Chapter 724: Marriage Matters Have Many Obstacles

Earl's Mansion, Dengxian Pavilion.

The sun is bright, the sky is blue, the breeze is blowing, and the fragrance is fine, how comfortable.

After Seeing Tan Chun left, only Jia Cong and Daiyu were left chatting and laughing, and the bright yellow courtyard wall on the slope was exceptionally bright and eye-catching in the sun.

Daiyu suddenly became interested, so the two left Dengxian Pavilion and walked up the stone steps along the south slope.

Jia Cong saw Daiyu panting a little, so he held her small hand and walked up the steps.

Daiyu's pretty face flushed, although it was daytime, the stone steps were cold, the trees were shaded, and no one could see, so she didn't struggle and let Jia Cong hold her.

The two walked to the top of the slope and saw maids and old women coming in and out of the courtyard, and Zhi Shao was pointing to the placement of things and the furnishings of the objects on one side.

She had practiced in Panxiang Temple for two years and knew the living habits of her master and senior sister best, so the inside and outside were arranged extremely properly.

Jia Cong looked at Zhi Shao who was busy back and forth and suddenly seemed to think of something.

He said to Daiyu: "Third Sister has always been calm, but she left in a hurry just now, I wonder what happened in her room?"

Daiyu thought slightly, smiled slightly, and said: "I can probably guess the roots, I grew up with Third Sister in the West Mansion, and I know her affairs best.

Third Sister is intelligent and refreshing, and has been loved by her grandmother since she was a child, even the second aunt values her, and there is no estrangement like today.

Third Sister is good in every way, but her concubine's mouth is sharp, she doesn't want to suffer, and she is a person who doesn't forgive others, making trouble every time, making Third Sister embarrassed.

Sometimes although her mouth is sharp, she cares about Zhao Yiniang and Huan brother in her heart, she can handle other things freely, only this one thing will make her lose her hand.

But Huan brother has never had any dealings with Third Brother since he was a child, and has never walked in the East Mansion, Third Brother's family rules are very strict, and outside males cannot enter the inner courtyard.

But Zhao Yiniang is different, she is Third Sister's biological mother, Third Sister is in such a hurry to return to her room, is it because Zhao Yiniang came to find her?"

Jia Cong smiled: "Sister is careful and intelligent, nothing can be hidden from you, your hexagram must be accurate, but why did Zhao Yiniang suddenly come to find Third Sister?"

Daiyu smiled: "Third Brother doesn't need to worry about Third Sister, the things Zhao Yiniang said are mostly trivial matters in the inner house, and there is no major hindrance."

Jia Cong thought of Zhao Yiniang's character of being long-winded and stirring up trouble, and felt that Daiyu's words made sense, so the two changed the subject.

……

Daiyu said again: "Yesterday I received a letter from my father, saying that I will be fifteen next year, and he and Chen Yiniang miss me very much, so let me return to Yangzhou to visit relatives.

I really want to go back to see my father, but I don't know how long it will take, Third Brother can't see me daily, and the sisters have no way to talk and accompany me."

Jia Cong was stunned and said: "Sister came to the house when she was seven, and hasn't been back for so many years, Father must miss her very much, this is human nature.

It is time to go back to see Father, and also to fulfill filial piety, Sister, set the time for returning south, and tell me and Second Sister early.

I will definitely help Sister prepare properly, without Sister worrying at all."

Daiyu was originally reluctant in her heart, but hearing Jia Cong's words, her mouth pursed.

She said: "Look at Third Brother's words, as if he can't wait for me to leave, am I so unlikable?"

Jia Cong scolded with a smile: "Nonsense, who said you are unlikable, you must be blind, Sister, accompany Father south for a year or so, and I will pick you up."

Daiyu smiled: "You are coaxing me with good words again, going to court and office every day, leaving early and returning late, and you can still pick me up from thousands of miles away, I don't believe these words."

Jia Cong smiled: "You also know that I have done a lot of things in Jin Ling, maybe the Emperor will send me south again, and when I return to the capital, I will bring Sister back."

Daiyu scolded: "Nonsense, I am not an object, and can be brought back and forth."

Jia Cong smiled: "What's wrong with being an object, you can be tied by your side every day, both clever and happy, just like Sister."

Daiyu was flushed by him, but her heart was quite comfortable and happy, but suddenly she thought of something.

She tilted her head to look at Jia Cong's expression and said: "I know Third Brother travels north and south, has wide social connections, and knows many people.

You can honestly tell me, have you coaxed other sisters with such good words, otherwise why are they so smooth……"

Jia Cong showed a thoughtful look and hesitated: "I have to think about this, who else have I coaxed?"

Daiyu heard this, angrily hammered Jia Cong's shoulder twice, hummed, and muttered: "Now it's getting more and more annoying."

Jia Cong smiled: "Good sister, let's not make trouble, let's go to Third Sister's place to see what happened, I can still resolve it."

Daiyu was also curious in her heart, and was held by Jia Cong, and the two went down the stone steps together to Seeing Tan Chun's courtyard.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Courtyard.

The autumn wind is getting thicker, the pear tree buds at the courtyard gate have fallen, and the leaves have also fallen for the most part, leaving a full ground of desolate shadows under the bright sun.

A maid with a slender figure and nimble gait walked past the tree shadow and hurried into the Lixiang Courtyard.

Shi Shu had followed Seeing Tan Chun for many years, not only learning her shrewdness and capability, but also being very nimble in doing things.

She received Seeing Tan Chun's instructions, happened to be free, took the red-patterned stone ring given by Seeing Tan Chun, and went to the Lixiang Courtyard of the West Mansion to walk around.

After she passed the gate of the Lixiang Courtyard and turned into Baochai's boudoir, she saw that the room was quiet, the bed curtains were empty, and the embroidery frame was lonely.

Baochai was nowhere to be seen inside or outside, only Jinchun was doing needlework alone, which was exactly what she wanted.

Jinchun saw Shi Shu enter and smiled: "Why are you free to visit today, don't you need to serve your young lady?"

Shi Shu and Jinchun were both maids of the second branch, and naturally they were very familiar with each other in the past.

But when Jinchun was in Wang Lady's room, because of the concern about Seeing Tan Chun's status as a concubine's daughter, Shi Shu and Jinchun didn't have much contact.

It was Jinchun who returned to Baochai, because Baochai and the sisters of the East Mansion were on good terms and frequently entered and exited the East Mansion.

Even Jinchun and Shi Shu were closer than before, and they chatted about many topics when they met, instead, there was no concern when they were in the second branch.

So Seeing Tan Chun said her doubts, and Shi Shu immediately thought of Jinchun, helping Seeing Tan Chun inquire about news through the connection of Jinchun's sisters.

Shi Shu took out a bright red red-patterned stone ring and smiled: "Our young lady got some red-patterned stone rings, although they are not too precious, they look exquisite.

Let me send one to your young lady to enjoy, the other young ladies also got them, why is Bao young lady not in the room?"

Jinchun didn't care when she heard this, took the red-patterned stone ring, played with it a few times, and put it in Baochai's jewelry box.

……

Jinchun smiled: "The young lady went to the second grandmother's room to walk around, I don't know when she will return, you sit and we talk, if the young lady doesn't return, I will pass it on."

The two sat down and chatted for a few words, Shi Shu mentioned Seeing Cai Xia in a roundabout way, Jinchun responded for a few words, and her heart was a bit attentive.

Although Seeing Cai Xia and they were both from the second branch, it was not strange to mention it in idle talk.

But Shi Shu didn't know the roots, Jinchun knew that Seeing Cai Xia and Jia Huan were suspected of misconduct because of her sister.

She was worried that her sister Yuchun would be implicated and would not have a good result in the future, so she cautiously reminded her sister to stay out of it and not reveal anything.

She pointed out her sister like this, and naturally she wouldn't reveal anything, at this time Shi Shu suddenly mentioned Seeing Cai Xia, how could she not be vigilant.

The Third Young Lady is Huan San Ye's own sister, and she is the closest and most valued by the Third Young Lady.

If she revealed the inside story in front of Shi Shu, the Third Young Lady would know the inside story, worried about her brother making trouble, and would definitely be implicated.

If Seeing Cai Xia and Huan San Ye had already done ugly things, it would be difficult to clean up once it was made public, the Third Young Lady loved the Third Young Lady, and I fear she would also be implicated.

Jinchun didn't want to see such a result, she regarded Jia Cong very heavily in her heart, and naturally didn't want him to cause trouble and suffer losses.

This heart was hidden in her heart and never told anyone, only Baochai guessed some, but kept it in her heart.

Jinchun had this kind of thought, and felt that Shi Shu's words were strange, vaguely probing.

With vigilance in her heart, she was naturally closed, carefully dealing with Shi Shu's words, and didn't reveal half a word.

Although Shi Shu was clever, she met Jinchun who had already eaten the scale, where could she pry open her mouth, the two chatted for a long time, and she still knew nothing.

Shi Shu was a bit disappointed, left the Lixiang Courtyard in low spirits, and saw Xue Pan walking with wind on the veranda, she hurriedly saluted and left the Lixiang Courtyard.

……

Xue Pan walked into the hall and said to Xue Yima: "Mom, why is my sister not at home, I have something important to find her."

Xue Yima glanced at her son and said: "What serious matter do you have that you need your sister?"

Xue Pan was a bit unconvinced and said: "Look at Mom's words, how can I have no serious matter, I am much more serious than Baoyu."

Xue Yima smiled: "Look at your impetuous look, you are not convinced when I say two words, the grain shop matter is indeed handled well.

Yesterday the old lady praised it a few times, finally showing my face, I don't want you to stand out, just be more practical than Baoyu."

Xue Pan was finally praised by his mother, and couldn't help but feel a bit floating, saying: "The friends I made are naturally not bad.

Even Mom said Duan Chunjiang is capable, so I didn't look away, make friends with such people, there will be many benefits in the future."

Xue Pan said: "I have something important to find my sister today, it is related to Proprietor Duan."

……

Xue Yima heard this and felt unhappy, saying: "Just praised you for two sentences, and you are talking nonsense, where did you drink yellow soup again?

Your sister is an unmarried young lady, the daughter of the Xue family, what does she have to do with that Duan!"

Xue Pan smiled: "Mom, don't get angry first, wait for me to finish, it's not too late to get angry, this is really a good thing.

You know Duan Chunjiang is from Datong, has always been doing business in the Nine Frontiers, when Cong Ge'er pacified the Jurchens in Liaodong, he had long heard of his great name.

It's just that the north and south were separated, and he didn't have that connection and power, so he never had the blessing to know Cong Ge'er.

Now the imperial court is controlling border trade in the Nine Frontiers, he can no longer mix in Datong, so he came to Shenjing to do grain shop business.

Knowing that our family and the Jia family are in-laws, the relationship is very close, and now living in the Rongguo Prefecture, he is overjoyed.

Because he admires Cong Ge'er's fame, he begged me to introduce him several times, I really can't save face.

Mom, I walk outside, the frame and face are very important, otherwise how can I make friends.

I can't even do this, Duan Chunjiang must feel that the Xue family and the Jia family are not real relatives, but just ordinary acquaintances, wouldn't our family lose face.

It's just that I was confused before, because of Su Yun's matter, I fell out with Cong Ge'er, I want to invite him out, I'm afraid he won't ignore me.

But my sister is different, she is on good terms with Cong Ge'er now, as long as she opens her mouth, Cong Ge'er is a hero who can't pass the beauty pass, he will definitely agree."

……

Xue Yima was furious when she heard this, took out the un-stitched shoe sole from the needlework box, and beat Xue Pan's big head fiercely.

She scolded: "You rotten-mouthed thing, your sister is a clean person, when was she on good terms with anyone.

There is such a brother in the world, making something out of nothing, do you want to ruin your sister's reputation? How did I give birth to such a thousand-knife-cut thing."

Xue Pan fled in the room, avoiding Xue Yima's shoe sole beating, and kept begging for mercy.

"My mom, I made a slip of the tongue, I said the wrong thing, sister and Cong Ge'er are not on good terms, they are on good terms, they are on good terms.

Our two families are real relatives, a family of brothers and sisters are on good terms, that is the proper principle, this is always correct."

Xue Yima saw her son begging for mercy, stopped this time, and scolded: "Just said you earned me face, and turned around and did unreliable things.

You are also from a big family, how come you don't understand the depth of the world, and you go to pick up all kinds of messy connections.

Cong Ge'er is a Grade 5 official, a Hanlin Academician, how big a name, that grain merchant is just a grain seller, how can they be related.

These two people who are worlds apart, where are they, having a ridiculous acquaintance, don't feel cold when saying it."

Xue Pan unconvincedly said: "Mom, words can't be said like this, the so-called hero doesn't ask where he comes from, righteousness often comes from the butcher dog generation……"

He was a bit generous, and Xue Yima spat on his face.

She scolded angrily: "You are from a big family, such ghost words to deceive the market people, also worth you taking out to say, standing and talking without fear of waist pain!

If you let your sister open her mouth, let Cong Ge'er, an Earl, drink with a grain seller, not to mention Cong Ge'er won't pay attention at all.

Even your sister will be looked down upon, what is important about status in the world, it is the threshold that cannot be crossed."

Xue Yima sighed and continued: "If it were as easy as you said, I wouldn't have to have a headache for your sister's marriage.

Just go to the Rongqing Hall and say it, I think with your sister's appearance, Cong Ge'er must like it……"

……

Xue Pan was still unwilling and said: "Mom, what you said is reasonable, but it's not that serious.

I also pay attention to it daily, Cong Ge'er also has market people coming and going, and poor scholars in the academy without merit."

Xue Yima frowned and said: "How can this be the same? The grain business of that Duan is booming, and many wealthy families in Shenjing know him.

If it spreads that Cong Ge'er is friends with him, I don't know what kind of gossip will spread, no relatives, no reason, official-merchant collusion, it is a matter of leaving a handle.

You should stop, don't cause trouble for Cong Ge'er for no reason.

Don't mention this to your sister, her mind is heavier than mine, she will definitely not help you build a bridge and pass a word, die this heart early."

Xue Pan heard Xue Yima's words, his words were a bit sour.

He said: "Mom, you really don't like your son, Cong Ge'er hasn't become your son-in-law yet, you are planning for him like this, and you don't care about your son's face."

Xue Yima was furious when she heard this, raised the shoe sole on the table, and wanted to clean up this rebellious son again.

Xue Pan screamed and fled the room, Xue Yima heard her daughter's voice outside: "Brother is impetuous again, why are you running for no reason?"

Xue Yima heard her daughter's beautiful voice, threw the shoe sole in her hand back on the table, and a sense of helplessness arose in her heart……

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Baoyu's Courtyard.

A thick medicinal smell came from the side room of the courtyard, and Mushe and Qiuwen, who were drying clothes, saw Caiyun walk out of the side room with a hot decoction.

They watched her enter Baoyu's room, and a few complaints came from the room.

Not long after, they saw Caiyun walk out with an empty bowl, put it back in the side room, and walked out of the door with a bag of medicinal dregs.

Qiuwen said to Mushe beside her: "Mushe, last time Bao Er Ye returned to the East Road Courtyard to study, didn't he say he couldn't sleep well at night, so he started taking medicine.

But this decoction has been taken for three months and hasn't stopped, Bao Er Ye must be sleeping very badly, it looks a bit scary.

It's just that I look at Bao Er Ye's complexion every day, it doesn't look like he can't sleep well at night, Bao Er Ye has even gained weight in these two months.

In the past, such small things as decocting medicine were watched by Jiahui and Chunyan, but for these few months, Sister Xi Ren and Caiyun have been decocting medicine themselves.

Even we don't need to touch it, when did they become so diligent.

And every time Bao Er Ye takes medicine, even the medicinal dregs are taken out by themselves, and I don't know where they threw them, how come it's a bit sneaky.

Mushe, do you think Bao Er Ye really just can't sleep well, won't he have other illnesses?

Anyway, how Bao Er Ye sleeps with them, they are the only two who know, isn't it how they want to say it……"

Mushe heard Qiuwen nagging, looking unsatisfied, and couldn't help but feel annoyed.

She said: "You should close your broken mouth, don't let us touch it, it means this matter has nothing to do with us, what are you worrying about.

If you don't want to let you know, don't go up to know, don't pick a good time to die.

Last time you were beaten by the second grandmother and couldn't get out of bed, did you forget the reason, really remember eating but not beating.

You still want to talk too much and cause trouble, just go and top it yourself, don't hinder me from being unlucky."

Mushe said, turned around and returned to her room, too lazy to pay attention to Qiuwen.

At this time, figures moved at the courtyard gate, Wang Lady brought Yuchun into the courtyard, and Qiuwen hurriedly stepped forward to salute.

Wang Lady just nodded to her and let Yuchun stay in the courtyard, and she entered Baoyu's room alone.

Not long after, Wang Lady came out of Baoyu's room and entered the side room next door, followed by Sister Xi Ren and Caiyun.

Qiuwen saw the three of them just enter the side room and closed the door, making Qiuwen even more suspicious.

But Wang Lady left Yuchun in the courtyard, equivalent to arranging an informant, even if Qiuwen wanted to eavesdrop, she didn't dare to do it.

……

In the side room, the doors and windows were tightly closed, the light in the room was unclear, and Wang Lady's face and expression became even more gloomy.

She asked: "I ask you two, Baoyu has been taking decoctions for three months, has there been any improvement in the room recently?"

Sister Xi Ren and Caiyun heard this, their faces flushed, and they felt uncomfortable in their hearts.

Since Bao Er Ye Baoyu got sick, they felt like livestock, the original expectation of the concubine's status had become a joke.

Every time the mistress came over and privately talked to them, she always asked about that matter on the bed directly, although they were all women, it was too embarrassing.

Sister Xi Ren said: "This month, although Dr. Hu came for a follow-up visit, the mistress privately changed the prescriptions of other famous doctors.

But after Bao Er Ye took the new medicine, there was still no improvement in the room, Bao Er Ye complained that the medicine was bitter every day, and we were all careful to coax him."

Caiyun said: "I am not afraid of the mistress being angry, although Bao Er Ye has been taking decoctions for three months, he is worse than before, I think Bao Er Ye is tired of it himself……"

Wang Lady's face was pale, she looked at Sister Xi Ren, Sister Xi Ren lowered her head and said: "It's the same on my side."

Wang Lady's heart was dead, her whole body trembling, even if she had more ambitions, this one thing could be cut clean.

She thought of the desperate place and couldn't help shedding tears, the room was dead silent.

After a long while, Wang Lady said: "It seems that Baoyu's illness is a bit difficult, and now it is the time when the fire burns the eyebrows.

Baoyu's marriage is about to be discussed, if Baoyu is ruined, I will be ruined, you are his people in the room, and you will have no good end in your life!"

Sister Xi Ren and Caiyun heard the viciousness in Wang Lady's words, and felt cold in their hearts.

Wang Lady said: "If you want to keep everyone's face and life, you can't just consume it like this, there must be a plan for the matter……"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 725 =====

"The date for Baoyu's wedding is about to be set. If Baoyu is ruined, then I am ruined too. You are the people in his inner chambers; you will never have a good end!"

Sister Xi Ren and Caiyun sensed the hidden malice in Lady Wang's words, and a chill ran through their hearts.

Lady Wang said: "If we want to preserve everyone's reputation and lives, we cannot just drag this out. There must be some planning and calculation for the matter..."

(End of chapter)