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

Grandmother Jia also took a closer look and indeed found that her grandson's dark yellow complexion had faded considerably since he first returned, and he now appeared much more refined and handsome.

"Yes, Heng'er, Feng is right, your complexion is much better than it was the other day."

Madam Wang rarely spoke, but her words carried a hint of barely perceptible concern.

For a moment, Jia Heng became the focus of attention at the dinner table.

He put down his chopsticks, with a touch of youthful shyness and just the right amount of sincerity, and looked around.

"Perhaps...perhaps it's because I'm back in the manor, able to see my grandmother, mother, and sisters every day, that I'm happy. When a person feels comfortable, their complexion naturally improves."

These words were so perfectly spoken, and they touched everyone's hearts.

"Oh my, listen to this! Listen to this!" Grandmother Jia immediately beamed with joy, pointing at Jia Heng and laughing at everyone, "Of all the children in this mansion, our Heng-ge'er has the sweetest tongue and the best way to speak!"

Wang Xifeng covered her mouth and laughed, "That's right! Look at what he said, he's made us all, from the oldest to the youngest, so happy! From now on, we'll have to be extra kind to our third brother!"

Yingchun and Xichun smiled slightly, and Tanchun even put a piece of food directly into Jia Heng's bowl.

"If Heng-ge'er can talk, then eat more!"

The room was filled with laughter and joy.

All of this was like invisible knives cutting into Jia Baoyu's heart.

He lowered his head, almost burying his face in the bowl.

These laughs, these praises, once belonged to him.

The doting love of the matriarch, the surrounding presence of her sisters, the teasing of Sister Feng...

But now, Jia Heng has taken them all away.

He simply said a few nice words and easily captured everyone's attention.

And what about yourself?

I was just beaten by my father that afternoon, forced to go to school, and forced to be a bodyguard for this enemy.

Now, we have to sit here and watch him being fawned over and enjoying his success.

Humiliation, jealousy, resentment... all sorts of emotions intertwined and surged wildly in his chest, almost threatening to devour him entirely.

His knuckles turned blue from gripping the chopsticks so tightly.

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +50!]

[Ding! Negative emotion value from Jia Baoyu +50!]

Again!

Jia Heng was overjoyed.

My father is like a physical attack, but all these relatives in the house are like a magical attack!

With a two-pronged approach, Brother Bao, you must hold on!

He remained calm and composed, still displaying his gentle and humble demeanor, and smiled at Grandmother Jia, saying, "I know you love me dearly, Grandmother. From now on, I will definitely study hard, not bring shame to the family, and be filial to Grandmother, Father, and Mother."

These words drew another round of praise from Grandmother Jia.

"Good child, truly a good child. Now that you're back, spend more time with your brother Baoyu. You two brothers should support each other."

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu stiffened.

That same phrase again.

My father said it during the day, and my ancestors said it again at night.

Mutual support?

Who is supporting whom?

Should he be allowed to support the culprit who brought him to this state?

That's an absolute joke!

Madam Wang, who had been silent all along, suddenly put down the ivory chopsticks in her hand.

She looked at Jia Baoyu: "Baoyu, what's wrong with you?"

As soon as Madam Wang said this, the laughter at the table came to an abrupt halt.

Everyone's attention shifted from Jia Heng to Jia Baoyu.

Jia Baoyu kept his head down and remained silent.

He simply poked gently into the white porcelain bowl with his ivory chopsticks, crushing the plump grains of rice one by one.

Seeing her son in this state, Madam Wang felt extremely distressed and was about to say something more.

"evil creature!"

Jia Zheng slammed his hand on the table, the bowls and plates clattering together with a jarring sound.

"Are you deaf when your mother asks you a question?! What kind of manners are these in front of your elders?!"

Jia Baoyu's shoulders shrunk almost imperceptibly, but he still didn't raise his head or say anything.

"Master!" Madam Wang immediately became anxious. She stood up and stood in front of Jia Baoyu, complaining to Jia Zheng, "What are you doing! Why are you getting so angry all of a sudden! Can't you see that Baoyu is still injured?"

"Injuries?" Jia Zheng sneered, his anger flaring even more. "What are these little injuries! I wish I could beat this unfilial son to death today! That way, he won't bring shame to the Jia family in the future!"

Grandmother Jia's face also darkened: "Zheng'er, speak properly. What exactly happened to make you so angry?"

Jia Zheng was furious and had nowhere to vent his anger. When the old lady asked him a question, he immediately poured out his heart and told her everything that had happened in the study that afternoon.

He first denounced Jia Baoyu for misinterpreting the classics and for uttering the absurd statement that "girls are made of water."

Then, he changed the subject and began to lavish praise on Jia Heng.

"...When his son asked Heng'er why he studied, Heng'er replied, 'On a small scale, it can cultivate one's character and temperament; on a larger scale, it can benefit the world and its people, share the ruler's burdens, serve the country, and bring glory to the family!'"

"Mother, listen to this! Listen to this! This is what a scholar should say! This is the spirit that the descendants of the Jia family should have!"

As Jia Zheng spoke, he became increasingly agitated, pointing at Jia Baoyu with deep sorrow and grief.

"But this wretched child! Not only did he not repent after hearing this, he even called scholars 'traitors and parasites'! Who is he insulting? He's insulting me!"

These words shocked everyone present.

"Oh my, how can we say that!" Wang Xifeng exclaimed dramatically, looking at Jia Heng with surprise and admiration in her phoenix eyes. "Our third brother is truly a hidden talent! Such insight at such a young age!"

Tan Chun also looked approving: "'To share the emperor's worries and serve the country,' Heng Ge'er's ambition is far superior to ours."

Jia Heng bowed his head modestly, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

Father, you're such a good teammate! You're doing this to win my favor in front of the whole family, while also trying to sow discord between Baoyu and me.

After hearing this, Grandmother Jia nodded repeatedly, and her gaze toward Jia Heng held a genuine appreciation.

But when she turned her head and saw her beloved grandson's pale face, her heart immediately softened.

"Baoyu is still young, and it's understandable that he sometimes talks nonsense. Zheng'er, as his father, you should just teach him properly. Why get so angry and hit him so hard?"

Madam Wang immediately chimed in, agreeing, "That's right! The old lady is right. Besides, what kind of family are we? Do you think we'd be short of food?"

"Even if he never studies or seeks fame or fortune, his family's wealth is enough to ensure his lifelong prosperity. Why force him to do things that make him unhappy?"

"A doting mother often spoils her son!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng was so angry that his beard stood on end.

"It's because you indulge him in everything that he's developed such an unruly nature! Wealth? How many generations can wealth last? If all your descendants are like him, lacking any ambition, even the greatest fortune will eventually be squandered!"