Chapter 748

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Everyone in the hall heard the maid at the door pass the message. Except for the Grand Matriarch and Lady Wang who had smiles on their faces, Yingchun, Daiyu, and other sisters didn't care much.

Wang Xifeng felt a bit disgusted in her heart. Baoyu had already delivered the betrothal gifts, and the Grand Matriarch didn't have any scruples, letting him run around in the inner chambers.

Every day he followed the sisters wherever they went, and he was already a man who raised children, so he didn't feel ashamed of this behavior.

Only seeing the large red brocade warm curtain at the door lifted, a fiery red and sturdy figure entered the hall with a *thud*.

Everyone saw Baoyu wearing a purple gold crown inlaid with treasures, a gold headband with two dragons grabbing pearls on his forehead, a red round-collar robe with hundreds of butterflies wearing flowers, and a gold-threaded leather belt inlaid with jade.

His temples were oily and bright, his eyebrows were like knives, his face was like a fat peach, his eyes contained autumn waves, and his whole body was golden and red, magnificent and noble, involuntarily attracting everyone's various gazes.

Yingchun, Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, and other sisters were all in their prime, and their clothes were bright and beautiful, but compared to Baoyu, they were a bit eclipsed.

Seeing the sisters gathered together, Baoyu couldn't help but feel happy, his heart full of high spirits.

After paying respects to the Grand Matriarch and Lady Wang, his eyes involuntarily looked at the sisters, and finally stayed on Daiyu.

He smiled: "Sister Lin, I haven't seen you for a long time. You look good, have you been well recently?"

Daiyu's face was a bit stiff, and she said: "I am fine, thank you for your concern."

Seeing Daiyu's stiff words, carrying the strangeness of the past, and not even calling her name, Baoyu felt a sense of sadness in his heart.

Fortunately, he only met Daiyu once, and it was quite difficult, so he didn't dare to show any unhappiness.

He smiled: "The sisters' residence in the West Prefecture is still empty now. Sister Lin should really come and live with the sisters more often."

"The back garden of Rongqing Hall has just been renovated, and it is even better than before. When we were young, we sisters often played catching butterflies there..."

Baoyu narrated the past, his expression intoxicated, his eyes spinning on Daiyu's pretty face, as if nothing had happened, and everything was still the same as yesterday.

Daiyu saw Baoyu's words and expression, her pretty eyebrows frowned, and she began to feel like sitting on pins and needles...

Suddenly, Wang Xifeng coughed and smiled: "Baoyu, last time the Grand Matriarch passed the message, asking the public to spare two taels of bird's nest every month to nourish Seeing Cai Xia's fetus."

"Yesterday, I got the best one from Aunt's shop. When you go back later, remember to call a maid to take it."

"Seeing Cai Xia is pregnant with your child, and you are also a person who will be a father. Don't forget this when you go back."

Seeing Daiyu, Baoyu felt intoxicated and happy, and was about to chatter about the innocent childhood of the sisters.

Wang Xifeng's uncoordinated words about being a father made Baoyu feel like a thunderbolt, his whole body numb, his face flushed, as if his neck was stuck, and his words were cut off.

He felt infinite sadness and indignation in his heart. It is said that women who marry will always become dead fish eyes, which is really not half wrong.

Aunt is like this, Sister Feng is also like this, but whenever they meet, they don't leave the stupid words of raising children.

No wonder Sister Lin and Sister Bao have become estranged, they were torn apart by these people. It is truly hateful and sigh-worthy, God is really too good at teasing people.

Daiyu's originally frowned eyebrows relaxed, her beautiful corners of her mouth pursed, as if suppressing a smile, bringing out a pretty and moving look.

Yingchun took the conversation and said: "I forgot to congratulate Brother Bao. The East Prefecture also has some top-grade bird's nest."

"We sisters don't eat this thing much daily. Originally, because Sister Lin's body was weak, Third Brother bought it from outside specifically."

"Sister Lin's body has become better and better this year, and the bird's nest stored is idle. I will ask Xiu Ju to pack some and send it to Seeing Cai Xia later."

Wang Xifeng heard Yingchun's words and felt a slight movement in her heart. Although the Second Girl was efficient in managing the house, her temperament was soft on the outside, and she never easily offended people.

This time she followed behind her, busy protecting the short, why did she have to mention Third Brother Cong buying bird's nest for Sister Lin.

She was intentionally saying this to Baoyu, letting him die of this heart early.

Could it be that the sisters in the East Prefecture had already had something happen, and her previous guess was actually right?

The Grand Matriarch heard Yingchun's words, but didn't think as complicatedly as Wang Xifeng, and smiled: "The Second Girl is becoming more and more like a housekeeper, her mind is more thoughtful than others."

"Baoyu, why are you still standing there, why don't you thank your Second Sister."

Baoyu never expected that Yingchun, such an elegant and outstanding daughter, would also be influenced by a woman like Wang Xifeng and talk about the topic of raising children.

If you want to send bird's nest, just send it, why do you have to say it in front of the sisters, making me unable to be a person in front of Sister Lin.

Although he was sad and ashamed, wishing he could die immediately, he also knew clearly that whether it was madness or fainting, it was difficult to save.

Last time he made a scene, originally hoping to exchange for Daiyu's pity, but didn't expect the two to become even more estranged, so naturally he didn't have the courage to make a scene again.

Baoyu knew that Yingchun was different from the past, and she had always been loved by the sisters. If he offended her, he and the sisters in the family would become even more estranged.

It was just that the two words "thank you" were difficult to say no matter what.

It is said that a son is not as good as a mother.

She could not help but complain in her heart that her son was useless, having developed such a habit, when she had only just managed to turn the tide.

At this late hour, Baoyu was still thinking of Lin Yatou; he truly had no sense of priority at all.

Seeing Baoyu's dull expression and wooden speech, Yingchun naturally did not care about his word of thanks.

Her words just now, when it came down to it, were to protect her own brother; what her brother liked, no one else should be coveting!

She stood up and said: "Grandmother, the Second Lady was just talking about the betrothal gifts; I imagine you elders have matters to discuss.

It is not appropriate for my sisters and me to delay your business, so we shall go for a stroll in the newly renovated back garden."

Jia Mu laughed: "You go right ahead. Once the Second Lady and I have settled things, I will come find you all to stroll together; it will be lively with everyone there."

By the time Yingchun and the other sisters had gone to the back hall, Baoyu's gaze still followed those slender figures, feeling quite a bit of melancholy and sorrow.

Wang Xifeng, who loved a scene, laughed: "Baoyu, look at these two boxes of gifts; they are the return gifts from the Xia family, given by Xia Gu Niang to show respect to Grandmother after receiving the betrothal gifts.

This Xia Gu Niang is not only outstanding in appearance, but her temperament is also generous and polite; she will surely be someone cherished once she enters the household. You are a lucky one."

Upon hearing this, Baoyu's heart felt as if it had fallen into an ice cellar; he felt as if he had been stripped naked, his whole body shivering with cold.

Could it be that Lin Meimei and the others had known about this long before he arrived? No wonder Lin Meimei was so cold, she couldn't even be bothered to call his name.

Thinking back to what Yingchun had just said about Jia Cong buying bird's nests for Lin Meimei, he felt a stabbing pain of jealousy and sorrow in his heart.

Yet he heard Wang Xifeng continue to laugh: "Yesterday, Fifth Sister-in-law from the alley came by and mentioned that Seeing Cai Xia is with child.

Now, almost all the old relatives on Ningrong Street have heard the news, and they all say that Baoyu is naturally outstanding, so the child he raises will surely be outstanding as well."

Jia Mu was somewhat surprised and asked: "Has this news spread so quickly? Do the relatives in the clan know as well?"

Wang Xifeng laughed: "Grandmother, it has been several days since the physician took his pulse the second time.

As the saying goes, good news travels fast; what is so strange about people knowing?"

Jia Mu smiled and didn't take it to heart, while Lady Wang wore a faint smile, her Buddhist beads turning slowly in her hand.

Hearing this, Baoyu felt as if the whole street knew he was raising a child; it was as if his soul had been snatched away, and he wished he could die immediately.

As for Seeing Cai Xia being pregnant, the joy of having his shame regarding his impotence in the bedroom washed away began to fade as well...

Rongguo Prefecture, Baoyu's courtyard.

Baoyu's expression was incomparably dejected as he returned to the courtyard all alone.

Just now in the Rongqing Hall, Jia Mu and Lady Wang had exchanged some idle chatter before having Sister Yuanyang support her to the newly renovated back garden to talk and relieve her boredom with her granddaughters.

Jia Mu had even pulled Lady Wang along; Jia Mu now felt that the marriage between Baoyu and the Xia family was not bad, and she also found the second daughter-in-law a bit more pleasing to the eye.

Lady Wang naturally could not refuse Jia Mu's face; originally, Baoyu would have had to follow on such an occasion, which would have been a good chance to get close to his sisters.

But just now in the Rongqing Hall, Lin Daiyu had personally seen Xia Gu Niang accept the betrothal return gifts, and Wang Xifeng's constant nagging about Seeing Cai Xia's belly had caused Baoyu to lose all face.

How could he remain calm and composed, pretending to be a pure and outstanding person in front of his sisters? Even if he wanted to follow, he could only endure the pain and return to hide his shame.

He hurried into the courtyard, and as luck would have it, Seeing Cai Xia came out of the side room. Seeing Baoyu, she couldn't help but beam and say: "Bao Er Ye is back."

Since the first night she entered Baoyu's room, she had originally felt ashamed and wanted to die, but after Baoyu touched her, she immediately felt something was wrong.

After all, she was someone who had experienced intimacy several times, and she quickly realized that Baoyu was merely a silver-plated pewter spearhead.

At that moment, the shock in her heart was beyond words; relief, astonishment, despair, and doubt were all tangled together.

After the physician confirmed she was pregnant, the fear and helplessness in her heart made her panic day and night.

Every time Lady Wang came to visit, Seeing Cai Xia felt as if she had fallen into a demonic realm, suppressed by infinite darkness, and she dared not look Lady Wang in the eye.

She was just a lowly maid, her desires and impulses growing as she matured, only to be lured into a deep trap, a path of endless darkness and fear, manipulated by others.

But she didn't expect Baoyu to seem completely unaware, as if he were certain she was carrying his child; these past few days, he had even spoken kindly to her and was quite considerate.

This caused Seeing Cai Xia to harbor fantasies, subconsciously viewing Baoyu as her only reliance, like a drowning person grasping at a straw. She even felt joy in her heart whenever she saw Baoyu these past few days; just like now, the joy she felt seeing Baoyu return was genuine.

But when Baoyu saw Seeing Cai Xia's brilliant smile, he remembered his encounter in the Rongqing Hall, and his heart no longer had the slightest ripple. He snorted coldly and walked into the main room without paying her any mind.

Seeing Baoyu's cold face, as if he were disgusted with her, Seeing Cai Xia's pretty face turned pale instantly, like a beautiful, illusory bubble being pricked.

Just a few days ago, Bao Er Ye Bao had been soft-spoken and gentle with her, and even tried to take advantage of her, so why had his expression changed so suddenly today?

Over there, Sister Sheyue was carrying a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup, and happened to see this scene.

Seeing Seeing Cai Xia's pale face and Baoyu walking into the room without looking back, she knew the reason and sighed slightly.

She stepped forward and said: "Seeing Cai Xia, why are you standing in the draft? It is winter now, and you are pregnant; you must be cautious in everything. What will you do if you get sick?"

Seeing Cai Xia's expression was somewhat flustered as she asked: "Sister Sheyue, what is wrong with Bao Er Ye Bao? Is it something I did wrong?"

Sister Sheyue said: "Bao Er Ye Bao still has a childish temper; he has always been like this, sunny one moment and cloudy the next. Today he is moody and angry, tomorrow he will be sweet-talking.

Usually, we just ignore him, and he gets over it himself. You will understand once you have been here longer; please don't take it to heart."

Seeing Cai Xia's expression was anxious as she said: "Although I have heard of it, I have never encountered it before. I used to be by the Lady's side, and he was always nice when he came over to talk.

It's just that Bao Er Ye was fine a few days ago, so why did he change so suddenly? Could it be that he encountered something unpleasant when he went out just now?"

Sister Sheyue advised: "Grandmother dotes on Bao Er Ye so much, who would dare make him unhappy? Bao Er Ye's mind is different from ordinary people's, so don't waste your energy trying to figure it out.

If it really is something unpleasant outside, isn't that even better? Then it has nothing to do with you.

I advise you not to let your imagination run wild. You are pregnant now, and both Grandmother and the Lady consider you precious; what else do you have to worry about?

In my opinion, just take good care of yourself and give birth to the child smoothly; you will have something to rely on for the rest of your life. What a wonderful thing.

This white fungus and lotus seed soup was ordered by Grandmother's side; the kitchen wouldn't dare be negligent and sends it over piping hot every day. You should eat it while it's hot."

Comforted by Sister Sheyue's words, Seeing Cai Xia finally set her mind at ease and was accompanied by Sister Sheyue into the side room.

A little later, Sister Sheyue came out with an empty bowl, closed the door behind her, and couldn't help but sigh.

Just as Sister Sheyue was about to leave, Sister Xi Ren happened to walk by the corridor and asked: "What are you sighing about? Is something wrong with Seeing Cai Xia?"

Sister Sheyue replied: "Nothing at all. My mother said that pregnant people love to let their imaginations run wild, so I just gave Seeing Cai Xia a few words of advice."

Hearing the mention of being pregnant, Sister Xi Ren's face turned somewhat dim, and her expression was very uncomfortable.

Sister Sheyue asked: "Sister Xi Ren, you have been absent-minded these days; is there something on your mind?"

Sister Xi Ren said: "I haven't been feeling well these days, and there's nothing on my mind. Don't guess wildly."

As she spoke, her eyes couldn't help but look toward the side room behind her. Sister Sheyue was a sharp person; how could she not guess the meaning?

She couldn't help but smile, pulled Sister Xi Ren under the tree by the courtyard, and laughed: "Could it be that you are feeling uncomfortable because Sister Xi Ren sees Seeing Cai Xia is pregnant while you are not?"

Although Sister Xi Ren appeared submissive on the outside, she was quite calculating on the inside. She came from a poor family and was sold to the Jia family under a death contract only because her mother and brother could no longer survive.

Because she did not want to suffer poverty again, she set her heart on becoming Baoyu's concubine. Qiuwen and Bifen in Baoyu's room had the same intentions, so she naturally would not become close friends with them.

Only Sister Sheyue never had such thoughts, only thinking that when she reached the right age, she could go out and be with her parents.

Because Sister Sheyue was quick-witted and had a sharp tongue, and was a help both inside and out, Sister Xi Ren had always been on good terms with her.

The two often spoke with fewer reservations than with others, and Sister Xi Ren didn't mind Sister Sheyue's teasing.

She said: "Since I entered Bao Er Ye's room, I have always wanted a result, but I never thought it would be like this..."

Sister Xi Ren couldn't continue halfway through her sentence, because there were some things she dared not tell Sister Sheyue.

She never expected that although Baoyu had that illness at first and had taken medicinal soup for a while, there was no sign of improvement.

As a result, a hero appeared halfway; once Seeing Cai Xia got into bed, Bao Er Ye's illness actually got better, and he even got that little hussy pregnant.

Seeing Sister Xi Ren stop mid-sentence, Sister Sheyue sighed: "Sister, you are a sensible person; how can one say whether one can conceive or not? It's all a matter of luck.

What should come will come, and what hasn't arrived must be waited for. Besides, you have served Bao Er Ye since you were a child, and your bond is different from others; you shouldn't overthink it."

Hearing Sister Sheyue's sincerity, Sister Xi Ren couldn't help but say: "Sister, you don't understand; Bao Er Ye is not the same toward me as he was before."

Sister Sheyue asked casually: "I think Bao Er Ye hasn't changed; how is it different from before?"

Sister Xi Ren smiled bitterly in her heart; there were some things she couldn't say, even to Sister Sheyue.

She couldn't say that although Baoyu wasn't capable before, when they shared a bed, he would still tease and entangle her, and would insist on taking his fill before stopping.

These days, when they shared a bed, Baoyu no longer entangled her, didn't even touch her much, finished in a rush, and slept until dawn.

As the two were whispering under the tree, they suddenly heard someone ask coldly: "What idle chatter are you two having? And what is wrong with Baoyu again?"

Sister Sheyue looked back and saw it was Lady Wang, with an icy expression, staring at her with gloomy eyes.

Sister Sheyue's heart sank, and she couldn't help but panic. She must be cursed; why was it that every time she whispered with Sister Xi Ren, they were caught by the Lady?

Last time, she and Sister Xi Ren were talking about the delay in the monthly allowance, and she advised Sister Xi Ren not to take the matter to the Lady to avoid creating more trouble.

She didn't expect Lady Wang to overhear this, and she was scolded severely. Sister Sheyue still had lingering fears when she thought about it now.

She didn't expect to be caught again this time; she was subconsciously afraid and lowered her head, not daring to say more.

Sister Xi Ren hurriedly said: "In reply to the Lady, Sister Sheyue and I were just chatting; we were not speaking ill of Bao Er Ye."

Lady Wang snorted coldly, glanced at Sister Sheyue, and said: "Sister Xi Ren, come back to my room with me; I have something to say."

In a side room of Baoyu's courtyard, Lady Wang had Sister Xi Ren close the doors and windows and asked: "Sister Xi Ren, I thought you were always reliable, but today you are lying to me.

I heard it clearly; you were telling Sister Sheyue that Baoyu is not treating you well now. If I hadn't stopped you in time, I don't know what else you would have said!"

Sister Xi Ren panicked, knelt before Lady Wang, and said: "Lady, I know the importance of this; I would never dare speak nonsense with Sister Sheyue, and she doesn't know the slightest bit of the truth."

Hearing this, Lady Wang felt relieved and said: "It is good that you know the importance. If the wind leaks out, Baoyu will be ruined, and you won't have a good end either!

I ask you, how is Baoyu not treating you well?"

Facing Lady Wang's gloomy gaze, Sister Xi Ren felt fear in her heart, as if thousands of drumsticks were beating.

Although the topic was somewhat shameful, she dared not deceive Lady Wang and tremblingly explained the intimacy of the bedroom to her clearly.

Lady Wang's eyes flickered as she heard this, and she softened her tone: "I thought it was something else; you really are a silly child, and too easily surprised.

In the bedroom between husband and wife, there are times of cold and heat; it is a common occurrence. Now that Seeing Cai Xia is pregnant, Baoyu is naturally more enthusiastic, so he has neglected others somewhat.

I'm afraid it's not just you; he is likely the same toward Caiyun. As long as this period passes, it will be fine; it's not worth worrying about."

Seeing Lady Wang's expression soften, Sister Xi Ren's hanging heart finally settled slightly, and she said: "It is my lack of experience; I won't speak nonsense in the future."

Lady Wang said: "I am at ease with you, but Sister Sheyue is a sharp-tongued girl with impure intentions, and she is always moving around you.

I am worried that as time goes by, she will notice something is wrong. If she goes out and talks nonsense, Baoyu will be ruined by her!"

A strange feeling arose in Sister Xi Ren's heart, and she said: "Lady, although Sister Sheyue has a sharp tongue, she has no bad intentions.

She has served in Bao Er Ye's room for many years and is a person who values old bonds. Even if she sees some clues, she won't go out and talk nonsense.

Besides, Bao Er Ye's illness is cured, and Seeing Cai Xia is pregnant; it has already spread through both prefectures. Even if someone notices the past, it doesn't matter now."

Lady Wang's gaze was gloomy and uncertain as she said: "You are still young and haven't seen much. Although Baoyu's illness is cured for now,

this kind of illness is very tricky, and no one can be sure if it will recur. Therefore, Baoyu's illness must still be kept tightly covered; not a single word can leak out!"

Hearing Lady Wang's sinister words, Sister Xi Ren's heart sank.

Bao Er Ye's illness could recur? What if he gets Seeing Cai Xia pregnant and then becomes useless again? What should I do in the future...

Lady Wang continued: "As for Sister Sheyue, you must not be careless.

As the saying goes, people's hearts are separated by their skin; how do you know she won't harm Baoyu? I have never misjudged a person.

Sister Sheyue is eloquent and can naturally coax you into believing her, but she shouldn't think she can coax me. I hate these restless maids the most!

I originally wanted to clean up the population in Baoyu's room to avoid trouble caused by too many people, but I just wanted to wait until after the New Year.

Now that Seeing Cai Xia is pregnant, there is no need to drag this out; let's get it done quickly so everyone can be at ease."

After Lady Wang finished speaking, she stood up and walked around the room, not knowing what she was pondering.

Unease surged in Sister Xi Ren's heart, but she dared not say another word.

Lady Wang stopped, said coldly: "Go call Bifen and Sister Sheyue in; I have something to say..." (End of chapter)