Chapter 564

Rongguo Prefecture, Baoyu's Courtyard.

Since Sister Xi Ren went to the East Prefecture to visit Daiyu, Baoyu had been excited and restless, walking back and forth in the room.

Not only was his face glowing, but he was also muttering to himself, though no one could hear what he was saying.

Seeing that Baoyu had sent Sister Xi Ren to visit Daiyu after she had reported the good news to him, Qiuwen felt that her credit had been snatched by someone else, who had taken advantage of it.

Although she was resentful, she didn't dare to show it in front of Baoyu, lest she lose her face after finally getting a chance to show it, and instead be blamed.

Although Baoyu was spinning around like a windmill, which made Qiuwen feel dizzy, she stayed in the study and didn't leave.

She figured that Sister Xi Ren had gone to visit Lin Meimei, and with Jia Mu making the decision, Lin Meimei would have nothing else to say; Sister Xi Ren would definitely bring back good news.

The Bao Er Ye would most likely be happy to the point of ascending to heaven. At this critical moment, she had to show her face in front of him, let the Bao Er Ye understand not to forget the well-digger, and remember her benefits.

In the future, when the Bao Er Ye and Lin Meimei got results, he would definitely be grateful to her. She would take the opportunity to cater to him more, so as to share some of his favor and achieve a good result in the Bao Er Ye's room.

When that time came, she would be on equal footing with Sister Xi Ren, and she would see how she would give her face in the future!

Qiuwen was a maid with great ambitions. Although she was jealous of Sister Xi Ren's success and admired Sister Xi Ren's means of climbing into the master's bed, she wished she could replace her and fulfill her lifelong ambition of becoming a concubine.

She was full of ambition, watching Baoyu spin around in the room, her bright eyes becoming more watery, as if they were about to drip water...

Suddenly hearing footsteps at the door, Qiuwen saw Bihun enter with a tea tray, her posture enchanting and her smile bright, which made Qiuwen frown.

Bihun smiled and said: "I just passed by the corridor and happened to hear this good news. Lin Meimei is a top-tier person in the world. Bao Er Ye, you are about to have great joy, so you must take care of your health.

Seeing you walking back and forth, you're sweating on your forehead. Drink a cup of hot tea to moisten your throat."

Hearing that Lin Meimei was a top-tier person in the world and that he was about to have great joy, Baoyu felt that every word hit his heart. He was immediately happy inside and couldn't help but giggle foolishly.

He couldn't help but feel that among the maids, Bihun was the most clever and fun, and seeing her holding the tea tray, her smile charming, her skin white and smooth, and her cherry lips red and bright, she was very tempting.

Baoyu couldn't help but think of the day in the study when the two of them were recklessly teasing each other for fun, and he felt a little hot inside.

If Qiuwen hadn't been there, and he hadn't been filled with that happy event, he would have been unable to help but laugh and mess around again.

Qiuwen, who was on the side, saw that Bihun had also come to join in the fun. She had already been snatched of her lead by Sister Xi Ren, and now even this slut Bihun had run over to share her benefits; it was truly infuriating.

Baoyu took the tea Bihun brought, drank it in one gulp, and said: "Sister Xi Ren has been gone for a long time, why hasn't she come back yet? It's truly anxious."

Worried that Bihun would snatch the words again, Qiuwen interrupted: "Bao Er Ye, don't be anxious. It's a long way from here to the East Prefecture, and Sister Xi Ren still has to talk to Lin Meimei.

If she didn't get to the point immediately and get Lin Meimei's thoughts and ideas, she definitely wouldn't dare to come back. It will definitely take some time to go back and forth."

Baoyu didn't hear the knife Qiuwen was stabbing at Sister Xi Ren, but just felt that what Qiuwen said made some sense.

He thought again that Lin Meimei loved to throw tantrums, perhaps because she was influenced by that third-place scholar uncle when she was young, and her words and actions were strict and rigorous.

In Baoyu's mind, Lin Meimei must also be happy about their marriage discussion, but women were made of water and gentleness, so they had to have some restraint and respect.

Even if she liked this good thing in her heart, she wouldn't show it on her face or in her words. Sister Xi Ren shouldn't be ignorant of priorities and shame Lin Meimei with her words; that would be terrible...

Sigh, I have no choice but to bow my head and apologize, and coax her with good words; that will be enough.

Just as Baoyu was having delusions, thinking wildly, and unable to control himself.

Qiuwen, Bihun, and other maids thought that Baoyu's happy event was near, and for their own future, they racked their brains to sell themselves and please Baoyu.

Suddenly, several people, each full of ambition, heard footsteps outside the corridor.

Baoyu was even more inspired, recognizing that it was Sister Xi Ren's footsteps. On his round face, his eyes brightened and his eyebrows lifted, his mouth seemed to be smiling but not smiling, and there were even some strange twitches.

One could tell how intense the tremors and fluctuations in his heart were at this moment.

A beautiful shadow flickered at the door; it was Sister Xi Ren walking in. Baoyu's expression was anxious and confused, and his tone of voice trembled with excitement, but he didn't see Sister Xi Ren's slightly hesitant expression.

He blurted out: "Sister, have you seen Lin Meimei? How is her health? She must know about the happy event, and she must be very happy, right?"

Sister Xi Ren's face was troubled, and she said: "Lin Meimei's complexion is rosy, and her spirit is also fine. There is nothing serious, just a minor ailment. She will be fine after resting for a few days. Bao Er Ye, don't worry."

Hearing this, Baoyu felt a little disappointed deep in his heart. In his imagination, Daiyu should have been born with a delicate and sickly beauty; wouldn't that make people love her even more?

She heard the good news that the two of them were about to be married, and she was so happy that her illness disappeared; that matched Baoyu's consistent narcissistic and self-pitying fantasies...

Her complexion was rosy and her spirit was strong, which didn't seem to match the Lin Meimei who was as sick as Xishi in his heart...

However, it was a good thing that her health was still fine, and it wouldn't affect the happy event that was about to happen to the two of them. Thinking of this, a gratified smile appeared on Baoyu's round face...

Baoyu asked eagerly again: "Sister Sister Xi Ren, does Lin Meimei know about this happy event? She must be as happy as I am in her heart. It's definitely not wrong."

Looking at Baoyu's expectant expression, Sister Xi Ren's face felt bitter, and she said: "Lin Meimei doesn't know about this happy event."

Baoyu was disappointed and asked: "Have you told her, Sister? Such a good thing should be let her know early. If everyone knows and then tell her, she will be angry."

Seeing Baoyu's determined and satisfied look, Sister Xi Ren felt a headache and said: "I originally wanted to tell Lin Meimei, but in the middle of our conversation, Lin Meimei said something first.

So, I had no choice but to not tell her the good news first."

Hearing this, Baoyu was anxious and complained loudly: "What else is more important than the happy event between me and Lin Meimei? Why didn't you tell her, Sister?

What exactly did Lin Meimei say? Is it really so important that you even put aside the matter of reporting the good news?"

Sister Xi Ren felt depressed. Why was the Bao Er Ye so confused? Over the years, Lin Meimei had never given the Bao Er Ye a good look, so why was he still fantasizing?

She said: "Lin Meimei said that Master Lin sent a letter saying that although Shenjing is the capital, noble families gather there, but most of the noble children are people who neglect their studies and live decadent lives, and it is difficult to find someone to entrust one's life to."

Hearing this, Baoyu felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart with a knife. Sweat broke out on his forehead, and his face turned pale.

Sister Xi Ren continued: "Master Lin also said that the person he favors is someone who can make the golden list in literature and secure the country in martial arts. One of the two is always needed, so as not to fail the ambition of a man.

Master Lin wants to wait until Lin Meimei reaches the age of fifteen next year, and then he will take Lin Meimei back to the south to settle down. Listening to the meaning of his words, he wants to return to the south to plan Lin Meimei's life.

After hearing these words, naturally, it was not easy for me to tell Lin Meimei the good news..."

Hearing Sister Xi Ren's words, Baoyu's face had turned as pale as snow. The whole person was as if struck by lightning, his body was trembling, and he didn't know whether it was anger or shame...

He said with full indignation: "Lin Meimei grew up in the mansion since she was a child, how can she return to the south for no reason? It's simply unreasonable. I absolutely do not allow it.

I originally thought that Uncle Lin was an elegant person, why did he say such rotten words? Being able to make the golden list in literature and secure the country in martial arts is nothing more than the behavior of a moth, a reputation-seeking act.

It truly tarnished the ears and eyes of innocent people. I was right; talking about the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers is the behavior of foolish men and women, and those marriage discussions are all..."

Hearing this, Sister Xi Ren, Qiuwen, and others all changed their expressions. This master was truly not afraid of death and started talking nonsense again.

Sister Xi Ren said urgently: "Bao Er Ye, don't talk nonsense. Last time you said such things, the Zongren Prefecture came to the door, causing such a big accident. Why have you forgotten it all?"

Hearing this, Baoyu's face also changed. He muttered a few times and swallowed the words behind him. This was not the first time he had done this, and he seemed to never learn...

Sister Xi Ren said again: "Master Lin is Lin Meimei's father, why are you arranging him, Bao Er Ye? If Lin Meimei knows, she will be angry with you.

Moreover, I think Master Lin's words are actually not wrong. It is human nature for a father to hope that his daughter has a good destination.

Bao Er Ye is a very smart person. In the past, he just didn't put effort into reading, but if he spent some thought, with Bao Er Ye's talent, it would always be possible to enter school.

In the future, there will be a second one after the first. Maybe you can become a scholar and a jinshi like Third Master Cong. Then you will be valued by Master Lin and can match Lin Meimei. This is also a beautiful thing."

Sister Xi Ren secretly followed Baoyu, naturally hoping that he would be as decent as Jia Cong, so she could also share the glory. This thought had long been in her heart, and now she said it while taking the opportunity, and she said it very emotionally.

She thought that what she said made great sense, and she even had a sense of talking eloquently.

But she had already made Baoyu tremble with anger. Just now, because Sister Xi Ren relayed "Master Lin's words," he was already ashamed and depressed. Now seeing that Sister Xi Ren, who was closest to him, actually said such things.

He said with trembling anger: "You are actually like that Xiaohong, talking about this vulgar and dirty nonsense. What should I do? What should I do? There is no one in this world who understands me!"

Seeing that Baoyu was furious, his round face distorted, Sister Xi Ren was also startled. She regretted that she had spoken too quickly. If she had provoked Baoyu's stupid illness, that would be terrible.

Baoyu suddenly seemed to think of something and said with great pain: "I just know that Lin Meimei must also be unwilling to return to the south and wants to stay at home for a long time, so that we can see each other.

She must have been forced by her father's orders, so she had to obey. I said why she was sick; it was because she was worried about this matter, and she was actually bedridden. It's truly cruel.

Sister Xi Ren, don't you think about it? Even Grandmother doesn't know about what Master Lin said in the letter, which shows that Lin Meimei didn't tell anyone. But she told you, don't you think about the reason?"

Hearing Baoyu say that Lin Meimei was also unwilling to return to the south, Sister Xi Ren felt that something was wrong. Recalling Daiyu talking to her about this matter just now, her demeanor was stable and peaceful, which showed that she was willing to do so.

This Bao Er Ye of hers always measured others by himself, always feeling that the people around him were as he thought.

But she didn't know that Lin Meimei was a talented woman with a belly full of poetry, her mind was more delicate than ordinary women, and she had more opinions than ordinary women. How could she follow the Bao Er Ye's mind in everything...

Sister Xi Ren felt that Baoyu was starting to talk nonsense again, but suddenly heard his last rhetorical question, and was slightly stunned.

She remembered that when she first entered Daiyu's room, she hadn't said much, and she didn't know how Daiyu brought up the topic and said such things. At that time, Sister Xi Ren didn't care.

Now that Baoyu's words had hooked her, she felt that it really made some sense. Daiyu seemed to have these words long ago, as if she specifically wanted to tell her?...

Seeing Sister Xi Ren's stunned expression, Baoyu, whose heart had been destroyed to the point of being ashamed by the relayed words, raised hope again.

He said quite firmly: "Sister, it's because she doesn't want to return to the south and doesn't want to disobey her father's orders, so she became depressed and sick. It's truly pitiful.

Even when she was sick, she only thought of me in her heart, so she specifically told you this matter, just to let you relay it to me, let me solve her worries, and I will definitely not live up to Lin Meimei's expectations!"

Hearing this, Sister Xi Ren was also dumbfounded. How did this Bao Er Ye's brain grow? How could he think of such messy and connected words?

Sister Xi Ren thought carefully about the scene when she was talking to Daiyu at that time. Perhaps Daiyu's words about what Master Lin said in the letter really had deep meaning.

But to say that Daiyu didn't want to return to the south and wanted to ask the Bao Er Ye to help her solve the problem through her own relay, it didn't look like it at all.

Thinking of this, Sister Xi Ren couldn't help but blurt out: "Bao Er Ye, what you said doesn't seem right. If Lin Meimei didn't want to return to the south, why would she leave such words for you, Bao Er Ye, and ask me to relay them?"

Hearing Sister Xi Ren say that his words were wrong, Baoyu's big face couldn't help but collapse, but hearing that Daiyu specifically had words to relay to him, his spirit couldn't help but be lifted.

He said: "Sister is also a person who has done things for a long time, why did you think of saying this important matter until now? Tell me quickly, what are the good words?"

Sister Xi Ren said: "If you want to talk about Lin Meimei's words, they are truly good words. No matter if we succeed in the future or not, if you can listen to them, Bao Er Ye, they are extremely good."

Baoyu only thought about what Daiyu left for him. In his heart full of self-pity and self-love, Daiyu was the person he cared about most, so she should also care about him most...

She would leave words for him, they must be warm and secret good words. Otherwise, why didn't she say them to his face, but specifically asked Sister Xi Ren to relay them? It must be the shyness of a young lady.

Baoyu was blindly intoxicated with himself, and didn't notice Sister Xi Ren's meaning of whether they would succeed or not...

Sister Xi Ren said: "Lin Meimei asked me to bring a message to you, Bao Er Ye: tell you to listen more to Master's teachings, focus on your studies, enter school early, and make a name for yourself in the examination in the future.

In the future, you will be able to handle the official career and economic matters in the family, and the Second Branch will also have a person like you, Bao Er Ye, to stand up and support the family.

If you really succeed in the future, Bao Er Ye, even if Lin Meimei is in the south, she will wish you well from afar."

Sister Xi Ren sighed: "Lin Meimei is truly a knowledgeable person. The words she said are truly pleasant to hear, and every word is reasonable. You have always wanted to be close to Lin Meimei, Bao Er Ye.

If you had learned Lin Meimei's mind earlier, you would have already made a name for yourself."

Sister Xi Ren said it somewhat emotionally, and she was a bit addicted to the feeling of a mother teaching her son, when she suddenly heard Bihun's exclamation: "Bao Er Ye, what's wrong with you?"

Sister Xi Ren looked over in a panic, only to see that Baoyu's face was ashen, and the whole person was as if frozen.

He muttered to himself like a nightmare: "Lin Meimei actually said such words, she actually said such words..."

In fact, in the past, Daiyu couldn't stand Baoyu's entanglement and would say a few words about reading and entering school to scare him, but those were just casual words.

Baoyu's temperament had a bit of Jia Mu's nature. After hearing these unpleasant words, he would forget them after a day or two.

But the situation today was completely different.

Baoyu first heard "what Lin Ruhai said," that a good son-in-law must be able to make the golden list in literature and secure the country in martial arts, which had already made Baoyu feel ashamed.

Although he was full of talk about being unattached, it was just a high-sounding excuse for his laziness and playfulness.

Since he claimed to be unattached, he shouldn't covet a beauty like Daiyu. Even if he coveted her without the ability to rely on, he was now exposed, and naturally felt ashamed.

Hearing that Lin Ruhai would take Daiyu back to the south next year to plan her life in the south made Baoyu even more terrified, feeling that all his beautiful dreams were about to be burned by others.

Finally, he heard Daiyu's "parting message," which was serious and had never happened before.

Focusing on studies, entering school early, making a name for himself in the examination, official career and economic matters, standing up and supporting the family—these words, which usually made him terrified,

were like huge drumsticks, continuously, repeatedly, and forcefully hitting his broken drum.

It not only made him ashamed and inferior, but also tore, shattered, and trampled on all his hypocritical disguises, arrogance and narcissism, and absurd words and deeds.

All he could do was avoid the edge, cowardly escape, and be unable to struggle...

Sister Xi Ren, Qiuwen, and others saw that Baoyu was turned into a walking corpse by these words, his body stiff, and his mouth only repeating that one sentence.

At this moment, he was sweating, his face was purple, his eyes were staring straight, and white foam was coming out of his mouth.

Amidst the terrified shouts of Sister Xi Ren and others, Baoyu fell forward like a rotten tree stump.

Sister Xi Ren, Qiuwen, and others were scared to death. They stepped forward to support the fainted Baoyu and placed him on the bed after a lot of pulling.

The maids stepped forward to call Baoyu's name constantly, seeing that he still had straight eyes, couldn't speak, and didn't know pain when pinched, as if he had died more than half.

Sister Xi Ren was already paralyzed on the ground, thinking that it was because of her words just now that she had actually suffocated the Bao Er Ye to death, knowing that she had caused a great disaster.

Sheyue, who was working outside the door, heard a big movement in the room and hurried in. Seeing Baoyu's appearance, she was also scared.

But she was usually shrewd and capable, calmer than others. She stepped forward and pushed Baoyu a few times, seeing that he was like a dead person, without any reaction, and felt a burst of sadness in her heart.

At this time, Bihun was crying, Sister Xi Ren was also confused, and the other maids were either shaking or sobbing, none of them had a proper idea.

Qiuwen saw that she had reported the good news to Baoyu first, originally wanting to ask for a great good, but didn't expect it to end up like this. In the end, it was all because Sister Xi Ren had used words to kill the Bao Er Ye.

She became resentful in her heart and jumped up, shouting: "It's all Sister Xi Ren's fault! She used words to suffocate the Bao Er Ye to death! I'm going to tell Grandmother and the mistress!"

Sheyue stepped up and grabbed Qiuwen, pushed her to the ground, and shouted: "Don't think we don't know your mind. What time is it now, and you're still thinking about biting others.

Do you think you can escape the relationship if you go to complain? If the Bao Er Ye is killed, every maid in this room will not be able to live!"

Sheyue suppressed Qiuwen, asked people to close the courtyard gate, and discussed with Sister Xi Ren to go find Baoyu's nurse, Li Mama, to come and see Baoyu.

Although Li Mama was dismissed by Lady Wang because of the maple dew tea, she was only unable to serve in the mansion. Because she raised Baoyu from a child, the Rongguo Prefecture arranged for her to live in the back street mansion.

Because Li Mama was an old person who had experienced things, she had knowledge of such life-and-death matters. Sheyue hurried out of the courtyard, opened the back corner gate, and dragged Li Mama into the mansion within the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

Hearing that something had happened to Baoyu, Li Mama was also startled. She crawled into Baoyu's room and saw Baoyu's dead appearance, and her heart cooled by more than half.

Li Mama stepped forward to call Baoyu, but he didn't answer. She touched his pulse with her hand and pinched his philtrum hard. The finger marks were deep, but Baoyu didn't feel pain.

Li Mama exclaimed loudly: "This is terrible!" She hugged Baoyu and cried loudly.

Originally, Sheyue thought that Baoyu was just confused, and still held a glimmer of hope, so she suppressed Qiuwen to prevent the matter from becoming uncontrollable.

But now seeing Li Mama's appearance, and knowing that she was an experienced person, she knew that things were really bad, and even she was paralyzed on the ground.

Fortunately, Sheyue was a bit strong. After slowing down a bit, she crawled to Sister Xi Ren.

She said to Sister Xi Ren, who was already out of her mind and only knew how to cry: "Sister Sister Xi Ren, the matter can no longer be hidden, we can only report it up.

You know the reason for the matter, you must explain the reason to Grandmother. I will go with you. In any case, it's just death! If we let others shout it out first, we will still not be able to escape death, it's just that it will be embarrassing. We served the Bao Er Ye once, and now the fate is over, even if we die, we must die decently!"

Hearing Sheyue's words, Sister Xi Ren suddenly woke up. She stared at Qiuwen fiercely, feeling that Sheyue's words made great sense.

Sheyue asked Bihun to find a doctor quickly, and she and Sister Xi Ren supported each other, stumbling to Rongqing Hall to report the news.

Not long after, footsteps came one after another outside Baoyu's courtyard. Jia Mu was supported by Yuanyang, followed by four or five trusted women, crying and entering.

The news of Baoyu's accident spread quickly in Rongguo Prefecture. Wang Xifeng was also startled when she heard it. She was not convenient, so she asked Ping'er to take people to see it, and asked people to report to the East Courtyard.

Hearing that Sister Xi Ren had been to the East Prefecture before Baoyu's accident, Wuer had more thoughts in her heart and hurried to the East Prefecture to report.

The East and West Prefectures of the Jia family were thus stirred up by a commotion... (End of chapter)