Chapter 161: Lin Daiyu's Sickly Beauty, Beating Master Jia with a Stick

It was early summer.

In the pond, lotus leaves floated and slept, and lotus flowers were budding, ready to bloom.

In the flower beds all around, various flowers were vibrant and colorful.

Just as Luo Zijun was looking at the beautiful scenery in the garden and thinking about matters, he suddenly heard a chorus of chirping voices coming from the round gate not far away.

He turned his head to look.

The person in the lead was none other than Jia Baoyu, wearing a purple-gold crown.

Behind him followed several youthful and charming young ladies, with a crowd of maids and nannies surrounding them, escorting them.

The dresses and ornaments of that group—red, green, blue, yellow—had everything, as if they were the flowers in the nearby beds, each with different colors, vying for beauty and competing for splendor.

"Brother Luo!"

Jia Baoyu was the first to enter the pavilion, his face full of smiles, his hands outstretched, intending to come and hold Luo Zijun's hands.

Luo Zijun dodged in a hurry, reaching out to pick up melon seeds from the stone table.

Jia Baoyu, not knowing if he was foolish or just too innocent, did not mind, and hurriedly asked, "Did my uncle and father look for you to go over, was it about Yingchun's matter?"

Luo Zijun nodded and said, "I refused."

Jia Baoyu was startled, then leaned close to him and whispered with a smile, "I knew it, Brother Luo certainly wouldn't look favorably upon my Second Sister. With Brother Luo's appearance and talent, only my Third Sister, or Lin Meimei or Shi Meimei, would be a match."

Luo Zijun glanced at him with some surprise.

At this moment, the crowd of maids and nannies had already escorted those young ladies to the outside of the pavilion, but they did not enter immediately, stopping there instead.

Those young ladies and the maids were all secretly staring at and sizing up the young man in the pavilion.

When Luo Zijun's gaze looked over, they hurriedly lowered their heads, their cheeks slightly red.

Jia Baoyu hurriedly went over and introduced with a smile, "Brother Luo, let me first introduce my Lin Meimei, Lin Daiyu. You don't know, if I don't introduce her first, she will be angry."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu immediately glared at him and huffed coquettishly, "Am I that petty?"

She then looked at the handsome young man in the pavilion, her face instantly turning red, and she lowered her head, her small hands clutching the skirt at her waist, looking somewhat shy and nervous.

Jia Baoyu smiled and said, "My Lin Meimei's alias is Xiaoxiang Feizi. In that poetry collection, she loves Brother Luo's three poems the most. Brother Luo doesn't know, but these past few days she has been reading the 'Shen Yuan Love Dream' written by Brother Luo, once every day, and each time she cries until she is a mess, almost out of breath. Especially those two short lyrics, she has copied them over and over again; as she writes, her face is full of tears, unable to control herself..."

Luo Zijun's gaze had already looked over.

The young lady before him was wearing a red and white dress, her figure exceptionally slender and delicate; just as described in the book, she had two brows like knitted smoke, and a pair of eyes like dew-filled tears. Her demeanor was full of sorrow, her body burdened with illness, tears glistening, breathing softly. In stillness, she was like a delicate flower reflecting in water; in motion, she was like a weak willow swaying in the wind.

She truly possessed peerless looks and rare beauty.

Luo Zijun had always doubted how a young lady who took medicine year-round and was sickly, lacking vitality, could have such peerless looks. Seeing her today, he realized this was another kind of sickly beauty he had never seen before, making one feel pity at first sight, unable to bear to profane or harm her.

"Young Master Luo, I have long admired your name."

Lin Daiyu lowered her head in shyness, slightly bowing in a salute. Perhaps because she had just walked over quickly, she was panting as she spoke, soft and weak, but her voice was exceptionally pleasant.

Luo Zijun hurriedly cupped his hands in a bow: "Lin Guniang's name, I have also heard of for a long time."

Lin Daiyu raised her head to look at him, her beautiful face stained with two blushes, and said softly, "Where did Young Master Luo hear of this young girl's name?"

Luo Zijun replied, "First I saw it in the poetry collection, and then I heard Bai Third Miss mention it. For Lin Guniang to be so young and yet have such talent, I naturally remember it deeply."

Lin Daiyu covered her mouth and smiled, like a delicate flower hiding its shyness, and said softly, "If others praised me like this, I would certainly be proud. But for Young Master Luo to praise me like this, it feels like you are making fun of me."

Luo Zijun bowed and said, "We scholars never make fun of others."

Lin Daiyu covered her mouth and smiled again, saying nothing more.

Jia Baoyu then continued to introduce a young lady beside her: "This is my Shi Meimei, Shi Xiangyun. Don't look at how tall she is; actually, she is the youngest here..."

Shi Xiangyun immediately said, "That's not true, Jia Xichun is even younger than me."

Jia Baoyu said, "She isn't here."

Shi Xiangyun pouted and huffed, "Anyway, I am not the youngest."

Luo Zijun's gaze was already sizing up this Shijia Qianjin with a tragic fate.

This young lady wore a moon-white dress, her figure tall and slender, her skin fair, her cheeks youthful, yet she was exceptionally beautiful, with a pair of pitch-black eyes that were bright and exceptionally lively.

"Young Master Luo, the book you wrote is really good."

Shi Xiangyun beamed at him and bowed her head in a salute, which counted as a greeting.

Luo Zijun also cupped his hands in a bow: "Shi Guniang."

Upon hearing this, Shi Xiangyun immediately said in a crisp voice, "Young Master Luo, can you call me Xiangyun Guniang? 'Shi Guniang', 'Dead Guniang', 'Shit Guniang'—I don't like this form of address."

Once these words were spoken, the others nearby could not help but cover their mouths and laugh.

Luo Zijun hurriedly changed his words: "Xiangyun Guniang."

Only then did Shi Xiangyun smile and say, "That sounds comfortable."

This young lady was innocent and carefree, somewhat similar to Qingwen.

Jia Baoyu held his stomach and laughed for a while, then pointed to a young lady behind her and introduced, "This is my Wang Meimei, Yuling. She has an older sister who looks just like her, but she didn't come today. She likes the book 'Qiannu Youhun' written by Brother Luo the most; these past few days she has been coming to the mansion to ask if Brother Luo would come today."

"Yuling?"

Luo Zijun looked at the tall young lady before him, and a figure of a young lady in a purple dress immediately appeared in his mind.

Yuling, Wang Yuru, under the Four Great Families, the young lady of the Wang Family.

"Young Master Luo, can your next book be about a romance between a human and a ghost? I think stories between humans and ghosts are much better to read than stories between human men and women."

Yuling pleaded.

Luo Zijun bowed and said, "If Wang Guniang likes them, then when I write my next book, I will definitely prioritize stories between humans and ghosts. It's just that I can't say for sure if I will have the inspiration then."

Once these words were spoken, Yuling immediately clapped and cheered, "As long as Young Master Luo promised me, even if it's not a story between a human and a ghost when the time comes, I will still buy a few more copies."

Luo Zijun smiled, his gaze looking at the few young ladies behind her, secretly wondering in his heart: Why is that young lady from the Xue Family not here?

Just as Jia Baoyu was about to continue introducing, a maid suddenly ran over in a hurry, crying, "Second Young Master, go find someone quickly! The Eldest Master is beating my young lady in the front, saying he wants to beat my young lady to death!"

Once these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.

Jia Baoyu hurriedly went over and said, "Siqi, what is going on? Why would Uncle suddenly beat Second Sister?"

The Young Maid cried and said, "The young lady did not want to marry, and she contradicted the master a few times; the master suddenly flew into a rage and started beating the young lady."

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu hurriedly walked toward the outside, asking, "Have you gone to find the Old Ancestor?"

The Young Maid cried, "The Old Ancestor is still there talking with the people sent by the Noble Consort; this servant does not dare to go."

Jia Baoyu immediately said, "I will go!"

Then he turned his head and said to Lin Daiyu and the others, "Dear sisters, hurry to the front and stop the eldest uncle!"

Lin Daiyu and the others hurriedly walked toward the round gate, surrounded by a crowd of maids and nannies.

After walking a distance, Lin Daiyu hurriedly instructed in a weak voice, "Chunxian, hurry and find the second uncle! Zijuan, you go find the eldest aunt! Xueyan, you go find my teacher and have him come over to help persuade him."

Everyone knew that in the entire Jia Mansion, the only one who could persuade the eldest master was the Old Ancestor.

"Cough, cough..."

Lin Daiyu had been walking in a hurry and suddenly began to cough, hurriedly taking out a handkerchief to cover her mouth.

After the handkerchief was removed, a pool of blood was stained upon it. Shi Xiangyun hurriedly supported her and said, "Don't be anxious, don't be anxious; if you get this anxious, it won't just be Yingchun who is fine, you will be the one in trouble."

Lin Daiyu panted and said, "Talking nonsense, what trouble could I have."

At this moment, Yuling suddenly glanced behind and whispered, "That Young Master Luo has followed us too."

The group was startled and turned their heads to look.

That handsome and elegant young man was indeed following behind them.

They had no time to think too much and continued walking forward.

When they arrived at the front courtyard, they saw many maids and servants gathered at the windows and the doorway, all pacing back and forth in anxiety, not daring to enter.

"Lin Guniang, Shi Guniang are here! Hurry, hurry and go in to persuade the eldest master; don't let him beat Yingchun to death."

An old nanny was stamping her feet in anxiety.

From inside the room came Jia She's angry scolding and Jia Yingchun's low sobbing.

Lin Daiyu and Shi Xiangyun hurriedly tried to enter the room, but found they could not push the door open.

!

Inside, Jia She roared angrily, "Get out, all of you! Whoever dares to come and persuade, I will beat you along with her!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Daiyu and the others trembled, their faces turning pale.

After all, they were guests, and this eldest master was the person with the highest status in the Jia Mansion; he was usually stern and rarely spoke to them, so they were already afraid of him. With him in such a rage, who would dare to enter?

"Bang!"

Just as Lin Daiyu and the others were burning with anxiety and did not know what to do, a foot suddenly flew in from the side and kicked the door in front of them open.

The young ladies were startled and turned to look, only to see that handsome and gentle Young Master Luo.

Jia She, who was inside beating Jia Yingchun with a feather duster, was also startled by the sound of the door being kicked open. He turned his head to look, was stunned for a moment, and then his face grew even gloomier.

"Master Jia, why go to such lengths?"

Luo Zijun kicked the door open, walked straight in, and shielded the young girl who was kneeling on the ground, trembling and sobbing, saying, "Today is the birthday banquet for your mansion's Jia Xichun, why must Master Jia be so angry and resort to beating people?"

Jia She immediately sneered and said, "What, does Young Master Luo intend to manage even the family affairs of my Jia Family?"

Luo Zijun said, "I would not dare. I simply feel that there is no need for Master Jia to be like this. If Master Jia has fire in his heart, you may vent it on me. Yingchun is your own daughter; how can you bear to beat her like this?"

Jia She gave a cold, sinister laugh and said, "Since Young Master Luo does not want her, why come to protect her? A father beating his daughter is only natural. Since she did something wrong, I should beat her. Even if I beat her to death, it has nothing to do with Young Master Luo."

Having said this, he raised the feather duster in his hand and struck fiercely at the girl on the ground again.

"Smack!"

This blow, however, landed on Luo Zijun's arm.

The people outside the door and windows were all startled.

Jia Yingchun, who was kneeling on the ground crying, also raised her head, her face full of tears.

Jia She was stunned for a moment, but then his face was full of sneers.

Luo Zijun protected the girl behind him, looking at him with an unyielding gaze, and said, "If Master Jia must beat someone, then beat me. My skin is thick and my flesh is rough; I can withstand it."

As soon as these words were spoken, Jia Yingchun burst into tears.

Outside the door, Lin Daiyu and the others also had varied expressions.

Jia She sneered and said, "Young Master Luo is a guest, a person of the Bai Family, so I would not dare to beat you. I only wish to discipline my own daughter. What is the logic in Young Master Luo blocking me? Young Master Luo should have no qualifications to manage my Jia Family's affairs, right?"

Luo Zijun was silent for a moment, then said, "I indeed have no qualifications to manage your mansion's family affairs, but this matter started because of me; all punishment should naturally be borne by me. If Master Jia wants to beat or scold, feel free to direct it at me; I will not utter a single sound."

At this time, Jia Yingchun, who was kneeling on the ground, suddenly cried and said, "Young Master Luo, you go, do not worry about me anymore... Even if I am beaten to death by my father today, I am willing... I, I will no longer swallow my pride and listen to everything he says... He gave birth to me, so I will return my life to him, and from now on I will owe him nothing..."

"You beast! You have truly rebelled!"

Hearing this, Jia She was furious. He immediately raised the feather duster in his hand, moved around, and prepared to strike her fiercely.

A nameless fire suddenly rose in Luo Zijun's heart. He suddenly snatched the feather duster from his hand and struck him on the head with it, making him see stars and feel dizzy, and roared, "You old beast! I told you not to beat her!"

The room and the area outside fell silent at once.

Jia She clutched his head, looking at him with a face full of shock and disbelief.

Lin Daiyu and the other young ladies outside the door, as well as the maids and nannies outside the window, were all dumbfounded, their faces showing expressions of sheer terror as if they had seen a ghost.

Jia Yingchun, who was kneeling on the ground, seemed not to have reacted to what was happening. Seeing the atmosphere suddenly change, she raised her head, her face full of tears, and then saw her father clutching his head with a dazed expression, while that Young Master Luo held the feather duster, his face full of rage.

The room was deathly silent.

After a few breaths, Jia She suddenly flew into a towering rage and immediately roared toward the outside, "Someone! Someone!"

The guards under the eaves heard this and immediately prepared to charge into the room.

Luo Zijun suddenly spoke up, "Master Jia, do you not want the pills refined by Daoist Ziyang anymore? I have them here."

As soon as these words were spoken, Jia She's expression changed instantly.

"Master, what is the matter?"

The head guard soon appeared at the doorway with a squad of guards, looking aggressive and murderous.

Jia She's expression shifted rapidly, and he suddenly glared and shouted: "Are you all blind? With so many people gathered outside the window, don't you know to drive them away? Drive them all away!"

The leader of the guards was stunned upon hearing this, and immediately lowered his head and said: "Yes!"

He then hurriedly went out to drive them away.

As for Lin Daiyu and the other young ladies outside the door, they dared not drive them away and could only pretend not to see them.

Jia She immediately went over to close the door, turned around, and said with an excited face: "Zijun, do you really have medicinal pills refined by Daoist Ziyang?"

Luo Zijun looked at him for a few moments, gently stroked the feather duster in his hand with one hand, and said with a calm face: "There are indeed a few bottles."

To deal with such a person, one must naturally cater to his preferences.

This man would rather sell his daughter than fail to obtain the medicinal pills of that Daoist Ziyang; he could even endure being scolded by him in front of so many people at Hanshan Temple last time, so what if he hit him with a feather duster today?

When people get old, the illnesses on their bodies naturally increase, and they also begin to fear death.

How could face be more important than staying alive?

"What kind of medicinal pills? What are they all for?"

Jia She asked hurriedly, his face already revealing a fawning expression, as if he were a different person from the sinister and ruthless one just a moment ago.

Luo Zijun said: "Qi-replenishing and blood-nourishing, kidney-tonifying and yang-strengthening, Five Minerals Powder, and Antidote Pill."

Upon hearing this, Jia She was immediately overjoyed: "Five Minerals Powder? Five Minerals Powder personally refined by Daoist Ziyang? Zijun, do you really have it? And the kidney-tonifying and yang-strengthening pills, did Daoist Ziyang give those to you too?"

Luo Zijun nodded.

Watching this old lecher's excited and unrestrained appearance, he felt some regret that he hadn't given him a few more whacks with the stick just now.

Jia She, Jia "Lecher," a starving ghost among lechers.

As described in the book, this person was extremely lustful and often used unscrupulous means for his desires; he even dared to set his sights on Jia Mu's head maid.

That kidney-tonifying and yang-strengthening pill naturally hit the mark for him.

He was now impatient and so excited that he lost all composure, actually expressing his urgent desire for those "kidney-tonifying and yang-strengthening" pills nakedly in front of his own daughter.

How disgusting!

(End of this chapter)