The Rise of Ning Mansion in Red Mansions

Chapter 45 Who are you looking down on!
When Hua Lao'er heard that it was Hetian jade, he immediately pulled his hand back. He obviously knew that Hetian jade was a very valuable thing, its value far exceeding fifty taels of silver.

However, Hua Lao'er looked at it again and again facing the sun. The jade in his hand was crystal clear and he thought it was very beautiful, but he just couldn't tell the real thing from the fake one.

If it's false, wouldn't it be a loss?

For a moment, Hua Lao'er's face was full of embarrassment and he didn't know how to choose.

Jia Dai didn't say anything. This Hetian jade was given by someone else. As for whether it was worth anything, he didn't know. He just thought it was valuable.

It's just a free thing, even if it's lost, Jia Dai doesn't feel it's a pity.

However, Fu Shi doesn't think so. How can a good thing be cast into darkness?
More importantly, how could he let go of the opportunity to show off in front of Jia Dai? Why not sell it well and help Jia Dai redeem the Hetian jade?
With that said, Fu Shi took out a banknote from his wallet, handed it to Hua Laoer, and said:

"This is fifty taels of silver. It would be best to return the jade to General Jia."

Hua Lao'er took the banknote and looked at it, then looked at the jade in his hand, not knowing how to choose.

Suddenly, Fu Shi's face turned cold and he spoke in an official tone,

"Hetian Baoyu is not something you, a common man, can take as your own. Why don't you hear the saying: 'A common man is not guilty, but he is guilty of carrying a jade?'"

Hua Lao'er was shocked and quickly accepted the banknote, put it in his pocket and put it close to his body. He handed the jade to Fu Shi, turned pale with fright, turned and left in a hurry.

If you can't offend someone who can't afford to be an official, can you still afford to hide?

Old Man Hua calculated in his mind: "Ten taels will be used as a betrothal gift to marry Zifang as a housewife; and for a banquet, I will get another five taels."

"There are only thirty-five taels left. If a family of five saves a little, they should be able to live for two years..."

As for what will happen to Hua Zhenzhu in the future, it is not in the little old man's plan. She is a girl anyway. Staying at home will not only cost food rations, but also cost money.
When she grows up and gets married in the future, she will have to add a dowry. She is not sold into a brothel to be cooked as a chicken. It is already blessed by God and Bodhisattva!

Seeing Hua's father abandoning her, she didn't miss him at all. Hua Xi felt sad, and there were tears in the corners of her eyes, but she stubbornly held back and didn't cry out.
Isolated on the street, silently watching Father Hua's leaving figure, Hua Zhenzhen moved her little mouth a few times, but said nothing in the end.

Fu Shi redeemed the Hetian jade, presented it with both hands, and said with a flattering smile, "General, the property has returned to its original owner!"

You can tell what kind of person Fu Shi is from the name Cao Gong gave him. He is definitely a follower of the people.

Just now, Jia Dai knew it after just one try. Naturally, he had nothing to be polite with and accepted it directly.

Fu Shi felt happy and said to himself: "Jia Dai will be happy to make friends with me after accepting the gift. As for seeking an official position..."

Thinking of this, Fu Shi's heart felt hot. He struck while the iron was hot and invited Jia Dai to eat and drink together to deepen their relationship.

"General, I know there is a good restaurant in front of me. I have nothing to do. Why don't you have a drink to warm yourself up?"

Fu Shi secretly pinched his wallet and made a secret calculation in his mind.
Fortunately, when I went to Beijing, my father prepared five hundred taels of silver.

If Jia Dai is willing to work hard, he will be able to make up for the shortage in less than a month or two. In this way, these silver coins will be enough.

Jia Dai did not answer directly. He glanced at Dazzling Pearl and said, "No need to look at it!"

"Father Hua has gone far. He will never ask you to redeem his family again."

After hearing this, Hua Zhenzhu looked sad, with tears in her eyes, mixed with a hint of fear for the future.

He raised his eyes and glanced at Jia Dai carefully, then lowered his eyes quickly, his heart pounding like a deer, his small white and jade hands nervously rubbing the corners of his clothes without stopping for a moment.

Jia Dai sighed. Before the marriage, how could the original person be so careful and have no sense of security?

It was as if a movie was playing in Jia Dai's mind, flashing through the original owner's experiences over the past ten years or so, and he couldn't help but feel sympathy for Hua Zhenzhu.

Jia Dai stretched out his hand and wanted to pat her head to express comfort, but it was in vain. Hua Zhenzhu deftly dodged her and stared at him cautiously. Jia Dai smiled and didn't take it seriously, and said, "Have you eaten anything?"

"are you hungry?"

After Jia Dai asked a few questions, Hua Zhenzhu's belly began to growl. Her cheeks turned red with embarrassment, and she lowered her head, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl in.

Jia Dai glanced at Fu Shi from the corner of his eye and saw that he was still waiting patiently. He couldn't help but glance at him, looked at the small restaurant nearby, and said:

"Brother Fu, what happened just now was a waste of money."

"How about we find a private room facing the street in the small restaurant opposite, order a few food and drinks, and let's sit down and chat, how about that?"

Fu Shi glanced at the small restaurant opposite and realized that the cost was definitely not high. Since Jia Dai took the initiative, he was able to avoid the expense. He bowed and said:
"Just follow the general's words!"

"please!"

Then, Fu Shi made a gesture of invitation with his right hand, and Jia Dai was not polite and took the lead in striding forward.

Fu Shi smiled and followed immediately.

Hua Zhenzhu struggled slightly on her little face, stamped her little feet, and followed with a cautious look on her back, carrying a small baggage.

The waiter who was waiting for customers at the door saw a customer coming to the door, smiled and greeted him, and said enthusiastically:

"Several guests, please come in!"

"Whatever you want to eat or drink, the store has everything you need, and we are guaranteed to satisfy you all."

"Find a private room by the window, and have some of your specialty wines and dishes, a pot of rice wine..."

As Jia Dai spoke, he walked into the restaurant without stopping and looked around.

The decoration is quite elegant. There are a few tables of casual guests on the first floor, where some wine and food are served, making it a bit deserted.

After hearing this, the waiter shouted something inside, bowed and trotted ahead to lead the way.

Not long after, Jia Dai, Fu Shi, and Hua Zhenzhu came to the private room by the window on the second floor, opened the door and window, and faced the east street entrance.

It's bustling outside, and the sounds of hawking are endless, but it's a good place to talk without worrying about being overheard.

Jia Dai, Dama Jindao, sat in the main seat, and Fu Shi sat opposite him very wisely.

Hua Zhenzhu followed suit and stood behind Jia Dai, rubbing her withered belly and suffering.

After a while, the waiter finished serving the food and wine, said a few words with a smile, and walked out, closing the door behind him.

Looking at the fragrant food and wine in front of her, Hua Zhenzhu swallowed hard and her stomach growled. She was so embarrassed that she couldn't lift her head, but she was salivating. She was really miserable.

In the past few days, Jia Dai was a little tired of eating big fish and meat, so he filled himself a cup.

While Jia Dai was tasting the wine, he glanced at the fireworks outside the window. His face was calm and his heart was very calm, and he said:
"If you are hungry, sit down and eat and drink."

Hua Zhenzhu was stunned. She was a slave. According to the etiquette of this era, she did not dare to eat at the same table as her master.

Fu Shi was just about to ask Jia Dai to use his chopsticks, but after hearing this, he swallowed back the words that were on his lips.

Teach him to eat and drink at the same table as his servants?
Who are you looking down on?
Fu Shi's hand stopped in mid-air, his eyes wandering around, thinking hard about countermeasures, but he was in a dilemma.

(End of this chapter)