The head of the Red Mansion

Jia Jing's pulse was very bad.

The physician examined Jiao's pulse for a long time before saying, "Has Master Jiao been taking ginseng soup all along?"

"Yes!"

Jia Jing nodded. "I suffered a serious injury, which greatly depleted my vital energy and left me weak in both qi and blood." He paused here, lowered his eyes, and tried not to look at his wife and daughter. "It's nothing. I know my own condition. It's already a blessing from heaven that I'm alive to come back and see my uncle!"

"..."

Jiao Da's eyes immediately welled up with tears. "You silly child."

"Please don't blame your nephew."

His eyes also reddened.

He felt sorry for them; he had finally returned, only to cause them the pain of being separated from him forever.

But he could only apologize to them, because he missed them so much.

"It's no wonder. Your uncle is so happy that you've come back to see him."

Otherwise, even after he dies, he'll still be worried about where the child is.

With tears welling up in his eyes, Jiao Da said, "From now on, we, uncle and nephew, will be together."

Over the years, I don't know how much suffering this child has endured.

"Mrs……"

"Don't worry, Uncle Jiao!"

Shen Ning took a deep breath and said to the physician, "Please do your best to treat him, and try to... minimize his suffering."

"Thank you!"

Jia Jing smiled at Shen Ning.

What's unusual is that it's somewhat similar to when she tried to extort him back in the Rongguo Mansion.

"I have long admired Madam Shen's reputation. I have detailed information about that continent. My friend Chen San has already submitted it to the imperial court through Lord Jin Muchuan's connections. However, because it is so far away, the imperial court may not pay much attention to it. But it is a really good place. If possible, Madam Shen, could you please put in a good word for us?"

"nature!"

Shen Ning readily agreed.

If possible, she also hoped to reintroduce him into the Jia family, but... once the royal family's trust collapses, everything she had done before would be in vain.

Even if the current emperor and empress are doing well, as the princes grow up, who knows if a new round of power struggles will begin again.

"Even for Uncle Jiao's sake, I will do my best."

She was actually telling him that she was willing to do anything for him.

Jia Jing understood, and his smile showed a greater sense of relief.

His life, along with that of the Crown Prince who perished in the fire that year, ended in ruins. But thanks to his wife, Lady Shen, it regained its brilliance in another way, and that was enough.

Once he's underground, he can finally give an account to his grandfather, father, and even the crown prince.

"Thank you!"

Jia Jingchao, looking somewhat dazed, said to his youngest daughter, "Didn't you want to go fishing, Miss? Perfect timing! I also have some knowledge of fishing. How about we go together?"

"……OK!"

Jia Yue first looked at her mother with her eyes, and Shen Ning nodded slightly to her. She quickly agreed.

So, not long after, Shen Ning had someone bring over wine lees and other materials to help them bait the fishing spot.

Jiao Da and Jia Jing never knew that fishing required baiting; they had always relied on luck.

When luck is bad, it's common to not catch a single fish all day, or only small fish the size of your palm.

But Shen Ning did this...

Goodness, Jia Yue's laughter never stopped.

In less than half an hour, she actually caught three crucian carp and three mandarin fish.

Of course, they also benefited from it.

Jia Jing caught two grass carp and a bighead carp, each about a foot long.

Jiao Dadu caught a big grass carp.

Oh dear, this is cheating!

But why do I like it so much?
The old man's heart and soul, which had been saddened by Jia Jing, were greatly relieved.

Jia Jing, however, couldn't help but glance at Shen Ning again.

In the years he's been gone, she's given Yue'er double the love she missed out on!

Otherwise, why would someone resort to such a cheating method of baiting just to please their daughter?
Jia Jing couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.

That day, they had a great harvest. In the evening, they not only prepared a whole fish feast, but also made the remaining fish into preserved fish.

Jia Jing told his daughter stories about his journey north, describing the vast ocean, magnificent mountains, forests, and snow-covered landscapes he saw.

He told her about the people living in the igloos, about super, super big crabs, and so on...

Sometimes, if talking wasn't enough, he would draw it for her on the spot.

Jia Yue was surprised that Uncle Jiao could also paint, and his paintings... for some reason, gave her a sense of mastery.

One of her techniques for painting mountains is very similar to that of her uncle.

But her uncle said it was her maternal grandfather's original creation. So she came up with another way to get Jia Jing to inscribe it.

Jia Jing chuckled to himself as he watched his youngest daughter trying to probe his secrets.

Of course, during his years at the Taoist temple, he secretly practiced another style of calligraphy for convenience.

If our daughter wants to go, then let her go!
It's rare to see someone so smart at such a young age.

Jia Jing was very happy; his daughter resembled him and Shen Shi.

Zhen'er was incredibly stupid back then.

Although the Jia family at that time did not need him to be smart, they also disliked him for being too stupid.

That evening, Jia Yue took the painting with his inscription to Shen Ning and said, "Mom, look at Uncle Jiao's painting and calligraphy."

"Hmm, that's great!"

Looking at the landscape painting, Shen Ning felt a little regretful that the paper in the villa wasn't very good. She would have to have someone send over some better paper tomorrow.

Jia Jing's paintings could easily be passed down to his daughter for posterity.

“No, isn’t the Jiao family very poor?” Jia Yue said, “But look at Uncle Jiao’s calligraphy and paintings, do you think an ordinary martial artist could paint like that?”

Shen Ning: "..."

"Mother, what do you think... should we investigate Uncle Jiao?"

As Jia Yue spoke, she realized something was amiss; this uncle was nearing the end of his life.

He poses no threat to their family.

Moreover, through spending these days together, she felt that this uncle was really important to Grandpa Jiao.

The old man secretly watched him shed tears several times.

For some reason, she also felt that this Uncle Jiao wanted to be kind to her, and that he had a genuine affection for her like an elder to a younger generation.

She had felt this kind of loving kindness from both her uncle and her other uncle from the West Mansion.

"Forget it, let's not investigate anymore. Uncle Jiao is already in this state."

When she said this, there was a hint of regret in Jia Yue's tone that she herself had overlooked.

"I'll tell you about your Uncle Jiao later."

Shen Ning sighed softly, "He likes you, so spend more time with him."

"Ok!"

So Mother knew all along!
Jia Yue was completely relieved. "Mother, is there really no cure for Uncle Jiao's illness? We can't ask the imperial physicians we know..."

"I have already sent his medical records to the Imperial Hospital."

Shen Ning sighed inwardly, "His injury is to his heart meridian; it's already quite remarkable that he's managed to hold on until now."

In *Dream of the Red Chamber*, Jia Jing died a little earlier than we do now.

now……

Shen Ning and Aunt Li studied recipes every day, listing all the dishes that Jia Jing used to like.

"Mother, how heartbroken Grandpa Jiao must be!"

Thinking of Grandpa Jiao, the little girl's eyes welled up with tears. "I've seen him secretly wiping away tears several times."

How can a parent not be heartbroken to see their child outlive them?

Shen Ning has already instructed the royal physician to pay attention to Jiao Da's health.

“Your Grandpa Jiao is most worried about your Uncle Jiao now,” Shen Ningyao said softly, looking at the last rays of the setting sun. “He has no children, and it’s rare that he gets along so well with you. Spend more time with him.”

Jiao Wen had no children.

Jia Jing has children.

Shen Ning asked if she wanted Jia Zhen, Rong-ge'er, and Peng-ge'er to come over.

He was unaware that Lady You was pregnant when he left the capital for Japan.

But Jia Jing said that as long as he knew they were doing well, that was enough; his biggest regret in life was only with Yue'er.

All he wants is his daughter to be with him.

"Ok!"

Jia Yue didn't know that he was her biological father. Upon hearing this, she nodded vigorously and said, "Uncle Jiao told me a lot of knowledge that is not in books."

She had heard many stories about wilderness survival from Aunt Wenren, but her wilderness survival skills were nothing compared to Uncle Jiao's.

Jia Yue was so engrossed that she didn't need her mother's instructions. "I feel that if I ever go out in the future, no matter how bad the situation I encounter, I can use his methods to survive."

Shen Ning: "..."

She didn't know whether to laugh or worry.

My daughter has a heart that longs to go out into the world.

"It's not that your mother looks down on you, but you can't be like your Uncle Jiao, who only knows a few fancy moves."

"I'm not just all show and no substance!"

Jia Yue laughed, "I can also shoot." (End of Chapter)