Chapter 563

Rongguo Prefecture, northeast corner gate.

After receiving Baoyu's instructions, Sister Xi Ren left the courtyard to visit Daiyu at the East Prefecture.

Although Jia Cong had established his own household two years ago, the number of times Sister Xi Ren had come to the East Prefecture could be counted on one's fingers.

The only times she had come to the East Prefecture were during the Qiqiao Festivals of these past two years.

Because the Qiqiao Festival is also called the Daughters' Festival, it is a major holiday for young ladies during the year.

Ever since Yingchun moved into the East Prefecture, every year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, she would invite sisters like Daiyu, Baochai, Seeing Tan Chun, and Xichun to her courtyard for a small gathering.

Everyone would drink tea, play chess, chat, or embroider, always having a wonderful time for the whole day before dispersing.

When these sisters came, their personal maids—such as Hearing Zi Juan, Shi Shu, Cuimo, Ruhua, and Ying'er—would naturally follow along.

Qingwen, who was in Jia Cong's room, had been in Jia Mu's room since she was a child, so she was naturally very familiar with these maids from the West Prefecture.

She had always loved excitement, and would even take the opportunity to call Yuanyang and Hupo from Jia Mu's room, as well as Jin Chuan and Seeing Cai Xia from Lady Wang's room, to come to the East Prefecture to play and thread needles together for the Qiqiao Festival.

Because Sister Xi Ren had also originally come from Jia Mu's room and was already familiar with Qingwen, she was naturally among those invited.

But apart from the annual Qiqiao Festival, Sister Xi Ren had never come to the East Prefecture at any other time.

The reason for this was none other than the fact that although Cong Sanye Cong was young, he had very strict rules; ever since he established his household in the East Prefecture and Second Miss moved into the inner courtyard, Cong Sanye Cong had established a rule that men from the outside were not allowed to enter the inner courtyard.

Even Cong Sanye Cong's own older brother, Bao Er Ye Lian, could not enter the inner courtyard of the East Prefecture, let alone their cousin, Bao Er Ye Bao.

Ever since the East Prefecture was established, because Second Miss became the eldest young lady of the East Prefecture, all the young ladies in the family liked to visit the East Prefecture.

Later, when Cong Sanye Cong went on imperial business, Miss Lin and Third Miss even moved to the East Prefecture to live with Second Miss, and they ended up never returning.

Because Bao Er Ye Bao could not go to the inner courtyard of the East Prefecture to play with the young ladies, he had made a scene several times and complained to Jia Mu more than once.

But the Cong Sanye Cong of today was no longer the illegitimate son of the Rongguo branch in Qingzhi Studio; he was a Count conferred by the Emperor and an official of the imperial court. His status was not what it used to be, and even Jia Mu had to show him some respect.

Moreover, because he held a title and had moved out to establish his own residence, he was a proper, independent household, and the East Prefecture was an imperial residence bestowed upon him by the Emperor.

The rules he set in his imperial residence were family law and ritual; even Jia Mu had no standing to refute them.

In addition, Cong Sanye Cong was a formidable person who hid needles in silk; his authority in the Jia family was already established, and even Jia Mu was unwilling to easily provoke him.

Therefore, Baoyu could not enter the inner courtyard of the East Prefecture, and the matter was left at that.

Since her own Bao Er Ye could not enter the East Prefecture, Sister Xi Ren, as Baoyu's head maid, naturally had no reason to come to the East Prefecture under normal circumstances.

Sometimes Sister Xi Ren would think that this Cong Sanye Cong was born in the same year as the Bao Er Ye, only one month older, yet his abilities were rare in the world; it was truly astonishing.

If her own Bao Er Ye had even half the ability of this Cong Sanye Cong, her life would be a great blessing, but with the Bao Er Ye's temperament, how could that be? Sister Xi Ren left Baoyu's courtyard, passed by Qingzhi Studio and Lixiang Courtyard, and crossed the covered corridor connecting the two prefectures.

She knocked twice on the small gate of the East Prefecture, and a gatekeeper woman came out.

Sister Xi Ren smiled and said, "Greetings, Madam. I am Sister Xi Ren, the maid of Bao Er Ye Bao from the West Prefecture. Bao Er Ye Bao heard that Miss Lin is ill, so he instructed me to come and visit. Please, Madam, let me in."

Because Sister Xi Ren rarely came to the East Prefecture, the woman found her face very unfamiliar and did not let her in immediately.

Moreover, Daiyu had been living in the East Prefecture for a long time and was favored by Jia Cong, so the women and maids of the East Prefecture all treated her as a young lady of the East Prefecture.

Furthermore, the Count had established a rule that outside men were not allowed to enter the inner courtyard; hearing that their young lady was ill and that a young master from the West Prefecture had sent someone to check on her didn't seem right either.

She said, "I haven't seen you before, young lady. The rules in this prefecture are strict, so please wait a moment while I go to Miss Lin's side to report."

After the woman finished speaking, she had another woman watch the gate while she went to Daiyu's courtyard to report.

Sister Xi Ren could only be blocked outside the gate, feeling very depressed and somewhat unhappy.

Because she was originally Jia Mu's maid and was now Baoyu's trusted head maid, she had quite a high position in the West Prefecture.

Even though the Second Branch had moved to the East Courtyard, because Jia Mu favored Baoyu, she still let Baoyu live in the West Prefecture, and the servants of the West Prefecture, big and small, all had to give Sister Xi Ren some face when they saw her.

But today, when she came to visit Daiyu, she couldn't even cross the threshold of the East Prefecture, and a gatekeeper woman of the East Prefecture could leave her out in the cold without any courtesy; it was truly infuriating.

Count's Mansion, Daiyu's Courtyard.

Early in the morning, Jia Cong heard the news that Daiyu was feeling a bit unwell and had not gone to the West Prefecture to pay her respects to Jia Mu today.

Jia Cong had originally thought that since Daiyu had been taking the Three Lives Soul-Nourishing Pill, her health had been gradually improving, so why was she feeling unwell again? Concerned, he hurried to Daiyu's courtyard to visit her.

When he arrived in Daiyu's room, he met Hearing Zi Juan coming out with a washbasin and asked, "Miss Lin was fine yesterday, why is she suddenly unwell again? Did she catch a cold?"

Upon hearing this, Hearing Zi Juan couldn't help but smile. Just as she was about to speak to Jia Cong, Daiyu heard the voice from inside the room and asked, "Hearing Zi Juan, is that Third Brother here?"

Hearing Zi Juan smiled and said, "Yes, Cong Sanye is here." As she spoke, she lifted the door curtain to invite Jia Cong in.

As soon as Jia Cong entered the room, he saw Daiyu sitting on the bed, busy dismantling a nine-linked ring. She looked very calm and comfortable, which made him feel slightly strange.

The spring chill had not yet faded, and in previous years at this time, Daiyu would have been wearing a thin padded vest due to her weak constitution and fear of cold, but this year her vitality had gradually become stronger, and she was dressed much more neatly than in previous years.

She was wearing a white cotton undershirt from Songjiang, and on the outside was a pine-smoke green jacket, with small floral mugwort embroidery on the cuffs and collar. On her lower body was a pink-white embroidered plum blossom horse-face skirt. She looked beautiful, graceful, and very pleasing to the eye.

Seeing her eyebrows and eyes clear and gentle, and her cheeks slightly flushed, Jia Cong didn't see any sign of her being unwell.

Seeing Jia Cong come over, Daiyu smiled and said, "Third Brother is here. Hearing Zi Juan, hurry and pour some tea for Third Brother."

Jia Cong looked suspicious: "I heard that you were unwell, Sister, so I came specifically to see you, but you look very energetic.

I'll have Second Sister discipline whoever spread that careless rumor later; the servants of the East Prefecture have become lazy."

Daiyu giggled, pointed at herself, and said, "I was the one who spread the rumor. Third Brother doesn't need to discipline anyone else; just discipline me."

Jia Cong asked curiously, "What kind of mystery are you playing at, Sister? What's so fun that you'd even pretend to be sick to play?"

At this moment, Hearing Zi Juan brought in tea and smiled, "The young lady is avoiding something. She cursed herself to be sick for nothing; she doesn't even mind the taboo. It would be better to let Cong Sanye..."

Hearing Hearing Zi Juan's words, Daiyu's face turned red. She snatched the words and said to Hearing Zi Juan, "Don't talk nonsense. You go busy yourself first; I'll just talk to Third Brother."

Hearing Zi Juan smiled helplessly, didn't expose the matter, served Jia Cong hot tea, and left the room with the tea tray.

Jia Cong smiled: "What kind of matter requires you to pretend to be sick to avoid it, Sister? It must be no small matter. Tell me about it, and I'll help you come up with an idea, so you don't have to worry at all."

Hearing this, Daiyu's pretty face flushed slightly. She could let Jia Cong stand up for her in anything, but this sordid matter was truly hard to speak of to Jia Cong.

Moreover, in Daiyu's mind, this matter sounded embarrassing and scary, but if one thought about it carefully, there was no need to worry too much.

Why speak of it in front of Third Brother? It was truly shameful and embarrassing, and it would be even less worthwhile to distract Third Brother from his studies...

She smiled and said, "It's not a big deal. I can handle it myself, Sister. If it really doesn't work, I'll just ask Third Brother to stand up for me."

Jia Cong smiled: "You've grown up now, Sister, and you're becoming more capable. Even the matter that Jia Mu is avoiding must be no small matter, yet you can solve it yourself. I'm truly impressed.

Why not tell me about it so I can broaden my horizons?"

Daiyu smiled: "This person is used to coaxing people. Don't try to trap me with your words; I won't be fooled. When I want to tell you, I'll naturally tell you. I just ask that you don't laugh at me then."

Jia Cong smiled: "If you don't want to tell me, then don't. If you find it difficult later, just ask me for help."

As he spoke, he stepped forward and sat on Daiyu's embroidered bed: "You've played with this nine-linked ring since you were a child, Sister. Why aren't you tired of it? Why not change to something else to play with?"

Daiyu smiled: "How could I be tired of it? Dismantling and assembling this thing, and then dismantling it again, is very interesting."

As she spoke, seeing Jia Cong sit on the embroidered bed, a flush of red appeared on her pretty face. She scolded him slightly, "Third Brother, why did you sit on my bed? Go sit on that stool over there, and we'll talk."

Although Daiyu and Jia Cong had always been close, there were still some taboos in the boudoir, and it was even more inappropriate for a man to touch a young lady's embroidered bed...

Jia Cong said: "It's too far on the stool, what's the fun in that? It's soft on the bed."

Daiyu's face turned red again, so she followed his wishes and moved to the side, making more room for Jia Cong.

Outside the door, Hearing Zi Juan looked through the agarwood bead curtain and saw the two sitting on the edge of the bed, heads close together playing with the nine-linked ring. They looked very intimate, and she couldn't help but stick out her tongue.

She took a small embroidery frame and sat at the door to guard and embroider.

Jia Cong smelled the sweet fragrance on Daiyu and said, "Since you like playing with such things, Sister, I'll find a craftsman to make you a Rubik's cube another day. It will definitely be more fun than this nine-linked ring."

Daiyu asked curiously: "What is a Rubik's cube? Why have I never heard of it? How do you play with it?"

Jia Cong thought for a moment and smiled: "A Rubik's cube is a nine-linked ring of the Western barbarians. I saw foreigners playing with it when I was in Jin Ling. It's not difficult to make. I'll have someone make a good one for you to play with another day, Sister."

Daiyu smiled: "That would be great. Don't forget what you said, Third Brother. I'll be waiting for you to make it for me to play with."

The two talked and laughed again, dismantling the nine-linked ring for fun, whispering to each other, warm and comfortable.

Time passed without knowing how long. The Western barbarian clock in Daiyu's room struck the hour. Although Daiyu was a little reluctant, she still said: "I've troubled you, Third Brother, for keeping me in mind and accompanying me for so long. There isn't much time left before the spring examination. You should go back and review your books first, Third Brother. If I delay you from taking the examination for the top scholar, it would be a great sin for me, Sister."

Seeing that he had been sitting for a long time, Jia Cong gave a few more instructions and left Daiyu's room.

He walked to the door and saw Hearing Zi Juan embroidering. He was curious and wanted to ask Hearing Zi Juan why Daiyu was pretending to be sick, but since Daiyu didn't want to explain the reason, it wasn't easy for him to ask behind her back.

Moreover, he knew that Daiyu was exceptionally intelligent and knew how to distinguish priorities in everything. A young lady's mind sometimes had some oddities. Since she didn't want to mention this matter, she must have her reasons.

In any case, Daiyu was in the East Prefecture, right under his nose, so Jia Cong wasn't worried that anything would happen.

Not long after Jia Cong left, a gatekeeper woman came to report that there was a maid named Sister Xi Ren from the West Prefecture who had come to visit Miss Lin's illness under Bao Er Ye Bao's instructions.

Hearing Zi Juan was shocked when she heard this. Ever since the young lady moved into the East Prefecture, Baoyu had never made such a move, yet at this critical moment, he sent Sister Xi Ren to visit the young lady.

It was most likely related to the marriage discussion at Rongqing Hall. She had the woman wait at the courtyard gate while she hurried into the room to report to Daiyu.

After hearing Hearing Zi Juan's words, Daiyu thought for a moment, whispered in Hearing Zi Juan's ear for a while, and then had her reply to the woman, inviting Sister Xi Ren into the courtyard to talk.

At the back corner gate of the East Prefecture, Sister Xi Ren waited there for a long time without seeing the reporting woman return, and couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

She was not like Baoyu, who was blindly self-pitying and narcissistic.

Ever since the Bao Er Ye dropped the jade that year, making Miss Lin vomit blood, over the past few years, Miss Lin had never given the Bao Er Ye a good look; their relationship was much more distant than when they were young.

Now that Miss Lin was ill, she was probably in an even worse mood than usual.

If she heard that the Bao Er Ye was so anxious and had sent her to visit on his behalf, the young lady would find it annoying, and if she suddenly threw a tantrum, she wouldn't give her, a maid, any face.

This was not the West Prefecture, where Jia Mu was in charge. If she found an excuse to refuse to see her, she would have no way at all.

Returning home like this and losing face was one thing, but it wouldn't be easy to explain to the Bao Er Ye when she got back.

The master of the house had heard the news of the marriage discussion and was full of burning anxiety. If he knew that Miss Lin had ignored him and avoided seeing him...

If the Bao Er Ye was stimulated and started acting crazy, that would be terrible. If Jia Mu was alarmed, the matter would be uncontrollable.

Thinking of this, Sister Xi Ren felt uneasy. Only then did she see the reporting woman return, saying that she had already replied to Miss Lin and invited her to go in and talk.

Sister Xi Ren breathed a sigh of relief when she heard this. She asked the woman to lead the way, as she rarely came to the East Prefecture and had never been to the courtyard where Daiyu lived.

The two times she had come to the East Prefecture in the past, she had only wandered around Yingchun's courtyard and hadn't really seen the full picture of the East Prefecture.

The courtyards Jia Cong arranged for Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun were both in the most beautiful places in the East Prefecture, so as Sister Xi Ren walked along, she saw that everything was magnificent and exquisite, even better than the West Prefecture.

Sister Xi Ren couldn't help but feel a little envious and jealous. This Cong Sanye Cong and Bao Er Ye Bao were the same age, yet he had created such a grand display; it was truly a case of different fates for different people.

In such a rich and exquisite place, it was no wonder that Miss Lin and Third Miss had moved in and never thought about moving back to the West Prefecture...

When she entered Daiyu's room, she saw Daiyu sitting leaning on the bed, her complexion moist and full of energy, her cheeks slightly flushed, without any sign of illness. She couldn't help but feel strange: could this be called feeling unwell?

Seeing her enter the room, Daiyu smiled slightly: "Sister Sister Xi Ren, please sit. Hearing Zi Juan, pour tea."

Seeing Daiyu's appearance, although Sister Xi Ren had doubts in her heart, she had to put them aside for now and smiled: "Our Bao Er Ye heard that you were ill, Sister, so he specifically called me to come and visit you.

But you look quite well, Sister. I wonder if your health is serious?"

Daiyu said: "My health is indeed a bit unwell. Although it's not a major illness, I just asked a doctor to see me this morning, and I need to rest for a period of time. It's hard for Baoyu to still keep this little matter in mind."

Seeing that she had come over and Daiyu had no reaction to her, and because she hadn't gone to the West Prefecture today due to illness, she probably didn't know about the marriage discussion.

Therefore, Sister Xi Ren didn't dare to speak bluntly and smiled: "You've grown up now, Sister, and in a few years you'll reach the age of fifteen. There will be good news to report, so it's important to take care of your health properly."

Daiyu smiled slightly: "Sister, these words sound familiar. Father sent Grandmother a gift a few days ago, and in the letter that came with it, he also said words like yours, Sister."

Sister Xi Ren's heart moved, and she asked: "Does the meaning of these words in Master Lin's letter mean that he wants to plan for your future major event, Sister?"

Daiyu's face flushed. Her father had never said such words in the letter; it was just her making things up...

She said: "Parents and elders will always have these plans. It's just that I'm still young, so I don't need to pay too much attention to these things. When I return to the south next year, there will still be plenty of time."

Sister Xi Ren was shocked when she heard this and asked: "Why are you returning to the south next year, Sister? Why have I never heard of this?"

Daiyu smiled slightly: "Sister Sister Xi Ren, these words don't make sense. My mother died early when I was young, and because there were no older and virtuous female relatives in the family to raise me, my father sent me to Grandmother's side to be raised.

Now that I've grown up, the ancestors' bloodline of the Lin family is all in the Su Zhou and Yangzhou area, and I have my father at home, so naturally, I will have to return to the south sooner or later.

Moreover, in another year, I will be fifteen. Father often says in his letters that although Shenjing is the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, rich and valuable, it is the best in the world.

But Shenjing is a place where noble families gather. The children of noble families inherit the merits and wealth accumulated by their predecessors, and most of them are people who neglect their studies and live decadent lives. There are few talented people who can be entrusted with.

Father himself worked hard in his youth and achieved success, so he often says that a man should be able to make the golden list in literature and secure the country in martial arts, so as not to fail his ambition.

He also often says that although the south is not like Shenjing, where noble families gather, poor families also produce talented people, and scholars and learned people often come and go in the marketplace.

The Lin family of Gusu is a family of scholars. Future generations should return to their roots so as not to fail the wishes of their ancestors. I think Father will plan for me like this in the future."

Seeing that Sister Xi Ren's expression was a bit stiff after hearing these words, Daiyu smiled and said: "Sister Sister Xi Ren, why are you saying these things? It's making people feel a bit embarrassed..."

Sister Xi Ren came back to her senses and said: "I was just speaking casually. We are all women, so what's the big deal about talking about these things?"

Although Sister Xi Ren said so, she was already absent-minded. Originally, she had received Baoyu's instructions to come and visit Daiyu's illness, and she also had the purpose of probing Daiyu's mind.

Although she secretly didn't like Daiyu and her Bao Er Ye getting together, the mistress had changed her mind, so what could she, a maid, say?

She really didn't expect that before she had even revealed the news of the marriage discussion, Daiyu had already said such things.

Sister Xi Ren also understood the ways of the world. Master Lin's words couldn't be clearer. The daughter of the third-place scholar must be matched with a talented scholar from a scholarly background to match the Lin family's status.

Master Lin even felt that these noble children in Shenjing were all playboys and useless people, and none of them were the partners he favored.

That was probably why he wanted to take his daughter back to the south after she grew up...

There was no need to say more. Bao Er Ye Bao hadn't even entered school at fifteen, so he must also be a playboy noble child in Master Lin's eyes. Yet Grandmother and the mistress wanted to discuss marriage for the two of them? Miss Lin's father was still alive, so how could Grandmother make the decision for her marriage?

What Master Lin said about a man being able to make the golden list in literature and secure the country in martial arts—Bao Er Ye Bao was afraid he would never be able to do that in this life...

Thinking of the ecstatic look on Bao Er Ye Bao's face when he heard that Grandmother and the mistress wanted to discuss marriage for him and Miss Lin, Sister Xi Ren couldn't help but smile bitterly.

At this time, Daiyu said again: "Sister Sister Xi Ren, I heard recently that Second Uncle is urging Baoyu's studies very strictly. This is a proper good thing.

Baoyu is already fifteen this year, but he hasn't entered school yet. Second Uncle must be very anxious. I appreciate Baoyu keeping me in mind and sending you to visit.

In any case, we are sisters and brothers who grew up together. When you go back, please bring a message for me: tell Baoyu to focus on his studies, enter school early, and make a name for himself in the examination in the future.

This will also allow the Second Branch of the Jia family to have strong successors, and he will be able to stand up and support the family in the future. Isn't that a beautiful thing?

Please bring this message for me. If Baoyu succeeds in the future, even if I am in the south, I will wish him well from afar."

Hearing these words from Daiyu, Sister Xi Ren felt even colder. She saw Daiyu smiling slightly, her appearance beautiful and peerless, her bright eyes full of autumn water, with a hint of faint coldness.

She suddenly realized something. These words from Miss Lin sounded meaningful. Could it be that she had long known about the marriage discussion and was unwilling, so she claimed to be sick in the East Prefecture? These words from Miss Lin just now had truly cut off all the feelings of her Bao Er Ye. If she went back and relayed them, she didn't know how sad the Bao Er Ye would be.

But there was no other way. Miss Lin's father was still alive, so even if Grandmother wanted to force a melon, it was absolutely impossible.

Going back early to make things clear and letting the Bao Er Ye wake up early was actually a good thing...

At this time, Sister Xi Ren was already on pins and needles. After chatting with Daiyu for a few more words, she hurriedly got up to say goodbye.

Hearing Zi Juan sent her out of the courtyard and then hurried back, saying: "The words the young lady just said were a very good method. As long as Sister Xi Ren goes back and says them, they will most likely spread in the West Prefecture.

When Grandmother and Second Mistress know, they won't be able to bring up this matter again in the future.

It's just that with Baoyu's temperament, if he knows these words from the young lady, he will definitely go crazy and cause trouble. I'm afraid there will be more right and wrong then."

Daiyu's eyes were calm, and she sighed: "I can't worry about that anymore. In any case, this matter will be exposed sooner or later. If we continue to be confused and cause trouble, I can really only return to the south.

Moreover, only by ending the matter this way can it be truly smooth. Otherwise, if Third Brother stands up for me, his words and methods will definitely make Grandmother and the mistress embarrassed.

We are all one family, so why let Third Brother cause a bunch of gossip for my sake? Now that he is preparing for the spring examination, I don't want him to be distracted at all..." (End of chapter)