novelraw Chapter 720 - 291: The Swindler Again (Part 7)
Chapter 720 - 291: The Swindler Again (Part 7)
The mourning period lasted for forty-nine days, and after causing an utter commotion in both the Ning and Rong mansions, Qin Keqing’s funeral procession finally took place.
This was probably the most luxurious and eye-catching scene in the Dream of the Red Chamber, apart from Yuan Chun’s visit to her parents’ home.
A grand scene with meticulous arrangements; the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, along with the elites of the capital, almost all attended.
After years of silence, the Jia family, through just a funeral, once again attracted countless people’s attention and sighs.
What a display by the Jia family, full of vigor!
Having watched future TV dramas, especially the classic 1987 version where Qin Keqing’s funeral was portrayed with immense grandeur and luxury,
He Tiantian thought that even the death of a real Imperial Concubine might only receive such treatment.
However, as Student Xiao D displayed a virtual screen before her, live streaming Qin Keqing’s funeral, and seeing even more realistic and detailed visuals, He Tiantian suddenly realized—
Although the TV drama had been very carefully restored, the real scene was even more staggering.
A sea of white, a huge crowd at the funeral procession, drums and music resonating, monks and priests chanting sutras, numerous nobles setting up sacrificial tents or personally participating in the funeral, tsk, such a scene could only be deeply felt by being there in person.
However, Jia Cong, who was currently following Jia Huan, Jia Lan, and other younger members of the Jia family, wasn’t paying much attention to these.
Just now, Prince Jing of the North had summoned Jia Baoyu, and under the arrangement of a servant "leading" by Wang Xifeng, Jia Cong had deliberately circled in front of the female guests who came to attend the funeral.
Seeing him dressed in plain clothes, yet the fabric was good quality and very well-fitting, clearly tailored for him.
His accessories such as Jade Pendant and pouch were also very exquisite, matching well with the identity of Jia Cong of Duke Mansion.
Of course, clothes and accessories can be "crammed," but Jia Cong’s appearance couldn’t fool anyone.
He still looked somewhat frail, but he was much better than his emaciated appearance half a month ago.
There was even a healthy flush on his cheeks.
The little guy must be having good days recently; Second Lady Lian has been "thoughtful."
Regardless of what the reality was, at least on the surface, Jia Cong was no longer being mistreated.
The guests nodded to themselves, as long as it seemed alright on the surface.
They only showed a momentary curiosity, and seeing that Jia Cong was doing fine, they let the matter drop.
But Jia Cong knew that his difficult days were about to begin.
Although he was unclear what kind of means Jia She or Wang Xifeng would use against him, his current body was only five or six years old; even an indirect ordeal could silently kill him.
Not to mention that Jia She had the "spare the rod and spoil the child" as a get-out-of-death-free card.
As long as he brought up "disciplining his son," even if he beat Jia Cong to death, no one would seek justice for Jia Cong.
It’s not that Jia She was ruthlessly cruel, consider Jia Baoyu who was well-favored, a true phoenix egg of the Jia family.
Then there was the incident where Jia Huan falsely accused him and Jia Zheng directly dragged Jia Baoyu out for beating.
If it weren’t for Madam Jia’s intervention, Jia Zheng might have actually beaten Jia Baoyu to death.
Even so, Jia Baoyu was severely injured, his buttocks deeply scarred by the lash marks.
That was the well-favored legitimate son, with people protecting and intervening.
What about Jia Cong?
Neither favored nor the son of a deceased concubine mother.
If Jia She were to beat him, Mrs. Xing, Wang Xifeng, and other female relatives wouldn’t just fail to stop him, they might even secretly cheer him on.
After all, the day Jia Cong fainted from hunger in the mourning hall, it wasn’t just the housekeeper Second Lady Lian who was mocked, but also his legal mother Mrs. Xing!
The subsequent events proved Jia Cong’s fears were not unfounded, and even worse than imagined.
Pain!
His entire back and buttocks felt scorchingly painful.
Hunger!
His stomach fiercely tormented by hunger, he felt he could eat himself.
Dizziness!
His head was spinning severely, as if his Divine Soul was being pulled out of his body, unable to feel its existence.
As soon as the funeral ended, Jia She found an excuse and fiercely whipped Jia Cong.
The small boy was directly whipped unconscious, covered in bloody lash marks crisscrossing his body.
Injured, and utterly neglected, no doctor or medicine was provided; he was simply thrown back into his small room by a maid "Waiting to Die."
When it was time for meals, no one brought food.
Jia Cong felt he was about to die; not from his untreated severe injuries, but from being starved to death.
To have time-traveled only to meet such an end.