followed suit, getting his face pinched as well. The little boy learned what it meant to be emotionally exhausted.
Looking at his younger brother's adorable appearance, Jia Hu couldn't help but go up and pinch his cheeks; he was just too cute.
Jia Zhu doesn't mind her older brother pinching her cheeks, though he's very gentle.
"Brother, are we still going out today? I don't want to go anymore."
“We’re not going out today. You’ve forgotten, Grandmother said that her family is coming today, as are your uncle and my uncle.”
Jia Hu felt a little happier at the thought that his uncle was coming. He was instantly delighted, but he didn't know who from the Shi family would be coming.
According to current standards, Xiangyun's parents should still be alive.
Wang Ziteng will definitely come, and I'll be able to meet him too.
Of the four great families, only the Xue family remained unseen, but they were all currently residing in Jinling.
My grandmother mentioned it yesterday, saying that she had sent over New Year's gifts.
Jia Hu immediately thought of Xue Pan, who was truly a useless person.
Although it was later said that he loved his sister, even if there is a recyclable part to garbage, it is still garbage.
Now that the Xue family patriarch is definitely alive, Jia Hu silently kept this in mind, and vowed to remind him to discipline his son properly when the opportunity arose.
Xiangling is the most pitiful one. This time, we can't let Xiangling be kidnapped. We need to remember this. This matter will take several years to resolve. By then, I will be able to do more.
Jia Hu gradually began to drift off into thought, and Jia Zhu, having grown accustomed to his brother's occasional lapses in concentration, lay down peacefully and began doing the eye exercises his brother had taught him.
The maids clearly heard voices coming from inside the room, but after preparing the toiletries, there was no further movement. After waiting for a while, Dongyun went inside to check.
She saw her two young masters lying on the bed, rubbing their faces with their hands. She knew that this was an eye exercise that Hu had come up with. Sometimes when they were doing needlework and their eyes felt tired, doing this would really make them feel better.
Dongyun felt that her young master would have great abilities in the future.
Dongyun smiled and said:
"Gentlemen, it's time to get up. We have guests today, so we can't stay in bed."
Jia Hu smiled at Dong Yun. He had a good impression of Dong Yun. She took good care of him and was his savior, but she never mentioned it and only focused on taking care of him.
He overheard the maids talking about how Sister Duoyun had a childhood sweetheart cousin who was waiting outside the mansion.
The indenture of Sister Dongyun had already been returned to her at that time, along with a large sum of money.
Jia Hu planned to give Dongyun land, a house, and money when she reached marriageable age, so that she could live a good life.
"I already told you, you can just call me Brother Hu."
Jia Hu laughed.
Dongyun also smiled and said:
"That's not a random way to address someone. That's what the old lady, the elderly maidservant who serves the mistress, can call her. We maids can't call her that, or we'll break the rules."
Dongyun didn't feel she had done any favor for Jia Hu, the young master. She was originally a maidservant by the side of the eldest mistress, and taking care of the young master was just what she was supposed to do.
Moreover, the old lady and master were kind and returned her indenture, and gave her so much money. Her family now owns land in the village, and her brother has also gotten married. All of this is thanks to young master Jia Hu, and she should always be grateful.
Her mother had said that the most important thing in wealthy families is to follow the rules, and one should not forget one's place just because one has gained the trust of the masters.
Jia Hu was at a loss and could only think of giving Dongyun more things so that she could live a better life.
Dongyun went out and told the maids to come in and help the two young masters wash up.
After tidying up Jia Hu and Jia Zhu, they went to Grandmother Jia's place for a meal. During the New Year, everyone usually ate breakfast together, which made it more lively.
Jia Hu really liked this atmosphere; it was so nice for the family to be together.
It turns out that things weren't like that at the Jia family mansion. After paying their respects, everyone would go back to their own courtyards to have their meals.
But ever since everyone sensed Jia Hu's happiness and joy, they've been spending time together all the time, except when they can't eat together. Over time, their relationships have indeed improved a lot.
After finishing their meal, they waited for the guests to arrive. Jia Hu and Jia Zhu went to see Yuan Chun again. Children change every day; the wrinkled little girl had become much prettier and fair-skinned in just a few days.
Jia Zhu was very satisfied. She would often drag Jia Hu over to see her sister, and they would happily stroll around for a while before heading back.
After making their rounds, the guests were about to arrive, so the two followed Jia She and Jia Zheng to the front gate to greet them.
The first to arrive were members of the Wang family. Jia Zhu was delighted to see them get out of the carriage and went over to greet them. Jia Hu followed Jia She and Jia Zheng and greeted them politely.
The male guests disembarked first, while the female guests, after saying goodbye, went to the backyard without getting off, where Jia Min received them.
Jia Hu looked at the two men who came down. Both of them were quite tall, but one was rather thin, while the other looked like he had a martial arts background and was full of energy. He was currently talking to Jia Zhu and Jia She.
Jia Hu immediately recognized this as Wang Ziteng. He was somewhat disappointed, wondering how Feng Jie's father, who didn't look imposing at all, could have fathered a daughter like Feng Jie.