Chapter 69: Daiyu Skillfully Protects

Daiyu and Tan Chun entered Rongqing Hall.

Daiyu smiled and said, “I just seemed to hear Second Brother Bao mentioning that girl Wu’er.”

Bao Yu, having been caught by Daiyu overhearing his request for Wu’er, flushed awkwardly—he had always concealed his fondness for pretty girls before Little Lin.

Now that he had openly asked for Jia Cong’s maid, and Daiyu had happened to hear it, he felt genuinely uneasy.

Jia Mu asked, “Yu’er, have you seen this Wu’er? Is she truly that good?”

Jia Mu had always favored pretty maids; she knew her grandson’s standards were high—if he valued her, she must be exceptional, yet why had she never heard of her before?

Wang Lady’s expression darkened slightly; she thought to herself: Wu’er was indeed seductive—already in Jia Cong’s quarters, yet still managing to lure my son into asking for her.

If she truly came into my son’s room, who knew how she’d corrupt him? Fortunately, I had planned ahead and sent her off to Jia Cong’s quarters long ago.

Wang Lady had always disliked such pretty, clever women, seeing them as unruly and instinctively repelling them.

Daiyu smiled and said, “Granny, Wu’er in Third Brother Cong’s quarters is truly excellent—not only is she beautiful, but she is gentle, quiet, and meticulous in her duties.”

Seeing that Granny had already taken a liking to her, she dared not openly oppose her; after all, if Bao Yu truly took her, she could always find an excuse to send her away later—she must not let her son be corrupted.

I heard Third Brother Cong’s nurse, Aunt Zhao, say that he dotes on Wu’er as much as he once did on Zhi Shao.”

When Zhi Shao was still in the household, few knew her; now that she had left Jia Fu, her name had become a taboo—everyone in the household knew it.

Hearing Daiyu also praise Wu’er, and seeing her grandson’s fondness, Jia Mu had already decided: she would find an excuse to take Wu’er from Jia Cong’s quarters and give her to Bao Yu.

As for whether Jia Cong would agree, she didn’t care—she could simply give him another maid in return.

Daiyu added, “Granny is right—such a fine maid is rare. Third Brother Cong can’t bear to be parted from her for a moment; he’s especially attentive to Wu’er.”

That Wang Shanbao’s wife, who forced Zhi Shao to jump into the river, was now crippled by Jia Cong’s scheme and awaits execution in Zhen’an Prefecture’s prison.”

Perhaps such women clashed with her nature—just as she once disliked her delicate, clever sister-in-law, she now disliked her own daughter.

Wu’er manages Third Brother Cong’s daily routines, meals, and comforts—I too like her; meeting her feels like finding a kindred spirit.”

It was precisely because Elder Lord took a fancy to Zhi Shao that she was driven to jump into the river; Jia Cong nearly broke with his father over it and was beaten so badly he nearly died.

He also moved out of the Eastern Courtyard entirely because of it.

At the mention of Zhi Shao’s name, Jia Mu’s heart jolted; even Wang Lady and Wang Xifeng’s expressions changed.

Jia Mu felt a sudden unease thinking of it all.

No one else in the household would have caused such a uproar over a mere maid.

Jia Mu’s eyes brightened: “So she’s truly that good? Then tomorrow, bring her here so I can see her.”

Now Daiyu said Jia Cong treated Wu’er as tenderly as he once treated Zhi Shao.

Bao Yu actually wanted to take this maid from Jia Cong’s hands—wasn’t that plainly inviting trouble?

If that unruly brat found out Bao Yu was eyeing his precious maid, who knows what madness he’d unleash? If trouble arises, what will become of my Bao Yu?

“Bao Yu, since Wu’er is his cherished maid, we won’t take her. If you want pretty maids, let Feng Jie buy you better ones—what’s the big deal?”

Tan Chun glanced at Daiyu, whose face bore a serene smile, and barely suppressed her laughter—she hadn’t expected Little Lin to be such a mischief-maker; disliking Bao Yu’s request for Wu’er, she had spun this tale to deter him.

Strange—Little Lin never had much to do with Third Brother Cong before; why is she helping him now?

Bao Yu had always paid close attention to Daiyu; he noticed her face, though smiling calmly, betrayed a faint, unconscious upward curl at the corner of her lips.

Bao Yu wasn’t foolish—he knew Daiyu’s nature well. Did she dislike him asking for Wu’er? But that didn’t seem right—he had many maids in his quarters; when had she ever cared about such things?

Could it be that Little Lin was secretly aiding Jia Cong, preventing him from losing his maid?

What is Jia Cong, anyway, that Little Lin would help him? Impossible—Little Lin grew up with me since childhood…

Bao Yu had already forgotten his disappointment over not getting Wu’er; his mind was now in turmoil.

Wang Xifeng, seeing Jia Mu’s expression, knew instantly what the old lady intended.

She stepped in to smooth things over: “Bao Yu, wanting a pretty maid is simple—sister will spend silver to buy you the best.

Third Brother Cong’s mind works differently from others’; everyone in the household knows he treasures his maids above all—why stir up trouble with him?

Actually, getting Wu’er isn’t impossible.”

Bao Yu’s eyes lit up; he temporarily forgot his suspicions about Daiyu siding with Jia Cong and fixed his gaze on Xifeng, waiting for her plan.

Daiyu and Tan Chun exchanged a glance at Wang Xifeng, both thinking her meddling—Jia Mu had already dropped the matter, yet she kept dragging it back—had Third Brother Cong offended her?

They didn’t know that Wang Xifeng was the most calculating of them all; lately, she’d seen Jia Cong’s “reputation” spreading through the household, while Elder Lord and Lady had been severely weakened and could no longer control him.

And now this boy had gained Second Lord’s favor and moved into the Western Courtyard. Though Granny still disliked him, time might change her mind.

Her own husband was useless, and she feared this literate boy might one day rise above him—so she’d begun nursing thoughts of preemptive suppression.

Granny’s greatest concern was always Bao Yu; now that Bao Yu coveted a maid from his quarters, she could use this opportunity to stir up trouble, humiliate the boy, and curb his arrogance.

Wang Xifeng said, “Third Brother Cong is soon going to study at the academy, right? The Qingshan Academy is on Mount Luocang—all students must live in dormitories, and even the better-off rent nearby.

He returns home only a few times a year—his maids will be idle. Then I’ll tell them your quarters are short-staffed and request her for a few days of service.”

When Third Brother Cong returns, we’ll send her back—much smarter than demanding her outright.”

Daiyu felt disdain—Xifeng was capable enough, yet she fawned over Granny, wasting her talents on such foolish schemes.

Bao Yu had been spoiled by these people, becoming only interested in luxury and comfort, idle and decadent, doing nothing but coveting other people’s maids.

Daiyu had grown up with Bao Yu and felt a sisterly bond with him; she hoped he’d become a responsible man—but seeing the people around him, she felt helpless.

Bao Yu laughed: “Feng Jie is truly a female Zhuge Liang.” Then he saw Daiyu sitting silently and swallowed the rest of his words.

Daiyu could no longer bear listening; her cough had flared up these past days, and the heavy incense in Rongqing Hall made her feel ill—she only wanted to find an excuse to leave.

(End of Chapter)