Red Chamber 2

Jia Hu was an easygoing, talkative child. From him, Liu Zhong learned quite a bit about the Jia family.

Jia Daishan, now the Jingcheng Jiedushi, was in charge of the capital's military defenses.

The emperor trusted Jia Daishan greatly.

Jia Hu's mother was the daughter of the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. She was of noble birth, well-read and sensible, and got along very well with Jia She.

Aside from his wife, Jia She had only one concubine, and there were no other women in his household.

Wang had married Jia Zheng last year and was now four months pregnant.

So Wang hadn't attended this banquet.

Liu Zhong raised a hand and patted Jia Hu's little head.

The child had grown up under the loving care of his grandfather and parents, and was utterly innocent. No wonder he would later be so easily tricked into losing his life.

Liu Zhong said, "From now on, I'll look out for you."

Jia Hu said, "Brother Zhong, you're younger than me. You're my little brother, not my big brother."

Liu Zhong: "..."

When the banquet ended, the baron uncle hadn't invited his younger half-brothers to stay. The other branches of the family were furious and left, grumbling and cursing.

Liu Zhong's parents genuinely wanted to hurry home, especially his mother.

Serving the old madam for an entire day had been exhausting.

She just wanted to get back to her own home and rest.

The family of three rode in a carriage, with Liu Zhong wedged between his parents.

Mother Liu asked him about his day. "Did anyone bully you?"

Liu Zhong shook his head. "No. Mother, I made a friend. He's Jia Hu from Rongguo Mansion. Can I invite him over to play often?"

Mother Liu was delighted to hear that her son had made a friend and readily agreed. "Of course."

Father Liu knew Jia Hu's identity. "He's the eldest legitimate grandson of the Duke of Rong. His status is so distinguished; I doubt he'd come to our house casually."

Liu Zhong said nothing. He couldn't be sure whether the Jia family would agree to let Jia Hu associate with a collateral relative of the Duke of Li like him.

In truth, Jia Hu's grandfather and parents doted on him. As long as his requests weren't unreasonable, they granted them.

And Jia Hu only wanted to play with a friend his own age. How could the adults possibly refuse?

Before long, someone from the Jia family came to invite Liu Zhong to Rongguo Mansion.

Liu Zhong followed the servant into the mansion and made his way to the East Courtyard.

At the time, there was no stable beside the East Courtyard. It was the residence of the Duke's heir.

Jia Hu was waiting at the courtyard gate. As soon as he saw Liu Zhong, he ran over and threw his arms around him.

"Little Brother Zhong, you're finally here!"

Liu Zhong patted Jia Hu's back. "Hu Ge'er, let go of me."

"Oh, right." Jia Hu let him go, then took one of Liu Zhong's hands and led him into the courtyard. "Come on, I'll take you to meet my mother."

Jia Hu's mother, Zhang, was a beautiful, gentle woman.

She treated Liu Zhong very warmly, and he could tell she genuinely liked him.

After all, he was the only friend her son acknowledged.

Of course, his good looks probably helped, too.

Who didn't like a beautiful, adorable child?

Liu Zhong also met Jia She. He cared deeply about his son and wanted to see his friend with his own eyes.

Jia She was just as pleased with Liu Zhong.

After that, Jia She and Zhang took Liu Zhong and Jia Hu to Lixiang Courtyard to pay their respects to Jia Daishan.

When visiting someone's home, how could they not pay their respects to the head of the household?

Mother Liu had also prepared gifts for everyone in the Jia family.

Jia Daishan was amiable.

He looked to be around fifty, with refined, handsome features. He didn't look like a general who led troops into battle so much as a cultured scholar.

Jia She and Jia Hu had inherited their good looks from Jia Daishan, which showed just how handsome he was.

Jia Daishan spoke with Liu Zhong for only a few moments before sending them on their way.

He was busy. Even at home, he had many affairs to attend to.

Jia She and Zhang then took the two children to Rongqing Hall to see Lady Jia Shi.

Although Lady Jia Shi didn't care for her eldest son and daughter-in-law, she was very fond of her eldest legitimate grandson.

She also seemed to be a bit of a beauty enthusiast, fond of anyone good-looking.

Liu Zhong was fair and adorable, like a little ball of glutinous rice. Lady Jia Shi took an immediate liking to him.

Lady Jia Shi held Liu Zhong with one arm and Jia Hu with the other, then told the maids to hurry up and bring out the pastries.

The food at Jia Mansion really was delicious. Liu Zhong thought it was just as good as some modern desserts.

It was just a little too oily—not very easy on a child's stomach.

Liu Zhong thought of cake and egg tarts.

He wanted some.

They stayed in Rongqing Hall for quite a while, mainly because Lady Jia Shi wouldn't let them leave.

Lady Jia Shi sent Zhang and Jia She away, keeping the two children to keep her company.

Jia Hu was an obedient child. Although he would rather play alone with his little friend, he stayed behind obediently to keep his grandmother company.

As an old soul in a child's body, Liu Zhong naturally didn't act up like an ordinary child and cause trouble for his friend.

His little mouth was sweet, and he said all the things Lady Jia Shi liked to hear, making her beam with delight. She could hardly help wishing Liu Zhong were her own grandson.

The two little ones had lunch at Lady Jia Shi's. Only after she took her afternoon nap did they leave Rongqing Hall.

They first returned to the East Courtyard to let Zhang know, then Jia Hu took Liu Zhong to play in the garden.

Liu Zhong saw the large pond in the garden, then glanced at the child beside him. "Can you swim?"

Jia Hu shook his head.

"Summer's almost here. When it comes, I'll ask my parents to take me to our estate to escape the heat. There's a river nearby. We can go swimming—it's nice and cool."

"But I can't swim."

"I can. I'll teach you."

Jia Hu's eyes lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically.

Jia Hu liked Liu Zhong so much that when it was time for him to leave, he was reluctant to let him go and wanted him to stay at Rongguo Mansion forever.

Zhang comforted her son and asked gently, "Hu'er, would you want to be apart from Mother?"

Jia Hu shook his head vigorously.

"By the same token, Zhong'er doesn't want to be separated from his own mother, either. We can't stop him from going home to her."

"Then can we invite Little Brother Zhong over to play often?"

"Of course. But only after you finish your lessons."

"I'll work hard and finish my lessons on time."

Zhang smiled with satisfaction.

After that, Jia Hu and Liu Zhong visited each other often.

Sometimes Liu Zhong went to Rongguo Mansion; other times, Jia Hu came to the Liu family's home.

When summer came, Liu Zhong begged his parents to take him to their estate to escape the heat, and invited Jia Hu along.

With Zhang's permission, Jia Hu packed up his things and happily went with the Liu family to their estate outside the city.

True to his word, Liu Zhong took Jia Hu to the little river near the estate and taught him how to swim.

A group of servants from Rongguo Mansion accompanied Jia Hu. Zhang had assigned them to him, and they hadn't yet been bribed or recruited by Wang. With them protecting Jia Hu, he was safe.