Chapter 648: A Deeply Affectionate Young Man

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Mu was somewhat surprised by Lady Wang's words and was stunned for a moment.

Originally, Lady Wang proposed marriage to the Xia family, and a month had passed without any reply. Jia Mu was also an experienced person and had originally concluded that the Xia family did not want this marriage.

At that time, Jia Mu was quite angry in her heart, feeling that her Baoyu was the legitimate grandson of a Duke, and it was already a bit of a marriage down to propose to a merchant family, but he was still disliked.

She didn't expect that after a long time, the Xia family suddenly agreed to this marriage. Jia Mu was relieved when she heard this news.

She didn't like that Baoyu could only marry a merchant's daughter, feeling that it was somewhat a disgrace to the Jia family's status.

But even with Jia Mu's super-grade title, she had quite a reputation among the noble families in Shenjing, her seniority was noble, and her connections were thorough.

She had also used all kinds of means, using the excuse of Jia Cong's birthday to invite all the old families with daughters to be married, wanting to choose a noble marriage for Baoyu.

Unfortunately, those noble ladies came to visit, and they said a lot of good things, but when it came to marrying Baoyu, they all avoided it like snakes and scorpions, and didn't give her any face at all.

Jia Mu had also racked her brains and really didn't have the ability to find a noble marriage for Baoyu.

Although she was not satisfied with the Xia family's status, given Baoyu's current situation, there was really no other way, so she had to settle for the next best thing.

Fortunately, Jia Mu was quite satisfied with Xia Gu Niang's appearance and character.

She smiled, "Baoyu's marriage is also a joyous occasion. I said before that it doesn't matter whether the woman's family is rich or noble."

"As long as she looks good, has a good temperament, and can live a life, nothing else matters. That Xia Gu Niang is such a person. I think this marriage is very good."

Lady Wang was even more delighted when she heard Jia Mu's words.

She had originally worried that Jia Mu would look down on the Xia family. After all, the Grandmother was born noble and had only associated with noble families all her life. How could she take a fancy to a merchant family like the Xia family?

Now that she saw Jia Mu also approved of the marriage, her heart was completely at ease.

Ever since the second branch fell, lost its position, and moved to the East Courtyard, although Lady Wang was also a noble lady from a great family, after the passage of time, coupled with her stubborn and narrow-minded temperament, her thoughts were inevitably distorted and changed.

After the hope of Baoyu marrying into a noble family was gone, Lady Wang took a fancy to the Xia family not only because she liked Xia Gu Niang's appearance and character, but also because she valued the Xia family's vast wealth.

Even more importantly, Xia Gu Niang was an only daughter. As long as Baoyu married her, it would be like bringing a golden Bodhisattva into the house. In the future, the Xia family's gold and silver would sooner or later be her Baoyu's...

The second branch now had no position, no power, and no assets. Having this external wealth to rely on was naturally excellent for Lady Wang.

Moreover, in Lady Wang's eyes, Mrs. Xia was a capable person. Letting her become her son's half-mother, she would still plan for her son in everything.

Having such an in-law to rely on was also of great benefit to the second branch.

Although Yuanchun's matter didn't succeed, the scale of that matter was in the hands of the Emperor. Although Lady Wang felt sorry for the ten thousand taels of silver, she couldn't blame Mrs. Xia...

Lady Wang was in high spirits and chatted with Jia Mu about the trivial matters of betrothal, inquiring about names, auspiciousness, betrothal gifts, choosing a date, and welcoming the bride.

Jia Mu was also quite interested because the family hadn't held a happy event for a long time, and the two of them talked very happily.

Among the sisters, even though Yingchun was older, she had only seen Jia Lian's marriage when she was young, and the other sisters had seen even less of red happy events.

Sisters like Tan Chun and Xiangyun listened to Jia Mu and Lady Wang chatting and listened with great interest.

Baoyu was like sitting on pins and needles, wanting to cry without tears. But his marriage with Xia Gu Niang was personally approved by his father, Jia Zheng, and even if he was unwilling in his heart, he had no courage to oppose it in the hall.

Moreover, he thought of Xia Gu Niang's beauty and grace, which was much better than Sister Xi Ren and Caiyun, and it seemed quite tempting...

But he was really unwilling to marry, and even more unwilling to be told that he was going to marry someone else in front of Daiyu, Baochai, and other sisters he admired.

Wasn't this slapping him in the face, fanning his mouth? How could he be innocent and play with his sisters in the future, speak without taboo, and be righteous in the back house?

A man with a woman by his side, how could he still claim his feelings of being unattached? How could he live like this...

Jia Mu and Lady Wang discussed the marriage in Rongqing Hall, and the sisters all listened to it as a rarity.

Only Daiyu and Baochai, one immersed in poetry and books, indifferent and happy, not liking worldly affairs; the other born in an imperial merchant family, with a broad vision, and more knowledge than other sisters.

Only they were not attracted by the topic of Jia Mu and Lady Wang, just sitting quietly on the side, shaking their group fans lightly, occasionally saying a few words of chat, smiling and laughing.

Baoyu heard about his marriage, fell into a city of sorrow, restless, at a loss, his face strange, angry and unable to suppress.

He originally thought that if someone married him, they would have to be heartbroken, their hearts broken, and return with tears, otherwise how could they be worthy of his jade-like grid, his style, and his extraordinary nature.

But Daiyu and Baochai, the two sisters he admired most, didn't care about his marriage at all, and were still chatting and laughing there.

Baoyu was angry in his heart. This was absolutely not true. They must be heartbroken and lost, not wanting to show it, deliberately pretending to be like this...

Just as the hot blood in his brain surged, regardless of everything, he was about to go up and tell Daiyu his heart, and said tremblingly: "Sister, you know me..."

Baochai was more worldly than Daiyu, and her mind was also extremely shrewd. She saw Baoyu at a loss, his face strange, and suddenly stepped forward two steps, feeling a bit scared in her heart.

Hearing him say those half-sentences, she knew it was going to be bad. If Baoyu said crazy words at this juncture, not only would Daiyu be extremely embarrassed, but I'm afraid no one in the room would be able to get off the stage...

She couldn't think too much and blurted out: "Baoyu is really a great joy. We have all seen Xia Gu Niang. She is beautiful, elegant, a first-class figure in the boudoir, and quite a match for Baoyu."

Daiyu was also an extremely spiritual person. Hearing Baoyu's half-sentence clearly, and hearing Baochai suddenly prevaricate, how could she not know the situation in front of her.

She felt ashamed and angry in her heart, her face turned slightly red, she suppressed the fire in her chest, and said: "Sister Bao is right. Xia Gu Niang is indeed an extremely outstanding figure. Second Brother Baoyu is really lucky. Congratulations."

Baoyu was about to ignore everything and tell his heart, but was splashed with two buckets of cold water by them. The burning obsession he was brewing was instantly extinguished, making his face blue, and he almost stopped breathing.

Baochai's words were fine, but Daiyu's congratulations made Baoyu lose half of his soul. He was about to explode with anger and grabbed his chest, but he grabbed nothing.

Last time Baoyu was reprimanded by the Zongren Prefecture, Liu Shuyou, a five-grade official of the Zongren Prefecture, reminded Jia Zheng that the spiritual jade Baoyu wore had characters that were overstepping, and the rumors were strange, implying the appearance of a saint, which would surely cause disaster in the long run.

Jia Zheng listened to the advice and, in order to avoid disaster, confiscated the thing that Baoyu had engraved and pierced in his mother's womb, thus breaking Baoyu's unique skills.

Now he was grabbing his chest, where could he find something to smash? And now it was early summer, and there was no carpet on the floor of Rongqing Hall...

Baoyu was angry in his heart, had nowhere to go crazy, and suddenly lost his mind, shouting involuntarily: "Where is my jade!"

Everyone in the hall was horrified. Baoyu suddenly realized, and seeing Daiyu and Baochai looking at him with shocked eyes, he felt that his face was lost, and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to drill into.

Baoyu's reckless words just now were only half-spoken, but were interrupted by Baochai's agility. Jia Mu and Lady Wang, who were chatting about Baoyu's marriage, didn't hear it clearly.

Jia Mu was startled when Baoyu suddenly screamed, and hurriedly asked: "Baoyu, what's wrong with you again?"

Baoyu was in the midst of shame, and Jia Mu's sudden question gave him a chance to breathe. He hurriedly said what was in his heart in one breath: "Grandmother, I don't want to get married!"

At this time, Daiyu held her group fan to cover her face, and didn't care about talking to Jia Mu, quietly exiting Rongqing Hall.

She was worried that Baoyu would say crazy words again. If it involved her, it would likely be shameful again, so it was better to be out of sight and out of mind.

Baochai saw Daiyu quietly exit Rongqing Hall, and felt that it was boring to stay, so she followed Daiyu out.

Baoyu had just said half a sentence to Jia Mu, and saw Daiyu and Baochai leave in a hurry from the corner of his eye, feeling even more aggrieved. He had already said he didn't want to get married, why was the Lin sister still ignoring him...

Jia Mu smiled, "Look at the childish words you said. Men should marry and women should marry. Who doesn't get married?"

"You don't like the beautiful girls, and that Xia Gu Niang is beautiful and refreshing, which is such a first-class figure. It is not easy for you to find one like her. I think this marriage is very good."

As long as Daiyu was not in front of him, Baoyu would let go a little. Although he still said he didn't want to, his tone was not as firm as before. After all, Jia Mu was right. Xia Gu Niang was beautiful and refreshing, and was a rare figure...

It was just that although he was lazy and dissolute, he was not completely stupid. Naturally, once he got married, many things would change. It would not be convenient to act like a spoiled child in front of Grandmother, and he would naturally be more distant from his sisters. Jia Mu saw that Baoyu, a big man, was still making noise like a sugar-coated hawthorn, and couldn't help but laugh and cry, saying: "This marriage was approved by your father. If you make trouble again, be careful that your old man will hammer you."

Upon hearing this, Baoyu couldn't help but shudder involuntarily; it was as effective as Sun Wukong hearing the Tight-Fillet Spell, and he instantly wilted, not daring to make a scene again.

Jia Mu sighed and said to the confidante old woman beside her: "Baoyu has been here for a long time, and he looks tired. You go and call Sister Xi Ren to send Baoyu back to his room to rest."

Jia Mu moved out her father, Jia Zheng, and Baoyu instantly received the magic. He knew that making trouble was useless. Besides, Daiyu and Baochai were both gone, so what was he making trouble for...

After Sister Xi Ren came to pick up Baoyu, Jia Mu sighed to Lady Wang: "Baoyu has always been weak. Why does he look confused again? It is good to get married early, so he can rush it, maybe he will be clear and healthy."

"I think Baoyu's marriage should be handled urgently."

Baoyu, who had just walked to the hall, heard Jia Mu's theory of rushing, and was so scared that he staggered and almost fell to the ground. Sister Xi Ren hurriedly supported him, and Baoyu felt bitter in his heart.

Rongqing Hall, back garden.

It was early summer, and the sun was not yet in the middle of the sky. The water pavilion and the curved corridor were covered by the shade of trees, creating a large area of coolness. Daiyu walked with a group fan, her pendants clashing, and her skirt fluttering.

!

Suddenly someone called from behind: "Lin sister, stop."

Daiyu looked back and saw it was Baochai, and smiled: "Why did Sister Bao come out too?"

Baochai smiled: "Xue Yima is talking to Grandmother, and Baoyu is also strange. It is boring to stay, so it is better to come out and stroll."

Daiyu held Baochai's arm and said: "Just now, thanks to Sister Bao for changing the topic, I have to thank Sister more, otherwise Baoyu doesn't know what crazy words he would say."

"He is also a person who is about to get married, but his words are always dragging on. What does it mean to be heard? I don't dare to come to the West Prefecture anymore."

Baochai smiled: "Lin sister is also a smart person, why are you confused now, worrying about heaven?"

Daiyu held the group fan, her eyes flowing, as if she realized something, and asked: "Sister Bao, tell me the truth?"

Baochai said: "Xue Yima and Uncle have long moved to the East Courtyard. According to logic, Baoyu should also go to fulfill his filial piety."

"He still lives in the West Prefecture now because he is young and not married, and Grandmother has always loved him, so he stays by her side."

"After he gets married, he will be a person with a family and a room. That is an adult. How can he live in his cousin's mansion, let alone in the inner courtyard, which has many taboos."

"After he marries Xia Gu Niang, he will definitely move back to the East Courtyard. The etiquette is there, and Grandmother will not keep him."

"By that time, even if you want to see him in the West Prefecture, I'm afraid it won't be easy. As long as this period of time passes, you don't have to have any misgivings."

Daiyu said: "Although Sister Bao's words are reasonable, Grandmother has loved Baoyu for a lifetime, and Baoyu has a lazy temperament. This matter is hard to say."

Baochai smiled: "How can sister forget about Brother Cong? I know that the palace examination results will be announced on the 24th. By then, Brother Cong will be a Jinshi, and he will be even more eye-catching."

"Although there are many nobles in Shenjing, there is no second one like Brother Cong who is so prosperous in literature and martial arts. Many people's eyes are staring at the Rongguo Prefecture."

"Last time Baoyu just said a few idle words in the inner courtyard, and it caused such a big disturbance. It can be seen that there are always some people who value these patriarchal rituals."

"Uncle is a person who knows priorities. As long as Baoyu gets married, even if Grandmother doesn't speak, Uncle will definitely speak..."

Daiyu thought about it slightly, and knew that Baochai was delicate and her words were half-right.

Although she said that Baoyu's random words last time caused the Zongren Prefecture to visit, she didn't say another layer of meaning because of avoiding the respect of elders, but Daiyu could think of it.

Last time Third Brother inherited the Rongguo title, Second Uncle was blocked by Grandmother and Second Xue Yima, and stayed in Rongxi Hall for several days. The disturbance caused was much bigger than Baoyu's.

Baochai said that there are always some people who value these patriarchal rituals, which is hinting at the meaning...

Daiyu smiled bitterly: "According to Sister Bao, I hope Xia Gu Niang will marry into the house early, so that Baoyu will have less trouble in the future."

Baochai was stunned when she heard Daiyu's words. Because Xia Gu Niang originally discussed marriage with her brother, Baochai paid special attention to Xia Gu Niang several times.

She naturally remembered clearly that every time Xia Gu Niang saw Jia Cong, that hot and infatuated gaze would make Baochai blush and heartbeat. She naturally understood the meaning...

Baochai was a bit uneasy, is it good for Xia Gu Niang to marry over early? Don't let the cousin brothers cause any trouble. I hope it is all my own wild imagination.

She smiled at Daiyu: "Sister hopes Xia Gu Niang will marry into the house early, it is better to hope for the announcement of the list early, and Brother Cong will be a Jinshi, which is more solid and reliable."

Rongguo Prefecture, Fengjie Courtyard.

Wang Xifeng was leaning on the soft couch under the west window, chatting with Wu'er.

Although she was plain, she didn't look dull at all, but rather charming, with a red flush, and her complexion was very impressive.

She wore a wide-waisted soft brocade robe, her hair was like ink, and only two hairpins were inserted in her head, with no other decorations, looking simple and neat.

At present, Wang Xifeng had been pregnant for more than seven months, and it was a bit difficult to walk daily. Jia Mu had long exempted her from standing rules and etiquette.

She hadn't been to Rongqing Hall for more than ten days, but Jia Mu had come to see her twice, and said that her waist was round and her abdomen was sharp, and this fetus would likely be a boy.

Jia Mu was an experienced person, and she had been prosperous in her descendants for a lifetime. What she said naturally made sense, and Wang Xifeng was full of expectations in her heart.

Her husband Jia Lian was exiled for fifteen years, and Wang Xifeng couldn't count on him. If she could give birth to a legitimate eldest grandson of the first branch, she would be more dignified and stable in the family in the future.

Every time she thought of these things, she was full of expectations and always subconsciously touched her abdomen.

At this time, the door curtain was lifted, and Ping'er came in and said: "Second Grandmother, news just came from Rongqing Hall that the marriage between Second Brother Baoyu and Xia Gu Niang has been decided."

"The Xia family chose an auspicious day, and on the 24th, they will send Xia Gu Niang's Gengtie to the mansion."

Wang Xifeng smiled: "The Xia family really knows how to choose a day. The day of sending Gengtie and marrying a daughter is the same day as Third Brother's palace examination results, really stealing the limelight."

Ping'er said: "Grandmother, don't just look at the Xia family knowing how to choose a day. Second Brother Baoyu's marriage is not a small matter. The public mansion has to spend a lot of silver, and this one has to be calculated carefully."

Wang Xifeng held the snow lotus and silver ear soup on the table and took a sip.

He said, "Now that the West Prefecture has lost a large portion of its noble estate income and must pay two seasons of land tax, our hands are not exactly loose; we must be tight with our calculations."

"According to the old rules of previous years, at that time Second Uncle was still the head of the family, and Baoyu was a legitimate son. His marriage must be handled in a big way, and it would cost ten thousand taels of silver."

"However, now Third Brother inherited the title, the first branch is the legitimate source, and the situation is very different. There is no reason to follow the old rules, so it must be greatly cut."

Ping'er said: "Second Grandmother, now the family has less income, and it is less than 20,000 taels a year. After deducting various expenses, there is not much left at the end of the year."

"This is still because Second Grandmother has reduced it in many ways, cut the population, and has this situation."

"Even if the situation is different now, the expenditure of Second Brother Baoyu's marriage can be greatly cut, but even if it is reduced by half, it still needs 5,000 taels of silver. Just this one expense, this year's accounts will be worn out."

Wang Xifeng put the powder-colored soup bowl on the table and said: "In this situation, how can the public mansion spend 5,000 taels for Baoyu's marriage? If I report the accounts, it can only be 2,000 taels!"

Ping'er and Wu'er managed the housework daily, and naturally knew the details of the silver expenditure.

Now although the second branch is not the legitimate house, Baoyu is the legitimate son of the second branch after all, the grandson Grandmother loves the most, and he is marrying the famous Xia family lady. The scene and face inside and outside cannot be less.

Just 2,000 taels of silver, no matter how you calculate it, it is a bit stretched. The West Prefecture is indeed not easy to manage, but Second Grandmother's methods are really not polite.

Once the words of these 2,000 taels spread, Grandmother won't talk about it for the time being, but the East Courtyard will likely cause trouble... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 649 =====