Dream of the Red Chamber: Eating, Sleeping, and Angering Baoyu

The mandarin ducks covered their mouths and laughed, their voices clear and melodious.

"Young Master Heng is quite young, but he's very quick-witted and knows how to talk."

Jia Heng smiled modestly: "Sister Yuanyang, you flatter me. I was just telling the truth."

His mature and sensible demeanor made Yuanyang think even more highly of him.

This young master Heng, although he came from a place like Jinling, seems much more insightful and shrewd than the young master Bao in the manor who was born with a jade in his mouth.

"Then this servant will go back to serve the old lady first. If Young Master Heng needs anything, just send someone to let me know." Yuanyang curtsied and turned to leave.

Watching Yuanyang's departing figure, Jia Heng's smile gradually faded. He turned around and looked at the two new maids standing in front of him.

Qiu Xiang was still immersed in the joy of being chosen.

Qingwen remained indifferent, her eyes downcast, seemingly oblivious to everything around her.

"From today onwards, you are all part of our institution."

Jia Heng's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"I don't have many rules here, but there are a few that you must remember well."

Qiu Xiang immediately composed herself and respectfully lowered her head.

Qingwen finally raised her head and looked at the young master who was shorter than her.

"First, you must be obedient. Do whatever I say, and don't ask any questions or say anything unnecessary."

"Secondly, you must understand hierarchy. I am the master, and you are the servants. You must know in your heart what to do and what to say at what time."

"Third, and most importantly, no betrayal is allowed. My courtyard will not harbor anyone who turns their back on the Lord for personal gain. If I find anyone leaking information about what happens in the courtyard to the outside world, don't blame me for being ruthless."

His words were simple and straightforward, yet they carried a chilling undertone that made Qiu Xiang shiver involuntarily.

A hint of surprise flashed in Qingwen's defiant eyes.

The words spoken by this eight-year-old child were even more intimidating than those of the butler, Lai Da.

After Jia Heng finished speaking, he glanced at them indifferently.

"Did you understand?"

"This servant...this servant understands!"

Qiu Xiang immediately knelt down and kowtowed.

Qingwen was a beat slower, but she also knelt down, her voice clearer: "This servant understands."

"Okay." Jia Heng nodded. "Then let's clean the house inside and out first. I don't like dust in the house."

After saying that, he walked to the stone bench in the courtyard, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.

Upon receiving the order, Qiu Xiang immediately got up, picked up the broom and rag from the corner, and began working quickly and efficiently.

Qingwen stood still, without moving.

She was originally a maidservant of the Lai family, but was later favored by Grandmother Jia and taken over. She did light tasks such as needlework in the old lady's room. When had she ever done such rough work?

She suddenly felt a little unwilling.

The atmosphere in the courtyard instantly froze.

Jia Heng didn't open his eyes, but it was as if he had eyes in the back of his head; he didn't say anything.

However, that invisible pressure made Qingwen feel like she had thorns in her back.

She could feel that the young master's attention was entirely focused on her.

It was a scrutiny, a weighing of the situation, carrying a chilling coldness that made her heart tremble.

Qingwen bit her lower lip, her mind in turmoil.

[Oh, little chili pepper, you want to put up a fight? Host, should I exchange a 'Kingly Aura' for you, so she'll bow down in worship?]

The system's voice rang in my mind, filled with the excitement of watching a good show.

Jia Heng scoffed inwardly.

Dealing with a little girl doesn't require any domineering aura.

He remained motionless and silent, but the silent pressure grew stronger and stronger.

Qingwen finally couldn't take it anymore.

She suddenly raised her head and met Jia Heng's eyes, which had been open at some point.

What kind of eyes were those?

It is unfathomable, calm and still, yet it seems to be able to see through everything.

There was no anger, no impatience, only pure scrutiny.

Under such gazes, Qingwen's resentment and arrogance melted away quickly, like ice and snow under the sun.

She suddenly realized that she couldn't afford to offend this new master.

In the end, she silently lowered her head, picked up another rag, and began wiping the tables and chairs.

Although the movements were somewhat clumsy, they obeyed the orders nonetheless.

Jia Heng then looked away.

[Tsk tsk, boring. I thought I was going to see a good show.]

The system seemed to want more.

Jia Heng ignored it and continued to rest with his eyes closed.

He wanted to make Qingwen understand that she should put away her spoiled and arrogant attitude in his presence, otherwise, she would die a more tragic death than in the original story.

……

Evening, Rongqing Hall.

The family gathered together for a meal again.

Grandmother Jia clearly adored her new grandson, and specially arranged for him to sit not far from her, right next to Jia Baoyu.

"Heng-ge'er, are you settling into the new courtyard? Do you still need the servants?"

"Grandmother Jia asked with affection," she said.

Jia Heng quickly put down his chopsticks, stood up and replied, "Grandmother, I am living very well. The courtyard is bright and quiet, and I like it very much."

He paused, then added, "It's all thanks to Sister Yuanyang. She chose the best place for her grandson. I'm thinking of renaming that courtyard 'Gratitude Courtyard'."

"Oh?" Grandmother Jia immediately became interested. "The Grateful Courtyard? What's that for?"

Everyone at the table looked over curiously.

Jia Heng looked at his mother with a face full of filial piety, his voice extremely sincere.

"I left home when I was young, and it is a great blessing for me to be able to return to my grandmother's side. Not only does she not despise me, but she also loves me so much and has given me such a good place to live. I really don't know how to repay her."

"That's why my grandson named the courtyard 'Gratitude'—to constantly remind himself not to forget the kindness of our ancestors, and to be grateful and filial every day!"

These words were so poignant that they brought tears to the eyes of anyone who heard them.

Grandmother Jia was so moved that her eyes welled up with tears.

"Good! Good boy! You're such a good grandson!" she exclaimed, taking Jia Heng's hand and patting it affectionately. "You child, how can you speak so well? You've really touched your grandmother's heart."

Madam Wang also showed a rare genuine smile and nodded repeatedly.

Wang Xifeng exaggeratedly wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and laughed, "Grandmother, listen to what Heng-ge'er said! It's more touching than the filial sons in those plays. We, as his elder brothers and sisters-in-law, should all learn from Heng-ge'er."

In an instant, the table was filled with praise for Jia Heng.

While Jia Heng was being praised by everyone, he was frantically receiving system notifications in his mind.

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Wow! Brother Baoyu's face has turned green! Well done, host!]

Jia Heng was overjoyed, but he casually turned his head to look at Jia Baoyu beside him.

Jia Baoyu's handsome face was taut, and his lips were so pouting they could hang an oil bottle on them; he was clearly very angry.

Jia Heng feigned surprise and spoke.

"Brother Baoyu, why do you look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?"

Jia Baoyu sullenly hummed, not wanting to pay him any attention.

Jia Heng, however, did not let him off the hook, and continued to deliver a fatal blow with that innocent and naive demeanor.

"Oh dear, Brother Baoyu, you don't actually think it's wrong for me to be grateful to our ancestors, do you?"

The moment those words were spoken, the entire dinner table fell silent.

All eyes were on Jia Baoyu.

[Holy crap! Host, you're attacking my spirit! You're killing me by attacking my spirit too!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

Jia Baoyu's face instantly turned bright red, and he almost choked on his breath at those words.

What could he say?

To say that Jia Heng was wrong? Isn't that the same as saying that being filial to one's ancestors was wrong?

If he dares to say that, his father Jia Zheng will break his legs tomorrow!

"No...no! I didn't think that!"

Jia Baoyu was so anxious he was almost in tears, and he quickly waved his hands in denial.

Jia Heng immediately looked relieved and patted his chest.

"That's good, that's good. It seems I misunderstood Brother Baoyu. I knew it! Brother Baoyu is the most filial son, how could he think that way?"

[Pfft! A finishing blow! This is a blatant finishing blow!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

Looking at Jia Baoyu's unseemly manner and then at Jia Heng beside him, who was well-mannered, filial, and sensible, Grandmother Jia's heart was completely tipped in her favor.

She hardened her face and scolded Jia Baoyu, "Baoyu! Look at yourself! What kind of behavior is this! You should learn from your younger brother how to be filial to your elders and how to speak and act!"

Jia Baoyu was so aggrieved that tears welled up in his eyes, but he dared not refute them. He could only lower his head and respond with a soft hum like a mosquito.

"……yes."

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +100!]

[Congratulations, host! Today's KPI has been exceeded! Brother Baoyu is almost internally injured from anger!]

Hearing the celebratory notifications from the system in his mind, Jia Heng slowly picked up a piece of bird's nest with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.