Chapter 612: Private Feelings Promote Marriage

Rongguo Prefecture, East Courtyard, back garden.

Lady Wang was strolling in the garden with Mistress Xia. There were no maids or old women around them, and they were chatting while admiring the pleasant spring scenery of the garden.

Lady Wang had said everything she had been brewing and calculating for a long time to Mistress Xia in a tactful way.

The meaning of her words was nothing more than that the Jia and Xia families were on good terms, the children of both families were of age, and they were well-matched in talent and appearance, so they could be matched, and so on.

Hearing Lady Wang's words, Mistress Xia thought of her own planning and paving, her calculations, and the twists and turns.

It was not in vain, letting Lady Wang fall into her trap and say the words she had been waiting for. Mistress Xia's heart was filled with the pride of having planned everything.

She felt that this noble family of the Duke was just because their ancestors were capable; these descendants were nothing more than that.

Although Mistress Xia felt a bit of arrogance in her heart, she didn't show it on her face, remaining in that warm and enthusiastic manner.

Supporting Lady Wang's hand, she said, "The Jia family is a noble family, a true Duke's household. Who in the Love Shenjing doesn't know it?

Baoyu is handsome and elegant, a rare figure among the sons of noble families, and I like him very much.

My daughter can be considered to have good fortune to be favored by the Jia Mistress. If the two of them can achieve a good marriage, I am naturally happy and willing.

However, my husband passed away early, leaving only us orphans and widows to rely on each other. This daughter is my heart's treasure, my only reliance for the rest of my life.

Although it is said that 'the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers' are the rules, after all, it is a major event of marriage. I must let my daughter know about it. I will go back and discuss this matter with Jingui.

With Baoyu's appearance and talent, which girl wouldn't take it to heart?

As long as my daughter nods and agrees, this matter will be logical. I will give the Jia Mistress an answer early, and then such a happy event can be organized."

Hearing Mistress Xia's words, seeing her full of praise for Baoyu's talent and appearance, calling him a first-class figure among the sons of noble families—

these words went straight into Lady Wang's heart, making her feel very satisfied and knowing that Mistress Xia was very willing about this marriage.

As for the words about discussing it with her daughter first, they were just polite words on the surface, and Lady Wang didn't take them to heart.

These were just worldly wisdom. For a major marriage event, if the man's side speaks and the woman's side agrees immediately, it would lack decorum. Proceeding step by step is in accordance with etiquette.

Besides, she, as the mother, approved of this marriage; would her daughter, Xia Gu Niang, say no?

Xia Gu Niang had also seen Baoyu a few times. With Baoyu's talent and appearance, and such a noble family, Xia Gu Niang must be a thousand times willing.

Lady Wang smiled, "Mistress Xia's words are reasonable. Isn't a daughter the heart's treasure of a mother?

Both our families are households with knowledge and rules. We cannot learn from those small families, blindly arranging marriages. Only when both sides are willing can the children be more harmonious in the future."

The two were talking harmoniously when Mistress Xia saw that the time was right, so she proposed to leave and return to her prefecture to discuss the marriage with her daughter.

Just as they were about to return to the inner hall, they suddenly heard someone exclaim, which sounded like a woman's voice, but it was far away and not clear.

Mistress Xia asked, "Jia Mistress, did you hear any movement just now? It sounds like the voice of a woman in your prefecture."

Lady Wang had also heard it vaguely, but the back garden of the East Courtyard was not small, and it was planted with green trees and flowers, with winding stone paths. Even if there was movement, it was hard to hear clearly.

So she said casually, "Mistress Xia, you don't know. We haven't moved into the East Courtyard for long. The old lady was worried that I didn't have enough people, so she allocated some young maids who were not yet familiar with the work.

These little maids haven't been trained properly yet. Usually, if they drop a cup or slip, they will be startled. It's a common occurrence."

Mistress Xia was also a mistress of a wealthy family and knew that what Lady Wang said was also a common thing, so she didn't take it to heart. The two walked together and returned to the inner hall.

East Courtyard, Mengpo Study.

Although Baoyu had his head broken and bleeding and looked sorry, hearing Jia Cong instigating his father to arrange a marriage between him and Xia Gu Niang at this juncture made him very dissatisfied.

He knew that Cong had always been distant from him and was always indifferent.

Although Baoyu appreciated Jia Cong's appearance and demeanor, he was very disappointed in his constant pedantic reading and obsession with an official career, and he looked down on him very much.

The two were only of similar age, and now he was in trouble, yet he was kicking him while he was down, wanting to control his marriage. How could this be allowed? He absolutely would not allow it.

Thinking of these, Baoyu felt even more angry and, seemingly forgetting his sorry state, said indignantly, "Master, my heart belongs to someone else. I absolutely do not want to marry Xia Gu Niang!"

Jia Cong felt a surge of disgust in his heart. This was the so-called "anti-feudal characteristic" of Baoyu mentioned by the instructor...

Baoyu said this with high spirits, and his heart brewed a few more feelings of sorrow and purity. He felt his state was recovering, and his blood was rushing to his head.

Then he heard Jia Zheng roar: "You dying beast, it's not your turn to speak. Put on your trousers first—what kind of decorum is this? If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will beat you to death!"

Baoyu had originally had a solemn expression, a style of unyielding integrity, and even the embroidered silk handkerchief on his head used by Seeing Seeing Baochan to bandage his wound didn't seem so ridiculous anymore.

But he was scolded by Jia Zheng and returned to his original form. He hurriedly blushed and fastened his trousers, shrinking to the side, not daring to make a sound again.

Jia Cong glanced at Baoyu and said to Jia Zheng, "Master, Baoyu's marriage should be done sooner rather than later. This is naturally an important matter.

Also, Baoyu is injured now, so it must be concealed to avoid any news of today's incident leaking out.

If the old lady sees Baoyu in this state, she will feel pain in her heart, and if she causes a scene, it will lead to further complications.

Master, it would be better to say that Baoyu drank a few cups of wine while entertaining guests in the outer hall today and has now returned to his room to rest. You can escort the old lady back to the prefecture first.

If the old lady asks, you can say that after the banquet today, Baoyu knew he had reached the age of fifteen, so he listened to your teachings.

He is staying in the East Courtyard for the time being to study with you, so he can enter the examinations in the future.

When Baoyu's head wound is better, even if the old lady asks him to return to the Western Prefecture to see her, by then the wind of this matter will have passed, and you can say he accidentally bumped his head, which will cover it up.

This way, both you and Baoyu will have face."

Jia Zheng had always had an obsession with the imperial examinations. Just a moment ago, he wanted to beat his unfilial son to death, but hearing Jia Cong mention the imperial examinations, he actually regained his spirit.

He said fiercely to Baoyu, "You beast, you have always wasted your studies. The county examination period this year has passed, so wait for next year's period. If you don't study hard, I will never forgive you!"

Baoyu saw that Jia Cong was so vicious, not only instigating his father to arrange his marriage but also using treacherous schemes and lies, not letting him see the old lady—who would save him then?

He also instigated his father to make him study, stirring up his father's thoughts, and making him take the county examination next year!

How could such a handsome figure as Jia Cong suddenly become so sinister, actually wanting to persecute him...

Baoyu had attended the clan school for seven or eight years, and even the Four Books were recited as if chewed by a dog. Every day, he used the words of mocking "salary-worms" to cover up his laziness and negligence in reading.

He knew his own weight; how could he take the examination in this state...

He didn't expect that today, just by fooling around with a maid—how big a deal was that? —not only was his head broken by his father, but he was also forced to get married, and was even forced to study to take the damn county examination next year.

Thinking of these, Baoyu felt infinitely aggrieved, only feeling that heaven was so unfair, treating him so harshly. It would be better to be smashed to death by his father with an inkstone just now...

Jia Zheng took Jia Cong and was about to leave the study, turning back to say fiercely to Baoyu, "You are not allowed to leave the study for half a step. If you dare to cross the threshold without my order, no one will come to save you if I beat you to death!"

Baoyu shivered and lowered his head, not daring to say a word.

Jia Zheng asked a trusted attendant from the outer hall to guard the door of the study and not allow Baoyu to take a single step out.

Only then did he return to the inner hall with Jia Cong. Just as they reached the entrance of the hall, they saw Lady Wang sending the Xia mother and daughter out, looking like she was seeing guests off.

That Xia Gu Niang saw Jia Zheng and Jia Cong coming from afar, and her pair of watery, bright eyes shone on Jia Cong, unable to move away.

Jia Cong's attention was on the little maid beside her. He saw that Seeing Seeing Baochan's clothes and hair were neat and fresh, and no flaws could be seen, only a few blushes that hadn't faded on her face.

He looked at the expressions of Mistress Xia and Xia Gu Niang, who hadn't noticed any flaws at this time.

At this moment, Jia Cong was concerned about the matter, and Jia Zheng was also concerned. Seeing that the maid who had fooled around with Baoyu was as usual and hadn't caused any trouble, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Jia Zheng only hoped that the Xia mother and daughter would leave the East Courtyard early. As long as they crossed the threshold of the Jia family, even if they discovered that their own maid had a problem, it would be easier to clean up if a scene was made...

That Xia Gu Niang watched Jia Cong enter the inner hall from afar, her eyes full of reluctance. She didn't know when she would see Jia Cong again...

Jia Zheng entered the inner hall. At this time, the Marchioness of Zhongjing, Li Shi, and the Marchioness of Cheng Yang, Xu Shi, had already returned to their prefectures.

Jia Zheng told Jia Mu the excuse Jia Cong had just said, with a pleasant expression.

Jia Mu heard that Baoyu had drunk too much and was resting in his room in the courtyard, which was fine. It would be the same if he returned to the Western Prefecture tomorrow. But hearing that Baoyu was going to stay in the East Courtyard to study, she felt uncomfortable.

She said to Jia Zheng, "Baoyu has just turned fifteen, and today he was busy entertaining so many guests. He should rest well for a few days.

You are forcing him to study like this. If he gets tired and something bad happens, I won't agree."

Jia Zheng heard his mother's words and felt extremely angry and sad. I have truly committed a sin to have such a beast of a son.

This beast can also get tired and have something bad happen? He was full of energy when he was molesting a maid in my study...

Although he was angry in his heart, he had to force a smile to Jia Mu and gritted his teeth to tell a lie: "Old lady, don't worry. I didn't force Baoyu to study.

He is already fifteen years old. After the banquet today, we father and son talked in the study. He probably felt that he was not young anymore, but had achieved nothing, so he was willing to study.

I will help him sort out his studies these days. After this period of time, I will let him return to the Western Prefecture to serve the old lady."

Jia Mu heard her son say that Baoyu wanted to study on his own initiative and felt suspicious. Did her son talk nonsense?

However, it has always been natural for a father to teach his son. Even if Jia Mu was the grandmother, she couldn't stop it too much, and she had to give her son some face.

The old lady thought that since he wanted to study, let him study for a few days. At worst, she would send someone to look after him every day. After three or four days, when her son had had enough, she would take Baoyu back to the Western Prefecture.

Jia Mu nagged a few more words, then got up to return to the Western Prefecture. Jia Zheng respectfully sent the old lady to the Western Corner Gate of the Rongguo Prefecture.

!

Jia Cong also sent Yingchun and the other sisters back to the East Prefecture. He knew that after Jia Mu left, Jia Zheng would definitely tell Lady Wang about today's incident, and there would be another scene.

It was better for him to leave early and try not to get involved...

East Courtyard, Mengpo Study.

Jia Zheng hurriedly sent Jia Mu back to the Western Prefecture and then hurriedly returned to the study.

He saw the attendant still guarding the door and nothing unusual, so he breathed a sigh of relief and asked someone to call the Mistress to the study immediately.

As soon as Lady Wang entered the study and saw Baoyu's disheveled clothes and broken head, she was scared out of her wits.

She hugged her son and cried, asking what had happened and if the injury was serious.

She was about to ask a maid to call a physician, but was stopped by Jia Zheng's stern shout: "Ask this beast what base things he did in my study today!"

Lady Wang heard Jia Zheng's stern account, and her face turned red and white.

She also blamed her son for being too unpromising. She was discussing a marriage with the Xia family, yet he was so impatient that he actually hooked up with the Xia daughter's maid first.

What was fun about a little maid? Baoyu was truly too ignorant of priorities, and he even messed around in the Master's study. No wonder the Master was angry.

However, seeing the blood on Baoyu's face, Lady Wang's heart still ached.

She complained, "Master, Baoyu is your own son. Even if he doesn't understand, just teach him well. Why use such a heavy hand? If you beat him until something bad happens, what will we do?"

Jia Zheng roared, "Look at what kind of base things he has done! If it weren't for Brother Cong stopping me, I would have taken this beast's life today to avoid him ruining the Jia family's style."

Lady Wang heard Jia Zheng's fierce words and felt her legs go soft, unable to help but protect Baoyu.

She felt suspicious again: how did this matter involve Cong? Would he be so kind as to save Baoyu's life?

Jia Zheng said, "The maid who fooled around with Baoyu today has been told the severity of the matter by Cong. She absolutely dares not reveal this to anyone, so I think it can be covered up for a period of time.

However, that Mistress Xia has supported the family business alone for more than ten years and is not an ordinary woman. If she sees through the maid's flaws and knows the ins and outs of the matter,

she is a widow, worried that Baoyu will leak the news and her family's reputation will be stained. She might make a scene in advance, clear herself, and say that my Jia family took advantage of the banquet to visit, and Baoyu molested the guest's maid after drinking.

By then, the reputation of the two Jia prefectures will be destroyed, and you and I will never be able to face anyone again!"

Lady Wang heard Jia Zheng's painful reprimand and felt a chill on her back.

Her Master was absolutely right. If Mistress Xia knew that she had just discussed the marriage between the two families with her, and Baoyu had molested her daughter's personal maid behind her back, she would be furious.

This was not a marriage; it was clearly an enmity. Mistress Xia would definitely avoid this marriage, how could she still agree?

And she would do as the Master said, fearing for the reputation of a widow's household, and would likely strike first, exposing the matter to others, and then beat the maid to death to clear her own name.

By then, her Baoyu's reputation would be ruined. Don't talk about finding a woman from an official family as a wife; even finding a decent ordinary woman would be impossible...

Jia Zheng said, "I don't know if that little maid can hide it from Mistress Xia and the Miss. For the current plan, we can only arrange the marriage between Baoyu and Xia Gu Niang early to break this disaster.

The maid who fooled around with Baoyu today is Xia Gu Niang's personal maid. As long as the marriage between the two families is achieved, she must accompany Xia Gu Niang as a dowry maid to the Jia family, and this disaster will be resolved.

Today, thanks to Cong being present, he is clever and wise, which controlled the situation and didn't let it spread.

The idea of arranging the marriage early was thought of by Cong.

I have thought about it left and right, and there is no better way than this. I have also seen Xia Gu Niang twice; her appearance is first-class, enough to match Baoyu.

This matter should be done sooner rather than later, so that the little maid won't be seen through. If the Xia family makes a scene, it will be difficult to clean up..."

Lady Wang heard Jia Zheng's words and knew that every word was reasonable, but she felt extremely awkward. Originally, she had taken a fancy to Xia Gu Niang and hoped that Baoyu could marry her.

This matter had reached the point, and although it followed her own wishes, she hadn't expected such a change. A good marriage had become so dangerous and strange, making her feel very uncomfortable.

Also, this idea was thought of by Cong. He followed the Master today and knew the ins and outs of the matter. How could he be so kind as to help Baoyu cover up and plan? She really didn't know what he was planning.

However, Lady Wang was narrow-minded. Although she had doubts about Jia Cong's participation in this matter, she couldn't find any faults.

Moreover, the method her Master mentioned was the only countermeasure at the moment. This marriage must be settled as soon as possible. If there were any flaws and the family's ugly affairs were exposed, her Baoyu would be completely ruined...

Love Shenjing, Qingyu Fang, Xia Prefecture.

Mistress Xia returned with satisfaction. On the way, she saw that the maid Seeing Seeing Baochan's expression was a bit strange, but there was nothing else wrong, so she didn't take it to heart.

This was because after Seeing Seeing Baochan left the Mengpo Study, she had been reminded by Jia Cong, found a place herself, and carefully tidied up her clothes and hair, leaving no flaws.

It was also because Lady Wang finally took the initiative to propose marriage today, fulfilling Mistress Xia's long-term planning and calculations, and she was excited and proud.

As the saying goes, "when a person encounters a happy event, their spirit is refreshed." Even with Mistress Xia's cleverness and capability, she was now focused on her daughter's marriage and naturally had no mind to pay attention to this little maid.

Otherwise, if Mistress Xia really discovered today's incident and knew that Baoyu was so lacking in virtue,

even if she envied the Jia family's Duke household, she wouldn't push her daughter into a fire pit.

This was probably "a wise man thinks a thousand times and must have one loss." Mistress Xia was an extremely formidable person, but she never dreamed that such a change would occur behind the scenes.

The marriage she had carefully selected for her daughter, which she thought was clever and invincible, was secretly broken by an inconspicuous little maid in her own house...

Mistress Xia returned home and followed her daughter into her boudoir, full of joy, telling her daughter one by one about Lady Wang's proposal today.

She said, "Good daughter, it can be considered that heaven has fulfilled your wishes. The Rongguo Jia family is a noble family, a Duke's household. Their Second Aunt took the initiative to propose marriage. What a prestigious thing.

The secondary branch of the Jia family, although not the eldest branch that inherited the title, is also the legitimate son and grandson of the Jia Mistress, born of the legitimate Rongguo line.

As long as you marry Baoyu, your descendants in the future, my grandson, will be legitimate Duke blood.

Plus our Xia family's vast wealth, in the future, even if he is in the Jia family, he can be a person above others. What a good thing..."

Xia Gu Niang heard that the Jia family was proposing marriage, and not only did she not feel happy, but she felt as painful as a needle prick.

She had dreamed of such a day when the Jia family would come to propose, but was it that "King Baoyu" she was longing for?

Xia Gu Niang thought of leaving the East Courtyard just now and seeing Jia Cong walking from afar, so graceful and peerless. Whenever she saw him, she couldn't bear to move her eyes away.

But the one proposing was not him, but that Jia Mistress who made her feel annoyed and stupid enough to eat dirt!

Xia Gu Niang said unwillingly, "Mother, I have heard from outside that the Rongguo Duke was a great general who shook the world, a first-class hero.

Among the descendants of the Jia family, only that Jia Cong, who is the same age as Baoyu, could be enfeoffed for his military merit. Only a figure like him can be considered the legitimate blood of the Rongguo Duke.

That soft-legged shrimp Baoyu, what kind of Duke descendant is he? Daughter will die rather than marry such a broken thing!" (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 613 =====

"That effeminate weakling Baoyu, what kind of noble son is he? Even if I die, I won't marry such a piece of trash!" (End of chapter)