Chapter 770

Rongguo Mansion, Baoyu's courtyard.

Because of the previous incident, Baoyu felt ashamed in his heart and was somewhat afraid to face people, but he still missed his sisters at home.

Knowing clearly that they went to Rongqing Hall every day, like orioles and swallows, beautiful as fairies, yet he could not see them, he could not help but feel sorrowful in his heart.

Originally, Second Sister was a "wooden block" who was unknown, but now she was no longer what she used to be; not only did Grandmother value her, but the sisters in the family also respected and loved her.

That day, this usually gentle Second Sister also looked at him with such cold eyes, which made Baoyu's heart ache as if it were splitting.

With such a barrier between Second Sister and himself, he feared that the other sisters would also be subtly influenced and develop a grudge against him.

Baoyu did not think about this, but felt depressed and resentful in his heart. It was all because that Jia Cong was meddlesome; it was so good when Second Sister lived in the West Mansion before.

It was he who snatched Second Sister to the East Mansion, letting her be polluted by the vulgarity of officialdom every day, simply ruining Second Sister.

The once gentle and approachable young lady had now become so stiff and cold, not understanding his feelings at all.

For the past two days, Baoyu had been at his wit's end, cherishing his face and unwilling to tear it apart easily.

But he was also hoping to go to Rongqing Hall to chat and laugh with his sisters. However, how could he, a "pure" person, do such a thing as thicken his face?

He didn't expect Grandmother to love him the most, letting the sisters stay for a meal at Rongqing Hall and thinking of letting him go over together. It was truly a wish come true.

Baoyu said happily, "Thank you, Sister, for coming to pass the message. I'll change my clothes and go."

As he spoke, he had Sister Xi Ren get his clothes—the set he liked most now, a bright red round-collared robe with gold lotus patterns, which made him feel particularly proud.

He also asked, "Sister Feicui, in this mid-winter weather, the forest is sealed by snow; where did Grandmother get this game?"

Feicui laughed, "It was sent to the Cong Sanye by an official at the Tongwen Guesthouse. It must be a friend of the Cong Sanye in official circles. The Cong Sanye has a great reputation now, and everyone gives him face."

Baoyu was originally full of joy, but upon hearing "official at the Tongwen Guesthouse" and "friend of the Cong Sanye in official circles," he suddenly felt full of disgust.

Feicui did not notice Baoyu's expression and said, "There is a feast at Grandmother's side, and I still have to go over and get busy. Bao Er Ye, be quick and come over; don't let Grandmother wait too long."

After Feicui left, Sister Xi Ren brought that bright red round-collared robe with gold lotus patterns and was about to serve Baoyu in putting it on.

But she saw her Bao Er Ye with a face of worry and indignation, and could not help but worry, asking, "Bao Er Ye, Grandmother is calling for a meal; why are you unhappy again?"

Baoyu said, "Why is Jia Cong everywhere in the mansion? Grandmother is kindly inviting me and my sisters to eat."

"It's enough that he sent some wild chicken and venison, but since he sent it, it had to be some filthy stuff mixed up from official social interactions."

"It makes people feel disgusted and annoyed to hear it; it truly defiles the purity of me and my sisters!"

When Sister Xi Ren heard Baoyu's words, her face changed instantly. She hurriedly went to close the door and said, "Bao Er Ye, why are you saying these foolish things again?"

"I have advised you so many times; have you forgotten the incident at the entrance of Rongqing Hall a few days ago?"

"Even if Bao Er Ye wants to say angry things or complain, that's up to you, but please don't involve the Cong Sanye in your words."

"As the saying goes, 'walls have ears.' Even if you aren't caught on the spot, what if someone steals your words and secretly tells the Cong Sanye? It will be ugly for everyone's face then."

Baoyu said angrily, "If everyone lived their lives as cautiously as you, what fun would there be? Even if I don't dare to say I'm standing tall, I should at least be open and honest!"

Sister Xi Ren felt a headache, thinking that she didn't know what books the Bao Er Ye had been reading, and where these crooked principles came from. The Bao Er Ye was badmouthing people behind their backs, and he still called that open and honest...

Baoyu said, "I'm just angry that whenever there's a good thing in the mansion, Jia Cong has to get involved and always spoils the scenery like this."

"When he was still in the East Courtyard, I and my sisters were so close; it's not like now, where Lin Meimei ignores me."

"If he hadn't come to the West Mansion back then, all the good things in this world would still be here. Why did he have to disturb the peace like this?"

"Since he has read so many books, he should have some depth and know the feeling of having a bright moon and clear breeze in one's heart, not being entangled by things."

"Yet he spoils the mood everywhere like this, ignorant and unknowledgeable; it's pitiful and lamentable."

"You know what I said before: 'Reading poetry and books is useless, and the pursuit of officialdom and economy harms people.' These words were ultimately not wrong."

Sister Xi Ren became more and more frightened as she listened, and hurriedly said, "Why is Bao Er Ye speaking more and more severely? Even if you don't like reading, you should pretend to like it."

"Others will have less gossip if they see it. Saying that reading is useless in broad daylight—if this reaches the Master's ears, won't it cause trouble? Bao Er Ye, you must be careful."

As soon as Baoyu heard Sister Xi Ren's words, his fair, round face instantly changed color, and his generous, impassioned, and depressed words were suddenly silenced.

At this time, Caiyun pushed the door open and happened to hear Baoyu's words, saying, "If Bao Er Ye is feeling uncomfortable, why not just not go to Rongqing Hall to eat?"

"Otherwise, if you encounter something unpleasant, Bao Er Ye might say the wrong thing again, won't that cause more discomfort?"

Sister Xi Ren said, "Caiyun's words make sense. If Bao Er Ye is unhappy, don't go out."

"I'll go tell Grandmother that Bao Er Ye caught a cold, took some medicine to drive away the cold, and is sweating under the quilt, so he won't go over to eat, to avoid spreading the illness."

"Grandmother will definitely agree. At worst, Yuanyang will come to check, and we can muddle through it."

"Then I'll go to the kitchen and pass the word to make a few dishes Bao Er Ye likes, and I and Caiyun will accompany Bao Er Ye for the meal."

Caiyun hurriedly advised, "Sister Sister Xi Ren's words make sense. It's chaotic over there; how can it compare to me and Sister Sister Xi Ren accompanying you, so quiet and comfortable?"

Baoyu listened to the two of them speaking in unison. Just a moment ago, he was righteous and stern, but immediately his face became troubled.

He just didn't like Jia Cong, but it wasn't that he didn't like his sisters at home. He had a grudge with Second Sister because of the last incident.

This time, it was hard for Grandmother to invite him to eat, giving him such a big step down.

He didn't know when he would encounter such an opportunity next time. If he missed it in vain, wouldn't it be too much of a pity?

It was just right for him to get close to his sisters, and he didn't have to tear his face apart.

Although he didn't like Jia Cong and was unwilling to bow before the "maggots of officialdom,"

he was not like that toward his sisters at home. No matter how he spoke soft words to apologize, he would gladly accept it...

Baoyu hesitated and said, "Although I don't like Jia Cong, I shouldn't just think of myself. Not to mention Grandmother inviting me to eat, it would be unfilial if I didn't go."

"Not to mention that my sisters haven't seen me for a long time, I should go visit them, so they don't worry about me."

When Sister Xi Ren heard Baoyu's words, her heart was filled with a strange taste. When did the Bao Er Ye become so righteous...

When Caiyun heard Baoyu's words, goosebumps rose on her arms. Was the Bao Er Ye pretending to be confused or was he really confused?

Why did he think the young ladies of the East Mansion would miss him? That Cong Sanye Cong was more handsome than the Bao Er Ye and so capable; the young ladies were so happy to see him every day.

Why would they still be thinking of the Bao Er Ye, and why would they be so eager to see him? Could it be that they were as confused as the Bao Er Ye...

But since Baoyu used filial piety as an excuse, Sister Xi Ren and Caiyun could not stop him anymore.

The two helped Baoyu put on the bright red round-collared robe with gold lotus patterns and helped him put on the purple-gold crown inlaid with treasures, with a large velvet ball trembling on top of his head, looking very festive.

Sister Xi Ren had been by Baoyu's side for many years and knew he had a habit of loving red; it was common for him to go out in bright red.

However, recently, the Bao Er Ye seemed to love red more and more, and his daily preferences and supplies were becoming more delicate; she didn't know the reason...

Caiyun helped Baoyu smooth out his robe, but she was muttering in her heart. The Bao Er Ye wasn't going to a wedding feast; it was a bit ostentatious to go out so brightly red.

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Lin Zhixiao's wife led the maids and old women to set up a marble round table in the hall, just enough for more than ten people to sit together.

After Baoyu rushed into the hall, Jia Mu smiled and let everyone take their seats.

Because Yingchun was the eldest among the sisters and was now the eldest young lady of the East Mansion, Jia Mu had her sit at the head of her right side.

Daiyu sat down next to Yingchun. Baoyu's heart moved when he saw this, and he raised his head, wanting to go over and sit next to Daiyu.

He had truly not been close to Lin Meimei for too long, but he had only taken two steps when he saw Seeing Tan Chun's lotus steps sway, her figure agile, and she had already sat down next to Daiyu.

Baoyu felt depressed in his heart. Why did Third Sister sit down just as he was about to go over? It was as if she had done it on purpose.

However, Baoyu was also willing to sit next to Third Sister.

But just as he was about to go over, a figure flashed beside him, and Shi Xiangyun had already sat down next to Seeing Tan Chun.

Xichun jumped over and sat down next to Xiangyun, not even leaving a gap for Baoyu.

Xichun was still holding a cloth doll in her hand and laughed, "Second Brother, isn't my doll pretty? Third Brother bought it for me at Yingxi Studio."

Baoyu felt awkward when he heard this and couldn't help but make a bitter face.

Xichun said, "Second Brother, Grandmother loves you the most; go sit by her side, don't mix with us." In fact, whether it was Seeing Tan Chun, Shi Xiangyun, or Xichun, they didn't grab Baoyu's seat; the sisters were arranged by age, and that was the original seating order.

But Seeing Tan Chun was sharp-minded and saw Baoyu's intentions. She knew Daiyu hated Baoyu, and seeing Baoyu's actions, she would definitely be unhappy.

Although Seeing Tan Chun was at odds with Lady Wang, Baoyu was her father's brother after all, and she didn't want Baoyu to make a fool of himself in front of the sisters.

Xichun was young but didn't have any other thoughts; sitting next to Third Sister was a habit from childhood.

As long as Sister Xiangyun arrived, she would sit next to Sister Xiangyun's seat; this was something Second Sister had told her long ago.

Unless her Third Brother was present, she would change her ways and only stick to Jia Cong's side to sit.

Jia Mu laughed, "Fourth Girl is still the clever one. Baoyu, come sit by my side quickly."

Baoyu had a helpless expression and had to sit down beside Jia Mu.

After everyone was seated, several maids from the outer rooms each held whisks, spittoons, towels, and other items, standing on the side to serve.

Lin Zhixiao's wife led several managing wives, bringing dishes like flowing water, and skillfully set the table.

Dishes such as gold and silver venison, salt-roasted venison, and venison with mountain mushrooms were served, along with more than a dozen other delicacies the kitchen was good at.

The spotted deer had a larger body. Although venison was a great tonic, if it wasn't bled while alive, it would inevitably have a gamey smell.

But the cooks in the Rongguo Mansion kitchen were old servants who had passed down their skills for generations, and their culinary skills were quite good.

Although the spotted deer Jia Cong obtained was hunted, it was carefully cooked by the kitchen, and the venison delicacies had no strange smell, with a rich fragrance hitting the nose.

Jia Mu smiled and picked up a piece with her chopsticks first, Yingchun followed and picked up a piece, and the other sisters then followed suit.

Even the young Xichun, who usually jumped around, followed the rules at the table; the etiquette of a wealthy family was something she had been influenced by since childhood.

Baoyu only picked up a few pieces, and he avoided the venison dishes, appearing somewhat self-righteous and distracted.

After Jia Mu asked a few casual questions, Baoyu accompanied her with caution and asked, "Lin Meimei looks quite good; her health must have improved a lot recently."

When Yingchun heard Baoyu's words, she frowned slightly. Baoyu's words sounded strange.

What did he mean by "health improved a lot"? It sounded like he wished Lin Meimei had been sick; why couldn't he ask something nice?

On the side, Xiangyun said, "Lin Meimei is different from the past; her health is strong, and she is even more agile than me daily."

"She never coughs in the cold weather, and doesn't even sneeze."

Baoyu felt blocked in his heart when he heard Xiangyun's straightforward words, especially when Xiangyun praised Daiyu for being strong, which made him feel even more twitchy and uncomfortable.

Lin Meimei, who was usually as delicate as a willow, was actually called strong by someone, and Sister Xiangyun had been infected to be so rude; it was simply spoiling the scenery.

But he didn't dare to ridicule Xiangyun to her face, because Xiangyun was different from the other sisters; the other sisters either didn't like to pay attention to him or retreated and avoided him.

Only Xiangyun had been raised by Jia Mu since childhood, and coupled with her straightforward and cheerful personality, she never hid anything.

When they were good, they would chat and laugh together; when they were bad, they would argue and fight. Xiangyun never followed Baoyu's lead.

So their words were not harmonious, but Baoyu didn't dare to offend Xiangyun easily, because her mouth was sharper than his, and she spoke faster than him.

The topic he had worked so hard to think of was interrupted by Xiangyun, and he felt quite helpless and depressed in his heart.

He ate a few pieces of food messily and asked, "Does Sister still sleep peacefully at night? I heard from the maids before that Sister couldn't sleep for even one watch at night."

"If this continues, it will hurt your health. Do you sleep better now?"

Baoyu considered himself attentive and considerate, but when Daiyu heard it, she felt extremely disgusted. Did you have to tell you, a young man, how many watches she slept at night?

On the side, Seeing Tan Chun saw that the atmosphere at the table was wrong. Baoyu asked two questions, but Daiyu ignored him and didn't reply at all.

She hurriedly came out to smooth things over and laughed, "Since Third Brother found the divine doctor Zhang to treat Lin Meimei and prescribed the *Sansheng Yanghun* pill,"

"Lin Meimei has been taking the medicine according to the prescription, and her health has long since improved. A few days ago, I stayed overnight in her room."

"We chatted until the hour of Zi before sleeping, and Lin Meimei didn't get up until after the hour of Chen; she actually slept longer than me."

"Could it be that I am particularly good at warming the bed, so you slept so peacefully?"

Daiyu said, "Even if you didn't come over, I sleep like this every day. I have never been this peaceful since I was a child until this year."

"Third Brother knows my routine. Whenever he is at home on his day off, he doesn't come to my courtyard until after the hour of Chen."

Seeing Tan Chun felt a bitter smile in her heart when she heard Daiyu's words. She wanted to act as a firebreak for Baoyu, but Lin Meimei was not happy and insisted on lighting a fire.

Baoyu heard Shi Xiangyun say Daiyu was strong, and heard Seeing Tan Chun say Daiyu could sleep for three hours a night, and felt extremely uncomfortable in his heart.

This was still the Lin Meimei he admired, delicate and pitiful, sick like Xi Shi; now how had she become like this...

If it were just these things, Baoyu could still endure the inner disappointment, until Daiyu said Jia Cong knew her daily routine, so he always came to her room to walk around after the hour of Chen.

When Baoyu heard Daiyu's words, it was like a sharp blade stabbing his heart; jealousy surged, and he felt like dying from the pain.

Why wasn't Jia Cong the outsider who couldn't enter the East Mansion? The person who could walk into Lin Meimei's room to smell the fragrance and chat and laugh should be him.

Heaven was so unfair, trampling him like this, and his full heart of pure feelings could only be overturned into the ditch.

Baoyu had always placed his thoughts on Daiyu, so his perception of her every word and action was three times sharper than others.

Daiyu's sentence just now seemed to contain hidden affection. Others might not care, but Baoyu sensed her hidden intimacy toward Jia Cong.

Baoyu felt a huge sense of grievance in his heart, and an impulse to reprimand and question surged up, wanting to blurt out: "Sister, please don't be fooled by Jia Cong."

Just as he was about to disregard everything and reveal his heart, Jia Mu saw him in a daze, holding his chopsticks without putting them down, as if he didn't know what dish to eat.

She laughed, "Baoyu, the venison Cong'er got is excellent; why haven't you tasted a single bite? Didn't you love venison before?"

The courage Baoyu had brewed was interrupted by Jia Mu's words, and his brain was a bit confused for a moment.

Thinking that this venison was filthy stuff mixed up from officialdom, his tone turned cold, and he said casually, "Venison is gamey and hard to swallow."

When these words came out, Yingchun, Daiyu, and the other sisters' faces sank. The venison was obtained by Jia Cong from outside; Baoyu's words were too rude.

Xiangyun's voice was crisp, and she said unconvinced, "Second Brother is talking nonsense; this venison is very delicious, and the kitchen cooked it well too. How is it gamey?"

Jia Mu's expression was somewhat awkward. How could she not know that Baoyu's words made these granddaughters somewhat dissatisfied?

She hurriedly said, "Baoyu, is your appetite not good today? You can't tell the taste of this venison, so eat something plain first."

"After this meal, I'll have the kitchen make some new ones for you. Lin Zhixiao's wife, how much venison is left?"

Lin Zhixiao's wife had been serving at the table, and hearing Baoyu say the venison was gamey, she was also extremely dissatisfied in her heart.

Grandmother held a venison feast today, which she had organized the kitchen to prepare. If the venison served was not clean, the taste would be hard to hide from being gamey.

In front of Grandmother and all the young ladies, where would she put her old face?

She hurriedly said, "Reporting to Grandmother, Second Young Lady sent a whole deer leg, and only a small half was used on the table; there is still a lot left."

"I had people hang it under the eaves of the kitchen; it's frozen hard and very fresh."

"This venison was cooked by Zhang Sao in the kitchen, who is also an old person who has been in the kitchen for half a lifetime, and her skills are not at all inferior to Liu Sao of the East Mansion."

"There is definitely no problem with the way this venison is cooked. Shi Da Young Lady grew up in the mansion and has the most discerning mouth; she said it was delicious, so it must be correct."

Jia Mu laughed, "What are you panicking about, you old thing? No one said you messed up the errand; it's just that Baoyu has a poor appetite today."

"I think this venison is good too, and it's not a waste of the filial piety of Cong'er and Second Girl."

Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, and the others all heard that Grandmother was giving Baoyu a step down, and also praised Third Brother and Second Sister for their filial piety, covering everything and being very thoughtful.

Jia Mu continued, "Go back and tell Zhang Sao to make a portion of venison for Feng Yaya at dinner time, adding some ginseng slices and goji berries to nourish her body."

"Make another portion according to Baoyu's taste and send it to his courtyard, so he can eat it slowly later."

"Make another plain portion, without oil frying or fire roasting, just stewed over low heat; this one is nourishing, just send it to Seeing Cai Xia."

When Lin Zhixiao's wife heard Jia Mu's words, her heart moved slightly. She was a person experienced in worldly affairs.

Hearing Baoyu's words involving Daiyu, how could she not see his intentions?

This Bao Er Ye Bao was already a man who had married a wife and raised children, yet he was still so disrespectful and still wanted to have delusions about Lin Meimei; he was truly blind.

He ate Lin Meimei's cold words, then used her errand to complain; this was "eating from the rice bowl and cursing the chopsticks"! (End of chapter)