After hearing my inner thoughts, the ancestors in the Dream of the Red Chamber went berserk.

After Jia Hu finished drinking the porridge, he washed up with Jia She's clumsy help, which made Jia Hu's face turn as red as a big red apple.

As Jia Daishan watched his son and grandson interact, his usually serious gaze began to soften.

After getting ready, the three of them went out together, got into the car, and headed towards Xiangmanlou.

This was Jia Hu's first time out in the world since returning. He leaned against the car window, lifted the curtain, and looked around curiously.

Jia Daishan and Jia She looked at Jia Hu like newborn birds tentatively peeking out. Unconsciously, gentle smiles appeared on their faces as they gazed at Jia Hu.

When they arrived at Xiangmanlou, Zhang Heming and the others had not yet arrived, so Jia Daishan ordered the dishes first, and everyone waited and chatted inside.

Soon Zhang Heming arrived with his son and grandson.

After the three of them returned, they discussed and studied a lot. Zhang Shiyan mainly listened in. Now that he was older, he was still the Crown Prince's son's study companion and had to know many things about the palace.

After much discussion, everyone seemed suspicious. The main concern was that the Emperor was currently in good health, and while the princes might have some minor schemes, they dared not do anything drastic. Their family was tied to the Crown Prince; if he fell from power, their family would be doomed.

The three of them were worried about Jia Hu and their family, and they couldn't sleep all night.

As soon as Zhang Heming and the other two entered the house, they immediately pulled Jia Hu up and down, saying, "Hu'er, you scared your grandfather to death!"

Jia Hu touched his nose sheepishly and said:

"I understand, Grandfather. There won't be a next time."

Zhang Heming affectionately patted Jia Hu's head and said:

"It's good that you're awake, it's good that you're awake."

The eldest uncle patted Jia Hu's head and said:

"Hu'er, don't feel guilty, it's not your fault."

Jia Hu was touched by his uncle's thoughtfulness. He nodded and then gave his uncle a shy hug.

Zhang Zhiyuan was momentarily stunned by the hug. He adored his nephew, but they couldn't see each other often, and each time they did, he was very cautious. He often lamented to his wife that his nephew probably wasn't close to him. But today, after Jia Hu's careful hug, his heart melted instantly. This was his sister's son, half-blood; how could he not be close to him?

Thinking of Zhang Zhiyuan, she smiled brightly and hugged him back tightly.

When Jia Hu was hugged by his uncle, he clearly felt his uncle's closeness, and his heart softened. He clearly realized that this was his uncle, and he didn't need to be so careful.

Zhang Heming was annoyed. His own grandson had never hugged him before, and this silly boy had done it first.

Noticing his father's unfriendly gaze, Zhang Zhiyuan released Jia Hu.

Seeing that his brother-in-law Jia She was also looking at him unhappily, as if he had stolen Jia She's son, Zhang Zhiyuan knew he couldn't afford to offend his own father, Jia She. He immediately glared at Jia She with a sharp look.

Jia She immediately averted his gaze. He couldn't afford to offend them! He then recalled how, when he was about to get engaged, he had been inexplicably slung over a sack for several days. How could a scholar be so ruthless, only targeting places he couldn't see? The beatings had left him terrified of his two brothers-in-law.

The younger cousin also came over, pinched Jia Hu's cheek, took off a jade lock he was wearing, and put it around Jia She's neck, stopping Jia Hu from refusing, saying:

“Cousin Hu’er, this is the jade lock I’ve always carried with me. It will protect you from now on.”

Jia Hu quickly checked his belongings, but he felt none of them were as valuable as the jade lock his cousin had given him. After thinking it over, he realized the only decent thing was the gold lock his grandmother had given him. Somewhat embarrassed, he took it off, stood on tiptoe, and put it on Zhang Shiyan's wrist, saying:

"Cousin, I'll give you a gift later."

Zhang Shiyan smiled and patted his head, saying:

"No need, my cousin likes this one very much."

No elder dislikes seeing the younger generation get along harmoniously and love each other. Everyone present watched the two brothers talk with smiles.

After the food was served, everyone took their seats.

Jia Daishan said:

"Hu'er just woke up and only ate a bowl of porridge. Let's skip the formalities and eat first."

Everyone agreed and began to eat. Jia Hu ate a very satisfying meal, and everyone at the table kept putting food on his plate until his belly was round and full. He was a little embarrassed, which made everyone laugh.

After the meal, everyone drank tea and chatted for a while.

Seeing that Jia Hu was unharmed, the Zhang family members were relieved and went back to carefully consider the matter of the Crown Prince.

After everyone dispersed, Jia Hu returned to the courtyard. As soon as he arrived at the gate, Jia Zhu and Jia Zhen had been waiting for him for a long time.

Jia Zhu, arms crossed, stood with Jia Zhen in the middle of the doorway, stamping their feet and saying:

"Brother, you went out without taking us with you. Pearl is going to be angry."

Jia Zhen also tilted his head back and said, "Hmph! Brother Hu is no longer a good older brother. You are no longer number one in my heart."

Jia Hu found it amusing and said, "It's not that I didn't want to take you, it's just that my grandfather took me to see my maternal grandfather on business."

Jia Zhu said in surprise:

"Grandfather."

Jia Hu went over and pinched each of their little faces, saying:

"Yes."

Seeing that the two were still going to continue their accusations, Jia Hu quickly had the maid behind him bring over the food box and said:

"Oh, this really hurts me. I was thinking of you two when I left home. I ate some delicious snacks and was planning to bring them back for you, but you blocked the door and started to scold me. I'm so heartbroken!"

As he spoke, Jia Hu pretended to be heartbroken and clutched his chest.

Jia Zhu and Jia Zhen panicked and quickly surrounded them, each grabbing one of their arms and saying:

"We don't blame our brother, we don't blame our brother, we just haven't seen our brother for a day."

Jia Hu continued to pretend:

"Really?"

"Really, really, my brother was too tired yesterday afternoon and fell asleep. He didn't go to the banquet. It was so lively at the banquet yesterday, it's a pity that my brother couldn't attend."

Jia Hu laughed and said:

"It's okay, we can participate together next time. There will be plenty of opportunities, right?"

The two younger ones nodded, and Jia Hu then said:

"Alright then, you guys go have some snacks."

The two children cheered and had their maid carry the food box to the stone table in the courtyard, ready to enjoy the snacks their brother had brought back. While eating, they said, "We'll forgive our brother this time."

Jia Hu breathed a sigh of relief. Kids are so difficult to deal with. Luckily, both of them are little foodies and didn't continue to pester him.

In the afternoon, as compensation, the two children kept pestering Jia Hu to tell them stories.

Jia Hu now has an extra advantage: he remembers all the books he read in modern times, and all those stories are a piece of cake for him.

The afternoon was spent entertaining the two children, and Jia Hu once again became the number one person on Jia Zhen's list of favorites.

After Jia Daishan returned, he took Jia She and Jia Zheng and went to Ningguo Mansion together.

When Jia Daihua saw them all arriving in an orderly fashion, he knew something was amiss, so he sent someone to summon Jia Jing. After everyone had gathered and the servants had served tea, he closed the door and had his trusted confidants stand guard at the entrance.

Jia Daihua asked:

"But what happened, and what did Hu'er say?"

Jia Daishan still remembered what Hu'er had said before she fainted: that the crown prince could not ascend the throne, and that a new emperor would be enthroned. Although his Jia family and the Zhang family were not close on the surface, they were in-laws and still had connections. If something happened to the Zhang family, his family would certainly not fare well. Moreover, he might have to watch the Zhang family suffer and not offer any help.

After much deliberation, Jia Daishan decided to consult with Jia Daihua about what to do.

After everyone was seated, Jia Daishan recounted the events of the past two days.

Jia Daihua was shocked upon hearing this. Although he was a loyal subject, devoted only to the emperor, he knew that this crown prince was a good one. While there were many princes, their quality varied greatly. He dared to say that some princes were simply unfit to be emperor. If the crown prince was unsuitable, then who would ascend the throne?