Chapter 566

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Jia Baoyu's Courtyard.

After Xi Ren and She Nan Yue left Rongqing Hall, news of Jia Baoyu's mishap spread rapidly through Lady Rongguo Prefecture.

Not only did Jia Mu hurry over with maids and old women, but Xue Xue Yima, who had been speaking at Rongqing Hall, came along too.

Ping'er, following Wang Wang Xifeng's orders, brought an experienced old woman to inspect the situation.

Wang Wang Xifeng sent others to notify the Eastern Road Courtyard; within no time, Jia Zheng and Lady Wang would arrive as well.

The courtyard, once quiet, now swarmed with too many people—each master arrived with maids and old women, filling every corner, creating a noisy, chaotic scene like a slaughterhouse market.

Jia Mu shuffled trembling to Jia Baoyu's bedside, her aged face pale with fright, clutching his hand and calling out incessantly, but Jia Baoyu lay as if dead, utterly unresponsive.

Jia Mu wept bitterly, pounding her chest and stomping her feet, crying out "my heart, my flesh, my liver!" in a frenzy.

Beside her, Xue Xue Yima, though also startled, was not as emotionally entangled as Jia Mu and remained far more alert.

She saw Jia Baoyu lying stiff as a corpse, eyes wide open, staring fixedly at the ceiling without blinking, strangely eerie.

Saliva clung to his lips; when maids tried to feed him water, not a single drop entered his mouth—he seemed to have lost most of his life, truly terrifying to behold.

But Xue Xue Yima was a woman who had seen hardship; her husband and in-laws had died early, and she had witnessed many deaths.

She examined closely and noticed Jia Baoyu's chest rising faintly—he was still breathing. A small understanding dawned in her heart…

She said: "Grandmother, don't panic. Jia Baoyu may look gravely ill, but his breath is still strong—he's not in mortal danger.

It seems he's been haunted, struck by a fit of hysteria. If we summon a skilled physician to treat him urgently, he'll recover."

Jia Mu, having lived most of her life, had only lost her composure because of her deep love for Jia Baoyu. Now, with Xue Xue Yima's reminder, she regained her calm.

She reached out to feel Jia Baoyu's breath—still warm, even slightly heavier—and her heart eased considerably.

Jia Mu pushed and called again, but Jia Baoyu remained as wooden and vacant as ever—clearly possessed or haunted.

Jia Mu hurriedly asked: "Has a physician been sent for? Jia Baoyu's condition cannot wait a moment longer."

Xi Ren quickly replied: "We've already sent Qiuwen and Second Mistress to notify them. Second Mistress has dispatched someone to the Imperial Medical Bureau to fetch Dr. Hu, who often treats us at home. By now, he must be on his way."

Jia Mu still felt uneasy, recalling how she had fallen seriously ill after Jia Cong's mother, Du Du Jinniang, was posthumously honored—Jia Lady Lian had summoned the famed physician Zhang Zhang Youshi to cure her.

She ordered Sister Yuanyang to relay a message to Feng Feng Jie: bring Zhang Zhang Youshi as well. More renowned physicians meant greater peace of mind.

…

As Sister Yuanyang reached the gate, she met Lady Wang, who had been informed by Wang Wang Xifeng of Jia Baoyu's mishap and was rushing over in a panic.

Lady Wang rushed forward upon seeing Jia Baoyu's state—his vacant, rigid form, unconscious—and burst into loud sobs. Jia Mu, stirred anew, could not hold back her tears.

At that moment, Wang Wang Xifeng arrived, supported by Feng'er. Though pregnant, she managed Lady Rongguo Prefecture's affairs and had to appear now that Jia Baoyu was in crisis.

Ping'er arrived and stood quietly in a corner, merely observing. This scene was not her place to speak.

Seeing Wang Wang Xifeng come, she quickly made room for her to sit. The room was packed, so she and Feng'er stood on either side of Wang Wang Xifeng, guarding against any jostling.

…

Suddenly, Jia Mu remembered something and turned to Xi Ren: "I placed you in Jia Baoyu's quarters to serve him well, to watch over him for me.

All my usual instructions to you, you've treated as wind through your ears. Now that trouble has come, tell me how you'll make amends!

You only said Jia Baoyu suddenly fell ill, with his life or death unknown—I rushed here without asking. How did this happen? Why did it come to this?

There must be a reason. Tell me every detail. If you hide or lie, I will not forgive you!"

Xi Ren had just gone to Rongqing Hall to report the news; Jia Mu, hearing of Jia Baoyu's mishap, had rushed over without asking further.

Xi Ren had thought she might get away with it—but now she saw it was impossible.

She braced herself and recounted how she had visited Lin Daiyu, how Lin Daiyu had spoken certain words, how Jia Baoyu had fallen ill upon hearing them—laying out the full story.

Lady Wang, hearing the cause, burned with rage. Her Jia Baoyu had become this living corpse—all because of that Lin girl! A wicked little hussy indeed! She had even been kind-hearted, intending to elevate the girl and arrange her marriage to Jia Baoyu. Yet before anything was settled, a few words from her had nearly killed Jia Baoyu.

If she ever truly came into the family, living daily with Jia Baoyu, would she not slowly kill him? This girl and her short-lived mother were both just as cunning and hateful!

…

Jia Mu, upon hearing this, froze. "How could Jia Baoyu's condition be tied to that Lin girl?"

Wang Wang Xifeng, hearing the story, her eyes brightened. Her mind was sharper than Jia Mu's or Lady Wang's.

Hearing Xi Ren's recounting of Lin Daiyu's words, she immediately formed a suspicion…

Had Lin Daiyu heard that Grandmother and Lady Wang planned to marry her to Jia Baoyu? Had she feigned illness to avoid it, and used Xi Ren to deliver these words precisely to crush Lady Wang's hopes? Regardless of the truth, Wang Wang Xifeng was certain of one thing:

As the daughter of a top scholar, well-read in poetry and prose, and always aloof and refined, Lin Lin Daiyu would never care for the lazy, idle Jia Baoyu.

It was far more likely she would favor someone like Cong the Third—a remarkable young man. This was self-evident; any woman would know the choice.

Moreover, for Wang Wang Xifeng, if Lin Daiyu truly married Jia Cong, it would bring her great advantage.

Given this situation, how could Wang Wang Xifeng not stir the pot and secretly protect Lin Daiyu?

She said: "Grandmother, I just heard what Xi Ren said. Lin Daiyu's words were actually very reasonable. She spoke them to Jia Baoyu out of sincere hope that he would improve.

Lin Daiyu comes from a scholarly official family; her father, Lin Lin Ruhai, is a famed top scholar. Lin Daiyu herself has read extensively. To value scholarship and the imperial exams is only natural for her.

But how could such sincere, well-meaning words cause Jia Baoyu to collapse like this? It's truly incomprehensible."

Jia Mu sighed: "You don't understand. Since childhood, Jia Baoyu's father forced him to study. Whenever he performed poorly, he was beaten or scolded.

Because of his father's harshness, the mere mention of studying terrifies him.

Lin Daiyu grew up with him—how could she not know this? Why then did she bring up studying to him? What was the point?"

Wang Wang Xifeng said: "Lin Daiyu must have seen Jia Baoyu is grown now, and as sisters, she naturally wished to care for him—that's why she spoke these words.

Grandmother, now I understand. No wonder these past few years, Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu haven't been close like children—they've quarreled constantly.

Lin Daiyu, raised with strict family teachings, values scholarship above all. She naturally urges Jia Baoyu to study hard. But Jia Baoyu hates hearing it. Of course they quarrel every day."

Ping'er, hearing Wang Wang Xifeng's words, recalled that day when they had discussed Third Master, Lin Girl, and Jia Baoyu. She knew exactly what her mistress meant.

It was all to stir confusion, to make Grandmother abandon the idea of marrying Jia Baoyu to Lin Girl. She almost smiled, quickly lowering her head to hide it.

…

Jia Mu, hearing Wang Wang Xifeng's words, felt a sudden jolt inside.

Just now, hearing Xi Ren's recounting, she realized her son-in-law had already planned to bring Lin Daiyu back south once she reached marriageable age.

In truth, such a plan was perfectly natural. Even though she adored Lin Daiyu, the girl's father was her true kin—he had every right to take her home.

Lin Daiyu resembled her mother, Jia Min, whom Jia Mu had loved most in her life. She never imagined that fifteen years ago, when Jia Min left for Jiangnan, they would be parted forever.

This loss struck Jia Mu as deeply as the death of Lord Jia Daisan. That was why, upon seeing Lin Daiyu, she loved her with all her heart.

She had transferred all her love and longing for her daughter onto her granddaughter.

Jia Mu's eagerness to marry Lin Daiyu to Jia Baoyu stemmed not only from her deep affection for both grandchildren,

but also from knowing that once Lin Daiyu came of age, her father would inevitably take her back to Lin family in Jiangnan.

Only by uniting Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu could Jia Mu keep her beloved granddaughter by her side forever.

But now, with Jia Baoyu's crisis and Wang Wang Xifeng's subtle words, Jia Mu began to see clearly.

These past years, her two "Yus"—Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu—had not been harmonious like children. They glared at each other, avoided speaking, quarreled constantly.

Jia Mu had once thought they were just young, childish, stubborn—ordinary squabbles.

But now, hearing Wang Wang Xifeng's seemingly casual words, she realized the truth: their estrangement stemmed from scholarship and study.

…

Jia Mu recalled Xi Ren's recounting: her son-in-law had said a future son-in-law must be able to top the imperial exams and pacify the nation. How could her Jia Baoyu ever achieve such things?

Father and daughter share the same heart. Her granddaughter must think as her father does. No wonder she constantly urged Jia Baoyu to study—deep down, she despised his laziness, his lack of merit.

Jia Mu now understood. Her two "Yus" had incompatible aspirations. Could she still force them to marry? Would a forced melon ever be sweet?

At that moment, Jia Mu, as if possessed, recalled her son-in-law's words: "top the imperial exams, pacify the nation."

She felt a spark of defiance. Even if my Jia Baoyu cannot do it, who in all of Shenyang's noble families could?

Suddenly, Jia Mu's mind flashed: "Top the imperial exams, pacify the nation"—that's exactly Cong's path…

She realized: according to her son-in-law's wishes, Lin Daiyu would suit that boy from the Eastern Courtyard perfectly.

Though he too was her own grandson, talented and capable—even the Jia family's head—she had nursed a grudge for over ten years because of Jia Cong's mother.

Jia Mu had planned to marry Shi Shi Xiangyun to Jia Cong, but that was merely a political alliance between the Jia and Shi families—not the deep affection she held for Jia Baoyu.

Yet Lin Daiyu, who resembled her daughter so closely, was Jia Mu's most treasured jewel. The thought of her being matched with this distant, estranged grandson filled her with unbearable reluctance…

… Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Lin Daiyu's Courtyard.

Wu'er, hearing the cause of Jia Baoyu's mishap in Feng Feng Jie's courtyard, hurried back to the Eastern Courtyard.

Passing near Lin Daiyu's courtyard, she recalled that Qiuwen from Jia Baoyu's quarters had come to report the cause—and it involved Lin Girl.

She entered Lin Daiyu's courtyard first, met Zi Juan, told her the news, then hurried off to Jia Cong's courtyard to report.

Lin Daiyu, hearing Zi Juan's report, learned that Jia Baoyu had collapsed because of her few words. She felt fear.

She knew her words must have been deeply unwelcome to Jia Baoyu—but she never imagined such a violent reaction.

Clearly, his laziness and stubbornness were deeply rooted, beyond reach. He would likely remain this way for life…

Jia Mu and Lady Wang only indulged Jia Baoyu, blind to his true nature.

But Lin Daiyu, raised in the Jia household since childhood, understood Jia Baoyu's character well.

Since childhood, whenever things went against him, Jia Baoyu had smashed jade, thrown tantrums, caused uproars—countless times.

Each time, chaos erupted, yet nothing ever came of it. Everyone had grown used to it. This time, it was likely no different.

But Zi Juan was uneasy and sent Xue Yan to quietly investigate.

…

Xue Yan received orders and ran to the Western Courtyard. The entire Western Courtyard was in uproar over Jia Baoyu's incident.

Not only had Grandmother and Second Lady arrived at Jia Baoyu's courtyard, but Second Miss and Third Miss had also come. Even several old concubines from Grandmother's side, with their maids, came to visit.

Everywhere was chaos—as if everyone were acting. It had merely drizzled, yet they pretended the sky had collapsed.

Before Xue Yan even entered Jia Baoyu's courtyard, she had learned everything clearly and hurried back to report.

Lin Daiyu, upon hearing the news, grew even more certain in her heart and relaxed further, picking up a light book and reclining on the bed to read.

Hearing Zi Juan urged from beside her: "Miss, Jia Baoyu has caused such a commotion—he's now unconscious, and everyone says he's gone daft, neither dead nor alive."

In the end, it all ties back to those words of yours. Now everyone in the family is going to visit him; you should go too, just to fulfill the proper courtesies and avoid gossip."

Perhaps when Jia Baoyu sees you, his illness will vanish, and fewer troubles will arise."

Lin Daiyu merely turned the pages of her book and said: "Hearing Zi Juan, Jia Baoyu is ill—there are physicians to treat him. I'm no doctor; why must I go?"

Besides, at this moment, others may go—but I cannot."

Hearing Zi Juan was puzzled. "What reasoning is this, Miss?"

Lin Daiyu replied: "You and I both know Jia Baoyu's nature. As you said, if I go and he recovers the moment he sees me, what does that imply?"

Won't it confirm that all his outbursts are my fault? Then every time he's unhappy, he'll do this again—how can I possibly stay in this household? I won't fall for that trap."

This matter will eventually come to light; let everyone understand the truth in their hearts."

So I won't go. You go in my stead and tell them I'm ill and cannot visit—give Grandmother a proper explanation."

If Second Madam resents me for it, let her resent me—it suits me better, and saves future complications."

No sooner had Lin Daiyu finished speaking than Jia Cong's voice came from outside: "Your words are remarkably clear-sighted."

Hearing Jia Cong's voice, Lin Daiyu sat up instantly and saw him smiling as he entered the room. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she said: "Third Brother, what brings you here?"

…

Jia Cong had been reading in his study when Wu'er rushed in with news of Jia Baoyu's uproar in the Western Courtyard.

After hearing Wu'er recount the cause, he realized it was intimately tied to Lin Daiyu—and suddenly understood why she had hidden her troubles from him that day.

Looking at Lin Daiyu's blushing face, Jia Cong felt tenderness rise in his heart and smiled: "I just heard from Wu'er—I now understand why you kept things hidden that day."

Lin Daiyu knew he had guessed the truth. "It's not worth worrying over. I can handle it myself—I simply didn't want to burden you with extra worries."

Jia Cong sat beside the bed. "I know your good intentions—you didn't want me distracted with the spring examinations. But I never imagined Jia Baoyu would make such a scene, and in doing so, you've wasted your thoughtfulness."

Lin Daiyu asked: "Are you planning to go see Jia Baoyu?"

Jia Cong chuckled bitterly: "Like you, I have no desire to witness such nonsense. But the matter has grown too large—Second Sister and Third Sister have already gone."

If I pretend ignorance in the Eastern Courtyard, it'll seem forced. Besides, there's still Father's dignity to consider—I must go, if only for appearances."

You're the cleverest, thinking ahead to feign illness—truly foresighted."

Lin Daiyu, hearing his teasing, blushed and gave his arm a light, playful pinch.

She added: "It's fine for you to go see him—but if Grandmother or Second Madam bring up that matter, you must not lose your temper on my behalf."

Grandmother may be partial, but she's always been kind to me. I don't want you to create another rift between you and her because of me."

Jia Cong smiled: "Who said you're aloof and prone to petty moods? Nonsense. Look at how tender your heart is—you're far too kind."

Rest easy—I know the limits. Though Grandmother is biased, she's not foolish. This commotion, as it turns out, may be a good thing."

Stay here. Don't go to the Western Courtyard these days—don't let your feigned illness go to waste. I'll take Hearing Zi Juan with me to pay the bare formal visit."

You stay home and don't go to the Western Mansion these days—this illness can't be faked for nothing; I'll take Zi Juan over to pay a token visit on your behalf.

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Jia Baoyu's Courtyard.

After learning the full story from Xi Ren, Jia Mu felt deep inner turmoil and sighed.

Wang Lady, upon understanding the full chain of events, grew even more resentful toward Lin Daiyu. The idea of marrying Jia Baoyu to Lin Daiyu now faded gradually from her mind.

At that moment, voices stirred outside; a maid came to report that Doctor Hu had entered the inner courtyard. Jia Mu hurriedly ordered him brought in to examine Jia Baoyu.

Li Wan, along with Seeing Yingchun, Seeing Tan Chun, and Little Xichun, withdrew behind the inner screen.

Doctor Hu was a senior physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau, famed for his steady, cautious practice—he had spent his life treating patients with unerring calm, never causing mishaps.

Yet no one had ever heard of him performing miraculous cures; his methods were thoroughly orthodox, embodying the Confucian ideal of moderation—above all, he was reliable.

He had long been a frequent guest at Lady Rongguo Mansion; whenever the ladies suffered headaches or fevers, they summoned him—and nothing had ever gone wrong.

Doctor Hu bowed to Jia Mu, then stepped forward to take Jia Baoyu's pulse and carefully observe his complexion.

After much deliberation, he spoke slowly: "Young Master is suffering from extreme grief overwhelming the heart, temporarily clouding his spirit. He must not be forcibly awakened, lest his soul be harmed. He needs gentle rest to recover."

"I'll prescribe several doses of calming, heart-soothing decoctions—three times daily. Within three or four days, he will surely recover."

Jia Mu frowned. "Doctor Hu, according to you, my Jia Baoyu can only remain like this until three or four days pass before he wakes and speaks again?"

Doctor Hu replied firmly: "Madam Duke, Young Master has been invaded by external pathogenic factors, his spirit blocked and confused—this is a case of soul-loss. He must not be rushed. Only gradual nourishment will do. No mistakes allowed."

Doctor Hu declared firmly: "Madam Guo, your nephew has been invaded by external pathogens, his heart orifices are blocked—this is a case of soul separation. Do not rush; only gradual tonification will do, and not a single mistake is allowed."

Jia Mu and Wang Lady, unsettled by Doctor Hu's vague words, were still anxious when another maid rushed in to announce that Doctor Zhang had entered the inner courtyard and was coming to examine Second Young Master.

Jia Mu's face brightened. That year, when she had been enraged by the posthumous title granted to Jia Cong's mother and his mother's spirit tablet entering the Jia ancestral shrine, she had fallen gravely ill, nearly losing half her life.

It was Doctor Zhang Zhang Youshi's herbal decoctions that had miraculously restored her—within just four or five days, she was as good as new. Since then, Jia Mu had placed great trust in this "Divine Doctor."

Now that Doctor Zhang had arrived, Jia Mu's anxiety over Jia Baoyu's condition eased considerably.

As for Doctor Hu—a low-ranking medical officer—Jia Mu, as a peerless Duke's Lady, had never intended to spare him any face.

Doctor Hu, hearing another physician was coming and realizing he was merely a placeholder, felt resentment—but the Lady Rongguo family's status was too high to defy. He bowed his head.

Soft footsteps approached the door. Zhang Zhang Youshi entered, clad in a simple blue robe, his medicine case slung over his shoulder, smiling calmly.

He bowed to Jia Mu, then asked directly about the cause of Jia Baoyu's illness, took his pulse, and examined his complexion—his procedure identical to Doctor Hu's.

After his examination, he opened his medicine case and withdrew a silver needle, gleaming with cold light—clearly intending to perform acupuncture.

After examining and probing, he opened his medicine case and pulled out a silver needle gleaming with cold light, as if about to acupuncture Bao Yu.

Doctor Hu, watching this, quickly intervened: "Sir, Young Master Jia's condition stems from overwhelming grief clouding the spirit—not a physical ailment of the organs or flesh."

"Only decoctions can gently nourish him. Acupuncture would be harmful stimulation!"

Zhang Zhang Youshi asked: "Have you taken his pulse? What was its condition?"

Doctor Hu replied confidently: "Young Master Jia's pulse is heavy and sluggish—evidence of internal spirit damage and blocked qi and blood."

Zhang Zhang Youshi smiled faintly: "Though his pulse is heavy, its vitality is steady. The sluggishness? Merely from prolonged immobility…"

Before he finished speaking, his wrist flicked. A flash of cold light—and the silver needle had already plunged in. Doctor Hu had no time to stop him.

Zhang Zhang Youshi's technique was flawless. The needle pierced precisely at the Hegu point on Jia Baoyu's left palm—hard and swift…

The body that had lain stiff as a corpse suddenly jerked upright, crying out in pain: "Ow! So painful!" (End of Chapter)

The person who had just lain stiff as a corpse suddenly seemed to regain consciousness, leaping up and crying out, "It hurts!" (End of chapter)