Chapter 714

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Fengjie Courtyard.

A group of female relatives, all in brocade clothes and beautiful dresses, with ribbons fluttering, hairpins shining, and sleeves filled with fragrance, followed one after another into Fengjie Courtyard.

Wang Wang Xifeng returned after taking Ping'er to Rongqing Hall to perform family ceremonies, accompanied not only by Seeing Yingchun, Wu'er, and others from the East Mansion.

But also by Sister Yuanyang, Sister Hupo, and other maids who had been close to Ping'er since childhood, all coming to see her off as she moved to the mansion.

A group of people chatted and laughed, and after entering the main room of the courtyard, Wang Wang Xifeng asked the maids to serve tea to entertain them.

When Seeing Yingchun came, she brought several matrons from the East Mansion to arrange for Ping'er's personal trunks to be moved to Jia Cong's courtyard.

Many maids and matrons passing by the entrance of Fengjie Courtyard looked at the three or four large trunks being carried out of the courtyard gate, each whispering to each other with envy in their eyes.

Wu'er whispered in Ping'er's ear, "Hearing Zhi Shao and Qingwen have already helped you tidy up the side room, and you can settle in when the time comes.

Cong Sanye will be able to return to the mansion at sunset, and we still have to hold a banquet to welcome you over; you'll have to work hard to serve the Cong Sanye tonight."

Ping'er blushed upon hearing this; this was the first time in her life she would serve a master at night...

Wang Wang Xifeng asked Seeing Yingchun, Wu'er, Sister Yuanyang, and others to sit for a while, and took Ping'er into the inner room.

She took out a pear-wood jewelry box from the cabinet and laughed, "These head ornaments were selected from my dowry trunks, and I'm leaving them for you to keep at the bottom of your box.

It wouldn't be appropriate for you to wear these when you serve the Third Brother, as it might be a bit too flashy, and others might gossip and be jealous.

It's only right to wear them during the New Year and festivals; since you came from my room, you should have some things to look decent."

Seeing the dazzling light in the jewelry box, all of which were top-quality items, Ping'er's eyes turned slightly red.

She said, "I have accompanied the Mistress for so many years, and now that I'm moving to a new place, I will definitely not forget the Mistress's kindness; without the Mistress, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Ping'er said this sincerely; although Wang Wang Xifeng had a fiery and sharp temperament, Ping'er had a gentle and honest nature, and the mistress and servant had been together since childhood, with mutual understanding.

Even though there was a difference in status between the two, there was still a true bond of affection.

Ping'er was Wang Wang Xifeng's dowry maid, and her status limited her destiny; if it weren't for Wang Wang Xifeng making the decision to give her to Jia Cong.

Even if Ping'er had secret feelings for Jia Cong, she could only hide them in her heart and would never be able to get her wish for the rest of her life.

For this reason alone, Ping'er felt deeply grateful to Wang Wang Xifeng; thousands of gold are not as good as having someone to rely on for life, and having her long-cherished wish fulfilled was even more precious and rare.

Wang Wang Xifeng touched Ping'er's temple and sighed, "I've remembered your words; in the future, when you are triumphant and glorious with the Third Brother, don't forget our past bond.

It will be a long time before our Bao Er Ye returns from Liaodong; by then, my eldest daughter will almost be ready for marriage.

With so many years ahead in this family, besides you, who else can I rely on?"

Perhaps because her personal maid, who had been with her since childhood, was about to leave her side, Wang Wang Xifeng seemed a bit down and sentimental.

No matter how strong Wang Wang Xifeng was, she was ultimately a woman; without her husband to rely on, she felt lost and uneasy deep in her heart, no different from any other woman.

Ping'er said, "Mistress, please rest assured; you are the eldest sister-in-law of the First Branch, and now that the two mansions are supported by the Cong Sanye, you will definitely not be treated unfairly or wronged."

Wang Wang Xifeng took out a small package from the wardrobe again; Ping'er opened it to find a piece of snow-white silk, which was dazzlingly white.

Wang Wang Xifeng laughed, "This is a personal item for a young lady when she marries; since your maternal family is gone, I naturally prepared it for you."

Seeing that piece of white silk, Ping'er blushed with shame and didn't dare to say a word.

Wang Wang Xifeng said, "Third Brother is a fastidious person and is not like those men outside; Wu'er has been with him for many years, and I've never seen him be impatient.

You have never spent a day with him before, so I guess he won't be that impatient with you; I'm afraid you won't be able to use this item for a while.

This is also good; with a long and steady flow, if you serve him wholeheartedly, he will definitely dote on you in the future; my own maid can't go wrong."

Ping'er felt a slight warmth in her heart; this was the Mistress knowing the Third Brother's temperament well and giving her a hint so she would know what to expect.

She hoped to be favored early, but also didn't want to be too hasty, which could be considered very thoughtful.

Ping'er felt increasingly stable in her heart, having both the anticipation and joy of being with Jia Cong day and night, and gratitude for Wang Wang Xifeng's meticulous care.

After the two finished their private talk, they returned to the main room; Sister Yuanyang said, "Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue said they would come to see her off, so why haven't we seen them yet?"

Feng'er came in to refill the tea and replied, "I heard from the little maid that the two of them came over long ago and sat in Ping'er's room for a while.

Later, someone came from Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu's room to pass a message, and they looked very flustered, so they hurried back; it sounds like Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu is making a scene."

Hearing this, Seeing Yingchun and the others thought of Jia Baoyu wanting to enter Rongqing Hall just now and being blocked at the entrance by Lin Qu Da Niang.

Jia Baoyu had been spoiled by the Old Mistress and had never experienced such setbacks, so it wouldn't be strange for him to be very uncomfortable in his heart and throw a tantrum when he got back.

But they didn't know what big trouble he had caused, making even Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue so flustered that they hurried back to deal with it?

Wang Wang Xifeng said to Seeing Yingchun, "Second Sister is more capable than me; the vast East Mansion is managed by you in an orderly way, and no gossip has ever spread.

Unlike this West Mansion, which has many people, many affairs, and many entanglements; I worry until my head aches every day, and a Jia Baoyu is the most troublesome of all.

If the masters in the mansion are loose, how can the servants not be slack and break the rules? Managing them is becoming increasingly chaotic."

Wang Wang Xifeng said to Feng'er, "You go to Jia Baoyu's room and see what they are making a scene about, and come back to report to me quickly; don't let them poke a hole in the sky."

Seeing Yingchun, Sister Yuanyang, and the others present were all smart people and understood the severity of Wang Wang Xifeng's words; she likely wouldn't let Jia Baoyu act recklessly.

Sister Yuanyang had hated this mother and son to death ever since Lady Wang asked the Old Mistress for her to be a concubine for her son Jia Baoyu.

Coupled with Jia Baoyu's frivolous and narcissistic language, and his filthy and vulgar thoughts, she looked down on him extremely; how could she care about Jia Baoyu being disciplined by others?

Although Seeing Yingchun had a gentle and kind heart and had watched Jia Baoyu grow up, she wouldn't deliberately watch him being embarrassed.

But everyone had their own priorities; Seeing Yingchun's heart was full of her brother Jia Cong, and for her, there was nothing more important than her own brother.

Today, her brother Cong was receiving a concubine and performing family ceremonies at Rongqing Hall, but Jia Baoyu ignored etiquette and caused trouble, which was simply not giving her brother face.

Seeing Yingchun felt protective of her brother in her heart and had long noticed Jia Baoyu's hostility toward her brother Cong; how could she not be annoyed at Jia Baoyu?

Moreover, Wang Wang Xifeng's words just now were all reasonable, and now that Wang Wang Xifeng was managing the household in the West Mansion, she naturally wouldn't say anything more.

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Jia Baoyu Courtyard.

Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue received the little maid's report and couldn't wait for Ping'er to return, so they hurried back to Jia Baoyu's courtyard.

On the way, Sister Xi Ren asked about what happened, and the little maid told them the whole story of Jia Baoyu making a scene.

Jia Baoyu actually couldn't enter Rongqing Hall; that was an unprecedented event, so how could it be hidden from anyone?

He was dragged back to his own courtyard by Seeing Caiyun, and less than a quarter of an hour later, the shameful matter had already spread throughout the mansion.

Although the little maid hadn't heard it from Seeing Caiyun, she heard several groups of people whispering and laughing on her way to pass the message to Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue.

Sheyue frowned and said, "Why isn't the Bao Er Ye smart enough? He already bumped into a nail last time, and this time he went to step into a pit again, just to be ridiculed for nothing."

Sister Xi Ren said, "Don't say such discouraging words now; hurry back and suppress the matter, otherwise, if it reaches the Mistress's ears, who knows what will happen."

Sheyue didn't speak after hearing this, only feeling that the matter couldn't be suppressed anymore; from now on, it would be increasingly difficult to stay in the West Mansion.

She not only felt worried in her heart; if the Bao Er Ye was squeezed back to the East Road Courtyard, the Mistress would have the final say in that small territory.

Ever since she was reprimanded by Lady Wang, she vaguely felt that it wasn't just about the few words of gossip between her and Sister Xi Ren, but that there must be other reasons.

Although Sheyue couldn't think of what it was, in short, the difficulty she was facing now was no less than what Xiaohong had faced in the beginning.

If she really followed the Bao Er Ye back to the East Road Courtyard, and the Mistress disciplined her then, she would truly have nowhere to turn for help...

The two hurried back, and just as they stepped into the courtyard gate, they heard the sound of things being smashed in the main room, and Seeing Caiyun's pleading and dissuading voice.

Sister Xi Ren ran into the room with small steps; it was a mess, with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones scattered all over the floor, and tables and chairs all tilted.

Most of the ornaments on the antique shelf had also been smashed by Jia Baoyu, and the floor was covered with debris, looking as if the house had just been raided.

Sister Xi Ren stepped forward to grab Jia Baoyu and persuaded, "Bao Er Ye, if you're angry, be angry, but why ruin these items? Making such a commotion will only invite gossip."

She picked up a pink, translucent fragment from the floor and said with heartache, "The ornaments in the room are all valuable goods, and each piece is worth several months of our monthly allowance.

This pair of agate plates was originally from the Old Mistress's room, and the Bao Er Ye begged for them because he liked them, but now they are all smashed in a fit of anger.

If the Old Mistress asks, we won't know how to fool her, and if someone finds fault again, these days will be even harder."

Jia Baoyu wailed, "I treated them with all my heart and was willing to give them my heart, but they bullied and humiliated me like this; how can there be such reason in the world?

You only care about these dead and vulgar things, but you don't know my heart at all; I have nowhere to vent my grievances, so I might as well smash everything!"

Jia Baoyu, despite the pleading and dissuasion of Sister Xi Ren and Seeing Caiyun, didn't stop at all, but became increasingly wanton and reckless.

He ran to the antique shelf crying and shouting, lifted a vase from the previous dynasty, and smashed it to pieces, making the commotion even more intense.

Sister Xi Ren and Seeing Caiyun hurriedly went up to pull and drag him, while Sheyue stood on the side without moving a step, as if watching a show.

Because her mind was more transparent than Sister Xi Ren's, she knew that with Jia Baoyu's temperament, just pulling and dragging wouldn't stop him.

She said, "If the Bao Er Ye wants to smash things, he must be aware that when the Master and Mistress moved to the East Road Courtyard, the Second Branch's belongings were all handed over and moved away.

The items in this room now likely count as the West Mansion's belongings, and I don't know how the Second Mistress, who is such a precise person, will write it in the public accounts.

The Bao Er Ye is smashing things happily now, but I don't know what the Second Mistress will say on her side?"

At this moment, Jia Baoyu picked up a jade incense burner, preparing to smash it too.

This jade incense burner was more valuable than the agate plates; if it were smashed for no reason, even if the Jia family was a wealthy and noble household, someone would definitely have something to say.

Sister Xi Ren and Seeing Caiyun were both pressing Jia Baoyu's hands, wanting to snatch it from him, and as the three were pushing and shoving.

Jia Baoyu suddenly heard Sheyue's cold words, his body shivered, and thinking of Wang Wang Xifeng's formidable nature, his hands suddenly lost their strength.

Seeing Caiyun took the opportunity to snatch the jade incense burner from his hand and hurried several steps away, fearing that Jia Baoyu would go crazy and snatch it back.

Seeing Jia Baoyu intimidated by her two sentences, Sheyue felt a bit disappointed and tired, and picked up a broom to sweep the debris on the floor with her head down.

Sister Xi Ren also breathed a sigh of relief, rejoicing that Sheyue was quick-witted and sharp-tongued, controlling Jia Baoyu with a few words, otherwise, she really wouldn't know how it would end.

At this moment, the voice of a little maid sounded outside the door, "Isn't this Sister Feng'er? How do you have time to stroll here?"

Feng'er said, "The Second Mistress heard rumors that there was a commotion here in Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu's room, so she sent me to see what happened."

Hearing Feng'er's words, Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue's expressions changed; it was truly a case of fearing what might happen, and the Second Mistress really was summoned...

The maid Feng'er didn't show her true colors usually, but Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue were both old hands in the mansion and knew this little maid was no ordinary person.

Among the dowry maids in Wang Wang Xifeng's room, along with Jia Lady Lian's personal maids, due to her jealous temperament, various kinds of squeezing and driving away had occurred, and they had either died or scattered.

Now only Ping'er and Feng'er remained, and those who could get along with a person like Wang Wang Xifeng for a long time without making mistakes were all people who were extremely methodical in their work.

Because Ping'er helped Wang Wang Xifeng manage household affairs, she was prominent and known to everyone in the mansion.

Feng'er only managed miscellaneous affairs in Wang Wang Xifeng's courtyard, delivering things, passing messages, running errands, and handling matters; although she was much more low-key than Ping'er, she was only second to Ping'er in Wang Wang Xifeng's esteem.

Since Wang Wang Xifeng replaced Lady Wang in managing the West Mansion, this little maid Feng'er naturally rose with the tide.

At this time, Feng'er was ordered by Wang Wang Xifeng to come and check on the matter, which didn't sound like a good thing, and Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue were both a bit nervous.

At this moment, a figure flickered at the door, and a little maid entered; she had a round face, delicate features, and was wearing a red silk jacket, a green satin vest with teeth-like edges, and a white silk pleated skirt.

Sister Xi Ren smiled apologetically, "So it's Sister Feng'er; how do you have time to come over today?"

Before Feng'er could reply, she was startled to see the mess all over the floor, and her round eyes kept scanning the antique shelf and the debris on the floor.

She said, "I heard there was a commotion in Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu's room, so the Second Mistress was worried about trouble and sent me to see; how did it become like this?"

Sister Xi Ren hurriedly said, "It's all our fault; we provoked the Bao Er Ye to anger just now and knocked over a few things; it's not a big deal, and we are just about to clean it up."

Ping'er entered the room and served the stew to Wang Wang Xifeng. It was lunchtime, and Wu'er had already returned to the East Mansion to eat.

Seeing that Feng'er didn't say a word more, she was truly watertight; even if she wanted to say a few words to plead for mercy, she couldn't find any opening.

Jia Baoyu had been wanton and reckless just now, smashing things quite happily, just wanting to vent his grief and indignation to his heart's content, not failing his own depressed and indignant pure feelings.

Now seeing Wang Wang Xifeng send Feng'er over, he lost his momentum, felt a sense of cowardice in his heart, and became uneasy...

Watching Feng'er's nimble figure leave, Sheyue said, "This Feng'er is like the Second Mistress's shadow and is a very sharp person.

I saw her looking closely at the antique shelf and the debris on the floor just now; I'm afraid things are going to be bad."

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Fengjie Courtyard.

Wang Wang Xifeng sent Ping'er out of the courtyard gate; Ping'er was held by the hand by Wu'er, following behind Seeing Yingchun, and kept looking back, her bright eyes always moist.

Seeing Wang Wang Xifeng's eyes red, Lin Qu Da Niang smiled and said, "The Second Mistress is too sentimental; Ping'er only went to the East Mansion, just a few steps away.

You will still see each other every day, and it's no different from before; Ping'er has a good destination, and everyone in the mansion says the Second Mistress is benevolent and righteous."

Wang Wang Xifeng sighed and said, "What you say is reasonable; she just changed her place of residence and will still be seen every day, which can be considered very good."

At this moment, Feng'er was returning from Jia Baoyu's courtyard, and Wang Wang Xifeng asked, "You went over to see; what trouble did Jia Baoyu make again?"

Feng'er said, "Second Mistress, Sister Xi Ren said they provoked the Bao Er Ye to anger, and the Bao Er Ye smashed everything in the room.

I looked carefully, and there aren't many good things left on the antique shelf."

Wang Wang Xifeng's pretty face sank, and she said, "Go back to the room and get the account book to show me, and Lin Qu Da Niang, come in too."

The three entered the room, and Feng'er found the corresponding account book from the cabinet and skillfully flipped to one of the pages.

She said, "Most of the ornaments in Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu's room were doted on by the Old Mistress, so they were rewarded to him for his enjoyment; they are all top-quality things.

Last time the Second Mistress moved to the East Road Courtyard, Lin Qu Da Niang and I counted and recorded them together, and I remember those things very clearly.

Today I looked at the antique shelf and the debris on the floor, and a total of six items were smashed by Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu.

Among them are a pair of pink agate plates for longevity, a Ru-kiln flower vase from the previous Song dynasty, a banana leaf cup made of begonia-frozen stone..."

Feng'er's voice was crisp, and she listed five or six antique items in one breath; Lin Qu Da Niang on the side had counted these things, so she naturally knew their weight.

She took a slight breath and said, "My God, the Bao Er Ye really had the heart to do it; it's truly a case of a son selling his grandfather's fields without feeling pain.

Just these few items are enough for our entire West Mansion, with hundreds of people, to eat for several months."

Wang Wang Xifeng's face was as heavy as water, and she gritted her teeth and said, "Jia Baoyu is truly spoiled and is too capable of ruining the family; what he smashed are the family assets of our West Mansion.

If everyone were to ruin things like him, even the wealthiest family business would be ruined by him; this matter cannot be let go, otherwise, he will be even more lawless in the future.

Since Sister Xi Ren said they provoked Jia Baoyu to anger, causing him to smash these things, I will leave some face for Jia Baoyu for the sake of the Old Mistress.

But Sister Xi Ren and these maids served him improperly, didn't know how to persuade Jia Baoyu, and ruined the West Mansion's family assets; their faults cannot be excused in any way.

Starting from next month, the monthly allowance for all the maids in Jia Baoyu's courtyard will be exempted for three months, and there's no need to issue it this month either.

Lin Qu Da Niang, go to the antique shop to estimate the market price; if these monthly allowances are not enough to cover the deficit, record all the remaining deficits in the account, and we will calculate them slowly in the future.

Go and call Sister Xi Ren over, and explain these words to her clearly."

Lin Qu Da Niang asked, "Second Mistress, your method of handling it is reasonable, but cutting off four months of monthly allowance is no small matter.

I'm afraid that as soon as you call Sister Xi Ren to talk, the Second Mistress in the East Road Courtyard will know about it within an hour."

Wang Wang Xifeng said, "I ask you, are those six antiques worth the four months of monthly allowance for these maids?"

Lin Qu Da Niang said, "Look at how the Second Mistress speaks; even forty months of monthly allowance, plus selling all of them, wouldn't be worth this price."

Wang Wang Xifeng said, "That's it; some things are always hidden, and everyone pretends to be muddled together, so they can never be cleared up in a lifetime.

If Jia Baoyu had smashed them before, it would have been items decided by the Second Branch.

But now, Third Brother Cong has received the imperial decree to inherit the title and inherit the business; what Jia Baoyu smashed are Third Brother Cong's family assets!

He is not a robber; how can he destroy someone else's items and act as if nothing happened? How can there be such reason in the world!

If this kind of thing can be done recklessly and no one says anything, then murder and arson could be committed, and the First Branch would become a joke to others.

If the Second Mistress is not convinced in her heart, she is welcome to come to me to talk, and we can talk about the rules and principles in front of the Old Mistress.

I also guessed what would happen later; if I don't use some strong medicine, I'm afraid that after Jia Baoyu gets married, some things will still be entangled and not be decent..." (End of chapter)