Chapter 544: Meeting Is Fate

Rongguo Prefecture, Fengjie's Courtyard.

On the heated brick bed by the south window of the main room, a soft felt rug with a red circular pattern was spread, and Wang Xifeng sat on the bed, leaning against a brocade backrest.

The sunlight slanted in from the window sill, shining on her body, making her feel warm and lazy. Wang Xifeng was chatting with Ping'er, her right hand subconsciously stroking her already protruding abdomen.

She had been pregnant for several months, and now it was showing; her body had also begun to become somewhat bloated, but her spirit and complexion were still healthy.

Ever since Jia Cong inherited the Rongguo title, he had handed over the management of the West Prefecture's family affairs to Wang Xifeng, except for warning Wang Xifeng to stop lending money at high interest and the previous profit-seeking activities.

The rest of the affairs of the West Prefecture were all delegated to her to manage; perhaps it was Jia Cong's method of combining kindness and power, or perhaps it was because a woman's heart changed after pregnancy, wanting to leave behind some hidden virtue.

From then on, Wang Xifeng focused on managing household affairs and ignored the dark and evil matters outside. With Ping'er and Wu'er as capable helpers, all matters in the mansion were smooth and peaceful.

During the New Year, Jia Lian had sent a letter home, saying that after arriving in Liaodong, because of the care of Jia Cong's old comrades in the army, although he was a banished soldier, he was not discriminated against or abused.

He was also arranged with a miscellaneous task of assisting in procurement in the army, and he usually did some running errands; his life was stable, which made Wang Xifeng feel relieved.

Although Wang Xifeng thought of not being able to see her husband for fifteen years, she couldn't help but feel sad.

But fortunately, Heaven had eyes, and now she had an heir in her womb; no matter if it was a boy or a girl, the mother and child could keep each other company, and she thought there would always be some interest.

In addition, she found Jia Cong as a backer and sent her trusted maid into his room, so that she would have a foundation in the mansion in the future and wouldn't be afraid of not having a good life.

Therefore, although Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian were separated, except for this, all other matters were the most satisfying period since she married into the Jia family, which was truly a strange thing.

This morning, Wang Xifeng was talking to Ping'er about miscellaneous affairs in the mansion; Wu'er was not in the courtyard because of other matters.

Suddenly, footsteps came from the courtyard gate, and the person who lifted the door curtain was Baoyu.

Wang Xifeng smiled, "Baoyu, you are truly thoughtful, often able to come and move about?"

Baoyu smiled, "Yesterday the old lady mentioned that Feng Sister is now noble and is recuperating, and also said that you must not be overworked. I had some free time today, so I came to see you, Sister."

Wang Xifeng smiled, "Then I must thank Baoyu for remembering; hurry and sit on the bed."

Wang Xifeng also asked Feng'er to serve hot tea to Baoyu. Baoyu sat and chatted for a few sentences, then asked, "Why don't I see Wu'er today?"

Wang Xifeng and Ping'er couldn't help but look at each other, Ping'er shook her head slightly, her expression somewhat helpless.

Wang Xifeng smiled slightly, her phoenix eyes full of charm, and her gaze contained a mockery that was difficult to detect.

She said, "Now Cong Brother is closing his doors to study, waiting for the spring examination. Wu'er feels sorry for her master's hard work and is always worried.

Every day at this hour, she returns to the East Prefecture to manage miscellaneous affairs, helps Cong Brother prepare nourishing lunch, and after having a meal with Cong Brother in the East Prefecture, she will return here.

She is also a life of toil; if she doesn't see Cong Brother, she can't even eat; it's funny to say."

Wang Xifeng's tongue was nimble, chatting casually, and she said a lot; it sounded like just relaxed and casual chatter.

But Baoyu, who was on the side, felt his face stiffen, and his expression revealed embarrassment and discomfort, as well as a disappointment that he was trying hard to cover up...

……

In fact, Baoyu coming to visit Wang Xifeng was the same as visiting Xue Yima Xue the day before.

Visiting people was just an excuse; he just loved to gather where there were beautiful young ladies.

Ever since Jia Zheng moved to the East Wing Courtyard, Baoyu was left in the West Prefecture by Jia Mu. Because he no longer had his father's restraint, he was even more like a horse without a bridle.

He only went to the family school every few days to show his face.

He had been in the family school for seven years, and he had memorized the Four Books as if they had been gnawed by dogs; no wonder Jia Zheng was often angry because of this.

However, he had some cleverness and spirit in literary games like rhyming poetry and matching couplets, but these were just minor talents and were of no use for the imperial examinations.

Because he was becoming more and more comfortable now, and had nothing important to do all day, his habit of loving beauty naturally grew day by day.

When Jia Cong lived in the Qingzhi Study in the West Prefecture, Baoyu had already noticed Jia Cong's maid, Wu'er.

Because Wu'er was considerate, gentle, beautiful, and delicate, and had more of Daiyu's charm than Qingwen's beauty and fiery personality, she had made Baoyu unforgettable at first sight.

It was just that over the years, Wu'er had been Jia Cong's trusted maid, and Baoyu usually had no opportunity to get close.

Now Wu'er had been sent by Jia Cong to manage the West Prefecture and often moved about in the inner courtyard of the West Prefecture.

Over the past few years, she had gradually grown up and become increasingly graceful; Baoyu would feel dizzy whenever he saw her.

Although he was used to playing and fooling around with maids, he hadn't completely lost his mind and still had some scruples and sense of propriety.

Baoyu knew that Jia Cong was not what he used to be and was not close to him; he had also set a rule in the East Prefecture that men were not allowed to enter the inner courtyard. Of course, Baoyu also looked down on a "greedy official" like him.

He knew that Wu'er was Jia Cong's intimate maid and didn't dare to provoke her, but now that Wu'er was managing the house in Fengjie's courtyard, it was different from when she was serving by Jia Cong's side.

These days, he often used the excuse of visiting Wang Xifeng, who was recuperating, to chat with Wu'er and appreciate that beautiful appearance.

It was just that Wu'er had followed Jia Cong since she was a child and was used to seeing the ambition and excellence of men; she was very resistant and disgusted by Baoyu's boring and dissolute behavior.

And she was also a clever person; seeing Baoyu's dirty thoughts of deliberately approaching her, she knew what he was thinking and became increasingly indifferent; whenever she saw him enter the courtyard, she would find an excuse to walk away.

Soon, even Wang Xifeng and Ping'er saw that something was wrong, but because of their past relationship, they couldn't speak out for a while.

Baoyu was used to fooling around with maids since he was a child and was flattered and indulged by the maids around him; he only felt that any beautiful girl should have a good feeling for him.

He didn't notice Wu'er's disgust for him, only feeling that it was because Wu'er was not familiar with him and was due to the natural shyness of a girl, which made him feel that Wu'er was even more precious and cute.

Therefore, he had played this trick of visiting Wang Xifeng many times, and finally even Fengjie couldn't stand it anymore, which was why she said those words about Wu'er's consideration and affection for Jia Cong.

She saw that after Baoyu heard her words, his face revealed a disappointed and sad expression; she didn't know if it was because she was having morning sickness, or because she was disgusted by Baoyu's expression, but she suddenly felt very nauseous.

……

Wang Xifeng was just about to be unable to control herself and wanted to retch into the spittoon when footsteps suddenly sounded in the courtyard.

Someone asked, "Is Bao Er Ye Bao here?"

Wang Xifeng and Ping'er recognized that it was Sister Xi Ren's voice. Ping'er said, "He is right here, Sister Sister Xi Ren, please come in."

Sister Xi Ren entered the room, paid her respects to Wang Xifeng, and said to Baoyu, "I was looking for Bao Er Ye everywhere; so you were here at Second Grandmother's."

Baoyu asked, "What's the matter in the morning that's worth you looking for me everywhere?"

Sister Xi Ren said, "Caiyun came from the East Wing Courtyard to pass the word, saying that Madam wants you to go over to meet guests?"

Baoyu wondered, "Father is now at the office; who is visiting at this time? I have never known how to deal with Father's guests. Just say I am not feeling well and decline; Madam won't blame me."

Jia Zheng's guests were either colleagues in the officialdom or Confucian scholars who spoke of "this and that"; Baoyu had always been disgusted by such people, who were full of talk about official careers and economic principles.

When Jia Zheng was at home, Baoyu would hold his nose and deal with them if there were such guests; when Jia Zheng was not at home, Baoyu was naturally too lazy to act.

Sister Xi Ren said, "It's not Father's guest; it's Madam who invited Madam and Xia Gu Niang of the Osmanthus Xia family to visit the East Wing Courtyard. They mentioned Bao Er Ye Bao in their conversation, so they invited you to meet the guests.

Since Bao Er Ye doesn't want to go, I will find a reason to tell Caiyun and let her go back."

When Baoyu heard the words "Osmanthus Xia family," he felt a jolt in his heart, thinking of when he went to visit Xue Yima Xue the other day and learned that Xue Pan's marriage didn't go through, and that the beautiful Xia Gu Niang had escaped a disaster.

Such a beautiful girl from a noble family, avoiding the humiliation of falling into the mud, made Baoyu feel sincerely comforted. Now that there was such an opportunity, how could he let it slip away?

He said, "You didn't make it clear earlier. Since it's Madam's guest, it's not an official figure, just a visit between relatives and friends at home; this is something I should go to meet, so as not to violate daily etiquette."

Sister Xi Ren was a little confused by Baoyu's abrupt change in attitude.

She knew that Baoyu only loved to play with maids, but he didn't like to meet any outside guests, regardless of whether they were Father's or Madam's guests; today it was a bit strange.

……

Wang Xifeng saw Baoyu hurriedly leave with Sister Xi Ren and sneered at Ping'er beside her, "Baoyu is truly interesting; it seems that anyone in this mansion who looks decent has something to do with him."

Ping'er's expression was also somewhat bored, "Although Bao Er Ye Bao loves to fool around with maids, he usually has some sense of propriety. Wu'er is in Third Master's room; how could he be like this?"

Wang Xifeng said, "He has had this habit for a long time, not just now. When Cong Brother lived in the Qingzhi Study, Baoyu had already taken a fancy to Wu'er by his side.

He even wanted to ask the old lady to help him ask for her. At that time, I even gave him advice, but fortunately, it didn't work out; otherwise, I would have formed a grudge with Third Brother."

Wang Xifeng remembered the events of that year, when Jia Cong was tossed about by the Great Master and Great Madam in the East Wing Courtyard, and the old lady was worried that he wouldn't survive, so she moved him to the West Prefecture to raise him.

At that time, whether it was Wang Xifeng, Jia Mu, or Madam Wang, all they thought about was raising a Jia family descendant, so as not to be tossed to death in the East Wing Courtyard and have a bad reputation.

No one expected that the concubine-born son who was not liked by anyone would reach this point today...

Wang Xifeng sighed and said, "Wu'er has served Cong Brother since she was a child and is his trusted maid, always doted upon like the apple of his eye.

Baoyu also wants to crowd up to her, without any sense of judgment. I am strange in my heart; Madam is full of wanting to fight for this title and family wealth.

Even if she really fights for it, who can she pass it on to? Baoyu is fundamentally not the material for this; if the ancestors' things are passed on to him, how many days can he keep them?"

Ping'er smiled faintly, "In Madam's eyes, Baoyu is a noble son born with jade in his mouth. Most mothers can't see these things clearly; don't they all think their own son is the best?"

Wang Xifeng suddenly asked, "I haven't heard that Madam and the Osmanthus Xia family had a friendship before; how come the mother and daughter came to visit?"

Ping'er thought for a while and said, "Grandmother is now recuperating in the courtyard and rarely goes out to move about, so it's normal not to know about things outside.

Some time ago, the young lady of the Osmanthus Xia family was meeting with Bao Sister's brother for marriage; it is said that Madam accompanied the guest."

Wang Xifeng said, "I know about this. That day Xue Yima Xue set up a birthday banquet in the Great Flower Hall and invited us to drink; wasn't this mentioned at the banquet?"

Ping'er said, "It's a matter of the last few days; Grandmother was in the courtyard, so she didn't hear the rumors. The Xia family has already declined this marriage; it is said that a high monk divined that the horoscopes of the two were incompatible.

Madam Xia was embarrassed to decline in person and asked Madam to convey it to Xue Yima, so it should be that the two were compatible in speech. I estimate that the friendship between Madam and the Xia family started from here."

Wang Xifeng heard Ping'er's words, and her phoenix eyes moved; she suddenly realized something.

Suddenly she smiled mysteriously, "Just now Sister Xi Ren said that the Xia family mother and daughter came to visit. Baoyu usually hates meeting guests and socializing, but today he was so excited to go after hearing Sister Xi Ren's words.

Ping'er, is that Xia Gu Niang a beautiful girl?"

Ping'er couldn't help but laugh, "Grandmother's divination is extremely accurate; I heard Third Young Lady say that Xia Gu Niang is indeed a girl with an excellent appearance."

……

Rongguo Prefecture, East Wing Courtyard.

Tan Chun was accompanying Xia Gu Niang to stroll around the garden. Originally, because the East Wing Courtyard had limited space, the back garden was not wide, but this time, in order to let Jia Zheng live comfortably, Jia Cong circled some places around the original Mengpo Study, making the East Wing Courtyard much larger.

Along with the back garden of the East Wing Courtyard, it was also more spacious than before, and he invited master craftsmen to build it, using his heart to build it everywhere; it was exquisite and unique, the winding paths led to secluded places, and it was quite interesting to stroll around carefully.

On the stone bridge in the garden, two young ladies, both as beautiful as flowers and jade, were walking one after another; under the bridge, the blue waves reflected a pair of graceful shadows, making them look even more slender and graceful.

Tan Chun and Xia Gu Niang had only met once and were not familiar with each other. Plus, her Third Brother had instructed her twice, which made Tan Chun even more careful.

Today she came over to be a proper guest, only saying some polite words, grasping the sense of propriety in her speech, and not talking intimately with Xia Gu Niang.

Along with Shi Shu, who was following closely behind, she was also bowing her head to serve her young lady and didn't talk to Baochan, who was walking with them.

On the contrary, Xia Gu Niang was very enthusiastic about Tan Chun, with clever language and fluent speech; she was indeed a bit witty and scheming.

Xia Gu Niang said, "Third Young Lady, this garden is built really well, exquisite and unique, with beautiful scenery. Although my family's garden is larger, it is not as good-looking as this one."

Tan Chun smiled, "Because I was worried that my father wouldn't be used to living here, Third Brother spent a lot of thought on this garden and invited the famous Mr. Shanziye from the Divine Capital to build it; the scenery is naturally not bad."

When Xia Gu Niang heard the word "Third Brother," her heart jumped violently; she was just saying some flattering words, but she didn't expect to bring out what she loved to hear most.

When she heard Tan Chun call him "Third Brother," there was an indescribable intimacy and gentleness in her words. Although she knew that Tan Chun and Jia Cong were cousins, she still couldn't help but feel a little jealous...

Xia Gu Niang's heart was stirred, and she said, "Your Third Brother is so thoughtful to your father; he is truly a good person."

It was a casual polite remark from the other party, but it sounded a bit off in Tan Chun's ears.

Especially the last sentence, "truly a good person," the voice seemed to carry a trace of coquettishness that arose spontaneously, which made Tan Chun's hair stand on end.

Tan Chun herself didn't know the reason why she had such a strange illusion, which made her forget to answer Xia Gu Niang's words.

Xia Gu Niang said again, "This side courtyard's flower garden is already so exquisite; wouldn't your Third Brother's East Prefecture flower garden be even better-looking?"

Tan Chun looked at the beautiful and dignified Xia Gu Niang beside her; her appearance and behavior were all in the style of a young lady of a noble family, and there was nothing wrong with it. She must have been distracted just now, letting her imagination run wild.

She smiled and replied, "The East Prefecture is much larger. Originally, that was the Ningguo Prefecture. When Third Brother was granted the title, he renovated the East Prefecture garden again, so it is naturally better than this one."

Xia Gu Niang's heart moved when she heard this, and she said, "A dignified Count's Prefecture is naturally excellent. I don't know what kind of scenery it is; Third Young Lady must take me to stroll around so that I can see it."

Tan Chun's face stiffened slightly when she heard this, thinking of Jia Cong's two reminders, and said, "It's a bit inconvenient during this time; Third Brother is closing his doors to study, and it's not good for us to disturb him.

When there is time in the future, I will take Xia Gu Niang to walk around; it's not a big deal."

Xia Gu Niang felt disappointed in her heart, only feeling that the people of the Jia family were not straightforward, except for that Madam Jia, others didn't seem easy to fool.

She was just about to turn the topic to Jia Cong again when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her, and someone was calling for the Third Young Lady. Xia Gu Niang recognized it as Madam Jia's personal maid...

……

Rongguo Prefecture, East Wing Courtyard, Inner Courtyard Main Hall.

Baoyu followed Caiyun out of the Rongguo Prefecture, got into the carriage, and went straight to the East Wing Courtyard.

He had originally wanted to find Baochai in Lixiang Garden yesterday to talk, but because of Xue Yima Xue, his Bao Sister was indifferent and didn't seem to want to talk, so Baoyu didn't get his wish.

Today he went to Fengjie's courtyard, originally wanting to see the beautiful and lovely Wu'er, but he didn't meet her, and he also heard Fengjie's words, describing Wu'er as so affectionate and intimate with Jia Cong, which made Baoyu lose his interest.

Originally, he was going to spend most of this day in sadness, but he didn't expect Madam to ask him to meet guests, and he actually had the opportunity to see the beautiful appearance of the Xia family's young lady.

Baoyu felt intoxicated in his heart, seeing that Heaven would also care for his sentiments, always descending some opportunities, letting him see this beauty of the world; it was always so difficult to give up this romantic style...

When Baoyu hurriedly rushed to the inner courtyard main hall, before entering the hall, he again made a show of asking Caiyun to help him straighten his purple-gold crown and smooth out the wrinkles on his clothes, only then walking in with full spirit.

……

Madam Xia was chatting with Madam Wang when she suddenly saw a young man enter the doorway, wearing a gold-treasure purple-gold crown, a gold forehead band with two dragons grabbing a pearl, wearing a gold-red arrow-sleeve robe, and stepping on green satin powder-bottomed small court boots.

His features were handsome and upright; although there was some powder smell, he could be considered to have a good appearance.

Madam Wang saw Baoyu enter, full of spirit, with bright clothes and shoes, and smiled, "Madam Xia is visiting today; why don't you come and pay your respects to your elder?"

Baoyu saw that there was no beautiful young lady he wanted to see in the hall, and couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. However, Madam Xia was Xia Gu Niang's mother, so he didn't dare to be negligent in his heart, so as not to offend the beauty.

Immediately, he paid his respects to Madam Xia in a generous and thoughtful manner. He saw Madam Xia looking him up and down, with praise and appreciation in her eyes, knowing that his demeanor and appearance were liked by people, and he felt very proud in his heart.

Madam Xia had just seen Baoyu, and he was actually a few degrees better than that Big Young Master Xue, who was dignified in appearance but vulgar in behavior, not to mention that the Jia family's status was much more decent than the Xue family's.

She thought of the maid Baochan, who was infatuated whenever she mentioned this Baoyu, and there was indeed some reason for it.

She didn't expect the Jia family's bloodline to be quite good, raising boys who were all outstanding figures.

Madam Xia smiled, "It is truly better to meet than to hear the name. Baoyu is indeed as outstanding and handsome as rumored; Madam Jia truly has good blessings."

Ever since Jia Cong inherited the Rongguo title, Madam Wang had suffered a lot because of Baoyu. Except for the old lady who still doted on Baoyu, others didn't say anything on their lips, but in their hearts, they mostly no longer treated Baoyu with respect.

Only when she met this Madam Xia, who truly spoke good words about Baoyu inside and out, did she finally know someone who understood Baoyu's advantages. Even without Yuanchun's matter, Madam Wang felt that Madam Xia was someone worth befriending.

Madam Wang was now asking for help from the Xia family, so she naturally had to bring the two families closer and handle the opportunity of polite intimacy well, so that it would be easier to ask for help in the future.

She smiled, "The Xia family and the Xue family have been family friends for generations, and the Xue family and the Jia family are even more connected by marriage for generations. These families are all connected by worldly affairs, so they are not outsiders.

Since there is a friendship of family friends, and your daughter is two years older than my Baoyu, there is no need to be too polite or taboo. Today, why don't we let them meet and get to know each other as brother and sister, which can be considered a friendship between the two families."

Madam Xia heard this, which was exactly what she wanted, and said yes repeatedly.

Madam Wang then instructed Caiyun to go to the back garden to pass the word, asking the Third Young Lady to accompany Xia Gu Niang back to the inner courtyard main hall.

Baoyu heard that he was invited to meet Xia Gu Niang and felt an indescribable joy in his heart, feeling that this trip was truly not in vain, and that his Madam truly doted on him.

His fate with Xia Gu Niang was not as estranged as Sister Lin's, and not as light as Sister Bao's; it was actually quite smooth, which gave him some comfort in his heart.

……

In the back garden of the East Wing Courtyard, Xia Gu Niang heard Caiyun's message and frowned secretly. She came to the Jia family as a guest, not to see some Baoyu; why was he everywhere?

But after all, she was a guest, and the Jia family's Third Young Lady was by her side, so she couldn't show her dissatisfaction, so she smiled and pretended to be happy, following Tan Chun to meet the person.

When she entered the inner courtyard main hall, Madam Wang smilingly introduced Baoyu and Xia Gu Niang.

Xia Gu Niang was just generous, smiling and paying her respects to Baoyu, her behavior elegant, her smile reserved, and she had the demeanor of a young lady of a noble family inside and out, which even Madam Wang nodded to see.

Baoyu saw that Xia Gu Niang's appearance was beautiful and charming, her figure was slender and graceful, and her actions were gentle and generous; if the reputation was true, she was as outstanding as the sisters in the family, and he stared at her without blinking for a moment.

And Baochan, who was standing behind Xia Gu Niang, saw Baoyu at such a close distance, her face full of smiles, her expression slightly infatuated, which was similar to Baoyu's.

Xia Gu Niang saw Baoyu's gaze staring at her, unable to hide his infatuation and praise, and couldn't help but feel proud in her heart.

And although Baoyu was also staring at her, he was much more pleasing to the eye than the lecherous look of the Xue family's big fool, and she didn't know the reason.

She couldn't help but calculate in her heart, this Baoyu, although he was far from being as handsome and romantic as him, could be considered to have a good appearance; she just didn't know if he was useful... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 545 =====