Chapter 561: Love Affairs Encounter Setbacks

Rongguo Mansion, Feng Jie's Courtyard.

Wang Xifeng, supported by the maid Feng'er and followed by a capable nanny, returned to her courtyard when the sun in the west had already set, and the bright tile lanterns under the eaves of the courtyard had already been lit.

Wang Xifeng entered the inner room and saw Ping'er tidying up the account books on the kang table, and asked, "Why haven't I seen Liu Wuer?"

Ping'er replied, "There wasn't much to do today. As soon as the sun set, Liu Wuer went back to the East Mansion. Why did you stay so long, Grandmother? I was just planning to go to Rongqing Hall to pick you up."

Ping'er said, and then assigned the rough-work maid to serve the various exquisite small dishes, the thick medicinal chicken soup, and two bowls of rice porridge prepared early, and helped Wang Xifeng loosen her outer clothes and supported her to sit down to eat. 【561

Wang Xifeng said, "Today, the Lady was also at the Rongqing Hall, and we talked for a while, so I came back late."

"You didn't follow along today, so you didn't hear a rare piece of news."

Ping'er smiled and said, "How could there be rare news at the Rongqing Hall? Please tell me, Grandmother."

Wang Xifeng said, "The Lady and the Matriarch discussed wanting to arrange a marriage for Baoyu."

Ping'er handed Wang Xifeng a pair of chopsticks and said, "Baoyu and the Cong Sanye are the same age, both fifteen this year, and it is indeed the age for marriage."

"If the Eldest Master hadn't passed away last year, the Cong Sanye's imperial marriage would have been settled, and he might already be married by now. So, Baoyu getting married isn't considered rare, is it?"

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "You don't understand what I mean. I'm not saying that Baoyu getting married is rare, but that the young lady the Lady wants to propose for is rare."

Ping'er was curious upon hearing this and asked, "Which young lady does the Lady want to propose for? It's probably Miss Bao; that 'Gold and Jade Affinity' has been pushed for several years."

Wang Xifeng laughed, "I knew you would guess wrong. The Lady is not talking about Miss Bao, but Lin Meimei."

Ping'er's heart jumped suddenly upon hearing this, and she suddenly remembered that time last year when she had received instructions to go to the Second Young Lady's room to announce the Cong Sanye's imperial marriage.

When she left, she saw Daiyu's back from afar, walking unsteadily. She looked like she had just happened to arrive at the Second Young Lady's courtyard, and most likely had heard her announcement of the good news but left without entering.

Afterward, Daiyu fell into a serious illness, and from that time on, Ping'er sensed that Lin Meimei's feelings for the Cong Sanye were not simple.

Later, when the Eldest Master passed away, Lin Meimei accompanied the Cong Sanye to keep vigil every day. Although the Third Young Lady also often came to keep vigil, the expressions and demeanor of the two were different.

Lin Meimei looked as if she were fulfilling filial piety for the Cong Sanye, and there was an indescribable, unusual intimacy in it.

In fact, it was not rare for cousins in a large household to develop feelings over time. The Cong Sanye and Lin Meimei had grown up together, so it was even less strange.

From that time on, Ping'er had kept this matter in her heart.

It was just that romantic affairs between men and women in a large household were not only taboo and ambiguous but also involved the reputation of a maiden. Moreover, Daiyu had not yet reached the age of fifteen, so if rumors spread, it would be difficult to clean up.

Ping'er had a pure and gentle heart, so even though she saw the clues, she didn't mention it to anyone, and didn't even reveal a hint of it in front of Wang Xifeng.

Now that Wang Xifeng had given her to Jia Cong, although she hadn't entered the East Prefecture's household yet, her status was already settled.

Therefore, Ping'er had long regarded Jia Cong as the person to whom she would entrust her life, and she guarded his affairs closely in her heart.

Moreover, Ping'er knew that the Cong Sanye had been close to his sisters since he was young, and among these young ladies, only Lin Meimei was a cousin.

If Lin Meimei had developed feelings for the Cong Sanye, and she was such a celestial figure, the Cong Sanye would surely be moved as well.

If that day really came, wouldn't Lin Meimei become the mistress of the house...

Moreover, Lin Meimei had grown up in the Jia family, and everyone knew her well. Lin Meimei was straightforward and refreshing; as long as you treated her sincerely, she was a very easy person to get along with.

In Ping'er's own thoughts, if the Cong Sanye were to take Lin Meimei in the future, it would be a hundred times better than marrying a stranger from outside.

Therefore, according to Ping'er's thoughts, whether for public or private reasons, she was cautious about this matter, hoping that no complications would arise. Since the Cong Sanye hadn't revealed anything, naturally no one could mention it.

She asked cautiously, "Grandmother, does the Matriarch agree with what the Lady said?"

Wang Xifeng said, "Lin Meimei is the apple of the Matriarch's eye. The Matriarch has been hoping for this marriage for many years, but before, Baoyu was young, and Lin Meimei was even younger."

"Plus, Miss Bao entered the household a few years ago, and the Lady pushed the 'Gold and Jade Affinity' blindly, so the Matriarch didn't say much. Now that the Lady herself has brought it up, how could the Matriarch not go with the flow?"

Ping'er felt a bit worried in her heart and asked, "According to Grandmother, is this marriage bound to succeed?"

Wang Xifeng smiled faintly and said, "I think both the Matriarch and the Lady are thinking too simply. It won't be very convenient for this matter to succeed."

"Lin Meimei first came to our house when she was only six or seven years old. At that time, she and Baoyu were considered harmonious, but in the past few years, she has changed completely."

"I have also been watching coldly from the sidelines. For the past four or five years, Lin Meimei hasn't given Baoyu a good look. She has always played among the sisters and never associated with Baoyu alone."

"Baoyu is more enthusiastic about her than the other sisters, wholeheartedly wanting to be close to her, but this eldest Lin Meimei has always been indifferent. They are truly a pair of enemies."

"The Matriarch has complained to me several times, saying that her two 'Jades' are very troublesome, not getting along three days out of two. But children quarreling is considered a normal thing."

"The Matriarch also said something about how the more two people are like this, the more intimate they will be when they grow up, but that is somewhat nonsense."

"I also came from being a young lady, so I can see Lin Meimei's style clearly. She doesn't care for Baoyu at all; it's just Baoyu who is blindly enthusiastic."

"Although Lin Meimei was born with a beauty rarely seen in the world, she has been weak since childhood. Both inside and outside, people say she is a 'beauty lamp'."

"She looks weak on the surface, but her character is very strong. Moreover, she doesn't care for Baoyu, so she will never be willing to bend her will."

"If the Matriarch and the Lady randomly play matchmaker, once this evil wind blows, I'm afraid that with a 'puff', it could blow out her beauty lamp. Who will the Matriarch go to cry to then?"

Ping'er was startled by Wang Xifeng's description of the wind blowing out the lamp, her face turning slightly pale. She said, "If this marriage really succeeds, wouldn't Lin Meimei be in trouble?"

Seeing Ping'er's worried expression, Wang Xifeng didn't think much of it, only assuming that Ping'er was being soft-hearted and meddlesome as usual.

She smiled and said, "You are just being overly kind. Don't be so startled. Even if the Matriarch and the Lady are satisfied, it will be very difficult for this matter to succeed."

"Although the Aunt passed away early, Master Lin is still alive. Traditionally, marriages are decided by the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. Lin Meimei still has her father to make decisions. Although the Matriarch is her biological grandmother, she doesn't actually have the final say."

"Moreover, there is an important point here. Master Lin is a dignified Third-Place Scholar, a famous figure in the world. His ability to study is probably stronger than the Third Brother's."

"Now he is in charge of the salt administration of the two Huai regions, sitting as a high official of the fourth rank. His future is much stronger than our Bao Er Ye's."

"For a family status like his, even if he doesn't find a son-in-law who is a Jinshi, he should at least be a Provincial Graduate Wu. Otherwise, how can they be well-matched in social status? Where would he put his face?"

"Baoyu's current state, not to mention his ruined reputation, he started his elementary studies at five, and now he is fifteen, yet he can't even enter school."

"If Master Lin could choose him as a son-in-law, hmph, I would write my surname backward!"

Ping'er suppressed a laugh on the side and didn't expose her, sighing, "That would be the best, to save any trouble from arising."

Wang Xifeng said again, "According to my daily observations, the Third Brother and Lin Meimei are quite close. They are very well-matched."

Ping'er's heart jumped suddenly upon hearing this, and she blurted out, "Grandmother, how did you see that too!"

Wang Xifeng was stunned: "What did I see too?"

Ping'er immediately came to her senses, knowing she had thought too much, and quickly changed her words: "I meant, how did you see that the two of them are well-matched?"

Wang Xifeng smiled, "What's difficult about that? Among the young masters who have just grown up in the family, there are only Baoyu and the Third Brother."

"The Third Brother, whether in appearance or ability, I have never seen a second one like him. He is good enough to marry a princess. Can't Baoyu match Lin Meimei? Can't the Third Brother match her?"

In fact, according to Wang Xifeng's thoughts, it would be a good thing if Jia Cong married Daiyu.

Not only was Daiyu raised in the Jia family since childhood, and the sisters were very familiar with each other.

Moreover, Daiyu came from a scholarly family and had a belly full of poetry and essays. It was just that she was born in the wrong gender. Although she was exceptionally intelligent, she was an elegant person and would surely be impatient with household chores.

According to common sense, once Jia Cong marries, his legitimate wife would be the mistress of the East and West Prefectures of the Jia family, and also the undisputed manager of the inner chambers of both prefectures.

By that time, Wang Xifeng's management power over the West Prefecture would have to be obediently handed back to her sister-in-law.

But if the legitimate wife Jia Cong marries is Lin Daiyu, Wang Xifeng feels that given Daiyu's temperament and the affection of having been sisters in the same prefecture for many years.

Daiyu would surely still hand the West Prefecture over to her to manage. Wang Xifeng's position and power in the Jia family would remain intact. Isn't that an excellent thing?

If Jia Cong marries a woman from outside in the future, what affection would she have for her? She would naturally and cleanly take back the management power of the West Prefecture. Where would she, Wang Xifeng, go to cool off...

Ping'er smiled and said, "The two of them are indeed very suitable. Their appearance and family background are very well-matched. There couldn't be a better pair."

Wang Xifeng smiled half-heartedly and teased, "I don't know what you're thinking, you girl. But your 'jade abacus' isn't wrong either. Lin Meimei grew up in the family, and we know her well."

Ping'er's thoughts were exposed, and her pretty face flushed red...

Wang Xifeng said again, "It would naturally be best if things ended up like this, but according to my observations, it won't be easy."

"The Third Brother is too prominent, and there are many changes in him. Last time, because the Eldest Master passed away suddenly, his imperial marriage to the third young lady of the Zhen family was withdrawn."

"But outside, everyone says that the third young lady of the Zhen family is highly regarded by the Retired Emperor, who specifically gave her the honor of guarding the imperial mausoleum as a non-royal descendant."

"The Third Brother even specifically sent New Year's gifts to the imperial mausoleum for Miss Zhen before the New Year, which shows that he has some feelings for her. Besides, the withdrawal of the imperial marriage had a reason. The royal family gave their word on the two of them, so it won't just end like this."

"Now that third young lady of the Zhen family is still standing stiffly at the imperial mausoleum east of the city. No one can say for sure whether this matter will be brought up again in the future."

"That is the Third Brother's affair outside. In his own home, he has another matter."

"Before the imperial marriage, the Matriarch wanted to marry her grandniece, the eldest Miss Shi, to the Third Brother, so that the Jia and Shi families could intermarry. The wife of the Marquis of Lady Bao Ling almost wore out the threshold of the Rongqing Hall."

"Now that the Third Brother has inherited two titles, he will surely branch into two lineages in the future."

"Even if the Third Brother takes the path of imperial marriage in the future, he still has an opening. I'm afraid the Matriarch is still thinking about the eldest Miss Shi..."

Wang Xifeng's words, which were like counting family treasures, left Ping'er somewhat dumbfounded.

She thought in her heart: Miss Zhen, Lin Meimei, Miss Shi—which one would be better as the mistress?

She didn't think for long before she felt a bit dizzy, and she felt a bit strange in her heart. The Cong Sanye is truly capable of attracting trouble...

Wang Xifeng smiled, "I get a headache just thinking about this. Let him have a headache about it himself in the future."

"He also has a 'peach blossom fate'. Since he was young, every sister in the family and every maid by his side has treasured him and loved to crowd around him."

"In my opinion, no matter how the Matriarch and the Lady calculate and think of those match-making good deeds, it's useless. Look at whether the Third Brother has suffered any losses in the past few years. Can the Matriarch still control him?"

"In the future, whoever he takes a fancy to will be the one. He surely has the means to get his hands on her. The Matriarch and the Lady have no way to deal with him."

Ping'er smiled and said, "That's true. The Cong Sanye is capable, and most of these things he has to decide for himself."

Wang Xifeng heard the undisguised admiration and pride in Ping'er's words and smiled bitterly in her heart. Cong the Third is truly capable of dealing with women. I don't know what benefits he gave Ping'er, but she's been bewildered by him again...

Wang Xifeng continued, "The Third Brother's affairs have too many cards on the table, and we don't have the ability to worry about them. Now, there is only one strange thing."

Ping'er asked curiously, "What is Grandmother strange about?"

Wang Xifeng said, "You also know that for the past few years, the Lady has been wholeheartedly pushing the 'Gold and Jade Affinity', regarding Miss Baochai as the best in heaven and on earth, and wholeheartedly wanting her to be her daughter-in-law."

"How could such a hot and enthusiastic matter change just like that? Now she has unexpectedly started to have designs on Lin Meimei, completely casting Miss Baochai aside."

Ping'er didn't care much about this and said casually, "Most likely something happened that made the Second Lady change her mind."

Wang Xifeng's eyes lit up and said, "You are right. And this matter must be significant for the Lady to dislike Miss Xue. Otherwise, the Lady wouldn't have cast the Xue family aside."

"It's just that for such a big thing, I haven't heard a hint of news in the prefecture. It's truly like seeing a ghost."

Ping'er smiled, "This matter has nothing to do with you, Grandmother. Let the Second Branch's affairs go as they will. Why do you need to waste your energy?"

Wang Xifeng didn't take Ping'er's words to heart. Her phoenix eyes flickered, full of inquisitive expression...

Earl's Prefecture, Jia Cong's courtyard.

Outside the corridor, Wu'er held a tray with two bowls of osmanthus and lotus seed soup. She stepped on the shadow cast by the eaves of the corridor, her pink and white embroidered skirt fluttering slightly in the evening breeze, appearing very light and pretty.

The candles in the study were still bright. Jia Cong was reading the notes on the imperial examination essays sent by Lin Ruhai, and Zhen Ying Lian was practicing calligraphy at the other end of the desk, occasionally looking up at Jia Cong who was working hard.

Wu'er entered the study and said, "Cong Sanye, take a rest. The lotus seed soup is freshly made. Have some before reading."

Jia Cong asked, "I haven't seen Zhi Shao since the meal. What is she busy with?"

Wu'er smiled and said, "The Cong Sanye has become silly from reading. You only remember to ask about her now. Zhi Shao is not feeling well today and has gone back to her room to rest. I am on night duty for her tonight."

Jia Cong was slightly stunned and asked, "Where is she uncomfortable? The spring chill hasn't gone yet. Could she have caught a cold? I'll go take a look."

Seeing Jia Cong stand up, Wu'er's pretty face flushed slightly, and she quickly said, "Cong Sanye, don't worry. It's a woman's ailment. I've already taken care of it. She'll be fine after a night's rest."

Jia Cong immediately understood. He took the osmanthus and lotus seed soup from the tray, drank it in a few gulps, and took the book in his hand.

He smiled and said, "I just got two new books today, which are quite beneficial for the spring examination. I'll read for another hour. You go back to your room to rest first; don't wait for me."

Wu'er smiled and agreed, tidied up the tray and bowls, and entered Jia Cong's room.

Facing the dressing mirror in the room, she untied her clothes and skirt, removed her hairpins and jewelry, took down her hair bun, and was left with only a small snow-silk undergarment.

The dim, flickering candlelight in the room illuminated Wu'er's slender and exquisite figure, which was exceptionally charming and alluring.

She went to Jia Cong's bed, spread out the folded brocade quilt with the 'fortune and prosperity' cloud pattern, and fluffed up the soft pillow with the red satin cover so that he could sleep comfortably when he returned.

Since the weather had turned warm, Wu'er didn't need to warm the quilt for him. After finishing, she went back to the side couch to lie down and rest.

Outside the window, the night was as black as ink, and the remaining moonlight reflected on the window lattice, as if painted with a layer of bright silver, emitting a faint light. Everything was silent.

It was just that for some reason, Wu'er kept tossing and turning, unable to sleep, thinking about what Ping'er had said a few days ago and her mother's nagging these days.

Earl's Prefecture, Daiyu's courtyard.

Daiyu was sitting under the lamp, having read leisure books for a long time. She yawned slightly, got up and walked a few steps, preparing to go to sleep.

Suddenly, she saw Hearing Zi Juan enter from outside the door, her face still somewhat flushed. She asked curiously, "Where have you been so late? You're only back at this hour."

Hearing Zi Juan picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup of tea, and drank it before saying, "It's fortunate that I went out today, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten this news. I ran all the way back, and I was thirsty to death."

Daiyu smiled, "What a restless girl. What big deal is it that's worth you running? It's pitch black outside; aren't you afraid of stepping on your skirt and falling?"

Hearing Zi Juan said, "Young Lady, don't joke. If you hear my news, I'm afraid you'll want to run over too."

"I felt uncomfortable after dinner, so I stopped eating. I thought about how I had asked Yuanyang to draw patterns two days ago, so I thought she must have finished them, and I thought I'd go over there and take a walk."

"When I went to the backyard of the Rongqing Hall, before I entered Yuanyang's room, I heard her chatting with Hupo. I had extra thoughts, so I didn't push the door to go in."

"They were talking about the Second Lady going to the Rongqing Hall today and discussing Baoyu's marriage with the Matriarch. The implication was that she wanted to propose the Young Lady to the Bao Er Ye Baoyu, so I hurried back to report to you."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu's pretty face turned pale, and her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Thinking of the strange look in her Second Aunt's eyes at the Rongqing Hall today, she realized the reason and felt an irrepressible disgust in her heart.

Seeing Daiyu's ugly expression, Hearing Zi Juan said, "Young Lady, don't worry. They just started talking about this and haven't done anything yet. There's no need to panic for now."

"Besides, if something really happens, isn't there... the Cong Sanye? With such a capable person, can't he protect the Young Lady?"

Daiyu's pretty face flushed slightly upon hearing Hearing Zi Juan's words. Although she didn't hide her thoughts from her trusted maid, it was still somewhat shy to mention it even in private.

Daiyu went to the desk and picked up the letter written by her father. She had already read the contents many times and knew them by heart.

Her father had sent the notes on the imperial examination to the Cong Sanye from far away, wanting the Cong Sanye to have more certainty in the spring examination. One could see how much her father valued the Cong Sanye.

As the saying goes, no one knows a daughter better than her father. When the Cong Sanye passed through Yangzhou, she had sent a letter to her home in advance to help the Cong Sanye arrange his food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

There were some things that a daughter was too shy to say, so she could only use this convoluted method. Her father was a shrewd person and must have seen her intentions; otherwise, why would he treat the Cong Sanye like this?

Thinking this through, Daiyu felt a layer of certainty in her heart, and her slightly pale face eased.

She said to Hearing Zi Juan, "Thinking about this matter carefully, there's no need to panic too much. Not to mention that the Cong Sanye is the head of the household now and can speak on family matters."

"There is also the most important point: I have my father in the hall now, and my affairs are decided by my father. This is only natural."

"With my father in front, whatever the Matriarch and Second Aunt say actually doesn't count for much."

"It's just that things in the Rongqing Hall are never kept secret. You just happened to go there once and heard this news. I estimate that it won't be long before rumors spread."

"Others don't matter, but I'm afraid that Baoyu will hear the news and find an excuse to come and chatter. Thinking about it is troublesome."

"Hearing Zi Juan, tomorrow you spread the word for me that I am not feeling well and cannot often go to the West Prefecture to socialize."

"But when I think of a good way to get rid of this trouble, it won't be too late for me to go to the West Prefecture."

Hearing Zi Juan said, "The Matriarch dotes on the Bao Er Ye Baoyu the most. What can you do, Young Lady? Hiding blindly is not a long-term solution."

She also smiled and said, "Should we tell the Cong Sanye about this? Wouldn't he panic if he heard this? The Cong Sanye has the most means and methods, and he will always have a way to solve the Young Lady's difficulties."

Daiyu's pretty face turned red, and she said, "I won't tell the Cong Sanye. It's too embarrassing. Anyway, this matter is baseless. I'll just stay in the East Prefecture and not go out, and others won't be able to do anything to me."

"Even if the Matriarch comes to visit, I'm not afraid. If the Second Aunt comes, there's even less to fear."

Hearing Zi Juan asked curiously, "What do you mean by that, Young Lady? Why is there even less to fear if the Second Aunt comes?"

Daiyu smiled and said, "You don't understand. The Cong Sanye inherited the Rongguo title, and the Second Aunt is the most unhappy in her heart. These days, she and the Cong Sanye have been at odds."

"The Cong Sanye is a formidable person. On the surface, he respects the Bao Er Ye's face, but inside, he won't suffer even half a loss."

"As long as the Second Aunt enters the East Prefecture, her speech will be three parts lower. By then, there will naturally be someone to stand up for me..." (End of chapter)