Chapter 845: Reputation and Bloodshed

16th Year of Emperor Jia Zhao, Fourth Day of the First Lunar Month, Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Outside, the clear snow was flying, and the breath turned into ice, but the hall was as warm as spring.

Red light flickered in the fire basin, burning top-quality silver frost charcoal, and burning pine and cypress incense and lily grass. The warm air rose, and the fragrance overflowed.

Jia Mu had finished her breakfast early in the morning. Since it was still early and there were no visitors, it was a leisurely time.

She leaned against the soft couch, squinting her eyes, letting Sister Yuanyang hammer her legs, feeling very lazy and comfortable.

The red brocade warm curtain at the entrance of the hall was lifted, and Lady Wang stepped into the hall. Jia Mu smiled: "You came early today."

Lady Wang looked tired, her smile somewhat stiff, and she said: "I came early to pay my respects to the Old Matriarch, and I also have important matters to discuss."

……

Yesterday, Wang Wang Xifeng held Jia Baoyu's handle, and her words were airtight, leaving no room for maneuver.

Lady Wang couldn't sleep peacefully all night, and she racked her brains without any countermeasures.

She knew Wang Wang Xifeng's heart was ruthless and had sealed all the exits. As long as she didn't submit, she would definitely destroy her Jia Baoyu.

Wang Wang Xifeng had too many ways to not make the matter big and not damage the Jia family's reputation, as long as the Master knew about this, Jia Baoyu would suffer a lot.

Now that things had come to this, Lady Wang could only swallow her anger. After thinking about it all night, she came to Jia Mu reluctantly to discuss it.

Jia Mu looked at Lady Wang and asked: "Your complexion doesn't look good. You are almost fifty, and you should take more care of yourself as you get older.

When Jia Baoyu gets married and sets up a family, you can worry less. Living in a great mansion, stability is the most important thing. Don't think too much; it's useless to think too much.

You said you have important matters to discuss, what is it?"

……

Lady Wang forced a smile and said: "Old Matriarch, Jia Baoyu will get married in the third month, and he will move to the East Courtyard by then.

I thought that since he has to move sooner or later, it would be better to prepare early, so as not to be flustered, and I want Jia Baoyu to move over on the fifth day."

Sister Yuanyang, who was on the side, heard this and was also shocked.

Sister Yuanyang served Jia Mu daily, and she was present for most of the times Lady Wang plotted in front of Jia Mu.

She was very clear about Lady Wang's calculations—nothing more than using Bao Er Ye Bao to stay in the West Prefecture and let the Second Branch implicate the West Prefecture's family business.

Why did the Second Aunt suddenly change her face, actually willing to let Bao Er Ye Bao move out of the West Prefecture, and in such a hurry, wanting to move on the fifth day? Did the sun rise from the west?

However, Sister Yuanyang felt very comfortable with Jia Baoyu moving out of the West Prefecture. It saved her from seeing Jia Baoyu every time she met him, staring at her without blinking, with a stupid and lowly look.

Jia Mu heard Lady Wang's words and was shocked, saying: "Why did you suddenly think of Jia Baoyu moving out? Isn't the wedding in the second month? Why be in such a hurry?"

Lady Wang saw that Jia Mu was reluctant to part with Jia Baoyu, and felt comfortable in her heart. She really wanted to say some heartfelt words, hoping Jia Baoyu would stay for a long, long time.

It was just that thinking of Wang Wang Xifeng's behavior yesterday, her words were sharp, clear, and sinister. If she wanted to go back on her word, she would definitely not let it go!

Thinking of this, she felt resentful, and the words on her lips were swallowed back.

She said: "Old Matriarch, Jia Baoyu and the Xia family's marriage is known to all the old relatives. There are many relatives and friends coming and going during the New Year, and some don't know the details.

Seeing Jia Baoyu still living in the West Prefecture, those who talk too much will inevitably have some gossip. It will be refreshing for everyone if Jia Baoyu moves out early."

Jia Mu frowned and said: "This is a family matter, why care about what others say? Besides, even if he stays, it's only for two months."

Hearing this, Lady Wang's heart moved slightly, and she wanted to say something.

……

The voice of the maid guarding the door came from the entrance of the hall: "Cousin Cong and the sisters are here."

Lady Wang's words were swallowed back again, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.

She saw the warm curtain at the entrance lifted, and Jia Cong led Seeing Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, Shi Xiangyun, Xing Xiuyan, Little Xichun, and other sisters in.

They each paid their respects to Jia Mu. After taking their seats, the maids came to serve tea. Seeing Yingchun and the others chatted for a while, and Lady Wang was left on the side.

Jia Mu said: "Cousin Cong, the Aunt was just saying to me that she wants to move Jia Baoyu to the East Courtyard early, and wants to move on the fifth day. What do you think?"

Jia Cong heard this and was not surprised at all.

Because Ping'er returned to the Ningguo Prefecture last night and told Jia Cong all about Wang Wang Xifeng's way of handling things and the results of her response.

He already knew that Wang Wang Xifeng's methods were clean and neat, forcing Lady Wang to submit and let Jia Baoyu move out on the fifth day.

He came to Rongqing Hall to pay his respects today. Because Jia Mu had always favored Jia Baoyu, she would definitely bring this up.

He had long been prepared in his heart, so naturally, he wanted to settle the matter and drive Jia Baoyu away early, so the West Prefecture could get rid of trouble early.

He said: "The Second Aunt's idea is quite appropriate. According to family etiquette, the Second Branch should live in the East Courtyard, and descendants like Jia Huan'er and Lan'er should serve by the Master's side.

The eldest brother Zhu has passed away, so Jia Baoyu is the eldest legitimate son of the Second Branch and should be a role model for the descendants of this branch, not neglecting filial piety and etiquette.

Originally, because of serving the Old Matriarch, he temporarily lived in the West Prefecture. Now Jia Baoyu is about to get married. If he drags it until the third month to move back to the West Prefecture.

It won't look good to outsiders, who will feel that Jia Baoyu is lazy in filial piety and unwilling to serve the Master and Aunt early, which is not beautiful.

Our Jia family is a great clan, not an ordinary small family. Clan laws and etiquette are the most important things.

Besides, it is the New Year now, and old relatives come and go frequently. There are often noble ladies from outside entering and leaving the inner court, which is a time when there are many people and many mouths.

The Second Aunt's move is very sensible, letting Jia Baoyu cherish his virtue, so that there will be no flaws in the mouths of outsiders. It is truly a very good idea.

Moving to the East Courtyard on the fifth day, although the time is a bit urgent, it doesn't matter. Let the Second Sister arrange more manpower, and don't let Jia Baoyu worry about the moving matters.

The East Courtyard is separated from the West Prefecture, and the two places are only a moment away. It is a small matter for Jia Baoyu to come to pay his respects to the Old Matriarch and his brothers and sisters."

……

Seeing Yingchun's heart was full of her brother Jia Cong, and she had long been estranged and disgusted by Jia Baoyu's various filthy behaviors.

Now that Jia Baoyu was moving out of the West Prefecture, her brother's house would be free of a lot of trouble. How could she not be willing? Naturally, she had to stand up for her brother.

She smiled: "Cousin Cong's words are very true. Jia Baoyu is already an adult when he gets married and sets up a family. Moving back to the East Courtyard now is to serve the Bao Er Ye and Second Aunt.

This is the perfection of family etiquette, commendable filial piety, and a blessing for the household. He will definitely have a better future, and the sisters will all go to see him off."

Lin Daiyu was very willing for Jia Baoyu to move out of the West Prefecture. In the future, when she came to the West Prefecture to visit and pay her respects to her grandmother, she wouldn't have to worry about Jia Baoyu coming to entangle her.

Shi Shi Xiangyun was always straightforward. If Jia Baoyu's words and actions were inappropriate, she would speak directly if she encountered them, and quarrels and disputes were common.

But she didn't keep things in her heart, and Jia Baoyu didn't dare to provoke her, so she didn't have any ill feelings toward Jia Baoyu, just felt that he had lived in his cousin's prefecture for many years, which was a bit shameless.

So Shi Xiangyun also felt that Jia Baoyu moving out of the West Prefecture was a matter of proper etiquette, and naturally, she agreed.

As for Xing Xing Xiuyan, she had a cold impression of Jia Baoyu. When she first came to the Jia Prefecture, she went to Rongqing Hall to pay her respects to Jia Mu, and Jia Baoyu had once shown great diligence to her.

After that, she lived in the Ningguo Prefecture. Because she was a distant relative of the Jia family, unlike Seeing Yingchun and Lin Daiyu, she didn't go to Rongqing Hall to pay her respects every day.

So she rarely saw Jia Baoyu, and whether he lived in the West Prefecture or not had nothing to do with her, and she didn't take it to heart at all.

Little Xichun was still young and childish. Jia Baoyu rarely got close to her, and she didn't get close to Jia Baoyu.

She only felt that Second Brother liked to play tricks, often making her lose face, and liked to slander Third Brother behind his back, which was truly unlikable.

For Little Xichun, Third Brother was the most important, and she didn't take Second Brother seriously.

Only Seeing Tan Chun was suspicious in her heart. On weekdays, the Aunt couldn't wait for Jia Baoyu to stay in the West Prefecture, but today she was completely contrary to her usual behavior. There must be a reason...

……

Jia Mu heard Jia Cong's words and greatly agreed with Jia Baoyu moving on the fifth day, and even said a bunch of reasons that could not be refuted.

The Old Matriarch regretted asking Jia Cong. With these reasons of his, if Jia Baoyu didn't move out immediately, it would seem like he wasn't a thing...

Moreover, sisters like Seeing Yingchun and Lin Daiyu all agreed, which made Jia Mu very helpless. She had originally thought the granddaughters would try to keep him, but the result was completely different.

Was Jia Baoyu so unpopular in the West Prefecture, and was his popularity among the sisters so bad? In short, Jia Baoyu moving out was unavoidable.

Although Jia Mu was very disappointed, Jia Cong's words: "The East Courtyard is separated from the West Prefecture, and the two places are only a moment away."

She took the opportunity to put down her worries. It was a matter of time before Jia Baoyu got married and moved out. In short, it was extremely convenient to see her precious grandson...

……

Lady Wang heard Jia Cong's words, every sentence touching upon filial piety and etiquette, sounding very high-sounding.

In fact, he was in the same boat as Feng'er, racking his brains to drive Jia Baoyu out of the West Prefecture. Maybe Feng'er was instigated by him.

This boy had read a belly full of poetry and books, but his brain was full of treachery and cunning. His actions were so lowly and hateful, yet he was worthy of being a Hanlin scholar.

Lady Wang was angry in her heart and wanted to say a few cold words to mock him to vent her anger, but suddenly the warm curtain at the door was lifted, and Wang Wang Xifeng entered with a smile.

Lady Wang felt a bit startled, and the words on her lips were swallowed back again, feeling truly frustrated in her heart.

Wang Wang Xifeng looked at Lady Wang and smiled: "Second Aunt came so early today. Did you come to discuss that matter with the Old Matriarch?"

Lady Wang felt as if she had been hit by a heavy hammer. This Feng'er was truly pressing step by step, exposing it directly in front of the Old Matriarch.

She was forcing people to hang themselves, not letting people breathe. It was blatant and merciless.

……

Jia Cong said: "Second Sister-in-law came just in time. Second Aunt was just discussing with the Old Matriarch, wanting Jia Baoyu to move back to the East Courtyard on the fifth day."

Wang Wang Xifeng smiled: "The Second Aunt truly has insight. Jia Baoyu is now an adult and it is time to serve his parents.

I will arrange enough manpower immediately to help Jia Baoyu pack his things, without him having to worry about a thing, ensuring he moves to the East Courtyard on the fifth day."

Jia Mu was already dizzy, feeling as if she had been hit by a ghost. The uncle and sister-in-law were singing in harmony, and no one else could intervene. ===== CHAPTER 846 =====