SWDnovel Chapter 18 Aunt Zhao's Boasting, The Book of Impermanence
Chapter 18 Aunt Zhao's Boasting, The Book of Impermanence
Jia Huan planned to spend a day getting used to his newly acquired Embroidered Spring Knife, "Autumn Water".
So after he was promoted to captain, he did not leave the Jia family immediately, but instead practiced swordsmanship in his own courtyard.
As for Aunt Zhao...
At this moment, she was already showing off Jia Huan's promotion certificate and general flag token in the Grand View Garden with her maid Caiyun!
……
At this moment, Aunt Zhao felt that she had reached the pinnacle of her life.
She clutched the promotion document stamped with a bright red seal tightly in her hand, and with her other hand she held the hand of her maid Caiyun, her steps so light as if she were about to fly.
"Caiyun, hurry up! Don't those little hussies always look down on us? Today I'm going to teach them a lesson!"
Aunt Zhao's mouth stretched to her ears, and even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were filled with laughter.
Not far into the Grand View Garden, they bumped into Wang Xifeng and Ping'er.
"Oh, isn't this Feng girl?"
Aunt Zhao didn't dodge; instead, she went to meet her, deliberately shaking the documents in her hand to make a rustling sound.
"I can't read, can you help me see what this is? It's said to be for Huan'er, and there's a reward of silver for it!"
Wang Xifeng was incredibly astute. She glanced at the document and token and immediately understood what was going on. She then smiled and said:
"Oh my, I thought it was something big. It turns out that Brother Huan has been promoted to the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. This is a powerful position. He used to seem so timid, but I never expected him to be so decisive and ruthless now."
Second Aunt, this is wonderful news! I'll have someone send over a few jars of good wine later.
Receiving Wang Xifeng's praise, Aunt Zhao became even more pleased, raising her chin and saying:
"That's right, my Huan'er is now an official of the imperial court, in charge of more than twenty people! From now on, who in this mansion will dare to give us a hard time?"
After bidding farewell to Wang Xifeng, Aunt Zhao headed straight for Qinfang Gate, near the Grand View Garden.
Over there, amidst a profusion of flowers, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, Jia Baoyu, Li Wan, and others were gathered together enjoying the spring scenery.
"The girls are all here!"
Aunt Zhao shouted loudly, and without waiting for a greeting, she squeezed into the crowd and slammed the document onto the stone table.
"Come and see! My Huan'er has made something of himself! He's now a captain in the Embroidered Uniform Guard! They say he did a great job capturing some kind of Blood Impermanence, and the Emperor himself rewarded him with this title!"
Everyone gathered around, and Li Wan, being a kind-hearted person, was the first to smile and say:
"It's truly remarkable how much one should look at someone after just three days. Brother Huan now has a promising future, and Auntie will have someone to rely on in the future."
Although Lin Daiyu was somewhat fastidious and disliked being close to vulgar people like Aunt Zhao, she still covered her mouth and smiled:
"Since it's such a good thing, congratulations, Auntie. It seems that Third Brother Huan is also a person with good fortune."
Xue Baochai, ever so gracious, smiled and said:
"Brother Huan is a promising young man who will surely bring glory to the family in the future. Aunt, please rest assured and enjoy your life."
Hearing these compliments, Aunt Zhao felt sweeter than if she had eaten honey. She turned to look at Jia Baoyu, who had remained silent, and urged him:
"Master Bao, take a look? This is a reputation earned through real battles, not something you can get by hanging out with women."
Jia Baoyu was already unhappy because Jia Huan had stolen the limelight, and seeing Aunt Zhao's smug look only made him more disgusted.
He frowned, gave a cold snort, and said in a sarcastic tone:
"What are you, Commander-in-Chief or Embroidered Uniform Guard? You're nothing but the court's lackeys! All you do is fight and kill all day long, and you're covered in blood. What's there to brag about?"
If one loses their spirituality for such empty fame, it's better to be a wealthy and idle person!
The air froze instantly upon hearing this.
Aunt Zhao's face turned a deep purplish-red, and she was about to throw a tantrum when a clear, cold voice rang out.
Lin Daiyu frowned slightly, glanced at Baoyu, and said indifferently:
"Second brother, you're mistaken. We eat the king's food and serve the king. Brother Huan earns his living through his own abilities. Catching criminals is doing the people a favor. How did that make us lackeys?"
As for my second brother, he spends all his time loitering in the garden. Is that what you call "clean"? In my opinion, the principles of this world cannot be explained with just words.
Xue Baochai also suppressed her smile and said seriously:
"Brother Bao, your words are too extreme. A man should make achievements and establish himself in the world. Brother Huan now has a job, he can protect himself and also take care of his aunt. This is the best way to be both filial and righteous."
As the elder brother, instead of offering encouragement, you speak so coldly and indifferently. If word gets out, I'm afraid the master will be angry again.
Caught between Daiyu and Baochai on either side, Baoyu blushed and stammered:
"I...I was just telling the truth..."
"truth?"
Aunt Zhao, having recovered her composure, put her hands on her hips and shouted:
"To tell you the truth, my Huan'er is now a high-ranking officer! She has a salary and bonuses! And you? Without the old lady and the madam, you can't even earn a copper coin! And you're still spouting these pretentious platitudes, aren't you afraid the girls will laugh at you!"
After saying that, Aunt Zhao pulled Caiyun up and swaggered away triumphantly, leaving everyone bewildered in the wind.
After showing off in the Rongguo Mansion, she wanted to show off in the Ningguo Mansion as well!
Baoyu watched Aunt Zhao's retreating figure, his heart filled with jealousy, but he was helpless and could only let out a long sigh.
……
The next day, as dawn broke, the morning light shone through the thin mist onto the bluestone streets of the capital city.
Jia Huan changed into a brand-new black flying fish robe, with a specially made embroidered spring knife hanging at his waist and black leather boots on his feet. He exuded a sense of solemnity and competence.
He rode alone to the Beizhenfusi government office without any attendants.
As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the government office, they saw two Imperial Guards dressed in blue captain's uniforms who had been waiting for a long time.
Upon seeing Jia Huan dismount, the two immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee, clasped their hands in greeting, and their eyes were full of respect and joy.
"Your humble servant Li Shun (Wang Ren) congratulates you on your promotion to Commander!"
Jia Huan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.
These two men were promoted to captains for their meritorious service in helping him capture Xue Wuchang a few days ago, and are now considered his capable subordinates.
Get up.
Jia Huan reached out a hand to help him up, his voice steady.
"From now on, we're all in the same boat, so there's no need for such formalities."
Li Shun stood up, his face beaming with smiles.
"You flatter me, sir! If it weren't for your valor, we wouldn't be where we are today. You hold this position of captain firmly in your hands!"
Wang Ren echoed:
"Yes, sir, you have officially taken office today. From now on, we brothers will follow your lead without hesitation, even through mountains of knives and seas of fire!"
Jia Huan smiled faintly and patted the two men on the shoulders.
"Do your job well, and you'll get your share of the rewards. Come on, let's get down to business."
The three filed in, passed through the noisy training ground, and headed straight for the document room deep inside the government office.
As soon as I stepped into the document room, a musty smell of paper and ink hit me.
The old clerk in charge of the files was dozing off with his eyes half-closed. When Jia Huan came in, he didn't even lift his eyelids.
"What is it?"
"Jia Huan, the Commander of the Northern Garrison, has come to collect the Book of Impermanence."
Jia Huan slammed the waist token on the table. The sound wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.
Upon hearing this, the old official's cloudy eyes darted around, glancing at the flying fish robe and waist token, and his expression immediately became respectful.
He quickly got up, took a black booklet from a locked cabinet behind him, and handed it over with both hands.
"Lord Jia, this is the Book of Impermanence. Please keep it safe."
Jia Huan took the booklet; it felt heavy in his hand.
The booklet was entirely black, with no words on the cover, exuding only a chilling aura.
This is a privilege held only by officers of the Imperial Guard at the rank of Captain or above—the Book of Impermanence.