Chapter 562

Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong's courtyard.

At dawn, Jia Cong got up and lifted the bed curtains, seeing Wu'er in her undergarment, wearing a short jacket over her side couch, coming to serve him in dressing.

After helping Jia Cong dress and comb his hair, she put on her skirt and jacket, took a fine-toothed comb, and combed her waist-length hair in front of the dressing mirror.

Jia Cong smiled, "Why use a fine-toothed comb so early in the morning? Be careful not to pull your hair and cause pain."

Wu'er smiled and said, "I just washed my hair yesterday. It's been dry these past few days, and my head is a bit itchy. It's better to comb it with a fine-toothed comb."

Seeing Wu'er reflected in the mirror, her eyes like water, pretty and moist, her hair shining, Jia Cong couldn't help but feel affection and said, "It's inconvenient for you. I'll help you comb it."

Wu'er's small face flushed, "How can you let a man do this kind of thing? People will laugh at me if they see it."

Jia Cong smiled, "What does it matter? We're in our own room. Let others say what they want."

Wu'er had seen many of Jia Cong's eccentricities since she was a child, and seeing that he didn't care at all, she naturally let him be.

Jia Cong pulled up a stool, sat behind Wu'er, and carefully combed her hair with the fine-toothed comb.

Wu'er felt Jia Cong's palm brush over her head, then stroke her long hair. The comb moved gently across her head, sending a tingling sensation that made her heart tremble and her pretty face flush.

Jia Cong looked at Wu'er in the mirror and said, "Wu'er, your eyes are a bit red. I heard you tossing and turning all night. Is something bothering you that you didn't sleep well?"

"Last time in the study, you only said half of what you wanted to say. Why can't you tell me now?"

Wu'er felt the comb moving through her hair, as if it had a magical power that could completely subdue her.

She couldn't help but say, "If the Cong Sanye wants to hear it, I'll tell you. Last time Ping'er came to tell me that after the Cong Sanye's fifteenth birthday, the Old Matriarch wanted to arrange capable people to serve in your room.

This person should be Sister Yuanyang..."

After Wu'er finished speaking, her pretty face flushed red, and even her body felt hot...

Jia Cong smiled, "You were restless and couldn't sleep because of this?"

Wu'er said with a red face, "Cong Sanye, I'm not jealous. I just feel that if the Old Matriarch wants to send someone, I... I'm worried that you'll be at a disadvantage."

Jia Cong said, "The Old Matriarch is too worried. I have a few of you who are close to me in my room, which is enough. Why would I need her to send anyone? I'll make my own decisions about such things.

Although I have inherited the Western Prefecture title, you are managing the Western Prefecture, and you should know that the Western Prefecture is not as refreshing as the Eastern Prefecture. Why would I bother to provoke the people around the Old Matriarch?"

He smiled again, "Also, you aren't even jealous about such things. It seems I'm not worth much. I treat you so well on a daily basis, and it's still not enough."

Wu'er's heart pounded upon hearing this. She felt the comb sliding on her head, a feeling of indescribable intimacy and comfort, and she felt a bit dizzy.

"Cong Sanye, what are you saying? You've treated me well all these years. I know I'm satisfied. No matter what happens in the future, I feel it's worth it. I'm not that greedy."

Jia Cong couldn't help but hug her waist gently and kissed her on the side of her face, saying, "I've remembered what you said. You're not allowed to hide anything from me in the future."

Wu'er trembled, happy in her heart, and said, "I know. I'll go get water for you to wash."

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Jia Baoyu's courtyard.

On the black sandalwood small table in the room, there was a mutton-fat jade tripod incense burner, burning high-quality lily palace incense.

On the desk was a colorful porcelain teacup, filled with high-quality Yunlu spring tea, the fragrance curling and clearing the lungs.

In the inkstone, high-quality ancient Song Dynasty ink was ground, and the ebony purple-hair brush was soaked in ink. High-quality silver-patterned snow-wave paper had been laid out on the desk by the maid.

These luxurious and exquisite stationery items were treasures that ordinary scholars envied, but they were common things in Jia Baoyu's study.

As long as Jia Baoyu could study diligently, people like the Old Matriarch and Lady Wang, and even Jia Zheng, would not be stingy with these things.

But facing these high-quality study items, Jia Baoyu was a bit bored. He held a copy of the Doctrine of the Mean, frowning and reading with patience, occasionally scratching his head.

He was sitting at the desk reading, not because he had really changed his nature, but because Jia Zheng had sent word for him to go to the Eastern Courtyard the day after tomorrow to be examined on his studies...

Not far from the desk sat Sister Xi Ren, embroidering a water-red lotus and mandarin duck bellyband.

Because the weather was turning warm, Jia Baoyu couldn't cover himself with the quilt at night, so Sister Xi Ren specially made an exquisite bellyband to suit Jia Baoyu's taste, so he would wear it.

During this period, because Jia Cong was busy with the spring examination, he brought a lot of scholarly atmosphere to the two prefectures, and Jia Zheng once again attached importance to Jia Baoyu's studies.

In fact, such situations had occurred several times when Jia Cong was taking the courtyard and provincial examinations.

Although Jia Zheng had long since lost heart regarding Jia Baoyu's studies, the concept of studying for an official career was deeply rooted in Jia Zheng's heart. Once triggered by external forces, he would intermittently hope for his son to become a dragon.

Every time Jia Cong succeeded in the imperial examination, it was the time when Jia Baoyu was being tortured by Jia Zheng...

Originally, when Jia Baoyu was reading in the study, Sister Xi Ren only sent a small maid to serve him.

But since Bihun took advantage of Jia Baoyu's reading to flirt with him in the study, Sister Xi Ren had more precautions in her heart.

Later, every time Jia Baoyu went to the study to read, Sister Xi Ren served him personally.

Although there were reasons for Jia Baoyu to study with peace of mind, there was another important reason.

Last time, Lady Wang came to Jia Baoyu's courtyard and said that Jia Baoyu would soon be fifteen, and according to the rules, two more maids should be promoted to serve in Jia Baoyu's room.

Lady Wang also instructed Sister Xi Ren to keep an eye on Jia Baoyu during this period and not let any trouble happen.

Sister Xi Ren understood in her heart that at this moment, she was in the position to become a legitimate concubine, and she must not let any complications arise.

If Bihun were to cause a romantic scandal at this time and it reached the Mistress's ears, she would also be at fault and wouldn't have a good ending.

Moreover, even if there was a spot for a concubine in Jia Baoyu's room, she didn't want Bihun, that flirtatious hoof, to take it and corrupt Jia Baoyu in the future.

Therefore, she had to send others away and do such small things as serving Jia Baoyu while reading herself, which could be considered strict prevention.

As for guarding the room at night, there was no place for Bihun or Qiuwen; it was all Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue taking turns.

Jia Baoyu didn't have such deep thoughts and didn't know Sister Xi Ren's calculations, but he was a bit unhappy that Sister Xi Ren was guarding the study and serving him personally.

Because Sister Xi Ren was guarding the study, Bihun, whom he liked to play with most, couldn't enter, making him lose a lot of fragrant and exciting fun during the time he was reading in the study.

However, Sister Xi Ren had always been close to him and had intimate entanglements with him, naturally different from other maids. He naturally couldn't drive her out of the study.

Because he lost the fun of reading, the examination books, which he already felt were sour and smelly, were even more nauseating to flip through now.

It was just that he was really afraid of his father Jia Zheng's coldness, so he had to endure the discomfort and read those books of "salary-eating worms."

Sister Xi Ren, looking at Jia Baoyu reading, felt a little comforted, but she didn't know that although Jia Baoyu was holding the book, he was mostly in a daze, his mind already traveling across the four seas, not knowing where he had run off to.

At this moment, the study door was pushed open. Sister Xi Ren frowned slightly, seeing Qiuwen enter, looking excited, as if she had picked up a treasure.

Qiuwen didn't seem to see Sister Xi Ren's blaming gaze, but smiled at Jia Baoyu and said, "Bao Er Ye, I heard a good piece of news while walking outside this morning. You will surely be happy when you hear it."

Jia Baoyu was feeling sleepy from reading, and hearing Qiuwen say there was good news and that he would be happy, he couldn't help but feel refreshed.

He said, "What good news? Don't sell it short, tell me quickly."

Qiuwen smiled proudly, "This is legitimate good news. If I tell you, how will you reward me?"

Jia Baoyu had always liked to flirt and play with maids. Being bored, he was provoked by Qiuwen's words.

He even forgot Sister Xi Ren was by his side and smiled at Qiuwen with a shameless face, "As long as what you say is true good news and makes me truly happy, I will reward you however you want."

Sister Xi Ren frowned upon hearing Jia Baoyu's words, thinking to herself that the Bao Er Ye was really growing up, and his daily speech with the maids was becoming more and more presumptuous...

Qiuwen heard Jia Baoyu's flirtatious joke, which had some connotations, and thought of the time he and Bihun, that flirtatious hoof, took a bath, and her heart couldn't help but tremble.

Yesterday, Lady Wang mentioned Jia Baoyu's marriage to the Old Matriarch, and her words revealed her intention to favor Lin Daiyu.

Every servant in the Western Prefecture knew that although the Second Branch of the Lady Rongguo family had moved into the Eastern Courtyard, Jia Baoyu was still the Old Matriarch's phoenix, and the love he received was the same as in the past.

Rongqing Hall had always been a place where news couldn't be kept, so news about Jia Baoyu's marriage naturally couldn't be kept from people.

Among Jia Baoyu's maids, Qiuwen was the one who loved to jump around the most, often spreading news and listening to rare things, racking her brains to show her face and gain favor in front of Jia Baoyu. But she wasn't as scheming as Sister Xi Ren, who had climbed into Jia Baoyu's bed early, nor was she as pretty and alluring as Bihun, who had the ability to attract Jia Baoyu to flirt and mess around.

Although Qiuwen had some beauty, she wasn't outstanding among Jia Baoyu's maids, so Jia Baoyu didn't get very close to her.

But Qiuwen had ambitions and always racked her brains to hold onto Jia Baoyu.

Therefore, she wasn't as capable as others in the room, so she could only pay attention to everything on a daily basis. As long as she was walking in the mansion, she would take every matter related to Jia Baoyu to heart.

She used this to explore some opportunities, so that she would have an excuse and a stepping stone to make Jia Baoyu remember her benefits more, which could be considered a maid in Jia Baoyu's room with extra ambition...

Everyone around Jia Baoyu knew that Jia Baoyu had liked Lin Meimei the most since he was a child, and he would always bow and scrape to Lin Meimei, trying to please her and thinking about how to win her favor.

But ever since the Bao Er Ye dropped the jade that year, Lin Meimei had been very distant from him these past few years, always indifferent, and the Bao Er Ye had always been troubled by this.

But even so, the Bao Er Ye was still very infatuated with Lin Meimei. As long as someone said something good about him and Lin Meimei, it could make the Bao Er Ye happy. This method was almost always effective.

Now that she had heard the good news about the Bao Er Ye and Lin Meimei, as long as she told the Bao Er Ye, he would surely be overjoyed, and from then on, he would greatly remember her benefits, and there would be more romantic fun in the future.

Seeing that she had sold enough of the suspense, Qiuwen smiled and said, "I went out to fetch water this morning and happened to hear two old women from the Old Matriarch's room washing clothes in the west.

They were chatting there, saying that the Mistress went to Rongqing Hall yesterday and told the Old Matriarch that the Bao Er Ye is fifteen this year and it's time to discuss his marriage, and she wants to prepare to plan for the Bao Er Ye's marriage."

When Jia Baoyu heard about discussing marriage and matchmaking, his brows furrowed, and he said with some dissatisfaction, "So you're here to fool me too. What kind of good news is this? Discussing marriage and matchmaking is nothing but the work of foolish men and women..."

Before Jia Baoyu finished speaking, Sister Xi Ren's face changed, and she hurriedly interrupted, "Why is the Bao Er Ye talking nonsense again? You haven't been beaten enough for the trouble you caused last time. Be careful, or the Old Master will hammer you."

Jia Baoyu also reacted, his face turning slightly pale, and he immediately swallowed the words he had said halfway.

He said with a noble demeanor, "How others want to discuss marriage is their own business. In any case, I won't pay attention to it. Don't say such things in the future. It's a waste of a good girl's mouth."

Seeing her Bao Er Ye acting like this again, Qiuwen found it funny and said proudly, "The one the Mistress wants to propose for you is Lin Meimei. So the Bao Er Ye doesn't care either? It was me who talked too much."

As soon as Qiuwen said this, Jia Baoyu opened his mouth wide, his face full of dullness, and then a look of ecstasy appeared, his round face even a bit distorted, looking a bit scary...

Sister Xi Ren, who was on the side, was also shocked upon hearing Qiuwen's words, almost not believing her ears.

She couldn't help but say, "Qiuwen, you can't talk nonsense like this. I've always heard the Mistress talk about the 'Gold and Jade Affinity.' Miss Bao is the kind of person the Mistress has always valued the most.

Why is she suddenly talking about Lin Meimei? You listened to the nonsense of old women outside and came back to tease the Cong Sanye. If the Mistress finds out, you'll have a lot to deal with."

Jia Baoyu and Qiuwen were both surprised to hear Sister Xi Ren, who had always been gentle, speak such harsh words.

The reason Sister Xi Ren resisted Qiuwen's words was also out of her usual selfishness.

Sister Xi Ren had naturally known for years that her Bao Er Ye was most infatuated with Lin Meimei.

But Lin Meimei came from a scholarly family, not only with a noble status but also with a shrewd and formidable temperament. She didn't tolerate sand in her eyes on a daily basis. If anyone provoked her, that sharp tongue of hers would make you look good.

For the sake of her future, Sister Xi Ren had seduced Jia Baoyu into a romantic affair when he was thirteen, which had become her heart's disease.

She was afraid that if the Bao Er Ye and Lin Meimei had a result one day, this young lady from the official world would surely have strict etiquette and rules. If she knew that she had seduced her young master to do such a thing...

She was afraid that she would definitely not let her go. If she took the opportunity to vent her anger, her life and future would be ruined.

But Miss Bao was different. She was much more generous and tolerant than Lin Meimei. She had been in the mansion for several years, and her popularity was excellent. She looked like a mistress who would be easy to get along with in the future.

Therefore, Lady Wang had been pushing the "Gold and Jade Affinity" for these past few years, and Sister Xi Ren was extremely willing in her heart, and she had done quite a bit of pushing behind the scenes...

Now that she heard Qiuwen say that the Mistress wanted to propose a marriage between Jia Baoyu and Lin Meimei, she was extremely unwilling in her heart, which is why she blurted out those harsh words to Qiuwen.

Qiuwen felt dissatisfied when she heard Sister Xi Ren's harsh words, but her mind wasn't as deep as Sister Xi Ren's, and she didn't think of other places.

She only thought that she had won favor in front of the Bao Er Ye, so Sister Xi Ren was jealous, and she felt even more unfair in her heart.

This Sister Xi Ren relied on coming from the Old Matriarch's room and was already a head taller than her, which she didn't care about.

Not to mention that for years, every midnight, she would sneak into the Bao Er Ye's bed and do those romantic good deeds with him. She pretended that everyone else was deaf and couldn't hear the sound.

If she hadn't been afraid of offending the Bao Er Ye, she wouldn't have needed to talk too much, and someone would have reported her to the Mistress long ago. Let's see if her life would still be there, and now she was still acting big in front of her.

However, although Qiuwen was arrogant, she wasn't without insight. Sister Xi Ren wasn't Xiaohong, after all, and she didn't dare to offend her easily and make an enemy for herself for nothing.

So she said quite unconvinced, "I didn't spread rumors. Those two old women are laundry maids in the Old Matriarch's room and enter and leave the backyard of Rongqing Hall every day.

That day, Sister Yuanyang and Sister Hupo were chatting about this in the room, and they happened to hear it. Those two are the Old Matriarch's personal maids. How could what they said be wrong?

Just wait and see. In a few days, this will spread through half the mansion."

Jia Baoyu heard that Sister Yuanyang and Sister Hupo also said so, and he already believed it seven or eight points. With his heart agitated, he grabbed Qiuwen's hands.

He said urgently, "Good sister, is what you said true? There is such good news. Please say it again for me to hear. I couldn't have heard it wrong, could I?"

Jia Baoyu usually had Sister Xi Ren sneaking in for romance at night and Bihun flirting during the day. He never paid much attention to the slightly mediocre Qiuwen, and he had never been so intimate before.

Seeing that she had said that, Qiuwen was indeed so pleasing to Jia Baoyu. Seeing that he not only grabbed her hands but also called her 'good sister' contrary to his usual behavior, it was truly unprecedented diligence.

Her heart felt a burst of heat, but she said coquettishly, "Bao Er Ye, speak if you have something to say. This kind of pulling and dragging doesn't look like anything if people see it."

Sister Xi Ren saw Qiuwen's demeanor and words on the side, and her eyelids jumped. She was secretly grinding her teeth in anger. Everyone around the Bao Er Ye, one by one, was this kind of flirtatious person.

Qiuwen and Bihun were both of the same nature. As long as they got the chance, they would act flirtatiously in front of the Bao Er Ye. They were truly shameless...

Qiuwen saw Jia Baoyu's crazy expression and smiled, "I'll say it again to make the Bao Er Ye happy. The marriage between the Bao Er Ye and Lin Meimei was heard by two old women from Sister Yuanyang and Sister Hupo. It can't be wrong.

In the future, when the Bao Er Ye achieves this good thing, don't forget me, the one who reported the good news."

Jia Baoyu laughed foolishly and said busily, "I won't forget, I naturally won't forget your benefits, sister. I didn't expect the Mistress to love me so much and do such a great beautiful thing.

As long as I and Lin Meimei achieve a marriage alliance, my life's career will be complete, and I will have no other requests. Even if I die immediately and turn into a pile of ash, my heart will be incomparably happy."

Sister Xi Ren on the side heard Jia Baoyu talking nonsense again and rubbed her brows with a headache, "It's a bright day, Bao Er Ye, why are you talking about life and death? It's too unlucky."

Jia Baoyu laughed foolishly again and said, "Sister Xi Ren sister is right. I can't die now. I must live well. I still have good things to do with Lin Meimei. Living long and long is the right thing."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jia Baoyu was about to walk out, saying, "At this hour, Lin Meimei must be at Rongqing Hall, talking with the Mistress. I'll go see her right now.

I should call her out and tell her this good news quietly, so that Lin Meimei can also be happy."

Sister Xi Ren felt dizzy. Why does the Bao Er Ye always think of beautiful things? Lin Meimei hasn't given the Bao Er Ye a good look for years. How could she be happy about this...

Before Jia Baoyu reached the door, Qiuwen stopped him and said, "You won't be able to see Lin Meimei if you go to Rongqing Hall now.

When I came, I heard two old women say that Hearing Zi Juan reported to the Old Matriarch early in the morning that Lin Meimei was not feeling well and wanted to recuperate in the Eastern Prefecture, so she couldn't pay her respects to the Old Matriarch for these few days."

Jia Baoyu heard this and stomped his feet anxiously, sighing, "Lin Meimei's body is still so delicate. We are about to have a good thing, what should we do! The threshold of the Eastern Prefecture is made so high by Jia Cong that I have never been able to enter. I can't see Lin Meimei at this moment. It's truly a sin. Heaven is playing tricks like this."

Jia Baoyu was feeling sorry for himself at this moment, muttering and sighing about spring and autumn. Sister Xi Ren and Qiuwen had seen this many times, so they let him mess around, and he would be fine after a while.

After a long while, Jia Baoyu finally woke up. Seeing Sister Xi Ren, his eyes lit up, and he said, "I can't enter the Eastern Prefecture, but Sister Xi Ren sister can. Go visit Lin Meimei for me."

Qiuwen was very unhappy when she heard this. She was the one who reported the good news, why did the Bao Er Ye burn the bridge after crossing it? He should have asked her to visit Lin Meimei for him, how did it become Sister Xi Ren's achievement...

Jia Baoyu continued to instruct Sister Xi Ren: "When you see Lin Meimei, naturally first ask when her body will be healthy, and then tell her this good news.

When the young lady hears this happy event, she will be happy, and maybe her illness will be cured immediately. I guess it must be right, it will definitely be like this, hehe."

Sister Xi Ren smiled bitterly, but she could only agree first. In Sister Xi Ren's heart, she really didn't want her Bao Er Ye and Lin Meimei to have a good thing.

Why was the Mistress talking about Miss Bao, and suddenly it became Lin Meimei? What is the reason for this? But she was just a maid. Since things had become like this, what could she do?

However, it was good to go to the Eastern Prefecture to see Lin Meimei and probe her attitude. Sister Xi Ren thought of Lin Daiyu's usual expression toward Jia Baoyu and felt that this matter would definitely not go smoothly.

If her words aroused Lin Meimei's displeasure, I don't know what would happen... (End of chapter)