Chapter 585: Clever Words Cut the Vines

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall, backyard.

The water system of the West Mansion's back garden runs through the backyard of Rongqing Hall, gathering into a quiet and elegant pond. The water's edge is planted with orchids and flowers, all blooming in the spring light of the third month.

The Old Grandmother is a person who enjoys high happiness. This water pavilion garden behind Rongqing Hall is a place she often visits for entertainment daily.

Every spring, the fresh flowers and plants placed in Rongqing Hall are all picked from this small garden.

On the winding corridor spanning the pond, Sister Yuanyang wears a water-blue round-collared jacket and an artemisia-green cross-collared vest with floral embroidery; below, she wears a long water-blue skirt, and the embroidered handkerchief at her waist flutters in the spring breeze.

The afternoon sun shines on the water surface, and the ripples reflect onto the bluestone slabs of the curved corridor, shaking and swaying, like a restless mood.

It is now afternoon, and Sister Yuanyang is serving the Old Grandmother for her nap, so she enters the backyard alone to relax.

She holds a handful of fresh flowers, all just picked from the water's edge, red and yellow mixed, the colors bright and charming, setting off her youthful and pretty face, making her even more beautiful and bright.

With such bright spring light and the quiet garden, it should have brought a good mood.

However, she holds the flowers, her brows locked, her mood somewhat bored and low, wandering back and forth on the curved corridor over the water.

Back then, Jia She and Lady Xing forced her to be a concubine, finally forcing her to cut her hair to show her determination. Fortunately, she was stopped by Jia Cong in time. From that time on, Sister Yuanyang also had something on her heart.

That day in Rongqing Hall, Wang Wang Xifeng and the Old Grandmother talked about Jia Cong's private quarters, saying that Jia Cong wanted to choose Hearing Zhi Shao and Wu'er to enter the room.

Sister Yuanyang was quite disappointed when she heard it on the side, but she thought about it carefully, and Jia Cong choosing people like this was actually within reason.

Hearing Zhi Shao and Wu'er were both confidants who had served him for many years, and they had deep feelings for each other. He wanted to take these two into the room, which was a matter of course.

She had no feelings for him at all, so why would he think of choosing her? This was a matter that didn't exist at all.

Sister Yuanyang was also clear that the Old Grandmother had the intention of giving her to him, but that was not for her to be satisfied. The Old Grandmother had her own thoughts...

How shrewd a person is the Cong Sanye? Wouldn't he see the Old Grandmother's calculations? Just because of this one point, the Cong Sanye would only stay away from her.

Actually, Sister Yuanyang wouldn't resent these annoying things. It was just her fate and destiny, perhaps it was just like this.

Now, the thing that gave her a headache and made her awkward was another matter...

Sister Yuanyang was also somewhat absent-minded, her thoughts drifting, when she suddenly heard a gentle voice behind her: "Sister Sister Yuanyang, why are you out shopping alone? Meeting by chance, it's truly a coincidence."

As soon as Sister Yuanyang heard this voice, she knew it was Jia Baoyu without looking back. A burst of disgust arose in her heart, and she felt an unspeakable annoyance, only saying in her heart that it was truly a narrow road for enemies.

Actually, Jia Cong choosing others to enter the room was within reason. Sister Yuanyang was also somewhat disappointed, but there was nothing she could do.

Now, the thing that made her feel hateful and annoyed in her heart was the matter of Lady Wang asking the Old Grandmother for her that day.

In the past, in Sister Yuanyang's eyes, Jia Baoyu was just the grandson most pampered by the Old Grandmother. Although he liked to mess around with maids since he was a child, it didn't concern her.

In Sister Yuanyang's heart, Jia Baoyu was a young master who was pampered too much. She had no obvious feeling of like or dislike for Jia Baoyu.

Until that time when Jia Baoyu was in front of Lady Wang's sleeping couch, because of his teasing of Seeing Jin Jin Chuan, he caused a big incident, but he didn't have any responsibility, forcing Seeing Jin Jin Chuan to jump into a well to commit suicide.

Also because Sister Yuanyang and Sister Xi Ren, Ping'er, Sister Hupo, Zujuan, Yu Chuan'er, Musyue, Seeing Jin Jin Chuan, etc., were all sisters who played together since childhood.

Therefore, because of the injustice of Seeing Jin Jin Chuan's difficult encounter, Sister Yuanyang developed a contempt and estrangement for Jia Baoyu from then on.

It was just because Jia Baoyu was pampered by the Old Grandmother that she never showed it on the surface.

For the past two years, she had always been thinking about Jia Cong...

After knowing that Lady Wang wanted to ask the Old Grandmother for her to be a concubine for Jia Baoyu, the original contempt and estrangement all turned into a feeling of disgust.

A few days ago, Sister Xi Ren came over to walk around. They were both the Old Grandmother's maids, and they were very familiar with each other, so walking around was a matter of course.

But I don't know if Sister Yuanyang was overthinking it, but Sister Xi Ren walking around at that juncture always felt like she had ulterior motives.

So, she took the initiative to bring up the topic, saying that she didn't want to marry anyone and wanted to serve the Old Grandmother until she was old, grabbing the words first and waiting for Sister Xi Ren to go back and pass the message.

It was calm for a few days, Lady Wang didn't mention this matter again, but the Old Grandmother didn't make a decision or response. This matter seemed to be hanging there again...

Sister Yuanyang saw Jia Baoyu approaching behind her, frowned and walked away a few steps, blocking herself with the handful of fresh flowers, and said: "It's noon, why did the Bao Er Ye Bao come over? The Old Grandmother is sleeping."

That day Sister Xi Ren suddenly came to Rongqing Hall to walk around, because she knew about Lady Wang asking for Sister Yuanyang, but she was specifically coming to probe Sister Yuanyang's tone.

Sister Xi Ren heard Sister Yuanyang's cold words, and she naturally told Jia Baoyu everything when she went back.

It was just that Jia Baoyu thought Sister Yuanyang had been saying she wouldn't marry anyone for a lifetime because of Jia She's forced concubinage, and it must be because she couldn't let go of her face that she said those words to Sister Xi Ren.

Jia Baoyu thought he was young and handsome, how could he be compared to the white-haired and decaying First Master.

Because he had grown somewhat weary of those like Sister Xi Ren and Bihen in his chambers with whom he had shared intimacy, and having had his hopes for Lin Daiyu severed, his heart felt empty and dull.

Since knowing that Lady Wang wanted to ask for Sister Yuanyang for him, thinking of the Old Grandmother's big maid, with skin like jade and a pretty face, and being one of the top figures among all the maids in the mansion.

It was as if a spiritual spring of vitality had been instantly injected into Jia Baoyu's withered and graying heart; the mere thought of Sister Yuanyang's moving appearance made him inevitably revert to his old ways, lost in foolish, wandering fantasies.

Therefore, although Sister Xi Ren poured cold water on him, how could Jia Baoyu easily give up?

He felt that he was romantic and couldn't give up. If he couldn't get Lin Daiyu's favor, how could he not get the feelings of a maid? He didn't believe it at all.

He was pampered by the Old Grandmother daily, so he naturally knew the Old Grandmother's habits best. Appearing in the back garden of Rongqing Hall at this time was just a drunkard's intention, but he didn't expect to really bump into her.

Jia Baoyu turned a blind eye to Sister Yuanyang's coldness and smiled: "The Old Grandmother is sleeping, so be it. Isn't it better to meet the sister? Just the two of us talking is even more interesting."

Sister Yuanyang heard Jia Baoyu's ambiguous words, and felt even more disgusted in her heart.

Thinking back to that day, Jia Baoyu was also teasing Seeing Jin Jin Chuan like this. That silly girl didn't have much of a mind, so she teased him a few words, and as a result, she almost lost her life.

Sister Yuanyang said: "Bao Er Ye Bao, these words of yours, you are a master, and I am just a slave maid. What is there to talk about?"

"I advise the Bao Er Ye to go back and study, and don't wander around here. That is the proper thing. I am going back to serve the Old Grandmother. Maybe she is awake by now."

Jia Baoyu heard Sister Yuanyang's cold words, and there seemed to be a breath of anger in her words. He couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed on his face.

However, this person had been close to maids since he was a child, and it was common for him to be ridiculed and spoken coldly by maids. As long as the person looked a bit pretty, he could accept it calmly and not care at all.

Not to mention a figure like Sister Yuanyang, now that his heart was somewhat hot, he naturally wouldn't be scared away just like that.

He revealed even more sincerity and said: "Sister, why do you have to say these cold words? I think you already know that the Grandmother and the Old Grandmother talked about wanting you to go to my room."

"I know that Sister was very wronged because of the First Master's matter back then. The First Master is white-haired and desecrates beauty, which is truly inappropriate..."

"I am indeed different. Sister naturally knows that I cherish daughters most. I respect all the spiritual beauty in the world, not to mention the gentleness of a sister like you."

"As long as Sister Sister Yuanyang goes to my place, I will definitely value you for a lifetime and not let you suffer any grievances, which will be considered worthy of my sincere heart."

Sister Yuanyang was originally just because of Seeing Jin Jin Chuan's matter that she had more estrangement and disgust for Jia Baoyu. Now that she heard this confession, she felt somewhat nauseated.

Her face turned red, and she said coldly: "Bao Er Ye, keep these scattered and crooked words to say to Sister Xi Ren. Coming to say them to me in broad daylight, what is the meaning of this!"

"I have said in front of others long ago that I will not marry anyone in this life. The Old Grandmother also knows my thoughts. I cannot afford the Grandmother's appreciation."

"Bao Er Ye Bao, don't say such things in the future. If anyone comes to force me again, I will bump my head and die, and I will not follow her heart!"

Jia Baoyu heard Sister Yuanyang's words were fierce, even talking about life and death, and felt cold in his heart, his face turning somewhat pale.

He said somewhat unconvincingly: "Sister, why do you have to say such cold words? If you think I have anything bad, I will change it, won't I?"

Sister Yuanyang replied: "There is no need for this. I am just a slave maid."

She said this sentence, and couldn't help but feel sad in her heart, feeling self-pity, and her tone was even somewhat choked.

Her heart was rolling, thinking of the day she cut her hair to show her determination, that pair of hands that held her instantly, so gentle and powerful, her eyes were slightly moist...

Jia Baoyu saw Sister Yuanyang turning to leave and sighed narcissistically: "There is no muddy thing in the world that can enter the sister's eyes."

Sister Yuanyang heard this and stopped unconsciously, saying out of her mind: "That's not necessarily true. As long as that person makes me submit, it doesn't matter what happens!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Sister Yuanyang was flushed red, feeling embarrassed in her heart, regretting that she was so shameless and spoke without thinking...

Jia Baoyu heard Sister Yuanyang's words and thought her heart had loosened. His eyes lit up and he said: "Sister, just say it. What do I need to do? If others can do it, I can do it too."

Sister Yuanyang had just been stirred up by her thoughts and said her heartfelt words. Her mind was filled with Jia Cong's shadow. She suppressed the wild beating of her heart and hot blood.

She thought, if it's broken, it's broken. I have this one thing. If people know and laugh, what can they do? At worst, I won't marry, and I will be a nun in the future!

She thought of the story that day, Jia Baoyu caused such a big mess because of Lin Daiyu's matter.

And the things he did that were not proper, the Bao Er Ye Bao who looked handsome in front of her, how was he different from the First Master back then...

She saw Jia Baoyu following her, his style infatuated, his gaze hot, and couldn't help but feel red and embarrassed, disgusted and nauseated.

She suddenly remembered the allusion that day and said somewhat sarcastically: "He must be able to win the gold list in literature and pacify the country in martial arts. I will be a slave maid for him for a lifetime, and I won't have a second word!"

Jia Baoyu saw Sister Yuanyang also talking about literature and martial arts, and suddenly felt as if he had been struck by lightning, freezing on the spot.

Sister Yuanyang saw this and breathed a sigh of relief, clutching the handful of charming flowers tightly, and hurriedly walked into Rongqing Hall. Under the bright afternoon sun, Jia Baoyu stood sluggishly on the curved corridor of the pond, looking at the clear sky, his face pale, his expression aggrieved, almost crying.

He was somewhat speechless to the sky, how did the daughters in the mansion get infected with this kind of "salary-worm" (official-seeking) spirit, always talking about these dirty words.

Everyone is drunk but I am awake alone. In such a big family, it is a pity that I am the only one left who is clean and white...

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Spring sleepiness in the third month. According to the habits of previous years, the Old Grandmother has a habit of taking a nap at this time, but today Sister Yuanyang is serving her to rest, but the Old Grandmother has difficulty falling asleep.

It is because before noon, news came from the outer courtyard that Jia Baoyu's two little boys were gambling and fighting, and were severely punished by Wang Wang Xifeng, not only receiving more than ten boards, but now they are locked in the woodshed.

In previous years, because Jia Baoyu was pampered by the Old Grandmother, he was properly the gold nugget of the Lady Rongguo Mansion, and even the maids and little boys around him were a cut above others and would not be easily blamed by others.

Now that Wang Wang Xifeng is so angry and taking them, no matter how you look at it, it is somewhat unusual. The Old Grandmother has been immersed in the back courtyard for a lifetime, and soon noticed something wrong.

Coupled with the gossip spread in the mansion these few days, all of which are twisting Jia Baoyu's not-so-good things, reaching the Old Grandmother's ears, naturally making the Old Grandmother feel uneasy in her heart.

Therefore, Sister Yuanyang served her for a nap, the Old Grandmother didn't say anything, but she was very uneasy in her heart, tossing and turning and couldn't fall asleep.

!

When Sister Yuanyang entered Rongqing Hall from the back garden, the Old Grandmother heard the familiar footsteps, so she called her in to serve her to get up and dress.

She thought of Wang Wang Xifeng, who was pregnant and inconvenient to walk, thinking of going to her courtyard to walk around, and by the way, ask about the things in the outer courtyard.

She had just walked to the front hall when she heard the maid rolling the curtain report that the Second Grandmother had come to pay respects to the Old Grandmother.

The Old Grandmother saw Wang Wang Xifeng being supported by Ping'er and Feng'er, and smiled: "I was thinking that you were inconvenient to walk, and was just about to let Sister Yuanyang accompany me to your courtyard to walk around. I didn't expect you to come."

Wang Wang Xifeng smiled: "The Old Ancestor is thinking of me, it is truly my blessing. It's just that although I have started to be a bit lazy, I haven't reached the point where I can't walk."

"I move around more, so it will be more convenient in the future, which can save the Old Grandmother a few steps of hard work."

"Today I came here first to pay respects to the Old Grandmother, and second to talk to the Old Grandmother about something."

"I think the Old Grandmother has also heard that Brother Bao's two little boys didn't understand the rules and were gambling and fighting in the outer courtyard, so I punished them according to family law."

"This matter is actually considered normal, but it can't stand the pile of gossip behind it."

"The Old Grandmother also knows the situation. Brother Bao was born with jade in his mouth, and everyone in the mansion pampers him. Since he was a child, he has been equipped with many servants to take care of him."

"This was also common sense in previous years. Everyone inside and outside the house knew it, so it wasn't a matter."

"But I can't stand the Old Grandmother's blessing being too great. Not only did she raise such a filial grandson like Jia Baoyu, but she also raised an even more remarkable Brother Cong."

"The Old Grandmother is in the inner courtyard, and she doesn't hear much about things outside. I now manage the family affairs, and often have verbal dealings with people outside."

"Since Brother Cong inherited the family business and carried two titles, his reputation has been loud. Now the Jia family's prestige is much higher than before, and the old relatives and friends have also given more respect and face."

"This is all thanks to the family having a person like Brother Cong. Since he inherited the Lady Rongguo family business, he has done things fairly, acted low-key, and the servants in the family are all very respectful to him..."

The Old Grandmother saw Wang Wang Xifeng's clever mouth, and at first she was talking about Jia Baoyu, but now she suddenly turned the corner and praised her brother-in-law wholeheartedly.

She suddenly felt something was wrong, and felt that this granddaughter-in-law seemed to be digging a hole...

Wang Wang Xifeng's lips were sharp, and she praised Jia Cong as if flowers were about to bloom on his head.

Suddenly, the topic turned again, and she said: "Recently, the servants in the mansion suddenly spread gossip, saying that Jia Baoyu's room is equipped with eight big maids and six little maids, and the display is catching up to the Old Grandmother."

"And because there are many people and little work, some of the gossiping maids often have friction with others in the garden, saying a lot of unpleasant gossip."

"I asked Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife to check it carefully. Because there were many people and many mouths, I couldn't ask where this talk came from."

"And it happened that Jia Baoyu's little boys were gambling and fighting in the outer courtyard. I was worried that Brother Bao's gossip would get bigger and bigger, so I severely punished those two bad boys, and also used this to kill the crooked wind in the family."

"I asked about the details of this matter later, but I didn't expect that it was my negligence as the eldest sister-in-law."

"I asked about the situation in the East Mansion, and only then did I know that the maids serving Brother Cong, who eat the public monthly allowance, are only five people."

"Among them are two first-class maids, one second-class maid, and two third-class maids. Among them, Xiaohong is the manager of Rongxi Hall and does not serve Brother Cong."

"Counting them, the maids properly around him are only a mere four, which is only a fraction of Brother Bao's room."

"And the little boy he uses to go in and out is only one, which cannot be compared to the ten little boys equipped around Brother Bao. No wonder those gossiping dog servants would use these to talk about things."

The Old Grandmother's face changed slightly when she heard this. She has always enjoyed high happiness, so how could she pay attention to how many maids Jia Cong uses? She really didn't expect such a disparity.

The Old Grandmother frowned and said: "This Brother Cong is also a person without a sense of proportion. Now he is also the master of the two mansions, but he only uses these few people around him, making it so thin and simple, and not caring about the family's face."

"Feng girl, how old is he, and he is not yet married. How much can he know about the proportions in the family?"

"You, as the eldest sister-in-law, should give more reminders. He only has these few people serving him, how can that be?"

"If you really can't pick out good maids, I have some special ones around me, so I will give them to him."

Sister Yuanyang, who was serving by her side, heard this, and her bright eyes couldn't help but light up...

Wang Wang Xifeng is such a shrewd person. Hearing the Old Grandmother's words, how could she not know that the Old Grandmother is climbing up the pole.

On the surface, she said that Brother Cong uses too few maids, which is not decent, and wants to arrange more maids and little boys for him. In secret, she is just covering up the shortcomings of Jia Baoyu's extravagant expenses.

And the Old Grandmother not only wants to add people, but also uses her own people. This is to take advantage of the situation to bury nails around Brother Cong. It is truly true that ginger is still old and spicy. Although she is old, her brain hasn't fallen behind at all.

Wang Wang Xifeng's eyes turned involuntarily and looked at Sister Yuanyang standing beside the Old Grandmother.

Seeing her graceful figure, skin like jade, pretty face, bright eyes, she is truly a good beauty in her prime. This Brother Cong is truly remarkable...

Wang Wang Xifeng thought of hearing yesterday that Sister Yuanyang knew Lady Wang wanted to ask for her, and she released the words that she would serve the Old Grandmother until she was old, and would not allow anyone for a lifetime, and her words were fierce and unyielding.

If the Old Grandmother gives her to Brother Cong, let's see if she can still be tough.

Wang Wang Xifeng said: "The Old Grandmother thought of it, and I thought of it long ago."

"I mentioned this to Brother Cong yesterday, but he said that the few maids around him are all confidants who have served him since childhood, and he uses them very comfortably and comfortably, and he doesn't want to use others. No matter how I persuade him, he won't listen."

"The Old Grandmother's good intentions, I'm afraid he can't accept it..."

"Brother Cong himself has a simple style, so that's fine. But he is the head of the family now, and others are not easy to cross him too much. I get a headache when I think of this."

"Moreover, the world outside now feels much more fierce than before. In the past year, how many strange things have happened in the family."

"Last time, the Bao Er Ye only lived in Rongxi Hall for a few days, and he could attract so many officials who love to manage things, and they even jointly impeached the Bao Er Ye."

"Jia Baoyu only said a few jokes in the inner courtyard, and it could reach the palace. That Prince Prince Zhongshun of the Zongren Mansion even sent people to the house to make such a fuss."

"The granddaughter-in-law still feels scared when she thinks about it now. Now there is gossip about Brother Bao in the house."

"I am worried that some black-hearted thing will spread these things outside, and give Brother Bao a name of usurping the head of the family, but I don't know what kind of things will happen..."

As soon as the Old Grandmother heard this, she felt a shock in her heart, and her face had already changed.

Not to mention that her son Jia Zheng was jointly impeached by court officials, just saying that because of the Zongren Mansion, Jia Baoyu was almost beaten to death by his father. The Old Grandmother still has lingering fears when she thinks about it now.

Wang Wang Xifeng saw the Old Grandmother's face and said: "Now Brother Cong has inherited the title, but the West Mansion has inherited the title with demotion, and there is less title property. The public is not as wealthy as before."

"The Old Grandmother doesn't know that I have been reducing expenses everywhere for the past six months, moving east and west, and I don't know how many people I have offended behind my back. But no matter how difficult it is, I can't shorten the expenses of the Old Grandmother and the family."

"As long as the Old Grandmother knows the granddaughter-in-law's difficulties, even if I suffer more, I am willing."

The Old Grandmother heard Wang Wang Xifeng's complaints, and her face was somewhat ashamed. She had also managed the family for a lifetime, and knew that what Wang Wang Xifeng said was not empty words.

She just pampered Jia Baoyu for a lifetime and kept him in the West Mansion so that he could have more enjoyment.

Does she really have no feeling? Now the West Mansion is the family business of the First Room. It is already somewhat inappropriate for the Second Room's Jia Baoyu to have such a display. She just pretended not to know and let it go...

But now that this matter has been poked by someone, it can no longer be covered up.

Jia Cong is unwilling to add maids and little boys, so he can only cut Jia Baoyu's people. Otherwise, if the matter gets bigger and is spread out by those servants, I don't know what kind of accidents will be caused...

The Old Grandmother said: "I have also managed the family. I naturally understand the difficulties you mentioned. I have no choice but to cut Jia Baoyu's maids and little boys, so as not to leave handles, and everyone can be at peace."

"It's just that there must be a method for how to cut, and how many people to cut is considered appropriate."

Wang Wang Xifeng had already made up her mind and said: "In my opinion, Jia Baoyu's fourteen maids should be cut by eight, leaving only six, including four big maids and two rough-work little maids."

"As for the original ten little boys, how can they be used? Cut them to one."

The Old Grandmother gasped when she heard this. Does my Jia Baoyu still want his face! (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 586 =====