Chapter 647: Gold and Jade Marriage

Shenjing, Qingyu Square, Xia Prefecture.

The sunset gradually sank in the west, and the sky was filled with pink rosy clouds, like rouge on a young girl's cheeks, charming and dripping, mournful and soft, revealing a trace of eye-catching, tragic beauty.

Baochan sat on the stone steps outside Miss Xia's boudoir. She wanted to take out melon seeds to crack, but felt it was inappropriate, and supported her chin with her hand, feeling somewhat bored.

Mrs. Xia asked her to guard Miss Xia, and if she caused trouble again, she would deal with her. Baochan didn't dare to be half-lazy.

No one in the mansion didn't know that although the Lady usually looked kind and wouldn't treat servants harshly at will, whoever ruined her affairs would have to shed a layer of skin even if they could save their lives.

Although Miss Xia was fierce and sharp-tongued, not giving people face, Baochan knew clearly in her heart that the young lady was much easier to fool than the Lady.

Ever since the Jia family proposed marriage, the young lady had become increasingly strange, often happy and excited one moment, and turning her face and getting angry the next.

And every time she acted out, it was more severe than the last, making Baochan feel terrified every day.

Just like the Jia family's East Courtyard receiving officials every day, it seemed like they wanted to discuss another marriage for Baoyu. The fire in the young lady's heart burned as if she wanted to kill someone, which was really a bit scary.

In fact, even if Mrs. Xia didn't instruct her, Baochan would guard outside the door, because she really had no bottom in her heart as to what the young lady would do if she went crazy.

Not to mention that she had served Miss Xia since she was a child and had some master-servant loyalty in her heart, and given the current situation, her destiny was tied to Miss Xia.

In fact, Baochan had followed Miss Xia for many years and knew her temperament best, so she could vaguely guess that after the young lady had seen the scene of the Rongguo Jia family, she would be unwilling to marry those merchant family friends of the past.

But she had seen that harmful Jia Cong, and then she looked down on Baoyu. Clearly, she could marry into a Duke's household, but she was extremely reluctant, torturing others and even more torturing herself. If she continued like this, she would drive herself crazy sooner or later...

Baochan sat there letting her imagination run wild, wondering when the young lady would agree to this marriage, and wondering how Baoyu was doing now.

She stood up and walked to the tightly closed door, looking into the room through the crack in the door.

She did this action every once in a while, just worrying that the young lady would go crazy and do something.

At this time, the sunset sank in the west. Although there was still light, the sky had gradually darkened. There were no candles lit in the boudoir, and she could only see the outlines of those exquisite furniture.

Baochan moved left and right in front of the crack in the door, and finally found her young lady's shadow.

She saw that the boudoir was pitch black, and Miss Xia was sitting stiffly in front of the dressing table like a stone statue, motionless. She couldn't see the expression on her face, and the beautiful outline was like being engraved in the darkness...

Baochan saw Miss Xia's strange behavior and felt a bit creepy in her heart. She couldn't help but mutter, the room wasn't lit, it was pitch black, and the young lady was sitting there looking in the mirror. Could she see clearly?

She remembered that every time she looked into the room, the young lady was like this, sitting in front of the dressing table for a long time. Her young lady wouldn't be stupid from anger, would she?

Baochan kept looking at the crack in the door, her heart constantly guessing, when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her, and someone asked, "What are you doing?"

She looked back and saw it was her Lady, and hurriedly said, "The young lady locked herself in the room. She doesn't talk to people, and doesn't let people in. A long time has passed."

Mrs. Xia frowned and said, "Light the lamp."

Baochan hurriedly ran away, and soon brought the candlestick over. Mrs. Xia gently pushed the door open, and Baochan followed with the candlestick.

The bright yellow candlelight, with an unusual temperature, slowly dispelled the frozen darkness in the boudoir...

The candlelight shone on Miss Xia's beautiful face, seeing the tear stains left on her makeup. She didn't know what she was thinking, and seemed extremely absorbed, not even noticing someone entering the room.

It wasn't until the candlelight was dazzling that she woke up and blurted out, "Get out!"

When she saw it was Mrs. Xia, she called out "Mother" in a low voice, then frowned slightly and raised her hand to block the light of the candlestick in Baochan's hand.

Mrs. Xia said to Baochan, "You go out and close the door."

Baochan hurriedly put down the candlestick and left the room as if she had been granted amnesty. Since she said those words in the afternoon, Miss Xia had been like a firecracker that would explode at any touch. She would hide first if she could.

After Baochan closed the door, Mrs. Xia said, "I asked Baochan. She just said the news she inquired about, and you don't have to be so angry."

"Just now, Lady Jia sent a confidante to send fresh gifts, which was just an excuse. The old woman who sent the gifts exchanged a few polite words and asked about the marriage between the two families."

"After all, the Jia family proposed marriage last time, and a month has passed. They always have to give a reply. I also guessed that the Jia family was losing patience and was looking for a way out. The news Baochan inquired about is likely true..."

Miss Xia was still staring at the dressing mirror, not knowing what she was looking at, but her face became increasingly pale.

Ever since Baochan said those words, Miss Xia was heartbroken, smashed everything in the room, and locked herself in the room.

From the sunny afternoon to the sunset, the light gradually disappeared, and everything fell into darkness.

But the entanglement and battle in her heart were endless, as if there would never be an end.

For Miss Xia, these few hours of time seemed longer and more agonizing than the life she had lived...

Since that accidental encounter in the back garden of the Rongguo Prefecture, that one fleeting glance that lit up the soul, it had been a predestined yet ill-fated noble union, stirring up joy, pain, loss, fear, and madness.

All of them gradually cooled and froze in the agonizing thinking of these few hours, making her thoughts calm, barely suppressing the burning fire in her heart, and the full of stubborn and wild passion...

Mrs. Xia said, "Mother can see that you don't like the marriage of the Jia family's second branch. A twisted melon is not sweet. Mother only has you as a daughter, and everything should be what you want."

"Now that the arrow is on the string, Lady Jia has already asked at the door, and we have to give them a definite answer. If the two families cannot become in-laws, they still have to leave some face. They will all be in the Shenjing area in the future."

"Early tomorrow morning, I will send a visiting card to Lady Jia and properly decline this marriage. You don't have to worry anymore. Let go of your thoughts and take good care of your body. Being young and overthinking and falling ill is not a joke."

Miss Xia was still staring at the dressing mirror, seemingly not listening much to Mrs. Xia's words.

The same scene kept flashing in her mind. In the back garden of the East Courtyard, she met Jia Cong and Tan Chun, and he put a pair of bracelets on the girl's white jade-like wrists...

His eyes were very beautiful, his gaze as deep as an autumn pool, seemingly able to take people's souls. He said to her: "Miss Xia, you are polite. We are about to return to the banquet. Miss Xia, please go first."

She remembered that at that time, Jia Cong was accompanying her, and the two seemed to be talking and laughing, as if the Jia family's third young lady was walking alone in front of them...

She was smoked by the scene in her mind, somewhat bewildered, seemingly true and seemingly illusory, unable to distinguish. She even touched her own wrist.

She was also wearing a pair of bracelets on her hands, green, watery, and translucent, surprisingly 70-80% similar to the pair of bracelets Tan Chun had.

Mrs. Xia continued, "After a while, Mother will help you pay attention. Our family has many family friends, and there are always outstanding children among them. Mother will definitely help you find a marriage you are satisfied with..."

Miss Xia smiled bitterly in her heart. They all say that it is difficult to be water after the sea, so what kind of satisfactory marriage is there?

Is this her destiny, to marry those merchant family friends and be a petty merchant woman?

That gorgeous and graceful mansion, the young and promising noble head of the family, handsome, intelligent, and unparalleled—all of this would break with her, and from then on, they would be strangers, as if separated by heaven and earth.

If this was her destiny, she wouldn't accept it!

"Mother, I have thought about it. A daughter always has to marry. How can there be perfection in this world? The Jia family is a Duke's household after all, so it is not a disgrace to the daughter. I agree to this marriage!"

Mrs. Xia was stunned when she heard her daughter suddenly change her mind, and then a smile appeared on her face. Her painstaking efforts had finally been understood by her daughter.

The Xia family's descendants would no longer just be merchant sons, and the Xia family would truly have a foundation to rely on from now on!

At this time, Baochan, who was hiding at the door eavesdropping, couldn't help but smile and be extremely happy, as if she were the one agreeing to the marriage and getting married immediately...

Mrs. Xia smiled, "Good daughter, as long as you think it through yourself, Mother is also an experienced person and knows your thoughts. People will encounter many things in their lives, and some things are just passing clouds, so don't take them too seriously."

"You are still young now. After a few years of experience, you will know that these are nothing. Mother can guarantee that you will never regret agreeing to this marriage and will definitely be able to live a dignified life in the future."

At this time, Miss Xia's pale and stiff face gradually eased, and a strange blush appeared, as if it had been lit up.

She smiled slightly, becoming even more beautiful like a peach blossom, charming and strange, and said softly, "I will not regret it."

Her voice was soft, and Mrs. Xia was even more satisfied in her heart.

It was just that although she was always shrewd, she didn't taste the stubbornness and determination that were difficult to detect in her daughter's low words.

Count's Prefecture, Jia Cong's courtyard.

The sky was slightly bright, the glass windows were bright, and the quiet room gradually became bright.

Between the bed curtains, a pleasant girl's fragrance lingered.

On the side couch, Lingguan lifted the thin quilt, rubbed her eyes, folded her slender waist, and nimbly got out of bed. She walked to Jia Cong's bed and found the bed curtains tightly closed, seemingly not yet up.

Her face turned red for no reason, and she didn't know whether she should wake him up. Sister Zhi Shao didn't explain it carefully yesterday.

Ever since Lingguan entered the mansion, she had been somewhat different from the girls and maids around Jia Cong.

If distinguished carefully, she was probably like Zhi Shao and Zhen Ying Lian, and could not be considered a maid of the Jia mansion.

Originally, Lingguan was a Jiangnan opera girl bought by Zou Min'er for the Jiaofang Division.

Because of the involvement with Zhou Zhengyang, Jia Cong brought her back to Jinling. Along the way, Lingguan relied heavily on Jia Cong.

Jia Cong brought her back to Shenjing, and Lingguan never entered the Jiaofang Division, but went directly into the East Prefecture.

With Jia Cong's status today, it was naturally not difficult to ask for a young opera girl who had not yet entered the register from the Jiaofang Division.

Moreover, the head of the Pipa color of the Shenjing Jiaofang Division, Qing Niangzi, was in charge of the purchase of Jiangnan opera girls, and she and Jia Cong were almost of the same sect.

Jia Cong opened his mouth to ask her for help, and with the origin of Zou Min'er, it was just a matter of one sentence.

Ever since Lingguan entered the East Prefecture, it was like when she was in the old Jia family mansion in Jinling, she often washed and cooked for Jia Cong, cooked Jiangnan dishes, and adjusted his diet and appetite.

!

In her spare time, she planted flowers and grass in the courtyard, cleaned the courtyard, practiced singing, and helped Zhen Ying Lian manage the study, living freely and freely.

Jia Cong loved her very much, worried that she would be bored, and took great care of her daily, and also bought many opera costumes and flower crowns for her.

In the past, the matter of Jia Cong's room was taken care of by Zhi Shao, Wu'er, Qingwen, Zhen Ying Lian, etc., so Lingguan didn't need to worry.

Last night, Zhi Shao was originally on duty, but because she was unwell and not good at working, she temporarily let Lingguan replace her.

It was just that Lingguan was the first time, and she didn't know much about some things. Although she had been intimate with Jia Cong in the past, this kind of sleeping together was the first time, so it was inevitable that there would be some strangeness.

She thought that Cong Sanye didn't need to study now, and it wasn't time to go to the office, so he probably didn't need to be called to get up.

So she went to the clothes rack to take the skirt, combed and dressed herself first, and didn't notice Jia Cong's bed curtain move, and then returned to calm.

By the time Lingguan finished combing and dressing, Jia Cong's bed curtain was just lifted, and he stretched comfortably.

Lingguan breathed a sigh of relief. If she was dressing again, she would be so embarrassed to be seen by Cong Sanye.

She was not like Wu'er and Qingwen, who had served Jia Cong since childhood, intimate with each other, not avoiding taboos, and still a bit shy.

Jia Cong smiled, "Lingguan, you got up so early. Now I don't need to get up early to study. They will sleep a little longer when they are on duty."

Lingguan took Jia Cong's clothes from the clothes rack and smiled, "I went to bed early last night and slept enough. I was worried that I would wake Cong Sanye if I got up early."

Jia Cong saw a pair of bright eyes, still with some bloodshot eyes, and smiled without saying a word.

Lingguan was probably dressing a man for the first time, her hands were a bit hesitant, and she didn't know how to start for a while.

Jia Cong smiled and went to button the clothes himself, and Lingguan followed suit.

For a time, one piece of clothing, one up and one down, both hands were buttoning, which was really a bit strange, and the two couldn't help but look at each other and smile.

That trace of embarrassment and shyness of Lingguan disappeared without a trace.

In the bedroom in the early morning, the sweet fragrance was pulsing, the laughter was clear, and it was warm and cozy.

At this time, footsteps were heard outside the door, Wu'er brought a copper basin of hot water in, followed by Qingwen.

Wu'er saw Lingguan helping Jia Cong dress, her movements were a bit unfamiliar, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

After Jia Cong was dressed, Qingwen skillfully picked up the comb and helped Jia Cong comb his hair.

Usually, Zhi Shao and Qingwen had the most skillful hands, and they did the most of Jia Cong's grooming.

While combing his hair, Qingwen said to Lingguan, "Cong Sanye likes to use a comb to comb his hair. His hair can be combed neatly, and he can wake up in the morning, and it can be very comfortable, but you can't use too much force..."

Lingguan opened her big eyes and watched very carefully. Qingwen was very skillful, and her small mouth was chattering non-stop.

Jia Cong saw the two little maids pointing at his head, discussing at will, and couldn't help but find it funny.

After Qingwen finished her work, Wu'er handed the hot face towel to Jia Cong and said, "Cong Sanye, Second Grandmother also asked yesterday when the palace examination results will be announced."

"Second Grandmother said that this time Cong Sanye is a Jinshi, there will surely be many relatives and friends visiting the mansion. The family should prepare early, otherwise it will be a bit chaotic like last time."

"Moreover, there will be many things in the family recently. Second Grandmother said that Cong Sanye's affairs are important, and we can prepare first when we get the news."

Jia Cong said, "Yesterday the Ministry of Rites just sent news that the palace examination results will be posted on the 24th of this month. There are still two days, which is enough time to prepare. Just keep it simple; there is no need to be too extravagant."

"What else is happening in the family recently? Why haven't I heard of it?"

Wu'er replied, "Yesterday, news came from Rongqing Hall that the Second Lady sent a trusted old woman to the Xia family."

"It is said that she is arranging the marriage of Baoyu and Miss Xia. As long as there is a definite reply from the Xia family, the two families will hold a betrothal ceremony."

"Second Grandmother said that Grandmother loves Baoyu the most, so the West Prefecture will have more things to do. She thought that Baoyu's affairs should be later, so as not to collide together. After all, Cong Sanye's affairs are important."

Jia Cong felt strange in his heart. Baoyu and Xia Jingui were finally tied together. It was really a gold and jade marriage...

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

By the time of the Si hour, Jia Cong had already gone to the workshop to take charge, Wu'er went to Fengjie's courtyard to discuss the celebration, and Yingchun and other sisters went to Rongqing Hall to move around. The East and West prefectures were as usual, harmonious and peaceful.

At the West Corner Gate of Rongguo Prefecture, Lady Wang got off the carriage and entered the corner gate with a face full of joy. She first went to Baoyu's room, but didn't see anyone, so she went to Rongqing Hall.

The windows of Rongqing Hall were open, the curtains were facing the wind, and seasonal fruits were placed on the chairs and tables, red pulp and yellow core, looking cool.

Because the weather was stuffy and hot, Yingchun and other sisters were already shaking their group fans lightly, the breeze was blowing, the fat fragrance was floating, or whispering to each other, or chatting with Jia Mu at will.

Baoyu always went to Rongqing Hall every day at this time, not because he was particularly filial to Grandmother, but because he could only see the sisters of the East Prefecture at this time.

It was just that even if they rarely gathered, the Lin sister and Bao sister he cared about most rarely spoke to him. Even if he found topics to talk about, they would say a few words and then it would cool down.

Yingchun was now in charge of the family, becoming increasingly atmospheric and gentle, which made Baoyu feel a bit strange, and he really couldn't talk together.

Xichun was becoming increasingly cute, but she was still young. Every time she entered the hall with her sisters, she was busy eating fruits and snacks, or playing with things, enjoying herself.

Only Xiangyun had a cheerful temperament, acted carelessly, and spoke without taboo, and would say a few words to Baoyu, but what she said were all the fun things in the East Prefecture, which made Baoyu depressed.

Now Baoyu increasingly lamented that the world was not as he wished, and the human world was dirty and unclear, which was really difficult to bear his own innocence.

Just as the sisters were laughing and talking, enjoying themselves, and Baoyu was sighing and lamenting, he saw the door curtain lifted, and Lady Wang entered with a beaming face.

Jia Mu saw this and smiled, "Did you encounter a good thing today? Look at your face full of spring breeze."

Lady Wang smiled, "Grandmother's eyes are experienced, nothing can be hidden from you. It is indeed a joyous occasion."

Jia Mu smiled, "Today is really a joyous occasion. Just now the Second Girl was saying that the palace examination results will be released on the 24th, and there will be another Jinshi in the family. You actually have a joyous occasion too. Tell me, I will be happy to hear it."

When Lady Wang heard the words "Jinshi," she felt unlucky and disgusted in her heart. The joy was instantly defeated by half.

But when she saw her son Baoyu, she felt comfortable again.

She smiled, "Early this morning, someone from the Xia family came to the East Courtyard to send a message, saying that Mrs. Xia had agreed to the marriage. They chose the 24th of this month as an auspicious day, and Mrs. Xia will send Miss Xia's Gengtie to the mansion."

"Grandmother, Baoyu's marriage is settled. Now we have to plan and prepare."

As soon as Lady Wang said this, Baoyu's face turned pale instantly. He looked at Daiyu and Baochai, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to drill into, and shouted in his heart, "This is unreasonable..."

A cheerful and pleasant cheer from Shi Xiangyun rang out in the hall, but it made Baoyu feel extremely collapsed: "Congratulations to Second Brother for marrying a wife! I will have wedding wine to eat this time!" (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 648 =====