Chapter 530

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongxi Hall.

Jia Cong, Jia Zheng, Shi Nai, and others had already left Rongxi Hall, but Baoyu intentionally slowed down by one step.

He waited for Jia Zheng's figure to leave the courtyard gate, then returned to Rongxi Hall.

Seeing Xiao Hong tidying up the tea bowls, and also instructing the rough maid to clean the hall again, there were many guests coming and going during the New Year, and it was said that Cong Sanye would come over tomorrow.

Baoyu saw Xiao Hong tidying up things with nimble hands and feet, looking at her graceful back, slender waist, shoulders like knife-cut, and a piece of white and greasy neck skin exposed at the temples, which had an unspeakable crispness and cuteness.

He couldn't help but feel annoyed in his heart. Such a pleasing maid had been in his courtyard for so long, yet he didn't discover it, letting her do chores in the backyard, which was really damn.

Now that the person had been driven away, he realized Xiao Hong's benefits. Thinking of these, Baoyu felt a burst of sorrow and hatred, and actually stood there and started to be foolish again.

Xiao Hong tidied up the tea bowls and was about to carry them out, when she turned back and saw Baoyu still standing behind, she was startled.

Asked: "Bao Bao Er Ye, why are you still here, why didn't you go with Cong Sanye to entertain guests and enter the banquet?"

Baoyu heard Xiao Hong not calling him Bao Er Ye like before, but changing to Bao Bao Er Ye, which seemed very distant, but she called Jia Cong Cong Sanye very intimately, and felt uncomfortable in his heart.

Said: "Xiao Hong, that day I was not in the courtyard, I didn't know the lady came to drive you away. I felt very heartbroken after knowing it, and let you suffer grievances for nothing."

Xiao Hong heard Baoyu say what heartache, felt a bit awkward in her heart, and an embarrassed look appeared on her face.

However, she also knew Baoyu's personality, who always liked to be intimate and flattering in front of maids, and his speech had always been like this without any gate.

If he didn't have this kind of conduct, how could he provoke Jin Chuan for no reason, anger the lady, and finally force Jin Chuan to have no face and want to jump into the well.

Xiao Hong had heard her parents talk about the affairs of the masters in the mansion since she was a child, and her ears had developed calluses.

Didn't her parents worry that she would be soft-eared that day, be coaxed away by that master in the mansion, and never have the life of a proper status again.

Xiao Hong saw Baoyu's face full of pain when he spoke, and he was a bit close, so she frowned and blocked the tea tray in her hand in front of her chest, and retreated a step.

Said: "Bao Bao Er Ye doesn't need to say such things. Besides, she has already driven me away, and it's useless to say it. Moreover, I am doing quite well now, Bao Bao Er Ye doesn't need to worry for nothing."

Baoyu blushed and said: "Is this a good place for you to stay? Jia Cong only brings back some corrupt officials every day, and only talks about some crooked words about official careers, wasting a daughter like you for nothing."

Baoyu was about to pull Xiao Hong's hand as he spoke, but was blocked by Xiao Hong with the tea tray, her pretty face had already sunk slightly, and she said: "Bao Bao Er Ye, just say what you have to say, why pull and pull."

Baoyu was often retorted by maids in his daily life, and he even enjoyed it. Being stabbed by Xiao Hong, he didn't take it to heart at all, and felt more and more that Xiao Hong had more novelty than other maids.

Seeing Xiao Hong's disbelief, his courage grew, and he said: "You must be angry that the lady drove you away, and I didn't care. Obviously you are not happy staying here, yet you still say crooked words to coax me.

You don't have to be afraid, just come back to the courtyard with me, I'll just say a word to Jia Cong."

Xiao Hong wondered: "What kind of words is Bao Bao Er Ye saying? She has already been driven out, how can she go back? Can you still ask the lady to take me back?"

Baoyu heard this, his arrogance weakened, and let him argue with Lady Wang and ask Xiao Hong back, he would never do it, and didn't have the courage to do it.

But he was still unwilling in his mouth, and said: "I'll go find the lady, I'll... talk to the lady about the truth, you didn't do anything wrong in my courtyard, the lady will always be able to understand..."

Xiao Hong sneered in her heart, if you were such a person, Sister Xixue wouldn't have been driven out by the lady because of a cup of tea, and I haven't seen you say a word, and now you come to coax that.

Said: "Bao Bao Er Ye doesn't need to be embarrassed. Although I was driven out, it's not decent to say it, but I am better than before now, which can be considered a blessing in disguise.

It is said that a long shed is built for a thousand miles, and there is no banquet that does not end. Even if I wasn't driven out in Bao Bao Er Ye's courtyard, I couldn't stay for a lifetime. It's just right now.

Now, Cong Sanye feels that I can still do things, and gave me this errand. I am very grateful in my heart, and I will definitely do it well, not losing Cong Sanye's face, even if I repay Cong Sanye's kindness."

Baoyu heard that Xiao Hong didn't want to return to his courtyard at all, and he was gentle and kind to her, but he couldn't move her.

He, this turbid thing, finally didn't enter the daughter's heart, so forget it. Why did Jia Cong coax her and make her die for him?

He said unconvinced: "Where is Jia Cong a good person? He doesn't know how to cherish daughters at all.

He kept you here to guard the empty courtyard, serving tea and pouring water, facing the four walls every day, isn't it just wasting you."

Xiao Hong heard Baoyu say this, her pretty face sank slightly, and said: "I am willing to be like this, it has nothing to do with others. Even if I guard the empty courtyard for Cong Sanye for a lifetime, I am very willing.

Why does Bao Bao Er Ye have to distort Cong Sanye again? Everyone has their own fate, just live their own life well."

Baoyu was retorted by Xiao Hong, his face flushed, now Xiao Hong is Jia Cong's maid, and Baoyu is just the partial young master of the East Road Courtyard, he really can't do anything to Xiao Hong.

However, Baoyu is not like Lady Wang, he is often retorted by maids in his daily life, and he has never had the intention or action of jealousy and revenge.

He stomped his feet and said: "You don't understand me, I am heartbroken for you, and no one knows it. If the lady doesn't care about this, I will go find the Old Matriarch at worst..."

Xiao Hong was startled when she heard this. She heard Baoyu distort Jia Cong just now, so she couldn't help but help Jia Cong speak, but now she regretted that her words were too rushed, actually provoking this master's temper.

If Baoyu really went to find the Old Matriarch to ask for her back, as long as he acted like a spoiled child, the lady would have to bow her head. If the Old Matriarch was partial and really went to find Cong Sanye, that would be a bad thing.

Now following Cong Sanye is thoughtful and decent, and she can learn a lot. Her mother also said that Cong Sanye is always good to maids, but that kind of goodness is not like Baoyu...

She finally followed such a master, who would want to go to Baoyu's courtyard to see people fighting for favor.

Xiao Hong turned her eyes and said: "Bao Bao Er Ye, don't tell the Old Matriarch about this. I really like staying in Rongxi Hall, and I am not guarding the empty courtyard all the time.

Cong Sanye is now studying poetry and books hard, waiting for the spring imperial examination at the end of this year. Last time he also told me that Rongxi Hall is spacious and quiet, and it is a first-class place for reading.

I see that tone, Cong Sanye will definitely enter Rongxi Hall to study after the New Year. It is said that Cong Sanye's learning is famous in the world, and I am just waiting for this day.

It happens that I can ask Cong Sanye to teach me reading and writing. I heard that the maids beside Cong Sanye can all read and write, but I am the only one who is blind, isn't it too shameful.

It is best if Cong Sanye can teach me that Four Books, Four Books... right, it is Five Classics, that is called powerful and proud."

Xiao Hong said and secretly glanced at Baoyu, seeing his face getting uglier and uglier, his eyes decayed, as if he was very disappointed in her.

Xiao Hong bit her thin lips slightly and continued: "Before, when I was in Bao Bao Er Ye's courtyard, I often heard the Bao Er Ye urge Bao Bao Er Ye to study hard, which I think is very right.

Cong Sanye and Bao Bao Er Ye are the same age. Now Cong Sanye can take the top scholar, Bao Bao Er Ye might as well listen to the Bao Er Ye more and study hard.

A clever person like Bao Bao Er Ye might be able to enter school this year, which is also decent when said outside, and the Bao Er Ye and Second Lady will also be happy.

From now on, Bao Bao Er Ye can learn the skills of being an official and prime minister like Cong Sanye, and in the future, he will definitely be able to be granted a title and official position like Cong Sanye, bringing glory to his ancestors..."

Xiao Hong was originally clever and sharp-toothed, taking Baoyu's mind, a small mouth crackled, her pronunciation was clear, her voice was crisp, and she spoke vigorously, actually unable to stop.

Baoyu's originally flushed face had become a bit pale, looking at Xiao Hong with pain in his eyes. The originally clear and clean daughter had now become full of the corrupt and smelly words of corrupt officials!

Jia Cong is really harmful, a good maid, just ruined by him like this.

Baoyu said hatefully: "How can a daughter like you become like this? You can tell these scattered words of being an official and prime minister to Jia Cong, I don't have that blessing!"

Xiao Hong saw Baoyu flick his sleeves and turn around, leaving in a hurry, not knowing whether it was the crushing of studying and entering school to him, or her rhetoric of being an official and prime minister that made him run away in a panic.

But one thing, Xiao Hong was very sure in her heart, from now on Baoyu will definitely be annoyed with her, and will never have the mind to use the means of cherishing fragrance and jade on her again, let alone go to find the Old Matriarch to ask for her.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but laugh proudly.

It seems that following Cong Sanye is indeed long-sighted. The words she just argued with Baoyu were just heard when she was serving on the side when Jia Cong was entertaining guests in Rongxi Hall during the New Year...

Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Courtyard.

Baochai returned to the courtyard with Xia Gu Niang, but Seeing Tan Chun didn't follow back.

Because Xue Yima wanted to open a banquet to entertain the Xia mother and daughter, this invitation was superficially a New Year visit between the two families, but inside it was for the two families to see the marriage.

Originally, Xia Gu Niang always had to avoid suspicion and it was not easy to meet Xue Pan directly, but the two families chatted and were old relatives of the previous generation, so the two families could be considered to have old relatives, and the etiquette rules could be accommodated.

Although Xue Pan was not convenient to accompany the whole banquet, he entered the inner hall once, performed the junior etiquette to Lady Wang and Mrs. Xia, and could also meet Xia Gu Niang without a trace.

But Seeing Tan Chun was an external relative boudoir, and the etiquette and rules of the Jia family were stricter than those of the Xue and Xia families, so it was not convenient to meet Xue Pan, so she didn't come over to accompany the banquet together.

Baochai noticed that after Xia Gu Niang returned, she was a bit restless. She remembered that she happened to see Jia Cong and others walking from the other side of the corridor on the way back just now.

Because Jia Cong had external guests beside him, Baochai and Seeing Tan Chun avoided it as usual, but that Xia Gu Niang was stunned for a moment, looking straight over there, and the original crispness and cleverness were gone.

It was Seeing Tan Chun who went to pull her, and she woke up. Seeing Tan Chun was only here to accompany the guests, and didn't think much about it.

But Baochai was different. This Xia Gu Niang might be her future sister-in-law. She had the idea of seeing her for her brother in her heart, so she paid extra attention to Xia Gu Niang's actions.

Therefore, Baochai soon noticed that Xia Gu Niang's loss of composure was because she saw Jia Cong. The light in her eyes at that moment made Baochai feel a bit hot and jumpy.

She was also a woman, so she naturally understood the meaning of that gaze, and couldn't help but have doubts about this Xia Gu Niang in her heart.

Even if the Cong brother was handsome and good-looking, she was a girl who came to visit, and there was an intention for the two families to see each other. Looking at an unrelated man with such eyes, it was too uncomposed.

But this was just Baochai's own observation, and there was no solid evidence, so she couldn't take it as a topic.

Seeing Tan Chun went to the East Prefecture alone halfway, Baochai accompanied Xia Gu Niang back to Lixiang Courtyard, and was also indifferent along the way, only chatting and coping with Xia Gu Niang casually.

... Before this Xia Gu Niang came to Lixiang Courtyard to see the marriage, she had long heard of the famous young Marquis of Weiyuan of the Jia family.

She often heard many related legends, saying that this Jia Cong was extraordinary, both civil and military, a young noble, and as handsome as Pan An, just like an immortal.

She was born in a wealthy family since she was a child, her father died early, and her mother only had this one daughter.

She was born with an outstanding appearance, clever and flexible, and was regarded as a treasure by her widowed mother, spoiled and pampered, obedient to everything, thus developing an arrogant and fierce personality.

Because she was used to the wealthy days of having everything, her eyes were high and her heart was proud, only feeling that all the good things in the world should be hers, she was as noble as a Bodhisattva, and others were as dirty as mud.

By the age of fifteen, she felt that her family was wealthy and her appearance was outstanding, and only a first-class person in the world could match her heart.

With this kind of self-conceited mind, she naturally had some curiosity and yearning for a person like Jia Cong.

At the beginning, Zhang Daoist Priest of Yuxu Temple came to the mansion to pull the thread, saying that the other party was the Xue family of the Jinling noble family, and like the Xia family, was a top imperial merchant registered in the Ministry of Revenue.

And the Xue family, besides being a first-class imperial merchant, was also a famous official family that inherited books, and their ancestors were once Ziwei She Ren and produced two generations of high officials, and the ancestral prestige could still protect their descendants.

Mrs. Xia heard that the man's family background matched the Xia family, and the ancestral foundation was still above the Xia family, so she was naturally very moved.

And Xia Gu Niang agreed to this matter, but it was because she heard Zhang Daoist Priest brag that the Xue family and the Jia family were in-laws, and now the Xue family lived in Rongguo Prefecture, and the young head of the family who produced two titles in the mansion had great power and prestige...

Mrs. Xia's visit this time was really aimed at seeing the marriage with the Xue family.

Xia Gu Niang was much more cunning than her mother. Her visit this time was aimed at getting more, borrowing the bridge to walk.

The Xia family was only wealthy and had no foundation, and the orphans and widows had no much insight, but the mind of weighing and calculating was completely the style of an imperial merchant, much more powerful than others.

Xia Gu Niang would not think that Jia Cong's status was precious, and even the marriage was on the path of imperial bestowal, which was not something ordinary families could reach, so she just fantasized blindly.

She was a clever person, and could be considered to have calculated everything.

Because she heard Seeing Tan Chun mention unintentionally that Jia Cong was entertaining guests in Rongqing Hall, she proposed to enjoy the mansion lanterns in the mansion, and borrowed the excuse to walk around the vicinity of Rongqing Hall where the mansion lanterns were the most exquisite, creating some opportunities for herself.

Originally, it was just a thought of climbing a tree to catch a fish, but she really succeeded. She met Jia Cong twice on the way back and forth, and the other party's unparalleled handsome appearance and style almost made her unable to move her eyes.

Although she returned to Lixiang Courtyard now, Lady Wang and the Xue mother and daughter were accompanying the banquet, Xia Gu Niang was still absent-minded, and her heart was always filled with the appearance of Jia Cong's outstanding style.

The banquet had been going on for half a day, and Xue Pan entered to perform the junior etiquette and toast to Lady Wang and Mrs. Xia.

Xue Pan had been tidied up by Xue Yima beforehand, wearing new clothes, with a white face and oily hair, and flowers on his temples. He was born with a handsome appearance, and at first glance, the selling appearance was very good.

Xue Pan was also used to the wind and moon places, and had seen many beautiful dew beauties, and had some knowledge about women.

But seeing Xia Gu Niang's beautiful and charming appearance, he was stunned for a while.

Xue Yima was happy when she saw her son's expression, knowing that her son had taken a fancy to the girl.

Mrs. Xia saw Xue Pan's foolish look, and felt proud in her heart. With her daughter's character and appearance, who wouldn't take a fancy to her.

Lady Wang frowned when she saw Xue Pan's appearance, her nephew was a bit uncomposed.

How could he look at the girl like this? If it were her Baoyu, he would definitely not be so rude, and it was a pity for Xia Gu Niang's appearance...

Xia Gu Niang saw Xue Pan's appearance, and her face became indifferent, and the original trace of expectation in her heart disappeared without a trace.

Many things in this world, if there is no comparison, will pass naturally.

Although Xue Pan was dissolute and domineering, he inherited the Xue family's appearance and bloodline, and had more masculine spirit than Baoyu.

If Xia Gu Niang hadn't seen the pearl and jade in front, maybe she could really achieve a marriage.

It's just that after enjoying the mansion lanterns, she saw the dragon and phoenix of the Jia family, and seeing someone like Xue Pan again was like seeing a black crow. Her face was indifferent, but her heart twitched and felt nauseous.

Moreover, the burning gaze of the Xue eldest young master and the eating appearance of giving his soul to the color made Xia Gu Niang especially annoyed. The fashionable temple flowers on his temples also looked exceptionally dazzling.

Xue Pan performed the etiquette to the elders and left the inner hall somewhat reluctantly.

The whole banquet seemed stable and calm, without any waves, only Xue Yima and Mrs. Xia kept up a warm conversation, and Lady Wang only echoed a few words casually.

Xia Gu Niang seemed to have something on her mind, only chatting casually with Baochai.

Lady Wang observed from the side, seeing Xia Gu Niang see Xue Pan, her expression was indifferent, her rules were strict, and she had no loss of composure. She was indeed a boudoir lady, and she looked at her with higher regard in her heart.

The banquet ended, and before the Xia mother and daughter said goodbye, Xue Yima and Mrs. Xia said some private words. Whether it was an appointment to meet again or an appointment for a matchmaker, it is unknown.

Count's mansion, Yingchun Courtyard.

Jia Cong sent away the Marquis of Lady Bao Ling Shi Nai and his wife, but Shi Xiangyun stayed behind. With Shi Nai about to go south to take office, Shi Xiangyun would probably live in the Jia Prefecture for the next few years.

Now both the East and West Prefectures were Jia Cong's noble property, and it was naturally not a problem for him to settle Shi Xiangyun there.

Originally, Daiyu suddenly fell ill, and the Old Matriarch planned to move her back to the West Prefecture after she recovered and the New Year passed.

But she didn't expect that before the New Year had passed, Jia Cong inherited the Rongguo noble title and became the head of the West Prefecture.

The Old Matriarch didn't mention moving her granddaughter back. Moving back and forth was all in this grandson's territory, and making it out instead seemed a bit stiff and estranged. After a long time, she forgot about this matter.

Originally, Jia Cong wanted to arrange an independent courtyard in the East Prefecture as Shi Xiangyun's boudoir.

However, Shi Xiangyun was used to living in Yingchun's courtyard, so she just let Jia Cong arrange it in the original place.

Xiangyun had a romantic personality and loved to talk and laugh, but as long as she arrived there, it would be a bit more lively and happy.

Jia Cong had just brought her to Yingchun Courtyard for a while, and Yingchun, Daiyu, Xing Xiuyan, and others were sitting in the hall, and a burst of laughter and laughter rose from time to time.

Several people were talking when suddenly the shadow of magenta at the door of the hall swayed, and Seeing Tan Chun entered with a smile.

After she parted with Baochai, she went to Rongqing Hall to pay respects to the Old Matriarch, and after coming out, she went to Jia Cong's courtyard to chat with Zhi Shao and others for a while.

Hearing the news of Xiangyun entering the East Prefecture, she rushed to Yingchun Courtyard.

Jia Cong smiled: "Third Sister hasn't seen anyone for several days after moving away. Why are you free to come over today? I just saw you and Bao Sister strolling in the garden.

There was also a strange girl beside you. Which family's female relative is visiting?"

Seeing Tan Chun beamed and said: "Third Brother is sharp-eyed. That is Xia Gu Niang. Aunt invited the Xia mother and daughter to Lixiang Courtyard to be guests today. Actually, it is also to see the marriage for Xue Brother."

Jia Cong moved in his heart and asked: "Is it the mother and daughter of the Guihua Xia family?"

Seeing Tan Chun wondered: "Third Brother is clever, how did you guess it right?"

Jia Cong felt strange in his heart after hearing Seeing Tan Chun's words. Originally, he thought it would be a wrong line. Baoyu matching Xia Jingui was a bit horrifying.

Now it seems that things are still turning back to the original track. Could it be that Xue Pan finally married this living treasure? Jia Cong replied casually: "That time when the eldest master handled the funeral, Zhang Daoist Priest of Yuxu Temple came to visit the Old Matriarch. In the idle talk, there were several boudoir daughters whose character and family background matched Baoyu.

The Guihua Xia family is one of them. There are not many Xia families with wealthy family backgrounds in the Divine Capital, and the one that can match the Xue family's household is about the Guihua Xia family, so it is not difficult to guess."

That day Zhang Daoist Priest proposed marriage to Baoyu in Rongqing Hall, Jia Cong and Daiyu were both present, only Seeing Tan Chun was not there, so she didn't know there was such a reason.

Seeing Tan Chun smiled: "So there is a cause here. It is also fate that Xia Gu Niang and Xue Brother have. Originally, it was to be said to Baoyu, but it went to the Xue family.

However, Xia Gu Niang has a beautiful appearance, a clever and crisp personality, and can read and write poetry. She is also a first-class person. If Xue Brother really finds her, it is also a blessing.

Bao Sister and I accompanied her to stroll in the garden, and Xia Gu Niang said the West Prefecture garden was beautiful, and I said the scenery on the East Prefecture side was even better.

Xia Gu Niang was very interested after hearing it, and said that she would let me take her to stroll in the East Prefecture that day."

Jia Cong felt uncomfortable in his heart after hearing it. At present, others don't know the inside story of Xia Jingui, but he knows what kind of goods this woman is.

In the previous life, it was said that she not only seduced Xue Ke, but also wanted to poison Xiang Ling because of jealousy, and finally, by mistake, poisoned herself.

This is a vicious and unscrupulous woman who has no bottom line. The best way is to respect and stay away.

In the future, she will marry Xue Pan, and it is helpless to move around in the West Prefecture. If she lets her wander to his East Prefecture, where there are many sisters and maids, it will be like a weasel entering the backyard, and it will definitely cause trouble.

At this time, the two brothers and sisters were talking about Xia Gu Niang, and Yingchun and Daiyu didn't care, because Shi Xiangyun was talking about some topic, which made them laugh.

Jia Cong walked closer and said: "Perhaps this Xia Gu Niang has an outstanding appearance, but you can't just look at the appearance when looking at people. The sisters have always lived at home and rarely go out.

I often walk outside, so I have heard rumors about the Guihua Xia family, saying that there is only one daughter, Xia Gu Niang, her father died early, and her mother spoiled her, developing a domineering and fierce personality.

She is not a good person to get along with. Third Sister, be careful when you move around with her, and keep a heart."

Seeing Tan Chun trusted Jia Cong extremely, and it was the first time she heard him evaluate a boudoir. Seeing Tan Chun's mind was transparent, so how could she not hear that he extremely disliked this woman.

She knew Jia Cong was wise and sensitive, and he would never say these words without a target, so she was slightly vigilant in her heart and nodded: "Since Third Brother doesn't like this person, I won't associate with her in the future.

Even if she marries Xue Brother in the future, she will only live on that side. Even if it is inevitable to have some dealings, I will keep a heart, Third Brother, just rest assured." (End of chapter)