Chapter 750: Laughter and Words Steal Beauty

Rongguo Prefecture, Baoyu's Courtyard.

A light snow fell last night, stopping after a quarter of an hour. This morning, aside from a few traces on the barrel tiles of the eaves, there were no other signs of snow.

However, the temperature had plummeted, carrying a dry, bone-chilling cold. The maidservants walking through the courtyard all hunched their shoulders, coming and going in a hurry.

In Baoyu's room, the incense burner was burning hot. A white porcelain incense burner sat on the desk, lit with sweet and cloying red orchid incense, permeating the room with a decadent and soft atmosphere.

Baoyu held a volume of vulgar romance, flipped through a few pages, then tossed it onto the table, sighing and lamenting—he was truly filled with sorrow.

Yesterday, Lady Xing came to the courtyard and suddenly wanted to drive She Yue and Bi Hen away. When Baoyu heard this, it was like a bolt from the blue.

Afterward, Bi Hen came to beg Baoyu, crying like pear blossoms in the rain, pleading with him to speak before Lady Xing so that she might somehow be allowed to stay.

Baoyu also shed tears before Bi Hen; after all, Bi Hen had once been intimate with him and had served him with great devotion, so he naturally found it hard to let go.

Yet, he had always observed filial piety; how could he defy Lady Xing's wishes to keep Bi Hen by his side? He was momentarily bewildered, truly not knowing how to broach the subject.

Waking up this morning feeling depressed, he took the vulgar romance to relieve his boredom. Seeing the scenes of lovers parting in life and death in the book only made his sorrow well up from within.

He lamented that the Dao of Heaven was unjust, always forcing him to do things that desecrated young women; how could he not be sorrowful and heartbroken in everything?

What made Baoyu even sadder was She Yue. Although she had no intimate ties with him, she was a maid who had served by his side for many years.

Not to mention that She Yue was also an extremely spirited young woman, belonging to the type that Baoyu considered "endowed with the essence of the mountains and rivers."

It would be one thing if Lady Xing wanted to drive her away, but why did She Yue herself say she was willing to leave? How could she be so heartless as to be able to cast him aside?

This truly pained Baoyu; he had never treated She Yue poorly, so why had it come to this?

In Baoyu's mind, She Yue should have been like Bi Hen, pleading with pear-blossom tears for him to keep her; only then would it be worthy of his reputation for being cherished by young women.

Early in the morning, Baoyu specifically called She Yue over to talk, saying many words of pity and reluctance.

Yet She Yue's expression remained indifferent, not at all like her usual quick-witted self. Baoyu was inwardly sorrowful, certain that She Yue was heartbroken to the core because she had to leave him.

After a while, She Yue finally asked, "Does the Bao Er Ye mean by these words that you want to plead with Lady Xing to keep me?"

Baoyu's full-bodied, sentimental melancholy was instantly silenced by She Yue's cold, clear question. He was stunned, feeling extremely awkward.

It was only after a long while that he gathered the courage to say, "You have been in my room for many years; when Lady Xing comes again, I will certainly plead for you."

She Yue had followed Baoyu for many years and knew his temperament very well. Seeing the evasive look in his eyes when he spoke, her last bit of attachment vanished.

When Qian Xue and Xiao Hong were driven away, Bao Er Ye Bao hadn't offered a single word of defense before Lady Xing.

When the Second Young Mistress cut his maids and pages, saying to cut as many as she pleased, Bao Er Ye Bao hadn't said a word in response, knowing only how to shed tears there.

Why, when it came to her, would he suddenly be able to speak up for justice? She was just a maid; what weight did she have to change the Bao Er Ye's nature?

Following this, the two had nothing more to say. Baoyu was somewhat hesitant and unable to speak, and She Yue, seeing his hesitant and uneasy expression, found an excuse to leave the room.

Baoyu could only remain uncomfortable in the room alone, his heart filled with sorrow again, muttering to himself.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he heard footsteps outside the door. He saw Lady Wang entering with Yu Chuan, followed by two old women.

……

The sorrow churning in Baoyu's heart actually squeezed out a bit of boldness; seeing Lady Wang, he felt a sudden impulse to plead for her.

He heard Lady Wang say, "Yu Chuan, go call She Yue over; I have something to say."

Hearing the cold severity in Lady Wang's words, the boldness that had welled up instantly subsided, shrinking back into a state of indifference.

Before long, She Yue followed Yu Chuan inside. Her expression was indifferent; after bowing to Lady Wang, she stood there without speaking.

Seeing that she did not beg like Bi Hen, and that her demeanor appeared firm and calm, Lady Wang could not help but feel angry.

She said, "Yesterday I said that you have served Baoyu for many years. Even if you are to leave now, I will not treat you poorly; I will find you a good destination."

"You are already over sixteen and have reached the age for marriage. Yesterday, when I returned, I began arranging this matter for you."

"I have already picked out a suitable man for you: Qin Xian's second son, Qin Yong. He is twenty years old now, just right for you."

"I will give you twenty taels as a dowry. Once I report this to the Old Matriarch, I will pick a day for you to marry after you leave."

Upon hearing Lady Wang's words, She Yue's expression changed instantly. Even Xi Ren and Jin Chuan, who were present, changed color.

……

That Qin Xian was originally the uncle of Yingchun's head maid, Si Qi. Because Yingchun had been taken to the Western Prefecture by Jia Mu to be raised since she was small, Qin Xian and his wife had followed her to the Western Prefecture.

Previously, when Lady Wang was in charge of the Western Prefecture, Qin Xian and his wife worked under her.

Later, Jia Cong formed a grudge with Wang Shanbao's wife and plotted the witchcraft affair to eliminate her, eventually leading to Wang Shanbao's wife being executed by the authorities.

Because Wang Shanbao's wife was Si Qi's grandmother, Si Qi held many grudges against Jia Cong.

Later, Yingchun followed Jia Cong's suggestion and released Si Qi from the prefecture to marry, which both eliminated a potential hidden danger and avoided Si Qi's misconduct from damaging Yingchun's reputation.

Qin Xian and his wife were able to gain a foothold in the Western Prefecture by relying on Wang Shanbao's wife and Si Qi. Now that they had lost their foundation, how could they stay?

When Wang Xifeng began cutting the population, she set her sights on this couple. Lady Wang went with the flow and had Qin Xian and his wife sent back to the Eastern Courtyard.

She originally thought this couple would fend for themselves from then on and no one would pay them any mind, but unexpectedly, the situation turned around, and Lady Wang eventually moved to the Eastern Courtyard as well.

At that time, all the old servants in charge of the Western Prefecture knew that the Jia family's Second Branch had lost power, and everyone avoided being assigned to the Eastern Courtyard.

Lady Wang was a shrewd person in the inner chambers; she worried that if the Eastern Courtyard was managed by the old servants of the Western Prefecture, she wouldn't know how they might betray her in the future.

Thus, Qin Xian and his wife, who had been left to rot in the Eastern Courtyard, became valuable in Lady Wang's eyes because they had old grudges against Jia Cong and Wang Xifeng.

After she won them over with favors, she had Qin Xian continue as the steward of the Eastern Courtyard and had Qin Xian's wife serve as the stewardess of the inner chambers.

Qin Xian and his wife were at the end of their rope in the Jia family, and from then on, they were devoted to Lady Wang.

Lady Wang could enter and leave the Western Prefecture all day to scheme without worrying about the likes of Zhao Yiniang rebelling in the Eastern Courtyard, precisely because Qin Xian and his wife were holding down the fort for her.

She also gave Qin Xian and his wife some benefits daily to make them even more loyal, and naturally, she knew what they wanted most.

The maids who were able to enter Baoyu's room in the past were all outstanding figures among the maids of the Western Prefecture, both in appearance and figure.

Although Lady Wang detested She Yue, She Yue was also a very spirited girl. Sending her to Qin Xian as a daughter-in-law was definitely a great favor.

……

Hearing Lady Wang mention Qin Xian's second son, She Yue's expression changed drastically, and she blurted out, "Since Lady Wang wants to reduce the population in the Bao Er Ye's room, I am willing to leave."

"Even if I have to be a rough maid, or someone who keeps watch at night, I have no complaints, but I am not willing to marry!"

Xi Ren and Yu Chuan saw She Yue's firm refusal and were not surprised at all; as long as it was a decent young woman, who would be willing to marry that dissolute son of the Qin family?

Qin Xian's second son was named Qin Yong. He was twenty years old this year, an alcoholic and a gambler, ugly in appearance, and skilled in nothing; everyone avoided him.

Xi Ren and the others never imagined that Lady Wang would actually want to marry She Yue to Qin Yong. Wasn't this ruining She Yue's life?

Lady Wang scolded, "You unruly thing! When the servants and maids in the prefecture reach the age, which one of them isn't matched by their masters?"

"Your parents were married that way back then, and aren't they surrounded by children and grandchildren now?"

"I didn't have you matched with a servant in the outer courtyard who tends the stables; having you matched with Steward Qin's son is already elevating you."

"It is not your place to be presumptuous. If you dare to talk back and disobey, violating the family rules of the prefecture, a beating could kill you!"

Lady Wang said to the two old women, "Watch her well; do not let her run around. I am going to Rongqing Hall to speak with the Old Matriarch, and when I return, I will take her back to the Eastern Courtyard."

……

After Lady Wang left, the two old women stared at She Yue like tigers, with cold sneers of schadenfreude on their faces.

She Yue's face was pale, but she was not overly panicked. Her large, watery eyes just stared fixedly at Baoyu.

She asked, "Bao Er Ye Bao, you said you would plead for me before Lady Wang; what do you say now?"

Baoyu met She Yue's intense gaze and dared not look back, but he did not want to lose face before Xi Ren, Yu Chuan, and the others.

He bit the bullet and said, "If it doesn't work with Lady Wang, I will go beg the Old Matriarch. I will go right now."

As Baoyu spoke, he walked out with unsteady steps, as if She Yue's gaze were somewhat sharp, making it hard for him to face, and he was in a hurry to hide.

Xi Ren knew Baoyu's temperament best. Lady Wang had just gone to Rongqing Hall; would the Bao Er Ye go plead with the Old Matriarch at this time?

Even though Xi Ren's heart was entirely on Baoyu, she didn't believe it either...

She Yue watched Baoyu leave in a hurry, her eyes filled with disappointment, turning cold and indifferent; she no longer wished to look at him.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Today, just as the hour of the dragon arrived, Wang Xifeng went to Rongqing Hall to pay her respects. At that time, the Old Matriarch was still eating breakfast. Seeing her come to visit so early, she couldn't help but find it a bit strange.

Wang Xifeng only said she had woken up a bit early and, thinking of the Old Matriarch, came to see her. The Old Matriarch was pleased to hear this and even kept her for breakfast.

Yesterday at sunset, Zhen Ying Lian had received instructions from Jia Cong and came to pass a message to Wang Xifeng, asking her to handle the matter of She Yue thoroughly. Wang Xifeng knew the situation and became spirited; her aunt really knew how to stir up trouble, driving away the maids in Baoyu's room for no reason.

But her aunt never expected that while Baoyu was a useless piece of goods, the maids around him were not to be trifled with.

There was Xiao Hong before, who had long been spotted by Third Brother Cong, just waiting for her aunt to drive her away so he could promote her to a steward maid.

Now her aunt wanted to drive away She Yue, but she never expected this girl to be even more ruthless than Xiao Hong, having long ago hitched a ride with Third Brother Cong.

Her aunt wanted to drive someone away, and Third Brother Cong immediately sent word to protect her; the matter didn't even last overnight. He was truly a timely rain.

Wang Xifeng recalled the last time She Yue came to ask about the delay in the monthly allowance; her speech was sharp and her mind shrewd, so she felt this girl was not ordinary.

Now it seemed she was more than just not ordinary; she was simply formidable. A mere young girl was actually able to get Third Brother Cong to protect her.

Wang Xifeng thought that She Yue was also quite spirited, but she really couldn't figure out when she had hooked up with Third Brother Cong.

……

Her aunt was also a miserable person; every time she drove away maids with her head held high, she ended up losing face in the end. Wang Xifeng found it amusing just thinking about it.

Jia Cong asked her to thoroughly protect She Yue, which for Wang Xifeng was naturally an easy task.

She thought of Zhen Ying Lian coming to pass the message, saying the Second Lady wanted to drive She Yue out of Baoyu's courtyard and arrange a new destination for her.

Wang Xifeng felt great disdain; her aunt was truly used to being arrogant, still thinking she was the steward lady of the Western Prefecture, forgetting who was in charge now!

Before leaving this morning, Wang Xifeng had Feng Er take an old woman to keep a close watch on the inner courtyard's second gate and Baoyu's courtyard, and to report to her when the Second Lady moved.

She also ordered Lin Zhixiao's wife to send people to keep a close watch on the gates and not allow anyone to take She Yue out of the Western Prefecture.

……

Wang Xifeng came early to Rongqing Hall to block the door, accompanied the Old Matriarch for breakfast, and then helped her to the front hall to talk.

She was originally a person with a very sharp tongue, and added to that, she was quick-witted and full of tricks, finding many topics to talk about, which made the Old Matriarch very happy.

After half an hour, Yingchun, Daiyu, and the other sisters arrived, and Rongqing Hall became even livelier.

Because Wang Xifeng was waiting to see a good show, her mood was quite exuberant, and she came up with many witty remarks, stirring up bursts of laughter in Rongqing Hall.

Yingchun always felt Wang Xifeng was a bit strange and asked with a smile, "Sister Feng, what good fortune did you get today? You seem to be in a very good mood."

Wang Xifeng laughed, "Now that we have Third Brother Cong standing tall and supporting the two prefectures, others have to look up to the Jia family."

"We women in the inner chambers have encountered good times; we can just close the doors and manage the trivial matters of the house, and we can live a relaxed and easy life. Shouldn't we be secretly happy?"

"Second Sister, you are a young girl managing such a large estate in the Eastern Prefecture; you are usually tired enough. Do you have enough people to use?"

Yingchun smiled and said, "In the Eastern Prefecture, there is only Third Brother Cong and us sisters. The servants in the prefecture are also fewer than in the Western Prefecture, so managing it daily is still considered fine."

"It's just that the servants in the Eastern Prefecture were bought from Jiangnan. When these people first arrived, because the Southerners were not familiar with the customs of the Northerners, there were many inconveniences in doing things."

"These people were born in the warm lands of Jiangnan. The first year, many could not withstand the cold of the Divine Capital, and the prefecture was in chaos for a while."

"Thanks to Sister Lin and Third Sister helping to manage it, after the first winter, everything became smooth, and now it is naturally very handy."

……

Wang Xifeng laughed, "The servants bought from the South, although more polite and diligent than those from the North, are not as intimate as those born into the family."

"Look at the few young ladies around Third Brother Cong, Zhi Shao, Wu Er, and Qing Wen; they are all proper Northerners, raised in his own home."

"When they were small, they were maids; when they grew up, they were people in the room. Third Brother Cong uses them so satisfactorily."

"Even for Second Sister, because there are too many daily trivial matters, you should have more such people to share the burden."

Yingchun felt strange after hearing Wang Xifeng's words. She was also a careful girl and always felt Wang Xifeng had something behind her words.

On the side, Daiyu laughed, "Listening to Sister Feng's tone, it sounds like you found some good maid and want to send her to Third Brother."

Wang Xifeng laughed, "What use is it if I fancy a maid? Third Brother Cong has to fancy her."

As the few were chatting there, suddenly Wang Xifeng's maid, Feng Er, came in and whispered a few words in her ear. Wang Xifeng nodded silently.

Before long, they heard a maid at the door say, "The Second Lady is here."

The curtain at the hall entrance was lifted, and Lady Wang entered with a smile, looking quite graceful.

Seeing her aunt, Wang Xifeng revealed a pretty smile on her face, her pink lips slightly parted, revealing teeth as white as shells.

Daiyu's mind was extremely sharp and seemed to sense something. Her watery, wonderful eyes darted between Wang Xifeng and Lady Wang...

……

Lady Wang entered the hall and saw it was full of people. She didn't find it strange; it was the time for the younger generation to pay their respects, so the hall was naturally full.

She walked over with a smile and sat down, first chatting with the Old Matriarch for a while, then said, "Old Matriarch, I have something to tell you; it can be considered a happy event."

The Old Matriarch laughed, "Oh, you have a happy event? Tell me quickly, let me hear it."

Lady Wang phrased her words slightly and said, "Old Matriarch, three people have already entered Baoyu's room. Besides them, there are three head maids: She Yue, Qiu Wen, and Bi Hen."

"Since Third Brother Cong inherited the title, the Western Prefecture has had a large reduction in noble assets, and the public treasury is not as wealthy as before. We must always think of ways to save."

"I think that after Miss Xia enters the door, she will definitely bring a few dowry maids. By then, how can Baoyu's room support so many people?"

"I have already transferred Qiu Wen to the Eastern Courtyard to serve, but the population in Baoyu's room is still too heavy, so I thought of letting She Yue and Bi Hen go."

Yingchun, Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, and the other sisters felt a slight chill in their hearts upon hearing this.

What Lady Wang called "letting go" was just a nice way of saying it; in reality, it was driving them out.

Rongguo Prefecture had always been lenient with servants; unless a family servant committed a major mistake, they were rarely driven out of the prefecture gates.

It was only last year when the imperial court's new policy increased taxes, the Western Prefecture's public treasury was tight, and later Jia Cong inherited the title at a lower rank, reducing the prefecture's noble assets, that Wang Xifeng was forced to cut the population.

Even if family servants were sent out of the prefecture gates, it wasn't a matter of letting them fend for themselves; they were either sent to work on the Jia family's farms or sent to shops to do odd jobs, all of which allowed them to make a living.

Yesterday, regarding the matter of She Yue, Jia Cong only had Zhen Ying Lian inform Wang Xifeng because he didn't want the matter to be publicized, and he didn't tell Yingchun and the other sisters.

Therefore, they all felt it was a bit strange to hear Lady Wang wanted to drive away maids.

They hadn't heard of any mistakes made by the maids in Baoyu's room, so why suddenly drive them away? What kind of logic was this?

……

Wang Xifeng, however, knew the root of the matter. Hearing her aunt's excuse, she couldn't help but find it amusing.

Her aunt felt that the Jia family should all belong to the Second Branch, wishing she could lie on the Western Prefecture's public treasury and suck blood every day.

When Baoyu married a wife, she could open her mouth and ask the public treasury for eight thousand taels. If she was thinking about saving for the family, that would truly be seeing a ghost.

It was just driving away two maids; was it necessary to say such nonsense? She assumed everyone else was a fool who could be easily deceived by her.

……

Although the Old Matriarch was advanced in age, she was a shrewd person in the inner chambers and always felt her daughter-in-law's tone today was truly a bit hollow.

Just a moment ago, she said there was a happy event, and now she was talking about driving away maids in Baoyu's room. Last time Sister Feng cut Baoyu's maids, she was the one who was most anxious and angry.

Lady Wang continued, "Yesterday I called She Yue and Bi Hen to ask them questions. Bi Hen was unwilling to leave no matter what, even if she had to do rough work for the monthly allowance, she begged me to keep her."

"She Yue, on the other hand, thought clearly and, considering the current difficulties, was willing to leave herself."

"I thought that since she has served Baoyu for many years, it wouldn't be good to let her suffer too much. When I returned to the Eastern Courtyard, I calculated slightly and found a good marriage for her."

"After she leaves, she will have someone to rely on for the rest of her life, which won't be in vain for her serving Baoyu."

The Old Matriarch laughed, "This intention of yours is excellent. When maids get older, they should be let go. Finding them a good marriage can be considered fulfilling the affection between master and servant."

"I have heard that this girl She Yue is good. Since she is Baoyu's maid, she should have some dignity. The person found for her must be a match; otherwise, Baoyu will have no face."

Lady Wang laughed, "Old Matriarch's words are very true. The person I found for her is very decent; it is Qin Yong, the second son of the Eastern Courtyard steward Qin Xian."

The Old Matriarch was somewhat confused and asked, "Qin Yong? I haven't heard of this person. Is he a match for She Yue?"

The Old Matriarch hadn't managed household affairs for more than ten years and was usually high above, so she naturally didn't know what the situation with this Qin Yong was.

Even the Old Matriarch didn't know, so the young ladies like Yingchun and Daiyu knew even less.

……

But Wang Xifeng had managed the household for many years and walked around the inner and outer courtyards daily; there was almost nothing about the corners of the prefecture that she didn't know.

Hearing the name Qin Yong, she couldn't help but curse inwardly: This second son of the Qin family is just a hoodlum; he can be considered a decent person? That would truly be seeing a ghost in broad daylight.

Her aunt had a ruthless heart; marrying She Yue to this kid was simply ruining this girl's life.

No wonder Third Brother Cong didn't let the matter wait overnight and urgently had someone pass a message to her, asking her to come forward and handle this matter. Could it be that he had long known her aunt's schemes?

No matter what the truth was, Wang Xifeng made up her mind to interfere first.

She didn't wait for Lady Wang to answer the Old Matriarch and said, "Second Lady, I think this marriage is very inappropriate..." (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 751 =====